Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

x

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

 

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 29, 2010

 

 

o

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

 

Commission File Number 000-29643

 

GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY LTD.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Minnesota

 

41-1883639

(State or Other Jurisdiction

 

(I.R.S. Employer

of Incorporation or Organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

5402 Parkdale Drive, Suite 101

Minneapolis, Minnesota  55416

(952) 215-0660

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Issuer’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 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 (§ 229.405 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 o   No o

 

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 o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company x

(Do not check if 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 o   No x

 

As of August 9, 2010, the issuer had outstanding 7,367,895 shares of common stock.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1

 

 

 

ITEM 1

Financial Statements

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 29, 2010 and December 29, 2009

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Thirteen and Twenty-six Weeks ended June 29, 2010 and June 30, 2009

2

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Twenty-six Weeks ended June 29, 2010 and June 30, 2009

3

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

4

 

 

 

ITEM 2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

16

 

 

 

ITEM 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

28

 

 

 

ITEM 4

Controls and Procedures

28

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

29

 

 

 

ITEM 1

Legal Proceedings

29

 

 

 

ITEM 1A

Risk Factors

29

 

 

 

ITEM 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

29

 

 

 

ITEM 3

Defaults upon Senior Securities

29

 

 

 

ITEM 4

(Removed and Reserved)

29

 

 

 

ITEM 5

Other Information

29

 

 

 

ITEM 6

Exhibits

29

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

30

 

 

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

31

 

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PART I               FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1  Financial Statements

 

GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

June 29,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,485,207

 

$

1,743,599

 

Inventory

 

866,324

 

832,135

 

Prepaids and other

 

499,879

 

563,284

 

Total current assets

 

3,851,410

 

3,139,018

 

Prepaid rent, net of current portion

 

274,834

 

303,763

 

Property and equipment, net

 

48,682,876

 

51,336,414

 

Intangible and other assets

 

1,179,342

 

1,242,761

 

Total assets

 

$

53,988,462

 

$

56,021,956

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

2,220,202

 

$

2,497,858

 

Accrued expenses

 

5,553,791

 

6,300,053

 

Accrued exit or disposal activities, current portion

 

136,220

 

133,195

 

Deferred rent, current portion

 

1,746,127

 

1,356,391

 

Deferred gain, current portion

 

273,607

 

273,607

 

Long-term debt, current portion

 

552,655

 

389,391

 

Capital lease obligations, current portion

 

958,975

 

718,470

 

Total current liabilities

 

11,441,577

 

11,668,965

 

Accrued exit or disposal activities, net of current portion

 

2,032,593

 

2,005,468

 

Deferred rent, net of current portion

 

3,923,915

 

3,398,193

 

Deferred gain, net of current portion

 

1,855,370

 

1,991,859

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

1,688,138

 

2,122,120

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current portion

 

26,902,399

 

27,507,051

 

Total liabilities

 

47,843,992

 

48,693,656

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized; 7,367,895 and 7,366,217 shares issued and outstanding at 6/29/10 and 12/29/09, respectively

 

73,679

 

73,662

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

58,697,098

 

58,409,379

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(52,626,307

)

(51,154,741

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

6,144,470

 

7,328,300

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

53,988,462

 

$

56,021,956

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

Twenty-six Weeks Ended

 

 

 

June 29,

 

June 30,

 

June 29,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant revenue

 

$

23,219,069

 

$

22,101,365

 

$

45,458,432

 

$

43,526,066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food, beverage and retail

 

6,444,974

 

6,055,751

 

12,531,220

 

11,882,004

 

Labor

 

7,871,400

 

7,694,891

 

15,563,923

 

15,226,533

 

Direct restaurant operating

 

3,199,471

 

3,164,136

 

6,427,042

 

6,357,890

 

Occupancy

 

2,232,251

 

1,571,315

 

4,401,963

 

3,143,515

 

Total cost of sales

 

19,748,096

 

18,486,093

 

38,924,148

 

36,609,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-opening

 

 

18,333

 

 

211,262

 

General and administrative

 

1,659,041

 

2,430,751

 

3,215,044

 

4,495,067

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,480,103

 

1,728,140

 

2,957,079

 

3,434,717

 

Exit or disposal activities

 

128,791

 

173,460

 

260,392

 

601,540

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

 

(27,632

)

41,307

 

(76,155

)

50,408

 

Operating income (loss)

 

230,670

 

(776,719

)

177,924

 

(1,876,870

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

3,884

 

110

 

4,183

 

1,608

 

Expense

 

(814,288

)

(1,751,482

)

(1,653,673

)

(3,382,440

)

Net interest expense

 

(810,404

)

(1,751,372

)

(1,649,490

)

(3,380,832

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(579,734

)

$

(2,528,091

)

$

(1,471,566

)

$

(5,257,702

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per common share, basic

 

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.94

)

$

(0.20

)

$

(1.95

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic

 

7,366,309

 

2,699,642

 

7,366,263

 

2,699,642

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Twenty-six Weeks Ended

 

 

 

June 29,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(1,471,566

)

$

(5,257,702

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,873,551

 

3,396,279

 

Amortization of deferred gain

 

(126,134

)

 

Other amortization

 

83,528

 

38,438

 

Stock warrant/option expense

 

285,252

 

157,281

 

Non-cash interest expense

 

13,195

 

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

 

49,979

 

50,408

 

Loss on exit or disposal activities

 

19,795

 

332,113

 

Deferred rent

 

907,682

 

483,723

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory

 

(34,189

)

(147,155

)

Prepaids and other

 

92,334

 

(253,109

)

Accounts payable

 

(74,354

)

615,198

 

Accrued expenses

 

(746,262

)

(62,757

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

1,872,811

 

(647,283

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of:

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

(334,936

)

(420,702

)

Intangible and other assets

 

(44,243

)

(187,571

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(379,179

)

(608,273

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on capital lease obligations

 

(364,147

)

(1,073,213

)

Proceeds from capital leases

 

 

1,000,000

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

(276,137

)

(188,643

)

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

800,000

 

Net costs related to issuance of stock

 

(111,740

)

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(752,024

)

538,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

741,608

 

(717,412

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning

 

1,743,599

 

2,652,411

 

Cash and cash equivalents, ending

 

$

2,485,207

 

$

1,934,999

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Land, buildings and equipment acquired under long-term debt agreement

 

$

 

$

2,938,266

 

Property and equipment and intangibles purchased and included in accounts payable

 

$

203,302

 

$

64,543

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Thirteen and Twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2010 and June 30, 2009

 

1.     Summary of significant accounting policies

 

Background

 

Granite City Food & Brewery Ltd. (the “Company”) develops and operates Modern American casual dining restaurants known as Granite City Food & Brewery®.   The restaurant theme is upscale casual dining with a wide variety of menu items that are prepared fresh daily, combined with freshly brewed hand-crafted beers finished on-site.  The Company opened its first Granite City restaurant in St. Cloud, Minnesota in July 1999 and has since expanded to other Midwest markets.  As of June 29, 2010, the Company operated 26 restaurants in 11 states.  The Company also operates a centralized beer production facility which is used to provide raw material support to its restaurants to create consistent quality and operational efficiencies in the production of its proprietary beer.  The Company believes that this brewing process improves the economics of microbrewing as it eliminates the initial stages of brewing and storage at multiple locations.  In 2007, the Company was granted a patent by the United States Patent Office for its brewing process.

 

Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation

 

For the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2010, the Company operated at a level that allowed it to fund its existing operations.  The Company believes this same level of sales and margins will allow it to fund its obligations for the foreseeable future.  However, the Company’s ability to continue funding its operations and meet its debt service obligations continues to depend upon its operating performance, and more broadly, achieving budgeted revenue and operating margins, both of which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions in the retail and casual dining industries and other factors, which may be beyond the Company’s control.  If revenue or margins, or a combination of both, decrease to levels unsustainable for continuing operations, the Company will require equity or debt financing to meet ongoing obligations.  The amount of any such required funding would depend upon the Company’s ability to generate working capital.  There can be no assurance that the Company will obtain financing on favorable terms or at all.  If the Company raises additional capital through the issuance and sale of equity securities, the securities may be issued at prices below the market price of its stock, and its shareholders may suffer significant dilution.  Debt financing, if available, may involve significant cash payment obligations, covenants and financial ratios that restrict the Company’s ability to operate and grow its business, and would cause it to incur additional interest expense and financing costs.  If cash flow from operations is insufficient to fund expected capital needs, or if the Company’s needs are greater than anticipated and the Company is unable to obtain additional capital, the Company will be required to further restructure its debt obligations.  The failure to reach agreements with creditors to further restructure indebtedness, including lease obligations, would have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s business and results of operations.

 

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its subsidiary corporation under which its four Kansas locations are operated.  By Kansas state law, 50% of the stock of the subsidiary corporation must be owned by a resident of Kansas.  Granite City Restaurant Operations, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, owns the remaining 50% of the stock of the subsidiary corporation.  The resident-owner of the stock of that entity has entered into a buy-sell agreement with the subsidiary corporation providing, among other things, that transfer of the shares is restricted and that the shareholder must sell his shares to the subsidiary corporation upon certain events, or any event that disqualifies the resident-owner from owning the shares under applicable laws and regulations of the state.  The Company has entered into a master agreement with the subsidiary corporation that permits the operation of the restaurants and leases to the subsidiary corporation the Company’s property and facilities.  The subsidiary corporation pays all of its operating expenses and obligations, and the Company retains, as

 

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consideration for the operating arrangements and the lease of property and facilities, all the net profits, as defined, if any, from such operations.  The foregoing ownership structure was set up to comply with the licensing and ownership regulations related to microbreweries within the state of Kansas.  The Company has determined that such ownership structure will cause the subsidiary corporation to be treated as a variable interest entity in which the Company has a controlling financial interest for the purpose of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) accounting guidance on accounting for variable interest entities.  As such, the subsidiary corporation is consolidated with the Company’s financial statements and the Company’s financial statements do not reflect a minority ownership in the subsidiary corporation.  Also included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements are other wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All references to the Company in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements relate to the consolidated entity, and all intercompany balances have been eliminated.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of June 29, 2010, and its results of operations for the interim periods ended June 29, 2010 and June 30, 2009, have been included.

