FORM 10-QUNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

[ X ]

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

For the quarterly period ended December 25, 2022.24, 2017.

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 No. file number 0001-3596201-35962

 

NATHAN'S FAMOUS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware Delaware

11-3166443 

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One Jericho Plaza, Second Floor – Wing A, Jericho, New York 11753

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

One Jericho Plaza, Second Floor – Wing A, Jericho, New York 11753

(Address and Zip Code of principal executive offices)

(516) 338-8500

 (Registrant's(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

NATH

The NASDAQ Global Market

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

 

Large accelerated filer  ___

Accelerated filer     X

Non-accelerated filer  ___  (do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Emerging growth company     ___

Smaller reporting company  ___

Emerging growth company  ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ___

 

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

 

At February 2, 20182023, an aggregate of 4,184,549 4,079,720shares of the registrant's common stock, par value of $.01, were outstanding.

 

-1-

 

NATHAN'S FAMOUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEXINDEX

 

 

Page

Number

 

Number

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements.

3

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 24, 201725, 2022 (Unaudited) and March 26, 2017

27, 2022

3

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) - Thirteen and Thirty-nine Weeks Ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 25, 2016

26, 2021

4

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit (Unaudited) – Thirteen Weeks Ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 20215

Consolidated StatementStatements of Stockholders’ (Deficit)Stockholders’ Deficit (Unaudited) – Thirty-nine Weeks Ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 26, 2021

56

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – Thirty-nine Weeks Ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 25, 201626, 2021

67

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

78

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

18

20

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

2830

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.

2931

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

3032

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

3032

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

3032

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

3032

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

3032

Item 5.

Other Information.

3032

Item 6.

Exhibits.

3133

SIGNATURES

32

 

34

Exhibit Index

33

 

-2-

 

 

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 24, 2017 and March 26, 2017

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

 

 

December 24, 2017

  

March 26, 2017

 
  

(Unaudited)

     
ASSETS        
         

CURRENT ASSETS

        

Cash

 $67,288  $56,915 

Accounts and other receivables, net

  11,873   8,948 

Inventories

  406   579 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note G)

  3,352   1,093 

Total current assets

  82,919   67,535 
         

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,525 and $7,522, respectively

  8,276   8,844 

Goodwill

  95   95 

Intangible asset

  1,353   1,353 

Other assets

  293   298 

Total assets

 $92,936  $78,125 
         

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT)

        
         

CURRENT LIABILITIES

        

Accounts payable

 $4,268  $4,809 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Note H)

  26,644   5,865 

Deferred franchise fees

  198   98 

Total current liabilities

  31,110   10,772 
         

Long-term debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $5,374 and $3,525, respectively (Note N)

  144,626   131,475 

Other liabilities

  1,484   1,555 

Deferred income taxes

  751   814 
         

Total liabilities

  177,971   144,616 
         

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note O)

        
         

STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT)

        

Common stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 9,311,922 and 9,303,870 shares issued; and 4,184,549 and 4,176,497 shares outstanding at December 24, 2017 and March 26, 2017, respectively

  93   93 

Additional paid-in capital

  60,723   60,582 

(Accumulated deficit)

  (68,548)  (49,863)

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity before treasury stock

  (7,732)  10,812 

Treasury stock, at cost, 5,127,373 shares at December 24, 2017 and March 26, 2017, respectively

  (77,303)  (77,303)

Total stockholders’ (deficit)

  (85,035)  (66,491)
         

Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit)

 $92,936  $78,125 

Nathans Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 25, 2022 and March 27, 2022

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

December 25, 2022

  

March 27, 2022

 
  

(Unaudited)

     
ASSETS        
         
CURRENT ASSETS        

Cash and cash equivalents (Note E)

 $55,454  $50,063 

Accounts and other receivables, net (Note G)

  13,042   13,374 

Inventories

  336   522 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note H)

  1,109   1,441 

Total current assets

  69,941   65,400 
         

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $10,824 and $10,344, respectively

  3,513   3,785 

Operating lease assets (Note Q)

  6,604   7,416 

Goodwill

  95   95 

Intangible asset, net

  913   1,043 

Deferred income taxes

  584   582 

Other assets

  175   195 
         

Total assets

 $81,825  $78,516 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT        
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES        

Accounts payable

 $3,847  $6,381 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Note K)

  5,511   7,833 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities (Note Q)

  1,827   1,849 

Deferred franchise fees

  343   349 

Total current liabilities

  11,528   16,412 
         

Long-term debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $1,436 and $1,817, respectively (Note P)

  108,564   108,183 

Operating lease liabilities (Note Q)

  5,583   6,487 

Other liabilities

  737   674 

Deferred franchise fees

  1,378   1,748 
         

Total liabilities

  127,790   133,504 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note R)        
         
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT        

Common stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 9,369,235 shares issued; and 4,079,720 and 4,115,154 shares outstanding at December 25, 2022 and March 27, 2022, respectively

  94   94 

Additional paid-in capital

  62,388   62,307 

Accumulated deficit

  (21,785)  (32,619)

Stockholders’ equity before treasury stock

  40,697   29,782 
         

Treasury stock, at cost, 5,289,515 and 5,254,081 shares at December 25, 2022 and March 27, 2022, respectively

  (86,662)  (84,770)

Total stockholders’ deficit

  (45,965)  (54,988)
         

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

 $81,825  $78,516 

 

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

 

-3-

 

Nathan’ss Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

Thirteen and thirty-nineThirty-nine weeks ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 25, 201626, 2021

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 Thirteen weeks ended  Thirty-nine weeks ended  

Thirteen weeks ended

 

Thirty-nine weeks ended

 
 

December 24, 2017

  

December 25, 2016

  

December 24, 2017

  

December 25, 2016

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

REVENUES

                 

Sales

 $16,767  $14,859  $63,639  $58,012  $18,340  $18,637  $72,535  $61,462 

License royalties

  4,228   3,990   17,393   15,602   6,337  5,878   26,064  24,218 

Franchise fees and royalties

  1,088   1,088   3,575   3,752   976  919   3,268  2,993 

Advertising fund revenue

  501   479   1,504   1,437 

Total revenues

  22,083   19,937   84,607   77,366   26,154   25,913   103,371   90,110 
                 

COSTS AND EXPENSES

                 

Cost of sales

  12,599   10,785   48,165   41,732   14,925  16,040   59,490  51,536 

Restaurant operating expenses

  760   695   2,769   2,711   932  547   3,217  2,874 

Depreciation and amortization

  320   309   1,055   1,005   303  259   837  807 

General and administrative expenses

  3,034   3,394   10,064   10,309   3,161  2,975   10,122  9,702 

Advertising fund expense

  501   479   1,679   1,437 

Total costs and expenses

  16,713   15,183   62,053   55,757   19,822   20,300   75,345   66,356 
                 

Income from operations

  5,370   4,754   22,554   21,609   6,332  5,613   28,026  23,754 
                 

Loss on debt extinguishment

  (8,872)  -   (8,872)  - 

Interest expense

  (3,650)  (3,663)  (10,976)  (11,002)  (1,944) (2,650)  (5,831) (7,951)

Interest income

  44   35   114   71   158  24   260  88 

Other income, net

  22   21   64   64 

Other (expense) income, net

  (60)  3   (4)  24 
                 

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes

  (7,086)  1,147   2,884   10,742 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

  (3,307)  448   621   3,986 

Net (loss) income

 $(3,779) $699  $2,263  $6,756 

Income before provision for income taxes

  4,486  2,990   22,451  15,915 

Provision for income taxes

  1,223   860   6,093   4,477 

Net income

 $3,263  $2,130  $16,358  $11,438 
                 

PER SHARE INFORMATION

                 

(Loss) income per share:

                
Weighted average shares used in computing income per share: 

Basic

 $( 0.90) $. 17  $.54  $1.62   4,080   4,115   4,092   4,115 

Diluted

 $(0.90) $. 17  $.54  $1.61   4,116   4,115   4,104   4,115 
                 

Weighted average shares used in computing (loss) income per share:

                
Income per share: 

Basic

  4,185,000   4,175,000   4,180,000   4,171,000  $.80  $.52  $4.00  $2.78 

Diluted

  4,185,000   4,209,000   4,219,000   4,202,000  $.79  $.52  $3.99  $2.78 
 

Dividends declared per share

 $.45  $.35  $1.35  $1.05 

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

-4-

 

Nathan’ss Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSTATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS(DEFICIT)

Thirty-nineThirteen weeks ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 26, 2021

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

          

Additional

              

Total

 
  

Common

  

Common

  

Paid-in

  

(Accumulated

  

Treasury Stock, at Cost

  

Stockholders

 
  

Shares

  

Stock

  

Capital

  

Deficit)

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

(Deficit)

 
                             

Balance, March 26, 2017

  9,303,870  $93  $60,582  $(49,863)  5,127,373  $(77,303) $(66,491)
                             

Shares issued in connection with share-based compensation plans

  8,052   -   -   -   -   -   - 
                             

Withholding tax on net share settlement of share-based compensation plans

  -   -   (157)  -   -   -   (157)
                             

Share-based compensation

  -   -   298   -   -   -   298 
                             

Cash dividends declared on common stock and restricted stock

  -   -   -   (20,948)  -   -   (20,948)
                             

Net income

  -   -   -   2,263   -   -   2,263 
                             

Balance, December 24, 2017

  9,311,922  $93  $60,723  $(68,548)  5,127,373  $(77,303) $(85,035)
          

Additional

              

Total

 
  

Common

  

Common

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Treasury Stock, at Cost

  

Stockholders’

 
  

Shares

  

Stock

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Deficit

 
                             

Balance, September 25, 2022

  9,369,235  $94  $62,323  $(23,212)  5,289,515  $(86,662) $(47,457)
                             

Dividends on common stock

  -   -   -   (1,836)  -   -   (1,836)

Share-based compensation

  -   -   65   -   -   -   65 

Net income

  -   -   -   3,263   -   -   3,263 

Balance, December 25, 2022

  9,369,235  $94  $62,388  $(21,785)  5,289,515  $(86,662) $(45,965)

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

 

-5-

          

Additional

              

Total

 
  

Common

  

Common

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Treasury Stock, at Cost

  

Stockholders’

 
  

Shares

  

Stock

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Deficit

 
                             

Balance, September 26, 2021

  9,369,235  $94  $62,291  $(33,614)  5,254,081  $(84,770) $(55,999)
                             

Dividends on common stock

  -   -   -   (1,440)  -   -   (1,440)

Share-based compensation

  -   -   8   -   -   -   8 

Net income

  -   -   -   2,130   -   -   2,130 

Balance, December 26, 2021

  9,369,235  $94  $62,299  $(32,924)  5,254,081  $(84,770) $(55,301)

 

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Thirty-nine weeks ended December 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

  

December 24,

2017

  

December 25,

2016

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

        

Net income

 $2,263  $6,756 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

        
Loss on debt extinguishment  8,872   - 

Depreciation and amortization

  1,055   1,005 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

  932   910 

Share-based compensation expense

  298   482 

Income tax benefit on stock option exercises

  194   659 

Provision for doubtful accounts

  42   34 

Deferred income taxes

  (63)  92 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts and other receivables, net

  (2,967)  (1,523)

Inventories

  173   293 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  (2,259)  643 

Other assets

  5   15 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

  (779)  545 

Deferred franchise fees

  100   4 

Other liabilities

  (71)  (142)
         

Net cash provided by operating activities

  7,795   9,773 
         

Cash flows from investing activities:

        

Purchase of property and equipment

  (488)  (1,001)
         

Net cash (used in) investing activities

  (488)  (1,001)
         

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

  150,000   - 

Cash payments for extinguishment of debt

  (135,000)  - 

Premium paid on extinguishment of debt

  (6,750)  - 

Debt issuance costs

  (4,902)  - 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

  -   44 

Dividends paid upon vesting of restricted stock

  (125)  (375)

Payments of withholding tax on net share settlement of share-based compensation plans

  (157)  (994)

Repurchase of treasury stock

  -   (1,272)
         

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  3,066   (2,597)
         

Net increase in cash

  10,373   6,175 
         

Cash, beginning of period

  56,915   50,228 
         

Cash, end of period

 $67,288  $56,403 
         

Cash paid during the period for:

        

Interest

 $9,038  $6,750 

Income taxes paid

 $3,447  $2,976 
         

Noncash financing activity:

        

Dividends declared

 $20,948  $- 

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

 

-5-

Nathans Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIT

Thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

          

Additional

              

Total

 
  

Common

  

Common

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Treasury Stock, at Cost

  

Stockholders’

 
  

Shares

  

Stock

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Deficit

 
                             

Balance, March 27, 2022

  9,369,235  $94  $62,307  $(32,619)  5,254,081  $(84,770) $(54,988)
                             

Repurchase of common stock

  -   -   -   -   35,434   (1,892)  (1,892)

Dividends on common stock

  -   -   -   (5,524)  -   -   (5,524)

Share-based compensation

  -   -   81   -   -   -   81 

Net income

  -   -   -   16,358   -   -   16,358 

Balance, December 25, 2022

  9,369,235  $94  $62,388  $(21,785)  5,289,515  $(86,662) $(45,965)

          

Additional

              

Total

 
  

Common

  

Common

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Treasury Stock, at Cost

  

Stockholders’

 
  

Shares

  

Stock

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Deficit

 
                             

Balance, March 28, 2021

  9,369,015  $94  $62,240  $(40,042)  5,254,081  $(84,770) $(62,478)
                             

Shares issued in connection with share-based compensation plans

  220   -   -   -   -   -   - 

Withholding tax on net share settlement of share-based compensation plans

  -   -   (7)  -   -   -   (7)

Dividends on common stock

  -   -   -   (4,320)  -   -   (4,320)

Share-based compensation

  -   -   66   -   -   -   66 

Net income

  -   -   -   11,438   -   -   11,438 

Balance, December 26, 2021

  9,369,235  $94  $62,299  $(32,924)  5,254,081  $(84,770) $(55,301)

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

-6-

Nathans Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
Cash flows from operating activities:        

Net income

 $16,358  $11,438 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities        

Depreciation and amortization

  837   807 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

  87   - 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

  381   518 

Share-based compensation expense

  81   66 

Provision for doubtful accounts

  114   112 

Deferred income taxes

  (2)  (10)

Other non-cash items

  (114)  (98)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        

Accounts and other receivables, net

  218   (2,635)

Inventories

  186   253 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  332   504 

Other assets

  20   128 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

  (4,856)  (1,395)

Deferred franchise fees

  (376)  249 

Other liabilities

  63   (41)
         

Net cash provided by operating activities

  13,329   9,896 
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        

Insurance proceeds for property and equipment

  42   - 

Purchase of property and equipment

  (564)  (465)
         

Net cash used in investing activities

  (522)  (465)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        

Dividends paid to stockholders

  (5,524)  (4,320)

Payments of withholding tax on net share settlement of share-based compensation plans

  -   (7)

Repurchase of treasury stock

  (1,892)  - 
         

Net cash used in financing activities

  (7,416)  (4,327)
         

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

  5,391   5,104 
         

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

  50,063   81,064 
         

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 $55,454  $86,168 
         
Cash paid during the period for:        

Interest

 $7,288  $9,938 

Income taxes paid

 $5,041  $3,558 
         

Non-cash financing activity:

        

Dividends declared per share

 $1.35  $1.05 

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

-7-

 

 

NATHAN'S FAMOUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 24, 2017December 25, 2022

(Unaudited)

NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Nathan's Famous, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively “Nathan’s,“Nathan’s,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) as of and for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 25, 201626, 2021 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The unaudited financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. However, our results of operations are seasonal in nature, and the results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or the full fiscal year.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Commission (“SEC”).

Management believes that the disclosures included in the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements and footnotes are adequate to make the information not misleading, but should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements and notesNotes thereto included in Nathan’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2017.27, 2022 as filed with the SEC on June 10, 2022.

Our significant interim accounting policies include the recognition of advertising fund expense in proportion to advertising funds revenue, and the recognition of income taxes using an estimated annual effective tax rate.

 

A summary of the Company’sCompany’s significant accounting policies is identified in Note B of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2017. There have been no changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies subsequent to March 26, 2017.27, 2022.

