UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

 

Commission file number 001-11460

 

 

 

NTN Buzztime, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   31-1103425
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

2231 RUTHERFORD ROAD, SUITE 200, CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA   92008
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(760) 438-7400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [  ]

 

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 [X] 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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ]
       
Non-accelerated filer [  ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company [X]
       
    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 provided 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 [X]

 

As of November 7, 2018, the registrant had outstanding 2,873,340 shares of common stock, $0.005 par value per share.

 

 

 

     
 

 

NTN BUZZTIME, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item     Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
       
1. Financial Statements   1
       
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2018 (unaudited) and December 31, 2017   1
       
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited)   2
       
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited)   3
       
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)   4
       
2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   12
       
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   21
       
4. Controls and Procedures   21
       
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION    
       
1. Legal Proceedings   22
       
1A. Risk Factors   22
       
2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   24
       
3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities   24
       
4. Mine Safety Disclosures   24
       
5. Other Information   24
       
6. Exhibits   25
       
  Signatures   26

 

     
 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements .

 

NTN BUZZTIME, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  (In thousands, except par value amount)

 

    September 30, 2018     December 31, 2017  
  (unaudited)        
ASSETS            
Current Assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 3,078     $ 3,378  
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $361 and $463, respectively     1,279       714  
Site equipment to be installed     3,600       4,866  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     572       680  
Total current assets     8,529       9,638  
Fixed assets, net     3,645       3,678  
Software development costs, net of accumulated amortization of $2,877 and $2,651, respectively     1,840       1,459  
Deferred costs     470       775  
Goodwill     976       1,004  
Other assets     84       16  
Total assets   $ 15,544     $ 16,570  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Current Liabilities:                
Accounts payable   $ 341     $ 390  
Accrued compensation     360       646  
Accrued expenses     792       418  
Sales taxes payable     137       107  
Income taxes payable     36       13  
Current portion of long-term debt     1,104       5,059  
Current portion of obligations under capital leases     156       176  
Current portion of deferred revenue     2,487       3,564  
Deferred rent     33       182  
Other current liabilities     96       192  
Total current liabilities     5,542       10,747  
Long-term debt     2,977       8  
Long-term obligations under capital leases     48       164  
Long-term deferred revenue     31       63  
Other liabilities     50       52  
Total liabilities     8,648       11,034  
                 
Shareholders’ Equity:                
Series A 10% cumulative convertible preferred stock, $0.005 par value, $156 liquidation preference, 156 shares authorized; 156 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.005 par value, 15,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017; 2,872 and 2,521 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13
 
 
 
Treasury stock, at cost, 10 shares at September 30, 2018 and
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
(456
 
)
 
 
 
 
 
(456
 
)
Additional paid-in capital     136,482       134,752  
Accumulated deficit     (129,438 )     (129,119 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income     293       345  
Total shareholders’ equity     6,896       5,536  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 15,544     $ 16,570  

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

  1  
 

 

NTN BUZZTIME, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
Revenues                        
Subscription revenue   $ 4,005     $ 4,279     $ 12,111     $ 12,737  
Hardware revenue     1,158       116       2,427       524  
Other revenue     841       803       2,878       2,717  
Total Revenue     6,004       5,198       17,416       15,978  
Operating expenses:                                
Direct operating costs (includes depreciation and amortization of $657 and $509 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1,824 and $1,466 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,115
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,539
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,013
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative     3,444       3,636       11,123       11,628  
Depreciation and amortization (excluding depreciation and amortization included in direct operating costs)  
 
 
 
 
75
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
244
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
250
 
 
Total operating expenses     5,634       5,251       17,386       16,891  
Operating income (loss)     370       (53 )     30       (913 )
Other (expense) income, net     (138 )     (122 )     (305 )     496  
Income (loss) before income taxes     232       (175 )     (275 )     (417 )
Provision for income taxes     (10 )     (9 )     (36 )     (21 )
Net income (loss)   $ 222     $ (184 )   $ (311 )   $ (438 )
                                 
Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted   $ 0.08     $ (0.07 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.18 )
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted     2,857       2,505       2,628       2,419  
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)                                
Net income (loss)   $ 222     $ (184 )   $ (311 )   $ (438 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment     39       80       (52 )     136  
Total comprehensive income (loss)   $ 261     $ (104 )   $ (363 )   $ (302 )

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

  2  
 

 

NTN BUZZTIME, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

 

    Nine months ended September 30,  
    2018     2017  
Cash flows provided by operating activities:                
Net loss   $ (311 )   $ (438 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     2,068       1,716  
Provision for doubtful accounts     53       47  
Scrap expense     30       30  
Transfer of fixed assets to sales-type lease     10       -  
Stock-based compensation     368       347  
Amortization of debt issuance costs     57       39  
Issuance of common stock in lieu of cash for bonus compensation     -       178  
Impairment of capitalized software     23       5  
Loss from disposition of equipment     30       8  
Changes in assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     (617 )     254  
Site equipment to be installed     (56 )     (3,047 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets     40       37  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     69       (350 )
Income taxes payable     24       (2 )
Deferred costs     305       36  
Deferred revenue     (1,109 )     2,521  
Deferred rent     (148 )     (140 )
Other liabilities     (97 )     (185 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     739       1,056  
Cash flows used in investing activities:                
Capital expenditures     (502 )     (562 )
Capitalized development expenditures     (690 )     (556 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (1,192 )     (1,118 )
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:                
Proceeds from long-term debt     4,000       -  
Payments on long-term debt     (5,019 )     (2,857 )
Debt issuance costs on long-term debt     (23 )     (22 )
Principal payments on capital lease     (132 )     (116 )
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
related to registered direct offering
 
 
 
 
 
1,375
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,773
 
 
Tax withholding payments for net share settlement of
vested restricted stock units
 
 
 
 
 
(12
 
)
 
 
 
 
 
-
 
 
Payment of preferred stockholders dividends     (8 )     (8 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     181       (1,230 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (272 )     (1,292 )
Effect of exchange rate on cash     (28 )     70  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     3,378       5,686  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 3,078     $ 4,464  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                
Cash paid during the period for:                
Interest   $ 255     $ 301  
Income taxes   $ 17     $ 33  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:                
                 
Site equipment transferred to fixed assets   $ 1,292     $ 1,361  
Equipment acquired under capital lease   $ 5     $ -  

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

  3  
 

 

NTN BUZZTIME, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Description of Business

 

NTN Buzztime, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in 1984 as Alroy Industries and changed its corporate name to NTN Communications, Inc. in 1985. The Company changed its name to NTN Buzztime, Inc. in 2005 to better reflect the growing role of the Buzztime consumer brand.

 

The Company delivers interactive entertainment and innovative technology, including performance analytics and secure payment with Europay, MasterCard® and Visa® (EMV) chip card readers or with near-field communication (NFC) technology to accept Apple, Android and Samsung Pay. Generally used in bars and restaurants in North America, the Company’s tablets and technology offer engaging solutions to establishments with guests who experience dwell time, such as casinos and senior living centers. Casual dining venues subscribe to the Company’s customizable solution to differentiate themselves via competitive fun by offering guests trivia, card, sports and arcade games, customized menus and self-service dining features. The Company’s platform improves operating efficiencies, creates connections among the players and venues, and amplifies guests’ positive experiences. The Company’s tablet platform was commercially launched during 2013 and then scaled during 2014. The Company also continues to support its legacy network product line, which it calls its Classic platform.

 

The Company generates revenue by charging subscription fees for its service to network subscribers, by leasing equipment to certain network subscribers, by selling equipment, by hosting live trivia events, by selling advertising aired on in-venue screens and as part of customized games, by licensing its content for use with third-party equipment, from providing professional services (such as developing certain functionality within the Company’s platform for customers), and from pay-to-play single player games.

 

At September 30, 2018, 2,666 venues in the U.S. and Canada subscribed to the Company’s interactive entertainment network, of which approximately 84% were using the tablet platform.

 

Basis of Accounting Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary, which are of a normal and recurring nature, for a fair presentation for the periods presented of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: IWN, Inc., IWN, L.P., Buzztime Entertainment, Inc., NTN Wireless Communications, Inc., NTN Software Solutions, Inc., NTN Canada, Inc., and NTN Buzztime, Ltd., all of which, other than NTN Canada, Inc., are dormant subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. The accompanying condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be anticipated for the entire year ending December 31, 2018, or any other period.

