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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015

 

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

 

For the transition period from                                                                                                               to                      

 

Commission File No. 000-53130

 

 

U-Swirl, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

43-2092180

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

265 Turner Dr., Durango, CO 81303
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)      

     

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 586-8700

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes___ No _X__

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ___ No __X__

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes __X__ No ____

 

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.

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company X

 

 

      

 
 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ___ No _X__

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $3,382,279 as of August 31, 2014

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 22,065,484 shares of common stock as of May 18, 2015

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We make forward-looking statements in this annual report that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. In some cases, you may identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “potential,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect,” “predict,” “anticipate” and “estimate,” the negative of these words or other comparable words. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are qualified by their terms and/or important factors, many of which are outside our control, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the statements made. The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. Neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of these statements. We assume no duty to update or revise our forward-looking statements based on changes in internal estimates or expectations or otherwise. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements

 

 
 

 

 

U-SWIRL, INC.

 

FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2015

 

INDEX

 

    Page
     

PART I

   

Item 1.

Business

2

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

9

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

9

Item 2.

Properties

9

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

9

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

9

     

PART II

   

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

10

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

10

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

11

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

17

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

18

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

42

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

42

Item 9B.

Other Information

43

     

PART III

   

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

44

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

46

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

49

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

50

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

51

     

PART IV

   

Item 15

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

52

     

SIGNATURES

54

 

 
1

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1.                  Business

 

We are in the business of offering consumers frozen desserts such as yogurt and sorbet. We launched a national chain of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés called U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt and are franchising this concept. We have built and operate cafés owned and operated by the Company (“company-owned”) and franchise to others the right to own and operate U-Swirl cafés.

 

U-Swirl allows guests a broad choice in frozen yogurt by providing up to 20 non-fat and low-fat flavors, including tart, traditional and no sugar-added options and up to 70 toppings, including seasonal fresh fruit, sauces, candy and granola. Guests serve themselves and pay by the ounce instead of by the cup size. Similar to a coffee shop, locations are furnished with couches, tables, and patio seating.

 

We acquired the U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt concept in September 2008 and opened our first company-owned U-Swirl location in Las Vegas, Nevada, in March 2009. We entered into our first franchise agreement in July 2009 and our first area development agreement for multiple locations in November 2009.

 

In January 2013, we entered into agreements to acquire Aspen Leaf Yogurt (“ALY”) café assets, consisting of leasehold improvements, property and equipment, for six Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés and the franchise rights to ALY and Yogurtini self-serve frozen yogurt chains from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (“RMCF”) in exchange for a 60% controlling ownership interest in our company, a warrant that allows RMCF to maintain its pro rata ownership interest if existing stock options and/or warrants are exercised, and promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $900,000 (the “Rocky Mountain Transaction”).

 

In October 2013, we acquired the assets of the Josie’s Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt system (“Josie’s”) from OnLincoln, LLC and Josie’s of Nevada, LLC. There are currently four Josie’s cafés in operation.

 

In January 2014, we acquired the business assets of two operators and franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés, CherryBerry Enterprises, LLC (“CherryBerry”) and Yogli Mogli, LLC (“Yogli Mogli”), thereby adding 182 cafés. CherryBerry and certain affiliates were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4,000,000 shares of our common stock. Yogli Mogli was acquired for $2.15 million in cash and 277,778 shares of our common stock. Subsequent to the transaction date Yogli Mogli did not complete the anticipated funding of the gift card liability. As a result, the Company has not issued any of the Yogli Mogli shares. As described in Note 17, the Company does not anticipate that the shares will be issued. As of February 28, 2015 those shares had not been issued and the Company has recorded an assumed liability associated with the gift card liability. We also acquired the business assets of another operator and franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés, Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC, in February 2014, thereby adding 17 cafés. We paid $481,000 at closing, plus an earn out, based upon royalty income generated by Fuzzy Peach cafés over the next twelve months, that could increase the purchase price by up to another $349,000. At February 28, 2015 we had recorded a liability of $146,257 in accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with the Fuzzy Peach earn out obligation. RMCF provided the funding for these acquisitions through a convertible note, which is secured by all of our assets.

 

Subsequent to FY 2015, in April 2015 we acquired the business assets of Let’s Yo, LLC (Let’s Yo!) adding 12 cafés in May 2015. Let’s Yo! was acquired for a future earn out based on royalty income generated over a 24 month period.

 

In September and October 2014, we implemented an operational restructuring of our company, which included the following:

 

changes in our corporate management team and board of directors to enhance our ability to work more closely with RMCF;

elimination of duplicate and/or redundant personnel positions in order to reduce corporate overhead;

taking advantage of the resources available from RMCF, which has over three decades of experience in the development and successful execution of franchisee support, franchise marketing, and in-store sales promotion strategies; and

closure of our corporate facility in Henderson, Nevada, and the relocation of our headquarters to RMCF’s facility in Durango, Colorado.

 

 
2

 

 

The following table provides summary detail regarding our locations as of February 28, 2015, 10 of which were company-owned:

 

 

Franchise Cafés

Number of locations

U-Swirl

34

Aspen Leaf Yogurt

6

Yogurtini

25

Josie’s

4

CherryBerry

126

Yogli Mogli

23

Fuzzy Peach

20

Total Franchise Cafés

238

U-Swirl Company-owned Cafés

6

Aspen Leaf Yogurt Company-owned Cafés

2

Yogli Mogli Company-owned Cafés

1

CherryBerry Company-owned Cafés

1

Total Company-owned Cafés

10

Total Cafés

248

 

 

We are currently maintaining all seven franchise systems and providing marketing and franchise support to all existing U-Swirl, ALY, Yogurtini, Josie’s, CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach franchisees. We are in the process of nurturing our relationship with each of our franchisees, studying each franchise system in order to identify the best practices from each, and integrating these best practices into a single system which will be implemented in the future.

 

We have been able to secure price reductions from various vendors as well as increase support for the franchisees that were under-performing. On a long-term basis we see value in one cohesive brand and will work to that end. Currently we have decided to renew franchise disclosure documents of U-Swirl, Yogurtini, and CherryBerry for expansion of new locations. We do, however, expect to open cafés of acquired brands already under franchise agreement, but not yet opened under those acquired brands.

 

Pursuant to the terms of acquisition, the former owners of Yogurtini and Fuzzy Peach have the right to earn additional compensation based on a formula of total royalty income generated from their respective locations open for more than a year that exceeds a specific threshold. This provides the former owners with a financial incentive to sell and open additional locations. We recorded a liability of $146,257 and $472,398 as additional compensation under this arrangement for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 respectively.

 

Our long-term strategy is to expand the operation to critical mass and then operate as one brand. The incentives we put in place are both economic incentives for franchisees as well as offering the opportunity to co-brand with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

 

In March 2014, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Moxie Consumer Products, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“Moxie”), acquired the business assets of Moxie USA, LLC, which distributed beverage and gummies products. In September 2014 we made management and operational changes to enhance franchise support, profitability and cash flows. As part of this restructuring, we released all rights associated with Moxie Consumer Products, LLC. We did not realize any liability associated with the acquisition and subsequent release. During the 2015 fiscal year we realized an operating loss associated with Moxie of approximately $28,000. These transactions associated with Moxie were immaterial to our results of operations during the year ended February 28, 2015.

 

We believe that U-Swirl offers two distinct market opportunities. The first opportunity lies with the increasing awareness among consumers of the connection between diet and good health, as evidenced by the current focus on childhood obesity and recent initiatives to improve school lunch programs. We believe that as a result, demand for high-quality healthy foods, in particular healthy fast foods, is increasing and that our U-Swirl cafés will be able to take advantage of this growing demand for healthy food by focusing on foods with lower-fat, higher nutritional content and wholesome, natural food ingredients. The second opportunity lies with the demographic more interested in an indulgent experience, which may be provided by U-Swirl and/or all its brands through co-branding with RMCF.

 

 
3

 

 

Competition

 

We believe that each of the following self-serve frozen yogurt chains provides direct competition to U-Swirl:

 

TCBY approximately 340 locations in the United States, now offering self-serve franchises

 

Menchie’s approximately 490 locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, India, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Guam and Australia

 

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – approximately 290 locations in the United States

 

Yogurtland – over 280 locations in the United States, Guam, Mexico, Venezuela and Australia

 

Sweet Frog – over 330 locations in the United States and abroad.

 

Several of these competitors have significant competitive advantages over the Company in terms of operating histories, number of locations in operation, number of franchisees and area developers, capital, human, and other resources. There are also numerous retail outlets offering self-serve frozen yogurt that are independently owned and operated. We compete not only for customers, but also for management and hourly personnel, suitable real estate sites, investment capital and qualified franchisees. We also compete against frozen yogurt retailers that are not self-serve models.

 

Further, the food service/restaurant industry is often affected by changes in consumer tastes; national, regional or local economic conditions; currency fluctuations; demographic trends; traffic patterns; the type, number and location of competing food retailers and products; and disposable purchasing power. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that the Company can successfully compete at a level to achieve our goals.

 

We have designed U-Swirl cafés to be distinguishable from other frozen yogurt retail outlets and attractive to customers by offering the following:

 

inside café-style seating for 50 people and outside patio seating, where feasible and appropriate;

 

spacious surroundings of 1,800 to 3,000 square feet;

 

16 to 20 flavors of frozen yogurt;

 

up to 70 toppings;

 

self-serve format allowing guests to create their own favorite snack; and

 

co-branding opportunities with RMCF.

 

Management believes that these characteristics may provide us with the ability to compete successfully in this industry. While we continue to pursue locations described above we recognize that our acquisition strategy may lead us to purchase competitors with diverse layouts.

 

The trade dress of the Aspen Leaf, Yogurtini, Josie’s, CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach locations are similar to that of U-Swirl, although their locations use different color schemes and are typically smaller than the U-Swirl cafés.

 

Growth Strategy / Acquisition Strategy

 

Our growth strategy is to maximize our market share and market penetration through the acquisition of additional self-serve yogurt systems, as well as the acquisition of complementary businesses, or the negotiation of supplier agreements, which may provide economies of scale and vertical integration. Although we believe there are still many geographic opportunities for growth, we feel the self-serve frozen yogurt market has reached a saturation point. In many parts of the country the consolidation of the industry has begun. We believe this consolidation can prove beneficial to us in a number of ways, and we will concentrate a significant amount of our efforts towards the acquisition of additional franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt. In addition to the acquisition of self-serve frozen yogurt franchisors we see benefits in complementary businesses and supplier agreements which provide us with the opportunity for vertical integration or economies of scale. Opportunities lie in owning specific products which may be sold in our cafés, as well as securing proprietary technology for use by franchisees. We see this as a possibility of adding new revenue streams while expanding into other markets in an efficient and lower risk model.

 

 
4

 

 

We also intend to grow organically by expanding the number of locations under construction through continued development of the growing franchise base. We intend to incentivize through co-branding with proprietary concepts, and capitalize on synergistic opportunities for joint-venture cafés. We intend to leverage the RMCF relationship, utilizing its experience in logistics, franchising, and international markets to expand market share. We intend to pursue relationships for non-traditional locations through the development of U-Swirl-n-Go.

 

There can be no assurances that we can or will be able to successfully achieve our growth objectives through the opening of franchise locations, or the acquisition of additional franchisors. Similarly, other risk factors identified herein could adversely impact our ability to fully develop the forecasted market opportunity.

 

Franchise Marketing

 

Initially, our marketing strategy for establishing multi-unit franchises was to contact individuals or entities that had previously developed franchises with our management team in other concepts. We believed it was prudent to leverage established relationships and to create new relationships with management teams with the proper knowledge, experience, and access to financial resources necessary to successfully develop and operate a U-Swirl franchise in a timely fashion.

 

With 10 company-owned cafés and 238 franchised cafés in operation, we now identify qualified candidates through referrals from other franchisees, inquiries on our web site, as well as through two web portals for franchise leads, and customers of all brands.

 

We are seeking individuals or groups with the skills and financial strength to operate a single, or multi-unit franchise organization within specific geographic territories. We anticipate a franchise territory will consist of areas that contain single units, cities, or counties depending on population and other factors.

 

We consider the skills and investment capital that each potential franchise owner presents to determine the size and nature of the territory and the minimum number of U-Swirl locations that the franchise owner will be required to maintain in the territory in order keep the exclusive rights to that territory. Historically, we have considered the appropriate number of locations in an area to be one café per 100,000 people and then set the minimum number of locations at half that amount. Because of the growth and saturation of the self-serve frozen yogurt industry we believe that territory development and sales will be limited in the future. We now are focused on acquisitions of small franchisors that represent desirable territory presence when compared to our existing brands’ presence.

 

After April 30, 2013, Yogurtini discontinued offering area developments and only offers single franchise units.

 

Area Development Agreements

 

We have historically pursued a development strategy focused on the execution of area development agreements (“ADAs”) with qualified area developers that possess, or have the ability to secure in a timely manner, the experience, knowledge and abilities, established market knowledge and relationships, capital resources, and the skills necessary to develop multiple locations in a market. Prior to the execution of an ADA, we determined the minimum number of cafés that must be developed within a territory. A territory will consist of one or more metropolitan or micropolitan1 statistical areas. A standard form ADA generally provides for the following:

 

Term: Until the end of the development schedule, generally 15 years;

Development Exclusivity: The ADA provides for limited and conditional development exclusivity for the area covered by the ADA. The exclusivity does not apply to:

 

Non-traditional café types (such as shopping mall food court or airport locations), or

 

Cafés acquired by the Company pursuant to a merger or acquisition;

Minimum Development Required: A standard form ADA requires the area developer to develop a pre-determined number of locations within the territory on an annual basis for each year during the term of the ADA; and

Rights of Renewal: The ADA may be renewed if the area developer has not committed a material breach of the ADA or an underlying franchise agreement.

 

Our requirements for qualified area developers have resulted in fewer franchisees in our U-Swirl system but we believe that the area developer will generally be able to create more value for the U-Swirl network by implementing more comprehensive, responsive and competitive development, operations and marketing strategy and programs.

 


 

1 As defined by the United States Census Bureau, a micropolitan area is the area (usually a county or grouping of counties) surrounding and including a core city with population between 10,000 and 49,999 (inclusive). Suburbs of metropolitan areas are generally not considered to be micropolitan core cities, although they can be if they are in another county from the metropolitan core.

 

 
5

 

 

Franchise Development and Operations

 

The estimated initial investment for a franchise is $360,000 to $466,000, exclusive of real estate costs. Franchisees generally pay an initial franchise fee of $25,000 for a single unit. Area developers pay a development fee of $25,000, which includes the initial franchise fee for the first café, plus $5,000 for each additional café constituting the minimum number of units for an area development agreement. The minimum number is the number of cafés we determine should be opened in the development area. The development fee of $25,000 is applied to the initial franchise fee to be developed under the agreement and for each successive café the franchise fee is generally $15,000. The development fee is not refundable.

 

Our existing U-Swirl franchisees pay a royalty ranging from 2% to 5% based on net sales. We have increased the royalty to 5% for new franchisees to our U-Swirl system. The acquired brands are charging the following royalties in their existing franchise and/or license agreements, which we will honor: Yogurtini – 5%, ALY – 4%, Josie’s – 3% to 6%, CherryBerry – 2.5% to 6%, Yogli Mogli - 6%, Fuzzy Peach - 6%, and Let’s Yo! – 3.5% to 6%. We intend to evaluate franchise agreements at renewal and renew at the standard royalty rate reflected within the then current franchise agreement.

 

The CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise system offered the opportunity for franchisees to become development agents whereby they could sell franchises and service franchisees within their designated territory for a percentage of the initial fee, usually 50% of the total franchise fee, and a percentage of the monthly royalty fee, usually 33% of the total royalty fee charged. We will honor the development agent contracts but no longer offer the opportunity for new franchisees to become a part of the development agent network.

 

U-Swirl franchisees pay a 1% marketing fee based on net sales to support national and regional advertising efforts. In general, our franchise agreements also require franchisees to dedicate at least 1% of net sales to local advertising.

 

Under the U-Swirl system, each café must conform to a standard of interior design, featuring a distinctive and comfortable décor. The minimum size for a typical U-Swirl café is 1,800 square feet, but cafés in malls, kiosks or other unique locations may be smaller. Under the terms of the franchise agreement, franchisees are required to obtain our approval of the café site, build out the space in accordance with our standards, satisfactorily complete training, and purchase certain equipment and supplies from us or our approved suppliers. Franchisees are also required to purchase a point-of-sale system that meets U-Swirl system standards and to establish and maintain high-speed Internet access from a service provider meeting the minimum specifications established by us. All goods sold by our franchisees must be purchased through us or through our approved suppliers that have met our specifications and standards.

 

Currently, all of the frozen yogurt served in our cafés is purchased from YoCream International, Inc. (also known as Dannon YoCream) and/or Honey Hill Farms, Inc. During FY 2015 we removed Honey Hill Farms, Inc. from the vendors authorized to provide frozen yogurt to our stores. This change was to leverage the scale of our larger franchise system. In certain instances we have granted franchisees an exception to our approved vendor requirements. These exceptions generally relate to geographic distribution limitations, or economic reasons why our approved vendor cannot be utilized. Currently, all of the frozen yogurt dispensing equipment is purchased from Taylor Company and/or Stoelting Food Service Equipment Company. We source toppings and supplies from local area distributors. We believe that all of these items are readily available from other sources.

