UNITED 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 March 29, 202028, 2021

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission file number 001-38250

 

 

 

FAT Brands Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 82-1302696

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(310) 319-1850

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading SymbolSymbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value $0.0001 per share FATThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per shareFATBPThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants to purchase Common StockFATBW The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T 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, 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.

 

Large accelerated filer[  ]Accelerated filer[  ]
    
Non-accelerated filer[X]Smaller reporting company[X]
    
Emerging growth company[X]  

 

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. [X]

 

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

 

As of May 22, 2020,7, 2021, there were 11,894,89512,229,479 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On May 13, 2020, FAT Brands Inc. (the “Company”, “we” and “our”) filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) indicating its reliance on the SEC order issued on March 4, 2020 (Release No. 34-88318) under Section 36 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), granting exemptions from specified provisions of the Exchange Act and certain rules thereunder, as amended and superseded by Release No. 34-88465 issued on March 25, 2020 (collectively, the “Order”).

The Company filed the Form 8-K indicating its intension to rely on the Order permitting extensions in filings due to circumstances related to the novel coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”). As stated in the Form 8-K, the Company required additional time to finalize its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as of and for the quarter ended March 29, 2020, (the “Quarterly Report”) by the original deadline of May 13, 2020 due to the outbreak of, and local, state and federal governmental responses to, COVID-19. The Company’s operations have experienced disruptions due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic including, but not limited to, suggested and mandated social distancing and shelter-in-place orders. The COVID-19-related shelter-in-place orders and resulting office closures have severely limited access to our facilities by our financial reporting and accounting staff and the staff of our auditor, and thus impacted the Company’s ability to fulfill required quarterly review processes and procedures on a timely basis.

In light of the impact of the factors described above, the Company was unable to compile and review certain information required in order to permit it to timely file the Quarterly Report by May 13, 2020, the original filing deadline, without unreasonable effort or expense. The Company relied on the Order in furnishing the Form 8-K by the original filing deadline of the Quarterly Report.

 

 
 

 

FAT BRANDS INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

March 29, 202028, 2021

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION43
Item 1.Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)43
   
 FAT Brands Inc. and Subsidiaries: 
 Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)43
 Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)54
 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)65
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)76
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)87
   
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations3231
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk3938
Item 4.Controls and Procedures39
 
PART II.OTHER INFORMATION40
Item 1.Legal Proceedings40
Item 1A.Risk Factors4140
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds4140
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities4140
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures4140
Item 5.Other Information4140
Item 6.Exhibits4241
  
SIGNATURES4342

3

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

FAT BRANDS INC.

FAT BRANDS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019  March 28, 2021 December 27, 2020 
   (Audited)       (Audited) 
Assets             
Current assets             
Cash $4,626  $25  $1,163  $3,944 
Restricted cash 688 -   3,352   2,867 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $116 and $595, as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively 2,288 4,144 
Trade notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $37, as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively 267 262 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $762 and $739, as of March 28, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively  4,467   4,208 
Trade and other notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $103 as of March 28, 2021 and December 27, 2020  210   208 
Assets classified as held for sale 5,077 5,128   10,570   10,831 
Other current assets  962  929   1,968   2,365 
Total current assets 13,908 10,488   21,730   24,423 
             
Non-current restricted cash 400 - 
Notes receivable – noncurrent, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $86 and $112, as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively 1,774 1,802 
Due from affiliates 31,904 25,967 
Deferred income taxes 2,350 2,032 
Noncurrent restricted cash  400   400 
Notes receivable – noncurrent, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $271, as of March 28, 2021 and December 27, 2020  1,640   1,622 
Deferred income tax asset, net  31,546   30,551 
Operating lease right of use assets 722 860   4,125   4,469 
Goodwill 10,912 10,912   9,706   10,909 
Other intangible assets, net 29,520 29,734   47,331   47,711 
Other assets  705  755   1,615   1,059 
Total assets $92,195 $82,550  $118,093  $121,144 
             
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity     
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit        
Liabilities             
Current liabilities             
Accounts payable $7,036 $7,183  $8,684  $8,625 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  19,912   19,833 
Deferred income, current portion 930 895   1,782   1,887 
Accrued expenses 5,414 6,013 
Accrued advertising 754 762   1,978   2,160 
Accrued interest payable 295 1,268   1,876   1,847 
Dividend payable on preferred shares (includes amounts due to related parties of $186 and $149 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively) 1,767 1,422 
Dividend payable on preferred shares  1,143   893 
Liabilities related to assets classified as held for sale 3,299 3,325   9,656   9,892 
Current portion of operating lease liability 167 241   777   748 
Current portion of preferred shares, net  7,970   7,961 
Current portion of long-term debt  659  24,502   22,104   19,314 
Other  17   17 
Total current liabilities 20,321 45,611   75,899   73,177 
             
Deferred income – noncurrent 5,551 5,247   9,537   9,099 
Acquisition purchase price payable 4,134 4,504   2,829   2,806 
Preferred shares, net 15,425 15,327 
Deferred dividend payable on preferred shares (includes amounts due to related parties of $114 and $99 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively) 728 628 
Operating lease liability, net of current portion 593 639   3,864   4,011 
Long-term debt, net of current portion 42,435 5,216   71,464   73,852 
Other liabilities  -  -   76   82 
Total liabilities  89,187  77,172   163,669   163,027 
             
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)     
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)        
             
Stockholders’ equity     
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 11,876,659 and 11,860,299 shares issued and outstanding at March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively 11,414 11,414 
Stockholders’ deficit        
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,183,272 shares issued and outstanding at March 28, 2021 and December 27, 2020; liquidation preference $25 per share  21,267   21,788 
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 12,029,264 and 11,926,264 shares issued and outstanding at March 28, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively  (43,515)  (42,775)
Accumulated deficit  (8,406)  (6,036)  (23,328)  (20,896)
Total stockholders’ equity  3,008  5,378 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $92,195 $82,550 
Total stockholders’ deficit  (45,576)  (41,883)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit $118,093  $121,144 

 

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

4

FAT BRANDS INC.

FAT BRANDS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

For the thirteen weeks endedThirteen Weeks Ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 2020  2019  2021  2020 
          
Revenue                
Royalties $3,309  $3,463  $4,898  $3,309 
Franchise fees  175   313   540   175 
Store opening fees  -   105 
Advertising fees  931   976   1,188   931 
Other income  8   16 
Other operating income  23   8 
Total revenue  4,423   4,873   6,649   4,423 
                
Costs and expenses                
General and administrative expense  3,531   2,714   4,926   3,531 
Advertising expense  931   976 
Refranchising loss  539   518   427   539 
Advertising fees  1,192   931 
Total costs and expenses  5,001   4,208   6,545   5,001 
                
(Loss) income from operations  (578)  665 
Income (loss) from operations  104   (578)
                
Other expense        
Interest expense, net of interest income of $718 and $415 due from affiliates during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively  (1,622)  (1,686)
Other expense, net        
Interest expense, net of interest income of $0 and $718 due from affiliates during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, respectively  (2,460)  (1,622)
Interest expense related to preferred shares  (452)  (431)  (288)  (452)

Other (expense) income, net

  (16)  24 
Other income (expense), net  83   (16)
Total other expense, net  (2,090)  (2,093)  (2,665)  (2,090)
                
Loss before income tax expense (benefit)  (2,668)  (1,428)
Loss before income tax benefit  (2,561)  (2,668)
                
Income tax expense (benefit)  (298)  (718)
Income tax benefit  (129)  (298)
                
Net loss $(2,370) $(710) $(2,432) $(2,370)
                
Basic and diluted loss per common share $(0.20) $(0.06) $(0.20) $(0.20)
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding  11,868,842   11,636,433   11,970,505   11,868,842 

 

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

5

FAT BRANDS INC.

FAT BRANDS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYDEFICIT

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

Unaudited

For the Thirteen Weeks Ended March 28, 2021

  Common Stock  Preferred Stock    
     Additional  Total     Additional  Total    
     Par  paid-in  Common     Par  paid-in  Preferred  Accumulated    
  Shares  value  capital  Stock  Shares  value  capital  Stock  deficit  Total 
                               
Balance at December 27, 2020  11,926,264  $1  $(42,776) $(42,775)  1,183,272  $-  $21,788  $21,788  $(20,896) $ (41,883)
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (2,432)  (2,432)
Issuance of common stock through exercise of warrants  103,000   -   426   426   -   -   89   89   -   515 
Share-based compensation  -   -   37   37   -   -   -   -   -   37 
Measurement period adjustment in accordance with ASU 2015-16  -   -   (1,203)  (1,203)  -   -   -   -   -   (1,203)
Dividends declared on Series B preferred stock  -   

-

   -   -   -   -   (610)  (610)  -   (610)
                                         
Balance at March 28, 2021  12,029,264  $1  $(43,516) $(43,515)  1,183,272  $-  $21,267  $21,267  $23,328  $(45,576)

 

For the thirteen weeks endedThirteen Weeks Ended March 29, 2020

 

 Common Stock      Common Stock     
     Additional            Additional       
   Par paid-in   Accumulated      Par paid-in   Accumulated   
 Shares value capital Total deficit Total  Shares value capital Total deficit Total 
                          
Balance at December 29, 2019  11,860,299  $1  $11,413  $11,414  $(6,036) $5,378   11,860,299  $1  $11,413  $11,414  $(6,036) $5,378 
Net income  -   -   -   -   (2,370)  (2,370)
Net loss  -   -   -   -   (2,370)  (2,370)
Issuance of common stock in lieu of director fees payable  16,360   -   75   75   -   75   16,360   -   75   75   -   75 
Share-based compensation  -   -   15   15   -   15   -   -   15   15   -   15 
Correction of recorded conversion rights associated with Series A-1 preferred shares  -       (90)  (90)  -   (90)  -   

-

   (90)  (90)  -   (90)
                                                
Balance at March 29, 2020  11,876,659  $1  $11,413  $11,414  $(8,406) $3,008   11,876,659  $1  $11,413  $11,414  $(8,406) $3,008 

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

FAT BRANDS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

 

For the thirteen weeks endedThirteen Weeks Ended March 31, 201928, 2021 and March 29, 2020

 

  Common Stock       
        Additional          
     Par  paid-in     Accumulated    
  Shares  value  capital  Total  deficit  Total 
                   
Balance at December 30, 2018  11,546,589  $1  $10,756  $10,757  $(5,018) $5,739 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   (710)  (710)
Common stock dividend  245,376   -   -   -   -   - 
Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares  -   -   (2)  (2)  -   (2)
Issuance of common stock in lieu of director fees payable  15,384   -   90   90   -   90 
Share-based compensation  -   -   81   81   -   81 
                         
Balance at March 31, 2019  11,807,349  $1  $10,925  $10,926  $(5,728) $5,198 
  2021  2020 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss $(2,432) $(2,370)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:        
Deferred income taxes  (995)  (318)
Depreciation and amortization  398   232 
Share-based compensation  37   15 
Change in operating right of use assets  605   183 
Accretion of loan fees and interest  364   241 
Accretion of preferred shares  10   7 
Accretion of purchase price liability  24   130 
Provision for bad debts  -   162 
Change in:        
Accounts receivable  (258)  44 
Accrued interest receivable from affiliate  -   (718)
Prepaid expenses  397   (33)
Deferred income  332   339 
Accounts payable  59   (71)
Accrued expense  83   (599)
Accrued advertising  (187)  (8)
Accrued interest payable  47   (973)
Dividend payable on preferred shares  278   444 
Other  (8)  (78)
Total adjustments  1,186   (1,001)
Net cash used in operating activities  (1,246)  (3,371)
         
Cash flows from investing activities        
Change in due from affiliates  -   (5,091)
Payments received on loans receivable  -   46 
Proceeds from sale of refranchised restaurants  -   1,650 
Purchases of property and equipment  (573)  (18)
Net cash used in investing activities  (573)  (3,413)
         
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from borrowings and associated warrants, net of issuance costs  -   37,271 
Repayments of borrowings  -   (24,149)
Change in operating lease liabilities  (353)  (149)
Payments made on acquisition purchase price liability  -   (500)
Exercise of warrants  515   - 
Dividends paid in cash  (639)  - 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (477)  12,473 
         
Net (decrease) increase in cash and restricted cash  (2,296)  5,689 
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of the period  7,211   25 
Cash and restricted cash at end of the period $4,915  $5,714 
         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:        
Cash paid for interest $1,969  $1,571 
Cash paid for income taxes $211  $13 
         
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:        
Director fees converted to common stock $-  $75 
Income taxes (receivable) payable included in amounts due from affiliates $-  $(121)

 

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

 

6

FAT BRANDS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

For the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

  2020  2019 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss $(2,370) $(710)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:        
Deferred income taxes  (318)  100 
Depreciation and amortization  232   131 
Share-based compensation  15   81 
Change in operating right of use assets  183   27 
Accretion of loan fees and interest  241   1,032 
Accretion of preferred shares  7   16 
Accretion of purchase price liability  130   54 
Provision for (recovery of) bad debts  162   (91)
Change in:        
Accounts receivable  44   (206)
Trade notes receivable  -   16 
Prepaid expenses  (33)  (443)
Other  43   (51)
Accounts payable and accrued expense  (670)  1,244 
Accrued advertising  (8)  (536)
Accrued interest receivable from affiliate  (718)  (415)
Tax Sharing Agreement liability  (121)  (467)
Accrued interest payable  (973)  (1,541)
Dividend payable on preferred shares  444   162 
Deferred income  339   (266)
Total adjustments  (1,001)  (1,153)
Net cash used in operating activities  (3,371)  (1,863)
         
Cash flows from investing activities        
Change in due from affiliates  (5,091)  (1,400)
Proceeds from sale of refranchised restaurants  1,650   - 
Payments received on loans receivable  46   - 
Purchases of property and equipment  (18)  (23)
Net cash used in investing activities  (3,413)  (1,423)
         
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from borrowings and associated warrants, net of issuance costs  37,271   19,725 
Repayments of borrowings  (24,149)  (16,400)
Payments made on acquisition purchase price liability  (500)  - 
Change in operating lease liabilities  (149)  - 
Dividends paid in cash  -   (2)
Net cash provided by financing activities  12,473   3,323 
         
Net increase in cash and restricted cash  5,689   37 
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period  25   653 
Cash and restricted cash at end of period $5,714  $690 
         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:        
Cash paid for interest $1,571  $2,748 
Cash paid for income taxes $13  $50 
         
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:        
Director fees converted to common stock $75  $90 
Income taxes receivable offset against amounts due from affiliates $(121) $(467)

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

7

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

 

Organization and Nature of Business

 

FAT Brands Inc. (the “Company”“Company or FAT”) was formed onis a leading multi-brand restaurant franchising company that develops, markets, and acquires primarily quick-service, fast casual and casual dining restaurant concepts around the world. Organized in March 21, 2017 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc. (“FCCG”). On October 20, 2017,, the Company completed an initial public offering on October 20, 2017 and issued additional shares of common stock representing 20 percent of its ownershipownership. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company completed a transaction in which FCCG merged into a wholly owned subsidiary of FAT (the “Offering”“Merger”). The Company’s common stock trades on, and FAT became the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FAT.” indirect parent company of FCCG.

As of March 29, 2020, FCCG continues to control a significant voting majority of the Company.

The Company is a multi-brand franchisor specializing in fast casual and casual dining restaurant concepts around the world. As of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, the Company owns and franchises eightnine restaurant brands:brands through various wholly owned subsidiaries: Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Buffalo’s Cafe, Buffalo’s Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Ponderosa Steakhouses, Bonanza Steakhouses, Yalla Mediterranean and Elevation Burger. Combined, as of March 29, 2020, these brands have over 370approximately 700 locations, including units under construction, and more than 200 under development.

 

The CompanyEach franchising subsidiary licenses the right to use its brand namesname and provides franchisees with operating procedures and methods of merchandising. Upon signing a franchise agreement, the franchisor is committed to provide training, some supervision and assistance, and access to operations manuals. As needed, the franchisor will also provide advice and written materials concerning techniques of managing and operating the restaurants.

 

With minor exceptions, the Company’s operations are comprised exclusively of franchising a growing portfolio of restaurant brands. This growth strategy is centered on expanding the footprint of existing brands and acquiring new brands through a centralized management organization which provides substantially all executive leadership, marketing, training, and corporate accounting services. As part of its ongoing franchising efforts, the Company will, from time to time, make opportunistic acquisitions of operating restaurants in order to convert them to franchise locations. During the refranchising period, the Company may operate the restaurants and classifies the operational activities as refranchising gains or losses and the assets and associated liabilities as held-for sale.

COVID-19

 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States and other countries. As a result, Company franchisees have temporarily closed some retail locations, reduced or modified store operating hours, adopted a “to-go” only operating model, or a combination of these actions. These actions have reduced consumer traffic, all resulting in a negative impact to franchisee and Company revenues. While the disruption to our business from the COVID-19 pandemic is currently expected to be temporary, there is still a great deal of uncertainty around the severity and duration of the disruption, and also thedisruption. We may experience longer-term effects on our business and economic growth and changes in consumer demand in the U.S. and worldwide. The effects of COVID-19 may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, liquidity and ability to service our existing debt, particularly if these effects continue in place for a significant amount of time.

 

Liquidity

 

The Company recognized income from operations of $104,000 during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 compared to a loss from operations of $578,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020. The Company recognized a net loss of $2,432,000 during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 compared to a net loss of $2,370,000 during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 and income from2020. Net cash used in operations of $665,000totaled $1,246,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019, respectively. The Company recognized net losses of $2,370,000 and $710,000 during the28, 2021 compared to $3,371,000 for thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 and2020. As of March 31, 2019, respectively.28, 2021, the Company’s total liabilities exceeded total assets by $45,576,000 compared to $41,883,000 as of December 27, 2020. The reductionchange in earnings is primarily duethe Company’s financial position reflects operating improvements as the effects of COVID-19 began to reductionsstabilize offset by the assumption of certain liabilities related to the Merger in revenues due to COVID-19 coupled with higher general and administrative costs.December 2020.

 

On March 6,In the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2020 Form 10-K”), the Company completed a whole-business securitization (the “Securitization”) throughdisclosed that the creationcombination of a bankruptcy-remote issuing entity, FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC (“FAT Royalty”) in which FAT Royalty issued new notes (the “Securitization Notes”) pursuant to an indenturethe operating performance during the twelve months ended December 27, 2020 and the supplement thereto (collectively,Company’s financial position as of December 27, 2020 raised substantial doubt about the “Indenture”Company’s ability to continue as a going concern as assessed under the framework of FASB’s Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”). Net proceeds from 205 for the twelve months following the date of the issuance of the 2020 Form 10-K.

Subsequent to the reporting period ended March 28, 2021, on April 26, 2021, the Company completed the issuance and sale in a private offering (the “Offering”) of three tranches of fixed rate secured notes (see Note 21). Proceeds of the Offering were used to repay in full its 2020 Securitization Notes were $37,314,000, which consistedas well as fees and expenses related to the Offering, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $57 million (see Note 11). The Offering alleviated the combined face amount of $40,000,000, net of discounts of $246,000 and debt offering costs of $2,440,000 (See Note 10). Asubstantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern that was disclosed in the 2020 Form 10-K.

The Company utilized a portion of the net proceeds from the Securitization was usedOffering to repay the remaining $26,771,000 in outstanding balance under the Loan and Security Agreement and to pay the Securitization debt offering costs. The remaining proceeds from the Securitization will be used for working capital.

Subsequent to March 29, 2020,a portion of indebtedness assumed as a result of COVID-19,the Merger (see Notes 11 and 21).

