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Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 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 DECEMBER 15, 2009

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-7323

 

 

FRISCH’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

OHIO    31-0523213
(State or other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)    Identification No.)
  
2800 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio    45206
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 513-961-2660

Not Applicable

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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.     YES  ¨    NO  ¨

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

 

Large Accelerated Filer    ¨    Accelerated Filer    x
Non-accelerated Filer    ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

The total number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s no par common stock, as of December 21, 2009 was: 5,107,058

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

               Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
   Item 1.    Financial Statements:   
      Consolidated Statement of Earnings    3
      Consolidated Balance Sheet    4 - 5
      Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity    6
      Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows    7
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements    8 - 27
   Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    28 - 36
   Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    36
   Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    37
   Item 4T.    Controls and Procedures    37
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION   
   Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    37 - 38
   Item 1A.    Risk Factors    38 - 41
   Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    41
   Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    41
   Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    41
   Item 5.    Other Information    41
   Item 6.    Exhibits    41 - 43
SIGNATURE    44


Table of Contents

Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

(Unaudited)

 

     Twenty-eight weeks ended     Twelve weeks ended  
     December 15,
2009
    December 16,
2008
    December 15,
2009
    December 16,
2008
 

Sales

   $ 156,880,688      $ 158,974,692      $ 67,898,586      $ 69,093,061   

Cost of sales

        

Food and paper

     53,075,730        57,746,647        22,801,768        24,473,276   

Payroll and related

     52,485,072        52,147,898        22,780,472        22,550,896   

Other operating costs

     35,203,236        35,869,617        15,186,087        15,431,697   
                                
     140,764,038        145,764,162        60,768,327        62,455,869   

Gross profit

     16,116,650        13,210,530        7,130,259        6,637,192   

Administrative and advertising

     7,961,808        7,746,466        3,507,418        3,308,094   

Franchise fees and other revenue

     (688,374     (691,892     (296,115     (291,241

Gains on sale of assets

     —          (1,115,910     —          —     
                                

Operating profit

     8,843,216        7,271,866        3,918,956        3,620,339   

Interest expense

     965,334        1,087,019        433,739        498,552   
                                

Earnings before income taxes

     7,877,882        6,184,847        3,485,217        3,121,787   

Income taxes

     2,521,000        1,794,000        1,116,000        906,000   
                                

Net Earnings

   $ 5,356,882      $ 4,390,847      $ 2,369,217      $ 2,215,787   
                                

Earnings per share (EPS) of common stock:

        

Basic net earnings per share

   $ 1.05      $ .86      $ .46      $ .43   
                                

Diluted net earnings per share

   $ 1.03      $ .85      $ .46      $ .43   
                                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet

ASSETS

 

     December 15,
2009
  

June 2,

2009

     (unaudited)        

Current Assets

     

Cash and equivalents

   $ 1,637,506    $ 898,779

Trade and other receivables

     1,426,932      1,549,226

Inventories

     5,200,914      6,531,127

Prepaid expenses and sundry deposits

     1,826,103      891,176

Prepaid and deferred income taxes

     1,531,548      1,588,721
             

Total current assets

     11,623,003      11,459,029

Property and Equipment

     

Land and improvements

     74,923,167      71,247,614

Buildings

     98,503,851      95,057,324

Equipment and fixtures

     94,292,848      91,137,232

Leasehold improvements and buildings on leased land

     23,955,566      24,561,228

Capitalized leases

     1,333,899      1,558,209

Construction in progress

     2,594,572      3,424,332
             
     295,603,903      286,985,939

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     133,925,730      129,348,004
             

Net property and equipment

     161,678,173      157,637,935

Other Assets

     

Goodwill

     740,644      740,644

Other intangible assets

     761,101      806,903

Investments in land

     923,435      691,834

Property held for sale

     2,751,532      2,526,176

Deferred income taxes

     2,149,968      1,662,888

Other

     1,748,056      1,450,539
             

Total other assets

     9,074,736      7,878,984
             

Total assets

   $ 182,375,912    $ 176,975,948
             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     December 15,
2009
(unaudited)
    June 2,
2009
    
 

Current Liabilities

    

Long-term obligations due within one year

    

Long-term debt

   $ 7,983,807      $ 7,740,616   

Obligations under capitalized leases

     232,303        239,461   

Self insurance

     459,498        396,001   

Accounts payable

     11,273,172        8,038,418   

Accrued expenses

     9,250,368        11,555,028   

Income taxes

     64,058        41,567   
                

Total current liabilities

     29,263,206        28,011,091   

Long-Term Obligations

    

Long-term debt

     21,457,611        21,961,677   

Obligations under capitalized leases

     279,366        397,626   

Self insurance

     999,262        727,997   

Underfunded pension obligation

     7,675,534        7,507,375   

Deferred compensation and other

     4,262,716        3,993,038   
                

Total long-term obligations

     34,674,489        34,587,713   

Commitments

     —          —     

Shareholders’ Equity

    

Capital stock

    

Preferred stock - authorized, 3,000,000 shares without par value; none issued

     —          —     

Common stock - authorized, 12,000,000 shares without par value; issued, 7,585,764 and 7,582,347 shares - stated value - $1

     7,585,764        7,582,347   

Additional contributed capital

     65,029,073        64,721,328   
                
     72,614,837        72,303,675   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (6,349,299     (6,634,422

Retained earnings

     85,723,520        82,306,488   
                
     79,374,221        75,672,066   

Less cost of treasury stock (2,478,706 and 2,482,233 shares)

     (33,550,841     (33,598,597
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     118,438,217        114,377,144   
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 182,375,912      $ 176,975,948   
                

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity

Twenty-eight weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

     Common stock
at $1 per share -
Shares and
amount
   Additional
contributed
capital
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Retained
earnings
    Treasury
shares
    Total  

Balance at June 3, 2008

   $ 7,580,263    $ 64,451,899      $ (1,992,515   $ 74,034,980      $ (33,359,781   $ 110,714,846   

Net earnings for twenty-eight weeks

     —        —          —          4,390,847        —          4,390,847   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

     —        —          96,935        —          —          96,935   

Stock options exercised - treasury shares re-issued

     —        (5,210     —          —          13,520        8,310   

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —        4,907        —          —          —          4,907   

Other treasury shares re-issued

     —        4,048        —          —          4,136        8,184   

Treasury shares acquired

     —        —          —          —          (256,472     (256,472

Stock-based compensation expense

     —        137,701        —          —          —          137,701   

Employee stock purchase plan

     —        8,245        —          —          —          8,245   

Cash dividends - $.36 per share

     —        —          —          (1,837,584     —          (1,837,584
                                               

Balance at December 16, 2008

     7,580,263      64,601,590        (1,895,580     76,588,243        (33,598,597     113,275,919   

Net earnings for twenty-four weeks

     —        —          —          6,330,008        —          6,330,008   

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     —        —          (4,738,842     —          —          (4,738,842

Stock options exercised - new shares issued

     2,084      29,377        —          —          —          31,461   

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —        6,853        —          —          —          6,853   

Stock-based compensation expense

     —        111,168        —          —          —          111,168   

Employee stock purchase plan

     —        (27,660     —          —          —          (27,660

Cash dividends - $.12 per share

     —        —          —          (611,763     —          (611,763
                                               

Balance at June 2, 2009

     7,582,347      64,721,328        (6,634,422     82,306,488        (33,598,597     114,377,144   

Net earnings for twenty-eight weeks

     —        —          —          5,356,882        —          5,356,882   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

     —        —          285,123        —          —          285,123   

Stock options exercised - new shares issued

     3,417      80,449        —          —          —          83,866   

Stock options exercised - treasury shares re-issued

     —        (3,480     —          —          13,540        10,060   

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —        6,144        —          —          —          6,144   

Other treasury shares re-issued

     —        40,557        —          —          34,216        74,773   

Stock based compensation expense

     —        174,239        —          —          —          174,239   

Employee stock purchase plan

     —        9,836        —          —          —          9,836   

Cash dividends - $.38 per share

     —        —          —          (1,939,850     —          (1,939,850
                                               

Balance at December 15, 2009

   $ 7,585,764    $ 65,029,073      $ (6,349,299   $ 85,723,520      $ (33,550,841   $ 118,438,217   
                                               

Comprehensive income:

                    Twenty-eight
weeks ended
December 15,
2009
    Twenty-four
weeks ended
June 2,

2009
    Twenty-eight
weeks ended
December 16,
2008
 

Net earnings for the period

  

  $ 5,356,882      $ 6,330,008      $ 4,390,847   

Change in defined benefit pension plans, net of tax

  

    285,123        (4,738,842     96,935   
                               

Comprehensive income

  

  $ 5,642,005      $ 1,591,166      $ 4,487,782   
                               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

6


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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Twenty-eight weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008

(unaudited)

 

     December 15,
2009
    December 16,
2008
 

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Net earnings

   $ 5,356,882      $ 4,390,847   

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     7,436,032        7,265,160   

Loss (gain) on disposition of assets, net of abandonment losses

     117,360        (988,987

Pension plans - expense recognized from accumulated other comprehensive income

     432,004        146,863   

Stock-based compensation expense

     174,239        137,701   
                
     13,516,517        10,951,584   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     122,294        (338

Inventories

     812,092        (416,108

Prepaid expenses and sundry deposits

     (934,927     (321,908

Other assets

     35,227        (73,242

Prepaid, accrued and deferred income taxes

     (548,154     (192,428

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     (6,144     (4,907

Accounts payable

     2,570,836        437,983   

Accrued expenses

     (2,304,660     192,016   

Self insured obligations

     334,762        (134,309

Underfunded pension obligation

     168,159        614,505   

Deferred compensation and other liabilities

     269,678        (756,547
                
     519,163        (655,283
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     14,035,680        10,296,301   

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:

    

Additions to property and equipment

     (11,548,046     (11,478,563

Proceeds from disposition of property

     15,580        1,584,044   

Change in other assets

     (286,942     457,947   
                

Net cash (used in) investing activities

     (11,819,408     (9,436,572

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

    

Proceeds from borrowings

     4,000,000        5,000,000   

Payment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     (4,386,293     (4,876,880

Cash dividends paid

     (1,275,931     (1,225,820

Proceeds from stock options exercised - new shares issued

     83,866        —     

Proceeds from stock options exercised - treasury shares re-issued

     10,060        8,310   

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     6,144        4,907   

Treasury shares acquired

     —          (256,472

Treasury shares re-issued

     74,773        8,184   

Employee stock purchase plan

     9,836        8,245   
                

Net cash (used in) financing activities

     (1,477,545     (1,329,526
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents

     738,727        (469,797

Cash and equivalents at beginning of year

     898,779        801,297   
                

Cash and equivalents at end of quarter

   $ 1,637,506      $ 331,500   
                

Supplemental disclosures:

    

Interest paid

   $ 943,688      $ 1,070,037   

Income taxes paid

     3,126,354        1,986,530   

Income tax refunds received

     57,201        100   

Dividends declared but not paid

     663,919        611,764   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE A – ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows:

Description of the Business

Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) is a regional company that operates full service family-style restaurants under the name “Frisch’s Big Boy.” The Company also operates grill buffet style restaurants under the name “Golden Corral” pursuant to certain licensing agreements. All 89 Big Boy restaurants operated by the Company as of December 15, 2009 are located in various regions of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. All 35 Golden Corral restaurants operated by the Company as of December 15, 2009 are located primarily in the greater metropolitan areas of Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Company owns the trademark “Frisch’s” and has exclusive, irrevocable ownership of the rights to the “Big Boy” trademark, trade name and service marks in the states of Kentucky and Indiana, and in most of Ohio and Tennessee. All of the Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants also offer “drive-thru” service. The Company also licenses Big Boy restaurants to other operators, currently in certain parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. In addition, the Company operates a commissary and food manufacturing plant near its headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio that services all Big Boy restaurants operated by the Company, and is available to supply restaurants licensed to others.

Consolidation Practices

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all of the Company’s accounts, prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). Significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, these interim financial statements include all adjustments (all of which were normal and recurring) necessary for a fair presentation of all periods presented.

Reclassification

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 week (364 days) or 53 week (371 days) period ending on the Tuesday nearest to the last day of May. The first quarter of each fiscal year contains sixteen weeks, while the last three quarters each normally contain twelve weeks. Every fifth or sixth year, the additional week needed to make a 53 week year is added to the fourth quarter, resulting in a thirteen week fourth quarter. The current fiscal year will end on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 (fiscal year 2010), a period of 52 weeks. The year that ended June 2, 2009 (fiscal year 2009) was also a 52 week year.

Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use estimates and assumptions to measure certain items that affect the amounts reported. These judgments are based on knowledge and experience about past and current events, and assumptions about future events. Although management believes its estimates are reasonable and adequate, future events affecting them may differ markedly from current judgment. Significant estimates and assumptions are used to measure self-insurance liabilities, deferred executive compensation obligations, net periodic pension cost and future pension obligations, the carrying values of property held for sale and for long-lived assets including property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.

Management considers the following accounting policies to be critical accounting policies because the application of estimates to these policies requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments: self-insurance liabilities, net periodic pension cost and future pension obligations, and the carrying values of long-lived assets.

