10-Q 1 form10-q.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission file number 001-38250

 

 

FAT Brands Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   08-2130269

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(310) 402-0600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ]
       
Non-accelerated filer [  ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company [X]
       
Emerging growth company [X]    

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [  ] No [X]

 

As of November 13, 2018, there were 11,529,891 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 

 

   
 

 

FAT BRANDS INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

September 30, 2018

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) 1
     
  FAT Brands Inc. and Subsidiaries:  
  Consolidated Balance Sheets 1
  Consolidated Statements of Operations 2
  Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity 3
  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 4
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 5
     
  Fatburger North America:  
  Balance Sheets 29
  Statements of Operations 30
  Statement of Stockholder’s Equity 31
  Statements of Cash Flows 32
  Notes to Financial Statements 33
     
  Buffalo’s Franchise Concept Inc. and Subsidiary  
  Consolidated Balance Sheets 40
  Consolidated Statements of Operations 41
  Consolidated Statement of Stockholder’s Equity 42
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 43
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 44
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 52
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 66
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 67
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 67
Item 1A. Risk Factors 68
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 69
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 70
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 70
Item 5. Other Information 70
Item 6. Exhibits 71
     
SIGNATURES 72

 

   
 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

FAT BRANDS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

    September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017
      (Unaudited)       (Audited)  
Assets                
Current assets                
Cash   $ 1,859     $ 32  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $689 and $679, respectively     2,230       918  
Trade notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $17       83       77  
Other current assets     774       153  
Total current assets     4,946       1,180  
                 
Notes receivable – noncurrent, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $17     2,461       346  
Due from affiliates     12,998       7,963  
Deferred income taxes     1,771       937  
Goodwill     8,110       7,356  
Other intangible assets, net     21,867       11,011  
Other assets     404       7  
Buffalo’s creative and advertising fund     -         436  
Total assets   $ 52,557     $ 29,236  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                
Liabilities                
Accounts payable   $ 3,352     $ 2,439  
Deferred income     1,136       1,772  
Accrued expenses     2,507       1,761  
Accrued advertising     164       348  
Accrued interest payable     671       405  
Dividend payable on mandatorily redeemable preferred shares     321       -  
Current portion of long-term debt     55       -  
Total current liabilities     8,206       6,725  
                 
Deferred income - noncurrent     6,638       1,941  
Long-term debt, net     14,938       -  
Mandatorily redeemable preferred shares, net     14,175       -  
Deferred dividend payable on mandatorily redeemable preferred shares     126       -  
Notes payable to FCCG     -         18,125  
Buffalo’s creative and advertising fund-contra     -         436  
Total liabilities     44,083       27,227  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)                
                 
Stockholders’ equity                
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 11,353,014 and 10,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively     10,867       2,622  
Accumulated deficit     (2,393 )     (613 )
Total stockholders’ equity     8,474       2,009  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 52,557     $ 29,236  

 

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

 

1
 

 

FAT BRANDS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

For the Thirteen and Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Thirteen Weeks  Thirty-nine Weeks
       
Revenue          
Royalties  $3,370   $8,802 
Franchise fees   1,343    2,041 
Store opening fees   100    205 
Advertising fees   1,038    2,264 
Management fees   13    45 
Total revenue   5,864    13,357 
           
General and administrative expenses          
Compensation and employee benefits   1,495    4,285 
Travel and entertainment   177    503 
Professional fees   513    1,071 
Advertising expense   1,038    2,264 
Other   532    1,357 
Total general and administrative expenses   3,755    9,480 
           
Income from operations   2,109    3,877 
           
Non-operating income (expense)          
Interest expense, net   (991)   (1,427)
Interest expense related to mandatorily redeemable preferred shares   (437)   (515)
Depreciation and amortization   (120)   (193)
Other expense, net   (352)   (355)
Total non-operating expense   (1,900)   (2,490)
           
Income before taxes   209    1,387 
           
Income tax expense   199    495 
           
Net income  $10   $892 
           
Basic income per common share  $0.00   $0.08 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding   11,317,679    10,498,931 
Diluted income per common share  $0.00   $0.08 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding   11,334,620    10,507,281 
Cash dividends declared per common share  $0.00   $0.24 

 

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

 

2
 

 

FAT BRANDS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

    Common Stock           
    Shares    Par value    

Additional paid-in

capital

    Total    Accumulated Deficit    Total 
                               
Balance at December 31, 2017   10,000,000   $1   $2,621   $2,622   $(613)  $2,009 
                               
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers   -    -    -    -    (2,672)   (2,672)
Net income   -    -    -    -    892    892 
Dividends on common stock   -    -    (2,551)   (2,551)   -    (2,551)
Issuance of common stock in lieu of director fees payable   52,254    -    420    420    -    420 
Issuance of common stock in payment of related party note   989,395    -    7,272    7,272    -    7,272 
Issuance of common stock in lieu of dividend payable to FCCG   311,365    -    1,920    1,920    -    1,920 
Issuance of warrants to purchase common stock   -    -    774    774    -    774 
Stock offering costs   -    -    (50)   (50)        (50)
Value of common stock beneficial conversion feature of Series A-1 Preferred Stock   -    -    90    90    -    90 
Share-based compensation   -    -    370    370    -    370 
                               
Balance at September 30, 2018 (unaudited)   11,353,014   $1   $10,866   $10,867   $(2,393)  $8,474 

 

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

 

3
 

 

FAT BRANDS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 (Unaudited)

  

Cash flows from operating activities   
Net income  $892 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:     
Deferred income taxes   (22)
Depreciation and amortization   193 
Share-based compensation   370 
Accretion of long-term debt   413 
Accretion of Series A and Series A-1 Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares   18 
Change in:     
Accounts receivable   (805)
Trade notes receivable   64 
Prepaid expenses   (362)
Accounts payables and accrued expense   1,033 
Accrued advertising   (475)
Accrued interest payable   259 
Dividend payable on mandatorily redeemable preferred shares   447 
Deferred income   (1,665)
Total adjustments   (532)
Net cash provided by operating activities   360 
      
Cash flows from investing activities     
 Payments made in connection with acquisition, net   (7,677)
Additions to property and equipment   (139)
Net cash used in investing activities   (7,816)
      
Cash flows from financing activities     
Issuance of mandatorily redeemable preferred shares and associated warrants, net   7,984 
Proceeds from borrowings and associated warrants, net of issuance costs   17,096 
Repayments of borrowings   (10,853)
Change in due from affiliates   (4,262)
Dividends paid in cash   (632)
Other   (50)
Net cash provided by financing activities   9,283 
      
Net increase in cash   1,827 
Cash at beginning of period   32 
Cash at end of period  $1,859 
      
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:     
Cash paid for interest  $1,551 
Cash paid for income taxes  $184 
      
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:     
Dividends reinvested in common stock  $1,920 
Note payable to FCCG converted to common and preferred stock  $9,272 
Director fees converted to common stock  $420 
Income taxes payable offset against amounts due from affiliates  $74 

 

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

 

4
 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

 

FAT Brands Inc. (the “Company”) was formed on March 21, 2017 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (“FCCG”). On October 20, 2017, the Company completed an initial public offering and issued additional shares of common stock representing 20 percent of its ownership (the “Offering”). The Company’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FAT.”

 

The Company did not begin operations until October 20, 2017. As a result, prior year comparative results are not presented in the accompanying statement of operations and statement of cash flows.

 

On July 3, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Hurricane AMT, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Hurricane”), for a purchase price of $12,500,000. Hurricane is the franchisor of Hurricane Grill & Wings and Hurricane BTW Restaurants.

 

At September 30, 2018, FCCG controlled a significant voting majority of the Company.

 

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Nature of operations – FAT Brands Inc. is a multi-brand franchising company specializing in fast casual restaurant concepts around the world through its subsidiaries: Fatburger, Buffalo’s, Hurricane and Ponderosa. Each subsidiary licenses the right to use its brand name and provides franchisees with operating procedures and methods of merchandising. Upon signing a franchise agreement, the franchisor is committed to provide training, some supervision and assistance, and access to operations manuals. As needed, the franchisor will also provide advice and written materials concerning techniques of managing and operating the restaurants.

 

Fatburger restaurants serve a variety of freshly made-to-order Fatburgers, Turkeyburgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Veggieburgers, French fries, onion rings, soft-drinks and milkshakes.

 

Buffalo’s grants franchises for the operation of casual dining restaurants (Buffalo’s Southwest Cafés) and quick service restaurants outlets (Buffalo’s Express). These restaurants specialize in the sale of Buffalo-Style chicken wings, chicken tenders, burgers, ribs, wrap sandwiches, and salads.

 

Hurricane restaurants have a tropical, laid-back vibe and are known for jumbo fresh wings with more than 35 signature sauces and rubs. Hurricane Grill & Wings’ menu includes Hurricane’s Garlic & Parmesan fries, tasty salads, seafood entrees and fresh ½ pound burgers. The brand’s signature Rum Bar with over 21 premium rums leads its tropical drinks menu, along with a wide selection of craft beers and wines.

 

Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses offer guests a high-quality buffet and broad array of great tasting, affordably-priced steak, chicken and seafood entrées. Buffets at Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses feature a large variety of all you can eat salads, soups, appetizers, vegetables, breads, hot main courses and desserts. Bonanza Steak & BBQ operates full service steakhouses with fresh farm-to-table salad bar, including a menu showcase of USDA flame-grilled steaks, house-smoked BBQ and contemporized interpretations of traditional American classics.

 

5
 

 

The Company also co-brands its franchise concepts. These co-branded restaurants sell products of multiple affiliated brands and share back-of-the-house facilities.

 

The Company operates on a 52-week calendar and its fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. Consistent with the industry practice, the Company measures its stores’ performance based upon 7-day work weeks. Using the 52-week cycle ensures consistent weekly reporting for operations and ensures that each week has the same days, since certain days are more profitable than others. The use of this fiscal year means a 53rd week is added to the fiscal year every 5 or 6 years. In a 52-week year, all four quarters are comprised of 13 weeks. In a 53-week year, one extra week is added to the fourth quarter. The year 2018 will be a 52-week year.

 

Principles of consolidation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries: Fatburger, Buffalo’s and Ponderosa. The accounts of Hurricane have been included since its acquisition by the Company on July 3, 2018. Intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of estimates in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements – The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the determination of fair values of certain financial instruments for which there is no active market, the allocation of basis between assets sold and retained, and valuation allowances for notes receivable and accounts receivable. Estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Financial Statement Reclassification – Certain account balances from prior periods have been reclassified in these condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to current period classifications.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Accounts receivable – Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the existing accounts receivable. The allowance is based on historical collection data and current franchisee information. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

 

Trade notes receivable – Trade notes receivable are created when an agreement to settle a delinquent franchisee receivable account is reached and the entire balance is not immediately paid. Generally, trade notes receivable include personal guarantees from the franchisee. The notes are made for the shortest time frame negotiable and will generally carry an interest rate of 6% to 7.5%. Reserve amounts on the notes are established based on the likelihood of collection.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets – Intangible assets are stated at the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and include goodwill, trademarks, and franchise agreements. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, such as trademarks, are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators arise. All other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated weighted average useful lives, which range from nine to twenty-five years. Management assesses potential impairments to intangible assets at least annually, or when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered. Judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators and future cash flows related to intangible assets are based on operational performance of the acquired businesses, market conditions and other factors.

 

Income taxes – Effective October 20, 2017, the Company entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with FCCG that provides that FCCG will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, file consolidated federal, California and Oregon (and possibly other jurisdictions where revenue is generated, at FCCG’s election) income tax returns with the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company will pay FCCG the amount that its tax liability would have been had it filed a separate return. As such, the Company accounts for income taxes as if it filed separately from FCCG.

 

6
 

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain.

 

We utilize a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon tax authority examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon the ultimate settlement.

 

Franchise fees and royalty revenue – Franchise fee revenue from the sale of individual franchises is recognized over the term of the individual franchise agreement. Unamortized non-refundable deposits collected in relation to the sale of franchises are recorded as deferred franchise fees. In addition to franchise fee revenue, the Company collects a royalty ranging from 0.75% to 6% of gross sales from restaurants operated by franchisees. Royalties are recorded as revenue as the related sales are made by the franchisees. Any royalties received prior to the related sales are deferred and recognized when earned. Costs relating to continuing franchise support are expensed as incurred.

 

Store opening fees – The Company recognizes store opening fees of $45,000 and $60,000 for domestic and international stores, respectively, from the up-front fees collected from franchisees. The remaining balance of the up-front fees are then amortized as franchise fees over the life of the franchise agreement. If the fees collected are less than the respective store opening fee amounts, the full up-front fees are recognized at opening. The $45,000 and $60,000 are based on out-of-pocket costs to the Company for each store opening and are primarily comprised of labor expenses associated with training, store design, and supply chain setup. International fees recognized are higher due to the additional cost of travel.

 

Advertising – The Company requires advertising payments from franchisees based on a percent of net sales. The Company also receives, from time to time, payments from vendors that are to be used for advertising. Advertising funds collected are required to be spent for specific advertising purposes. Advertising revenue and associated expense is recorded on the statement of operations. Assets and liabilities associated with the related advertising fees are consolidated on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

Share-based compensation – The Company has a stock option plan which provides for options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Options issued under the plan may have a variety of terms as determined by the Board of Directors including the option term, the exercise price and the vesting period. Options granted to employees and directors are valued at the date of grant and recognized as an expense over the vesting period in which the options are earned. Cancellations or forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. Stock options issued to non-employees as compensation for services are accounted for based upon the estimated fair value of the stock option. The Company recognizes this expense over the period in which the services are provided. Management utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of the stock options issued by the Company. See Note 14 for more details on the Company’s share-based compensation.

 

Earnings per share – The Company reports basic earnings per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of dilutive securities during the reporting period.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts With Customers (Topic 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods and services to customers. The updated standard replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. These standards became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018.

 

7
 

 

These standards require that the transaction price received from customers be allocated to each separate and distinct performance obligation. The transaction price attributable to each separate and distinct performance obligation is then recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied as specified in the contract. The agreements for services provided by the Company related to upfront fees received from franchisees (such as initial or renewal fees) do not currently contain separate and distinct performance obligations from the franchise right and thus those upfront fees will be recognized as revenue over the term of each respective franchise agreement. Previously, we recognized upfront franchise fees such as initial and renewal fees when the related services have been provided, which is when a store opened for initial fees and when renewal options became effective for renewal fees. These standards require any unamortized portion of fees received prior to adoption be presented in the consolidated balance sheet as a contract liability.

 

The new standards also had an impact on transactions previously not included in the Company’s revenues and expenses such as franchisee contributions to and subsequent expenditures from advertising arrangements we have with our franchisees. The Company did not previously include these contributions and expenditures in its consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. Under the new standards, the Company will recognize advertising fees and the related expense in its consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. The Company will also consolidate the assets and liabilities related to advertising funds on its balance sheet.

 

These standards will not impact the recognition of our sales-based royalties from franchisees, which is generally our largest source of revenue. We have implemented internal controls related to the recognition and presentation of the Company’s revenues under these new standards.

 

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method, in which the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. An adjustment to increase deferred revenue in the amount of $3,482,000 was established on the date of adoption relating to fees received through December 31, 2017 that would have been deferred and recognized over the term of each respective franchise store agreement if the new guidance had been applied in the past. A deferred tax asset of $810,000 related to this contract liability was also established on the date of adoption. These adjustments had the effect of increasing beginning accumulated deficit by approximately $2,672,000.

 

Adopting the new accounting standards for revenue affected several financial statement line items for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018. The following tables provide the affected amounts as reported in these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements compared with what they would have been if the previous accounting guidance had remained in effect.

 

As of September 30, 2018 (in thousands)

 

   Amounts As Reported  Amounts Under Previous Accounting Guidance
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet:          
Cash  $1,859   $1,405 
Accounts receivable  $2,230   $1,642 
Other current assets  $774   $760 
Due from affiliates  $12,998   $12,804 
Deferred income taxes  $1,771   $959 
Buffalo’s Creative and Advertising Fund  $-     $356 
Buffalo’s Creative and Advertising Fund - Contra  $-     $356 
Accounts payable  $3,352   $2,482 
Deferred income  $7,774   $4,555 
Accrued expenses  $2,507   $2,117 
Accrued advertising  $164   $515 
Accumulated deficit  $(2,393)  $(324)

 

8
 

 

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands except per share data)

 

   As Reported  Amounts Under Previous Accounting Guidance
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Operations:          
Franchise fees and store opening fees  $2,246   $1,643 
Advertising fees  $2,264   $-   
Advertising expense  $2,264   $-   
Net income  $892   $289 
Earnings per common share - basic  $0.08   $0.03 
Earnings per common share - diluted  $0.08   $0.03 

 

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands)

 

   As Reported   Amounts Under Previous Accounting Guidance 
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:          
Net income  $892   $289 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Accounts receivable  $(805)  $(724)
Deferred income  $(1,665)   842 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $1,033   $399 
Accrued advertising  $(475)  $167 
Increase in due from affiliates  $(4,262)  $(4,841)

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

9
 

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), requiring a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with a lease term of more than twelve months. Leases will continue to be classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease. This ASU is effective for interim and annual period beginning after December 15, 2018 and requires a modified retrospective approach to adoption for lessees related to capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The primary effect of adopting this ASU will be to record assets and obligations for the Company’s operating leases.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No.2018-07, Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Prior to this update, Top 718 applied only to share-based transactions to employees. Consistent with the accounting requirements for employee share-based payment awards, nonemployee share-based payment awards within the scope of Topic 718 are measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments that an entity is obligated to issue when the good has been delivered or the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied. The amendments in the update are effective for public business entities form fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. The adoption of this accounting standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements. This ASU makes amendments to multiple codification Topics. The transition and effective date guidance is based on the facts and circumstances of each amendment. Some of the amendments in this ASU do not require transition guidance and will be effective upon issuance of this ASU. However, many of the amendments in this ASU do have transition guidance with effective dates for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the effect that this ASU will have on its financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU adds, modifies and removes several disclosure requirements relative to the three levels of inputs used to measure fair value in accordance with Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the effect that this ASU will have on its financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

 

NOTE 3. HURRICANE ACQUISITION

 

On July 3, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Hurricane AMT, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Hurricane”), for a purchase price of $12,500,000. Hurricane is the franchisor of Hurricane Grill & Wings and Hurricane BTW Restaurants. The purchase price of $12,500,000 was delivered through the payment of $8,000,000 in cash and the issuance to the Sellers of $4,500,000 of equity units of the Company valued at $10,000 per unit, or a total of 450 units. Each unit consists of (i) 100 shares of the Company’s newly designated Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”) and (ii) a warrant to purchase 125 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.00 per share (the “Hurricane Warrants”). The Company also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Sellers under which the Company agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to register for resale the Series A-1 Preferred Stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Hurricane Warrants and upon conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock.

