NATH Nathans Famous Inc

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this Form 10-Q quarterly report may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are not within our control, include but are not limited to: economic, weather (including the affects on the supply of cattle and the impact of weather on sales at our restaurants, particularly during Summer months), and change in the price of beef trimmings; our ability to pass on the cost of any price increases in beef and beef trimmings, or labor costs; legislative and business conditions; the collectibility of receivables; changes in consumer tastes; the status of our licensing and supply agreements, including the impact of our supply agreement for hot dogs with John Morrell & Co., the impact of our debt service and repayment obligations under the Notes; the continued viability of Coney Island as a destination location for visitors; the ability to continue to attract franchisees; the impact of the new minimum wage legislation in New York State or other changes in labor laws, including regulations which could render a franchisor as a “joint employee” or the impact of our new union contract; our ability to attract competent restaurant and managerial personnel; the enforceability of international franchising agreements and the future effects of any food borne illness; such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE or e-coli; as well as those risks discussed from time to time in this Form 10-Q and our Form 10-K annual report for the year ended March 26, 2017, and in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking statements with the words “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q.

Introduction

As used in this Report, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “Nathan’s” or the “Company” mean Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and its subsidiaries (unless the context indicates a different meaning).

We are engaged primarily in the marketing of the “Nathan’s Famous” brand and the sale of products bearing the “Nathan’s Famous” trademarks through several different channels of distribution. Historically, our business has been the operation and franchising of quick-service restaurants featuring Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French-fried potatoes, and a variety of other menu offerings. Our Company-owned and franchised units operate under the name “Nathan’s Famous,” the name first used at our original Coney Island restaurant opened in 1916. Nathan’s product licensing program sells packaged hot dogs and other meat products to retail customers through supermarkets or grocery-type retailers for off-site consumption. Our Branded Product Program enables foodservice retailers and others to sell some of Nathan’s proprietary products outside of the realm of a traditional franchise relationship. In conjunction with this program, purchasers of Nathan’s products are granted a limited use of the Nathan’s Famous trademark with respect to the sale of the purchased products, including Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, certain other proprietary food items and paper goods. Our Branded Menu Program is a limited franchise program, under which foodservice operators may sell a greater variety of Nathan’s Famous menu items than under the Branded Product Program.

Our revenues are generated primarily from selling products under Nathan’s Branded Product Program, operating Company-owned restaurants, licensing agreements for the sale of Nathan’s products within supermarkets and club stores, the sale of Nathan’s products directly to other foodservice operators and the manufacture of certain proprietary spices by third parties and franchising the Nathan’s restaurant concept (including the Branded Menu Program).

At June 25, 2017, our restaurant system consisted of 279 Nathan’s franchised units, including 118 Branded Menu units, and five Company-owned units (including one seasonal unit), located in 19 states, and 12 foreign countries. At June 26, 2016, our restaurant system consisted of 261 Nathan’s franchised units, including 103 Branded Menu units, and five Company-owned units (including one seasonal unit), located in 20 states, and 11 foreign countries.

In addition to plans for expansion through our Branded Product Program, licensing and franchising, Nathan’s continues to seek to co-brand within its restaurant system. Nathan’s is also the owner of the Arthur Treacher’s brand. Currently there are also eight locations operating under our Arthur Treacher’s Branded Menu Program agreement.

As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 26, 2017, our future results could be materially impacted by many developments including our dependence on John Morrell & Co. as our principal supplier and the dependence of our licensing revenue and overall profitability on our agreement with John Morrell & Co. In addition, our future operating results could be impacted by supply constraints on beef or by increased costs of beef compared to earlier periods.

