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EX-31.2 - Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.ex31-2.htm
EX-32.2 - Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.ex32-2.htm
EX-32.1 - Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.ex32-1.htm
EX-31.1 - Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.ex31-1.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended: June 30, 2016

 

Commission File Number: 001-35570

 

CHANTICLEER HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   20-2932652
(State or Jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)   Identification No.)

 

7621 Little Avenue, Suite 414, Charlotte, NC 28226

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

 

(704) 366-5122

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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 periods as 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 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 Exchange Act). Yes [  ] No [X].

 

The number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock, par value $.0001 per share, as of August 10, 2016 was 21,957,147 shares.

 

 

 

   
 

 

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

INDEX

 

        Page No.
         
Part I Financial Information    
         
  Item 1: Financial Statements   3
         
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2016 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2015   3
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) – For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015   4
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015   5
    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)   7
  Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   22
  Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   36
  Item 4: Controls and Procedures   36
         
Part II Other Information    
         
  Item 1: Legal Proceedings   38
  Item 1A: Risk Factors   38
  Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   38
  Item 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities   38
  Item 4: Mine Safety Disclosures   38
  Item 5: Other Information   39
  Item 6: Exhibits   39
         
Signatures   40

 

 2 
 

 

Part I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1: FINANCIAL StatemenTS

 

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
   (Unaudited)     
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash  $983,211  $1,224,415 
Accounts and other receivables   830,540    862,935 
Inventories   499,452    569,545 
Due from related parties   45,615    45,615 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   377,585    522,637 
Assets of discontinued operations, current   1,673,507    593,430 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS   4,409,909    3,818,576 
Property and equipment, net   11,599,974    12,144,064 
Goodwill   12,569,290    12,702,139 
Intangible assets, net   6,635,823    6,776,936 
Investments at fair value   11,480    31,322 
Other investments   1,050,000    1,050,000 
Deposits and other assets   297,482    292,870 
Assets of discontinued operations   -    5,389,300 
TOTAL ASSETS  $36,573,958   $42,205,207 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $5,401,930   $4,740,131 
Current maturities of long-term debt and notes payable, net of discount of
 of $85,930 and $171,868, respectively
   6,188,874    5,383,003 
Current maturities of convertible notes payable, net of debt discount
of $274,345 and $914,724, respectively
   3,450,656    2,810,276 
Current maturities of capital leases payable   25,087    39,303 
Due to related parties   209,963    12,963 
Deferred rent   117,627    683,793 
Derivative liabilities   102,507    1,231,608 
Liabilities of discontinued operations, current   1,832,550    1,279,955 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES   17,329,194    16,181,033 
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of debt discount of
$0 and $171,868, respectively
   303,462    1,098,641 
Capital leases payable, less current maturities   9,120    15,969 
Deferred rent   2,048,671    1,740,012 
Liabilities of discontinued operations   -    58,648 
Deferred tax liabilities   1,421,612    1,353,771 
 TOTAL LIABILITIES   21,112,060    20,448,073 
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock: no par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding   -    - 
Common stock: $0.0001 par value; authorized 45,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 21,957,147 and 21,337,247 shares, respectively           2,196               2,134    
Additional paid in capital   55,739,045    55,365,597 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1,162,535)   (987,695)
Non-controlling interest   510,445    389,810 
Accumulated deficit   (39,627,252)   (33,012,712)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   15,461,899    21,757,134 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $36,573,958   $42,205,207 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 3 
 

 

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
Revenue:                    
Restaurant sales, net  $10,525,629   $8,369,369   $20,330,320   $14,788,264 
Gaming income, net   97,978    71,749    197,511    166,422 
Management fee income - non-affiliates   25,000    25,000    50,000    50,000 
Franchise income   103,387    134,939    285,939    150,998 
Total revenue   10,751,994    8,601,057    20,863,770    15,155,684 
Expenses:                    
Restaurant cost of sales   3,445,116    2,888,532    6,695,086    5,152,437 
Restaurant operating expenses   5,737,169    4,886,651    11,252,183    8,628,027 
Restaurant pre-opening and closing expenses   -    336,580    7,555    339,339 
General and administrative expenses   1,374,835    1,803,226    3,049,714    3,512,874 
Depreciation and amortization   577,942    272,306    1,148,382    619,255 
Total expenses   11,135,061    10,187,295    22,152,920    18,251,932 
Operating loss from continuing operations   (383,067)   (1,586,238)   (1,289,150)   (3,096,249)
Other (expense) income                    
Interest expense   (650,478)   (1,373,797)   (1,251,405)   (2,078,649)
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities   513,439    232,854    1,129,101    570,907 
Loss on extinguishment of debt   -    (170,089)   -    (170,089)
Other income (expense)   (27,706)   265,542    (19,969)   103,146 
Total other (expense) income   (164,745)   (1,045,490)   (142,273)   (1,574,685)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes   (547,812)   (2,631,729)   (1,431,424)   (4,670,934)
Income tax benefit (expense)   (51,405)   7,784    (85,393)   43,252 
Loss from continuing operations   (599,217)   (2,623,945)   (1,516,817)   (4,627,682)
Discontinued operations                    
Loss from operation of discontinued operations, net of tax   (556,528)   (929,503)   (1,235,909)   (929,503)
Loss on writedown of assets   (3,876,161)   -    (3,876,161)   - 
Consolidated net loss   (5,031,906)   (3,553,448)   (6,628,887)   (5,557,185)
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest   (21,375)   (2,463)   14,365    (14,523)
Net loss attributable to Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.  $(5,053,281)  $(3,555,911)  $(6,614,522)  $(5,571,708)
                     
Net loss attributable to Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.:                    
Loss from continuing operations  $(620,592)  $(2,626,408)  $(1,502,452)  $(4,642,205)
Loss from discontinued operations   (4,432,689)   (929,503)   (5,112,070)   (929,503)
Net loss attributable to Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.  $(5,053,281)  $(3,555,911)  $(6,614,522)  $(5,571,708)
                     
Other comprehensive loss:                    
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities  $(22,381)  $-   $(24,501)  $- 
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain   (307,543)   (160,246)   (109,140)   (1,464,726)
Total other comprehensive loss   (329,924)   (160,246)   (133,641)   (1,464,726)
Comprehensive loss  $(5,383,205)  $(3,716,157)  $(6,748,163)  $(7,036,434)
                     
Net loss attributable to Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. per common share, basic and diluted:                                                
Continuing operations attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted  $(0.03)  $(0.21)  $(0.07)  $(0.50)
Discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted  $(0.21)  $(0.07)  $(0.24)  $(0.10)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted   21,522,818    12,455,828    21,430,033    9,314,030 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 4 
 

 

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net loss  $(6,628,887)  $(5,557,185)
Net loss from discontinued operations   5,112,070    929,503 
Net loss from continuing operations   (1,516,817)   (4,627,682)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   1,148,382    619,255 
Loss on disposal of property and equipment   -    472,770 
Common stock and warrants issued for services   24,510    - 
Common stock and warrants issued for interest   349,000    186,830 
Amortization of debt discount   726,317    1,592,414 
Amortization of warrants   -    22,375 
Change in assets and liabilities:          
Accounts and other receivables   32,395    78,096 
Prepaid and other assets   140,440    (84,757)
Inventory   73,315    65,096 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   502,777    161,062 
Change in amounts payable to related parties   197,000    1,166 
Derivative liabilities   (1,129,101)   (570,907)
Deferred income taxes   67,841    (68,664)
Deferred rent   (257,507)   (331,367)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations   358,551    (2,484,311)
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations   (75,000)   (433,779)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   283,551    (2,918,090)
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of property and equipment   (392,829)   (664,127)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired   (72,215)   (4,265,429)
Proceeds from sale of investments   8,902    - 
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations   (456,142)   (4,929,556)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from sale of common stock and warrants   -    8,961,213 
Loan proceeds   125,000    2,204,369 
Loan repayments   (206,267)   (760,138)
Capital lease payments   (10,783)   (27,405)
Contribution of non-controlling interest   46,911    - 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations   (45,139)   10,378,039 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (23,474)   (4,944)
Net increase (decrease) in cash   (241,204)   2,525,449 
Cash, beginning of period   1,224,415    180,534 
Cash, end of period  $983,211   $2,705,983 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 5 
 

 

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited), continued

 

   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
         
Supplemental cash flow information:          
Cash paid for interest and income taxes:          
Interest  $68,467   $563,771 
Income taxes   -    - 
           
Non-cash investing and financing activities:          
Purchase of equipment using capital leases  $-   $50,087 
Issuance of stock in connection with business combinations   -    1,000,000 
Debt discount for fair value of warrants and conversion feature issued in connection with debt   -    1,233,908 
Reclassification of derivative liability        306,001 
Convertible debt settled through issuance of common stock   -    1,750,000 
Long-term debt settled through issuance of common stock   -    100,000 
           
