Nature of Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(1) Nature of Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Organization

Creative Learning Corporation (the “Company”) operates wholly owned subsidiaries, BFK Franchise Co., LLC (“BFK”) and SF Franchise Company, LLC (“SF”), under the trade names Bricks 4 Kidz® and Sew Fun Studios™ respectively, that offer children’s enrichment and education franchises. As of December 31, 2021, BFK had 274 global Bricks 4 Kidz® and Sew Fun Studios® franchise territories, 28 Bricks 4 Kidz® master franchises, and 134 Bricks 4 Kidz® sub-franchises operating in 39 countries.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information, with the instructions to Form 10-Q and with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s results for the interim periods that have been included. The results for the three months ended December 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021.

Related Parties

The Company has been involved in transactions with related parties. A party is considered to be related to the Company if the party directly or indirectly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. A party which can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties or if it has an ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that one or more of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests is also a related party.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant estimates and assumptions made by management include allowance for doubtful accounts, the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, recoverability of long-lived assets and fair market value of equity instruments. Actual results could differ from those estimates as the current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions.

Cash, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company had restricted cash of approximately $3,000 and $5,000 at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively, associated with marketing funds collected from the franchisees. Per the franchise agreements a marketing fund of 2% of franchisees gross cash receipts is collected and held to be spent on the promotion of the brand. Any cash collected by the Company for marketing funds is held in a separate bank account and any balance at period end is presented as “restricted cash” and “accrued marketing fund” or “marketing fund receivable” on the balance sheet.

 Accounts and Note Receivables

The Company reviews accounts and notes receivable periodically for collectability, establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts, and records bad debt expense when deemed necessary. The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts and notes that is based on historical trends, customer knowledge, any known disputes, and the aging of the accounts receivable balances combined with management’s estimate of future potential recoverability. Receivables and notes are written off against the allowance after all attempts to collect a receivable have failed. The Company believes its allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 are adequate, but actual write-offs could exceed the recorded allowance.

Property, Equipment and Depreciation

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to forty years. Expenditures for additions and improvements are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of property and equipment sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recorded in the year of disposal.

Fixed Assets	Useful Life
Equipment	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures	5 years
Software	3 years

Long-Lived Assets

The Company’s long-lived assets consist of property and equipment, and intangible assets. The Company tests for impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of an asset to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value.  Impairment evaluations involve management’s estimates of asset useful lives and future cash flows.  Actual useful lives and cash flows could be different from those estimated by management which could have a material effect on our reporting results and financial positions.  Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

Accounting for Operating Leases

The Company’s operating leases consist of a twenty-five month lease (commencing November 1, 2021 through November 1, 2023) for office space at 1637 S. Main Street, Milpitas, CA 94035. In accordance with ASC 842 – Leases, the Company has recorded a Right-of-Use Asset and Lease Liability of $104,756 at the lease commencement, based on the discounted minimum rent payments under the office lease. The discount rate used was equal to the Company’s cost of capital (6%). The Company is obligated to pay base rent of $4,588 per month in the first year, $4,726 per month in the second year, and $4,867 per month in the last month, plus a pro rata share of common area expenses. The Right-of-Use Asset is being recognized over its useful life. Rental expense related to the lease during the three months ended December 30, 2021 was $12,571.

Intangible Asset

The Company records intangible assets at cost and then amortizes the intangible asset over its useful life. Costs incurred to renew or extend the term of any intangible assets will be expensed as incurred. During the year ended September 30, 2021 the Company acquired intellectual property consisting of software and content for $168,000. The intangible asset is being amortized over its useful life of 5 years and the Company recognized $8,400 worth of amortization expense during the three months ended December 31, 2021, which resulted in an intangible asset balance of $154,000 as of December 31, 2021. Amortization expense of $33,600 is expected annually through September 30, 2025 with amortization expense of $28,000 expected for the year ended September 30, 2026.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the relative short-term maturity of these items and current payment expected. These fair value estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes, nor does it utilize derivative instruments. Notes receivable are recorded at par value less allowance for doubtful accounts. The carrying amount is consistent with fair value based upon similar notes issued to other franchisees.