 

The balance sheet at December 29, 2009 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted.  These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2009, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 22, 2010.

 

The results of operations for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

 

Related parties

 

DHW Leasing, L.L.C. (“DHW”), the beneficial owner of approximately 63.3% of the Company’s common stock, gained control of the Company in October 2009.  The members of DHW are Donald A. Dunham, Jr. and Charles J. Hey.  Mr. Dunham, who is also the sole member of Dunham Capital Management, LLC (“DCM”) and 70% owner of Dunham Equity Management, LLC (“DEM”), became one of the Company’s directors in October 2009.  DHW, DCM and DEM are collectively, with Mr. Dunham, referred to herein as the “Dunham Entities.”  As of June 29, 2010, Mr. Dunham beneficially owned approximately 64.3% of the Company’s common stock, including the shares held by DHW.  DCM and DEM are entities that either are the landlord or the general partner in various limited partnerships that own real estate leased to the Company.  Mr. Dunham, as an individual, also owns a limited partnership interest in one of the limited partnerships that own real estate leased to the Company.

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and regulations of the SEC requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period.  Significant estimates include estimates related to asset lives and gift card liability.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Revenue recognition

 

Revenue is derived from the sale of prepared food and beverage and select retail items.  Revenue is recognized at the time of sale and is reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations net of sales taxes collected.  Revenue derived from gift card sales is recognized at the time the gift card is redeemed.  Until the redemption of gift cards occurs, the outstanding balances on such cards are included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  The Company periodically recognizes gift card breakage which represents the portion of its gift card obligation for which management believes the likelihood

 

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of redemption by the customer is remote, based upon historical redemption patterns.  Such amounts are included as a reduction to general and administrative expense.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

The Company measures and recognizes all stock-based compensation under the fair value method using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  Share-based compensation expense recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and as such, it is reduced for estimated or actual forfeitures.  Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.  The Company used the following assumptions within the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the first half of 2010 and 2009:

 

 

 

Twenty-six Weeks Ended

 

 

 

June 29, 2010

 

June 30, 2009

 

Weighted average risk-free interest rate

 

3.21% - 3.89%

 

2.25% - 3.71%

 

Expected life of options

 

10 years

 

10 years

 

Expected stock volatility

 

95.53% - 95.86%

 

66.30% - 94.69%

 

Expected dividend yield

 

None

 

None

 

 

Net loss per share

 

Basic net loss per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the fiscal year.  Diluted net loss per share is not presented since the effect would be anti-dilutive due to the losses.  Calculations of the Company’s net loss per common share reflect the Company’s January 2010 one-for-six share combination and are set forth in the following table:

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

Twenty-six Weeks Ended

 

 

 

June 29, 2010

 

June 30, 2009

 

June 29, 2010

 

June 30, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(579,734

)

$

(2,528,091

)

$

(1,471,566

)

$

(5,257,702

)

Loss per common share, basic

 

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.94

)

$

(0.20

)

$

(1.95

)

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic

 

7,366,309

 

2,699,642

 

7,366,263

 

2,699,642

 

 

2.     Fair value of financial instruments

 

At June 29, 2010 and December 29, 2009, the fair value of cash and accounts payable approximates their carrying value due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair value of the capital lease obligations and long-term debt is estimated at its carrying value based upon current rates available to the Company.

 

3.              Reverse stock split

 

On December 29, 2009, the Company’s board of directors approved a one-for-six share combination of its common stock which became effective on January 13, 2010.  As a result of this reverse stock split, every six shares of the Company’s common stock that were issued and outstanding as of January 13, 2010 were automatically combined into one issued and outstanding share without any change in the par value of such shares, and the number of authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock was proportionally reduced.  A proportionate adjustment was also made to the Company’s outstanding stock options and warrants.  No fractional shares were issued in connection with this reverse stock split, but rather shareholders who were entitled

 

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to fractional shares received cash in lieu of receiving fractional shares.  All references within this document to loss per share reflect this reverse stock split.  Additionally, the number of common shares, stock options and warrants, and the price per common share, stock option and warrant, reflect this reverse stock split.

 

4.              Restaurant closing and asset impairment charges

 

Rogers, Arkansas

 

In August 2008, the Company ceased operations at its Rogers, Arkansas restaurant.  Since opening in October 2007, the restaurant failed to generate positive cash flow and had approximately $1.4 million of net loss.  Management believes the closure of this restaurant has allowed the Company to focus its capital and personnel resources on its other restaurants in order to increase future operating efficiencies and cash flow.  The Company has attempted to find a replacement tenant or negotiate for a lease termination for this location which expires December 31, 2018.  Costs incurred in connection with this closure include one-time benefits to employees who were involuntarily terminated of $57,681, costs incurred for early contract termination of $4,578 and costs to close and maintain the facility of $956,997.  During the third quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $135,057 related to the write-off of the carrying value of the restaurant equipment at the Rogers location.  The amount of this write-off is equal to the difference between the net book value of the equipment and the expected future cash flows generated by leasing the equipment to a replacement tenant.  Until the Company is able to find a replacement tenant, it will incur ongoing costs such as utilities, landscape and maintenance and general liability insurance. In accordance with the FASB guidance on accounting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, the Company recorded a non-cash lease termination liability of $1,762,689 based on management’s estimate of the fair value of these obligations.  This required management to estimate the present value of the future minimum lease obligations offset by the estimated sublease rentals that could be reasonably obtained for the property.  Pursuant to the terms of the lease, the annual lease payments for the Roger’s site were $405,000 as of June 29, 2010, and the ongoing costs to maintain the property were approximately $4,600 per month.  As of June 29, 2010, the Company’s future undiscounted cash payments under the terms of this lease were approximately $3.8 million.

 

Troy, Michigan

 

In May 2008, the Company entered into a 20-year net lease agreement relating to the restaurant it had planned to open in Troy, Michigan.  However, in February 2009, the Company decided not to build on that site, and as part of an agreement with the Dunham Entities, the Company will reimburse DCM for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred, including the carrying cost of the related land, less net proceeds from the sale of the real estate or lease income associated with the site.  As of June 29, 2010, the carrying cost of the land approximated $16,000 per month.  Such expenses will be amortized and payable to DCM over a 60-month period commencing January 2011, at a 6% annual interest rate.  The Company’s management has concluded that as of June 29, 2010, it is probable that the Company will need to reimburse DCM approximately $534,000 and has included such amount as “accrued exit or disposal activities” on its balance sheet, pursuant to the FASB guidance on accounting for contingencies.

 

The costs related to the closing of the Rogers restaurant and the decision not to build the Troy restaurant aggregated $260,392 in the first half of 2010 and are reflected on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations as “exit or disposal activities.”   The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of exit or disposal activities:

 

Accrued exit or disposal costs at December 29, 2009

 

$

2,138,663

 

 

 

 

 

Costs incurred and charged to expense

 

326,242

 

Payments

 

(230,242

)

Amortization of sublease liability

 

(65,850

)

Accrued exit or disposal costs at June 29, 2010

 

$

2,168,813

 

 

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5.              Non-current assets

 

Property and equipment

 

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the term of the related lease or the estimated useful life, whichever is shorter.  Depreciation and amortization of assets held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are computed on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes.  The following is a summary of the Company’s property and equipment at June 29, 2010 and December 29, 2009:

 

 

 

June 29, 2010

 

December 29, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

18,000

 

$

18,000

 

Buildings

 

31,298,404

 

31,311,399

 

Leasehold improvements

 

9,537,749

 

9,444,418

 

Equipment and furniture

 

33,650,781

 

33,536,306

 

Construction in progress *

 

96,242

 

108,868

 

 

 

74,601,176

 

74,418,991

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(25,918,300

)

(23,082,577

)

 

 

$

48,682,876

 

$

51,336,414

 

 


*Construction in progress includes the following approximate amounts for items yet to be placed in service:

 

 

 

June 29, 2010

 

December 29, 2009

 

Prototype/Leasehold improvements for future locations

 

$

76,700

 

$

96,400

 

Equipment and leasehold improvements for current locations

 

$

19,500

 

$

12,400

 

 

Intangible and other assets

 

Intangible and other assets consisted of the following:

 

 

 

June 29, 2010

 

December 29, 2009

 

Intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Liquor licenses

 

$

760,865

 

$

760,865

 

Trademarks

 

180,757

 

160,193

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred loan costs

 

394,428

 

386,083

 

Security deposits

 

224,346

 

233,146

 

 

 

1,560,396

 

1,540,287

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

(381,054

)

(297,526

)

 

 

$

1,179,342

 

$

1,242,761

 

 

6.        Accrued expenses

 

Accrued expenses consisted of the following:

 

 

 

June 29, 2010

 

December 29, 2009

 

Payroll and related

 

$

1,951,452

 

$

1,863,688

 

Deferred revenue from gift card sales

 

1,556,211

 

2,304,312

 

Sales taxes payable

 

520,514

 

606,051

 

Interest

 

282,396

 

269,076

 

Real estate taxes

 

560,545

 

580,879

 

Deferred registration costs

 

157,360

 

172,179

 

Other

 

525,313

 

503,868

 

 

 

$

5,553,791

 

$

6,300,053

 

 

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7.        Deferred rent

 

Under the terms of the lease agreement the Company entered into regarding its Lincoln, Nebraska property, the Company received a lease incentive of $450,000, net.  This lease incentive was recorded as deferred rent and is being amortized to reduce rent expense over the initial term of the lease using the straight-line method.

