SELECT COMFORT CORP
S-1/A, 1998-11-16
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
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<PAGE>
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 16, 1998.
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-62793
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                           --------------------------
 
   
                         PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                       TO
    
 
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                           --------------------------
 
                           SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                            <C>
          MINNESOTA                          2515                  41-1597886
 (State or other jurisdiction    (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation or         Classification Code Number)     Identification
        organization)                                                 No.)
</TABLE>
 
                       6105 TRENTON LANE NORTH, SUITE 100
                          MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55442
                                 (612) 551-7000
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                               DANIEL J. MCATHIE
 EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND
                                   SECRETARY
                           SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
                       6105 TRENTON LANE NORTH, SUITE 100
                          MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55442
                                 (612) 551-7000
     (Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
                        area code, of agent for service)
 
                           --------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
           Mark A. Kimball                           Peter Lillevand
           Thomas R. Marek                            Scott Elliott
            Amy E. Culbert                            Greg Liberman
   Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP         Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
   3400 Plaza VII, 45 South Seventh         Old Federal Reserve Bank Building
                Street                              400 Sansome Street
     Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402            San Francisco, California 94111
            (612) 607-7000                            (415) 392-1122
 
                           --------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
  AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
 
                           --------------------------
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), check the following box: / /
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
 
                           --------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
   
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 13, 1998
    
PROSPECTUS
   
                                4,000,000 SHARES
    
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
   
    Of the 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, 2,800,000 shares are
being sold by Select Comfort Corporation ("Select Comfort" or the "Company") and
1,200,000 shares are being sold by the Selling Shareholders. The Company will
not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling
Shareholders. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders."
    
 
   
    Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock
of the Company. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price
will be between $15.00 and $17.00 per share. See "Underwriting" for a discussion
of the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering
price. The Company's Common Stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol AIRB.
    
                                 --------------
 
            THE SHARES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                    SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 6.
                                 -------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
    COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
              ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  PRICE TO           UNDERWRITING          PROCEEDS TO      PROCEEDS TO SELLING
                                   PUBLIC            DISCOUNT (1)          COMPANY (2)         SHAREHOLDERS
<S>                          <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Per Share..................           $                    $                    $                    $
Total (3)..................           $                    $                    $                    $
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) See "Underwriting" for indemnification arrangements with the several
    Underwriters.
 
(2) Before deducting offering expenses payable by the Company estimated at
    $1,000,000.
 
   
(3) The Company and the Selling Shareholders have granted to the Underwriters a
    30-day option to purchase up to 600,000 additional shares of Common Stock
    solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If all such shares are purchased,
    the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount, Proceeds to Company and
    Proceeds to Selling Shareholders will be $       , $       , $       and
    $       , respectively. See "Underwriting."
    
                                 --------------
 
    The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters subject
to prior sale, receipt and acceptance by them and subject to the right of the
Underwriters to reject any order in whole or in part and certain other
conditions. It is expected that certificates for such shares will be available
for delivery on or about            , 1998, at the office of the agent of
Hambrecht & Quist LLC in New York, New York.
 
HAMBRECHT & QUIST
 
               BANCBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS
 
                               PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
 
   
                                                      CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
    
 
           , 1998
<PAGE>
[INSIDE FRONT COVER PAGE OF PROSPECTUS INCLUDES A PICTURE OF A DIRECT MARKETING
 SALES PROFESSIONAL, PICTURES OF MANUFACTURING PERSONNEL, A PICTURE OF A SELECT
COMFORT AIR BED, A PICTURE OF A DISPLAY OF SELECT COMFORT PILLOWS, A PICTURE OF
      A TYPICAL SELECT COMFORT RETAIL STORE AND A MAP OF THE UNITED STATES
             ILLUSTRATING SELECT COMFORT'S RETAIL STORE LOCATIONS]
 
   
    CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING BY ENTERING STABILIZING BIDS, EFFECTING SYNDICATE COVERING
TRANSACTIONS OR IMPOSING PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES,
SEE "UNDERWRITING."
    
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
   
    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE PRO FORMA
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE
"RISK FACTORS."
    
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    Select Comfort, "The Air Bed Company," is the leading vertically integrated
manufacturer, specialty retailer and direct marketer of premium quality, premium
priced, innovative air beds and sleep-related products. Select Comfort believes
it is revolutionizing the mattress industry by offering a differentiated product
through a variety of service-oriented distribution channels. Select Comfort's
products have been clinically proven to address broad-based consumer sleep
problems through the Company's proprietary air bed technology and the ability to
customize the firmness on each side of the mattress at the touch of a button.
The Company offers its air beds exclusively under the Select Comfort brand
through 244 Select Comfort retail stores and leased departments, direct
marketing operations and road show events. Net sales have grown from $14.0
million in 1993 to $184.4 million in 1997, and comparable stores sales have
increased 26.1%, 36.8% and 26.9% for 1996, 1997 and the nine months ended
October 3, 1998, respectively.
 
    According to the International Sleep Products Association, 35.3 million
mattress and foundation units were sold in the U.S. in 1997, generating
approximately $3.6 billion in wholesale sales, which the Company believes
represented approximately $6.7 billion in retail sales. This market is dominated
by four large manufacturers primarily focused on traditional innerspring
mattresses. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that approximately 50% of
U.S. consumers have suffered from sleep deprivation or poor quality sleep from a
variety of causes. The Company believes there is increasing demand for products
designed to provide a better night's sleep and promote overall wellness and the
traditional innerspring mattress industry has not been responsive to these
consumer preferences.
 
   
    Select Comfort has commissioned a number of independent clinical studies
which indicate that the Company's air beds provide consumers with substantial
benefits over traditional innerspring mattresses. These studies have confirmed
that Select Comfort's air beds provide greater comfort and support by more
naturally contouring to the body, thereby providing better spinal alignment,
reduced pressure points, greater relief of lower back pain, greater overall
comfort and better quality sleep compared to traditional mattress products. The
Company has been granted or has applications pending for 23 U.S. patents and
maintains an active research and development department.
    
 
    Unlike traditional mattress manufacturers, Select Comfort sells its products
directly to consumers through three complementary, service-oriented distribution
channels. Each of these channels is operated by knowledgeable Company employees
trained in the latest innovations in sleep technology and the benefits and
features of the Select Comfort product line. The Company's retail operations
included 244 stores in 43 states, including four leased departments (three in
Bed Bath & Beyond stores), at October 3, 1998. The Company plans to open
approximately 12 additional retail stores and 10 additional leased departments
in Bed Bath & Beyond stores in the remainder of 1998 and approximately 50 retail
stores in 1999. In addition, the Company expects to expand its leased department
concept in 1999. The Company's direct marketing operations include approximately
90 sales professionals who service consumer inquiries and make outbound calls.
Road show events are held in selected markets where the Company has high inquiry
levels but does not have a retail presence, as well as at home shows and
consumer product shows, state fairs and similar events. The Company advertises
through targeted print, radio and television media which generate consumer
inquiries that are pursued through each of the Company's three distribution
channels.
 
    The Company's goal is to leverage its leadership position and build the
Select Comfort brand to be synonymous with a better night's sleep. In order to
achieve this goal, the Company's business and growth strategy is to (i) provide
a superior product, (ii) educate consumers and provide superior customer
service, (iii) increase product awareness and brand recognition, (iv) leverage
complementary distribution channels, (v) capitalize on vertically integrated
operations, and (vi) pursue additional growth opportunities by offering new and
enhanced products and services and pursuing additional marketing channels.
 
    The Company was incorporated in Minnesota in February 1987. The Company's
principal executive office is located at 6105 Trenton Lane North, Suite 100,
Minneapolis, MN 55442. The Company's telephone number is (612) 551-7000.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
Common Stock offered by the Company.............  2,800,000 shares
Common Stock offered by the Selling
  Shareholders..................................  1,200,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
  offering......................................  18,122,249 shares(1)
Use of proceeds.................................  To repay a portion of long-term
                                                  indebtedness; to fund expansion of its
                                                  retail store base and the build-out,
                                                  start-up and leasing of a third
                                                  manufacturing and distribution facility;
                                                  and for general corporate purposes,
                                                  including working capital and possible
                                                  acquisitions
Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol..........  AIRB
</TABLE>
    
 
                   SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND SELECTED OPERATING DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       YEAR ENDED(2)                           NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                -----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                                              DEC. 31,     DEC. 30,    DEC. 28,    JAN. 3,                 OCT. 3,
                                                                1994         1995        1996       1998                    1998
                                                 DEC. 31,    -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------   SEPT. 27,   ---------
                                                   1993                                                         1997
                                                -----------                                                  -----------
                                                (UNAUDITED)                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net sales...................................   $  14,041    $  30,472    $  68,629   $ 102,028  $ 184,430   $ 126,470   $ 178,835
  Gross margin................................       8,221       19,420       39,796      63,507    117,801      81,584     116,545
  Operating income (loss).....................      (2,753)      (3,297)      (4,589)     (3,764)     2,078         515       7,382
  Net loss....................................   $  (2,752)   $  (3,371)   $  (4,560)  $  (3,685) $  (2,846)  $  (2,524)  $    (413)
  Net loss available to common shareholders...   $  (2,752)   $  (3,371)   $  (4,560)  $  (4,585) $  (3,746)  $  (3,199)  $  (1,088)
  Net loss per share(3):
    Basic.....................................   $   (2.16)   $   (2.65)   $   (3.16)  $   (2.61) $   (1.59)  $   (1.39)  $   (0.40)
    Diluted...................................   $   (2.16)   $   (2.65)   $   (3.16)  $   (2.61) $   (1.59)  $   (1.39)  $   (0.40)
  Weighted average common shares:
    Basic.....................................       1,272        1,274        1,444       1,753      2,353       2,309       2,746
    Diluted...................................       1,272        1,274        1,444       1,753      2,353       2,309       2,746
  Pro forma net income(4).....................                                                    $   1,583   $     162   $   5,988
  Pro forma net income per share,
    diluted(4)................................                                                    $    0.09   $    0.01   $    0.30
  Pro forma weighted average common shares,
    diluted(5)................................                                                       18,365      18,890      19,694
SELECTED OPERATING DATA:
  Stores open at period-end(6)................          19           35           68         143        200         190         244
  Average square footage of stores open during
    period(7).................................         668          642          703         768        866         866         895
  Sales per square foot(7)....................   $     401    $     442    $     611   $     622  $     666   $     460   $     543
  Average store age (in months at period
    end)......................................           5           12           15          15         22          20          26
  Comparable store sales increase(8)..........      --             57.6%        59.8%       26.1%      36.8%       26.7%       26.9%
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                OCTOBER 3, 1998
                                                                                           --------------------------
                                                                                            ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED(9)
                                                                                           ---------  ---------------
                                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                                        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents..............................................................  $   9,579     $  35,676
  Working capital........................................................................      3,606        29,939
  Total assets...........................................................................     63,323        88,414
  Long-term debt, less current maturities................................................     24,244           167
  Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock.................................................     27,612        --
  Total common shareholders' equity (deficit)............................................    (20,356)       57,093
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------
   
(1) Based on the number of shares outstanding as of October 3, 1998. Excludes
    (i) an aggregate of 3,250,307 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
    of stock options and warrants outstanding as of October 3, 1998 at a
    weighted average exercise price of $7.30 per share, and (ii) an aggregate of
    up to 125,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of employee
    stock options expected to be granted in connection with this offering at an
    exercise price per share equal to the initial public offering price. See
    "Capitalization," "Management--Stock Option and Incentive Plans" and
    "Description of Capital Stock--Options and Warrants."
    
 
(2) Except for the year ended January 3, 1998, which included 53 weeks, all
    years presented included 52 weeks.
 
(3) See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(4) Includes pro forma adjustments for (i) the elimination of non-cash interest
    expense associated with a put warrant, the put feature of which will
    terminate upon consummation of this offering, (ii) the elimination of
    interest expense associated with repayment of $15.0 million of the Company's
    outstanding indebtedness from the proceeds of this offering, and (iii)
    related tax effects. See "Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements" and
    "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
    Operations--Overview."
 
(5) Gives effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock
    into Common Stock upon the consummation of this offering, the dilutive
    effect of outstanding options and warrants, and shares to be issued upon the
    consummation of this offering.
 
   
(6) Includes Select Comfort stores operated in leased departments within larger
    retail stores (one at December 28, 1996, September 27, 1997 and January 3,
    1998 and four at October 3, 1998).
    
 
(7) For stores open during the entire period indicated.
 
(8) Stores enter the comparable store calculation in their 13th full month of
    operation. The number of comparable stores used to calculate such data were
    13, 32, 65, 138, 107 and 182 for 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and the nine-month
    periods ended September 27, 1997 and October 3, 1998, respectively.
 
(9) As adjusted to give effect upon the consummation of this offering to the (i)
    reclassification of a put warrant from long-term debt to shareholders'
    equity, (ii) conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock into
    Common Stock, and (iii) application of the estimated net proceeds from the
    issuance of 2,800,000 shares of Common Stock at an assumed initial public
    offering price of $16.00 per share, including repayment of $15.0 million of
    the Company's outstanding indebtedness. See "Use of Proceeds" and
    "Capitalization."
                         ------------------------------
 
    THE COMPANY'S FISCAL YEAR ENDS ON THE SATURDAY CLOSEST TO DECEMBER 31, AND
UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, ALL REFERENCES TO YEARS IN THIS
PROSPECTUS REFER TO THE COMPANY'S FISCAL YEARS. ALL REFERENCES TO THE COMPANY
HEREIN INCLUDE THE COMPANY'S WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES, SELECT COMFORT DIRECT
CORPORATION, SELECT COMFORT RETAIL CORPORATION, DIRECT CALL CENTERS, INC. AND
SELECT COMFORT SC CORPORATION. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE INFORMATION IN
THIS PROSPECTUS (I) GIVES EFFECT TO THE CONVERSION OF ALL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF
PREFERRED STOCK INTO COMMON STOCK UPON THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS OFFERING, AND
(II) ASSUMES THAT THE UNDERWRITERS' OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION WILL NOT BE EXERCISED.
 
   
    SELECT COMFORT-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-, SLEEP NUMBER-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-,
COMFORT CLUB-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-, 90 NIGHT TRIAL, BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP
GUARANTEE, THE AIR BED COMPANY and the Company's stylized logo are trademarks of
the Company. This Prospectus also includes trademarks of companies other than
the Company.
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS AND THE TIMING OF CERTAIN EVENTS
COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH BELOW AND ELSEWHERE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS. SEE "CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS."
THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY IN ADDITION TO THE
OTHER INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE PURCHASING ANY SHARES OF THE COMMON
STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
 
    HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES; UNCERTAIN PROFITABILITY.  The Company has
incurred substantial operating losses since its inception and had an accumulated
deficit of $22.7 million as of October 3, 1998. There can be no assurance that
the Company will achieve or sustain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis
in future periods. The Company's future operating results will depend upon a
number of factors, including (i) the level of consumer acceptance of the
Company's products, (ii) the ability of the Company to create product and brand
name awareness, (iii) the effectiveness and efficiency of the Company's
advertising, (iv) the number and timing of new retail store openings, (v) the
performance of the Company's existing and new retail stores, (vi) the ability of
the Company to manage its planned rapid store expansion, (vii) the ability of
the Company to successfully identify and respond to emerging trends in the
mattress industry, (viii) the level of competition in the mattress industry, and
(ix) general economic conditions and consumer confidence. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
    LIMITED HISTORY OF RETAIL OPERATIONS; AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STRATEGY.  The
Company's net sales have grown significantly in the past several years primarily
as a result of the opening of new retail stores and increases in comparable
store sales from year to year. Until recently, the Company generated most of its
net sales from its direct marketing operations. The Company opened its first
three retail stores in 1992 and operated 19 stores at the end of 1993, 35 stores
at the end of 1994, 68 stores at the end of 1995, 143 stores at the end of 1996,
200 stores at the end of 1997 and 244 stores, including four leased departments
(three in Bed Bath & Beyond stores) as of October 3, 1998. Virtually all of the
Company's retail stores are in mall locations. The Company plans to open
approximately 12 additional retail stores and 10 additional leased departments
in Bed Bath & Beyond stores in the remainder of 1998 and approximately 50 retail
stores in 1999. In addition, the Company expects to expand its leased department
concept in 1999. Approximately 54% of the Company's new store openings in 1998
will be in existing markets and the remainder will be in new geographical
markets. The opening of additional stores in an existing market could result in
lower net sales from existing Company stores in that market. Because the Company
will be expanding into new geographic markets, it may face competitive
challenges that are different from those encountered to date. The Company's
success in any new geographic market will depend on the Company's ability to
select appropriate new store sites and to create awareness in the new market
through effective marketing and advertising strategies. In addition to adding
further mall locations, the Company's retail expansion plans include alternative
locations such as strip shopping centers. The Company has limited experience
with such alternative locations and its success will depend on the Company's
ability to create awareness of, and to attract consumers to, such alternative
locations.
 
    The success of the Company's planned expansion will be dependent upon many
factors, including the ability of the Company to (i) successfully open
additional retail stores in existing geographic markets, (ii) successfully enter
new geographic markets and store environments in which the Company has no
previous retail experience, (iii) negotiate acceptable lease terms for
additional sites, (iv) effectively hire, train, manage and retain qualified
management and other personnel, (v) effectively manage the interaction among the
Company's multiple distribution channels, (vi) generate additional direct
marketing inquiries, (vii) effectively develop strategic alliances with respect
to product development, marketing and distribution, and (viii) effectively refer
selected direct marketing inquiries to the retail and road show distribution
channels. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to grow at
historical rates or achieve its planned expansion, that new retail stores will
be effectively integrated into the Company's existing
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
operations, that such stores will be profitable or that the Company will be able
to establish and maintain profitable strategic alliances. See
"Business--Business and Growth Strategy."
 
    ABILITY TO MANAGE GROWTH.  The Company's aggressive growth strategy has
placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on the Company's
management, production, information systems and other resources. To manage
growth effectively, the Company must maintain a high level of manufacturing
quality and efficiency, continue to enhance its operational, financial and
management systems, including its database management, tracking of inquiries,
inventory control and distribution systems, and expand, train and manage its
employee base. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
effectively manage this expansion in any one or more of these areas, and any
failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results.
 
    All orders are filled by shipments made directly to the customer from one of
the Company's two manufacturing and distribution centers located in Minneapolis
and in Columbia, South Carolina. The Company believes that its existing
manufacturing and distribution facilities will be adequate to support its
planned expansion through the next 12 months. Any significant interruption in
the operation of either of such facilities would have a material adverse effect
on the business, financial condition and operating results of the Company. The
Company plans to lease a third manufacturing and distribution center in Salt
Lake City, which is expected to be in operation during the first half of 1999,
at a cost of approximately $4.5 million. There can be no assurance that the new
facility will be completed on time, that the cost to build it will not exceed
the Company's estimates or that manufacturing costs for this new facility will
not be greater than manufacturing costs at the Company's current facilities in
Minnesota and South Carolina. In addition, delays or interruptions in the normal
supply of products could occur as the Company attempts to integrate a third
manufacturing and distribution center. Any such increases in costs or delays
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results. The Company does not have experience in
manufacturing its products in the volumes that it projects will be necessary to
support the anticipated increase in sales and may encounter difficulties in
scaling up production, including problems involving quality control and
assurance, component supply and shortages of qualified personnel. Any failure on
the part of the Company in manufacturing its products in volumes sufficient to
meet demand could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results. See "Business--Manufacturing and
Distribution."
 
    EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF ADVERTISING EXPENDITURES.  The Company's
advertising expenditures increased from $5.5 million in 1994 to $28.3 million in
1997, and are expected to continue to increase for the foreseeable future. The
Company's future growth and profitability will be dependent in part on the
effectiveness and efficiency of the Company's advertising expenditures,
including the ability of the Company to (i) create greater awareness of the
Company's products and brand name, (ii) determine the appropriate creative
message and media mix for future advertising expenditures, (iii) effectively
manage advertising costs (including creative and media) in order to maintain
acceptable costs per inquiry, costs per order and operating margins, and (iv)
convert inquiries into actual orders. Historically, the Company's advertising
expenditures have generated revenue benefits beyond the actual duration of the
advertisements. There can be no assurance that the Company will experience
similar benefits from advertising expenditures in the future. In addition, no
assurance can be given that the Company's planned increases in advertising
expenditures will result in increased sales, will generate sufficient levels of
product and brand name awareness or that the Company will be able to manage such
advertising expenditures on a cost effective basis. See "Business--Marketing and
Advertising."
 
    FLUCTUATIONS IN COMPARABLE STORE SALES RESULTS.  The Company's comparable
store sales results, which are computed by comparing sales during the current
year with prior year periods for those stores open during the same periods of
the current and prior years, have fluctuated significantly in the past and such
fluctuations are likely to continue. Stores enter the comparable store
calculation in their 13th full month of operation. The Company's comparable
store sales increases were 26.1%, 36.8% and 26.9% for 1996, 1997
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
and the nine months ended October 3, 1998, respectively. The Company's
comparable store sales results have fluctuated significantly from quarter to
quarter with increases ranging from 8.2% to 62.0% on a quarterly basis for 1996
and 1997. There can be no assurance that the Company's comparable store sales
results will not fluctuate significantly in the future. A variety of factors
affect the Company's comparable store sales results, including (i) the level of
consumer awareness of Select Comfort's products and brand name, (ii) the rate of
consumer acceptance of the Company's products, (iii) the higher levels of sales
in the first year of operations as each successive class of new stores is
opened, (iv) the strong comparable store sales performance in recent periods,
(v) the maturation of its store base, (vi) the timing and relative success of
promotional events, advertising expenditures, new product introductions and
product line extensions, and (vii) general economic conditions and consumer
confidence. In addition, the Company's higher per unit prices and lower number
of transactions relative to other mall-based retailers may cause greater
volatility in the Company's comparable store sales results. Additionally, due to
the integrated nature of the Company's distribution channels, the relative level
of the Company's net sales may fluctuate between retail and direct marketing,
which may contribute to fluctuations in comparable store sales results. Changes
in comparable store sales results could cause the price of the Common Stock to
fluctuate substantially.
 
    QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS AND SEASONALITY.  The Company's quarterly operating
results may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors,
including increases or decreases in comparable store sales, the timing, amount
and effectiveness of advertising expenditures, any increases in return rates,
the timing of new store openings and related expenses, competitive factors, net
sales contributed by new stores, any disruptions in third party delivery
services and general economic conditions and consumer confidence. The Company's
business is also subject to some seasonal influences, with heavier
concentrations of sales during the fourth quarter holiday season due to higher
mall traffic. During the third quarter of 1997, the United Parcel Service
("UPS") work stoppage resulted in delayed delivery of the Company's products,
requiring the Company to use alternative carriers. Additionally during that
period, the Company converted its manufacturing and financial operations to a
new integrated information system, which further contributed to delays in
fulfilling customer orders. These factors resulted in higher than normal
customer returns, canceled orders and substantially increased freight charges,
which had a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results in the
second half of 1997. See "--Reliance Upon Carriers."
 
    A substantial portion of the Company's operating expenses is related to
sales and marketing expenses, including costs associated with opening new stores
and advertising and marketing expenditures. The level of such spending cannot be
adjusted quickly and is based, in significant part, on the Company's
expectations of future customer inquiries and net sales. Furthermore, the
Company has often realized a substantial portion of its net sales in the last
month of a quarter, with such net sales frequently concentrated in the last
weeks or days of a quarter, due in part to its promotional schedule. If there is
a shortfall in expected net sales or in the conversion rate of customer
inquiries, the Company may be unable to adjust its spending in a timely manner
and the Company's business, financial condition and operating results may be
materially adversely affected. The Company's results of operations of any
quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a
full year or any future quarter.
 
   
    The Company expects to incur certain charges in the period in which this
offering is consummated in connection with an outstanding put warrant and with
the repayment of certain indebtedness with a portion of the net proceeds of this
offering. Interest expense associated with the put warrant is based on the fair
market value of the Company's Common Stock. Based on an assumed initial public
offering price of $16.00 per share, the Company estimates that the interest
expense associated with the outstanding put warrant will not have a material
impact on the Company's results of operations. However, if the initial public
offering price is greater than $17.00 per share, the Company estimates the
amount of such interest expense would exceed $350,000 and may have a material
impact on the Company's results of operations. The charge associated with the
repayment of certain indebtedness is estimated to be approximately $1.7 million.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations-- Overview."
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    RETURN POLICY AND PRODUCT WARRANTY.  Part of the Company's marketing and
advertising strategy focuses on providing a 90 Night Trial in which customers
may return the air bed and obtain a refund of the purchase price. As the Company
expands its sales, there can be no assurance that its return rates will remain
within acceptable levels. An increase in return rates could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and operating
results. The Company also provides its customers with a limited 20-year warranty
on its air beds. Although the Company has performed extensive testing to enable
it to project warranty claims over the 20-year warranty period, the Company has
only been selling air beds in significant quantities since 1992. There can be no
assurance that the Company's warranty reserves will be adequate to cover future
warranty claims, and such failure could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
 
    PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENTS.  The Company's growth and future
success will depend upon its ability to enhance its existing products and to
develop and market new products on a timely basis that respond to customer needs
and achieve market acceptance. The Company is pursuing opportunities to enter
into strategic alliances with manufacturers of adjustable frame beds and sofa
sleepers. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
developing or marketing enhanced or new products, or that any such products will
be accepted by the market. There can also be no assurance that the Company will
be able to establish and maintain profitable strategic alliances. Further, there
can be no assurance that the resulting level of sales of any of the Company's
enhanced or new products will justify the costs associated with their
development and marketing. See "Business--Business and Growth Strategy" and
"--Research and Product Development."
 
    MARKET ACCEPTANCE.  The U.S. mattress market is dominated by four large
manufacturers of innerspring mattresses. The Company's air bed technology
represents a significant departure from traditional innerspring mattresses. The
market for air beds is continuing to evolve and the success of the Company's
products will be dependent upon both the continued growth of this market and
upon market acceptance of the Company's air beds. The failure of the Company's
air beds to achieve market acceptance for any reason would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and operating
results.
 
    DEPENDENCE ON CONSUMER SPENDING.  The success of the Company's operations
depends to a significant extent upon a number of factors relating to
discretionary consumer spending. These factors include economic conditions such
as employment levels, business conditions, interest rates, availability of
credit, inflation and taxation. Downturns in such economic conditions or in
consumer confidence could have a negative effect on discretionary spending.
Because a high percentage of the Company's net sales are made on credit, any
downturn in general economic conditions or increases in interest rates may
materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and
operating results. The Company is also dependent upon the continued popularity
of malls as shopping destinations and the ability of mall anchor tenants and
other attractions to generate customer traffic for the Company's retail stores.
A decrease in mall traffic could adversely affect the Company's growth, net
sales, comparable store results and profitability.
 
   
    RELIANCE UPON VENDORS; FOREIGN SOURCES OF SUPPLY.  All of the air chambers
for the Company's air beds are purchased from one Eastern European supplier
under a supply contract expiring in August 1999, pursuant to which the Company
is obligated to purchase certain minimum quantities, but not all of its
requirements. Either party can terminate the contract upon 90 days notice if
such party ceases to use the air chambers in its business. The Company believes
that it would be able to procure an adequate supply of air chambers from other
sources on a timely basis if the supply contract is terminated or the Eastern
European supplier is otherwise unable to supply air chambers. The Company has
recently completed the development of an air chamber designed with new materials
that will be manufactured by a U.S. based company at a foreign manufacturing
facility. Full production of this new air chamber is expected to commence in the
fourth quarter of 1999. The Eastern European supplier is expected to provide a
second
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
source of supply of this new air chamber during the first half of 2000. The
Company does not presently have any contract or commitment from either supplier
to manufacture the newly developed air chamber. The Company is continuously
searching for alternative designs and materials for all of its components, as
well as alternative sources of supply. The inability of the Company's sources of
supply to meet, for any reason, the Company's requirement for air chambers could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and operating results. In addition, since the Company's air chambers and other
supplies are manufactured outside the United States, the Company's operations
could be materially adversely affected by the risks associated with foreign
sourcing of materials, including (i) political instability resulting in
disruption of trade, (ii) existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas that
may limit the quantity of certain types of goods that may be imported into the
United States or increase the cost of such goods, and (iii) any significant
fluctuation in the value of the dollar against foreign currencies.
    
 
    With the exception of its air chambers, the Company has no long-term
purchase contracts or other contractual assurances of continued supply, pricing
or access to components. The inability or failure of one or more key vendors to
supply components, the loss of one or more key vendors or a material change in
the Company's purchase terms could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results. See
"Business--Suppliers" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
 
    RELIANCE UPON CARRIERS.  Historically, the Company has relied almost
exclusively on UPS for delivery of the Company's products to customers. For a
significant portion of the third quarter of 1997, UPS was unable to deliver the
Company's products within acceptable time periods, causing delays in deliveries
to customers and requiring the Company to use alternative carriers. This
contributed to substantially greater freight charges and canceled orders, which
had a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results in the second
half of 1997. Due to the extensive national distribution system and cost
effectiveness of UPS, the Company has continued to rely primarily on UPS for
deliveries to customers. No assurance can be given that UPS will not experience
difficulties in meeting the Company's requirements in the future. The Company
continues to evaluate alternative carriers on a national and regional basis, as
well as providers of in-home assembly services. There can be no assurance that
alternative carriers will be able to meet the Company's requirements on a timely
or cost-effective basis. Any significant delay in deliveries to customers or
increase in freight charges may have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and operating results.
 
    COMPETITION.  The mattress industry is highly competitive. Participants in
the mattress industry compete primarily on price, quality, brand name
recognition, product availability and product performance, including the
perceived levels of comfort and support provided by a mattress. The Company's
air beds compete with a number of different types of mattress alternatives,
including innerspring mattresses, waterbeds, futons and other air-supported
mattresses that are sold through a variety of channels, including furniture
stores, bedding specialty stores, department stores, mass merchants, wholesale
clubs, telemarketing programs, television infomercials and catalogs. The Company
believes that its success depends in part on increasing consumer awareness and
acceptance of the Company's existing products and continuing to introduce
products that have qualities and benefits which differentiate the Company's
products from those offered by other manufacturers. There can be no assurance
that such products will receive consumer acceptance or that the Company will
continue to be able to successfully introduce such products.
 
