Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2020

 

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

 

For the transition period from ________to________

 

Commission file number: 001-36865

rmcfd20201130_10qimg001.jpg

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

47-1535633

(State or other jurisdiction of

Incorporation or organization)

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

 

265 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(970) 259-0554

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

RMCF

Nasdaq Global Market

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

RMCF

Nasdaq Global Market

 

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 ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

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

 

  Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
         
  Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
         
      Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

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

 

On January 10, 2021, the registrant had outstanding 6,074,293 shares of its common stock, $0.001 par value.

 

1

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
       
  Item 1. Financial Statements 3
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 3
  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 4
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 5
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 6
  NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 7
  Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 20
  Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 30
  Item 4. Controls and Procedures 30
       
PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION 30
       
  Item 1. Legal Proceedings 30
  Item 1A. Risk Factors 31
  Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 31
  Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 31
  Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 31
  Item 5. Other Information 31
  Item 6. Exhibits 32
       
Signatures 33

 

2

 

 

PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.     Financial Statements

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended November 30,

   

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

 

Revenues

                               

Sales

  $ 6,101,776     $ 6,490,601     $ 12,418,139     $ 18,335,252  

Franchise and royalty fees

    1,127,091       1,422,651       2,840,567       5,389,269  

Total Revenue

    7,228,867       7,913,252       15,258,706       23,724,521  
                                 

Costs and Expenses

                               

Cost of sales

    4,688,011       4,956,177       10,624,790       13,309,356  

Franchise costs

    440,669       428,236       1,312,917       1,352,887  

Sales and marketing

    382,462       434,989       1,265,471       1,426,422  

General and administrative

    788,717       1,529,271       4,756,735       3,504,453  

Retail operating

    361,454       445,899       1,010,032       1,364,105  

Depreciation and amortization, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense of $157,582, $147,338, $473,294 and $440,452, respectively, included in cost of sales

    168,990       216,854       531,245       674,226  

Costs associated with Company-owned store closures

    -       -       68,558       -  

Total costs and expenses

    6,830,303       8,011,426       19,569,748       21,631,449  
                                 

Income (Loss) from Operations

    398,564       (98,174 )     (4,311,042 )     2,093,072  
                                 

Other Income (Expense)

                               

Interest expense

    (24,690 )     (2,890 )     (72,241 )     (18,775 )

Interest income

    3,461       7,205       14,626       23,391  

Gain on insurance recovery

    210,464       -       210,464       -  

Debt forgiveness income

    108,309       -       108,309       -  

Other income, net

    297,544       4,315       261,158       4,616  
                                 

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

    696,108       (93,859 )     (4,049,884 )     2,097,688  
                                 

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

    172,413       (22,222 )     (982,314 )     539,628  
                                 

Consolidated Net Income (Loss)

  $ 523,695     $ (71,637 )   $ (3,067,570 )   $ 1,558,060  
                                 

Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

  $ 0.09     $ (0.01 )   $ (0.51 )   $ 0.26  

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

  $ 0.08     $ (0.01 )   $ (0.51 )   $ 0.25  
                                 

Weighted Average Common Shares

                               

Outstanding - Basic

    6,070,887       5,994,955       6,065,237       5,978,270  

Dilutive Effect of Employee

                               

Stock Awards

    213,432       -       -       271,667  

Weighted Average Common Shares

                               

Outstanding - Diluted

    6,284,319       5,994,955       6,065,237       6,249,937  

 

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

 

3

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

November 30,

2020

(unaudited)

   

February 29,

2020

 

 
Assets                

Current Assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 7,270,921     $ 4,822,071  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,752,900 and $638,907, respectively

    2,339,217       4,049,959  

Notes receivable, current portion, less current portion of the valuation allowance of $55,751 and $0

    88,873       160,700  

Refundable income taxes

    421,571       418,319  

Inventories, net

    4,905,815       3,750,978  

Other

    308,268       409,703  

Total current assets

    15,334,665       13,611,730  
                 

Property and Equipment, Net

    5,270,086       5,938,013  
                 

Other Assets

               

Notes receivable, less current portion and valuation allowance of $67,743 and $0, respectively

    98,150       289,515  

Goodwill, net

    729,701       1,046,944  

Franchise rights, net

    2,651,745       3,047,688  

Intangible assets, net

    405,972       498,393  

Deferred income taxes

    1,620,207       630,078  

Lease right of use asset

    2,114,224       2,698,765  

Other

    56,264       56,262  

Total other assets

    7,676,263       8,267,645  
                 

Total Assets

  $ 28,281,014     $ 27,817,388  
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

               

Current Liabilities

               

Current maturities of long term debt

  $ 948,968     $ -  

Line of credit

    3,448,165       -  

Accounts payable

    1,802,307       2,241,506  

Accrued salaries and wages

    667,602       716,860  

Gift card liabilities

    572,098       609,842  

Other accrued expenses

    381,847       316,751  

Dividend payable

    -       722,344  

Contract liabilities

    194,095       195,658  

Lease liability

    740,486       803,861  

Total current liabilities

    8,755,568       5,606,822  
                 

Lease Liability, Less Current Portion

    1,408,258       1,894,904  

Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion

    488,895       -  

Contract Liabilities, Less Current Portion

    940,716       960,151  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies

               
                 

Stockholders' Equity

               

Preferred stock, $.001 par value per share; 250,000 authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding

    -       -  

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

    -       -  

Undesignated series, authorized 200,000 shares

    -       -  

Common stock, $.001 par value, 46,000,000 shares authorized, 6,070,925 shares and 6,019,532 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

    6,071       6,020  

Additional paid-in capital

    7,859,516       7,459,931  

Retained earnings

    8,821,990       11,889,560  
                 

Total stockholders' equity

    16,687,577       19,355,511  
                 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

  $ 28,281,014     $ 27,817,388  

 

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

 

4

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

November 30,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

               

Net (loss) Income

  $ (3,067,570 )   $ 1,558,060  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                

Depreciation and amortization

    1,004,539       1,114,678  

Provision for obsolete inventory

    41,433       307,836  

Provision for loss on accounts and notes receivable

    1,468,815       134,783  

Asset impairment and store closure losses

    544,060       -  

Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of property and equipment

    (199,774 )     8,307  

Forgiveness of indebtedness

    (107,700 )     -  

Expense recorded for stock compensation

    399,636       503,210  

Deferred income taxes

    (990,129 )     57,793  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    435,536       (982,237 )

Refundable income taxes

    (3,252 )     (132,040 )

Inventories

    (1,262,189 )     294,361  

Other current assets

    101,436       (45,820 )

Accounts payable

    (376,375 )     1,206,354  

Accrued liabilities

    12,613       182,625  

Contract liabilities

    (13,688 )     (175,918 )

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

    (2,012,609 )     4,031,992  
                 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

               

Proceeds received on notes receivable

    69,583       109,342  

Purchase of intangible assets

    (99,048 )     763  

Proceeds from insurance recovery

    304,962       -  

Purchases of property and equipment

    (77,059 )     (864,370 )

Decrease in other assets

    -       313  

Net cash used in investing activities

    198,438       (753,952 )
                 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

               

Payments on long-term debt

    -       (1,048,912 )

Proceeds from long-term debt

    1,537,200       -  

Proceeds from the line of credit

    3,448,165       -  

Dividends paid

    (722,344 )     (2,150,477 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    4,263,021       (3,199,389 )
                 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

    2,448,850       78,651  
                 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

    4,822,071       5,384,027  
                 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

  $ 7,270,921     $ 5,462,678  

 

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

 

5

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(unaudited)

 

   

 

Common Stock

Shares

   

Amount

    Additional

Paid-in

Capital

   

 

Retained

Earnings

   

Total

 

Balance as of August 31, 2019

    5,991,162     $ 5,991     $ 7,037,501     $ 13,927,209     $ 20,970,701  

Consolidated net (loss) income

                            (71,637 )     (71,637 )

Issuance of common stock, vesting of restricted stock units and other

    3,835       4       (4 )             -  

Equity compensation, restricted stock units

                    116,540               116,540  

Cash dividends declared

                            (719,440 )     (719,440 )

Balance as of November 30, 2019

    5,994,997     $ 5,995     $ 7,154,037     $ 13,136,132     $ 20,296,164  
                                         

Balance as of February 28, 2019

    5,957,827       5,958     $ 6,650,864     $ 13,733,010     $ 20,389,832  

Consolidated net (loss) income

                            1,558,060       1,558,060  

Issuance of common stock, vesting of restricted stock units and other

    37,170       37       (37 )             -  

Equity compensation, restricted stock units

                    503,210               503,210  

Cash dividends declared

                            (2,154,938 )     (2,154,938 )