 

In connection with preparing its financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2018, the Company evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that are known and reasonably knowable that would raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern within twelve months after the date that such financial statements are issued. The Company believes it has sufficient cash to meet its operating cash requirements and to fulfill its debt obligations for at least the next twelve months after the date that such financial statements are issued. To increase the likelihood that the Company will be able to successfully execute its operating and strategic plan and to position the Company to better take advantage of market opportunities for growth, it is continuing to evaluate additional financing alternatives, including additional equity financings and alternative sources of debt. If the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are not sufficient to meet future cash requirements, it may have to reduce planned capital expenses, reduce operational cash uses or raise capital on terms that are not as favorable to the Company as they otherwise might be. Any actions the Company may undertake to reduce planned capital purchases or reduce expenses might not cover shortfalls in available funds. If the Company requires additional capital, it may not secure additional financing on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all.

 

  4  
 

 

(2) Revenue Recognition

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date , which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective approach.

 

This update outlines a new, single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new revenue recognition model provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized:

 

1. Identify the contract(s) with customers

 

2. Identify the performance obligations

 

3. Determine the transaction price

 

4. Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations

 

5. Recognize revenue when the performance obligations have been satisfied

 

Topic 606 requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

 

The Company completed the process of evaluating the effect of adopting this update and has determined that the timing and amount of revenue recognized based on Topic 606 is consistent with the Company’s revenue recognition policy under previous guidance, and accordingly, there was no transition adoption adjustment necessary upon the adoption of the Topic 606 guidance.

 

The Company generates revenue by charging subscription fees for its service to network subscribers, by leasing equipment to certain network subscribers, by selling equipment, by hosting live trivia events, by selling advertising aired on in-venue screens and as part of customized games, by licensing its content for use with third-party equipment, from providing professional services (such as developing certain functionality within the Company’s platform for customers), and from pay-to-play single player games.

 

In general, when multiple performance obligations are present in a customer contract, the transaction price is allocated to the individual performance obligation based on the relative stand-alone selling prices, and the revenue is recognized when or as each performance obligation has been satisfied. Discounts are treated as a reduction to the overall transaction price and allocated to the performance obligations based on the stand-alone selling prices. All revenues are recognized net of sales tax collected from the customer. The following describes how the Company recognizes its revenue streams under Topic 606.

 

Subscription Revenue - The Company recognizes its recurring subscription fees over time as customers receive and consume the benefits of such services, which includes the Company’s content, the Company’s equipment to access the content and the installation of the equipment. In general, customers pay for the subscription services during the month in which they receive the services. Due to the timing of providing the services and receiving payment for the services, the Company does not record any unbilled contract asset. Occasionally, a customer will prepay for up to one year of subscription services, in which case, the Company will record deferred revenue on the balance sheet related to such prepayment and will recognize the revenue over the time the customer receives the subscription services. Revenue from installation services is also recorded as deferred revenue and recognized over the longer of the contract term and the expected term of the customer relationship using the straight line method. The Company has certain contingent performance obligations with respect to repairing or replacing equipment and would recognize any such revenue at the point in time the Company performs such services.

 

Costs associated with installing the equipment are considered direct costs. Costs associated with sales commissions are considered incremental costs for fulfilling the contract because such costs would not have been incurred without obtaining the contract. The Company expects to recover both costs through future fees it collects and both costs are recorded in deferred costs on the balance sheet and amortized on a straight-line basis. For costs that are of an amount that is less than or equal to the deferred revenue for the related contract, the amortization period approximates the longer of the contract term and the expected term of the customer relationship. For any excess costs that exceed the deferred revenue, the amortization period of the excess cost is the initial term of the contract, which is generally one year because the Company can still recover that excess cost in the initial term of the contract.

 

Sales-type Lease Revenue – For certain customers that lease equipment under sale-type lease arrangements, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 840, Leases. Such revenue is recognized at the time of installation based on the net present value of the leased equipment. Interest income is recognized over the life of the lease for customers who have remaining lease payments to make. In the event a customer under a sales-type lease arrangement prepays for the lease in full prior to receiving the equipment under the lease, such amounts are recorded in deferred revenue and recognized as revenue once the equipment has been installed and activated at the customer’s location. The cost of the leased equipment is recognized at the same time as the revenue.

 

  5  
 

 

Equipment Sales – The Company recognizes revenue from equipment sales at a point in time, which is when control has been transferred to the customer, the customer holds legal title and the customer has significant risks and rewards of ownership. Generally, the Company has determined that any customer acceptance provisions of the equipment is a formality, as the Company has historically demonstrated the ability to produce and deliver similar equipment. If the Company sells equipment with unique specifications, then customer control of the equipment will occur upon customer acceptance as defined in the contract, and revenue will be recognized at that time. Costs associated with the equipment sold is recognized at the same point in time as the revenue.

 

Live Hosted Trivia Revenue – The Company recognizes its live-hosted trivia revenue at a point in time, which is when the event takes place. Some customers host their own trivia events and the Company provides the game materials. In these cases, the Company recognizes the revenue at the point in time the Company sends the game materials to the customer. The Company recognizes related costs at the same point in time the revenue is recognized. Generally, there is no unbilled revenue or deferred revenue associated with live hosted trivia events.

 

Advertising Revenue – The Company recognizes advertising revenue over the time the advertising campaign airs in its customers locations. The Company uses the time elapsed output method to measure its progress toward satisfying the performance obligation. When the Company contracts with an advertising agent, the Company shares in the advertising revenue generated with that agent. In these cases, the Company generally recognizes revenue on a net basis, as the agent typically has the responsibility for the relationship with the advertiser and the credit risk. When the Company contracts directly with the advertiser, it will recognize the revenue on a gross basis and will recognize any revenue share arrangement it has with a third party as a direct expense, as the Company has the responsibility for the relationship with the advertiser and the credit risk. Generally, there is no unbilled revenue or deferred revenue associated with the Company’s advertising activities.

 

Pay-to-Play Revenue – The Company recognizes revenue generated from its customers’ patrons who access the Company’s premium games on the tablets. This revenue is recognized at a point in time based on usage-based royalty revenue guidance. The Company generally shares in the revenue with the customer whose patrons generated the pay-to-play revenue. The Company has determined that it is the principal and the customer is the agent, and therefore, the Company recognizes this revenue on a gross basis, with the amount of revenue shared with the customer as a direct expense. Costs associated with procuring the game license or developing the games are recognized over the life of the license or expected life of the developed game. Generally, there is no unbilled revenue or deferred revenue associated with the Company’s pay-to-play games.

 

Content Licensing – The Company licenses content (trivia packages) to a certain customer, who in turn installs the content on its equipment that it sells to its customers. The content license is characterized as a “right to use intellectual property as it exists at the point in time at which the license is granted,” meaning the Company is not expected to undertake activities that affect the intellectual property or any such activities would not affect the intellectual property the customer is using. The content license is considered to be on consignment, and the Company retains title of the licensed content throughout the license period. The Company’s customer has no obligation to pay for the licensed content until the customer sells and installs the content to its customer. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue at the point in time when such installation occurs. The Company recognizes costs related to developing the content during the period incurred.

 

Professional Development Revenue – Depending on the type of development work the Company is performing, the Company will recognize revenue, and associated costs, at the point in time when the Company satisfies each performance obligation, which is generally when the customer can direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of the goods or service provided. For services provided over time, the corresponding revenue is generally recognized over the time the Company provides such services. Any payments received before satisfying the performance obligations are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue when or as such obligations are satisfied. The Company does not have unbilled revenue assets associated with professional development services.

 

(3) Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

 

The Company computes basic and diluted earnings per common share in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC No. 260, Earnings per Share . Basic earnings per share excludes the dilutive effects of options, warrants and other convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in the Company’s earnings. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to options, warrants, and convertible preferred stock excluded from computing diluted net loss per common share was approximately 419,000 and 393,000 as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as their effect was anti-dilutive.