 

NOTE B– ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTSCOVID-19 Pandemic and Inflation

 

In July 2015,March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) updated U.S. accounting guidanceWorld Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19), a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had and may continue to simplifyhave a significant impact on our business and results of operations.

During fiscal 2022, we experienced pandemic and inflationary pressures, most notably within our Restaurant Operations and Branded Products Program segments. We experienced macroeconomic impacts arising from the ways businesses measure inventory. Companies that uselong-term duration of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method orpandemic, including rising labor costs, increasing commodity prices, higher packaging costs and fuel prices, which contributed to a decline in consumer confidence and spending. We expect this trend to continue for the remainder of fiscal 2023. Our average cost method will measure inventory atof hot dogs for the lowerthirty-nine week period ended December 25, 2022 was approximately 3% higher than during the thirty-nine week period ended December 26, 2021.

Inflation has an impact on food, paper, utility, labor and benefits and other general and administrative expenses which can impact our results of itsoperations. In general, we have been able to offset cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling priceincreases resulting from inflation by increasing prices. We may not be able to offset cost increases in the normal coursefuture.

The Company’s franchisees and Branded Menu Program operators also have experienced some disruptions and challenges as a result of business, minus the pandemic including workforce absences, as well as changes in the availability and cost of completion, disposal,labor, including higher wages and transportation. Companiesovertime costs.

There is continued uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions and their impacts on the Company’s business. We remain in regular contact with our major suppliers and to date we have not experienced significant disruptions in our supply chain.

The extent to which COVID-19 will no longer consider replacement cost or net realizable value less a normal profit margin when measuring inventory. The guidance was effective forcontinue to impact the Company beginningwill depend on future developments, which cannot be predicted, including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be impacted by new and evolving variants, the adoption rates of vaccines in the quarter ended June 25, 2017jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and did not have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.further actions that may be taken to limit the public health and economic impact.

Such impacts may include non-cash asset impairments and difficulty collecting trade receivables, among other things.

-8-

NOTE B – NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD NOT YET ADOPTED

 

In AugustJune 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, 2016-13,StatementFinancial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): ClassificationCredit Losses on Financial Instruments,which significantly changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. Current guidance requires the recognition of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)”. This update addresses eight specific cash flow topics with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice for certain aspects under Topic 230. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2016-15 during the quarter ending December 24, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE C – NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that attempts to establish a uniform basis for recording revenue to virtually all industries’ financial statements, under U.S. GAAP as further amended during 2016. The FASB issued certain updates to the standard, including clarifying reporting revenue between Principle versus Agent and clarification in determining performance obligations and licenses guidance. The revenue standard’s core principle is built on the contract between a vendor and a customer for the provision of goods and services. It attempts to depict the exchange of rights and obligations between the parties in the pattern of revenue recognitioncredit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflects losses once the consideration to which the vendor is entitled.In order to accomplish this objective, companies must evaluate the following five basic steps: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

Therelosses are two basic transition methods that are available – full retrospective, or modified retrospective transition methods. Early adoption is prohibited. Public companies were originally expected to applyprobable. Under the new standard, for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016,the Company will be required to use a current expected credit loss model (“CECL”) that will immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the consolidated financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including interim periods therein, which for Nathan’s would have been its first quartertrade receivables. The CECL model uses a broader range of fiscal 2018, beginning on March 27, 2017. On July 9, 2015,reasonable and supportable information in the development of credit loss estimates. In November 2019, the FASB agreed to delaydeferred the standard’s effective date to annualfor smaller reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 which will now be our first quarter (June 2018) of our fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.

The Company has assigned internal resources to evaluate and implement the new standard, and will continue to provide updates during fiscal year 2018. The Company is continuing its evaluation of the impact of the new standard, but currently does not believe that the standard will materially impact its recognition of revenue for its Company-operated restaurants or its recognition of royalties from its franchised restaurants or retail licenses, which are based on a percentage of sales. The Company is still assessing the impact of the new standard on revenues from its Branded Product Program as well as decisions reached by the FASB Transition Resource Group in November 2016 on the treatment of minimum guarantees in licensing arrangements, which may affect the timing of the Company’s recognition of royalty revenues. Currently, franchise and international development fees are recognized when the Company has performed substantially all initial services required by the agreements, which is generally when the franchisee begins operations. Under the new guidance, these fees may be recognized over the term of the agreements. The Company also expects that the adoption of this new guidance may change the reporting of contributions to the advertising fund from franchisees and other third parties and the related advertising fund expenditures, which are currently reported on a net basis in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company expects the new guidance will require these advertising fund contributions and expenditures to be reported on a gross basis in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. For the fiscal year ended March 26, 2017, advertising fund contributions from franchisees and other third parties were $2,572,000, and therefore we expect this change may impact our total revenues and expenses. The Company plans to adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, beginning March 26, 2018, using the modified retrospective method.

-7-

In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on leases. The new standard, among other changes, will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases. The lease liability will be measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The right-of-use asset will be measured at the lease liability amount, adjusted for lease prepayments, lease incentives received and the lessee’s initial direct costs (e.g. commissions). The new standard is effectivecompanies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods.2022. This standard is required to take effect in Nathan’s first quarter (June 2019)2023) of our fiscal year ending March 29, 2020. The adoption will require a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest period presented.31, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the standard to determineimpact that the impactadoption of the adoptionthis guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements but expects that the standard will result in a significant increase to its other assets and other liabilities.

In January 2017, the FASB issued an update to the accounting guidance to simplify the testing for goodwill impairment. The update removes the requirement to determine the implied fair value of goodwill to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any, under the second step of the current goodwill impairment test. A company will perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. A goodwill impairment charge will be recognized for the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of the goodwill. The guidance is effective prospectively for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. This standard is required to take effect in Nathan’s first quarter (June 2020) of our fiscal year ending March 28, 2021. Nathan’s does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.related disclosures.

 

The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, when adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTENOTE C – REVENUES

The Company’s disaggregated revenues for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021 are as follows (in thousands):

  

Thirteen weeks ended

  

Thirty-nine weeks ended

 
  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

Branded Products

 $16,661  $16,901  $61,862  $51,960 

Company-owned restaurants

  1,679   1,736   10,673   9,502 

Total sales

  18,340   18,637   72,535   61,462 
                 

License royalties

  6,337   5,878   26,064   24,218 
                 

Franchise royalties

  829   744   2,785   2,581 

Franchise fees

  147   175   483   412 

Total franchise fees and royalties

  976   919   3,268   2,993 
                 

Advertising fund revenue

  501   479   1,504   1,437 
                 

Total revenues

 $26,154  $25,913  $103,371  $90,110 

The following table disaggregates revenues by primary geographical market (in thousands):

  

Thirteen weeks ended

  

Thirty-nine weeks ended

 
  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

United States

 $24,824  $25,066  $98,836  $87,545 

International

  1,330   847   4,535   2,565 

Total revenues

 $26,154  $25,913  $103,371  $90,110 

-9-

Contract balances

The following table provides information about contract receivables and liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers (in thousands):

  

December 25,

2022

  

March 27,

2022

 

Receivables, which are included in “Accounts and other receivables, net” (a)

 $-  $312 

Deferred franchise fees (b)

 $1,721  $2,097 

(a)

Includes receivables related to “franchise fees and royalties”

(b)

Deferred franchise fees of $343 and $1,378 as of December 25, 2022 and $349 and $1,748 as of March 27, 2022 are included in Deferred franchise fees – current and long term, respectively.

Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows (in thousands):

  

Thirty-nine weeks ended

 
  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 

Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period

 $2,097  $1,773 

New deferrals due to cash received and other

  107   661 

Revenue recognized during the period

  (483)  (412)

Deferred franchise fees at end of period

 $1,721  $2,022 

Anticipated future recognition of deferred franchise fees

The following table reflects the estimated franchise fees to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at the end of the period (in thousands):

  

Estimate for fiscal year

 

2023 (a)

 $86 

2024

  339 

2025

  322 

2026

  287 

2027

  168 

Thereafter

  519 

Total

 $1,721 

(a)

Represents franchise fees expected to be recognized for the remainder of the 2023 fiscal year, which includes international development fees expected to be recognized over the duration of one year or less. Amount does not include $483 of franchise fee revenue recognized for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 2022.

We have applied the optional exemption, as provided for under ASC Topic 606, Revenues from Contracts with Customers, which allows us to not disclose the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations when the transaction price is a sales-based royalty.

NOTE D – INCOME PER SHARE                  

 

Basic income per common share is calculated by dividing income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and excludes any dilutive effect of stock options. Diluted income per common share gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive common shares used in the computation of diluted income per common share result from the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants, as determined using the treasury stock method.

 

-10-

The following chart provides a reconciliation of information used in calculating the per-share amounts for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 25, 2016,26, 2021, respectively.

 

Thirteen weeks

                                                
                 

Net (Loss) Income

          

Net Income

 
 

Net (Loss) Income

  

Number of Shares

  

Per Share

  

Net Income

  

Number of Shares

  

Per Share

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

          

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

     

Basic EPS

                                     

Basic calculation

 $(3,779) $699   4,185   4,175  $(0.90) $0.17  $3,263  $2,130   4,080  4,115  $0.80  $0.52 

Effect of dilutive employee stock options

  -   -   -   34   -   -   -   -   36   -   (0.01)  - 

Diluted EPS

                                     

Diluted calculation

 $(3,779) $699   4,185   4,209  $(0.90) $0.17  $3,263  $2,130   4,116   4,115  $0.79  $0.52 

 

-8-

Thirty-nine weeks

                        

Thirty-nine weeks

                        
                 

Net Income

          

Net Income

 
 

Net Income

  

Number of Shares

  

Per Share

  

Net Income

  

Number of Shares

  

Per Share

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

          

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

     

Basic EPS

                                     

Basic calculation

 $2,263  $6,756   4,180   4,171  $0.54  $1.62  $16,358  $11,438   4,092  4,115  $4.00  $2.78 

Effect of dilutive employee stock options

  -   -   39   31   -   (0.01)  -   -   12   -   (0.01)  - 

Diluted EPS

                                     

Diluted calculation

 $2,263  $6,756   4,219   4,202  $0.54  $1.61  $16,358  $11,438   4,104   4,115  $3.99  $2.78 

 

No optionsOptions to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock forin the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 25, 2016 or for the thirteen week period ended December 25, 201626, 2021, were excluded fromnot included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. ForEPS because the thirteen week period ended December 24, 2017, 47,000 options to purchaseexercise price exceeded the average market price of common stock were excluded fromshares during the computation of dilutive earnings per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive.period.

NOTE E – CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents at December 25, 2022 and March 27, 2022. The Company’s cash balances principally consist of cash in bank and money market accounts.

At December 25, 2022 and March 27, 2022, substantially all of the Company’s cash balances are in excess of Federal government insurance limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

NOTE E–F – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Nathan’sNathan’s follows a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of “observable inputs” and minimize the use of “unobservable inputs.” The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability on the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

  Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical asset or liability in an active market

 

  Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability

 

  Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability

-11-

 

The Company’sface value and fair value of long-term debt had a face value of $150,000,000 as of December 24, 201725, 2022 and a fair value of $155,625,000March 27, 2022 were as of December 24, 2017. follows (in thousands):

  

December 25, 2022

  

March 27, 2022

 
  

Face value

  

Fair value

  

Face value

  

Fair value

 
                 

Long-term debt

 $110,000  $107,497  $110,000  $111,346 

The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt based upon review of observable pricing in secondary markets as of the last trading day of the fiscal period. Accordingly, the Company classifies its long-term debt as Level 2.

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments.

 

Certain non-financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when evidence of impairment exists. At December 24, 2017,25, 2022, no fair value adjustment or material fair value measurements were required for non-financial assets or liabilities.

 

NOTE FG – ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES, NET                  

 

Accounts and other receivables, net, consist of the following (in thousands):

 

December 24,

  

March 26,

  

December 25,

 

March 27,

 
 

2017

  

2017

  

2022

  

2022

 
         

Branded product sales

 $8,726  $6,037  $9,301  $9,318 

Franchise and license royalties

  2,534   2,746   3,276  3,923 

Other

  1,093   622   753   391 
  12,353   9,405   13,330  13,632 
         

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

  480   457   288   258 

Accounts and other receivables, net

 $11,873  $8,948  $13,042  $13,374 

 

Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 days and are statedstated at amounts due from franchisees, including virtual kitchens, retail licensees and Branded Product Program customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts that are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are generally considered past due. The Company does not recognize franchise and license royalties that are not deemed to be realizable.

 

The Company individually reviews each past due account and determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current and expected future ability to pay its obligation to the Company, the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. Based on management’s assessment, the Company provides for estimated uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings. After the Company has used reasonable collection efforts, it writes off accounts receivable through a charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts.

-9-

 

Changes in the Company’sCompany’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the thirty-nine week period ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and the fiscal year ended March 26, 201727, 2022 are as follows (in thousands):          

 

 

December 24,

2017

  

March 26,

2017

  

December 25,

2022

  

March 27,

2022

 
         

Beginning balance

 $457  $471  $258  $345 

Bad debt expense

  42   53   114  186 

Accounts written off

  (19)  (67)

Write offs and other

  (84)  (273)

Ending balance

 $480  $457  $288  $258 

 

-12-

NOTE GH – PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

December 24,

  

March 26,

  

December 25,

 

March 27,

 
 

2017

  

2017

  

2022

  

2022

 
         

Income taxes

 $2,751  $- 

Real estate taxes

 $151  $71 

Insurance

  247   319   306  327 

Marketing

  372  653 

Other

  354   774   280   390 

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets

 $3,352  $1,093  $1,109  $1,441 

NOTE I – INTANGIBLE ASSET

 

NOTE HThe Company’s definite-lived intangible asset consists of trademarks, and the trade name and other intellectual property in connection with its Arthur Treacher’s co-branding agreements. Based upon review of the current Arthur Treacher’s co-branding agreements, the Company determined that the remaining useful lives of these agreements is six years concluding in fiscal year 2028, and the intangible asset is subject to annual amortization. The Company performs an annual impairment test, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the intangible asset may be impaired. The Company tests for recoverability of its definite-lived intangible asset based on the projected undiscounted cash flows to be derived from such co-branding agreements. Cash flow projections require significant estimates and assumptions by management. Should the estimates and assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company may be required to record an impairment charge in future periods and such impairment could be material.

There have been no significant events or changes in circumstances during the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 25, 2022 that would indicate that the carrying amount of the Company’s intangible asset may be impaired as of December 25, 2022.

NOTE J - LONG LIVED ASSETS

Long-lived assets on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Long-lived assets include property, equipment and right-of-use assets for operating leases with finite useful lives. Assets are grouped at the individual restaurant level which represents the lowest level for which cash flows can be identified largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The Company generally considers a history of restaurant operating losses to be its primary indicator of potential impairment for individual restaurant locations.

The Company tests for recoverability based on the projected undiscounted cash flows to be derived from such assets. If the projected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, the Company will record on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis, an impairment loss, if any, based on the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset. The Company generally measures fair value by considering discounted estimated future cash flows from such assets. Cash flow projections and fair value estimates require significant estimates and assumptions by management. Should the estimates and assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company may be required to record impairment charges in future periods and such impairments could be material.

There have been no significant events or changes in circumstances during the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 25, 2022 that would indicate that the carrying amount of the Company’s long-lived assets may be impaired as of December 25, 2022.

-13-

NOTE K – ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER LIABILITIES

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 

  

December 24,

  

March 26,

 
  

2017

  

2017

 

Payroll and other benefits

 $2,087  $2,708 

Accrued rebates

  1,245   1,050 

Rent and occupancy costs

  207   215 

Deferred revenue

  17   723 

Construction costs

  70   160 

Interest

  1,470   463 

Professional fees

  168   109 

Income taxes

  33   143 

Dividend payable

  21,073   125 

Other

  274   169 

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 $26,644  $5,865 

Other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

  

December 24,

  

March 26,

 
  

2017

  

2017

 

Deferred development fees

 $154  $67 

Reserve for uncertain tax positions

  419   366 

Deferred rental liability

  700   786 

Dividend payable

  -   125 

Other

  211   211 

Total other liabilities

 $1,484  $1,555 
  

December 25,

  

March 27,

 
  

2022

  

2022

 

Payroll and other benefits

 $2,590  $3,109 

Accrued rebates

  156   166 

Rent and occupancy costs

  118   90 

Deferred revenue

  -   876 

Construction costs

  -   58 

Interest

  1,131   2,968 

Professional fees

  71   129 

Sales, use and other taxes

  55   39 

Corporate income taxes

  1,094   103 

Other

  296   295 

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 $5,511  $7,833 

 

-10-

NOTE INOTE LSALESINCOME TAXES

 

The Company’s saleseffective income tax rates for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021 were 27.3% and 28.8%, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2022 reflected $1,223 of income tax expense recorded on $4,486 of pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended December 26, 2021 reflected $860 of income tax expense recorded on $2,990 of pre-tax income.

