Attached files

file filename
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.c14536exv31w2.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.c14536exv32w1.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.c14536exv31w1.htm
EX-12.1 - EXHIBIT 12.1 - Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.c14536exv12w1.htm
EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.c14536exv21w1.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.c14536exv32w2.htm
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 26, 2010
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                     
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 333-116310
Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
DELAWARE   13-4012902
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
5660 Katella Avenue, Suite 100, Cypress, CA   90630
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (562) 346-1200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
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 þ 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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 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. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one)
             
Large Accelerated Filer o   Accelerated Filer o   Non-Accelerated Filer þ   Smaller Reporting Company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant is not applicable as no public market for the voting stock of the registrant exists.
As of February 20, 2011, Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. had outstanding 1,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
None
 
 

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
       
 
       
    3  
 
       
    9  
 
       
    21  
 
       
    22  
 
       
    22  
 
       
    22  
 
       
       
 
       
    23  
 
       
    24  
 
       
    25  
 
       
    35  
 
       
    36  
 
       
    36  
 
       
    37  
 
       
    38  
 
       
    39  
 
       
    40  
 
       
    41  
 
       
    56  
 
       
    56  
 
       
    56  
 
       
       
 
       
    57  
 
       
    59  
 
       
    63  
 
       
    65  
 
       
    66  
 
       
       
 
       
    67  
 
       
    73  
 
       
    74  
 
       
 Exhibit 12.1
 Exhibit 21.1
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2

 

2


Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate solely to historical fact. They include, but are not limited to, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, achievements or events. They may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “will,” “should,” “may,” or “could” or words or phrases of similar meaning. They may relate to, among other things: our liquidity and capital resources; legal proceedings and regulatory matters involving our Company; food-borne illness incidents; increases in the cost of ingredients; our dependence upon frequent deliveries of food and other supplies; our vulnerability to changes in consumer preferences and economic conditions; our ability to compete successfully with other casual dining restaurants; our ability to expand; and anticipated growth in the restaurant industry and our markets.
These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause actual results to differ materially from trends, plans or expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may include these factors and the risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this report and elsewhere in this report. Given these risks and uncertainties, we urge you to read this report completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from what we plan or expect. All of the forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K are qualified by these cautionary statements and we cannot assure you that the actual results or developments anticipated by our Company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on our Company or our business or operations. In addition, these forward-looking statements present our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. Except for any ongoing obligation to disclose material information as required by federal securities laws, we do not intend to update you concerning any future revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.
Unless otherwise provided in this report or the context otherwise requires, references to “we”, “us”, “Real Mex” and “Company” refer to Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., and our consolidated subsidiaries.
PART I
ITEM 1.  
BUSINESS
Our Company
We are one of the largest full service Mexican casual dining restaurant chain operators in the United States in terms of number of restaurants. As of December 26, 2010, we had 181 restaurants, located principally in California. Our four primary restaurant concepts, El Torito®, El Torito Grill®, Chevys Fresh Mex® and Acapulco Mexican Restaurant®, offer a large variety of traditional, innovative and authentic Mexican dishes and a wide selection of alcoholic beverages at moderate prices, seven days a week for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. Our restaurant concepts feature fresh, high quality and flavorful foods, served in casual atmospheres. For fiscal year 2010, we generated revenues of $478.0 million, a decrease in same store sales of 2.3% from fiscal year 2009, a net loss of $24.1 million and net cash provided by operating activities of $11.5 million.
Our fiscal year consists of 52 or 53 weeks and ends on the last Sunday in December of each year. Fiscal year 2006 is comprised of 53 weeks and all other fiscal years presented are comprised of 52 weeks. See additional breakdown of these years into reported periods in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
Exchange Agreement
Effective November 13, 2008, our parent and each of our parent’s existing lenders executed an agreement to exchange our parent’s then outstanding borrowings under its unsecured term loan facility for 94.5% of the common stock of our parent (the “Exchange”). Immediately prior to the Exchange, our parent effected a 100:1 reverse stock split of its common stock and after the Exchange the immediately post-split existing holders retained 5.5% of the shares of our parent’s common stock. Immediately after the Exchange, no stockholder, together with its affiliates, owned more than 50% of the capital stock of our parent. In connection with the Exchange, certain terms and conditions of our outstanding indebtedness were modified. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Debt and Other Obligations”.

 

3


Table of Contents

Share Purchase
Effective June 28, 2010, immediately after we entered into a supplemental indenture, Sun Cantinas, LLC (“Sun Cantinas”), an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners (“Sun Capital”), an equityholder of our parent, acquired 43,338 shares of common stock of our parent (the “Share Purchase”) from Cocina Funding Corp., L.L.C. (“Cocina”), an existing equityholder of our parent managed by Farallon Capital Management, LLC (“Farallon”). As a result, Sun Cantinas and SCSF Cantinas, LLC, another affiliate of Sun Capital, together own approximately 70% of the outstanding common stock of our parent, and together are entitled, under the cumulative voting provisions of our parent’s Certificate of Incorporation, to elect at least five members of the seven-member board of directors of Real Mex and our parent, giving them the ability indirectly to control Real Mex. Following the Share Purchase, Cocina holds approximately 13% of the outstanding common stock of our parent, and no longer has a representative on the board of directors of Real Mex or our parent. The Share Purchase was accounted for by our parent under the purchase method of accounting and push-down accounting was applied to Real Mex. As a result of the Share Purchase, fiscal year 2010 is presented as the Predecessor Period from December 28, 2009 to June 27, 2010 and the Successor Period subsequent to June 27, 2010.
Significant Stockholders of RM Restaurant Holding Corp.
Sun Capital is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies that can benefit from its in-house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in and managed more than 200 companies worldwide since Sun Capital’s inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles and New York, and affiliates with offices in London, Paris, Frankfort, and Shenzhen and Shanghai, China. Sun Capital’s total investments in the restaurant industry make it one of the largest operators of restaurant locations in the United States.
Farallon is an investment firm founded in 1986 which manages equity capital for institutions, typically endowments and foundations, high net worth individuals, other pooled investment vehicles, and charitable organizations. Farallon invests globally in debt and equity of public and private companies.
Company Structure
The following chart summarizes our current organizational structure.
(FLOW CHART)
Our Restaurant Concepts
El Torito and El Torito Grill (42.7% of fiscal year 2010 restaurant revenues). Founded in 1954, El Torito has been a pioneer in the full service, casual dining Mexican restaurant segment in California. As of December 26, 2010, we operated 67 El Torito restaurants, 8 El Torito Grill restaurants and 2 Sinigual restaurants. This concept is the largest full service Mexican casual dining restaurant chain in California in terms of number of restaurants. Our El Torito concept is dedicated to fresh, quality ingredients and authentic, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine, including sizzling fajitas, hand-made tamales and traditional Mexican combination platters.

 

4


Table of Contents

We feature authentic regional specialties created by our executive chef, Pepe Lopez. El Torito restaurants are modeled after a traditional Mexican hacienda. Lunch and dinner entrees range in price from $6.99 to $17.99 with an average check of $29.52 and $40.81 for El Torito and El Torito Grill, respectively, for fiscal year 2010.
El Torito restaurants are primarily free standing buildings. The restaurants average approximately 8,600 square feet with average seating of approximately 305 guests. All of the El Torito properties are leased.
For those desiring a Mexican culinary experience, El Torito serves up distinctive drinks and food offerings in a festive hacienda setting focused on Latin hospitality. In the El Torito concept, we drive the traditionally slower day-parts of early evening and weekday traffic through Happy Hour offers and specialty theme menus. During Happy Hour, guests enjoy value priced appetizers and drinks, including $3 specials and our Buck It Up promotion, where guests may upgrade their happy hour drinks to a premium liquor for $1. Our lunch buffet and Lunch Express entrees offer guests value priced, time sensitive selections. We stimulate incremental traffic with value promotions such as our longstanding Tacorito Tuesday program where guests may enjoy grilled chicken, steak or carnitas tacos in the cantina, Kids Eat Free Wednesday and $2 off Cadillac Margaritas on Thursdays.
Chevys (37.4% of fiscal year 2010 restaurant revenues). Chevys was founded in Alameda, California in 1986. As of December 26, 2010, we operated 65 Company-owned restaurants and franchised 23 restaurants. This concept is the second largest full service Mexican casual dining restaurant chain in California in terms of number of restaurants. Chevys is a comfortable yet high-energy restaurant concept that offers guests an array of freshly prepared Mexican dishes in an ultra-casual atmosphere. We offer an extensive variety of Mexican dishes, utilize mesquite grilling to create a unique flavor profile and also prepare traditional enchiladas, burritos and tacos, as well as a variety of combination platters. The food menu is complemented by a wide selection of margaritas and an assortment of Mexican and American beers. Lunch and dinner entrees range in price from $7.99 to $16.99 with an average check of $30.17 for fiscal year 2010.
Chevys restaurants are primarily freestanding and located in high-traffic urban and suburban areas. Chevys restaurants generally average approximately 7,700 square feet with average seating for approximately 322 guests in the dining room and cantina. All of the Chevys properties are leased. The restaurant design is cantina-style with a vibrant, ultra-casual layout. At Chevys we prepare fresh tortillas for our guests which helps reinforce our commitment to freshness.
Chevys is a casual border cantina focused on fresh, from scratch, big-flavored food and drinks. Chevys employs a number of promotions to drive sales during traditionally slower periods anchored by Sunday promotions, which features value pricing on Cadillac Margaritas as well as $3 guacamole and $1 mini fried ice cream. Also featured are a popular Kids Eat Free Tuesday promotion and a weekday Happy Hour with value drink pricing and half-price appetizers. Weekday lunch traffic is boosted with a Fresh Mex Lunch Value Menu, which offers lunch portions on the very popular Fajitas and a series of Lunch Bowls.
Acapulco (14.6% of fiscal year 2010 restaurant revenues). The first Acapulco restaurant opened in Pasadena, California in 1960. As of December 26, 2010, we had 31 Acapulco restaurant locations. This concept is the third largest full service Mexican casual dining restaurant chain in California in terms of number of restaurants. We offer California style Mexican food featuring traditional favorites as well as seafood specialties such as grilled halibut, shrimp and crab entrees. We also feature a host of specialty drinks, including our signature Acapulco Gold Margarita™ made with premium Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila. Lunch and dinner entrees range in price from $5.99 to $17.99 with an average check of $26.07 for fiscal year 2010.
Acapulco restaurants are primarily freestanding and located in high-traffic urban and suburban areas. Acapulco restaurants generally average approximately 8,300 square feet with average seating for approximately 245 guests. Many locations have attractive outdoor patios. All but one of the properties are leased. Acapulco currently uses three models for restaurant decor: Hacienda, Aztec and Resort. The three styles, which are similar to one another, have allowed our Company to match design and capital expenditures with each location’s physical plant and the site’s customer demographics. A consistent appearance is achieved through similar exterior signage and the use of Mexican furnishings and vibrant primary color schemes in interior design throughout all Acapulco restaurants.
Acapulco is a casual, neighborhood Mexican restaurant featuring simple, value oriented, hearty Mexican fare and drinks with a focus on Latin hospitality. Acapulco benefits from long-standing value oriented day-part programs designed to drive incremental traffic during slow periods. Beginning with Sunday brunch, guests can indulge in a champagne brunch with a variety of fresh soups, chilled salads, a taco bar with handmade tortillas and a variety of traditional Mexican favorites. Weekday value promotions include Happy Hour, Margarita Mondays, Kids Eat Free Tuesdays, Crazy Combo Thursdays and a weekday lunch buffet for time sensitive guests.

 

5


Table of Contents

Other Restaurant Concepts (5.3% of fiscal year 2010 restaurant revenues). As of December 26, 2010, we operated 8 additional restaurant locations, all of which are also full service Mexican formats, under the following brands: Las Brisas; Casa Gallardo; El Paso Cantina; and Who Song & Larry’s. We acquired most of these restaurants with the acquisition of El Torito Restaurants, Inc.
Our Real Mex Foods Subsidiary
Founded in 1970, our Real Mex Foods, Inc. (“Real Mex Foods”) subsidiary provides purchasing and distribution services for the restaurant operations and manufactures specialty products for sales to outside customers. Real Mex Foods has built significant expertise in the procurement, manufacturing, distribution, and product development of Mexican foods, and provides a one-stop source of supply needs to our restaurants on the West Coast and coordinates purchasing for all non-West Coast U.S. restaurants. Our relationship with Real Mex Foods generates significant purchasing economies of scale and ensures quality and consistency across our entire store base. This enables our restaurant managers to spend more time focusing on operations, without the burden of purchasing and supply management.
In addition to the internal benefits it provides, Real Mex Foods has a customer base with deep relationships in the quick service restaurant, or “QSR,” casual dining, retail, and foodservice channels. Real Mex Foods’ custom manufacturing and research and development, or “R&D,” capabilities provide quality Mexican food products to QSR brands such as El Pollo Loco, Del Taco, Rubio’s, and Baja Fresh in addition to private label products for retailers such as Trader Joe’s, Costco, Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons and a proprietary line of entrées under the Real Mex Foods label.
Our Competitive Strengths
Leading Operator with Local Appeal. We are the largest operator of Mexican casual dining restaurants in the U.S. and our El Torito, Chevys and Acapulco concepts are ranked #1, #2 and #3 in market share, respectively, in California. While there is minimal overlap of our concepts due to differing geographic concentrations, the high market density and long operating history of each concept creates a strong brand identity and marketing efficiencies not available to our national and “mom and pop” Mexican restaurant competitors. We believe our brands appeal to a wide demographic and will continue to benefit from the growing demand for fresh, authentic Mexican food and a fun, festive dining experience.
Demographic Trends and Long-Term Industry Dynamics. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, California is expected to grow from 33.8 million people in 2000 to 46.4 million people by 2030, the second largest incremental population increase of any state in the U.S. In addition, the U.S. Census Bureau projects the Hispanic population, which accounts for approximately 18% of our total restaurant revenue, to be the fastest growing demographic in the U.S., more than doubling in size from 35.3 million people in 2000 to 73.0 million people by 2030. We expect to benefit from these long-term demographic trends as we believe the Hispanic influence on dining trends will continue to grow in tandem with population growth.
Our restaurants are positioned to benefit from the long-term trend of increased expenditure on food consumed away from home. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, dollars spent on food away from home was 49% of total dollars spent on food in 2009. Additionally, our Real Mex Foods subsidiary is uniquely positioned to benefit and grow as a result of increasing consumer demand for convenient, home meal replacement solutions through the manufacture of packaged entrées sold through the grocery and club store channels and proprietary products developed for quick service restaurants.
Fresh, Authentic, Mexican Food. Our food and beverage offerings range from guest favorites such as sizzling fajitas, hand-made tamales and traditional Mexican combination platters to authentic regional specialties created by our executive chef. We believe that these freshly prepared made-from-scratch items underscore our authenticity. We prepare all our recipes with fresh, high quality ingredients, from our salsa to our sizzling fajitas. El Torito is known for tableside preparations, including our most popular appetizer, our guacamole, which is made to our guests’ specifications at their table. Our food is complemented by a variety of specialty drinks, including our Cadillac Margarita™, made with premium 1800 Tequila and Grand Marnier.
Well Maintained Store Base. We have consistently invested in our restaurants in an effort to uphold their image as attractive, well maintained concepts. Over the last four years, we have invested significant discretionary capital in our restaurants to maintain a fresh and comfortable dining experience which we believe sets us apart from our competitors.
Service. We train our servers to follow a service program designed to achieve fast and consistent service while also promoting a casual and festive atmosphere. Our service program outlines procedures, such as the server’s first approach to the guest, product recommendations throughout the visit, timing and manner of food delivery, plate clearing, payment processing and bidding the guest farewell. Throughout the day, managers are responsible for generating energy and enthusiasm throughout their restaurants by circulating and visiting with guests at their tables. Our Tell Us About Us program offers customers incentives to complete surveys about their experience. It is used by all of our brands and provides constant, real-time feedback to management. Our primary goal is to ensure that every guest leaves fully satisfied, thereby promoting repeat visits.

 

6


Table of Contents

Internal Production, Purchasing and Distribution Facilities. We centralize purchasing and distribution for the majority of our raw ingredients, fresh products and alcoholic beverages through our two purchasing and distribution facilities and manufacture food products through our manufacturing plant. The purchasing and distribution facilities, encompassing approximately 67,000 square feet in Buena Park and 54,000 square feet in Union City enable us to order and deliver food items and ingredients on a timely basis. We are able to leverage our purchasing power and reduce delivery costs, contributing to our restaurant gross margins. Our manufacturing facility, encompassing approximately 101,000 square feet, manufactures specialty products for sales to outside customers, marketed under the Real Mex Foods® label, as well as co-packaged under our Chevys and El Torito brands and other branded names. This facility also produces certain high volume items for our Acapulco restaurants including soups, baked goods and sauce bases, enabling us to maintain food quality and consistency while reducing costs. All three facilities have additional capacity to allow for growth in our distribution operations and production for outside customers.
Business Strategy
Our primary business objective is to increase profitability through same store sales growth and restaurant level margin improvements, identified reductions in overhead costs, and continued growth in outside sales by Real Mex Foods. During fiscal year 2010, we experienced a 2.3% decrease in comparable store sales, primarily as a result of the slowing U.S. economy which has negatively impacted overall consumer traffic and the ability to increase prices in the restaurant industry. While we do not expect a meaningful improvement in the economy in 2011, we intend to focus on our guest service initiatives as well as providing compelling value based product offerings to stabilize and improve our same store sales.
Same store sales and store margin improvements. At our El Torito concept, our intent is to communicate our commitment to creating fresh, authentic Mexican dishes and drinks through in-restaurant merchandising, direct mail, newspaper, internet advertising and public relations. During fiscal year 2010, we sought to improve sales and margins through new product introductions and signature specials during four promotional events. Our Acapulco concept has been built upon the positioning of a family of local Mexican neighborhood restaurants delivering generous portions of California-Mexican food and drink at a good value. In fiscal year 2010, we sustained the same number of direct mail drops as in fiscal year 2009, but decreased the number of coupons issued during the 4th quarter. We launched four promotions featuring new product introductions as limited time offers and communicated these promotions vis-à-vis direct mail and in-restaurant merchandising. At our Chevys concept, we leveraged our equity in “Fresh Mex” and further enhanced the brand by incorporating fun and flavor into the concept’s positioning. We introduced four promotions that boasted fresh, fun and flavor and communicated the new offers through in-restaurant merchandising and direct mail with coupon incentives.
Growth in Outside Sales by Real Mex Foods. In addition to serving as the proprietary foods procurement, manufacturing, product development and distribution operation for our restaurants, Real Mex Foods leverages its scale and expertise through the development, manufacture and distribution of proprietary Mexican food products to more than 100 outside customers. In 2010, we consciously decided to cease providing distribution services to a number of our smaller customers. We changed our focus to the expansion of our retail fresh and frozen products sold under our brands or under a licensing agreement with other concepts. We currently sell directly to or package for quick service and casual dining restaurants, amusement parks, club stores, and food service, retail, vending and institutional customers. We manufacture and sell a proprietary line of packaged multi-serve entrées, including premium quality burritos, enchiladas and tamales under the Real Mex Foods label, in more than 600 retail supermarkets. We believe we have the capacity and manufacturing expertise to expand this business to include other products and to market these products to additional customers in these and other business segments, with a focus on manufactured products, which are more profitable than distribution-only accounts. Outside sales decreased 7.8% from 2009 to 2010, primarily due to a decrease in distribution sales of approximately $3.1 million.
Expansion of the Chevys franchise network. We currently have 9 franchisees operating 23 franchised Chevys restaurants in 11 states. We plan to continue to support our existing franchisees and develop new franchise relationships. These efforts are aimed at increasing Chevys brand awareness and marketing efficiencies and to increase revenues from new store franchise fees along with revenues from ongoing franchise royalties.

 

7


Table of Contents

Employees
As of December 26, 2010, we had 10,843 employees. Of these employees, 9,625 were employed as restaurant hourly team members, 756 as restaurant managers, 328 as distribution and production facility employees, and 134 as executive, senior, and general office staff. None of our workforce is unionized.
Restaurant Staffing. Restaurants are assigned between three and five managers — typically, a general manager, one or more assistant managers and one chef. The average restaurant employs approximately 57 team members — approximately 35% of whom are in kitchen positions and 65% in guest service positions. The actual number of team members in each restaurant varies depending on sales volume, physical plant design, and unique operational needs.
Turnover. We believe one of our strengths is the relative stability of our employee staff. We believe that in fiscal year 2010, our hourly turnover of 48.6% and our management turnover of 17.1% continue to be better than industry average and provides stability in our staff.
Competition
The food service industry is competitive and affected by external changes such as economic conditions, disposable income, consumer tastes, and changing population and demographics. Competitive factors include: food quality, variety and price; customer service; location; the number and proximity of competitors; decor; and public reputation. We consider our principal competitors to be family dining venues and casual dining operations. Like other food service operations, we follow changes in both consumer preferences for food and habits in patronizing eating establishments. We intend to continue to expand into the specialty food market by selling directly to or co-packaging for restaurants, food service companies and other customers and will as a result face competition from other food service companies, many of which are more established than us.
Intellectual Property
We have registered or filed applications to register certain names used by our restaurants and our food manufacturing operations as trademarks or service marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in certain foreign countries, including the names Acapulco Mexican Restaurant®, El Torito®, El Torito Grill®, Sinigual®, Chevys Fresh Mex® and Real Mex Foods®. The success of our business strategy depends on our continued ability to use our existing trademarks and service marks in order to increase brand awareness and further develop our branded products.
Government Regulation
Our business, including each of the restaurants we operate, is subject to extensive federal, state and local government regulation, including those relating to, among others, public health, sanitation and safety, zoning and fire codes. A failure to comply with one or more regulations could result in the imposition of sanctions, including the closing of facilities for an indeterminate period of time, or third party litigation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our Company and its results of operations. We are also subject to laws and regulations governing our relationships with employees, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, minimum wage requirements, overtime, reporting of tip income, work and safety conditions and other regulations governing employment. Because a significant number of our employees are paid at rates tied to the federal and California state minimum wage, an increase in the minimum wage would increase our labor costs. An increase in the minimum wage rate or employee benefits costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our restaurants’ sales of alcoholic beverages are subject to regulation in each state in which we operate. Typically our restaurants’ licenses to sell alcoholic beverages must be renewed annually and may be suspended or revoked at any time for cause. Alcoholic beverage control regulations relate to various aspects of daily operations of our restaurants, including the minimum age of patrons and employees, hours of operation, advertising, wholesale purchasing and inventory control, handling and storage. In fiscal year 2010, approximately 25.2% of our restaurant revenues were attributable to the sale of alcoholic beverages, and we believe that our ability to serve alcohol is an important factor in attracting customers. The failure of any of our restaurants to timely obtain and maintain liquor or other licenses, permits or approvals required to serve alcoholic beverages or food could delay or prevent the opening of, or adversely impact the viability of, the restaurant, and we could lose significant revenue.
Our restaurants are subject in each state in which we operate to “dram shop” laws, which allow a person to sue us if that person was injured by an intoxicated guest who was wrongfully served alcoholic beverages at one of our restaurants. A judgment against us under a dram shop law could exceed our liability insurance coverage policy limits and could result in substantial liability for us and have a material adverse effect on our profitability. Our inability to continue to obtain such insurance coverage at reasonable costs also could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

8


Table of Contents

Our food manufacturing operations are subject to extensive regulation by the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, and other state and local authorities. Our facilities and products are subject to periodic inspection by federal, state and local authorities. We believe that we are currently in substantial compliance with all material governmental laws and regulations and maintain all material permits and licenses relating to our operations. We are required to have a USDA inspector on site at our manufacturing facility to ensure compliance with USDA regulations. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that we are in full compliance with all such laws and regulations or that we will be able to comply with any future laws and regulations in a cost-effective manner. Failure by us to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We are also subject to the U.S. Bio-Terrorism Act of 2002 which, among other things, requires us to provide specific information about the food products we ship in the U.S. and to register our manufacturing facilities with the United States Food & Drug Administration, or FDA. In addition, we are subject to the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 and the regulations promulgated there under by the FDA. This regulatory program prescribes the format and content of certain information required to appear on the labels of food products.
Additionally, restaurants and other facilities use electricity and natural gas, which are subject to various federal and state regulations concerning the allocation of energy. Our operating costs have been and will continue to be affected by increases in the cost of energy.
Environmental Matters
Our operations are also subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including regulation of discharges into the air and water. Under various federal, state and local laws, an owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances on or in such property. Such liability may be imposed without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. Although we are not aware of any material environmental conditions that require remediation by us under federal, state or local law at our properties, we have not conducted a comprehensive environmental review of our properties or operations and we cannot assure that we have identified all of the potential environmental liabilities at our properties or that such liabilities would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
ITEM 1A.  
RISK FACTORS
Our results of operations and financial condition can be adversely affected by numerous risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors detailed below in conjunction with the other information contained in this report. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flows and/or future prospects could be materially adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Company
The U.S. economic crisis adversely impacted our business and financial results in fiscal 2010 and a prolonged recession could materially affect us in the future.
The restaurant industry is dependent upon consumer discretionary spending. The current economic crisis has reduced consumer confidence to historic lows impacting the public’s ability and/or desire to spend discretionary dollars as a result of job losses, home foreclosures, significantly reduced home values, investment losses, personal bankruptcies and reduced access to credit, resulting in lower levels of guest traffic in our restaurants. If this difficult economic situation continues for a prolonged period of time and/or deepens in magnitude, our business, results of operation and ability to comply with the covenants under our credit facility could be materially affected. Continued deterioration in customer traffic and/or a reduction in the average amount guests spend in our restaurants will negatively impact our revenues and our profitability. This could result in further reductions in staff levels, additional asset impairment charges and potential restaurant closures.
Future recessionary effects on the Company are unknown at this time and could have a potential material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. There can be no assurance that the government’s plan to stimulate the economy will restore consumer confidence, stabilize the financial markets, increase liquidity and the availability of credit, or result in lower unemployment.