 

  6  
 

 

   

Three months ended

September 30,

 

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
Numerator:                        
Net income (loss)   $ 222,000     $ (184,000 )   $ (311,000 )   $ (438,000 )
Denominator:                                
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic     2,857,000       2,505,000       2,628,000       2,419,000  
Effects of diluted common shares     -       -       -       -  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted     2,857,000       2,505,000       2,628,000       2,419,000  
                                 
Net income (loss) per common share - basic   $ 0.08     $ (0.07 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.18 )
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted   $ 0.08     $ (0.07 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.18 )

 

(4) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

The Company’s stock-based compensation plans include the NTN Buzztime, Inc. Amended 2010 Performance Incentive Plan (the “Amended 2010 Plan”) and the NTN Buzztime, Inc. 2014 Inducement Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The Amended 2010 Plan provides for the grant of up to 240,000 share-based awards and expires in February 2020. The 2014 Plan provides for the grant of up to 85,000 share-based awards to a new employee as an inducement material to the new employee entering into employment with the Company and expires in September 2024. As of September 30, 2018, approximately 66,000 share-based awards were available for grant under the Amended 2010 Plan and there were no share-based awards available for grant under the 2014 Plan. The nominating and corporate governance/compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors administers the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. Among other things, the committee selects persons to receive awards and determines the number of shares subject to each award and the terms, conditions, performance measures, if any, and other provisions of the award.

 

Until September 30, 2018, the Company also maintained the NTN Buzztime, Inc. 2004 Performance Incentive Plan. That plan expired in September 2009 and all awards granted under that plan expired as of September 30, 2018, in accordance with that plan’s terms.

 

The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC No. 718 , Compensation – Stock Compensation and ASC No. 505-50, Equity – Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of stock options granted is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. Stock-based compensation expense for share-based payment awards to employees is recognized using the straight-line single-option method. Stock-based compensation expense for share-based payment awards to non-employees is recorded at its fair value on the grant date and is periodically re-measured as the underlying awards vest.

 

The Company uses the historical stock price volatility as an input to value its stock options under ASC No. 718. The expected term of stock options represents the period of time options are expected to be outstanding and is based on observed historical exercise patterns of the Company, which the Company believes are indicative of future exercise behavior. For the risk-free interest rate, the Company uses the observed interest rates appropriate for the term of time options are expected to be outstanding. The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts.

 

The following weighted-average assumptions were used for the stock options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 under the ASC No. 718 requirements:

 

   

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
Weighted average risk-free rate     2.82 %     2.22 %     2.87 %     1.77 %
Weighted average volatility     113.90 %     114.12 %     113.20 %     114.56 %
Dividend yield     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
Expected term     5.92 years       7.29 years       7.06 years       7.26 years  

 

The Company granted stock options to purchase approximately 250 and 1,000 shares of common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and stock options to purchase approximately 2,000 and 5,000 shares of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. No options were exercised during either of the three or nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017.

 

  7  
 

 

Outstanding restricted stock units are settled in an equal number of shares of common stock on the vesting date of the award. A stock unit award is settled only to the extent vested. Vesting generally requires the continued employment by the award recipient through the respective vesting date. Because restricted stock units are settled in an equal number of shares of common stock without any offsetting payment by the recipient, the measurement of cost is based on the quoted market price of the stock at the measurement date, which is the grant date. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company granted 53,000 restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $6.04 per restricted stock unit. Of the 53,000 restricted stock units, 25,000 and 15,000 were granted to Messrs. Ram Krishnan and Allen Wolff, respectively, and are subject to accelerated vesting provisions in their respective employment agreements. The Company did not grant restricted stock units during the three months ended September 30, 2018, nor did it grant restricted stock units during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

Under the 2010 Plan, in lieu of paying cash to satisfy withholding taxes due upon the settlement of vested restricted stock units, an employee may elect to have shares of common stock withheld that would otherwise be issued at settlement, the value of which is equal to the amount of withholding taxes payable. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately 9,000 restricted stock units vested and were settled, and as a result of employees electing to satisfy applicable withholding taxes by having the Company withhold shares, approximately 6,000 shares of common stock were issued.

 

The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises if necessary in subsequent periods if actual forfeiture rates differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical activity for the Company. Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $117,000 and $113,000, respectively, and $368,000 and $347,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is expensed in selling, general and administrative expenses and credited to additional paid-in-capital.

 

(5) DEBT

 

Term Loan

 

On September 28, 2018, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement with Avidbank. The following is a summary of the material terms of that agreement:

 

  Avidbank loaned the Company $4,000,000 as a one-time 48-month term loan, all of which the Company used to pay-off the $4,050,000 of principal it borrowed from East West Bank (“EWB”). The Company used its cash on hand to pay the remaining $50,000 it borrowed from EWB plus accrued and unpaid interest.
     
  The Company must make monthly principal payments of $83,333.33 plus accrued and unpaid interest on the last business day of each month commencing on October 31, 2018 and through the loan’s maturing date, September 30, 2022.
     
  Other than during the continuance of an event of default, the loan bears interest at a variable rate per annum equal to the prime rate as set forth in The Wall Street Journal plus 1.75%.
     
  The Company granted and pledged to Avidbank a first-priority security interest in all its existing and future personal property.
     
  The Company must comply with these financial covenants:
     
      o EBITDA (as defined below) must be at least $1,000,000 for the trailing six month period as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. “EBITDA” means (a) net profit (or loss), after provision for taxes, plus (b) interest expense, plus (c) to the extent deducted in the calculation of net profit (or loss), depreciation expense and amortization expense, plus (d) income tax expense, plus (e) to the extent approved by Avidbank, other noncash expenses and charges, other onetime charges, and any losses arising from the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of assets not in the ordinary course of business.
         
      o The aggregate amount of unrestricted cash the Company has in deposit accounts or securities accounts maintained with Avidbank must be not less than $2,000,000 at all times.

 

  Subject to customary exceptions, the Company is prohibited from borrowing additional indebtedness.
     
  The Company paid $20,000 to Avidbank as a facility fee upon entering into the loan and security agreement.
     
  If the Company prepays the loan before September 28, 2019, it must pay a prepayment fee of 1.75% of the principal amount repaid, and if the Company prepays the loan after such date but before September 28, 2020, it must pay a prepayment fee of 1.00% of the principal amount prepaid. There is no prepayment fee if the Company prepays the loan after September 28, 2020.

 

  8  
 

 

The loan and security agreement includes customary representations, warranties and covenants (affirmative and negative), including restrictive covenants that, subject to specified exceptions, limit the Company’s ability to: dispose of its business or property; merge or consolidate with or into any other business organization; incur or prepay additional indebtedness; create or incur any liens on its property; declare or pay any dividend or make a distribution on any class of the Company’s stock; or enter specified material transactions with its affiliates.

 

The loan and security agreement also includes customary events of default, including: payment defaults; breaches of covenants following any applicable cure period; material breaches of representations or warranties; the occurrence of a material adverse effect; events relating to bankruptcy or insolvency; and the occurrence of an unsatisfied material judgment against the Company. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, Avidbank may declare all outstanding obligations immediately due and payable, do such acts as it considers necessary or reasonable to protect its security interest in the collateral, and take such other actions as are set forth in the loan and security agreement.

 

As of September 30, 2018, $4,000,000 remained outstanding, with $1,000,000 recorded in current portion of long-term debt and the remaining $3,000,000 recorded as long-term debt on the Company’s balance sheet. The Company recorded debt issuance costs of $23,000, which includes the $20,000 facility fee. The debt issuance costs will be amortized to interest expense beginning in October 2018 using the effective interest rate method over the life of the loan. The debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction of long term debt. As of September 30, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.

 

In connection with entering into the loan and security agreement with Avidbank, the amended and restated loan and security agreement the Company entered into with EWB on November 29, 2017, as amended on March 12, 2018, terminated on September 28, 2018.

 

Equipment Notes Payable

 

In May 2013, the Company entered into a financing arrangement with a lender under which the Company may borrow funds to purchase certain equipment. Initially, the maximum amount the Company could borrow under this financing arrangement was $500,000. Over time, the lender increased that maximum amount, and as of September 30, 2018, the maximum amount was $9,690,000, all of which has been borrowed. In April 2015, the Company used approximately $3,381,000 of the proceeds borrowed under a prior credit facility with EWB to pay down a portion of the principal amount the Company had borrowed under this financing arrangement, accrued interest and a prepayment fee.

 

The Company was able to borrow up to the maximum amount available under this financing arrangement in tranches as needed. Each tranche borrowed through August 2015 incurred interest at 8.32% per annum; the interest for tranches borrowed thereafter was reduced to rates between 7.32% to 8.05% per annum. With respect to the first $1,000,000 in the aggregate borrowed, principal and interest payments are due in 36 equal monthly installments. With respect to amounts borrowed in excess of the first $1,000,000 in the aggregate, the first monthly payment will be equal to 24% of the principal amount outstanding, and the remaining principal and interest due is payable in 35 equal monthly installments. The Company granted the lender a first security interest in the equipment purchased with the funds borrowed. This equipment lender entered into a subordination agreement with EWB.

