UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended: December 5, 2006
OR
o | 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: 1-12454 |
RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
GEORGIA | | 63-0475239 |
(State of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| 150 West Church Avenue, Maryville, Tennessee 37801 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (865) 379-5700
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer x | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
| 59,148,809 |
| (Number of shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of January 5, 2007) |
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RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
INDEX
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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER-SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
| DECEMBER 5, | | JUNE 6, | |
| 2006 | | 2006 | |
| (NOTE A) | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | |
Cash and short-term investments | $ | 8,857 | | $ | 22,365 | |
Accounts and notes receivable, net | | 9,402 | | | 12,020 | |
Inventories: | | | | | | |
Merchandise | | 11,132 | | | 10,127 | |
China, silver and supplies | | 8,369 | | | 7,301 | |
Income tax receivable | | 4,697 | | | 374 | |
Deferred income taxes | | 1,384 | | | 2,343 | |
Prepaid rent and other expenses | | 14,359 | | | 10,977 | |
Assets held for sale | | 17,541 | | | 12,833 | |
Total current assets | | 75,741 | | | 78,340 | |
Property and equipment, net
| | 1,019,531 | | | 984,127 | |
Goodwill | | 17,011 | | | 17,017 | |
Notes receivable, net | | 16,101 | | | 21,009 | |
Other assets | | 74,181 | | | 71,075 | |
Total assets
| $ | 1,202,565 | | $ | 1,171,568 | |
Liabilities & shareholders’ equity
| | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | $ | 40,666 | | $ | 39,614 | |
Accrued liabilities: | | | | | | |
Taxes, other than income taxes | | 18,015 | | | 19,987 | |
Payroll and related costs | | 11,060 | | | 15,739 | |
Insurance | | 7,345 | | | 6,202 | |
Deferred revenue – gift cards/certificates | | 7,090 | | | 6,537 | |
Rent and other | | 20,744 | | | 18,458 | |
Current portion of long-term debt, including capital leases | | 1,863 | | | 1,461 | |
Total current liabilities | | 106,783 | | | 107,998 | |
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities
| | 357,636 | | | 375,639 | |
Deferred income taxes | | 44,360 | | | 49,727 | |
Deferred escalating minimum rent | | 39,015 | | | 37,535 | |
Other deferred liabilities | | 76,083 | | | 73,511 | |
Total liabilities | | 623,877 | | | 644,410 | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note K) | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity:
| | | | | | |
Common stock, $0.01 par value; (authorized 100,000 shares; | | | | | | |
issued 59,146 shares at 12/05/06; 58,191 shares at 6/06/06) | | 591 | | | 582 | |
Capital in excess of par value | | 33,932 | | | 7,012 | |
Retained earnings | | 551,402 | | | 527,672 | |
Deferred compensation liability payable in | | | | | | |
Company stock | | 4,457 | | | 4,428 | |
Unearned compensation | | – | | | (871 | ) |
Company stock held by Deferred Compensation Plan | | (4,457 | ) | | (4,428 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (7,237 | ) | | (7,237 | ) |
| | 578,688 | | | 527,158 | |
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity | $ | 1,202,565 | | $ | 1,171,568 | |
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements. |
3
RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER-SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | | TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED | |
| DECEMBER 5, | | NOVEMBER 29, | | DECEMBER 5, | | NOVEMBER 29, | |
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| (NOTE A) | | (NOTE A) | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restaurant sales and operating revenue
| $
| 333,316 | | $
| 291,631 | | $
| 668,127 | | $
| 595,974 | |
Franchise revenue | | 3,503 | | | 3,431 | | | 7,351 | | | 7,311 | |
| | 336,819 | | | 295,062 | | | 675,478 | | | 603,285 | |
Operating costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of merchandise | | 91,378 | | | 78,776 | | | 181,048 | | | 160,419 | |
Payroll and related costs | | 104,314 | | | 92,965 | | | 207,857 | | | 188,694 | |
Other restaurant operating costs | | 60,986 | | | 53,405 | | | 122,218 | | | 106,630 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 18,993 | | | 17,234 | | | 37,375 | | | 34,408 | |
Selling, general and administrative, | | | | | | | | | | | | |
net of support service fee income | | | | | | | | | | | | |
for the thirteen and twenty-six week | | | | | | | | | | | | |
periods totaling $3,120 and $6,218 in | | | | | | | | | | | | |
fiscal 2007, and $3,086 and $6,336 in | | | | | | | | | | | | |
fiscal 2006, respectively | | 30,897 | | | 23,505 | | | 60,324 | | | 49,464 | |
Equity in losses of | | | | | | | | | | | | |
unconsolidated franchises | | 706 | | | 788 | | | 638 | | | 724 | |
Interest expense, net | | 4,589 | | | 2,633 | | | 8,883 | | | 4,546 | |
| | 311,863 | | | 269,306 | | | 618,343 | | | 544,885 | |
Income before income taxes
| | 24,956 | | | 25,756 | | | 57,135 | | | 58,400 | |
Provision for income taxes | | 8,227 | | | 8,320 | | | 18,856 | | | 19,321 | |
Net income
| $
| 16,729 | | $
| 17,436 | | $
| 38,279 | | $
| 39,079 | |
Earnings per share:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic
| $
| 0.28 | | $
| 0.28 | | $
| 0.65 | | $
| 0.62 | |
Diluted | $ | 0.28 | | $ | 0.28 | | $ | 0.65 | | $ | 0.62 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic
| | 58,793 | | | 61,578 | | | 58,467 | | | 62,554 | |
Diluted | | 59,266 | | | 62,076 | | | 58,894 | | | 63,183 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash dividends declared per share | | – | | | – | | $
| 0.25 | | $
| 0.0225 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
| TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED | |
| DECEMBER 5, | | NOVEMBER 29, | |
| 2006 | | 2005 | |
| (NOTE A) | |
Operating activities: | | | | | | |
Net income | $ | 38,279 | | $ | 39,079 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash | | | | | | |
provided by operating activities: | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 37,375 | | | 34,408 | |
Amortization of intangibles | | 191 | | | 149 | |
Provision for bad debts | | (497 | ) | | 696 | |
Deferred income taxes | | (4,408 | ) | | (2,182 | ) |
(Gain)/loss on disposition of assets, net of impairments | | (18 | ) | | 151 | |
Equity in losses of unconsolidated franchises | | 638 | | | 724 | |
Distributions received from unconsolidated franchises | | 847 | | | 791 | |
Share-based compensation expense | | 4,569 | | | – | |
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options | | – | | | 403 | |
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation | | (2,934 | ) | | – | |
Amortization of unearned compensation | | – | | | 33 | |
Other | | 12 | | | 5 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | |
Receivables | | 4,599 | | | (1,485 | ) |
Inventories | | (1,586 | ) | | (1,915 | ) |
Income tax receivable | | (1,389 | ) | | (681 | ) |
Prepaid and other assets | | (4,010 | ) | | (1,683 | ) |
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities | | 745 | | | (371 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | 72,413 | | | 68,122 | |
Investing activities:
| | | | | | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | (69,382 | ) | | (90,514 | ) |
Acquisition of franchise entities | | (3,002 | ) | | – | |
Proceeds from disposal of assets | | 6,561 | | | 2,214 | |
Insurance proceeds from property claims | | 2,852 | | | 84 | |
Other, net | | (5,286 | ) | | (3,617 | ) |
Net cash used by investing activities | | (68,257 | ) | | (91,833 | ) |
Financing activities:
| | | | | | |
Proceeds from long-term debt | | 2,200 | | | 115,900 | |
Principal payments on long-term debt | | (28,497 | ) | | (5,940 | ) |
Proceeds from issuance of stock, including treasury stock | | 20,262 | | | 2,668 | |
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation | | 2,934 | | | – | |
Stock repurchases | | (14 | ) | | (99,028 | ) |
Dividends paid | | (14,549 | ) | | (1,427 | ) |
Net cash (used)/provided by financing activities | | (17,664 | ) | | 12,173 | |
| | | | | | |
Decrease in cash and short-term investments | | (13,508 | ) | | (11,538 | ) |
Cash and short-term investments: | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | 22,365 | | | 19,787 | |
End of quarter | $ | 8,857 | | $ | 8,249 | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
| | | | | | |
Cash paid for: | | | | | | |
Interest, net of amount capitalized | $ | 10,370 | | $ | 5,965 | |
Income taxes, net | $ | 25,152 | | $ | 21,822 | |
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities: | | | | | | |
Assumption of debt and capital leases related to franchise | | | | | | |
partnership acquisitions | $ | 8,696 | | | – | |
Retirement of fully depreciated assets | $ | 513 | | | – | |
Reclassification of properties to assets held for sale or receivables | $ | 9,448 | | $ | 2,577 | |
Restricted stock awards | | – | | $ | 1,057 | |
| | | | | | |
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements. |
5
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE A – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Ruby Tuesday, Inc., including its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“RTI”, “we” or the “Company”), owns and operates Ruby Tuesday® casual dining restaurants. We also franchise the Ruby Tuesday concept in select domestic and international markets. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring entries) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the 13 and 26-week periods ended December 5, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending June 5, 2007.
The condensed consolidated balance sheet at June 6, 2006 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in RTI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 6, 2006.
NOTE B – EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period presented. The computation of diluted earnings per share gives effect to options and restricted stock outstanding during the applicable periods. The effect of stock options and restricted stock increased the diluted weighted average shares outstanding by approximately 0.5 million for each of the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005, and approximately 0.4 million and 0.6 million for the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005, respectively.
Stock options with an exercise price greater than the average market price of our common stock and certain options with unrecognized compensation expense do not impact the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be antidilutive. For the 13 and 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006, there were 3.3 million and 3.4 million unexercised options, respectively, that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the 13 and 26 weeks ended November 29, 2005, there were 5.1 million and 3.5 million unexercised options, respectively, that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.
NOTE C – SHARE-BASED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncement
In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)” or the “Statement”) which replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), supersedes APB 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related interpretations and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows”. SFAS 123(R) requires that compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions, including grants of employee stock options, be recognized in financial statements. The cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. SFAS 123(R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted share plans, performance based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans.
In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position SFAS 123(R) – 3, “Transition Election to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards”, the Company has elected the alternative transition method to calculate the beginning balance of the pool of excess tax benefits. The beginning balance of excess tax benefits was calculated as the sum of all net increases in additional paid-in capital related to tax benefits from share-based employee compensation, less the
6
incremental share-based compensation costs that would have been recognized if the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 had been used to account for share-based compensation costs, multiplied by our current blended statutory tax rate.