On March 10, 2015, we consummated a $135,000,000 offering of 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (“the Notes”) and paid a dividend of $25.00 per share (or approximately $116,100,000 in the aggregate). Our future results could also be impacted by our obligations under the Notes. As a result of the issuance of the Notes, Nathan’s expects to incur interest expense of $13,500,000 per annum and annual amortization of debt issuance costs of approximately $1,200,000. The impact of interest expense on net income has been reflected in our results for the thirteen week periods ended June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016. Accordingly, as described below we are also including information relating to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in this Form 10-Q quarterly report.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

As discussed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2017, the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements. These judgments can be subjective and complex, and consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates. Our most critical accounting policies and estimates relate to revenue recognition; impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets; impairment of long-lived assets; share-based compensation and income taxes (including uncertain tax positions). Except for the adoption discussed in Note B – simplifying the measurement of inventory; there have been no changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies subsequent to March 26, 2017.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements           

Please refer to Note B of the preceding consolidated financial statements for our discussion of the Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncement.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Please refer to Note C of the preceding consolidated financial statements for our discussion of New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

The Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors to assist in assessing and understanding the Company's operating performance and underlying trends in the Company's business because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are (i) among the measures used by management in evaluating performance and (ii) are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a common performance measure.

Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures

The following is provided to supplement certain Non-GAAP financial measures.

In addition to disclosing results that are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP"), the Company has provided EBITDA which excludes (i) interest expense; (ii) provision for income taxes and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense. The Company has also provided Adjusted EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation that the Company believes will impact the comparability of its results of operations.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under US GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives to net income (loss) or other measures of financial performance or liquidity in conformity with US GAAP. Additionally, our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from other companies. Analysis of results and outlook on a non-US GAAP basis should be used as a complement to, and in conjunction with, data presented in accordance with US GAAP.

The following is a reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

Results of Operations

Thirteen weeks ended June 25, 2017 compared to thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2016

Revenues

Total sales increased by 5.1% to $22,345,000 for the thirteen weeks ended June 25, 2017 (“fiscal 2018 period”) as compared to $21,262,000 for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2016 (“fiscal 2017 period”). Foodservice sales from the Branded Product Program increased by 10.4% to $17,937,000 for the fiscal 2018 period as compared to sales of $16,254,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. During the fiscal 2018 period, the volume of business increased by approximately 8.3%. Our average selling prices increased by approximately 1.3% as a result of our pricing strategy, which is more closely correlated to the cost of beef which increased by approximately 9.3%, during the fiscal 2018 period as compared to the fiscal 2017 period. Total Company-owned restaurant sales were $4,408,000 during the fiscal 2018 period compared to $4,843,000 during the fiscal 2017 period. Sales at our five Company-owned restaurants were unfavorably affected during the fiscal 2018 period due primarily to unfavorable weather conditions during the fiscal 2018 period. Direct retail sales also decreased by $165,000 during the fiscal 2018 period as compared to the fiscal 2017 period as we transitioned this business into our Branded Product Program during fiscal 2017.

License royalties were $7,401,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $6,824,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. Total royalties earned on sales of hot dogs from our license agreement with John Morrell & Co. at retail and foodservice, substantially from sales of hot dogs to Sam’s Club, increased 8.2% to $6,885,000 for the 2018 fiscal period as compared to $6,362,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. The increase is due to a 4.0% increase in volume during the fiscal 2018 period as compared to the fiscal 2017 period, in addition to a 5.3% increase in average selling prices, on which our royalties are calculated. Royalties earned from all other licensing agreements for the manufacture and sale of Nathan’s products increased by $54,000 during the fiscal 2018 period as compared to the fiscal 2017 period.

Franchise fees and royalties were $1,172,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $1,330,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. Total royalties were $1,112,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $1,152,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. Royalties earned under the Branded Menu program were $291,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $262,000 in the fiscal 2017 period due principally to the new carts opened primarily in New York City over the last year. Royalties earned under the Branded Menu Program are not based upon a percentage of restaurant sales but are based upon product purchases. Traditional franchise royalties were $821,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $890,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. Franchise restaurant sales decreased to $18,846,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $19,830,000 in the fiscal 2017 period primarily due to the decline in comparable domestic sales and the impact of units closed in the previous fiscal year. Comparable domestic franchise sales (consisting of 91 Nathan’s outlets, excluding sales under the Branded Menu Program) were $13,946,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $14,472,000 in the fiscal 2017 period, a decrease of 3.6%.

