rmcf20140228_10k.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

X

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2014

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: 0-14749

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado

84-0910696

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

265 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303

(Address of principal executive offices, including ZIP code)

 

(970) 259-0554

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities Registered Pursuant To Section 12(b) Of The Act:

 

Title of each class

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock $.03 Par Value per Share

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

                              

                    

                    

 

Securities Registered Pursuant To Section 12(g) Of The Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes _____     No 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.     Yes _____     No 

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer              

Accelerated filer               

Non-accelerated filer               

Smaller reporting company       X  

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

                      

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes ____      No   X   

 

On April 30, 2014, there were 6,163,312 shares of our common stock outstanding. The aggregate market value of our common stock (based on the closing price as quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market on August 31, 2013, the last day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter) held by non-affiliates was $56,169,065. For purposes of this calculation, shares of common stock held by each executive officer and director and by holders of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock have been excluded since those persons may under certain circumstances be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

 

As of the date of this report, there were 6,200,822 shares of our common stock outstanding.

 

 
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement furnished to shareholders in connection with the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report. The Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the close of the registrant’s fiscal year ended February 28, 2014.

 

 
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.

FORM 10-K

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  

PART I.

5

 

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

5

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

16

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

19

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

19

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

19

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

19

 

 

Part II.

19

 

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

19

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

20

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

20

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

29

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

30

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

49

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

50

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

51

 

 

PART III.

51

 

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

51

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

51

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

51

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

52

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

52

 

 

PART IV.

53

 

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

53

 

 
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report includes statements of our expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. The nature of our operations and the environment in which we operate subject us to changing economic, competitive, regulatory and technological conditions, risks and uncertainties. The statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this report are forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this document may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will," "intend," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "plan," "estimate," "potential," or similar expressions. Factors which could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to: changes in the confectionery business environment, seasonality, consumer interest in our products, general economic conditions, the success of U-Swirl, Inc., receptiveness of our products internationally, consumer trends, costs and availability of raw materials, competition, the success of our co-branding strategy and the effect of government regulations. Government regulations which we and our franchisees either are or may be subject to and which could cause results to differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: local, state and federal laws regarding health, sanitation, safety, building and fire codes, franchising, employment, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of food products and motor carriers. For a detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained herein, please see the “Risk Factors” contained in this report in Item 1A. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report. As such they should not be unduly relied upon for more current circumstances. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that might reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report or those that might reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

 
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PART I.

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

General

 

Founded in 1981 and incorporated in Colorado in 1982, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is an international franchisor and confectionery manufacturer. We are headquartered in Durango, Colorado and manufacture an extensive line of premium chocolate candies and other confectionery products. As of March 31, 2014, there were 6 Company-owned, 77 licensee-owned and 282 franchised Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores operating in 40 states, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

 

Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (“ALY”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was incorporated in Colorado as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, Inc. on September 30, 2010 and reorganized as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC on October 14, 2010 with the Company as the sole founding member. On January 14, 2013, Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC (“Newco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formed in the State of Colorado on January 2, 2013, entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units branded as “Yogurtini.” In addition, on January 14, 2013, the Company entered into two agreements to sell all of its membership interests in Newco and substantially all of its assets in ALY to U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (OTCQB: SWRL), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc. Upon completion of these transactions, the Company ceased to directly operate any Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations or sell and support franchise locations. As of February 28, 2014, U-Swirl, Inc. operated 13 Company-owned stores and 273 franchised U-Swirl, Yogurtini, Josie’s Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli, Fuzzy Peach and Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations in 37 states, Canada, Turkey and Pakistan. U-Swirl, Inc. acquired the U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt concept in September 2008 from U Create Enterprises (formerly U-Swirl Yogurt, Inc.). As of February 28, 2014 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. held 42% of U-Swirl, Inc. common stock issued and outstanding, or payable. Additionally, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. had the right to acquire approximately 26,400,000 shares of common stock through the conversion of debt into common stock. If the Company exercised this conversion we believe we would hold approximately 75% of U-Swirl, Inc. common stock.

 

Approximately 55% of the products sold at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores are prepared on the premises. We believe that in-store preparation of products creates a special store ambiance, and the aroma and sight of products being made attracts foot traffic and assures customers that products are fresh.

 

Our principal competitive strengths lie in our brand name recognition, our reputation for the quality, variety and taste of our products, the special ambiance of our stores, our knowledge and experience in applying criteria for selection of new store locations, our expertise in the manufacture of chocolate candy products and the merchandising and marketing of confectionary products, and the control and training infrastructures we have implemented to assure consistent customer service and execution of successful practices and techniques at our stores.

 

We believe our manufacturing expertise and reputation for quality has facilitated the sale of selected products through specialty markets. We are currently selling our products in a select number of specialty markets including wholesale, fundraising, corporate sales, mail order, private label and internet sales.

 

U-Swirl cafés and associated brands are designed to be attractive to customers by offering the following:

 

inside café-style seating for 50 people and outside patio seating, where feasible and appropriate;

 

spacious surroundings of 1,800 to 3,000 square feet;

 

16 to 20 flavors of frozen yogurt;

 

up to 70 toppings; and

 

self-serve format allowing guests to create their own favorite snack.

 

We believe that these characteristics may provide U-Swirl with the ability to compete successfully in the retail frozen yogurt industry. While U-Swirl continues to pursue locations with the characteristics described above we recognize that its acquisition strategy may lead U-Swirl to purchase competitors with diverse layouts.

 

The trade dress of the Aspen Leaf Yogurt, CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli, Josie’s Frozen Yogurt, Fuzzy Peach and Yogurtini locations are similar to that of U-Swirl, although their locations use different color schemes and are typically smaller than the U-Swirl cafés.

 

 
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Our consolidated revenues are currently derived from three principal sources: (i) sales to franchisees and other third parties of chocolates and other confectionery products manufactured by us (64%-68%-68%); (ii) sales at Company-owned stores of chocolates, other confectionery products and frozen yogurt(including products manufactured by us) (17%-15%-15%) and (iii) the collection of initial franchise fees and royalties from franchisees (19%-17%-17%). Approximately 96% of our revenues are derived from domestic sources, with 4% derived from international sources. The figures in parentheses above show the percentage of total revenues attributable to each source for the fiscal years ended February 28 or 29, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

According to the National Confectioners Association, the total U.S. candy market approximated $33.6 billion of retail sales in 2013 with chocolate generating sales of approximately $20.6 billion and sales per capita of $106.19, an increase of 1.8% when compared to 2012. According to the Department of Commerce, per capita consumption of chocolate in 2010 was approximately 14 pounds per year nationally.

 

According to Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts in the U.S.: Markets and Opportunities in Retail and Foodservice, 6th Edition, published in January 2010 by Packaged Facts (the “Packaged Facts Report”), the frozen dessert industry is a large and growing industry. In 2009, the U.S. market for ice cream and related frozen desserts, including frozen yogurt and frozen novelties, grew two percent to $25 billion.

 

Business Strategy

 

Our objective is to build on our position as a leading international franchisor and manufacturer of high quality chocolate and other confectionery products. We continually seek opportunities to profitably expand our business. To accomplish this objective, we employ a business strategy that includes the following elements:

 

Product Quality and Variety

 

We maintain gourmet taste and quality of our chocolate candies by using only the finest chocolate and other wholesome ingredients. We use our own proprietary recipes, primarily developed by our master candy makers. A typical Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store offers up to 100 of our chocolate candies throughout the year and as many as 200, including many packaged candies, during the holiday seasons. Individual stores also offer numerous varieties of premium fudge and gourmet caramel apples, as well as other products prepared in the store from Company recipes.

 

Store Atmosphere and Ambiance

 

We seek to establish an enjoyable and inviting atmosphere in each of our stores. Each Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store prepares numerous products, including fudge, barks and caramel apples, in the store. In-store preparation is designed to be both fun and entertaining for customers and to convey an image of freshness and homemade quality. Our design staff has developed easily replicable designs and specifications to ensure that the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory concept is consistently implemented at each store.

 

Site Selection

 

Careful selection of a site is critical to the success of our stores. We consider many factors in identifying suitable sites, including tenant mix, visibility, attractiveness, accessibility, level of foot traffic and occupancy costs. Final site selection occurs only after our senior management has approved the site. We believe that the experience of our management team in evaluating a potential site is one of our competitive strengths.

 

Customer Service Commitment

 

We emphasize excellence in customer service and seek to employ and to sell franchises to motivated and energetic people. We also foster enthusiasm for our customer service philosophy and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory concept through our biennial franchisee convention, regional meetings and other frequent contacts with our franchisees.

 

Increase Same Store Retail Sales at Existing Locations

 

We seek to increase profitability of our store system through increasing sales at existing store locations. Changes in system wide domestic same store retail sales are as follows:

 

2010

(2.9%)

2011

0.6%

2012

1.1%

2013

0.2%

2014

1.2%

 

 
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We believe that the negative trend in FY 2010 was due to the global economic recession that significantly impacted retailing, in general, and regional shopping mall customer traffic, in particular, throughout the United States during all of FY 2008, FY 2009 and the first three quarters of FY 2010 resulting in the worst economic and retail environment in our history. We experienced a decrease in same store sales of (6.7%) in our fiscal first quarter of 2010 followed by decreases in same store sales of (4.6%) and (3.2%) in our fiscal second and third quarters and an increase of 1.4% in our fiscal fourth quarter of 2010 compared with the same periods in FY 2009. The negative trend reversed slightly in the subsequent fiscal years.

 

We have designed a contemporary and coordinated line of packaged products that we believe capture and convey the freshness, fun and excitement of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory retail store experience. We also believe that the successful launch of new packaging has had a positive impact on same store sales.

 

Increase Same Store Pounds Purchased by Existing Locations

 

In FY 2014, same store pounds purchased by franchisees decreased 0.1% compared to the prior fiscal year. We continue to add new products and focus our existing product lines in an effort to increase same store pounds purchased by existing locations. We believe decreases in same store pounds purchased were due, in part, to a product mix shift from factory-made products to products made in the store such as caramel apples.

 

Enhanced Operating Efficiencies

 

We seek to improve our profitability by controlling costs and increasing the efficiency of our operations. Efforts in the last several years include: the purchase of additional automated factory equipment, implementation of a comprehensive Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) system, implementation of alternative manufacturing strategies and installation of enhanced Point-of-Sale (POS) systems in all of our Company-owned and the majority of our franchised stores. These measures have significantly improved our ability to deliver our products to our stores safely, quickly and cost-effectively and impact store operations.

 

Acquisition Opportunities

 

Beginning in January 2013 with the acquisition of a controlling interest in U-Swirl, Inc, we began an initiative to improve profitability through the acquisition of self-serve frozen yogurt franchise systems. We believe that the rapid growth of the self-serve frozen yogurt market has created a highly fragmented franchise environment. We believe we can leverage the strategies we’ve developed over time to improve our profitability and bring the benefits of scale to smaller franchisors. During FY 2013 and FY 2014 we acquired Yogurtini, Josie’s Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach frozen yogurt concepts. These acquisitions have resulted in an additional 240 franchise and Company-owned units in operation.

 

Expansion Strategy

 

We are continually exploring opportunities to grow our brand and expand our business. Key elements of our expansion strategy include:

 

Unit Growth

 

We continue to pursue unit growth opportunities, despite the difficult financing environment for our concepts, in locations where we have traditionally been successful, to pursue new and developing real estate environments for franchisees which appear promising based on early sales results, and to improve and expand our retail store concepts, such that previously untapped and unfeasible environments generate sufficient revenue to support a successful Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location.

 

Acquisition Strategy

 

The growth strategy for self serve retail frozen yogurt is to maximize U-Swirl’s market share and market penetration through the acquisition of additional self-serve yogurt systems, as well as the acquisition of complementary businesses which may provide economies of scale and vertical integration. Although we believe there are still many geographic opportunities for growth, we feel the self-serve frozen yogurt market has reached a saturation point. In many parts of the country the consolidation of the industry has begun. We believe this consolidation can prove beneficial to us in a number of ways, and we intend to concentrate a significant amount of our efforts towards the acquisition of additional franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt. In addition to the acquisition of self-serve frozen yogurt franchisors we see benefits in complementary businesses which provide us with the opportunity for vertical integration. Those opportunities lie in owning specific products which may be sold in our cafés, as well as securing proprietary technology for use by franchisees. We see this as a possibility of adding new revenue streams while expanding into other markets in an efficient and lower risk model.

 

 
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High Traffic Environments

 

We currently establish franchised stores in the following environments: outlet centers, tourist environments, regional centers, street fronts, airports, other entertainment-oriented environments and strip centers. We have established a business relationship with most of the major developers in the United States and believe that these relationships provide us with the opportunity to take advantage of attractive sites in new and existing real estate environments.

 

Name Recognition and New Market Penetration

 

We believe the visibility of our stores and the high foot traffic at many of our locations has generated strong name recognition of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and demand for our franchises. The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory system has historically been concentrated in the western and Rocky Mountain region of the United States, but growth has generated a gradual easterly momentum as new stores have been opened in the eastern half of the country. This growth has further increased our name recognition and demand for our franchises. Distribution of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory products through specialty markets also increases name recognition and brand awareness in areas of the country in which we have not previously had a significant presence. We believe that distributing selected Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory products through specialty markets also increases our name brand recognition and will improve and benefit our entire store system.

 

We seek to establish a fun and inviting atmosphere in our store locations. Unlike most other confectionery stores, each Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store prepares certain products, including fudge and caramel apples, in the store. Customers can observe store personnel making fudge from start to finish, including the mixing of ingredients in old-fashioned copper kettles and the cooling of the fudge on large granite or marble tables, and are often invited to sample the store's products. An average of approximately 50% of the revenues of franchised stores are generated by sales of products prepared on the premises. We believe the in-store preparation and aroma of our products enhance the ambiance at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores, are fun and entertaining for our customers and convey an image of freshness and homemade quality.

 

To ensure that all stores conform to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory image, our design staff provides working drawings and specifications and approves the construction plans for each new store. We also control the signage and building materials that may be used in the stores.

 

The average store size is approximately 1,000 square feet, approximately 650 square feet of which is selling space. Most stores are open seven days a week. Typical hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Store hours in tourist areas may vary depending upon the tourist season.

 

In January 2007, we began testing co-branded locations, such as the co-branded stores with Cold Stone Creamery. Co-branding a location is a vehicle to exploit retail environments that would not typically support a stand alone Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store. Co-branding can also be used to more efficiently manage rent structure, payroll and other operating costs in environments that have not historically supported stand alone Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores. As of March 31, 2014 our partner’s franchisees operated 65 co-branded locations, our franchisees operated 10 locations and two Company-owned co-branded units were in operation.

 

On April 30, 2012 we announced the execution of a Master Licensing Agreement covering the country of Japan. We believe that international opportunities may create a favorable expansion strategy and reduce dependence on domestic franchise openings to achieve growth. As of March 31, 2014, there were 56, 5, 5, and 3 international stores operating in the countries of Canada, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Japan, respectively.

 

Products and Packaging

 

We produce approximately 300 chocolate candies and other confectionery products, using proprietary recipes developed primarily by our master candy makers. These products include many varieties of clusters, caramels, creams, mints and truffles. We continue to engage in a major effort to expand our product line by developing additional exciting and attractive new products. During the Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day holiday seasons, we may make as many as 130 additional items, including many candies offered in packages specially designed for the holidays. A typical Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store offers up to 100 of these candies throughout the year and up to an additional 100 during holiday seasons. Individual stores also offer more than 15 premium fudges and other products prepared in the store. On average, approximately 45% of the revenues of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores are generated by products manufactured at our factory, 50% by products made in individual stores using our recipes and ingredients purchased from us or approved suppliers and the remaining 5% by products such as ice cream, coffee and other sundries, purchased from approved suppliers.

 

Approximately 21% of our product sales result from the sale of products outside of our system of franchised and licensed locations (specialty markets). The majority of sales outside our system of franchised and licensed locations are the result of a single customer. In the twelve months ended February 28, 2014 this customer represented 79% of total shipments to specialty markets. These products are produced using the same quality ingredients and manufacturing processes as the products sold in our network of retail stores.   

 

 
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We use only the finest chocolates, nut meats and other wholesome ingredients in our candies and continually strive to offer new confectionery items in order to maintain the excitement and appeal of our products. We develop special packaging for the Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter holidays, and customers can have their purchases packaged in decorative boxes and fancy tins throughout the year.

 

Chocolate candies that we manufacture are sold at prices ranging from $16.95 to $29.95 per pound, with an average price of $21.07 per pound. Franchisees set their own retail prices, though we do recommend prices for all of our products.

 

Operating Environment

 

We currently establish Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in six primary environments: regional centers, tourist areas, outlet centers, street fronts, airports and other entertainment-oriented shopping centers. Each of these environments has a number of attractive features, including high levels of foot traffic. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory domestic franchise locations in operation as of February 28, 2014 include:

 

Regional Centers

    24.9 %

Outlet Centers

    22.5 %

Festival/Community Centers

    19.2 %

Tourist Areas

    16.4 %

Street Fronts

    8.5 %

Airports

    4.2 %

Other

    4.3 %

 

Regional Centers

 

As of February 28, 2014, there were Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in approximately 53 regional centers, including a location in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. Although often providing favorable levels of foot traffic, regional centers typically involve more expensive rent structures and competing food and beverage concepts.

 

Outlet Centers

 

We have established business relationships with most of the major outlet center developers in the United States. Although not all factory outlet centers provide desirable locations for our stores, we believe our relationships with these developers will provide us with the opportunity to take advantage of attractive sites in new and existing outlet centers.

 

Tourist Areas, Street Fronts and Other Entertainment-Oriented Shopping Centers

 

As of February 28, 2014, there were approximately 35 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in locations considered to be tourist areas, including Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California and the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. Tourist areas are very attractive locations because they offer high levels of foot traffic and favorable customer spending characteristics, and greatly increase our visibility and name recognition. We believe significant opportunities exist to expand into additional tourist areas with high levels of foot traffic.

 

Other Environments

 

We believe there are a number of other environments that have the characteristics necessary for the successful operation of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores such as airports and sports arenas. Nine franchised Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores exist at airport locations.

 

Strip/Convenience Centers

 

Our self serve frozen yogurt locations are primarily located in strip and convenience center locations. Such centers generally have convenient parking and feature many retail entities without enclosed connecting walkways. Such centers generally offer favorable rents and the ability to operate during hours when other operating environments are closed, such as late night.

 

Franchising Program

 

General

 

Our franchising philosophy is one of service and commitment to our franchise system, and we continuously seek to improve our franchise support services. Our concept has consistently been rated as an outstanding franchise opportunity by publications and organizations rating such opportunities. In January 2011, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory was rated the number one franchise opportunity in the candy category by Entrepreneur Magazine. As of March 31, 2014, there were 282 franchised stores in the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory system.

 

 
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Franchisee Sourcing and Selection

 

The majority of new franchises are awarded to persons referred by existing franchisees, to interested consumers who have visited Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores and to existing franchisees. We also advertise for new franchisees in national and regional newspapers as suitable potential store locations come to our attention. Franchisees are approved by us on the basis of the applicant's net worth and liquidity, together with an assessment of work ethic and personality compatibility with our operating philosophy.

