UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

[X]

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

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20172018

 

OR

 

[   ]

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

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from __________________ to _________________

 

Commission file number: 001-36724

 

The Joint Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware90-0544160

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or

organization)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

16767 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 240, Scottsdale

Arizona

85260
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

 

(480) 245-5960

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer 
    
Non-accelerated filer ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)☒   Smaller reporting company 
    
    Emerging growth company 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards 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 Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

 

As of November 6, 2017,2, 2018, the registrant had 13,518,14613,734,193 shares of Common Stock ($0.001 par value) outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE JOINT CORP.

FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    PAGE
NO.
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
     
 Item 1. Financial Statements: 
   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 20172018 (unaudited) and December 31, 201620171
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 (unaudited)2
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 (unaudited)3
   Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements4
     
 Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2224
     
 Item 4. Controls and Procedures3032
     
Part I, Item 3 – Not applicable 
   
PART II OTHER INFORMATION 
     
 Item 1. Legal Proceedings3132
     
 Item 1A. Risk Factors3132
     
 Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds3132
     
 Item 6. Exhibits3132
     
 SIGNATURES3233
     
 EXHIBIT INDEX3334
     
Part II, Items 3, 4, and 5 - Not applicable 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

  September 30, December 31,
  2017 2016
ASSETS  (unaudited)     
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $2,628,648  $3,009,864 
Restricted cash  157,470   334,394 
Accounts receivable, net  1,277,862   1,021,733 
Income taxes receivable  3,054   42,014 
Notes receivable - current portion  128,781   40,826 
Deferred franchise costs - current portion  617,131   748,300 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  604,777   499,525 
Total current assets  5,417,723   5,696,656 
Property and equipment, net  3,849,952   4,724,706 
Notes receivable, net of current portion and reserve  295,779   - 
Deferred franchise costs, net of current portion  811,350   836,350 
Intangible assets, net  1,888,607   2,338,922 
Goodwill  2,750,338   2,750,338 
Deposits and other assets  634,257   707,889 
Total assets $15,648,006  $17,054,861 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $718,412  $1,054,946 
Accrued expenses  131,665   299,997 
Co-op funds liability  98,188   73,246 
Payroll liabilities  533,881   750,421 
Notes payable - current portion  100,000   331,500 
Deferred rent - current portion  147,496   215,450 
Deferred revenue - current portion  2,325,728   3,077,430 
Other current liabilities  54,455   60,894 
Total current liabilities  4,109,825   5,863,884 
Notes payable, net of current portion  1,000,000   - 
Deferred rent, net of current portion  840,163   1,400,790 
Deferred revenue, net of current portion  4,233,334   2,231,712 
Deferred tax liability  187,397   120,700 
Other liabilities  583,915   512,362 
Total liabilities  10,954,634   10,129,448 
Commitments and contingencies        
Stockholders' equity:        
Series A preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000 shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding, as of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016  -   - 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 13,499,684 shares issued and 13,485,600 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and 13,317,393 shares issued and 13,020,889 outstanding as of December 31, 2016  13,499   13,317 
Additional paid-in capital  36,811,327   36,398,588 
Treasury stock 14,084 shares as of September 30, 2017 and 296,504 shares as of December 31, 2016, at cost  (86,045)  (503,118)
Accumulated deficit  (32,045,409)  (28,983,374)
Total stockholders' equity  4,693,372   6,925,413 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $15,648,006  $17,054,861 

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

1
  September 30, December 31,
  2018 2017
ASSETS (unaudited) (as adjusted)
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $5,611,008  $4,216,221 
Restricted cash  185,396   103,819 
Accounts receivable, net  1,204,957   1,138,380 
Notes receivable - current portion  145,677   171,928 
Deferred franchise costs - current portion  573,893   498,433 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  702,233   542,342 
Total current assets  8,423,164   6,671,123 
Property and equipment, net  3,269,739   3,800,466 
Notes receivable, net of current portion and reserve  167,466   351,857 
Deferred franchise costs, net of current portion  2,668,493   2,312,837 
Intangible assets, net  1,765,322   1,760,042 
Goodwill  2,916,426   2,916,426 
Deposits and other assets  593,009   623,308 
Total assets $19,803,619  $18,436,059 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $911,618  $1,068,669 
Accrued expenses  103,801   86,959 
Co-op funds liability  145,766   89,681 
Payroll liabilities  1,288,436   867,430 
Notes payable - current portion  100,000   100,000 
Deferred rent - current portion  143,713   152,198 
Deferred franchise revenue - current portion  2,165,112   1,994,182 
Deferred revenue from company clinics  1,002,578   867,804 
Other current liabilities  327,924   152,534 
Total current liabilities  6,188,948   5,379,457 
Notes payable, net of current portion  1,000,000   1,000,000 
Deferred rent, net of current portion  724,651   802,492 
Deferred franchise revenue, net of current portion  10,148,199   9,552,746 
Deferred tax liability  -   136,434 
Other liabilities  407,028   411,497 
Total liabilities  18,468,826   17,282,626 
Commitments and contingencies        
Stockholders' equity:        
Series A preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000 shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017  -   - 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 13,748,678 shares issued and 13,734,008 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and 13,600,338 shares issued and 13,586,254 outstanding as of December 31, 2017  13,749   13,600 
Additional paid-in capital  37,997,377   37,229,869 
Treasury stock 14,670 shares as of September 30, 2018 and 14,084 shares as of December 31, 2017, at cost  (90,856)  (86,045)
Accumulated deficit  (36,585,477)  (36,003,991)
Total stockholders' equity  1,334,793   1,153,433 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $19,803,619  $18,436,059 

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenues:                
Revenues and management fees from company clinics $2,929,850  $2,341,471  $8,106,121  $6,137,277 
Royalty fees  1,958,249   1,540,264   5,518,409   4,337,643 
Franchise fees  229,715   602,400   1,036,815   1,641,409 
Advertising fund revenue  775,221   595,955   1,995,235   1,218,256 
IT related income and software fees  290,250   235,925   839,788   686,459 
Regional developer fees  259,230   123,921   455,859   496,538 
Other revenues  103,336   63,654   282,289   225,086 
Total revenues  6,545,851   5,503,590   18,234,516   14,742,668 
Cost of revenues:                
Franchise cost of revenues  715,610   660,126   2,103,619   2,023,712 
IT cost of revenues  103,590   58,636   227,903   162,752 
Total cost of revenues  819,200   718,762   2,331,522   2,186,464 
Selling and marketing expenses  1,172,559   1,272,524   3,189,489   3,184,484 
Depreciation and amortization  468,800   695,579   1,550,013   1,908,238 
General and administrative expenses  4,462,922   5,435,219   13,694,690   16,749,945 
Total selling, general and administrative expenses  6,104,281   7,403,322   18,434,192   21,842,667 
Loss on disposition or impairment  -   -   417,971   - 
Loss from operations  (377,630)  (2,618,494)  (2,949,169)  (9,286,463)
                 
Other (expense) income, net  9,907   5,877   (33,589)  5,200 
Loss before income tax expense  (367,723)  (2,612,617)  (2,982,758)  (9,281,263)
                 
Income tax expense  (36,085)  (14,277)  (79,277)  (132,144)
                 
Net loss and comprehensive loss $(403,808) $(2,626,894) $(3,062,035) $(9,413,407)
                 
Loss per share:                
Basic and diluted loss per share $(0.03) $(0.21) $(0.23) $(0.74)
                 
Basic and diluted weighted average shares  13,262,032   12,730,624   13,144,764   12,657,435 

 

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

 

21

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSOPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

  Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
  2017 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(3,062,035) $(9,413,407)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
(Recovery) provision for bad debts  -   (10,830)
Regional developer fees recognized upon acquisition of development rights  -   (138,500)
Net franchise fees recognized upon termination of franchise agreements  (46,115)  (314,859)
Depreciation and amortization  1,550,013   1,908,238 
Gain on sale of fixed assets  (34,355)  - 
Loss on disposition or impairment of assets  417,971   - 
Deferred income taxes  66,697   - 
Stock based compensation expense  412,512   1,012,700 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Restricted cash  176,924   (91,383)
Accounts receivable  (303,590)  (1,108,181)
Income taxes receivable  38,960   32,167 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (105,252)  (525,905)
Deferred franchise costs  139,369   194,300 
Deposits and other assets  73,632   49,649 
Accounts payable  (336,534)  (1,183,328)
Accrued expenses  (168,332)  (119,990)
Co-op funds liability  24,942   (95,893)
Payroll liabilities  (216,540)  (1,079,085)
Other liabilities  (555,982)  33,837 
Deferred rent  (377,995)  912,730 
Deferred revenue  889,213   (405,977)
Net cash used in operating activities  (1,416,497)  (10,343,717)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Cash paid for acquisitions  -   (811,450)
Reacquisition and termination of regional developer rights  -   (325,000)
Purchase of property and equipment  (190,589)  (1,497,874)
Payments received on notes receivable  39,888   25,945 
Net cash used in investing activities  (150,701)  (2,608,379)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Borrowings on revolving credit note payable  1,000,000   - 
Issuance of common stock, offering costs adjustment  -   (1,042)
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans  (2,655)  (83,391)
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock  292,671   - 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  127,466   66,527 
Repayments on notes payable  (231,500)  (436,350)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  1,185,982   (454,256)
         
Net decrease in cash  (381,216)  (13,406,352)
Cash at beginning of period  3,009,864   16,792,850 
Cash at end of period $2,628,648  $3,386,498 
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
    (as adjusted)   (as adjusted)
Revenues:        
Revenues and management fees from company clinics $3,674,704  $2,929,850  $10,352,013  $8,106,121 
Royalty fees  2,588,666   1,958,249   7,283,839   5,518,409 
Franchise fees  457,516   381,777   1,254,997   1,041,151 
Advertising fund revenue  736,987   775,221   2,083,769   1,995,235 
Software fees  324,250   290,250   947,635   839,788 
Regional developer fees  142,651   99,215   415,075   262,102 
Other revenues  137,776   103,336   379,970   282,289 
Total revenues  8,062,550   6,537,898   22,717,298   18,045,095 
Cost of revenues:                
Franchise cost of revenues  1,005,162   735,554   2,855,712   2,071,394 
IT cost of revenues  79,545   103,590   252,911   227,903 
Total cost of revenues  1,084,707   839,144   3,108,623   2,299,297 
Selling and marketing expenses  1,194,595   1,172,559   3,590,562   3,189,489 
Depreciation and amortization  389,269   468,800   1,181,661   1,550,013 
General and administrative expenses  5,242,026   4,462,922   14,973,261   13,694,691 
Total selling, general and administrative expenses  6,825,890   6,104,281   19,745,484   18,434,193 
Loss on disposition or impairment  343,255   -   593,960   417,971 
Loss from operations  (191,302)  (405,527)  (730,769)  (3,106,366)
                 
Other income (expense):                
Bargain purchase gain  -   -   75,264   - 
Other income (expense), net  (10,672)  9,907   (33,556)  (33,589)
Total other income (expense)  (10,672)  9,907   41,708   (33,589)
                 
Loss before income tax expense  (201,974)  (395,620)  (689,061)  (3,139,955)
                 
Income tax benefit (expense)  50,171   (36,085)  107,575   (79,277)
                 
Net loss and comprehensive loss $(151,803) $(431,705) $(581,486) $(3,219,232)
                 
Loss per share:                
Basic and diluted loss per share $(0.01) $(0.03) $(0.04) $(0.24)
                 
Basic and diluted weighted average shares  13,727,712   13,262,032   13,646,599   13,144,764 

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

 

32

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
  2018 2017
    (as adjusted)
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(581,486) $(3,219,232)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  1,181,661   1,550,013 
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets  974   (34,355)
Loss on disposition or impairment of assets  593,960   417,971 
Net franchise fees recognized upon termination of franchise agreements  (186,850)  (46,115)
Bargain purchase gain  (75,264)  - 
Deferred income taxes  (136,434)  66,697 
Stock based compensation expense  469,405   412,512 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  (59,857)  (303,590)
Income taxes receivable  -   38,960 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (159,891)  (105,252)
Deferred franchise costs  (510,266)  110,145 
Deposits and other assets  45,601   70,632 
Accounts payable  (225,839)  (336,535)
Accrued expenses  14,628   (168,332)
Co-op funds liability  56,085   24,942 
Payroll liabilities  421,006   (216,540)
Other liabilities  (79,783)  (493,122)
Deferred rent  (86,326)  (377,995)
Deferred revenue  1,207,089   1,015,775 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  1,888,413   (1,593,421)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired  (100,000)  - 
Purchase of property and equipment  (531,162)  (190,589)
Reacquisition and termination of regional developer rights  (278,250)  - 
Payments received on notes receivable  210,642   39,888 
Net cash used in investing activities  (698,770)  (150,701)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Borrowings on revolving credit note payable  -   1,000,000 
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans  (4,811)  (2,655)
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock  -   292,671 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  291,532   127,466 
Repayments on notes payable  -   (231,500)
Net cash provided by financing activities  286,721   1,185,982 
         
Increase (decrease) in cash  1,476,364   (558,140)
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of period  4,320,040   3,344,258 
Cash and restricted cash, end of period $5,796,404  $2,786,118 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, cash paid for income taxes was $22,838$29,522 and $10,466,$22,838, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, cash paid for interest was $81,993$75,000 and $15,262,$81,993, respectively.

