UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
  
FORM 10-Q
 
ýQuarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020
 
OR
 
oTransition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the transition period from             to            
 
Commission File Number 001-35588
 
Franchise Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 27-3561876
(State of incorporation) (IRS employer identification no.)
 
1716 Corporate Landing Parkway2387 Liberty Way
Virginia Beach,Virginia 2345423456
(Address of principal executive offices)
(757)493-8855
(Registrant’sRegistrant's telephone number, including area code)


1716 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $.01 per share FRG NASDAQ Global Market
 
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 ý No o


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 such files).  Yes ý No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filerx
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting companyx
  Emerging growth companyo
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.o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  Noý


The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 value per share, as of December 6, 2019,August 3, 2020 was 19,703,48140,029,599 shares.








FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020
 
Table of Contents
 






PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)




FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
October 31, 2019, April 30, 2019 and October 31, 2018
(In thousands, except share count and per share data)
 October 31, 2019 April 30, 2019 October 31, 2018
Assets(unaudited)  
 (unaudited)
Current assets: 
  
  
Cash and cash equivalents$86,306
 $22,983
 $5,132
Receivables:   
  
Accounts receivable39,318
 47,011
 40,089
Notes receivable - current30,541
 21,097
 38,014
Interest receivable, net of uncollectible amounts2,281
 1,718
 2,500
Allowance for doubtful accounts - current(8,563) (11,183) (11,937)
Total current receivables, net63,577
 58,643
 68,666
Assets held for sale
 
 4,357
Income taxes receivable427
 1,784
 14,890
Inventories, net144,981
 
 
Other current assets8,763
 9,682
 2,928
Total current assets304,054
 93,092
 95,973
Property, equipment, and software, net45,760
 32,676
 36,185
Notes receivable, non-current20,054
 7,445
 10,569
  Allowance for doubtful accounts, non-current(781) (633) (1,502)
Total non-current notes receivables, net19,273
 6,812
 9,067
Goodwill118,844
 6,566
 7,550
Operating lease right-of-use assets127,618
 
 
Other intangible assets, net64,268
 19,161
 21,731
Deferred income taxes1,038
 315
 1,441
Other assets5,666
 1,379
 2,013
Total assets$686,521
 $160,001
 $173,960
Liabilities and Equity 
  
  
Current liabilities: 
  
  
Current installments of long-term obligations$13,454
 $13,108
 $15,685
Current portion of operating lease liabilities32,290
 
 
Current portion of finance lease liabilities418
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses63,836
 13,672
 15,100
Due to Area Developers (ADs)3,550
 17,282
 6,886
Income taxes payable
 447
 
Revolving credit facility39,260
 
 48,275
Deferred revenue - current3,188
 3,679
 3,873
Total current liabilities155,996
 48,188
 89,819
Total long-term debt less debt issuance costs193,472
 1,940
 1,979
Deferred revenue and other - non-current3,220
 5,622
 6,890
Operating lease liabilities - non-current90,861
 
 
Finance lease liabilities - non-current703
 
 
Deferred income tax liability
 537
 919
Long-term income taxes payable
 
 1,070
Total liabilities444,252
 56,287
 100,677
Commitments and contingencies

 

 

Common stock subject to potential redemption, 9,096,435 shares (at redemption value of $12 per share)109,157
 
 
Equity: 
    
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 180,000,000, 22,000,000 and 21,200,000 shares authorized, 19,693,981 (excluding 9,096,435 shares subject to redemption), 14,048,528 and 14,036,684 shares issued and outstanding, respectively197
 140
 140
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 20,000,000, 0 and 0 shares authorized, 1,886,667 issued and outstanding, respectively19
 
 
Additional paid-in capital
 12,552
 11,964
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes(1,583) (1,910) (1,654)
Retained earnings63,706
 92,932
 62,833
Total equity attributable to Franchise Group, Inc.62,339
 103,714
 73,283
Non-controlling interest70,773
 
 
Total equity133,112
 103,714
 73,283
Total liabilities, common stock subject to redemption and equity$686,521
 $160,001
 $173,960
(In thousands, except share count and per share data) June 27, 2020 December 28, 2019
Assets (Unaudited) (Audited)
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $105,473
 $39,581
Current receivables, net 111,857
 79,693
Inventories, net 315,078
 300,312
Other current assets 24,298
 20,267
Total current assets 556,706
 439,853
Property, equipment, and software, net 152,520
 150,147
Non-current receivables, net 15,105
 18,638
Goodwill 468,088
 134,301
Intangible assets, net 145,887
 77,590
Operating lease right-of-use assets 529,891
 462,610
Other non-current assets 15,434
 15,406
Total assets $1,883,631
 $1,298,545
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity 
 
Current liabilities: 
 
Current installments of long-term obligations $203,490
 $218,384
Current operating lease liabilities 130,307
 107,680
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 222,461
 158,995
Other current liabilities 38,008
 16,409
Total current liabilities 594,266
 501,468
Long-term obligations, excluding current installments 537,148
 245,236
Non-current operating lease liabilities 426,255
 394,307
Other non-current liabilities 35,253
 5,773
Total liabilities 1,592,922
 1,146,784

 
 
Stockholders' equity: 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 180,000,000 and 180,000,000 shares authorized, 35,185,710 and 18,250,225 shares issued and outstanding at June 27, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively 352
 183
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 20,000,000 and 20,000,000 shares authorized, 0 and 1,886,667 shares issued and outstanding at June 27, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively 
 19
Additional paid-in capital 249,525
 108,339
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (2,103) (1,538)
Retained earnings 42,935
 18,388
Total equity attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. 290,709
 125,391
Non-controlling interest 
 26,370
Total equity 290,709
 151,761
Total liabilities and equity $1,883,631
 $1,298,545
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three and Six Months Ended October 31, 2019 (unaudited) and 2018 (unaudited)
(In thousands, except share count and per share data)
  Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
Revenues:  
  
  
  
Product $11,947
 $
 $12,064
 $
Service 12,641
 6,776
 19,384
 13,940
Leasing 11,898
 
 13,233
 
Total revenues 36,486
 6,776
 44,681
 13,940
Operating expenses:  
  
  
  
Cost of revenue: 

 

 

 

Product 8,171
 
 8,264
 
Service 1,210
 
 1,210
 
Leasing 4,463
 
 5,003
 
Total cost of revenue 13,844
 
 14,477
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 46,969
 24,052
 77,837
 51,308
Restructuring expenses 
 1,078
 
 9,345
Total operating expenses 60,813
 25,130
 92,314
 60,653
Loss from operations (24,327) (18,354) (47,633) (46,713)
Other income (expense):        
Other 1
 (2) 2
 
Interest expense, net (3,598) (547) (4,562) (1,077)
Loss before income taxes (27,924) (18,903) (52,193)
(47,790)
Income tax benefit (3,829) (6,029) (8,960) (15,545)
Net loss (24,095) (12,874) (43,233) (32,245)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest 10,657
 
 13,892
 
Net loss attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. $(13,438) $(12,874) $(29,341) $(32,245)
         
Net loss per share of common stock:        
Basic and diluted $(0.81) $(0.92) $(1.88) $(2.38)
         
Weighted-average shares outstanding basic and diluted 16,588,868
 14,033,895
 15,572,099
 13,555,993


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.





FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Three and Six Months Ended October 31, 2019 (unaudited) and 2018 (unaudited)
(In thousands)Operations (Unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
Net loss $(24,095) $(12,874) $(43,233) $(32,245)
Other comprehensive loss        
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swap agreement, net of taxes of $(8), $4, $(23), and $(1), respectively (20) 10
 (58) 20
Foreign currency translation adjustment 42
 (125) 385
 (327)
Other comprehensive gain (loss) 22
 (115) 327
 (307)
Comprehensive loss (24,073) (12,989) (42,906) (32,552)
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest 10,648
 
 13,761
 
Comprehensive loss attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. $(13,425) $(12,989) $(29,145) $(32,552)
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 (In thousands, except share count and per share data) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Revenues:    
  
  
Product $466,709
 $
 $940,214
 $
Service and other 28,742
 23,820
 131,383
 119,658
Rental 17,176
 
 33,596
 
Total revenues 512,627
 23,820
 1,105,193
 119,658
Operating expenses:  
  
    
Cost of revenue:        
   Product 277,582
 
 565,400
 
   Service and other 701
 
 1,456
 
   Rental 5,508
 
 11,450
 
Total cost of revenue 283,791
 
 578,306
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 217,264
 29,482
 469,476
 70,447
Total operating expenses 501,055
 29,482
 1,047,782
 70,447
Income (loss) from operations 11,572
 (5,662) 57,411
 49,211
Other expense:  
  
  
  
Other (6) (106) (4,064) (99)
Interest expense, net (31,626) (415) (57,378) (1,470)
Income (loss) before income taxes (20,060) (6,183) (4,031) 47,642
Income tax expense (benefit) 1,882
 (928) (43,987) 14,706
Net income (loss) (21,942) (5,255) 39,956
 32,936
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest 269
 
 (2,090) 
Net income (loss) attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. $(21,673) $(5,255) $37,866
 $32,936
         
Net income (loss) per share of common stock:  
  
  
  
Basic $(0.62) $(0.37) $1.30
 $2.34
Diluted (0.62) (0.37) 1.29
 2.33
         
Weighted-average shares outstanding:        
Basic 34,972,364
 14,062,766
 29,173,172
 14,059,279
Diluted 34,972,364
 14,062,766
 29,335,633
 14,124,104

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
Three and Six Months Ended October 31, 2019 (unaudited)
(In thousands)

 Three Months Ended October 31, 2019
 Shares Common stock Shares Preferred stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Franchise Group Equity Non-controlling interest Total Equity
Balance at August 1, 201916,212
 $162
 1,617
 $16
 $66,264
 $(1,605) $77,348
 $142,185
 66,042
 $208,227
Non-controlling interest in New Holdco LLC
 
 
 
 (15,388) 
 
 (15,388) 15,388
 
Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition - issuance of Preferred Stock and New Holdco LLC units
 
 270
 3
 16,197
 
 
 16,200
 
 16,200
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (13,438) (13,438) (10,666) (24,104)
Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 22
 
 22
 9
 31
Exercise of stock options149
 2
 
 
 1,571
 
 
 1,573
 
 1,573
Stock-based compensation, net of taxes
 
 
 
 342
 
 
 342
 
 342
Issuance of common stock related to Sears Outlet3,333
 33
 
 
 39,967
 
 
 40,000
 
 40,000
Common stock subject to potential redemption
 
 
 
 (108,953) 
 (204) (109,157) 
 (109,157)
Balance at October 31, 201919,694
 $197
 1,887
 $19
 $
 $(1,583) $63,706
 $62,339
 $70,773
 $133,112
 Six Months Ended October 31, 2019
 Shares Common stock Shares Preferred stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Franchise Group Equity Non-controlling interest Total Equity
Balance at May 1, 201914,049
 $140
 
 $
 $12,552
 $(1,910) $92,932
 $103,714
 
 $103,714
Cumulative effect of adopted accounting standards, net
 
 
 
 
 
 319
 319
 
 319
Buddy's Acquisition - issuance of Preferred Stock and New Holdco LLC units
 
 1,617
 16
 96,984
 
 
 97,000
 
 97,000
Non-controlling interest in New Holdco LLC
 
 
 
 (84,665) 
 
 (84,665) 84,665
 
Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition - issuance of Preferred Stock and New Holdco LLC units
 
 270
 3
 16,197
 
 
 16,200
 
 16,200
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (29,341) (29,341) (14,023) (43,364)
Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 327
 
 327
 131
 458
Exercise of stock options177
 2
 
 
 1,878
 
 
 1,880
 
 1,880
Stock-based compensation, net of taxes52
 1
 
 
 1,061
 
 
 1,062
 
 1,062
Issuance of common stock related to Buddy's2,083
 21
 
 
 24,979
 
 
 25,000
 
 25,000
Issuance of common stock related to Sears Outlet3,333
 33
 
 
 39,967
 
 
 40,000
 
 40,000
Common stock subject to potential redemption
 
 
 
 (108,953) 
 (204) (109,157) 
 (109,157)
Balance at October 31, 201919,694
 $197
 1,887
 $19
 $
 $(1,583) $63,706
 $62,339
 $70,773
 $133,112


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.





FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' EquityComprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
Three and Six Months Ended October 31, 2018 (unaudited)
(In thousands)

 Three Months Ended October 31, 2018
 Shares Class A common stock Shares Class B common stock Shares Special voting preferred stock Shares Exchangeable stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Equity
Balance at August 1, 201814,024
 $140
 
 $
 
 $
 
 $
 $11,769
 $(1,539) $75,707
 $86,077
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (12,874) (12,874)
Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (115) 
 (115)
Stock-based compensation, net of taxes13
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 195
 
 
 195
Balance at October 31, 201814,037
 $140
 
 $
 
 $
 
 $
 $11,964
 $(1,654) $62,833
 $73,283
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Net income (loss) $(21,942) $(5,255) $39,956
 $32,936
Other comprehensive income (loss)        
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap agreement, net of taxes of $(3), $(13), $(31) and $(21), respectively (7) (34) (80) (55)
Foreign currency translation adjustment 381
 113
 (491) 341
Forward contracts related to foreign currency exchange rates 4
 18
 6
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) 378
 97
 (565) 286
Comprehensive income (loss) (21,564) (5,158) 39,391
 33,222
Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest 269
 
 (1,915) 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. $(21,295) $(5,158) $37,476
 $33,222

 Six Months Ended October 31, 2018
 Shares Class A common stock Shares Class B common stock Shares Special voting preferred stock Shares Exchangeable stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Equity
Balance at May 1, 201812,823
 $128
 200
 $2
 
 $
 1,000
 $10
 $11,570
 $(1,347) $101,138
 $111,501
Cumulative effect of adopted accounting standards, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (3,794) (3,794)
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (32,244) (32,244)
Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (307) 
 (307)
Stock-based compensation, net of taxes14
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 394
 
 
 394
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares1,200
 12
 (200) (2) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 (1,000) (10) 
 
 
 (10)
Cash Dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (2,267) (2,267)
Balance at October 31, 201814,037
 $140
 
 $
 
 $
 
 $
 $11,964
 $(1,654) $62,833
 $73,283

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.




FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Six Months Ended October 31, 2019 (unaudited) and 2018 (unaudited)
(In thousands)

Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
 
  Six Months Ended October 31,
  2019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:  
  
Net loss $(43,233) $(32,245)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:  
  
Provision for doubtful accounts 3,708
 3,898
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges 8,621
 6,359
Amortization of deferred financing costs 1,355
 138
Loss on disposal of fixed and intangible assets 688
 5,330
Stock-based compensation expense 1,083
 439
Gain (loss) on bargain purchases and sales of Company-owned offices (1,032) (138)
Equity in gain of affiliate 84
 46
Deferred tax expense (11,971) (179)
Changes in accrued income taxes 1,243
 (19,441)
Changes in other assets and liabilities 2,507
 54
Net cash used in operating activities (36,947) (35,739)
Cash flows from investing activities:  
  
Issuance of operating loans to franchisees and ADs (14,868) (18,828)
Payments received on operating loans to franchisees 815
 1,525
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired (149,859) 
Purchases of AD rights, Company-owned offices and acquired customer lists (2,506) (119)
Proceeds from sale of Company-owned offices and AD rights 
 90
Purchases of property, equipment and software (718) (1,925)
Net cash used in investing activities (167,136) (19,257)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 1,880
 
Issuance of common stock 65,000
 
Dividends paid 
 (2,244)
Repayment of long-term obligations (14,345) (4,280)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility 39,260
 48,601
Repayments under revolving credit facility (24,971) (326)
Issuance of debt 210,000
 
Payment of debt issuance costs (9,551) 
Cash paid for taxes on exercises/vesting of stock-based compensation (21) (46)
Net cash provided by financing activities 267,252
 41,705
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, net 154
 (99)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 63,323
 (13,390)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 22,983
 18,522
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $86,306
 $5,132
 Three Months Ended June 27, 2020
(In thousands)Common stock shares Common stock Preferred stock shares Preferred stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Franchise Group equity Non-controlling interest Total equity
Balance at March 29, 202029,653
 $297
 1,099
 $11
 $237,354
 $(2,306) $73,652
 $309,008
 $20,013
 $329,021
Changes and distributions of non-controlling interest in New Holdco
 
 
 
 19,919
 (175) 
 19,744
 (19,744) 
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (21,673) (21,673) (269) (21,942)
Total other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 378
 
 378
 
 378
Exercise of stock options23
 
 
 
 186
 
 
 186
 
 186
Stock-based compensation expense, net15
 
 
 
 1,817
 
 
 1,817
 
 1,817
Conversion of preferred to common stock5,496
 55
 (1,099) (11) (9,751) 
 
 (9,707) 
 (9,707)
Dividend declared ($0.25 per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 (9,044) (9,044) 
 (9,044)
Balance at June 27, 202035,187
 $352
 
 $
 $249,525
 $(2,103) $42,935
 $290,709
 $
 $290,709

 Six Months Ended June 27, 2020
(In thousands)Common stock shares Common stock Preferred stock shares Preferred stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Franchise Group equity Non-controlling interest Total equity
Balance at December 29, 201918,250
 $183
 1,887
 $19
 $108,339
 $(1,538) $18,388
 $125,391
 $26,370
 $151,761
Changes and distributions of non-controlling interest in New Holdco
 
 
 
 23,744
 (175) 
 23,569
 (25,927) (2,358)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 37,866
 37,866
 2,090
 39,956
Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 (390) 
 (390) (175) (565)
Exercise of stock options23
 
 
 
 186
 
 
 186
 
 186
Stock-based compensation expense, net18
 
 
 
 4,265
 
 
 4,265
 
 4,265
Issuance of common stock7,462
 75
 
 
 123,019
 
 
 123,094
 
 123,094
Conversion of preferred to common stock9,434
 94
 (1,887) (19) (10,028) 
 
 (9,953) 
 (9,953)
Dividend declared ($0.25 per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 (15,677) (15,677) 
 (15,677)
Adjustment
 
 
 
 
 
 2,358
 2,358
 (2,358) 
Balance at June 27, 202035,187
 $352
 
 $
 $249,525
 $(2,103) $42,935
 $290,709
 $
 $290,709

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.





FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsStockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended October 31, 2019 (unaudited) and 2018 (unaudited)
(In thousands)

  Six Months Ended October 31,
  2019 2018
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:  
  
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest of $13 and $16, respectively
 $903
 $1,010
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds 13
 4,030
Accrued capitalized software costs included in accounts payable 16
 121
During the six months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company acquired certain assets from ADs, franchisees, and third parties as follows:    
Fair value of assets purchased $9,487
 $1,748
Receivables applied, net of amounts written off, due ADs and related deferred revenue (4,896) (117)
Bargain purchase gains (978) (48)
Long-term obligations and accounts payable issued to seller (1,107) (1,464)
Cash paid to ADs, franchisees and third parties $2,506
 $119
During the six months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company sold certain assets to ADs and franchisees as follows:  
  
Book value of assets sold $
 $726
loss on sale - loss recognized 
 (27)
Notes received 
 (609)
Restructuring 
 
Cash received from ADs and franchisees $
 $90
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
(In thousands)Common stock shares Common stock Preferred stock shares Preferred stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Franchise Group equity Non-controlling interest Total equity
Balance at April 1, 201914,058
 $141
 
 $
 $12,632
 $(1,830) $90,224
 $101,167
 $
 $101,167
Cumulative effect of adopted accounting standards, net
 
 
 
 
 
 322
 322
   322
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (5,255) (5,255) 
 (5,255)
Total other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 97
 
 97
 
 97
Cancellation of common stock(9) 
 
 
 (88) 
 
 (88)   (88)
Stock-based compensation, net51
 
 
 
 639
 
 
 639
 
 639
Balance at June 30, 201914,100
 $141
 
 $
 $13,183
 $(1,733) $85,291
 $96,882
 $
 $96,882

 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
(In thousands)Common stock shares Common stock Preferred stock shares Preferred stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Franchise Group equity Non-controlling interest Total equity
Balance at January 1, 201914,044
 $140
 
 $
 $12,091
 $(2,019) $52,029
 $62,241
 $
 $62,241
Cumulative effect of adopted accounting standards, net
 
 
 
 
 
 322
 322
 
 322
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 32,936
 32,936
 
 32,936
Total other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 286
 
 286
 
 286
Cancellation of common stock(9) 
 
 
 (88) 
 
 (88) 
 (88)
Exercise of stock options14
 
 
 
 153
 
 
 153
 
 153
Stock-based compensation, net51
 1
 
 
 1,027
 
 
 1,028
 
 1,028
RSU dividend accrual
 
 
 
 
 
 4
 4
 
 4
Balance at June 30, 201914,100
 $141
 
 $
 $13,183
 $(1,733) $85,291
 $96,882
 $
 $96,882

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
  Six Months Ended
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Operating Activities    
Net income $39,956
 $32,936
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Provision for doubtful accounts 3,403
 4,770
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges 33,792
 7,772
Amortization of deferred financing costs 21,554
 358
Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets (166) 270
Stock-based compensation expense - equity awards 4,339
 1,047
Loss (gain) on bargain purchases and sales of Company-owned offices (1,258) 424
Equity in loss of affiliate 15
 1
Deferred tax expense 7,739
 742
Change in 


 


Accounts, notes, and interest receivable (1,784) 1,380
Income taxes receivable (53,156) 13,341
Other assets 1,015
 1,870
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 134
 222
Inventory 84,434
 
Deferred revenue 8,938
 (1,538)
Net cash provided by operating activities 148,955
 63,595
Investing Activities    
Issuance of operating loans to franchisees and ADs (28,876) (44,346)
Payments received on operating loans to franchisees and ADs 49,612
 66,204
Purchases of Company-owned offices, AD rights, and acquired customer lists (2,299) (404)
Proceeds from sale of Company-owned offices and AD rights 989
 22
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired (353,423) 
Purchases of property, equipment, and software (16,212) (647)
Net cash provided by (used in) in investing activities (350,209) 20,829
Financing Activities    
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 187
 153
Dividends paid (10,406) 
Non-controlling interest distribution (4,716) 
Repayment of other long-term obligations (410,798) (16,178)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility 142,000
 93,874
Repayments under revolving credit facility (112,760) (161,128)
Issuance of common stock 92,082
 
Payment for debt issue costs (14,604) (2,260)
Issuance of debt 586,000
 
Cash paid for taxes on exercises/vesting of stock-based compensation (73) (21)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 266,912
 (85,560)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, net (234) 131
Net increase (decrease) in cash equivalents and restricted cash 65,424
 (1,005)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 45,146
 3,981
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $110,570
 $2,976
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure    
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds $493
 $70
Cash paid for interest $26,857
 $993
Accrued capital expenditures $2,608
 $
Deferred financing costs from issuance of common stock $31,013
 $
Tax receivable agreement included in other long-term liabilities $17,156
 $

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.




The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents $105,473
 $2,976
Restricted cash included in other non-current assets 5,097
 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows $110,570
 $2,976

Amounts included in other non-current assets represent those required to be set aside by a contractual agreement with an insurer for the payment of specific workers’ compensation claims.



FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
October 31, 2019June 27, 2020 and 2018June 30, 2019
 
(1) Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Description of Business


Franchise Group, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, is a franchisor, operator and acquirer of franchised and franchisable businesses that it believes it can scale using its operating expertise. On July 10, 2019, the Company formed Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC (“New Holdco”), which completed the acquisition of Buddy's Newco, LLC ("Buddy's") (the "Buddy's Acquisition") as described in "Note 2. Acquisition" in exchange for units of New Holdco ("New Holdco units") and voting non-economic preferred stock ("Preferred Stock") in the Company.. On October 23, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of the Sears Outlet segment("Sears Outlet") business from Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (subsequently rebranded as American Freight Outlet). On December 16, 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of The Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. ("Vitamin Shoppe"). On February 14, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of the American Freight Group, Inc. ("American Freight") as described in “Note 2. Acquisition”Acquisitions”. New Holdco holds all of the Company’s operating subsidiaries.


Segment Information

The Company currently operates in threefour reportable segments: Liberty Tax, Buddy’s, Vitamin Shoppe and American Freight. Sears Outlet.Outlet, which was rebranded as American Freight Outlet following the acquisition of American Freight, is included in the American Freight segment. The Liberty Tax segment provides income tax services in the United States of America (the "U.S.") and Canada. The Buddy's segment is a specialty retailer engaged in the business of leasing and selling consumer electronics, residential furniture, appliances and household accessories. The SearsVitamin Shoppe segment is an omni-channel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle company with the mission of providing customers with the most trusted products, guidance and services to help them become their best selves. The Vitamin Shoppe segment offers a comprehensive assortment of nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and natural beauty aids through proprietary brands. The American Freight segment operates under the American Freight and American Freight Outlet segmentbanners. American Freight is a retail chain offering brand-name furniture, mattresses, appliances and home accessories at discount prices. American Freight Outlet provides in-store and online access for customers to purchase new, one-of-a-kind, out-of-carton,out-of-box, discontinued, obsolete, used, reconditioned, overstocked and scratched and dented products, collectively "outlet-value products" across a broad assortment of merchandise categories, including home appliances, mattresses and furniture and lawn and garden equipment.at value-oriented prices.


The Liberty Tax segment's operating revenues are seasonal in nature, which has peak revenues occurring in the monthsPrinciples of January through April. Therefore, results for interim periods are not indicative of results to be expected for the full year.Consolidation


Change in Fiscal Year-End

On October 1, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a change in the Company's fiscal year end from April 30 to the Saturday closest to December 31 of each year, effective immediately. The decision to change the fiscal year-end was related to the recent Buddy’s Acquisition and Sears Outlet Acquisition to closely align its operations and internal controls with that of its subsidiaries. The Company will file an annual report for the transition period ending December 28, 2019.

The Sears Outlet segment's quarter ended November 2, 2019. The Sears Outlet segment's year end will be on December 28, 2019, consistent with the Company's fiscal year end.
Basis of Presentation
The Company consolidates any entities in which it has a controlling interest, the usual condition of which is ownership of a majority voting interest. ThePrior to April 1, 2020, the Company iswas the sole managing member of New Holdco and possessespossessed ownership of more than 50 percent of the outstanding voting shares.units. As a result, the Company consolidatesconsolidated the financial results of New Holdco and reportsreported a non-controlling interest that representsrepresented the economic interestinterests of the New Holdco units not held by the former equity holdersCompany. As of Buddy's (the "Buddy's Members"). The assets and liabilities ofApril 1, 2020, the Company redeemed all outstanding New Holdco reflect substantially allunits for shares of common stock of the Company’s consolidated assetsCompany and liabilities with the exception of certain cash balances and deferred tax liabilities. As of October 31, 2019, the Company hadnow has an ownership100% interest of 60.1% in New Holdco and reported a non-controlling interest equal to 39.9%.Holdco.


The Company does not possess any ownership interests in franchisee entities; however, the Company may provide financial support to franchisee entities. Because the Company's franchise arrangements provide franchisee entities the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact their economic performance, the Company does not consider itself the primary beneficiary of any such entity that meets the definition of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). Based on the results of management's analysis of potential VIEs, the Company has not consolidated any franchisee entities. The Company's maximum exposure to loss resulting from involvement with potential VIEs is attributable to accounts and notes receivables and future lease payments due from franchisees. When the Company does not have a controlling interest in an entity but has the ability to exert significant influence over the entity, the Company applies the equity method of accounting. IntercompanyAll intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.





Inventory for the Buddy's segment is recorded at cost, including shipping and handling fees. All lease merchandise is available for lease or sale. Upon purchase, merchandise is not initially depreciated until it is leased or three months after the purchase date. Non-leased merchandise is depreciated on a straight-line basis over a periodBasis of 24 months. Leased merchandise is depreciated over the lease term of the rental agreement. On a weekly basis, all damaged, lost, stolen, or unsalable merchandise identified is written off. Maintenance and repairs of lease merchandise are charged to operations as incurred. Inventory for the Sears Outlet segment is valued at the lower of cost or market using the weighted average cost method. Inventory includes the inventory cost plus all freight and any warranty costs. A provision for estimated shrink is recorded based on the historical results of physical inventories and adjusted based on the actual results of physical inventories as they are performed.Presentation


Prior year period results were reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Revenues have been classified into product, service and leasingother and rental revenues as further discussed in "Note 8.5. Revenue." Costs of sales for product includes the cost of merchandise, transportation and transportationwarehousing costs. Service and other costs of sales includesinclude the direct costs of warranties, the cost delivery and handling related to merchandise sold online. Leasingwarranties. Rental cost of sales represents the amortization of inventory costs over the leased term. Other operating expenses, including employee costs, depreciation and amortization, and advertising expenses have been reclassified intoclassified in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company also includes the cost of warehousing and occupancy costs in selling, general and administrative expenses.


Assets and liabilities of the Company's Canadian operations have been translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the end of the period. Revenues and expenses have been translated using the average exchange rates in effect each month of the period. Foreign exchange transaction gains and losses are recognized when incurred.


The Company reclassifies to accounts payable checks issued in excess of funds available and reports them as cash flow from operating activities.


The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information.  The condensed consolidated financial statements, including these notes, are unaudited and exclude some of the disclosures required only in annual financial statements. The Company changed its fiscal year end from April 30 to the Saturday closest to December 31st of each year, resulting in an 8-month transition period from May 1, 2019 to December 28, 2019. The consolidated balance sheet data as of April 30,December 28, 2019 was derived from the Company’s 2019 AnnualTransition Report on Form 10-K10-K/T, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 24, 2020 (the "2019 Transition Report"). The Company has provided unaudited historical financial information that was not previously presented for the three and six months ended June 27, 2019.30, 2019 for comparison purposes.
 
In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP have been recorded.  These adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on June 27, 2019.Transition Report.


Use of Estimates


Management has made a numberThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions relating tothat affect the reportingreported amounts of assets and liabilities the disclosureand disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with GAAP.period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Merchandise Inventories
Inventory for the Buddy's segment is recorded at cost, including shipping and handling fees. Upon purchase, merchandise is not initially depreciated until it is leased or three months after the purchase date. Non-leased merchandise is depreciated on a straight-line basis over a period of 24 months. Leased merchandise is depreciated over the lease term of the rental agreement and recorded in rental cost of revenue. On a weekly basis, all damaged, lost, stolen, or unsalable merchandise identified is written off. Maintenance and repairs of lease merchandise are charged to operations as incurred.

Inventory for the American Freight segment is accounted for by banner. Inventory for the American Freight banner is comprised of finished goods and is valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined by the first-in, first out method.  The Company writes down inventory, the impact of which is reflected in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, if the cost of specific inventory items on hand exceeds the amount the Company expects to be realized from the ultimate sale or disposal of the inventory.  These estimates are based on management’s judgment regarding future demand and market conditions and analysis of historical experience. Inventory under the American Freight Outlet banner, previously the Sears Outlet segment, is recorded at the lower of cost or market using the weighted-average cost method. Inventory includes the purchase price of the inventory plus costs of freight for moving merchandise from vendors to distribution centers as well as from distribution centers to stores.  A provision for estimated shrinkage is maintained based on the actual historical results of physical inventories. Estimates are compared to the actual results of the physical inventory counts as they are taken and adjust the shrink estimates accordingly. Inventory values are adjusted to the difference between the carrying value and the estimated market value, based on assumptions about future demand or when a permanent markdown indicates that the net realizable value of the inventory is less than cost.


