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: 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 either are or may be subject to and which could cause results to differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: local, state and federal laws regarding health, sanitation, safety, building and fire codes, franchising, employment, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of food products and motor carriers. For a detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained herein, please see the “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2
8
,
201
8
. 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 wholly-owned 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 in selected locations outside of our system of retail stores and license the use of our brand with certain consumer products. As of May 31, 2018, there were three Company-owned, 66 licensee-owned and 181 franchised Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores operating in 38 states, Canada, South Korea, the republic of Panama, and the Philippines. As of May 31, 2018, U-Swirl operated five Company-owned cafés and 115 franchised cafés located in 28 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”.
In January 2013, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (“ALY”), we entered into two agreements to sell all of the assets of our ALY frozen yogurt stores, along with our interest in the self-serve frozen yogurt franchises and retail units branded as “Yogurtini” which we also acquired in January 2013, to U-Swirl, Inc. (“SWRL”), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in SWRL (46% equity interest as of May 31, 2018). Upon completion of these transactions, we ceased to directly operate any Company-owned ALY locations or sell and support frozen yogurt franchise locations, which was being supported by SWRL.
In fiscal year (“FY”) 2014, SWRL acquired the franchise rights and certain other assets of self-serve frozen yogurt concepts under the names “CherryBerry,” “Yogli Mogli Frozen Yogurt” and “Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt.” In connection with these acquisitions, we entered into a credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. used to finance the acquisitions by SWRL, and in turn, we entered into a loan and security agreement with SWRL to cover the purchase price and other costs associated with the acquisitions (the “SWRL Loan Agreement”). Borrowings under the SWRL Loan Agreement were secured by all of the assets of SWRL, including all of the outstanding stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary, U-Swirl. As a result of certain defaults under the SWRL Loan Agreement, we issued a demand for payment of all obligations under the SWRL Loan Agreement. SWRL was unable to repay the obligations under the SWRL Loan Agreement, and as a result, we foreclosed on all of the outstanding stock of U-Swirl on February 29, 2016 in full satisfaction of the amounts owed under the SWRL Loan Agreement. This resulted in U-Swirl becoming our wholly-owned subsidiary as of February 29, 2016, and concurrently we ceased to have financial control of SWRL as of February 29, 2016. As of May 31, 2018, SWRL had no operating assets.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended
May 31,
2018
Compared to the Three Months Ended
May 31,
2017
Results Summary
Basic earnings per share decreased 28.6% from $0.14 per share for the three months ended May 31, 2017 to $0.10 for the three months ended May 31, 2018. Revenues decreased 10.5% from $9.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2017 to $8.4 million for the three months ended May 31, 2018. This decrease in revenues was due primarily to a decrease in royalty and marketing fees, franchise fees and factory sales. Operating income decreased 39.5% from $1.29 million for the three months ended May 31, 2017 to $783,000 for the three months ended May 31, 2018. Net income decreased 29.1% from $814,000 for the three months ended May 31, 2017 to $577,000 for the three months ended May 31, 2018. The decrease in operating income and net income was due primarily to a decrease in factory sales and franchise fees partially offset by lower operating expenses in the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017.
Revenues
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 31,
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
%
|
|
($’s in thousands)
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
Change
|
|
Factory sales
|
|
$
|
5,559.2
|
|
|
$
|
6,183.9
|
|
|
$
|
( 624.7
|
)
|
|
|
(10.1%
|
)
|
Retail sales
|
|
|
1,022.8
|
|
|
|
1,023.0
|
|
|
|
( 0.2
|
)
|
|
|
(0.0%
|
)
|
Franchise fees
|
|
|
93.2
|
|
|
|
249.1
|
|
|
|
( 155.9
|
)
|
|
|
(62.6%
|
)
|
Royalty and marketing fees
|
|
|
1,690.9
|
|
|
|
1,890.4
|
|
|
|
( 199.5
|
)
|
|
|
(10.6%
|
)
|
Total
|
|
$
|
8,366.1
|
|
|
$
|
9,346.4
|
|
|
$
|
( 980.3
|
)
|
|
|
(10.5%
|
)
|
Factory Sales
The decrease in factory sales for the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017 was primarily due to a 29.7% decrease in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchised retail stores partially offset by a 0.8% increase in shipments of product to our network of franchised and licensed retail stores.