Balance as of November 30, 2019

    5,994,997     $ 5,995     $ 7,154,037     $ 13,136,132     $ 20,296,164  
                                         

Balance as of August 31, 2020

    6,067,461     $ 6,068     $ 7,747,320     $ 8,298,295     $ 16,051,683  

Consolidated net (loss) income

                            523,695       523,695  

Issuance of common stock, vesting of restricted stock units and other

    3,464       3       (3 )             -  

Equity compensation, restricted stock units

                    112,199               112,199  

Balance as of November 30, 2020

    6,070,925     $ 6,071     $ 7,859,516     $ 8,821,990     $ 16,687,577  
                                         

Balance as of February 29, 2020

    6,019,532       6,020     $ 7,459,931     $ 11,889,560     $ 19,355,511  

Consolidated net (loss) income

                            (3,067,570 )     (3,067,570 )

Issuance of common stock, vesting of restricted stock units and other

    51,393       51       (51 )             -  

Equity compensation, restricted stock units

                    399,636               399,636  

Balance as of November 30, 2020

    6,070,925     $ 6,071     $ 7,859,516     $ 8,821,990     $ 16,687,577  

 

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

 

6

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Nature of Operations

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., a Delaware corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (a Colorado corporation), Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (“ALY”), and U-Swirl International, Inc. (“U-Swirl”), and its 46%-owned, non-operating, subsidiary, U-Swirl, Inc. (“SWRL”) (collectively, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”).

 

The Company is an international franchisor, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator. Founded in 1981, the Company is headquartered in Durango, Colorado and manufactures an extensive line of premium chocolate candies and other confectionery products. U-Swirl franchises and operates self-serve frozen yogurt cafés. The Company also sells its candy in selected locations outside of its system of retail stores and through ecommerce channels, and licenses the use of its brand with certain consumer products.

 

U-Swirl operates self-serve frozen yogurt cafés under the names “U-Swirl,” “Yogurtini,” “CherryBerry,” “Yogli Mogli Frozen Yogurt,” “Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt,” “Let’s Yo!” and “Aspen Leaf Yogurt.”

 

The Company’s revenues are currently derived from three principal sources: sales to franchisees and others of chocolates and other confectionery products manufactured by the Company; the collection of initial franchise fees and royalties from franchisees’ sales; and sales at Company-owned stores of chocolates, frozen yogurt, and other confectionery products.

 

In FY 2020, we entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Edible Arrangements®, LLC and its affiliates (“Edible”) whereby we became the exclusive provider of certain branded chocolate products to Edible, its affiliates and its franchisees (the “Strategic Alliance”). In connection with the Strategic Alliance, the Company entered into a strategic alliance agreement, an exclusive supplier operating agreement and a warrant agreement with Edible. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory branded products are available for purchase both on Edible’s website as well as through over 1,000 franchised Edible Arrangement locations nationwide. In addition, due to Edible’s significant e-commerce expertise and scale, we have also executed an ecommerce licensing agreement with Edible, whereby Edible sells a wide variety of chocolates, candies and other confectionery products produced by the Company or its franchisees through Edible’s websites. Edible is also responsible for all ecommerce marketing and sales for the broader Rocky Mountain ecommerce ecosystem. In January 2020, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Edible was elected to the Company’s Board of Directors at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

The following table summarizes the number of stores operating under the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory brand and frozen yogurt cafés as of November 30, 2020:

 

   

Sold, Not Yet

Open

   

Open

   

Total

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

                       

Company-owned stores

    -       2       2  

Franchise stores - Domestic stores and kiosks

    6       161       167  

International license stores

    1       51       52  

Cold Stone Creamery - co-branded

    5       97       102  

U-Swirl (Including all associated brands)

                       

Company-owned stores - co-branded

    -       3       3  

Franchise stores - Domestic stores

    -       66       66  

Franchise stores - Domestic - co-branded

    -       7       7  

International license stores

    -       1       1  

Total

    12       388       400  

 

7

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regulations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Certain amounts previously presented for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (of a normal and recurring nature) which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year, or any other future period.

 

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020.

 

The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements for the year ended February 29, 2020, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

 

Subsequent Events

 

In December 2020 the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (bill) inclusive of additional coronavirus aid was signed into law.  Among the many provisions of the bill, expenses related to the receipt of paychecks protection program funds (“PPP) that were previously determined to be non-deductible by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may now be deducted for federal income tax purposes.  This change in deductibility is likely to have an impact on the Company’s effective tax rate for the remainder of fiscal year 2021, or beyond.  It will also have an impact on the Company’s future effective tax rate for the portion of PPP loans that were forgiven during the three months ended November 30, 2020.  The Company considered expenses associated with the PPP loan forgiven during the three months ended November 30, 2020 to be non-deductible for federal income tax purposes consistent with IRS guidance issued as of November 30, 2020.

 

Management evaluated all activity of the Company through the issue date of the financial statements and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. 

 

COVID-19

 

As discussed in more detail throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2020 (this “Quarterly Report”), we have experienced significant business disruptions resulting from efforts to contain the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), including the vast mandated self-quarantines of customers and closures of non-essential business throughout the United States and internationally. Nearly all of the Company-owned and franchise stores were directly and negatively impacted by public health measures taken in response to COVID-19, with nearly all locations experiencing reduced operations as a result of, among other things, modified business hours and store and mall closures. As a result, franchisees and licensees are not ordering products for their stores in line with historical amounts. This trend has negatively impacted, and is expected to continue to negatively impact, among other things, factory sales, retail sales and royalty and marketing fees. Beginning in May 2020 and continuing through November 2020, most stores previously closed for much of March 2020 and April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, began to re-open. As of November 30, 2020, approximately 43 stores have not re-opened and the future of these locations is uncertain. This is a closure rate significantly higher than historical levels. By November 30, 2020, certain stores have met or exceeded pre-COVID-19 levels, however, many retail environments have continued to be adversely impacted by changes to consumer behavior because of COVID-19. Most stores re-opened subject to various local health restrictions and with reduced operations. It is unclear when or if store operations will return to pre-COVID-19 levels.

 

In addition, as previously announced in May 2020, the Board of Directors suspended the Company’s first quarter cash dividend payment to preserve cash and provide additional flexibility in the current environment impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the Board of Directors has suspended future quarterly dividends until the significant uncertainty of the current public health crisis and economic climate has passed, and the Board of Directors determines that resumption of dividend payments is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.

 

During this challenging time, the Company’s foremost priority is the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, franchisees and communities. In addition to the already stringent practices for the quality and safety of the Company’s confections, the Company is diligently following health and safety guidance issued by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and state and local governmental agencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the retail industry as containment measures continue to impact the Company’s operations and the retail industry. Numerous countries, states and local governments have effected ordinances to protect the public through social distancing, which has caused, and we expect will continue to cause, a significant decrease in, among other things, retail traffic and as a result, factory sales, retail sales and royalty and marketing fees. With that said, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory products have remained available for sale online. The Company’s current focus is on supporting its franchisees and licensees during this challenging time and driving growth in online sales, especially in light of the ecommerce licensing agreement with Edible, as discussed below, while also sensibly managing costs. The number of Company-owned and franchise stores remaining open may change frequently and significantly due to the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

8

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In these challenging and unprecedented times, management is taking all necessary and appropriate action to maximize liquidity as the Company navigates the current landscape. These actions include significantly reducing operating expenses and production volume to reflect reduced sales volumes as well as the elimination of all non-essential spending and capital expenditures. Further, in an abundance of caution and to maintain ample financial flexibility, the Company drew down the full amount under our line of credit and the Company received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”). See Note 9 for additional information regarding our debt obligations. The receipt of funds under our debt obligations has allowed the Company to temporarily avoid workforce reduction measures amidst a steep decline in revenue and production volume. While the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity with its current cash position, the Company will continue to monitor and evaluate all financing alternatives as necessary as these unprecedented events evolve. For more information, please see Item 1A “Risk Factors—The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Has, and May Continue to, Materially and Adversely Affect our Sales, Earnings, Financial Condition and Liquidity” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on May 29, 2020 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Except for the recent accounting pronouncements described below, other recent accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 significantly changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. ASU 2016-13 will require immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of many financial assets, which will generally result in earlier recognition of allowances for credit losses on loans and other financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning March 1, 2023 and subsequent interim periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 simplifies the manner in which an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the amendments in ASU 2017-04, an entity should (1) perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and (2) recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, with the understanding that the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, ASU 2017-04 requires any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. We adopted ASU 2017-04 effective March 1, 2020 (the first quarter of our 2021 fiscal year). The adoption of ASU 2017-04 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. This guidance will be effective for entities for the fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020 on a prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt ASU 2019-12 effective March 1, 2021 and do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

As described above, in FY 2020, we entered into a long-term strategic alliance whereby we became the exclusive provider of certain branded chocolate products to Edible, its affiliates and its franchisees. Also in FY 2020, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Edible was elected to the Company’s Board of Directors at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders. During the nine months ended November 30, 2020, the Company recognized approximately $2,126,000 of revenue related to purchases from Edible, its affiliates and its franchisees. As of November 30, 2020 the company recognized approximately $225,000 of accounts receivable from Edible its affiliates and its franchisees.