 

In FY 1992, we entered into a franchise development agreement covering Canada with Immaculate Confections, Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia. Pursuant to this agreement, Immaculate Confections purchased the exclusive right to franchise and operate Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in Canada. As of March 31, 2014, Immaculate Confections operated 56 stores under this agreement.

 

In FY 2000, we entered into a franchise development agreement covering the Gulf Cooperation Council States of United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman with Al Muhairy Group of United Arab Emirates. Pursuant to this agreement, Al Muhairy Group purchased the exclusive right to franchise and operate Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in the Gulf Cooperation Council States. As of March 31, 2014, Al Muhairy Group operated five stores under this agreement.

 

In August 2009, we entered into a Master License Agreement with Kahala Franchise Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, select current and future Cold Stone Creamery franchise stores are co-branded with both the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and the Cold Stone Creamery brands. Locations developed or modified under the agreement are subject to the approval of both parties. Locations developed or modified under the agreement will remain franchisees of Cold Stone Creamery and will be licensed to offer the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory brand. As of March 31, 2014, Cold Stone Creamery franchisees operated 65 stores under this agreement.

 

In April 2012, we entered into a Master Licensing Agreement covering the country of Japan with a strategic licensee based in Hong Kong. Under the terms of the agreement, the Licensee will pay the Company a master license fee for the right to open Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores for its own account and for the account of franchisees throughout the country of Japan. The master license fee is payable upon the execution of the agreement and annually thereafter or until 100 stores have been opened in the Licensed Territory. The agreement requires at least 10 new stores to open each year for 10 years, for a total minimum of 100 stores in the Licensed Territory by the expiration of the initial term of the agreement. The Company will receive royalties on all retail unit sales opened under the agreement and will generate factory sales as the exclusive provider of confectionary products to the licensee. As of March 31, 2014, three units were operating under this Agreement.

 

In March 2013 we entered into Licensing Agreements in the countries of South Korea and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under the terms of the Agreement for South Korea, the Licensee will open five Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores within 30 months following the execution of the Agreement. The Licensee has also been granted a 30-month option to convert its initial License Agreement into a Master License Agreement covering the entire country of South Korea. If the Licensee chooses to exercise the option prior to its expiration date, the Licensee will acquire the right to itself and/or through third-party franchisees to develop not less than 30 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores, inclusive of the five stores developed under the terms of the initial License Agreement. As of March 31, 2014, five units were operating under this Agreement.

 

Under the terms of the Agreement for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Licensee will open and begin operating four Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores within 30 months following the execution of the Agreement. The Licensee has also been granted a 30-month option to convert its initial License Agreement into a Master License Agreement covering the entire country of Saudi Arabia. If the Licensee chooses to exercise the option prior to its expiration date, the Licensee will acquire the right to itself and/or through third-party franchisees to develop an additional six Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in the Licensed Territory. As of March 31, 2014, no units were in operation and one unit was in development under the agreement.

 

Training and Support

 

Each domestic franchisee owner/operator and each store manager for a domestic franchisee is required to complete a comprehensive training program in store operations and management. We have established a training center at our Durango headquarters in the form of a full-sized replica of a properly configured and merchandised Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store. Topics covered in the training course include our philosophy of store operation and management, customer service, merchandising, pricing, cooking, inventory and cost control, quality standards, record keeping, labor scheduling and personnel management. Training is based on standard operating policies and procedures contained in an operations manual provided to all franchisees, which the franchisee is required to follow by terms of the franchise agreement. Additionally, and importantly, trainees are provided with a complete orientation to our operations by working in key factory operational areas and by meeting with members of our senior management.

 

 
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Our operating objectives include providing knowledge and expertise in merchandising, marketing and customer service to all front-line store level employees to maximize their skills and ensure that they are fully versed in our proven techniques.

 

We provide ongoing support to franchisees through our field consultants, who maintain regular and frequent communication with the stores by phone and by site visits. The field consultants also review and discuss with the franchisee store operating results and provide advice and guidance in improving store profitability and in developing and executing store marketing and merchandising programs.

 

Quality Standards and Control

 

The franchise agreement for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchisees requires compliance with our procedures of operation and food quality specifications and permits audits and inspections by us.

 

Operating standards for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores are set forth in operating manuals. These manuals cover general operations, factory ordering, merchandising, advertising and accounting procedures. Through their regular visits to franchised stores, our field consultants audit performance and adherence to our standards. We have the right to terminate any franchise agreement for non-compliance with our operating standards. Products sold at the stores and ingredients used in the preparation of products approved for on-site preparation must be purchased from us or from approved suppliers.

 

The Franchise Agreement: Terms and Conditions

 

The domestic offer and sale of our franchise concepts are made pursuant to the respective Franchise Disclosure Document prepared in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations. States that regulate the sale and operation of franchises require a franchiser to register or file certain notices with the state authorities prior to offering and selling franchises in those states.

 

Under the current form of our domestic franchise agreements, franchisees pay us (i) an initial franchise fee for each store, (ii) royalties based on monthly gross sales, and (iii) a marketing fee based on monthly gross sales. Franchisees are generally granted exclusive territory with respect to the operation of their stores only in the immediate vicinity of their stores. Chocolate and yogurt products not made on the premises by franchisees must be purchased from us or approved suppliers. The franchise agreements require franchisees to comply with our procedures of operation and food quality specifications, to permit inspections and audits by us and to remodel stores to conform with standards then in effect. We may terminate the franchise agreement upon the failure of the franchisee to comply with the conditions of the agreement and upon the occurrence of certain events, such as insolvency or bankruptcy of the franchisee or the commission by the franchisee of any unlawful or deceptive practice, which in our judgment is likely to adversely affect the system. Our ability to terminate franchise agreements pursuant to such provisions is subject to applicable bankruptcy and state laws and regulations. See "Business - Regulation."

 

The agreements prohibit the transfer or assignment of any interest in a franchise without our prior written consent. The agreements also give us a right of first refusal to purchase any interest in a franchise if a proposed transfer would result in a change of control of that franchise. The refusal right, if exercised, would allow us to purchase the interest proposed to be transferred under the same terms and conditions and for the same price as offered by the proposed transferee.

 

The term of each franchise agreement is ten years, and franchisees have the right to renew for one additional ten-year term.

 

Franchise Financing

 

We do not typically provide prospective franchisees with financing for their stores, but we have developed relationships with several sources of franchisee financing to whom we will refer franchisees. Typically, franchisees have obtained their own sources of such financing and have not required our assistance.

 

During FY 2014 we began an initiative to finance entrepreneurial graduates of the Missouri Western State University (“MWSU”) entrepreneurial program. Beginning in FY 2010, recent graduates were awarded the opportunity to own a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise under favorable financing terms. Prior to FY 2014 the financing was provided by an independent benefactor of the MWSU School of Business. Beginning in FY 2014 we began to finance the graduates directly, under similar terms as the previous financing facility. This program has generally included financing for the purchase of formerly Company-owned locations or for the purchase of underperforming franchise locations. As of February 28, 2014 approximately $372,000 was included in notes receivable as a result of this program.

 

Licensee Financing

 

During FY 2011, we began a program to finance the remodel costs of a select number of co-branded licensed Cold Stone Creamery locations. The financing was provided to existing Cold Stone Creamery franchisees that were required to meet a number of financial qualifications prior to approval. At February 28, 2014, approximately $200,000 was included in notes receivable as a result of this program.

 

 
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Company Store Program

 

As of March 31, 2014, there were six company-owned Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores and 13 company-owned U-Swirl cafés. company-owned stores provide a training ground for company-owned store personnel and district managers and a controllable testing ground for new products and promotions, operating and training methods and merchandising techniques, which may then be incorporated into the franchise store operations.

 

Managers of company-owned stores are required to comply with all Company operating standards and undergo training and receive support from us similar to the training and support provided to franchisees. See "Franchising Program-Training and Support" and "Franchising Program-Quality Standards and Control."

 

Manufacturing Operations

 

General

 

We manufacture our chocolate candies at our factory in Durango, Colorado. All products are produced consistent with our philosophy of using only the finest high quality ingredients to achieve our marketing motto of "the Peak of Perfection in Handmade Chocolates®."

 

We have always believed that we should control the manufacturing of our own chocolate products. By controlling manufacturing, we can better maintain our high product quality standards, offer unique, proprietary products, manage costs, control production and shipment schedules and potentially pursue new or under-utilized distribution channels.

 

Manufacturing Processes

 

The manufacturing process primarily involves cooking or preparing candy centers, including nuts, caramel, peanut butter, creams and jellies, and then coating them with chocolate or other toppings. All of these processes are conducted in carefully controlled temperature ranges, and we employ strict quality control procedures at every stage of the manufacturing process. We use a combination of manual and automated processes at our factory. Although we believe that it is currently preferable to perform certain manufacturing processes, such as dipping of some large pieces by hand, automation increases the speed and efficiency of the manufacturing process. We have from time to time automated processes formerly performed by hand where it has become cost-effective for us to do so without compromising product quality or appearance.

 

We seek to ensure the freshness of products sold in Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores with frequent shipments. Most Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores do not have significant space for the storage of inventory, and we encourage franchisees and store managers to order only the quantities that they can reasonably expect to sell within approximately two to four weeks. For these reasons, we generally do not have a significant backlog of orders.

 

Ingredients

 

The principal ingredients used in our products are chocolate, nuts, sugar, corn syrup, cream and butter. The factory receives shipments of ingredients daily. To ensure the consistency of our products, we buy ingredients from a limited number of reliable suppliers. In order to assure a continuous supply of chocolate and certain nuts, we frequently enter into purchase contracts of between six to eighteen months for these products. Because prices for these products may fluctuate, we may benefit if prices rise during the terms of these contracts, but we may be required to pay above-market prices if prices fall. We have one or more alternative sources for all essential ingredients and therefore believe that the loss of any supplier would not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We currently purchase small amounts of finished candy from third parties on a private label basis for sale in Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores.

 

Trucking Operations

 

We operate eight trucks and ship a substantial portion of our products from the factory on our own fleet. Our trucking operations enable us to deliver our products to the stores quickly and cost-effectively. In addition, we back-haul our own ingredients and supplies, as well as products from third parties, on return trips, which helps achieve even greater efficiencies and cost savings.

 

Marketing

 

General

 

We rely primarily on in-store promotion and point-of-purchase materials to promote the sale of our products. The monthly marketing fees collected from franchisees are used by us to develop new packaging and in-store promotion and point-of-purchase materials, and to create and update our local store marketing handbooks.

 

 
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We focus on local store marketing efforts by providing customizable marketing materials, including advertisements, coupons, flyers and mail order catalogs generated by our in-house Creative Services department. The department works directly with franchisees to implement local store marketing programs.

 

We have not historically and do not intend to engage in national traditional media advertising in the near future. Consistent with our commitment to community support, we aggressively seek opportunities to participate in local and regional events, sponsorships and charitable causes. This support leverages low cost, high return publicity opportunities for mutual gain partnerships. Through programs such as Fudge for Troops, and collaborations with Toys for Tots, and Sylvan Learning Centers, we have developed relationships that define our principal platforms, and contribute to charitable causes that provide great benefits at a national level.

 

Internet and Social Media

 

Beginning in 2010, we initiated a program to leverage the marketing benefits of various social media outlets. These low cost marketing opportunities seek to leverage the positive feedback of our customers to expand brand awareness through a customer’s network of contacts. Complementary to local store marketing efforts, these networks also provide a medium for us to communicate regularly and authentically with customers. When possible, we work to facilitate direct relationships between our franchisees and their customers. We use social media as a powerful tool to build brand recognition, increase repeat exposure and enhance dialogue with consumers about their preferences and needs. To date, 285 stores have location specific websites and 170 stores have location specific Facebook ® pages dedicated to help customers interact directly with their local store. Proceeds from the monthly marketing fees collected from franchisees are used by us to facilitate and assist stores in managing their online presence consistent with our brand and marketing efforts.

 

Licensing

 

We have forged a partnership with IMC Licensing for the purpose of building a consumer products licensing program to leverage the equity of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory brand. These licensed products place our brand and story in front of consumers in environments where they regularly shop but may not be seeing our brand at present. The company regularly reviews a list of product opportunities and selectively pursues those we believe will have the greatest impact. The most recent example is the announcement of our Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Chocolatey Almond breakfast cereal manufactured, marketed, and distributed by Kellogg Company.

 

Competition

 

The retailing of confectionery and frozen dessert products is highly competitive. We and our franchisees compete with numerous businesses that offer products similar to those our stores offer. Many of these competitors have greater name recognition and financial, marketing and other resources than us. In addition, there is intense competition among retailers for real estate sites, store personnel and qualified franchisees.

 

We believe that our principal competitive strengths lie in our name recognition and our reputation for the quality, value, variety and taste of our products and the special ambiance of our stores; our knowledge and experience in applying criteria for selection of new store locations; our expertise in merchandising and marketing of chocolate and other candy products; and the control and training infrastructures we have implemented to assure execution of successful practices and techniques at our store locations. In addition, by controlling the manufacturing of our own chocolate products, we can better maintain our high product quality standards for those products, offer proprietary products, manage costs, control production and shipment schedules and pursue new or under-utilized distribution channels.

 

Trade Name and Trademarks

 

The trade name "Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory®," the phrases, "The Peak of Perfection in Handmade Chocolates®", "America's Chocolatier®”, “The World’s Chocolatier®” as well as all other trademarks, service marks, symbols, slogans, emblems, logos and designs used in the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory system, are our proprietary rights. We believe that all of the foregoing are of material importance to our business. The registration for the trademark “Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory” is registered in the United States and Canada. Applications have been filed to register the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory trademark and/or obtained in certain foreign countries.

 

In connection with U-Swirl’s frozen yogurt café operations, the following marks are owned by U-Swirl, Inc. and have been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: “U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt And Design”; “U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt”; “U-Swirl”; “U and Design”; “Worth The Weight”; “Frequent Swirler”; “Yogurtini”; “CherryBerry Self-Serve Yogurt Bar”; “Yogli Mogli”; “Best on the Planet”; “Fuzzy Peach”; and “Serve Yo Self”. The “U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt and Design” (a logo) is also registered in Mexico and U-Swirl has a pending application for registration of “U-Swirl” in Canada.

 

We have not attempted to obtain patent protection for the proprietary recipes developed by our master candy-maker and instead rely upon our ability to maintain the confidentiality of those recipes.

 

Employees

 

At February 28, 2014, we employed approximately 350 people. Most employees, with the exception of store management, factory management and corporate management, are paid on an hourly basis. We also employ some people on a temporary basis during peak periods of store and factory operations. We seek to assure that participatory management processes, mutual respect and professionalism and high performance expectations for the employee exist throughout the organization. We believe that we provide working conditions, wages and benefits that compare favorably with those of our competitors. Our employees are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our employee relations to be good.

 

 
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Executive Officers

 

The executive officers of the Company and their ages at April 30, 2014 are as follows:

 

Name

Age

Position

Franklin E. Crail

72

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

Bryan J. Merryman

53

Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director

Gregory L. Pope

48

Sr. Vice President – Franchise Development and Operations

Edward L. Dudley

50

Sr. Vice President - Sales and Marketing

William K. Jobson

58

Chief Information Officer

Jay B. Haws

64

Vice President - Creative Services

Jeremy M. Kinney

37

Vice President - Finance

Donna L. Coupe

48

Vice President – Franchise Support and Training

Tracy D. Wojcik

51

Corporate Secretary

 

Mr. Crail co-founded the first Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store in May 1981. Since our incorporation in November 1982, he has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer, and director. He was elected Chairman of the Board in March 1986. Prior to founding the Company, Mr. Crail was co-founder and president of CNI Data Processing, Inc., a software firm which developed automated billing systems for the cable television industry.

 

Mr. Merryman joined the Company in December 1997 as Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Since April 1999, Mr. Merryman has also served as our Chief Operating Officer and as a director, and since January 2000, as our Treasurer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Merryman was a principal in Knightsbridge Holdings, Inc. (a leveraged buyout firm) from January 1997 to December 1997. Mr. Merryman also served as Chief Financial Officer of Super Shops, Inc., a retailer and manufacturer of aftermarket auto parts from July 1996 to November 1997, and was employed for more than eleven years by Deloitte and Touche LLP, an independent public accounting firm.

 

Mr. Pope became Sr. Vice President of Franchise Development and Operations in May 2004. Since joining the Company in October 1990, he has served in various positions including store manager, new store opener and franchise field consultant. In March 1996, he became Director of Franchise Development and Support. In June 2001, he became Vice President of Franchise Development, a position he held until he was promoted to his present position.

 

Mr. Dudley joined the Company in January 1997 to spearhead the Company’s Product Sales Development function as Vice President - Sales and Marketing. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in June 2001. During his 10 year career with Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Mr. Dudley served in a number of senior marketing and sales management capacities, including most recently that of Director, Distribution Services from March 1996 to January 1997.

 

Mr. Jobson joined the Company in July 1998 as Director of Information Technology. In June 2001, he was promoted to Chief Information Officer. From July 1995 to July 1998, Mr. Jobson worked for ADAC Laboratories in Durango, Colorado, a leading provider of diagnostic imaging and information systems solutions in the healthcare industry, as Manager of Technical Services and before that, Regional Manager.

 

Mr. Haws joined the Company in August 1991 as Vice President of Creative Services. Since 1981, Mr. Haws had been closely associated with us both as a franchisee and marketing/graphic design consultant. From 1986 to 1991, he operated two Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchises located in San Francisco, California. From 1983 to 1989, he served as Vice President of Marketing for Image Group, Inc., a marketing communications firm based in Northern California. Concurrently, Mr. Haws was co-owner of two other Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchises located in Sacramento, and Walnut Creek California. From 1973 to 1983, he was principal of Jay Haws and Associates, an advertising and graphic design agency.

 

Mr. Kinney became Vice President of Finance in May 2008. Since joining the Company in March 1999, he has served in various operational and financial positions including Director of Retail Operations and Operational Analysis. In May 2007, he became Corporate Controller, a position he held until he was promoted to his present position.

 

Ms. Coupe became Vice President of Franchise Support and Training in June 2008. From 1992 to 1997, she managed franchised stores in Northern California for absentee owners. Since joining the Company in October 1997, she has served in various positions including Field Consultant, Regional Manager and Director of Franchise Support.

 

 
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Ms. Wojcik joined the Company in April 2011 as our Corporate Secretary. From 2007 until joining the Company, Ms. Wojcik was employed by us on a contractual basis, performing an annual assessment of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. From 2000 to 2006, Ms. Wojcik was employed by Ceridian as an Implementation Consultant for Human Resources software applications. Throughout her career, Ms. Wojcik has held various administrative and technical positions in Human Resources.

 

Seasonal Factors

 

Our sales and earnings are seasonal, with significantly higher sales and earnings occurring during key holidays and the summer vacation season than at other times of the year, which may cause fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations. In addition, quarterly results have been, and in the future are likely to be, affected by the timing of new store openings, the sale of franchises and the timing of purchases by customers outside our network of franchised locations. Because of the seasonality of our business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved in other quarters or for a full fiscal year.

