rmcf20130828_10q.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 November 30, 2013

 

___

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

 

For the transition period from ________to________

 

Commission file number: 0-14749

 

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Colorado

 84-0910696

 

 

(State of incorporation)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

265 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(970) 259-0554

(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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 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 or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer

    Accelerated filer

 

 

 

     

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

    Smaller reporting company

X

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

 

On January 1, 2014, the registrant had outstanding 6,115,860 shares of its common stock, $.03 par value.

  

 
1

 

  

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

 FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

     

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

5

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

12

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

21

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

21

     

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

23

     

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

23

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

23

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

23

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

23

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

23

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

23

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

23

     

SIGNATURE

 

24

 

 
2

 

 

PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.       Financial Statements

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended November 30,

   

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
   

2013

   

2012

   

2013

   

2012

 

Revenues

                               

Sales

  $ 7,801,296     $ 7,327,659     $ 22,666,134     $ 21,648,429  

Franchise and royalty fees

    1,478,698       1,308,145       5,454,883       4,375,405  

Total revenues

    9,279,994       8,635,804       28,121,017       26,023,834  
                                 

Costs and Expenses

                               

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense of $72,102, $68,388, $214,425 and $206,953, respectively

    5,061,615       4,769,166       13,789,705       13,460,977  

Franchise costs

    510,145       457,558       1,508,604       1,560,078  

Sales and marketing

    555,833       447,887       1,523,991       1,317,874  

General and administrative

    1,146,214       847,862       3,625,033       2,389,700  

Retail operating

    803,338       743,805       2,588,313       2,568,078  

Depreciation and amortization

    198,466       224,044       670,219       691,590  

Impairment loss – Aspen Leaf Yogurt long-lived assets

    -       1,978,216       -       1,978,216  
                                 

Total costs and expenses

    8,275,611       9,468,538       23,705,865       23,966,513  
                                 

Income (Loss) from Operations

    1,004,383       (832,734 )     4,415,152       2,057,321  
                                 

Interest Income

    16,702       10,368       43,690       33,149  
                                 

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

    1,021,085       (822,366 )     4,458,842       2,090,470  
                                 

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

    406,886       (312,882 )     1,501,608       708,843  
                                 

Consolidated Net Income (Loss)

  $ 614,199     $ (509,484 )   $ 2,957,234     $ 1,381,627  

Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest

    (84,975 )     -       50,969       -  

Net income (loss) attributable to RMCF

  $ 699,174     $ (509,484 )   $ 2,906,265     $ 1,381,627  
                                 

Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

  $ .11     $ (.08 )   $ .48     $ .23  

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

  $ .11     $ (.08 )   $ .45     $ .22  
                                 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

    6,115,860       6,050,279       6,094,529       6,085,057  

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

    364,692       130,577       329,927       145,731  

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Assuming Dilution

    6,480,552       6,180,856       6,424,456       6,230,788  

 

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

 

 
3

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   

November 30,

   

February 28,

 
   

2013

   

2013

 
   

(unaudited)

         
Assets                

Current Assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 3,407,316     $ 5,321,696  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $694,463 and $507,806, respectively

    4,447,414       3,916,320  

Notes receivable, current portion, less current portion of the valuation allowance of $32,882 and $10,382, respectively

    455,679       197,078  

Refundable income taxes

    240,620       -  

Inventories, less reserve for slow moving inventory of $209,196 and $253,148, respectively

    4,677,494       4,221,036  

Deferred income taxes

    677,209       628,633  

Other

    467,752       259,170  

Total current assets

    14,373,484       14,543,933  
                 

Property and Equipment, Net

    7,251,058       6,777,143  
                 

Other Assets

               

Notes receivable, less current portion and valuation allowance of $37,400 and $37,400, respectively

    533,317       469,362  

Goodwill, net

    1,050,284       1,046,944  

Franchise rights

    800,000       800,000  

Intangible assets, net

    14,659       635  

Other

    219,398       195,928  

Total other assets

    2,617,658       2,512,869  
                 

Total assets

  $ 24,242,200     $ 23,833,945  
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

               

Current Liabilities

               

Accounts payable

  $ 1,401,157     $ 1,998,897  

Accrued salaries and wages

    618,077       1,184,739  

Other accrued expenses

    1,204,872       1,294,487  

Dividend payable

    672,745       667,532  

Deferred income

    442,986       417,484  
                 

Total current liabilities

    4,339,837       5,563,139  
                 

Deferred Income Taxes

    934,573       881,694  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies

               
                 

Stockholders’ Equity

               

Preferred stock, $.10 par value; 250,000 authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding

               

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, authorized 50,000 shares

    -       -  

Undesignated series, authorized 200,000 shares

    -       -  

Common stock, $.03 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 6,115,860 and 6,068,470 issued and outstanding, respectively

    183,476       182,054  

Additional paid-in capital

    8,076,794       7,559,442  

Retained earnings

    9,534,037       8,642,093  

Non-controlling interest in equity of subsidiary

    1,173,483       1,005,523  

Total stockholders’ equity

    18,967,790       17,389,112  
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 24,242,200     $ 23,833,945  

 

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

 

 
4

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

November 30,

 
   

2013

   

2012

 

Cash Flows From Operating activities

               

Net income

  $ 2,906,265     $ 1,381,627  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    670,219       691,590  

Impairment loss – Aspen Leaf Yogurt long-lived assets

    -       1,978,216  

Provision for loss on accounts and notes receivable

    212,400       245,000  

Provision for obsolete inventory

    32,936       45,000  

Asset impairment and store closure losses

    -       (17,000 )

Gain on sale or acquisition of property and equipment

    (907 )     (24,957 )

Expense recorded for stock compensation

    435,126       324,767  

Deferred income taxes

    4,303       (322,344 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    (613,566 )     (656,248 )

Inventories

    (36,687 )     9,150  

Other current assets

    (211,981 )     (57,608 )

Accounts payable

    (1,050,447 )     (542,793 )

Accrued liabilities

    (896,897 )     (134,605 )

Deferred income

    25,502       (16,070 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,476,266       2,903,725  
                 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

               

Addition to notes receivable

    (684,098 )     (36,215 )

Proceeds received on notes receivable

    231,614       169,279  

Proceeds from sale or distribution of assets

    2,600       669,300  

Purchases of property and equipment

    (1,112,431 )     (691,493 )

Increase in other assets

    97,129       (5,672 )

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (1,465,186 )     105,199  
                 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

               

Repurchase of common stock

    -       (1,715,352 )

Issuance of common stock

    14,816       22,224  

Tax benefit of stock awards

    68,832       52,042  

Dividends paid

    (2,009,108 )     (1,957,500 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (1,925,460 )     (3,598,586 )
                 

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

    (1,914,380 )     (589,662 )
                 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

    5,321,696       4,125,444  
                 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

  $ 3,407,316     $ 3,535,782  

 

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

 

 
5

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Nature of Operations

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC and its majority-owned subsidiary, U-Swirl, Inc. (collectively, the “Company”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (“RMCF”) is an international franchisor, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. RMCF manufactures an extensive line of premium chocolate candies and other confectionery products.