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE A – ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Funds in transit from credit card processors are classified as cash. Highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered as cash equivalents.

Receivables

Trade notes and accounts receivable are valued on the reserve method. The reserve balance was $30,000 as of December 15, 2009 and June 2, 2009. The reserve is monitored for adequacy based on historical collection patterns and write-offs, and current credit risks.

Inventories

Inventories, comprised principally of food items, are valued at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method, or market.

Accounting for Rebates

Cash consideration received from certain food vendors is treated as a reduction of cost of sales and is recognized in the same periods in which the rebates are earned.

Leases

Minimum scheduled lease payments on operating leases, including escalating rental payments, are recognized as rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Under certain circumstances, the lease term used to calculate straight-line rent expense includes option periods that have yet to be legally exercised. Contingent rentals, typically based on a percentage of restaurant sales in excess of a fixed amount, are expensed as incurred. Rent expense is also recognized during that part of the lease term when no rent is paid to the landlord, often referred to as a “rent holiday,” that generally occurs while a restaurant is being constructed on leased land. The Company does not typically receive leasehold incentives from landlords.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided principally on the straight-line method over the estimated service lives, which range from ten to 25 years for new buildings or components thereof and five to ten years for equipment. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the lease term. Property betterments are capitalized while the cost of maintenance and repairs is expensed as incurred.

The cost of land not yet in service is included in “construction in progress” if construction has begun or if construction is likely within the next twelve months. As of December 15, 2009, two Big Boy restaurant buildings were under construction on land owned by the Company, with estimated costs of approximately $3,220,000 remaining to complete the projects. Several contracts to acquire sites for future development had been entered before December 15, 2009, all of which were cancellable at the Company’s sole discretions while due diligence is pursued under the inspection period provisions of the contracts.

Interest on borrowings is capitalized during active construction periods of new restaurants. Capitalized interest was $32,000 and $40,000 respectively, for the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008, and was zero in each of the twelve weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008.

Five Big Boy restaurant facilities, which had been occupied under month-to-month arrangements until litigation was resolved, were acquired on September 1, 2009 for the total sum of $4,000,000. (See Note C- Leased Property. Also see Litigation in Note H – Commitments and Contingencies).

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE A – ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

The cost of land on which construction is not likely within the next twelve months is classified as “Investments in land” in the consolidated balance sheet. Surplus property that is no longer needed by the Company, including two former Big Boy restaurants (one ceased operations near the end of fiscal year 2008 and the other near the end of fiscal year 2009), is classified as “Property held for sale” in the consolidated balance sheet. All of the surplus property is stated at net realizable value. Market values are generally determined by opinions of value provided by real estate brokers and/or management’s judgment.

Costs incurred during the application development stage of computer software that is developed or obtained for internal use is capitalized, while the costs of the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred, along with certain other costs such as training. Capitalized computer software is amortized on the straight-line method over the estimated service lives, which range from three to ten years. Software assets are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable over the remaining service life.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Management considers a history of cash flow losses on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis to be its primary indicator of potential impairment of assets. Carrying values are tested for impairment at least annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of the assets may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the property. When undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than carrying values, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying values exceed the greater of the net present value of the future cash flow stream or a floor value. Floor values are generally determined by opinions of value provided by real estate brokers and/or management’s judgment as developed through its experience in disposing of unprofitable restaurant properties.

No impairment losses were recognized during either the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009 or December 16, 2008, or during the twelve week periods ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008. Three Golden Corral restaurants that were determined to be impaired in fiscal year 2008 remain in operation.

Restaurant Closing Costs

Any liabilities associated with exit or disposal activities are recognized only when the liabilities are incurred, rather than upon the commitment to an exit or disposal plan. Conditional obligations that meet the definition of an asset retirement obligation are currently recognized if fair value is reasonably estimable.

The carrying values of closed restaurant properties that are held for sale are reduced to estimated net realizable value in accordance with the accounting policy for impairment of long-lived assets (see above). When leased restaurant properties are closed, a provision is made equal to the present value of remaining non-cancellable lease payments after the closing date, net of estimated subtenant income. The carrying values of leasehold improvements are also reduced in accordance with the accounting policy for impairment of long-lived assets.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Including Licensing Agreements

As of December 15, 2009 and June 2, 2009, the carrying amount of goodwill that was acquired in prior years amounted to $741,000. Acquired goodwill is tested annually for impairment and whenever an impairment indicator arises. Impairment losses are recorded when impairment is determined to have occurred.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE A – ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Other intangible assets consist principally of initial franchise fees paid for each new Golden Corral restaurant the Company has opened (finite useful lives are subject to amortization) or has the right to open (yet to be determined useful lives are not subject to amortization). Amortization of the $40,000 initial fee begins when the restaurant opens and is computed using the straight-line method over the 15 year term of each individual restaurant’s franchise agreement. The fees are ratably amortized at $2,667 per year per restaurant, which equates to $85,000 per year in each of the next five years for the 35 Golden Corral restaurants that were in operation as of December 15, 2009, net of three impaired Golden Corral restaurants (see below). Amortization for the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008 was $46,000 and $46,000 respectively, and was $20,000 and $20,000 respectively, for the twelve weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008.

Other intangible assets are tested annually for impairment and whenever an impairment indicator arises. The remainder of unamortized initial franchise fees associated with three impaired Golden Corral restaurants (see Impairment of Long-Lived Assets elsewhere in Note A – Accounting Policies) were written-off in fiscal year 2008. The three restaurants remain in operation.

Miscellaneous other intangible assets are not currently being amortized because these assets have indefinite or yet to be determined useful lives. An analysis of other intangible assets follows:

 

     December 15,
2009
    June 2,
2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Golden Corral initial franchise fees subject to amortization

   $ 1,280      $ 1,280   

Less accumulated amortization

     (625     (579
                

Carrying amount of Golden Corral initial franchise fees subject to amortization

     655        701   

Current portion of Golden Corral initial franchise fees subject to amortization

     (85     (85

Golden Corral fees not yet subject to amortization

     135        135   

Other intangible assets not subject to amortization

     56        56   
                

Total other intangible assets

   $ 761      $ 807   
                

The franchise agreements with Golden Corral Franchising Systems, Inc. also require the Company to pay fees based on defined gross sales. These costs are charged to other operating costs as incurred.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from restaurant operations is recognized upon the sale of products as they are sold to customers. All sales revenue is recorded on a net basis, which excludes sales tax collected from being reported as sales revenue and sales tax remitted from being reported as a cost. Revenue from the sale of commissary products to Big Boy restaurants licensed to other operators is recognized upon shipment of product. Revenue from franchise fees, based on certain percentages of sales volume generated in Big Boy restaurants licensed to other operators, is recorded on the accrual method as earned. Initial franchise fees are recognized as revenue when the fees are deemed fully earned and non-refundable, which ordinarily occurs upon the execution of the license agreement, in consideration of the Company’s services to that time.

Revenue from the sale of gift cards is deferred for recognition until the gift card is redeemed by the cardholder, or when the probability becomes remote that the cardholder will demand full performance by the Company and there is no legal obligation to the remit the value of the unredeemed gift card under applicable state escheatment statutes.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE A – ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

New Store Opening Costs

New store opening costs consist of new employee training costs, the cost of a team to coordinate the opening and the cost of certain replaceable items such as uniforms and china. New store opening costs are charged to other operating costs as incurred:

 

     28 weeks ended    12 weeks ended
     Dec. 15,
2009
   Dec. 16,
2008
   Dec. 15,
2009
   Dec. 16,
2008
     (in thousands)

Big Boy

   $ 226    $ 531    $ 212    $ 202

Golden Corral

     —        —        —        —  
                           
   $ 226    $ 531    $ 212    $ 202
                           

Benefit Plans

The Company maintains two qualified defined benefit pension plans: the Pension Plan for Managers, Office and Commissary Employees (the Salaried Pension Plan) and the Pension Plan for Operating Unit Hourly Employees (the Hourly Pension Plan). Plan benefits are based on years-of-service and other factors. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum annual amount sufficient to satisfy legal funding requirements plus additional discretionary tax deductible amounts that may be deemed advisable, even when no minimum funding is required. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service-to-date, but also for those expected to be earned in the future (see Note E – Pension Plans).

The Hourly Pension Plan covers hourly restaurant employees. The Plan was amended on July 1, 2009 to freeze all future accruals for credited service under the Plan after August 31, 2009. The Plan had previously been closed to all hourly paid restaurant employees that were hired after December 31, 1998. Hourly restaurant employees hired January 1, 1999 or after have been eligible to participate in the Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. Hourly Employees 401(k) Savings Plan (the Hourly Savings Plan), a defined contribution plan that provided a 40 percent match by the Company on the first ten percent of earnings deferred by the participants. The Company’s match had vested on a scale based on length of service that reached 100 percent after four years of service. The Hourly Savings Plan was amended effective September 1, 2009 to provide for immediate vesting along with a 100 percent match from the Company on the first three percent of earnings deferred by participants. All hourly restaurant employees are now eligible to participate, regardless of when hired.

The Salaried Pension Plan covers restaurant management, office and commissary employees (salaried employees). The Plan was amended on July 1, 2009 to close entry into the Plan to employees hired after June 30, 2009. Salaried employees hired before June 30, 2009 will continue to participate in the Salaried Pension Plan and be credited with normal benefits for years of service. Salaried employees are automatically enrolled, unless otherwise elected, in the Frisch’s Employee 401(k) Savings Plan (the Salaried Savings Plan), a defined contribution plan. The Salaried Savings Plan provides immediate vesting under two different Company matching schedules. Employees who are participants in the Salaried Pension Plan (hired before June 30, 2009) may continue to defer up to 25 percent of their compensation under the Salaried Savings Plan, with the Company contributing a ten percent match on the first eighteen percent deferred. Beginning September 1, 2009, salaried employees hired after June 30, 2009 receive a 100 percent match from the Company on the first three percent of compensation deferred.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE A – ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

The executive officers of the Company and certain other “highly compensated employees” (HCE’s) are disqualified from participation in the Salaried Savings Plan. A non-qualified savings plan – Frisch’s Executive Savings Plan (FESP) – provides a means by which the HCE’s may continue to defer a portion of their compensation. FESP allows deferrals of up to 25 percent of a participant’s compensation into a choice of mutual funds or common stock of the Company. Matching contributions are added to the first ten percent of salary deferred at a rate of ten percent for deferrals into mutual funds, while a fifteen percent match is added to deferrals into the Company’s common stock. HCE’s hired after June 30, 2009 receive a 100 percent matching contribution from the Company on the first three percent of compensation deferred into either mutual funds or common stock.

Although the Company owns the mutual funds until the retirement of the participants, the funds are invested at the direction of the participants. The common stock is a “phantom investment” that may be paid in actual shares or in cash upon retirement of the participant. The FESP liability to the participants is included in “Deferred compensation and other” long term obligations in the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company also maintains an unfunded non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) that was originally intended to provide a supplemental retirement benefit to the HCE’s whose benefits under the Salaried Pension Plan were reduced when their compensation exceeded Internal Revenue Code imposed limitations or when elective salary deferrals were made to FESP. The SERP was amended effective January 1, 2000 to exclude any benefit accruals after December 31, 1999 (interest continues to accrue) and to close entry into the Plan by any HCE hired after December 31, 1999.

Effective January 1, 2000, a Nondeferred Cash Balance Plan was adopted to provide comparable retirement type benefits to the HCE’s in lieu of future accruals under the Salaried Pension Plan and the SERP. The comparable benefit amount is determined each year and converted to a lump sum (reported as W-2 compensation) from which taxes are withheld and the net amount is deposited into the HCE’s individual trust account (see Note E – Pension Plans).

FESP assets are the principal components of “Other long-term assets” in the consolidated balance sheet, along with the value, if any, of pension plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligations (see Note E – Pension Plans).

Self-Insurance

The Company self-insures its Ohio workers’ compensation claims up to $300,000 per claim. Initial self-insurance liabilities are accrued based on prior claims history, including an amount developed for incurred but unreported claims. Active claims management and post accident drug testing in recent years have effected vast improvements in claims experience. Management performs a comprehensive review each fiscal quarter and adjusts the self- insurance liabilities as deemed appropriate based on claims experience. Below is a summary of reductions or (increases) to the self-insurance liabilities that were credited to or (charged against) earnings:

 

28 weeks ended  

12 weeks ended

Dec. 15,
2009

  Dec. 16,
2008
  Dec. 15,
2009
    Dec. 16,
2008
(in thousands)
$(539)   $ 42   $ (330   $ 42
                     

Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided on all items included in the consolidated statement of earnings regardless of when such items are reported for tax purposes. The provision for income taxes in all periods presented has been computed based on management’s estimate of the effective tax rate for the entire year.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE A – ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accounts receivable, investments and long-term debt. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents together with accounts payable and accounts receivable approximate their fair value based on their short term character. The fair value of long-term debt is disclosed in Note B – Long-Term Debt. The Company does not use the fair value option for reporting financial assets and financial liabilities. Therefore, unrealized gains and losses are not reported in earnings. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments.