    The traditional mattress industry is characterized by a high degree of
concentration among the four largest manufacturers of innerspring mattresses
with nationally recognized brand names, including Sealy, which also owns the
Stearns & Foster brand name, Serta, Simmons and Spring Air. These manufacturers
were estimated by FURNITURE/TODAY to account for approximately 62% of wholesale
dollar sales in 1997. The balance of the mattress market is served by over 700
manufacturers, primarily operating on a regional basis. The traditional mattress
distribution channels and the estimated market shares in 1997, according to the
International Sleep Products Association ("ISPA"), were furniture stores (42%),
specialty bedding
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
stores (24%), department stores (11%), national chains (8%), wholesale clubs
(6%) and others, including telephone and electronic shopping channels (9%).
Between 1993 and 1997, specialty bedding stores increased their share of the
market from 19% to 24%. Many of these competitors, and in particular the four
largest manufacturers named above, have greater financial, marketing and
manufacturing resources and better brand name recognition than the Company, and
sell their products through broader and more established distribution channels.
The Company believes that a number of companies, including two of the four
largest manufacturers, have begun to offer air beds. There can be no assurance
that these or any other mattress manufacturers will not aggressively pursue the
air bed market. Any such competition by the established manufacturers or new
entrants into the market could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, should any of
the Company's competitors reduce prices on premium mattress products, the
Company may be required to implement price reductions in order to remain
competitive, which could have a material adverse effect on its business,
financial condition and operating results. There are no provisions in the
Company's retail store leases that limit or restrict competing businesses from
operating in the malls in which the Company's stores are located. The lack of
such restrictions and the lack of significant barriers to entry may result in
new competition. See "Business--Competition."
 
    REGULATORY MATTERS.  The Company's products and its marketing and
advertising practices are subject to regulation by various federal, state and
local regulatory authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission and the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The mattress industry also engages in
advertising self-regulation through certain voluntary forums, including the
National Advertising Division (the "NAD") of the Better Business Bureau. The
Company's advertising campaigns have in the past been the subject of proceedings
before the NAD. As a result of such proceedings, the Company has made minor
modifications to its advertising literature. There can be no assurance that the
Company's marketing and advertising practices will not be the subject of further
proceedings before regulatory authorities or the NAD, or the subject of claims
by other parties. The Company is also subject to various other federal, state
and local regulatory requirements, including federal, state and local
environmental regulation and regulations issued by the U.S. Occupational Safety
and Health Administration. There can be no assurance that the Company will not
experience any material adverse effects on its business, financial condition or
operating results as a result of such regulatory requirements.
 
    YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE.  The Company and third parties with which the Company
does business rely on numerous computer programs in their day to day operations.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to effectively address
its Year 2000 issues in a timely and cost-efficient manner and without
interruption to its business. The Company has initiated discussions with its
significant suppliers regarding their plans to remediate Year 2000 issues where
their systems interface with the Company's systems or otherwise impact its
operations. There can be no assurance that Year 2000 difficulties encountered by
its suppliers and other third parties with whom it does business will not have a
material adverse impact on the Company's business, financial condition or
operating results. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--Impact of Year 2000."
 
    DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL.  The success of the Company's business will
continue to be dependent upon the efforts of its key operating officers and
employees, including H. Robert Hawthorne, President, Chief Executive Officer and
a director, and Daniel J. McAthie, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Operating Officer. The loss of either of these executive
officers, or other key personnel, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, the
Company's success in the future will be dependent upon its ability to attract,
retain and motivate qualified personnel, including retail store managers.
 
    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION.  The Company currently holds a number of
U.S. and Canadian patents, and has various U.S. and international patent
applications pending, with respect to certain aspects
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
of the design, technology and function of its products. Notwithstanding these
patents and patent applications, no assurance can be given that such rights will
provide substantial protection or that others will not be able to develop
products that are similar to or competitive with the Company's air beds. The
Company also relies on a combination of copyright, trademark, trade secret,
unfair competition and other intellectual property laws, nondisclosure
agreements and other protective measures to protect its rights. Such
protections, however, may not preclude competitors from developing products
similar to the Company's products or otherwise competing with the Company. In
addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect the Company's
intellectual property rights and confidential information to the same extent as
the laws of the United States. Although the Company is unaware of any basis for
an intellectual property infringement or invalidity claim against it, there can
be no assurance that third parties, including competitors, will not assert such
claims against the Company or that, if asserted, such claims will not be upheld.
Intellectual property litigation, which could result in substantial cost to and
diversion of effort by the Company, may be necessary to enforce patents issued
to the Company, to protect trade secrets or proprietary technology owned by the
Company or to defend the Company against claimed infringement of the rights of
others and to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights of
others. There can be no assurance that the Company would prevail in any such
litigation or that, if it is unsuccessful, the Company would be able to obtain
any necessary licenses on reasonable terms or at all. See "Business--
Intellectual Property."
 
   
    CONTROL BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.  The Company's directors,
executive officers and their affiliates will, in the aggregate, beneficially own
approximately 45.7% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock after this
offering. Although the Company does not know of the existence of any agreements
among such shareholders with respect to the voting of their shares, if they were
to act in concert, they would be able to elect all of the Company's directors,
increase the Company's authorized capital stock, dissolve, merge or sell the
assets of the Company, effect other fundamental corporate transactions requiring
shareholder approval, including delaying, deterring or preventing a change in
control of the Company, and generally direct the affairs of the Company. See
"Principal and Selling Shareholders."
    
 
    LACK OF PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE.  Prior to
this offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock, and there
can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop or be sustained.
The initial public offering price for the shares of Common Stock to be sold in
this offering will be determined by agreement among the Company, the Selling
Shareholders and the representatives of the Underwriters and may bear no
relationship to the price at which the Common Stock will trade after completion
of this offering. For a discussion of the factors to be considered in
determining the initial public offering price, see "Underwriting."
 
    The stock market has from time to time experienced significant price and
volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of
particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the
market price of the Company's Common Stock. In addition, the market price of the
Common Stock is likely to be highly volatile. Factors such as fluctuations in
the Company's operating results, including sales volume growth and comparable
store sales, a downturn in the retail industry, changes in stock market
analysts' recommendations regarding the Company, other retail companies or the
retail industry in general and general market and economic conditions may have a
significant effect on the market price of the Common Stock.
 
   
    SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE.  The sale of substantial amounts of the
Company's Common Stock in the public market following this offering could
adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock and could impair the
Company's ability to raise capital in the future through the sale of its equity
securities. Upon completion of the offering, the Company will have 18,122,249
shares of Common Stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of options or warrants
after October 3, 1998. Of these shares, the 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock
offered hereby will be freely tradable. Of the remaining shares, 13,797,022
shares are
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
subject to lock-up agreements expiring 180 days after the date of this
Prospectus. Upon expiration of these agreements, 13,747,722 shares of Common
Stock will be eligible for immediate resale in the public market subject to the
limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). Of such shares, approximately 5,504,333 shares will be
eligible for resale in the public market pursuant to Rule 144(k) without regard
to the volume and manner of sale limitations in Rule 144. Of the 460,379 shares
not subject to lock-up agreements, 350,126 shares will be eligible for immediate
resale in the public market pursuant to Rule 144(k) and the remainder will be
eligible for resale in the public market subject to the limitations of Rule 144.
The Company intends to file a registration statement on Form S-8 within 30 days
after the completion of this offering to register the shares of Common Stock
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock options. As of
October 3, 1998, options to purchase approximately 122,693 shares not subject to
lock-up agreements were vested and would be eligible for sale pursuant to such
registration statement. In addition, certain existing shareholders and
warrantholders have the right to register shares of Common Stock for sale in the
public market. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Description of Capital
Stock--Registration Rights."
    
 
    ANTI-TAKEOVER CONSIDERATIONS.  The Company's Articles of Incorporation (the
"Articles") provide for a classified Board of Directors (the "Board") serving
staggered terms of three years. The Articles also require the approval of
two-thirds of the outstanding voting power of the Company entitled to vote in
the event of any sale or merger of the Company. Under the Articles, the Board
has the authority, without shareholder approval, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares
of undesignated preferred stock (the "Undesignated Preferred Stock") and to fix
the rights and preferences thereof. This authority, together with the super-
majority shareholder voting requirements and the staggered Board, may have the
effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a
third party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company, even if
shareholders purchasing shares in this offering may consider such a change in
control to be in their best interests. In addition, Minnesota law contains
certain provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing
a hostile takeover of the Company. See "Description of Capital Stock--
Provisions with Potential Anti-Takeover Effect."
 
   
    DILUTION.  The initial public offering price per share is substantially
higher than the net tangible book value per share of Common Stock. New investors
purchasing Common Stock in this offering will incur immediate and substantial
dilution of $12.45 in net tangible book value per share of Common Stock
purchased. See "Dilution."
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
            CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    The statements contained in this Prospectus that are not purely historical
are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's
expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future.
Statements which use the words "expects," "will," "may," "anticipates,"
"believes," "intends," and "seeks" are forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's efforts
to increase store level profitability and plans to open new retail stores and
develop new products, are based on information available to the Company on the
date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such
forward-looking statement. It is important to note that the Company's actual
results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.
Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the
factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors." In particular, the success
of the Company will be dependent upon many factors, including (i) the level of
consumer acceptance of the Company's products, (ii) the ability of the Company
to create product and brand name awareness, (iii) the effectiveness and
efficiency of the Company's advertising, (iv) the number and timing of new
retail store openings, (v) the performance of the Company's existing and new
retail stores, (vi) the ability of the Company to manage its planned rapid store
expansion, (vii) the ability of the Company to successfully identify and respond
to emerging trends in the mattress industry, (viii) the level of competition in
the mattress industry, and (ix) general economic conditions and consumer
confidence. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve
its planned expansion, that new stores will be effectively integrated into the
Company's existing operations, that new or existing stores will be profitable or
that the Company will be able to establish and maintain profitable strategic
alliances.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
    The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 2,800,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company hereby at an assumed initial public offering
price of $16.00 per share are estimated to be $40.7 million ($42.6 million if
the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), after deducting
the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by the
Company. The Company intends to use such net proceeds as follows: (i)
approximately $15.0 million to repay long-term debt; (ii) approximately $6.5
million to fund expansion of its retail store base; (iii) approximately $4.5
million to fund the build-out, start-up and leasing of its third manufacturing
and distribution facility scheduled for completion during the first half of
1999; and (iv) the remainder for general corporate purposes, including working
capital and for possible acquisitions of complementary products, technologies or
businesses. The Company has no current plans to undertake any acquisitions of a
material nature. The Company's $15.0 million of long-term debt intended to be
repaid with a portion of the net proceeds of this offering bears interest at 11%
per annum and is due March 31, 2003. The $15.0 million in long-term debt is owed
by the Company to General Electric Capital Corporation, a beneficial owner of
approximately 7.9% of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to this
offering. The proceeds of such indebtedness were used to fund expansion of the
Company's retail store base and for general corporate purposes. Pending
application of the net proceeds described above, the Company intends to invest
the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Common Stock by the
Selling Shareholders. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources" and
"Principal and Selling Shareholders."
    
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    To date, the Company has neither declared nor paid cash dividends on shares
of its Common Stock. The Company currently intends to retain future earnings, if
any, to fund the development and growth of its business and, therefore, does not
anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of
any future dividends will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of
Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company's future
earnings, capital requirements and financial condition and general business
conditions. The Company's current debt agreement contains various financial
covenants, including covenants relating to net worth, which may have the effect
of restricting the Company's ability to pay dividends. This agreement will
terminate upon repayment of the $15.0 million outstanding thereunder from a
portion of the net proceeds of this offering.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
   
    The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of
October 3, 1998 (i) on an actual basis and (ii) as adjusted to give effect to
the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock into shares of
Common Stock upon the consummation of this offering, the reclassification of
certain warrants from long-term debt to common shareholders' equity upon the
consummation of this offering, and the receipt and the application of the
estimated net proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered by
the Company hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per
share. The table should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company and the Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements
and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           OCTOBER 3, 1998
                                                                                                     ----------------------------
                                                                                                       ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED(1)
                                                                                                     -----------  ---------------
                                                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                                  <C>          <C>
Current maturities of long-term debt...............................................................  $     1,052    $     1,052
                                                                                                     -----------        -------
                                                                                                     -----------        -------
Long-term debt, less current maturities............................................................  $    24,244    $       167
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock.............................................................       27,612        --
                                                                                                     -----------        -------
 
Common shareholders' equity (deficit):
  Undesignated preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
    actual, as adjusted............................................................................      --             --
 
  Common stock, $0.01 par value, 95,000,000 shares authorized, 2,989,885 shares issued and
    outstanding, actual; 18,122,249 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted(2)..................           30            181
  Additional paid-in capital.......................................................................        3,328         82,345
  Accumulated deficit..............................................................................      (22,720)       (24,439)
  Notes receivable--investors......................................................................         (994)          (994)
                                                                                                     -----------        -------
      Total common shareholders' equity (deficit)..................................................      (20,356)        57,093
                                                                                                     -----------        -------
        Total capitalization.......................................................................  $    31,500    $    57,260
                                                                                                     -----------        -------
                                                                                                     -----------        -------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) See Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
   
(2) Excludes (i) an aggregate of 3,250,307 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
    exercise of stock options and warrants outstanding as of October 3, 1998 at
    a weighted average exercise price of $7.30 per share and (ii) an aggregate
    of up to 125,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of employee
    stock options expected to be granted in connection with this offering at an
    exercise price per share equal to the initial public offering price. See
    "Management--Stock Option and Incentive Plans" and "Description of Capital
    Stock--Options and Warrants."
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                                    DILUTION
 
   
    As of October 3, 1998, the Company had a net tangible book value of
approximately $32.2 million or $1.82 per share of Common Stock, giving effect to
the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock into Common Stock,
the exercise of stock options and warrants to purchase 2,387,756 shares of
Common Stock, which were exercisable as of October 3, 1998, and the
reclassification of certain warrants from long-term debt to common shareholders'
equity upon the consummation of this offering. Net tangible book value per share
represents the amount of the Company's common shareholders' equity (deficit),
less intangible assets, divided by the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding. After giving effect to the sale of the 2,800,000 shares of Common
Stock offered by the Company hereby at an assumed initial public offering price
of $16.00 per share and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom,
the net tangible book value of the Company as of October 3, 1998 would have been
approximately $72.8 million, or approximately $3.55 per share. This represents
an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.73 per share to existing
shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $12.45 per
share to new investors. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share..............             $   16.00
  Net tangible book value per share before the offering......  $    1.82
  Increase per share attributable to new investors...........       1.73
                                                               ---------
Net tangible book value per share after the offering.........                  3.55
                                                                          ---------
Dilution per share to new investors..........................             $   12.45
                                                                          ---------
                                                                          ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The following table summarizes, as of October 3, 1998, the differences
between the existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the
number of shares of Common Stock purchased from the Company, the total
consideration paid and the average price per share paid (based upon an assumed
initial public offering price of $16.00 per share):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 SHARES PURCHASED(1)        TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                              -------------------------  --------------------------  AVERAGE PRICE
                                 NUMBER       PERCENT       AMOUNT        PERCENT      PER SHARE
                              ------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                           <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Existing shareholders(2)....    17,710,005       86.3%   $  48,570,001       52.0%     $    2.74
New investors...............     2,800,000       13.7       44,800,000       48.0          16.00
                              ------------      -----    -------------      -----         ------
  Total.....................    20,510,005      100.0%   $  93,370,001      100.0%     $    4.55
                              ------------      -----    -------------      -----         ------
                              ------------      -----    -------------      -----         ------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
(1) Sales by the Selling Shareholders in this offering will reduce the number of
    shares held by the existing shareholders to 16,510,005 or approximately
    80.5% (16,039,107 shares or approximately 77.7% if the underwriter's
    over-allotment option is exercised in full) and will increase the number of
    shares held by new investors to 4,000,000 or approximately 19.5% (4,600,000
    or approximately 22.3% if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) of
    the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding after this offering.
    See "Principal and Selling Shareholders."
    
 
   
(2) Assumes the exercise of stock options and warrants to purchase 2,387,756
    shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price of $7.37 per
    share, which were exercisable as of October 3, 1998. Does not include the
    exercise of stock options to purchase 862,551 shares at a weighted average
    exercise price of $7.11 per share as of October 3, 1998. See
    "Management--Stock Option and Incentive Plans" and "Description of Capital
    Stock--Options and Warrants."
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The Consolidated Statements of Operations Data presented below for the years
ended December 30, 1995, December 28, 1996 and January 3, 1998 and the nine
months ended October 3, 1998 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet Data as of
December 28, 1996, January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998 are derived from the
Company's consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this
Prospectus, which have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
certified public accountants, and should be read in conjunction with those
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The Consolidated Statements
of Operations Data presented below for the year ended December 31, 1994 and the
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data as of December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995
are derived from audited consolidated financial statements of the Company not
included herein. The Consolidated Statement of Operations Data presented below
for the year ended December 31, 1993 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet Data as
of December 31, 1993 are derived from the unaudited consolidated financial
statements of the Company which, in the opinion of management, include all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair presentation of the financial information set forth therein. The
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data presented below for the nine months
ended September 27, 1997 and the Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations
Data for all periods shown, are derived from the Company's unaudited
consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus which,
in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
information set forth therein. The consolidated results of operations for the
nine months ended October 3, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results
to be expected for the entire year ending January 2, 1999 or for any future
period. The information presented below under the caption "Selected Operating
Data" is unaudited.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               NINE MONTHS
                                                                         YEAR ENDED(1)                            ENDED
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------  -----------
                                                   DEC. 31,     DEC. 31,     DEC. 30,    DEC. 28,    JAN. 3,    SEPT. 27,
                                                     1993         1994         1995        1996       1998        1997
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net sales.....................................   $  14,041    $  30,472    $  68,629   $ 102,028  $ 184,430   $ 126,470
  Cost of sales.................................       5,820       11,052       28,833      38,521     66,629      44,886
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Gross margin................................       8,221       19,420       39,796      63,507    117,801      81,584
  Operating expenses:
    Sales and marketing.........................       7,391       16,331       34,164      54,814     99,218      69,476
    General and administrative..................       3,583        6,386       10,221      12,457     16,505      11,593
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
      Total operating expenses..................      10,974       22,717       44,385      67,271    115,723      81,069
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Operating income (loss).......................      (2,753)      (3,297)      (4,589)     (3,764)     2,078         515
  Other income (expense), net...................           1          (74)          29          79     (4,783)     (3,023)
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Income (loss) before income taxes.............      (2,752)      (3,371)      (4,560)     (3,685)    (2,705)     (2,508)
  Income tax expense............................      --           --           --          --            141          16
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Net loss......................................   $  (2,752)   $  (3,371)   $  (4,560)  $  (3,685) $  (2,846)  $  (2,524)
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Cumulative preferred dividends................      --           --           --       $    (900) $    (900)  $    (675)
  Net loss available to common shareholders.....   $  (2,752)   $  (3,371)   $  (4,560)  $  (4,585) $  (3,746)  $  (3,199)
  Net loss per share(2):
    Basic.......................................   $   (2.16)   $   (2.65)   $   (3.16)  $   (2.61) $   (1.59)  $   (1.39)
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Diluted.....................................   $   (2.16)   $   (2.65)   $   (3.16)  $   (2.61) $   (1.59)  $   (1.39)
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Weighted average common shares:
    Basic.......................................       1,272        1,274        1,444       1,753      2,353       2,309
 
    Diluted.....................................       1,272        1,274        1,444       1,753      2,353       2,309
 
  Pro forma net income(3).......................                                                    $   1,583   $     162
                                                                                                    ---------  -----------
                                                                                                    ---------  -----------
  Pro forma net income per share, diluted(3)....                                                    $    0.09   $    0.01
                                                                                                    ---------  -----------
                                                                                                    ---------  -----------
  Pro forma weighted average common shares,
    diluted(4)..................................                                                       18,365      18,890
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                   OCT. 3,
                                                    1998
                                                  ---------
<S>                                               <C>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net sales.....................................  $ 178,835
  Cost of sales.................................     62,290
                                                  ---------
    Gross margin................................    116,545
  Operating expenses:
    Sales and marketing.........................     95,231
    General and administrative..................     13,932
                                                  ---------
      Total operating expenses..................    109,163
                                                  ---------
  Operating income (loss).......................      7,382
  Other income (expense), net...................     (6,447)
                                                  ---------
  Income (loss) before income taxes.............        935
  Income tax expense............................      1,348
                                                  ---------
  Net loss......................................  $    (413)
                                                  ---------
                                                  ---------
  Cumulative preferred dividends................  $    (675)
  Net loss available to common shareholders.....  $  (1,088)
  Net loss per share(2):
    Basic.......................................  $   (0.40)
                                                  ---------
                                                  ---------
    Diluted.....................................  $   (0.40)
                                                  ---------
                                                  ---------
  Weighted average common shares:
    Basic.......................................      2,746
    Diluted.....................................      2,746
  Pro forma net income(3).......................  $   5,988
                                                  ---------
                                                  ---------
  Pro forma net income per share, diluted(3)....  $    0.30
                                                  ---------
                                                  ---------
  Pro forma weighted average common shares,
    diluted(4)..................................     19,694
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               NINE MONTHS
                                                                         YEAR ENDED(1)                            ENDED
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------  -----------
                                                   DEC. 31,     DEC. 31,     DEC. 30,    DEC. 28,    JAN. 3,    SEPT. 27,
                                                     1993         1994         1995        1996       1998        1997
                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
SELECTED OPERATING DATA:
  Stores open at period-end(5)..................          19           35           68         143        200         190
  Average square footage of stores open during
    period(6)...................................         668          642          703         768        866         866
  Sales per square foot(6)......................   $     401    $     442    $     611   $     622  $     666   $     460
  Average store age (in months at period end)...           5           12           15          15         22          20
  Comparable store sales increase(7)............      --             57.6%        59.8%       26.1%      36.8%       26.7%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                   OCT. 3,
                                                    1998
                                                  ---------
<S>                                               <C>
SELECTED OPERATING DATA:
  Stores open at period-end(5)..................        244
  Average square footage of stores open during
    period(6)...................................        895
  Sales per square foot(6)......................  $     543
  Average store age (in months at period end)...         26
  Comparable store sales increase(7)............       26.9%
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          DEC. 31,     DEC. 31,    DEC. 30,   DEC. 28,     JAN. 3,      OCT. 3,
                                                            1993         1994        1995       1996        1998         1998
                                                         -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents............................   $     635    $   3,770   $   6,862  $   2,422   $  12,670     $  9,579
  Working capital......................................         260        2,614       2,734     (7,809)        757        3,606
  Total assets.........................................       5,873       14,243      23,838     29,794      57,241       63,323
  Long-term debt, less current maturities..............         109           77          40      1,162      19,511       24,244
  Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock...............      10,130       18,669      27,625     27,612      27,612       27,612
  Total common shareholders' deficit...................      (7,333)     (10,592)    (14,779)   (18,216)    (21,038)     (20,356)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) Except for the year ended January 3, 1998, which included 53 weeks, all
    years presented included 52 weeks.
 
(2) See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(3) Includes pro forma adjustments for (i) the elimination of non-cash interest
    expense associated with a put warrant, the put feature of which will
    terminate upon the consummation of this offering, (ii) the elimination of
    interest expense associated with repayment of $15.0 million of the Company's
    outstanding indebtedness from the proceeds of this offering, and (iii)
    related tax effects. See Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements and
    "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
    Operations--Overview."
 
(4) Gives effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock
    into Common Stock upon the consummation of this offering, the dilutive
    effect of outstanding options and warrants, and shares to be issued upon the
    consummation of this offering.
 
   
(5) Includes Select Comfort stores operated in leased departments within larger
    retail stores (one at December 28, 1996, September 27, 1997 and January 3,
    1998 and four at October 3, 1998).
    
 
(6) For stores open during the entire period indicated.
 
(7) Stores enter the comparable store calculation in their 13th full month of
    operation. The number of comparable stores used to calculate such data were
    13, 32, 65, 138, 107 and 182 for 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and the nine months
    ended September 27, 1997 and October 3, 1998, respectively.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH
"SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA" AND THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND THE PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) AND
THE NOTES THERETO INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. EXCEPT FOR THE
HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, THE DISCUSSION IN THIS PROSPECTUS
CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES, SUCH AS STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY'S PLANS, OBJECTIVES,
EXPECTATIONS AND INTENTIONS. THE CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS MADE IN THIS PROSPECTUS
SHOULD BE READ AS BEING APPLICABLE TO ALL RELATED FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
WHENEVER THEY APPEAR IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD
DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED HERE. FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE OR
CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES INCLUDE THOSE DISCUSSED IN "RISK FACTORS," AS
WELL AS THOSE DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE HEREIN. SEE "CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS."
 
OVERVIEW
 
    Select Comfort was founded in 1987 and has become the leading vertically
integrated manufacturer, specialty retailer and direct marketer of innovative
air beds and sleep-related products. The Company's initial focus was on its
direct marketing operations which have grown in depth and sophistication and now
provide critical support for the Company's retail and road show distribution
channels. Since the Company's first retail stores were opened in 1992, an
increasing percentage of the Company's net sales has occurred at the Company's
retail stores, and retail store sales now account for a majority of the
Company's net sales. In 1994, the Company established its road show distribution
channel, which focuses primarily on markets where the Company does not have
retail stores.
 
    The Company's vertically integrated operations and control over its three
separate but complementary distribution channels enable it to develop and
maintain direct customer relationships as well as leverage its advertising
dollars. The Company's sales generation is driven by targeted print, radio and
television media which generate customer inquiries that historically were
pursued primarily through the Company's direct marketing operations. As the
Company's retail store base has expanded, the Company believes it has been able
to further leverage the direct marketing infrastructure and improve the process
of converting inquiries into sales. The Company has also enhanced its marketing
programs at its retail stores to focus more on increasing customer traffic,
including a number of in-store activities and promotions. The Company believes
that its direct marketing operations will also continue to play a significant
role in building consumer awareness and product sales. The Company believes that
its sales will continue to grow for the foreseeable future as the Company
increases its advertising expenditures and opens additional retail stores, and
as consumer awareness of the Company's products and brand name increases. The
magnitude of future sales growth will depend on the ability of the Company to
create greater awareness of the Company's products and brand name, the
effectiveness and efficiency of the Company's advertising, the ability of the
Company to generate consumer inquiries and drive consumer traffic to its retail
stores, and the ability of the Company to convert customer inquiries into
orders.
 
    The Company's retail operations included 143 stores as of December 28, 1996,
200 stores as of January 3, 1998 and 244 stores, including four leased
departments within larger retail stores (three in Bed Bath & Beyond stores), at
October 3, 1998. The Company plans to open approximately 12 additional retail
stores and 10 additional leased departments in Bed Bath & Beyond stores in the
remainder of 1998 and approximately 50 additional retail stores in 1999. In
addition, the Company expects to expand its leased department concept in 1999.
The Company expects that approximately 46% of the 1998 retail store openings,
including leased departments, will be in new markets. To date, the Company has
closed four stores.
 
    Historically, the Company has experienced strong comparable store sales
growth, reporting increases of 26.1%, 36.8% and 26.9% in 1996, 1997 and the
first nine months of 1998, respectively. The Company believes this performance
is due to increased awareness of the Select Comfort brand and its product
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
benefits, the relatively young age of the Company's store base and various
initiatives implemented in recent periods related to the Company's increased
emphasis on the retail distribution channel. These initiatives include (i) a
change in focus of advertising toward brand awareness, (ii) the evolution of the
Company's retail store operations, including improvements in store design, and
(iii) the closer integration of the Company's direct marketing and retail
distribution channels. Comparable store sales results in the future will be
influenced by a variety of factors. See "Risk Factors--Fluctuations in
Comparable Store Sales Results."
 
    The Company's advertising expenditures increased from $5.5 million in 1994
to $28.3 million in 1997. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred as
a component of sales and marketing expenses, although the Company believes that
advertising expenditures provide significant benefits beyond the period in which
they are expensed. The Company also expenses pre-opening costs associated with
new retail stores as incurred. The Company's future advertising expenditures
will depend on the effectiveness and efficiency of the advertising in creating
awareness of the Company's products and brand name, generating consumer
inquiries and driving consumer traffic to the Company's retail stores. Although
advertising expenditures are expected to continue to increase in the foreseeable
future, such increases are expected to be at a lower rate than historical
increases.
 
    The Company believes its historical operating losses have been primarily the
result of an aggressive retail store opening strategy, a relatively immature
store base, significant marketing, advertising and research and development
expenditures, and the development of a substantial corporate infrastructure to
support future growth. Future increases in net sales and the achievement of
long-term profitability will depend upon greater consumer awareness and
acceptance of the Company's products, the opening and successful performance of
new retail stores, and continued improvement in the performance of its current
stores as they mature. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to achieve or sustain its historical sales growth or profitability in the
future, on a quarterly or annual basis. See "Risk Factors-- History of Operating
Losses; Uncertain Profitability."
 
    In connection with its March 1997 $15.0 million debt financing, the Company
issued a warrant that contained a put feature. This put feature requires the
Company to record the warrant as long-term debt at its fair value. Furthermore,
any change in the fair value of this warrant is required to be reflected as
interest expense, which resulted in non-cash interest expense of $3.3 million,
$1.9 million and $5.2 million during 1997 and the nine months ended September
27, 1997 and October 3, 1998, respectively. The put feature of this warrant will
be eliminated upon the closing of this offering with the result that the warrant
will be reclassified from long-term debt to common shareholders' equity, and
there will be no further interest expense associated with the warrant. Until
such time, the Company will be required to recognize any increases in the fair
value of this warrant, which will be based on valuations as determined by a
third party, as a non-cash interest expense and the amount of such non-cash
interest expense may be substantial in the periods up to and including the
period in which this offering is consummated. See "Pro Forma Consolidated
Financial Statements."
 
    A portion of the net proceeds from this offering is intended to be used to
repay the Company's March 1997 $15.0 million debt financing. As a result of this
repayment, the Company will be required to write off certain deferred assets
associated with such indebtedness in the period in which such repayment occurs.
This charge is estimated to be approximately $1.7 million at the time of such
repayment and will be recorded as an extraordinary charge.
 
    At October 3, 1998, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for
federal income tax purposes of approximately $1.6 million. Future earnings will
result in the elimination of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards,
increasing the Company's effective tax rate.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the Company's
results of operations expressed as percentages of net sales. Percentage amounts
may not total due to rounding.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES
                                                                 -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             YEAR ENDED                  NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                 -----------------------------------  ------------------------
                                                                  DEC. 30,     DEC. 28,     JAN. 3,    SEPT. 27,     OCT. 3,
                                                                    1995         1996        1998        1997         1998
                                                                 -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Net sales......................................................       100.0%       100.0%      100.0%      100.0%      100.0%
Cost of sales..................................................        42.0         37.8        36.1        35.5        34.8
                                                                 -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------
  Gross margin.................................................        58.0         62.2        63.9        64.5        65.2
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..........................................        49.8         53.7        53.8        54.9        53.3
  General and administrative...................................        14.9         12.2         8.9         9.2         7.8
                                                                 -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------
    Total operating expenses...................................        64.7         65.9        62.7        64.1        61.0
                                                                 -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------
Operating income (loss)........................................        (6.7)        (3.7)        1.1         0.4         4.1
Other income (expense), net....................................         0.0          0.1        (2.6)       (2.4)       (3.6)
                                                                 -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes..............................        (6.6)        (3.6)       (1.5)       (2.0)        0.5
Income tax expense.............................................         0.0          0.0         0.1         0.0         0.8
                                                                 -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------
Net loss.......................................................        (6.6)%       (3.6)%      (1.5)%       (2.0)%      (0.2)%
                                                                 -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------
                                                                 -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
COMPARISON OF NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 AND OCTOBER 3, 1998
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales increased 41.4% from $126.5 million for the first nine
months of 1997 to $178.8 million for the first nine months of 1998, primarily
due to an increase in unit sales. The components of the increase in net sales
were (i) a $20.5 million increase associated with the opening of 54 new retail
stores from September 27, 1997 through October 3, 1998, (ii) a $17.2 million
increase associated with an increase of 26.9% in comparable store sales over the
comparable period of the prior year, resulting primarily from the continuing
maturation of stores, and (iii) a $13.6 million increase in direct marketing
sales. For a significant portion of the third quarter of 1997, due to a UPS work
stoppage, UPS was unable to deliver the Company's products within acceptable
time periods, causing delays in deliveries to customers and requiring the
Company to use alternative carriers. Also, during this period, the Company
converted its manufacturing and financial operations to a new integrated
information system. These factors resulted in higher than normal customer
returns and canceled orders, lower order volumes and substantially increased
freight charges, which the Company estimates negatively impacted its operating
income by approximately $3.9 million in the second half of 1997.
 