 

Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (“ALY”) was incorporated in the state of Colorado as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, Inc. on September 30, 2010 and organized through conversion as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC on October 14, 2010. ALY was a franchisor and retail operator of self-serve frozen yogurt retail locations until the sale of substantially all of its assets in January 2013. ALY has ceased to operate any Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations, or sell and support franchise locations.

 

On January 14, 2013, Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC (“Newco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formed in the State of Colorado on January 2, 2013, entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the franchise rights of YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units branded as “Yogurtini.” In addition, on January 14, 2013, the Company entered into two agreements to sell all of its membership interests in Newco and substantially all of its assets in ALY to U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (OTCQB: SWRL), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc. U-Swirl, Inc. is in the business of offering consumers frozen desserts such as yogurt and sorbet. U-Swirl, Inc. launched a national chain of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés called U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt and is franchising this concept. U-Swirl, Inc. has built and operates cafés owned and operated by U-Swirl, Inc. (“Company-owned”) and franchises to others the right to own and operate U-Swirl, Inc. cafés. It also franchises and operates self-serve frozen yogurt cafes under the names “Yogurtini,” “Aspen Leaf Yogurt,” and “Josie’s Frozen Yogurt.” 

 

In October 2013, we acquired the franchise rights to nine self-serve frozen yogurt cafés, and license agreements to two self-serve frozen yogurt cafés from Josie’s Frozen Yogurt, LLC (“Josie’s”).

The Company’s revenues are currently derived from three principal sources: sales to franchisees and others of chocolates and other confectionery products manufactured by the Company; the collection of initial franchise fees and royalties from franchisees’ sales; and sales at Company-owned stores of chocolates, frozen yogurt and other confectionery products. The following table summarizes the number of stores operating under RMCF and U-Swirl, Inc. at November 30, 2013:

 

   

Sold, Not Yet Open

   

Open

   

Total

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

                       

Company-owned stores

    -       7       7  

Franchise stores – Domestic stores

    3       215       218  

Franchise stores – Domestic kiosks

    -       7       7  

Franchise units – International

    1       72       73  

Cold Stone Creamery – co-branded

    8       59       67  

U-Swirl, Inc. Stores (Including Yogurtini, Josie’s and Aspen Leaf Yogurt)

                       

Company-owned stores

    -       8       8  

Franchise stores – Domestic stores

    5       77       82  

Total

    17       445       462  

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. 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. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments (of a normal and recurring nature) which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.

 

 

 
6

 

 

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013.

 

Subsequent Events

  

On January 17, 2014 U-Swirl, Inc., our majority-owned subsidiary, acquired the franchise rights and certain operating assets of CherryBerry Enterprises, LLC, including affiliates, and Yogli Mogli, LLC, including affiliates.  CherryBerry Enterprises, LLC franchises and operates 156 self-serve frozen yogurt cafés in 25 states, Canada, Pakistan, and Turkey.  CherryBerry Enterprises, LLC and certain affiliates, including one Company-owned café, were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4 million shares of U-Swirl common stock.  Yogli Mogli, LLC, franchises 22 self-serve frozen yogurt cafés and operates four company-owned cafés.  Yogli Mogli, LLC and certain affiliates, including four Company-owned cafés were acquired for $2.15 million in cash and $200,000 in U-Swirl common stock.  The acquisitions by U-Swirl, Inc. were funded through a $7.75 million convertible note with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.  As of January 21, 2014 U-Swirl, Inc. has 267 café locations, including 13 Company-owned cafés, 251 domestic franchise cafés and three international cafés. 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

At November 30, 2013, the Company had stock-based compensation plans for employees and non-employee directors which authorized the granting of stock awards, including stock options and restricted stock units.

 

The Company recognized $166,664 and $435,126 of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. stock-based compensation expense during the three and nine month periods ended November 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $94,867 and $324,767, during the three and nine month periods ended November 30, 2012, respectively. Compensation costs related to stock-based compensation are generally amortized over the vesting period.

 

The following table summarizes stock option transactions for common stock during the nine months ended November 30, 2013 and November 30, 2012:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

November 30,

 
   

2013

   

2012

 

Outstanding stock options as of February 28 or 29:

    270,945       307,088  

Granted

    -       -  

Exercised

    (2,000 )     (3,000 )

Cancelled/forfeited

    (88,725 )     (14,952 )

Outstanding stock options as of November 30:

    180,220       289,136  
                 

Weighted average exercise price

  $ 7.93     $ 10.67  

Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)

    0.67       2.07  

 

There were no options granted during the nine months ended November 30, 2013 or November 30, 2012.

 

The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock unit transactions for common stock during the nine months ended November 30, 2013 and November 30, 2012:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

November 30,

 
   

2013

   

2012

 

Outstanding non-vested restricted stock units as of February 28 or 29:

    57,030       101,980  

Granted

    280,900       -  

Vested

    (41,390 )     (44,190 )

Cancelled/forfeited

    (1,500 )     (560 )

Outstanding non-vested restricted stock units as of November 30:

    295,040       57,230  
                 

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 12.09     $ 9.22  

Weighted average remaining vesting period (in years)

    5.24       1.38  

 

 

 
7

 

 

During the nine months ended November 30, 2013, the Company issued 4,000 fully-vested, unrestricted shares of stock to non-employee directors compared with 4,000 fully-vested, unrestricted shares of stock to non-employee directors in the nine months ended November 30, 2012. There were no unrestricted shares issued during the three-month periods ended November 30, 2013 or November 30, 2012. In connection with these non-employee director stock issuances, the Company recognized $48,400 and $37,200 of stock-based compensation expense during the nine-month periods ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

During the three and nine month periods ended November 30, 2013, the Company recognized $166,664 and $386,726, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested, non-forfeited restricted stock unit grants. The restricted stock unit grants generally vest between 17% and 20% annually over a period of five to six years. During the nine months ended November 30, 2013, 41,390 restricted stock units vested and were issued as common stock. Total unrecognized compensation expense of non-vested, non-forfeited shares granted as of November 30, 2013 was $3,314,703, which is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 5.24 years.