New Accounting Pronouncements

“The FASB Accounting Standard Codification and Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (FASB Accounting Standards Codification) is effective for all interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. It was issued to establish the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by FASB to be applied in the preparation of financial statements that conform with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). As a result, legacy references to previously issued authoritative accounting literature have not been used in the preparation of the financial statements contained herein for the 28 week and twelve week periods ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008.

“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820 (ASC Topic 820), clarifies the definition of fair value, provides a framework for the measurement of fair value, and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. ASC Topic 820 was effective for fiscal years that begin after November 15, 2007 (fiscal year 2009) for financial assets and liabilities. Its adoption on June 4, 2008 had no material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The effective date of ASC Topic 820 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities is for fiscal years that begin after November 15, 2008 (fiscal year 2010). Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are used primarily in the impairment analyses of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. Its adoption on June 3, 2009 had no material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

“Subsequent Events”, FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 855 (ASC Topic 855), establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events occurring subsequent to the date of the balance sheet, but before financial statements are issued. ASC Topic 855 is applicable to the Company’s interim and annual periods that end after June 15, 2009. The Company evaluated all transactions that occurred after December 15, 2009 through the date the financial statements contained herein were issued, January 20, 2010. The evaluation determined that no material recognizable subsequent events had occurred.

“Employers’ Disclosure about Post Retirement Benefit Plan Assets”, FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715-20 (ASC Topic 715-20), requires expanded disclosures about plan assets in an employer’s defined benefit pension or other post retirement plan. The expanded disclosures require information to be provided on how investment decisions are made, the major categories of plan assets, input and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of plan assets, and concentrations of risk with plan assets. The Company will report the expanded disclosures required by ASC Topic 715-20 in its annual financial statements for the period ending June 1, 2010.

The Company reviewed all other significant newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to the Company’s business or that no material effect is expected on the financial statements as a result of future adoption.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE B – LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 

     December 15, 2009    June 2, 2009
     Payable
within
one year
   Payable
after one
year
   Payable
within
one year
   Payable
after one
year
     (in thousands)
Construction Draw Facility -            

Construction Phase Loans

   $ —      $      —      $ —      $ 1,000

Term Loans

     6,761      18,486      6,851      20,962
Revolving Credit Agreement -            

Revolving Loan

     —      —        —        —  

2007 Term Loan (former Bullet Loan)

     272    —        890      —  

2009 Term Loan

     951    2,972      —        —  
                         
   $ 7,984    $21,458    $ 7,741    $ 21,962
                         

The portion payable after one year matures as follows:

 

     December 15,
2009
   June 2,
2009
     (in thousands)

Period ending in 2011

   $ 6,920    $ 7,424

2012

     5,868      5,119

2013

     4,084      3,848

2014

     2.650      2,808

2015

     1,609      1,894
Subsequent to 2015      327      869
             
   $ 21,458    $ 21,962
             

The Company has two loan agreements in place with the same lending institution, under which the Company may not assume or permit to exist any other indebtedness. Both of these loan agreements were amended and restated in September 2009.

The Construction Draw Facility (the Facility) is an unsecured draw credit line intended to finance new restaurant construction. The September 2009 amendment increased the amount available to be borrowed from $4,500,000 to $8,000,000. Unless it is extended sooner, the Facility is currently scheduled to expire October 21, 2010.

The Facility is subject to a commitment fee equal to .25 percent of the amount available to be borrowed. Under the terms of the Facility, funds borrowed are initially governed as a Construction Phase Loan, with interest determined by a pricing matrix that uses changeable basis points, determined by certain of the Company’s financial ratios. Interest is payable at the end of each specific rate period selected by the Company, which may be monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. Within six months of the completion and opening of each restaurant, the balance outstanding under each Construction Phase Loan must be converted to a Term Loan. Outstanding balances of loans initiated prior to September 2007 had to be converted with an amortization period not to exceed seven years. Loans initiated in or after September 2007 may be converted with amortization periods of up to twelve years. For any Term Loan converted with an amortization period of less than twelve years, a one-time option is available during the chosen term to extend the amortization period up to twelve years. Upon conversion to an amortizing Term Loan, the Company may select a fixed interest rate over the chosen term or may choose among various adjustable rate options.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE B – LONG TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

 

As of December 15, 2009, the aggregate outstanding balance under the Facility was $25,247,000, which consisted entirely of Term Loans. There was no balance in the Construction Phase awaiting conversion. Since the inception of the Facility, sixteen of the Term Loans ($37,500,000 out of $84,500,000 in original notes) have been retired as of December 15, 2009. All of the outstanding Term Loans are subject to fixed interest rates, the weighted average of which is 6.07 percent, all of which are being repaid in 84 equal monthly installments of principal and interest aggregating $686,000, expiring in various periods ranging from August 2010 through August 2016. Prepayments of the existing Term Loans are permissible upon payment of sizeable prepayment fees and other amounts. The September 2009 amendment to the Facility added a breakfunding provision. For Term Loans initiated after September 2009, the Company has been granted the option at the time of conversion to include a small premium over the otherwise applicable fixed interest rate in exchange for the right to prepay in whole or in part at anytime without incurring a prepayment fee. Unless the Facility is extended sooner, any outstanding amount in the Construction Phase that has not been converted into a Term Loan on October 21, 2010 shall mature and be payable in full at that time.

The Revolving Credit Agreement is comprised of three separate loans. Its primary function is to provide an unsecured Revolving Loan that allows for borrowing of up to $5,000,000 to fund temporary working capital needs through October 21, 2010, unless extended sooner. The Revolving Loan, none of which was outstanding as of December 15, 2009, will mature and be payable in full October 21, 2010, unless extended sooner. It is subject to a 30 consecutive day out-of-debt period each year. Interest is determined by the same pricing matrix used for Construction Phase Loans under the Construction Draw Facility. Interest is payable at the end of each specific rate period selected by the Company, which may be monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. The loan is also subject to a .25 percent unused commitment fee.

The 2007 Term Loan (a bullet loan prior to March 15, 2007) requires 36 equal monthly installments of $92,000 including principal and interest at a fixed 6.13 percent rate. The final payment is due March 15, 2010. The 2007 Term Loan is secured by mortgages that encumber the real property of two Golden Corral restaurants that have an approximate book value of $3,895,000 as of December 15, 2009.

The 2009 Term Loan was borrowed in September 2009 to fund the acquisition of five Big Boy restaurants from the landlord of the facilities. (See Note C – Leased Property. Also see Litigation in Note H – Commitments and Contingencies.) The 2009 Term Loan requires 48 monthly installments of $89,000 including principal and interest at a fixed 3.47 percent rate. The final payment is due October 21, 2013. The 2009 Term Loan is unsecured.

Both the Construction Draw Facility and the Revolving Credit Agreement contain covenants relating to cash flows, debt levels, asset dispositions, investments and restrictions on pledging certain restaurant operating assets. The Company was in compliance with all loan covenants as of December 15, 2009. Compensating balances are not required by these loan agreements.

The fair values of the fixed rate Term Loan within the Construction Draw Facility as shown in the following table are based on fixed rates that would be available at December 15, 2009 if the loans could be refinanced with terms similar to the remaining terms under the present Term Loans. The carrying value of all other long-term debt approximates fair value.

 

     Carrying Value    Fair Value

Term Loans under Construction Draw Facility

   $ 25,247,000    $ 26,551,000

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE C – LEASED PROPERTY

 

Although the Company’s policy is to own the property on which it operates restaurants, the Company occupies certain of its restaurants pursuant to lease agreements. Most of the leases are for fifteen or twenty years and contain renewal options for ten to twenty years, and/or have favorable purchase options. As of December 15, 2009, 22 restaurants were in operation on non-owned premises. All of the 22 leases are operating leases, of which fifteen are for Big Boy operations and seven are for Golden Corral operations.

Five Big Boy restaurant facilities, which had been occupied under month-to-month arrangements, were acquired from the landlord in September 2009 for the total sum of $4,000,000. The purchase prices had been the subject of litigation (see Litigation in Note H – Commitments and Contingencies). Residual value guarantees on the five leases aggregating $2,101,000 were retired as a result of the acquisitions. The guarantees had been included as a current liability in the consolidated balance sheet as of June 2, 2009 under the caption “accrued expenses.”

Office space is occupied under an operating lease that expires during fiscal year 2013, with renewal options available through fiscal year 2023. A purchase option is available in 2023 to acquire the office property in fee simple. Delivery and other equipment is held under capitalized leases expiring during various periods through fiscal year 2013.

Amortization of capitalized lease assets is computed on the straight-line method over the primary terms of the leases. An analysis of the capitalized leased property follows:

 

      Asset balances at  
     December 15,
2009
    June 2,
2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Delivery and other equipment

   $ 1,334      $ 1,558   

Less accumulated amortization

     (890     (998
                
   $ 444      $ 560   
                

Rent expense under operating leases (including the month-to-month arrangements that were in place until September 1, 2009):

 

     28 weeks ended    12 weeks ended
     Dec. 15,
2009
   Dec. 16,
2008
   Dec. 15,
2009
   Dec. 16,
2008
     (in thousands)

Minimum rentals

   $ 1,080    $ 1,273    $ 395    $ 540

Contingent payments

     10      24      —        12
                           
   $ 1,090    $ 1,297    $ 395    $ 552
                           

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE C – LEASED PROPERTY (CONTINUED)

 

Future minimum lease payments under capitalized leases and operating leases are summarized below:

 

Period ending December 15,

   Capitalized
leases
    Operating
leases
     (in thousands)

2010

   $ 262      $ 1,629

2011

     220        1,613

2012

     73        1,518

2013

     —          1,505

2014

     —          1,498

2015 to 2027

     —          11,273
              

Total

     555      $ 19,036

Amount representing interest

     (44  
          

Present value of obligations

     511     

Portion due within one-year

     (232  
          

Long-term obligations

   $ 279     
          

NOTE D—CAPITAL STOCK

The Company has two equity compensation plans adopted respectively in 1993 and 2003.

2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

Shareholders approved the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan ((the 2003 Incentive Plan) or (Plan)) in October 2003. The 2003 Incentive Plan provides for several forms of awards including stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards including restricted and unrestricted awards of stock, and performance awards. The Board of Directors adopted certain amendments in December 2006 to bring the Plan into compliance with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Further amendments were adopted in October 2008 to meet final regulations relating to Section 409A of the IRC.

No award shall be granted under the Plan on or after October 6, 2013 or after such earlier date on which the Board of Directors may terminate the Plan. The maximum number of shares of common stock that the Plan may issue is 800,000, subject, however, to proportionate and equitable adjustments determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the Committee) as deemed necessary following the event of any equity restructuring that may occur.

The Plan provides that the total number of shares of common stock covered by options plus the number of stock appreciation rights granted to any one individual may not exceed 80,000 during any fiscal year. Additionally, no more than 80,000 shares of common stock may be issued in payment of performance awards denominated in shares, and no more than $1,000,000 in cash (or fair market value, if paid in shares) may be paid pursuant to performance awards denominated in dollars, granted to any one individual during any fiscal year if the awards are intended to qualify as performance based compensation. Employees of the Company and non-employee members of the Board of Directors are eligible to be selected to participate in the Plan. Participation is based on selection by the Committee. Although there is no limit to the number of participants in the Plan, there are approximately 40 persons currently participating in the Plan.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE D – CAPITAL STOCK (CONTINUED)

 

Options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock permit the holder to purchase a fixed number of shares at a fixed price. When options are granted, the Committee determines the number of shares subject to the option, the term of the option, which may not exceed ten years, the time or times when the option will become exercisable and the price per share that a participant must pay to exercise the option. No option will be granted with an exercise price that is less than 100 percent of fair market value on the date of the grant. The option price and obligatory withholding taxes may be paid pursuant to a “cashless” exercise/sale procedure involving the simultaneous sale by a broker of shares covered by the option.

Stock appreciation rights (SAR’s) are rights to receive payment, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of the two, equal to the excess of (1) the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of exercise over (2) the price per share of common stock established in connection with the grant of the SAR (the reference price). The reference price must be at least 100 percent of the common stock’s fair market value on the date the SAR is granted. SAR’s may be granted by the Committee in its discretion to any participant, and may have terms no longer than ten years.

Stock awards are grants of shares of common stock that may be restricted (subject to a holding period or other conditions) or unrestricted. The Committee determines the amounts, vesting, if any, terms and conditions of the awards, including the price to be paid, if any, for restricted awards and any contingencies related to the attainment of specified performance goals or continued employment or service.

The Committee may also grant performance awards to participants. Performance awards are the right to receive cash, common stock or both, at the end of a specified performance period, subject to satisfaction of the performance criteria and any vesting conditions established for the award.

As of December 15, 2009, options to purchase 290,250 shares had been cumulatively granted under the Plan, including 23,000 that belong to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The outstanding options belonging to the CEO that were granted before October 2009 (20,000) vested six months from the date of the grant. Beginning in October 2009, options granted to the CEO pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement (3,000) will vest one year from the date of grant. Outstanding options granted to other key employees vest in three equal annual installments, while outstanding options granted to non-employee members of the Board of Directors vest one year from the date of grant. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any awards held by a terminated participant, excluding, however, any participant who is terminated for cause.