 

9

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 2 – SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

November 30,

 

Cash paid for:

 

2020

   

2019

 

Interest

  $ 70,953     $ 20,169  

Income taxes

    11,066       613,876  

Non-cash Operating Activities

               

Accrued Inventory

    136,998       65,488  

Non-cash Financing Activities

               

Dividend payable

  $ -     $ 719,400  

 

 

NOTE 3 –REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

 

Effective March 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, which provides that revenues are to be recognized when control of promised goods or services is transferred to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received for those goods or services. This new standard does not impact the Company's recognition of revenue from sales of confectionary items to the Company’s franchisees and others, or in its Company-owned stores as those sales are recognized at the time of the underlying sale and are presented net of sales taxes and discounts. The standard also does not change the recognition of royalties and marketing fees from franchised or licensed locations, which are based on a percent of sales and recognized at the time the sales occur. The standard does change the timing in which the Company recognizes initial fees from franchisees and licensees for new franchise locations and renewals that affect the term of the franchise agreement. The Company generally receives a fee associated with the Franchise Agreement or License Agreement (collectively “Customer Contracts”) at the time that the Customer Contract is entered. These Customer Contracts have a term of up to 20 years, however the majority of Customer Contracts have a term of 10 years. During the term of the Customer Contract the Company is obligated to many performance obligations that the Company has not determined are distinct. The resulting treatment of revenue from Customer Contracts is that the revenue is recognized proportionately over the life of the Customer Contract.

 

Initial Franchise Fees, License Fees, Transfer Fees and Renewal Fees

 

The Company's policy for recognizing initial franchise and renewal fees through February 28, 2018 was to recognize initial franchise fees upon new store openings and renewals that impact the term of the franchise agreement upon renewal. In accordance with the new guidance, the initial franchise services are not distinct from the continuing rights or services offered during the term of the franchise agreement, and will be treated as a single performance obligation. Beginning March 1, 2018, initial franchise fees are being recognized as the Company satisfies the performance obligation over the term of the franchise agreement, which is generally 10-15 years.

 

The following table summarizes contract liabilities as of November 30, 2020 and November 30, 2019:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

November 30:

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Contract liabilities at the beginning of the year:

  $ 1,155,809     $ 1,352,572  

Revenue recognized

    (174,689 )     (270,501 )

Contract fees received

    161,000       94,583  

Amortized gain on the financed sale of equipment

    (7,309 )     (9,398 )

Contract liabilities at the end of the period:

  $ 1,134,811     $ 1,167,256  

 

At November 30, 2020, annual revenue expected to be recognized in the future, related to performance obligations that are not yet fully satisfied, are estimated to be the following:

 

FY 21

  $ 49,539  

FY 22

    191,420  

FY 23

    179,694  

FY 24

    147,093  

FY 25

    133,812  

Thereafter

    433,253  

Total

  $ 1,134,811  

 

10

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Gift Cards

 

The Company’s franchisees sell gift cards, which do not have expiration dates or non-usage fees. The proceeds from the sale of gift cards by the franchisees are accumulated by the Company and paid out to the franchisees upon customer redemption. The Company has historically accumulated gift card liabilities and has not recognized breakage associated with the gift card liability. The adoption of ASC 606 requires the use of the “proportionate” method for recognizing breakage, which the Company has not historically utilized. Upon adoption of ASC 606 the Company began recognizing revenue from gift cards when the gift card is redeemed by the customer or the Company determines the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed by the customer is remote (“gift card breakage”). The determination of the gift card breakage rate is based upon Company-specific historical redemption patterns.

 

 

NOTE 4 – DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE

 

The following table presents disaggregated revenue by method of recognition and segment:

 

Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 

 

Revenues recognized over time under ASC 606:

 

   

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Total

 
                                         

Franchise fees

  $ 40,834     $ -     $ -     $ 5,220     $ 46,054  

 

Revenues recognized at a point in time:

 

   

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Total

 

Factory sales

    -       5,570,375       -       -       5,570,375  

Retail sales

    -       -       273,378       258,023       531,401  

Royalty and marketing fees

    892,814       -       -       188,223       1,081,037  

Total

  $ 933,648     $ 5,570,375     $ 273,378     $ 451,466     $ 7,228,867  

 

Three Months Ended November 30, 2019

 

Revenues recognized over time under ASC 606: 

 

   

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Total

 
                                         

Franchise fees

  $ 43,331     $ -     $ -     $ 38,961     $ 82,292  

 

Revenues recognized at a point in time:

 

   

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Total

 

Factory sales

    -       5,786,303       -       -       5,786,303  

Retail sales

    -       -       260,002       444,296       704,298  

Royalty and marketing fees

    1,066,141       -       -       274,218       1,340,359  

Total

  $ 1,109,472     $ 5,786,303     $ 260,002     $ 757,475     $ 7,913,252  

 

11

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Nine Months Ended November 30, 2020

 

Revenues recognized over time under ASC 606:

 

   

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Total

 
                                         

Franchise fees

  $ 131,665     $ -     $ -     $ 43,024     $ 174,689  

 

Revenues recognized at a point in time:

 

   

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Total

 

Factory sales

    -       11,203,742       -       -       11,203,742  

Retail sales

    -       -       527,061       687,336       1,214,397  

Royalty and marketing fees

    2,095,912       -       -       569,966       2,665,878  

Total

  $ 2,227,577     $ 11,203,742     $ 527,061     $ 1,300,326     $ 15,258,706  
                                         

 

Nine Months Ended November 30, 2019

 

Revenues recognized over time under ASC 606: 

 

   

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Total

 
                                         

Franchise fees

  $ 188,677     $ -     $ -     $ 81,824     $ 270,501  

 

Revenues recognized at a point in time:

 

   

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Total

 

Factory sales

    -       15,874,696       -       -       15,874,696  

Retail sales

    -       -       758,083       1,702,473       2,460,556  

Royalty and marketing fees

    3,863,034       -       -       1,255,734       5,118,768  

Total

  $ 4,051,711     $ 15,874,696     $ 758,083     $ 3,040,031     $ 23,724,521  

 

 

NOTE 5 – INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

   

November 30, 2020

   

February 29, 2020

 

Ingredients and supplies

  $ 2,587,311     $ 2,186,652  

Finished candy

    2,435,624       1,827,767  

U-Swirl food and packaging

    37,006       56,708  

Reserve for slow moving inventory

    (154,126 )     (320,149 )

Total inventories

  $ 4,905,815     $ 3,750,978  

 

12

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

   

November 30, 2020

   

February 29, 2020

 

Land

  $ 513,618     $ 513,618  

Building

    4,827,807       5,031,395  

Machinery and equipment

    10,057,880       10,664,396  

Furniture and fixtures

    797,498       852,557  

Leasehold improvements

    985,407       1,154,396  

Transportation equipment

    429,789       440,989  
      17,611,999       18,657,351  
                 

Less accumulated depreciation

    (12,341,913 )     (12,719,338 )

Property and equipment, net

  $ 5,270,086     $ 5,938,013  

 

Depreciation expense related to property and equipment totaled $189,522 and $576,128 during the three and nine months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $187,648 and $585,046 during the three and nine months ended November 30, 2019, respectively.