Inventory for the Vitamin Shoppe segment is recorded at the lower of cost or market value using the weighted-average cost method. Inventory includes costs directly incurred in bringing the product to its existing condition and location. In addition, the cost of inventory is reduced by purchase discounts and other allowances received from vendors. A markdown reserve is estimated based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the amount of inventory on hand and its remaining shelf life, current and expected market conditions and product expiration dates. In addition, the Company has established a reserve for estimated inventory shrinkage based on the actual, historical shrinkage of its most recent physical inventories adjusted, if necessary, for current economic conditions and business trends. Physical inventories and cycle counts are taken on a regular basis. These adjustments are estimates, which could vary significantly from actual results if future economic conditions, customer demand or competition differ from management expectations.

Goodwill and Non-amortizing Intangible Assets

Goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets, including the Buddy's, Vitamin Shoppe and American Freight tradenames, are not amortized, but rather tested for impairment at least annually. In addition, goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets will be tested on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred. The Company performs a qualitative and/or quantitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that each reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value, including goodwill. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company then estimates the fair value. The Company uses a combination of a market multiple method and a discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of its reporting units and recognizes goodwill impairment for any excess of the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill over its estimated fair value. The Company evaluates the Buddy's, Vitamin Shoppe and American Freight tradenames for impairment by comparing its fair value, based on an income approach using the relief-from-royalty method, to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company's reporting units are determined in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).” The Company performs its annual impairment testing of goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets on the last day of the first month of the Company's third quarter. Refer to “Note 4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information on these balances.

Intangible and Long-Lived Assets Impairment

Amortization of intangible assets is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally from two to ten years. Long-lived assets, such as property, equipment, and software, and other purchased intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. Recognition and measurement of a potential impairment is performed for these assets at the lowest level where cash flows are individually identifiable. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values, and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

Revenue Recognition

The following is a description of the principal activities from which the Company generates its revenues. For more detailed information regarding reportable segments, see "Note 13. Segments."

Product revenues: These include sales of merchandise at the stores and online. Revenue is measured based on the amount of fixed consideration that the Company expects to receive, reduced by estimates for variable consideration such as returns. Revenue also excludes any amounts collected from customers and remitted or payable to governmental authorities. In arrangements where the Company has multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. The Company recognizes revenues from retail operations upon the transfer of control of goods to the customer. The Company satisfies its performance obligations at the point of sale for retail store transactions and upon delivery for online transactions. The Company recognizes revenue for retail store and online transactions when it transfers control of the goods to the customer. The performance obligation is generally satisfied in the following reporting period. Merchandise sales also include payments received for the exercise of the early purchase option offered through rental-purchase agreements or merchandise sold through point of sale transactions. Revenue for merchandise sales associated with rental purchase agreements is recognized when payment is received, and


ownership of the merchandise passes to the customer. The remaining net value of merchandise sold is recorded to cost of sales at the time of the transaction.

Service and other revenues: These include royalties and advertising fees from franchisees, fees from the sales of franchises and area developer territories, financial products, interest income from loans to franchisees and ADs, tax preparation services in the Company-owned stores, electronic filing fees, services and extended-service plans and financing programs. Commissions earned on services are presented net of related costs because the Company is acting as an agent in arranging the services for the customer and does not control the services being rendered. The Company recognizes revenue on the commissions on extended-service plans when it transfers control of the related goods to the customer. The Company recognizes franchise fee and AD fee revenue for the sales of individual territories on a straight-line basis over the initial contract term when the obligations of the Company to prepare the franchisee and AD for operation are substantially complete, not to exceed the estimated amount of cash to be received. Royalties and advertising fees are recognized as franchise territories generate sales. Tax return preparation fees and financial products revenue are recognized as revenue in the period in which related tax return is filed for the customer. Discounts for promotional programs are recorded at the time the return is filed and are recorded as reductions to revenues. Interest income on notes receivable is recognized based on the outstanding principal note balance less unrecognized revenue unless it is put on non-accrual status. Interest income on the unrecognized revenue portion of notes receivable is recognized when received. For accounts receivable, interest income is recognized based on the outstanding receivable balance over 30 days old, net of an allowance.

Rental revenues: The Company provides merchandise, consisting of consumer electronics, computers, residential furniture, appliances, and household accessories to its customers pursuant to rental-purchase agreements which provide for weekly, semi-monthly or monthly non-refundable rental payments. The average rental term is twelve to eighteen months and the Company maintains ownership of the lease merchandise until all payment obligations are satisfied under sales and lease ownership agreements. Customers have the option to purchase the leased goods at any point in the lease term. Customers can terminate the agreement at the end of any rental term without penalty. Therefore, rental transactions are accounted for as operating leases and rental revenue is recognized over the rental term. Cash received prior to the beginning of the lease term is recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue related to various payment, reinstatement or late fees are recognized when paid by the customer. The Company offers additional product plans along with rental agreements that provide customers with liability protection against significant damage or loss of a product, and club membership benefits, including various discount programs, product services and replacement benefits in the event merchandise is damaged or lost. Customers renew product plans in conjunction with their rental term renewals and can cancel the plans at any time. Revenue for product plans is recognized over the term of the plan.

Leases

The Company's lease portfolio primarily consists of leases for its retail store locations and office space. The Company also leases certain office equipment under finance leases. The finance lease right of use assets are included in Property, equipment and software and the finance lease liabilities are included in current installments of long-term obligations, and long-term obligations. The finance leases are immaterial to the financial statements. The Company subleases some of its real estate and equipment leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception by evaluating whether the arrangement conveys the right to use an identified asset and whether the Company obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from and has the ability to direct the use of the asset. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets; the Company recognizes expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For leases with an initial term in excess of 12 months, lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future lease payments over the committed lease term at the lease commencement date. The Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate; therefore, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate and the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future lease payments. Most leases include one or more options to renew and the exercise of renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company does not include renewal options in its determination of the lease term unless the renewals are deemed to be reasonably certain at lease commencement. Operating lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company uses the long-lived assets impairment guidance in ASC Subtopic 360-10, “Property, Plant, and Equipment - Overall,” to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired, and if so, the amount of the impairment loss to recognize.

The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which the Company elects to combine as one lease component for all classes of underlying assets. Non-lease components include variable costs based on actual costs incurred by the lessor related to the payment of real estate taxes, common area maintenance, and insurance. These variable payments are expensed as incurred as variable lease costs.


Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has been negotiating lease concessions with landlords. The lease concessions have been in the form of lease forgiveness, lease deferrals and lease deferrals with term extensions. If the total payments in the modified lease are substantially the same as or less than total payments in the original lease, the Company has elected to not evaluate whether the concession is a lease modification as defined in ASC 842 - "Leases".

Deferred Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are shown on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company has elected to classify interest charged on a tax settlement in interest expense, and accrued penalties, if any, in selling, general, and administrative expenses.

The determination of the Company's provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Significant judgment is required in assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items. The Company records unrecognized tax benefit liabilities for known or anticipated tax issues based on an analysis of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due.

Accounting Pronouncements


In FebruaryJune 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" and subsequent amendments, which replaced previous lease accounting guidance in GAAP and require lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets for all in-scope leases with a term of greater than 12 months and require disclosure of certain quantitative and qualitative information pertaining to an entity's leasing arrangements. The Company adopted the requirements of the standard on May 1, 2019, using the optional effective transition method provided by accounting pronouncement, ASU No. 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements." ASU 2018-11 allows entities to initially apply ASU 2016-02 at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Consequently, the Company's reporting for comparative periods presented in the year of adoption will continue to be in accordance with ASC 840, "Leases (Topic 840)" ("ASC 840"). The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, permitted the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification for leases that commenced before the effective date of the new standard. The Company elected to not separate non-lease components from lease components for all classes of underlying assets. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining lease term and impairment of right-of-use


assets. Adoption of the standard resulted in the recognition of lease right-of-use assets of $8.4 million, lease liabilities of $8.6 million and a reduction to retained earnings of $0.3 million, net of tax, as of April 30, 2019. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations or condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to "Note 9. Leases" for additional information related to the Company's accounting for leases.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which changes how companies will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that aren't measured at fair value through net income. The standard replaces the "incurred loss" approach with an "expected loss" model for instruments measured at amortized cost (which generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses) and requires companies to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities, rather than reduce the carrying amount. In addition, companies will have to disclose significantly more information, including information used to track credit quality by year of origination, for most financing receivables. The ASU should be applied as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is effective. The ASU is effective for U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")SEC filers that are not smaller reporting companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 and for smaller reporting companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal year, beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. The ASU is effective for the Company for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard toon its consolidated financial statements.


In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This standard eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The ASU is effective for SEC filers that are not smaller reporting companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 and for smaller reporting companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal year,years, beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. The ASU is effective for the Company for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard to its consolidated financial statements.




(2) Acquisitions


American Freight Acquisition

On February 14, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of American Freight (the "American Freight Acquisition"). The assets acquired andCompany accounted for the liabilities assumed intransaction as a business combination using the acquisitions below are recorded at fair valueacquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805 - "Business Combinations."Business Combinations." The preliminary fair value of the consideration transferred at the acquisition date was $357.3 million. As of June 27, 2020, $9.9 million of acquisition fees had been incurred that are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

The table below summarizes the unaudited preliminary estimates of the fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the American Freight Acquisition as of February 14, 2020. The preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to revisions, which may result in an adjustment to the preliminary


values presented below. The Company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as reasonably possible but not to exceed one year from the American Freight Acquisition date.

(In thousands) Preliminary 2/14/2020
Cash and cash equivalents $3,840
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,284
Inventories, net 99,200
Property, equipment and software, net 11,032
Goodwill 335,474
Operating lease right-of-use assets 91,101
Other intangible assets, net 70,200
Other non-current assets 1,607
Total assets 615,738
Current operating lease liabilities 17,242
Accounts payable 44,696
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 26,451
Current installments of long-term obligations 3,210
Long-term obligations, excluding current installments 93,975
Deferred tax liabilities 11,451
Non-current operating lease liabilities 61,450
Total liabilities 258,475
Consideration transferred $357,263

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The goodwill recognized is attributable to operational synergies in the expected franchise models and growth opportunities.

The Company identified the American Freight trade name as an indefinite-lived intangible asset with a fair value of $70.2 million. The trade name is not subject to amortization but will be evaluated annually for impairment.

Lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities consists of leases for retail store locations, vehicles and office equipment. The lease right of use assets incorporates a favorable adjustment of $11.5 million, net for favorable and unfavorable American Freight leases (as compared to prevailing market rates) which will be amortized over the remaining lease terms.

The property and equipment consists of leasehold improvements of $7.6 million, office furniture, fixtures and equipment of $2.2 million, computer hardware and software of $1.1 million and construction in progress of $0.2 million.

The Vitamin Shoppe

On December 16, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Vitamin Shoppe (the "Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition") for an aggregate purchase price of $161.8 million. The Company accounted for the transaction as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. In the six months ended June 27, 2020, the preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were adjusted which resulted in a decrease in goodwill of $5.0 million.

Sears Outlet Acquisition


On October 23, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of the Sears Outlet segment and nine Buddy's Home Furnishing franchisesbusiness from Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (collectively, the(the "Sears Outlet Acquisition") pursuant to the terms of the Equity and Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2019, for an aggregate purchase price of $131.3$128.8 million.

The table below summarizesCompany accounted for the preliminary estimates of the fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Sears Outlet Acquisitiontransaction as ofa business combination using the acquisition date. Themethod of accounting. In the six months ended June 27, 2020, the preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to revisions,were adjusted which may resultresulted in an adjustment to the preliminary values presented below, when management's appraisals and estimates are finalized. Due to the recent completionincrease in goodwill of the Sears Outlet Acquisition, the Company is awaiting additional information to finalize the valuation of various balances, which include the measurement of the lease right-of-use assets, merchandise inventories and property and equipment.$2.5 million.




  (In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents $1,800
Accounts receivable 1,615
Inventories, net 120,800
Other current assets 3,792
Property, equipment and software, net 13,012
Goodwill 9,763
Assets held for sale 15,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets 104,405
Other assets 915
Total assets 271,102
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 24,804
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 26,414
Other current liabilities 16,862
Operating lease liabilities - non-current 71,561
Finance lease liabilities - non-current 165
Total liabilities 139,806
Consideration transferred $131,296

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The goodwill recognized is attributable to operational synergies in the expected franchise models and growth opportunities.

Lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities consists of leases for retail store locations, office space and vehicles. The lease right-of-use assets incorporate an adjustment of $8.0 million, net for favorable and unfavorable leases (as compared to prevailing market rates) which will be amortized over the remaining lease terms.

The acquired property and equipment consist of leasehold improvements of $7.9 million, office furniture, fixtures and equipment of $3.7 million, computer hardware and software for $0.8 million and construction in progress of $0.6 million.

Assets held for sale relate to five Sears Outlet stores and nine Buddy’s Home Furnishing Stores acquired and immediately sold to third parties for $15.0 million. Refer to "Note 3. Assets Disposition" for further discussion.

The results of operations of the Sears Outlet segment are included in the Company's results of operations beginning October 23, 2019. From October 23, 2019 through November 2, 2019, the Sears Outlet segment generated revenues of $12 million and a net loss of $2.1 million.


Buddy's Acquisition


On July 10, 2019, (the "Buddy's Acquisition Date"), the Company entered into and completed certain transactions contemplated by an Agreement of Merger and Business Combination Agreement with Buddy's, New Holdco, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of the Company, Franchise Group B Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Holdco and Vintage RTO, L.P., solely in its capacity as the representative of the Buddy's Members, to acquire Buddy's in a stock transaction. At the Buddy's Acquisition Date, each outstanding unitacquisition of Buddy's was converted into the right to receive 0.459315 New Holdco units and 0.091863 shares of Preferred Stock. The Buddy's Members may elect, following an initial six-month lockup period, to cause New Holdco and the Company to redeem one New Holdco Unit and one-fifth of a share of Preferred Stock in exchange for one share of common stock of the Company. As of the Buddy's Acquisition Date, on an as-converted basis, the Buddy's Members' aggregate ownership of New Holdco units and shares of Preferred Stock represent approximately 36.44% of the Company's outstanding common stock, which implies an enterprise value for Buddy's of approximately $122$122.0 million and an equity value of $12.00 per share of common stock.(the "Buddy's Acquisition"). The Company isaccounted for the sole managing member of New Holdco, which will be consolidated for financial reporting purposes. New Holdco units held by the Buddy's Members will be recordedtransaction as a non-controlling interest onbusiness combination using the consolidated financial statements.

The Company andacquisition method of accounting. In the Buddy's Members also entered into an income tax receivable agreement (the "TRA") pursuant to which, subject to certain exceptions set forth insix months ended June 27, 2020, the TRA, the Company will pay the Buddy's Members 40% of the cash savings,


if any, in federal, state and local taxes that the Company realizes or is deemed to realize as a result of any increases in tax basis of the assets of New Holdco resulting from future redemptions or exchanges of New Holdco units held by the Buddy's Members. In connection with the Buddy's Acquisition, none of the New Holdco units were to be purchased or exchanged by the Company and the Buddy's Members. Accordingly, the Company is not obligated to make any TRA payments to the Buddy's Members and therefore has not recorded an initial TRA or contingent consideration liability. In future periods, to the extent that Buddy’s Members exchange their New Holdco units that result in an increase in tax basis of the assets of New Holdco, the Company will initially record an estimated TRA liability equal to the portion of realizable tax benefits that are probable to the Buddy’s Members as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital.

The purchase price is calculated as follows:
  (In thousands except per share)
Number of New Holdco units issued to Buddy’s Members that are exchanged into Company common stock 8,083
Estimated fair value per unit issued to Buddy’s (a) $12.00
Equity consideration $97,000

(a) The fair value per unit of $12.00 was determined based on the estimated enterprise value of Buddy’s negotiated and agreed in connection with the Buddy's Acquisition. This price also approximates the estimated fair value of the Company's common stock.

The table below summarizes the preliminary estimates of the fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Buddy's Acquisition as of the Buddy's Acquisition Date. The preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to revisions,were adjusted which may resultresulted in an adjustment to the preliminary values presented below, when management's appraisals and estimates are finalized. The Company is awaiting additional information to finalize the valuationincrease in goodwill of various balances, which include the acquired intangible assets, measurement of the lease right-of-use assets, and certain tax-related balances.
  (In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents $181
Accounts receivable 13,658
Inventory 9,620
Other current assets 1,291
Property, equipment, and software, net 1,592
Goodwill 86,147
Other intangible assets, net 28,900
Operating lease right-of-use assets 10,564
Other assets 857
Total Assets 152,810
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 1,402
Current portion of finance lease liabilities 432
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 5,354
Revolving credit facility 24,971
Deferred revenue - current and non-current 819
Operating lease liabilities - non-current 11,507
Finance lease liabilities - non-current 616
Deferred income tax liability 10,709
Total Liabilities 55,810
Consideration transferred $97,000

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The goodwill recognized is attributable to operational synergies in the expected franchise models and growth opportunities.


Intangible assets, net consist of three separately identified assets. The Company identified the Buddy's tradename as an indefinite-lived intangible asset with a fair value of $11.1 million. The tradename is not subject to amortization but will be evaluated annually for impairment. The Company also recognized an asset of $10.1 million for franchise agreements and $7.7 million for customer contracts. The allocation of the purchase price to intangible assets as well as their estimated useful lives, is preliminary and may be adjusted.

Lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities consists of leases for retail store locations, vehicles and office equipment. The lease right of use assets incorporate an adjustment of $2.3 million, net for favorable and unfavorable Buddy's leases (as compared to prevailing market rates) which will be amortized over the remaining lease terms. During the three months ended October 31, 2019, the Company updated the valuation of operating lease right-of-use assets, finance lease assets, operating lease liabilities, and finance lease liabilities and recorded a measurement period adjustment decreasing fixed assets and decreasing total liabilities by approximately $2.9 million with no impact to goodwill.

The amount of revenue and net income included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations since Buddy's Acquisition for the three and six months ended October 31, 2019 is set forth in the table below:

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
(In thousands) October 31, 2019 October 31, 2019
Revenue $18,462
 $21,105
Net loss $(1,089) $(1,046)

Pending Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition

On August 7, 2019, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Vitamin Shoppe Merger Agreement") with Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. ("Vitamin Shoppe") pursuant to which, among other things, Vitamin Shoppe will become an operating subsidiary of the Company (the "Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition").

Consummation of the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition is subject to certain customary closing conditions, including, without limitation, the approval of the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition by Vitamin Shoppe shareholders.

Other acquisitions

On September 30, 2019, the Company acquired 21 Buddy’s Home Furnishings stores (the “Buddy’s Partners Asset Acquisition”) from franchisees of the Company's Buddy’s segment. In connection with the acquisition, the sellers received, in aggregate, 1,350,000 New Holdco units and 270,000 shares of Preferred Stock with an estimated fair value of $16.2 million. In addition to the issuance of New Holdco units and Preferred Stock, the Company also forgave $0.6 million of Buddy’s Partners receivable due to Buddy’s. This resulted in a total estimated purchase price of $16.8$1.5 million.

On August 23, 2019, the Company acquired 41 Buddy’s Home Furnishing stores from A-Team Leasing LLC. (“A-Team”), a franchisee of the Buddy’s segment, for the total consideration of $26.6 million (the "A-Team Leasing Asset Acquisition").

The table below summarizes the preliminary estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and resulting goodwill from the Buddy’s Partners Asset Acquisition and the A-Team Leasing Asset Acquisition. The Company’s purchase price allocation for these acquisitions is preliminary and subject to revision as additional information related to the fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available. The amounts recognized and associated amortization periods will be finalized as the information necessary to complete the analyses is obtained, but no later than one year from the respective acquisition dates.







Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

(In thousands) Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition A-Team Leasing Asset Acquisition
Cash and cash equivalents $6
 $8
Inventories 4,832
 8,294
Property, equipment and software, net 1,165
 2,481
Goodwill 5,658
 7,787
Other intangible assets, net 4,400
 8,000
Lease right-of-use assets 2,425
 3,854
Deferred income taxes 1,305
  
Other assets 213
 35
Total assets 20,004
 30,459
Operating lease liabilities - current 506
 1,271
Operating lease liabilities - non-current 1,888
 2,533
Other liabilities 777
 17
Total liabilities 3,171
 3,821
Consideration transferred $16,833
 $26,638

Intangible assets acquired are as follows:
  Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition A-Team Leasing Asset Acquisition
(In thousands) Useful life Estimated fair value Useful life Estimated fair value
Re-acquired franchise rights 4.0 2,500
 7.0 5,700
Customer contracts 5.0 1,900
 6.0 2,300
Total intangible assets   4,400
   8,000


Pro forma financial information


The following unaudited consolidated pro forma summary has been prepared by adjusting the Company's historical data to give effect to the American Freight Acquisition, Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition, Sears Outlet Acquisition theand Buddy's Acquisition, the A-Team Leasing Asset Acquisition and the Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition as if they had occurred onon May 1, 2018.

 Pro Forma - Unaudited Pro forma (Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018 October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018
 (In thousands)
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Revenue $146,347
 $159,007
 $299,562
 $319,568
 $512,627
 $539,814
 $1,153,824
 $1,218,208
Net loss $(10,674) $(7,000) $(16,436) $(27,063)
Net income (14,226) (9,715) 56,921
 38,395


The unaudited consolidated pro forma financial information was prepared in accordance with accounting standards and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred if the American Freight Acquisition, Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition, Sears Outlet Acquisition theor Buddy's Acquisition, the A-Team Leasing Asset Acquisition or the Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition had been completed on the date indicated, nor is it indicative of the future operating results of the Company.


The unaudited pro forma results do not reflect events that either have occurred or may occur after these acquisitions,the acquisition, including, but not limited to, the anticipated realization of operating synergies in subsequent periods. They also do not give effect to certain charges that the Company expects to incur in connection with these acquisitions,the acquisition, including, but not limited to, additional professional fees and employee integration.




(3) Assets Disposition

On October 23, 2019, immediately following the completion of the Sears Outlet Acquisition, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement and completed the sale of five Sears Outlet stores previously acquired in the Sears Outlet Acquisition, for $15.0 million as well as the sale of nine Buddy’s Home Furnishings franchises also previously acquired in the Sears Outlet Acquisition for $1 to an unrelated third party. These assets were initially classified as assets held for sale and recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Therefore, the concurrent sale of these stores resulted in no gain or loss to the Company. The five Sears Outlet stores sold are now franchise locations within the Sears Outlet segment and the nine Buddy's Home Furnishings franchise locations continue to be reported in the Buddy's Segment.



(4)(3) Accounts and Notes Receivable
 
Current and non-current receivables, as of June 27, 2020 and December 28, 2019 are presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as follows:

(In thousands) June 27, 2020 December 28, 2019
Accounts receivable, net $46,323
 $44,333
Notes receivable 16,646
 37,994
Interest receivable, net 2,477
 3,132
Income tax receivable 56,383
 3,356
Allowance for doubtful accounts (9,972) (9,122)
   Current receivables, net 111,857
 79,693
Notes receivable - non-current 15,811
 19,501
Allowance for doubtful accounts - non-current (706) (863)
   Non-current receivables, net 15,105
 18,638
      Total receivables $126,962
 $98,331

The Company provides select financing to area developers ("ADs") and franchisees for the purchase of franchises, areas Company-owned offices, and operating loans for working capital and equipment needs. The franchise-related notes generally are payable over five years and the operating loans generally are due within one year. Most notes bear interest at an annual rate of 12%. 


Most of the notes receivable are due from the Company's ADs and franchisees and are collateralized by the underlying franchise and when the AD or franchise is an entity, are guaranteed by the owners of the respective entity. The debtors' ability to


repay the notes is dependent upon both the performance of the franchisee's industry as a whole and the individual franchise or AD areas.


On October 31, 2019, the Company had an unfunded lending commitment for working capital loans to franchisees and ADs of $11.5 million through January 31, 2020.

Analysis of Past Due Receivables


The breakdown of accounts and notes receivable past due at October 31, 2019,June 27, 2020 was as follows:
 Past due Current Interest receivable, net 
Total
receivables
 (In thousands)
(In thousands) Past due Current Interest receivable, net 
Total
receivables
Accounts receivable $28,694
 $10,624
 $
 $39,318
 $28,494
 $17,829
 $
 $46,323
Notes and interest receivable (1) 9,141
 41,454
 2,281
 52,876
Notes and interest receivable, net (1) 11,133
 21,324
 2,477
 34,934
Total accounts, notes and interest receivable $37,835
 $52,078
 $2,281
 $92,194
 $39,627
 $39,153
 $2,477
 $81,257


(1) Interest receivable is shown net of an allowance for uncollectible interest of $3.3$2.5 million.


Accounts receivable are considered to be past due if unpaid 30 days after billing, and notes receivable are considered past due if unpaid 90 days after the due date. If it is determined the likelihood of collecting substantially all of the notes and accrued interest is not probable, the notes are put on non-accrual status. The Company’s investment in notes receivable on non-accrual status was $9.1 million, $15.6$11.1 million and $12.1$8.5 million at October 31,June 27, 2020 and December 28, 2019, April 30, 2019, and October 31, 2018, respectively. Payments received on notes in non-accrual status are applied to the principal until the note is current and then to interest income. Non-accrual notes that are paid current and expected to remain current are moved back into accrual status during the next annual review.


Allowance for Doubtful Accounts


The adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts is assessed on a quarterly basis and adjusted as deemed necessary. Management believes the recorded allowance is adequate based upon its consideration of the estimated fair value of the franchises and AD areas collateralizing the receivables. Any adverse change in the individual franchise or AD areas could affect the Company's estimate of the allowance.




Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three and six months ended October 31,June 27, 2020 and June 30, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:


  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Balance at beginning of period $9,170
 $10,581
 $9,985
 $12,353
Provision for doubtful accounts 1,901
 2,715
 3,524
 4,770
Write-offs and reduction from repurchases of franchises (449) (1,480) (2,750) (5,335)
Foreign currency adjustment 56
 44
 (81) 72
Balance at end of period $10,678
 $11,860
 $10,678
 $11,860

  Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
  (In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $11,458
 $13,559
 $11,816
 $12,487
Provision for doubtful accounts 1,853
 1,931
 3,708
 3,870
Write-offs (3,974) (2,040) (6,225) (2,880)
Foreign currency adjustment 7
 (11) 45
 (38)
Balance at end of period $9,344
 $13,439
 $9,344
 $13,439


Management considers specific accounts and notes receivable to be impaired if the net amounts due exceed the fair value of the underlying franchise at the time of the annual valuation performed as of April 30 of each year and estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts based on that excess. At the end of each fiscal quarter, the Company considers the activity during the period for accounts and notes receivable impaired from the prior April 30thannual valuation and adjusts the allowance for doubtful accounts accordingly. While not specifically identifiable as of the balance sheet date, the Company's analysis of its experience also indicates that a portion of other accounts and notes receivable may not be collectible. Net amounts due include contractually obligated accounts and notes receivable plus accrued interest, reduced by unrecognized revenue, the allowance for uncollected interest, amounts due ADs, and amounts owed to the franchisee by the Company. When a franchise is repurchased, intangible assets are recorded if the franchise will be run as a Company-owned store.



(5) Restructuring Expense

In fiscal 2018, the Company began restructuring initiatives involving a review of Liberty Tax-owned stores and service providers to improve the Company's overall long-term profitability. The Company incurred $8.3 million of expenses in the six months ended October 31, 2018, related to these initiatives. The expenses incurred are presented in the Restructuring expense line item in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The restructuring initiatives were completed in October 2018. The composition of the restructuring expenses incurred for the six months ended October 31, 2018, were as follows:


Expense Cash Accrued Expenses Non-cash Total Expense
  (In thousands)
Contract termination costs - maintenance $37
 $
 $
 $37
Property and intangible impairments and exit costs 1,031
 2,718
 5,559
 9,308
Total $1,068
 $2,718
 $5,559
 $9,345


The property and intangible impairments and exit costs, which were primarily recorded in assets held for sale, were comprised of expenses related to lease obligations and non-cash charges associated with intangible write-downs. The accrued restructuring expenses of $2.7 million are included in "Accounts payable and accrued expenses" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

A summary of the activity in accrued expenses related to restructuring initiatives for the six months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

  Six Months Ended October 31, 2019
  Contract termination costs Property exit costs Total accrued expenses
  (In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $690
 $1,467
 $2,157
Cash payments 
 (431) (431)
Balance at end of period $690
 $1,036
 $1,726


  Six Months Ended October 31, 2018
  Contract termination costs Property exit costs Total accrued expenses
  (In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $1,359
 $
 $1,359
Additions accrued against the liability 
 3,749
 3,749
Cash payments 
 (1,031) (1,031)
Balance at end of period $1,359
 2,718
 $4,077


(6)(4) Goodwill and Intangible Assets


Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended October 31,June 27, 2020 and the transition period ended December 28, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 December 28, 2019
Balance at beginning of period $134,301
 $6,566
Acquisitions of assets from franchisees and third parties 326
 3,658
Buddy's Acquisition 
 75,038
Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition 
 7,217
A-Team Leasing Acquisition 
 6,287
Sears Outlet Acquisition 
 31,028
American Freight Acquisition 335,472
 
Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition 
 4,951
Disposals and foreign currency changes, net (1,108) (444)
Purchase price reallocation (877) 
Impairments (26) 
Balance at end of period $468,088
 $134,301
  October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018
  (In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $6,566
 $8,640
Acquisitions from franchisees 2,962
 118
Buddy's Acquisition 86,147
 
Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition 5,658
 
A-Team Leasing Asset Acquisition 7,787
 
Sears Outlet Acquisition 9,762
 
Disposals and foreign currency changes, net (38) (1,208)
Balance at end of period $118,844
 $7,550

Components of intangible assets as of June 27, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows asfollows:
  June 27, 2020
(In thousands) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount
Tradenames (1) $94,149
 $(97) $94,052
Customer contracts 12,736
 (2,011) 10,725
Franchise agreements [and non-compete agreements] 10,609
 (1,045) 9,564
Customer lists 4,090
 (2,618) 1,472
Reacquired rights 11,377
 (2,963) 8,414
AD rights 40,948
 (19,288) 21,660
Total intangible assets $173,909
 $(28,022) $145,887


(1) $70.2 million, $11.1 million and $12.0 million of October 31, 2019, April 30, 2019tradenames were acquired in the American Freight Acquisition, Buddy's Acquisition and October 31, 2018:Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition, respectively. These tradenames have an indefinite life and they are tested for impairment on an annual basis.