At June 25, 2017, 279 domestic and international franchised or Branded Menu Program franchise outlets were operating compared to 261 domestic and international franchised or Branded Menu Program franchise outlets at June 26, 2016. Total franchise fee income was $60,000 in the fiscal 2018 period compared to $178,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. Domestic franchise fee income was $31,000 in the fiscal 2018 period compared to $54,000 in the fiscal 2017 period due primarily to the different types of locations opened, and associated fees earned, between the two periods. International franchise fee income was $29,000 in the fiscal 2018 period compared to $99,000 during the fiscal 2017 period primarily due to the timing of new international development international fees. We also recognized $25,000 in forfeited fees in the fiscal 2017 period. During the fiscal 2018 period, ten new franchised outlets opened including two international locations and seven new Branded Menu Program outlets opened. During the fiscal 2017 period, four new franchised outlets opened and four new Branded Menu Program outlets opened.

Costs and Expenses

Overall, our cost of sales increased by 13.4% to $17,525,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $15,458,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. Our gross profit (representing the difference between sales and cost of sales) was $4,820,000 or 21.6% of sales during the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $5,804,000 or 27.3% of sales during the fiscal 2017 period. The margin reduction was primarily due to the higher cost of beef in the Branded Product Program and in the Company-operated restaurants in addition to the higher labor costs at the Company-owned restaurants.

Cost of sales in the Branded Product Program increased by approximately $2,280,000 during the fiscal 2018 period as compared to the fiscal 2017 period, primarily due to the 9.3% increase in the average cost per pound of our hot dogs in addition to the higher volume of product sold. During the fiscal 2017 period, we completed our purchase of approximately 662,000 lbs. of hot dogs pursuant to the open purchase commitment, representing approximately 11.3% of volume, which reduced our overall cost of hot dogs by approximately 110 BPS. We did not make any purchases during the fiscal 2018 period pursuant to any purchase commitments. If the cost of beef and beef trimmings increases and we are unable to pass on these higher costs through price increases or otherwise reduce any increase in our costs through the use of purchase commitments, our margins will be adversely impacted.

With respect to Company-owned restaurants, our cost of sales during the fiscal 2018 period was $2,585,000 or 58.6% of restaurant sales, as compared to $2,648,000 or 54.7% of restaurant sales in the fiscal 2017 period due primarily to the impact of lower revenues and higher labor costs principally associated with the effects of the New York State minimum wage increase. We expect that our labor costs going forward will continue to be impacted by the multi-year new increase in minimum wage requirements in New York State and any increase in food costs from higher commodity costs.

Restaurant operating expenses were $904,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $938,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. The decrease in restaurant operating costs results primarily from lower marketing expenditures. 

Depreciation and amortization was $368,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $347,000 in the fiscal 2017 period.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $178,000 or 4.6% to $3,671,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $3,849,000 in the fiscal 2017 period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to the $207,000 expended on marketing and promotional activities during the fiscal 2017 period in commemoration of our 100 ^th anniversary, partly offset by higher compensation expenses during the fiscal 2018 period.

Other Items

Interest income was $35,000 in the fiscal 2018 period. Nathan’s established its interest bearing money market account during the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Other income, which primarily relates to a sublease of a franchised restaurant, was $21,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $22,000 in the fiscal 2017 period.

Interest expense was $3,663,000 in the fiscal 2018 period representing accrued interest of $3,364,000 on the Notes and amortization of debt issuance costs of $299,000 during the same period. Interest expense of $3,676,000 in the fiscal 2017 period represents accrued interest of $3,364,000 on the Notes and amortization of issuance costs of $312,000 during the same period. As a result of the issuance of the Notes, Nathan’s expects to incur interest expense of $13,500,000 per annum and annual amortization of debt issuance costs of approximately $1,200,000.