    GROSS MARGIN.  Gross margin increased from 64.5% for the first nine months
of 1997 to 65.2% for the first nine months of 1998 primarily due to improved
purchasing through volume discounts and better relationships with key suppliers
and improved leverage of fixed manufacturing costs over higher unit volumes.
 
    SALES AND MARKETING.  Sales and marketing expenses increased 37.1% from
$69.5 million in the first nine months of 1997 to $95.2 million in the first
nine months of 1998, and decreased slightly as a percentage of net sales from
54.9% in the first nine months of 1997 to 53.3% in the first nine months of
1998. The increase in the dollar amount of sales and marketing expenses was
primarily due to the opening of 54 new retail stores from September 27, 1997
through October 3, 1998, increased advertising expenditures to support the
Company's growth, and higher commissions, percentage rents and freight expense
related to the higher net sales.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE.  General and administrative expenses increased
20.2% from $11.6 million in the first nine months of 1997 to $13.9 million in
the first nine months of 1998, but decreased as a percentage of net sales from
9.2% in the first nine months of 1997 to 7.8% for the first nine months of 1998.
The increase in the dollar amount of general and administrative expenses was
primarily due to increased spending to provide infrastructure to support overall
net sales growth. The decrease in general and administrative expenses as a
percentage of net sales was primarily due to improved leverage of fixed costs
over the increase in net sales.
 
    OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET.  Other expense increased from $3.0 million in
the first nine months of 1997 to $6.4 million in the first nine months of 1998
primarily due to an increase in interest expense associated with the Company's
March 1997 $15.0 million debt issuance, offset in part by the interest income
associated with the proceeds thereof. Other expense in the first nine months of
1998 included $5.2 million of non-cash interest expense relating to the change
in the fair value of an outstanding put warrant compared with $1.9 million in
the first nine months of 1997.
 
COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND JANUARY 3, 1998
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales increased 80.8% from $102.0 million in 1996 to $184.4
million in 1997 primarily due to an increase in unit sales. The components of
the net sales increase were (i) a $36.6 million increase associated with the
opening of 58 new retail stores in 1997, (ii) a $27.4 million increase in direct
marketing sales, and (iii) a $16.1 million increase associated with an increase
of 36.8% in comparable store sales over the prior year, resulting primarily from
the continuing maturation of stores. For a significant portion of the third
quarter of 1997, due to a UPS work stoppage, UPS was unable to deliver the
Company's products within acceptable time periods, causing delays in deliveries
to customers and requiring the Company to use alternative carriers. Also, during
this period, the Company converted its manufacturing and financial operations to
a new integrated information system. These factors resulted in higher than
normal customer returns and canceled orders, lower order volumes and
substantially increased freight charges, which the Company estimates negatively
impacted its operating income by approximately $3.9 million in the second half
of 1997.
 
    GROSS MARGIN.  Gross margin increased from 62.2% in 1996 to 63.9% in 1997
primarily due to improved purchasing through volume discounts and better
relationships with key suppliers and improved leverage of fixed manufacturing
costs over higher unit volumes.
 
    SALES AND MARKETING.  Sales and marketing expenses increased 81.0% from
$54.8 million in 1996 to $99.2 million in 1997, and increased slightly as a
percentage of net sales from 53.7% in 1996 to 53.8% in 1997. The increase in the
dollar amount of sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to the opening
of 58 new retail stores in 1997, higher commissions, percentage rents and
freight expenses related to the higher level of net sales, increased advertising
expenditures to support the Company's growth, and an increase in freight charges
due to the UPS strike.
 
    GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE.  General and administrative expenses increased
32.5% from $12.5 million in 1996 to $16.5 million in 1997, but decreased as a
percentage of net sales from 12.2% in 1996 to 8.9% in 1997. The increase in the
dollar amount of general and administrative expenses was primarily due to
increased infrastructure to support overall net sales growth. The decrease in
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily
due to improved leverage of fixed costs over the increase in net sales.
 
    OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET.  Other income (expense) decreased from $0.1
million of other income in 1996 to $4.8 million of other expense in 1997
primarily due to (i) the inclusion of $3.3 million of non-cash interest expense
relating to the change in the fair value of an outstanding put warrant and (ii)
interest expense associated with the Company's March 1997 $15.0 million debt
issuance, offset in part by the interest income associated with the proceeds
thereof.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND DECEMBER 28, 1996
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales increased 48.7% from $68.6 million in 1995 to $102.0
million in 1996, primarily due to an increase in unit sales. The components of
the net sales increase were (i) a $21.5 million increase associated with the
opening of 77 new retail stores in 1996, (ii) a $6.4 million increase in direct
marketing sales, and (iii) a $4.7 million increase associated with an increase
of 26.1% in comparable store sales over the prior year, resulting primarily from
the continuing maturation of stores.
 
    GROSS MARGIN.  Gross margin increased from 58.0% in 1995 to 62.2% in 1996.
The increase in gross margin was primarily due to improved purchasing through
volume discounts and better relationships with key suppliers, the elimination of
supplier problems that adversely affected the second half of 1995 (during which
certain of the Company's former suppliers were unable to supply newly designed
components in a timely manner) and improved leverage of fixed manufacturing
costs over higher unit volumes.
 
    SALES AND MARKETING.  Sales and marketing expenses increased 60.4% from
$34.2 million in 1995 to $54.8 million in 1996, and increased as a percentage of
net sales from 49.8% in 1995 to 53.7% in 1996. The increase in the percentage of
net sales was primarily due to the opening of 77 new retail stores in 1996,
higher commissions, percentage rents and freight charges related to the higher
level of net sales and advertising expenditures to support the Company's growth.
The increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to advertising
expenditures increasing at a rate greater than the increase in net sales, and
retail store net sales (which have higher sales and marketing costs as a
percentage of net sales) increasing at a rate greater than overall net sales.
 
    GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE.  General and administrative expenses increased
21.9% from $10.2 million in 1995 to $12.5 million in 1996, but decreased as a
percentage of net sales from 14.9% in 1995 to 12.2% in 1996. The increase in the
dollar amount of general and administrative expenses was primarily due to
increased infrastructure to support overall net sales growth. The decrease as a
percentage of net sales was primarily due to improved leverage of fixed costs
over the increase in net sales.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
SELECTED QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly results of
operations for the Company's 11 fiscal quarters ended October 3, 1998. The
unaudited quarterly information includes all normal recurring adjustments which
management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the information shown.
The results of operation for any quarter will not necessarily be indicative of
the results that may be achieved for a full year or any future quarter.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              QUARTER ENDED
                                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         MAR. 30,     JUNE 29,     SEPT. 28,    DEC. 28,     MAR. 29,     JUNE 28,     SEPT. 27,
                                           1996         1996         1996         1996         1997         1997         1997
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net sales.............................   $  22,263    $  24,775    $  24,302    $  30,688    $  36,004    $  46,074    $  44,392
Cost of sales.........................       8,757        9,516        9,460       10,788       12,839       16,157       15,890
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Gross margin........................      13,506       15,259       14,842       19,900       23,165       29,917       28,502
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing.................      12,442       12,592       13,278       16,502       21,370       22,366       25,740
  General and administrative..........       3,094        3,090        2,968        3,305        3,618        4,471        3,504
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total operating expenses..........      15,536       15,682       16,246       19,807       24,988       26,837       29,244
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Operating income (loss)...............      (2,030)        (423)      (1,404)          93       (1,823)       3,080         (742)
Other income (expense), net...........          68          (14)          44          (19)         (70)      (1,784)      (1,169)
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes.....      (1,962)        (437)      (1,360)          74       (1,893)       1,296       (1,911)
Income tax expense....................      --           --           --           --               12       --                4
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Net income (loss).....................   $  (1,962)   $    (437)   $  (1,360)   $      74    $  (1,905)   $   1,296    $  (1,915)
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Cumulative preferred dividends........   $    (225)   $    (225)   $    (225)   $    (225)   $    (225)   $    (225)   $    (225)
Net income (loss) available to common
  shareholders........................   $  (2,187)   $    (662)   $  (1,585)   $    (151)   $  (2,130)   $   1,071    $  (2,140)
Net income (loss) per share (1):
  Basic...............................   $   (1.34)   $   (0.39)   $   (0.87)   $   (0.08)   $   (1.02)   $    0.44    $   (0.88)
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Diluted.............................   $   (1.34)   $   (0.39)   $   (0.87)   $   (0.08)   $   (1.02)   $    0.07    $   (0.88)
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Weighted average common shares (1):
  Basic...............................       1,634        1,710        1,829        1,841        2,081        2,410        2,437
  Diluted.............................       1,634        1,710        1,829        1,841        2,081       14,333        2,437
 
                                                                         PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES
                                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales.............................       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%
Cost of sales.........................        39.3         38.4         38.9         35.2         35.7         35.1         35.8
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Gross margin........................        60.7         61.6         61.1         64.8         64.3         64.9         64.2
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing.................        55.9         50.8         54.6         53.8         59.4         48.5         58.0
  General and administrative..........        13.9         12.5         12.2         10.8         10.0          9.7          7.9
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total operating expenses..........        69.8         63.3         66.9         64.5         69.4         58.2         65.9
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Operating income (loss)...............        (9.1)        (1.7)        (5.8)         0.3         (5.1)         6.7         (1.7)
Other income (expense), net...........         0.3         (0.1)         0.2         (0.1)        (0.2)        (3.9)        (2.6)
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes.....        (8.8)        (1.8)        (5.6)         0.2         (5.3)         2.8         (4.3)
Income tax expense....................      --           --           --           --           --           --           --
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Net income (loss).....................        (8.8)%       (1.8 )%       (5.6 )%        0.2%       (5.3 )%        2.8%       (4.3)%
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                          JAN. 3,      APR. 4,     JULY 4,    OCT. 3,
                                           1998         1998        1998       1998
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
 
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
Net sales.............................   $  57,960    $  58,671   $  60,129  $  60,035
Cost of sales.........................      21,743       21,080      20,466     20,744
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
  Gross margin........................      36,217       37,591      39,663     39,291
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing.................      29,742       32,260      31,695     31,276
  General and administrative..........       4,912        4,294       4,302      5,336
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
    Total operating expenses..........      34,654       36,554      35,997     36,612
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Operating income (loss)...............       1,563        1,037       3,666      2,679
Other income (expense), net...........      (1,760)      (1,305)     (1,050)    (4,092)
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes.....        (197)        (268)      2,616     (1,413)
Income tax expense....................         125          150         706        492
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Net income (loss).....................   $    (322)   $    (418)  $   1,910  $  (1,905)
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Cumulative preferred dividends........   $    (225)   $    (225)  $    (225) $    (225)
Net income (loss) available to common
  shareholders........................   $    (547)   $    (643)  $   1,685  $  (2,130)
Net income (loss) per share (1):
  Basic...............................   $   (0.22)   $   (0.26)  $    0.60  $   (0.72)
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
  Diluted.............................   $   (0.22)   $   (0.26)  $    0.11  $   (0.72)
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Weighted average common shares (1):
  Basic...............................       2,475        2,478       2,820      2,938
  Diluted.............................       2,475        2,478      15,088      2,938
 
Net sales.............................       100.0%       100.0%      100.0%     100.0%
Cost of sales.........................        37.5         35.9        34.0       34.6
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
  Gross margin........................        62.5         64.1        66.0       65.4
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing.................        51.3         55.0        52.7       52.1
  General and administrative..........         8.5          7.3         7.2        8.9
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
    Total operating expenses..........        59.8         62.3        59.9       61.0
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Operating income (loss)...............         2.7          1.8         6.1        4.5
Other income (expense), net...........        (3.0)        (2.2)       (1.7)      (6.8)
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes.....        (0.3)        (0.5)        4.4       (2.4)
Income tax expense....................         0.2          0.3         1.2        0.8
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Net income (loss).....................        (0.6 )%       (0.7 )%       3.2%      (3.2)%
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                        -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ----------------------------------
 
(1) Shares of preferred stock are excluded from the calculation of net income
    (loss) per share for all periods for which the Company reported a net loss.
    Upon the consummation of this offering, all shares of preferred stock will
    be converted to shares of Common Stock and included in weighted average
    shares outstanding for purposes of computing net income (loss) per share.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
    The Company's quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly as a
result of a variety of factors, including increases or decreases in comparable
store sales, the timing, amount and effectiveness of advertising expenditures,
any changes in return rates, the timing of new store openings and related
expenses, competitive factors, net sales contributed by new stores, any
disruptions in third party delivery services and general economic conditions and
consumer confidence. The Company's business is also subject to some seasonal
influences, with heavier concentrations of sales during the fourth quarter
holiday season due to higher mall traffic. During the third quarter of 1997, the
UPS work stoppage resulted in delayed delivery of the Company's products,
requiring that the Company use alternative carriers. Additionally, during that
period, the Company converted its manufacturing and financial operations to a
new integrated information system, which further contributed to delays in
fulfilling customer orders. These factors resulted in higher than normal
customer returns, canceled orders and substantially increased freight charges,
which had a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results in the
second half of 1997.
 
    A substantial portion of the Company's operating expenses is related to
sales and marketing expenses, including costs associated with opening new stores
and advertising and marketing expenditures. The level of such spending cannot be
adjusted quickly and is based, in significant part, on the Company's
expectations of future customer inquiries and net sales. Furthermore, the
Company has often realized a substantial portion of its net sales in the last
month of a quarter, with such net sales frequently concentrated in the last
weeks or days of a quarter, due in part to its promotional schedule. If there is
a shortfall in expected net sales or in the conversion rate of customer
inquiries, the Company may be unable to adjust its spending in a timely manner
and the Company's business, financial condition and operating results may be
materially adversely affected. The Company's results of operations for any
quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a
full year or any future quarter.
 
    The Company expects to incur certain charges in the period in which this
offering is consummated in connection with an outstanding put warrant and with
the repayment of certain indebtedness with a portion of the net proceeds of this
offering.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    The Company's primary source of liquidity has been the sale of equity
securities and a $15.0 million senior subordinated debt financing transaction
completed in March 1997. Primary uses of cash have been for the development and
manufacturing of the Company's air bed product line, sales and marketing
expenses, costs associated with the opening of new retail stores and
manufacturing facilities and other required infrastructure and general corporate
purposes, including working capital. The Company had working capital of
approximately $3.6 million at October 3, 1998.
 
    Net cash used in operating activities for 1995 was approximately $404,000
and consisted primarily of a net loss adjusted for non-cash expenses and
increases in inventories and accounts receivable, partially offset by increases
in accounts payable and accruals. Net cash provided by operating activities in
1996 was approximately $3.1 million and consisted primarily of increases in
accounts payable and accruals, partially offset by a net loss adjusted for
non-cash expenses and increases in inventories, accounts receivable and prepaid
expenses. Net cash provided by operating activities in 1997 was approximately
$7.3 million and consisted primarily of increases in accounts payable, accruals
and net loss adjusted for non-cash expenses, partially offset by increases in
accounts receivable, inventories and prepaid expenses. Net cash provided by
operating activities in the first nine months of 1997 was approximately $5.5
million and consisted primarily of increases in accounts payable, accruals and
net loss adjusted for non-cash expenses, partially offset by increases in
inventories and prepaid expenses. Net cash provided by operating activities in
the first nine months of 1998 was approximately $2.6 million and consisted
primarily of net loss adjusted for non-cash expenses partially offset by
increases in accounts receivable and inventories.
 
    Beginning in May 1997, the Company began offering an unsecured revolving
credit arrangement to finance purchases through a third party bank. Amounts owed
to the bank by the Company's customers
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
aggregated $65.8 million at October 3, 1998. The bank's current commitment
extends to a maximum of $75.0 million of receivables outstanding. The Company
expects to increase the amount of this commitment before the end of 1998. In
connection with all purchases financed under these arrangements, the bank pays
the Company an amount equal to the total amount of purchases net of promotional
related discounts and less amounts retained for returned products and limited
recourse on bad debts. Pursuant to its agreement with the Company, the bank had
retained $1.9 million, $3.9 million and $10.1 million as of September 27, 1997,
January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998, respectively.
 
    Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $5.6 million, $10.1
million, $10.7 million, $9.0 million and $6.7 million in the years 1995, 1996,
1997 and the first nine months of 1997 and the first nine months of 1998,
respectively. Investing activities consisted of purchases of property and
equipment for new retail stores in all periods as well as for a new
manufacturing and distribution facility and the conversion to a new information
system in 1997.
 
    Net cash provided by financing activities for 1995 was approximately $9.1
million and consisted primarily of proceeds from a preferred stock issuance. Net
cash provided by financing activities for 1996, 1997 and the first nine months
of 1997 was approximately $2.6 million, $13.6 million and $13.8 million,
respectively, and consisted primarily of proceeds from debt issuances, partially
offset by debt repayments. Net cash provided by financing activities for the
first nine months of 1998 was approximately $931,000 and consisted primarily of
proceeds from a Common Stock issuance, partially offset by debt repayments.
 
    At October 3, 1998, the Company had 244 retail stores (including four leased
departments) and plans to open approximately 12 additional retail stores and 10
additional leased departments in Bed Bath & Beyond stores in the remainder of
1998 and approximately 50 retail stores in 1999. In addition, the Company
expects to expand its leased department concept within larger retail stores in
1999. Management expects that new stores will be leased on terms generally
comparable to those of existing store leases. In addition, the Company plans to
open a third manufacturing and distribution facility in Salt Lake City during
the first half of 1999. The Company anticipates that capital expenditures in
1998 and 1999 will be approximately $8.2 million and $15.0 million,
respectively, based on currently planned store openings, the planned new
manufacturing and distribution facility and the central office facilities and
systems necessary to support such additional stores.
 
    The Company believes cash generated from operations will be sufficient to
satisfy its anticipated working capital needs and that capital expenditure
requirements through at least the end of 1999 will be funded primarily by
proceeds from the offering. The Company believes cash generated from operations
and proceeds from the offering remaining at the end of 1999 will be used to meet
long-term liquidity needs, although additional financing may be required.
 
IMPACT OF YEAR 2000
 
    STATE OF READINESS.  Beginning in early 1996, the Company included certain
Year 2000 initiatives and remediation plans in its broader information systems
strategic plan. At that time, the Company also retained an independent
consultant to assess the adequacy of the Company's Year 2000 initiatives and
remediation plans. Since that time, all of the Company's essential information
technology ("IT") systems have been inventoried and remediation plans for any
Year 2000 issues have been implemented. The Company's remediation plans included
the development of Year 2000 compliant applications for the Company's order
entry, customer service and point of sale systems in Fall 1996. In the third
quarter of 1997, the Company purchased and implemented an enterprise information
system used in manufacturing operations, material planning, inventory
management, order processing, financial management and human resources
applications, which system will be upgraded to be Year 2000 compliant in the
first half of 1999. The Company purchased Year 2000 compliant upgrades to the
Company's payroll application in 1997 and the Company's telephone system in
1998. The Company has purchased Year 2000 compliant upgrades for its software
applications for customer inquiries and for processing and tracking warranty
claims and returns. The Company anticipates these upgrades will be completed in
the first half of 1999. With the
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
implementation of these applications and upgrades, the Company expects that all
of its core applications and IT systems will be Year 2000 compliant by the end
of the second quarter of 1999.
 
    In August 1998, the Company formed a Year 2000 project team ("Year 2000
Project Team") to identify and address Year 2000 compliance matters, including
the Company's significant non-IT systems which are comprised of the embedded
technology used in the Company's buildings, plant, equipment and other
infrastructure. The Year 2000 Project Team is currently in the process of
inventorying all material Year 2000 issues in the Company's non-IT systems.
Based on a general assessment of the Company's significant non-IT systems
performed prior to the formation of the Year 2000 Project Team, the Company
expects that remedial action for all of its non-IT systems will be completed by
the end of the second quarter of 1999.
 
   
    During the first quarter of 1998, the Company initiated discussions with its
significant suppliers regarding their plans to remediate Year 2000 issues. The
Company sent each of its significant suppliers a questionnaire inquiring as to
the magnitude of their Year 2000 issues and the status of their readiness. The
Company has received assurances from a majority of its suppliers that such third
parties will become Year 2000 compliant in a timely manner. The Company has not
received responses from all of the third parties with whom it does business. In
addition to the questionnaires, the Company has established a supplier
certification program under which the Company's suppliers must meet rigorous
standards relating to quality, service, the ability to deliver materials on a
timely basis and Year 2000 compliance. To date, nine of the Company's key
suppliers were certified and other authorized suppliers are in the process of
seeking certification. All of the Company's key suppliers, including the
Company's Eastern European supplier of air chambers, have notified the Company
that they are or will be Year 2000 compliant during 1999.
    
 
    In addition to suppliers, the Company also relies upon governmental
agencies, utility companies, telecommunication service companies and other
service providers outside of the Company's control. There can be no assurance
that such governmental agencies or other third parties will not suffer a Year
2000 business disruption that could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
 
    COSTS TO ADDRESS THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE.  The Company estimates it has
incurred, through October 3, 1998, approximately $165,000 to address Year 2000
issues. The Company estimates that by mid-1999 it will incur an additional
$100,000 to complete its remediation plans required for its IT systems, which
includes systems software costs and consulting fees. The Company does not have
an estimate on Year 2000 remediation costs that may be required for its non-IT
systems, but the Company believes that such costs will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and operating
results.
 
    RISKS PRESENTED BY THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE.  As the process of inventorying
non-IT systems proceeds, the Company may identify systems that present a Year
2000 risk. In addition, if any third parties who provide goods or services
essential to the Company's business activities fail to appropriately address
their Year 2000 issues, such failure could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results. For example, a
Year 2000 related disruption on the part of the financial institutions which
process the Company's credit card sales would have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
 
    CONTINGENCY PLANS.  The Company's Year 2000 Project Team's initiatives
include the development of contingency plans in the event the Company has not
completed all of its remediation plans in a timely manner. In addition, the Year
2000 Project Team is in the process of developing contingency plans in the event
that any third parties who provide goods or services essential to the Company's
business fail to appropriately address their Year 2000 issues. The Year 2000
Project Team expects to conclude the development of these contingency plans by
the end of the second quarter of 1999.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW
 
    Select Comfort, "The Air Bed Company," is the leading vertically integrated
manufacturer, specialty retailer and direct marketer of premium quality, premium
priced, innovative air beds and sleep-related products. Select Comfort believes
it is revolutionizing the mattress industry by offering a differentiated product
through a variety of service-oriented distribution channels. Select Comfort's
products have been clinically proven to address broad-based consumer sleep
problems through the Company's proprietary air bed technology and the ability to
customize the firmness on each side of the mattress at the touch of a button.
Extensive testing has confirmed that Select Comfort's proprietary technology
allows its air beds to provide greater comfort and support by more naturally
contouring to the body, thereby providing better spinal alignment, reduced
pressure points, greater relief of lower back pain, greater overall comfort and
better quality sleep in comparison with traditional mattress products. The
Company's air beds are marketed exclusively under the Select Comfort brand. The
Company seeks to build awareness of its air beds and brand as being synonymous
with a better night's sleep.
 
    Unlike traditional mattress manufacturers, the Company sells its products
directly to consumers through three complementary, service-oriented distribution
channels, including Company-operated retail stores and leased departments within
larger retail stores, direct marketing operations and road show events. Each of
these channels is operated by knowledgeable Company employees trained in the
latest innovations in sleep technology and the benefits and features of the
Select Comfort product line. The Company's retail operations included 244 stores
in 43 states, including four leased departments (three in Bed Bath & Beyond
stores), at October 3, 1998. The Company plans to open approximately 12
additional retail stores and 10 additional leased departments in Bed Bath &
Beyond stores in the remainder of 1998 and approximately 50 retail stores in
1999. In addition, the Company expects to expand its leased department concept
in 1999. The Company's direct marketing operations include approximately 90
sales professionals responsible for servicing customer inquiries and making
outbound calls. Road show events are held in selected markets where the Company
has high inquiry levels but does not have a retail presence, as well as at home
shows and consumer product shows, state fairs and similar events. The Company
advertises through targeted print, radio and television media which generate
customer inquiries that are converted into sales through each of the Company's
three distribution channels. The Company's net sales have grown from $14.0
million in 1993 to $184.4 million in 1997, and its comparable store sales have
increased 26.1%, 36.8% and 26.9% for 1996, 1997 and the nine months ended
October 3, 1998, respectively.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
    The U.S. mattress market is large and dominated by four large manufacturers
primarily focused on traditional innerspring mattresses. According to the
International Sleep Products Association ("ISPA"), 35.3 million mattress and
foundation units were sold in the U.S. in 1997, generating approximately $3.6
billion in wholesale sales, which the Company believes represented approximately
$6.7 billion in retail sales. ISPA estimates that innerspring mattresses
accounted for approximately 90% of total U.S. mattress sales in 1997 and,
according to FURNITURE/TODAY, the four largest manufacturers (Sealy, Serta,
Simmons and Spring Air) accounted for nearly 62% of wholesale dollar sales. The
balance of the mattress market is served by over 700 manufacturers, primarily
operating on a regional basis. The traditional mattress distribution channels
and the estimated market shares in 1997, according to FURNITURE/TODAY, were
furniture stores (42%), specialty bedding stores (24%), department stores (11%),
national chains (8%), wholesale clubs (6%) and others, including telephone and
electronic shopping channels (9%). Between 1993 and 1997, specialty bedding
stores increased their share of the market from 19% to 24%.
 
    The Company believes there is increasing demand for products designed to
provide better quality sleep and promote overall wellness and that the
traditional mattress industry has not been responsive to
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
these consumer preferences. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that
approximately 50% of U.S. consumers have suffered from sleep deprivation or poor
quality sleep from a variety of causes, including physical causes such as spinal
misalignment, pressure points or lower back pain. In addition, independent
researchers have reported that approximately 80% of all adults will experience
lower back pain at some point in their lives, with most of these cases
associated with spinal misalignment and aging. The Company believes that the
sleep surface is an important factor in sleep quality, and clinical research
verifies that an improved sleep surface can contribute to better quality sleep
and greater relief of lower back pain.
 
    The Company believes that the market for mattresses and related accessories
has been changing as consumers are purchasing larger, higher quality and more
expensive mattresses, as well as more innovative and higher quality accessories.
Factors influencing this trend are the increasing awareness among consumers of
the importance of sleep as a component of health and the aging and increasing
affluence of the baby boom generation. The Company believes that consumers are
increasingly health conscious and motivated to purchase higher quality products
for the home.
 
THE SELECT COMFORT SOLUTION
 
    Select Comfort believes it is revolutionizing the mattress industry by
offering a clinically proven, differentiated product through a variety of
service-oriented distribution channels. The Company's products address
broad-based consumer sleep problems, resulting in a better night's sleep. The
Company's proprietary technology allows its air beds to more naturally contour
to the body, thereby generally providing better spinal alignment, reduced
pressure points, greater relief of lower back pain, greater overall comfort and
better quality sleep in comparison with traditional mattress products. A
firmness control system allows customers to independently customize the firmness
on each side of the Select Comfort air bed to their optimal level of comfort and
support. Unlike traditional mattress manufacturers, the Company sells its
products directly to consumers through three complementary distribution
channels. These channels allow the Company to interact directly with consumers
to enhance customer satisfaction and build brand loyalty. These channels also
provide consumers with greater accessibility and convenience in purchasing
Select Comfort products.
 
    Select Comfort has commissioned a number of independent clinical studies
which indicate that Select Comfort air beds provide consumers with substantial
benefits over traditional innerspring mattresses. A recent commissioned study
conducted at the Stanford University Sleep Research Center indicated that
participants using Select Comfort air beds fell asleep faster, experienced fewer
brainwave sleep disturbances and spent less time in the lighter sleep stages and
a greater percentage of overall sleep in deeper stages of sleep, including rapid
eye movement (REM) sleep, in comparison to alternative mattress products.
Another commissioned study conducted at the University of Memphis confirmed that
spinal misalignments were generally lower on Select Comfort air beds in
comparison with both a leading innerspring mattress and a leading waterbed. The
Company has also performed extensive testing which confirms that Select Comfort
air beds reduce pressure points in comparison with innerspring mattresses and
waterbeds. Three additional commissioned studies on the relationship between
lower back pain, sleep quality and the sleep surface have found, on average,
that 95% of lower back pain sufferers reported reduced pain, 88% experienced
improved sleep quality and 80% experienced increased physical functioning when
sleeping on a Select Comfort air bed in comparison with an innerspring mattress.
These findings support the Company's market research and customer testimonials
which indicate that sleeping on a Select Comfort air bed results in a
significant reduction in medical visits and fewer days of work lost due to back
pain.
 
   
    The Company has been granted 16 U.S. patents, has applications pending for
seven U.S. patents and maintains an active research and development department.
Select Comfort plans to continue its research of sleep technology, testing of
the consumer benefits from sleeping on its air beds and development of new
products and product improvements designed to provide a better night's sleep.
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
BUSINESS AND GROWTH STRATEGY
 
    The Company is the leading vertically integrated manufacturer, specialty
retailer and direct marketer of innovative air beds and sleep-related products.
Select Comfort intends to leverage its position by increasing awareness of air
bed technology and further establishing the Select Comfort brand to be
synonymous with a better night's sleep, premium quality products and superior
customer service. Key elements of the Company's business strategy are set forth
below.
 
    PROVIDE A SUPERIOR PRODUCT.  Select Comfort's products differ from
traditional mattresses by addressing broad-based consumer sleep problems through
the greater comfort and support of sleeping on air and through the ability to
customize the firmness on each side of the mattress at the touch of a button.
Extensive testing has confirmed that Select Comfort air beds generally provide
better spinal alignment, reduced pressure points, greater relief of lower back
pain, greater overall comfort and better quality sleep in comparison with
traditional mattress products. The Company is committed to the continuing
development of new products to enhance the sleep experience and has recently
introduced the Imperial Series at the top of the product line, quieter firmness
control systems, remote control gauges with digital settings, finer fabrics and
covers, new generations of foams and foundation systems and enhanced border
walls.
 