 

 

NOTE 7 – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

             

November 30, 2020

   

February 29, 2020

 
   

Amortization Period (Years)

   

Gross Carrying Value

   

Accumulated Amortization

   

Gross Carrying Value

   

Accumulated Amortization

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization

                                         

Store design

    10       $ 394,826     $ 216,778     $ 295,779     $ 215,653  

Packaging licenses

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

Packaging design

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

Trademark/Non-competition agreements

  5 - 20       556,339       328,415       715,339       297,072  

Franchise rights

    20         5,979,637       3,327,892       5,979,637       2,931,949  

Total

            $ 7,482,605     $ 4,424,888     $ 7,542,558     $ 3,996,477  

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

                                         

Franchising segment-

                                         

Company stores goodwill

            $ 515,065             $ 832,308          

Franchising goodwill

              97,318               97,318          

Manufacturing segment-goodwill

              97,318               97,318          

Trademark

              20,000               20,000          

Total goodwill

              729,701               1,046,944          
                                           

Total Intangible Assets

            $ 8,212,306     $ 4,424,888     $ 8,589,502     $ 3,996,477  

 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled $137,050 and $428,411 during the three and nine months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $176,544 and $529,632 during the three and nine months ended November 30, 2019, respectively.

 

At November 30, 2020, annual amortization of intangible assets, based upon the Company’s existing intangible assets and current useful lives, is estimated to be the following:

 

2021

    137,656  

2022

    466,554  

2023

    391,988  

2024

    329,267  

2025

    277,022  

Thereafter

    1,281,184  

Total

  $ 2,883,671  

 

During FY 2020, the Company initiated a store design project. The initiative is expected to add approximately $250,000 of intangible assets, of which, $174,000 was recorded as of November 30, 2020. This amount will be subject to amortization upon conclusion of the project.

 

13

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 8 – IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

We assess the potential impairment of our long-lived assets on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets or asset group may not be recoverable. Due to the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations, we determined it was necessary to perform an interim test of our long-lived assets during the three months ended May 31, 2020. Based on the results of these assessments, we recorded $545,000 of goodwill impairment expense. This expense is presented within general and administrative expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. No additional tests for impairment were determined to be necessary during the three or nine months ended November 30, 2020.

 

The assessment of our goodwill, trademark and long-lived asset fair values includes many assumptions that are subject to risk and uncertainties. The primary assumptions, which are all Level 3 inputs of the fair value hierarchy (inputs to the valuation methodology that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement), used in our impairment testing consist of:

 

 

Expected future cash flows from operation of our Company-owned units.

 

Forecasted future royalty revenue, marketing revenue and associated expenses.

 

Projected rate of royalty savings on trademarks.

 

Our cost of capital.

 

As of November 30, 2020, costs associated with the impairment of long-lived and intangible assets consist of the following:

 

Company store goodwill impairment

  $ 317,243  

Trademark intangible asset impairment

    159,000  

Company-owned store impairment of long-lived assets and inventory

    68,558  
         

Total

  $ 544,801  

 

Certain interim tests conducted during the three months ended May 31, 2020 did not indicate a need for impairment. Franchise rights, store design, manufacturing segment goodwill and franchising goodwill tests succeeded during the interim period. We believe we have made reasonable estimates and judgements, however, further COVID-19-related impacts could cause interim testing to be performed in future periods and further impairments recorded if testing of impairments are not successful in future periods. Following the three months ended May 31, 2020 there have been no further events that would trigger subsequent testing for impairment.

 

 

NOTE 9 – LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

 

The Company has a $5.0 million credit line for general corporate and working capital purposes. On March 16, 2020, as a precautionary measure, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related economic impacts, the Company drew the maximum amount available on the credit line in an amount equal to $3.4 million (the full amount of $5.0 million under the credit line, subject to the borrowing base of 50% of eligible accounts receivable plus 50% of eligible inventories). The credit line is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, except retail store assets. Interest on borrowings is at LIBOR plus 2.25% (2.4% at November 30, 2020). Additionally, the line of credit is subject to various financial ratio and leverage covenants. At November 30, 2020, the Company was not compliant with a covenant of the line of credit that requires the Company to have $1.5 million of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the trailing twelve months ended November 30, 2020. As a result of COVID-19, the Company failed to meet the amount of EBITDA required by this covenant. On June 26, 2020 and on October 5, 2020, Wells Fargo Bank, NA (“Wells Fargo”) delivered to the Company Reservation of Rights Letters (“Bank Letters”). The Bank Letters reserved all rights available to Wells Fargo under the Credit Agreement dated October 30, 2015 including, but not limited to, the right of Wells Fargo to demand immediate payment of all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The Bank Letters also placed restrictions on the Company’s ability to draw any further funds on the line of credit. On December 22, 2020, the Company and Wells Fargo executed an amendment to the credit agreement. The amendment to the credit agreement reduced the amount of EBITDA required for the Company to be compliant with the covenant and introduced certain exemptions for the covenant specific to the impacts of COVID-19. Upon execution of this amendment, the Company became compliant with covenants associated with the line of credit and is compliant with such covenants as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The credit line is subject to renewal in September 2021 and the Company believes it is likely to be renewed on terms similar to the current terms, subject to the Company’s recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.

 

The Company’s long-term debt is comprised of a promissory note pursuant to the PPP, under the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA Loans”). The Company received total proceeds of $1.5 million from SBA Loans. During the three months ended November 30, 2020, approximately $108,000 of the original loan proceeds was forgiven by the SBA. The remaining SBA Loan is scheduled to mature in April 2022 and has a 1.00% interest rate, and is subject to the terms and conditions applicable to loans administered by the CARES Act. The SBA Loan may be prepaid by the Company at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. As of November 30, 2020, the Company is in compliance with all provisions related to the SBA Loan.

 

14

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The SBA Loan contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults and breaches of representations and warranties. Subject to certain conditions, the remaining SBA Loan may be forgiven in whole or in part by applying for forgiveness pursuant to the CARES Act and the PPP. The amount of loan proceeds eligible for forgiveness is based on a formula based on a number of factors, including the amount of loan proceeds used by the Company during the period after the loan origination for certain purposes, including payroll costs, interest on certain mortgage obligations, rent payments on certain leases, and certain qualified utility payments, provided that, among other things, at least 60-75% of the loan amount is used for eligible payroll costs, the employer maintaining or rehiring employees and maintaining salaries at a certain level. In accordance with the requirements of the CARES Act and the PPP, the Company believes it has used the proceeds from the SBA Loans for qualifying expenses. No assurance can be given that the Company will be granted forgiveness of the remaining SBA Loan in whole or in part. As of November 30, 2020, the Company had recorded approximately $9,700 of interest expense payable related to the SBA Loans.

 

As of November 30, 2020 and February 29, 2020, notes payable consisted of the following:

 

   

November 30, 2020

   

February 29, 2020

 

Paycheck protection program note payable in monthly installments of principal and interest at 1.0% per annum through April 2022

  $ 1,437,863     $ -  

Less: current maturities

    (948,968 )     -  

Long-term obligations

  $ 488,895     $ -  

 

 

NOTE 10 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Cash Dividend

 

The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per common share on March 15, 2019 to stockholders of record on March 5, 2019. The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock on June 14, 2019 to stockholders of record on June 4, 2019. The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock on September 13, 2019 to stockholders of record on September 4, 2019. The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock on December 6, 2019 to stockholders of record on November 22, 2019. The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock on March 13, 2020 to stockholders of record on February 28, 2020.

 

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

 

As previously announced in May 2020, the Board of Directors suspended the Company’s first quarter cash dividend payment to preserve cash and provide additional flexibility in the current environment as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19. Furthermore, the Board of Directors has suspended future quarterly dividends until the significant uncertainty of the current public health crisis and global economic climate has passed, and the Board of Directors determines that resumption of dividend payments is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.

 

Stock Repurchases

 

On July 15, 2014, the Company publicly announced a plan to repurchase up to $3.0 million of its common stock in the open market or in private transactions, whenever deemed appropriate by management. On January 13, 2015, the Company announced a plan to purchase up to an additional $2,058,000 of its common stock under the repurchase plan, and on May 21, 2015, the Company announced a further increase to the repurchase plan by authorizing the purchase of up to an additional $2,090,000 of its common stock under the repurchase plan. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the three and nine months ended November 30, 2020. As of November 30, 2020, approximately $638,000 remains available under the repurchase plan for further stock repurchases.