  December 28, 2019
(In thousands) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount
Tradenames (1) $23,534
 $(72) $23,462
Customer contracts 12,736
 (886) 11,850
Franchise agreements 10,609
 (486) 10,123
Customer lists 4,338
 (2,559) 1,779
Reacquired rights 11,577
 (2,053) 9,524
AD rights 37,263
 (16,411) 20,852
Total intangible assets $100,057
 $(22,467) $77,590

  October 31, 2019
  Weighted average amortization period Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount
  (In thousands)
Tradenames (1) 3 years $11,485
 $(65) $11,420
Franchise agreements 10 years 10,100
 (309) 9,791
Customer contracts 6 years 12,300
 (510) 11,790
Non-compete agreements 2 years 81
 (4) 77
Reacquired rights 6 years 7,800
 (196) 7,604
Assets acquired from franchisees:        
Customer lists 4 years 3,222
 (1,503) 1,719
Reacquired rights 2 years 2,531
 (1,596) 935
AD rights 9 years 36,740
 (15,808) 20,932
Total intangible assets   $84,259
 $(19,991) $64,268


(1) $11.1 million and $12.0 million of tradenames were acquired in the Buddy's Acquisition whichand Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition, respectively. These tradenames have an indefinite life. It islife and they are tested for impairment on an annual basis.


  April 30, 2019
  Weighted average amortization period Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount
  (In thousands)
Customer lists acquired from unrelated third parties 5 years $1,027
 $(1,027) $
Tradenames 3 years 108
 (52) 56
Assets acquired from franchisees:        
Customer lists 4 years 2,015
 (1,288) 727
Reacquired rights 2 years 1,660
 (1,380) 280
AD rights 9 years 32,271
 (14,173) 18,098
Total intangible assets   $37,081
 $(17,920) $19,161

  October 31, 2018
  Weighted average amortization period Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount
  (In thousands)
Customer lists acquired from unrelated third parties 5 years $3,187
 $(1,846) $1,341
Tradenames 3 years 539
 (291) 248
Non-compete agreements 2 years 241
 (205) 36
Assets acquired from franchisees:        
Customer lists 4 years 1,235
 (1,015) 220
Reacquired rights 2 years 977
 (898) 79
AD rights 9 years 32,002
 (12,195) 19,807
Total intangible assets   $38,181
 $(16,450) $21,731
The Company acquired $4.5 million and $1.3 million of AD rights during the six months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
During the six months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded intangible assets of $48.4 million, and $1.5 million, respectively, from various acquisitions as described in "Note 2. Acquisitions". During the six months ended October 31, 2018, all assets acquired from franchisees and third parties in the U.S. were recorded as assets held for sale, while assets acquired in Canada were recorded as intangible assets.


(7) Assets Held For Sale

In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company reclassified all assets associated with its U.S. Liberty Tax-owned offices from assets held for sale to reacquired rights, customer lists and goodwill. Prior to the third quarter of fiscal 2019, assets acquired from U.S. franchisees were classified as assets held for sale. During the six months ended October 31, 2018, the Company acquired $0.3 million in assets from U.S. franchisees and third parties that were first accounted for as business combinations, with the value allocated to customer lists and reacquired rights of less than $0.2 million and goodwill of less than $0.2 million prior to being recorded as assets held for sale. The acquired businesses are operated as Company-owned offices until a buyer is located and a new franchise agreement is entered into.



Changes in the carrying amount of assets held for sale for the six months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:


 Six Months Ended October 31,
 2019 2018
 (In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period$
 $8,941
Reacquired and acquired from third parties
 302
Sold or terminated, impairments and other
 (4,886)
Balance at end of period$
 $4,357


In connection with the Sears Outlet Acquisition in October 2019, the Company acquired certain stores that were classified as assets held for sale and sold concurrently to third parties. Refer to “Note 3. Assets Disposition” for further discussion.


(8)(5) Revenue


For detaildetails regarding the principal activities from which the Liberty Tax segmentCompany generates its revenue, see "Note 1. Description of BusinessOrganization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on June 27, 2019. The following is a description of the principal activities from which the Buddy's and Sears Outlet segments generate their revenues.this quarterly report. For more detailed information regarding reportable segments, see "Note 18. Segments."13. Segments" in this quarterly report.

Product sales: These include sales of merchandise at the stores and online. Revenue is measured based on the amount of fixed consideration that the Company expects to receive, reduced by estimates for variable consideration such as returns. Revenue also excludes any amounts collected from customers and remitted or payable to governmental authorities. In arrangements where the Company has multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. The Company recognizes revenues from retail operations upon the transfer of control of goods to the customer. The Company satisfies its performance obligations at the point of sale for retail store transactions and upon delivery for online transactions. The Company defers revenue for retail store and online transactions including commissions on extended-service plans, where it has received consideration but has not transferred control of the goods to the customer at the end of the period. The performance obligation is generally satisfied in the following reporting period. Merchandise sales also include payments received for the exercise of the early purchase option offered through rental-purchase agreements or merchandise sold through point of sale transactions. Revenue for merchandise sales associated with rental purchase agreements is recognized when payment is received, and ownership of the merchandise passes to the customer. The remaining net value of merchandise sold is recorded to cost of sales at the time of the transaction.

Service sales: These include royalties and advertising fees from franchisees, fees from the sales of franchises and area developer territories, financial products, interest income from loans to franchisees and ADs, tax preparation services in our Company-owned stores, electronic filing fees, commissions on merchandise sales made through www.sears.com, services and extended-service plans, financing programs, and delivery and handling revenues related to merchandise sold online. The Company recognizes revenues from commissions on services, and delivery and handling revenues related to merchandise sold, at the point of sale as it is not the primary obligor with respect to such services and has no future obligations for future performance. Commissions earned on services, and delivery and handling revenues are presented net of related costs because the Company is acting as an agent in arranging the services for the customer and do not control the services being rendered.

Leasing sales: The Company provides merchandise, consisting of consumer electronics, computers, residential furniture, appliances, and household accessories to its customers pursuant to rental-purchase agreements which provide for weekly, semi-monthly or monthly rental terms with non-refundable rental payments. At the expiration of each rental term customers renew the rental agreement by pre-paying for the next rental term. Customers have the option to purchase the leased goods at any point in the lease term. Customers can terminate the agreement at the end of any rental term without penalty. Therefore, rental transactions are accounted for as operating leases and rental revenue is recognized over the rental term. Cash received prior to the beginning of the lease term is recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue related to various payment, reinstatement or late fees are recognized when paid by the customer at


the point service is provided. The Company offers additional product plans along with rental agreements that provide customers with liability protection against significant damage or loss of a product, and club membership benefits, including various discount programs, product services and replacement benefits in the event merchandise is damaged or lost. Customers renew product plans in conjunction with their rental term renewals and can cancel the plans at any time. Revenue for product plans is recognized over the term of the plan.


The following represents the disaggregated revenue by reportable segments for the three and six months ended October 31, 2019:June 27, 2020:


 October 31, 2019 June 27, 2020
 Liberty Tax Buddy's Sears Outlet Vitamin Shoppe American Freight Liberty Tax Buddy's
(In thousands) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
Retail sales $
 $
 $766
 $883
 $11,181
 $11,181
 $237,735
 $513,622
 $227,253
 $423,353
 $
 $
 $1,721
 $3,239
Total Product sales 
 
 766
 883
 11,181
 11,181
Total product revenue 237,735
 513,622
 227,253
 423,353
 
 
 1,721
 3,239
Franchise fees 435
 766
 10
 10
 
 
 
 
 
 
 221
 727
 13
 13
Area developer fees 948
 2,059
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 448
 1,469
 
 
Royalties and advertising fees 893
 1,683
 2,583
 3,243
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6,616
 48,065
 2,406
 4,829
Financial products 232
 972
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,433
 29,872
 
 
Interest income 1,313
 2,870
 (63) 
 
 
 
 
 333
 672
 943
 2,898
 
 
Assisted tax preparation fees, net of discounts 335
 931
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,667
 14,917
 
 
Electronic filing fees 46
 95
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 371
 2,400
 
 
Agreement, club and damage waiver fees 
 
 2,483
 2,766
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3,369
 6,689
Delivery revenue 
 
 
 
 342
 342
Warranty revenue 
 
 
 
 525
 525
 
 
 4,727
 8,979
 
 
 
 
Other revenues 1,625
 2,003
 784
 970
 149
 149
 
 
 2,114
 4,170
 1,374
 4,344
 707
 1,339
Total Service sales 5,827
 11,379
 5,797
 6,989
 1,016
 1,016
Lease revenue, net 
 
 11,899
 13,233
 
 
Total Leasing Sales 
 
 11,899
 13,233
 
 
Total Revenue $5,827
 $11,379
 $18,462
 $21,105
 $12,197
 $12,197
Total service revenue 
 
 7,174
 13,821
 15,073
 104,692
 6,495
 12,870
Rental revenue, net 
 
 
 
 
 
 17,176
 33,596
Total rental revenue 
 
 
 
 
 
 17,176
 33,596
Total revenue $237,735
 $513,622
 $234,427
 $437,174
 $15,073
 $104,692
 $25,392
 $49,705



The following represents the disaggregated revenue by reportable segments for the three and six months ended October 31, 2018:June 30, 2019:


 October 31, 2018 June 30, 2019
 Liberty Tax Vitamin Shoppe American Freight Liberty Tax Buddy's
(In thousands) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
Retail sales $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
Total product revenue 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Franchise fees $449
 $1,006
 
 
 
 
 1,151
 1,493
 
 
Area developer fees 619
 1,647
 
 
 
 
 786
 1,698
 
 
Royalties and advertising fees 1,474
 3,036
 
 
 
 
 11,676
 60,897
 
 
Financial products 477
 1,056
 
 
 
 
 4,025
 32,875
 
 
Interest income 1,549
 3,205
 
 
 
 
 1,594
 4,829
 
 
Assisted tax preparation fees, net of discounts 1,382
 2,901
 
 
 
 
 2,814
 11,990
 
 
Electronic filing fees 30
 58
 
 
 
 
 567
 2,945
 
 
Agreement, club and damage waiver fees 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other revenues 796
 1,031
 
 
 
 
 1,207
 2,931
 
 
Total Service sales $6,776
 $13,940
Total service revenue 
 
 
 
 23,820
 119,658
 
 
Rental revenue, net 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total rental revenue 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue $
 $
 $
 $
 $23,820
 $119,658
 $
 $



Contract Balances


The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred revenue) from contracts with customers:

customers. Notes receivable are in the current receivables, net and non-current receivables, net lines of the consolidated balance sheets and deferred revenue is in the other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities lines of the consolidated balance sheets.
 October 31, 2019 April 30, 2019 October 31, 2018
 (In thousands)
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 December 28, 2019
Notes receivable $50,595
 $28,542
 $48,583
 $32,457
 $57,495
Deferred revenue 6,553
 8,654
 10,149
 35,982
 10,519


Significant changes in deferred franchise and AD fees arerevenue were as follows:


  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  October 31, 2019 October 31, 2019
  (In thousands)
Deferred franchise and AD fees at beginning of period $8,553
 $8,654
Revenue recognized during the period (1,393) (2,835)
Deferred revenue assumed from the Buddy's Acquisition 
 819
New deferrals (terminations) of franchise and AD fees (607) (85)
Deferred franchise and AD fees at end of period $6,553
 $6,553
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 27, 2020
Deferred revenue at beginning of period $23,838
 $10,519
Revenue recognized during the period (16,809) (24,996)
Deferred revenue from acquisitions and purchase price adjustments 1,540
 14,159
New deferred revenue during the period 27,413
 36,300
Deferred revenue at end of period $35,982
 $35,982



Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Revenue


The following table reflects the estimatedwhen deferred revenue is expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at the end of the period:


 Estimate for Fiscal Year
 (In thousands)
(In thousands) Estimate for Fiscal Year
2020 (1) $1,366
 $32,511
2021 2,232
 1,463
2022 1,264
 913
2023 763
 430
2024 412
 169
Thereafter 516
 496
Total $6,553
 $35,982


(1) Represents franchise and AD feesdeferred revenue expected to be recognized by April 30,for the remainder of fiscal 2020. The amount does not include $2.8 millionof franchise and AD feedeferred revenues recognized for the six months ended October 31, 2019.June 27, 2020.




(9) Leases(6) Long-Term Obligations


The Company's lease portfolio primarily consists of leases for its retail store locationsLong-term obligations at June 27, 2020 and office space. The Company also leases certain office equipment and vehicles under finance leases. The Company subleases some of its real estate and equipment leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception by evaluating whether the arrangement conveys the right to use an identified asset and whether the Company obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from and has the ability to direct the use of the asset. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets; the Company recognizes expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For leases with an initial term in excess of 12 months, lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future lease payments over the committed lease term at the lease commencement date. The Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate and the information


available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future lease payments. Most leases include one or more options to renew and the exercise of renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company does not include renewal options in its determination of the lease term unless the renewals are deemed to be reasonably certain at lease commencement. Operating lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease right-of-use assets are periodically reviewed for impairment losses. The Company uses the long-lived assets impairment guidance in ASC Subtopic 360-10, “Property, Plant, and Equipment - Overall,” to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired, and if so, the amount of the impairment loss to recognize.

The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which the Company elects to combine as one lease component for all classes of underlying assets. Non-lease components include variable costs based on actual costs incurred by the lessor related to the payment of real estate taxes, common area maintenance, and insurance. These variable payments are expensed as incurred as variable lease costs.

The lease cost for leases that were recognized in the accompanying unaudited condensed statement of operations for the three and six months ended October 31,December 28, 2019, are as follows:

  Three Months Ended October 31, 2019 Six Months Ended October 31, 2019
  (In thousands)
Operating lease costs $3,197
 $4,696
Short-term operating lease costs 708
 865
Variable operating lease costs 616
 856
Sublease income (766) (1,418)
Total operating lease costs $3,755
 $4,999
     
Finance lease costs    
Amortization of right-of-use assets $111
 $140
Interest on lease liabilities 21
 26
Total finance lease costs $132
 $166

As of October 31, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

(In thousands) June 27, 2020 December 28, 2019
Revolving credit facilities $158,500
 $129,260
Term loan, net of debt issuance costs 577,126
 268,660
   Convertible senior notes 
 60,439
   Amounts due to former ADs, franchisees and third parties 1,882
 1,661
   Mortgages 1,758
 1,825
   Finance lease liabilities 1,372
 1,775
   Total long-term obligations 740,638
 463,620
Less current installments 203,490
 218,384
   Total long-term obligations, excluding current installments, net $537,148
 $245,236


  Operating leases Finance leases
  (In thousands)
Remainder of 2019 $7,202
 $81
2020 41,790
 476
2021 34,261
 384
2022 24,029
 103
2023 16,204
 5
2024 and thereafter 23,521
 165
Total undiscounted lease payments 147,007
 1,214
Less interest 23,850
 93
Present value of lease liabilities $123,157
 $1,121

Information regarding the weighted-average remaining lease term and the weighted-average discount rate for leases as of October 31, 2019, included a weighted-average remaining lease term of 4.4 years for operating leases and 2.3 years for finance leases and a weighted-average discount rate of 8.2% for operating leases and 8.5% for finance leases.

The right-of-use asset for finance leases as of October 31, 2019, amounts to $1.0 million and is included in property, equipment, and software, net.



The following represents other information pertaining to the Company's lease arrangements for the six months ended October 31, 2019:

  (In thousands)
Non-cash information on lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets (1) $119,279
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:  
Operating cash flows from operating leases 6,853
Operating cash flows from finance leases 26
Financing cash flows from finance leases 138
(1) The majority of the lease liabilities from obtaining right-of-use assets were a result of the Buddy's Acquisition, Buddy’s Partners Asset Acquisition, the A-Team Leasing Asset Acquisition, and the Sears Outlet Acquisition.

As previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2019 and in accordance with ASC 840, future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases with initial lease terms in excess of one year, together with amounts due from franchisees under subleases, were as follows as of April 30, 2019:

  Lease payments Sublease receipts
  (In thousands)
Year ending April 30:    
   2020 $5,164
 $1,593
   2021 2,387
 673
   2022 1,166
 320
   2023 352
 180
   2024 32
 24
   Thereafter 51
 77
       Total minimum lease payments $9,152
 $2,867


(10) Long-Term Obligations

Sears OutletFranchise Group New Holdco Credit Agreement and Term Loan

On October 23, 2019 as part of the Sears Outlet Acquisition,February 14, 2020, the Company, through an indirect subsidiaries, entered intosubsidiary, executed a Credit Agreementterm loan agreement with GACP Finance Co., LLC for an amount of $575.0 million (the “Sears Outlet“FGNH Credit Agreement”) that provides for, which consists of a $105.0$375.0 million first priority senior secured term loan, net of financing costs of $2.8out tranche (the “FGNH Tranche A-1 Term Loan”) and a $200.0 million which matures on October 23, 2023.last out tranche (the “FGNH Tranche A-2 Term Loan”). The term loan will mature on February 14, 2025, unless the maturity is accelerated subject to the terms set forth in the term loan agreement.

The FGNH Credit Agreement will, at the option of the Company, bear interest at either (i) a rate per annum based on London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") for an interest period of one, two, three or six months, plus an interest rate margin of 8.0% for the FGNH Tranche A-1 Term Loan and 12.5% for the FGNH Tranche A-2 Term Loan with a 1.50% LIBOR floor, or (ii) an alternate base rate determined as provided in the FGNH Credit Agreement, plus an interest rate margin of 7.0% for the FGNH Tranche A-1 Term Loan and 11.5% for the FGNH Tranche A-2 Term Loan with a 2.50% alternate base rate floor. Interest is payable in arrears at the end of each fiscal quarter. The Company is required to repay the FGNH Credit Agreement in equal fiscal quarterly installments of $6.25 million on the last day of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 27, 2020. Further, the Company is required to prepay the FGNH Credit Agreement with 50% of consolidated excess cash flow on a quarterly basis with the net cash proceeds of certain other customary events. All repayments or prepayments (whether voluntary or mandatory) of the FGNH Credit Agreement, other than the fixed quarterly installments and excess cash flow prepayments are subject to early repayment fees.



The FGNH Credit Agreement includes customary affirmative, negative, and financial covenants binding on the Company and its subsidiaries, including delivery of financial statements and other reports. The negative covenants limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, among other things, to incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends on its capital stock and enter into transactions with affiliates. The financial covenants set forth in the FGNH Credit Agreement include a maximum total leverage ratio (net of certain cash) and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, to be tested at the end of each fiscal quarter, in each case with respect to certain subsidiaries of the Company. In addition, the FGNH Credit Agreement includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which may require that the Company pay an additional 2.0% interest.

In addition to financing the American Freight acquisition and its related acquisition costs, a portion of the proceeds from the FGNH Credit Agreement and the FGNH ABL Term Loan (as defined below) were used to repay the Buddy’s and Sears Outlet’s term loan for an outstanding amount of $101.6 million and $106.7 million including accrued interest, respectively. The early repayment of the term loans resulted in additional interest expense of $4.6 million for the write-off of deferred financing costs and $4.0 million for a prepayment penalty. The prepayment penalty is recorded in the Other expense line of the consolidated statements of operations for the six months ended June 27, 2020.

On May 1, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the FGNH Credit Agreement to provide for the joinder of Franchise Group Intermediate L 1, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of the Company, and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the “Liberty Tax Entities”), to the FGNH Term Loan Credit Agreement and the FGNH ABL Credit Agreement, respectively, as borrowers thereunder, and in connection therewith, certain related security documents provided for the Liberty Tax Entities to grant or continue to grant liens on substantially all of their assets to secure the obligations under the FGNH Term Loan Credit Agreement and the FGNH ABL Credit Agreement. Further, the amendment modified the FGNH Term Loan Credit Agreement and the FGNH ABL Credit Agreement, respectively, to, among other things, (i) permit certain ordinary course and otherwise anticipated activities of the Liberty Tax Entities and (ii) make certain technical modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other events. 

Franchise Group New Holdco ABL Credit Agreement and ABL Term Loan

On February 14, 2020, the Company, through direct and indirect subsidiaries, entered into an ABL credit agreement (the "FGNH ABL Credit Agreement") with various lenders which provided the Company with a $100.0 million credit facility (the “FGNH ABL Term Loan”). On February 14, 2020, the Company borrowed $100.0 million on the FGNH ABL Term Loan to finance the acquisition of American Freight. The FGNH ABL Term Loan will mature on September 30, 2020.

Borrowings under the FGNH ABL Term Loan will, at the Company's option, bear interest at either (i) a rate per annum based on LIBOR for an interest period of one, two, three or six months, plus an interest rate margin of 6.5% (a “LIBOR Loan”)6.50% with a 1.50% LIBOR floor, payable in arrears at the end of each applicable interest period or (ii) an alternate base rate determined as provided in the Sears Outlet Credit Agreement, plus an interest rate margin of 5.5% (an “ABR Loan”)5.50% with a 2.50% alternate base rate floor,floor. Interest is payable in arrears on the first day of each fiscal quarter. The obligationsIf the borrowing base exceeds the outstanding principal amount of the FGNH ABL Term Loan, the Company undermust prepay the Sears Outlet Credit Agreement are secured on a first priority basis by substantially allFGNH ABL Term Loan in the amount of the assets of the Company’s indirect subsidiaries. The total proceeds of the term loan were used to finance the Sears Outlet Acquisition.

any such excess. The Company is required to repay the term loan in equal quarterly installments of $2.5 million on the first day of each fiscal quarter, commencing on April 1, 2020. The Company isalso required to prepay the term loan with 75% of consolidated excess cash flow on an annual basis andFGNH ABL Term Loan, with the net cash proceeds of certain other customary events. All repayments or prepayments (whether voluntary or mandatory) of the term loanFGNH ABL Term Loan which are made on or after September 30, 2020 are subject to an exit fee of 1.0%2.0%.

The Sears OutletFGNH ABL Credit Agreement includes customary affirmative, negative, and financial covenants binding on the Company and its subsidiaries.subsidiaries, including delivery of financial statements and other reports. The negative covenants limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, to, among other things, incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends on capital stock and enter into transactions with affiliates. The financial covenants include a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio (net of certain cash), a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum consolidated liquidity requirement and a minimum borrowing base ratio. In addition, the Sears Outlet Credit Agreement includes customary


events of default, the occurrence of which may require that the Company pay an additional 2.0% interest on the term loan. The Company was in compliance with all covenants of the Sears Outlet Credit Agreement as of October 31, 2019.

Buddy's Credit Agreement

On July 10, 2019 as part of the Buddy's Acquisition, the Company, through an indirect subsidiary, entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Buddy's Credit Agreement") that provides for an $82.0 million first priority senior secured term loan which matures on July 10, 2024. The term loan will bear interest, at the option of the Company, at either (i) a rate per annum based on London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") for an interest period of one, two, three or six months (a "LIBOR Loan"), plus an interest rate margin of 8.0% with a 1.50% LIBOR floor, payable in arrears at the end of each applicable interest period or (ii) an alternate base rate determined as provided in the Buddy's Credit Agreement, plus an interest rate margin of 7.0% (an "ABR Loan") with a 2.50% alternate base rate floor, payable in arrears on the first day of each fiscal quarter. If the consolidated leverage ratio of the Buddy's segment exceeds certain thresholds set forth in the Buddy's Credit Agreement, the Company will also be required to pay an additional 2.0% of interest to be paid in-kind. The obligations under the Buddy's Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company and secured on a first priority basis by the assets of Buddy's. A portion of the proceeds of the Buddy's Credit Agreement was used to terminate the outstanding revolving credit facility of Buddy's.

The Company is required to repay the Buddy's Credit Agreement in equal quarterly installments of $1,025,000 on the first day of each calendar quarter, commencing on October 1, 2019. The Company is also required to prepay the term loan with 75% of consolidated excess cash flow on an annual basis and with the net cash proceeds of certain other customary events. All voluntary and certain customary mandatory prepayments are subject to a prepayment penalty. Prior to the first anniversary of the closing date, the prepayment penalty is a make-whole premium on the portion of the Buddy’s Credit Agreement so prepaid. Thereafter, the amount of the prepayment penalty on the portion of the Buddy’s Credit Agreement so prepaid is (a) 3.0%, from the first anniversary of the closing date through (but not including) the second anniversary of the closing date, (b) 2.0%, from the second anniversary of the closing date through (but not including) the third anniversary of the closing date, and (c) 1.0%, from the third anniversary of the closing date through (but not including) the fourth anniversary of the closing date. The Company may also be required to pay LIBOR breakage and redeployment costs in certain limited circumstances.

The Buddy's Credit Agreement includes customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants binding on the Company and its subsidiaries. The negative financial covenants limit the ability of the Company to incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends on its capital stock and enter into transactions with affiliates. The financial covenants set forth in the FGNH ABL Credit Agreement include a maximumminimum consolidated leverage ratioliquidity of the Loan Parties and their subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries), to be tested at all times, and a minimum borrowing base ratio of the Loan Parties, to be tested at the end of each month. In addition, the FGNH ABL Credit Agreement includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which may require that the Company to pay an additional 2.0% interest on the borrowings under the FGNH ABL Term Loan.

On April 3, 2020, the Company entered into a Limited Waiver and Amendment Number Two to ABL Credit Agreement (the “ABL Second Amendment”) which amends that certain FGNH ABL Credit Agreement dated as of February 14, 2020 by and among the Loan Parties, various lenders from time to time party thereto and the ABL Agent (as amended prior to the ABL Second Amendment, the “Existing ABL Credit Agreement”).

The ABL Second Amendment amended the Existing ABL Credit Agreement to (i) extend the maturity date of the term loan provided pursuant to the Existing ABL Credit Agreement to September 30, 2020, (ii) increase the interest rate margin to 7.50% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR and 6.50% for loans bearing interest based on an alternate base rate, and (iii) make certain other modifications and grant certain waivers with respect to the Existing ABL Credit Agreement.


B. Riley ABL Commitment

On May 1, 2020, in connection with the American Freight Acquisition and the ABL Credit Agreement, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated ABL Commitment Letter with B. Riley Financial, Inc. ("B. Riley") pursuant to which B. Riley agreed to provide, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, a backstop commitment for a $100 million asset-based lending facility. As of June 27, 2020, no amounts had been drawn on this facility.

Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan

On December 16, 2019 as part of the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition, the Company, through direct and indirect subsidiaries, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan Agreement”) that provides for a $70.0 million senior secured term loan (the "Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan") which matures on December 16, 2022. The obligations under the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company's Vitamin Shoppe segment.

An Intercreditor Agreement (the “Intercreditor Agreement”) sets forth the relative priorities of the security interests granted with respect to the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan and those granted with respect to the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver (as defined below). The security interest granted to the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan lenders is senior to that granted to the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver lenders.

The Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan bears interest at a rate per annum based on LIBOR for an interest period of one month (or, during the continuance of an event of default, an alternate base rate determined as provided in the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan Agreement), plus an interest rate margin of 9.0%, with a 2.0% LIBOR (or alternate base rate) floor. Interest is payable in arrears on the first business day of each calendar month. The Company is required to repay the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan in equal fiscal quarterly installments of $4.25 million on the last business day of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 28, 2020. Further, the Company is required to prepay the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan (i) with 60% of consolidated excess cash flow on a fiscal quarterly basis (less voluntary prepayments already made), up to a maximum of $12.5 million in any fiscal year, and (ii) subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, with the net cash proceeds of certain other customary prepayment events (subject to certain customary reinvestment rights). Such fixed charge coverage ratioquarterly installments and excess cash flow prepayments cease to be required (subject to certain exceptions) if the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan is less than or equal to the lesser of $25 million and a specified borrowing base based on the Company's eligible credit card receivables, accounts, inventory and equipment, less certain reserves. All repayments or prepayments (whether voluntary or mandatory) of the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan, other than the fixed quarterly installments and excess cash flow prepayments, are subject to early repayment fees. If the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan at any time exceeds a specified borrowing base, set at $70.0 million until January 10, 2020, and thereafter based on the eligible credit card receivables, accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and intellectual property, less certain reserves, the Agent must instruct the agent of the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver to implement a reserve against the borrowing base under the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Agreement (as defined below) in the amount of such excess, and if such reserve is not implemented, the Company is required to repay the amount of such excess.

The Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan Agreement includes customary affirmative, negative, and financial covenants binding on the Company and its subsidiaries, including the delivery of financial statements, borrowing base certificates and other reports. The negative covenants limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, among other things, to incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends on its capital stock and enter into transactions with affiliates. The financial covenants set forth in the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan Agreement include a limit on capital expenditures in each fiscal year, a minimum consolidated liquidity requirement to be tested weekly and a minimum consolidated EBITDA requirement to be tested at the end of each fiscal quarter, in each case with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries. In addition, the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan Agreement includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which may require that the Company pay an additional 3.0% interest on the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan.

On May 22, 2020, the Company amended the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan and Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver. The Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan was amended to, among other things, (i) permit the assignment of $5.3 million of the outstanding term loan to Franchise Group, Inc. (the "Parent"), subject to certain conditions and certain limitations on Parent’s rights as a requirement thatlender, (ii) modify the minimum consolidated liquidityEBITDA covenant, (iii) limit the quarterly dividend payment by Parent that would otherwise have been permitted in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 (by reference to certain financial calculations from the first fiscal quarter of 2020) (the "Dividend Waiver") and (iv) permit the Parent and the Borrowers to use an anticipated tax refund to prepay $12.5 million of the term loan upon receipt of such tax refund, along with a 2% prepayment fee, plus (x) if the tax refund prepayment is not made by July 31, 2020, the Borrowers will be required to pay a fee of 0.5% of the outstanding term loan (other than the portion of the term loan held by Parent) and (y) if the tax refund prepayment is not made by September 25, 2020, the Borrowers will be required to pay additional amortization of $3.1 million for each fiscal quarter


(beginning with the fiscal quarter ending on September 26, 2020) until the tax refund prepayment is made (which additional quarterly amortization may be deducted from the required tax refund prepayment).

On May 22, 2020, the Company purchased $5.3 million of the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan from one of the participating lenders, which effectively retired that portion of the term loan.

Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver

On December 16, 2019, the Company, through direct and indirect subsidiaries, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “ Vitamin Shoppe ABL Agreement”) providing for a senior secured revolving loan facility (the “Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver”) with commitments available to the Company of the lesser of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) a specified borrowing base based on our eligible credit card receivables, accounts receivable and inventory, less certain reserves, and as to each of clauses (i) and (ii), less a $10.0 million availability block. The Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver will mature on December 16, 2022, unless the maturity is accelerated subject to the terms set forth in the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Agreement. The Company borrowed $70.0 million on December 16, 2019, the proceeds of which were used to consummate the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition. The ABL Agreement amended and restated the existing Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Existing Vitamin Shoppe ABL Agreement”), dated as of January 20, 2011.

The Company's obligations under the ABL Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Vitamin Shoppe segment. The Intercreditor Agreement sets forth the relative priorities of the security interests granted with respect to the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver and those granted with respect to the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan. The security interest granted to the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver lenders is senior to that granted to the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan lenders with respect to, among other assets, accounts receivable, inventory and deposit accounts.