 

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Holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative dividends on the $100.00 per share stated liquidation preference of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, in the amount of cash dividends at a rate of 6.0% per year. Upon (i) the five-year anniversary of the initial issuance date (July 3, 2023), or (ii) the earlier liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company (the “Series A-1 Mandatory Redemption Date”), the holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to cash redemption of their shares in an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. In addition, prior to the Series A-1 Mandatory Redemption Date, the Company may optionally redeem the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at par plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

 

Holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock may also optionally cause the Company to redeem all or any portion of their shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock beginning any time after the two-year anniversary of the initial issuance date for an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, which amount may be settled in cash or Common Stock of the Company, at the option of the holder. If a holder elects to receive Common Stock, shares will be issued as payment for redemption at the rate of $12.00 per share of Common Stock.

 

Fees and expenses related to the Hurricane acquisition totaled approximately $206,000 consisting primarily of professional fees, all of which are classified as other expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. These fees and expenses were funded through cash on hand and proceeds from borrowings. The allocation of consideration to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired is presented in the table below (in thousands):

 

Cash  $358 
Accounts receivable   389 
Notes receivable   2,184 
Other current assets   760 
Intangible assets   11,020 
Goodwill   754 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (723)
Deferred franchise fees   (1,885)
Other liabilities   (357)
Total net identifiable assets  $12,500 

 

 

The following table provides information regarding the revenue and earnings of Hurricane included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements since July 3, 2018 (in thousands):

 

   Hurricane
Revenues     
Royalties  $825 
Franchise fees   16 
Advertising fees   480 
      
Total revenues   1,321 
      
Expenses     
General and administrative   1,192 
      
Income from operations   129 
      
Other expense   (133)
      
Loss before income tax benefit   (4)
      
Income tax benefit   (1)
      
Net loss  $(3)

 

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The following unaudited pro forma information presents the revenue and earnings of Hurricane as if it had been acquired on January 1, 2018 (the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year) through September 30, 2018 (in thousands):

 

  

Pro Forma

Hurricane

Revenues     
Royalties  $2,519 
Franchise fees   48 
Advertising fees   1,362 
      
Total revenues   3,929 
      
Expenses     
General and administrative   4,310 
      
Loss from operations   (381)
      
Other expense   (263)
      
Loss before income tax benefit   (644)
      
Income tax benefit   (180)
      
Net loss  $(464)

 

The unaudited pro forma income statement reflects actual results of Hurricane for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 with the following adjustments:

 

  Revenue – The unaudited pro forma income statement presents franchise fee revenue and advertising revenue in accordance with ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). As a non-public company, Hurricane was not required to adopt ASU 2014-09 until its 2019 fiscal year. However, had the Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2018, Hurricane would have adopted ASU 2014-09 on that date.
   
 

Selling, general and administrative expenses – Prior to the Acquisition, Hurricane incurred costs associated with a closed, company owned restaurant. These expenses have been eliminated in the pro forma adjustments since the Acquisition did not include the company owned restaurant.

 

The pro forma adjustments include advertising expenses in accordance with ASU 2014-09.

   
  Interest expense, net – The pro forma interest expense has been adjusted to exclude actual Hurricane interest expense incurred prior to the Acquisition. All interest-bearing liabilities were paid off at the Acquisition date.
   
  Depreciation and amortization – The pro forma adjustments include the amortization of the intangible asset relating to acquired franchise agreements over their average remaining term of 13 years.
   
  Income tax benefit – The tax benefit of the pro forma net loss is calculated using an effective tax rate of 28%. Upon acquisition, Hurricane became subject to the Tax Sharing Agreement with FCCG.

 

Had the Company owned Hurricane as of January 1, 2018, the unaudited pro forma consolidated net income of the Company would have been a loss of approximately $98,000 instead of net income of $892,000. This pro forma loss includes the additional financing carrying costs (net of tax benefits) in the amount of $529,000 that would have been incurred by FAT Brands had the acquisition been consummated as of January 1, 2018.

 

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Note 4. NOTES RECEIVABLE

 

Prior to the acquisition by the Company, Hurricane had paid certain expenses on behalf of a former related party of Hurricane. As of September 30, 2018, the amount owed to Hurricane for these advances was $2,163,000. The advances are non-interest bearing and are due on demand.

 

Additionally, trade notes receivable are created when the settlement of a delinquent franchisee receivable account is reached and the entire balance is not immediately paid. Notes receivable generally include personal guarantees from the franchisee. The notes are made for the shortest time frame negotiable and will generally carry an interest rate of 6% to 7.5%. Reserve amounts, on the notes, are established based on the likelihood of collection. As of September 30, 2018, these trade notes receivable totaled $381,000, which is net of reserves of $34,000.

 

Note 5. GOODWILL

 

Goodwill consists of the following (in thousands):

 

   September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017
Goodwill:          
Fatburger  $529   $529 
Buffalo’s   5,365    5,365 
Hurricane   754    - 
Ponderosa   1,462    1,462 
Total goodwill  $8,110   $7,356 

 

Note 6. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017
Trademarks:          
Fatburger  $2,135   $2,135 
Buffalo’s   27    27 
Hurricane   6,840    - 
Ponderosa   7,230    7,230 
Total trademarks   16,232    9,392 
           
Franchise agreements:          
Hurricane – cost   4,180    - 
Hurricane – accumulated amortization   (80)   - 
Ponderosa – cost   1,640    1,640 
Ponderosa – accumulated amortization   (105)   (21)
Total franchise agreements   5,635    1,619 
Total  $21,867   $11,011 

 

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The expected future amortization of the Company’s capitalized franchise agreements is as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal year:   
2018   $107 
2019    432 
2020    432 
2021    432 
2022    432 
Thereafter    3,800 
Total   $5,635 

 

Note 7. DEFERRED INCOME

 

Deferred income is as follows (in thousands):

 

   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 
         
Deferred franchise fees  $7,062   $2,781 
Deferred royalties   712    932 
Total  $7,774   $3,713 

 

Note 8. Income Taxes

 

Effective October 20, 2017, the Company entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with FCCG that provides that FCCG will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, file consolidated federal, California and Oregon (and possibly other jurisdictions where revenue is generated, at FCCG’s election) income tax returns with the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company will pay FCCG the amount that its current tax liability would have been had it filed a separate return. To the extent the Company’s required payment exceeds its share of the actual combined income tax liability (which may occur, for example, due to the application of FCCG’s net operating loss carryforwards), the Company will be permitted, in the discretion of a committee of its board of directors comprised solely of directors not affiliated with or having an interest in FCCG, to pay such excess to FCCG by issuing an equivalent amount of its common stock in lieu of cash, valued at the fair market value at the time of the payment. An inter-company receivable of approximately $12,998,000 due from FCCG and its affiliates will be applied first to reduce excess income tax payment obligations to FCCG under the Tax Sharing Agreement.

 

For financial reporting purposes, the Company has recorded a tax provision calculated as if the Company files its tax returns on a stand-alone basis. The amount payable to FCCG determined by this calculation of $74,000 was offset against amounts due from FCCG as of September 30, 2018 (See Note 12).

 

Deferred taxes reflect the net effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for calculating taxes payable on a stand-alone basis. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)          
Deferred income  $1,872   $882 
Reserves and accruals   426    451 
Intangibles   (538)   (372)
Deferred state income tax   (62)   (25)
Other   73    1 
Total  $1,771   $937 

 

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Components of the income tax provision are as follows (in thousands):

 

   Thirty-nine Weeks 
   Ended
September 30, 2018
 
Current     
Federal  $        49 
State   142 
Foreign   318 
    509 
Deferred     
Federal   78 
State   (92)
    (14)
Total income tax provision  $495 

 

Income tax provision related to continuing operations differ from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate of 21% to pretax income as follows (in thousands):

 

   Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended
September 30, 2018
 
     
Tax provision at statutory rate          21%
State and local income taxes   3%
Foreign taxes   2%
Share based compensation   11%
Other   (1)%
Total income tax provision   36%

 

As of September 30, 2018, the Company’s subsidiaries’ annual tax filings for the prior three years are open for audit by Federal and for the prior four years for state tax agencies. The Company is the beneficiary of indemnification agreements from the prior owners of the subsidiaries for tax liabilities related to periods prior to its ownership of the subsidiaries. Management evaluated the Company’s overall tax positions and has determined that no provision for uncertain income tax positions is necessary as of September 30, 2018.

 

Note 9. DEBT

 

Senior Secured Redeemable Debentures

 

On April 27, 2018, the Company established a credit facility with TCA Global Credit Master Fund, LP (“TCA”). The Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with TCA, pursuant to which TCA agreed to lend the Company up to $5,000,000 through the purchase of Senior Secured Redeemable Debentures issued by the Company (the “Debentures”).

 

A total of $2,000,000 was funded by TCA in connection with the initial closing on April 27, 2018, and the Company issued to TCA an initial Debenture with a face amount of $2,000,000, maturing on October 27, 2019 and bearing interest at the rate of 15% per annum. The Company had the right to prepay the Debentures, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity without penalty. The Debentures required interest only payments during the first four months, followed by fully amortizing payments for the balance of the term. The Company paid a commitment fee of 2% of issued Debentures for the facility and agreed to pay an investment banking fee of $170,000 upon maturity of the Debentures. The Company used the net proceeds for working capital purposes and repayment of other indebtedness.

 

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The amounts borrowed under the Purchase Agreement were guaranteed by the Company’s operating subsidiaries and by FCCG, pursuant to a Guaranty Agreement in favor of TCA. The Company’s obligations under the Debentures were also secured by a Security Agreement, granting TCA a security interest in substantially all of its assets. In addition, FCCG’s obligations under the Guaranty Agreement were secured by a pledge in favor of TCA of certain shares of common stock that Fog Cutter holds in the Company. During the term of the Purchase Agreement, the Company was prohibited from incurring additional indebtedness, with customary exceptions for ordinary course financing arrangements and subordinated indebtedness.

 

The entire balance of the Debenture was paid in full on July 3, 2018, and the credit facility was terminated.

 

The Company recognized interest expense of $12,000 for the thirteen and $62,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018. Additionally, the Company recognized debt offering costs of $130,000 for the thirteen and $143,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018. Also, the Company recognized the investment banking fee of $170,000 upon repayment on July 3, 2018.

 

Term Loan

 

On July 3, 2018, the Company as borrower, and certain of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates as guarantors, entered into a new Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with FB Lending, LLC (the “Lender”). Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Company borrowed $16.0 million in a term loan (“Term Loan”) from the Lender. The Company used a portion of the loan proceeds to fund (i) the cash payment of $8.0 million to the members of Hurricane and closing costs in connection with the acquisition of Hurricane, and (ii) to repay borrowings of $2.0 million plus interest and fees owing under the Company’s existing loan facility with TCA Global Credit Master Fund, LP. The Company intends to use the remaining proceeds for additional acquisitions and general working capital purposes.

 

The new term loan under the Loan Agreement matures on June 30, 2020. Interest on the term loan accrues at an annual fixed rate of 15.0%. The Company may prepay all or a portion of the outstanding principal and accrued unpaid interest under the Loan Agreement at any time upon prior notice to the Lender, subject to a prepayment penalty of 10% in the first year and 5% in the second year of the term loan. The Company is required to prepay all or a portion of the outstanding principal and accrued unpaid interest under the Loan Agreement in connection with certain dispositions of assets, extraordinary receipts, issuances of additional debt or equity, or a change of control of the Company. In connection with the Loan Agreement, the Company also issued warrants to purchase up to 499,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $7.35 per share to the Lender (the “Lender Warrant”). Warrants were also issued to certain loan placement agents to purchase 65,306 shares of the Company’s common stock at $7.35 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). (See Note 15)

 

As security for its obligations under the Loan Agreement, the Company granted a lien on substantially all of its assets to the Lender. In addition, certain of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates entered into a Guaranty (the “Guaranty”) in favor of the Lender, pursuant to which they guaranteed the obligations of the Company under the Loan Agreement and granted as security for their guaranty obligations a lien on substantially all of their assets.

 

The Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur other indebtedness, grant liens, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets, pay dividends or make distributions, in each case subject to customary exceptions. The Loan Agreement also includes customary events of default that include, among other things, non-payment, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant breaches, events that result in a material adverse effect (as defined in the Loan Agreement), cross default to other material indebtedness, bankruptcy, insolvency and material judgments. The occurrence and continuance of an event of default could result in the acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreement and an increase in the interest rate by 5.0% per annum.

 

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On the issuance date, the Company allocated the proceeds between Term Loan and the Lender Warrant based on the relative fair values of each. The aggregate values assigned upon issuance of each component were as follows (in thousands):

 

  

Warrants

(equity component)

  

Term Loan

(debt component)

   Total 
Gross proceeds  $571   $15,429   $16,000 
Issuance costs   -    760    760 
Net proceeds  $571   $14,669   $15,240 
                
Balance sheet impact at issuance:               
Long-term debt, net of discount and offering costs  $-   $14,669   $14,669 
Additional paid-in capital  $571   $-   $571 

  

As of September 30, 2018, the total principal amount due under the gross Term Loan was $16,000,000. As of the same date, the net Term Loan balance was $14,938,000, which includes an unaccreted debt discount of $397,000 associated with the warrants and unamortized debt offering costs of $665,000.

 

The Company recognized interest expense on the Term Loan of $664,000 for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 as well as $174,000 in accretion expense for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, and $95,000 for amortization of debt offering costs for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

Note 10. NOTE PAYABLE To FCCG

 

Effective October 20, 2017, FCCG contributed two of its operating subsidiaries, Fatburger and Buffalo’s, to the Company in exchange for an unsecured promissory note with a principal balance of $30,000,000, bearing interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum, and maturing in five years (the “Related Party Debt”). The contribution was consummated pursuant to a Contribution Agreement between the Company and FCCG. Approximately $19,778,000 of the note payable to FCCG was subsequently repaid, reducing the balance to $10,222,000 at June 26, 2018. On June 27, 2018, the Company entered into the Note Exchange Agreement, as amended, under which it agreed with FCCG to exchange $9,272,053 of the remaining balance of the Company’s outstanding Related Party Debt for shares of capital stock of the Company in the following amounts:

 

  $2,000,000 of the Related Party Debt balance was exchanged for 20,000 shares of Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company at $100 per share and warrants to purchase 25,000 of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $8.00 per share; and
     
  A portion of the remaining Related Party Debt balance of $7,272,053 was exchanged for 989,395 shares of Common Stock of the Company, representing an exchange price of $7.35 per share, which was the closing trading price of the Common Stock on June 26, 2018.

 

Following the exchange, the remaining balance of the Related Party Debt was $950,000. As of September 30, 2018, the Related Party Debt had been repaid in full.

 

The transactions described above were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to the exemption for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act and in reliance on similar exemptions under applicable state laws.

 

The Company recognized interest expense on the note payable to FCCG of $24,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 and $888,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

 

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Note 11. MANDaTORilY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock

 

On June 8, 2018, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate of Designation”), designating a total of 100,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designation contains the following terms pertaining to the Series A Preferred Stock:

 

Dividends - Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative dividends on the $100.00 per share stated liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock, in the amount of (i) cash dividends at a rate of 9.9% per year, plus (ii) deferred dividends equal to 4.0% per year, payable on the Mandatory Redemption Date (defined below).

 

Voting Rights - As long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding and remain unredeemed, the Company may not, without the majority vote of the Series A Preferred Stock, (a) alter or change adversely the rights, preferences or voting power given to the Series A Preferred Stock, (b) enter into any merger, consolidation or share exchange that adversely affects the rights, preferences or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock, (c) authorize or increase any other series or class of stock that has rights senior to the Series A Preferred Stock, or (d) waive or amend the dividend restrictions in Sections 3(d) or 3(e) of the Certificate of Designation. The Series A Preferred Stock will not have any other voting rights, except as may be provided under applicable law.

 

Liquidation and Redemption - Upon (i) the five-year anniversary of the initial issuance date (June 8, 2023), or (ii) the earlier liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company (the “Series A Mandatory Redemption Date”), the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to cash redemption of their shares in an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

 

In addition, prior to the Series A Mandatory Redemption Date, the Company may optionally redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at the following redemption prices per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends:

 

  (i) On or prior to June 30, 2021: $115.00 per share.
     