Retail Sales
Retail sales at company owned stores remained approximately unchanged for the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017. Same store sales at Company-owned Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores and U-Swirl cafés decreased 1.8% in the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017.
Royalt
y
, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees
The decrease in royalty and marketing fees for the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017 was primarily due to lower royalty revenue associated with the Company’s purchase based royalty structure, a 4.2% decrease in domestic franchise units in operation, and a decrease in same store sales at franchise stores and cafes. The average number of total franchise stores in operation decreased from 331 in the three months ended May 31, 2017 to 317 during the three months ended May 31, 2018. This decrease is the result of the number of domestic store closures exceeding the number of domestic store openings. Same store sales at total franchise stores and cafés in operation decreased 1.4% during the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017.
The decrease in franchise fees for the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017 was the result of $200,000 in international license fees related to the entry into master license agreements covering the Republic of Panama and the Republic of Vietnam being recognized during the three months ended May 31, 2017, with no comparable fees during the three months ended May 31, 2018. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in franchise fees recognized as a result of the adoption of ASC 606 on March 1, 2018. As described within the financial statements, the adoption of ASC 606 under the modified retrospective method resulted in approximately $93,000 of franchise fee revenue during the three months ending May 31, 2018 as a result of the amortization of contract liabilities.
Costs and Expenses
Cost of Sales
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 31,
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
%
|
|
($’s in thousands)
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales – factory
|
|
$
|
4,270.8
|
|
|
$
|
4,658.6
|
|
|
$
|
( 387.8
|
)
|
|
|
(8.3
|
%)
|
Cost of sales - retail
|
|
|
394.4
|
|
|
|
356.3
|
|
|
|
38.1
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
%
|
Franchise costs
|
|
|
493.3
|
|
|
|
514.8
|
|
|
|
( 21.5
|
)
|
|
|
(4.2
|
%)
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
588.3
|
|
|
|
626.4
|
|
|
|
( 38.1
|
)
|
|
|
(6.1
|
%)
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
972.6
|
|
|
|
1,128.7
|
|
|
|
( 156.1
|
)
|
|
|
(13.8
|
%)
|
Retail operating
|
|
|
562.5
|
|
|
|
572.8
|
|
|
|
( 10.3
|
)
|
|
|
(1.8
|
%)
|
Total
|
|
$
|
7,281.9
|
|
|
$
|
7,857.6
|
|
|
$
|
( 575.7
|
)
|
|
|
(7.3
|
%)
|
Gross Margin
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 31,
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
%
|
|
($’s in thousands)
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factory gross margin
|
|
$
|
1,288.4
|
|
|
$
|
1,525.3
|
|
|
$
|
( 236.9
|
)
|
|
|
(15.5
|
%)
|
Retail
|
|
|
628.4
|
|
|
|
666.7
|
|
|
|
( 38.3
|
)
|
|
|
(5.7
|
%)
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,916.8
|
|
|
$
|
2,192.0
|
|
|
$
|
( 275.2
|
)
|
|
|
(12.6
|
%)
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 31,
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
Change
|
|
(Percent)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factory gross margin
|
|
|
23.2
|
%
|
|
|
24.7
|
%
|
|
|
(1.5
|
%)
|
|
|
(6.1
|
%)
|
Retail
|
|
|
61.4
|
%
|
|
|
65.2
|
%
|
|
|
(3.8
|
%)
|
|
|
(5.8
|
%)
|
Total
|
|
|
29.1
|
%
|
|
|
30.4
|
%
|
|
|
(1.3
|
%)
|
|
|
(4.3
|
%)
|
Adjusted Gross Margin
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
($’s in thousands)
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factory gross margin
|
|
$
|
1,288.4
|
|
|
$
|
1,525.3
|
|
|
$
|
( 236.9
|
)
|
|
|
(15.5
|
%)
|
Plus: depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
136.5
|
|
|
|
125.6
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
Factory adjusted gross margin
|
|
|
1,424.9
|
|
|
|
1,650.9
|
|
|
|
( 226.0
|
)
|
|
|
(13.7
|
%)
|
Retail
|
|
|
628.4
|
|
|
|
666.7
|
|
|
|
( 38.3
|
)
|
|
|
(5.7
|
%)
|
Total Adjusted Gross Margin
|
|
$
|
2,053.3
|
|
|
$
|
2,317.6
|
|
|
$
|
( 264.3
|
)
|
|
|
(11.4
|
%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factory adjusted gross margin
|
|
|
25.6
|
%
|
|
|
26.7
|
%
|
|
|
(1.1
|
%)
|
|
|
(4.1
|
%)
|
Retail
|
|
|
61.4
|
%
|
|
|
65.2
|
%
|
|
|
(3.8
|
%)
|
|
|
(5.8
|
%)
|
Total Adjusted Gross Margin
|
|
|
31.2
|
%
|
|
|
32.2
|
%
|
|
|
(1.0
|
%)
|
|
|
(3.1
|
%)
|