 

Also included in deferred rent is the difference between minimum rent payments and straight-line rent over the initial lease term including the “build out” or “rent-holiday” period.  Additionally, certain of the Company’s landlords have agreed to defer a portion of the payments due them for specified periods of time.  The Company also continues to negotiate with its landlords to reduce rents and has withheld rent to certain of its landlords during rent negotiations.  The deferrals are offset in part by the fair value of the warrants issued to certain landlords in consideration of rent reductions.  Contingent rent expense, which is based on a percentage of revenue, is also recorded to the extent it exceeds minimum base rent per the lease agreement.  Deferred rent consisted of:

 

 

 

June 29, 2010

 

December 29, 2009

 

Difference between minimum rent and straight-line rent

 

$

3,805,253

 

$

3,251,235

 

Deferred rent, net of $142,392 warrant value*

 

1,524,956

 

1,140,843

 

Contingent rent expected to exceed minimum rent

 

55,944

 

63,617

 

Tenant improvement allowance

 

283,889

 

298,889

 

 

 

$

5,670,042

 

$

4,754,584

 

 


*Of this amount, approximately $215,000 was paid to DCM, our primary landlord, in August 2010, $528,000 will be due to DCM in October 2010, and approximately $889,000 is due to General Growth Properties with which we are negotiating reduced lease costs for three of our locations.

 

8.  Long-term debt

 

As of June 29, 2010, the Company had three long-term loans outstanding with First National Bank (“FNB”), an independent financial institution in Pierre, South Dakota, the proceeds of which the Company used to purchase assets at its Fargo, North Dakota; Des Moines and Davenport, Iowa restaurants.  These loans are secured by the tangible personal property and fixtures at the respective locations and are guaranteed by Steven J. Wagenheim, the Company’s president, chief executive officer and one of its directors.

 

In August 2008, the Company issued a promissory note to an Indiana general partnership in the amount of $250,000.  The note was issued to secure the liquor license for the Company’s restaurant located in South Bend, Indiana.

 

In March 2009, the Company entered into a bridge loan agreement with Harmony Equity Income Fund, L.L.C. and Harmony Equity Income Fund II, L.L.C. (collectively, “Harmony”), a group of accredited investors.  A former director of the Company, Eugene E. McGowan, is a member of, and has a beneficial interest in Harmony.  The bridge loan was funded to the extent of $800,000 on March 30, 2009 and is evidenced by notes bearing interest at 9.0% per annum.  In addition, the Company issued to Harmony warrants for the purchase of an aggregate of 53,332 shares of common stock at a price of $1.52 per share.  The notes are secured by a mortgage

 

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against the lease, and security agreements against personal property and intangibles relating to the Company’s Sioux Falls, South Dakota restaurant, including a grant of the rights to use patents, trademarks and other intangibles associated with that restaurant.  Up to 20% of each bridge note may be converted into common stock at a conversion price equal to $3.00 per share.

 

As of June 29, 2010 and December 29, 2009, the balances, interest rates and maturity dates of our long-term debt were as follows:

 

 

 

June 29, 2010

 

December 29, 2009

 

Des Moines (FNB)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

$

24,043

 

$

94,865

 

Annual interest rate

 

5.50

%

5.50

%

Maturity date

 

8/27/2010

 

8/27/2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Davenport (FNB)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

$

81,520

 

$

148,828

 

Annual interest rate

 

5.50

%

10.25

%

Maturity date

 

1/6/2011

 

1/6/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fargo (FNB)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

$

1,159,111

 

$

1,187,349

 

Annual interest rate

 

8.75

%

8.75

%

Maturity date

 

8/15/2011

 

8/15/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Bend (Liquor license)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

$

243,870

 

$

245,640

 

Annual interest rate

 

8.00

%

8.00

%

Maturity date

 

9/30/2023

 

9/30/2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harmony (Bridge loan)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

$

748,479

 

$

856,479

 

Annual interest rate

 

9.00

%

9.00

%

Maturity date

 

12/1/2011

 

12/1/2011

 

 

Future maturities of long-term debt, exclusive of interest, are as follows:

 

Year ending:

 

 

 

2010

 

$

130,924

 

2011

 

1,888,019

 

2012

 

4,263

 

2013

 

4,617

 

2014

 

5,000

 

Thereafter

 

224,200

 

 

 

$

2,257,023

 

 

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9.        Capital leases

 

As of June 29, 2010, the Company operated 15 restaurants under capital lease agreements, of which one expires in 2019, one in 2020, one in 2021, two in 2022, two in 2023, three in 2024, two in 2026 and three in 2027, all with renewable options for additional periods. Thirteen of these lease agreements originated with Donald A. Dunham, Jr. and entities affiliated with him (collectively, the “Dunham Landlords”). Under certain of the leases, the Company may be required to pay additional contingent rent based upon restaurant sales. At the inception and the amendment date of each of these leases, the Company evaluated the fair value of the land and building separately pursuant to the FASB guidance on accounting for leases. The land portion of these leases is classified as an operating lease while the building portion of these leases is classified as a capital lease because its present value was greater than 90% of the estimated fair value at the beginning or amendment date of the lease and/or the lease term represents 75% or more of the expected life of the property.

 

On June 30, 2010, the Company’s board of directors approved amendments to five of the Company’s leases with the Dunham Landlords, changing the rental amount and extending the term of each lease (Note 14). The amended terms will cause the classification of four such leases to change from operating to capital. The fifth amended lease was, and will remain, a capital lease.

 

The Company also has a land and building lease agreement for its beer production facility. This ten-year lease allows the Company to purchase the facility at any time for $1.00 plus the unamortized construction costs. Because the construction costs will be fully amortized through payment of rent during the base term, if the option is exercised at or after the end of the initial ten-year period, the option price will be $1.00. As such, the lease, including land, is classified as a capital lease.

 

In May 2008, the Company entered into a 20-year net lease agreement relating to the restaurant it had planned to open in Troy, Michigan. However, in February 2009, the Company decided not to build on that site, and as part of an agreement with the Dunham Entities, the Company will reimburse DCM for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred less net proceeds from the sale of the real estate or lease income associated with the site (Note 4).

 

As of June 29, 2010, the Company leased equipment at three of its restaurants pursuant to a lease agreement with Carlton Financial Corporation (“Carlton”). The value of the equipment financed at each of the three locations ranges from approximately $0.8 million to $1.1 million, the annual interest rate on each ranges from 12.9% to 19.6% and the leases will expire in October 2012. The Company may purchase Carlton’s interest in all, but not less than all, of the equipment for a purchase price equal to 15% of the original cost of the equipment. Steven J. Wagenheim, the Company’s president, chief executive officer and one of its directors, was required to personally guarantee payments to be made to Carlton under the lease financing and the Company’s board of directors agreed to compensate him for such guarantee.

 

In June 2007, the Company entered into a lease for an energy optimization system at its Maple Grove, Minnesota restaurant for approximately $30,000. This five-year lease carries an annual interest rate of approximately 11.9% and contains a bargain purchase option.

 

Included in property and equipment are the following assets held under capital leases:

 

 

 

June 29, 2010

 

December 29, 2009

 

Land

 

$

18,000

 

$

18,000

 

Building

 

31,298,404

 

31,311,399

 

Equipment and leasehold improvements

 

3,365,588

 

3,365,587

 

 

 

34,681,992

 

34,694,986

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(8,445,754

)

(7,374,244

)

 

 

$

26,236,238

 

$

27,320,742

 

 

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Minimum future lease payments under all capital leases are as follows:

 

Year ending:

 

Capital Leases

 

2010

 

$

2,397,461

 

2011

 

4,689,674

 

2012

 

4,312,862

 

2013

 

4,244,084

 

2014

 

4,303,148

 

Thereafter

 

44,683,972

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

64,631,201

 

Less amount representing interest

 

(33,163,707

)

Present value of net minimum lease payments

 

31,467,494

 

Less current portion

 

(995,567

)

Long-term portion of obligations

 

$

30,471,927

 

 

The foregoing table includes changes to lease commitments commencing after June 29, 2010 (Note 14). Amortization expense related to the assets held under capital leases is included with depreciation expense on the Company’s statements of operations.

 

10.      Commitments and contingencies

 

Litigation

 

From time to time, lawsuits are threatened or filed against the Company in the ordinary course of business. Such lawsuits typically involve claims from customers, former or current employees, and others related to issues common to the restaurant industry. A number of such claims may exist at any given time. Although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate disposition of these matters, it is management’s opinion, based upon the information available as of August 9, 2010, that the expected outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operation, liquidity or financial condition of the Company. In addition, some property owners have brought actions against the Company or its landlords arising out of the Company’s withholding of rent during the period in which it is attempting to negotiate the lease terms. Management believes these actions have been stayed and will continue in abeyance while active negotiations are taking place with property owners.

 

Rent reductions

 

Along with DCM, the Company continues to seek to lower the cost of its land leases at several locations. In some instances, the Company and DCM have not paid rent during this negotiating period. The Company accrues for any non-paid rent during this period under “deferred rents” on the balance sheet (see Note 7 regarding amounts due landlords). To the extent the parties are unable to reach agreements to reduce lease costs, legal action could be brought by lessors that may result in material adverse consequences to the Company, DCM or both. Such material adverse consequences could include legal actions by land owners or other landlords to terminate leases and recover delinquent and future rents. Additionally, if any of the Company’s landlords or parties from whom the Company’s landlords lease property fail financially, the ramifications upon the Company and the Company’s continued occupancy of the leased restaurants would be uncertain. The Company could lose the future revenue from any such affected locations and lose the value of its investment in improvements thereon, if it is unable to negotiate arrangements with new owners of the leased locations, or creditors or bankruptcy trustees of such landlords.