In addition to the liquidity provided by the successful completion of the Offering, the Company received proceeds fromhas experienced significant improvement in its operating performance subsequent to December 27, 2020, as COVID-19 vaccinations have become more prevalent in the Payroll Protection Program administered by the Small Business Administration. These loan proceeds relate to FAT Brands Inc. as well as five restaurant locations that are partUnited States and federal, state and local restrictions have eased in many of the Company’s refranchising program.

While the Company expects COVID-19 to negatively impactmarkets where its business, results of operations, and financial position, the related financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. However,franchisees operate. As a result, the Company believes that the working capital from the Securitization combined with receipts collected from the limited operations of its franchisees, and disciplined management of the Company’ operating expensesliquidity position will be sufficient for the twelve months of operations following the issuance of this Form 10-Q.

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NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

Nature of operations –Each franchising subsidiary licenses the right to use its brand name and provides franchisees with operating procedures and methods of merchandising. Upon signing a franchise agreement, the franchisor is committed to provide training, some supervision and assistance, and access to operations manuals. As needed, the franchisor will also provide advice and written materials concerning techniques of managing and operating the restaurants.

The Company operates on a 52-week calendar and its fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. Consistent with the industry practice, the Company measures its stores’ performance based upon 7-day work weeks. Using the 52-week cycle ensures consistent weekly reporting for operations and ensures that each week has the same days, since certain days are more profitable than others. The use of this fiscal year means a 53rd week is added to the fiscal year every 5 or 6 years. In a 52-week year, all four quarters are comprised of 13 weeks. In a 53-week year, one extra week is added to the fourth quarter. BothThe first reporting period for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2019 are 52-week years.2021 were 13 weeks.

 

Principles of consolidation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The accountsoperations of Yalla MediterraneanJohnny Rockets have been included since its acquisition on December 3, 2018. TheSeptember 21, 2020 and the operations of Elevation BurgerFCCG have been included since its acquisitionthe merger on June 19, 2019.December 24, 2020. Intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of estimates in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements – The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the determination of fair values of certain financial instrumentsintangibles for which there is no active market, the allocation of basis between assets acquired, sold or retained, and valuation allowances for notes and accounts receivable, and accounts receivable.deferred tax assets. Estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Financial statement reclassification – Certain account balances from prior periods have been reclassified in these consolidated financial statements to conform to current period classifications.classifications including measurement period adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocations relating to the acquisition of Johnny Rockets and the Merger in accordance with ASU 2015-16. During the first quarter of 2021, adjustments were made to provisional amounts reclassifying $1,203,000 between goodwill and additional paid in capital on the consolidated balance sheet. These adjustments did not impact the Company’s consolidated statement of operations during the current period or during prior periods.

 

Credit and Depository Risks – Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and accounts receivable. Management reviews each of its customer’sfranchisee’s financial conditionscondition prior to entry into a franchise or other agreement, as well as periodically through the term of the agreement, and believes that it has adequately provided for any exposureexposures to potential credit losses. As of March 29,28, 2021 and December 27, 2020, accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, totaled $2,288,000$4,466,000 and $4,208,000, with no customerfranchisee representing more than 10% of that amount. As of December 29, 2019, the Company had two customers each representing 20% of accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts.amount at either date.

 

The Company maintains cash deposits in national financial institutions. From time to time the balances for these accounts exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) insured amount. Balances on interest bearing deposits at banks in the United States are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per account. As of March 29,28, 2021 and December 27, 2020, the Company had uninsured deposits in the amount of $4,938,000. As of December 29, 2019, the Company had no accounts with a combined uninsured balance.$3,931,238 and $6,047,299, respectively.

 

Restricted Cash –The Company has restricted cash consisting of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company’s Securitization. Currentsecuritized debt. The current portion of restricted cash atas of March 29, 2020.28, 2021 and December 27, 2020 consisted of $688,000 of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company’s securitized debt with no similar balances as of December 29, 2019.$3,353,000 and $2,867,000, respectively. Non-current restricted cash of $400,000 atas of March 29,28, 2021 and December 27, 2020, represents interest reserves required to be set aside for the duration of the securitized debt with no similar balances as of December 29, 2019.debt.

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Accounts receivable – Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the existing accounts receivable. The allowance is based on historical collection data and current franchisee information. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. As of March 28, 2021 and December 27, 2020, accounts receivable was stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $762,000 and $739,000, respectively.

 

Trade notes receivable –Trade notes receivable are created when an agreement is reached to settle a delinquent franchisee receivable account and the entire balance is not immediately paid. Generally, trade notes receivable include personal guarantees from the franchisee. The notes are made for the shortest time frame negotiable and will generally carry an interest rate of 6% to 7.5%. Reserve amounts on the notes are established based on the likelihood of collection.

Assets classified as held for sale –Assets are classified as held for sale when the Company commits to a plan to sell the asset, the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition and an active program to locate a buyer at a reasonable price has been initiated. The sale of these assets is generally expected to be completed within one year. The combined assets are valued at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value, net of costs to sell and included as current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Assets classified as held for sale are not depreciated. However, interest attributable to the liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale and other related expenses are recorded as expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets – Intangible assets are stated at the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and include goodwill, trademarks, and franchise agreements. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, such as trademarks, are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators arise. All other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated weighted average useful lives, which range from nine to twenty-five years. Management assesses potential impairments to intangible assets at least annually, or when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered. Judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators and future cash flows related to intangible assets are based on operational performance of the acquired businesses, market conditions and other factors.

 

Fair Value Measurements - The Company determines the fair market values of its financial assets and liabilities, as well as non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis, based on the fair value hierarchy established in U.S. GAAP. As necessary, the Company measures its financial assets and liabilities using inputs from the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company’s own assumptions.

Other than a derivative liability that existed during part of 2020 and the contingent consideration payable liabilities incurred in connection with the acquisition of certain of our brands, the Company does not have a material amount of financial assets or liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis under U.S. GAAP (See Note 12). None of the Company’s non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Income taxes – Effective October 20, 2017, the Company entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with FCCG that provides that FCCG will,would, to the extent permitted by applicable law, file consolidated federal, California and Oregon (and possibly other jurisdictions where revenue is generated, at FCCG’s election) income tax returns with the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company willwould pay FCCG the amount that its tax liability would have been had it filed a separate return. As such, prior to the Merger, the Company accountsaccounted for income taxes as if it filed separately from FCCG. The Tax Sharing Agreement was cancelled in connection with the Merger.

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain.

 

A two-step approach is utilized to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon tax authority examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon the ultimate settlement.

 

Franchise Fees: The franchise arrangement is documented in the form of a franchise agreement. The franchise arrangement requires the Company to perform various activities to support the brand that do not directly transfer goods and services to the franchisee, but instead represent a single performance obligation, which isincludes the transfer of the franchise license. The services provided by the Company are highly interrelated with the franchise license and are considered a single performance obligation. Franchise fee revenue from the sale of individual franchises is recognized over the term of the individual franchise agreement.agreement on a straight-line basis. Unamortized non-refundable deposits collected in relation to the sale of franchises are recorded as deferred franchise fees.

 

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The franchise fee may be adjusted at management’s discretion or in a situation involving store transfers.transfers between franchisees. Deposits are non-refundable upon acceptance of the franchise application. In the event a franchisee does not comply with their development timeline for opening franchise stores, the franchise rights may be terminated, andat which point the franchise fee revenue is recognized for non-refundable deposits.

 

Store opening feesRoyaltiesPrior to September 29, 2019, the Company recognized store opening fees in the amount of $35,000 to $60,000 from the up-front fees collected from franchisees upon store opening. The amount of the fee was dependent on brand and location (domestic versus international stores). The remaining balance of the up-front fees were then amortized as franchise fees over the life of the franchise agreement. If the fees collected were less than the respective store opening fee amounts, the full up-front fees were recognized at store opening. The store opening fees were based on out-of-pocket costs to the Company for each store opening and are primarily comprised of labor expenses associated with training, store design, and supply chain setup. International fees recognized were higher due to the additional cost of travel.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company performed a study of other public company restaurant franchisors’ application of ASC 606 and determined that a preferred, alternative industry application exists in which the store opening fee portion of the franchise fees is amortized over the life of the franchise agreement rather than at milestones of standalone performance obligations in the franchise agreements. In order to provide financial reporting consistent with other franchise industry peers, the Company applied this preferred, alternative application of ASC 606 during the fourth quarter of 2019 on a prospective basis. As a result of the adoption of this preferred accounting treatment under ASC 606, the Company discontinued the recognition of store opening fees upon store opening and began accounting for the entire up-front deposit received from franchisees as described above inFranchise Fees.A cumulative adjustment to store opening fees and franchise fees was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019 for store opening fees recognized during the first three quarters of 2019. (See “Immaterial Adjustments Related to Prior Periods”,below.)

Royalties –In addition to franchise fee revenue, we collectthe Company collects a royalty calculated as a percentage of net sales from our franchisees. Royalties range from 0.75% to 6% and are recognized as revenue when the related sales are made by the franchisees. Royalties collected in advance of sales are classified as deferred income until earned.

 

Advertising – The Company requires advertising payments from franchisees based on a percent of net sales. The Company also receives, from time to time, payments from vendors that are to be used for advertising. Advertising funds collected are required to be spent for specific advertising purposes. Advertising revenue and associated expense is recorded on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Assets and liabilities associated with the related advertising fees are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

Share-based compensation– The Company has a stock option plan which provides for options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Options issued under the plan may have a variety of terms as determined by the Board of Directors including the option term, the exercise price and the vesting period. Options granted to employees and directors are valued at the date of grant and recognized as an expense over the vesting period in which the options are earned. Cancellations or forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. Stock options issued to non-employees as compensation for services are accounted for based upon the estimated fair value of the stock option. The Company recognizes this expense over the period in which the services are provided. Management utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of the stock options issued by the Company. See Note 1415 for more details on the Company’s share-based compensation.

 

Earnings per share – The Company reports basic earnings or loss per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260, “EarningsEarnings Per Share”Share. Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of dilutive securities during the reporting period. Any potentially dilutive securities that have an anti-dilutive impact on the per share calculation are excluded. During periods in which the Company reports a net loss, diluted weighted average shares outstanding are equal to basic weighted average shares outstanding because the effect of the inclusion of all potentially dilutive securities would be anti-dilutive.

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The Company declared a stock dividend on February 7, 2019 As of March 28, 2021 and issued 245,376 shares of common stock in satisfaction of the stock dividend (See Note 16). Unless otherwise noted, earnings per share and other share-based information for 2019 and 2018 have been adjusted retrospectively to reflect the impact of the stock dividend.

Immaterial Adjustments Related to Prior Periods

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company identified two immaterial potential adjustments to its previously issued financial statements. These potential adjustments are (1) its assessment of the Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and (2) its treatment of the store opening component of its franchise fees under ASC 606.

Based on its assessment of the Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, the Company determined that an error occurredMarch 29, 2020, there were no potentially dilutive securities considered in the analysiscalculation of the rights that the holders of the Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock have with respectdiluted loss per common share due to the conversion of the securities into shares of the Company’s common stock. In our reassessment, the conversion rights did not represent a beneficial conversion feature as we had initially concluded at the time of issuance.

The Company originally adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company performed a study of other public company restaurant franchisors’ application of ASC 606 and determined that a preferred, alternative industry application exists in which the store opening fee portion of the franchise fees is amortized over the life of the franchise agreement rather than at milestones of standalone performance obligations in the franchise agreements. In order to provide financial reporting consistent with other franchise industry peers, the Company applied this preferred, alternative application of ASC 606 during the fourth quarter of 2019 on a prospective basis.

In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99, Materiality, codified in ASC 250 (“ASC 250”), Presentation of Financial Statements, and SAB 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Consolidated Statements of Income, Balance Sheets, Shareholders Equity and Cash Flows, also codified in ASC 250, management assessed the materiality of (1) the error in its treatment of the beneficial conversion feature related to the Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and (2) the adoption of the preferential accounting treatment under ASC 606. Based on such analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors, the Company has determined that neither the error nor the adoption of the preferential accounting treatment under ASC 606, in aggregate or individually, were material to any of the reporting periods affected, and no amendments to previously filed 10-Q or 10-K reports with the SEC are required.losses for each period.

 

Recently AdoptedIssued Accounting Standards

 

In August 2018,June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13,2016-13, Fair Value MeasurementFinancial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 820)326)-Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and later amended the ASU in 2019, as described below. This guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology. Under the new guidance, on initial recognition and at each reporting period, an entity is required to recognize an allowance that reflects its current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Disclosure Framework – ChangesEffective Dates (“ASU 2019-10”). The purpose of this amendment is to create a two-tier rollout of major updates, staggering the Disclosure Requirementseffective dates between larger public companies and all other entities. This granted certain classes of companies, including Smaller Reporting Companies (“SRCs”), additional time to implement major FASB standards, including ASU 2016-13. Larger public companies will have an effective date for Fair Value Measurement.” Thisfiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All other entities are permitted to defer adoption of ASU adds, modifies2016-13, and removes several disclosure requirements relativeits related amendments, until the earlier of fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Under the current SEC definitions, the Company meets the definition of an SRC and is adopting the deferral period for ASU 2016-13. The guidance requires a modified retrospective transition approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the three levelsbeginning of inputs used to measure fair value in accordance with Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.”the period of adoption. The Company adopted thisis currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on December 30, 2019. Theits consolidated financial statements but does not expect that the adoption of this standard did notwill have a material effectimpact on the Company’sits consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.statements.

The FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15,Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40).The new guidance reduces complexity for the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement and aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The Company adopted this ASU on December 30, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The FASB issued ASU 2019-12,Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes:This standard removes certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. It also adds guidance in certain areas, including the recognition of franchise taxes, recognition of deferred taxes for tax goodwill, allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group, computation of annual effective tax rates related to enacted changes in tax laws, and minor improvements related to employee stock ownership plans and investments in qualified affordable housing projects accounted for using the equity method. The Company adopted this ASU on December 30, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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NOTE 3. ACQUISITIONSMERGERS AND SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONSACQUISITIONS

Merger with Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc.

On December 10, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with FCCG, Fog Cutter Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Fog Cutter Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”).

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, FCCG agreed to merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). Upon closing of the Merger, the former stockholders of FCCG became direct stockholders of the Company holding, in the aggregate, 9,679,288 shares of the Company’s common stock (the same number of shares of common stock held by FCCG immediately prior to the Merger) and will receive certain limited registration rights with respect to the shares received in the Merger. As a result of the Merger, FCCG’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Homestyle Dining, LLC, Fog Cap Development LLC, Fog Cap Acceptance Inc. and BC Canyon LLC, became indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company (the “Merged Entities”).

Under the Merger Agreement, Holdings has agreed to indemnify the Company for breaches of FCCG’s representations and warranties, covenants and certain other matters specified in the Merger Agreement, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. Holdings has also agreed to hold a minimum fair market value of shares of Common Stock of the Company to ensure that it has assets available to satisfy such indemnification obligations if necessary.

In connection with the Merger, the Company declared a special stock dividend (the “Special Dividend”) payable on the record date only to holders of our Common Stock, other than FCCG, consisting of 0.2319998077 shares of the Company’s 8.25% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (liquidation preference $25.00 per share) (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) for each outstanding share of Common Stock held by such stockholders, with the value of any fractional shares of Series B Preferred Stock being paid in cash. FCCG did not receive any portion of the Special Dividend, which had a record date of December 21, 2020 and payment date of December 23, 2020. The Special Dividend was expressly conditioned upon the satisfaction or valid waiver of the conditions to closing of the Merger set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Special Dividend was intended to reflect consideration for the potential financial impact of the Merger on the common stockholders other than FCCG, including the assumption of certain debts and obligations of FCCG by the Company by virtue of the Merger.

The Company undertook the Merger primarily to simplify its corporate structure and eliminate limitations that restrict the Company’s ability to issue additional Common Stock for acquisitions and capital raising. FCCG holds a substantial amount of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), which could only be made available to the Company as long as FCCG owned at least 80% of FAT Brands. With the Merger, the NOLs will be held directly by the Company, which will then have greater flexibility in managing its capital structure. In addition, after the Merger the Company will no longer be required to compensate FCCG for utilizing its NOLs under the Tax Sharing Agreement previously in effect between the Company and FCCG.

The Merger is treated under ASC 805-50-30-6 which indicates that when there is a transfer of assets or exchange of shares between entities under common control, the receiving entity shall recognize those assets and liabilities at their net carrying amounts at the date of transfer. As such, on the date of the Merger, all of the transferred assets and assumed liabilities of FCCG and the Merged Entities are recorded on the Company’s books at FCCG’s book value. The consolidation of the operations of FCCG and the Merged Entities with the Company is presented on a prospective basis from the date of transfer as there has not been a change in the reporting entity.

The Merger resulted in the following assets and liabilities being included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of the Merger date (in thousands):

Prepaid assets $33 
Deferred tax assets  20,402 
Other assets  100 
Accounts payable  (926)
Accrued expense  (6,846)
Current portion of debt  (12,486)
Litigation reserve  (3,980)
Due to affiliates  (43,653)
Total net identifiable liabilities (net deficit) $(47,356)

A net loss of $432,000 attributed to the Merged Entities is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021. There were no revenues attributed to the Merged Entities during the period.

Proforma Information

The table below presents the proforma revenue and net loss of the Company for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, assuming the Merger had occurred on December 30, 2019 (the beginning of the Company’s 2020 fiscal year), pursuant to ASC 805-10-50 (in thousands). This proforma information does not purport to represent what the actual results of operations of the Company would have been had the Merger occurred on that date, nor does it purport to predict the results of operations for future periods.

  Thirteen Weeks Ended 
  March 28, 2021  March 29, 2020 
  (Actual)  (Proforma) 
       
Revenues $6,649  $4,423 
Net loss $(2,432) $(4,612)

The proforma information above reflects the combination of the Company’s results as disclosed in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, together with the results of the Merged Entities for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, with the following adjustment:

FCCG historically made loan advances to Andrew A. Wiederhorn, its CEO and significant stockholder (the “Stockholder Loan”). Prior to the Merger, the Stockholder Loan was cancelled, and the balance recorded as a loss by FCCG on forgiveness of loan to stockholder. Had the Merger been completed as of the assumed proforma date of December 31, 2018 (the beginning of the Company’s 2019 fiscal year), the Stockholder Loan would have been cancelled prior to that date and there would have been no further advances made. As a result, the proforma information above eliminates the loss by FCCG on forgiveness of loan to stockholder and the related interest income recorded by FCCG in its historical financial statements.

 

Acquisition of Elevation BurgerJohnny Rockets

 

On June 19, 2019,September 21, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of EB Franchises, LLC,Johnny Rockets Holding Co., a Virginia limited liability company, and its related companies (collectively, “Elevation Burger”Delaware corporation (“Johnny Rockets”) for a cash purchase price of up to $10,050,000. Elevation Burger is the franchisor of Elevation Burger restaurants,approximately $24.7 million. The transaction was funded with 44 locationsproceeds from an increase in the U.S. and internationally.Company’s securitization facility (See Note 11).

 

The purchase price consists of $50,000 in cash, a contingent warrant to purchase 46,875 shares ofImmediately following the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share (the “Elevation Warrant”), and the issuance to the Seller of a convertible subordinated promissory note (the “Elevation Note”) with a principal amount of $7,509,816, bearing interest at 6.0% per year and maturing in July 2026. The Elevation Warrant is only exercisable in the event that the Company merges with FCCG. The Seller Note is convertible under certain circumstances into shares of the Company’s common stock at $12.00 per share. In connection with the purchase, the Company also loaned $2,300,000 in cash to the Seller under a subordinated promissory note (the “Elevation Buyer Note”) bearing interest at 6.0% per year and maturing in August 2026. The balance owing to the Company under the Elevation Buyer Note may be used by the Company to offset amounts owing to the Seller under the Elevation Note under certain circumstances. In addition, the Seller will be entitled to receive earn-out payments of up to $2,500,000 if Elevation Burger realizes royalty fee revenue in excess of certain amounts. As of the dateclosing of the acquisition the fair market value of this contingent consideration totaled $531,000. As of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, the contingent purchase price payable totaled $656,000 and $633,000, respectively, which includes the accretion of interest expense at an effective interest rate of 18%.

