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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 24, 2004

 

Commission File Number 33-72574

 


 

THE PANTRY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   56-1574463

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

1801 Douglas Drive

Sanford, North Carolina

27330-1410

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (919) 774-6700

 


 

N/A

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

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

COMMON STOCK, $0.01 PAR VALUE   20,124,209 SHARES
(Class)   (Outstanding at July 27, 2004)

 



Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

FORM 10-Q

 

JUNE 24, 2004

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Part I—Financial Information

    

Item 1.    Financial Statements

    

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   3

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

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

   24

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   43

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

   44

Part II—Other Information

    

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

   45

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   45

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   46

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

 

Item 1.    Financial Statements.

 

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

June 24,

2004


   

September 25,

2003


 

ASSETS

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 103,364     $ 72,901  

Receivables, net (Note 2)

     37,009       30,423  

Inventories (Note 2)

     96,043       84,156  

Prepaid expenses (Note 2)

     8,030       6,326  

Property held for sale (Note 2)

     6,428       2,013  

Deferred income taxes

     4,334       4,334  
    


 


Total current assets

     255,208       200,153  
    


 


Property and equipment, net (Note 2)

     405,372       400,609  
    


 


Other assets:

                

Goodwill (Note 2)

     338,649       278,629  

Deferred financing costs, net (Notes 4 and 8)

     8,451       10,757  

Environmental receivables (Note 3)

     15,784       15,109  

Other (Note 2)

     11,505       8,908  
    


 


Total other assets

     374,389       313,403  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 1,034,969     $ 914,165  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities:

                

Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 4)

   $ 12,030     $ 27,558  

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

     1,375       1,375  

Accounts payable (Note 2)

     106,294       78,885  

Accrued interest (Note 4)

     8,415       11,924  

Accrued compensation and related taxes

     12,318       12,840  

Other accrued taxes

     14,817       16,510  

Accrued insurance

     16,431       12,293  

Other accrued liabilities (Note 2)

     12,409       21,315  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     184,089       182,700  
    


 


Long-term debt (Note 4)

     583,018       470,011  
    


 


Other liabilities:

                

Environmental reserves (Note 3)

     13,886       13,823  

Deferred income taxes

     52,851       50,015  

Deferred revenue

     32,154       37,251  

Capital lease obligations

     14,769       15,779  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     16,291       15,922  
    


 


Total other liabilities

     129,951       132,790  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies (Notes 3 and 4)

                

Shareholders’ equity (Notes 6 and 9):

                

Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 20,121,709 and 18,107,597 issued and outstanding at June 24, 2004 and September 25, 2003, respectively

     202       182  

Additional paid-in capital

     131,306       128,002  

Shareholder loans

     (23 )     (173 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (deficit), net (Note 6)

     553       (690 )

Accumulated earnings

     5,873       1,343  
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     137,911       128,664  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,034,969     $ 914,165  
    


 


 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


   

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 
     (13 weeks)     (13 weeks)     (39 weeks)     (39 weeks)  

Revenues:

                                

Merchandise

   $ 302,301     $ 263,890     $ 842,122     $ 741,130  

Gasoline

     625,448       441,093       1,616,021       1,274,745  

Commissions

     8,155       6,472       23,485       20,001  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     935,904       711,455       2,481,628       2,035,876  
    


 


 


 


Cost of sales:

                                

Merchandise

     201,201       175,388       557,692       495,360  

Gasoline

     580,993       401,050       1,496,887       1,166,379  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of sales

     782,194       576,438       2,054,579       1,661,739  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     153,710       135,017       427,049       374,137  

Operating expenses:

                                

Operating, general and administrative expenses

     109,252       95,945       319,820       281,409  

Depreciation and amortization

     13,578       14,314       41,183       39,919  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     122,830       110,259       361,003       321,328  
    


 


 


 


Income from operations

     30,880       24,758       66,046       52,809  
    


 


 


 


Other income (expense):

                                

Loss on extinguishment of debt (Notes 4 and 8)

           (2,888 )     (23,087 )     (2,888 )

Interest expense (Note 8)

     (9,128 )     (12,372 )     (36,438 )     (37,187 )

Miscellaneous

     482       396       845       1,337  
    


 


 


 


Total other expense

     (8,646 )     (14,864 )     (58,680 )     (38,738 )
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     22,234       9,894       7,366       14,071  

Income tax expense

     (8,560 )     (3,809 )     (2,836 )     (5,419 )
    


 


 


 


Net income before cumulative effect adjustment

     13,674       6,085       4,530       8,652  

Cumulative effect adjustment, net of income tax (Note 7)

                       (3,482 )
    


 


 


 


Net Income

   $ 13,674     $ 6,085     $ 4,530     $ 5,170  
    


 


 


 


Earnings per share (Note 10):

                                

Basic:

                                

Net income before cumulative effect adjustment

   $ 0.68     $ 0.34     $ 0.23     $ 0.48  

Cumulative effect adjustment

                       (0.19 )
    


 


 


 


Net Income

   $ 0.68     $ 0.34     $ 0.23     $ 0.29  
    


 


 


 


Diluted:

                                

Net income before cumulative effect adjustment

   $ 0.66     $ 0.33     $ 0.22     $ 0.47  

Cumulative effect adjustment

                       (0.19 )
    


 


 


 


Net Income

   $ 0.66     $ 0.33     $ 0.22     $ 0.28  
    


 


 


 


 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 
     (39 weeks)     (39 weeks)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                

Net income

   $ 4,530     $ 5,170  

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

                

Depreciation and amortization

     41,183       39,919  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     2,836       5,419  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     23,087       2,888  

(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment

     (1,892 )     461  

Impairment of long-lived assets

     1,470       525  

Fair market value change in non-qualifying derivatives

     (1,741 )     (1,979 )

Provision for closed stores

     1,246       1,543  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

           3,482  

Amortization of deferred loan costs

     1,978       1,904  

Amortization of long-term debt discount

     534       243  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):

                

Receivables

     (5,998 )     289  

Inventories

     (1,869 )     5,742  

Prepaid expenses

     (1,588 )     (1,795 )

Other noncurrent assets

     432       171  

Accounts payable

     15,973       (13,538 )

Other current liabilities and accrued expenses

     (8,962 )     (15,044 )

Reserves for environmental expenses

     (612 )     886  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     (6,736 )     (1,737 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     63,871       34,549  
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                

Additions to property held for sale

     (1,084 )     (1,716 )

Additions to property and equipment

     (26,090 )     (10,789 )

Proceeds from sale of land, building and equipment

     102,582       5,688  

Acquisitions of related businesses, net of cash acquired

     (185,528 )     (1,449 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (110,120 )     (8,266 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                

Principal repayments under capital leases

     (1,010 )     (1,004 )

Principal repayments of long-term debt, including redemption premiums

     (589,403 )     (304,061 )

Proceeds from issuance of long-term borrowings

     675,000       299,440  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     3,324        

Repayments of shareholder loans

     150       295  

Other financing costs

     (11,349 )     (7,254 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     76,712       (12,584 )
    


 


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     30,463       13,699  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     72,901       42,236  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 103,364     $ 55,935  
    


 


Cash paid (refunded) during the period:

                

Interest

   $ 39,490     $ 43,326  
    


 


Taxes

   $ 276     $ (46 )
    


 


 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Pantry, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”). All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Transactions and balances of each of these wholly owned subsidiaries are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the accounting records of The Pantry, Inc. and its subsidiaries and all amounts at June 24, 2004 and for the three and nine months ended June 24, 2004 and June 26, 2003 are unaudited. References herein to “The Pantry” or “the Company” include all subsidiaries. Pursuant to Regulation S-X, certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted. The information furnished reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented, and which are of a normal, recurring nature.

 

We suggest that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2003, as amended.

 

Our results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 24, 2004 and June 26, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year. Additionally, on October 16, 2003 we acquired 138 convenience stores operating under the Golden Gallon® banner. See Note 2 for further discussion of this acquisition. The convenience store industry in our marketing areas generally experiences higher levels of revenues and profit margins during the summer months than during the winter months. As a result, we have historically achieved higher revenues and earnings in our third and fourth quarters.

 

Accounting Period

 

We operate on a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Thursday in September. Our 2004 fiscal year ends on September 30, 2004 and is a 53 week year. Fiscal 2003 was a 52 week year.

 

The Pantry

 

As of June 24, 2004, we operated 1,367 convenience stores located in Florida (463), North Carolina (324), South Carolina (239), Tennessee (103), Georgia (98), Mississippi (52), Kentucky (38), Virginia (30), Indiana (12), and Louisiana (8). Our stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, gasoline and ancillary products and services designed to appeal to the convenience needs of our customers, including gasoline, car care products and services, tobacco products, beer, soft drinks, self-service fast food and beverages, publications, dairy products, groceries, health and beauty aids, money orders and other ancillary services. In all states, except North Carolina and Mississippi, we also sell lottery products. Self-service gasoline is sold at 1,341 locations, 933 of which sell gasoline under major oil company brand names including Amoco®, BP®, Chevron®, Citgo®, Mobil®, Shell®, Exxon® and Texaco®.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (revised December 2003,

 

6


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

FIN 46R). This interpretation provides guidance related to identifying variable interest entities (previously known as special purpose entities or SPEs) and determining whether such entities should be consolidated. Certain disclosures are required if it is reasonably possible that a company will consolidate or disclose information about a variable interest entity when it initially applies FIN 46. This interpretation was effective beginning in the Company’s second quarter ending March 25, 2004. The Company has no investment in or contractual relationship or other business relationship with a variable interest entity and therefore the adoption of FIN 46 did not have any impact on our results of operations and financial condition. However, if the Company enters into any such arrangement with a variable interest entity in the future (or an entity with which we currently have a relationship is reconsidered based on guidance in FIN 46R to be a variable interest entity), the Company’s results of operations and financial condition may be impacted.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for stock options under the intrinsic value method recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and Related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations, as all options granted under these plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation:

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


   

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 

Net income (in thousands):

                                

As reported

   $ 13,674     $ 6,085     $ 4,530     $ 5,170  

Deduct—Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of tax

     (103 )     (68 )     (267 )     (219 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 13,571     $ 6,017     $ 4,263     $ 4,951  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per share:

                                

As reported

   $ 0.68     $ 0.34     $ 0.23     $ 0.29  

Pro forma

   $ 0.68     $ 0.33     $ 0.22     $ 0.27  

Diluted earnings per share:

                                

As reported

   $ 0.66     $ 0.33     $ 0.22     $ 0.28  

Pro forma

   $ 0.66     $ 0.33     $ 0.21     $ 0.27  

 

Due to the factors (assumptions) described above, the above pro forma disclosures are not necessarily representative of pro forma effects on reported net income for future years.

 

NOTE 2—ACQUISITION OF RELATED BUSINESS

 

On October 16, 2003, we completed the acquisition of 138 convenience stores operating under the Golden Gallon® banner from Ahold USA, Inc. operating in Tennessee and Georgia. The acquired assets include 138 operating convenience stores, 131 of which are fee-owned stores, a dairy plant and related assets, a fuel hauling operation, corporate headquarters buildings and 25 undeveloped sites. Other than the dairy plant and related assets, the fuel hauling operation and the corporate headquarters buildings, the Company intends to use the

 

7


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

acquired assets in the convenience store retail business. Simultaneous with the closing, the Company sold the dairy plant and related assets and the fuel hauling operation to existing suppliers of the Company.

 

The acquisition was structured as two simultaneous transactions, whereby 114 of the 131 fee-owned stores were purchased and financed through a $94.5 million sale/leaseback transaction, and the Golden Gallon® operations and the balance of the real estate assets were purchased with cash. The Company funded the second transaction with $80.0 million of debt through borrowings under an amendment to the Company’s existing senior secured credit facility, see Note 4, and available cash.

 

The following purchase price allocations for the Golden Gallon® acquisition are preliminary estimates, based on available information and certain assumptions management believes to be reasonable. Accordingly, such purchase price allocations are subject to finalization. The allocations are based on the fair values on the date of the acquisition (amounts in thousands):

 

Assets Acquired:

        

Receivables

   $ 1,263  

Inventories

     10,018  

Prepaid expenses

     116  

Property held for sale

     101,216  

Property and equipment

     31,368  

Other non current assets

     432  
    


Total assets

     144,413  

Liabilities Assumed:

        

Accounts payable

     (11,436 )

Other accrued liabilities

     (10,650 )
    


Total liabilities

     (22,086 )

Net tangible assets acquired

     122,327  
    


Trademarks

     2,800  

Goodwill

     60,364  
    


Total consideration paid, including direct costs, net of cash acquired

   $ 185,491  
    


 

The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of consolidated results of operations of the Company and the acquired assets as if the transaction occurred at the beginning of the fiscal year for each of the periods presented (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended

   Nine Months Ended

    

June 24,

2004


  

June 26,

2003


  

June 24,

2004


  

June 26,

2003


Total revenues

   $ 935,904    $ 817,699    $ 2,493,476    $ 2,338,214

Net income before cumulative effect adjustment

     13,674      8,684      4,558      15,876

Net income

     13,674      8,684      4,558      11,588

Earnings per share before cumulative effect adjustment

                           

Basic

   $ 0.68    $ 0.48    $ 0.23    $ 0.88

Diluted

   $ 0.66    $ 0.47    $ 0.22    $ 0.87

Earnings per share:

                           

Basic

   $ 0.68    $ 0.48    $ 0.23    $ 0.64

Diluted

   $ 0.66    $ 0.47    $ 0.22    $ 0.63

 

8


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

The unaudited pro forma information set forth above is presented for informational purposes only. In management’s opinion, the unaudited pro forma information set forth above is not necessarily indicative of actual results that would have occurred had the acquisition been consummated at the beginning of fiscal 2003 or fiscal 2004, or of future operations of the Company.