The effective income tax rates for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021 were 27.1% and 28.1%, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 2022 reflected $6,093 of income tax expense recorded on $22,451 of pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 reflected $4,477 of income tax expense recorded on $15,915 of pre-tax income.

The effective income tax rates for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 25, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):

  Thirteen weeks ended  Thirty-nine weeks ended 
  

December 24,

2017

  

December 25,

2016

  

December 24,

2017

  

December 25,

2016

 
                 

Branded Products

 $14,674  $12,868  $50,741  $44,349 

Company-operated restaurants

  2,093   1,991   12,898   13,449 

Other

  -   -   -   214 

Total sales

 $16,767  $14,859  $63,639  $58,012 

NOTE J – INCOME TAXES   

The26, 2021 were higher than the United States statutory income tax provisions for the thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 2017rate primarily due to state and December 25, 2016 reflect effective tax rates of 21.5% and 37.1%, respectively. Nathan’s effective tax rates for the thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016 were reduced by 670 BPS and 610 BPS, respectively, as a result of the tax benefits associated with stock compensation. For the thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016, excess tax benefits of $194,000 and $659,000, respectively, were reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a reduction to the provision for incomelocal taxes.

 

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits included in Other Liabilities at December 24, 201725, 2022 and March 27, 2022 was $207,000,$437 and $403, respectively, all of which would impact Nathan’sthe Company’s effective tax rate, if recognized. As of December 24, 2017, Nathan’s25, 2022 and March 27, 2022, the Company had $212,000approximately $315 and $271, respectively, accrued for the payment of accrued interest and penalties in connection with unrecognized tax benefits.

During the fiscal year ending March 25, 2018, Nathan’s will seek to settle additional uncertain tax positions with the tax authorities. As a result, it is reasonably possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the related accrued interest and penalties, could be reduced by up to $5,000, which would favorably impact Nathan’s effective tax rate, although no assurances can be given in this regard.

 

On December 22, 2017,August 16, 2022, the Enactment Date, President Trump signedUnited States enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Act”) into law which amongInflation Reduction Act. Among other provisions, permanently reduces the top corporate tax rate from 35 percent to a flat 21 percent beginning January 1, 2018 and eliminates the corporate Alternative Minimum Tax. Thethis new law limits the deductionimposes a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks made after December 31, 2022, with certain exceptions including stock repurchases of business interest, net of interest income, to 30 percent of the adjusted taxable income of the taxpayer in any taxableless than $1,000 within a tax year. Any amount disallowed under the limitation is treated as business interest paid or accrued in the following year. Disallowed interest will have an indefinite carryforward. TheWe are not expecting this new law also repeals the performance-based exception to the $1.0 million deduction limitationhave a material effect on executive compensation and modifies the definition of “covered employees”. The new law allows businesses to immediately write of the full cost of new equipment.our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE M – SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin #118, Nathan’s has determined reasonable estimates to its deferred assets and liabilities and pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company has recognized the effect(s) of the Act on current and deferred income taxes in its financial statements during the quarter ended December 24, 2017. Nathan’s has recorded the following discrete adjustment to its deferred tax liability and unrecognized tax benefits which reduced the provision for income taxes by $436,000 or 1510 BPS during the thirty-nine weeks ended December 24, 2017.

Nathan’s estimates that its blended federal tax rate will be 31% for its fiscal year ending March 25, 2018 and that its annual tax rate for the fiscal year ending March 25, 2018 will be in the range of approximately 40.8% to 43.1%, excluding the impact of the discrete items recorded and excess tax benefit associated with stock compensation. The final annual tax rate is subject to many variables, including the ultimate determination of revenue and income tax by state, among other factors, and therefore cannot be determined until the end of the fiscal year; therefore, the actual tax rate could differ from our current estimates. In addition, the ultimate benefit of the Act on Nathan’s is unclear as the lower annual tax rate could be outweighed by the limitation of the deduction of interest expense and other provisions.

NOTE K – SEGMENT INFORMATION

Nathan’s considers itself to be a brand marketer of the Nathan’s Famous signature products to the foodservice industry pursuant to its various business structures. Nathan’s sells its products directly to consumers through its restaurant systemoperations segment consisting of Company-operatedCompany-owned and franchised restaurants, including virtual kitchens, to distributors that resell our products to the foodservice industry through the Branded Product Program (“BPP”) and by third party manufacturers pursuant to license agreements that sell our products to club stores and grocery stores nationwide. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) who evaluates performance and allocates resources for the Branded Product Program, Product Licensing and Restaurant Operations segments based upon a number of factors, the primary profit measure being income from operations. Certain administrative expenses are not allocated to the segments and are reported within Corporate.the Corporate segment.

 

Branded Product Program – This segment derives revenue principally from the sale of hot dog products either directly to foodservice operators or to various foodservice distributors who resell the products to foodservice operators.

 

Product licensing – This segment derives revenue, primarily in the form of royalties, from licensing a broad variety of Nathan’s Famous branded products, including our hotdogs,hot dogs, sausage and corned beef products, frozen French fries and additional products through retail grocery channels and club stores throughout the United States.

 

-11-
-14-

 

Restaurant operations – This segment derives revenue from the sale of our products at Company-owned restaurants and earns fees and royalties from its franchised restaurants.restaurants, including its virtual kitchens.

 

Revenues from operating segments are from transactions with unaffiliated third parties and do not include any intersegment revenues.

 

Income fromfrom operations attributable to corporateCorporate consists principally of administrative expenses not allocated to the operating segments such as executive management, finance, information technology, legal, insurance, corporate office costs, corporate incentive compensation and compliance costs.costs and expenses of the Advertising Fund.

 

InterestInterest expense, interest income, and other (expense) income, net, are managed centrally at the corporate level, and, accordingly, such items are not presented by segment since they are excluded from the measure of profitability reviewed by the CODM.

 

Operating segment information is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Thirteen weeks ended

  

Thirty-nine weeks ended

  

Thirteen weeks ended

 Thirty-nine weeks ended 
 

Dec. 24,

2017

  

Dec. 25,

2016

  

Dec. 24,

2017

  

Dec. 25,

2016

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

Revenues

                        

Branded Product Program

 $14,674  $12,868  $50,741  $44,563  $16,661  $16,901  $61,862  $51,960 

Product licensing

  4,228   3,990   17,393   15,602   6,337  5,878   26,064  24,218 

Restaurant operations

  3,181   3,079   16,473   17,201   2,655  2,655   13,941  12,495 

Corporate

  -   -   -   - 

Corporate (1)

  501   479   1,504   1,437 

Total revenues

 $22,083  $19,937  $84,607  $77,366  $26,154  $25,913  $103,371  $90,110 
                 

Income from operations

                        

Branded Product Program

 $2,924  $2,886  $7,888  $8,336  $2,451  $1,681  $7,003  $5,096 

Product licensing

  4,182   3,944   17,257   15,465   6,292  5,832   25,928  24,081 

Restaurant operations

  (21)  48   3,209   4,083   (238) (69)  1,879  623 

Corporate

  (1,715)  (2,124)  (5,800)  (6,275)  (2,173)  (1,831)  (6,784)  (6,046)

Income from operations

 $5,370  $4,754  $22,554  $21,609  $6,332  $5,613  $28,026  $23,754 
                 

Loss on debt extinguishment

  (8,872)  -   (8,872)  - 

Interest expense

  (3,650)  (3,663)  (10,976)  (11,002)  (1,944) (2,650)  (5,831) (7,951)

Interest income

  44   35   114   71   158  24   260  88 

Other income, net

  22   21   64   64 

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes

 $(7,086) $1,147  $2,884  $10,742 

Other (expense) income, net

  (60)  3   (4)  24 

Income before provision for income taxes

 $4,486  $2,990  $22,451  $15,915 

(1)

Represents advertising fund revenue.

 

NOTE LN – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Total share-based compensation during each of the thirteen-week periods ended December 24, 2017thirteen and December 25, 2016 was $99,000 and $136,000, respectively. Total share-based compensation during the thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 201725, 2022 and December 25, 201626, 2021 was $298,000$65 and $482,000,$8, and $81 and $66, respectively. Total share-based compensation is included in general and administrative expense in our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. As of December 24, 2017,25, 2022, there was $200,000 $3,409of unamortized compensation expense related to share-based incentive awards. We expect to recognize this expense over approximately sevenfifty-five months,, which represents the weighted average remaining requisite service periods for such awards.

During the thirty-nine week period ended December 25, 2022, the Company granted 50,000 restricted stock units at a fair value of $67.59 per unit representing the closing price on the date of grant, which will be fully vested five years from the date of grant. The restricted stock units vest ratably over a five-year period as follows: 10,000 restricted stock units on December 8, 2023; 10,000 restricted stock units on December 8, 2024; 10,000 restricted stock units on December 8, 2025; 10,000 restricted stock units on December 8, 2026; and 10,000 restricted stock units on December 8, 2027.

 

The Company recognizes compensation cost for unvested stock-based incentive awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Compensation cost charged to expense under all stock-based incentive awards is as follows (in thousands):

      

 Thirteen weeks ended  Thirty-nine weeks ended  Thirteen weeks ended Thirty-nine weeks ended 
 

December 24, 2017

  

December 25, 2016

  

December 24, 2017

  

December 25, 2016

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

Stock options

 $38  $38  $114  $114  $8  $8  $24  $52 

Restricted stock

  61   98   184   368 

Restricted stock units

  57   -   57   14 

Total compensation cost

 $99  $136  $298  $482  $65  $8  $81  $66 

-12-
-15-

 

Stock options outstanding:options:

 

There were no new share-based awards granted during the thirty-nine week period ended December 24, 2017.

In connection with the Company’s special cash dividend, paid on January 4, 2018, to stockholders of record as of December 22, 2017, the Company performed an analysis, pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the 2010 Plan (the “2010 Plan”), and issued replacement options to purchase 68,498 shares at an exercise price of $33.438 for the unvested stock options outstanding as of the record date of December 22, 2017, cancelling 64,384 shares at an exercise price of $35.58 per share. Nathan’s performed its evaluation based on the closing price of its common stock on December 20, 2017, the day before the stock went ex-dividend, of $83.20 per share, or $78.20 per share excluding the dividend of $5.00 per share. No other terms or conditions of the outstanding options were modified. The anti-dilution provisions of the original award were structured to equalize the award’s fair value before and after the modification.

During the fiscal year ended March 29, 2015, the Company granted options to purchase 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $53.89 per share, all of which expire five years from the date of grant. All such stock options vest ratably over a four-year period commencing August 6, 2015.

In connection with the Company’s special cash dividend, paid on March 27, 2015, to stockholders of record as of March 20, 2015, the Company performed an analysis, pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the 2010 Plan, and issued replacement options to purchase 75,745 shares at an exercise price of $35.58 for the unvested stock options outstanding as of March 29, 2015, canceling 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $53.89. Nathan’s performed its evaluation based on the closing price of its common stock on March 27, 2015 of $73.56 per share, or $48.56 per share excluding the dividend of $25.00 per share. No other terms or conditions of the outstanding options were modified. The anti-dilution provisions of the original award were structured to equalize the award’s fair value before and after the modification.25, 2022.

 

Transactions with respect to stock options for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 24, 201725, 2022 are as follows:

 

      

Weighted-

  

Weighted-

  

Aggregate

 
      

Average

  

Average

  

Intrinsic

 
      

Exercise

  

Remaining

  

Value

 
  

Shares

  

Price

  

Contractual Life

  

(in thousands)

 
                 

Options outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal year

  75,745  $35.58   2.36  $1,899 
                 

Granted

  -   -   -   - 
                 

Replacement options issued (A)

  68,498  $33.438   1.61  $3,093 
                 

Expired

  -   -   -   - 
                 

Cancellation of outstanding options (A)

  (64,384) $35.58   1.61  $3,093 
                 

Exercised

  (11,361) $35.58   -   379 
                 

Options Outstanding at December 24, 2017 (A)

  68,498  $33.438   1.61  $3,093 
                 

Options exercisable at December 24, 2017 (A)

  48,348  $33.438   1.61  $2,183 

A-

Represents the effects on outstanding options after giving effect to the replacement options issued in connection with the Company’s special dividend to shareholders of record on December 22, 2017.

-13-

      

Weighted-

  

Weighted-

  

Aggregate

 
      

Average

  

Average

  

Intrinsic

 
      

Exercise

  

Remaining

  

Value

 
  

Shares

  

Price

  

Contractual Life

  

(in thousands)

 
                 
                 

Options outstanding at March 27, 2022

  20,000  $79.20   2.92   - 

Granted

  -   -   -   - 

Exercised

  -   -   -   - 

Options outstanding at December 25, 2022

  20,000  $79.20   2.17   - 
                 

Options exercisable at December 25, 2022

  12,500  $85.62   1.29   - 

 

Restricted stock:stock units:

 

Transactions with respect to restricted stock units for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 24, 201725, 2022 are as follows:

 

 

Shares

  

Weighted-

Average

Grant-date

Fair value

Per share

  

Weighted-

 

Unvested restricted stock at March 26, 2017

  10,000  $49.80 
         

Average

 
 

Grant-date

Fair value

 
 

Shares

  

Per share

 

Unvested restricted stock units at March 27, 2022

 --  $-- 

Granted

  -   -  50,000  $67.59 

Vested

  (5,000) $49.80   --  $- 
        

Unvested restricted stock at December 24, 2017

  5,000  $49.80 

Unvested restricted stock units at December 25, 2022

  50,000  $67.59 

 

NOTE M –O– STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

1. DividendDividendss

 

On November 1, 2017,Effective June 10, 2022, the Company’sCompany’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a specialits first quarterly cash dividend of $5.00$0.45 per share payablefor fiscal 2023, which was paid on June 24, 2022 to stockholders of record as of December 22, 2017the close of business on June 20, 2022.

Effective August 5, 2022, the Board declared its second quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share for fiscal 2023, which approximately $20,923,000 was paid on January 4, 2018 to the stockholders. The Company also accrued $25,000 for the expected dividends payable on unvested restricted shares pursuant to the terms of the restricted stock agreement. As unvested restricted stock vests, the declared dividend is paid. We estimate that $25,000 (see Note H) will be paid during our fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.

On March 10, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $25.00 per share payableSeptember 2, 2022 to stockholders of record as of March 20, 2015the close of business on August 22, 2022.

Effective November 3, 2022, the Board declared its third quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share for fiscal 2023 which approximately $115,100,000 was paid on March 27, 2015December 2, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the stockholders. The Company accrued $1,000,000 forclose of business on November 21, 2022.

Effective February 2, 2023, the expected dividendsBoard authorized the increase of its regular dividend from $0.45 to $0.50 per quarter and declared its fourth quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share payable on unvested restricted shares pursuantMarch 3, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 21, 2023.

Our ability to pay future dividends is limited by the terms of the Indenture with U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral trustee. In addition to the terms of the restricted stock agreements. As unvested restricted stock vests,Indenture, the declared dividend is paid. We have paid $875,000declaration and payment of any cash dividends in the future are subject to final determination of the accrued dividendBoard and estimate that the remaining $125,000(see Note H) will be paid duringdependent upon our fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.earnings and financial requirements.

 

2. Common Stock Purchase RightsRepurchase Program

 

On June 5, 2013, Nathan’s adopted a new stockholder rights plan (the “2013 Rights Plan”) under which all stockholders of record as of June 17, 2013 received rights to purchase shares of common stock (the “2013 Rights”) andIn 2016, the previously existing “New Rights Plan” was terminated.