The purchase documents contain customary representations and warranties of the Seller and provides that the Seller will, subject to certain limitations, indemnifyJohnny Rockets, the Company against claims and losses incurred or suffered bycontributed the Company asfranchising subsidiaries of Johnny Rockets to FAT Royalty I, LLC pursuant to a result of, among other things, any inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of the Seller contained in the purchase documents.Contribution Agreement. (See Note 11).

 

The preliminary assessment of the fair value of the net assets and liabilities acquired by the Company forthrough the acquisition of Elevation BurgerJohnny Rockets was estimated at $7,193,000.$24,730,000. This preliminary assessment of fair value of the net assets and liabilities as well as the final purchase price were estimated at closing and are subject to change. Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code, if an ownership change occurs with respect to a “loss corporation”, as defined, there are annual limitations on the amount of the NOLs and certain other deductions and credits which are available to the Company (the “Section 382 and 383 Limitations”). The portion of the NOLs and other tax benefits accumulated by Johnny Rockets prior to the Acquisition are subject to these Section 382 and 382 Limitations. Analysis of these Section 382 and 383 Limitations are ongoing. The preliminary allocation of the consideration to the preliminary valuation of net tangible and intangible assets acquired is presented in the table below (in thousands):

 

Cash $10  $812 
Accounts receivable  1,452 
Assets held for sale  10,765 
Goodwill  258 
Other intangible assets  26,900 
Deferred tax assets  4,039 
Other assets  558   438 
Intangible assets  7,140 
Goodwill  521 
Current liabilities  (91)
Accounts payable  (1,113)
Accrued expenses  (3,740)
Deferred franchise fees  (758)  (4,988)
Operating lease liability  (10,028)
Other liabilities  (187)  (65)
Total net identifiable assets $7,193  $24,730 

Revenues of $2,257,000 and net loss of $26,000 attributed to Johnny Rockets are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021. The net loss attributed to Johnny Rockets includes allocations of corporate overhead in accordance with the Company’s allocation methodology.

 

The assessmentvalues of fair value is preliminarygoodwill and is based on information that was available to management and through the endother intangible assets were initially considered as of the fiscal quarter. If additional information becomes available to management related to assets acquired or liabilities assumed subsequent to this preliminary assessment of fair value but not later than one year after the date of the acquisition, measurement period adjustments will be recorded in the period in which they are determined, as if they had been completed at the acquisition date. Descriptions of the Company’s assessmentsubsequent assessments of impairment related to COVID-19 of the goodwill and other intangible assets acquired in this acquisition related to COVID-19 are located in Note 6.

13

 

Yalla Mediterranean TransactionsProforma Information

 

On December 3, 2018,The table below presents the proforma revenue and net (loss) income of the Company entered into an Intellectual Property Purchase Agreement and Licensefor the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, assuming the acquisition of Johnny Rockets had occurred on December 30, 2019 (the “IP Agreement”)beginning of the Company’s 2020 fiscal year), and Master Transaction Agreement (the “Master Agreement”) with Yalla Mediterranean, LLC (“Yalla Med”), under whichpursuant to ASC 805-10-50 (in thousands). This proforma information does not purport to represent what the actual results of operations of the Company agreedwould have been had the acquisition of Johnny Rockets occurred on this date nor does it purport to acquirepredict the intellectual propertyresults of the restaurant business of Yalla Mediterranean, LLC (the “Yalla Business”) and to acquire in theoperations for future seven restaurants currently owned by Yalla Med. Yalla Med owns and operates a fast-casual restaurant business under the brand name “Yalla Mediterranean,” specializing in fresh and healthy Mediterranean menu items, with seven upscale fast casual restaurants located in Northern and Southern California.periods.

  Thirteen Weeks Ended 
  March 28, 2021  March 29, 2020 
  (Actual)  (Proforma) 
       
Revenues $6,649  $7,674 
Net (loss) income $(2,432) $(2,357)

 

The Company, through a subsidiary, acquiredproforma information above reflects the intellectual property used in connection with the Yalla Business pursuant to the IP Agreement. Under the termscombination of the IP Agreement,Company’s unaudited results as disclosed in the purchase priceaccompanying consolidated statements of operations for the intellectual property will be paid in the form of an earn-out, calculated as the greater of $1,500,000 or 400% of Yalla Income, which includes gross franchise royalties as well as other items, as defined in the IP Agreement. The seller can require the Company to pay the purchase price in up to two installments during the ten-year period following the acquisition. At the time of the acquisition, the purchase price recorded for the intellectual property was $1,790,000. As ofthirteen weeks March 29, 2020, and December 29, 2019,together with the purchase price payable totaled $2,239,000 and $2,154,000, respectively, which includes the accretionunaudited results of interest expense at an effective interest rate of 19%.

Additionally, pursuant to the Master Agreement, the Company agreed to acquire the assets, agreements and other properties of each of the seven existing Yalla Mediterranean restaurants during a marketing period specified in the Master Agreement (the “Marketing Period”). The purchase price will be the greater of $1,000,000 or the sum of (i) the first $1,750,000 of gross sale proceeds received from the sale of the Yalla Mediterranean restaurants to franchisee/purchasers, plus (ii) the amount, if any, by which fifty percent (50%) of the net proceeds (after taking into consideration operating income or loss and transaction costs and expenses) from the sale of the Yalla Mediterranean restaurants exceeds $1,750,000. At the time of the acquisition, the purchase price recordedJohnny Rockets for the net tangible assets relating to the seven existing Yalla Mediterranean restaurants was $1,700,000. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company made a $500,000 payment against the acquisition price. As ofthirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, and December 29, 2019,with the purchase price payable totaled $1,239,000 and $1,718,000, respectively, which includes the accretion of interest expense at an effective interest rate of 5.4%.following adjustments:

 

The Company also entered into a Management Agreement under which its subsidiary will manage the operations of the seven Yalla Mediterranean restaurants and market them for sale to franchisees during the Marketing Period. Once a franchisee/purchaser has been identified, Yalla Med will transfer legal ownership of the specific restaurant to the Company’s subsidiary, which will then transfer the restaurant to the ultimate franchisee/purchaser who will own and operate the location. During the term of the Management Agreement, the Company’s subsidiary is responsible for operating expenses and has the right to receive operating income from the restaurants.

Based on the structure of the transactions outlined in the Master Agreement, the IP Agreement, and the Management Agreement, the Company has accounted for the transactions as a business combination under ASC 805.

The preliminary allocation of the total consideration recognized of $3,490,000 to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired in the Yalla Business is presented in the table below (in thousands):

Cash $82 
Accounts receivable  77 
Inventory  95 
Other assets  90 
Property and equipment  2,521 
Intangible assets  1,530 
Goodwill  263 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  (1,168)
Total net identifiable assets $3,490 

Descriptions of the Company’s assessment of impairment related to COVID-19 of the goodwill and other intangible assets acquired in this transaction are located in Note 6.

14Revenue – The unaudited proforma revenues and net (loss) income present franchise fee revenue and advertising revenue in accordance with ASC 606 in a manner consistent with the Company’s application thereof. As a non-public company, Johnny Rockets had not yet been required to adopt ASC 606.
Overhead allocations from the former parent company have been adjusted to the estimated amount the Company would have allocated for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020.
Former parent company management fees have been eliminated from the proforma.

Amortization of intangible assets has been adjusted to reflect the preliminary fair value at the assumed acquisition date.
Depreciation on assets treated as held for sale by the Company has been eliminated.
The proforma adjustments also include advertising expenses in accordance with ASC 606.
The proforma interest expense has been adjusted to exclude actual Johnny Rockets interest expense incurred prior to the acquisition. All interest-bearing liabilities were paid off at closing.
The proforma interest expense has been adjusted to include proforma interest expense that would have been incurred relating to the acquisition financing obtained by the Company.
Non-recurring gains and losses have been eliminated from the proforma statements.

 

nOTE 4. REFRANCHISING

 

As part of its ongoing franchising efforts, the Company may, from time to time, make opportunistic acquisitions of operating restaurants in order to convert them to franchise locations or acquire existing franchise locations to resell to another franchisee across all of its brands.

 

During the first quarter of 2019, theThe Company metmeets all of the criteria requiring that certainacquired assets used in the operation of certain restaurants be classified as held for sale. As a result, the following assets have been classified as held for sale on the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsheets as of March 29,28, 2021 and December 27, 2020 (in thousands):

 

 March 28, 2021 December 27, 2020 
 March 29, 2020  (Unaudited) (Audited) 
        
Property, plant and equipment $1,910  $1,355  $1,352 
Operating lease right of use assets  3,167   9,215   9,479 
Total $5,077  $10,570  $10,831 

 

Operating lease liabilities related to the assets classified as held for sale in the amount of $3,299,000,$9,656,000 and $9,892,000, have been classified as current liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 29, 2020.28, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively.

 

DuringRestaurant operating costs, net of food sales, totaled $427,000 and $539,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, the operating restaurants incurred restaurant costs28, 2021 and expenses, net of revenue of $539,000, compared to $518,000 in the prior period. There were no sales of refranchised restaurants by the Company during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, or March 31, 2019.respectively.

During the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019, a franchisee had entered into an agreement with the Company by which it agreed to sell two existing franchised locations to the Company for its refranchising program. Additionally, during the fiscal year, the Company had completed transactions to sell the two locations to new owners. During the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, as a result of COVID-19, the locations acquired from the existing franchisee became unavailable. The Company is evaluating the impact of the event and determining which existing operating restaurants will be used as a replacement for the new owners (See Note 20).

 

Note 5. NOTES RECEIVABLE

Notes receivable consist of trade notes receivable and the Elevation Buyer Note.

Trade notes receivable are created when a settlement is reached relating to a delinquent franchisee account and the entire balance is not immediately paid. Trade notes receivable generally include personal guarantees from the franchisee. The notes are made for the shortest time frame negotiable and will generally carry an interest rate of 6% to 7.5%. Reserve amounts, on the notes, are established based on the likelihood of collection. As of March 29, 2020, and December 29, 2019, these trade notes receivable totaled $250,000, which was net of reserves of $123,000.

 

The Elevation Buyer Note was funded in connection with the purchase of Elevation Burger (See Note 3).in 2019. The Company loaned $2,300,000 in cash to the Seller under a subordinated promissory note bearing interest at 6.0% per year and maturing in August 2026. This Note is subordinated in right of payment to all indebtedness of the Seller arising under any agreement or instrument to which the Seller or any of its affiliates is a party that evidences indebtedness for borrowed money that is senior in right of payment to the Elevation Buyer Note, whether existing on the effective date of the Elevation Buyer Note or arising thereafter. The balance owing to the Company under the Elevation Buyer Note may be used by the Company to offset amounts owing to the Seller under the Elevation Note under certain circumstances.circumstances (See Note 11). As part of the total consideration for the Elevation acquisition, the Elevation Buyer Note was recorded at a carrying value of $1,903,000, which was net of a discount of $397,000. As of March 29, 2020,28, 2021 and December 29, 2019,27, 2020, the balance of the Elevation Note was $1,790,000$1,850,000 and $1,814,000,$1,830,000, respectively, which was net of a discountdiscounts of $330,000$247,000 and $352,000,$267,000, respectively. During the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, the Company recognized $52,000 and $53,000 in interest income with no comparable activity in 2019.on the Elevation Buyer Note, respectively.

15

 

Note 6. GOODWILL and other intangible assets

Goodwill

 

Goodwill consists of the following (in thousands):

  

 March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019  

March 28,

2021

 

December 27,

2020

 
Goodwill:                
Fatburger $529  $529  $529  $529 
Buffalo’s  5,365   5,365   5,365   5,365 
Hurricane  2,772   2,772   2,772   2,772 
Ponderosa  1,462   1,462 
Yalla  263   263   261   261 
Elevation Burger  521   521   521   521 
Johnny Rockets  258   1,461 
Total goodwill $10,912  $10,912  $9,706  $10,909 

The Company reviewed the carrying value of its goodwill as of December 27, 2020 and recognized impairment charges as deemed necessary at that time. A subsequent review of the carrying value as of March 28, 2021 did not result in additional impairment charges for the thirteen weeks ended as of that date. There were also no impairment charges during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020.

 

Other Intangible AssetsNote 7. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Other intangible assets consist of trademarks and franchise agreements that were classified as identifiable intangible assets at the time of the brands’ acquisition by the Company or by FCCG prior to FCCG’s contribution of the brands to the Company at the time of the initial public offering (in thousands):

 

 March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019  March 28,
2021
 December 27,
2020
 
Trademarks:                
Fatburger $2,135  $2,135  $2,135  $2,135 
Buffalo’s  27   27   27   27 
Hurricane  6,840   6,840   6,840   6,840 
Ponderosa  7,230   7,230   300   300 
Yalla  1,530   1,530   776   776 
Elevation Burger  4,690   4,690   4,690   4,690 
Johnny Rockets  20,300   20,300 
Total trademarks  22,452   22,452   35,068   35,068 
                
Franchise agreements:                
Hurricane – cost  4,180   4,180   4,180   4,180 
Hurricane – accumulated amortization  (563)  (482)  (884)  (804)
Ponderosa – cost  1,640   1,640   1,477   1,477 
Ponderosa – accumulated amortization  (251)  (243)  (362)  (337)
Elevation Burger – cost  2,450   2,450   2,450   2,450 
Elevation Burger – accumulated amortization  (388)  (263)  (886)  (761)
Johnny Rockets – cost  6,600   6,600 
Johnny Rockets – accumulated amortization  (312)  (162)
Total franchise agreements  7,068   7,282   12,263   12,643 
Total Other Intangible Assets $29,520  $29,734  $47,331  $47,711 

The Company reviewed the carrying value of its other intangible assets as of December 27, 2020 and recognized impairment charges as deemed necessary at that time. A subsequent review of the carrying value as of March 28, 2021 did not result in additional impairment charges for the thirteen weeks ended as of that date. There were also no impairment charges during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020.

 

The expected future amortization of the Company’s capitalized franchise agreements is as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal year:    
2020 $718 
2021  932 
2022  932 
2023  932 
2024  932 
Thereafter  2,622 
Total $7,068 

16

In response to the adverse effects of COVID-19, we considered whether goodwill and other intangible assets needed to be evaluated for impairment as of March 29, 2020, specifically related to goodwill and the trademark assets. Given the uncertainty regarding the severity, duration and long-term effects of COVID-19, making estimates of the fair value of these assets at this time is significantly affected by assumptions related to ongoing operations including but not limited to the timing of lifting of restrictions on restaurant operating hours, in-house dining limitations or other restrictions that largely limited restaurants to take-out and delivery sales, customer engagement with our brands, the short-term and long-term impact on consumer discretionary spending, and overall global economic conditions. We considered the available facts and made qualitative and quantitative assessments and judgments for what we believed represent reasonably possible outcomes. Although the fair values of certain assets have declined since the time that the most recent annual impairment tests were conducted, we concluded it is more likely than not that neither goodwill nor tradename assets were impaired as of March 29, 2020. However, COVID-19 pandemic events will continue to evolve over time and the negative effects on the operations of our franchisees could prove to be worse than we currently estimate and lead us to record non-cash goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charges in the future periods.

Fiscal year:   
2021 $1,141 
2022  1,522 
2023  1,522 
2024  1,217 
2025  1,023 
Thereafter  5,838 
Total $12,263 

 

Note 7.8. DEFERRED INCOME

 

Deferred income is as follows (in thousands):

 

 March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019  

March 28,

2021

 

December 27,

2020

 
          
Deferred franchise fees $5,730  $5,417  $10,742  $10,003 
Deferred royalties  377   422   262   291 
Deferred advertising revenue  374   303 
Deferred vendor incentives  315   692 
Total $6,481  $6,142  $11,319  $10,986 

 

Note 8.9. Income Taxes

 

Effective October 20, 2017, the Company entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with FCCG that providesprovided that FCCG will,would, to the extent permitted by applicable law, file consolidated federal, California and Oregon (and possibly other jurisdictions where revenue is generated, at FCCG’s election) income tax returns with the Company and its subsidiaries. TheUnder the Tax Sharing Agreement, the Company willwould pay FCCG the amount that its current tax liability would have been had it filed a separate return. To the extent the Company’s required payment exceeds its share of the actual combined income tax liability (which may occur, for example, due to the application of FCCG’s net operating loss carryforwards), the Company will be permitted, in the discretion of a committee of its board of directors comprised solely of directors not affiliated with or having an interest in FCCG, to pay such excess to FCCG by issuing an equivalent amount of its common stock in lieu of cash, valued at the fair market value at the time of the payment. An inter-company receivable of approximately $26,854,000 due from FCCG and its affiliates will bewas applied first to reduce excess income tax payment obligations to FCCG under the Tax Sharing Agreement.

For financial reporting purposes, The Tax Sharing Agreement was terminated in connection with the Company has recorded a tax benefit calculated as ifMerger during the Company files its tax returns on a stand-alone basis. The amount receivable from FCCG determined by this calculationfourth quarter of $121,000 was added to amounts due from FCCG as of March 29, 2020. (See Note 12.)

 

Deferred taxes reflect the net effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for calculating taxes payablepayable. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on a stand-alone basis. Significant componentsthe weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that some portion or all of the Company’s deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of March 28, 2021 and liabilities areDecember 27, 2020, the Company recorded a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets in the amount of $678,000 and $513,000, respectively, as follows (in thousands):it determined that these amounts would not likely be realized.

  March 29, 2020  December 29, 2019 
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)        
Deferred income $1,642  $1,353 
Reserves and accruals  208   208 
Intangibles  (791)  (614)
Deferred state income tax  (105)  (91)
Tax credits  358   244 
Share-based compensation  192   192 
Fixed assets  (137)  (137)
Net operating loss carryforwards  1,023   894 
Other  (40)  (17)
Total $2,350  $2,032 

17

Components of the income tax benefit are as follows (in thousands):

  Thirteen Weeks
Ended
March 29, 2020
  Thirteen Weeks
Ended
March 31, 2019
 
Current        
Federal $(118) $(467)
State  24   (175)
Foreign  114   (182)
   20   (824)
Deferred        
Federal  (249)  30 
State  (69)  76 
   (318)  106 
Total income tax expense (benefit) $(298) $(718)

  

Income tax provision related to continuing operations differ from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to pretax income as follows (in thousands):

 

 Thirteen Weeks
Ended
 Thirteen Weeks
Ended
  Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended 
 March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019  March 28, 2021 March 29, 2020 
          
Tax benefit at statutory rate $(590) $(300) $(538) $(590)
State and local income taxes  (38)  (78) (5) (38)
Foreign taxes  121   (183) 826 121 
Tax credits  (121)  183  (826) (121)
Dividends on preferred stock  280   (327) 237 280 

Valuation allowance

 165 - 
Other  50   (13)  12  50 
Total income tax expense (benefit) $(298) $(718)
Total income tax (benefit) expense $(129) $(298)

 

As of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ annual tax filings for the prior three years are open for audit by Federal and generally, for the prior four years for state tax agencies.agencies, based on the filing date for each return. The Company is the beneficiary of indemnification agreements from the prior owners of the subsidiaries for tax liabilities related to periods prior to its ownership of the subsidiaries. Management evaluated the Company’s overall tax positions and has determined that no provision for uncertain income tax positions is necessary as of March 29, 2020.28, 2021.