 

NOTE 3—ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES AND OTHER CONTINGENCIES

 

As of June 24, 2004, we were contingently liable for outstanding letters of credit in the amount of approximately $34.6 million primarily related to several self-insured programs, vendor contract terms and regulatory requirements. The letters of credit are not to be drawn against unless we default on the timely payment of the related liabilities.

 

We are involved in certain legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, based on a review of such legal proceedings and the facts as currently known, we believe the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Environmental Liabilities and Contingencies

 

We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws. We make financial expenditures in order to comply with regulations governing underground storage tanks adopted by federal, state and local regulatory agencies. In particular, at the federal level, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, requires the EPA to establish a comprehensive regulatory program for the detection, prevention and cleanup of leaking underground storage tanks.

 

Federal and state regulations require us to provide and maintain evidence that we are taking financial responsibility for corrective action and compensating third parties in the event of a release from our underground storage tank systems. In order to comply with these requirements, as of June 24, 2004, we maintain letters of credit in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.3 million in favor of state environmental agencies in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky and Louisiana.

 

We also rely upon the reimbursement provisions of applicable state trust funds. In Florida, we meet our financial responsibility requirements by state trust fund coverage through December 31, 1998 and meet such requirements thereafter through private commercial liability insurance. In Georgia, we meet our financial responsibility requirements by state trust fund coverage through December 29, 1999 and meet such requirements thereafter through private commercial liability insurance and a letter of credit. The trust funds generally require us to pay deductibles ranging from $5 thousand to $150 thousand per occurrence depending on the upgrade status of our underground storage tank system, the date the release is discovered and/or reported and the type of cost for which reimbursement is sought.

 

Environmental reserves of $13.9 million and $13.8 million as of as of June 24, 2004 and September 25, 2003, respectively, represent our estimates for future expenditures for remediation, tank removal and litigation associated with 241 and 236 known contaminated sites, respectively, as a result of releases (e.g., overfills, spills and underground storage tank releases) and are based on current regulations, historical results and certain other factors. We estimate that approximately $13.2 million of our environmental obligation will be funded by state trust funds and third party insurance; as a result we may spend up to $0.7 million for remediation, tank removal and litigation. Also, as of June 24, 2004 and September 25, 2003 there were an additional 508 and 487, respectively, sites that are known to be contaminated sites that are being remediated by third parties and therefore the costs to remediate such sites are not included in our environmental reserve. Remediation costs for known

 

9


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

sites are expected to be incurred over the next one to ten years. Environmental reserves have been established with remediation costs based on internal and external estimates for each site. Future remediation for which the timing of payments can be reasonably estimated are discounted using a ten-percent rate to determine the appropriate reserve.

 

The Pantry anticipates that it will be reimbursed for expenditures from state trust funds and private insurance. As of June 24, 2004, anticipated reimbursements of $15.8 million are recorded as long-term environmental receivables and $2.6 million are recorded as current receivables related to all sites. In Florida, remediation of such contamination reported before January 1, 1999 will be performed by the state (or state approved independent contractors) and substantially all of the remediation costs, less any applicable deductibles, will be paid by the state trust fund. The Pantry will perform remediation in other states through independent contractor firms engaged by The Pantry. For certain sites, the trust fund does not cover a deductible or has a co-pay which may be less than the cost of such remediation. Although The Pantry is not aware of releases or contamination at other locations where it currently operates or has operated stores, any such releases or contamination could require substantial remediation expenditures, some or all of which may not be eligible for reimbursement from state trust funds.

 

Several of the locations identified as contaminated are being remediated by third parties who have indemnified The Pantry as to responsibility for clean up matters. Additionally, The Pantry is awaiting closure notices on several other locations which will release The Pantry from responsibility related to known contamination at those sites. These sites continue to be included in our environmental reserve until a final closure notice is received.

 

NOTE 4—LONG-TERM DEBT

 

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

 

    

June 24,

2004


   

September 25,

2003


 

Senior subordinated notes payable; due February 19, 2014; interest payable semi-annually at 7.75%

   $ 250,000     $  

Senior credit facility; interest payable monthly at LIBOR plus 2.75%; principal due in quarterly installments through March 31, 2011

     345,000        

Senior subordinated notes payable; due October 15, 2007; interest payable semi-annually at 10.25%

           200,000  

First lien term loan; interest payable monthly at LIBOR plus 4.25%; principal due in quarterly installments through March 31, 2007, net of unamortized original issue discount of $ 3,347

           247,153  

Second lien term loan; interest payable monthly at LIBOR plus 6.5%; principal due in full on March 31, 2007, net of unamortized original issue discount of $ 682

           50,318  

Other notes payable; various interest rates and maturity dates

     48       98  
    


 


Total long-term debt

     595,048       497,569  

Less—current maturities

     (12,030 )     (27,558 )
    


 


Long-term debt, net of current maturities

   $ 583,018     $ 470,011  
    


 


 

10


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

On October 16, 2003, we entered into an amendment to our existing senior credit facility to increase the borrowing under the first lien term loan by $80.0 million. The proceeds from the amendment to the term loan were used to fund the Golden Gallon® acquisition. We incurred approximately $2.6 million in costs associated with the amendment, which were deferred.

 

On February 19, 2004, we called for redemption all of our outstanding $200.0 million principal amount of 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 and completed the sale of $250.0 million of our 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014. The redemption was completed on March 22, 2004. We incurred approximately $6.6 million in costs associated with the sale of the new notes, which were deferred and will be amortized over the life of the new notes.

 

On March 12, 2004, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement which, consists of a $345.0 million term loan that matures in March, 2011 and a $70.0 million revolving credit facility that expires in March, 2010, to replace all amounts outstanding under our previous senior secured credit facility. Each of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility are available for refinancing certain existing indebtedness of the Company, working capital financing and general corporate purposes. In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility is available for issuing commercial and standby letters of credit. We incurred approximately $2.2 million in costs associated with the amendment, which were deferred and will be amortized over the term of the loan agreement.

 

We recorded a loss on the redemption of the 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes and refinancing of the senior credit facility of approximately $23.1 million. See Note 8.

 

At June 24, 2004, our senior credit facility consists of a $345.0 million term loan and a $70.0 million revolving credit facility, which bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%. In the event our leverage ratio, as defined in the agreement, were to be below 3.5 to 1.0, the $345.0 million term loan would bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%. Our senior credit facility is secured by substantially all of our assets, other than our leased real property and is guaranteed by our subsidiaries. As of June 24, 2004, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and we had approximately $34.6 million of standby letters of credit issued under the facility. As a result, we had approximately $35.4 million in available borrowing capacity. Furthermore, the revolving credit facility limits our total outstanding letters of credit to $50.0 million. The LIBOR associated with our senior credit facility resets periodically, and as of June 24, 2004, the effective LIBOR rate was 1.10.

 

The remaining annual maturities of our long-term debt are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

Year Ended September:


    

2004

   $ 8,009

2005

     12,029

2006

     16,010

2007

     16,000

2008

     16,000

Thereafter

     527,000
    

Total long-term debt

   $ 595,048
    

 

As of June 24, 2004, we were in compliance with all covenants and restrictions relating to all outstanding borrowings and substantially all of our net assets are restricted as to payment of dividends and other distributions.

 

11


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 5—DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

We enter into interest rate swap agreements to modify the interest rate characteristics of our outstanding long-term debt and have designated each qualifying instrument as a cash flow hedge. We formally document our hedge relationships, including identifying the hedge instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for entering into the hedge transaction. At hedge inception, and at least quarterly thereafter, the Company assesses whether derivatives used to hedge transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flow of the hedged item. We measure effectiveness by the ability of the interest rate swaps to offset cash flows associated with changes in the variable LIBOR rate associated with our term loan facilities using the hypothetical derivative method. To the extent the instruments are considered to be effective, changes in fair value are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). To the extent there is any hedge ineffectiveness; changes in fair value relating to the ineffective portion are immediately recognized in earnings (interest expense). When it is determined that a derivative ceases to be a highly effective hedge, we discontinue hedge accounting, and subsequent changes in fair value of the hedge instrument are recognized in earnings. Interest income for the mark-to-market adjustment of those instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting was $0.6 million and $1.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2003, respectively, and $1.7 million and $2.0 million for the nine months ended June 24, 2004 and June 26, 2003, respectively.

 

The fair values of our interest rate swaps are obtained from dealer quotes. These values represent the estimated amount we would receive or pay to terminate the agreement taking into consideration the difference between the contract rate of interest and rates currently quoted for agreements of similar terms and maturities. At June 24, 2004, other noncurrent liabilities include derivative liabilities of $0.1 million and other noncurrent assets include derivative assets of $1.0 million. At September 25, 2003, other accrued liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities include derivative liabilities of $1.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Cash flow hedges at June 24, 2004 have various settlement dates, the latest of which are April 2006 interest rate swaps.

 

NOTE 6—COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

The components of comprehensive income, net of related taxes, for the periods presented are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

    

June 24,

2004


  

June 26,

2003


   

June 24,

2004


  

June 26,

2003


Net income

   $ 13,674    $ 6,085     $ 4,530    $ 5,170

Other comprehensive income:

                            

Cumulative effect of adoption of SFAS No. 133 (net of deferred income taxes of $0, $25, $0 and $93, respectively)

          51            158

Net unrealized gains (losses) on qualifying cash flow hedges (net of deferred income taxes of $1,557, $(693), $778 and $359, respectively)

     2,486      (1,107 )     1,243      574
    

  


 

  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     2,486      (1,056 )     1,243      732
    

  


 

  

Comprehensive income

   $ 16,160    $ 5,029     $ 5,773    $ 5,902
    

  


 

  

 

12


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

The components of unrealized gains (losses) on qualifying cash flow hedges, net of related income taxes, for the periods presented are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


   

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 

Unrealized gains (losses) on qualifying cash flow hedges

   $ 2,992     $ (1,096 )   $ 2,154     $ 2,459  

Less: Reclassification adjustment for expenses included in net income

     (506 )     (11 )     (911 )     (1,885 )
    


 


 


 


Net unrealized gains (losses) on qualifying cash flow hedges

   $ 2,486     $ (1,107 )   $ 1,243     $ 574  
    


 


 


 


 

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(deficit), net of related income taxes, is composed of unrealized gains on qualifying cash flow hedges of $0.6 million as of June 24, 2004 and unrealized losses of $0.7 million as of September 25, 2003.

 

NOTE 7—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION

 

Effective September 27, 2002, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, and, as a result, we recognize the future cost to remove an underground storage tank over the estimated useful life of the storage tank in accordance with SFAS No. 143. A liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related long-lived asset is recorded at the time an underground storage tank is installed. We will amortize the amount added to property and equipment and recognize accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the remaining life of the respective underground storage tanks.

 

The estimated liability is based on historical experience in removing these tanks, estimated tank useful lives, external estimates as to the cost to remove the tanks in the future and federal and state regulatory requirements.

 

The liability is a discounted liability using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate ranging from 8.35% to 9.3%. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in tank removal costs, tank useful lives or if federal and/or state regulators enact new guidance on the removal of such tanks.

 

Upon adoption, we recorded a discounted liability of $8.4 million, which is included in other noncurrent liabilities, increased net property and equipment by $2.7 million and recognized a one-time cumulative effect adjustment of $3.5 million (net of deferred income tax benefit of $2.2 million). We will amortize the amount added to property and equipment and recognize accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the remaining lives of the respective underground storage tanks.

 

A reconciliation of the Company’s liability is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 

Beginning balance

   $ 9,240     $ 8,443  

Liabilities incurred

     7       151  

Liabilities assumed—acquisitions

     1,236        

Liabilities settled

     (273 )     (93 )

Accretion expense

     616       607  
    


 


Ending balance

   $ 10,826     $ 9,108  
    


 


 

13


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 8—INTEREST EXPENSE AND LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT

 

The components of interest expense are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


   

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 

Interest on long-term debt

   $ 8,066     $ 10,241     $ 31,661     $ 28,717  

Interest rate swap settlements

     823       1,971       2,864       6,871  

Interest on capital lease obligations

     554       547       1,658       1,642  

Fair market value change in non-qualifying derivatives

     (577 )     (1,136 )     (1,741 )     (1,979 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     249       734       1,978       1,904  

Miscellaneous

     13       15       18       32  
    


 


 


 


Subtotal: Interest expense

   $ 9,128     $ 12,372     $ 36,438     $ 37,187  

Loss on debt extinguishment

           2,888       23,087       2,888  
    


 


 


 


Total interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt

   $ 9,128     $ 15,260     $ 59,525     $ 40,075  
    


 


 


 


 

The loss on debt extinguishment in the nine months ended June 24, 2004 relates to the redemption of our $200 million 10 1/4% senior subordinated notes and the refinancing of the senior credit facility. The loss includes the write-off of deferred financing costs of $11.8 million, the call premium on the senior subordinated notes of $6.8 million, the call premium on the second lien term loan of $1.0 million, and the write-off of the unamortized original issue discount on the senior credit facility of $3.5 million.

 

The loss on debt extinguishment during the three and nine months ended June 26, 2003 relates to the April 14, 2003 refinancing of our senior credit facility. In connection with this refinancing, we recorded a non-cash charge of $2.9 million related to the writeoff of deferred financing charges associated with the previous credit facility.

