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EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPex21-1.htm


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 


FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended October 29, 2010

Commission file number: 0-2396

BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

California
 
95-1778176
(State of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
   
Identification No.)

1308 North Patt Street
Anaheim, California 92801
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(714) 526-5533
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 

 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  o  No  x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  o  No  x
 
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 o
 
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.  Yes o   No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
 
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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer   o
Accelerated filer   o
Non-accelerated filer   o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company   x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act. Yes o No x
 
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on April 16, 2010 was $22,201,000.
 
As of January 12, 2011, there were 9,322,778 shares of common stock outstanding.

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held March 23, 2011 are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10-14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 


 
 

 

INDEX TO FORM 10K

 
Page
PART I                                                                                                                                           
3
Item 1. Business                                                                                                                                           
3
Item 1A. Risk Factors                                                                                                                                           
6
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments                                                                                                                                           
8
Item 2. Properties                                                                                                                                           
8
Item 3. Legal Proceedings                                                                                                                                           
9
Item 4. Reserved                                                                                                                                    
9
   
PART II                                                                                                                                           
10
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
10
Item 6. Selected Financial Data                                                                                                                                           
11
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
11
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk                                                                                                                                           
16
Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                                                                                                                                           
16
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
16
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures                                                                                                                                           
16
Item 9B. Other Information                                                                                                                                           
18
   
PART III                                                                                                                                           
18
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance                                                                                                                                           
18
Item 11. Executive Compensation                                                                                                                                           
18
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
18
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence                                                                                                                                           
18
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services                                                                                                                                           
19
   
PART IV                                                                                                                                           
19
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules                                                                                                                                           
19
SIGNATURES                                                                                                                                           
21

 
2

 
 
PART I

Item 1.
Business

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Bridgford Foods Corporation intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Readers are cautioned that such statements, which may be identified by words including ‘‘anticipates,’’ ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘intends,’’ ‘‘estimates,’’ ‘‘expects,’’ and similar expressions, are only predictions or estimations and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: general economic and business conditions; the impact of competitive product and pricing; success of operating initiatives; development and operating costs; advertising and promotional efforts; adverse publicity; acceptance of new product offerings; consumer trial and frequency; changes in business strategy or development plans; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of qualified personnel; commodity, labor, and employee benefit costs; changes in, or failure to comply with, government regulations; weather conditions; construction schedules; and other factors referenced in this Report.

The forward-looking statements included herein are based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding our business, which involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic and competitive conditions, and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as representation by us or any other person that the objectives or plans of our company will be achieved. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak as of the date of this Report and we undertake no obligation to update such statements after the date hereof.

Background of Business

Bridgford Foods Corporation (collectively with its subsidiaries, “Bridgford”, the “Company”, “We” or “Our”) is a California corporation and was organized in 1952. We originally began operations in 1932 as a retail meat market in San Diego, California and evolved into a meat wholesaler for hotels and restaurants, a distributor of frozen food products, a processor and packer of meat, and a manufacturer and distributor of frozen food products for sale on a retail and wholesale basis. For the past five years we and our subsidiaries have been primarily engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of an extensive line of frozen, refrigerated, and snack food products throughout the United States. We have not been involved in any bankruptcy, receivership, or similar proceedings since inception nor have we been party to any merger, acquisition, etc. or acquired or disposed of any material amounts of assets during the past five years. Substantially all of our assets have been acquired in the ordinary course of business. We have had no significant change in the type of products produced or distributed, nor in the markets we serve. Independent distributors now serve approximately 2,300 stores of all types in areas impractical to serve by our Company-owned vehicles.

Description of Business

Bridgford Foods Corporation operates in two business segments - the processing and distribution of frozen food products and the processing and distribution of refrigerated and snack food products.  For information regarding the separate financial performance of the business segments refer to Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table shows sales, as a percentage of consolidated sales, for each of these segments during each of the last two fiscal years:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Frozen Food Products
   
46
%
   
45
%
Refrigerated and Snack Food Products
   
54
%
   
55
%
     
100
%
   
100
%
 
We manufacture and distribute an extensive line of food products, including biscuits, bread dough items, roll dough items, dry sausage products, beef jerky, and a variety of sandwiches and sliced luncheon meats. The products we purchase for resale include a variety of jerky, cheeses, salads, party dips, Mexican foods, nuts, and other delicatessen type food products.

 
3

 
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Products manufactured, processed or packaged by Bridgford
   
86
%
   
83
%
Products manufactured or processed by third parties for distribution
   
14
%
   
17
%
     
100
%
   
100
%

Although we have recently introduced several new products, most of these products have not contributed significantly to our revenue growth for the fiscal year. Our sales are not subject to material seasonal variations. Historically we have been able to respond quickly to the receipt of orders and, accordingly, do not maintain a significant sales backlog. Bridgford Foods Corporation and its industry generally have no unusual demands or restrictions on working capital items. During the last fiscal year we did not enter into any new markets or any significant contractual or other material relationships.
 
Major Product Classes

Frozen Food Products

Our frozen food division serves both food service and retail customers. Approximately 150 unique frozen food products are sold through wholesalers, cooperatives, and distributors to approximately 21,000 retail outlets and 22,000 restaurants and institutions.

Frozen Food Products – Food Service

The food service industry is composed of establishments that serve food outside the home and includes restaurants, the food operations of health care providers, schools, hotels, resorts, corporations, and other traditional and non-traditional food service outlets. Growth in this industry has been driven by the increase in away-from-home meal preparation, which has accompanied the expanding number of both dual income and single-parent households. Another trend within the food service industry is the growth in the number of non-traditional food service outlets such as convenience stores, retail stores, and supermarkets. These non-traditional locations often lack extensive cooking, storage, or preparation facilities resulting in a need for pre-cooked and prepared foods similar to those we provide. The expansion in the food service industry has also been accompanied by the continued consolidation and growth of broadline and specialty food service distributors, many of which are long-standing customers.

We supply our food service customers generally through distributors that take title to the product and resell it. Among our customers are many of the country’s largest broadline and specialty food service distributors. These and other large end purchasers occasionally go through extensive qualification procedures and their manufacturing capabilities are subjected to thorough review by the end purchasers prior to our approval as a vendor. Large end purchasers typically select suppliers that can consistently meet increased volume requirements on a national basis during peak promotional periods. We believe that manufacturing flexibility, national presence, and long-standing customer relationships should allow us to compete effectively with other manufacturers seeking to provide similar products to our current large food service end purchasers, although no assurances can be given.

Frozen Food Products – Retail Customers

The majority of our existing and targeted retail customers are involved in the resale of branded and private label packaged foods. The same trends which have contributed to the increase in away-from-home meal preparation have also fueled the growth in easy to prepare, microwaveable frozen and refrigerated convenience foods. Among the fastest growing segments is the frozen and refrigerated hand-held foods market. This growth has been driven by improved product quality and variety and the increasing need for inexpensive and healthy food items that require minimal preparation. Despite rapid growth, many categories of frozen and refrigerated hand-held foods have achieved minimal household penetration.  We believe we have been successful in establishing and maintaining supply relationships with certain selected leading retailers in this market.

 
4

 
 
Frozen Food Products – Sales and Marketing

Our frozen food business covers the United States and Canada. In addition to regional sales managers, we maintain a network of independent food service and retail brokers covering most of the states as well as Canada. Brokers are compensated on a commission basis. We believe that our broker relationships, in close cooperation with the regional sales managers, are a valuable asset providing significant new product and customer opportunities. The regional sales managers perform several significant functions for us, including identifying and developing new business opportunities and providing customer service and support to our distributors and end purchasers through the effective use of our broker network.

Our annual advertising expenditures are directed towards retail and institutional customers. These customers participate in various special promotional and marketing programs and direct advertising allowances we sponsor. We also invest in general consumer advertising in various newspapers and periodicals including free standing inserts and coupons to advertise in major markets. We direct advertising toward food service customers with campaigns in major industry publications and through our participation in trade shows throughout the United States.

Refrigerated and Snack Food Products

Our refrigerated and snack food products division sells approximately 220 different items through a direct store delivery network serving approximately 28,000 supermarkets, mass merchandise and convenience retail stores located in 49 states and Canada.

These customers are comprised of large retail chains and smaller “independent” operators. This part of our business is highly competitive. Proper placement of our product lines is critical to selling success since most items could be considered “impulse” items which are often consumed shortly after purchase. Our ability to sell successfully to this distribution channel depends on aggressive marketing and maintaining relationships with key buyers.

Refrigerated and Snack Food Products — Sales and Marketing

Our direct store delivery network consists of two separate divisions, refrigerated and non-refrigerated snack food products. Refrigerated snack food products are distributed through eight different regions located in the southwest, primarily operating in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Non-refrigerated snack food products are distributed across the United States and Canada. Our regional sales managers perform several significant functions for us including identifying and developing new business opportunities and providing customer service and support to our customers. We also utilize the services of brokers, where appropriate, to support efficient product distribution and customer satisfaction. Independent distributors now serve approximately 2,300 customers of all types in areas impractical to serve by our Company-owned vehicles.

