FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: March 18, 2001
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________________ to __________________________
Commission file number: 2-38375
United Petroleum Corporation
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 13-3103494
--------------------------------------------- -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer
or organization) Identification No.)
5800 N.W. 74th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33166
----------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(305) 592-5101
----------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
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(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]
APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents
and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court.
Yes [X] No [ ]
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 4,951,601 shares of
voting common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 148,492 shares of preferred
stock, Series A, 9%, $.01 par value, as of March 18, 2001.
2
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
INDEX
<Table>
<Caption>
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE NO.
--------
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
Condensed consolidated balance sheets
March 13, 2001 and September 3, 2000 4-5
Condensed consolidated statements of operations -
Twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended March 18, 2001 and March 12, 2000 6
Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows -
Twenty-eight weeks ended March 18, 2001 and March 12, 2000 7-8
Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements 9-10
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 12-14
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings 15-16
ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 16
</Table>
3
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
MARCH 18, SEPTEMBER 3,
2001 2000
----------- ------------
(Unaudited) *
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 793 $ 1,226
Accounts receivable, net of allowances
of $65 in 2001 and 2000 1,492 1,205
Receivable from/(payable) to affiliated company (48) 159
Inventories 3,391 4,685
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 321 481
-------- --------
Total current assets 5,949 7,756
Property and equipment, net 14,951 15,229
Goodwill and other intangible assets 20,383 20,982
Investment in Farm Stores Grocery, Inc. 235 251
Deferred financing costs 960 1,103
Other assets 80 169
-------- --------
$ 42,558 $ 45,490
======== ========
</Table>
(continued on page 5)
4
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
MARCH 18, SEPTEMBER 3,
2001 2000
----------- ------------
(Unaudited) *
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 10,317 $ 10,592
Accrued expenses 2,814 1,893
Accrued preferred stock dividends 897 169
Due to stockholders 2,767 2,177
Current portion of long-term debt 21,872 22,980
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 38,667 37,811
Long-term debt, net of current portion 765 764
Other long-term liabilities 374 353
-------- --------
Total liabilities 39,806 38,928
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, Series A, 9%, $.01 par value, 300,000
shares authorized, 148,492 shares issued and outstanding 2 2
Common stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares
authorized, 4,951,601 shares issued and outstanding 50 50
Additional paid-in capital 14,183 14,183
Accumulated deficit (11,483) (7,673)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity 2,752 6,562
-------- --------
$ 42,558 $ 45,490
======== ========
</Table>
* Condensed from audited financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
5
<Table>
<Caption>
MARCH 18, MARCH 12, MARCH 18, MARCH 12,
2001 2000 2001 2000
Sales $ 29,301 $ 31,297 $ 67,517 $ 65,005
Cost of sales 23,936 25,050 55,166 51,277
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit 5,365 6,247 12,351 13,728
Operating expenses:
Store operating expenses 4,514 5,281 10,834 11,543
Depreciation and amortization 444 508 1,054 834
General & administrative expenses 1,100 1,304 3,037 2,868
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total 6,058 7,093 14,925 15,245
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from operations (693) (846) (2,574) (1,517)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (707) (632) (1,656) (922)
Interest income 6 1 9 27
Other income 109 30 209 49
Equity in earnings (loss) of FSGI (8) (11) (16) 3
Gain (loss) from disposition of properties 935 (62) 947 (75)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) (358) (1,520) (3,081) (2,435)
Preferred stock dividends (308) (291) (729) (412)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) applicable to
common stockholders $ (666) $ (1,811) $ (3,810) $ (2,847)
======== ======== ======== ========
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share $ (0.13) $ (0.37) $ (0.77) $ (0.57)
Weighted average number of shares 4,952 4,952 4,952 4,952
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
6
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
TWENTY-EIGHT WEEKS ENDED
--------------------------
MARCH 18, MARCH 12,
2001 2000
--------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ (3,082) $ (2,435)
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization 1,053 834
Amortization of deferred loan costs 143 87
Equity in (earnings) loss of FSG 16 (3)
Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets (947) 75
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (287) (1,459)
Receivable from affiliated company 207
Inventories 1,294 (604)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 160 (46)
Other assets 89 (449)
Accounts payable (275) 4,286
Accrued expenses 921 (421)
Other long-term liabilities 21 (81)
-------- --------
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities (687) (216)
-------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (19,936)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (245) (567)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment 1,016 18
-------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities 771 (20,485)
-------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of loan costs 21,751
Principal payments on long-term debt (1,107) (281)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings from stockholders 590
-------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (517) 21,470
-------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (433) 769
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning 1,226 38
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents, ending $ 793 $ 807
======== ========
</Table>
(continued on page 8)
7
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
<Table>
<Caption>
Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended
------------------------
March 18, March 12,
2001 2000
--------- ---------
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest $ 426 $ 735
======= =======
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accrued dividends on preferred stock $ 729 $ 412
======= =======
Net reorganized value of UPC and preferred and common stock
issued to UPC's pre-merger shareholders $15,613
=======
Preferred and common stock issued to acquire the net assets of
FSCI $14,950
=======
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements.