 

NOTE 9—OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS

 

In December 1996, in connection with its purchase of 17,500 shares of Series B preferred stock, Freeman Spogli acquired warrants to purchase 2,346,000 shares of common stock. The fair value of the warrants at the date of issuance approximated $600 thousand and is included in additional paid-in capital. On December 9, 2003, Freeman Spogli exercised the warrants to purchase 2,346,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7.45 per share. The exercise was cashless whereby shares of common stock received were reduced by the number of shares having an aggregate fair market value equal to the exercise price, or approximately $17.5 million. The aggregate fair market value was based on the average closing price on each of the ten days prior to December 9, 2003, or $23.68 per share. Consequently, upon exercise Freeman Spogli received 1,607,855 shares of common stock.

 

NOTE 10—EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

We compute earnings per share data in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of outstanding warrants and stock options using the “treasury stock” method.

 

14


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended

   Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


  

June 26,

2003


  

June 24,

2004


  

June 26,

2003


 

Net income before cumulative effect adjustment

   $ 13,674    $ 6,085    $ 4,530    $ 8,652  

Cumulative effect adjustment

                    (3,482 )
    

  

  

  


Net income

   $ 13,674    $ 6,085    $ 4,530    $ 5,170  
    

  

  

  


Earnings per share—basic:

                             

Weighted average shares outstanding

     19,985      18,108      19,397      18,108  
    

  

  

  


Earnings per share before cumulative effect adjustment—basic

   $ 0.68    $ 0.34    $ 0.23    $ 0.48  

Loss per share on cumulative effect adjustment—basic

                    (0.19 )
    

  

  

  


Earnings per share—basic

   $ 0.68    $ 0.34    $ 0.23    $ 0.29  
    

  

  

  


Earnings per share—diluted:

                             

Weighted average shares outstanding

     19,985      18,108      19,397      18,108  

Dilutive impact of options and warrants outstanding

     724      342      1,203      192  
    

  

  

  


Weighted average shares and potential dilutive shares outstanding

     20,709      18,450      20,600      18,300  
    

  

  

  


Earnings per share before cumulative effect adjustment—diluted

   $ 0.66    $ 0.33    $ 0.22    $ 0.47  

Loss per share on cumulative effect adjustment—diluted

                    (0.19 )
    

  

  

  


Earnings per share—diluted

   $ 0.66    $ 0.33    $ 0.22    $ 0.28  
    

  

  

  


 

Options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, because their inclusion would have been antidilutive, were 25 thousand and 3.0 million for the three months ended June 24, 2004 and June 26, 2003, respectively, and 25 thousand and 3.2 million for the nine months ended June 24, 2004 and June 26, 2003, respectively.

 

NOTE 11—GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES

 

We have two wholly owned subsidiaries, R. & H. Maxxon, Inc. and Kangaroo, Inc. (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) that are guarantors of our senior credit facility and our senior subordinated notes. The guarantees are joint and several and full and unconditional. The Guarantor Subsidiaries comprise all direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company. Combined financial information for the Guarantor Subsidiaries is as follows:

 

15


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

THE PANTRY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Supplemental Combining Balance Sheets

June 24, 2004

(Dollars in thousands)

 

   

The

Pantry

(Issuer)


   

Total

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Total

 

ASSETS

                               

Current Assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 103,364     $     $     $ 103,364  

Receivables, net

    37,009                   37,009  

Inventories

    96,043                   96,043  

Prepaid expenses

    8,028       2             8,030  

Property held for sale

    6,428                   6,428  

Deferred income taxes

    4,334                   4,334  
   


 


 


 


Total current assets

    255,206       2             255,208  
   


 


 


 


Investments in subsidiaries

    40,723             (40,723 )      
   


 


 


 


Property and equipment, net

    405,372                   405,372  
   


 


 


 


Other assets:

                               

Goodwill

    338,649                   338,649  

Deferred financing costs, net

    8,451                   8,451  

Environmental receivables

    15,784                   15,784  

Intercompany notes receivable

    (23,477 )     43,872       (20,395 )      

Other

    11,448       57             11,505  
   


 


 


 


Total other assets

    350,855       43,929       (20,395 )     374,389  
   


 


 


 


Total assets

  $ 1,052,156     $ 43,931     $ (61,118 )   $ 1,034,969  
   


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                               

Current Liabilities:

                               

Current maturities of long-term debt

  $ 12,030     $     $     $ 12,030  

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

    1,375                   1,375  

Accounts payable

    106,294                   106,294  

Accrued interest

    8,415                   8,415  

Accrued compensation and related taxes

    12,318                   12,318  

Other accrued taxes

    14,817                   14,817  

Accrued insurance

    16,431                   16,431  

Other accrued liabilities

    12,474             (65 )     12,409  
   


 


 


 


Total current liabilities

    184,154             (65 )     184,089  
   


 


 


 


Long-term debt

    583,018                   583,018  
   


 


 


 


Other liabilities:

                               

Environmental reserves

    13,886                   13,886  

Deferred income taxes

    52,851                   52,851  

Deferred revenue

    32,154                   32,154  

Capital lease obligations

    14,769                   14,769  

Intercompany notes payable

    17,124       3,208       (20,332 )      

Other noncurrent liabilities

    16,289       2             16,291  
   


 


 


 


Total other liabilities

    147,073       3,210       (20,332 )     129,951  
   


 


 


 


Shareholders’ equity:

                               

Common stock

    202       523       (523 )     202  

Additional paid-in-capital

    131,306       40,551       (40,551 )     131,306  

Shareholder loans

    (23 )                 (23 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net

    553                   553  

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

    5,873       (353 )     353       5,873  
   


 


 


 


Total shareholders’ equity

    137,911       40,721       (40,721 )     137,911  
   


 


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 1,052,156     $ 43,931     $ (61,118 )   $ 1,034,969  
   


 


 


 


 

16


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

THE PANTRY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Supplemental Combining Balance Sheets

September 25, 2003

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

The

Pantry

(Issuer)


   

Total

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Total

 

ASSETS

                                

Current Assets:

                                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 72,901     $     $     $ 72,901  

Receivables, net

     30,423                   30,423  

Inventories

     84,156                   84,156  

Prepaid expenses

     6,324       2             6,326  

Property held for sale

     2,013                   2,013  

Deferred income taxes

     4,334                   4,334  
    


 


 


 


Total current assets

     200,151       2             200,153  
    


 


 


 


Investments in subsidiaries

     40,723             (40,723 )      
    


 


 


 


Property and equipment, net

     400,609                   400,609  
    


 


 


 


Other assets:

                                

Goodwill

     278,629                   278,629  

Deferred financing costs, net

     10,757                   10,757  

Environmental receivables

     15,109                   15,109  

Intercompany notes receivable

     (23,477 )     43,872       (20,395 )      

Other

     8,851       57             8,908  
    


 


 


 


Total other assets

     289,869       43,929       (20,395 )     313,403  
    


 


 


 


Total assets

   $ 931,352     $ 43,931     $ (61,118 )   $ 914,165  
    


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                

Current Liabilities:

                                

Current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 27,558     $     $     $ 27,558  

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

     1,375                   1,375  

Accounts payable

     78,885                   78,885  

Accrued interest

     11,924                   11,924  

Accrued compensation and related taxes

     12,840                   12,840  

Other accrued taxes

     16,510                   16,510  

Accrued insurance

     12,293                   12,293  

Other accrued liabilities

     21,380             (65 )     21,315  
    


 


 


 


Total current liabilities

     182,765             (65 )     182,700  
    


 


 


 


Long-term debt

     470,011                   470,011  
    


 


 


 


Other liabilities:

                                

Environmental reserves

     13,823                   13,823  

Deferred income taxes

     50,015                   50,015  

Deferred revenue

     37,251                   37,251  

Capital lease obligations

     15,779                   15,779  

Intercompany notes payable

     17,124       3,208       (20,332 )      

Other noncurrent liabilities

     15,920       2             15,922  
    


 


 


 


Total other liabilities

     149,912       3,210       (20,332 )     132,790  
    


 


 


 


Shareholders’ equity:

                                

Common stock

     182       523       (523 )     182  

Additional paid-in-capital

     128,002       40,551       (40,551 )     128,002  

Shareholder loans

     (173 )                 (173 )

Accumulated other comprehensive deficit, net

     (690 )                 (690 )

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

     1,343       (353 )     353       1,343  
    


 


 


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     128,664       40,721       (40,721 )     128,664  
    


 


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 931,352     $ 43,931     $ (61,118 )   $ 914,165  
    


 


 


 


 

17


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

THE PANTRY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Combining Statement of Operations

Three Months Ended June 24, 2004

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     The
Pantry
(Issuer)


    Total
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminations

   Total

 

Revenues:

                              

Merchandise.

   $ 302,301     $ —      $ —      $ 302,301  

Gasoline

     625,448       —        —        625,448  

Commissions

     8,155       —        —        8,155  
    


 

  

  


Total revenues

     935,904       —        —        935,904  
    


 

  

  


Cost of sales:

                              

Merchandise

     201,201       —        —        201,201  

Gasoline

     580,993       —        —        580,993  
    


 

  

  


Total cost of sales

     782,194       —        —        782,194  
    


 

  

  


Gross profit

     153,710       —        —        153,710  

Operating expenses:

                              

Operating, general and administrative expenses

     109,252       —        —        109,252  

Depreciation and amortization

     13,578       —        —        13,578  
    


 

  

  


Total operating expenses.

     122,830       —        —        122,830  
    


 

  

  


Income from operations.

     30,880       —        —        30,880  
    


 

  

  


Other income (expense):

                              

Interest expense.

     (9,128 )     —        —        (9,128 )

Miscellaneous

     482       —        —        482  
    


 

  

  


Total other expense.

     (8,646 )     —        —        (8,646 )
    


 

  

  


Income before income taxes.

     22,234       —        —        22,234  

Income tax expense

     (8,560 )     —        —        (8,560 )
    


 

  

  


Net Income

   $ 13,674     $ —      $ —      $ 13,674  
    


 

  

  


 

18


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

THE PANTRY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Combining Statement of Operations

Three Months Ended June 26, 2003

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     The
Pantry
(Issuer)


   

Total

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   Eliminations

   Total

 

Revenues:

                              

Merchandise.

   $ 263,890     $               $               $ 263,890  

Gasoline

     441,093       —        —        441,093  

Commissions.

     6,472       —        —        6,472  
    


 

  

  


Total revenues

     711,455       —        —        711,455  
    


 

  

  


Cost of sales:

                              

Merchandise

     175,388       —        —        175,388  

Gasoline .

     401,050       —        —        401,050  
    


 

  

  


Total cost of sales.

     576,438       —        —        576,438  
    


 

  

  


Gross profit

     135,017       —        —        135,017  

Operating expenses:

                              

Operating, general and administrative expenses

     95,945       —        —        95,945  

Depreciation and amortization.

     14,314       —        —        14,314  
    


 

  

  


Total operating expenses.

     110,259       —        —        110,259  
    


 

  

  


Income from operations.

     24,758       —        —        24,758  
    


 

  

  


Other income (expense):

                              

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     (2,888 )     —        —        (2,888 )

Interest expense

     (12,372 )     —        —        (12,372 )

Miscellaneous.

     396       —        —        396  
    


 

  

  


Total other expense

     (14,864 )     —        —        (14,864 )
    


 

  

  


Income before income taxes

     9,894       —        —        9,894  

Income tax expense.

     (3,809 )     —        —        (3,809 )
    


 

  

  


Net Income

   $ 6,085     $       $       $ 6,085  
    


 

  

  


 

19


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

THE PANTRY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Combining Statement of Operations

Nine Months Ended June 24, 2004

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

The

Pantry
(Issuer)


    Total
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminations

   Total

 

Revenues:

                              

Merchandise

   $ 842,122     $ —      $ —      $ 842,122  

Gasoline

     1,616,021       —        —        1,616,021  

Commissions

     23,485       —        —        23,485  
    


 

  

  


Total revenues

     2,481,628       —        —        2,481,628  
    


 

  

  


Cost of sales:

                              

Merchandise

     557,692       —        —        557,692  

Gasoline

     1,496,887       —        —        1,496,887  
    


 

  

  


Total cost of sales

     2,054,579       —        —        2,054,579  
    


 

  

  


Gross profit

     427,049       —        —        427,049  

Operating expenses:

                              

Operating, general and administrative expenses

     319,820       —        —        319,820  

Depreciation and amortization

     41,183       —        —        41,183  
    


 

  

  


Total operating expenses

     361,003       —        —        361,003  
    


 

  

  


Income from operations

     66,046       —        —        66,046  
    


 

  

  


Other income (expense):

                              

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     (23,087 )     —        —        (23,087 )

Interest expense

     (36,438 )     —        —        (36,438 )

Miscellaneous

     845       —        —        845  
    


 

  

  


Total other expense

     (58,680 )     —        —        (58,680 )
    


 

  

  


Income before income taxes

     7,366       —        —        7,366  

Income tax expense

     (2,836 )     —        —        (2,836 )
    


 

  

  


Net Income

   $ 4,530     $ —      $ —      $ 4,530  
    


 

  

  


 

20


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

THE PANTRY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Combining Statement of Operations

Nine Months Ended June 26, 2003

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

The

Pantry
(Issuer)


    Total
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminations

   Total

 

Revenues:

                              

Merchandise

   $ 741,130     $ —      $ —      $ 741,130  

Gasoline

     1,274,745       —        —        1,274,745  

Commissions

     20,001       —        —        20,001  
    


 