  (ii) After June 30, 2021 and on or prior to June 30, 2022: $110.00 per share.
     
  (iii) After June 30, 2022: $100.00 per share.

 

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock may also optionally cause the Company to redeem all or any portion of their shares of Series A Preferred Stock beginning any time after the two-year anniversary of the initial issuance date for an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, which amount may be settled in cash or Common Stock of the Company, at the option of the holder. If a holder elects to receive Common Stock, the shares will be issued based on the 20-day volume weighted average price of the Common Stock immediately preceding the date of the holder’s redemption notice.

 

On June 7, 2018, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement for the issuance and sale (the “Offering”) of 800 units (the “Units”), with each Unit consisting of (i) 100 shares of the Company’s newly designated Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and (ii) warrants (the “Series A Warrants”) to purchase 125 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.00 per share. The sales price of each Unit was $10,000, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company from the initial closing of $8,000,000 and the issuance of 80,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series A Warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock (the “Subscription Warrants”).

 

On June 27, 2018, the Company entered into a Note Exchange Agreement, as amended, under which it agreed with FCCG to exchange all but $950,000 of the remaining balance of the Company’s outstanding Promissory Note issued to the FCCG on October 20, 2017, in the original principal amount of $30,000,000 (the “Note”). At the time, the Note had an estimated outstanding balance of principal plus accrued interest of $10,222,000 (the “Note Balance”).

 

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On June 27, 2018, $9,272,053 of the Note Balance was exchanged for shares of capital stock of the Company and warrants in the following amounts (the “Exchange Shares”):

 

 

$2,000,000 of the Note Balance was exchanged for 200 Units consisting of 20,000 shares of Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company at $100 per share and Series A Warrants to purchase 25,000 of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share (the “Exchange Warrants”); and

     
  $7,272,053 of the Note Balance was exchanged for 989,395 shares of Common Stock of the Company, representing an exchange price of $7.35 per share, which was the closing trading price of the Common Stock on June 26, 2018.

 

The Company classified the Series A Preferred Stock as long-term debt because it contains an unconditional obligation requiring the Company to redeem the instruments at $100.00 per share on the Mandatory Redemption Date. The Series A Warrants have been recorded as additional paid-in capital. On the issuance date, the Company allocated the proceeds between the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series A Warrants based on the relative fair values of each. The aggregate values assigned upon issuance of each component were as follows (amounts in thousands, except price per unit):

 

  

Series A Warrants

(equity

component)

  

Mandatorily Redeemable

Series A Preferred Stock (debt component)

   Total 
Subscription Agreement:               
Gross proceeds  $87   $7,913   $8,000 
Issuance costs   -    15    15 
Net proceeds   87    7,898    7,985 
Exchange Shares:   25    1,975    2,000 
Total proceeds  $112   $9,873   $9,985 
                
Subscription price per unit  $108.75   $9,891.25   $10,000 
                
Balance sheet impact at issuance:               
Long-term debt, net of debt discount and offering costs  $-   $9,873   $9,873 
Additional paid-in capital  $112   $-   $112 

 

As of September 30, 2018, the net Series A Preferred Stock balance was $9,881,000 including an unaccreted debt discount of $104,000 associated with the warrants and unamortized debt offering costs of $15,000.

 

The Company recognized interest expense on the Series A Preferred Stock of $352,000 and $430,000 for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Also, the Company recognized accretion expense on the Series A Preferred Stock of $6,000 and $8,000 for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, respectively, as well as, $1,000 during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 for the amortization of debt offering costs.

 

Each of these stock issuances was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to the exemption for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act and in reliance on similar exemptions under applicable state laws. Each of the investors in the Offering represented that it is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D and was acquiring the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities were offered without any general solicitation by the Company or its representatives.

 

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Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock

 

On July 3, 2018, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A-1 Certificate of Designation”), designating a total of 200,000 shares of Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”). The Series A-1 Certificate of Designation contains the following terms pertaining to the Series A-1 Preferred Stock:

 

Dividends. Holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative dividends on the $100.00 per share stated liquidation preference of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, in the amount of cash dividends at a rate of 6.0% per year.

 

Voting Rights. As long as any shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock are outstanding and remain unredeemed, the Company may not, without the majority vote of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, (a) materially and adversely alter or change the rights, preferences or voting power given to the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, (b) enter into any merger, consolidation or share exchange that materially and adversely affects the rights, preferences or voting power of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, or (c) waive or amend the dividend restrictions in Sections 3(d) or 3(e) of the Certificate of Designation. The Series A-1 Preferred Stock will not have any other voting rights, except as may be provided under applicable law.

 

Liquidation and Redemption. Upon (i) the five-year anniversary of the initial issuance date (July 3, 2023), or (ii) the earlier liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company (the “Series A-1 Mandatory Redemption Date”), the holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to cash redemption of their shares in an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. In addition, prior to the Mandatory Redemption Date, the Company may optionally redeem the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at par plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

 

Holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock may also optionally cause the Company to redeem all or any portion of their shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock beginning any time after the two-year anniversary of the initial issuance date for an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, which amount may be settled in cash or Common Stock of the Company, at the option of the holder. If a holder elects to receive Common Stock, shares will be issued as payment for redemption at the rate of $12.00 per share of Common Stock.

 

On July 3, 2018, in connection with the acquisition of Hurricane, the Company agreed to issue $4,500,000 of equity units of the Company valued at $10,000 per unit, or a total of 450 units. Each unit consists of (i) 100 shares of the Company’s newly designated Series A-1 Preferred Stock and (ii) a warrant to purchase 125 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.00 per share (the “Hurricane Warrants”). The Company also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Sellers under which the Company agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register for resale the Series A-1 Preferred Stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Hurricane Warrants and upon conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock.

 

20
 

 

The Company classified the Series A-1 Preferred Stock as long-term debt because it contains an unconditional obligation requiring the Company to redeem the instruments at $100.00 per share on the Series A-1 Mandatory Redemption Date. The associated Hurricane Warrants have been recorded as additional paid-in capital. On the issuance date, the Company allocated the proceeds between the Series A-1 Preferred Stock and the Hurricane Warrants based on the relative fair values of each. In addition, because the effective conversion price of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock is lower than the contractual conversion price, the Company also recorded a beneficial conversion feature to additional paid in capital. The aggregate values assigned upon issuance of each component were as follows (amounts in thousands, except price per unit):

 

   Conversion Feature (equity component)  

Hurricane

Warrants (equity component)
   Mandatorily Redeemable Series A-1 Preferred Stock (debt component)   Total 
Hurricane Acquisition:                    
Gross proceeds  $90   $91   $4,319   $4,500 
Issuance costs   -     -     35    35 
Net proceeds  $90   $91   $4,284   $4,465 
                     
Subscription price per unit  $201.07   $201.07   $9,597.86   $10,000 
                     
Balance sheet impact at issuance:                    
Long-term debt, net of debt discount and offering costs  $-   $-   $4,284   $4,284 
Additional paid-in capital  $90   $91   $-   $181 

 

As of September 30, 2018, the net Series A-1 Preferred Stock balance was $4,294,000 including an unaccreted debt discount of $173,000 associated with the warrants and beneficial conversion feature and unamortized debt offering costs of $33,000.

 

The Company recognized interest expense on the Series A-1 Preferred Stock of $67,500 for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018. Also, the Company recognized accretion expense on the Series A-1 Preferred Stock of $7,600 for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, as well as, $1,700 during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 for the amortization of debt offering costs.

 

Each of these stock issuances was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to the exemption for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act and in reliance on similar exemptions under applicable state laws. Each of the investors in the Offering represented that it is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D and was acquiring the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities were offered without any general solicitation by the Company or its representatives.

 

Note 12. Related Party Transactions

 

The Company had open accounts with affiliated entities under the common control of FCCG resulting in net amounts due to the Company of $12,998,000 as of September 30, 2018. Beginning October 20, 2017, the receivable from FCCG bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, $230,000 and $711,000, respectively, of accrued interest income was added to the balance of the receivable from FCCG.

 

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The balance of Due From Affiliates includes a preferred capital investment in Homestyle Dining LLC, a Delaware limited liability corporation (“HSD”) in the amount of $4 million made effective July 5, 2018 (the “Preferred Interest”). FCCG owns all of the common interests in HSD.

 

The holder of the Preferred Interest is entitled to a 15% priority return on the outstanding balance of the investment (the “Preferred Return”). Any available cash flows from HSD on a quarterly basis are to be distributed to pay the accrued Preferred Return and repay the Preferred Interest until fully retired.

 

On or before the five-year anniversary of the investment, the Preferred Interest is to be fully repaid, together with all previously accrued but unpaid Preferred Return. FCCG has unconditionally guaranteed repayment of the Preferred Interest in the event HSD fails to do so.

 

Prior to the Offering, the Company’s operations were insignificant other than structuring the Offering. During this time, FCCG provided executive administration and accounting services for the Company. The Company reimbursed FCCG for out-of-pocket costs associated with these services, but there was no allocation of FCCG’s overhead costs. Effective with the Offering, the Company assumed all direct and indirect administrative functions relating to its business.

 

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, the Company recognized payables to FCCG in the amount of $74,000 for use of FCCG’s net operating losses for tax purposes (See Note 8).

 

Note 13. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

As of September 30, 2018, the total number of authorized shares of common stock was 25,000,000. As of September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, there were 11,353,014 and 10,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.

 

Below are the changes to the Company’s common stock during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018:

 

  On April 16, 2018, the Company issued 153,600 shares of common stock at a value of $6.25 per share to FCCG in lieu of cash for payment of common stock dividends (See Note 16).
     
  On June 15, 2018, the Company issued a total of 41,772 shares of common stock at a value of $7.90 per share to the non-employee members of the board of directors as consideration for accrued directors’ fees.
     
  One June 27, 2018, the Company and FCCG agreed to exchange $7,272,053 of an outstanding promissory note due to FCCG from the Company for 989,395 shares of Common Stock at a value of $7.35 per share. (See Note 10).
     
  On July 16, 2018, the Company issued 157,765, shares of common stock at a value of $6.085 per share to FCCG in lieu of cash for payment of common stock dividends (See Note 16).
     
  On September 20, 2018, the Company issued a total of 10,482 shares of common stock at a value of $8.59 per share to the non-employee members of the board of directors as consideration for accrued directors’ fees.

 

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Note 14. Stock OPTIONS

 

Effective September 30, 2017, the Company adopted the 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which the Company can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to officers, employees and directors of, and consultants and advisers to, FAT Brands Inc. and its subsidiaries. The Plan provides a maximum of 1,000,000 shares available for grant.

 

All of the stock options issued by the Company to date have included a vesting period of three years, with one-third of each grant vesting annually. The Company’s stock option activity for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 can be summarized as follows:

 

   Number of Shares   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted Average Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)
 
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2017   362,500   $12.00    9.31 
Grants   50,000  

$

10.00    9.6 
Forfeited   (30,000)  $12.00    - 
Expired   -   $-    - 
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2018   382,500   $11.74    9.1 
Stock options exercisable at September 30, 2018   -           

 

The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model to record the stock-based compensation are as follows:

 

    Including
Non-Employee Options
 
Expected dividend yield   4.00% - 7.49%
Expected volatility   31.73%
Risk-free interest rate   1.60% - 2.85%
Expected term (in years)   5.50 – 9.06 

 

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense in the amount of $125,000 and $370,000 during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018. There remains $355,000 of related share-based compensation expense relating to these non-vested grants, which will be recognized over the remaining vesting period, subject to future forfeitures.

 

Note 15. WARRANTS

 

From the Offering through September 30, 2018, the Company has issued the following outstanding warrants to purchase shares of its common stock:

 

  Warrants issued on October 20, 2017 to purchase 80,000 shares of the Company’s stock granted to the selling agent in the Company’s initial public offering (the “Common Stock Warrants”). The Common Stock Warrants are exercisable commencing April 20, 2018 through October 20, 2022. The exercise price for the Common Stock Warrants is $15 per share, and the Common Stock Warrants are valued at $124,000. The Common Stock Warrants provide that upon exercise, the Company may elect to redeem the Common Stock Warrants in cash by paying the difference between the applicable exercise price and the then-current fair market value of the common stock.
     
  Warrants issued on June 7, 2018 to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $8.00 per share (the “Subscription Warrants”). The Subscription Warrants were issued as part of the Subscription Agreement (see Note 11). The Subscription Warrants are valued at $87,000. The Subscription Warrants may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.
     

 

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  Warrants issued on June 27, 2018 to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $8.00 per share (the “Exchange Warrants”). The Exchange Warrants were issued as part of the Exchange (See Notes 10 and 11). The Exchange Warrants are valued at $25,000. The Exchange Warrants may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.
     
  Warrants issued on July 3, 2018 to purchase 56,250 shares of the Company’s common stock at $8.00 per share (the “Hurricane Warrants”). The Hurricane Warrants were issued as part of the acquisition of Hurricane (See Notes 3 and 11). The Hurricane Warrants are valued at $58,000. The Hurricane Warrants may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.
     
 

Warrants issued on July 3, 2018 to purchase 499,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $7.35 per share (the “Lender Warrant”). The Lender Warrant was issued as part of the $16 million credit facility with FB Lending, LLC (See Note 9). The Lender Warrant is valued at $592,000. The Lender Warrant may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.

     
  Warrants issued on July 3, 2018 to purchase 65,306 shares of the Company’s common stock at $7.35 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). The Placement Agent Warrants were issued to the placement agents of the $16 million credit facility with FB Lending, LLC (See Note 9). The Placement Agent Warrants are valued at $78,000. The Placement Agent Warrants may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.

 

The Company’s warrant activity for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 is as follows:

 

   Number of Shares   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted Average Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)
 
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2017   80,000   $15.00    4.06 
Grants   745,556   $7.51    4.75 
Exercised   -   $-    - 
Forfeited   -   $-    - 
Expired   -   $-    - 
Warrants outstanding at September 30, 2018   825,556   $8.23    4.68 
Warrants exercisable at September 30, 2018   825,556           

 

The weighted average fair value of the warrants granted from the Offering through September 30, 2018 and the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model are as follows:

 

   Warrants  
Expected dividend yield   4.00% - 6.63 %
Expected volatility   31.73 %
Risk-free interest rate   0.99% - 1.91 %
Expected term (in years)   5.00  

 

Note 16. DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has declared the following quarterly dividends on common stock during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018:

 

Declaration Date  Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Per Share   Amount of Dividend 
February 8, 2018  March 30, 2018  April 16, 2018  $0.12   $1,200,000 
June 27, 2018  July 6, 2018  July 16, 2018  $0.12    1,351,517 
              $2,551,517 

 

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Subsequently, on October 8, 2018, the Company declared a cash dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.12 per share. The dividend was payable on October 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on October 18, 2018.

 

On each dividend payment date, FCCG elected to reinvest all, or a portion of, its dividend from its common shares of the Company at the closing market price of the shares on the payment date. As a result, on April 16, 2018, the Company issued 153,600 shares of common stock to FCCG at a price of $6.25 per share in satisfaction of $960,000 dividend payable. On July 16, 2018, the Company issued 157,765 shares of common stock to FCCG at a price of $6.085 per share in satisfaction of $960,000 dividend payable. On October 31, 2018, FCCG elected to reinvest its dividend for all 9,300,760 shares into newly issued common shares of the Company at the closing market price of common stock on the payment date. The Company issued 176,877 shares of common stock to FCCG at a price of $6.31 per share in satisfaction of the $1,116,091 dividend payable.

 

The issuance of these shares to FCCG was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 promulgated under Regulation D under the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. FCCG acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof.

 

Note 17. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Litigation

 

Eric Rojany, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al., Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC708539.

 

On June 7, 2018, Eric Rojany filed a complaint, personally and on behalf of all others similarly situated, against the Company, Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc., Tripoint Global Equities, LLC and members of the Company’s board of directors. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, alleging that the defendants are responsible for false and misleading statements and omitted material facts in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, which resulted in declines in the price of the Company’s common stock. The plaintiff stated that he intends to certify the complaint as a class action and is seeking compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The Company and other defendants dispute the allegations of the lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend against the claims.

 

Daniel Alden, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al., Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC716017.

 

On August 2, 2018, Daniel Alden and others filed a complaint, personally and on behalf of all others similarly situated, against the Company, Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc., Tripoint Global Equities, LLC and members of the Company’s board of directors. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, alleging that the defendants are responsible for false and misleading statements and omitted material facts in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, which resulted in declines in the price of the Company’s common stock. The plaintiff stated that he intends to certify the complaint as a class action and is seeking compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The Company and other defendants dispute the allegations of the lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend against the claims.

 

On September 13, 2018, counsel to all parties in Rojany and Alden stipulated to the consolidation of Rojany and Alden under the Rojany case number. On September 17, 2018, the Court in Rojany confirmed that the two actions were related and ordered that Alden be transferred to the judge presiding over Rojany.

 

On October 10, 2018, plaintiffs in these actions filed a consolidated amended complaint (“CAC”). Pursuant to the Court’s order on September 17, 2018, defendants shall have until November 13, 2018 to file a response to the CAC. The Court scheduled the hearing for defendants’ anticipated demurrer to the CAC for January 11, 2019. The Court also continued a stay of discovery in the action, pending its ruling on defendants’ anticipated demurrer.

 

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Adam Vignola, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al., United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:18-cv-07469.