 

Each of our acquired franchise agreements has a 10-20 year term and may be renewed for up to two additional 15-year terms. New franchise agreements have a 15 year term and 15 year renewal option. Transfers by the franchisees are permitted with our approval, but we have a first right of refusal to purchase the franchise business. Upon termination of the franchise agreement, we have the option to purchase the assets used in the franchise business at fair market value.

 

U-Swirl-n-Go

 

We also intend to offer franchises for a limited-product store (a “U-Swirl-n-Go Store”) within a non-traditional location, such as a convenience store, airport, or hotel. U-Swirl-n-Go Stores will typically offer two to six flavors of self-service yogurt, with customers filing containers with as much of one or more flavors as desired, selecting from over 40 toppings, and then paying by the ounce for the yogurt and toppings or a flat fee, as determined by the franchisee. U-Swirl-n-Go Stores will typically occupy 50 square feet or less within the non-traditional location, and with no dedicated seating. As of February 28, 2015 there was one U-Swirl-n-Go unit in operation.

 

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a U-Swirl-n-Go Store franchise without an area development agreement is from $60,000 to $232,000. This amount includes the initial franchise fee. The initial franchise fee is based on the number of yogurt machines, $9,000, $12,000, and $15,000 for up to 2 yogurt machines, 3-4 yogurt machines, and 5 or more yogurt machines, respectively. Instead of a royalty based on a percentage of net sales, the monthly royalty for a U-Swirl-n-Go Store will be $500 for up to 2 yogurt machines, $650 for 3-4 yogurt machines, and $750 for 5 or more yogurt machines. Instead of paying 1% of net sales to support national and regional advertising efforts, franchisees of U-Swirl-n-Go Stores will pay up to $150 per month. The first U-Swirl-n-Go location opened in December of 2014. Due to the lack of experience and history in this segment of the industry, all terms of agreement are subject to change based on market conditions.

 

 
6

 

 

Market Development

 

We launched the U-Swirl concept by focusing our development efforts on company-owned cafés in the Las Vegas metropolitan statistical area. We believed that by developing our local area, we would then be able to better monitor café level operations and the effectiveness of various marketing and advertising programs, and market to persons who want to develop multi-unit areas.

 

We launched our new market development initiatives in October 2009 with the expansion of our management team that included professionals experienced in the development of restaurant and retail concepts on a national level. While these professionals are no longer with us, we continue to utilize comprehensive data gathering and analysis, incorporating consumer demographic densities and characteristics, psychographic data, traffic counts and flow, short-term and long-term market development trends, proximity to community points-of-interest, local competitors and site availability. The recent transaction with RMCF provides us access to 30 years of experience in the retail dessert franchise business. We intend to leverage their experience in retail store marketing, franchise support, logistics, and overall knowledge of the business to expand into new markets and specifically in identifying new locations within a particular market. Once we identify available sites that meet or exceed our criteria, we apply another round of scrutiny. These criteria include, but are not limited to, site visibility, ingress and egress, size, location within a shopping center, tenant mix and rent factors.

 

As a result of increasing competition and market saturation within many of our target development markets we seek to maximize our market share and market penetration through the acquisition of additional self-serve yogurt systems in attractive markets. Although we believe there are still many geographic opportunities for growth, we feel the self-serve frozen yogurt market has reached a saturation point. In many parts of the country the consolidation of the industry has begun. We see this as a possibility of adding new revenue streams while expanding into other markets in an efficient and lower risk model.

 

Personnel Development

 

We believe that a critical factor in the successful development and operation of each U-Swirl café is the development of café personnel. To meet this need, we have developed a comprehensive U-Swirl training program that all café personnel are required to complete. The training requirement applies to all U-Swirl cafés including company-owned, franchise-owned and licensed U-Swirl cafés. The training program addresses all key areas of café operations.

 

In addition to its café personnel, we require that many non-café employees successfully complete the U-Swirl training program. This ensures that all non-café personnel that support our café operations are fully aware of issues relating to successful retail operations and maximizing customer satisfaction. ALY, Yogurtini, Josie’s, CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach implement similar training programs for operations of their respective systems. We have begun the process of comparison for best practice implementation.

 

Franchise support development will be the key personnel development strategy as the company intends to elevate the level of support for franchisees in the areas of store operations, store marketing initiatives, field support and visitation, development and understanding of profit and loss statements at the store level.

 

Point-of-Sale System

 

The Company utilizes a point-of-sale (POS) system which provides a vast array of reports that tracks key metrics and performance measures. The Company’s café managers and management team utilize the data to measure and monitor café performance and effectiveness of advertising and promotion programs. The Company continues to refine its reporting package to ensure timely and accurate reporting and trend analysis that is used to accomplish various objectives to maximize profitability, for each café and in the aggregate, including:

 

Developing and implementing cost-effective new customer acquisition and customer loyalty programs;

 

Achieving and maintaining target cost of sales and labor costs and gross margins;

 

Incorporating café performance analytics with other relevant factors to refine criteria to provide predictive indicators for purposes of site selection for future cafés; and

 

Forecasting future performance.

 

We have both corporate stores and franchise stores with varying POS systems, namely R-Power, Lionwise, and Micros POS system. They will all continue to be part of our operations for the foreseeable future; however, our goal is to identify and create, if necessary, a cohesive, scalable system for the long-term future. We have engaged RMCF for support services related to information technology and financial reporting services. RMCF will provide integration of POS data to legible sales reports for management use. RMCF will utilize reports to execute daily financial reporting services for U-Swirl, including accounts receivable and accounts payable. Beginning February 1, 2014, RMCF began charging us $2,000 for the first and second months and $5,000 for each month thereafter for as long as the services are provided.

 

 
7

 

 

Key data tracked and analyzed includes, but is not limited to:

 

 

Product sales and sales mix;

 

 

Customer and transaction counts; and

 

 

Employee labor hours.

 

Trademarks and Copyrights

 

In connection with our frozen yogurt café operations, the following marks are owned by us and have been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:

 

 “u-swirl FROZEN YOGURT and Design”

 “BEST ON THE PLANET”

 “U-SWIRL FROZEN YOGURT”

 “CHERRYBERRY self-serve yogurt bar”

 “U-SWIRL”

 “YOGLI MOGLI”

 “U and Design”

 “FUZZY PEACH”

 “WORTH THE WEIGHT”

 “LET’S YO”*;

 “FREQUENT SWIRLER”

 “a yogurt experience”*;

 “YOGURTINI”

 “YO-LISH”*;

 “SERVE YO SELF”

 “FIT-YO”*; and


* Ownership acquired subsequent to February 28, 2015.

 

The “U-SWIRL FROZEN YOGURT and Design” (a logo) is also registered in Mexico and we have a pending application for registration of “U-SWIRL” in Canada.

 

We are licensed to use the mark “ASPEN LEAF” and have been granted a license to use the registered marks owned by RMCF in co-branded cafés.

 

We have a pending application for registration of “U-SWIRL-N-GO” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

 

Government Regulation

 

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting our business. Our cafés must comply with licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities, which include health, sanitation, safety and fire agencies in the state or municipality in which the café is located. Moreover, federal Food and Drug Administration regulations require yogurt to have two types of bacteria, lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus. There are no federal standards for any kind of frozen yogurt, although some have been proposed. A majority of the states have adopted standards that are either specific to frozen yogurt or cover frozen desserts generally. These standards address some or all of the following: milkfat content, milk solid content, acidity, bacteria count and content and weight.

 

We are also subject to federal and state laws governing employment and pay practices, overtime, tip credits and working conditions. The bulk of our employees are paid on an hourly basis at rates related to the federal and state minimum wages. Additionally, we are subject to federal and state child labor laws which, among other things, prohibit the use of certain “hazardous equipment” by employees 18 years of age or younger. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, we could be required to expend funds to modify our cafés to better provide service to, or make reasonable accommodation for the employment of disabled persons. We continue to monitor our facilities for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to conform to its requirements. We believe future expenditures for such compliance would not have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

The franchises that we offer are subject to federal and state laws pertaining to franchising. These laws require that certain information be provided to franchise prospects at certain times and regulate what can be said and done during the offering process. Some states require the FDD to be registered and renewed on an annual basis.

 

Employees

 

Our company-owned cafés have approximately 9 full-time employees and 60 part-time employees that work various shifts. The cafés are open seven days per week generally from 11:00 a.m. to late evening. In addition to the employees at the cafés, we had 9 full-time employees as of May 8, 2015, consisting of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President and personnel related to the following functions: franchise development and national operations.

 

 
8

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

Facilities

 

Our Principal offices are located in the headquarters of our parent company, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., at 265 Turner Dr. Durango, CO 81303.

 

We also have offices located at 1175 American Pacific, Suite C, Henderson, Nevada 89074, with approximately 5,200 square feet of space leased for a term of five years expiring in July 2018. We no longer conduct business at this location; however, we continue to pay rent of approximately $2,800 per month. As of May 1, 2015 we have a signed sublease agreement for this location.

 

We act as primary lessee of some franchised store premises, which we then sublease to franchisees, but the majority of existing locations are leased by the franchisee directly. Our current policy is not to act as primary lessee on any further franchised locations, except in rare instances. The leases for our company-owned cafés range from approximately 400 to 3,000 square feet. The leases are generally for five-year terms with options to extend. We currently have 12 leases in place which range between $1,000 and $7,500 per month, exclusive of common area maintenance charges and taxes.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

There are no legal proceedings pending or, to the best of our knowledge, contemplated or threatened that are deemed material to our business or us.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

 
9

 

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


Shares of our common stock are quoted on the OTC Markets - OTCQB under the symbol “SWRL.”

 

The following table sets forth the range of high and low bid quotations for our common stock for each fiscal quarter for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2014 and 2015. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices quoted on the OTCQB without retail mark-up, markdown, or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

 

  Bid Prices ($)
 

High

Low

2014 Fiscal Year:

   

May 31, 2013

$0.42

$0.30

August 31, 2013

$0.93

$0.33

November 30, 2013

$1.38

$0.60

February 28, 2014

$1.10

$0.62

      

2015 Fiscal Year:

   

May 31, 2014

$0.97

$0.70

August 31, 2014

$0.78

$0.40

November 30, 2014

$0.65

$0.25

February 28, 2015

$0.43

$0.30

 

 

On May 18, 2015, the closing price for the common stock on the OTCQB was $0.36 per share.

 

Holders and Dividends

 

As of May 6, 2015, there were 66 record holders of our common stock. To date, we have not declared or paid any dividends on our common stock. We do not intend to declare or pay any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, but rather to retain any earnings to finance the growth of our business. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, contractual and legal restrictions and other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities 

 

During the quarter ended February 28, 2015, we issued 4,000,000 shares of our common stock to the owners of CherryBerry in accordance with the terms of the related asset purchase agreement for the acquisition of the CherryBerry assets. We relied upon the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, as these persons were deemed to be sophisticated with respect to the investment in the securities due to their financial condition and involvement in our business and had access to the kind of information which registration would disclose.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

 
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Item 7.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes included in this annual report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ significantly from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed in “Risk Factors,” “Business” and elsewhere in this report.

 

History and Overview

 

We were incorporated under the laws of the state of Nevada on November 14, 2005 to own and operate EVOS fast food franchises as “Healthy Fast Food.” We opened two EVOS locations, using the proceeds from private placements and from our initial public offering that was completed in March 2008.

 

After experiencing continued operating losses with our EVOS restaurants, we decided to diversify into another healthy fast food concept and acquired the worldwide rights to U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt (“U-Swirl”) on September 30, 2008. We opened our first company-owned U-Swirl café in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in March 2009, and we have since developed five more company-owned cafés in the Las Vegas MSA. In addition, the original U-Swirl café in Henderson, Nevada, continues to operate as a franchisee.

 

We began marketing franchises in November 2008. As of December 31, 2012, we had 24 franchised cafés and six company-owned cafés in operation in 10 different states.

 

Beginning in 2011, we recognized that (1) the frozen yogurt retail market was experiencing an influx of small chains; (2) if we could grow by acquisition, we could achieve profitability by attaining an economy of scale with respect to our operations; and (3) we could use our common stock, rather than cash, to make these acquisitions. We entered into acquisition discussions with several frozen yogurt retail operators and our discussions culminated with the closing of the RMCF transaction in January 2013 in which we acquired six Aspen Leaf cafés and the franchise rights to Aspen Leaf Yogurt (“ALY”) and Yogurtini self-serve frozen yogurt chains from RMCF in exchange for a 60% controlling ownership interest in our company, promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $900,000, and a warrant that allows RMCF to maintain its pro rata ownership interest if any of our existing stock options and/or warrants are exercised (the “Rocky Mountain Transaction”).

 

In October 2013, we acquired the franchise rights to nine self-serve frozen yogurt cafés, and license agreements to two self-serve frozen yogurt cafés from Josie’s Frozen Yogurt, LLC (“Josie’s”).

 

In January 2014, we acquired the assets of the CherryBerry and Yogli Mogli frozen yogurt systems, thereby tripling the size of our self-serve frozen yogurt café network. We also acquired the business assets of the Fuzzy Peach frozen yogurt system in February 2014.

 

As of February 28, 2015, we had 10 company-owned cafés and 238 franchised cafés in 37 different states and 3 foreign countries. Management is focusing its efforts on nurturing its relationship with the ALY, Yogurtini, Josie’s, CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach franchisees, studying each franchise system in order to identify the best practices from each, and integrating these best practices into a single system.

 

Management is also continuing its efforts to expand product offerings, including co-branding arrangements. Some of the cafés will have co-branded RMCF products, while others may have co-branding arrangements with different entities.

 

In addition, we have recently launched the offering of U-Swirl-n-Go Store franchises, which are limited-product stores within non-traditional locations, such as convenience stores, airports, hotels and other mass gathering areas. The initial investment for these franchises is substantially less and more flexible royalty fees, instead of fees based on a percentage of revenues, are offered. The first U-Swirl-n-Go was opened in December 2014.

 

Since we are now a subsidiary of RMCF, we changed our fiscal year-end to that of RMCF, the last day of February, which required the filing of a transition report for the two months ended February 28, 2013.

 

Results of Operations

 

We have presented audited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended February 28, 2015 (“FY 2015”) and the year ended February 28, 2014 (“FY 2014”).

 

For FY 2015, our cafés generated $4,071,013 in sales, net of discounts, as compared to $4,051,789, for FY 2014. The increase for FY 2015 was due primarily to the closing of underperforming cafés and the acquisition of additional company-owned cafés as part of the CherryBerry and Yogli Mogli transactions. Same-store sales at Company owned cafés declined 1.8% in FY 2015, when compared to the prior year period.

 

 
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Our FY 2015 café operating costs were $3,238,620 or 80% of net sales revenues, resulting in café operating profit of $832,393. For FY 2014, café operating costs were $3,186,089 or 79% of net sales revenues, resulting in café operating profit of $865,700. Management believes that the higher operating costs in FY 2015 compared to FY 2014 was due primarily to the closing of underperforming cafés and the acquisition of additional company-owned cafés and the associated costs of these transitions.

 

For FY 2015, we generated franchise fee income of $250,250, royalty income of $2,230,286, rebate income of $528,957 and marketing fees of $421,437. For FY 2014, we generated franchise fee income of $68,111, royalty income of $879,312, rebate income of $387,507 and marketing fees of $141,930. During FY 2015, we had 238 franchised cafés for all or part of that period, as compared to 272 franchised cafés in operation for all or part of FY 2014.

 

We incurred $626,445 for franchise development expense in FY 2015 compared to $60,493 during FY 2014. This increase is the result of an increase in franchise units outstanding for the full year and the costs associated with supporting these franchise systems.

 

Marketing and advertising expenses were $459,935 for FY 2015, as compared to $254,947 for FY 2014. Marketing fees paid by our franchisees increase in accordance with system-wide sales. Therefore, we spent more on store marketing expenses for FY 2015 as we averaged more stores during FY 2015 than we did during FY 2014.

 

For FY 2015, general and administrative expense was $1,981,240, as compared to $1,693,597 in FY 2014. The increase in 2015 was due primarily to the increase in the growth of our Company. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expense declined to 26.4% in FY 2015 compared to 30.6% in FY 2014.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the 2015 period was $813,172, as compared to $520,979 in FY 2014. The increase in 2015 reflects the addition of franchise rights from the CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach acquisitions and the associated amortization expense for the full year period.

 

We incurred restructuring and asset acquisition expenses of $628,077 and $619,435 for FY 2015 and 2014, respectively. The FY 2015 expenses represented charges associated with asset impairments, severance and transitional compensation and legal fees associated with acquisitions. The FY 2014 expenses represented legal fees associated with the acquisitions, due diligence fees for accountants and auditors, the expense of auditing the acquired companies, and the legal fees associated with updating our Franchise Disclosure Document to reflect the acquisitions.