 

NOTE 9.10. LEASES

 

TheAs of March 28, 2021, the Company has recorded eightthirteen operating leases for corporate offices and for certain restaurant properties that are in the process of being refranchised. The Company is not a guarantor to the leases for the restaurant locations. The leases have remaining lease terms ranging from four months2.6 to 7.5 years. Five of the leases also have options to extend the term for 5 to 1017.8 years. The Company recognized lease expense of $352,000$810,000 and $347,000 for the thirteen weeksmonths ended March 29, 202028, 2021 and March 31, 2019,29, 2020, respectively. The weighted average remaining lease term of the operating leases (not including optional lease extensions) atas of March 29, 202028, 2021 was 5.77.4 years.

18

 

Operating lease right of use assets and operating lease liabilities relating to the operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

 

  March 29, 2020  December 29, 2019 
       
Right of use assets $3,889  $4,076 
Lease liabilities $4,059  $4,206 

  

March 28,

2021

  

December 27,

2020

 
       
Right of use assets $13,340  $13,948 
Lease liabilities $14,297  $14,651 

 

The operating lease right of use assets and operating lease liabilities include obligations relating to the optional term extensions available on the five restaurant leases based on management’s intention to exercise the options. At adoption of ASC 842, theweighted average discount rate used to calculate the carrying value of the right of use assets and lease liabilities was 15.9% as this was consistent with our9.4% which is based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at the time.time the lease is acquired.

 

The contractual future maturities of the Company’s operating lease liabilities as of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, including anticipated lease extensions, are as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal year:       
2020 $797 
2021  870  $2,321 
2022  898   3,182 
2023  924   3,275 
2024  684   3,137 
2025  2,791 
Thereafter  4,881   4,855 
Total lease payments  9,054   19,561 
Less imputed interest  4,995   5,264 
Total $4,059  $14,297 

 

Supplemental cash flow information for the fiscal yearthirteen weeks ended March 29, 202028, 2021 related to leases is as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities:       
Operating cash flows from operating leases $312  $810 
Operating lease right of use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:    
Operating lease liabilities $- 

 

Note 10.11. DEBT

Loan and Security Agreement

On January 29, 2019, the Company as borrower, and its subsidiaries and affiliates as guarantors, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan and Security Agreement”) with The Lion Fund, L.P. and The Lion Fund II, L.P. (collectively, “Lion”). Pursuant to the Loan and Security Agreement, the Company borrowed $20.0 million from Lion, and utilized the proceeds to repay the existing $16.0 million term loan from FB Lending, LLC plus accrued interest and fees, and provide additional general working capital to the Company.

The term loan under the Loan and Security Agreement was due to mature on June 30, 2020. Interest on the term loan accrued at an annual fixed rate of 20.0% and was payable quarterly. The Company was allowed to prepay all or a portion of the outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the Loan and Security Agreement at any time upon prior notice to Lion without penalty, other than a make-whole provision providing for a minimum of six months’ interest. The Company was required to prepay all or a portion of the outstanding principal and accrued unpaid interest under the Loan and Security Agreement in connection with certain dispositions of assets, extraordinary receipts, issuances of additional debt or equity, or a change of control of the Company.

19

In connection with the Loan and Security Agreement, the Company issued to Lion a warrant to purchase up to 1,167,404 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $0.01 per share (the “Lion Warrant”), exercisable only if the amounts outstanding under the Loan and Security Agreement were not repaid in full prior to October 1, 2019. If the Loan and Security Agreement was repaid in full prior to October 1, 2019, the Lion Warrant would be terminated in its entirety.

As security for its obligations under the Loan Agreement, the Company granted a lien on substantially all of its assets to Lion. In addition, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates entered into a Guaranty (the “Guaranty”) in favor of Lion, pursuant to which they guaranteed the obligations of the Company under the Loan and Security Agreement and granted as security for their guaranty obligations a lien on substantially all of their assets.

The Loan and Security Agreement contained customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limited or restricted the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur other indebtedness, grant liens, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets, pay dividends or make distributions, in each case subject to customary exceptions. The Loan and Security Agreement also included customary events of default that included, among other things, non-payment, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant breaches, events that result in a material adverse effect (as defined in the Loan and Security Agreement), cross default to other material indebtedness, bankruptcy, insolvency and material judgments. The occurrence and continuance of an event of default could have resulted in the acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Loan and Security Agreement and an increase in the interest rate by 5.0% per annum.

On the issuance date, the Company evaluated the allocation of the proceeds between the Loan and Security Agreement and the Lion Warrant based on the relative fair values of each. Since the Lion Warrant only was to become effective if the amounts outstanding under the Loan and Security Agreement were not repaid in full prior to October 1, 2019, no value was assigned to it as of the grant date. The Company intended to refinance the debt prior to the beginning of the exercise period of the Lion Warrant.

On June 19, 2019, the Company amended its existing loan facility with Lion. The Company entered into a First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement (the “First Amendment”), which amended the Loan and Security Agreement originally dated January 29, 2019. Pursuant to the First Amendment, the Company increased its borrowings by $3,500,000 in order to fund the Elevation Buyer Note in connection with the acquisition of Elevation, acquire other assets and pay fees and expenses of the transactions. The First Amendment also added the acquired Elevation-related entities as guarantors and loan parties.

On July 24, 2019, the Company entered into a first amendment to the Lion Warrant, which extended the date on which the Lion Warrant was initially exercisable from October 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, which coincided with the maturity date of the loans made under the Loan Agreement. The Lender Warrant was only exercisable if the amounts outstanding under the Loan Agreement were not repaid in full prior to the Exercise Date.

The Company agreed to pay the Lenders an extension fee of $500,000 in the form of an increase in the principal amount loaned under the Loan and Security Agreement, and on July 24, 2019 entered into a second amendment to the Loan Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) to reflect this increase. Under the Second Amendment, the parties also agreed to amend the Loan and Security Agreement to provide for a late fee of $400,000 payable if the Company failed to make any quarterly interest payment by the fifth business day after the end of each fiscal quarter.

From January 6, 2020 through February 21, 2020, the Company entered into a series of amendments to the Lion Loan and Security Agreement (the “Third Through Seventh Amendments”), which granted five successive extensions of the due date for the payment of the quarterly interest payment which was originally due January 6, 2020 (the “January Quarterly Interest”). The final result of the Third Through Seventh Amendments, extended the due date for the payment of the January Quarterly Interest payment to March 13, 2020. The Company agreed to pay Lion a total extension fee of $650,000 with the interest payment. Upon payment of the January Quarterly Interest and the extension fee, Lion agreed to waive other late fees which may accrue relating to the payment and waive any default or event of default relating to the conversion of EB Franchises, LLC from a Virginia limited liability company to a Delaware limited liability company.

20

On March 6, 2020, the Company repaid the Lion Loan and Security Agreement in full by making a total payment of approximately $26,771,000. This consisted of $24,000,000 in principle, approximately $2,120,000 in accrued interest and $651,000 in penalties and fees. As a result of the prepayment, the Lion Warrant was cancelled in its entirety.

The Company recognized interest expense on the Loan and Security Agreement of $1,783,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, which includes $212,000 for amortization of all unaccreted debt offering costs at the time of the repayment and $650,000 in penalties and fees, representing an effective interest rate of 44.3%. The Company recognized interest expense on the Loan and Security Agreement of $720,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019, which included $32,000 for amortization of debt offering costs, representing an effective interest rate of 20.9%.

Elevation Note

On June 19, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Elevation Burger. A portion of the purchase price included the issuance to the Seller of a convertible subordinated promissory note (the “Elevation Note”) with a principal amount of $7,509,816, bearing interest at 6.0% per year and maturing in July 2026. The Elevation Note is convertible under certain circumstances into shares of the Company’s common stock at $12.00 per share. In connection with the valuation of the acquisition of Elevation Burger, the Elevation Note was recorded on the financial statements of the Company at $6,185,000, which is net of a loan discount of $1,295,000 and debt offering costs of $30,000. As of March 29, 2020, the carrying value of the Elevation Note was $5,772,000 which is net of the loan discount of $1,078,000 and debt offering costs of $63,000. The Company recognized interest expense relating to the Elevation Note during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 in the amount of $189,000, which included amortization of the loan discount of $71,000 and amortization of $3,000 in debt offering costs, with no comparable activity in the first quarter of 2019. The effective interest rate for the Elevation Note during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 was 13.1%.

The Company is required to make fully amortizing payments of $110,000 per month during the term of the Elevation Note. The Elevation Note is a general unsecured obligation of Company and is subordinated in right of payment to all indebtedness of the Company arising under any agreement or instrument to which Company or any of its Affiliates is a party that evidences indebtedness for borrowed money that is senior in right of payment. FCCG has guaranteed payment of the Elevation Note.

 

Securitization

 

On March 6, 2020, the Company completed a whole-business securitization (the “Securitization”) through the creation of a bankruptcy-remote issuing entity, FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC (“FAT Royalty”), in which FAT Royalty issued new notes (the “Securitization$20 million of Series 2020-1 Fixed Rates Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2 and $20 million of Series 2020-1 Fixed Rate Senior Subordinated Notes, Class B-2 (collectively the “Series A-2 and B-2 Notes”) pursuant to an indenture and the supplement thereto, each dated March 6, 2020 (collectively, the “Indenture”).

 

The new notes consist ofSeries A-2 and B-2 Notes have the following:following terms:

 

Note  

Public

Rating

 Seniority Issue Amount  Coupon  First Call Date Final Legal Maturity Date
                
A-2  BB Senior $20,000,000   6.50% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026
B-2  B Senior Subordinated $20,000,000   9.00% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026
Note Public
Rating
 Seniority 

Issue

Amount

  Coupon  First Call Date Final Legal Maturity Date
               
Series A-2 BB Senior $20,000,000   6.50% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026
Series B-2 B Senior Subordinated $20,000,000   9.00% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026

 

Net proceeds from the issuance of the SecuritizationSeries A-2 and B-2 Notes were $37,314,000,$37,389,000, which consistsconsisted of the combined face amount of $40,000,000, net of discounts of $246,000 and debt offering costs of $2,440,000.$2,365,000. The discount and offering costs will beare accreted as additional interest expense over the expected term of the SecuritizationSeries A-2 and B-2 Notes.

 

A portionOn September 21, 2020, FAT Royalty completed the sale of an additional $40 million of Series 2020-2 Fixed Rate Asset-Backed Notes (the “Series M-2 Notes”), pursuant to the Indenture as amended by the Series 2020-2 Supplement.

The Series M-2 Notes consist of the following:

Note Seniority  Issue Amount  Coupon  First Call Date Final Legal Maturity Date
                 
M-2  Subordinated  $40,000,000   9.75% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026

Net proceeds from the issuance of the Series M-2 Notes were $35,371,000, which consists of the face amount of $40,000,000, net of discounts of $3,200,000 and debt offering costs of $1,429,000. The discount and offering costs are accreted as additional interest expense over the expected term of the Series M-2 Notes.

The Series M-2 Notes are subordinate to the Series A-2 and B-2 Notes. The Series A-2 and B-2 Notes and the Series M-2 Notes (collectively, the “2020 Securitization was used to repay the remaining $26,771,000 in outstanding balanceNotes”) issued under the LoanIndenture, as amended, are secured by an interest in substantially all of the assets of FAT Royalty, including the Johnny Rockets companies, that have been contributed to FAT Royalty and Security Agreement with Lionare obligations only of FAT Royalty under the Indenture and to pay Securitization debt offering costs. The remaining proceeds fromnot obligations of the Securitization will be used for working capital.Company.

21

 

While the 2020 Securitization Notes are outstanding, scheduled payments of principal and interest are required to be made on a quarterly basis. It is expected that the Securitization Notes will be repaid prior to the Final Legal Maturity Date,basis, with the anticipated repayment date occurring in January 2023 forscheduled principal payments of $1,000,000 per quarter on each of the Series A-2 and Series B-2 Notes and October 2023 for$200,000 per quarter on the B-2Series M-2 Notes (the “Anticipated Repayment Dates”). Ifbeginning the Company has not repaid or refinanced the Securitization Notes prior to the applicable Anticipated Repayment Date, additional interest expense will begin to accrue and all additional proceeds will be trapped for full amortization, as defined in the Indenture.second quarter of 2021.

 

In connection with the Securitization, FAT Royalty and each of the FAT Brands FranchisingFranchise Entities (as defined in the Indenture) entered into a Management Agreement with the Company, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Management Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to act as manager of FAT Royalty and each of the FAT Brands Franchise Entities. The Management Agreement provides for a management fee payable monthly by FAT Royalty to the Company in the amount of $200,000, subject to three percent (3%) annual increases (the “Management Fee”). The primary responsibilities of the manager are to perform certain franchising, distribution, intellectual property and operational functions on behalf of the FAT Brands Franchise Entities pursuant to the Management Agreement.

 

The 2020 Securitization Notes are secured by substantially all of the assets of FAT Royalty, including the equity interests in the FAT Brands FranchisingFranchise Entities. The restrictions placed on the Company’s subsidiaries require that the Company’sFAT Royalty’s principal and interest obligations have first priority, after the payment of the Management Fee and certain other FAT Royalty expenses (as defined in the Indenture), and amounts are segregated monthly to ensure appropriate funds are reserved to pay the quarterly principal and interest amounts due. The amount of monthly cash flow that exceeds the required monthly debt service is generally remitted to the Company. Once the required obligations are satisfied, there are no further restrictions, including payment of dividends, on the cash flows of the subsidiaries. As of March 29, 2020, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

The 2020 Securitization Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any jurisdiction. No Notes or any interest or participation thereof may be reoffered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred unless such Note meets certain requirements as described in the Indenture.

 

The 2020 Securitization Notes are subject to certain financial and non-financial covenants, including a debt service coverage ratio calculation, as defined in the Indenture. In the event thatIf certain covenants are not met, the 2020 Securitization Notes may become partially or fully due and payable on an accelerated schedule. In addition, the CompanyFAT Royalty may voluntarily prepay, in part or in full, the 2020 Securitization Notes in accordance with the provisions in the Indenture. As of March 28, 2021, FAT Royalty was in compliance with these covenants.

 

As of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, the recorded balance of the 2020 Securitization Notes was $37,309,000,$73,682,000, which is net of debt offering costs of $2,450,000$3,216,000 and original issue discount of $241,000.$3,102,000. As of December 27, 2020, the recorded balance of the 2020 Securitization Notes was $73,369,000, which was net of debt offering costs of $3,374,000 and original issue discount of $3,257,000. The Company recognized interest expense on the 2020 Securitization Notes of $288,000$2,063,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021, which includes $158,000 for amortization of debt offering costs and $155,000 for amortization of the original issue discount. The average effective interest rate of the 2020 Securitization Notes, including the amortization of debt offering costs and original issue discount, was 11.2% for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021.

The 2020 Securitization Notes were repaid in full in April 2021 (see Note 21).

Loan and Security Agreement

On January 29, 2019, the Company as borrower, and its subsidiaries and affiliates as guarantors, entered into the Loan and Security Agreement with Lion. Pursuant to the Loan and Security Agreement, the Company borrowed $20.0 million from Lion, and utilized the proceeds to repay the existing $16.0 million term loan from FB Lending, LLC plus accrued interest and fees, and provide additional general working capital to the Company.

The term loan under the Loan and Security Agreement was due to mature on June 30, 2020. Interest on the term loan accrued at an annual fixed rate of 20.0% and was payable quarterly.

The Loan and Security Agreement was subsequently amended several times which allowed the Company to increase its borrowing by $3,500,000 in connection with the acquisition of Elevation Burger; extended the exercise date of the Lion Warrant to June 30, 2020; extended the due date for certain quarterly payments and imposed associated extension and other loan fees.

On March 6, 2020, the Company repaid the Lion Loan and Security Agreement in full by making a total payment of approximately $26,771,000. This consisted of $24,000,000 in principle, approximately $2,120,000 in accrued interest and $651,000 in penalties and fees.

The Company recognized interest expense on the Loan and Security Agreement of $1,783,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, which includes $33,000$212,000 for amortization of all unaccreted debt offering costs at the time of the repayment and $5,000 for$650,000 in penalties and fees.

Elevation Note

On June 19, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Elevation Burger. A portion of the purchase price included the issuance to the Seller of a convertible subordinated promissory note (the “Elevation Note”) with a principal amount of $7,510,000, bearing interest at 6.0% per year and maturing in July 2026. The Elevation Note is convertible under certain circumstances into shares of the Company’s common stock at $12.00 per share. In connection with the valuation of the acquisition of Elevation Burger, the Elevation Note was recorded on the financial statements of the Company at $6,185,000, which is net of a loan discount of $1,295,000 and debt offering costs of $30,000.

As of March 28, 2021, the carrying value of the Elevation Note was $5,987,000 which is net of the loan discount of $807,000 and debt offering costs of $53,000. As of December 27, 2020, the carrying value of the Elevation Note was $5,919,000 which is net of the loan discount of $872,000 and debt offering costs of $56,000. The Company recognized interest expense relating to the Elevation Note during the thirteen months ended March 28, 2021 in the amount of $171,000, which included amortization of the original issue discount.loan discount of $65,000 and amortization of $3,000 in debt offering costs. The effectiveCompany recognized interest rate ofexpense relating to the Securitization Notes was 9.3% forElevation Note during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 in the amount of $189,000, which included amortization of the loan discount of $71,000 and amortization of $3,000 in debt offering costs. The effective interest rate for the Elevation Note during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 was 11.5%.

The Elevation Note is a general unsecured obligation of Company and is subordinated in right of payment to all indebtedness of the Company arising under any agreement or instrument to which Company or any of its Affiliates is a party that evidences indebtedness for borrowed money that is senior in right of payment.

Paycheck Protection Program Loans

During 2020, the Company received loan proceeds in the amount of approximately $1,532,000 under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loans”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (the “EIDL Loans”). The Paycheck Protection Program, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times of the average monthly payroll expenses of the qualifying business. The loans and accrued interest are forgivable after eight weeks as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and maintains its payroll levels. The amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower terminates employees or reduces salaries during the eight-week period.

At inception, the PPP Loans and EIDL Loans related to FAT Brands Inc. as well as five restaurant locations that were part of the Company’s refranchising program. While the Company currently believes that its use of the loan proceeds will meet the conditions for forgiveness of the loans, there can be no assurance that the Company will be eligible for forgiveness of the loans, in whole or in part. Any unforgiven portion of the PPP Loans is payable over two years at an interest rate of 1%, with a deferral of payments for the first six months. As of March 28, 2021 and December 27, 2020, the balance remaining on the PPP Loans and EIDL Loans was $1,186,000 and $1,183,000 related to FAT Brands Inc., as the five restaurant locations were closed or refranchised during the second and third quarters of 2020.

Subsequent to March 28, 2021, the PPP Loans and EIDL Loans were forgiven (see Note 21).

Assumed Debt from Merger

The following debt of FCCG (the “FCCG Debt”) was assumed by Fog Cutter Acquisition LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, as part of the Merger (in thousands):

  March 28, 2021 
Note payable to a private lender. The note bears interest at a fixed rate of 12% and is unsecured. Interest is due monthly in arrears. The note matures on May 21, 2021. $1,978 
     
Note payable to a private lender. The note bears interest at a fixed rate of 12% and is unsecured. Interest is due monthly in arrears. The note matures on May 21, 2021.  2,871 
     
Note payable to a private lender. The note bears interest at a fixed rate of 15%. The note matures May 21, 2021.  17 
     
Note payable to a private lender. The note bears interest at a fixed rate of 12%. Interest is due monthly in arrears. The note matures May 21, 2021.  779 
     
Consideration payable to former FCCG shareholders issued in redemption of fractional shares of FCCG’s stock. The consideration is unsecured and non-interest bearing and is due and payable on May 21, 2021.  6,864 
     
Total $12,509 

Subsequent to March 28, 2021, the FCCG Debt was repaid in full (see Note 21).