The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using a modified version of prospective application effective June 7, 2006, the beginning of our 2007 fiscal year. Under this transition method, compensation cost is recognized for (1) all awards granted after the required effective date and for awards modified, cancelled, or repurchased after that date and (2) the portion of prior awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of those awards calculated for pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123. The adoption of SFAS 123(R) resulted in the following for the 13 and 26-week periods ended December 5, 2006:
| • | Additional pre-tax share-based compensation expense of $2.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, each of which is net of $0.1 million of capitalized construction costs related to new restaurant construction. Significantly all of the pre-tax costs related to the additional share-based compensation are reflected in selling, general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; |
| • | An income tax benefit related to the additional share-based compensation totaling $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively; |
| • | A reduction of both basic and fully diluted earnings of $0.02 and $0.05 per share, respectively; and |
| • | A decrease in cash flows from operating activities of $2.9 million, offset by an increase in cash flows from financing activities of $2.9 million for the 26-week period. |
Prior to fiscal 2007, we measured compensation expense related to share-based compensation using the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, no share-based employee compensation cost was reflected in net income if the exercise price of the option equaled or exceeded the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. Had compensation expense for our stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123(R) for the 13 and 26-week periods ended November 29, 2005, our net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except per-share data):
| Thirteen | | Twenty-Six | |
| Weeks Ended | | Weeks Ended | |
| November 29, 2005 | | November 29, 2005 | |
| | | | | | |
Net income, as reported | $ | 17,436 | | $ | 39,079 | |
| | | | | | |
Add: Reported share-based compensation expense, | | 20 | | | 20 | |
net of tax | | | | | | |
Less: Share-based employee compensation
| | | | | | |
expense determined under fair value based | | | | | | |
method for all awards, net of income tax expense | | (1,069 | ) | | (2,431 | ) |
Pro forma net income | $ | 16,387 | | $ | 36,668 | |
| | | | | | |
Basic earnings per share
| | | | | | |
As reported
| $ | 0.28 | | $ | 0.62 | |
Pro forma | $ | 0.27 | | $ | 0.59 | |
| | | | | | |
Diluted earnings per share | | | | | | |
As reported
| $ | 0.28 | | $ | 0.62 | |
Pro forma | $ | 0.26 | | $ | 0.58 | |
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SFAS 123(R) specifies that the fair value of an employee stock option must be based on an observable market price of an option with the same or similar terms and conditions if one is available or, if an observable market price is not available, the fair value must be estimated using a valuation technique that (1) is applied in a manner consistent with the fair value measurement objective and the other requirements of the Statement, (2) is based on established principles of financial economic theory and generally applied in that field, and (3) reflects all substantive characteristics of the instrument. Since market prices for RTI employee stock options or for identical or similar equity instruments are not available, there are no observable market prices for RTI’s employee stock options, and therefore, fair value will be estimated using an acceptable valuation technique. SFAS 123(R) permits entities to use any option-pricing model that meets the fair value objective in the Statement. The Company estimated the fair value of the option grants made during the 13 and 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005 as of the dates of the grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
| Thirteen Weeks Ended | | Twenty-Six Weeks Ended | |
| December 5, | | November 29, | | December 5, | | November 29, | |
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Risk-free interest rate | 4.78% | | 4.19% | | 4.80% | | 4.17% | |
Expected dividend yield | 1.72% | | 0.21% | | 1.74% | | 0.21% | |
Expected stock price volatility | 0.301 | | 0.337 | | 0.301 | | 0.338 | |
Expected term (in years) | 3.97 | | 3.97 | | 3.92 | | 3.96 | |
The risk-free interest rates used in our Black-Scholes option pricing model were based on the rate of U.S. Treasury constant maturities issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of option grants. We based our expected volatility for options issued during the first two quarters of both fiscal 2007 and 2006 using historical prices of our common stock. The expected term represents the period of time that option grants are expected to be outstanding and is derived from historical terms and other factors.
The weighted average fair value of options granted during the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005 was $7.65 and $6.89, respectively. The weighted average fair value of options granted during the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005 was $7.53 and $6.92, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation Plans
The Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Stock Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
Under the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Stock Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (the “Plan”), non-employee directors are awarded an option to purchase 8,000 shares of common stock per year. Options issued under the Plan become vested after thirty months and are exercisable until five years after the grant date. Stock option exercises are settled with the issuance of new shares.
All options awarded under the Plan have a strike price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the time of grant. A Committee, appointed by the Board, administers the Plan. At December 5, 2006, we had reserved 586,000 shares of common stock under this Plan, 348,000 of which were subject to options outstanding.
The Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 2003 Stock Incentive Plan
A Committee, appointed by the Board, administers the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (“2003 SIP”), formerly called the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 1996 Non-Executive Stock Incentive Plan, and has full authority in its discretion to determine the key employees and officers to whom stock incentives are granted and the terms and provisions of stock incentives. Option grants under the 2003 SIP can have varying vesting provisions and exercise periods as determined by such Committee. Options granted under the 2003 SIP vest in periods ranging from immediate to fiscal 2011, with the majority vesting 24 or 30 months following the date of grant, and the majority expiring five, but some up to ten, years after grant. The 2003 SIP permits the Committee to make awards of shares of common stock, awards of stock options or other derivative securities related to the value of the common stock, and certain cash awards to eligible persons. These discretionary awards may be made on an individual basis or for the benefit of a group of eligible persons. All options, or other instruments, awarded under the 2003 SIP have a strike price, if applicable, equal to the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the time of grant.
8
In October 2005, the Company awarded 50,000 restricted shares to its Senior Vice President, Operations under the terms of the 2003 SIP. The restricted shares awarded vest evenly over the third, fourth, and fifth anniversaries of the grant. The fair value of the restricted share award was based on the Company’s fair market value at the time of grant. At December 5, 2006, unrecognized compensation expense related to the restricted stock grant totaled approximately $0.7 million and will be recognized over the vesting periods which end in October 2010.
At December 5, 2006, we had reserved a total of 9,537,000 shares of common stock for the 2003 SIP, 6,895,000 of which were subject to options outstanding. Stock option exercises are settled with the issuance of new shares.
The following table summarizes the activity in options for the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006 under these stock option plans (in thousands, except per-share data):
| | | Weighted- | | Weighted-Average | | Aggregate |
| | | Average | | Remaining Contractual | | Intrinsic |
| Options | | Exercise Price | | Term (years) | | Value |
Balance at June 6, 2006 | 8,446 | | $ | 25.33 | | | | | |
Granted | 67 | | $ | 28.79 | | | | | |
Exercised | (955) | | $ | 21.13 | | | | | |
Forfeited | (315) | | $ | 27.59 | | | | | |
Balance at December 5, 2006 | 7,243 | | $ | 25.82 | | 2.69 | | $ | 24,777 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at December 5, 2006 | 4,111 | | $ | 24.83 | | 1.71 | | $ | 20,045 |
The aggregate intrinsic value represents the closing stock price as of December 5, 2006 less the strike price, multiplied by the number of options that have a strike price that is less than that closing stock price. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the first 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005 was $7.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
At December 5, 2006, there was approximately $12.4 million of unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense related to non-vested stock options. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 5, 2006:
| Options Outstanding | | Options Exercisable |
Range of Exercise Prices | Number Outstanding (in thousands) | Remaining Contractual Life | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | Number Exercisable (in thousands) | Weighted Average Exercise Price |
$ 9.47 - $18.00 | 1,508 | 1.50 | $16.04 | | 1,508 | $16.04 |
$18.01 - $21.00 | 229 | 5.44 | $18.47 | | 27 | $18.69 |
$21.01 - $24.00 | 682 | 0.68 | $23.05 | | 633 | $23.19 |
$24.01 - $27.00 | 1,420 | 3.23 | $25.25 | | 98 | $24.62 |
$27.01 - $30.00 | 273 | 3.27 | $28.35 | | 118 | $28.48 |
$30.01 - $33.00 | 3,131 | 3.21 | $31.70 | | 1,727 | $32.97 |
$ 9.47 - $33.00 | 7,243 | 2.69 | $25.82 | | 4,111 | $24.83 |
The following table summarizes the status of our restricted-stock activity for the first two quarters of fiscal 2007 (in thousands, except per-share data):
9
| | | Weighted-Average | |
| Restricted | | Grant-Date | |
| Stock | | Fair Value | |
Non-vested at June 6, 2006 | 50 | | $ 21.13 | |
Granted | – | | – | |
Vested | – | | – | |
Forfeited | – | | – | |
Non-vested at December 5, 2006 | 50 | | $ 21.13 | |
Other Share-Based Compensation
During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, RTI granted 180,000 stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), pursuant to two separate awards, one for 60,000 SARs and the other for 120,000 SARs, to a strategic partner. None of the 120,000 SAR awards will vest based on failure to attain a completed performance condition, which was measured subsequent to quarter end. The award for 60,000 SARs will vest on July 5, 2008 provided that the strategic partner is still providing services to RTI. This award will expire in five years and will be cash settled, if exercised, for the difference between the current market price on the date of exercise and $25.84, the strike price. Expense is measured based on the market price of our common stock each period and is amortized over the vesting period. For the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006, we recognized a nominal amount of share-based expense related to the SARs. At December 5, 2006, unrecognized, pre-tax expense related to the portion of the awards expected to vest was approximately $0.3 million. Because of the cash settlement feature, these awards have been liability-classified in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
NOTE D – ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable at December 5, 2006 and June 6, 2006 include $0.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for insurance recoveries from fiscal 2006 hurricanes, specifically Katrina and Rita, to the extent losses have been incurred and the realization of a related insurance claim, net of applicable deductibles, is probable. The Company received insurance proceeds of $2.3 million in September 2006 in settlement of the Hurricane Katrina claim resulting in a gain of $1.5 million. The gain is attributable to settlement of property claims at replacement costs which were in excess of net book values of property and equipment, as well as business interruption recoveries.
Notes receivable from franchise partnerships generally arise when Company-owned restaurants are sold to franchise partnerships (“refranchised”). These notes generally allow for deferral of interest during the first one to three years and require only the payment of interest for up to six years from the inception of the note. Sixteen franchisees operating as of December 5, 2006 received acquisition financing from RTI as part of the refranchising transactions. The amounts financed by RTI approximated 37% of the original purchase prices. Nine of these sixteen franchisees have paid their notes in full as of December 5, 2006. A tenth franchisee refinanced, and paid off, its RTI debt with an outside lender subsequent to quarter end. The amount due from this franchisee, $6.2 million as of December 5, 2006, has been classified as non-current in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with its original terms, and upon consideration that RTI will use the proceeds to pay down our revolving credit facility, which is also reflected as non-current in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As of December 5, 2006, all the franchise partnerships were making interest and/or principal payments on a monthly basis in accordance with the terms of these notes. All of the refranchising notes accrue interest at 10.0% per annum.
Amounts reflected for notes receivable at December 5, 2006 and June 6, 2006 ($18.3 million and $23.4 million, respectively) are net of a $5.1 million and $5.6 million allowance for doubtful notes, respectively, as well as an allowance totaling $0.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for RTI’s portion of the equity method losses in excess of our recorded investment of two of the franchise partnerships in which we own a 50% equity interest.
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NOTE E – FRANCHISE PROGRAMS
As of December 5, 2006, we held a 50% equity interest in each of ten franchise partnerships which collectively operate 110 Ruby Tuesday restaurants. We apply the equity method of accounting to all 50%-owned franchise partnerships. Also, as of December 5, 2006, we held a 1% equity interest in each of seven franchise partnerships, which collectively operate 49 restaurants, and no equity interest in various traditional domestic and international franchises, which collectively operate 94 restaurants.