 

In addition, we recorded a fair value adjustment of $47,833 and $1,290,790 for the year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively, in connection with the Note Payable to RMCF that funded the acquisition of the CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach assets.

 

As a result of the above, our loss from operations was $293,379 in FY 2015, as compared to $2,097,681 in FY 2014.

 

Interest expense for FY 2015 was $28,813, as compared to $28,803 in FY 2014. Interest income increased to $9,958 during FY 2015, compared with no amount of interest income in FY 2014. This resulted in a net loss for FY 2015 of $312,234 as compared to $2,126,484 in FY 2014.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At February 28, 2015, we had a working capital deficit of $7.45 million and cash of $2,348,121. At February 28, 2014, we had a working capital deficit of $391,289 and cash of $701,748. The working capital deficit at February 28, 2015 is the result of the inclusion of the convertible note in the amount of $7.45 million as a current liability. Because the note is payable through the issuance of preferred stock, we do not believe that the working capital deficit at February 28, 2015 represents a liquidity concern.

 

In January 2013, in connection with the Rocky Mountain Transaction, we purchased leasehold improvements, property and equipment for six Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés from RMCF in exchange for $900,000 in notes payable. Interest accrues on the unpaid principal balances of the notes at the rate of 6% per annum, compounded annually, and the notes require monthly payments of principal and interest over a five-year period beginning January 2014 in the case of the recourse notes and January 2015 in the case of the non-recourse notes. Payment of the notes is secured by a security interest in the six Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés acquired. In November 2013, the Company closed four of its under-performing company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés and wrote off $400,000 in non-recourse notes payable together with accrued interest of $20,991. Consistent with the non-recourse note agreements, we returned the assets underlying the notes to RMCF, the note holder. We subsequently entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets salvaged from these closed locations. We agreed to pay $177,500 to RMCF for the assets salvaged from these locations, which was approximately the predecessor cost of these assets. In February 2014, we paid off the recourse notes.

 

 
12

 

 

In July 2013, we executed promissory notes with RMCF for the purchase and installation of equipment necessary to convert two company-owned cafés into co-branded RMCF and U-Swirl cafés. Interest accrues on the notes at the rate of 6% per annum, compounded annually and capitalized during the course of construction. The notes require monthly payments of principal and interest over a five-year period beginning in October 2013. Payment of the notes is secured by a security interest in all of the equipment purchased with the proceeds of the notes. At February 28, 2015, the unpaid balance of these notes was $94,030 as compared to $116,867 at February 28, 2014.

 

In January 2014, we acquired the business assets of two operators and franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés, CherryBerry Enterprises, LLC (“CherryBerry”) and Yogli Mogli, LLC (“Yogli Mogli”), thereby adding 182 cafés. CherryBerry and certain affiliates were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4,000,000 shares of our common stock. Yogli Mogli was acquired for $2.15 million in cash and 277,778 shares of our common stock. Subsequent to the transaction date Yogli Mogli did not complete the anticipated funding of the gift card liability. As a result, the Company has not issued any of the Yogli Mogli shares. As described in Note 17, the Company does not anticipate that the shares will be issued. As of February 28, 2015 those shares had not been issued and the Company has recorded an assumed liability associated with the gift card liability.

 

RMCF provided the funding for these acquisitions through a convertible note, which is secured by all of our assets.

 

Under the loan and security agreement with RMCF, RMCF agreed to loan us up to $7,750,000.  Interest accrues at the rate of 9% per annum, with the principal and unpaid accrued interest due January 16, 2016.  We are required to pay an undrawn commitment fee equal to 0.10% multiplied by the average daily difference between the loan commitment and the aggregate outstanding loan.  Payment of the loan is secured by a security interest in all of our assets.  All payments of principal, interest and undrawn commitment fees are payable in cash, shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”), or a combination thereof, at the option of RMCF.  The rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock include cumulative dividends equal to 9% of the stated value of $0.90 per share, a liquidation preference, the right to vote with our common stock on all matters submitted for a vote to holders of the common stock, and the right to convert into shares of our common stock.  We may prepay up to $2,100,000 of the outstanding amounts due at our option and without penalty in cash from the proceeds raised from (i) advances on rebates from our yogurt suppliers and (ii) the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants.  We also have the option to redeem all amounts owed under the loan agreement at any time after January 16, 2015 at the rate of 108% of the total amounts owed, by making payment in cash, shares of Preferred Stock, or a combination thereof, at the option of RMCF.  At February 28, 2015, we owed $5,564,776 to RMCF under the convertible note compared to $6,679,876 at February 28, 2014.

 

The loan covenants required the Company to maintain consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $1,804,000 for the year ended February 28, 2015. At February 28, 2015 the Company had reported $1,284,000 of adjusted EBITDA. In the event of default, RMCF may charge interest on all amounts due under the loan agreement with the Company at the default rate of 15% per annum, accelerate payment of all amounts due under the Loan Agreement, and foreclose on its security interest. At February 28, 2015 we believe that the conversion of the loan into preferred stock as settlement of the obligation would result in 70% more preferred shares issued when compared to the amount issuable if the Company was compliant with the loan covenants.

 

RMCF also entered into a management services agreement with us for $542,500 which will be due on January 16, 2016.  The management fee is convertible into Preferred Stock at $0.45 per share.  The management services agreement is for services to be provided through January 16, 2016.  The amount due is included in Notes Payable Related Party.

 

During the fourth quarter of FY 2014 and the first quarter of FY 2015, we redeemed our outstanding Class C Warrants, and 1,515,882 Class C Warrants were exercised for gross proceeds of $909,529. We used the proceeds to prepay amounts owed under the RMCF convertible note.

 

For the year ended February 28, 2015, we had a net loss of $312,234. Operating activities provided cash of $1,107,148, with the principal adjustments to reconcile the net loss to net cash provided by operating activities being the change in accounts receivable of $932,687 and depreciation and amortization of $813,172. For the year ended February 28, 2014, we had a net loss of $2,126,484. Operating activities provided cash of $1,733,751, with the principal adjustments to reconcile the net loss to net cash provided by operating activities being a change in deferred revenues of $1,362,147, the fair value adjustment on the note payable to RMCF of $1,290,790 and depreciation and amortization of $520,979.

 

During the year ended February 28, 2015, investing activities provided cash of $784,267. During 2014, investing activities used cash of $7,758,620, primarily due to $6,267,035 for the purchase of franchise rights and intangible assets associated with the CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach acquisitions and $1,494,295 for property and equipment associated with those acquisitions and with the conversion of two company-owned stores into co-branded stores.

 

Financing activities used cash of $245,042 for the year ended February 28, 2015 with proceeds from stock issuances providing $892,895 being more than offset by repayments of notes payable of $1,137,937. Financing activities provided cash of $6,368,090 for the year ended February 28, 2014, with $8,335,795 being proceeds from the RMCF loan offset by $542,500 of capitalized loan origination fees and $1,532,803 in loan repayments.

 

As a result of the acquisitions of CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach, our accounts receivable balance was significantly lower at February 28, 2015 than at February 28, 2014. Accounts receivable decreased from $1,269,431 at February 28, 2014 to $267,140 at February 28, 2015, due to $1,108,419 in gift card liability receivables and marketing funds owed to us by CherryBerry being received during FY 2015.

 

At February 28, 2015, we recorded $805,860 of deferred revenue in connection with the development fees from area development agreements signed prior to that date, as compared to $1,688,647 at February 28, 2014. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, we will recognize franchise fee revenue upon the opening of each café within the respective territories.

 

 
13

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes our obligations and commitments to make future payments for the periods specified as of February 28, 2015:

 

 

    Operating Leases     Notes
Payable
    Total  
2016   $ 584,024     $ 7,470,146     $ 8,054,170  
2017     461,169       25,741       486,910  

2018

    395,947       27,329       423,276  

2019

    383,034       16,713       399,747  

2020

    169,120       -       169,120  

Thereafter

    -       -       -  

Total minimum payments

    1,993,294       7,539,929       9,533,223  

Less: current maturities

    (584,024 )     (7,470,146 )     (8,054,170 )
                         

Long-term obligations

  $ 1,409,270     $ 69,783     $ 1,479,053  

 

Plan of Operations

 

We believe that cash flow generated from operating activities is more than sufficient to cover our contractual liabilities and what we require to maintain our existing operations, which now include the ALY, Yogurtini, Josie’s, CherryBerry, Yogli Mogli and Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt chains. Although we have historically experienced losses from operations, including recently, based on our current projections, we believe that the operation of our 10 company-owned cafés and revenues from franchise royalties and fees will provide sufficient cash to maintain our existing operations indefinitely.

 

We will continue to look for expansion opportunities through acquisitions, as we believe that the self-serve frozen yogurt industry is fragmented with many small, undercapitalized chains whose owners lack the ability to expand or a viable exit strategy. Such acquisitions may be completed using cash, shares of our stock, or a combination of both for the purchase consideration. In those cases, it is possible that our shares may be valued at less than the then current trading price for the stock.

 

While we have experienced profitable operations for the six months ended August 31, 2014, we note that we are subject to seasonal fluctuations in sales, which cause fluctuations in quarterly results of operations. Historically, the strongest sales of frozen yogurt have occurred in spring and summer months and our weakest sales have occurred during the winter months. Accordingly, we incurred a net loss of $12,646 for the quarter ended November 30, 2014 and incurred an operating loss of $758,033 for the quarter ending February 28, 2015. Our new co-branded locations with RMCF represent our efforts to address the seasonal fluctuations in sales, as demand for gourmet chocolate products is stronger during the fall, winter and spring seasons.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Accounts Receivable. During the normal course of business, we extend credit to our franchisees for inventory, supplies and fees. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined through analysis of the aging of accounts receivable, assessments of collectability based on historical trends, and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. The process by which we perform our analysis is conducted on a franchisee by franchisee basis and takes into account, among other relevant factors, sales history, outstanding receivables, customer financial strength, as well as customer specific and geographic market factors relevant to projected performance. We monitor the collectability of our accounts receivable on an ongoing basis by assessing the credit worthiness of our customers and evaluating the impact of reasonably likely changes in economic conditions that may impact credit risks. Estimates with regard to the collectability of accounts receivable are reasonably likely to change in the future.

 

Inventory. Inventories consisting of food, beverages, and supplies are stated at the lower of cost or market. An inventory reserve is established to reduce the cost of obsolete, damaged and excess inventories to the lower of cost or market based on actual differences. This inventory reserve is determined through analysis of items held in inventory, and, if the value of those items at cost is higher than their market value, we record an expense to reduce inventory to our actual market value. The process by which we perform our analysis is conducted on an item by item basis and takes into account, among other relevant factors, market value, sales history and future sales potential. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

 

 
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Leasehold Improvements, Property and Equipment. Leasehold improvements, property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful life of the asset, which ranges from five to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the lives of the respective leases or the service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

 

Deposits. Deposits consist of security and utility deposits for multiple locations and a sales tax deposit held with the state of Nevada.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We record intangible assets acquired in a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and other identifiable intangible assets acquired. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

 

Goodwill is not amortized. Instead goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually or on an interim basis between annual tests when events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In assessing goodwill for impairment, we assess qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that it is not more likely than not that fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Goodwill impairment exists when the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

 

Other intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset and reported separately from goodwill. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over the estimated useful lives and tested for impairment when events or circumstances occur that indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment has occurred. Intangible assets with definite lives are tested for impairment by comparing the carrying amount to the sum of the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its net undiscounted cash flows, then an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

 

Intangible assets are generally valued as the present value of estimated future cash flows expected to be generated from the asset using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Estimates and assumptions about future expected revenue and remaining useful lives of the assets are used when determining the fair value of our intangible assets.

 

Business Combinations. The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method. Under the acquisition method, the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the underlying tangible and intangible assets acquired based on their respective fair values. Fair values are derived from various observable and unobservable inputs and assumptions. The Company utilizes third-party valuation specialists to assist in the allocation. Initial purchase price allocations are preliminary and are subject to revision within the measurement period, not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition. The costs of the business acquisitions are expensed as incurred. These costs may include fees for accounting, legal, professional consulting and valuation specialists.

 

Accounting for business combinations requires our management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date, including our estimates for intangible assets, contractual obligations assumed, restructuring liabilities, pre-acquisition contingencies and contingent consideration, where applicable. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. Moreover, unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results.

 

Deferred Rent. Rent expense for company-owned leases, which provide for escalating rents over the terms of the leases, is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. The lease terms began when we had the right to control the use of the property, which was before rent payments were actually due under the leases.

 

The difference between the rent expense and the actual amount payable under the terms of the leases is recorded as a leasehold improvement asset and deferred rent liability on the balance sheets and as both an investing activity and a component of operating activities on the statements of cash flows.

 

Revenue Recognition Policy. We recognize revenue once pervasive evidence that an agreement exists; the product has been rendered; the fee is fixed and determinable; and collection of the amount due is reasonably assured.

 

Café Sales. Revenue from company-owned café sales is recognized when food and beverage products are sold. Café sales are reported net of sales discounts.

 

 
15

 

 

Franchise and Royalty Fees. Revenue earned as a franchisor is derived from cafés in our worldwide territory and includes initial franchise fees and royalties. Initial franchise fee revenue from the sale of a franchise is recognized when we have substantially performed or satisfied all of our material obligations relating to the sale up through the point at which the franchisee is able to open the franchised café, and we have no intention of refunding the entire initial franchise fee or forgiving an unpaid note for the entire initial franchise fee. Substantial performance has occurred when we have (a) performed substantially all of our initial services required by the franchise agreement, such as providing to the franchisee (1) a copy of the Operations Manual; (2) assistance in site selection and selection of suppliers of equipment, furnishings, and food; (3) lease review and comments about the lease; and (4) the initial training course to one or two franchisee representatives; and (b) completed all of our other material pre-opening obligations. We defer revenue from the initial franchise fee until (a) commencement of operations by the franchisee; or (b) if the franchisee does not open the franchised café, (1) the date on which all of our pre-opening services and obligations are substantially complete, or (2) an earlier date on which the franchisee has abandoned its efforts to proceed with the franchise operations, and in either situation, the franchisee is not entitled to, and is not given, a refund of the initial franchise fee. Royalties ranging from three to five percent of net café sales are recognized in the period in which they are earned.

 

Rebates. Rebates received from purveyors that supply products to our franchisees are included in franchise royalties and fees. Rebates related to company-owned cafés are offset against café operating costs. Product rebates are recognized in the period in which they are earned.

 

Marketing Fees. We also recognize a marketing and promotion fee of one percent of net café sales which are included in franchise royalties and fees.

 

Marketing and Advertising Expense. We engage in local and regional marketing efforts by distributing advertisements, coupons and marketing materials as well as sponsoring local and regional events. We recognize marketing and advertising expense as incurred.

 

Share-Based Compensation Expense. We recognize all forms of share-based payments, including stock option grants, warrants, and restricted stock grants, at their fair value on the grant date, which are based on the estimated number of awards that are ultimately expected to vest.

 

Share-based payments, excluding restricted stock, are valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Share-based payment awards issued to non-employees for services rendered are recorded at either the fair value of the services rendered or the fair value of the share-based payment, whichever is more readily determinable. The grants are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods, which is generally the vesting period. When computing fair value of share-based compensation, we consider the following variables:

 

The expected option term is computed using the “simplified” method.

 

The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock using the daily quoted closing trading prices.

 

The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a period consistent with the expected term of the option in effect at the time of the grant.

 

We have not paid any dividends on common stock since our inception and do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

 

The forfeiture rate is based on the historical forfeiture rate for our unvested stock options.