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:

As of September 30, 2016,2018, we had property and equipment purchases of $7,105 which were$68,788 and $2,214 included in accounts payable and accrued expenses, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, we had property and equipment purchases of $50,474 included in accounts payable.

As of September 30, 2018, we had stock option exercise proceeds of $6,720 included in accounts receivable.

In connection with our acquisitions of franchises during the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2018, we acquired $293,014$17,964 of property and equipment, intangible assets of $339,000, goodwill$129,000, favorable leases of $269,780 and assumed deferred revenue associated with membership packages paid in advance of $45,072$15,302, in exchange for $839,000$100,000 in cash and notes payable issued to the sellers for an aggregate amount of $186,000.sellers.  Additionally, at the time of these transactions, we carried deferred revenue of $29,000,$12,998, representing franchise fees collected upon the execution of the franchise agreements, and deferred costs of $1,450, related to our acquisition of undeveloped franchises. Weagreement.  In accordance with ASC-952-605, we netted these amountsthis amount against the aggregate purchase price of the acquisitions (Note 2). and a bargain purchase gain of $75,264 was recognized.

 

In connection with our reacquisition and termination of regional developer rights during the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2018, we had deferred revenue of $224,750$26,934  representing license fees collected upon the execution of the regional developer agreements.  In accordance with ASC-952-605, we netted these amounts against the aggregate purchase price of the acquisitions.

In connection with our sale of the regional developer territories in Central Florida, Maryland/Washington DC, and Minnesota we issued notes receivable in the amount of $423,622 with revenue to be recognized over the anticipated number of clinics to be opened in the respective territories. We have recognized $9,412 of revenue related to these notes in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

(Note 8)

 


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

 

3

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1: Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

These unaudited financial statements represent the condensed consolidated financial statements of The Joint Corp. (“The Joint”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Joint Corporate Unit No. 1, LLC (collectively, the “Company”). These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with The Joint Corp. and Subsidiary consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto as set forth in The Joint Corp.’s Form 10-K, which included all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.principles (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position on a consolidated basis and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 are not necessarily indicative of expected operating results for the full year. The information presented throughout the document as of and for the periods ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 is unaudited.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs, expenses and other (expenses) income that are reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events, historical experience, actions that the Company may undertake in the future and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. As a result, actual results may be different from these estimates. For a discussion of significant estimates and judgments made in recognizing revenue under the new revenue standard, see Note 3, Revenue Disclosures. Certain balances were reclassified from general and administrative expenses to other expense, net, as well as certain balances from other revenues to revenues and management fees from Company clinics for the period ended September 30, 2017 to conform to the current year presentation and align with the segment footnote presentation.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Joint Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Joint Corporate Unit No. 1, LLC, which was dormant for all periods presented.

 

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between The Joint Corp. and its subsidiary have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain balances were reclassified from general and administrative expenses to other (expense) income, net, as well as certain balances from other revenues to revenues and management fees from company clinics for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 to conform to the current year presentation and align with the segment footnote presentation.

5

  

Comprehensive Loss

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss are the same for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.

  

Nature of Operations

 

The Joint, a Delaware corporation, was formed on March 10, 2010 for the principal purpose of franchising, developing and managing chiropractic clinics, selling regional developer rights and supporting the operations of franchised chiropractic clinics at locations throughout the United States of America. The franchising of chiropractic clinics is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and various state authorities.  

 

4

The following table summarizes the number of clinics in operation under franchise agreements and as company-owned or managed clinics for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016:2017:

 

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
Franchised clinics: 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Clinics open at beginning of period  336   280   309   265   365   336   352   309 
Opened or Purchased during the period  6   13   35   38 
Opened or purchased during the period  10   6   25   35 
Acquired during the period  -   -   -   (6)  -   -   (1)  - 
Closed during the period  -   -   (2)  (4)  (1)  -   (2)  (2)
Clinics in operation at the end of the period  342   293   342   293   374   342   374   342 

 

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
Company-owned or managed clinics: 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Clinics open at beginning of period  47   61   61   47   48   47   47   61 
Opened during the period  -   -   -   8   -   -   -   - 
Acquired during the period  -   -   -   6   -       1   - 
Closed or Sold during the period  -   -   (14)  - 
Closed or sold during the period  -   -   -   (14)
Clinics in operation at the end of the period  47   61   47   61   48   47   48   47 
                                
Total clinics in operation at the end of the period  389   354   389   354   422   389   422   389 
                                
Clinics licenses sold but not yet developed  105   134   105   134 
Clinic licenses sold but not yet developed  126   105   126   105 
Executed letters of intent for future clinic licenses  5   -   5   -   12   5   12   5 

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

An entity deemed to hold the controlling interest in a voting interest entity or deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) is required to consolidate the VIE in its financial statements. An entity is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it has both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb the majority of losses of the VIE or the right to receive the majority of benefits from the VIE. Investments where the Company does not hold the controlling interest and is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for under the equity method.

 

5

Certain states in which the Company manages clinics regulate the practice of chiropractic care and require that chiropractic services be provided by legal entities organized under state laws as professional corporations or PCs. Such PCs are VIEs. In these states, the Company has entered into management services agreements with such PCs under which the Company provides, on an exclusive basis, all non-clinical services of the chiropractic practice.  The Company has analyzed its relationship with the PCs and has determined that the Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the PCs. As such, the activities of the PCs are not included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company continually monitors its positions with, and credit quality of, the financial institutions with which it invests. As of the balance sheet date and periodically throughout the period, the Company has maintained balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has invested substantially all its cash in short-term bank deposits. The Company had no cash equivalents as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.

  

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash relates to cash that franchisees and company-owned or managed clinics contribute to the Company’s National Marketing Fund and cash that franchisees provide to various voluntary regional Co-Op Marketing Funds. Cash contributed by franchisees to the National Marketing Fund is to be used in accordance with the Company’s Franchise Disclosure Document with a focus on regional and national marketing and advertising. 

  

Concentrations of Credit Risk

From time to time, the Company grants credit in the normal course of business to franchisees and PCs related to the collection of royalties and other operating revenues. The Company periodically performs credit analysis and monitors the financial condition of the franchisees and PCs to reduce credit risk. As of September 30, 2017, one PC entity and four franchisees represented 19% of outstanding accounts receivable, compared to three PC entities and six franchisees representing 24% of outstanding accounts receivable as of December 31, 2016. The Company did not have any customers that represented greater than 10% of its revenues during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable represent amounts due from franchisees for initial franchise fees and royalty fees, working capital advances due from PCs, and tenant improvement allowances due from landlords.fees. The Company considers a reserve for doubtful accounts based on the creditworthiness of the entity. The provision for uncollectible amounts is continually reviewed and adjusted to maintain the allowance at a level considered adequate to cover future losses. The allowance is management’s best estimate of uncollectible amounts and is determined based on specific identification and historical performance that the Company tracks on an ongoing basis. Actual losses ultimately could differ materially in the near term from the amounts estimated in determining the allowance. As of September 30, 2017,2018, and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 and $131,830, respectively.

The Company writes off accounts receivable when it deems them uncollectible and records recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off when it receives them. In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company determined that certain working capital advances from its PC entities in Illinois and New York were no longer collectible as a result of the sale or closure of the related clinics. Accordingly, the Company wrote-off approximately $47,000 of accounts receivable to loss on disposition or impairment related to these entities during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.$0.

  

Deferred Franchise Costs

 

Deferred franchise costs represent commissions that are direct and incremental to the Company and are paid in conjunction with the sale of a franchise andfranchise. These costs are recognized as an expense when the respective revenue is recognized, which is generally uponover the openingterm of a clinic.the related franchise agreement.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost or for property acquired as part of franchise acquisitions at fair value at the date of closing. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the assets.

 

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred; major renewals and improvements are capitalized. When items of property or equipment are sold or retired, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in income.

  

76

 

Software Developed

 

The Company capitalizes certain software development costs. These capitalized costs are primarily related to proprietary software used by clinics for operations and by the Company for the management of operations. Costs incurred in the preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct, are capitalized as assets in progress until the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Capitalization ceases upon completion of all substantial testing. The Company also capitalizes costs related to specific upgrades and enhancements when it is probable the expenditures will result in additional functionality. Software developed is recorded as part of property and equipment. Maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred. Internal use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, generally five years. 

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets consist primarily of re-acquired franchise and regional developer rights and customer relationships.  The Company amortizes the fair value of re-acquired franchise rights over the remaining contractual terms of the re-acquired franchise rights at the time of the acquisition, which range from sixfour to eight years. In the case of regional developer rights, the Company amortizes the acquired regional developer rights over seven years. The fair value of customer relationships is amortized over their estimated useful life of two years. 

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in the acquisitions completed in the years ended December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2016.of franchises.  Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. As required, the Company performs an annual impairment test of goodwill as of the first day of the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. No impairments of goodwill were recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recovered. The Company looks primarily to estimated undiscounted future cash flows in its assessment of whether or not long-lived assets have been impaired. No impairments of long-lived assets were recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.

 

Advertising Fund

 

The Company has established an advertising fund for national/regional marketing and advertising of services offered by its clinics. The monthly marketing fee is 2% of clinic sales. The Company segregates the marketing funds collected which are included in restricted cash on its condensed consolidated balance sheets. As amounts are expended from the fund, the Company recognizes advertising fund revenue and a related expense.

 

Co-Op Marketing Funds

 

Some franchises have established regional Co-Ops for advertising within their local and regional markets. The Company maintains a custodial relationship under which the marketing funds collected are segregated and used for the purposes specified by the Co-Ops’ officers. The marketing funds are included in restricted cash on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities

 

The Company recognizes a liability for the cost associated with an exit or disposal activity that is measured initially at its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred.

 

87

 

Costs to terminate an operating lease or other contracts are (a) costs to terminate the contract before the end of its term or (b) costs that will continue to be incurred under the contract for its remaining term without economic benefit to the entity. A liability for costs that will continue to be incurred under a contract for its remaining term without economic benefit to the entity isshall be recognized at the cease-use date. In periods subsequent to initial measurement, changes to the liability are measured using the credit adjusted risk-free rate that was used to measure the fair value of the liability initially. The cumulative effect of a change resulting from a revision to either the timing or the amount of estimated cash flows isshall be recognized as an adjustment to the liability in the period of the change.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company maintained a lease exit liability of approximately $0.4 million classified in other liabilities on its condensed consolidated balance sheets related to remaining operating leases that will no longer provide economic benefit to the Company, net of estimated sublease income. 

Lease exit liability at December 31, 2016 $338,151 
Additions  883,146 
Settlements  (706,991)
Net Accretion  (66,030)
Lease exit liability at September 30, 2017 $448,276 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company ceased use of eight clinic locations from its corporate clinics segment and recognized a liability for lease exit costs incurred based on the remaining lease rental due, reduced by estimated sublease rental income that could be reasonably obtained for the properties. The Company recognized the resulting expense of approximately $418,000 in loss on disposition or impairment in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

Deferred Rent

 

The Company leases office space for its corporate offices and company-owned or managed clinics under operating leases, which may include rent holidays and rent escalation clauses.  It recognizes rent holiday periods and scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  The Company records tenant improvement allowances as deferred rent and amortizes the allowance over the term of the lease, as a reduction to rent expense.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company generates revenue primarily through initialits company-owned and managed clinics, royalties, franchise fees, regional developer fees, royalties, advertising fund, revenue,and through IT related income and computer software fees, and from its company-owned and managed clinics.fees.

Franchise Fees. The Company requires the entire non-refundable initial franchise fee to be paid upon execution of a franchise agreement, which typically has an initial term of ten years. Initial franchise fees are recognized as revenue when the Company has substantially completed its initial services under the franchise agreement, which typically occurs upon opening of the clinic.  The Company’s services under the franchise agreement include: training of franchisees and staff, site selection, construction/vendor management and ongoing operations support. The Company provides no financing to franchisees and offers no guarantees on their behalf. 