8
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
for United Petroleum Corporation (the "Company" or "UPC") have been prepared in
accordance with (i) generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial reporting and (ii) the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete
financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting
only of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation
have been included.
This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and notes thereto included in the Company's audited financial
statements as of September 3, 2000, as presented in the Form 10K, filed with
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2001.
Operating results for the twenty-eight weeks ended March 18, 2001 are
not necessarily indicative of operating results that may be expected for the
full fiscal year.
Fiscal Year
The Company operates on a fifty-two/fifty-three week fiscal year ending
on the Sunday nearest August 31. The accompanying financial statements include
operations for the first quarter ended December 24, 2000 and December 19, 1999,
each encompassing a total of sixteen weeks and the second quarter ended March
18, 2001 and March 12, 2000, each encompassing a total of twelve weeks.
Earnings (loss) per Share
The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
128 "Earnings per Share" ("SFAS") which requires the presentation of "basic"
and, if appropriate, "diluted" earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per
share have not been presented in the accompanying unaudited condensed
consolidated statements of operations because the Company had a net loss for the
twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended March 18, 2000 and, accordingly, the assumed
effects of the conversion of all of the Company's preferred stock would have
been anti-dilutive.
Segment information
The Company primarily operates in one segment, convenience stores, and
in one geographic area, Florida. Although the Company operates in another
segment, consisting of oil and gas operations, and in other geographic areas
(Georgia and Tennessee), the operations of these segments are insignificant to
the operations of the Company as a whole, and are therefore not reported on
separately.
9
2. Significant Events
On February 11, 2000 the Company's Board of Directors approved a Stock Option
Plan which provides for the granting of options to purchase an aggregate of up
to 650,000 shares of common stock.
In October, 2000, following the Company's unsuccessful attempts to expand its
business through acquisitions, and in recognition that the Company's cash flow
could no longer support its debt service obligations, the Company ceased making
scheduled payments on its primary institutional loan, and that loan went into
default.
In late 2000 and early 2001, the Company made various personnel reductions in an
attempt to improve its cash flow. By January 16, 2001, these reductions had left
the Company unable to fulfill its responsibilities under the Management
Agreement with FSG. Additionally, the Company's studies of the issue had
revealed that the Management Agreement was at best cash flow neutral, and more
likely, a cash flow drain on the Company. Therefore, on January 16, 2001, the
Company and FSG terminated the Management Agreement and the Consignment
Agreement also terminated in accordance with its terms.
On January 1, 2001 the Company's leased employee agreement was terminated by the
co-employer in response to the Company's inability to secure a bond the
co-employer requested. As a result, the Company presently employs its work force
directly. As of August 31, 2001, the Company employed approximately 700 persons,
of which approximately 180 are part-time and 520 are full time employees.
On January 17, 2001, Carlos E. Bared resigned as a director of United Petroleum
Corporation. (filed herewith)
On January 17, 2001 the Company granted two of its executives options to
purchase 350,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.05 per share.
Fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate shares shall vest and become exercisable on
January 18, 2001 and fifty percent (50%) on January 18, 2002 with an expiration
of five years from January 18, 2001 or the expiration of 180 days from the date
of any termination.
On January 17, 2001, the Company issued to L. Grant Peeples, a Director , stock
options to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $0.05 per
share.
On January 31, 2001, Clark K. Hunt resigned as a director of United Petroleum
Corporation. (filed herewith)
From January 23, 2001 to March 9, 2001 the Company sold nine of its
under-performing store locations (8 non-gas and one gas store) in a series of
transactions, to Valencia Food Stores. The total sale proceeds, approximately
$1,020,000, were paid to reduce the Company's primary institutional
indebtedness. Although these stores' aggregate annual sales amounted to
approximately $5,000,000, they did not make a significant contribution to the
Company's operating profits or cash flow. Additionally, during the period from
October 1, 2000 to March 1, 2001, due to their low profitability and high
administrative expenses, the Company closed one of its stores in Florida and
reached agreements to lease three of its Calibur store locations to other
operators.
On February 1, 2001, Murphy Oil USA, Inc. dismissed its lawsuit against the
Company without prejudice.
On February 8, 2001, the Company entered into a fuel marketing
agreement with a major fuel retailer to re-brand as many as 23 of its gasoline
store locations.
10
In March, 2001, the Company's real and personal property tax obligations came
due. Certain of these payments are due under the Company's store leases and
their non-payment could default those leases and terminate the Company's
operations at the stores. To prevent this catastrophic result, the Company
sought financing from its primary institutional lender, and then following that
lender's denial, from its principal stockholders, Infinity and Mr. and Mrs.
Bared. Ultimately, only Mr. and Mrs. Bared elected to provide this financing, in
the form of a loan of up to $600,000 of which $583,000 was funded, secured by a
first lien on the Company's 100,000 shares of common stock of FSG. The Company's
primary institutional lender released its pledge on these shares in order to
permit this loan to be so secured. The loan is presently in default, and no
payments of principal or interest have been made thereunder.
On May 3, 2001 TransMontaigne Inc, a supplier of gasoline and diesel fuel to the
Company, stopped delivering fuel to the Company because it was unable to provide
financial statements that met their requirements.
On June 28, 2001 the case styled Robert Rankin vs Michael F. Thomas and United
Petroleum was settled and the Company agreed to pay Mr. Rankin $8,000.
On July 25, 2001 Coastal Refining & Marketing, a supplier of gasoline and diesel
fuel to the Company, stopped delivering fuel to the Company claiming that the
Company was unable to provide financial statements that met their requirements.
On August 31, 2001 First Data Company revoked its money order system agreement
because UPG was unable to provide financial statements that met their
requirements. First Data Company provided the Company with the Western Union
brand system of dispensing money orders. The Company is seeking to renew or
replace its agreement with First Data or another supplier of money orders, but
no such arrangements have been concluded.
On September 11, 2001 Pepsi Cola stopped servicing Company locations. Since June
1, 2001 the Company had been purchasing Pepsi branded products under a payment
arrangement to reduce outstanding balances owed to Pepsi Cola.
The Company has a $23 million credit facility with a bank. This facility
provides credit in the form of a $10,467,000 term loan, an $8,300,000 mortgage
loan and a $4,233,000 revolving line of credit, and matures on October 30, 2004.
Effective October, 2000, the Company went into payment default under these
loans, and in September, 2001, the bank accelerated the maturity of these loans,
and they are therefore classified as short term liabilities on the balance
sheet.
The Company is party to a license agreement with FSG, providing for its use of
the "Farm Stores" trademark on its stores and certain products sold in the
stores. On September 28, 2001, FSG notified the Company of its termination of
the License Agreement, and on October 3, 2001, FSG commenced a lawsuit in
Federal Court to enforce such termination. The Company disputes the termination,
and intends to defend the lawsuit; however, the Company is actively pursuing a
settlement of this matter.
On October 5, 2001, Stuart Chasanoff resigned as a director of United Petroleum
Corporation. (filed herewith)
On October 8, 2001, L. Grant ("Jack") Peeples resigned as a director of United
Petroleum Corporation. (filed herewith)
11
3. Receivable (Payable) to Affiliated Company
Payable to affiliated company at March 18, 2001 represents the balance due to
FSG in which the Company has 100,000 shares of common stock. The amount payable
relates to the fee that FSG charged the Company for its share of data management
center expenses.
4. Current Portion of Long-term Debt
Current portion of long-term debt includes a loan to the Company in the amount
of $144,915 which has matured. The loan is secured by a mortgage encumbering a
property located in Georgia which is leased by the Company's subsidiary to an
unrelated third party. The lease requires the tenant to make all payments coming
due under the loan, and upon exercising an option to purchase the property, to
assume the loan. The tenant has advised the Company that it has exercised its
option to purchase the property, and continues to make monthly payments under
the loan.
5. Contingencies
The Company is a defendant in various legal proceedings arising in the normal
course of business. In the opinion of management, based on the nature of these
proceedings and the amounts of damages claimed, the ultimate resolution of these
legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Certain statements in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including without limitation
expectations as to future revenues and profitability, constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company
and its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements.
In the following comparison of the results of operations, the twelve
and twenty-eight week periods ended March 18, 2001 and March 12, 2000 are
referred to as 2001 and 2000, respectively.
COMPARISON OF THE TWELVE WEEKS ENDED MARCH 18, 2001 AND MARCH 12, 2000
Revenues and gross profit for 2001 were $29.3 million and $5.4 million,
respectively, as compared to $31.3 million and $6.2 million, respectively for
2000. The Company generated a net loss of $666,000 in 2001, compared to net loss
of $1.8 million in 2000. The effects of the Transactions and their financing
contributed $1.3 million of the net loss in 2001 as follows: (i) amortization of
goodwill and other intangible assets of $252,000, (ii) interest expense
including amortization of deferred loan costs of $707,000, and (iii) accrued
preferred dividends totaling $308,000.
12
Revenues decreased $2.0 million or 6.4% from the prior year mostly due
to the selling and/or closing of 15 under-performing stores. A summary of
revenues by source for the comparative twelve week period is as follows (in
thousands):
<Table>
<Caption>
Twelve Weeks Ended
March 18, March 12,
2001 2000
--------- ---------
Grocery $11,939 $13,376
Gasoline 16,965 16,954
Other 397 967
------- -------
Total $29,301 $31,297
======= =======
</Table>
Grocery revenues decreased by $1.4 million or 10.7%, in 2001 as
compared to 2000 due primarily to the selling and/or closing of 15
under-performing stores. Although the sale and closing of the under-performing
stores reduced revenues, it did not have a material impact on the results of
operations, because these stores had been operating at a loss.
Gasoline revenues increased $11,000 or 0.1% in 2001 as compared to
2000. The increase is due to a $0.09 increase in the average retail price per
gallon from $1.41 per gallon in 2000 to $1.50 per gallon in 2001 coupled with an
decrease of 700,000 gallons sold from 12.0 million gallons in 2000 to 11.3
million gallons in 2001.
Gross profit decreased by $882,000 in 2001 primarily due to the
decrease in the grocery gross profit as a result of the selling and/or closing
of 15 under-performing stores. The gross profit percentage on gasoline sales was
6.3% in 2001 compared to 6.3% in 2000. Despite the flat gross profit percentage,
there was a 6.1% increase in average fuel costs from $1.32 per gallon in 2000 to
$1.40 per gallon in 2001.
Store operating expenses decreased by $767,000 in 2001 primarily due to
the implementation of new expense control packages related to payroll, inventory
shrink, spoilage and advertising, as well as the sale and closing of
under-performing stores. During the same period store equipment lease rental
payments increased by $171,000 over the previous year as a result of the new
gasoline dispensing equipment installed at 40 store locations.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $64,000 primarily
due to the write-down of property and equipment to fair market value in the
Calibur Systems stores.
General and administrative expenses decreased by $204,000 primarily due
to the termination of the Management Agreement between UPG and FSG and reduction
in office payroll. The Management Agreement was in effect for approximately
three weeks during the second quarter of 2001, and for 12 weeks during the
second quarter of 2000. The Agreement was terminated effective January 16, 2001.
The increase in interest expense of $75,000 resulted from the credit
facilities the Company has with its major lender, as well as accrued interest on
short-term borrowings from stockholders of $62,000.
13
COMPARISON OF THE TWENTY-EIGHT WEEKS ENDED MARCH 18, 2001 AND MARCH 12, 2000
Revenues and gross profit for 2001 were $67.5 million and $12.4
million, respectively, as compared to $65 million and $13.7 million,
respectively for 2000. The Company generated a net loss of $3.8 million in 2001,
compared to net loss of $2.8 million in 2000. The effects of the Nov. 12, 1999
transactions (refer to Company's Form 10-K for Fiscal Year ended September 3,
2000) and their financing contributed $3.0 million of the net loss in 2001 as
follows: (i) amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets of $600,000,
(ii) interest expense including amortization of deferred loan costs of $1.7
million, and (iii) accrued preferred dividends totaling $729,000.
Revenues increased $2.5 million or 3.9% from the prior year due
primarily to the increase in gasoline sales. A summary of revenues by source for
the comparative twenty-eight week period is as follows (in thousands):
<Table>
<Caption>
Twenty-eight Weeks Ended
March 18, March 12,
2001 2000
--------- ---------
Grocery $28,411 $30,390
Gasoline 38,105 33,308
Other 1,001 1,307
------- -------
Total $67,517 $65,005
======= =======
</Table>
Grocery revenues decreased by $2.0 million or 6.5%, in 2001 as compared
to 2000 due to the sale of nine under-performing stores and the permanent
closing of six under-performing stores. Although the sale/closing of the
under-performing stores reduced revenues, it did not have a material impact on
the results of operations, because these stores had been operating at a loss.
Gasoline revenues increased $4.8 million or 14.4% in 2001 as compared
to 2000. The increase is due to a $0.13 increase in the average retail price per
gallon from $1.38 per gallon in 2000 to $1.51 per gallon in 2001 and an increase
of approximately 994,000 gallons sold.
Gross profit decreased by $1.4 million in 2001 primarily due to the
decrease in the grocery gross profit. The gross profit percentage on gasoline
sales was 6.7% in 2001 compared to 7.8% in 2000 as a result of a 12% increase in
average fuel costs from $1.26 per gallon in 2000 to $1.41 per gallon in 2001.
Store operating expenses decreased by $709,000 in 2001 primarily due to
the implementation of new expense control packages related to payroll, inventory
shrink, spoilage, advertising, as well as the sale and closing of
under-performing stores. During the same period store equipment lease rental
payments increased by $286,000 over the previous year as a result of the new
gasoline dispensing equipment installed at 40 store locations.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $220,000 in 2001
primarily due to the increase in amortization of goodwill and other intangible
assets of $236,000.
General and administrative expenses increased $169,000 from 2000
primarily due to the Management Agreement between UPG and FSG. The Management
Agreement was in effect for approximately 19 weeks during the 28 weeks ended
March 18, 2001, and for approximately 17 weeks during the 28 weeks ended March
12, 2001. Since the termination of the Management Agreement on
14
January 16, 2001, and subsequent cost-cutting measures implemented, UPG general
and administrative expenses have been reduced by approximately $143,000 per
period during the quarter ending March 18, 2001.
The increase in interest expense of $734,000 resulted from the
borrowing of $23 million used to finance the Transactions and the amortization
of related deferred loan costs of $1.3 million over 5 years and accrued interest
of $171,000 on short-term borrowings from stockholders.
CREDIT FACILITIES
The Company has a $23 million credit facility with a bank. This
facility provides credit in the form of a $10,467,000 term loan, an $8,300,000
mortgage loan and a $4,233,000 revolving line of credit, and matures on October
30, 2004. The term loan bears interest at prime plus 3%, payable monthly with
monthly principal payments of $121,146 beginning after the first twelve months.
The $8.3 million mortgage loan bears interest at the 180-day libor rate plus 4%,
payable monthly at $43,000 plus interest. The $4,233,000 revolving loan bears
interest at the 30-day libor rate plus 3.875%, payable monthly and is advanced
against the Company's inventory and receivables. The Company is required to
comply with various covenants in connection with this facility and borrowings on
the revolving line of credit are subject to a borrowing base calculated from the
Company's inventory and receivables. In addition, the agreement prohibits the
payment of any cash dividends unless approval is obtained from the lender. At
March 18, 2001, the Company had used all $4,233,000 under its revolving credit
facility.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
For the 28 weeks ended March 18, 2001 the Company used $687,000 in its operating
activities, which included $426,000 in interest payments through the end of
October, 2000. . The Company's working capital was almost negative $32.7 million
at March 18, 2001. Even excluding the Company's institutional loan in default,
its working capital was almost negative $10.8 million at that date.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
The Company anticipates spending approximately $320,000 for capital
expenditures in 2001, mostly associated with leasehold improvements and store
equipment. These capital expenditures will be funded primarily by cash generated
from operations. Through March 18, 2001 the Company has spent $245,000 in
capital improvements.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
In 1999, an affiliate of F.S. Convenience Stores, Inc. (the company with which
United Petroleum Group, Inc., the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, merged in
November 1999) filed a lawsuit against Zenith in the Circuit Court for the
Eleventh Judicial Circuit for improperly administering and managing the
Plaintiff's workers compensation insurance plan. Zenith has filed a counterclaim
and the Plaintiff is actively defending
15
the claim. In June of 2000, Zenith filed a separate action in federal court
against the Company's surety, the surety has tendered the defense to the Company
and the Company is actively defending the lawsuit.