 

The Company recognized $11,987 and $53,512 of U-Swirl, Inc. stock-based compensation expense during the three and nine month periods ended November 30, 2013, respectively. No amount of U-Swirl, Inc. stock-based compensation expense was recognized during the three and nine month periods ended November 30, 2012, respectively, because the results of U-Swirl, Inc. were not consolidated within our results for that period. Compensation costs related to stock-based compensation are generally amortized over the vesting period.

 

NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options and restricted stock units. For the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, 12,936 and 101,661 stock options, respectively, were excluded from the computation of earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, 42,511 and 102,853 stock options, respectively, were excluded from the computation of earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

NOTE 3 – INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

   

November 30, 2013

   

February 28, 2013

 

Ingredients and supplies

  $ 2,675,075     $ 2,531,559  

Finished candy

    2,136,308       1,844,114  

U-Swirl, Inc. food and packaging

    75,307       98,511  

Less reserve for slow moving inventory

    (209,196 )     (253,148 )

Total inventories

  $ 4,677,494     $ 4,221,036  

 

 

 
8

 

 

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

   

November 30, 2013

   

February 28, 2013

 

Land

  $ 513,618     $ 513,618  

Building

    4,777,476       4,764,005  

Machinery and equipment

    9,815,703       8,864,126  

Furniture and fixtures

    1,078,231       1,024,261  

Leasehold improvements

    1,911,711       1,930,991  

Transportation equipment

    394,508       392,755  
                 
    $ 18,491,247     $ 17,489,756  
                 

Less accumulated depreciation

    11,240,189       10,712,613  

Property and equipment, net

  $ 7,251,058     $ 6,777,143  

 

NOTE 5 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Stock Repurchases

 

On February 19, 2008, the Company announced the plan to purchase up to $3.0 million of its common stock in the open market or in private transactions, whenever deemed appropriate by management. Between May 1, 2012 and May 31, 2012, the Company repurchased 33,800 shares under the plan at an average price of $10.73 per share. Between June 1, 2012 and June 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 129,500 shares under the plan at an average price of $10.45 per share. There were no repurchases of common stock during the three and nine months ended November 30, 2013.

 

Cash Dividend

 

The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock on March 15, 2013 to shareholders of record on March 1, 2013. The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock on June 14, 2013 to shareholders of record June 4, 2013. The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock on September 13, 2013 to shareholders of record September 3, 2013. The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock on November 12, 2013 payable on December 13, 2013 to shareholders of record on November 29, 2013.

 

Future declaration of dividends will depend on, among other things, the Company's results of operations, capital requirements, financial condition and on such other factors as the Company's Board of Directors may in its discretion consider relevant and in the best long term interest of the shareholders.

 

NOTE 6 – SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

November 30,

 

 

 

2013

   

2012

 
Cash paid (received) for:            

Interest

  $ (34,637 )   $ (33,659 )

Income taxes

    2,090,170       979,145  

Non-Cash Operating Activities Accrued Inventory

    452,707       326,401  

Non-Cash Financing Activities Dividend Payable

  $ 672,745     $ 665,531  

 

 

 
9

 

 

NOTE 7 - OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

The Company classifies its business interests into five reportable segments: Franchising, Manufacturing, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Retail Stores, U-Swirl, Inc. operations and Other. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to these financial statements and Note 1 to the Company’s financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on operating contribution, which excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative costs and income tax expense or benefit. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic businesses that utilize common merchandising, distribution and marketing functions, as well as common information systems and corporate administration. All inter-segment sales prices are market based. Each segment is managed separately because of the differences in required infrastructure and the difference in products and services:

 

Three Months Ended

November 30, 2013

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 1,181,577     $ 7,128,169     $ 436,755     $ 1,039,498     $ -     $ 9,785,999  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (506,005 )     -       -       -       (506,005 )

Revenue from external customers

    1,181,577       6,622,164       436,755       1,039,498       -       9,279,994  

Segment profit (loss)

    351,215       1,850,702       (124,432 )     (197,616 )     (858,784 )     1,021,085  

Total assets

    1,091,984       12,345,986       1,327,840       3,586,150       5,890,240       24,242,200  

Capital expenditures

    30,430       590,234       (16,483 )     74,118       26,077       704,376  

Total depreciation & amortization

  $ 9,534     $ 74,338     $ 14,698     $ 61,318     $ 38,578     $ 198,466  

 

Three Months Ended

November 30, 2012

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 1,308,146     $ 6,799,847     $ 1,089,431     $ -     $ -     $ 9,197,424  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (561,619 )     -       -       -       (561,619 )

Revenue from external customers

    1,308,146       6,238,228       1,089,431       -       -       8,635,805  

Segment profit (loss)

    503,380       1,727,587       (2,131,270 )     -       (922,062 )     (822,365 )

Total assets

    1,316,002       11,499,337       2,422,986       -       5,541,326       20,779,651  

Capital expenditures

    -       85,058       12,357       -       76,665       174,080  

Total depreciation & amortization

  $ 9,067     $ 73,012     $ 103,255     $ -     $ 38,710     $ 224,044  

 

Nine Months Ended

November 30, 2013

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 4,379,618     $ 19,085,028     $ 1,588,282     $ 4,449,364     $ -     $ 29,502,292  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (1,381,275 )     -       -       -       (1,381,275 )

Revenue from external customers

    4,379,618       17,703,753       1,588,282       4,449,364       -       28,121,017  

Segment profit (loss)

    1,956,513       5,160,089       (150,823 )     130,255       (2,637,190 )     4,458,844  

Total assets

    1,091,984       12,345,986       1,327,840       3,586,150       5,890,240       24,242,200  

Capital expenditures

    45,959       786,343       295       137,868       141,965       1,112,430  

Total depreciation & amortization

  $ 27,432     $ 219,730     $ 44,093     $ 272,266     $ 106,698     $ 670,219  

 