Regional Developer Fees. During 2011, the Company established a regional developer program to engage independent contractors to assist in developing specified geographical regions. Under the historical program, regional developers paid a license fee ranging from $7,250 to 25% of the then current franchise fee for each franchise they received the right to develop within the region. In 2017, the program was revised to grant exclusive geographical territory and establish a minimum development obligation within that defined territory. Regional developers receive fees ranging from $14,500 to $19,950 which are collected from franchisees upon the sale of franchises within their region and a royalty of 3% of sales generated by franchised clinics in their region. Regional developer fees paid to the Company are nonrefundable and are recognized as revenue when the Company has performed substantially all initial services required by the regional developer agreement, which generally is considered to be upon the opening of each franchised clinic. Accordingly, revenue is recognized on a pro-rata basis determined by the number of franchised clinics to be opened in the area covered by the regional developer agreement. Upon the execution of a regional developer agreement, the Company estimates the number of franchised clinics to be opened, which is typically consistent with the contracted minimum. The Company reassesses the number of clinics expected to be opened as the regional developer performs under its regional developer agreement. When a material change to the original estimate becomes apparent, the amount of revenue to be recognized per clinic is revised on a prospective basis, and the unrecognized fees are allocated among, and recognized as revenue upon the opening of, the expected remaining unopened franchised clinics within the region. The franchisor’s services under regional developer agreements include site selection, grand opening support for the clinics, sales support for identification of qualified franchisees, general operational support and marketing support to advertise for ownership opportunities. Several of the regional developer agreements grant the Company the option to repurchase the regional developer’s license.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company entered into eight regional developer agreements for which it received approximately $1.7 million, which was deferred as of the respective transaction dates and will be recognized on a pro-rata basis over the estimated number of franchised clinics to be opened in the respective regions. Certain of these regional developer agreements resulted in the regional developer acquiring the rights to existing royalty streams from clinics already open in the respective territory. In those instances, the revenue associated from the sale of the royalty stream is being recognized over the remaining life of the respective franchise agreements.

9

 

Revenues and Management Fees from Company Clinics.  The Company earns revenues from clinics that it owns and operates or manages throughout the United States.  In those states where the Company owns and operates the clinic, revenues are recognized when services are performed. The Company offers a variety of membership and wellness packages which feature discounted pricing as compared with its single-visit pricing.  Amounts collected in advance for membership and wellness packages are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized when the service is performed.  In other states where state law requires the chiropractic practice to be owned by a licensed chiropractor, the Company enters into a management agreement with the doctor’s PC.  Under the management agreement, the Company provides administrative and business management services to the doctor’s PC in return for a monthly management fee.  WhenDue to certain implicit variable consideration in these management agreement contracts, and based on past practices between the collectabilityparties, the Company determined that it cannot meet the probable threshold if it includes all of the full management fee is uncertain,variable consideration in the transaction price. Therefore, the Company recognizes management fee revenue under these contracts only to the extentwhen it has a high degree of fees expected toconfidence that revenue will not be collected from the PCs. reversed in a subsequent reporting period.

 

Royalties.Royalties and Advertising Fund Revenue. The Company collects royalties, as stipulated in the franchise agreement, equal to 7% of gross sales, and a marketing and advertising fee currently equal to 2% of gross sales. Certain franchisees with franchise agreements acquired duringRoyalties, including franchisee contributions to advertising funds, are calculated as a percentage of clinic sales over the formationterm of the Company pay a monthly flat fee. Royaltiesfranchise agreement. The franchise agreement royalties, inclusive of advertising fund contributions, represent sales-based royalties that are related entirely to the Company’s performance obligation under the franchise agreement and are recognized as revenue when earned.franchisee clinic level sales occur. Royalties are collected bi-monthly two working days after each sales period has ended.

 

IT Related IncomeFranchise Fees. The Company requires the entire non-refundable initial franchise fee to be paid upon execution of a franchise agreement, which typically has an initial term of ten years. Initial franchise fees are recognized ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement.  The Company’s services under the franchise agreement include: training of franchisees and staff, site selection, construction/vendor management and ongoing operations support. The Company provides no financing to franchisees and offers no guarantees on their behalf. The services provided by the Company are highly interrelated with the franchise license and as such are considered to represent a single performance obligation.

Regional Developer Fees. During 2011, the Company established a regional developer program to engage independent contractors to assist in developing specified geographical regions. Under the historical program, regional developers paid a license fee for each franchise they received the right to develop within the region. In 2017, the program was revised to grant exclusive geographical territory and establish a minimum development obligation within that defined territory. Regional developers receive fees which are collected from franchisees upon the sale of franchises within their region and a royalty of 3% of sales generated by franchised clinics in their region. Regional developer fees paid to the Company are nonrefundable and are recognized as revenue ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the regional developer agreement, which is considered to be upon the execution of the agreement. The Company’s services under regional developer agreements include site selection, grand opening support for the clinics, sales support for identification of qualified franchisees, general operational support and marketing support to advertise for ownership opportunities. The services provided by the Company are highly interrelated with the franchise license and as such are considered to represent a single performance obligation.

8

Software Fees.  The Company collects a monthly fee for use of its proprietary chiropractic software, computer support, and internet services support. These fees are recognized ratably on a monthlystraight-line basis as services are provided. IT related revenue represents a flat fee to purchase a clinic’s computer equipment, operating software, preinstalled chiropractic system software, key card scanner (patient identification card), credit card scanner and credit card receipt printer. These fees are recognized as revenue upon receiptover the term of equipment by the franchisee.respective franchise agreement.

Advertising Costs

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $377,679 and $1,259,373 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Advertising expenses were $314,695 and $961,106 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.    Advertising expenses were $600,804 and $1,770,699 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate method in computing its interim tax provision. This effective tax rate is based on forecasted annual pre-tax income (loss), permanent tax differences and statutory tax rates. Deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes. The differences relate principally to depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of goodwill, accounting for leases, and treatment of revenue for franchise fees and regional developer fees collected. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax consequence for those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred taxes are also recognized for operating losses that are available to offset future taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes by recognizing the tax benefit or expense from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company measures the tax benefits and expenses recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements from such a position based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.

At The Company has not identified any material uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016, the Company maintained a liability for income taxes for uncertain tax positions of approximately $27,000 and $40,000, respectively, of which $26,000 and $27,000, respectively, represent penalties and interest and are recorded in the “other liabilities” section of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.2017. Interest and penalties associated with tax positions are recorded in the period assessed as general and administrative expenses.

The Company’sCompany's tax returns for tax years subject to examination by tax authorities include 2013included 2014 through the current period for state and 20142015 through the current period for federal reporting purposes.

 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The 2017 Tax Act significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering the statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, eliminating certain deductions, imposing a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, introducing new tax regimes, and changing how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. tax. The Company has completed its determination of the accounting implications of the 2017 Tax Act on its accruals. During the quarter, an income tax benefit of approximately $85,000 was recorded due to the change in the valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset. 

10

 

Loss per Common Share

 

Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share is computed by giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares including preferred stock, restricted stock, stock options and stock options.warrants.

 

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
         
Net loss $(403,808) $(2,626,894) $(3,062,035) $(9,413,407)
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic  13,262,032   12,730,624   13,144,764   12,657,435 
Effect of dilutive securities:                
Stock options  -   -   -   - 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted  13,262,032   12,730,624   13,144,764   12,657,435 
                 
Basic and diluted loss per share $(0.03) $(0.21) $(0.23) $(0.74)
9

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
    (as adjusted)   (as adjusted)
Net loss $(151,803) $(431,705) $(581,486) $(3,219,232)
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic  13,727,712   13,262,032   13,646,599   13,144,764 
Effect of dilutive securities:                
Unvested restricted stock, stock options and warrants  -   -   -   - 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted  13,727,712   13,262,032   13,646,599   13,144,764 
                 
Basic and diluted loss per share $(0.01) $(0.03) $(0.04) $(0.24)

Anti-Dilutive shares:        
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
     Unvested restricted stock  51,134   63,700   51,134   63,700 
     Stock options  960,213   1,011,686   960,213   1,011,686 
     Warrants  90,000   90,000   90,000   90,000 

 

The following table summarizes the potential shares of common stock that were excluded from diluted net loss per share, because the effect of including these potential shares was anti-dilutive:

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Unvested restricted stock  63,700   92,415   63,700   92,415 
Stock options  1,011,686   899,370   1,011,686   899,370 
Warrants  90,000   90,000   90,000   90,000 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for share-based payments by recognizing compensation expense based upon the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant. The Company determines the estimated grant-date fair value of restricted shares using quoted market prices and the grant-date fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. In order to calculate the fair value of the options, certain assumptions are made regarding the components of the model, including the estimated fair value of underlying common stock, risk-free interest rate, volatility, expected dividend yield and expected option life. Changes to the assumptions could cause significant adjustments to the valuation. The Company recognizes compensation costs ratably over the period of service using the straight-line method.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of AmericaGAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Items subject to significant estimates and assumptions include the allowance for doubtful accounts, share-based compensation arrangements, fair value of stock options, useful lives and realizability of long-lived assets, classification of deferred revenue and deferred franchise costs, uncertain tax positions,lease exit liabilities, realizability of deferred tax assets, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and purchase price allocations.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issuedAdopted Effective January 1, 2018

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Codification 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which requires an entity (“ASC 606”). The Company adopted this change in accounting principles using the full retrospective method to recognizeall contracts at the amountdate of revenueinitial application. Accordingly, previously reported financial information has been restated to which it expectsreflect the application of ASC 606 to be entitledall comparative periods presented. The Company utilized all of the practical expedients for adoption allowed under the full retrospective method. The Company believes utilization of the practical expedients did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements for the transferperiods presented herein.

10

Adoption of promised goods or services to customers. The standard also calls for additional disclosures aroundASC 606 impacted the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty ofCompany’s previously reported consolidated balance sheet as follows (in thousands):

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  As of December
31, 2017
 Adjustments Due
to ASC 606
Adoption
 As of December
31, 2017
ASSETS (as reported)   (as adjusted)
Current assets:            
Deferred franchise costs - current portion $484  $14  $498 
Total current assets  6,657   14   6,671 
Deferred franchise costs, net of current portion  813   1,500   2,313 
Deposits and other assets  612   12   623 
Total assets $16,910  $1,526  $18,436 
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY            
Current liabilities:            
Deferred franchise revenue - current portion $1,686  $308  $1,994 
Other current liabilities  49   104   153 
Total current liabilities  4,967   412   5,379 
Deferred revenue, net of current portion  4,693   4,859   9,553 
Total liabilities  12,011   5,271   17,283 
Stockholders' equity:            
Accumulated deficit  (32,259)  (3,745)  (36,004)
Total stockholders' equity  4,899   (3,745)  1,153 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $16,910  $1,526  $18,436 

The revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidancedeferred cost adjustments are due to the change in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company has performed a preliminary reviewmethod of ASU 2014-09 and does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on its revenues and management fees from company clinics orrecognizing franchise royalty revenues, which are based on a percent of sales. The Company expects the adoption of Topic 606 to impact its accounting for initial franchise fees and regional developer fees. Currently,See Note 3, Revenue Disclosures, for a description of these changes. The change in other current liabilities relates to the Company recognizes revenue from initial franchise fees and regional developer fees upon the openingCompany’s classification of a franchised clinic when the Company has performed all of its material obligations and initial services under the respective agreements. Upon the adoption of Topic 606, the Company expects to recognize the revenuefunds received related to initial franchise feesletters of intent for future clinic licenses.

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted the Company’s previously reported condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and regional developer fees over the term of the related franchise agreement or regional developer agreement. The Company is in the process of implementing this standard and has drafted certain accounting policies. The Company will be finalizing accounting policies, selecting its transition method, quantifying the impact of adopting this standard, and designing internal controls during the fourth quarter of the year ending December 31, 2017. The Company is currently unable to estimate the impact on its consolidated financial statements.nine months ended September 30, 2017, as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 Three Months Ended
Adjustments Due
to ASC 606
Adoption
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
  (as reported)   (as adjusted)
Revenues:      
Franchise fees $230  $152  $382 
Regional developer fees  259   (160)  99 
Total revenues  6,546   (8)  6,538 
Cost of revenues:            
Franchise cost of revenues  716   20   736 
Total cost of revenues  819   20   839 
Loss from operations  (378)  (28)  (406)
Loss before income tax expense  (368)  (28)  (396)
Net loss and comprehensive loss $(404) $(28) $(432)
             
Loss per share:            
Basic and diluted loss per share $(0.03) $(0.00) $(0.03)

 

11

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” The ASU requires that substantially all operating leases be recognized as assets and liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet, which is a significant departure from the current standard, which classifies operating leases as off-balance sheet transactions and accounts for only the current year operating lease expense in the statement of operations. The right to use the leased property is to be capitalized as an asset and the expected lease payments over the life of the lease will be accounted for as a liability. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018. While the Company has not yet quantified the impact that this standard will have on its financial statements, it will result in a significant increase in the assets and liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet and in the interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense reflected in its statement of operations, while reducing the amount of rent expense. This could potentially decrease the Company’s reported net income.