 

Note 11.12. PREFERRED STOCK

 

Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock

 

On October 3 and October 4, 2019,July 13, 2020, the Company completed the initial closing of its continuousentered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) to issue and sell in a public offering (the “Series B Preferred Offering”“Offering”) of up to $30,000,000 of units (the “Series B Units”) at $25.00 per Series B Unit, with each Series B Unit comprised of one share360,000 shares of 8.25% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and 0.601,800,000 warrants, plus 99,000 additional warrants pursuant to the underwriter’s overallotment option (the “Series“2020 Series B Offering Warrants”), to purchase common stock at $8.50$5.00 per share,share. In the Underwriting Agreement, the Company agreed to pay the underwriters an underwriting discount of 8.0% of the gross proceeds received by the Company in the Offering and issue five-year warrants exercisable for five years.1% of the number of Series B Preferred Stock shares and the number of 2020 Series B Offering Warrants sold in the Offering.

 

The offering includes up to 1,200,000In connection with the Offering, on July 15, 2020 the Company filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of Delaware, designating a total of 850,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”), and on July 16, 2020 entered into a Warrant Agency Agreement with VStock Transfer, LLC, to act as the Warrant Agent for the Series B Offering Warrants initially exercisable(the “Warrant Agency Agreement”).

The Certificate of Designation amends and restates the terms of the Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock issued in October 2019 (the “Original Series B Preferred”). At the time of the Offering, there were 57,140 shares of the Original Series B Preferred outstanding, together with warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 720,00034,284 shares of ourthe Company’s common stock. stock at an exercise price of $8.50 per share (the “Series B Warrants”).

The sharesOffering closed on July 16, 2020 with net proceeds to the Company of $8,122,000, which was net of $878,000 in underwriting and offering costs.

Holders of Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the FAT Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, in its sole discretion, out of funds of the Company legally available for the payment of distributions, cumulative preferential cash dividends at a rate per annum equal to the 8.25% multiplied by $25.00 per share stated liquidation preference of the Series B Preferred Stock. The dividends shall accrue without interest and accumulate, whether or not earned or declared, on each issued and outstanding share of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series B Warrants will be issued separately but can only be purchased together infrom (and including) the Series B Preferred Offering. Each Warrant will be immediately exercisable and will expire on the five-year anniversary of theoriginal date of issuance.issuance of such share and shall be payable monthly in arrears on a date selected by the Company each calendar month that is no later than twenty (20) days following the end of each calendar month.

 

TheIf the Company willfails to pay cumulative dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock fromin full for any twelve accumulated, accrued and includingunpaid dividend periods, the date of original issuance individend rate shall increase to 10% until the amount of $2.0625 per share each year, which is equivalent to 8.25% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share. DividendsCompany has paid all accumulated accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock willin full and has paid accrued dividends during the two most recently completed dividend periods in full, at which time the 8.25% dividend rate shall be payable quarterly in arrears based on the Company’s fiscal quarters.reinstated.

22

 

The Company may not redeem the Series B Preferred Stock before the first anniversary of the initial issuance date. After the first anniversary of the initial issuance date the Company has the option to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, for cash, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption at the following redemption price per share:

After the first anniversary and on or prior to the second anniversary at $27.50 per share
After the second anniversary and on or prior to the third anniversary at $26.125 per share
After the third anniversary at $25.00 per share

The Series B Preferred Stock will mature on the five-year anniversary of the initial issuance date or the earlier liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company. Upon maturity, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cash redemption of their shares in an amount equal to $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

Holders of Series B Preferred Stock have the option to cause the Company to redeem all or any portion of their Series B Preferred Stock following the first anniversary of the initial issuance date for cash at the following redemption prices per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends:

 

 (i)After the first anniversaryJuly 16, 2020 and on or prior to the second anniversary at $22.00July 16, 2021: $27.50 per shareshare.
 (ii)After the second anniversaryJuly 16, 2021 and on or prior to the third anniversary at $22.50July 16, 2022: $27.00 per shareshare.
 (iii)After the third anniversaryJuly 16, 2022 and on or prior to the fourth anniversary at $23.00July 16, 2023: $26.50 per shareshare.
 (iv)After the fourth anniversary atJuly 16, 2023 and on or prior to July 16, 2024: $26.00 per share.
(v)After July 16, 2024 and on or prior to July 16, 2025: $25.50 per share.
(vi)After July 16, 2025: $25.00 per shareshare.

 

The rightsAs a result of holdersthe amended and restated terms of the Series B Preferred Stock to receive their liquidation preference also will be subject to the proportionate rights of our Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, and any other class or series of our capital stock ranking in parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to liquidation.

As of March 29, 2020, there were 57,140 shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding.

The Company classified the Series B Preferred Stock as long-term debt because it containsequity as of July 15, 2020.

Concurrent with the Offering, the holders of the outstanding 57,140 shares of Original Series B Preferred became subject to the new terms of the Certificate of Designation. As a result, the recorded value of the new Series B Stock was $1,136,000 with $292,000 allocated to the 2020 Series B Offering Warrants. The original holders were also issued 3,537 shares of new Series B Preferred Shares in payment of $88,000 accrued and outstanding dividends relating to the Original Series B Preferred at a price of $25 per share.

The Company entered into an unconditional obligation requiringagreement to exchange 15,000 shares of Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock owned by FCCG for 60,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock valued at $1,500,000, pursuant to a Settlement, Redemption and Release Agreement. The Company also agreed to issue 14,449 shares of Series B Preferred Stock valued at $361,224 as consideration for accrued dividends due to FCCG.

The Company entered into an agreement to exchange all of the outstanding shares of Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock for 168,001 shares of Series B Preferred Stock valued at $4,200,000, pursuant to a Settlement, Redemption and Release Agreement with the holders of such shares.

In connection with the acquisition of FCCG by the Company, in December 2020 the Company declared a special stock dividend (the “Special Dividend”) payable only to redeemholders of our Common Stock, other than FCCG, on the instruments at the maturityrecord date, or upon the electionconsisting of the holders as described above in cash. The associated0.2319998077 shares of Series B Warrants have been recorded as additional paid-in capital. OnCumulative Preferred Stock for each outstanding share of Common Stock held by such stockholders. The Special Dividend was paid on December 23, 2020 and resulted in the issuance of 520,145 additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock with a market value on the payment date the Company allocated the proceeds betweenof approximately $8,885,000.

As of March 28, 2021, the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series B Warrants based on the relative fair valuesconsisted of each.

As1,183,272 shares outstanding with a balance of March 29, 2020, the net Series B Preferred Stock balance was $1,090,000 including an unaccreted debt discount of $15,000 and unamortized debt offering costs of $324,000.$21,267,000. The Company recognized interest expense ondeclared preferred dividends to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock of $48,000 fortotaling $610,000 during the fiscal quarterthirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, which includes accretion expense of the debt discount of $1,000 and amortization of debt offering costs of $19,000. The effective interest rate for the Series B Preferred Stock for 2020 was 17.7%.28, 2021.

Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock

 

On June 8, 2018, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate of Designation”), designating a total of 100,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designation contains the following terms pertaining to the Series A Preferred Stock:

 

Dividends– Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative dividends on the $100.00 per share stated liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock, in the amount of (i) cash dividends at a rate of 9.9% per year, plus (ii) deferred dividends equal to 4.0% per year, payable on the Mandatory Redemption Date (defined below).

23

Voting Rights – As long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding and remain unredeemed, theThe Company may not, without the majority vote of the Series A Preferred Stock, (a) alter or change adversely the rights, preferences or voting power given to the Series A Preferred Stock, (b) enter into any merger, consolidation or share exchange that adversely affects the rights, preferences or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock, (c) authorize or increase any other series or class of stock that has rights senior to the Series A Preferred Stock, or (d) waive or amend the dividend restrictions in Sections 3(d) or 3(e) of the Certificate of Designation. The Series A Preferred Stock will not have any other voting rights, except as may be provided under applicable law.

Liquidation and Redemption - Upon (i) the five-year anniversary of the initial issuance date (June 8, 2023), or (ii) the earlier liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company (the “Series A Mandatory Redemption Date”), the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to cash redemption of their shares in an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

In addition, prior to the Series A Mandatory Redemption Date, the Company may optionally redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at the following redemption prices per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends:

(i)On or prior to June 30, 2021: $115.00 per share.
(ii)After June 30, 2021 and on or prior to June 30, 2022: $110.00 per share.
(iii)After June 30, 2022: $100.00 per share.

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock may also optionally cause the Company to redeem all or any portion of their shares of Series A Preferred Stock beginning any time after the two-year anniversary of the initial issuance date for an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, which amount may be settled in cash or Common Stock of the Company, at the option of the holder. If a holder elects to receive Common Stock, the shares will be issued based on the 20-day volume weighted average price of the Common Stock immediately preceding the date of the holder’s redemption notice.

As of March 29, 2020, there were 100,000 shares of Series A Preferred stock outstanding, issued in the following two transactions:

 

 (i)On June 7, 2018, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement for the issuance and sale (the “Offering”“Series A Offering”) of 800 units (the “Units”), with each Unit consisting of (i) 100 shares of the Company’s newly designated Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and (ii) warrants (the “Series A Warrants”) to purchase 127 shares of the Company’s Common Stockcommon stock at $7.83 per share. The sales price of each Unit was $10,000, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company from the initial closing of $8,000,000 and the issuance of 80,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series A Warrants to purchase 102,125 shares of common stock (the “Subscription Warrants”).

 

 (ii)On June 27, 2018, the Company entered into a Note Exchange Agreement, as amended, under which it agreed with FCCG to exchange all but $950,000 of the remaining balance of the Company’s outstanding Promissory Note issued to the FCCG on October 20, 2017, in the original principal amount of $30,000,000 (the “Note”). At the time, the Note had an estimated outstanding balance of principal plus accrued interest of $10,222,000 (the “Note Balance”). On June 27, 2018, $9,272,053 of the Note Balance was exchanged for shares of capital stock of the Company and warrants in the following amounts (the “Exchange Shares”):

 

 $2,000,000 of the Note Balance was exchanged for 200 Units consisting of 20,000 shares of Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company at $100 per share and Series A Warrants to purchase 25,530 of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.83 per share (the “Exchange Warrants”); and

 $7,272,053 of the Note Balance was exchanged for 1,010,420 shares of Common Stockcommon stock of the Company, representing an exchange price of $7.20 per share, which was the closing trading price of the Common Stockcommon stock on June 26, 2018.

 

On July 13, 2020, the Company entered into the following transactions pertaining to the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock:

241.The Company entered into an agreement to redeem 80,000 outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, held by Trojan Investments, LLC pursuant to a Stock Redemption Agreement that provides for the redemption at face value of a portion of such shares for cash from the proceeds of the Offering and the balance to be redeemed in $2 million tranches every six months, with the final payment due by December 31, 2021.
2.The Company redeemed 5,000 outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, held by Ridgewood Select Value Fund LP and its affiliate at face value for cash from the proceeds of the Offering.
3.The Company exchanged 15,000 outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, held by FCCG at face value for shares of Series B Preferred Stock valued at $25.00 per share.

 

The Company classifies the Series A Preferred Stock as long-term debt because it contains an obligation to issue a variable number of common shares for a fixed monetary amount. debt.

As of March 29, 2020, the net28, 2021, there were 80,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding, with a balance was $9,919,000of $7,970,000 which is net of an unaccreted debt discount of $71,000 and unamortized debt offering costs and discounts of $10,000.$30,000.

 

The Company recognized interest expense on the Series A Preferred Stock of $288,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021, which includes accretion expense of $9,000 as well as $1,000 for the amortization of debt offering costs. The Company recognized interest expense on the Series A Preferred Stock of $355,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, which includes accretion expense of $6,000 and $1,000 for the amortization of debt offering costs, representing ancosts. The year-to-date effective interest rate of 14.3%. The Company recognized interest expense onfor the Series A Preferred Stock of $354,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019, which includes accretion expense of $5,000 as well as $1,000 for the amortization of debt offering costs, representing an effective interest rate of 14.2%%2021 was 14.5%.

Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock

On July 3, 2018, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A-1 Certificate of Designation”), designating a total of 200,000 shares of Series A-1 Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”). As of March 29, 2020, there were 45,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The Series A-1 Certificate of Designation contains the following terms pertaining to the Series A-1 Preferred Stock:

Dividends. Holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative dividends on the $100.00 per share stated liquidation preference of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, in the amount of cash dividends at a rate of 6.0% per year.

Voting Rights. As long as any shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock are outstanding and remain unredeemed, the Company may not, without the majority vote of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, (a) materially and adversely alter or change the rights, preferences or voting power given to the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, (b) enter into any merger, consolidation or share exchange that materially and adversely affects the rights, preferences or voting power of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, or (c) waive or amend the dividend restrictions in Sections 3(d) or 3(e) of the Certificate of Designation. The Series A-1 Preferred Stock will not have any other voting rights, except as may be provided under applicable law.

Liquidation and Redemption. Upon (i) the five-year anniversary of the initial issuance date (July 3, 2023), or (ii) the earlier liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company (the “Series A-1 Mandatory Redemption Date”), the holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to cash redemption of their shares in an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. In addition, prior to the Mandatory Redemption Date, the Company may optionally redeem the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at par plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

Holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock may also optionally cause the Company to redeem all or any portion of their shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock beginning any time after the two-year anniversary of the initial issuance date for an amount equal to $100.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, which amount may be settled in cash or Common Stock of the Company, at the option of the holder. If a holder elects to receive Common Stock, shares will be issued as payment for redemption at the rate of $11.75 per share of Common Stock.

As of March 29, 2020, there were 45,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock outstanding.

The Company classifies the Series A-1 Preferred Stock as long-term debt because it contains an obligation to issue a variable number of common shares for a fixed monetary amount.

As of March 29, 2020, the net Series A-1 Preferred Stock balance was $4,415,000 which is net of an unaccreted debt discount of $62,000 and unamortized debt offering costs of $23,000.

The Company recognized interest expense on the Series A-1 Preferred Stock of $50,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, which was net of an adjustment to the debt discount in the amount of $19,000 as well as $2,000 for the amortization of debt offering costs, representing an effective interest rate of 4.6%. The Company recognized interest expense on the Series A-1 Preferred Stock of $77,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019, which included recognized accretion expense of $8,000, as well as $2,000 for the amortization of debt offering costs, representing an effective interest rate of 6.9%.

25

The issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series A-1 Preferred Stock was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to the exemption for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act and in reliance on similar exemptions under applicable state laws. Each of the investors in the Offering represented that it is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D and was acquiring the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities were offered without any general solicitation by the Company or its representatives.

 

Note 12.13. Related Party Transactions

During the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021, there were no reportable related party transactions. For the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, the Company reported the following:

Due from Affiliates

 

On April 24, 2020, the Company entered into an Intercompany Revolving Credit Agreement with FCCG (“Intercompany Agreement”). The Company had previously extended credit to FCCG pursuant to a certain Intercompany Promissory Note (the “Original Note”), dated October 20, 2017, with an initial principal balance of $11,906,000. Subsequent to the issuance of the Original Note, the Company and certain of its direct or indirect subsidiaries made additional intercompany advances in the aggregate amount of $10,523,000. Pursuant to the Intercompany Agreement, the revolving credit facility bearsbore interest at a rate of 10% per annum, hashad a five-year term with no prepayment penalties, and hashad a maximum capacity of $35,000,000. All additional borrowings under the Intercompany Agreement arewere subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, in advance, on a quarterly basis and may behave been subject to other conditions as set forth by the Company. The initial balance under the Intercompany Agreement totaled $21,067,000 including the balance of the Original Note, borrowings subsequent to the Original Note, accrued and unpaid interest income, and other adjustments through December 29, 2019. As of March 29, 2020, the balance receivable under the Intercompany Agreement was $26,854,000.

 

During the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, the Company recorded a receivable from FCCG in the amount of $121,000 under the Tax Sharing Agreement, which was added to the intercompany receivable. During the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded a receivable from FCCG in the amount of $467,000 under the Tax Sharing Agreement. (See Note 8).

Effective July 5, 2018, the Company made a preferred capital investment in Homestyle Dining LLC, a Delaware limited liability corporation (“HSD”) in the amount of $4.0 million (the “Preferred Interest”). FCCG owns all of the common interests in HSD. The holder of the Preferred Interest is entitled to a 15% priority return on the outstanding balance of the investment (the “Preferred Return”). Any available cash flows from HSD on a quarterly basis are to be distributed to pay the accrued Preferred Return and repay the Preferred Interest until fully retired. On or before the five-year anniversary of the investment, the Preferred Interest is to be fully repaid, together with all previously accrued but unpaid Preferred Return. FCCG has unconditionally guaranteed repayment of the Preferred Interest in the event HSD fails to do so. As of March 29, 2020, the balance receivable, including accrued and unpaid interest income, under the Preferred Interest was $5,050,000.

 

Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock

 

On October 3 and October 4, 2019, the Company completed the initial closing of its continuous public offering (the “Series B Preferred Offering”) of up to $30,000,000 of units (the “Series B Units”) at $25.00 per Series B Unit, with each Series B Unit comprised of one share of 8.25% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and 0.60 warrants (the “Series B Warrants”) to purchase common stock at $8.50 per share, exercisable for five years. At the initial closing of the Preferred Offering, the Company completed the sale of 43,080 Series B Units for gross proceeds of $1,077,000.

  

As of March 29, 2020, the following reportable related persons participated in the initial closing of the Company’s Preferred Offering:

26

 

 Andrew Wiederhorn, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, acquired 20,000 Series B Units for $500,000 comprised of 20,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 12,000 Series B Warrants to purchase 12,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.50 per share, and
   
 Squire Junger, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, acquired 5,000 Series B Units for $125,000 comprised of 5,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 3,000 Series B Warrants to purchase 3,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.50 per share.
   
 In aggregate, Mr. Wiederhorn, Mr. Junger, and other related parties acquired 33,000 Series B Units for $825,000 comprised of 33,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 19,800 Series B Warrants to purchase 19,800 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.50 per share.

 

Note 13.14. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

As of March 29, 2020,28, 2021 and December 29, 2019,27, 2020, the total number of authorized shares of common stock was 25,000,000, and there were 11,876,65912,029,264 and 11,860,29911,926,264 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.

 

Below are the changes to the Company’s common stock during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020:28, 2021:

 

 On February 11, 2020, theThe Company issued a total of 16,360103,000 shares of common stock at a valuebetween February 10, 2021 and February 17, 2021 in satisfaction of $4.585 per sharethe exercise of certain 2020 Series B Offering Warrants. The proceeds to the non-employee membersCompany from the exercise of the board of directors as consideration for accrued directors’ fees.options totaled $515,000.

 

Note 14.15. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Effective September 30, 2017, the Company adopted the 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which the Company can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to officers, employees and directors of, and consultants and advisers to, FAT Brands Inc. and its subsidiaries. The Plan provides a maximum of 1,021,250 shares available for grant.