  

  


Total revenues

     2,035,876       —        —        2,035,876  
    


 

  

  


Cost of sales:

                              

Merchandise

     495,360       —        —        495,360  

Gasoline

     1,166,379       —        —        1,166,379  
    


 

  

  


Total cost of sales

     1,661,739       —        —        1,661,739  
    


 

  

  


Gross profit

     374,137       —        —        374,137  

Operating expenses:

                              

Operating, general and administrative expenses

     281,409       —        —        281,409  

Depreciation and amortization

     39,919       —        —        39,919  
    


 

  

  


Total operating expenses

     321,328       —        —        321,328  
    


 

  

  


Income from operations

     52,809       —        —        52,809  
    


 

  

  


Other income (expense):

                              

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     (2,888 )     —        —        (2,888 )

Interest expense

     (37,187 )     —        —        (37,187 )

Miscellaneous

     1,337       —        —        1,337  
    


 

  

  


Total other expense

     (38,738 )     —        —        (38,738 )
    


 

  

  


Income before income taxes

     14,071       —        —        14,071  

Income tax expense

     (5,419 )     —        —        (5,419 )
    


 

  

  


Net income before cumulative effect adjustment

     8,652       —        —        8,652  

Cumulative effect adjustment, net of income tax

     (3,482 )     —        —        (3,482 )
    


 

  

  


Net Income

   $ 5,170     $ —      $ —      $ 5,170  
    


 

  

  


 

21


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

THE PANTRY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Combining Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended June 24, 2004

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

The

Pantry
(Issuer)


    Total
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminations

   Total

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                              

Net income

   $ 4,530     $ —      $ —      $ 4,530  

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

                              

Depreciation and amortization

     41,183       —        —        41,183  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     2,836       —        —        2,836  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     23,087       —        —        23,087  

Gain on sale of property and equipment

     (1,892 )     —        —        (1,892 )

Impairment of long-lived assets

     1,470       —        —        1,470  

Fair market value change in non-qualifying derivatives

     (1,741 )     —        —        (1,741 )

Provision for closed stores

     1,246       —        —        1,246  

Amortization of deferred loan costs

     1,978       —        —        1,978  

Amortization of long-term debt discount

     534       —        —        534  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):

                              

Receivables

     (5,998 )     —        —        (5,998 )

Inventories

     (1,869 )     —        —        (1,869 )

Prepaid expenses

     (1,588 )     —        —        (1,588 )

Other noncurrent assets

     432       —        —        432  

Accounts payable

     15,973       —        —        15,973  

Other current liabilities and accrued expenses

     (8,962 )     —        —        (8,962 )

Reserves for environmental expenses

     (612 )     —        —        (612 )

Other noncurrent liabilities

     (6,736 )     —        —        (6,736 )
    


 

  

  


Net cash provided by operating activities

     63,871       —        —        63,871  
    


 

  

  


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                              

Additions to property held for sale

     (1,084 )     —        —        (1,084 )

Additions to property and equipment

     (26,090 )     —        —        (26,090 )

Proceeds from sale of land, building and equipment

     102,582       —        —        102,582  

Acquisitions of related businesses, net of cash acquired

     (185,528 )     —        —        (185,528 )
    


 

  

  


Net cash used in investing activities

     (110,120 )     —        —        (110,120 )
    


 

  

  


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                              

Principal repayments under capital leases

     (1,010 )     —        —        (1,010 )

Principal repayments of long-term debt, including redemption premiums

     (589,403 )     —        —        (589,403 )

Proceeds from issuance of long-term borrowings

     675,000       —        —        675,000  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     3,324       —        —        3,324  

Repayments of shareholder loans

     150       —        —        150  

Other financing costs

     (11,349 )     —        —        (11,349 )
    


 

  

  


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     76,712       —        —        76,712  
    


 

  

  


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     30,463       —        —        30,463  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     72,901       —        —        72,901  
    


 

  

  


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 103,364     $ —      $ —      $ 103,364  
    


 

  

  


 

22


Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

THE PANTRY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Combining Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended June 26, 2003

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

The

Pantry
(Issuer)


    Total
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminations

   Total

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                              

Net income

   $ 5,170     $ —      $ —      $ 5,170  

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

                              

Depreciation and amortization

     39,919       —        —        39,919  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     5,419       —        —        5,419  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     2,888       —        —        2,888  

Loss on sale of property and equipment

     461       —        —        461  

Impairment of long-lived assets

     525       —        —        525  

Fair market value change in non-qualifying derivatives

     (1,979 )     —        —        (1,979 )

Provision for closed stores

     1,543       —        —        1,543  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     3,482       —        —        3,482  

Amortization of deferred loan costs

     1,904       —        —        1,904  

Amortization of long-term debt discount

     243       —        —        243  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):

                              

Receivables

     289       —        —        289  

Inventories

     5,742       —        —        5,742  

Prepaid expenses

     (1,795 )     —        —        (1,795 )

Other noncurrent assets

     171       —        —        171  

Accounts payable

     (13,538 )     —        —        (13,538 )

Other current liabilities and accrued expenses

     (15,044 )     —        —        (15,044 )

Reserves for environmental expenses

     886       —        —        886  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     (1,737 )     —        —        (1,737 )
    


 

  

  


Net cash provided by operating activities

     34,549       —        —        34,549  
    


 

  

  


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                              

Additions to property held for sale

     (1,716 )     —        —        (1,716 )

Additions to property and equipment

     (10,789 )     —        —        (10,789 )

Proceeds from sale of land, building and equipment

     5,688       —        —        5,688  

Acquisitions of related businesses, net of cash acquired

     (1,449 )     —        —        (1,449 )
    


 

  

  


Net cash used in investing activities

     (8,266 )     —        —        (8,266 )
    


 

  

  


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                              

Principal repayments under capital leases

     (1,004 )     —        —        (1,004 )

Principal repayments of long-term debt, including redemption premiums

     (304,061 )     —        —        (304,061 )

Proceeds from issuance of long-term borrowings

     299,440       —        —        299,440  

Repayments of shareholder loans

     295       —        —        295  

Other financing costs

     (7,254 )     —        —        (7,254 )
    


 

  

  


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (12,584 )     —        —        (12,584 )
    


 

  

  


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     13,699       —        —        13,699  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     42,236       —        —        42,236  
    


 

  

  


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 55,935     $ —      $ —      $ 55,935  
    


 

  

  


 

23


Table of Contents

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is provided to increase the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes appearing elsewhere in this report. Additional discussion and analysis related to our Company is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2003, as amended.

 

This report, including without limitation, statements under our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations, contains statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” under the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended to enjoy protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by that Act. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of phrases such as “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast” or other similar words or phrases. Descriptions of our objectives, goals, targets, plans, strategies, anticipated capital expenditures, costs and burdens of environmental remediation, anticipated gasoline suppliers and percentages of our requirements to be supplied by particular companies, anticipated store banners and percentages of our stores that we believe will operate under particular banners, expected cost savings and benefits and anticipated synergies from the Golden Gallon® acquisition, anticipated costs of re-branding our stores, anticipated sharing of costs of conversion with our gasoline suppliers, and expectations regarding re-modeling, re-branding, re-imaging or otherwise converting our stores are also forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to vary materially from the results and events anticipated or implied by such forward looking statements, including:

 

    Competitive pressures from convenience stores, gasoline stations and other non-traditional retailers located in our markets;

 

    Changes in economic conditions generally and in the markets we serve;

 

    Unfavorable weather conditions;

 

    Political conditions in crude oil producing regions, including South America and the Middle East;

 

    Volatility in crude oil and wholesale petroleum costs;

 

    Wholesale cost increases of tobacco products;

 

    Consumer behavior, travel and tourism trends;

 

    Changes in state and federal environmental and other regulations;

 

    Dependence on one principal supplier for merchandise and two principal suppliers for gasoline;

 

    Financial leverage and debt covenants;

 

    Changes in the credit ratings assigned to our debt securities, credit facilities and trade credit;

 

    Inability to identify, acquire and integrate new stores;

 

    The interests of our largest stockholder;

 

    Dependence on senior management;

 

    Acts of war and terrorism; and

 

    Other unforeseen factors.

 

For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, please refer to “Risk Factors” below. The list of factors that could affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is illustrative but by no means exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. The forward-looking statements included in this report are based on, and include, our

 

24


Table of Contents

estimates as of August 5, 2004. We anticipate that subsequent events and market developments will cause our estimates to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

Introduction

 

We are the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States and the third largest independently operated convenience store chain in the country based on store count with 1,367 stores in ten states as of June 24, 2004. Our stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, gasoline and ancillary products and services designed to appeal to the convenience needs of our customers. Our strategy is to continue to improve upon our position as the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States by generating profitable growth through merchandising initiatives, sophisticated management of our gasoline business, upgrading our stores, leveraging our geographic economies of scale, benefiting from the favorable demographics of our markets and continuing to selectively pursue acquisitions.

 

We had favorable results for our third quarter of fiscal 2004 and we believe this was a direct result of several recent operational and financial initiatives designed to enhance our profitability. In particular, we remain focused on our re-branding and re-imaging initiative and as of June 24, 2004 we have re-branded and re-imaged 425 locations, including 170 stores that have been converted or re-imaged to BP®/Amoco®, 144 stores that have received Citgo® image upgrades and 111 stores that have been converted to our Kangaroo® private brand format. Almost all of these stores have also been converted to Kangaroo ExpressSM branding for their merchandise operations. We believe this combined initiative allows us to leverage the cost of a complete facelift to most of our facilities, provides us with increased brand identity, and helps us in our efforts to optimize our gasoline gallon growth and gross profit dollars.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2004 we continued to enhance our merchandise offering in order to drive customer traffic while maximizing gross profit dollars. We expanded our Celeste® beverage line to include a diet cola and a sugar free Red Celeste energy drink. We are continuing to broaden our private label program to items such as beef jerky and motor oil. We also introduced our “Low Carb Lane” in approximately 800 stores with an additional 200 stores expected by fiscal year end. This store rack is designed to appeal to a significant consumer population now following a low carbohydrate diet. During the third quarter of fiscal 2004 we expanded our quick service restaurant and proprietary food service offerings to 218 locations, including 62 Subway® outlets. We believe that these initiatives allowed us to realize a 33.4% gross margin, while improving comparable store merchandise revenue 3.5%, our largest increase in seven quarters.

 

In the gasoline segment, we continued to benefit from our supply agreements we negotiated in February, 2003. Also, during the third quarter of fiscal 2004 we negotiated an expansion and extension of our gasoline supply agreement with BP Products, North America (BP ®). As a result of this new agreement we expect our gasoline purchases from BP to grow to in excess of 400 million gallons annually and to exceed two billion gallons over the remaining term of the agreement which has been extended through December 2009. We believe this allows us to benefit from a greater branding consistency across our store base as well as preferred access to the BP ® supply channel.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2004 we continued to benefit from the Golden Gallon® acquisition completed in October, 2003. This acquisition included 90 stores in Tennessee and 48 stores in northwest Georgia and enhanced our strong regional presence. The addition of these operations contributed to our 25% increase in operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2003.

 

We also realized a full quarter of benefits from our refinancing which was completed during the second quarter of fiscal 2004. Our new $415.0 million senior secured credit facility together with our new $250.0 million 10-year senior subordinated notes reduced our average borrowing rate by approximately 250 basis

 

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Table of Contents

points and enhanced our flexibility to pursue our growth strategy. Primarily as a result of this refinancing, our interest expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 declined $3.2 million from the third quarter of fiscal 2003.

 

Throughout the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, we plan to remain focused on maximizing the benefits of our merchandise and gasoline initiatives as well as upgrading our network of stores. We will continue to selectively review acquisition opportunities to reinforce our market position. Since 1996, we have successfully completed more than 40 acquisitions, growing our store base from 379 to 1,367 stores. We believe there are significant acquisition opportunities to strengthen our position in existing markets and expand into contiguous markets. We believe our advantageous supply agreements and operating expertise make acquisitions an attractive way to grow our business.

 

Market and Industry Trends

 

During fiscal 2004 we have experienced rising wholesale gasoline costs as domestic crude oil prices have risen from approximately $28 per barrel in October 2003 to approximately $38 per barrel as of June 24, 2004. We attempt to pass along wholesale gasoline cost changes to our customers through retail price changes, however, we are not always able to do so, and the timing of the related increase in retail prices is affected by competitive conditions. As a result, we tend to experience tighter gasoline margins in periods of rising costs and higher margins in periods of decreasing wholesale costs. Since 1995, our gasoline margin per gallon has remained relatively stable and averaged more than 12 cents per gallon on an annual basis.