The 2013 Rights were distributed as a dividend. Initially, the 2013 Rights will attach to, and trade with, the Company’s common stock. SubjectBoard authorized increases to the terms, conditions and limitations of the 2013 Rights Plan, the 2013 Rights will become exercisable if (among other things) a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Company’s common stock. Upon such an event and payment ofsixth stock repurchase plan for the purchase price of $100.00 (the “2013 Right Purchase Price”), each 2013 Right (except those held by the acquiring person or group) will entitle the holderup to acquire one share of the Company’s common stock (or the economic equivalent thereof) or, if the then-current market price is less than the then current 2013 Right Purchase Price, a number of shares of the Company’s common stock which at the time of the transaction has a market value equal to the then current 2013 Right Purchase Price at a purchase price per share equal to the then current market price of the Company’s Common Stock.

The Company’s Board of Directors may redeem the 2013 Rights prior to the time they are triggered. Upon adoption of the 2013 Rights Plan, the Company initially reserved 10,188,600 shares of common stock for issuance upon exercise of the 2013 Rights. The 2013 Rights will expire on June 17, 2018 unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company.

At December 24, 2017, the Company has reserved 5,696,732 shares of common stock for issuance upon exercise of the Common Stock Purchase Rights approved by the Board of Directors on June 5, 2013.

3. Stock Repurchase Programs

During the period from October 2001 through December 24, 2017, Nathan’s purchased 5,127,3731,200,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company. As of December 25, 2022, Nathan’s had repurchased 1,101,884 shares at a cost of approximately $77,303,000$39,000under the sixth stock repurchase plan. At December 25, 2022 there were 98,116 shares remaining to be repurchased pursuant to variousthe sixth stock repurchase plans previously authorized byplan. The plan does not have a set expiration date. Purchases under the Board of Directors. During the thirty-nine week period ended December 24, 2017, we did notCompany’s stock repurchase anyshares of common stock.

As of December 24, 2017, an aggregate of 260,258 shares can still be purchased under Nathan’s existing stock buy-back program.

Purchasesprogram may be made from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market or privately-negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There is no set time limit on the repurchases to be made under these stock-repurchase plans.repurchases.

 

-14-
-16-

 

On June 14, 2022, the Board approved a 10b5-1 Plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) which expired on September 13, 2022.

During the thirty-nine week period ended December 25, 2022, the Company repurchased in open market transactions 35,434 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average share price of $53.39 for a total cost of $1,892 under the 10b5-1 Plan.

NOTE NP – LONG-TERM DEBT

 

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

  

December 25,

  

March 27,

 
  

2022

  

2022

 
         

6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025

 $110,000  $110,000 

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs

  (1,436)  (1,817)

Long-term debt, net

 $108,564  $108,183 

 

  

December 24,

  

March 26,

 
  

2017

  

2017

 
         

6.625% Senior secured notes due 2025

 $150,000   - 

10.000% Senior secured notes due 2020

  -  $135,000 

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs

  (5,374)  (3,525)

Total long-term debt

 $144,626  $131,475 

On November 1, 2017, the Company completed the issuance of $150,000,000 of 6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "2025 Notes") in a private offering in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated November 1, 2017, (the “Indenture”) by and among the Company, certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral trustee. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes offering to satisfy and discharge the Indenture relating to the 2020 Notes (as hereinafter defined) and redeem the 2020 Notes (the "Redemption"), paid a portion of a special $5.00 per share cash dividend to Nathan's stockholders of record (see Note M.1), with the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital. The Company also funded the majority of the special dividend through its existing cash. The Redemption occurred on November 16, 2017. The Company performed the required evaluation of the refinancing and determined that a portion of the Redemption of the 2020 Notes is accounted for as a modification of the debt and a portion as an extinguishment of the debt. In connection with the Redemption, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $8,872,000 that primarily reflects a portion of the premium paid to redeem the 2020 Notes and the write-off of certain debt issuance costs.

On March 10, 2015, the Company completed the issuance of $135,000,000 of 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (“the 2020 Notes”) in a Rule 144A transaction. The 2020 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated March 10, 2015 by and among the Company, certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee and collateral trustee. The Company used the proceeds to pay a special cash dividend of approximately $116,100,000 (see Note M.1) with the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital. Debt issuance costs of approximately $5,985,000 were incurred, which were being amortized into interest expense over the remaining 5-year term of the 2020 Notes, or until redeemed.

The 2020 Notes bore interest at 10.000% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 15th and September 15th. An interest payment of $6,750,000 was paid on September 14, 2017.The 2020 Notes had no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to its final maturity on March 10, 2020.

The 2025 Notes will have no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to its final maturity on November 1, 2025.NOTE Q – LEASES

 

The Company paid a 5% call premium of $6,750,000 associated with the Redemptionis party as lessee to various leases for its Company-owned restaurants and incurred debt issuance costs of $4,902,000 in connection with the issuance of the 2025 Notes. The lessee/sublessor to one franchised location property, including land and buildings, as well as leases for its corporate office and certain office equipment.

Company also incurred additional interest expense of approximately $562,500 from the closing of the 2025 Notes on November 1, 2017 until the Redemption on November 16, 2017.as lessee

 

The 2025 Notes bear interest at 6.625% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 1stcomponents of the net lease cost for the thirteen and November 1st of each year, beginning on May 1, 2018. Semi-annual interest payments are expected to be $4,968,750. The Company expects to reduce its annual cash interest expense by approximately $3,562,500 per annum.thirty-nine week periods ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):

  

Thirteen weeks ended

  

Thirty-nine weeks ended

 
  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

Operating lease cost

 $378  $378  $1,214  $1,223 

Variable lease cost

  396   57   1,246   1,023 

Less: Sublease income, net

  (22)  (41)  (64)  (62)
                 

Total net lease cost

 $752  $394  $2,396  $2,184 

 

The terms and conditionsfollowing table presents the components of the 2025 Notes are as follows:net lease cost on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021 (in thousands):

 

  

Thirteen weeks ended

  

Thirty-nine weeks ended

 
  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

Restaurant operating expenses

 $589  $243  $1,908  $1,713 

General and administrative expenses

  185   192   552   533 

Less: Other income, net

  (22)  (41)  (64)  (62)
                 

Total net lease cost

 $752  $394  $2,396  $2,184 

There are no financial maintenance covenants associated with

Cash paid for amounts included in the 2025 Notes. Asmeasurement of December 24, 2017, Nathan’s was in compliance with all covenants associated with the 2025 Notes.lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

 

The Indenture contains certain covenants limiting the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase, capital stock; (iii) make investments or other restricted payments; (iv) create or incur certain liens; (v) incur restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions from its restricted subsidiaries; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) sell assets; or (viii) effect a consolidation or merger. Certain Restricted Payments which may be made or indebtedness incurred by Nathan’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries may require compliance with the following financial ratios:

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow to the Fixed Charges for the relevant period, currently set at 2.0 to 1.0 in the Indenture.The Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio applies to determining whether additional Restricted Payments may be made, certain additional debt may be incurred and acquisitions may be made.

  

Thirteen weeks ended

  

Thirty-nine weeks ended

 
  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 $216  $187  $950  $544 

 

-15--17-

 

 

Priority Secured Leverage Ratio: the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt outstandingThe weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for operating leases as of such date that is secured by a Priority Lien to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow of Nathan’s for the Test Period then most recently ended, in each case with such pro forma adjustmentsDecember 25, 2022 were as are appropriate; currently set at 0.40 to 1.00 in the Indenture.

Secured Leverage Ratio: the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt outstanding as of such date that is secured by a Lien on any property of Nathan’s or any Guarantor to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow of Nathan’s for the Test Period then most recently ended, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate. The Secured Leverage Ratio under the Indenture is 3.75 to 1.00 and applies if Nathan’s wants to incur additional debt on the same terms as the 2025 Notes.

The Indenture also contains customary events of default, including, among other things, failure to pay interest, failure to comply with agreements related to the Indenture, failure to pay at maturity or acceleration of other indebtedness, failure to pay certain judgments, and certain events of insolvency or bankruptcy. Generally, if any event of default occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 2025 Notes may declare the 2025 Notes due and payable by providing notice to the Company. In case of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the 2025 Notes, will become immediately due and payable.

The 2025 Notes are general senior secured obligations, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future indebtedness that is not subordinated, are senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness, are structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2025 Notes, and are effectively junior to all existing and future indebtedness that is secured by assets other than the collateral securing the 2025 Notes.

Pursuant to the terms of a collateral trust agreement, the liens securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees will be contractually subordinated to the liens securing any future credit facility.

The 2025 Notes and the guarantees will be the Company and the guarantors’ senior secured obligations and will rank:follows:

 

Weighted average remaining lease term (years):

5.6

Weighted average discount rate:

8.868%

Future lease commitments to be paid and received by the Company as of December 25, 2022 were as follows (in thousands):

  

Payments

  

Receipts

     
  

Operating Leases

  

Subleases

  

Net Leases

 
             
Fiscal year:            

2023 (a)

 $383  $42  $341 

2024

  1,782   271   1,511 

2025

  1,687   274   1,413 

2026

  1,717   278   1,439 

2027

  1,726   281   1,445 

Thereafter

  2,036   624   1,412 

Total lease commitments

 $9,331  $1,770  $7,561 

Less: Amount representing interest

  1,921         

Present value of lease liabilities (b)

 $7,410         

 

(a)

senior in right of paymentRepresents future lease commitments to allbe paid and received by the Company for the remainder of the 2023 fiscal year. Amount does not include $1,216of lease commitments paid and received by the Company andfor the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness;thirty-nine week period ended December 25, 2022.

   
 

(b)

effectively senior to all unsecured senior indebtedness to the extent of theThe present value of minimum operating lease payments of $1,827 and $5,583are included in “Current portion of operating lease liabilities” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities,” respectively on the collateral securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees;Consolidated Balance Sheet.

pari passu with all of the Company and the guarantors’ other senior indebtedness;

effectively junior to any future credit facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing any future credit facility and the 2025 Notes and the guarantees and certain other assets;

effectively junior to any of the Company and the guarantors’ existing and future indebtedness that is secured by assets other than the collateral securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees to the extent of the value of any such assets; and

structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of any of the Company’s current and future subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2025 Notes.

 

The Company may redeem the 2025 Notes in whole or in part prior to November 1, 2020, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, plus accrued and unpaid interest. An Applicable Premium is the greater of 1% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes; or the excess of the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 2025 Notes at November 1, 2020 plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the 2025 Notes through November 1, 2020 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over the then outstanding principal amount of the 2025 Notes.

Prior to November 1, 2020, if using the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings, the Company has the option to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.625% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and any additional interest.

On or after November 1, 2020, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes at a decreasing premium over time, plus accrued and unpaid interest as follows:

YEARlessor

PERCENTAGE

On or after November 1, 2020 and prior to November 1, 2021

103.313%

On or after November 1, 2021 and prior to November 1, 2022

101.656%

On or after November 1, 2022

100.000%

-16-

In certain circumstances involving a change of control, the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase all or, at the holder’s option, any part, of each holder’s 2025 Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”). In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of purchase.

If the Company sells certain assets and does not use the net proceeds as required, the Company will be required to use such net proceeds to repurchase the 2025 Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest penalty, if any, to the date of repurchase.

 

The 2025 Notes may be traded between qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144Acomponents of lease income for the Securities Act. We have recorded the 2025 Notes at cost.thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):

 

  

Thirteen weeks ended

  

Thirty-nine weeks ended

 
  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

Operating lease income, net

 $22  $41  $64  $62 

NOTE OR – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

1. Commitments 

On February 27, 2017, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company executed a Guaranty of Lease (the “Brooklyn Guaranty”) in connection with its re-franchising of a restaurant located in Brooklyn, New York. The Company is obligated to make payments under the Brooklyn Guaranty in the event of a default by the tenant/franchisee. The Brooklyn Guaranty has an initial term of 10 years and one 5-year option and is limited to 24 months of rent for the first three years of the term. Nathan’s has recorded a liability of $204,000 in connection with the Brooklyn Guaranty which does not include potential percentage rent, real estate tax increases, attorney’s fees and other costs as these amounts are not reasonably determinable at this time. Nathan’s has received a personal guaranty from the franchisee for all obligations under the Brooklyn Guaranty. For the remainder of the term, the Brooklyn Guaranty is limited to 12 months of rent plus reasonable costs of collection and attorney’s fees.

Commitments

 

On December 6, 2017,8, 2022, the Company amended its employment agreement with its Executive Chairman of the Board, Howard M. Lorber. Under the amendment, the term of the employment agreement was extended from December 31, 20172022 to December 31, 20222027. In addition, Mr. Lorber received a grant of 50,000 restricted stock units subject to vesting as provided in a Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement between Mr. Lorber and the base compensation of Mr. Lorber will be $1,000,000 per annum. All other terms and conditions remained the same.Company.

 

2.

2. Contingencies

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are from time to time involved in ordinary and routine litigation. Management presently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’sCompany’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations. Nevertheless, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include money damages and, in such event, could result in a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurs.

 

-17--18-

 

NOTE S – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the Consolidated Financial Statements were issued and filed with the SEC. There were no subsequent events that require recognition or disclosure.

-19-

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, that involve risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes”, “expects”, “projects”, “may”, “would”, “should”, “seeks”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates”, “anticipates” or similar expressions that relate to our strategy, plans or intentions. All statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results or to our expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected. We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. All forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q are based upon information available to us on the date of this Form 10-Q.

 

Statements in this Form 10-Q quarterly report may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are not within our control, include but are not limited to: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the status of our licensing and supply agreements, including our licensing revenue and overall profitability being substantially dependent on our agreement with John Morrell & Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc., the impact of our debt service and repayment obligations under the 2025 Notes, including the effect on our ability to fund working capital, operations and make new investments; economic (including inflationary pressures like those currently being experienced), weather (including the affectsimpact on the supply of cattle and the impact of weather on sales at our restaurants, particularly during Summerthe summer months), and change in the price of beef trimmings; our ability to pass on the cost of any price increases in beef and beef trimmings, or labor costs; legislative and business conditions; the collectibility of receivables; changes in consumer tastes; the status of our licensing and supply agreements, including the impact of our supply agreement for hot dogs with John Morrell & Co., the impact of our debt service and repayment obligations under the 2025 Notes; the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Act); the continued viability of Coney Island as a destination location for visitors; the ability to continue to attract franchisees; the impact of the new minimum wage legislation on labor costs in New York State or other changes in labor laws, including court decisionsregulations which could render a franchisor as a “joint employee” or the impact of our new union contracts; our ability to attract competent restaurant and managerial personnel; the enforceability of international franchising agreements andagreements; the future effects of any food borne illness;illness such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE or e-coli; as well as those risks discussed from time to time in this Form 10-Q and our Form 10-K annual report for the year ended March 26, 2017,27, 2022, and in other documents we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking statements with the words “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q.

 

Introduction

 

As used in this Report, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “Nathan’s”“Nathan’s” or the “Company” mean Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and its subsidiaries (unless the context indicates a different meaning).

 

We are engaged primarily in the marketing of the “Nathan’s“Nathan’s Famous” brand and the sale of products bearing the “Nathan’s Famous” trademarks through several different channels of distribution. Historically, our business has been the operation and franchising of quick-service restaurants featuring Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French-fried potatoes, and a variety of other menu offerings. Our Company-owned and franchised units operate under the name “Nathan’s Famous,” the name first used at our original Coney Island restaurant opened in 1916. Nathan’s product licensing program sells packaged hot dogs and other meat products to retail customers through supermarkets or grocery-type retailers for off-site consumption. Our Branded Product Program enables foodservice retailers and others to sell some of Nathan’s proprietary products outside of the realm of a traditional franchise relationship. In conjunction with this program, purchasers of Nathan’s products are granted a limited use of the Nathan’s Famous trademark with respect to the sale of the purchased products, including Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, certain other proprietary food items and paper goods. Our Branded Menu Program is a limited franchise program, under which foodservice operators may sell a greater variety of Nathan’s Famous menu items than under the Branded Product Program.