ASC 825, Financial Instruments, clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. It also requires disclosure about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of inputs as follows:

Level 1:	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:	Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability.
Level 3:	Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

The determination of where assets and liabilities fall within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The carrying value of financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value is measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Financial assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value when a significant event occurs.  The Company had no financial assets or liabilities carried and measured on a recurring basis during the reporting periods. Financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value each time a financial statement is prepared.

 Revenue Recognition

The Company generates almost all of its revenue from contracts with customers. The Company’s franchise agreements enter the parties into a contractual agreement, typically over a ten years term, and include performance obligations as follows: protected territory designation, access to proprietary manuals and handbooks, initial training and on-going assistance, consulting, promotion of goodwill, administration of marketing fund, marketing and promotion items, initial marketing program development assistance, company website access, Franchise Management Tool access, lessons and model plans, project kits, Duplo bricks, frames stop motion animation software, and use of the franchisor’s intellectual property (IP) (e.g., trade name – Bricks for Kidz). Upon entering into a franchise agreement, the Company charges an initial franchise fee, which is fully collectible and nonrefundable as of the date of the signing of the franchise agreement. Further, because the Company’s franchises are primarily a mobile concept and do not require finding locations or construction, the franchisees can begin operations as soon as they complete training.

Per the terms of the franchise agreements, the Company charges for royalty fees on a monthly basis, generally set at a fixed amount, but in some cases are based on a percentage of franchisee’s monthly gross revenues. The Company also charges fees for a marketing fund, generally based on 2% of franchisee’s monthly gross revenues, which is managed by the Company, to allocate towards national branding of the Company’s concepts to benefit the franchisees. Lastly, the Company charges for technology fees on a monthly basis, generally at a fixed amount, for the use of the company Franchise Management tool as well as company emails, etc.

Effective October 1, 2018 the Company began recognizing revenue under ASC 606. The Company considers initial franchise fees to be a part of the license of symbolic intellectual property (“IP”), therefore the performance obligation related to these fees is satisfied over time as the Company fulfills its promise to grant the customer rights to use, and benefit from, the Company’s IP, as well as support and maintain the IP. The initial franchise fee, then, is recorded as deferred revenue at inception and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term.

In accordance with ASC 606-10-55-65, the Company has determined that the royalty fees, marketing fees, and technology fees are subject to a sales and usage-based royalties’ constraint on licenses of IP. Accordingly, these fees are recognized as revenue at the later of when the sales or usage occurs or the related performance obligation is satisfied. Technology fees are recorded net of processing fees. Marketing fees are limited to the lesser of marketing amounts earned or expensed; therefore, the Company will recognize amounts received in excess of amounts spent on the balance sheet in the accrued marketing fund liability and will recognize amounts spent in excess of amounts received on the balance sheet in the marketing fund receivable.

The Company collects transfer fees when contracts are transferred between parties and accounts for the transfer as a contract modification under ASC 606. Because the transfer does not increase the scope of the contract or promise any additional goods or services and there are no new distinct services that will be provided after the transfer the Company considers the transfer fee part of the existing contract. Transfer fees, then, are recorded as deferred revenue at inception and recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining contract term.

When contracts are terminated due to default, or in conjunction with an early termination agreement, the Company accounts for the early termination as a contract modification under ASC 606. Because the termination eliminates any future performance obligations of the Company any deferred revenue associated with the terminated contract is recognized into revenue at the time of termination, along with any early termination fees, in the initial franchise fee line on the Company’s Statement of Operations.

The Company generates revenue from sales of merchandise where the performance obligation is met, and therefore revenue recognized, upon the delivery of merchandise to the customer.

Contract Liability – Deferred Revenue

In conjunction with the adoption of ASC 606, effective October 1, 2018 the Company recorded deferred revenue as a contract liability for its initial franchise fees collected and related to contracts with remaining performance obligations. During the three months ended December 31, 2021 the activity in the deferred revenue account was as follows:

Balance, September 30, 2021	$	1,969,478
Initial franchise fees collected		—
Deferred revenue recognized into revenue		(150,905	)
Balance, December 31, 2021		1,818,573
Current portion		(708,172	)
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	$	1,110,401

Amounts expected to be recognized into revenue related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:

Twelve months ended December 31, 2022	$	708,172
Twelve months ended December 31, 2023		581,616
Twelve months ended December 31, 2024		312,703
Twelve months ended December 31, 2025		143,120
Twelve months ended December 31, 2026 and thereafter		72,962
Total	$	1,818,573

Contract Liability / Asset – Accrued Marketing Fund / Marketing Fund Receivable

Per the terms of the franchise agreements, the Company collects 2% of franchisee’s gross revenues for a marketing fund, managed by the Company, to allocate toward national branding of the Company’s concepts to benefit the franchisees.