Nine Months Ended

November 30, 2012

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 4,375,405     $ 18,836,774     $ 4,426,780     $ -     $ -     $ 27,638,959  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (1,615,125 )     -       -       -       (1,615,125 )

Revenue from external customers

    4,375,405       17,221,649       4,426,780       -       -       26,023,834  

Segment profit (loss)

    1,800,330       4,890,384       (2,053,806 )     -       (2,546,438 )     3,948,945  

Total assets

    1,316,002       11,499,337       2,422,986       -       5,541,326       20,779,651  

Capital expenditures

    24,007       255,313       254,103       -       158,070       1,861,708  

Total depreciation & amortization

  $ 30,160     $ 217,189     $ 329,083     $ -     $ 115,158     $ 691,590  

 

Revenue from one customer of the Company’s Manufacturing segment represented approximately $2.6 million, or 9.2 percent, of the Company’s revenues from external customers during the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to $2.5 million, or 9.6 percent of the Company’s revenues from external customers during the nine months ended November 30, 2012.

 

 
10

 

 

 

NOTE 8 – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

           

November 30, 2013

   

February 28, 2013

 
   

Amortization Period (years)

 

Gross Carrying Value

   

Accumulated Amortization

   

Gross Carrying Value

   

Accumulated Amortization

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization

                                       

Store design

    10     $ 220,777     $ 206,118     $ 205,777     $ 205,142  

Packaging licenses

  3 - 5     120,830       120,830       120,830       120,830  

Packaging design

    10       430,973       430,973       430,973       430,973  

Total

            772,580       757,921       757,580       756,945  
Intangible assets not subject to amortization                                        

Franchising segment-

                                       

Company stores goodwill

          $ 1,099,328     $ 267,020     $ 1,099,328     $ 267,020  

Franchising goodwill

            295,000       197,682       295,000       197,682  

Manufacturing segment-Goodwill

            295,000       197,682       295,000       197,682  

Trademark

            23,340       -       20,000       -  

Total Goodwill

            1,712,668       662,384       1,709,328       662,384  
                                         

Franchise Rights

            800,000       -       800,000       -  
                                         

Total intangible assets

          $ 3,285,248     $ 1,420,305     $ 3,266,908     $ 1,419,329  

 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled $977 and $6,817 during the nine months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of November 30, 2013, $14,659 net intangible assets subject to amortization remained to be amortized through fiscal year 2024.

 

NOTE 9 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company has entered into Franchise Agreements and a Development Agreement with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Director operates two ALY locations under the Franchise Agreements and the Development Agreement. As of November 30, 2013, the Company had receivables of approximately $700 due from the Director associated with the director’s ownership and operation of the two current ALY locations.

 

U-Swirl, Inc. was owed $10,629 and $8,597 as of November 30, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively, from a U-Swirl franchise that is owned and operated by the grandchildren of the Company’s Chief Marketing Officer. The corporate secretary and treasurer of the franchise is also the Company’s corporate secretary.

 

As of November 30, 2013 and February 28, 2013, U-Swirl, Inc. had deferred revenue of $30,000 and $30,000, respectively, from an area developer in which the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer have a minority interest.

 

NOTE 10 – IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

 

During the three months ended November 30, 2012, the Company began an initiative to sell substantially all long lived assets associated with continued operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt Company-owned locations. This initiative caused the Company to perform an evaluation of the assets’ fair value. An impairment loss for ALY operations was recognized in the amount of $1,978,216 for certain long-lived assets related to all ALY Company-owned locations. The Company reviewed the machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, and leasehold improvements associated with each Company-owned ALY location, as well as ALY long-lived assets not allocated to a specific location. Current and historical operating and cash flow losses indicate that recorded asset values for these stores are not fully recoverable. Assets with net book value of $2,893,549 were reduced to their estimated fair value based on prices of similar assets or estimated present value of future net cash flows expected to be generated from the assets.

 

The impairment of long-lived assets was recorded to the following segments:

 

Retail segment

  $ 1,929,453  

Other segment

    48,763  

Total impairment provision

  $ 1,978,216  

 

 

 
11

 

 

NOTE 11 – COMPANY OWNED STORE CLOSURES

 

In November 2013 the Company closed four under performing Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt Cafés. The operation of these locations was transferred to U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013 as a part of the transaction to acquire a controlling interest in U-Swirl, Inc. These assets were transferred in exchange for $400,000 in non-recourse promissory notes.

 

During the three months ended November 30, 2012 the Company recorded an impairment charge for certain long-lived assets associated with the continued operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations; see Note 10 to these financial statements. The impairment loss recorded in the three months ended November 30, 2012 considered the value of assets associated with these closures and during that period the assets were reduced to their estimated fair value at that time.

 

The Company has performed a subsequent review of the fair value of these assets and has determined that no further impairment is necessary. These assets will be utilized in Company-owned U-Swirl, Inc. locations, or sold to prospective U-Swirl, Inc. franchisees. The Company will continue to evaluate the fair value of these assets.

 

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and related notes of the Company included elsewhere in this report. The statements included in this report other than statements of historical fact, are 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, and within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and include statements regarding our cash flow, dividends, operating income and future growth. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this document may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "potential," or similar expressions. Factors which could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to: changes in the confectionery business environment, seasonality, consumer interest in our products, general economic conditions, the success of U-Swirl, Inc. and our self-serve frozen yogurt growth strategy generally, receptiveness of our products internationally, consumer trends, costs and availability of raw materials, competition, the success of our co-branding strategy and the effect of government regulations. Government regulations which we and our franchisees either are or may be subject to and which could cause results to differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: local, state and federal laws regarding health, sanitation, safety, building and fire codes, franchising, employment, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of food products and motor carriers. For a detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained herein, please see the “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013 which can be viewed at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or through our website at www.rmcf.com. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that might reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report or those that might reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Overview

 

We are a product-based international franchisor, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator. Our revenues and profitability are derived principally from our franchised system of retail stores that feature chocolate, frozen yogurt, and other confectionery products. We also sell our candy in selected locations outside our system of retail stores to build brand awareness. We own and operate fifteen retail units as a laboratory to test marketing, design and operational initiatives.

 

 

 
12

 

 

The most important factors in continued growth in our earnings are ongoing unit growth, increased same-store sales and increased same-store pounds purchased from the factory. Historically, unit growth has more than offset decreases in same-store sales and same-store pounds purchased.