  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 Nine Months Ended
Adjustments Due
to ASC 606
adoption
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
  (as reported)   (as adjusted)
Revenues:            
Franchise fees $1,037  $4  $1,041 
Regional developer fees  456   (194)  262 
Total revenues  18,235   (189)  18,045 
Cost of revenues:            
Franchise cost of revenues  2,104   (32)  2,071 
Total cost of revenues  2,332   (32)  2,299 
Loss from operations  (2,949)  (157)  (3,106)
Loss before income tax expense  (2,983)  (157)  (3,140)
Net loss and comprehensive loss $(3,062) $(157) $(3,219)
             
Loss per share:            
Basic and diluted loss per share $(0.23) $(0.01) $(0.24)

 

In April 2016,The revenue and deferred cost adjustments are due to the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “change in method of recognizing franchise and regional developer fees. See Note 3, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,Disclosures” to clarify the following two aspects, for a description of Topic 606: 1) identifying performance obligations, and 2) the licensing implementation guidance. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this amendment on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” to clarify certain core recognition principles including collectability, sales tax presentation, noncash consideration, contract modifications and completed contracts at transition and disclosures no longer required if the full retrospective transition method is adopted. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this amendment on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” This update addresses how certain cash inflows and outflows are classified in the statement of cash flows to eliminate existing diversity in practice. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this amendment on its consolidated financial statements.changes.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash”Cash  (a(a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), to provide guidance on the presentation of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The amendments shouldCompany retrospectively adopted the standard on January 1, 2018 and reclassified restricted cash to be applied usingincluded with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts on the statement of cash flows. Accordingly, the Company reclassified $176,924 of restricted cash into cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of September 30, 2017, which resulted in an increase in net cash used in operating activities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The adoption of the guidance also requires the Company to make disclosures about the nature of restricted cash balances. See previous discussion in Note 1. ‘Restricted Cash’ for these disclosures.

In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“SAB 118”), which allows the Company to record provisional amounts during a retrospective transition method, and aremeasurement period not to extend beyond one year form the enactment date. SAB 118 was codified by the FASB as part of ASU No. 2018-05, Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. The Company has completed its determination of the accounting implications of the 2017 Tax Act on its accruals. During the quarter, an income tax benefit of approximately $85,000 was recorded due to the change in the valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset.

Additional new accounting guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Thethe Company is currently evaluatingeffective January 1, 2018 that the impact of these amendmentsCompany reviewed and concluded was either not applicable to the Company's operations or had no material effect on itsthe Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In January 2017,February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “2016-02, Business CombinationsLeases (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition842). The new guidance will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases, other than leases with a term of a Business,”12 months or less, and to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments should be applied prospectively, and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years.provide additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. Accounting by lessors is largely unchanged from existing accounting guidance. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2019. Early adoption is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on its consolidated financial statements. permitted.

 

12

 

In January 2017,While the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This update simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating “Step 2” from the goodwill impairment test. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currentlystill in the process of evaluating the impact this standard will haveof the new guidance on the Company'sits consolidated financial statements and disclosures, the Company expects adoption of the new guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheets due to recognition of the right-of-use asset and lease liability related disclosures.to its operating leases. While the new guidance is also expected to impact the measurement and presentation of elements of expenses and cash flows related to leasing arrangements, the Company does not presently believe there will be a material impact on its consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. Recognition of a lease liability related to operating leases will not impact any covenants related to the Company's long-term debt because the debt agreements specify that covenant ratios be calculated using U.S. GAAP in effect at the time the debt agreements were entered into.

 

In May 2017, the FASBThe Company reviewed other newly issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting,” to provide clarityaccounting pronouncements and reduce both (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to a changeconcluded that they either are not applicable to the termsCompany's operations or conditions of a share-based payment award. The ASU provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASC 718.The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Early adoptionthat no material effect is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will haveexpected on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.upon future adoption.

 

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12,“Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” to (1) improve the transparency and understandability of information conveyed to financial statement users about an entity’s risk management activities by better aligning the entity’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with those risk management activities and (2) reduce the complexity of and simplify the application of hedge accounting by preparers. Specifically, the guidance creates better alignment of hedge accounting with risk management activities, eliminates the separate measurement and recording of hedge ineffectiveness, simplifies effectiveness assessments, and improves presentation and disclosure. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For cash flow and net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption, an entity should apply a cumulative-effect adjustment related to eliminating the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year that an entity adopts the amendments in this update. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required only prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this amendment on its financial statements.

Note 2: AcquisitionsAcquisition

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016,On April 6, 2018, the Company entered into a series of unrelated transactions with existing franchisees to re-acquire an aggregate of six developed franchisesAsset and Franchise Purchase Agreement under which (i) the Company repurchased from the seller one undevelopedoperating franchise throughoutin San Diego, California and New Mexico(ii) the parties agreed to terminate a second franchise agreement for an aggregate purchase price of $1,025,000, subject to certain adjustments, consisting of cash of $839,000 and notes payable of $186,000. The Company is operating the six developed franchises as company-owned or managed clinics and has terminated the undeveloped clinic license. At the time these transactions were consummated, the Company carried a deferred revenue balance of $29,000, representing franchise fees collected upon the execution of the franchise agreements, and deferred franchise costs of $1,450, related to an undeveloped franchise. The Company accounted forintends to operate the franchise rights associated with the undevelopedremaining franchise as a cancellation, andcompany-managed clinic. The total purchase price for the respectivetransaction was $100,000, less $12,998 of deferred revenue and deferred franchise costs were netted against the aggregateresulting in total purchase price.  The remaining $997,450 was accounted for as consideration paid for the acquired franchises.of $87,002.

 

The Company incurred approximately $64,000$3,250 of transaction costs related to these acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2016,this acquisition, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of operations.

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Purchase Price Allocation

 

The following summarizes the aggregate estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed during 20162018 as of the acquisition date:

 

Property and equipment $293,014  $17,964 
Intangible assets  339,000   129,000 
Favorable leases  140,728   15,302 
Goodwill  269,780 
Total assets acquired  1,042,522   162,266 
Deferred membership revenue  (45,072)
Bargain purchase gain  (75,264)
Net purchase price $997,450  $87,002 

 

Intangible assets in the table above consist of reacquired franchise rights of $181,000$85,000 amortized over an estimated useful life of four years and customer relationships of $158,000, and will be$44,000 amortized over theiran estimated useful lives ranging from six to eight years andlife of two years, respectively.

Goodwill recorded in connection with these acquisitions was attributable to the workforce of the clinics and synergies expected to arise from cost savings opportunities. All of the recorded goodwill is tax-deductible. years.

 

Pro Forma Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes selected unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 as if the acquisitionsacquisition in 20162018 had been completed on January 1, 2016.2017.

  Pro Forma for the Three Months Ended Pro Forma for the Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
Revenues, net $8,062,550  $6,619,945  $22,791,369  $18,283,261 
Net income (loss) $(211,974) $(432,669) $(689,141) $(2,790,165)

 

 

  Pro Forma for the Three Months Ended Pro Forma for the Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
Revenues, net $-  $5,503,590  $-  $14,723,514 
Net loss $-  $(2,614,518) $-  $(9,475,157)
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This selected unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data is included only for the purpose of illustration and does not necessarily indicate what the operating results would have been if the acquisitionsacquisition had been completed on that date. Moreover, this information is not indicative of what the Company’s future operating results will be. The information for 20162017 and 2018 prior to the acquisition is included based on prior accounting records maintained by the acquired companies.company. In some cases, accounting policies differed materially from accounting policies adopted by the Company following the acquisitions.acquisition. For 2016,2018, this information includes actual data recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the period subsequent to the date of the acquisitions.acquisition. The Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 20162018 includes net revenue and net income of approximately $2.1 million$67,000 and $0.1 million,$23,000, respectively, attributable to the acquisitions.acquisition. The Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 20162018 includes net revenue and net income of approximately $5.6 million$129,000 and $0.5 million,$40,000, respectively, attributable to the acquisitions.acquisition.

 

The pro forma amounts included in the table above reflect the application of accounting policies and adjustment of the results of the clinics to reflect the additional depreciation and amortization that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to property and equipment and intangible assets had been applied from January 1, 2016, together2017.

Note 3: Revenue Disclosures

Company-owned or Managed Clinics

The Company earns revenues from clinics that it owns and operates or manages throughout the United States.  In those states where the Company owns and operates the clinic, revenues are recognized when services are performed. The Company offers a variety of membership and wellness packages which feature discounted pricing as compared with its single-visit pricing.  Amounts collected in advance for membership and wellness packages are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized when the service is performed.  In other states where state law requires the chiropractic practice to be owned by a licensed chiropractor, the Company enters into a management agreement with the consequential tax impacts.doctor’s PC.  Under the management agreement, the Company provides administrative and business management services to the doctor’s PC in return for a monthly management fee.  Due to certain implicit variable consideration in these management agreement contracts, and based on past practices between the parties, the Company determined that it cannot meet the probable threshold if it includes all of the variable consideration in the transaction price. Therefore, the Company recognizes revenue under these contracts only when it has a high degree of confidence that revenue will not be reversed in a subsequent reporting period.

Franchising Fees, Royalty Fees, Advertising Fund Revenue, and Software Fees

The Company currently franchises its concept across 30 states. The franchise arrangement is documented in the form of a franchise agreement. The franchise arrangement requires the Company to perform various activities to support the brand that do not directly transfer goods and services to the franchisee, but instead represent a single performance obligation, which is the transfer of the franchise license. The intellectual property subject to the franchise license is symbolic intellectual property as it does not have significant standalone functionality, and substantially all of the utility is derived from its association with the Company’s past or ongoing activities. The nature of the Company’s promise in granting the franchise license is to provide the franchisee with access to the brand’s symbolic intellectual property over the term of the license. The services provided by the Company are highly interrelated with the franchise license and as such are considered to represent a single performance obligation.

The transaction price in a standard franchise arrangement primarily consists of (a) initial franchise fees; (b) continuing franchise fees (royalties); (c) advertising fees; and (d) software fees. Since the Company considers the licensing of the franchising right to be a single performance obligation, no allocation of the transaction price is required.

The Company recognizes the primary components of the transaction price as follows:

Franchise fees are recognized as revenue ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement commencing with the execution of the franchise agreement. As these fees are typically received in cash at or near the beginning of the franchise term, the cash received is initially recorded as a contract liability until recognized as revenue over time;

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The Company is entitled to royalties and advertising fees based on a percentage of the franchisee's gross sales as defined in the franchise agreement. Royalty and advertising revenue are recognized when the franchisee's sales occur. Depending on timing within a fiscal period, the recognition of revenue results in either what is considered a contract asset (unbilled receivable) or, once billed, accounts receivable, on the balance sheet.
The Company is entitled to a monthly software fee, which is charged monthly. The Company recognizes revenue related to software fees ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement.

In determining the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers, the Company exercises significant judgment with respect to collectability of the amount; however, the timing of recognition does not require significant judgment as it is based on either the franchise term or the reported sales of the franchisee, none of which require estimation. The Company believes its franchising arrangements do not contain a significant financing component.

Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, the Company generally recognized the entire franchise fee as revenue at the clinic opening date. The impact on the Company's previously reported financial statements of the change from that policy to the policy described above is presented in Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

Under ASC 606, the Company will record advertising fees received under franchise agreements as advertising fund revenue. Under previously issued accounting guidance for franchisors, advertising revenue and expense were recognized in the same amount in each period. That guidance was superseded by ASC 606 such that advertising expense may now be different than the advertising revenue recognized as described above. The impact of these changes with respect to advertising fees and advertising expenses on the Company's previously reported financial statements was not material.

Regional Developer Fees

The Company currently utilizes eighteen regional developers to assist in the development of the brand across certain geographic territories. The arrangement is documented in the form of a regional developer agreement. The arrangement between the Company and the regional developer requires the Company to perform various activities to support the brand that do not directly transfer goods and services to the regional developer, but instead represent a single performance obligation, which is the transfer of the development rights to the defined geographic region. The intellectual property subject to the development rights is symbolic intellectual property as it does not have significant standalone functionality, and substantially all of the utility is derived from its association with the Company’s past or ongoing activities. The nature of the Company’s promise in granting the development rights is to provide the regional developer with access to the brand’s symbolic intellectual property over the term of the agreement. The services provided by the Company are highly interrelated with the development of the territory and the resulting franchise licenses sold by the regional developer and as such are considered to represent a single performance obligation.