Purchases of businesses:          
Current assets excluding cash  $1,611   $296,104 
Property and equipment   -    2,164,023 
Goodwill   70,604    663,037 
Trade name/trademarks/franchise fees   -    2,750,000 
Deposits and other assets   -    - 
Liabilities assumed   -    (607,735)
Common stock issued   -    (1,000,000)
Cash acquired   -    11,000 
Cash paid for acquisitions  $72,215   $4,276,429 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 6 
 

 

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1. Nature of Business

 

Organization

 

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (together, the “Company”) are in the business of owning, operating and franchising fast casual dining concepts domestically and internationally.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The Company operates on a calendar year-end. The accounts of two subsidiaries, Just Fresh and Hooters Nottingham (“WEW”), are consolidated based on a 13 and 26 week periods ending on the Sunday closest to each June 30. No events occurred related to the difference between the Company’s reporting calendar period-end and the Company’s two subsidiaries period ends that materially affected the company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

GENERAL

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting and include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation. These condensed consolidated financial statements have not been audited. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations for interim reporting. The Company believes that the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. However, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2016 and amended on April 26, 2016. Certain amounts for the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of June 30, 2016, our cash balance was $1.0 million. At June 30, 2016, the Company had current assets of $4.4 million, current liabilities of $17.3 million, and a working capital deficit of $12.9 million. The Company has $9.6 million in notes and convertible debt obligations which could potentially be called for payment within the next twelve months. The Company incurred a loss from continuing operations of $1.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016. The level of additional cash needed to fund operations and our ability to conduct business for the next twelve months will be influenced primarily by the following factors:

 

 

the pace of growth in our restaurant businesses and related investments in opening new stores;
 
  the level of investment in acquisition of new restaurant businesses and entering new markets;
     
  our ability to manage our operating expenses and maintain gross margins and reduce operating losses as we grow;
     
  our ability to access the capital and debt markets, including our ability to refinance or extend the maturities of our current obligations;
     
  popularity of and demand for our fast casual dining concepts; and
     
  general economic conditions and changes in consumer discretionary income.

 

 7 
 

 

Our operating plans for the next twelve months contemplate moderate organic growth, opening 6-10 new stores within our current markets and restaurant concepts. We have typically funded our operating costs, acquisition activities, working capital investments and capital expenditures with proceeds from the issuances of our common stock and other financing arrangements, including convertible debt, lines of credit, notes payable and capital leases.

 

During 2015, we completed two rights offering providing net proceeds of approximately $13.1 million, completed a private placement transaction providing net proceeds of approximately $1.9 million and issued $2.2 million in convertible notes to fund the acquisitions of BGR: The Burger Joint, BT’s Burger Joint, Little Big Burger and for other general corporate purposes.

 

During 2016, we entered into a letter of intent with a US investor to finance the opening of up to 10 Little Big Burger restaurants in the Seattle, Washington area. We also entered into a letter of intent with potential investors to finance the opening of additional Little Big Burger restaurants pursuant to the US governments EB-5 program.

 

We are also investigating several alternatives to refinance the Company’s current debt obligations and to provide additional working capital needed to operate and grow the business; however, there can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in completing any such debt financings. In the event that such capital is not available, we may then need to scale back or freeze our organic growth plans, reduce general and administrative expenses, and/or curtail future acquisition plans to manage our liquidity and capital resources. In addition, we may not be able to payoff or otherwise extend the maturities of our current obligations, or continue to operate as a going concern, which could have an adverse impact on the Company and its shareholders.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies previously disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

 

USE OF ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates include the valuation of the investments in portfolio companies, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, valuing options and warrants using the Binomial Lattice and Black Scholes models, intangible asset valuations and useful lives, depreciation and uncollectible accounts and reserves. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Restaurant Net Sales and Food and Beverage Costs

 

The Company records revenue from restaurant sales at the time of sale, net of discounts, coupons, employee meals, and complimentary meals and gift cards. Sales, value added tax (“VAT”) and goods and services tax (“GST”) collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis within sales in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Restaurant cost of sales primarily includes the cost of food, beverages, and merchandise and disposable paper and plastic goods used in preparing and selling our menu items, and exclude depreciation and amortization. Vendor allowances received in connection with the purchase of a vendor’s products are recognized as a reduction of the related food and beverage costs as earned.

 

 8 
 

 

Management Fee Income

 

The Company receives revenue from management fees from certain non-affiliated companies, including from managing its investment in Hooters of America. Such fees are recognized as revenue as they are earned.

 

Gaming Income

 

The Company receives revenue from operating a gaming facility adjacent to its Hooters restaurant in Jantzen Beach, Oregon. Revenue from gaming is recognized as earned from gaming activities, net of taxes and other government fees.

 

Franchise Income

 

The Company accounts for initial franchisee fees in accordance with FASB ASC 952, Franchisors. The Company grants franchises to operators in exchange for initial franchise license fees and continuing royalty payments. Franchise license fees are deferred when received and recognized as revenue when the Company has performed substantially all initial services required by the franchise or license agreement, which is generally upon the opening of a store. Continuing royalty fees, which are based upon a percentage of franchisee revenues, are recognized on the accrual basis as those sales occur.

 

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

 

The Company is required to report both basic earnings per share, which is based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, and diluted earnings per share, which is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus all potentially diluted shares outstanding. The following table summarizes the number of common shares potentially issuable upon the exercise of certain warrants, convertible notes payable and convertible interest as of June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 that have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share since the effect would be antidilutive.

 

   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
Warrants -Weighted avg exercise price $4.93   9,506,304    9,556,304 
Convertible notes - Weighted avg conversion price $1.05   3,900,735    1,795,961 
Accrued interest on convertible notes   233,270    60,622 
Total   13,640,309    11,412,887 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09 “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. The amendments in this update simplify several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. This update will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2017, but early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases,” which supersedes ASC 840 “Leases” and creates a new topic, ASC 842 “Leases.” This update requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a lease asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months on its balance sheet. The update also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier adoption permitted. This update will be applied using a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 9 
 

 

3. ACQUISITIONS

 

2016 Acquisition

 

The Company completed one acquisition during the Six Months ended June 30, 2016, which was the acquisition of a restaurant location in the Harris YMCA in Charlotte, N.C. to expand our Just Fresh business. The Company allocated the purchase price as of the date of acquisition based on the estimated fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. In consideration of the purchased assets, the Company paid a purchase price totaling $72,215 in cash, of which $1,611 was allocated to acquired inventory and $70,604 to goodwill. The equipment and other assets used in the operation of the business are property of the YMCA and no other tangible or identifiable intangible assets other than inventory were acquired, with the balance being allocated to goodwill.

 

2015 Acquisitions

 

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company acquired three businesses to complement and expand its current operations in the Better Burger fast casual restaurant category. In connection with these acquisitions, the Company acquired strategic opportunities to expand its scale and presence in the Better Burger category.

 

Acquisition of BGR: The Burger Joint

 

The Company completed the acquisition of BGR: The Burger Joint effective March 15, 2015. The Company allocated the purchase price as of the date of acquisition based on appraisals and estimated the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. In consideration of the purchased assets, the Company paid a purchase price consisting of $4,000,000 in cash, 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.0 million, and a contractual working capital adjustment of $276,429. The fair value of the shares was the closing stock market price on the date the deal acquisition was consummated. No warrants were issued in connection with the acquisition.

 

Acquisition of BT’s Burger Joint

 

On July 1, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition with BT’s Burgerjoint Management, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of North Carolina (“BT’s”), including the ownership interests of four operating restaurant subsidiaries engaged in the fast casual hamburger restaurant business under the name “BT’s Burger Joint”. In consideration of the purchased assets, the Company paid a purchase price consisting of $1.4 million in cash and 424,080 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.0 million. The fair value of the shares was the closing stock market price on, the date the deal acquisition was consummated. No warrants were issued in connection with the acquisition.

 

Acquisition of Little Big Burger

 

On September 30, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of various entities operating eight Little Big Burger restaurants in Oregon. In consideration of the purchased assets, the Company paid a purchase price consisting of $3,600,000 in cash and 1,874,063 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $2.1 million. The fair value of the shares was the closing stock market price on, the date the deal acquisition was consummated. No warrants were issued in connection with the acquisition.