-20-

 

Our revenues are generated primarily from selling products under Nathan’sNathan’s Branded Product Program, operating Company-owned restaurants, licensing agreements for the sale of Nathan’s products within supermarkets and club stores, the sale of Nathan’s products directly to other foodservice operators and the manufacture of certain proprietary spices by third parties and the royalties, fees and other sums we can earn from franchising the Nathan’s restaurant concept (including the Branded Menu Program)Program and virtual kitchens).

 

At December 24, 2017,25, 2022, our restaurant system, excluding virtual kitchens, consisted of 285 units comprised of 280233 Nathan’s franchised units, including 124120 Branded Menu Program units, and fivefour Company-owned units (including one seasonal unit), located in 1917 states, and 12 foreign countries (including 2 Branded Menu units in Ukraine which are temporarily closed as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict). Our virtual kitchens in operation consisted of 226 units located in 19 states and four foreign countries.

At December 25, 2016,26, 2021, our restaurant system, excluding virtual kitchens, consisted of 287 units comprised of 282242 Nathan’s franchised units, including 114120 Branded Menu Program units, and fivefour Company-owned units (including one seasonal unit), located in 18states, and 14 foreign countries. Our virtual kitchens in operation consisted of 277 units located in 20 states and 10six foreign countries.

 

In additionOur primary focus is to plansexpand the market penetration of the Nathan’s Famous brand by increasing the number of distribution points for expansion throughour products across all of our business platforms, including our Licensing Program for distribution of Nathan’s Famous branded consumer packaged goods, our Branded Products Program for distribution of Nathan’s Famous branded bulk products to the foodservice industry, and our namesake restaurant system comprised of both Company-owned and franchised units, including virtual kitchens. The primary drivers of our recent growth have been our Licensing and Branded Product Program, licensingPrograms which have been the largest contributors to the Company’s profits.

While we do not expect to significantly increase the number of Company-owned units, we may opportunistically and franchising, Nathan’s continuesstrategically invest in a small number of new units as showcase locations for prospective franchisees and master developers as we seek to grow our franchise system. We continue to seek opportunities to co-brand within its restaurant system. Nathan’s is alsodrive sales in a variety of ways as we adapt to the owner of the Arthur Treacher’s brand. Currently there are seven locations operating under our Arthur Treacher’s Branded Menu Program agreement.ever-changing consumer and environment.

 

As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 26, 2017,27, 2022, our future results could be materially impacted by many developments including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our dependence on John Morrell & Co.Smithfield Foods, Inc. as our principal supplier and the dependence of our licensing revenue and overall profitability on our agreement with John Morrell & Co.Smithfield Foods, Inc. In addition, our future operating results could be impacted by supply constraints on beef or by increased costs of beef, beef trimmings and other commodities due to inflationary pressures compared to earlier periods.

-18-

 

On November 1, 2017, the Company completed the issuance ofissued $150,000,000 of 6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) and used the majority of the proceeds of this offering to redeem the Company’s 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2020, Notes (the “Redemption”), paid a portion of the special $5.00 cash dividend and will use anyused the remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital. Our future results could also be impacted by our obligations under

On January 26, 2022, the Company redeemed $40,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 2025 Notes. As a result of the issuance ofpartial redemption, the 2025 Notes, Nathan’sCompany expects to incur interest expense of $9,937,500 per annum, reducingreduce its future cash interest expense by $3,562,500$2,650,000 per annum. Nathan’s expects to incur annual amortization of debt issuance costs of approximately $685,000. Please refer to Note N – Long Term Debt, for the effects of the Company’s refinancing from the preceding consolidated financial statements. The impact of interest expense on net income has been reflected in our results for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016.

 

On March 10, 2015, we consummated a $135,000,000 offering of 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”) and paid a dividend of $25.00 per share (or approximately $116,100,000 in the aggregate). As a result of the issuance of the 2020 Notes, Nathan’s incurred interest expense of $13,500,000 per annum and annual amortization of debt issuance costs of approximately $1,200,000.

As described below, we are also including information relating to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures, in this Form 10-Q quarterly report. See “Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures.”

 

On November 1, 2017,Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the Board of DirectorsWorld Health Organization declared a special cash dividendglobal pandemic related to the outbreak of $5.00 per sharea novel strain of coronavirus, designated COVID-19.

COVID-19 related pressures have continued during the thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 2022 (“fiscal 2023 period”), although to a lesser extent than during the thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 (“fiscal 2022 period”). As approved vaccines continue to be distributed and administered, state and local restrictions continue to be lessened. Despite the fact that vaccines are now widely available across the country, there have been increases in diagnosed cases reported due to the spread of additional COVID-19 variants.

Customer traffic at our Company-owned restaurants, in particular at Coney Island, during the fiscal 2023 period increased by approximately 12% over the fiscal 2022 period. Additionally, we experienced increased customer traffic within our franchise system, including airport locations; highway travel plazas; shopping malls; movie theaters; and casino locations, primarily in Las Vegas, Nevada. The increase in customer traffic translated into higher Company-owned restaurant sales and higher franchise fees and royalties during the fiscal 2023 period than during the fiscal 2022 period.

-21-

Additionally, as the level of comfort of consumers gathering in social settings increases and travel continues to increase, our Branded Product Program customers, including professional sports arenas, amusement parks, shopping malls and movie theaters have experienced stronger attendance contributing to higher sales.

We continue to follow guidance from health officials in determining the appropriate restrictions, if any, to place within our operations. Our Company-owned and franchised restaurants could be disrupted by COVID-19 related employee absences or $20,923,000due to stockholderschanges in the availability and cost of record atlabor.

There continues to be uncertainty around the closeCOVID-19 pandemic as variants including Omicron and others have caused increases in the number of reported COVID-19 cases. We cannot predict the ultimate duration, scope and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic or its ultimate impact on our business on December 22, 2017,in the short or long-term. The ongoing economic impacts and health concerns associated with the pandemic may continue to affect consumer behavior, spending levels, and may result in reduced customer traffic and consumer spending trends that may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Inflation

We remain in regular contact with our major suppliers and to date we have not experienced significant disruptions in our supply chain; however, we have experienced rising transportation costs, rising costs of hot dogs due to the higher costs for beef and beef trimmings, and other food costs and paper products, which was paid on January 4, 2018.could continue to increase as the impact of COVID-19 continues across the supply chain.

The ongoing effects of COVID-19 and its variants, along with other macroeconomic events could lead to further wage inflation, product cost inflation and supply chain challenges during the remainder of fiscal 2023 and may impact our operations.

In general, we have been able to offset cost increases resulting from inflation by increasing prices. We continue to monitor these inflationary pressures and will continue to implement mitigation plans as needed. Delays in implementing price increases, competitive pressures, consumer spending levels and other factors may limit our ability to implement further price increases in the future.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

As discussed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2017,27, 2022, the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in those consolidated financial statements. These judgments can be subjective and complex, and consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates. Our most critical accounting policies and estimates relate to revenue recognition; impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets; impairment of long-lived assets; share-based compensation and income taxes (including uncertain tax positions). Except for the adoption discussed in Note B – simplifying the measurement of inventory and simplifying the elements of cash flow classification;Since March 27, 2022, there have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies or significant changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies subsequentassumptions and estimates related to March 26, 2017.them.

 

Adoption of New Accounting Standard Not Yet AdoptedPronouncements

 

Please refer to Note B of the preceding consolidated financial statements for our discussion of the Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Please refer to Note C of the preceding consolidated financial statements for our discussion of New Accounting PronouncementsStandard Not Yet Adopted.

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

 

The Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures, are useful to investors to assist in assessing and understanding the Company's operating performance and underlying trends in the Company's business because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are (i) among the measures used by management in evaluating performance and (ii) are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a common performance measure.

 

-22-

Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures

 

The following is provided to supplement certain Non-GAAP financial measures.

 

In addition to disclosing results that are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP"), the Company has provided EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludesis defined as net income excluding (i) interest expense; (ii) provision for income taxes and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense. The Company has also provided Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as EBITDA, excluding (i) the loss on early extinguishmentdisposal of debtproperty and stock-basedequipment and (ii) share-based compensation that the Company believes will impact the comparability of its results of operations.

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under US GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives to net income (loss) or other measures of financial performance or liquidity in conformity with US GAAP. Additionally, our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from other companies. Analysis of results and outlook on a Non-USnon-US GAAP basis should be used as a complement to, and in conjunction with, data presented in accordance with US GAAP.

-19-

 

The following is a reconciliation of Net (loss)net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

 

 Thirteen weeks ended  Thirty-nine weeks ended  

Thirteen weeks ended

 

Thirty-nine weeks ended

 
 

December 24, 2017

  

December 25, 2016

  

December 24, 2017

  

December 25, 2016

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 25,

2022

  

December 26,

2021

 
                 

(unaudited)

  

(unaudited)

 

Net (loss) income

 $(3,779) $699  $2,263  $6,756 
 

Net income

 $3,263  $2,130  $16,358  $11,438 

Interest expense

  3,650   3,663   10,976   11,002   1,944  2,650   5,831  7,951 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

  (3,307)  448   621   3,986 

Provision for income taxes

  1,223  860   6,093  4,477 

Depreciation and amortization

  320   309   1,055   1,005   303   259   837   807 

EBITDA

  (3,116)  5,119   14,915   22,749   6,733  5,899   29,119  24,673 
                 

Loss on debt extinguishment

  8,872   -   8,872   - 

Stock-based compensation

  99   136   298   482 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

  101  -   87  - 

Share-based compensation

  65   8   81   66 

Adjusted EBITDA

 $5,855  $5,255  $24,085  $23,231  $6,899  $5,907  $29,287  $24,739 

Seasonality

Our routine business pattern is affected by seasonal fluctuations, including the effects of weather and economic conditions. Historically, sales from our Company-owned locations, principally at Coney Island, and franchised restaurants from which franchised royalties are earned and the Company’s earnings have been highest during our first two fiscal quarters, with the fourth quarter representing the slowest period. Additionally, revenues from our Branded Product Program and retail licensing program generally follow similar seasonal fluctuations, although not to the same degree. Working capital requirements may vary throughout the year to support these seasonal patterns.

Due to the above seasonal factors, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic and inflationary pressures, our results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of those for a full fiscal year.

 

Results of Operations

                  

Thirteen weeks ended December 24, 201725, 2022 compared to thirteen weeks ended December 25, 201626, 2021

 

Revenues

 

Total sales revenues increased by 12.8%1% to $16,767,000 for the thirteen weeks ended December 24, 2017 (“third quarter fiscal 2018”) as compared to $14,859,000$26,154,000 for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 20162022 (“third quarter fiscal 2017”2023”) as compared to $25,913,000for the thirteen weeks ended December 26, 2021 (“third quarter fiscal 2022”). Foodservice

Total sales decreased by 2% to $18,340,000 for the third quarter fiscal 2023 as compared to $18,637,000 for the third quarter fiscal 2022 which included foodservice sales from the Branded Product Program increaseddecreasing by 14.0%1% to $14,674,000$16,661,000 for the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to sales of $12,868,000 in$16,901,000 for the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022. During the third quarter fiscal 2018,2023, the volume of businesshot dogs sold in the Branded Product Program increased by approximately 10.4%. Our average selling prices increased by approximately 3.0% as a result of our pricing strategy, which is more closely correlated to the cost of beef which increased by approximately 8.0%, during the third quarter fiscal 20183% as compared to the third quarter fiscal 2017. 2022. Our average selling prices decreased by approximately 3% as compared to the third quarter fiscal 2022.

Total Company-owned restaurant sales increaseddecreased by 5.1%3% to $2,093,000$1,679,000 during the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $1,991,000$1,736,000 during the third quarter fiscal 20172022. The decrease was primarily due primarily to higher salesa decline in traffic at our Yonkers, New York and Oceanside, New York locations which were partially offset by an increase in traffic at our Coney Island and Yonkers locations attributable to a higher check average of 3.8% and higher customer counts.locations.

-23-

 

License royalties increased 6.0%by 8% to $4,228,000$6,337,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $3,990,000$5,878,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022. Total royalties earned on sales of hot dogs from our license agreement with John Morrell & Co.Smithfield Foods, Inc. at retail and foodservice, substantially fromincluding sales of hot dogs to Sam’s Club,WalMart, increased $180,0005% to $3,680,000$5,489,000 for the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $3,500,000$5,239,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022. The increase is primarily due to ana 7% increase in retail volume during the third quarter fiscal 2018 as compared to the third quarter fiscal 2017, partly2022, which was offset by lowera 3% decline in average net selling prices, on which ourprice. The foodservice business earned higher royalties are calculated.of $63,000 as compared to the third quarter fiscal 2022. Royalties earned from all other licensing agreements for the manufacture and sale of Nathan’s products increased by $58,000$209,000 during the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022 primarily due to additional royalties earned on sales of French fries and seasonings.

 

Franchise fees and royalties were $1,088,000 in both the third quarter fiscal 2018 and the third quarter fiscal 2017. Total royalties were $963,000$976,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $984,000$919,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022. Total royalties were $829,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2023 as compared to $744,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2022. Royalties earned under the Branded Menu program were $259,000$151,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $214,000$101,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022. Royalties earned under the Branded Menu Program are not based upon a percentage of restaurant sales but are based upon product purchases. Traditional franchiseVirtual kitchen royalties decreased to $704,000were $30,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $770,000$88,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017. Franchise restaurant sales decreased to $15,596,0002022. Traditional franchise royalties were $648,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $17,184,000$555,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20172022. Franchise restaurant sales increasedto $14,761,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2023 as compared to $12,280,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2022 primarily due to the declinehigher sales at airport locations; highway travel plazas; shopping malls; movie theaters; and casino locations, primarily in comparable domestic sales and the impact of units closed in the previous fiscal year.Las Vegas, Nevada. Comparable domestic franchise sales (consisting of 9261 Nathan’s outlets,units, excluding sales under the Branded Menu Program) were $12,251,000$12,369,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $12,863,000$9,811,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022.

 

At December 24, 2017, 28025, 2022, 233 franchised outlets,units, including domestic, international and Branded Menu Program outletsunits were operating as compared to 282242 franchised outlets,units, including domestic, international franchised and Branded Menu Program outletsunits at December 25, 2016.26, 2021. Total franchise fee income was $125,000$147,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $104,000$175,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022. Domestic franchise fee income was $33,000$27,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $90,000$36,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017, due primarily to the difference in the types of locations opened, and associated fees earned, between the two periods.2022. International franchise fee income was $92,000$61,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $6,000$63,000 during the third quarter fiscal 2017, primarily due to the timing of new international development fees. 2022.

We also recognized $8,000$59,000 and $76,000 in forfeited fees in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2023 and the third quarter fiscal 2022, respectively. During the third quarter fiscal 2018, 8 new2023, two franchised outletsunits opened, including three units in Australia, one unit in the Philippines andas well as two new Branded Menu Program outlets.units. Additionally, 9 virtual kitchens opened. During the third quarter fiscal 2017, 22 new 2022, twelvefranchised outletsunits opened, including nine newas well as fourteen Branded Menu Program outlets.units. Additionally, 39 virtual kitchens opened.

 

-20-

Advertising fund revenue, after eliminating Company contributions, was $501,000 during the third quarter fiscal 2023 as compared to $479,000 during the third quarter fiscal 2022 period.

Costs and Expenses

Overall, our cost of sales increaseddecreased by 16.8% or $1,814,0007% to $12,599,000$14,925,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2018,2023 as compared to $10,785,000$16,040,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022. Our gross profit (representing the difference between sales and cost of sales) was $4,168,000increased to $3,415,000 or 24.9%19% of sales during the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $4,074,000$2,597,000 or 27.4%14% of sales during the third quarter fiscal 2017. The margin reduction was primarily due to the higher cost of beef in the Branded Product Program and in the Company-operated restaurants in addition to the higher labor costs at the Company-owned restaurants.2022.

 

Cost of sales in the Branded Product Program increaseddecreased by approximately $1,736,000 during7% to $13,681,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $14,724,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017,2022, primarily due to the 10.4% increase in the volume of product sold and the 8.0% increase9% decrease in the average cost per pound of our hot dogs. dogs, partially offset by the 3% increase in the volume of hot dogs sold as discussed above. Beef prices declined during the third quarter fiscal 2023 as compared to the significantly higher commodity costs experienced during the third quarter fiscal 2022.