 

Fair Value.  We have chosen to elect the fair value option of the convertible note with RMCF as management believes that the fair value option better reflects the underlying economics of the transaction.  The fair value of the convertible note is considered a significant estimate.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605),” and requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted. We are currently evaluating the new standard.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern.” This guidance requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. If such conditions or events exist, disclosures are required that enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature of the conditions or events, management's evaluation of the circumstances and management's plans to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. We will be required to perform an annual assessment of our ability to continue as a going concern when this standard becomes effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year ended February 28, 2017. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 
16

 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

 
17

 

 

Item 8.                             Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Page

   
   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

19

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

20

   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

21

   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

22

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

23

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

24

 

 
18

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

 

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

U-Swirl, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Durango, Colorado

 

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of U-Swirl, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 28, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting (“Internal Control”). Our audits included consideration of Internal Control 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. 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 financial position of U-Swirl, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of February 28, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

EKS&H LLLP

 

May 27, 2015

 

Denver, Colorado

 

 
19

 

 

U-SWIRL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   

February 28, 2015

   

February 28, 2014

 

Assets

               

Current assets

               

Cash

  $ 2,348,121     $ 701,748  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $59,860 and $10,000, respectively*

    267,140       1,269,431  

Accounts receivable, related party

    -       11,989  

Notes receivable, including current maturities

    73,247       -  

Inventory

    97,669       118,219  

Prepaid expenses

    58,058       18,182  

Total current assets

    2,844,235       2,119,569  
                 

Leasehold improvements, property and equipment, net

    1,542,642       2,939,820  
                 

Other assets

               

Notes receivable, less current portion

    139,998       -  

Deposits

    75,798       72,185  

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net*

    7,795,175       8,080,551  

Other assets

    264,295       541,645  

Total other assets

    8,275,266       8,694,381  
                 

Total assets

  $ 12,662,143     $ 13,753,770  
                 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

               

Current liabilities

               

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $ 2,732,233     $ 2,346,572  

Accounts payable, related party

    95,209       290,978  

Current portion of long-term debt, related party

    7,470,146       22,837  

Total current liabilities

    10,297,588       2,660,387  
                 

Deferred rent

    63,224       105,031  

Deferred revenue

    805,860       1,688,647  

Notes payable, related party

    69,783       8,607,196  

Total liabilities

    11,236,455       13,061,261  
                 

Commitments and contingencies

               
                 

Stockholders’ equity

               

Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

    -       -  

Common stock; $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 21,815,484 and 15,440,029 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

    21,815       15,440  

Common stock payable, 607,998 and 4,000,000 shares issuable, respectively*

    608       4,000  

Additional paid-in capital*

    11,111,808       10,069,378  

Accumulated deficit

    (9,708,543 )     (9,396,309 )

Total stockholders’ equity*

    1,425,688       692,509  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 12,662,143     $ 13,753,770  

 

* February 28, 2014 balances have been revised as discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 
20

 

 

U-SWIRL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

   

For the year ended

 
   

February 28, 2015

   

February 28, 2014

 
                 

Revenues

               

Café sales, net of discounts

  $ 4,071,013     $ 4,051,789  

Franchise royalties and fees

    3,430,930       1,476,860  

Total revenues

    7,501,943       5,528,649  
                 

Café operating costs

               

Food, beverage and packaging costs

    1,400,086       1,307,238  

Labor and related expenses

    1,050,056       1,109,734  

Occupancy and related expenses

    788,478       769,117  

Franchise development

    626,445       60,493  

Marketing and advertising

    459,935       254,947  

General and administrative

    1,981,240       1,693,597  

Depreciation and amortization

    813,172       520,979  

Restructuring and asset acquisition expenses

    628,077       619,435  

Fair value adjustment

    47,833       1,290,790  

Total costs and expenses

    7,795,322       7,626,330  
                 

Loss from operations

    (293,379 )     (2,097,681 )
                 

Other income (expense)

               

Interest expense

    (28,813 )     (28,803 )

Interest income

    9,958       -  

Other expense, net

    (18,855 )     (28,803 )
                 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

    (312,234 )     (2,126,484 )
                 

Provision for income taxes

    -       -  
                 

Net loss

  $ (312,234 )   $ (2,126,484 )
                 

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted

  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.14 )
                 

Weighted average common shares outstanding and common stock payable, basic and diluted

    21,682,665       15,332,233  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 
21

 

 

U-SWIRL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

   

Common Stock

   

Common Stock Payable

   

Prepaid Stock-Based

   

Additional paid-in

   

Accumulated

   

Total

Stockholders’

 
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Shares

   

Amount

    Compensation     Capital     Deficit     Equity  

Balance, February 28, 2013

    14,402,088     $ 14,402       750,000     $ 750     $ (94,399 )   $ 9,042,111     $ (7,269,825 )   $ 1,693,039  

Issuance of common stock payable

    750,000       750       (750,000 )     (750 )     -       -       -       -  

Issuance of common stock pursuant to option exercise

    50,000       50       -       -       -       16,200       -       16,250  

Issuance of common stock pursuant to warrant exercise, net of offering costs

    237,941       238       -       -       -       91,110       -       91,348  

Issuance of common stock pursuant to CherryBerry Acquisition*

    -       -       4,000,000       4,000       -       956,000       -       960,000  

Issuance of common stock pursuant to Yogli Mogli Acquisition*

    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Amortization of stock-based compensation

    -       -       -       -       19,380       38,976       -       58,356  

Net loss

    -       -       -       -       -       -       (2,126,484 )     (2,126,484 )

Balance, February 28, 2014

    15,440,029     $ 15,440       4,000,000     $ 4,000     $ (75,019 )   $ 10,144,397     $ (9,396,309 )   $ 692,509  

Issuance of common stock payable

    -       -       607,998       608       -       (608 )     -       -  

Issuance of common stock pursuant to option

    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Issuance of common stock pursuant to warrant exercise, net of offering costs

    2,125,455       2,125       -       -       -       890,769       -       892,894  

Issuance of common stock pursuant to CherryBerry Acquisition

    4,000,000       4,000       (4,000,000 )     (4,000 )     -       -       -       -  

Amortization of stock-based compensation

    250,000       250       -       -       75,019       77,250       -       152,519  

Net Loss

    -       -       -       -       -       -       (312,234 )     (312,234 )

Balance, February 28, 2015

  $ 21,815,484     $ 21,815       607,998     $ 608     $ -     $ 11,111,808     $ (9,708,543 )   $ 1,425,688  

 

* February 28, 2014 balances have been revised as discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 
22

 

 

U-SWIRL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   

For the Year Ended

February 28, 2015

   

For the Year Ended

February 28, 2014

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net loss

  $ (312,234 )   $ (2,126,484 )

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

               

Depreciation and amortization

    813,172       520,979  

Fair value adjustment on notes payable, related party

    47,833       1,290,790  

Accrued interest on notes payable, related party

    -       28,803  

Stock-based compensation

    152,519       58,356  

Asset Impairment

    290,640       -  

Provision for loss on accounts receivable

    82,000       -  

Gain on sale of property and equipment

    (54,269 )     -  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable, net

    932,687       (1,305,279 )

Inventory

    18,351       (19,708 )

Prepaid expenses

    (40,143 )     6,410  

Deposits

    (3,613 )     (33,099 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    238,068       1,693,411  

Accounts payable, related party

    (133,269 )     279,186  

Deferred rent

    (41,807 )     (21,761 )

Deferred revenue

    (882,787 )     1,362,147  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,107,148       1,733,751  

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Accounts receivable, related party

    11,989       (3,392 )

Proceeds received on Notes Receivable

    44,466          

Additions to Notes Receivable

    (23,942 )        

Proceeds from sale of assets

    528,830          

Purchases of property and equipment

    (61,053 )     (1,494,295 )

Purchases of goodwill and other intangible assets

    -       (6,267,035 )

Other assets

    283,977       6,102  

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    784,267       (7,758,620 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Proceeds from notes payable, related party

    372,007       7,793,295  

Repayments on notes payable, related party

    (1,509,944 )     (1,532,803 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

    892,895       107,598  

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    (245,042 )     6,368,090  

Net change in cash

    1,646,373       343,221  

Cash, beginning of period

    701,748       358,527  

Cash, end of period

  $ 2,348,121     $ 701,748  

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

               

Interest paid

  $ 6,391     $ 8,267  

Income tax paid

  $ -     $ -  

Disposition of café assets in connection with café closings or sale

  $ 242,000     $ 400,000  

Forgiveness of non-recourse debt in connection with café closings

  $ -     $ (400,000 )

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:

               

Notes receivable from disposition of café assets

  $ (242,000 )   $ -  

Rocky Mountain Transaction

               
Other assets   $ -     $ 542,500  

Management services payable

  $ -     $ (542,500 )

CherryBerry Acquisition:

               

Acquisition of franchise rights and intangible assets through issuance of common stock

  $ -     $ 960,000  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 
23

 

 

U-SWIRL, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2015

 

NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

U-Swirl, Inc. was incorporated in the state of Nevada on November 14, 2005 and its wholly-owned subsidiary is U-Swirl International, Inc. (“U-Swirl”), was incorporated in the state of Nevada on September 4, 2008 (collectively referred to as the “Company”). A former wholly-owned subsidiary, Moxie Consumer Products, LLC (“Moxie”), a Nevada limited liability company which was organized in the state of Nevada on February 11, 2014 was transferred to new ownership in October 2014.

 

In September 2008, the Company acquired the worldwide rights to the U-Swirl Frozen Yogurtconcept. The U-Swirl concept allows guests a broad choice in frozen yogurt by providing an assortment of non-fat and low-fat flavors, including tart, traditional and no sugar-added options and numerous toppings, including seasonal fresh fruit, sauces, candy and granola. Guests serve themselves and pay by the ounce instead of by the cup size.

 

In January 2013, the Company entered into agreements to acquire Aspen Leaf Yogurt café assets, consisting of leasehold improvements, property and equipment, for six Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés and the franchise rights to Yogurtini self-serve frozen yogurt chains from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (“RMCF”) in exchange for a 60% controlling ownership interest in the Company, a warrant that allows RMCF to maintain its pro rata ownership interest if existing stock options and/or warrants are exercised, and notes payable totaling $900,000 (the “Rocky Mountain Transaction”).

 

As a result of the change in control occurring in connection with the aforementioned transactions, the Company has been deemed to have been acquired by RMCF. Following the Rocky Mountain Transaction, the Company retained a significant minority interest of the issued and outstanding common stock. Due to the significant minority interest, the fair value increments and decrements have not been included in the accompanying financial statements. As the accounting acquirer, RMCF will consolidate the Company’s results of operations in its financial statements. RMCF trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol “RMCF”.

 

In October 2013, the Company acquired the franchise rights to nine self-serve frozen yogurt cafés and license agreements to two self-serve frozen yogurt cafés from Josie’s Frozen Yogurt, LLC (“Josie’s”). As of February 28, 2015 four Josie’s units remained open.

 

In January 2014, the Company entered into business acquisitions with two operators and franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés, CherryBerry Enterprises, LLC (“CherryBerry”) and Yogli Mogli, LLC (“Yogli Mogli”), thereby adding 182 cafés. CherryBerry and certain affiliates were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “CherryBerry Acquisition”). Yogli Mogli was acquired for $2.15 million in cash and 277,778 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Yogli Mogli Acquisition”). Subsequent to the transaction date Yogli Mogli did not complete the anticipated funding of the gift card liability. As a result, the Company has not issued any of the Yogli Mogli shares. As described in Note 17, the Company does not anticipate that the shares will be issued. As of February 28, 2015 those shares had not been issued and the Company has recorded an assumed liability associated with the gift card liability.

 

The Company also entered into an asset acquisition with another operator and franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés, Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC (“Fuzzy Peach”), in February 2014, thereby adding 17 cafés. The Company paid $481,000 at closing, plus an earn out, based upon royalty income generated by Fuzzy Peach cafés over the next twelve months, that could increase the purchase price by up to another $349,000. RMCF provided the funding for these acquisitions through a related party convertible note, which is secured by all of the Company’s assets. At February 28, 2015 we had recorded a liability of $146,257 in accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with the Fuzzy Peach earn out obligation.

 

As of February 28, 2015 the Company had the following locations:

 

 

   

U-Swirl

   

Aspen
Leaf

   

Yogurtini

   

Josie’s

   

Cherry
Berry

   

Yogli
Mogli

   

Fuzzy
Peach

   

Total

 

Company-owned Cafés

    6       2       -       -       1       1       -       10  

Franchised cafés

    34       6       25       4       126       23       20       238  

Total

    40       8       25       4       127       24       20       248  

 

 
24

 

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Year-End

 

Effective January 14, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a fiscal year ending on the last day of February.

 

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less at date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. There were no cash equivalents at February 28, 2015 or 2014.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

During the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to its franchisees for inventory, supplies and fees. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined through analysis of the aging of accounts receivable, assessments of collectability based on historical trends, and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. The process by which the Company performs its analysis is conducted on a franchisee by franchisee basis and takes into account, among other relevant factors, sales history, outstanding receivables, customer financial strength, as well as customer specific and geographic market factors relevant to projected performance. The Company monitors the collectability of its accounts receivable on an ongoing basis by assessing the credit worthiness of its customers and evaluating the impact of reasonably likely changes in economic conditions that may impact credit risks. Estimates with regard to the collectability of accounts receivable are reasonably likely to change in the future.

 

Inventory

 

Inventories consisting of food, beverages, and supplies are stated at the lower of cost or market. An inventory reserve is established to reduce the cost of obsolete, damaged and excess inventories to the lower of cost or market based on actual differences. This inventory reserve is determined through analysis of items held in inventory, and, if the value of those items at cost is higher than their market value, the Company records an expense to reduce inventory to its actual market value. The process by which the Company performs its analysis is conducted on an item by item basis and takes into account, among other relevant factors, market value, sales history and future sales potential. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

 

Prepaid Expenses

 

Prepaid expenses include costs incurred for prepaid rents, insurance, professional fees and deferred offering costs. The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with the offering of its stock and adjusts the deferred cost to offset offering proceeds upon closing of the offering or expenses the costs upon abandonment of the offering.

 

Leasehold Improvements, Property and Equipment

 

Leasehold improvements, property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful life of the asset, which range from five to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the lives of the respective leases or the service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

 

Company-owned cafés under development are accounted for as construction-in-process. Construction-in-process is recorded at acquisition cost, including leasehold improvements, equipment expenditures, professional fees and interest expense capitalized during the course of construction for the purpose of financing the project. Upon completion and readiness for use of the project, the cost of construction-in-process is transferred to the appropriate asset group. As of February 28, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not have any construction-in-process.

 

 
25

 

 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets through analysis of estimated fair value whenever events or changes indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company’s policy is to review the recoverability of all assets, at a minimum, on an annual basis. Based on its evaluation, the Company has recorded an impairment of fixed assets of $290,640 at February 28, 2015 related to underperforming café assets and the decision to close its office in Henderson, NV. No impairment was recorded at February 28, 2014.

 

Deposits


Deposits consist of security and utility deposits for multiple locations and a sales tax deposit held with the state of Nevada.

 

Gift card breakage

 

The Company and our franchisees sell gift cards that are redeemable for product in our cafés. The Company manages the gift card program, and therefore collects all funds from the activation of gift cards and reimburses franchisees for the redemption of gift cards in their cafés. A liability for unredeemed gift cards is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the balance sheets.

 

There are no expiration dates on our gift cards, and we do not charge any service fees. While our franchisees continue to honor all gift cards presented for payment, we may determine the likelihood of redemption to be remote for certain cards due to long periods of inactivity. The Company is in the process of accumulating sufficient historical redemption patterns to calculate breakage estimates related to unredeemed gift cards. This breakage rate is based on a percentage of sales when the likelihood of the redemption of the gift card becomes remote. Gift card breakage will be recognized over the same performance period, and in the same proportion, that the Company’s data has demonstrated that gift cards are redeemed. As the Company is in the process of accumulating sufficient historical redemption patterns to calculate breakage estimates, the Company did not recognize gift card breakage during the year ended February 28, 2015 or 2014. Accrued gift card liability was $2,078,525 and $1,620,391 at February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

The Company records intangible assets acquired in a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and other identifiable intangible assets acquired. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

 

Goodwill is not amortized. Instead, goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually or on an interim basis between annual tests when events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In assessing goodwill for impairment, the Company assesses qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that it is not more likely than not that fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Goodwill impairment exists when the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

 

Other intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value using valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset and reported separately from goodwill. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over the estimated useful lives and tested for impairment when events or circumstances occur that indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment has occurred. Intangible assets with definite lives are tested for impairment by comparing the carrying amount to the sum of the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its net undiscounted cash flows, then an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

 

Intangible assets are generally valued as the present value of estimated future cash flows expected to be generated from the asset using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Estimates and assumptions about future expected revenue and remaining useful lives of the assets are used when determining the fair value of the Company’s intangible assets. See note 17 for additional discussion of goodwill and intangible assets.

 

Business Combinations

 

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method. Under the acquisition method, the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the underlying tangible and intangible assets acquired based on their respective fair values. Fair values are derived from various observable and unobservable inputs and assumptions. The Company utilizes third-party valuation specialists to assist in the allocation. Initial purchase price allocations are preliminary and are subject to revision within the measurement period, not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition. The costs of the business acquisitions are expensed as incurred. These costs may include fees for accounting, legal, professional consulting and valuation specialists.

 

 
26

 

 

Accounting for business combinations requires our management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date, including our estimates for intangible assets, contractual obligations assumed, restructuring liabilities, pre-acquisition contingencies and contingent consideration, where applicable. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. Moreover, unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results.

 

Deferred Rent

 

Rent expense for company-owned leases, which provide for escalating rents over the terms of the leases, is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. The lease terms began when the Company had the right to control the use of the property, which was before rent payments were actually due under the leases.

 

The difference between the rent expense and the actual amount payable under the terms of the leases is recorded as a leasehold improvement asset and deferred rent liability on the balance sheets and as both an investing activity and a component of operating activities on the statements of cash flows.

 

Revenue Recognition Policy

 

The Company recognizes revenue once pervasive evidence that an agreement exists; the product has been rendered; the fee is fixed and determinable; and collection of the amount due is reasonably assured.

 

Café Sales

 

Revenue from company-owned café sales is recognized when food and beverage products are sold. Café sales are reported net of sales discounts.