The transaction price in a standard regional developer arrangement primarily consists of the initial territory fees. The Company recognizes the regional developer fee as revenue ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the regional developer agreement commencing with the execution of the regional developer agreement. As these fees are typically received in cash at or near the beginning of the term of the regional developer agreement, the cash received is initially recorded as a contract liability until recognized as revenue over time.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company believes that the captions contained on the condensed consolidated statements of operations appropriately reflect the disaggregation of its revenue by major type for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

15

Rollforward of Contract Liabilities and Contract Assets

Changes in the Company's contract liability for deferred franchise and regional development fees during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were as follows (in thousands):

  Deferred Revenue
  short and long-term
Balance at December 31, 2017 $11,547 
Recognized as revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2018  (1,665)
Fees received and deferred during the nine months ended September 30, 2018  2,431 
Balance at September 30, 2018 $12,313 

Changes in the Company's contract assets for deferred franchise costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):

  Deferred Franchise Costs
  short and long-term
Balance at December 31, 2017 $2,811 
Recognized as cost of revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2018  (468)
Costs incurred and deferred during the nine months ended September 30, 2018  899 
Balance at September 30, 2018 $3,242 

The following table illustrates estimated revenues expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that were unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of September 30, 2018 (in thousands):

Contract liabilities expected to be recognized in Amount
2018 (remainder) $546 
2019  2,165 
2020  2,167 
2021  2,042 
2022  1,603 
Thereafter  3,790 
Total $12,313 

Note 4. Restricted Cash

The table below reconciles the cash and cash equivalents balance and restricted cash balances from The Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet to the amount of cash reported on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows:

  September 30, September 30,
  2018 2017
Cash and cash equivalents $5,611,008  $2,628,648 
Restricted cash  185,396   157,470 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $5,796,404  $2,786,118 

Note 3:5: Notes Receivable

Effective July 2012, the Company sold a company-owned clinic, including the license agreement, equipment, and customer base, in exchange for a $90,000 unsecured promissory note. The note bore interest at 6% per annum for fifty-four months and required monthly principal and interest payments over forty-two months, beginning on August 2013. The note matured in January 2017 and was paid in full upon maturity. 

14

Effective July 2015, the Company entered into two license transfer agreements, in exchange for $10,000 and $29,925 in separate unsecured promissory notes.  The non-interest-bearing notes require monthly principal payments over 24 months, beginning on September 1, 2015. The note was settled in full in 2017.

Effective May 2016, the Company entered into three license transfer agreements, in exchange for three separate $7,500 unsecured promissory notes.  The non-interest-bearing notes require monthly principal payments over six months, beginning on May 1, 2017. The note matured in October, 2017 and was paid in full upon maturity. 

 

Effective April 29, 2017, the Company entered into a regional developer agreement for certain territories in the state of Florida in exchange for $320,000, of which $187,000 was funded through a promissory note. The note bears interest at 10% per annum for 42 months and requires monthly principal and interest payments over 36 months, beginning November 1, 2017 and maturing on October 1, 2020. The note is securedcollateralized by the regional developer rights in the respective territory.

 

Effective August 31, 2017, the Company entered into a regional developer agreement for certain territories in Maryland/Washington DC in exchange for $220,000, of which $117,475 was funded through a promissory note. The note bears interest at 10% per annum for 36 months and requires monthly principal and interest payments over 36 months, beginning September 1, 2017 and maturing on August 1, 2020. The note is securedcollateralized by the regional developer rights in the respective territory.

16

 

Effective September 22, 2017, the Company entered into a regional developer and asset purchase agreement for certain territories in Minnesota in exchange for $228,293, of which $119,147 was funded through a promissory note. The note bears interest at 10% per annum for 36 months and requires monthly principal and interest payments over 36 months, beginning October 1, 2017 and maturing on September 1, 2020. The note is securedcollateralized by the regional developer rights in the respectiveterritory. The note was paid in full on September 28, 2018.

Effective October 10, 2017, the Company entered into a regional developer agreement for certain territories in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas in exchange for $170,000, of which $135,688 was funded through a promissory note. The note bears interest at 10% per annum for 36 months and requires monthly principal and interest payments over 36 months, beginning September 24, 2017 and maturing on October 24, 2020. The note is collateralized by the regional developer rights in the territory.

 

The net outstanding balances of the notes as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 were $424,560$313,143 and $40,826,$523,785, respectively.

Maturities of notes receivable as of September 30, 2018 are as follows:

 

2018 (remaining) $35,071 
2019  149,349 
2020  128,723 
Total $313,143 

Note 4:6: Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consistsconsist of the following:

 

 September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
        
Office and computer equipment $1,126,758  $1,083,039  $1,214,801  $1,137,970 
Leasehold improvements  5,099,374   5,085,366   5,361,821   5,117,379 
Software developed  1,048,697   891,192   1,145,742   1,066,454 
  7,274,829   7,059,597   7,722,364   7,321,803 
Accumulated depreciation  (3,664,357)  (2,566,172)  (4,665,685)  (3,928,349)
  3,610,472   4,493,425   3,056,679   3,393,454 
Construction in progress  239,480   231,281   213,060   407,012 
 $3,849,952  $4,724,706  $3,269,739  $3,800,466 

 

Depreciation expense was $258,007 and $806,625 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Depreciation expense was $340,238 and $1,099,698 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Depreciation expense was $492,076

In August 2018, the Board of Directors approved a change in strategy as it relates to the development of the Company’s IT platform. The Company will move away from internal development and $1,356,176utilize a third party software-as-a-service CRM platform as the basis for its IT infrastructure. Based on this decision, the Company recorded an impairment of approximately $343,000 of previously capitalized software development costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. 2018.

 

In December 2016, the Company determined that 14 clinics from its Corporate Clinics segment met the criteria for classification as held for sale. Accordingly, in December 2016, the Company recognized a $2.4 million impairment charge to lower the carrying costs of the property and equipment to its estimated fair value less cost to sell which was recorded in the loss on disposition or impairment line of the 2016 consolidated statement of operations. The Company completed the sale of the property in the first quarter of 2017 for nominal consideration.

1517

 

Note 5:7: Fair Value Consideration

 

The Company’s financial instruments include cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and notes payable. The carrying amounts of its financial instruments approximate their fair value due to their short maturities. 

 

The Company does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash-flow, market or foreign-currency risks.

 

Authoritative guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on reliability of the inputs as follows:

 

 Level 1:Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

  

 Level 2:Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

 

 Level 3:Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

As of September 30, 2017,2018, and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company did not have any financial instruments that were measured on a recurring basis as Level 1, 2 or 3.

The intangible assets resulting from the acquisition (reference Note 2) were recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis and are considered Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

Note 6:8: Intangible Assets

On July 26, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement under which it repurchased the regional development rights to develop franchises in Las Vegas, Nevada. The total consideration for the transaction was $278,250, paid in cash.The Company carried a deferred revenue balance associated with these transactions of $26,934, representing license fees collected upon the execution of the regional developer agreements.  The Company accounted for the termination of development rights associated with unsold or undeveloped franchises as a cancellation, and the associated deferred revenue was netted against the aggregate purchase price.  

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Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

 As of September 30, 2017 As of September 30, 2018
 Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying
 Amount Amortization Value Amount Amortization Value
Amortized intangible assets:                        
Reacquired franchise rights $1,673,000  $596,129  $1,076,871  $1,758,000  $854,011  $903,989 
Customer relationships  701,000   649,417   51,583   745,000   711,999   33,001 
Reacquired development rights  1,162,000   401,847   760,153   1,413,316   584,984   828,332 
 $3,536,000  $1,647,393  $1,888,607  $3,916,316  $2,150,994  $1,765,322 

 

 As of December 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2017
 Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying
 Amount Amortization Value Amount Amortization Value
Amortized intangible assets:                        
Reacquired franchise rights $1,673,000  $410,688  $1,262,312  $1,673,000  $657,943  $1,015,057 
Customer relationships  701,000   509,042   191,958   701,000   674,667   26,333 
Reacquired development rights  1,162,000   277,348   884,652   1,162,000   443,348   718,652 
 $3,536,000  $1,197,078  $2,338,922  $3,536,000  $1,775,958  $1,760,042 

 

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Amortization expense was $131,262 and $375,036 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Amortization expense was $128,562 and $450,315 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Amortization expense was $203,503 and $552,062 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

 

Estimated amortization expense for 20172018 and subsequent years is as follows:

 

2017 (remaining) $128,564 
2018  439,589 
2018 (remainder) $131,262 
2019  413,256   525,048 
2020  413,256   508,551 
2021  348,034   437,830 
2022  150,418 
Thereafter  145,908   12,213 
Total $1,888,607  $1,765,322 

 

Note 7:9: Debt

 

Notes Payable

 

During 2015, the Company deliveredissued 12 notes payable, which matured through February 2017, totaling $800,350 as a portion of the consideration paid in connection with the Company’s various acquisitions. Interest rates rangeranged from 1.5% to 5.25% with maturities through February 2017..

 

During 2016, the Company deliveredissued two notes payable totaling $186,000 as a portion of the consideration paid in connection with the Company’s various acquisitions. Interest rates for both notes are 4.25% with maturities through May of 2017. The remainingThere is one outstanding note payable is expected towhich will be settled inpaid upon execution of a final settlement and release agreement between the quarter ended December 31, 2017.parties.

 

Maturities of notes payable are as follows as of September 30, 2017:2018:

 

2017 (remaining) $100,000 
Thereafter  - 
Total $100,000 
2018 (remainder) $100,000 
Total $100,000 

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Credit and Security Agreement

 

On January 3, 2017, the Company entered into a Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) and signed a revolving credit note payable to the lender. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company is able to borrow up to an aggregate of $5,000,000 under revolving loans. Interest on the unpaid outstanding principal amount of any revolving loans is at a rate equal to 10% per annum, provided that the minimum amount of interest paid in the aggregate on all revolving loans granted over the term of the Credit Agreement is $200,000. Interest is due and payable on the last day of each fiscal quarter in an amount determined by the Company, but not less than $25,000. The lender’s lending commitments under the Credit Agreement terminateterminates in December 2019, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is collateralized by the assets in the Company’s company-owned or managed clinics. The Company is using the credit facility for general working capital needs. As of September 30, 2017,2018, the Company had drawn $1,000,000 of the $5,000,000 available under the Credit Agreement.

Note 8:10: Equity

 

Stock Options

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, the Company granted 195,286110,792 stock options to employees with exercise prices ranging from $2.65$4.92 - $3.88.$8.25. 

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Upon the completion of the Company’s IPO in November 2014, its stock trading price became the basis of fair value of its common stock used in determining the value of share-based awards. To the extent the value of the Company’s share-based awards involves a measure of volatility, it will rely upon the volatilities from publicly traded companies with similar business models until its common stock has accumulated enough trading history for it to utilize its own historical volatility. The expected life of the options granted is based on the average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the option. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury 10-year yield curve in effect at the date of the grant. 

 

The Company has computed the fair value of all options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, using the following assumptions:

 

 Nine Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
Expected volatility  42% 43%-45%  35%  42%
Expected dividends  None   None   None   None 
Expected term (years) 5.5to7  7   7  5.5-7
Risk-free rate 1.98%to2.14% 1.19%to1.68% 2.53%to2.90% 1.98%to2.14%
Forfeiture rate  20%  20%  20%  20%

 

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The information below summarizes the stock options activity:

 

   Weighted Weighted Weighted   Weighted Weighted Weighted
   Average Average Average   Average Average Average
 Number of Exercise Fair Remaining Number of Exercise Fair Remaining
 Shares Price Value Contractual Life Shares Price Value Contractual Life
Outstanding at December 31, 2016  953,075  $3.66  $1.86   6.9   953,075  $3.66  $1.86   6.9 
Granted at market price  195,286   3.70           295,286   4.31         
Exercised  (106,221)  1.20           (206,875)  1.76         
Cancelled  (30,454)  5.21           (37,570)  5.11         
Outstanding at September 30, 2017  1,011,686  $3.87  $1.76   7.4 
Exercisable at September 30, 2017  370,634  $4.67  $2.17   5.6 
Outstanding at December 31, 2017  1,003,916  $4.18  $1.87   8.1 
Granted at market price  110,792   6.97         
Exercised  (86,640)  3.44         
Cancelled  (67,855)  3.37         
Outstanding at Sepember 30, 2018  960,213  $4.63  $2.05   7.0 
Exercisable at September 30, 2018  476,189  $4.74  $2.08   7.0 

The intrinsic value of the Company’s stock options outstanding was $1,405,592$ 3,815,537 at September 30, 2017.2018.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, stock-based compensation expense for stock options was $62,951 and $271,764, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, stock-based compensation expense for stock options was $125,588 and $261,471, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, stock based compensation expense for stock options was $183,608, and $522,519, respectively. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for stock options as of September 30, 20172018 was $716,667,$792,031, which is expected to be recognized ratably over the next 2.22.77 years.