 

Regulation

 

Each of the Company-owned and franchised stores is subject to licensing and regulation by the health, sanitation, safety, building and fire agencies in the state or municipality where located. Difficulties or failures in obtaining the required licensing or approvals could delay or prevent the opening of new stores. New stores must also comply with landlord and developer criteria.

 

Many states have laws regulating franchise operations, including registration and disclosure requirements in the offer and sale of franchises. We are also subject to the Federal Trade Commission regulations relating to disclosure requirements in the sale of franchises and ongoing disclosure obligations.

 

Additionally, certain states have enacted and others may enact laws and regulations governing the termination or non-renewal of franchises and other aspects of the franchise relationship that are intended to protect franchisees. Although these laws and regulations, and related court decisions, may limit our ability to terminate franchises and alter franchise agreements, we do not believe that such laws or decisions will have a material adverse effect on our franchise operations. However, the laws applicable to franchise operations and relationships continue to develop, and we are unable to predict the effect on our intended operations of additional requirements or restrictions that may be enacted or of court decisions that may be adverse to franchisers.

 

Federal and state environmental regulations have not had a material impact on our operations but more stringent and varied requirements of local governmental bodies with respect to zoning, land use and environmental factors could delay construction of new stores.

 

Companies engaged in the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of food products are subject to extensive regulation by various governmental agencies. A finding of a failure to comply with one or more regulations could result in the imposition of sanctions, including the closing of all or a portion of our facilities for an indeterminate period of time. Our product labeling is subject to and complies with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 and the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004.

 

We provide a limited amount of trucking services to third parties, to fill available space on our trucks. Our trucking operations are subject to various federal and state regulations, including regulations of the Federal Highway Administration and other federal and state agencies applicable to motor carriers, safety requirements of the Department of Transportation relating to interstate transportation and federal, state and Canadian provincial regulations governing matters such as vehicle weight and dimensions.

 

We believe that we are operating in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

Financial Information About Segments

 

See Note 9 “Operating Segments” to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part II. Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for financial information relating to our segments.

 

Available Information

 

The Internet address of our website is www.rmcf.com. Additional websites specific to our franchise opportunities and our non-wholly owned subsidiary are www.sweetfranchise.com and www.u-swirl.com, respectively.

 

We make available free of charge, through our Internet website, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The public may also read and copy materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, which is located at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. The contents of our website are not incorporated into, and should not be considered a part of, this report.

 

 
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

General Economic Conditions Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on our Business, Results of Operations and Liquidity

 

Consumer purchases of discretionary items, including our products, generally decline during weak economic periods and other periods where disposable income is adversely affected. Our performance is subject to factors that affect worldwide economic conditions including employment, consumer debt, reductions in net worth based on severe market declines, residential real estate and mortgage markets, taxation, fuel and energy prices, interest rates, consumer confidence, value of the U.S. dollar versus foreign currencies and other macroeconomic factors. Recently, these factors have caused consumer spending to deteriorate significantly and may cause levels of spending to remain depressed for the foreseeable future. These factors may cause consumers to purchase products from lower priced competitors or to defer purchases of products altogether.

 

Continued economic weakness could have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. It could also impact our ability to fund growth and/or result in us becoming more reliant on external financing, the availability and terms of which may be uncertain. In addition, a weak economic environment may exacerbate the risks noted below.

 

Our Growth is Dependent Upon Attracting and Retaining Qualified Franchisees and Their Ability to Operate Their Franchised Stores Successfully

 

Our continued growth and success is dependent in part upon our ability to attract, retain and contract with qualified franchisees. Our growth is dependent upon the ability of franchisees to operate their stores successfully, promote and develop our store concepts, and maintain our reputation for an enjoyable in-store experience and high quality products. Although we have established criteria to evaluate prospective franchisees and have been successful in attracting franchisees, there can be no assurance that franchisees will be able to operate successfully in their franchise areas in a manner consistent with our concepts and standards.

 

Our Expansion Plans Are Dependent on the Availability of Suitable Sites for Franchised Stores at Reasonable Occupancy Costs

 

Our expansion plans are critically dependent on our ability to obtain suitable sites at reasonable occupancy costs for our franchised stores in the regional center environment. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain suitable locations for our franchised stores and kiosks in this environment at a cost that will allow such stores to be economically viable.

 

A Significant Shift by Franchisees from Company-Manufactured Products to Products Produced By Third Parties Could Adversely Affect Our Operations

 

We believe approximately 45% of franchised stores' revenues are generated by sales of products manufactured by and purchased from us, 50% by sales of products made in the stores with ingredients purchased from us or approved suppliers and 5% by sales of products purchased from approved suppliers for resale in the stores. Franchisees' sales of products manufactured by us generate higher revenues to us than sales of store-made or other products. We have seen a significant increase in system-wide sales of store-made and other products, which has led to a decrease in purchases from us and an adverse effect on our revenues. If this trend continues, it could further adversely affect our total revenues and results of operations. Such a decrease could result from franchisees' decisions to sell more store-made products or products purchased from approved third party suppliers.

 

Same Store Sales Have Been Negatively Affected by the Economy and Will Continue to Fluctuate on a Regular Basis

 

Our same store sales, defined as year-over-year sales for a store that has been open at least one year, have fluctuated significantly in the past on an annual and quarterly basis and are expected to continue to fluctuate in the future. During the past five fiscal years, same store sales results have fluctuated as follows: (a) from (2.9%) to 1.2% for annual results; (b) from (6.7%) to 4.0% for quarterly results. Sustained declines in same store sales or significant same store sales declines in any single period could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Our Sales to Specialty Market Customers, Customers Outside Our System of Franchised Stores, Are Concentrated Among a Small Number of Customers

 

Revenue from one customer of the Company’s manufacturing segment represented approximately $5.2 million or 13% of the Company’s revenues during the year ended February 28, 2014. The Company’s future results may be adversely impacted by a change in the purchases of this customer.

 

 
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Increases in Costs of Ingredients and Labor Could Adversely Affect Our Operations

 

Inflationary factors such as increases in the costs of ingredients, energy and labor directly affect our operations. Most of our leases provide for cost-of-living adjustments and require us to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses, all of which are subject to inflation. Additionally, our future lease costs for new facilities may reflect potentially escalating costs of real estate and construction. There is no assurance that we will be able to pass on our increased costs to our customers.

 

The Availability and Price of Principal Ingredients Used in Our Products Are Subject to Factors Beyond Our Control

 

Several of the principal ingredients used in our products, including chocolate and nuts, are subject to significant price fluctuations. Although cocoa beans, the primary raw material used in the production of chocolate, are grown commercially in Africa, Brazil and several other countries around the world, cocoa beans are traded in the commodities market, and their supply and price are subject to volatility. We believe our principal chocolate supplier purchases most of its beans at negotiated prices from African growers, often at a premium to commodity prices. The supply and price of cocoa beans, and in turn of chocolate, are affected by many factors, including monetary fluctuations and economic, political and weather conditions in countries in which cocoa beans are grown. We purchase most of our nut meats from domestic suppliers who procure their products from growers around the world. The price and supply of nuts are also affected by many factors, including weather conditions in the various regions in which the nuts we use are grown. Although we often enter into purchase contracts for these products, significant or prolonged increases in the prices of chocolate or of one or more types of nuts, or the unavailability of adequate supplies of chocolate or nuts of the quality sought by us, could have a material adverse effect on us and our results of operations.

 

We Have a Controlling Ownership Interest in U-Swirl, Inc., Which Has a History of Losses and May Continue to Report Losses in the Future

 

In January 2013, we obtained a majority ownership interest in U-Swirl, Inc. (OTCQB: SWRL). This interest was the result of a transaction designed to create a self-serve frozen yogurt company through the combination of three formerly separate self-serve frozen yogurt retailers (U-Swirl, Yogurtini and Aspen Leaf Yogurt). U-Swirl, Inc. has historically reported net losses and may continue to report losses in future periods.

 

We And Our Subsidiaries May Be Unable To Successfully Integrate The Operations Of Acquired Businesses And May Not Achieve The Cost Savings And Increased Revenues Anticipated As A Result Of These Acquisitions.

 

Over the past two years, U-Swirl has acquired a number of other yogurt franchising businesses. Achieving the anticipated benefits of acquisitions will depend in part upon our and our subsidiaries’ ability to integrate these businesses in an efficient and effective manner. The integration of companies that have previously operated independently may result in significant challenges, and we and our subsidiaries may be unable to accomplish the integration smoothly or successfully. The integration of acquired businesses may also require the dedication of significant management resources, which may temporarily distract management’s attention from the day-to-day operations of the Company. In addition, the process of integrating operations may cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of one or more of our or our subsidiaries’ businesses and the loss of key personnel from us or the acquired businesses. Our and our subsidiaries’ strategy is, in part, predicated on the ability to realize cost savings and to increase revenues through the acquisition of businesses that add to the breadth and depth of our products and services. Achieving these cost savings and revenue increases is dependent upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control.

 

The Seasonality of Our Sales and New Store Openings Can Have a Significant Impact on Our Financial Results from Quarter to Quarter

 

Our sales and earnings are seasonal, with significantly higher sales and earnings occurring during key holidays and summer vacation season than at other times of the year, which causes fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations. In addition, quarterly results have been, and in the future are likely to be, affected by the timing of new store openings and the sale of franchises. Because of the seasonality of our business and the impact of new store openings and sales of franchises, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved in other quarters or for a full fiscal year. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

 

We Are Subject to Federal, State and Local Regulation

 

We are subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission and must comply with certain state laws governing the offer, sale and termination of franchises and the refusal to renew franchises. Many state laws also regulate substantive aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship by, for example, requiring the franchisor to deal with its franchisees in good faith, prohibiting interference with the right of free association among franchisees and regulating discrimination among franchisees in charges, royalties or fees. Franchise laws continue to develop and change, and changes in such laws could impose additional costs and burdens on franchisors. Our failure to obtain approvals to sell franchises and the adoption of new franchise laws, or changes in existing laws, could have a material adverse effect on us and our results of operations.

 

 
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Each of our Company-owned and franchised stores is subject to licensing and regulation by the health, sanitation, safety, building and fire agencies in the state or municipality where located. Difficulties or failures in obtaining required licenses or approvals from such agencies could delay or prevent the opening of a new store. We and our franchisees are also subject to laws governing our relationships with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working and safety conditions and citizenship requirements. Because a significant number of our employees are paid at rates related to the federal minimum wage, increases in the minimum wage would increase our labor costs. The failure to obtain required licenses or approvals, or an increase in the minimum wage rate, employee benefits costs (including costs associated with mandated health insurance coverage) or other costs associated with employees, could have a material adverse effect on us and our results of operations.

 

Companies engaged in the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of food products are subject to extensive regulation by various governmental agencies. A finding of a failure to comply with one or more regulations could result in the imposition of sanctions, including the closing of all or a portion of our facilities for an indeterminate period of time, and could have a material adverse effect on us and our results of operations.

 

The Retailing of Confectionery and Frozen Dessert Products is Highly Competitive and Many of Our Competitors Have Competitive Advantages Over Us.

 

The retailing of confectionery and frozen dessert products is highly competitive. We and our franchisees compete with numerous businesses that offer similar products. Many of these competitors have greater name recognition and financial, marketing and other resources than we do. In addition, there is intense competition among retailers for real estate sites, store personnel and qualified franchisees. Competitive market conditions could have a material adverse effect on us and our results of operations and our ability to expand successfully.

 

Changes in Consumer Tastes and Trends Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Operations

 

The sale of our products is affected by changes in consumer tastes and eating habits, including views regarding consumption of chocolate. Numerous other factors that we cannot control, such as economic conditions, demographic trends, traffic patterns and weather conditions, influence the sale of our products. Changes in any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on us and our results of operations.

 

Changes in Health Benefit Claims and Healthcare Reform Legislation Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Operations

 

We accrue for costs to provide self-insured benefits for our employee health benefits program. We accrue for self-insured health benefits based on historical claims experience and we maintain insurance coverage to prevent financial losses from catastrophic health benefit claims. We monitor pending and enacted legislation in an effort to evaluate the effects of such legislation upon our business. Our financial position or results of operations could be materially adversely impacted should we experience a material increase in claims costs or a change in healthcare legislation that impacts our business. Our accrued liability for self-insured employee health benefits at February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013 was $74,000 and $118,000, respectively.

 

Our Expansion Into New Markets May Present Increased Risks Due To Our Unfamiliarity With Those Areas And Our Target Customers’ Unfamiliarity With The Our Brands.

 

Consumers in any new markets we enter will not be familiar with our brands, and we will need to build brand awareness in those markets through significant investments in advertising and promotional activity.  We may find it more difficult in our markets to secure desirable locations and to hire, motivate and keep qualified employees.

 

We May Not Be Able To Successfully Execute A Franchising And Area Developer Strategy Or Attract Independent Franchise Developers.

 

To achieve our expansion goals within our desired timeframe, we have adopted a franchising and area developer model into our business strategy.  We plan to open company-owned frozen yogurt locations and to solicit area developers for our U-Swirl concept.  We may not be successful in attracting franchisees and developers to the U-Swirl concept or identifying franchisees and developers that have the business abilities or access to financial resources necessary to open our U-Swirl locations or to develop or operate successfully our frozen yogurt locations in a manner consistent with our standards.    Further, incorporating a franchising and area developer model into our strategy has required us to devote significant management and financial resources to prepare for and support the eventual sale of franchises.  If we are not successful in incorporating a franchising or area developer model into our strategy, or we are unsuccessful in attracting independent franchise developers, we may experience delays in our growth, or may not be able to expand and grow our business.

 

 
18

 

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

Our manufacturing operations and corporate headquarters are located at a 53,000 square foot manufacturing facility, which we own, in Durango, Colorado. During FY 2014, our factory produced approximately 2.70 million pounds of chocolate candies, which was an increase of 1% from the approximately 2.67 million pounds produced in FY 2013. During FY 2008, we conducted a study of factory capacity. As a result of this study, we believe the factory has the capacity to produce approximately 5.3 million pounds per year. In January 1998, we acquired a two-acre parcel adjacent to our factory to ensure the availability of adequate space to expand the factory as volume demands.

 

U-Swirl, Inc. principal offices are located at 1175 American Pacific, Suite C, Henderson, Nevada 89074, in approximately 5,200 square feet of space leased for a term of five years expiring in July 2018. The rent is approximately $2,800 per month.

 

As of February 28, 2014, all seven Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Company-owned stores were occupied pursuant to non-cancelable leases of five to ten years having varying expiration dates from October 2014 to December 2019, some of which contain optional five-year renewal rights. We do not deem any individual store lease to be significant in relation to our overall operations.

 

The leases for our U-Swirl Company-owned cafés range from approximately 400 to 3,000 square feet. The leases are generally for five-year terms with options to extend. We currently have fourteen U-Swirl, Inc. leases in place which range between $1,800 and $7,500 per month, inclusive of common area maintenance charges and taxes.

 

We act as primary lessee of some franchised store premises, which we then sublease to franchisees, but the majority of existing locations are leased by the franchisee directly. Our current policy is not to act as primary lessee on any further franchised locations, except in rare instances. At March 31, 2014, we were the primary lessee at seven of our 282 franchised stores. The subleases for such stores are on the same terms as the Company's leases of the premises. For information as to the amount of our rental obligations under leases on both Company-owned and franchised stores, see Note 5 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report.

 

We entered into lease agreements during the development stage of Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC for eight Company-owned locations. In January 2013, we sold all of our Company-owned locations. Six of these locations were transferred to U-Swirl, Inc., the Company’s majority owned subsidiary and two locations were sold to franchise operators. In order to secure locations for the development of ALY the Company guaranteed certain leases and remains the primary lessee. As of February 28, 2014 we act as lessee on three former ALY Company-owned locations, these leases have varying expiration dates from January 2016 to December 2016.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is not currently involved in any material legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not Applicable.

 

Part II.

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol “RMCF.” On February 13, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.11 per common share outstanding. The cash dividend was paid March 14, 2014 to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2014. Future declarations of dividends will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, and on such other factors as the Board of Directors may in its discretion consider relevant and in the best long term interest of the shareholders. As of February 28, 2014 we were subject to various financial covenants related to our line of credit and promissory note, however, those covenants do not restrict the Board of Director’s discretion of the future declaration of cash dividends.

 

 
19

 

 

The table below sets forth high and low sales price information and dividends declared for our common stock for each quarter of fiscal years 2014 and 2013.

 

Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2014

 

HIGH

   

LOW

   

Dividends declared

 

Fourth Quarter

  $ 13.45     $ 11.31       .1100  

Third Quarter

  $ 13.67     $ 11.36       .1100  

Second Quarter

  $ 13.98     $ 11.90       .1100  

First Quarter

  $ 13.45     $ 11.09       .1100  

 

Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2013

 

HIGH

   

LOW

   

Dividends declared

 

Fourth Quarter

  $ 12.57     $ 10.21       .1100  

Third Quarter

  $ 12.96     $ 10.00       .1100  

Second Quarter

  $ 13.97     $ 10.10       .1100  

First Quarter

  $ 11.09     $ 9.09       .1100  

  

Holders

 

On April 30, 2014, there were approximately 400 record holders of our common stock. We believe that there are more than 800 beneficial owners of our common stock.

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The selected financial data presented below for the fiscal years ended February 28 or 29, 2010 through 2014, are derived from the financial statements of the Company, which have been audited by EKS&H LLLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

As described in Item 1, “Business” above, on January 14, 2013, we acquired a controlling interest in U-Swirl, Inc. Beginning on January 14, 2013 and continuing through February 28, 2014, the results of operations, assets and liabilities of U-Swirl, Inc. have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements. We have consolidated $5,501,539 and $1,951,092 of assets, $3,758,634 and $945,569 of liabilities and an operating loss of $806,892 and $320,446 of U-Swirl, Inc. for the years ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

All material inter-Company balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

   

YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 28 or 29,

 

 

  2014     2013    

2012

   

2011

   

2010

 
Selected Statement of Operations Data                              

Total revenues

  $ 39,185     $ 36,315     $ 34,627     $ 31,128     $ 28,437  

Operating income

    5,236       2,540       5,853       5,950       5,671  

Net income

  $ 4,392     $ 1,478     $ 3,876     $ 3,911     $ 3,580  
                                         

Basic Earnings per Common Share

  $ 0.72     $ 0.24     $ 0.63     $ 0.65     $ 0.60  
                                         

Diluted Earnings per Common Share

  $ 0.68     $ 0.24     $ 0.62     $ 0.62     $ 0.58  
                                         

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    6,100       6,079       6,111       6,051       6,013  

Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution

    6,437       6,219       6,295       6,290       6,210  

Selected Balance Sheet Data

                                       

Working capital

  $ 9,034      $ 8,981     $ 10,573     $ 9,831     $ 8,930  

Total assets

    37,466       23,834       24,163       21,439       18,920  

Long-term debt

    6,292       -       -       -       -  

Stockholders’ equity

    22,165       17,389       18,736       16,654       14,731  
                                         

Cash Dividend Declared per Common Share

  $ .440     $ .440     $ .400     $ .400     $ .400  

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Current Trends and Outlook

 

Our business was significantly affected by the global recession during 2008-2009. We continued to experience this difficult environment throughout FY 2010 and FY 2011. The environment somewhat improved from FY 2012 to FY 2014, though we do not believe that the challenges have fully reversed. As a result, we have and will continue to focus on managing the business in a seasoned, disciplined and controlled manner.