 

Employment agreements

 

The Company has entered into employment agreements with Steven J. Wagenheim, its president and chief executive officer; James G. Gilbertson, its chief financial officer; and Darius H. Gilanfar, its chief operating officer, providing for their employment on an at-will basis. Each agreement, as amended in June 2010,

 

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provides that the executive will have employment through October 6, 2012. Each executive will be entitled to severance benefits that include one year of base compensation if his employment is terminated without cause or for good reason, as defined therein, in addition to the balance of the applicable term, if terminated prior to the end of such term. Each employment agreement is automatically extended for a one-year term unless either the Company or the executive gives at least 60 days’ notice to the other of an intent not to extend. If the Company elects not to extend the executive’s employment beyond October 6, 2012, or beyond the end of any applicable extension, and terminate executive’s employment, such termination will be deemed to be a termination without cause for purposes of severance benefits and the continuation of base compensation through the end of the applicable term. The agreements also provide for a base annual salary which may be increased by the Company’s board of directors, incentive compensation as determined by the Company’s compensation committee from time to time, and participation in the Company’s other employee benefit plans. In addition, each agreement includes change in control provisions that entitle the executive to receive severance pay equal to 12 months of salary if there is a change in control of the Company and his employment is involuntarily terminated for any reason other than for cause, as defined in the agreement, or death or disability. Each executive has also agreed to certain nondisclosure provisions during the term of his employment and any time thereafter, and certain non-competition, non-recruitment and/or non-interference provisions during the term of his employment and for a certain period thereafter. As of August 9, 2010, the current annual base salaries in effect for such executives under the foregoing employment agreements were as follows: Mr. Wagenheim ($300,000), Mr. Gilbertson ($225,000), and Mr. Gilanfar ($202,860).

 

Development agreement

 

In April 2008, the Company entered into a development agreement with United Properties Investment LLC (“United Properties”) for the development of up to 22 restaurants to be built between 2009 and 2012. United Properties will be responsible for all costs related to the land and building of each restaurant. The development agreement provides for a cooperative process between United Properties and the Company’s management for the selection of restaurant sites and the development of restaurants on those sites and scheduling for the development and construction of each restaurant once a location is approved. The annual lease rate for fee-simple land and building developments will be 9.5% and the Company will have the right of first offer to purchase these restaurants. Additionally, in the event United Properties sells one of the buildings that it develops for the Company at an amount in excess of the threshold agreed to by the parties in the agreement, then the Company will share in the profits of that sale. The Company assumes no liability in the event United Properties sells a building at a loss. The Company is not bound to authorize the construction of restaurants during that time period, but generally cannot use another developer to develop or own a restaurant as long as the development agreement is in effect. The Company can, however, use another developer if United Properties declines to build a particular restaurant. The Company currently has no sites under development.

 

Purchase Commitments

 

The Company has entered into contracts through 2016 with certain suppliers of raw materials (primarily hops) for minimum purchases both in terms of quantity and in pricing.  As of June 29, 2010, the Company’s future obligations under such contracts aggregated approximately $1.2 million.

 

11.       Stock plans

 

In July 1997, the Company adopted the 1997 Stock Option Plan for employees and non-employees, including consultants to the Company, to purchase the Company’s common stock at an exercise price that equals or exceeds the fair market value on the date of grant. As of June 29, 2010, no options to purchase common stock were outstanding under the plan, which expired July 28, 2007.

 

As of June 29, 2010, options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock were outstanding under the 1997 Director Stock Option Plan, which expired July 29, 2007. All such options are fully vested and exercisable for five years from the date of grant. On May 2, 2007, the Company’s board of directors agreed that until the adoption of any future equity plan for non-employee directors, awards of stock options for the purchase of 2,500 shares of common stock per year, exercisable for a period of ten years, should be made to each non-employee

 

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director on the anniversary of his election to the board under the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan. In May 2010, the Company’s board of directors agreed to increase such annual issuance to non-employee directors from 2,500 to 5,000 shares of common stock.

 

In August 2002, the Company adopted the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan, now known as the Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, for employees, prospective employees, officers and members of the Company’s board of directors, as well as consultants and advisors to the Company, to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price that equals or exceeds the fair market value on the date of grant. The number of shares authorized for issuance as of June 29, 2010 was 468,290. As of June 29, 2010, there were options outstanding under the plan for the purchase of 906,316 shares including 575,500 shares underlying stock options granted in May 2010 at an exercise price of $2.25 per share, which are subject to shareholder approval of a proposed plan amendment which would increase the number of shares available under the plan to 1,125,000. Although vesting schedules vary, option grants under this plan generally vest over a three or four-year period and options are exercisable for no more than ten years from the date of grant.

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options as of June 29, 2010 is presented below:

 

Fixed Options

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

Outstanding at December 30, 2008

 

364,689

 

$

21.60

 

6.2 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

126,888

 

1.35

 

9.2 years

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(98,391

)

17.49

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 29, 2009

 

393,186

 

$

16.10

 

6.6 years

 

$

78,467

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

585,497

 

2.24

 

9.9 years

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(44,868

)

11.85

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 29, 2010

 

933,815

 

$

7.61

 

8.5 years

 

$

53,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercisable at December 29, 2009

 

198,659

 

$

23.01

 

5.2 years

 

 

 

Options exercisable at June 29, 2010

 

384,995

 

$

14.05

 

7.0 years

 

$

17,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted during 2010

 

$

1.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing price of the Company’s stock on the last day of the reporting period and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on the last day of the reporting period. As of June 29, 2010, there was approximately $1,132,169 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements, of which $479,347 is expected to be recognized during the remainder of fiscal year 2010, $432,480 in fiscal year 2011, $177,701 in fiscal year 2012, $42,478 in fiscal year 2013 and $163 in fiscal year 2014.

 

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The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at June 29, 2010:

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

Range of
Exercise Prices

 

Number of
Options
Outstanding

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Number of
Options
Exercisable

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1.00 - $6.00

 

687,583

 

9.7 years

 

$

2.15

 

176,998

 

$

2.09

 

$6.01 - $12.00

 

22,497

 

6.9 years

 

$

10.17

 

11,288

 

$

9.81

 

$12.01 - $18.00

 

44,947

 

5.7 years

 

$

14.09

 

26,974

 

$

14.59

 

$18.01 - $24.00

 

55,330

 

5.3 years

 

$

21.94

 

55,330

 

$

21.94

 

$24.01 - $30.00

 

77,964

 

5.0 years

 

$

26.15

 

69,630

 

$

26.25

 

$30.01 - $36.00

 

28,828

 

1.9 years

 

$

31.14

 

28,109

 

$

31.12

 

$36.01 - $42.00

 

16,666

 

6.8 years

 

$

37.20

 

16,666

 

$

37.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

933,815

 

8.5 years

 

$

7.61

 

384,995

 

$

14.05

 

 

12.  Common stock warrants

 

In October 2005, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors for the sale of approximately $5.34 million of common stock and warrants. Under this agreement, the Company issued five-year warrants for the purchase of 36,960 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $39.00 per share to such investors and five-year warrants for the purchase of 9,239 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $39.00 per share to the Company’s placement agent. Such warrant agreements with the investors and placement agent for this transaction contain certain anti-dilution provisions. Pursuant to these provisions, the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of these warrants and the related purchase price both required adjustment upon the issuance of warrants in the first quarter of 2009, at an exercise price less than the thresholds set forth in the security purchase agreement. The exercise price of each existing warrant was multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which was the sum of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance, plus the number of shares of common stock which the offering price for such shares of common stock would purchase at the closing price of our common stock on the closing date of this securities purchase agreement; and the denominator of which was the sum of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance plus the number of such new securities so issued. As a result of the issuance of common stock in October 2009 at a price per share less than the thresholds set forth in the security purchase agreement, further anti-dilution adjustments were required. As a result of these adjustments, the number of shares purchasable under these warrants at June 29, 2010 was 110,956 and the exercise price was $16.24 per share. As of June 29, 2010, none of such warrants had been exercised.

 

During the first nine months of 2009, in consideration of rent reduction agreements entered into with certain of its landlords, the Company issued five-year warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock to such landlords. The aggregate number of shares underlying such warrants was 201,028 shares and the weighted average exercise price was $1.60 per share. Pursuant to the provisions of such agreements, the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of these warrants and the related purchase price both required adjustment upon the issuance of warrants in the first quarter of 2009, at an exercise price less than the thresholds set forth in the agreement. The exercise price of each warrant issued prior to such issuance was multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which was the sum of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance of warrants, plus the number of shares of common stock which the offering price for such shares of common stock would purchase at the warrant exercise price in effect immediately prior to such issuance; and the denominator of which was the sum of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance plus the number of such new securities so issued. As a result of these adjustments, the number of shares purchasable under these warrants came to be 201,125 and the weighted average exercise price was $1.60 per share. In June 2010, a

 

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warrant for the purchase of 1,678 shares was exercised at an exercise price of $1.58 per share. As of June 29, 2010, warrants for the purchase of 199,447 shares remained unexercised.

 

Pursuant to the Harmony bridge loan agreement entered into in March 2009, the Company issued to the investors warrants for the purchase of an aggregate of 53,332 shares of common stock at a price of $1.52 per share. Such warrants became exercisable September 30, 2009, and remained unexercised at June 29, 2010.

 

As of June 29, 2010, warrants for the purchase of an aggregate of 363,735 shares of common stock were outstanding and exercisable. The weighted average exercise price of such warrants was $6.05 per share.

 

13.       Retirement plan

 

The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan under the provisions of section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan is voluntary and is provided to all employees who meet the eligibility requirements. A participant can elect to contribute up to 100% of his/her compensation subject to IRS limits. Prior to fiscal year 2009, the Company made no contribution to the plan. Beginning in fiscal year 2009, the Company elected to match 10% of such contributions up to 6% of the participant’s compensation. In fiscal year 2009, the Company contributed $12,761 under the plan, and in the first half of 2010, the Company contributed an additional $7,303 under the plan. The Company expects to contribute approximately $7,500 under the plan during the remainder of fiscal year 2010.