 

9


Table of Contents

We are vulnerable to changes in consumer preferences and economic and other conditions that could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations and cash flows.
Food service businesses are often affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional and local economic conditions, demographic trends, consumer confidence in the economy and discretionary spending priorities. Factors such as traffic patterns, weather conditions, local demographics and the type, number and location of competing restaurants may adversely affect the performance of individual locations. In addition, inflation and increased food and energy costs may harm the restaurant industry in general and our locations in particular. Adverse changes in any of these factors could reduce consumer traffic or impose practical limits on pricing, which could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We cannot assure you that consumers will continue to regard our products favorably or that we will be able to develop new products that appeal to consumer preferences. Any failure to satisfy consumer preferences could have a materially adverse affect on our business. Our continued success will depend in part on our ability to anticipate, identify and respond to changing consumer preferences and economic conditions.
Our business is highly sensitive to events and conditions in the State of California.
A majority of our restaurants are located in California. Because of this geographic concentration, we are susceptible to local and regional risks, such as energy shortages and related increased costs, increased government regulation, adverse economic conditions, adverse weather conditions, earthquakes and other natural disasters, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In light of our current geographic concentration, adverse publicity relating to our restaurants could have a more pronounced adverse effect on overall sales than might be the case if our restaurants were more broadly dispersed.
Increases in the cost of ingredients could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and cash flows.
The cost, availability and quality of the ingredients we use to prepare our food and beverages are subject to a range of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Changes in the cost of such ingredients can result from a number of factors, including seasonality, political conditions, weather conditions, shortages of ingredients and other factors. If we fail to anticipate and react to increasing ingredient costs by adjusting our purchasing practices and menu price adjustments, our cost of sales may increase and our operating results could be adversely affected.
Food-borne illness incidents could reduce our restaurant sales.
We cannot guarantee that our food handling policies and training at our restaurants and distribution and manufacturing facilities will be fully effective in preventing all food-borne illnesses. Furthermore, our reliance on third party suppliers makes it difficult to monitor food safety compliance and increases the risk that food-borne illness would affect multiple locations rather than single restaurants. Third party food suppliers and transporters outside of our control could cause some food borne illness incidents. New illnesses resistant to our current precautions may develop in the future, or diseases with long incubation periods could arise, that could give rise to claims or allegations on a retroactive basis. One or more instances of food-borne illness in one of our restaurants could negatively affect our restaurant sales if highly publicized. This risk exists even if it were later determined that the illness was wrongly attributed to one of our restaurants. A number of other restaurant chains have experienced incidents related to food borne illnesses that have had a material adverse impact on their operations, and we cannot assure you that we can avoid a similar impact upon the occurrence of a similar incident at our restaurants. In addition, we may be subject to liability claims as a result of food-borne illnesses.
We depend upon frequent deliveries of food and other supplies.
Our ability to maintain consistent quality menu items depends in part upon our ability to acquire fresh food products and related items, including essential ingredients used in the Mexican restaurant business such as avocados, from reliable sources in accordance with our specifications. Shortages or interruptions in the supply of fresh food products caused by unanticipated demand, problems in production or distribution, contamination of food products, an outbreak of food-borne diseases, inclement weather or other conditions could materially adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of ingredients, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

10


Table of Contents

We have contracts with a large number of suppliers of most food, beverages and other supplies for our restaurants. In addition, we distribute substantially all of the products we receive from suppliers through our distribution facility. If suppliers do not perform adequately or if any one or more of such entities seeks to terminate its agreement or fails to perform as anticipated, or if there is any disruption in any of our supply relationships or distribution operations for any reason, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our inability to replace our distribution operations and our suppliers in a short period of time on acceptable terms could increase our costs and could cause shortages at our restaurants of food and other items that may cause our restaurants to remove certain items from a restaurant’s menu or temporarily close a restaurant. If we temporarily close a restaurant or remove popular items from a restaurant’s menu, that restaurant may experience a significant reduction in revenue during the time affected by the shortage or thereafter, as our customers may change their dining habits as a result.
There is intense competition in the restaurant industry.
The restaurant business is intensely competitive with respect to food quality, price value relationships, ambiance, service and location, and there are many well-established competitors with substantially greater financial, marketing, personnel and other resources. In addition, many of our competitors are well established in the markets where we operate. While we believe that our restaurants are distinctive in design and operating concept, other companies may develop restaurants that operate with similar concepts. In addition, with improving product offerings at quick-service restaurants and grocery stores, coupled with the present state of the economy, consumers may choose to trade down to these alternatives, which could also negatively affect revenues.
Negative publicity relating to one of our restaurants could reduce sales at some or all of our other restaurants.
We are, from time to time, faced with negative publicity relating to food quality, restaurant facilities, health inspection scores, employee relationships or other matters at specific restaurants. Adverse publicity may negatively affect us, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are liable. In addition, the negative impact of adverse publicity relating to one restaurant may extend far beyond the restaurant involved to affect some or all of our other restaurants. A similar risk exists with respect to totally unrelated food service businesses, if customers mistakenly associate such unrelated businesses with our own operations.
Changes in employment laws may adversely affect our business.
Various federal and state labor laws govern the relationship with our employees and affect operating costs. These laws include minimum wage requirements, overtime, unemployment tax rates, workers’ compensation rates and citizenship requirements. Significant additional government imposed increases in the following areas could materially affect our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow:
   
minimum wage;
 
   
paid leaves of absence;
 
   
provision to employees of mandatory health insurance;
 
   
tax reporting; and
 
   
revisions in the tax payment requirements for employees who receive gratuities.
We may be subject to significant liability should the consumption of any of our specialty products cause injury, illness or death.
We may be required to recall specialty products that we manufacture and co-package at our manufacturing facility in the event of contamination, product tampering, mislabeling or damage to our products. We cannot assure you that product liability claims will not be asserted against us or that we will not be obligated to recall our products. A product liability judgment against us or a product recall could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Wage and hour class action lawsuits may adversely affect our business.
The Company is subject from time to time to employee claims based, among other things, on discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or violation of wage and labor laws in the ordinary course of business. These claims may divert our financial and management resources that would otherwise be used to benefit our operations. In recent years a number of restaurant companies have been subject to wage and hour class action lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state labor laws. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in the payment of substantial damages by the defendants. We have been and may in the future be named as a defendant in wage and hour class action lawsuits. Any significant judgment against us or settlement by us could adversely affect our financial condition and adverse publicity resulting from these allegations could adversely affect our business.

 

11


Table of Contents

The current economic crisis could have a material adverse impact on our landlords or other tenants in shopping centers in which we are located, which in turn could negatively affect our financial results.
If the recession continues or increases in severity, our landlords may be unable to obtain financing or remain in good standing under their existing financing arrangements, resulting in failures to satisfy lease covenants to us. In addition, other tenants at shopping centers in which we are located or have executed leases may fail to open or may cease operations. If our landlords fail to satisfy required co-tenancies, such failures may result in us terminating leases in these locations. Also, decreases in total tenant occupancy in shopping centers in which we are located may affect guest traffic at our restaurants. All of these factors could have a material adverse impact on our operations.
Uninsured losses could occur.
We have comprehensive insurance, including general liability and property (including business interruption) extended coverage. However, there are certain types of losses that may be uninsurable or that we believe are not economical to fully insure, such as earthquakes and other natural disasters. In view of the location of many of our existing restaurants in California, our operations are particularly susceptible to damage and disruption caused by earthquakes. In the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster affecting our geographic area of operations, we could suffer a loss of the capital invested in, as well as anticipated earnings from, the damaged or destroyed properties.
The failure to enforce and maintain our trademarks could materially adversely affect our ability to establish and maintain brand awareness.
We have registered or filed applications to register certain names used by our restaurants and our food manufacturing operations as trademarks or service marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in certain foreign countries, including the names Acapulco Mexican Restaurant®, El Torito®, El Torito Grill®, Sinigual®, Chevys Fresh Mex® and Real Mex Foods®. The success of our business strategy depends on our continued ability to use our existing trademarks and service marks in order to increase brand awareness and further develop our branded products. If our efforts to protect our intellectual property are not adequate, or if any third party misappropriates or infringes our intellectual property, either in print or on the Internet, the value of our brands may be harmed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, including the failure of our brands and branded products to achieve and maintain market acceptance.
We cannot assure you that all of the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property in the U.S. and foreign countries will be adequate. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S.
We may be locked into long-term and non-cancelable leases and may be unable to renew leases at the end of their terms.
Many of our current leases are non-cancelable and typically have initial terms of 10 to 20 years and one or more renewal terms of three or more years that we may exercise at our option. Leases that we enter into in the future likely will also be long-term and non-cancelable and have similar renewal options. If we close a restaurant, we may remain committed to perform our obligations under the applicable lease, which would include, among other things, payment of the base rent for the balance of the lease term. Alternatively, at the end of the lease term and any renewal period for a restaurant, we may be unable to renew the lease without substantial additional cost, if at all. We may close or relocate the restaurant, which could subject us to construction and other costs and risks, and could have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, the revenue and profit, if any, generated at a relocated restaurant, may not equal the revenue and profit generated at the existing restaurant. Furthermore, in the past, we have been forced to close profitable restaurants due to the inability to renew a lease upon the expiration of its lease term and we expect this to occur from time to time in the future.
If we face labor shortages or increased labor costs, our growth and operating results could be adversely affected.
Labor is a primary component in the cost of operating our restaurants. If we face labor shortages or increased labor costs because of increased competition for well-qualified employees, higher employee turnover rates or increases in the federal or applicable state minimum wage or other employee benefits costs (including costs associated with health insurance coverage), our operating expenses could increase and our growth could be adversely affected. In addition, full service casual dining segment restaurant operators have traditionally experienced relatively high employee turn over rates. Although we have not yet experienced any significant problems in recruiting or retaining employees, our ability to recruit and retain such individuals may result in higher employee turnover in our restaurants, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

12


Table of Contents

We have been affected by increasing healthcare and workers’ compensation expenses affecting business in most industries including ours. To manage premium increases we have elected to self-insure workers’ compensation. Higher deductibles could result in greater exposure to our operating results and liquidity. If we are exposed to material liabilities that are not insured it could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We face risks associated with government regulations.
We are subject to extensive government regulation at the federal, state and local government level. These include, but are not limited to, regulations relating to the preparation and sale of food and beverages, zoning and building codes, land use and employee, public health, sanitation and safety matters. We are required to obtain and maintain governmental licenses, permits and approvals. Difficulty or failure in obtaining these approvals in the future could result in delaying or canceling the opening of new restaurants or could materially adversely affect the operation of existing restaurants. Local authorities may suspend or deny renewal of our governmental licenses if they determine that our operations do not meet the standards for initial grant or renewal. This risk would be even higher if there were a major change in the licensing requirements affecting our types of restaurants.
Typically our restaurants’ licenses to sell alcoholic beverages must be renewed annually and may be suspended or revoked at any time for cause. Alcoholic beverage control regulations relate to various aspects of daily operations of our restaurants, including the minimum age of patrons and employees, hours of operation, advertising, wholesale purchasing and inventory control, handling and storage. In fiscal year 2010, approximately 25.2% of our restaurant revenues were attributable to the sale of alcoholic beverages, and we believe that our ability to serve alcoholic beverages, such as our signature margarita drinks, is an important factor in attracting customers. The failure of any of our restaurants to timely obtain and maintain liquor or other licenses, permits or approvals required to serve alcoholic beverages or food could delay or prevent the opening of, or adversely impact the viability of, the restaurant and we could lose significant revenue. Our restaurants are also subject in each state in which we operate to “dram shop” laws, which allow a person to sue us if that person was injured by an intoxicated person who was wrongfully served alcoholic beverages at one of our restaurants. A judgment against us under a dram shop law could exceed our liability insurance coverage policy limits and could result in substantial liability for us and have a material adverse effect on our profitability. Our inability to continue to obtain such insurance coverage at reasonable costs also could have a material adverse effect on us.
The federal Americans with Disabilities Act and similar state laws prohibit discrimination because of disability in public accommodations and employment. Mandated modifications to our facilities (or related litigation) in the future to make different accommodations for persons with disabilities could result in material unanticipated expenses.
Our distribution and manufacturing operations are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA, USDA and other state and local authorities. Our processing facilities and products are subject to periodic inspection by federal, state and local authorities. We cannot assure you, however, that we are in full compliance with all currently applicable governmental laws, or that we will be able to comply with any or all future laws and regulations. Failure by us to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We face risks associated with environmental laws.
We are subject to federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances that:
   
govern activities or operations that may have adverse environmental effects, such as discharges to air and water, as well as handling and disposal practices for solid and hazardous wastes; and
   
impose liability for the costs of cleaning up, and damage resulting from, sites of past spills, disposals or other releases of hazardous materials.
In particular, under applicable environmental laws, we may be responsible for remediation of environmental conditions and may be subject to associated liabilities, including liabilities resulting from lawsuits brought by private litigants, relating to our restaurants and the land on which our restaurants are located, regardless of whether we lease or own the restaurants or land in question and regardless of whether such environmental conditions were created by us or by a prior owner or tenant. If we are found liable for the costs of remediation of contamination at any of our properties our operating expenses would likely increase and our operating results would be materially adversely affected.

 

13


Table of Contents

We depend on the services of key executives, whose loss could materially harm our business.
Some of our senior executives are important to our success because they have been instrumental in setting our strategic direction, operating and marketing our business, identifying, recruiting and training key personnel, identifying expansion opportunities and arranging necessary financing. Losing the services of any of these individuals could materially adversely affect our business until a suitable replacement could be found. We believe that they could not easily be replaced with executives of equal experience and capabilities. We do not maintain key person life insurance policies on any of our executives.
Compliance with regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure will result in additional expenses.
Keeping abreast of, and in compliance with, laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and new SEC regulations require a significant amount of management attention and external resources. We are committed to observing high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. Consequently, we intend to invest all reasonably necessary resources to comply with evolving standards, and this investment will result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue generating activities to compliance activities.
The interests of the stockholders of the voting stock of our parent, RM Restaurant Holding Corp, may conflict with the interests of the holders of our indebtedness.
By virtue of their stock ownership and the terms of various agreements between our parent and its stockholders, the stockholders of our parent have significant influence over our management and will be able to determine the outcome of all matters required to be submitted for approval, including the election of our directors and the approval of mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets. The interests of the stockholders of our parent may differ from the interests of the holders of our indebtedness if, for example we encounter financial difficulties or are unable to pay our debts as they mature. In addition, our parent’s stockholders may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financing, or other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity investments, although such transactions might involve risks to the holders of our indebtedness.
We have a material amount of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets which, if impaired, would result in a reduction in our net income.
Goodwill is the amount by which the cost of an acquisition accounted for using the purchase method exceeds the fair value of the net assets we acquire. Current accounting standards require that goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets be periodically evaluated for impairment based on the fair value. The downturn in the economy has resulted in an unfavorable impact on current operations and growth projections. As a result, impairment charges of goodwill and other intangible assets of approximately $1.1 million and $16.3 million were recognized during fiscal years 2010 and 2009, respectively. Any declines in our assessment of the fair value the Company could result in a further write-down of our goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets and a reduction in our net income.
We may make acquisitions or enter into similar transactions.
We may expand by pursuing acquisitions, business combinations and joint ventures. We may encounter difficulties in integrating the expanded operations, entering into markets, or conducting operations where we have no or limited prior experience. Furthermore, we may not realize the benefits we anticipated when we entered into these transactions. In addition, the negotiation of potential acquisitions, business combinations or joint ventures as well as the integration of an acquired business could require us to incur significant costs and cause diversion of management’s time and resources.
Future changes in financial accounting standards may cause adverse unexpected operating results and affect our reported results of operations.
A change in accounting standards can have a significant effect on our reported results and may affect our reporting of transactions before the change is effective. New pronouncements and varying interpretations of pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future. Changes to existing accounting rules or the questioning of current accounting practices may adversely affect our reported financial results.

 

14


Table of Contents

Risks Related to Our 14.0% Senior Secured Notes due January 1, 2013
Our substantial level of indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.
We have substantial indebtedness, including obligations under capital leases and unamortized debt discount. As of December 26, 2010, we had approximately $162.0 million of total debt outstanding, of which $131.0 million is secured. Subject to restrictions in the indenture and our senior secured and unsecured credit facilities, we may incur additional indebtedness. Our high level of indebtedness could have important consequences to you and significant effects on our business, including the following:
   
it may be more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations, including with respect to the notes;
 
   
our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate purposes may be impaired;
 
   
we must use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay interest on the notes and our other indebtedness as well as to fund excess cash flow offers on the notes, which will reduce the funds available to use for operations and other purposes;
 
   
all of the indebtedness outstanding under our senior secured credit facility will have a prior ranking claim on substantially all of our assets, and all of the indebtedness outstanding under our other secured debt (like equipment financing) will have a prior ranking claim on the underlying assets;
 
   
our ability to fund a change of control offer may be limited;
 
   
our ability to borrow additional funds may be limited;
 
   
our high level of indebtedness could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to those of our competitors that may have proportionately less debt;
 
   
our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate may be limited;
 
   
we may be restricted from making strategic acquisitions or exploiting other business opportunities; and
 
   
our high level of indebtedness makes us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse developments in our business.
We expect to use cash flow from operations to pay our expenses and scheduled interest and principal payments due in the next 12 months under our outstanding indebtedness, including the notes. Our ability to make these payments thus depends on our future performance, which is affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which we cannot control. The economic downturn has negatively impacted our cash flow and has decelerated our growth plans. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future and our anticipated growth in revenue and cash flow may not be realized, either or both of which could result in our being unable to repay or pay interest on our indebtedness, including the notes, to pay interest on our indebtedness, or to fund other liquidity needs. If we do not have enough money, we may be required to refinance all or part of our then-existing debt (including the notes), sell assets or borrow more money. We cannot make any assurances that we will be able to accomplish any of these alternatives on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements, including the indenture and our senior secured and unsecured credit facilities, may restrict us from adopting any of these alternatives. The failure to generate sufficient cash flow or to achieve any of these alternatives could significantly adversely affect the value of the notes and our ability to pay the amounts due under the notes.
Despite our current indebtedness level, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt, which could exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial leverage.
As of December 26, 2010, we had $15.0 million of revolving credit availability under our $15.0 million senior secured credit facility. We and our subsidiaries may also be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the indenture and the senior secured and unsecured credit facilities do not fully prohibit us or our subsidiaries from doing so. If we incur any additional indebtedness that ranks equally with the notes, the holders of that debt will be entitled to share ratably with the holders of the notes in any proceeds distributed in connection with any insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up of us, subject to any collateral securing the notes. If new debt is added to our or our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.

 

15


Table of Contents

We are a holding company and, therefore, our ability to make payments under the notes and service our other debt depends on cash flow from our subsidiaries.
We are, and are required under the indenture governing our notes to remain, a holding company. Our only material assets are our ownership interests in our subsidiaries. Consequently, we will depend on distributions or other intercompany transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to make payments under the notes and service our other debt. Distributions and intercompany transfers of funds to us from our subsidiaries will depend on:
   
their earnings;
 
   
covenants contained in agreements to which we or our subsidiaries are or may become subject, including our senior secured and unsecured credit facilities and the notes;
 
   
business and tax considerations; and
 
   
applicable law, including laws regarding the payment of dividends and distributions.
We cannot assure you that the operating results of our subsidiaries at any given time will be sufficient to make distributions or other payments to us or that any distributions and/or payments will be adequate to pay any amounts due under the notes or our other indebtedness.
Our senior secured and unsecured credit facilities and the indenture for the notes impose significant operating and financial restrictions, which may prevent us from pursuing certain business opportunities and taking certain actions.
Our senior secured and unsecured credit facilities and the indenture for the notes impose, and future debt agreements may impose, significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to:
   
incur additional indebtedness;
 
   
repay indebtedness (including the notes) prior to stated maturities;
 
   
pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase our stock or make other distributions;
 
   
make acquisitions or investments;
 
   
create or incur liens;
 
   
transfer or sell certain assets or merge or consolidate with or into other companies;
 
   
enter into certain transactions with affiliates;
 
   
sell stock in our subsidiaries;
 
   
restrict dividends, distributions or other payments from our subsidiaries; and
 
   
otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities.
In addition, our senior secured and one of our unsecured credit facilities require us to maintain compliance with specified financial covenants.
These covenants could adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs and pursue available business opportunities. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default in respect of the related indebtedness. If a default occurs, the relevant lenders could elect to declare the indebtedness, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable and proceed against any collateral securing that indebtedness. Acceleration of our other indebtedness could result in a default under the terms of the indenture governing the notes.