 

 
20

 

 

The financing that our franchisees have historically relied upon was substantially affected by the changes in banking and lending requirements in the years after the global recession. Limited financing alternatives for domestic franchise growth have led us to pursue a strategy of expansion through Co-branding with complimentary concepts such as ice cream and frozen yogurt, international development, sale of our products to specialty markets, licensing the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory brand for use with other appropriate consumer products, and selected entry of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory branded products into other wholesale channels, along with business acquisitions as primary drivers of growth. This is a trend that continued in FY 2014 and into the foreseeable future.

 

Going forward in FY 2015, we are taking a conservative view of market conditions in the United States. We will continue to focus on our long-term objectives while seeking to maintain flexibility to respond to market conditions, including the pursuit of international growth opportunities to reduce our dependence on the domestic economy.

 

We are a product-based international franchisor. Our revenues and profitability are derived principally from our franchised system of retail stores that feature chocolate, frozen yogurt and other confectionery products. We also sell our candy in selected locations outside our system of retail stores to build brand awareness. We operate six Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and 13 U-Swirl retail units as a laboratory to test marketing, design and operational initiatives.

 

We are subject to seasonal fluctuations in sales because of the location of our franchisees, which have traditionally been located in resort or tourist locations, and the nature of the products we sell, which are highly seasonal. As we expanded our geographical diversity to include regional centers and our franchise offerings to include frozen desserts, we have seen some moderation to our seasonal sales mix. Seasonal fluctuation in sales causes fluctuations in quarterly results of operations. Historically, the strongest sales of our products have occurred during key holidays and summer vacation seasons. Additionally, quarterly results have been, and in the future are likely to be, affected by the timing of new store openings and sales of franchises. Because of the seasonality of our business and the impact of new store openings and sales of franchises, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved in other quarters or for a full fiscal year.

 

The most important factors in continued growth in our earnings are ongoing unit growth, increased same store sales and increased same store pounds purchased from the factory. Historically, unit growth has more than offset decreases in same store sales and same store pounds purchased.

 

Our ability to successfully achieve expansion of our franchise systems depends on many factors not within our control including the availability of suitable sites for new store establishment and the availability of qualified franchisees to support such expansion.

 

Efforts to reverse the decline in same store pounds purchased from the factory by franchised stores and to increase total factory sales depend on many factors, including new store openings, competition, the receptivity of our franchise system to our product introductions and promotional programs. In FY 2014, same store pounds purchased from the factory by franchised stores increased approximately 2.6% in the first quarter, increased approximately 2.2% in the second quarter, declined approximately 4.9% in the third quarter, declined approximately 0.5% in the fourth quarter, and declined approximately 0.1% overall in FY 2014 as compared to the same periods in FY 2013.

 

In May 2009, we announced the expansion of the co-branding test relationship with Cold Stone Creamery. The Company and Cold Stone Creamery, Inc. have agreed to expand the co-branding relationship to several hundred potential locations, based upon the performance of several test locations, operating under the test agreement announced in October 2008. We believe that if this co-branding strategy continues to prove financially viable it could represent a significant future growth opportunity. As of February 28, 2014, Cold Stone licensees operated 65 co-branded locations.

 

On April 30, 2012 we announced the execution of a Master Licensing Agreement covering the country of Japan. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Licensee will pay the Company a Master License Fee for the right to open Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores for its own account and for the account of franchisees throughout the country of Japan. The Agreement requires at least 10 new stores to open each year for 10 years, for a total minimum of 100 stores in the Licensed Territory by the expiration of the initial term of the Agreement. As of March 31, 2014, three units were operating under the Agreement.

 

On January 14, 2013, Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC (“Newco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary formed in the State of Colorado on January 2, 2013, entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units branded as “Yogurtini.” In addition, on January 14, 2013, we entered into two agreements to sell all of our membership interests in Newco and substantially all of our assets in Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (“ALY”) to U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (QTCQB: SWRL), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc. Upon completion of these transactions, we ceased to directly operate any Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations or sell and support franchise locations.

 

We believe that the acquisition of a controlling interest in U-Swirl, Inc. provides us with the ability to reverse operating losses incurred by the development and operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC and provides an opportunity to continue to expand our presence in the self-serve frozen yogurt industry. Our ability to execute on this strategy is dependent upon continued expansion of the franchise network of U-Swirl, Inc. and the success of the franchisees.

 

 
21

 

 

On January 17, 2014, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “CherryBerry Purchase Agreement”) with CherryBerry Enterprises LLC, CherryBerry Corporate LLC and CherryBerry LLC (collectively, “CherryBerry”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail stores branded as “CherryBerry”, and the members of CherryBerry. Pursuant to the CherryBerry Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of CherryBerry used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt stores, including all of its franchise rights and one company-owned store (the “CherryBerry Acquisition”). The assets were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4 million shares of U-Swirl common stock.

 

On January 17, 2014, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement”) with Yogli Mogli LLC and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Yogli Mogli”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail stores branded as “Yogli Mogli”. Pursuant to the Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of Yogli Mogli used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt stores, including all of its franchise rights and four company-owned stores (the “Yogli Mogli Acquisition”, and together with the CherryBerry Acquisition, the “Acquisitions”). The assets were acquired for approximately $2.15 million in cash and $200,000 in shares of U-Swirl common stock.

 

On February 20, 2014 we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Fuzzy Peach Purchase Agreement”) to acquire the business assets of Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC. The acquisition of all intellectual property and worldwide franchise and license rights includes the rights associated with 17 Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt stores. We purchased the Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC assets for $481,000 in cash paid at the time of closing, plus an earn-out that could increase the purchase price by up to another $349,000 based upon royalty income generated by Fuzzy Peach stores over the next twelve months.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosures. Estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the carrying value of accounts and notes receivable from franchisees, inventories, the useful lives of fixed assets, goodwill, and other intangible assets, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on analyses, of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

We believe that the following represent our more critical estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements, although not all inclusive.

 

Accounts and Notes Receivable - In the normal course of business, we extend credit to customers, primarily franchisees, that satisfy pre-defined credit criteria. We believe that we have a limited concentration of credit risk primarily because our receivables are secured by the assets of the franchisees to which we ordinarily extend credit, including, but not limited to, their franchise rights and inventories. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined through analysis of the aging of accounts receivable, assessments of collectability based on historical trends, and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. The process by which we perform our analysis is conducted on a customer by customer, or franchisee by franchisee, basis and takes into account, among other relevant factors, sales history, outstanding receivables, customer financial strength, as well as customer specific and geographic market factors relevant to projected performance. The Company monitors the collectability of its accounts receivable on an ongoing basis by assessing the credit worthiness of its customers and evaluating the impact of reasonably likely changes in economic conditions that may impact credit risks. Estimates with regard to the collectability of accounts receivable are reasonably likely to change in the future.

 

We recorded an average expense of approximately $299,300 per year for potential uncollectible accounts over the three-year period ended February 28, 2014. Write-offs of uncollectible accounts net of recoveries averaged approximately $242,500 over the same period. The provision for uncollectible accounts is recognized as general and administrative expense in the Statements of Income. Over the past three years, the allowances for doubtful notes and accounts have ranged from 6.5% to 11.5% of gross receivables.

 

Revenue Recognition - We recognize revenue on sales of products to franchisees and other customers at the time of delivery. Franchise fee revenue is recognized upon the opening of the store. We also recognize a marketing and promotion fee of one percent (1%) of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and U-Swirl franchised stores’ gross retail sales and a royalty fee based on gross retail sales. Beginning with franchise store openings in the third quarter of fiscal year 2004, we modified our royalty structure. Under the current structure, we recognize no royalty on Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchised stores’ retail sales of products purchased from us and recognize a ten percent (10%) royalty on all other sales of product sold at franchise locations. For franchise stores opened prior to the third quarter of FY 2004 we recognize a royalty fee of five percent (5%) of franchised stores’ gross retail sales. Rebates received from purveyors that supply products to our franchisees are included in franchise royalties and fees. Product rebates are recognized in the period in which they are earned. Rebates related to company-owned locations are offset against operating costs.

 

 
22

 

 

Inventories - Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value and are reduced by an allowance for slow-moving, excess, discontinued and shelf-life expired inventories. Our estimate for such allowance is based on our review of inventories on hand compared to estimated future usage and demand for our products. Such review encompasses not only potentially perishable inventories but also specialty packaging, much of it specific to certain holiday seasons. If actual future usage and demand for our products are less favorable than those projected by our review, inventory reserve adjustments may be required. We closely monitor our inventory, both perishable and non-perishable, and related shelf and product lives. Historically we have experienced low levels of obsolete inventory or returns of products that have exceeded their shelf life. Over the three-year period ended February 28, 2014, the Company recorded expense averaging $54,700 per year for potential inventory losses, or approximately 0.3% of total cost of sales for that period.

 

Consolidation – The management of RMCF accounts for the activities of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and our wholly owned subsidiary, Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC. On January 14, 2013 we acquired a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (OTCQB: SWRL). Prior to January 14, 2013 our financial statements exclude the financial information of U-Swirl, Inc. The management of U-Swirl, Inc. separately accounts for the activities of U-Swirl, Inc. utilizing critical accounting policies substantially the same as those of RMCF. Beginning on January 14, 2013 and continuing through February 28, 2014, the results of operations, assets and liabilities of U-Swirl, Inc. have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements. We have consolidated $5,501,539 and $1,951,092 of assets, $3,758,634 and $945,569 of liabilities and an operating loss of $806,892 and $320,446 for the years ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively. All material inter-Company balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Goodwill – Goodwill consists of the excess of purchase price over the fair market value of acquired assets and liabilities. Effective March 1, 2002, under ASC Topic 350, all goodwill with indefinite lives is no longer subject to amortization. ASC Topic 350 requires that an impairment test be conducted annually or in the event of an impairment indicator. Our test conducted in FY 2014 showed no impairment of our goodwill.

 

Franchise Rights – Franchise Rights consists of the purchase price paid in consideration of certain rights associated with Franchise Agreements. These franchise agreements provide for future payments to the franchisor of royalty and marketing fees. We consider franchise rights to have a 20 year life.

 

Other accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of the Company's financial statements include estimates associated with its evaluation of the recoverability of deferred tax assets, as well as those used in the determination of liabilities related to litigation and taxation. Various assumptions and other factors underlie the determination of these significant estimates. The process of determining significant estimates is fact specific and takes into account factors such as historical experience, current and expected economic conditions, and product mix. The Company constantly re-evaluates these significant factors and makes adjustments where facts and circumstances dictate. Historically, actual results have not significantly deviated from those determined using the estimates described above.

 

Results of Operations

 

Fiscal 2014 Compared To Fiscal 2013

 

Results Summary

 

Basic earnings per share increased 200.0% from $.24 in FY 2013 to $.72 in FY 2014. Revenues increased 7.9% from $36.3 million for FY 2013 to $39.2 million for FY 2014. Operating income increased 106.1% from $2.5 million in FY 2013 to $5.2 million in FY 2014. Net income increased 197.2% from $1.5 million in FY 2013 to $4.4 million in FY 2014. The increase in operating income and net income for FY 2014 compared to FY 2013 is due primarily to an impairment loss for ALY operations being recognized during FY 2013 in the amount of $2.01 million for long-lived assets related to eight underperforming Company-owned stores.

 

Revenues

 

For the Year Ended

                 
   

February 28,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

  2014     2013    

Change

   

Change

 

Factory sales

  $ 25,218.9     $ 24,651.5     $ 567.4       2.3 %

Retail sales

    6,443.4       5,492.6       950.8       17.3 %

Royalty and marketing fees

    7,070.5       5,876.9       1,193.6       20.3 %

Franchise fees

    452.0       294.2       157.8       53.6 %

Total

  $ 39,184.8     $ 36,315.2     $ 2,869.6       7.9 %

 

 

 
23

 

 

Factory Sales

 

The increase in factory sales for FY 2014 compared to FY 2013 was primarily due to an increase in sales to international licensed stores and an 28.9% increase in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchised retail stores. These increases were partially offset by a 0.1% decrease in same-store pounds purchased by franchise locations FY 2014 compared with FY 2013. The increases were also partially offset by a 5.5% decrease in the average number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchised stores in operation.

 

Retail Sales

 

The increase in retail sales was primarily due to changes in units in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority ownership in U-Swirl, Inc. and the acquisition of CherryBerry and Yogli Mogli business assets, which included the acquisition of five additional Company owned cafés. Additionally, same store sales at Company-owned stores and cafés decreased 0.7% during FY 2014, compared with FY 2013.

 

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

The increase in royalties and marketing fees during FY 2014, compared with FY 2013, resulted from a 28.9% increase in domestic franchise stores in operation during FY 2014 compared to FY 2013, primarily as a result of our acquisition of a majority ownership position in U-Swirl, Inc. and accordingly, the U-Swirl franchise system. This increase was partially offset by a 5.5% decrease in the number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchises in operation. The average number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise stores in operation decreased from 236 during FY 2013 to 223 during FY 2014. This decrease is the result of domestic store closures exceeding domestic store openings. Franchise fee revenues increased primarily as a result of the license fees associated with the license agreements for the development and franchising of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in South Korea and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Same store sales at domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations increased 1.2% during FY 2014, compared with FY 2013.

 

U-Swirl, Inc. Café Sales, Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

During FY 2014, U-Swirl, Inc. revenue totaled $5,528,600 compared with $506,000 of U-Swirl, Inc. revenue consolidated within our results for FY 2013. We began consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc. results when we acquired a majority ownership interest in January 2013.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

For the Year Ended

                 
   

February 28,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

  2014     2013    

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Cost of sales – factory adjusted

  $ 17,303.1     $ 16,803.9     $ 499.2       3.0 %

Cost of sales - retail

    2,310.3       2,151.2       159.1       7.4 %

Franchise costs

    2,062.5       2,080.1       (17.6     (0.8 %)

Sales and marketing

    2,153.8       1,939.0       214.8       11.1 %

General and administrative

    5,003.3       3,846.9       1,156.4       30.1 %

Retail operating

    3,303.5       3,371.7       (68.2     (2.0 %)

Total

  $ 32,136.5     $ 30,192.8     $ 1,943.7       6.4 %

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

For the Year Ended

                 
   

February 28,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2014

   

2013

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 7,915.8     $ 7,847.6     $ 68.2       0.9 %

Retail

    4,133.1       3,341.4       791.7       23.7 %

Total

  $ 12,048.9     $ 11,189.0     $ 859.9       7.7 %

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

For the Year Ended

                 
   

February 28,

   

%

   

%

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

Change

   

Change

 

(Percent)

                               

Factory adjusted gross margin

    31.4 %     31.8 %     (0.4% )     (1.3% )

Retail

    64.1 %     60.8 %     3.3 %     5.4 %

Total

    38.1 %     37.1 %     1.0 %     2.7 %

 

 
24

 

 

Adjusted gross margin, a non-GAAP measure, is equal to the sum of our factory adjusted gross margin plus our retail gross margin calculated in accordance with GAAP. Factory adjusted gross margin is equal to factory gross margin minus depreciation and amortization expense. We believe adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin are helpful in understanding our past performance as a supplement to gross margin and other performance measures calculated in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We believe that adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin are useful to investors because they provide a measure of operating performance and our ability to generate cash that is unaffected by non-cash accounting measures. Additionally, we use adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin rather than gross margin and factory gross margin to make incremental pricing decisions. Adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin have limitations as an analytical tool because they exclude the impact of depreciation and amortization expense and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for any measure reported under GAAP. Our use of capital assets makes depreciation and amortization expense a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate income. Due to these limitations, we use adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin as measures of performance only in conjunction with GAAP measures of performance such as gross margin and factory gross margin. The following table provides a reconciliation of factory adjusted gross margin to factory gross margin, the most comparable performance measure under GAAP:

 

   

For the Year Ended

 
   

February 28,

 

($’s in thousands)

  2014     2013  

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 7,915.8     $ 7,847.6  

Less: Depreciation and Amortization

    292.9       286.6  

Factory GAAP gross margin

  $ 7,622.9     $ 7,561.0  

 

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

 

Factory adjusted gross margin decreased 40 basis points during FY 2014 compared to FY 2013 due to an increase in the average selling price of products to domestic franchise units being more than offset by increases in the costs of certain materials. The increase in Company-owned store margin is due primarily to an increase in U-Swirl stores in operation and associated higher margins.

 

Franchise Costs

 

The decrease in franchise costs for FY 2014 compared to FY 2013 is due primarily to a decrease in franchise development costs associated with Aspen Leaf Yogurt due to the sale of the Aspen Leaf Yogurt concept to U-Swirl in January 2013, partially offset by increased franchise costs from the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc. As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs decreased to 27.4% during FY 2014 from 33.7% during FY 2013. This decrease as a percentage of royalty, marketing and franchise fees is primarily a result of a 21.9% increase in royalty, marketing and franchise fee revenue as a result of an increase in system-wide franchise stores during FY 2014 compared to FY 2013.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

The increase in sales and marketing expense during FY 2014 compared to FY 2013 is due primarily to increased marketing-related compensation costs and an increase in marketing costs associated with U-Swirl, Inc. franchise locations.

 

General and Administrative

 

The increase in general and administrative costs during FY 2014 compared with FY 2013 is due primarily to the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc.’s general and administrative costs and an increase in compensation related expenses. During FY 2014, approximately $1,453,000 of U-Swirl, Inc. general and administrative costs were consolidated within our results, compared with approximately $411,000 during FY 2013. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 12.8% in FY 2014 compared to 10.6% in FY 2013.

 

Retail Operating Expenses

 

The decrease in retail operating expense was primarily due to a change in the mix of Company-owned stores in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013, the acquisition of CherryBerry in January 2014, the acquisition of Yogli Mogli in January 2014, and the associated change in operating expenses during FY 2014 compared with FY 2013. The average number of Company-owned stores in operation increased from 17 during FY 2013 to 19 units during FY 2014. Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, decreased from 61.4% during FY 2013 to 51.3% in FY 2014. This decrease is primarily the result of a change in units in operation and the resulting increase in retail sales, resulting from the acquisition of a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013 and the acquisition of CherryBerry and Yogli Mogli in January 2014.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization of $1,027,000 in FY 2014 increased 9.8% from the $935,000 incurred in FY 2013 due to an increase in amortization related to increased franchise rights, trademark and intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions during FY 2014.

  

 
25

 

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income of approximately $85,000 realized in FY 2014 represents an increase of $41,000 from the $44,000 realized in FY 2013 due to higher balances of notes receivable.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rate in FY 2014 was 40.7% which is a decrease of 6.9% compared to an effective rate of 47.7% during FY 2013. As described further in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the tax consequences of acquiring a controlling interest in U-Swirl, Inc.

 

Investment Gain

 

An investment gain of $18,380 was recognized during FY 2014 compared with no amount recognized in FY 2013. This gain was recognized as a result of us transferring 300,000 shares of U-Swirl, Inc. common stock for services provided in conjunction with business acquisitions during FY 2014. The gain represents the excess of the fair value of services, compared to our basis in the shares transferred.