 

On August 24, 2018, Adam Vignola filed a complaint, personally and on behalf of all others similarly situated, against the Company, Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc., Tripoint Global Equities, LLC and members of the Company’s board of directors. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, alleging that the defendants are responsible for false and misleading statements and omitted material facts in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, which resulted in declines in the price of the Company’s common stock. The plaintiff stated that he intends to certify the complaint as a class action and is seeking compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The Company and other defendants dispute the allegations of the lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend against the claims.

 

On October 23, 2018, Charles Jordan and David Kovacs filed a motion for appointment as lead plaintiffs and approval of choice of counsel. On the same day, Randy Siade filed a motion for appointment as lead plaintiff and approval of choice of counsel. The hearing date for these motions was set for November 26, 2018. On November 1, 2018, Randy Siade withdrew his motion for appointment as lead plaintiff and approval of choice of counsel. All discovery and other proceedings in this action are currently stayed by operation of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

P&K Food Market, Inc. vs. Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., Fog Cutter Capital Group, Shaun Curtis, Andy Wiederhorn et al., Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. 18STLC09534.

 

On July 13, 2018, P&K Food Market, Inc. (“P&K”) filed a complaint against Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., Fog Cutter Capital Group, Shaun Curtis, and Andy Wiederhorn for Breach of Contract, Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Unlawful Offer and Sale of Franchise By Means of Untrue Statements or Omissions of Material Fact Under Cal. Corp. Code §§31201; 31202; 31300; and 31301. The case was filed in connection with the sale of an affiliate-owned “Buffalo’s Café” restaurant located in Palmdale, California. The lawsuit seeks general damages, special damages, punitive damages, restitution, interest, costs and attorneys’ fees and costs related to the alleged unlawful sale of the Palmdale restaurant. The franchisor and related parties intend to vigorously defend the allegations.

  

The Company is obligated to indemnify its officers and directors to the extent permitted by applicable law in connection with the above actions, and has insurance for such individuals, to the extent of the limits of the applicable insurance policies and subject to potential reservations of rights. The Company is also obligated to indemnify Tripoint Global Equities, LLC under certain conditions relating to the Rojany, Vignola and Alden matters. These proceedings are in their early stages and the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters. There can be no assurance that the defendants will be successful in defending against these actions.

 

The Company is involved in other claims and legal proceedings from time-to-time that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases corporate headquarters located in Beverly Hills, California comprising 5,478 square feet of space, pursuant to a lease that expires on April 30, 2020.

 

We believe that all our existing facilities are in good operating condition and adequate to meet our current and foreseeable needs.

 

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Note 18. geographic information AND MAJOR FRANCHISEES

 

Revenues by geographic area are as follows (in thousands):

 

   Thirteen Weeks
Ended
September 30, 2018
   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
September 30, 2018
 
United States  $4,155   $9,798 
Other countries   1,709    3,559 
Total revenues  $5,864   $13,357 

 

Revenues are shown based on the geographic location of our licensee restaurants. All our assets are located in the United States.

 

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, no individual franchisee accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues.

 

NOTE 19. OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

Operating segments consist of (i) franchising operations conducted through Fatburger, (ii) franchising operations conducted through Buffalo’s, (iii) franchising operations conducted through Ponderosa and (iv) franchising operations conducted through Hurricane. Each segment operates with its own management and personnel, with additional centralized support from the Company. The actual cost of the support provided by the Company is allocated to each operating segment. The following is a summary of each of the operating segments for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

 

   Fatburger   Buffalo’s   Ponderosa   Hurricane   Combined 
                     
Revenues                         
Royalties  $3,948   $1,000   $3,029   $825   $8,802 
Franchise fees   1,884    113    28    16    2,041 
Store opening fees   205    -    -    -    205 
Advertising fees   879    436    469    480    2,264 
Management fees   45    -    -    -    45 
Total revenues   6,961    1,549    3,526    1,321    13,357 
                          
Expenses                         
General and administrative   3,279    1,053    2,795    1,192    8,319 
                          
Income from operations   3,682    496    731    129    5,038 
                          
Other income (expense)   183    444    (78)   (133)   416 
                          
Income (loss) before income tax expense  $3,865   $940   $653   $(4)  $5,454 

 

Reconciliation to consolidated net income (in thousands)

 

   Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended
September 30, 2018
 
     
Combined segment net income before taxes  $5,454 
Corporate general and administrative expenses   (1,161)
Corporate other expense, net   (2,906)
Income tax expense   (495)
Net income  $892 

 

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NOTE 20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Pursuant to FASB ASC 855, Management has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred from September 30, 2018 through the date of issuance of these financial statements. During this period, the Company did not have any significant subsequent events, except as disclosed below:

 

Dividend Payable

 

On October 8, 2018, the Company declared a cash dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.12 per share. The dividend was payable on October 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on October 18, 2018.

 

On October 31, 2018, FCCG was entitled to receive a cash dividend from the Company which had been declared on October 8, 2018. FCCG elected to reinvest its dividend from its 9,300,760 common shares in the amount of $1,116,091 in newly issued common shares of the Company at $6.31 per share, which was the closing market price of the shares on that date. As a result, the Company issued 176,877 shares of common stock to FCCG in satisfaction of the dividend payable.

 

The issuance of the shares to FCCG described above was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 promulgated under Regulation D under the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. FCCG acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof. (See Note 16).

 

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FATBURGER NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

Balance Sheets

September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 
    (unaudited)    (audited) 
Assets          
Current assets          
Cash  $-   $- 
Accounts receivable, net   983,181    472,430 
Other current assets   8,652    8,358 
Total current assets   991,833    480,788 
           
Due from affiliates   8,353,080    7,172,833 
           
Deferred income taxes   1,535,972    1,037,728 
           
Trademarks   2,134,800    2,134,800 
           
Goodwill   529,400    529,400 
Total assets  $13,545,085   $11,355,549 
           
Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity          
Current liabilities          
Deferred income  $1,027,905   $1,732,249 
Accounts payable   1,062,852    1,452,668 
Accrued advertising   514,578    348,454 
Accrued expenses   1,076,782    868,828 
           
Total current liabilities   3,682,117    4,402,199 
           
Deferred income – noncurrent   4,047,961    1,605,500 
           
Total liabilities   7,730,078    6,007,699 
           
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)          
           
Stockholder’s equity          
Common stock, $.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding   10    10 
Additional paid-in capital   3,500,000    3,500,000 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)   2,314,997    1,847,840
           
Total stockholder’s equity   5,815,007    5,347,850 
           
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity  $13,545,085   $11,355,549 

 

The accompanying notes are integral part of these financial statements.

 

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FATBURGER NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

Statements of Income

For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
Revenues                    
Royalties  $1,317,435   $1,204,909   $3,948,486   $3,580,104 
Franchise fees   1,214,373    530,000    1,883,536    1,683,326 
Store opening fees   100,000    -    204,748    - 
Advertising fees   268,748    -    879,432    - 
Management fees   12,500    16,651    45,000    46,651 
                     
Total revenues   2,913,056    1,751,560    6,961,202    5,310,081 
                     
General and administrative expenses                    
General and administrative   703,675    552,283    2,399,766    1,847,742 
Advertising expense   268,748    -    879,432    - 
                     
Total general and administrative expenses   972,423    552,283    3,279,198    1,847,742 
                     
Income from operations   1,940,632    1,199,277    3,682,004    3,462,339 
                     
Non-operating income (expense)                    
Interest income   41,822    -    205,521    - 
Depreciation and amortization   (4,866)   (4,098)   (13,499)   (4,098)
Other   (5,860)   (23,560)   (8,839)   (23,560)
Total non-operating income (expense)   31,096    (27,658)   183,183    (27,658)
                     
Income before taxes   1,971,728    1,171,619    3,865,187    3,434,681 
                     
Income tax expense   422,774    443,939    872,779    1,264,156 
                     
Net income  $1,548,955   $727,680   $2,992,408   $2,170,525 
                     
Net income per common share - Basic  $1,549   $728   $2,992   $2,171 
                     
Shares used in computing net income per common share   1,000    1,000    1,000    1,000 

 

The accompanying notes are integral part of these financial statements.

 

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FATBURGER NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

Statement of Stockholder’s Equity

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018

 

   Common Stock   Additional Paid-In   Retained Earnings /
(Accumulated
     
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit)   Total 
                     
Balance at December 31, 2017   1,000   $10   $3,500,000   $1,847,840  $5,347,850 
                          
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers   -    -    -    (2,525,251)   (2,525,251)
                          
Net income   -    -    -    2,992,408    2,992,408 
                          
Balance at September 30, 2018 (unaudited)   1,000   $10   $3,500,000   $2,314,997   $5,815,007 

 

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

 

31
 

 

FATBURGER NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

Statements of Cash Flows

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017

 

   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
Cash flows from operating activities          
Net income  $2,992,408   $2,170,525 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Deferred income taxes   177,897    329,114 
Depreciation expense   13,499    4,098 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (510,751)   (77,195)
Other current assets   (294)   - 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (181,862)   340,298 
Accrued advertising   166,124    579,695 
Deferred income   (1,463,275)   (1,037,658)
           
Total adjustments   (1,798,662)   138,352 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities   1,193,746    2,308,877 
           
Cash flows from financing activities          
Dividends paid   -    (1,000,000)
Change in due from affiliates   (1,193,746)   (1,308,877)
           
Net cash used in financing activities   (1,193,746)   (2,308,877)
           
Net increase in cash   -    - 
Cash, beginning of period   -    - 
Cash, end of period  $-   $- 
           
Supplemental Disclosure of cash flow Information          
Cash paid for income taxes  $104,457   $36,378 
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities          
Income tax payable offset against amounts due from affiliates  $506,715   $863,205 

 

The accompanying notes are integral part of these financial statements.

 

32
 

 

FATBURGER NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017

(unaudited)

 

Note 1. Nature of Business

 

Fatburger North America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (referred to in these financial statements as the “Company”), was formed on March 28, 1990 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FAT Brands Inc (“FAT”). Prior to its transfer to FAT on October 20, 2017, the Company was owned by Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (“FCCG”). FCCG owns the controlling interest in FAT.

 

The Company franchises and licenses the right to use the Fatburger name, operating procedures and method of merchandising to franchisees. Upon signing a franchise agreement, the Company is committed to provide training, some supervision and assistance, and access to Operations Manuals. As needed, the Company will also provide advice and written materials concerning techniques of managing and operating the restaurants. The franchises are operated under the name “Fatburger.” Each franchise agreement term is typically for 15 years with two additional 10-year options available. Additionally, the Company conducts a multi-market advertising campaign to enhance the corporate name and image, which is funded through advertising revenues received from its franchisees and to a lesser extent, other restaurant locations owned and operated by subsidiaries of FCCG.

 

As of September 30, 2018, there were 152 franchise restaurant locations operated by the Company’s franchisees in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Canada, China, UAE, the UK, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Panama, Japan, Malaysia, Qatar and Tunisia.

 

Note 2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying interim financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere herein.

 

The information provided in this report reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal, recurring items) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.

 

Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable consist primarily of royalty and advertising fees from franchisees reduced by reserves for the estimated amount deemed uncollectible due to bad debts. As of September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, allowance for doubtful accounts was $554,874 and $546,928, respectively.

 

Credit and Depository Risks: Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and accounts receivable. The Company’s customer base consists of franchisees located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Canada, China, UAE, the UK, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Panama, Japan, Malaysia, Qatar and Tunisia. Management reviews each of its customer’s financial conditions prior to signing a franchise agreement and believes that it has adequately provided for any exposure to potential credit losses.

 

33
 

 

The Company maintains cash deposits in national financial institutions. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes its cash balances are not exposed to significant risk of loss.

 

Compensated Absences: Employees of FCCG or FAT who provide reimbursed services to the Company earn vested rights to compensation for unused vacation time. Accordingly, the Company accrues the amount of vacation compensation that employees have earned but not yet taken at the end of each fiscal year.

 

Revenue Recognition: Franchise fee revenue from the sale of individual franchises is recognized over the term of the individual franchise agreement. Unamortized non-refundable deposits collected in relation to the sale of franchises are recorded as deferred franchise fees. In addition to franchise fee revenue, the Company collects a royalty ranging from 3% to 6% of gross sales from restaurants operated by franchisees. Royalties are recorded as revenue as the related sales are made by the franchisees. Any royalties received prior to the related sales are deferred and recognized when earned. Costs relating to continuing franchise support are expensed as incurred.

 

Typically, franchise fees are $50,000 for each domestic location and are collected 50% upon signing a deposit agreement and 50% at the signing of a lease and related franchise agreement. International franchise fees are typically $65,000 for each location and are payable 100% upon signing a deposit agreement. The franchise fee may be adjusted at management’s discretion or in situations involving store transfers. Deposits are nonrefundable upon acceptance of the franchise application. In the event that franchisees default on their development timelines for opening franchise stores, the franchise rights are terminated, and franchise fee revenue is recognized in the amount of the remaining non-refundable deposits.

 

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, eight franchise locations were opened and eight were closed or otherwise left the franchise system. Of the opened location, three were in California, two were in Singapore, and one each in Canada, Japan and the Philippines. Of the closed locations, two each were closed in the UAE, Pakistan, California and one in China and Qatar. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017, fourteen franchise locations were opened and nineteen were closed or otherwise left the franchise system. Of the new franchise locations, four were opened in Canada, three each were opened in California and China, and one each were in Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Panama and the UK. Of the closed franchise locations, two each were in Washington, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and one each were in California, China, Hawaii, Indonesia, UAE, Oman, Egypt, Canada, India, Bahrain, Fiji and Tunisia.

 

In addition to franchise fee revenue, the Company collects a royalty of 3% to 6% of net sales from its franchisees. Royalties are recognized as revenue as the related sales are made by the franchisees. Royalties collected in advance are classified as deferred income until earned.

 

Store opening fees — The Company recognizes store opening fees of $45,000 and $60,000 for domestic and international stores, respectively, from the up-front fees collected from franchisees. The remaining balance of the up-front fees are then amortized as franchise fees over the life of the franchise agreement. If the fees collected are less than the respective store opening fee amounts, the full up-front fees are recognized at opening. The $45,000 and $60,000 are based on out-of-pocket costs to the Company for each store opening and are primarily comprised of labor expenses associated with training, store design, and supply chain setup. International fees recognized are higher due to the additional cost of travel.

 

Advertising: The Company requires advertising payments of 1.95% of net sales from Fatburger restaurants located in the Los Angeles marketing area and up to 2.00% of net sales from stores located outside of the Los Angeles marketing area. International locations pay 0.20% to 2.00%. The Company also receives, from time to time, payments from vendors that are to be used for advertising. Advertising funds are required to be spent for specific advertising purposes. Advertising revenue and associated expense is recorded on the statement of operations. Assets and liabilities associated with advertising fees are consolidated on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

34
 

 

Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach. The asset and liability approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are classified as current or noncurrent, depending on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which they relate.

 

Income Per Common Share: Income per share data was computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each year.

 

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Segment information: The Company has international and domestic licensed operations. Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is our Chief Executive Officer; our CODM reviews financial performance and allocates resources at an overall level on a recurring basis. Therefore, Management has determined that the Company has one operating segment and one reportable segment.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods and services to customers. The updated standard replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. These standards became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018.

 

These standards require that the transaction price received from customers be allocated to each separate and distinct performance obligation. The transaction price attributable to each separate and distinct performance obligation is then recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied as specified by the contract. The agreements for services provided by the Company related to upfront fees received from franchisees (such as initial or renewal fees) do not currently contain separate and distinct performance obligations from the franchise right and thus those upfront fees will be recognized as revenue over the term of each respective franchise agreement. Previously, we recognized upfront franchise fees such as initial and renewal fees when the related services have been provided, which is when a store opened for initial fees and when renewal options became effective for renewal fees. These standards require any unamortized portion of fees received prior to adoption be presented in the consolidated balance sheet as a contract liability.

 

The new standards also had an impact on transactions previously not included in the Company’s revenues and expenses such as franchisee contributions to and subsequent expenditures from advertising arrangements we have with our franchisees. The Company did not previously include these contributions and expenditures in its consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. Under the new standards, the Company will recognize advertising fees and the related expense in its consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. The Company will also consolidate the assets and liabilities related to advertising fees on its balance sheet.

 

These standards will not impact the recognition of our sales-based royalties from franchisees, which is generally our largest source of revenue. We have implemented internal controls related to the recognition and presentation of the Company’s revenues under these new standards.

 

35
 

 

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method, in which the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. An adjustment to increase deferred revenue in the amount of $3,201,000 was established on the date of adoption relating to fees received through December 31, 2017 that would have been deferred and recognized over the term of each respective franchise store agreement if the new guidance had been applied in the past. A deferred tax asset of $676,000 related to this contract liability was also established on the date of adoption. These adjustments had the effect of increasing beginning accumulated deficit by approximately $2,525,000.

 

Adopting the new accounting standards for revenue affected several financial statement line items for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018. The following tables provide the affected amounts as reported in these Unaudited Financial Statements compared with what they would have been if the previous accounting guidance had remained in effect.

