UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007, or

 

 

 

o

 

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 0-25366

Western Sizzlin Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

 

86-0723400

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

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

 

 

 

416 South Jefferson Street, Suite 600

 

24011

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(540) 345-3195

(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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer.  (See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) (Check one):

o  Large Accelerated Filer

 

o  Accelerated Filer

 

x  Non-Accelerated Filer

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

o Yes x No

As of November 14, 2007, there were 1,797,750 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 



 

Western Sizzlin Corporation

 

Form 10-Q

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

Table of Contents

 

 

Page

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets —September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income — Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

4

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

5

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

6

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7-15

 

 

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

15-22

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

22

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

22-23

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

24

 

 

Item 1.A. Risk Factors

24-25

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

25

 

 

Signatures

26

 

 

Exhibit Index

27

 

2



 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

 

 

September 30,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

606,335

 

$

2,344,644

 

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $213,003 in 2007 and $470,758 in 2006

 

866,794

 

866,565

 

Current installments of notes receivable, less allowance for impaired notes of $31,402in 2007 and $17,409 in 2006

 

264,147

 

205,624

 

Other receivables

 

183,105

 

239,531

 

Income taxes receivable

 

 

248,559

 

Inventories

 

60,540

 

55,207

 

Prepaid expenses

 

269,564

 

253,556

 

Deferred income taxes

 

179,091

 

296,671

 

Total current assets

 

2,429,576

 

4,510,357

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable, less allowance for impaired notes receivable of $47,806 in 2007 and $164,396 in 2006, excluding current installments

 

635,114

 

800,841

 

Property and equipment, net

 

1,982,430

 

2,270,300

 

Investments in marketable securities (Note 3)

 

9,149,740

 

6,508,645

 

Money market investments held by broker (Note 3)

 

3,124,831

 

 

Franchise royalty contracts, net of accumulated amortization of $8,666,562 in 2007 and $8,193,840 in 2006

 

787,869

 

1,260,592

 

Goodwill

 

4,310,200

 

4,310,200

 

Financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $191,793 in 2007 and $188,670 in 2006

 

8,418

 

11,540

 

Investment in unconsolidated joint venture

 

265,904

 

147,479

 

 

 

$

22,694,082

 

$

19,819,954

 

Liabilities, Minority Interest and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current installments of long-term debt

 

$

135,311

 

$

163,089

 

Accounts payable

 

526,822

 

555,110

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

614,651

 

554,443

 

Income taxes payable

 

606,906

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,883,690

 

1,272,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

 

592,039

 

685,036

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

84,760

 

69,370

 

Deferred income taxes

 

562,410

 

394,885

 

Total liabilities

 

3,122,899

 

2,421,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

1,459,283

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 4,000,000 shares (2,000,000 shares at December 31, 2006); 1,797,750 issued and outstanding shares in 2007 and 1,787,750 in 2006 (Note 2)

 

17,978

 

17,878

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

12,881,791

 

12,790,681

 

Retained earnings

 

6,076,053

 

3,340,193

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(863,922

)

1,249,269

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

18,111,900

 

17,398,021

 

Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders’ equity

 

$

22,694,082

 

$

19,819,954

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company-operated restaurants

 

$

3,443,464

 

$

3,393,679

 

$

10,033,921

 

$

9,971,290

 

Franchise operations

 

1,078,551

 

1,092,221

 

3,308,355

 

3,376,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

4,522,015

 

4,485,900

 

13,342,276

 

13,348,275

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company-operated restaurants —food, beverage and labor costs

 

2,451,091

 

2,365,806

 

7,157,226

 

7,098,664

 

Restaurant occupancy and other

 

596,834

 

704,991

 

1,775,585

 

1,877,279

 

Subleased properties

 

64,265

 

106,508

 

151,013

 

251,158

 

Franchise operations — direct support

 

291,871

 

262,694

 

796,065

 

887,340

 

Corporate expenses

 

577,862

 

578,986

 

1,821,122

 

1,843,139

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

265,527

 

267,838

 

797,135

 

791,819

 

Total costs and expenses

 

4,247,450

 

4,286,823

 

12,498,146

 

12,749,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

274,565

 

199,077

 

844,130

 

598,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(31,741

)

(30,057

)

(71,792

)

(108,404

)

Loss on early extinguishment of long term debt

 

 

 

 

(92,535

)

Gain on sales of marketable securities (Note 3)

 

3,557,399

 

 

3,562,012

 

 

Interest income

 

34,866

 

16,343

 

65,219

 

53,443

 

Equity in profit(loss) of joint venture

 

52,749

 

(29,629

)

118,424

 

(67,857

)

Other

 

6,779

 

(6,483

)

6,364

 

13,101

 

Income before income tax expense and minority interest

 

3,894,617

 

149,251

 

4,524,357

 

396,624

 

Income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

652,177

 

 

670,361

 

 

Deferred

 

769,817

 

64,600

 

999,253

 

162,569

 

Total income tax expense

 

1,421,994

 

64,600

 

1,669,614

 

162,569

 

Income before minority interest

 

2,472,623

 

84,651

 

2,854,743

 

234,055

 

Minority interest in net profit of limited partnership

 

(508

)

 

(508

)

 

Net income

 

$

2,472,115

 

$

84,651

 

$

2,854,235

 

$

234,055

 

Earnings per share (Note 6):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.38

 

$

.07

 

$

1.59

 

$

.20

 

Diluted

 

$

1.37

 

$

.07

 

$

1.58

 

$

.20

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in

 

Retained

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Dollars

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Income (Loss)

 

Total

 

Balances, December 31, 2006

 

1,787,750

 

$

17,878

 

$

12,790,681

 

$

3,340,193

 

$

1,249,269

 

$

17,398,021

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

2,854,235

 

 

2,854,235

 

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

95,256

 

95,256

 

Less: Reclassification of unrealized gains on securities sold during 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,208,447

)

(2,208,447

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

741,044

 

Share based compensation

 

 

 

5,920

 

 

 

5,920

 

Cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 (Note 5)

 

 

 

 

(118,375

)

 

(118,375

)

Stock options exercised

 

10,000

 

100

 

85,190

 

 

 

85,290

 

Balances, September 30, 2007

 

1,797,750

 

$

17,978

 

$

12,881,791

 

$

6,076,053

 

$

(863,922

)

$

18,111,900

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

2,854,235

 

$

234,055

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

 

321,289

 

319,098

 

Amortization of franchise royalty contracts

 

472,723

 

472,722

 