 

Fiscal 2013 Compared To Fiscal 2012

 

Results Summary

 

Basic earnings per share decreased 61.9% from $.63 in FY 2012 to $.24 in FY 2013. Revenues increased 4.9% from $34.6 million for FY 2012 to $36.3 million for FY 2013. Operating income decreased 57.6% from $5.9 million in FY 2012 to $2.5 million in FY 2013. Net income decreased 61.5% from $3.9 million in FY 2012 to $1.5 million in FY 2013. The decrease in operating income and net income for FY 2013 compared to FY 2012 is due primarily to a loss on the sale of long lived assets associated with the sale of certain Aspen Leaf Yogurt long-lived assets and restructuring charges associated with the acquisition of a 60% majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc.

  

Revenues

 

For the Year Ended

                 
   

February 28,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

Factory sales

  $ 24,651.5     $ 23,597.1     $ 1,054.4       4.5 %

Retail sales

    5,492.6       5,278.5       214.1       4.1 %

Royalty and marketing fees

    5,876.9       5,495.6       381.3       6.9 %

Franchise fees

    294.2       255.7       38.5       15.1 %

Total

  $ 36,315.2     $ 34,626.9     $ 1,688.3       4.9 %

  

Factory Sales

 

The increase in factory sales in FY 2013 compared to FY 2012 was primarily due to a 4.0% increase in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchised retail stores and a 4.6% increase in purchases by our network of franchised and licensed retail stores during FY 2013 compared with FY 2012.

 

Retail Sales

 

The increase in retail sales in FY 2013 compared to FY 2012 was primarily due to an increase in the average number of Company-owned stores in operation as a result of Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations in operation for the full year, partially offset by the sale of three Company-owned Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations during the year and the closing of one Company-owned Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location. Same-store sales at Company-owned Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores increased 1.7% in FY 2013 compared to FY 2014.

 

 
26

 

 

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

Royalties and marketing fees increased 6.9% in FY 2013 compared with FY 2012 as a result of an increase in royalties based on the Company’s purchase based royalty structure, an increase in same store sales and an increase in royalties from co-branded locations, partially offset by a decrease in domestic franchise units. Same store sales at franchise locations increased 0.2% during FY 2013 compared to FY 2012. Average licensed locations in operation increased from 45 units FY 2012 to 53 units in FY 2013. The average number of domestic units in operation decreased 3.7% from 245 in FY 2012 to 236 in FY 2013. The increase in franchise fee revenue during FY 2013, compared with the prior year period was the result of an increase in international license fees partially offset by a decrease in domestic franchise openings from 12 during FY 2012 to 10 openings during FY 2013.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

For the Year Ended

                 
   

February 28,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Cost of sales – factory adjusted

  $ 16,803.9     $ 16,150.9     $ 653.0       4.0 %

Cost of sales - retail

    2,151.2       2,158.3       ( 7.1 )     (0.3% )

Franchise costs

    2,080.1       1,796.5       283.6       15.8 %

Sales and marketing

    1,939.0       1,683.7       255.3       15.2 %

General and administrative

    3,846.9       3,044.6       802.3       26.4 %

Retail operating

    3,371.7       3,189.2       182.5       5.7 %

Total

  $ 30,192.8     $ 28,023.2     $ 2,169.6       7.7 %

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

For the Year Ended

                 
   

February 28,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 7,847.6     $ 7,446.2     $ 401.4       5.4 %

Retail

    3,341.4       3,120.2       221.2       7.1 %

Total

  $ 11,189.0     $ 10,566.4     $ 622.6       5.9 %

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

For the Year Ended

                 
   

February 28,

   

%

   

%

 
   

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

(Percent)

                               

Factory adjusted gross margin

    31.8 %     31.6 %     0.2 %     0.6 %

Retail

    60.8 %     59.1 %     1.7 %     2.9 %

Total

    37.1 %     36.6 %     0.5 %     1.4 %

 

Adjusted gross margin, a non-GAAP measure, is equal to the sum of our factory adjusted gross margin plus our retail gross margin calculated in accordance with GAAP. Factory adjusted gross margin is equal to factory gross margin minus depreciation and amortization expense. We believe adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin is helpful in understanding our past performance as a supplement to gross margin and factory gross margin and other performance measures calculated in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We believe that adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin are useful to investors because it provides a measure of operating performance and our ability to generate cash that is unaffected by non-cash accounting measures. Additionally, we use adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin rather than gross margin and factory gross margin to make incremental pricing decisions. Adjusted to gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin have limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes the impact of depreciation and amortization expense and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for any measure reported under GAAP. Our use of capital assets makes depreciation and amortization expense a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate income. Due to these limitations, we use adjusted gross margin and factory adjusted gross margin as a measure of performance only in conjunction with GAAP measures of performance such as gross margin and factory gross margin. The following table provides a reconciliation of factory adjusted gross margin to factory gross margin, the most comparable performance measure under GAAP:

 

   

For the Year Ended

 
   

February 28,

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 7,847.6     $ 7,446.2  

Less: Depreciation and Amortization

    286.6       278.3  

Factory GAAP gross margin

  $ 7,561.0     $ 7,167.9  

 

Cost of Sales

 

Factory margins were approximately unchanged, increasing 20 basis points in FY 2013 compared with FY 2012. The increase in Company-owned store margin is due primarily to lower costs associated with Aspen Leaf Yogurt grand openings, a change in the number of Company-owned stores in operation, and the associated change in product mix.

 

Franchise Costs

 

The increase in franchise costs for FY 2013 compared to FY 2012 is due primarily to an increase in travel and support costs associated with our international development initiative, an increase in franchise opportunity advertising costs and an increase in compensation related costs. As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs increased to 33.7% in the FY 2013 from 31.2% in FY 2012. This increase as a percentage of royalty, marketing and franchise fees is primarily a result of higher franchise costs relative to revenues.

 

 
27

 

 

Sales and Marketing

 

The increase in sales and marketing costs for FY 2013 compared to FY 2012 is primarily due to an increase in marketing-related compensation and benefit costs.

  

General and Administrative

 

The increase in general and administrative expense in FY 2013 compared to FY 2012 is due primarily to costs associated with restructuring of Aspen Leaf Yogurt, an increase in compensation costs and an increase in travel costs associated with our international development initiative. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 10.6% in FY 2013 compared to 8.8% in FY 2012.

 

Retail Operating Expenses

 

The increase in retail operating expenses was due to an increase in the average number of Company-owned stores in operation as a result of Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations in operation for the full year, partially offset by the sale of three Company-owned Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations during the year and the closing of one Company-owned Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location. For FY 2013, a pre-restructuring operating loss of approximately $713,000 compared to an operating loss of $586,000 during FY 2012 was incurred related to the opening and operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations. Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, increased from 60.4% in FY 2012 to 61.4% in FY 2013.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization of $935,000 in FY 2013 increased 24.6% from the $751,000 incurred in FY 2012 due to an increase in the number of Company-owned stores in operation and the depreciation expense associated with those assets.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income of approximately $44,000 realized in FY 2013 represents a decrease of $15,000 from the $59,000 realized in FY 2012 due to lower balances of notes receivable.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rate in FY 2013 was 47.7% which is an increase of 13.3% compared to an effective rate of 34.4% during FY 2012. As described further in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the tax consequences of acquiring a 60% majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of February 28, 2014, working capital was $9.0 million compared with $9.0 million as of February 28, 2013. Working capital was unchanged due primarily to our operating results less the payment of $2.7 million in cash dividends and the use of long-term financing to fund business acquisitions.

 

Cash and cash equivalent balances increased from $5.3 million as of February 28, 2013 to $5.9 million as of February 28, 2014 as a result of cash flows generated by operating activities being greater than cash flows used in financing and investing activities. The Company’s current ratio was 2.1 to 1 at February 28, 2014 in comparison with 2.6 to 1 at February 28, 2013. The Company monitors current and anticipated future levels of cash and cash equivalents in relation to anticipated operating, financing and investing requirements.

 

The Company has a $5 million credit line, of which $5 million was available (subject to certain borrowing base limitations) as of February 28, 2014, secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets except retail store assets. Additionally, the line of credit is subject to various financial ratio and leverage covenants. At February 28, 2014 the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. The credit line is subject to renewal in July 2014.

 

The Company’s long-term debt is comprised of a promissory note used to finance the Company’s business acquisitions (unpaid balance as of February 28, 2014, $6.4 million).

 

 
28

 

 

The table below presents significant contractual obligations of the Company at February 28, 2014.

(Amounts in thousands)

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

   

Less than 1 year

   

2-3 Years

   

4-5 years

   

More Than 5 years

 

Line of credit

    -       -       -       -       -  

Notes payable

    6,400       108       2,464       2,659       1,169  

Operating leases

    3,350        1,148       1,472       678       52  

Other long-term obligations

    1,112       467       566       79       -  

Total

    10,862       1,723       4,502       3,416       1,221  

 

For FY 2015, the Company anticipates making capital expenditures of approximately $900,000, which will be used to maintain and improve existing factory and administrative infrastructure and update certain Company-owned stores. The Company believes that cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund capital expenditures and working capital requirements for FY 2015. If necessary, the Company has an available bank line of credit to help meet these requirements.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of February 28, 2014, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements or obligations.

 

Impact of Inflation

 

Inflationary factors such as increases in the costs of ingredients and labor directly affect the Company's operations. Most of the Company's leases provide for cost-of-living adjustments and require it to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses, all of which are subject to inflation. Additionally, the Company’s future lease cost for new facilities may include potentially escalating costs of real estate and construction. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to pass on increased costs to its customers.

 

Depreciation expense is based on the historical cost to the Company of its fixed assets, and is therefore potentially less than it would be if it were based on current replacement cost. While property and equipment acquired in prior years will ultimately have to be replaced at higher prices, it is expected that replacement will be a gradual process over many years.

 

Seasonality

 

The Company is subject to seasonal fluctuations in sales, which cause fluctuations in quarterly results of operations. Historically, the strongest sales of the Company’s products have occurred during key holidays and the summer vacation season. In addition, quarterly results have been, and in the future are likely to be, affected by the timing of new store openings and sales of franchises. Because of the seasonality of the Company’s business and the impact of new store openings and sales of franchises, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved in other quarters or for a full fiscal year.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company does not engage in commodity futures trading or hedging activities and does not enter into derivative financial instrument transactions for trading or other speculative purposes. The Company also does not engage in transactions in foreign currencies or in interest rate swap transactions that could expose the Company to market risk. However, the Company is exposed to some commodity price and interest rate risks.

 

The Company frequently enters into purchase contracts of between six to eighteen months for chocolate and certain nuts. These contracts permit the Company to purchase the specified commodity at a fixed price on an as-needed basis during the term of the contract. Because prices for these products may fluctuate, the Company may benefit if prices rise during the terms of these contracts, but it may be required to pay above-market prices if prices fall and it is unable to renegotiate the terms of the contract. As of February 28, 2014, based on future contractual obligations for chocolate products, we estimate that a 10.0% increase or decrease in the prices of cocoa would result in a $52,000 favorable or unfavorable price benefit or cost resulting from our contracts.

 

The Company has a $5 million bank line of credit that bears interest at a variable rate. As of February 28, 2014, no amount was outstanding under the line of credit. We do not believe that we are exposed to any material interest rate risk related to this credit facility.

 

 
29

 

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

 

Page

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31

   

Consolidated Statements of Income

32

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

33

   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

34

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

35

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

36

 

 
30

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Durango, Colorado

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 28, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting (“Internal Control”). Our audits included consideration of Internal Control as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s Internal Control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 28, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

/s/ EKS&H LLLP

June 11, 2014

Denver, Colorado

 

 
31

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

   

FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 28 or 29

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2012

 

Revenues

                       

Sales

  $ 31,662,273     $ 30,144,059     $ 28,875,629  

Franchise and royalty fees

    7,522,534       6,171,142       5,751,263  

Total revenues

    39,184,807       36,315,201       34,626,892  
                         

Costs and Expenses

                       

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense of $292,914, $286,541 and $278,266, respectively

    19,613,411       18,955,136       18,309,236  

Franchise costs

    2,062,548       2,080,128       1,796,492  

Sales & marketing

    2,153,766       1,939,006       1,683,646  

General and administrative

    5,003,337       3,846,940       3,044,569  

Retail operating

    3,303,436       3,371,702       3,189,215  

Depreciation and amortization

    1,026,775       935,377       750,860  

Loss on the sale of assets – Aspen Leaf Yogurt long-lived assets

    -       2,011,917       -  

Restructuring and acquisition related charges

    786,013       635,168       -  
                         

Total costs and expenses

    33,949,286       33,775,374       28,774,018  
                         

Operating Income

    5,235,521       2,539,827       5,852,874  
                         

Other Income (Expense)

                       

Interest expense

    (49,333 )     -       -  

Interest income

    84,596       43,667       58,904  

Investment gain

    18,380       -       -  

Other, net

    53,643       43,667       58,904  
                         

Income Before Income Taxes

    5,289,164       2,583,494       5,911,778  
                         

Income Tax Expense

    2,154,660       1,233,460       2,035,746  
                         

Consolidated Net Income

    3,134,504       1,350,034       3,876,032  

Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest

    (1,257,940 )     (128,178 )     -  
                         

Net Income attributable to RMCF

  $ 4,392,444     $ 1,478,212     $ 3,876,032  
                         

Basic Earnings per Common Share

  $ .72     $ .24     $ .63  

Diluted Earnings per Common Share

  $ .68     $ .24     $ .62  
                         

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

    6,100,032       6,078,575       6,111,480  
                         

Dilutive Effect of Employee Stock Awards

    336,879       140,426       183,599  

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Assuming Dilution

    6,436,911       6,219,001       6,295,079  

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

 

 
32

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   

AS OF FEBRUARY 28

 
    2014     2013  

Assets

               

Current Assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 5,859,729     $ 5,321,696  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $543,683 and $507,806, respectively

    5,347,752       3,916,320  

Notes receivable, current portion, less current portion of the valuation allowance of $33,047 and $10,382, respectively

    357,360       197,078  

Refundable income taxes

    160,890       -  

Inventories, less reserve for slow moving inventory of $204,068 and $253,148, respectively

    4,410,763       4,221,036  

Deferred income taxes

    538,871       628,633  

Other

    316,378       259,170  

Total current assets

    16,991,743       14,543,933  
                 

Property and Equipment, Net

    8,488,198       6,777,143  
                 

Other Assets

               

Notes receivable, less current portion and allowance for doubtful accounts of $24,200 and $37,400, respectively

    509,784       469,362  

Goodwill, net

    4,216,444       1,046,944  

Franchise rights

    6,489,248       800,000  

Intangible assets, net

    602,183       635  

Other

    167,939       195,928  

Total other assets

    11,985,598       2,512,869  
                 

Total Assets

  $ 37,465,539     $ 23,833,945  
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

               

Current Liabilities

               

Current maturities of long term debt

  $ 108,023     -  

Accounts payable

    1,971,530       1,998,897  

Accrued salaries and wages

    776,567       1,184,739  

Other accrued expenses

    2,627,872       1,294,487  

Dividend payable

    675,422       667,532  

Deferred income

    1,798,781       417,484  

Total current liabilities

    7,958,195       5,563,139  
                 

Long-Term Debt, Less Current Maturities

    6,291,977       -  

Deferred Income Taxes

    1,050,489       881,694  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies

               
                 

Stockholders' Equity

               

Preferred stock, $.10 par value; 250,000 authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding

               

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, authorized 50,000 shares

    -       -  

Undesignated series, authorized 200,000 shares

    -       -  

Common stock, $.03 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 6,140,200 and 6,068,470 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

    184,206       182,054  

Additional paid-in capital

    9,892,973       7,559,442  

Retained earnings

    10,344,794       8,642,093  

Non-controlling interest in equity of subsidiary

    1,742,905       1,005,523  

Total stockholders’ equity

    22,164,878       17,389,112  
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 37,465,539     $ 23,833,945  

 

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

 

 
33

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

   

FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 28 or 29

 
    2014     2013    

2012

 

Common Stock

                       

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 182,054     $ 184,872     $ 182,099  

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

    -       (4,899 )     -  

Issuance of common stock

    120       120       120  

Exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock units and other

    2,032       1,961       2,653  

Balance at end of year

    184,206       182,054       184,872  
                         

Additional Paid-In Capital

                       

Balance at beginning of year

    7,559,442       8,712,743       8,060,041  

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

    -       (1,710,453 )     -  

Issuance of common stock

    48,280       37,080       41,200  

Exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock units and other

    746,667       461,695       586,540  
Transfers (to) from non-controlling interest     1,469,752       -       -  

Tax benefit from employee stock transactions

    68,832       58,377       24,962  

Balance at end of year

    9,892,973       7,559,442       8,712,743  
                         

Retained Earnings

                       

Balance at beginning of year

    8,642,093       9,838,205       8,411,975  

Net income

    4,392,444       1,478,212       3,876,032  

Cash dividends declared

    (2,689,743 )     (2,674,324 )     (2,449,802 )

Balance at end of year

    10,344,794       8,642,093       9,838,205  
                         

Non-controlling Interest in Equity of Subsidiary

                       

Balance at beginning of year

    1,005,523       -       -  

Net income (loss)

    (1,257,940 )     (128,178 )     -  

Non-controlling interest in acquired business

    -       664,612       -  

Contributions, net

    1,995,322       469,089       -  

Balance at end of year

    1,742,905       1,005,523       -  
                         

Total Stockholders’ Equity

  $ 22,164,878     $ 17,389,112     $ 18,735,820  
                         

Common Shares

                       

Balance at beginning of year

    6,068,470       6,162,389       6,069,976  

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

    -       (163,300 )     -  

Issuance of common stock

    4,000       4,000       4,000  

Exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock units and other

    67,730       65,381       88,413  

Balance at end of year

    6,140,200       6,068,470       6,162,389  

 

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

 

 
34

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   

FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 28 or 29

 
    2014     2013    

2012

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

                       

Net income

    4,392,444       1,478,212       3,876,032  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net

                       

cash provided by operating activities:

                       

Depreciation and amortization

    1,026,775       935,377       750,860  

Provision for loss on accounts and notes receivable

    216,000       330,000       352,000  

Provision for inventory loss

    44,127       60,000       60,000  

Asset impairment and store closure losses

    65,000       172,000       28,000  

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

    21,236       1,994,069       27,153  

Expense recorded for stock compensation

    601,969       418,633       457,449  

Deferred income taxes

    258,557       (1,144,622 )     733,875  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                       

Accounts receivable

    (1,408,048 )     (235,345 )     479,099  

Refundable income taxes

    (160,890     724,911       (605,023 )

Inventories

    12,793       98,478       154,143  

Other assets

    (63,958     18,664       (11,137 )

Accounts payable

    (439,014     513,119       (197,772 )

Accrued liabilities

    915,213       1,065,090       147,782  

Deferred income

    1,381,297       (58,516 )     (105,410 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    6,863,501       6,370,070       6,147,051  
                         

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

                       

Additions to notes receivable

    (784,098 )     (285,191 )     (102,529 )

Proceeds received on notes receivable

    344,010       113,633       226,896  

Proceeds from sale or distribution of assets

    2,600       888,700       52,800  

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired and franchise rights

    -       (1,688 )     -  

Intangible assets

    (8,949,534 )     (800,000 )     -  

Increase in other assets

    1,597,762       (148,618 )     (40,092 )

Purchase of property and equipment

    (2,518,317 )     (742,871 )     (3,260,638 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (10,307,577 )     (976,035 )     (3,123,563 )
                         

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

                       

Proceeds from long-term debt

    6,400,000       -       -  

Repurchase of common stock

    -       (1,715,352     -  

Issuance of common stock

    195,130       82,223       173,064  
Tax benefit of stock option exercise     68,832       58,377       24,962  

Dividends paid

    (2,681,853 )     (2,623,031 )     (2,440,560 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    3,982,109       (4,197,783 )     (2,242,534 )
                         

Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents

    538,033       1,196,252       780,954  
                         

Cash And Cash Equivalents At Beginning Of Year

    5,321,696       4,125,444       3,344,490  
                         

Cash And Cash Equivalents At End Of Year

  $ 5,859,729     $ 5,321,696     $ 4,125,444  

 

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

 

 
35

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1 - NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Nature of Operations

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC and it’s 42%-owned subsidiary, U-Swirl, Inc. of which, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. has financial control (collectively, the “Company”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. As of February 28, 2014 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. held 42% of U-Swirl, Inc. common stock issued and outstanding, or payable. Additionally, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. had the right to acquire approximately 26,400,000 shares of common stock through the conversion of debt into common stock. If the Company exercised this conversion we believe RMCF would hold approximately 75% of U-Swirl, Inc. common stock. RMCF and U-Swirl also share representation on the board of directors with the U-Swirl Board of Directors primarily composed of Board members also serving the RMCF Board.