We did not make any purchasespurchase commitments of beef during the third quarter fiscal 20182023 or the third quarter fiscal 2017 pursuant to any purchase commitments.2022. If the cost of beef and beef trimmings increases and we are unable to pass on these higher costs through price increases or otherwise reduce any increase in our costs through the use of purchase commitments, our margins will be adversely impacted.

 

With respect to Company-owned restaurants, our cost of sales during the third quarter fiscal 20182023 was $1,434,000$1,244,000 or 68.5%74% of restaurant sales as compared to $1,355,000$1,316,000 or 68.1%76% of restaurant sales in the third quarter fiscal 20172022. The decrease in cost of sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was primarily due primarily to the impact3% decrease in sales as discussed above. Food and paper costs as a percentage of higher food costs on higher revenues and higher labor costs principally associated withCompany-owned restaurant sales were 31%, down from 32% in the effectscomparable period of the New York State minimum wage increase. We expect thatprior year. Labor and related expenses as a percentage of Company-owned restaurant sales were 43%, down from 44% in the comparable period in the prior year. The availability of labor remains a challenge at our labor costs going forward will continueCompany-owned restaurants and it has required us to be impacted by the multi-year new increase in minimum wage requirements in New York Stateremain flexible as it relates to staffing levels and any increase in food costs from higher commodity costs.

 

Restaurant operating expenses were $760,000$932,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $695,000$547,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017. The increase in restaurant operating costs results primarily from2022. We incurred higher occupancy expenses of $324,000, higher utility expenses of $18,000, and higher insurance costs insurance and utilities.of $22,000.

-24-

 

Depreciation and amortization, which primarily consists of the depreciation of fixed assets, including leasehold improvements and equipment, was $320,000$303,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $309,000$259,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022.

 

General and administrative expenses decreasedincreased by $360,000$186,000 or 10.6%6% to $3,034,000$3,161,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182023 as compared to $3,394,000$2,975,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017.2022. The decreaseincrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to lowerhigher compensation expenses the timing of $287,000 offset, in part, by a decrease in travel expenses of $37,000 and a reduction in connection with our fiscal 2018 audit and lower bad debts.debt expense of $52,000.

 

Advertising fund expense, after eliminating Company contributions, was $501,000 during the third quarter fiscal 2023 as compared to $479,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2022.

Other Items

On November 1, 2017, the Company completed the issuance of $150,000,000 of the 2025 Notes in a private offering in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture by and among the Company, certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral trustee. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes offering to satisfy and discharge the Indenture relating to the 2020 Notes and redeem the 2020 Notes, paid a portion of a special $5.00 per share cash dividend to Nathan's stockholders of record (see Note M.1), with the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital. The Redemption occurred on November 16, 2017. The Company performed the required evaluation of the refinancing and determined that a portion of the Redemption of the 2020 Notes is accounted for as a modification of the debt and a portion as an extinguishment of the debt. In connection with the Redemption, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $8,872,000 that primarily reflects a portion of the premium paid to redeem the 2020 Notes and the write-off of certain debt issuance costs.

 

Interest expense of $3,650,000$1,944,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2018 represents2023 represented interest expense of $1,847,000 on the 2020 Notes, $1,470,000 accrued interest$1,817,000 on the 2025 Notes and total amortization of debt issuance costs of $333,000. On November 1, 2017, the Company issued the 2025 Notes and the Redemption occurred on November 16, 2017. The Company incurred additional interest$127,000.

Interest expense of approximately $562,500 from the time the 2025 Notes closed until the Redemption. As a result of the issuance of the 2025 Notes and the Redemption, the Company expects to reduce its annual interest expense by approximately $3,562,500 per annum.

Interest income was $44,000$2,650,000 in the third quarter fiscal 20182022 represented interest expense of $2,477,000 on the 2025 Notes and amortization of debt issuance costs of $173,000.

Interest income was $158,000for the third quarter fiscal 2023 as compared to $35,000$24,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2017 due principally to rising interest rates earned on our money market account.2022.

 

Other income,expense, net was $60,000 in the third quarter fiscal 2023 which primarily relates to a loss on disposal of assets for capitalized software no longer in use of $101,000 offset by sublease ofincome from a franchised restaurant,restaurant.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the third quarter fiscal 2023 was $22,00027.3% compared to 28.8% in the third quarter fiscal 2018 and $21,000 in2022. The effective income tax rate for the third quarter fiscal 2017.

Provision2023 reflected income tax expense of $1,223,000 recorded on $4,486,000 of pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate for Income Taxes

In the third quarter fiscal 2018, the2022 reflected income tax benefit was $(3,307,000) or 46.7%expense of loss before income taxes as compared$860,000 recorded on $2,990,000 of pre-tax income. The effective tax rates are higher than the statutory rates primarily due to the income tax provision of $448,000 or 39.1% of earnings before income taxes in the third quarter fiscal 2017.state and local taxes.

 

Nathan’sThe amount of unrecognized tax benefits at December 25, 2022 was $437,000 all of which would impact the Company’s effective tax rate, for the thirteen week period ended December 25, 2016 was reduced by 330 BPS, as a result of the tax benefits associated with stock compensation. For the thirteen week period ended December 25, 2016, excess tax benefits of $39,000, were reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a reduction to the provision for income taxes. Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin #118, Nathan’s has determined reasonable estimates to its deferred assets and liabilities and pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company has recognized the effect(s) of the Act on current and deferred income taxes in its financial statements during the quarter ended December 24, 2017. Nathan’s has recorded the following discrete adjustment to its deferred tax liability and unrecognized tax benefits which reduced the provision for income taxes by $436,000 during the thirteen weeks ended December 24, 2017. As described in Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Nathan’s estimates that its blended federal tax rate will be 31% for its fiscal year ending March 25, 2018 and that its annual tax rate for the fiscal year ending March 25, 2018 will be in the range of approximately 40.8% to 43.1%, excluding the impact of the discrete items recorded and excess tax benefit associated with stock compensation. The final annual tax rate is subject to many variables, including the ultimate determination of revenue and income tax by state, among other factors, and therefore cannot be determined until the end of the fiscal year; therefore, the actual tax rate could differ from our current estimates.if recognized. As of December 24, 2017, Nathan’s25, 2022, the Company had $212,000approximately $315,000 accrued for the payment of accrued interest and penalties in connection with unrecognized tax benefits.

Nathan’s estimates that its unrecognized tax benefits, including the relatedbenefit excluding accrued interest and penalties could be further reduced by up to $5,000$16,000 during the remainder of fiscal 2018.year ending March 26, 2023.

-21-

 

Results of Operations

 

Thirty-nineThirty-nine weeks ended December 24, 2017December 25, 2022 compared to thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 2016

Revenues

Total sales increased by 9.7% to $63,639,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 24, 2017 (“fiscal 2018 period”) as compared26, 2021

Revenues

Total revenues increased by 15% to $58,012,000$103,371,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 25, 20162022 (“fiscal 20172023 period”) as compared to $90,110,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 (“fiscal 2022 period”). Foodservice

Total sales increased by 18% to $72,535,000 for the fiscal 2023 period as compared to $61,462,000 for the fiscal 2022 period which included foodservice sales from the Branded Product Program increasedincreasing by 14.4%19% to $50,741,000$61,862,000 for the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to sales of $44,349,000$51,960,000 for the fiscal 20172022 period. During the fiscal 20182023 period, the volume of businesshot dogs sold increased by approximately 10.9%.14% as compared to the fiscal 2022 period. Our average selling prices increased by approximately 3.2% in the fiscal 2018 period as a result of our pricing strategy, which is more closely correlated to the cost of beef which increased by approximately 8.6%, during the fiscal 2018 period5% as compared to the fiscal 20172022 period.

Total Company-owned restaurant sales were $12,898,000increased by 12% to $10,673,000 during the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $13,449,000$9,502,000 during the fiscal 2017 period2022 period. The increase was primarily due primarily to lower salesan increase in traffic at bothour Coney Island locations. Sales at our Company-owned restaurants were unfavorably affected during

-25-

License royalties increased by 8% to $26,064,000 in the fiscal 2018 period due primarily to unfavorable weather conditions. Direct retail sales also decreased by $214,000 during the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to the fiscal 2017 period as we began to transition this business into our Branded Product Program during fiscal 2017.

License royalties were $17,393,000$24,218,000 in the fiscal 2018 period as compared to $15,602,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. Total royalties earned on sales of hot dogs from our license agreement with John Morrell & Co.Smithfield Foods, Inc. at retail and foodservice, substantially fromincluding sales of hot dogs to Sam’s Club,WalMart, increased 11.5%6% to $15,853,000$23,594,000 for the 2023 fiscal 2018 period as compared to $14,214,000 for$22,161,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. The increase is due to an 8.5%a 9% increase in volume during the fiscal 2018 periodaverage net selling price as compared to the fiscal 20172022 period which was offset, in additionpart, by a 3% decrease in retail volume. The foodservice business earned higher royalties of $196,000 as compared to a 4.1% increase in average selling prices, on which our royalties are calculated.the fiscal 2022 period. Royalties earned from all other licensing agreements for the manufacture and sale of Nathan’s products increased by $152,000$413,000 during the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to the fiscal 2017 period.2022 period primarily due to additional royalties earned on sales of French fries, cocktail franks, mozzarella sticks, pickles and seasonings.

Franchise fees and royalties were $3,575,000$3,268,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $3,752,000$2,993,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. Total royalties were $3,293,000$2,785,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $3,386,000$2,581,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. Royalties earned under the Branded Menu program were $873,000$468,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $779,000$430,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. Royalties earned under the Branded Menu Program are not based upon a percentage of restaurant sales but are based upon product purchases. Virtual kitchen royalties were $112,000 in the fiscal 2023 period as compared to $258,000 in the fiscal 2022 period. Traditional franchise royalties were $2,420,000$2,205,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $2,607,000$1,893,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. Franchise restaurant sales decreasedincreased to $54,737,000$49,302,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $58,118,000$40,910,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period primarily due to the declinehigher sales at airport locations; highway travel plazas; shopping malls; movie theaters; and casino locations, primarily in comparable domestic sales and the impact of units closed in the previous fiscal year.Las Vegas, Nevada. Comparable domestic franchise sales (consisting of 89 63Nathan’s outlets,units, excluding sales under the Branded Menu Program) were $40,490,000$40,192,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $41,709,000$31,434,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period.

 

At December 24, 2017, 28025, 2022, 233 franchised outlets,units, including domestic, international and Branded Menu Program outletsunits were operating as compared to 282 242 franchised outlets,units, including domestic, international and Branded Menu Program outletsfranchise units at December 25, 2016.26, 2021. Total franchise fee income was $282,000$483,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $366,000$412,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. Domestic franchise fee income was $140,000$84,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $177,000$109,000 in the fiscal 2017 period due primarily to the difference in the types of locations opened, and associated fees earned, between the two periods.2022 period. International franchise fee income was $132,000$191,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $156,000 in$173,000 during the fiscal 2017 period due to the timing of new international development fees. 2022 period.

We also recognized $10,000 $208,000and $33,000$130,000 in forfeited fees in the fiscal 20182023 period and fiscal 2017 periods,2022 period, respectively. During the fiscal 20182023 period, 35 newsix franchised outletsunits opened, including 13 international locations, and 17as well as two Branded Menu Program outlets.units. Additionally, 67 virtual kitchens opened. During the fiscal 20172022 period, 42 newfifteen franchised outletsunits opened, including 16 international locations, and 20as well as thirty-two Branded Menu Program outlets.units. Additionally, 164 virtual kitchens opened.

Advertising fund revenue, after eliminating Company contributions, was $1,504,000 in the fiscal 2023 period, as compared to $1,437,000 during the fiscal 2022 period.

Costs and Expenses

Overall, our cost of sales increased by $6,433,00015% to $48,165,000$59,490,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $41,732,000$51,536,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. Our gross profit (representing the difference between sales and cost of sales) was $15,474,000increased to $13,045,000 or 24.3%18% of sales during the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $16,280,000$9,926,000 or 28.1%16% of sales during the fiscal 20172022 period. The margin decline was primarily due to the higher cost of beef in the Branded Products Program and in the Company-operated restaurants, in addition to the higher labor costs at the Company-owned restaurants.

-22-

 

Cost of sales in the Branded Product Program increased by approximately $6,677,00017% to $53,056,000 during the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $45,343,000 during the fiscal 20172022 period, primarily due to the 10.9%14% increase in the volume of producthot dogs sold and the 8.6%as discussed above, as well as a 3% increase in the average cost per pound of our hot dogs. During the fiscal 2017 period, we completed our purchase of approximately 662,000 lbs. of hot dogs pursuantWe continue to the open purchase commitment, representing approximately 4.1% of volume, which reduced our overall cost of hot dogs by approximately 36 BPS. experience commodity inflation, including beef and beef trimmings.

We did not make any purchasespurchase commitments of beef during the fiscal 20182023 period pursuant to any purchase commitments.or the fiscal 2022 period. If the cost of beef and beef trimmings increases and we are unable to pass on these higher costs through price increases or otherwise reduce any increase in our costs through the use of purchase commitments, our margins will be adversely impacted.

 

With respect to Company-owned restaurants, our cost of sales during the fiscal 20182023 period was $7,199,000$6,434,000 or 55.8%60% of restaurant sales as compared to $7,247,000$6,193,000 or 53.9%65% of restaurant sales in the fiscal 20172022 period. The increase in cost of sales during the fiscal 2023 period was primarily due primarily to the impact12% increase in sales discussed above. The decrease in cost of lower revenuessales, as a percent of total restaurant sales, was due to an increase in customer counts driving higher sales which were offset by higher commodity costs and higherrestaurant labor costs. Food and paper costs principally associated withas a percentage of Company-owned restaurant sales were 29%, down from 30% in the effectscomparable period of the New York State minimumprior year. Labor and related expenses as a percentage of Company-owned restaurant sales were 31%, down from 35% in the comparable period in the prior year due to labor wage increase. We expect that our future labor costs will continue to be impactedincreases as a result of competitive pressures, offset by the multi-year new increase in minimum wage requirements in New York State and any increase in food costs from higher commodity costs.sales.

 

Restaurant operating expenses were $2,769,000$3,217,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $2,711,000$2,874,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. The increase in restaurant operating costs results primarily fromWe incurred higher occupancy expenses of $118,000, higher utility expenses of $54,000, higher marketing expenses of $51,000, and higher insurance costs.costs of $77,000.

-26-

 

Depreciation and amortization, was $1,055,000which primarily consists of the depreciation of fixed assets, including leasehold improvements and equipment, were $837,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $1,005,000$807,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period.

General and administrative expenses decreased $245,000increased by $420,000 or 2.4%4% to $10,064,000$10,122,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $10,309,000$9,702,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. The decreaseincrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to reduced marketing and promotional activities in connection with the commemoration of our 100th anniversary during the fiscal 2017 period, partly offset by higher compensation expenses of $232,000, and higher marketing and trade show expenses of $295,000.

Advertising fund expense, after eliminating Company contributions, was $1,679,000 in the fiscal 2023 period, as compared to $1,437,000 in the fiscal 2022 period. The Company has determined that the Advertising Fund normal seasonal deficit is not to be fully recovered during the fiscal 2018 period.

Other Items

On November 1, 2017, the Company completed the issuance of $150,000,000remainder of the 2025 Notesfiscal 2023 period and has reflected the projected deficit of $175,000 in a private offering in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture by and among the Company, certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral trustee. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes offering to satisfy and discharge the Indenture relating to the 2020 Notes and redeem the 2020 Notes, paid a portion of a special $5.00 per share cash dividend to Nathan's stockholders of record (see Note M.1), with the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital. The Redemption occurred on November 16, 2017. The Company performed the required evaluation of the refinancing and determined that a portion of the Redemption of the 2020 Notes is accounted for as a modification of the debt and a portion as an extinguishment of the debt. In connection with the Redemption, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $8,872,000 that primarily reflects a portion of the premium paid to redeem the 2020 Notes and the write-off of certain debt issuance costs.fiscal 2023 period.

Other Items

 

Interest expense of $10,976,000$5,831,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period representsrepresented interest expense of $8,574,000 on the 2020 Notes, $1,470,000 accrued interest$5,450,000 on the 2025 Notes and total amortization of debt issuance costs of $932,000. On November 1, 2017,$381,000.