Borrowings under the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver will, at the Company's option, bear interest at either (i) a rate per annum based on LIBOR for an interest period of one, two, three or six months, plus an interest rate margin that ranges from 1.25% to 1.75%, depending on excess availability (a “LIBOR Loan”), with a 0.0% LIBOR floor, or (ii) an alternate base rate determined as provided in the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Agreement, plus an interest rate margin that ranges from 0.25% to 0.75%, depending on excess availability (an “ABR Loan”), with a 1.0% alternate base rate floor. Interest on LIBOR Loans is payable in arrears at the end of each applicable interest period (and, with respect to a six-month interest period, three months after commencement of the interest period), and interest on ABR Loans is payable in arrears on the first business day of each calendar quarter.

Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the Company is required to repay borrowings under the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver with the net cash proceeds of certain subsidiaries must not be less than $1.0 millioncustomary events (subject to certain customary reinvestment rights). Further, if the outstanding principal amount of the borrowings under the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver at any time.time exceeds the lesser of $100.0 million and the borrowing base, less, in each case, a $10.0 million availability block, the Company must prepay any such excess.

The Vitamin Shoppe ABL Agreement includes customary affirmative and negative covenants binding on the Company and its subsidiaries, including the delivery of financial statements, borrowing base certificates and other reports. The negative covenants limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, among other things, to incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends on its capital stock and enter into transactions with affiliates. In addition, the Buddy’s CreditVitamin Shoppe ABL Agreement includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which may require the Company to pay an additional 2.0% interest on the term loan to be paid in-kind. The Company was in compliance with all covenants of the Buddy’s Credit Agreement as of October 31, 2019.

On August 23, 2019, as part of the 41 stores acquisition from A-Team, the Buddy's Credit Agreement was amended. The amendment provides for a $23.0 million first priority senior secured loan (the “Buddy’s Additional Term Loan”), net of financing costs of $0.4 million. The Company is required to repay the additional amountsborrowings under the amended Buddy's Credit Agreement in equal quarterly installments of $287,500 on the first day of each calendar quarter, commencing on October 1, 2019.Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver.


On September 30, 2019, the Buddy's Credit Agreement was further amended to update the agreed consolidated EBITDA figures for September 30, 2018, December 31, 2018, March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 and to clarify the circumstances under which acquisitions may be given pro forma effect in the calculation of consolidated EBITDA.

Liberty Tax Credit Agreement


On May 16, 2019, the Company entered into a new Credit Agreementcredit agreement (the "Liberty Tax Credit Agreement") that provideswhich provided for a $135.0 million senior revolving credit facility, (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), with a $10.0 million sub-facility for the issuance of letters of credit, and a $20.0 million swingline loan sub-facility. The Company’s obligations under the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company. The Company’s obligations under the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets (other than existing real property) of the Liberty Tax segment and each guarantor (including all or a portion of the equity interests in certain of the Company’s domestic and foreign subsidiaries). The Liberty Tax Credit Agreement replaces the Company’s prior credit facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility will mature on May 31, 2020. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will, at the option of the Company, bear interest at either (i) a LIBOR Loan, plus an applicable interest rate margin determined as


provided in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement, or (ii) an ABR Loan, as determined by the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement. The applicable interest rate margin varies from 3.0% per annum to 4.0% per annum for LIBOR Loans, and from 2.0% per annum to 3.0% per annum for ABR Loans, in each case depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and is determined in accordance with a pricing grid set forth in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement (the “Pricing Grid”). Interest on LIBOR Loans is payable in arrears at the end of each applicable interest period, and interest on ABR Loans is payable in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter. There are no prepayment penalties in the event the Company elects to prepay and terminate the Revolving Credit Facility prior to its scheduled maturity date, subject to LIBOR breakage and redeployment costs in certain limited circumstances. The Company agrees in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement to pay a fee on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility during the term thereof. Such unused fee is payable in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter and accrues at a rate which varies from 0.25% to 0.5% depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, as determined in accordance with the Pricing Grid. The Company also agreed to pay (x) a fee for each outstanding letter of credit at a rate per annum equal to the applicable interest rate margin for LIBOR Loans, as determined in accordance with the Pricing Grid, multiplied by the average daily amount available to be drawn under such letter of credit, and (y) to the letter-of-credit issuer, a fronting fee which shall accrue at a rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the outstanding aggregate letter-of-credit obligations under the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement. The average interest rate paid during the six months ended October 31, 2019 was 5.02%.

The Liberty Tax Credit Agreement includes customary affirmative, negative, and financial covenants binding on the Company, including the delivery of financial statements and other reports and maintenance of existence. The financial covenants set forth in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement include a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, each of which will be tested at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company, and a minimum consolidated net worth ratio tested at the end of each fiscal year of the Company. The Liberty Tax Credit Agreement provides that, for a period of 30 consecutive days after May 16, 2019, our outstanding obligations under the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement will not exceed $12.5 million. Additionally, from April 30, 2020 until the maturity date, our outstanding obligations must be reduced to $0. In addition, the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement includes customary events of default. The Company was in compliance with all covenants of the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement as of October 31, 2019.

On October 2, 2019, the Company amended the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement dated May 16, 2019 to extend the maturity date to October 2, 2022, from the original maturity date of May 31, 2020 and decrease the aggregate amount of commitments from $135.0 million to $125.0 million as of October 2, 2019.The amendment reduced the applicable interest rate margin used to calculate interest for LIBOR Loans and ABR Loans. The amended LIBOR Loans interest rate margin is 2.75% per annum to 3.50% per annum compared to a range of 3.00% per annum to 4.00% per annum prior to the amendment. The amended ABR Loans applicable interest rate margin range is 1.75% per annum to 2.50% per annum compared to a range of 2.00% per annum to 3.00% per annum before the amendment. The range is dependent on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and is determined in accordance with a pricing grid set forth in the amendment.

The amended Liberty Tax Credit Agreement also changedincluded customary affirmative, negative, and financial covenants, including delivery of financial statements and other reports and maintenance of existence. On February 14, 2020, the clean-down period. UnderCompany amended certain provisions of the amendment, all outstanding obligationsLiberty Tax Credit Agreement to provide for the gradual reduction of the commitments under the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement must be reduced to zero for a period of at least 45 consecutive days,and terminated the first day of which must begin between March 15th andfacility on April 30th of each year.30, 2020.


The amendment also amended the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement to permit dividends or other distributions to the parent to make a dividend or other distributions with regard to the parent’s equity interest, provided that (i) such dividend or distribution may only be made once per fiscal year and during a certain period of the fiscal year, and (ii) in any fiscal year the dividend or distribution shall not exceed 25% of consolidated EBITDA for the Liberty Tax segment for the fiscal year. The amendment also permits dividends or other distributions to the parent to pay management and administrative expenses provided that (i) such dividend or other distribution may only be made once per fiscal year and during a certain period of the fiscal year, and (ii) the aggregate amount of such dividend or other distribution may not exceed $1.0 million in any fiscal year.

Other Indebtedness
The amendment also eliminated a negative covenant in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement that prohibited
On February 7, 2020, the Company from incurring certain typescompleted the repurchase of indebtedness and liens.

Vintage Subordinated Note

On May 16, 2019, the Company also entered into a Subordinated Note (the “Subordinated Note”) payable to Vintage Capital Management LLC (“Vintage”). The$60.4 million in aggregate principal amount of all loans to be made by Vintage under the Subordinated Note was limited to $10.0 million. Any indebtedness owed to Vintage under the Subordinated Note was subordinate to and subject in right and time of payment to the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company did not make any borrowings under the Subordinated Note. The Subordinated Note was terminated effective with the October 2, 2019 amendment of the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement.



Other Indebtedness

The Company previously had a credit facility that consisted of a term loan with an original principal amount of $21.2 million and a revolving credit facility that allowed borrowing of up to $170.0 million with an accordion feature that permitted the Company to request an increase in availability of up to an additional $50.0 million. Outstanding borrowings accrued interest, which was paid monthly at a rate of the one-month LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.25% depending on the Company’s leverage ratio.

The average interest rate paid during the six months ended October 31, 2018 was 3.78%. The indebtedness was collateralized by substantially all the assets of the Company, and both loans matured on April 30, 2019 (except as to the commitments of one smaller lender which matured on September 30, 2017). 

The former credit facility contained certain financial covenants that the Company was required to meet, including leverage and fixed-charge coverage ratios as well as minimum net worth requirements. In addition, the Company was required to reduce the outstanding balance under its revolving credit facility to zeroConvertible Senior Notes for a periodpurchase price of at least 45 consecutive days each fiscal year.$60.6 million, which included accrued interest.


In December 2016, the Company obtained a mortgage payable to a bank in monthly installments of principal payments plus interest at the one-month LIBOR plus 1.85% through December 2026 with a balloon payment of $0.8 million due at maturity. The mortgage is collateralized by land and buildings.


In December 2016, in connection with obtaining a mortgage payable to a bank, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement that allows it to manage fluctuations in cash flow resulting from changes in the interest rate on the mortgage. This swap effectively changes the variable-rate of the Company's mortgage into a fixed rate of 4.12%. The Company has designated this swap agreement as a cash flow hedge. At October 31, 2019, the fair value of the interest rate swap is less than $0.1 million and is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The interest rate swap expires in December 2026.
Long-term obligations at October 31, 2019, April 30, 2019, and October 31, 2018, consisted of the following:
  October 31, 2019 April 30, 2019 October 31, 2018
  (In thousands)
Revolver $39,260
 $
 $48,275
Term loan, net of debt issuance costs 203,758
 11,958
 13,680
   Due former ADs, franchisees and third parties 1,235
 1,178
 2,008
   Mortgages 1,847
 1,912
 1,976
  246,100
 15,048
 65,939
   Less: current installments (52,628) (13,108) (63,960)
Long-term obligations, excluding current installments, net $193,472
 $1,940
 $1,979


(11)(7) Income Taxes
We are anticipating a pre-tax book
The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and taxEconomic Security, or CARES Act (the “Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020. The Act retroactively changed the eligibility of certain assets for expense treatment in the year placed in service, back to 2018, and permitted any net operating loss for the tax year ending December 28, 2019. Management determined that it is at least more-likely-than-not that realization of tax benefitsyears 2018, 2019 and 2020 to be carried back for the current period loss carryforward5 years. The Company recorded in our financial statements will occur in future periods. The amount ofa total income tax benefit recordedof $45.6 million through the second quarter associated with the income tax components contained in the Act. As of June 27, 2020, the Company has completed an initial analysis of the tax effects of the Act but continues to monitor developments by federal and state rule making authorities regarding implementation of the Act. The Company has made reasonable estimates of the effects of the Act and will adjust, if needed, as new laws or guidance becomes available.

For the three months ended June 27, 2020 and June 30, 2019, the Company had an effective tax rate of (9.4)% and 15.0%, respectively. The difference in the tax rate is primarily due an increase in the valuation allowance driven by the redemption of the New Holdco units during the quarter. For the six months ended June 27, 2020, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $44.0 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 1,091.2%. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recognized income tax expense of $14.7 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 30.9%. The income tax benefit for the six months ended October 31, 2019 reflectsJune 27, 2020, included the Company’s estimated annualimpact of the enactment of the Act, as discussed above, which is the primary driver of the difference in effective tax rate applied to the year-to-date loss from continuing operations adjusted for the tax impact of discrete items.rate.
Our effective tax rate from continuing operations, including discrete income tax items, was 14.1% and 31.9% for the three months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively and 17.7% and 32.9% for the six months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The reduced effective tax rate for the three and six months ended October 31, 2019 results primarily from adjustments to deferred taxes as a result of the remeasurement of tax rates in the prior year that did not recur in fiscal 2020, the permanent tax effect related to non-deductible acquisition-related costs, and the establishment of New Holdco and the related non-controlling interests. As New Holdco is treated as a partnership for tax purposes, any net income or loss is passed through to its members. Therefore, the effective tax rate reflects only the allocable share of income or loss of New Holdco related to the Company.




In addition, the impact of the Buddy’s Acquisition, A-Team Leasing Asset Acquisition, Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition and Sears OutletAmerican Freight Acquisition has been considered for the six months ended October 31, 2019. The acquisitions' post-acquisition operations have been included in the tax expense calculation for the period.June 27, 2020. The Company recorded an additional $9.9$11.4 million deferred tax liability to account for cumulative temporary differences resulting from the Buddy’sAmerican Freight Acquisition. These initial amounts recorded in connection with purchase accounting will be adjusted during the measurement periods as the Company gathers information regarding facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition dates.date.

The Company has a valuation allowance recorded against its net deferred tax assets of $45.3 million. The Company intends to maintain a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of these allowances. A reduction in the valuation allowance could result in a significant decrease in income tax expense in the period in which the release is recorded. However, the exact timing and amount of any reduction in the Company’s valuation allowance are unknown at this time and will be subject to the earnings level it achieves in future periods.

During the three months ended June 27, 2020, the Company recognized $24.2 million of deferred tax assets related to additional tax basis increases generated from expected future payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement and related deductions for imputed interest on such payments. See "-Tax Receivable Agreement" for more information.

Tax Receivable Agreement

Pursuant to the Company's election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), the Company expects to obtain an increase in its share of the tax basis in the net assets of New Holdco when New Holdco units are redeemed or exchanged by the non-controlling interest holders and other qualifying transactions. The Company plans to make an election under Section 754 of Code for each taxable year in which a redemption or exchange of New Holdco units occurs. The Company intends to treat any redemptions and exchanges of New Holdco units by the non-controlling interest holders as direct purchases of New Holdco units for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These increases in tax basis may reduce the amounts that it would otherwise pay in the future to various tax authorities. They may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain capital assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those capital assets.

On July 10, 2019, the Company entered into a tax receivable agreement with the then-existing non-controlling interest holders (the "Tax Receivable Agreement") that provides for the payment by the Company to the non-controlling interest holders of 40% of the cash savings, if any, in federal, state and local taxes that the Company realizes or is deemed to realize as


a result of any increases in tax basis of the assets of New Holdco resulting from future redemptions or exchanges of New Holdco units.

During the three months ended June 27, 2020, the Company acquired an aggregate of 5,495,606 New Holdco units, which resulted in an increase in the tax basis of our investment in New Holdco subject to the provisions of the Tax Receivable Agreement. In the three months ended June 27, 2020, the Company recognized an additional liability in the amount of $9.7 million for the payments due to the redeeming members under the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA Payments"), representing 40% of the cash savings it expects to realize from the tax basis increases related to the redemption of New Holdco units, after concluding it was probable that such TRA Payments would be paid based on the Company's estimates of future taxable income. The total liability owed under the Tax Receivable Agreement is $17.2 million as of June 27, 2020, which is recorded in "Other non-current liabilities" in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. No payments were made to members of New Holdco pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement during the quarter ended June 27, 2020.


(12)(8) Stockholders’ Equity


Stockholders' Equity Activity


On October 23, 2019,January 3, 2020, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with an affiliate of Vintage Brian R. Kahn and Lauren Kahn and B. Riley FBR, Inc. providedCapital Management, LLC ("Vintage"), pursuant to which the affiliate of Vintage purchased from the Company with an aggregate $40.0 million of equity financing in conjunction with the Sears Outlet Acquisition through the purchase of 3,333,333.332,354,000 shares of common stock of the Company, at $12.00par value $0.01 per share, pursuant to certain subscription agreements entered into by each of them with the Company.

Under the terms of the Buddy's Acquisition, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with a Vintage affiliate (the “Closing Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which 2,083,333.33 shares of the Company's common stock were purchased at a purchase price of $12.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $25.0$28.2 million in cash. Also, under the terms of the Buddy's Acquisition,The common stock was purchased pursuant to an amendment to an equity commitment letter, dated August 7, 2019, between the Company entered into a second subscription agreement withand Tributum, L.P. (as amended, the "ECL"), pursuant to which Vintage affiliate (the “Post-Closing Subscription Agreement”),agreed to provide $70.0 million of equity financing for a commitment to purchase from the Company additional shares of common stock at a purchase price of $12.00 per share. The purchase price under the Post Closing Subscription Agreement could not exceed $40 million in the aggregate. The Post-Closing Subscription Agreement was not required to complete the Tender Offer (as defined below).Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition.


Under the terms of the Buddy's Acquisition, on August 1, 2019, the Company commenced a tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) to purchase any and all of the outstandingOn February 7, 2020, investors purchased approximately 3,877,965 shares of the Company's common stock for cash$65.9 million. The equity financing was done through purchases of shares of common stock of the Company at a price of $12.00 per share without interest. The Tender Offer was not subjectunder the ECL, and $23.00 per share in connection with a separate private placement of shares of common stock (collectively, the "Equity Financing") pursuant to certain subscription agreements entered into by each investor with the Company. Pursuant to the ECL, Tributum, L.P. assigned certain of its obligations thereunder to provide a minimum tender requirement, andportion of such Equity Financing to certain large stockholders of the Company agreed not to tender their shares ininvestors. The proceeds of the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer was financed through cash on hand and (i) the $25.0 million Closing Subscription Agreement and (ii) the proceeds from the Buddy’s Credit Agreement. On October 11, 2019,of Equity Financing were used by the Company filed an amendment and extendedto fund the expiration daterepurchase or redemption of the Tender OfferCompany's outstanding 2.25% Convertible Notes (the "Convertible Notes"), to make interest payments on the Convertible Notes that are not repurchased or redeemed until November 13, 2019. Two of Company’s major stockholders, Vintagetheir maturity and B. Riley Capital Management LLC, agreed not to participate in the Tender Offer. As the potential redemption is not solely within the controlalso fund general, working capital and cash needs of the Company, the Company’s Class A common stock subject to possible redemption has been presented outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheets. Company.

On November 13, 2019, the Company completed the Tender Offer with 3,935,738 shares tendered for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $47.2 million.

The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of the securities to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. The initial increases or decreases in the carrying amount of the redeemable common stock are affected by charges against additional paid-in capital. Accordingly, at October 31, 2019, 9,096,435 of the 19,693,981 public shares are classified outside of permanent equity at their redemption value of $12.00 per share.

Under terms of the Buddy's Acquisition and the Buddy's Partners Asset Acquisition,February 14, 2020, the Company issued 1,616,667 and 270,0001,250,000 shares of Preferred Stock respectively to the sellers. One-fifth of a share of Preferred Stock along with one New Holdco unit can be exchanged for one share of the Company's common stock.

Understock with a value of $31.0 million, which was recorded as deferred financing costs, to Kayne FRG Holdings L.P. for services provided in the termsfinancing of the Buddy's Acquisition, the Company filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") an information statement regarding certain amendments to the Company's Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, including an amendment to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company to 200,000,000, comprised of 180,000,000 shares of common stock and 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock.American Freight Acquisition.


During the three months ended October 31, 2018,first quarter of 2020, the sole holder of the Company's Class B common stock entered into a stock purchase agreementCompany also corrected an immaterial misclassification between retained earnings and non-controlling interest related to sell all of his outstanding shares of the Company's Class A common stock and Class B common stock owned directly and indirectly by him. In connection with the sale, the shares of the Company’s Class B common stock converted into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis and for no additional consideration. As of October 31, 2019, no shares of the Company’s Class B common stock remained outstanding. In addition, an agreement was reached which converted the 10 shares of special voting preferred stock to 1,000,000 shares of common


stock. Pursuantdistributions declared to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as approved by stockholders on December 13, 2018,non-controlling interest in the Company currently has only one class of common stock.prior year.


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at October 31,June 27, 2020 and December 28, 2019 April��30, 2019 and October 31, 2018 were as follows.follows:
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 December 28, 2019
Foreign currency adjustment $(1,987) $(1,496)
Interest rate swap agreements, net of tax (122) (42)
Forward contracts related to foreign currency exchange rates 6
 
   Total accumulated other comprehensive loss $(2,103) $(1,538)
  October 31, 2019 April 30, 2019 October 31, 2018
  (In thousands)
Foreign currency adjustment $(1,523) $(1,908) $(1,708)
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap agreement, net of taxes (60) (2) 54
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss $(1,583) $(1,910) $(1,654)


Non-controlling interest


The Company is the sole managing member of New Holdco and, as a result, consolidates the financial results of New Holdco. ThePrior to April 1, 2020, the Company reportsreported a non-controlling interest representing the economic interest in New Holdco held by the Buddy’s Members.former equity holders of Buddy's (the "Buddy’s Members"). The New Holdco LLC Agreement providesprovided that the Buddy’s Members may,could, from time to time, requirehave required the Company to redeem all or a portion of their New Holdco


units for newly-issued shares of common stock on a basis of one New Holdco unit and one-fifth of a share of Preferred Stock of the Company for one share of common stock of the Company. In connection with any redemption or exchange, the Company will receivereceived a corresponding number of New Holdco units, increasing its total ownership interest in New Holdco. Changes in the Company's ownership interest in New Holdco while it retains their controlling interest in New Holdco will bewere accounted for as equity transactions. As such, future redemptions or direct exchanges of New Holdco units by the Buddy’s Members will resultresulted in a change in ownership and reducereduced the amount recorded as non-controlling interest and increaseincreased additional paid-in capital. As of October 31, 2019,On March 26, 2020, the Company hadredeemed 3,937,726 New Holdco units and 787,545 shares of preferred stock for common stock. On April 1, 2020, the Company redeemed the remaining 5,495,606 New Holdco units and 1,099,121 shares of preferred stock for common stock and the Company is the sole owner of New Holdco.

The exchange of New Holdco units for common stock resulted in an ownership interestincrease in the tax basis of 60.1% inthe net assets of New Holdco and reported a non-controlling interest equalliability to 39.9%be recognized pursuant to the TRA. The difference of $10.0 million in the adjustment of the deferred tax balances and there were no exchangesthe tax receivable agreement liability was recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in-capital. Refer to "Note 7. Income Taxes" for further discussion of New Holdco units.the TRA.


Net LossIncome (Loss) per Share
Prior to 2019, due to the Company having Class A and Class B common stock, net income (loss) was computed using the two-class method. Basic net income (loss) per share was computed by allocating undistributed earnings to common stock and participating securities (exchangeable shares) and using the weighted-average number of common stock outstanding during the period.  Undistributed losses were not allocated to participating securities because they do not meet the required criteria for such allocation. The rights, including liquidation and dividend rights, of the holders of Class A and Class B common stock were identical, with the exception of the election of directors. As a result, the undistributed earnings were allocated based on the contractual participation rights of the Class A and Class B common stock as if the earnings for the year had been distributed.  Participating securities had dividend rights that were identical to Class A and Class B common stock.

At October 31, 2019, the Company no longer had any outstanding Class B common stock or exchangeable shares. In addition, the Preferred Stock of the Company does not share in any income or loss and therefore is not a participating security but is a potentially dilutive security upon exchange to common stock.

Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common stock and, if dilutive, the potential common stock outstanding during the period. Potential common stock consists of the incremental common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and restricted stock units is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Additionally, the computation of the diluted net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock assumed the conversion of Class B common stock, exchangeable shares, and Preferred Stock, if dilutive, while the diluted net loss per share of Class B common stock did not assume conversion of those shares.dilutive.




The computation of basic and diluted net lossincome (loss) per share for the three and six months ended October 31,June 27, 2020 and June 30, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
 Three Months Ended 
 October 31, 2019
 Three Months Ended 
 October 31, 2018
     Three Months Ended 
 June 27, 2020
 Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2019
 Common Stock Common Stock Common Stock Common Stock
 (In thousands, except for share and per
share amounts)
 (In thousands, except for share and per
share amounts)
Basic and diluted net loss per share:  
  
  
   
Numerator  
  
  
   
Allocation of undistributed losses attributable to Franchise Group $(13,438) $(12,874)
Allocation of undistributed loss attributable to Franchise Group $(21,673) $(5,255)
Denominator  
  
    
Weighted-average common stock outstanding 16,588,868
 14,033,895
 34,972,364
 14,062,766 
        
Basic and diluted net loss per share $(0.81) $(0.92) $(0.62) $(0.37)


As a result of the net losses for the periods shown, diluted net loss per share excludes the impact of shares of potential common stock from the exercise of options to purchase 182,604 and 417,083 shares for the three months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.


  Six Months Ended 
 June 27, 2020
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2019
  Common Stock Common Stock
  (In thousands, except for share and per
share amounts)
Basic net income per share:      
Numerator      
Allocation of undistributed income attributable to Franchise Group $37,866  $32,936 
Denominator      
Weighted-average common stock outstanding 29,173,172  14,059,279 
     
Basic net income per share $1.30  $2.34 
     
Diluted net income per share:    
Numerator    
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation $37,866  $32,936 
Denominator      
Number of shares used in basic computation 29,173,172  14,059,279 
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities    
Employee stock options and restricted stock units 162,461  64,825 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding 29,335,633  14,124,104 
     
Diluted net income per share $1.29  $2.33 

  Six Months Ended 
 October 31, 2019
 Six Months Ended 
 October 31, 2018
    Class A Class B
  Common Stock Common Stock Common Stock
  (In thousands, except for share and per
share amounts)
Basic and diluted net loss per share:  
  
  
Numerator  
  
  
Allocation of undistributed losses attributable to Franchise Group $(29,341) $(32,012) $(233)
Denominator  
    
Weighted-average common shares outstanding 15,572,099
 13,458,167
 97,826
       
Basic and diluted net loss per share $(1.88) $(2.38) $(2.38)


As a result of the net losses for the periods shown, diluted net loss per share excludes the impact of shares of potential common stock from the exercise of options to purchase 243,558 and 634,498 shares for the six months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.


(13)(9) Stock Compensation Plans
 
2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan
In December 2019, the Company's stockholders approved the Company's 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2019 Plan"). The 2019 Plan provides for a variety of awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance shares, shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, restricted stock, restricted stock units, incentive awards, dividend equivalent units and other stock-based awards. Awards under the 2019 Plan may be granted to the Company’s eligible employees, directors, or consultants or advisors. The 2019 Plan provides that an aggregate maximum of 5,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events. At June 27, 2020, 4,128,173 shares of common stock remained available for grant.

Stock Options
The Company has an equity and cash incentive plan, for the issuance of up to 2,500,000 shares of common stock in which employees and outside directors are eligible to receive awards. At October 31, 2019, 1,589,668 shares of common stock remain available for grant.


Stock option activity during the six months ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020 was as follows:
  
Number of
options
 
Weighted
average
exercise price
Outstanding at December 28, 2019 460,285
 $10.28
Exercised (22,500) 8.30
Expired or forfeited (18,598) 11.93
Outstanding at June 27, 2020 419,187
 $10.31

  
Number of
options
 
Weighted
average
exercise price
Balance at beginning of period 796,244
 $10.88
Granted 88,340
 11.93
Exercised (177,221) 10.61
Expired or forfeited (216,497) 12.87
Balance at end of period 490,866
 $10.30



Intrinsic value is defined as the fair value of the stock less the cost to exercise. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended October 31, 2019 was $0.2 million. The total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding at October 31, 2019June 27, 2020 was $0.8$5.3 million. Stock options vest from the date of grant to fivethree years after the date of grant and expire from four to sevenfive years after the vesting date.
Nonvested stock options activity during the six months endedOctober 31, 2019 June 27, 2020 was as follows: 
  
Nonvested
options
 
Weighted
average
exercise price
Outstanding at December 28, 2019 215,007
 $10.11
Vested (63,333) 8.83
Expired or forfeited (18,598) 11.93
Outstanding at June 27, 2020 133,076
 $10.46
  
Nonvested
options
 
Weighted
average
exercise price
Balance at beginning of period 654,514
 $10.35
Granted 88,340
 11.93
Vested (242,997) 10.10
Forfeited (152,905) 10.55
Balance at end of period 346,952
 $10.83

 
At October 31, 2019,June 27, 2020, unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested stock options were $0.5 million.$0.2 million. These costs are expected to be recognizedexpensed through fiscal 2022.2021.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at October 31, 2019:June 27, 2020:
  Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
Range of exercise prices Number Weighted average exercise price Weighted average remaining contractual life (in years) Number Weighted average exercise price
     
$0.00 - $10.89 217,500
 $8.77
 4.7 154,166
 $8.74
$10.90 - $12.79 201,687
 11.98
 3.7 131,945
 12.01

 419,187
 $10.31
 
 286,111
 $10.25

  Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
Range of exercise prices Number of shares outstanding Weighted average exercise price Weighted average remaining contractual life (in years) Number of options exercisable Weighted average exercise price
     
$0.00 - $10.89 270,581
 $8.93
 5.1 143,914
 $9.01
$10.90 - $16.38 220,285
 11.98
 4.4 
 

 490,866
 $10.30
 
 143,914
 $9.01


Restricted Stock Units

The Company has awarded restricted stock units to its non-employee directors and certain employees. Restricted stock units are valued at the closing stock price the day preceding the grant date. Compensation costs associated with these restricted shares are amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period and recognized as an increase in additional paid-in capital. At June 27, 2020, unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units was $15.6 million. These costs are expected to be recognized through fiscal 2023.

In the six months ended June 27, 2020, the Company awarded performance restricted stock units with an estimated fair value of $3.0 million to certain officers and employees. Each employee has the opportunity to earn an amount between 0% and 150% of the individual target award contingent on the Company meeting certain performance targets for the period beginning December 28, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2022. Provided the vesting conditions are satisfied, the awards will vest at the end of the performance period. The estimated value is to be expensed over the performance period. The Company recognized $0.3 million of expense related to these performance restricted stock units in the six months ended June 27, 2020. The estimated fair value of these performance restricted stock units was determined using the Company's closing price on the grant date.

In the six months ended June 27, 2020, the Company also awarded restricted stock units with a fair value of $3.0 million to certain officers and employees. One-third of the awards will vest each year on the anniversary date of the grant. The Company recognized $0.3 million of expense related to these restricted stock units in the six months ended June 27, 2020. The Company also awarded restricted stock units with a fair value of $0.7 million to directors of the Company. The awards will vest on the anniversary date of the grant. The Company recognized $0.2 million of expense related to these restricted stock units in the six months ended June 27, 2020. The fair value of restricted stock units was determined using the Company's closing price on the grant date.



Restricted stock activity during the six months ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020 was as follows:

  Number of restricted stock units Weighted average fair value at grant date
Balance at beginning of period 168,792
 $10.56
Granted 17,252
 11.93
Vested (53,550) 10.19
Forfeited (36,122) 10.72
Balance at end of period 96,372
 $10.95
  Number of restricted stock units Weighted average fair value at grant date
Balance at December 28, 2019 671,039
 $14.00
Granted 279,839
 24.80
Vested (21,081) 9.99
Canceled (14,763) 20.32
Balance at June 27, 2020 915,034
 $17.29

 

Stock Compensation Expense


At October 31, 2019, unrecognized compensation costsThe Company recorded $4.3 million of expense related to restricted stock units were $0.6 million. These costs are expected to be recognized through fiscal 2022.awards for the six months ended June 27, 2020.