    EDUCATE CONSUMERS AND PROVIDE SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.  Traditionally, the
mattress industry has relied heavily on promotional pricing and has not been
characterized by high levels of customer service. Since consumer education and
customer service are critical to convey the features and benefits of Select
Comfort's innovative air beds and to achieve high levels of customer acceptance
and satisfaction, the Company seeks to provide a more friendly and informative
sales environment. In order to ensure superior customer satisfaction, retail,
direct marketing and road show sales professionals receive extensive training in
sleep technology and the Company's proprietary technology and products,
including features and benefits, assembly and service procedures and policies.
The Company also maintains a customer service department of approximately 50
employees who receive similar training. As part of its continuous efforts to
maximize convenience for consumers, the Company offers a 90 Night Trial, and has
recently begun testing in-home assembly services in selected markets.
 
    INCREASE PRODUCT AWARENESS AND BRAND RECOGNITION.  The Company believes that
the single most important factor in increasing sales is increasing consumer
awareness of the features and benefits of Select Comfort air beds. The Company's
highest brand awareness and market share is in Minneapolis, where it has its
largest advertising budget and largest number of retail stores. The Company
plans to increase product awareness and brand recognition nationwide through
continued investment in advertising and expansion of its retail store base. The
Company plans to expand its retail store base in both existing and new markets,
and through a combination of mall-based locations, leased departments and, to a
lesser extent, alternative locations such as strip shopping centers.
 
    LEVERAGE COMPLEMENTARY DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS.  The Company distributes
directly to customers through Company-operated retail stores, direct marketing
operations and road show events. The Company's control over its three
complementary distribution channels provides significant competitive advantages,
including the ability to (i) leverage the Select Comfort brand name to generate
inquiries and convert inquiries to sales, (ii) interact directly with consumers
to enhance customer satisfaction and build brand loyalty, (iii) train sales
professionals regarding the Company's products and to provide superior customer
service, (iv) utilize data from its direct marketing operations to support
retail and road show site selection, new store openings and road show events,
and (v) leverage advertising and marketing programs across multiple markets and
distribution channels. In addition, the Company's complementary distribution
channels provide customers with greater accessibility and convenience in the
purchase of its products.
 
    CAPITALIZE ON VERTICALLY INTEGRATED OPERATIONS.  The Company maintains
control over all phases of its business, including the design, manufacturing,
marketing, distribution and service of its air beds. This allows the Company to
maintain rigorous product quality standards, establish coordinated and
integrated
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
sales and marketing efforts, carefully manage the presentation and pricing of
its products and focus on customer satisfaction and service. As a result of its
direct relationships with consumers, the Company is better positioned to
understand and respond to consumer needs and market trends.
 
    PURSUE ADDITIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES.  The Company has begun testing the
offering of in-home assembly services in selected markets through regional and
national providers in order to increase overall sales and enhance customer
satisfaction by providing greater convenience to the customer. The Company also
plans to introduce product enhancements and new products such as sofabeds,
adjustable frames, space saver foundations with storage compartments and sound
vibration mattresses providing relaxation and therapeutic effects. The Company
is also exploring opportunities to market the Company's products through health
care providers, including chiropractors and health maintenance organizations.
 
PRODUCTS
 
    Select Comfort provides a line of high quality air beds, foundations and
sleep accessories. The current line of products represents over 10 years of
research and development by the Company designed to revolutionize the way people
sleep.
 
    AIR BEDS
 
    Select Comfort air beds have been engineered to more naturally contour to
the body, thereby generally providing better spinal alignment, reduced pressure
points, greater relief of lower back pain, greater overall comfort and better
quality sleep in comparison with traditional mattress products. Every Select
Comfort air bed has a patented air chamber as its functioning core and comes
with a firmness control system ("FCS") that allows the customer to easily and
instantly customize the firmness of the mattress at the touch of a button. All
of the Company's air beds, except twin size mattresses, are available with
independent air chambers for each side of the mattress, allowing customized
firmness for each sleep partner. The Company's Imperial and Ultra Series of air
beds feature a wireless remote control with a digital display of the user's
"Sleep Number," which reflects the level of firmness and allows the customer to
more easily adjust and readjust the firmness level to the customer's ideal Sleep
Number based on personal preference.
 
    Select Comfort air beds feature either a traditional cover or a pillowtop
style cover that provides extra cushioning. The covers are constructed with
sanitized and hypoallergenic Damask ticking made from blends of
polyester/polypropylene or cotton/rayon, or from 100% rayon. Select Comfort air
beds are manufactured in a broad array of sizes and styles, including all
standard bed sizes and a waterbed replacement size that fits into a customer's
existing waterbed frame. The Company restaged its product line in the spring of
1998 to include new cover designs as well as the addition of a new zoned foam in
its pillowtop models. This restaging also included a newly redesigned, "whisper
quiet" FCS for the Imperial and Ultra Series and all new marketing materials.
 
   
    The Company's air beds can be assembled by customers in a simple process
requiring no tools and can be moved more easily than a traditional mattress and
box spring. Furthermore, because air is the primary support material of the
mattress, Select Comfort air beds do not lose their shape or support over time
like a traditional mattress and box spring. Each air bed is accompanied with
instructional product brochures and easy to follow assembly instructions, is
certified by Underwriter's Laboratories and is backed by a 20-year limited
warranty and Select Comfort's 90 Night Trial and Better Night's Sleep Guarantee.
The following paragraphs describe the Select Comfort air bed product line.
    
 
    CLASSIC SERIES.  The Classic Series is the Company's entry level product
that is competitively priced with a broad array of mattress alternatives. The
Classic Series targets consumers seeking better support and comfort at the most
affordable price. The FCS for the Classic Series is equipped with two
individual, wired hand controls to instantly customize firmness. The Classic
Series mattress is 7 1/2 inches thick and features a traditional cover.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
    ELITE SERIES.  In comparison with the Classic Series, the Elite Series
features a quieter and more technologically advanced FCS with two individual,
ergonomically designed, wired hand controls for instant firmness adjustment. The
Elite Series mattress is 9 1/2 inches thick in the pillowtop model and features
more padding for greater comfort and foam sidewalls for greater stability. The
Elite Series is also available with a traditional cover.
 
    ULTRA SERIES.  The Ultra Series is the Company's most popular air bed,
featuring a new "whisper quiet" FCS with a single wireless, ergonomically
designed, hand control with a lighted digital display of each user's Sleep
Number for precisely customized firmness. This lighted digital display feature
allows the user to more easily adjust and readjust the firmness level to the
user's ideal Sleep Number based on personal preference. The Ultra Series
mattress is 11 1/2 inches thick in the pillowtop model that features a Belgian
Damask cover. The Ultra Series is also available with a traditional cover.
 
    IMPERIAL SERIES.  The Imperial Series is the Company's new premium air bed,
incorporating the Company's most advanced technology. The Imperial Series
mattress is 13 1/2 inches thick and has a unique multi-layer foam system for the
utmost in comfort and support. Available in pillowtop style only, the cover
features an ornate Belgian Damask ticking with a 1930s vintage antique pattern
and is filled with a blend of highly resilient fibrefill and cashmere. Like the
Ultra Series, the Imperial comes with the new "whisper quiet" FCS with a single
wireless, ergonomically designed, hand control with a lighted digital display of
each user's Sleep Number.
 
    The current retail prices for the Company's air beds (excluding foundations)
are as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    FULL/
                                                        TWIN       DOUBLE       QUEEN      KING
                                                      ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
CLASSIC SERIES
  Traditional.......................................  $     299   $     459   $     549  $     749
ELITE SERIES
  Pillowtop.........................................  $     599   $     849   $     949  $   1,199
  Traditional.......................................  $     449   $     699   $     799  $   1,049
ULTRA SERIES
  Pillowtop.........................................  $     899   $   1,149   $   1,249  $   1,499
  Traditional.......................................  $     749   $     999   $   1,099  $   1,349
IMPERIAL SERIES
  Pillowtop.........................................  $   1,799         N/A   $   2,249  $   2,599
</TABLE>
    
 
    FOUNDATIONS
 
    Select Comfort also offers matching foundations that enhance the performance
of its mattresses. A substantial majority of the Company's customers purchase
sets, which include a mattress and foundation. The Company's foundations are
assembled by the customer or by an assembly service provider from rigid plastic
components and provide solid, uniform support beneath the mattress to ensure
that the air bed provides the intended support. Due to their rigid plastic
component structure, Select Comfort foundations, unlike traditional box springs,
do not lose their shape or support over time and are stronger, lighter and more
easily moved. The foundations for the Imperial, Ultra and Elite Series also
feature a padded top for enhanced comfort. Retail prices for foundations
currently range from $199 to $399.
 
    ACCESSORY PRODUCTS
 
    Select Comfort also offers a line of accessory products, including high
quality mattress pads with zoned heating and specialty pillows, all of which are
hypoallergenic and designed to provide comfort and better quality sleep. The
Company's specialty pillows include a neck pillow designed to provide neck
support and comfort, a silent sleeper contoured pillow designed to reduce
snoring, a memory foam pillow
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
that molds to the shape of the head and neck, a natural down pillow for superior
comfort and a side sleeper pillow. All of these specialty products are
manufactured by third parties and marketed under the Select Comfort brand name.
The Company also sells a line of bed frames manufactured by a third party.
 
SALES GENERATION
 
    Select Comfort's vertically integrated operations and control over its three
separate but complementary distribution channels enable it to develop and
maintain direct customer relationships, as well as leverage its advertising
dollars. The Company's sales generation is driven by targeted print, radio and
television media which generate customer inquiries that historically were
pursued primarily through the Company's direct marketing operations. As the
Company's retail store base has expanded, the Company believes it has been able
to further leverage its direct marketing infrastructure and improve the process
of converting customer inquiries into sales. The Company is continually
assessing opportunities to further coordinate and leverage its three
distribution channels to direct potential customers to the channel which best
suits their needs and to increase conversion ratios.
 
    RETAIL STORES
 
   
    Since the Company's first retail stores were opened in 1992, an increasing
percentage of the Company's net sales has occurred at the Company's retail
stores, and retail store sales now account for a majority of the Company's net
sales. At October 3, 1998, the Company had 244 stores in 43 states, including
four leased departments (three in Bed Bath & Beyond stores), and plans to open
approximately 12 additional retail stores and 10 additional leased departments
in Bed Bath & Beyond stores in the remainder of 1998 and approximately 50 retail
stores in 1999. The Company and Bed Bath & Beyond have agreed upon sites for the
10 additional leased departments to be opened in 1998. The Company expects to
expand its leased department concept in 1999, with the magnitude of the
expansion depending on the performance of the leased departments opened in 1998.
The expansion of the leased department concept may involve additional Bed Bath &
Beyond locations or locations within other retailers. The Company does not
currently have any commitment from Bed Bath & Beyond or any other retailer
regarding the opening of any leased departments in 1999.
    
 
                     SELECT COMFORT RETAIL STORE LOCATIONS
 
   
               [Map of United States Showing Retail Store Locations]
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
    STORE ENVIRONMENT.  Select Comfort seeks to offer a unique and innovative
store environment that attracts consumers, showcases the Company's products and
encourages trial of its air beds. The Company's retail store design is intended
to convey a sense of innovation, sophistication and quality that reinforces the
Company's brand image and reputation as sleep experts. The Company's current
store design consists of graphically intriguing "dream walls" against a backdrop
of clouds designed to invite consumers to try the Company's innovative products.
The Company's retail stores are principally showrooms, averaging approximately
900 square feet, with several display models from the Company's line of air beds
and a full display of the Company's branded accessories. The retail stores
typically maintain an inventory of accessory products, but little or no
inventory of air beds. The Company's leased departments, at approximately 240
square feet, are significantly smaller than its retail stores.
 
    The Company's sales professionals play an important role in creating an
inviting and informative retail environment. These professionals receive
extensive training regarding the features and benefits of the Company's
proprietary technology and products as well as on the overall importance of
sleep quality. This enables them to more effectively introduce consumers to the
Company's innovative air beds, emphasize the features and benefits that
distinguish Select Comfort air beds from traditional mattresses, determine the
consumers' needs, encourage consumers to experience the comfort and support of
the air beds and answer questions regarding the Company's products.
 
    SITE SELECTION.  The Company intends to continue to open retail stores in
both existing markets and new markets. New geographic markets that the Company
expects to enter in 1999 include Providence, Rhode Island, Burlington, Vermont,
Montgomery, Alabama, Savannah, Georgia, Augusta, Georgia and Sarasota, Florida.
In selecting new store sites, Select Comfort generally seeks high-traffic mall
locations of approximately 800 to 1,200 square feet within regional malls in
major metropolitan areas. The Company conducts extensive analyses of potential
store sites and bases its selection on a number of factors, including the
location within the mall, demographics of the trade area, the specifications of
the mall (including size, age, sales per square foot and the location of the
nearest competitive mall), the perceived strength of the mall's anchor stores,
the performance of other specialty retail tenants in the mall and the number of
direct marketing inquiries received from the area surrounding the mall.
Clustering of retail stores within a metropolitan retail market is also a key
consideration in order to leverage the Company's advertising.
 
    The Company is also evaluating alternative locations for its retail stores,
such as strip shopping centers. The Company currently has two retail stores in a
strip shopping center and is evaluating the economics of such locations. If such
locations prove to be viable, future strip shopping center locations will be
selected on the basis of demographics in the market, the perceived quality of
the location within the market, the number of direct marketing inquiries
received from the area and the extent to which such a location would contribute
to the clustering of the Company's retail stores within an advertising market.
The Company expects that the retail stores in which its additional leased
departments will be opened will be in a variety of locations, including malls
and strip shopping centers.
 
    NEW STORE ECONOMICS.  The Company's 142 stores that were open for all of
1997 generated average net sales of approximately $576,000 and average net sales
per square foot of approximately $666 during 1997. The Company's newer stores
typically generate lower sales volumes than its more mature stores, although the
average first year sales of each new class of stores by year of opening has
increased each year since 1992. The Company's average cost for leasehold
improvements, furniture and fixtures for stores opened in 1997 was approximately
$101,000 per store. The Company's retail stores have an average payback period
of approximately two years. Pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred and
average under $10,000 per store. Working capital requirements are not
significant since the Company typically maintains relatively little inventory at
the retail stores.
 
    MARKETING AND ADVERTISING.  The Company has supported new store openings
with local print and radio advertisements and mailings to direct response
inquiries in the market. The Company also uses local radio personalities and
newspaper advertising in certain of the markets where it has multiple retail
stores.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
Local radio personalities have been particularly effective in driving inquiries
with personal endorsements that build product credibility. The Company also uses
local radio and print advertisements and promotional offers during high mall
traffic periods, such as three-day holiday weekends, and in-store events
including live remote broadcasts and promotional contests. The Company also
relies on its unique store design and word-of-mouth referrals to attract
potential customers. To encourage word-of-mouth referrals and build brand
loyalty, new customers are enrolled in the "Comfort Club," which entitles
members to receive $50 for each referral of a customer that puchases an airbed,
as well as special promotional offers.
 
    MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES.  The Company's stores are currently organized into
four regional areas and 30 geographic districts, with approximately eight stores
in each district. Each regional sales manager oversees approximately eight
geographic districts. The regional sales managers average over 10 years of
multi-unit retail experience. Each district has a district sales manager who is
responsible for the sales and operations and who reports to a regional sales
manager. The district sales managers frequently visit stores to review
merchandise presentation, sales force product knowledge, financial performance
and compliance with operating standards. The district sales managers average
over six years of experience as an area or district manager in specialty
retailing. The typical staff of a Select Comfort store consists of one store
manager and two full-time sales professionals. In order to maintain high
operating standards, the Company recruits store managers who typically have one
to four years of experience as a store manager in specialty retailing. The sales
professionals devote substantially all of their efforts to sales and customer
service, which includes helping customers and generating and responding to
inquiries. In addition, to promote consumer education, ensure customer
satisfaction and generate referrals, the sales professionals place follow-up
calls to customers who have made recent purchases. Since minimal inventory is
maintained at the retail stores, store managers and sales professionals have
relatively few inventory management, store merchandising and related
administrative duties.
 
    TRAINING AND COMPENSATION.  All store personnel receive comprehensive
on-site training on the Company's technology and sleep expertise, the features
and benefits of the Company's air beds, sales and customer service techniques
and operating policies and guidelines. Initial training programs are reinforced
through detailed product and operating manuals and periodic performance
appraisals. All store sales professionals receive base compensation and are
entitled to commissions based on individual and store-wide performance. Regional
and district sales managers are eligible to receive, in addition to their base
compensation, incentive compensation for the achievement of performance
objectives by the stores within their respective regions and districts.
 
    DIRECT MARKETING OPERATIONS
 
    Many consumers' initial exposure to the Select Comfort air bed is through
the Company's direct marketing operations. Typically, an interested consumer
will respond to one of the Company's advertisements by calling the Company's
toll-free number. On this call, one of the direct marketing sales professionals
captures information from the consumer, begins the consumer education process,
takes orders, or, if appropriate, directs the consumer to the Company's other
distribution channels. The telemarketing operations are conducted by
knowledgeable and well-trained sales professionals, including a group of over 50
sales professionals who field incoming direct marketing inquiries, and over 30
sales professionals who make outbound calls to consumers who have previously
contacted the Company. The direct marketing operations also include a database
marketing department that is responsible for mailings of product and promotional
information to direct response inquiries.
 
    INQUIRY GENERATION.  In the direct marketing channel, the Company's
advertising message is communicated through targeted print, radio, infomercials
and television advertisements, as well as through product brochures, videos and
other product and promotional materials mailed in response to consumer inquiries
at various intervals. As the Company's advertising budget has expanded over the
last few years, the direct marketing channel has relied more heavily on
nationally syndicated radio personalities, such as
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
Paul Harvey and Rush Limbaugh, and more recently on television commercials and
infomercials. The Company's direct marketing operations continually monitor the
effectiveness and efficiency of the Company's advertising through tracking the
cost per inquiry ("CPI") and cost per order ("CPO") of its advertising, using
focus groups to evaluate the effectiveness of its advertising messages and using
sophisticated media buying techniques.
 
    INQUIRY CONVERSION AND INTEGRATION WITH OTHER DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS.  From
each inquiry, the Company's sales professionals strive to capture a variety of
information, including name, address, telephone number, the current mattress
product used, sleep habits and health issues that may be adversely affected by
poor quality sleep. The Company maintains a database of information on
approximately 3.7 million inquiries, including customers who have purchased an
air bed from the Company, from which the direct marketing channel is able to
take orders, or, if appropriate, direct the consumer to the Company's other
distribution channels. The database also provides valuable marketing
information. The Company's telemarketing sales professionals begin the consumer
education process during the initial call from the consumer. Subsequent to the
initial inquiry, the Company's database marketing department contacts the
consumer on a scheduled format through mailings of printed product and
educational information, a video on the features and benefits of Select Comfort
air beds, outbound telephone calls and periodic promotional offerings.
 
    The direct marketing operations also support the Company's retail and road
show operations through referrals, as well as mailings to direct marketing
inquiries in selected markets in advance of retail store openings and road
shows. As the Company's base of retail stores has expanded, the direct marketing
sales professionals have increasingly been able to refer direct marketing
inquiries to a convenient retail store location, improving the process of
converting inquiries into sales and providing the consumer with a choice of
service venues. The Company intends to continue to pursue opportunities to
leverage its direct marketing infrastructure and expertise to enhance its retail
and road show distribution channels.
 
    TRAINING AND COMPENSATION.  The Company's direct marketing sales
professionals receive ongoing training and must pass various tests to move
through the four sales professional levels, each with a separate pay scale.
Direct marketing sales professionals are paid base compensation plus
commissions.
 
    ROAD SHOW EVENTS
 
    The Company's third distribution channel is road show events in selected
markets where the Company typically does not have a retail presence, as well as
at home shows and consumer product shows, state fairs and similar events. Select
Comfort sales professionals, supported by local print and radio advertising and
advance mailings to direct marketing inquiries, travel to various cities to
demonstrate the Company's products in temporary showrooms or in booths at trade
shows and educate consumers about the benefits of Select Comfort's air beds. The
Company uses inquiries generated from the direct marketing channel to determine
road show sites and typically will have approximately 10 road show events,
ranging from three days to two weeks in duration, in process at any given time.
The Company has found this distribution channel to be very effective in
converting direct response customers who want to see the product before
purchasing, but do not live close to a retail store location. The road show
events also provide the Company with valuable information for use in feasibility
analyses for retail store sites. The road show sales professionals receive both
base and incentive compensation.
 
MARKETING AND ADVERTISING
 
    The primary objective of the Company's marketing and advertising strategy is
to create awareness of the features and benefits of Select Comfort air beds and
to build recognition of the Select Comfort brand as the leader in innovative air
beds, sleep expertise, superior quality and excellent customer service. The
Company's corporate marketing department is responsible for implementing a
coordinated, integrated and consistent marketing and advertising strategy across
the Company's three complementary distribution
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
channels. The Company continues to spend the majority of its advertising budget
on direct marketing, which also drives traffic to the expanding base of retail
stores. As the base of retail stores continues to grow, the Company plans to
dedicate more of its advertising budget to the retail stores.
 
    In 1997, the Company spent approximately $28.3 million on advertising
expenses. The majority of the Company's advertising budget is devoted to print
and long and short-form television advertising, with the balance primarily
devoted to radio advertising with well-known national personalities, such as
Paul Harvey and Rush Limbaugh, as well as local radio personalities in selected
retail markets. The Company also intends to continue to pursue various
alternative channels, such as catalogs, the Internet and targeted marketing
programs. Management believes that additional demand for the Company's products
will be created by increased consumer awareness of the benefits of Select
Comfort air beds.
 
CONSUMER EDUCATION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
 
    Select Comfort is committed to achieving its goal of world class customer
satisfaction and service. The Company intends to achieve this goal through a
variety of means designed to (i) educate consumers on the benefits of Select
Comfort products, (ii) deliver superior quality products, (iii) maximize the
Company's direct relationship with consumers, (iv) maximize convenience for the
consumer, and (v) respond quickly to consumer needs and inquiries. The Company
believes that educating consumers about the features and benefits of Select
Comfort air beds is critical to the success of its marketing and sales efforts,
and devotes considerable time and resources to training programs for its retail,
direct marketing and road show sales professionals. The retail stores also have
displays that provide customers with the latest information on sleep technology
and the features and benefits of Select Comfort air beds.
 
    The Company's controlled distribution channels optimize the Company's direct
contact with its customers and allow the Company to respond quickly to customer
service inquiries and enhance customer satisfaction. The Company's multiple
distribution channels also enhance the convenience for the consumer to purchase
products through a variety of venues. In addition, the Company is currently
testing the offering of in-home assembly services in selected markets through
national and regional providers in order to provide greater convenience and
enhance customer satisfaction.
 
    Select Comfort maintains an in-house customer service department of
approximately 50 customer service representatives who receive extensive training
in sleep technology and all aspects of the Company's products and operations.
The Company has recently implemented an interactive voice response system to
improve customer service. The Company's customer service representatives field
customer calls and also interact with each of the Company's retail stores to
address customer questions and concerns raised with retail sales professionals.
The customer service department makes outbound calls to new customers during the
90 Night Trial phase to answer questions and provide solutions to possible
problems in order to enhance customer education, build customer satisfaction and
reduce returns.
 
RESEARCH AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
 
   
    The Company has been granted 16 U.S. patents, has applications pending for
seven U.S. patents and maintains an active research and development department.
The Company's research and development department continuously seeks to enhance
the Company's knowledge of sleep dynamics and sleep technology, improve current
product performance and benefits and develop new products. The research and
development department also conducts clinical studies and product tests to
measure the benefits of the Company's air beds, enhance the Company's sleep
technology learning, develop product improvements and establish quality and
performance standards. The Company has performed extensive pressure point
testing in which Select Comfort air beds were tested against nationally
recognized innerspring mattress brands and found to be superior in reducing
pressure points. A commissioned study conducted at the University of Memphis
confirmed that spinal misalignments were generally lower on Select Comfort air
    
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
beds in comparison with both a leading innerspring mattress and a leading
waterbed. A recent commissioned study conducted at the Stanford University Sleep
Research Center indicated that participants using Select Comfort air beds
experienced a significant improvement in the quality of their sleep in
comparison to alternative mattress products. Three additional commissioned
studies on the relationship between lower back pain, sleep quality and the sleep
surface have found, on average, that 95% of lower back pain sufferers reported
reduced pain, 88% experienced improved sleep quality and 80% experienced
increased physical functioning when sleeping on a Select Comfort air bed in
comparison with an innerspring mattress. Through customer surveys, Select
Comfort seeks consumer feedback on a regular basis to help enhance existing
products and develop new products. The Company's research and development
expenses for 1995, 1996 and 1997 were $1.4 million, $1.5 million and $1.8
million, respectively.
 
    Since the introduction of the Company's first air bed, the Company has
continued to improve and expand its product line, including quieter firmness
control systems, remote control gauges with digital settings, finer fabrics and
covers, new generations of foams and foundation systems and enhanced border
walls. The Company is currently exploring and expects to develop, either
independently or with a strategic partner, additional product enhancements or
extensions, including adjustable frames, space saver foundations with storage
compartments and sound vibration mattresses providing relaxation and therapeutic
effects.
 
    In August 1998, the Company entered into a license agreement with
Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. ("Hillenbrand"), a leading provider of high-end
beds used primarily in the medical market, and Hillenbrand's wholly owned
subsidiary, Sleep Options, Inc. ("Sleep Options"), pursuant to which the Company
has obtained a limited exclusive license to Sleep Options' technology relating
to various air and foam mattress structures, an articulating bed frame, a hand
control device for mattresses and related product knowledge. The license allows
the Company to leverage Hillenbrand's knowledge of sleep surface technology to
manufacture and sell these products in the North American consumer market. The
license does not permit the Company to sell these products to healthcare
institutions or through healthcare distributors. The Company is also not
permitted to manufacture or sell the articulating bed frame in combination with
an innerspring mattress. For this license, the Company has agreed to pay a
royalty based on a percentage of net sales, with certain minimum royalties. The
license agreement has an initial term of three years.
 
MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company's manufacturing operations are located in Minneapolis and in
Columbia, South Carolina and consist of quilting and sewing of the Company's
fabric covers for its air beds, assembly of firmness control systems and final
assembly and packaging of air beds and foundations from contract manufactured
components. The Company currently conducts its manufacturing operations on two
shifts (three shifts for sewing) and believes it has sufficient capacity to meet
anticipated increases in demand through the next 12 months. The Company plans to
open a third manufacturing and distribution facility in Salt Lake City in the
first half of 1999, primarily to serve West Coast and Southwest destinations.
 
    The Company manufactures air beds to meet orders rather than to stock
inventory, which has enabled the Company to reduce inventory costs. Management
stresses total quality manufacturing techniques, including employee training and
team concepts designed to instill quality awareness and a performance and
customer service orientation. Select Comfort utilizes multiple employee teams to
accomplish its manufacturing objectives, rather than a continuous assembly line
approach, and seeks to enhance employee involvement, enthusiasm and concern for
quality through regular communication and meetings with employees regarding
performance objectives.
 
    Orders are currently shipped from one of the Company's two distribution
centers, primarily via UPS, typically within 48 hours following order receipt,
and are usually received by the customer within five to eight business days
after shipment. The Company is continually evaluating alternative carriers on a
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
national and regional basis, as well as recent tests in selected markets
involving providers of in-home assembly services. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on
Vendors; Foreign Sources of Supply" and "--Reliance Upon Carriers."
 
SUPPLIERS
 
   
    The Company currently obtains all of the materials and components used to
produce its air beds from outside sources. Components for the firmness control
systems are obtained from a variety of primarily domestic sources. Quilting and
ticking materials are obtained from a supplier in Belgium and components for
foundation systems are obtained primarily from two domestic sources. The
Company's proprietary air chambers are produced to Company specifications by one
Eastern European supplier under a supply contract expiring in August 1999,
pursuant to which the Company is obligated to purchase certain minimum
quantities, but not all of its requirements. Either party can terminate the
contract upon 90 days notice if such party ceases to use the air chambers in its
business. The Company believes that it would be able to procure an adequate
supply of air chambers from other sources on a timely basis if the supply
contract is terminated or the Eastern European supplier is otherwise unable to
supply air chambers. The Company has recently completed the development of an
air chamber designed with new materials that will be manufactured by a U.S.
based company at a foreign manufacturing facility. Full production of this new
air chamber is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 1999. The Eastern
European supplier is expected to provide a second source of supply of this new
air chamber during the first half of 2000. The Company does not presently have
any contract or commitment from either supplier to manufacture the newly
developed air chamber. The Company is continuously searching for alternative
designs and materials for all of its components and materials, as well as
alternative sources of supply. See "Risk Factors-- Reliance Upon Vendors;
Foreign Sources of Supply."
    
 
   
    The Company has a supplier certification program under which suppliers are
required to meet rigorous standards relating to quality, service and ability to
deliver materials on a basis compatible with the Company's demand manufacturing
system and Year 2000 compliance. To date, nine of the Company's key suppliers
have received certification and other authorized suppliers are in the process of
seeking certification. All of the Company's key suppliers, including the
Company's Eastern European supplier of air chambers, have notified the Company
that they are or will be Year 2000 compliant during 1999.
    
 
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 
    Since 1996, the Company has invested approximately $1.7 million in the
design, development and implementation of its integrated enterprise information
system. This system supports manufacturing operations, material planning,
inventory management, order processing, returns and warranty tracking, financial
management, human resources and distribution and tracking systems applications.
In addition, the Company's order capture and database marketing systems allow
each channel to gather inquiries and direct them to a central database, as well
as to share and develop those leads on a coordinated and efficient basis. The
Company also employs a point of sale system used at its retail operations. This
system provides for the reporting of retail orders to the manufacturing
department to speed order processing and allows retail stores to access and
interact with the Company's direct marketing database to obtain information
regarding inquiries and to report inquiries to the Company's central database.
 
    The Company is in the process of internally developing and upgrading core
applications for customer inquiries and for processing and tracking warranty
claims and returns, which is scheduled for implementation in the first half of
1999. With the implementation of these applications, and the upgrade of the
Company's integrated enterprise systems also scheduled for the first half of
1999, all of the Company's core business applications are expected to be Year
2000 compliant. See "Risk Factors--Year 2000 Compliance" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition Results of Operations--Impact of
Year 2000."
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
   
    Certain elements of the design and function of the Select Comfort air beds
are the subject of United States and foreign patents and patent applications
owned by Select Comfort. The Company has 16 U.S. issued patents and seven U.S.
patent applications pending. The Company also held seven Canadian patents and
had six Canadian patent applications pending as of October 3, 1998.
Notwithstanding these patents and patent applications, no assurance can be given
that such rights will provide substantial protection or that others will not be
able to develop products that are similar to or competitive with the Select
Comfort air beds. The Company is not aware of any claims that any element of the
Company's air beds infringes or otherwise violates any intellectual property
rights of any third parties.
    