 

16


Table of Contents

We may not be able to satisfy our obligations to holders of the notes upon a change of control or in connection with an excess cash flow offer or asset sale offer.
Upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the indenture, we will be required to offer to purchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with any accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the date of purchase, unless we have given a prior redemption notice. In addition, upon our accumulation of certain levels of excess cash flow, we will be required to offer to purchase the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with any accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the date of purchase, unless we have given a prior redemption notice. Furthermore, if we sell assets and we do not use the net proceeds for specified purposes, we will be required to use such net proceeds to offer to repurchase the notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the date of repurchase.
We cannot assure you that, if a change of control, excess cash flow or asset sale offer is made, we will have available funds sufficient to pay the purchase price for any or all of the notes that might be delivered by holders of the notes seeking to accept the offer or that we will be permitted under the terms of our other indebtedness to make such offers and, accordingly, none of the holders of the notes may receive the purchase price for their notes.
In addition, the events that constitute a change of control under the indenture may also be events of default under our senior secured and unsecured credit facilities or other obligations we incur in the future. These events may permit the lenders under our senior secured and unsecured credit facilities to accelerate the debt outstanding thereunder and, if such debt is not paid, to enforce security interests in our assets, thereby limiting our ability to raise cash to purchase the notes, and reducing the practical benefit of the offer to purchase provisions to the holders of the notes.
The notes will be structurally subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities of any non-guarantor subsidiaries.
The notes will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of any non-guarantor subsidiary, and holders of notes will not have any claim as a creditor against any non-guarantor subsidiary. In addition, the indenture under which the notes have been issued permits, subject to certain limitations, non-guarantor subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and does not contain any limitations on the amount of liabilities (such as trade payables) that may be incurred by them.
The proceeds from the sale of the collateral securing the notes may not be sufficient to pay all amounts owed under the notes. The collateral securing the notes is subject to first priority liens, and your right to receive payments on the notes will effectively be subordinated to payments under the instruments governing our priority lien obligations, including our senior secured credit facility, to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness.
The collateral securing the notes is subject to a first priority claim in favor of certain of our other indebtedness, including our senior secured credit facility, which must be paid in full before the collateral can be used to pay the notes. Indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility and certain other senior secured indebtedness that we may incur in the future, referred to in this report as priority lien debt, is and will be secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of our tangible and intangible assets, with certain exceptions. In addition, under the indenture certain other permitted prior liens may rank ahead of the second priority liens securing the notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding, the assets that are pledged as collateral securing both the first priority claims and/or the claims secured by other permitted prior liens and the notes must first be used to pay the first priority claims and any claims secured by other permitted prior liens in full before making any payments on the notes.
In addition, the notes are secured by our assets only to the extent those assets constitute “collateral” under the security documents. Not all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets are “collateral.” Subject to limited exceptions, the notes are not secured by, among other assets, any of the following assets that we currently own or may acquire in the future:
   
any agreement or contract the terms of which prohibit, or would be breached by, the grant of a security interest therein to secure the notes, if (i) the prohibition is legally enforceable and (ii) after using commercially reasonable efforts, we have been unable to amend the agreement or contract to remove the offending terms;
 
   
money and letters of credit rights that are not supporting obligations;

 

17


Table of Contents

   
any deposit accounts that have been pledged to secure priority lien obligations, if, after using commercially reasonable efforts, we have been unable to obtain perfected liens on those accounts;
 
   
any foreign intellectual property or automobiles, vehicles or the like in which a security interest cannot be perfected by the filing of a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement;
 
   
any other assets in which a security interest cannot be perfected by the filing of a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement, so long as the aggregate fair market value of those assets is not more than $1.0 million at any time;
 
   
any leased real property;
 
   
the voting stock of any foreign subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding voting stock of that foreign subsidiary; and
 
   
while any priority lien obligations remain outstanding, any other assets that have not been pledged to secure priority lien obligations, so long as the aggregate fair market value of those assets is not more than $500,000 at any time.
Absent the Intercreditor Agreement between the trustee for the note holders under the indenture and the administrative agent for the lenders under our senior secured credit facility, the failure by the lenders under the senior secured credit facility to perfect their liens on the collateral properly might have allowed the security interests that secure the notes to assert first priority. The Intercreditor Agreement, however, bars the noteholders from asserting such priority. In addition, to the extent that third parties, including lenders under any credit facility, hold liens on the collateral, such third parties will have rights and remedies with respect to the assets or property subject to such liens that, if exercised, could adversely affect the value of the collateral.
No appraisal of the value of the collateral securing the notes has been made and the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. However, we believe that the book value of our tangible assets will be less than our secured indebtedness on a pro forma basis and we cannot assure you that liquidating the collateral securing the notes would be likely to produce proceeds in an amount sufficient to pay all or any amounts due on the notes, after first satisfying our obligations in full under our senior secured credit facility and any other obligations secured by a first priority lien or other permitted prior lien on the collateral. Under the Bankruptcy Code, unless the value of the collateral securing the notes is greater than the amount of the remaining obligations under the notes, holders of notes will not be entitled to post petition interest in a bankruptcy proceeding.
We have not analyzed the effect of such exceptions, limitations, imperfections and liens, and the existence of any could adversely affect the value of the collateral securing the notes as well as the ability of the collateral agent to realize or foreclose on such collateral.
For each of the reasons set forth above, there may not be sufficient collateral to pay all or any of the amounts due on the notes. Any claim for the difference between the amount realized by holders of the notes from the sale of the collateral securing the notes and the obligations under the notes will be an unsecured claim and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness and other obligations, including trade payables.
Holders of notes will not control decisions regarding collateral.
The holders of the priority lien debt control substantially all matters related to the shared collateral securing the first priority claims and the notes. The holders of priority lien debt may cause the collateral agent under the applicable security agreements to take action (or delay or refuse to take action) to dispose of, foreclose on, or exercise other remedies with respect to the shared collateral with which holders of the notes may disagree or that may be contrary to the interests of holders of the notes.

 

18


Table of Contents

The ability of the trustee to foreclose on the collateral may be limited.
The right of our secured creditors to foreclose on and sell collateral upon the occurrence of an event of default also could be subject to certain limitations under applicable federal bankruptcy laws if we become the subject of a case under the Bankruptcy Code. Various provisions of the Bankruptcy Code could prevent the trustee from repossessing and disposing of the collateral upon the occurrence of an event of default if a bankruptcy case is commenced by or against us before the trustee repossesses and disposes of the collateral. Under the Bankruptcy Code, secured creditors, such as the holders of the notes, may be prohibited from repossessing their collateral from a debtor in a bankruptcy case, or from disposing of collateral repossessed from such debtor, without prior bankruptcy court approval. Furthermore, other provisions of the Bankruptcy Code permit a debtor to continue to retain and to use the collateral (and the proceeds, products, rents or profits of such collateral) so long as the secured creditor is afforded “adequate protection” of its interest in the collateral. Although the precise meaning of the term “adequate protection” may vary according to circumstances, it is intended in general to protect a secured creditor against any diminution in the value of the creditor’s interest in its collateral. Accordingly, a bankruptcy court may find that a secured creditor is “adequately protected” if, for example, the debtor makes certain cash payments or grants the creditor additional or replacement liens as security for any diminution in the value of the collateral occurring for any reason during the pendency of the bankruptcy case. In view of the fact that the application of the doctrine of “adequate protection” will vary depending on the circumstances of the particular case and the broad discretionary powers of a bankruptcy court, it is impossible to predict how long payments under the notes could be delayed following commencement of a bankruptcy case, whether or when the trustee could repossess or dispose of the collateral, or whether or to what extent holders of the notes would be compensated for any delay in payment or loss of value of the collateral through the requirement of “adequate protection.” Furthermore, if the bankruptcy court determines the value of the collateral is not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the notes, you would hold secured claims to the extent of the value of the collateral to which a note holder is entitled, and would hold unsecured claims with respect to any shortfall.
Moreover, secured creditors that hold a security interest in real property may be held liable under environmental laws for the costs of remediating or preventing release or threatened releases of hazardous substances at such real property. The trustee may therefore need to evaluate the impact of such potential liabilities before determining to foreclose on collateral consisting of real property. Consequently, the trustee may decline to foreclose on such collateral or exercise remedies available if it does not receive indemnification to its satisfaction from the holders of the notes.
In addition, the trustee’s ability to foreclose on the collateral on your behalf may be subject to lack of perfection, the consent of third parties, prior liens (as discussed above) and practical problems associated with the realization of the trustee’s security interest in the collateral. We did not and will not obtain legal opinions on any of the real property included in the collateral. Therefore, the enforceability of the provisions of the deeds of trust securing our real property, including the remedial provisions, have not been and will not be passed on by local counsel.
Moreover, the Bankruptcy Code contains provisions permitting both secured and unsecured claims to be impaired, including materially re-written as to their terms and under certain circumstances, extinguished, pursuant to a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization that has been approved by a bankruptcy court. There are statutory requirements (including requirements intended to provide specific economic protections for holders of both secured and unsecured claims) that are to be satisfied before a bankruptcy court is legally entitled to approve or confirm a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.
However, the bankruptcy court will determine, based on evidence at the confirmation hearing on such plan, whether certain of those statutory requirements have been satisfied upon the basis of the factual circumstances existing at the time of such confirmation hearing. The bankruptcy court’s factual findings on such matters generally are accorded deference by any appellate court and generally are not to be reversed on appeal unless “clearly erroneous.” Also, there is another doctrine generally applied by federal appellate courts, which generally is referred to as the “equitable mootness” doctrine and generally requires dismissal of any appeal of a bankruptcy court’s order confirming a Chapter 11 plan if a stay pending appeal has not been granted and if the plan has been so consummated (e.g., the transactions contemplated under the plan such as the payment of certain claims and/or the issuance of new debt or equity instruments have taken place) such that it would be unduly burdensome or unfair to third persons to unravel or “unwind” the plan. Thus, a bankruptcy court’s determination to confirm a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization is likely to be based in part on the bankruptcy court’s factual findings as to the future circumstances existing at the time of confirmation (as well as on its legal conclusions), may be subject with respect to those factual findings to a deferential review standard if appealed, and further may evade appellate review altogether if the appellate court determines that the “equitable mootness” doctrine is applicable to the circumstances surrounding such appeal and that, consequently, the appeal of that plan should be dismissed as being “equitably moot.” Accordingly, there can be no guarantee as to the manner in which the claims under the notes will be treated under any confirmed Chapter 11 plan of reorganization for us or any of our subsidiaries.

 

19


Table of Contents

Rights of the holders of the notes in the collateral may be adversely affected by the failure to perfect security interests in certain collateral acquired in the future.
The collateral securing the notes includes certain assets that we may acquire in the future. Applicable law requires that certain property and rights, including real property, acquired after the grant of a general security interest can only be perfected at the time such property and rights are acquired and identified. The collateral agent for the notes has no obligation to monitor the acquisition of, or the perfection of any security interests in, additional property or rights that constitute collateral. There can be no assurance that the trustee or the collateral agent will monitor, or that we will inform the trustee or the collateral agent of, the future acquisition of property and rights that constitute collateral, or that the necessary action will be taken to properly or timely perfect the security interest in such after acquired collateral. Such failure may result in the loss of the security interest in the collateral or the priority of the security interest in favor of the notes against third parties.
Any future pledge of collateral might be avoidable in bankruptcy.
Any future pledge of collateral to secure the notes, including pursuant to security documents delivered after the date of the indenture, might be avoidable by the pledgor (as debtor in possession) or by its trustee in bankruptcy if certain events or circumstances exist or occur, including, among others, if (1) the pledgor is insolvent at the time of the pledge, (2) the pledge permits the holders of the notes to receive a greater recovery than if the pledge had not been given, and (3) a bankruptcy proceeding in respect of the pledgor is commenced within 90 days following the pledge, or, in certain circumstances, a longer period.
Federal and state fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws permit a court to void the notes, the security interests or the guarantees, and, if that occurs, you may not receive any payments on the notes.
The issuance of the notes, the grant of the security interests and the issuance of the guarantees may be subject to review under federal and state fraudulent transfer and conveyance statutes in a bankruptcy or reorganization case or lawsuit commenced by or on behalf of our or our guarantors’ unpaid creditors. Under these laws, if a court were to find that, at the time we issued the notes and our guarantors issued the guarantees or we or our guarantors granted the security interests, we or our guarantors:
   
incurred the indebtedness or granted the security interests with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding present or future creditors;
 
   
received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for incurring the indebtedness or granting the security interests;
 
   
were insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the incurrence of the indebtedness or the grant of the security interests;
 
   
were left with inadequate capital to carry on business; or
 
   
intended to incur, or did incur, or believed or reasonably should have believed that we or our restricted subsidiaries would incur, debts beyond our or our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to repay as they matured or became due,
then, such court might:
   
subordinate the notes, the guarantees or the security interests to our or our guarantors’ presently existing or future indebtedness or any liens securing such indebtedness;
 
   
void the issuance of the notes, the guarantees or the security interests; or
 
   
take other actions detrimental to holders of the notes, including avoiding any payment by us pursuant to the notes or by the guarantors pursuant to the guarantees and requiring the return of any such payment to a fund for the benefit of our or our guarantors’ unpaid creditors.
In the event of a finding that a fraudulent conveyance occurred, a note holder may not receive any repayment on the notes. Further, the avoidance of the notes could result in an event of default with respect to our other debt that could result in acceleration of such debt.
Generally, an entity would be considered insolvent if, at the time it incurred indebtedness:
   
the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair salable value of all its assets;
 
   
the present fair salable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts and liabilities, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or
 
   
it could not (or believed that it could not, or intended not to) pay its debts as they become due.

 

20


Table of Contents

Without limiting the generality of the preceding paragraphs, we cannot predict:
   
what standard a court would apply in order to determine whether we or our guarantors were insolvent as of the date we or our guarantors issued the notes or the guarantees or granted the security interests, as applicable, or that regardless of the method of valuation, a court would determine that we or our guarantors were insolvent on that date; or
 
   
whether a court would not determine that the notes, the guarantees or the security interests constituted fraudulent transfers on another ground.
Because the notes were issued with original issue discount, the interest payable in a bankruptcy case could be reduced, including by deduction of amounts of “unmatured interest” at the time of bankruptcy filing.
If a bankruptcy case is commenced by or against us under the Bankruptcy Code, the claim of a holder of notes with respect to the principal amount thereof may be limited to an amount equal to the sum of (i) the issue price of the notes and (ii) that portion of the original issue discount which is not deemed to constitute “unmatured interest” for purposes of the Bankruptcy Code. Accordingly, holders of the notes under such circumstances may, even if sufficient funds are available, receive a lesser amount than they would be entitled to under the express terms of the notes. In addition, there can be no assurance that a bankruptcy court would compute the accrual of interest by the same method as that used for the calculation of original issue discount under U.S. federal income tax law and, accordingly, a holder might be required to recognize gain or loss in the event of a distribution related to such a bankruptcy case.
Because the notes were issued with original issue discount, U.S. holders of the notes generally must include interest in income in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to such income.
The notes were issued with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Holders of notes who are U.S. persons generally must include original issue discount in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes on an annual basis under a constant yield accrual method regardless of their regular method of tax accounting. These holders must include original issue discount in income in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to such income.
There is no established trading market for the notes, and an active trading market may not develop for the notes. Therefore, a holder of the notes may not be able to sell the notes readily or at all or at or above the price that such holder paid.
There is no established trading market for the notes. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation systems. A note holder may not be able to sell its notes at a particular time or at favorable prices. As a result, we cannot provide any assurance as to the liquidity of any trading market for the notes. As a result, a note holder may be required to bear the financial risk of its investment in the notes indefinitely. If any of the notes are traded after they are initially issued, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price. If a trading market were to develop, future trading prices of the notes may be volatile and will depend on many factors, including:
   
our operating performance and financial condition;
 
   
prevailing interest rates;
 
   
the interest of securities dealers in making a market for them; and
 
   
the market for similar securities.
In addition, the market for non-investment grade debt historically has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the notes. The market for the notes, if any, may be subject to similar disruptions that could adversely affect their value and liquidity.
ITEM 1B.  
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not Applicable.

 

21


Table of Contents

ITEM 2.  
PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters are located in Cypress, California. We occupy this facility under a lease that expires in 2012. As of December 26, 2010, we leased 180 restaurant facilities and owned one. The majority of our leases are for 10, 15 or 20-year terms, include options to extend the terms, include rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and/or contingent rent provisions and some of our leases have tenant improvement allowances. Our restaurant leases have terms that expire between fiscal years 2011 and 2028 (excluding renewal options not yet exercised) and have an average remaining term of approximately 12 years, including options.
Restaurant Locations
As of December 26, 2010, we owned, licensed or franchised 212 restaurants in 15 states and two foreign countries, of which 181 are Company operated and 31 operate under franchise or license arrangements.
Our restaurant locations by concept and state as of December 26, 2010 were as follows:
                                                 
    Concepts        
State   El Torito(1)     Chevys     Acapulco     Franchised     Other(2)     Total  
California
    74       46       30       1       2       153  
Missouri
                      7       4       11  
Illinois
          1             4       1       6  
New Jersey
          2             3             5  
Oregon
    1       3       1                   5  
Florida
    1       2             1             4  
Maryland
          2             2             4  
New York
    1       2                         3  
Virginia
          3             1             4  
Arizona
          2                         2  
Washington
          1             1       1       3  
Louisiana
                      1             1  
Nevada
          1                         1  
Minnesota
                      1             1  
South Dakota
                      1             1  
 
                                   
Total domestic
    77       65       31       23       8       204  
 
                                   
Japan
                      6             6  
Turkey
                      2             2  
 
                                   
Total including International
    77       65       31       31       8       212  
 
                                   
 
     
(1)  
Includes El Torito Grill and Sinigual restaurants.
 
(2)  
Includes Las Brisas, Who Song&Larry’s, El Paso Cantina and Casa Gallardo restaurants.
We also lease an approximately 101,000 square foot dedicated manufacturing facility located in Vernon, California, an approximately 67,000 square foot warehouse and distribution facility located in Buena Park, California and an approximately 54,000 square foot warehouse and distribution facility located in Union City, California, utilized by our subsidiary, Real Mex Foods.
Our owned and certain of our leased real property is pledged to secure indebtedness outstanding under our senior credit facility and our senior secured notes.
ITEM 3.  
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are periodically a defendant in cases involving personal injury, employment-related claims, third-party Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility claims and other matters that arise in the normal course of business. While any pending or threatened litigation has an element of uncertainty, we believe that the outcome of these lawsuits or claims, individually or combined, will not materially adversely affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of our Company.
ITEM 4.  
(REMOVED AND RESERVED)
Not applicable.

 

22


Table of Contents

PART II
ITEM 5.  
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
There is currently no established public trading market for our outstanding common stock.
Holders
The number of record holders of each of our classes of common stock as of February 20, 2011 was as follows:
Common Stock: 1
Dividends
No dividends were paid during fiscal years 2010, 2009 or 2008. We presently intend to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, we currently do not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. Our ability to pay dividends is restricted by certain covenants contained in our secured and unsecured senior credit facilities, as well as certain restrictions contained in our indenture relating to our senior secured notes.
Securities Authorized For Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
For information on securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, see “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters—Equity Compensation Plan Information.”
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Repurchases of Equity Securities
We did not sell any unregistered equity securities in fiscal year 2010 nor did we repurchase any equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2010.

 

23


Table of Contents

ITEM 6.  
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated financial and other data of our Company, with respect to the periods prior to (“Predecessor”) and following (“Successor”) the Share Purchase. The selected historical consolidated financial data has been derived from our Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the Successor six months ended December 26, 2010 (“Successor 2010”), the Predecessor six months ended June 27, 2010 (“Predecessor 2010”), the Predecessor fiscal year 2009 (“Predecessor 2009”), the Predecessor period from November 14, 2008 to December 28, 2008 (“Predecessor 2008-2”), the Predecessor period from December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008 (“Predecessor 2008-1”), the Predecessor fiscal year 2007 (“Predecessor 2007”), the Predecessor period from August 21, 2006 to December 31, 2006 (“Predecessor 2006-2”) and the Predecessor period from December 26, 2005 to August 20, 2006 (“Predecessor 2006-1”) When combined, fiscal year 2006 consists of 53 weeks and all other fiscal years presented consist of 52 weeks. This data presented below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.
                                                                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    Six     Six     Fiscal     November     December     Fiscal     August     December  
    Months Ended     Months Ended     Year     14, 2008 to     31, 2007 to     Year     21, 2006 to     26, 2005 to  
    December     June     Ended     December     November     Ended     December     August  
    26, 2010     27, 2010     2009     28, 2008     13, 2008     2007     31, 2006     20, 2006  
    (in thousands)  
Statement of Operations Data:
                                                               
Restaurant revenues
  $ 208,119     $ 229,417     $ 456,699     $ 52,448     $ 456,587     $ 523,352     $ 179,630     $ 351,591  
Manufacturing and distribution revenues
    18,336       18,875       40,368       4,480       36,363       37,249       10,795       17,713  
Total revenues
    227,907       250,056       500,597       57,316       496,429       565,191       192,098       372,552  
Cost of sales
    55,457       60,574       121,451       14,255       123,878       140,824       46,883       87,388  
Labor
    83,406       88,612       185,455       21,210       178,962       199,843       67,729       125,748  
Direct operating and occupancy expense
    67,732       68,196       136,395       14,886       133,351       148,307       51,127       94,422  
Total operating costs
    206,595       217,382       443,301       50,351       436,191       488,974       165,739       307,558  
General and administrative expenses
    11,746       11,078       25,323       3,234       26,493       31,901       11,414       18,893  
Depreciation and amortization
    11,910       12,715       31,230       3,750       21,724       23,961       10,323       12,230  
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
    1,100             16,294             163,196       10,000              
Gain on extinguishment of debt
                (10,875 )                              
Operating (loss) income
    (4,451 )     8,881       (9,384 )     (19 )     (158,668 )     6,854       3,379       18,150  
Interest expense
    13,536       15,306       45,870       4,108       16,407       19,326       10,481       16,005  
(Loss) income before income tax provision
    (18,186 )     (6,309 )     (55,005 )     (4,103 )     (173,061 )     (10,802 )     (8,238 )     2,787  
Net (loss) income
    (17,783 )     (6,268 )     (49,598 )     (4,103 )     (173,113 )     (23,546 )     (5,047 )     1,480  
Redeemable preferred stock accretion
                                              (10,126 )
Net loss attributable to common stockholders(1)
  $ (17,783 )   $ (6,268 )   $ (49,598 )   $ (4,103 )   $ (173,113 )   $ (23,546 )   $ (5,047 )   $ (8,646 )
Balance Sheet Data:
                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
    3,359               3,317       2,099               2,323       2,710          
Property and equipment, net
    72,730               84,524       110,505               96,179       90,802          
Total assets
    281,445               252,361       298,328               434,455       447,135          
Total debt(2)
    161,983               147,114       161,813               186,187       183,905          
Total stockholder’s equity
    27,477               2,320       23,044               163,113       184,077          
Other Financial Data:
                                                               
Capital expenditures
  $ 10,708             $ 6,773     $ 24,068             $ 34,404     $ 26,380          
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(3)
                                                     
 
     
(1)  
Net loss attributable to common stockholders includes the effect of the accretion of the liquidation preference on the redeemable preferred stock which reduces net income or increases net loss attributable to common stockholders for the relevant periods through August 20, 2006.
 
(2)  
Total debt includes long-term debt, obligations under capital leases and unamortized debt premium/discount.
 
(3)  
For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of net income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense on all indebtedness, plus one-third of rental expense (the portion deemed representative of the interest factor). For periods with a net loss before income taxes, this calculation is not performed since the ratio is not meaningful.

 

24


Table of Contents

ITEM 7.  
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” above and elsewhere in this report. Unless otherwise provided below or the context otherwise requires, references to “we”, “us”, “our” and “Company” refer to Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
Overview
We are one of the largest full service, casual dining Mexican restaurant chain operators in the United States in terms of number of restaurants. As of December 26, 2010, we operated 181 restaurants, 151 of which are located in California, with additional restaurants in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington. Our four major subsidiaries are El Torito Restaurants, Inc., Acapulco Restaurants, Inc., Chevys Restaurants LLC, and a purchasing, distribution, and manufacturing subsidiary, Real Mex Foods.
El Torito, El Torito Grill (including Sinigual), Acapulco and Chevys, our primary restaurant concepts, each offer high quality Mexican food, a wide selection of alcoholic beverages and excellent guest service. In addition to the El Torito, El Torito Grill, Acapulco and Chevys concepts, we operate 8 additional restaurant locations, most of which are also full service Mexican formats, under the following brands: Las Brisas; Casa Gallardo; El Paso Cantina; and Who·Song & Larry’s.
As a result of restrictions in our notes and the downturn in the economy, no new restaurants were opened during fiscal years 2010 and 2009. During fiscal year 2008, we opened five restaurants, including our first Sinigual restaurants in Brandon, Florida and New York, New York. Sinigual is the name for El Torito Grill style restaurants outside southern California. The other three restaurants opened in 2008 include one El Torito and two Chevys restaurants in California.
Our fiscal year consists of 52 or 53 weeks and ends on the last Sunday in December of each year. Fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010 are comprised of 52 weeks. See additional breakdown of these years into reported periods in Results of Operations below. When calculating same store sales, we include a restaurant that has been open for more than 18 months and for the entirety of each comparable period. As of December 26, 2010, we had 179 restaurants that met this criterion.
Our revenues are comprised of restaurant sales, manufacturing and distribution revenues and franchise and other revenues. Restaurant revenues include sales of food and alcoholic and other beverages. Manufacturing and distribution revenues consist of sales by Real Mex Foods to outside customers of processed and packaged prepared foods and other merchandise items. Franchise and other revenues primarily includes franchise and royalty fees from our franchisees of our Chevys concept.
Cost of sales is comprised primarily of food and alcoholic beverage expenses. The components of cost of sales are variable and change with sales volume. In addition, the components of cost of sales are subject to increase or decrease based on fluctuations in commodity costs and depend in part on the success of controls we have in place to manage cost of sales in our restaurants. The cost, availability and quality of the ingredients we use to prepare our food and beverages are subject to a range of factors, including, but not limited to, seasonality, political conditions, weather conditions, and ingredient shortages.
Labor cost includes direct hourly and management wages, operations management bonus, vacation pay, payroll taxes, workers’ compensation insurance and health insurance.
Direct operating and occupancy expense includes operating supplies, repairs and maintenance, advertising expenses, utilities, and other restaurant related operating expenses. This expense also includes all occupancy costs such as fixed rent, percentage rent, common area maintenance charges, real estate taxes and other related occupancy costs.
General and administrative expense includes all corporate and administrative functions that support our operations. Expenses within this category include executive management, supervisory and staff salaries, bonus and related employee benefits, travel and relocation costs, information systems, training, corporate rent, professional fees and other consulting fees.
Depreciation and amortization principally includes depreciation of capital expenditures for restaurants and also includes amortization of favorable lease asset and unfavorable lease liability. Amortization of favorable lease asset and unfavorable lease liability represents the amortization of the asset in excess of the approximate fair market value and the liability in excess of the approximate fair market value of the leases assumed, which is revalued in purchase price accounting. The amounts are being amortized over the remaining primary terms of the underlying leases.