Product Planning and Research and Development

We continually monitor the consumer acceptance of each product within our extensive product line. Individual products are regularly added to and deleted from our product line. The addition or deletion of any individual product has not had a material effect on our operations in the current fiscal year. We believe that a key factor in the success of our products is our system of carefully targeted research and testing of our products to ensure high quality and that each product matches an identified market opportunity. The emphasis in new product introductions in the past several years has been in single service items. We are constantly searching to develop new products to complement our existing product line and improved processing techniques and formulas for our existing product line. We utilize in-house test kitchens to research and experiment with unique food preparation methods, to improve quality control and to analyze new ingredient mixtures. We also retain consultants to assist us in these efforts.

Competition

Our products are sold under highly competitive conditions. All food products can be considered competitive with other food products, but we consider our principal competitors to include national, regional and local producers and distributors of refrigerated, frozen and snack food products. Several of our competitors include large companies with substantially greater financial and marketing resources than ours. Existing competitors may broaden their product lines and potential competitors may enter or increase their focus on our market, resulting in greater competition for us. We believe that our products compete favorably with those of our competitors. Such competitors’ products compete against ours for retail shelf space, institutional distribution and customer preference.

 
5

 
 
Effect of Government Regulations

Our operations are subject to extensive inspection and regulation by the United States Department of Agriculture (the “USDA”), the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), and by other federal, state, and local authorities regarding the processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and labeling of products that we manufacture, produce and process.  Our processing facilities and products are subject to continuous inspection by the USDA and/or other federal, state, and local authorities.  The USDA has issued strict policies concerning the control of listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products and contamination by food borne pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella, and established a new system of regulation known as the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (“HACCP”) program. The HACCP program requires all meat and poultry processing plants to develop and implement sanitary operating procedures and other program requirements.  We believe that we are currently in compliance with governmental laws and regulations and that we maintain the necessary permits and licenses relating to our operations. To date, federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to the discharge of materials into the environment, have not had a material effect on our business.

Importance of Key Customers

Sales to Wal-Mart® comprised 10.1% and 11.4% of revenues for fiscal years 2010 and 2009, respectively. Accounts receivable from Wal-Mart® was 9.4% and 13.3% of total accounts receivable at October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009, respectively.

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

We purchase large quantities of pork, beef, and flour.  These ingredients are generally available from a number of different suppliers although the availability of these ingredients is subject to seasonal variation.  We build ingredient inventories to take advantage of downward trends in seasonal prices or anticipated supply limitations.

Employees

We had 530 employees at October 29, 2010 approximately 47% of whose employment relationship is governed by collective bargaining agreements. Most agreements expire between February 2011 and December 2012. We believe that our relationship with all of our employees is favorable.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The names, ages, and positions of all our executive officers as of January 1, 2011 are listed below. Messrs. Hugh Wm. Bridgford and Allan L. Bridgford are brothers. William L. Bridgford is the son of Hugh Wm. Bridgford and the nephew of Allan L. Bridgford. Officers are normally appointed annually by the Board of Directors at it's meeting immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders. All executive officers are full-time employees of our company, except for Allan L. Bridgford, who works 60% of full-time effective March 2005.

Name
 
Age
 
Position(s) with our company
Allan L. Bridgford
 
75
 
Senior Chairman and member of the Executive Committee
Hugh Wm. Bridgford
 
79
 
Vice President and Chairman of the Executive Committee
William L. Bridgford
 
56
 
Chairman and member of the Executive Committee
John V. Simmons
 
55
 
President and member of the Executive Committee
Raymond F. Lancy
 
57
 
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee
 
Availability of SEC Filings and Code of Conduct on Internet Website

We maintain an Internet website at http://www.bridgford.com.  Available on this website, free of charge, are annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and reports filed under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Our Code of Conduct is also available on the website.
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
In addition to the other risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the continuing operations and the price of our common stock are subject to the following risks, each of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.  The risks described below are only the risks that we currently believe are material to our business.  Additional risks not presently known, or risks that are currently believed to be immaterial, may also impair our business operations.

 
 
6

 
 
We are subject to general risks in the food industry, including risks relating to changes in consumer preference and economic conditions, any of which risks, if realized, could negatively impact our operating results and financial position.

The food industry, and the markets within the food industry in which we compete, are subject to various risks, including the following: evolving consumer preferences, nutritional and health-related concerns, federal, state and local food inspection and processing controls, consumer product liability claims, risks of product tampering, and the availability and expense of liability insurance. The meat and poultry industries are subject to scrutiny due to the association of meat and poultry products with recent outbreaks of illness, and on rare occasions even death, caused by food borne pathogens. Product recalls are sometimes required in the food industry to withdraw contaminated or mislabeled products from the market.  Additionally, the failure to identify and react appropriately to changes in consumer trends, demands and preferences could lead to, among other things, reduced demand and price reduction for our products.  Further, we may be adversely affected by changes in domestic or foreign economic conditions, including inflation or deflation, interest rates, availability of capital markets, consumer spending rates, and energy availability and costs (including fuel surcharges).  These and other general risks related to the food industry, if realized by us, could have a significant adverse affect on demand for our products, as well as the costs and availability of raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials, thereby negatively affecting our operating results and financial position.

Fluctuations in the prices that we pay for raw materials could negatively impact our financial results.

We purchase large quantities of commodity pork, beef, and flour. Historically, market prices for products we process have fluctuated in response to a number of factors, including changes in the United States government farm support programs, changes in international agricultural and trading policies, weather, and other conditions during the growing and harvesting seasons.

Our operating results are heavily dependent upon the prices paid for raw materials. The marketing of our value-added products does not lend itself to instantaneous changes in selling prices. Changes in selling prices are relatively infrequent and do not compare with the volatility of commodity markets.   While fluctuations in significant cost structure components, such as ingredient commodities and fuel prices, have had a significant impact on profitability over the last two years, the impact of general price inflation on our financial position and results of operations has not been significant. Future volatility of general price inflation or deflation and raw material cost and availability could adversely affect our financial results.

We are subject to extensive government regulations and a failure to comply with such regulations could negatively impact our financial results.

Our operations are subject to extensive inspection and regulation by the United States Department of Agriculture (the “USDA”), the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), and by other federal, state, and local authorities regarding the processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and labeling of products that are manufactured, produced and processed by us. Our processing facilities and products are subject to continuous inspection by the USDA and/or other federal, state, and local authorities. The USDA has issued strict policies concerning the control of listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products and contamination by food borne pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella, and established a new system of regulation known as the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (“HACCP”) program. The HACCP program requires all meat and poultry processing plants to develop and implement sanitary operating procedures and other program requirements. We believe that we are currently in compliance with governmental laws and regulations and that we maintain all necessary permits and licenses relating to our operations.

A failure to obtain or a loss of necessary permits and licenses could delay or prevent us from meeting current product demand and could adversely affect our operating performance.  Furthermore, we are routinely subject to new or modified laws, regulations and accounting standards.  If found to be out of compliance with applicable laws and regulations in these or other areas, we could be subject to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls, or asset seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, any of which could have a significant adverse effect on our financial results.

We depend on our key management, the loss of which could negatively impact our operations.

Our executive officers and certain other key employees have been primarily responsible for the development and expansion of our business, and the loss of the services of one or more of these individuals could adversely effect us.  Our success will be dependent in part upon our continued ability to recruit, motivate, and retain qualified personnel. We can not assure you that we will be successful in this regard. We have no employment or non-competition agreements with key personnel.

 
7

 
 
We depend on our major customers and any loss of such customers could have a negative impact on our profitability.

We could suffer significant reductions in revenues and operating income if we lost one or more of our largest customers, including, Wal-Mart®, which accounted for 10.1% of revenues in fiscal year 2010.  Many of our customers, such as supermarkets, warehouse clubs, and food distributors have consolidated in recent years.  Such consolidation has produced large, sophisticated customers with increased buying power who are more capable of operating with reduced inventories while demanding lower pricing and increased promotional programs. These customers also may use their shelf space for their own private label products.  Failure to respond to these trends could reduce our volume and cause us to lower prices or increase promotional spending for our product lines which could adversely affect our profitability.

With more than 80% concentration of beneficial ownership of our stock held by the Bridgford family, there are risks that they can exert significant influence or control over our corporate matters.

Members of the Bridgford family beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 81% of our outstanding stock. In addition, three members of the Bridgford family serve on the Board of Directors.  As a result, members of the Bridgford family have the ability to exert substantial influence or actual control over our management and affairs and over substantially all matters requiring action by our shareholders, including amendments to by-laws, election and removal of directors, any proposed merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets and other corporate transactions.  This concentration of ownership may also delay or prevent a change in control otherwise favored by our other shareholders and could depress our stock price. Additionally, as a result of the Bridgford family’s significant ownership of the outstanding voting stock, we have relied on the “controlled company” exemption from certain corporate governance requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC and have elected to have the full Board of Directors perform the functions of the Nominating Committee.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable for smaller reporting companies.
 