In July 2006, in conjunction with a previously announced strategy to acquire certain franchisees in the Eastern United States, RTI, through its subsidiaries, acquired the remaining 50% of the partnership interests of RT Orlando Franchise, LP (“RT Orlando”), thereby increasing its ownership to 100% of the partnership. RT Orlando, previously a franchise partnership with 17 restaurants in Florida, was acquired for a total cash purchase price of $3.0 million. Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the results of operations of these acquired restaurants subsequent to the date of acquisition. This transaction was accounted for as a step acquisition using the purchase method as defined in SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” The purchase price was allocated to the fair value of property and equipment of $7.0 million, long-term debt and capital leases of $4.3 million, and other net assets of $0.3 million. RT Orlando had total debt and capital leases of $8.7 million at the time of acquisition, none of which was payable to RTI. In addition to recording the amounts discussed above, RTI reclassified its investment in RT Orlando to account for the remainder of the assets and liabilities of RT Orlando, which are now fully recorded within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet of RTI.
In August 2006, we sold two restaurants to RT St. Louis Franchise, LP (“RT St. Louis”) for $1.0 million. The sale of these two restaurants had a negligible impact on net income. Also in August 2006, in conjunction with the previously described sale, RT St. Louis began leasing a third restaurant from RTI.
Subsequent to quarter end, in December 2006, RTI, through its subsidiaries, acquired the remaining partnership interests of RT South Florida Franchise, LP (“RT South Florida”), of which the Company had owned a 50% interest. RT South Florida operated 11 Ruby Tuesday restaurants as of December 5, 2006. See Note M to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding this transaction.
Included in Assets Held for Sale at December 5, 2006 is $5.9 million, which represents the net book value of four Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants, located in Arkansas, which are expected to be sold to an existing franchisee later in the current fiscal year. We believe that the fair value of these properties, less the expected cost to sell, is in excess of the net book value and no impairment exists as of December 5, 2006.
Beginning in May 2005, under the terms of the franchise operating agreements, we required all domestic franchisees to contribute a percentage, currently 2.8%, of monthly gross sales to a national advertising fund formed to cover their pro rata portion of the production and airing costs associated with our national cable advertising campaign. Under the terms of those agreements, we can charge up to 3.0% of monthly gross sales for this national advertising fund.
Advertising amounts received from domestic franchisees are considered by RTI to be reimbursements, recorded on an accrual basis as earned, and have been netted against selling, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
See Note K to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our franchise partnership working capital credit facility and our related guarantees.
NOTE F – LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following (in thousands):
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| December 5, 2006 | | June 6, 2006 |
| | | | | |
Revolving credit facility | $ | 192,800 | | $ | 212,800 |
Unsecured senior notes: | | | | | |
Series A, due April 2010 | | 85,000 | | | 85,000 |
Series B, due April 2013 | | 65,000 | | | 65,000 |
Mortgage loan obligations | | 16,320 | | | 13,863 |
Capital lease obligations | | 379 | | | 437 |
| | 359,499 | | | 377,100 |
Less current maturities | | 1,863 | | | 1,461 |
| $ | 357,636 | | $ | 375,639 |
On April 3, 2003, RTI issued notes totaling $150.0 million through a private placement of debt (the “Private Placement”). The Private Placement consists of $85.0 million in notes with a fixed interest rate of 4.69% (the “Series A Notes”) and $65.0 million in notes with a fixed interest rate of 5.42% (the “Series B Notes”). The Series A Notes and Series B Notes mature on April 1, 2010 and April 1, 2013, respectively.
On November 19, 2004, RTI entered into a five-year revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) under which we may borrow up to $300.0 million. The Credit Facility was obtained for general corporate purposes. The terms of the Credit Facility provide for a $20.0 million swingline sub-commitment and a $40.0 million sub-limit for letters of credit. The Credit Facility will mature on November 19, 2009.
Under the Credit Facility, interest rates charged on borrowings can vary depending on the interest rate option we choose to utilize. Our options for the rate are the Base Rate or an adjusted LIBO Rate plus an applicable margin. The Base Rate is defined to be the higher of the issuing bank’s prime lending rate or the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%. The applicable margin for the Base Rate loans is a percentage ranging from zero to 0.25%. The applicable margin for the LIBO Rate-based option is a percentage ranging from 0.625% to 1.25%. We pay commitment fees quarterly ranging from 0.15% to 0.25% on the unused portion of the Credit Facility.
Under the terms of the Credit Facility, we had borrowings of $192.8 million with an associated floating rate of interest of 6.32% at December 5, 2006. As of June 6, 2006, we had $212.8 million outstanding with an associated floating rate of interest of 6.02%. After consideration of letters of credit outstanding, the Company had $87.2 million available under the Credit Facility as of December 5, 2006.
Both the Credit Facility and the notes issued in the Private Placement contain various restrictions, including limitations on additional debt, the payment of dividends and limitations regarding funded debt, minimum net worth, and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The Company is currently in compliance with its debt covenants.
In conjunction with the RT Orlando franchise acquisition described further in Note E to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, RTI acquired, directly and through its subsidiaries, the remaining 50% partnership interests of RT Orlando, including the assumption of long-term debt and capital leases associated with this franchise partnership. Included in the debt assumed were four variable rate loans totaling $3.0 million, which were retired prior to December 5, 2006.
As discussed further in Note M to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, subsequent to quarter end, in December 2006, RTI acquired, directly and through its subsidiaries, the remaining 50% partnership interests of RT South Florida, including the assumption of related long-term debt and capital leases associated with the franchise partnership.
NOTE G – PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND OPERATING LEASES
Property and equipment, net, is comprised of the following (in thousands):
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| December 5, 2006 | | June 6, 2006 | |
Land | $ | 202,362 | | $ | 193,180 | |
Buildings | | 419,611 | | | 398,441 | |
Improvements | | 410,378 | | | 374,065 | |
Restaurant equipment | | 291,170 | | | 274,835 | |
Other equipment | | 96,547 | | | 93,495 | |
Construction in progress | | 55,565 | | | 74,634 | |
| | 1,475,633 | | | 1,408,650 | |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | | 456,102 | | | 424,523 | |
| $ | 1,019,531 | | $ | 984,127 | |
Approximately 54% of our restaurants are located on leased property. Of these, approximately half are land leases only; the other half are for both land and building. The initial terms of these leases expire at various dates over the next 20 years. These leases may also contain required increases in rent at varying times during the lease terms and have options to extend the terms of the leases at rates that are included in the original lease agreement.
On November 20, 2000, the Company completed the sale of all 69 of its American Cafe (including L&N Seafood) and Tia’s Tex-Mex (“Tia’s”) restaurants to Specialty Restaurant Group, LLC (“SRG”), a limited liability company. A number of these restaurants were located on leased properties. RTI remains primarily liable on certain American Cafe and Tia’s leases that were subleased to SRG and contingently liable on others. SRG, on December 10, 2003, sold its 28 Tia’s restaurants to an unrelated entity and, as part of the transaction, further subleased certain Tia’s properties. As of December 5, 2006, RTI remains primarily liable for two Tia’s leases, which have remaining cash payments due of approximately $1.5 million, and contingently liable for six other Tia’s leases, which have remaining cash payments of approximately $3.0 million. A ninth lease, one for which RTI had primary liability, was settled during the quarter for a cash payment of $0.1 million.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, RTI became aware that the third party to whom SRG had sold the Tia’s restaurants had defaulted on four subleases. Claims have been asserted against the Company and SRG for unpaid rent, property taxes and similar charges. During the fiscal quarter ended December 5, 2006, the third party owner declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy. RTI has recorded an estimated liability of $0.9 million based on the claims made to date.
Since the third quarter of fiscal 2006, RTI has learned that SRG has defaulted on, or was late at least once in paying monthly rent on, 17 leases, four of which relate to closed restaurants. RTI has recorded an estimated liability of $0.3 million for these leases. Subsequent to quarter end, on January 2, 2007, the Company learned that SRG closed 20 restaurants. We believe that 14 of these restaurants are located on properties sub-leased from RTI.
As of December 5, 2006, RTI had $1.2 million recorded within our liability for deferred escalating minimum rents for 20 SRG leases for which we remain primarily liable. These 20 SRG leases include the 14 restaurants which closed on January 2, 2007, two restaurants closed prior to December 5, 2006, and four restaurants scheduled by SRG to remain open at the current time. Scheduled cash payments remaining on these leases totaled $4.8 million, $0.6 million, and $0.7 million, respectively, as of December 5, 2006.
We will continue to review the situation relative to these, as well as the Tia’s, leases during our third quarter of fiscal 2007 and adjust reserves as deemed appropriate.
In July 2006, RTI, through its subsidiaries, acquired the remaining partnership interests of RT Orlando, in which we had previously owned a 50% interest. RT Orlando operated 17 Ruby Tuesday restaurants at the time of the acquisition and was scheduled to make future sub-lease payments totaling $4.8 million to various lessors as part of the sub-lease agreements with RTI. See Note E to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding this transaction.
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Subsequent to quarter end, in December 2006, RTI, through its subsidiaries, acquired the remaining partnership interests of RT South Florida, of which the Company had owned a 50% interest. RT South Florida operated 11 Ruby Tuesday restaurants as of December 5, 2006. See Note M to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding this transaction.
NOTE H – OTHER DEFERRED LIABILITIES
Other deferred liabilities at December 5, 2006 and June 6, 2006 included $27.2 million and $23.8 million, respectively, for the liability due to participants in our Deferred Compensation Plan and $18.7 million and $18.1 million, respectively, for the liability due to participants in our Executive Supplemental Pension Plan. As discussed further in Note J to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Executive Supplemental Pension Plan is an unfunded defined benefit plan. To provide a source for the payment of benefits under this and another unfunded defined benefit pension plan, the Company maintains whole-life insurance contracts on some of the participants.
NOTE I – COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (“SFAS 130”) requires the disclosure of certain revenue, expenses, gains and losses that are excluded from net income in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Total comprehensive income for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005 was $16.7 million and $17.4 million, respectively, which was the same as net income for those periods. Total comprehensive income for the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005 was $38.3 million and $39.1 million, respectively, which was also the same as net income for those periods. The only item that currently impacts RTI’s other comprehensive income is our minimum pension liability adjustment, which is typically adjusted annually.
NOTE J – PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT MEDICAL AND LIFE BENEFIT PLANS
We sponsor three defined benefit pension plans for certain active employees and offer certain postretirement benefits for retirees. A summary of each of these is presented below.
Retirement Plan
RTI, along with Morrison Fresh Cooking, Inc. (which was subsequently purchased by Piccadilly Cafeterias, Inc., “Piccadilly”) and Morrison Health Care, Inc. (which was subsequently purchased by Compass Group, PLC, “Compass”), has sponsored the Morrison Restaurants Inc. Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”). Effective December 31, 1987, the Retirement Plan was amended so that no additional benefits would accrue and no new participants may enter the Retirement Plan after that date. Participants receive benefits based upon salary and length of service. Certain responsibilities involving the administration of the Retirement Plan, until recently, have been shared by each of the three companies.
On October 29, 2003, Piccadilly announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court. Piccadilly withdrew as a sponsor of the Retirement Plan, with court approval, on March 4, 2004. See Note K to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Piccadilly bankruptcy, including the subsequent sale of Piccadilly, and its impact on our defined benefit pension plans.