 

 10 
 

 

The acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations” and, accordingly, the condensed consolidated statements of operations include the results of these operations from the dates of acquisition. The assets acquired and the liabilities assumed were recorded at estimated fair values based on information currently available and based on certain assumptions as to future operations as follows:

 

   2015 Acquisitions 
   BGR:             
   The Burger Joint   BT’s Burger Joint   Little Big Burger   Total 
Consideration paid:                    
Common stock  $1,000,000   $1,000,848   $2,061,469   $4,062,317 
Cash   4,276,429    1,400,000    3,600,000    9,276,429 
Total consideration paid  $5,276,429   $2,400,848   $5,661,469   $13,338,746 
                     
Cash acquired   11,000    8,000    234,638    253,638 
Property and equipment   2,164,023    1,511,270    1,711,990    5,387,283 
Goodwill   663,037    1,040,542    2,938,279    4,641,858 
Trademark/trade name/franchise fee   2,750,000    -    1,550,000    4,300,000 
Inventory, deposits and other assets   296,104    103,451    73,780    473,334 
Amounts held in escrow to satisfy acquired liabilities   -    -    675,000    675,000 
Total assets acquired, less cash   5,884,164    2,663,263    7,183,686    15,731,113 
Liabilities assumed   (607,735)   (262,415)   (949,857)   (1,820,007)
Deferred tax liabilities   -    -    (572,360)   (572,360)
Total consideration paid  $5,276,429   $2,400,848   $5,661,470   $13,338,746 

 

Unaudited pro forma results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2016, as if the Company had acquired majority ownership of all operations acquired during 2016 on January 1, 2016 is as follows. The pro forma results include estimates and assumptions which management believes are reasonable. However, pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred if the business combination had been in effect on the dates indicated, or which may result in the future.

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2016 
           
Total revenues  $10,751,994   $20,901,270 
Loss from continuing operations   (599,217)   (1,513,067)
Net loss from continuing operations per share, basic and diluted  $(0.03)  $(0.07)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted   21,522,818    21,430,033 

 

4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

In June 2016, the Company approved a plan to exit the Australia and Eastern Europe markets, authorizing management to sell or close its five Hooters stores in Australia and its one store in Budapest. Management expects to complete negotiation of terms during the third quarter of 2016, and complete disposal of the operations by the end of 2016. If the Company is unable to come to acceptable terms for the sale of the stores, management intends to close the Australia and Budapest operations.

 

 11 
 

 

Carrying amount of major classes of assets and liabilities included as part of discontinued operations:

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Cash  $177,404   $303,471 
Accounts receivable   21,600    19,328 
Inventory   111,899    157,079 
Property, plant and equipment   4,162,347    4,497,168 
Goodwill and intangible assets   480,182    370,138 
Other Assets   460,763    500,546 
Valuation allowance   (3,740,688)   - 
Total   1,673,507    5,982,730 
           
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   1,363,232    889,177 
Due to affiliates   414,595    390,779 
Deferred rent   54,724    58,647 
Total   1,832,550    1,338,603 
           
Net assets (liabilities) of discontinued operations  $(159,043)  $4,644,126 

 

Major line items constituting pre-tax loss of discontinued operations:

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
         
Revenue  $2,970,401   $4,308,500 
Restaurant cost of sales   1,042,543    1,426,151 
Restaurant operating expenses   2,450,557    2,825,018 
Restaurant pre-opening and closing expenses   -    258,850 
General and administrative expenses   254,174    467,062 
Depreciation and amortization   436,144    227,693 
Other   22,893    33,229 
Loss of discontinued operations   (1,235,909)   (929,503)
Loss on classification as held for sale   (3,876,161)   - 
Total pretax loss of discontinued operations  $(5,112,070)  $(929,503)
           
Income tax   -    - 
Loss on discontinued operations  $(5,112,070)  $(929,503)

 

 12 
 

 

5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Leasehold improvements  $10,202,863   $10,094,130 
Restaurant furniture and equipment   6,498,400    6,243,196 
Construction in progress   64,441    - 
Office and computer equipment   8,025    5,470 
Land and buildings   757,560    708,020 
Office furniture and fixtures   108,030    104,406 
    17,639,319    17,155,222 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization   (6,039,345)   (5,011,158)
   $11,599,974   $12,144,064 

 

Restaurant furnishings and equipment includes assets under capital leases from our South African restaurants totaling $158,681 and $196,100 at cost and $32,901 and $53,497 net book value as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

 

Goodwill is summarized by location as follows:

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
American Burger Company  $2,806,990   $2,806,990 
BGR: The Burger Joint   663,037    663,037 
Little Big Burger   2,938,279    2,938,279 
BT’s Burger Joint   1,040,542    978,350 
Just Fresh   495,755    425,151 
Hooters South Africa   215,228    206,503 
West End Wings UK   2,458,631    2,733,001 
Hooters Pacific NW   1,950,828    1,950,828 
Total  $12,569,290   $12,702,139 

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are summarized as follows:

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
Beginning Balance  $12,702,139   $15,617,308 
Acquisitions   70,604    663,037 
Adjustments   62,192    - 
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain   (265,645)   (468,085)
Ending Balance  $12,569,290   $15,812,260 

 

 13 
 

 

Other intangible assets, consisting of franchise costs, trademarks and tradenames, is summarized by location as follows:

 

   Estimated        
   Useful Life  June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Trademark, Tradenames:             
Just Fresh  10 years  $1,010,000   $1,010,000 
American Roadside Burger  10 years   1,786,930    1,786,930 
BGR: The Burger Joint  Indefinite   1,430,000    1,430,000 
Little Big Burger  Indefinite   1,550,000    1,550,000 
       5,776,930    5,776,930 
Franchise fees:             
South Africa  20 years   298,847    286,732 
Hooters Pacific NW  20 years   88,826    90,000 
BGR: The Burger Joint  Indefinite   1,320,000    1,320,000 
       1,707,673    1,696,732 
Total Intangibles at cost      7,484,603    7,473,662 
Accumulated amortization      (848,780)   (696,726)
Intangible assets, net     $6,635,823   $6,776,936 

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30 2015 
Amortization expense  $152,054   $84,504 

 

 14 
 

 

7. LONG-TERM DEBT AND NOTES PAYABLE

 

Long-term debt and notes payable are summarized as follows.

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
         
Note Payable, due January 2017, net of discount of $85,930 and $171,868, respectively  $4,914,070   $4,828,132 
           
Note Payable, due January 2017   814,440    942,918 
           
Note Payable, due October 2018   109,601    132,596 
           
Mortgage Note, South Africa, due July 2024   208,246    208,131 
           
Bank overdraft facilities, South Africa, annual renewal   158,357    180,377 
           
Equipment financing arrangements, South Africa   166,193    189,490 
           
2016 Credit facility, due January 2017   121,429    - 
           
Total long-term debt  $6,492,336   $6,481,644 
Current portion of long-term debt   6,188,874    5,383,003 
Long-term debt, less current portion  $303,462   $1,098,641 

 

The Company entered into a Receivables Financing Agreement with a lender on June 22, 2016. In consideration for proceeds to the Company of $125,000, the Company agreed to remit $156,250 from the merchant accounts of two of its restaurant locations directly to the lender. The daily amounts to be remitted to the lender, and the resulting term under which the borrowings will ultimately be outstanding, are based on remitting approximately 5% of the total daily credit card receipts of the two restaurant locations. It is expected that the $156,250 will be remitted in full within approximately nine months from the date of the advance. The Company granted a security interest in the credit card receivables of the two restaurants, which would be effective in the event of a default.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 amortization of debt discount was $85,938 and $85,933, respectively.

 

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8. cONVERTIBLE NOTEs PAYABLE

 

Convertible notes payable are summarized as follows.

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
         
6% Convertible notes payable issued in August 2013  $3,000,000   $3,000,000 
Discounts on above convertible note   (83,343)   (583,341)
Discounts on above convertible note   -    - 
8% Convertible notes payable issued in Nov/Dec 2014   100,000    100,000 
Discounts on above convertible note   -    - 
8% Convertible notes payable issued in January 2015   150,000    150,000 
Discounts on above convertible note   (70,079)   (93,231)
8% Convertible notes payable issued in January 2015   475,000    475,000 
Discounts on above convertible note   (120,922)   (238,152)
Total Convertible notes payable   3,450,656    2,810,276 
Current portion of convertible notes payable   (3,450,656)   (2,810,276)
Convertible notes payable, less current portion  $-   $- 

 

The convertible notes were classified as current liabilities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 due to certain technical defaults pursuant to the convertible note agreements.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 amortization of debt discount was $640,379 and $1,506,481, respectively. 

 

9. CAPITAL LEASES PAYABLE

 

Capital leases payable are summarized as follows.:

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
         
Capital lease payable, bearing interest at 11.5%, through August 2017  $3,924   $5,231 
           
Capital lease payable, bearing interest at 11.5%, through December 2017   21,592    26,869 
           
Capital lease payable, bearing interest at 11.5%, through July 2016   1,192    7,786 
           
Capital lease payable, bearing interest at 11.5%, through November 2016   7,499    15,386 
           
Total capital leases payable   34,207    55,272 
Current maturities   25,087    39,303 
Capital leases payable, less current maturities  $9,120   $15,969 

 

 16 
 

 

10. accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses are summarized as follows:

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $4,114,942   $3,547,174 
Accrued taxes (VAT, GST, Sales Payroll)   713,615    784,842 
Accrued income taxes   85,880    27,709 
Accrued interest   487,493    380,406 
   $5,401,930   $4,740,131 

 

11. Stockholders’ Equity

 

The Company had 45,000,000 shares of its $0.0001 par value common stock authorized at both June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The Company had 21,957,147 and 21,337,247 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

The Company has 5,000,000 shares of its no par value preferred stock authorized at both June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. No preferred shares have been issued or are outstanding to date.