The marketing fund amounts owed to the Company are accounted for as a liability on the balance sheet and the actual collections are deposited into a marketing fund bank account, presented as restricted cash on the balance sheet. Expenses pertaining to the marketing fund activities are paid from the marketing fund and reduce the liability account. Upon adoption of FASB 606 on October 1, 2018, the Company presents these marketing fund revenues and expenses on a gross basis on its statement of operations. Any unused funds at the end of the period are recorded as accrued marketing fees or any funds used in excess of funds collected are recorded as a marketing fund receivable. The Company expects to collect this advance in future periods from the 2% fees collected on future franchisee gross revenues. The activity in the accrued marketing fund liability account for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was as follows:

Marketing fund liability (receivable), September 30, 2021	$	(23,886	)
Marketing fund billings recognized into income		—
Marketing funds recognized into expense		—
Marketing funds advanced by the Company		(1,168	)
Marketing fund liability (receivable), December 31, 2021	$	(25,054	)

Contract Asset – Prepaid Commission Expense

In accordance with ASC 606 the costs related to obtaining a contract are to be capitalized as long as the costs are recoverable and incremental. Effective October 1, 2018, the date the Company adopted ASC 606, it capitalized the value of sales commissions as a contract asset and is amortizing those costs straight-line over the contract life of the franchise agreement to which they relate. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the activity in the contract asset account was as follows:

Balance, September 30, 2021	$	426,489
Commissions paid		—
Commissions recognized into expense		(41,302	)
Balance, December 31, 2021		385,187
Current portion		(155,517	)
Prepaid commission expense, net of current portion	$	229,670

General Advertising Costs

General advertising costs are expensed as incurred. The Company incurred general advertising costs for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 of $28,544 and $1,724, respectively.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes and deferred income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. On a periodic basis, the Company assesses the probability that its net deferred tax assets, if any, will be recovered. If after evaluating all of the positive and negative evidence, a conclusion is made that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be recovered, a valuation allowance is provided by a charge to tax expense to reserve the portion of the deferred tax assets which are not expected to be realized. Given previous recurring losses, the Company cannot conclude that it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized, therefore a full valuation allowance has been recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2021.

The Company reviews its filing positions for all open tax years in all U.S. federal and state jurisdictions where the Company is required to file.

When there are uncertainties related to potential income tax benefits, in order to qualify for recognition, the position the Company takes has to have at least a “more likely than not” chance of being sustained (based on the position’s technical merits) upon challenge by the respective authorities. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Otherwise, the Company may not recognize any of the potential tax benefit associated with the position. The Company recognizes a benefit for a tax position that meets the “more likely than not” criterion at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon its effective resolution. Unrecognized tax benefits involve management’s judgment regarding the likelihood of the benefit being sustained with the ultimate realization being dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future years. The final resolution of uncertain tax positions could result in adjustments to recorded amounts and may affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accrual for interest or penalties at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 and has not recognized interest and/or penalties during the three months ended December 31, 2021, since there are no material unrecognized tax benefits. Management believes no material change to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will occur within the next twelve months.

The tax years subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions include the years 2015 and forward by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Net earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if stock options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted during the period. Dilutive securities having an anti-dilutive effect on diluted earnings per share are excluded from the calculation.

Stock-based compensation

The Company accounts for employee stock awards for services based on the grant date fair value of the instrument issued, and those issued to non-employees are recorded based on the grant date fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument, whichever is more reliably measurable. Stock awards are expensed over the service period.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued 20,000 shares for stock-based compensation valued at $3,200, based on the market value of the Company shares on the grant date, and issued 155,103 shares upon the cashless exercise of 294,778 stock options.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.

Recent accounting pronouncements

All newly issued accounting pronouncements, but not yet effective, have been deemed either immaterial or not applicable.