Interest expense of $7,951,000 in the Company issuedfiscal 2022 period represented interest expense of $7,433,000 on the 2025 Notes and the Redemption occurred on November 16, 2017. The Company incurred additional interest expenseamortization of approximately $562,500 from the time the 2025 Notes closed until the Redemption. As a resultdebt issuance costs of the issuance of the 2025 Notes and the Redemption, the Company expects to reduce its annual interest expense by approximately $3,562,500 per annum.$518,000.

 

Interest income was $114,000 in$260,000 for the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to $71,000$88,000 in the fiscal 20172022 period. Nathan’s established its interest bearing money market account during the fiscal 2017 period.

 

Other income,expense, net was $4,000 in the fiscal 2023 period which primarily relates to a net loss on disposal of assets for capitalized software no longer in use of $87,000, offset by sublease ofincome from a franchised restaurant,restaurant.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the fiscal 2023 period was $64,00027.1% compared to 28.1% in the fiscal 2018 period, as compared to $64,000 in2022 period. The effective income tax rate for the fiscal 2017 period.

Provision for Income Taxes

The2023 period reflected income tax provisionsexpense of $6,093,000 recorded on $22,451,000 of pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate for the thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016 reflectfiscal 2022 period reflected income tax expense of $4,477,000 recorded on $15,915,000 of pre-tax income. The effective tax rates of 21.5%are higher than the statutory rates primarily due to state and 37.1%, respectively. Nathan’s effective tax rates for the thirty-nine week periods ended December 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016 were reduced by 670 BPS and 610 BPS, respectively, as a result of the tax benefits associated with stock compensation. For the thirty-nine week periods December 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016, excess tax benefits of $194,000 and $659,000, respectively, were reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a reduction to the provision for incomelocal taxes.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at December 24, 201725, 2022 was $207,000,$437,000 all of which would impact Nathan’sthe Company’s effective tax rate, if recognized. Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin #118, Nathan’s has determined reasonable estimates to its deferred assets and liabilities and pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company has recognized the effect(s) of the Act on current and deferred income taxes in its financial statements during the quarter ended December 24, 2017. Nathan’s has recorded the following discrete adjustments to its deferred tax liability and unrecognized tax benefits which reduced the provision for income taxes by $436,000 or 1510 BPS during the thirty-nine weeks ended December 24, 2017. As described in Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Nathan’s estimates that its blended federal tax rate will be 31% for its fiscal year ending March 25, 2018 and that its annual tax rate for the fiscal year ending March 25, 2018 will be in the range of approximately 40.8% to 43.1%, excluding the impact of the discrete items recorded and excess tax benefit associated with stock compensation. The final annual tax rate is subject to many variables, including the ultimate determination of revenue and income tax by state, among other factors, and therefore cannot be determined until the end of the fiscal year; therefore, the actual tax rate could differ from our current estimates. As of December 24, 2017, Nathan’s25, 2022, the Company had $212,000approximately $315,000 accrued for the payment of accrued interest and penalties in connection with unrecognized tax benefits.

 

-23-

Nathan’s estimates that its unrecognized tax benefit excluding accrued interest and penalties could be further reduced by up to $16,000 during the fiscal year ending March 26, 2023.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Nathan’sAt December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, Nathan’s did not have any open purchase commitments for hot dogs outstanding as of December 24, 2017.dogs. Nathan’s may enter into purchase commitments in the future as favorable market conditions become available.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and cash equivalents at December 24, 201725, 2022 aggregated $67,288,000,$55,454,000, a $10,373,000$5,391,000 increase during the fiscal 20182023 period as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $56,915,000$50,063,000 at March 26, 2017.27, 2022. Net working capital decreasedincreased to $51,809,000$58,413,000 from $56,763,000$48,988,000 at March 26, 2017, which primarily relates to the special dividend27, 2022. We paid our semi-annual interest payments for fiscal 2023 of approximately $20,923,000 payable to the shareholders of record$3,643,750 on December 22, 2017 that was paid on January 4, 2018.

OnMay 1, 2022 and November 1, 2017, the Company issued the 2025 Notes2022, respectively. We paid our first, second and used the majoritythird quarter fiscal 2023 dividend payments of the proceeds for the Redemption, paid a portion of the special $5.00 cash dividend$1,852,000, $1,836,000 and will use any remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital. Our future results could also be impacted by our obligations under the 2025 Notes, as well as the new limitation$1,836,000 on the deduction of interest expense under the Act. As a result of the issuance of the 2025 Notes, Nathan’s expects to incur interest expense of $9,937,500 per annum, reducing its cash interest expense by $3,562,500 per annum. Nathan’s expects to incur annual amortization of debt issuance costs of approximately $685,000. Please refer to Note N – Long Term Debt, for the effects of the Company’s refinancing from the preceding consolidated financial statements. The impact of interest expense on net income has been reflected in our results for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended DecemberJune 24, 20172022, September 2, 2022 and December 25, 2016.

On2, 2022, respectively. We expect to pay our fourth quarter dividend on March 10, 2015, we issued the 2020 Notes and paid a dividend of $25.00 per share (or approximately $116,100,000 in the aggregate). In connection with the 2020 Notes, Nathan’s incurred interest expense of $13,500,000 per annum and annual amortization of debt issuance costs of approximately $1,200,000.

Nathan's used the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes offering to satisfy and discharge the Indenture relating to the 2020 Notes and the Redemption, paid a portion of a special $5.00 per share cash dividend to Nathan's stockholders of record (see Note M.1) with the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital. The payment in connection with the Redemption was approximately $144,000,000. Nathan's also funded the majority of the special dividend through its existing cash. The Redemption occurred on November 16, 2017.

The Company paid a 5% call premium of $6,750,000 associated with the Redemption and incurred debt issuance costs of $4,902,000 in connection with the issuance of the 2025 Notes. The Company also incurred additional interest expense of approximately $562,500 from the closing of the 2025 Notes on November 1, 2017 until the Redemption.3, 2023.

 

The 2025 Notes bear interest at 6.625% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 1st and November 1st of each year, beginning on May 1, 2018. Semi-annual interest payments are expected to be $4,968,750. The 2025 Notes have no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to its final maturity on November 1, 2025. As a result of the issuance of the 2025 Notes and the Redemption, the Company expects to reduce its annual interest expense by approximately $3,562,500 per annum.

The Indenture for the 2025 Notes contains certain covenants limiting the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase, capital stock; (iii) make investments or other restricted payments; (iv) create or incur certain liens; (v) incur restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions from its restricted subsidiaries; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) sell assets; or (viii) effect a consolidation or merger.

The Indenture for the 2025 Notes also contains customary events of default, including, among other things, failure to pay interest, failure to comply with agreements related to the Indenture, failure to pay at maturity or acceleration of other indebtedness, failure to pay certain judgments, and certain events of insolvency or bankruptcy. Generally, if any event of default occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 2025 Notes may declare the 2025 Notes due and payable by providing notice to the Company. In case of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the 2025 Notes will become immediately due and payable.

The 2025 Notes are general senior secured obligations, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future indebtedness that is not subordinated, are senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness, are structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2025 Notes, and are effectively junior to all existing and future indebtedness that is secured by assets other than the collateral securing the 2025 Notes. Pursuant to the terms of a collateral trust agreement, the liens securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees will be contractually subordinated to the liens securing any future credit facility.

 

-24--27-

 

The 2025 Notes and the guarantees will be the Company and the guarantors’ senior secured obligations and will rank:

senior in right of payment to all of the Company and the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness;

effectively senior to all unsecured senior indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees;

pari passu with all of the Company and the guarantors’ other senior indebtedness;

effectively junior to any future credit facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing any future credit facility and the 2025 Notes and the guarantees and certain other assets;

effectively junior to any of the Company and the guarantors’ existing and future indebtedness that is secured by assets other than the collateral securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees to the extent of the value of any such assets; and

structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of any of the Company’s current and future subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2025 Notes.

 

Cash provided by operations of $7,795,000$13,329,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period is primarily attributable to net income of $2,263,000$16,358,000 in addition to other non-cash operating items of $11,330,000,$1,384,000, offset by increases in changes in other operating assets and liabilities of $5,798,000.$4,413,000. Non-cash operating items include $194,000expenses consist principally of excess income tax benefits from stock-baseddepreciation and amortization of $837,000, amortization of debt issuance costs of $381,000, share-based compensation arrangements asexpense of $81,000, bad debts of $114,000, and a resultloss on disposal of the accounting for certain aspectsassets of its share-based payments to employees.$87,000. In the fiscal 20182023 period, accounts and other receivables increaseddecreased by $2,967,000 compared to the fiscal 2017 period$218,000 due primarily to lower franchise and license royalties receivable of $647,000 which were offset, in part, by higher receivables from Branded Product Program sales of $2,489,000 and increased seasonal advancesdue to the Advertising Fund of $593,000, partly offset by lower seasonal license royalties of $358,000. In the fiscal 2018 period, prepaid$329,000. Prepaid expenses and other current assets increaseddecreased by $2,259,000$332,000 due principally to prepaid income taxes of $2,751,000 which were deposited priorprimarily to the successful debt refinancing. The decrease inreduction of prepaid insurance and marketing expenses of $21,000 and $281,000, respectively. In the fiscal 2023 period, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities decreased by $4,856,000 due primarily to lower accrued interest expense of $779,000 is primarily due to reductions$1,837,000 as a result of the partial redemption of our 2025 Notes; a decline in deferred revenue of $706,000 that was recognized into income during the fiscal 2018 period, accrued payroll and other benefits of $621,000 due$519,000 resulting primarily tofrom the payment of prior yearyear-end fiscal 2022 incentive compensation, lowercompensation; earned deferred revenue of $876,000; and a decline in accounts payable of $541,000 arising primarily from seasonally lower$2,534,000 due to the timing of product purchases for theour Branded Product Program whichand Company-owned restaurants. Offsetting these declines were partly offset by higherincreases in accrued interestcorporate income taxes of $1,007,000 and accrued rebates of $195,000. The decrease in other liabilities of $71,000 is primarily$991,000 due to dividendthe timing of estimated tax payments of $125,000 on vested restricted stock, offset by an increase in the accrual for uncertain tax positions of $53,000. The Company also declared a $5.00 per share special cash dividend to the shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 22, 2017 which was paid on January 4, 2018 in the amount of $20,923,000 which has been presented as a noncash financing activity on the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows.and higher earnings.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $488,000$522,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period primarily in connection with capital expenditures incurred for our Branded Product Program, our Coney Island restaurants and select restaurant improvements.our general ledger and accounting system upgrade.

 

Cash provided byused in financing activities of $3,066,000$7,416,000 in the fiscal 20182023 period relates primarily to the Company’s refinancing of the 2020 Notes. The Company received gross proceeds of $150,000,000 from the sale of 2025 Notes, repaid the 2020 Notes, paid a call premium of $6,750,000 in addition to $4,902,000 of debt issuance costs. The Company also paid $157,000 for withholding taxes on the net share vesting of employee restricted stock and dividends of $125,000 relating to the previously declared special cash dividend in connection with the vesting of 5,000 sharespayments of the Company’s restricted stock.

Duringquarterly $0.45 per share cash dividends on June 24, 2022, September 2, 2022 and December 2, 2022 totaling $5,524,000. Additionally, during the fiscal 2023 period, from October 2001 through December 24, 2017, Nathan’s purchased 5,127,373the Company repurchased 35,434 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $77,303,000 pursuant to its stock repurchase plans previously authorized byfor $1,892,000 under the Board of Directors. Since March 26, 2007, we have repurchased 3,236,273 shares at a total cost of approximately $70,145,000, reducing the number of shares then-outstanding by 53.8%.10b5-1 Plan.

 

On February 1, 2016 and March 11,In 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized increases to the sixth stock repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 1,200,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company. As of December 24, 2017,25, 2022, Nathan’s has repurchased 939,7421,101,884 shares at a cost of $29,641,000 $39,000,000under the sixth stock repurchase plan. At December 24, 2017,25, 2022, there were 260,25898,116 shares remaining to be repurchased pursuant to the sixth stock repurchase plan. The plan does not have a set expiration date. Purchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program may be made from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market or privately-negotiatedprivately negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There is no set time limit on the repurchases.

 

-25-

On June 14, 2022, the Board approved a 10b5-1 stock plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) which expired on September 13, 2022.

 

Management believes that available cash, marketable securities and cash generated from operations should provide sufficient capital to finance our operations, and satisfy our debt service requirements,During the fiscal 2023 period, the Company repurchased in open market transactions 35,434 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $53.39 for at leasta total cost of $1,892,000 under the next 12 months.10b5-1 Plan. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2022.

 

As discussed above, we had cash and cash equivalents at December 24, 201725, 2022 aggregating $67,288,000. $55,454,000.Our Board routinely monitors and assesses its cash position and our current and potential capital requirements. In November 2017, we successfully refinanced $135.0 million 10.000% Notes due 2020 with $150.0 million 6.625% Notes due 2025 and, ourOn May 31, 2018, the Board of Directors announcedauthorized the paymentcommencement of a $5.00regular dividend of $1.00 per share specialper annum, payable at the rate of $0.25 per share per quarter. On June 14, 2019, the Board authorized the increase of its regular quarterly dividend to $0.35 from $0.25. On February 4, 2022, the shareholdersBoard authorized the increase of its regular quarterly dividend to $0.45 from $0.35. On February 2, 2023, the Board authorized the increase of its regular quarterly dividend to $0.50 from $0.45. The Company paid its first quarter fiscal 2023 dividend of $1,852,000 on June 24, 2022, its second quarter fiscal 2023 dividend of $1,836,000 on September 2, 2022 and its third quarter fiscal 2023 dividend of $1,836,000 on December 2, 2022.

Effective February 2, 2023, the Company declared its fourth quarter dividend of $0.50 per common share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 22, 2017.February 21, 2023, which is payable on March 3, 2023.

The Company’s total cash requirement for dividends for all of fiscal 2023 would be approximately $7,564,000 based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding at February 2, 2023. The Company intends to declare and pay quarterly cash dividends; however, there can be no assurance that any additional quarterly dividends will be declared or paid or of the amount or timing of such dividends, if any.

Our ability to pay future dividends is limited by the terms of the Indenture for the 2025 Notes. In addition, the payment of any cash dividends in the future, are subject to final determination of the Board and will be dependent upon our earnings and financial requirements. We may continue toalso return capital to our shareholdersstockholders through stock repurchases, or cash dividends, subject to any restrictions in the Indenture, although there is no assurance that the Company will make any repurchases under its existing stock-repurchasestock repurchase plan.

 

We expect that in the future we will make investments in certain existing restaurants, support the growth of the Branded Product and Branded Menu Programs, service the outstanding debt, fund our dividend program and may continue our stock repurchase programs, funding those investments from our operating cash flow. We may also incur capital and other expenditures or engage in investing activities in connection with opportunistic situations that may arise on a case-by-case basis. We are not required to make interest payments duringDuring the remainder of our fiscal year ending March 25, 2018. Pursuant to the Indenture,26, 2023, we will be required to make semi-annual interest payments of $4,968,750 on May 1, 2018 and$7,287,500, of which all have been made as of November 1, 2018.2022.

-28-

Management believes that available cash, cash equivalents and cash generated from operations should provide sufficient capital to finance our operations, satisfy our debt service requirements, fund dividend distributions and stock repurchases for at least the next 12 months.

 

At December 24, 2017,25, 2022, we sublet one property to a franchisee that we lease from a third party. We remain contingently liable for all costs associated with this property including: rent, property taxes and insurance. We may incur future cash payments with respect to such property, consisting primarily of future lease payments, including costs and expenses associated with terminating any of such leases.lease.

 

The following schedule represents Nathan’s cashOur contractual obligations primarily consist of the 2025 Notes and commitments by maturity as of December 24, 2017 (in thousands):   the related interest payments, operating leases, and employment agreement with certain executive officers. These contractual obligations impact our short-term and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs. There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations since March 27, 2022.