 

As of September 30, 2018

 

   Amounts As Reported   Amounts Under Previous Accounting Guidance 
Unaudited Balance Sheet:          
Deferred income taxes  $1,535,972   $859,829 
Deferred income  $5,075,866   $2,419,675 
Retained earnings  $2,314,997   $4,295,338 

 

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018

 

   As Reported   Amounts Under Previous
Accounting
Guidance
 
Unaudited Statement of Operations:          
Franchise fees  $1,883,536   $1,543,082 
Advertising fees  $879,432   $- 
Advertising expense  $879,432   $- 
Net income  $2,992,408   $2,447,206 
Earnings per common share - basic  $2,992   $2,447 
Earnings per common share - diluted  $2,992   $2,447 

 

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018

 

   As Reported   Amounts Under Previous Accounting Guidance 
Unaudited Statement of Cash Flows:          
Net income  $2,992,408   $2,447,206 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Deferred income  $(1,463,275)  $(918,074)

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and the Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

36
 

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards:

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, requiring a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with a lease term of more than twelve months. Leases will continue to be classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease. This ASU is effective for interim and annual period beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No.2018-07, Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718). Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Prior to this update, Top 718 applied only to share-based transactions to employees. Consistent with the accounting requirements for employee share-based payment awards, nonemployee share-based payment awards within the scope of Topic 718 are measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments that an entity is obligated to issue when the good has been delivered or the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied. The amendments in the Update are effective for public business entities form fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. The adoption of this accounting standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 3. DEFERRED INCOME

 

Deferred income is as follows:

 

   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 
Deferred franchise fees  $4,363,401   $2,438,000 
Deferred royalties   712,465    899,749 
           
Total  $5,075,866   $3,337,749 
           
Deferred income – current  $1,027,905   $1,732,249 
Deferred income – noncurrent   4,047,961    1,605,500 
           
Total  $5,075,866   $3,337,749 

 

Note 4. Income Taxes

 

The Company files its Federal and most state income tax returns on a consolidated basis with FCCG. For financial reporting purposes, the Company has recorded a tax provision calculated as if the Company files all of its tax returns on a stand-alone basis. The taxes payable to FCCG determined by this calculation of $506,715 and $863,205 were offset against amounts due from affiliates as of September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively (see Note 5).

 

Deferred taxes reflect the net effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for calculating taxes payable on a stand-alone basis. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 
Current deferred tax assets (liabilities)          
Deferred franchise fees and royalties  $1,251,788   $778,827 
Allowances and accruals   322,951    280,895 
State tax accrual   (38,767)   (21,994)
Total  $1,535,972   $1,037,728 

 

37
 

 

Components of the income tax provision are as follows:

 

    Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
    September 30, 2018     September 24, 2017  
Current            
Federal   $ 503,381     $ 863,205  
State     85,975       31,567  
Foreign     101,950       36,378  
      691,306       931,150  
Deferred                
Federal     182,166       309,881  
State     (693 )     23,125  
      181,473       333,006  
Total income tax provision   $ 872,779     $ 1,264,156  

 

Income tax provision related to continuing operations differ from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate of 21% and 34% to pretax income as follows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively:

 

   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
Statutory rate   21%   34%
State and local income taxes   1%   2%
Other   1%   1%
Effective tax rate   23%   37%

 

As of September 30, 2018, the Company’s annual tax filings for the prior three years are open for audit by Federal and for the prior four years for state tax agencies. Management evaluated the Company’s overall tax positions and has determined that no provision for uncertain income tax positions is necessary as of September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017.

 

Note 5. Related Party Transactions

 

On July 3, 2018, FAT Brands Inc., the Company’s parent, entered into a Guaranty Agreement (the “Guaranty”) relating to a new Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) between FAT Brands Inc. and FB Lending, LLC (the “Lender”). Under the Guaranty, the Company, together with certain of the FAT Brands’ direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates, guaranteed the obligations of FAT Brands Inc. under the (“Loan Agreement”) and granted a lien on substantially all of its assets as security for its guaranty obligations.

 

Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, FAT Brands, Inc. borrowed $16.0 million in a term loan from the Lender. The new term loan under the Loan Agreement matures on June 30, 2020. Interest on the term loan accrues at an annual fixed rate of 15.0%. FAT Brands may prepay all or a portion of the outstanding principal and accrued unpaid interest under the Loan Agreement at any time upon prior notice to the Lender, subject to a prepayment penalty of 10% in the first year and 5% in the second year of the term loan.

 

38
 

 

The Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur other indebtedness, grant liens, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets, pay dividends or make distributions, in each case subject to customary exceptions. The Loan Agreement also includes customary events of default that include, among other things, non-payment, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant breaches, events that result in a material adverse effect (as defined in the Loan Agreement), cross default to other material indebtedness, bankruptcy, insolvency and material judgments. The occurrence and continuance of an event of default could result in the acceleration of the obligations under the Loan Agreement and an increase in the interest rate by 5.0% per annum.

 

The Company has not recorded a liability in connection with the guarantee of the Loan Agreement.

 

The Company had open accounts with affiliated entities under the common control of FCCG resulting in net amounts due to the Company of $8,353,080 and $7,172,833 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

Prior to FAT becoming the parent of the Company, FCCG’s operations were structured in such a way that significant direct and indirect administrative functions were provided to the Company. These services include operational personnel to sell franchise rights, assist with training franchisees and assisting franchises with opening restaurants. FCCG also provided executive administration and accounting services for the Company.

 

The Company reimbursed FCCG for these expenses in the approximate amounts of $1,063,114 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017. Management reviewed the expenses recorded at FCCG and identified the common expenses that would be allocated to the subsidiaries. These expenses were allocated based on an estimate of management’s time spent on the activities of FCCG and its subsidiaries, and further allocated among the subsidiaries pro rata based on each subsidiary’s respective revenues as a percentage of overall revenues of the subsidiaries. The Company believes that the allocation of expenses is not materially different from what it would have been if the Company was a stand-alone entity.

 

The Company currently has a similar arrangement for direct and indirect administrative functions with FAT. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, the Company reimbursed FAT in the amount of $2,267,167 for the expense of these services.

 

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, the Company recognized payables to FCCG in the amount of $506,715 and $863,205, respectively, for use of FCCG’s net operating losses for tax purposes.

 

Note 6. Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is involved in litigation in the normal course of business. The Company believes that the result of this litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

 

Note 7. geographic information AND MAJOR FRANCHISEES

 

Revenues by geographic area are as follows:

 

   Thirteen Weeks ended   Thirty-nine Weeks ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
                 
United States  $1,501,912   $863,119   $4,165,117   $2,564,732 
Other countries   1,411,144    888,441    2,796,085    2,745,349 
Total revenues  $2,913,056   $1,751,560   $6,961,202   $5,310,081 

 

Revenues are shown based on the geographic location of our licensee restaurants. All of our assets are located in the United States.

 

During the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018, three franchisees accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues, with total revenues of $472,766, $311,253 and $300,000. During the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2017, one franchisee accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues, with total revenues of $463,462. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, no franchisees accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues.

 

Note 8. Subsequent events

 

Pursuant to FASB ASC 855, Management has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred from September 30, 2018 through the date of issuance of these financial statements. During this period, the Company did not have any significant subsequent events.

 

39
 

 

BUFFALO’S FRANCHISE CONCEPTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 
    (unaudited)    (audited) 
Assets          
Current assets          
Cash  $-   $- 
Accounts receivable, net   114,544    54,893 
Other current assets   6,011    11 
Total current assets   120,555    54,904 
           
Due from affiliates   1,970,362    1,010,915 
Deferred tax assets   69,722    72,887 
Trademarks   27,000    27,000 
Goodwill   5,365,100    5,365,100 
Buffalo’s Creative and Advertising Fund   -    435,514 
Total assets  $7,552,739   $6,966,320 
           
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $385,826   $181,665 
Accrued expenses   189,408    120,599 
Accrued advertising   111,550    - 
Deferred income   17,795    39,889 
Total current liabilities   704,579    342,153 
           
Deferred income – noncurrent   246,041    212,924 
Buffalo’s Creative and Advertising Fund – contra   -    435,514 
Total liabilities   950,620    990,591 
           
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)          
           
Stockholder’s equity          
Common stock, $.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized   -    - 
Additional paid-in capital   5,138,946    5,138,946 
Retained earnings   1,463,173    836,783 
Total stockholder’s equity   6,602,119    5,975,729 
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity  $7,552,739   $6,966,320 

 

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

 

40
 

 

BUFFALO’S FRANCHISE CONCEPTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Thirteen and Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
                 
Revenues                    
Royalties  $333,728   $307,554   $999,632   $919,611 
Franchise fees   104,446    325,000    113,340    430,000 
Advertising fees   142,438         435,238    - 
Total revenues   580,612    632,554    1,548,210    1,349,611 
                     
Expenses                    
General and administrative   210,676    185,954    617,793    501,707 
Advertising expense   142,438    -    435,238    - 
Total expenses   353,114    185,954    1,053,031    501,707 
                     
Income from operations   227,498    446,600    495,179    847,904 
                     
Other income (expense)   139,356    (296)   444,304    (689)
                     
Income before taxes   366,854    446,304    939,483    847,215 
                     
Income tax expense   104,977    141,672    260,737    276,686 
                     
Net income  $261,877   $304,632   $678,746   $570,529 

 

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

 

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BUFFALO’S FRANCHISE CONCEPTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

Consolidated Statement of Stockholder’s Equity

For the Thirty-nine Weeks ended September 30, 2018

 

   Common Stock   Retained     
   Shares   Amount   Earnings   Total 
                 
Balance at December 31, 2017      -   $5,138,946   $836,783   $5,975,729 
                     
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers   -    -    (52,356)   (52,356)
                     
Net income   -    -    678,746    678,746 
                     
Balance at September 30, 2018 (unaudited)   -   $5,138,946   $1,463,173   $6,602,119 

 

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

 

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BUFFALO’S FRANCHISE CONCEPTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017

 

   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
Cash flows from operating activities          
Net income  $678,746   $570,529 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:          
Deferred income taxes   107,505    141,100 
Depreciation expense   2,812    - 
Changes in current operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   24,251    (8,047)
Prepaid expenses   (6,000)   - 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   27,939    66,433 
Accrued advertising   (140,568)   - 
Deferred income   (145,673)   (451,375)
Total adjustments   (129,734)   (251,889)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities   549,012    318,640 
           
Cash flows from financing activities          
Advances to affiliates   (549,012)   (218,640)
Dividend distribution   -    (100,000)
Net cash flows used in financing activities   (549,012)   (318,640)
           
Net decrease in cash   -    - 
           
Cash, beginning of period   -    - 
           
Cash, end of period  $-   $- 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information          
Cash paid for income taxes  $-   $- 
           
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing Activities          
Income tax payable offset against amounts due from affiliates  $93,633   $134,585 

 

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

 

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BUFFALO’S FRANCHISE CONCEPTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017

(unaudited)

 

Note 1. Nature of business

 

Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc. is a Nevada corporation formed in June 2006. On December 8, 2006, the Nevada corporation acquired all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“BFCI-GA”), which became a wholly-owned subsidiary. On November 28, 2011, all of the issued and outstanding stock of the Nevada corporation was acquired by Fog Cap Development LLC (“Fog Cap”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (“FCCG”). On October 20, 2017, FCCG contributed 100% of the outstanding stock of the Nevada corporation to FAT Brands Inc. (“FAT”). FCCG is the controlling shareholder of FAT.

 

Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, grants store franchise and development agreements for the operation of casual dining restaurants (“Buffalo’s Southwest Cafés”) and quick service restaurants outlets (“Buffalo’s Express”). The restaurants specialize in the sale of Buffalo-Style chicken wings, chicken tenders, burgers, ribs, wrap sandwiches, and salads. Franchisees are licensed to use the Company’s trade name, service marks, trademarks, logos, and unique methods of food preparation and presentation.

 

In 2012, FCCG began co-branding its Buffalo’s Express restaurants with Fatburger restaurants, FCCG’s other fast casual brand. These co-branded restaurants sell products of both brands and share back-of-the-house facilities.

 

At September 30, 2018, there were 17 operating Buffalo’s Southwest Cafés restaurants and 85 co-branded Buffalo’s Express restaurants. At September 24, 2017, there were 18 operating Buffalo’s Southwest Cafés restaurants and 72 co-branded Buffalo’s Express restaurants.

 

Note 2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere herein.

 

The information provided in this report reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal, recurring items) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.

 

Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., a Georgia corporation, (referred to collectively in these financial statements as the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable consist primarily of royalty and advertising fees from franchisees reduced by reserves for the estimated amount deemed uncollectible due to bad debts. As of September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $15,616.

 

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Credit and Depository Risks: The Company maintains its cash accounts at high credit quality financial institutions. The balances, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes its cash balances are not exposed to significant risk of loss.

 

The Company’s customer base consists of franchisees located in Georgia, California, Canada, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, Panama and the Philippines. Management reviews each of its customer’s financial conditions prior to signing a franchise agreement and believes that it has adequately provided for any exposure to potential credit losses.

 

Revenue Recognition: Franchise fee revenue from the sale of individual franchises is recognized over the term of the franchise agreement. Unamortized non-refundable deposits collected in relation to the sale of franchises are recorded as deferred franchise fees. Typically, franchise fees are $50,000 for each domestic location and are collected 50% upon signing a deposit agreement and 50% at the signing of a lease and related franchise agreement. International franchise fees are typically $65,000 for each location and are payable 100% upon signing a deposit agreement. The Company typically charges a $25,000 co-brand conversion fee.

 

The franchise fee may be adjusted at management’s discretion or in a situation involving store transfers. Deposits are non-refundable upon acceptance of the franchise application. These deposits are recorded as deferred income – current and noncurrent based upon the expected franchise restaurant opening dates.

 

In the event a franchisee does not comply with their development timeline for opening franchise stores, the franchise rights may be terminated, and franchise fee revenue is recognized for non-refundable deposits.

 

In addition to franchise fee revenue, the Company collects a royalty calculated as a percentage of net sales from its franchisees. Royalties are recognized as revenue when the related sales are made by the franchisees. Any royalties received prior to the related sales are deferred and recognized when earned. Costs relating to continuing franchise support are expensed as incurred.

 

Store opening fees — The Company recognizes store opening fees of $45,000 and $60,000 for domestic and international stores, respectively, from the up-front fees collected from franchisees. The remaining balance of the up-front fees are then amortized as franchise fees over the life of the franchise agreement. If the fees collected are less than the respective store opening fee amounts, the full up-front fees are recognized at opening. The $45,000 and $60,000 are based on out-of-pocket costs to the Company for each store opening and are primarily comprised of labor expenses associated with training, store design, and supply chain setup. International fees recognized are higher due to the additional cost of travel.

 

During 2008 and 2009, the Company received a total of $500,000 from a franchisee of three restaurants in exchange for an exclusive area agreement for ten counties in the state of Georgia and reduced service fees for the franchisee’s restaurants for a ten-year period. The franchisee is required to open four new franchise restaurants in the exclusive territory during the ten-year term of the agreement.

 

The deferred fee is being amortized into income ratably over the ten-year term. Service fee revenues recognized in each of the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017 pursuant to the agreement were $32,333. As of September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, there remained deferred fees of $0 and $32,333, respectively, relating to the exclusive area agreement.

 

Advertising: The Company generally requires advertising payments of 2.0% of net sales from Buffalo’s Southwest Café restaurants. Co-branded restaurants generally pay 0.20% to 1.95%. The Company also receives, from time to time, payments from vendors that are to be used for advertising. Advertising funds are required to be spent for specific advertising purposes. Advertising revenue and associated expense is recorded on the statement of operations. Assets and liabilities associated with advertising funds are consolidated on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

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Segment information: The Company owns international and domestic licensed operations. Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is our Chief Executive Officer; our CODM reviews financial performance and allocates resources at an overall level on a recurring basis. Therefore, Management has determined that the Company has one operating segment and one reportable segment.

 

Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach. The asset and liability approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are classified as current or noncurrent, depending on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which they relate.

 

Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires the use of estimates in determining assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods and services to customers. The updated standard replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. These standards became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018.

 

These standards require that the transaction price received from customers be allocated to each separate and distinct performance obligation. The transaction price attributable to each separate and distinct performance obligation is then recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied as specified by the contract. The agreements for services provided by the Company related to upfront fees received from franchisees (such as initial or renewal fees) do not currently contain separate and distinct performance obligations from the franchise right and thus those upfront fees will be recognized as revenue over the term of each respective franchise agreement. Previously, we recognized upfront franchise fees such as initial and renewal fees when the related services have been provided, which is when a store opened for initial fees and when renewal options became effective for renewal fees. These standards require any unamortized portion of fees received prior to adoption be presented in the consolidated balance sheet as a contract liability.

 

The new standards also had an impact on transactions previously not included in the Company’s revenues and expenses such as franchisee contributions to and subsequent expenditures from advertising arrangements we have with our franchisees. The Company did not previously include these contributions and expenditures in its consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. Under the new standards, the Company will recognize advertising fees and the related expense in its consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. The Company will also consolidate the assets and liabilities related to advertising fees on its balance sheet.

 

These standards will not impact the recognition of our sales-based royalties from franchisees, which is generally our largest source of revenue. We have implemented internal controls related to the recognition and presentation of the Company’s revenues under these new standards.

 

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method, in which the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. An adjustment decreasing retained earnings of $52,356 was established on the date of adoption resulting from an increase in deferred revenue of $156,696 for the franchise fees received through December 31, 2017 that would have been deferred and recognized over the term of each respective franchise store agreement if the new guidance had been applied in the past. An offsetting deferred tax asset of $104,340 related to this contract liability was also established on the date of adoption.

 

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Adopting the new accounting standards for revenue affected several financial statement line items for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018. The following tables provide the affected amounts as reported in these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements compared with what they would have been if the previous accounting guidance had remained in effect.