 

As of September 30, 2018, $104,000 was outstanding under this financing arrangement, all of which is recorded in current portion of long-term debt on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not expect the lender to lend any additional funds under this financing arrangement.

 

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(6) NEW LEASE

 

In August 2018, the Company entered into an agreement to lease approximately 16,000 square feet of office space in Carlsbad, California. The Company intends to relocate its corporate headquarters to this new location. The term of the lease is from December 2018 through April 2026. The Company has a one-time option to renew the lease for an additional five-year extension. Base rent is abated by 50% for months two through nine of the term. Base rent escalates annually beginning in December 2019 by approximately 3.5% per year. The Company will pay its share of the lessor’s operating expenses, which includes utilities, insurance, taxes, and other operating expenses. The minimum annual rent payments under this lease are as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,    

Minimum

Payments

 
2018     $ 47,000  
2019       377,000  
2020       584,000  
2021       604,000  
2022       625,000  
Thereafter       2,249,000  
Total     $ 4,486,000  

 

The lease requires the Company to issue a letter of credit to the lessor in the amount of $250,000 as security, which amount will reduce by $50,000 each year beginning December 1, 2019, provided there has been no default under the lease. The Company is currently working with Avidbank to issue the letter of credit, which the Company expects will be issued during the fourth quarter of 2018. Avidbank will require the Company to deposit $250,000 in a restricted cash account maintained with the bank, which amount will reduce in alignment with the amount required under the letter of credit each year. The Company will record the $250,000 deposit as restricted cash on its balance sheet once the deposit has been made, which the Company expects to occur during the fourth quarter of 2018. The amount deposited in such account will not count toward the covenant under the Avidbank loan and security agreement that requires the Company to have an aggregate amount of unrestricted cash in deposit accounts or securities accounts maintained with Avidbank of not less than $2,000,000 at all times.

 

The Company’s existing office lease of approximately 28,000 square feet in Carlsbad, California expires in November 2018.

 

(7) ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

The United States dollar is the Company’s functional currency, except for its operations in Canada where the functional currency is the Canadian dollar. The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the foreign subsidiary’s local currency as the functional currency. In accordance with ASC No. 830, Foreign Currency Matters , revenues and expenses of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates during the reporting period, and the assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries have been translated using the period end exchange rate. Accumulated other comprehensive income includes the accumulated gains or losses from these foreign currency translation adjustments. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $293,000 and $345,000 of foreign currency translation adjustments were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, respectively.

 

(8) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , and in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) : Targeted Improvements. These updates require lessees to recognize at the lease commencement date a lease liability, which is the lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use assets, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. These updates are effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (which is January 1, 2019 for the Company), including interim periods within those fiscal years. Lessees and lessors must either (i) apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements or (ii) recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Although the Company has not completed its assessment of the full impact on its consolidated financial statements of the adoption of Topic 842, the Company currently believes that the most significant changes will be related to the recognition of a right-to-use asset and corresponding lease liability on its consolidated balance sheet for the new facility lease described in Note 6.

 

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 . This ASU incorporates SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which addresses the accounting implications of the major tax reform legislation, Public Law No. 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017. SAB 118 allows a company to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date and was effective upon issuance. The Company continues to analyze the effect that the 2017 Tax Act will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash . The standard clarifies the presentation of restricted cash and cash equivalents and requires companies to include restricted cash and cash equivalents in the beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The standard also requires additional disclosures to describe the amount and detail of the restriction by balance sheet line item. Accordingly, the Company will include the $250,000 restricted cash described in Note 6 as a component of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on its balance sheet once such deposit is made into a restricted cash account, which is expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2018.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07 (Topic 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees and is intended to simplify aspects of share-based compensation issued to non-employees by making the guidance consistent with the accounting for employee share-based compensation. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (which is January 1, 2019 for the Company), including interim reporting periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

(9) CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK

 

Significant Customer

 

The table below sets forth the approximate amount of revenue the Company generated from Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees during the periods indicated and the percentage of total revenue that such amount represents for such periods:

 

   

Three months ended

September 30,

 

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
Revenue   $ 1,971,000     $ 2,033,000     $ 7,209,000     $ 6,517,000  
% of total revenue     33 %     39 %     41 %     41 %

 

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, approximately $200,000 and $191,000, respectively, was included in accounts receivable from Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees.

 

Sole Equipment Supplier

 

The Company purchases the tablets, cases and charging trays used for its tablet platform from one unaffiliated third-party manufacturer. The Company has no alternative manufacturer for its tablets and has no alternative manufacturer or device for the cases or charging trays.

 

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

 

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report and the documents incorporated by reference, if any, contain “forward-looking statements” – that is statements related to future events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities, including statements related to our strategic plans and targets, revenue generation, product availability and offerings, capital needs, capital expenditures, industry trends and our financial position. Forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us, on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industries in which we operate and on the beliefs and assumptions of management. Forward looking statements often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “could,” “targets,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth and trends in our business, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. For us, particular factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include (1) our ability to compete effectively within the highly competitive interactive games, entertainment and marketing services industries, (2) the impact of new products and technological change, especially in the mobile and wireless markets, on our operations and competitiveness, (3) our ability to maintain or improve our relationship with Buffalo Wild Wings, who together with its franchisees accounted for a significant portion of our revenues, (4) our ability to adequately protect our proprietary rights and intellectual property, (5) our ability to raise additional funds on favorable terms; we have borrowed substantially all amounts available to us under existing credit facilities and, subject to limited exceptions, our loan and security agreement with Avidbank prohibits us from borrowing additional amounts from other lenders, (6) our ability to satisfy our payment obligations and comply with financial and other covenants under our loan agreement with Avidbank, which lender has a first-priority security interest in all our existing and future personal property, including our intellectual property, subject to limited exceptions; (7) our ability to meet financial and other growth expectations of our investors, analysts and other market participants and commentators, including expectations relating to our site count, cash flow and EBITDA; (8) our ability to maintain an adequate supply of the tablet and related equipment used in our tablet platform, (9) our ability to significantly grow our subscription revenue and implement our other business strategies, (10) our ability to successfully and efficiently manage the design, manufacturing and assembly process of the tablet and related equipment used in our tablet platform and (11) the other risks and uncertainties described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including this report and our other Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this report or incorporated by reference herein, which speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances.

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to, and should be read with, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes, included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, the changes in our financial condition and our results of operations. All dollar amounts in this discussion are rounded to the nearest thousand. Our discussion is organized as follows:

 

  Overview and Highlights . This section generally describes our business and significant events and transactions we believe are important in understanding our financial condition and results of operations.
     
  Critical Accounting Policies . This section lists our significant accounting policies, including any material changes in our critical accounting policies, estimates and judgments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 from those described in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
     
  Results of Operations . This section provides an analysis of our results of operations presented in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations by comparing the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 to the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
     
  Liquidity and Capital Resources . This section provides an analysis of our historical cash flows, and our future capital requirements.
     
  Recent Accounting Pronouncements. This section provides information related to new or updated accounting guidance that may impact our consolidated financial statements.
     
  Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements . This section provides information related to any off-balance sheet arrangement we may have that would affect our consolidated finance statements.

 

OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS

 

About Our Business and How We Talk About It

 

We deliver interactive entertainment and innovative technology, including performance analytics and secure payment with Europay, MasterCard® and Visa® (EMV) chip card readers or with near-field communication (NFC) technology to accept Apple, Android and Samsung Pay. Generally used in bars and restaurants in North America, our tablets and technology offer engaging solutions to establishments with guests who experience dwell time, such as casinos and senior living centers. Casual dining venues subscribe to our customizable solution to differentiate themselves via competitive fun by offering guests trivia, card, sports and arcade games, customized menus and self-service dining features. Our platform improves operating efficiencies, creates connections among the players and venues, and amplifies guests’ positive experiences. Our tablet platform was commercially launched during 2013 and then scaled during 2014. We also continue to support our legacy network product line, which we call our Classic platform.

 

We generate revenue by charging subscription fees for our service to network subscribers, by leasing equipment to certain network subscribers, by selling equipment, by hosting live trivia events, by selling advertising aired on in-venue screens and as part of customized games, by licensing our content for use with third-party equipment, from providing professional services (such as developing certain functionality within our platform for customers), and from pay-to-play single player games.