Provision for Income Taxes

In the fiscal 2018 period, the income tax provision was $1,921,000 or 39.7% of earnings before income taxes as compared to $1,620,000 or 31.3% of income before income taxes in the fiscal 2017 period. Nathan’s recognized excess income tax benefits of $78,000 and $621,000 during the fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 periods, respectively, which reduced the effective tax rate by 1.6% and 12.0% respectively, as a result of the tax benefit associated with stock compensation guidance that Nathan’s adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Nathan’s effective tax rates without these adjustments would have been 41.3% for the fiscal 2018 period and 43.3% for the fiscal 2017 period. Nathan’s estimates that its unrecognized tax benefits including the related accrued interest and penalties could be further reduced by up to $11,000 during the remainder of fiscal 2018. As described under Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Nathan’s estimates that its annual tax rate for the fiscal year ending March 25, 2018 will be in the range of approximately 40.8% to 42.3% excluding the impact of the excess tax benefits associated with stock compensation and the potential impact of any reduction to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Nathan’s did not have any open purchase commitments for hot dogs outstanding as of June 25, 2017. Nathan’s may enter into purchase commitments in the future as favorable market conditions become available.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents at June 25, 2017 aggregated $60,817,000, a $3,902,000 increase during the fiscal 2018 period as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $56,915,000 at March 26, 2017. Net working capital increased to $60,059,000 from $56,763,000 at March 26, 2017.

On March 10, 2015, the Company completed an offering of $135,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The Company used the net proceeds of the Notes offering to pay a special dividend of $25.00 per share (approximately $116,100,000 in the aggregate) to Company stockholders of record and used the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital.

The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of March 10, 2015 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Company, certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee and collateral trustee.

The Indenture contains certain covenants limiting the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase, capital stock; (iii) make investments or other restricted payments; (iv) create or incur certain liens; (v) incur restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions from its restricted subsidiaries; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) sell assets; or (viii) effect a consolidation or merger.

The Indenture also contains customary events of default, including, among other things, failure to pay interest, failure to comply with agreements related to the Indenture, failure to pay at maturity or acceleration of other indebtedness, failure to pay certain judgments, and certain events of insolvency or bankruptcy. Generally, if any event of default occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare the Notes due and payable by providing notice to the Company. In case of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the Notes will become immediately due and payable.

As of June 25, 2017, Nathan’s was in compliance with all covenants associated with the Notes.

The Notes mature on March 15, 2020 and bear interest at a rate of 10.000% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The Notes are redeemable under certain circumstances.

The Notes are general senior secured obligations, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future indebtedness that is not subordinated, are senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness, are structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes, and are effectively junior to all existing and future indebtedness that is secured by assets other than the collateral securing the Notes. Pursuant to the terms of a collateral trust agreement, the liens securing the Notes and the guarantees will be contractually subordinated to the liens securing any future credit facility.

The Notes and the guarantees will be the Company and the guarantors’ senior secured obligations and will rank:

Cash provided by operations of $4,388,000 in the fiscal 2018 period is primarily attributable to net income of $2,922,000 in addition to other non-cash operating items of $913,000, and increased changes in other operating assets and liabilities of $553,000. Non-cash operating items include $78,000 of excess income tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements as a result of the accounting for certain aspects of its share-based payments to employees. In the fiscal 2018 period, accounts and other receivables increased by $4,929,000 compared to the fiscal 2017 period due primarily to higher receivables from Branded Product Program sales of $3,015,000, and seasonally higher royalty receivables of $972,000, and increased seasonal advances to the Advertising Fund of $1,004,000. In the fiscal 2018 period, prepaid expenses and other current assets decreased by $311,000 due principally to the utilization of prepaid marketing expense, partly offset by higher property taxes. The increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $5,280,000 is primarily due to increased accrued interest of $3,364,000, accrued income taxes of $1,794,000, higher accounts payable of $1,213,000 arising from seasonally higher product purchases for the Branded Product Program partially offset by a reduction in accrued payroll and other benefits of $1,460,000 due primarily to the payment of prior year incentive compensation. The decrease in other liabilities of $89,000 is primarily due to dividend payments of $125,000 on vested restricted stock, offset by an increase in deferred revenue of $53,000.

Cash used in investing activities was $204,000 in the fiscal 2018 period in connection with capital expenditures incurred for our Branded Product Program and select restaurant improvements.

Cash used in financing activities of $282,000 in the fiscal 2018 period relates to the Company’s payment of $157,000 for withholding taxes on the net share vesting of employee restricted stock. Additionally, we paid dividends of $125,000 relating to the previously declared special cash dividend in connection with the vesting of 5,000 shares of the Company’s restricted stock.