 

Increases in wholesale cigarette costs during 2004, as well as national and local campaigns to discourage smoking in the United States, have had an adverse effect on unit demand for cigarettes domestically. We have attempted to pass along cost increases to our customers and have not generally experienced a deterioration in cigarette gross margin or in average cartons sold per store week.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, selected items in the consolidated statements of income as a percentage of our total revenue:

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


   

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 

Total revenue

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Gasoline revenue

   66.8 %   62.0 %   65.1 %   62.6 %

Merchandise revenue

   32.3 %   37.1 %   33.9 %   36.4 %

Commission income

   0.9 %   0.9 %   1.0 %   1.0 %

Cost of sales

   83.6 %   81.0 %   82.8 %   81.6 %
    

 

 

 

Gross profit

                        

Gasoline gross profit

   4.7 %   5.6 %   4.8 %   5.3 %

Merchandise gross profit

   10.8 %   12.4 %   11.5 %   12.1 %

Commission gross profit

   0.9 %   0.9 %   1.0 %   1.0 %

Operating, general and administrative expenses

   11.7 %   13.5 %   12.9 %   13.8 %

Depreciation and amortization

   1.5 %   2.0 %   1.7 %   2.0 %
    

 

 

 

Income from operations

   3.3 %   3.5 %   2.7 %   2.6 %

Loss on extinguishment of debt

       (0.4 )%   (0.9 )%   (0.1 )%

Interest and miscellaneous expense

   (0.9 )%   (1.7 )%   (1.4 )%   (1.8 )%
    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

   2.4 %   1.4 %   0.3 %   0.7 %

Income tax expense

   (0.9 )%   (0.5 )%   (0.1 )%   (0.3 )%
    

 

 

 

Net income before cumulative effect adjustment

   1.5 %   0.9 %   0.2 %   0.4 %

Cumulative effect adjustment, net of income tax

               (0.2 )%
    

 

 

 

Net income

   1.5 %   0.9 %   0.2 %   0.2 %
    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

The table below provides a summary of our selected financial data for our three and nine months ended June 24, 2004 and June 26, 2003.

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


   

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 

Merchandise margin

     33.4 %     33.5 %     33.8 %     33.2 %

Gasoline gallons (millions)

     342.8       301.5       990.2       862.4  

Gasoline margin per gallon

   $ 0.1297     $ 0.1328     $ 0.1203     $ 0.1257  

Gasoline retail per gallon

   $ 1.82     $ 1.46     $ 1.63     $ 1.48  

Comparable store data:

                                

Merchandise sales %

     3.5 %     0.5 %     3.2 %     2.0 %

Gasoline gallons %

     0.2 %     0.6 %     1.6 %     -0.2 %

Number of stores:

                                

End of period

     1,367       1,271       1,367       1,271  

Weighted-average store count

     1,371       1,272       1,370       1,278  

 

Three Months Ended June 24, 2004 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 26, 2003

 

Merchandise Revenue.    Merchandise revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was $302.3 million compared to $263.9 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2003, an increase of $38.4 million or 14.6%. The increase is primarily attributable to merchandise revenue from the Golden Gallon® acquisition of $33.7 million and a 3.5%, or $9.1 million, increase in comparable store merchandise revenue compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2003. These increases were partially offset by lost revenue from closed stores of approximately $4.7 million.

 

Gasoline Revenue and Gallons.    Gasoline revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was $625.4 million compared to $441.1 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2003, an increase of $184.4 million or 41.8%. The increase in gasoline revenue is primarily attributable to gasoline revenue from the Golden Gallon® acquisition of $79.6 million, an increase in comparable store gallons of 0.6 million, or 0.2%, and the 36 cent per gallon increase in the average gasoline retail price per gallon. The increase in the average gasoline retail price per gallon is a result of our passing along to customers the increases in wholesale fuel costs experienced in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. These increases were partially offset by lost revenue from closed stores of approximately $5.1 million.

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2004, gasoline gallons sold were 342.8 million compared to 301.5 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2003, an increase of 41.3 million gallons, or 13.7%. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in gallon volume of 44.1 million from the Golden Gallon® acquisition and the comparable store gasoline gallon increase discussed above, partially offset by lost gallon volume from closed stores of approximately 4.0 million gallons.

 

Commission Income.    Commission income for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was $8.2 million compared to $6.5 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2003, an increase of $1.7 million, or 26.0%. The increase is primarily due to an increase in commission income of $1.1 million from the Golden Gallon® acquisition and comparable store increases in lottery income. During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the State of Tennessee introduced its lottery, and sales of Tennessee lottery tickets contributed approximately $0.4 million to commission income in the third quarter of fiscal 2004.

 

Merchandise Gross Profit and Margin.    Merchandise gross profit was $101.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to $88.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003, an increase of $12.6 million, or 14.2%. This increase is primarily attributable to the merchandise gross profit contribution of $10.8 million from stores acquired in the Golden Gallon® acquisition and increased merchandise revenue discussed above. Merchandise margin of 33.4% for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was consistent with the 33.5% reported for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. Our merchandise gross margin has been positively impacted by the introduction of private label products and increased quick service restaurant volume.

 

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Table of Contents

Gasoline Gross Profit and Per Gallon Margin.    Gasoline gross profit was $44.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to $40.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003, an increase of $4.4 million or 11.0%. The increase is primarily attributable to the gasoline gross profit contribution of $5.7 million from stores acquired in the Golden Gallon® acquisition and the comparable store gallon increase discussed above. These increases were partially offset by a decline in our gross profit per gallon to 13.0 cents for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 from 13.3 cents in the third quarter of fiscal 2003. We present gasoline gross profit per gallon inclusive of credit card processing fees and repairs and maintenance on gasoline equipment. These expenses totaled 3.2 cents per gallon and 2.7 cents per gallon for the three months ended June 24, 2004 and June 26, 2003, respectively. The increase in these fees was primarily due to higher credit card fees as a result of a 25% increase in retail gasoline prices.

 

Operating, General and Administrative Expenses.    Operating, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 totaled $109.3 million compared to $95.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003, an increase of $13.3 million or 13.9%. This increase is primarily due to operating, general and administrative expenses of approximately $10.9 million associated with stores acquired in the Golden Gallon® acquisition and comparable store increases in labor and other variable expenses. As a percentage of total revenue, operating, general and administrative expenses were 11.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2004, and adjusted for the impact of gasoline inflation were 11.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2003.

 

Income from Operations.    Income from operations totaled $30.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to $24.8 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003, an increase of $6.1 million, or 24.7%. The increase is primarily attributable to the increases in gasoline and merchandise gross profit discussed above, partially offset by the increase in operating, general and administrative expenses also discussed above.

 

EBITDA.    EBITDA is defined by us as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. EBITDA for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 totaled $44.9 million compared to EBITDA of $39.5 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2003, an increase of $5.5 million, or 13.9%. The increase is attributable to the increase in income from operations discussed above.

 

EBITDA is not a measure of performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities and other income or cash flow statement data. We have included information concerning EBITDA as one measure of our cash flow and historical ability to service debt and because we believe investors find this information useful because it reflects the resources available for strategic opportunities including, among others, to invest in the business, make strategic acquisitions and to service debt. EBITDA as defined by us may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

The following table contains a reconciliation of EBITDA to net cash provided by operating activities and cash flows from investing and financing activities (amounts in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 

EBITDA

   $ 44,940     $ 39,468  

Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt

     (9,128 )     (15,260 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (other than depreciation and amortization, provision for deferred income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle)

     (711 )     3,490  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:

                

Assets

     (3,614 )     5,051  

Liabilities

     24,972       235  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 56,459     $ 32,984  

Net cash used in investing activities

   $ (5,378 )   $ (2,405 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ 1,292     $ (1,318 )

 

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Table of Contents

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt.    During the third quarter of fiscal 2003, we incurred $2.9 million in debt extinguishment costs related to the refinancing of our outstanding senior credit facility. These costs represented the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.

 

Interest Expense.    Interest expense is primarily comprised of interest on borrowings under our senior credit facility and senior subordinated notes. Interest expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was $9.1 million compared to $12.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. The decrease of $3.2 million is primarily the result of the benefits of our refinancing which was completed in March, 2004, which reduced our effective borrowing rate by approximately 250 basis points. Interest expense associated with the $80.0 million increase in our outstanding borrowings as a result of the Golden Gallon® acquisition was approximately $0.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004.

 

Net Income.    Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was $13.7 million compared to net income of $6.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. The increase is primarily attributable to the reduced interest expense discussed above, coupled with the increased income from operations discussed above.

 

Nine Months Ended June 24, 2004 Compared to the Nine Months Ended June 26, 2003

 

Merchandise Revenue.    Merchandise revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $842.1 million compared to $741.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003, an increase of $101.0 million or 13.6%. The increase is primarily attributable to merchandise revenue from the Golden Gallon® acquisition of $88.8 million and a 3.2%, or $23.0 million, increase in comparable store merchandise revenue compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2003. These increases were partially offset by lost revenue from closed stores of approximately $11.8 million.

 

Gasoline Revenue and Gallons.    Gasoline revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $1,616.0 million compared to $1,274.7 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2003, an increase of $341.3 million, or 26.8%. The increase in gasoline revenue is primarily attributable to gasoline revenue of $197.5 million from the Golden Gallon® acquisition, an increase in comparable store gallons of 13.2 million, or 1.6%, and the 15 cent per gallon increase in the average gasoline retail price per gallon. The increase in the average gasoline retail price per gallon is a result of our passing along to customers the increases in wholesale fuel costs experienced in fiscal 2004. These increases were partially offset by lost revenue from closed stores of approximately $13.5 million.

 

For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, gasoline gallons sold were 990.2 million compared to 862.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2003, an increase of 127.8 million gallons, or 14.8%. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in gallon volume of 122.8 million from the Golden Gallon® acquisition and the comparable store gasoline gallon increase discussed above, partially offset by lost gallon volume from closed stores of approximately 10.9 million gallons.

 

Commission Income.    Commission income for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $23.5 million compared to $20.0 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2003, an increase of $3.5 million, or 17.4%. The increase is primarily due to an increase in commission income of $2.6 million from the Golden Gallon® acquisition. During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the State of Tennessee introduced its lottery, and sales of Tennessee lottery tickets contributed approximately $0.7 million to commission income in the first nine months of fiscal 2004.

 

Merchandise Gross Profit and Margin.    Merchandise gross profit was $284.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 compared to $245.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003, an increase of $38.7 million, or 15.7%. This increase is primarily attributable to the merchandise gross profit contribution of $28.9 million from stores acquired in the Golden Gallon® acquisition, increased merchandise revenue discussed above and a 60 basis points increase in our merchandise margin. Merchandise margin increased to 33.8% for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 from the 33.2% reported for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. Our merchandise gross margin has been positively impacted by the introduction of private label products and increased quick service restaurant volume.

 

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Table of Contents

Gasoline Gross Profit and Per Gallon Margin.    Gasoline gross profit was $119.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 compared to $108.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003, an increase of $10.8 million, or 9.9%. The increase is primarily attributable to the gasoline gross profit contribution of $13.6 million from stores acquired in the Golden Gallon® acquisition and the comparable store gallon increase discussed above. These increases were partially offset by a 0.5 cent per gallon decline in gasoline gross profit per gallon to 12.0 cents for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 compared to 12.6 cents for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. During the first nine months of fiscal 2004, we have experienced increasing wholesale fuel costs. As a result of retail price increases reacting more slowly to the increased wholesale costs we have experienced tighter margins in the first nine months of fiscal 2004 when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2003. We present gasoline gross profit per gallon inclusive of credit card processing fees and repairs and maintenance on gasoline equipment. These expenses totaled 2.8 cents per gallon and 2.7 cents per gallon for the nine months ended June 24, 2004 and June 26, 2003, respectively. Historically, our gasoline margin per gallon on an annual basis has remained relatively stable, averaging above 12 cents per gallon.

 

Operating, General and Administrative Expenses.    Operating, general and administrative expenses for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 totaled $319.8 million compared to $281.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003, an increase of $38.4 million, or 13.6%. This increase is primarily due to operating, general and administrative expenses of approximately $30.1 million associated with stores acquired in the Golden Gallon® acquisition and comparable store increases in labor and other variable expenses. As a percentage of total revenue, operating, general and administrative expenses were 12.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2004, and adjusted for the impact of gasoline inflation were 13.0% in the comparable period in fiscal 2003. Administrative expenses also include approximately $1.3 million associated with the Company’s secondary offering of common stock which closed in January 2004.

 

Income from Operations.    Income from operations totaled $66.0 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 compared to $52.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003, an increase of $13.2 million, or 25.1%. The increase is primarily attributable to the increases in gasoline and merchandise gross profit discussed above, partially offset by the increase in operating, general and administrative expenses also discussed above.

 

EBITDA.    EBITDA is defined by us as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. EBITDA for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 totaled $108.1 million compared to EBITDA of $94.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003, an increase of $14.0 million or 14.9%. The increase is attributable to the increase in income from operations discussed above.

 

EBITDA is not a measure of performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities and other income or cash flow statement data. We have included information concerning EBITDA as one measure of our cash flow and historical ability to service debt and because we believe investors find this information useful because it reflects the resources available for strategic opportunities including, among others, to invest in the business, to make strategic acquisitions and to service debt. EBITDA as defined by us may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

30


Table of Contents

The following table contains a reconciliation of EBITDA to net cash provided by operating activities and cash flows from investing and financing activities (amounts in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended

 
    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 

EBITDA

   $ 108,074     $ 94,065  

Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt

     (59,525 )     (40,075 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (other than depreciation and amortization, provision for deferred income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle)

     24,682       5,585  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:

                

Assets

     (9,023 )     4,407  

Liabilities

     (337 )     (29,433 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 63,871     $ 34,549  

Net cash used in investing activities

   $ (110,120 )   $ (8,266 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ 76,712     $ (12,584 )

 

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt.    As a result of the retirement of our 10.25% subordinated notes and the refinancing of our senior credit facility during the second quarter of fiscal 2004, we incurred $23.1 million in debt extinguishment costs that have been included as a component of interest expense. These charges include the write-off of approximately $11.8 million in unamortized deferred financing costs, the write-off of approximately $3.5 million of unamortized original issue discount and call premiums of approximately $7.8 million. During the third quarter of fiscal 2003, we incurred $2.9 million in debt extinguishment costs related to the refinancing of our outstanding senior credit facility. These costs represented the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.

 

Interest Expense.    Interest expense is primarily comprised of interest on borrowings under our senior credit facility and senior subordinated notes and the loss on extinguishment of debt referred to above. Interest expense, excluding the loss on extinguishment of debt, for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $36.4 million compared to $37.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. The decrease of $0.7 million is primarily the result of a $4.0 million decline in our interest rate swap settlements and a decline of approximately 250 basis points in our average borrowing rate as a result of our second quarter fiscal 2004 refinancing discussed above. These improvements were partially offset by $1.7 million in duplicative interest on our subordinated notes during the 30-day call period in addition to the increase in our weighted average outstanding borrowings as a result of the Golden Gallon® acquisition. During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, we called $200.0 million of our outstanding 10.25% subordinated notes and replaced them with $250.0 million in 7.75% subordinated notes. The 10.25% notes included a 30-day non-cancelable call notice. During this 30-day period, both the 10.25% and 7.75% notes were outstanding, which resulted in duplicative interest expense of $1.7 million. Interest expense associated with the $80.0 million increase in our outstanding borrowings as a result of the Golden Gallon® acquisition was approximately $1.9 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2004.

 

Cumulative Effect Adjustment.    During the first nine months of fiscal 2003, we recorded a one-time cumulative effect charge of $3.5 million (net of taxes of $2.2 million) relating to the recognition of the asset retirement obligation associated with the future disposal of our underground storage tanks in accordance with the adoption of SFAS No. 143.

 

Net Income.    Net Income for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $4.5 million compared to a net income of $5.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. The decrease is attributable to the items discussed above. For the first nine months of fiscal 2003, net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle was $8.7 million.

 

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Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash Flows from Operations.    Due to the nature of our business, substantially all sales are for cash, and cash provided by operations is our primary source of liquidity. We rely primarily upon cash provided by operating activities, supplemented as necessary from time to time by borrowings under our revolving credit facility, sale-leaseback transactions, and asset dispositions to finance our operations, pay interest and principal payments and fund capital expenditures. Cash provided by operating activities increased to $63.9 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 compared to $34.5 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. The increase in cash flow from operations is primarily attributable to the $13.2 million increase in income from operations and a $16.0 million improvement as a result of working capital changes attributable to accounts payable, primarily due to improved payable terms with certain key vendors. We had $103.4 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand at June 24, 2004.

 

Capital Expenditures.    Gross capital expenditures (excluding all acquisitions) for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 were $27.2 million. Our capital expenditures are primarily expenditures for store improvements, store equipment, new store development, information systems and expenditures to comply with regulatory statutes, including those related to environmental matters. We finance substantially all capital expenditures and new store development through cash flow from operations, proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and asset dispositions and vendor reimbursements.

 

Our sale-leaseback program includes the packaging of our owned convenience store real estate, both land and buildings, for sale to investors in return for their agreement to lease the property back to us under long-term leases. We retain ownership of all personal property and gasoline marketing equipment. Our leases are generally operating leases at market rates with lease terms between fifteen and twenty years plus several renewal option periods. The lease payment is based on market rates applied to the cost of each respective property. Our senior credit facility limits or caps the proceeds of sale-leasebacks that we can use to fund our operations or capital expenditures. We received $1.2 million in proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions in the first nine months of fiscal 2004, excluding the $94.5 million received in the Golden Gallon® transaction.

 

In the first nine months of fiscal 2004, we received approximately $10.1 million in proceeds, including asset dispositions ($6.9 million), vendor reimbursements ($2.0 million) and sale-leaseback transactions ($1.2 million), excluding the $94.5 million received in the Golden Gallon® transaction. As a result, our net capital expenditures, excluding all acquisitions, for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 were $17.1 million. We anticipate that net capital expenditures for fiscal 2004 will be approximately $40.0 million.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities.    For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, net cash provided by financing activities was $76.7 million. The net cash provided was primarily the result of additional net borrowings of $85.6 million offset by additional financing costs paid during the first nine months of fiscal 2004 of approximately $11.3 million. At June 24, 2004, our long-term debt consisted primarily of $345.0 million in loans under our senior credit facility and $250.0 million of our 7.75% senior subordinated notes. See “Contractual Obligations and Commitments” for a summary of our long-term debt principal amortization commitments.

 

Senior Credit Facility.    On March 12, 2004, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which consists of a $345.0 million term loan that matures in March, 2011 and a $70.0 million revolving credit facility, which expires in March, 2010. Proceeds from the new senior secured credit facility were used to repay all amounts outstanding under our previous credit facility and loan origination costs. In connection with the amendment, we incurred debt extinguishment charges of $12.4 million, which consisted of the $3.5 million write-off of unamortized original issue discount, $7.9 million in unamortized deferred financing costs and $1.0 million in call premium. We incurred approximately $2.2 million in costs associated with the amendment, which were deferred and will be amortized over the term of the loan agreement. As of June 24, 2004, our outstanding term loan balance was $345.0 million.

 

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Table of Contents

Our $70.0 million revolving credit facility is available to fund working capital, finance general corporate purposes and support the issuance of standby letters of credit. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are limited by our outstanding letters of credit of approximately $34.6 million. Furthermore, the revolving credit facility limits our total outstanding letters of credit to $50.0 million. As of June 24, 2004, we had no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility, we had approximately $35.4 million in available borrowing capacity and $34.6 million of standby letters of credit were issued under the facility.

 

Senior Subordinated Notes.    On February 19, 2004, we completed the sale of $250.0 million of 7.75% senior subordinated notes due February 19, 2014. Interest on the senior subordinated notes is due on February 19 and August 19 of each year. Proceeds from the sale of the senior subordinated notes were used to redeem $200.0 million in outstanding 10 1/4% senior subordinated notes, including a $6.8 million call premium, pay principal of approximately $28.0 million on our senior credit facility and pay related financing costs. We incurred debt extinguishment charges of $10.7 million which consisted of the $6.8 million call premium and $3.9 million of unamortized deferred financing costs. We incurred approximately $6.6 million in costs associated with the new notes, which were deferred and will be amortized over the life of the new notes.

 

Shareholders’ Equity.    As of June 24, 2004, our shareholders’ equity totaled $137.9 million. The $9.2 million increase from September 25, 2003 is attributable to the net income for the period of $4.5 million, an increase in our accumulated other comprehensive income related to our derivative instruments of $1.2 million, a decrease in our shareholder loans outstanding of $0.2 million and an increase in additional paid in capital as a result of warrant and option exercises of $3.3 million. On December 9, 2003, Freeman Spogli exercised its warrants to purchase 2,346,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.45 per share. The exercise was cashless whereby shares of common stock received were reduced by the number of shares having an aggregate fair market value equal to the exercise price or approximately $17.5 million. The aggregate fair value was based on the average closing price on each of the ten days prior to December 9, 2003, or $23.68 per share. Consequently, upon exercise of its warrants, Freeman Spogli received 1,607,855 shares of our common stock.

 

Long Term Liquidity.    We believe that anticipated cash flows from operations and funds available from our existing revolving credit facility, together with cash on hand and vendor reimbursements, will provide sufficient funds to finance our operations and fund our contractual commitments at least for the next 12 months. As a normal part of our business, depending on market conditions, we from time to time consider opportunities to refinance our existing indebtedness, and although we may refinance all or part of our existing indebtedness in the future, there can be no assurances that we will do so. Changes in our operating plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses, additional acquisitions or other events may cause us to need to seek additional debt or equity financing in future periods. There can be no guarantee that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Additional equity financing could be dilutive to the holders of our common stock; and additional debt financing, if available, could impose greater cash payment obligations and more covenants and operating restrictions.

 

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Table of Contents

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

Contractual Obligations.    The following table summarizes by fiscal year our expected long-term debt amortization schedule, future capital lease commitments and future operating lease commitments as of June 24, 2004:

 

Contractual Obligations

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

Fiscal

2004(1)


  

Fiscal

2005


  

Fiscal

2006


  

Fiscal

2007


  

Fiscal

2008


  

Thereafter


  

Total


                    

Long-term debt (2)

   $ 8,009    $ 12,029    $ 16,010    $ 16,000    $ 16,000    $ 527,000    $ 595,048

Interest (3)

     9,730      35,429      33,699      32,163      31,479      128,192      270,692

Capital leases (4)

     899      3,286      3,065      2,994      2,740      22,659      35,643

Operating leases (5)

     16,050      61,682      58,836      57,014      55,280      461,999      710,861
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

Total contractual obligations

   $ 34,688    $ 112,426    $ 111,610    $ 108,171    $ 105,499    $ 1,139,850    $ 1,612,244
    

  

  

  

  

  

  


(1)   Includes only payments to be made for the remaining 14 weeks of fiscal 2004.
(2)   Included in long-term debt are amounts owed on our senior subordinated notes and senior credit facility. These borrowings are further explained in Note 4, Long-term Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Item 1. Financial Statements” in this Form 10-Q. The table assumes our long-term debt is held to maturity.
(3)   Included in interest are expected payments on our senior subordinated notes, senior credit facility and interest rate swap agreements. Variable interest on the senior credit facility and swap agreements is set at the July 30, 2004 rate.
(4)   Included in capital leases is both principal and interest.
(5)   Some of our retail store leases require percentage rentals on sales and contain escalation clauses. The minimum future operating lease payments included above, do not include contingent rental expense. Some lease agreements provide us with the option to renew the lease. Our future operating lease obligations will change if we exercise these renewal options and if we enter into additional operating lease agreements.

 

Letter of Credit Commitments.    The following table summarizes by fiscal year the expiration dates of our standby letters of credit issued under our senior credit facility as of June 24, 2004:

 

     Fiscal
2004(1)


   Fiscal
2005


   Fiscal
2006


   Fiscal
2007


   Fiscal
2008


   Thereafter

   Total

Standby letters of credit

   $ 9    $ 34,563    $    $    $    $    $ 34,572

(1)   Includes only standby letters of credit that expire during the remaining 14 weeks of fiscal 2004.

 

At maturity, we expect to renew a significant number of our standby letters of credit.

 

Environmental Considerations.    Environmental reserves of $13.9 million as of June 24, 2004 represent our estimates for future expenditures for remediation, tank removal and litigation associated with 241 known contaminated sites, respectively, as a result of releases (e.g., overfills, spills and underground storage tank releases) and are based on current regulations, historical results and certain other factors. We estimate that approximately $13.2 million of our environmental obligation will be funded by state trust funds and third party insurance. Also, as of June 24, 2004 there were an additional 508 sites that are known to be contaminated sites that are being remediated by third parties and therefore the costs to remediate such sites are not included in our environmental reserve. Remediation costs for known sites are expected to be incurred over the next one to ten years. Environmental reserves have been established on an undiscounted basis with remediation costs based on

 

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internal and external estimates for each site. Future remediation costs for amounts of deductibles under, or amounts not covered by, state trust fund programs and third party insurance arrangements and for which the timing of payments can be reasonably estimated are discounted using a ten-percent rate.

 

Florida environmental regulations require all single-walled underground storage tanks to be upgraded/replaced with secondary containment by December 31, 2009. In order to comply with these Florida regulations, we will be required to upgrade or replace underground storage tanks at approximately 185 locations. We anticipate that these capital expenditures will be approximately $16.5 million and will begin during fiscal 2004. The ultimate costs incurred will depend on several factors including future store closures, changes in the number of locations upgraded or replaced and changes in the costs to upgrade or replace the underground storage tanks.

 

Merchandise Supply Agreement.    We have a distribution service agreement with McLane Company, Inc., pursuant to which McLane is the primary distributor of traditional grocery products to our stores. In addition, we purchase all of the cigarettes we sell from McLane. The agreement with McLane continues through October 10, 2008 and contains no minimum purchase requirements. We purchase products at McLane’s cost plus an agreed upon percentage, reduced by any promotional allowances and volume rebates offered by manufacturers and McLane. In addition, we received an initial service allowance, which is being amortized over the term of the agreement, and also receive additional per store service allowances, both of which are subject to adjustment based on the number of stores in operation. Total purchases from McLane exceeded 50% of total merchandise purchases in the first nine months of fiscal 2004.

 

Gasoline Supply Agreements.    During February 2003, we signed new gasoline supply agreements with both BP® and Citgo® to brand and supply most of our gasoline products for the next five years. Also, during the third quarter of fiscal 2004 we negotiated an expansion and extension of our gasoline supply agreement with BP®, which will now expire in 2009. We intend to re-brand and/or upgrade images for gasoline offerings at approximately 1,100 locations by the end of fiscal 2005, with 425 locations completed as of June 24, 2004. We expect that BP® will supply approximately 25% of our total gasoline volume, which will be sold under the BP®/Amoco® brand. Citgo® will supply both our private brand gasoline, which will be sold under our own Kangaroo® and other brands, and Citgo® branded gasoline. Including our private brand gasoline, we expect that after the 18-24 month conversion period, Citgo® will supply approximately 60% of our total gasoline volume. The remaining locations, primarily in Florida, will remain branded by Chevron®. We entered into these branding and supply agreements to provide a more consistent operating identity while helping us in our efforts to maximize our gasoline gallon growth and gasoline gross profit dollars. In order to receive full benefits under the contracts, we are required to meet certain purchase levels. We have met our purchase level requirements under our gasoline supply contracts and expect to continue to do so.

 

Other Commitments.    We make various other commitments and become subject to various other contractual obligations, which we believe to be routine in nature and incidental to the operation of the business. Management believes that such routine commitments and contractual obligations do not have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, like all public companies, we expect that we may face slightly increased costs in order to comply with new rules and standards relating to corporate governance and corporate disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and Nasdaq Stock Market rules. We intend to devote all reasonably necessary resources to comply with evolving standards.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (revised December 2003, FIN 46R). This interpretation provides guidance related to identifying variable interest entities (previously known as special purpose entities or SPEs) and determining whether such entities should be consolidated. Certain disclosures are required if it is reasonably possible that a company will consolidate or disclose information about

 

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a variable interest entity when it initially applies FIN 46. This interpretation was effective for our second quarter ending June 24, 2004. We have no investment in or contractual relationship or other business relationship with a variable interest entity and therefore the adoption of FIN 46 did not have any impact on our results of operations and financial condition. However, if we enter into any such arrangement with a variable interest entity in the future (or an entity with which we currently have a relationship is reconsidered based on guidance in FIN 46 to be a variable interest entity), our results of operations and financial condition may be impacted.

 

Risk Factors

 

You should carefully consider the risks described below before making a decision to invest in our securities. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, could negatively impact our results of operations or financial condition in the future. If any of such risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

Risks Related to Our Industry

 

The Convenience Store Industry Is Highly Competitive and Impacted by New Entrants.

 

The industry and geographic areas in which we operate are highly competitive and marked by ease of entry and constant change in the number and type of retailers offering the products and services found in our stores. We compete with other convenience store chains, gasoline stations, supermarkets, drugstores, discount stores, club stores and mass merchants. In recent years, several non-traditional retailers, such as supermarkets, club stores and mass merchants, have impacted the convenience store industry by entering the gasoline retail business. These non-traditional gasoline retailers have obtained a significant share of the motor fuels market and their market share is expected to grow. In some of our markets, our competitors have been in existence longer and have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. As a result, our competitors may be able to respond better to changes in the economy and new opportunities within the industry. To remain competitive, we must constantly analyze consumer preferences and competitors’ offerings and prices to ensure we offer a selection of convenience products and services consumers demand at competitive prices. We must also maintain and upgrade our customer service levels, facilities and locations to remain competitive and drive customer traffic to our stores. Major competitive factors include, among others, location, ease of access, gasoline brands, pricing, product and service selections, customer service, store appearance, cleanliness and safety.

 

Volatility of Wholesale Petroleum Costs Could Impact Our Operating Results.

 

Over the past three fiscal years, our gasoline revenue accounted for approximately 61.5% of total revenues and our gasoline gross profit accounted for approximately 27.8% of total gross profit. Crude oil and domestic wholesale petroleum markets are marked by significant volatility. General political conditions, acts of war or terrorism, and instability in oil producing regions, particularly in the Middle East and South America, could significantly impact crude oil supplies and wholesale petroleum costs. In addition, the supply of gasoline and our wholesale purchase costs could be adversely impacted in the event of shortage, which could result from, among other things, lack of capacity at United States oil refineries or the fact that our gasoline contracts do not guarantee an uninterrupted, unlimited supply of gasoline. Significant increases and volatility in wholesale petroleum costs could result in significant increases in the retail price of petroleum products and in lower gasoline gross margin per gallon. Increases in the retail price of petroleum products could impact consumer demand for gasoline. This volatility makes it extremely difficult to predict the impact future wholesale cost fluctuations will have on our operating results and financial condition. These factors could materially impact our gasoline gallon volume, gasoline gross profit and overall customer traffic, which in turn would impact our merchandise sales.

 

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Wholesale Cost Increases of Tobacco Products Could Impact Our Operating Results.

 

Sales of tobacco products have averaged approximately 12.8% of our total revenue over the past three fiscal years and our tobacco gross profit accounted for approximately 16.6% of total gross profit on average in fiscal 2002 and 2003. Significant increases in wholesale cigarette costs and tax increases on tobacco products, as well as national and local campaigns to discourage smoking in the United States, may have an adverse effect on unit demand for cigarettes domestically. In general, we attempt to pass price increases on to our customers. However, due to competitive pressures in our markets, we may not be able to do so. These factors could materially impact our retail price of cigarettes, cigarette unit volume and revenues, merchandise gross profit and overall customer traffic.

 

Changes in Consumer Behavior, Travel and Tourism Could Impact Our Business.

 

In the convenience store industry, customer traffic is generally driven by consumer preferences and spending trends, growth rates for automobile and truck traffic and trends in travel, tourism and weather. Changes in economic conditions generally or in the Southeast specifically could adversely impact consumer spending patterns and travel and tourism in our markets. Approximately 40% of our stores are located in coastal, resort or tourist destinations. Historically, travel and consumer behavior in such markets is more severely impacted by weak economic conditions. If visitors to resort or tourist locations decline due to economic conditions, changes in consumer preferences, changes in discretionary consumer spending or otherwise, our sales could decline.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

Unfavorable Weather Conditions or Other Trends or Developments in the Southeast Could Adversely Affect Our Business.

 

Substantially all of our stores are located in the southeast region of the United States. Although the Southeast is generally known for its mild weather, the region is susceptible to severe storms including hurricanes, thunderstorms, extended periods of rain, ice storms and heavy snow, all of which we experienced in fiscal 2003.

 

Inclement weather conditions as well as severe storms in the Southeast could damage our facilities or could have a significant impact on consumer behavior, travel and convenience store traffic patterns as well as our ability to operate our locations. In addition, we typically generate higher revenues and gross margins during warmer weather months in the Southeast, which fall within our third and fourth quarters. If weather conditions are not favorable during these periods, our operating results and cash flow from operations could be adversely affected. We would also be impacted by regional occurrences in the Southeast such as energy shortages or increases in energy prices, fires or other natural disasters.

 

Inability to Identify, Acquire and Integrate New Stores Could Adversely Affect Our Ability to Grow Our Business.

 

An important part of our historical growth strategy has been to acquire other convenience stores that complement our existing stores or broaden our geographic presence, such as our acquisition of 138 convenience stores operating under the Golden Gallon® banner on October 16, 2003. From April 1997 through October 2003, we acquired 1,303 convenience stores in 21 major and numerous smaller transactions. We expect to continue to selectively review acquisition opportunities as an element of our growth strategy.

 

Acquisitions involve risks that could cause our actual growth or operating results to differ adversely compared to our expectations or the expectations of securities analysts. For example:

 

    We may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates or acquire additional convenience stores on favorable terms. We compete with others to acquire convenience stores. We believe that this competition may increase and could result in decreased availability or increased prices for suitable acquisition candidates. It may be difficult to anticipate the timing and availability of acquisition candidates.

 

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    During the acquisition process we may fail or be unable to discover some of the liabilities of companies or businesses that we acquire. These liabilities may result from a prior owner’s noncompliance with applicable federal, state or local laws.

 

    We may not be able to obtain the necessary financing, on favorable terms or at all, to finance any of our potential acquisitions.

 

    We may fail to successfully integrate or manage acquired convenience stores.

 

    Acquired convenience stores may not perform as we expect or we may not be able to obtain the cost savings and financial improvements we anticipate.

 

    We face the risk that our existing systems, financial controls, information systems, management resources and human resources will need to grow to support significant growth.

 

Our Substantial Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations Could Adversely Affect Our Financial Health.

 

We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of June 24, 2004, we had consolidated debt, including capital lease obligations, of approximately $611.2 million.

 

We are vulnerable to increases in interest rates because the debt under our senior credit facility is at a variable interest rate. Although in the past we have on occasion entered into certain hedging instruments in an effort to manage our interest rate risk, we cannot assure you that we will continue to do so, on favorable terms or at all, in the future.

 

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences for our stockholders. For example, it could:

 

    make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our debt and our leases;

 

    increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

    require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt and lease obligations, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

 

    limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

    place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness or better access to capital by, for example, limiting our ability to enter into new markets or renovate our stores; and

 

    limit our ability to borrow additional funds in the future.

 

If we are unable to meet our debt and lease obligations, we could be forced to restructure or refinance our obligations, seek additional equity financing or sell assets, which we may not be able to do on satisfactory terms or at all. As a result, we could default on those obligations.

 

In addition, the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes and our senior credit facility, which includes a term loan and a revolving credit facility, contain financial and other restrictive covenants that will limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interests. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our indebtedness, which would adversely affect our financial health and could prevent us from fulfilling our obligations.

 

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Despite Current Indebtedness Levels, We and Our Subsidiaries May Still Be Able to Incur Additional Debt. This Could Further Increase the Risks Associated with Our Substantial Leverage.

 

We and our subsidiaries are still able to incur additional indebtedness. The terms of the indenture that governs our senior subordinated notes permit us to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances. In addition, our senior credit facility permits us to potentially borrow up to an additional $50.0 million for permitted acquisitions (assuming certain financial conditions are met at the time) beyond the $70.0 million we can borrow under our revolving credit facility. If we and our subsidiaries incur additional indebtedness, the related risks that we and they now face could intensify.

 

To Service Our Indebtedness, We Will Require a Significant Amount of Cash. Our Ability to Generate Cash Depends on Many Factors Beyond Our Control.

 

Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and to refinance our indebtedness and fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

 

Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months. We cannot assure you, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our revolving credit facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

 

If We Do Not Comply With the Covenants In Our Senior Credit Facility and the Indenture Governing Our Senior Subordinated Notes or Otherwise Default Under Them, We May Not Have the Funds Necessary to Pay All of Our Indebtedness That Could Become Due.

 

Our senior credit facility and our indenture governing our senior subordinated notes require us to comply with certain covenants. In particular, our senior credit facility prohibits us from incurring any additional indebtedness, except in specified circumstances, or materially amending the terms of any agreement relating to existing indebtedness without lender approval. In addition, our senior credit facility limits our ability to make capital expenditures. Further, our senior credit facility restricts our ability to acquire and dispose of assets, engage in mergers or reorganizations, pay dividends, or make investments. Other restrictive covenants require that we meet interest coverage, minimum EBITDA and leverage tests. A violation of any of these covenants could cause an event of default under the senior credit facility. If we default under that facility because of a covenant breach or otherwise, all outstanding amounts could become immediately due and payable. We cannot assure you that we would have sufficient funds to repay all the outstanding amounts, and any acceleration of amounts due under our senior credit facility or our indenture governing our senior subordinated notes likely would have a material adverse effect on us.

 

We Are Subject to State and Federal Environmental and Other Regulations.

 

Our business is subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations including, but not limited to, environmental regulations, employment laws and regulations, regulations governing the sale of alcohol and tobacco, minimum wage requirements, working condition requirements, public accessibility requirements, citizenship requirements and other laws and regulations. A violation or change of these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, we may, as the owner or operator of our locations, be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of contamination at these or our former locations, whether or not we knew of, or were responsible for, the presence of such contamination. The failure to properly

 

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remediate such contamination may subject us to liability to third parties and may adversely affect our ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow money using such property as collateral. Additionally, persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at sites where they are located, whether or not such site is owned or operated by such person. Although we do not typically arrange for the treatment or disposal of hazardous substances, we may be deemed to have arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances and, therefore, may be liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as other related costs, including governmental fines, and injuries to persons, property and natural resources.

 

Compliance with existing and future environmental laws regulating underground storage tanks may require significant capital expenditures and increased operating and maintenance costs. The remediation costs and other costs required to clean up or treat contaminated sites could be substantial. We pay tank registration fees and other taxes to state trust funds established in our operating areas and maintain private insurance coverage in Florida and Georgia in support of future remediation obligations.

 

These state trust funds or other responsible third parties including insurers are expected to pay or reimburse us for remediation expenses less a deductible. To the extent third parties do not pay for remediation as we anticipate, we will be obligated to make these payments, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Reimbursements from state trust funds will be dependent on the maintenance and continued solvency of the various funds.

 

In the future, we may incur substantial expenditures for remediation of contamination that has not been discovered at existing locations or locations that we may acquire. We cannot assure you that we have identified all environmental liabilities at all of our current and former locations; that material environmental conditions not known to us do not exist; that future laws, ordinances or regulations will not impose material environmental liability on us; or that a material environmental condition does not otherwise exist as to any one or more of our locations. In addition, failure to comply with any environmental laws, ordinances or regulations or an increase in regulations could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

 

State laws regulate the sale of alcohol and tobacco products. A violation or change of these laws could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations because state and local regulatory agencies have the power to approve, revoke, suspend or deny applications for, and renewals of, permits and licenses relating to the sale of these products or to seek other remedies.

 

Any appreciable increase in the statutory minimum wage rate or income or overtime pay or adoption of mandated health benefits would result in an increase in our labor costs and such cost increase, or the penalties for failing to comply with such statutory minimums, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

From time to time, regulations are proposed which, if adopted, could also have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

We Depend on One Principal Supplier for the Majority of Our Merchandise.

 

We purchase over 50% of our general merchandise, including most tobacco products and grocery items, from a single wholesale grocer, McLane Company, Inc., or McLane. We have a contract with McLane until October 2008, but we may not be able to renew the contract upon expiration. A change of suppliers, a disruption in supply or a significant change in our relationship with our principal suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business, cost of sales, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We Depend on Two Principal Suppliers for the Majority of Our Gasoline.