 

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Since 2015, over 115 million games have been played on our network annually, and as of September 30, 2018, approximately 56% of our network subscriber venues are affiliated with national and regional restaurant brands, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Buffalo Wings & Rings, Old Chicago, Native Grill & Wings, Houlihans, Beef O’Brady’s, Boston Pizza, and Arooga’s.

 

We own several trademarks and consider the Buzztime®, Playmaker®, Mobile Playmaker, and BEOND Powered by Buzztime trademarks to be among our most valuable assets. These and our other registered and unregistered trademarks used in this document are our property. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report: (a) to “Buzztime,” “NTN,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NTN Buzztime, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries; (b) to “network subscribers” or “customers” refer to venues that subscribe to our network service; (c) to “consumers” or “players” refer to the individuals that engage in our games, events, and entertainment experiences available at our customers’ venues and (d) to “venues” or “sites” refer to locations (such as a bar or restaurant) of our customers at which our games, events, and entertainment experiences are available to consumers.

 

Our Strategy and Business Updates

 

Grow business beyond restaurant and bar industry . One of our major initiatives has been and continues to be to expand our business beyond the restaurant and bar industry through partnerships and product extensions. During the first quarter of 2018, we agreed to sell our tablets to a third-party who will use our tablets and operating system to deliver their services in local jails. In July 2018, we entered into a revenue share agreement with this partner, under which our partner will make our single player games available for a fee to inmates. Earlier in 2017, we began a relationship with a third-party who is licensing our trivia content for use in casino gaming machines and is leasing our tablets for use in retail settings to complete loyalty/reward program transactions.

 

Launch expanded product offerings . We continue to focus on developing new experiences and new products that we believe will help differentiate our offerings from those of our competitors and will provide us the ability to scale our business beyond our traditional entertainment offering.

 

New Site Hub . A piece of the equipment we install in our customers’ venues is a personal computer that acts as a server from which our content is streamed to the tablets within the venue. We are working on a smaller form factor for the personal computer that, besides being physically smaller, would be available at a lower cost and would reduce labor-intensive installation costs. We believe that the site hub will lead to new opportunities, which could include the ability to display video, highlights, dynamic web content, and app content, in addition to delivering our historical offerings within venues. We are currently testing the first version of the site hub in-house and are working toward making it commercially available during the first quarter of 2019.

 

Mobile Offerings.

 

  Mobile Live. We are developing a mobile version of our live trivia product that allows customers and trivia hosts to start their own trivia events. These events usually take place in a single venue and the experience is tied to that venue. Our mobile live product is intended to improve the experience by replacing pen and paper, providing more impressions and registrations, and allowing our customers to know who is participating in the event.
     
  Mobile Trivia . We are developing a version of our system that allows players to use their own mobile device to play our network games inside our customers’ venues.

 

When these mobile offerings become available commercially, they will be our easiest to adopt, lowest cost of entry solutions, and may serve as a test for a venue contemplating a more significant investment.

 

Single Player Games . During the second quarter of 2018, we released our first internally-built single player arcade game, Buzztime Soccer, for our tablet platform, and we expect to release several more internally-built single player games in the coming weeks. Previously, we purchased these games from third party aggregators, sometimes at significant cost.

 

Buffalo Wild Wings . In March 2017, Buffalo Wild Wings chose us to be its provider of digital menu, order, and payment functionality. In November 2017, we expected to begin rolling out our improved tablet platform system at certain Buffalo Wild Wings locations during the first quarter of 2018 and, after an initial set of locations was running smoothly, throughout the rest of the Buffalo Wild Wings corporate and franchise locations with which we had partnered. Due to the acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings by Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (which renamed itself Inspire Brands Inc.) in February 2018 and to the associated changes with Buffalo Wild Wings’ operations, the rollout of our expanded functionality tablet platform system was put on hold to allow its new ownership to assess all the programs at Buffalo Wild Wings. The order, payment and guest insights functionality available through our improved tablet system was deployed in a pilot study at 31 Buffalo Wild Wings locations between April 2018 and September 2018. In October 2018, Buffalo Wild Wings informed us that it determined not to rollout our order, payment and guest insights functionality and that its relationship with us would continue in accordance with existing agreements we entered into in the ordinary course of business, and which terminate in accordance with their terms in November 2019.

 

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Advertising Partnerships . We believe that if we lower the price of our tablet platform, we can acquire more market share. One way to lower the price is by subsidizing our costs through advertising. We are currently working with advertising sales companies to help us improve our advertisement sales and with an advertisement technology company to improve our ad loading, management, and delivery and testing capabilities.

 

Recent Developments

 

New Term Loan

 

In September 2018, we entered into a loan and security agreement with Avidbank that provides for a one-time $4,000,000 48-month term loan, all of which we used to pay-off the $4,050,000 of principal we borrowed from East West Bank (“EWB”). We used our cash on hand to pay the remaining $50,000 we borrowed from EWB plus accrued and unpaid interest. We granted and pledged to Avidbank a first-priority security interest in all our existing and future personal property, and, subject to customary exceptions, we are prohibited from borrowing additional indebtedness. We must comply with these financial covenants:

 

  EBITDA (as defined below) must be at least $1,000,000 for the trailing six month period as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. “EBITDA” means (a) net profit (or loss), after provision for taxes, plus (b) interest expense, plus (c) to the extent deducted in the calculation of net profit (or loss), depreciation expense and amortization expense, plus (d) income tax expense, plus (e) to the extent approved by Avidbank, other noncash expenses and charges, other onetime charges, and any losses arising from the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of assets not in the ordinary course of business.
     
  The aggregate amount of unrestricted cash we have in deposit accounts or securities accounts maintained with Avidbank must be not less than $2,000,000 at all times.

 

In connection with entering into the loan and security agreement with Avidbank, the amended and restated loan and security agreement we entered into with EWB on November 29, 2017, as amended on March 12, 2018, terminated on September 28, 2018.

 

Non-compliance with NYSE American continued listing standard

 

As previously reported, in March 2018, we received a letter from the NYSE Regulation Inc. stating that we were not in compliance with NYSE American LLC listing standards, specifically, Section 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide, because we reported stockholders’ equity of less than $6 million as of December 31, 2017 and had net losses in five of our most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2017. In April 2018, we submitted a plan to NYSE Regulation advising of actions we have taken or will take to regain compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii) by March 20, 2019. In April 2018, NYSE Regulation notified us that it has accepted our plan and granted us a plan period that extends through March 20, 2019 to regain compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii).

 

The listing of our common stock on the NYSE American is being continued during the plan period pursuant to an extension. The NYSE Regulation staff will review us periodically for compliance with initiatives outlined in our plan. If we are not in compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii) by March 20, 2019 or if we do not make progress consistent with our plan during the plan period, NYSE Regulation staff will initiate delisting proceedings as appropriate. See “PART II—ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS—“Our common stock could be delisted or suspended from trading on the NYSE American if we do not regain compliance with continued listing criteria with which we are currently not compliant or if we fail to meet any other continued listing criteria,” below. Consistent with the initiatives outlined in our plan to regain compliance, we raised approximately $1.4 million in a registered direct offering that closed in June 2018. In order for NYSE Regulation to determine that we have regained compliance, we must have stockholders’ equity of $6 million or more for two consecutive quarters. After giving effect to the amount raised in the offering and our financial results for the second and third quarters of 2018, we believe we are on the path to regaining compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii). NYSE Regulation will determine if and when we have regained compliance.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to deferred costs and revenues, depreciation of fixed assets, the provision for income taxes including the valuation allowance, stock-based compensation, bad debts, investments, impairment of software development costs, goodwill, fixed assets, intangible assets and contingencies, including the reserve for sales tax inquiries. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Critical accounting policies and estimates are defined as those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require management’s most subjective judgments.

 

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There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies, estimates and judgments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 from those described in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, except for Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . We have completed the process of evaluating the effect of adopting Topic 606 and have determined that the timing and amount of revenue recognized based on Topic 606 is consistent with our revenue recognition policy under previous guidance, and accordingly, there was no transition adoption adjustment necessary upon the adoption of the Topic 606 guidance . (See Note 2 to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.)