 

14.       Subsequent events

 

On June 30, 2010, the Company’s board of directors approved amendments to five of the Company’s leases with the Dunham Landlords, changing the rental amount and extending the term of each lease. The amended terms will cause the classification of four such leases to change from operating to capital. The fifth amended lease was, and will remain, a capital lease (Note 9). As a result of these amendments, the Company will record additional assets and capital lease liabilities of approximately $3.6 million each. Such assets and liabilities will each be reduced by a write off of approximately $1.2 million of deferred gain related to these properties.

 

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

 

This discussion and analysis contains various non-historical forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Although we believe that, in making any such statement, our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such statement may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. When used in the following discussion, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to attribute undue certainty to such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by the cautions and risks described herein. Please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2010, and the “Risk Factors” section of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2010, for additional factors known to us that may cause actual results to vary.

 

Overview

 

We are a Modern American upscale casual restaurant chain.     As of June 29, 2010, we operated 26 restaurants in 11 Midwestern states featuring on-premises breweries, substantially all of which operate under the name of Granite City Food & Brewery®. We believe our menu features high quality yet affordable family favorite menu items prepared from made-from-scratch recipes and served in generous portions. We believe that the sophisticated yet unpretentious restaurants, proprietary food and beverage products, attractive price points and high service standards combine for a great dining experience. The location of each restaurant in operation and the month and year of its opening appear in the following chart:

 

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Unit

 

Location

 

Opened

1

 

St. Cloud, Minnesota

 

Jun-99

2

 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

 

Dec-00

3

 

Fargo, North Dakota

 

Nov-01

4

 

Des Moines, Iowa

 

Sep-03

5

 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

Nov-03

6

 

Davenport, Iowa

 

Jan-04

7

 

Lincoln, Nebraska

 

May-04

8

 

Maple Grove, Minnesota

 

Jun-04

9

 

East Wichita, Kansas

 

Jul-05

10

 

Eagan, Minnesota

 

Sep-05

11

 

Kansas City, Missouri

 

Nov-05

12

 

Kansas City, Kansas

 

Jan-06

13

 

Olathe, Kansas

 

Mar-06

14

 

West Wichita, Kansas

 

Jul-06

15

 

St. Louis Park, Minnesota

 

Sep-06

16

 

Omaha, Nebraska

 

Oct-06

17

 

Roseville, Minnesota

 

Nov-06

18

 

Madison, Wisconsin

 

Dec-06

19

 

Rockford, Illinois

 

Jul-07

20

 

East Peoria, Illinois

 

Oct-07

21

 

Orland Park, Illinois

 

Dec-07

22

 

St. Louis, Missouri

 

Jan-08

23

 

Ft. Wayne, Indiana

 

Jan-08

24

 

Toledo, Ohio

 

Feb-08

25

 

South Bend, Indiana

 

Jul-08

26

 

Indianapolis, Indiana

 

Feb-09

 

In August 2008, we ceased operations at our restaurant in Rogers, Arkansas (see Note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements). However, we are currently bound by the terms of this lease agreement through December 2018.

 

We operate a centrally-located beer production facility in Ellsworth, Iowa which facilitates the initial stage of our patented brewing process. We believe that this brewing process improves the economics of microbrewing as it eliminates the initial stages of brewing and storage at multiple locations, thereby reducing equipment and development costs at new restaurant locations. Additionally, having a common starting point, the beer production creates consistency of taste for our product from restaurant to restaurant. The initial product produced at our beer production facility is transported by truck to the fermentation vessels at each of our restaurants where the brewing process is completed. In 2007, we were granted a patent by the United States Patent Office for this brewing process. We believe that our current beer production facility, which opened in June 2005, has the capacity to service up to 35 restaurant locations.

 

DHW Leasing, L.L.C. (“DHW”), the beneficial owner of approximately 63.3% of our common stock, gained control of our company in October 2009. The members of DHW are Donald A. Dunham, Jr. and Charles J. Hey. Mr. Dunham, who is also the sole member of Dunham Capital Management, LLC (“DCM”) and 70% owner of Dunham Equity Management, LLC (“DEM”), became one of our directors in October 2009. DHW, DCM and DEM are collectively, with Mr. Dunham, referred to herein as the “Dunham Entities.” As of June 29, 2010, Mr. Dunham beneficially owned approximately 64.3% of our common stock, including the shares held by DHW. DCM and DEM are entities that either are the landlord or the general partner in various limited partnerships that own real estate leased to our company. Mr. Dunham, as an individual, also owns a limited partnership interest in one of the limited partnerships that own real estate leased to our company.

 

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Our industry can be significantly affected by changes in economic conditions, discretionary spending patterns, consumer tastes, and cost fluctuations.  Over the past two years, consumers have been under increased economic pressures and as a result, many have changed their discretionary spending patterns.  Many consumers are dining out less frequently than in the past and/or have decreased the amount they spend on meals while dining out.  To offset the negative impact of decreased sales, we undertook a series of initiatives to renegotiate the pricing of various aspects of our business, effectively reducing our cost of food, insurance, payroll processing, shipping, supplies and most recently, our property and equipment rent.  We have implemented marketing initiatives designed to increase brand awareness and help drive guest traffic.  We believe these initiatives contributed to the increase in sales and guest traffic in the first half of 2010.

 

We believe that our operating results will fluctuate significantly because of several factors, including the operating results of our restaurants, changes in food and labor costs, increases or decreases in comparable restaurant sales, general economic conditions, consumer confidence in the economy, changes in consumer preferences, nutritional concerns and discretionary spending patterns, competitive factors, the skill and the experience of our restaurant-level management teams, the maturity of each restaurant, adverse weather conditions in our markets, our ability to recommence our expansion plans, and the timing of any future restaurant openings and related expenses.

 

We utilize a 52/53-week fiscal year ending the last Tuesday in December for financial reporting purposes.  The first quarter of 2010 and 2009 each included 338 operating weeks, which is the sum of the actual number of weeks each restaurant operated.  The first half of 2010 and 2009 included 676 and 670 operating weeks, respectively.  The six additional operating weeks in the first half of 2010 were related to our Indianapolis, Indiana restaurant which opened in February 2009.  Because we have opened new restaurants at various times throughout the years, we provide this statistical measure to enhance the comparison of revenues from period to period as changes occur in the number of units we are operating.

 

Our restaurant revenue is comprised almost entirely of the sales of food and beverages.  The sale of retail items typically represents less than one percent of total revenue.  Product costs include the costs of food, beverages and retail items.  Labor costs include direct hourly and management wages, taxes and benefits for restaurant employees.  Direct and occupancy costs include restaurant supplies, marketing costs, rent, utilities, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance and other related costs.  Pre-opening costs consist of direct costs related to hiring and training the initial restaurant workforce, the salaries and related costs of our dedicated new store opening team, rent expense incurred during the construction period and other direct costs associated with opening new restaurants.  General and administrative expenses are comprised of expenses associated with all corporate and administrative functions that support existing operations, which include management and staff salaries, employee benefits, travel, information systems, training, market research, professional fees, supplies and corporate rent.  Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation on capital expenditures at the restaurant and corporate levels and amortization of intangibles that do not have indefinite lives.  Interest expense represents the cost of interest expense on debt and capital leases net of interest income on invested assets.

 

Results of operations as a percentage of sales

 

The following table sets forth results of our operations expressed as a percentage of sales for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2010 and June 30, 2009:

 

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Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

Twenty-six Weeks Ended

 

 

 

June 29,

 

June 30,

 

June 29,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant revenue

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food, beverage and retail

 

27.8

 

27.4

 

27.6

 

27.3

 

Labor

 

33.9

 

34.8

 

34.2

 

35.0

 

Direct restaurant operating

 

13.8

 

14.3

 

14.1

 

14.6

 

Occupancy

 

9.6

 

7.1

 

9.7

 

7.2

 

Total cost of sales

 

85.1

 

83.6

 

85.6

 

84.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-opening

 

 

0.1

 

 

0.5

 

General and administrative

 

7.1

 

11.0

 

7.1

 

10.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6.4

 

7.8

 

6.5

 

7.9

 

Exit or disposal activities

 

0.6

 

0.8

 

0.6

 

1.4

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

 

(0.1

)

0.2

 

(0.2

)

0.1

 

Operating income (loss)

 

1.0

 

(3.5

)

0.4

 

(4.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

 

 

 

Expense

 

(3.5

)

(7.9

)

(3.6

)

(7.8

)

Net interest expense

 

(3.5

)

(7.9

)

(3.6

)

(7.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

(2.5

)%

(11.4

)%

(3.2

)%

(12.1

)%

 

Certain percentage amounts do not sum due to rounding.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our critical accounting policies are those that require significant judgment.  There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously reported in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2010.

 

Results of operations for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2010 and June 30, 2009

 

Revenue

 

We generated $23,219,069 and $22,101,365 of revenue during the second quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The 5.1% increase in revenue was due primarily to the 4.5% increase in guest traffic in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009.  Comparable restaurant revenue, which includes restaurants in operation over 18 months, increased 5.3% from the second quarter of 2009 to the second quarter of 2010 due to an increase in guest traffic of 4.6%.  The average weekly revenue per restaurant at our comparable restaurants increased $3,469 from $64,900 in the second quarter of 2009 to $68,369 in the second quarter of 2010.

 

During the first half of 2010 and 2009, we generated revenue of $45,458,432 and $43,526,066, respectively.  The 4.4% increase in first half revenue was primarily the result of an increase in guest traffic of approximately 6.5%.  The first half of 2010 included six additional restaurant operating weeks compared to the same period in 2009.  Comparable restaurant revenue increased 3.8% from the first half of 2009 to the first half of 2010 primarily due to an increase in guest traffic of approximately 5.6%.  Average weekly revenue per comparable restaurant increased $2,450 from $64,846 in the first half of 2009 to $67,296 in the first half of 2010.