 

Options and Warrants

 

The Company’s shareholders have approved the Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), authorizing the issuance of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and units, performance shares and units, phantom stock and other stock-based and dividend equivalent awards. Pursuant to the approved 2014 Plan, 4,000,000 shares have been approved for grant.

 

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had issued 175,340 restricted and unrestricted shares on a cumulative basis under the plan pursuant to compensatory arrangements with employees, board members and outside consultants. No employee stock options have been issued or are outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

The Company also has issued warrants to investors in connection with financing transactions in prior periods. A summary of the warrants outstanding and related activity is presented below:

 

   Number of Warrants   Weighted Average Exercise Price   Weighted Average Remaining Life 
Outstanding January 1, 2016   9,506,304   $4.93    1.5 
Granted   -    -      
Exercised   -    -      
Forfeited   -    -      
Outstanding June 30, 2016   9,506,304   $4.93    - 
                
Exercisable June 30, 2016   9,506,304   $4.93    1.5 

 

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Exercise Price   Outstanding
Number of
Warrants
   Weighted
Average
Remaining Life
in Years
   Exercisable
Number of
Warrants
 
              
 >$5.00    7,439,631    1.4    7,439,631 
 $3.00-$3.99    799,901    2.1    799,901 
 $2.00-$2.99    954,272    3.1    954,272 
 $1.00-$1.99    312,500    3.5    312,500 
      9,506,304         9,506,304 

 

Fair value of any warrant issuances is valued utilizing the Black-Scholes Model. The model includes subjective input assumptions that can materially affect the fair value estimates. The Company determined the fair value based on the Binomial Lattice Model and the Black-Scholes Valuation Model to be materially the same. The expected stock price volatility for the Company’s warrants was determined by the average of historical volatilities for industry peers and Company-specific history. See Note 15 for fair values of warrants requiring liability accounting.

 

12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Due to related parties

 

The Company has received advances from related parties as follows:

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
         
Hoot SA I, LLC  $12,963   $12,963 
Chanticleer Investors, LLC   197,000    - 
   $209,963   $12,963 

 

Due from related parties

 

The Company has made advances to related parties. The amounts owed to the Company are as follows:

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
         
Hoot SA II, III, IV LLC  $45,615   $45,615 
   $45,615   $45,615 

 

13. SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company is in the business of operating restaurants and its operations are organized by geographic region and by brand within each region. Further each restaurant location produces monthly financial statements at the individual store level. The Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews revenues and profitability at the at the group level comprise of: Full Service Hooters, Better Burger Fast Casual and Just Fresh Fast Casual, and Corporate.

 

 18 
 

 

The following are revenues and operating income (loss) from continuing operations by segment as of and for the periods ended:

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
Revenue:                    
Hooters Full Service  $3,338,259   $3,653,985   $6,512,171   $7,419,385 
Better Burgers Fast Casual   5,898,316    3,455,838    11,449,966    4,914,878 
Just Fresh Fast Casual   1,490,419    1,466,234    2,851,632    2,771,421 
Corporate and Other   25,000    25,000    50,000    50,000 
   $10,751,994   $8,601,057   $20,863,770   $15,155,684 
                     
Operating Income (Loss):                    
Hooters Full Service  $54,196   $(66,400)  $43,745   $(90,006)
Better Burgers Fast Casual   7,524    (520,602)   (60,514)   (833,264)
Just Fresh Fast Casual   45,753    (5,507)   (27,455)   37,294 
Corporate and Other   (490,540)   (993,729)   (1,244,925)   (2,210,273)
   $(383,067)  $(1,586,238)  $(1,289,150)  $(3,096,249)
                     
Depreciation and Amortization                    
Hooters Full Service  $132,650   $136,931   $261,926   $275,596 
Better Burgers Fast Casual   365,092    70,023    730,224    215,738 
Just Fresh Fast Casual   79,247    64,193    154,370    125,662 
Corporate and Other   953    1,159    1,862    2,259 
   $577,942   $272,306   $1,148,382   $619,255 

 

 19 
 

 

The following are revenues and operating income (loss) from continuing operations for the periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 and long-lived assets by geographic area as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
Revenue:                    
United States  $8,675,755   $6,230,214   $16,904,900   $10,327,757 
South Africa  1,307,517   1,567,847    2,521,573    3,245,429 
Europe  768,723   802,996    1,437,297    1,582,498 
   $10,751,994   $8,601,057   $20,863,770   $15,155,684 
                     
Operating Income (Loss):                    
United States  $(406,168)  $(1,671,346)  $(1,271,982)  $(3,162,476)
South Africa  (57,571)  29,368    (117,629)   (24,260)
Europe  80,673   55,740    100,460    90,487 
   $(383,067)  $(1,586,238)  $(1,289,150)  $(3,096,249)

 

Non-current Assets:  June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
United States  $27,218,192   $27,348,207 
South Africa   2,442,520    2,393,147 
Europe   2,503,337    3,255,977 
           
   $32,164,049   $32,997,331 

 

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

On March 26, 2013, our South African operations received Notice of Motion filed in the Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Durban, Republic of South Africa, filed against Rolalor (PTY) LTD (“Rolalor”) and Labyrinth Trading 18 (PTY) LTD (“Labyrinth”) by Jennifer Catherine Mary Shaw (“Shaw”). Rolalor and Labyrinth were the original entities formed to operate the Johannesburg and Durban locations, respectively. On September 9, 2011, the assets and the then-disclosed liabilities of these entities were transferred to Tundraspex (PTY) LTD (“Tundraspex”) and Dimaflo (PTY) LTD (“Dimaflo”), respectively. The current entities, Tundraspex and Dimaflo are not parties in the lawsuit. Shaw is requesting that the Respondents, Rolalor and Labyrinth, be wound up in satisfaction of an alleged debt owed in the total amount of R4,082,636 (approximately $480,000). The two Notices were defended and argued in the High Court of South Africa (Durban) on January 31, 2014. Madam Justice Steryi dismissed the action with costs on May 5, 2014. Ms. Shaw has appealed this decision. There has been no activity on this matter since 2014 and no amounts have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

On January 28, 2016, our Just Fresh subsidiary was notified that it had been served with a copyright infringement complaint, Kevin Chelko Photography, Inc. v. JF Restaurants, LLC, Case No. 3:13-CV-60-GCM (W.D. N.C.). The claim was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina Charlotte Division and seeks unspecified damages related to the use of certain photographic assets allegedly in violation of the United States copyright laws. The Company has full insurance coverage and has asserted numerous defenses in answer to the complaint, intends to defend itself fully and vigorously and no liability has been reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

 20 
 

 

Prior to the Company’s acquisition of Little Big Burger, a class action lawsuit was filed in Oregon by certain current and former employees of Little Big Burger asserting that the former owners of Little Big Burger failed to compensate employees for overtime hours and also that an employee had been wrongfully terminated. The plaintiffs and defendants agreed to enter into a settlement agreement pursuant to which the former owners of Little Big Burger will pay a gross settlement of up to $675,000, inclusive of plaintiffs’ attorney’s fees of $225,000. This settlement was preliminarily approved by the court on February 2, 2016 and it is expected that all settlement payments will be distributed by the sellers and this matter closed prior to September 30, 2016. In connection with our acquisition of Little Big Burger, the sellers agreed that the 1,619,646 shares of the Company’s common stock certain of the sellers received from the Company and an additional $200,000 in cash would be held in escrow until such time as the litigation was fully resolved. The Company does not expect that it will be required to expend any funds related to the settlement as certain of the Sellers have agreed to retain the obligations and have set aside sufficient funds to cover the settlement. However, as the Company assumed all liabilities of Little Big Burger in the acquisition and would be required to fulfill the settlement if the sellers were unable or otherwise failed to fully fund the settlement, the Company has reflected the $675,000 settlement amount in accrued liabilities, with an offsetting asset in other current assets, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

From time to time, the Company may be involved in legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business.

 

15. DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the following tables according to FASB ASC 820 pricing levels.

 

   Fair Value Measurement Using 
       Quoted prices         
       in active   Significant     
       markets of   other   Significant 
       identical   observable   Unobservable 
   Recorded   assets   inputs   Inputs 
   value   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
June 30, 2016                    
Assets:                    
Available-for-sale securities  $11,480   $11,480   $-   $- 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Embedded conversion feature   72,000    -    -    72,000 
Warrants   30,507              30,507 
December 31, 2015                    
Assets:                    
Available-for-sale securities  $31,322   $31,322   $-   $- 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Embedded conversion feature   1,094,300    -    -    1,094,300 
Warrants   137,308              137,308 

 

The Company’s available-for-sale equity securities were valued using Level 1 inputs as summarized above. Level 1 inputs are based on unadjusted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access. Level 2 inputs are based on quoted prices for similar assets other than quoted prices in Level 1, quoted prices in markets that are not yet active, or other inputs that are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets.