 

Franchise Royalties and Fees

 

Revenue earned as a franchisor is derived from cafés in the Company’s worldwide territory and includes initial franchise fees and royalties. Initial franchise fee revenue from the sale of a franchise is recognized when the Company has substantially performed or satisfied all of its material obligations relating to the sale up through the point at which the franchisee is able to open the franchised café, and the Company has no intention of refunding the entire initial franchise fee or forgiving an unpaid note for the entire initial franchise fee. Substantial performance has occurred when the Company has (a) performed substantially all of its initial services required by the franchise agreement, such as providing to the franchisee (1) a copy of the Operations Manual; (2) assistance in site selection and selection of suppliers of equipment, furnishings, and food; (3) lease review and comments about the lease; and (4) the initial training course to one or two franchisee representatives; and (b) completed all of its other material pre-opening obligations. The Company defers revenue from the initial franchise fee until (a) commencement of operations by the franchisee; or (b) if the franchisee does not open the franchised café, (1) the date on which all pre-opening services and obligations of the Company are substantially complete, or (2) an earlier date on which the franchisee has abandoned its efforts to proceed with the franchise operations, and in either situation, the franchisee is not entitled to, and is not given, a refund of the initial franchise fee. Royalties ranging from three to six percent of net café sales are recognized in the period in which they are earned.

 

Rebates

 

Rebates received from purveyors that supply products to the Company’s franchisees are included in franchise royalties and fees. Rebates related to company-owned cafés are offset against café operating costs. Product rebates are recognized in the period in which they are earned.

 

Marketing Fees

 

The Company also recognizes a marketing and promotion fee of one percent of net franchisee café sales which is included in franchise royalties and fees.

 

Marketing and Advertising Expense

 

The Company engages in local and regional marketing efforts by distributing advertisements, coupons and marketing materials, as well as sponsoring local and regional events. The Company recognizes marketing and advertising expense as incurred.

 

Share-Based Compensation Expense

 

The Company recognizes all forms of share-based payments, including stock option grants, warrants, and restricted stock grants, at their fair value on the grant date, which are based on the estimated number of awards that are ultimately expected to vest.

 

 
27

 

 

Share-based payments, excluding restricted stock, are valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Share-based payment awards issued to non-employees for services rendered are recorded at either the fair value of the services rendered or the fair value of the share-based payment, whichever is more readily determinable. The grants are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods, which is generally the vesting period.

 

When computing fair value of share-based compensation, the Company considers the following variables:

 

The expected option term is computed using the “simplified” method.

 

The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of its common stock using the daily quoted closing trading prices.

 

The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a period consistent with the expected term of the option in effect at the time of the grant.

 

The Company has not paid any dividends on common stock since its inception and does not anticipate paying dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future.

 

The forfeiture rate is based on the historical forfeiture rate for its unvested stock options.

 

Income Taxes

 

We provide for income taxes pursuant to the liability method. The liability method requires recognition of deferred income taxes based on temporary differences between financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, using current enacted income tax rates and regulations. These differences will result in taxable income or deductions in future years when the reported amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled, respectively. Considerable judgment is required in determining when these events may occur and whether recovery of an asset, including the utilization of a net operating loss or other carryforward prior to its expiration, is more likely than not. Due to historical losses, we established a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. 

 

Earnings (Loss) per Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed as net earnings (losses) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options and restricted stock units.

 

Fair Value Election

 

As discussed in Note 8, the Company entered into a convertible note agreement with RMCF in January 2014 (the “Convertible Note”).  The Convertible Note contains a compound embedded derivative that requires separate accounting from the host debt instrument.  The Company elected the fair value option for the Convertible Note as management believes recording the note at fair value better reflects the underlying economics of the transaction.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Authoritative guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

Level 2: Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities that are observable for the asset or liability; or

 

Level 3: Unobservable pricing inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations.

 

The valuation policies are determined by the Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”) and are approved by the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”). Each quarter, the CFO and the CEO will update the inputs used in the fair value calculations and internally review the changes from period to period for reasonableness.

 

 
28

 

 

The Company has consistently applied the valuation techniques discussed below in all periods presented. The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of February 28, 2015 and 2014 by level within the fair value hierarchy:

 

 

February 28, 2014

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 
                                 

Liabilities

                               
                                 

Convertible Note

  $ -     $ -     $ 7,970,666     $ 7,970,666  

 

 

February 28, 2015

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 
                                 

Liabilities

                               
                                 

Convertible Note

  $ -     $ -     $ 6,903,400     $ 6,903,400  

 

 

The Company determined the fair value of the Convertible Note using the income valuation technique. Because of the hybrid nature of the Convertible Note, the Company first valued the debt host contract, or straight “bond,” component using a discounted cash flow analysis, and then valued the compound embedded derivative features using a Flexible Monte Carlo simulation. See Note 8 for discussion of the embedded features. Significant inputs to the valuation model include the coupon rate, effective yield, volatility, expected return and implied equity value.

 

 

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of January 17, 2014 by level within the fair value hierarchy:

 

 

January 17, 2014

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 
                                 

Equity issuance

                               
                                 

Common Stock issued for acquired assets – CherryBerry*

  $ -     $ -     $ 960,000     $ 960,000  

 

* February 28, 2014 balances have been revised as discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements.

 

The fair value of U-Swirl, Inc. common stock issued was $0.24 and was determined by fair value measurement as defined by the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820-10-35-2. Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure is “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” The valuation was performed on a minority, marketable basis. The Company performed this valuation because it did not believe that the quoted market price was indicative of fair value. Primarily the Company believed that the quoted market price did not accurately represent the present value of future cash flows associated with the acquisitions, or the dilutive effect of stock and convertible debt issued to fund these acquisitions.

 

The Company’s Convertible Note and issuance of stock for the acquired CherryBerry assets are included in the Level 3 fair value hierarchy because not all the significant inputs are directly or indirectly observable.

 

 
29

 

 

The following tables summarize the valuation techniques, models and significant unobservable inputs used for the Company’s Convertible Note (broken into its components) and equity issuance, categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:

 

 

Liabilities

at Fair Value

 

Fair Value at

February 28, 2015

   

Fair Value at February 28, 2014

   

Valuation Techniques / Model

   

Unobservable Inputs

Bond component

  $ 6,241,896     $ 6,177,626    

Income approach using discounted cash flow model

   

 

Effective yield ranging

from 12.5%-20%

Embedded conversion

features

  $ 637,814     $ 1,791,773    

Income approach using flexible Monte Carlo simulation

   

 

 

Expected return ranging

from 0% - 5%

Implied Equity Value

ranging from 5% - 10%

 

Total

  $ 6,879,710     $ 7,969,399            

 

 

Equity Issuance at Fair Value

 

Fair Value at January 17, 2014

   

Valuation Techniques / Model

   

Unobservable Inputs

 

Common Stock issued for acquired assets – CherryBerry*

  $ 960,000    

Income approach

   

 

 

Discount rate of approximately 19%

Long term sustainable growth rate of 3%

           

Market approach

   

 

 

Revenue multiple of approximately .63

 

Total

  $ 960,000            

 

* February 28, 2014 balances have been revised as discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements.

 

Significant increases (decreases) in the unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the Convertible Note classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:

 

Balance, February 28, 2014

  $ 7,969,399  

Advances

    372,007  

Payments

    (1,509,529 )

Unrealized loss

    47,833  

Subtotal

    6,879,710  

Undrawn commitment fees

    23,690  

Balance, February 28, 2015

  $ 6,903,400  

 

Accounting Policy for Ownership Interests in Investees

 

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, after elimination of all material intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits.

 

 
30

 

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605),” and requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new standard.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern.” This guidance requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. If such conditions or events exist, disclosures are required that enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature of the conditions or events, management's evaluation of the circumstances and management's plans to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. We will be required to perform an annual assessment of our ability to continue as a going concern when this standard becomes effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year ended February 28, 2017. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

NOTE 3 - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

Accounts receivable consisted of the following at February 28, 2015 and 2014:

 

   

February 28,

2015

   

February 28,

2014

 

Accounts receivable, trade

  $ 249,652     $ 175,348  

Allowance for doubtful accounts, trade

    (59,860 )     (10,000 )

Accounts receivable, other*

    77,348       1,104,083  

Accounts receivable, net*

    267,140       1,269,431  

Accounts receivable, related party

  $ -     $ 11,989  

 

* February 28, 2014 balances have been revised as discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements.

 

At February 28, 2015, accounts receivable, other consists primarily of a receivable owed to us by Moxie as a result of our change in management. The receivable consisted of specific customer accounts receivable collected after the change in management and due to the Company as a part of the release of interest in Moxie assets.

 

NOTE 4 - INVENTORY

 

As of February 28, 2015 and 2014, inventory consisted of the following:

 

   

February 28,

2015

   

February 28,

2014

 

Food and beverages

  $ 62,462     $ 61,108  

Paper products/Supplies

    35,207       57,111  

Inventory

  $ 97,669     $ 118,219  

 

NOTE 5 - LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS, PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Leasehold improvements, property and equipment consisted of the following as of February 28, 2015 and 2014:

 

   

February 28, 2015

   

February 28, 2014

 

Café equipment

  $ 1,300,449     $ 1,580,650  

Furniture and fixtures

    524,167       573,421  

Computer equipment

    166,747       184,646  

Vehicles

    -       30,342  

Leasehold improvements

    1,724,951       2,079,227  

Asset impairment

    (290,640 )     -  
      3,425,674       4,448,286  

Less: accumulated depreciation

    (1,883,032 )     (1,508,466 )

Leasehold improvements, property and equipment, net

  $ 1,542,642     $ 2,939,820  

 

 
31

 

 

NOTE 6 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following as of February 28, 2015 and 2014:

 

            February 28, 2015     February 28, 2014  
   

Amortization Period (in years)

   

Gross Carrying Value

   

Accumulated Amortization

   

Gross Carrying Value

   

Accumulated Amortization

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization

                                       

Trademark/Non-competition agreements*

    5-20     $ 456,000     $ 30,814     $ 456,000     $ 5,226  

Franchise Rights*

    20       5,850,290       410,830       5,704,034       90,786  
              6,306,290       441,644       6,160,034       96,012  

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

                                       

Franchising segment-

                                       

Company stores goodwill

            23,000       -       109,000       -  

Franchising goodwill*

            1,907,529       -       1,907,529       -  

Total Goodwill

            1,930,529       0       2,016,529       0  
                                         

Total intangible assets

          $ 8,236,819     $ 441,644     $ 8,176,563     $ 96,012  

 

* February 28, 2014 balances have been revised as discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements.

 

At February 28, 2015, annual amortization of intangible assets, based upon our existing intangible assets and current useful lives, is estimated to be the following:

 

2016

  $ 367,696  

2017

    399,704  

2018

    415,804  

2019

    422,290  

2020

    409,745  

Thereafter

    3,849,407  

Total

  $ 5,864,646  

 

NOTE 7 – DEFERRED REVENUE

 

The Company deferred franchise fees, area development agreement fees and rebate income of $805,860 and $1,688,647 as of February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

NOTE 8 - NOTES PAYABLE, RELATED PARTY

 

In January 2013, in connection with the Rocky Mountain Transaction, the Company purchased leasehold improvements, property and equipment for six Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés from RMCF in exchange for $900,000 in notes payable. Interest accrues on the unpaid principal balances of the notes at the rate of 6% per annum, compounded annually, and the notes require monthly payments of principal and interest over a five-year period beginning January 2014 in the case of the recourse notes and January 2015 in the case of the non-recourse notes. Payment of the notes is secured by a security interest in the six Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés acquired.

 

In November 2013, the Company closed four of its under-performing company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés and $400,000 in non-recourse notes payable together with accrued interest of $20,991 were abated. See also Note 16.

 

The Company repaid the balance of the full-recourse notes, together with accrued interest, in February 2014.

 

In July 2013, the Company executed promissory notes with RMCF for the purchase and installation of equipment necessary to convert two company-owned cafés into co-branded RMCF and U-Swirl cafés. Interest accrues on the notes at the rate of 6% per annum, compounded annually and capitalized during the course of construction. The notes require monthly payments of principal and interest over a five-year period beginning in October 2013. Payment of the notes is secured by a security interest in all of the equipment purchased with the proceeds of the notes.

 

 
32

 

 

On January 16, 2014, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with RMCF pursuant to which RMCF agreed to loan the Company up to $7,750,000. As of February 28, 2015, the Company had borrowed $8,038,616 under this Loan Agreement and repaid $2,497,529, for a net principal balance of $5,541,087. Interest accrues on the unpaid principal balances of the loans at the rate of 9% per annum, and the principal and accrued interest are due January 16, 2016. The outstanding principal and interest is convertible at price of $0.90 and $0.45 per share of preferred stock, respectively, subject to adjustments upon occurrence of certain events.  Payment of the loan is secured by a security interest in all of the Company’s assets.

 

All payments of principal, interest and undrawn commitment fees are payable in cash, shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”), or a combination thereof, at the option of RMCF. The Preferred Stock to be designated will pay cumulative dividends equal to 9% of the stated value of the Preferred Stock, have a liquidation preference, vote with the Company’s common stock on all matters submitted for a vote of holders of common stock, and be convertible at the option of the holder into shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

The Company may prepay up to $2,100,000 of the outstanding amounts due to RMCF under the Loan Agreement at its option and without penalty in cash from the proceeds raised from (i) advances on rebates from its yogurt suppliers; and (ii) the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants. The Company also has the option to redeem all of the amounts owed under the Loan Agreement at any time after January 16, 2015 at the rate of 108% of the total amounts owed, by making payment in cash, shares of Preferred Stock, or a combination thereof, at the option of RMCF.

 

Mandatory prepayment of the loans is required upon the receipt of proceeds from the disposition of any of the Company’s assets, the issuance of any equity securities by the Company (other than upon exercise of outstanding stock options or warrants), the issuance of any debt securities by the Company, or the receipt of insurance proceeds.

 

In the event of default, RMCF may charge interest on all amounts due under the Loan Agreement at the default rate of 15% per annum, accelerate payment of all amounts due under the Loan Agreement, and foreclose on its security interest. 

 

The loan covenants required the Company to maintain consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $1,804,000 for the year ended February 28, 2015. At February 28, 2015 the Company had reported $1,284,000 of adjusted EBITDA. In the event of default, RMCF may charge interest on all amounts due under the loan agreement with the Company at the default rate of 15% per annum, accelerate payment of all amounts due under the Loan Agreement, and foreclose on its security interest. At February 28, 2015 we believe that the conversion of the loan into preferred stock as settlement of the obligation would result in 70% more preferred shares issued when compared to the amount issuable if the Company was compliant with the loan covenants.

 

As discussed in Note 1, the Convertible Note contains a compound embedded derivative related to the conversion feature, equity indexed interest payments, down-round protection default conversion option, default interest and optional redemption feature.  The Company records the Convertible Note at fair value.

 

The FY 2014 unrealized loss of $1,290,790 represents the fair value adjustment of $1,290,790 and is included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The fair value adjustment includes interest payable under the Convertible Note. The Company’s FY 2015 unrealized loss of $47,833 reflects, in part, the failure of the Company to achieve the adjusted EBITDA covenant required in the loan agreement outstanding with RMCF. The loan covenants required the Company to maintain consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $1,804,000 for the year ended February 28, 2015. At February 28, 2015 the Company had reported $1,284,000 of adjusted EBITDA. In the event of default, RMCF may charge interest on all amounts due under the loan agreement with the Company at the default rate of 15% per annum, accelerate payment of all amounts due under the Loan Agreement, and foreclose on its security interest. At February 28, 2015 we believe that the conversion of the loan into preferred stock as settlement of the obligation would result in 70% more preferred shares issued when compared to the amount issuable if the Company was compliant with the loan covenants.

 

The Company is required to pay an undrawn commitment fee equal to 0.10% multiplied by the average daily difference between the loan commitment and the aggregate outstanding loan.  The undrawn commitment fee is payable in cash or preferred stock at $0.45 per share.

 

RMCF may convert outstanding principal, or any portion thereof, into shares of preferred stock by dividing the principal to be converted by $0.90 per share.  The conversion price is subject to adjustment for traditional recapitalizations.  In the event of default, RMCF has the right to convert the Convertible Note into shares of preferred stock at the lesser of $0.45 or the implied equity value, as defined in the loan agreement, multiplied by 3.

 

RMCF also entered into a management services agreement with the Company for $542,500 which will be due on January 16, 2016.  The management fee is convertible into preferred stock at $0.45 per share.  The management services agreement is for services to be provided through January 16, 2016.  The amount due is included in Notes payable, related party.