As of December 15, 2009, 545,500 shares remain available to be optioned, including 35,750 shares granted that were subsequently forfeited, which are again available to be granted in accordance with the “Re-Use of Shares” provision of the Plan. There were 240,088 options outstanding as of December 15, 2009.

No other awards—stock appreciation rights, restricted stock award, unrestricted stock award or performance award—have been granted under the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as of December 15, 2009.

1993 Stock Option Plan

The 1993 Stock Option Plan was not affected by the adoption of the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan. The 1993 Stock Option Plan originally authorized the grant of stock options for up to 562,432 shares (as adjusted for changes in capitalization in earlier years) of the common stock of the Company for a ten-year period beginning in May 1994. Shareholders approved the Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (Amended Plan) in October 1998, which extended the availability of options to be granted to October 4, 2008. The Board of Directors adopted certain amendments in December 2006 to bring the Amended Plan into compliance with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Options to purchase 556,228 shares were cumulatively granted under the 1993 Stock Option Plan and the Amended Plan before granting authority expired October 4, 2008. As of December 15, 2009, 270,481 shares granted remain outstanding, including 211,478 that belong to the CEO.

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE D – CAPITAL STOCK (CONTINUED)

 

All outstanding options under the 1993 Stock Option Plan and the Amended Plan were granted at fair market value and expire ten years from the date of grant. Final expirations will occur in June 2014. Outstanding options to the CEO vested after six months, while options granted to non-employee members of the Board of Directors vested after one year. Outstanding options granted to other key employees vested in three equal annual installments.

Outstanding and Exercisable Options

The changes in outstanding and exercisable options involving both the 1993 Stock Option Plan and the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan are shown below as of December 15, 2009:

 

     No. of
shares
    Weighted avg.
price per share
   Weighted avg.
Remaining
Contractual Term
   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)

Outstanding at beginning of year

   443,236      $ 20.93      

Granted

   72,500      $ 26.53      

Exercised

   (4,417   $ 21.26      

Forfeited or expired

   (750   $ 26.72      
              

Outstanding at end of quarter

   510,569      $ 21.72    4.95 years    $ 2,026
                    

Exercisable at end of quarter

   417,734      $ 20.67    3.99 years    $ 2,016
                    

The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008 was $36,000 and $14,000, respectively.

Stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 15, 2009 for the 1993 Stock Option Plan and the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan are shown below:

 

Range of Exercise Prices per Share

   No. of
shares
   Weighted average
price per share
   Weighted average
remaining life in years

Outstanding:

        

$ 8.31 to $13.00

   63,478    $ 10.62    .51 years

$13.01 to $18.00

   49,167    $ 13.80    1.56 years

$18.01 to $24.20

   179,168    $ 20.72    4.91 years

$24.21 to $31.40

   218,756    $ 27.53    7.04 years

$ 8.31 to $31.40

   510,569    $ 21.72    4.95 years

Exercisable:

        

$ 8.31 to $13.00

   63,478    $ 10.62    .51 years

$13.01 to $18.00

   49,167    $ 13.80    1.56 years

$18.01 to $24.20

   164,833    $ 20.47    4.59 years

$24.21 to $31.40

   140,256    $ 27.87    5.72 years

$ 8.31 to $31.40

   417,734    $ 20.67    3.99 years

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE D – CAPITAL STOCK (CONTINUED)

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Shareholders approved the Employee Stock Option Plan (elsewhere referred to as Employee Stock Purchase Plan) in 1998. The Plan provides employees who have completed 90 days of continuous service with an opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock through payroll deduction. Immediately following the end of each semi-annual offering period, participant account balances are used to purchase shares of stock measured at 85 percent of the fair market value of shares at the beginning of the offering period or at the end of the offering period, whichever is lower. The Plan authorizes a maximum of 1,000,000 shares that may be purchased on the open market or from the Company’s treasury. As of October 31, 2009 (latest available data), 145,488 shares had been cumulatively purchased through the Plan. Shares purchased through the Plan are held by the Plan’s custodian until withdrawn or distributed. As of October 31, 2009, the custodian held 40,072 shares on behalf of employees.

Frisch’s Executive Savings Plan

Common shares totaling 58,492 (as adjusted for changes in capitalization in earlier years) were reserved for issuance under the non-qualified Frisch’s Executive Savings Plan (FESP) (see Benefit Plans in Note A – Accounting Policies) when it was established in 1993. As of December 15, 2009, 40,792 shares remained in the FESP reserve, including 10,196 shares allocated but not issued to participants.

There are no other outstanding options, warrants or rights.

Treasury Stock

As of December 15, 2009, the Company’s treasury held 2,478,706 shares of the Company’s common stock. Most of the shares were acquired in a series of repurchase programs authorized by the Board of Directors from 1998 through January 2002, and through a modified “Dutch Auction” self-tender offer in 1997.

Under the repurchase program authorized in January 2008, which expired in January 2010, the Company acquired 38,681 shares over the two-year life of the authorization at a cost of approximately $857,000. No shares were repurchased from June 3, 2009 through December 15, 2009, or thereafter.

On January 6, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock in the open market or through block trades over a two-year period that will expire January 6, 2012.

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE D – CAPITAL STOCK (CONTINUED)

 

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the period presented. Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of common stock equivalents, which assumes the exercise and conversion of dilutive stock options.

 

     Basic earnings per share         Diluted earnings per share
     Weighted average
shares outstanding
   EPS    Stock
equivalents
   Weighted average
shares outstanding
   EPS

28 weeks ended:

              

December 15, 2009

   5,104,443    $ 1.05    106,996    5,211,439    $ 1.03

December 16, 2008

   5,105,391    $ 0.86    60,320    5,165,711    $ 0.85

 

Stock options to purchase 162,000 shares during the twenty-eight weeks ended December 15, 2009 and 226,400 shares during the twenty-eight weeks ended December 16, 2008 were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because the effect was anti-dilutive.

 

12 weeks ended:

              

December 15, 2009

   5,107,058    $ .46    88,972    5,196,030    $ .46

December 16, 2008

   5,102,635    $ .43    41,731    5,144,366    $ .43

Stock options to purchase 198,000 shares during the twelve weeks ended December 15, 2009 and 319,900 shares during the twelve weeks ended December 16, 2008 were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because the effect was anti-dilutive.

Share-Based Payment (Compensation Cost)

The fair value of stock options granted is recognized as compensation cost in the consolidated statement of earnings on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. Compensation costs arising from stock options granted are shown below:

 

     28 weeks ended    12 weeks ended
     Dec. 15,
2009
   Dec. 16,
2008
   Dec. 15,
2009
   Dec. 16,
2008
     (in thousands)

Charged to administrative and advertising expense

   $ 175    $ 138    $ 94    $ 60

Tax benefit

     60      47      32      20
                           

Total share-based compensation cost, net of tax

   $ 115    $ 91    $ 62    $ 40
                           

Effect on basic earnings per share

   $ .02    $ .02    $ .01    $ .01
                           

Effect on diluted earnings per share

   $ .02    $ .02    $ .01    $ .01
                           

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE D – CAPITAL STOCK (CONTINUED)

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of the grant using the modified Black-Scholes option pricing model, developed with the following assumptions:

 

     28 weeks ended    12 weeks ended
     Dec. 15,
2009
   Dec. 16,
2008
   Dec. 15,
2009
   Dec. 16,
2008

Weighted average fair value of options

   $7.88    $5.47    $7.32    $4.81
                   

Dividend yield

   1.9% - 2.0%    2.0% - 2.5%    2.0%    2.5%

Expected volatility

   32%    29% - 32%    32%    32%

Risk free interest rate

   2.8% - 3.3%    2.4% - 3.5%    2.8%    2.4%

Expected lives

   6 years    5 years    6 years    5 years

Dividend yield is based on the Company’s current dividend yield, which is considered the best estimate of projected dividend yields within the contractual life of the options. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock using the month end closing price of the previous six years. Risk free interest rate is based on the U. S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods within the expected life of the option. Expected life represents the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding.

As of December 15, 2009, there was $518,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.07 years.

Compensation cost is also recognized in connection with the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (described elsewhere in Note D – Capital Stock). Compensation costs related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, determined at the end of each semi-annual offering period – October 31 and April 30, amounted to $28,000 and $34,000 respectively, during the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008.

NOTE E – PENSION PLANS

As discussed more fully under Benefit Plans in Note A – Accounting Policies, the Company sponsors two qualified defined benefit pension plans plus an unfunded non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) for “highly compensated employees” (HCE’s). Net periodic pension cost for all three retirement plans is shown below:

 

     28 weeks ended     12 weeks ended  

Net periodic pension cost components

   Dec. 15,
2009
    Dec. 16,
2008
    Dec. 15,
2009
    Dec. 16,
2008
 
     (in thousands)  

Service cost

   $ 816      $ 869      $ 350      $ 373   

Interest cost

     981        936        420        401   

Expected return on plan assets

     (847     (1,103     (363     (473

Amortization of prior service cost

     5        9        2        4   

Recognized net actuarial loss

     288        138        123        59   

Settlement loss

     90        —          39        —     

Curtailment cost

     49        —          —          —     
                                

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 1,382      $ 849      $ 571      $ 364   
                                

Weighted average discount rate

     6.50     6.50     6.50     6.50

Weighted average rate of compensation increase

     4.00     4.50     4.00     4.50

Weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

     8.00     8.00     8.00     8.00

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE E – PENSION PLANS (CONTINUED)

 

The Company contributes amounts to the two qualified defined benefit pension plans that are sufficient to satisfy legal funding requirements, plus discretionary tax-deductible amounts that may be deemed advisable. Although no contributions are needed to meet minimum funding requirements for the year that will end on June 1, 2010, discretionary contributions are currently anticipated at a level of $1,625,000, including $775,000 that had been contributed through December 15, 2009. Obligations to participants in the SERP are satisfied in the form of a lump sum distribution upon the retirement of the participants.

At the end of fiscal year 2009, the Company’s equity was reduced by approximately $5,000,000, net of tax, to recognize underfunding in the defined benefit pension plans, which was the direct result of steep market declines in the equity securities that comprise 70 percent of the target allocation of the pension plans’ assets. In addition, the market declines will likely have a material adverse effect on future funding requirements and result in the recognition of much higher net periodic pension costs for years to come. Net periodic pension cost for the year that will end June 1, 2010 is currently expected to be in the range of $2,500,000 to $2,600,000.

Compensation expense (not included in the net periodic pension cost described above) relating to the Non Deferred Cash Balance Plan (see Benefit Plans in Note A – Accounting Policies) was $134,000 and $171,000 respectively, during the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008, and was $58,000 and $73,000 respectively, for the twelve weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008. Contributions of $317,000 and $216,000 were respectively made to the Plan in December 2009 and December 2008. In addition, the compensation section of the President and Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) employment agreement calls for additional annual contributions to be made to the trust established for the benefit of the CEO under the Non Deferred Cash Balance Plan (see Benefit Plans in Note A – Accounting Policies) when certain levels of annual pretax earnings are achieved.

The Company also sponsors two 401(k) defined contribution plans and a non-qualified Executive Savings Plan (FESP) for certain HCE’s who have been disqualified from participation in the 401(k) plans (see Benefit Plans in Note A – Accounting Policies). In the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008, matching contributions to the 401(k) plans amounted to $90,000 and $89,000 respectively, and were $40,000 and $38,000 respectively, during the twelve weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008. Matching contributions to FESP were $16,000 and $14,000 respectively, during the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008, and were $6,000 in each of the twelve weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008.

The Company does not sponsor post retirement health care benefits.

NOTE F – COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

     28 weeks ended     12 weeks ended  
     Dec. 15,
2009
    Dec. 16,
2008
    Dec. 15,
2009
    Dec. 16,
2008
 
     (in thousands)  

Net earnings

   $ 5,357      $ 4,391      $ 2,369      $ 2,215   

Amortization of amounts included in net periodic pension cost

     432        147        164        63   

Tax effect

     (147     (50     (56     (21
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 5,642      $ 4,488      $ 2,477      $ 2,257   
                                

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE G – SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company has two reportable segments within the restaurant industry: Big Boy restaurants and Golden Corral restaurants. Financial information by operating segment is as follows:

 

     28 weeks ended    

12 weeks ended

 
     Dec. 15,
2009
    Dec. 16,
2008
    Dec. 15,
2009
    Dec. 16,
2008
 
     (in thousands)  

Sales

        

Big Boy

   $ 103,732      $ 104,219      $ 46,279        46,657   

Golden Corral

     53,149        54,756        21,620        22,436   
                                
   $ 156,881      $ 158,975      $ 67,899      $ 69,093   
                                

Earnings before income taxes

        

Big Boy

   $ 11,105      $ 10,085      $ 5,560      $ 5,178   

Opening expense

     (226     (532     (212     (202
                                

Total Big Boy

     10,879        9,553        5,348        4,976   

Golden Corral

     1,583        (77     192        35   

Opening expense

     —          —          —          —     
                                

Total Golden Corral

     1,583        (77     192        35   

Total restaurant level profit

     12,462        9,476        5,540        5,011   

Administrative expense

     (4,307     (4,012     (1,917     (1,682

Franchise fees and other revenue

     688        692        296        291   

Gain on asset sales

     —          1,116        —          —     
                                

Operating profit

     8,843        7,272        3,919        3,620   

Interest expense

     (965     (1,087     (434     (498
                                

Earnings before income taxes

   $ 7,878      $ 6,185      $ 3,485      $ 3,122   
                                

Depreciation and amortization

        

Big Boy

   $ 4,456      $ 4,258      $ 1,937      $ 1,894   

Golden Corral

     2,980        3,007        1,278        1,286   
                                
   $ 7,436      $ 7,265      $ 3,215      $ 3,180   
                                

Capital expenditures

        

Big Boy

   $ 9,933      $ 10,310      $ 3,049      $ 3,415   

Golden Corral

     1,615        1,169        990        469   
                                
   $ 11,548      $ 11,479      $ 4,039      $ 3,884   
                                
     As of        
     Dec. 15,
2009
    June 2,
2009
   

Identifiable assets

      

Big Boy

   $ 109,975      $ 102,886     

Golden Corral

     72,401        74,090     
                  
   $ 182,376      $ 176,976     
                  

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE H – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Commitments

In the ordinary course of business, purchase commitments are entered into with certain of the Company’s suppliers. Most of these agreements are typically for periods of one year or less in duration; however, longer term agreements are also in place. Future minimum payments under these arrangements are $11,304,000, $5,231,000, $3,641,000, $1,737,000 and $19,000 respectively, for the periods ending December 15, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. These agreements are intended to secure favorable pricing while ensuring availability of desirable products. Management does not believe such agreements expose the Company to any significant risk.