 

All of the stock options issued by the Company to date have included a vesting period of three years, with one-third of each grant vesting annually. The Company’s stock option activity for fiscal yearthirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 can be28, 2021 is summarized as follows:

 

  Number of Shares  Weighted Average Exercise Price  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) 
Stock options outstanding at December 29, 2019  722,481  $8.45   8.2 
Grants  -  $-   - 
Forfeited  (44,250) $8.01   8.5 
Expired  -  $-   - 
Stock options outstanding at March 29, 2020  678,231  $8.48   8.2 
Stock options exercisable at March 29, 2020  318,271  $9.88   7.9 

27

  Number of Shares  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)
 
Stock options outstanding at December 27, 2020  656,105  $8.21   7.5 
Grants  -  $-   - 
Forfeited  -  $-   - 
Expired  -  $-   - 
Stock options outstanding at March 28, 2021  656,105  $8.21   7.5 
Stock options exercisable at March 28,2021  453,566  $9.34   7.1 

 

The range of assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model to record the stock-based compensation are as follows:

 

   

Including

Non-Employee

Options

 
Expected dividend yield  4.00%0% - 10.43%
Expected volatility  30.23% - 31.73%
Risk-free interest rate  1.52%0.32% - 2.85%
Expected term (in years)  5.50 – 5.75 

 

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense in the amount of $15,000$37,000 and $81,000,$15,000, respectively, during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 202028, 2021 and March 31, 2019.29, 2020. As of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, there remains $104,000$124,000 of related share-based compensation expense relating to non-vested grants, which will be recognized over the remaining vesting period, subject to future forfeitures.

 

Note 15.16. WARRANTS

Outstanding Warrants

 

As of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, the Company had issued the following outstanding warrants to purchase shares of its common stock:

 

 Warrants issued on October 20, 2017 to purchase 81,700 shares of the Company’s common stock granted to the selling agent in the Company’s initial public offeringInitial Public Offering (the “Common Stock Warrants”). The Common Stock Warrants are exercisable commencing April 20, 2018 through October 20, 2022. The exercise price for the Common Stock Warrants is $14.69 per share, and the Common Stock Warrants were valued at $124,000 at the date of grant. The Common Stock Warrants provide that upon exercise, the Company may elect to redeem the Common Stock Warrants in cash by paying the difference between the applicable exercise price and the then-current fair market value of the common stock.

 Warrants issued on June 7, 2018 to purchase 102,125 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.83 per share (the “Subscription Warrants”). The Subscription Warrants were issued as part of the Subscription Agreement (see Note 11)12). The Subscription Warrants were valued at $87,000 at the date of grant. The Subscription Warrants may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.

 

 Warrants issued on June 27, 2018 to purchase 25,530 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.83 per share (the “Exchange Warrants”). The Exchange Warrants were issued as part of the Exchange (See Note 11)12). The Exchange Warrants were valued at $25,000 at the date of grant. The Exchange Warrants may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.
   
 Warrants issued on July 3, 2018 to purchase 57,439 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.83 per share (the “Hurricane Warrants”). The Hurricane Warrants were issued as part of the acquisition of Hurricane. The Hurricane Warrants were valued at $58,000 at the date of grant. The Hurricane Warrants may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.
   
 Warrants issued on July 3, 2018 to purchase 509,604 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.20 per share (the “Lender Warrant”). The Lender Warrant was issued as part of the $16 million credit facility with FB Lending, LLC (See Note 10). The Lender Warrant was valued at $592,000 at the date of grant. The Lender Warrant may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.
Warrants issued on July 3, 2018 to purchase 66,69140,904 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.20 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). The Placement Agent Warrants were issued to the placement agents of the $16 million credit facility with FB Lending, LLC (See Note 10)11). The remaining Placement Agent Warrants werehad been valued at $78,000$48,000 at the date of grant. The Placement Agent Warrants may be exercised at any time or times beginning on the issue date and ending on the five-year anniversary of the issue date.

 

 Warrants issued on June 19, 2019, in connection with the acquisition of Elevation Burger (See Note 3), to purchase 46,875 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share (the “Elevation Warrant”), exercisable for a period of five years, but only in the event of a merger of the Company and FCCG, commencing on the second business day following the potential merger and ending on the five year anniversary thereafter, at which time the Elevation Warrant shall terminatethereafter. The Elevation Warrants were not valued at the date of grant due to the contingency relating to their exercise.
   
 Warrants issued between October 3, 2019 and December 29, 2019, in connection with the sale of Series B Units, (See Note 11), to purchase 34,28460 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.50 per share (the “Series B Warrants”), exercisable for a period of five years from October 3, 2019. The outstandingThese warrants have not yet been presented by the holders for exchange with 2020 Series B Offering Warrants were valued at $21,000 at the date of grant.(See Note 12).
   

Warrants issued on July 16, 2020, in connection with Series B Preferred Stock Offering (See Note 12), to purchase 1,796,910 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share (the “2020 Series B Offering Warrants”), exercisable beginning on December 24 ,2020, and will expire on July 16, 2025. The Series B Offering Warrants were valued at $1,926,000 at the date of grant. Subsequent to March 28, 2021, on May 3, 2021, the exercise price of the 2020 Series B Offering Warrants decreased from $5.00 per share to $4.8867 per share based on the cash dividend payable to holders of the Company’s common stock as of such date (See Note 17).
Warrants issued on July 16, 2020, to purchase 2020 Series B Offering Warrants (the “Series B Underwriter Warrants”), which would grant the holder the right to purchase 18,990 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share, exercisable beginning on December 24, 2020 and expiring on July 16, 2025. The exercise price to purchase the 2020 Series B Offering Warrant is $0.01 per underlying share of common stock. These warrants were valued at $64,000 at the date of grant.

 

The Company’s warrant activity for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 202028, 2021 is as follows:

 

   

Number of

Shares

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price

  

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life (Years)

 
Warrants outstanding at December 29, 2019   2,091,652  $3.57   4.2 
Grants   -   -   - 
Exercised   -   -   - 
Forfeited   (1,167,404) $0.01   5.0 
Expired   -   -   - 
Warrants outstanding at March 29, 2020   924,248  $8.08   3.3 
Warrants exercisable at March 29, 2020   877,373  $8.08   3.2 
  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
 
Warrants outstanding at December 27, 2020  2,273,533  $5.68   4.1 
Grants  -  $-   - 
Exercised  (103,000) $(5.00)  (4.3)
Warrants outstanding at March 28, 2021  2,170,533  $5.71   4.0 
Warrants exercisable at March 28, 2021  2,170,533  $5.71   4.0 

 

The range of assumptions used to establish the value of the warrants using the Black-Scholes valuation model are as follows:

 

  Warrants 
Expected dividend yield  4.00% - 6.63%
Expected volatility  30.23% - 31.73%
Risk-free interest rate  0.99% - 1.91%
Expected term (in years)  3.80 - 5.00 

In addition to the warrants to purchase common stock described above, the Company has also granted the following warrants on other securities to the underwriters in connection with the Series B Preferred Stock Offering (See Note 12):

Warrants issued on July 16, 2020, to purchase 3,600 shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $24.95 per share (the “Series B Preferred Warrants”), exercisable beginning on the earlier of one year from the date of issuance or the consummation of a consolidation, merger or other similar business combination transaction involving the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) and its parent company, FCCG, and will expire on July 16, 2025. The Series B Preferred Warrants were valued at $2,000 at the date of grant.

 

Note 16.17. DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK

 

Our Board of Directors did not declare a dividend duringDuring the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020.

The Company28, 2021, there were no dividends declared or paid on the Company’s common stock. Subsequent to the end of that period, on April 20, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a stockcash dividend on February 7, 2019 equal to 2.13% on its common stock, representing the number of shares equal to $0.12$0.13 per share of common stock, basedpayable on the closing price as of February 6, 2019. The stock dividend was paid on February 28, 2019May 7, 2021 to stockholdersshareholders of record as of the closeMay 3, 2021, for a total of business on February 19, 2019. The Company issued 245,376 shares of common stock at a per share price of $5.64 in satisfaction of the stock dividend. No fractional shares were issued, instead the Company paid stockholders cash-in-lieu of shares.$1,590,000.

 

Note 17.18. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Litigation

 

Eric Rojany, et al.Stratford Holding LLC v. FAT BrandsFoot Locker Retail Inc., et al., Superior (U.S. District Court of California for the CountyWestern District of Los Angeles,Oklahoma, Case No. BC708539, andDaniel Alden, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al.5:12-cv-00772-HE), Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC716017.

 

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On June 7, 2018, FAT Brands,In 2012 and 2013, two property owners in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma sued numerous parties, including Foot Locker Retail Inc., Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, James Neuhauser, Edward H. Rensi, Marc L. Holtzman, Squire Junger, Silvia Kessel, Jeff Lotman, and our subsidiary Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (now known as Fog Cutter Acquisition, LLC), and Tripoint Global Equities, LLC (collectively,for alleged environmental contamination on their properties, stemming from dry cleaning operations on one of the "Original Defendants") were named as defendants in a putative securities class action lawsuit entitledRojany v. FAT Brands, Inc., Case No. BC708539 (the "RojanyCase"),properties. The property owners seek damages in the Superior Courtrange of $12 million to $22 million. From 2002 to 2008, a former Fog Cutter subsidiary managed a lease portfolio, which included the subject property. Fog Cutter denies any liability, although it did not timely respond to one of the State of California, County of Los Angeles. On July 31, 2018, theRojanyCase was designated as complex, pursuant to Rule 3.400property owners’ complaints and several of the California Rules of Court,defendants’ cross-complaints and assignedthus is in default. The parties are currently conducting discovery, and the matter to the Complex Litigation Program. On August 2, 2018, the Original Defendants were named defendants in a second putative class action lawsuit,Alden v. FAT Brands, Case No. BC716017 (the "Alden Case"), filed in the same court. On September 17, 2018, theRojanyandAldenCases were consolidated under theRojanyCase number. On October 10, 2018, plaintiffs Eric Rojany, Daniel Alden, Christopher Hazelton-Harrington and Byron Marin ("Plaintiffs") filed a First Amended Consolidated Complaint against FAT Brands, Inc., Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, James Neuhauser, Edward H. Rensi, Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc., and Tripoint Global Equities, LLC (collectively, "Defendants"), thereby removing Marc L. Holtzman, Squire Junger, Silvia Kessel and Jeff Lotman as defendants. Onis scheduled for trial for November 13, 2018, Defendants filed a Demurrer to First Amended Consolidated Complaint. On January 25, 2019, the Court sustained Defendants’ Demurrer to First Amended Consolidated Complaint with Leave to Amend in Part. Plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Consolidated Complaint on February 25, 2019. On March 27, 2019, Defendants filed a Demurrer to the Second Amended Consolidated Complaint. On July 31, 2019, the Court sustained Defendants’ Demurrer to the Second Amended Complaint in Part, narrowing the scope of the case. Defendants filed their Answer to the Second Amended Consolidated Complaint on November 12, 2019. On January 29, 2020, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Class Certification. Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification is fully briefed, and the hearing on Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification is set for September 10, 2020. Defendants dispute Plaintiffs’ allegations and will continue to vigorously defend themselves in this litigation.

Adam Vignola, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al., United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:18-cv-07469.

On August 24, 2018, the Original Defendants were named as defendants in a putative securities class action lawsuit entitledVignola v. FAT Brands, Inc., Case No. 2:18-cv-07469-PSG-PLA, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On October 23, 2018, Charles Jordan and David Kovacs (collectively, "Lead Plaintiffs") moved to be appointed lead plaintiffs, and the Court granted Lead Plaintiffs’ motion on November 16, 2018. On January 15, 2019, Lead Plaintiffs filed a First Amended Class Action Complaint against the Original Defendants.2021. The allegations and claims for relief asserted inVignolaare substantively identical to those asserted in theRojanyCase. Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss First Amended Class Action Complaint, or, in the Alternative, to Stay the Action In Favor of a Prior Pending Action. On June 14, 2019, the Court denied Defendants’ motion to stay but granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss the First Amended Class Action Complaint, with Leave to Amend. Lead Plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Class Action Complaint on August 5, 2019. On September 9, 2019, Defendants’ filed a Motion to Dismiss the Second Amended Class Action Complaint. On December 17, 2019, the Court granted Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss the Second Amended Class Action Complaint in Part, Without Leave to Amend. The allegations remaining inVignolaare substantively identical to those remaining in theRojanyCase. Defendants filed their Answer to the Second Amended Class Action Complaint on January 14, 2020. On December 27, 2019, Lead Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Class Certification. By order entered March 16, 2020, the Court denied Lead Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification. By order entered April 1, 2020, the Court set various deadlines for the case, including a fact discovery cut-off of December 29, 2020, expert discovery cut-off of February 23, 2021 and trial date of March 30, 2021. Defendants dispute Lead Plaintiffs’ allegations and will continue to vigorously defend themselves in this litigation

The Company is obligated to indemnify its officers and directors to the extent permitted by applicable law in connection with the above actions, and has insurance for such individuals, to the extent of the limits of the applicable insurance policies and subject to potential reservations of rights. The Company is also obligated to indemnify Tripoint Global Equities, LLC under certain conditions relating to theRojany andVignolamatters. These proceedings are ongoing and the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters.this matter, however, reserves have been recorded on the balance sheet relating to this litigation. There can be no assurance that the defendants will be successful in defending against these actions.

SBN FCCG LLC v FCCGI (Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. BS172606)

 

SBN FCCG LLC (“SBN”) filed a complaint against Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc. (“FCCG”) in New York state court for an indemnification claim (the “NY case”) stemming from an earlier lawsuit in Georgia regarding a certain lease portfolio formerly managed by a former FCCG subsidiary. In February 2018, SBN obtained a final judgment in the NY case for a total of $651,290, which included $225,030 in interest dating back to March 2012. SBN then obtained a sister state judgment in Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. BS172606 (the “California case”), which included the $651,290 judgment from the NY case, plus additional statutory interest and fees, for a total judgment of $656,543. In May 2018, SBN filed a cost memo, requesting an additional $12,411 in interest to be added to the judgment in the California case, for a total of $668,954. In May 2019, the parties agreed to settle the matter for $580,000, which required the immediate payment of $100,000, and the balance to be paid in August 2019. FCCG wired $100,000 to SBN in May 2019, but has not yet paid the remaining balance of $480,000. The parties have not entered into a formal settlement agreement, and they have not yet discussed the terms for the payment of the remaining balance.

The Company is involved in other claims and legal proceedings from time-to-time that arise in the ordinary course of business.business, including those involving the Company’s franchisees. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.As of March 28,2021, the Company had accrued an aggregate of $5.68 million for the specific matters mentioned above and claims and legal proceedings involving franchisees as of that date.

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Operating Leases

 

The Company leases corporate headquarters located in Beverly Hills, California comprising 6,13712,281 square feet of space, pursuant to a lease that expires on September 29, 2025, as well as an additional 2,915 square feet of space pursuant to a lease amendment that expires on February 29, 2024. The Company leases 1,775 square feet of space in Plano, Texas for pursuant to a lease that expires on March 31, 2021. As part of the acquisition of Elevation Burger, the Company assumed a lease of 5,057 square feet of space in Falls Church, Virginia that expires on December 31, 2020. The Company subleases approximately 2,500 square feet of this lease to an unrelated third party.

The Company is notoperating ten restaurant locations which are now being marketed as part of its refranchising efforts. Each location is subject to a guarantor to the leases of the Yalla restaurants that are being refranchised.real estate lease.

 

The Company believes that all existing facilities are in good operating condition and adequate to meet current and foreseeable needs. Additional information related to the Company’s operating leases are disclosed in Note 10.

 

Note 18.19. geographic information AND MAJOR FRANCHISEES

 

Revenues by geographic area are as follows (in thousands):

 

 Thirteen Weeks Ended
March 29, 2020
 Thirteen Weeks Ended
March 31, 2019
  

Thirteen Weeks Ended

March 28, 2021

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended

March 29, 2020

 
United States $3,709  $4,011  $4,830  $3,709 
Other countries  714   862   1,819   714 
Total revenues $4,423  $4,873  $6,649  $4,423 

 

Revenues are shown based on the geographic location of our franchisees’licensee restaurants. All ourCompany assets are located in the United States.

 

During the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 202028, 2021 and March 31, 2019,29, 2020, no individual franchisee accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues.

 

NOTE 19.20. OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

With minor exceptions, the Company’s operations are comprised exclusively of franchising a growing portfolio of restaurant brands. ThisThe Company’s growth strategy is centered on expanding the footprint of existing brands and acquiring new brands through a centralized management organization which provides substantially all executive leadership, marketing, training and corporate accounting services. While there are variations in the brands,each brand could be considered an individual business segment, the nature of the Company’s business is fairly consistent across itsour portfolio. Consequently, while management assesses the progress of its operations by brand, these operations may be aggregated into one reportable segment in the Company’s operations as a whole, rather than by brand or location which become more significant as the number of brands has increased.financial statements.

 

As part of its ongoing franchising efforts, the Company will, from time to time, make opportunistic acquisitions of operating restaurants in order to convert them to franchise locations. During the refranchising period, the Company may operate the restaurants.

 

The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the Chief Executive Officer. The CODM reviews financial performance and allocates resources at an overall level on a recurring basis. Therefore, management has determined that the Company has one operating and reportable segment.

 

NOTE 20.21. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Pursuant to FASB ASC 855, Management has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred fromsubsequent to March 29, 202028, 2021 through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. During this period, the Company did not have any significant subsequent events other than those described below:except as follows:

 

RefranchisingSecuritization

On April 26, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), FB Royalty completed the issuance and sale in a private offering (the “Offering” as defined in Note 1) of three tranches of fixed rate senior secured notes as follows: (i) 4.75% Series 2021-1 Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2, in an initial principal amount of $97,104,000; (ii) 8.00% Series 2021-1 Fixed Rate Senior Subordinated Secured Notes, Class B-2, in an initial principal amount of $32,368,000; and (iii) 9.00% Series 2021-1 Fixed Rate Subordinated Secured Notes, Class M-2, in an initial principal amount of $15,000,000 (collectively, the “2021 Securitization Notes”).

The 2021 Securitization Notes were issued in a securitization transaction pursuant to which substantially all of the assets held by the Issuer and its subsidiaries, including the Company, were pledged as collateral to secure the 2021 Securitization Notes. On the Closing Date, FAT used a portion of the net proceeds of the Offering to repay in full the 2020 Securitization Notes (see Note 11).

The restrictions placed on the Company and other FB Royalty subsidiaries require that the 2021 Securitization Notes principal and interest obligations have first priority and amounts are segregated weekly to ensure appropriate funds are reserved to pay the quarterly principal and interest amounts due. The amount of weekly cash flow that exceeds the required weekly interest reserve is generally remitted to the FAT.

Common stock dividend

On April 20, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.13 per share of common stock, payable on May 7, 2021 to shareholders of record as of May 3, 2021, totaling $1,590,000.

Retirement of Fog Cutter debt

In April 2021, obligations totaling approximately $12,509,000 owed by Fog Cutter Capital Group to various lenders and beneficiaries were paid in full (see Note 11).

Forgiveness of PPP Loans

 

During the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019, a franchisee had entered into an agreement with the Company by which it agreed to sell two existing franchised locations to the Company for its refranchising program. Additionally, during the fiscal year, the Company had completed transactions to sell the two locations to new owners. Subsequent to March 29, 2020, as a result of COVID-19, the locations acquired from the existing franchisee became unavailable. The Company is evaluating the impact of the event and determining which existing operating restaurants will be used as a replacement for the new owners (See Note 4).

Payroll Protection Program Loans

Subsequent to March 29, 2020, as a result of COVID-19,On April 26, 2021, the Company received proceeds fromconfirmation that the Payroll Protection Program administered byentire balance remaining on the Small Business Administration. These loan proceeds totaled $1.5 million and relate to FAT Brands Inc. as well as five restaurant locations that are partPPP Loans, plus accrued interest, had been forgiven under the terms of the Company’s refranchising program.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 202028, 2021 and March 31, 2019,29, 2020, as applicable. Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases and in statements made by or with the approval of authorized personnel constitute 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 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements reflect intent, belief, current expectations, estimates or projections about, among other things, our industry, management’s beliefs, and future events and financial trends affecting us. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to, COVID-19. These differences can arise as a result of the risks described in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 28, 2020March 29, 2021 “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report, as well as other factors that may affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and forward-looking statements in documents incorporated by reference speak only as of the date of those documents. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this report will, in fact, transpire.