Amortization of financing costs

 

3,122

 

16,676

 

Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment

 

 

57,717

 

Gain on sales of marketable securities

 

(3,562,012

)

 

Write off of financing costs related to early extinguishment of long term debt

 

 

29,699

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

90,000

 

80,000

 

Share-based compensation

 

5,920

 

39,100

 

Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated joint venture

 

(118,424

)

67,857

 

Provision for deferred income taxes

 

999,253

 

162,570

 

Minority interest in net profit of limited partnership

 

508

 

 

(Increase) decrease in:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable and notes receivable

 

16,975

 

97,724

 

Other receivables

 

56,426

 

63,275

 

Income taxes receivable

 

248,559

 

(228,895

)

Insurance receivable — business interruption

 

 

244,961

 

Inventories

 

(5,333

)

(2,748

)

Prepaid expenses

 

(16,008

)

54,153

 

Other assets

 

 

(59,987

)

Increase (decrease) in:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

(28,288

)

193,023

 

Accrued expenses

 

60,208

 

(498,967

)

Income taxes payable

 

540,240

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

15,390

 

20,979

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,954,783

 

1,363,012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in short-term investments

 

 

260,069

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

(33,420

)

(479,892

)

Proceeds from sale of property

 

 

2,800

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(14,089,140

)

(2,100,000

)

Increase in money market investments held by broker

 

(3,124,831

)

 

Proceeds from fire casualties

 

 

784,992

 

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

 

12,089,784

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(5,157,607

)

(1,532,031

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash received from exercise of stock options

 

85,290

 

27,600

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

(120,775

)

(1,399,068

)

Capital contributions from minority interests in limited partnership

 

1,500,000

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

1,464,515

 

(1,371,468

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(1,738,309

)

(1,540,487

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

2,344,644

 

1,664,848

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

606,335

 

$

124,361

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash payments for interest

 

$

72,794

 

$

41,266

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

41,681

 

$

398,880

 

Adoption of FIN 48 (non-cash)

 

$

118,375

 

$

 

Non-cash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassification of deposits from other assets to property and equipment

 

$

 

$

378,455

 

Purchase of investments on margin

 

$

 

$

1,693,084

 

Unrealized (losses) gains from marketable equity securities

 

$

(863,922

)

$

735,575

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

6



WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION,

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
(Unaudited)

(1)                                 General

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Western Sizzlin Corporation, (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all material reclassifications and adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for each period shown have been included. The unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

(2)                                 Stock Options

The Company has three stock option plans: the 2005 Stock Option Plan, the 2004 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan, and the 1994 Incentive and Non-qualified Stock Option Plan. The 1994 Plan has expired for purposes of granting options and only 7,500 options granted to James C. Verney remain outstanding under that plan.  Under the 2005 and 2004 Plans, employees and directors may be granted options to purchase shares of common stock at the fair market value on the date of the grant.  Under the provisions of the plans, the contract terms of stock options for resigning directors were reduced and have been reflected in the computations of the weighted average contractual term of the outstanding options.  In February 2007, Mr. Biglari informed the Board that he did not wish to receive future grants of stock options and that he relinquished all stock options previously granted to him.  Since these modifications did not increase the value of the awards, the modification had no impact on compensation expense.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with the stock options in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107.  The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method provided for under SFAS No. 123R.

The Company recorded $0 and $5,920 compensation expense for stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

Options granted under the 2005 and 2004 Plans vest at the date of the grant, with the exception of options granted to James C. Verney, which vested according to a schedule in his Employment Agreement and are currently all vested.  The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Assumptions utilized in the model were evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and experience.  The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.  Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for a period equal to the expected term of the options.  The expected term of the options represents the period of time that options granted are outstanding and is estimated using historical exercise and termination experience.

The fair values of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the following weighted average assumptions in the table below:

 

7



 

 

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected term (years)

 

5

 

5

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.50

%

5.08

%

Volatility

 

78.83

%

84.03

%

Dividend yield

 

 

 

 

There were -0- and 1,000 stock options granted during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, respectively, all at an estimated fair value of $5.92.  There were -0- and 6,000 stock options granted during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006, respectively, which had an estimated fair value at the date of grant of $5.10 for the 1,000 granted during the first quarter of 2006 and $6.80 for the 5,000 stock options granted during the second quarter of 2006. The estimated weighted average fair value of the stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $6.50.

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2007, as well as activity during the nine month period then ended:

 

 

Options
Outstanding

 

Exercise Price
Per Share
Weighted
Average

 

Contractual
Term
Weighted
Average

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

Balance, December 31, 2006

 

58,000

 

$

9.00

 

 

 

Granted

 

1,000

 

9.15

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(10,000

)

8.53

 

 

 

Expired/Forfeited

 

(13,000

)

8.75

 

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2007

 

36,000

 

$

8.42

 

6.10

 

$

326,995

 

 

All options outstanding at September 30, 2007 are exercisable.  At September 30, 2007, there were 36,000 shares available for future grants under the plans; however, on April 25, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors elected to suspend future grants under all plans indefinitely.

(3)                                 Investments in Marketable Securities

All investments and other capital allocation decisions are made by Mr. Biglari, the Company’s Chairman, under limited authority delegated by the Board of Directors.  The delegated authority includes the authority to borrow funds in connection with making investments in marketable securities or derivative securities, subject to Board reporting requirements and various limitations.  As of the date of this filing, Mr. Biglari has authority to manage surplus cash up to $10 million, and in addition, has authority to borrow a maximum of $5 million.  The Company has a margin securities account with Jefferies & Company, Inc. (Jefferies). The margin account bears interest at the Federal Funds Target Rate quoted by the Wall Street Journal, plus .5%, or approximately 5.0% as of the date of this report, with the minimum and maximum amount of any particular loan to be determined by Jefferies, in its discretion, from time to time.  The collateral securing the margin loans would be the Company’s holdings in marketable securities.  The minimum and maximum amount of any particular margin may be established by Jefferies, in its discretion, regardless of the amount of collateral delivered to Jefferies, and Jefferies may change such minimum and maximum amounts from time to time.  The Company’s balance of margin debt was $0 as of September 30, 2007.  As of September 30, 2007, the Company had money market investments of $3,124,831 held by a broker.  These funds are designated by the Company for long-term investments which will be purchased once they are identified.