 

25


Table of Contents

Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets are deemed to have an indefinite life and are subject to an annual impairment test. Other intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets reflects the impairment losses related to the difference between the fair value and recorded value as identified in our annual impairment tests. The fair value of goodwill was determined using discounted cash flow projections based upon management forecasts. For the valuation of other indefinite lived intangible assets, including trademarks and franchise agreements, discounted future royalty methods are used. We recorded impairment charges related to goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets of $1.1 million, $16.3 million and $163.2 million in fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, as a result of the impact of the downturn in the economy on current operations and growth projections.
Our annual operating results are impacted by restaurant closures to the extent we close locations. Due to our long operating history, restaurant closures are generally the result of lease expirations. Many of our leases are non-cancelable and have initial terms of 10 to 20 years with one or more renewal terms of three or more years that we may exercise at our option. As of December 26, 2010, we owned one restaurant location and leased the remaining 180.
We perform ongoing analyses of restaurant cash flow and in the case of negative cash flow or underperforming restaurants, we may negotiate early termination of leases, allow leases to expire without renewal or sell restaurants. In addition, from time to time we may be forced to close a successful restaurant if we are unable to renew the lease on satisfactory terms, or at all. From the end of fiscal year 2008 to the end of fiscal year 2010, we closed 9 restaurants, 1 of which was an early lease termination and 8 of which were natural lease ends for which we chose not to renew or no renewal was available.
Results of Operations
Our operating results for the Successor six months ended December 26, 2010 (“Successor 2010”), the Predecessor six months ended June 27, 2010 (“Predecessor 2010”), the Predecessor fiscal year 2009 (“Predecessor 2009”), the Predecessor period from November 14, 2008 to December 28, 2008 (“Predecessor 2008-2”) and the Predecessor period from December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008 (“Predecessor 2008-1”) are expressed as a percentage of total revenues below. Because of purchase accounting adjustments to the fair market value of long-term assets and long-term liabilities, and because the number of days in each period presented vary, certain amounts may not be comparable between each period presented.
                                         
    Successor     Predecessor  
    Six Months     Six Months     Fiscal     November     December  
    Ended     Ended     Year     14, 2008 to     31, 2007 to  
    December     June     Ended     December     November  
    26, 2010     27, 2010     2009     28, 2008     13, 2008  
Total revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales
    24.3       24.2       24.3       24.9       25.0  
Labor
    36.6       35.4       37.0       37.0       36.0  
Direct operating and occupancy expense
    29.7       27.3       27.2       26.0       26.9  
Total operating costs
    90.6       86.9       88.6       87.8       87.9  
General and administrative expense
    5.2       4.4       5.1       5.6       5.3  
Depreciation and amortization
    5.2       5.1       6.2       6.5       4.4  
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
    0.5             3.3             32.9  
Operating (loss) income
    (2.0 )     3.6       (4.0 )           (32.0 )
Interest expense
    5.9       6.1       9.2       7.2       3.3  
Loss before extraordinary item
    (8.0 )     (2.5 )     (13.2 )     (7.2 )     (34.9 )
Gain on extinguishment of debt
                2.2              
Loss before income tax provision
    (8.0 )     (2.5 )     (11.0 )     (7.2 )     (34.9 )
Net loss
    (7.8 )     (2.5 )     (9.9 )     (7.2 )     (34.9 )

 

26


Table of Contents

Fiscal Year 2010 Compared to Fiscal Year 2009
Total Revenues. Total revenues were $227.9 million in the Successor 2010 and $250.1 million in the Predecessor 2010 compared to $500.6 million in Predecessor 2009. The overall decrease of $22.6 million, or 4.5%, was due to a $19.2 million decrease in restaurant revenues and a $3.1 million decrease in manufacturing and distribution revenues combined with a $0.3 million decrease in franchise and other revenues. The $19.2 million decrease in restaurant revenues was primarily due to comparable store sales declines of 2.3% versus fiscal year 2009. This decline is primarily attributable to a 1.7% reduction in average check and a 0.5% reduction in check count. The 1.7% decrease in average check was attributable to a $4.5 million increase in customer discounts as well as a shift in product mix. The decrease in manufacturing and distribution revenues was due to a decrease in sales to outside customers by Real Mex Foods, primarily related to distribution customers.
Cost of Sales. Total cost of sales was $55.5 million in the Successor 2010 and $60.6 million in the Predecessor 2010 compared to $121.5 million in Predecessor 2009. The overall decrease of $5.4 million, or 4.5%, was primarily due to lower commodity costs, primarily oil, flour, tortillas and sauces, combined with the comparable store sales decline noted above. As a percentage of total revenues, cost of sales was 24.3% in Successor 2010 and 24.2% in Predecessor 2010 as compared to 24.3% in Predecessor 2009.
Labor. Labor costs were $83.4 million in the Successor 2010 and $88.6 million in the Predecessor 2010 compared to $185.5 million in Predecessor 2009. The overall decrease of $13.4 million, or 7.2%, was primarily due to adjustments in staffing and wages as a result of the decrease in restaurant revenue combined with lower health insurance expense. As a percentage of total revenues, labor costs were 36.6% in Successor 2010 and 35.4% in Predecessor 2010 compared to 37.0% in Predecessor 2009. Payroll and benefits remain subject to inflation and government regulation; especially wage rates that are currently at or near the minimum wage and expenses for health insurance.
Direct Operating and Occupancy Expense. Direct operating and occupancy expense was $67.7 million in Successor 2010 and $68.2 million in Predecessor 2010 compared to $136.4 million in Predecessor 2009. The overall decrease of $0.5 million, or 0.3%, was primarily due to lower occupancy expense. As a percentage of total revenues, direct operating and occupancy expense was 29.7% in Successor 2010 and 27.3% in Predecessor 2010 compared to 27.2% in Predecessor 2009. The increase as a percent of total revenues in Successor 2010 was primarily due to the comparable store sales decline, since a significant portion of these costs are fixed in nature and do not vary substantially with changes in sales volume.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense was $11.7 million in Successor 2010 and $11.1 million in Predecessor 2010 compared to $25.3 million in Predecessor 2009. The overall decrease of $2.5 million, or 9.9%, was primarily due to lower labor expense as a result of reductions in headcount and wage rate reductions to minimize the impact of lower restaurant revenues. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expense was 5.2% in Successor 2010 and 4.4% in Predecessor 2010 compared to 5.1% in Predecessor 2009.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $11.9 million in Successor 2010 and $12.7 million in Predecessor 2010 compared to $31.2 million in Predecessor 2009. The overall decrease of $6.6 million, or 21.1%, was primarily due to assets which became fully depreciated in fiscal 2010. As a percentage of total revenues, depreciation and amortization decreased to 5.2% in Successor 2010 and 5.1% in Predecessor 2010 compared to 6.2% in Predecessor 2009.
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. In Successor 2010 and Predecessor 2009, $1.1 million and $16.3 million, respectively, was recorded to reflect the impairment losses related to the difference between the fair value and recorded value for goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets. The fair value of goodwill was determined based upon a combination of two valuation techniques, including an income approach, which utilizes discounted future cash flow projections based upon management forecasts, and a market approach, which is based upon pricing multiples at which similar companies have been sold. For the valuation of other indefinite lived intangible assets, including trademarks and franchise agreements, discounted future royalty methods are used. No impairment was recorded in Predecessor 2010.
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $13.5 million in Successor 2010 and $15.3 million in Predecessor 2010 compared to $45.9 million in Successor 2009. The overall decrease of $17.0 million, or 37.1%, was primarily due to a decrease in the amortization of debt discount of $18.4 million combined with a decrease in interest expense in the senior secured notes of $1.6 million and a decrease in the amortization of deferred debt fees of $0.1 million, partially offset by an increase in interest expense on the senior secured notes of $3.1 million. The decrease in the amortization of the debt discount was due to both the refinancing of our debt during the third quarter of 2009 and the revaluation of the notes in conjunction with the Share Purchase. As a percentage of total revenues, interest expense decreased to 5.9% in Successor 2010 and 6.1% in Predecessor 2010 compared to 9.2% in Predecessor 2009.
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt. As a result of the exchange by a lender under the senior unsecured credit facility, as amended, of $15.0 million of unsecured debt for $4.6 million aggregate principal amount of our notes issued in July 2009 (which were issued for $4.1 million), we recorded $10.9 million as a gain on extinguishment of debt in Predecessor 2009. Please see “Debt and Other Obligations” for details on the refinancing of our debt. No such extinguishment was recorded in Successor or Predecessor 2010.

 

27


Table of Contents

Income tax provision. We have recorded a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. During Successor 2010, we recorded an income tax benefit of $0.4 million as a result of the impairment to our intangible assets, resulting in a reduction of our related deferred tax liability. During Predecessor 2010, we recorded an income tax benefit of less than $0.1 million as a result of refunds on income tax. During Predecessor 2009, we recorded an income tax benefit of $5.4 million as a result of the impairment to our intangible assets, resulting in a reduction of our related deferred tax liability.
Fiscal Year 2009 Compared to Fiscal Year 2008
Total Revenues. Total revenues were $500.6 million in Predecessor 2009 compared to $57.3 million in Predecessor 2008-2 and $496.4 million in Predecessor 2008-1. The overall decrease of $53.1 million, or 9.6%, was due to a $52.3 million decrease in restaurant revenues, a $0.5 million decrease in manufacturing and distribution revenues and a $0.4 million decrease in franchise and other revenues. The $52.3 million decrease in restaurant revenues was primarily due to comparable store sales declines of 10.4% versus fiscal year 2008. This decline is primarily attributable to a reduction in guest count at our existing restaurants resulting from the slowing U.S. economy, which has negatively impacted overall consumer traffic in the restaurant industry. The decrease in manufacturing and distribution revenues was due to a decrease in sales to outside customers by Real Mex Foods, including a decrease in distribution sales of $8.6 million, partially offset by an increase in manufacturing sales of $8.1 million.
Cost of Sales. Total cost of sales was $121.5 million in Predecessor 2009 compared to $14.3 million in Predecessor 2008-2 and $123.9 million in Predecessor 2008-1. The overall decrease of $16.7 million, or 12.1%, was primarily due to lower commodity costs, primarily cheese, dairy, beef and poultry, combined with the comparable store sales decline noted above. As a percentage of total revenues, cost of sales decreased to 24.3% from 24.9% in Predecessor 2008-2 and 25.0% in Predecessor 2008-1.
Labor. Labor costs were $185.5 million in Predecessor 2009 compared to $21.2 million in Predecessor 2008-2 and $179.0 million in Predecessor 2008-1. The overall decrease of $14.7 million, or 7.4%, was primarily due to adjustments in staffing and wages as a result of the decrease in restaurant revenue combined with lower casualty insurance expense and health insurance expense. As a percentage of total revenues, labor costs were 37.0% in Predecessor 2009 as compared to 37.0% in Predecessor 2008-2 and 36.0% in Predecessor 2008-1. Payroll and benefits remain subject to inflation and government regulation; especially wage rates that are currently at or near the minimum wage and expenses for health insurance.
Direct Operating and Occupancy Expense. Direct operating and occupancy expense was $136.4 million in Predecessor 2009 compared to $14.9 million in Predecessor 2008-2 and $133.4 million in Predecessor 2008-1. The overall decrease of $11.8 million, or 8.0%, was primarily due to lower utilities, maintenance and cleaning and advertising expense in Predecessor 2009 as a result of management’s focus on decreasing costs to minimize the impact of lower restaurant revenues. As a percentage of total revenues, direct operating and occupancy expense was 27.2% in Predecessor 2009 as compared to 26.0% in Predecessor 2008-2 and 26.9% in Predecessor 2008-1. The increase as a percent of total revenues in Predecessor 2009 was primarily due to the comparable store sales decline, since a significant portion of these costs are fixed or take time to adjust for the reduction in sales.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense was $25.3 million in Predecessor 2009 compared to $3.2 million in Predecessor 2008-2 and $26.5 million in Predecessor 2008-1. The overall decrease of $4.4 million, or 14.8%, was primarily due to lower labor expense as a result of reductions in headcount and wage rate reductions to minimize the impact of lower restaurant revenues. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expense was 5.1% in Predecessor 2009 as compared to 5.6% in Predecessor 2008-2 and 5.3% in Predecessor 2008-1.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $31.2 million in Predecessor 2009 compared to $3.8 million in Predecessor 2008-2 and $21.7 million in Predecessor 2008-1. The overall increase of $5.7 million, or 22.6%, was primarily due to depreciation of the assets of new restaurants combined with the revaluation of tangible and intangible assets in conjunction with the Exchange. As a percentage of total revenues, depreciation and amortization was 6.2% in Predecessor 2009 as compared to 6.5% in Predecessor 2008-2 and 4.4% in Predecessor 2008-1.
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges of $16.3 million were recorded in Predecessor 2009, compared to $163.2 million recorded in Predecessor 2008-1, to reflect the impairment losses related to the difference between the fair value and recorded value for goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets. The fair value of goodwill was determined based upon a combination of two valuation techniques, including an income approach, which utilizes discounted future cash flow projections based upon management forecasts, and a market approach, which is based upon pricing multiples at which similar companies have been sold. For the valuation of other indefinite lived intangible assets, including trademarks and franchise agreements, discounted future royalty methods are used. No goodwill or trademark impairment was recognized by the Company during Predecessor 2008-2.

 

28


Table of Contents

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $45.9 million in Predecessor 2009 compared to $4.1 million in Predecessor 2008-2 and $16.4 million in Predecessor 2008-1. The overall increase of $25.4 million, or 123.6%, was primarily due to the refinancing of our debt during the third quarter of 2009, resulting in the write off of the remaining deferred debt fees and unamortized debt discount on our senior secured notes due 2010, with total amortization of $22.9 million recorded as interest expense in Predecessor 2009. The remaining increase of $2.5 million was primarily related to the increase in principal and interest rate on the new issuance of our notes in July 2009. See “Debt and Other Obligations” for details on the refinancing of our debt. As a percentage of total revenues, interest expense was 9.2% in Predecessor 2009 as compared to 7.2% in Predecessor 2008-2 and 3.3% in Predecessor 2008-1.
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt. As a result of the exchange by a lender under our senior unsecured credit facility, of $15.0 million of unsecured debt for $4.6 million aggregate principal amount of our notes issued in July 2009 (which were issued for $4.1 million), we recorded $10.9 million as a gain on extinguishment of debt in Predecessor 2009. (See “Debt and Other Obligations” for details on the refinancing of our debt).
Income tax provision. We have recorded a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. During Predecessor 2009, we recorded an income tax benefit of $5.4 million as a result of the impairment to our intangible assets, resulting in a reduction of our related deferred tax liability. As a result of our valuation allowance, no income tax benefit was recorded in Predecessor 2008-2. The provision recorded of less than $0.1 million in Predecessor 2008-1 represents various state taxes incurred.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal liquidity requirements are to service our debt and meet our capital expenditure and working capital needs. Our indebtedness at December 26, 2010, including obligations under capital leases and unamortized debt discount, was $162.0 million, and we had $15.0 million of revolving credit availability under our $15.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility. As discussed below, in July 2009, we refinanced our notes, amended the credit agreement relating to our senior secured revolving credit facilities and amended and restated the credit agreement relating to our senior unsecured credit facility. Our ability to make principal and interest payments and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future, which, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the near future. We cannot assure you, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our senior secured revolving credit facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we consummate an acquisition, our debt service requirements could increase. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Working Capital and Cash Flows
We presently have, in the past have had, and in the future are likely to have, negative working capital balances. The working capital deficit principally is the result of accounts payable and accrued liabilities being more than current asset levels. The largest components of our accrued liabilities include reserves for our self-insured workers’ compensation and general liability insurance, accrued payroll and related employee benefits costs and gift card liabilities. We do not have significant receivables and we receive trade credit based upon negotiated terms in purchasing food and supplies. Funds available from cash sales not needed immediately to pay for food and supplies or to finance receivables or inventories typically have been used for capital expenditures and/or debt service payments under our existing indebtedness.
Operating Activities. We had net cash provided by operating activities of $1.4 million in Successor 2010 and $10.1 million in Predecessor 2010 compared to $16.9 million for Predecessor 2009, resulting in a net decrease overall of $5.4 million from Predecessor 2009 to the combined results from Successor 2010 and Predecessor 2010. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenues combined with changes in working capital.
Investing Activities. We had net cash used in investing activities of $5.6 million in Successor 2010 and $5.1 million in Predecessor 2010 compared to $7.2 million for Predecessor 2009. The overall increase in cash used in investing activities of $3.5 million was primarily the result of an increase in additions to property and equipment of $3.9 million. The increase in additions primarily resulted from an increase in maintenance capital expenditures from 2009 to a more normal level in 2010, as a result of management’s focus in 2009 on reducing capital expenditures in order to minimize the impact of lower restaurant revenues and restrictions in our notes issued during July 2009. While still within the restrictions in our notes, management determined the increase was necessary in order to maintain restaurant facilities.

 

29


Table of Contents

We expect to make capital expenditures totaling approximately $10.0 million in fiscal year 2011 comprised of approximately $0.8 million for information technology, approximately $0.5 million for Real Mex Foods and approximately $8.7 million for restaurant maintenance and other capital expenditures related to our restaurants, including refurbishments and relocations of approximately $2.0 million. These and other similar costs may be higher in the future due to inflation and other factors. We expect to fund the capital expenditures described above from cash flow from operations, available cash, available borrowings under our senior credit facility and trade financing received from trade suppliers. We do not plan to open any new restaurants during 2011 as a result of the continued impact of the downturn in the economy which we do not expect to improve during 2011 and restrictions in our notes issued during July 2009.
Financing Activities. We had net cash used in financing activities of $0.8 million for Successor 2010 and net cash provided by financing activities of less than $0.1 million in Predecessor 2010, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $8.5 million for Predecessor 2009. The overall decrease in cash used in financing activities of $7.7 million was primarily the result of the net repayment of our senior secured revolving credit facility during the 2009 of approximately $7.6 million, resulting in no outstanding borrowings on the facility at the end of 2009. There was also no outstanding balance at the end of 2010. Additionally, as a result of the refinancing of our debt, we had a net cash outflow of approximately $0.7 million during Predecessor 2009. See “Debt and Other Obligations” below for further discussion of the refinancing transactions.
Debt and Other Obligations
On July 7, 2009, we completed an offering of $130.0 million aggregate principal amount of 14.0% senior secured notes due January 1, 2013, which are guaranteed by RM Restaurant Holding Corp. (“Holdco”), our parent company, and all of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, or the guarantors. The notes were offered and sold in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a limited number of institutional accredited investors in the United States, and outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated July 7, 2009, by and among the Company, the guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The net proceeds from the issuance of the notes was used to refinance a portion of the existing indebtedness, including repayment of our existing $105.0 million senior secured notes due 2010 and to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith. Deferred debt fees of $6.5 million were recorded related to the issuance of the notes. The remaining deferred debt fees and unamortized debt discount related to the $105.0 million senior secured notes due 2010 of $11.7 million were recorded as interest expense on July 7, 2009.
Effective June 28, 2010, we entered into a supplemental indenture, which amended the indenture to permit affiliates of Sun Capital to acquire a majority of the stock of Holdco without requiring us to make a change of control offer to repurchase the notes that would otherwise have been required under the original indenture, as described below.
Prior to July 1, 2011, we may redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes at a redemption price equal to 114% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, with the net proceeds of certain equity financings; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes remains outstanding immediately after such redemption and (ii) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such sale of our equity interests. Prior to July 1, 2011, we may also redeem some or all of the notes at a “make-whole” premium. On or after July 1, 2011, we may redeem some or all of the notes at 100% of the notes’ principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the date of redemption.
Within 90 days of the end of each four fiscal quarter period ending on or near December 31, beginning in 2009, we must, subject to certain exceptions, offer to repay the notes with 75% of the Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) from the period, at 100% of the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages. If the excess cash flow offer is prohibited by the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement entered into in connection with the senior secured revolving credit facilities, as described below, we will deposit the amount that would have been used to fund the excess cash flow offer into an escrow account. Funds from the escrow account will only be released to us to repay borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facilities or to make an excess cash flow offer. No Excess Cash Flow Offer was required for 2010 or 2009.
If we undergo a change of control, we will be required to make an offer to each holder to repurchase all or a portion of their notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the date of purchase. If we sell assets outside the ordinary course of business and we do not use the net proceeds for specified purposes, we may be required to use such net proceeds to repurchase the notes at 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest up to the date of repurchase.

 

30


Table of Contents

The terms of the indenture generally limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) make certain investments or other restricted payments; (ii) incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; (iii) create or incur liens on assets to secure debt; (iv) incur dividends and other payment restrictions with regard to restricted subsidiaries; (v) transfer, sell or consummate a merger or consolidation of all, or substantially all, of our assets; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; (vii) change our line of business; (viii) repay certain indebtedness prior to stated maturities; (ix) pay dividends or make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase, capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; (x) engage in sale and leaseback transactions; or (xi) issue stock of subsidiaries.
The notes and the guarantees are secured by a second-priority security interest in substantially all of our assets and the assets of the guarantors, including the pledge of 100% of all outstanding equity interests of each of our domestic subsidiaries. On the closing date of the issuance of the notes, the Company and the guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to file with the SEC, and cause to become effective, a registration statement with respect to a registered offer to exchange the notes for an issue of our senior secured notes with terms identical to the notes in all material respects. The registration statement was declared effective on October 8, 2009. A shelf registration statement covering resales of the notes was declared effective by the SEC on December 1, 2009.
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities. Our Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation, as amended, provides for a $15.0 million revolving credit facility and $25.0 million letter of credit facility, maturing on July 1, 2012, collectively, the senior secured revolving credit facilities. Under the senior secured revolving credit facilities, the lenders agreed to make loans and issue letters of credit to and on behalf of the Company and our subsidiaries. Interest on the outstanding borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facilities is based on either prime rate plus Applicable Margin or ninety-day LIBOR plus Applicable Margin, as defined in and subject to certain restrictions in the 2009 amendment, which extended the due date and modified certain covenants, and fees on the letters of credit issued thereunder accrue at a rate of 4.5% per annum. Deferred debt fees of $1.6 million were recorded in 2009 related to the amendment.
On April 2, 2010, we amended the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement which modified certain definitions in order to allow the transfer of shares in Holdco within current stockholders of Holdco. No such amendment was required related to our senior secured notes due 2013 as a result of such transfer.
Obligations under the senior secured revolving credit facilities are guaranteed by all of our subsidiaries, as well as by Holdco, which has made a first priority pledge of all of its equity interests in the Company as security for the obligations. The senior secured revolving credit facilities are secured by, among other things, first priority pledges of all of the equity interests of our direct and indirect subsidiaries, and first priority security interests (subject to customary exceptions) in substantially all of our current and future property and assets and our direct and indirect subsidiaries, with certain limited exceptions. As of December 26, 2010, we had $8.4 million available under the $25.0 million letter of credit facility and $15.0 million available under the $15.0 million revolving credit facility that may also be utilized for the letters of credit.
The Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended, contains various affirmative and negative covenants and restrictions, which among other things, require us to meet certain financial tests (including certain leverage and cash flow ratios), and limits the Company and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, make certain capital expenditures, pay dividends or make other equity distributions, purchase or redeem capital stock, make certain investments, sell assets, engage in transactions with affiliates and effect a consolidation or merger. The agreement contains a cross-default provision wherein if we are in default on any other credit facilities, default on this facility is automatic. At December 26, 2010, we were in compliance with all specified financial and other covenants under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended.
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. In connection with the offering of the notes, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, Holdco, the lenders party thereto and Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, pursuant to which the principal balance of the existing unsecured loan owing by the Company under the existing senior unsecured credit facility, as amended, was reduced from $65.0 million to $25.0 million through (i) the assumption by Holdco of $25.0 million of such unsecured debt and (ii) the exchange by a lender under the senior unsecured credit facility, as amended, of $15.0 million of such unsecured debt for $4.6 million aggregate principal amount of notes, subject to an original issue discount of 10%. As a result, we recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt of $10.9 million. Deferred debt fees of $0.2 million were recorded related to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 16.5% and is payable quarterly; provided that (i) such interest is payable in kind for the first four quarters following the closing date of the issuance of the notes and (ii) thereafter will be payable in a combination of cash and in kind. The term of the senior unsecured credit facility was extended to July 1, 2013 and certain covenants were modified. Certain lenders to the senior unsecured credit facility are owners of Holdco, and as a result, the senior unsecured credit facility is held by related parties to the Company.