 

Restricted Stock

 

The information below summaries the restricted stock activity:

 

Restricted Stock Awards Shares
Outstanding at December 31, 20162017  92,41563,700 
Awards granted  59,70050,134 
Awards vested  (76,07061,700)
Awards forfeited  (12,3451,000)
Outstanding at September 30, 20172018  63,70051,134 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock was $59,825 and $197,641, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock was $59,804 and $151,041, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, stock based compensation expense for restricted stock was $71,698, and $490,181, respectively. Unrecognized stock basedstock-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards as of September 30, 20172018 was $206,502$316,807, which is expected to be recognized ratably over the next year. 2.06 years.

 

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Treasury Stock

In December 2013, the Company exercised its right of first refusal under the terms of a Stockholders Agreement dated March 10, 2010 to repurchase 534,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The shares were purchased for $0.45 per share or $240,000 in cash along with the issuance of an option to repurchase the 534,000 shares. The repurchased shares were recorded as treasury stock, at cost in the amount of $791,638. The option is classified in equity as it is considered indexed to the Company’s stock and meets the criteria for classification in equity.  The option was granted to the seller for a term of 8 years.  The option contained the following exercise prices:

Year 1 $0.56 
Year 2 $0.68 
Year 3 $0.84 
Year 4 $1.03 
Year 5 $1.28 
Year 6 $1.59 
Year 7 $1.97 
Year 8 $2.45 

Consideration given in the form of the option was valued using a Binomial Lattice-Based model resulting in a fair value of $1.03 per share option for a total fair value of $551,638. The option was valued using the Binomial Lattice-Based valuation methodology because that model embodies all of the relevant assumptions that address the features underlying the instrument.

During December 2016, the option holder partially exercised the call option and purchased 250,872 shares at a total repurchase price of $210,000. The Company reduced the cost of treasury shares by approximately $113,000 related to the transaction, reduced the value of the option by approximately $259,000, and reduced additional paid-in-capital by approximately $162,000.

During September 2017, the option holder exercised the remainder of the call option and purchased 283,128 shares at a total repurchase price of $292,671. The Company reduced the cost of treasury shares by approximately $127,000 related to the transaction, reduced the value of the option by approximately $292,000, and reduced additional paid-in-capital by approximately $127,000.

Note 9:11: Income Taxes

 

ForDuring the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded income tax benefits of approximately $50,000 and $108,000, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate due to permanent differences, state taxes and changes in the valuation allowance.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax expense of approximately $36,000 and $79,000, respectively, with the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate due to state tax expense and a valuation allowance on the Company's deferred tax assets and the impact of certain permanent differences and penalties related to state income tax filings pursuant to a voluntary disclosure agreement which was rejected by the tax authority.on taxable income.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded income tax expense of approximately $14,000 and $132,000, respectively, due to a revised estimate for the valuation allowance on the company’s deferred tax assets, as well as state tax expense as a result of current year state income taxes and a lower estimate of income tax refunds available through net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks.

 

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Note 10:12: Related Party Transactions

 

The Company entered into consulting anda legal agreementsagreement with a certain common stockholdersstockholder related to services performed for the operations and transaction related activities of the Company. Amounts paid to or for the benefit of these stockholdersthis stockholder was approximately $78,000 and $194,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Amounts paid to or for the benefit of this stockholder was approximately $56,000 and $169,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Amounts paid to or for the benefit of these stockholders was approximately $111,000 and $421,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

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Note 11:13: Commitments and Contingencies

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases its corporate office space and the space for each of the company-owned or managed clinics in the portfolio.

Total rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $725,867 and $2,117,624, respectively.  Total rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $688,031 and $2,114,118, respectively. Total rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $903,771 and $2,510,782, respectively.

 

Future minimum annual lease payments are as follows:

 

2017 (remaining) $599,401 
2018  1,910,339 
2018 (remainder) $658,905 
2019  1,591,678   2,450,981 
2020  1,321,133   2,192,597 
2021  1,180,012   2,081,455 
2022  1,072,743   1,972,180 
Thereafter  3,060,963   3,377,973 
Total $10,736,269  $12,734,091 

The Company has recognized liabilities from costs associated with the termination of certain operating leases. The Company has recorded the cumulative effect of a change resulting from a revision to either the timing or the amount of estimated cash flows in the period as follows:

Lease exit liability at December 31, 2017 $299,400 
Additions or changes in estimates  250,704 
Settlements  (153,220)
Net accretion  (36,614)
Lease exit liability at September 30, 2018 $360,270 

 

Note 12:14: Segment Reporting

 

An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available and is reviewed regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) to evaluate performance and make operating decisions. The Company has identified its CODM as the Chief Executive Officer.

  

The Company has two operating business segments. The Corporate Clinics segment is comprised of the operating activities of the company-owned or managed clinics. As of September 30, 2017,2018, the Company operated or managed 4748 clinics under this segment. The Franchise Operations segment is comprised of the operating activities of the franchise business unit. As of September 30, 2017,2018, the franchise system consisted of 342374 clinics in operation. Corporate is a non-operating segment that develops and implements strategic initiatives and supports the Company’s two operating business segments by centralizing key administrative functions such as finance and treasury, information technology, insurance and risk management, legal and human resources. Corporate also provides the necessary administrative functions to support the Company as a publicly tradedpublicly-traded company. A portion of the expenses incurred by Corporate are allocated to the operating segments.  

 

2022

 

The tables below present financial information for the Company’s two operating business segments (in thousands):. The prior period comparatives have been adjusted to reflect the changes from ASC 606.

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
    (as adjusted)   (as adjusted)
Revenues:        
Corporate clinics $3,675  $2,930  $10,352  $8,106 
Franchise operations  4,387   3,608   12,365   9,939 
Total revenues $8,062  $6,538  $22,717  $18,045 
                 
Segment operating (loss) income:                
Corporate clinics $440  $(196) $466  $(1,651)
Franchise operations  2,130   1,643   5,919   4,321 
Total segment operating (loss) income $2,570  $1,447  $6,385  $2,670 
                 
Depreciation and amortization:                
Corporate clinics $276  $379  $825  $1,222 
Franchise operations  -   -   -   - 
Corporate administration  113   90   357   328 
Total depreciation and amortization $389  $469  $1,182  $1,550 
                 
Reconciliation of total segment operating income (loss) to consolidated earnings (loss) before income taxes (in thousands):                
Total segment operating (loss) income $2,570  $1,447  $6,385  $2,670 
Unallocated corporate  (2,761)  (1,853)  (7,116)  (5,776)
Consolidated loss from operations  (191)  (406)  (731)  (3,106)
Bargain purchase gain  -   -   75   - 
Other (expense) income, net  (11)  10   (33)  (34)
Loss before income tax expense $(202) $(396) $(689) $(3,140)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, $418,000 of loss on disposition/impairment has been reclassified from unallocated corporate to the corporate clinic segment operating loss to align with current year presentation.

  September 30, December 31,
  2018 2017
Segment assets:   (as adjusted)
Corporate clinics $8,906  $8,998 
Franchise operations  4,221   3,888 
Total segment assets $13,127  $12,886 
         
Unallocated cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash $5,796  $4,320 
Unallocated property and equipment  234   765 
Other unallocated assets  647   465 
Total assets $19,804  $18,436 

 

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenues:        
Corporate clinics $2,930  $2,341  $8,106  $6,137 
Franchise operations  3,616   3,163   10,128   8,605 
Total revenues $6,546  $5,504  $18,234  $14,743 
                 
Segment operating (loss) income:                
Corporate clinics $(196) $(1,527) $(1,233) $(4,863)
Franchise operations  1,671   1,195   4,479   3,197 
Total segment operating (loss) income $1,475  $(332) $3,246  $(1,666)
                 
Depreciation and amortization:                
Corporate clinics $379  $599  $1,222  $1,625 
Franchise operations  -   -   -   - 
Corporate administration  90   97   328   283 
Total depreciation and amortization $469  $696  $1,550  $1,908 
                 
Reconciliation of total segment operating income (loss) to consolidated earnings (loss) before income taxes (in thousands):                
Total segment operating (loss) income $1,475  $(332) $3,246  $(1,666)
Unallocated corporate  (1,853)  (2,287)  (6,195)  (7,620)
Consolidated loss from operations  (378)  (2,619)  (2,949)  (9,286)
Other (expense) income, net  10   6   (34)  5 
Loss before income tax expense $(368) $(2,613) $(2,983) $(9,281)

 

  September 30, December 31,
  2017 2016
Segment assets:        
Corporate clinics $9,250  $10,481 
Franchise operations  2,353   2,003 
Total segment assets $11,603  $12,484 
         
Unallocated cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash $2,786  $3,344 
Unallocated property and equipment  655   781 
Other unallocated assets  604   446 
Total assets $15,648  $17,055 
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“Unallocated cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash” relates primarily to corporate cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (see Note 1), “unallocated property and equipment” relates primarily to corporate fixed assets, and “other unallocated assets” relates primarily to deposits, prepaid and other assets.

 

The Company reclassified approximately $545,000 of assets from Other unallocated assets to Corporate clinics segment assets for the year ended December 31, 2016 to align with current period presentation of segment assets.

Note 13:15: Subsequent Events

 

OnEffective October 10, 2017,5, 2018, the Company entered into a regional developer agreement for a number of countiescertain territories in the state of Texas, one countyCalifornia in exchange for cash of $280,000.

Effective October 5, 2018, the Company entered into a regional developer agreement for certain territories in the state of Arkansas, and the entire stateFlorida in exchange for cash of Oklahoma. The party paid an initial development fee of $170,000. The development schedule requires the opening and operating of a minimum of 22 clinics over a ten-year period. A portion of the development fee will be funded through a promissory note. The note will bear interest at 10% per annum for 36 months and requires monthly principal and interest payments, beginning November 24, 2017 and maturing on October 24, 2020.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 20162017 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The information in this discussion contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (“the Exchange Act”), which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management; and accounting estimates and the impact of new or recently issued accounting pronouncements. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. The forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q are made based on our current expectations, forecasts, estimates and assumptions, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider various factors, uncertainties and risks that could affect our future results or operations as described from time to time in our SEC reports, including those risks outlined under “Risk Factors” which are contained in Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. These factors, uncertainties and risks may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement set forth in this Form 10-Q. You should carefully consider these risks and uncertainties and other information contained in the reports we file with or furnish to the SEC before making any investment decision with respect to our securities. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Some of the important factors contained in Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

 we may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy if we or our franchisees are unable to locate and secure appropriate sites for clinic locations, obtain favorable lease terms, and attract patients to our clinics;

 

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 we have limited experience operating company-owned or managed clinics, and we may not be able to duplicate the success of some of our franchisees, and in the case of certain company-owned or managed clinics that we have closed or may close, we were not able to duplicate the success of our most successful franchisees;

we may not be able to continue to sell franchises to qualified franchisees;

we may not be able to identify, recruit and train enough qualified chiropractors to staff our clinics;

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new clinics may not be profitable, and we may not be able to maintain or improve revenues and franchise fees from existing franchised clinics;

 

 we may not be able to acquire operating clinics from existing franchisees or develop company-owned or managed clinics on attractive terms;

 

 any acquisitions that we make could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition;

 

 we may not be able to continue to sell franchises to qualified franchisees;

we may not be able to identify, recruit and train enough qualified chiropractors to staff our clinics;

new clinics may not be profitable, and we may not be able to maintain or improve revenues and franchise fees from existing franchised clinics;

the chiropractic industry is highly competitive, with many well-established competitors, which could prevent us from increasing our market share or result in reduction in our market share;competitors;

 

 recent administrative actions and rulings regarding the corporate practice of medicine and joint employer responsibility may jeopardize our business model;

 

 we may face negative publicity or damage to our reputation, which could arise from concerns expressed by opponents of chiropractic and by chiropractors operating under traditional service models;

 

 legislation and regulations, as well as new medical procedures and techniques, could reduce or eliminate our competitive advantages; and

 

 we face increased costs as a result of being a public company.

   

Additionally, there may be other risks that are otherwise described from time to time in the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements in this report should be considered in light of various important factors, including the risks and uncertainties listed above, as well as others.

 

Overview

  

Our principal business is to develop, own, operate, support and manage chiropractic clinics through franchising and the sale of regional developer rights and through direct ownership and management arrangements throughout the United States.

 

We seekstrive to be the leading provider of chiropractic care in the markets we serve and to become the most recognizedincrease brand recognition in our industry through the rapid and focused expansion of chiropractic clinics in key markets throughout North America and abroad.

We believe that we have an attractive business concept, benefiting from the fundamental changes taking place in the manner in which Americans access chiropractic care and their growing interest in seeking effective, affordable natural solutions for general wellness. These trends join with the strong preference we have seen among chiropractic doctors to reject the insurance-based model, to produce a dynamic combination that benefits the consumer and the service provider alike. We believe that these forces create an important opportunity to accelerate the growth of our network.

  

Key Performance Measures.  We receive both weekly and monthly performance reports from our clinics which include key performance indicators including gross clinic sales, total royalty income, and patient office visits. We believe these indicators provide us with useful data with which to measure our performance and to measure our franchisees’ and clinics’ performance.