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (“RMCF”) is an international franchisor, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. RMCF manufactures an extensive line of premium chocolate candies and other confectionery products.

 

Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (“ALY”) was incorporated in the state of Colorado as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, Inc. on September 30, 2010 and organized through conversion as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC on October 14, 2010. ALY was a franchisor and retail operator of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units until the sale of substantially all assets in January, 2013. As of February 28, 2013 the Company had ceased to operate any Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations, or sell and support franchise locations.

 

On January 14, 2013, Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC (“Newco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formed in the State of Colorado on January 2, 2013, entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the franchise rights of YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units branded as “Yogurtini.” In addition, on January 14, 2013, the Company entered into two agreements to sell all of its membership interests in Newco and substantially all of its assets in ALY to U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (OTCQB: SWRL), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc. U-Swirl, Inc. is in the business of offering consumers frozen desserts such as yogurt and sorbet. U-Swirl launched a national chain of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés called U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt and are franchising this concept. U-Swirl has built and operates cafés owned and operated by U-Swirl, Inc. (“Company-owned”) and franchises to others the right to own and operate U-Swirl cafés. It also franchises and operates self-serve frozen yogurt cafes under the names “Yogurtini,” “CherryBerry,” “Josie’s Frozen Yogurt,” “Yogli Mogli Frozen Yogurt,” “Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt,” and “Aspen Leaf Yogurt” as a result of the transactions described above.

 

On January 17, 2014, U-Swirl entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with CherryBerry, which was the franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés branded as “CherryBerry.” Pursuant to the CherryBerry Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of CherryBerry used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt cafés, including all of its franchise rights and one company-owned café. The assets were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4 million shares of U-Swirl common stock. U-Swirl also entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Yogli Mogli LLC, which was the franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés branded as “Yogli Mogli”. Pursuant to the Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of Yogli Mogli used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt cafés, including all of its franchise rights and four company-owned cafés. The assets were acquired for approximately $2.15 million in cash and $200,000 in shares of U-Swirl common stock. The Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and indemnification obligations.

 

On February 20, 2014 U-Swirl entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire the business assets of Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC. The acquisition of all intellectual property and worldwide franchise and license rights includes the rights associated with 17 Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt stores. U-Swirl purchased the Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC assets for $481,000 in cash paid at the time of closing, plus an earn-out that could increase the purchase price by up to another $349,000 based upon royalty income generated by Fuzzy Peach stores over the next twelve months.

 

The Company’s revenues are currently derived from three principal sources: sales to franchisees and others of chocolates and other confectionery products manufactured by the Company; the collection of initial franchise fees and royalties from franchisees’ sales; and sales at Company-owned stores of chocolates, frozen yogurt, and other confectionery products. The following table summarizes the number of stores operating under RMCF and its subsidiaries at February 28, 2014:

 

   

Sold, Not Yet Open

   

Open

   

Total

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

                       

Company-owned stores

    -       7       7  

Franchise stores – Domestic stores

    5       207       212  

Franchise stores – Domestic kiosks

    -       6       6  

International License Stores

    1       69       70  

Cold Stone Creamery – co-branded

    3       65       68  

U-Swirl, Inc. Stores (Including all associated brands)

                       

Company-owned stores

    -       11       11  

Company-owned stores – co-branded

    -       2       2  

Franchise stores – Domestic stores

    -       259       259  

Franchise stores – Domestic – co-branded

    -       9       9  

International License Stores

    -       4       4  

Total

    9       639       648  

 

 
36

 

 

Consolidation

 

The management of RMCF accounts for the activities of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC. As described above, on January 14, 2013, the Company acquired a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc. Prior to January 14, 2013, the Company’s financial statements exclude the financial information of U-Swirl, Inc. The management of U Swirl, Inc. separately accounts for the activities of U-Swirl, Inc. utilizing critical accounting policies substantially the same as those of RMCF. Beginning on January 14, 2013 and continuing through February 28, 2014, the results of operations, assets and liabilities of U-Swirl, Inc. have been included in these Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company has consolidated $5,501,539 and $1,951,092 of assets, $3,758,634 and $945,569 of liabilities and an operating loss of $806,892 and $320,446 of U-Swirl, Inc. for the years ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of six months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company classifies certain instruments with a maturity of between three and six months to be cash equivalents because these instruments allow for early termination with minimal penalty and are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. As of February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013, the Company held a Certificate of Deposit with an original maturity date of six-months totaling $108,000 and classified this amount as a cash equivalent. The Company continually monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions with which it invests. As of the balance sheet date, and periodically throughout the year, the Company has maintained balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. This amount was approximately $5.0 million at February 28, 2014.

 

Accounts and Notes Receivable

 

In the normal course of business, we extend credit to customers, primarily franchisees that satisfy pre-defined credit criteria. The Company believes that it has limited concentration of credit risk primarily because its receivables are secured by the assets of the franchisees to which the Company ordinarily extends credit, including, but not limited to, their franchise rights and inventories. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined through analysis of the aging of accounts receivable, assessments of collectability based on historical trends, and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. The process by which the Company performs its analysis is conducted on a customer by customer, or franchisee by franchisee, basis and takes into account, among other relevant factors, sales history, outstanding receivables, customer financial strength, as well as customer specific and geographic market factors relevant to projected performance. The Company monitors the collectability of its accounts receivable on an ongoing basis by assessing the credit worthiness of its customers and evaluating the impact of reasonably likely changes in economic conditions that may impact credit risks. Estimates with regard to the collectability of accounts receivable are reasonably likely to change in the future. At February 28, 2014, the Company has $924,391 of notes receivable outstanding and an allowance for doubtful accounts of $57,247 associated with these notes. The notes require monthly payments and bear interest rates ranging from 4.5% to 8%. The notes mature through September, 2018 and approximately $777,000 of notes receivable are secured by the assets financed.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. An inventory reserve is established to reduce the cost of obsolete, damaged and excess inventories to the lower of cost or market based on actual differences. This inventory reserve is determined through analysis of items held in inventory, and, if the value of those items at cost is higher than their market value, the Company records an expense to reduce inventory to its actual market value. The process by which the Company performs its analysis is conducted on an item by item basis and takes into account, among other relevant factors, market value, sales history and future sales potential. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

 

Property and Equipment and Other Assets

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful life of the asset, which range from five to thirty-nine years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the lives of the respective leases or the service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets through analysis of estimated fair value, including identifiable intangible assets, whenever events or changes indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company’s policy is to review the recoverability of all assets, at a minimum, on an annual basis.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company recognizes deferred tax liabilities and assets based on the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. The Company's temporary differences are listed in Note 6. 

 

 
37

 

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill arose from three transaction types. The first type was the result of the incorporation of the Company after its inception as a partnership. The goodwill recorded was the excess of the purchase price of the Company over the fair value of its assets. The Company has allocated this goodwill equally between its Franchising and Manufacturing operations. The second type was the purchase of various retail stores, either individually or as a group, for which the purchase price was in excess of the fair value of the assets acquired. Finally, goodwill arose from business acquisitions, where the fair value of the consideration given for acquisition exceeded the fair value of the identified assets net of liabilities.

 

The Company performs a goodwill impairment test on an annual basis or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its fair value. Recoverability of goodwill is evaluated through comparison of the fair value of each of our reporting units with its carrying value. To the extent that a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds the implied fair value of its goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized. The Company performed impairment testing with no impact to its financial results for the years ended February 28, 2014 and 2013.

 

Franchise Rights

 

Franchise rights arose from the entry into agreements to acquire substantially all of the franchise rights of Yogurtini, CherryBerry and Yogli Mogli, as described above. Franchise rights are amortized over a period of 20 years.

 

Insurance and Self-Insurance Reserves

 

The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property insurance, director and officers’ liability insurance, vehicle liability and employee health care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other assumptions. While the Company believes that its assumptions are appropriate, the estimated accruals for these liabilities could be significantly affected if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends.

 

Sales

 

Sales of products to franchisees and other customers are recognized at the time of delivery. Sales of products to franchisees and other customers are made at standard prices, without any bargain sales of equipment or supplies. Sales of products at retail stores are recognized at the time of sale.

 

Rebates

 

Rebates received from purveyors that supply products to our franchisees are included in franchise royalties and fees. Product rebates are recognized in the period in which they are earned. Rebates related to company-owned locations are offset against operating costs.

 

Shipping Fees

 

Shipping fees charged to customers by the Company’s trucking department are reported as sales. Shipping costs incurred by the Company for inventory are reported as cost of sales or inventory.

 

Franchise and Royalty Fees

 

Franchise fee revenue is recognized upon opening of the franchise store. In addition to the initial franchise fee, the Company also recognizes a marketing and promotion fee of one percent (1%) of franchised stores’ gross retail sales and a royalty fee based on gross retail sales. Beginning with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise store openings in the third quarter of FY 2004, the Company modified its royalty structure. Under the current structure, the Company recognizes no royalty on franchised stores’ retail sales of products purchased from the Company and recognizes a ten percent (10%) royalty on all other sales of product sold at franchise locations. For franchise stores opened prior to the third quarter of FY 2004 the Company recognizes a royalty fee of five percent (5%) of franchised stores’ gross retail sales. Royalty fees for U-Swirl cafés are based on the rate defined in the acquired contracts for the franchise rights and range from 2.5% to 6% of gross retail sales.

 

In certain instances we are required to pay a portion of franchise fee revenue, or royalty fees to parties we’ve contracted with to assist in developing and growing a brand. The agreements generally include Development Agents, or commissioned brokers who are paid a portion of the initial franchise fee, a portion of the ongoing royalty fees, or both. When such agreements exist, we report franchise fee and royalty fee revenues net of the amount paid, or due, to the agent/broker.

 

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Vulnerability Due to Certain Concentrations

 

Revenue from one customer of the Company’s Manufacturing segment represented approximately $5.2 million or 13% of the Company’s revenues during year ended February 28, 2014. The Company’s future results may be adversely impacted by a change in the purchases of this customer.

 

 
38

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

At February 28, 2014, the Company had stock-based compensation plans for employees and non-employee directors which authorized the granting of stock awards.

 

The Company recognized $601,968, $418,633, and $457,449 related equity-based compensation expense during the years ended February 28 or 29, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Compensation costs related to share-based compensation are generally amortized over the vesting period.

 

Tax benefits in excess of the compensation cost recognized for stock options are reported as financing cash flows in the accompanying Statements of Cash Flows. The excess tax benefit included in net cash provided by financing activities for the years ended February 28 or 29, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $68,832, $58,377 and $24,962, respectively.

 

During FY 2014, the Company granted 280,900 restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $3,437,950 compared with no restricted common stock units granted in the prior year. There were no stock options granted to employees during FY 2014 or FY 2013. The restricted stock unit grants generally vest 17-20% annually over a period of five to six years. The Company recognized $553,568 of equity-based compensation expense related to these grants during FY 2014 compared with $381,433 in FY 2013. Total unrecognized compensation expense of non-vested, non-forfeited shares granted, as of February 28, 2014 was $3,147,861, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 5 years.

 

During the FY 2014, the Company issued 4,000 fully-vested, unrestricted shares to non-employee directors compared with 4,000 fully-vested, unrestricted shares of stock to non-employee directors in FY 2013. In connection with these non-employee director stock issuances, the Company recognized $48,400 and $37,200 of stock-based compensation expense during FY 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed as net earnings divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options and restricted stock units. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, 12,936, 101,661, and 117,437, respectively, stock options were excluded from diluted shares as their effect was anti-dilutive.

 

Advertising and Promotional Expenses

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Total advertising expense for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory amounted to $250,739, $233,731, and $235,282 for the fiscal years ended February 28 or 29, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Total advertising expense for U-Swirl and Aspen Leaf Yogurt amounted to $134,192, $192,088, and $85,147 for the fiscal years ended February 28 or 29, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, payables, and notes receivable. The fair value of all instruments approximates the carrying value, because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. The ASU requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance without material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

NOTE 2 - INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following at February 28:

 

    2014     2013  

Ingredients and supplies

  $ 2,531,413     $ 2,531,559  

Finished candy

    1,761,131       1,590,966  

U-Swirl, Inc. food and packaging

    118,219       98,511  

Total inventories

  $ 4,410,763     $ 4,221,036  

 

NOTE 3 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment consists of the following at February 28:

 

    2014     2013  

Land

  $ 513,618     $ 513,618  

Building

    4,775,466       4,764,005  

Machinery and equipment

    9,518,832       8,864,126  

Furniture and fixtures

    1,324,846       1,024,261  

Leasehold improvements

    2,489,782       1,930,991  

Transportation equipment

    394,508       392,755  
Capital work in progress     967,937       -  
      19,984,989       17,489,756  
                 

Less accumulated depreciation

    11,496,791       10,712,613  

Property and equipment, net

  $ 8,488,198     $ 6,777,143  

 

 
39

 

 

NOTE 4 - LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

 

Line of Credit

 

At February 28, 2014, the Company had a $5 million line of credit from a bank, collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets with the exception of the Company’s retail store assets. Draws may be made under the line at 75% of eligible accounts receivable plus 50% of eligible inventories. Interest on borrowings is at prime less 50 basis points or at 5.0%, whichever is greater (5.0% at February 28, 2014). At February 28, 2014, $5 million was available for borrowings under the line of credit, subject to borrowing base limitations. Terms of the line require that the line be rested (that is, that there be no outstanding balance) for a period of 30 consecutive days during the term of the loan. Additionally, the line of credit is subject to various financial ratio and leverage covenants. At February 28, 2014 the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. The credit line is subject to renewal in July 2014 and we believe it is likely to be renewed on terms similar to current terms.

 

Effective January 16, 2014, the Company entered into a business loan agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Wells Fargo Loan Agreement”) for a $7.0 million line of credit to be used to loan money to U-Swirl to fund the purchase price of the Acquisitions by U-Swirl (the “Wells Fargo Loan”). The Company made its first draw of approximately $6.4 million on the Wells Fargo Loan on January 16, 2014 and the first draw was the amount outstanding at February 28, 2014. Interest on the Wells Fargo Loan is at a fixed rate of 3.75% and the maturity date is January 15, 2020. Interest on the Wells Fargo Loan accrues monthly commencing on February 15, 2014. The first principal and interest payment of approximately $128,000 is due on February 15, 2015, with amortized principal and interest payments continuing monthly thereafter. The Wells Fargo Loan may be prepaid without penalty at any time by the Company. The Wells Fargo Loan is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including the U-Swirl Loan Agreement. Additionally, the Wells Fargo Loan is subject to various financial ratio and leverage covenants. The Wells Fargo Loan Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and acceleration provisions in the event of a default by the Company.

 

Long-term debt consists of the following at February 28:

   

2014

   

2013

 

Note payable in monthly installments of principal and interest at 3.75% per annum through December 2019 collateralized by substantially all business assets.

  $ 6,400,000     $ -  

Less current maturities

    108,023       -  
    $ 6,291,977     $ -  

 

The following is a schedule by year of maturities of long-term debt for the years ending February 28 or 29:

 

2015

  $ 108,000  

2016

    1,208,800  

2017

    1,255,600  

2018

    1,304,200  

2019

    1,354,600  

Thereafter

    1,168,800  

Total

  $ 6,400,000  

 

NOTE 5 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Operating leases

 

The Company conducts its retail operations in facilities leased under five to ten-year non-cancelable operating leases. Certain leases contain renewal options for between five and ten additional years at increased monthly rentals. The majority of the leases provide for contingent rentals based on sales in excess of predetermined base levels.

 

The following is a schedule by year of future minimum rental payments required under such leases for the years ending February 28 or 29:

 

2015

  $ 851,000  

2016

    584,000  

2017

    359,000  

2018

    310,000  

2019

     242,000  

Thereafter

    52,000  

Total

  $ 2,398,000  

 

 

 
40

 

 

In some instances the Company has leased space for its Company-owned locations that are now occupied by franchisees, or majority owned subsidiaries. When the Company-owned location was sold or transferred, the store was subleased to the franchisee who is responsible for the monthly rent and other obligations under the lease. The Company's liability as primary lessee on sublet franchise outlets, all of which is offset by sublease rentals, is as follows for the years ending February 28 or 29:

 

2015

  $ 468,000  

2016

    373,000  

2017

    192,000  

2018

    79,000  

Total

  $ 1,112,000  

 

The following is a schedule of lease expense for all retail operating leases for the three years ended February 28 or 29:

 

   

2014

   

2013

   

2012

 

Minimum rentals

  $ 1,658,710     $ 862,866     $ 834,087  

Less sublease rentals

    (686,000 )     (157,000 )     (125,300 )

Contingent rentals

    22,626       20,399       17,692  
    $ 995,336     $ 726,265     $ 726,479  

 

In FY 2013, the Company renewed an operating lease for warehouse space in the immediate vicinity of its manufacturing operation. The following is a schedule, by year, of future minimum rental payments required under such lease for the years ending February 28 or 29:

 

2015

  $ 113,000  

2016

    116,000  

2017

    121,000  

2018

    30,000  

Total

  $ 380,000  

 

The Company also leases trucking equipment under operating leases. The following is a schedule by year of future minimum rental payments required under such leases for the years ending February 28 or 29:

 

2015

  $ 183,500  

2016

  $ 145,400  

2017

  $ 145,400  

2018

  $ 96,900  

Total

  $ 571,200  

 

The following is a schedule of lease expense for trucking equipment operating leases for the three years ended February 28 or 29:

 

   

2014

   

2013

   

2012

 
      199,894       201,081       200,826  

 

Purchase contracts

 

The Company frequently enters into purchase contracts of between six to eighteen months for chocolate and certain nuts. These contracts permit the Company to purchase the specified commodity at a fixed price on an as-needed basis during the term of the contract. Because prices for these products may fluctuate, the Company may benefit if prices rise during the terms of these contracts, but it may be required to pay above-market prices if prices fall and it is unable to renegotiate the terms of the contract. Currently the Company has contracted for approximately $567,000 of raw materials under such agreements.