 

The derivative liabilities are measured at fair value using quoted market prices and estimated volatility factors based on historical quoted market prices for the Company’s common stock and are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Management has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred from July 1, 2016 through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued for subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 21 
 

 

ITEM 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include projections, predictions, expectations or statements as to beliefs or future events or results or refer to other matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report are based on various factors and were derived using numerous assumptions. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the words ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘plan’, ‘project’, ‘continuing’, ‘ongoing’, ‘target’, ‘aim’, ‘expect’, ‘believe’, ‘intend’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ’should’, ‘could’, or the negative of those words and other comparable words. You should be aware that those statements reflect only the Company’s predictions. If known or unknown risks or uncertainties should materialize, or if underlying assumptions should prove inaccurate, actual results could differ materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. You should bear this in mind when reading this Quarterly Report and not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

 

  Operating losses may continue for the foreseeable future; we may never be profitable;
     
  Inherent risks in expansion of operations, including our ability to acquire additional territories, generate profits from new restaurants, find suitable sites and develop and construct locations in a timely and cost-effective way;
     
  Inherent risks associated with acquiring and starting new restaurant concepts and store locations;
     
  General risk factors affecting the restaurant industry, including current economic climate, costs of labor and food prices;
     
  Intensive competition in our industry and competition with national, regional chains and independent restaurant operators;
     
  Our rights to operate and franchise the Hooters-branded restaurants are dependent on the Hooters’ franchise agreements;
     
  We do not have full operational control over the businesses of our franchise partners or operations where we hold less 100% ownership;
     
  Failure to protect our intellectual property rights, including the brand image of our restaurants;
     
  Our business has been adversely affected by declines in discretionary spending and may be affected by changes in consumer preferences;
     
  Increases in costs, including food, labor and energy prices;

 

  Our business and the growth of our Company is dependent on the skills and expertise of management and key personnel;
     
  Constraints could affect our ability to maintain competitive cost structure, including but not limited to labor constraints;
     
  Work stoppages at our restaurants or supplier facilities or other interruptions of production;

 

 22 
 

 

  Our food service business and the restaurant industry are subject to extensive government regulation;
     
  We may be subject to significant foreign currency exchange controls in certain countries in which we operate;
     
  Inherent risk in foreign operations and currency fluctuations;
     
  Unusual expenses associated with our expansion into international markets;
     
  The risks associated with leasing space subject to long-term non-cancelable leases;
     
  We may not attain our target development goals and aggressive development could cannibalize existing sales;
     
  Current conditions in the global financial markets and the distressed economy;
     
  A decline in market share or failure to achieve growth;
     
  Negative publicity about the ingredients we use or the potential occurrence of food-borne illnesses or other problems at our restaurants;
     
  Breaches of security of confidential consumer information related to our electronic processing of credit and debit card transactions;
     
  Unusual or significant litigation governmental investigations or adverse publicity or otherwise;
     
  Our debt financing agreements expose us to interest rate risks, contain obligations that may limit the flexibility of our operations, and may limit our ability to raise additional capital;
     
  Adverse effects on our results from a decrease in or cessation or claw back of government incentives related to investments; and
     
  Adverse effects on our operations resulting from certain geo-political or other events.

 

You should also consider carefully the Risk Factors contained in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report and Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015, which address additional factors that could cause its actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements and could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition. The risks discussed in this Quarterly Report and the Annual Report are factors that, individually or in the aggregate, the Company believes could cause its actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider such disclosures to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties.

 

The forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and, except to the extent required by federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In addition, the Company cannot assess the impact of each factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

 

 23 
 

 

Management’s Analysis of Business

 

We are in the business of owning, operating and franchising fast casual and full service dining concepts in the United States and internationally.

 

We own, operate and franchise a system-wide total of thirty-eight fast casual restaurants specializing the ‘Better Burger’ category of which twenty-seven are company-owned and eleven are operated by franchisees under franchise agreements. American Burger Company (“ABC”) is a fast casual dining chain consisting of nine locations in New York and the Carolinas, known for its diverse menu featuring, customized burgers, milk shakes, sandwiches, fresh salads and beer and wine. BGR: The Burger Joint (“BGR”), consists of ten company-owned locations in the United States and eleven franchisee-operated locations in the United States and the Middle East. Little Big Burger (“LBB”) consists of eight locations in Oregon.

 

We own and operate Just Fresh, our healthier eating fast casual concept with eight company owned locations in Charlotte, North Carolina. Just Fresh offers fresh-squeezed juices, gourmet coffee, fresh-baked goods and premium-quality, made-to-order sandwiches, salads and soups.

 

We own and operate nine Hooters full service restaurants in the United States, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. In addition, there are six Hooters restaurants in Australia and Hungary which are being discontinued. Accordingly, the operating results and store counts of those regions are excluded from Managements Analysis of the Business. Hooters restaurants are casual beach-themed establishments featuring music, sports on large flat screens, and a menu that includes seafood, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and of course, Hooters original chicken wings and the ‘nearly world famous’ Hooters Girls.

 

As of June 30, 2016, our system-wide store count totaled 55 locations, consisting of 44 company-owned locations and 11 franchisee-operated locations.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2015

 

Our results of operations are summarized below:

 

   Three Months Ended     
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015     
   Amount   % of Revenue*   Amount   % of Revenue*   % Change 
                     
Restaurant sales, net  $10,525,629    97.9%   $8,369,369    97.3%    25.8%
Gaming income, net   97,978    0.9%    71,749    0.8%    36.6%
Management fees   25,000    0.2%    25,000    0.3%    0.0%
Franchise income   103,387    1.0%    134,939    1.6%    -23.4%
Total revenue   10,751,994    100.0%    8,601,057    100.0%    25.0%
                          
Operating expenses:                         
Restaurant cost of sales   3,445,116    32.7%    2,888,532    34.5%    19.3%
Restaurant operating expenses   5,737,169    54.5%    4,886,651    58.4%    17.4%
Restaurant pre-opening and closing expenses   -    0.0%    336,580    4.0%    -100.0%
General and administrative   1,374,835    12.8%    1,803,226    21.0%    -23.8%
Depreciation and amortization   577,942    5.4%    272,306    3.2%    112.2%
Total operating expenses   11,135,061    103.6%    10,187,295    118.4%    9.3%
Loss from continuing operations  $(383,067)       $(1,586,238)          

 

* Restaurant cost of sales, operating expenses and pre-opening and closing expense percentages are based on restaurant sales, net.

 

Other percentages are based on total revenue.

 

 24 
 

 

Revenue

 

Total revenue from continuing operations increased 25.0% to $10.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $8.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

 

The increase resulted primarily from growth in our Better Burger Fast Casual group with the acquisition of BT’s Burger Joint and Little Big Burger in the second half of 2015, combined with sales increases at our American Burger Company restaurants which were open during both periods and the opening of BGR’s new Springfield mall location in Maryland. Those increases were partially offset by lower revenues from our Hooters restaurants, primarily due to foreign currency rate fluctuations.

 

Revenues by concept and revenue type and a breakdown of system-wide store count are further summarized below:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30, 2016   Store Count, end of period 
Revenue  Restaurant   Gaming   Franchise   Management Fee   Total   % of Total   Company   Franchise   Total 
Hooters Full Service  $3,240,281   $97,978   $-   $-   $3,338,259    31.0%   9    -    9 
Better Burgers Fast Casual   5,794,929    -    103,387    -    5,898,316    54.9%   27    11    38 
Just Fresh Fast Casual   1,490,418    -    -    -    1,490,418    13.9%   8    -    8 
Corporate and Other   -    -    -    25,000    25,000    0.3%   -    -    - 
Total Revenue  $10,525,629   $97,978   $103,387   $25,000   $10,751,994    100.0%   44    11    55 

 

   Three Months Ended June 30, 2015   Store Count, end of period 
Revenue  Restaurant   Gaming   Franchise   Mgmt Fee   Total   % of Total   Company   Franchise   Total 
Hooters Full Service  $3,582,236   $71,749   $-   $-   $3,653,985    42.5%   8    -    8 
Better Burgers Fast Casual   3,320,899    -    134,939    -    3,455,838    40.2%   15    11    26 
Just Fresh Fast Casual   1,466,234    -    -    -    1,466,234    17.0%   7    -    7 
Corporate and Other   -    -    -    25,000    25,000    0.3%   -    -    - 
Total Revenue  $8,369,369   $71,749   $134,939   $25,000   $8,601,057    100.0%   30    11    41 

 

Restaurant revenues from continuing operations increased 25.8% to $10.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $8.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. Revenue increased as the number of company owned stores increased from 30 to 44 and same store sales increased in our US and UK restaurant; those increases were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation on our South Africa operations.