  

Key Clinic Development Trends.   As of September 30, 2018, we and our franchisees operated 422 clinics. Of the 48 company-owned or managed clinics, 16 were constructed and developed by us, and 32 were acquired from franchisees.

Our current growth strategy is to grow through the sale and development of additional franchises and regional developer territories and to foster the growth of acquired and developed clinics that are ownedwe own and manage. In addition, we believe that we can accelerate the development of, and revenue generation from, company-owned or managed by us.clinics through the further selective acquisition of existing franchised clinics. We will seek to acquire existing franchised clinics that meet our criteria for demographics, site attractiveness, proximity to other clinics and additional suitability factors. Finally, we have executed one lease for a future greenfield clinic location, and have additional letters-of-intent in place for further greenfield expansion in the coming months.

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We believe that The Joint has a sound concept, benefiting from the fundamental changes taking place in the manner in which Americans access chiropractic care and their growing interest in seeking effective, affordable natural solutions for general wellness. These trends join with the strong preference we have seen among chiropractic doctors to reject the insurance-based model to produce a combination that benefits the consumer and the service provider alike. We believe that these forces create an important opportunity to accelerate the growth of our network.

Significant Events and/or Recent Developments

We continue to deliver on our strategic initiatives and to progress toward sustained profitability. In 2018 to date, we have continued to follow or have implemented these three key strategies with the goal of accelerating growth: (1) continued acceleration of franchise sales; (2) continued execution of our regional developer strategy; and (3) expansion of our corporate clinics portfolio within clustered locations. Following these strategic initiatives, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we added a net of 33 franchised clinics and closedsaw gross system-wide sales grow by 31%, system-wide comp sales – or sold 14 company-owned or managed clinics in the Chicago area and in Upstate New York as part of our plan to improve cash usage and progress toward profitability. This brought the total number“same store” retail sales of clinics to 389 as of September 30, 2017, up from 370 total clinicsthat have been open for at December 31, 2016,least 13 full months – increase by 26%, and 354 at September 30, 2016. 

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We recognize the critical importance of preserving cashour revenue grow by 26%. These factors drove improvement in our bottom line, and strengthening clinics we have already developed. Therefore, we will not actively pursue the addition of company-owned or managed clinics during the 2017 fiscal year, but will address strategic opportunities as they present themselves. Scaling back the launch of company-owned or managed clinics will allow us to continue to focus on growing gross sales, streamlining operations across all company-owned or managed clinics and expanding franchise development. Duringdrive toward sustainable profitability with our net loss decreasing by $2.6 million to $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, our company-owned or managed clinics continued to demonstrate improved performance. As of September 30, 2017, we had 47 company-owned or managed clinics which represented 12% of the clinic portfolio,2018 as compared to 61, or 17% of the clinic portfolio, at the same point of the previous year. 

Recent Developments

In January 2017, we entered into a Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) and signed a revolving credit note payable to the lender. Under the Credit Agreement, we are able to borrow up to an aggregate of $5,000,000 under revolving loans. Interest on the unpaid outstanding principal amount of any revolving loans is at a rate equal to 10% per annum, provided, however, that the minimum amount of interest paid in the aggregate on all revolving loans granted over the term of the Credit Agreement is $200,000. Interest is due and payable on the last day of each fiscal quarter in an amount determined by us, but not less than $25,000. The lender’s lending commitments under the Credit Agreement terminate in December 2019, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement. We are using the credit facility for general working capital needs. We have drawn $1,000,000 of the $5,000,000 available under the Credit Agreement.

In January 2017, we sold the assets of six of our 11 clinics in the Chicago area for a nominal amount to a limited liability company that includes existing franchisees. The purchaser operates the clinics as franchised locations pursuant to a franchise agreement. Concurrently, we sold regional developer rights to the Chicago area to the purchaser of our six Chicago clinics for $300,000. Pursuant to the regional developer agreement, the developer has agreed to open a minimum of 30 Chicago area clinics over the next 10 years, with plans to open five to 10 clinics over the 18 months following January 2017. We have closed the remaining five Chicago-area clinics, as well as three Company-managed clinics in upstate New York. We recognized an additional lease exit liability in the first quarter of 2017 of $739,000 related to these closures. These assets were designated as held for sale as of December 31, 2016, and we recognized a loss on disposition or impairment of approximately $3.5 million. We made these tactical decisions in the 4th quarter of 2016 to reduce our current cash usage, allowing us to focus on accelerating the point at which we believe we will achieve cash-flow breakeven.

In addition to the Chicago regional developer rights discussed above, during the first quarter of 2017, we sold regional developer territories for Philadelphia and Washington State for a total, including the Chicago area, of approximately $650,000. Their combined development schedule requires the opening and operating of a minimum of 70 clinics over a ten-year period. The revenues related to these sales will be recognized over the estimated number of franchised clinics to be opened in the respective territories.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, we sold two regional developer territories for Central Florida and Ohio for a total of $620,000.  Their combined development schedule requires the opening and operating of a minimum of 68 new clinics (34 in each territory) over a ten-year period.

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we sold three regional developer territories for New Jersey, Maryland/Washington DC and Minnesota for a total of approximately $440,000. Their combined development schedule requires the opening and operating of a minimum of 50 new clinics over a ten-year period, with respect to New Jersey and Maryland/Washington DC and a five-year period for the Minnesota territory.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we terminated two franchise licenses that were in default. In conjunction with these terminations, during the nine months ended2017. Further, cash and cash equivalents increased to $5.6 million at September 30, 2017, we recognized $62,915 of revenue and $16,800 of costs, which were previously deferred.2018 compared to $4.2 million at December 31, 2017.

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Factors Affecting Our Performance

 

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing of new clinic openings, markets in which we operatethey are contained and related expenses, general economic conditions, consumer confidence in the economy, consumer preferences, and competitive factors.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard also calls for additional disclosures around the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The ASU replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018.

 

Significant Accounting Polices and Estimates

  

There were no changes in our significant accounting policies and estimates during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 from those set forth in “Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017, except as outlined in Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report as it relates to revenue recognition under ASC 606.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial results encompasses our consolidated results and results of our two business segments: Corporate Clinics and Franchise Operations. 

 

26

Total Revenues – Three Months Ended September 30, 20172018

 

Components of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, are2017, were as follows:

 

 Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended    
 September 30,     September 30,    
 2017 2016 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
 2018 2017 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
Revenues:                
Revenues and management fees from company clinics $2,929,850  $2,341,471  $588,379   25.1% $3,674,704  $2,929,850  $744,854   25.4%
Royalty fees  1,958,249   1,540,264   417,985   27.1%  2,588,666   1,958,249   630,417   32.2%
Franchise fees  229,715   602,400   (372,685)  (61.9)%  457,516   381,777   75,739   19.8%
Advertising fund revenue  775,221   595,955   179,266   30.1%  736,987   775,221   (38,234)  (4.9)%
IT related income and software fees  290,250   235,925   54,325   23.0%  324,250   290,250   34,000   11.7%
Regional developer fees  259,230   123,921   135,309   109.2%  142,651   99,215   43,436   43.8%
Other revenues  103,336   63,654   39,682   62.3%  137,776   103,336   34,440   33.3%
                                
Total revenues $6,545,851  $5,503,590  $1,042,261   18.9% $8,062,550  $6,537,898  $1,524,652   23.3%

 

The reasons for the significant changes in our components of total revenues arewere as follows:

 

Consolidated Results

 

Total revenues increased by $1.0$1.5 million, primarily due to the continued revenue growth of our company-owned or managed clinics portfolio and continued expansion and revenue growth of our franchise base.

  

Corporate Clinics

 

Revenues and management fees from company-owned or managed clinics increased, primarily due primarily to improved same-store sales growth.

 

Franchise Operations

 

Royalty fees have increased due to an increase in the number of franchised clinics in operation during the current period along with continued sales growth in existing franchised clinics. As of September 30, 2017,2018, and 2016,2017, there were 342374 and 293342 franchised clinics in operation, respectively.

  

Franchise fees decreasedincreased due to the timing ofan increase in franchise license terminations and fewer clinic openings. In the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized revenue of $63,000 and $196,000, respectively, from terminated licenses. In the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, 6 and 13 new franchised clinics opened, respectively.

25
agreements executed.

  

Regional developer fees increased due to the timingsale of additional regional developer territories and the related revenue recognition onover the clinic openings on specific RD territories.life of the regional developer agreement.

 

IT related income and softwareSoftware fees and advertising fund revenue increased due to an increase in our franchise clinic base as described above.

 

27

Total Revenues – Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018

 

Components of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, are2017 were as follows:

 

 Nine Months Ended     Nine Months Ended    
 September 30,     September 30,    
 2017 2016 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
 2018 2017 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
Revenues:                
Revenues and management fees from company clinics $8,106,121  $6,137,277  $1,968,844   32.1% $10,352,013  $8,106,121  $2,245,892   27.7%
Royalty fees  5,518,409   4,337,643   1,180,766   27.2%  7,283,839   5,518,409   1,765,430   32.0%
Franchise fees  1,036,815   1,641,409   (604,594)  (36.8)%  1,254,997   1,041,151   213,846   20.5%
Advertising fund revenue  1,995,235   1,218,256   776,979   63.8%  2,083,769   1,995,235   88,534   4.4%
IT related income and software fees  839,788   686,459   153,329   22.3%
Software fees  947,635   839,788   107,847   12.8%
Regional developer fees  455,859   496,538   (40,679)  (8.2)%  415,075   262,102   152,973   58.4%
Other revenues  282,289   225,086   57,203   25.4%  379,970   282,289   97,681   34.6%
                                
Total revenues $18,234,516  $14,742,668  $3,491,848   23.7% $22,717,298  $18,045,095  $4,672,203   25.9%

 

The reasons for the significant changes in our components of total revenues arewere as follows:

 

Consolidated Results

 

Total revenues increased by $3.5$4.7 million, primarily due to the continued revenue growth of our company-owned or managed clinics portfolio and continued expansion and revenue growth of our franchise base.

  

Corporate Clinics

 

Revenues and management fees from company-owned or managed clinics increased, primarily due primarily to improved same-store sales growth, which includes contributions from clinics acquired in the second quarter of 2016.growth.

 

Franchise Operations

 

Royalty fees have increased due to an increase in the number of franchised clinics in operation during the current period along with continued sales growth in existing franchised clinics. As of September 30, 2017,2018, and 2016,2017, there were 342374 and 293342 franchised clinics in operation, respectively.

  

Franchise fees decreasedincreased due to an increase in franchise agreements executed.

Regional developer fees increased due to the timingsale of franchise license terminations. Inadditional regional developer territories and the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognizedrelated revenue recognition over the life of $63,000 and $477,000, respectively, from terminated licenses.the regional developer agreement.

 

IT related income and softwareSoftware fees and advertising fund revenue increased due to an increase in our franchise clinic base as described above.

Cost of Revenues

 

Cost of Revenues 2017 2016 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
 2018 2017 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
                
Three Months Ended September 30, $819,200  $718,762  $100,438   14.0% $1,084,707  $839,144  $245,563   29.3%
Nine Months Ended September 30,  2,331,522   2,186,464   145,058   6.6%  3,108,623   2,299,297   809,326   35.2%

26

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, as compared with the same period last year,three months ended September 30, 2017, the total cost of revenues increased slightly due to an increase in regional developer royalties of $149,000$0.2 million triggered by an increase ofin franchise royalty revenues of approximately 27% as compared to the same quarter in the prior year, offset by a reduction of $69,000 in regional developer commissions recognized in conjunction with franchise openings. 32%.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, as compared with the same period last year,nine months ended September 30, 2017, the total cost of revenues increased slightly due to an increase in regional developer royalties of $330,000$0.7 million triggered by an increase ofin franchise royalty revenues of approximately 27% as compared to the same quarter in the prior year, offset by a reduction32%, and an increase of $178,000$0.1 million in regional developer commissions recognized in conjunction with franchise openings. commissions.

28

 

Selling and Marketing Expenses

Selling and Marketing Expenses 2017 2016 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
 2018 2017 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
                
Three Months Ended September 30, $1,172,559  $1,272,524  $(99,965)  (7.9)% $1,194,595  $1,172,559  $22,036   1.9%
Nine Months Ended September 30,  3,189,489   3,184,484   5,005   0.2%  3,590,562   3,189,489   401,073   12.6%

Selling and marketing expenses decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, due to the sale or closure of 14 company-owned or managed clinics, offset by an increase in the overall size of the national marketing fund due to the larger franchise clinic base, and the timing of national marketing fund expenditures.