 

Warrants

 

In consideration of Edible entering into the exclusive supplier agreement and the performance of its obligations therein, on December 20, 2019, the Company issued Edible a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase up to 960,677 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Warrant Shares”) at an exercise price of $8.76 per share. The Warrant Shares vest in annual tranches in varying amounts following each contract year under the exclusive supplier agreement, subject to, and only upon, Edible’s achievement of certain revenue thresholds on an annual or cumulative five-year basis in connection with its performance under the exclusive supplier agreement. The Warrant expires six months after the final and conclusive determination of revenue thresholds for the fifth contract year and the cumulative revenue determination in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

15

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company determined that the grant date fair value of the warrants was de minimis and did not record any amount in consideration of the warrants. The Company utilized a Monte Carlo model for purposes of determining the grant date fair value.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Under the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and restated) (the “2007 Plan”), the Company may authorize and grant stock awards to employees, non-employee directors and certain other eligible participants, including stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. On September 17, 2020, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2007 Plan to (1) increase the number of authorized shares under the 2007 Plan by 300,000 shares and (2) to extend the term of the 2007 Plan to September 17, 2030. As of the filing date of this report, there were 320,668 shares available for issuance as awards under the 2007 Plan.

 

The Company recognized $112,199 and $399,636 of stock-based compensation expense during the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $116,540 and $503,210 during the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2019, respectively. Compensation costs related to stock-based compensation are generally amortized over the vesting period of the stock awards.

 

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the nine months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

November 30,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

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

    265,555       25,002  

Granted

    -       270,000  

Vested

    (51,393 )     (32,002 )

Cancelled/forfeited

    (1,344 )     -  

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

    212,818       263,000  
                 

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 9.40     $ 9.40  

Weighted average remaining vesting period (in years)

    3.92       4.90  

 

The Company did not issue any unrestricted shares of stock to non-employee directors during the nine months ended November 30, 2020 compared to an aggregate of 5,168 shares issued during the nine months ended November 30, 2019. In connection with these non-employee director stock issuances, the Company recognized $0 and $48,774 of stock-based compensation expense during the nine months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

During the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2020, the Company recognized $112,199 and $399,636, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock unit grants. The restricted stock unit grants generally vest in equal annual or quarterly installments over a period of five to six years. During the nine-month periods ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, 51,393 and 32,002 restricted stock units vested and were issued as common stock, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation expense of non-vested, non-forfeited restricted stock units granted as of November 30, 2020 was $1,726,339, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 3.92 years.

 

The Company has no outstanding stock options as of November 30, 2020.

 

 

NOTE 11 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through the settlement of restricted stock units. Restricted stock units become dilutive within the period granted and remain dilutive until the units vest and are issued as common stock.

 

The weighted-average number of shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted earnings per share does not include outstanding common shares issuable if their effect would be anti-dilutive. During the nine months ended November 30, 2020, 960,677 shares of common stock warrants and 219,596 shares of issuable common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. During the three months ended November 30, 2019, 263,038 shares of issuable common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

16

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 12 – LEASING ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company conducts its retail operations in facilities leased under non-cancelable operating leases of up to ten years. Certain leases contain renewal options for between five and ten additional years at increased monthly rentals. Some of the leases provide for contingent rentals based on sales in excess of predetermined base levels. 

 

The Company acts as primary lessee of some franchised store premises, which the Company then subleases to franchisees, but the majority of existing locations are leased by the franchisee directly. Currently, there are not indications that the Company will be required to make any payments on behalf of franchisees.

 

In some instances, the Company has leased space for its Company-owned locations that are now occupied by franchisees. When the Company-owned location was sold or transferred, the store was subleased to the franchisee who is responsible for the monthly rent and other obligations under the lease.

 

The Company also leases trucking equipment and warehouse space in support of its manufacturing operations. Expense associated with trucking and warehouse leases is included in cost of sales on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

ASU 2016-02 allows, as a practical expedient, the retention of the classification of existing leases as operating or financing. All of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases and that classification has been retained upon adoption. The Company does not believe the utilization of this practical expedient has a material impact on lease classifications.

 

The Company accounts for payments related to lease liabilities on a straight-line basis over the lease term. During the nine months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, lease expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income was $630,871 and $702,872, respectively.

 

The amount of the Right of Use Asset and Lease Liability recorded upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02 was $3.3 million. The lease liability reflects the present value of the Company’s estimated future minimum lease payments over the life of its leases. This includes known escalations and renewal option periods reasonably assured of being exercised. Typically, renewal options are considered reasonably assured of being exercised if the sales performance of the location remains strong. Therefore, the Right of Use Asset and Lease Liability include an assumption on renewal options that have not yet been exercised by the Company, and are not currently a future obligation. The Company has separated non-lease components from lease components in the recognition of the Asset and Liability except in instances where such costs were not practical to separate. To the extent that occupancy costs, such as site maintenance, are included in the Asset and Liability, the impact is immaterial. For franchised locations, the related occupancy costs including property taxes, insurance and site maintenance are generally required to be paid by the franchisees as part of the franchise arrangement. In addition, the Company is the lessee under non-store related leases such as storage facilities and trucking equipment. For leases where the implicit rate is not readily determinable, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate to calculate the lease liability that represents an estimate of the interest rate the Company would incur to borrow on a collateralized basis over the term of a lease. The weighted average discount rate used for operating leases was 3.4% as of November 30, 2020. The total estimated future minimum lease payments is $2.4 million.

 

As of November 30, 2020, maturities of lease liabilities for the Company’s operating leases were as follows:

 

FY 21

  $ 205,893  

FY 22

    694,755  

FY 23

    437,445  

FY 24

    315,962  

FY 25

    164,223  

Thereafter

    552,818  

Total

  $ 2,371,096  
         

Less: imputed interest

    (222,352 )

Present value of lease liabilities:

  $ 2,148,744  
         

Weighted average lease term (years)

    6.7  

 

During the nine months ended November 30, 2019, the Company entered into a lease amendment to extend the term of a lease for a Company-owned location. This lease amendment resulted in the Company recognizing a present value of future lease liability of $476,611 based upon a total lease liability of $532,811.

 

17

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 13 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Purchase contracts

 

The Company frequently enters into purchase contracts of between six to eighteen months for chocolate and certain nuts. These contracts permit the Company to purchase the specified commodity at a fixed price on an as-needed basis during the term of the contract. Because prices for these products may fluctuate, the Company may benefit if prices rise during the terms of these contracts, but it may be required to pay above-market prices if prices fall and it is unable to renegotiate the terms of the contract. As of November 30, 2020, the Company was contracted for approximately $323,000 of raw materials under such agreements. The Company has designated these contracts as normal under the normal purchase and sale exception under the accounting standards for derivatives. These contracts are not entered into for speculative purposes.

 

 

NOTE 14 – FTD LOSS CONTINGENCY

 

In June 2019, the Company’s largest customer at the time, FTD Companies, Inc. and its domestic subsidiaries (“FTD”), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. As a part of such bankruptcy proceedings, divisions of FTD’s business and certain related assets, including the divisions that the Company has historically sold product to, were sold through an auction to multiple buyers.

 

The Company historically conducted business with FTD under a Gourmet Foods Supplier Agreement (the “FTD Supplier Agreement”), that among other provisions, provided assurance that custom inventory purchased by the Company and developed specifically for FTD would be purchased by FTD upon termination of the FTD Supplier Agreement. In September 2019, the Company received notice that the bankruptcy court had approved FTD to reject and not enforce the FTD Supplier Agreement as part of the proceedings.

 

As a result of FTD’s bankruptcy, the sale of certain assets, and the court’s approval to reject and not enforce the terms of the FTD Supplier Agreement, the Company is uncertain if accounts receivable and inventory balances associated with FTD at November 30, 2020 will be realized at their full value, or if any revenue will be received from FTD in the future.

 

As of November 30, 2020, the Company had recorded inventory and receivables related to FTD of approximately $221,000 and $80,000, respectively. The Company had also established reserves of approximately $146,000 for expected losses on FTD inventory and receivables upon the conclusion of the bankruptcy proceedings.

 

 

NOTE 15 – INCOME TAXES

 

Under the recently enacted CARES Act a net operating loss (“NOL”) arising during the Company’s fiscal year 2021 can be carried back for five years to offset the Company’s taxable income for fiscal years 2016-2020. This five-year period spans Federal effective tax rates for the Company ranging from 21% to 34%, the result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted during the Company’s fiscal year ended February 28, 2018.