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 minus depreciation and amortization expense. We believe adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin are helpful in understanding our past performance as a supplement to gross margin, 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 them in isolation or as a substitute for any measure reported under GAAP. Our use of capital assets makes depreciation and amortization expense a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate income. Due to these limitations, we use adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin as measures of performance only in conjunction with GAAP measures of performance such as gross margin and factory gross margin.
Cost of Sales
and Gross Margin
Factory gross margins decreased 150 basis points in the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017, due primarily to higher costs of certain materials and an increase in costs associated with a decrease in manufacturing efficiencies, the result of lower production volume in the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017. Retail gross margins declined 380 basis points in the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in retail gross margins was primarily the result of inventory discounts prior to closing certain Company-owned locations at the termination of their lease terms.
Franchise Costs
The decrease in franchise costs in the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017 was due primarily to lower professional fees. As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs increased to 27.6% in the three months ended May 31, 2018 from 24.1% in the three months ended May 31, 2017. 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 May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017 was primarily due to lower marketing related compensation and lower marketing-related costs associated with U-Swirl franchise locations, the result of fewer units in operation.
General and Administrative
The decrease in general and administrative costs for the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017 was due primarily to lower professional fees. The decrease in professional fees was due primarily to the resolution of outstanding litigation. For the three months ended May 31, 2018, approximately $52,000 of U-Swirl general and administrative costs were consolidated within our results, compared with $103,000 in the three months ended May 31, 2017. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 11.6% in the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to 12.1% in the three months ended May 31, 2017.
Retail Operating Expenses
The decrease in retail operating expenses for the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2017 was due primarily to a decrease in the number of units in operation, resulting from the sale of certain Company-owned units and the closure of certain underperforming Company-owned units since May 31, 2017. Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, decreased from 56.0% in the three months ended May 31, 2017 to 55.0% in the three months ended May 31, 2018.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization, exclusive of depreciation and amortization included in cost of sales, was $301,000 in the three months ended May 31, 2018, an increase of 54.4% from $195,000 incurred in the three months ended May 31, 2017. This increase was the result of a change in management’s estimates related to the future value of U-Swirl intangibles and the associated acceleration of amortization expense. See Note 8 to the 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 8.7% from $125,500 in the three months ended May 31, 2017 to $136,500 in the three months ended May 31, 2018. This increase was the result of an increase in production assets in service.
Other Income
(Expense)
Net interest expense was $18,000 in the three months ended May 31, 2018 compared to net interest expense of $28,000 realized in the three months ended May 31, 2017. This change was primarily the result of less interest expense incurred on lower average outstanding promissory note balances.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2018 was 24.6%, compared to 35.7% for the three months ended May 31, 2017. As described further in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018, the decrease of 11.1% is primarily due to lower enacted U.S. corporate tax rate of 21% under the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of May 31, 2018, working capital was $9.7 million, compared to $7.4 million as of February 28, 2018, an increase of $2.3 million. The increase in working capital was primarily due to the impact of the adoption of certain recent accounting pronouncements and positive operating results partially offset by the payment of dividends.