 

As of September 30, 2018

 

   Amounts As Reported   Amounts Under
Previous Accounting Guidance
 
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet:          
Accounts receivable  $114,544   $75,305 
Deferred income taxes  $69,772   $(34,617)
Due from affiliates  $1,970,362   $1,653,609 
Buffalo’s Creative and Advertising Fund  $-   $355,992 
Buffalo’s Creative and Advertising Fund-Contra  $-   $355,992 
Accounts payable  $385,826   $160,521 
Deferred income  $263,836   $120,480 
Accrued expense  $189,408   $170,271 
Accrued advertising  $111,550   $- 
Retained earnings  $1,463,173   $1,502,189 

 

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018

 

   As Reported   Amounts Under Previous Accounting Guidance 
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Operations:          
Franchise fees  $113,340   $100,000 
Advertising fees  $435,238   $- 
Advertising expense  $435,238   $- 
Net income  $678,746   $665,406 

 

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands)

 

   As Reported   Amounts Under
Previous Accounting Guidance
 
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:          
Net income  $678,746   $665,406 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Accounts receivable  $24,251   $(20,412)
Deferred income  $(145,673)  $(132,333)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $27,939   $28,528 
Accrued advertising  $(140,568)  $- 
Advances to affiliates  $(549,012)  $(642,694)

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and the Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards:

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, requiring a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with a lease term of more than twelve months. Leases will continue to be classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease. This ASU is effective for interim and annual period beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No.2018-07, Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718). Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Prior to this update, Top 718 applied only to share-based transactions to employees. Consistent with the accounting requirements for employee share-based payment awards, nonemployee share-based payment awards within the scope of Topic 718 are measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments that an entity is obligated to issue when the good has been delivered or the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied. The amendments in the Update are effective for public business entities form fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. The adoption of this accounting standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 3. DEFERRED INCOME

 

Deferred income consists of deferred franchise fees. As of September 30, 2018, deferred income totaled $263,836 compared to $252,813 as of December 31, 2017.

 

Note 4. Related party transactions

 

On July 3, 2018, FAT Brands Inc., the Company’s parent, entered into a Guaranty Agreement (the “Guaranty”) relating to a new Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) between FAT Brands Inc. and FB Lending, LLC (the “Lender”). Under the Guaranty, the Company, together with certain of the FAT Brands’ direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates, guaranteed the obligations of FAT Brands Inc. under the (“Loan Agreement”) and granted a lien on substantially all of its assets as security for its guaranty obligations.

 

Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, FAT Brands, Inc. borrowed $16.0 million in a term loan from the Lender. The new term loan under the Loan Agreement matures on June 30, 2020. Interest on the term loan accrues at an annual fixed rate of 15.0%. FAT Brands may prepay all or a portion of the outstanding principal and accrued unpaid interest under the Loan Agreement at any time upon prior notice to the Lender, subject to a prepayment penalty of 10% in the first year and 5% in the second year of the term loan.

 

The Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur other indebtedness, grant liens, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets, pay dividends or make distributions, in each case subject to customary exceptions. The Loan Agreement also includes customary events of default that include, among other things, non-payment, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant breaches, events that result in a material adverse effect (as defined in the Loan Agreement), cross default to other material indebtedness, bankruptcy, insolvency and material judgments. The occurrence and continuance of an event of default could result in the acceleration of the obligations under the Loan Agreement and an increase in the interest rate by 5.0% per annum.

 

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The Company has not recorded a liability in connection with the guarantee of the Loan Agreement.

 

The Company had open accounts with affiliated entities under the common control of FCCG resulting in net amounts due to the Company of $1,970,362 and $1,010,915 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

Prior to FAT becoming the parent of the Company, FCCG’s operations were structured in such a way that significant direct and indirect administrative functions were provided to the Company. These services include operational personnel to sell franchise rights, assist with training franchisees and assisting franchises with opening restaurants. FCCG also provided executive administration and accounting services for the Company.

 

The Company reimbursed FCCG for these expenses in the approximate amounts of $228,532 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017. Management reviewed the expenses recorded at FCCG and identified the common expenses that would be allocated to the subsidiaries. These expenses were allocated based on an estimate of management’s time spent on the activities of FCCG and its subsidiaries, and further allocated among the subsidiaries pro rata based on each subsidiary’s respective revenues as a percentage of overall revenues of the subsidiaries. The Company believes that the allocation of expenses is not materially different from what it would have been if the Company was a stand-alone entity.

 

The Company currently has a similar arrangement for direct and indirect administrative functions with FAT. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, the Company reimbursed FAT in the amount of $491,415 for the expense of these services.

 

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, the Company recognized payables to FCCG in the amount of $93,633 and $134,585, respectively, for use of FCCG’s net operating losses for tax purposes.

 

Note 5. Income taxes

 

The Company files its Federal and most state income tax returns on a consolidated basis with FCCG. For financial reporting purposes, the Company calculates its tax provision as if the Company files its tax returns on a stand-alone basis. The taxes payable to FCCG determined by this calculation of $93,633 and $134,585 were offset against the balances due from affiliates as of September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively.

 

Deferred taxes reflect the net effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for calculating taxes payable on a stand-alone basis.

 

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)          
Deferred franchise fees and royalties  $76,882   $71,670 
State income tax   (4,001)   (3,990)
Reserves and accruals   (3,159)   5,207 
Total  $69,722   $72,887 

 

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Components of the income tax provision are as follows:

 

   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
Current        
Federal  $81,439   $134,585 
State   76,329    - 
Foreign   -    1,000 
    157,768    135,585 
           
Deferred          
Federal   77,000    141,100 
State   25,969    1 
    102,969    141,101 
Total income tax expense  $260,737   $276,686 

 

Income tax provision related to continuing operations differ from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate of 21% and 34% to pretax income as follows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively:

 

   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
Statutory rate       21%       34%
State and local income taxes   9%   - 
Other   (2)%   (1)%
Effective tax rate   28%   33%

 

As of September 30, 2018, the Company’s annual tax filings for the prior three years are open for audit by Federal and for the prior four years for state tax agencies. Management evaluated the Company’s overall tax positions and has determined that no provision for uncertain income tax positions is necessary as of September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017.

 

Note 6. Buffalo’s creative and advertising fund

 

Under the terms of its franchise agreements, the Company collects fees for creative development and advertising from its franchisees based on percentages of sales as outlined in franchise agreements. The Company is to oversee all advertising and promotional programs and is to have sole discretion over expenditures from the fund.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the year-end balance of the advertising fund and the related advertising obligation, which were $435,514 at December 31, 2017. Effective January 1, 2018, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the advertising fund were fully consolidated with the Company. (See Note 2).

 

Note 7. commitments AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Litigation:

 

P&K Food Market, Inc. vs. Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., Fog Cutter Capital Group, Shaun Curtis, Andy Wiederhorn et al., Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. 18STLC09534.

 

On July 13, 2018, P&K Food Market, Inc. (“P&K”) filed a complaint against Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., Fog Cutter Capital Group, Shaun Curtis, and Andy Wiederhorn for Breach of Contract, Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Unlawful Offer and Sale of Franchise By Means of Untrue Statements or Omissions of Material Fact Under Cal. Corp. Code §§31201; 31202; 31300; and 31301. The case was filed in connection with the sale of an affiliate-owned “Buffalo’s Café” restaurant located in Palmdale, California. The lawsuit seeks general damages, special damages, punitive damages, restitution, interest, costs and attorneys’ fees and costs related to the alleged unlawful sale of the Palmdale restaurant. The franchisor and related parties intend to vigorously defend the allegations.

 

The Company is obligated to indemnify its officers and directors to the extent permitted by applicable law in connection with the above actions, and has insurance for such individuals, to the extent of the limits of the applicable insurance policies and subject to potential reservations of rights. These proceedings are in their early stages and the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter. There can be no assurance that the defendants will be successful in defending against these actions.

 

The Company is involved in other claims and legal proceedings from time-to-time that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.

 

Note 8. Retirement plan

 

The Company has a profit-sharing plan (the Plan) with a 401(k) feature covering substantially all employees. There were no contributions made by the Company under the Plan for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017.

 

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Note 9. geographic location and major franchisees

 

Revenues by geographic area are as follows:

 

    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
    September 30, 2018     September 24, 2017     September 30, 2018     September 24, 2017  
                         
United States   $ 408,242     $ 286,056     $ 1,241,367     $ 790,005  
Other countries     172,370       346,498       306,843       234,606  
Total revenues   $ 580,612     $ 632,554     $ 1,548,210     $ 1,349,611  

 

Revenues are shown based on the geographic location of our licensee restaurants. All of our assets are located in the United States.

 

During the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018, two franchisees each accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues, with total revenues of $108,404 and $108,346. During the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2017, two franchisees each accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues, with total revenues of $325,000 and $72,372. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, two franchisees each accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues, with total revenues of $337,501 and $319,070. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017, four franchisees each accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues, with total revenues of $325,000, $228,116, $160,517 and $163,432.

 

Note 10. Subsequent events

 

Pursuant to FASB ASC 855, Management has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred from September 30, 2018 through the date of issuance of these financial statements. During this period, the Company did not have any significant subsequent events.

 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, as applicable. Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases and in statements made by or with the approval of authorized personnel constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements reflect intent, belief, current expectations, estimates or projections about, among other things, our industry, management’s beliefs, and future events and financial trends affecting us. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These differences can arise as a result of the risks described in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 2, 2018, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 15, 2018 and elsewhere in this report, as well as other factors that may affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and forward looking statements in documents incorporated by reference speak only as of the date of those documents. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this report will, in fact, transpire.

 

Overview

 

The management’s discussion and analysis is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

 

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, which appear elsewhere herein.

 

Our Business

 

Business overview

 

FAT Brands Inc. is a multi-brand restaurant franchising company that develops, markets, and acquires predominantly fast casual restaurant concepts around the world. As a franchisor, we generally do not own or operate restaurant locations, but rather generate revenue by charging franchisees an initial franchise fee as well as ongoing royalties. Since it requires relatively small investments in tangible assets, this franchisor model provides the opportunity for strong profit margins and an attractive free cash flow profile while minimizing restaurant operating company risk such as long-term real estate commitments or significant capital investments. Our scalable management platform enables us to add new franchise and restaurant concepts to our portfolio with minimal incremental corporate overhead cost, while taking advantage of significant corporate overhead synergies. The acquisition of additional brands and restaurant concepts as well as expansion of our existing brands are key elements of our growth strategy.

 

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FAT Brands Inc. was formed on March 21, 2017 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (“FCCG”). On October 19, 2017, we conducted a forward split of our common stock, par value $0.0001, which increased shares held by FCCG to 8,000,000 shares. On October 20, 2017, we completed our initial public offering and issued 2,000,000 additional shares of our common stock at an offering price of $12.00 per share, for an aggregate amount of $24,000,000 (the “Offering”). The net proceeds of the Offering were approximately $20,930,000 after deducting the selling agent fees of $1,853,000 and Offering expenses of $1,217,000. Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FAT.”

 

Concurrent with the closing of the Offering, we completed the following transactions:

 

  FCCG contributed two of its operating subsidiaries, Fatburger North America Inc. and Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts Inc., to us in exchange for an unsecured promissory note with a principal balance of $30,000,000, bearing interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum and maturing in five years (the “Related Party Debt”). The contribution was consummated pursuant to a Contribution Agreement between us and FCCG.
     
  In March 2017, FCCG agreed to acquire Homestyle Dining LLC from Metromedia Company and its affiliate pursuant to a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, as amended, which provided for a cash purchase price of $10,550,000 to be paid at closing. Effective October 20, 2017, we provided $10,550,000 of the net proceeds from the Offering to FCCG to consummate the acquisition of Homestyle Dining LLC. In exchange, we received full ownership in the Homestyle Dining operating subsidiaries: Ponderosa Franchising Company, Bonanza Restaurant Company, Ponderosa International Development, Inc. and Puerto Rico Ponderosa, Inc. (collectively, “Ponderosa”). These subsidiaries conduct the worldwide franchising of the Ponderosa Steakhouse Restaurants and the Bonanza Steakhouse Restaurants.

 

On November 14, 2017, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) to purchase the membership interests of Hurricane AMT, LLC, a Florida limited liability corporation (“Hurricane”), for a purchase price of $12,500,000. Hurricane is the franchisor of Hurricane Grill & Wings and Hurricane BTW Restaurants. The original Hurricane Grill & Wings opened in Fort Pierce, Florida in 1995 and has expanded to over 58 restaurant locations in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New York, and Texas.

 

We completed the acquisition of Hurricane on July 3, 2018. The purchase price of $12,500,000 was delivered through the payment of $8,000,000 in cash and the issuance to the sellers of $4,500,000 of equity units of the Company valued at $10,000 per unit, or a total of 450 units. Each unit consists of (i) 100 shares of the Company’s newly designated Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”) and (ii) a warrant to purchase 125 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.00 per share (the “Hurricane Warrants”). (See Notes 3, 9 and 11 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements of FAT Brands Inc.)

 

We operate on a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday of the calendar year. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter contains 13 weeks of operations; in a 53-week fiscal year, each of the first, second and third quarters includes 13 weeks of operations and the fourth quarter includes 14 weeks of operations, which may cause our revenue, expenses and other results of operations to be higher due to an additional week of operations. The 2018 and 2017 fiscal years consist of 52 weeks and 53 weeks, respectively.

 

Fatburger and Buffalo’s were historically under a cost-sharing and reimbursement arrangement with FCCG. After the transfer of these entities to our control, the cost-sharing and reimbursement arrangement with FCCG was terminated and all employees were moved to FAT Brands Inc. or our subsidiaries as appropriate. The historical financial statements are expected to be consistent with the new FAT Brands Inc. entity, in that reimbursement expense and direct employee costs both appear under general and administrative expenses and are expected to be materially the same amounts going forward.

 

Operating segments

 

As of September 30, 2018, we franchise the Fatburger, Buffalo’s, Ponderosa and Hurricane restaurant concepts with 333 total locations across 29 domestic states and 20 countries. Our overall footprint (including signed development agreements for proposed stores in new markets and countries where our brands previously had a presence that we intend to resell to new franchisees) covers 21 countries. For each of our current restaurant brands and those that we will seek to acquire, the ability to expand the overall concept footprint, both domestically and internationally, is of critical importance and a primary acquisition evaluation criterion. We believe that our restaurant concepts have meaningful growth potential and appeal to a broad base of consumers globally.

 

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Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is our Chief Executive Officer. Our CODM reviews financial performance and allocates resources at an overall level on a recurring basis. However, each of our restaurant concepts is significant to our operations and is consistently evaluated individually. Therefore, management has determined that the Company currently has four operating and reportable segments.

 

Our operating segments are:

 

  The Fatburger Franchise Division which includes our worldwide operations of the Fatburger concept.
  The Buffalo’s Franchise Division which includes our worldwide operations of the Buffalo’s Café and Buffalo’s Express concepts.
  The Ponderosa Franchise Division which includes our worldwide operations of the Bonanza and Ponderosa Steakhouse concepts.
  The Hurricane Franchise Division which includes our worldwide operations of Hurricane Grill & Wings and Hurricane BTW Restaurants.

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

To evaluate the performance of our business, we utilize a variety of financial and performance measures, which are typically calculated on a system-wide basis. These key measures include new store openings and same-store sales growth in addition to the general income statement line items such as revenues, general and administrative expenses, income before income tax expense and net income.

 

New store openings - The number of new store openings reflects the number of franchised restaurant locations opened during a reporting period. The total number of new stores per year and the timing of stores openings has, and will continue to have, an impact on our results.

 

Same-store sales growth - Same-store sales growth reflects the change in year-over-year sales for the comparable store base, which we define as the number of stores open for at least one full fiscal year. Given our focused marketing efforts and public excitement surrounding each opening, new stores often experience an initial start-up period with considerably higher than average sales volumes, which subsequently decrease to stabilized levels after three to six months. Thus, we do not include stores in the comparable store base until they have been open for at least one full fiscal year. We expect that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future as we continue to open and expand into new markets.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Results of Operations of FAT Brands Inc.

 

The following table summarizes key components of our consolidated results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018. Because this is our initial full year of operation, comparative information is not available.

 

(In thousands)

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 30, 2018 
Statement of operations data:          
           
Revenues          
Royalties  $3,370   $8,802 
Franchise fees   1,343    2,041 
Store opening fees   100    205 
Advertising fees   1,038    2,264 
Management fee   13    45 
Total revenues   5,864    13,357 
           
General and administrative expenses   3,755    9,480 
           
Income from operations   2,109    3,877 
           
Other expense   (1,900)   (2,490)
           
Income before income tax expense   209    1,387 
           
Income tax expense   199    495 
           
Net income  $10   $892 

 

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018

 

Revenues - Revenues consist of royalties, franchise fees, store opening fees, advertising fees and management fees. We had revenues of $13,357,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018. Royalties totaled $8,802,000; Franchise fees totaled $2,041,000; Store opening fees totaled $205,000; Advertising fees totaled $2,264,000 and management fees were $45,000.

 

General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, our general and administrative expenses totaled $9,480,000 and included compensation costs of $4,285,000; professional fees of $1,071,000 and advertising expense of $2,264,000.

 

Other Expense – Other expense for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 totaled $2,490,000 and consisted primarily of net interest expense of $1,942,000.