Assets and obligations attributable to Morrison Health Care, Inc. participants, as well as participants, formerly with Morrison Fresh Cooking, Inc., who were allocated to Compass following the bankruptcy, were spun out of the Retirement Plan effective June 30, 2006. Following Compass’s withdrawal, RTI remained the sole sponsor of the Retirement Plan.
Executive Supplemental Pension Plan and Management Retirement Plan
Under these unfunded defined benefit pension plans, eligible employees earn supplemental retirement income based upon salary and length of service, reduced by social security benefits and amounts otherwise receivable under other specified Company retirement plans. Effective June 1, 2001, the Management Retirement Plan was amended so that no additional benefits would accrue and no new participants may enter the plan after that date. As with the Retirement Plan discussed above, Piccadilly withdrew as a sponsor of these two unfunded pension plans, with court approval, on March 4, 2004.
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The ultimate amount of Piccadilly liability that RTI will absorb relative to all three defined benefit pension plans will not be known until the completion of Piccadilly’s bankruptcy proceedings. This amount could
be higher or lower than the amounts accrued based on management’s estimate at December 5, 2006. See Note K to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Postretirement Medical and Life Benefits
Our Postretirement Medical and Life Benefits plans provide medical benefits to substantially all retired employees and life insurance benefits to certain retirees. The medical plan requires retiree cost sharing provisions that are more substantial for employees who retire after January 1, 1990.
The following tables detail the components of net periodic benefit costs and the amounts recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the Retirement Plan, Management Retirement Plan, and the Executive Supplemental Pension Plan (collectively, the “Pension Plans”) and the Postretirement Medical and Life Benefits plans (in thousands):
| Pension Benefits | |
| Thirteen weeks ended | | Twenty-six weeks ended | |
| December 5, | | November 29, | | December 5, | | November 29, | |
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Service cost | $ | 75 | | $ | 97 | | $ | 150 | | $ | 195 | |
Interest cost | | 532 | | | 513 | | | 1,064 | | | 1,026 | |
Expected return on plan assets | | (158 | ) | | (144 | ) | | (316 | ) | | (289 | ) |
Amortization of transition obligation | | – | | | 4 | | | – | | | 8 | |
Amortization of prior service cost | | 82 | | | 80 | | | 164 | | | 160 | |
Recognized actuarial loss | | 223 | | | 271 | | | 445 | | | 543 | |
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 754 | | $ | 821 | | $ | 1,507 | | $ | 1,643 | |
| | | | |
| Postretirement Medical and Life Benefits | |
| Thirteen weeks ended | | Twenty-six weeks ended | |
| December 5, | | November 29, | | December 5, | | November 29, | |
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Service cost | $ | 4 | | $ | 3 | | $ | 8 | | $ | 6 | |
Interest cost | | 29 | | | 18 | | | 58 | | | 36 | |
Amortization of prior service cost | | (4 | ) | | (4 | ) | | (8 | ) | | (8 | ) |
Recognized actuarial loss | | 29 | | | 16 | | | 58 | | | 32 | |
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 58 | | $ | 33 | | $ | 116 | | $ | 66 | |
Prior service costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits.
As disclosed in our Form 10-K for fiscal 2006, we are required to make contributions to the Retirement Plan in fiscal 2007. We made contributions in the amount of $0.9 million to the Retirement Plan during the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006. We expect to make contributions of $1.3 million for the remainder of fiscal 2007.
We also sponsor two defined contribution retirement savings plans. Information regarding these plans is included in RTI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 6, 2006.
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NOTE K – GUARANTEES
At December 5, 2006, we had certain third party guarantees, which primarily arose in connection with our franchising and divestiture activities. The majority of these guarantees expire at various dates ending in fiscal 2014. Generally, we are required to perform under these guarantees in the event that a third party fails to make contractual payments or, in the case of franchise partnership debt guarantees, achieve certain performance measures.
Franchise Partnership Guarantees
As part of the franchise partnership program, we have negotiated with various lenders a $48 million credit facility to assist the franchise partnerships with working capital needs and cash flows for operations (the “Franchise Facility”). As sponsor of the Franchise Facility, we serve as partial guarantor of the draws made by the franchise partnerships on the Franchise Facility. The Franchise Facility allows for 12 month individual franchise partnership loan commitments. If desired, RTI can increase the amount of the Franchise Facility by up to $25 million (to a total of $73 million) or reduce the amount of the Franchise Facility. On September 8, 2006, we entered into an amendment of the Franchise Facility which extended the term for an additional five years to October 5, 2011.
Prior to July 1, 2004, RTI also had an arrangement with a third party lender whereby we could choose, in our sole discretion, to partially guarantee specific loans for new franchisee restaurant development (the “Cancelled Facility”). Should payments be required under the Cancelled Facility, RTI has certain rights to acquire the operating restaurants after the third party debt is paid. On July 1, 2004, RTI terminated the Cancelled Facility and notified this third party lender that it would no longer enter into additional guarantee arrangements. RTI will honor the partial guarantees of the three loans to franchise partnerships that were in existence as of the termination of the Cancelled Facility.
Also in July 2004, RTI entered into a new program, similar to the Cancelled Facility, with a different third party lender (the “Franchise Development Facility”). Under the Franchise Development Facility, the Company’s potential guarantee liability is reduced, and the program includes better terms and lower rates for the franchise partnerships as compared to the Cancelled Facility.
Under the Franchise Development Facility, qualifying franchise partnerships may collectively borrow up to $20 million for new restaurant development. The Company will partially guarantee amounts borrowed under the Franchise Development Facility. The Franchise Development Facility has a three-year term that will expire on July 1, 2007, although any guarantees outstanding at that time will survive the expiration of the arrangement. Should payments be required under the Franchise Development Facility, RTI has rights to acquire the operating restaurants at fair market value after the third party debt is paid.
As of December 5, 2006, the amounts guaranteed under the Franchise Facility, the Cancelled Facility and the Franchise Development Facility were $30.1 million, $1.0 million and $6.8 million, respectively. The guarantees associated with the Franchise Development Facility are collateralized by a $6.8 million letter of credit. As of June 6, 2006, the amounts guaranteed under the Franchise Facility, the Cancelled Facility and the Franchise Development Facility were $35.4 million, $1.0 million and $6.8 million, respectively. Unless extended, guarantees under these programs will expire at various dates from December 2006 through June 2013. To our knowledge, all of the franchise partnerships are current in the payment of their obligations due under these credit facilities. We have recorded liabilities totaling $0.8 million and $0.7 million as of December 5, 2006 and June 6, 2006, respectively, related to these guarantees. This amount was determined based on amounts to be received from the franchise partnerships as consideration for the guarantees. We believe these amounts approximate the fair value of the guarantees.
Divestiture Guarantees
During fiscal 1996, our shareholders approved the distribution (the “Distribution”) of our family dining restaurant business, then called Morrison Fresh Cooking, Inc. (“MFC”), and our health care food and nutrition services business, then called Morrison Health Care, Inc. (“MHC”). Subsequently, Piccadilly acquired MFC and Compass acquired MHC. Prior to the Distribution, we entered into various guarantee agreements with both MFC and MHC, most of which have expired. We do remain contingently liable for (1) payments to MFC and MHC employees retiring under (a) MFC’s and MHC’s versions of the Management Retirement Plan and the Executive Supplemental Pension Plan (the two non-qualified defined benefit plans) for the accrued benefits earned by those participants as of March 1996, and (b) funding
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obligations under the Retirement Plan maintained by MFC and MHC following the Distribution (the qualified plan), and (2) payments due on certain workers’ compensation claims. As payments are required under these guarantees, RTI is to divide the amounts due equally with the other remaining entity.
On October 29, 2003, Piccadilly announced that it had signed an agreement to sell substantially all of its assets, including its restaurant operations, to a third party for $54 million. On the same day, Piccadilly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
In December 2003, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the bid procedures and the form of purchase agreement and setting a hearing for February 13, 2004 to consider approval of a sale of substantially all of Piccadilly’s assets. Because qualified bids for Piccadilly’s assets were received from more than one bidder, an auction was conducted on February 11, 2004. The auction resulted in an agreement to sell Piccadilly’s assets and ongoing business operations to a different third party for $80 million. The increased sales price would, according to Piccadilly, allow Piccadilly to fully retire both its outstanding bank debt and its senior notes and result in some amount being available for pro rata distribution to the unsecured creditors of Piccadilly. No distribution to common shareholders, however, was expected to be available. This transaction was completed on March 16, 2004.
In addition, on March 4, 2004, Piccadilly withdrew as a sponsor of the Retirement Plan with the approval of the bankruptcy court. Because RTI and MHC were, at the time, the remaining sponsors of the Retirement Plan, they are jointly and severally required to make contributions to the Retirement Plan, or any successor plan, in such amounts as are necessary to satisfy all benefit obligations under the Retirement Plan.
On March 10, 2004, we filed a claim against Piccadilly in the bankruptcy proceeding in the amount of approximately $6.2 million. Subsequently, the Company entered into a settlement agreement under which we agreed to accept a $5.0 million unsecured claim in exchange for the creditors’ committee agreement to allow such a claim. This settlement agreement was approved by the bankruptcy court on October 21, 2004.
During fiscal 2004, we recorded a liability of $4.2 million for the retirement plans’ collective divestiture guarantees for which MFC was originally responsible under the divestiture guarantee agreements, comprised of $1.8 million related to the Retirement Plan (the qualified plan) and $2.4 million (in the aggregate) attributable to the Management Retirement Plan and the Executive Supplemental Pension Plan previously maintained by MFC (the two non-qualified plans). These amounts were determined in consultation with the plans’ actuary and assumed no recovery from the bankruptcy proceeding. As of December 5, 2006, we have received two partial settlements of the Piccadilly bankruptcy, $1.0 million in December 2004 and $0.3 million in December 2005. In December 2006, subsequent to quarter end, we received an additional partial settlement of $0.3 million. The Company hopes to recover further amounts upon final settlement of the bankruptcy. The actual amount we may be ultimately required to pay towards the divestiture guarantees could be lower if there is any further recovery in the bankruptcy proceeding, or could be higher if more valid participants are identified or if actuarial assumptions are proven inaccurate.
Also since fiscal 2004, we have made payments to the Retirement Plan trust on behalf of employees of MFC. Because we have integrated the Piccadilly census data into our own, we no longer track the liability for MFC Retirement Plan benefits separately from the liability due RTI participants.
As noted above, we are, along with MHC, now liable for certain workers’ compensation claims (estimated to be $0.1 million). Additionally, we may be, along with MHC, subject to claims, although no such claims have been made and we believe it unlikely that we would be liable should such claims be made, for payments due to certain pre-Distribution lessors of MFC. The actual amount of these and the other contingent liabilities, and any loss to be recorded by RTI, will depend on several factors including, without limitation, the current status of MFC’s pre-Distribution leased properties, the current employment and benefit status of MFC’s pre-Distribution employees, and whether MHC makes any contributing payments it may be required to make. Although the ultimate amount of these contingent liabilities cannot be determined at this time, we believe that such liability will not have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition or liquidity.