Litigation

In April 2008, the Company filed five separate lawsuits against the lessor of five properties on which the Company operates five Big Boy restaurants. The Company’s complaints claimed breach of contract and asked for declaratory relief and specific performance to force the lessor to allow the Company to purchase the underlying properties for certain amounts that are specified in the lease agreements, which taken together amounted to $2,472,000. The lessor claimed that the Company must purchase the properties for a larger amount based upon alternative values in the lease agreements and market appraisal values. The lessor filed a lawsuit against the Company in April 2008. Its complaint asked for declaratory relief and specific performance as to the same disputed leases.

The parties entered into a settlement agreement effective August 24, 2009, settling all claims and counterclaims that had been asserted in the six lawsuits. In consideration of the settlement agreement, the lessor agreed to sell, and the Company agreed to purchase, the five properties for the total sum of $4,000,000. The real estate transactions were completed in September 2009.

The Company is subject to various other claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Management does not presently believe that the resolution of any claims currently outstanding will materially affect the Company’s earnings, cash flows or financial position. Exposure to loss contingencies from pending or threatened litigation is continually evaluated by management, which believes that adequate provisions for losses are already included in the consolidated financial statements.

Other Contingencies

The Company self-insures a significant portion of expected losses under its workers’ compensation program in the state of Ohio. Insurance coverage is purchased from an insurance company for individual claims that may exceed $300,000. (See Self Insurance in Note A – Accounting Policies.) Insurance coverage is maintained for various levels of casualty and general and product liability.

An outstanding letter of credit for $100,000 is maintained by the Company in support of its self-insurance program. There are no other outstanding letters of credit issued by the Company.

As of December 15, 2009, the Company operated 22 restaurants on non-owned properties (see Note C – Leased Properties). Two of the leases provide for contingent rental payments, typically based on a percentage of the leased restaurant’s sales in excess of a fixed amount.

The Company is secondarily liable for the performance of a ground lease that has been assigned to a third party. The annual obligation of the lease approximates $48,000 through 2020. Since there is no reason to believe that the third party will default, no provision has been made in the consolidated financial statements for amounts that would be payable by the Company. In addition, the Company has the right to re-assign the lease in the event of the third party’s default.

 

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Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010, Ended December 15, 2009

NOTE I—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Chief Executive Officer of the Company (Craig F. Maier), who also serves as a director of the Company, owns a Big Boy restaurant licensed to him by the Company. Another officer and director of the Company (Karen F. Maier) is a part owner of a Big Boy restaurant that is licensed to her and her siblings (excluding Craig F. Maier). Until her death in September 2009, Blanche F. Maier (the mother of Craig F. Maier and Karen F. Maier) served as a director of the Company. Certain other family members of Mrs. Maier’s also own a licensed Big Boy restaurant.

These three restaurants are operated by the Company and pay to the Company franchise and advertising fees, employee leasing and other fees, and make purchases from the Company’s commissary. The total paid to the Company by these three restaurants amounted to $2,684,000 and $2,714,000 respectively, during the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008, and was $1,206,000 and $1,199,000 respectively, during the twelve weeks ended December 15, 2009 and December 16, 2008. The amount owed to the Company from these restaurants was $101,000 and $86,000 respectively, as of December 15, 2009 and June 2, 2009. Amounts due are generally settled within 28 days of billing.

All related party transactions described above were effected on substantially similar terms as transactions with persons or entities having no relationship with the Company.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1970 to 2005 (Jack C. Maier, deceased February 2005) had an employment agreement that contained a provision for deferred compensation. The agreement provided that upon its expiration or upon the Chairman’s retirement, disability, death or other termination of employment, the Company would become obligated to pay the Chairman or his survivors for each of the next ten years the amount of $214,050, adjusted annually to reflect 50 percent of the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Monthly payments of $17,838 to the Chairman’s widow (Blanche F. Maier), a director of the Company until her death in September 2009, commenced in March 2005. On March 1, 2009, the monthly payment was increased to $18,753 from $18,744 in accordance with the CPI provision of the agreement. The present value of the long-term portion of the obligation to Mrs. Maier’s Estate, approximating $863,000, is included in the consolidated balance sheet under the caption “Deferred compensation and other.” The present value of the current portion of the obligation approximating $170,000 is included in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION and ANALYSIS of FINANCIAL CONDITION and RESULTS of OPERATIONS

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT under the PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT of 1995

Forward-looking statements are included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A). Such statements may generally express management’s expectations with respect to its plans, or its assumptions and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on the Company. There can be no assurances that such expectations will be met or that future developments will not conflict with management’s current beliefs and assumptions, which are inherently subject to risks and other uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from anticipated results that may be expressed or implied in forward-looking statements are included in, but not limited to, the discussion in this Form 10-Q under Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

Sentences that contain words such as “should,” “would,” “could,” “may,” “plan(s),” “anticipate(s),” “project(s),” “believe(s),” “will,” “expect(s),” “estimate(s),” “intend(s),” “continue(s),” “assumption(s),” “goal(s),” “target” and similar words (or derivatives thereof) are generally used to distinguish “forward-looking statements” from historical or present facts.

All forward-looking information in this MD&A is provided by the Company pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and should be evaluated in the context of all risk factors. Except as may be required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements that may be contained in this MD&A.

This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements.

CORPORATE OVERVIEW

The operations of Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. and Subsidiaries (Company) consist of two reportable segments within the restaurant industry: full service family-style “Big Boy” restaurants and grill buffet style “Golden Corral” restaurants. As of December 15, 2009, 89 Big Boy restaurants and 35 Golden Corral restaurants were owned and operated by the Company, located in various regions of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, plus smaller areas in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases that are entered from time to time during the normal course of business. The Company does not use special purpose entities.

The Company’s Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 consists of the twelve weeks ended December 15, 2009, and compares with the twelve weeks ended December 16, 2008, which constituted the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009. The First Half of Fiscal 2010 consists of the 28 weeks ended December 15, 2009, and compares with the 28 weeks ended December 16, 2008, which constituted the First Half of Fiscal 2009. The first half of the Company’s fiscal year normally accounts for a disproportionate share of annual revenue and earnings because it contains 28 weeks, whereas the second half of the year normally contains only 24 weeks. The upcoming twelve-week third quarter in particular can be a disproportionately smaller share of annual revenue and earnings because it spans most of the winter season from mid December through early March. Winter storms can adversely affect results of operations, which are particularly vulnerable if severe winter weather should develop over a prolonged period. References to Fiscal 2010 refer to the 52 week year that will end on June 1, 2010. References to Fiscal 2009 refer to the 52 week year that ended June 2, 2009.

Sales amounted to $67,899,000 during the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010, which was $1,194,000 lower than the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009. Net earnings for the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 were $2,369,000, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $.46, which compares with $2,216,000, or diluted EPS of $.43 in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009. The improvement in net earnings was achieved despite a higher effective tax rate: 32 percent in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 versus 29 percent in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009. Factors having a noteworthy effect on pretax earnings when comparing the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 with the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009:

 

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Big Boy same store sales decreased .4 percent

 

   

Golden Corral same store sales decreased 3.6 percent

 

   

As a percentage of sales, food costs decreased to 33.6 percent from 35.4 percent

 

   

As a percentage of sales, payroll and related costs increased to 33.5 percent from 32.6 percent

 

   

Self-insurance reserve adjustment—$330,000 was charged against earnings in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 vs. $42,000 credited to earnings in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009

Sales amounted to $156,881,000 during the First Half of Fiscal 2010, which was $2,094,000 lower than the First Half of Fiscal 2009. Net earnings for the First Half of Fiscal 2010 were $5,357,000, or diluted EPS of $1.03, which compares with $4,391,000, or diluted EPS of $.85 in the First Half of Fiscal 2009. The effective tax rate was 32 percent throughout the First Half of Fiscal 2010. It was 29 percent throughout the First Half of Fiscal 2009. Factors having a noteworthy effect on pretax earnings when comparing the First Half of Fiscal 2010 with the First Half of Fiscal 2009:

 

   

Big Boy same store sales decreased .2 percent

 

   

Golden Corral same store sales decreased 2.9 percent

 

   

As a percentage of sales, food costs decreased to 33.8 percent from 36.3 percent

 

   

As a percentage of sales, payroll and related costs increased to 33.5 percent from 32.8 percent

 

   

New store opening costs were $305,000 lower

 

   

Self-insurance reserve adjustment—$539,000 was charged against earnings in the First Half of Fiscal 2010 vs. $42,000 credited to earnings in the First Half of Fiscal 2009

 

   

Gains on sales of real estate – zero during the First half of Fiscal 2010 vs. $1,116,000 in the First Half of Fiscal 2009

Increases in the minimum wage continue to place pressure on the Company’s operating margins:

 

   

In Ohio, where more than two-thirds of the Company’s payroll costs are incurred, the minimum wage for non-tipped employees was increased 33 percent from $5.15 per hour to $6.85 per hour beginning January 1, 2007. It was increased to $7.00 per hour on January 1, 2008 and to $7.30 per hour on January 1, 2009. There was no increase on January 1, 2010.

 

   

The minimum wage for tipped employees in Ohio increased 61 percent from $2.13 per hour to $3.43 per hour beginning January 1, 2007. It was increased to $3.50 per hour on January 1, 2008 and to $3.65 per hour on January 1, 2009. There was no increase on January 1, 2010.

 

   

Federal minimum wage statutes currently apply to substantially all other (non-Ohio) employees. The federal minimum wage for non-tipped employees increased from $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour in July 2007. It was increased to $6.55 per hour in July 2008 and to $7.25 per hour in July 2009. The rate for tipped employees (non-Ohio) was not affected by the federal legislation, remaining at $2.13 per hour.

The effects of paying the required higher hourly rates of pay have effectively been countered through the combination of higher menu prices charged to customers and reductions in the number of hours that employees are permitted to work. Without benefit of further reductions in labor hours, the July 2009 federal minimum wage increase to $7.25 per hour would have increased annual payroll costs in non-Ohio restaurants by an estimated $400,000.

RESULTS of OPERATIONS

Sales

The Company’s sales are primarily generated through the operation of Big Boy restaurants and Golden Corral restaurants. Big Boy sales also include wholesale sales from the Company’s commissary to restaurants licensed to other Big Boy operators and the sale of Big Boy’s signature brand tartar sauce to grocery stores. Same store sales comparisons are a key metric that management uses in the operation of the business. Same store sales are affected by changes in customer counts and menu price increases. Changes in sales also occur as new restaurants are opened and older restaurants are closed. Below is the detail of consolidated restaurant sales:

 

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     Second Quarter    First Half
     Dec. 15,    Dec. 16,    Dec. 15,    Dec. 16,
     2009    2008    2009    2008
     (in thousands)

Big Boy restaurant sales

   $ 44,038    $ 44,290    $ 98,555    $ 98,709

Wholesale sales to licensees

     2,000      2,170      4,672      5,019

Other wholesale sales

     241      197      505      491
                           

Total Big Boy Sales

     46,279      46,657      103,732      104,219

Golden Corral sales

     21,620      22,436      53,149      54,756
                           

Consolidated restaurant sales

   $ 67,899    $ 69,093    $ 156,881    $ 158,975
                           

Lower Big Boy sales shown in the above table include a same store sales decrease of .4 percent in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 (on a customer count decrease of 2.1 percent) and a decrease of .2 percent in the First Half of Fiscal 2010 (on a 2.2 percent decrease in customer counts). The Big Boy same store sales comparisons include average menu price increases of 1.0 percent and 2.4 percent implemented respectively in September 2009 and September 2008. In addition, a 1.4 percent increase was put into place in February 2009. Another increase is currently planned for February 2010. It should be noted that Big Boy sales for the First Half of Fiscal 2009 were adversely affected by a restaurant that was taken out of service for approximately three months while a replacement building was being constructed on the same site.