 

Throughout 2009 and particularly in the last half of the year, we began heavy discounting and a marketing program to drive guest traffic back into the restaurants.  Although the discounting reduced our average check on a year-to-date basis, our guest traffic improved in late 2009 and the first half of 2010, and our average check increased slightly in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009.

 

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We expect that restaurant revenue will vary from quarter to quarter.  We anticipate continued seasonal fluctuations in restaurant revenue due in part to increased outdoor seating and generally favorable weather conditions at many of our locations during the summer months.  Due to the honeymoon effect that periodically occurs with the opening of a restaurant, we expect the timing of any future restaurant openings to cause fluctuations in restaurant revenue.  Additionally, other factors outside of our control, such as inclement weather, timing of holidays, consumer confidence in the economy and changes in consumer preferences may affect our future revenue.

 

Restaurant costs

 

Food and beverage

 

Our food and beverage costs, as a percentage of revenue, increased 0.4% to 27.8% in the second quarter of 2010 from 27.4% in the second quarter of 2009.  Such costs increased 0.3% as a percentage of revenue to 27.6% in the first half of 2010 from 27.3% in the first half of 2009.  While we did experience slight cost increases primarily in fish, chicken and produce, such costs were offset in part by decreases in wine and liquor costs.  While pricing negotiations with our suppliers have reduced our exposure to commodity price increases, we do expect that our food and beverage costs will continue to vary going forward due to numerous variables, including seasonal changes in food and beverage costs for which we do not have contracted pricing, fluctuations within commodity-priced goods and guest preferences.  We periodically create new menu offerings and introduce new craft brewed beers based upon guest preferences.  Although such menu modifications may temporarily result in increased food and beverage cost, we believe we are able to offset such increases with our weekly specials which provide variety and value to our guests.  Our varieties of craft brewed beer, which we believe we can produce at lower cost than beers we purchase for resale, also enable us to keep our food and beverage costs low while fulfilling guest requests and building customer loyalty.

 

Labor

 

Labor expense consists of restaurant management salaries, hourly staff payroll costs, other payroll-related items including management bonuses, and non-cash stock-based compensation expense.  Our experience to date has been that staff labor costs associated with a newly opened restaurant, for approximately its first four to six months of operation, are greater than what can be expected after that time, both in aggregate dollars and as a percentage of revenue.

 

Our labor costs, as a percentage of revenue, decreased 0.9% to 33.9% in the second quarter of 2010 from 34.8% in the second quarter of 2009.  Such costs decreased 0.8% as a percentage of revenue to 34.2% in the first half of 2010 from 35.0% in the first half of 2009.  We have not opened additional restaurants since the first quarter of 2009, and therefore did not incur additional labor costs typically associated with newly opened restaurants in the first half of 2010.  Additionally, we have trained our managers on a number of operational metrics and initiatives focused on manager accountability and internal development of restaurant-level staff to reduce labor costs as a percentage of revenue.

 

We expect that labor costs will vary as minimum wage laws, local labor laws and practices, and unemployment rates vary from state to state, as will hiring and training expenses.  We believe that retaining good employees and more experienced staff ensures high quality guest service and may reduce hiring and training costs.

 

Direct restaurant operating

 

Operating supplies, repairs and maintenance, utilities, promotions and restaurant-level administrative expense represent the majority of our direct restaurant operating expense, a substantial portion of which is fixed or indirectly variable.  Our direct restaurant operating expense as a percentage of revenue decreased 0.5% to 13.8% in the second quarter of 2010 from 14.3% in the second quarter of 2009.  Such costs decreased 0.5% as a percentage of revenue to 14.1% in the first half of 2010 from 14.6% in the first half of 2009.  Decreases in costs

 

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of utilities, paper and plastic and uniforms were offset in part by the increase in advertising costs as we continued the marketing initiatives we began in 2009.

 

We continue to seek ways to reduce our direct operating costs going forward including additional pricing negotiations and the elimination of waste.

 

Occupancy

 

Our occupancy costs, which include both fixed and variable portions of rent, common area maintenance charges, property insurance and property taxes, increased 2.5% as a percentage of revenue to 9.6% in the second quarter of 2010 from 7.1% in the second quarter of 2009.  Such costs increased 2.5% as a percentage of revenue to 9.7% in the first half of 2010 from 7.2% in the first half of 2009.  Our occupancy cost increased significantly in the fourth quarter of 2009 as leases at nine of the restaurants we operate were converted from capital leases to operating leases as a result of lease amendments entered into in October 2009.  As capital leases, a portion of the lease expense was recorded as interest expense and reduction of liability.  As operating leases, all lease expense is recorded as an occupancy cost included in rent expense.  Also included in our rent expense is the difference between our current rent payments and straight-line rent expense over the initial lease term.  This non-cash rent expense of $550,093 and $294,241 is included in occupancy costs in the first half of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The $255,852 increase in non-cash rent expense was due primarily to the one and two-year rent reductions provided by certain of our landlords.  On June 30, 2010, our board of directors approved amendments to five of our leases with the Dunham Landlords, changing the rental amount and extending the term of each lease.  The amended terms will cause the classification of four such leases to change from operating to capital.  As such, a portion of the lease expense which was classified as occupancy costs in the first half of 2010 will be classified as interest expense and a reduction of liability in future periods.

 

Pre-opening

 

Pre-opening costs, which are expensed as incurred, consist of expenses related to hiring and training the initial restaurant workforce, wages and expenses of a new restaurant opening team during periods of expansion, rental costs incurred during the construction period and certain other direct costs associated with opening new restaurants.  Pre-opening costs, excluding construction-period rent, are primarily incurred in the month of, and two months prior to, restaurant opening.

 

In the first half of 2009, our pre-opening costs of $211,262 were related to the restaurant we opened in Indianapolis, Indiana in February 2009.  We have not opened additional restaurants since that time, and therefore incurred no pre-opening costs in the first half of 2010.

 

General and administrative

 

General and administrative expense includes all salaries and benefits, including non-cash stock-based compensation, associated with our corporate staff that is responsible for overall restaurant quality, any future expansion into new locations, financial controls and reporting, restaurant management recruiting, management training, excess capacity costs related to our beer production facility, and salaries and expenses of our new restaurant opening team when not dedicated to a particular restaurant opening.  Other general and administrative expense includes advertising, professional fees, investor relations, office administration, centralized accounting system costs and travel by our corporate management.

 

General and administrative expense decreased $771,710 to $1,659,041 in the second quarter of 2010 from $2,430,751 in the second quarter of 2009.  Such expenses decreased $1,280,023 to $3,215,044 in the first half of 2010 from $4,495,067 in the first half of 2009.  As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased 3.9% in the second quarter of 2010 and 3.2% in the first half of 2010 over the respective periods in 2009.  The primary sources of such decreases were expenses related to recruiting, consulting, compensation and travel expense.  Non-cash stock-based compensation included in general and administrative expense was $208,725 and $81,343 in the first half of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

 

We continue to seek ways to reduce our general and administrative expenses through additional pricing negotiations with our vendors.  While we have started seeing the effects of previously renegotiated general and administrative costs, we will closely monitor and attempt to further reduce these expenses while seeking to preserve an infrastructure that remains suitable for our current operations.  Although we may need to recruit additional personnel to provide continued oversight of operations, we expect our turnover ratios to return to levels more consistent with the industry, allowing us to contain our costs.  To the extent our turnover increases above our expectations, additional costs above our budgeted figures could be incurred in our recruiting and training expenses.  We believe our general and administrative expense and our general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue will decrease in 2010 compared to 2009.

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $248,037 to $1,480,103 in the second quarter of 2010 from $1,728,140 in the second quarter of 2009.  Such expense decreased $477,638 to $2,957,079 in the first half of 2010 from $3,434,717 in the first half of 2009, due principally to the reclassification of the leases at nine of the restaurants we operate from capital leases to operating leases in October 2009.  As a percentage of revenue, depreciation expense decreased 1.4% in the second quarter and first half of 2010 compared to the respective periods in 2009.

 

Exit or disposal activities

 

In August 2008, we closed our Rogers, Arkansas restaurant.  Since opening in October 2007, the restaurant failed to generate positive cash flow and had approximately $1.4 million of net loss.  We believe the closure of this restaurant has allowed management to focus capital and personnel resources on our other restaurants in order to increase future operating efficiencies and cash flow.  We are working to find a replacement tenant for the location, for which we are bound by a lease which expires in December 2018.  Costs incurred in the first half of 2010 and 2009 in connection with this closure include costs to maintain the facility of approximately $230,242 and $269,427, respectively.  We will incur ongoing costs such as utilities, landscape and maintenance and general liability insurance until we are able to find a replacement tenant. We recorded a non-cash lease termination liability of $1,762,689 based on management’s estimate of the fair value of these obligations.  This required management to estimate the present value of the future minimum lease obligations offset by the estimated sublease rentals that could be reasonably obtained for the property.  Amortization of this sublease liability was $65,850 and $9,887 in the first half of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  All costs related to the closing of the Rogers restaurant, including lease payments, are reflected in our statements of operations as “exit or disposal activities.”  Pursuant to the terms of the lease our annual lease payments for the Rogers site were $405,000 as of June 29, 2010, and our ongoing costs to maintain the property were approximately $4,600 per month.  As of June 29, 2010, our future undiscounted cash payments under the terms of this lease were approximately $3.8 million.

 

As part of the Master Agreement we entered into with the Dunham Entities in February 2009, we agreed to reimburse DCM for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred, reduced by net proceeds from the sale of the real estate or lease income associated with the Rogers, Arkansas site and the site at Troy, Michigan upon which we decided not to build a restaurant.  As June 29, 2010, the carrying cost of the land at the Troy, Michigan site approximated $16,000 per month and has been recorded in “exit and disposal activities” in our statement of operations.  We have concluded that as of June 29, 2010, it is probable we will need to reimburse DCM approximately $534,000 of such costs related to the Troy, Michigan site.