 

Income Tax Expense – We recorded a provision for income taxes of $495,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

For the Thirteen Weeks Ended September 30, 2018

 

Revenues - Revenues consist of royalties, franchise fees, store opening fees, advertising fees and management fees. We had revenues of $5,864,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018. Royalties totaled $3,370,000; Franchise fees totaled $1,343,000; Store opening fees totaled $100,000; Advertising fees totaled $1,038,000 and management fees were $13,000.

 

General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs. For the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018, our general and administrative expenses totaled $3,755,000 and included compensation costs of $1,495,000, professional fees of $513,000 and advertising expense of $1,038,000.

 

Other Expense – Other expense for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 totaled $1,900,000 and consisted primarily of net interest expense of $1,428,000.

 

Income Tax Expense – We recorded a provision for income taxes of $199,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

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Results of Segment Operations of Fatburger

 

Fatburger was historically under control of FCCG and is a predecessor of FAT Brands for financial reporting purposes. The following table summarize key components of the results of operations for our Fatburger segment for the periods indicated:

 

(In thousands)

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
                 
Statement of operations data:                    
                     
Revenues                    
Royalties  $1,317   $1,205   $3,948   $3,580 
Franchise fees   1,215    530    1,884    1,683 
Store opening fees   100    -    205    - 
Advertising fees   268    -    879    - 
Management fee   13    17    45    47 
Total revenues   2,913    1,752    6,961    5,310 
                     
General and administrative expenses   972    552    3,279    1,847 
                     
Income from operations   1,941    1,200    3,682    3,463 
                     
Other income (expense)   31    (28)   183    (28)
                     
Income before income tax expense   1,972    1,172    3,865    3,435 
                     
Income tax expense   423    444    873    1,264 
                     
Net income  $1,549   $728   $2,992   $2,171 

 

The comparability of the 2018 results to the 2017 results is impacted by the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606), which replaced most of the previously existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. These changes are explained in detail in the notes to the accompanying financial statements and in the discussion of critical accounting policies and estimates below.

 

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 24, 2017

 

Revenues - Fatburger’s revenues consist of royalties, franchise fees, store opening fees, advertising fees and management fees. Fatburger had revenues of $6,961,000 and $5,310,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively. The increase was comprised of an increase in recognized advertising fees of $879,000 during the 2018 period; an increase in franchise and store opening fees in the amount of $406,000 and an increase in royalties of $368,000. These variances were significantly affected by the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018. For more information on the effect of the change in accounting standard, see Note 2 in the accompanying financial statements for Fatburger.

 

General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative expenses of Fatburger consist primarily of payroll, consulting fees and, prior to the Offering, an allocation of corporate overhead from FCCG. General and administrative expenses for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 increased $1,432,000 or 78% to $3,279,000 as compared to $1,847,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017. This was primarily the result of the recognition in 2018 of advertising fees in the amount of $879,000 from the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and increased compensation costs.

 

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Other Income – Other income during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 consisted primarily of net interest earned on intercompany receivables from FCCG in the amount of $206,000. The intercompany accounts began earning interest on October 20, 2017, so there was no comparable interest income for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017.

 

Income tax expense – Income tax expense decreased $391,000 or 31% during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 compared to the prior year. The reduction in tax expense resulted from a lower tax rate. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJ Act”) was enacted into law and reduced the corporate tax rate from 34% to 21%.

 

New Store Openings - For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, our Fatburger franchisees opened 8 stores as compared to 14 stores for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017.

 

Same-store Sales Growth - Same-store sales in our core domestic market grew by 9.1% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, compared to growth of 7.9% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017. Overall Fatburger same-store sales, including international stores in their local currency, were positive 7.8% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and positive 1.1% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017. The biggest factors for the increase in same store sales systemwide are increased sales from third-party delivery platforms, particularly in California, as well as launch of the Impossible Burger domestically. International same-store sales have also stabilized due to strengthening macroeconomic conditions in Canada from the increase in oil prices.

 

For the Thirteen Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to the Thirteen Weeks Ended September 24, 2017

 

Revenues - Fatburger’s revenues consist of royalties, franchise fees, store openings fees, advertising fees and management fees. Fatburger had revenues of $2,913,000 and $1,752,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively. The increase was comprised of an increase in recognized franchise and store opening fees in the amount of $785,000 and an increase in recognized advertising fees of $268,000 during the 2018 period. These variances were significantly affected by the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018. For more information on the effect of the change in accounting standard, see Note 2 in the accompanying financial statements for Fatburger.

 

General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative expenses of Fatburger consist primarily of payroll, consulting fees and, prior to the Offering, an allocation of corporate overhead from FCCG. General and administrative expenses for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 increased $420,000 or 76% to $972,000, as compared to $552,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2017. This was primarily the result of the recognition in 2018 of advertising fees in the amount of $268,000 from the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and increased compensation costs.

 

Other Income – Other income during the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 consisted primarily of net interest earned on intercompany receivables from FCCG in the amount of $42,000. The intercompany accounts began earning interest on October 20, 2017, so there was no comparable interest income for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2017.

 

Income tax expense – Income tax expense decreased $21,000 or 5% during the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 compared to the prior year. The reduction in tax expense resulted from a lower tax rate. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJ Act”) was enacted into law and reduced the corporate tax rate from 34% to 21%.

 

New Store Openings - For the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018, our Fatburger franchisees opened 2 stores as compared to 3 stores for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2017.

 

Same-store Sales Growth - Same-store sales in our core domestic market grew by 8.3% for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018. Overall Fatburger same-store sales, including international stores in their local currency were positive 4.7% for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

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Results of Segment Operations of Buffalo’s.

 

Buffalo’s was historically under control of FCCG and is a predecessor of FAT Brands for financial reporting purposes.

 

The following table summarize key components of the results of operations for our Buffalo’s segment for the periods indicated:

 

(In thousands)

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017   September 30, 2018   September 24, 2017 
                 
Statement of operations data:                    
                     
Revenues                    
Royalties  $334   $308   $1,000   $920 
Franchise fees   104    325    113    430 
Advertising fees   143    -    436    - 
Total revenues   581    633    1,549    1,350 
                     
General and administrative expenses   353    186    1,053    502 
                     
Income from operations   228    447    496    848 
                     
Other income   140    -    444    (1)
                     
Income before income tax expense   368    447    940    847 
                     
Income tax expense   106    142    261    276 
                     
Net income  $262   $305   $679   $571 

 

The comparability of the 2018 results to the 2017 results is impacted by the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606), which replaced most of the previously existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. These changes are explained in detail in the notes to the accompanying financial statements and in the discussion of critical accounting policies and estimates below.

 

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 as Compared to the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 24, 2017.

 

Revenues – Buffalo’s revenues consist of royalties, advertising fees and recognized franchise fees. Buffalo’s had revenues of $1,549,000 and $1,350,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively. The increase in revenue of $199,000 or 15%, is primarily the result of the recognition of advertising fees beginning in 2018 in the amount of $436,000. This increase was partially offset by lower recognized franchise fees in the amount of $317,000 during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 compared with the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017. These variances were significantly affected by the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018. For more information on the effect of the change in accounting standard, see Note 2 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for Buffalo’s.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses – General and administrative expenses for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 increased by $551,000 or 110% to $1,053,000 as compared to $502,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017. This was primarily the result of the recognition in 2018 of advertising expenses in the amount of $436,000 from the adoption of ASU 2014-09.

 

Other Income – Other income, consisting primarily of interest income on loans to affiliates, totaled $444,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018. Interest began accruing on these loans in October 2017. As a result, there was no comparable income during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017.

 

Income Tax Expense – We recorded a provision for income taxes of $261,000 for thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, compared to an expense for the prior year period of $276,000. The $15,000 decrease is primarily the result of a reduction in the corporate tax rate which became effective on December 22, 2017 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJ Act”).

 

New Store Openings – There were no new stores opened by our Buffalo’s Cafe franchisees during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively.

 

Same-store Sales Growth – Same-store sales for Buffalo’s Cafe increased 5.5% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 and 1% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2017. The increase in same-store sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to the reopening of one restaurant which has average unit volumes twice the average amount of the other stores.

 

For the Thirteen Weeks Ended September 30, 2018 as Compared to the Thirteen Weeks Ended September 24, 2017.

 

Revenues – Buffalo’s revenues consist of royalties, advertising fees and recognized franchise fees. Buffalo’s had revenues of $581,000 and $633,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively. The decrease in revenue of $52,000 or 8%, is primarily the result of a decrease in recognized franchise fees in the amount of $221,000, which was partially offset by the recognition of advertising fees beginning in 2018 in the amount of $143,000. These variances were significantly affected by the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018. For more information on the effect of the change in accounting standard, see Note 2 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for Buffalo’s.

 

General and Administrative Expenses – General and administrative expenses for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 increased by $167,000 or 90% to $353,000 as compared to $186,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2017. This was primarily the result of the recognition in 2018 of advertising expenses in the amount of $143,000 from the adoption of ASU 2014-09.

 

Other Income – Other income, consisting primarily of interest income on loans to affiliates, totaled $140,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018. Interest began accruing on these loans in October 2017. As a result, there was no comparable income during the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2017.

 

Income Tax Expense – We recorded a provision for income taxes of $106,000 for thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018, compared to an expense for the prior year period of $142,000. The $38,000 decrease was the result of a reduction in the corporate tax rate which became effective on December 22, 2017 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJ Act”).

 

New Store Openings – There were no new stores opened by our Buffalo’s Cafe franchisees during the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 and September 24, 2017, respectively.

 

Same-store Sales Growth – Same-store sales for Buffalo’s Cafe increased 6.4% for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

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Results of Segment Operations of Ponderosa

 

We were not affiliated with the Ponderosa entities until they became our wholly-owned subsidiaries on October 20, 2017. Accordingly, only the financial results of Ponderosa which occurred subsequent to FCCG’s contribution are presented. Comparison information for periods prior to our ownership are not presented.

 

The following table summarizes key components of the results of operations of our Ponderosa segment for the periods indicated:

 

(In thousands)

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 
   September 30, 2018   September 30, 2018 
Statement of operations data:          
           
Revenues          
Royalties  $893   $3,029 
Franchise fees   8    28 
Advertising fees   148    469 
Total revenues   1,049    3,526 
           
General and administrative expenses   832    2,795 
           
Income from operations   217    731 
           
Other expense   (27)   (78)
           
Income before income tax expense   190    653 
           
Income tax expense   137    186 
           
Net income  $53   $467 

 

For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2018

 

Revenues - Ponderosa’s revenues consist of royalties, advertising fees and franchise fees. Ponderosa had revenues of $3,526,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018, including royalties of $3,029,000 and advertising fees of $469,000.

 

General and Administrative Expense - General and administrative expense of Ponderosa consists primarily of payroll costs and advertising expense. General and administrative expenses for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 totaled $2,795,000 of which $1,768,000 was payroll related and $469,000 was for advertising.

 

New Store Openings - There were no new stores opened by our Ponderosa franchisees during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

Same-store Sales Growth – Systemwide same-store sales were positive 2.2% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

For the Thirteen Weeks Ended September 30, 2018

 

Revenues - Ponderosa’s revenues consist of royalties, advertising fees and franchise fees. Ponderosa had revenues of $1,049,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018, including royalties of $893,000 and advertising fees of $148,000.

 

General and Administrative Expense - General and administrative expense of Ponderosa consists primarily of payroll costs and advertising expense. General and administrative expenses for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 totaled $832,000 of which $467,000 was payroll related and $148,000 was for advertising.

 

New Store Openings - There were no new stores opened by our Ponderosa franchisees during the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

Same-store Sales Growth – Systemwide same-store sales were positive 4.6% for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

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Results of Segment Operations of Hurricane

 

We were not affiliated with Hurricane until it became our wholly-owned subsidiary on July 3, 2018. Accordingly, only the financial results of Hurricane which occurred subsequent to the acquisition by us are presented. Comparison information for periods prior to our ownership are not presented.

 

The following table summarizes key components of the results of operations of our Hurricane segment for the period beginning July 3, 2018 through September 30, 2018 (the “Ownership Period”):

 

(In thousands)

 

   For the Period Beginning July 3, 2018 Through 
   September 30, 2018 
Statement of operations data:     
      
Revenues     
Royalties  $825 
Franchise fees   16 
Advertising fees   480 
Total revenues   1,321 
      
General and administrative expenses   1,192 
      
Income from operations   129 
      
Other expense   (133)
      
Loss before income tax benefit   (4)
      
Income tax benefit   (1)
      
Net loss  $(3)

 

For the Period Beginning July 3, 2018 (acquisition) Through September 30, 2018.

 

Revenues - Hurricane’s revenues consist of royalties, advertising fees and franchise fees. Hurricane had revenues of $1,321,000 for the Ownership Period, including royalties of $826,000 and advertising fees of $479,000.

 

General and Administrative Expense - General and administrative expense of Hurricane consists primarily of payroll costs and advertising expense. General and administrative expenses for the Ownership Period totaled $1,192,000 of which $510,000 was payroll related and $479,000 was for advertising.

 

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New Store Openings - There were no new stores opened by our Hurricane franchisees during the Ownership Period.

 

Same-store Sales Growth – Systemwide same store sales decline 2.4% compared to the prior period.

 

Changes in Financial Condition

 

Overview

 

Our consolidated assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity as of September 30, 2018 can be summarized as follows:

 

   (dollars in thousands) 
Total assets  $52,557 
Total liabilities  $44,083 
Total stockholders’ equity  $8,474 

 

The significant components of our balance sheet are as follows:

 

Cash

 

Our cash balance was $1,859,000 as of September 30, 2018. Significant sources and uses of cash during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 included:

 

  Cash provided by operating activities was $360,000, resulting from our net income of $892,000 as adjusted for non-cash income and expense which had been recognized during the period.
  Proceeds from the issuance of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and associated warrants totaled $7,984,000 net of issuance costs.
  Net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt totaled $17,096,000.
  We used $8,000,000 in cash to purchase Hurricane.
  We used $10,853,000 to repay borrowings, including the Related Party Debt to FCCG.
  We made $4,262,000 in net advances to affiliates, including a $4,000,000 preferred equity investment in Homestyle Dining LLC. (See Note 12 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of FAT Brands Inc.)

 

Due from Affiliates

 

We had open accounts with affiliated entities under the common control of FCCG resulting in net amounts due to us of $12,998,000 as of September 30, 2018. Effective October 20, 2017, the advances began to earn interest at a rate of 10% per annum. These advances are expected to be recovered from credits for the use of FCCG’s tax net operating losses and from repayments by the affiliates from proceeds generated by their operations and investments.

 

The balance of Due From Affiliates includes a preferred capital investment in Homestyle Dining LLC, a Delaware limited liability corporation (“HSD”) in the amount of $4 million made effective July 5, 2018 (the “Preferred Interest”). FCCG owns all of the common interests in HSD.

 

The holder of the Preferred Interest is entitled to a 15% priority return on the outstanding balance of the investment (the “Preferred Return”). Any available cash flows from HSD on a quarterly basis are to be distributed to pay the accrued Preferred Return and repay the Preferred Interest until fully retired.

 

On or before the five-year anniversary of the investment, the Preferred Interest is to be fully repaid, together with all previously accrued but unpaid Preferred Return. FCCG has unconditionally guaranteed repayment of the Preferred Interest in the event HSD fails to do so.

 

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, net

 

   September 30, 2018 
    (dollars in thousands) 
Goodwill – Fatburger acquisition  $529 
Goodwill – Buffalo’s acquisition   5,365 
Goodwill – Ponderosa acquisition   1,462 
Goodwill – Hurricane acquisition   754 
Total goodwill  $8,110 
      
Net intangible assets – Fatburger   2,135 
Net intangible assets – Buffalo’s   27 
Net intangible assets – Ponderosa   8,765 
Net intangible assets – Hurricane   10,940 
Total net intangible assets  $21,867 

 

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities totaled $5,859,000 at September 30, 2018 and consisted of the following:

 

    September 30, 2018  
    (dollars in thousands)  
Accounts payable   $ 3,352  
Accrued wages and payroll taxes     744  
Gift certificate liability     92  
Accrued income taxes     165  
Other accrued expenses     1,506  
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 5,859  

 

Deferred Income

 

Our deferred income, which primarily consists of unearned franchise fees and royalties, was $7,774,000 at September 30, 2018. When we adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018, we made an adjustment increasing deferred income by $3,482,000 representing franchise fees collected as of December 31, 2017 for franchise agreements with remaining terms. Our consolidated deferred income was also increased in the amount of $1,885,000 when we acquired Hurricane. The deferred income will be recognized as income over the term of the related individual franchise agreements.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund business operations, acquisitions, and expansion of franchised restaurant locations and for other general business purposes. In addition to our cash on hand, our primary sources of funds for liquidity during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2018 consisted of cash provided by proceeds from the sale of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and other long-term debt.

 

At September 30, 2018, we had total liabilities of $44,083,000. Our consolidated indebtedness consisted of a note payable to FB Funding, LLC of $14,938,000; mandatorily redeemable preferred shares of $14,175,000; as well as $14,970,000 of other liabilities.

 

Franchise expansion

 

We are involved in a world-wide expansion of franchise locations, which will require significant liquidity, primarily from our franchisees. If real estate locations of sufficient quality cannot be located and either leased or purchased, the timing of restaurant openings may be delayed. Additionally, if we or our franchisees cannot obtain capital sufficient to fund this expansion, the timing of restaurant openings may be delayed.

 

We also plan to acquire additional restaurant concepts. These acquisitions typically require capital investments in excess of our normal cash on hand. We would expect that future acquisitions will necessitate financing with additional debt or equity transactions. If we are unable to obtain acceptable financing, our ability to acquire additional restaurant concepts may be negatively impacted.