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017

 

We recognized net income of $222,000 and incurred a net loss of $311,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to incurring a net loss of $184,000 and $438,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

Revenue

 

The table below summarizes our revenue by type for the period indicated:

 

   

Three months ended September 30,

           
    2018     2017            
    $     % of Total Revenue     $     % of Total Revenue    

$

Change

   

%

Change

 
Subscription revenue     4,005,000       67 %     4,279,000       82 %     (274,000 )     (6 %)
Hardware revenue     1,158,000       19 %     116,000       2 %     1,042,000       898 %
Other revenue     841,000       14 %     803,000       16 %     38,000       5 %
Total     6,004,000       100 %     5,198,000       100 %     806,000       16 %

 

      Nine months ended September 30,                
      2018     2017                
      $       % of Total Revenue       $       % of Total Revenue      

$

Change

      % Change  
Subscription revenue     12,111,000       70 %     12,737,000       80 %     (626,000 )     (5 %)
Hardware revenue     2,427,000       14 %     524,000       3 %     1,903,000       363 %
Other revenue     2,878,000       16 %     2,717,000       17 %     161,000       6 %
Total     17,416,000       100 %     15,978,000       100 %     1,438,000       9 %

 

Subscription revenue decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily due to lower average site count and lower average revenue per site when compared to the same periods in 2017. If we don’t extend the Buffalo Wild Wings relationship beyond November 2019 or add network subscribers to sufficiently offset the subscription revenue we currently receive from Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees, we expect our subscription revenue to materially decrease beginning in the first quarter of 2020, which is the first full quarter after our existing agreements with Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees terminate in accordance with their terms. See Note 9 to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, hardware revenue increased primarily due to the sale in the third quarter of 2018 of our tablets to a third-party who is using our tablets and operating system to deliver its services in local jails. We expect the amount of hardware revenue under sales-type lease arrangements to increase during each of the fourth quarter of 2018 and first quarter of 2019 as tablet sales under sales-type lease arrangements are recognized (and we would recognize a corresponding decrease in deferred revenue). We are uncertain if we will enter into sales-type lease arrangements thereafter. We expect the amount of hardware revenue under other equipment sale contracts to fluctuate quarter to quarter in correlation with customer contracts. We do not expect to enter into an equipment sale contract similar to the one we entered into with the third-party who is using our tablets and operating system to deliver its services in local jails every quarter or even annually. Other revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 due primarily to an increase in advertising and professional services when compared to the same periods in 2017.

 

  15  
 

 

Geographic breakdown of our site count for network subscribers was:

 

   

Network Subscribers

as of September 30,

 
    2018     2017  
United States     2,521       2,599  
Canada     145       135  
Total     2,666       2,734  

 

Direct Costs and Gross Margin

 

A comparison of direct costs and gross margin for the period indicated is shown in the table below:

 

   

Three months ended

September 30,

           
    2018     2017     Change     % Change  
Revenues   $ 6,004,000     $ 5,198,000     $ 806,000       16 %
Direct Costs     2,115,000       1,539,000       576,000       37 %
Gross Margin   $ 3,889,000     $ 3,659,000     $ 230,000       6 %
                                 
Gross Margin Percentage     65 %     70 %                

 

   

Nine months ended

September 30,

           
    2018     2017     Change     % Change  
Revenues   $ 17,416,000     $ 15,978,000     $ 1,438,000       9 %
Direct Costs     6,019,000       5,013,000       1,006,000       20 %
Gross Margin   $ 11,397,000     $ 10,965,000     $ 432,000       4 %
                                 
Gross Margin Percentage     65 %     69 %                

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the increase in direct costs was primarily due to increased equipment expense of $557,000 related to higher hardware revenue and increased depreciation expense of $147,000 for capitalized site equipment and software development programs, offset by a decrease in other miscellaneous direct costs of $129,000 when compared to the same period in 2017.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the increase in direct costs was primarily due to increased equipment expense of $933,000 related to higher sale-type lease revenue and equipment sales and increased depreciation expense of $359,000 for capitalized site equipment and software development programs offset by decreased freight expense of $134,000 and other miscellaneous direct costs of $151,000 when compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Operating Expenses

 

    Three months ended September 30,            
    2018     2017     Change     % Change  
Selling, general and administrative   $ 3,444,000     $ 3,636,000     $ (192,000 )     (5 %)
                                 
Depreciation and amortization (non-direct)   $ 75,000     $ 76,000     $ (1,000 )     (1 %)

 

      Nine months ended September 30,                
      2018       2017       Change       % Change  
Selling, general and administrative   $ 11,123,000     $ 11,628,000     $ (505,000 )     (4 %)
                                 
Depreciation and amortization (non-direct)   $ 244,000     $ 250,000     $ (6,000 )     (2 %)

 

  16  
 

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily due to decreased payroll and related expense of $272,000, offset by increased professional fees of $64,000 when compared to the same period in 2017.

 

The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily due to decreased payroll and related expense of $651,000, decreased marketing expense of $126,000 and decreased operating supplies expenses of $53,000, offset by increased professional fees of $316,000, in each case, when compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 was primarily due to assets becoming fully depreciated or amortized sooner than we are replenishing with new assets.

 

Other (Expense) Income, Net

 

   

Three months ended

September 30,

  Decrease in other  
    2018     2017     expense, net  
Total other (expense) income, net   $ (138,000 )   $ (122,000 )   $ (16,000 )

 

   

Nine months ended

September 30,

  Increase in other  
    2018     2017     expense, net  
Total other (expense) income, net   $ (305,000 )   $ 496,000     $ (801,000 )

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the increase in other expense, net was primarily related to decreased interest expense resulting from lower debt balances and increased foreign currency exchange losses related to the operations of our Canadian subsidiary.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the increase in other expense, net was primarily related to the receipt of a one-time payment from a supplier during the 2017 period related to a supply chain matter that was resolved in exchange for such payment and the absence of a similar event during the 2018 period.

 

Income Taxes

 

    Three months ended September 30,  
    2018     2017  
Provision for income taxes   $ (10,000 )   $ (9,000 )

 

 

 

  Nine months ended September 30,  
      2018       2017  
Provision for income taxes   $ (36,000 )   $ (21,000 )

 

During 2018, we expect to incur state income tax liability related to our U.S. operations and income tax liability in Canada related to our operations in Canada. We have established a full valuation allowance for substantially all deferred tax assets, including our net operating loss carryforwards, since we could not conclude that we were more likely than not able to generate future taxable income to realize these assets. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate due primarily to our full valuation allowance.

 

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EBITDA—Consolidated Operations

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, is not intended to represent a measure of performance in accordance with GAAP. Nor should EBITDA be considered as an alternative to statements of cash flows as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is included herein because we believe it is a measure of operating performance that financial analysts, lenders, investors and other interested parties find to be a useful tool for analyzing companies like us that carry significant levels of non-cash depreciation and amortization charges compared to their net income or loss calculation in accordance with GAAP.

 

The table below shows a reconciliation of our consolidated net income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP to EBITDA for the period indicated. EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, net income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP.

 

    Three months ended September 30,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
Net income (loss) per GAAP   $ 222,000     $ (184,000 )   $ (311,000 )   $ (438,000 )
Interest expense, net     118,000       106,000       305,000       388,000  
Income tax provision     10,000       9,000       36,000       21,000  
Depreciation and amortization     732,000       586,000       2,068,000       1,716,000  
EBITDA   $ 1,082,000     $ 517,000     $ 2,098,000     $ 1,687,000  

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of September 30, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $3,078,000 compared to cash and cash equivalents of $3,378,000 as of December 31, 2017.

 

In September 2018, we entered into a loan and security agreement with Avidbank, under which we borrowed $4,000,000 in the form of a one-time 48-month term loan, all of which we used to pay-off the $4,050,000 of principal we borrowed from East West Bank (“EWB”). We used our cash on hand to pay the remaining $50,000 we borrowed from EWB plus accrued and unpaid interest. The amended and restated loan and security agreement we entered into with EWB on November 29, 2017, as amended on March 12, 2018, terminated in connection with such payments.

 

As of September 30, 2018, $4,000,000 was outstanding under the Avidbank term loan, with $1,000,000 recorded in current portion of long-term debt and the remaining $3,000,000 recorded as long-term debt on our balance sheet. We recorded debt issuance costs of $23,000, which includes the $20,000 facility fee. The debt issuance costs will be amortized to interest expense beginning in October 2018 using the effective interest rate method over the life of the loan. The debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction of long term debt.

 

We must comply with these financial covenants under the loan and security agreement:

 

  o Our EBITDA (as defined below) must be at least $1,000,000 for the trailing six month period as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. “EBITDA” means (a) net profit (or loss), after provision for taxes, plus (b) interest expense, plus (c) to the extent deducted in the calculation of net profit (or loss), depreciation expense and amortization expense, plus (d) income tax expense, plus (e) to the extent approved by Avidbank, other noncash expenses and charges, other onetime charges, and any losses arising from the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of assets not in the ordinary course of business
     
  o The aggregate amount of unrestricted cash we have in deposit accounts or securities accounts maintained with Avidbank must be not less than $2,000,000 at all times.