 

Reimbursement of costs related to these sites, including the carrying cost of the related land, will be amortized and payable to DCM over a 60-month period commencing January 2011, at a 6% annual interest rate.  The actual amount due DCM could fluctuate due to changes in the economy.

 

Interest

 

Net interest expense consists of interest expense on capital leases and long-term debt, net of interest earned from cash on hand.  Interest expense decreased $937,194 to $814,288 in the second quarter of 2010 from

 

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$1,751,482 in the second quarter of 2009.  Such expense decreased $1,728,767 to $1,653,673 in the first half of 2010 from $3,382,440 in the first half of 2009.  These decreases were due to capital lease reductions from our landlords and equipment financers and the extinguishment of approximately $15.0 million of equipment lease debt through the issuance of common stock in October 2009.  Additionally, in October 2009, leases at nine of the restaurants we operate were converted from capital leases to operating leases.  Expense related to such leases that was recorded as interest expense in the first half of 2009, was recorded as an occupancy cost included in rent in the first half of 2010.  Interest income increased $3,774 in the second quarter of 2010 and $2,575 in the first half of 2010 over the respective periods in 2009 due to the increase in cash on hand.

 

Liquidity and capital resources

 

As of June 29, 2010, we had $2,485,207 of cash and a working capital deficit of $7,590,167 compared to $1,743,599 of cash and a working capital deficit of $8,529,947 at December 29, 2009.

 

During the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2010, we generated $1,872,811 of net cash from operating activities.  We used $379,179 of cash to purchase equipment and other assets and made payments aggregating $640,284 on our debt and capital lease obligations.  We used $114,223 of cash related to the issuance of common stock to DHW, made cash payments aggregating $175 to shareholders in lieu of receiving fractional shares related to our reverse stock split. We received $2,658 of cash upon the exercise of a landlord warrant.

 

During the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2009, we obtained proceeds of $1,800,000 pursuant to a sales-leaseback capital lease agreement and a loan agreement and made payments aggregating $1,261,856 on our debt and capital lease obligations.  We used $647,283 of net cash in operating activities and $608,273 of net cash to purchase equipment and other assets.

 

In December 2009, our board of directors approved a one-for-six-share-combination of our common stock which became effective January 13, 2010.  As a result of this reverse stock split, every six shares of our common stock that were issued and outstanding as of January 13, 2010, were automatically combined into one issued and outstanding share without any change in the par value of such shares, and the number of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock were proportionally reduced. A proportionate adjustment was also made to our outstanding stock options and warrants.  No fractional shares were issued in connection with this reverse stock split.  Shareholders who were entitled to fractional shares received cash in lieu of receiving fractional shares.  All references within this document to loss per share reflect this reverse stock split.  Additionally, the number of common shares, stock options and warrants, and the price per common share, stock option and warrant, reflect this reverse stock split.

 

Along with DCM, we continue to seek to permanently lower the future cost of our land leases at several locations relative to our lease obligations in 2011 and beyond.  In some instances, our company and DCM have not paid rent during this negotiating period.  We accrue for any non-paid rent during this period under “deferred rents” on the balance sheet (see Note 7 to our condensed consolidated financial statements regarding amounts due landlords).  To the extent the parties are unable to reach agreements to reduce lease costs, legal action could be brought by lessors that may result in material adverse consequences to us, DCM or both.  Such material adverse consequences could include legal actions by land owners or other landlords to terminate leases and recover delinquent and future rents.  Additionally, if any of our landlords or parties from whom our landlords lease property fail financially, the ramifications upon our company and our continued occupancy of the leased restaurants would be uncertain.  We could lose the future revenue from any such affected locations and lose the value of our investment in improvements thereon if we are unable to negotiate arrangements with new owners of the leased locations, or creditors or bankruptcy trustees of such landlords.

 

For the first half of fiscal year 2010, we operated at a level that allowed us to fund our existing operations.  We believe this same level of sales and margins will allow us to fund our obligations for the foreseeable future.  However, our ability to continue funding our operations and meet our debt service obligations continues to depend upon our operating performance, and more broadly, achieving budgeted revenue and operating margins, both of which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions in the retail and casual dining industries and

 

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other factors, which may be beyond our control.  If revenue or margins, or a combination of both, decrease to levels unsustainable for continuing operations, we will require equity or debt financing to meet ongoing obligations.  The amount of any such required funding would depend upon our ability to generate working capital.  There can be no assurance that we will obtain financing on favorable terms or at all.  If we raise additional capital through the issuance and sale of equity securities, the securities may be issued at prices below the market price of our stock, and our shareholders may suffer significant dilution.  Debt financing, if available, may involve significant cash payment obligations, covenants and financial ratios that restrict our ability to operate and grow our business, and would cause us to incur additional interest expense and financing costs.  If cash flow from operations is insufficient to fund expected capital needs, or if our needs are greater than anticipated and we are unable to obtain additional capital, we will be required to further restructure debt obligations.  The failure to reach agreements with creditors to further restructure our indebtedness, including lease obligations, would have a material adverse effect upon our business and results of operations.

 

Commitments

 

Capital Leases:

 

Property leases

 

As of June 29, 2010, we operated 15 restaurants under capital lease agreements, of which one expires in 2019, one in 2020, one in 2021, two in 2022, two in 2023, three in 2024, two in 2026 and three in 2027, all with renewable options for additional periods.  Thirteen of these lease agreements originated with Donald A. Dunham, Jr. and entities affiliated with him (collectively, the “Dunham Landlords”).  Under certain of the leases, we may be required to pay additional contingent rent based upon restaurant sales.  At the inception and the amendment date of each of these leases, we evaluated the fair value of the land and building separately pursuant to the FASB guidance on accounting for leases.  The land portion of these leases is classified as an operating lease while the building portion of these leases is classified as a capital lease because its present value was greater than 90% of the estimated fair value at the beginning or amendment date of the lease and/or the lease term represents 75% or more of the expected life of the property.  On June 30, 2010, our board of directors approved amendments to five of our leases with the Dunham Landlords, changing the rental amount and extending the term of each lease (see Note 14 to our condensed consolidated financial statements).  The amended terms will cause the classification of four such leases to change from operating to capital.  The fifth amended lease was, and will remain, a capital lease.

 

In December 2004, we entered into a land and building lease agreement for our beer production facility.  This ten-year lease, which commenced February 1, 2005, allows us to purchase the facility at any time for $1.00 plus the unamortized construction costs.  Because the construction costs will be fully amortized through payment of rent during the base term, if the option is exercised at or after the end of the initial ten-year period, the option price will be $1.00.  As such, the lease is classified as a capital lease.

 

In May 2008, we entered into a 20-year net lease agreement relating to the restaurant we planned to open in Troy, Michigan.  However, in February 2009, we decided not to build on that site, and as part of an agreement with the Dunham Entities, we will reimburse DCM for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred less net proceeds from the sale of the real estate or lease income associated with the site.

 

Equipment leases

 

As of June 29, 2010, we had leased equipment at three of our restaurants pursuant to a lease agreement with Carlton Financial Corporation (“Carlton”). The value of the equipment financed at each of the three locations ranges from approximately $0.8 million to $1.1 million, the annual interest rate on each ranges from 12.9% to 19.6% annually and the lease will expire in October 2012.  We may purchase Carlton’s interest in all, but not less than all, of the equipment for a purchase price equal to 15% of the original cost of the equipment.  Steven J. Wagenheim our president, chief executive officer and one of our directors, was required to personally guarantee

 

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payments to be made to Carlton under the lease financing and our board of directors agreed to compensate him for such guarantee.

 

In June 2007, we entered into a lease for an energy optimization system at our Maple Grove, Minnesota restaurant for approximately $30,000.  This five-year lease carries an annual interest rate of approximately 11.9% and contains a bargain purchase option.

 

Operating Lease:

 

The land portions of the 15 property leases referenced above, 13 lease agreements of which originated with the Dunham Landlords, are classified as operating leases because the fair value of the land was 25% or more of the leased property at the inception of each lease.  All scheduled rent increases for the land during the initial term of each lease are recognized on a straight-line basis.  In addition to such property leases, as of June 29, 2010, we had obligations under the following operating leases:

 

We operate nine restaurants under operating lease agreements with the Dunham Landlords.  Of such leases, one expires in 2016, one in 2017 and seven in 2018.  All leases have renewable options for additional periods and all scheduled rent increases during the initial term are recognized on a straight-line basis.

 

In January 2001, we entered into a 20-year operating lease for the land upon which we built our Fargo, North Dakota restaurant.  Under the lease terms, we are obligated to annual rent of $72,000 plus contingent rent based upon restaurant sales.

 

We maintain our corporate office space under a lease agreement which expires in November 2011.  Annual rent is $72,115 with scheduled annual increases throughout the term of the lease.  Such scheduled rent increases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

 

In March 2006, we entered into a lease agreement for the land and building for our St. Louis Park, Minnesota restaurant.  Rental payments for this lease are $148,625 annually.  This operating lease expires in 2016 with renewal options for additional periods.

 

In August 2008, we ceased operations at our restaurant in Rogers, Arkansas.  However, we are currently bound by the terms of a lease agreement which expires in 2018.  As part of an agreement with the Dunham Entities, we will reimburse DCM for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred less net proceeds from the sale of the real estate or lease income associated with this site.  The lease, as amended, is classified as an operating lease as it does not meet the requirements for a capital lease.