 

Our ability to successfully achieve expansion of our franchise systems depends on many factors not within our control, including the availability of suitable sites for new store establishment, the availability of adequate financing options and the availability of qualified franchisees to support such expansion.

 

Efforts to reverse the decline in same-store pounds purchased from the factory by franchised stores and to increase total factory sales depend on many factors, including new store openings, same-store sales, and the receptivity of our franchise system to our product introductions and promotional programs.

 

In January 2013, Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC (“Newco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formed in the State of Colorado on January 2, 2013, entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units branded as “Yogurtini.” In addition, we entered into two agreements to sell all of our membership interests in Newco and substantially all of our assets in Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC to U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (QTCQB: SWRL), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc. Upon completion of these transactions, we ceased to operate any Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations or sell and support franchise locations. We believe that the acquisition of 60% controlling interest in U-Swirl, Inc. will provide us with the ability to reverse operating losses incurred in prior fiscal years by the development and operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC and provide an opportunity to continue to expand our presence in the self-serve frozen yogurt industry. Our ability to execute on this strategy is dependant upon continued expansion of the franchise network of U-Swirl, Inc. and the success of their franchisees. We have included U-Swirl Inc.’s performance into Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

In March 2013, we entered into a License Agreement covering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under the terms of the agreement, the licensee agreed to open and begin operating four (4) Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores within 30 months following the execution of the agreement. The licensee has also been granted a 30-month option to convert its initial License Agreement into a Master License Agreement covering the entire country of Saudi Arabia. If the licensee chooses to exercise the option prior to its expiration date, the licensee (or through third-party franchisees) will acquire the right to develop an additional six (6) Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. No locations were opened under the License Agreement as of December 31, 2013.

 

In March 2013, we entered into a License Agreement covering South Korea. Under the terms of the agreement, the licensee agreed to open five (5) Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores within 30 months following the execution of the agreement. The first Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store was opened in Seoul, South Korea in May 2013. The licensee has also been granted a 30-month option to convert its initial License Agreement into a Master License Agreement covering the entire country of South Korea. If the licensee chooses to exercise the option prior to its expiration date, the licensee (or through third-party franchisees) will acquire the right to develop not less than 30 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores, inclusive of the five (5) stores developed under the terms of the initial License Agreement. As of December 31, 2013, five locations were operating under the License Agreement.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended November 30, 2013 Compared to the Three Months Ended November 30, 2012

 

Basic earnings per share improved from a loss of $.08 per share in the three months ended November 30, 2012 to earnings of $.11 per share in the three months ended November 30, 2013. Revenues increased 7.5% from $8.6 million in the three months ended November 30, 2012 to $9.3 million in the three months ended November 30, 2013. Operating income improved from a loss of $833,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2012 to operating income of $1,004,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2013. Net income improved from a net loss of $509,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2012 to a net income of $699,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2013. The improvement in operating income and net income for the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared to November 30, 2012 was due primarily to an impairment loss for ALY operations being recognized in the amount of $1.98 million for long-lived assets related to eight underperforming Company-owned stores during the three months ended November 30, 2012.

 

 

 
13

 

 

During the three months ended November 30, 2012, the Company began an initiative to sell substantially all long lived assets associated with continued operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt Company-owned locations. This initiative caused the Company to perform an evaluation of the assets’ fair value. An impairment loss for ALY operations was recognized in the amount of $1,978,216 for certain long-lived assets related to all ALY Company-owned locations.

 

Revenues

 

Three Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

Factory sales

  $ 6,622.1     $ 6,323.4     $ 298.7       4.7 %

Retail sales

    1,179.2       1,004.3       174.9       17.4 %

Franchise fees

    52.7       88.4       ( 35.7 )     (40.4 %)

Royalty and Marketing fees

    1,426.0       1,219.7       206.3       16.9 %

Total

  $ 9,280.0     $ 8,635.8     $ 644.2       7.5 %

 

Factory Sales

 

The increase in factory sales during the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2012 was primarily due to a 31.8% increase in shipments to customers outside our system of franchised retail locations and an increase in sales to international and co-branded locations. These increases were partially offset by a 4.9% decrease in same-store pounds purchased by our network of franchised stores. We believe the decline in same store pounds purchased was largely the result of the lower number of retail shopping days following the Thanksgiving holiday in the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2012 and the resulting shift of certain orders into the subsequent quarter.

 

Retail Sales

 

The increase in retail sales for the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared with the three months ended November 30, 2012 was primarily due to changes in units in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority ownership in U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013. The increase was partially offset by a 7.6% decrease in same store sales at Company-owned stores in the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2012.

 

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

The increase in royalties and marketing fees from the three months ended November 30, 2012 to the three months ended November 30, 2013 resulted from a 23.7% increase in domestic franchise stores in operation from the three months ended November 30, 2012 to the three months ended November 30, 2013, primarily as a result of our acquisition of a majority ownership position in U-Swirl, Inc. and accordingly, the U-Swirl franchise system. This increase was partially offset by a 5.1% decrease in the number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchises in operation. The average number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise stores in operation decreased from 235 in the three months ended November 30, 2012 to 223 during the three months ended November 30, 2013. This decrease is the result of domestic store closures exceeding domestic store openings. Franchise fee revenues decreased as a result of a decrease in the number of domestic franchise store openings from five in the three months ended November 30, 2012 to two openings in the three months ended November 30, 2013.

 

U-Swirl, Inc. Café Sales, Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

During the three months ended November 30, 2013, U-Swirl, Inc. revenue totaled $1,039,500 compared with no amount of U-Swirl, Inc. revenue consolidated within our results for the three months ended November 30, 2012. We began consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc. results when we acquired a majority ownership interest in January 2013.