Item 2.
Properties

We own the following properties:

Property Location
 
Building 
Square 
Footage
   
Acreage
 
Anaheim, California ***
   
100,000
     
5.0
 
Modesto, California **
   
0
     
0.3
 
Dallas, Texas *
   
94,000
     
4.0
 
Dallas, Texas *
   
30,000
     
2.0
 
Dallas, Texas *
   
16,000
     
1.0
 
Dallas, Texas *
   
3,200
     
1.5
 
Statesville, North Carolina *
   
42,000
     
8.0
 
Chicago, Illinois **
   
156,000
     
1.5
 
 

 
 *    - property used by Frozen Food Products Segment

 **  - property used by Refrigerated and Snack Food Segment

 ***- property used by both Frozen Food Products and Refrigerated and Snack Food Segments

We generally fully utilize the foregoing properties for processing, warehousing, distributing and administrative purposes.  The Company also leases warehouse and/or office facilities throughout the United States and Canada through month-to-month rental agreements.  We believe that our properties are generally adequate to satisfy our foreseeable needs. Additional properties may be acquired and/or plants expanded if favorable opportunities and conditions arise. 

 
8

 
 
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
 
No material legal proceedings were pending against us at October 29, 2010 or as of the date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We are likely to be subject to claims arising from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. In certain of such actions, plaintiffs may request punitive or other damages that may not be covered by insurance and, accordingly, no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such possible future claims or litigation or their effect on us. Any adverse litigation trends and outcomes could significantly and negatively affect our financial results.
 
Item 4.
Reserved
 
 
9

 
 
PART II
 
Item 5. 
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Common Stock and Dividend Data

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “BRID”. The following table reflects the high and low closing sale prices reported by Nasdaq as well as cash dividends paid for each of the last eight fiscal quarters.
 
Fiscal Year 2010
 
High
   
Low
   
Cash 
Dividends 
Paid
 
First Quarter
  $ 11.41     $ 7.27     $ 0.10  
Second Quarter
  $ 13.02     $ 9.77     $ 0.00  
Third Quarter
  $ 16.84     $ 11.48     $ 0.00  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 15.63     $ 11.54     $ 0.00  
                         
Fiscal Year 2009
 
High
   
Low
   
Cash 
Dividends 
Paid
 
First Quarter
  $ 4.88     $ 3.71     $ 0.00  
Second Quarter
  $ 4.55     $ 2.53     $ 0.00  
Third Quarter
  $ 9.32     $ 4.31     $ 0.00  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 9.79     $ 6.91     $ 0.00  

On November 10, 2010, Bridgford Foods Corporation issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors had approved a one-time cash dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock which was distributed on December 20, 2010 to shareholders of record on November 23, 2010.

On January 12, 2011, the closing sale price for our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market was $12.04 per share. As of January 12, 2011, there were 292 shareholders of record in our common stock.

The payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon future earnings, financial requirements, and other factors.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

During the period covered by this Report we did not sell or issue any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
Repurchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

During fiscal year 2010, we repurchased an aggregate of 26,902 shares of our common stock for $277,000 pursuant to our repurchase plan previously authorized by the Board of Directors.  The following table provides information regarding our repurchases of common stock in each of the four periods comprising the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010.

 
10

 
 
   
Total Number of
     
Total Number of 
Shares Purchased
As Part of Publicly 
Announced Plans
 
Maximum Number of 
Shares that May Yet 
Be Purchased
Under the Plans 
Period (1)
 
Shares
Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
or
Programs (2)
 
or
Programs (2)
   July 10, 2010 - August 6, 2010 (4 weeks)
 
0
 
$
0.00
 
0
 
373,168
   August 7, 2010 - September 3, 2010  (4 weeks)
 
13
 
$
11.69
 
13
 
373,155
   September 4, 2010 - October 1, 2010  (4 weeks)
 
1,323
 
$
11.90
 
1,323
 
371,832
   October 2, 2010 - October 29, 2010 (4 weeks)
 
689
 
$
12.00
 
689
 
371,143
Total
 
2,025
 
$
11.93
 
2,025
   
 


(1)
The periods shown are our fiscal periods during the sixteen-week quarter fiscal ended October 29, 2010.

(2)
All repurchases reflected in the foregoing table were made on the open market.  Our stock repurchase program was approved by the Board of Directors in November 1999 (1,500,000 shares authorized, disclosed in a Form 10-K filed on January 26, 2000) and was expanded in June 2005 (500,000 additional shares authorized, disclosed in a press release and Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2005).  Under the stock repurchase program, we are authorized, at the discretion of management and the Board of Directors, to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of our common stock on the open market. We have established a stock purchase plan (“Purchase Plan”) that is administered by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”) for purchase of shares of our common stock in the market. The Purchase Plan complies with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”).  Commencing on October 14, 2010 and continuing through and including October 13, 2011, CGM shall act as our exclusive agent to purchase Stock under the Purchase Plan.  This Purchase Plan supplements any purchases of stock by us “outside” of the Purchase Plan, which may occur from time to time, in open market transactions pursuant to Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The daily purchase quantity is defined as a number of shares up to, but not to exceed, each day’s applicable Rule 10b-18 maximum volume limit (i.e. 25% of the prior four calendar weeks’ average daily trading volume); however, once per week a block of stock may be purchased that exceeds the Rule 10b-18 average daily trading volume condition, provided that no other Purchase Plan purchases are made on any day on which such a block is purchased.  As of October 29, 2010, the total maximum number of shares that may be purchased under the Purchase Plan is 371,143 at a purchase price not to exceed $12.00 per share for a total maximum aggregate price (exclusive of commission) of $4,453,716.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
Our only shareholder approved equity compensation plan expired by its terms on April 29, 2009. No further stock options or rights are available for grant under this plan and all previously outstanding options and rights have also expired by their terms.  No stock options, warrants or rights were granted during the fiscal years ended October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009 and none were outstanding as of October 29, 2010.
 
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
 
         Not applicable to smaller reporting company.
 
Item 7. 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
For a complete understanding, this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Report.

Certain statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this report constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Bridgford Foods Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; success of operating initiatives; development and operating costs; advertising and promotional efforts; adverse publicity; acceptance of new product offerings; consumer trial and frequency; changes in business strategy or development plans; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of qualified personnel; commodity, labor, and employee benefit costs; changes in, or failure to comply with, government regulations; weather conditions; construction schedules; and other factors referenced in this Report.
 
 
11

 

Results of Operations (in thousands except percentages)

Fiscal Year Ended October 29, 2010 (52 weeks) Compared to Fiscal Year Ended October 30, 2009 (52 weeks)

Net Sales-Consolidated

Net sales in fiscal 2010 decreased $5,010 (4.1%) when compared to the prior year.  The changes in net sales were comprised as follows:

 Impact on Net Sales - Consolidated
           
Selling price per pound
   
-7.0%
   
$
(9,477
Unit volume in pounds
   
3.3%
     
4,489
 
Promotional activity
   
-0.6%
     
(409
)
Returns activity
   
0.2%
     
387
 
Increase (decrease) in net sales
   
-4.1%
   
$
(5,010
)

Net Sales-Frozen Food Products Segment

Net sales in the Frozen Food Products segment in fiscal 2010 decreased $725 (1.3%) compared to the prior year.  The changes in net sales were comprised as follows:

 Impact on Net Sales - Frozen Food Products Segment
           
Selling price per pound
   
-6.2%
   
$
(3,766
Unit volume in pounds
   
5.0%
     
3,023
 
Promotional activity
   
-0.5%
     
(193
)
Returns activity
   
0.4%
     
211
 
Increase (decrease) in net sales
   
-1.3%
   
$
(725
)

Net Sales-Refrigerated and Snack Food Products Segment

Net sales in the Refrigerated and Snack Food Products segment in fiscal 2010 decreased $4,285 (6.3%) compared to the prior year. The changes in net sales were comprised as follows:

 Impact on Net Sales - Refrigerated and Snack Food Products Segment
           
Selling price per pound
   
-7.7%
   
$
(5,711
)
Unit volume
   
2.0%
     
1,466
 
Promotional activity
   
-0.6%
     
(216
)
Returns activity
   
-0.1%
     
176
 
Increase (decrease) in net sales
   
-6.4%
   
$
(4,285
)

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Margin-Consolidated

Cost of products sold in fiscal 2010 decreased $2,509 (3.4%) compared to the prior year.  Favorable changes in product mix primarily contributed to the decline in cost of sales.  The gross margin decreased from 40.4% in fiscal 2009, to 40.0%, in fiscal 2010.  Higher costs for major commodities ($827) and employee benefits ($849) were partially off-set by lower depreciation ($271) on plant equipment and higher unit volumes lowered per unit overhead costs.  The realignment of the Company’s distribution system to remote geographic areas significantly lowered freight costs ($405).

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Margin–Frozen Food Products Segment

Cost of products sold in the Frozen Food Products segment in fiscal 2010 decreased $54 (0.2%) compared to the prior year.   Lower flour commodity costs in fiscal 2010 were the primary contributing factor causing this decrease.   Favorable changes in product mix also contributed to the decline in cost of sales.  The gross margin in the Frozen Food Products segment decreased from 42.0% in fiscal 2009 to 41.3% in fiscal 2010.  The cost of purchased flour declined approximately $381 in fiscal 2010 compared to the prior year, partially off-setting the overhead cost increases related primarily to employee benefits.

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Margin–Refrigerated and Snack Food Products Segment

Cost of products sold in the Refrigerated and Snack Food Products segment in fiscal 2010 decreased $2,129 (5.0%) compared to the prior year.  Lower sales of Refrigerated and Snack Food products was the primary factor causing this change.  Freight costs decreased significantly compared to the prior fiscal year. The gross margin in the Refrigerated and Snack Food Products segment decreased from 39.1% in fiscal 2009 to 38.9% in fiscal 2010.  The cost of major meat commodities increased approximately $1,208 in fiscal 2010 compared to the prior year. Higher costs for employee benefits were more than off-set by lower depreciation on plant equipment and higher unit volumes lowered per unit overhead costs significantly.
 