 
    The name "Select Comfort" and the Company's logo are trademarks of the
Company registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The
trademark "Select Comfort" is also registered, or the subject of pending
applications, in approximately 22 foreign countries. The Company has a number of
other registered marks, including the trademarks "Comfort Club" and "Sleep
Number," the service mark "Comfort Club," and a number of unregistered marks,
including the trademarks "90 Night Trial," "Better Night's Sleep Guarantee" and
"The Air Bed Company." The Company has a number of pending applications for
trademark registrations in the United States and selected foreign countries.
Each federally registered mark is renewable indefinitely if the mark is still in
use at the time of renewal. The Company is not aware of any material claims of
infringement or other challenges to the Company's right to use its marks. See
"Risk Factors--Intellectual Property Protection."
 
COMPETITION
 
    The mattress industry is highly competitive. Participants in the mattress
industry compete primarily on price, quality, brand name recognition, product
availability and product performance, including the perceived levels of comfort
and support provided by a mattress. The Company's air beds compete with a number
of different types of mattress alternatives, including innerspring mattresses,
waterbeds, futons and other air-supported mattresses that are sold through a
variety of channels, including furniture stores, bedding specialty stores,
department stores, mass merchants, wholesale clubs, telemarketing programs,
television infomercials and catalogs. The Company believes that its success
depends in part on increasing consumer acceptance of existing products and the
continuing introduction of products that have qualities and benefits which
differentiate the Company's products from those offered by other manufacturers.
There can be no assurance that such products will receive consumer acceptance or
that the Company will continue to be able to successfully introduce such
products. See "Risk Factors--Competition."
 
    The traditional mattress industry is characterized by a high degree of
concentration among the four largest manufacturers of innerspring mattresses
with nationally recognized brand names, including Sealy, which also owns the
Stearns & Foster brand name, Serta, Simmons and Spring Air. These manufacturers
were estimated by FURNITURE/TODAY to account for approximately 62% of wholesale
dollar sales in 1997. The balance of the mattress market is served by over 700
manufacturers, primarily operating on a regional basis. Many of these
competitors, and in particular the four largest manufacturers named above, have
greater financial, marketing and manufacturing resources and better brand name
recognition than the Company, and sell their products through broader and more
established distribution channels. The Company believes that a number of
companies, including two of the four largest manufacturers, have begun to offer
air beds. There can be no assurance that these or any other mattress
manufacturer will not aggressively pursue the air bed market. Any such
competition by the established manufacturers or new entrants into the market
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results. In addition, should any of the Company's
competitors reduce prices on premium mattress products, the Company may be
required to implement price reductions in order to remain competitive, which
could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and
operating results.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
    There are no provisions in the Company's retail store leases that limit or
restrict competing businesses from operating in the malls in which the Company's
stores are located. The lack of such restrictions and the lack of significant
barriers to entry may result in new competition. Such competition could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
operating results.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    At October 3, 1998, the Company employed 1,466 persons, including 786 retail
store employees, 118 direct marketing employees, 50 customer service employees,
24 road show sales professionals, 343 manufacturing and distribution employees
and 145 management and administrative employees. Approximately 79 of the
Company's employees were employed on a part-time basis at October 3, 1998.
Except for managerial employees and professional support staff, all of the
Company's employees are paid on an hourly basis plus commissions for sales
associates. None of the Company's employees is represented by a labor union or
covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company believes that its
relations with its employees are good.
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The Company currently leases all of its existing retail store locations and
expects that its policy of leasing, rather than owning, will continue as it
expands. The Company's store leases generally provide for an initial lease term
of 10 years with a mutual termination option if the Company does not achieve
certain minimum annual sales thresholds. Generally, the store leases require the
Company to pay minimum rent plus percentage rent based on net sales in excess of
certain thresholds, as well as certain operating expenses.
 
    The Company leases 125,000 square feet of space in Minneapolis for one of
the Company's manufacturing and distribution centers, one of the Company's
direct marketing call centers, a customer service center, a research and
development center and corporate offices, which lease expires in 2004. The
Company also leases 105,000 square feet of space in Columbia, South Carolina,
for its other manufacturing and distribution center and a direct marketing call
center, which lease expires in 2003. The Company has agreed to lease
approximately 100,800 square feet in Salt Lake City for a third manufacturing
and distribution center that the Company expects to open in the first half of
1999, which lease expires in 2009.
 
CONSUMER CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
 
    In May 1997, the Company entered into an arrangement with Monogram Credit
Card Bank of Georgia (the "Bank"), an affiliate of General Electric Capital
Corporation, a creditor and warrantholder of the Company, pursuant to which the
Bank offers to the Company's qualified customers an unsecured revolving credit
arrangement to finance purchases from the Company. The Bank sets the rate,
annual fees, late fees and all other terms and conditions relating to the
customers' accounts, including collection policies and procedures, and is the
owner of the receivables. The effective interest rate is comparable to rates
generally available under similar consumer revolving credit arrangements. The
Bank's current commitment extends to a maximum of $75 million of receivables
outstanding. The Company expects to increase the amount of this commitment
before the end of 1998.
 
   
    In connection with all purchases financed under these consumer credit
arrangements, the Bank pays the Company an amount equal to the total amount of
purchases net of promotional related discounts and less amounts retained for
returned products and limited recourse on bad debts. The Bank had retained $3.9
million and $10.1 million as of January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998,
respectively. As of October 3, 1998, the Bank had retained $6.3 million for
returned products and $3.8 million for bad debts. Amounts retained are adjusted
on a monthly basis. For returned products, the amount retained is adjusted based
on recent sales and return rate experience. For bad debts, the amount retained
is adjusted to an amount equal to the average receivables outstanding for the
most recent billing period multiplied by 4.5%. In addition to
    
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
   
amounts returned to the Company as a result of these monthly adjustments, the
Bank will return any remaining amounts retained at such time as there are no
receivables outstanding.
    
 
   
    Under terms of the arrangement with the Bank, the Company is liable for all
amounts associated with returned products. The Company is also liable to the
Bank for amounts equal to net losses from bad debts, as determined under the
Bank's write-off policy, to the extent such net losses exceed 5.0% of average
receivables outstanding under the consumer credit arrangements but are less than
9.5% of such average receivables.
    
 
   
    In the nine months ended October 3, 1998, approximately 51.0% of the
Company's net sales were financed by the Bank through these consumer credit
arrangements. The average receivable outstanding generated under these consumer
credit arrangements at September 30, 1998 was approximately $1,140, with an
aggregate amount outstanding at that date of approximately $65.8 million. As
part of its allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company maintains a reserve for
recourse that may result under its arrangement with the Bank. The amount of this
reserve at October 3, 1998 was approximately $2.6 million, representing
approximately 3.9% of the related receivables as of that date. For financial
statement purposes, the financing arrangement with the Bank has been accounted
for as a sale of receivables. See "Risk Factors-- Dependence on Consumer
Spending."
    
 
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
 
    The Company's products and its marketing and advertising practices are
subject to regulation by various federal, state and local regulatory
authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. The mattress industry also engages in advertising
self-regulation through certain voluntary forums, including the National
Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau. The Company is also subject
to various other federal, state and local regulatory requirements, including
federal, state and local environmental regulation and regulations issued by the
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. See "Risk
Factors--Regulatory Matters."
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company is involved in various legal proceedings incident to the
ordinary course of its business. The Company believes that the outcome of all
pending legal proceedings in the aggregate will not have a material adverse
effect on its business, financial condition or operating results.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
    The executive officers and directors of the Company, and their ages as of
October 3, 1998, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                        AGE      POSITION
- --------------------------------------      ---      --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>
H. Robert Hawthorne...................          53   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
Daniel J. McAthie.....................          48   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating
                                                       Officer and Secretary
 
Charles E. Dorsey.....................          48   Senior Vice President of Direct Marketing and President of Select
                                                       Comfort Direct Corporation
 
Ronald E. Mayle.......................          40   Senior Vice President of Retail and President of Select Comfort
                                                       Retail Corporation
 
Gregory T. Kliner.....................          60   Senior Vice President of Operations
 
Ervin R. Shames(1)(2).................          58   Chairman of the Board
 
Thomas J. Albani(3)...................          56   Director
 
Patrick A. Hopf(1)(2).................          49   Director
 
Christopher P. Kirchen(1)(3)..........          55   Director
 
David T. Kollat(3)....................          60   Director
 
Kenneth A. Macke(2)...................          59   Director
 
Jean-Michel Valette(3)................          38   Director
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Member of the Executive Committee
 
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee
 
(3) Member of the Audit Committee
 
    H. ROBERT HAWTHORNE has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and
a Director of the Company since April 1997. From February 1992 to December 1997,
he served as President of The Pillsbury Brands Group, a subsidiary of The
Pillsbury Company, which is a subsidiary of Diageo PLC. From June 1990 to
January 1992, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Alpo Petfoods,
then a subsidiary of Grand Metropolitan PLC. Prior to joining Alpo Petfoods, Mr.
Hawthorne was President and Chief Executive Officer of Pillsbury Canada, a
subsidiary of Diageo PLC.
 
    DANIEL J. MCATHIE has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary since October 1995. Mr. McAthie also served as Chief
Administrative Officer from October 1995 to October 1998, at which time he was
named Chief Operating Officer. From May 1990 to April 1995, Mr. McAthie held the
positions of Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and
Treasurer of Fingerhut Companies, Inc., a mail order catalog company.
 
    CHARLES E. DORSEY has served as Senior Vice President of Direct Marketing
since January 1992 and President of Select Comfort Direct Corporation since
March 1996. From March 1988 to December 1991, Mr. Dorsey served as Chief
Operating Officer for DM Shelter, Inc., a custom packaged home company.
 
   
    RONALD E. MAYLE has served as Senior Vice President of Retail of the Company
and President of Select Comfort Retail Corporation since December 1997. From
October 1996 to December 1997, Mr. Mayle served as Managing Member of Management
& Capital, a retail consulting firm. From May 1995 to October 1996, Mr. Mayle
served as an independent retail marketing consultant, primarily to a variety of
privately owned, start-up retail enterprises, advising on infrastructure and
sales and marketing strategies.
    
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
From April 1992 to May 1995, Mr. Mayle was Vice President of Operations of
Petstuff, Inc., a subsidiary of PetsMart Inc.
 
    GREGORY T. KLINER has served as Senior Vice President of Operations since
August 1995. From October 1986 to August 1995, Mr. Kliner served as Director of
Operations of the Irrigation Division for The Toro Company, a manufacturer of
lawn care and snow removal products and irrigation systems.
 
   
    ERVIN R. SHAMES has served as a Director of the Company and Chairman of the
Board of Directors since April 1996. Since January 1995, Mr. Shames has served
as an independent management consultant to large and small consumer goods and
services companies, advising on management and sales and marketing strategies.
From December 1993 to January 1995, Mr. Shames served as the Chief Executive
Officer of Borden, Inc. and was President and Chief Operating Officer of Borden,
Inc. from July 1993 until December 1993. From June 1992 to July 1993, Mr. Shames
served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Stride Rite Corporation, a
footwear manufacturer, and was President and Chief Executive Officer of The
Stride Rite Corporation from June 1990 to June 1992. Mr. Shames is also a
director of the First Brands Corporation.
    
 
    THOMAS J. ALBANI has served as a Director of the Company since February
1994. Mr. Albani served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Electrolux
Corporation, a manufacturer of premium floor care machines, from July 1991 to
May 1998. From September 1984 to April 1989, Mr. Albani was employed by
Allegheny International Inc., a home appliance manufacturing company, in a
number of positions, most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer.
 
   
    PATRICK A. HOPF has served as a Director of the Company since December 1991.
From August 1993 to April 1996, Mr. Hopf served as the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company. Mr. Hopf was elected to the Board of Directors of the
Company in connection with the purchase agreement under which the Series A
Preferred Stock was purchased. See "Certain Transactions--Director
Relationships" and "--Voting Agreement and Stock Restriction Agreement." Mr.
Hopf has been President of St. Paul Venture Capital, Inc., a venture capital
firm, and Vice President of St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company since
August 1988, and Managing General Partner of St. Paul Venture Capital IV, LLC
since its formation in January 1997. St. Paul Venture Capital IV, LLC and St.
Paul Venture Capital Affiliates Fund I, LLC, of which St. Paul Venture Capital,
Inc. is the manager for both, and St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company are
investors in the Company. Mr. Hopf also serves as a director of a number of
privately held companies.
    
 
    CHRISTOPHER P. KIRCHEN has served as a Director of the Company since
December 1991. Mr. Kirchen was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company
in connection with the purchase agreement under which the Series B Preferred
Stock was purchased. See "Certain Transactions--Director Relationships" and
"--Voting Agreement and Stock Restriction Agreement." Mr. Kirchen is currently
Managing General Partner of Brand Equity Ventures, a venture capital partnership
that he co-founded in March 1997. Mr. Kirchen is also a General Partner of
Consumer Venture Partners, an investor in the Company, a position he has held
since 1986. Mr. Kirchen also serves as a director of a number of privately held
companies.
 
    DAVID T. KOLLAT has served as a Director of the Company since February 1994.
Mr. Kollat has served as President and Chairman of 22 Inc., a research and
consulting company for retailers and consumer goods manufacturers, since 1987.
From 1976 until 1987, Mr. Kollat served in various capacities for The Limited,
including Executive Vice President of Marketing and President of Victoria's
Secret Catalogue. Mr. Kollat also serves as a director of numerous companies,
including The Limited, Inc., Wolverine World Wide, Inc., Consolidated Stores,
Inc. and Cooker Restaurant Corporation.
 
    KENNETH A. MACKE has served as a Director as a of the Company since
September 1994. Mr. Macke is General Partner of Macke Limited Partnership, a
venture capital firm and investor in the Company. He previously served as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dayton Hudson Corporation from 1984 to
1994, prior to which he was employed by Dayton Hudson in a variety of positions
beginning in 1961.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
Mr. Macke also serves as a director of Unisys Corporation, General Mills, Inc.
and Fingerhut Companies, Inc.
 
    JEAN-MICHEL VALETTE has served as a Director of the Company since 1994. Mr.
Valette was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with
the purchase agreement under which the Series D Preferred Stock was purchased.
See "Certain Transactions--Director Relationships" and "--Voting Agreement and
Stock Restriction Agreement." Mr. Valette has served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Franciscan Estates, Inc., a winery in Northern California,
since August 1998. Mr. Valette was a Managing Director of Hambrecht & Quist LLC
from October 1994 to August 1998 and a Senior Analyst of Hambrecht & Quist LLC
from November 1992 to October 1994. Mr. Valette is also a member of the general
partner of H&Q Select Comfort Investors, L.P., an investor in the Company and a
related party to Hambrecht & Quist LLC. Hambrecht & Quist LLC is one of the
Underwriters of this offering. From 1981 to 1983, Mr. Valette was a consultant
with The Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Valette also serves as a director of a
number of privately held companies.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
    Effective upon completion of this offering, the Board of Directors will
consist of three classes of directors, each class serving for a staggered
three-year term. The Class A directors, whose initial terms will expire at the
1999 annual shareholders meeting, will be Messrs. Kirchen, Macke and Valette.
The Class B directors, whose initial terms will expire at the 2000 annual
shareholders meeting, will be Messrs. Hopf and Shames. The Class C directors,
whose initial terms will expire at the 2001 annual shareholders meeting, will be
Messrs. Hawthorne, Kollat and Albani.
 
COMMITTEES
 
    The Board of Directors has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and a
Compensation Committee. The Executive Committee has the authority to take all
actions that the Board as a whole is able to take, except as limited by
applicable law. The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in
satisfying its fiduciary responsibilities relating to accounting, auditing,
operating and reporting practices of the Company, and reviews the annual
financial statements of the Company, the selection and work of the Company's
independent auditors and the adequacy of internal controls for compliance with
corporate policies and directives. The Compensation Committee reviews general
programs of compensation and benefits for all employees of the Company and makes
recommendations to the Board concerning such matters as compensation to be paid
to the Company's officers and directors.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
    Effective upon completion of this offering, all non-employee directors of
the Company (other than Ervin R. Shames, who is entitled to the compensation
described below) will receive $3,500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors
attended and $500 for each meeting of the Executive Committee, Audit Committee
or Compensation Committee attended. In addition, all non-employee directors
(other than Mr. Shames) will be granted, on an annual basis, an option to
purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable at the fair market value of
the Common Stock on the date of grant for a period of up to 10 years, subject to
their continuous service on the Board of Directors. Directors who are officers
or employees of the Company do not receive additional compensation for their
services as directors. All directors are reimbursed for travel expenses for
attending meetings of the Board and any Board committees.
 
    In April 1996, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Ervin R.
Shames, Chairman of the Board, pursuant to which Mr. Shames renders certain
consulting services to the Company. Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr.
Shames received $120,000 in 1997 for consulting services rendered. See
"--Employment and Consulting Agreements."
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
   
    Messrs. Hopf, Albani and Macke served as members of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors during 1997. Mr. Hopf is the President of
St. Paul Venture Capital, Inc., Vice President of St. Paul Fire and Marine
Insurance Company and Managing General Partner of St. Paul Venture Capital IV,
LLC, and Mr. Macke is the General Partner of Macke Limited Partnership, each of
which is, directly or indirectly, an investor in the Company. For a description
of certain transactions involving these entities, see "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions" and "Principal and Selling Shareholders." Mr. Hopf served
as Chairman of the Board of the Company from August 1993 to April 1996. No other
relationships existed during 1997 with respect to Messrs. Hopf, Albani or Macke
that would be required to be disclosed under the rules of the Securities Act.
Messrs. Hopf, Macke and Shames currently serve as members of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors.
    
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table describes the compensation earned in 1997 by (i) the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company; and (ii) each of the four other most
highly compensated executive officers of the Company whose salary and bonus
exceeded $100,000 in 1997 (the "Named Executive Officers").
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         LONG-TERM
                                                                                       COMPENSATION
                                                                                       -------------
                                                                ANNUAL COMPENSATION     SECURITIES
                                                              -----------------------   UNDERLYING       ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                          YEAR     SALARY ($)   BONUS ($)    OPTIONS (#)   COMPENSATION ($)
- -------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ----------------
<S>                                                <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>
H. Robert Hawthorne(1) ..........................       1997  $  225,000   $  27,000       400,000           --
  President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Mark L. de Naray(2) .............................       1997      90,898      --            --           $  148,515(3)
  Former President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Daniel J. McAthie ...............................       1997     198,655      23,838        55,000           --
  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
  Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
 
Charles E. Dorsey ...............................       1997     155,540      81,381        35,000           --
  Senior Vice President of Retail and President
  of Select Comfort Direct Corporation
 
John D. Watson(4) ...............................       1997     149,423      17,931        35,000           --
  Former Senior Vice President of Corporate
  Marketing
 
Gregory T. Kliner ...............................       1997     147,095      17,652        35,000           --
  Senior Vice President of Operations
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Mr. Hawthorne became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
    effective April 28, 1997.
 
(2) Mr. de Naray was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
    through April 27, 1997.
 
(3) Represents severance payments in an aggregate amount of $147,115 and term
    life insurance premiums in the aggregate amount of $1,400 paid by the
    Company for the benefit of Mr. de Naray. See "--Separation Agreements."
 
(4) Mr. Watson resigned from the Company effective September 1, 1998. See
    "--Separation Agreements."
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
    The following table summarizes stock option grants during 1997 to each of
the Company's Named Executive Officers.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      INDIVIDUAL GRANTS(1)                     POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                     ------------------------------------------------------  VALUE AT ASSUMED ANNUAL
                                      NUMBER OF     PERCENT OF                                 RATES OF STOCK PRICE
                                     SECURITIES    TOTAL OPTIONS                             APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
                                     UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO      EXERCISE                         TERM(2)
                                       OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES IN       PRICE     EXPIRATION   ------------------------
NAME                                 GRANTED (#)    FISCAL YEAR     PER SHARE      DATE        5% ($)      10% ($)
- -----------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
H. Robert Hawthorne................     300,000(3)         31.3%    $    5.25      3/27/07   $  990,509  $  2,510,144
                                        100,000(4)         10.4          5.25      3/27/07      330,170       836,715
 
Mark L. de Naray...................      --             --             --           --           --           --
 
Daniel J. McAthie..................      20,000(3)          2.1          5.25      3/27/07       66,034       167,343
                                         35,000(4)          3.6          5.25      3/27/07      115,559       292,850
 
Charles E. Dorsey..................      35,000(4)          3.6          5.25      3/27/07      115,559       292,850
 
John D. Watson.....................      35,000(4)          3.6          5.25      3/27/07      115,559       292,850
 
Gregory T. Kliner..................      35,000(4)          3.6          5.25      3/27/07      115,559       292,850
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) All of the options granted to the Named Executive Officers were granted
    under the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. See "--Stock Option and
    Incentive Plans" for a discussion of the material terms of option grants
    under such plan.
 
(2) In accordance with the rules of the Commission, the amounts shown on this
    table represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the respective
    options if exercised at the end of the option term. These gains are based on
    assumed rates of stock appreciation of 5% and 10% compounded annually from
    the date the respective options were granted to their expiration date and do
    not reflect the Company's estimates or projections of future Common Stock
    prices. The gains shown are net of the option price, but do not include
    deductions for taxes or other expenses associated with the exercise. Actual
    gains, if any, on stock option exercises will depend upon the future
    performance of the Common Stock, the executive's continued employment with
    the Company or its subsidiaries and the date on which the options are
    exercised. The amounts represented in this table might not necessarily be
    achieved.
 
(3) These options become exercisable in as nearly equal as possible monthly
    installments over a 36-month period, so long as the executive remains
    employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries at that date. To the
    extent not already exercisable, these options become immediately exercisable
    in full upon certain changes in control of the Company and remain
    exercisable for the remainder of their term. See "--Stock Option and
    Incentive Plans."
 
(4) These options become exercisable in full upon the earlier of the following
    to occur: (a) the date on which the average of the high and low sales prices
    of the Company's Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market
    System, exceeds $22.00 per share for at least 30 consecutive trading days;
    or (b) March 28, 2002, so long as the executive remains employed by the
    Company or one of its subsidiaries at that date. To the extent not already
    exercisable, these options become immediately exercisable in full upon
    certain changes in control of the Company that result in consideration
    received or to be received by the shareholders of the Company as a result of
    such transaction exceeding $22.00 per share of Common Stock on a fully
    diluted basis.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
    The following table summarizes the number and value of options exercised
during 1997 and the value of options held by the Named Executive Officers at
January 3, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NUMBER OF SECURITIES        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                             UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED       IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                   SHARES                  OPTIONS AT JANUARY 3, 1998    AT JANUARY 3, 1998(1)
                                 ACQUIRED ON     VALUE     --------------------------  --------------------------
NAME                             EXERCISE (#) REALIZED ($) EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE  EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE
- -------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
H. Robert Hawthorne............      --           --           75,000        325,000    $ 356,250    $ 1,543,750
 
Mark L. de Naray...............     180,000(2)  $ 891,000      --            --            --            --
                                     47,950(2)    237,353
                                     84,340(2)    409,049
                                        600(2)      2,910
                                    173,110(2)    830,928
                                     28,000(2)    119,000
                                     16,000(2)      7,200
                                      8,000(2)          0
 
Daniel J. McAthie..............      --           --           80,266         84,734      408,887        413,113
 
Charles E. Dorsey..............       2,000       19,400      100,490         40,910      931,592        204,738
 
John D. Watson.................      --           --           35,552         79,448      168,872        377,378
 
Gregory T. Kliner..............      --           --           58,880         56,120      302,423        273,077
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Value based on the difference between the fair market value of one share of
    Common Stock at January 3, 1998 ($10.00), as determined by the Board of
    Directors, and the exercise price of the options ranging from $0.30 to $5.25
    per share. Options are in-the-money if the market price of the shares
    exceeds the option exercise price.
 
(2) Mr. de Naray exercised these options on February 20, 1997 and paid for the
    shares by executing a full recourse promissory note in the amount of
    $386,550. See "--Separation Agreements."
 
EMPLOYMENT AND CONSULTING AGREEMENTS
 
    On April 3, 1997, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with H. Robert
Hawthorne pursuant to which Mr. Hawthorne serves as President and Chief
Executive Officer as well as a director of the Company. Mr. Hawthorne's base
salary is $350,000 per year, and he is entitled to receive an incentive bonus if
certain performance criteria are met. Under the terms of the Letter Agreement,
Mr. Hawthorne was granted two ten-year options to purchase an aggregate of
400,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share. Of these
options: (i) an option to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock becomes
exercisable in as nearly equal as possible monthly installments over a 36-month
period, so long as Mr. Hawthorne remains employed by the Company or one of its
subsidiaries at such date and (ii) the other option is a "performance-based"
option and becomes exercisable as to 100,000 shares of Common Stock upon the
earlier of the following to occur: (a) the date on which the average of the high
and low sales prices of the Company's Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq
National Market System, exceeds $22.00 per share for at least 30 consecutive
trading days; or (b) March 28, 2002, so long as Mr. Hawthorne remains employed
by the Company or one of its subsidiaries at such date. Mr. Hawthorne is
entitled to a minimum severance payment of 24 months base salary in the event he
is terminated without cause.
 
    On October 20, 1995, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with Daniel
J. McAthie pursuant to which Mr. McAthie serves as Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. McAthie
receives a base salary and is entitled to receive an incentive bonus if certain
performance criteria are met. Under the terms of the Letter Agreement, Mr.
McAthie was granted a ten-year option to purchase 85,000 shares of Common Stock
at an exercise price of $4.80 per share. This option becomes exercisable in as
nearly equal as possible monthly installments over a 36-month period, so
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
long as Mr. McAthie remains employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries
at such date. Mr. McAthie is also entitled to a minimum severance payment equal
to his nine month's then current base salary in the event of termination without
cause.
 
    On July 11, 1995, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with Gregory
T. Kliner pursuant to which Mr. Kliner serves as Senior Vice President of
Operations of the Company. Mr. Kliner receives a base salary and is entitled to
receive an incentive bonus if certain performance criteria are met. Under the
terms of the Letter Agreement, Mr. Kliner was granted a ten-year option to
purchase 65,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.80 per share.
This option becomes exercisable in as nearly equal as possible monthly
installments over a 36-month period, so long as Mr. Kliner remains employed by
the Company or one of its subsidiaries at such date.
 
    The Company and Mr. Shames entered into a Consulting Agreement and a related
Stock Option Agreement, each dated April 1, 1996, under which Mr. Shames serves
as a consultant to assist the Company in various executive and management
duties. The Consulting Agreement has a term of three years. Under the Consulting
Agreement, Mr. Shames is entitled to a monthly retainer of $10,000 and
reimbursement of certain expenses. In addition to the monthly retainer, Mr.
Shames was granted, effective April 1, 1996, a ten-year, non-qualified option to
purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share,
50,000 shares of which became immediately exercisable and the remaining 100,000
shares of which become exercisable in as nearly equal as possible monthly
installments over the three-year term of the Consulting Agreement, so long as
Mr. Shames remains engaged as a consultant, officer or director of the Company.
Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Shames was also granted a ten-year,
non-qualified option effective April 1, 1997 to purchase 50,000 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $6.50 per share which becomes exercisable in as
nearly equal as possible monthly installments over a 24-month period, and a
ten-year, non-qualified option, effective April 1, 1998 to purchase 25,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.00 per share which becomes
exercisable in as nearly equal as possible monthly installments over a 12-month
period. The Company also agreed to grant Mr. Shames, effective April 1, 1999,
subject to the Board of Directors' discretion, a non-qualified option to
purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair
market value of the Common Stock on such date which option will become
immediately exercisable in full on such date. The Consulting Agreement provides
that Mr. Shames will not compete with the Company for a period of two years
after the termination of the Consulting Agreement.
 
SEPARATION AGREEMENTS
 
    On February 20, 1997, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement with
Mark L. de Naray, the former President and Chief Executive Officer and a former
director of the Company. Under the Separation Agreement, the Company agreed to
provide Mr. de Naray with certain payments and benefits, including (i) payment
of Mr. de Naray's base salary through July 31, 1998, (ii) payment of a $50,000
cash bonus, (iii) continuation of health, dental and life insurance coverage
until July 31, 1998, (iv) loans from the Company in the amount necessary to
enable Mr. de Naray to exercise any outstanding options held by him and to pay
one-half of the income tax liability resulting therefrom. and (v) reimbursement
of certain other expenses in an amount not to exceed $10,000. The Company loaned
Mr. de Naray approximately $336,550, in addition to the $50,000 Mr. de Naray
previously owed the Company, in order to provide Mr. de Naray funds to exercise
his options. The original principal amount of the full recourse note was
$386,550 and it bears interest at the rate of 9 1/4% per annum. The entire
principal balance and all accrued interest on the note is due in full on the
earlier of (i) six months following the completion of this offering or (ii)
April 30, 1999. The loan is secured by Mr. de Naray's pledge of 150,000 shares
of Common Stock. The outstanding principal balance and accrued interest on the
note was approximately $417,700 as of January 3, 1998 and $446,407 as of October
3, 1998. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Company loaned an additional
$425,000 to Mr. de Naray on April 13, 1998 to enable Mr. de Naray to pay
one-half of the income tax liability resulting from the exercise of his options
in February 1997, which loan is evidenced by a note and a pledge agreement
containing the same terms and conditions as described above, including the
pledge of an additional 150,000 shares of Common Stock. The outstanding
principal balance and
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
accrued interest on this note was approximately $443,633 as of October 3, 1998.
Under the Separation Agreement, the Company agreed to use its good faith efforts
to enable Mr. de Naray to sell up to 50,000 shares of Common Stock in this
offering. Under the Separation Agreement, Mr. de Naray agreed not to disclose
any confidential information of the Company until July 31, 2003, and until July
31, 1999, not to compete with the Company, interfere with the Company's
relationships with any of its current or potential vendors, suppliers,
distributors or customers and not to solicit any employees of the Company so
long as they remain employees of the Company.
 
    On July 13, 1998, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement with John
D. Watson, the former Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing of the
Company. Under the Separation Agreement, the Company agreed to provide Mr.
Watson with certain payments and benefits, including (i) payment of Mr. Watson's
base salary through August 1, 1999, (ii) payment of a cash bonus at the end of
1998 equal to 8/12 of Mr. Watson's bonus had he remained an employee during the
remainder of 1998, (iii) continuation of health, dental and life insurance
coverage until July 31, 1999, and (iv) reimbursement of certain other expenses
in an amount not to exceed $5,000. Under the Separation Agreement, Mr. Watson
agreed not to disclose any confidential information of the Company and, until
February 29, 2000, not to compete with the Company, interfere with the Company's
relationships with any of its current or potential vendors, suppliers,
distributors or customers and not to solicit any current employees of the
Company.
 
STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLANS
 
    The Company grants options pursuant to its 1990 Omnibus Stock Option Plan
(the "1990 Plan") and its 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan"). Each of
the 1990 Plan and the 1997 Plan provides for the grant to eligible participants
of options to purchase shares of Common Stock that qualify as "incentive stock
options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended ("Incentive Options"), as well as options that do not qualify as
Incentive Options ("Non-Statutory Options"). In addition, the 1997 Plan provides
for awards to eligible recipients of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock
awards, performance units and stock bonuses. Eligible participants under these
plans include employees, officers, directors, consultants and independent
contractors of the Company and its subsidiaries. Each of these plans is
administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which
determines the persons who are to receive awards, as well as the type, terms and
number of shares subject to each award. The 1990 Plan will terminate on May 29,
2000, and the 1997 Plan will terminate on March 28, 2007, in each case unless
earlier terminated by the Board of Directors.
 
    The Company has reserved an aggregate of 2.8 million shares of Common Stock
for awards under the 1990 Plan. As of October 3, 1998, options to purchase an
aggregate of 720,868 shares of Common Stock were outstanding under the 1990
Plan, of which 562,994 were fully vested, and a total of 413,594 shares of
Common Stock remained available for grant under the 1990 Plan. The Company has
reserved an aggregate of 1.5 million shares of Common Stock for awards under the
1997 Plan. As of October 3, 1998, options to purchase an aggregate of 939,659
shares of Common Stock were outstanding under the 1997 Plan, of which 234,982
were fully vested, and a total of 457,701 shares of Common Stock remained
available for grant under the 1997 Plan. As of October 3, 1998, the outstanding
options under the plans were held by an aggregate of 145 individuals and were
exercisable at prices ranging from $0.45 to $19.00 per share of Common Stock.
Options granted under the plans generally become exercisable in as nearly equal
as possible monthly installments over a 36-month period. Shares subject to
options granted under the plans that lapse or are terminated may again be
subject to grants under the plans.
 
    Prior to the consummation of this offering, the Company plans to grant
options to purchase an aggregate of up to 125,000 shares of Common Stock under
the 1997 Plan at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price of
the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. These options will be granted to all
full time employees of the Company who have not previously received an option
grant. These grants will range from 50 to 200 shares, depending on years of
service with the Company and will vest in equal annual installments over three
years.
 
    Incentive Options granted under the plans may not have an exercise price
less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant
(or, if granted to a person holding more than 10% of
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
the Company's voting stock, at less than 110% of fair market value).
Non-Statutory Options granted under the plans may not have an exercise price
less than 85% of fair market value on the date of grant. Aside from the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock reserved under the plans, there is no minimum
or maximum number of shares that may be subject to options. However, the
aggregate fair market value of the stock subject to Incentive Options granted to
any optionee that are exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any
calendar year may not exceed $100,000. Options generally expire when the
optionee's employment or other service is terminated with the Company and its
subsidiaries. Options generally may not be transferred, other than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution, and during the lifetime of an optionee,
may be exercised only by the optionee. The term of each option, which is fixed
by the Board at the time of grant, may not exceed ten years from the date the
option is granted (except that an Incentive Option granted to a person holding
more than 10% of the Company's voting stock may be exercisable only for five
years).
 
    Each of the 1990 Plan and the 1997 Plan contains provisions under which
options would become fully exercisable following certain changes in control of
the Company, such as (i) the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company to a corporation that is not
controlled by the Company, (ii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company
of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, (iii)
certain merger or business combination transactions, (iv) more than 50% of the
Company's outstanding voting shares are acquired by any person or group of
persons who did not own any shares of Common Stock on the effective date of the
respective plan, or (v) certain changes in the composition of the Board of
Directors of the Company. In addition, under the 1997 Plan, in the event of a
change in control of the Company, all stock appreciation rights will become
fully exercisable, all restricted stock awards will become immediately and fully
vested and all performance units and stock bonuses will vest and/or continue to
vest according to the terms of the agreements evidencing such awards. In
addition, under the 1997 Plan, in the event of such a change in control, the
Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide that some or all
participants holding outstanding options will receive for each share of Common
Stock subject to such options cash in an amount equal to the excess of the fair
market value of such shares immediately prior to the effective date of a change
in control over the exercise price per share of such options. The acceleration
of the exercisability of options under the Plans may be limited, however, if the
acceleration would be subject to an excise tax imposed upon "excess parachute
payments."
 
    Payment of an option exercise price may be made in cash, or at the
Compensation Committee's discretion, in whole or in part by tender of a broker
exercise notice, a promissory note or previously acquired shares of Common Stock
of the Company having an aggregate fair market value on the date of exercise
equal to the payment required.
 
PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN
 
    On January 1, 1994, the Company adopted a Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan
(the "401(k) Plan"). Employees who are employed on a full time basis and are 21
years old or over are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan on the first
day of the first calendar month following their employment commencement date.
Employees who are employed on a less than full time basis and are 21 years old
or over are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan on the first day of the
first calendar month once such employees have completed at least 1,000 hours of
service during the 12 months following their employment commencement date or
have completed 1,000 hours of service during the preceding plan year. Employees
may make salary reduction contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to the maximum
amount permitted by law. The Company may make discretionary matching
contributions equal to a percentage of the amount of the salary reduction the
employee elected. This percentage is determined annually by the Company. During
the first nine months of 1998, the Company contributed $78,000 to the 401(k)
Plan. The Company did not make any contributions during 1995, 1996 and 1997.
Generally, employer matching contributions are vested at the rate of 20% per
year of service commencing after the employee has completed two years of
service. Employee salary reduction contributions under the 401(k) Plan are
always 100% vested.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
 
    On October 1, 1998, the Company adopted a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Plan (the "DC Plan") for employees of the Company at or above director level
managers. Eligible employees are permitted to elect to defer a portion of their
compensation from the Company up to 50% of the employee's salary and 100% of the
employee's bonus in the initial plan year ending December 31, 1998, and up to
25% of the employee's salary and 100% of the employee's bonus for each calendar
year thereafter. The deferred compensation is credited to one or more accounts
designated by the employee. The Company is permitted, but is not obligated, to
make matching or discretionary contributions to participants' accounts. The
Company has not made any matching or discretionary contributions under the DC
Plan to date. Generally, employer matching or discretionary contributions are
vested at the rate of 20% per year of service commencing after the employee has
completed two years of service. Amounts deferred by election of a participant
are always 100% vested.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
DIRECTOR RELATIONSHIPS
 
   
    Patrick A. Hopf, a director of the Company, is the President of St. Paul
Venture Capital, Inc., the Vice President of St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance
Co. and the Managing General Partner of St. Paul Venture Capital IV, LLC. St.
Paul Venture Capital IV, LLC and St. Paul Venture Capital Affiliates Fund I, of
which St. Paul Venture Capital, Inc. is the manager for both, and St. Paul Fire
and Marine Insurance Co. are shareholders of the Company. Mr. Hopf was elected
to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with the purchase
agreement under which the Series A Preferred Stock was purchased.
    
 
    Christopher P. Kirchen, a director of the Company, is a general partner of
Consumer Venture Associates, L.P., which is the general partner of Consumer
Venture Partners I, L.P., a shareholder of the Company. Mr. Kirchen is also the
general partner of Consumer Venture Associates II, L.P., which is the general
partner of Consumer Venture Partners II, L.P., a shareholder of the Company. Mr.
Kirchen was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with
the purchase agreement under which the Series B Preferred Stock was purchased.
 
    Jean-Michel Valette, a director of the Company, was a Managing Director of
Hambrecht & Quist LLC from October 1994 to August 1998 and a Senior Analyst of
Hambrecht & Quist LLC from November 1992 to October 1994. Mr. Valette is also a
member of the general partner of H&Q Select Comfort Investors, L.P., an investor
in the Company and a related party to Hambrecht & Quist LLC. Mr. Valette was
elected to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with the purchase
agreement under which the Series D Preferred Stock was purchased. Hambrecht &
Quist LLC is one of the Underwriters of this offering.
 
CERTAIN SALES OF SECURITIES
 
    Since January 1, 1995, the Company has sold shares of Series E Preferred
Stock, promissory notes convertible into shares of Common Stock and warrants to
purchase shares of Common Stock to various investors, including certain
directors, executive officers, greater-than 5% shareholders and entities
affiliated with directors at the time of sale. Such securities were sold to such
affiliated purchasers on the same terms as they were sold to non-affiliated
purchasers.
 
    SERIES E FINANCING
 
   
    On December 28, 1995, the Company sold an aggregate of 857,143 shares of
Series E Preferred Stock pursuant to the Company's Series E Convertible
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 28, 1995 (the "Series E
Purchase Agreement"), at a price of $10.50 per share for an aggregate purchase
price of approximately $9.0 million. The Series E Purchase Agreement was amended
in April 1996 to provide for the issuance to such purchasers of Series E
Preferred Stock warrants to purchase an aggregate of 171,429 shares of Common
Stock exercisable through December 28, 2005 at an exercise price of $5.25 per
share. The following entities and individuals purchased shares of Series E
Preferred Stock and were issued warrants in the following amounts: Apex
Investment Fund, L.P. (19,380 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible
into 24,815 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 3,876 shares);
related parties to Hambrecht & Quist LLC (45,000 shares of Series E Preferred
Stock convertible into 57,620 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase
9,000 shares); Macke Limited Partnership (11,900 shares of Series E Preferred
Stock convertible into 15,237 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase
2,380 shares); Marquette Venture Partners II, L.P. and MVP Affiliates Fund, L.P.
(257,150 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible into 329,276 shares of
Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 51,430 shares); Norwest Equity Partners V
(257,150 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible into 329,277 shares of
Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 51,430 shares); St. Paul Fire and Marine
Insurance Co. (100,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible into
128,048 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 20,000 shares); John
Sculley (15,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock
    
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
   
convertible into 19,207 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 3,000
shares); Patrick A. Hopf (950 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible
into 1,216 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 190 shares); Mark L.
de Naray (500 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible into 640 shares of
Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 100 shares); and Daniel J. McAthie
(20,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible into 25,609 shares of
Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 4,000 shares).
    
 
    1996 BRIDGE FINANCING
 
   
    In November 1996, the Company borrowed an aggregate of approximately
$1,252,000 from certain existing shareholders and issued promissory notes
evidencing such loans. Interest on these notes accrued at an annual rate of 8%.
The Company granted each of these shareholders ten-year warrants to purchase a
number of shares of Common Stock equal to 25% of the principal amount of such
shareholder's note divided by $5.25 (an aggregate of 59,606 shares), at an
exercise price of $5.25 per share. The promissory notes were due on the earlier
of (i) the closing of an equity financing of $10.0 million or more, or (b)
November 1, 1997. The Company paid off the promissory notes in full in March
1997 and granted each of these shareholders additional ten-year warrants to
purchase a number of shares equal to 5% of the principal amount of such
shareholder's note divided by $5.25 (an aggregate of 11,919 shares), exercisable
through October 31, 2006 at an exercise price of $5.25 per share. The following
entities purchased notes and warrants in the following amounts: Apex Investment
Fund, L.P. ($126,450 and warrants to purchase 7,226 shares); related parties to
Hambrecht & Quist LLC ($50,400 and warrants to purchase 2,880 shares); Macke
Limited Partnership ($6,000 and warrants to purchase 343 shares); Marquette
Venture Partners II, L.P. and MVP II Affiliates Fund, L.P. ($33,000 and warrants
to purchase 1,885 shares); Norwest Equity Partners V ($122,550 and warrants to
purchase 7,003 shares); and St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co. ($835,150 and
warrants to purchase 47,723 shares).
    
 
AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
    All holders of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the preferred stock
or upon exercise of certain warrants have certain demand and incidental
registration rights covering such shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Amended
and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated December 28, 1995, as amended,
among the Company and the other parties thereto. See "Description of
Securities-- Registration Rights--Amended and Restated Registration Rights
Agreement."
 
VOTING AGREEMENT AND STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT
 
   
    The Company and the purchasers of the preferred stock entered into a Voting
Agreement in connection with the purchase agreements under which the preferred
stock was purchased, pursuant to which Saint Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co.,
Cherry Tree Ventures IV, Consumer Venture Partners, Apex Investment Fund, L.P.
and KCB BV, L.P. each were granted the right to designate one director to the
Board of Directors so long as each held at least 20% of the number of shares
originally purchased by such investor pursuant to the Series A Purchase
Agreement (in the case of Saint Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co., Cherry Tree
Ventures IV and Consumer Venture Partners), Series B Purchase Agreement (in the
case of Apex Investment Fund, L.P.) or Series C Purchase Agreement (in the case
of KCB BV, L.P.). In connection with the Series D Purchase Agreement and the
Series E Purchase Agreement, related parties to Hambrecht & Quist LLC and
Marquette Venture Partners II, L.P., respectively, were granted a one-time right
to designate one director to the Board of Directors. All of the holders of the
preferred stock agreed to vote their shares of preferred stock and any other
shares of capital stock of the Company owned by such holder in favor of the
election of the persons designated by the respective shareholders. In addition,
in connection with the Series A Financing, the Company, the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock, J.P. Poole and Robert A. Walker and JoAnn O. Walker
(collectively, the "Promoters") entered into a Stock Restriction Agreement. The
Stock Restriction Agreement was amended to include all subsequent purchasers of
preferred stock. Under this agreement, the Company, the holders of the preferred
stock and J.P. Poole had certain rights of first refusal to purchase and to
participate in any sales of shares of the
    
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
Company's capital stock by the Promoters. In addition, until the holders of the
preferred stock recovered (by sale or other disposition) their aggregate
investment amount paid for all shares of preferred stock purchased from the
Company, the Promoters were prohibited from selling more than 20% of their
collective holdings of capital stock of the Company. The Stock Restriction
Agreement terminated on December 31, 1997, and the Voting Agreement will
terminate upon the consummation of this offering.
 
SEPARATION AGREEMENTS
 
    On February 20, 1997, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement with
Mark L. de Naray, the former President and Chief Executive Officer and a former
director of the Company, pursuant to which the Company, among other things,
loaned Mr. de Naray an aggregate of $761,550 in addition to the $50,000 Mr. de
Naray previously owed the Company to provide Mr. de Naray funds to exercise his
options. On July 13, 1998, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement with
John D. Watson, the former Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing of the
Company. For a discussion of these agreements, see "Management--Separation
Agreements."
 
CONSULTING AGREEMENTS
 
    In April 1996, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Ervin R.
Shames, Chairman of the Board, pursuant to which Mr. Shames renders certain
consulting services to the Company. See "Management--Director Compensation" and
"--Employment and Consulting Agreements."
 
    In July 1997, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with Richard
Clayton, a former director of the Company, pursuant to which Mr. Clayton
rendered certain consulting services to the Company through the end of March
1998 in connection with the establishment by the Company of several leased
departments within larger retail stores. Under the Letter Agreement, Mr. Clayton
received a consulting fee equal to $197,000 paid in eight monthly installments
and was granted an option to purchase 14,000 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $7.50 per share.
 
    For a discussion of the employment agreements entered into by the Company
and certain Named Executive Officers, see "Management--Employment and Consulting
Agreements."
 
GE FINANCING AND RESTRUCTURING OF GE WARRANTS
 
    On March 27, 1997, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement (the "GE
Purchase Agreement") with General Electric Capital Corporation ("GECC"),
pursuant to which the Company issued to GECC a senior subordinated promissory
note in the principal amount of $15.0 million (the "GE Note"). Interest on the
GE Note accrues at a rate equal to 11% per year and is payable quarterly in
arrears. The outstanding principal on the GE Note is due on or before March 31,
2003. Under the terms of the GE Purchase Agreement, the Company is required to
comply with certain affirmative and financial covenants so long as the GE Note
remains outstanding, including without limitation, the delivery of certain
financial and business information and maintaining a minimum ratio of EBITDA to
fixed charges, a minimum ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA and a minimum
consolidated net worth. In addition, the Company is required to comply with
certain negative covenants so long as the GE Note remains outstanding, including
without limitation, refraining from consummating certain acquisitions,
investments, and sales of Company assets, issuing additional shares of preferred
stock, incurring additional indebtedness and permitting liens on any of its
assets. The Company intends to repay the GE Note in full with a portion of the
net proceeds of this offering. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
    In addition to the GE Note, the Company issued to GECC a Series A Warrant
(the "Series A Warrant") to purchase 1,100,000 shares of Common Stock
exercisable through March 31, 2005 at an exercise price of $10.50 and a Series B
Warrant (the "Series B Warrant") providing contingent rights to purchase up to
1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $.01 after May 1, 1999,
subject to adjustment and cancellation upon the occurrence of certain events.
Pursuant to an amendment to the GE
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
   
Purchase Agreement effective as of March 31, 1998, the Company and GECC
restructured these warrants by combining them into one Series A Warrant to
purchase 1,309,583 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.82. In
November 1998, in connection with the reduction of the conversion price of the
Series E Preferred Stock, the Company agreed to issue an additional warrant to
GECC to purchase 5,513 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.82 per
share. See "--Series E Preferred Stock Shareholder Voting Agreement and
Irrevocable Proxy." GECC has certain demand and incidental registration rights
covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the new Series A
Warrant and the additional warrant. See "Description of Securities--Registration
Rights--General Electric Warrants."
    
 
   
MONOGRAM BANK CREDIT CARD PROGRAM
    
 
   
    GECC, which controls Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia (the "Bank"), has
an indirect interest in the Company's consumer credit arrangements with the
Bank. Under these arrangements, the Bank offers to the Company's qualified
customers an unsecured revolving credit arrangement to finance purchases from
the Company. For all purchases financed under these arrangements, the Bank pays
the Company an amount equal to the total amount of purchases net of promotional
related discounts and less amounts retained for returned products and limited
recourse on bad debts. The Bank had retained $3.9 million and $10.1 million as
of January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998, respectively. The Company believes that
the terms of its arrangement with the Bank are at least as favorable to the
Company as terms the Company would expect to negotiate with an unaffiliated
third party. See "Business--Consumer Credit Arrangements."
    
 
   
SERIES E PREFERRED STOCK SHAREHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT AND IRREVOCABLE PROXY
    
 
   
    In November 1998, the Company and the holders of more than 60% of the
outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock entered into a Shareholder Voting
Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy pursuant to which such holders of Series E
Preferred Stock agreed to vote all of the shares of capital stock of the Company
held beneficially and of record by them in favor of an amendment of the
Company's Articles of Incorporation to decrease the public offering price at
which the Series E Preferred Stock would automatically convert into Common Stock
from $19.95 to $15.00 per share and reduce the conversion price of the Series E
Preferred Stock into Common Stock from $8.82 to $8.20 per share. In addition,
such holders of Series E Preferred Stock appointed H. Robert Hawthorne and
Daniel J. McAthie as proxies and authorized each of them to represent and vote
all of the shares of capital stock of the Company held beneficially and of
record by them in favor of such an amendment at the next annual or special
meeting of shareholders. In connection with the reduction of the conversion
price of the Series E Preferred Stock, the Company agreed to issue an additional
warrant to GECC to purchase 5,513 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$8.82 per share.
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
    All future transactions, including any loans from the Company to its
officers, directors, principal shareholders or affiliates, will be on terms no
less favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated third
parties.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
 
   
    The following table sets forth information known to the Company with respect
to beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of November 10, 1998 and as
adjusted to reflect the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby, for
(i) each person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of
the Common Stock, (ii) each of the Named Executive Officers, (iii) each of the
Company's directors, (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group, and
(v) each Selling Shareholder. Except as set forth in the footnotes below, none
of the Selling Shareholders has had any position, office or material
relationship with the Company or any of its predecessors or affiliates within
the past three years.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED                     SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                    PRIOR TO THE OFFERING                         AFTER THE OFFERING(1)
                                                  -------------------------  NUMBER OF SHARES   -------------------------
NAME                                                 NUMBER       PERCENT      BEING OFFERED       NUMBER       PERCENT
- ------------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------  -----------------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>          <C>                <C>           <C>
St. Paul Venture Capital, Inc.(2)...............     5,155,023        33.5%         --             5,155,023        28.3%
Consumer Venture Partners(3)....................     2,237,113        14.6          --             2,237,113        12.3
Apex Investment Fund, L.P. and The Productivity
  Fund II, L.P.(4)..............................     1,331,909         8.7           281,795       1,050,114         5.8
General Electric Capital Corporation(5).........     1,315,096         7.9            82,590       1,131,051         5.8
Norwest Venture Capital(6)......................     1,084,763         7.1           113,783         970,980         5.4
Cherry Tree Ventures IV Limited
  Partnership(7)................................       828,690         5.4           116,359         712,331         3.9
H. Robert Hawthorne(8)..........................       188,250         1.2          --               188,250         1.0
Mark L. de Naray(9).............................       549,000         3.6           143,635         405,365         2.2
Daniel J. McAthie(10)...........................       149,733           *             7,182         142,551           *
Charles E. Dorsey(11)...........................       110,698           *             1,149         109,549           *
John D. Watson(12)..............................        51,522           *          --                51,522           *
Gregory T. Kliner(13)...........................        79,594           *             8,514          71,080           *
Ervin R. Shames(14).............................       204,174         1.3          --               204,174         1.1
Thomas J. Albani................................        37,595           *          --                37,595           *
Patrick A. Hopf(15).............................     5,164,429        33.6          --             5,164,429        28.4
Christopher P. Kirchen(16)......................     2,237,113        14.6          --             2,237,113        12.3
David T. Kollat(17).............................        37,595           *          --                37,595           *
Kenneth A. Macke(18)............................        90,405           *          --                90,405           *
Jean-Michel Valette(19).........................       207,574         1.4          --               207,574         1.1
All directors and executive officers as a group
  (12 persons)(20)..............................     8,581,535        53.9%           16,845       8,564,690        45.7%
 
Other Selling Shareholders:
 
Alex. Brown & Sons Employees
  Venture Fund LP(21)...........................        29,609           *             7,055          22,554           *
Theodore H. Ashford(22).........................        68,718           *            12,632          56,086           *
Bayview Investors, Ltd.(23).....................        29,609           *            12,715          16,894           *
Richard M. Downs(24)............................        20,750           *             2,083          18,667           *
James D. Gaboury(25)............................        20,743           *               506          20,237           *
Doug Hickman(26)................................         3,479           *               947           2,532           *
Brent T. Hutton(27).............................        86,311           *             2,124          84,187           *
Karen K. Jones(28)..............................        25,750           *             3,591          22,159           *
Terral Jordan(29)...............................         3,479           *               391           3,088           *
KCB BV, L.P.....................................       750,843         4.9           161,771         589,072         3.3
Douglas Keefer..................................        15,000           *               129          14,871           *
Erwin A. Kelen(30)..............................        14,064           *             1,023          13,041           *
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED                     SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                    PRIOR TO THE OFFERING                         AFTER THE OFFERING(1)
                                                  -------------------------  NUMBER OF SHARES   -------------------------
NAME                                                 NUMBER       PERCENT      BEING OFFERED       NUMBER       PERCENT
- ------------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------  -----------------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>          <C>                <C>           <C>
Richard Knase(31)...............................         9,500           *             3,232           6,268           *
Douglas H. Poole................................         9,500           *             3,950           5,550           *
J.P. Poole(32)..................................       379,500         2.5            71,818         307,682         1.7
Suzanne Puerzer(33).............................        13,118           *               360          12,758           *
John A. Rollwagen(34)...........................        16,064           *             2,873          13,191           *
John Sculley(35)................................       154,602         1.0            22,065         132,537           *
Dewey K. Shay(36)...............................         3,479           *             2,161           1,318           *
JoAnn O. Walker(37).............................       477,500         3.1            31,420         385,933         2.1
Robert A. Walker(38)............................       477,500         3.1            60,147         385,933         2.1
Kenneth H. Walker(39)...........................        58,481           *            42,000          16,481           *
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
*   Less than one percent.
 
   
(1) Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table, based on
    information provided by such persons, have sole voting and sole investment
    power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned
    by them. Shares of Common Stock subject to options or warrants currently
    exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 10, 1998 are deemed
    outstanding for computing the percentage of the person or group holding such
    options or warrants but are not deemed outstanding for computing the
    percentage of any other person.
    
 
   
(2) Includes 4,766,008 shares held by St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance
    Company, 321,017 shares held by St. Paul Venture Capital IV, LLC and 275
    shares held by St. Paul Venture Capital Affiliates Fund I, LLC. Includes
    59,769 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants held by St.
    Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co. and 7,954 shares issuable upon exercise
    of outstanding warrants held by St. Paul Venture Capital IV, LLC. St. Paul
    Venture Capital, Inc. is an affiliate of St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance
    Co. and the manager of St. Paul Venture Capital IV, LLC and St. Paul Venture
    Capital Affiliates Fund I, LLC. Patrick A. Hopf, a director of the Company,
    is the Vice President of St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co., the
    President of St. Paul Venture Capital, Inc. and the Managing General Partner
    of St. Paul Venture Capital IV, LLC. Does not include shares held of record
    by Mr. Hopf. See note (15) below. The address of St. Paul Venture Capital,
    Inc. is 8500 Normandale Lake Boulevard, Suite 1940, Bloomington, Minnesota
    55437.
    
 
   
(3) Includes 274,312 shares held by Consumer Venture Partners I, L.P. and
    1,962,801 shares held by Consumer Venture Partners II, L.P. Christopher P.
    Kirchen, a director of the Company, is the general partner of Consumer
    Venture Associates L.P., which is the general partner of Consumer Venture
    Partners I, L.P. Mr. Kirchen is also the general partner of Consumer Venture
    Associates II, L.P., which is the general partner of Consumer Venture
    Partners II, L.P. Does not include any shares held of record by Mr. Kirchen.
    See note (16) below. The address of Consumer Venture Partners is Three
    Pickwick Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
    
 
   
(4) Includes 920,353 shares held of record by Apex Investment Fund, L.P.
    ("Apex") and 395,519 shares held of record by The Productivity Fund II, L.P.
    ("TPF"). Also includes 11,102 and 4,935 shares issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding warrants held by Apex and TPF, respectively. Apex intends to
    sell 197,122 shares in the offering and will beneficially own 734,333 shares
    after the offering. TPF intends to sell 84,673 shares in the offering and
    will beneficially own 315,781 shares after the offering. First Analysis
    Corporation is a general partner of each of the general partners of Apex and
    TPF and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares held by Apex and
    TPF. First Analysis Corporation disclaims beneficial ownership of such
    shares, except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein. James A.
    Johnson, George M. Middlemas and Paul J. Renze, by virtue of their
    affiliation with Apex,
    
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
   
    may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares held by Apex; however,
    they disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of
    their individual pecuniary interest therein. Bret R. Maxwell, by virtue of
    his affiliation with TPF, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares
    held by TPF; however, he disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares,
    except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Apex and TPF
    participated in the Company's Series E financing and 1996 bridge financing.
    See "Certain Transactions--Certain Sales of Securities." James A. Johnson,
    an affiliate of Apex, is a former director of the Company. The address of
    Apex and TPF is 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 9500, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
    
 
   
(5) Includes 1,309,583 shares issuable upon exercise of an outstanding warrant
    issued to General Electric Capital Corporation ("GECC") in connection with a
    $15.0 million loan to the Company made in March 1997, and 5,513 shares
    issuable upon exercise of a warrant the Company has agreed to issue to GECC.
    The number of shares beneficially owned by GECC after the offering will vary
    depending on the initial public offering price. The Company and GECC have
    agreed under the terms of GECC's warrant that GECC will exercise its rights
    to purchase such number of shares issuable under the warrant such that,
    after the surrender of shares purchasable under the warrant valued at the
    initial public offering price in payment of the exercise price of $8.82 per
    share for all shares exercised, the Company will issue 82,590 shares to GECC
    to be sold in the offering. Based on an assumed initial public offering
    price of $16.00 per share, GECC would exercise its rights to purchase an
    aggregate of 184,045 shares, surrender 101,455 of such shares in payment of
    the exercise price, receive 82,590 shares to be sold in the offering and
    continue to hold warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,131,051 shares after
    the offering. If the initial public offering price is above $16.00 per
    share, GECC would be able to exercise its rights to purchase a lesser number
    of shares under its warrants in order to receive 82,590 shares of Common
    Stock to be sold in the offering and as a result would hold rights to
    purchase more than 1,131,051 shares after the offering. GECC, through its
    affiliation with Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia, has an indirect
    interest in the Company's consumer credit arrangements with the bank. See
    "Certain Transactions--GE Financing and Restructuring of GE Warrants." The
    address of GECC is 260 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06927.
    
 
   
(6) Includes 697,053 shares held by Norwest Equity Partners IV and 329,277
    shares held by Norwest Equity Partners V. Also includes 58,433 shares
    issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants held by Norwest Equity
    Partners V. Norwest Equity Partners IV intends to sell 71,818 shares in the
    offering and will beneficially own 625,235 shares after the offering.
    Norwest Equity Partners V intends to sell 41,965 shares in the offering and
    will beneficially own 345,745 shares after the offering. Itasca Partners is
    the general partner of Norwest Equity Partners IV and may be deemed to be
    the beneficial owner of shares held by Norwest Equity Partners IV. Itasca
    Partners V is the general partner of Norwest Equity Partners V and may be
    deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares held by Norwest Equity Partners
    V. John E. Lindahl and George J. Still, Jr. are each managing general
    partners of, and John P. Whaley is the managing administrative partner of,
    Itasca Partners and Itasca Partners V, respectively. By virtue of their
    affiliation with Norwest Equity Partners IV and Norwest Equity Partners V
    resulting from their positions with Itasca Partners and Itasca Partners V,
    each may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares held by Norwest
    Equity Partners IV and Norwest Equity Partners V; however they disclaim
    beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of their pecuniary
    interest therein. Norwest Equity Partners V participated in the Company's
    Series E financing and 1996 bridge financing. See "Certain
    Transactions--Certain Sales of Securities." The address of Norwest Venture
    Capital and the other named individuals is 2800 Piper Tower, 222 South Ninth
    Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402.
    
 
(7) The address of Cherry Tree Ventures IV Limited Partnership is 1400 Northland
    Plaza, 3800 West 80th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55431.
 
   
(8) Includes 76,250 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options. Also
    includes 12,000 shares held by Mr. Hawthorne's children.
    
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
   
(9) Includes 37,000 shares held by Mr. de Naray's spouse and children. Mr. de
    Naray is a former director and executive officer of the Company.
    
 
   
(10) Includes 61,930 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and
    4,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. Also includes
    29,097 shares held by Mr. McAthie's spouse, as to which Mr. McAthie shares
    voting and investment power. Mr. McAthie is currently an executive officer
    of the Company.
    
 
   
(11) Includes 4,942 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options. Also
    includes 99,156 shares jointly held by Mr. Dorsey and his spouse, as to
    which Mr. Dorsey shares voting and investment power, and an aggregate of
    4,000 shares held by Mr. Dorsey's children, as to which Mr. Dorsey has sole
    voting and investment power. Also includes 1,000 shares held by Mr. Dorsey's
    daughter, as to which shares Mr. Dorsey disclaims beneficial ownership. Mr.
    Dorsey is currently an executive officer of the Company.
    