 

 

 
14

 

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Three Months Ended

                 
    November 30,     $     %  

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Cost of sales – factory adjusted

  $ 4,582.1     $ 4,348.9     $ 233.2       5.4 %

Cost of sales - retail

    479.5       420.3       59.2       14.1 %

Franchise costs

    510.1       457.6       52.5       11.5 %

Sales and marketing

    555.8       447.9       107.9       24.1 %

General and administrative

    1,146.2       847.9       298.3       35.2 %

Retail operating

    803.4       743.8       59.6       8.0 %

Total

  $ 8,077.1     $ 7,266.4     $ 810.7       11.2 %

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

Three Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $     %  

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 2,040.0     $ 1,974.5     $ 65.5       3.3 %

Retail

    699.7       584.0       115.7       19.8 %

Total

  $ 2,739.7     $ 2,558.5     $ 181.2       7.1 %

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

Three Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

   

%

   

%

 
   

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

(Percent)

                               

Factory adjusted gross margin

    30.8 %     31.2 %     (0.4 %)     (1.3 %)

Retail

    59.3 %     58.1 %     1.2 %     2.1 %

Total

    35.1 %     34.9 %     0.2 %     0.6 %

 

Adjusted gross margin, a non-GAAP measure, is equal to the sum of our factory adjusted gross margin plus our retail gross margin calculated in accordance with GAAP. Factory adjusted gross margin is equal to factory gross margin minus depreciation and amortization expense. We believe adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin are helpful in understanding our past performance as a supplement to gross margin and other performance measures calculated in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We believe that adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin are useful to investors because they provide a measure of operating performance and our ability to generate cash that is unaffected by non-cash accounting measures. Additionally, we use adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin rather than gross margin and factory gross margin to make incremental pricing decisions. Adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin have limitations as an analytical tool because they exclude the impact of depreciation and amortization expense and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for any measure reported under GAAP. Our use of capital assets makes depreciation and amortization expense a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate income. Due to these limitations, we use adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin as measures of performance only in conjunction with GAAP measures of performance such as gross margin and factory gross margin. The following table provides a reconciliation of factory adjusted gross margin to factory gross margin, the most comparable performance measure under GAAP:

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

November 30,

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 2,040.0     $ 1,974.5  

Less: Depreciation and Amortization

    73.8       72.1  

Factory GAAP gross margin

  $ 1,966.2     $ 1,902.4  

 

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

 

Factory adjusted gross margins decreased 40 basis points in the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2012 due to an increase in the average selling price of products to domestic franchise units being more than offset by increases in the costs of certain materials. The increase in Company-owned store margin is due primarily to an increase in U-Swirl stores in operation and the associated higher margins.

 

Franchise Costs

 

Franchise costs increased 11.5% from the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2013. This increase was primarily due to increased franchise costs from the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc. As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs decreased to 34.5% in the three months ended November 30, 2013 from 35.0% in the three months ended November 30, 2012. This decrease as a percentage of royalty, marketing and franchise fees is primarily a result of a 13.0% increase in total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue.

 

 

 
15

 

 

Sales and Marketing

 

The increase in sales and marketing costs for the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2012 is primarily due to an increase in marketing costs associated with U-Swirl, Inc. franchise locations and increased marketing-related compensation costs.

 

General and Administrative

 

The increase in general and administrative costs for the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2012 is due primarily to the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc.’s general and administrative costs and an increase in compensation related expenses. For the three months ended November 30, 2013, approximately $316,000 of U-Swirl, Inc. general and administrative costs were consolidated within our results, compared with no amount in the three months ended November 30, 2012. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 12.4% in the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared to 9.8% in the three months ended November 30, 2012.

 

Retail Operating Expenses

 

The increase in retail operating expense was primarily due to an increase in the average number of Company-owned stores in operation. The average number of Company-owned stores in operation increased from 15 during the three months ended November 30, 2012 to 18 units in the same period of the current year. Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, decreased from 74.1% in the three months ended November 30, 2012 to 68.1% in the same period of the current year. This decrease is primarily the result of a change in units in operation and the resulting increase in retail sales, resulting from the acquisition of a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization of $198,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2013 decreased 11.6% from $224,000 incurred in the three months ended November 30, 2012 due to the closure of four Company-owned locations and the associated impact on depreciation.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income of $16,700 realized in the three months ended November 30, 2013 represents an increase of $6,300 from the $10,400 realized in the three months ended November 30, 2012 due to an increase in notes receivable.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended November 30, 2013 was 39.8%, compared to 38.0% for the three months ended November 30, 2012. The increase of 1.8% was primarily the result of the consolidation of the U-Swirl, Inc. net operating income. U-Swirl, Inc. has significant net operating loss carryovers. In accordance with section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, deductibility of U-Swirl, Inc.’s U.S. net operating loss carryovers may be subject to annual limitation in the event of a change in control. We have performed a preliminary evaluation as to whether a change in control has taken place, and have concluded that there was a change of control with respect to the net operating losses of U-Swirl, Inc. when we acquired our 60% ownership interest in U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013. Our effective income tax rate may increase in future periods, or for the full year as a result of estimates related to the income tax liability arising from the income before income taxes of U-Swirl, Inc.

 

 

 
16

 

 

Nine Months Ended November 30, 2013 Compared to the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2012

 

Basic earnings per share increased 108.7% from $.23 for the nine months ended November 30, 2012 to $.48 for the nine months ended November 30, 2013. Revenues increased 8.1% to $28.1 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to $26.0 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2012. Operating income increased 113.3% from $2.1 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 to $4.4 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2013. Net income increased 110.4% from $1.4 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 to $2.9 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2013. The increase in operating income and net income for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year was due primarily to an impairment loss for ALY operations being recognized during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 in the amount of $1.98 million for long-lived assets related to eight underperforming Company-owned stores.

 

During the nine months ended November 30, 2012, the Company began an initiative to sell substantially all long lived assets associated with continued operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt Company-owned locations. This initiative caused the Company to perform an evaluation of the assets’ fair value. An impairment loss for ALY operations was recognized in the amount of $1,978,216 for certain long-lived assets related to all ALY Company-owned locations.

 

Revenues

 

Nine Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

Factory sales

  $ 17,703.7     $ 17,485.2     $ 218.5       1.2 %

Retail sales

    4,962.4       4,163.2       799.2       19.2 %

Franchise fees

    390.9       247.5       143.4       57.9 %

Royalty and marketing fees

    5,064.0       4,127.9       936.1       22.7 %

Total

  $ 28,121.0     $ 26,023.8     $ 2,097.2       8.1 %

 

Factory Sales

 

The increase in factory sales for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 versus the nine months ended November 30, 2012 was primarily due to an increase in sales to international licensed stores and a 2.7% increase in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchised retail stores. These increases were partially offset by a 0.1% decrease in same-store pounds purchased by franchise locations in the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared with the same period in the prior year. The increases were also partially offset by a 5.1% decrease in the average number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchised stores in operation.