The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are held for an indefinite period and thus are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value in Investments in Marketable Securities on the consolidated balance sheet, with the change in fair value during the period excluded from earnings and recorded net of tax as a component of other comprehensive income.  Investments in derivative securities are classified as trading securities, with both realized and unrealized gains and losses on those derivative instruments included in the statement of income.  The Company realized a gain on sale of marketable securities of $3.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, largely from the sale of the investment in Friendly Ice Cream

 

8



 

Corporation.  The Company determines cost of marketable securities sold based on the specific identification method.

In April 2007 the Company formed Western Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary to serve as the general partner of Western Acquisitions, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership that operates as a private investment fund.  Through Western Investments, Mr. Biglari will operate as the portfolio manager to the fund.  During the third quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company contributed cash along with its holdings in the common stock of The Steak n Shake Company to Western Investments, Inc., which in turn contributed these assets to Western Acquisitions, L.P.  Also during the third quarter ended September 30, 2007, cash contributions from outside investors were made to the limited partnership.

 

As of September 30, 2007, Western Investments, Inc. owned 84.33% of Western Acquisitions, L.P.  As such, Western Acquisitions, L.P. has been consolidated into the accompanying financial statements with the 15.67% ownership by minority limited partners presented as minority interest on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  Following is a summary of marketable securities as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006:

 

 

Cost

 

Gross Unrealized Gains

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Fair Value

 

September 30, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized Gain Securities

 

$

507,769

 

$

16,078

 

 

$

523,847

 

Unrealized Loss Securities

 

9,547,296

 

 

(921,403

)

8,625,893

 

Total Marketable Securities

 

$

10,055,065

 

$

16,078

 

$

(921,403

)

$

9,149,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2006:

 

$

4,543,768

 

$

1,964,877

 

$

 

$

6,508,645

 

 

At December 31, 2006, investments in marketable securities consisted entirely of common stock of Friendly Ice Cream Corporation, which was subsequently sold in 2007.  At September 30, 2007, investments in marketable securities consisted of several marketable securities with the majority in The Steak n Shake Company.  All unrealized losses have been continuous losses for less than a year as of September 30, 2007.

(4)                                 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company conforms to the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment and written down and charged to results of operations when their carrying amount exceeds their estimated fair value. The Company is required to perform impairment tests each year, or between yearly tests in certain circumstances, for goodwill. There can be no assurance that future impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings.

There were no changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.

Amortizing Intangible Assets

Franchise royalty contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis over fifteen years, the estimated average life of the franchise agreements.  The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset by determining whether the amortization of the franchise royalty contracts balance over their remaining life can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows of the acquired operation.  The amount of impairment, if any, is measured based on projected discounted future operating cash flows using a discount rate reflecting the Company’s average cost of funds.

 

9



 

 

 

As of September 30, 2007

 

 

 

Gross
carrying
amount

 

Weighted average
amortization
period

 

Accumulated
amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortizing intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchise Royalty Contracts

 

$

9,454,431

 

15.0 yrs.

 

$

8,666,562

 

 

Aggregate amortization expense for amortizing intangible assets for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 was $157,574 and $472,722, respectively. Estimated amortization expense is $630,300 per year through December 31, 2008.

 

(5)                                 Income Taxes

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 (as described in Note 10), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No.109” (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007.  As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized a liability for uncertain tax positions in the amount of $118,375, including interest of $25,595, which was accounted for as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings.   As of September 30, 2007, the Company has a recorded liability of $140,412, including interest of $31,062, for such uncertain tax positions.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.   For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, the Company recognized approximately $278 and $5,467, respectively, of accrued interest associated with uncertain tax positions.

The Company anticipates that the accrued liability for uncertain tax positions will significantly decrease by the end of the year as the Company files tax returns and remits any taxes due.  As of September 30, 2007, the earliest tax year open to examination by a major taxing jurisdiction is 2003.

At September 30, 2007, the Company recorded a deferred income tax asset of $314,640 associated with the unrecognized loss on its marketable securities.  Management has determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred income tax asset will not be realized and has established a valuation allowance of $314,640.

(6)                                 Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.  Stock options for 0 and 6,000 shares of common stock were not included in computing diluted earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 because the effects of these options were anti-dilutive.

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the periods indicated:

 

10



 

 

 

Income
(Numerator)

 

Weighted
Average
Shares
(Denominator)

 

Earnings
Per Share
Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income — basic

 

$

2,472,115

 

1,797,750

 

$

1.38

 

Net income — diluted

 

$

2,472,115

 

1,808,755

 

$

1.37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income — basic

 

$

84,651

 

1,191,133

 

$

.07

 

Net income — diluted

 

$

84,651

 

1,197,802

 

$

.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income — basic

 

$

2,854,235

 

1,792,823

 

$

1.59

 

Net income — diluted

 

$

2,854,235

 

1,800,848

 

$

1.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income — basic

 

$

234,055

 

1,189,656

 

$

.20

 

Net income — diluted

 

$

234,055

 

1,198,462

 

$

.20

 

 

The Company has registered with the SEC 898,875 shares of its common stock and 1,797,750 rights to purchase these shares in connection with a rights offering to its shareholders of record as of October 17, 2007.  The rights will expire on November 16, 2007, unless the Company extends the offering for up to 15 days.

(7)                                 Reportable Segments

The Company has organized segment reporting to reflect how the Company views its business activities.  During the third quarter of 2006, the Company identified operating segments based on separate financial information that is evaluated regularly in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company-operated Restaurant segment consists of the operations of all Company-operated restaurants and derives its revenues from restaurant operations.  This segment also includes net costs incurred from subleases of previously operated locations, which is presented separately. The Franchising segment consists primarily of franchise sales and support activities and derives its revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and collection of royalties from franchisees. The Company incurs certain costs which include expenses of the following functions: legal, accounting, personnel not directly related to a segment and other headquarter activities.  These expenses are designated as corporate expenses.