(14)(10) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are classified according to a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. Valuation methodologies for the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
 
Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and model-based valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in the market.


Level 3 — Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore, requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.


The Company measures or monitors certain of its assets and liabilities on a fair value basis. Fair value is used on a recurring basis for those assets and liabilities for which fair value is the primary basis of accounting. Other assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are subject to fair value adjustmentsadjustment in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment.



The following tables present, at October 31, 2019, April 30, 2019 and October 31, 2018, for each of the fair value hierarchy levels, the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis (In thousands):at June 27, 2020 and December 28, 2019.
 October 31, 2019 June 27, 2020
   Fair value measurements using   Fair value measurements using
 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
(In thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Recurring assets:  
  
  
  
Cash equivalents $537
 $537
 $
 $
Forward contract related to foreign currency exchange rates 61
 
 
 61
Total recurring assets 598
 537
 
 61
Nonrecurring assets:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Impaired accounts and notes receivable, net of unrecognized revenue and allowance $7,832
 $
 $
 7,832
 10,959
 
 
 10,959
Total nonrecurring assets $7,832
 $
 $
 $7,832
 10,959
 
 
 10,959
Total recurring and nonrecurring assets $11,557
 $537
 $
 $11,020
                
Liabilities:  
  
  
    
  
  
  
Recurring liabilities:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Contingent consideration included in obligations due former ADs, franchisees and others $589
 $
 $
 $589
 $594
 $
 $
 $594
Interest rate swap agreement 83
 
 83
 
 169
 
 169
 
Total recurring liabilities $672
 $
 $83
 $589
 $763
 $
 $169
 $594



  December 28, 2019
    Fair value measurements using
(In thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:        
Recurring assets:  
  
  
  
Cash equivalents $4,253
 $4,253
 $
 $
        Total recurring assets 4,253
 4,253
 
 
Nonrecurring assets:  
  
  
  
Impaired accounts and notes receivable, net of unrecognized revenue 7,310
 
 
 7,310
        Total nonrecurring assets 7,310
 
 
 7,310
Total recurring and nonrecurring assets $11,563
 $4,253
 $
 $7,310
         
Liabilities:        
Recurring liabilities:  
  
  
  
Contingent consideration included in obligations due to former ADs, franchisees and others $916
 $
 $
 $916
Interest rate swap agreement 58
 
 58
 
          Total recurring liabilities $974
 $
 $58
 $916

  April 30, 2019
    Fair value measurements using
  Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:        
Recurring assets:  
  
  
  
Cash equivalents $15,772
 $15,772
 $
 $
Total recurring assets 15,772
 15,772
 
 
Nonrecurring assets:  
  
  
  
Impaired accounts and notes receivable, net of unrecognized revenue 12,707
 
 
 12,707
Contingent consideration for sale of accounting offices 1,120
 
 
 1,120
Impaired goodwill 178
 
 
 178
Impaired fixed assets 39
 
 
 39
Total nonrecurring assets 14,044
 
 
 14,044
Total recurring and nonrecurring assets $29,816
 $15,772
 $
 $14,044
         
Liabilities:        
Recurring liabilities:  
  
  
  
Contingent consideration included in obligations due to former ADs, franchisees and others $816
 $
 $
 $816
Interest rate swap agreement 3
 
 3
 
Total recurring liabilities $819
 $
 $3
 $816


  October 31, 2018
    Fair value measurements using
  Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:  
  
  
  
Recurring assets:  
  
  
  
Interest rate swap agreement $75
 $
 $75
 $
Total recurring assets 75
 
 75
 
Nonrecurring assets:  
  
  
  
Impaired accounts and notes receivable, net of unrecognized revenue and allowance 14,620
 
 
 14,620
Total nonrecurring assets 14,620
 
 
 14,620
Total recurring and nonrecurring assets $14,695
 $
 $75
 $14,620
         
Liabilities:  
  
  
 9539
Recurring liabilities:  
  
  
  
Contingent consideration included in obligations due to former ADs, franchisees and others $1,432
 
 
 $1,432
Total recurring liabilities $1,432
 $
 $
 $1,432

The Company’sCompany's policy is to recognize transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy on the date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. There were no transfers into or out of levelLevel 1 or 2 requiringrecurring fair value measurements for each of the six months ended October 31, 2019 and 2018.June 27, 2020, as well as the year ended December 28, 2019.




The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of ourthe Company's financial instruments.
Cash equivalents: The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalent financial instruments consist of money market accounts.

Impaired accounts and notes receivable, net of unrecognized revenue:receivable: Accounts and notes receivable are considered to be impaired if the net amounts due exceed the fair value of the underlying franchise or if management considers it probable that all principal and interest will not be collected when contractually due. In establishing the estimated fair value of the underlying franchise, consideration is given to a variety of factors, including, recent sales between franchisees,comparable sales of Company-owned stores, sales between franchisees, the net fees of open offices, and the number of unopened offices.

Impaired goodwill, reacquired rights, and customer lists: Goodwill, reacquired rights and customer lists associated with a Company-owned office are considered to be impaired if the net carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the underlying office. In establishing the fair value of the underlying office, consideration is given to the related net fees and third-party transactions of franchises and when appropriate a discounted cash flow model.

Contingent consideration included in obligations due to former ADs, franchisee and others: Obligations due to former ADs and franchisees related to estimated contingentlong-term obligations: Contingent consideration areis carried at fair value. The fair value of these obligations was determined using a discounted cash flow model.based upon the estimated future net revenues of the acquired businesses.

Interest rate swap agreement: Value of interest rate swap on variable rate mortgage debt. The fair value of this instrument was determined based on third-party market research.


Other Fair Value Measurements

Additionally, accountingAccounting standards require the disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value. For the financial instruments that the Company does not recordrecorded at fair value, estimates of fair value are made at a point in time based on relevant market data and information about the financial instrument. No readily available market exists for a significant portion of the Company's financial instruments. Fair value estimates for these instruments are based on current economic conditions, interest rate risk characteristics, and other factors. Many of these estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and cannot be determined with precision. Therefore, the calculated fair value estimates in many instances cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, may not be realizable in a current sale of the instrument. In addition, changes in assumptions could significantly affect these fair value estimates. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of these financial instruments.

Receivables other than notes, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and due to ADs: The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments (Level 1).
Notes receivable:The carrying amount approximates fair value because the interest rate charged by the Company on these notes approximates rates currently offered by local lending institutions for loans of similar terms to individuals/entities with comparable credit risk (Level 3).

Long-term obligations: debt: The carrying amount approximates fair value because the interest rate paid has a variable component (Level 2).



(15)(11) Related Party Transactions


The Company considers directors and their affiliated companies, as well as named executive officers and members of their immediate families, to be related parties.


M. Brent Turner's ConsultingMessrs. Kahn and Services AgreementsLaurence


M. Brent Turner served as a consultantVintage and its affiliates held approximately 42% of the aggregate voting power of the Company from September 2018 untilthrough their ownership of common stock and Preferred Stock as of June 2019. On June 9, 2019, the Company appointed Mr. Turner as interim Chief Executive Officer27, 2020. Brian Kahn and Andrew Laurence, principals of Vintage, are members of the Company. Subsequently, on October 2, 2019,Company's Board of Directors with Mr. Turner was appointedLaurence serving as the Company's Chairman of the Board until March 31, 2020. Mr. Kahn is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Franchise Group L1, LLC, the Company’s subsidiaryCompany and parentMr. Laurence is an Executive Vice President of Liberty Tax Service.the Company.

Stock Subscription Agreement. On January 6, 2020, Vintage affiliates purchased 2,354,000 shares of the Company's common stock for $28.2 million under a subscription agreement dated August 7, 2019 with the Company.

Buddy's Franchises. Mr. Kahn had an equity interest in an entity that owned three Buddy's franchisees. The entity sold the franchisees on June 26, 2020 and Mr. Kahn no longer has an interest in any franchisees of the Company. Mr. Kahn's brother-in-law owns seven Buddy's franchisees. All transactions between the Company's Buddy's segment and Mr. Kahn's brother-in-law are conducted on a basis consistent with other franchisees.




Bryant Riley (former director)
The
Mr. Riley, through controlled entities or affiliates held approximately 13% of the aggregate ownership of the Company's common stock as of June 27, 2020. Mr. Riley was also a member of the Company's Board of Directors from September 2018 through March 2020.

Credit Agreements. On December 16, 2019, the Company is a participant inentered into the following related party transactionsVitamin Shoppe Term Loan with an entity controlled by Mr. Turner since the beginning of fiscal 2020:

Turner Consulting Agreement. Mr. Turner andRiley. On February 14, 2020, the Company entered into a Consulting$675 million credit facility, which included a $575 million FGNH Credit Agreement on September 20, 2018 commencing on October 1, 2018 and wasa $100 million FGNH ABL Term Loan with an entity controlled by Mr. Riley acting as the administrative agent. During the six months ended June 27, 2020, the Company borrowed and repaid an $11.0 million promissory note with B. Riley Financial, Inc.

Stock Subscription Agreements. On February 7, 2020, Mr. Riley, and entities or affiliates of Mr. Riley purchased 669,678 shares for $11.4 million under the Equity Financing as defined above in effect until September 30, 2019 (the "Consulting Agreement")"Note 8. Stockholder's Equity". The Consulting Agreement paid

Fee Letters. On February 14, 2020, the Company entered into a fee atletter with B. Riley pursuant to which B. Riley was entitled to receive $5 million for advisory services provided for the American Freight Acquisition. B. Riley received payment for these services on June 26, 2020. On February 19, 2020, the Company entered into a monthly ratefee letter with B. Riley pursuant to which B. Riley received an equity fee equal to 6% of $65,000the $36.0 million of equity raised by B. Riley for the Company as part of the Equity Financing (as defined above in "Note 8. Stockholder's Equity").

Backstop ABL Commitment Letter. On May 1, 2020, in connection with a totalour acquisition of $455,000 being paid in fiscal 2019. Mr. TurnerAmerican Freight and the ABL Credit Agreement, the Company entered into an Employment AgreementAmended and Restated ABL Commitment Letter with B. Riley pursuant to which B. Riley agreed to provide, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, a backstop commitment for a $100.0 million asset-based lending facility.

Underwritten Offering of Common Stock. On June 30, 2020, the Company completed an underwritten offering of its common stock in which with B. Riley FBR, Inc. ("B. Riley FBR"), an affiliate of B. Riley, acted as representative of the underwriters. In connection with the Company on June 9, 2019 upon his appointment as Interimoffering, B. Riley FBR was entitled to an underwriting discount of approximately $5.4 million and reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the offering.

M. Brent Turner
Mr. Turner is the President and Chief Executive Officer (the “Employment Agreement”). The Employment Agreement madeof the Consulting Agreement void and of no effect.Company’s Liberty Tax segment.


Revolution Financial Services Agreement.The Company entered into a one-year Services Agreement (the “Revolution Agreement”) with Revolution Financial, Inc. (“Revolution”) effective as August 23, 2019. Mr. Turner serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Revolution. The Revolution Agreement provides for certain transition services, including leased office space and information technology personnel. Pursuant to the terms as provided in the Revolution Agreement, fees for each of the services provided by Revolution are calculated based on the actual costs for each applicable service to be paid by the Company. For the transition services provided by the Company in retail locations, which includes the provision of space and staffing, Revolution will pay the Company 50% of net revenue. The amount for the transition services was immaterial for the six months ended June 27, 2020.


Messrs. Kahn and LaurenceMichael S. Piper


Vintage and its affiliates held approximately 41% ofMr. Piper is the aggregate voting power of the Company through their ownership of common stock and Preferred Stock as of October 31, 2019. Brian Kahn and Andrew Laurence, principals of Vintage, are membersChief Financial Officer of the Company's Board of Directors withLiberty Tax segment. On February 7, 2020, Mr. Laurence also servingPiper purchased 123,529 shares for $2.1 million under the Equity Financing as defined above in "Note 8. Stockholders' Equity".

Steve Belford

The Company's American Freight segment leases retail space and purchases inventory from entities either fully or partially owned by Steve Belford, the Company's Chairman of the Board. As of October 2, 2019, Mr. Kahn was also appointed as President andformer Chief Executive Officer of American Freight. Mr. Belford's employment with American Freight ended on April 6, 2020. In the Company with an initial term of three years and Mr. Laurence was appointed an Executive Vice President of the Company, each with an initial term of three years.

Buddy's Acquisition On July 10, 2019, the Company completed the Buddy's Acquisition. Vintage and othersix months ended June 27, 2020, American Freight paid these entities controlled by Mr. Kahn owned approximately 59.7% of Buddy's. For more information about the Buddy's Acquisition please see "Note 2. Acquisitions" included in “Part I. Financial Information, Item 1. Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Stock Subscription Agreements Affiliates of Vintage, purchased 2,083,333.33 shares of the Company's common stock for $25.0$1.8 million under the Closing Subscription Agreement on July 10, 2019. On October 21, 2019lease obligations and October 23, 2019, a Vintage affiliate and Brian Kahn and Lauren Kahn purchased an aggregateapproximately $25.8 million of 2,333,333.33 shares of the Company's common stock for $28.0 million under a subscription agreement with the Company.inventory.


Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition and Related Transactions On August 7, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire Vitamin Shoppe through the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition. Vintage has an approximately 15% equity ownership in Vitamin Shoppe. In addition, a Vintage affiliate entered into a binding equity commitment letter pursuant to which it agreed to finance up to $70.0 million in equity to complete the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition and the repayment of the existing Vitamin Shoppe convertible notes (the “Vitamin Shoppe equity commitment”). Pursuant to the Vitamin Shoppe equity commitment, the Vintage affiliate or its designated co-investors have agreed to purchase up to $70.0 million of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $12.00 per share to finance the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition. For more information on the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition, please see the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 8, 2019.

Buddy's Partner Asset Acquisition On September 30, 2019, the Company completed the Buddy's Partner Asset Acquisition. As consideration for the acquisition, the sellers, which included Vintage and affiliates, received 1,350,000 New Holdco units and 270,000 shares of Preferred Stock. For more information about the Buddy's Partner Asset Acquisition please see "Note 2. Acquisitions".

Buddy's Franchises Mr. Kahn has an equity interest in an entity that owns three Buddy's franchisees. All transactions between the Company's Buddy's segment and Mr. Kahn's entity are conducted on an arms-length basis. Mr. Kahn's brother-in-law owns three Buddy's franchisees. All transactions between the Company's Buddy's segment and Mr. Kahn's brother-in-law are conducted on an arms-length basis.

Bryant Riley

Mr. Riley, through controlled entities or affiliates held approximately 15% of the aggregate ownership of the Company's common stock as of October 31, 2019. Mr. Riley is also a member of the Company's Board of Directors.



Stock Subscription Agreement On October 22, 2019, B. Riley FBR, Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Riley, purchased 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock for $12.0 million under a subscription agreement with the Company.

Nicole Ossenfort’s (Former Chief Executive Officer) franchise agreement

Ms. Ossenfort, together with her husband, Scott Ossenfort, jointly own a Company franchise through JL Enterprises. All transactions between the Company's Liberty Tax segment and Ms. Ossefort's entity are conducted on an arms-length basis and any amounts due are immaterial.

Shaun York’s (Former Chief Operating Officer) AD agreement

Mr. York has an Area Development arrangement with the Company that is conducted through Yorkompany LLC. All transactions between the Company's Liberty Tax segment and Mr. York's entity are conducted on an arms-length basis and any amounts due are immaterial.


Tax Receivable Agreement


As discussed in "Note 2. Acquisition", inIn connection with the Buddy's Acquisition, the Company entered into a TRAthe Tax Receivable Agreement with the Buddy's Members that provides for the payment to the Buddy's Members of 40% of the amount of any tax benefits that the Company actually realizes as a result of increases in the tax basis of the net assets of New Holdco resulting from any redemptions or exchanges of New Holdco units. There were no amounts paid orAmounts due under the TRATax Receivable Agreement to the Buddy's Members as of andJune 27, 2020 were $17.2 million which is recorded in "Other non-current liabilities" in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. No payments were made to member of New Holdco pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement during the periodquarter ended October 31, 2019.June 27, 2020.



(16)(12) Commitments and Contingencies
    
In the ordinary course of operations, the Company may become a party to legal proceedings. Based upon information currently available, management believes that such legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations except as provided below.
    
Virginia Derivative Litigation

RSL Senior Partners LLC, derivatively and on behalf of Liberty Tax, Inc. v. Edward L. Brunot, John T. Hewitt, Kathleen E. Donovan, Gordon D’Angelo, John Garel, Thomas Herskovits, Robert M. Howard, Ross N. Longfield. Steven Ibbotson, Ellen M. McDowell, Nicole Ossenfort, George Robson and John Seal (Individual Defendants) and Liberty Tax. Inc. (Nominal Defendant), Case No. 18 cv 127, This case was filed on March 7, 2018 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (the “Virginia Action”). The parties to the Virginia Action have agreed that all claims in the Virginia Action have been settled and the Company has agreed that it (and/or its insurance carrier) will pay $295,000 in fees and expenses to the Plaintiffs' counsel in the Virginia Action in connection with settlement of the Virginia Action. A fairness hearing for the Virginia Action was held on September 11, 2019 where the Court approved the Settlement.

Eastern District of New York Securities Litigation


In Re Liberty Tax, Inc. Securities Litigation, Case No. 27 CV 07327.Litigation. This case consolidated two previously filed cases on July 12, 2018. The case, among other things, asserts that the Company’s SEC filings over a multi-year period failed to disclose the alleged misconduct of the individual defendants and that disclosure of the alleged misconduct caused the Company’s stock price to drop and, thereby harm the purported class of stockholders. The class period is alleged to be October 1, 2013 through February 23, 2018. The defendants filed a joint motion to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint on September 17, 2018.2018 which was granted on January 17, 2020. The Lead Plaintiff served their opposition on November 1, 2018 and the defendants filed their replynotice to appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on February 19, 2020. The Second Circuit set an expedited briefing schedule for the appeal. Appellant's brief was filed on November 27, 2018. A mediation took placeMay 5, 2020 and Appellant’s opposition brief was filed on November 12, 2018 but did not result in a resolution. The motion to dismiss is still pending before the Court.June 9, 2020.


Stockholder Class Action and Derivative Complaint


Case No. 2019-0633-AG. On August 12, 2019, Asbestos Workers’ Philadelphia Pension Fund, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated and derivatively on behalf of the Company filed a class action and derivative complaint (the “Derivative Complaint”) in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, against Matthew Avril, Patrick A. Cozza, Thomas Herskovits, Brian R. Kahn, Andrew M. Laurence, Lawrence Miller, G. William Minner Jr., Bryant R. Riley, Kenneth


M. Young, (collectively the “Derivative Complaint Individual Defendants”), and against Vintage, Capital Management, LLC ("Vintage"), B. Riley Financial, Inc. ("B. Riley"), and the Company as a Nominal Defendant.


The Derivative Complaint alleges breach of fiduciary duty against the Derivative Complaint Individual Defendants based on the following allegations: (a) causing the Company to completely transform its business model and to acquire Buddy’s at an inflated price, (b) transfer the control of the Company to Vintage and B. Riley for no premium and without a stockholder vote, (c) allowing Vintage and B. Riley’s other former stockholders to unfairly extract additional value from the Company by virtue of a TRA, (d) the offering to the Company's non-Vintage and non-B. Riley stockholders of an inadequate price for their shares of Company stock ($12.00 per share), (e) disseminating materially misleading and/or omissive Tender Offer documents, and (f) issuing additional Company shares to Vintage at less than fair value to fund the Tender Offer and Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition.  The Derivative Complaint also includes a count of unjust enrichment against Vintage and B. Riley.


The Derivative Complaint seeks: (a) declaration that the action is properly maintainable as a class action; (b) a finding the Individual Defendants are liable for breaching their fiduciary duties owed to the class and the Company; (c) a finding that demand on the Company's Board is excused as futile; (d) enjoining the consummation of the Tender Offer unless and until all material information necessary for the Company's stockholders to make a fully informed tender decision has been disclosed; (e) a finding Vintage and B. Riley are liable for unjust enrichment; (f) an award to Plaintiff and the other members of the class damages in an amount which may be proven at trial; (g) an award to Plaintiff and the other members of the class pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, as well as their reasonable attorneys’ and expert witness fees and other costs; (h) an award to the Company in the amount of damages it sustained as a result of Individual Defendants’ breaches of fiduciary duties to the Company; and (i) awarding such other and further relief as this Court may deem just and proper.


Simultaneously with the filing of the Derivative Complaint, the Plaintiff filed a motion seeking expedited proceedings. The motion was withdrawn as the Derivative Complaint Individual Defendants agreed to produce certain documents.



On October 23, 2019, the Plaintiff filed a Verified Amended Stockholder Class Action and Derivative Complaint (the “Amended Complaint”), following the Company’s filing of the amended and restated offer to purchase on October 16, 2019 (the “Offer to Purchase”). The Amended Complaint contained substantially similar allegations but revised certain allegations based on disclosures contained in, or purportedly omitted, from the Offer to Purchase. The Plaintiff filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction on October 25, 2019, seeking to prevent the consummation of the pending Offer to Purchase unless additional information was disclosed. On November 5, 2019, the Company filed Amendment No. 5 to the Offer to Purchase making certain additional disclosures, and Plaintiff withdrew its Motion for Preliminary Injunction.

Franchise Litigation
JTH Tax, Inc. and SiempreTax LLC v. Gregory Aime, Aime Consulting, LLC, Aime Consulting, Inc. and Wolf Ventures, Inc.The Company filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against the defendants, former Company franchisees.
On September 13, 2018, the Fourth Circuit issuedFebruary 7, 2020, Matthew Sciabacucchi, a mandate that the judgmentpurported stockholder of the Fourth Circuit entered August 8, 2018 takes effect as of the same date of said filing. The matter was sent back to the District Court to recalculate damages consistent with the Fourth Circuit’s decision. On November 29, 2018, the Court issued an order awarding Aime approximately $0.3 million in damages. Either party may potentially exercise a right to appeal the Court’s order, therefore the ultimate outcome of this action and the timing of such outcome is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the Company, will benefit financially from such litigation.

Before the District Court on remand, the parties briefed the question of what damages remained in place after the Court of Appeals’ ruling. On November 30, 2018, the District Court ruled that the Company remained liable to Aime for $0.3 million in damages. The Court also ordered return of the Company's appeal bond. As a result of this ruling, the Company reduced the liability from $2.7 million to $0.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Aime filed a petition for certiorari in the United States Supreme Court on December 4, 2018. On January 7, 2019, the Supreme Court denied certiorari.

On December 28, 2018, Aime filed a motion for reconsideration of the District Court’s November 30, 2018 Order. On April 9, 2019, the Court entered judgment for an amount of $0.3 million. On April 12, 2019, Aime filed a motion to amendintervene to pursue some or all of the judgment,derivative claims pending in the Court of Chancery.  Mr. Sciabacucchi’s motion states that Asbestos Workers’ Philadelphia Pension Fund has sold its shares in the Company.  The motion to increase it by $0.1 million. intervene was granted March 10, 2020.

On June 13, 2019,8, 2020 the Court denied the motionentered an order governing briefing on Plaintiff’s petition for reconsideration, but granted the motion to amend and increased the amountan interim award of the judgment to include the $0.1 million. The Court issued its opinionattorney’s fees. Plaintiff’s opening brief was filed on June 25, 2019. The Company8, 2020. Defendant's opposition was filed a notice of appeal with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on July 19, 2019. Aime filed his notice of cross-appeal23, 2020, and Plaintiff’s reply is due on July 25, 2019. The Company filed its brief on October 7, 2019 and Aime filed his brief on Novemberor before August 6, 2020.


5, 2019. The Company filed its reply brief on December 5, 2019. The ultimate outcome of this action and the timing of such outcome is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the Company will benefit financially from such litigation.


Class Action Litigation


Rene Labrado v. JTH Tax, Inc. (Case BC 715076). On July 3, 2018, a class action complaint was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles by a former employee for herself and on behalf of all other “similarly situated” persons. The Complaint alleges, among other things, that the Company allegedly violated various provisions of the California Labor Code, including: unpaid overtime, unpaid meal period premiums, unpaid rest premiums, unpaid minimum wages, final wages not timely paid, wages not timely paid, non-compliant wage statements, failure to keep pay records, unreimbursed business expenses and violation of California Business and Profession Code Section 17200. The Complaint seeks actual, consequential and incidental losses and damages, injunctive relief and other damages. The Company highly disputes the allegations set forth in the Complaint and filed a motion to dismiss. On May 29, 2019, the Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss, but granted the Company leave to file a motion to strike. The Company filed a motion to strike and by Order datedon August 20, 2019, the Court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion. The Court provided the Company with twenty days to file its answer to the Complaint.  The Court alsoComplaint and lifted the discovery stay andstay.  A status conference was held on March 3, 2020 where the Court set a hearing date on the Plaintiff’s Class Certification Motionclass certification for MarchDecember 18, 2020. A further status conference was held on August 3, 2020.  The2020 and the Court did not set any briefing schedulea continuance for the Motion but ordered the parties to stipulate to a briefing schedule.  August 13, 2020.


Department of Justice ("DOJ") and IRS Matters


On December 3, 2019, the DOJ initiated a legal proceeding against Franchise Group Intermediate L 1, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, (“Holdings”), in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia Case No 19-CV-00653.Virginia. Also, on December 3, 2019, the DOJ and Holdingsthe Company filed a joint motion asking the court to approve a proposed order setting forth certain enhancements to the Company's Liberty Tax Servicesegments compliance program and requiring Holdingsthe Company to retain an independent monitor to oversee the implementation of the required enhancements to the compliance program. The monitor will work with the Company's Liberty Tax Servicesegments compliance team and may make recommendations for further refinements to improve the tax compliance program.  As part of the proposed order, Holdingsthe Company also agreed that it would not rehire or otherwise engage the Company’s former chairman, John T. Hewitt, under whose supervision the conduct at issue occurred.  Holdings furtheroccurred, and agreed not to grant Mr. Hewitt any options or other rights to acquire equity in the Company, or to nominate him to the Company’s Board of Directors. IfOn December 20, 2019 the Court granted the joint motion for the proposed order is approved byand the court, it is expected toconfidentiality motion, which fully resolveresolved the legal proceeding initiated by DOJ.


In addition, the Company and JTH Tax, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, entered into a settlement agreement resolving the previously disclosed investigation by the IRS with respect to the tax return preparation activities of the Company’s Liberty Tax segments franchise operations and company-ownedCompany-owned stores.  Pursuant to that agreement, the Company and JTH Tax, LLC, agreed to make a compliance payment to the IRS in the amount of $3$3.0 million, to be paid in installments over four years, starting with an upfront payment of $1.0 million, followed by a $0.5 million payment on each anniversary thereof.


As previously disclosed, the Company expects that the increased costs to enhance its compliance program could exceed $1.0 million per year over several years, in addition to the costs necessary to resolve the investigation.


Other Matters


Convergent Mobile, Inc. v. JTH Tax, Inc. On August 26, 2019, Convergent Mobile, Inc. (“Convergent”) filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Sonoma, against the Company (the "California Complaint"). The California Complaint alleges that the Company breached a contract between it and Convergent, and Convergent has asserted


counts for breach of contract, promissory estoppel, and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The California Complaint generally seeks damages according to proof, special damages according to proof, interest, attorneys’ fees and cost. The Company removed the matter to the federal district court for the Northern District of California and filed a motion to dismiss and motion to strike. Convergent filed aOn January 16, 2020, the Court vacated the previously scheduled hearing on Company’s motion to remanddismiss and motion to strike and stated a written opinion would be forthcoming. On April 22, 2020, the case backCourt granted in part and denied in part the Company's motion to state court anddismiss. The Court denied the Company's motion to disqualify the Company’s counsel.strike. The Company filed opposition briefs to both motionsits answer and oral argumenta counterclaim against Convergent and the matter is scheduled for December 10, 2019.proceeding in discovery. The Company disputes these claims and intends to defend the matter vigorously.


Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C., n/k/a American Freight Outlet Stores, LLC v. Capgemini America, Inc., successor in interest to Capgemini U.S. LLC.On April 8, 2020, Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C., n/k/a American Freight Outlet Stores, LLC (“Outlet”) filed a complaint against Capgemini America Inc. ("Capgemini") in the United States District Court, Northern District Court of Illinois (the “Complaint”), seeking a declaratory action. Outlet alleges claims against Capgemini of fraudulent inducement, breach of contract, constructive fraud, and intentional non-disclosure/fraudulent concealment. Outlet also seeks a declaratory action for excuse of non-performance to pay any further invoices from Capgemini, including certain invoices which Outlet disputes and Capgemini alleges are past due, specific performance from Capgemini’s obligation to provide termination assistance services, actual and consequential damages, incidental damages in an amount yet to be determined, interest, attorney’s fees and costs, and punitive damages. On June 19, 2020, the parties mutually resolved all claims between them and the Complaint was dismissed with prejudice on June 25, 2020.

The Company is also party to claims and lawsuits that are considered to be ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the business, including claims and lawsuits concerning the preparation of customers' income tax returns, the fees charged to customers for various products and services, relationships with franchisees, intellectual property disputes, employment matters, and contract disputes. Although the Company cannot provide assurance that it will ultimately prevail in each instance, it


believes the amount, if any, it will be required to pay in the discharge of liabilities or settlements in these claims will not have a material adverse impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.




(17)(13) Segments


The Company's operations are conducted in threefour reporting business segments: Sears Outlet,Vitamin Shoppe, American Freight, Liberty Tax and Buddy's. The Company defines its segments as those operations whowhich results its chief operating decision maker ("CODM") regularly reviews to analyze performance and allocate resources. The results of operations of Buddy's are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on July 11,10, 2019, the results of operations of Vitamin Shoppe are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on December 16, 2019, while the results of operations of American Freight are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on February 14, 2020. The results of operations of the Sears Outlet business are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on October 23, 2019.2019 and are included in the results of operations of the American Freight segment. Prior to July 11,10, 2019, the Company operated as a single reportable segment that was comprised of Liberty Tax.


The Vitamin Shoppe segment is an omni-channel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle company with the mission of providing customers with the most trusted products, guidance, and services to help them become their best selves, however they define it. The Vitamin Shoppe segment offers a comprehensive assortment of nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and natural beauty aids. The Vitamin Shoppe segment consists of our operations under the "Vitamin Shoppe" brand and is headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey.

The American Freight segment operates under the American Freight and American Freight Outlet banners. American Freight is a retail chain offering brand-name furniture, mattresses and home accessories at discount prices. American Freight Outlet, previously Sears Outlet, segment provides in-store and online access for customers to purchase new, one-of-a-kind, out-of-carton,out-of-box, discontinued, obsolete, used, reconditioned, overstocked and scratched and dented products, collectively “outlet-value products”"outlet-value products" across a broad assortment of merchandise categories, including home appliances, mattresses and furniture and lawn and garden equipment.at value-oriented prices. The Sears OutletAmerican Freight segment consists of our operations under the "Sears Outlet" brand"American Freight" banner and is headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.Delaware, Ohio.