 

COVID-19

 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19)(“COVID-19”) as a pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States and other countries. As a result, Company franchisees have temporarily closed some retail locations, reduced or modified store operating hours, adopted a “to-go” only operating model, or a combination of these actions. These actions have reduced consumer traffic, all resulting in a negative impact to Company revenues. While the disruption to our business from the COVID-19 pandemic is currently expected to be temporary, there is a great deal of uncertainty around the severity and duration of the disruption, and also the longer-term effects on our business and economic growth and consumer demand in the U.S. and worldwide. The effects of COVID-19 may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, liquidity and ability to service our existing debt, particularly if these effects continue in place for a significant amount of time. AsIf additional information becomes available regarding the potential impact and the duration of the negative financial effects of the current pandemic, the Company may determine that anadditional impairment adjustment to the recorded value of trademarks, goodwill and other intangible assets may be necessary.

 

Executive Overview

 

Business overview

 

FAT Brands Inc., formed is a leading multi-brand restaurant franchising company that develops, markets, and acquires primarily quick-service, fast casual and casual dining concepts restaurant concepts around the world. Organized in March 2017 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc. (“FCCG”), is a leading multi-brand restaurant franchising company that develops, markets, and acquires predominantly fast casual restaurant concepts around the world. Onwe completed our initial public offering on October 20, 2017 we completed an initial public offering and issued additional shares of common stock representing 20 percent of our ownership (the “Offering”). As of March 29, 2020, FCCG continues to control a significant voting majorityupon completion of the Company.offering. During the fourth quarter of 2020, we completed a transaction in which FCCG merged into a wholly owned subsidiary of ours, and we became the parent company of FCCG.

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As a franchisor, we generally do not own or operate restaurant locations, but rather generate revenue by charging franchisees an initial franchise fee as well as ongoing royalties. This asset light franchisor model provides the opportunity for strong profit margins and an attractive free cash flow profile while minimizing restaurant operating company risk, such as long-term real estate commitments or capital investments. Our scalable management platform enables us to add new stores and restaurant concepts to our portfolio with minimal incremental corporate overhead cost, while taking advantage of significant corporate overhead synergies. The acquisition of additional brands and restaurant concepts as well as expansion of our existing brands are key elements of our growth strategy.

 

As of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, the Company owns eightnine restaurant brands: Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Buffalo’s Cafe, Buffalo’s Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses, Elevation Burger and Yalla Mediterranean, that have over 370 locations.approximately 700 locations, including units under construction.

 

Operating segments

 

With minor exceptions, our operations are comprised exclusively of franchising a growing portfolio of restaurant brands. Our growth strategy is centered on expanding the footprint of existing brands and acquiring new brands through a centralized management organization which provides substantially all executive leadership, marketing, training and corporate accounting services. While there are variations in theeach of our brands could be considered an individual business segment, the nature of our business is fairly consistent across our portfolio. Consequently, while our management assesses the progress of our operations as a whole, rather than by brand, or location, which has become more significant asthese operations may be aggregated into one reportable segment in the number of brands has increased.Company’s financial statements.

 

Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is our Chief Executive Officer. Our CODM reviews financial performance and allocates resources at an overall level on a recurring basis. Therefore, management has determined that the Company has one operating and reportable segment.

 

Results of Operations

 

We operate on a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday of the calendar year. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter contains 13 weeks of operations. In a 53-week fiscal year, each of the first, second and third quarters includes 13 weeks of operations and the fourth quarter includes 14 weeks of operations, which may cause our revenue, expenses and other results of operations to be higher due to an additional week of operations. The 2020 and 2019 fiscal years are each 52-week years.

 

Results of Operations of FAT Brands Inc.

 

The following table summarizessummarize key components of our combinedconsolidated results of operations for thethirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019. The results of Elevation Burger were not included in the operations for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019 because that subsidiary was acquired by28, 2021 and March 29, 2020. Certain account balances from the Company subsequentprior period have been reclassified to that date.conform to current period presentation.

 

(In thousands)

For the Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

 For the thirteen weeks ended  March 28, 2021  March 29, 2020 
 March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019      
     
Statement of operations data:        
Consolidated statement of operations data:        
                
Revenues                
Royalties $3,309  $3,463  $4,898  $3,309 
Franchise fees  175   313   540   175 
Store opening fees  -   105 
Advertising fees  931   976   1,188   931 
Other revenue  8   16 
Other operating income  23   8 
Total revenues  4,423   4,873   6,649   4,423 
                
Costs and expenses                
General and administrative expenses  3,531   2,714   4,926   3,531 
Advertising expenses  931   976   1,192   931 
Refranchising restaurant costs and expenses, net of revenue  539   518 
Costs and expenses  5,001   4,208 
Refranchising loss  427   539 
Total costs and expenses  6,545   5,001 
                
(Loss) income from operations  (578)  665 
Income (loss) from operations  104   (578)
                
Other expense, net  (2,090)  (2,093)  (2,665)  (2,090)
                
Loss before income tax (benefit) expense  (2,668)  (1,428)
Loss before income tax benefit  (2,561)  (2,668)
                
Income tax (benefit) expense  (298)  (718)
Income tax benefit  (129)  (298)
                
Net loss $(2,370) $(710) $(2,432) $(2,370)

3332

For the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 20210 and March 29, 2020:

 

Net Loss- Net loss for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 totaled $2,432,000 consisting of revenues of $6,649,000 less costs and expenses of $6,545,000, other expense of $2,665,000 and income tax benefit of $129,000. Net loss for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 totaled $2,370,000 consisting of revenues of $4,423,000 less costs and expenses of $5,001,000, other expense of $2,090,000 and income tax benefit of 298,000. Net loss for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019 totaled $710,000 consisting of revenues of $4,873,000 less costs and expenses of $4,208,000, other expense of $2,093,000 and income tax benefit of $718,000.

 

Revenues- Revenues consist of royalties, franchise fees, advertising fees and management fees. We had revenues of $6,649,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 compared to $4,423,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 compared to $4,873,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019.2020. The decreaseincrease of $450,000$2,226,000 reflects the beginning negative effectsinclusion of revenues from the COVID-19 pandemic on royalties from restaurant sales and the adoptionacquisition of a preferred application of ASC 606 related to the recognition of franchise and store opening fees (See Note 2Johnny Rockets, which occurred in the accompanying financial statements).September 2020.

 

Costs and Expenses Costs and expenses consist primarily of general and administrative costs, advertising expense and refranchising restaurant operating costs, net of associated sales. Our costs and expenses increased from $4,208,000 in the first quarter of 2019 to $5,001,000 in the first quarter of 2020.2020 to $6,545,000 in the first quarter of 2021.

 

For the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021, our general and administrative expenses totaled $4,926,000. For the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020, our general and administrative expenses totaled $3,531,000. For the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019, our general and administrative expenses totaled $2,714,000. The increase in the amount of $817,000$1,395,000 was primarily the result of increasesan increase in compensation expensesexpense for the quarter of $587,000 and public company expenses. Amortizationhigher legal fees in the amount of franchise agreements acquired in connection with Elevation Burger also contributed to the increase in general and administrative expenses.$489,000.

 

During the first quarter of 2020,2021, our refranchising efforts resulted in restaurant operating costs and expenses, net of associated sales in the amount of $539,000$427,000 compared to $518,000$539,000 during the comparable period of 2019.2020.

 

Advertising expenses totaled $931,000$1,192,000 during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 201928, 2021 compared to $976,000$931,000 during the first quarter of 2019.2020. These expenses generally correspond to the advertising fees recorded as revenue.

 

Other Expense –Other expense for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 202028, 2021 totaled $2,090,000$2,665,000 compared to $2,093,000$2,090,000 for the period ended March 31, 2019.29, 2020. These expenses consisted primarily of net interest expense of $2,074,000$2,748,000 and $2,117,000$2,074,000 for the 20202021 and 20192020 periods, respectively.

 

Income Tax Benefit –We recorded an income tax benefit of $129,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 compared to an income tax benefit in the amount of $298,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 and an income tax benefit of $718,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2019.2020. These tax results were based on a net loss before taxes of 2,668,0002,561,000 and $1,428,000$2,668,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, and March 31, 2019, respectively. Non-deductible expenses, such as accruedinterest expense and paid dividends on preferred stock, reduced the benefitvaluation allowances accounted for the current period as a percentage of pre-tax loss.variance between the effective tax rate and the statutory rate.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund business operations, acquisitions, and expansion of franchised restaurant locations and for other general business purposes. In addition to our cash on hand, ourOur primary sources of funds for liquidity during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 202028, 2021 consisted of cash provided by borrowings.on hand at the beginning of the period.

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We are involved in a world-wide expansion of franchise locations, which will require significant liquidity, primarily from our franchisees. If real estate locations of sufficient quality cannot be located and either leased or purchased, the timing of restaurant openings may be delayed. Additionally, if we or our franchisees cannot obtain capital sufficient to fund this expansion, the extent of or timing of restaurant openings may be reduced or delayed.

 

We also plan to acquire additional restaurant concepts. These acquisitions typically require capital investments in excess of our normal cash on hand. We would expect that future acquisitions will necessitate financing with additional debt or equity transactions. If we are unable to obtain acceptable financing, our ability to acquire additional restaurant concepts maylikely would be negatively impacted.

 

As of March 29, 2020, we had cash and restricted cash of $5,714,000. On March 6, 2020,April 26, 2021, the Company completed the issuance and sale in a whole-business securitizationprivate offering (the “Securitization”“Offering”) throughof three tranches of fixed rate secured notes (see Note 21 of the creationFinancial Statements). Proceeds of the Offering were used to repay in full its 2020 Securitization Notes as well as fees and expenses related to the Offering, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $57 million (see Note 11 of the Financial Statements).

In addition to the liquidity provided by the Offering, we have seen significant improvement in our operating performance subsequent to December 27, 2020, as COVID-19 vaccinations have become more prevalent in the United States and federal, state and local restrictions have eased in many, but not all, of the markets where our franchisees operate. As a bankruptcy-remote issuing entity, FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC (“FAT Royalty”) in which FAT Royalty issued new notes (the “Securitization Notes”) pursuant an indenture andresult, we believe that our liquidity position will be sufficient for the supplement thereto (collectively, the “Indenture”). Net proceeds fromtwelve months of operations following the issuance of the Securitization Notes were $37,314,000, which consists of the combined face amount of $40,000,000, net of discounts of $246,000 and debt offering costs of $2,440,000 (See “Liquidity”in Note 1. Organization and Relationship in the accompanying consolidated financial statements). A portion of the proceeds from the Securitization was used to repay the remaining $26,771,000 in outstanding balance under the Loan and Security Agreement and to pay the debt offering costs related to the Securitization. The remaining proceeds from the Securitization will be used for working capital. We expect that the working capital from the Securitization combined with receipts collected from the limited operations of our franchisees due to COVID-19 and the disciplined management of the Company’s operating expenses will be sufficient to meet our current liquidity needs.

Subsequent to March 29, 2020, as a result of COVID-19, the Company received proceeds from the Payroll Protection Program administered by the Small Business Administration. These loan proceeds totaled $1.5 million and relate to FAT Brands Inc. as well as five restaurant locations that are part of the Company’s refranchising program.this Form 10-Q.

 

Comparison of Cash Flows

 

Our cash and restricted cash balance was $5,714,000$4,915,000 as of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, compared to $25,000$7,211,000 as of December 29, 2019.27, 2020.

 

The following table summarize key components of our consolidated cash flows for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 and March31, 2019::

 

(In thousands)

For the Fiscal YearsThirteen Weeks Ended

 

 March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019  March 28, 2021  March 29, 2020 
          
Net cash used in operating activities $(3,371) $(1,863) $(1,246) $(3,371)
Net cash used in investing activities (3,413) (1,423)  (573)  (3,413)
Net cash provided by financing activities  12,473  3,323 
Increase in cash flows $5,689 $37 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (477)  12,473 
(Decrease) Increase in cash flows $(2,296) $5,689 

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash used infrom operating activities was $3,371,000 during the thirteen weeks ended March 29,decreased $13,078,000 in 2020 compared to $1,863,000 for2019. There were variations in the same periodcomponents of 2019.the cash from operations between the two periods. Our net loss in 2020 was $2,370,000$14,860,000, compared to a net loss in 2019 of $710,000.$1,018,000. The net positive adjustments to reconcile these net losses to net cash provided by (or used in operating activitiesin) operations were $1,001,000$3,376,000 in 2020 compared to $1,153,000$2,612,000 in 2019. The primary components of the adjustments included:to reconcile the net loss to net cash from operations for each year were as follows:

 

For the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021:
A $670,000 negative adjustment to cash due to a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $659,000 compared to an increase of $1,244,000 in 2019;
 A positive adjustment to reconcile cash used in operations due to accretion expense related to eacha decrease in operating lease right of the following: (i) the term loan, (ii) the preferred shares, and (iii) the acquisition purchase price payables totaling $378,000 compared to $1,102,000 in 2019;use assets of $605,000.
 A positive adjustment to reconcile cash used in operations due to an increase in dividends payable on preferred stockdepreciation and amortization of $444,000 compared to $162,000 in 2019;$398,000.
 A positive adjustment to reconcile cash used in operations due to an increase in deferred income of $339,000 compared to a decrease of $266,000 in 2019; and$332,000.

For the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020:
 

A negative adjustment to cash due to an increase in accrued interest income due from an affiliate in the amount of $718,000 in 2020 compared to $467,000 in the 2019 period;

 A negative adjustment to reconcile cash used in operations due to an increase in accrued interest receivable from affiliates in the amount of $718,000.
A negative adjustment to reconcile cash used in operations due to a decrease in accrued interest payable of $973,000 compared to a decrease of $1,541,000 in 2019.$973,000.

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Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $3,413,000 duringdecreased by $2,840,000 in the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 202028, 2021 compared to the prior year primarily due to a decrease of $1,423,000 duringin the same period of 2019. During 2020, we made advances to affiliates in the amount of $5,091,000 compared to advances of $1,400,000 during 2019. We also received proceeds from the sale of a refranchised location in the amount of $1,650,000 during the first quarter of 2020.non-consolidated affiliates.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash from financing activities totaled $12,473,000 duringdecreased by $12,950,000 in the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 202028, 2021 compared to $3,323,000 during the same period of 2019.prior year. Proceeds from borrowings were $17,546,000$37,271,000 higher in 2020 thandue to the sale of the Series A-2 and B-2 Notes. That increase was partially offset by the payoff of prior debt in 2019. Our repaymentsthe amount of borrowings were $7,749,000 higher in 2020 than in 2019.$24,149,000 during the first quarter of 2020.

 

Dividends

 

Our Board of Directors did not declare a dividendany dividends on our common stock during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020.

On February 7, 2019, our28, 2021. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on April 20, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a stockcash dividend equal to 2.13% on its common stock, representing the number of shares equal to $0.12$0.13 per share of common stock, basedpayable on the closing price as of February 6, 2019. The stock dividend was paid on February 28, 2019May 7, 2021 to stockholdersshareholders of record as of the close of business on February 19, 2019.May 3, 2021. The Company issued 245,376 shares of common stock at a per share price of $5.64 in satisfactionamount of the stock dividend. No fractional shares were issued, instead the Company paid stockholders cash totaling $1,670 for fractional interests based on the market value of the common stock on the record date.dividend totaled $1,590,000.

 

The declaration and payment of future dividends, as well as the amount thereof, are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. The amount and size of any future dividends will depend upon our future results of operations, financial condition, capital levels, cash requirements and other factors. There can be no assurance that we will declare and pay dividends in future periods.

 

Securitization

 

On March 6, 2020, we completed a whole-business securitization (the “Securitization”) through the creation of a bankruptcy-remote issuing entity, FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC (“FAT Royalty”) in which FAT Royalty issued new notes (the “Securitization$20 million of Series 2020-1 Fixed Rates Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2 and $20 million of Series 2020-1 Fixed Rate Senior Subordinated Notes, Class B-2 (collectively the “Series A-2 and B-2 Notes”) pursuant to an indenture and the supplement thereto each dated March 6, 2020, as amended, (collectively, the “Indenture”).

The new notes consist ofSeries A-2 and B-2 Notes have the following:following terms:

 

Note  Public Rating Seniority Issue Amount  Coupon  First Call Date Final Legal Maturity Date
                
A-2  BB Senior $20,000,000   6.50% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026
B-2  B Senior Subordinated $20,000,000   9.00% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026
Note Public
Rating
 Seniority Issue Amount  Coupon  First Call Date 

Final Legal Maturity Date

               
Series A-2 BB Senior $20,000,000   6.50% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026
Series B-2 B Senior Subordinated $20,000,000   9.00% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026

 

Net proceeds from the issuance of the SecuritizationSeries A-2 and B-2 Notes were $37,314,000,$37,389,000, which consists of the combined face amount of $40,000,000, net of discounts of $246,000 and debt offering costs of $2,440,000.$2,365,000. The discount and offering costs will be accreted as additional interest expense over the expected term of the SecuritizationSeries A-2 and B-2 Notes.

 

A portion of the proceeds from the Securitization wasSeries A-2 and B-2 Notes were used to repay the remaining $26,771,000 in outstanding balance under the Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan and Security Agreement���) with The Lion Fund, L.P. and The Lion Fund II, L.P. (collectively, “Lion”) and to pay the Securitization debt offering costs. The remaining proceeds from the Securitization will be usedwere available for working capital.

 

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On September 21, 2020, FAT Royalty completed the sale of an additional $40 million of Series 2020-2 Fixed Rate Asset-Backed Notes (the “Series M-2 Notes”), pursuant to the Indenture as amended by the Series 2020-2 Supplement.

 

The Series M-2 Notes consist of the following:

In connection with

Note Seniority  Issue Amount  Coupon  First Call Date Final Legal Maturity Date
                 
M-2  Subordinated  $40,000,000   9.75% 4/27/2021 4/27/2026

Net proceeds from the issuance of the Series M-2 Notes were $35,371,000, which consists of the face amount of $40,000,000, net of discounts of $3,200,000 and debt offering costs of $1,429,000. The discount and offering costs will be accreted as additional interest expense over the expected term of the Series M-2 Notes. We used approximately $24,730,000 to acquire Johnny Rockets and the balance of the proceeds were available as working capital.

The Series M-2 Notes are subordinate to the Series A-2 and B-2 Notes. The Series A-2 and B-2 Notes and the Series M-2 Notes (collectively, the “2020 Securitization Notes”) issued under the Indenture, as amended, are secured by an interest in substantially all of the assets of FAT Royalty, including the Johnny Rockets companies, contributed to FAT Royalty and eachare obligations only of FAT Royalty under the Indenture and not obligations of the FAT Brands Franchising Entities (as defined in the Indenture) entered into a Management Agreement with the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, pursuant to which the Company agreed to act as manager of the Issuer and each of the FAT Brands Franchise Entities. The Management Agreement provides for a Management Fee payable monthly by FAT Royalty to the Company in the amount of $200,000, subject to three percent (3%) annual increases. The primary responsibilities of the manager are to perform certain franchising, distribution, intellectual property and operational functions on behalf of the FAT Brands Franchise Entities pursuant to the Management Agreement.Company.

 

While the 2020 Securitization Notes are outstanding, scheduled payments of principal and interest are required to be made on a quarterly basis.basis, with the scheduled principal payments of $1,000,000 per quarter on each of the Series A-2 and B-2 Notes and $200,000 per quarter on the Series M-2 Notes beginning the second quarter of 2021. It is expected that the Securitization Notes will be repaid prior to the Final Legal Maturity Date, with the anticipated repayment date occurring in January 2023 for the A-2 Notes, and October 2023 for the B-2 Notes and April 2026 for the Series M-2 Notes (the “Anticipated Repayment Dates”). If the CompanyFAT Royalty has not repaid or refinanced the Securitization Notes prior to the applicable Anticipated Repayment Date, additional interest expense will begin to accrue and all additional proceeds will be trappedutilized for fulladditional amortization, as defined in the Indenture.