The following table summarizes reportable segment information:

 

11



 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Revenues from reportable segments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

3,443,464

 

$

3,393,679

 

$

10,033,921

 

$

9,971,290

 

Franchising

 

1,078,551

 

1,092,221

 

3,308,355

 

3,376,985

 

Total revenues

 

$

4,522,015

 

$

4,485,900

 

$

13,342,276

 

$

13,348,275

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

100,252

 

$

107,377

 

$

301,051

 

$

313,537

 

Franchising

 

165,275

 

160,461

 

496,084

 

478,282

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

265,527

 

$

267,838

 

$

797,135

 

$

791,819

 

Interest Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

19,631

 

$

30,057

 

$

59,140

 

$

108,334

 

Corporate

 

12,110

 

 

12,652

 

70

 

Total interest expense

 

$

31,741

 

$

30,057

 

$

71,792

 

$

108,404

 

Interest Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

$

34,866

 

$

16,343

 

$

65,219

 

$

53,443

 

Total interest income

 

$

34,866

 

$

16,343

 

$

65,219

 

$

53,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in profit (loss) of joint venture:

 

$

52,749

 

$

(29,629

)

$

118,424

 

$

(67,857

)

Total equity in joint venture

 

$

52,749

 

$

(29,629

)

$

118,424

 

$

(67,857

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

295,287

 

$

281,517

 

$

800,059

 

$

747,822

 

Subleased properties

 

(64,338

)

(106,508

)

(151,086

)

(254,667

)

Franchising

 

621,405

 

671,953

 

2,016,206

 

2,016,923

 

Corporate

 

(577,789

)

(647,885

)

(1,821,049

)

(1,911,202

)

Total income from operations:

 

$

274,565

 

$

199,077

 

$

844,130

 

$

598,876

 

 

 

 

September 30,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

7,469,371

 

$

6,615,074

 

Franchising

 

2,094,760

 

5,605,981

 

Corporate

 

855,380

 

1,090,254

 

Investments in marketable securities

 

12,274,571

 

6,508,645

 

Total assets

 

$

22,694,082

 

$

19,819,954

 

 

(8)                                 Contingencies

In the case of all known contingencies, the Company accrues for an obligation, including estimated legal costs, when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable.  As facts concerning contingencies become known to the Company, the Company reassesses its position with respect to accrued liabilities and other expenses.  These estimates are subject to change as events evolve and as additional information becomes available during the litigation process.

Little Rock, Arkansas Lease

In September 2006, the Company was served with a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas, captioned Parks Land Company, LLLP, et al. v. Western Sizzlin Corporation, et al. The plaintiffs are owners/landlords of four restaurant premises located in the Little Rock, Arkansas metropolitan area which had been leased pursuant to a single lease agreement and previously occupied by the Company.  Each of these premises had been subleased to various operators.  The lease agreement expired pursuant to its terms on June 30, 2006.  The plaintiffs have claimed in their lawsuit unspecified damages allegedly owing for certain repair and maintenance expenses on the premises, for the replacement of certain equipment, for diminution of property value, and for loss of rental income, as well as interest and costs.  They have recently demanded approximately $1,000,000.  The

 

12



 

Company believes that plaintiff’s claims and the evidence supporting them do not justify the plaintiff’s demands.  The prospects for an adverse outcome or financial loss for the company at the trial of the matter cannot be gauged with certainty at this juncture. However, the Company will continue to contest vigorously the plaintiff’s claims and pursue appropriate strategies for defeating or otherwise disposing of the plaintiff’s claims in a manner consistent with the evidence developed in the case.  The parties met for mediation on November 6, 2007, but were unsuccessful in settling the dispute.  The case is presently set for trial in February 2008 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

 

FFCA

FFCA Acquisition Corporation, an entity related to Franchise Finance Corporation of America (“FFCA”), now known as General Electric Franchise Finance Corporation is or was the owner of 43 former Quincy’s restaurant locations (“Former Quincy’s Units”).  Western Sizzlin Stores of Virginia, Inc. (“WSSVA”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Sizzlin Corporation, executed certain Master Leases (“the Leases”) dated as of January 1, 2001, covering the Former Quincy’s Units.  However, pursuant to Paragraph 47 of the Leases, the Leases never became effective as FFCA did not execute and/or deliver the Leases.

In 2001 and 2002, several Former Quincy’s Units were properly turned back to FFCA.  Certain franchisees who continued to operate Former Quincy’s Units owned by FFCA remitted all rental payments directly to FFCA, and FFCA accepted these payments.  Based on these developments, and the lack of any binding Master Lease Agreement with FFCA, on May 15, 2003, the Company sent a letter to the Lessor, providing notice of the Company’s termination of any tenancies at-will on any remaining Former Quincy’s units effective May 31, 2003.  In accordance with the Company’s position, the Company has returned to FFCA every invoice for rent expense, or tax statement, received after May 15, 2003, with a cover letter explaining that the Company is not responsible for any such amounts.  FFCA has not disputed the Company’s position.

Other

The Company is involved in various other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of the management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

(9)                                 Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Venture

The Company is a partner in a 50/50 joint venture with a franchisee for a new restaurant in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  During October 2005, the joint venture entered into a loan agreement and the Company guaranteed 50% of the loan obligation.  The estimated fair value of the guarantee of approximately $30,000 is recorded in other long-term liabilities and in investments in unconsolidated joint venture on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2007.  The term of the guarantee extends through July 1, 2026 and the Company would be required to perform under the guarantee should the joint venture not to be able to meet its scheduled principal and interest payments.  Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, a cash contribution of $300,000 from each 50/50 partner was also made at the closing of this financing.  The Company is accounting for the investment using the equity method and the Company’s share of the net income (loss) of the joint venture of $52,749 and $118,424 for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and ($29,629) and ($67,857) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, is included in equity in joint venture.  At September 30, 2007, the Company has a receivable due from the joint venture of $69,418 for start-up costs paid by the Company on behalf of the joint venture.   The balance due from the joint venture was $139,418 at December 31, 2006.  The restaurant opened for business on December 14, 2006.

Financial Data

The following is selected financial information for the joint venture at September 30, 2007:

 

13



 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2007

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2007

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,218,248

 

$

3,805,241

 

Cost of food

 

508,431

 

1,634,851

 

Payroll expense

 

351,358

 

1,144,755

 

Marketing and smallware expense

 

11,297

 

28,851

 

General and administrative

 

129,222

 

422,755

 

Interest

 

56,238

 

168,110

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

50,229

 

150,550

 

Net income

 

105,500

 

236,849

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

 

$

272,087

 

Prepaid insurance

 

 

 

8,086

 

Inventory

 

 

 

9,437

 

Land, leasehold improvements (net), and construction in progress

 

 

 

3,799,988

 

Loan costs, net

 

 

 

12,327

 

Total assets

 

 

 

4,118,032

 

Loan payable

 

 

 

3,183,059

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

 

243,930

 

Members’ equity

 

 

 

471,808

 

 

 

(10)                          Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation Number 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, (“FIN 48”).  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributes for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return.  The Company must determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.  Once it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.  FIN 48 applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The requirements of FIN 48 were adopted during the first quarter of 2007.  Refer to Note 5 for further discussion.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact, if any, that the implementation of SFAS No. 157 will have on our results of operations or financial condition.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, (“SFAS 159”), which is effective January 1, 2008.  This Standard permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.  This Statement is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the Board’s long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments.  The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on our consolidated financial statements on the adoption date of January 1, 2008.