The Liberty Tax segment is one of the largest providers of tax preparation services in the U.S. and Canada. The Liberty Tax segment includes the Company's operations under the "Liberty Tax," "Liberty Tax Canada" and "Siempre" brands. The Liberty Tax segment and our corporate headquarters are located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.



The Buddy's segment leases and sells electronics, residential furniture, appliances and household accessories. The Buddy's segment consists of the Company's operations under the "Buddy's" brand and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.


The Company measures the results of its segments, using, among other measures, each segment's total consolidated revenue, consolidated depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges and consolidated income (loss) from operations. The Company may revise the measurement of each segment's income (loss) from operations as determined by the information regularly reviewed by the CODM. When the measurement of a segment changes, previous period amounts and balances are reclassified to be comparable to the current period's presentation.


Total revenues by segment arewere as follows:
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018 October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Total revenue:                
Sears Outlet $12,197
 $
 $12,197
 $
Vitamin Shoppe $237,735
 $
 $513,622
 $
American Freight 234,427
 
 437,174
 
Liberty Tax 5,827
 6,776
 11,379
 13,940
 15,073
 23,820
 104,692
 119,658
Buddy's 18,462
 
 21,105
 
 25,392
 
 49,705
 
Consolidated total revenue $36,486
 $6,776
 $44,681
 $13,940
 $512,627
 $23,820
 $1,105,193
 $119,658


Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges by segment are as follows:
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018 October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges:                
Sears Outlet $345
 $
 $345
 $
Vitamin Shoppe $12,419
 $
 $23,729
 $
American Freight 1,553
 
 2,465
 
Liberty Tax 3,058
 3,165
 6,818
 6,359
 2,379
 3,699
 4,444
 7,772
Buddy's 1,232
 
 1,458
 
 1,514
 
 3,154
 
Consolidated depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges $4,635
 $3,165
 $8,621
 $6,359
 $17,865
 $3,699
 $33,792
 $7,772




Operating income (loss) by segment arewere as follows:
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018 October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Income (loss) from operations:        
Sears Outlet $(1,866) $
 $(1,866) $
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Income from operations:        
Vitamin Shoppe $(587) $
 $(6,063) $
American Freight 12,422
 
 14,009
 
Liberty Tax (14,266) (18,354) (30,840) (46,713) (3,204) (5,662) 45,478
 49,211
Buddy's 1,528
 
 2,058
 
 5,338
 
 8,683
 
Total Segments (14,604) (18,354) (30,648) (46,713) 13,969
 (5,662) 62,107
 49,211
Corporate (9,723) 
 (16,985) 
 (2,397) 
 (4,696) 
Consolidated income (loss) from operations $(24,327) $(18,354) $(47,633) $(46,713)
Consolidated income from operations $11,572
 $(5,662) $57,411
 $49,211



Total assets by segment arewere as follows:
 Six Months Ended
 October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018
 (In thousands)
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 December 28, 2019
Total assets:        
Sears Outlet $272,887
 $
Vitamin Shoppe $635,353
 $679,646
American Freight 854,493
 267,176
Liberty Tax 144,335
 173,960
 105,897
 123,576
Buddy's 198,379
 
 187,209
 188,941
Total Segments 615,601
 173,960
 1,782,952
 1,259,339
Corporate 70,920
 
 100,679
 39,206
Consolidated total assets $686,521
 $173,960
 $1,883,631
 $1,298,545


Goodwill by segment is as follows:
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 December 28, 2019
Goodwill:    
   Vitamin Shoppe $
 $4,951
   American Freight 369,034
 31,028
   Liberty Tax 8,972
 9,780
   Buddy's 90,082
 88,542
Consolidated goodwill $468,088
 $134,301

  Six Months Ended
  October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018
  (In thousands)
Goodwill:    
Sears Outlet $9,762
 $
   Liberty Tax 9,490
 7,550
   Buddy's 99,592
 
Consolidated goodwill $118,844
 $7,550




(18)(14) Subsequent Events

Listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC


On November 12, 2019,June 25, 2020, the Company announced that The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC approved its application for listingentered into an Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with B. Riley FBR, as representative of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market ("Nasdaq"underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”). The Company's common stock began trading on Nasdaq on November 15, 2019.

Completion of the Tender Offer

On November 13, 2019, the Company completed its Tender Offer with 3,935,738 shares tendered for to issue and sell an aggregate purchase price of approximately $47.2 million.


Dividend Declared

On November 25, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend to stockholders of $0.25 per share payable on or about January 6, 2020 to holders of record4,200,000 shares of the Company's common stock on the closein a public offering at a price of business on December 6, 2019.

2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan

On December 4, 2019,$23.25 per share. In addition, the Company received written consents from stockholders holding a majority ofgranted the voting power of the Company’s outstanding capital stock as of December 4, 2019, approving the Company’s 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). The 2019 Plan provides for a variety of awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance shares,Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 630,000 shares of the Company’sCompany's common stock par value $0.01 per share, restricted stock, restricted stock units, incentive awards, dividend equivalent unitsfor a period of 30 days from June 25, 2020. The Company offering closed on June 30, 2020 and other stock-based awards. Awards under the 2019 Plannet proceeds to the Company from the offering were $92.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses of approximately $5.4 million. On July 25, 2020, the Company and B. Riley FBR entered into an Amendment No. 1 to the Underwriting Agreement to extend the period during which the Company granted the Underwriters the Option to 35 days from June 25, 2020, or July 30, 2020. On July 30, 2020, the Underwriters provided notice to purchase the additional 630,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The Company received proceeds of $13.8 million, net of expenses of $0.8 million.

On July 10, 2020, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Super Priority Debtor-In-Possession Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement (the “DIP DDTL Agreement”) with Tuesday Morning Corporation (“Tuesday Morning”).  Pursuant to the DIP DDTL Agreement, the Company agreed to lend Tuesday Morning up to an aggregate principal amount of $25 million in the form of delayed draw term loans (the “DIP Term Facility”).  The DIP Term Facility is guaranteed by certain of the Tuesday Morning's subsidiaries and secured on a super priority basis by real estate assets owned by Tuesday Morning, including its corporate headquarters and warehouse/distribution complex located in Dallas, Texas.  The DIP Term Facility will mature on April 10, 2021, which maturity (unless accelerated subject to the terms set forth in the DIP DDTL Agreement) may be grantedextended, subject to payment of an extension fee to the Company’s eligible employees, directors, or consultants or advisors.Company, for an additional three (3) months at the election of Tuesday Morning.  The 2019 Plan provides thatDIP Term Facility will bear interest at a rate per annum based on 3-month LIBOR (with a 1.00% LIBOR floor), plus an aggregate maximuminterest rate margin of 5,000,000 shares5.0% (subject to further increase of common stock are reserved for issuance under2.0% upon the 2019 Plan, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events.occurrence of an event of default). The DIP Term Facility is being provided in connection with Tuesday Morning’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. Following a hearing held on July 8, 2020, on July 10, 2020 the judge presiding over the Tuesday Morning's bankruptcy cases entered an order approving the DIP Term Facility.


Simultaneously with stockholder approval of the Plan, the Company’s prior equity incentive compensation plan, the JTH Holding, Inc. 2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), was terminated. No new awards will be granted under the 2011 Plan, although awards previously granted under the 2011 Plan and still outstanding will continue to be subject to all terms and conditions of the 2011 Plan.






ITEM 2

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements concerning our business, operations, and financial performance and condition as well as our plans, objectives, and expectations for our business operations and financial performance and condition. Any statements contained herein that are not of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. You can identify these statements by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “could,” “due,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “positioned,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would”"aim," "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "could," "due," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "predict," "potential," "positioned," "should," "target," "will," "would," and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and our management’smanagement's beliefs and assumptions. They are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are in some cases beyond our control. As a result, any or all of our forward-looking statements in this quarterly reportAdditionally, other factors may turn out to be inaccurate or could cause our actual results to differ materially from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks described under “Item 1A—Risk Factors”"Item 1A-Risk Factors," including:

the uncertainty of the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures on our business and results of operations, including uncertainties surrounding the physical and financial health of our customers, the ability of government assistance programs to individuals, households and businesses to support consumer spending, levels of foot traffic in our Annual Report on Form 10-Kstores, changes in customer demand for our products and services, possible disruptions in our supply chain or sources of supply, and whether we will have the governmental approvals, personnel and sources of supply to be able to keep our stores open;

our plans and expectations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased expenses for potential higher wages and bonuses paid to associates and the cost of personal protective equipment and additional cleaning supplies and protocols for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019safety of our associates, and other filings with expected delays in new store openings;

the SEC, including:effect of steps the Company takes in response to COVID-19, the severity and duration of the pandemic, including whether there is a “second wave” as a result of the loosening of governmental restrictions, the pace of recovery when the pandemic subsides and the heightened impact it has on many of the risks described herein;

potential regulatory actions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic;

the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Buddy’s Acquisition, Sears Outlet Acquisition, and Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition and American Freight Acquisition (as all such terms are defined below) will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period, the businesses of the Company and the Buddy’s segment, Sears OutletVitamin Shoppe segment or Vitamin ShoppeAmerican Freight segment may not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, revenues following the Buddy’s Acquisition, Sears Outlet Acquisition, or Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition or American Freight Acquisition may be lower than expected or completing the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition on the expected timeframe may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected;

our inability to grow on a sustainable basis;

changes in operating costs, including employee compensation and benefits;

the seasonality of our Liberty Tax segment;certain of the Company's business segments;

departures of key executives or directors;

our ability to attract additional talent to our senior management team;

our ability to maintain an active trading market for our listingcommon stock on Nasdaq;The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”);

our inability to secure reliable sources of the tax settlement products and services we make available to our customers;



government regulation and oversight including the regulation of tax preparers or settlementover our products such as refund transfers and loan settlement products;services;

our ability to comply with the terms of theour settlement with the DOJDepartment of Justice (the "DOJ") and IRS;the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS");

government initiatives that simplify tax return preparation, improve the timing and efficiency of processing tax returns, limit payments to tax preparers, or decrease the number of tax returns filed or the size of the refunds;

government initiatives to pre-populate income tax returns;

the effect of regulation of the products and services that we offer, including changes in laws and regulations and the costs and administrative burdens associated with complying with such laws and regulations;

the possible characterization of refund transfers as a form of loan or extension of credit;

changes in the tax settlement products offered to our customers that make our services less attractive to customers or more costly to us;
our ability to maintain relationships with our tax settlement product service providers;
our ability of offer merchandise and services that our customers want;
our ability to successfully manage our inventory levels and implement initiatives to improve inventory management and other capabilities;


competitive conditions in the retail industry;
worldwide economic conditions and business uncertainty, the availability of consumer and commercial credit, change in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending, and changes in vendor relationships;
our competitors could continue to reduce their promotional pricing on new-in-box appliances, which potentially adversely impacting our sales of out-of-box appliances and associated margin;
any potential non-compliance, fraud or other misconduct by our franchisees or employees;
our ability and the ability of our franchisees to comply with legal and regulatory requirements;
failures by our franchisees and their employees to comply with their contractual obligations to us and with laws and regulations, to the extent these failures affect our reputation or subject us to legal risk;
the ability of our franchisees to open new territories and operate them successfully;
the ability of our franchisees to generate sufficient revenue to repay their indebtedness to us;
our ability to manage Company-owned offices;
our exposure to litigation and any governmental investigations;
our ability and our franchisees' ability to protect customers' personal information, including from a cyber-security incident;
the impact of identity-theft concerns on customer attitudes toward our services;
our ability to access the credit markets and satisfy our covenants to lenders;
challenges in deploying accurate tax software in a timely way each tax season;
delays in the commencement of the tax season attributable to Congressional action affecting tax matters and the resulting inability of federal and state tax agencies to accept tax returns on a timely basis or other changes that have the effect of delaying the tax refund cycle;
competition
our ability to maintain relationships with our third-party product and service providers;

our ability to offer merchandise and services that our customers demand;

our ability to successfully manage our inventory levels and implement initiatives to improve inventory management and other capabilities;

the performance of our products within the prevailing retail industry;

disruption of manufacturing, warehouse or distribution facilities or information systems;

the continued reduction of our competitors promotional pricing on new-in-box appliances, potentially adversely impacting our sales of out-of-box appliances and associated margin;

competitive conditions in the retail industry and tax preparation market;

worldwide economic conditions and business uncertainty, the availability of consumer and commercial credit, change in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending, and changes in vendor relationships;

the risk that natural disasters, public health crises, political uprisings, uncertainty or unrest, or other catastrophic events could adversely affect our operations and financial results, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on manufacturing operations and our supply chain, customer traffic and our operations in general;

any potential non-compliance, fraud or other misconduct by our franchisees or employees;

our ability and the ability of our franchisees to comply with legal and regulatory requirements;

failures by our franchisees and their employees to comply with their contractual obligations to us and with laws and regulations, to the extent these failures affect our reputation or subject us to legal risk;

the ability of our franchisees to open new territories and operate them successfully;

the availability of suitable store locations at appropriate lease terms;

the ability of our franchisees to generate sufficient revenue to repay their indebtedness to us;

our ability to manage Company-owned offices;



our exposure to litigation and any governmental investigations;

our ability and our franchisees' ability to protect customers' personal information, including from a cyber-security incident;

the impact of identity-theft concerns on customer attitudes toward our services;

our ability to access the credit markets and satisfy our covenants to lenders;

challenges in deploying accurate tax software in a timely way each tax season;

the effect of federal and state legislation that affects the demand for paid tax preparation, such as the Affordable Care Act and potential immigration reform;

our reliance on technology systems and electronic communications;

our ability to effectively deploy software in a timely manner and with all the features our customers require;

the impact of any acquisitions or dispositions, including our ability to integrate acquisitions and capitalize on their anticipated synergies; and

other factors, including the risk factors discussed in this quarterly report.


Potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this quarterly report. Unless required by law, we do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or otherwise. A potential investor or other vendor should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the SECU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") after the date of this quarterly report.




Overview
 
We are a retailer, franchisor operator and acquirer of franchised and franchisable businesses that can be scaled using our operating expertise.philosophies. We currently operate threefour reportable segments: Liberty Tax, Buddy’s, American Freight, and Sears Outlet.Vitamin Shoppe.


Our Liberty Tax segment is one of the largest providers of tax preparation services in the U.S. and Canada. In fiscal 2019, we operated 3,108 tax offices. Our tax preparation services and related tax settlement products are offered primarily through franchised locations, although we operate a limited number of Company-owned offices each tax season. See "Note 1. Description of BusinessOrganization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in


our AnnualTransition Report on Form 10-K10-K/T for the fiscal yeartransition period ended April 30,December 28, 2019, for details of the U.S. office activity and the number of Canadian and Company-owned offices for the years ended December 28, 2019, April 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017.April 30, 2018.


Our Buddy's segment was acquired onOn July 10, 2019, andwe completed our acquisition of Buddy's Home Furnishings (“Buddy’s”). Our Buddy's segment franchises or operates rent-to-own stores that lease household durable goods, such as electronics, residential furniture, appliances and household accessories, to customers on a rent-to-own basis. Merchandise is also offered for immediate purchase or an installment sales basis. On June 10, 2019, we operated 291 Buddy's stores primarily through franchised locations.


Our Sears Outlet segment was acquired onOn October 23, 2019, we completed the acquisition of the Sears Outlet business from Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (“Sears Outlet”). Sears Outlet has been rebranded as American Freight Outlet and is included in the American Freight segment. American Freight Outlet provides in-store and online access to purchase outlet-value products acrossprimarily in the home appliance category. Since the rebranding, American Freight Outlet stores also carry a broad assortmentlarge selection of merchandisethe American Freight furniture and mattresses assortments, which offers deep value price points to consumers. Merchandise categories including home appliances, mattresses,formerly associated with Sears Outlet, such as apparel, sporting goods, lawn and garden equipment, tools, and other household goods at prices that are significantly lower than list prices.have been discontinued to make space for a new furniture and mattress program. Products are generally covered by a warranty and a full suite of extended-service plans and services are also offered.


On December 16, 2019, we completed our acquisition of the Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. (“Vitamin Shoppe). Our Vitamin Shoppe segment is an omni-channel specialty retailer of vitamins, minerals, herbs, specialty supplements, sports nutrition and other health and wellness products. We believe we offer one of the largest varieties of products among vitamin, mineral and supplement ("VMS") retailers and continue to refine our product assortment with approximately 7,200 stock keeping units ("SKUs") offered in our stores or though e-commerce. We believe our product offering and emphasis on product knowledge and customer service helps us meet the needs of our target customer and serves as a foundation for enhancing strong customer loyalty.

On February 14, 2020, we completed the acquisition of American Freight Group, Inc. ("American Freight"). Our American Freight segment is a retail chain offering brand-name furniture, mattresses and home accessories at discount prices.
American Freight buys direct from manufacturers and sells direct in warehouse-style stores. By cutting out the middleman and keeping its overhead costs low, American Freight can offer quality, new furniture and mattresses at the lowest prices. American Freight offers same-day delivery on all in-stock items with flexible payment options including free layaway and take it home today for $50 with low, easy payment plans.

Our revenue is primarily derived from merchandise sales, lease revenue, loans and fee charges in our Company-owned stores, royalties and other required fees from our franchisees and financial products related to refund transfers.
In evaluating our performance, management focuses on Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of the cash flow from recurring operations from the businesses. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss), before income taxes, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain other items.
Acquisitions

Acquisition
On October 23, 2019,February 14, 2020, we completedannounced the completion of our previously announced acquisition of American Freight (“American Freight Acquisition”). Additionally, we entered into a new $675 million credit facility which funded the Sears Outlet segmentAmerican Freight Acquisition and nine Buddy’s Home Furnishing franchises from Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. pursuant to the termsrefinanced certain debts of the Equity and Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2019 for an aggregate purchase price of $131.3 million. For a complete description of the Sears Outlet Acquisition, refer to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 28, 2019.

On September 30, 2019, we acquired 21 Buddy’s Home Furnishings stores from a series of franchisees of Buddy’s New Holdco, a wholly owned direct subsidiary ofbusiness and the Company. In connection with the acquisition, the sellers received, in aggregate, 1,350,000 New Holdco units and 270,000 shares of Preferred Stock for an estimated purchase price of $16.2 million.

On August 23, 2019, we acquired 41 Buddy’s Home Furnishing stores from A-Team Leasing LLC. (“A-Team”), a franchiseeAmerican Freight Outlet portion of our Buddy’s segment, for total consideration of $26.6 million.

On July 10, 2019 (the "Buddy’s Acquisition Date"), we entered into and completed certain transactions contemplated by an Agreement of Merger and Business Combination Agreement with Buddy's, Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of the Company (“New Holdco”), Franchise Group B Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Holdco and Vintage RTO, L.P., solely in its capacity as the representative of the former equity holders of Buddy's (the "Buddy's Members"), to acquire Buddy's in a stock transaction (the "Buddy’s Acquisition"). At the Buddy’s Acquisition Date, each outstanding unit of Buddy’s was converted into the right to receive 0.459315 units of New Holdco (“New Holdco units”) and 0.091863 shares of Preferred Stock. The Buddy's Members may elect, following an initial six-month lockup period, to redeem one New Holdco unit and one-fifth of a share of Preferred Stock in exchange for one share of our common stock. As of the Buddy’s Acquisition Date, on an as-converted basis, the Buddy's Members' aggregate ownership of New Holdco units and share of Preferred Stock represent approximately 36.44% of our outstanding common stock, which implies an enterprise value of Buddy's of approximately $122 million and an equity value of $12.00 per share of Common Stock. We are the sole managing member of New Holdco and it will be consolidated for financial reporting purposes. New Holdco units held by the Buddy's Members will be recorded as a non-controlling interest on the consolidated financial statements.

We and the Buddy's Members also entered into an income tax receivable agreement (the "TRA"), pursuant to which, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the TRA, we will pay the Buddy's Members 40% of the cash savings, if any, in federal, state and local taxes that we realize or are deemed to realize as a result of any increases in tax basis of the assets of New Holdco resulting from future redemptions or exchanges of New Holdco units and Preferred Stock held by the Buddy's Members in exchange for common stock. Refer to the liquidity section below for further discussion.

For a complete description of the Buddy’s Acquisition, refer to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 11, 2019.

On August 7, 2019, we entered into the Vitamin Shoppe Merger Agreement with Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. (“Vitamin Shoppe”) pursuant to which, among other things, Vitamin Shoppe will become a subsidiary of the Company (the “Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition”). Consummation of the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition is subject to certain customary closing conditions, including, without limitation, the approval of the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition by Vitamin Shoppe shareholders.



American Freight businesses.
For purposes of this section and throughout this quarterly report, all references to “fiscal 2020” and “fiscal 2019” refer to our fiscal yearsthe year ending December 28, 2019 and ended April 30, 2019, respectively,26, 2020 and corresponding references to fiscal quarters are references to quarters within thosethat fiscal years.year. For purposes of this section and throughout this quarterly report all references to “year” or “years” are the respective fiscal year or years ended April 30 unless otherwise noted in this quarterly report, and all references to “tax season” refer to the period between January 1 and April 30 of the referenced year.


Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected, and likely will continue to affect, our financial condition and results of operations for the foreseeable future. In most states, our segments were deemed essential businesses and, therefore, the majority our stores have remained open during the pandemic. The highest number of stores closures due to COVID-19 was approximately 240 stores. As of June 27, 2020, no stores were closed due to COVID-19 out of our 4,108 total stores (owned or franchised); however, we cannot predict whether stores will remain open if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens and states and localities issue new restrictions.

We also made changes to reduce our exposure to potential short-term liquidity risk in the banking system. On OctoberMay 1, 2019, our Board of Directors approved a change in our fiscal year end from April 302020, we executed backstop commitment letter pursuant to which B. Riley Financial, Inc. ("B. Riley") agreed to provide, subject to the Saturday closestterms and conditions set forth therein, a backstop commitment for a $100.0 million asset-based lending facility. On June 30, 2020, we completed a public offering of 4.2 million shares of our common stock with net cash proceeds to December 31the Company of each year, effective immediately.$92.2 million. As of June 27, 2020, we were in compliance with our debt covenants and, based on a continuation of current operating results, we expect to be in compliance for the next twelve months.


While too early to fully quantify, we have not experienced a significant negative impact on our sales and profitability. However, the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact our business and financial results by weakening demand for our products and services, interfering with our ability and our franchisees’ ability to operate store locations, disrupting our supply chain or affecting our ability to raise capital from financial institutions. As events are rapidly changing, we are unable to accurately predict the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our results of operations due to uncertainties including, but not limited to, the duration of shutdowns, quarantines and travel restrictions, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak and the public’s response to the outbreak; however, we are actively managing our business to respond to the impact.


Results of Operations
The table below shows results of operations for the three and six months ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020 and 2018.June 30, 2019.
 Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31,
     Change     Change Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 2019 2018 $ % 2019 2018 $ %     Change     Change
(In thousands)(In thousands)   June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 $ % June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 $ %
Total revenues $36,486
 $6,776
 $29,710
 438% $44,681
 $13,940
 $30,741
 221% $512,627
 $23,820
 $488,807
 2,052 % $1,105,193
 $119,658
 $985,535
 824%
Loss from operations (24,327) (18,354) (5,973) 33% (47,633) (46,713) (920) 2%
Net loss (24,095) (12,874) (11,221) 87% (43,233) (32,245) (10,988) 34%
Income from operations 11,572
 (5,662) 17,234
 (304)% 57,411
 49,211
 8,200
 17%
Net income $(21,942) $(5,255) $(16,687) 318 % $39,956
 $32,936
 $7,020
 21%
Revenues. The table below sets forth the components and changes in our revenues for the three and six months ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020 and 2018.June 30, 2019.
  Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31,
      Change     Change
  2019 2018 $ % 2019 2018 $ %
  (dollars in thousands)
Product $11,947
 $
 $11,947
 % $12,064
 $
 $12,064
 %
Service 12,641
 6,776
 5,865
 87% 19,384
 13,940
 5,444
 39%
Leasing 11,898
 
 11,898
 % 13,233
 
 13,233
 %
Total revenues $36,486
 $6,776
 $29,710
 438% $44,681
 $13,940
 $30,741
 221%
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
      Change     Change
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 $ % June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 $ %
Product $466,709
 $
 466,709
 % $940,214
 $
 $940,214
 %
Service and other 28,742
 23,820
 4,922
 21% 131,383
 119,658
 $11,725
 10%
Rental 17,176
 
 17,176
 % 33,596
 
 $33,596
 %
Total revenue $512,627
 $23,820
 $488,807
 2,052% $1,105,193
 $119,658
 $985,535
 824%

For the three months ended October 31, 2019,June 27, 2020, total revenues increased $29.7$488.8 million, or 438%2,052%, to $36.5$512.6 million compared to $6.8$23.8 million in the same period last year. This increase was primarily due to the following:

Buddy's Acquisition, which increased revenue by $25.4 million, the American Freight Acquisition and Sears Outlet Acquisition, which collectively increased revenue by $234.4 million and the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition, which increased revenue by $237.7 million. This increase was offset by an increase$8.7 million decrease in service and other revenue from our Liberty Tax segment primarily due to reduced tax returns driven by reduced office count and the extension of $11.9 million in product revenuesthe tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020 due to the Sears Outlet Acquisition and Buddy's Acquisition; andCOVID-19 pandemic.

an increase of $11.9 million in leasing revenue due to the Buddy's Acquisition; and

an increase of $5.9 million in service revenue primarily due to a $2.4 million increase in agreement, club and damage waiver fees and a $2.0 million increase in royalty revenue due to the Buddy's Acquisition and a $1.6 million increase in other revenue due to the Sears Outlet Acquisition and Buddy's Acquisition.


For the six months ended October 31, 2019,June 27, 2020, total revenues increased $30.7$985.5 million, or 221%824%, to $44.7$1,105.2 million compared to $13.9$119.7 million in the same period last year. This increase was primarily due to the following:

an increase of $13.2Buddy's Acquisition which increased revenue by $49.7 million, in leasing revenues due to the Buddy's Acquisition;American Freight Acquisition and

an increase of $12.1 million in product revenues due to the Sears Outlet Acquisition which collectively increased revenue by $437.2 million and Buddy's Acquisition; and

an increase of $5.4the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition which increased revenue by $513.6 million. These increases were offset by a $15.0 million decrease in service revenues primarily due to a $2.8 million increase in agreement, club and damage waiver fees due to the Buddy's Acquisition, a $2.0 million increase in royaltyother revenue due to the Buddy's Acquisition partially offset by lower royalties infrom our Liberty Tax segment primarily due to reduced tax returns from store closures and a $2.0 million increase in other revenuethe extension of the tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020 due to the Sears Outlet Acquisition and Buddy's Acquisition and an increase in our Liberty Tax segment due higher gains on franchise acquisitions.COVID-19 pandemic.



Operating expenses.    The following table below details the amounts and changes in our operating expenses for the three and six months ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020 and 2018.June 30, 2019.
 Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31,
     Change     Change Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 2019 2018 $ % 2019 2018 $ %     Change     Change
(In thousands) 
               June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 $ % June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 $ %
Cost of revenue:                                
Product $8,171
 $
 $8,171
  % $8,264
 $
 $8,264
  % $277,582
 $
 $277,582
 % $565,400
 $
 $565,400
 %
Service 1,210
 
 1,210
  % 1,210
 
 1,210
  %
Leasing 4,463
 
 4,463
  % 5,003
 
 5,003
  %
Service and other 701
 
 701
 % 1,456
 
 1,456
 %
Rental 5,508
 
 5,508
 % 11,450
 
 11,450
 %
Total cost of revenue 13,844
 
 13,844
  % 14,477
 
 14,477
  % 283,791
 
 283,791
 % 578,306
 
 578,306
 %
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 46,969
 24,052
 22,917
 95 % 77,837
 51,308
 26,529
 52 % 217,264
 29,482
 187,782
 637% 469,476
 70,447
 399,029
 566%
Restructuring expenses 
 1,078
 (1,078) (100)% 
 9,345
 (9,345) (100)%
Total operating expenses $60,813
 $25,130
 $49,527
 197 % $92,314
 $60,653
 $46,138
 76 % $501,055
 $29,482
 $471,573
 1,600% $1,047,782
 $70,447
 $977,335
 1,387%

For the three months ended October 31, 2019,June 27, 2020, total operating expenses were $60.8$501.1 million compared to $25.1$29.5 million in the same period last year, representing an increase of $49.5$471.6 million, or 197%1,600%. TheThis increase was primarily driven by the following:

a $22.9 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to the Buddy's Acquisition and Sears Outlet Acquisition; and

a $13.8which increased operating expenses by $20.1 million, increase in cost of revenue due to the Buddy'sAmerican Freight Acquisition and Sears Outlet Acquisition;Acquisition which collectively increased operating expenses by $222.0 million and the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition which increased operating expenses by $238.3 million.

a $1.1 million decrease in restructuring expenses related to exit costs of Company-owned stores in the prior year.


For the six months ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020, total operating expenses were $92.3$1,047.8 million compared to $60.7$70.4 million in the same period last year, representing an increase of $46.1$977.3 million, or 76%1,387%. TheThis increase was primarily driven by the following:

a $26.5 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to the Buddy's Acquisition which increased operating expenses by $41.0 million, the American Freight Acquisition and Sears Outlet Acquisition;Acquisition which collectively increased operating expenses by $423.2 million and the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition which increased operating expenses by $519.7 million.


Other. Other expense increased by $4.0 million for the six months ended June 27, 2020. The increase is primarily due to a $14.5prepayment penalty from the repayment of the debt used to fund the Buddy's Acquisition and the Sears Outlet Acquisition.

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net increased $31.2 million and $55.9 million for the three and six months ended June 27, 2020, respectively. These increases were primarily due to an increase in long-term obligations to finance the acquisitions of Buddy's, Sears Outlet, Vitamin Shoppe and American Freight, deferred financing cost amortization expense for the New Holdco debt of revenue$4.5 million and $9.7 million in the three and six months ended June 27, 2020, respectively, and a $3.5 million write-off of deferred financing costs due to the Sears Outlet Acquisition andtermination of the Buddy's Acquisition; and

a $9.3 million decrease in restructuring expenses related to exit costs of Company-owned storesLiberty Tax Credit Agreement in the prior year.quarter ended June 27, 2020.


Income tax benefit. Our effective tax rate from continuing operations, including discrete income tax items, was 14.1%(9.4%) and 31.9%15.0% for the three months ended October 31,June 20, 2020 and June 30, 2019, and 2018, respectively, and 13.7%1,091.2% and 31.9%30.9% for the six months ended October 31,June 27, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES Act was enacted on March 27, 2020, which retroactively changed the eligibility of certain assets for expense treatment in the year placed in service, back to 2018, and permitted any net operating loss for the tax years 2018, 2019 and 2018, respectively.2020 to be carried back for five years. The reduced effectiveCompany recorded an income tax rate results primarily from adjustments to deferred taxesbenefit of $45.6 million as a result of remeasurement of tax ratesthe CARES Act which is the primary reason for the change in the effective rate for the six months ended June 27, 2020 compared to the same period in the prior year that did not recur in fiscal 2020, the permanent tax effect related to non-deductible acquisition-related costs, and the establishment of New Holdco and the related non-controlling interests. As New Holdco is treated as a partnership for tax purposes, any net income or loss is passed through on pro rata basis to its members. Therefore, the effective tax rate reflects only the allocable share of income or loss of New Holdco related to Franchise Group, Inc.

year.