 

During February of 2003, we signed new gasoline supply agreements with BP®, and Citgo Petroleum Corporation, or Citgo®. During the third quarter of fiscal 2004 we negotiated an expansion and extension of our gasoline supply agreement with BP®, which will now expire in 2009. We expect that BP® and Citgo® will supply approximately 85% of our projected gasoline purchases after a conversion process that is expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2005. We have contracts with Citgo® until 2008 and BP® until 2009, but we may not be able to renew either contract upon expiration. A change of suppliers, a disruption in supply or a significant change in our relationship with our principal suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business, cost of sales, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We expect to generate approximately $10 to $12 million of annualized cost savings and other benefits from our gasoline supplier and brand consolidation initiatives. While we believe our estimates of these cost savings and benefits to be reasonable, they are estimates which are difficult to predict and are necessarily speculative in nature. In addition, we cannot assure you that unforeseen factors will not offset the estimated cost savings and other benefits from these initiatives. As a result, our actual cost savings and other anticipated benefits could differ or be delayed, compared to our estimates and to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this report.

 

We May Not Achieve the Full Expected Cost Savings and Other Benefits of Our Acquisition of Golden Gallon®

 

We expect to achieve $8 to $10 million of cost savings and benefits within the 12 to 24 months following the acquisition of Golden Gallon®. These cost savings and benefits include, among others, savings associated with the elimination of duplicate overhead and infrastructure, benefits received by Golden Gallon® under our merchandise and gas supply agreements and the expansion of quick service restaurants in selected stores. While we believe our estimates of these cost savings and benefits to be reasonable, they are estimates which are difficult to predict and are necessarily speculative in nature. There can be no assurance that we will be able to replicate the results that we achieved at our stores at the Golden Gallon® stores. In addition, we cannot assure you that unforeseen factors will not offset the estimated cost savings and other benefits from the acquisition. As a result, our actual cost savings and other anticipated benefits could differ or be delayed, compared to our estimates and to the other information contained in this report.

 

Because We Depend on Our Senior Management’s Experience and Knowledge of Our Industry, We Would Be Adversely Affected if Senior Management Left The Pantry.

 

We are dependent on the continued efforts of our senior management team, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, Peter J. Sodini. Mr. Sodini’s employment contract terminates in September 2006. If, for any reason, our senior executives do not continue to be active in management, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and retain additional qualified senior personnel as needed in the future. In addition, we do not maintain key personnel life insurance on our senior executives and other key employees. We also rely on our ability to recruit store managers, regional managers and other store personnel. If we fail to continue to attract these individuals, our operating results may be adversely affected.

 

Other Risks

 

Future Sales of Additional Shares into the Market May Depress the Market Price of Our Common Stock.

 

If we or our existing stockholders sell shares of our common stock in the public market, including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, or if the market perceives such sales could occur, the market price of our common stock could decline. As of July 27, 2004, there were 20,124,209 shares of our common stock outstanding. Of these shares, 12,389,840 shares are freely tradable (unless held by one of our affiliates) and

 

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7,734,369 shares are held by affiliate investment funds of Freeman Spogli & Co., or Freeman Spogli. Pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, during any three-month period our affiliates can resell up to the greater of (a) 1% of our aggregate outstanding common stock or (b) the average weekly trading volume for the four weeks prior to the sale. In addition, the Freeman Spogli investment funds have registration rights allowing them to require us to register the resale of their shares. Sales by our existing stockholders also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate or to use equity as consideration for future acquisitions.

 

In addition, we have filed registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission that cover up to 5,100,000 shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options granted and to be granted under our stock option plans. Shares registered on a registration statement may be sold freely at any time after issuance.

 

The Interests of Our Largest Stockholder May Conflict with Our Interests and the Interests of Our Other Stockholders.

 

As of July 27, 2004, Freeman Spogli owned 7,734,369 shares of our common stock and its beneficial ownership of our common stock is approximately 38.4%. In addition, three of the eight members of our board of directors are representatives of, or have consulting arrangements with, Freeman Spogli. As a result of its stock ownership and board representation, Freeman Spogli is in a position to affect our corporate actions such as mergers or takeover attempts of us or may take action on its own in a manner that could conflict with our interests or the interests of our other stockholders. In the past, from time to time, we have considered strategic alternatives, including a sale of The Pantry, at the request of Freeman Spogli and with the consent of our board of directors. Although we are not currently considering any strategic alternatives, we may do so in the future.

 

Any Issuance of Shares of Our Common Stock in the Future Could Have a Dilutive Effect on Your Investment.

 

We may sell securities in the public or private equity markets if and when conditions are favorable, even if we do not have an immediate need for capital at that time. Raising funds by issuing securities will dilute the ownership of our existing stockholders. Additionally, certain types of equity securities that we may issue in the future could have rights, preferences or privileges senior to your rights as a holder of our common stock. We could choose to issue additional shares for a variety of reasons including for investment or acquisitive purposes. Such issuances may have a dilutive impact on your investment.

 

The Market Price for Our Common Stock Has Been and May in the Future Be Volatile, Which Could Cause the Value of Your Investment to Decline.

 

There currently is a public market for our common stock, but there is no assurance that there will always be such a market. Securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility could significantly affect the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, the price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to the following factors among others:

 

    A deviation in our results from the expectations of public market analysts and investors;

 

    Statements by research analysts about our common stock, our company or our industry;

 

    Changes in market valuations of companies in our industry and market evaluations of our industry generally;

 

    Additions or departures of key personnel;

 

    Actions taken by our competitors;

 

    Sales or other issuances of common stock by the company, senior officers or other affiliates; or

 

    Other general economic, political or market conditions, many of which are beyond our control.

 

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The market price of our common stock will also be impacted by our quarterly operating results and quarterly comparable store sales growth, which may be expected to fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Factors that may impact our quarterly results and comparable store sales include, among others, general regional and national economic conditions, competition, unexpected costs and changes in pricing, consumer trends, the number of stores we open and/or close during any given period, costs of compliance with corporate governance and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, and other factors discussed in “Risk Factors” and throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” You may not be able to resell your shares of our common stock at or above the price you pay.

 

Our Charter Includes Provisions that May Have the Effect of Preventing or Hindering a Change in Control and Adversely Affecting the Market Price of Our Common Stock.

 

Our certificate of incorporation gives our board of directors the authority to issue up to five million shares of preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences of the preferred stock, without obtaining stockholder approval. The existence of this preferred stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of The Pantry by means of a tender offer, merger, proxy contest or otherwise. Furthermore, this preferred stock could be issued with other rights, including economic rights, senior to our common stock, and, therefore, issuance of the preferred stock could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. We have no present plans to issue any shares of our preferred stock.

 

Other provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or hinder a change in management even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. These governance provisions could affect the market price of our common stock. We may, in the future, adopt other measures that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing an unsolicited takeover, even if such a change in control were at a premium price or favored by a majority of unaffiliated stockholders. These measures may be adopted without any further vote or action by our stockholders.

 

Any of the above factors may cause actual results to vary materially from anticipated results, historical results or recent trends in operating results and financial condition.

 

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

Quantitative Disclosures.    We are exposed to market risks inherent in our financial instruments. These instruments arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business and, in some cases, relate to our acquisitions of related businesses. We are subject to interest rate risk on our existing long-term debt and any future financing requirements. Our fixed rate debt consists primarily of outstanding balances on our senior subordinated notes and our variable rate debt relates to borrowings under our senior credit facility.

 

The following table presents the future principal cash flows and weighted average interest rates based on rates in effect at June 24, 2004, on our existing long-term debt instruments. Fair values have been determined based on quoted market prices as of August 4, 2004.

 

Expected Maturity Date

as of June 24, 2004

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Fiscal
2004


    Fiscal
2005


    Fiscal
2006


    Fiscal
2007


    Fiscal
2008


    Thereafter

    Total

    Fair Value

Long-term debt

   $ 8,009     $ 12,029     $ 16,010     $ 16,000     $ 16,000     $ 527,000     $ 595,048     $ 598,111

Weighted average interest rate

     6.11 %     6.14 %     5.98 %     5.76 %     5.81 %     6.66 %     6.26 %      

 

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In order to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations, we have entered into interest rate swap arrangements in which we agree to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional amount. The interest rate differential is reflected as an adjustment to interest expense over the life of the swaps. Fixed rate swaps are used to reduce our risk of increased interest costs during periods of rising interest rates. At June 24, 2004, the interest rate on 76.0% of our debt was fixed by either the nature of the obligation or through the interest rate swap arrangements compared to 75.5% at June 26, 2003.

 

The following table presents the notional principal amount, weighted average pay rate, weighted average receive rate and weighted average years to maturity on our interest rate swap contracts:

 

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

(Dollars in thousands)

    

June 24,

2004


   

June 26,

2003


 
    

Notional principal amount

   $ 202,000     $ 177,000  

Weighted average pay rate

     2.72 %     4.60 %

Weighted average receive rate

     1.45 %     1.17 %

Weighted average years to maturity

     1.81       1.41  

 

As of June 24, 2004, the fair value of our swap agreements represented a net asset of $0.9 million.

 

Qualitative Disclosures.    Our primary exposure relates to:

 

    interest rate risk on long-term and short-term borrowings;

 

    our ability to pay or refinance long-term borrowings at maturity at market rates;

 

    the impact of interest rate movements on our ability to meet interest expense requirements and exceed financial covenants; and

 

    the impact of interest rate movements on our ability to obtain adequate financing to fund future acquisitions.

 

We manage interest rate risk on our outstanding long-term and short-term debt through our use of fixed and variable rate debt. We expect the interest rate swaps mentioned above will reduce our exposure to short-term interest rate fluctuations. While we cannot predict or manage our ability to refinance existing debt or the impact interest rate movements will have on our existing debt, management evaluates our financial position on an ongoing basis.

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by Form 10-Q, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurances that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period required by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

THE PANTRY, INC.

 

PART II-OTHER INFORMATION.

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

 

On July 17, 2004, we were served with a summons and complaint styled “Constance Barton, Kimberly Clark, Wesley Clark, Tracie Hunt, Eleanor Walters, Karen Meredith, Gilbert Breeden, LaCentia Thompson, and Mathesia Peterson, on behalf of themselves and on behalf of classes of those similarly situated vs. The Pantry, Inc.” filed in the Superior Court for Forsyth County, State of North Carolina. The suit seeks class action status and asserts claims on behalf of The Pantry’s North Carolina present and former employees for unpaid wages under the North Carolina Wage and Hour laws. The suit also seeks an injunction against any unlawful practices, damages, liquidated damages, costs and attorneys’ fees.

 

We believe our employment policies and procedures comply with applicable law and intend to vigorously defend this litigation. We are presently in the preliminary stages of our investigation into this matter and cannot at this time predict the outcome or provide a reasonable estimate of the potential liability, if any, that might arise.

 

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

On March 31, 2004, we held our Annual Meeting of Stockholders during which our stockholders:

 

(1) Elected nine nominees to serve as directors each for a term of one year or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. The votes were cast as follows:

 

Name


   Votes For

   Votes
Withheld


Peter J. Sodini

   19,219,831    99,735

Todd W. Halloran

   19,082,518    237,048

Jon D. Ralph

   19,082,118    237,448

Charles P. Rullman

   19,082,018    237,548

Paul M. Brunswick

   19,189,741    129,825

Peter M. Starrett

   19,221,028    99,538

Hubert E. Yarborough, III

   19,189,438    130,128

Byron E. Allumbaugh

   19,189,838    129,728

Thomas M. Murnane

   19,189,838    129,728

 

Subsequent to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Jon D. Ralph resigned from the Board of Directors. We have not yet appointed a new board member to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Ralph’s resignation.

 

(2) Ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public accountants for the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004. The votes were cast as follows:

 

     Votes For

   Votes
Against


   Votes
Withheld


Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP

   19,193,972    116,959    8,635

 

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Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

  (a)   Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number


   

Description of Document


10.1 (1)   Second Amendment to the Branded Jobber Contract among The Pantry and BP Products North America Inc. dated June 11, 2004 (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information which has been deleted pursuant to a confidential treatment filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission).
10.2     First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Addendum to Distributor Franchise Agreement among The Pantry and Citgo Petroleum Corporation dated July 7, 2004.
31.1     Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2     Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. [This exhibit is being furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by that act, be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any document or filed herewith for purposes of liability under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as the case may be.]
32.2     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. [This exhibit is being furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by that act, be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any document or filed herewith for purposes of liability under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as the case may be.]

(1)   Incorporated by reference from The Pantry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 29, 2004.

 

  (b)   Reports on Form 8-K

 

On April 23, 2004 the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K attaching a press release dated April 22, 2004 announcing results for the three and six months ended March 25, 2004. Information furnished under Item 12 of the Form 8-K (including the press release attached as an exhibit) referenced in the prior sentence is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q or filed with the SEC for purposes of liability under the Exchange Act.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

THE PANTRY, INC.

By:

 

/s/    DANIEL J. KELLY        


   

Daniel J. Kelly

Vice President, Chief Financial

Officer and Assistant Secretary

(Authorized Officer and Principal

Financial Officer)

Date: August 5, 2004

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number


   

Description of Document


10.1 (1)   Second Amendment to the Branded Jobber Contract among The Pantry and BP Products North America Inc. dated June 11, 2004 (asterisks located within the exhibit denote information which has been deleted pursuant to a confidential treatment filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission).
10.2     First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Addendum to Distributor Franchise Agreement among The Pantry and Citgo Petroleum Corporation dated July 7, 2004.
31.1     Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2     Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. [This exhibit is being furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by that act, be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any document or filed herewith for purposes of liability under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as the case may be.]
32.2     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. [This exhibit is being furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by that act, be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any document or filed herewith for purposes of liability under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as the case may be.]

(1)   Incorporated by reference from The Pantry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 29, 2004.

 

48