 
12

 
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses-Consolidated

Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2010 decreased $982 (2.3%) when compared to the prior year.  The decrease in this category did not directly correspond to the change in sales.

The table below summarizes the primary expense variances in this category:
 
   
52 Weeks Ended
   
Expense/Loss
 
   
October 29,
2010
   
October 30,
2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Wages and bonus
   
       16,453
     
       17,780
     
        (1,327
)
Benefits-healthcare 
   
         2,874
     
         1,997
     
           877
 
Fuel 
   
         5,337
     
         4,809
     
           528
 
Bad debts
   
           (351
)
   
              78
     
          (429
)
Depreciation
   
538
     
831
     
          (293
)
Cash surrender value (gain)
   
           (558
)
   
           (323
)
   
          (235
)
Outside consultants
   
           1,459
     
            1,273
     
           186
 
Loss on sale investment
   
     
            159
     
          (159
)
Other
   
15,817
     
15,947
     
          (130
)
Total
   
41,569
     
42,551
     
        (982
)
 
Employee headcount declined in the 2010 fiscal year compared to the prior year which decreased wages. Lower profitability levels decreased profit sharing expenses.  The Company’s self-insured healthcare benefit expense was negatively impacted in the period due to adverse plan experience resulting in higher claim payments.  Headcount decreases were insufficient to overcome negative trends in healthcare plan experience.  The increase in fuel expense was driven by per gallon fuel price increases compared to the prior year as a result of negative trends in petroleum markets.  The Company released a significant portion of the allowance for doubtful accounts during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 due to favorable trends in the accounts receivable aging.  The gain in cash surrender value resulted from changes in the underlying markets that support them.  The increase in outside consultants resulted from increased investment in information system data management.  Depreciation and overall capital spending has declined in recent years as we carefully scrutinize capital investments for short term pay-back.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses-Frozen Food Products Segment

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Frozen Food Products segment in fiscal 2010 remained essentially flat compared to the prior year.  Increases in this category were as a result of increased profit sharing expenses as a result of higher segment profitability.  The allocation of corporate support costs also increased due to higher segment revenues. Expenses related to advertising decreased compared to the prior year.  In addition, a significant portion of the bad debt reserve was released and helped to offset increases in this category.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses-Refrigerated and Snack Food Products Segment

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Refrigerated and Snack Food segment in fiscal 2010 decreased $941 (3.7%) compared to the prior year.  This decrease was primarily caused by lower sales and a significant reduction in the bad debt reserve.
 
 
13

 
 
Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 21.8% and 3.6% in fiscal years 2010 and 2009, respectively. In fiscal year 2010, the effective income tax rate differed from the applicable mixed statutory rate of approximately 39.6% primarily due to recording a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets of $8,049 (Refer to Note 4).  The 2010 provision for taxes on income of $1,204 consists of minimum federal and state income taxes. In fiscal year 2009, the effective income tax rate differed from the applicable mixed statutory rate of approximately 38.0% primarily due to recording a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets.  The 2009 provision for taxes on income of $255 consists of minimum federal and state income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources (in thousands except share and per share amounts)

Our need for operations growth, capital expenses and share repurchases are expected to be met with cash flows provided by operating activities.

Cash flows from operating activities:

   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net income
 
$
4,319
   
$
6,787
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
   
2,168
     
2,733
 
Provision (recovery) for losses on accounts receivable
   
(351
)
   
78
 
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
   
(31
)
   
(11
)
Loss on sale of equity securities
   
-
     
159
 
Deferred income taxes, net
   
395
     
171
 
Tax valuation allowance
   
(395
)
   
(171
)
Changes in operating working capital
   
(1,391
)
   
(310
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
4,714
   
$
9,436
 

For fiscal year 2010, net cash provided by operating activities was $4,714.  We funded additions to property, plant and equipment in the amount of $1,769 and share repurchases of $277 from cash balances. For fiscal year 2009, net cash provided by operating activities was $9,436, which enabled us to fund additions to property, plant and equipment in the amount of $1,303 and share repurchases of $638.  The available cash balance increased by $1,775 during the 2010 fiscal year compared to an increase of $7,819 during the 2010 firscal year.  In November 2009, we declared a one-time cash dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock for shareholders of record on December 8, 2009, payable on January 4, 2010, based on operations for fiscal year 2009. On November 10, 2010, we declared a noe-time cash dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock payable on December 20, 2010 to shareholders of record on November 23, 2010, based on operations for fiscal 2010.

         Significant changes in operating working capital are as follows:

2010 – Operating cash flows increased primarily due to net income of $4,319 and a decrease in accounts receivable of $2,460.  Operating cash flow was increased by a reduction in accounts receivable, a decrease in prepaids and an increase in accrued payroll, advertising and other expenses.  An increase in inventory, a decrease in refundable income taxes, and a decrease in the current portion of non-current liabilities partially offset the cash flow increases during 2010.  During the 2010 fiscal year we funded $1,943 toward our defined benefit pension plan.

2009 – Operating cash flows increased primarily due to net income of $6,787 and non-cash depreciation expense of $2,733.  Operating cash flow was increased by a reduction in inventories, increase in accounts payable and increase in the current portion of non-current liabilities. Significant increases in accounts receivable and other non-current assets and decreases in accrued payroll, advertising and other expenses offset the cash flow increases during 2009.  During the 2009 fiscal year we funded $989 toward our defined benefit pension plan.

 
14

 
 
Cash used in investing activities:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
 
$
40
   
$
56
 
Proceeds from sale of investments
   
-
     
268
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
   
(1,769
)
   
(1,303
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(1,729
)
 
$
(979
)

 Expenditures for property, plant and equipment include the acquisition of new equipment, upgrading of facilities to maintain operating efficiency and investments in cost effective technologies to lower costs. Overall capital spending has declined in recent years as we carefully scrutinize capital investments for short term pay-back.  In general, we capitalize the cost of additions and improvements and expense the cost for repairs and maintenance.  The Company may also capitalize costs related to improvements that extend the life, increase the capacity, or improve the efficiency of existing machinery and equipment.  Specifically, capitalization of upgrades of facilities to maintain operating efficiency includes acquisitions of machinery and equipment used on packaging lines and refrigeration equipment used to process food products.
 
The table below highlights the additions to property, plant and equipment for the fifty-two weeks ended:

  
 
October 29, 2010
 
Processing equipment
 
998
 
Computer software and hardware
   
150
 
Delivery vehicles
   
125
 
Quality control
   
75
 
Office and building improvements
   
62
 
Temperature control
   
76
 
Packaging lines
   
65
 
Projects in process
    218  
Additions to property, plant and equipment
 
$
1,769
 

Cash used in financing activities:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Shares repurchased
 
$
(277
)
 
$
(638
)
Dividends paid
   
(933
)
   
-
 
Net cash used in financing activities
 
$
(1,210
)
 
$
(638
)

During fiscal year 2010, we repurchased an aggregate of 26,902 shares of our common stock for $277 pursuant to our repurchase plan previously authorized by the Board of Directors.

We have remained free of interest-bearing debt for twenty-four consecutive years. We maintain a line of credit with Bank of America that expires on April 30, 2011. Under the terms of this line of credit, we may borrow up to $2,000 at an interest rate equal to the bank’s prime rate, unless we elect an optional interest rate. The borrowing agreement contains various covenants, the more significant of which require us to maintain certain levels of shareholders’ equity and working capital.  We are currently in compliance with all provisions of the agreement.  There were no borrowings under this line of credit during the 2010 fiscal year.  Management believes that our strong financial position and our capital resources are sufficient to provide for our operating needs and capital expenditures for fiscal 2011.

Impact of Inflation

Our operating results are heavily dependent upon the prices paid for raw materials.  The marketing of our value-added products does not lend itself to instantaneous changes in selling prices.  Changes in selling prices are relatively infrequent and do not compare with the volatility of commodity markets.  While fluctuations in significant cost structure components, such as ingredient commodities and fuel prices, have had a significant impact on profitability over the last two fiscal years, the impact of general price inflation on our financial position and results of operations has not been significant.  However, future volatility of general price inflation or deflation and raw material cost and availability could adversely affect our financial results.

 
15

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not currently have any off balance sheet arrangements within the meaning of Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

Contractual Obligations (in thousands)

We have remained free of interest bearing debt for twenty-four consecutive years and had no other debt or other contractual obligations except for leases existing at October 30, 2010.  We lease certain transportation equipment under operating leases through 2011.

Future minimum lease payments are approximately (in thousands):

   
2011
 
Net Lease Commitments
 
$
382
 

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Amounts estimated related to liabilities for self-insured workers’ compensation, employee healthcare and pension benefits are especially subject to inherent uncertainties and these estimated liabilities may ultimately settle at amounts not originally estimated.  We record promotional and returns allowances and bad debt allowances based on recent and historical trends. Management believes its current estimates are reasonable and based on the best information available at the time.
 