 

As of September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with all covenants.

 

Subject to customary exceptions, under the loan and security agreement, we are prohibited from borrowing additional indebtedness. We granted and pledged to Avidbank a first-priority security interest in all our existing and future personal property. We paid $20,000 to Avidbank as a facility fee upon entering into the loan and security agreement. If we prepay the Avidbank loan before September 28, 2019, we must pay a prepayment fee of 1.75% of the principal amount repaid, and if we prepay the loan after such date but before September 28, 2020, we must pay a prepayment fee of 1.00% of the principal amount prepaid. There is no prepayment fee if we prepay the loan after September 28, 2020.

 

The loan and security agreement includes customary representations, warranties and covenants (affirmative and negative), including restrictive covenants that, subject to specified exceptions, limit our ability to: dispose of our business or property; merge or consolidate with or into any other business organization; incur or prepay additional indebtedness; create or incur any liens on its property; declare or pay any dividend or make a distribution on any class of our stock; or enter specified material transactions with our affiliates.

 

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The loan and security agreement also includes customary events of default, including: payment defaults; breaches of covenants following any applicable cure period; material breaches of representations or warranties; the occurrence of a material adverse effect; events relating to bankruptcy or insolvency; and the occurrence of an unsatisfied material judgment against us. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, Avidbank may declare all outstanding obligations immediately due and payable, do such acts as it considers necessary or reasonable to protect its security interest in the collateral, and take such other actions as are set forth in the loan and security agreement.

 

In connection with preparing the financial statement as of and for the period ended September 30, 2018, we evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that are known and reasonably knowable that would raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within twelve months after the date that such financial statements are issued. We believe we will have sufficient cash to meet our operating cash requirements and to fulfill our debt obligations for at least the next twelve months from the date that such financial statements are issued. To increase the likelihood that we will be able to successfully execute our operating and strategic plan and to better position the company take advantage of market opportunities for growth, we are continuing to evaluate additional financing alternatives, including additional equity financings and alternative sources of debt. If our cash and cash equivalents do not meet our future cash requirements, we may have to reduce planned capital expenses, reduce operational cash uses or raise capital on terms that are not as favorable to us as they otherwise might be. Any actions we may undertake to reduce planned capital purchases or reduce expenses might not cover shortfalls in available funds. If we require additional capital, we may not secure additional financing on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

 

Working Capital

 

As of September 30, 2018, we had working capital (current assets in excess of current liabilities) of $2,987,000 compared to negative working capital (current liabilities in excess of current assets) of $1,109,000 as of December 31, 2017. The following table shows our change in working capital from December 31, 2017 to September 30, 2018:

 

   

Increase

(Decrease)

 
Working capital as of December 31, 2017   $ (1,109,000 )
Changes in current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents     (300,000 )
Accounts receivable, net of allowance     565,000  
Site equipment to be installed     (1,266,000 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     (108,000 )
Change in total current assets     (1,109,000 )
Changes in current liabilities:        
Accounts payable     (49,000 )
Accrued compensation     (286,000 )
Accrued expenses     374,000  
Sales taxes payable     30,000  
Income taxes payable     23,000  
Current portion of long-term debt     (3,955,000 )
Current portion of obligations under capital leases     (20,000 )
Deferred revenue     (1,077,000 )
Deferred rent     (149,000 )
Other current liabilities     (96,000 )
Change in total current liabilities     (5,205,000 )
Net change in working capital     4,096,000  
Working capital as of September 30, 2018   $ 2,987,000  

 

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Cash Flows

 

Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows, are summarized as follows:

 

   

Nine months ended September 30,

 
    2018     2017  
Cash provided by (used in):                
Operating activities   $ 739,000     $ 1,056,000  
Investing activities     (1,192,000 )     (1,118,000 )
Financing activities     181,000       (1,230,000 )
Effect of exchange rates     (28,000 )     70,000  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   $ (300,000 )   $ (1,222,000 )

 

Net cash provided by operating activities. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to receiving a prepayment during the 2017 period from Buffalo Wild Wings for equipment and services to be delivered in the future. We did not receive a similar prepayment during the same period in 2018. This prepayment was offset by a decrease in equipment purchases during 2018 when compared to 2017.

 

Our largest use of cash is payroll and related costs. Cash used for payroll and related costs decreased $759,000 to $7,916,000 for the nine month months ended September 30, 2018 from $8,675,000 for the same period in 2017, primarily due to a reduction in incentive compensation and headcount.

 

Our primary source of cash is cash we generate from customers. Cash received from customers decreased $4,099,000 to $16,625,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $20,724,000 for the same period in 2017. This decrease was primarily related to the prepayment received in 2017 from Buffalo Wild Wings described above as well an increase in accounts receivable.

 

Net cash used in investing activities. Our increase in net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily related to increased capitalized software development expenditures offset by a decrease in capital expenditures when compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities. The $1,411,000 increase in cash provided by financing activities was primarily attributable to a $4,000,000 increase in long-term debt proceeds from the term loan we borrowed from Avidbank, offset by a $2,162,000 increase in long-term debt payments and by a $398,000 decrease in net proceeds received from common stock offerings for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. These updates require lessees to recognize at the lease commencement date a lease liability, which is the lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use assets, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. These updates are effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (which is January 1, 2019 for us), including interim periods within those fiscal years. Lessees and lessors must either (i) apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements or (ii) recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Although we have not completed our assessment of the full impact on our consolidated financial statements of the adoption of Topic 842, we currently believe that the most significant changes will be related to the recognition of a right-to-use asset and corresponding lease liability on our consolidated balance sheet for the new facility lease described in Note 6.

 

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 . This ASU incorporates SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which addresses the accounting implications of the major tax reform legislation, Public Law No. 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017. SAB 118 allows a company to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date and was effective upon issuance. We continue to analyze the effect that the 2017 Tax Act will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash . The standard clarifies the presentation of restricted cash and cash equivalents and requires companies to include restricted cash and cash equivalents in the beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The standard also requires additional disclosures to describe the amount and detail of the restriction by balance sheet line item. Accordingly, we will include the $250,000 restricted cash described in Note 6 as a component of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on our balance sheet once such deposit is made into a restricted cash account, which is expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2018.

 

  20  
 

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07 (Topic 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees and is intended to simplify aspects of share-based compensation issued to non-employees by making the guidance consistent with the accounting for employee share-based compensation. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (which is January 1, 2019 for us), including interim reporting periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk .

 

Under Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, rules and regulations, as a smaller reporting company we are not required to provide the information otherwise required by this item.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures .

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act) as to whether such disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on our evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

  21  
 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings .

 

From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. While management presently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not materially harm our financial position, cash flows, or overall trends in results of operations, legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings or outcomes could occur that have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results. We are not currently subject to any pending material legal proceedings.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors .

 

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 together with all other information contained or incorporated by reference in this report before you invest in our common stock. If any of the risks described in this report or in our annual report occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our future growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected. Under these circumstances, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. As of the date of this report, we do not believe there have been any material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our annual report other than as stated below.

 

If we fail to comply with our financial covenants to our primary lender, the lender may declare a default, which could lead to all payment obligations becoming immediately due and payable and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and business.

 

We must comply with financial covenants our loan and security agreement with Avidbank: our EBITDA must be at least $1,000,000 for the trailing six month period as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, and the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash we have in deposit accounts or securities accounts maintained with Avidbank must be not less than $2,000,000 at all times. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” under Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, above.

 

As of September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with these covenants. However, there can be no assurance we will be in compliance with all covenants in the future, including due to events or conditions outside of our control. For example, fluctuations in our operating results, such as what may result if we don’t extend the Buffalo Wild Wings relationship beyond November 2019 or add network subscribers to sufficiently offset the subscription revenue we currently receive from Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees, could result in violation of the adjusted EBITDA covenant. See “We receive a significant portion of our revenues from Buffalo Wild Wings, and any decrease in the amount of their business could materially and adversely affect our cash flow and revenue” below.

 

If we fail to comply with our covenants, Avidbank may declare a default, which could lead to all payment obligations becoming immediately due and payable and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and business. Avidbank has a first-priority security interest in all our existing and future personal property. Accordingly, in an event of a default, Avidbank could dispose of such property to satisfy our payment obligations.