We estimated our divestiture guarantees related to MHC at December 5, 2006 to be $3.3 million for employee benefit plans and $0.1 million for workers’ compensation claims. In addition, we remain contingently liable for MHC’s portion (estimated to be $2.7 million) of the MFC employee benefit plan and
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workers’ compensation claims for which MHC is currently responsible under the divestiture guarantee agreements. We believe the likelihood of being required to make payments for MHC’s portion to be remote due to the size and financial strength of MHC and Compass.
As discussed further in Note G to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, RTI has contingent or direct lease liability on certain restaurant properties sold to SRG in November 2000. For the restaurant properties in which we believe we have contingent liability, we estimated our lease divestiture guarantees to be $3.0 million at December 5, 2006. All of these guarantees relate to leases for Tia’s Tex-Mex restaurants. SRG, on December 10, 2003, sold its 28 Tia’s restaurants to an unrelated entity, who filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in September 2006. We have recorded a liability of $0.9 million based on claims made to date.
Subsequent to quarter end, we learned that SRG closed 20 restaurants on January 2, 2007. We believe that 14 of these restaurants are located on properties sub-leased from RTI. See Note G to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more discussion of this issue including information regarding RTI's exposure to loss from the SRG store closings.
NOTE L – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) on EITF Issue No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation) (“EITF 06-3”). A consensus was reached that entities may adopt a policy of presenting sales taxes in the income statement on either a gross or net basis. If taxes are significant, an entity should disclose its policy of presenting taxes and the amounts of taxes. This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2006 (fiscal year 2008 for RTI). The Company presents sales taxes collected from customers on a net basis. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF 06-3 to impact our method for presenting sales taxes in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with Statement 109 and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.
FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 (fiscal year 2008 for RTI), with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 (fiscal year 2009 for RTI), and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 158, Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132R (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires an entity to recognize in its statement of financial condition the funded status of its defined benefit postretirement plans, measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the benefit obligation. SFAS 158 also requires an entity to recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan within accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, to the extent such changes are not recognized in earnings as components of periodic net benefit cost. SFAS 158 is effective as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006 (RTI’s current fiscal year).
Since we measure our plan assets and obligations on an annual basis, we will not be able to determine the impact the adoption of SFAS 158 will have on our consolidated financial statements until the end of the current fiscal year when such valuation is completed. However, based on valuations performed in fiscal year 2006, had we been required to adopt the provisions of SFAS 158 as of June 6, 2006, our defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plan would have been $29.5 million and $2.0 million underfunded,
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respectively. To recognize our underfunded positions and to appropriately record our unrecognized net actuarial loss and prior service costs as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, we would have been required to decrease our stockholders’ equity by $19.0 million, on an after-tax basis.
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”), which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006 (RTI’s current fiscal year). We do not believe SAB 108 will have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTE M – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On December 6, 2006, RTI acquired the remaining 50% partnership interests of RT South Florida for $1.7 million plus assumed debt, bringing the Company’s equity interest in the franchise to 100%. At the time of the acquisition, RT South Florida operated 11 Ruby Tuesday restaurants and had debt and capital leases totaling $7.5 million, none of which were payable to RTI.
See Note D to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the advance collection of a $6.2 million franchise note receivable.
In January 2007, we learned that SRG, a company that purchased 69 American Café and Tia’s Tex-Mex restaurants from us in fiscal 2001, had closed 20 restaurants, 14 of which were sub-leased from RTI. See Notes G and K to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of this issue including information regarding RTI’s potential exposure to loss from the SRG store closings.
On January 9, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on February 8, 2007, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 25, 2007. On that same date, the Board of Directors also authorized the repurchase of an additional 5.0 million shares of RTI common stock, bringing the total available for repurchase to 10.2 million shares as of January 9, 2007.
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ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General:
Ruby Tuesday, Inc., including its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“RTI”, the “Company,” “we” and/or “our”), owns and operates Ruby Tuesday® casual dining restaurants. We also franchise the Ruby Tuesday concept in selected domestic and international markets. As of December 5, 2006 we owned and operated 673, and franchised 253, Ruby Tuesday restaurants. Ruby Tuesday restaurants can now be found in 43 states, the District of Columbia, 14 foreign countries, and Puerto Rico.
Casual dining, the segment of the restaurant industry in which RTI operates, is intensely competitive with respect to prices, services, convenience, locations and the types and quality of food. We compete with other food service operations, including locally-owned restaurants, and other national and regional restaurant chains that offer the same or similar types of services and products as we do. Our industry is often affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional or local conditions, demographic trends, traffic patterns, and the types, numbers and locations of competing restaurants as well as overall marketing efforts. There also is significant competition in the restaurant industry for management personnel and for attractive commercial real estate sites suitable for restaurants.
A key performance goal for us is to get more out of existing assets. To measure our progress towards that goal, we focus on measurements we believe are critical to our growth and progress including, but not limited to, the following:
| • | Same-restaurant sales: a year-over-year comparison of sales volumes for restaurants that, in the current year, have been open at least 19 months in order to remove the impact of new openings in comparing the operations of existing restaurants; and |
| • | Average restaurant volumes: a per-restaurant calculated annual average sales amount, which helps us gauge the continued development of our brand. Generally speaking, growth in average restaurant volumes in excess of same-restaurant sales is an indication that newer restaurants are operating with sales levels in excess of the Company system average and conversely, when the growth in average restaurant volumes is less than that of same-restaurant sales, a general conclusion can be reached that newer restaurants are recording sales less than those of the existing system. |
Our goal is to increase same-restaurant sales on average 3-5% per year and to increase average restaurant volumes by $100,000 per year towards our long-term goal of $2.5 million in sales per restaurant per year. We also have strategies to invest wisely in new restaurants as it relates to generating both higher sales as well as higher returns and to maintain the right capital structure to create value for our shareholders. Our historical performance in these areas is discussed throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) section.
RTI generates revenue from the sale of food and beverages at our restaurants and from contractual arrangements with our franchisees. Franchise development and license fees are recognized when we have substantially performed all material services and the franchise-owned restaurant has opened for business. Franchise royalties and support service fees (each generally 4.0% of monthly sales) are recognized on the accrual basis.
Results of Operations:
The following is an overview of our results of operations for the 13 and 26-week periods ended December 5, 2006:
Net income decreased 4.1% to $16.7 million for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006 compared to $17.4 million for the same quarter of the previous year. Diluted earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended
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December 5, 2006 of $0.28 per share remained unchanged from the prior year as a result of fewer outstanding shares.
During the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006:
| • | 15 Company owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants were opened; |
| • | Seven franchise restaurants were opened and none were closed; and |
| • | Same-restaurant sales at Company-owned restaurants decreased 0.2%, while same restaurant sales at domestic franchise Ruby Tuesday restaurants increased 4.0% compared to the same quarter of the prior year. |
Net income decreased 2.0% to $38.3 million for the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006 compared to $39.1 million for the same period in fiscal 2006. Diluted earnings per share for the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006 increased 4.8% to $0.65 compared to $0.62 for the corresponding period of the prior year as a result of fewer outstanding shares.
During the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006:
| • | 49 Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants were opened or acquired, including 17 purchased from our Orlando franchisee; |
| • | Five Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants were sold or closed, including three sold or leased to our St. Louis franchisee; |
| • | Aside from the restaurants purchased from or sold to the Company, 17 franchise restaurants were opened and one was closed; |
| • | Same-restaurant sales at Company-owned restaurants decreased 0.4%, while same- restaurant sales at domestic franchise Ruby Tuesday restaurants increased 2.6% compared to the same period of the prior year; and |
| • | The Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s “Share-Based Payment” statement and began expensing our stock options. |
The following table sets forth selected restaurant operating data as a percentage of total revenue, except where otherwise noted, for the periods indicated. All information is derived from our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q.
| Thirteen weeks ended | | Twenty-six weeks ended |
| December 5, | | November 29, | | December 5, | | November 29, |
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restaurant sales and operating revenue | 99 | .0% | | 98 | .8% | | 98 | .9% | | 98 | .8% |
Franchise revenue | 1 | .0 | | 1 | .2 | | 1 | .1 | | 1 | .2 |
Total revenue | 100 | .0 | | 100 | .0 | | 100 | .0 | | 100 | .0 |
Operating costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of merchandise (1) | 27 | .4 | | 27 | .0 | | 27 | .1 | | 26 | .9 |
Payroll and related costs (1) | 31 | .3 | | 31 | .9 | | 31 | .1 | | 31 | .7 |
Other restaurant operating costs (1) | 18 | .3 | | 18 | .3 | | 18 | .3 | | 17 | .9 |
Depreciation and amortization (1) | 5 | .7 | | 5 | .9 | | 5 | .6 | | 5 | .8 |
Selling, general and administrative, net | 9 | .2 | | 8 | .0 | | 8 | .9 | | 8 | .2 |
Equity in losses of unconsolidated | | | | | | | | | | | |
franchises | 0 | .2 | | 0 | .3 | | 0 | .1 | | 0 | .1 |
Interest expense, net | 1 | .4 | | 0 | .9 | | 1 | .3 | | 0 | .8 |
Income before income taxes | 7 | .4 | | 8 | .7 | | 8 | .5 | | 9 | .7 |
Provision for income taxes | 2 | .4 | | 2 | .8 | | 2 | .8 | | 3 | .2 |
Net income | 5 | .0% | | 5 | .9% | | 5 | .7% | | 6 | .5% |
| (1) | As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue. |
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The following table shows Company-owned and franchised restaurant openings and closings for the 13 and 26 week periods ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005.
| Thirteen weeks ended | | Twenty-six weeks ended |
| December 5, 2006 | | November 29, 2005 | | December 5, 2006 | | November 29, 2005 |
Company–owned: | | | | | | | |
Beginning number | 658 | | 590 | | 629 | | 579 |
Opened | 15 | | 19 | | 32 | | 35 |
Acquired from franchisees | – | | – | | 17 | | – |
Sold or leased to franchisees | – | | – | | (3) | | – |
Closed | – | | – | | (2) | | (5) |
Ending number | 673 | | 609 | | 673 | | 609 |
| | | | | | | |
Franchise: | | | | | | | |
Beginning number | 246 | | 233 | | 251 | | 226 |
Opened | 7 | | 9 | | 17 | | 18 |
Acquired or leased from RTI | – | | – | | 3 | | – |
Sold to RTI | – | | – | | (17) | | – |
Closed | – | | (2) | | (1) | | (4) |
Ending number | 253* | | 240 | | 253* | | 240 |
* Includes 11 restaurants operated by RTI’s South Florida franchisee, which were sold to RTI in December 2006.
We estimate that approximately 13 to 18 additional Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants will be opened during the remainder of fiscal 2007.
We expect our domestic and international franchisees to open approximately 8 to 13 additional Ruby Tuesday restaurants during the remainder of fiscal 2007.
Revenue
RTI’s restaurant sales and operating revenue for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006 increased 14.3% to $333.3 million compared to the same period of the prior year. This increase primarily resulted from a net addition of 64 restaurants over the prior year, offset by a 0.2% decrease in same-restaurant sales.