 

As of February 28, 2015 the convertible note payable due to RMCF consisted of the following:

 

   

February 28, 2015

 

Principal

  $ 5,541,087  

Undrawn commitment fees

    23,690  

Fair Value Adjustment/unrealized loss

    1,338,623  

Balance

    6,903,400  

Less: current maturities

    (6,903,400 )

Long-term obligations

  $ -  

 

 
33

 

 

As of February 28, 2015 and 2014, total notes payable due to RMCF consisted of the following:

 

   

February 28,

2015

   

February 28,

2014

 

Convertible note, secured, due 01/16/16 - Principal

  $ 5,564,776     $ 6,679,876  

Construction loans, secured, due 9/15/18

    94,030       116,867  

Management services payable

    542,500       542,500  

Fair Value Adjustment

    1,338,623       1,290,790  

Balance

    7,539,929       8,630,033  

Less: current maturities

    (7,470,146 )     (22,837 )

Long-term obligations

  $ 69,783     $ 8,607,196  

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s note payable obligations and related accrued interest as of February 28, 2015:

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended February 28 or 29:

 

Amount

 

2016

  $ 7,470,146  

2017

    25,741  

2018

    27,329  

2019

    16,713  

Total minimum payments

    7,539,929  

Less: current maturities

    (7,470,146 )

Long-term obligations

  $ 69,783  

 

 

NOTE 9 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating leases

 

The Company conducts its retail operations in facilities leased under five to ten-year non-cancelable operating leases. Certain leases contain renewal options for between five and ten additional years at increased monthly rentals. Two of the leases provide for contingent rentals based on sales in excess of predetermined base levels. As of February 28, 2015, the Company had relocated its offices from a leased location in Henderson, Nevada. The Company had not recorded a lease liability at February 28, 2015 associated with the abandonment of this leased premises as Management believes that the space will be sublet at terms comparable to its lease and that there will not be a material impact on operations associated with this lease liability.

 

The following table summarizes the future minimum rental payments required under such operating leases as of February 28, 2015:

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended February 28 or 29:

 

Amount

 

2016

  $ 584,024  

2017

    461,169  

2018

    395,947  

2019

    383,034  

2020

    169,120  

Total minimum payments

    1,993,294  

Less: current maturities

    (584,024 )
         

Long-term obligations

  $ 1,409,270  

 

In some instances the Company has leased space for its Company-owned locations that are now occupied by franchisees, or majority owned subsidiaries. When the Company-owned location was sold or transferred, the store was subleased to the franchisee who is responsible for the monthly rent and other obligations under the lease. The Company's liability as primary lessee on sublet franchise outlets, all of which is offset by sublease rentals, is as follows for the years ending February 28 or 29:

 

 

2016

  $ 106,000  
2017     19,000  
Total   $ 125,000  

 

 
34

 

 

Contingencies

 

During the year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded a contingent purchase price liability of $146,257 and $472,398.

 

The CherryBerry selling parties entered into a one-year lock-up agreement with respect to the 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “CB Shares”) payable at the closing of the CherryBerry Acquisition. The CB Shares payable gave the selling parties voting rights and rights to dividends as of the acquisition date and were therefore included in the calculation of net loss per common share. The CB Shares were issued to the selling parties in February 2015. Following expiration of the lock-up period, if any of the CherryBerry selling parties desire to sell their CB Shares, they must first offer such shares to the Company and then to RMCF, at a price equal to the average of the market prices at the time of sale. If the proceeds from the sale of any of the CB Shares is less than $0.50 per share and the CherryBerry selling parties comply with other terms of the agreement, the Company has agreed to pay a shortfall payment.

 

NOTE 10 - FRANCHISE ROYALTIES AND FEES

 

During the year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized the following franchise royalties and fees:

 

   

February 28, 2015

   

February 28, 2014

 

Royalty income

  $ 2,230,286     $ 879,312  

Franchise fee income

    250,250       68,111  

Rebate income

    528,957       387,507  

Marketing fees

    421,437       141,930  

Franchise royalties and fees

  $ 3,430,930     $ 1,476,860  

 

 

NOTE 11 – OCCUPANCY AND RELATED EXPENSES

 

Occupancy and related expenses consist of the following for the year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014:

 

   

February 28,

2015

   

February 28,

2014

 

Rent

  $ 492,753     $ 514,155  

Real estate taxes, insurance and CAM fees

    159,391       123,126  

Utilities

    136,334       131,836  

Occupancy and related expenses

  $ 788,478     $ 769,117  

 

 

NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective rate as a percentage of pretax income is as follows for the periods:

 

   

February 28, 2015

   

February 28, 2014

 

U.S. federal statutory income tax rate

    34.0 %     34.0 %

State income tax – net of federal benefit

    (0.3 )%     2.0 %

Valuation of embedded derivatives

    (34.7 )%     (61.0 )%

Other

    (0.6 )%     -  
      (1.6 )%     (25.0 )%

Valuation allowance

    1.6 %     25.0 %

Effective tax rate

    0.0 %     0.0 %

 

 
35

 

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred income taxes are as follows:

 

   

February 28, 2015

   

February 28, 2014

 

Deferred tax assets:

               

Net Operating Loss

  $ 349,010     $ 2,450,861  

Asset acquisitions

    159,827       210,608  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

    21,549       -  

Loss provisions and deferred income

    448,326       -  

Accrued compensation

    11,516       -  
                 

Deferred tax liabilities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    (93,040 )     -  

Prepaid expenses

    (14,042 )     -  
                 
      883,146       2,661,469  

Less valuation allowance

    (883,146 )     (2,661,469 )

Net deferred tax assets

  $ -     $ -  

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state taxing jurisdictions.

 

Realization of the Company's deferred tax assets is dependent upon the Company generating sufficient taxable income, in the appropriate tax jurisdictions, in future years to obtain benefit from the reversal of net deductible temporary differences. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable is subject to adjustment in future periods if estimates of future taxable income are changed. As of February 28, 2015, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance related to the realization of its deferred income tax assets.

 

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes by recognizing the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  The Company measures the tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.  The application of income tax law is inherently complex.  As such, the Company is required to make judgments regarding income tax exposures. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax law and regulations change over time and may result in changes to the Company's judgments which can materially affect amounts recognized in the balance sheets and statements of operations.  The result of the assessment of the Company's tax positions did not have an impact on the financial statements for the year ended February 28, 2015 or 2014. The Company does not have any significant unrecognized tax benefits and does not anticipate a significant increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. Amounts are recognized for income tax related interest and penalties as a component of general and administrative expense in the statement of income and are immaterial for year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014.

 

In accordance with section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, deductibility of the Company’s U.S. net operating loss carryovers may be subject to annual limitation in the event of a change in control. Management has performed a preliminary evaluation as to whether a change in control has taken place, and has concluded that there was a change of control with respect to the net operating losses of the Company when RMCF acquired a majority ownership interest in January 2013.  The Company’s net operating losses expire starting in 2025.

 

The Company has estimated that its potential future tax deductions of its accumulated net operating losses, limited by section 382, to be approximately $970,000 at February 28, 2015. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance for this amount to reflect the likelihood of realization of this deferred tax asset.

 

NOTE 13 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

In August 2013, the Company issued 750,000 shares of common stock previously recorded to common stock payable.

 

During the year ended February 28, 2014, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of common stock options for total gross proceeds of $16,250.

 

During the year ended February 28, 2014, warrant holders exercised warrants into 237,941 shares of the Company’s common stock for total gross proceeds of $91,348, net of direct offering costs of $38,375.

 

On January 17, 2014, the Company entered into asset purchase agreements to acquire the CherryBerry franchise system, consisting of 156 franchised self-serve frozen yogurt cafés and one company-owned café. The CherryBerry system and certain affiliates were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “CB Shares”) at a fair value of $960,000 based upon the average of the high and low quoted trading price on the closing date. RMCF provided the funding for these acquisitions through a convertible note, which is secured by all of the Company’s assets. See also Note 8. The CB Shares were issued to the selling parties in February 2015.

 

 
36

 

 

The YM Shares were to be issued upon the earlier of (i) the Yogli Mogli selling parties delivering fully executed copies of all of the lease assignment and assumption agreements related to each company-owned location; and (ii) July 17, 2014. Subsequent to the transaction date the sellers did not complete the anticipated funding of the gift card liability. As a result, the Company has not issued any of the shares. As described in Note 17, the Company does not anticipate that the shares will be issued. As of February 28, 2015 those shares had not been issued and the Company has recorded an assumed liability associated with the gift card liability.

 

In April 2014, the Company called its outstanding Class C Warrants for redemption. Pursuant to a notice of redemption, the holders of the Class C Warrants were given until the close of business on May 22, 2014 to exercise their outstanding warrants at $0.60 per share. Thereafter, any remaining unexercised warrants were cancelled and represented only the right to receive a redemption price of $0.05 per warrant. During the quarter ended May 31, 2014 a total of 1,515,882 Class C Warrants and 44,312 underwriter’s warrants were exercised for gross proceeds of $930,799. The Company deposited $11,343 with the warrant redemption agent to pay the warrant redemption price for the 226,865 Class C Warrants that were not exercised prior to the redemption date.

 

On April 21, 2014, the Company and RMCF agreed to modify the warrant issued to RMCF in January 2013, which allowed RMCF to maintain its pro-rata ownership interest if existing stock options and/or warrants were exercised. Under that warrant, RMCF had the right to purchase 1.5 times the number of shares of common stock issued upon exercise of the Company’s Class C warrant. Pursuant to the modification, RMCF agreed to exercise that portion of the warrant which corresponded to the exercise of the Class C warrant to the fullest extent possible on a “cashless exercise” basis immediately after the redemption date for the Class C Warrants. A total of 565,261 shares of common stock were issued to RMCF as a result.

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity:

 

   

Non-vested Shares

   

Weighted Average

Grant Date Fair Value

   

Weighted Average

Remaining Vesting Period (in years)

 

Outstanding – February 28, 2013

    759,999     $ 0.1275       4.88  

Granted

    -       -          

Vested

    (152,001 )     -          

Forfeited/Cancelled

    -       -          

Outstanding – February 28, 2014

    607,998     $ 0.1275       3.88  

Granted

    -       -          

Vested

    (607,998 )   $ 0.1275          

Forfeited/Cancelled

    -       -          

Outstanding - February 28, 2015

    -       -       -  

 

During the year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, the Company expensed $75,019 and $19,380, related to restricted common stock grants, respectively.

 

NOTE 14 - STOCK OPTIONS

 

On June 27, 2007, the stockholders of our Company adopted the 2007 Stock Option Plan which currently permits the granting of options to purchase up to 2,181,548 shares. The 2007 Stock Option Plan will remain in effect until it is terminated by the board of directors except that no incentive stock option will be granted after June 26, 2017. On April 20, 2011, the stockholders of our Company adopted the 2011 Stock Option Plan which permits the granting of options to purchase up to 750,000 shares.

 

 
37

 

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity:

 

                   

Weighted

         
           

Weighted

   

Average

         
           

Average

   

Remaining

   

Average

 
           

Exercise

   

Contractual

   

Intrinsic

 
   

Options

   

Price

   

Life (in years)

   

Value

 

Outstanding - February 28, 2013

    962,000     $ 0.36       3.41       34,830  

Granted

    -       -                  

Exercised

    (50,000 )     0.33                  

Forfeited/Cancelled

    (150,000 )     0.30                  

Outstanding - February 28, 2014

    762,000     $ 0.38       2.37     $ 360,840  

Exercisable – February 28, 2014

    762,000     $ 0.38       2.37     $ 360,840  

Granted

    -       -       -       -  

Exercised

    -       -       -       -  

Forfeited/Cancelled

    (762,000 )     -       -       -  

Outstanding/Exercisable – February 28, 2015

    -     $ -       -     $ -  

 

During the year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, the Company expensed $0 and $38,976, related to stock option grants, respectively.

 

NOTE 15 - WARRANTS

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s warrant activity:

 

                   

Weighted

         
           

Weighted

   

Average

         
           

Average

   

Remaining

   

Average

 
           

Exercise

   

Contractual

   

Intrinsic

 
   

Warrants

   

Price

   

Life (in years)

   

Value

 

Outstanding - February 28, 2013

    14,071,750     $ 4.61       1.32     $ 52,245  

Granted

    105,688       -                  

Exercised

    (237,941 )     0.55                  

Forfeited/Cancelled

    (7,916,250 )     8.21                  

Outstanding - February 28, 2014

    6,023,247     $ 0.62       1.80     $ 1,751,764  

Granted

    -       -                  

Exercised

    (4,032,397 )     0.60                  

Forfeited/Cancelled

    (1,440,850 )     0.42                  

Outstanding – February 28, 2015

    550,000     $ 2.01       3.69     $ 45,585  

Exercisable - February 28, 2015

    400,000     $ 0.88       .86     $ 5,625  

 

During the year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, the Company expensed $0 and $0 related to stock warrants issued, respectively.

 

NOTE 16 - COMPANY-OWNED STORE CLOSURES

 

In November 2013 the Company closed four under-performing company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés. The operation of these locations was transferred to the Company in January 2013 in connection with the Rocky Mountain Transaction.

 

The Company acquired the assets associated with these locations in exchange for $400,000 in non-recourse notes payable. Prior to the closing of these locations the Company had recorded $420,991 in notes payable and accrued interest. See also Note 8.

 

Consistent with the non-recourse note agreements, the Company returned the assets underlying the notes to RMCF, the note holder. The Company subsequently entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets salvaged from these closed locations. The Company has agreed to pay $177,500 to RMCF for the assets salvaged from these locations and believes that this approximates the predecessor cost of these assets.

 

 
38

 


The closure of these locations resulted in the following accounting treatment:

 

Reduction in property and equipment

  $ 400,000  

Reduction in depreciation expense

    44,755  

Reduction in notes payable, related party

    400,000  

Reduction in interest expense

    20,991  

Increase in equipment not in service

    177,500  

Increase in accounts payable, related party

  $ 177,500  

 

NOTE 17 - ACQUISITION OF CHERRYBERRY, YOGLI MOGLI AND FUZZY PEACH

 

On January 17, 2014, U-Swirl entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with CherryBerry, which was the franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés branded as “CherryBerry.” Pursuant to the CherryBerry Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of CherryBerry used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt cafés, including all of its franchise rights and one company-owned café. The assets were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4 million shares of U-Swirl common stock. U-Swirl also entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Yogli Mogli LLC, which was the franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés branded as “Yogli Mogli.” Pursuant to the Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement, U-Swirl purchased certain assets of Yogli Mogli used in its business of franchising frozen yogurt cafés, including all of its franchise rights and four company-owned cafés. The assets were acquired for approximately $2.15 million in cash and $200,000 in shares of U-Swirl common stock. The Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and indemnification obligations. During the year ended February 28, 2015 U-Swirl assumed a net liability of $149,529 for an un-funded gift card liability related to Yogli-Mogli franchise operations. The Company has withheld the issuance of $200,000 in shares of U-Swirl common stock as a result of its realization of this unfunded liability. Management believes that is it unlikely that the common stock issuance contemplated by the Yogli Mogli Purchase Agreement is issued, or that the gift card liability is funded. These facts have caused Management to revise the valuation of the Yogli Mogli purchase as reflected within this note to the financial statements.

 

On February 20, 2014, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire the business assets of Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC. The acquisition of all intellectual property and worldwide franchise and license rights includes the rights associated with 17 Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt stores. The Company purchased the Fuzzy Peach Franchising, LLC assets for $481,000 in cash paid at the time of closing, plus an earn-out that required an increase in the purchase price of $146,257 based upon royalty income generated by Fuzzy Peach stores during the twelve months ended February 19, 2015.

 

The Company completed these acquisitions because the self-serve frozen yogurt market is extremely fragmented, and the Company believes successful consolidators will dominate the industry within a few years. The Company believes the self-serve frozen yogurt industry offers the potential for above-average investment returns, which is predicated upon management’s ability to identify attractive growth opportunities that are compatible with the geographical and operational requirements for long-term success.

 

A preliminary purchase price allocation was completed at February 28, 2014 and a final measurement period was completed during the quarter ended February 28, 2015 when the fair valuations of consideration paid and contingent consideration were finalized. The foregoing resulted in a retrospective reallocation of these values reported at February 28, 2014. The final consideration value was allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed and a portion of the total purchase consideration was allocated to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. Prior year amounts were revised to reflect these changes as of the date of the acquisition, resulting in reductions to Trademarks, Franchise rights, Non-competition agreements and Goodwill as of February 28, 2014. The following tables summarize the adjustments that were made to the preliminary purchase price allocation for the Yogli Mogli and CherryBerry acquisitions.

 

Yogli Mogli

 

Preliminary

   

Adjustment

   

Final

 

Café Store Assets

  $ 1,003,000     $ -     $ 1,003,000  

Trademarks

    156,000       (14,000 )     142,000  

Franchise agreements

    1,201,000       (78,000 )     1,123,000  

Non-Competition agreements

    6,000       -       6,000  

Goodwill

    54,500       29,029       83,529  
    $ 2,420,500     $ (62,971 )   $ 2,357,529  

 

CherryBerry

 

Preliminary

   

Adjustment

   

Final

 

Café store assets

  $ 238,000     $ -     $ 238,000  

Café store goodwill

    23,000       -       23,000  

Trademarks

    405,000       (118,000 )     287,000  

Franchise rights

    3,615,000       (798,000 )     2,817,000  

Non-compete agreements

    23,000       (2,000 )     21,000  

Goodwill

    3,006,000       (1,182,000 )     1,824,000  
    $ 7,310,000     $ (2,100,000 )   $ 5,210,000  

 

 
39

 

 

The purchase price allocation, including the fair value consideration paid, contingent consideration, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and allocated a portion of the total purchase consideration to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the total purchase consideration over the aggregate estimated fair values was recorded as goodwill. Goodwill represents the synergies that the Company believes will arise from the acquisition transactions. All of the goodwill generated in this acquisition is deductible for tax purposes. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

 

 

   

CherryBerry

   

Yogli Mogli

   

Fuzzy Peach

   

Total

 

Assets acquired – Transaction Date

  $ 5,210,000     $ 2,357,529     $ 481,497     $ 8,049,026  

Assets acquired – Earn out

    -       -       146,257       146,257  

Lease liabilities assumed

    -       (58,000 )     -       (58,000 )

Gift card liabilities assumed

    -       (149,529 )     -       (149,529 )

Total purchase price

  $ 5,210,000     $ 2,150,000     $ 627,754     $ 7,987,754  

 

Included in the purchase price allocation is an amount related to the fair value of the U-Swirl common stock issued as consideration for the acquisitions. The fair value of the securities was based on Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820-10-35-2, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.”