 
   
(12) Includes 2,222 shares held by Mr. Watson's spouse.
    
 
   
(13) Includes 79,594 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options. Mr.
    Kliner is currently an executive officer of the Company.
    
 
   
(14) Includes 85,174 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options held
    by Mr. Shames and 100,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding
    options held by Louise G. Shames, Trustee of the Ervin R. Shames Estate
    Reduction Family Trust U/A dated October 30, 1997.
    
 
   
(15) Includes 190 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. Also
    includes an aggregate of 1,216 shares held by Mr. Hopf's spouse and
    children. Also includes shares beneficially owned by St. Paul Fire and
    Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Venture Capital Affiliates Fund I, LLC
    and St. Paul Venture Capital IV, LLC. Mr. Hopf has the same business address
    as St. Paul Venture Capital. See note (2) above.
    
 
(16) Includes shares beneficially owned by Consumer Venture Partners I, L.P. and
    Consumer Venture Partners II, L.P., as to which Mr. Kirchen shares voting
    and investment power. Mr. Kirchen has the same business address as Consumer
    Venture Partners. See note (3) above.
 
(17) Includes 37,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options.
 
   
(18) Includes 12,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options. Also
    includes 75,182 shares held by Macke Limited Partnership and 2,723 shares
    issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants held by Macke Limited
    Partnership, of which Mr. Macke is the general partner.
    
 
   
(19) Includes 202,421 shares held by H&Q Select Comfort Investors, L.P., a
    related party to Hambrecht & Quist LLC. Also includes 4,500 shares issuable
    upon exercise of outstanding warrants held by H&Q Select Comfort Investors,
    L.P. Mr. Valette by virtue of his affiliation with the general partner of
    H&Q Select Comfort Investors, L.P. may be deemed to be the beneficial owner
    of such shares; however, he disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares,
    except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
    
 
   
(20) Includes an aggregate of 611,401 shares issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding options and warrants held by officers, directors and their
    affiliates. Also includes all shares beneficially owned by St. Paul Venture
    Capital, Inc. and Consumer Venture Partners. See notes (2) and (3) above.
    
 
(21) Includes 4,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
 
(22) Includes 470 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
 
   
(23) Includes 4,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants. A
    majority of the limited partners of Bayview Investors, Ltd. are directors or
    employees of BancBoston Robertson Stephens.
    
 
   
(24) Includes 20,750 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options.
    Mr. Downs is currently an employee of the Company.
    
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
   
(25) Includes 11,136 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options.
    Mr. Gaboury is currently an employee of the Company.
    
 
(26) Includes 470 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
 
(27) Mr. Hutton is a former executive officer of the Company.
 
   
(28) Includes 4,302 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options.
    Ms. Jones is currently an employee of the Company.
    
 
(29) Includes 470 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
 
(30) Includes 1,900 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
 
   
(31) Mr. Knase is a former employee of the Company.
    
 
   
(32) Includes 29,500 shares held by J.P. Poole and D.M. Poole. Mr. Poole was a
    party to a Stock Restriction Agreement pursuant to which the holders of the
    Company's preferred stock and Mr. Poole had certain rights of first refusal
    to purchase and participate in any sales of shares of the Company's capital
    stock by Mr. and Mrs. Robert and JoAnn Walker. This agreement terminated on
    December 31, 1997. See "Certain Transactions--Voting Agreement and Stock
    Restriction Agreement."
    
 
   
(33) Includes 9,118 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options.
    Ms. Puerzer is currently an employee of the Company.
    
 
   
(34) Includes 1,900 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
    
 
   
(35) Includes 12,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options.
    Also includes 10,000 shares held by Sculley Brothers LLC and 2,000 shares
    held by Sculley Investment Ltd. Partnership. Mr. Sculley is a former
    director of the Company.
    
 
   
(36) Includes 470 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
    
 
   
(37) Includes 258,750 shares held by Mrs. Walker's spouse. See note (38) below.
    Mr. and Mrs. Walker were parties to a Stock Restriction Agreement pursuant
    to which the holders of the Company's preferred stock and J.P. Poole had
    certain rights of first refusal to purchase and participate in any sales of
    shares of the Company's capital stock by Mr. and Mrs. Walker. This agreement
    terminated on December 31, 1997. See "Certain Transactions--Voting Agreement
    and Stock Restriction Agreement."
    
 
   
(38) Includes 218,750 shares held by Mr. Walker's spouse. See note (37) above.
    Mr. and Mrs. Walker were parties to a Stock Restriction Agreement pursuant
    to which the holders of the Company's preferred stock and J.P. Poole had
    certain rights of first refusal to purchase and participate in any sales of
    shares of the Company's capital stock by Mr. and Mrs. Walker. This agreement
    terminated on December 31, 1997. See "Certain Transactions--Voting Agreement
    and Stock Restriction Agreement."
    
 
   
(39) Includes 41,814 shares held by Mr. Walker's IRA.
    
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    Assuming the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock into
Common Stock and the filing of the Articles upon completion of this offering,
the authorized capital stock of the Company will consist of 95,000,000 shares of
Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of Undesignated Preferred Stock. The following
summary of the terms and provisions of the Company's capital stock does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Company's Articles and applicable law.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
   
    As of October 3, 1998, there were 15,322,249 shares of Common Stock issued
and outstanding, held of record by 180 shareholders. The holders of Common Stock
are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted
to a vote of shareholders, and are not entitled to cumulate votes. Subject to
preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of Undesignated
Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such
dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available therefor. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets that are
legally available for distribution after payment of all debts and other
liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any holders of the outstanding
shares of Undesignated Preferred Stock. The holders of Common Stock have no
preemptive, subscription, redemption, sinking fund or conversion rights. All
outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable, and the
shares of Common Stock to be issued upon completion of this offering will be
fully paid and nonassessable.
    
 
UNDESIGNATED PREFERRED STOCK
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus, no shares of Undesignated Preferred Stock
were issued and outstanding. Under Minnesota law, no action by the Company's
shareholders is necessary, and only action by the Board of Directors is
required, to authorize the issuance of any of the shares of Undesignated
Preferred Stock. Subject to certain limitations, the Board of Directors is
empowered to establish, and to designate the name of each class or series of the
shares of Undesignated Preferred Stock and to set the terms of such shares
(including terms with respect to redemption, sinking fund, dividend,
liquidation, preemptive conversion and voting rights and preferences). The Board
of Directors can issue shares of such class or series to, among other
individuals, the holders of another class or series of Undesignated Preferred
Stock or to the holders of the Common Stock. Accordingly, the Board of
Directors, without shareholder approval, could issue Undesignated Preferred
Stock with dividend, voting and conversion rights which could adversely affect
the rights of the holders of Common Stock. The Undesignated Preferred Stock may
have the effect of discouraging an attempt, through acquisition of a substantial
number of shares of the Common Stock, to acquire control of the Company with a
view to effecting a merger, sale or exchange of assets or a similar transaction.
The Company has no present plans to issue Undesignated Preferred Stock.
 
OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
 
   
    As of October 3, 1998, the Company had outstanding options to purchase an
aggregate of 1,660,527 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise
price of $6.38 per share and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,589,780
shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price of $8.27 per share.
All outstanding options and warrants provide for antidilution adjustments in the
event of certain mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, recapitalizations,
stock dividends, stock splits or other changes in the corporate structure of the
Company. Certain of the outstanding warrants provide for antidilution
adjustments if the Company sells any shares of capital stock or securities
exercisable for or convertible into shares of capital stock for less than $5.25
per share. Holders of the outstanding warrants have certain demand and
incidental registration rights with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise
of the warrants. See "--Registration Rights."
    
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
    AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
   
    The holders of 12,332,364 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 239,954 shares of Common Stock (the "Registrable Securities") or
their transferees are entitled to certain rights with respect to the
registration of such shares under the Securities Act pursuant to the terms of
the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 28,
1995, as amended (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), among the Company and
the holders of Registrable Securities. If at any time the holders of specified
amounts of Registrable Securities request that the Company file a registration
statement covering the Registrable Securities, the Company will use its best
efforts to cause such securities to be registered. The Company is not required
to file more than two registration statements, other than on Form S-2 or Form
S-3, pursuant to such demand rights, or more than one registration statement,
other than on Form S-2 or Form S-3, in any twelve-month period. The holders of
specified amounts of Registrable Securities also have the right to require the
Company to file a registration statement on Form S-2 or Form S-3 an unlimited
number of times, provided that the Company is not required to register any
Registrable Securities which are freely transferable under the provisions of
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act. In addition, the holders of Registrable
Securities are entitled to have Registrable Securities included in a
registration statement filed on behalf of the Company provided that the Company
is not required to include any Registrable Securities which are freely
transferable under the provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act. In
any underwritten public offering, the foregoing registration rights are limited
to the extent that the managing underwriter has the right (i) to limit the
number of Registrable Securities to be included in the registration statement,
(ii) to prohibit the sale of any securities of the Company other than those
registered and included in the underwritten offering for a period of 180 days,
and (iii) to require holders of Registrable Securities not to sell, make any
short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose
of any securities of the Company (other than the securities included in the
registration) without the prior written consent of such underwriters for a
period up to 180 days from the effective date of such registration. The Company
will bear the expenses of registration of any of the Registrable Securities,
except for any underwritten discounts and commissions which will be borne by the
participating shareholders in proportion to the number of shares sold and except
for any expenses incurred in connection with a registration statement on Form
S-2 or Form S-3 filed at the request of holders of Registrable Securities the
minimum offering of which is less than $1.0 million. The registration rights
granted under the Registration Rights Agreement terminate as to any Registrable
Securities when such Registrable Securities have been effectively registered and
sold by the holder thereof or when such Registrable Securities have been sold
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Although the foregoing
registration rights have been waived with respect to this offering, the
registration rights held by the holders of 690,725 shares of Common Stock and
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 41,965 shares of Common Stock will
terminate upon the consummation of this offering since such shares of Common
Stock will have been registered and sold by the holders thereof.
    
 
   
    GENERAL ELECTRIC WARRANTS
    
 
   
    General Electric Capital Corporation ("GECC") possesses certain rights to
register of up to 1,315,096 shares of Common Stock (the "GE Registrable
Securities") issuable upon exercise of a warrant granted in connection with the
Company's March 1997 debt financing and an additional warrant agreed to be
granted in November 1998. Commencing six months following the consummation of
this offering (assuming this offering constitutes a Qualified IPO, as defined
below), holders of an aggregate of 30% or more of the GE Registrable Securities
or holders of GE Registrable Securities having a minimum anticipated aggregate
offering price of at least $5.0 million, may request that the Company register
the GE Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, subject to the
limitations below. A "Qualified IPO" means a sale of the Company's Common Stock
pursuant to an initial public offering registered under the Securities Act which
yields net proceeds to the Company (after underwriting discounts and
commissions) of at least $20.0 million and which results in a post-offering
valuation of the Company's total equity of at least $200.0 million based on the
per share offering price and the number of issued and outstanding shares of the
    
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
   
Company's Common Stock. The Company is not required to file more than two
registration statements pursuant to such demand rights unless the Company is
eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 in which event such
holders are entitled to an unlimited number of such registrations. In addition,
the holders of GE Registrable Securities are entitled to have GE Registrable
Securities included in a registration statement filed on behalf of the Company
(other than a registration statement on Form S-4 and Form S-8); provided, that
the Company is not required to include any GE Registrable Securities which are
transferable without registration under the Securities Act. The Company is not
required to register GE Registrable Securities pursuant to a holder's demand
right, if the Company has had a registration statement under which such holder
had a right to have its GE Registrable Securities included pursuant to its
demand and incidental rights declared effective within one year prior to the
date of the request pursuant to its demand rights; provided, however, that if
any holder elected to have GE Registrable Securities included under such
registration statement but some or all of such securities were excluded pursuant
to underwriter's advice, then such one-year period is reduced to six months. The
Company will bear the expenses of registration of any of the GE Registrable
Securities, except for any fees, discounts or commissions to any underwriter or
any fees or disbursements of counsel for any underwriter and all expenses
incurred in connection with any amendment or supplement to the registration
statement or prospectus filed more than 180 days after the effective date of
such registration statement because any holder of GE Registrable Securities has
not sold such GE Registrable Securities requested to be registered. Such
registration rights terminate when such GE Registrable Securities have been
effectively registered under the Securities Act and sold or when the Company has
received an opinion of counsel that such shares may be transferred without
registration under the Securities Act. Upon the consummation of this offering,
the registration rights with respect to 184,045 shares of Common Stock will
terminate since such shares of Common Stock will have been either surrendered to
the Company in a cashless exercise or registered and sold by GECC.
    
 
PROVISIONS WITH POTENTIAL ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT
 
    The Company is subject to the provisions of Sections 302A.671 and 302A.673
of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act. These anti-takeover provisions may
eventually operate to deny shareholders the receipt of a premium on their Common
Stock and may also have a depressive effect on the market price of the Company's
Common Stock. In general, Section 302A.671 provides that the shares of a
corporation acquired in a "control share acquisition" have no voting rights
unless voting rights are approved by the shareholders in a prescribed manner. A
"control share acquisition" is defined as an acquisition of beneficial ownership
of shares that would, when added to all other shares beneficially owned by the
acquiring person, entitle the acquiring person to have voting power of 20% or
more in the election of directors. Section 302A.673 prohibits a public
corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested
shareholder" for a period of four years after the date of the transaction in
which the person became an interested shareholder, unless the business
combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A "business combination"
includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions. An "interested
shareholder" is a person who is the beneficial owner, of 10% or more of the
corporation's voting stock. Reference is made to the detailed terms of Sections
302A.671 and 302A.673 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act.
 
    The Company's Articles provide for a classified Board of Directors serving
staggered terms of three years. In addition, shareholders are not entitled to
cumulative voting in the election of directors and may not remove a director
without cause. The Articles also require the approval of two-thirds of the
outstanding voting power of the Company entitled to vote in the event of any
sale or merger of the Company. The authorization of Undesignated Preferred Stock
makes it possible for the Board of Directors to issue preferred stock with
voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any
attempt to change control of the Company. The foregoing provisions of the
Company's Articles and the Minnesota Business Corporation Act may have the
effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control of
management of the Company.
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
    The Company's Articles limit the liability of its directors to the fullest
extent permitted by the Minnesota Business Corporation Act. Specifically,
directors of the Company will not be personally liable for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as directors, except liability for (i) any breach of
the duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (ii) acts or omissions
not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, (iii) dividends or other distributions of corporate assets that are in
contravention of certain statutory or contractual restrictions, (iv) violations
of certain Minnesota securities laws, or (v) any transaction from which the
director derives an improper personal benefit. Liability under federal
securities law is not limited by the Restated Articles.
 
    The Company also maintains a directors and officers insurance policy
pursuant to which directors and officers of the Company are insured against
liability for certain actions in their capacity as directors and officers.
 
    The Minnesota Business Corporation Act requires that the Company indemnify
any director, officer or employee made or threatened to be made a party to a
proceeding, by reason of the former or present official capacity of the person,
against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses
incurred in connection with the proceeding if certain statutory standards are
met. "Proceeding" means a threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitration or investigative proceeding, including a derivative
action in the name of the Company. Reference is made to the detailed terms of
the Minnesota indemnification statute, Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota
Business Corporation Act, for a complete statement of such indemnification
rights. The Company's Articles also require the Company to provide
indemnification to the fullest extent of the Minnesota indemnification statute.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company is aware that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
    The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock is Norwest Bank
Minnesota, N.A.
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
   
    Upon the consummation of this offering, the Company will have 18,122,249
shares of Common Stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of options or warrants
after October 3, 1998. Of these shares, the 4,000,000 shares sold in this
offering will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act,
unless purchased by an "affiliate" of the Company, as that term is defined in
Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The remaining 14,122,249 shares of Common
Stock held by existing shareholders are "restricted securities" as defined in
Rule 144 and may be sold in the public market only if registered, or pursuant to
an exemption from registration such as Rule 144, 144(k) or 701 under the
Securities Act. Holders of an aggregate of 13,797,022 shares of Common Stock,
have entered into lock-up agreements under which they have agreed that they will
not, without the prior written consent of Hambrecht & Quist LLC, offer, sell or
otherwise dispose of, any shares of Common Stock, options or warrants to acquire
shares of Common Stock or securities exchangeable for or convertible into shares
of Common Stock owned by them during the 180-day period following the date of
this Prospectus. Hambrecht & Quist LLC may, in its sole discretion at any time
without notice, release any portion of the shares subject to the lock-up
agreements during the 180-day period. Upon expiration of these agreements,
13,747,722 shares of Common Stock will be eligible for immediate resale in the
public market subject to the limitations of Rule 144. Of such shares,
approximately 5,504,333 will be eligible for resale in the public market
pursuant to Rule 144(k) without regard to the volume and manner of sale
limitations in Rule 144. Of the 460,379 shares not subject to lock-up
agreements, 350,126 shares will be eligible for immediate resale in the public
market pursuant to Rule 144(k) and the remainder will be eligible for resale in
the public market subject to the limitations of Rule 144.
    
 
   
    In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including an affiliate, who has beneficially owned
shares for at least one year, within any three-month period commencing 90 days
after the date of this Prospectus, may sell a number of shares that does not
exceed the greater of (i) one percent of the number of shares of Common Stock
then outstanding (approximately 181,222 shares immediately after this offering)
or (ii) the average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock during the four
calendar weeks preceding such sale. Sales under Rule 144 are generally subject
to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the
availability of current public information about the Company. Under Rule 144(k),
a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of the Company at any time
during the 90 days preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares
proposed to be sold for at least two years, is entitled to sell such shares
without having to comply with the manner of sale, public information, volume
limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. Under Rule 701 under the Securities
Act, persons who purchase shares upon exercise of options granted prior to the
effective date of this offering are entitled to sell such shares 90 days after
the effective date of this offering in reliance on Rule 144, without having to
comply with the holding period requirements of Rule 144 and, in the case of
non-affiliates, without having to comply with the public information, volume
limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144.
    
 
   
    As of October 3, 1998, options to purchase 1,660,527 shares of Common Stock
were outstanding under the Company's option plans. The Company expects to grant
options to purchase an aggregate of up to 125,000 shares of Common Stock in
connection with this offering. Options covering an aggregate of 1,365,687 shares
are subject to the lock-up agreements described above. Approximately 30 days
after the completion of this offering, the Company intends to file Registration
Statements on Form S-8 covering shares issuable under the Company's 1990 Omnibus
Stock Option Plan and 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (including shares subject to
then outstanding options), thus permitting the resale of such shares in the
public market without restrictions under the Securities Act after expiration of
the applicable lock-up agreements. In addition, as of October 3, 1998, warrants
to purchase 1,589,780 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. Warrants covering
an aggregate of 1,549,537 shares are subject to the lock-up agreements described
above.
    
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
   
    A total of 11,641,639 of the shares outstanding immediately following the
completion of this offering and the holders of warrants to purchase 1,329,040
shares of Common Stock will be entitled to registration rights with respect to
such shares. The number of shares sold in the public market could increase if
such rights are exercisable.
    
 
    Because there has been no public market for shares of the Company's Common
Stock, the Company is unable to predict the effect that sales made under Rule
144, pursuant to future registration statements, or otherwise, may have on any
then prevailing market price for shares of the Common Stock. Nevertheless, sales
of a substantial amount of Common Stock in the public market, or the perception
that such sales could occur, could adversely affect market prices.
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
   
    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters named below, through their Representatives, Hambrecht & Quist LLC,
BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc., Piper Jaffray Inc. and Charles Schwab & Co.,
Inc. have severally agreed to purchase from the Company and the Selling
Shareholders the following respective number of shares of Common Stock:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     NUMBER OF
NAME                                                                                  SHARES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Hambrecht & Quist LLC.............................................................
BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc.................................................
Piper Jaffray Inc.................................................................
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.........................................................
 
                                                                                    -----------
    Total.........................................................................
                                                                                    -----------
                                                                                    -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters
are subject to certain conditions precedent, including the absence of any
material adverse change in the Company's business and the receipt of certain
certificates, opinions and letters from the Company, its counsel and independent
auditors. The nature of the Underwriters' obligation is such that they are
committed to purchase all shares of Common Stock offered hereby if any of such
shares are purchased.
 
    The Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock directly to the
public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess
of $      per share. The Underwriters may allow and such dealers may reallow a
concession not in excess of $      per share to certain other dealers. After the
initial public offering of the shares, the offering price and other selling
terms may be changed by the Representatives of the Underwriters. The
Representatives have informed the Company that the Underwriters do not intend to
confirm discretionary sales in excess of 5% of the Common Stock offered hereby.
 
   
    The Company and the Selling Shareholders have granted to the Underwriters an
option, exercisable no later than 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to
purchase up to 600,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the initial public
offering price, less the underwriting discount, set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise this option, each
of the Underwriters will have a firm commitment to purchase approximately the
same percentage thereof which the number of shares of Common Stock to be
purchased by it shown in the above table bears to the total number of shares of
Common Stock offered hereby. The Company and the Selling Shareholders will be
obligated, pursuant to the option, to sell shares to the Underwriters to the
extent the option is exercised. The Underwriters may exercise such option only
to cover over-allotments made in connection with the sale of shares of Common
Stock offered hereby.
    
 
    The offering of the shares are offered by the several Underwriters subject
to prior sale, receipt and acceptance by them and subject to the right of the
Underwriters to reject any order in whole or in part and certain other
conditions.
 
    The Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required
to make in respect thereof.
 
   
    The Selling Shareholders and certain other shareholders of the Company,
including the executive officers and directors, who will own in the aggregate
13,797,022 shares of Common Stock after the offering, have agreed that they will
not, without the prior written consent of Hambrecht & Quist LLC,
    
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock, options or
warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock or securities exchangeable for or
convertible into shares of Common Stock owned by them during the 180-day period
following the date of this Prospectus. The Company has agreed that it will not,
without the prior written consent of Hambrecht & Quist LLC, offer, sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock, options or warrants to acquire
shares of Common Stock or securities exchangeable for or convertible into shares
of Common Stock during the 180-day period following the date of this Prospectus,
except that the Company may issue shares upon the exercise of options and
warrants granted prior to the date hereof, and may grant additional options
under its stock option plans, subject to the 180-day period described above.
 
    Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock.
The initial public offering price for the Common Stock will be determined by
negotiation among the Company, the Selling Shareholders and the Representatives.
Among the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering
price are prevailing market and economic conditions, revenues and earnings of
the Company, market valuations of other companies engaged in activities similar
to the Company's business operations, the Company's management and other factors
deemed relevant. The estimated initial public offering price range set forth on
the cover of this preliminary prospectus is subject to change as a result of
market conditions and other factors.
 
    Certain persons participating in the offering may over-allot or effect
transactions which stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of
the Common Stock at levels above those which might otherwise prevail in the open
market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering
transactions or imposing penalty bids. A stabilizing bid means the placing of
any bid or effecting of any purchase, for the purpose of pegging, fixing or
maintaining the price of the Common Stock. A syndicate covering transaction
means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or the
effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection with
the offering. A penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the Underwriters
to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member in connection with the
offering when shares of Common Stock sold by the syndicate member are purchased
in syndicate covering transactions. Such transactions may be effected on the
Nasdaq National Market, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. Such
stabilizing, if commenced, may be discounted at any time.
 
   
    H&Q Select Comfort Investors, L.P., H&Q London Ventures and Hambrecht &
Quist California, related parties to Hambrecht & Quist LLC, one of the
Representatives, own in the aggregate 405,495 shares of the Company's Common
Stock and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 11,880 shares of the Company's
Company's Common Stock.
    
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mark A.
Kimball, a partner in the law firm of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP,
beneficially owns 1,000 shares of Common Stock. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
LLP, San Francisco, California will pass upon certain legal matters for the
Underwriters.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial statements of Select Comfort Corporation as of
December 28, 1996, January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998, and for each of the
years in the three-year period ended January 3, 1998, and for the nine-month
period ended October 3, 1998 have been included herein and in the registration
statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority
of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
    Certain information concerning the fair market value of a put warrant held
by GECC has been prepared and included in the consolidated financial statements
of the Company set forth herein in reliance upon the reports of Houlihan
Valuation Advisors and upon the authority of said firm as experts in valuation
matters.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), a Registration Statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act
with respect to the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus does
not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the
Company and the Common Stock offered hereby, reference is made to the
Registration Statement and to the exhibits and schedules filed therewith.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or
other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in
all respects by such reference. A copy of the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto may be inspected without charge at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 7 World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of all or any part of the
Registration Statement may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. The Commission maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains
reports, proxy and information statements, and other information that has been
or will be filed by the Company.
 
    The Company intends to furnish holders of the Common Stock with annual
reports containing audited financial statements certified by independent
auditors, and quarterly reports for each of the first three quarters of each
year containing unaudited financial information.
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements................................................................        F-2
 
  Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended January 3, 1998 (unaudited)............        F-2
 
  Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 and October
    3, 1998 (unaudited)....................................................................................        F-3
 
  Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 3, 1998 (unaudited)...................................        F-4
 
Consolidated Financial Statements..........................................................................        F-5
 
  Report of Independent Auditors...........................................................................        F-5
 
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 1996 and January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998..............        F-6
 
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 30, 1995, December 28, 1996 and
    January 3, 1998 and the nine months ended September 27, 1997 (unaudited) and October 3, 1998...........        F-7
 
  Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Deficit for the years ended December 30, 1995, December 28, 1996
    and January 3, 1998 and the nine months ended October 3, 1998..........................................        F-8
 
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 30, 1995, December 28, 1996 and
    January 3, 1998 and the nine months ended September 27, 1997 (unaudited) and October 3, 1998...........        F-9
 
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...............................................................       F-10
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                  PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    The pro forma consolidated statements of operations data set forth below for
the year ended January 3, 1998 and for the nine months ended September 27, 1997
and October 3, 1998 give effect to the offering as if it had occurred on
December 29, 1996. The pro forma adjustments are based upon currently available
information and certain assumptions that management of the Company believes are
reasonable under the circumstances.
 
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                 PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                           YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 1998
                                  (UNAUDITED)
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       JANUARY 3, 1998
                                                                             -----------------------------------
                                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                                             HISTORICAL  ADJUSTMENTS  PRO FORMA
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                                                          <C>         <C>          <C>
Net sales..................................................................  $  184,430   $  --       $  184,430
Cost of sales..............................................................      66,629      --           66,629
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
    Gross margin...........................................................     117,801      --          117,801
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing......................................................      99,218      --           99,218
  General and administrative...............................................      16,505      --           16,505
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
    Total operating expenses...............................................     115,723      --          115,723
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
Operating income...........................................................       2,078      --            2,078
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
Other income (expense):
  Interest income..........................................................         682      --              682
  Interest expense.........................................................      (5,234)      3,250(1)       (346)
                                                                                              1,638(2)
  Other, net...............................................................        (231)     --             (231)
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
    Other income (expense), net............................................      (4,783)      4,888          105
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes..........................................      (2,705)      4,888        2,183
Income tax expense.........................................................         141         459(2)        600
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
Net income (loss)..........................................................  $   (2,846)  $   4,429   $    1,583
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
Cumulative preferred dividends.............................................        (900)        900(3)     --
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders.........................  $   (3,746)  $   5,329   $    1,583
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                             ----------  -----------  ----------
Net income (loss) per common share, diluted................................  $    (1.59)              $     0.09
                                                                             ----------               ----------
                                                                             ----------               ----------
Weighted average common shares, diluted....................................       2,353      16,012(4)     18,365
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
(1) Includes a pro forma adjustment for the elimination of non-cash interest
    expense associated with a put warrant, the put feature of which will be
    terminated upon the consummation of this offering.
 
(2) Includes a pro forma adjustment for the elimination of interest expense
    associated with the repayment of $15.0 million of the Company's outstanding
    indebtedness from the proceeds of this offering and related tax effects.
 
(3) Gives effect to the elimination of cumulative preferred dividends as a
    result of the conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock into
    Common Stock upon the consummation of this offering.
 
(4) Gives effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock
    into Common Stock upon the consummation of this offering, the dilutive
    effect of outstanding options and warrants, and shares to be issued upon the
    consummation of this offering.
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
            NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 AND OCTOBER 3, 1998
                                  (UNAUDITED)
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                SEPTEMBER 27, 1997                     OCTOBER 3, 1998
                                        -----------------------------------  -----------------------------------
                                                     PRO FORMA                            PRO FORMA
                                        HISTORICAL  ADJUSTMENTS  PRO FORMA   HISTORICAL  ADJUSTMENTS  PRO FORMA
                                        ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
Net sales.............................  $  126,470   $  --       $  126,470  $  178,835   $  --       $  178,835
Cost of sales.........................      44,886      --           44,886      62,290      --           62,290
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
  Gross margin........................      81,584      --           81,584     116,545      --          116,545
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
 
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing.................      69,476      --           69,476      95,231      --           95,231
  General and administrative..........      11,593      --           11,593      13,932      --           13,932
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
    Total operating expenses..........      81,069      --           81,069     109,163      --          109,163
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
Operating income......................         515      --              515       7,382      --            7,382
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
Other income (expense):
  Interest income.....................         484      --              484         548                      548
  Interest expense....................      (3,251)      1,900(1)       (259)     (6,995)      5,222(1)       (135)
                                                         1,092(2)                             1,638(2)
  Other, net..........................        (256)     --             (256)     --          --           --
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
    Other income (expense), net.......      (3,023)      2,992          (31)     (6,447)      6,860          413
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes.....      (2,508)      2,992          484         935       6,860        7,795
Income tax expense....................          16         306(2)        322      1,348         459(2)      1,807
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
Net income (loss).....................  $   (2,524)  $   2,686   $      162  $     (413)  $   6,401   $    5,988
Cumulative preferred dividends........        (675)        675(3)     --           (675)        675(3)     --
                                        ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
Net income (loss) available to common
  shareholders........................  $   (3,199)  $   3,361   $      162  $   (1,088)  $   7,076   $    5,988
                                        ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
                                        ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
Net income (loss) per common share,
  diluted.............................  $    (1.39)              $     0.01  $    (0.40)              $     0.30
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------               ----------
                                        ----------               ----------  ----------               ----------
Weighted average common shares,
  diluted.............................       2,309      16,581(4)     18,890      2,746      16,948(4)     19,694
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Includes a pro forma adjustment for the elimination of non-cash interest
    expense associated with a put warrant, the put feature of which will be
    terminated upon the consummation of this offering.
 
(2) Includes a pro forma adjustment for the elimination of interest expense
    associated with the repayment of $15.0 million of the Company's outstanding
    indebtedness from the proceeds of this offering and related tax effects.
 
(3) Gives effect to the elimination of cumulative preferred dividends as a
    result of the conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock into
    Common Stock upon the consummation of this offering.
 