 

The Company’s deferred tax assets are valued at the current federally enacted rate of 21%. If the Company were to continue to realize NOLs in future periods, or incur a NOL for all of fiscal year 2021 the loss carryback provisions of the CARES Act may enable the Company to offset taxable income from prior years when federally enacted tax rates were higher than 21%. Under such a scenario, the Company would incur a gain associated with the revaluation of the Company’s deferred tax assets to the extent that prior taxable income during periods of higher enacted federal tax rates could be offset by current NOLs.

 

As of November 30, 2020, the Company is in the process of quantifying the different aspects of the CARES Act and the impact of these provisions on the Company’s income taxes.

 

18

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 16 – OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

The Company classifies its business interests into five reportable segments: Franchising, Manufacturing, Retail Stores, U-Swirl operations and Other. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to these consolidated financial statements and Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on operating contribution, which excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative costs and income tax expense or benefit. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic businesses that utilize common merchandising, distribution and marketing functions, as well as common information systems and corporate administration. All inter-segment sales prices are market based. Each segment is managed separately because of the differences in required infrastructure and the difference in products and services:

 

Three Months Ended November 30, 2020

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 934,793     $ 5,880,361     $ 273,378     $ 451,466     $ -     $ 7,539,998  

Intersegment revenues

    (1,145 )     (309,986 )     -       -       -       (311,131 )

Revenue from external customers

    933,648       5,570,375       273,378       451,466       -       7,228,867  

Segment profit (loss)

    274,748       986,763       35,935       (30,060 )     (571,278 )     696,108  

Total assets

    1,232,759       10,647,718       640,383       5,036,284       10,723,870       28,281,014  

Capital expenditures

    -       16,830       -       -       9,376       26,206  

Total depreciation & amortization

  $ 8,998     $ 161,902     $ 1,393     $ 134,773     $ 19,506     $ 326,572  

 

Three Months Ended November 30, 2019

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 1,110,143     $ 6,100,755     $ 260,002     $ 757,475     $ -     $ 8,228,375  

Intersegment revenues

    (671 )     (314,452 )     -       -       -       (315,123 )

Revenue from external customers

    1,109,472       5,786,303       260,002       757,475       -       7,913,252  

Segment profit (loss)

    427,705       1,001,264       (4,649 )     455       (1,518,634 )     (93,859 )

Total assets

    1,189,288       12,346,000       1,046,795       5,540,055       9,055,397       29,177,535  

Capital expenditures

    16,223       347,310       (7,837 )     2,324       25,330       383,350  

Total depreciation & amortization

  $ 11,909     $ 151,771     $ 2,572     $ 175,359     $ 22,581     $ 364,192  

 

Nine Months Ended November 30, 2020

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 2,230,132     $ 11,941,869     $ 527,061     $ 1,300,326     $ -     $ 15,999,388  

Intersegment revenues

    (2,555 )     (738,127 )     -       -       -       (740,682 )

Revenue from external customers

    2,227,577       11,203,742       527,061       1,300,326       -       15,258,706  

Segment profit (loss)

    189,964       692,962       (419,967 )     (475,875 )     (4,036,968 )     (4,049,884 )

Total assets

    1,232,759       10,647,718       640,383       5,036,284       10,723,870       28,281,014  

Capital expenditures

    150       42,027       72       1,712       33,098       77,059  

Total depreciation & amortization

  $ 29,231     $ 486,254     $ 6,188     $ 422,545     $ 60,321     $ 1,004,539  

 

Nine Months Ended November 30, 2019

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 4,054,989     $ 16,681,908     $ 758,083     $ 3,040,031     $ -     $ 24,535,011  

Intersegment revenues

    (3,278 )     (807,212 )     -       -       -       (810,490 )

Revenue from external customers

    4,051,711       15,874,696       758,083       3,040,031       -       23,724,521  

Segment profit (loss)

    1,874,593       3,125,311       (11,683 )     576,499       (3,467,032 )     2,097,688  

Total assets

    1,189,288       12,346,000       1,046,795       5,540,055       9,055,397       29,177,535  

Capital expenditures

    24,723       732,989       24,787       3,997       77,874       864,370  

Total depreciation & amortization

  $ 33,093     $ 453,751     $ 7,715     $ 551,336     $ 68,783     $ 1,114,678  

 

19

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) includes statements of our expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. The nature of our operations and the environment in which we operate subject us to changing economic, competitive, regulatory and technological conditions, risks and uncertainties. The statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this Quarterly Report are forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this document may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will," "intend," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "plan," "estimate," "potential," or similar expressions. Factors which could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to: the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on our business, including, among other things, online sales, factory sales, retail sales and royalty and marketing fees, our liquidity, our cost cutting and capital preservation measures, achievement of the anticipated potential benefits of the strategic alliance with Edible (as defined herein), our ability to provide products to Edible under the strategic alliance, the ability to increase our online sales through the agreements with Edible, changes in the confectionery business environment, seasonality, consumer interest in our products, general economic conditions, the success of our frozen yogurt business, receptiveness of our products internationally, consumer and retail trends, costs and availability of raw materials, competition, the success of our co-branding strategy, the success of international expansion efforts and the effect of government regulations. Government regulations which we and our franchisees and licensees either are, or may be, subject to and which could cause results to differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: local, state and federal laws regarding health, sanitation, safety, building and fire codes, franchising, licensing, employment, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of food products and motor carriers. For a detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained herein, please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020. Additional factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the length and severity of the current COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on among other things, factory sales, retail sales, royalty and marketing fees and operations, the effect of any governmental action or mandated employer-paid benefits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to manage costs and reduce expenditures in the current economic environment and the availability of additional financing if and when required. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. As such they should not be unduly relied upon for more current circumstances. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that might reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Quarterly Report or those that might reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Unless otherwise specified, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries (including its operating subsidiary with the same name, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“RMCF”)).

 

Overview

 

We are an international franchisor, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator. Founded in 1981, we are headquartered in Durango, Colorado and manufacture an extensive line of premium chocolate candies and other confectionery products. Our subsidiary, U-Swirl International, Inc. (“U-Swirl”), franchises and operates soft-serve frozen yogurt cafés. Our revenues and profitability are derived principally from our franchised/license system of retail stores that feature chocolate, frozen yogurt and other confectionary products. We also sell our candy outside of our system of retail stores and license the use of our brand with certain consumer products. As of November 30, 2020, there were two Company-owned, 97 licensee-owned and 212 franchised Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores operating in 37 states, Canada, South Korea, Panama, and the Philippines. As of November 30, 2020, U-Swirl operated three Company-owned cafés and 74 franchised cafés located in 24 states and Qatar. U-Swirl operates self-serve frozen yogurt cafés under the names “U-Swirl,” “Yogurtini,” “CherryBerry,” “Yogli Mogli Frozen Yogurt,” “Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt,” “Let’s Yo!” and “Aspen Leaf Yogurt”.

 

Strategic Alliance with Edible Arrangements

 

In December 2019, the Company entered into a strategic alliance (the “Strategic Alliance”) with Edible Arrangements, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Edible”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company will become the exclusive provider of certain branded chocolate products to Edible, its affiliates and its franchisees. In connection with the Strategic Alliance, the Company entered into a strategic alliance agreement, an exclusive supplier operating agreement and a warrant agreement with Edible. In addition, in March 2020, the Company entered into an ecommerce licensing agreement with Edible, whereby Edible sells a wide variety of chocolates, candies and other confectionery products produced by the Company or its franchisees through Edible’s websites. 

 

20

 

Bankruptcy of FTD Companies

 

In June 2019, the Company’s largest customer at the time, FTD Companies, Inc. and its domestic subsidiaries (“FTD”), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. As a part of such bankruptcy proceedings, divisions of FTD’s business and certain related assets, including the divisions that the Company has historically sold product to, were sold through the auction to multiple buyers. The Company is uncertain if accounts receivable and inventory balances associated with FTD at November 30, 2020 will be realized at their full value, or if any revenue will be received from FTD in the future. See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements contained herein for additional information about the FTD bankruptcy.