 

31


Table of Contents

The senior unsecured credit facility, as amended, contains various affirmative and negative covenants which, among other things, require us to meet certain financial tests (including certain leverage and interest coverage ratios) and limits the Company and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, grant certain liens, make certain restricted payments, make capital expenditures, engage in transactions with affiliates, make certain investments, sell our assets, make acquisitions, effect a consolidation or merger and amend or modify instruments governing certain indebtedness (including relating to the notes and the senior secured revolving credit facilities). At December 26, 2010, we were in compliance with all specified financial and other covenants under the senior unsecured credit facility, as amended.
Mortgage. In 2005, concurrent with an acquisition, we assumed a $0.8 million mortgage secured by the building and improvements of one of the restaurants acquired in the transaction. The mortgage carries a fixed annual interest rate of 9.28% and requires equal monthly payments of principal and interest through April 2015. As of December 26, 2010, the principal amount outstanding on the mortgage was $0.4 million.
Capital Leases. In conjunction with our acquisition of El Torito, we assumed capital lease obligations, collateralized with leasehold improvements, in an aggregate amount of $9.2 million. In addition, we have entered into additional capital leases for equipment of $0.3 million during fiscal year 2009. The remaining capital lease obligations have a weighted-average interest rate of 8.5%. As of December 26, 2010, the principal amount due relating to capital lease obligations was $0.8 million. Principal and interest payments on the capital lease obligations are due monthly and range from $2,500 to $4,400 per month. The capital lease obligations mature between 2011 and 2025.
The following table represents our contractual commitments as of December 26, 2010 associated with obligations under debt agreements, other obligations discussed above and from our operating leases:
                                         
            Less than                     More than  
    Total     1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
    ($ in thousands)  
Contractual Obligations
                                       
Long Term Debt Obligations(1)
  $ 224,346     $ 18,707     $ 205,485     $ 154     $  
Capital Lease Obligations
    783       269       284       69       161  
Operating Lease Obligations(2)
    245,993       42,053       73,732       49,469       80,739  
Purchase Obligations
    31,430       20,386       5,522       5,522        
 
                             
Total
  $ 502,552     $ 81,415     $ 285,023     $ 55,214     $ 80,900  
 
                             
 
     
(1)  
Includes our notes, senior unsecured credit facility, senior secured revolving credit facility, mortgage and an obligation to a vendor. It also includes scheduled interest payments for our $130.0 million notes and our senior unsecured credit facility, for which interest rates at December 26, 2010 were 14.0% and 16.5%, respectively. See “Debt and Other Obligations” for a discussion of terms for each significant component of long term debt.
 
(2)  
In addition to the base rent, many of our leases contain percentage rent clauses, which obligate us to pay additional rents based on a percentage of sales, when sales levels exceed a contractually defined base. We recorded such additional rent expenses of $684 in Successor 2010, $811 in Predecessor 2010, $1,538 in Predecessor 2009, $198 in Predecessor 2008-2 and $1,926 in Predecessor 2008-1. Operating Lease Obligations do not reflect potential renewals or replacements of expiring leases.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
Inflation
The impact of inflation on labor, food and occupancy costs could, in the future, significantly affect our operations. We pay many of our employees hourly rates related to the federal or applicable state minimum wage. Our workers’ compensation and health insurance costs have been and are subject to continued inflationary pressures. Costs for construction, taxes, repairs, maintenance and insurance all impact our occupancy costs. Many of our leases require us to pay taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance and utilities, all of which may be subject to inflationary increases.
Management continually seeks ways to mitigate the impact of inflation on our business. We believe that our current practice of maintaining operating margins through a combination of periodic menu price increases, cost controls, careful evaluation of property and equipment needs, and efficient purchasing practices is our most effective tool for dealing with inflation.

 

32


Table of Contents

Critical Accounting Policies
Our Company’s accounting policies are fully described in Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. As disclosed in Note 3, the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, valuation of goodwill, self-insurance reserves, income taxes and revenue recognition. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions and factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Based on our ongoing review, we plan to adjust our judgments and estimates where facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
We believe the following critical accounting policies are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require our management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over its estimated useful life using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. The lives for furniture, fixtures and equipment range from three to 10 years. The life for buildings is the shorter of 20 years or the term of the related operating lease. Costs of leasehold rights and improvements and assets held under capital leases are amortized on the straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the non-cancelable term of their underlying leases. The costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred, while expenditures for refurbishments and improvements that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized.
Long-Lived Asset Impairment
We assess the impairment of long-lived assets, including restaurant sites and other assets, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or the asset group may not be recoverable. The asset impairment review assesses the fair value of the assets based on the future cash flows the assets are expected to generate. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from the disposition of the asset (if any) are less than the related asset’s carrying amount. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying amounts of the assets exceed their fair values. The net proceeds expected from the disposition of the asset are determined by independent quotes or expected sales prices developed by internal specialists. Estimates of future cash flows and expected sales prices are judgments based on our experience and knowledge of local operations. These estimates can be significantly affected by future changes in real estate market conditions, the economic environment, and capital spending decisions and inflation.
For properties to be closed that are under long-term lease agreements, the present value of any remaining liability under the lease, discounted using risk-free rates and net of expected sublease rentals that could be reasonably obtained for the property, is recognized as a liability and expensed. The value of any equipment and leasehold improvements related to a closed store is reduced to reflect net recoverable values. Internal specialists estimate the subtenant income, future cash flows and asset recovery values based on their historical experience and knowledge of (1) the market in which the store to be closed is located, (2) the results of its previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and (3) the current economic conditions. Specific real estate markets, the economic environment and inflation affect the actual cost of disposition for these leases and related assets.
During Successor 2010, Predecessor 2009 and Predecessor 2008-1, management determined that certain identified property and equipment was impaired and recorded an impairment charge of $1.0 million, $4.7 million and $5.2 million, respectively, reducing the carrying value of such assets to the estimated fair value. Management recorded no impairment for Predecessor 2010 or Predecessor 2008-2.

 

33


Table of Contents

Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment, and are tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Management performs its annual impairment tests during the last quarter of the Company’s fiscal year. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds an asset’s fair value. Management considers the reporting unit level to be the Company level, as the components (e.g., brands) within the Company have similar economic characteristics, including production processes, types or classes of customers and distribution methods. This determination is made at the reporting unit level and consists of two steps. First, management determines the fair value of a reporting unit and compares it to its carrying amount. The fair value is determined based upon a combination of two valuation techniques, including an income approach, which utilizes discounted future cash flow projections based upon management forecasts, and a market approach, which is based upon pricing multiples at which similar companies have been sold. Second, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. For the valuation of other indefinite lived intangible assets, including trademarks and franchise agreements, discounted future royalty methods are used.
Factors that could change the result of our goodwill impairment test include, but are not limited to, different assumptions used to forecast future revenues, expenses, capital expenditures and working capital requirements used in our cash flow models. In addition, selection of a risk-adjusted discount rate on the estimated undiscounted cash flows is susceptible to future changes in market conditions, and when unfavorable, can adversely affect our original estimates of fair values. A variance in the discount rate could have a significant impact on the valuation of the goodwill for purposes of the impairment test. We cannot predict the occurrence of certain future events that might adversely affect the reported value of goodwill. Such events include, but are not limited to, strategic decisions made in response to the economic environment on our customer base or a material negative change in relationships with our customers.
During the fourth quarter of 2010, management completed the annual impairment test and as a result recorded $1.1 million in impairment of intangible assets, related to Chevys trademarks and franchise assets. No goodwill impairment was identified.
During the third quarter of 2009, management recorded $2.7 million in goodwill impairment that was related to the Agreement and Plan of Merger at the time of the Exchange. During the fourth quarter of 2009, management forecasts were revised due to the continued impact of the downturn in the economy on current operations and growth projections. As a result, we recorded impairment of approximately $13.2 million related to trademarks and franchise agreements. We recorded total non-cash charges of $16.3 million for the write-down of the goodwill and other intangible assets during the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009, which also includes $0.4 million related to favorable lease assets.
During the second quarter of 2008, management identified impairment of approximately $34.0 million, including $30.0 million related to goodwill and $4.0 million related to trademarks. As of November 13, 2008, in conjunction with the Exchange, we completed a valuation and identified additional impairment of approximately $129.2 million, including $87.6 million related to goodwill and $41.6 million related to trademarks. We recorded total non-cash charges of $163.2 million for the write-down of the goodwill and trademarks during the Predecessor Period December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008.
Self-Insurance
Our business is primarily self-insured for workers’ compensation and general liability costs. Our recorded self-insurance liability is determined actuarially based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Any actuarial projection of ultimate losses is subject to a high degree of variability. Sources of this variability are numerous and include, but are not limited to, future economic conditions, court decisions and legislative actions. Our workers’ compensation future funding estimates anticipate no change in the benefit structure. Statutory changes could have a significant impact on future claim costs.
Our workers’ compensation liabilities are from claims occurring in various states. Individual state workers’ compensation regulations have received a tremendous amount of attention from state politicians, insurers, employers and providers, as well as the public in general. Recent years have seen an escalation in the number of legislative reforms, judicial rulings and social phenomena affecting our business. The changes in a state’s political and economic environment increase the variability in the unpaid claim liabilities.
Income Taxes
Our Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred taxes are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to amounts considered by management to be more likely than not to be realizable in future periods. We have significant deferred tax assets, which are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Net deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on all the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We recorded a valuation allowance of $66.8 million and $50.9 million at December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, respectively. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable was based upon our ability to generate future taxable income, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry-forwards.

 

34


Table of Contents

The Company is required to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. Management has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the operation of Company-owned restaurants are recognized when sales occur. Fees from franchised and licensed restaurants are included in revenue as earned. Royalty fees are based on franchised restaurants’ revenues and we record these fees in the period the related franchised restaurants’ revenues are earned. Real Mex Foods’ revenues from sales to outside customers are recognized upon delivery, when title transfers to the customer, and are included in other revenues. Sales tax collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities is presented on a net basis (excluded from revenue) in our financial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance requiring increased fair value disclosures. There are two components to the increased disclosure requirements set forth in the update: (1) a description of, as well as the disclosure of, the dollar amount of transfers in or out of level one or level two in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (level three), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (that is, gross amounts shall be disclosed as opposed to a single net figure). Increased disclosures regarding the transfers in/out of level one and two are required for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009. Increased disclosures regarding the level three fair value reconciliation are required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In July 2010, the FASB issued guidance requiring a company to disclose information that provides financial statement users more information about the credit quality of a creditor’s financing receivables and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses. Short-term accounts receivable, receivables measured at fair value or lower of cost or fair value, and debt securities are exempt. For public companies, the amendments that require disclosures as of the end of a reporting period and the amendments that requires disclosures for activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 7A.  
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The inherent risk in market risk sensitive instruments and positions primarily relates to potential losses arising from adverse changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates.
We consider the U.S. dollar to be the functional currency for all of our entities. All of our net sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Therefore, foreign currency fluctuations did not materially affect our financial results in any period presented.
We are also subject to market risk from exposure to changes in interest rates based on our financing activities. This exposure relates to borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities that are payable at floating rates of interest. As of February 20, 2011, we had borrowings of $11.9 million outstanding under our senior secured revolving credit facilities. A hypothetical 10% fluctuation in interest rates as of February 20, 2011 would have a net after tax impact of less than $0.1 million on our earnings in 2010, in addition to its effect on cash flows.
Many of the food products purchased by us are affected by changes in weather, production, availability, seasonality and other factors outside our control. In an effort to control some of this risk, we have entered into certain fixed price purchase agreements with varying terms of generally no more than a year in duration. In addition, we believe that almost all of our food and supplies are available from several sources, which helps to control food commodity risks.

 

35


Table of Contents

ITEM 8.  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The audited consolidated financial statements are set forth below.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 26, 2010 (the “Successor”) and December 27, 2009 (the “Predecessor”) and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for the six months ended December 26, 2010 (the “Successor” period), subsequent to the equity transaction of RM Restaurant Holding Corp., the Company’s parent, that was reflected on the financial statements of the Company. We have also audited the consolidated statements of operations, stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the six months ended June 27, 2010, the year ended December 27, 2009, the period from November 14, 2008 to December 28, 2008 and the period from December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008 (the “Predecessor Periods”). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 audit 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 audit 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the Successor and Predecessor Periods in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
Irvine, California
March 24, 2011

 

36


Table of Contents

Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands, Except For Share Data)
                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     December 27,  
    2010     2009  
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,359     $ 3,317  
Trade receivables, net
    8,295       9,491  
Other receivables
    621       603  
Inventories, net
    11,618       10,834  
Prepaid expenses
    2,877       3,206  
Other current assets
    248       359  
Current portion of favorable lease asset, net
    3,357       5,418  
 
           
Total current assets
    30,375       33,228  
Property and equipment, net
    72,730       84,524  
Goodwill, net
    113,721       43,812  
Trademarks and other intangible assets
    42,100       55,700  
Deferred charges
    4,710       7,108  
Favorable lease asset, less current portion, net
    11,655       19,599  
Other assets
    6,154       8,390  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 281,445     $ 252,361  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and stockholder’s equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 18,745     $ 16,785  
Accrued self-insurance reserves
    13,212       14,790  
Accrued compensation and benefits
    12,091       12,923  
Accrued interest
    10,188       9,759  
Other accrued liabilities
    10,146       11,966  
Current portion of long-term debt
    507       657  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
    269       402  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    65,158       67,282  
Long-term debt, less current portion
    160,693       145,271  
Capital lease obligations, less current portion
    514       784  
Deferred tax liabilities
    19,522       26,059  
Unfavorable lease liability, less current portion, net
    5,870       6,415  
Other liabilities
    2,211       4,230  
 
           
Total liabilities
    253,968       250,041  
Commitments and contingencies
           
Stockholder’s equity:
               
Common stock, $.001 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009
           
Additional paid-in capital
    45,260       56,021  
Accumulated deficit
    (17,783 )     (53,701 )
 
           
Total stockholder’s equity
    27,477       2,320  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity
  $ 281,445     $ 252,361  
 
           
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

37


Table of Contents

Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands)
                                         
    Successor     Predecessor  
    Six Months     Six Months     Fiscal Year     November     December  
    Ended     Ended     Ended     14, 2008 to     31, 2007 to  
    December     June     December     December     November  
    26, 2010     27, 2010     27, 2009     28, 2008     13, 2008  
 
                                       
Revenues:
                                       
Restaurant revenues
  $ 208,119     $ 229,417     $ 456,699     $ 52,448     $ 456,587  
Manufacturing and distribution revenues
    18,336       18,875       40,368       4,480       36,363  
Franchise and other revenues
    1,452       1,764       3,530       388       3,479  
 
                             
Total revenues
    227,907       250,056       500,597       57,316       496,429  
Costs and expenses:
                                       
Cost of sales
    55,457       60,574       121,451       14,255       123,878  
Labor
    83,406       88,612       185,455       21,210       178,962  
Direct operating and occupancy expense
    67,732       68,196       136,395       14,886       133,351  
General and administrative expense
    11,746       11,078       25,323       3,234       26,493  
Depreciation and amortization
    11,910       12,715       31,230       3,750       21,724  
Pre-opening costs
                            2,342  
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
    1,100             16,294             163,196  
Impairment of property and equipment
    1,007             4,708             5,151  
Gain on extinguishment of debt
                (10,875 )            
 
                             
Total costs and expenses
                                       
Operating (loss) income
    (4,451 )     8,881       (9,384 )     (19 )     (158,668 )
Other income (expense):
                                       
Interest expense
    (13,536 )     (15,306 )     (45,870 )     (4,108 )     (16,407 )
Other (loss) income, net
    (199 )     116       249       24       2,014  
 
                             
Total other expense, net
    (13,735 )     (15,190 )     (45,621 )     (4,084 )     (14,393 )
 
                             
Loss before income tax provision
    (18,186 )     (6,309 )     (55,005 )     (4,103 )     (173,061 )
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (403 )     (41 )     (5,407 )           52  
 
                             
 
                                       
Net loss
  $ (17,783 )   $ (6,268 )   $ (49,598 )   $ (4,103 )   $ (173,113 )
 
                             
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

38


Table of Contents

Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity
(In Thousands, Except For Share Data)
                                         
    Predecessor  
                    Additional              
    Common Stock     Paid-in     Accumulated        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Total  
Balance at December 30, 2007
    1,000             201,706       (38,593 )     163,113  
Contribution from parent
                5,554             5,554  
Stock-based compensation
                406             406  
Net loss
                      (173,113 )     (173,113 )
 
                             
Balance at November 13, 2008
    1,000     $     $ 207,666     $ (211,706 )   $ (4,040 )
 
                                       
Recapitalization of the Company, November 14, 2008
    1,000     $     $ 27,175     $     $ 27,175  
Stock-based compensation
                (28 )           (28 )
Net loss
                      (4,103 )     (4,103 )
 
                             
Balance at December 28, 2008
    1,000     $     $ 27,147     $ (4,103 )   $ 23,044  
Contribution from parent
                28,614             28,614  
Stock-based compensation
                260             260  
Net loss
                      (49,598 )     (49,598 )
 
                             
Balance at December 27, 2009
    1,000     $     $ 56,021     $ (53,701 )   $ 2,320  
Stock-based compensation
                49             49  
Net loss
                      (6,268 )     (6,268 )
 
                             
Balance at June 27, 2010
    1,000     $     $ 56,070     $ (59,969 )   $ (3,899 )
 
                             
                                         
    Successor  
                    Additional              
    Common Stock     Paid-in     Accumulated        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Total  
Share Purchase of the Company, June 28, 2010
    1,000     $     $ 45,195     $     $ 45,195  
Stock-based compensation
                65             65  
Net loss
                      (17,783 )     (17,783 )
 
                             
Balance at December 26, 2010
    1,000     $     $ 45,260     $ (17,783 )   $ 27,477  
 
                             
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

39


Table of Contents

Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
                                         
    Successor     Predecessor  
    Six Months     Six Months     Fiscal Year     November     December  
    Ended     Ended     Ended     14, 2008 to     31, 2007 to  
    December     June     December     December     November  
    26, 2010     27, 2010     27, 2009     28, 2008     13, 2008  
Operating activities
                                       
Net loss
  $ (17,783 )   $ (6,268 )   $ (49,598 )   $ (4,103 )   $ (173,113 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
                                       
Depreciation
    10,955       10,929       27,619       3,334       19,780  
Amortization of:
                                       
Favorable lease asset and unfavorable lease liability, net
    955       1,786       3,611       416       1,944  
Debt discount/(premium)
    65       1,857       20,273       1,535       (1,050 )
Deferred financing costs
    1,246       1,244       2,626       169       1,571  
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
    1,100             16,294             163,196  
Impairment of property and equipment
    1,007             4,708             5,151  
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment
    42       13       196             (402 )
Gain on lease termination
                            (600 )
Gain on extinguishment of debt
                (10,875 )            
Stock-based compensation expense
    65       49       260       (28 )     406  
Non-cash consulting expense
                950              
Deferred income taxes
    (490 )           (5,423 )            
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                                       
Trade and other receivables
    1,332       (154 )     (119 )     2,125       654  
Inventories
    101       (885 )     2,729       (625 )     (889 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    6       434       5,536       (3,409 )     4,638  
Related party receivable/payable
                            (66 )
Deferred charges
                            35  
Other assets
    102       66       (330 )     6       66  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    2,701       205       (2,750 )     7,342       (7,551 )
Other liabilities
    (2 )     814       1,211       424       3,959  
 
                             
Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,402       10,090       16,918       7,186       17,729  
Investing activities
                                       
Purchases of property and equipment
    (5,630 )     (5,078 )     (6,773 )     (736 )     (23,332 )
Exchange transaction costs
                (542 )     (20 )     (1,153 )
Proceeds from lease termination
                            600  
Net proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
    1       2       66             302  
 
                             
Net cash used in investing activities
    (5,629 )     (5,076 )     (7,249 )     (756 )     (23,583 )
Financing activities
                                       
Net (payment) borrowing under revolving credit facility
                (7,600 )     (5,900 )     2,500  
Borrowings under long-term debt agreements
    434       1,417       114,799       466       1,375  
Payments on long-term debt agreements and capital lease obligations
    (1,178 )     (1,312 )     (107,269 )     (314 )     (1,449 )
Payment of financing costs
    (31 )     (75 )     (8,460 )           (500 )
Capital contributions from Parent
                79             3,022  
 
                             
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (775 )     30       (8,451 )     (5,748 )     4,948  
 
                             
       
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (5,002 )     5,044       1,218       682       (906 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    8,361       3,317       2,099       1,417       2,323  
 
                             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 3,359     $ 8,361     $ 3,317     $ 2,099     $ 1,417  
 
                             
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
                                       
Interest paid
  $ 9,811     $ 9,564     $ 15,683     $ 873     $ 16,910  
 
                             
Income taxes paid
  $ 87     $ (41 )   $ 16     $     $ 52  
 
                             
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities
                                       
In-kind interest on senior unsecured credit facility added to principal
  $ 2,413     $ 2,212     $ 974     $     $  
 
                             
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

40


Table of Contents

Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 26, 2010
(In Thousands, Except For Share Data)
1. Description of Business
Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), is a Delaware corporation which is engaged in the business of owning and operating restaurants, primarily under the names El Torito®, Acapulco Mexican Restaurant Y Cantina® and Chevys Fresh Mex®. At December 26, 2009, the Company, primarily through its major subsidiaries (El Torito Restaurants, Inc., Chevys Restaurants LLC and Acapulco Restaurants, Inc.), owned and operated 181 restaurants, of which 152 were in California and the remainder in 12 other states. The Company’s other major subsidiary, Real Mex Foods, Inc. (“RMF”), provides internal production, purchasing and distribution services for the restaurant operations and manufactures specialty products for sales to outside customers.
Basis of Presentation
Prior to June 28, 2010, the Company is referred to as the “Predecessor” and after June 27, 2010 is referred to as the “Successor”.
The Company’s fiscal year consists of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the last Sunday in December which in 2010 was December 26, 2010, in 2009 was December 27, 2009 and in 2008 was December 28, 2008. The accompanying consolidated balance sheets present the Company’s financial position as of December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations, stockholder’s equity and cash flows present the 26 week Successor Period ended December 26, 2010, the 26 week Predecessor Period ended June 27, 2010, the 52 week Predecessor Year ended December 27, 2009, the 6 week Predecessor Period from November 14, 2008 to December 28, 2008 and the 46 week Predecessor Period from December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008. See further description of the successor and predecessor periods in Note 2.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Liquidity

The Company’s financial statements as of December 26, 2010 have been presented on the basis that it is a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s principal liquidity requirements are to service debt and meet capital expenditure and working capital needs. 