In March 2006, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force issued Issue 06-3 (“EITF 06-3”), How Sales Taxes Collected From Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement.  This standard requires that a company disclose its accounting policy (i.e., gross or net presentation) regarding presentation of taxes within the scope of EITF 06-3.  If taxes are significant and reported on a gross basis, a

 

14



 

company should disclose the amount of such taxes for each period for which an income statement is presented.  The guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2007.  The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its consolidated statements of income.

(11)                          Recent Developments and Subsequent Events

The Company has registered with the SEC 898,875 shares of its common stock and 1,797,750 rights to purchase these shares in connection with a rights offering to its shareholders of record as of October 17, 2007.  The rights will expire on November 16, 2007, unless the Company extends the offering for up to 15 days.

 

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

The following discussion may include forward-looking statements including anticipated financial performance, business prospects, the future opening of Company-operated and franchised restaurants, anticipated capital expenditures, and other matters.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.  Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended) provide safe harbors for forward-looking statements.  In order to comply with the terms of these safe harbors, the Company notes that a variety of factors, individually or in the aggregate, could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the following: the ability of the Company or its franchises to obtain suitable locations for restaurant development; consumer spending trends and habits; competition in the restaurant segment with respect to price, service, location, food quality and personnel resources; weather conditions in the Company’s operating regions; laws and government regulations; general business and economic conditions; availability of capital; success of operating initiatives and marketing and promotional efforts; and changes in accounting policies.  In addition, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update those forward-looking statements.

Overview

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company restructured the operations into a holding company/subsidiary format whereby all operations are now conducted through wholly-owned subsidiaries.  This restructuring is not anticipated to have any tax impact and will have no impact on the financial reporting as the Company will continue to report consolidated financial statements.

In April 2007 the Company formed Western Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary to serve as the general partner of Western Acquisitions, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership that operates as a private investment fund.  Through Western Investments, Mr. Biglari operates as the portfolio manager to the fund.

Western Investments’ role as the general partner carries with it the obligation to manage the operations of the fund, and in this regard it will be assisted by a professional fund administrator.  For serving as the fund’s general partner, Western Investments may receive a monthly management fee equal to one-twelfth of 1% of the value of the capital account of each limited partner.  It also may receive an annual incentive allocation equal to 20% of the portion of each limited partner’s pro rata share of the fund’s net profits for each fiscal year in excess of net losses allocated to each limited partner and carried forward from prior years.  All or part of these fees may be waived by Western Investments.  Limited partnership interests in the fund are either Class A or Class B.  The classes are identical except that Class A interests must be held for two years, whereas Class B interests are locked-up for five years.  Additionally, Western Investments will at the end of the five year period reimburse the holders of Class B interests for the first 30% of any cumulative net losses they may suffer.  This commitment carries significant risk.  See “Risk Factors” on pages 24 and 25.  As of September 30, 2007, Western Acquisitions, LP, did not have any limited partners holding Class B interests.

 

The Company is the majority investor in the fund at September 30, 2007. During the third quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company contributed cash along with its holdings in the common stock of The Steak n Shake Company to Western Investments, Inc., which in turn contributed these assets to Western Acquisitions, L.P.

 

While the Company has historically been principally engaged, and intends at this time to remain principally engaged, in franchising and operating restaurants, the recent investment activities could bring the Company within

 

15



 

the definition of an “investment company” and require the Company to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  The Company’s Board of Directors had adopted a policy requiring management to restrict the Company’s operations and investment activities to avoid becoming an investment company, until and unless the Board approves otherwise.  Although the Company does not presently intend to change its principal business, and the Board has not approved any such change, the Company has expanded its investment activities, and may decide in the future to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.  Under certain circumstances, if the Company is successful in investment activities, then the Company may inadvertently fall within the definition of an investment company, in which event it may be required to register as an investment company.  If the Company decides or is required to register as an investment company, then the Company would become subject to various provisions of the Investment Company Act and the regulations adopted under such Act, which are very extensive and could adversely affect the Company’s operations.

The Company operated and franchised a total of 122 restaurants located in 19 states, including 5 Company-owned, 116 franchise restaurants and one joint venture as of September 30, 2007.  The restaurants include a family steakhouse concept and a buffet concept.

The Company’s objective is to maximize its intrinsic business value per share over the long term.  In meeting this objective, the Company will evaluate all investment alternatives to achieve above-average returns on capital. The Company will continue to franchise restaurants and maximize operating results of the five Company-operated restaurants.

The Company seeks to invest in stocks of businesses at prices below their intrinsic business value. The Company’s preferred strategy is to allocate a meaningful amount of capital in each investee, resulting in concentration.  The carrying values of the Company’s equity securities are exposed to market price fluctuations, which may be accentuated by a concentrated equity portfolio. A significant decline in the price of major investments may produce a large decrease in the Company’s stockholder’s equity (See Note 3).  Investment and all other capital allocation decisions are made for the Company by Mr. Biglari.

Results of Operations

Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $2,472,115 and $2,854,235 compared to net income of $84,651 and $234,055 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.  The primary reason for the year over year change in earnings is the gain on the sale of Friendly Ice Cream Corporation of $3.6 million.

The following table sets forth for the periods presented the percentage relationship to total revenues of certain items included in the consolidated statements of income and certain restaurant data for the periods presented:

 

16



 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company-operated restaurants

 

76.1

%

75.7

%

75.2

%

74.8

%

Franchise operations

 

23.9

 

24.3

 

24.8

 

25.2

 

Total revenues

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company-operated restaurants — food, beverage and labor

 

54.1

 

52.7

 

53.6

 

53.2

 

Restaurant occupancy and other

 

13.2

 

15.7

 

13.3

 

14.1

 

Subleased properties

 

1.4

 

2.4

 

1.1

 

1.9

 

Franchise operations — direct support

 

6.5

 

5.9

 

6.0

 

6.6

 

Corporate expenses

 

12.8

 

12.9

 

13.6

 

13.8

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

5.9

 

6.0

 

6.0

 

5.9

 

Total costs and expenses

 

93.9

 

95.6

 

93.6

 

95.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

6.1

 

4.4

 

6.4

 