 

  Restaurant revenue from the Company’s Better Burger Group increased 74.5% to $5.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The growth in our Better Burger Group was due to a combination of growth in store count and favorable sale store sales comparisons. Company-owned restaurants grew from 15 locations at the end of the prior period to 27 locations at the end of the current period. The majority of the growth in revenues and store count resulted from the acquisition of BT’s Burger Joint and Little Big Burger in the second half of 2015. In addition, revenues from Better Burgers stores open in both periods increased 2.7%, the Company opened one new BGR location at Springfield Mall in Maryland and closed one American Burger location in Colombia South Carolina.

 

 25 
 

 

  Restaurant revenue from the Company’s Just Fresh Group increased 1.6% to $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. Revenue growth resulted from primarily the addition of one new location in early 2016, partially offset by a 3.0% decline in same store sales at the existing Just Fresh locations.
     
   Restaurant revenue from the Company’s Hooter’s restaurants decreased 9.5% to $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. Revenue growth at our UK location was offset by declines at our US and South Africa locations. Revenue at our South Africa locations increased 1% in local currency as additional revenues from the opening of Port Elizabeth in August 2016 were partially offset by lower revenues at our other locations. On a US dollar basis, South Africa revenue declined 23% due to the impact of currency exchange rates fluctuations on the translation of local revenues to US Dollars.

 

Gaming revenue increased 36.6% due to increased play as a result of recent upgrades to the VLT terminals, which occurred in late 2015 and early 2016.

 

Franchise revenue decreased 23.4% to $103 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $135 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The decline in franchise revenue is primarily due to the minor differences in the timing of closing of new franchise deals and recognition of revenue related to upfront franchise fees.

 

Management fee revenue was unchanged at $25,000 in each period. The Company earns management fees for its CEO serving on the Board of Directors of Hooters of America.

 

Cost of Restaurant sales

 

Cost of restaurant sales increased 19.3% to $3.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $2.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015.

 

   Three Months Ended     
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015     
Cost of Restaurant Sales  Amount   % of Restaurant Net Sales   Amount   % of Restaurant Net Sales   % Change 
Hooters Full Service  $1,070,902    33.0%    $1,257,837    35.1%     -14.9%  
Better Burgers Fast Casual   1,867,303    32.2%     1,116,218    33.6%     67.3%  
Just Fresh Fast Casual   506,911    34.0%     514,477    35.1%     -1.5%  
   $3,445,116    32.7%    $2,888,532    34.5%     19.3%  

 

Cost of restaurant sales improved to 32.7% from 34.5% of net restaurant revenues. Cost of sales improved in all three operating segments with the Better Burger group improving from 33.6% to 32.2%, Hooters improving from 35.1% to 33.0% and Just Fresh improving from 35.1% to 34.0%. These improvements are attributable to several factors, including price reductions and other efficiencies as a result of our increased scale and purchasing power, menu price increases which have been implemented at most locations during the first half of 2016, and the favorable impact of reductions in beef and other commodity prices during the past year.

 

 26 
 

 

Restaurant operating expenses

 

Restaurant operating expenses increased 17.4% to $5.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $4.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 due to the increase in the number of store locations and related restaurant business volumes.

 

Our restaurant operating expenses as well as the percentage of cost of restaurant sales to restaurant revenues for each region of operations is included in the following table:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015     
Operating Expenses  Amount   % of Restaurant Net Sales   Amount   % of Restaurant Net Sales   % Change 
Hooters Full Service  $1,849,101    57.1%    $2,074,186    57.9%     -10.9%
Better Burgers Fast Casual   3,143,991    54.3%     2,043,115    61.5%     53.9%
Just Fresh Fast Casual   744,077    49.9%     769,350    52.5%      -3.3%
   $5,737,169    54.5%    $4,886,651    58.4%      17.4%

 

As a percent of restaurant revenues, operating expenses improved to 54.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from 58.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2015. Operating expenses as a percent of revenue improved in all three segments with the Better Burger group improving from 61.5% to 54.3%, Hooters improving from 57.9% to 57.1% and Just Fresh improving from 52.5% to 49.9%. The most significant driver of improved overall operating expenses was in our Better Burger group, where lower operating costs inherent in Little Big Burger’s more efficient operating model created improved operating leverage for the overall group.

 

Operating expense comparisons also benefited from the closure of the American Burger Company’s Columbia South Carolina location in 2015 which carried higher fixed operating costs than our other stores. Just Fresh and the Hooters segment also improved due to increased focus on cost controls throughout the system.

 

Restaurant pre-opening and closing expenses

 

Restaurant pre-opening and closing expenses decreased 100% to zero for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. During 2015, the Company incurred costs related to closure of the American Burger Company Colombia, South Carolina location and the opening of the Hooters Port Elizabeth location in South Africa. The Company has several new better burger locations planned for 2016, but did not incur significant preopening expenses related to those planned openings during the current period.

 

 27 
 

 

General and Administrative Expense (“G&A”)

 

G&A decreased 23.8% to $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Significant components of G&A are summarized as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
Audit, legal and other professional services  $193,576   $406,224 
Salary and benefits   660,918    566,162 
Consulting and other fees   76,642    362,194 
Travel and entertainment   68,834    82,558 
Shareholder services and fees   1,867    20,286 
Advertising, Insurance and other   372,998    365,802 
    Total G&A Expenses  $1,374,835   $1,803,226 

 

As a percentage of total revenue, G&A decreased to 12.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from 21.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2015.

 

For the current period, approximately 43% of G&A is attributable to Corporate overhead, including salaries, travel, audit, legal and other public company costs. Approximately 37%, 12%, and 8% of total G&A are attributable to regional management, marketing and other operating activities within the Better Burger group, Hooters, and Just Fresh, respectively.

 

The improvement in G&A is primarily due to lower audit, legal, professional and consulting fees. Fees paid to third party professionals and others were a significant portion of the Company’s expenses in 2015 due to the nature of the acquisition and financing transactions occurring last year. During the current period, the Company did not incur significant fees related to acquisitions or financing initiatives.

 

In addition, the company reduced its routine audit, legal and other professional fees from prior levels through increased focus on cost reduction and rationalization of back office operations, while also leveraging the Company’s overhead over a larger business which favorably impacted G&A as a percent of revenue. These reductions were partially offset by increased G&A and marketing expenses in our regional company store and franchising operations where the company’s acquisition significantly increased the operating scale and scope of our business.

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 112.2% to $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The increase in depreciation and amortization is due to increased depreciable property and equipment and intangible assets associated with acquired and newly opened restaurants.

 

 28 
 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

Other income (expense) consisted of the following:

 

   Three Months Ended 
Other Income (Expense)  June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015   % Change 
Interest expense  $(650,478)  $(1,373,797)   -52.7%
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities   513,439    232,854    120.5%
Loss on extinguishment of debt   -    (170,089)   -100.0%
Equity in losses of investments   -    -    0.0%
Total other (expense) income   (27,706)   265,542    -110.4%
Total Other Income (Expense)  $(164,745)  $(1,045,490)   -84.2%

 

Other expense, net decreased 84.2% to $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30,2016 from $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The decrease in other expenses, net was primarily due to lower non-cash interest, amortization, derivative liability adjustments and other charges arising from our convertible and other debt obligations.

 

Interest expense decreased 52.7% to $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The reduction in interest are primarily due to lower average outstanding debt balances due to debt conversions occurring in 2015, combined with lower amortization of debt discount.

 

The Company recognized changes in the fair value of derivative liabilities totaling $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 as compared with $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. This is a non-cash income or expense associated with our convertible debt and is adjusted quarterly based on the change in the fair value of the price of the Company’s common stock.

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt was zero in the current period and $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. During 2015, several of the Company’s convertible notes and one of the Company’s term debt instruments were converted by the holders into shares of the Company’s common stock. In connection with the conversions, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of convertible debt, related accrued interest, penalties and derivative liabilities. The Company did not have any debt conversions or loss on extinguishments in the current year.

  

 29 
 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016 COMPARED TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2015

 

Our results of operations are summarized below:

 

   Six Months Ended     
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015     
   Amount   % of Revenue*   Amount   % of Revenue*   % Change 
                     
Restaurant sales, net  $20,330,320    97.5%   $14,788,264    97.6%    37.5%
Gaming income, net   197,511    0.9%    166,422    1.1%    18.7%
Management fees - non-affiliate   50,000    0.2%    50,000    0.3%    0.0%
Franchise income   285,939    1.4%    150,998    

1.0%

    89.4%
Total revenue   20,863,770    100.0%    15,155,684    100.0%    37.7%
                          
Operating expenses:                         
Restaurant cost of sales   6,695,086    32.9%    5,152,437    34.8%    29.9%
Restaurant operating expenses   11,252,183    55.3%    8,628,027    58.3%    30.4%
Restaurant pre-opening and closing expenses   7,555    0.0%    339,339    2.3%    -97.8%
General and administrative   3,049,714    14.6%    3,512,874    23.2%    -13.2%
Depreciation and amortization   1,148,382    5.5%    619,255    4.1%    85.4%
Total operating expenses   22,152,920    106.2%    18,251,932    120.4%    21.4%
Loss from continuing operations  $(1,289,150)       $(3,096,249)        -58.4%

 

 * Restaurant cost of sales, operating expenses and pre-opening and closing expense percentages are based on restaurant sales, net.