  

Payments Due by Period

 

Cash Contractual Obligations

 

Total

  

Less than
1 Year

  

1-3 Years

  

3-5 Years

  

More than
5 Years

 

Long term debt (a)

 $150,000  $-  $-  $-  $150,000 

Employment Agreements

  6,700   1,100   2,000   2,000   1,600 

Dividends Payable

  21,073   21,073   -   -   - 

Operating Leases

  11,540   1,652   2,717   2,137   5,034 

Gross Cash Contractual Obligations

  189,313   23,825   4,717   4,137   156,634 

Sublease Income

  2,175   329   640   474   732 

Net Cash Contractual Obligations

 $187,138  $23,496  $4,077  $3,663  $155,902 

a)

Represents the Notes due 2025.

b)

At December 24, 2017, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $207,000. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $5,000 within the next year. A reasonable estimate of the timing of the remaining liabilities is not practicable.

 

On February 27, 2017, a wholly-owned subsidiary ofInflationary Impact

Beginning in fiscal 2022 and continuing into the Company executed a Guaranty of Lease (the “Brooklyn Guaranty”) in connection with its re-franchising of a restaurant located in Brooklyn, New York. The Company is obligatedfiscal 2023 period, we have experienced inflationary pressures on commodity prices. We expect this trend to make payments under the Brooklyn Guaranty in the event of a default by the tenant/franchisee. The Brooklyn Guaranty has an initial term of 10 years and one 5-year option and is limited to 24 months of rent for the first three years of the term. Nathan’s has recorded a liability of $204,015 in connection with the Brooklyn Guaranty which does not include potential percentage rent, real estate tax increases, attorney’s fees and other costs as these amounts are not reasonably determinable at this time. Nathan’s has received a personal guaranty from the franchisee for all obligations under the Brooklyn Guaranty. Forcontinue throughout the remainder of the term, the Brooklyn Guaranty is limited to 12 monthsfiscal 2023. Our average cost of rent plus reasonable costs of collection and attorney’s fees.

-26-

Inflationary Impact           

We do not believe that general inflation has materially impacted earnings since 2006. However, we have experienced significant volatility in our costs for our hot dogs and certain food products, distribution costs and utilities. From 2011 through 2014, we experienced unprecedented increasesduring fiscal 2022 was approximately 19% higher than during fiscal 2021. Our average cost of hot dogs during fiscal 2023 was approximately 3% higher than during fiscal 2022. Beginning in July 2021, the cost of beef. Beginning March 2015, thehot dogs has increased significantly due to higher costs for beef markets stabilized through June 2015 before subsequently declining by approximately 30%. Asand beef trimmings, labor, packaging and transportation, as well as supply chain challenges associated with increased consumer demand as a result of the decline through March 2016,continued recovery from the market priceCOVID-19 pandemic. Inherent volatility experienced in certain commodity markets, such as those for beef and beef trimmings due to seasonal shifts, climate conditions, industry demand, inflationary pressures and other macroeconomic factors could have an adverse effect on our results of hot dogsoperations.

We have experienced competitive pressure on labor rates as a result of the increase in the minimum hourly wage for fast food workers which increased to $15.00 in New York state during fiscal 2022 where our Company-owned restaurants are located. Additionally, with the fiscal year ended March 27, 2016 was approximately 7.1% lower thancontinued recovery from the fiscal year ended March 29, 2015. During the fiscal 2017 period, beef prices remained favorable,COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased demand for labor at all levels which has resulted in greater challenges retaining adequate staffing levels at our Company-owned restaurants; our franchised restaurants and Branded Menu Program locations; as such,well as for certain vendors in our market pricesupply chain that we depend on for hot dogs was 17.1% lower than during the period ended September 25, 2016. Despite the favorable pricing of fiscal 2017, prices began escalatingour commodities. We remain in January 2017contact with our major suppliers and continued through June 2017 before beginning to slightly decline until July which is when the costs stabilized for the balance of 2017 at approximately 10% higher than the last six months of 2016. As such,date we have not experienced significant disruptions in our market price for hot dogs during our fiscal 2018 period was approximately 8.2% higher than the fiscal 2017 period. supply chain.

We are unable to predict the future cost of our hot dogs and expect to experience price volatility for our beef products during the remainder of fiscal 2018.2023. To the extent that beef prices increase as compared to earlier periods, it could impact our results of operations. In the past, we entered into purchase commitments for a portion of our hot dogs to reduce the impact of increasing market prices. Most recently, we concluded aOur most recent purchase commitment was completed in 2016 for approximately 2,600,000 pounds of hot dogs at approximately $2.01 per pound which we purchased between February and May 2016.dogs. We may attempt to enter into similar purchase arrangements for hot dogs and other products in the future. Additionally, we expect to continue experiencing volatility in oil and gas prices on our distribution costs for our food products and utility costs in the Company-owned restaurants and volatile insurance costs resulting from the uncertainty of the insurance markets.

 

In March 2010,We must comply with the Federal government passed new legislation to reformFair Labor Standards Act and various federal and state laws governing minimum wages. Increases in the U.S. health care system. As part of the plan, employers will be expected to provide their employees that work more than 30 hours per week with minimum levels of healthcare coverage or incur certain financial penalties. As Nathan’s workforce includes numerous part-time workers that typically are not offered healthcare coverage, we may be forced to expand healthcare coverage or potentially incur new penalties which may increasewage and labor regulations have increased our health carelabor costs.

The minimum wage for New York State recently passed legislation increasing the minimum hourly wage for fast food workersincreased to $15.00 per hour on December 31, 2021. All of restaurant chains with 30 or more locations nationwide. The increase will be phasedour Company-owned restaurants operate in differently between New York City and the rest of New York State. Effective December 31, 2017,In addition, the federal government and a number of other states are evaluating various proposals to increase their respective minimum wage increased to $13.50 and $11.75 in New York City and outside of New York City, respectively.wage.

 

In New York City, the hourly rate of pay will increase to $15.00 on Dec. 31, 2018.

The minimum hourly rate of pay for the remainder of New York State will increase to:

$12.75 on Dec. 31, 2018; $13.75 on Dec. 31, 2019; $14.50 on Dec. 31, 2020; and $15.00 on July 1, 2021.

All of Nathan’s Company-operated restaurants are within New York State, three of which operate within New York City that have been affected by this new legislation.

The Company is further studying the impact on the Company’s operations and is developing strategies and tactics, including pricing and potential operating efficiencies, to minimize the effects of these increases and future increases. We have recently increased certain selling prices to pass on recent cost of sales increases. However, if we are unable to fully offset these and future increases through pricing and operating efficiencies, our margins and profits will be negatively affected. We believe that these increases in the minimum wage couldand other changes in employment law have had a significant financial impact on our financial results and the results of our franchisees that operate in New York State. Our business could be negatively impacted if the decrease in margins for our franchisees results in the potential loss of new franchisees or the closing of a significant number of franchised restaurants.

Effective April 1, 2014, the City of New York, passed legislation requiring employers to offer paid sick leave to all employees, including part-time employees, who work more than 80 hours for the employer. Nathan’s operates three restaurants that have been affected by this legislation.

Effective December 1, 2016, changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act were to take effect until nationwide implementation was enjoined by a Federal District Court. The legislation would have increased the minimum salary threshold for overtime exemption from $23,660 to $47,476 per annum. Nathan’s performed its evaluation of its workforce and determined that the proposed legislation is not expected to have a significant impact on our results of operations.

On May 30, 2017, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law the Fair Work Week Legislation package of bills that the city estimates will cover some 65,000 fast food workers by giving them more predictable work schedules effective November 27, 2017. A key component of the package is a requirement that fast food restaurants schedule their workers at least two weeks in advance or pay employees between $10 to $75 per scheduling change depending on the situation. Due to Nathan’s dependency on weather conditions at our two beach locations during the summer, we are unable to determine the potential impact on our results of operations, which could be material. We have estimated that the daily penalty could amount to as much as $10,000 per day during the height of the summer season for these two restaurants.

 

Continued increases in labor foodcosts, commodity prices and other operating expenses, including health care,healthcare, could adversely affect our operationsoperations. We attempt to manage inflationary pressure, and those of the restaurant industryrising commodity costs, at least in part, through raising prices. Delays in implementing price increases, competitive pressures, consumer spending levels and we might have to further reconsiderother factors may limit our pricing strategy as a meansability to offset reduced operating margins.these rising costs. Volatility in commodity prices, including beef and beef trimmings could have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

The Company’sCompany’s business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows can be impacted by a number of factors, including but not limited to those set forth above in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” any one of which could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from our anticipated future results. For a discussion identifying additional risk factors and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, also see the discussions in “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in this Form 10-Q and “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and our Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended March 26, 2017.27, 2022.

 

-27--29-

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.          

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Cash

 

We have historically invested our cash and cash equivalents in money market funds or short-term, fixed rate, highly rated and highly liquid instruments which are generally reinvested when they mature. Although these existing investments are not considered at risk with respect to changes in interest rates or markets for these instruments, our rate of return on short-term investments could be affected at the time of reinvestment as a result of intervening events. As of December 24, 2017,25, 2022, Nathan’s cash and cash equivalents aggregated $67,288,000. $55,454,000.Earnings on this cash would increase or decrease by approximately $168,000$139,000 per annum for each 0.25% change in interest rates.

 

Borrowings

 

At December 24, 2017,25, 2022, we had $150.0 Million$110,000,000 of 6.625% 2025 Notes outstanding which are due in November 2025. Interest expense on these borrowings would increase or decrease by approximately $375,000$275,000 per annum for each 0.25% change in interest rates. We currently do not anticipate entering into interest rate swaps or other financial instruments to hedge our borrowings.

 

Commodity Costs

 

We do not believe that general inflation has materially impacted earnings since 2006. However,Beginning in fiscal 2022 and continuing into the fiscal 2023 period, we have experienced significant volatility in our costs for ourinflationary pressures on commodity prices. We expect this trend to continue throughout the remainder of fiscal 2023. Our average cost of hot dogs and certain food products, distribution costs and utilities.during fiscal 2022 was approximately 19% higher than during fiscal 2021. Our commodityaverage cost of hot dogs during fiscal 2023 was approximately 3% higher than during fiscal 2022. Beginning in July 2021, the cost of hot dogs has increased significantly due to higher costs for beef have been especially volatile since fiscal 2004. From 2011 through 2014, we experienced unprecedented increases in the cost of beef. Beginning March 2015, theand beef markets stabilized through June 2015 before subsequently declining by approximately 30%. Astrimmings, labor, packaging and transportation, as well as supply chain challenges associated with increased consumer demand as a result of the decline through March 2016,continued recovery from the market priceCOVID-19 pandemic. Inherent volatility experienced in certain commodity markets, such as those for beef and beef trimmings due to seasonal shifts, climate conditions, industry demand, inflationary pressures and other macroeconomic factors could have an adverse effect on our results of hot dogs during the fiscal 2016 period was approximately 7.1% lower than the fiscal 2015 period. During the fiscal 2017 period, beef prices remained favorable, and as such, our market price for hot dogs was 17.1% lower than during the fiscal 2016 period. Despite the favorable pricing of fiscal 2017, prices began escalating in January 2017 and continued through June 2017 before beginning to slightly decline until July which is when the costs stabilized for the balance of 2017 at approximately 10% higher than the last six months of 2016. As such, our market price for hot dogs during our fiscal 2018 period was approximately 8.2% higher than the fiscal 2017 period. operations.

We are unable to predict the future cost of our hot dogs and expect to experience price volatility for our beef products during the remainder of fiscal 2018.2023. To the extent that beef prices increase as compared to earlier periods, it could impact our results of operations. In the past, we entered into purchase commitments for a portion of our hot dogs to reduce the impact of increasing market prices. During fiscal 2017, we concluded aOur most recent purchase commitment was completed in 2016 for approximately 2,600,000 pounds of hot dogs at approximately $2.01 per pound which we purchased between February and May 2016.dogs. We may attempt to enter into similar purchase arrangements for hot dogs and other products in the future. Additionally, we expect to continue experiencing volatility in oil and gas prices on our distribution costs for our food products and utility costs in the Company-owned restaurants and volatile insurance costs resulting from the uncertainty of the insurance markets.

 

With the exception of purchase commitments, we have not attempted to hedge against fluctuations in the prices of the commodities we purchase using future, forward, option or other instruments. As a result, we expect that the majority of our future commodity purchases will be subject to market changes in the prices of such commodities. We have attempted to enter sales agreements with our customers that are correlated to our cost of beef, thus reducing our market volatility, or have passed through permanent increases in our commodity prices to our customers that are not on formula pricing, thereby reducing the impact of long-term increases on our financial results. A short-term increase or decrease of 10.0% in the cost of our food and paper products for the thirty-nine weeksweek period ended December 24, 201725, 2022 would have increased or decreased our cost of sales by approximately $4,303,000.$5,477,000.

 

Foreign Currencies

 

Foreign franchisees generally conduct business with us and make payments in United States dollars, reducing the risks inherent with changes in the values of foreign currencies. As a result, we have not purchased future contracts, options or other instruments to hedge against changes in values of foreign currencies and we do not believe fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies would have a material impact on our financial results.

 

-28--30-

 

Item 4.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.13a-15(e) and Exchange Act Rule 15d-15(e).  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 24, 201725, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

 

We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that such controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

-29--31-

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

NoneNone.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2017,27, 2022, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing Nathan's. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

None.

 

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

NoneEffective February 2, 2023, the Board declared its quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share which is payable on March 3, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 21, 2023.

 

-30--32-

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33- 56976.)

3.2

Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed December 15, 1992. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)

3.3

By-Laws, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K dated November 6, 2006.)

4.1

Specimen Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)

4.2

Rights Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2013, between Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, which includes form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit A and the Summary of Rights to Purchase as Exhibit B. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K dated June 11, 2013.)

4.3

Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2017, by and among Nathan’s Famous, Inc., certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, a National Banking Association, as trustee and collateral trustee (including the form of Note (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K dated November 1, 2017.))

10.1**Amendment, dated as of December 6, 2017 to the Employment Agreement dated as of December 15, 2016, as amended November 1, 2012 between Howard M. Lorber and Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K dated December 12, 2017.)
10.2*Parity Lien Security Agreement, dated November 1, 2017, by and among Nathan's Famous, Inc. and The Other Assignors Identified Herein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Collateral Trustee.

 

31.1

*Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2

*Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.1

*Certification by Eric Gatoff, CEO, Nathan’s Famous, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.2

*Certification by Ronald G. DeVos,Robert Steinberg, CFO, Nathan’s Famous, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

101.1101.1

*The following materials from the Nathan’s Famous, Inc., Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 24, 201725, 2022 formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL)(iXBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (iii) the Consolidated StatementStatements of Stockholders’ Equity,Deficit, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) related notes.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and (v) related notes.contained in Exhibit 101).

 

 

*Filed herewith.

**Indicates a management plan or amendment.

 

-31-
-33-

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

NATHAN'S FAMOUS, INC.

Date: February 2, 2018 2023

By:

/s/ Eric Gatoff

Eric Gatoff

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: February 2, 2023 

By:

/s/ Robert Steinberg

Date: February 2, 2018

By:

/s/ Ronald G. DeVos

Robert Steinberg

Ronald G. DeVos

Vice President - Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

-32-

-34-

Exhibit Index.

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33- 56976.)

3.2

Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed December 15, 1992. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)

3.3

By-Laws, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K dated November 6, 2006.)

4.1

Specimen Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)

4.2

Rights Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2013, between Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, which includes form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit A and the Summary of Rights to Purchase as Exhibit B. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K dated June 11, 2013.)

4.3

Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2017, by and among Nathan’s Famous, Inc., certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, a National Banking Association, as trustee and collateral trustee (including the form of Note (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K dated November 1, 2017.))

10.1**Amendment, dated as of December 6, 2017 to the Employment Agreement dated as of December 15, 2016, as amended November 1, 2012 between Howard M. Lorber and Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K dated December 12, 2017.)
10.2*Parity Lien Security Agreement, dated November 1, 2013, by and among Nathan's Famous, Inc. and The Other Assignors Identified Herein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Collateral Trustee.

31.1

*Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

*Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

*Certification by Eric Gatoff, CEO, Nathan’s Famous, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

*Certification by Ronald G. DeVos, CFO, Nathan’s Famous, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.1

*The following materials from the Nathan’s Famous, Inc., Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 24, 2017 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) related notes.

*Filed herewith.

** Indicates a management plan or amendment.

-33-