 

COVID-19

 

As discussed in more detail throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2020 (this “Quarterly Report”), we have experienced significant business disruptions resulting from efforts to contain the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), including the vast mandated self-quarantines of customers and closures of non-essential business throughout the United States and internationally. Nearly all of the Company-owned and franchise stores were directly and negatively impacted by public health measures taken in response to COVID-19, with nearly all locations experiencing reduced operations as a result of, among other things, modified business hours and store and mall closures. As a result, franchisees and licensees are not ordering products for their stores in line with historical amounts. This trend has negatively impacted, and is expected to continue to negatively impact, among other things, factory sales, retail sales and royalty and marketing fees. Beginning in May 2020 and continuing through November 2020, most stores previously closed for much of March 2020 and April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, began to re-open. As of November 30, 2020, approximately 43 stores have not re-opened and the future of these locations is uncertain. This is a closure rate significantly higher than historical levels. By November 30, 2020, certain stores have met or exceeded pre-COVID-19 levels, however, many retail environments have continued to be adversely impacted by changes to consumer behavior as a result of COVID-19. Most stores re-opened subject to various local health restrictions and with reduced operations. It is unclear when or if store operations will return to pre-COVID-19 levels.

 

In addition, as previously announced on May 11, 2020, the Board of Directors decided to suspend the Company’s first quarter cash dividend payment to preserve cash and provide additional flexibility in the current environment impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the Board of Directors has suspended future quarterly dividends until the significant uncertainty of the current public health crisis and economic climate has passed, and the Board of Directors determines that resumption of dividend payments is in the best interest of us and our stockholders.

 

During this challenging time, the Company’s foremost priority is the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, franchisees and communities. In addition to the already stringent practices for the quality and safety of the Company’s confections, the Company is diligently following health and safety guidance issued by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and state and local governmental agencies. COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on the retail industry as containment measures continue to impact the Company’s operations and the retail industry. Numerous countries, states and local governments have effected ordinances to protect the public through social distancing, which has caused, and we expect will continue to cause, a significant decrease in, among other things, retail traffic and as a result, factory sales, retail sales and royalty and marketing fees. With that said, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory products remain available for sale online. The Company’s current focus is on supporting its franchisees and licensees during this challenging time and driving growth in online sales, especially in light of the ecommerce licensing agreement with Edible, as discussed above, while also sensibly managing costs. The number of Company-owned and franchise stores remaining open may change frequently and significantly due to the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

In these challenging and unprecedented times, management is taking all necessary and appropriate action to maximize liquidity as the Company navigates the current landscape. These actions include significantly reducing operating expenses and production volume to reflect reduced sales volumes as well as the elimination of all non-essential spending and capital expenditures. Further, in an abundance of caution and to maintain ample financial flexibility, the Company drew down the full amount under our line of credit and the Company received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”). The receipt of funds under the PPP has allowed the Company to temporarily avoid workforce reduction measures amidst a steep decline in revenue and production volume. While the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity with its current cash position, the Company will continue to monitor and evaluate all financing alternatives as necessary as these unprecedented events evolve. For more information, please see Item 1A “Risk Factors—The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Has, and May Continue to, Materially and Adversely Affect our Sales, Earnings, Financial Condition and Liquidity” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on May 29, 2020 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

21

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 Compared to the Three Months Ended November 30, 2019

 

Results Summary

 

Basic earnings per share increased from a loss of $(0.01) per share in the three months ended November 30, 2019 to earnings of $0.09 per share in the three months ended November 30, 2020. Revenues decreased 8.6% from $7.9 million in the three months ended November 30, 2019 to $7.2 million in the three months ended November 30, 2020. Operating income increased from an operating loss of $98,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2019 to operating income of $399,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2020. Net income increased from a net loss of $72,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2019 to net income of $524,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2020. The decrease in revenue was due primarily to the continued impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on our operation and the operations of our franchised, licensed and Company-owned locations. The increase in operating income was due primarily to lower general and administrative costs, primarily the result of lower costs associated with an analysis of strategic alternatives in the prior year period. The increase in net income was due primarily to the increase in operating income, a gain on insurance recovery and debt forgiveness income.

 

Revenues

 

   

Three Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($'s in thousands)

 

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change

 

Factory sales

  $ 5,570.4     $ 5,786.3     $ (215.9 )     (3.7 )%

Retail sales

    531.4       704.3       (172.9 )     (24.5 )%

Franchise fees

    46.1       82.3       (36.2 )     (44.0 )%

Royalty and marketing fees

    1,081.0       1,340.4       (259.4 )     (19.4 )%

Total

  $ 7,228.9     $ 7,913.3     $ (684.4 )     (8.6 )%

 

Factory Sales

 

The decrease in factory sales for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019 was primarily due to a 22.5% decrease in sales of product to our network of franchised and licensed retail stores, partially offset by a $855,000 increase in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchised retail stores. The decrease in sales of product to our network of franchised and licensed retail stores was primarily the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health measures in place during the three months ended November 30, 2020, which significantly reduced traffic in our stores. The increase in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchise and licensed retail stores was primarily the result of sales associated with our strategic alliance with Edible.

 

Same store pounds purchased by domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise and license locations decreased 16.9% in the three months ended November 30, 2020, compared with the three months ended November 30, 2019 as result of store closures, reduced operations and reduced demand in stores as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Retail Sales

 

The decrease in retail sales for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019 was primarily the result of limited operations and limited foot traffic during the three months ended November 30, 2020. The limited operations at our Company-owned stores was the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health measures in place during the three months ended November 30, 2020. As of November 30, 2020, all Company-owned stores had resumed limited operations following COVID-19 related closure. Same store sales at all Company-owned stores and cafés decreased 16.3% in the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019.

 

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

The decrease in royalties and marketing fees from the three months ended November 30, 2019 to the three months ended November 30, 2020 was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health measures in place during the three months ended November 30, 2020 and a decrease in domestic franchise units in operation. Nearly all of our franchised locations experienced reduced operations during the three months ended November 30, 2020. The average number of total domestic franchise stores in operation decreased 9.4% from 267 in the three months ended November 30, 2019 to 242 during the three months ended November 30, 2020. This decrease is the result of domestic store closures exceeding domestic store openings, a trend which has accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Same store sales at total franchise stores and cafés in operation decreased 8.5% during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019.

 

22

 

The decrease in franchise fee revenue for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019 was the result of a decrease in revenue resulting from fewer franchise stores in operation and the associated recognition of revenue over the term of the franchise agreement.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Cost of Sales

 

   

Three Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

       

%

 

($'s in thousands)

 

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Cost of sales - factory

  $ 4,505.4     $ 4,689.9     $ (184.5 )     (3.9 )%

Cost of sales - retail

    182.6       266.3       (83.7 )     (31.4 )%

Franchise costs

    440.7       428.2       12.5       2.9 %

Sales and marketing

    382.5       435.0       (52.5 )     (12.1 )%

General and administrative

    788.7       1,529.3       (740.6 )     (48.4 )%

Retail operating

    361.4       445.9       (84.5 )     (19.0 )%

Total

  $ 6,661.3     $ 7,794.6     $ (1,133.3 )     (14.5 )%

 

Gross Margin

 

   

Three Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($'s in thousands)

 

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory gross margin

  $ 1,065.0     $ 1,096.4     $ (31.4 )     (2.9 )%

Retail gross margin

    348.8       438.0       (89.2 )     (20.4 )%

Total

  $ 1,413.8     $ 1,534.4     $ (120.6 )     (7.9 )%

 

   

Three Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

   

%

   

%

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change

 

(Percent)

                               

Factory gross margin

    19.1 %     18.9 %     0.2 %     0.9 %

Retail gross margin

    65.6 %     62.2 %     3.4 %     5.5 %

Total

    23.2 %     23.6 %     (0.4 )%     (2.0 )%

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

   

Three Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($'s in thousands)

 

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory gross margin

  $ 1,065.0     $ 1,096.4     $ (31.4 )     (2.9 )%

Plus: depreciation and amortization

    157.6       147.3       10.3       7.0 %

Factory adjusted gross margin

    1,222.6       1,243.7       (21.1 )     (1.7 )%

Retail gross margin

    348.8       438.0       (89.2 )     (20.4 )%

Total Adjusted Gross Margin

  $ 1,571.4     $ 1,681.7     $ (110.3 )     (6.6 )%
                                 

Factory adjusted gross margin

    21.9 %     21.5 %     0.5 %     2.1 %

Retail gross margin

    65.6 %     62.2 %     3.4 %     5.5 %

Total Adjusted Gross Margin

    25.8 %     25.9 %     (0.1 )%     (0.6 )%

 

23

 

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

 

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

 

Factory margins increased 200 basis points in the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019 due primarily to a loss on inventory associated with the bankruptcy of FTD in the three months ended November 30, 2019 with no comparable costs incurred during the three months ended November 30, 2020. During the three months ended November 30, 2020, production volume decreased 15.4% in response to a 3.7% decrease in factory sales and an increase in inventory, primarily due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Retail gross margins increased from 62.2% during the three months ended November 30, 2019 to 65.6% during the three months ended November 30, 2020.