Disclosure concerning our policies on credit risk, revenue recognition, cash surrender or contract value for life insurance policies, deferred income tax and the recoverability of our long-lived assets are provided in Notes 1 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

  Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements and Regulations

Various accounting standard-setting bodies have been active in soliciting comments and issuing statements, interpretations and exposure drafts. For information on new accounting pronouncements and the impact, if any, on our financial position or results of operations, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not applicable for smaller reporting company.

Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The consolidated financial statements and supplementary data required by this Item are set forth under Item 15.

Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation and under the supervision of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e))  as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on this evaluation the principal executive officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report in their design and operation to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management and  recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 
16

 
 
Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control.

The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving our stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

We maintain and evaluate a system of internal accounting controls, and a program of internal auditing designed to provide reasonable assurance that our assets are protected and that transactions are performed in accordance with proper authorization, and are properly recorded. This system of internal accounting controls is continually reviewed and modified in response to evolving business conditions and operations and to recommendations made by the independent registered public accounting firm and internal auditor.  We have established a code of conduct.  Our management believes that the accounting and internal control systems provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and financial information is reliable.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors meets regularly with our financial management and counsel, and with the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us.  Internal accounting controls and the quality of financial reporting are discussed during these meetings. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 114 (Communication with Audit Committees). In addition, the Audit Committee and the independent registered public accounting firm have discussed the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence from the Company and its management, including the matters in the written disclosures required by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526 “Communicating with Audit Committees Concerning Independence”.
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 
17

 
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for our fiscal year ended October 29, 2010.  In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on management’s assessment and those criteria, management believes that the internal control over financial reporting for our fiscal year ending October 29, 2010 was effective.
 
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, signed into law by the President on July 21, 2010, permanently exempts "smaller reporting companies" from the requirement to obtain an external audit on the effectiveness of internal financial reporting controls provided in Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. As a result, an attestation report on internal controls over financial reporting by an independent registered public accounting firm is not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended October 29, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B. 
Other Information
 
Not applicable.

PART III

Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The other information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement, which will be filed within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and will be delivered to shareholders in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Item 11.
Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement, which will be filed within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and will be delivered to shareholders in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information concerning our equity compensation plans is set forth in Part I, Item 5, hereof under the heading "Equity Compensation Plan Information."  The other information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement, which will be filed within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and will be delivered to shareholders in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence (not in thousands)

 The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement, which will be filed within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and will be delivered to shareholders in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 
18

 
 
Our general legal counsel is the son of the senior chairman of the board of directors.  For these services, he currently is paid a fee of one thousand five hundred dollars for each meeting attended.  Total fees paid for fiscal year 2010 were $16.  Om addition, legal services are performed on our behalf and filled by a firm in which he is partner.  Total fees billed under this arrangement for fiscal year 2010 were approximately $70.
 
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement, which will be filed within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and will be delivered to shareholders in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
PART IV

Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1)  Financial Statements . The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

 
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
22-23
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009
24
Consolidated Statements of Operations for years ended October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009
25
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for years October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009
25
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for years ended October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009
26
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                                                                                          
27

(2)  Financial Statement Schedule

The following financial statement is filed herewith:

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                                                                                                                                          
39

 
19

 

(3)  Exhibits

(a)  The exhibits below are filed or incorporated herein by reference .

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
3.5
 
Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated December 29, 1989 (filed as Exhibit 3.5 to Form 10-K on January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
3.6
 
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated July 27, 1990 (filed as Exhibit 3.6 to Form 10-K on January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
3.7
 
By-laws, as amended (filed as Exhibit 2 to Form 10-K on January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
3.8
 
Certificate of Amendment to By-laws (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K on October 10, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
10.1
 
Bridgford Foods Corporation Defined Benefit Pension Plan (filed as Exhibit10.1 to Form 10-K on January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).*
     
10.2
 
Bridgford Foods Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-K on January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).*
     
10.3
 
Bridgford Foods Corporation Deferred Compensation Savings Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-K on January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).*
     
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
     
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature page)
     
31.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Principal Executive Officer).
     
32.2
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Principal Financial Officer).
 


* Each of these Exhibits constitutes a management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.

 
20

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 
 
   
BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
     
     
 
By:
/s/  WILLIAM L. BRIDGFORD
   
William L. Bridgford
   
Chairman of the Board
Date: January 14, 2011
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned directors and officers of Bridgford Foods Corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint William L. Bridgford and Raymond F. Lancy, or either of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, our true and lawful attorneys and agents, to do any and all acts and things in our name and behalf in our capacities as directors and officers and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys and agents, or either of them, or their substitutes, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including specifically, but without limitation, power and authority to sign for us or any of us in our names and in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments; and we do hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or either of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/ WILLIAM L. BRIDGFORD
 
Chairman of the Board
 
January 14, 2011
William L. Bridgford
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
         
/s/ ALLAN L. BRIDGFORD
 
Senior Chairman
 
January 14, 2011
Allan L. Bridgford
       
         
/s/ BRUCE H. BRIDGFORD  
 
Director
 
January 14, 2011
Bruce H. Bridgford
       
         
/s/ JOHN V. SIMMONS
 
President
 
January 14, 2011
John V. Simmons
       
         
/s/ RAYMOND F. LANCY
 
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President,
 
January 14, 2011
Raymond F. Lancy   Treasurer and Assistant Secretary    
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting  Officer)
   
         
/s/ TODD C. ANDREWS
 
Director
 
January 14, 2011
Todd C. Andrews
       
         
/s/ RICHARD A. FOSTER
 
Director
 
January 14, 2011
Richard A. Foster
       
         
/s/ ROBERT E. SCHULZE
 
Director
 
January 14, 2011
Robert E. Schulze
       
         
/s/ D. GREGORY SCOTT
 
Director
 
January 14, 2011
D. Gregory Scott
       
         
/s/ PAUL R. ZIPPWALD
 
Director
 
January 14, 2011
Paul R. Zippwald
       
 
 
21

 

Report Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Bridgford Foods Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bridgford Foods Corporation (the "Company") as of October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009 and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the years then ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Bridgford Foods Corporation as of October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009 and the results of its consolidated operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
/s/ Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP

Newport Beach, California
January 14, 2011

 
22

 
 
BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   
2010
   
2009
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 15,686     $ 13,911  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $80 and $404, respectively and promotional allowances of $1,932 and $1,962, respectively
    7,609       9,718  
Inventories, less inventory reserves of $166 and $101, respectively
    16,307       15,595  
Prepaid expenses
    291       621  
Refundable income taxes
    1,594       168  
Deferred income taxes, less valuation allowance of $2,478 and $1,852, respectively
           
Total current assets
    41,487       40,013  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $56,007 and $55,362, respectively
    7,892       8,300  
Other non-current assets
    11,144       10,586  
Deferred income taxes, less valuation allowance of $5,571 and $6,592, respectively
           
Total assets
  $ 60,523     $ 58,899  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 3,364     $ 4,227  
Accrued payroll, advertising and other expenses
    5,532       5,320  
Current portion of non-current liabilities
    2,755       3,667  
Total current liabilities
    11,651       13,214  
Non-current liabilities
    12,672       13,262  
Total liabilities
    24,323       26,476  
                 
Contingencies and commitments (Notes 3, 5 and 6)
           
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
        Preferred stock, without par value
               
    Authorized - 1,000 shares; issued and outstanding – none
           
        Common stock, $1.00 par value
               
    Authorized - 20,000 shares; issued and outstanding – 9,328 and 9,355 in 2010 and 2009, respectively
    9,385       9,412  
        Capital in excess of par value
    10,396       10,646  
        Retained earnings
    24,471       21,085  
        Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (8,052 )     (8,720 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    36,200       32,423  
    $ 60,523     $ 58,899  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
23

 
 
BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the years ended October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

   
2010
   
2009
 
                 
Net sales
 
$
117,655
   
$
122,665
 
                 
Cost of products sold
   
70,563
     
73,072
 
                 
Gross margin
   
47,092
     
49,593
 
                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
41,569
     
42,551
 
                 
Income before taxes
   
5,523
     
7,042
 
                 
Provision for income taxes
   
1,204
     
255
 
                 
Net income
 
$
4,319
   
$
6,787
 
                 
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.46
   
$
0.72
 
                 
Shares used to compute basic earnings per common share
   
9,334,004
     
9,411,181
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 
24

 
BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the years ended October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009
(in thousands)
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital in
excess of
par value
 
Retained
earnings
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
 
Total
shareholders’ 
equity
 
Balance, October 31, 2008
 
9,435
  $
9,492
  $
11,204
  $
14,298
  $
(2,459
)
$
32,535
 
Shares repurchased and retired
 
(80
)
 
(80
)
 
(558
)
             
(638
)
Net income
                   
6,787
         
6,787
 
Other comprehensive net income (loss):
                                   
Unrealized gain on investment (Note 1)
                         
180
   
180
 
Net change in defined benefit plans
                         
(6,247
)
 
(6,247
)
Net change in other benefit plans
                         
(194
)
 
(194
)
Comprehensive income
                               
526
 
Balance, October 30, 2009
 
9,355
   
9,412
 
 
10,646
 
 
21,085
 
 
(8,720
)
 
32,423
 
Shares repurchased and retired
 
(27
)
 
(27
)
 
(250
)
             
(277
)
Cash dividends paid
                   
(933
)
       