 

Retail Sales

 

The increase in retail sales was primarily due to changes in units in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority ownership in U-Swirl, Inc. Additionally, same store sales at Company-owned stores decreased 1.4% in the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2012.

 

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

The increase in royalties and marketing fees from the nine months ended November 30, 2012 to the nine months ended November 30, 2013 resulted from a 19.4% increase in domestic franchise stores in operation from the nine months ended November 30, 2012 to the nine months ended November 30, 2013, primarily as a result of our acquisition of a majority ownership position in U-Swirl, Inc. and accordingly, the U-Swirl franchise system. This increase was partially offset by a 5.1% decrease in the number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchises in operation. The average number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise stores in operation decreased from 237 in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 to 225 during the nine months ended November 30, 2013. This decrease is the result of domestic store closures exceeding domestic store openings. Franchise fee revenues increased primarily as a result of the license fees associated with the license agreements for the development and franchising of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in South Korea and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Same store sales at domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations increased 1.8% in the nine months ended November 30, 2013, compared with the nine months ended November 30, 2012.

 

U-Swirl, Inc. Café Sales, Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

During the nine months ended November 30, 2013, U-Swirl, Inc. revenue totaled $4,449,400 compared with no amount of U-Swirl, Inc. revenue consolidated within our results for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. We began consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc. results when we acquired a majority ownership interest in January 2013.

 

 

 
17

 

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Nine Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Cost of sales – factory adjusted

  $ 12,036.8     $ 11,849.7     $ 187.1       1.6 %

Cost of sales - retail

    1,752.9       1,611.3       141.6       8.8 %

Franchise costs

    1,508.6       1,560.1       ( 51.5 )     (3.3 %)

Sales and marketing

    1,524.0       1,317.9       206.1       15.6 %

General and administrative

    3,625.0       2,389.7       1,235.3       51.7 %

Retail operating

    2,588.3       2,568.1       20.2       0.8 %

Total

  $ 23,035.6     $ 21,296.8     $ 1,738.8       8.2 %

 

Adjusted gross margin

 

Nine Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 5,666.9     $ 5,635.5     $ 31.4       0.6 %

Retail

    3,209.5       2,551.9       657.6       25.8 %

Total

  $ 8,876.4     $ 8,187.4     $ 689.0       8.4 %

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

Nine Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

   

%

   

%

 
   

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

(Percent)

                               

Factory adjusted gross margin

    32.0 %     32.2 %     (0.2 %)     (0.6 %)

Retail

    64.7 %     61.3 %     3.4 %     5.5 %

Total

    39.2 %     37.8 %     1.4 %     3.7 %

 

Adjusted gross margin, a non-GAAP measure, is equal to the sum of our factory adjusted gross margin plus our retail gross margin calculated in accordance with GAAP. Factory adjusted gross margin is equal to factory gross margin minus depreciation and amortization expense. We believe adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin are helpful in understanding our past performance as a supplement to gross margin and other performance measures calculated in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We believe that adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin are useful to investors because they provide a measure of operating performance and our ability to generate cash that is unaffected by non-cash accounting measures. Additionally, we use adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin rather than gross margin and factory gross margin to make incremental pricing decisions. Adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin have limitations as an analytical tool because they exclude the impact of depreciation and amortization expense and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for any measure reported under GAAP. Our use of capital assets makes depreciation and amortization expense a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate income. Due to these limitations, we use adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin as measures of performance only in conjunction with GAAP measures of performance such as gross margin and factory gross margin. The following table provides a reconciliation of factory adjusted gross margin to factory gross margin, the most comparable performance measure under GAAP:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

November 30,

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 5,666.9     $ 5,635.5  

Less: Depreciation and Amortization

    218.2       214.4  

Factory GAAP gross margin

  $ 5,448.7     $ 5,421.1  

 

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

 

Factory adjusted gross margin decreased 20 basis points during the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year due to an increase in the average selling price of products to domestic franchise units being more than offset by increases in the costs of certain materials. The increase in Company-owned store margin is due primarily to an increase in U-Swirl stores in operation and associated higher margins.

 

 

 
18

 

 

Franchise Costs 

 

The decrease in franchise costs for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2012 is due primarily to a decrease in franchise development costs associated with Aspen Leaf Yogurt due to the sale of the Aspen Leaf Yogurt concept to U-Swirl in January 2013, partially offset by increased franchise costs from the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc. As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs decreased to 27.7% in the nine months ended November 30, 2013 from 35.7% in the nine months ended November 30, 2012. This decrease as a percentage of royalty, marketing and franchise fees is primarily a result of a 24.7% increase in royalty, marketing and franchise fee revenue as a result of an increase in system-wide franchise stores in the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2012.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

The increase in sales and marketing expense for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year is due primarily to increased marketing-related compensation costs and an increase in marketing costs associated with U-Swirl, Inc. franchise locations.

 

General and Administrative

 

The increase in general and administrative costs for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2012 is due primarily to the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc.’s general and administrative costs and an increase in compensation related expenses. For the nine months ended November 30, 2013, approximately $1,031,000 of U-Swirl, Inc. general and administrative costs were consolidated within our results, compared with no amount in the nine months ended November 30, 2012. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 12.9% in the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared to 9.2% in the nine months ended November 30, 2012.

 

Retail Operating Expenses

 

The increase in retail operating expense was primarily due to a change in the mix of Company-owned stores in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013 and the associated operating expenses during the nine months ended November 30, 2013 compared with the nine months ended November 30, 2012. The average number of Company-owned stores in operation increased from 17 during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 to 18 units in the nine months ended November 30, 2013. Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, decreased from 61.7% in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 to 52.2% in the nine months ended November 30, 2013. This decrease is primarily the result of a change in units in operation and the resulting increase in retail sales, resulting from the acquisition of a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization of $670,000 in the nine months ended November 30, 2013 decreased 3.2% from $692,000 incurred in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 due to the closure of four Company-owned locations in November 2013.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income of $44,000 realized in the nine months ended November 30, 2013 represents an increase of $11,000 from the $33,000 realized in the same period of the prior year due to higher balances of notes receivable.