The Company operated 89 Big Boy restaurants as of December 15, 2009. The count of 89 includes one new restaurant that opened on November 30, 2009 near Hamilton, Ohio (Cincinnati market). In addition, a new restaurant facility was opened on September 30, 2009 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana (Cincinnati market), replacing an older facility. There was no sales interruption. The restaurant count also includes two new restaurants that opened respectively in August and October 2008, minus one low volume Big Boy restaurant that ceased operating at the end of Fiscal 2009. Two new Big Boy restaurants are currently under construction, scheduled to open respectively in March 2010 in Independence, Kentucky (Cincinnati market) and in April 2010 in Shepherdsville, Kentucky (Louisville market).

Lower Golden Corral sales shown in the above table include a same store sales decrease of 3.6 percent in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 (on a customer count decrease of 4.3 percent) and a decrease of 2.9 percent in the First Half of Fiscal 2010 (on a 4.8 percent decrease in customer counts). The Golden Corral same store sales comparisons include average menu price increases of .3 percent, 2.5 percent and .5 percent implemented respectively in May 2009, September 2008 and June 2008. The Golden Corral segment of the Company has now suffered a same store sales decrease in twenty of the last 25 quarters.

The Company operated 35 Golden Corral restaurants as of December 15, 2009, all of which are included in the same store sales comparison. No further development of Golden Corral restaurants is currently planned.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the Big Boy segment includes wholesale sales and cost of wholesale sales. Gross profit differs from restaurant level profit discussed in Note G (Segment Information) to the consolidated financial statements, as advertising expense is charged against restaurant level profit. Gross profit for both operating segments is shown below:

 

     Second Quarter    First Half
     Dec. 15,    Dec. 16,    Dec. 15,    Dec. 16,
     2009    2008    2009    2008
     (in thousands)

Big Boy gross profit

   $ 6,467    $ 6,099    $ 13,379    $ 12,057

Golden Corral gross profit

     664      538      2,738      1,154
                           

Total gross profit

   $ 7,131    $ 6,637    $ 16,117    $ 13,211
                           

 

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The operating percentages shown in the following table are percentages of total sales, including Big Boy wholesale sales. The table supplements the discussion that follows, which addresses cost of sales for both the Big Boy and Golden Corral reporting segments, including food cost, payroll and other operating costs.

 

     Second Quarter    First Half
     12 weeks 12/15/09    12 weeks 12/16/08    28 weeks 12/15/09    28 weeks 12/16/08
     Total    Big
Boy
   GC    Total    Big
Boy
   GC    Total    Big
Boy
   GC    Total    Big
Boy
   GC

Sales

   100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0    100.0

Food and Paper

   33.6    31.8    37.3    35.4    34.1    38.3    33.8    32.1    37.2    36.3    34.6    39.6

Payroll and Related

   33.5    35.3    29.7    32.6    34.0    29.8    33.5    35.6    29.3    32.8    34.5    29.6

Other Operating Costs (including opening costs)

   22.4    18.9    29.9    22.3    18.9    29.6    22.4    19.4    28.4    22.6    19.3    28.7

Gross Profit

   10.5    14.0    3.1    9.7    13.0    2.3    10.3    12.9    5.1    8.3    11.6    2.1

Food cost deflation continued through the First Half of Fiscal 2010. The commodity markets for beef, pork, seafood and dairy all experienced significant year-over-year price reductions. Evidence of the relief can be clearly identified by the much lower food and paper cost percentages shown in the above table. Notwithstanding these improvements, the favorable dairy market has now ended and beef, pork and other commodity prices are beginning to trend modestly upwards. Food and paper cost percentages in the Golden Corral segment are much higher than Big Boy because of the all-you-can-eat nature of the Golden Corral concept, as well as its use of steak as a featured item on the buffet line.

Management’s resolve to reduce the number of hours worked by hourly paid employees (in response to mandated increases in the minimum wage) continued through the First Half of Fiscal 2010. In addition, the Golden Corral segment achieved additional reductions in hours by launching a program that allows customers to help themselves to plates and silverware, which were previously brought to tables by servers. However, the cost savings from the reductions in hours were offset by several other factors that drove the payroll and related percentages higher during both the First Quarter of Fiscal 2010 and the First Half of Fiscal 2010. These factors include higher payments of incentive compensation to restaurant managers commensurate with improved earnings, higher medical insurance premiums, higher pension costs, and certain charges against earnings to increase the Company’s reserves for its self-insured workers’ compensation program.

Medical insurance premiums escalated by almost fifteen percent for the plan year that ran January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, rising to over $9,400,000. The Company typically absorbs 75 to 80 percent of the cost, with employees contributing the remaining 20 to 25 percent. Premium cost is currently expected to be 2.5 percent higher in the 2010 calendar year. Management is closely monitoring health care reform legislation and its potential effects upon the Company.

Net periodic pension cost was $571,000 and $364,000 respectively, in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 and the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009. Net periodic pension cost was $1,382,000 and $849,000 respectively, in the First Half of Fiscal 2010 and the First Half of Fiscal 2009. The higher cost is primarily the result of Fiscal 2009’s significant market losses in equity securities, which are the principal funding source for the pension trusts. The market losses in Fiscal 2009 required underfunded status of the pension plans to be recognized at June 2, 2009, which resulted in a reduction in the Company’s equity of approximately $5,000,000, net of tax. Absent a material restoration in the values of the securities, future funding requirements will be adversely affected, and much higher levels of net periodic pension costs will need to be recognized for years to come. Although no contributions are needed to meet minimum funding requirements for Fiscal 2010, discretionary contributions are currently planned at a level of $1,625,000, of which $775,000 had been contributed during the First Half of Fiscal 2010.

 

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Management performs a comprehensive review each quarter of its self-insurance program for Ohio workers’ compensation and adjusts its reserves as deemed appropriate based on claims experience. The reserves were increased by $330,000 in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010, bringing the total charge against earnings during the First Half of Fiscal 2010 to $539,000. The reserves were decreased by $42,000 during the First Half of Fiscal 2009, effected through a charge against earnings in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009.

Other operating costs include occupancy costs such as maintenance, rent, depreciation, property tax, insurance and utilities; plus costs relating to field supervision, accounting and payroll preparation costs, franchise fees for Golden Corral restaurants, new restaurant opening costs and many other restaurant operating costs. As most of these expenses tend to be fixed costs, the percentages shown in the above table are greatly affected by changes in same store sales levels. Opening costs (all for Big Boy) were $212,000 and $202,000 respectively during the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 and the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009. For the First Half of Fiscal 2010, opening costs (all for Big Boy) were $226,000. Opening costs were $531,000 (all for Big Boy) in the First Half of Fiscal 2009. Other operating costs are a much higher percentage of sales for the Golden Corral segment (compared with the Big Boy segment) because they have a larger physical facility and sales volumes remain well below management’s original expectations.

Operating Profit

To arrive at the measure of operating profit, administrative and advertising expense is subtracted from gross profit, while franchise fees and other revenue are added to it. Gains and losses from the sale of real property (if any) are then respectively added or subtracted. Charges for the impairment of assets (if any) are also included in the measure of operating profit.

Administrative and advertising expense increased $199,000 and $215,000 respectively, in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 and the First Half of Fiscal 2010 when compared with comparable periods a year ago. The increases include higher accruals for incentive compensation and stock based compensation costs.

Revenue from franchise fees is based on sales volumes generated by Big Boy restaurants that are licensed to other operators. The fees are based principally on percentages of sales and are recorded on the accrual method as earned. As of December 15, 2009, 25 Big Boy restaurants were licensed to other operators and paying franchise fees to the Company, a reduction of one restaurant from a year ago. Other revenue includes certain other fees earned from restaurants licensed to others along with minor amounts of rent and investment income.

There were no sales of real property during the First Half of Fiscal 2010. Gains from the sale of real property amounted to $1,116,000 during the First Half of Fiscal 2009. The gains resulted primarily from the disposition in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 of a Big Boy restaurant that had ceased operations June 2008. Aggregate proceeds amounted to $1,581,000.

No impairment of assets was recorded during any of the periods presented in this MD&A.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $65,000 and $122,000 respectively, in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 and the First Half of Fiscal 2010 when compared with comparable periods a year ago. The decreases are principally the result of lower debt levels.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense as a percentage of pretax earnings was estimated at 32 percent throughout the First Half of Fiscal 2010 and was 29 percent throughout the First Half of Fiscal 2009. These rates have been kept consistently low through the Company’s use of tax credits, especially the federal credit allowed for Employer Social Security and Medicare Taxes Paid on Certain Employee Tips. These credits are generally less favorable to the effective tax rate when pretax earnings increase.

 

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LIQUIDITY and CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources of Funds

Food sales to restaurant customers provide the Company’s principal source of cash. The funds from sales are immediately available for the Company’s use, as substantially all sales to restaurant customers are received in currency or are settled by debit or credit cards. The primary source of cash provided by operating activities is net earnings plus depreciation and impairment of assets (if any). Other sources of cash may include borrowing against credit lines, proceeds received when stock options are exercised and occasional sales of real estate. In addition to servicing debt, these cash flows are utilized for discretionary objectives, including capital projects (principally restaurant expansion) and dividends.

Working Capital Practices

The Company has historically maintained a strategic negative working capital position, a common practice in the restaurant industry. The working capital deficit was $17,640,000 as of December 15, 2009 and was $16,552,000 as of June 2, 2009. As significant cash flows are consistently provided by operations, and credit lines remain readily available, the continued use of this practice should not hinder the Company’s ability to satisfactorily retire any of its obligations when due, including the aggregated contractual obligations and commercial commitments shown in the following table.

 

 

Aggregated Information about Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments December 15, 2009

 

         Payments due by period (in thousands)
         Total    Year 1    Year 2    Year 3    Year 4    Year 5    More
than 5
years
 

Long-Term Debt

   $ 29,441    $ 7,984    $ 6,920    $ 5,868    $ 4,083    $ 2,650    $ 1,936
 

Rent due under Capital Lease Obligations

     555      262      220      73      —        —        —  
 

Rent due under Operating Leases

     19,036      1,629      1,613      1,518      1,505      1,498      11,273
1  

Unconditional Purchase Obligations

     21,932      11,304      5,231      3,641      1,737      19      —  
2  

Other Long-Term Obligations

     1,206      227      231      233      236      239      40
 

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

   $ 72,170    $ 21,406    $ 14,215    $ 11,333    $ 7,561    $ 4,406    $ 13,249

 

1 Primarily consists of commitments for certain food and beverage items, plus capital projects including commitments to purchase real property (if any). Does not include agreements that are cancellable without penalty.
2 Deferred compensation liability.

 

 

In September 2009, the amount that may be borrowed under the terms of the Company’s Construction Draw Credit Facility was increased by $3,500,000, which brought the amount available to be drawn upon to $8,000,000, all of which currently remains readily available. In addition, a $5,000,000 revolving loan (currently unused) is also readily available if needed to fund temporary working capital. The Company is in compliance with the covenants contained in both of the credit facilities. The Company expects no difficulties in extending both of these facilities prior to their scheduled expirations in October 2010.

Operating Activities

Operating cash flows were $14,036,000 in the First Half of Fiscal 2010, which compares with $10,296,000 in the First Half of Fiscal 2009. The increase in operating cash flows is primarily attributable to higher net earnings plus normal working capital changes in assets and liabilities such as prepaid expenses, inventories and accounts payable, all of which can and do fluctuate widely from quarter to quarter. Management measures cash flows from the operation of the business by simply adding to net earnings certain non-cash expenses such as depreciation, losses (net of any gains) on dispositions of assets, charges for impairment of assets (if any) and stock based compensation cost. The result of this approach is shown as a sub-total in the consolidated statement of cash flows: $13,517,000 in the First Half of Fiscal 2010 and $10,952,000 in the First Half of Fiscal 2009.

Investing Activities

Capital spending is the principal component of the Company’s investing activities. Capital spending was $11,548,000 during the First Half of Fiscal 2010, which compares with $11,479,000 in the First Half of Fiscal 2009. This year’s capital spending includes $9,933,000 for Big Boy restaurants and $1,615,000 for Golden Corral restaurants. These capital expenditures consisted of new restaurant construction and acquisitions of existing leased

 

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Big Boy restaurants from the landlords, plus on-going reinvestments in existing restaurants including remodelings, kitchen and dining room expansions, routine equipment replacements and other maintenance capital expenditures.

There were no proceeds from the disposition of real property during the First Half of Fiscal 2010. Proceeds from the disposition of property during the First Half of Fiscal 2009 amounted to $1,584,000, primarily reflecting the sale of an older Big Boy restaurant that had ceased operations in June 2008. Its sale resulted in a gain of $1,072,000.

Financing Activities

Borrowing against credit lines amounted to $4,000,000 during the First Half of Fiscal 2010, none of which was borrowed during the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010. Scheduled and other payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations amounted to $4,386,000 during the First Half of Fiscal 2010. Regular quarterly cash dividends paid to shareholders during the First Half of Fiscal 2010 amounted to $1,276,000. In addition, a $.13 per share dividend was declared but not paid as of December 15, 2009. Its payment of $664,000 on January 8, 2010 was the 196th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by the Company. The Company expects to continue its 49 year practice of paying regular quarterly cash dividends.