 

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Dividends

 

Our Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.12 per share of common stock, each payable on April 16, 2018, July 16, 2018 and October 31, 2018. The declaration and payment of future dividends, as well as the amount thereof, are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. The amount and size of any future dividends will depend upon our future results of operations, financial condition, capital levels, cash requirements and other factors. There can be no assurance that we will declare and pay dividends in future periods.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Franchise Fees: Franchise fee revenue from the sale of individual franchises is recognized over the term of the individual franchise agreement. Unamortized non-refundable deposits collected in relation to the sale of franchises are recorded as deferred franchise fees.

 

The franchise fee may be adjusted at management’s discretion or in a situation involving store transfers. Deposits are non-refundable upon acceptance of the franchise application. In the event a franchisee does not comply with their development timeline for opening franchise stores, the franchise rights may be terminated, and franchise fee revenue is recognized for non-refundable deposits.

 

Royalties: In addition to franchise fee revenue, we collect a royalty calculated as a percentage of net sales from our franchisees. Royalties are recognized as revenue when the related sales are made by the franchisees. Royalties collected in advance of sales are classified as deferred income until earned.

 

Store opening fees: We recognize store opening fees of $45,000 and $60,000 for domestic and international stores, respectively, from the up-front fees collected from franchisees. The remaining balance of the up-front fees are then amortized as franchise fees over the life of the franchise agreement. If the fees collected are less than the respective store opening fee amounts, the full up-front fees are recognized at opening. The $45,000 and $60,000 are based on our out-of-pocket costs for each store opening and are primarily comprised of labor expenses associated with training, store design, and supply chain setup. International fees recognized are higher due to the additional cost of travel.

 

Advertising: We require advertising payments based on a percent of net sales from franchisees. We also receive, from time to time, payments from vendors that are to be used for advertising. Advertising funds collected are required to be spent for specific advertising purposes. Advertising revenue and associated expense is recorded on the statement of operations. Assets and liabilities associated with the related advertising fees are consolidated on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets: Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, such as trademarks, are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if indicators arise. No impairment has been identified for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018.

 

Income taxes: We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain.

 

We utilize a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon tax authority examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon the ultimate settlement.

 

Share-based compensation: We have a non-qualified stock option plan which provides for options to purchase shares of our common stock. For grants to employees and directors, we recognize an expense for the value of options granted at their fair value at the date of grant over the vesting period in which the options are earned. Cancellations or forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. Fair values are estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For grants to non-employees for services, we revalue the options each reporting period while the services are being performed. The adjusted value of the options is recognized as an expense over the service period. See Note 14 in our consolidated financial statements for more details on our share-based compensation.

 

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Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods and services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP and permits the use of either a full retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. These standards are effective for our first quarter of 2018 and we adopted the standards using the modified retrospective method.

 

These standards require that the transaction price received from customers be allocated to each separate and distinct performance obligation. The transaction price attributable to each separate and distinct performance obligation is then recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied. The services we provide related to upfront fees we receive from franchisees such as initial or renewal fees do not currently contain separate and distinct performance obligations from the franchise right and thus those upfront fees will be recognized as revenue over the term of each respective franchise agreement. We previously recognized upfront franchise fees such as initial and renewal fees when the related services have been provided, which is when a store opens for initial fees and when renewal options become effective for renewal fees. These standards require any unamortized portion of fees received prior to adoption be presented in our consolidated balance sheet as a contract liability. Upon the adoption of this standard on January 1, 2018, we recorded a decrease to our retained earnings in the amount of $2,672,000 with a corresponding increase to deferred revenue in the amount of $3,482,000 and a $810,000 increase in the deferred tax asset.

 

These standards also have an impact on transactions which previously were not included in our revenues and expenses such as franchisee contributions to and subsequent expenditures for advertising that we are now required to consolidate. We did not previously include these contributions and expenditures in our consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. The new standards impact the principal/agent determinations in these arrangements by superseding industry-specific guidance included in current GAAP. When we are the principal in these transactions we will include the related contributions and expenditures within our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows. As a result of this change, we expect the increase in both total revenues and total costs and expenses, with no significant impact to net income.

 

These standards will not impact the recognition of our sales-based royalties from franchisees, which is generally our largest source of revenue. We have implemented internal controls related to the recognition and presentation of the Company’s revenues under these new standards.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, requiring a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with a lease term of more than twelve months. Leases will continue to be classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease. This ASU is effective for interim and annual period beginning after December 15, 2018 and requires a modified retrospective approach to adoption for lessees related to capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No.2018-07, Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718). Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Prior to this update, Top 718 applied only to share-based transactions to employees. Consistent with the accounting requirements for employee share-based payment awards, nonemployee share-based payment awards within the scope of Topic 718 are measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments that an entity is obligated to issue when the good has been delivered or the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied. The amendments in the update are effective for public business entities form fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. The adoption of this accounting standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements. This ASU makes amendments to multiple codification Topics. The transition and effective date guidance is based on the facts and circumstances of each amendment. Some of the amendments in this ASU do not require transition guidance and will be effective upon issuance of this ASU. However, many of the amendments in this ASU do have transition guidance with effective dates for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the effect that this ASU will have on its financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU adds, modifies and removes several disclosure requirements relative to the three levels of inputs used to measure fair value in accordance with Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the effect that this ASU will have on its financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not Required.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of September 30, 2018, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that material information relating to us and our combined subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control procedures are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control procedures, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. We considered these limitations during the development of its disclosure controls and procedures and will continually reevaluate them to ensure they provide reasonable assurance that such controls and procedures are effective.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with an evaluation that occurred during the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2018 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Eric Rojany, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al., Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC708539.

 

On June 7, 2018, Eric Rojany filed a complaint, personally and on behalf of all others similarly situated, against the Company, Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc., Tripoint Global Equities, LLC and members of the Company’s board of directors. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, alleging that the defendants are responsible for false and misleading statements and omitted material facts in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, which resulted in declines in the price of the Company’s common stock. The plaintiff stated that he intends to certify the complaint as a class action and is seeking compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The Company and other defendants dispute the allegations of the lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend against the claims.

 

Daniel Alden, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al., Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC716017.

 

On August 2, 2018, Daniel Alden and others filed a complaint, personally and on behalf of all others similarly situated, against the Company, Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc., Tripoint Global Equities, LLC and members of the Company’s board of directors. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, alleging that the defendants are responsible for false and misleading statements and omitted material facts in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, which resulted in declines in the price of the Company’s common stock. The plaintiff stated that he intends to certify the complaint as a class action and is seeking compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The Company and other defendants dispute the allegations of the lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend against the claims.

 

On September 13, 2018, counsel to all parties in Rojany and Alden stipulated to the consolidation of Rojany and Alden under the Rojany case number. On September 17, 2018, the Court in Rojany confirmed that the two actions were related and ordered that Alden be transferred to the judge presiding over Rojany.

 

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On October 10, 2018, plaintiffs in these actions filed a consolidated amended complaint (“CAC”). Pursuant to the Court’s order on September 17, 2018, defendants shall have until November 13, 2018 to file a response to the CAC. The Court scheduled the hearing for defendants’ anticipated demurrer to the CAC for January 11, 2019. The Court also continued a stay of discovery in the action, pending its ruling on defendants’ anticipated demurrer.

 

Adam Vignola, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al., United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:18-cv-07469.

 

On August 24, 2018, Adam Vignola filed a complaint, personally and on behalf of all others similarly situated, against the Company, Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc., Tripoint Global Equities, LLC and members of the Company’s board of directors. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, alleging that the defendants are responsible for false and misleading statements and omitted material facts in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, which resulted in declines in the price of the Company’s common stock. The plaintiff stated that he intends to certify the complaint as a class action and is seeking compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The Company and other defendants dispute the allegations of the lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend against the claims.

 

On October 23, 2018, Charles Jordan and David Kovacs filed a motion for appointment as lead plaintiffs and approval of choice of counsel. On the same day, Randy Siade filed a motion for appointment as lead plaintiff and approval of choice of counsel. The hearing date for these motions was set for November 26, 2018. On November 1, 2018, Randy Siade withdrew his motion for appointment as lead plaintiff and approval of choice of counsel. All discovery and other proceedings in this action are currently stayed by operation of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

P&K Food Market, Inc. vs. Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., Fog Cutter Capital Group, Shaun Curtis, Andy Wiederhorn et al., Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. 18STLC09534.

 

On July 13, 2018, P&K Food Market, Inc. (“P&K”) filed a complaint against Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., Fog Cutter Capital Group, Shaun Curtis, and Andy Wiederhorn for Breach of Contract, Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Unlawful Offer and Sale of Franchise By Means of Untrue Statements or Omissions of Material Fact Under Cal. Corp. Code §§31201; 31202; 31300; and 31301. The case was filed in connection with the sale of an affiliate-owned “Buffalo’s Café” restaurant located in Palmdale, California. The lawsuit seeks general damages, special damages, punitive damages, restitution, interest, costs and attorneys’ fees and costs related to the alleged unlawful sale of the Palmdale restaurant. The franchisor and related parties intend to vigorously defend the allegations.

 

The Company is obligated to indemnify its officers and directors to the extent permitted by applicable law in connection with the above actions, and has insurance for such individuals, to the extent of the limits of the applicable insurance policies and subject to potential reservations of rights. The Company is also obligated to indemnify Tripoint Global Equities, LLC under certain conditions relating to the Rojany, Vignola and Alden matters. These proceedings are in their early stages and the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters. There can be no assurance that the defendants will be successful in defending against these actions.

 

The Company is involved in other claims and legal proceedings from time-to-time that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or future results. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors included in our Annual Report. The risks described in our Annual Report are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.

 

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We have been named as a party to purported class action and shareholder derivative lawsuits and we may be named in additional litigation, all of which could require significant management time and attention and result in significant legal expenses. An unfavorable outcome in one or more of these lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

On June 7, 2018, August 2, 2018 and August 24, 2018, separate, but similar, complaints were filed against the Company, Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc., Tripoint Global Equities, LLC and members of the Company’s board of directors, alleging that the defendants are responsible for false and misleading statements and omitted material facts in connection with our initial public offering, which resulted in declines in the price of our common stock. The plaintiffs stated that they intend to certify the complaint as a class action and are seeking compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial.

 

The Company and other defendants dispute the allegations of the lawsuits and intend to vigorously defend against the claims. Regardless of the merits, the expense of defending such litigation may have a substantial impact if our insurance carrier fails to cover the cost of the litigation, and the time required to defend the actions could divert management’s attention from the day-to-day operations of our business, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, an unfavorable outcome in such litigation in an amount which is not covered by our insurance carrier could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

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

 

On April 16, 2018, FCCG elected to reinvest its dividend receivable from us of $960,000 for newly issued common shares of the Company at $6.25 per share, the closing market price of the shares on that date. As a result, we issued 153,600 shares of common stock to FCCG in satisfaction of the dividend payable.

 

On April 27, 2018, we issued to TCA Global Credit Master Fund, LP a Senior Secured Redeemable Debenture with an initial principal amount of $2,000,000, which was repaid on July 3, 2018.

 

On June 7, 2018, we entered into a Subscription Agreement for the issuance and sale (the “Offering”) of 800 units (the “ Units “), with each Unit consisting of (i) 100 shares of our newly designated Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and (ii) warrants (the “Series A Warrants”) to purchase 125 shares of our common stock at $8.00 per share. The sales price of each Unit was $10,000, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company from the initial closing of $8,000,000 and the issuance of 80,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series A Warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock (the “Subscription Warrants”).

 

On June 15, 2018, each of our board members received newly issued common stock in lieu of cash payments of accrued director fees. The combined amount of the director fees payable was $330,000 and the shares were issued at a price of $7.90 per share, which represents the closing price of our stock on June 14, 2018. As a result, we issued 41,772 shares of our common stock to satisfy the director fees payable.

 

On June 27, 2018, we entered into a Note Exchange Agreement under which we agreed with FCCG to exchange $9,272,053 of the remaining balance of the Company’s outstanding Promissory Note issued to FCCG on October 20, 2017, in the original principal amount of $30,000,000 (the “Note”). At the time, the Note had an estimated outstanding balance of principal plus accrued interest of $10,222,000 (the “Note Balance”).

 

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Under the Note Exchange Agreement, the Note Balance was exchanged for shares of our capital stock and warrants in the following amounts:

 

 

$2,000,000 of the Note Balance was exchanged for 200 Units consisting of 20,000 shares of Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company, and Series A Warrants to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at $8 per share, exercisable for a period of five years from the issue date (the “Exchange Warrants”); and

     
  $7,272,053 of the Note Balance was exchanged for 989,395 shares of Common Stock of the Company, representing an exchange price of $7.35 per share, which was the closing trading price of the Common Stock on June 26, 2018.

 

Following the exchange, the balance of the Note was $950,000, which was subsequently repaid in cash.

 

On July 3, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Hurricane for the purchase price of $12,500,000. The purchase price was delivered through the payment of $8,000,000 in cash and the issuance to the Sellers of $4,500,000 of equity units of the Company valued at $10,000 per unit, or a total of 450 Series A-1 Units. Each Series A-1 Unit consists of (i) 100 shares of the Company’s Series A-1 Preferred Stock and (ii) a warrant to purchase 125 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.00 per share (the “Hurricane Warrants”).

 

On July 3, 2018, in connection with the Loan Agreement, we issued to the Lender a warrant to purchase up to 499,000 shares of our Common Stock at $7.35 per share (the “Lender Warrant”). Additionally, we issued warrants to purchase 65,306 shares of Common Stock at $7.35 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”) to certain parties as consideration for assistance in arranging the Loan Agreement between us and the Lender.

 

On July 16, 2018, FCCG was entitled to receive a cash dividend from us which had been declared on June 27, 2018. FCCG elected to reinvest its dividend from its original 8,000,000 common shares in the amount of $960,000 in newly issued common shares of the Company at $6.085 per share, which was the closing market price of the shares on that date. As a result, we issued 157,765 shares of common stock to FCCG in satisfaction of the dividend payable.

 

On September 20, 2018, each of our board members received newly issued common stock in lieu of cash payments of accrued director fees. The combined amount of the director fees payable was $90,000 and the shares were issued at a price of $8.59 per share, which represents the closing price of our stock on September 20, 2018. As a result, we issued 10,482 shares of our common stock to satisfy the director fees payable.

 

On October 31, 2018, FCCG was entitled to receive a cash dividend from us which had been declared on October 8, 2018. FCCG elected to reinvest its dividend from its 9,300,760 common shares in the amount of $1,116,091 in newly issued common shares of the Company at $6.31 per share, which was the closing market price of the shares on that date. As a result, we issued 176,877 shares of common stock to FCCG in satisfaction of the dividend payable.

 

The issuances of the securities referenced above were exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 promulgated under Regulation D under the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. Each of the purchasers acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

The Note Exchange Agreement entered into on June 27, 2018 between us and FCCG (See Part 2 - Item 2) originally anticipated that the entire remaining Note balance owed to FCCG would be exchanged for our capital stock and warrants. The Note Exchange Agreement was subsequently amended to limit the transaction to repay $9,272,000 of the Note, leaving a balance due of $950,000. The entire remaining balance of the note payable to FCCG was subsequently repaid in cash.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit       Incorporated By Reference to   Filed
Number   Description   Form   Exhibit   Filing Date   Herewith
2.1   Amended and Restated Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated July 3, 2018, by and among the Company, as Buyer, and Gama Group LLC, Salient Point Trust, Satovsky Enterprises, LLC, Mapes Holdings LLC and Martin O’Dowd, as Sellers   8-K   2.1   07/10/2018    
3.1   Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock   8-K   3.1   07/10/2018    
4.1   Form of Hurricane Warrants, dated July 3, 2018   8-K   4.1   07/10/2018    
4.2   Form of Lender Warrant, dated July 3, 2018   8-K   4.2   07/10/2018    
10.1   Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 3, 2018, by and between the Company and the Sellers under the Amended and Restated Purchase Agreement   8-K   10.1   07/10/2018    
10.2   Loan and Security Agreement, dated July 3, 2018, by and among the Company, Fatburger North America, Inc., Ponderosa Franchising Company LLC, Bonanza Restaurant Company LLC, Ponderosa International Development, Inc., Puerto Rico Ponderosa, Inc., Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts Inc., Fatburger Corporation and Homestyle Dining, LLC, and FB Lending, LLC   8-K   10.2   07/10/2018    
10.3   Guaranty, dated July 3, 2018, by and among Fatburger North America, Inc., Ponderosa Franchising Company LLC, Bonanza Restaurant Company LLC, Ponderosa International Development, Inc., Puerto Rico Ponderosa, Inc., Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc., Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts Inc., Fatburger Corporation and Homestyle Dining, LLC, in favor of FB Lending, LLC   8-K   10.3   07/10/2018    
10.4   Amendment to Note Exchange Agreement, dated August 14, 2018  

10-Q

  10.8.1   8/15/2018    
31.1   Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002               X
31.2   Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002               X
32.1   Certifications of the 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               X

 

101.INS   XBRL Instance Document X
      (Furnished)
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document X
      (Furnished)
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document X
      (Furnished)
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document X
      (Furnished)
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document X
      (Furnished)
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document X
      (Furnished)

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  FAT BRANDS INC.
   
November 14, 2018 By /s/ Andrew A. Wiederhorn
    Andrew A. Wiederhorn
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
   
November 14, 2018 By /s/ Rebecca D. Hershinger
    Rebecca D. Hershinger
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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