(933
)
Net income
                   
4,319
         
4,319
 
Other comprehensive net income:
                                   
Net change in defined benefit plans
                         
589
   
589
 
Net change in other benefit plans
                         
79
   
79
 
Comprehensive income
                               
4,987
 
Balance, October 29, 2010
 
9,328
 
$
9,385
 
$
10,396
 
$
24,471
 
$
(8,052
)
$
36,200
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
25

 
 
BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009
(in thousands)

   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
 
$
4,319
   
$
6,787
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
   
2,168
     
2,733
 
Provision (recovery) for losses on accounts receivable
   
(351
)
   
78
 
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
   
(31
)
   
(11
)
Loss on sale of equity securities
   
---
     
159
 
Deferred income taxes, net
   
395
     
171
 
Tax valuation allowance
   
(395
)
   
(171
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
   
2,460
     
(929
Inventories
   
(712
)
   
457
 
Prepaid expenses
   
330
     
1
 
Refundable income taxes
   
(1,426
)
   
296
 
Other non-current assets
   
(527
)
   
(750
)
Accounts payable
   
(863
)
   
1,154
 
Accrued payroll, advertising and other expenses
   
212
     
(1,525
)
Current portion of non-current liabilities
   
(885
)
   
2,071
 
Non-current liabilities
   
20
     
(1,085
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
4,714
     
9,436
 
Cash used in investing activities:
               
Proceeds from sale of equity investments
   
---
     
268
 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
   
40
     
56
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
   
(1,769
)
   
(1,303
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(1,729
)
   
(979
)
Cash used in financing activities:
               
Shares repurchased
   
(277
)
   
(638
)
Cash dividends paid
   
(933
)
   
---
 
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(1,210
)
   
(638
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
1,775
 
   
7,819
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
   
13,911
     
6,092
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
 
$
15,686
   
$
13,911
 
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for income taxes
 
$
2,710
   
$
318
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
26

 
 
BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(amounts in thousands except share amounts, per share amounts, time periods and percentages)

NOTE 1- The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All inter-company transactions have been eliminated.

Use of estimates and assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Amounts estimated related to liabilities for self-insured workers’ compensation, employee healthcare and pension benefits and impairment of deferred tax assets are especially subject to inherent uncertainties and these estimated liabilities may ultimately settle at amounts which may vary from current estimates. Other areas with underlying estimates include cash surrender or contract value for life insurance policies, promotional allowances, the allowance for doubtful accounts, and inventory reserves.  Management believes its current estimates are reasonable and based on the best information available at the time.

We are required to test long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If an impairment is indicated, we must measure the fair value of assets to determine if and when adjustments are to be recorded.

Subsequent events
 
  On November 10, 2010, we issued a press release announcing that our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.10 per share on common stock which was distributed on December 20, 2010 to shareholders of record on November 23, 2010.

Concentrations of credit risk

Our credit risk is diversified across a broad range of customers and geographic regions. Losses due to credit risk have recently been immaterial. The carrying amount of cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair market value due to the short maturity of these instruments. We maintain cash balances at financial institutions, which may at times exceed the amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation of (currently $250 per institution through December 31, 2013). However, management does not believe there is significant credit risk associated with these financial institutions. The provision for doubtful accounts receivable is based on historical trends and current collectibility risk. We have significant amounts receivable with a few large, well known customers which, although historically secure, could be subject to material risk should these customers’ operations suddenly deteriorate. Sales to Wal-Mart® comprised 10.1% of revenues in fiscal year 2010 and 9.4% of accounts receivable was due from Wal-Mart® at October 29, 2010. Sales to Wal-Mart® comprised 11.4% of revenues in fiscal year 2009 and 13.3% of accounts receivable was due from Wal-Mart® at October 30, 2009.

Business segments

Our Company and its subsidiaries operate in two business segments - the processing and distribution of frozen foods, and the processing and distribution of refrigerated and snack food products.  See Note 7 to the financial statements for further information.

Fiscal year

We maintain our accounting records on a 52-53 week fiscal basis. Fiscal years 2010 and 2009 included 52 weeks.
 
Reclassification

The Company has changed the presentation of the Consolidated Statements of Operations to present a gross margin line item.  As a result, depreciation previously presented separately is now part of cost of products sold and selling, general and administrative expenses.  Prior year amounts have been reclassified to give effect to this presentation.
 
 
27

 
 
Revenues

Revenues are recognized upon passage of title to the customer, typically upon product pick-up, shipment or delivery to customers. Products are delivered to customers primarily through our own long-haul fleet or through a Company owned direct store delivery system. These delivery costs, $5,315 and $5,248 for 2010 and 2009, respectively, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The Company also uses independent distributors to deliver products in remote geographic areas of the country.   Revenues are recognized upon shipment to the distributor, net of return allowances.  Historically, returns from distributors have been minimal.  The distributor pays for these products in full, typically within 15 days, and such payment is not contingent upon payment from the large chain stores.  As a convenience to certain large chain stores, we bill these customers on behalf of the distributor.

We record promotional and returns allowances based on recent and historical trends.  Revenue is recognized as the net amount estimated to be received after deducting estimated amounts for discounts, trade allowances and product terms.  Promotional allowances, including customer incentive and trade promotion activities, are recorded as a reduction to sales based on amounts estimated being due to customers, based primarily on historical utilization and redemption rates.  Promotional allowances deducted from sales for fiscal years 2010 and 2009 were $7,629 and $7,147, respectively.

Advertising expenses

Advertising and other promotional expenses are recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses.  Advertising expenses for fiscal years 2010 and 2009 were $3,530 and $3,602, respectively.

Cash and cash equivalents

We consider all investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include money market funds and treasury bills. We had cash and cash equivalents of $15,686 at October 29, 2010 and $13,911 at October 30, 2009.

Investments

 We routinely classify certain equity securities as available for sale and measure them at market value (fair value).  All equity securities were sold in October 2009. Changes in unrealized gains or losses are recorded in other comprehensive income as a component of shareholders' equity. We did not hold any equity securities in fiscal 2010.
 
Fair value measurements:
  
We classify levels of inputs to measure the fair value of financial assets:
 
Ÿ
Level 1 inputs: Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

Ÿ
Level 2 inputs: Level 2 inputs are from other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Ÿ
Level 3 inputs: Level 3 inputs are unobservable and should be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available.
 
The hierarchy noted above requires us to minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to use observable market data, if available, when determining fair value.
 
Financial assets carried at fair value as of October 29, 2010 are classified below:                                                                                                 

2010
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Money market funds
 
$
6,042
   
$
   
$
   
$
6,042
 
Total
 
$
6,042
   
$
   
$
   
$
6,042
 

 
28

 
 
Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis) or market.  Costs related to warehousing, transportation and distribution to customers are considered when computing market value.  Inventories include the cost of raw materials, labor and manufacturing overhead.  We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and write down any excess or obsolete inventories to net realizable value.  An inventory reserve is created when potentially slow-moving or obsolete inventories are identified in order to reflect the appropriate inventory value.  Changes in economic conditions, production requirements, and lower than expected customer demand could result in additional obsolete or slow-moving inventory that cannot be sold or must be sold at reduced prices and could result in additional reserve provisions.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Major renewals and improvements are charged to the asset accounts while the cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over 10 to 20 years for buildings and improvements, 5 to 10 years for machinery and equipment, and 3 to 5 years for transportation equipment.

Life insurance policies

We record the cash surrender value or contract value for life insurance policies as an adjustment of premiums paid in determining the expense or income to be recognized under the contract for the period.

Income taxes

Deferred taxes are provided for items whose financial and tax bases differ. A valuation allowance is provided against deferred tax assets when it is expected that it is more likely than not that the related asset will not be fully realized. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, management recorded a full valuation allowance with respect to its deferred tax assets.  The determination as to whether or not a deferred tax asset can be fully realized is subject to a significant degree of judgment, based at least partially upon a projection of future taxable income, which takes into consideration past and future trends in profitability, customer demand, supply costs, and multiple other factors, none of which are predictable.  The Company's policy outlines measurable objective criteria that must be met before a release of the valuation allowance will occur.  Due to the degree of judgment involved, actual taxable income could differ materially from management's estimates, or the timing of taxable income could be such that the net operating losses could expire prior to their utilization.  Management could determine in the future that the deferred tax assets are realizable, materially increasing net income in one or many periods. Following recognition, management could again change its determination in the future, materially decreasing income.

We provide tax reserves for federal, state, local and international exposures relating to audit results, tax planning initiatives and compliance responsibilities. The development of these reserves requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing. (See Note 4 to the financial statements). Although the outcome of these tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for potential liabilities emanating from these reviews. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on our results of operations.
 
Foreign currency transactions

Our foreign branch located in Canada enters into transactions that are denominated in a foreign currency. The related transaction gains and losses arising from changes in exchange rates are not material and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations in the period the transaction occurred.
 
 
29

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), additional minimum pension liability adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on equity securities.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements and regulations

In December 2008, the FASB issued additional guidance on an employers' disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. This interpretation is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. We adopted this interpretation in fiscal 2010. The adoption of this interpretation increased disclosures in the financial statements related to the assets of our defined benefit pension plan.