In addition, the Company’s debt agreements require compliance with specified financial covenants. These covenants could adversely affect the Company’s ability to finance future operations or capital needs and pursue available business opportunities. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default in respect of the related indebtedness. If a default occurs, the relevant lenders could elect to declare the indebtedness, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable and proceed against any collateral securing that indebtedness. Acceleration of other indebtedness could result in a default under the terms of the indenture governing the notes. In such an event, the Company may be required to refinance all or part of the then-existing debt (including the notes), sell assets or borrow more money. The Company may not be able to accomplish any of the alternatives on acceptable terms, or at all. The failure to generate sufficient cash flow or to achieve any of these alternatives could significantly adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s ability to make principal and interest payments, fund planned capital expenditures and meet financial covenants will depend on the ability to generate cash in the future, which, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company had negative working capital as of December 26, 2010 (as has been the case for all years being reported on), based on the current level of operations and the Company’s revised business plan, management believes the cash flow generated from operations, available cash and available borrowings under the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities will be adequate to meet liquidity needs for the near future.

2. Acquisitions
Share Purchase — Successor
Effective June 28, 2010, immediately after the Company entered into a supplemental indenture (see Note 6), Sun Cantinas, LLC (“Sun Cantinas”), an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners (“Sun Capital”), an equityholder of Holdco, acquired 43,338 shares of common stock (the “Share Purchase”) of RM Restaurant Holding Corp. (“Holdco”) from Cocina Funding Corp., L.L.C. (“Cocina”), an existing equityholder of Holdco managed by Farallon Capital Management, LLC (“Farallon”). As a result, Sun Cantinas and SCSF Cantinas, LLC, another affiliate of Sun Capital, together own approximately 70% of the outstanding common stock of Holdco, and together are entitled, under the cumulative voting provisions of Holdco’s Certificate of Incorporation, to elect at least five members of the seven-member board of directors of Holdco and the Company, giving them the ability indirectly to control the Company. Following the Share Purchase, Cocina holds approximately 13% of the outstanding common stock of Holdco, and no longer has a representative on the board of directors of Holdco or the Company.
The Share Purchase was accounted for by Holdco under the purchase method of accounting and push-down accounting was applied to the Company. The Company completed a valuation to determine the value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair market values at the date of the Share Purchase. The Company attributes the goodwill associated with the Share Purchase to the historical financial performance and the anticipated future performance of the Company’s operations. Since this was a non-cash transaction for the Company, it has been excluded from the consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

41


Table of Contents

The following table presents the allocation to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as determined by the valuation of the Company (in thousands):
         
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 8,361  
Trade and other accounts receivable
    10,248  
Inventories
    11,719  
Other current assets
    3,131  
Property and equipment
    78,990  
Other assets
    12,182  
Trademarks and other intangibles
    43,200  
Favorable and unfavorable lease asset/liability, net
    8,415  
Goodwill
    113,989  
 
     
Total assets acquired
    290,235  
 
     
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    62,532  
Long-term debt
    160,249  
Deferred tax liability
    20,045  
Other liabilities
    2,213  
 
     
Total liabilities assumed
    245,039  
 
     
Net assets
  $ 45,196  
 
     
As a result of the Share Purchase, fiscal year 2010 is presented as the Predecessor Period from December 28, 2009 to June 27, 2010 and the Successor Period subsequent to June 27, 2010.
Exchange Agreement — Predecessor
Effective November 13, 2008, Holdco, owned substantially by an affiliate of Sun Capital, and each of Holdco’s existing lenders executed an agreement to exchange Holdco’s then outstanding borrowings under its unsecured term loan facility for 94.5% of the common stock of Holdco (the “Exchange”). Immediately prior to the Exchange, Holdco effected a 100:1 reverse stock split of its common stock and after the Exchange the immediately post-split existing holders retained 5.5% of the shares of Holdco common stock. Immediately after the Exchange, no stockholder, together with its affiliates, owned more than 50% of the capital stock of Holdco. Affiliates of Sun Capital remained stockholders of Holdco.
3. Summary of Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and results of operations of the Company. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and they may be adjusted as more information becomes available.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash balances in bank accounts and investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.

 

42


Table of Contents

Receivables
Receivables consist primarily of amounts due from credit card companies, outside customers of RMF and franchisees. Receivables from credit card companies are generally settled in the week following the transaction date. Receivables from RMF’s outside customers are generally collected within 30 days of the date of the sale and receivables from franchisees are generally collected within 21 days following the close of the royalty period. Receivables are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $517 and $694 at December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, respectively. Activity during fiscal year 2010 included a net decrease in the allowance of $177, including an increase of $499 primarily related to a sub tenant, offset by the reversal of $154 related to franchisee receivables and write-offs of $522 primarily related to franchisee receivables.
Inventories
Inventories, consisting primarily of food and beverages, are carried at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. Inventories are reviewed for spoilage and excess or obsolete products and reserved accordingly.
Supplies and Expendable Equipment
The initial purchase of supplies and expendable equipment, when a restaurant is first opened, such as china, glass and silverware, is capitalized and depreciated over a period of 5 years. Replacements of supplies and expendable equipment are expensed.
Pre-Opening Costs
Pre-opening costs incurred with the start-up of a new restaurant, or the conversion of an existing restaurant to a different concept, are expensed as incurred.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over its estimated useful life using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. The lives for furniture, fixtures and equipment range from three to 10 years. The life for buildings is the shorter of 20 years or the term of the related operating lease. Costs of leasehold rights and improvements and assets held under capital leases are amortized on the straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the non-cancelable term of their underlying leases. The costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred, while expenditures for refurbishments and improvements that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Depreciation expense includes the amortization of assets held under capital leases.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are tested annually for impairment, and are tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. During the Successor Six Months ended December 26, 2010, the Predecessor Year ended December 27, 2009 and the Predecessor Period from December 31, 2007 through November 13, 2008, management of the Company determined that certain identified property and equipment was impaired and recorded an impairment charge of $1,007, $4,708 and $5,151, respectively, reducing the carrying value of such assets to the estimated fair value. Fair value was based on management’s estimate of future cash flows to be generated by the property and equipment determined to be impaired. During the Predecessor Six Months ended June 27, 2010 and the Predecessor Period from November 14, 2008 through December 28, 2008, management recorded no impairment.
Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment, and are tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Management performs its annual impairment test during the last quarter of the Company’s fiscal year. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds an asset’s fair value. Management considers the reporting unit level to be the Company level, as the components (e.g., brands) within the Company have similar economic characteristics, including production processes, types or classes of customers and distribution methods. This determination is made at the reporting unit level and consists of two steps. First, management determines the fair value of a reporting unit and compares it to its carrying amount. The fair value is determined based upon a combination of two valuation techniques, including an income approach, which utilizes discounted future cash flow projections based upon management forecasts, and a market approach, which is based upon pricing multiples at which similar companies have been sold. Second, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. For the valuation of other indefinite lived intangible assets, including trademarks and franchise agreements, discounted future royalty methods are used.

 

43


Table of Contents

Factors that could change the result of our goodwill impairment test include, but are not limited to, different assumptions used to forecast future revenues, expenses, capital expenditures and working capital requirements used in our cash flow models. In addition, selection of a risk-adjusted discount rate on the estimated undiscounted cash flows is susceptible to future changes in market conditions, and when unfavorable, can adversely affect our original estimates of fair values. A variance in the discount rate could have a significant impact on the valuation of the goodwill for purposes of the impairment test. We cannot predict the occurrence of certain future events that might adversely affect the reported value of goodwill. Such events include, but are not limited to, strategic decisions made in response to the economic environment on our customer base or a material negative change in relationships with our customers.
During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company completed the annual impairment test and as a result recorded $1,100 in impairment of intangible assets, related to Chevys trademarks and franchise assets. No goodwill impairment was identified.
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company recorded $2,728 in goodwill impairment that was related to a previous merger at the time of the Exchange. During the fourth quarter of 2009, management forecasts were revised due to the continued impact of the downturn in the economy on current operations and growth projections. As a result, the Company recorded impairment of approximately $13,200 related to trademarks and franchise agreements. The Company recorded total non-cash charges of $16,294 for the write-down of the goodwill and other intangible assets during the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009, which also includes $366 related to favorable lease assets.
During the second quarter of 2008, the Company recorded impairment of $34,000, including $30,000 related to goodwill and $4,000 related to trademarks. As of November 13, 2008, in conjunction with the Exchange, the Company completed a valuation and identified additional impairment of approximately $129,196, including $87,596 related to goodwill and $41,600 related to trademarks. The Company recorded total non-cash charges of $163,196 for the write-down of the goodwill and trademarks during the Predecessor Period December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following indefinite-lived assets as follows:
                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     December 27,  
    2010     2009  
Trademarks
  $ 37,000     $ 46,800  
Franchise agreements
    5,100       8,900  
 
           
 
  $ 42,100     $ 55,700  
 
           
Deferred Charges
Deferred charges at December 26, 2010 consists of deferred financing costs of $3,827 related to the sale of $130,000 aggregate principal amount of the senior secured notes due January 1, 2013, $100 related to the $25,000 senior unsecured credit facility maturing on July 1, 2013 and $783 related to the senior secured revolving credit facilities. Capitalized deferred charges are amortized over the lives of the respective long-term borrowings on a straight-line basis and are included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Amounts capitalized related to leases are amortized over the primary term of their respective leases and are included in occupancy expense in the accompanying statements of operations. The following table shows the estimated amortization expense for the years after December 26, 2010:
                         
    2011     2012     2013  
Deferred financing costs
  $ 2,475     $ 2,215     $ 20  

 

44


Table of Contents

Favorable Lease Asset and Unfavorable Lease Liability
Favorable lease asset represents the approximate fair market value arising from lease rates that are below market rates as of June 27, 2010, the date of the Share Purchase. The amount is being amortized over the remaining primary term of the underlying leases.
Unfavorable lease liability represents the approximate fair market value arising from lease rates that are above market rates as of June 27, 2010, the date of the Share Purchase. The amount is being amortized over the remaining primary term of the underlying leases. The current portion of unfavorable lease liabilities is recorded in other accrued liabilities.
The following table shows the estimated amortization expense for the years after December 26, 2010:
                                                 
    2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     Thereafter  
Favorable lease asset
  $ 3,357     $ 3,292     $ 2,883     $ 2,609     $ 597     $ 2,274  
Unfavorable lease liability
    (1,447 )     (1,402 )     (1,170 )     (803 )     (511 )     (1,984 )
 
                                   
Net amortization expense
  $ 1,910     $ 1,890     $ 1,713     $ 1,806     $ 86     $ 290  
 
                                   
Liquor Licenses
Transferable liquor licenses, which have a market value, are carried at the lower of aggregate acquisition cost or market and are not amortized. Liquor licenses are included in other assets.
Income Taxes
The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes in which deferred taxes are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to amounts considered by management to be more likely than not of realization in future periods.
The Company is required to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The Company has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the financial statements.
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties expense, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of December 26, 2010, the Company has not recorded any significant interest and penalty expense. The Company’s determination on its analysis of uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities. These include the 2007 through 2009 tax years for federal purposes and the 2006 through 2009 tax years for California purposes.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the operation of Company-owned restaurants are recognized when sales occur. Fees from franchised operations are included in revenue as earned. Royalty fees are based on franchised restaurants’ revenues and we record these fees in the period the related franchised restaurants’ revenues are earned. RMF’s revenues from sales to outside customers are recognized upon delivery, when title transfers to the customer, and are included in other revenues. Sales tax collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities is presented on a net basis (excluded from revenue) in our financial statements.
Self Insurance
The Company is self-insured for most workers’ compensation and general liability losses (collectively “casualty losses”). The Company maintains stop-loss coverage with third party insurers to limit its total exposure. The recorded liability associated with these programs is based on an estimate of the ultimate costs to be incurred to settle known claims and claims incurred but not reported as of the balance sheet date. The estimated liability is not discounted and is based on a number of assumptions and factors, including historical trends, actuarial assumptions and economic conditions. If actual claims trends, including the severity or frequency of claims, differ from estimates, the financial results could be significantly impacted.

 

45


Table of Contents

Gift Certificates and Gift Cards
The Company records deferred revenue, included in accounts payable, for gift certificates and gift cards outstanding until they are redeemed. Revenues from unredeemed gift cards are recognized based on historical and expected redemption trends and are classified as revenues in our consolidated statement of operations.
Segment Information
The Company operates 181 restaurants through its three restaurant operating subsidiaries, providing similar products to similar customers. These restaurants possess similar economic characteristics resulting in similar long-term expected financial characteristics. Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Based upon its methods of internal reporting and management structure, management believes that the Company meets the criteria for aggregating its 181 operating restaurants into a single reporting segment called restaurant operations. The Company’s RMF manufacturing operations are dissimilar from our restaurant operations, but do not meet the required quantitative thresholds and therefore qualify for aggregation.
Promotion and Advertising Expense
The cost of promotion and advertising is expensed as incurred. The Company incurred $7,054, $9,133, $14,325, $1,260 and $15,077 in promotion and advertising expense during the Successor Six Months ended December 26, 2010, the Predecessor Six Months ended June 27, 2010, the Predecessor Year ended December 27, 2009, the 6 week Predecessor Period from November 14, 2008 to December 28, 2008 and the 46 week Predecessor Period December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008, respectively.
Operating Leases
Most of our restaurant and office facilities are under operating leases with expirations in fiscal years 2011 through 2028. The minimum lease payments, including any predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rent, are recognized as rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Most of the restaurant facilities have renewal clauses exercisable at the option of the Company and include rent escalation clauses stipulating specific rent increases upon exercise, some of which are based upon the Consumer Price Index. Certain of these leases require the payment of contingent rentals based on a percentage of gross revenues. At December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, deferred rent equaled $775 and $2,092, respectively, which is included in other long-term liabilities.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions. At times, balances in the Company’s cash accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) limit. Most of the Company’s restaurants are located in California. Consequently, the Company may be susceptible to adverse trends and economic conditions in California.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments are primarily comprised of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and long-term debt. For cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, the carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Senior Secured Notes due 2013 at December 26, 2010, based on quoted market prices was $135,850. Management estimates that the carrying values of its other financial instruments approximate their fair values since their realization or satisfaction is expected to occur in the short term or have been renegotiated at a date close to year end.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance requiring increased fair value disclosures. There are two components to the increased disclosure requirements set forth in the update: (1) a description of, as well as the disclosure of, the dollar amount of transfers in or out of level one or level two in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (level three), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (that is, gross amounts shall be disclosed as opposed to a single net figure). Increased disclosures regarding the transfers in/out of level one and two are required for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009. Increased disclosures regarding the level three fair value reconciliation are required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

46


Table of Contents

In July 2010, the FASB issued guidance requiring a company to disclose information that provides financial statement users more information about the credit quality of a creditor’s financing receivables and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses. Short-term accounts receivable, receivables measured at fair value or lower of cost or fair value, and debt securities are exempt. For public companies, the amendments that require disclosures as of the end of a reporting period and the amendments that requires disclosures for activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists of the following:
                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     December 27,  
    2010     2009  
Land and land improvements
  $ 1,525     $ 1,530  
Buildings and improvements
    718       379  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    35,342       46,340  
Leasehold improvements and leasehold rights
    53,790       78,727  
 
           
Property and equipment, total
    91,375       126,975  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (18,645 )     (42,451 )
 
           
Property and equipment, net
  $ 72,730     $ 84,524  
 
           
5. Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities
Accounts payable consist of the following:
                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     December 27,  
    2010     2009  
Trade accounts payable
  $ 16,079     $ 14,241  
Gift cards and gift certificates
    2,666       2,544  
 
           
 
  $ 18,745     $ 16,785  
 
           
Other accrued liabilities consist of the following:
                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     December 27,  
    2010     2009  
Rent and occupancy expenses
  $ 1,197     $ 1,210  
Sales taxes
    4,097       4,028  
Other
    4,852       6,728  
 
           
 
  $ 10,146     $ 11,966  
 
           
6. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following:
                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     December 27,  
    2010     2009  
Senior Secured Notes due 2013
    130,000       130,000  
Senior Secured Notes unamortized debt discount
    (260 )     (11,143 )
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
           
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility — Related Party
    30,599       25,974  
Mortgage
    440       519  
Other
    421       578  
 
           
 
    161,200       145,928  
Less current portion
    (507 )     (657 )
 
           
 
  $ 160,693     $ 145,271  
 
           

 

47


Table of Contents

Senior Secured Notes due 2013. On July 7, 2009 (the “Closing Date”), the Company completed an offering of $130,000 aggregate principal amount of 14.0% Senior Secured Notes due January 1, 2013 (the “Notes”), which are guaranteed (the “Guarantees”) by Holdco and all of the Company’s existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries (together with Holdco, the “Guarantors”). The Notes were offered and sold in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), a limited number of institutional accredited investors in the United States, and outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated July 7, 2009 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes were used to refinance a portion of the existing indebtedness, including repayment of the Company’s $105,000 senior secured notes due 2010 and to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith. Deferred debt fees of $6,596 were recorded related to the issuance of the Notes. The remaining deferred debt fees and unamortized debt discount related to the $105,000 senior secured notes due 2010 of $11,717 were recorded as interest expense on July 7, 2009.
Effective June 28, 2010, the Company entered into a Supplemental Indenture, which amended the Indenture to permit affiliates of Sun Capital to acquire a majority of the stock of Holdco without requiring the Company to make a change of control offer to repurchase the Notes that would otherwise have been required under the Indenture.
Prior to July 1, 2011, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 114% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, with the net proceeds of certain equity financings; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes remains outstanding immediately after such redemption and (ii) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such sale of our equity interests. Prior to July 1, 2011, the Company may also redeem some or all of the Notes at a “make-whole” premium. On or after July 1, 2011, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at 100% of the Notes’ principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the date of redemption.
Within 90 days of the end of each four fiscal quarter period ending on or near December 31, beginning in 2009, the Company must, subject to certain exceptions, offer to repay the Notes with 75% of the Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Indenture) from the period, at 100% of the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages. If the excess cash flow offer is prohibited by the terms of the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility, as amended, governing the Company’s New Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities, the Company will deposit the amount that would have been used to fund the excess cash flow offer into an escrow account. Funds from the escrow account will be released to the Company only to repay borrowings under the New Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities or to make an excess cash flow offer. No Excess Cash Flow Offer was required for 2010 or 2009.
If the Company undergoes a change of control, the Company will be required to make an offer to each holder to repurchase all or a portion of their Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the date of purchase. If the Company sells assets outside the ordinary course of business and the Company does not use the net proceeds for specified purposes, the Company may be required to use such net proceeds to repurchase the Notes at 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest up to the date of repurchase.
The terms of the Indenture generally limit the Company’s ability and the ability of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) make certain investments or other restricted payments; (ii) incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; (iii) create or incur liens on assets to secure debt; (iv) incur dividends and other payment restrictions with regard to restricted subsidiaries; (v) transfer, sell or consummate a merger or consolidation of all, or substantially all, of the Company’s assets; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; (vii) change the Company’s line of business; (viii) repay certain indebtedness prior to stated maturities; (ix) pay dividends or make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase, capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; (x) engage in sale and leaseback transactions; or (xi) issue stock of subsidiaries.
The Notes and the Guarantees are secured by a second-priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors, including the pledge of 100% of all outstanding equity interests of each of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. On the Closing Date, the Company and the Guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement, pursuant to which the Company and the Guarantors have agreed for the benefit of the holders of the Notes to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement with respect to a registered offer to exchange the Notes for an issue of the Company’s senior secured notes with terms identical to the Notes in all material respects. The registration statement was declared effective on October 8, 2009. A shelf registration statement covering resales of the Notes was declared effective by the SEC on December 1, 2009.

 

48


Table of Contents

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities. The Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation, as amended, provides for a $15.0 million revolving credit facility and $25.0 million letter of credit facility, maturing on July 1, 2012 (collectively, the “Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities”). Under the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities, the lenders agreed to make loans and issue letters of credit to and on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries. Interest on the outstanding borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facilities is based on either prime rate plus Applicable Margin or ninety-day LIBOR plus Applicable Margin, as defined in and subject to certain restrictions in the 2009 amendment, which extended the due date and modified certain covenants and fees on the letters of credit issued thereunder accrue at a rate of 4.5% per annum. Deferred debt fees of $1,562 were recorded in 2009 related to the amendment.
Obligations under the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities are guaranteed by all of the Company’s subsidiaries as well as by Holdco, which wholly owns the Company and has made a first priority pledge of all of its equity interests in the Company as security for the obligations. The Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities are secured by, among other things, first priority pledges of all of the equity interests of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, and first priority security interests (subject to customary exceptions) in substantially all of the current and future property and assets of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, with certain limited exceptions. As of December 26, 2010, the Company had $8,393 available under the Senior Secured Letter of Credit Facility and $15,000 available under the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility that may also be utilized for the letters of credit.
On April 2, 2010, the Company entered into an amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement which modified certain definitions in order to allow the transfer of shares in Holdco within current stockholders of Holdco. No such amendment was required related to the Notes as a result of such transfer.
The Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended, contains various affirmative and negative covenants and restrictions, which among other things, require the Company to meet certain financial tests (including certain leverage and cash flow ratios), and limits the Company and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, make certain capital expenditures, pay dividends or make other equity distributions, purchase or redeem capital stock, make certain investments, sell assets, engage in transactions with affiliates and effect a consolidation or merger. The agreement contains a cross-default provision wherein if the Company is in default on any other credit facilities, default on this facility is automatic. At December 26, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all specified financial and other covenants under the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended.
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. In connection with the offering of the Notes, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, Holdco, the lenders party thereto and Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch (the “Senior Unsecured Credit Facility”), pursuant to which the principal balance of the existing unsecured loan owing by the Company under the existing senior unsecured credit facility, as amended, was reduced from $65,000 to $25,000 through (i) the assumption by Holdco of $25,000 of such unsecured debt and (ii) the exchange by a lender under the Senior Unsecured Credit Facility, as amended, of $15,000 of such unsecured debt for $4,583 aggregate principal amount of Notes (which were issued for $4,125), resulting in a gain on extinguishment of debt of $10,875. Deferred debt fees of $161 were recorded related to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 16.5% and is payable quarterly, provided that (i) such interest is payable in kind for the first four quarters following the Closing Date and (ii) thereafter will be payable in a combination of cash and in kind. The term of the Company’s credit facility was extended to July 1, 2013 and certain covenants were modified. Certain lenders to the Senior Unsecured Credit Facility are owners of Holdco, and as a result, the Senior Unsecured Credit Facility is held by related parties to the Company.
The Senior Unsecured Credit Facility, as amended, contains various affirmative and negative covenants which, among other things, require the Company to meet certain financial tests (including certain leverage and interest coverage ratios) and limits the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, grant certain liens, make certain restricted payments, make capital expenditures, engage in transactions with affiliates, make certain investments, sell its assets, make acquisitions, effect a consolidation or merger and amend or modify instruments governing certain indebtedness (including relating to the Company’s Notes and the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities). At December 26, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all specified financial and other covenants under the Senior Unsecured Credit Facility, as amended.
Mortgage. In 2005, concurrent with an acquisition, we assumed a $816 mortgage secured by the building and improvements of one of the restaurants acquired in the transaction. The mortgage carries a fixed annual interest rate of 9.28% and requires equal monthly payments of principal and interest through April 2015. As of December 26, 2010, the principal amount outstanding on the mortgage was $440.
 

 

49


Table of Contents

Interest rates for the Company’s long-term debt are shown in the following table:
                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     December 27,  
    2010     2009  
Senior Secured Notes due 2013
    14.00 %     14.00 %
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facilities
    9.25 %     7.42 to 9.25 %
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility — Related Party
    16.50 %     16.50 %
Mortgage
    9.28 %     9.28 %
Other
    3.20 to 4.70 %     3.20 to 4.70 %
The maturity of long-term debt for the fiscal years succeeding December 26, 2010, is as follows:
                         
            Unamortized        
            Debt        
    Principal     Discount     Total  
2011
  $ 507     $ (130 )   $ 377  
2012
    95       (130 )     (35 )
2013
    160,704             160,704  
2014
    114             114  
2015
    40             40  
Thereafter
                 
 
                 
 
  $ 161,460     $ (260 )   $ 161,200  
 
                 
7. Capitalization
Common Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. At December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009 there were 1,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Stock Option Plans
In December 2006, the Board of Directors of Holdco adopted a Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”). The 2006 Plan reserved 100,000 shares of Holdco’s non-voting common stock for issuance upon exercise of stock options granted under the 2006 Plan. Options vest 20% per year according to the schedule specified in each option agreement. Accelerated vesting of all outstanding options is triggered upon a change of control of Holdco, as defined in the 2006 Plan. This was not triggered as a result of the Share Purchase. The options have a life of 10 years, and can only be exercised upon the earliest of the following dates: (i) the 10 year anniversary of the effective date; (ii) the date of a change in control, as defined in the 2006 Plan; or (iii) date of employment termination, subject to certain exclusions.
When stock-based compensation is awarded, the Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award — the requisite service period. No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The grant-date fair value of employee stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company utilizes comparable companies to estimate its price volatility and the simplified method to calculate option expected time to exercise. No options were granted during 2009 or 2010.
The following table summarizes the stock option activity:
                 
            Weighted  
            Average  
    Shares     Exercise Price  
Outstanding at December 28, 2008 — Predecessor
    330     $ 8,150  
 
           
Granted
           
Exercised
           
Forfeited/expired
           
 
           
Outstanding at December 27, 2009 — Predecessor
    330     $ 8,150  
 
           
Granted
           
Exercised
           
Forfeited/expired
    (110 )     8,150  
 
           
Outstanding at June 27, 2010 — Predecessor
    220     $ 8,150  
 
           
Granted
           
Exercised
           
Forfeited/expired
    (26 )     8,150  
 
           
Outstanding at December 26, 2010 — Successor
    194     $ 8,150  
 
           
Vested and expected to vest at December 26, 2010
    193     $ 8,150  
Exercisable at December 26, 2010
    152     $ 8,150  

 

50


Table of Contents

The Company recorded $65, $49 and $260 of stock-based compensation for the Successor Six Months ended December 26, 2010, the Predecessor Six Months ended June 27, 2010 and the Predecessor Year ended December 27, 2009. The Company recorded a net stock-based compensation credit of $28 during the Successor Period November 14, 2008 through December 28, 2008. The credit resulted from the reversal of compensation cost for unvested shares related to a termination of one of our executives during that period. The Company recorded $406 of stock-based compensation expense for the Predecessor Period from December 31, 2007 through November 13, 2008. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
As of December 26, 2010, $105 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock-based awards is expected to be recognized through fiscal year 2012, and the weighted average remaining vesting period of those awards is approximately one year. At December 26, 2010, the aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options was $0.
8. Income Taxes
Significant components of the income tax provision (benefit) consist of the following:
                                         
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     June 27,     December 27,     December 28,     November 13,  
    2010     2010     2009     2008     2008  
Current:
                                       
Federal
  $     $ (60 )   $     $     $ 28  
State
    87       19       16             24  
 
                             
 
    87       (41 )     16             52  
 
                             
Deferred:
                                       
Federal
    (402 )           (4,612 )            
State
    (88 )           (811 )            
 
                             
 
    (490 )           (5,423 )            
 
                             
Total income tax (benefit) expense
  $ (403 )   $ (41 )   $ (5,407 )   $     $ 52  
 
                             
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     December 27,  
    2010     2009  
Deferred tax assets:
               
Federal net operating loss carry-forwards
  $ 16,665     $ 9,807  
State net operating loss carry-forwards
    8,851       6,478  
Goodwill and other intangibles
    16,081       20,262  
Accrued expenses not currently deductible
    7,042       8,197  
Tax credit carry-forwards
    7,519       900  
Property and equipment basis difference
    11,678       9,227  
Deferred rent
    321       867  
Gift certificates and other deferred income
    1,105       1,055  
Deferred compensation
    762       761  
State taxes
    2,083       2,766  
Other
    4,307       4,554  
 
           
Total deferred tax assets
    76,414       64,874  
 
           
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Prepaid expenses
    (457 )     (535 )
Trademarks and other indefinite lived intangibles
    (19,522 )     (26,059 )
Lease amortization
    (6,222 )     (10,370 )
Unamortized landlord allowance
    (2,956 )     (3,036 )
 
           
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (29,157 )     (40,000 )
 
           
Valuation allowance
    (66,779 )     (50,933 )
 
           
Net deferred tax liability
  $ (19,522 )   $ (26,059 )
 
           

 

51


Table of Contents

Immediately prior to the Share Purchase, deferred tax assets and liabilities were $68,675 and $38,582, respectively, offset by a valuation allowance of $56,152.
The reconciliation of income tax at the U.S. federal statutory tax rates to income tax expense is as follows:
                         
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     December 27,     December 28,  
    2010     2009     2008  
Income tax at U.S. federal statutory tax rate
    34.0 %     34.0 %     34.0 %
State income tax, net of federal benefit
    (0.1 )     0.9       0.0  
Valuation allowance
    (26.3 )     (23.3 )     (13.0 )
Non-deductible transaction costs
                 
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles
          (1.7 )     (92.1 )
Purchase accounting adjustment
                71.2  
Permanent true-ups
    (5.7 )            
Other
    (0.2 )     (0.1 )     (0.1 )
 
                 
Effective tax rate
    1.7 %     9.8 %     0.0 %
 
                 
Net deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on all the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In assessing the adequacy of the valuation allowance, the Company considers various factors including reversal of deferred tax liabilities, future taxable income, and potential tax planning strategies. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance since the Company currently believes the deferred tax assets will not be realized. For the years ended December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $66,779 and $50,933, respectively.
Any changes regarding the realization of the acquired deferred tax assets which occur within the measurement period resulting from new information regarding facts and circumstances that existed at the date of the Exchange, then, to the extent there is a reduction in the valuation allowance, the benefit will reduce goodwill. All other reductions to the valuation allowance will benefit tax expense.
The Company files U.S. and State consolidated tax returns with Holdco. The Company uses the separate return method for allocating taxes to its separate financial statements. One exception to the separate return method used in the current year was the reduction of tax attributes as a result of the Exchange transaction that took place on November 13, 2008 at Holdco. Consolidated tax attributes belonging to the Company have been reduced to reflect their utilization under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 108. Based upon the Company’s preliminary analysis of IRC Section 108, the net operating losses were reduced to zero at December 28, 2008. Upon completion of the final analysis during 2009, the Company concluded that at December 28, 2008, there were $23,578 of federal net operating loss carry-forward and $68,862 of state net operating loss carry-forward, respectively. As the Company had recorded a full valuation allowance on these items, this resulted in no impact on the consolidated statement of operations in either period.
At December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, the Company had a federal net operating loss carry-forward of $49,014 and $27,211 which will begin to expire in 2028 and a federal business tax credit carry-forward of $7,448 and $4,133, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2013. In addition, at December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, the Company had a state net operating loss carry-forward of $100,130 and $79,019 which will begin to expire in 2012 and a state tax credit carry-forward of $71 for both years, which will begin to expire in 2013. The utilization of the net operating loss carry-forward is subject to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code Section 382 and similar state provisions.

 

52


Table of Contents

9. Fair Value Measurement
Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is established as a basis for considering such assumptions and for inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:
Level 1: Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.
As of December 26, 2010, the Company had no assets or liabilities that were measured using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs on a recurring or non-recurring basis. Using Level 3 inputs, as described in Note 3, intangible assets and certain long-lived assets were written down to fair value as a result of impairment charges of $1,100 and $1,007, respectively during the fourth quarter of Successor 2010.
In conjunction with the Share Purchase, the Company completed a valuation and recorded adjustments to fair value for the following assets and liabilities by level at June 28, 2010:
                         
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Assets:
                       
Property and equipment
  $     $ 78,990     $  
Liquor licenses
          5,082        
Goodwill
                113,989  
Trademarks and other intangible assets
                43,200  
Favorable lease asset
                16,456  
Liabilities:
                       
Senior secured notes due 2013
    129,675              
Unfavorable lease liability
                8,041  
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company leases restaurant and office facilities that have terms with expirations in 2011 through 2028. Most of the restaurant facilities have renewal clauses exercisable at the option of the Company with rent escalation clauses stipulating specific rent increases, some of which are based upon the Consumer Price Index. Certain of these leases require the payment of contingent rentals based on a percentage of gross revenues, as defined. Additionally, the Company leases several properties that are not being operated by the Company. Several of those properties are subleased.
The Company leases certain leasehold improvements and equipment under agreements that are classified as capital leases. The cost of assets under capital leases is included in the balance sheets as property and equipment and was $927 and $1,464 at December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, respectively. Accumulated amortization of these assets was $162 and $354 at December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, respectively. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation expense. The Company recorded no new capital assets at December 26, 2010 and the amount of capital assets placed in service was $261 at December 27, 2009, respectively.

 

53


Table of Contents

The minimum annual lease commitment and subtenant income of the Company for the years succeeding December 26, 2010 is approximately as follows:
                                 
    Capital     Minimum             Net  
    Lease     Lease     Sublease     Lease  
    Obligations     Commitments     Income     Commitments  
2011
  $ 332     $ 42,053     $ (539 )   $ 41,846  
2012
    257       39,138       (459 )     38,936  
2013
    92       34,594       (308 )     34,378  
2014
    79       28,919       (300 )     28,698  
2015
    26       20,549       (240 )     20,335  
Thereafter
    251       80,740       (79 )     80,912  
 
                       
Total minimum lease payments
    1,037     $ 245,993     $ (1,925 )   $ 245,105  
 
                         
Less: Amount representing interest
    (254 )                        
 
                             
Present value of net minimum capital lease payments
    783                          
Less: Current maturities of capital lease obligations
    (269 )                        
 
                             
Long-term capital lease obligations
  $ 514                          
 
                             
The Company is contingently liable for leases on sold or assigned premises for $1,527 as of December 26, 2010.
Some of the leases provide for additional rentals based on a percentage of revenues. The following table summarizes the rental expense, percentage rent expense above minimum rent and net sublease income:
                                         
    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 26,     June 27,     December 27,     December 28,     November 13,  
    2010     2010     2009     2008     2008  
Rental expense
  $ 23,446     $ 23,407     $ 47,946     $ 4,997     $ 41,935  
Percentage rent expense above minimum rent (included in rental expense)
    684       811       1,538       198       1,926  
Net sublease income
    78       183       428       45       344  
Purchase Obligations
In December 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with a certain vendor to purchase a minimum volume of product from December 1, 2007 through December 31, 2015, to be extended for any shortfall in purchases until such volume is met. The contract is based upon expiration date or volume, which ever occurs last. As of December 26, 2010, $3,141 had been purchased, representing 24% of the total contractual volume to be purchased throughout the life of the contract.
Litigation
The Company is periodically a defendant in cases involving personal injury, employment-related claims, third-party Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility claims and other matters that arise in the normal course of business. While any pending or threatened litigation has an element of uncertainty, the Company believes that the outcome of these lawsuits or claims, individually or combined, will not materially adversely affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
Self-Insurance
The Company is self-insured for most casualty losses up to certain stop-loss limits. The Company has accounted for its liabilities for these casualty losses and claims, including both reported and incurred but not reported claims, based on information provided by independent actuaries. Management believes that it has recorded reserves for casualty losses at a level that has substantially mitigated the potential negative impact of adverse developments and/or volatility. Management believes that its calculation of casualty loss liabilities would not change materially under different conditions and/or different methods. However, due to the inherent volatility of actuarially determined casualty claims, it is reasonably possible that the Company could experience changes in estimated casualty losses, which could be material to both quarterly and annual net income. Amounts estimated to be ultimately payable with respect to existing claims and an estimate for claims incurred but not reported under these programs have been accrued and are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Estimated liabilities related to the self-insured casualty losses were $13,212 and $14,790 as of December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, respectively.
The Company is also required to maintain collateral securing future payment under the self-insured retention insurance programs. As of December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009, this collateral consisted of stand-by letters of credit of $13,047 and $13,902, respectively.

 

54


Table of Contents

11. Related Party Transactions
As discussed in Note 6, as a result of the Exchange, the existing lenders to the Senior Unsecured Credit Facility became owners of Holdco. As a result, the Senior Unsecured Credit Facility is held by related parties to the Company. Subsequent to the Share Purchase, this continues to be the case.
Certain funds managed by Farallon are indirect stockholders of Holdco. Certain funds managed by Farallon hold an indirect interest in a shopping center from which the Company leases property for the operation of an Acapulco restaurant. Total payments in connection with the lease in 2010 and 2009 were $329 and $190, of which approximately $82 and $44 is attributable to the indirect interest of funds managed by Farallon in the shopping center. Additionally, on July 7, 2009, certain funds managed by Farallon purchased $13,000 aggregate principal amounts of the Notes.
On February 27, 2009, the Company entered into a contract for consulting services with an entity which has a material relationship with one of Holdco’s stockholders. This consulting contract had a monthly fee of $190 with an initial term from March 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009 and three optional one month renewal terms through June 30, 2009, each of which was exercised. The Company extended the contract for one additional month through July 31, 2009 at the same terms. Fees of $950 were recorded in general and administrative expense during 2009 and reflected as non-cash consulting expense on the consolidated statement of cash flows. The fees were paid in shares of Holdco common stock, resulting in an increase in additional paid in capital for the Company. The shares were issued on September 28, 2009.
The Company periodically makes payments to (subject to restricted payment covenants under the indenture governing the Notes), from and on behalf of Holdco. No related party payables or receivables were outstanding at December 26, 2010 or December 27, 2009.
12. Employee Benefit Plan
The Company is the sponsor of a defined contribution plan (401(k) plan) for qualified Company employees, as defined. Participants may contribute from 1% to 50% of pre-tax compensation, subject to certain limitations. The plan contains a provision that provides that the Company may make discretionary contributions. The Company made no contributions for the Success Six Months ended December 26, 2010 and the Predecessor Six Months ended June 27, 2010. The Company has recorded contribution expense of $144, $26 and $207 during the Predecessor Year ended December 27, 2009, the 6 week Predecessor Period November 14, 2008 through December 28, 2008 and the 46 week Predecessor Period from December 31, 2007 through November 13, 2008, respectively.
13. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Pursuant to the notes accompanying Rule 3-10(f) of Regulation S-X, we have not provided the condensed consolidated financial statements of our subsidiaries guaranteeing the Notes as (i) we have no independent assets or operations, (ii) the guarantees are full and unconditional, joint and several and (iii) we have no subsidiaries who are not subsidiary guarantors of our senior notes.
14. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009:
                                 
    Predecessor     Predecessor     Successor     Successor  
    13 weeks ended     13 weeks ended     13 weeks ended     13 weeks ended  
    March 28,     June 27,     September 26,     December 26,  
    2010     2010     2010     2010  
Total revenues
  $ 120,419     $ 129,637     $ 118,618     $ 109,289  
Operating income (loss)
  $ 2,037     $ 6,844     $ 511     $ (4,962 )
Net loss
  $ (5,499 )   $ (769 )   $ (6,300 )   $ (11,483 )(1)
                                 
    Predecessor     Predecessor     Predecessor     Predecessor  
    13 weeks ended     13 weeks ended     13 weeks ended     13 weeks ended  
    March 29,     June 28,     September 27,     December 27,  
    2009     2009     2009     2009  
Total revenues
  $ 128,493     $ 135,924     $ 124,211     $ 111,969  
Operating income (loss)
  $ 208     $ 4,643     $ (4,193 )   $ (20,917 )
Net loss
  $ (8,948 )   $ (4,135 )   $ (13,446 )(2)   $ (23,069 )(3)
 
     
(1)  
Includes impairment of other intangible assets of $1,100
 
(2)  
Includes impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets of $2,728.
 
(3)  
Includes impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets of $13,566.

 

55


Table of Contents

ITEM 9.  
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.  
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act.) Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the record period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive and financial officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control- Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of the end of our 2010 fiscal year.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.  
OTHER INFORMATION
None.

 

56


Table of Contents

PART III
ITEM 10.  
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the current Board of Directors, executive officers and other key employees of our Company:
         
Name   Age   Position
Richard E. Rivera
  64   President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
Richard P. Dutkiewicz
  55   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Carlos Angulo
  49   President, Real Mex Foods, Inc.
Roberto (Pepe) Lopez
  55   Executive Chef and Senior Vice President, Research and Development
Raymond Garcia
  56   Senior Vice President of Operations
Jeff Campbell
  66   Director*+
Anthony DiLucente
  52   Director*+
Craig S. Miller
  61   Director*+
Anthony Polazzi
  35   Director*+
R. Lynn Skillen
  55   Director*+
Clarence E. Terry
  64   Director*+
 
     
*  
Member of our audit committee.
 
+  
Member of our compensation committee.
Richard E. Rivera has been our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since April 2009. Mr. Rivera will be retiring effective April 1, 2011. Mr. Rivera is an owner of Rubicon Enterprises LLC, a Sarasota, FL-based restaurant management and investment company with ownership in four T.G.I Friday’s and six Marlow’s Taverns, for which he has served as President and CEO since 2004. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Rivera was Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer responsible for the day-to-day operations at Darden Restaurants, Inc., the parent company which operates casual dining concepts including Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Rivera was President of the Red Lobster division at Darden Restaurants, Inc. Prior to his employment with Darden Restaurants, Inc., Mr. Rivera served at various times as an executive officer of the following restaurant concepts: Chart House Enterprises, RARE Hospitality International (which operates Long Horn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille among other restaurant concepts), Applebee’s, TGI Friday’s, Del Taco, El Chico, and Steak & Ale Restaurants of America. Mr. Rivera is also active on behalf of the restaurant industry having served as Chairman of the National Restaurant Association in 2007-2008 and as a board member since 1993. Mr. Rivera has served as a director of Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. since 2006. Mr. Rivera was selected to serve as a member of our Board of Directors as a result of his role as our President and Chief Executive Officer, for his ability to provide key information about the Company during Board meetings.
Richard P. Dutkiewicz has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2010. From 2003 to 2010, Mr. Dutkiewicz, served as Chief Financial Officer of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group (“ENRG”), the largest operator of bagel bakeries in the U.S. Prior to ENRG, Mr. Dutkiewicz had been recruited to take over the CFO role with a troubled publicly traded electronics manufacture, Vari-L Company, where he overhauled the finance department, including personnel and systems, leading the way to a successful sale and transition to Sirenza Microdevices in 2003. In the six years preceding Vari-L, Mr. Dutkiewicz was CFO for Coleman Natural Products, a leading supplier of natural beef in the U.S.. Mr. Dutkiewicz is a graduate of Loyola University where he earned a B.B.A. in Accounting and worked in public accounting as an audit manager with KPMG until 1984. He has more than 30 years of experience spanning both public and privately held organizations for a variety of restaurant, technology, and manufacturing organizations.
Carlos Angulo has been the President of Real Mex Foods, Inc. since January 2005. Mr. Angulo joined us in 2000 as Vice President of Real Mex Foods, Inc. Previously, Mr. Angulo worked for Smart & Final for 18 years in a variety of positions from Store Manager to Vice President of Northern California Distribution. Mr. Angulo received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California.
Roberto (Pepe) Lopez has been our Executive Chef since 1992. In addition, in 1994, Mr. Lopez was promoted to Vice President, Research and Development and in 2004, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Research and Development. Previously, Mr. Lopez served as Director of Product Development. His prior experience includes serving as Executive Chef at Cano’s and Las Brisas, and as Manager at El Torito. Between 1988 and 1992, he was Director of Product Development for Visions Restaurants, Inc.

 

57


Table of Contents

Raymond Garcia has been our Senior Vice President of Operations since July 2010. Prior to that time, Mr. Garcia served as the Senior Vice President of Operations for El Torito and Acapulco since June 2005. Previously, Mr. Garcia served from 1991 in a variety of positions at Acapulco rising from Assistant Manager to Vice President of Operations. Before joining Acapulco, Mr. Garcia held positions of General Manager and Regional Manager at El Torito.
Jeff Campbell became a Director of the Company in July 2009. Mr. Campbell is currently the Brinker Executive in Residence at San Diego State’s School of Hospitality and Tourism. He is also Chairman of “The Chairmen’s Roundtable”, a San Diego based organization composed of former CEO’s and entrepreneurs. Mr. Campbell is the former CEO of Burger King and ex-Chairman of the Pillsbury Restaurant Group. He also served as Senior Vice President for Brand Development for Pepsi-Cola as well as CEO of the Johnny Rockets and Catalina Restaurant Groups. Mr. Campbell was selected to serve as a member of our Board of Directors because of his extensive background in restaurant and related industries, as noted above.
Anthony DiLucente was appointed as a Director of the Company in October 2010. Mr. DiLucente has served as Group CFO of Sun Capital Partners, a private investment firm, since April 2010. Mr. DiLucente was selected to serve as a member of our Board of Directors by Sun Capital Partners, in accordance with Sun Capital Partners’ rights as a shareholder.
Craig S. Miller became a Director of the Company in July 2009. Mr. Miller is a principal in Miller Partners Restaurant Solutions (MPRS). MPRS, thru an affiliate, owns and operates Miller’s Field, a sports restaurant located in San Diego, California. Mr. Miller served as President, CEO and Chairman of Ruth’s Hospitality Group from 2004 to 2008. He also served as President and CEO of Furr’s Hospitality from 2001 to 2002 and as President, Director and CEO of Uno Restaurants from 1983 to 2001. Mr. Miller serves as a director of the National Restaurant Association and served as its Chairman from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Miller served as a director of Tim Hortons Inc. from 2007 to 2010. Mr. Miller was selected to serve as a member of our Board of Directors because of his extensive background in the restaurant industry.
Anthony Polazzi was reappointed as a Director of the Company in October 2009. Mr. Polazzi previously served as a Director of the Company from November 2008 until July 2009. Mr. Polazzi has served as a principal of Sun Capital Partners, a private investment firm, since October 2003. Mr. Polazzi was selected to serve as a member of our Board of Directors by Sun Capital Partners, in accordance with Sun Capital Partners’ rights as a shareholder.
R. Lynn Skillen was appointed as a Director of the Company in June 2010. Mr. Skillen serves as Managing Director of Sun Capital Partners, a private investment firm, and has 30 years experience in finance and operations. Mr. Skillen was selected to serve as a member of our Board of Directors by Sun Capital Partners, in accordance with Sun Capital Partners’ rights as a shareholder.
Clarence E. Terry was reappointed as a Director of the Company in April 2010. Mr. Terry previously served as a Director of the Company from August 2006 until November 2008. Mr. Terry serves as Senior Managing Director of Sun Capital Partners, a private investment firm, and he has more than 30 years of operating experience. Mr. Terry was selected to serve as a member of our Board of Directors by Sun Capital Partners, in accordance with Sun Capital Partners’ rights as a shareholder.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The non-employee directors currently act as the Company’s Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has determined Craig S. Miller qualifies as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as this term has been defined under the rules and restrictions of the SEC and has designated him as such.
Code of Ethics
On February 7, 2007, the Company adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and all persons performing similar functions.