Segment Information


We, primarily through our franchisees and to a lesser degree our Company-owned stores, operate a system of tax preparation, rent-to-own and point of sale retail locations. Our operations are conducted in threefour reporting business segments: Liberty Tax, Buddy's, American Freight and Sears Outlet.Vitamin Shoppe. We define our segments as those operations whose results our chief operating decision maker ("CODM") regularly reviews to analyze performance and allocate resources.



The Liberty Tax segment is one of the largest providers of tax preparation services in the U.S. and Canada. The Liberty Tax segment includes our operations under the "Liberty Tax," "Liberty Tax Canada" and "Siempre" brands. The Liberty Tax segment and our corporate headquarters are located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Buddy's segment leases and sells electronics, residential furniture, appliances and household accessories. The Buddy's segment consists of our operations under the "Buddy's" brand and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.

The Sears Outlet segment provides in-store and online access to purchase outlet-value products across a broad assortment of merchandise categories, including home appliances, mattresses, apparel sporting goods, lawn and garden equipment, tools, and other household goods at prices that are significantly lower than list prices. Products are generally covered by a warranty and a full suite of extended-service plans and services are also offered. The Sears Outlet segment consists of our operations under the "Sears Outlet" brand and is headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.


We measure the results of our segments using, among other measures, each segment's net sales, operating expenses and operating income (loss). We may revise the measurement of each segment's operating income, including the allocation of overhead costs, as determined by the information regularly reviewed by the CODM. When the measurement of a segment changes, previous period amounts and balances are reclassified to be comparable to the current period's presentation. Because the Buddy's Acquisition, American Freight Acquisition and Sears OutletVitamin Shoppe Acquisition occurred insubsequent to the six months ended October 31,June 30, 2019, no comparable information is not available;available for the three and six months ended June 27, 2020; therefore, Buddy's, American Freight and Sears OutletVitamin Shoppe segment information is not provided in this discussion.


The following table summarizes the operating results of ourthe Liberty Tax segment:
  Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31,
      Change     Change
  2019 2018 $ % 2019 2018 $ %
Total revenue $5,827
 $6,776
 $(949) (14.0)% $11,379
 $13,940
 $(2,561) (18.4)%
Operating expenses 20,093
 25,130
 (5,037) (20.0)% 42,219
 60,653
 (18,434) (30.4)%
Loss from operations (14,266) (18,354) 4,088
 (22.3)% (30,840) (46,713) 15,873
 (34.0)%
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
      Change     Change
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 $ % June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 $ %
Total revenues $15,073
 $23,820
 $(8,747) (36.7)% $104,692
 $119,658
 $(14,966) (12.5)%
Operating expenses 18,277
 29,482
 (11,205) (38.0)% 59,214
 70,447
 (11,233) (15.9)%
Segment income $(3,204) $(5,662) $2,458
 (43.4)% $45,478
 $49,211
 $(3,733) (7.6)%


Total revenue for our Liberty Tax segment decreased 14.0%$8.7 million or 36.7% for the three months ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020 as compared to the same period last year. The decrease in revenue was primarily driven by the following:


a decrease of $1.0$7.3 million in assistedroyalties and advertising, financial products, tax preparation and electronic filing fees net of discounts related to a reduction in the number of Company-owned stores operated in fiscal 2020store closures and the divestiture of our year-round accounting offices in fiscal 2019;

a $0.8 million reduction in royalties, advertising fees and financial productsreduced tax returns due to the timing of accruals and a decrease in the number of franchise and Company-owned stores;COVID-19; and


a decrease of $0.2$1.3 million in interest income due to fewer working capital loan issued to franchisees.

these decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.2 million infranchise and area developer fees and gain on sales due to AD buybacks and the buybacktiming of area developer territories.payments made on loans due to COVID-19.


Total revenue for our Liberty Tax segment decreased 18.4%$15.0 million or 12.5% for the six months ended October 31, 2019June 27, 2020 as compared to the same period last year. The decrease in revenue was primarily driven by the following:


a decrease of $2.0$16.4 million in royalties and advertising, financial products and electronic filing fees related to store closures and reduced tax returns due to COVID-19;

a $1.9 million decrease in interest income due to fewer working capital loans issued to franchisees;

a decrease of $1.0 million in franchise and area developer fees due to AD buybacks and the timing of payments made on loans due to COVID-19;

an increase of $2.9 million in assisted tax preparation fees, net of discounts related to a reductionan increase in the number of Company-owned stores operated in fiscal 2020 and the divestiture of our year-round accounting offices in fiscal 2019;2020; and


a $1.4$1.8 million reductionincrease in royalties, advertising fees and financial products dueother revenue primarily related to the timing of accruals and a decrease in the number of franchise and Company-owned stores; and

a decrease of $0.4 million of interest income due to fewer working capital loans issued to franchisees.

these decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.3 million in area developer fees and gaingains on sales due toof Company-owned stores where the buybacksales price exceeds the carrying value of area developer territories.the assets sold.



Operating expenses for the Liberty Tax segment decreased 20.0%$11.2 million or 38.0% for the three months ended October 31, 2019 as compared to the same period last year. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily driven by the following:

a $2.4 million decrease in employee compensation and benefits primarily resulting from a reduction in the number of Company-owned stores in fiscalJune 27, 2020 the divestiture of our year-round accounting offices in fiscal 2019, executive recruitment in the prior year and reductions in overall headcount in fiscal 2020; and

a $1.8 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to legal and accounting costs in the prior year related to public company and litigation costs and fewer Company-owned stores in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, partially offset by an increase of $0.6 million in advertising expenses due to the timing of expenditures; and

a $1.1 million decrease in the current year for restructuring expenses related to Company-store exit costs.

Operating expenses for the Liberty Tax segment decreased 30.4% for the six months ended October 31, 2019 as compared to the same period last year. The decrease in operating expenses was driven by the following:


a $9.3$1.9 million decrease in the current yearAD expenses due to reacquired ADs and reduced tax return volume;

a decrease of restructuring expenses$1.3 million in depreciation, amortization and impairment charges primarily related to Company-store exit costs;software disposed of in December 2019; and


a $5.9$6.9 million decrease in employee compensationother expenses primarily related to non-recurring professional fees and benefits primarily resulting from a reductionlegal settlements in 2019, decreased bad debt expense, partially offset by higher software license costs.

Operating expenses for Liberty Tax decreased $11.2 million or 15.9% for the number of Company-owned storessix months ended June 27, 2020 as compared to the same period last year. The decrease in fiscal 2020,operating expenses was driven by the divestiture of our year-round accounting offices in fiscal 2019, executive recruitment in the prior year and reductions in overall headcount in fiscal 2020; andfollowing:


a $3.6$6.9 million decrease in selling, generalAD expenses due to reacquired ADs and administrativereduced tax return volume;

a decrease of $3.3 million in depreciation, amortization and impairment charges primarily related to software disposed of in December 2019;

a $2.0 million decrease in other expenses primarily due to legal and accounting costs in the prior year related to public companynon-recurring professional fees and litigation costs and fewer Company-owned storeslegal settlements in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 partially offset by anhigher software license and franchisee rebate costs; and

a $1.6 million increase of $0.2 million in advertising expensesexpense due to the timing of expenditures; and

a $0.2 million decrease in area developer expenses dueadvertising compared to the timing of accruals.prior year.






Adjusted EBITDA.EBITDA


To provide additional information regarding our financial results, we have disclosed in the table below and within this quarterly report Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss), before income taxes, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain other items specified below. We have provided a reconciliation below of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.


We have included Adjusted EBITDA in this quarterly report because we seek to manage our business to achieve higher levels of Adjusted EBITDA and to improve the level of Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. In addition, it is a key basis upon which we assess the performance of our operations and management. We also use Adjusted EBITDA for business planning and the evaluation of acquisition opportunities. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons. We believe the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA enhances an overall understanding of the financial performance of and prospects for our business. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized financial measure under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss), or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP.





The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods indicated.


 Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31, Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA
 2019 2018 2019 2018 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA (In thousands)
Net loss $(24,095) $(12,874) $(43,233) $(32,245)
(In thousands) June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019 June 27, 2020 June 30, 2019
Net income $(21,673) $(5,255) $37,866
 $32,936
Add back:                
Interest expense 3,598
 547
 4,562
 1,077
 31,626
 415
 57,378
 1,470
Income tax benefit (3,829) (6,029) (8,960) (15,545) 1,882
 (928) (43,987) 14,706
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges 4,635
 3,165
 8,621
 6,359
 17,865
 3,699
 33,792
 7,772
Total Adjustments 4,404
 (2,317) 4,223
 (8,109) 51,373
 3,186
 47,183
 23,948
EBITDA (19,691) (15,191) (39,010) (40,354) 29,700
 (2,069) 85,049
 56,884
Adjustments to EBITDA                
Executive severance and related costs including stock-based compensation 
 
 952
 933
Executive recruitment costs 
 
 
 725
Executive severance and related costs 663
 952
 5,319
 952
Stock based compensation 1,854
 218
 4,339
 607
Shareholder litigation costs 457
 4
 518
 59
 156
 61
 286
 61
Restructuring expense 343
 1,078
 805
 9,345
Corporate governance costs 
 
 
 
Accrued judgments and settlements, net of estimated revenue 126
 
 809
 
Corporate compliance costs 4
 58
 104
 58
Prepayment penalty on early debt repayment 
 
 4,048
 
Accrued judgments and settlements 117
 2,632
 (1,169) 326
Store closures 257
 58
 516
 1,221
Rebranding costs 1,964
 
 3,222
 
Acquisition costs 8,061
 
 14,389
 
 8,004
 500
 17,100
 675
Inventory fair value step up amortization 7,403
 
 28,193
 
Total Adjustments to EBITDA 8,987
 1,082
 17,473
 11,062
 20,422
 4,479
 61,958
 3,900
Adjusted EBITDA $(10,704) $(14,109) $(21,537) $(29,292) $50,122
 $2,410
 $147,007
 $60,784

Included in restructuring expense on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended October 31, 2018 is $1.3 million of depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges. EBITDA is $13.8 million in the three months ended October 31, 2018 with these expenses included. Included in restructuring expense on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended October 31, 2018 is $5.6 million of depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges. EBITDA is $34.8 million in the six months ended October 31, 2018 with these expenses included.



Seasonality of Operations


Given the seasonal nature of the tax return preparation business, our Liberty Tax segment has historically generated and expects to continue to generate most of its revenues during the period from January 1 through April 30 of each year. For example, in fiscal 2019 it earned 25% of our annual consolidated revenues during the fiscal third quarter ended January 31 and 89% of its annual revenues during the combined fiscal third and fourth quarters of 2019. We have historically operated at a loss through the first eight months of each fiscal year, during which we incurred costs associated with preparing for the upcoming tax season.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview of factors affectingWe believe that we have sufficient liquidity to support our ongoing operations and maintain a sufficient liquidity

Seasonality of cash flow. position to meet our obligations and commitments. Our Liberty Tax segment's tax return preparation business is seasonal, and most of its revenues and cash flowliquidity plans are generated during the period from late January through April 30. Following each tax season, from May 1 through late January of the following year, it relies significantly on excess operating cash flow from the previous season, from cash payments made by franchisees and ADs who purchase new territories and areas prior to the next tax season, and on the useestablished as part of our credit facilityfinancial and strategic planning processes and consider the liquidity necessary to fund our operating, expensescapital expenditure and investdebt service needs.

We primarily fund our operations and acquisitions through operating cash flows and, as needed, a combination of borrowings under various credit agreements, availability under our revolving credit facilities and the issuance of equity securities. Cash generation can be subject to variability based on many factors, including seasonality, receipt of prepaid payments from area developers, timing of repayment of loans to franchisees and the effects of changes in end markets.

As of June 27, 2020, we have current installments of long-term obligations of $203.5 million. On May 1, 2020, we entered into an ABL Commitment Letter, due in 2025, with B. Riley pursuant to which B. Riley agreed to provide a backstop commitment for a $100.0 million asset-based lending facility to replace the FGNH ABL Term Loan due on September 30, 2020. The $70.0 million due on the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver, while classified as a current installment as required of revolving credit facilities, expires in December 2022. We expect that the remaining $45.0 million of current obligations can be serviced from our cash and cash equivalents, which were $105.5 million as of June 27, 2020.

During the six months ended June 27, 2020, we executed several substantial transactions that will affect our liquidity and capital resources in future growthperiods. For more details please see "Note 6. Long-Term Obligations":

On January 3, 2020, we entered into a subscription agreement with an affiliate of Vintage, pursuant to which the affiliate of Vintage purchased from the Company 2,354,000 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $28.2 million in cash.

On February 7, 2020, in connection with our repurchases of Vitamin Shoppe’s outstanding 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (the “VSI Convertible Notes”), certain investors provided the Company with an aggregate of approximately $65.9 million of equity financing to fund the repurchase or redemption of the VSI Convertible Notes, make interest payments on the VSI Convertible Notes that are not so repurchased or redeemed until their maturity and to also fund general, working capital and cash needs of the Company.

On February 14, 2020, we entered into a $675.0 million credit facility, which was used to fund the American Freight Acquisition and repay the existing Sears Outlets and Buddy’s term loans.

On May 1, 2020, we entered into a backstop commitment for a $100.0 million asset-based lending facility with B. Riley. As of June 27, 2020, no amounts had been drawn on this facility.

On June 30, 2020, we completed the Offering in which we sold 4.2 million shares of our business. Itscommon stock and received net proceeds of approximately $92.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses totaling approximately $5.4 million. On July 30, 2020, the Underwriters exercised the Option, and we received net proceeds of approximately $13.8 million, after deducting underwriting discounts of approximately $0.8 million.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected economic conditions, including macroeconomic conditions and levels of business confidence and has historically generated a strongcreated economic disruption. Mitigation efforts, including federal, state and local government restrictions, including travel restrictions, restrictions on public gatherings, closing of nonessential businesses and quarantining of people who may have been exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic, may have an impact on our cash flow from operations and our ability to raise capital from financial institutions. Currently, there is significant uncertainty surrounding the potential impact on an annual basis.our business and we are actively managing our business to respond to the impact and increase our liquidity.

Sources and uses of cash
Operating activities. In the six months ended June 27, 2020, cash from operating activities increased $85.4 million compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to a $84.4 million increase in inventory, a $61.1 million increase in cash income and a $10.5 increase in deferred revenue partially offset by a $66.5 million decrease in income taxes receivable.



Investing activities. In the six months ended June 27, 2020, we used $371.0 million more cash for investing activities compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily due to $353.4 million of cash used for the American Freight Acquisition, a $16.6 million decrease in cash payments received on operating loans to franchisees and ADs and a $15.5 million increase in purchases of property, equipment and software. This increase was partially offset by a $15.6 million decrease in cash used for operating loans to franchisees and ADs.
Financing activities. In the six months ended June 27, 2020, cash from financing activities increased $352.5 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was driven by a $575.0 million in borrowing under the FGNH Credit Agreement, $48.1 million increase in proceeds from revolving credit agreements, a $92.1 million increase due to proceeds from share issuances and a $48.3 million decrease in repayments of borrowings under revolving credit facilities. The Liberty Tax segment devotesincreases were partially offset by the $394.6 million repayment of long-term obligations primarily the term loans used to acquire Buddy's, Sears Outlet and American Freight, a significant portion$15.1 million increase in dividends and non-controlling interest distributions paid and a $12.3 million increase in payments for debt issuance costs.

Long-term debt borrowings

Franchise Group New Holdco Term Loan. On February 14, 2020, as part of our cash resources during the off seasonAmerican Freight Acquisition, we, through direct and indirect subsidiaries, entered into a $675.0 million credit facility, which included a $575.0 million senior secured term loan (the “FGNH Term Loan”) and a $100.0 million senior secured asset based term loan (the “FGNH ABL Term Loan”), to finance the working capital needstransaction and repay the existing Sears Outlets and Buddy’s term loans for an amount of our franchisees,$106.7 million and expenditures for property, equipment$101.6 million including accrued interest, respectively. The FGNH Term Loan will mature on February 24, 2025 and software.the FGNH ABL Term Loan will mature on September 30, 2020. We are required to repay the FGNH Term Loan in equal quarterly installments of $6.25 million on the last day of each fiscal quarter, commencing on June 27, 2020.


Sears Outlet Credit Agreement

Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan.On October 23,December 16, 2019 as part of the Sears OutletVitamin Shoppe Acquisition, we, through direct and indirect subsidiaries, entered into the Sears Outlet Credita Loan and Security Agreement (the “Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan Agreement”) that provides for a $105.0$70.0 million first priority senior secured term loan net of financing costs of $2.8 million,(the "Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan") which matures on October 23, 2023. The term loan will, at our option, bear interest at either (i) a rate per annum based on LIBOR for an interest period of one, two, three or six months, plus an interest rate margin of 6.5% (a “LIBOR Loan”) with a 1.50% LIBOR floor, payable in arrears at the end of each applicable interest period or (ii) an alternate base rate determined as provided in the Sears Outlet Credit Agreement, plus an interest rate margin of 5.5% (an “ABR Loan”) with a 2.50% alternate base rate floor, payable in arrears on the first day of each fiscal quarter.December 16, 2022. Our obligations under the Sears Outlet Credit AgreementVitamin Shoppe Term Loan are secured on a first priority basis by substantially all of the assets of our indirect subsidiaries. The total proceeds of the term loan have been used to finance the Sears Outlet Acquisition.

Vitamin Shoppe segment. We are required to repay the term loan in equal quarterly installments of $2.5$4.3 million on the firstlast day of each fiscal quarter, commencing on April 1,March 28, 2020. We are required to prepay the term loan with 75% of consolidated excess cash flow on an annual basis and with the net cash proceeds of certain other customary events. All repayments or prepayments of the term loan are subject to an exit fee of 1.0%. The Sears Outlet CreditVitamin Shoppe Term Loan Agreement includes customary affirmative, negative, and financial covenants binding on us and our subsidiaries. The negative covenants limit ussubsidiaries, including delivery of financial statements, borrowing base certificates and our subsidiaries' abilityother reports.

On May 22, 2020, the Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan was amended to among other things, incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends(i) permit the assignment of $5.3 million of the outstanding term loan to the Company (the “Term Loan Assignment”), subject to certain conditions and certain limitations on our capital stock and enter into transactions with affiliates. The financial covenants includethe Company’s rights as a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio (net of certain cash), alender, (ii) modify the minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum consolidated liquidity requirementEBITDA covenant, (iii) limit the quarterly dividend payment by the Company that would otherwise have been permitted in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 (by reference to certain financial calculations from the first fiscal quarter of 2020) (the “Dividend Waiver”) and a minimum borrowing base ratio. In addition,(iv) permit the Sears Outlet Credit Agreement includes customary eventsCompany to use an anticipated tax refund to prepay $12.5 million of default, the occurrence of which may require that we pay an additional 2.0% interest on the term loan. We were in compliance with all covenantsloan upon receipt of the Sears Outlet Credit Agreement as of October 31, 2019.

Buddy's Credit Agreement. On July 10, 2019, as part of the Buddy's Acquisition, we, through an indirect subsidiary, entered into the Buddy's Credit Agreement that provides for an $82.0 million first priority senior secured term loan which matures on July 10, 2024. Our obligations under the Buddy’s Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and are secured on a first priority basis by the assets of our Buddy’s segment. A portion of the proceeds of the Buddy’s Credit Agreement was used to prepay and terminate the outstanding revolving credit facility of Buddy’s.

The Buddy’s Credit Agreement will, at our option, bear interest at either (i) a rate per annum based on LIBOR for an interest period of one, two, three or six months, plus an interest rate margin of 8.0% (a “LIBOR Loan”)such tax refund, along with a 1.50% LIBOR floor, or (ii) an alternate base rate determined as provided in2% prepayment fee, plus (x) if the Buddy’s Credit Agreement, plus an interest rate margin of 7.0% (an “ABR Loan”) with a 2.50% alternate base rate floor. Interest on LIBOR Loanstax refund prepayment is payable in arrears atnot made by July 31, 2020, the end of each applicable interest period (and, with respect to a six-month interest period, three months after commencement of the interest period), and interest on ABR Loans is payable in arrears on the first day of each fiscal quarter. If the consolidated leverage ratio of our Buddy's segment exceeds certain thresholds set forth in the Buddy’s Credit Agreement, weCompany will also be required to pay an additional 2.0% interest, to be paid-in-kind.

The Buddy’s Credit Agreement is required to be repaid in equal quarterly installmentsa fee of $1,025,000 on0.5% of the first dayoutstanding term loan (other than the portion of each calendar quarter, commencing on October 1, 2019. We are also required to prepay the term loan held by Parent) and (y) if the tax refund prepayment is not made by September 25, 2020, the Company will be required to pay additional amortization of $3.1 million for each fiscal quarter (beginning with 75%the fiscal quarter ending on September 26, 2020) until the tax refund prepayment is made (which additional quarterly amortization may be deducted from the required tax refund prepayment).

On May 22, 2020, we purchased $5.3 million of consolidated excess cash flowthe Vitamin Shoppe Term Loan from one of the participating lenders which effectively retired that portion of the term loan.

Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver. On December 16, 2019, we, through direct and indirect subsidiaries, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “ Vitamin Shoppe ABL Agreement”) providing for a senior secured revolving loan facility (the “Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver”) with commitments available to us of the lesser of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) a specified borrowing base based on an annual basisour eligible credit card receivables, accounts and inventory, less certain reserves, and as to each of clauses (i) and (ii), less a $10.0 million availability block. The Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver will mature on December 16, 2022. We borrowed $70.0 million on December 16, 2019, the proceeds of which were used to consummate the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, we are required to repay borrowings under the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver with the net cash proceeds of certain other customary events. All voluntary prepayments andevents (subject to certain customary mandatory prepayments are subject to a prepayment penalty. Prior toreinvestment rights). Further, if the first anniversary of the closing date, the prepayment penalty is a make-whole premium on the portion of the Buddy’s Credit Agreement so prepaid. Thereafter, theoutstanding principal amount of the prepayment penalty on the portion of the Buddy’s Credit Agreement so prepaid is (a) 3.0%, from the first anniversary of the closing date through (but not including) the second anniversary of the closing date, (b) 2.0%, from the second anniversary of the closing date through (but not including) the third anniversary of the closing date, and (c) 1.0%, from the third anniversary of the closing date through (but not including) the fourth anniversary of the closing date. We may also be required to pay LIBOR breakage and redeployment costs in certain limited circumstances.

On August 23, 2019 as part of the 41 stores acquisition from A-Team, the Buddy's Credit Agreement was amended. The amendment provides for a $23.0 million first priority senior secured loan (the “Buddy’s Additional Term Loan”), net of financing costs of $0.4 million. We are required to repay the additional amountsborrowings under the amended Buddy's Credit AgreementVitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver at any time exceeds the lesser of $100.0 million and the borrowing base, less, in equal quarterly installments of $287,500 oneach case, a $10.0 million availability block, we must prepay any such excess. In addition, the first day of each calendar quarter, commencing on October 1, 2019.

On September 30, 2019, the Buddy's Credit Agreement was further amended to update the agreed consolidated EBITDA figures for September 30, 2018, December 31, 2018, March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 and to clarify the circumstances under which acquisitions may be given pro forma effect in the calculation of consolidated EBITDA.



The Buddy’s CreditVitamin Shoppe ABL Agreement includes customary affirmative negative, and financial negative


covenants binding on us and our subsidiaries, including delivery of financial statements, borrowing base certificates and other reports. The negative covenants limit our ability, among other things,

On May 22, 2020, the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver was amended to incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends on our capital stockpermit the Term Loan Assignment and enter into transactions with affiliates. The financial covenants set forth inprovide for the Buddy’s Credit Agreement include a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, in each case with respect to Buddy’s and its subsidiaries, to be tested at the end of each fiscal quarter (other than, with respect to the minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019), and a requirement that the minimum consolidated liquidity of Buddy’s and its subsidiaries must not be less than $1.0 million at any time. In addition, the Buddy’s Credit Agreement includes customary events of default, the occurrence of certain of which may require that the payment of an additional 2.0% interest on the Buddy’s Credit Agreement to be paid in-kind. The Company was in compliance with all covenants of the Buddy's Credit Agreement as of October 31, 2019.Dividend Waiver.


Liberty Tax Credit Agreement.On May 16, 2019, we entered into the Libertya new credit agreement (the "Liberty Tax Credit Agreement that providesAgreement") which provided for a $135.0 million senior revolving credit facility, (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), a $10.0 million sub-facility for the issuance of letters of credit, and a $20.0 million swingline loan subfacility. The Revolving Credit Facility will mature on May 31, 2020. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will, at our option, bear interest at either (i) a LIBOR Loan, plus an applicable interest rate margin determined as provided in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement or (ii) an ABR Loan each as determined as provided in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement. The applicable interest rate margin varies from 3.0% per annum to 4.0% per annum for LIBOR Loans, and from 2.0% per annum to 3.0% per annum for ABR Loans, in each case depending on our consolidated leverage ratio, and is determined in accordance with a pricing grid in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement (the "Pricing Grid"). Interest on LIBOR Loans is payable in arrears at the end of each applicable interest period, and interest on ABR Loans is payable in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter. We have agreed in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement to pay a fee on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility during the term. The unused fee is payable in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter and accrues at a rate which varies from 0.25% to 0.5% depending on our consolidated leverage ratio, as determined in accordance with the Pricing Grid. We have also agreed to pay (1) a fee for each outstanding letter of credit at a rate per annum equal to the applicable interest rate margin for LIBOR Loans, as determined in accordance with the Pricing Grid, multiplied by the average daily amount available to be drawn under such letter of credit, and (2) to the letter-of-credit issuer, a fronting fee which shall accrue at a rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the outstanding aggregate letter-of-credit obligations under the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement.

Our obligations under the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. There are no prepayment penalties in the event we elect to prepay and terminate the Revolving Credit Facility prior to its scheduled maturity date, subject to LIBOR breakage and redeployment costs in certain limited circumstances.

sub-facility. On October 2, 2019, we amended the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement dated May 16, 2019 to extend the maturity date to October 2, 2022, from the original maturity date of May 31, 2020 and decrease the aggregate amount of commitments from $135.0 million to $125.0 million as of October 2, 2019. The amendment reduced the applicable interest rate margin used to calculate interest for LIBOR Loans and ABR Loans. The amended LIBOR Loans interest rate margin is 2.75% per annum to 3.50% per annum compared to a range of 3.00% per annum to 4.00% per annum prior to the amendment. The amended ABR Loans applicable interest rate margin range is 1.75% per annum to 2.50% per annum compared to a range of 2.00% per annum to 3.00% per annum before the amendment. The range is dependent on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and is determined in accordance with a pricing grid set forth in the amendment.

The amendment also amended the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement to permit dividends or other distributions to the parent to make a dividend or other distributions with regard to the parent’s equity interest, provided that (i) such dividend or distribution may only be made once per fiscal year and during a certain period of the fiscal year, and (ii) in any fiscal year the dividend or distribution shall not exceed 25% of our consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal year. The amendment also permits dividends or other distributions to parent to pay management and administrative expenses provided that (i) such dividend or other distribution may only be made once per fiscal year and during a certain period of the fiscal year, and (ii) the aggregate amount of such dividend or other distribution may not exceed $1.0 million in any fiscal year.

The amendment also eliminated a negative covenant in the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement that prohibited us from incurring certain types of indebtedness and liens.

The Liberty Tax Credit Agreement includesincluded customary affirmative, negative, and financial covenants, including delivery of financial statements and other reports and maintenance of existence. The negative covenants limit our ability, among other things, to incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets and pay dividends on our capital stock. The financial covenants set forth inOn February 14, 2020, we amended certain provisions of the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement include a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, eachto provide for the gradual reduction of which will be tested at the end of our fiscal quarters, and a minimum consolidated net worth ratio tested at the end of our fiscal year. The Liberty Tax Credit Agreement provides that, for a


period of 30 consecutive days after May 16, 2019, our outstanding obligationscommitments under the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement will not exceed $12.5 million. Additionally, from April 30, 2020 until the maturity date, our outstanding obligations must be reduced to $0. In addition, the Liberty Tax Credit Agreement includes customary events of default. We were in compliance with our financial covenants as of October 31, 2019.

Our previous credit facility consisted of a $21.2 million term loan and a revolving credit facility that allowed borrowing of up to $170.0 million, as of April 30, 2019, with an accordion feature that permitted us to request an increase in availability of up to an additional $50.0 million. Outstanding borrowings accrued interest, which was paid monthly, at a ratetermination of the one-month LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.25% depending on our leverage ratio. At April 30, 2019 and 2018, the interest rate was 4.25% and 3.64%, respectively, and the average interest rate paid during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019 was 3.97%. A commitment fee that varied from 0.25% to 0.50% depending on our leverage ratio on the unused portion of the credit facility was paid monthly. The indebtedness was collateralized by substantially all the assets of the Company and both loans matured on April 30, 2019 (except as2020.

For more information on the long-term obligations, refer to "Note 6. Long-Term Obligations”, to the commitmentsConsolidated Financial Statements in Item 1.

Other factors affecting our liquidity

Seasonality of one lender undercash flow. Our Liberty Tax segment's tax return preparation business is seasonal, and most of its revenues and cash flow are generated during the revolvingperiod from late January through April 30 each year. Following each tax season, from May 1 through late January of the following year, it relies significantly on excess operating cash flow from the previous season, from cash payments made by franchisees who purchase new territories prior to the next tax season, and on the use of its credit facility which matured on September 30, 2017). On May 1, 2019, we repaidto fund its operating expenses and invest in the $12.0 million balance under the term loan of our previous credit facility using cash on hand.

Subordinated Note. On May 16, 2019, we also entered into a subordinated note (the "Subordinated Note") payable to Vintage Capital Management LLC (“Vintage”). The aggregate principal amount of all loans to be made by Vintage under the Subordinated Note was limited to $10.0 million. Any indebtedness owed to Vintage under the Subordinated Note was subordinate to and subject in right and time of payment to the Revolving Credit Facility. We did not make any borrowings under the Subordinated Note. The Subordinated Note was terminated effective with the October 2, 2019 amendmentfuture growth of the business. Its business has historically generated a strong cash flow from operations on an annual basis. The Liberty Tax Credit Agreement.segment devotes a significant portion of its cash resources during the off-season to finance the working capital needs of its franchisees, and expenditures for property, equipment and software.


