Related Party Transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2013

Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions [Text Block]

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We own 51% of Patriot Snacks Real Estate, LLC (“Patriot”) and consolidate its balance sheet and operating results into our condensed consolidated financial statements. The remaining 49% is owned by an employee.

As of September 28, 2013, we owned 80% of Michaud Distributors (“Michaud”), which distributes our products in the northeastern United States, and consolidated its balance sheet and operating results into our condensed consolidated financial statements. We had notes receivable from stockholders and employees of Michaud of $0.2 million as of September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012. The notes were unsecured and due upon demand. We acquired the remaining 20% of Michaud on October 25, 2013, as discussed in Note 17 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

We own a noncontrolling equity interest in Late July Snacks LLC (“Late July”), an organic snack food company. This investment is reflected in other noncurrent assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Equity earnings, which are not material, are included in other income/expense, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. We also manufacture and distribute products for Late July. Contract manufacturing revenue from Late July was approximately $1.3 million and $0.8 million during the third quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $3.1 million and $3.3 million, for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition, we purchase products from Late July to sell through our IBO distribution network. Purchases from Late July were $1.5 million and $0.5 million during the third quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $3.3 million and $1.1 million for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. Accounts receivable due from Late July totaled $0.6 million and $0.5 million at September 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012, respectively.

ARWCO Corporation, MAW Associates, LP and Warehime Enterprises, Inc. are owned or controlled by the Chairman of the Board of Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. or his family members. Among other unrelated business activities, these entities provide financing to IBOs for the purchase of route businesses and trucks. We have entered into loan service agreements with these related parties that allow us to repurchase certain distribution assets in the event an IBO defaults on a loan with the related party. We are required to repurchase the assets 30 days after default at the value as defined in the loan service agreement which approximates fair market value. As of September 28, 2013, there were outstanding loans made to IBOs by the related parties of approximately $32.0 million compared to $37.0 million in loans outstanding as of December 29, 2012. Our Chairman of the Board also serves as an officer and/or director of these entities. Transactions with these related parties are primarily related to the collection and remittance of loan payments on notes receivable held by the related parties. We are reimbursed for certain overhead and administrative services associated with the services provided to these related parties. The receivables from, payables to and administrative fees from these entities are not significant for any period presented.

A Connecticut warehouse used to support our distribution network is leased from a company partially owned by an employee. There were $0.2 million in lease payments made to this company during both the first nine months of 2013 and of 2012.

One of our directors, C. Peter Carlucci, Jr., is a member of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC (“Eckert”), which serves as one of our outside legal firms. Expenses incurred for services provided by Eckert were $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $0.6 million and $0.2 million for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively.