Business Description:

Regis Corporation (the "Company") owns, operates and franchises hairstyling and hair care salons throughout the United States (U.S.), the United Kingdom (U.K.), Canada and Puerto Rico. Substantially all of the hairstyling and hair care salons owned and operated by the Company in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico are located in leased space in enclosed mall shopping centers, strip shopping centers or Walmart Supercenters. Franchised salons throughout the U.S. are primarily located in strip shopping centers, Walmart Supercenters and mall-based locations. All salons in the U.K. are Franchised locations and operate in malls, leading department stores, mass merchants and high-street locations.

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, the Company redefined its operating segments to reflect how the chief operating decision maker evaluates the business as a result selling substantially all of its mall-based salon business in North America, representing 858 salons, and substantially all of its previous International segment, representing 250 salons in the UK, to The Beautiful Group ("TBG"), an affiliate of Regent, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles, California, who operates these locations as franchise locations. See additional discussion on these discontinued operations in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Based on the way the chief operating decision maker evaluates the business, the Company has two reportable segments: Company-owned salons and Franchise salons. Prior to this change, the Company had four operating segments: North American Value, North American Premium, North American Franchise and International. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Smartstyle Restructuring:

In January 2018, the Company closed 597 non-performing Company owned SmartStyle salons. The action delivers on the Company's commitment to restructure its salon portfolio to improve shareholder value and position the Company for long-term growth. The Company anticipates this action will allow the Company to reallocate capital and human resources to strategically grow its remaining SmartStyle salons with creative new offerings. A summary of costs associated with the SmartStyle salon restructuring for fiscal year 2018 is as follows:



	Financial Line Item	Fiscal Year 2018
		(Dollars in thousands)
Inventory reserves	Cost of Service	$	656
Inventory reserves	Cost of Product	586
Severance	General and administrative	897
Long-lived fixed asset impairment	Depreciation and amortization	5,460
Asset retirement obligation	Depreciation and amortization	7,680
Lease termination and other related closure costs	Rent	27,290
Deferred rent	Rent	(3,291		)
Total		$	39,278

In addition, the Company recorded approximately $1.9 million of other related costs to the SmartStyle restructuring, primarily warehouse related costs. Substantially all related costs associated with the SmartStyle salon restructuring requiring cash outflow were complete as of June 30, 2018.

Consolidation:

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. All material subsidiaries are wholly owned. The Company consolidates variable interest entities where it has determined it is the primary beneficiary of those entities' operations.

Variable Interest Entities:

The Company has interests in certain privately held entities through arrangements that do not involve voting interests. Such entities, known as a variable interest entity (VIE), are required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The Company evaluates whether or not it is the primary beneficiary for each VIE using a qualitative assessment that considers the VIE's purpose and design, the involvement of each of the interest holders and the risk and benefits of the VIE.

As of June 30, 2018, the Company has one VIE, Roosters MGC International LLC (Roosters), where the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company owns an 84.0% ownership interest in Roosters. As of June 30, 2018, total assets, total liabilities and total shareholders' equity of Roosters were $8.3, $0.6 and $7.7 million, respectively. Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest in Roosters was immaterial for fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016. Shareholders' equity attributable to the non-controlling interest in Roosters was $1.0 and $0.9 million as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively and recorded within retained earnings on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company accounts for its investment in Empire Eduction Group, Inc. ("EEG") as an equity investment under the voting interest model, as the Company has granted the other shareholder of EEG an irrevocable proxy to vote a certain number of the Company’s shares such that the other shareholder of EEG has voting control of 51.0% of EEG’s common stock, as well as the right to appoint four of the five members of EEG’s Board of Directors. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company utilized the consolidation of variable interest entities guidance to determine whether or not TBG was a variable interest entity (VIE), and if so, whether the Company was the primary beneficiary of TBG. As of June 30, 2018, the Company concluded that TBG is a VIE based on the fact that the equity investment at risk in TBG is not sufficient. The Company determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of TBG based on its exposure to the expected losses of TBG and as it is not the variable interest holder that is most closely associated within the relationship and the significance of the activities of TBG. The exposure to loss related to the Company's involvement with TBG is the carrying value of the amounts due from TBG and the guarantee of the operating leases.

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

Cash equivalents consist of investments in short-term, highly liquid securities having original maturities of three months or less, which are made as a part of the Company's cash management activity. The carrying values of these assets approximate their fair market values. The Company primarily utilizes a cash management system with a series of separate accounts consisting of lockbox accounts for receiving cash, concentration accounts that funds are moved to, and several "zero balance" disbursement accounts for funding of payroll and accounts payable. As a result of the Company's cash management system, checks issued, but not presented to the banks for payment, may create negative book cash balances. There were no checks outstanding in excess of related book cash balances at June 30, 2018 and 2017.

The Company has restricted cash primarily related to contractual obligations to collateralize its self-insurance programs. The restricted cash arrangement can be canceled by the Company at any time if substituted with letters of credit. The restricted cash balance is classified within other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

The receivable balance on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet primarily includes credit card receivables and accounts and notes receivable from franchisees. At June 30, 2018, the receivable balance also included $24.6 million related to the cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies surrendered prior to June 30, 2018. The Company received these proceeds in July 2018. The balance is presented net of an allowance for expected losses (i.e., doubtful accounts), primarily related to receivables from the Company's franchisees. The Company monitors the financial condition of its franchisees and records provisions for estimated losses on receivables when it believes franchisees are unable to make their required payments based on factors such as delinquencies and aging trends.

The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company's best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses related to existing accounts and notes receivables. As of June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $1.2, $0.8 and $1.3 million, respectively. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts during fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016 was not significant.

Inventories:

Inventories of finished goods consist principally of hair care products for retail product sales. A portion of inventories are also used for salon services consisting of hair color, hair care products including shampoo and conditioner and hair care treatments including permanents, neutralizers and relaxers. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on a weighted average cost basis.

Physical inventory counts are performed annually in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year for salons. Product and service inventories are adjusted based on the physical inventory counts. During the fiscal year, cost of retail product sold to salon guests is determined based on the weighted average cost of product sold, adjusted for an estimated shrinkage factor. The cost of product used in salon services is determined by applying an estimated percentage of total cost of service to service revenues. These estimates are updated quarterly based on cycle count results for the distribution centers and salons, service sales mix, discounting, special promotions and other factors.

The Company has inventory valuation reserves for excess and obsolete inventories, or other factors that may render inventories unmarketable at their historical costs. Estimates of the future demand for the Company's inventory and anticipated changes in formulas and packaging are some of the other factors used by management in assessing the net realizable value of inventories.

Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful asset lives (30 to 39 years for buildings, 10 years for improvements and three to ten years for equipment, furniture and software). Depreciation expense was $38.1, $42.7 and $44.4 million in fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company capitalizes both internal and external costs of developing or obtaining computer software for internal use. Costs incurred to develop internal-use software during the application development stage are capitalized, while data conversion, training and maintenance costs associated with internal-use software are expensed as incurred. Estimated useful lives range from five to seven years.

Expenditures for maintenance and repairs and minor renewals and betterments, which do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets, are expensed. All other expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. The assets and related depreciation and amortization accounts are adjusted for property retirements and disposals with the resulting gain or loss included in operating income. Fully depreciated or amortized assets remain in the accounts until retired from service.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment Assessments, Excluding Goodwill:

The Company assesses impairment of long-lived assets at the individual salon level, as this is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of other groups of assets and liabilities, when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets or the asset grouping may not be recoverable. Factors considered in deciding when to perform an impairment review include significant under-performance of an individual salon in relation to expectations, significant economic or geographic trends, and significant changes or planned changes in our use of the assets. Impairment is evaluated based on the sum of undiscounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from use of the long-lived assets. If the undiscounted estimated cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, the Company calculates an impairment charge based on the estimated fair value of the assets. The fair value of the long-lived assets is estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on the best information available, including salon level revenues and expenses. Long-lived asset impairment charges are recorded within depreciation and amortization in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Judgments made by management related to the expected useful lives of long-lived assets and the ability to realize undiscounted cash flows in excess of the carrying amounts of such assets are affected by factors such as the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the assets, changes in economic conditions and changes in operating performance. As the ongoing expected cash flows and carrying amounts of long-lived assets are assessed, these factors could cause the Company to realize material impairment charges.

Long-lived asset impairment charges of $11.1, $7.9 and $7.1 million were recorded during fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to continuing operations.

Goodwill:

As of June 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company-owned reporting unit had $184.8 and $188.9 million of goodwill, respectively, and the Franchise salons reporting unit had $227.9 and $228.1 million of goodwill, respectively. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company assesses goodwill impairment on an annual basis, during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter, and between annual assessments if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.

Goodwill impairment assessments are performed at the reporting unit level, which is the same as the Company’s operating segments. As part of the new simplification guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), the goodwill assessment involves a one-step comparison of the reporting unit’s fair value to its carrying value, including goodwill ("Step 1"). The prior guidance required a hypothetical purchase price allocation as the second step of the goodwill impairment assessment, but this step has been eliminated. If the reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying value, no further procedures are required. However, if the reporting unit’s fair value is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company early adopted this guidance when completing the annual fiscal year 2017 impairment assessment and therefore only completed Step 1 of the goodwill impairment assessment.

In applying the goodwill impairment assessment, the Company may assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units is less than its carrying value (“Step 0”). Qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to, economic, market and industry conditions, cost factors, and overall financial performance of the reporting unit. If after assessing these qualitative factors, the Company determines it is “more-likely-than-not” that the carrying value is less than the fair value, then performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment assessment is unnecessary.

The carrying value of each reporting unit is based on the assets and liabilities associated with the operations of the reporting unit, including allocation of shared or corporate balances among reporting units. Allocations are generally based on the number of salons in each reporting unit as a percent of total company-owned salons or expenses of the reporting unit as a percent of total company expenses.

The Company calculates estimated fair values of the reporting units based on discounted future cash flows utilizing estimates in annual revenue, service and product margins, fixed expense rates, allocated corporate overhead, corporate-owned and franchise salon counts and long-term growth rates for determining terminal value. Where available and as appropriate, comparative market multiples are used in conjunction with the results of the discounted cash flows. The Company periodically engages third-party valuation consultants to assist in evaluating the Company's estimated fair value calculations.

Following is a description of the goodwill impairment assessments for each of the fiscal years:

Fiscal Year 2018

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, the Company experienced a triggering event due to the redefining of its operating segments as the Company's mall-based business and International segment met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and as a discontinued operation as of September 30, 2017. The Company's reporting now consist of two reporting units: Company-owned and Franchise. Prior to this change the Company had four reporting units: North American Value, North American Premium, North American Franchise and International.

Pursuant to the change in operating segments, the Company performed a goodwill impairment assessment on its North American Value reporting unit. The Company assessed qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than their carrying values (“Step 0”). The Company determined it is “more-likely-than-not” that the carrying value of the reporting unit was less than the fair value. Accordingly, the Company did not perform a quantitative analysis. Based on the changes to the operating segment structure, there was no goodwill reallocated from the North American Value reporting unit related to the mall-based business that was subsequently sold as the mall-based business previously included in the North American Value reporting unit was projected to incur future losses. The Company did not perform a goodwill impairment assessment for the North American Franchise reporting unit during the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 as this reporting unit was not impacted by the triggering event. The North American Premium and International units did not have any goodwill.

The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of April 30. For the fiscal year 2018 annual impairment assessment, due to the transformational efforts completed during the year, the Company elected to forgo the optional Step 0 assessment and performed the quantitative impairment analysis on the Company-owned and Franchise reporting units. The Company compared the carrying value of the reporting units, including goodwill, to their estimated fair value. The results of these assessments indicated that the estimated fair value of our reporting units exceeded their carrying value. The Franchise reporting unit had substantial headroom and the Company-owned reporting unit had headroom of approximately 24%. The fair value of the Company-owned reporting unit was determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis and comparable market multiples. The assumptions used in determining fair value were the number and pace of salons sold to franchisees, proceeds for salon sales, weighted average cost of capital, general and administrative expenses and utilization of net operating loss benefits. We selected the assumptions by considering our historical financial performance and trends, historical salon sale proceeds and estimated salon sale activities. The preparation of our fair value estimate includes uncertain factors and requires significant judgments and estimates which are subject to change. A 100 basis point increase in our weighted average cost of capital within the Company-owned reporting unit would result in a reduction in headroom to approximately 17%.

Other uncertain factors or events exist which may result in a future triggering event and require us to perform an interim impairment analysis with respect to the carrying value of goodwill for the Company-owned reporting unit prior to our annual assessment. These internal and external factors include but are not limited to the following:


•	Changes in the company-owned and franchise expansion strategy,


•	Future market earnings multiples deterioration,


•	Our financial performance falls short of our projections due to internal operating factors,


•	Economic recession,


•	Reduced salon traffic,


•	Deterioration of industry trends,


•	Increased competition,


•	Inability to reduce general and administrative expenses as company-owned salon count potentially decreases,


•	Other factors causing our cash flow to deteriorate.

If the triggering event analysis indicates the fair value of the Company-owned reporting unit has potentially fallen below more than the 24% headroom, we may be required to perform an updated impairment assessment which may result in a non-cash impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill.

As of June 30, 2018, the Company's estimated fair value, as determined by the sum of our reporting units' fair value, reconciled within a reasonable range of our market capitalization, which included an assumed control premium of 20.0%.

Assessing goodwill for impairment requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future sales and expenses, and selecting appropriate discount rates, which can be affected by economic conditions and other factors that can be difficult to predict. The Company does not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions it uses to calculate impairment losses of goodwill. However, if actual results are not consistent with the estimates and assumptions used in the calculations, or if there are significant changes to the Company's planned strategy for company-owned salons, the Company may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Fiscal Year 2017

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017, the Company experienced a triggering event due to the redefining of its operating segments, which also coincided with the annual assessment date. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In connection with the change in operating segment structure, the Company changed its North American reporting units from two reporting units: North American Value and North American Premium, to three reporting units: North American Value, North American Franchise and North American Premium.

Pursuant to the change in operating segments, the Company performed a goodwill impairment assessment on its North American Value reporting unit. The North American Premium and International units do not have any goodwill. The Company compared the carrying value of the North American Value reporting unit, including goodwill, to its estimated fair value. The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by a substantial margin, resulting in no goodwill impairment.

Assessing goodwill for impairment requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future sales and expenses, and selecting appropriate discount rates, which can be affected by economic conditions and other factors that can be difficult to predict. The Company does not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions it uses to calculate impairment losses of goodwill. However, if actual results are not consistent with the estimates and assumptions used in the calculations, the Company may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Based on the changes to the Company's operating segment structure, goodwill has been reallocated based on relative fair value to the North American Value and North American Franchise reporting units at June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Fiscal Years 2016

During the Company’s annual goodwill impairment assessment, the Company assessed qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units were less than their carrying value (“Step 0”). The Company determined it is “more-likely-than-not” that the carrying values of the reporting units were less than the fair values. Accordingly, the Company did not perform a two-step quantitative analysis.

Investments In Affiliates:

The Company has equity investments in securities of certain privately held entities. The Company accounts for these investments under the equity or cost method of accounting. Investments accounted for under the equity method are recorded at the amount of the Company's investment and adjusted each period for the Company's share of the investee's income or loss. Investments are reviewed for changes in circumstance or the occurrence of events that suggest the Company's investment may not be recoverable. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements

During fiscal year 2016, the Company recorded its portion of equity losses from investments in affiliate of $1.8 million and an other than temporary impairment charge of $13.0 million. The other than temporary impairment charge resulted from one investment's significantly lower financial projections in fiscal years 2016 due to continued declines in enrollment, revenue and profitability. The full impairment of this investment followed previous non-cash impairment charges, the investment's impairment of goodwill and its establishment of a deferred tax valuation allowance in prior quarters. The Company did not record any equity income or losses related to its investments during fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The Company will record equity income related to the Company's investment once its cumulative income exceeds its cumulative losses, measured from the date of impairment.

Self-Insurance Accruals:

The Company uses a combination of third party insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks including workers' compensation, health insurance, employment practice liability and general liability claims. The liability represents the Company's estimate of the undiscounted ultimate cost of uninsured claims incurred as of the balance sheet date.

The Company estimates self-insurance liabilities using a number of factors, primarily based on independent third-party actuarially-determined amounts, historical claims experience, estimates of incurred but not reported claims, demographic factors and severity factors.

Although the Company does not expect the amounts ultimately paid to differ significantly from the estimates, self-insurance accruals could be affected if future claims experience differs significantly from historical trends and actuarial assumptions. For fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded decreases in expense for changes in estimates related to prior year open policy periods of $1.2, $1.6 and $1.0 million, respectively. The Company updates loss projections quarterly and adjusts its liability to reflect updated projections. The updated loss projections consider new claims and developments associated with existing claims for each open policy period. As certain claims can take years to settle, the Company has multiple policy periods open at any point in time.

As of June 30, 2018, the Company had $10.3 and $25.8 million recorded in current liabilities and noncurrent liabilities, respectively, related to the Company's self-insurance accruals. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had $12.4 and $26.1 million recorded in current liabilities and noncurrent liabilities, respectively, related to the Company's self-insurance accruals.

Deferred Rent and Rent Expense:

The Company leases most salon locations under operating leases. Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Tenant improvement allowances funded by landlord incentives, rent holidays and rent escalation clauses which provide for scheduled rent increases during the lease term or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term (including one renewal period if renewal is reasonably assured based on the imposition of an economic penalty for failure to exercise the renewal option). The difference between the rent due under the stated periods of the lease and the straight-line basis is recorded as deferred rent within accrued expenses and other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

For purposes of recognizing incentives and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis, the Company uses the date it obtains the legal right to use and control the leased space to begin amortization, which is generally when the Company enters the space and begins to make improvements in preparation of its intended use.

Certain leases provide for contingent rents, which are determined as a percentage of revenues in excess of specified levels. The Company records a contingent rent liability in accrued expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, along with the corresponding rent expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, when specified levels have been achieved or when management determines that achieving the specified levels during the fiscal year is probable.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue:

Company-owned salon revenues are recognized at the time when the services are provided. Product revenues are recognized when the guest receives and pays for the merchandise. Revenues from purchases made with gift cards are also recorded when the guest takes possession of the merchandise or services are provided. Gift cards issued by the Company are recorded as a liability (deferred revenue) until they are redeemed.

Product sales by the Company to its franchisees are included within product revenues on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and recorded at the time product is shipped to franchise locations.

Franchise revenues primarily include royalties, initial franchise fees and net rental income. Royalties are recognized as revenue in the month in which franchisee services are rendered. The Company recognizes revenue from initial franchise fees at the time franchise locations are opened, as this is generally when the Company has performed all initial services required under the franchise agreement.

Classification of Expenses:

The following discussion provides the primary costs classified in each major expense category:

Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, costs associated with field leaders that were previously recorded within Cost of Service and Site Operating expenses are now categorized within General and Administrative expense as a result of the field reorganization that took place in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. Previously, field leaders spent most of their time on the salon floor leading and mentoring stylists and serving guests. As reorganized, field leaders now do not work on the salon floor daily. As a result, field leader labor costs are now reported within General and Administrative expenses rather than Cost of Service and their travel costs are reported within General and Administrative expenses rather than Site Operating expenses. This expense classification does not have a financial impact on the Company's reported operating income (loss), reported net (loss) income or cash flows from operations.

Cost of service— labor costs related to salon employees, costs associated with our field supervision (fiscal years 2017 and 2016) and the cost of product used in providing service.

Cost of product— cost of product sold to guests, labor costs related to selling retail product and the cost of product sold to franchisees.

Site operating— direct costs incurred by the Company's salons, such as advertising, workers' compensation, insurance, utilities, travel costs associated with our field supervision (fiscal years 2017 and 2016) and janitorial costs.

General and administrative— costs associated with field supervision (fiscal year 2018), costs associated with salon training, distribution centers and corporate offices (such as salaries and professional fees), including cost incurred to support franchise operations.

Consideration Received from Vendors:

The Company receives consideration for a variety of vendor-sponsored programs. These programs primarily include volume rebates and promotion and advertising reimbursements.

With respect to volume rebates, the Company estimates the amount of rebate it will receive and accrues it as a reduction to the cost of inventory over the period in which the rebate is earned based upon historical purchasing patterns and the terms of the volume rebate program. A quarterly analysis is performed in order to ensure the estimated rebate accrued is reasonable and any necessary adjustments are recorded.

Shipping and Handling Costs:

Shipping and handling costs are incurred to store, move and ship product from the Company's distribution centers to company-owned and franchise locations and include an allocation of internal overhead. Such shipping and handling costs related to product shipped to company-owned locations are included in site operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Shipping and handling costs related to shipping product to franchise locations totaled $6.1, $3.7 and $3.6 million during fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively and are included within general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Any amounts billed to franchisees for shipping and handling are included in product revenues within the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Advertising:

Advertising costs, including salon collateral material, are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs expensed and included in site operating expenses in fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $36.6, $30.3 and $30.0 million, respectively.

Advertising Funds:

The Company has various franchising programs supporting certain of its franchise salon concepts. Most maintain advertising funds that provide comprehensive advertising and sales promotion support. The Company is required to participate in the advertising funds for company-owned locations under the same salon concept. The Company assists in the administration of the advertising funds. However, a group of individuals consisting of franchisee representatives has control over all of the expenditures and operates the funds in accordance with franchise operating and other agreements.

The Company records advertising expense in the period the company-owned salons make contributions to the respective advertising fund. During fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, total Company contributions to the franchise advertising funds totaled $16.9, $17.2 and $17.5 million, respectively.

The Company records all advertising funds as assets and liabilities within the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of June 30, 2018 and 2017, approximately $23.8 and $21.7 million, respectively, representing the advertising funds' assets and liabilities were recorded within total assets and total liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Stock-Based Employee Compensation Plans:

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the awards at the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award (or to the date a participant becomes eligible for retirement, if earlier). The Company uses option pricing methods that require the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected term, expected volatility, dividend yield and risk-free interest rate.

The Company estimates the likelihood and the rate of achievement for performance sensitive stock-based awards at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the estimated rate of achievement can have a significant effect on the recorded stock-based compensation expense as the effect of a change in the estimated achievement level is recognized in the period the change occurs.

Preopening Expenses:

Non-capital expenditures such as payroll, training costs and promotion incurred prior to the opening of a new location are expensed as incurred.

Sales Taxes:

Sales taxes are recorded on a net basis (rather than as both revenue and an expense) within the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Income Taxes:

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or income tax returns. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is established for any portion of deferred tax assets that are not considered more likely than not to be realized. The Company evaluates all evidence, including recent financial performance, the existence of cumulative year losses and our forecast of future taxable income, to assess the need for a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. While the determination of whether or not to record a valuation allowance is not fully governed by a specific objective test, accounting guidance places significant weight on recent financial performance.

The Company has a partial valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets amounting to $67.9 and $119.1 million at June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis and will reverse the valuation allowance and record a tax benefit when the Company generates sufficient sustainable pretax earnings to make the realizability of the deferred tax assets more likely than not. In connection with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017, the Company remeasured the deferred tax accounts for the federal rate reduction and recorded a partial valuation allowance release for a total benefit of $68.1 million during the twelve months ended June 30, 2018. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company reserves for unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties related to anticipated tax audit positions in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions based on an estimate of whether additional taxes will be due. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be unnecessary, the reversal of these liabilities would result in tax benefits being recognized in the period in which it is determined that the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the estimate of unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, additional expenses would result.

Inherent in the measurement of deferred balances are certain judgments and interpretations of tax laws and published guidance with respect to the Company's operations. Income tax expense is primarily the current tax payable for the period and the change during the period in certain deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share:

The Company's basic earnings per share is calculated as net income (loss) divided by weighted average common shares outstanding, excluding unvested outstanding restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. The Company's dilutive earnings per share is calculated as net income (loss) divided by weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, which includes shares issuable under the Company's stock option plan and long-term incentive plan and dilutive securities. Stock-based awards with exercise prices greater than the average market value of the Company's common stock are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Comprehensive Income (Loss):

Components of comprehensive income (loss) include net income (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments and recognition of deferred compensation, net of tax within shareholders' equity.

Foreign Currency Translation:

The balance sheet, statement of operations and statement of cash flows of the Company's international operations are measured using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rates in effect at each balance sheet date. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included in accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity. Statement of Operations accounts are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. During fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, the foreign currency gain (loss) included in income (loss) from continuing operations was $(0.1), $0.1 and $0.1 million, respectively. During fiscal year 2018, the Company recognized within discontinued operations a $6.2 million foreign currency translation loss in connection with the Company's liquidation of substantially all foreign entities with British pound denominated currencies.

Accounting Standards Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted by the Company:

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance requiring organizations that lease assets to recognize the rights and obligations created by those leases on the consolidated balance sheet. The new standard is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the new standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements but expects this adoption will result in a material increase in the assets and liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance for revenue recognition. The new guidance outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. Additionally, the guidance requires improved disclosure to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The new guidance supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance, and is effective commencing fiscal year 2019. The guidance allows for either a full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. The Company currently expects to apply the full retrospective method upon adoption. This guidance will not impact recognition of revenue from salon service or product sales or recognition of continuing royalty revenues from franchisees, which are based on a percentage of franchise sales. Although the Company is in the process of finalizing the impact of adoption, including disclosures and the impact of the prior year restatements, it has determined that the timing of franchise fees and gift card breakage recognition will change. Under the new guidance, initial fees from franchisees will be recognized over the life of the related franchise agreements, approximately 10 years. In fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized $8.5, $4.3 and $4.5 million, respectively, of revenue related to initial fees from franchises, however under the new guidance these fees would have been deferred and recognized over approximately 10 years. Under the new standard, the Company will recognize gift card breakage proportional to redemptions in service and product revenue as opposed to the current classification as other income. The impact to net income related to gift card breakage is not expected to be material. Additionally, under current guidance, advertising fund contributions from franchisees and the related advertising expenditures are reported on a net basis in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations. Under the new guidance, the operations of the advertising funds will be included in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations. The impact will increase royalty and fee revenue and site operating expense, but is expected to have no impact on operating (loss) income.

Intra-Entity Transfers Other Than Inventory

In October 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for income tax effects of intercompany transfers of assets other than inventory. The guidance requires entities to recognize the income tax impact of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, rather than when the assets have been sold to an outside party. The guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Restricted Cash

In November 2016, the FASB issued updated cash flow guidance requiring restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included in the cash and cash equivalent balances in the statement of cash flows. Transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash will no longer be presented in the statement of cash flows and a reconciliation between the balance sheet and statement of cash flows must be disclosed. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows.

Statement of Cash Flows

In August 2016, the FASB issued updated cash flow guidance clarifying cash flow classification and presentation for certain items. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows.