1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(MARK ONE)
X QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30 , 1997
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 0-28908
U.S. FRANCHISE SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE 58-2190911
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
13 CORPORATE SQUARE, SUITE 250
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30329
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (404) 321-4045
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required by Sections 12, 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
There were 9,872,476 shares of the registrant's Class A Common Stock and
2,707,919 shares of the registrant's Class B Common Stock outstanding as of
July 25, 1997.
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U.S. FRANCHISE SYSTEMS, INC.
INDEX
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at December 31,
1996 and June 30, 1997 (Unaudited) 3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months
ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 (Unaudited) 4
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months
ended June 30 , 1996 and 1997 (Unaudited) 5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 6
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 7
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 12
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES 12
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 12
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY 12
HOLDERS
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K 13
SIGNATURES 13
EXHIBITS 14
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. FRANCHISE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
- ---------------------------------------------
(Unaudited)
December 31, 1996 June 30, 1997
----------------- -------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and temporary cash investments $31,188,000 $25,932,000
Accounts receivable 114,000 157,000
Deposits 93,000 93,000
Prepaid expenses 494,000 594,000
Promissory notes receivable 784,000 856,000
Deferred commissions 1,261,000 1,825,000
----------- -----------
Total current assets $33,934,000 $29,457,000
PROMISSORY NOTES RECEIVABLE 390,000 760,000
EQUIPMENT - Net 292,000 316,000
FRANCHISE RIGHTS 3,264,000 3,181,000
DEFERRED COMMISSIONS 1,492,000 2,023,000
OTHER ASSETS 733,000 1,308,000
----------- -----------
Total assets $40,105,000 $37,045,000
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 679,000 $ 228,000
Commissions payable 837,000 756,000
Deferred application fees 2,916,000 3,493,000
Accrued expenses 1,110,000 1,103,000
Due to Hudson Hotels Corporation 277,000 277,000
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities $ 5,819,000 $ 5,857,000
DUE TO HUDSON HOTELS CORPORATION 454,000 454,000
DEFERRED APPLICATION FEES 2,749,000 3,734,000
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES - 18,938,000
----------- -----------
Total liabilities
9,022,000 28,983,000
REDEEMABLE STOCK:
Preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 525,000
shares; issued and outstanding 163,500 shares; cumulative
exchangeable (entitled in liquidation to $18,477,000 at
December 31, 1996) 18,477,000 --
Common shares, par value $0.01 per share; issued and outstanding
3,186,280 Class A shares entitled in redemption (under certain
conditions) to $330,000 at
December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997. 330,000 330,000
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY :
Common shares, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 30,000,000
shares of Class A Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of Class B
Common Stock; issued and outstanding 6,686,196 Class A shares and
2,707,919 Class B shares at December 31,1996 and March 31, 1997 96,000 96,000
Capital in excess of par 20,547,000 20,692,000
Accumulated deficit (8,367,000) (13,056,000)
----------- ------------
Total stockholders' equity 12,276,000 7,732,000
----------- -------------
$40,105,000 $ 37,045,000
=========== =============
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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U.S. FRANCHISE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS THREE MONTHS SIX MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996 JUNE 30, 1997 JUNE 30, 1996 JUNE 30, 1997
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
REVENUES:
Marketing and reservation fees $ 364,000 $ 481,000 $ 395,000 $ 857,000
Franchise application and royalty fees - 363,000 - 499,000
Other - 48,000 - 81,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------
364,000 892,000 395,000 1,437,000
====================================================================
EXPENSES:
Marketing and reservations $ 376,000 $ 468,000 $ 490,000 $ 911,000
Other franchise sales and advertising 799,000 956,000 1,263,000 1,802,000
Corporate salaries, wages, and benefits 450,000 845,000 993,000 1,669,000
Other general and administrative 519,000 557,000 835,000 1,275,000
Depreciation and amortization 137,000 135,000 268,000 267,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2,281,000 2,961,000 3,849,000 5,924,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS (1,917,000) (2,069,000) (3,454,000) (4,487,000)
OTHER INCOME(EXPENSE):
Interest income (156,000) (375,000) (331,000) (758,000)
Interest expense 36,000 480,000 72,000 960,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------
NET LOSS $ (1,797,000) $(2,174,000) $(3,195,000) $(4,689,000)
====================================================================
LOSS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ (2,216,000) $(2,174,000) $(4,033,000) $(4,689,000)
====================================================================
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
SHARES OUTSTANDING 10,755,409 12,580,395 10,755,409 12,580,395
====================================================================
NET LOSS APPLICABLE TO COMMON
STOCKHOLDERS PER SHARE $ (0.21) $ (0.17) $ (0.38) $ (0.37)
====================================================================
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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U.S. FRANCHISE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
- -------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996 JUNE 30, 1997
---------------- ----------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss $ (3,195,000) $ (4,689,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 268,000 267,000
Deferred compensation amortization - 145,000
Increase in deposits and accounts receivable (189,000) (43,000)
Increase in prepaid expenses - (217,000)
Increase in promissory notes receivable (416,000) (442,000)
Increase in deferred commissions (1,241,000) (1,095,000)
Increase in other assets (150,000) (604,000)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable 485,000 (451,000)
Decrease in accrued expenses - (7,000)
Increase/(decrease) in commissions payable 550,000 (81,000)
Increase in deferred application fees 2,722,000 1,562,000
Increase in royalties due to HSA properties 390,000 -
Increase in subordinated debentures paid in kind - 461,000
------------ ------------
Net cash used in operating activities (776,000) (5,194,000)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of equipment (271,000) (62,000)
Acquisition of franchise rights (117,000) -
------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (388,000) (62,000)
FINANCIANG ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of capital stock 122,000 -
Redemption of capital stock (119,000) -
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 3,000 -
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS (1,161,000) (5,256,000)
------------ ------------
CASH AND TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS:
Beginning of period 13,893,000 31,188,000
------------ ------------
End of period $ 12,732,000 $ 25,932,000
============ ============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Noncash activities:
Undeclared dividends accrued on redeemable preferred stock $ 838,000 $ -
============ ============
Exchange of redeemable preferred stock for subordinated debentures - 18,477,000
============ ============
Portion of purchase price due to Hudson Hotels Corporation
in future years, discounted at 10% $ - $ 454,000
============ ============
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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U.S. FRANCHISE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
- ------------------------------------------------------
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission for reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information
and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for
complete financial statements have been omitted. In the opinion of
management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments,
which are necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and
results of operations have been made. These interim financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements
and notes thereto, presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The results of operations for the six months ended
June 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be
expected for the full year.
2. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share for the six months and the quarter ended June 30, 1996
and 1997 have been calculated by dividing the loss applicable to common
shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding. Weighted averaged
shares include redeemable common shares outstanding. Loss applicable to
common stockholders for the six months and the quarter ended June 30, 1996
represents net loss adjusted for accrued dividends on the redeemable
preferred stock.
3. SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
On January 1, 1997, the Company exercised its option to exchange the
Redeemable Preferred Stock at the Liquidation Value of $18,477,000 into
10% Subordinated Debentures due September 29, 2007. The Company is
required to pay interest expense by issuing additional debentures for 50%
of the expense with the remaining 50% to be paid in cash. Interest is
payable semi-annually on the last business day in June and December of
each year. If Mr. Michael A. Leven's employment were to be terminated by
the Company for any reason (including resignation) or the Company were to
otherwise experience a Change of Control, the Company would be obligated
to redeem all outstanding Subordinated Debentures.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
GENERAL
This "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations" should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements included herein of the Company and its subsidiaries. Certain
statements under this caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" that are not historical facts
constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). Certain, but not necessarily all, of
such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," or
"anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable
terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and
uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. ("USFS" or the "Company") and
its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
general economic and business conditions; competition in the lodging and
franchising industries; success of acquisitions and operating initiatives;
management of growth; dependence on senior management; brand awareness; general
risks of the lodging and franchising industries; development risk; risk
relating to the availability of financing for franchisees; the existence or
absence of adverse publicity; changes in business strategy or development plan;
availability, terms and deployment of capital; business abilities and judgment
of personnel; availability of qualified personnel; labor and employee benefit
costs; changes in, or failure to comply with, government regulations;
construction schedules; the costs and other effects of legal and administrative
proceedings; and other factors referenced in this Form 10-Q. The Company will
not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the
results of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statement to
reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect
the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
Comparisons have been made between the three and six months ended June 30, 1996
and the three and six months ended June 30, 1997 for the purposes of the
following discussion:
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FRANCHISE SALES GROWTH - Since acquiring the Microtel brand in October 1995 and
establishing its sales force by January 1996, the Company has realized
franchise sales growth as follows:
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- -------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------
MICROTEL FRANCHISE DATA AS OF JUNE 30, AS OF DEC 31 1996 AS OF JUNE 30,
(inception to date) 1996 1997
- -------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------
Properties Open (1) 26 28 43
Properties Under Construction(2) 2 25 25
Under Development:
Executed Franchise Agreements(3)(4) 49 193 245
Franchise Applications Accepted (5) 72 82 73
- ------------------------------------- --- --- ---
Total Under Development 121 275 318
- -------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------
TOTAL OPEN OR UNDER DEVELOPMENT 147 303 361
- -------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------
(1) The Company does not receive royalties from 25, 27, and 28 hotels as of
June 30,1996, December 31, 1996, and June 30, 1997, respectively.
(2) The Company will not receive royalties from one, two, and zero of the
hotels under construction as of June 30,1996, December 31, 1996, and June
30, 1997, respectively.
(3) Includes hotels under construction but not open hotels.
(4) The Company will not receive royalties from one, four, and five of the
Executed Franchise Agreements as of June 30,1996, December 31, 1996,and
June 30, 1997, respectively.
(5) The Company will not receive royalties from zero, six, and two of the
Franchise Applications Accepted as of June 30,1996, December 31, 1996, and
June 30, 1997, respectively.
Since acquiring the Hawthorn Suites brand in March 1996 and establishing it
sales force by July 1996, the Company has realized franchise sales growth as
follows:
- -------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------
HAWTHORN SUITES FRANCHISE DATA AS OF JUNE 30, AS OF DEC 31, AS OF JUNE 30,
(inception to date) 1996 1996 1997
- -------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------
Properties Open (1) 18 19 20
Properties Under Construction (2) 0 2 5
Under Development:
Executed Franchise Agreements (3)(4) 0 19 46
Franchise Applications Accepted 1 14 22
- --------------------------------- - -- --
Total Under Development 1 33 68
- -------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------
TOTAL OPEN OR UNDER DEVELOPMENT 19 52 88
- -------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------
(1) The Company does not receive royalties from 18 hotels as of June 30 1996,
December 31, 1996, and June 30, 1997.
(2) The Company will not receive royalties from zero, one, and one of the
hotels under construction as of June 30 1996, December 31, 1996, and June
30, 1997, respectively.
(3) Includes hotels under construction but not open hotels.
(4) The Company will not receive royalties from zero, one, and zero of the
Executed Franchise agreements as of June 30 1996, December 31, 1996, and
June 30, 1997, respectively.
The average franchise application fee was $22,000 and $26,000 for the six
months ended June 30, 1996 and year ended December 31, 1996, respectively,
compared to $24,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1997, respectively.
Such fees are recognized as revenue when the underlying hotel opens.
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REVENUE - The Company has had revenues from the following sources:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THREE MONTHS ENDED THREE MONTHS SIX MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, ENDED JUNE 30, ENDED JUNE 30, ENDED JUNE 30,
1996 1997 1996 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franchise application and royalty fees $ - $ 363,000 $ - $ 499,000
Other fees - 48,000 - 81,000
Marketing and reservation fees 364,000 481,000 395,000 857,000
--------- ---------- ---------- ------------
TOTAL $ 364,000 $ 892,000 $ 395,000 $ 1,437,000
- -------------------------------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------
Franchise application and royalty fees (the "Fees") were $363,000 and $499,000
for the three and six months ended June 30, 1997, respectively. Fees for the
three months ended June 30, 1997 represent application fees from ten of the
twelve properties opened during the quarter, and royalties received from eight
of the sixty-three hotels which were open as of June 30 , 1997. The Fees earned
for the six months ended June 30, 1997, in addition to the above, included
application fees from four hotel openings and one transfer fee received during
the first quarter of 1997.
Other fee income was $48,000 and $81,000 for the three and six months ended
June 30, 1997, respectively. The two main components of this income is the
monthly management fee received from Equity Partners and commissions earned
from the National Accounts program.
The Company began collecting marketing and reservation fees from existing
Microtel and Hawthorn Suites franchisees in February and April 1996,
respectively. While the Company recognizes marketing and reservations fees as
revenue, such fees are intended to reimburse the Company for the expenses
associated with providing support services to its franchisees and do not
generate profit for the Company. Marketing and reservation fees were $364,000
and $395,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 1996, respectively,
compared to $481,000 and $857,000 for the respective periods in 1997.
EXPENSES - The Company's expenses were as summarized below:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THREE MONTHS THREE MONTHS SIX MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, ENDED JUNE 30, ENDED JUNE 30, ENDED JUNE 30,
1996 1997 1996 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marketing and reservations $ 376,000 $ 468,000 $ 490,000 $ 911,000
Other franchise sales and advertising 799,000 956,000 1,263,000 1,802,000
Corporate salaries, wages, and benefits 450,000 845,000 993,000 1,669,000
Other general and administrative 519,000 557,000 835,000 1,275,000
Depreciation and amortization 137,000 135,000 268,000 267,000
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
TOTAL $ 2,281,000 $ 2,961,000 $ 3,849,000 $ 5,924,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marketing and reservation expenses were $376,000 and $490,000, for the three
and six months ended June 30, 1996, respectively, compared to $468,000 and
$911,000 for the respective periods in 1997. The increase in marketing and
reservation expenses is primarily due to the fact that the Hawthorn Suites
brand was not acquired until April of 1996. Therefore, there were no marketing
and reservation expenses for the Hawthorn brand during the first quarter of
1996.
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Other franchise sales and advertising expenses, which are costs related to the
Company's franchise sales effort, were $799,000 and $1,263,000 for the three
and six months ended June 30, 1996, respectively, compared to $956,000 and
$1,802,000 for the respective periods in 1997. The increase is due primarily to
the following factors: (i) a larger Microtel sales force was in place which
resulted in additional salary and benefit expenses as well as other sales
related costs (e.g. travel and telephone), (ii) the Hawthorn Suites brand was
not acquired until April of 1996 and as a result, additional sales and
advertising costs were incurred and (iii) commissions were paid on thirteen of
the fifteen hotels opened in the first two quarters of 1997 compared to no
commissions with respect to the four hotels opened during the first two
quarters of 1996.
Corporate salaries, wages and benefits, which are non-selling personnel
expenses, were $450,000 and $993,000 for the three and six months ended June
30, 1996, respectively, compared to $845,000 and $1,669,000 for the respective
periods in 1997. The increase is primarily due to (i) 19 additional personnel
hired, subsequent to the first quarter of 1996, in the areas of training,
franchise services, franchise administration and quality control to handle the
increased servicing requirements of additional executed franchise agreements
and newly introduced programs and (ii) expenses related to the Company's Stock
Option plans which were adopted in October 1996.
Other general and administrative expenses were $519,000 and $835,000 for the
three and six months ended June 30, 1996, respectively, compared to $557,000
and $1,275,000 for the respective periods in 1997. The increase is primarily
due to (i) general office and travel expenses for the additional staff in place
during 1997, (ii) legal costs related to the Hawthorn Suites brand which was
not acquired until April 1996, and (iii) expenses related to the Company's
having become a publicly traded company in October 1996.
Depreciation and amortization expense includes (i) depreciation of equipment
for the corporate and regional sales offices, (ii) amortization for the cost of
acquiring the Microtel brand and the exclusive rights to franchise the Hawthorn
Suites brand, (iii) amortization of consulting payments made to Hudson under
the Microtel Acquisition Agreement, and (iv) amortization of costs related to
the formation of the Company.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) - Interest income resulting from investments in cash
and marketable securities was $156,000 and $331,000 for the three and six
months ended June 30, 1996, respectively, compared to $375,000 and $758,000 for
the respective periods in 1997. The increase was due to the additional interest
earned on the cash received from the initial public offering in October of
1996.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 1996 interest expense was
$36,000 and $72,000, respectively, compared to $480,000 and $960,000 for the
respective periods in 1997. The interest expense in 1996 related to the note
payable for purchasing the Microtel brand while the 1997 expense also includes
the subordinated debentures (see footnote 3).
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NET LOSS - A summary of operating results is as follows:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THREE MONTHS THREE MONTHS SIX MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, ENDED JUNE 30, JUNE 30, 1996 ENDED JUNE 30,
1996 1997 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Loss $ 1,797,000 $ 2,174,000 $ 3,195,000 $ 4,689,000
Loss appl. to common stockholders $ 2,216,000 $ 2,174,000 $ 4,033,000 $ 4,689,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company had net losses of $1,797,000 and $3,195,000 for the three and six
months ended June 30, 1996, respectively, compared to $2,174,000 and $4,689,000
for the respective periods in 1997.
The Company had a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $2,216,000 and
$4,033,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 1996, respectively,
compared to $2,174,000 and $4,689,000 for the respective periods in 1997. The
net loss applicable to common stockholders includes $419,000 and $838,000 of
accumulated but undeclared and unpaid dividends on its 10% Cumulative
Redeemable Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the "Redeemable Preferred Stock") for
the three and six months ended June 30, 1996, respectively.
The Company had a net operating loss carryforward for income tax purposes as of
June 30, 1996 of $2,548,000 compared to $8,398,000 as of June 30, 1997. Given
the limited operating history of the Company, management recorded a valuation
allowance for the full amount of the deferred tax asset as of June 30, 1997.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
From August 28, 1995 (inception) to October 24, 1996, the Company financed its
operations primarily through a private placement of securities, franchise
application fees, and interest income. In October of 1995, the Company raised
approximately $17.5 million in gross proceeds through sales of shares of its
old common stock (i.e., stock prior to the reclassification of shares on
October 11, 1996) and Redeemable Preferred Stock.
On October 24, 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering of
1,825,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at $13.50 per share (the "Offering").
Net proceeds to the Company from the Offering were approximately $21,391,000 .
The remaining proceeds of the Offering are held either as cash or cash
equivalents and will be used for working capital and general corporate
purposes, which may include (i) funding the Company's remaining obligations
under the Microtel Acquisition Agreement, (ii) acquiring additional lodging or
other service-oriented brands or exclusive franchise rights (to the extent
permitted under the Hawthorn Acquisition Agreement), (iii) investing in
financing programs developed by its wholly owned subsidiary, US Funding Corp.,
(iv) servicing interest on the Subordinated Debentures, (v) the building of
hotel properties, and (vi) investing in entities that make equity investments
in hotel properties built and managed by certain franchisees with the potential
for multi-unit development. Cash and cash equivalents were $25,932,000 as of
June 30, 1997.
On January 1, 1997, the Company exercised its option to exchange the Redeemable
Preferred Stock at the Liquidation Value of $18,477,000 into 10% Subordinated
Debentures due September 29, 2007. The Company is required to pay interest
expense by issuing additional debentures for 50% of the expense with the
remaining 50% to be paid in cash. Interest is payable semi-annually
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on the last business day in June and December of each year. If Mr. Michael A.
Leven's employment were to be terminated by the Company for any reason
(including resignation) or the Company were to otherwise experience a Change of
Control, the Company would be obligated to redeem all outstanding Subordinated
Debentures. The Company also had outstanding indebtedness related to the
Microtel Acquisition of approximately $785,000 in principal and interest as of
June 30, 1997.
SEASONALITY
In the future, royalties generated by gross room revenues of franchised
properties are expected to be the principal source of revenue for the Company.
As a result, the Company expects to experience seasonal revenue patterns
similar to those experienced by the lodging industry generally. Accordingly,
the summer months, because of increase in leisure travel, are expected to
produce higher revenues for the Company than other periods during the year. In
addition, developers of new hotels typically attempt, whenever feasible, to
schedule the opening of a new property to occur prior to the spring and summer
seasons. This also may have an impact on the seasonality of the Company's
revenues, a significant portion of which is not recognized until the opening of
a property. Accordingly, the Company may experience lower revenues and profits
in the first and fourth quarters and higher revenues and profits in the second
and third quarters.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is and may become party to claims and litigations that arise in the
Company's normal course of business. It is the opinion of management that the
outcome of any currently pending matters will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES
Not applicable
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The Annual meeting of the Stockholders (the "Stockholders") of U.S. Franchise
Systems, Inc. was held on May 30, 1997 at 4:00 p.m., at the Company's offices,
13 Corporate Square, Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.
One matter was submitted to the Stockholders: to elect seven (7) directors to
constitute the Board of Directors, to serve for a term of one year and until
the successors are elected and qualified.
The proposal that came before the meeting was passed by the Stockholders. The
tally of the votes was as follows:
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Tally of Votes of Annual Meeting of Stockholders of U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc.
Held on May 30, 1997
Subject of Vote # For % For* # Against % Against # Abstain %Abs.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directors:
- ----------
Michael A. Leven 33,177,823 99.99% 0 0.0% 4,750 0.01%
Neal K. Aronson 33,177,823 99.99% 0 0.0% 4,750 0.01%
Dean S. Adler 33,177,823 99.99% 0 0.0% 4,750 0.01%
Irwin Chafetz 33,177,823 99.99% 0 0.0% 4,750 0.01%
Richard D. Goldstein 33,177,823 99.99% 0 0.0% 4,750 0.01%
Barry S. Sternlicht 33,177,823 99.99% 0 0.0% 4,750 0.01%
Jeffery H. Sonnenfeld 33,177,823 99.99% 0 0.0% 4,750 0.01%
* Out of 33,182,573 votes submitted (there were 36,951,666 possible votes
related to the Common Stock).
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Not Applicable
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
A) EXHIBITS:
Exhibit
Number Description
27.1 Financial Data Schedule for the six months ended June 30, 1997,
submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission in electronic
format.
B) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
During the second quarter ended June 30, 1997 the Company did not file any
report on Form 8-K
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.
U.S. FRANCHISE SYSTEMS, INC.
(Registrant)
By/s/ Michael A. Leven By/s/ Neal K. Aronson
---------------------- -----------------------
Michael A. Leven Neal K. Aronson
Chairman of the Board, President Executive Vice President, Chief
and Chief Executive Officer Financial Officer and
Director (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
Dated July 25, 1997
13
14
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
14