Cash and cash equivalent balances increased $230,000 from $6.1 million as of February 28, 2018 to $6.3 million as of May 31, 2018, primarily as a result of cash flow generated by operating activities, partially offset by the payment of dividends and the purchases of property and equipment. Our current ratio was 2.7 to 1 at May 31, 2018 compared to 1.9 to 1 at February 28, 2018. We monitor current and anticipated future levels of cash and cash equivalents in relation to anticipated operating, financing and investing requirements.
During the three months ended May 31, 2018, operating activities provided cash of $1,374,251, primarily the result of a decrease in accounts receivable of $672,005 and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $587,483. During the three months ended May 31, 2017, operating activities provided cash of $2,909,308, primarily the result of an increase in accrued liabilities of $406,164 and a decrease in accounts receivable of $1,089,011.
For the three months ended May 31, 2018, investing activities used cash of $101,740, primarily due to the purchases of property and equipment of $130,572. In comparison, investing activities used cash of $22,691 during the three months ended May 31, 2017 was primarily due to the purchase of property, equipment of $76,726.
Financing activities used cash of $1,042,608 for the three months ended May 31, 2018 and used cash of $1,024,355 during the three months ended May 31, 2017. This was primarily due to dividend payments and payments on debt during the three months ended May 31, 2018 and the three months ended May 31, 2017.
We have a $5 million credit line, of which $5 million was available (subject to certain borrowing base limitations) as of May 31, 2018, secured by substantially all of our assets, except retail store assets. Additionally, the line of credit is subject to various financial ratio and leverage covenants. At May 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all such covenants. The credit line is subject to renewal in September 2019.
Our outstanding long-term debt is comprised of a promissory note used to finance business acquisitions of SWRL, of which $2.2 million was outstanding as of May 31, 2018. The promissory note allowed us to borrow up to a maximum of $7.0 million to finance business acquisitions by SWRL and bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 3.75%. Additionally, the promissory note is subject to various financial ratio and leverage covenants. As of May 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all such covenants.
On July 15, 2014, we publicly announced a plan to repurchase up to $3.0 million of our common stock in the open market or in private transactions, whenever deemed appropriate by management. On January 13, 2015, we announced a plan to purchase up to an additional $2,058,000 of our common stock under the repurchase plan, and on May 21, 2015, we announced a further increase to the repurchase plan by authorizing the purchase of up to an additional $2,090,000 of our common stock under the repurchase plan. We did not repurchase any shares during the three months ended May 31, 2018. As of May 31, 2018, approximately $638,000 remains available under the repurchase plan for further stock repurchases.
We believe cash flows generated by operating activities and available financing will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months. If necessary, we have an available bank line of credit to help meet these requirements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of May 31, 2018, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements or obligations.
Impact of Inflation
Inflationary factors such as increases in the costs of ingredients and labor directly affect our operations. Most of our leases provide for cost-of-living adjustments and require us to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses, all of which are subject to inflation. Additionally, our future lease costs for new facilities may include potentially escalating costs of real estate and construction. There is no assurance that we will be able to pass on increased costs to our customers.
Depreciation expense is based on the historical cost to us of fixed assets, and is therefore potentially less than it would be if it were based on current replacement cost. While property and equipment acquired in prior years will ultimately have to be replaced at higher prices, it is expected that replacement will be a gradual process over many years.
Seasonality
We are subject to seasonal fluctuations in sales, which cause fluctuations in quarterly results of operations. Historically, the strongest sales of our products have occurred during key holidays and the summer vacation season. In addition, quarterly results have been, and in the future are likely to be, affected by the timing of new store openings and sales of franchises. Because of the seasonality of our business and the impact of new store openings and sales of franchises, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved in other quarters or for a full fiscal year.