The Company is party to a license agreement with FSG, providing for its use of
the "Farm Stores" trademark on its stores and certain products sold in the
stores. On September 28, 2001, FSG notified the Company of its termination of
the License Agreement, and on October 3, 2001, FSG commenced a lawsuit in
Federal Court to enforce such termination. The Company disputes the termination,
and intends to defend the lawsuit; however, the Company is actively pursuing a
settlement of this matter.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number Description
Exhibit 17.1 On January 17, 2001, Carlos E. Bared resigned as a director of
United Petroleum Corporation (filed herewith)
Exhibit 17.2 On January 31, 2001, Clark K. Hunt resigned as a director of
United Petroleum Corporation. (filed herewith)
Exhibit 17.3 On October 5, 2001, Stuart Chasanoff resigned as a director of
United Petroleum Corporation. (filed herewith)
Exhibit 17.4 On October 8, 2001, L. Grant ("Jack") Peeples resigned as a
director of United Petroleum Corporation. (filed herewith)
Exhibit 10.13 Pledge Agreement and Promissory Note dated March 30, 2001,
among F.S. Non-Gas Subsidiary, Inc., United Petroleum
Corporation, United Petroleum Group, Inc. and Jose P. Bared
and Miriam Bared (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 28, 2001 , and
incorporated herein by reference)
Exhibit 10.7 Loan Agreement dated November 9, 1999 among United Petroleum
Corporation, United Petroleum Group, Inc., F.S. Convenience
Stores, Inc., et al. , as Borrowers, and Hamilton Bank, N.A.
As Lender (filed as Exhibit 99.10 to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K (Amendment 1) dated November 12, 1999 and
filed on December 1, 1999, and incorporated herein by
reference)
Exhibit 10.1 License Agreement dated as of November 12, 1999 among Farm
Stores Grocery, Inc., United Petroleum Corporation, United
Petroleum Group, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K (Amendment 1) dated November 12,
1999 and filed on December 1, 1999, and incorporated herein by
reference)
16
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
-------------------------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: October 11, 2001 /s/ JOSE P. BARED
-------------------------------------------------
Jose P. Bared
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
of Directors
17
EXHIBIT INDEX
<Table>
<Caption>
Exhibit
Number Description
------- -----------
17.1 On January 17, 2001, Carlos E. Bared resigned as a director of
United Petroleum Corporation (filed herewith)
17.2 On January 31, 2001, Clark K. Hunt resigned as a director of
United Petroleum Corporation. (filed herewith)
17.3 On October 5, 2001, Stuart Chasanoff resigned as a director of
United Petroleum Corporation. (filed herewith)
17.4 On October 8, 2001, L. Grant ("Jack") Peeples resigned as a
director of United Petroleum Corporation. (filed herewith)
10.13 Pledge Agreement and Promissory Note dated March 30, 2001,
among F.S. Non-Gas Subsidiary, Inc., United Petroleum
Corporation, United Petroleum Group, Inc. and Jose P. Bared
and Miriam Bared (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 28, 2001 , and
incorporated herein by reference)
10.7 Loan Agreement dated November 9, 1999 among United Petroleum
Corporation, United Petroleum Group, Inc., F.S. Convenience
Stores, Inc., et al. , as Borrowers, and Hamilton Bank, N.A.
As Lender (filed as Exhibit 99.10 to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K (Amendment 1) dated November 12, 1999 and
filed on December 1, 1999, and incorporated herein by
reference)
10.1 License Agreement dated as of November 12, 1999 among Farm
Stores Grocery, Inc., United Petroleum Corporation, United
Petroleum Group, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K (Amendment 1) dated November 12,
1999 and filed on December 1, 1999, and incorporated herein by
reference)
</Table>