 

Selling and marketing expenses increased slightly for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, due to thedriven by an increase in the overall size of the nationallocal marketing fund due toexpenditures by the larger franchise clinic base, offset by lower spending on company-owned or managed clinics advertising and promotion due to the sale or closure of 14 clinics and due to the timing of the national conference occurring in the fourth quarter of 2017 versus the third quarter of 2016.clinics. 

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses 2017 2016 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
 2018 2017 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
                
Three Months Ended September 30, $468,800  $695,579  $(226,779)  (32.6)% $389,269  $468,800  $(79,531)  (17.0)%
Nine Months Ended September 30,  1,550,013   1,908,238   (358,225)  (18.8)%  1,181,661   1,550,013   (368,352)  (23.8)%

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to assets reaching the end of their estimated depreciable lives during the period.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, primarily due to the sale or closure of 14 company-owned or managed clinics.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and Administrative Expenses 2017 2016 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
 2018 2017 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
                
Three Months Ended September 30, $4,462,922  $5,435,219  $(972,297)  (17.9)% $5,242,026  $4,462,922  $779,104   17.5%
Nine Months Ended September 30,  13,694,690   16,749,945   (3,055,255)  (18.2)%  14,973,261   13,694,691   1,278,570   9.3%

 

General and administrative expenses decreasedincreased during the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2017, primarily due to the following:an increase in payroll and related expense due to headcount increases and accrued bonus of $0.6 million and an increase in professional services expense of $0.1 million.

A decrease of approximately $0.2 million in payroll related expenses;

A decrease of approximately $0.3 million in utilities and facilities related expenses due to the closure of 14 company-owned or managed clinics; and

A decrease of approximately $0.3 million of other miscellaneous expenses as a result of certain legal settlements and expensing of real estate development expenses recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2016.

27

 

General and administrative expenses decreasedincreased during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, primarily due to an increase of approximately $1.1 million in payroll related expenses due to wage merit increases and accrued bonus for the following:2018 period and an increase in professional services of $0.1 million.

A decrease of approximately $1.0 million in payroll related expenses;

A decrease of approximately $0.5 million in legal and accounting related expenses;

A decrease of approximately $0.5 million in utilities and facilities related expenses; and

A decrease of approximately $0.9 million of other miscellaneous expenses as a result of certain legal settlements and real estate development expenses recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2016.

     

Loss from Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 20172018

Loss from Operations 2018 2017 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
                 
Three Months Ended September 30, $(191,302) $(405,527) $214,225   (52.8)%

 

Profit (Loss) from Operations 2017 2016 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
                 
Three Months Ended September 30, $(377,630) $(2,618,494) $2,240,864   (85.6)%

29

 

Consolidated Results

 

Consolidated loss from operations decreased by $2.2$0.2 million for the three monthsperiod ended September 30, 2018 compared to the period ended September 30, 2017, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, primarily driven by the $1.3$0.6 million decreaseimprovement in operating loss in the corporate clinic segmentclinics discussed below a decreaseand an improvement in corporate general and administrative expenses of $0.4 million, and increased net income from franchised operations of $0.5 million in franchised operations discussed below.below, offset by an increase in unallocated corporate overhead of $0.9 million driven by a $0.3 million loss from disposition or impairment due to the write-off of previously capitalized software development costs and a $0.6 million increase in general and administrative expenses.

 

Corporate Clinics

 

Our corporate clinics segment (i.e., company-owned or managed clinics) had net income from operations of $0.4 million for the period ended September 30, 2018, an improvement of $0.6 million compared to a loss from operations of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.3 million compared to a loss from operations of $1.5 million for the same period last year. This decreaseimprovement was primarily due to:

  

 An increase in revenues of approximately $0.6$0.7 million from company-owned or managed clinics; andpartially offset by
   
 A decrease of approximately $0.3$0.1 million of utilitiesincrease in general and facilities related expense, approximately $0.2 millionadministrative expenses in selling and marketing expenses, and approximately $0.2 million in depreciation and amortization related to the sale or closure of company-owned or managed clinics.three months ended September 30, 2018.

  

Franchise Operations

 

Our franchise operations segment had net income from operations of $1.7$2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, an increase of $0.5 million, compared to net income from operations of $1.2$1.6 million for the same period ended September 30, 2016. This increase was primarily due to:

An increase of approximately $0.3 million in total revenues (net of national marketing fund contributions), due primarily to an approximately 27% increase in franchise royalty revenues; and
A decrease of approximately $0.1 million in general and administrative expenses.

28

Loss from Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Profit (Loss) from Operations 2017 2016 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
                 
Nine Months Ended September 30,  (2,949,169)  (9,286,463)  6,337,294   (68.2)%

Consolidated Results

Consolidated loss from operations decreased by $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily driven by the $3.6 million decrease in operating loss in the corporate clinic segment, discussed below, a decrease in corporate general and administrative expenses of $1.4 million, and increased net income from franchised operations of $1.3 million discussed below.

Corporate Clinics

Our corporate clinics segment (i.e., company-owned or managed clinics) had a loss from operations of $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $3.6 million compared to a loss from operations of $4.8 million for the same period last year. This decrease was primarily due to:

An increase in revenues of approximately $2.0 million from company-owned or managed clinics; and
A decrease of approximately $0.6 million of utilities and facilities expense, approximately $0.5 million in selling and marketing expenses and approximately $0.4 million in depreciation and amortization related to the sale or closure of company-owned or managed clinics.

Franchise Operations

Our franchise operations segment had net income from operations of $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.3 million, compared to net income from operations of $3.2 million for the same period ended September 30, 2016.2017. This increase was primarily due to:

 

 An increase of approximately $0.7 million in total revenues (net of national marketingadvertising fund contributions), due primarily to an approximately 27%32% increase in franchise royalty revenues; andoffset by
An increase of approximately $0.2 million in regional developer royalties.

Loss from Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

Loss from Operations 2018 2017 Change from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
from Prior Year
                 
Nine Months Ended September 30, $(730,769) $(3,106,366) $2,375,597   (76.5)%

Consolidated Results

Consolidated loss from operations decreased by $2.4 million for the period ended September 30, 2018 compared to the period ended September 30, 2017, primarily driven by the $2.1 million improvement in operating income (loss) in the corporate clinic segment discussed below and an increase in net income from franchised operations of $1.6 million discussed below, offset by an increase in unallocated corporate overhead of $1.3 million.

Corporate Clinics

Our corporate clinics segment (i.e., company-owned or managed clinics) had income from operations of approximately $0.5 million for the period ended September 30, 2018, an improvement of $2.1 million, compared to a loss from operations of $1.6 million for the same period last year. This improvement was primarily due to:

An increase in revenues of approximately $2.2 million from company-owned or managed clinics; and

30

   
 A decrease of approximately $0.6$0.2 million of loss from disposition or impairment due to lease exits in generalthe nine months ended September 30, 2017, which was $0.4 million as compared to $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.  The decrease was offset by an increase of approximately $0.3 million increase in payroll related expenses due to merit increases and administrative expenses.bonus accruals.  

 

Franchise Operations

Our franchise operations segment had net income from operations of $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $1.6 million, compared to net income from operations of $4.3 million for the same period ended September 30, 2017. This increase was primarily due to:

An increase of approximately $2.3 million in total revenues (net of advertising fund contributions), due primarily to an approximately 32% increase in franchise royalty revenues; offset by
An increase of $0.7 million in regional developer royalties.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Liquidity

 

We used a significant amount of the net proceeds from our public offerings for the development of company-owned or managed clinics.  We accomplished this by developing new clinics and by repurchasing existing franchises. In addition, we have used proceeds from our offerings to repurchase existing regional developer licenses, to continue to expand our franchised clinic business and for general business purposes.  We are holding the remaining net proceeds in cash or short-term bank deposits.

As of September 30, 2017,2018, we had cash and short-term bank deposits of approximately $2.6$5.6 million. ToWe provided approximately $1.9 million of cash flow from operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2018. We will continue to preserve cash, and while we will not proactively pursuehave resumed the additionacquisition and development of any company-owned or managed clinics, during the 2017 fiscal year. In addition, our tactical decisions made with respectwe intend to the clinics in Chicagoprogress at a measured pace and New York in January 2017, as well as the cash infusion from the sale of regional developer territories, has significantly reduced our estimated net cash usage for 2017target geographic clusters where we are able to approximately $2.0 million. Cash used in 2016 included expenditures for the acquisition or development of 14 company-owned or managed clinicsincrease efficiencies through a consolidated real estate penetration strategy, leverage cooperative advertisement and working capital losses in the Chicagomarketing and New York markets of approximately $2.8 million. As we have no current plan to acquire or develop company-owned or managed clinics during 2017,attain general corporate and have sold or closed 14 clinics in the Chicago and New York markets, our projected use of cash in 2017 is significantly lower than in 2016.

administrative operating efficiencies.

29

 

In January 2017, we executed a Credit and Security Agreement which provided a credit facility of up to $5.0 million. We have drawn $1.0 million under the credit facility. See Note 79 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for additional discussion of the credit facility.

Analysis of Cash Flows

 

Net cash used inprovided by (used in) operating activities decreasedincreased by $8,927,220$3,481,834 to $1,416,497$1,888,413for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to ($1,593,421) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $10,343,717 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017. The decrease in cash used in operating activitieschange was attributable primarily to decreased expenses caused byand decreased operating losses and working capital requirements of our company-owned or managed clinics.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $150,701$698,700 and $2,608,380$150,701 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, this included an acquisition of $100,000, purchases of property and 2016, respectively.equipment of $531,162, reacquisition and termination of regional developer rights of $278,250 offset by payments received on notes receivable of $210,642.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, this primarily included purchases of fixed assetsproperty and equipment of $0.2 million$190,589.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $286,721 and payments received on notes receivable of $39,888.$1,185,982 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2018, this includes acquisitionsprimarily included proceeds from exercise of franchisesstock options of $0.8 million, the reacquisition and termination of regional developer rights of $0.3 million, purchases of property and equipment of $1.5 million and payments received on notes receivable of $26,000. 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $1,185,982 and ($454,256) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.$291,532. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, this included borrowings of $1.0 million$1,000,000 on our revolving line of credit, proceeds from the sale of treasury stock of $0.3 million,$292,671, proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $0.1 million, partially$127,466, offset by purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans of $2,655 and repayments on notes payable of $0.2 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, this includes repayments on notes payable of $0.4 million, purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans of $83,000 and offering costs adjustment of $1,000, partially offset by proceeds from exercise of stock options of $66,000.$231,500.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements that may impact our financial statements.

  

31

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated organizations or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special purpose entities that would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.

   

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017.2018. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act are accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017,2018, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officermanagement concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

30

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

During the first quarter of 2018, we implemented new controls in connection with our adoption of the Accounting Standards Updates related to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. No changeother changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarternine months ended September 30, 20172018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is party to litigation from time to time.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

We documented our risk factors in Item 1A of Part I of our annual report on Form 10-K forAs a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the year ended December 31, 2016. Other than the risk factor identified below, there have been no material changes to our risk factors since the filing of that report.

Our business model depends on proprietary and third party management information systems that we use to, among other things, track financial and operating performance of our clinics, and any failure to successfully design and maintain these systems or implement new systems could materially harm our operations.

We depend on integrated management information systems, some of which are providedrequired by third parties, and standardized procedures for operational and financial information, as well as for patient records and our billing operations. We may experience unanticipated delays, complications, data breaches or expenses in implementing, integrating, and operating our systems. Our management information systems regularly require modifications, improvements or replacements that may require both substantial expenditures as well as interruptions in operations. Our ability to implement these systems is subject to the availability of skilled information technology specialists to assist us in creating, implementing and supporting these systems. Our failure to successfully design, implement and maintain all of our systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.this item.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we have experienced unanticipated delays in the performance of our proprietary management information system when migrating the platform to a fully redundant cloud environment. We have incurred additional costs to improve system performance and have allocated additional resources to stabilize and monitor the system on an ongoing basis. Our failure to stabilize the system could result in us incurring additional expenses and in interruptions to our and our franchisees’ business operations, and our initiatives to upgrade our proprietary management information system may not succeed or may result in greater than anticipated delays and expenditures, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our and our franchisees’ business operations.

  

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

 

None.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

The Exhibit Index immediately following the Signatures to this Form 10-Q is hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q.

 

 

3132

 

THE JOINT CORP.

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 THE JOINT CORP.
    
Dated: November 13, 20179, 2018By:  /s/ Peter D. Holt 
  Peter D. Holt 
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer )Officer)

  
    
Dated: November 13, 20179, 2018By:  /s/ John P. MelounJake Singleton 
  John P. MelounJake Singleton 
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)

 

  

3233

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Exhibit

Number

 Description of Document
3(ii).1  Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of The Joint Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii).1 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2018 (File No. 001-36724))
   
31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (filed herewith).
   
31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (filed herewith).
   
32 Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
   
101.INS XBRL Instance Document.
   
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
   
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
   
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
   
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
   
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

 

 

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