 

The assets acquired were made up of the following during the year ended February 28, 2015:

 

   

CherryBerry

   

Yogli Mogli

   

Fuzzy Peach

   

Total

 

Café store assets

  $ 238,000     $ 1,003,000     $ -     $ 1,241,000  

Café store goodwill

    23,000       -       -       23,000  

Trademarks

    287,000       142,000       -       429,000  

Franchise rights

    2,817,000       1,123,000       627,754       4,567,754  

Non-compete agreements

    21,000       6,000       -       27,000  

Goodwill

    1,824,000       83,529       -       1,907,529  

Total assets acquired

  $ 5,210,000     $ 2,357,529     $ 627,754     $ 8,195,283  

 

The consideration for the purchase price was made up the following assets during the year ended February 28, 2015:

 

   

CherryBerry

   

Yogli Mogli

   

Fuzzy Peach

   

Total

 
                         

Common stock

  $ 960,000     $ -     $ -     $ 960,000  
                                 

Cash

    4,250,000       2,150,000       627,754       7,027,754  
                                 

Total consideration paid

  $ 5,210,000     $ 2,150,000     $ 627,754     $ 7,987,754  

 

As a part of these transactions the Company recognized $124,551 and $619,435 as acquisition related expenses for the years ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, respectively. The fair value of U-Swirl, Inc. common stock was $0.24 and was determined by fair value measurement as defined by the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820-10-35-2. Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure is “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” The valuation was performed on a minority, marketable basis. The Company performed this valuation because it did not believe that the quoted market price was indicative of fair value. Primarily the Company believed that the quoted market price did not accurately represent the present value of future cash flows associated with the acquisitions, or the dilutive effect of stock and convertible debt issued to fund these acquisitions.

 

NOTE 18 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

As of February 28, 2015 and 2014, the Company owed $95,209 and $290,978 to RMCF for inventories, restaurant equipment and various operating expenses, respectively. See also Note 8.

 

NOTE 19 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent to FY 2015, in April 2015 we acquired the business assets of Let’s Yo, LLC (Let’s Yo!) adding 12 cafés after the end of FY 2015. Let’s Yo! was acquired for a future earn out based on royalty income generated over a 24 month period.

 

 
40

 

 

Management evaluated all activity of the Company through the issue date of the financial statements and concluded that no other subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 
41

 

 

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

 

On June 21, 2013, we dismissed L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC (“Bradford”) as our independent public accountants. Bradford had audited our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, as well as the two-month transition period ended February 28, 2013. Also on June 24, 2013, we engaged EKS&H, LLP (“EKS&H”) to serve as our independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2014. The audit committee of our board of directors approved both actions. EKS&H has been serving as the independent public accountants of RMCF, our majority owner.

 

The reports of Bradford on our consolidated financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 and for the two-month transition period ended February 28, 2013 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

 

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, the two-month transition period ended February 28, 2013, and through the subsequent interim period ending June 21, 2013, there were no disagreements with Bradford on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Bradford, would have caused Bradford to make reference thereto in its report on our financial statements for such years and transition period. Further, there were no reportable events as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K occurring within our two most recent fiscal years, the transition period, and the subsequent interim period ending June 21, 2013.

 

We provided Bradford with a copy of our Form 8-K disclosing this change and requested Bradford to furnish us with a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it agreed with the above statements. The letter was filed as an exhibit to the Form 8-K.

 

During our fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, the transition period ended February 28, 2013, and through June 24, 2013, the period prior to the engagement of EKS&H, neither we nor anyone on our behalf consulted EKS&H regarding the application of accounting principles to a specific completed or contemplated transaction, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements. Further, EKS&H has not provided written or oral advice to us that was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issues.

 

We requested that EKS&H review our disclosures on Form 8-K and provided EKS&H with the opportunity to furnish a letter addressed to the SEC containing any new information, clarification of our reviews, or the respects in which it did not agree with the statements in that report. EKS&H advised that it had reviewed the Form 8-K and had no need to submit a letter in accordance with Item 304 of Regulation S-K.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, requires us to carry out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of February 28, 2015, being the date of our most recently completed fiscal year end. This evaluation was implemented under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy Kinney. Based on this evaluation, this officer has concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13-a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Our officer has assessed the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of February 28, 2015. In making this assessment, management used the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

 
42

 

 

As a result of this assessment our officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as well as our internal controls over financial reporting, are effective.

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to an exemption for smaller reporting companies under Section 989G of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

During the period covered by this annual report, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

 

None.

 

 
43

 

 

PART III

 

Item 10.                Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

Our directors, executive officers and key employees, and their ages as of the date of this report, are as follows:

 

Name

Age

Position

     

Franklin E. Crail

73

Director

     

Scott G. Capdevielle

48

Director

     

Clyde W. Engle

71

Director

     

Bryan J. Merryman

54

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

     

Lee N. Mortenson

78

Director

     

Jeremy M. Kinney

38

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

     

Alan Stribling

47

President

     

Tracy Wojcik

52

Secretary

 

 

The term of office of each director ends at the next annual meeting of our stockholders or when such director’s successor is elected and qualified. The term of office of each officer ends at the next annual meeting of our Board of Directors, expected to take place immediately after the next annual meeting of stockholders, or when such officer’s successor is elected and qualifies.

 

Franklin E. Crail was Chairman of the Board from February 2013 through October 2014 and a director since January 2013. Mr. Crail co-founded the first Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store in May 1981. Since RMCF’s incorporation in November 1982, he has served as its Chief Executive Officer, President and as a director, and, from September 1981 to January 2000, he served as its Treasurer. He was elected Chairman of the Board in March 1986. Prior to founding RMCF, Mr. Crail was co-founder and President of CNI Data Processing, Inc., a software firm which developed automated billing systems for the cable television industry. As RMCF’s Chief Executive Officer, President and director since 1982, Mr. Crail brings his leadership, extensive experience and knowledge of the industry and the investment community to the Board of Directors.

 

Scott G. Capdevielle has been a director since January 2013. He has served on the RMCF Board of Directors since June 2009. Mr. Capdevielle founded and has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Syndicom, Inc., a software and consulting company, since 2000. Prior to founding Syndicom, Inc., from 1999 to 2000, Mr. Capdevielle was Chief Executive Officer and founder of Untv, Inc., a company pioneering user-generated web video and distribution on the Internet. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Capdevielle founded and held the position of Chief Technical Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Andromedia Corporation, a developer of web analytics software to Fortune 1000 companies prior to its sale to Macromedia, Inc. Mr. Capdevielle has been engaged in the software industry since 1993 and has served on several advisory boards and Board of Directors of technology companies from 1994 to present. He is currently a partner in Incas, LLC, a seed stage investment company focused in the medical device industry. Mr. Capdevielle’s extensive executive and board experience brings operational, investment, strategic, technology and industry expertise to the Board of Directors.

 

Clyde W. Engle has been a director since January 2013. He has served on the RMCF Board of Directors since January 2000, and previously from December 1987 to August 1995. Mr. Engle is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincolnwood Bancorp, Inc. (formerly known as GSC Enterprises, Inc.). Lincolnwood Bancorp, Inc. owned the Bank of Lincolnwood until June 2009 when the Bank of Lincolnwood came under control of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Mr. Engle’s extensive executive and board experience brings governance, investment and strategic expertise to the Board of Directors.

 

Bryan J. Merryman has been a director since January 2013. He became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in October 2014. He joined RMCF in December 1997 as its Chief Financial Officer and Vice President - Finance. Since April 1999, Mr. Merryman has also served as its Chief Operating Officer and as a director, and since January 2000, as its Treasurer. From January 1997 to December 1997, Mr. Merryman was a principal in Knightsbridge Holdings, Inc. (a leveraged buyout firm). Mr. Merryman also served as Chief Financial Officer of Super Shops, Inc., a retailer and manufacturer of after-market auto parts, from July 1996 to November 1997, and prior to July 1996, was employed for more than eleven years by Deloitte and Touche LLP, most recently as a Senior Manager. Mr. Merryman’s extensive operational, accounting and financial expertise, along with his extensive knowledge of our business and broad industry expertise, provides significant value and insights to the Board of Directors.

 

 
44

 

 

Lee N. Mortenson has been a director since January 2013, and has served on the RMCF Board of Directors since 1987. He has been engaged in consulting and investment activities since July 2000 and was a Managing Director of Kensington Partners, LLC (a private investment firm) from June 2001 to April 2006. Mr. Mortenson has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Newell Resources LLC since 2002 providing management consulting and investment services. Mr. Mortenson served as President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Telco Capital Corporation, a manufacturing and real estate company, from January 1984 to February 2000. He was President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Sunstates Corporation, a manufacturing and real estate company, from December 1990 to February 2000. Mr. Mortenson was a director of Alba-Waldensian, Inc., an apparel and medical device manufacturing company, from 1984 to July 1999, and also served as its President and Chief Executive Officer from February 1997 to July 1999. Mr. Mortenson’s general business experience and investment expertise provides valuable insight to the Board of Directors with respect to our operations and financial success.

 

Jeremy Kinney has been the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since October 2014. He became Vice President of Finance of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in May 2008. Since joining RMCF in March 1999, he has served in various operational and financial positions including Director of Retail Operations and Operational Analysis. In May 2007, he became Corporate Controller, a position he held until he was promoted to his present position.

 

Alan Stribling has been the President since October 2014. Beginning in 2009, he worked with Natasha Nelson to develop the Yogurtini self-serve yogurt concept and in June 2009, formed YHI, Inc. as the franchisor for that brand. In January 2013 he served as Chief Operating Officer to PKC Construction Co., a firm specializing in the tenant finish business for food service franchise systems. Mr. Stribling previously served as the Vice President of Operations for PKC Construction Co. from March 2002 to 2009.

 

Tracy Wojcik has been the Corporate Secretary since October 2014. She joined Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in April 2011 as their Corporate Secretary. From 2007 until joining RMCF, Ms. Wojcik was employed by RMCF on a contractual basis, performing an annual assessment of RMCF’s internal controls over financial reporting related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. From 2000 to 2006, Ms. Wojcik was employed by Ceridian as an Implementation Consultant for Human Resources software applications. Throughout her career, Ms. Wojcik has held various administrative and technical positions in Human Resources.

 

 

Nominees to the Board of Directors

 

Since our last proxy statement, we have not made any material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors.

 

Committees

 

The following directors serve on committees of our Board of Directors:

 

●           Audit Committee – Lee N Mortenson (Chair), Franklin E. Crail and Scott G. Capdevielle

●           Compensation Committee – Lee N. Mortenson (Chair), Scott G. Capdevielle and Franklin E. Crail

●           Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee – Bryan J. Merryman (Chair), Scott G. Capdevielle and Lee N. Mortenson

 

The Board of Directors has determined that each of Scott G. Capdevielle, Franklin E. Crail and Lee N. Mortenson meets the audit committee financial expert standards as established by the SEC and the financial sophistication standards as established by the Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Our officers and directors are now and may in the future become shareholders, officers or directors of other companies, which may be formed for the purpose of engaging in business activities similar to us. Accordingly, direct conflicts of interest may arise in the future with respect to such individuals acting on behalf of us or other entities. Moreover, additional conflicts of interest may arise with respect to opportunities which come to the attention of such individuals in the performance of their duties or otherwise. Currently, we do not have a right of first refusal pertaining to opportunities that come to their attention and may relate to our business operations.

 

Our officers and directors are, so long as they are our officers or directors, subject to the restriction that all opportunities contemplated by our plan of operation which come to their attention, either in the performance of their duties or in any other manner, will be considered opportunities of, and be made available to us and the companies that they are affiliated with on an equal basis. A breach of this requirement will be a breach of the fiduciary duties of the officer or director. If we or the companies with which the officers and directors are affiliated both desire to take advantage of an opportunity, then said officers and directors would abstain from negotiating and voting upon the opportunity. However, all directors may still individually take advantage of opportunities if we should decline to do so. Except as set forth above, we have not adopted any other conflict of interest policy with respect to such transactions.

 

 
45

 

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our officers, directors, and persons who beneficially own more than

10% of our common stock to file reports of securities ownership and changes in such ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are also required by rules promulgated by the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

Based solely upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us, or written representations that no Form 5 filings were required, we believe that during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, there was compliance with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners, except as follows:

 

Reporting Person

Date Report Due

Date Report Filed

Clyde W. Engle

Form 4 due July 23, 2014

July 24, 2014

Clyde W. Engle

Form 4 due August 15, 2014

August 18, 2014

Jeremy M. Kinney

Form 3 due October 16, 2014

May 6, 2015

Lee N. Mortenson

Form 4 due April 30, 2014

May 1, 2014

Alan Stribling

Form 3 due October 16, 2014

May 6, 2015

 

 

Item 11.                 Executive Compensation

 

The following table sets forth information about the remuneration of our principal executive officer for services rendered during our fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, and our other executive officers that had total compensation of $100,000 or more for our last completed full fiscal year (the “Named Officers”). Certain tables and columns have been omitted as no information was required to be disclosed under those tables or columns.

 

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal
Position

Year (1)

Salary ($)

Stock Awards

($)

Option Awards

($)(2)

All Other
Compensation

($)(3)

Total ($)

Alan Stribling

President

2015

2014

2013

72,115

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

72,115

-

-

Carell Grass

Vice President of Operations

2015

2014

2013

49,197

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

273

-

-

49,470

-

-

Henry E. Cartwright,
Former Chief Marketing Officer (4)

2015

2014

2013

2012

90,372

103,683

16,100

84,000

25,006

6,460

834

7,980

-

8,828

4,858

29,141

2,897

14,553

2,790

16,740

118,275

133,524

24,582

137,861

Ulderico Conte,
Former CEO (5)

2015

2014

2013

2012

90,372

103,683

16,100

84,000

25,006

6,460

834

7,980

-

9,187

4,940

29,643

8,861

19,826

3,172

22,032

124,239

139,156

25,046

143,655

Terry A. Cartwright,
Former COO

2015

2014

2013

2012

90,372

103,683

15,100

60,000

25,006

6,460

834

13,300

-

9,187

4,940

29,643

5,795

16,463

3,672

19,032

121,173

135,793

24,546

121,975

 

(1)

Amounts shown for 2013 are for the two months ended February 28, 2013 and amounts shown for 2012 are for the year ended December 31, 2012.

(2)

The option awards were valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: volatility rate of 123.53% - 125.65%; risk-free interest rate of 0.40% - 1.09% based on a U.S. Treasury rate of 3 years; and a 3-year expected option life (simplified method).

(3)

The amounts shown below consist of health insurance and dental insurance premiums paid for these officers and their dependents.

(4)

Mr. Cartwright served as our President during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

(5)

Mr. Conte served as our Chief Executive Officer from April 2011 to October 2014.

 

 
46

 

 

Employment Arrangements

 

The Company has not entered into any employment agreements with the above named officers.

 

There were no outstanding equity awards at February 28, 2015 for our named officers.

 

During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, there were no exercises of stock options by the Named Officers.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

Each of our non-employee directors receives reimbursement for expenses incurred as a result of attendance at any meetings of the Board or the committees of the Board. Prior to February 12, 2013, we did not pay any cash compensation to any of our non-employee directors for their service on the board.