Franchise revenue for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006 increased 2.1% to $3.5 million compared to the same period of the prior year. Franchise revenue is predominately comprised of domestic and international royalties, which totaled $3.3 million and $3.2 million for the 13-week periods ended December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005, respectively. This increase results from growth in the domestic and international franchise markets, offset by the acquisition of RT Orlando Franchise, LP (“RT Orlando”) in July 2006, which owned 17 restaurants at the time of acquisition. Same-restaurant sales for domestic franchise Ruby Tuesday restaurants increased 4.0% in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.
For the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006, sales at Company-owned restaurants increased 12.1% to $668.1 million compared to the same period of the prior year. This increase primarily resulted from that same net addition of 64 restaurants, offset by a 0.4% decrease in same-restaurant sales for the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006.
For the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006, franchise revenues increased 0.5% to $7.4 million compared to $7.3 million for the same period in the prior year. Domestic and international royalties totaled $6.8 million for each of the 26-week periods ending December 5, 2006 and November 29, 2005 as increased royalties from domestic and international franchisees were offset, in part, by the acquisition of RT Orlando, as previously discussed.
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Average restaurant volumes at Company-owned restaurants, calculated on a rolling 12 period basis, increased 2.3% to $2.10 million as of December 5, 2006.
Pre-tax Income
Pre-tax income decreased by 3.1% to $25.0 million for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006, from the corresponding period of the prior year. This decrease is primarily due to an increase in stock expense pursuant to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004) “Share-Based Payments” (“SFAS 123(R)”), which is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses, net, as well as higher interest expense due to the Company’s increased share repurchase in the prior fiscal year coupled with a decrease of 0.2% in same-restaurant sales at Company-owned restaurants and an increase, as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, of cost of merchandise. These higher costs were offset by the increase in the number of restaurants and lower, as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, payroll and related costs and depreciation and amortization.
For the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006, pre-tax income was $57.1 million, a 2.2% decrease from the corresponding period of the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the adoption of SFAS 123(R), which is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses, net, as well as higher interest expense due to the Company’s increased share repurchase in the prior fiscal year and a year-to-date same-restaurant sale decrease of 0.4%. In addition, the decrease in pre-tax income was due to increases, as a percentage of Company restaurant sales and operating revenue, of cost of merchandise, other restaurant operating costs, offset by increases in restaurant growth and a reduction, as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, of payroll and related costs and depreciation and amortization.
In the paragraphs which follow, we discuss in more detail the components of the decrease in pre-tax income for the 13 and 26-week periods ended December 5, 2006, as compared to the comparable periods in the prior year.
Cost of Merchandise
Cost of merchandise increased 16.0% to $91.4 million for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006, over the corresponding period of the prior year. As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, cost of merchandise increased from 27.0% to 27.4% for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006.
For the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006, cost of merchandise increased 12.9% to $181.0 million over the corresponding period of the prior year. As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, cost of merchandise increased from 26.9% to 27.1% for the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006.
The increase for both the 13 and 26-week periods as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue is primarily due to increased food and beverage costs as a result of burger and other product enhancements.
Payroll and Related Costs
Payroll and related costs increased 12.2% to $104.3 million for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, payroll and related costs decreased from 31.9% to 31.3%.
For the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006, payroll and related costs increased 10.2% to $207.9 million, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, payroll and related costs decreased from 31.7% to 31.1%.
The decreased percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue for both the 13 and 26-week periods is primarily due to lower management labor attributable to reduced turnover and leverage from higher average restaurant volumes, labor cost efficiencies resulting from the rollout of a Kitchen Display System (“KDS”) and a decrease in health benefit costs due to favorable claims experience. These decreases were partially offset by higher hourly labor due to the addition of line cooks, increased front of house staffing intended to enhance the dining experience of our guests, and minimum wage increases in a few states.
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Other Restaurant Operating Costs
Other restaurant operating costs increased 14.2% to $61.0 million for the 13-week period ended December 5, 2006, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, costs of 18.3% remained unchanged from the prior year. Increases for the 13-week period were primarily due to write-offs of supplies resulting from upgrades in plateware and an increase in dead site costs associated with a strategic decision to remove from our development schedule certain restaurants. These increases were offset primarily by the gain realized upon settlement of the Hurricane Katrina claim as discussed further in Note D of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and decreased bad debt expense, based on current analysis.
For the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006, other restaurant operating costs increased 14.6% to $122.2 million as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, these costs increased from 17.9% to 18.3%. The increase is due to the increased expenses mentioned above, coupled with higher utility costs and higher repairs and maintenance costs due to our commitment to bring equipment up to specification for rollout of a fresh proteins program. These increases were offset by the decreased expenses mentioned above, coupled with an increased gain on disposal of fixed assets, which resulted from the sale of three properties in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased 10.2% to $19.0 million for the 13-week period ended December 5, 2006, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, these expenses decreased from 5.9% to 5.7%.
For the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006, depreciation and amortization expense increased 8.6% to $37.4 million as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, these expenses decreased from 5.8% to 5.6%.
The decrease for both the 13 and 26-week periods as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue is primarily due to reduced depreciation on older leased restaurants and information technology, as associated assets have become fully depreciated.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Net
Selling, general and administrative expenses, net of support service fee income totaling $3.1 million, increased 31.4% to $30.9 million for the 13-week period ended December 5, 2006, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. As a percentage of total operating revenue, these expenses increased from 8.0% to 9.2%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses, net of support service fee income totaling $6.2 million, increased 22.0% to $60.3 million for the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. As a percentage of total operating revenue, these expenses increased from 8.2% to 8.9%.
The increase for both the 13 and 26-week periods is primarily due to an increase in stock option expense as a result of the adoption of SFAS 123(R), which requires us to recognize the grant-date fair value of options and other equity-based compensation over the applicable term, and higher advertising expense, primarily due to increased spending for cable television commercials. Offsetting this was a decrease in accrued bonus expense due to a shift in compensation strategy and a reduction in training payroll resulting from lower management turnover and increased efficiencies created by KDS and other management tools.
Equity in Losses of Unconsolidated Franchises
Our equity in the losses of unconsolidated franchises was $0.7 million for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006, which is $0.1 million less than the corresponding period of the prior year.
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Our equity in losses of unconsolidated franchises was $0.6 million for the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006, which is also $0.1 million less than the corresponding period of the prior year.
The decrease for both the 13 and 26-week periods is primarily due to an increase in earnings from investments in certain franchise partnerships, offset by the acquisition of RT Orlando on July 12, 2006. As of December 5, 2006, we held 50% equity investments in each of ten franchise partnerships which collectively operate 110 Ruby Tuesday restaurants. As of November 29, 2005, we held 50% equity investments in each of 11 franchise partnerships, which then collectively operated 116 Ruby Tuesday restaurants.
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense increased $2.0 million for the 13 weeks ended December 5, 2006, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to higher average debt outstanding resulting from the Company acquiring 7.8 million shares of its common stock during fiscal 2006 under our ongoing share repurchase program. Net interest expense increased $4.3 million for the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily for the same reasons mentioned above. See “Borrowings and Credit Facilities” for more information.
Provision for Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the current quarter was 33.0%, up from 32.3% for the same period of the prior year. The effective tax rate was also 33.0% for the 26-week period ended December 5, 2006 compared to 33.1% for the corresponding period of the prior year. The effective income tax rate for the 13-week period increased primarily as a result of lower credits. The effective tax rate for the 26-week period decreased slightly as compared to the prior year primarily as a result of favorable developments on certain exposure items offset by lower credits.
Critical Accounting Policies:
Our MD&A is based upon our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make subjective or complex judgments that may affect the reported financial condition and results of operations. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable in the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We continually evaluate the information used to make these estimates as our business and the economic environment changes.
We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Share-based Employee Compensation
Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we account for share-based compensation in accordance with SFAS 123(R). As required by SFAS 123(R), share-based compensation expense is estimated for equity awards at fair value at the grant date. We determine the fair value of equity awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires various highly judgmental assumptions including the expected dividend yield, stock price volatility and life of the award. If any of the assumptions used in the model change significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period. See Note C to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of share-based employee compensation.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Each quarter we evaluate the carrying value of any individual restaurant when the cash flows of such restaurant have deteriorated and we believe the probability of continued operating and cash flow losses
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indicate that the net book value of the restaurant may not be recoverable. In performing the review for recoverability, we consider the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the restaurant and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying value of the restaurant, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the net book value of the asset exceeds its fair value. Otherwise, an impairment loss is not recognized. Fair value is based upon estimated discounted future cash flows expected to be generated from continuing use through the expected disposal date and the expected salvage value. In the instance of a potential sale of a restaurant in a refranchising transaction, the expected purchase price is used as the estimate of fair value.
Restaurants open for less than five quarters are considered new and are excluded from our impairment review. We believe this approach provides sufficient time to establish the presence of the restaurant in the market and build a customer base. Approximately 11% of our restaurants have been open for less than five quarters and have not been evaluated for potential impairment.
If a restaurant that has been open for at least five quarters shows negative cash flow results, we prepare a plan to reverse the negative performance. Under our policies, recurring or projected annual negative cash flow signals a potential impairment. Both qualitative and quantitative information are considered when evaluating for potential impairments.
At December 5, 2006, we had seven restaurants that had been open more than five quarters with rolling 12 month negative cash flows. Of these seven restaurants, three had previously been impaired to salvage value. We reviewed the plans to improve cash flows at each of the other four restaurants and concluded that no impairment existed as of December 5, 2006. The combined 12-month cash flow loss at these four restaurants for which no impairment had previously been recognized, was approximately $0.1 million. Should sales at these restaurants not improve within a reasonable period of time, further impairment charges are possible. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate future cash flows, including cash flows from continuing use, terminal value, closure costs, salvage value, and sublease income. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from our estimates.
Allowance for Doubtful Notes and Interest Income
We follow a systematic methodology each quarter in our analysis of franchise and other notes receivable in order to estimate losses inherent at the balance sheet date. A detailed analysis of our loan portfolio involves reviewing the following for each significant borrower:
| • | terms (including interest rate, original note date, payoff date, and principal and interest start dates); |
| • | note amounts (including the original balance, current balance, associated debt guarantees, and total exposure); and |
| • | other relevant information including whether the borrower is making timely interest, principal, royalty and support payments, the borrower’s debt coverage ratios, the borrower’s current financial condition and sales trends, the borrower’s additional borrowing capacity, and, as appropriate, management’s judgment on the quality of the borrower’s operations. |
Based on the results of this analysis, the allowance for doubtful notes is adjusted as appropriate. No portion of the allowance for doubtful notes is allocated to guarantees. In the event that collection is deemed to be an issue, a number of actions to resolve the issue are possible, including the purchase of the franchised restaurants by us or a replacement franchisee, modification to the terms of payment of franchise fees or note obligations, or a restructuring of the borrower’s debt to better position the borrower to fulfill its obligations.
At December 5, 2006, the allowance for doubtful notes was $5.1 million. Included in the allowance for doubtful notes was $4.0 million allocated to the $15.8 million of debt due from seven franchisees that have either reported coverage ratios below the required levels with certain of their third party debt, or reported ratios above the required levels, but for an insufficient amount of time. With the exception of amounts borrowed under the $48 million credit facility for franchise partnerships (see Note K to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information), the third party debt referred to above is not guaranteed by RTI. The Company believes that payments are being made by these franchisees in accordance with the terms of these debts.