 

Contingencies

 

The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that the resolution of these matters will not have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Resulting from the purchase of the franchise rights of Yogurtini, the Company may pay up to an additional aggregate amount of $928,000, which is contingent on financial performance of the franchise rights over a two-year period. Resulting from the purchase of the franchise rights of Fuzzy Peach, the Company may pay up to an additional aggregate amount of $349,000 which is contingent on financial performance of the franchise rights over 12 months.

 

Our Subsidiary, U-Swirl, as part of the business acquisition of CherryBerry agreed to issue 4,000,000 shares of U-Swirl common stock as a component of the consideration paid for the business assets. Associated with these shares, U-Swirl guaranteed a per share value of $0.50, subject to restrictions on the sale of the shares. This guaranteed value of the shares may result in the need for an additional payment of up to $2,000,000 based on the value of U-Swirl stock price.

 

 
41

 

 

NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES

 

Income tax expense is comprised of the following for the years ending February 28 or 29:

 

   

2014

   

2013

   

2012

 

Current

                       

Federal

  $ 1,668,259     $ 2,090,996     $ 1,128,049  

State

    227,904       287,026       173,822  

Total Current

    1,896,163       2,378,022       1,301,871  
                         

Deferred

                       

Federal

    237,538       (1,107,287 )     729,900  

State

    20,959       (37,275 )     3,975  

Total Deferred

    258,497       (1,144,562 )     733,875  

Total

  $ 2,154,660     $ 1,233,460     $ 2,035,746  

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective rate as a percentage of pretax income is as follows for the years ending February 28 or 29:

 

    2014     2013    

2012

 

Statutory rate

    34.0 %     34.0 %     34.0 %

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

    3.1 %     4.8 %     2.0 %

Domestic production deduction

    (2.4 %)     (3.2 %)     (1.8 %)

Other

    0.1 %     1.5 %     0.2 %

Acquisition related expenses

    -       6.4 %     -  

Valuation allowance, U-Swirl, Inc. Consolidated loss

    5.9 %     4.2 %     -  

Effective Rate

    40.7 %     47.7 %     34.4 %

 

The decrease in the effective tax rate for the year ended February 28, 2014, compared to the prior year, is primarily due to the tax consequences of acquiring a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc in the prior year, and the associated increase in the effective rate for that period. The acquisition of our interest in U-Swirl, Inc. resulted in non-deductible acquisition related expenses of approximately $268,000 for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013. The Company also recognized a gain of $222,000 during the year ended February 28, 2013 for purposes of income tax reporting, the result of the transfer of Aspen Leaf Yogurt franchise rights to U-Swirl, Inc. U-Swirl, Inc. and RMCF will continue to file separate income tax returns for each entity. U-Swirl, Inc. has a history of net losses and does not expect to realize the tax benefit of those losses. The consolidation of U-Swirl net loss into the results of RMCF did not reduce the taxable income for RMCF in the current or prior years.

 

The components of deferred income taxes at February 28 are as follows:

 

 

  2014     2013  
Deferred Tax Assets            

Allowance for doubtful accounts and notes

  $ 219,108     $ 280,030  

Inventories

    75,505       93,726  

Accrued compensation

    210,290       136,406  

Loss provisions and deferred income

    143,877       166,650  

Self insurance accrual

    27,240       43,625  

Amortization, design costs

    54,312       71,868  

Restructuring charges

    1,850       115,963  

U-Swirl, Inc. accumulated net loss

    689,590       380,383  

Valuation allowance, U-Swirl, Inc. accumulated net loss

    (689,590 )     (380,383 )

Net deferred tax assets

    732,182       908,268  
                 

Deferred Tax Liabilities

               

Depreciation and amortization

    (1,133,467 )     (1,079,004 )

Prepaid expenses

    (110,333 )     (82,325 )

Net deferred tax liability

  $ (1,243,800 )   $ (1,161,329 )
                 

Current deferred tax assets

  $ 538,871     $ 628,633  

Non-current deferred tax liabilities

    (1,050,489 )     (881,694 )

Net deferred tax liability

  $ (511,618 )   $ (253,061 )

 

 
42

 

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state taxing jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state tax examinations in its major tax jurisdictions for periods before FY 2009.

 

Realization of the Company's deferred tax assets is dependent upon the Company generating sufficient taxable income, in the appropriate tax jurisdictions, in future years to obtain benefit from the reversal of net deductible temporary differences. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable is subject to adjustment in future periods if estimates of future taxable income are changed. Management believes that it is more likely than not that RMCF will realize the benefits of its deferred tax assets as of February 28, 2014.

 

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes by recognizing the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company measures the tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. The application of income tax law is inherently complex. As such, the Company is required to make judgments regarding income tax exposures. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax law and regulations change over time and may result in changes to the Company's judgments which can materially affect amounts recognized in the balance sheets and statements of operations. The result of the assessment of the Company's tax positions did not have an impact on the financial statements for the years ended February 28, 2014 or 2013. The Company's federal tax returns for all years after 2010 and the Company's state tax returns after 2009 are subject to future examination by tax authorities for all of the Company's tax jurisdictions. The Company does not have any significant unrecognized tax benefits and does not anticipate a significant increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. Amounts are recognized for income tax related interest and penalties as a component of general and administrative expense in the statement of income and are immaterial for years ended February 28, 2014 and 2013.

 

As of February 28, 2014, U-Swirl, Inc. was not consolidated with us for purposes of filing federal income tax. U-Swirl, Inc. files a separate federal tax return and has its own federal loss carry forward. As of February 28, 2014 U-Swirl, Inc. had recorded a full valuation allowance related to the realization of its deferred income tax assets.

 

In accordance with section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, deductibility of U-Swirl, Inc.’s U.S. net operating loss carryovers may be subject to annual limitation in the event of a change in control. We have performed a preliminary evaluation as to whether a change in control has taken place, and have concluded that there was a change of control with respect to the net operating losses of U-Swirl, Inc. when the Company acquired its majority ownership interest in January 2013.

 

We estimate that the potential future tax deductions of U-Swirl, Inc. accumulated net operating losses, limited by section 382, to be approximately $1.0 million with a resulting deferred tax asset of approximately $690,000. We have recorded a valuation allowance for this amount to reflect the likelihood of realization of this deferred tax asset.

 

NOTE 7 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Cash Dividend

 

The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per common share on June 8, 2012, September 14, 2012, December 14, 2012 and March 15, 2013 to shareholders of record on May 24, 2012, September 4, 2012, November 30, 2012 and March 1, 2013 respectively. The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per common share on June 14, 2013, September 13, 2013, December 13, 2013 and March 14, 2014 to shareholders of record on June 4, 2013, September 3, 2013, November 29, 2013 and February 28, 2014, respectively.

 

Future declarations of dividends will depend on, among other things, the Company's results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, and on such other factors as the Company's Board of Directors may in its discretion consider relevant and in the best long term interest of the shareholders.

 

NOTE 8 - STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

 

In FY 2014, shareholders approved the amendment of the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). The 2007 Plan allows awards of stock options; stock appreciation rights; stock awards, restricted stock and stock units; performance shares and performance units; other stock or cash based awards. As of February 28, 2014, 500,140 restricted stock units, 12,936 stock options and 24,000 unrestricted shares have been awarded under the 2007 Plan and 323,770 shares of common stock are available for award under the plan consisting of 300,000 shares originally authorized, 85,340 previously reserved for issuance under earlier plans, 300,000 shares authorized upon amendment and 170,189 shares forfeited under the 2007 Plan and suspended plans, less shares awarded under the Plan.

 

Under the 2004 Stock Option Plan (the “2004 Plan”), options to purchase up to 970,200 of the Company’s common stock were previously authorized to be granted at prices not less than market value at the date of grant. Options granted may not have a term exceeding ten years under the 2004 plan and the 2007 plan. Options representing the right to purchase 142,944 and 12,936 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding under the 2004 Plan and the 2007 Plan, respectively, at February 28, 2014.

 

 
43

 

 

Information with respect to stock option awards outstanding under the plans at February 28, 2014, and changes for the three years then ended was as follows:

 

   

Twelve Months Ended

February 28 or 29:

 
   

2014

    2013    

2012

 

Outstanding stock options at beginning of year:

    270,945       307,088       341,890  

Granted

    -       -       12,936  

Exercised

    (26,340 )     (21,191 )     (45,113 )

Cancelled/forfeited

    (88,725 )     (14,952 )     (2,625 )

Outstanding stock options as of February 28 or 29:

    155,880       270,945       307,088  
                         

Weighted average exercise price

  $ 8.01     $ 11.17     $ 10.84  

Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)

    0.45       1.94       2.76  

 

Information with respect to restricted stock unit awards outstanding under the plans at February 28, 2014, and changes for the three years then ended was as follows:

 

   

Twelve Months Ended

February 28 or 29:

 
    2014     2013    

2012

 

Outstanding non-vested restricted stock units at beginning of year:

    57,030       101,980       141,260  

Granted

    280,900       -       4,540  

Vested

    (41,390 )     (44,190 )     (43,300 )

Cancelled/forfeited

    (1,500 )     (760 )     (520 )

Outstanding non-vested restricted stock units as of February 28 or 29:

    295,040       57,030       101,980  
                         

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 12.09     $ 9.22     $ 9.19  

Weighted average remaining vesting period (in years)

    4.99       1.14       2.00  

 

Additional information about stock options outstanding at February 28, 2014 is summarized as follows: 

 

         

Options Outstanding

 

Range of exercise prices

   

Number exercisable

   

Weighted average remaining

contractual life in years

   

Weighted average exercise price

 
$7.408 to 7.415       142,942       0.30     $ 7.41  
$14.695           12,936       2.04     $ 14.70  

 

 

 
44

 

 

NOTE 9 - OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

The Company classifies its business interests into five reportable segments: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. Franchising, Manufacturing, Retail Stores, U-Swirl, Inc. operations and other. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to these consolidated financial statements. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on operating contribution, which excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative costs and income tax expense or benefit. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic businesses that utilize common merchandising, distribution, and marketing functions, as well as common information systems and corporate administration. All inter-segment sales prices are market based. Each segment is managed separately because of the differences in required infrastructure and the difference in products and services:

 

FY 2014

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 6,045,675     $ 27,101,515     $ 2,391,627     $ 5,528,649     $ -     $ 41,067,466  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (1,882,659 )     -       -       -       (1,882,659 )

Revenue from external customers

    6,045,675       25,218,856       2,391,627       5,528,649       -       39,184,807  

Segment profit (loss)

    2,798,934       7,189,181       (192,966 )     (806,891 )     (3,699,094 )     5,289,164  

Total assets

    1,223,605       11,966,991       1,278,862       15,557,675       7,438,406       37,465,539  

Capital expenditures

    49,040       931,102       98,115       1,295,105       144,955       2,518,317  

Total depreciation & amortization

    37,089       294,986       62,039       487,073       145,588       1,026,775  

 

FY 2013

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 6,047,039     $ 26,451,612     $ 5,395,805     $ 505,956     $ -     $ 38,400,412  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (2,085,211 )     -       -       -       (2,085,211 )

Revenue from external customers

    6,047,039       24,366,401       5,395,805       505,956       -       36,315,201  

Segment profit (loss)

    2,494,868       6,853,360       (2,251,581 )     (320,446 )     (4,192,707 )     2,583,494  

Total assets

    1,302,094       10,510,745       1,305,006       3,446,319       7,269,781       23,833,945  

Capital expenditures

    25,985       277,675       290,330       2,719       146,162       742,871  

Total depreciation & amortization

    39,029       290,076       383,550       70,146       152,577       935,378  

 

FY 2012

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 

Total revenues

  $ 5,751,263     $ 25,723,144     $ 5,438,911     $ -     $ -     $ 36,913,318  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (2,286,426 )     -       -       -       (2,286,426 )

Revenue from external customers

    5,751,263       23,436,718       5,438,911       -       -       34,626,892  

Segment profit (loss)

    2,572,926       6,704,333       (289,418 )     -       (3,076,064 )     5,911,777  

Total assets

    1,434,619       10,238,204       5,212,456       -       7,277,691       24,162,970  

Capital expenditures

    12,713       208,807       2,795,308       -       243,810       3,260,638  

Total depreciation & amortization

    59,947       293,804       255,575       -       141,535       750,861  

  

During FY 2013 the information reported in our “U-Swirl, Inc.” segment includes data from January 14, 2013 through February 28, 2013, the period that was consolidated within our financial results.

 

Revenue from one customer of the Company’s Manufacturing segment represents approximately $5.2 million of the Company’s revenues from external customers during year ended February 28, 2014.

 

NOTE 10 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

For the three years ended February 28 or 29:

 

Cash paid (received) for:

     2014        2013    

2012

 

Income taxes paid

    2,417,238       1,173,717       1,881,929  

Interest

    20,000       -       -  

Accrued Inventory

    246,647       260,441       209,028  
                         

Non-Cash Financing Activities:

                       

Dividend payable

    675,422       667,532       616,239  
                         

Non-Cash Investing Activities:

                       

Acquired interest in U-Swirl, Inc.

    -       800,000       -  

Accrued capital expenditures

    175,000       -       130,481  

 

 
45

 

 

NOTE 11 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

 

The Company has a 401(k) plan called the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. 401(k) Plan. Eligible participants are permitted to make contributions up to statutory limits. The Company makes a matching contribution, which vests ratably over a 3-year period, and is 25% of the employee’s contribution up to a maximum of 1.5% of the employee’s compensation. During the years ended February 28 or 29, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s contribution was approximately $60,000, $50,000, and $39,000, respectively, to the plan.

 

NOTE 12 – SUMMARIZED QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

Following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the fiscal years ended February 28 or 29, 2014 and 2013:

                            

    Fiscal Quarter  
   

First 

   

Second

   

Third

   

Fourth

   

Total 

 
2014                                        

Total revenue

  $ 10,177,862     $ 8,663,161     $ 9,279,994     $ 11,063,790     $ 39,184,807  

Gross margin before depreciation

    3,151,525       2,985,223       2,739,681       3,172,433       12,048,862  

Net income

    1,179,307       1,027,784       699,174       1,486,179       4,392,444  

Basic earnings per share

    .19       .17       .11       .24       .72  

Dilute earnings per share

    .19       .16       .11       .23       .68  

                             

    Fiscal Quarter  
   

First 

   

Second

   

Third

   

Fourth

   

Total

 
2013                                        

Total revenue

  $ 9,658,193     $ 7,729,837     $ 8,635,804     $ 10,291,367     $ 36,315,201  

Gross margin before depreciation

    3,068,390       2,560,569       2,558,493       3,001,471       11,188,923  

Net income (loss)

    1,062,329       828,782       (509,484 )     96,585       1,478,212  

Basic earnings (loss) per share

    .17       .14       (.08 )     .02       .24  

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

    .17       .13       (.08 )     .02       .24  

 

NOTE 13 – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets consist of the following at February 28 or 29:

 

            2014     2013  
   

Amortization Period (Years)

   

Gross Carrying

Value

   

Accumulated Amortization

   

Gross Carrying

Value

   

Accumulated Amortization

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization

                                       

Store design

    10       220,778       206,652       205,777       205,142  

Packaging licenses

    3-5       120,830       120,830       120,830       120,830  

Packaging design

    10       430,973       430,973       430,973       430,973  

Trademark/Non-competition agreement

    5-20       593,340       5,283       -       -  

Total

            1,365,921       763,738       757,580       756,945  

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

                                       

Franchising segment-

                                       

Company stores goodwill

            1,099,328       267,020       1,099,328       267,020  

Franchising goodwill

            3,464,500       197,682       295,000       197,682  

Manufacturing segment-Goodwill

            295,000       197,682       295,000       197,682  

Trademark

            20,000       -       20,000       -  

Total Goodwill

            4,878,828       662,384       1,709,328       662,384  
                                         

Franchise Rights

    20       6,580,034        90,786       800,000       -  
                                         

Total intangible assets

          $ 12,824,783     $ 1,516,908     $ 3,266,908     $ 1,419,329  

 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled $97,578, $8,316, and $43,744 during the fiscal year ended February 28 or 29, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

 
46 

 

 

At February 28, 2014, annual amortization of intangible assets, based upon our existing intangible assets and current useful lives, is estimated to be the following:

 

2015

  $ 434,188  

2016

    417,807  

2017

    461,182  

2018

    483,501  

2019

    493,328  

Thereafter

    4,801,425  

Total

  $ 7,091,431  

 

NOTE 14 – RESTRUCTURING AND ACQUISITION RELATED CHARGES

 

As discussed in Note 1, on January 14, 2013, “Newco” entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the franchise rights of Yogurtini. In addition, on January 14, 2013, the Company entered into two agreements to sell all of its membership interests in Newco and substantially all of its assets in ALY to U-Swirl, Inc., in exchange for a controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc. Upon completion of these transactions, the management of U-Swirl, Inc. is responsible for operations at all company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations and the selling and support of franchise locations. Associated with this transaction, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $635,168 during the year ended February 28, 2013.

 

On January 17, 2014, U-Swirl entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with CherryBerry, which was the franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt retail stores branded as “CherryBerry.” Pursuant to the CherryBerry Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of CherryBerry used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt stores, including all of its franchise rights and one company-owned store. U-Swirl also entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Yogli Mogli, which was the franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt retail stores branded as “Yogli Mogli”. Pursuant to the Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of Yogli Mogli used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt stores, including all of its franchise rights and four company-owned stores. On February 20, 2014 U-Swirl entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire the business assets of Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC. The acquisition of all intellectual property and worldwide franchise and license rights includes the rights associated with 17 Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt stores. Associated with these transactions, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $786,013 during the year ended February 28, 2014.

 

Restructuring and acquisition charges incurred at February 28, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following:

 

   

2014

   

2013

 

Professional fees

  $ 763,168     $ 337,599  

Severance compensation

    -       28,155  

Previously deferred revenue

    -       (44,000 )

Provision for termination of contractual obligations

    22,845       185,414  

Other

    -       128,000  
                 

Total

  $ 786,013     $ 635,168  

 

NOTE 15 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company has entered into Franchise Agreements and a Development Agreement with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. The director operates two ALY locations under the Franchise Agreements and the Development Agreement.

 

As of February 28, 2014, the Company had receivables of approximately $550 due from such director associated with the director’s ownership and operation of the two current ALY locations.

 

Our President and Chief Executive Officer has members of his immediate family with ownership interests in retail marketing businesses. These businesses have, on occasion, provided services to the Company and may provide services in the future. As of February 28, 2014, the Company had incurred expenses of $30,050 and $7,600 was recorded to accounts payable that related to these businesses. Transactions with these businesses have been immaterial to our results of operations.