During the period from October 2001 through June 25, 2017, Nathan’s purchased 5,127,373 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $77,303,000 pursuant to its stock repurchase plans previously authorized by the Board of Directors. Since March 26, 2007, we have repurchased 3,236,273 shares at a total cost of approximately $70,145,000, reducing the number of shares then-outstanding by 53.8%.

On February 1, 2016 and March 11, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized increases to the sixth stock repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 1,200,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company. As of June 25, 2017, Nathan’s has repurchased 939,742 shares at a cost of $29,641,000 under the sixth stock repurchase plan. At June 25, 2017, there were 260,258 shares remaining to be repurchased pursuant to the sixth stock repurchase plan. The plan does not have a set expiration date. Purchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program may be made from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market or privately-negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There is no set time limit on the repurchases.

On September 9, 2016, the Company and Mutual Securities, Inc. (“MSI”) entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which MSI was authorized on the Company’s behalf to purchase up to 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, $.01 par value, commencing September 19, 2016. The Agreement was adopted under the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to assist the Company in implementing its stock purchase plans.

Management believes that available cash, marketable securities and cash generated from operations should provide sufficient capital to finance our operations, satisfy our debt service requirements and stock repurchases for at least the next 12 months.

As discussed above, we had cash and cash equivalents at June 25, 2017 aggregating $60,817,000 . Our Board routinely monitors and assesses its cash position and our current and potential capital requirements. In March 2015, we completed a dividend recapitalization, to return approximately $116,100,000 to our shareholders and we may continue to return capital to our shareholders through stock repurchases, subject to any restrictions in the Indenture, although there is no assurance that the Company will make any repurchases under its existing stock-repurchase plan.

We expect that in the future we will make investments in certain existing restaurants, support the growth of the Branded Product and Branded Menu Programs, service the outstanding debt and continue our stock repurchase programs, funding those investments from our operating cash flow. We may also incur capital and other expenditures or engage in investing activities in connection with opportunistic situations that may arise on a case-by-case basis. In the fiscal year ending March 25, 2018, we will be required to make interest payments of approximately $13,500,000.

At June 25, 2017, we sublet one property to a franchisee that we lease from a third party. We remain contingently liable for all costs associated with this property including: rent, property taxes and insurance. We may incur future cash payments with respect to such property, consisting primarily of future lease payments, including costs and expenses associated with terminating such lease.

The following schedule represents Nathan’s cash contractual obligations and commitments by maturity as of June 25, 2017 (in thousands):     

On February 27, 2017, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company executed a Guaranty of Lease (the “Brooklyn Guaranty”) in connection with its re-franchising of a restaurant located in Brooklyn, New York. The Company is obligated to make payments under the Brooklyn Guaranty in the event of a default by the tenant/franchisee. The Brooklyn Guaranty has an initial term of 10 years and one 5-year option and is limited to 24 months of rent for the first three years of the term. Nathan’s has recorded a liability of $204,015 in connection with the Brooklyn Guaranty which does not include potential percentage rent, real estate tax increases, attorney’s fees and other costs as these amounts are not reasonably determinable at this time. Nathan’s has received a personal guaranty from the franchisee for all obligations under the Brooklyn Guaranty. For the remainder of the term, the Brooklyn Guaranty is limited to 12 months of rent plus reasonable costs of collection and attorney’s fees.     