 

Other percentages are based on total revenue.                  

                  

Revenue

 

Total revenue from continuing operations increased 37.7% to $20.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $15.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

The increase resulted primarily from growth in our Better Burger Fast Casual group with the acquisition of BT’s Burger Joint and Little Big Burger in the second half of 2015, combined with sales increases at our American Burger Company restaurants which were open during both periods and the opening of BGR’s new Springfield mall location in Maryland. Those increases were partially offset by lower revenues from our Hooters restaurants, primarily due to foreign currency rate fluctuations.

 

 30 
 

 

Revenues by concept and revenue type and a breakdown of system-wide store count are further summarized below:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 2016   Store Count, end of period 
Revenue  Restaurant   Gaming   Franchise   Mgmt Fee   Total   % of Total   Company   Franchise   Total 
Hooters Full Service  $6,314,660   $197,511   $-   $-   $6,512,171    31.2%   9    -    9 
Better Burgers Fast Casual   11,164,027    -    285,939    -    11,449,966    54.9%   27    11    38 
Just Fresh Fast Casual   2,851,632    -    -    -    2,851,632    13.7%   8    -    8 
Corporate and Other   -    -    -    50,000    50,000    0.2%   -    -    - 
Total Revenue  $20,330,320   $197,511   $285,939   $50,000   $20,863,770    100.0%   44    11    55 

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 2015   Store Count, end of period 
Revenue  Restaurant   Gaming   Franchise   Mgmt Fee   Total   % of Total   Company   Franchise   Total 
Hooters Full Service  $7,252,963   $166,422   $-   $-   $7,419,385    49.0%   8         8 
Better Burgers Fast Casual   4,763,880    -    150,998    -    4,914,878    32.4%   15    11    26 
Just Fresh Fast Casual   2,771,421    -    -    -    2,771,421    18.3%   7         7 
Corporate and Other   -    -    -    50,000    50,000    0.3%   -    -    - 
Total Revenue  $14,788,264   $166,422   $150,998   $50,000   $15,155,684    100.0%   30    11    41 

  

Restaurant revenues increased 37.5% to $20.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $14.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Revenue increased as the number of company owned stores increased from 30 to 44; those increases were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation on our South Africa operations.

 

  Restaurant revenue from continuing operations from the Company’s Better Burger Group increased 134.3% to $11.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The growth in our Better Burger Group was due to a combination of growth in store count and favorable sale store sales comparisons. Company-owned restaurants grew from 15 locations at the end of the prior period to 27 locations at the end of the current period. The majority of the growth in revenues and store count resulted from the acquisition of BT’s Burger Joint and Little Big Burger in the second half of 2015. In addition, revenues from Better Burgers stores open in both periods increased 6.6%, the Company opened one new BGR location at Springfield Mall in Maryland and closed one American Burger location in Colombia South Carolina.
     
  Restaurant revenue from the Company’s Just Fresh Group increased 2.9% to $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Revenue growth resulted from primarily the addition of one new location in early 2016, partially offset by a 0.6% decline in same store sales at the existing Just Fresh locations.
     
  Restaurant revenue from the Company’s Hooter’s restaurants decreased 12.9% to $6.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $7.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The decline in Hooters restaurant revenues came as increased revenues from the opening of the Port Elizabeth store in South Africa was offset by a 10% reduction in local currency revenue at our other South Africa locations (30% on a US dollar basis due to currency translation). In addition, revenues from the UK Hooters declined 10% due almost entirely to changes in currency rates and our US Hooters locations declined 2.9%.

 

Gaming revenue increased 18.7% due to increased play as a result of recent upgrades to the VLT terminals, which occurred in late 2015 and early 2016.

 

Franchise revenue increased 89.4% to $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The Company commenced its franchise operations in middle of March 2015 with the acquisition of BGR. Accordingly, the 2015 period includes 3 ½ months of franchise activity, whereas the current period contains a full six months of franchise activity.

 

 31 
 

 

Management fee revenue was unchanged at $50,000 in each period. The Company earns management fees for its CEO serving on the Board of Directors of Hooters of America.

 

Cost of Restaurant sales

 

Cost of restaurant sales increased 29.9% to $6.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $5.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

   Six Months Ended     
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015     
Cost of Restaurant Sales  Amount   % of
Restaurant
Net Sales
   Amount   % of
Restaurant
Net Sales
   % Change 
Hooters Full Service  $2,095,786    33.2%   $2,541,593    35.0%    -17.5% 
Better Burgers Fast Casual   3,602,376    32.3%    1,636,108    34.3%    120.2% 
Just Fresh Fast Casual   996,924    35.0%    974,736    35.2%    2.3% 
   $6,695,086    32.9%   $5,152,437    34.8%    29.9% 

 

Cost of restaurant sales improved to 32.9% from 34.8% of net restaurant sales. Cost of sales improved in all three operating segments with the Better Burger group improving from 34.3% to 32.3%, Hooters improving from 35.0% to 33.2% and Just Fresh improving from 35.2% to 35.0%. These improvements are attributable to several factors, including price reductions and other efficiencies as a result of our increased scale and purchasing power, menu price increases which have been implemented at most locations during the first half of 2016, and the favorable impact of reductions in beef and other commodity prices during the past year.

 

Restaurant operating expenses

 

Restaurant operating expenses increased 30.4% to $11.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $8.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 due to the increase in the number of store locations and related restaurant business volumes.

 

Our restaurant operating expenses as well as the percentage of cost of restaurant sales to restaurant revenues for each region of operations is included in the following table:

 

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   Six Months Ended     
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015     
Operating Expenses  Amount   % of
Restaurant
Net Sales
   Amount   % of
Restaurant
Net Sales
   % Change 
Hooters Full Service  $3,689,935    58.4%   $4,192,750    57.8%    -12.0% 
Better Burgers Fast Casual   6,090,148    54.6%    2,990,401    62.8%    103.7% 
Just Fresh Fast Casual   1,472,100    51.6%    1,444,876    52.1%    1.9% 
   $11,252,183    55.3%   $8,628,027    58.3%    30.4% 

 

As a percent of restaurant revenues, operating expenses improved to 55.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from 58.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Operating expenses as a percent of revenue improved in the Better Burger group from 62.8% to 54.6%, and in the Just Fresh business from 52.1% to 51.6%. Operating expenses in our Hooters group changed from 57.8% to 58.4%. The most significant driver of improved overall operating expenses was in our Better Burger group, where lower operating costs inherent in Little Big Burger’s more efficient operating model created improved operating leverage for the overall group. Operating expense comparisons also benefited from the closure of the American Burger Company’s Columbia South Carolina location in 2015 which carried higher fixed operating costs than our other stores. Just Fresh improved modestly due to increased focus on controlling costs, while Hooters increased for the six months as improvements realized in the second quarter of 2016 were offset by higher costs in the first quarter.

 

Restaurant pre-opening expenses

 

Restaurant pre-opening expenses decreased 97.8% to $7.6 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. During 2015, the Company incurred costs related to closure of the American Burger Company Colombia, South Carolina location and the opening of the Hooters Port Elizabeth location in South Africa. The Company has several new better burger locations planned for 2016, but did not incur significant preopening expenses related to those planned openings during the current period.

 

General and Administrative Expense (“G&A”)

 

G&A decreased 13.2% to $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Significant components of G&A are summarized as follows:

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015 
Audit, legal and other professional services  $561,590   $851,659 
Salary and benefits   1,313,422    984,646 
Consulting and other fees   234,634    933,698 
Travel and entertainment   146,050    147,231 
Shareholder services and fees   17,541    38,275 
Advertising, Insurance and other   776,477    557,365 
Total G&A Expenses  $3,049,714   $3,512,874 

 

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As a percentage of total revenue, G&A decreased to 14.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from 23.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

For the current period, approximately 46% of G&A is attributable to Corporate overhead, including salaries, travel, audit, legal and other public company costs. Approximately 36%, 10%, and 8% of total G&A are attributable to regional management, marketing and other operating activities within the Better Burger group, Hooters, and Just Fresh, respectively.

 

The improvement in G&A is primarily due reduce audit, legal, professional and consulting fees. Fees paid to third party professionals were a significant portion of the Company’s expenses in 2015 due to the nature of the acquisition and financing transactions occurring last year. During the current period, the Company did not incur significant fees related to acquisitions or financing initiatives.