 

Franchise Costs

 

The increase in franchise costs in the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019 is due primarily to an increase in professional fees, partially offset by lower travel costs, the result of COVID-19 related travel restrictions. As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs increased to 39.1% in the three months ended November 30, 2020 from 30.1% in the three months ended November 30, 2019. This increase as a percentage of royalty, marketing and franchise fees is primarily a result of lower royalty revenues.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

The decrease in sales and marketing costs for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019 is primarily due to lower advertising and promotion costs, partially offset by an increase in online advertising cost.

 

General and Administrative

 

The decrease in general and administrative costs for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019 is primarily due to lower professional fees associated with the Company’s review of strategic alternatives in the 2019 period. During the three months ended November 30, 2019 the Company incurred approximately $771,000 of costs associated with the review of strategic alternatives and the contested solicitation of proxies, compared with no comparable costs incurred in the three months ended November 30, 2020. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 10.9% in the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to 19.3% in the three months ended November 30, 2019.

 

Retail Operating Expenses

 

The decrease in retail operating expenses for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019 was due primarily to reduced operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, increased from 63.3% in the three months ended November 30, 2019 to 68.0% in the three months ended November 30, 2020. This increase is primarily the result of lower retail sales.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization, exclusive of depreciation and amortization included in cost of sales, was $169,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2020, a decrease of 22.1% from $217,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2019. This decrease was the result of lower amortization of franchise rights, the result of a decrease in frozen yogurt cafés in operation. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for a summary of annual amortization of intangible assets based upon existing intangible assets and current useful lives. Depreciation and amortization included in cost of sales increased 7.0% from $147,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2019 to $158,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2020. This increase was the result of an increase in production assets in service primarily resulting from the replacement of obsolete equipment or equipment at the end of its operating life.

 

24

 

Other Income 

 

Other income was $298,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to other income of $4,000 realized in the three months ended November 30, 2019. This change was primarily the result of a gain on insurance recovery and the forgiveness of debt partially offset by higher interest expense resulting from the Company’s increased debt as a result of measures taken during the three months ended May 31, 2020 to ensure adequate liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the three months ended May 31, 2020, the Company borrowed $3.4 million from its line of credit and borrowed $1.5 million of loans under the Paycheck Protection Program.

 

The Company recognized a gain on insurance recovery of $210,500 and recognized forgiveness of debt in the amount of $108,300 during the three months ended November 30, 2020, compared with no similar amounts recognized during the three months ended November 30, 2019. The debt forgiveness was the result of one of the Company’s PPP loans being forgiven during the three months ended November 30, 2020.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended November 30, 2020 was 24.8%, compared to 23.7% for the three months ended November 30, 2019. This change was primarily the result of lower deductions realized during the three months ended November 30, 2020, compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019.

 

Nine months Ended November 30, 2020 Compared to the Nine months Ended November 30, 2019

 

Results Summary

 

Basic earnings per share decreased from $0.26 per share for the nine months ended November 30, 2019 to a net loss of $(0.51) per share for the nine months ended November 30, 2020. Revenues decreased 35.7% from $23.7 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2019 to $15.3 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2020. Operating income decreased from $2.1 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2019 to an operating loss of $(4.3) million for the nine months ended November 30, 2020. Net income decreased from $1.6 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2019 to a net loss of $(3.1) million for the nine months ended November 30, 2020. The decrease in revenue, operating income and net income was due primarily to the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on our operation and the operations of our franchised, licensed and Company-owned locations.

 

Revenues

 

   

Nine Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($'s in thousands)

 

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change

 

Factory sales

  $ 11,203.7     $ 15,874.7     $ (4,671.0 )     (29.4 )%

Retail sales

    1,214.4       2,460.5       (1,246.1 )     (50.6 )%

Franchise fees

    174.7       270.5       (95.8 )     (35.4 )%

Royalty and marketing fees

    2,665.9       5,118.8       (2,452.9 )     (47.9 )%

Total

  $ 15,258.7     $ 23,724.5     $ (8,465.8 )     (35.7 )%

 

Factory Sales

 

The decrease in factory sales for the nine months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2019 was primarily due to a 42.2% decrease in sales of product to our network of franchised and licensed retail stores partially offset by a 24.2% increase in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchised retail stores. Purchases resulting from our strategic alliance with Edible were approximately $2.1 million, or 13.9%, of the Company’s revenues during the nine months ended November 30, 2020, compared to no revenue from the strategic alliance during the nine months ended November 30, 2019. Purchases resulting from our strategic alliance with Edible were partially offset by lower purchases from FTD, the Company’s historically largest customer. There was no revenue from FTD during the nine months ended November 30, 2020 compared to revenue of $1.5 million during the nine months ended November 30, 2019. As discussed above, FTD declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2019. The decrease in sales of product to our network of franchised and licensed retail stores was primarily the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health measures in place during the nine months ended November 30, 2020, which significantly reduced traffic in our stores and increased store closures. Beginning in May 2020, most stores previously closed for much of March 2020 and April 2020, in response to COVID-19, began to re-open. Most stores re-opened subject to various local health restrictions and with reduced operations. It is unclear when or if store operations will return to pre COVID-19 levels.

 

Same store pounds purchased by domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise and license locations decreased 38.0% in the nine months ended November 30, 2020, compared with the nine months ended November 30, 2019.

 

25

 

Retail Sales

 

The decrease in retail sales for the nine months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2019 was primarily due to the closure of all of our Company-owned stores for much of the three months ended May 31, 2020. The closure of our Company-owned stores was the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health measures in place during the three months ended May 31, 2020. As of November 30, 2020, all of our Company-owned stores had resumed limited operations following the COVID-19 related closures.

 

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

The decrease in royalties and marketing fees from the nine months ended November 30, 2019 to the nine months ended November 30, 2020 was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health measures in place during the nine months ended November 30, 2020. Nearly all of our franchised locations experienced reduced operations and periods of full closure during the nine months ended November 30, 2020. The average number of total domestic franchise stores in operation decreased 7.4% from 272 in the nine months ended November 30, 2019 to 252 during the nine months ended November 30, 2020. This decrease is the result of domestic store closures exceeding domestic store openings, a trend which has accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The decrease in franchise fee revenue for the nine months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2019 was the result of a decrease in revenue resulting from fewer franchise stores in operation and the associated recognition of revenue over the term of the franchise agreement.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Cost of Sales

 

   

Nine Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($'s in thousands)

 

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Cost of sales - factory

  $ 10,203.7     $ 12,451.8     $ (2,248.1 )     (18.1 )%

Cost of sales - retail

    421.1       857.6       (436.5 )     (50.9 )%

Franchise costs

    1,312.9       1,352.9       (40.0 )     (3.0 )%

Sales and marketing

    1,265.5       1,426.4       (160.9 )     (11.3 )%

General and administrative

    4,756.7       3,504.4       1,252.3       35.7 %

Retail operating

    1,010.0       1,364.1       (354.1 )     (26.0 )%

Total

  $ 18,969.9     $ 20,957.2     $ (1,987.3 )     (9.5 )%

 

Gross Margin

 

   

Nine Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory gross margin

  $ 1,000.0     $ 3,422.9     $ (2,422.9 )     (70.8 )%

Retail gross margin

    793.3       1,602.9       (809.6 )     (50.5 )%

Total

  $ 1,793.3     $ 5,025.8     $ (3,232.5 )     (64.3 )%

 

   

Nine Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

   

%

   

%

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory gross margin

    8.9 %     21.6 %     (12.6 )%     (58.6 )%

Retail gross margin

    65.3 %     65.1 %     0.2 %     0.3 %

Total

    14.4 %     27.4 %     (13.0 )%     (47.3 )%

 

26

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

   

Nine Months Ended

                 
   

November 30,

    $    

%

 

($'s in thousands)

 

2020

   

2019

   

Change

   

Change