 

 

 
19

 

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 was 33.7%, compared to 33.9% for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. The decrease of 0.2% was primarily the result of the consolidation of the U-Swirl, Inc. net operating income. U-Swirl, Inc. has significant net operating loss carryovers. In accordance with section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, deductibility of U-Swirl, Inc.’s U.S. net operating loss carryovers may be subject to annual limitation in the event of a change in control. We have performed a preliminary evaluation as to whether a change in control has taken place, and have concluded that there was a change of control with respect to the net operating losses of U-Swirl, Inc. when we acquired our 60% ownership in U-Swirl, Inc. interest in January 2013. Our effective income tax rate may increase in future periods, or for the full year as a result of estimates related to the income tax liability arising from the income before income taxes of U-Swirl, Inc.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of November 30, 2013, working capital was $10.0 million, compared with $9.0 million as of February 28, 2013, an increase of $1.0 million. The change in working capital was due primarily to operating results less the payment of dividends, an increase in notes receivable and the purchase of equipment.

 

Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $5.3 million as of February 28, 2013 to $3.4 million as of November 30, 2013 as a result of cash flows provided by operating activities being less than cash flows used by investing and financing activities. Our current ratio was 3.31 to 1 at November 30, 2013 compared to a current ratio of 2.61 to 1 at February 28, 2013. We monitor current and anticipated future levels of cash and cash equivalents in relation to anticipated operating, financing and investing requirements.

 

We have a $5.0 million (no amount was outstanding as of November 30, 2013) working capital line of credit collateralized by substantially all of our assets with the exception of our retail store assets. Additionally, the line of credit is subject to various financial ratio and leverage covenants. As of November 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all such covenants. The line is subject to renewal on July 31, 2014.

 

In January 2014, we executed a promissory note for $7.0 million in order to establish a credit facility to fund potential acquisitions. The note is guaranteed by us and is collateralized by substantially all of our assets. The note bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.750% and requires equal monthly payments of interest and principal until the note matures on January 15, 2020. Additionally, the note is subject to various financial ratio and leverage covenants. As of November 30, 2013 no amount was outstanding. As of January 21, 2014 we had drawn $6,400,000 on the note to fund the subsequent acquisition events as described herein.

 

We believe cash flows generated by operating activities and available financing will be sufficient to fund our operations at least through the end of fiscal 2014.

 

Impact of Inflation

 

Inflationary factors such as increases in the costs of ingredients and labor directly affect our operations. Most of our leases provide for cost-of-living adjustments and require us to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses, all of which are subject to inflation. Additionally our future lease costs for new facilities may include potentially escalating costs of real estate and construction. There is no assurance that we will be able to pass on increased costs to our customers.

 

We frequently enter into purchase contracts of between six to eighteen months for chocolate and certain nuts. These contracts permit us to purchase the specified commodity at a fixed price on an as-needed basis during the term of the contract, which could help insulate us from inflation in the prices of those products during the terms of such contracts

 

Depreciation expense is based on the historical cost of our fixed assets, and is therefore potentially less than it would be if it were based on current replacement cost. While property and equipment acquired in prior years will ultimately have to be replaced at higher prices, it is expected that replacement will be a gradual process over many years.

 

 
20

 

 

Seasonality

 

We are subject to seasonal fluctuations in sales, which cause fluctuations in quarterly results of operations. Historically, the strongest sales of our confectionary products have occurred during the Christmas holiday through Mother’s Day. We believe the strongest sales of frozen yogurt products will occur during the summer months. In addition, quarterly results have been, and in the future are likely to be, affected by the timing of new store openings and sales of franchises. Because of the seasonality of our business and the impact of new store openings and sales of franchises, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved in other quarters or for a full fiscal year.

 

Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We do not engage in commodity futures trading or hedging activities and do not enter into derivative financial instrument transactions for trading or other speculative purposes. We also do not engage in transactions in foreign currencies or in interest rate swap transactions that could expose us to market risk. However, we are exposed to some commodity price and interest rate risks.

 

We frequently enter into purchase contracts of between six to eighteen months for chocolate and certain nuts. These contracts permit us to purchase the specified commodity at a fixed price on an as-needed basis during the term of the contract. Because prices for these products may fluctuate, we may benefit if prices rise during the terms of these contracts, but we may be required to pay above-market prices if prices fall and we are unable to renegotiate the terms of the contracts. As of November 30, 2013, based on future contractual obligations for chocolate products, we estimate that a 10.0% change in the price of cocoa would result in an $40,000 favorable or unfavorable price benefit resulting from our contracts.

 

We have a $5.0 million bank line of credit that bears interest at a variable rate. As of November 30, 2013, no amount was outstanding under the line of credit. We do not believe that we are exposed to any material interest rate risk related to this credit facility.

 

Item 4.     Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that material information relating to us is made known to the officers who certify as to our financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors. These disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness, as of November 30, 2013, of our disclosure controls and procedures. We acquired a 60% controlling interest in U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013 and U-Swirl’s operations are consolidated into our unaudited financial statements included in this report.  As such, the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures did not include the internal controls over financial reporting at U-Swirl.  This exclusion is consistent with the SEC’s guidance that an assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted from the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures that are also part of internal control over financial reporting in the year of acquisition.  Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of November 30, 2013.

 

 

 
21

 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

As a result of the acquisition of U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013, the Company is evaluating and implementing changes to processes, policies and other components of its internal control over financial reporting with respect to the consolidation of U-Swirl’s operations into the Company’s financial statements. Management continues to be engaged in substantial efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control procedures and the design of those control procedures relating to U-Swirl. Except for the activities described above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended November 30, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 
22

 

 

 

PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.       Legal Proceedings

 

We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings other than routine litigation incidental to our business.

 

 

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part 1, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013.

 

 

Item 2.       Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

None

 

Item 3.       Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

Item 4.       Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 5.       Other Information

 

None

 

Item 6.       Exhibits

 

3.1

 

Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the year ended February 28, 2009)

     

3.2

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on May 22, 2009)

     

3.3

 

Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on December 14, 2007)

     

31.1

*

Certification Pursuant To Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Executive Officer

     

31.2

*

Certification Pursuant To Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Financial Officer

     

32.1

**

Certification Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Executive Officer

     

32.2

**

Certification Pursuant To Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Financial Officer

     

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

     

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

 
23

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

     

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

     

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

     

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 


* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.          

 

  

 

Signature

 

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.

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.

(Registrant)

 

 

Date: January 21, 2014

/s/ Bryan J. Merryman

 

 

Bryan J. Merryman, Chief Operating Officer,

 

 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director

 

 

 

24