 

Personal Guaranties:

 

Our board of directors has agreed to compensate Steven J. Wagenheim, our president, chief executive officer and one of our directors, for his personal guaranties of equipment loans entered into in August 2003 and January 2004.  In addition, in August 2006, we entered into a lease agreement with Carlton pursuant to which we financed approximately $3.0 million of equipment.  Mr. Wagenheim was required to personally guarantee payments to be made to Carlton under this lease financing agreement, for which our board of directors agreed to compensate him.  The amount of annual compensation for each of these guarantees is 3% of the balance of the obligation and is calculated and accrued based on the weighted average daily balance of the obligation at the end of each monthly accounting period.  During the first half of 2010 and 2009, we recorded $18,272 and $33,576 of such compensation in general and administrative expense, respectively, and paid $105,000 and $0 of such compensation, respectively.

 

Employment Agreements:

 

We have entered into employment agreements with Steven J. Wagenheim, our president and chief executive officer; James G. Gilbertson, our chief financial officer; and Darius H. Gilanfar, our chief operating

 

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officer, providing for their employment on an at-will basis. Each agreement, as amended in June 2010, provides that the executive will have employment through October 6, 2012.  Each executive will be entitled to severance benefits that include one year of base compensation if his employment is terminated without cause or for good reason, as defined therein, in addition to the balance of the applicable term, if terminated prior to the end of such term.  Each employment agreement is automatically extended for a one-year term unless either our company or the executive gives at least 60 days’ notice to the other of an intent not to extend. If we elect not to extend the executive’s employment beyond October 6, 2012, or beyond the end of any applicable extension, and terminate executive’s employment, such termination will be deemed to be a termination without cause for purposes of severance benefits and the continuation of base compensation through the end of the applicable term.  The agreements also provide for a base annual salary which may be increased by our board of directors, incentive compensation as determined by our compensation committee from time to time, and participation in our company’s other employee benefit plans. In addition, each agreement includes change in control provisions that entitle the executive to receive severance pay equal to 12 months of salary if there is a change in control of our company and his employment is involuntarily terminated for any reason other than for cause, as defined in the agreement, or death or disability.  Each executive has also agreed to certain nondisclosure provisions during the term of his employment and any time thereafter, and certain non-competition, non-recruitment and/or non-interference provisions during the term of his employment and for a certain period thereafter. As of August 9, 2010, the current annual base salaries in effect for such executives under the foregoing employment agreements were as follows: Mr. Wagenheim ($300,000), Mr. Gilbertson ($225,000), and Mr. Gilanfar ($202,860).

 

Development Agreement:

 

In April 2008, we entered into a development agreement with United Properties Investment LLC (“United Properties”) for the development of up to 22 restaurants to be built between 2009 and 2012.  United Properties will be responsible for all costs related to the land and building of each restaurant.  The development agreement provides for a cooperative process between United Properties and our management for the selection of restaurant sites and the development of restaurants on those sites and scheduling for the development and construction of each restaurant once a location is approved.  The annual lease rate for fee-simple land and building developments will be 9.5% and we will have the right of first offer to purchase these restaurants.  Additionally, in the event United Properties sells one of the buildings that it develops for us at an amount in excess of the threshold agreed to by the parties in the agreement, then we will share in the profits of that sale.  We assume no liability in the event United Properties sells a building at a loss.  We are not bound to authorize the construction of restaurants during that time period, but generally cannot use another developer to develop or own a restaurant as long as the development agreement is in effect.  We can, however, use another developer if United Properties declines to build a particular restaurant.  We currently have no sites under development.

 

Off- balance sheet arrangements:

 

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements as it is not our business practice to do so.

 

Summary of contractual obligations:

 

The following table summarizes our obligations under contractual agreements and the timeframe within which payments on such obligations are due.  This table does not include amounts related to contingent rent as such future amounts are not determinable.  In addition, whether we would incur any additional expense on our employment agreements depends upon the existence of a change in control of the company coupled with a termination of employment or other unforeseeable events.  Therefore, neither contingent rent nor severance expense has been included in the following table.

 

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Payment due by period

 

Contractual

 

 

 

Fiscal Year

 

Fiscal Years

 

Fiscal Years

 

Fiscal Years

 

Obligations

 

Total

 

2010

 

2011-2012

 

2013-2014

 

Thereafter

 

Long-term debt, principal

 

$

2,257,024

 

$

130,924

 

$

1,892,282

 

$

9,617

 

$

224,200

 

Interest on long-term debt

 

412,043

 

95,431

 

143,155

 

36,692

 

136,765

 

Capital lease obligations, including interest

 

64,631,201

 

2,397,461

 

9,002,536

 

8,547,231

 

44,683,972

 

Operating lease obligations, including interest

 

68,728,734

 

4,110,678

 

10,832,162

 

11,223,193

 

42,562,701

 

Purchase contracts*

 

1,185,804

 

251,020

 

350,326

 

238,964

 

345,494

 

Loan guarantee

 

38,414

 

22,960

 

15,454

 

 

 

Total obligations

 

$

137,253,219

 

$

7,008,475

 

$

22,235,915

 

$

20,055,698

 

$

87,953,131

 

 


*While we are contractually obligated to make these purchases, we have the contractual right to defer such  purchases into later years.  However, if we defer such purchases into later years, we may incur additional charges.

 

Certain amounts do not sum due to rounding.

 

Based on our current operating trends, we believe we have sufficient capital to operate our business for the foreseeable future.  If, however, the existing levels of revenue and margins, or a combination of both, decrease to levels unsustainable for continuing operations, or if we choose to develop additional locations, we will require equity or debt financing to meet ongoing obligations.

 

Recent accounting pronouncements:

 

See the “Recently issued accounting standards” section of Note 1 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a summary of new accounting literature.

 

Seasonality

 

We expect that our sales and earnings will fluctuate based on seasonal patterns.  We anticipate that our highest sales and earnings will occur in the second and third quarters due to the milder climate and availability of outdoor seating during those quarters in our markets.

 

Inflation

 

The primary inflationary factors affecting our operations are food, supplies and labor costs.  A large percentage of our restaurant personnel is paid at rates based on the applicable minimum wage, and increases in the minimum wage directly affect our labor costs.  In the past, we have been able to minimize the effect of these increases through menu price increases and other strategies.  To date, inflation has not had a material impact on our operating results.

 

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ITEM 3                           Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on debt and changes in commodity prices.

 

Changes in interest rates:

 

Pursuant to the terms of our long-term debt agreement with an independent financial institution, we will have a balloon payment due of approximately $1.1 million in 2011.  If it becomes necessary to refinance such balloon balance, we may not be able to secure financing at the same interest rate.  The effect of a higher interest rate would depend upon the negotiated financing terms.

 

Changes in commodity prices:

 

Many of the food products and other commodities we use in our operations are subject to price volatility due to market supply and demand factors outside of our control.  Fluctuations in commodity prices and/or long-term changes could have an adverse effect on us.  These commodities are generally purchased based upon market prices established with vendors.  To manage this risk in part, we have entered into fixed price purchase commitments, with terms typically up to one year, for many of our commodity requirements.  We have entered into contracts through 2014 with certain suppliers of raw materials (primarily hops) for minimum purchases both in terms of quantity and pricing.   As of June 29, 2010, our future obligations under such contracts aggregated approximately $1.2 million.

 

Although a large national distributor is our primary supplier of food, substantially all of our food and supplies are available from several sources, which helps to control commodity price risks.  Additionally, we have the ability to increase menu prices, or vary the menu items offered, in response to food product price increases.  If, however, competitive circumstances limit our menu price flexibility, our margins could be negatively impacted.

 

Our company does not enter into derivative contracts either to hedge existing risks or for speculative purposes.

 

ITEM 4                           Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 29, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 29, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II        OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1                           Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, lawsuits are threatened or filed against us in the ordinary course of business.  Such lawsuits typically involve claims from customers, former or current employees, and others related to issues common to the restaurant industry.  A number of such claims may exist at any given time.  Although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate disposition of these matters, it is management’s opinion, based upon the information available as of August 9, 2010, that the expected outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operation, liquidity or financial condition of our company.  In addition, some property owners have brought actions against us or our landlords arising out of our withholding of rent during the period in which we are attempting to negotiate the lease terms.  We believe these actions have been stayed and will continue in abeyance while active negotiations are taking place with property owners.

 

ITEM 1A                  Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes with respect to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2009 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

ITEM 2                           Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

On June 25, 2010, we issued 1,678 shares of common stock upon the exercise for cash of a warrant for the purchase of common stock originally issued on February 7, 2009 to one of our landlords.  The foregoing warrant had an exercise price of $1.58 per share and an expiration date of February 7, 2014.

 

The foregoing issuance was made in reliance upon the exemption provided in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.  The certificate representing such securities contains a restrictive legend preventing sale, transfer or other disposition, absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.  The recipient of such securities received, or had access to, material information concerning our company, including, but not limited to, our reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  No discount or commission was paid in connection with the issuance of common stock upon exercise of such warrant.

 

ITEM 3                           Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

ITEM 4                           (Removed and Reserved)

 

ITEM 5                           Other Information

 

None.

 

ITEM 6                           Exhibits

 

See “Index to Exhibits.”

 

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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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: August 10, 2010

 

By:

 /s/ James G. Gilbertson

 

 

James G. Gilbertson

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(As Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer of Granite City Food & Brewery Ltd.)

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

3.1

 

Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed on December 30, 2009 (File No. 333-164065)).

 

 

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, dated May 2, 2007 (incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 4, 2007 (File No. 000-29643)).

 

 

 

4.1

 

Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2.

 

 

 

4.2

 

Specimen common stock certificate (incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 20, 2002 (File No. 000-29643)).

 

 

 

10.1

 

Amendment No. 3 to Executive Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Steven J. Wagenheim, dated June 17, 2010.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Amendment No. 3 to Executive Employment Agreement by and between the Company and James G. Gilbertson, dated June 17, 2010.

 

 

 

10.3

 

Amended and Restated Employment and Severance Agreement by and between the Company and Darius H. Gilanfar, dated August 9, 2010.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification by Steven J. Wagenheim, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification by James G. Gilbertson, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification by Steven J. Wagenheim, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification by James G. Gilbertson, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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