During the First Half of Fiscal 2010, 4,417 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options, yielding proceeds to the Company of approximately $94,000. As of December 15, 2009, 511,000 shares granted under the Company’s two stock option plans remain outstanding, including 418,000 fully vested shares at a weighted average exercise price per share of $20.67. As of December 15, 2009, 545,500 shares remained available to be granted under the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, which is net of 72,500 options granted during the First Half of Fiscal 2010: 51,500 options were granted to employees in June 2009, and in October 2009 3,000 option shares were granted to the Chief Executive Officer along with 18,000 to non-employee members of the Board of Directors.

The Company acquired 38,681 of its common shares over the two-year life of a stock repurchase program that expired in January 2010. The total cost was approximately $857,000. No shares were repurchased under the program from June 3, 2009 through its expiration date in January 2010. On January 6, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its common stock over a two-year period that will expire January 6, 2012.

Other Information

One new Big Boy restaurant opened for business during the First Half of Fiscal 2010 – near Hamilton, Ohio (Cincinnati market) on November 30, 2009. In addition, a Big Boy restaurant facility opened on September 30, 2009 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana (Cincinnati market), replacing an older facility. Two new Big Boy restaurants were under construction as of December 15, 2009, scheduled to open respectively in March 2010 in Independence, Kentucky (Cincinnati market) and in April 2010 in Shepherdsville, Kentucky (Louisville market). A few promising sites are under contract for possible future acquisition and development. However, all of these contracts are cancellable at the Company’s sole discretion while due diligence is pursued under the inspection period provisions of the respective contracts.

Including land and land improvements, the cost to build and equip each new Big Boy restaurant currently ranges from $2,500,000 to $3,400,000. The actual cost depends greatly on the price paid for the land and the cost of land improvements, which can vary widely from location to location, and whether the land is purchased or leased. Costs also depend on whether the new restaurant is constructed using plans for the original newer building prototype (used since 2001) or its smaller adaptation that was developed in Fiscal 2010 for use in smaller markets. The two Big Boy restaurants that are currently under construction are the first to be built using plans for the smaller prototype.

Approximately one-fifth of the Big Boy restaurants are routinely renovated or decoratively updated each year. The renovations not only refresh and upgrade interior finishes, but are also designed to synchronize the interiors and exteriors of older restaurants with the newer prototype restaurants. The current average cost to renovate a typical older restaurant ranges from $150,000 to $175,000. Newer prototype restaurants also receive updates when they reach five years of age, the cost of which currently ranges from $80,000 to $90,000. In addition, certain high-volume Big Boy restaurants are regularly evaluated to determine whether their kitchens should be redesigned for increased efficiencies and whether an expansion of the dining room is warranted. A typical kitchen redesign costs approximately $125,000 while a dining room expansion can cost up to $750,000.

Although the Company possesses development rights to open up to twelve more Golden Corrals, no further development is currently planned and there is no active search for sites on which to build. Three Golden Corral

 

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restaurant locations that were determined to have an impairment of long-lived assets at the end of fiscal 2008 remained in operation as of December 15, 2009.

Eleven Golden Corrals are being renovated in Fiscal 2010. In addition, carpeting is typically replaced in each restaurant every two and a half years on average. The Fiscal 2010 remodeling budget, including carpeting costs, is approximately $1,800,000.

Although part of the Company’s strategic plan entails owning the land on which it builds new restaurants, it is sometimes necessary to enter ground leases to obtain desirable land on which to build. Seven of the 35 Golden Corral restaurants now in operation and three Big Boy restaurants opened since 2003 were built on leased land. As of December 15, 2009, 22 restaurants were in operation on non-owned premises, all of which are being accounted for as operating leases.

Five Big Boy restaurant facilities that had been occupied under month-to-month arrangements were acquired from the landlord in September 2009 for the total sum of $4,000,000. The purchase prices had been the subject of litigation, which was settled in August 2009.

APPLICATION of CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to use estimates and assumptions to measure certain items that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying footnotes. These judgments are based on knowledge and experience about past and current events, and assumptions about future events. Accounting estimates can and do change as new events occur and additional information becomes available. Actual results may differ markedly from current judgment.

Two factors are required for an accounting policy to be deemed critical. The policy must be significant to the fair presentation of a company’s financial condition and its results of operations, and the policy must require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. The Company believes the following to be its critical accounting policies.

Self Insurance

The Company self-insures a significant portion of expected losses from its workers’ compensation program in the state of Ohio. The Company purchases coverage from an insurance company for individual claims in excess of $300,000. Reserves for claims expense include a provision for incurred but not reported claims. Each quarter, the Company reviews claims valued by its third party administrator (TPA) and then applies experience and judgment to determine the most probable future value of incurred claims. As the TPA submits additional new information, the Company reviews it in light of historical claims for similar injuries, probability of settlement, and any other facts that might provide guidance in determining ultimate value of individual claims. Unexpected changes in any of these or other factors could result in actual costs differing materially from initial projections or values presently carried in the self-insurance reserves.

Pension Plans

Pension plan accounting requires rate assumptions for future compensation increases and the long term investment return on plan assets. A discount rate is also applied to the calculations of net periodic pension cost and projected benefit obligations. An informal committee consisting of executives from the Finance Department and the Human Resources Department, with guidance provided by the Company’s actuarial consulting firm, develops these assumptions each year. The consulting firm also provides services in calculating estimated future obligations and net periodic pension cost.

To determine the long-term rate of return on plan assets, the committee looks at the target asset allocation of plan assets and determines the expected return on each asset class. The expected returns for each asset class are combined and rounded to the nearest 25 basis points to determine the overall expected return on assets. The committee determines the discount rate by looking at the projected future benefit payments and matches them to spot rates based on yields of high-grade corporate bonds. A single discount rate is selected, and then rounded to the nearest 25 basis points, which produces the same present value as the various spot rates.

Assets of the pension plans are targeted to be invested 70 percent in equity securities, as these investments have historically provided the greatest long-term returns. Poor performance in equity securities markets can significantly lower the market values of the plans’ investment portfolios, which, in turn, can result in a) material increases in future funding requirements, b) much higher net periodic pension costs to be recognized in future years, and c) the plans reaching underfunded status, requiring the Company’s equity to be reduced.

 

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Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets. Property and equipment typically approximates 85 to 90 percent of the Company’s total assets. Judgments and estimates are used to determine the carrying value of long-lived assets. This includes the assignment of appropriate useful lives, which affect depreciation and amortization expense. Capitalization policies are continually monitored to assure they remain appropriate.

Management considers a history of cash flow losses on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis to be the primary indicator of potential impairment. Carrying values of property and equipment are tested for impairment at least annually, and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. When undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than carrying values, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which carrying values exceed the greater of the net present value of the future cash flow stream or a floor value. Future cash flows can be difficult to predict. Changing neighborhood demographics and economic conditions, and many other factors may influence operating performance, which affect cash flows. Floor values are generally determined by opinions of value provided by real estate brokers and/or management’s judgment as developed through its experience in disposing of property.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to cease operating a certain restaurant due to poor operating performance. The ultimate loss can be significantly different from the original impairment charge, particularly if the eventual market price received from the disposition of the property differs materially from initial estimates of floor values.

Acquired goodwill and other intangible assets are tested for impairment annually, and whenever an impairment indicator arises.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE and QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES about MARKET RISKS

The Company has no significant market risk exposure to interest rate changes as substantially all of its debt is currently financed with fixed interest rates. The Company does not currently use derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates. Any cash equivalents maintained by the Company have original maturities of three months or less. The Company does not use foreign currency.

Operations in the Big Boy segment are vertically integrated, using centralized purchasing and food preparation, provided through the Company’s commissary and food manufacturing plant. Management believes the commissary operation ensures uniform product quality and safety, timeliness of distribution to restaurants and creates efficiencies that ultimately result in lower food and supply costs. The commissary operation does not supply Golden Corral restaurants.

Commodity pricing affects the cost of many of the Company’s food products. Commodity pricing can be extremely volatile, affected by many factors outside the Company’s control, including import and export restrictions, the influence of currency markets relative to the U.S. dollar, supply versus demand, production levels and the impact that adverse weather conditions may have on crop yields. Certain commodities purchased by the commissary, principally beef, chicken, pork, dairy products, fish, french fries and coffee, are generally purchased based upon market prices established with vendors. Purchase contracts for some of these items may contain contractual provisions that limit the price to be paid. These contracts are normally for periods of one year or less but may have longer terms if favorable long-term pricing becomes available. Food supplies are generally plentiful and may be obtained from any number of suppliers, which mitigates the Company’s overall commodity cost risk. Quality, timeliness of deliveries and price are the principal determinants of source. The Company does not use financial instruments as a hedge against changes in commodity pricing.

Except for items such as bread, fresh produce and dairy products that are purchased from any number of reliable local suppliers, the Golden Corral segment of the business currently purchases substantially all food, beverage and other menu items from the same approved vendor that Golden Corral Franchising Systems, Inc. (the Franchisor) uses in its operations. Deliveries are received twice per week. Other vendors are available to provide products that meet the Franchisor’s specifications at comparable prices should the Company wish or need to make a change.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS and PROCEDURES

a) Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 15, 2009, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (ii) would be accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. The CEO and CFO have concluded that there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended December 15, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 4T. CONTROLS and PRODEDURES

Not applicable.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

  A. In April 2008, the Company filed five separate lawsuits against 7373 Corporation (7373), the lessor of five properties on which the Company operates five Big Boy restaurants. The Company’s complaints claimed breach of contract and asked for declaratory relief and specific performance. In May 2008, 7373 filed its Answers and Counterclaims. The Company maintained that it should be allowed to purchase the five underlying properties for certain amounts that are specified in the Lease Agreements, which taken together amount to $2,471,540. 7373 claimed that the Company must purchase the properties for a larger amount based upon alternative values in the Lease Agreements and market appraisal values.

7373 filed a lawsuit against the Company in April 2008 that asked for declaratory relief and specific performance as to the same disputed leases. In May 2008, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction, Or, In the Alternative, Motion to Abate.

The parties entered into a Settlement Agreement effective August 24, 2009, settling all claims and counterclaims that had been asserted in the six lawsuits, which are listed below:

 

   

Case No. 08-CI-1079 was filed by the Company on April 2, 2008 in Kenton County Circuit Court, Kenton County Kentucky.

 

   

Case No. 08-CI-609 was filed by the Company on April 2, 2008 in Franklin County Circuit Court, Franklin County Kentucky.

 

   

Case No. 08-CI-1374 was filed by the Company on April 25, 2008 in Kenton County Circuit Court, Kenton County Kentucky.

 

   

Case No. 08-CI-4671 was filed by the Company on April 25, 2008 in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Jefferson County Kentucky.

 

   

Case No. 08CV71318 was filed by the Company on April 25, 2008 in Warren County Court of Common Pleas, Warren County, Ohio.

 

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Case No. 50-2008 CA009950XXXXMB was filed by 7373 on April 2, 2008 in Palm Beach County, Florida, Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

The parties agreed to file with the respective courts an Agreed Order of Dismissal, with prejudice, of all claims and counterclaims. In consideration of the Settlement Agreement, 7373 agreed to sell, and the Company agreed to purchase, the five properties for the total sum of $4,000,000. The real estate transactions were closed on September 1, 2009.

 

  B. The Company is subject to various other claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Management does not presently believe that the resolution of any claims currently outstanding will result in a material effect on the Company’s earnings, cash flows or financial position. Exposure to loss contingencies from pending or threatened litigation is continually evaluated by management, which believes adequate provisions for losses are already included in the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company continually takes reasonable preventive measures to reduce its risks and uncertainties. However, the nature of some risks and uncertainties provides little, if any, control to the Company. The materialization of any of the operational and other risks and uncertainties identified herein, together with those risks not specifically listed or those that are presently unforeseen, could result in significant adverse effects on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows, which could include the permanent closure of any affected restaurant(s) with an impairment of assets charge taken against earnings, and could adversely affect the price at which shares of the Company’s common stock trade.

In addition to operating results, other factors having nothing to do with fundamentals can influence the volatility and price at which the Company’s common stock trades. The Company’s stock is thinly traded on the NYSE Amex market. Thinly traded stocks can be susceptible to sudden, rapid declines in price, especially when holders of large blocks of shares seek exit positions. Rebalancing of stock indices in which the Company’s shares are placed such as the Russell 3000 Index can also influence the price of the Company’s stock.

Food Safety

Food safety is the most significant risk to any company that operates in the restaurant industry. It is the focus of increased government regulatory initiatives at the local, state and federal levels. To limit the Company’s exposure to the risk of food contamination, management rigorously emphasizes and enforces the Company’s food safety policies in all of the Company’s restaurants, and at the commissary and food manufacturing plant that the Company operates for Big Boy restaurants. These policies are designed to work cooperatively with programs established by health agencies at all levels of government authority, including the federal Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) program. In addition, the Company makes use of ServSafe Training, a nationally recognized program developed by the National Restaurant Association. The ServSafe program provides accurate, up-to-date science-based information to all levels of restaurant workers on all aspects of food handling, from receiving and storing to preparing and serving. All restaurant managers are required to be certified in ServSafe Training and are required to be re-certified every five years.