 

Our cash flow may not cover our capital needs and we may need to raise additional funds in the future. Such funds may not be available when needed, on acceptable terms or at all and, if available, may dilute current stockholders.

 

As of September 30, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $3,078,000. We have borrowed substantially all amounts available to us under existing credit facilities and, subject to limited exceptions, our loan and security agreement with Avidbank prohibits us from borrowing additional amounts from other lenders. As of September 30, 2018, $4,000,000 was outstanding under that loan agreement, of which $1,000,000 was recorded in current portion of long-term debt and $3,000,000 was recorded in long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheet, which is gross of any unamortized debt issuance costs that are recorded as a reduction of long term debt. The loan matures on September 30, 2022. We must make monthly principal payments of $83,333.33 plus accrued and unpaid interest on the last business day of each month commencing on October 31, 2018 and through maturity. In addition, as of September 30, 2018, $104,000 was outstanding under a financing arrangement with an equipment lender and recorded in current portion of long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheet.

 

  22  
 

 

Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and to fund working capital, capital expenditures and investments in our business, will depend upon our future performance, which will depend on many factors, including:

 

  our ability to generate cash from operating activities;
     
  acceptance of, and demand for, our interactive games and entertainment;
     
  the costs of continuing to develop and implement our tablet platform and product line;
     
  the costs of developing new entertainment content, products, or technology or expanding our offering to new media platforms such as the internet and mobile phones;
     
  the extent to which we invest in the creation of new entertainment content and new technology; and
     
  the number and timing of acquisitions and other strategic transactions, if any.

 

In addition, in order to fully execute on our long-term strategic initiatives, we believe we will likely require additional funding in the future.

 

We cannot ensure that we will generate cash flow from operations in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our debt service obligations or to fund our working capital needs, capital expenditures and investments in our business. Avidbank has a first-priority security interest in all our existing and future personal property, and our equipment lender has a first-priority security interest in the equipment we purchased with the funds borrowed from that equipment lender. If we default on our monthly payment obligations to our lenders, and our debt obligations become immediately due and payable in full, our lenders may dispose of our personal property to satisfy our payment obligations. If we need to raise additional funds in the future, such funds may not be available when needed, on acceptable terms, or at all. Furthermore, if we issue equity or debt securities to raise additional funds, our existing stockholders may experience dilution, and the new equity or debt securities may have rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of our existing stockholders. If we cannot raise funds on acceptable terms, or at all, we may not be able to continue to develop and implement our platform and product line, develop or enhance our other products and services, successfully execute our business plan or any or all of our strategic initiatives, take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated customer requirements.

 

We receive a significant portion of our revenues from Buffalo Wild Wings, and any decrease in the amount of their business could materially and adversely affect our cash flow and revenue.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees accounted for approximately 41%, or $8,678,000, of our total revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees accounted for approximately 41%, or $7,209,000, of our total revenue. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, approximately $200,000 and $191,000, respectively, was included in accounts receivable from Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees.

 

In March 2017, Buffalo Wild Wings chose us to be its provider of digital menu, order, and payment functionality. In November 2017, we expected to begin rolling out our improved tablet platform system at certain Buffalo Wild Wings locations during the first quarter of 2018 and, after an initial set of locations was running smoothly, throughout the rest of the Buffalo Wild Wings corporate and franchise locations with which we had partnered. Due to the acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings by Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (which renamed itself Inspire Brands Inc.) in February 2018 and to the associated changes with Buffalo Wild Wings’ operations, the rollout of our expanded functionality tablet platform system was put on hold to allow its new ownership to assess all the programs at Buffalo Wild Wings. The order, payment and guest insights functionality available through our improved tablet system was deployed in a pilot study at 31 Buffalo Wild Wings locations between April 2018 and September 2018. In October 2018, Buffalo Wild Wings informed us that it determined not to rollout our order, payment and guest insights functionality and that its relationship with us would continue in accordance with existing agreements we entered into in the ordinary course of business, and which terminate in accordance with their terms in November 2019. If we don’t extend the Buffalo Wild Wings relationship beyond November 2019 or add network subscribers to sufficiently offset the subscription revenue we currently receive from Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees, we expect our subscription revenue to materially decrease beginning in the first quarter of 2020, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows. In addition, the inability to demonstrate Buffalo Wild Wings as a strategic user of our expanded functionality tablet platform system could negatively impact achievement of our chain customer site growth goals. Likewise, if any other customer who may in the future represent a significant portion of our revenue were to breach or terminate their subscriptions or otherwise decrease the amount of business they transact with us, we could lose a significant portion of our revenues and cash flow.

 

Our common stock could be delisted or suspended from trading on the NYSE American if we do not regain compliance with continued listing criteria with which we are currently not compliant or if we fail to meet any other continued listing criteria.

 

As reported, in March 2018, we received a letter from the NYSE Regulation Inc. stating that we are not in compliance with NYSE American LLC continued listing standards. Specifically, we are not in compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide because we reported stockholders’ equity of less than $6 million as of December 31, 2017 and had net losses in five of our most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2017. Our stockholders’ equity was $5.5 million as of December 31, 2017. As a result, we are now subject to the procedures and requirements of Section 1009 of the Company Guide.

 

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On April 26, 2018, the NYSE Regulation Inc. notified us that it has accepted our plan to regain compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide and granted us a plan period that extends through March 20, 2019 to regain compliance. The listing of our common stock on the NYSE American is being continued during the plan period pursuant to an extension. The NYSE Regulation staff will review us periodically for compliance with initiatives outlined in our plan. If we are not in compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii) by March 20, 2019 or if we do not make progress consistent with our plan during the plan period, NYSE Regulation staff will initiate delisting proceedings as appropriate. In order for NYSE Regulation to determine that we have regained compliance, we must have stockholders’ equity of $6 million or more for two consecutive quarters. After giving effect to the offering that closed in June 2018 in which we raised approximately $1.4 million and the financial results for the second and third quarters of 2018, we believe we are on the path to regaining compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide. NYSE Regulation will determine if and when we have regained compliance.

 

We can give no assurances that we will be able to address our non-compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards or, even if we do, that we will be able to maintain the listing of our common stock on the NYSE American. Our common stock could be delisted because we do not make progress consistent with our plan during the plan period, because we do not regain compliance by March 20, 2019, or because we fall below compliance with other NYSE American listing standards. In addition, we may determine to pursue business opportunities or grow our business at levels or on timelines that reduces our stockholders’ equity below the level required to maintain compliance with NYSE American continued listing standards. The delisting of our common stock for whatever reason could, among other things, substantially impair our ability to raise additional capital; result in a loss of institutional investor interest and fewer financing opportunities for us; and/or result in potential breaches of representations or covenants in agreements pursuant to which we made representations or covenants relating to our compliance with applicable listing requirements. Claims related to any such breaches, with or without merit, could result in costly litigation, significant liabilities and diversion of our management’s time and attention and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, business and results of operations. In addition, the delisting of our common stock for whatever reason may materially impair our stockholders’ ability to buy and sell shares of our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 5. Other Information .

 

None

 

  24  
 

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit   Description   Incorporated By Reference
3.1(a)   Restated Certificate of Incorporation   Exhibit to Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2013
         
3.1(b)   Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (reverse/forward split)   Exhibit to Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2016
         
3.1(c)   Certificate of Decrease of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock   Exhibit to Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2017
         
3.1(d)   Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (decrease in authorized capital stock)   Exhibit to Form 8-K filed on June 9, 2017
         
3.2   Bylaws, as amended   Exhibit to Form 10-K filed on March 26, 2008
         
10.1   Loan and Security Agreement by and between Avidbank and the registrant dated September 28, 2018.   Exhibit to Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2018
         
10.2   Office lease, dated for reference purposes only July 26, 2018, by and between Burke Aston Partners, LLC and the registrant.   Filed herewith
         
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   Filed herewith
         
31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   Filed herewith
         
32.1#   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   Furnished herewith
         
32.2#   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   Furnished herewith
         
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document   Filed herewith
         
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document   Filed herewith
         
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document   Filed herewith
         
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document   Filed herewith
         
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document   Filed herewith

 

 

#   This certification is being furnished solely to accompany this report pursuant to U.S.C. § 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated herein by reference into any filing of the Company whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

  25  
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  NTN BUZZTIME, INC.
     
Date: November 9, 2018 By: /s/ Allen Wolff
    Allen Wolff
    Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
    (on behalf of the Registrant, and as its Principal Financial Officer)

 

  26  
 

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