Franchisee lending and potential exposure to credit loss.A substantial portion of our cash flow during the year is utilized to provide funding to our franchisees. At October 31, 2019,June 27, 2020, our total balance of loans to franchisees and ADs for working capital and equipment loans, representing cash amounts we had advanced to the franchisees, and ADs, was $17.2$3.3 million. In addition, at that date, our franchisees and ADs together owed us an additional $50.9$47.9 million, net of unrecognized revenue of $4.9$3.7 million, for amounts representing unpaid royalties, the unpaid purchase price for franchise territories or areas comprising clusters of territories and other amounts owed to us for royalties and other amounts for which our franchisees and ADs had outstanding payment obligations. The following table provides a breakdown of our potential exposure to credit loss:amounts.
(In millions)At October 31, 2019
Loans to franchisees and ADs for working capital and equipment loans  $17.2
Unpaid purchase price of franchise territories, royalties and other amounts, gross55.8
  
Unrecognized revenue(4.9)  
Unpaid purchase price of franchise territories, royalties and other amounts, net  50.9
Book balance of amounts due  68.1
AD share of royalties and franchise fees  (3.6)
Exposure to potential credit loss  $64.5

Our Liberty Tax franchisees make electronic return filings for their customers utilizing our systems. Oursegment franchise agreements allow us to obtain repayment of amounts due to us from our franchisees through an electronic fee intercept program before our franchisees receive the net proceeds from tax preparation and other fees they have charged to their customers on tax returns associated with tax settlement products. Therefore, we are able to minimize the nonpayment risk associated with amounts outstanding from franchisees by obtaining direct electronic payment in the ordinary course throughout the tax season. Our credit risk associated with amounts outstanding to ADs is also mitigated by our electronic fee intercept program, which enables us to retain repayments of amounts that would otherwise flow through to ADs as their share of franchise fee and royalty payments, to the extent of an AD's indebtedness to us.

The unpaid amounts owed to us from our ADsfranchisees and franchiseesADs are collateralized by the underlying franchise or area and, when the franchise or area owner is an entity, are generally guaranteed by the related owners of the respective entity. Accordingly, to the extent a franchisee or AD does not satisfy its payment obligations to us, we may repossess the underlying franchise or area in order to resell it in the future. At October 31, 2019,June 27, 2020, we had an investment in impaired accounts and notes receivable and related interest receivable of approximately $13.8$17.8 million. We consider accounts and notes receivable to be impaired if the amounts due exceed the fair value of the underlying franchise and estimate an allowance for doubtful accounts based on that excess. Amounts due include the recorded value of the accounts and notes receivable reduced by the allowance for uncollected interest, amounts due to ADs for their portion of franchisee receivables, any related unrecognized revenue and


amounts owed to the franchisee or AD by us. In establishing the fair value of the underlying franchise, we consider net fees of open territories and the number of unopened territories. At October 31, 2019, we have recorded anJune 27, 2020, our allowance for doubtful accounts for impaired accounts and notes receivable was $7.1 million.

Tax Receivable Agreement. We may be required to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA Payments") to the former equity holders of $6.2 million. There were no significant concentrationsBuddy's (the "Buddy’s Members"). Under the terms of credit risk withthe Tax Receivable Agreement, we will pay the Buddy's Members 40% of the cash savings, if any, individual franchiseein federal, state and local taxes that we realize or ADare deemed to realize as a result of October 31, 2019. We believe our allowance for doubtful accounts asany increases in tax basis of October 31, 2019 is adequate for our existing loss exposure. We closely monitor the performanceassets of our franchiseesNew Holdco resulting from future redemptions or exchanges of New Holdco units held by the Buddy's Members. Any future obligations and ADs and will adjust our allowances as appropriate if we determine the existing allowancestiming of such payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, however, are inadequatesubject to cover estimated losses.several factors, including (i) the timing of subsequent exchanges

Unregistered Sales
of Securities. On July 10, 2019, we entered into a subscription agreement with a Vintage affiliate (the “Closing Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which 2,083,333.33 sharesNew Holdco units by the Buddy’s Members, (ii) the price of our common stock were purchased at a purchase pricethe time of $12.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $25.0 million in cash. Also, on July 10, 2019, we entered into a second subscription agreement with a Vintage affiliate (the “Post-Closing Subscription Agreement”), pursuantexchange, (iii) the extent to which they committedsuch exchanges are taxable, (iv) the ability to purchase from us additional sharesgenerate sufficient future taxable income over the term of common stock at a purchase pricethe Tax Receivable Agreement to realize the tax benefits and (v) any future changes in tax laws. If we do not generate sufficient taxable income in the aggregate over the term of $12.00 per share. Thethe Tax Receivable Agreement to utilize the tax benefits, then we would not be required to make the related TRA Payments. Although the amount of sharesthe TRA Payments would reduce the total cash flow to us and New Holdco, we expect the cash tax savings we will realize from the utilization of the related tax benefits would be purchased undersufficient to fund the Post Closing Subscription Agreement could not exceed $40.0 million in the aggregate. The Post Closing Subscription Agreement was not required to complete the Tender Offer.

From October 21, 2019 to October 23, 2019, an affiliatepayments. As of Vintage Capital Management, LLC and B. Riley FBR, Inc. provided the Company with an aggregate $40.0 million of equity financing. PursuantJune 27, 2020, we have TRA Payments due to the financing 3,333,333.33 sharesBuddy's Members of our common stock were purchased at a purchase price of $12.00 per share. The proceeds of the financing were used in conjunction with the closing of the Sears Outlet Acquisition.$17.2 million.


Tender Offer.Dividends. On November 14, 2019, the Company completed its previously announced Tender Offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding shares of our common stock for cash at a price of $12.00 per share, without interest. The Tender Offer was not subject to a minimum tender requirement, and, certain of our large stockholders agreed not to tender their shares in the Tender Offer. The total number of shares tendered in the Tender Offer was 3,935,738, including 163,779 shares tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described in the Tender Offer documents, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $47.2 million. The Tender Offer was financed through cash on hand, the proceeds from the Closing Subscription Agreement, and portion of the proceeds of the Buddy’s Credit Agreement.

Dividends. Beginning in April 2015 through July 2018, we announced a $0.16 per share quarterly cash dividend. On November 25, 2019,June 9, 2020, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend to stockholders of $0.25 per share. The cash dividend will bewas paid on or about January 6,July 22, 2020 to holders of record of our common stock on the close of business on December 6, 2019. However, we may not continue to pay cash dividends in the future.June 22, 2020. The payment of dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and depends, among other things, on our earnings, capital requirements, and financial condition. Our ability to pay dividends is also subject to compliance with financial covenants that are contained in our credit facility and may be restricted by any future indebtedness that we incur or issuances of Preferred Stock. In addition, applicable law requires our Board of Directors to determine that we have adequate surplus prior to the declaration of dividends. We cannot provide an assurance that we will pay dividends at any specific level or at all.

Tax Receivable Agreement. We may be required to make TRA payments to the Buddy’s Members. Under the terms of the TRA, we will pay the Buddy's Members 40% of the cash savings, if any, in federal, state and local taxes that we realize or are deemed to realize as a result of any increases in tax basis of the assets of New Holdco resulting from future redemptions or exchanges of New Holdco units held by the Buddy's Members. Any future obligations and the timing of such payments under the TRA, however, are subject to several factors, including (i) the timing of subsequent exchanges of New Holdco units by the Buddy’s Members, (ii) the price of our common stock at the time of exchange, (iii) the extent to which such exchanges are taxable, (iv) the ability to generate sufficient future taxable income over the term of the TRA to realize the tax benefits and (v) any future changes in tax laws. If we do not generate sufficient taxable income in the aggregate over the term of the TRA to utilize the tax benefits, then we would not be required to make the related TRA payments. As a result of these uncertainties, we cannot estimate the amount of total potential TRA payments. However, although the amount of the TRA payments would reduce the total cash flow to us and New Holdco, we expect the cash tax savings we will realize from the utilization of the related tax benefits would be sufficient to fund the required payments. Therefore, we do not believe the TRA payments would materially affect our liquidity

Sources and uses of cash
Operating activities. In the six months ended October 31, 2019, we used $1.2 million more cash in our operating activities compared to the same period in fiscal 2019. The increase is primarily due to a decrease in net income and deferred tax expense partially offset by an increase in taxes.



Investing activities. In the six months ended October 31, 2019, we used $147.9 million more cash for investing activities compared to the same period in fiscal 2019. This increase is primarily due to the Sears Outlet Acquisition and the acquisition of franchisees from A-Team Leasing.
Financing activities. In the six months ended October 31, 2019, cash from financing activities increased $225.5 million compared to the same period in fiscal 2019. This increase was driven by a $65.0 million increase in common stock issuances and $210.0 million increase in borrowings primarily under the Sears Outlet Credit Agreement and Buddy's Credit Agreement partially offset by $34.7 million for repayments of term loans and the revolving credit facility.

Future cash needs and capital requirements

Operating and financing cash flow needs. Following transactions completed subsequent to June 27, 2020, our primary cash needs will include the payment of scheduled debt and interest payments, capital expenditures and normal operating activities. We believe ourthat the revolving credit facility entered into on May 16, 2019, as amended,facilities along with cash from operating activities, will be sufficient to support our cash flow needs for at least the current fiscal year. At October 31, 2019, using the leverage ratio applicable under our loan covenants at the end of the quarter, our maximum unused borrowing capacity was $83.9 million.next twelve months.
Our credit facility also contains a requirement that for a period of 45 consecutive days, the first date of which must begin between March 15th and April 30th of each year, all outstanding obligations under our credit facility must be reduced to zero; however, given our historic cash flow experience we do not anticipate that the unavailability of our revolving loan during this period will adversely affect our cash flow.


Several factors could affect our cash flow in future periods, including the following:


the delay by the IRS to issue refunds to taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit;
theThe extent to which we extend additional operating financing to our franchisees and ADs, beyond the levels of prior periods;

The extent and the extent that our franchisees and ADs repay their notes to us;timing of capital expenditures;


theThe extent and timing of future acquisitions;


the extent and timing of capital expenditures;
the cash flow effect of stock option exercises and the number of shares repurchased under the Tender Offer;
ourOur ability to generate feesintegrate our acquisitions and other income relatedimplement business and cost savings initiatives to tax settlement products in light of regulatory pressures on usimprove profitability; and our business partners;

the extent to which we repurchase AD areas, which will involve the use of cash in the short-term, but improve cash receipts in future periods from what would have been the AD's share of royalties and franchise fees;

the extent to which we repurchase certain assets from franchisees and third parties and our ability to operate these assets profitably;

theThe extent, if any, to which our Board of Directors elects to continue to declare cash dividends on our common stock;stock.


Compliance with debt covenants. Our revolving credit and long-term debt agreements impose restrictive covenants on us, including requirements to meet certain ratios. As of June 27, 2020, we were in compliance with all covenants under these agreements and, based on a continuation of current operating results, we expect to be in compliance for the extent and timingremainder of payments related to litigation settlements.fiscal 2020.


Off Balance Sheet Arrangements


We are aFrom time to time, we have been party to interest rate swap agreements. These swaps effectively changed the variable-rate of our credit facility into a fixed rate credit facility. Under the swaps, we received a variable interest rate based on the one-month LIBOR and paid a fixed interest rate. We entered into an interest rate swap agreement that allows usin relation to manageour mortgage payable to a bank, during fiscal 2017.

We also enter into forward contracts to eliminate exposure related to foreign currency fluctuations in cash flow resulting from changesconnection with the short-term advances we make to our Canadian subsidiary in the interest rate onorder to fund personal income tax refund discounting for our variable rate mortgage. This swap effectively changesCanadian operations. At June 27, 2020, the variable-rate of our mortgage into a fixed rate of 4.12%. At October 31, 2019, the fair value of our interest rate swapforward contracts outstanding was a liability of less than $0.1 million and was included in other accounts payable and accrued expenses. The interest rate swap expires in December 2026.million.


ITEM 3
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
There have been no material changes in our market risks from those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-KNot required for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.smaller reporting companies.




ITEM 4
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of October 31, 2019.June 27, 2020. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of October 31, 2019,June 27, 2020, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to a material weaknessweaknesses in the Company's internal controlcontrols over financial reporting as described below.


On July 10, 2019,February 14, 2020, the Company acquired Buddy's.American Freight. As permitted by SEC guidance for newly acquired businesses, we intend to excludethe Company excluded the operations of American Freight, Buddy's, Sears Outlet and Vitamin Shoppe from the scope of our Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 report on internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 28, 2019. We arereporting. The Company is in the process of implementing ourits internal control structure over the acquired Buddy'sbusiness's operations and expect that this effort will be completed induring fiscal 2020.

On October 23, 2019, the Company acquired Sears Outlet. As permitted by SEC guidance for newly acquired businesses, we intend to exclude the operations of Sears Outlet from the scope of our Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 report on internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 28, 2019. We are in the process of implementing our internal control structure over the acquired Buddy's operations and expect that this effort will be completed in fiscal 2020.
The Company concluded that, notwithstanding the material weaknessweaknesses in the Company's internal controlcontrols over financial reporting, the consolidated financial statements included in this report fairly present, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.


Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.


Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.


Other than as described under “Remediation Efforts to Address Material Weakness”Weaknesses” and the controls that the Company is implementing in connection with the Buddy’sAmerican Freight Acquisition, Buddy's Acquisition, Sears Outlet Acquisition and Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness relates to "tone at the top" issues and is more fully described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.


Remediation Efforts to Address Material WeaknessWeaknesses


The Company's management has worked, and continues toManagement will work to strengthenensure that control activities are selected, designed and effectively implemented during the internal control over financial reporting. The Company is committed to ensuringfiscal year ending December 26, 2020. Management believes that such controls are designedactivities will allow the Company to (i) select and operating effectively. Since identifying the material weakness in the internal controls over financial reporting relatingdevelop control activities that contribute to the Company's former CEO and Chairmanmitigation of the Board and his control of the Board of Directors through his ownership of Class B common stock, the Company has developed and implemented remediation plans to address these control failures. The Company's Board of Directors and management take internal controls over financial reportingrisks and the integrityachievement of the Company’s financial statements seriouslyobjectives and believe(ii) deploy control activities through policies that its remediation steps, including with respect to personnel changes, wereestablish what is expected and are essential steps to maintaining strong and effective internal controls over financial reporting and a strong internal control environment.procedures that put policies into action.


The Company has taken significant stepsengaged an outside firm to addressassist in remediating the information technology general controls related to user access, change control, and monitoring controls around key IT systems. The Company believes this effort along with improving policies and procedures regarding the granting and review of access to IT systems to ensure access is limited to functions required for roles and responsibilities thereby reducing separation of duties conflicts will remediate the material weakness set forth above. As discussed above, the Company believes that the remediation steps that have been taken are critical steps toward addressing the “tone at the top” concerns that contributed to the material weakness it has identified. weaknesses.

The Company is committed to maintaining a strong internal control environment and believes that these remediation actionsefforts represent significant improvements in its controls.


Additional remediation measuresefforts continue to be considered and will be implemented as appropriate. The Company will continue to assess the effectiveness of our remediation efforts in connection with its evaluations of internal control over financial reporting.




PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For information regarding legal proceedings, please see "Note 16.12. Commitments and Contingencies" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A
RISK FACTORS
 
The followingThere are no additional risk factors that should be considered in addition to the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A, in its AnnualTransition Report on Form 10-K10-K/T for the fiscal yeartransition period ended April 30, 2019:December 28, 2019, except as described below.


The integrationCompany’s results of operations and financial condition have been, and will likely continue to be, adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and, depending on future developments, may be materially adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outbreak of the Company, Buddy’snovel coronavirus and Sears Outlet may present challenges that could resultthe resulting COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread government response and the impact on consumers and businesses in our market area have caused significant disruption in the combined business not operating as effectively as expected or in the failureUnited States and international economies and financial markets and have had and will likely continue to achieve some or all of the anticipated benefits of the Buddy’s Acquisition or the Sears Outlet Acquisition.

The benefits expected to result from the Buddy's Acquisition and the Sears Outlet Acquisition will depend in parthave a significant impact on whether the operations of Buddy’s and Sears Outlet can be effectively integrated in a timely and efficient manner with thosefinancial performance of the Company. WhileBeginning in March 2020, governments, businesses and the Company's segmentspublic began taking unprecedented actions to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to mitigate its effects including quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, state of emergency declarations, travel bans, closures of businesses and schools, fiscal stimulus and legislative initiatives to deliver monetary aid and other relief. The National Bureau of Economic Research has determined that the U.S. economy has entered a recession as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the scope, duration and full effects of the pandemic are distinctrapidly evolving and separatecannot be fully known at this time, consequences of the pandemic and efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the pandemic’s effects have included and may include further market volatility, disrupted trade and supply chains, increased unemployment and reduced economic activity. The period of recovery from the Company’s existing business, the Company will need to integrate the organizations, procedureseconomic recession cannot be predicted and operations of the businesses. The integration of the businesses may be time-consuming, andprotracted. Additionally, our business operations may be disrupted if key personnel or significant portions of our employees are unable to work effectively, including because of illness.

The extent to which the management of the companies will have to dedicate time and resources to it. These efforts could divert management’s focus and resources from other strategic opportunities and from day-to-day operational matters during the integration process. Failure to successfully integrate the operations of Buddy’s or Sears Outlet into the Company could result in the failure to achieve some of the anticipated benefits from the Buddy’s Acquisition or Sears Outlet Acquisition, and could have an adverse effect on theCOVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition or prospectswill depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to the duration, spread, severity and impact of the Company after the Buddy’s Acquisition and Sears Outlet Acquisition.

We have incurred significant transaction and acquisition-related costs and expect to incur integration-related costs in connection with the Buddy's AcquisitionCOVID-19 pandemic, and the Sears Outlet Acquisition.

We have incurred a numberactions required to contain and mitigate it, the effects of non-recurring costs associated with the Buddy's Acquisitionpandemic on our customers and vendors and the Sears Outlet Acquisitionremedial actions and will incur integration-related costs in combining areas ofstimulus measures adopted by local, state and federal governments, the companies. The substantial majority of non-recurring expenses were comprised of transaction costs related to the Buddy's Acquisition and the Sears Outlet Acquisition. We also expect to incur transaction fees and costs related to formulating and implementing integration plans, including facilities and systems consolidation costs and employment-related costs. We continue to assess the magnitude of these costs, and additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in connection with the integration of the two companies’ businesses. Although we expect that the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, should allow us to offset integration-related costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all.

Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligation under the Company' s debt agreements.

Following the Buddy's Acquisition and Sears Outlet Acquisition, we have substantially increased our indebtedness, which could adversely affect our ability to fulfill our obligations and have a negative impact on our financing options and liquidity position. Upon completion of the Buddy's Acquisition and Sears Outlet Acquisition, we have indebtedness of approximately $210 million and availability under our new Revolving Credit Facility of approximately $125 million, less amounts outstanding for letters of credit.

Our high level of debt could have significant consequences, including the following:

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes;


requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows to be dedicated to debt service payments, instead of other purposes, thereby reducing the amount of cash flows available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
limiting our ability to refinance our indebtedness on terms acceptable to us or at all;
imposing restrictive covenants on our operations;
placing us at a competitive disadvantage to competitors carrying less debt; and
making us more vulnerable to economic downturns and limiting our ability to withstand competitive pressures.

In addition, our indebtedness may impact the costtiming and availability of future borrowingsgovernment support for the economy and accordingly, our costfinancial markets, the short- and long-term health impacts of capital.

We may not be ablethe pandemic, and how quickly and to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtednesswhat extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. If the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, additional actions may be forcedtaken by federal, state, and local governments to take other actionscontain COVID-19 or treat its impact, including additional shelter-in-place orders. There can be no assurance that any efforts by the Company to satisfy our obligation under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. We may be unable to maintain a leveladdress the adverse impacts of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to fund our day-to-day operations or to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations and other cash requirements, we could face substantial liquidity problems and could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures or to sell assets or operations, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to affect any such alternative measures, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, such alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. The agreements that govern our indebtedness restrict (a) our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from any such dispositions and (b) our ability to raise debt capital to be used to repay our indebtedness when it becomes due. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain proceeds in an amount sufficient to meet any debt service obligations then due.

Our inability to generate sufficient cash flows to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would materially and adversely affect our financial position and results of operations and our ability to satisfy our obligations.

If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, weCOVID-19 pandemic will be in default and, as a result, lenders under our existing and future indebtedness could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable,effective. Even after the lenders under the credit facilities could terminate their commitments to loan money, our secured lenders could foreclose against the assets securing such borrowings and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation, in each case, which could result in your losing your investment.

Despite current and anticipated indebtedness levels,COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may still be ablecontinue to incur substantially more debt.

This could further exacerbate the risks described above. We may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Although the agreements that govern the indebtedness to be incurred or assumed in connection with the Buddy's Acquisition, Sears Outlet Acquisition and Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition restrict the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are and will be subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and the additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. If new debt is addedexperience adverse impacts to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.

The term of the agreements governing our indebtedness may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to change or to pursue our business strategies, and could adversely affect our capital resources, financial condition and liquidity.

The agreements that govern the indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with the Buddy's Acquisition, Sears Outlet Acquisition and Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition are expected to contain a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interests, including, among other things, restrictions on our ability to:

incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness;


declare or pay dividends or make other distributions with respect to, or purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value, equity interests;
make any principal payment on, or redeem or repurchase, subordinated debt;
make loans, advances or other investments;
incur liens;
sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries;
enter into sale and lease-back transactions;
consolidate or merge with or into, or sell all or substantially all of our assets to, another person; and
enter into transactions with affiliates.

In addition, certain of these agreements are expected to require us to comply with certain financial maintenance covenants. Our ability to satisfy these financial maintenance covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet them. A breach of the covenants under these agreements could result in an event of default under the applicable indebtedness, which, if not cured or waived, could result in us having to repay our borrowings before their due dates. Such default may allow the debt holders to accelerate the related debt and may result in the acceleration of any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or if we were to experience difficulty in refinancing the debt prior to maturity, our results of operations or financial condition could be materially affected. In addition, an event of default under our credit facilities may permit the lenders under our credit facilities to terminate all commitments to extend further credit under such credit facilities. Furthermore, if we are unable to repay the amounts due and payable under our credit facilities, those lenders may be able to proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness.

In the event our lenders accelerate the repayment of such borrowings, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient assets to repay such indebtedness. As a result of these restrictions, we may be:

limited in how we conduct our business;
unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to operate during general economic or business downturns; or
unable to compete effectively, take advantage of new business opportunities or grow in accordance with our plans.

The Buddy's Acquisition may not be accretive, and may be dilutive, to our earnings per share, which may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.

Because shares of the Preferred Stock were issued in the Buddy's Acquisition, it is possible that the Buddy's Acquisition will be dilutive to our earnings per share, which could negatively affect the market price of shares of our common stock. In connection with the completion of the Buddy's Acquisition, based on the number of issued and outstanding shares of our Preferred Stock as of October 31, 2019, 8.1 million shares of our common stock could be issued if all of the shares of Preferred Stock were converted after the six-month lockup period expires. The issuance of these new shares of our common stock could have the effect of depressing the market price of shares of our common stock, through dilution of earnings per share or otherwise. In addition, future events and conditions could increase the dilution that is currently projected, including adverse changes in market conditions, additional integration related costs and other factors such as the failure to realize some or all of the benefits anticipated in the Buddy's Acquisition. Any dilution of, or delay of any accretion to, our earnings per share could cause the price of shares of our common stock to decline or grow at a reduced rate.

The redemption of Preferred Stock for common shares may be dilutive to existing stockholders and cause the market price of our common stock to fall.

Based on the number of outstanding shares of our Preferred Stock on October 31, 2019, we would issue approximately 8.1 million shares of our common stock if all of the shares of Preferred Stock were converted after the six-month lockup period expires. The issuance of these new shares of our common stock could have the effect of depressing the market price for our common stock. In addition, many Buddy's stockholders may decide not to hold the shares of our common stock they will receive upon conversion. Such sales of our common stock could have the effect of depressing the market price for our common stock and may take place promptly following the expiration of the lock-up period.

Following the Buddy’s Acquisition and Sears Outlet Acquisition, certain stockholders have a substantial ownership stake in the Company, and their interests could conflict with the interests of other stockholders.

As of October 31, 2019, Vintage and B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”) and certain of its affiliates (the "Principal Stockholders") currently own shares of our common stock representing approximately 33.0% and 20.8%, respectively, of the outstanding common stock (assuming no New Holdco units and shares of Preferred Stock are redeemed in exchange for shares


of common stock), and assuming all New Holdco units and all shares of Preferred Stock were redeemed in exchange for shares of common stock (without giving effect to the Tender Offer), Vintage would own approximately 40.8% of the outstanding common stock and B. Riley and certain of its affiliates would own approximately 14.8% of the outstanding common stock. As a result of substantial ownership in the Company along with their or their affiliates’ participation on the Board, the Principal Stockholders currently have the ability to influence certain actions requiring stockholders’ approval, including increasing or decreasing the authorized share capital, the election of directors, declaration of dividends, the appointment of management, and other policy decisions. Because the Principal Stockholders have agreed not to tender their respective shares of common stock in the Tender Offer, their relative ownership interests in the Company will increase as a result of any shares of common stock being tenderedeconomic recession or depression that has occurred or may occur in the offer. Accordingly,future. For instance, changes in the abilitybehavior of customers, businesses and their employees as a result of the Principal Stockholders to exercise control overCOVID-19 pandemic, including social distancing practices, even after formal restrictions have been lifted, are unknown. Furthermore, the Company’s strategic directionfinancial condition of our customers and vendors may be enhanced. The interests of the Principal Stockholders may be different from the interests of other stockholders. While any future transaction with the Principal Stockholders or other significant Company stockholders could benefit the Company, the interests of the Principal Stockholders could at times conflict with the interests of other Company stockholders. Conflicts of interest may also arise between the Company and the Principal Stockholders or their affiliates,adversely impacted, which may result in a decrease in the conclusiondemand for our products, the inability and our franchisees’ ability to operate store locations or a disruption our supply chain. Any of transactions on terms not determined by market forces. Any such conflicts of interest could adversely affect the Company’sthese events may, in turn, have a material adverse impact our business, financial condition and results of operations and the trading price of Company common stock. Moreover, the concentration of ownership may delay, deter or prevent acts that would be favored by other Company stockholders or deprive stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares of Company common stock as part of a sale of the Company. Similarly, this concentration of stock ownership may adversely affect the trading price of Company common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning equity in a company with concentrated ownership.financial condition.

The Liberty Tax segment's tax return preparation compliance program may not be successful in detecting all problems in our franchisee network, and franchisee non-compliance, fraud and other misconduct and related enforcement action may damage our reputation and adversely affect our business.

Although the Liberty Tax segment's tax return preparation compliance program seeks to monitor the activities of our franchisees, it is unlikely to detect every problem. While we have implemented a variety of measures to enhance tax return preparation compliance as well as our monitoring of these activities, there can be no assurance that franchisees and tax preparers will follow these procedures. From time to time, the federal and/or state authorities may take adverse action against franchisees or preparers related to tax compliance issues, seeking injunctions, damages or even criminal sanctions with respect to such behavior. Failure to detect and prevent tax return preparation compliance issues could expose us to the risk of government investigation or litigation, result in bad publicity and reputational harm, and could subject us to remedies and loss of customers that could cause our revenues or profitability to decline. See “-Risks Related to Our Business-If we fail to protect or fail to comply with laws and regulations related to our customers' personal information, we may face significant fines, penalties, or damages and our brand and reputation may be harmed” described in Part I, Item 1A, in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.

In fiscal 2016, the DOJ announced two lawsuits against certain of our former franchisees and two lawsuits against then-existing franchisees, which concluded in fiscal 2017. Allegations involved claims of fraudulent tax preparation. We were not named as a defendant in these suits. Further, in fiscal 2017, the state of Maryland, Office of the Comptroller suspended the processing of electronic and paper returns of one franchisee and two offices in that state. In fiscal 2018, the DOJ filed suit against one former and two then active franchisees in Florida based upon their alleged preparation of fraudulent tax returns. Also, during fiscal 2018, the DOJ indicted four Milwaukee tax preparers based upon their alleged filing of fraudulent tax returns.

On December 2, 2019, the Company entered into a settlement with the DOJ and the IRS (the “Settlement”) that resolved their investigation of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the Liberty Tax segment's policies, practices and procedures in connection with its tax return preparation activities and tax compliance program. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement, the Company agreed to pay $3 million to be paid in installments over four years and agreed to retain an independent compliance monitor to oversee the implementation of the required enhancements to the compliance program. The monitor will work with the Company’s compliance team and may make recommendations for further refinements to improve the Liberty Tax segment's tax compliance program.

We have continued to enhance our Compliance Department tasked with examining and preventing non-compliance, fraud and other misconduct among our franchisees and their employees and will fully and cooperate with the independent monitor to ensure we meet the terms of the Settlement. Nonetheless, there can be no assurance that our Compliance Department, the tax return preparation compliance program, or other efforts will be effective in eliminating non-compliance, fraud and other misconduct among our franchisees and/or employees. Accordingly, any such non-compliance, fraud or other misconduct may have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial conditions, results of operations and may be deemed a breach of the terms of the Settlement.




ITEM 2
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
There were no sales of equity securities of the Company which were not previously reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K for the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.quarterly report.



SHARE REPURCHASES
 
Our Board of Directors has authorized up to $10.0 million for share repurchases. This authorization has no specific expiration date and cash proceeds from stock option exercises increase the amount of the authorization. In addition, the Board of Directors authorized an AD repurchase program, which reduces the amount of the share repurchase authorization on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Shares repurchased from option exercises and RSUs vesting that are net-share settled by us and shares repurchased in privately negotiated transactions are not considered share repurchases under this authorization. As part of the AD repurchase program, the Company expended $2.5$3.2 million during the second quarter of fiscalsix months ended June 27, 2020.


ITEM 3
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


None.
ITEM 4
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES


None.
ITEM 5
OTHER INFORMATION
None.





ITEM 6
EXHIBITS
 
We have filed the following exhibits as part of this report:
 
Exhibit
Number
 Exhibit Description 
Filed
Herewith
 
Incorporated by
Reference
       
    X
       
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    X
       

 X
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X
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 X
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X


       

 

   
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X


       


X



X



X




X



X



X


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X



X



X

 

X

X

X


X



 X  
       
  X  
       
  X  
       
  X  
       
101.INS101 The following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL, Instance Documentfiled herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited), (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited), (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited), (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) and (vi) the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements X  
       
101.SCH104 The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension SchemaX
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation LinkbaseX
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label LinkbaseX
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation LinkbaseX
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase(included with Exhibit 101) X  
(1) This exhibit is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement





SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrantregistrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


  
Franchise Group, Inc.FRANCHISE GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)
  
  
December 10, 2019August 5, 2020By:/s/ Brian R. Kahn
  
Brian R. Kahn
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  
December 10, 2019August 5, 2020By:/s/ Eric F. Seeton
  
Eric F. Seeton
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


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