 
30

 
 
NOTE 2- Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Inventories:
           
Meat, ingredients and supplies
 
$
3,155
   
$
4,488
 
Work in process
   
1,192
     
1,647
 
Finished goods
   
11,960
     
9,460
 
   
$
16,307
   
$
15,595
 
Property, plant and equipment:
               
Land
 
$
1,807
   
$
1,807
 
Buildings and improvements
   
13,558
     
13,476
 
Machinery and equipment
   
41,821
     
41,412
 
Asset impairment
   
(233
)
   
(176
)
Transportation equipment
   
6,516
     
6,931
 
Construction in process
   
430
     
212
 
     
63,899
     
63,662
 
Accumulated depreciation
   
(56,007
)
   
(55,362
)
   
$
7,892
   
$
8,300
 
                 
Other non-current assets:
               
Cash surrender value benefits
 
$
11,134
   
$
10,576
 
Intangible asset
   
10
     
10
 
   
$
11,144
   
$
10,586
 
Accrued payroll, advertising and other expenses:
               
Payroll, vacation, payroll taxes and employee benefits
 
$
3,603
   
$
3,596
 
Accrued advertising and broker commissions
   
1,182
     
1,012
 
Property taxes
   
322
     
372
 
Others
   
425
     
340
 
   
$
5,532
   
$
5,320
 
                 
Current portion of non-current liabilities:
               
Incentive compensation
 
$
1,023
   
$
661
 
Defined benefit retirement plan
   
1,175
     
2,394
 
Other accrued retirement plans
   
500
     
544
 
Post retirement healthcare
   
57
     
68
 
   
$
2,755
   
$
3,667
 
                 
Non-current liabilities:
               
Incentive compensation
 
$
1,424
   
$
1,224
 
Defined benefit retirement plan
   
6,878
     
7,647
 
Other accrued retirement plans
   
3,482
     
3,394
 
Post retirement healthcare
   
888
     
997
 
   
$
12,672
   
$
13,262
 

 
31

 

NOTE 3- Retirement and Other Benefit Plans:

Noncontributory-Trusteed Defined Benefit Retirement Plans for Sales, Administrative, Supervisory and Certain Other Employees

We have noncontributory-trusteed defined benefit retirement plans for sales, administrative, supervisory and certain other employees. In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we froze future benefit accruals under this plan for employees classified within the administrative, sales or supervisory job classifications or within any non-bargaining class. The benefits under these plans are primarily based on years of service and compensation levels. The funding policy of the plan is to make contributions which are at least equal to the minimum required contributions needed to avoid a funding deficiency. The measurement date for the plan is our fiscal year end.

Net pension cost consisted of the following:

   
Years Ended
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Service cost
 
$
125
   
$
102
 
Interest cost
   
1,959
     
2,023
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(1,995
)
   
(1,702
)
Amortization of unrecognized loss
   
428
     
89
 
Amortization of unrecognized prior service costs
   
1
     
1
 
Net pension cost
 
$
518
   
$
513
 
 
Net pension costs and benefit obligations are determined using assumptions as of the beginning of each fiscal year. Weighted average assumptions for each fiscal year are as follows:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Discount rate
   
5.45
%
   
5.75
%
Rate of increase in salary levels
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
8.00
%
   
8.00
%

The benefit obligation, plan assets, and funded status of these plans as of the fiscal years ended are as follows:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Change in benefit obligations:
           
Benefit obligations - beginning of year
 
$
35,042
   
$
25,819
 
Service cost
   
125
     
102
 
Interest cost
   
1,959
     
2,023
 
Actuarial loss
   
1,171
     
8,062
 
Benefits paid
   
 (1,007
)
   
(964
)
Benefit obligations - end of year
   
37,290
     
35,042
 
Change in plan assets:
               
Fair value of plan assets - beginning of year
   
25,001
     
21,548
 
Employer contributions
   
1,943
     
989
 
Actual return on plan assets
   
3,300
     
3,428
 
Benefits paid
   
 (1,007
)
   
(964
)
Fair value of plan assets - end of year
   
29,237
     
25,001
 
Funded status of the plans
   
(8,053
)
   
(10,041
)
Unrecognized prior service costs
   
7
     
7
 
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
   
9,641
     
10,202
 
Net amount recognized
 
$
1,595
   
$
168
 

Current accounting principles require that an internal rate of return analysis be included in the discount rate selection process.  The discount rates were based on Citigroup Pension Liability Index as of October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009, respectively.
 
 
32

 

Plan assets are primarily invested in marketable equity securities, corporate and government debt securities and are administered by an investment management company. The plans’ long-term return on assets is based on the weighted-average of the plans’ investment allocation as of the measurement date and the published historical returns for those types of asset categories, taking into consideration inflation rate forecasts. Our expected employer contribution to the plan in fiscal year 2011 is $1,175.

The actual and target allocation for plan assets are as follows:

Asset Class
 
2010
   
Target
Asset
Allocation
   
2009
   
Target
Asset
Allocation
 
Large Cap Equities
    37.4 %     40.0 %     32.7 %     40.0 %
Mid Cap Equities
    0.0 %     0.0 %     6.7 %     10.0 %
Small Cap Equities
    3.5 %     5.0 %     4.2 %     5.0 %
International (including Non-U.S. Fixed Income)
    22.2 %     25.0 %     18.3 %     20.0 %
Fixed Income
    27.3 %     26.0 %     30.0 %     0.0 %
Other (Government/Corporate, Bonds)
    2.0 %     2.0 %     0.0 %     25.0 %
Cash
    7.6 %     2.0 %     8.1 %     0.0 %
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
The fair value of our pension plan assets and the Level under which fair values were determined, using the hierarchy described in Note 1, is as follows:

   
Year Ended 2010
 
   
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
                   
Total plan assets
    29,237             29,237  
 
Expected payments for the pension benefits are as follows:

Fiscal Years
 
Pension
Benefits
 
2011
 
$
1,161
 
2012
 
$
1,246
 
2013
 
$
1,402
 
2014
 
$
1,505
 
2015
 
$
1,640
 
2016-2020
 
$
9,888
 

Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Plan for Certain Key Employees

In fiscal year 1991, we adopted a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for certain key employees. Benefits provided under the plan are equal to 60% of the employee’s final average earnings, less amounts provided by our defined benefit pension plan and amounts available through Social Security. Effective January 1, 1991 we adopted a deferred compensation savings plan for certain key employees. Under this arrangement, selected employees contribute a portion of their annual compensation to the plan. We contribute an amount to each participant’s account by computing an investment return equal to Moody’s Average Seasoned Bond Rate plus 2%. Employees receive vested amounts upon death, termination or attainment of retirement age. No benefit expense was recorded under these plans for fiscal years 2010 and 2009. Benefits payable related to these plans and included in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying financial statements were $3,482 and $3,394 at October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009, respectively. In connection with this arrangement we are the beneficiary of life insurance policies on the lives of certain key employees and retirees. The aggregate cash surrender value of these policies, included in non-current assets, was $11,134 and $10,576 at October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009, respectively.

 
33

 

Expected payments for other postretirement benefits are as follows:

Fiscal Years
 
Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
2011
 
$
507
 
2012
 
$
507
 
2013
 
$
507
 
2014
 
$
517
 
2015
 
$
451
 
2016-2020
 
$
1,146
 
 
Incentive Compensation Plan for Certain Key Executives

We provide an incentive compensation plan for certain key executives, which is based upon our pretax income. The payment of these amounts is generally deferred over three or five-year periods. The total amount payable related to this arrangement was $2,447 and $1,885 at October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009, respectively. Future payments are approximately $1,023, $851, $445, $88 and $40 for fiscal years 2011 through 2015, respectively.

Postretirement Healthcare Benefits for Selected Executive Employees

We provide postretirement health care benefits for selected executive employees.   Net periodic postretirement healthcare cost is determined using assumptions as of the beginning of each fiscal year, except for the total actual benefit payments and the discount rate used to develop the net periodic postretirement benefit expense, which is determined at the end of the fiscal year.
 
Net periodic postretirement healthcare cost consisted of the following:

   
Years Ended
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Service cost
 
$
18
   
$
11
 
Interest cost
   
82
     
62
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
75
     
75
 
Amortization of actuarial loss
   
(20
)
   
(23
)
Net periodic postretirement healthcare cost
 
$
155
   
$
125
 

Weighted average assumptions for the fiscal years ended October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009 are as follows:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Discount rate
   
5.45
%
   
5.75
%
Medical trend rate next year
   
9.50
%
   
8.50
%
Ultimate trend rate
   
5.00
%
   
5.00
%
Year ultimate trend rate is achieved
   
2020
     
2016
 

The table below shows the estimated effect of a 1% increase in healthcare cost trend rate on the following:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest cost plus service cost
 
$
8
   
$
7
 
Accumulated postretirement healthcare obligation
 
$
91
   
$
106
 

The table below shows the estimated effect of a 1% decrease in healthcare cost trend rate on the following:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest cost plus service cost
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(6
)
Accumulated postretirement healthcare obligation
 
$
(76
)
 
$
(89
)

 
34

 
 
The healthcare obligation and funded status of this plan as of the fiscal years ended are as follows:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Change in accumulated postretirement healthcare obligation:
           
Healthcare obligations - beginning of year
 
$
1,066
   
$
806
 
Service cost
   
18
     
11
 
Interest cost
   
82
     
63
 
Actuarial loss (gain)
   
(201
)
   
216
 
Benefits paid
   
(20
)
   
(30
)
Healthcare obligations - end of year
 
$
945
   
$
1,066
 
Funded status of the plans
   
945
     
1,066
 
Unrecognized prior service costs
   
(75
)
   
(149
)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
   
265
     
84
 
Unrecognized amounts recorded in other comprehensive income
   
(190
)
   
65
 
Postretirement healthcare liability
 
$
945
   
$
1,066
 

Expected payments for the postretirement benefits are as follows:

Fiscal Years
 
Postretirement
Heathcare
Benefits
 
2011
 
$
57
 
2012
 
$
57
 
2013
 
$
55
 
2014 -2018
 
$
371
 
 
401(K) Plan for Sales, Administrative, Supervisory and Certain Other Employees

During the fiscal year ended November 3, 2006, we implemented a qualified 401(K) retirement plan (the “Plan”) for our sales, administrative, supervisory and certain other employees. During fiscal years 2010 and 2009, we made total contributions to the Plan in the amounts of  $421 and $409, respectively.