 

On February 12, 2013, we adopted a Non-Employee Director Compensation Program which was amended on March 7, 2014 and sets forth the following compensation:

 

Annual cash compensation of $6,000 to each of the Audit Committee Chair, Compensation Committee Chair and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair

Annual cash compensation of $2,000 to each member of the Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Annual cash compensation of $3,000 to each member of the Compensation Committee

Per meeting cash compensation to each member of the Audit Committee of $250 for each meeting attended by phone and $500 for each meeting attended in person

Stock grant of 150,000 shares of common stock upon first being appointed or elected to the Board, which shares vest on the grant date

Stock grant of 50,000 shares of common stock on March 1 of each year, beginning in 2014, which shares vest on the grant date

 

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to our non-employee directors for services rendered during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015:

 

Director Compensation

 

Name

 

Fees Earned or Paid
in Cash ($)

   

Stock Awards ($)

   

Total ($)

 

Scott G. Capdevielle

    6,250       15,450       21,700  

Franklin E. Crail

    3,750       15,450       19,200  

Clyde W. Engle

    -       15,450       15,450  

Bryan J. Merryman*

    12,500       15,450       27,950  

Lee N. Mortenson

    11,250       15,450       26,700  

 

*Bryan J. Merryman became an employee director in October 2014

 

 
47

 

 

Stock Option Plans

 

2007 Stock Option Plan. Our stockholders adopted the 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “2007 Plan”) on June 27, 2007, which currently permits the granting of options to purchase up to 2,181,548 shares. This amount adjusts at the beginning of each of our fiscal quarters to a number equal to 10% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding at the end of our last completed fiscal quarter, or 470,000 shares, whichever is greater, and provided further that such number will be increased by the number of shares of option stock that we subsequently may reacquire through repurchase or otherwise. Options may be granted to officers, directors, employees, and consultants on a case-by-case basis. The 2007 Plan will remain in effect until it is terminated by the board of directors or, if so appointed by the board, a committee of two or more disinterested directors administering the 2007 Plan, except that no incentive stock option will be granted after June 26, 2017.

 

The 2007 Plan is intended to (i) encourage ownership of shares by our employees and directors and certain consultants to the company; (ii) induce them to work for the benefit of the company; and (iii) provide additional incentive for such persons to promote the success of the company.

 

The board of directors or committee may amend, suspend or discontinue the 2007 Plan at any time or from time to time; provided that no action of the board will cause incentive stock options granted under the 2007 Plan not to comply with Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code unless the board specifically declares such action to be made for that purpose and provided further that without the approval of our stockholders, no such action may: (i) materially increase the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under options granted pursuant to the 2007 Plan, (ii) materially increase the benefits accruing to 2007 Plan participants, or (iii) materially modify eligibility requirements for the participants. Moreover, no such action may alter or impair any option previously granted under the 2007 Plan without the consent of the holder of such option.

 

The 2007 Plan contains provisions for proportionate adjustment of the number of shares for outstanding options and the option price per share in the event of stock dividends, recapitalizations, stock splits or combinations.

 

Each option granted under the 2007 Plan will be evidenced by a written option agreement between us and the optionee. The option price of any incentive stock option or non-qualified option may be not less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant of the option; provided, however, that any incentive stock option granted to a person owning more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the common stock will have an option price of not less than 110% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant. “Fair Market Value” per share as of a particular date is defined in the 2007 Plan as the closing price of our common stock as reported on a national securities exchange or the last transaction price on the reporting system or, if none, the average of the closing bid and asked prices of our common stock in the over-the-counter market or, if such quotations are unavailable, the value determined by the board in its discretion in good faith.

 

The exercise period of incentive stock options or non-qualified options granted under the 2007 Plan may not exceed ten years from the date of grant thereof. Incentive stock options granted to a person owning more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of our common stock will be for no more than five years.

 

The right to exercise an option granted under the 2007 Plan will be subject to the following vesting periods, subject to the optionee continuing to be an eligible participant and the occurrence of any other event (including the passage of time) that would result in the cancellation or termination of the option:

 

(i)

no portion of the option will be exercisable prior to four (4) months from the grant date;

 

(ii)

upon and after the expiration of one year from the grant date, the optionee may exercise up to one-half of the option granted; and

 

(iii)

the option will become exercisable on a cumulative basis as to the remaining half of the total option granted, two years from the grant date, so that the option will have become fully exercisable, subject to the optionee’s remaining an eligible participant, on the second anniversary of such grant date; and

   

(iv)

such additional vesting periods as may be determined by the board or committee in its sole discretion.

 

To exercise an option, the optionee must pay the full exercise price in cash, by check or such other legal consideration as may be approved by the committee. Such other consideration may consist of shares of common stock having a fair market value equal to the option price, cashless exercise, a personal recourse note, or in a combination of cash, shares, cashless exercise and a note, subject to approval of the committee.

 

An option may not be exercised unless the optionee then is an employee, consultant, officer, or director of our company or its subsidiaries, and unless the optionee has remained continuously as an employee, consultant, officer, or director of our company since the date of grant of the option. If the optionee ceases to be an employee, consultant, officer, or director of our company or its subsidiaries other than by reason of death, disability, or for cause, all options granted to such optionee, fully vested to such optionee but not yet exercised, will terminate three months after the date the optionee ceases to be an employee, consultant, officer or director of our company.

 

 
48

 

 

If the employee is terminated “for cause” (as that term is defined in the 2007 Plan), such employee’s options will terminate immediately on the date the optionee ceases employment or association.

 

If an optionee dies while an employee, consultant, officer or director of our company, or if the optionee’s employment, consultant, officer, or director status terminates by reason of disability, all options theretofore granted to such optionee, whether or not otherwise exercisable, unless earlier terminated in accordance with their terms, may be exercised at any time within one year after the date of death or disability of said optionee, by the optionee or by the optionee’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise such options by bequest or inheritance or otherwise by reason of the death or disability of the optionee.

 

As of February 28, 2015, no options were outstanding under the 2007 Plan.

 

2011 Stock Option Plan. Our stockholders adopted the 2011 Stock Option Plan (the “2011 Plan”) on April 20, 2011, which permits the granting of options to purchase up to 750,000 shares. The terms and provisions of the 2011 Plan are identical to the 2007 Plan, except that the 2011 Plan provides for the granting of “formula options” to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock to our non-employee directors on the date on which such directors are first appointed by the board or elected by the stockholders. Immediately after the completion of each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company, each non-employee member of the board will be awarded a formula option to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock. Formula options will have an option price equal to the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of such grant. None of these formula options were outstanding at February 28, 2015.

 

As of February 28, 2015, no options were outstanding under the 2011 Plan.

 

 

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

 

Set forth below is information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock, as of May 15, 2015 by (i) each person whom we know owned, beneficially, more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each of our named executive officers, and (iv) all of the current directors and executive officers as a group.

 

We believe that, except as otherwise noted below, each named beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares listed. Unless otherwise indicated herein, beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and includes voting or investment power with respect to shares beneficially owned.

 

A person is also deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of that security within 60 days of May 15, 2015 through the exercise of options or warrants, vesting of restricted stock, or through the conversion of another security. For purposes of calculating each person’s or group’s percentage ownership, shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, vesting of restricted stock or through conversion of another security within 60 days of May 15, 2015 are included as outstanding and beneficially owned for that person or group, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person or group.

 

Number of Shares

Beneficial Owner

 

Beneficially Owned

   

Percent of Class (1)

 

5%Stockholders

               

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (2)(3)

    8,906,514       40.4 %

Dallas and Robyn Jones (4)

    4,000,000       18.1 %
                 

Directors and Executive Officers

               

Franklin E. Crail (2)

    250,000       1.1 %

Scott G. Capdevielle (2)

    220,000       1.0 %

Bryan J. Merryman (2)

    100,000       0.5 %

Clyde W. Engle (2)

    31,000       0.1 %

Lee N. Mortenson (2)

    60,254       0.3 %

Jeremy M. Kinney (2)

    0       --  

Alan Stribling (2)

    0       --  

Tracy Wojcik (2)

    0       --  

All directors and officers as a group

    661,254       3.0 %

(8 persons)

               
   

(1)

Based on 22,065,484 shares outstanding.

 

(2)

The address for this stockholder is 265 Turner Drive, Durango, Colorado 81303.

 

(3)

Excludes shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into which this stockholder’s revolving line of credit is convertible. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock may in turn be converted into shares of common stock. Also excludes shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants which become exercisable immediately upon the exercise of our currently outstanding warrants and options.

 

(4)

The address for this stockholder is 4009 S. Nogal Avenue, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74011

 

 
49

 

 

Changes in Control

 

There are no agreements known to management that may result in a change of control of our company.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table sets forth information as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year, February 28, 2015:

 

 

Plan category

Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

Weighted average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants and rights

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

-0-

--

2,181,548

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

-0-

--

750,000

Total

-0-

--

2,931,548

 

Item 13.                     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Amounts Owed to RMCF

 

In January 2013, in connection with the Rocky Mountain Transaction, we purchased leasehold improvements, property and equipment for six Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés from RMCF in exchange for $900,000 in notes payable. Interest accrues on the unpaid principal balances of the notes at the rate of 6% per annum, compounded annually, and the notes require monthly payments of principal and interest over a five-year period beginning January 2014 in the case of the recourse notes and January 2015 in the case of the non-recourse notes. Payment of the notes is secured by a security interest in the six Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés acquired. In November 2013, the Company closed four of its under-performing company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt cafés and wrote off $400,000 in non-recourse notes payable together with accrued interest of $20,991. Consistent with the non-recourse note agreements, we returned the assets underlying the notes to RMCF, the note holder. We subsequently entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets salvaged from these closed locations. We agreed to pay $177,500 to RMCF for the assets salvaged from these locations, which was approximately the predecessor cost of these assets. In February 2014, we paid off the recourse notes.

 

In July 2013, we executed promissory notes with RMCF for the purchase and installation of equipment necessary to convert two company-owned cafés into co-branded RMCF and U-Swirl cafés. Interest accrues on the notes at the rate of 6% per annum, compounded annually and capitalized during the course of construction. The notes require monthly payments of principal and interest over a five-year period beginning in October 2013. Payment of the notes is secured by a security interest in all of the equipment purchased with the proceeds of the notes. At February 28, 2015, the unpaid balance of these notes was $94,030.

 

In January 2014, we acquired the business assets of two operators and franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés, CherryBerry Enterprises, LLC (“CherryBerry”) and Yogli Mogli, LLC (“Yogli Mogli”), thereby adding 182 cafés. CherryBerry and certain affiliates were acquired for approximately $4.25 million in cash and 4,000,000 shares of our common stock. Yogli Mogli was acquired for $2.15 million in cash and 277,778 shares of our common stock. Subsequent to the transaction date Yogli Mogli did not complete the anticipated funding of the gift card liability. As a result, the Company has not issued any of the Yogli Mogli shares. As described in Note 17, the Company does not anticipate that the shares will be issued. As of February 28, 2015 those shares had not been issued and the Company has recorded an assumed liability associated with the gift card liability. RMCF provided the funding for these acquisitions through a convertible note, which is secured by all of our assets.

 

 
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Under the loan and security agreement with RMCF, RMCF agreed to loan us up to $7,750,000.  Interest accrues at the rate of 9% per annum, with the principal and unpaid accrued interest due January 16, 2016.  We are required to pay an undrawn commitment fee equal to 0.10% multiplied by the average daily difference between the loan commitment and the aggregate outstanding loan.  Payment of the loan is secured by a security interest in all of our assets.  All payments of principal, interest and undrawn commitment fees are payable in cash, shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”), or a combination thereof, at the option of RMCF.  The rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock include cumulative dividends equal to 9% of the stated value of $0.90 per share, a liquidation preference, the right to vote with our common stock on all matters submitted for a vote to holders of the common stock, and the right to convert into shares of our common stock.  We may prepay up to $2,100,000 of the outstanding amounts due at our option and without penalty in cash from the proceeds raised from (i) advances on rebates from our yogurt suppliers and (ii) the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants.  We also have the option to redeem all amounts owed under the loan agreement at any time after January 16, 2015 at the rate of 108% of the total amounts owed, by making payment in cash, shares of Preferred Stock, or a combination thereof, at the option of RMCF.  At February 28, 2015, we owed $5,564,776 to RMCF under the convertible note.

 

RMCF also entered into a management services agreement with us for $542,500 which will be due on January 16, 2016.  The management fee is convertible into Preferred Stock at $0.45 per share.  The management services agreement is for services to be provided through January 16, 2016.  The amount due is included in Notes Payable Related Party.

 

In addition, we owed $95,209 and $290,978 to RMCF at February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for inventories, restaurant equipment and various operating expenses.

 

Future Transactions

 

All future affiliated transactions will be made or entered into on terms that are no less favorable to us than those that can be obtained from any unaffiliated third party. A majority of the independent, disinterested members of our board of directors will approve future affiliated transactions, and we will maintain at least two independent directors on our board of directors to review all material transactions with affiliates.

 

Director Independence

 

As of the date of this annual report, our common stock is not listed on any exchange. As such, we are not currently subject to corporate governance standards of listed companies, which require, among other things, that the majority of the board of directors be independent. Since we are not currently subject to corporate governance standards relating to the independence of our directors, we choose to define an “independent” director in accordance with the Nasdaq Capital Market’s requirements for independent directors (Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2)). The Nasdaq independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the director is not an employee of the company and has not engaged in various types of business dealings with the company.

 

Scott G. Capdevielle, Franklin E. Crail, Clyde W. Engle, and Lee N. Mortenson are considered independent directors under the above definition.

 

Item 14.                     Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

The fees billed for professional services rendered by our principal accountant are as follows:

 

FISCAL YEAR   AUDIT FEES     AUDIT-RELATED FEES     TAX FEES     ALL OTHER FEES  

2014

  $ 51,000     $ -0-     $ -0-     $ -0-  

2015

  $ 129,280     $ -0-     $ 4,135     $ -0-  

 

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors must pre-approve any use of our independent accountants for any non-audit services. All services of our auditors are approved by the Audit Committee and are subject to review by the Audit Committee.

 

 
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PART IV

 

Item 15.                             Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

Regulation S-K Number

Exhibit

2.1

Asset Purchase Agreement between U-Swirl, Inc. and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC dated January 14, 2013 (1)

2.2

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement between U-Swirl, Inc. and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. dated January 14, 2013 (1)

2.3

Asset Purchase Agreement among U-Swirl, CherryBerry Enterprises LLC, CherryBerry Corporate LLC, and CherryBerry LLC, dated January 17, 2014 (2)

2.4

Asset Purchase Agreement among U-Swirl, Inc., Yogli Mogli Franchise LLC, Yogli Mogli LLC, Yogli Mogli Newnan LLC, Yogli Mogli Enterprises LLC, and Yogli Mogli Wheaton, LLC dated January 17, 2014 (2)

3.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (3)

3.2

Amended Bylaws (3)

3.3

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed April 22, 2011 (4)

4.1

Form of common stock certificate (5)

4.2

Warrant issued to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (1)

4.3

Letter modifying Warrant issued to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (6)

10.1

2007 Stock Option Plan, as amended (3)

10.2

2011 Stock Option Plan (4)

10.3

Form of Recourse Notes (1)

10.4

Form of Non-Recourse Notes (1)

10.5

Form of Security Agreement between U-Swirl, Inc. and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (1)

10.6

Investor Rights Agreement between U-Swirl, Inc. and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. dated January 14, 2013 (1)

10.7

Investor Rights Agreement between U-Swirl, Inc. and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC dated January 14, 2013 (1)

10.8

Voting Agreement among U-Swirl, Inc., Henry Cartwright, Ulderico Conte, Terry Cartwright, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., and Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC dated January 14, 2013 (1)

10.9

Form of Employment Agreement between U-Swirl, Inc. and its executive officers (1)

10.10

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (included in Exhibit 10.9)

10.11

Intercompany Advance Agreement between Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. and U-Swirl, Inc. dated March 27, 2013 (7)

10.12

Secured Promissory Notes dated July 16, 2013 to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (8)

10.13

Loan and Security Agreement between U-Swirl, Inc. and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. dated January 16, 2014 (2)

14.1

Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer (9)

14.2

Code of Ethics for Chief Financial Officer (9)

21.1

List of Subsidiaries

31.1

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer

31.2 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer

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 Chief Executive Officer

32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Financial Officer

101

Financial statements from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of U-Swirl, Inc. for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Balance Sheets; (ii) the Statements of Operations; (iii) the Statements of Stockholders’ Equity; (iv) the Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to Financial Statements

 

 
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(1) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K, file number 0-53130, filed January 18, 2013.

(2)

Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K, file number 0-53130, filed January 22, 2014.

(3)

Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1, file number 333-145360, filed August 13, 2007.

(4)

Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K, file number 0-53130, filed April 26, 2011.

(5)

Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the registrant’s amended registration statement on Form S-1, file number 333-145360, filed March 11, 2008.

(6)

Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K, file number 0-53130, filed April 22, 2014.

(7)

Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K, file number 0-53130, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, filed March 29, 2013.

(8)

Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2013, file number 0-53130, filed October 15, 2013.

(9)

Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K, file number 0-53130, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, filed March 27, 2009.

 

*In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the information in these exhibits shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

 
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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.

 

U-SWIRL, INC.

 

 

Date: May 27, 2015

/s/ Bryan Merryman                                          

 

 Bryan J. Merryman, 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/ Bryan Merryman                      

Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board (Principal

 

Bryan J. Merryman

Executive Officer)

May 27, 2015

     
     
     

/s/ Jeremy Kinney                          

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

May 27, 2015

Jeremy Kinney

   
     
     
     

/s/ Franklin E. Crail                        

Director

May 27, 2015

Franklin E. Crail

   
     
     

/s/ Clyde E. Engle                          

Director

May 27, 2015

Clyde E. Engle

   
     
     

/s/ Lee N. Mortenson                    

Director

May 27, 2015

Lee N. Mortenson

   
     
     

/s/Scott Capdeville                         

Director

May 27, 2015

Scott Capdeville

   

 

 

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