 

58


Table of Contents

ITEM 11.  
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Compensation Philosophy and Overall Objectives
We believe that the compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers, whom we collectively refer to as our named executive officers (“Named Executive Officers”), should be closely aligned with our performance as well as that of each Named Executive Officer’s individual performance on both a short- and long-term basis, and that such compensation should be sufficient to attract and retain highly qualified leaders who can create significant value for our organization. Our compensation programs are designed to provide Named Executive Officers meaningful incentives for superior performance. Performance is evaluated using both financial and non-financial objectives that we believe contribute to our long-term success. Among these objectives are financial strength, customer service, operational excellence, employee commitment and regulatory integrity.
How is Compensation Determined
Due to the unique nature of each Named Executive Officer’s duties, our criteria for assessing executive performance and determining compensation in any year is inherently subjective and is not based upon specific formulas or weighting of factors. We use companies in similar industries as benchmarks when initially establishing Named Executive Officers’ compensation. We also review peer company data when making annual base salary and incentive recommendations.
Discussion of Specific Compensation Elements
The following describes the components of our executive compensation program and the basis upon which recommendations and determinations were made. Each compensation element is designed to fit one or more components of the Company’s compensation objectives, that when taken as a whole, is competitive with the external market.
Base Salary
We determine base salaries for all of our Named Executive Officers by reviewing company and individual performance, the value each Named Executive Officer brings to us and general labor market conditions. While base salary provides a base level of compensation intended to be competitive with the external market, the base salary for each Named Executive Officer is determined on a subjective basis after consideration of these factors and is not based on target percentiles or other formal criteria. The base salaries of Named Executive Officers are reviewed on an annual basis, and any annual increase is the result of an evaluation of the Company and of the individual Named Executive Officer’s performance for the period. An increase or decrease in base pay may also result from a promotion or other significant change in a Named Executive Officer’s responsibilities during the year.
Annual Bonus Plan
We maintain an annual bonus plan that provides for annual incentive awards to be made to our senior management (including the Named Executive Officers) upon our Company’s attainment of certain financial targets. During fiscal 2009, awards were be based upon the attainment of pre-set annual EBITDA and cash-flow targets (as defined in the annual bonus plan). During fiscal 2010, the plan was amended to provide that awards would be based upon the attainment of pre-set annual Consolidated Cash Flow and pre-set Free Cash Flow targets (as defined in the annual bonus plan), at which point the EBITDA target was removed. The annual bonus plan is designed to reward our executives for achievement of annual financial performance of the Company. The amount of the annual award to each executive is based upon a percentage of the executive’s base salary. Awards are normally paid in cash in a lump sum following the completion of our Company’s audit for each plan year. To be eligible for a full share of the bonus, executives must be employed on the first day of the fiscal year, provided that under the plan we may adjust awards based on individual performance factors or special circumstances affecting our Company.
Stock Option Plan
We have a Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”) which was adopted by our Board of Directors in December 2006. The Stock Option Plan is intended to offer long-term incentives and to reward our executives for superior performance. We also regard the 2006 Plan as an important retention tool. 1,000 shares of our parent’s non-voting common stock are reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options granted under the 2006 Plan. In January 2007, the Board of Directors issued stock options to certain members of management. These options vest 20% per year beginning August 16, 2007, with full vesting on August 16, 2011. Accelerated vesting of all outstanding options is triggered upon a change of control of the Company. The options have a life of 10 years, and can only be exercised upon the earliest of the following dates: (i) the 10 year anniversary of the effective date; (ii) the date of a change in control, as defined in the 2006 Plan; or (iii) date of employment termination, subject to certain exclusions. Shares above have been adjusted for the 100:1 reverse stock split effected in conjunction with the Exchange.

 

59


Table of Contents

Employment Agreements
Richard E. Rivera
We entered into an executive employment agreement with Richard E. Rivera, our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, effective April 6, 2009. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Rivera is entitled to a base salary of $500,000 per annum, or such greater amount as the Board of Directors shall determine, and customary executive benefits. Contingent upon our meeting certain financial goals set annually in accordance with our bonus plan, Mr. Rivera is eligible to receive a bonus of up to 150% of his base salary.
Unless sooner terminated in accordance with its terms, the employment agreement with Mr. Rivera expires on April 6, 2011, subject to automatic 1 year renewals unless either party provides notice of its intent not to renew 90 days prior to the renewal date. Mr. Rivera provided such notice during 2010 upon announcement of his retirement at the end of his current contract.
Richard P. Dutkiewicz
In connection with Mr. Dutkiewicz’s employment as Executive Vice President and CFO, Mr. Dutkiewicz signed an offer letter with the Company dated March 17, 2010. The offer letter provides for an initial annual base salary of $325,000. Mr. Dutkiewicz participates in the Company’s bonus program that entitles him to an annual performance bonus up to 50% of his base salary. Mr. Dutkiewicz received a signing bonus of $50,000 and received reimbursements for his relocation of $75,000. In addition, Mr. Dutkiewicz will receive an option grant with a targeted payout of $1,500,000. In the event Mr. Dutkiewicz is terminated without cause, he will be entitled to receive twelve months of his base salary and payment of premiums for COBRA coverage for a twelve-month period.
Steven Tanner
Mr. Steven Tanner served as our Chief Financial Officer until his departure from the Company in February 2010. We entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Tanner effective February 28, 2008. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Tanner was entitled to a base salary of $296,587 per annum, or such greater amount as determined by the Board of Directors, and customary executive benefits. Contingent upon our meeting certain financial goals set annually in accordance with our bonus plan, Mr. Tanner was eligible to receive a bonus of up to 50% of his base salary. In addition, the employment agreement imposed non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality obligations on Mr. Tanner.
In connection with Mr. Tanner’s departure from the Company and in addition to the payments provided by the employment agreement, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and General Release with Mr. Tanner dated December 17, 2009 with an employment termination date of February 12, 2010, pursuant to which the Company agreed (i) to pay Mr. Tanner his annual salary of $296,587 for one year following his termination date in installments to be paid on the dates that he normally received his salary and (ii) to pay the cost of Mr. Tanner’s health insurance premiums for one year if he elects to continue his health insurance through COBRA.
Compensation Policies and Practices As They Relate to the Company’s Risk Management
The Company believes that its compensation policies and practices for all employees, including executive officers, do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
All compensation decisions are approved by the Compensation Committee, which is made up of the non-employee directors on an ad hoc basis. None of the Company’s executive officers currently serve, or in the past have served, as a director or member of any compensation committee of another entity that has one or more executive officers serving on the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

60


Table of Contents

Compensation Committee Report
The non-employee directors of the Board discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management, and recommended its inclusion in the Company’s Form 10-K. The non-employee directors at the time the Company’s 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010 was filed were:
Jeff Campbell
Anthony DiLucente
Craig S. Miller
Anthony Polazzi
R. Lynn Skillen
Clarence E. Terry
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008 paid to our Named Executive Officers:
                                                                         
                                                    Change in              
                                                    Pension Value              
                                            Non-     and              
                                            Equity     Nonqualified              
                                            Incentive     Deferred     All        
Name and                           Stock     Option     Plan     Compensation     Other        
Principal Position   Year     Salary     Bonus     Awards     Awards     Compensation(1)     Earnings(2)     Compensation(3)     Total  
            ($)     ($)     (#)     (#)     ($)     (#)     ($)     ($)  
Richard E. Rivera
    2010       458,173                                     103,992 (4)     562,165  
CEO, President and Chairman (5)
    2009       349,039       50,000                               38,242 (4)     437,281  
Richard P. Dutkiewicz CFO (6)
    2010       231,250       50,000                               64,723 (4)     345,973  
Steven Tanner
    2010       376,903                                     8,505       385,409  
Former CFO (7)
    2009       307,995       103,649                               28,479       440,122  
 
    2008       296,587                                     26,111       322,698  
Carlos Angulo
    2010       271,700                                     17,739       289,439  
President, Real Mex Foods, Inc.
    2009       284,450                                     18,013       302,463  
 
    2008       260,000                                     21,229       281,229  
Roberto (Pepe) Lopez
    2010       208,083                                     6,400       214,483  
Executive Chef and
    2009       211,544                                     6,376       217,920  
Senior Vice President, R&D
    2008       210,330                                     10,540       220,870  
Raymond Garcia
    2010       200,885                                     5,298       206,183  
Senior Vice President, Operations
    2009       206,183                                     5,807       211,990  
 
    2008       205,000                                     5,284       210,284  
 
     
(1)  
The Company does not have a Non-Equity Incentive Plan.
 
(2)  
The Company does not have a pension plan and does not pay above market or preferential earnings on deferred compensation plans.
 
(3)  
All Other Compensation includes medical and dental reimbursements, automobile expenses, employer matching contribution of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, and relocation reimbursements.
 
(4)  
Amounts for Mr. Rivera and Mr. Dutkiewicz include reimbursements related to their relocation in accordance with their employment agreements.
 
(5)  
Mr. Rivera joined the Company as an executive officer in April 2009.
 
(6)  
Mr. Dutkiewicz joined the Company as an executive officer in April 2010.
 
(7)  
Mr. Tanner departed from his position as an executive officer of the Company on February 12, 2010.
Option Grants in Fiscal Year Ended December 26, 2010
None.

 

61


Table of Contents

Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End
The following table provides information regarding outstanding stock options held by our Named Executive Officers at December 26, 2010.
                                                                         
    Option/Warrant Awards     Stock Awards  
                                                                    Equity  
                                                                    Incentive  
                                                            Equity     Plan  
                                                            Incentive     Awards:  
                    Equity                                     Plan     Market or  
                    Incentive                                     Awards:     Payout  
                    Plan                                     Number of     Value of  
                    Awards                                     Unearned     Unearned  
    Number of     Number of     Number of                     Number of     Market     Shares     Shares  
    Securities     Securities     Securities                     Shares or     Value of     Units or     Units or  
    Underlying     Underlying     Underlying                     Units of     Shares or     Other     Other  
    Unexercised     Unexercised     Unexercised     Option     Option     Stock That     Unit That     Rights That     Rights That  
    Options (#)     Options (#)     Unearned     Exercise     Expiration     Have Not     Have Not     Have Not     Have Not  
Name   Exercisable     Unexercisable     Options (#)     Price     Date     Vested (#)     Vested     Vested (#)     Vested  
Richard E. Rivera
                                                     
Richard P. Dutkiewicz
                                                     
Steven Tanner
                                                     
Carlos Angulo
    88       22           $ 8,150       8/16/2016                          
Roberto (Pepe) Lopez
    16       4           $ 8,150       8/16/2016                          
Raymond Garcia
    22       6           $ 8,150       8/16/2016                          
Options Exercised and Stock Vested
None of the Named Executive Officers exercised any stock options during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.
Pension Benefits
None.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our nonqualified deferred compensation plan for fiscal year 2010 for our Named Executive Officers:
                                         
                            Aggregate     Aggregate  
    Executive     Company     Aggregate     Withdrawals/     Balance at  
    Contributions     Contributions     Earnings     Distributions     December 27,  
Name   during 2010     during 2010     during 2010     during 2010     2010  
Richard E. Rivera
  $     $     $     $     $  
Richard P. Dutkiewicz
                             
Steven Tanner
                1,294       39,591        
Carlos Angulo
                             
Roberto (Pepe) Lopez
                             
Raymond Garcia
                             
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
We have arrangements with certain of our Named Executive Officers that may provide them with compensation following termination of employment. These arrangements are discussed above under “Employment Agreements”.
Compensation of Directors
Two of our directors, Jeff Campbell and Craig S. Miller, are entitled to $16,000 per year, payable in installments of $4,000 per quarter in arrears, plus an annual option grant valued at $35,000 per year. None of our other directors are compensated for serving as a director of the Company. All directors are entitled to reimbursement of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with their travel to and attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or committees thereof.

 

62


Table of Contents

ITEM 12.  
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Equity Compensation Plan Information
As of December 26, 2010, our parent’s common stock authorized for issuance under its Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan included 1,000 shares of non-voting common stock, of which 194 options to purchase such shares are outstanding, with a weighted average exercise price of $8,150 per share.
                         
Equity Compensation Plan Information  
                    Number of  
    Number of             securities remaining  
    securities to be             available for future  
    issued upon     Weighted-average     issuance under  
    exercise of     exercise price of     equity compensation  
    outstanding     outstanding     plans (excluding  
    options, warrants     options, warrants     securities reflected  
    and rights     and rights     in column (a))  
Plan category   (a)     (b)     (c)  
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    194     $ 8,150       806  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 
 
                 
Total
    194     $ 8,150       806  
 
                 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of outstanding common stock and preferred stock of Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. as of February 20, 2011:
   
Each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.’s common and preferred stock;
 
   
Each of our Named Executive Officers;
 
   
Each of our Directors; and
 
   
All of our Directors and executive officers as a group.
To our knowledge, each of the holders of shares listed below has sole voting and investment power as to the shares owned unless otherwise noted. Beneficial ownership of the securities listed in the table has been determined in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

63


Table of Contents

Number and Percent of Shares of
Stock of
Real Mex Restaurants, Inc.
                 
    Common Stock  
    Shares     Percentage  
Greater than 5% Stockholder
               
RM Restaurant Holding Corp.(1)
    1,000       100.00  
Named Executive Officers and Directors
               
Richard E. Rivera
           
Richard P. Dutkiewicz
           
Steven Tanner
           
Carlos Angulo
           
Roberto (Pepe) Lopez
           
Raymond Garcia
           
Jeff Campbell
           
Anthony DiLucente
           
Craig S. Miller
           
Anthony Polazzi
           
R. Lynn Skillen
           
Clarence E. Terry
           
All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)
           
 
     
(1)  
RM Restaurant Holding Corp. is located at 5660 Katella Avenue, Cypress, California 90630.

 

64


Table of Contents

ITEM 13.  
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Certain funds managed by Farallon are indirect stockholders of Holdco. Certain funds managed by Farallon hold an indirect interest in a shopping center from which the Company leases property for the operation of an Acapulco restaurant. Total payments in connection with the lease in 2010 were $0.3 million, of which less than $0.1 million is attributable to the indirect interest of funds managed by Farallon in the shopping center.
Director Independence
We are not listed on any national securities exchange and therefore are not subject to any listing standards for director independence. The Company has determined that 2 of our 7 directors, Jeff Campbell and Craig S. Miller, are independent under the existing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the SEC. Because our other non-employee directors are affiliated with stockholders of our parent company, they are not considered independent.

 

65


Table of Contents

ITEM 14.  
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The Board of Directors approved the engagement of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant”) to continue as our independent auditors to conduct the audit of our books and records for the fiscal year ending December 26, 2010, including required quarterly reviews. The following table shows the aggregate fees for professional services rendered during the last two fiscal years:
                 
    Fiscal Year     Fiscal Year  
    2010     2009  
Audit Fees
  $ 370,000     $ 679,200  
Audit Related Fees
           
Tax Fees
           
All Other Fees
           
 
           
Total Fees
  $ 370,000     $ 679,200  
 
           
Audit Fees represent the aggregate fees billed or estimated to be billed to us for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in our Form 10-Qs and services normally provided by our accountants in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-Related Fees represent the aggregate fees billed to us or estimated to be billed to us for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees” above.
Tax Fees represent the aggregate fees billed to us or estimated to be billed to us for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
All Other Fees represent the aggregate fees billed to us or estimated to be billed to us for products or services provided to us, other than the services reported in the above categories.
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Auditor
The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation for and overseeing the work of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee has established a policy requiring pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent with the rules of the SEC on auditor independence as well as whether the independent auditor is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service, for reasons such as familiarity with our Company’s business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile and other factors and input from our management. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more of its members the pre-approval of audit and permissible non-audit services provided that those members report any pre-approvals to the full committee. Pursuant to this authority, the Audit Committee has previously delegated to its Chair the authority to address any requests for pre-approval of services between Audit Committee meetings provided that the amount of fees for any particular services requested does not exceed $10,000, and required the Chair to report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The policy prohibits the Audit Committee from delegating to management the Audit Committee’s responsibility to pre-approve permitted services of the independent auditor. During fiscal year 2010 all of the services related to the audit or other fees described above were pre- approved by the Audit Committee and none were provided pursuant to any waiver of the pre-approval requirement.

 

66


Table of Contents

PART IV
ITEM 15.  
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this report under Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009
 
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations — Successor Six Months Ended December 26, 2010, Predecessor Six Months Ended June 27, 2010, Predecessor Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 2009, Predecessor Period November 14, 2008 to December 28, 2008 and Predecessor Period December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008
 
   
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity — Successor Six Months Ended December 26, 2010, Predecessor Six Months Ended June 27, 2010, Predecessor Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 2009, Predecessor Period November 14, 2008 to December 28, 2008 and Predecessor Period December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008
 
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Successor Six Months Ended December 26, 2010, Predecessor Six Months Ended June 27, 2010, Predecessor Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 2009, Predecessor Period November 14, 2008 to December 28, 2008 and Predecessor Period December 31, 2007 to November 13, 2008
 
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009
(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
The financial statement schedules are not required under the related instructions, are inapplicable or are included in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and therefore have been omitted.

 

67


Table of Contents

(3) EXHIBITS
         
EXHIBIT    
NO.   DESCRIPTION
  3.1    
Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., dated November 13, 2008 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 333-116310) on March 30, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.2    
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., dated November 13, 2008 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 333-116310) on March 30, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.3    
Certificate of Incorporation of Acapulco Restaurants, Inc., dated May 21, 1985 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.4    
Bylaws of Acapulco Restaurants, Inc. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.5    
Certificate of Incorporation of El Torito Restaurants, Inc., dated November 24, 1986 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.25 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.6    
Bylaws of El Torito Restaurants, Inc., dated December 19, 1986 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.7    
Certificate of Incorporation of El Torito Franchising Company, dated August 16, 1996 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.8    
Bylaws of El Torito Franchising Company (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.8 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on August 11, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.9    
Articles of Incorporation of Acapulco Restaurant of Ventura, Inc., filed May 8, 1986 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.9 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.10    
Bylaws of Acapulco Restaurant of Ventura, Inc. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.11    
Amendment to Bylaws of Acapulco Restaurant of Ventura, Inc., dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.12    
Articles of Incorporation of Acapulco Restaurant of Westwood, Inc., filed April 25, 1994 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.13    
Bylaws of Acapulco Restaurant of Westwood, Inc. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.12 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.14    
Amendment to Bylaws of Acapulco Restaurant of Westwood, Inc., dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.15    
Articles of Incorporation of Acapulco Restaurant of Downey, Inc., dated November 11, 1988 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.13 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.16    
Bylaws of Acapulco Restaurant of Downey, Inc., dated October 4, 1985 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.14 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)

 

68


Table of Contents

         
EXHIBIT    
NO.   DESCRIPTION
  3.17    
Amendment to Bylaws of Acapulco Restaurant of Downey, Inc., dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.18    
Articles of Incorporation of Murray Pacific, dated January 12, 1981 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.15 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.19    
Bylaws of Murray Pacific, dated October 23, 1985 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.16 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.20    
Amendment to Bylaws of Murray Pacific, dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.21    
Articles of Incorporation of Acapulco Restaurant of Moreno Valley, Inc., dated July 23, 1999 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.19 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.22    
Bylaws of Acapulco Restaurant of Moreno Valley, Inc. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.20 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.23    
Amendment to Bylaws of Acapulco Restaurant of Moreno Valley, Inc., dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.24    
Articles of Incorporation of El Paso Cantina, Inc., June 21, 1989 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.21 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.25    
Bylaws of El Paso Cantina, Inc. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.22 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.26    
Articles of Incorporation of Real Mex Foods, Inc., dated January 15, 2003 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.23 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.27    
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Real Mex Foods, Inc., dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.28    
Bylaws of Real Mex Foods, Inc. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.24 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.29    
Amendment to Bylaws of Real Mex Foods, Inc., dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.30    
Articles of Incorporation of TARV, Inc., dated November 24, 1986 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.8 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009, and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.31    
Bylaws of TARV, Inc. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.26 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.32    
Amendment to Bylaws of TARV, Inc., dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.33    
Articles of Incorporation of ALA Design, Inc., dated December 22, 1976 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.27 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)

 

69


Table of Contents

         
EXHIBIT    
NO.   DESCRIPTION
  3.34    
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of ALA Design, Inc., dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.35    
Bylaws of ALA Design, Inc. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.28 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.36    
Amendment to Bylaws of ALA Design, Inc., dated June 7, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.37    
Articles of Incorporation of Acapulco Mark Corp., dated October 3, 1996 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.29 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.38    
Bylaws of Acapulco Mark Corp. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.30 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-116310) on June 9, 2004 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.39    
Certificate of Incorporation of CKR Acquisition Corp., dated October 4, 2004 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 333-116310) on March 24, 2005 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.40    
Bylaws of CKR Acquisition Corp. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 333-116310) on March 24, 2005 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.41    
Articles of Formation of Chevys Restaurants, LLC, dated November 10, 2004 (formerly known as Chevys Acquisition Company LLC) (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 333-116310) on March 24, 2005 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.42    
Operating Agreement of Chevys Restaurants, LLC, dated November 15, 2004 (formerly known as Chevys Acquisition Company LLC) (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 333-116310) on March 24, 2005 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.43    
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of RM Restaurant Holding Corp. dated November 13, 2008. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.43 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161605) on August 28, 2008 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.44    
Amended and Restated Bylaws of RM Restaurant Holding Corp. dated November 13, 2008 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.44 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161605) on August 28, 2008 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  3.45    
Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of RM Restaurant Holding Corp., dated November 13, 2008 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.45 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161605) on August 28, 2008 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  4.1    
Indenture, dated as of July 7, 2009, among Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association., as trustee. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on July 8, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  4.2    
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2010, among Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association., as trustee (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on June 28, 2010 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.1    
Executive Employment Agreement, dated February 28, 2008 by and between Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. and Steven Tanner (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on March 5, 2008 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.2    
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 17, 2006 among Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., RM Restaurant Holding Corp. and RM Integrated, Inc (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on August 23, 2006 and incorporated by reference herewith)

 

70


Table of Contents

         
EXHIBIT    
NO.   DESCRIPTION
  10.3    
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, by and among Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., RM Restaurant Holding Corp., the lenders party thereto and Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent, sole bookrunner and sole lead arranger (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on July 8, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.4    
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated January 29, 2007 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on February 2, 2007 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.5    
Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Credit Agreement, dated on or about August 2007 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on August 12, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.6    
Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated April 17, 2008. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated April 23, 2008 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.7    
Limited Waiver, Consent and Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 13, 2008 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 333-116310) on November 13, 2008 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.8    
Amendment No. 4 to Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, by and among Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., the borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto and General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent and administrative agent (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on July 8, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.9    
Amendment No. 5 to Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated April 2, 2010, by and among Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., the borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto and General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent and administrative agent (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on April 8, 2010 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.10    
Executive Employment Agreement, dated May 27, 2009, by and between Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. and Richard E. Rivera (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on June 2, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.11    
Offer letter dated March 17, 2010 by and between Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. and Richard Dutkiewicz. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on March 23, 2010 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.12    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, by and among Real Mex Restaurants, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and Jefferies & Company, Inc. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on July 8, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.13    
Security Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, by Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. and the other grantors party thereto in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on July 8, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.14    
Stock Pledge Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, by Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. and the other grantors party thereto in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent(Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on July 8, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.15    
Membership Interest Pledge Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, by CKR Acquisition Corp. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on July 8, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.16    
Trademark Collateral Security and Pledge Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. and the other assignors party thereto in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on July 8, 2009 and incorporated by reference herewith)

 

71


Table of Contents

         
EXHIBIT    
NO.   DESCRIPTION
  10.17    
Credit Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, by and among RM Restaurant Holding Corp., the lenders named therein and Wilmington Trust FSB, as administrative agent (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.17) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161605 ) on August 28, 2008 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.18    
Consent and First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2010, among RM Restaurant Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation, the lenders party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as administrative agent for the lenders (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-116310) on June 28, 2010 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  10.19    
2006 Stock Option Plan of RM Restaurant Holding Corp. (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161605 ) on August 28, 2008 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  12.1    
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (Filed herewith)
  14.1    
Code of Ethics adopted by the Company on February 7, 2007 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K on March 20, 2007 and incorporated by reference herewith)
  21.1    
Subsidiaries of the Company and the Additional Registrants. (Filed herewith)
  31.1    
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Principal Executive Officer. (Filed herewith)
  31.2    
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Principal Financial Officer. (Filed herewith)
  32.1    
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Principal Executive Officer. (Filed herewith)
  32.2    
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Principal Financial Officer. (Filed herewith)

 

72


Table of Contents

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.
         
  REAL MEX RESTAURANTS, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard E. Rivera    
    Richard E. Rivera   
Date: March 24, 2011    Chief Executive Officer   
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/ Richard E. Rivera
       
         
Richard E. Rivera
  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
(Principal Executive Officer)
  March 24, 2011
 
       
/s/ Richard P. Dutkiewicz
       
         
Richard P. Dutkiewicz
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
  March 24, 2011
 
       
/s/ Jeff Campbell
       
         
Jeff Campbell
  Director   March 24, 2011
 
       
/s/ Anthony DiLucente
       
         
Anthony DiLucente
  Director   March 24, 2011
 
       
/s/ Craig S. Miller
       
         
Craig S. Miller
  Director   March 24, 2011
 
       
/s/ Anthony Polazzi
       
         
Anthony Polazzi
  Director   March 24, 2011
 
       
/s/ R. Lynn Skillen
       
         
R. Lynn Skillen
  Director   March 24, 2011
 
       
/s/ Clarence E. Terry
       
         
Clarence E. Terry
  Director   March 24, 2011

 

73


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
         
EXHIBIT    
NO.   DESCRIPTION
  12.1    
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (Filed herewith)
  21.1    
Subsidiaries of the Company and the Additional Registrants. (Filed herewith)
  31.1    
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Principal Executive Officer. (Filed herewith)
  31.2    
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Principal Financial Officer. (Filed herewith)
  32.1    
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Principal Executive Officer. (Filed herewith)
  32.2    
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Principal Financial Officer. (Filed herewith)

 

74