 

In connection with the Securitization, FAT Royalty and each of the Franchise Entities (as defined in the Indenture) entered into a Management Agreement with the Company, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Management Agreement”), pursuant to which we agreed to act as manager of FAT Royalty and each of the Franchise Entities. The Management Agreement provides for a management fee payable monthly by FAT Royalty to the Company in the amount of $200,000, subject to three percent (3%) annual increases (the “Management Fee”). The primary responsibilities of the manager are to perform certain franchising, distribution, intellectual property and operational functions on behalf of the Franchise Entities pursuant to the Management Agreement.

The 2020 Securitization Notes are secured by substantially all of the assets of FAT Royalty, including the equity interests in the FAT Brands FranchisingFranchise Entities. The restrictions placed on the Company’sFAT Royalty subsidiaries require that the Company’sSecuritization principal and interest obligations have first priority, after the payment of the Management Fee and certain other FAT Royalty expenses (as defined in the Indenture), and amounts are segregated monthly to ensure appropriate funds are reserved to pay the quarterly principal and interest amounts due. The amount of monthly cash flow that exceeds the required monthly debt service is generally remitted to the Company. Once the required obligations are satisfied, there are no further restrictions, including payment of dividends, on the cash flows of the subsidiaries.

 

The 2020 Securitization Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any jurisdiction. No Notes or any interest or participation thereof may be reoffered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred unless such Note meets certain requirements as described in the Indenture.

 

The 2020 Securitization Notes are subject to certain financial and non-financial covenants, including a debt service coverage ratio calculation, as defined in the Indenture. In the event that certain covenants are not met, the 2020 Securitization Notes may become partially or fully due and payable on an accelerated schedule. In addition, the CompanyFAT Royalty may voluntarily prepay, in part or in full, the Notes in accordance with the provisions in the Indenture. As of March 28, 2021, FAT Royalty was in compliance with these covenants.

On April 26, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), FB Royalty completed the issuance and sale in a private offering (the “Offering”) of three tranches of fixed rate senior secured notes as follows: (i) 4.75% Series 2021-1 Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2, in an initial principal amount of $97,104,000; (ii) 8.00% Series 2021-1 Fixed Rate Senior Subordinated Secured Notes, Class B-2, in an initial principal amount of $32,368,000; and (iii) 9.00% Series 2021-1 Fixed Rate Subordinated Secured Notes, Class M-2, in an initial principal amount of $15,000,000 (collectively, the “2021 Securitization Notes”).

The 2021 Notes were issued in a securitization transaction pursuant to which substantially all of the assets held by the Issuer and its subsidiaries, including the Company, were pledged as collateral to secure the 2021 Notes. On the Closing Date, FAT used a portion of the net proceeds of the Offering to repay in full the Securitization Notes (see Note 11 of the Financial Statements).

The restrictions placed on the Company and other FB Royalty subsidiaries require that the 2021 Securitization Notes principal and interest obligations have first priority and amounts are segregated weekly to ensure appropriate funds are reserved to pay the quarterly principal and interest amounts due. The amount of weekly cash flow that exceeds the required weekly interest reserve is generally remitted to the FAT.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

As of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, we do not have any material commitments for capital expenditures.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Franchise Fees: The franchise arrangement is documented in the form of a franchise agreement. The franchise arrangement requires us to perform various activities to support the brand that do not directly transfer goods and services to the franchisee, but instead represent a single performance obligation, which isincludes the transfer of the franchise license. The services provided by us are highly interrelated with the franchise license and are considered a single performance obligation. Franchise fee revenue from the sale of individual franchises is recognized over the term of the individual franchise agreement.agreement on a straight-line basis. Unamortized non-refundable deposits collected in relation to the sale of franchises are recorded as deferred franchise fees.

 

The franchise fee may be adjusted at management’s discretion or in a situation involving store transfers.transfers between franchisees. Deposits are non-refundable upon acceptance of the franchise application. In the event a franchisee does not comply with their development timeline for opening franchise stores, the franchise rights may be terminated, andat which point the franchise fee revenue is recognized forin the amount of the non-refundable deposits.

 

Store opening fees – Prior to September 29, 2019, we recognized store opening fees in the amount of $35,000 to $60,000 from the up-front fees collected from franchisees upon store opening. The amount of the fee was dependent on brand and location (domestic versus international stores). The remaining balance of the up-front fees were then amortized as franchise fees over the life of the franchise agreement. If the fees collected were less than the respective store opening fee amounts, the full up-front fees were recognized at store opening. The store opening fees were based on our out-of-pocket costs for each store opening and are primarily comprised of labor expenses associated with training, store design, and supply chain setup. International fees recognized were higher due to the additional cost of travel.

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During the fourth quarter of 2019, we performed a study of other public company restaurant franchisors’ application of ASC 606 and determined that a preferred, alternative industry application exists in which the store opening fee portion of the franchise fees is amortized over the life of the franchise agreement rather than at milestones of standalone performance obligations in the franchise agreements. In order to provide financial reporting consistent with other franchise industry peers, we applied this preferred, alternative application of ASC 606 during the fourth quarter of 2019 on a prospective basis. As a result of the adoption of this preferred accounting treatment under ASC 606, we discontinued the recognition of store opening fees upon store opening and began accounting for the entire up-front deposit received from franchisees as described above inFranchise Fees.A cumulative adjustment to store opening fees and franchise fees was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019 for store opening fees recognized during the first three quarters of 2019. (See “Immaterial Adjustments Related to Prior Periods”,in Note 2 of the accompanying financial statements.)

Royalties:In addition to franchise fee revenue, we collect a royalty calculated as a percentage of net sales from our franchisees. Royalties range from 0.75% to 6% and are recognized as revenue when the related sales are made by the franchisees. Royalties collected in advance of sales are classified as deferred income until earned.

 

Advertising:We require advertising payments based on a percent of net sales from franchisees. We also receive, from time to time, payments from vendors that are to be used for advertising. Advertising funds collected are required to be spent for specific advertising purposes. Advertising revenue and associated expense is recorded on the consolidated statement of operations. Assets and liabilities associated with the related advertising fees are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets: Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, such as trademarks, are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if indicators arise. No impairment has beenDuring the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021, there were no identified asimpairments of March 29, 2020.assets.

 

Assets classified as held for sale –Assets are classified as held for sale when we commit to a plan to sell the asset, the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition and an active program to locate a buyer at a reasonable price has been initiated. The sale of these assets is generally expected to be completed within one year. The combined assets are valued at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value, net of costs to sell and included as current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Assets classified as held for sale are not depreciated. However, interest attributable to the liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale and other expenses continue to be recorded as expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

 

Income taxes: We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain.

 

We utilize a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon tax authority examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon the ultimate settlement.

 

Share-based compensation: We have a stock option plan which provides for options to purchase shares of our common stock. For grants to employees and directors, we recognize an expense for the value of options granted at their fair value at the date of grant over the vesting period in which the options are earned. Cancellations or forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. Fair values are estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For grants to non-employees for services, we revalue the options each reporting period while the services are being performed. The adjusted value of the options is recognized as an expense over the service period. See Note 1415 in our consolidated financial statements for more details on our share-based compensation.

 

Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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Recently AdoptedIssued Accounting Standards

 

In August 2018,June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13,2016-13, Fair Value MeasurementFinancial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 820)326)-Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and later amended the ASU in 2019 as described below. This guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology. Under the new guidance, on initial recognition and at each reporting period, an entity is required to recognize an allowance that reflects its current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Disclosure Framework – ChangesEffective Dates (“ASU 2019-10”). The purpose of this amendment is to create a two-tier rollout of major updates, staggering the Disclosure Requirementseffective dates between larger public companies and all other entities. This granted certain classes of companies, including Smaller Reporting Companies (“SRCs”), additional time to implement major FASB standards, including ASU 2016-13. Smaller Reporting Companies are permitted to defer adoption of ASU 2016-13, and its related amendments, until fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Under the current SEC definitions, the Company meets the definition of an SRC and is adopting the deferral period for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU adds, modifies and removes several disclosure requirements relative2016-13. The guidance requires a modified retrospective transition approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the three levelsbeginning of inputs used to measure fair value in accordance with Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.”the period of adoption. The Company adopted thisis currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on December 30, 2019. Theits consolidated financial statements but does not expect that the adoption of this standard did notwill have a material effectimpact on the Company’sits consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.statements.

The FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15,Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40).The new guidance reduces complexity for the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement and aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The Company adopted this ASU on December 30, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The FASB issued ASU 2019-12,Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes:This standard removes certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. It also adds guidance in certain areas, including the recognition of franchise taxes, recognition of deferred taxes for tax goodwill, allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group, computation of annual effective tax rates related to enacted changes in tax laws, and minor improvements related to employee stock ownership plans and investments in qualified affordable housing projects accounted for using the equity method. The Company adopted this ASU on December 30, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not Required.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 29, 2020,28, 2021, have concluded that, in regard to the segregation of duties and the financial close process, our disclosure controls and procedures were effectivenot effective.

Recognizing these deficiencies, we are continuing to review our compensating controls and designedimplement additional procedures in our efforts to ensureremediate the above-mentioned weaknesses as well as identifying additional financial accounting staff and third-party consultants to help remedy the weaknesses outlined above.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with an evaluation that material information relatingoccurred during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2021 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to us andmaterially affect our combined subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations Over Internal Controls

 

We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control procedures are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control procedures, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. We considered these limitations duringAlso, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the developmentrisk that controls may become inadequate because of its disclosure controls and procedures and will continually reevaluate them to ensure they provide reasonable assurance that such controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connectionconditions or that the degree of compliance with an evaluation that occurred during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 that have materially affectedpolicies or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.procedures may deteriorate.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Eric Rojany, et al.Stratford Holding LLC v. FAT BrandsFoot Locker Retail Inc., et al., Superior (U.S. District Court of California for the CountyWestern District of Los Angeles,Oklahoma, Case No. BC708539, andDaniel Alden, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al.5:12-cv-00772-HE), Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC716017.

 

On June 7, 2018, FAT Brands,In 2012 and 2013, two property owners in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma sued numerous parties, including Foot Locker Retail Inc., Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, James Neuhauser, Edward H. Rensi, Marc L. Holtzman, Squire Junger, Silvia Kessel, Jeff Lotman, and our subsidiary Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (now known as Fog Cutter Acquisition, LLC), and Tripoint Global Equities, LLC (collectively,for alleged environmental contamination on their properties, stemming from dry cleaning operations on one of the "Original Defendants") were named as defendants in a putative securities class action lawsuit entitledRojany v. FAT Brands, Inc., Case No. BC708539 (the "RojanyCase"),properties. The property owners seek damages in the Superior Courtrange of $12 million to $22 million. From 2002 to 2008, a former Fog Cutter subsidiary managed a lease portfolio, which included the subject property. Fog Cutter denies any liability, although it did not timely respond to one of the State of California, County of Los Angeles. On July 31, 2018, theRojanyCase was designated as complex, pursuant to Rule 3.400property owners’ complaints and several of the California Rules of Court,defendants’ cross-complaints and assignedthus is in default. The parties are currently conducting discovery, and the matter to the Complex Litigation Program. On August 2, 2018, the Original Defendants were named defendants in a second putative class action lawsuit,Alden v. FAT Brands, Case No. BC716017 (the "Alden Case"), filed in the same court. On September 17, 2018, theRojanyandAldenCases were consolidated under theRojanyCase number. On October 10, 2018, plaintiffs Eric Rojany, Daniel Alden, Christopher Hazelton-Harrington and Byron Marin ("Plaintiffs") filed a First Amended Consolidated Complaint against FAT Brands, Inc., Andrew Wiederhorn, Ron Roe, James Neuhauser, Edward H. Rensi, Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc., and Tripoint Global Equities, LLC (collectively, "Defendants"), thereby removing Marc L. Holtzman, Squire Junger, Silvia Kessel and Jeff Lotman as defendants. Onis scheduled for trial for November 13, 2018, Defendants filed a Demurrer to First Amended Consolidated Complaint. On January 25, 2019, the Court sustained Defendants’ Demurrer to First Amended Consolidated Complaint with Leave to Amend in Part. Plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Consolidated Complaint on February 25, 2019. On March 27, 2019, Defendants filed a Demurrer to the Second Amended Consolidated Complaint. On July 31, 2019, the Court sustained Defendants’ Demurrer to the Second Amended Complaint in Part, narrowing the scope of the case. Defendants filed their Answer to the Second Amended Consolidated Complaint on November 12, 2019. On January 29, 2020, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Class Certification. Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification is fully briefed, and the hearing on Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification is set for September 10, 2020. Defendants dispute Plaintiffs’ allegations and will continue to vigorously defend themselves in this litigation.

Adam Vignola, et al. v. FAT Brands Inc., et al., United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:18-cv-07469.

On August 24, 2018, the Original Defendants were named as defendants in a putative securities class action lawsuit entitledVignola v. FAT Brands, Inc., Case No. 2:18-cv-07469-PSG-PLA, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On October 23, 2018, Charles Jordan and David Kovacs (collectively, "Lead Plaintiffs") moved to be appointed lead plaintiffs, and the Court granted Lead Plaintiffs’ motion on November 16, 2018. On January 15, 2019, Lead Plaintiffs filed a First Amended Class Action Complaint against the Original Defendants.2021. The allegations and claims for relief asserted inVignolaare substantively identical to those asserted in theRojanyCase. Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss First Amended Class Action Complaint, or, in the Alternative, to Stay the Action In Favor of a Prior Pending Action. On June 14, 2019, the Court denied Defendants’ motion to stay but granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss the First Amended Class Action Complaint, with Leave to Amend. Lead Plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Class Action Complaint on August 5, 2019. On September 9, 2019, Defendants’ filed a Motion to Dismiss the Second Amended Class Action Complaint. On December 17, 2019, the Court granted Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss the Second Amended Class Action Complaint in Part, Without Leave to Amend. The allegations remaining inVignolaare substantively identical to those remaining in theRojanyCase. Defendants filed their Answer to the Second Amended Class Action Complaint on January 14, 2020. On December 27, 2019, Lead Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Class Certification. By order entered March 16, 2020, the Court denied Lead Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification. By order entered April 1, 2020, the Court set various deadlines for the case, including a fact discovery cut-off of December 29, 2020, expert discovery cut-off of February 23, 2021 and trial date of March 30, 2021. Defendants dispute Lead Plaintiffs’ allegations and will continue to vigorously defend themselves in this litigation.

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The Company is obligated to indemnify its officers and directors to the extent permitted by applicable law in connection with the above actions, and has insurance for such individuals, to the extent of the limits of the applicable insurance policies and subject to potential reservations of rights. The Company is also obligated to indemnify Tripoint Global Equities, LLC under certain conditions relating to theRojany andVignolamatters. These proceedings are ongoing and the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters.this matter, however, reserves have been recorded on the balance sheet relating to this litigation. There can be no assurance that the defendants will be successful in defending against these actions.

SBN FCCG LLC v FCCGI (Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. BS172606)

 

SBN FCCG LLC (“SBN”) filed a complaint against Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc. (“FCCG”) in New York state court for an indemnification claim (the “NY case”) stemming from an earlier lawsuit in Georgia regarding a certain lease portfolio formerly managed by a former FCCG subsidiary. In February 2018, SBN obtained a final judgment in the NY case for a total of $651,290, which included $225,030 in interest dating back to March 2012. SBN then obtained a sister state judgment in Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. BS172606 (the “California case”), which included the $651,290 judgment from the NY case, plus additional statutory interest and fees, for a total judgment of $656,543. In May 2018, SBN filed a cost memo, requesting an additional $12,411 in interest to be added to the judgment in the California case, for a total of $668,954. In May 2019, the parties agreed to settle the matter for $580,000, which required the immediate payment of $100,000, and the balance to be paid in August 2019. FCCG wired $100,000 to SBN in May 2019, but has not yet paid the remaining balance of $480,000. The parties have not entered into a formal settlement agreement, and they have not yet discussed the terms for the payment of the remaining balance.

The Company is involved in other claims and legal proceedings from time-to-time that arise in the ordinary course of business.business, including those involving the Company’s franchisees. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.As of March 28,2021, the Company had accrued an aggregate of $5.68 million for the specific matters mentioned above and claims and legal proceedings involving franchisees as of that date.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 28, 2020,March 29, 2021, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or future results. There have been no material changes in such factors discussed in our Annual Report. The risks described in our Annual Report are not the only risks facing our company. 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 or future results.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Common StockNone.

On February 11, 2020, the Company issued a total of 16,360 shares of common stock at a value of $4.585 per share to the non-employee members of the board of directors as consideration for accrued directors’ fees. The issuance of these shares to the directors are exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 promulgated under Regulation D under the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The directors acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

OnSubsequent to March 28, 2021, on May 25, 2020, Marc Holtzman resigned from3, 2021, the Board of Directorsexercise price of the Company. Mr. Holtzman informed2020 Series B Offering Warrants decreased from $5.00 per share to $4.8867 per share based on the Company that he resigned for personal reasonscash dividend payable to holders of the Company’s common stock as of such date (See Notes 16 and to pursue other business opportunities, and not as a result17 of a disagreement with any Company operations, policies or practices.the Financial Statements).

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit   Incorporated By Reference toFiled
Number Description Form Exhibit Filing Date Herewith
           
4.1 Base Indenture, dated March 6, 2020, by and between FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC, and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee and securities intermediary. 8-K 4.1 03/12/2020  
4.2 Series 2020-1 Supplement to Base Indenture, dated March 6, 2020, by and between FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC, and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee. 8-K 4.2 03/12/2020  
10.1 Management Agreement, dated March 6, 2020, by and among FAT Brands Inc., FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC, each of the Franchise Entities, and the Trustee. 8-K 10.2 03/12/2020  
10.2 Intercompany Revolving Credit Agreement, dated April 24, 2020, by and between FAT Brands Inc. and Fog Cutter Capital Group, Inc. 10-K 10.11 04/28/2020  
31.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       X
31.2 Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       X
32.1 Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       X
           
101.INS XBRL Instance Document       X (Furnished)
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document       X (Furnished)
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document       X (Furnished)
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document       X (Furnished)
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document       X (Furnished)
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document       X (Furnished)

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Exhibit   Incorporated By Reference toFiled
Number Description Form Exhibit Filing Date Herewith
           
4.1 Base Indenture, dated March 6, 2020, and amended and restated as of April 26, 2021, by and between FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee and securities intermediary. 8-K 4.1 4/26/2021  
4.2 Series 2021-1 Supplement to the Base Indenture, dated April 26, 2021, by and between FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee. 8-K 4.2 4/26/2021  
10.1 Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated April 26, 2021, by and among each of the Securitization Entities, as Guarantors, in favor of UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee. 8-K 10.1 4/26/2021  
10.2 Management Agreement, dated March 6, 2020, and amended and restated as of April 26, 2021, by and among FAT Brands Inc., FAT Brands Royalty I, LLC, each of the Securitization Entities and UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee. 8-K 10.2 4/26/2021  

31.1

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

X

31.2 

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

       

X

32.1 Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       

X

101.INS XBRL Instance Document       X (Furnished)
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document       X (Furnished)
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document       X (Furnished)
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document       X (Furnished)
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document       X (Furnished)
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document       X (Furnished)

 

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.

 

 FAT BRANDS INC.
  
May 28, 202012, 2021By/s/ Andrew A. Wiederhorn
  Andrew A. Wiederhorn
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)
   
May 28, 202012, 2021By/s/ Rebecca D. Hershinger
  Rebecca D. Hershinger
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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