NOTE 4- Income Taxes:

The provision for taxes on income includes the following:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Current:
           
Federal
 
$
749
   
$
25
 
State
   
455
     
230
 
     
1,204
     
255
 
                 
Deferred:
               
Federal
   
     
 
State
   
     
 
     
     
 
   
$
1,204
   
$
255
 

 
35

 

The total tax provision differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes as follows:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Provision for federal income taxes at the applicable statutory rate
 
$
1,878
   
$
2,394
 
Increase in provision resulting from state income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
   
65
     
521
 
Research & development tax credit
   
(4
)
   
(16
)
Non-taxable life insurance gain
   
(190
)
   
(110
)
Change in valuation allowance
   
(595
)
   
(2,551
)
Other, net
   
50
     
17
 
   
$
1,204
   
$
255
 

  Deferred income taxes result from differences in the bases of assets and liabilities for tax and accounting purposes.

   
2010
   
2009
 
Receivables allowance
 
$
34
   
$
161
 
Returns allowance
   
217
     
189
 
Inventory packaging reserve
   
61
     
26
 
Inventory capitalization
   
333
     
236
 
Incentive compensation
   
275
     
39
 
State taxes
   
143
     
78
 
Employee benefits
   
1,371
     
1,045
 
Other
   
44
     
78
 
Valuation allowance
   
(2,478
)
   
(1,852
)
Current tax assets, net
 
$
   
$
 
                 
 State Taxes
 
$
280
         
Incentive compensation
   
609
   
$
489
 
Pension and health care benefits
   
4,705
     
4,598
 
Depreciation
   
(210
)
   
47
 
Net operating loss carry-forward and credits
   
187
     
1,458
 
Valuation allowance
   
(5,571
)
   
(6,592
)
Non-current tax assets, net
 
$
   
$
 
 
Management is required to evaluate whether a valuation allowance should be established against its deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a "more likely than not" standard. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon taxable income in prior carryback years, estimates of future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and reversals of existing taxable temporary differences.  Forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed is difficult when there is negative evidence such as cumulative losses in recent years or losses expected in early future years. At the end of 2008, poor economic conditions included decreases in building and real estate values and a sharp decline in the stock market.  Management concluded at the end of 2008 that it was more likely than not that deferred tax assets would not be realized and recorded a full valuation allowance on all deferred tax assets during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
 
Management reevaluated the need for a full valuation allowance at the end of 2010.  Management evaluated both positive and negative evidence.  Although operating results improved significantly compared to the 2008 fiscal year, the weight of negative factors and level of economic uncertainty in our current business continued to support the conclusion that the realization of the Company's deferred tax assets does not meet the more likely than not standard.  Therefore, a full valuation allowance remained against the net deferred tax assets as of October 29, 2010. However, management will continue to periodically reevaluate the necessity of such valuation allowance and, to the extent that conditions change in a manner that would make it more likely than not that the Company can realize its deferred tax assets, some or all of such valuation allowance could be reversed in future periods.
 
 As of October 29, 2010, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $0 and $2,219 respectively.  These loss carryforwards will expire at various dates from 2012 through 2028.

 
36

 
 
  In July 2006, the FASB issued guidance to clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. This interpretation prescribed a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The guidance also discussed derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The cumulative effect, if any, of applying this guidance is to be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption.
 
As of October 29, 2010, we have provided a liability of $95 for unrecognized tax benefits related to various federal and state income tax matters. This entire amount would reduce our effective income tax rate if the asset is recognized in future reporting periods.  We have not identified any new unrecognized tax benefits.

As of October 30, 2009, we have provided a liability of $103 for unrecognized tax benefits related to various federal and state income tax matters.  This entire amount would reduce our effective income tax rate if the asset is recognized in future reporting periods.  We have not identified any new unrecognized tax benefits.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
103
   
$
97
 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
   
15
     
5
 
Additions for tax positions of prior years
   
14
     
1
 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
   
(2
)
   
---
 
Settlements
   
(35
)
   
---
 
                 
Balance at end of year
 
$
95
   
$
103
 

We recognize any future accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.  As of October 29, 2010, we had approximately $1 in accrued interest and penalties which is included as a component of the $95 unrecognized tax benefit noted above.

During the year ended October 29, 2010,  the Internal Revenue Service settled its audit of our U.S. federal income tax returns for fiscal years ended November 1, 2002, October 31, 2003, November 3, 2006 and November 2, 2007. This settlement resulted in the reversal of $35 of unrecognized tax benefits associated with R&D credits we reported, which increased our tax expense by $5.  Our federal income tax returns are open to audit under the statute of limitations for fiscal years 2008 and 2009. 
 
We are subject to income tax in California and various other state taxing jurisdictions. Our state income tax returns are open to audit under the statute of limitations for the fiscal years ended October 30, 2006 through 2009.
 
We do not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.

NOTE 5- Line of Credit:

Under the terms of a revolving line of credit with Bank of America, we may borrow up to $2,000 through April 30, 2011. The interest rate is at the bank’s reference rate unless we elect an optional interest rate. The borrowing agreement contains various covenants, the more significant of which require us to maintain certain levels of shareholders’ equity and working capital. We are currently in compliance with all provisions of the agreement.  There were no borrowings under this line of credit during the years ended October 29, 2010 or October 30, 2009.

NOTE 6- Contingencies and Commitments:

We lease certain transportation under operating leases through fiscal year 2011. The terms of the transportation leases provide for annual renewal options and contingent rental payments based upon mileage and adjustments of rental payments based on the Consumer Price Index. The Company also leases warehouse and/or office facilities throughout the United States and Canada through month-to-month rental agreements.  Minimum rental payments were $382 in fiscal year 2010 and $425 in fiscal year 2009. Contingent payments were approximately $124 in fiscal year 2010 and $56 in fiscal year 2009. Future minimum lease payments are approximately $382 in fiscal year 2011.

 
37

 
 
NOTE 7- Segment Information:

We have two reportable operating segments, Frozen Food Products (the processing and distribution of frozen products), and Refrigerated and Snack Food Products (the processing and distribution of refrigerated meat and other convenience foods).

We evaluate each segment’s performance based on revenues and operating income. Selling and general administrative expenses include corporate accounting, information systems, human resource and marketing management at the corporate level. These activities are allocated to each operating segment based on revenues and/or actual usage.

The following segment information is for the years ended October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009:

2010
 
Frozen Food
Products
   
Refrigerated
and Snack Food
Products
   
Other
   
Elimination
   
Totals
 
Sales
  $ 54,015     $ 63,640     $       $ ---     $ 117,655  
Intersegment sales
    ---       1,228               (1,228 )     ---  
Net sales
    54,015       64,868               (1,228 )     117,655  
Cost of products sold
    31,682       40,109               (1,228 )     70,563  
Gross margin
    22,333       24,759                       47,092  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    16,769       24,666       134               41,569  
Income (loss) before taxes
    5,564       93       (134 )     ---       5,523  
Provision for income taxes
    1,205       (1 )     ---       ---       1,204  
Net income (loss)
  $ 4,359     $ 94     $ (134 )     ---     $ 4,319  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 11,668     $ 20,937     $ 27,918     $ ---     $ 60,523  
Additions to property, plant and equipment
  $ 805     $ 954     $ 10     $ ---     $ 1,769  
 
2009
 
Frozen Food
Products
   
Refrigerated
and Snack Food
Products
   
Other
   
Elimination
   
Totals
 
Sales
  $ 54,740     $ 67,925     $     $     $ 122,665  
Intersegment sales
          902               (902 )      
Net sales
    54,740       68,827               (902 )     122,665  
Cost of products sold
    31,736       42,238               (902 )     73,072  
Gross margin
    23,004       26,589                       49,593  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    16,774       25,607       170               42,551  
Income (loss) before taxes
    6,230       982       (170 )           7,042  
Provision for income taxes
    224       31                   255  
Net income (loss)
  $ 6,006     $ 951     $ (170 )         $ 6,787  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 11,416     $ 22,520     $ 24,963     $     $ 58,899  
Additions to property, plant and equipment
  $ 730     $ 283     $ 290     $     $ 1,303  
 
 
38

 

NOTE 8- Unaudited Interim Financial Information

Not applicable to smaller reporting company.
 
 
39