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We recognize interest income on notes receivable when earned, which sometimes precedes collection. A number of our franchise notes have, since the inception of these notes, allowed for the deferral of interest during the first one to three years. With one exception and in accordance with the terms of the note, all franchisees that issued outstanding notes to us are currently paying interest on these notes. It is our policy to cease accruing interest income and recognize interest on a cash basis when we determine that the collection of interest is doubtful. The same analysis noted above for doubtful notes is utilized in determining whether to cease recognizing interest income and thereafter record interest payments on the cash basis.
Lease Obligations
The Company leases a significant number of its restaurant properties. At the inception of the lease, each property is evaluated to determine whether the lease will be accounted for as an operating or capital lease. The term used for this evaluation includes renewal option periods only in instances in which the exercise of the renewal option can be reasonably assured and failure to exercise such option would result in an economic penalty.
Our lease term used for straight-line rent expense is calculated from the date we take possession of the leased premises through the lease termination date. There is potential for variability in our “rent holiday” period which begins on the possession date and ends on the earlier of the restaurant open date or the commencement of rent payments. Factors that may affect the length of the rent holiday period generally relate to construction-related delays. Extension of the rent holiday period due to delays in restaurant opening will result in greater preopening rent expense recognized during the rent holiday period.
For leases that contain rent escalations, we record the total rent payable during the lease term, as determined above, on the straight-line basis over the term of the lease (including the “rent holiday” period beginning upon possession of the premises), and we record the difference between the minimum rents paid and the straight-line rent as deferred escalating minimum rent.
Certain leases contain provisions that require additional rental payments, called "contingent rents", when the associated restaurants' sales volumes exceed agreed upon levels. We recognize contingent rental expense (in annual as well as interim periods) prior to the achievement of the specified target that triggers the contingent rental expense, provided that achievement of that target is considered probable.
Estimated Liability for Self-insurance
We self-insure a portion of our current and past losses from workers’ compensation and general liability claims. We have stop loss insurance for individual claims for workers’ compensation and general liability in excess of stated loss amounts. Insurance liabilities are recorded based on third party actuarial estimates of the ultimate incurred losses, net of payments made. The estimates themselves are based on standard actuarial techniques that incorporate both the historical loss experience of the Company and supplemental information as appropriate.
The analysis performed in calculating the estimated liability is subject to various assumptions including, but not limited to, (a) the quality of historical loss and exposure information, (b) the reliability of historical loss experience to serve as a predictor of future experience, (c) the reasonableness of insurance trend factors and governmental indices as applied to the Company, and (d) projected payrolls and revenue. As claims develop, the actual ultimate losses may differ from actuarial estimates. Therefore, an analysis is performed quarterly to determine if modifications to the accrual are required.
Income Tax Valuation Allowances and Tax Accruals
We record deferred tax assets for various items. As of December 5, 2006, we have concluded that it is more likely than not that the future tax deductions attributable to our deferred tax assets will be realized and therefore no valuation allowance has been recorded.
As a matter of course, we are regularly audited by federal and state tax authorities. We record appropriate accruals for potential exposures should a taxing authority take a position on a matter contrary to our position. We evaluate these accruals, including interest thereon, on a quarterly basis to ensure that they have been appropriately adjusted for events that may impact our ultimate tax liability.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources:
We require capital principally for new restaurant construction, investments in technology, equipment, remodeling of existing restaurants, and on occasion for acquisition of franchisees. We also require capital to pay dividends to our common stockholders and to repurchase shares of our common stock. Historically our primary sources of cash have been operating activities, proceeds from refranchising transactions, and the issuance of stock. We have used and can continue to use our borrowing and credit facilities to meet our capital needs, if necessary.
Our working capital deficiency and current ratio as of December 5, 2006 were $31.0 million and 0.7:1, respectively. As is common in the restaurant industry, we carry current liabilities in excess of current assets because cash (a current asset) generated from operating activities is reinvested in capital expenditures (a long-term asset) and receivable and inventory levels are generally not significant.
Capital Expenditures
Property and equipment expenditures for the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006 were $69.4 million which was $3.0 million less than cash provided by operating activities for the same period. Capital expenditures for the remainder of fiscal 2007, primarily relating to new restaurant development, ongoing refurbishment and capital replacement for existing restaurants, and the enhancement of information systems are projected to be approximately $75.0 to $85.0 million, which is $40.0 to $50.0 million less than projected cash provided by operating activities for the same period. To the extent capital expenditures have exceeded cash flow from operating activities, we have historically relied on cash provided by financing activities to fund our capital expenditures. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information.”
Pension Plan Funded Status
RTI is a sponsor of the Morrison Restaurants Inc. Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”), formerly along with the two companies that were “spun-off” as a result of the fiscal 1996 “spin-off” transaction: Morrison Fresh Cooking, Inc. (“MFC”) (subsequently acquired by Piccadilly Cafeterias, Inc., or “Piccadilly”) and Morrison Health Care, Inc. (“MHC”) (subsequently acquired by Compass Group, PLC, or “Compass”). The Retirement Plan was established to provide retirement benefits to qualifying employees of Morrison Restaurants Inc. Under the Retirement Plan, participants are entitled to receive benefits based upon salary and length of service. The Retirement Plan was amended as of December 31, 1987, so that no additional benefits will accrue and no new participants will enter the Retirement Plan after that date.
As discussed in more detail in Note K to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Piccadilly announced on October 29, 2003 that it had filed for Chapter 11 protection under the United States Bankruptcy Code. On March 4, 2004, with bankruptcy court approval, Piccadilly withdrew as a sponsor of the Retirement Plan. On March 16, 2004, Piccadilly’s assets and ongoing business operations were sold to a third party for $80 million.
On March 10, 2004, RTI filed a claim against Piccadilly as part of the bankruptcy proceedings in the amount of approximately $6.2 million. Subsequently, the Company entered into a settlement agreement under which RTI agreed to accept a $5.0 million unsecured claim in exchange for the creditors’ committee agreement to allow such claims. The settlement was approved by the court on October 21, 2004.
In partial settlement of the Piccadilly bankruptcy, RTI received $1.0 million in December 2004 and $0.3 million in December 2005. In December 2006, subsequent to quarter end, we received an additional partial settlement of $0.3 million. The Company hopes to recover a further amount upon final settlement of the bankruptcy. No further recovery has been recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Assets and obligations attributable to MHC participants, as well as participants, formerly with MFC, who were allocated to Compass following Piccadilly’s bankruptcy, were spun out of the Retirement Plan effective June 30, 2006. Following Compass’s withdrawal, RTI remained the sole sponsor of the Retirement Plan.
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For the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006, we made contributions to the Retirement Plan totaling $0.9 million. We expect to make contributions for the remainder of fiscal 2007 totaling $1.3 million.
Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
Long-term financial obligations were as follows as of December 5, 2006 (in thousands):
| Payments Due By Period |
| | | Less than | | 1-3 | | 3-5 | | More than 5 |
| Total | | 1 year | | years | | years | | years |
Notes payable and other long-term debt, including | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
current maturities (a) | $ | 16,699 | | $ | 1,863 | | $ | 3,457 | | $ | 3,521 | | $ | 7,858 |
Revolving credit facility (a) | | 192,800 | | | – | | | 192,800 | | | – | | | – |
Unsecured senior notes (Series A and B) (a) | | 150,000 | | | – | | | – | | | 85,000 | | | 65,000 |
Interest (b) | | 45,087 | | | 8,608 | | | 16,842 | | | 10,451 | | | 9,186 |
Operating leases (c) | | 369,988 | | | 42,621 | | | 77,879 | | | 57,620 | | | 191,868 |
Purchase obligations (d) | | 182,142 | | | 104,297 | | | 39,081 | | | 38,764 | | | – |
Pension obligations (e) | | 29,887 | | | 3,403 | | | 6,845 | | | 7,848 | | | 11,791 |
Total | $ | 986,603 | | $ | 160,792 | | $ | 336,904 | | $ | 203,204 | | $ | 285,703 |
(a) | See Note F to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. |
(b) | Amounts represent contractual interest payments on our fixed-rate debt instruments. Interest payments on our variable-rate revolving credit facility and variable-rate notes payable with balances of $192.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively, as of December 5, 2006 have been excluded from the amounts shown above, primarily because the balance outstanding under our revolving credit facility, described further in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, fluctuates daily. |
(c) | This amount includes operating leases totaling $35.8 million for which sublease income from franchisees or others is expected. See Note G to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. |
(d) | The amounts for purchase obligations include commitments for food items and supplies, construction projects, and other miscellaneous commitments. |
(e) | See Note J to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. |
Commercial Commitments (in thousands):
| Payments Due By Period |
| | | Less than | | 1-3 | | 3-5 | | More than 5 |
| Total | | 1 year | | years | | years | | years |
Letters of credit (a) | $ | 20,078 | | $ | 20,043 | | $ | 35 | | $ | – | | $ | – |
Franchise loan guarantees (a) | | 31,084 | | | 30,152 | | | 167 | | | 113 | | | 652 |
Divestiture guarantees | | 9,318 | | | 194 | | | 416 | | | 438 | | | 8,270 |
Total | $ | 60,480 | | $ | 50,389 | | $ | 618 | | $ | 551 | | $ | 8,922 |
(a) | Includes a $6.8 million letter of credit which secures franchisees’ borrowings for construction of restaurants being financed under a franchise loan facility. The franchise loan guarantee of $31.1 million also shown in the table excludes the guarantee of $6.8 million for construction to date on the restaurants being financed under the facility. |
See Note K to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Borrowings and Credit Facilities
On November 19, 2004, RTI entered into a $200.0 million five-year revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”), which includes a $20.0 million swingline sub-commitment and a $40.0 million sub-limit
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for letters of credit. The Credit Facility, which was increased by $100.0 million on November 7, 2005 to $300.0 million, is scheduled to mature on November 19, 2009.
At December 5, 2006, we had borrowings of $192.8 million outstanding under the Credit Facility with an associated floating rate of 6.32%. After consideration of letters of credit outstanding, the Company had $87.2 million available under the Credit Facility as of December 5, 2006. At June 6, 2006, we had borrowings of $212.8 million outstanding under the Credit Facility with an associated floating rate of 6.02%.
During fiscal 2003, we concluded the private sale of $150.0 million of non-collateralized senior notes (the “Private Placement”). The Private Placement consisted of $85.0 million with a fixed interest rate of 4.69% (the “Series A Notes”) and $65.0 million with a fixed interest rate of 5.42% (the “Series B Notes”). The Series A Notes and Series B Notes mature on April 1, 2010 and April 1, 2013, respectively.
During the remainder of fiscal 2007, we expect to fund operations, capital expansion, any repurchase of common stock or franchise partnership equity, and the payment of dividends from operating cash flows, our Credit Facility, and operating leases. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” below.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
See Note K to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our franchise partnership and divestiture guarantees.