 

In addition, the company reduced its routine audit, legal and other professional fees from prior levels through increased focus on cost reduction and rationalization of back office operations, while also leveraging the Company’s overhead over a larger business which favorably impacted G&A as a percent of revenue. These reductions were partially offset by increased G&A and marketing expenses in our regional company store and franchising operations where the company’s acquisition significantly increased the operating scale and scope of our business.

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 85.4% to $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increase in depreciation and amortization is due to increased depreciable property and equipment and intangible assets associated with acquired and newly opened restaurants.

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

Other income (expense) consisted of the following:

 

   Six Months Ended 
Other Income (Expense)  June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015   % Change 
Interest expense  $(1,251,405)  $(2,078,649)   -39.8%
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities   1,129,101    570,907    97.8%
Loss on extinguishment of debt   -    (170,089)   0.0%
Realized gains on securities   -    -    0.0%
Other income   (19,969)   103,146    -119.4%
Total Other Income (Expense)  $(142,273)  $(1,574,685)   -91.0%

 

Other expense, net decreased 91.0% to $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The decrease in other expenses, net was primarily due to lower non-cash interest, amortization, derivative liability adjustments and other charges arising from our convertible and other debt obligations.

 

Interest expense decreased 39.8% to $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The reduction in interest are primarily due to lower average outstanding debt balances due to debt conversions occurring in 2015, combined with lower amortization of debt discount.

 

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The Company recognized changes in the fair value of derivative liabilities totaling $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared with $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The liability is a non-cash income or expense associated with our convertible debt and is adjusted quarterly based on the change in the fair value of the price of the Company’s common stock.

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt was zero in the current period and $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. During 2015, several of the Company’s convertible notes and one of the Company’s term debt instruments were converted by the holders into shares of the Company’s common stock. In connection with the conversions, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of convertible debt, related accrued interest, penalties and derivative liabilities. The Company did not have any debt conversions or loss on extinguishments in the current year.

 

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND GOING CONCERN

 

As of June 30, 2016, our cash balance was $1.0 million. At June 30, 2016, the Company had current assets of $4.4 million, current liabilities of $17.3 million, and a working capital deficit of $12.9 million. The Company has $9.6 million in notes and convertible debt obligations which could potentially be called for payment within the next twelve months. The Company incurred a loss from continuing operations of $1.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016. The level of additional cash needed to fund operations and our ability to conduct business for the next twelve months will be influenced primarily by the following factors:

 

  the pace of growth in our restaurant businesses and related investments in opening new stores;
     
  the level of investment in acquisition of new restaurant businesses and entering new markets;
     
  our ability to manage our operating expenses and maintain gross margins and reduce operating losses as we grow;
     
  our ability to access the capital and debt markets, including our ability to refinance or extend the maturities of our current obligations;
     
  popularity of and demand for our fast casual dining concepts; and
     
  general economic conditions and changes in consumer discretionary income.

 

Our operating plans for the next twelve months contemplate moderate organic growth, opening 6-10 new stores within our current markets and restaurant concepts. We have typically funded our operating costs, acquisition activities, working capital investments and capital expenditures with proceeds from the issuances of our common stock and other financing arrangements, including convertible debt, lines of credit, notes payable and capital leases.

 

During 2015, we completed two rights offering providing net proceeds of approximately $13.1 million, completed a private placement transaction providing net proceeds of approximately $1.9 million and issued $2.2 million in convertible notes to fund the acquisitions of BGR: The Burger Joint, BT’s Burger Joint, Little Big Burger and for other general corporate purposes.

 

During 2016, we entered into a letter of intent with a US investor to finance the opening of up to 10 Little Big Burger restaurants in the Seattle, Washington area. We are actively pursuing sites and anticipate opening our first store under that arrangement by the end of 2016.We also entered into a letter of intent with potential investors to finance the opening of additional Little Big Burger restaurants pursuant to the US governments EB-5 program.

 

We are also investigating several alternatives to refinance the Company’s current debt obligations and to provide additional working capital needed to operate and grow the business; however, there can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in completing any such debt financings. In the event that such capital is not available, we may then need to scale back or freeze our organic growth plans, reduce general and administrative expenses, and/or curtail future acquisition plans to manage our liquidity and capital resources. In addition, we may not be able to payoff or otherwise extend the maturities of our current obligations, or continue to operate as a going concern, which could have an adverse impact on the Company and its shareholders.

 

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In addition, our business is subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report and in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015. “Risk Factors”.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparation of these statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by the application of our accounting policies. Critical accounting policies are those that require application of management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. A summary of significant accounting policies and a description of accounting policies that are considered critical may be found in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2016, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1, and the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Item 3: QUANTITATIVE and QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

Under the PCAOB standards, a control deficiency exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit the attention by those responsible for oversight of the company’s financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such terms are defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), as of December 31, 2015. Our management has determined that, as of June 30, 2016, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective.

 

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

 

Management Responsibility for Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements in accordance with the United States’ generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP), including those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

 

 36 
 

 

Management’s Evaluation of Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Management evaluated our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2016. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. As a result of this assessment and based on the criteria in this framework, management has concluded that, as June 30, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective.

 

Material Weaknesses

 

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or a combination of control deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

Management identified the following deficiencies in its internal control over financial reporting:

 

  As the Company recently completed multiple acquisitions in a short period of time, it currently operates multiple accounting systems using disparate charts of accounts and inconsistent financial close procedures and timetables. The lack of consistency makes it more difficult to ensure that the consolidated financial records are completed timely and on a consistent basis each reporting period, which increases the risk of undetected errors.
     
  The Company’s financial close procedures are not formally documented across the organization to the degree necessary to ensure that financial statements are prepared consistently and accurately each reporting period.
     
  The Company’s information systems, as well as the organization and storage of critical financial records, were not deemed adequate to ensure the timely ability to recover from a disaster or prevent the accidental loss of critical financial records.
     
  The Company’s financial statements include complex transactions and financial instruments that are subject to extensive technical accounting standards that increase the risk of undetected errors and where the Company’s internal resources do not possess deep technical specialization.
     
  The Company performs extensive reconciliation and manual review procedures to ensure that the financial statements results are accurately presented, however, there is inconsistent and informal documentation of those review procedures.

 

Management determined that the deficiencies, evaluated in the aggregate, could potentially result in a material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements in a future annual or interim period that would not be prevented or detected. Therefore, the deficiencies constitute material weaknesses in internal control. Based on that evaluation, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of June 30, 2016.

 

Remediation Plans

 

We have initiated several steps and plan to continue to evaluate and implement measures designed to improve our internal control over financial reporting in order to remediate the control deficiencies noted above.

 

While our evaluation of the appropriate remediation plans is still ongoing, efforts to date have included recruiting additional qualified personnel with experience in financial reporting and internal control. We are also in the process of migrating the majority of our operations to a common accounting system, standardizing charts of accounts and formalizing the documentation of accounting close and review procedures.

 

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting — As a result of the acquisitions, the Company is evaluating additional changes to processes and policies to further standardize the internal control over financial reporting with respect to the monitoring, reporting and consolidation of the financial results of the acquired operations into the Company’s financial statements. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2016, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings from time to time in the ordinary course of business, which may not be required to be disclosed under this Item 1. For the six month period ending June 30, 2016 covered by this Quarterly Report, there have been no reportable legal proceedings or material developments to previously reported legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

 

We are in default under notes payable in the amount of $5,856,073 due to the appointment of an administrator over the Australia Hooters entities in the third quarter of 2015.

 

We are in default under notes payable in the amount of $5,856,073 due to the appointment of an administrator over the Australia Hooters entities in the third quarter of 2015. These notes are deemed accelerated until such time as we are able to renegotiate the terms or obtain a waiver of the default. To date the note holders have given no indication that they intend to enforce acceleration of the various notes. However, our inability to renegotiate the terms of these notes or obtain a waiver and action by the note holders to collect on the accelerated notes could adversely affect our growth and our operating results.

 

Our current operations are contingent upon successfully obtaining additional financing in the near future, and failure to obtain financing will adversely affect our growth and operating results

 

If capital is not available, we may then need to scale back or freeze our organic growth plans, reduce general and administrative expenses, and/or curtail future acquisition plans to manage our liquidity and capital resources. We may also not be able refinance or otherwise extend or repay our current obligations in excess of $9 million, or continue to operate as a going concern.

 

Other than the addition of the foregoing risk factors, there have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Readers should carefully consider the risk factors disclosed under this Item IA and other risk factors discussed in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this Quarterly Report and the Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.

 

ITEM 2: UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

The Company is in technical default under notes payable in the amount of $5.7 million due to the appointment of an administrator over the Australia Hooters entities.

 

ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

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ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

ITEM 6: EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
101.INS*   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

In accordance with SEC Release 33-8238, Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are furnished and not filed.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  CHANTICLEER HOLDINGS, INC.
     
Date: August 11, 2016 By: /s/ Michael D. Pruitt
    Michael D. Pruitt
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
    /s/ Eric S. Lederer
    Eric S. Lederer
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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