Failure to protect the Company’s food supplies could result in food borne illnesses and/or injuries to customers. Publicity of such events in the past has caused irreparable damages to the reputations of certain operators in the restaurant industry. If any of the Company’s customers become ill from consuming the Company’s products, the affected restaurants may be forced to close. An instance of food contamination originating at the commissary operation could have far reaching effects, as the contamination would affect substantially all Big Boy restaurants.

Economic Factors

Economic recessions can negatively influence discretionary spending in restaurants and result in lower customer counts, as consumers become more price conscious, tending to conserve their cash as unemployment and economic uncertainty mount. The effects of higher gasoline prices can also negatively affect discretionary consumer spending in restaurants. Increasing costs for energy can affect profit margins in other ways. Petroleum based material is often used to package certain products for distribution. In addition, suppliers may add surcharges for fuel to their invoices. The cost to transport products from the commissary to restaurant operations will rise with each increase in fuel prices. Higher costs for natural gas and electricity result in much higher costs to heat and cool restaurant facilities and to refrigerate and cook food.

 

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Inflationary pressure, particularly on food costs, labor costs (especially associated with increases in the minimum wage) and health care benefits, can negatively affect the operation of the business. Shortages of qualified labor are sometimes experienced in certain local economies. In addition, the loss of a key executive could pose a significant adverse effect on the Company.

Future funding requirements of the two qualified defined benefit pension plans that are sponsored by the Company largely depend upon the performance of investments that are held in trusts that have been established for the plans. Equity securities comprise 70 percent of the target allocation of the plans’ assets. Poor performance in equity securities markets can significantly lower the market values of the plans’ investment portfolios, which, in turn, can result in a) material increases in future funding requirements, b) much higher net periodic pension costs to be recognized in future years, and c) the plans reaching underfunded status requiring reductions in the Company’s equity to be recognized.

Competition

The restaurant industry is highly competitive and many of the Company’s competitors are substantially larger and possess greater financial resources than does the Company. Both the Big Boy and Golden Corral operating segments have numerous competitors, including national chains, regional and local chains, as well as independent operators. None of these competitors, in the opinion of the Company’s management, presently dominates the family-style sector of the restaurant industry in any of the Company’s operating markets. That could change at any time due to:

 

 

changes in economic conditions

 

 

changes in demographics in neighborhoods where the Company operates restaurants

 

 

changes in consumer perceptions of value, food and service quality

 

 

changes in consumer preferences, particularly based on concerns with nutritional content of food on the Company’s menus

 

 

new competitors that enter the Company’s markets from time to time

 

 

increased competition from supermarkets and other non-traditional competitors

 

 

increased competition for quality sites on which to build restaurants

Development Plans and Financing Arrangements

The Company’s business strategy and development plans also face risks and uncertainties. These include the inherent risk of poor quality decisions in the selection of sites on which to build restaurants, the ever rising cost and availability of desirable sites and increasingly rigorous requirements on the part of local governments to obtain various permits and licenses. Other factors that could impede plans to increase the number of restaurants operated by the Company include saturation in existing markets and limitations on borrowing capacity and the effects of higher interest rates.

In addition, the Company’s loan agreements include financial and other covenants with which compliance must be met or exceeded each quarter. Failure to meet these or other restrictions could result in an event of default under which the lender may accelerate the outstanding loan balances and declare them to be immediately due and payable.

The Supply and Cost of Food

Food purchases can be subject to significant price fluctuations that can considerably affect results of operations from quarter to quarter and year to year. Price fluctuations can be due to seasonality or any number of factors. The market for beef, in particular, continues to be highly volatile due in part to import and export restrictions. Beef costs can also be affected by bio-fuel initiatives and other factors that influence the cost to feed cattle. The Company depends on timely deliveries of perishable food and supplies. Any interruption in the continuing supply would harm the Company’s operations.

Litigation and Negative Publicity

Employees, customers and other parties bring various claims against the Company from time to time. Defending such claims can distract the attention of senior level management away from the operation of the business. Legal proceedings can result in significant adverse effects to the Company’s financial condition, especially if other potential responsible parties lack the financial wherewithal to satisfy a judgment against them or if the Company’s insurance coverage proves to be inadequate. Also, see “Legal Proceedings” in Part II, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

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In addition, negative publicity associated with legal claims against the Company, whether or not such complaints are valid, could harm the Company’s reputation, which, in turn, could adversely affect operating results. The Company’s reputation and brand can also be harmed by operational problems experienced by other operators of Big Boy and Golden Corral restaurants, especially from issues relating to food safety. Other negative publicity such as that arising from rumor and innuendo spread through social internet media and other sources can also create adverse effects on the Company’s results of operations.

Governmental and Other Rules and Regulations

Governmental and other rules and regulations can pose significant risks to the Company. Examples include:

 

 

general exposure to penalties or other costs associated with the potential for violations of numerous governmental regulations, including:

 

   

immigration (I-9) and labor regulations regarding the employment of minors

 

   

minimum wage and overtime requirements

 

   

employment discrimination and sexual harassment

 

   

health, sanitation and safety regulations

 

   

restaurant facility issues, such as meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or liabilities to remediate unknown environmental conditions

 

 

changes in existing environmental regulations that would significantly add to the Company’s costs

 

 

any future imposition by OSHA of costly ergonomics regulations on workplace safety

 

 

legislative changes affecting labor law, especially increases in the federal or state minimum wage requirements

 

 

legislation to reform the U.S. health care system could adversely affect the Company’s health care costs

 

 

climate change legislation that adversely affects the cost of energy

 

 

legislation requiring costly nutritional labeling on menus and the Company’s reliance on the accuracy of information obtained from third party suppliers

 

 

legislation or court rulings that result in changes to tax codes that are adverse to the Company

 

 

changes in accounting standards imposed by governmental regulators or private governing bodies could adversely affect the Company’s financial position

 

 

estimates used in preparing financial statements and the inherent risk that future events affecting them may cause actual results to differ markedly

Catastrophic Events

Unforeseen catastrophic events could disrupt the Company’s operations, the operations of the Company’s suppliers and the lives of the Company’s customers. The Big Boy segment’s dependency on the commissary operation in particular could present an extensive disruption of products to restaurants should a catastrophe impair its ability to operate. Examples of catastrophic events include but are not limited to:

 

   

adverse winter weather conditions

 

   

natural disasters such as earthquakes or tornadoes

 

   

fires or explosions

 

   

widespread power outages

 

   

criminal acts, including bomb threats, robberies, hostage taking, kidnapping and other violent crimes

 

   

acts of terrorists or acts of war

 

   

civil disturbances and boycotts

 

   

disease transmitted across borders that may enter the food supply chain

Technology and Information Systems

The strategic nature of technology and information systems is of vital importance to the operation of the Company. Events that could pose threats to the operation of the business include:

 

   

catastrophic failure of certain information systems

 

   

difficulties that may arise in maintaining existing systems

 

   

difficulties that may occur in the implementation of and transition to new systems

 

   

financial stability of technology vendors to support software over the long term

In addition, security violations or any unauthorized access to information systems could result in the loss of proprietary data; consumer confidence may be lost if protection of consumer privacy should be compromised.

 

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Golden Corral Operations

Golden Corral same-store sales declines have been experienced for twenty of the last 25 quarters, during which cash flows from Golden Corral operations have sometimes deteriorated. The ability of the Company to reverse the downturn and permanently restore sales and margin growth poses a significant risk to the Company.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES of EQUITY SECURITIES and USE of PROCEEDS

In January 2008, the Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market or through block trades over a two-year time frame that expired in January 2010. No repurchases of common stock were made during the fiscal quarter ended December 15, 2009. A maximum of 461,319 common shares remained available to be repurchased under the program as of December 15, 2009.

On January 6, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock in the open market or through block trades over a two-year period that will expire January 6, 2012.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS upon SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION of MATTERS to a VOTE of SECURITY HOLDERS

Not applicable

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

3.1 Third Amended Articles of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit (3) (a) to the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for 1993, is incorporated herein by reference.

3.2 Amended and Restated Code of Regulations effective October 2, 2006, filed as Exhibit A to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement dated September 1, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.

10.1 Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (Golden Corral Construction Facility) between the Registrant and US Bank NA dated October 21, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 22, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.

10.2 Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (Revolving and Bullet Loans) between the Registrant and US Bank NA dated October 21, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 22, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.

10.3 Agreement to Purchase Stock between the Registrant and Frisch West Chester, Inc. dated June 1, 1988, filed as Exhibit 10 (f) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 19, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.

10.4 Agreement to Purchase Stock between the Registrant and Frisch Hamilton West, Inc. dated February 19, 1988, filed as Exhibit 10 (g) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 19, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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10.5 Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Craig F. Maier effective June 3, 2009, dated April 10, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for March 10, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.6 Frisch’s Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) effective June 1, 1994, filed as Exhibit (10) (b) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 17, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.7 Amendment No. 1 to Frisch’s Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) (see Exhibit 10.6 above) effective January 1, 2000, filed as Exhibit 10 (k) to the Registrant’s form 10-K Annual Report for 2003, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.8 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, filed as Appendix A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement dated August 28, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.9 Amendment # 1 to the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (see Exhibit 10.8 above) effective September 26, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10 (q) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 19, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.10 Amendments to the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (see Exhibits 10.8 and 10.9 above) effective December 19, 2006, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report dated December 19, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.11 Amendments to the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (see Exhibits 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10 above) adopted October 7, 2008, filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 23, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.12 Forms of Agreement to be used for stock options granted to employees and to non-employee directors under the Registrant’s 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (see Exhibits 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 and 10.11 above), filed as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated October 1, 2004, are incorporated herein by reference. *

10.13 Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement dated September 9, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.14 Amendments to the Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (see Exhibit 10.13 above) effective December 19, 2006, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report dated December 19, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.15 Employee Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit B to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement dated September 9, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.16 Change of Control Agreement between the Registrant and Craig F. Maier dated November 21, 1989, filed as Exhibit (10) (g) to the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for 1990, is incorporated herein by reference. It was also filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report dated March 17, 2006, which is also incorporated herein by reference. *

10.17 First Amendment to Change of Control Agreement (see Exhibit 10.16 above) between the Registrant and Craig F. Maier dated March 17, 2006, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report dated March 17, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.18 Second Amendment to Change of Control Agreement (see Exhibits 10.16 and 10.17 above) between the Registrant and Craig F. Maier dated October 7, 2008, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report dated October 7, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.19 Frisch’s Nondeferred Cash Balance Plan effective January 1, 2000, filed as Exhibit (10) (r) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for December 10, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference, together with the Trust Agreement established by the Registrant between the Plan’s Trustee and Donald H. Walker (Grantor). There are identical Trust Agreements between the Plan’s Trustee and Craig F. Maier, Rinzy J. Nocero, Karen F. Maier, Michael E. Conner, Louie Sharalaya, Lindon C. Kelley, Michael R. Everett, James I. Horwitz, Ronnie A. Peters, William L. Harvey and certain other “highly compensated employees” (Grantors). *

 

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10.20 First Amendment (to be effective June 6, 2006) to the Frisch’s Nondeferred Cash Balance Plan that went into effect January 1, 2000 (see Exhibit 10.19 above), filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report dated June 7, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.21 Senior Executive Bonus Plan effective June 2, 2003, filed as Exhibit (10) (s) to the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for 2003, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.22 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, Basic Plan Document to Restate Frisch’s Executive Savings Plan (FESP) effective December 31, 2008, (also see Exhibits 10.23, 10.24 and 10.25), filed as Exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 23, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.23 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, Adoption Agreement (Stock) to Restate Frisch’s Executive Savings Plan (FESP) effective December 31, 2008, (also see Exhibits 10.22, 10.24 and 10.25), filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 23, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.24 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, Adoption Agreement (Mutual Funds) to Restate Frisch’s Executive Savings Plan (FESP) effective December 31, 2008, (also see Exhibits 10.22, 10.23 and 10.25), filed as Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for September 23, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference. *

10.25 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, Adoption Agreement to Restate Frisch’s Executive Savings Plan (FESP) effective July 1, 2009 (also see Exhibits 10.22, 10.23 and 10.24), filed as Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for 2009, is incorporated herein by reference. *

 

  * Denotes a compensatory plan or agreement

14 Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Financial Professionals, filed as Exhibit 14 to the Registrants’s Form 10-K Annual Report for 2003, is incorporated herein by reference.

15 Letter re: unaudited interim financial statements, is filed herewith.

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to rule 13a -14(a)/15d – 14(a) is filed herewith.

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to rule 13a - 14(a)/15d – 14(a) is filed herewith.

32.1 Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer is filed herewith.

32.2 Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer is filed herewith.

 

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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.

 

    FRISCH’S RESTAURANTS, INC.
    (Registrant)
DATE January 18, 2010      
    BY   /s/    Donald H. Walker            
    Donald H. Walker
    Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and
    Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

 

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