4.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

80.0

 

(1.1

)

27.5

 

(1.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense and minority interest

 

86.1

 

3.3

 

33.9

 

3.0

 

Income tax expense

 

31.4

 

1.4

 

12.5

 

1.2

 

Income before minority interest

 

54.7

 

1.9

 

21.4

 

1.8

 

Minority interest

 

0.0

 

 

0.0

 

 

Net income

 

54.7

%

1.9

%

21.4

%

1.8

%

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Restaurant Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Company-Operated Restaurants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

5

 

5

 

5

 

5

 

Opened

 

 

 

 

 

Closed

 

 

 

 

 

Franchised

 

 

 

 

 

End of period

 

5

 

5

 

5

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Number of U.S. Franchised Restaurants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

119

 

130

 

123

 

135

 

Opened

 

 

 

 

 

Closed

 

3

 

6

 

7

 

11

 

End of period

 

116

 

124

 

116

 

124

 

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Number of Joint Venture Restaurants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

Opened

 

 

 

 

 

Closed

 

 

 

 

 

End of period

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

 

17



 

Revenues

Total revenues increased 0.8% to $4.52 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 from $4.49 million for the comparable three months ended September 30, 2006. Total revenues decreased 0.05% to $13.34 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from $13.35 million for the comparable nine months ended September 30, 2006. Company-operated restaurant revenues increased 1.5% to $3.44 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $3.39 million for the comparable three months ended September 30, 2006. Company-operated restaurant revenues increased 0.63% to $10.03 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $9.97 million for the comparable nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is largely attributable to the temporary closings of two Company-operated locations for remodeling during 2006, which resulted in lost revenues of approximately $220,000 in the first nine months of 2006.  Same store sales at Company-operated restaurants for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, taking the closed days for remodels out of the comparison, experienced an overall decrease of 1.45% and 1.17%, respectively.   Franchise revenues decreased 1.25% to $1.08 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $1.09 million for the comparable three months ended September 30, 2006. Franchise revenues decreased 2.03% to $3.31 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $3.38 million for the comparable nine months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in franchise revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 is attributable to fewer franchised units in the system at September 30, 2007 as compared to September 30, 2006.  Same store sales at franchise operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, experienced an overall decrease of 0.35% and decrease of 0.51%, respectively.

Costs and Expenses

Cost of Company-operated restaurants, consisting primarily of food, beverage, and labor costs increased $85,000 (3.6%) to $2.45 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 from $2.37 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006.   These costs for the three month period as a percentage of Company-operated restaurants revenue were 71.2% and 69.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.   Cost of Company-operated restaurants increased $59,000 (0.8%) to $7.16 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from $7.10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.   These costs for the nine month period as a percentage of Company-operated restaurants revenue were 71.3% and 71.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The increase in the costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was largely attributable to rising costs of commodities in 2007.

Restaurant occupancy and other, which include utilities, insurance, maintenance, rent and other such costs of the Company-operated restaurants, decreased by $108,000 (15.3%) for the three months ended September 30, 2007 versus the prior year’s comparable period. These costs for the three month period decreased as a percentage of Company-operated restaurant revenues from 20.8% in 2006 to 17.3% in 2007.  Restaurant occupancy and other decreased by $102,000 (5.4%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 versus the prior year’s comparable period. These costs for the nine month period decreased as a percentage of Company-operated restaurant revenues from 18.8% in 2006 to 17.7% in 2007.The decreases are attributable to a one time write-off of expenses for $66,000 in 2006 from costs associated with a lease in Chantilly, Virginia and $36,000 less advertising costs in 2007 over 2006.

Subleased properties include net costs associated with subleasing former Company operations and maintenance of vacant premises.  These expenses decreased by $42,000 and $100,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 versus the prior years’ comparable periods.  The decreases were largely attributable to termination of certain leased property arrangements during 2006.

Cost of franchise operations direct support expense increased by $29,000 and decreased $91,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 versus the prior years’ comparable periods.  The increase in the third quarter of 2007 is attributable to increased expenses in franchise development. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is largely attributable to personnel reductions and targeted expense reductions during the third and fourth quarters of 2006.

Corporate expenses consist of certain expenses not directly associated with any business segment.  These expenses include legal, accounting, stockholder relations, personnel not directly related to a segment, information systems, and other headquarters activities.  These expenses decreased by $1,000 and $20,000 for the three and nine months

 

18



 

ended September 30, 2007. These expenses have decreased for 2007 due to personnel reductions and targeted expense reductions during the third and fourth quarters of 2006, but were offset by an increase in legal expenses associated with the Friendly Ice Cream Corp investment beginning in the third quarter of 2006.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $2,000 and increased by $5,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 versus the prior years’ comparable periods. The increases were attributable to an increase in capital expenditures placed in service due to remodels of two Company-operated locations during 2006, offset by some items becoming fully depreciated.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense was comparable for the three months ended September 30, 2007 over prior period and decreased $37,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 versus the prior years’ comparable periods due to a lower average principal outstanding balance.  Interest income fluctuates according to the levels of available cash balances.  The Company employs a cash management system whereby available balances are invested on an overnight basis.

Other income increased $13,000 and $7,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 versus the prior years’ comparable periods.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense is directly affected by the levels of pretax income. The Company’s effective tax rate was 36.5%      and 43.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and 36.9% and 41.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

As of September 30, 2007, the Company had $606,000 of cash and cash equivalents as compared to $2.34 million as of December 31, 2006.  The decrease is largely attributable to purchases of marketable securities.

Investment of Available Capital

The Company’s cash flows have exceeded its working capital, financing and capital investment needs, and management expects that the Company’s cash flows will continue to exceed its operating cash needs for the foreseeable future.  The Company regularly evaluates how best to use available capital to increase stockholder value.  The Company may pursue investments in the form of acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships where the Company believes attractive returns can be obtained.  Further, the Company may determine under certain market conditions that available capital is best utilized to fund investments that it believes offer the Company attractive return opportunities, whether or not related to its ongoing business activities.

As previously discussed in Note 3 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, the Company’s Board of Directors has delegated authority to direct investment of the Company’s surplus cash to its Chairman, Sardar Biglari, subject to Board reporting requirements and various limitations that have been or may be from time to time adopted by the Board of Directors.  These investments may include significant and highly concentrated direct investments with respect to the equity securities of public companies.  Any such investments will involve risks, and stockholders should recognize that the Company’s balance sheet may change depending on the performance of investments.  Furthermore, such investments could be subject to volatility that may affect both the recorded value of the investments as well as the Company’s periodic earnings.

Operating Activities and Cash Flows

The Company generated approximately $1.9 million and $1.4 million in operating cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The Company’s primary source of operating cash flows is the operating profits generated from Company operations and franchise operations.

Investing Activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company spent $33,000 on capital expenditures compared to $480,000 spent during the equivalent period in the prior year.  Capital expenditures for 2006 included amounts attributable to the remodel of the Company-operated store in Northern Virginia.  The balance of the capital expenditures was for necessary replacement of equipment and leasehold improvements in the other Company-operated locations. Also included in investing activities for 2007 is a $14.1 million investment in marketable securities, cash and cash equivalents held by broker of $3.1 million offset by $12.1 million from proceeds from sale of marketable securities.

 

19



 

Financing Activities

The Company made payments of long-term debt of $121,000 and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Also, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company received $85,000 from the exercise of stock options and $1.5 million in capital contributions from minority interest holders in  Western Acquisitions, L.P.

Liquidity

The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations and, if needed, borrowings under its existing line of credit. The Company continually reviews available financing alternatives.  In addition, the Company may consider, on an opportunistic basis, strategic decisions to create value and improve operational performance.  The Company’s debt agreements contain certain minimum financial covenant requirements.  As of September 30, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The table below sets forth a summary of contractual obligations that will impact future liquidity as of September 30, 2007:

 

 

Payment due by period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

Thereafter

 

Totals

 

Long-term debt

 

$

42,315

 

118,783

 

109,803

 

121,385

 

134,189

 

200,875

 

727,350

 

Operating leases, net (1)

 

196,648

 

705,339

 

634,425

 

623,880

 

367,611

 

1,571,165

 

4,099,068

 

Interest expense (2)

 

17,933

 

62,834

 

52,041

 

40,459

 

27,655

 

14,603

 

215,525

 

Tax obligations (3)

 

140,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

140,412

 

Totals

 

$

397,308

 

886,956

 

796,269

 

785,724

 

529,455

 

1,786,643

 

5,182,355

 

 

(1)             Operating lease commitments are presented net of sublease rentals.  Gross operating lease commitments for the periods above aggregate to approximately $4.6 million, offset by sublease rentals for the same periods of approximately $95,000.

(2)             Reflects future interest payments through scheduled maturity dates based upon average borrowing rates, outstanding debt balances and scheduled principal payments on long-term debt.

(3)             Reflect recognized liabilities for uncertain tax positions under the provision FIN 48.  (See Note 5.)

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes that have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.  The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Application of the critical accounting policies discussed below requires significant judgments by management, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.  If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected.  The Company is not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstance that would result in materially different results. Senior management has reviewed the critical accounting policies and estimates and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis regarding them with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

For additional information regarding the impact of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 10 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

20



 

Trade Accounts and Notes Receivable and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company collects royalties, and in some cases rent, from franchisees.  The Company views trade accounts and notes receivable and the related allowance for doubtful accounts as a critical accounting estimate since the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on judgments and estimates concerning the likelihood that individual franchisees will pay the amounts included as receivables from them.  In determining the amount of allowance for doubtful accounts to be recorded for individual franchisees, the Company considers the age of the receivable, the financial stability of the franchisee, discussions that may have occurred with the franchisee and a judgment as to the overall collectibility of the receivable from the franchisee.  In addition, the Company establishes an allowance for all other receivables for which no specific allowances are deemed necessary.  If average sales or the financial health of franchisees were to deteriorate, the Company might have to increase the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Investments

The Company classifies our marketable equity securities as available-for-sale, which are reported at fair value.  Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related income tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from income and are reported as other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity.  Realized gains and losses from securities classified as available-for-sale are included in income and are determined using the specific identification method for ascertaining the cost of securities sold.  All investments are marked-to-market based on quoted market prices and recorded at their fair value.  Investments in derivative securities are classified as trading securities, with both realized and unrealized gains and losses on those derivative instruments included in the statement of income.

Long-lived Assets, Franchise Royalty Contracts and Goodwill

The Company views the determination of the carrying value of long-lived assets, franchise royalty contracts and goodwill as critical accounting estimates since it must evaluate the estimated economic useful life in order to properly depreciate or amortize our long-lived assets and franchise royalty contracts and because it must consider if the value of any of our long-lived assets have been impaired, requiring adjustments to the carrying value.  Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is subject to at least an annual impairment test to determine if the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

Economic useful life is the duration of time the asset is expected to be productively employed, which may be less than its physical life.  The estimated economic useful life of an asset is monitored to determine if it continues to be appropriate in light of changes in business circumstances.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company views accounting for contingencies as a critical accounting estimate since loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources require judgment as to any probable liabilities incurred.  Actual results could differ from the expected results determined based on such estimates.

Income Taxes

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation Number 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, (“FIN 48”).  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributes for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return.  The Company must determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.  Once it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.  FIN 48 applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The requirements of FIN 48 were adopted during the first quarter of 2007.

For additional information regarding the adoption of FIN 48, see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

21



 

OTHER

Impact of Inflation

The impact of inflation on the costs of food and beverage products, labor and real estate can affect the Company’s operations.  Management believes the Company has historically been able to pass on increased costs through certain selected menu price increases and has offset increased costs by increased productivity and purchasing efficiencies, but there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so in the future.  Management anticipates that the average cost of restaurant real estate leases and construction cost could increase in the future which could affect the Company’s ability to expand.  In addition, mandated health care or additional increases in the federal or state minimum wages could significantly increase the Company’s costs of doing business.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

As of September 30, 2007, the Company’s financial instruments are not exposed to significant market risk due to foreign currency exchange risk or commodity price risk.  However, the Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in market prices of marketable securities and to interest rates related to debt obligations. The Company’s marketable securities are currently concentrated in a few investments. A change in market prices also exposes the Company to market risk related to the investments in marketable securities.  As of September 30, 2007, the Company held $9,149,740 million in available-for-sale marketable securities. A hypothetical 10% decline in the market value would result in $915,000 of unrealized losses and would not affect cash flows unless the security was disposed.

The table below provides information about debt obligations that are sensitive to changes in interest rates.  The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates.

Debt obligations at September 30, 2007 (dollars in thousands):

EXPECTED MATURITY DATE

 

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

Long-term debt maturities

 

$

42

 

119

 

110

 

121

 

134

 

201

 

727

 

770

 

Average Interest Rate

 

9.96

%

10.03

%

10.07

%

10.07

%

10.07

%

10.07

%

10.00

%

 

 

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

The Company’s senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2007. Based on its evaluation as of December 31, 2006, the Company concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K was summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and Form 10-K due to the material weaknesses discussed below. These weaknesses have been remediated as of September 30, 2007 and accordingly, based on this evaluation process, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed and submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Additionally, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, except as discussed herein with respect to the remediation of certain controls.

A material weakness is a control deficiency (as defined by the PCAOB), or a combination of control deficiencies, that results in there being more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.

 

22



 

The following is a description of the material weaknesses that the Company noted as of December 31, 2006, as well as a discussion of the related remediation efforts:

Based on the evaluation as of December 31, 2006, the review of the system of controls surrounding the information technology system revealed that the Chief Financial Officer had access to the journal entry module within the Company’s accounting system, leading to a segregation of duties issue.  The Company has restricted access to that particular module from the Chief Financial Officer, and implemented additional access controls, review controls, and documentation procedures necessary to remediate the material weakness.

In addition, in connection with the audit of the Company’s 2006 financial statements, Grant Thornton LLP, (independent registered public accounting firm), detected an error related to expenses associated with the rights offering that expired December 8, 2006. A correcting adjustment was made prior to finalization of the 2006 financial statements, with the direct costs of $123,280 associated with the rights offering properly recorded as a reduction of equity instead of an expense. The Company has implemented additional review controls as of September 30, 2007.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls since the evaluation process was completed as of September 30, 2007.

 

23



 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

In addition to those proceedings discussed in the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1, Part 1, the Company is involved in various other claims and legal actions which are routine litigation matters incidental to the business.  In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these other matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

An investment in the common stock of any company involves a degree of risk.  Investors should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and those other risks described elsewhere in this report, before deciding whether to purchase our common stock.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known or that the Company currently deems immaterial may also become important factors that may harm the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.  The occurrence of risk factors could harm the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations for company operations, as well as franchised operations.  The trading price of the Company’s common stock could decline due to any of these risks and uncertainties, and stockholders may lose part or all of their investment.

The following risk factors update those set forth in the Company’s  2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K:

We are dependent on one key person for investment and capital allocation decisions.

Investment decisions and all major capital allocation decisions are made for our business by Sardar Biglari, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President.  Although there are limitations on Mr. Biglari’s authority and the Board monitors his investment and capital allocation decisions, there is risk in having concentrated decision-making authority.  Mr. Biglari’s decisions could either independently or in the aggregate involve amounts that are material to our business.  Additionally, if for any reason the services of Mr. Biglari were to become unavailable, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, since he is singularly responsible for these decisions.

Our investment activities could require registration as an Investment Company.

While we have historically been principally engaged in franchising and operating restaurants, our recent investment activities could bring us within the definition of an “investment company” and require us to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy requiring management to restrict our operations and investment activities to avoid becoming an investment company, until and unless the Board approves otherwise.  Although we do not presently intend to change our principal business, and the Board has not approved any such change, we have expanded our investment activities, and we may decide in the future to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.  Also, under certain circumstances, if we are successful in our investment activities, then we may inadvertently fall within the definition of an investment company, in which event we may be required to register as an investment company.

Notwithstanding our Board policy, if our investment activities inadvertently result in our being determined to be an investment company and we fail to register as an investment company, we might be unable to enforce contracts with third parties, and third parties could seek rescission of transactions with us undertaken during the period that we were an unregistered investment company, subject to equitable considerations set forth in the Investment Company Act.  In addition, we might be subject to monetary penalties or injunctive relief, or both, in an action brought against us by the SEC.

 

24



 

If we decide to register as an investment company, then we would become subject to various provisions of the Investment Company Act and the regulations adopted under such Act, which are very extensive and could adversely affect our operations.  For example, we might be prohibited from entering into or continuing transactions with certain affiliates.

We cannot assure the success of our corporate strategy.

Our corporate strategy is dependent upon factors, some which are out of our control, including availability of appropriate financing and general economic conditions.  The success of our strategy is also dependent upon our ability to execute that strategy as it relates to both our restaurant franchising business and our investments.  We may not be successful in any or all of the endeavors that underlie our corporate strategy, whether or not the factors affecting the outcome were within our control.

We recently formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Investments, Inc., to serve as the general partner of a private investment limited partnership, Western Acquisitions, L.P., in which capacity our subsidiary will bear the first 30% of any cumulative net losses otherwise allocable to the capital accounts of certain limited partners.

In April 2007, we formed Western Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as a wholly-owned subsidiary.  Western Investments is the general partner of Western Acquisitions, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership also formed in April 2007.  The purpose of Western Acquisitions is to invest primarily in equity securities of U.S. publicly traded companies.  Sardar Biglari, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will manage the portfolio.  Western Investments will bear the first 30% of any cumulative net losses otherwise allocable to the capital accounts of limited partners holding Class B interests.  In the event that Western Investments has insufficient resources to fund this commitment, it may be necessary for us to make a capital contribution to keep that company from defaulting on its obligation.  Such an event could potentially have a material adverse effect on our financial position and prevent us from using the funds provided to Western Investments in other areas.  See page 15 for further details.

We are involved in a joint effort to obtain two seats on the Board of Directors of The Steak n Shake Company which could result in a potentially contentious and expensive proxy contest.

We have recently become involved in a joint effort with Western Acquisitions, L.P., Western Investments, Inc., and The Lion Fund, LP, the private investment fund operated by Mr. Biglari, to nominate two individuals, Mr. Biglari and Dr. Cooley, as nominees for the Board of Directors of The Steak n Shake Company.  Our Board has determined that seeking these seats is in the best interest of our stockholders given our substantial investment in Steak n Shake.  If necessary, we intend to engage in a proxy solicitation to get our nominees elected to Steak n Shake’s Board of Directors and have agreed to share the expenses of this effort pro rata with Western Acquisitions and The Lion Fund, LP.  There is no guarantee that our efforts will be successful, and the costs associated with this effort could prove to be substantial regardless of the outcome and could materially impact our financial position.

 

 

Item 6.    Exhibits:

See Exhibit Index on page 27.

 

25



 

SIGNATURES

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

 

 

Western Sizzlin Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Sardar Biglari

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sardar Biglari

 

 

 

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Robyn B. Mabe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robyn B. Mabe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 14, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

10.1

 

Employment Agreement with Robyn B. Mabe

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

 

 

 

27