 

U-Swirl, Inc. was owed $11,989 and $8,597 as of February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from a U-Swirl franchisee that is owned and operated by the grandchildren of the Company’s Chief Marketing Officer. The corporate secretary and treasurer of the franchisee is also the Company’s corporate secretary.

 

As of February 28, 2014, U-Swirl, Inc. had deferred revenue of $30,000 from an area developer in which the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer have a minority interest.

 

NOTE 16 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On May 30, 2014, U-Swirl entered into a tentative agreement to sell three Company owned stores. U-Swirl received a deposit of $600,000 from the buyer to secure the rights to acquire the assets through definitive agreement. These stores were acquired in January 2014 as part of their acquisition of business assets. U-Swirl believes that the sales of these assets will approximate the preliminary value assigned to the assets and that the sale of the assets will not have a material impact on results of operations.

 

 
47 

 

 

NOTE 17 – NET INCOME AND TRANSFERS (TO) FROM NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

 

The effect of changes in Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s ownership interest in its subsidiary, U-Swirl, Inc. was comprised of the following at February 28, 2014:

 

Net Income (loss) attributable to RMCF shareholders

    (868,543 )

Transfers from non-controlling interest

       

U-Swirl, Inc. expense recorded for equity based compensation

    62,000  

U-Swirl, Inc. common stock issued, at fair value, for business acquisitions

    1,721,286  

U-Swirl, Inc common stock issued upon the exercise of stock options and warrants

    34,189  

Change to ownership interest resulting from stock issuances

    (347,723 )

Net transfers from non-controlling interest

    1,469,752  

Changes from net loss and transfers from non-controlling interest

  $ 601,209  

 

NOTE 18 – ACQUISITION OF U-SWIRL, INC.

 

On January 14, 2013 the Company entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (OTCQB: SWRL). U-Swirl, Inc. is a franchisor and operator of self-serve frozen yogurt locations. In exchange for our interest we contributed our recently acquired franchise rights in YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”) as well as the franchise rights for Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC. With the addition of Yogurtini and Aspen Leaf Yogurt the Company believes that U-Swirl, Inc. will have the “critical mass” necessary to achieve profitability.

 

The Company accounted for this business combination in accordance with ASC 805 – Business Combinations, which requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction.

 

The purchase price was allocated as follows during the year ended February 28, 2013:

 

   

2013

 

Assets acquired

  $ 1,763,110  

Liabilities assumed

    (746,585 )

Non-controlling interest

    (664,612 )
         

Total purchase price

  $ 351,913  

 

The consideration for the purchase price was made up of 40% of the following assets during the year ended February 28, 2013:

 

   

2013

 

Yogurtini franchise rights

  $ 320,000  

Cash

    31,913  
         

Total consideration paid

  $ 351,913  

 

On the acquisition date, the fair value of the non-controlling interest was $664,612. The fair value of the non-controlling interest was based upon reference to quoted market valued of U-Swirl, Inc. stock plus bargain purchase adjustment of approximately $258,000 resulting from the allocation of the purchase price. Fair valuation methods used for the identifiable net assets acquired in the acquisition make use of quoted prices in active markets and discounted cash flows.

 

As a part of these transactions the Company recognized $635,168 as acquisition related costs in the line item “Restructuring charges” on the Income Statement. Included in our consolidated earnings are U-Swirl’s losses between January 14, 2013 and February 28, 2013 of $(320,446).

 

NOTE 19 – ACQUISITION OF CHERRYBERRY, YOGLI MOGLI AND FUZZY PEACH

 

On January 17, 2014, U-Swirl entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with CherryBerry, which was the franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés branded as “CherryBerry.” Pursuant to the CherryBerry Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of CherryBerry used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt cafés, including all of its franchise rights and one company-owned café. The assets were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4 million shares of U-Swirl common stock. U-Swirl also entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Yogli Mogli LLC, which was the franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés branded as “Yogli Mogli”. Pursuant to the Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of Yogli Mogli used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt cafés, including all of its franchise rights and four company-owned cafés. The assets were acquired for approximately $2.15 million in cash and $200,000 in shares of U-Swirl common stock. The Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and indemnification obligations.

 

 
48 

 

 

On February 20, 2014 U-Swirl entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire the business assets of Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC. The acquisition of all intellectual property and worldwide franchise and license rights includes the rights associated with 17 Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt stores. U-Swirl purchased the Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC assets for $481,000 in cash paid at the time of closing, plus an earn-out that could increase the purchase price by up to another $349,000 based upon royalty income generated by Fuzzy Peach stores over the next twelve months.

 

The Company completed these acquisitions because the self-serve frozen yogurt market is extremely fragmented, and the Company believes successful consolidators will dominate the industry within a few years. The Company believes the self-serve frozen yogurt industry offers the potential for above-average investment returns, and the Company’s investment in U-Swirl is predicated upon working closely with management to identify attractive growth opportunities that are compatible with the geographical and operational requirements for long-term success.

 

The Company preliminarily estimated the fair value consideration paid, contingent consideration, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and allocated a portion of the total purchase consideration to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the total purchase consideration over the aggregate estimated fair values was recorded as goodwill. Goodwill represents the synergies that the Company believes will arise from the acquisition transactions. All of the goodwill generated in this acquisition is deductible for tax purposes. The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

 

   

CherryBerry

   

Yogli Mogli

   

Fuzzy Peach

   

Total

 

Assets acquired

  $ 7,310,000     $ 2,420,500     $ 481,000     $ 10,211,000  

Lease liabilities assumed

    -       (58,000 )     -       (58,000 )
                                 

Total purchase price

  $ 7,310,000     $ 2,362,500     $ 481,000     $ 10,153,500  

 

Included in the preliminary purchase price allocation is a provisional amount related to the fair value of the U-Swirl common stock issued as consideration for the acquisitions and a preliminary valuation of the contingent consideration of the $0.50 guaranteed value of the U-Swirl common stock. The preliminary fair value of the securities was based on the trading market value of the stock; however, the trading market price may not be indicative of the fair value of our common stock because the stock has a low level of trading activity. As such, we will perform additional valuation procedures to determine if the trading market value of the U-Swirl common stock is representative of its fair value on the acquisition date. U-Swirl is in the process of completing procedures to determine the fair value of the common stock issued and the contingent consideration, which may result in adjustments to goodwill. The Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation during fiscal 2015.

 

The assets acquired were made up of the following during the years ended February 28, 2014:

 

   

CherryBerry

   

Yogli Mogli

   

Fuzzy Peach

   

Total

 

Café store assets

  $ 261,000     $ 1,003,000     $ -     $ 1,264,000  

Trademarks

    405,000       156,000       -       561,000  

Franchise rights

    3,615,000       1,201,000       481,000       5,297,000  

Non-competition agreements

    23,000       6,000       -       29,000  

Goodwill

    3,006,000       54,500       -       3,060,500  
                                 

Total assets acquired

  $ 7,310,000     $ 2,420,500     $ 481,000     $ 10,211,000  

 

 
49 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase price was made up the following assets during the year ended February 28, 2014:

 

   

CherryBerry

   

Yogli Mogli

   

Fuzzy Peach

   

Total

 

Common stock – U-Swirl, Inc.

  $ 3,060,000     $ 212,500     $ -     $ 3,272,500  

Cash

    4,250,000       2,150,000       481,000       6,881,000  
                                 

Total consideration paid

  $ 7,310,000     $ 2,362,500     $ 481,000     $ 10,153,500  

 

As a part of these transactions the Company recognized $786,475 as acquisition related costs in the line item “Restructuring and acquisition related charges” on the Income Statement. The value of U-Swirl, Inc. common stock was $0.765 and was determined by averaging the high and the low trading price on the date of the transactions.

 

Since the date of acquisition, revenue and net income included in our operating results from the acquired companies were as follows:

 

   

CherryBerry

   

Yogli Mogli

 

Revenues

  $ 130,505     $ 140,571  

Net Income (loss)

    54,321       (3,008 )

 

Supplemental Pro Forma Data (Unaudited)

 

U-Swirl used the acquisition method of accounting to account for these acquisitions and, accordingly, the results of CherryBerry and Yogli Mogli are included in U-Swirl’s consolidated financial statements for the period subsequent to the date of acquisition. The unaudited supplemental pro forma financial data presented below for the year ended February 28, 2014 and 2013 gives effect to these acquisitions as if they had occurred on March 1, 2012. The supplemental data includes amortization expense related to the acquired intangible assets and transaction costs, such as legal fees, directly associated with the acquisition.

 

This unaudited supplemental pro forma financial data is presented for informational purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the results of future operations or the results that would have occurred had the Company completed the acquisition at the beginning of fiscal 2013.

 

   

Year ended February 28, 2014

   

Year ended February 28, 2013

 

Pro forma net revenues

    10,860,186       10,394,477  

Pro forma loss from continuing operations

    (747,711 )     (1,715,486 )

Pro forma loss from continuing operations per share (basic)

    (0.12 )     (0.28 )

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Limitations on Controls and Procedures - Because of their inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (collectively, “Control Systems”) may not prevent or detect all failures or misstatements of the type sought to be avoided by Control Systems. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s Control Systems to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), does not expect that the Company’s Control Systems will prevent all errors or all fraud. A Control System, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the Control System are met. Further, the design of a Control System must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all Control Systems, no evaluation can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These reports by management, including the CEO and CFO, on the effectiveness of the Company’s Control Systems express only reasonable assurance of the conclusions reached.

 

 
50

 

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures — The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), that are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company is made known to the officers who certify the Company’s financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors. These disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Management, with the participation of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness, as of February 28, 2014, of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of February 28, 2014.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting — Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under supervision of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management, with the participation of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness, as of February 28, 2014, of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. In making this evaluation, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in its publication Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on that evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of February 28, 2014.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting —There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended February 28, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

PART III.

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Certain information with respect to the executive officers of the Company is set forth in the section entitled "Executive Officers" in Part I of this report.

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed no later than 120 days after February 28, 2014.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed no later than 120 days after February 28, 2014.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Except for the information below, the information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed no later than 120 days after February 28, 2014.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table provides information with respect to the Company’s equity compensation plans as of February 28, 2014.

 

Plan category

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in first column) (1)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

450,920

 

$8.01

 

318,453

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

Total

450,920

$ 8.01

318,453

.

 

   (1) Represents shares remaining available under the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. Shares available for future issuances under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan may be issued in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and stock units, performance shares and performance units, and other stock- and cash-based awards.

 

 
51

 

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed no later than 120 days after February 28, 2014.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed no later than 120 days after February 28, 2014.

 

 
52

 

 

PART IV.

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)      The following documents are filed as part of this report:

 

1.     Financial Statements

 

Page

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 31

   

Consolidated Statements of Income

32

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

33

   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

34

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

35

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

36

 

      2.     Financial Statement Schedule          

 

SCHEDULE II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

   

Balance at

Beginning of Period

   

Additions Charged to

Costs & Exp.

   

Deductions

   

Balance at End of

Period

 
                                 

Year Ended February 28, 2014

Valuation Allowance for Accounts and Notes Receivable

    595,588       216,000       210,658       600,930  
                                 

Year Ended February 28, 2013

Valuation Allowance for Accounts and Notes Receivable

    584,151       330,000       318,563       595,588  
                                 

Year Ended February 29, 2012

Valuation Allowance for Accounts and Notes Receivable

    390,319       352,000       158,168       584,151  

 

 
53

 

 

3. Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number

 

 

Description

 

 

Incorporated by Reference to

2.1#

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, among Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC, YHI Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC

 

Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

2.2#

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, between U-Swirl, Inc. and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC

 

Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

2.3#

 

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, between U-Swirl, Inc. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

3.1

 

Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant

 

Exhibit 3.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the year ended February 28, 2009

         

3.2

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant

 

Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed May 22, 2009

         

3.3

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant

 

Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed December 14, 2007

         

4.1

 

Specimen Common Stock Certificate

 

Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007

         

10.1**

 

Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and its officers

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007

         

10.2

 

Current form of Franchise Agreement used by the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended May 31, 2010

         

10.3**

 

2007 Equity Incentive Plan of the Registrant (As Amended and Restated)

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on August 9, 2013

         

10.4**

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its directors

 

Exhibit 10.7 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007

         

10.5**

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its officers

 

Exhibit 10.8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007

         

10.6**

 

1995 Stock Option Plan of the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.9 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-62149) filed August 25, 1995

         

10.7**

 

Forms of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for 1995 Stock Option Plan

 

Exhibit 10.10 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-62149) filed on August 25, 1995

         

10.8**

 

Forms of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for 1995 Stock Option Plan

 

Exhibit 10.11 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-62149) filed on August 25, 1995

         

10.9**

 

2000 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors

 

Exhibit 99.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-109936 filed on October 23, 2003

         

10.10**

 

2004 Stock Option Plan

 

Exhibit 99.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-119107) filed September 17, 2004

 

 
54

 

 

Exhibit Number

 

 

Description

 

 

Incorporated by Reference to

10.11*

 

Master License Agreement, dated August 17, 2009, between Kahala Franchise Corp. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended August 31, 2009

         

10.13

 

Promissory Note, dated August 2, 2013 in the amount of $5,000,000, between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended August 31, 2013

         

10.14

 

Business Loan Agreement, dated August 2, 2013, between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended August 31, 2013

         

10.15

 

Business Loan Agreement, dated December 27, 2013, between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on January 22, 2014

         

10.16*

 

Master License Agreement, dated April 27, 2012, between RMCF Asia, Ltd. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended May 31, 2012

         

10.17

 

Voting Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, among U-Swirl, Inc., Henry Cartwright, Ulderico Conte, Terry Cartwright, the Registrant and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC

 

Exhibit 99.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

10.18

 

Investor Rights Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, between U-Swirl, Inc. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 99.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

10.19

 

Investor Rights Agreement, dated January 14, 2013 between U-Swirl, Inc. and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC

 

Exhibit 99.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

10.20

 

Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 16, 2014, between U-Swirl, Inc. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 99.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on January 22, 2014

         

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Filed herewith

         

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Filed herewith

         

31.1

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Executive Officer

 

Filed herewith

         

31.2

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Financial Officer

 

Filed herewith

         

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Executive Officer

 

Furnished herewith

         

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Financial Officer

 

Furnished herewith

 

 
55

 

 

Exhibit Number

 

 

Description

 

 

Incorporated by Reference to

         

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

Filed herewith

 

*

 

Contains material that has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and such material has been filed separately with the Commission.

**

 

Management contract or compensatory plan

     

#

 

Schedules and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b) (2) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. We hereby undertake to supplementally furnish copies of any omitted schedules to the SEC upon request

 

 
56

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: June 11, 2014

 

/S/ Bryan J. Merryman

 

 

 

BRYAN J. MERRYMAN

Chief Operating Officer, Chief

Financial Officer, Treasurer and

Director

 

                                 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Date: June 11, 2014

  /S/ Franklin E. Crail

 

 

 

FRANKLIN E. CRAIL

Chairman of the Board of

Directors, President and Chief

Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

                                               

Date: June 11, 2014

  /S/ Bryan J. Merryman 

 

 

 

BRYAN J. MERRYMAN

Chief Operating Officer, Chief

Financial Officer, Treasurer and

Director

(Principal Financial and

Accounting Officer)

 

                                             

Date: June 11, 2014

  /S/ Gerald A. Kien

 

 

 

GERALD A. KIEN, Director

 

                                                     

Date: June 11, 2014

  /S/ Lee N. Mortenson

 

 

 

LEE N. MORTENSON, Director

 

 

Date: June 11, 2014

  /S/ Clyde Wm. Engle                  

 

 

 

CLYDE Wm. ENGLE, Director

 

                         

Date: June 11, 2014

  /S/ Scott G. Capdevielle         

 

 

 

SCOTT G. CAPDEVIELLE, Director

 

                                 

 
57

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

 

 

Description

 

 

Incorporated by Reference to

2.1#

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, among Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC, YHI Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC

 

Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

2.2#

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, between U-Swirl, Inc. and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC

 

Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

2.3#

 

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, between U-Swirl, Inc. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

3.1

 

Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant

 

Exhibit 3.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the year ended February 28, 2009

         

3.2

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant

 

Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed May 22, 2009

         

3.3

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant

 

Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed December 14, 2007

         

4.1

 

Specimen Common Stock Certificate

 

Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007

         

10.1**

 

Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and its officers

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007

         

10.2

 

Current form of Franchise Agreement used by the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended May 31, 2010

         

10.3**

 

2007 Equity Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated)

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on August 9, 2013

         

10.4**

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its directors

 

Exhibit 10.7 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007

         

10.5**

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its officers

 

Exhibit 10.8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007

         

10.6**

 

1995 Stock Option Plan

 

Exhibit 10.9 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-62149) filed August 25, 1995

         

10.7**

 

Forms of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for 1995 Stock Option Plan

 

Exhibit 10.10 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-62149) filed on August 25, 1995

         

10.8**

 

Forms of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for 1995 Stock Option Plan

 

Exhibit 10.11 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-62149) filed on August 25, 1995

         

10.9**

 

2000 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors

 

Exhibit 99.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-109936 filed on October 23, 2003

         

10.10**

 

2004 Stock Option Plan

 

Exhibit 99.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-119107) filed September 17, 2004

 

 
58

 

 

Exhibit Number

 

 

Description

 

 

Incorporated by Reference to

10.11*

 

Master License Agreement, dated August 17, 2009, between Kahala Franchise Corp. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended August 31, 2009

         

10.13

 

Promissory Note, dated August 2, 2013 in the amount of $5,000,000, between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended August 31, 2013

         

10.14

 

Business Loan Agreement, dated August 2, 2013, between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended August 31, 2013

         

10.15

 

Business Loan Agreement, dated December 27, 2013, between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on January 22, 2014

         

10.16*

 

Master License Agreement, dated April 27, 2012, between RMCF Asia, Ltd. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended May 31, 2012

         

10.17

 

Voting Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, among U-Swirl, Inc., Henry Cartwright, Ulderico Conte, Terry Cartwright, the Registrant and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC

 

Exhibit 99.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

10.18

 

Investor Rights Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, between U-Swirl, Inc. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 99.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

10.19

 

Investor Rights Agreement, dated January 14, 2013, between U-Swirl, Inc. and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC

 

Exhibit 99.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 14, 2013

         

10.20

 

Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 16, 2014, between U-Swirl, Inc. and the Registrant

 

Exhibit 99.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on January 22, 2014

         

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Filed herewith

         

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Filed herewith

         

31.1

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Executive Officer

 

Filed herewith

         

31.2

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Financial Officer

 

Filed herewith

         

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Executive Officer

 

Furnished herewith

         

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Financial Officer

 

Furnished herewith

 

 
59

 

 

Exhibit Number

 

 

Description

 

 

Incorporated by Reference to

         

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

Filed herewith

         

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

Filed herewith

 

*

 

Contains material that has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and such material has been filed separately with the Commission.

**

 

Management contract or compensatory plan

     

#

 

Schedules and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b) (2) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. We hereby undertake to supplementally furnish copies of any omitted schedules to the SEC upon request

 

 

 60