Our potential liability for severance payments with regard to our employment agreement with Samuel E. Beall, III, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, has not materially changed from the amount disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 6, 2006. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 6, 2006 for a description of these potential severance payments.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) on EITF Issue No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation) (“EITF 06-3”). A consensus was reached that entities may adopt a policy of presenting sales taxes in the income statement on either a gross or net basis. If taxes are significant, an entity should disclose its policy of presenting taxes and the amounts of taxes. This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2006 (fiscal year 2008 for RTI). The Company presents sales taxes collected from customers on a net basis. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF 06-3 to impact our method for presenting sales taxes in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with Statement 109 and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.
FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 (fiscal 2008 for RTI), with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 (fiscal year 2009 for RTI), and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement.
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In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 158, Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132R (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires an entity to recognize in its statement of financial condition the funded status of its defined benefit postretirement plans, measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the benefit obligation. SFAS 158 also requires an entity to recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan within accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, to the extent such changes are not recognized in earnings as components of periodic net benefit cost. SFAS 158 is effective as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006 (RTI’s current fiscal year).
Since we measure our plan assets and obligations on an annual basis, we will not be able to determine the impact the adoption of SFAS 158 will have on our consolidated financial statements until the end of the current fiscal year when such valuation is completed. However, based on valuations performed in fiscal 2006, had we been required to adopt the provisions of SFAS 158 as of June 6, 2006, our defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plan would have been $29.5 million and $2.0 million underfunded, respectively. To recognize our underfunded positions and to appropriately record our unrecognized net actuarial loss and prior service costs as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, we would have been required to decrease our stockholders’ equity by $19.0 million, on an after-tax basis.
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”), which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006 (RTI’s current fiscal year). We do not believe SAB 108 will have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Known Events, Uncertainties and Trends:
Financial Strategy and Stock Repurchase Plan
Our financial strategy is to utilize a prudent amount of debt, including operating leases, letters of credit, and any guarantees, to minimize the weighted average cost of capital while allowing financial flexibility and maintaining the equivalent of an investment-grade bond rating. This strategy periodically allows us to repurchase RTI common stock. During the 26 weeks ended December 5, 2006, we repurchased 523 shares of RTI common stock. The total number of remaining shares authorized to be repurchased, as of December 5, 2006, is approximately 5.2 million. On January 9, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 5.0 million shares of RTI common stock, bringing the total available for repurchase to 10.2 million shares as of January 9, 2007. To the extent not funded with cash from operating activities and proceeds from stock option exercises, additional repurchases, if any, may be funded by borrowings on the Credit Facility.
Dividends
During fiscal 1997, our Board of Directors approved a dividend policy as an additional means of returning capital to RTI’s shareholders. This policy has historically called for payment of semi-annual dividends of $0.0225 per share. On July 12, 2006, our Board of Directors approved the plan to increase our semi-annual dividend from $0.0225 to $0.25 per share. Our first $0.25 per share dividend, which totaled $14.5 million, was paid on August 8, 2006, to shareholders of record on July 24, 2006. On January 9, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on February 8, 2007, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 25, 2007 and approved a plan to increase future dividends on an annual basis by the annual percentage increase in net income, not to exceed ten percent. The payment of a dividend in any particular future period and the actual amount thereof remain, however, at the discretion of the Board of Directors and no assurance can be given that dividends will be paid in the future. Additionally, our credit facilities contain certain limitations on the payment of dividends. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information.”
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Settlement of Hurricane Katrina Insurance Claims
On August 29, 2005, Ruby Tuesday lost two of its Gulf Coast restaurants, Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi, as a result of Hurricane Katrina. As discussed in Note D to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, during the fiscal quarter ended December 5, 2006, the Company received insurance proceeds of $2.3 million related to settlement of the Hurricane Katrina open claims, which resulted in a gain of $1.5 million. The gain is attributable to settlement of property claims at replacement costs, which were in excess of net book values of property and equipment, as well as business interruption recoveries. The portion of the proceeds attributable to the property claim is included in investing activities within the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, while the business interruption recoveries are classified as operating cash flows. The Company plans to reinvest the insurance settlement in new restaurant development.
Specialty Restaurant Group Store Closings
Subsequent to quarter end, we learned that Specialty Restaurant Group, a company that purchased 69 American Café and Tia’s Tex-Mex restaurants from us in fiscal 2001, closed 20 restaurants on January 2, 2007. We believe that 14 of these restaurants are located on properties sub-leased from RTI.
As of December 5, 2006, RTI had $1.2 million recorded within our liability for deferred escalating minimum rents for 20 SRG leases for which we remain primarily liable. These 20 SRG leases include the 14 restaurants which closed on January 2, 2007, two restaurants closed prior to December 5, 2006, and four restaurants scheduled by SRG to remain open at the current time. Scheduled cash payments remaining on these leases totaled $4.8 million, $0.6 million, and $0.7 million, respectively, as of December 5, 2006.
We will continue to review the situation relative to these leases during our third quarter of fiscal 2007 and adjust reserves as deemed appropriate.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains various “forward-looking statements,” which represent the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including one or more of the following: future financial performance and restaurant growth (both Company-owned and franchised), future capital expenditures, future borrowings and repayments of debt, payment of dividends, stock repurchases, and restaurant and franchise acquisitions. The Company cautions the reader that a number of important factors and uncertainties could, individually or in the aggregate, cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following: changes in promotional, couponing and advertising strategies; guests’ acceptance of changes in menu items; changes in our guests’ disposable income; consumer spending trends and habits; mall-traffic trends; increased competition in the restaurant market; weather conditions in the regions in which Company-owned and franchised restaurants are operated; guests’ acceptance of the Company’s development prototypes; laws and regulations affecting labor and employee benefit costs, including potential increases in federally mandated minimum wage; costs and availability of food and beverage inventory; the Company’s ability to attract qualified managers, franchisees and team members; changes in the availability and cost of capital; impact of adoption of new accounting standards; impact of food-borne illnesses resulting from an outbreak at either Ruby Tuesday or other restaurant concepts; effects of actual or threatened future terrorist attacks in the United States; significant fluctuations in energy prices; and general economic conditions.
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ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk from fluctuations in interest rates and changes in commodity prices. The interest rate charged on our Credit Facility can vary based on the interest rate option we choose to utilize. Our options for the rate are the Base Rate or LIBO Rate plus an applicable margin. The Base Rate is defined to be the higher of the issuing bank’s prime lending rate or the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%. The applicable margin for the LIBO Rate-based option is a percentage ranging from 0.625% to 1.25%. As of December 5, 2006, the total amount of outstanding debt subject to interest rate fluctuations was $196.7 million. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in short-term interest rates would result in an increase or decrease in interest expense of $2.0 million per year.
Many of the ingredients used in the products we sell in our restaurants are commodities that are subject to unpredictable price volatility. This volatility may be due to factors outside our control such as weather and seasonality. We attempt to minimize the effect of price volatility by negotiating fixed price contracts for the supply of key ingredients. Historically, and subject to competitive market conditions, we have been able to mitigate the negative impact of price volatility through adjustments to average check or menu mix.
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation and under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a–15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 5, 2006.
Changes in Internal Controls
During the fiscal quarter ended December 5, 2006, there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a–15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are presently, and from time to time, subject to pending claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of these pending legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial position or liquidity.
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
Information regarding risk factors appears in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 6, 2006 in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K.
ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table includes information regarding purchases of our common stock made by us during the second quarter ended December 5, 2006:
| | (a) | | (b) | | (c) | | (d) | |
| | Total number | | Average | | Total number of shares | | Maximum number of shares | |
| | of shares | | price paid | | purchased as part of publicly | | that may yet be purchased | |
Period | | purchased (1) | | per share | | announced plans or programs (1) | | under the plans or programs (2) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Month #1 | | | | | | | | | |
(September 6 to October 10) | | – | | – | | – | | 5,171,203 | |
Month #2 | | | | | | | | | |
(October 11 to November 7) | | – | | – | | – | | 5,171,203 | |
Month #3 | | | | | | | | | |
(November 8 to December 5) | | – | | – | | – | | 5,171,203 | |
Total | | – | | | | – | | 5,171,203 | |
(1) No shares were repurchased during the second quarter of our year ending June 5, 2007.
(2) On January 5, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 6.7 million shares of Company stock under the Company’s ongoing share repurchase program. As of December 5, 2006, 1.5 million shares of the January 2006 authorization have been repurchased at a cost of approximately $43.3 million.
Subsequent to quarter end, on January 9, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 5.0 million shares of RTI common stock, bringing the total available for repurchase to 10.2 million shares as of January 9, 2007.
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ITEM 4.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on October 11, 2006. The Shareholders voted on the following matters:
Proposal 1: To elect three Class II directors for a term of three years to the Board of Directors.
Dr. Donald Ratajczak | 49,030,110 | 3,382,688 |
Claire L. Arnold | 48,668,215 | 3,744,583 |
Kevin T. Clayton | 49,318,966 | 3,093,832 |
Proposal 2: To approve an amendment to the Company’s Stock Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors.
For | 39,637,162 | Against | 5,786,018 | Abstain | 2,380,366 | Broker Non-Votes | 4,609,252 |
Proposal 3: To approve the Company’s 2006 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.
For | 46,183,057 | Against | 3,819,089 | Abstain | 2,410,652 |
Proposal 4: To approve an amendment to the Company’s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (formerly known as the 1996 Non-Executive Stock Incentive Plan).
For | 42,723,737 | Against | 7,331,367 | Abstain | 2,357,694 |
Proposal 5: To ratify the selection of KPMG LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 5, 2007.
For | 52,045,145 | Against | 255,851 | Abstain | 111,802 |
The Directors continuing in office are: Bernard Lanigan, Jr., James A. Haslam, III, Stephen I. Sadove, John B. McKinnon, and Samuel E. Beall, III.
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ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Exhibit No.
| |
10 | .1 | Sixth Amendment, dated as of July 11, 2006, to the Stock Incentive and Deferred Compensation | |
| | Plan for Directors. | |
| | | |
10 | .2 | Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 2006 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. | |
| | | |
10 | .3 | Second Amendment, dated as of July 11, 2006, to the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan. | |
| | | |
10 | .4 | Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2006 and effective as of November 15, 2006, by and between Ruby Tuesday, Inc. and PFG Customized Distribution (portions of which have been redacted pursuant to a confidential treatment request filed with the SEC) | |
| | | |
10 | .5 | Fifth Amendment, dated as of December 14, 2006, to the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Salary Deferral Plan. | |
| | | |
10 | .6 | First Amendment, dated as of December 14, 2006, to the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 2005 Deferred | |
| | Compensation Plan. | |
10 | .7 | First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Facility and Guaranty, dated as of September 8, 2006, by and among Ruby Tuesday, Inc., and Bank of America, N.A. as Servicer, and the Participants. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 14, 2006). | |
| | | |
31 | .1 | Certification of Samuel E. Beall, III, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. | |
| | | |
31 | .2 | Certification of Marguerite N. Duffy, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. | |
| | | |
32 | .1 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the | |
| | Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| | | |
32 | .2 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the | |
| | Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| | | |
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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.
RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: January 9, 2007 | |
BY: /s/ MARGUERITE N. DUFFY —————————————— Marguerite N. Duffy Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
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