Inflationary Impact           

We do not believe that general inflation has materially impacted earnings since 2006. However, we have experienced significant volatility in our costs for our hot dogs and certain food products, distribution costs and utilities. Our commodity costs for beef have been especially volatile since fiscal 2004. From 2011 through 2014, we experienced unprecedented increases in the cost of beef. Beginning March 2015, the beef markets stabilized through June 2015 before subsequently declining by approximately 30%. As a result of the decline through March 2016, the market price of hot dogs during the fiscal 2016 period was approximately 7.1% lower than the fiscal 2015 period. During the fiscal 2017 period, beef prices remained favorable, and as such, our market price for hot dogs was 13.9% lower than during the fiscal 2016 period. Despite the favorable pricing of fiscal 2017, prices began escalating in January 2017 and continued through June 2017 before beginning to slightly decline. As such, our market price for hot dogs during our fiscal 2018 period was approximately 9.3% higher than the fiscal 2017 period. We are unable to predict the future cost of our hot dogs and expect to experience price volatility for our beef products during fiscal 2018. To the extent that beef prices increase as compared to earlier periods, it could impact our results of operations. In the past, we entered into purchase commitments for a portion of our hot dogs to reduce the impact of increasing market prices. Most recently, we concluded a purchase commitment for approximately 2,600,000 pounds of hot dogs at approximately $2.01 per pound which we purchased between February and May 2016. We may attempt to enter into similar purchase arrangements for hot dogs and other products in the future. Additionally, we expect to continue experiencing volatility in oil and gas prices on our distribution costs for our food products and utility costs in the Company-owned restaurants and volatile insurance costs resulting from the uncertainty of the insurance markets.

In March 2010, the Federal government passed new legislation to reform the U.S. health care system. As part of the plan, employers will be expected to provide their employees that work more than 30 hours per week with minimum levels of healthcare coverage or incur certain financial penalties. As Nathan’s workforce includes numerous part-time workers that typically are not offered healthcare coverage, we may be forced to expand healthcare coverage or potentially incur new penalties which may increase our health care costs.

New York State recently passed legislation increasing the minimum hourly wage for fast food workers of restaurant chains with 30 or more locations nationwide. The future increases will be phased in differently between New York City and the rest of New York State. Effective December 31, 2016, the minimum wage increased to $12.00 and $10.75 in New York City and outside of New York City, respectively.

In New York City, the hourly rate of pay will increase to:

$13.50 on Dec. 31, 2017; and $15.00 on Dec. 31, 2018.

The minimum hourly rate of pay for the remainder of New York State will increase to:

$11.75 on Dec. 31, 2017; $12.75 on Dec. 31, 2018; $13.75 on Dec. 31, 2019; $14.50 on Dec. 31, 2020; and $15.00 on July 1, 2021.

All of Nathan’s Company-operated restaurants are within New York State, three of which operate within New York City that have been affected by this new legislation.

The Company is further studying the impact on the Company’s operations and is developing strategies and tactics, including pricing and potential operating efficiencies, to minimize the effects of these increases and future increases. We have recently increased certain selling prices to pass on recent cost of sales increases. However, if we are unable to fully offset these and future increases through pricing and operating efficiencies, our margins and profits will be negatively affected. We believe that these increases in the minimum wage could have a significant financial impact on our financial results and the results of our franchisees that operate in New York State. Our business could be negatively impacted if the decrease in margin for our franchisees results in the potential loss of new franchisees or the closing of a significant number of franchised restaurants.

Effective April 1, 2014, the City of New York, passed legislation requiring employers to offer paid sick leave to all employees, including part-time employees, who work more than 80 hours for the employer. Nathan’s operates three restaurants that have been affected by this new legislation.

Effective December 1, 2016, changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act were to take effect until nationwide implementation was enjoined by a Federal Distict Court. The legislation would have increased the minimum salary threshold for overtime exemption from $23,660 to $47,476 per annum. Nathan’s performed its evaluation of its workforce and determined that the proposed legislation is not expected to have a significant impact on our results of operations.

On May 30, 2017, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law the Fair Work Week Legislation package of bills that the city estimates will cover some 65,000 fast food workers by giving them more predictable work schedules. A key component of the the package is a requirement that fast food restaurants schedule their workers at least two weeks in advance or pay employees between $10 to $75 per change, depending on the situation. The legislation is scheduled to take effect on November 27, 2017. Due to Nathan's dependency on weather conditions at our two beach locations during the summer, we are unable to determine the potential impact on our results of operations.

Continued increases in labor, food and other operating expenses, including health care, could adversely affect our operations and those of the restaurant industry and we might have to further reconsider our pricing strategy as a means to offset reduced operating margins.

The Company’s business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows can be impacted by a number of factors, including but not limited to those set forth above in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” any one of which could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from our anticipated future results. For a discussion identifying additional risk factors and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, also see the discussions in “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in this Form 10-Q and “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and our Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended March 26, 2017.