(4) Gives effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock
    into Common Stock upon the consummation of this offering, the dilutive
    effect of outstanding options and warrants, and shares to be issued upon the
    consummation of this offering.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
    The pro forma consolidated balance sheet data set forth below at October 3,
1998 gives effect to the offering as if it had occurred on October 3, 1998. The
pro forma adjustments are based upon currently available information and certain
assumptions that management of the Company believes are reasonable under current
circumstances.
 
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                      PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                                OCTOBER 3, 1998
                                  (UNAUDITED)
               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             PRO FORMA
                                                                               HISTORICAL   ADJUSTMENTS   PRO FORMA
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                            <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                       ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..................................................   $   9,579    $  41,097(3)  $  35,676
                                                                                               (15,000)(4)
  Accounts receivable, net...................................................       8,977       --            8,977
  Inventories................................................................      10,315       --           10,315
  Prepaid expenses...........................................................       4,479         (433)(3)      4,046
  Deferred tax assets........................................................         388       --              388
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total current assets...................................................      33,738       25,664       59,402
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
Property and equipment, net..................................................      28,255       --           28,255
Other assets.................................................................       1,330         (573)(4)        757
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total assets...........................................................   $  63,323    $  25,091    $  88,414
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                        LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt.......................................   $   1,052    $  --        $   1,052
  Accounts payable...........................................................      12,247       --           12,247
  Accruals:
    Sales returns............................................................       5,620       --            5,620
    Warranty costs...........................................................       3,862       --            3,862
    Compensation, taxes and benefits.........................................       3,049       --            3,049
    Other....................................................................       4,302         (669)(4)      3,633
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total current liabilities..............................................      30,132         (669)      29,463
Long-term debt, less current maturities......................................      24,244      (10,892)(1)        167
                                                                                               (13,185)(1)
Other liabilities............................................................       1,691       --            1,691
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total liabilities......................................................      56,067      (24,746)      31,321
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
Series A-E mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, $1.00--$1.25 par value;
  12,091,962 and no shares issued and outstanding, respectively..............      12,692      (12,692)(2)     --
Additional paid-in capital...................................................      14,920      (14,920)(2)     --
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                   27,612      (27,612)      --
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
Common shareholders' equity (deficit):
  Undesignated preferred stock; no shares issued and outstanding.............      --           --           --
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 2,989,885 and 18,122,249 shares issued and
    outstanding, respectively................................................          30          123(2)        181
                                                                                                    28(3)
  Additional paid-in capital.................................................       3,328       27,489(2)     82,345
                                                                                                40,636(3)
                                                                                                10,892(1)
  Accumulated deficit........................................................     (22,720)      (1,719)(4)    (24,439)
  Notes receivable--investors................................................        (994)      --             (994)
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total common shareholders' equity (deficit)............................     (20,356)      77,449       57,093
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.............................   $  63,323    $  25,091    $  88,414
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
(1) As adjusted to give effect to the reclassification of a put warrant from
    debt to common shareholders' equity upon the consummation of the offering.
 
(2) Reflects automatic conversion of preferred stock to common stock upon the
    consummation of the offering.
 
(3) Reflects the net proceeds from the issuance of 2,800,000 shares at an
    assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share.
 
(4) Reflects repayment of the Company's March 1997 $15.0 million indebtedness,
    the expensing of certain deferred costs associated therewith, and related
    tax effects.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
 
Select Comfort Corporation:
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Select
Comfort Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 28, 1996,
January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, shareholders' deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended January 3, 1998 and for the nine months ended October 3,
1998. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Select
Comfort Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 28, 1996, January 3, 1998
and October 3, 1998, and the results of their operations and their cash flows
for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 3, 1998 and for the
nine months ended October 3, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
   
                                          /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
    
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 23, 1998
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                           SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
             DECEMBER 28, 1996, JANUARY 3, 1998 AND OCTOBER 3, 1998
               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        OCTOBER 3,
                                                                                   1996        1997        1998
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
<S>                                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                      ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...................................................  $    2,422  $   12,670   $   9,579
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $200, $1,901,
    and $2,817, respectively (note 2).........................................       1,202       6,001       8,977
  Inventories (note 3)........................................................       5,582       7,749      10,315
  Prepaid expenses............................................................       1,689       4,256       4,479
  Deferred tax assets.........................................................      --          --             388
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
      Total current assets....................................................      10,895      30,676      33,738
Property and equipment, net (note 4)..........................................      18,316      25,183      28,255
Other assets..................................................................         583       1,382       1,330
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
      Total assets............................................................  $   29,794  $   57,241   $  63,323
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
 
                                       LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
  Notes payable to investors (note 6).........................................  $    1,252  $   --       $  --
  Current maturities of long-term debt (note 7)...............................         563         999       1,052
  Accounts payable............................................................       9,173      12,199      12,247
  Accruals:
    Sales returns.............................................................       2,795       5,324       5,620
    Warranty costs............................................................       2,036       3,257       3,862
    Compensation, taxes and benefits..........................................       1,723       3,149       3,049
    Other.....................................................................       1,162       4,991       4,302
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
      Total current liabilities...............................................      18,704      29,919      30,132
Long-term debt, less current maturities (note 7)..............................       1,162      19,511      24,244
Other liabilities.............................................................         532       1,237       1,691
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
      Total liabilities.......................................................      20,398      50,667      56,067
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
Series A-E mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, $1.00-$1.25 par value;
  12,123,390 shares authorized, 12,091,962 shares issued and outstanding (note
  8)..........................................................................      12,692      12,692      12,692
Additional paid-in capital....................................................      14,920      14,920      14,920
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
                                                                                    27,612      27,612      27,612
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
Common shareholders' deficit (note 9):
  Undesignated preferred stock; 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
    and outstanding...........................................................      --          --          --
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, 1,847,146 and
    2,477,660 and 2,989,885 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.......          19          25          30
  Additional paid-in capital..................................................       1,226       1,662       3,328
  Accumulated deficit.........................................................     (19,461)    (22,307)    (22,720)
  Notes receivable--investors (note 14).......................................      --            (418)       (994)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
      Total common shareholders' deficit......................................     (18,216)    (21,038)    (20,356)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
Commitments (notes 5, 7 and 15)
      Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit.............................  $   29,794  $   57,241   $  63,323
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                           SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
   
                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995, DECEMBER 28, 1996
                      AND JANUARY 3, 1998 AND NINE MONTHS
                  ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 AND OCTOBER 3, 1998
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                        -------------------------
                                                                                        SEPTEMBER 27,  OCTOBER 3,
                                                       1995        1996        1997         1997          1998
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
                                                                                         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>
Net sales..........................................  $  68,629  $  102,028  $  184,430   $   126,470   $  178,835
Cost of sales......................................     28,833      38,521      66,629        44,886       62,290
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
  Gross margin.....................................     39,796      63,507     117,801        81,584      116,545
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing..............................     34,164      54,814      99,218        69,476       95,231
  General and administrative.......................     10,221      12,457      16,505        11,593       13,932
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
      Total operating expenses.....................     44,385      67,271     115,723        81,069      109,163
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
Operating income (loss)............................     (4,589)     (3,764)      2,078           515        7,382
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
Other income (expense):
  Interest income..................................        136         244         682           484          548
  Interest expense (note 7)........................        (34)        (88)     (5,234)       (3,251)      (6,995)
  Other, net.......................................        (73)        (77)       (231)         (256)      --
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
      Other income (expense), net..................         29          79      (4,783)       (3,023)      (6,447)
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes..................     (4,560)     (3,685)     (2,705)       (2,508)         935
Income tax expense (note 10).......................     --          --             141            16        1,348
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
Net loss...........................................  $  (4,560) $   (3,685) $   (2,846)  $    (2,524)  $     (413)
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
Cumulative preferred dividends.....................     --      $     (900) $     (900)  $      (675)  $     (675)
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
Net loss available to common shareholders..........  $  (4,560) $   (4,585) $   (3,746)  $    (3,199)  $   (1,088)
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
Net loss per common share (note 11)
  Basic............................................  $   (3.16) $    (2.61) $    (1.59)  $     (1.39)  $    (0.40)
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
  Diluted..........................................  $   (3.16) $    (2.61) $    (1.59)  $     (1.39)  $    (0.40)
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
                                                     ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                           SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995, DECEMBER 28, 1996,
                              AND JANUARY 3, 1998
                     AND NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1998
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   COMMON STOCK       ADDITIONAL                     NOTES
                                              ----------------------    PAID-IN    ACCUMULATED   RECEIVABLE -
                                               SHARES      AMOUNT       CAPITAL      DEFICIT       INVESTORS      TOTAL
                                              ---------  -----------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994................  1,348,579   $      13    $     611    $  (11,216)    $  --        $ (10,592)
  Exercise of common stock options..........    186,153           2          121        --            --              123
  Conversion of subordinated debenture......     52,076           1          249        --            --              250
  Net loss..................................     --          --           --            (4,560)       --           (4,560)
                                              ---------  -----------  -----------  ------------        -----    ---------
Balance at December 30, 1995................  1,586,808          16          981       (15,776)       --          (14,779)
  Exercise of common stock options..........    260,338           3          245        --            --              248
  Net loss..................................     --          --           --            (3,685)       --           (3,685)
                                              ---------  -----------  -----------  ------------        -----    ---------
Balance at December 28, 1996................  1,847,146          19        1,226       (19,461)       --          (18,216)
  Exercise of common stock options..........    630,514           6          436        --            --              442
  Issuance of investor notes................     --          --           --            --              (418)        (418)
  Net loss..................................     --          --           --            (2,846)       --           (2,846)
                                              ---------  -----------  -----------  ------------        -----    ---------
Balance at January 3, 1998..................  2,477,660          25        1,662       (22,307)         (418)     (21,038)
  Exercise of common stock options and
    warrants................................    512,225           5        1,666        --            --            1,671
  Issuance of investor notes ...............     --          --           --            --              (576)        (576)
  Net loss..................................     --          --           --              (413)       --             (413)
                                              ---------  -----------  -----------  ------------        -----    ---------
Balance at October 3, 1998 .................  2,989,885   $      30    $   3,328    $  (22,720)    $    (994)   $ (20,356)
                                              ---------  -----------  -----------  ------------        -----    ---------
                                              ---------  -----------  -----------  ------------        -----    ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                           SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995, DECEMBER 28, 1996,
                              AND JANUARY 3, 1998
          AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 AND OCTOBER 3, 1998
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                                   ENDED
                                                                               1995       1996       1997     ---------------
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------   SEPTEMBER 27,
                                                                                                                   1997
                                                                                                              ---------------
                                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss.................................................................  $  (4,560) $  (3,685) $  (2,846)    $  (2,524)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in)
    operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization..........................................      1,090      2,094      4,030         2,744
    Loss on disposal of property and equipment.............................         11         66        264           264
    Deferred tax assets....................................................     --         --         --            --
    Interest expense from put warrant valuation............................     --         --          3,250         1,901
    Change in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable, net.............................................       (488)      (421)    (4,799)           60
      Inventories..........................................................     (1,177)      (500)    (2,167)       (2,760)
      Prepaid expenses.....................................................       (171)      (781)    (2,567)       (1,413)
      Accounts payable.....................................................      1,961      4,039      3,026         2,493
      Accrued sales returns................................................      1,102        888      2,529         1,766
      Accrued warranty costs...............................................        782        646      1,221         1,178
      Accrued compensation, taxes and benefits.............................        813        393      1,426           560
      Other accrued liabilities............................................        332        158      3,829         1,087
      Other assets.........................................................       (154)       (91)      (565)         (507)
      Other liabilities....................................................         55        270        705           642
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------       -------
        Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities................       (404)     3,076      7,336         5,491
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------       -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
    Purchases of property and equipment....................................     (5,614)   (10,122)   (10,727)       (9,031)
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------       -------
        Net cash used in investing activities..............................     (5,614)   (10,122)   (10,727)       (9,031)
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------       -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of debt...........................................         31      2,850     16,184        16,184
  Principal payments on debt...............................................     --           (523)    (2,203)       (1,968)
  Debt issuance costs......................................................     --         --           (781)         (781)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock...................................        123        292        439           399
  Proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred stock                           8,956        (13)    --            --
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------       -------
        Net cash provided by financing activities..........................      9,110      2,606     13,639        13,834
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------       -------
        Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents...................      3,092     (4,440)    10,248        10,294
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period..........................      3,770      6,862      2,422         2,422
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------       -------
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period................................  $   6,862  $   2,422  $  12,670     $  12,716
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------       -------
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------       -------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                             -----------
 
<S>                                                                          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss.................................................................   $    (413)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in)
    operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization..........................................       3,985
    Loss on disposal of property and equipment.............................      --
    Deferred tax assets....................................................        (388)
    Interest expense from put warrant valuation............................       5,222
    Change in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable, net.............................................      (2,976)
      Inventories..........................................................      (2,566)
      Prepaid expenses.....................................................        (223)
      Accounts payable.....................................................          48
      Accrued sales returns................................................         296
      Accrued warranty costs...............................................         605
      Accrued compensation, taxes and benefits.............................        (100)
      Other accrued liabilities............................................        (689)
      Other assets.........................................................        (618)
      Other liabilities....................................................         454
                                                                             -----------
        Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities................       2,637
                                                                             -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
    Purchases of property and equipment....................................      (6,659)
                                                                             -----------
        Net cash used in investing activities..............................      (6,659)
                                                                             -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of debt...........................................      --
  Principal payments on debt...............................................        (740)
  Debt issuance costs......................................................      --
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock...................................       1,671
  Proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred stock                           --
                                                                             -----------
        Net cash provided by financing activities..........................         931
                                                                             -----------
        Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents...................      (3,091)
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period..........................      12,670
                                                                             -----------
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period................................   $   9,579
                                                                             -----------
                                                                             -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(1)  BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    BUSINESS
 
    Select Comfort Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company)
develop, manufacture, and market air beds and sleep-related products. The
Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal years
1995 and 1996 each had 52 weeks. Fiscal 1997 had 53 weeks. Certain prior year
amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
 
    PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
 
    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
    INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
    The financial information presented for the nine months ended September 27,
1997 is unaudited. In the opinion of management, this unaudited financial
information contains all adjustments (which consist only of normal, recurring
adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation. Operating results for the nine
months ended October 3, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of results that may
be expected for the full year.
 
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with initial
maturities of three months or less.
 
    INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories includes material, labor, and overhead and is stated at the
lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method.
 
    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property and equipment, carried at cost, are depreciated using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range
from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter
of the life of the lease or ten years.
 
    OTHER ASSETS
 
    Other assets include security deposits, patents, trademarks, and debt
issuance costs. Patents and trademarks are amortized using the straight-line
method over a 17-year period and 15-year period, respectively. Debt issuance
costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the debt.
 
    ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
 
    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(1)  BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
 
    ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS
 
    The Company has a 20-year warranty on air beds, the last 15 years of which
are on a prorated basis. Estimated warranty costs are provided at the time of
sale of the warranted products. Estimates are based upon historical warranty
claims incurred by the Company. Given the limited history available, actual
results could differ from these estimates.
 
    ACCRUED SALES RETURNS
 
    Estimated sales returns are provided at the time of sale based upon
historical sales returns. Returns are allowed by the Company for 90 nights
following the sale.
 
    IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF
 
    The Company reviews its long-lived assets and certain identifiable
intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of
assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of
an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such
assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is
measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the
fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of
the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
 
    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable
approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of those instruments.
The fair value of long-term debt approximates carrying value based on the
Company's estimate of rates that would be available to it for debt of the same
remaining maturities. Warrants are recorded at fair value based on a third party
valuation. The Company believes it is not practical to estimate a fair market
value different from the redeemable preferred stock's carrying value, as this
security has numerous unique features (See Note 8).
 
    REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    Revenue is recognized when products are shipped to customers net of
estimated returns.
 
    STOCK COMPENSATION
 
    The Company records compensation expense for option grants under its stock
option plan if the current market value of the underlying stock at the grant
date exceeds the stock option exercise price. Pro forma disclosure of the net
income impact of applying an alternative method of recognizing stock
compensation expense over the vesting period based on the fair value of all
stock-based awards on the date of grant is presented in Note 9.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(1)  BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
 
    Costs incurred in connection with research and development are charged to
expense as incurred. Research and development expense was $1,412,000, $1,464,000
and $1,819,000 in 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $1,310,000 and
$1,085,000 for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 and October 3, 1998,
respectively.
 
    PRE-OPENING COSTS
 
    Costs associated with the opening of new stores are expensed as incurred.
 
    DIRECT RESPONSE ADVERTISING COSTS
 
    The Company incurs direct response advertising costs associated with print
and broadcast advertisements. Such costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Advertising expense was $10,545,000, $16,224,000 and $28,281,000 in 1995, 1996
and 1997, respectively, and $20,851,000 and $24,120,000 for the nine months
ended September 27, 1997 and October 3, 1998, respectively.
 
    INCOME TAXES
 
    The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future
tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which
those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect
on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in
income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
    EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
    Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing the
income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes common
stock equivalents consisting of stock options and warrants determined by the
treasury stock method, and dilutive convertible securities.
 
(2)  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
    In June 1997, the Company began utilizing a third party bank to offer its
qualified customers an unsecured revolving credit arrangement to finance
purchases from the Company. The bank sets the rates, fees and all other terms
and conditions of the customer accounts, including collection policies and
procedures, and is the owner of the accounts. In connection with all purchases
financed under these arrangements, the bank pays the Company an amount equal to
the total amount of such purchases, net of promotional related discounts and
less amounts retained for recourse related to returned products and limited
recourse related to bad debts. The bank's recourse for bad debts is limited to a
specified percent of receivables generated. The bank had retained $3,882,000 and
$10,080,000 as of January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998, respectively, under terms
of the agreement. The Company has included such amounts in its accounts
receivable net of estimated allowance for doubtful accounts.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(3)  INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 28,   JANUARY 3,   OCTOBER 3,
                                                             1996          1998         1998
                                                         -------------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>          <C>
Raw materials..........................................    $   3,829     $   5,891    $   6,920
Work in progress.......................................          760            39           76
Finished goods.........................................          993         1,819        3,319
                                                              ------    -----------  -----------
                                                           $   5,582     $   7,749    $  10,315
                                                              ------    -----------  -----------
                                                              ------    -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
(4)  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property and equipment are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 28,  JANUARY 3,   OCTOBER 3,
                                                                  1996         1998         1998
                                                              ------------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>          <C>
Leasehold improvements......................................   $   12,151    $  18,164    $  22,804
Office furniture and equipment..............................        2,233        2,698        2,916
Production machinery and computer equipment.................        5,050        7,062        8,701
Other.......................................................          826        1,256        1,424
Property and equipment under capital lease..................        1,870        2,971        2,966
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............       (3,814)      (6,968)     (10,556)
                                                              ------------  -----------  -----------
                                                               $   18,316    $  25,183    $  28,255
                                                              ------------  -----------  -----------
                                                              ------------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
(5)  LEASES
 
    The Company rents office and manufacturing space under two operating leases
which, in addition to the minimum lease payments, require payment of a
proportionate share of the real estate taxes and building operating expenses.
The Company also rents retail space under operating leases which, in addition to
the minimum lease payments, require payment of percentage rents based upon sales
levels. Rent expense aggregated $2,550,000, $5,112,000 and $9,357,000 for 1995,
1996 and 1997, respectively, and $6,539,000 and $9,215,000 for the nine months
ended September 27, 1997 and October 3, 1998, respectively, including percentage
rents of $152,000, $237,000 and $892,000 for 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively,
and $545,000 and $1,171,000 for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 and
October 3, 1998, respectively.
 
    The Company also leases equipment under noncancelable operating leases.
Costs incurred under these operating leases aggregated $384,000, $402,000 and
$683,000 for 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $478,000 and $632,000 for
the nine months ended September 27, 1997 and October 3, 1998, respectively.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(5)  LEASES (CONTINUED)
    The aggregate minimum rental commitments under operating leases for the
reminder of 1998 is $2,757,000 and for subsequent years are as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
1999...............................................................................  $  11,162
2000...............................................................................     11,318
2001...............................................................................     11,352
2002...............................................................................     11,098
2003...............................................................................     10,375
Thereafter.........................................................................     29,370
                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                     $  84,675
                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>
 
(6)  NOTES PAYABLE TO INVESTORS
 
    In November 1996, the Company borrowed $1,252,000 and issued short-term
notes payable to several related parties at 8% interest per annum. In connection
with these notes, the Company granted warrants to purchase 59,606 shares of the
Company's common stock at a purchase price of $5.25 per share. In accordance
with the note agreements, an additional 11,919 common stock warrants were issued
during 1997 at an exercise price of $5.25 per share. The notes were repaid in
full in March 1997.
 
(7)  NOTES PAYABLE AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
 
    In March 1997, the Company completed a financing under which it issued a
senior subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $15,000,000, a
warrant to purchase 1,100,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $10.50 per
share and a warrant to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.01 per
share. These warrants were subsequently adjusted and combined, resulting in a
single warrant to purchase 1,309,583 shares of common stock at $8.82 per share,
exercisable at any time prior to March 31, 2005. (see Note 9). At October 3,
1998, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.
 
    The warrant holder may require repurchase of the warrant if an IPO has not
been completed prior to March 27, 2002. The repurchase amount would be equal to
the excess of the estimated fair market value of the Company's common stock, as
determined by the warrant agreement, over the exercise price of the warrant. The
Company also has an option to repurchase the warrant if the warrant has not been
exercised prior to March 27, 2004. As required by Emerging Issues Task Force
Issue 96-13 (EITF 96-13), the warrant is recorded at fair value and recorded as
long-term debt. At January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998, the fair value of the
warrant was $5,670,000 and $10,892,000, respectively.
 
    In addition, EITF 96-13 requires that any change in fair value of the
warrant be reflected as interest expense. Accordingly, the financial statements
reflect interest expense of $3,250,000 for 1997 and $1,900,000 and $5,222,000
for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 and October 3, 1998, respectively.
In addition, in connection with the March 1997 $15.0 million debt issuance, the
Company recorded original issue discount equal to $2,420,000, which is being
amortized over the term of the note.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(7)  NOTES PAYABLE AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS (CONTINUED)
    Long-term obligations under notes and capital leases are as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 28,   JANUARY 3,   OCTOBER 3,
                                                             1996          1998         1998
                                                         -------------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>          <C>
Senior subordinated note payable to financing company
  due March 2003 with interest payable quarterly at 11%
  per annum. Face amount of $15,000,000 net of
  $2,118,000 and $1,815,000, respectively, of debt
  discount with an effective interest rate of 13.7%....    $  --         $  12,882    $  13,185
 
Warrant subject to put provision.......................       --             5,670       10,892
 
Notes payable under capital lease agreements, payable
  in monthly installments through March 2000, with
  interest at 9.75%--12.5% per annum. Financing
  available under these agreements aggregates
  $3,000,000, of which $2,966,000 had been utilized at
  October 3, 1998. In connection with these notes, the
  Company granted the vendor warrants to acquire 31,428
  shares of the Company's Series E convertible
  preferred stock (note 8).............................        1,725         1,958        1,219
                                                              ------    -----------  -----------
 
                                                               1,725        20,510       25,296
 
Less current maturities................................          563           999        1,052
                                                              ------    -----------  -----------
 
                                                           $   1,162     $  19,511    $  24,244
                                                              ------    -----------  -----------
                                                              ------    -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt for the five years subsequent
to October 3, 1998 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
1999...............................................................................  $   1,052
2000...............................................................................        167
2001...............................................................................     --
2002...............................................................................     10,892
2003...............................................................................     15,000
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(8)  MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The holders of the Series A, B, C, D, and E mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available for
dividends if and when declared by the board of directors. No dividends can be
paid to common shareholders unless the dividend is allocated among the holders
of Series A, B, C, D, and E shares and the holders of common shares based on the
amount of the investment in the Company represented by each such class. In
addition, the holders of Series E preferred stock are entitled to a cumulative
dividend of $1.05 per share before dividends may be paid on any other class of
capital stock. At October 3, 1998, cumulative dividends in arrears equaled
$2,475,000. In the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution,
or winding up of the Company or in the event of a sale of the Company's assets
or a merger with another corporation, the holders of the Company's shares of
preferred stock are entitled to receive the following amounts in the following
order of priority: (1) Series E, $21.00 per share through December 31, 1997 and
$10.50 per share plus cumulative dividends thereafter, (2) Series D, $2.88 per
share, Series C, $2.27 per share, Series B, $1.25 per share, and Series A, $1.00
per share, respectively, before any distribution is made with respect to the
common stock. The Series A, B, C, D, and E shareholders have special voting
rights as defined by the Articles of Incorporation. However, in the event of an
underwritten public offering of the Company's common stock meeting certain
requirements, the special voting rights will terminate.
 
    The Series A, B, C, D, and E are convertible into an aggregate of 12,255,209
shares of common stock at any time or can be automatically converted into common
stock upon the issuance of common stock in an underwritten public offering where
the gross proceeds received by the Company equal or exceed $20,000,000 and the
public offering price equals or exceeds $14.25 per share and, solely with
respect to Series E, $19.95 per share after 1997. The conversion price was
initially based on a one for one conversion of preferred to common shares.
Effective March 31, 1998, the Series E conversion price was adjusted from $10.50
per share to $8.82 per share as a result of its anti-dilution clause. The Series
A, B, C, D, and E must be redeemed by the Company, 1/3 each on or before
December 31, 1998, 1999, and 2000 at $1.00, $1.25, $2.27, $2.88, and $10.50 per
share, respectively. The holders of the Series A, B, C, D, and E have the option
to defer this redemption offer for successive one-year periods. The deferral
does not affect the Company's obligation to redeem in successive years. If the
holders of the Series A, B, C, D, and E elect to defer the redemption, the
Company has the right, but not the obligation, to redeem the Series A, B, C, D,
and E on December 31, 2000.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(8)  MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK (CONTINUED)
    Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock consisted of the following as of
December 28, 1996, January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    ADDITIONAL
                                                                                      PAID-IN
                                                                         PAR VALUE    CAPITAL
                                                                         ---------  -----------
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>
Series A, $1.00 par value; 4,458,852 shares authorized, issued, and
  outstanding..........................................................  $   4,459   $  --
Series B, $1.25 par value; 2,400,000 shares authorized, issued, and
  outstanding..........................................................      3,000      --
Series C, $1.00 par value; 2,292,635 shares authorized, issued, and
  outstanding..........................................................      2,293       2,972
Series D, $1.00 par value; 2,083,332 shares authorized, issued, and
  outstanding..........................................................      2,083       3,862
Series E, $1.00 par value; 888,571 shares authorized and 857,143 shares
  issued and outstanding...............................................        857       8,086
                                                                         ---------  -----------
  Total mandatorily redeemable preferred stock.........................  $  12,692   $  14,920
                                                                         ---------  -----------
                                                                         ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Changes in mandatorily redeemable preferred stock are as follows (dollars in
thousands):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             ADDITIONAL
                                                                                               PAID-IN
                                                                       SHARES      AMOUNT      CAPITAL      TOTAL
                                                                    ------------  ---------  -----------  ---------
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994 .....................................    11,234,819  $  11,835   $   6,834   $  18,669
  Issuance of Series E preferred stock ...........................       857,143        857       8,099       8,956
                                                                    ------------  ---------  -----------  ---------
Balance at December 30, 1995 .....................................    12,091,962     12,692      14,933      27,625
  Issuance of Series E preferred stock ...........................       --          --             (13)        (13)
                                                                    ------------  ---------  -----------  ---------
Balance at December 28, 1996, January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998
  ................................................................    12,091,962  $  12,692   $  14,920   $  27,612
                                                                    ------------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                                                    ------------  ---------  -----------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(9)  SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 
    STOCK OPTIONS
 
    The Board of Directors has reserved 4,300,000 shares of common stock for
options that may be granted to key employees, directors, or others under the
Company's stock option plans.
 
    A summary of the status of the Company's stock option plans for the periods
ended October 3, 1998 is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           AVERAGE
                                                                                                          EXERCISE
                                                                                               SHARES       PRICE
                                                                                             ----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                          <C>         <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1994...........................................................   1,355,775   $    0.54
  Granted..................................................................................     545,500        3.79
  Exercised................................................................................     186,153        0.65
  Canceled.................................................................................      79,939        0.66
                                                                                             ----------       -----
Outstanding at December 30, 1995 (including 947,193 shares exercisable)....................   1,635,183        1.59
  Granted..................................................................................     443,850        5.25
  Exercised................................................................................     260,338        1.09
  Canceled.................................................................................     139,522        2.29
                                                                                             ----------       -----
Outstanding at December 28, 1996 (including 1,105,468 shares exercisable)..................   1,679,173        2.58
  Granted..................................................................................   1,073,750        6.20
  Exercised................................................................................     630,514        0.70
  Canceled.................................................................................      26,800        4.29
                                                                                             ----------       -----
Outstanding at January 3, 1998 (including 931,319 shares exercisable)......................   2,095,609        4.98
  Granted..................................................................................     201,450       12.03
  Exercised................................................................................     509,225        3.17
  Canceled.................................................................................     127,307        5.01
                                                                                             ----------       -----
Outstanding at October 3, 1998 (including 797,971 shares exercisable)......................   1,660,527   $    6.38
                                                                                             ----------       -----
                                                                                             ----------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at
October 3, 1998:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
                  ----------------------------------------    OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                  AVERAGE                   -----------------------
                                 REMAINING       AVERAGE                  AVERAGE
    RANGE OF                    CONTRACTUAL     EXERCISE                 EXERCISE
 EXERCISE PRICE     SHARES     LIFE (YEARS)       PRICE       SHARES       PRICE
- ----------------  ----------  ---------------  -----------  ----------  -----------
<S>               <C>         <C>              <C>          <C>         <C>
$    0.45 - 0.45       6,148          4.69      $    0.45        6,148   $    0.45
     0.75 - 1.00      75,530          5.96           0.94       72,688        0.93
     4.80 - 6.50   1,181,022          7.98           5.25      590,434        5.19
    7.50 - 11.00     360,702          9.27          10.25      121,446        9.91
   14.00 - 19.00      37,125          9.74          16.70        7,260       16.45
                  ----------           ---     -----------  ----------  -----------
$   0.45 - 19.00   1,660,527          8.20      $    6.38      797,976   $    5.59
                  ----------           ---     -----------  ----------  -----------
                  ----------           ---     -----------  ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
    No compensation cost has been recognized in the financial statements for
stock options grants. Had the Company determined compensation cost based on the
fair value at the grant date for its stock options
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(9)  SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT (CONTINUED)
under an alternative accounting method, the Company's net loss would have been
adjusted as indicated below (in thousands):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  NINE MONTHS
                                                                                 ENDED OCTOBER
                                                 1995       1996       1997         3, 1998
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net loss:  As reported.......................  $  (4,560) $  (3,685) $  (2,846)    $    (413)
         Pro forma...........................  $  (4,892) $  (4,253) $  (3,563)    $  (1,187)
</TABLE>
    
 
    The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Sholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: expected
dividend yield--0%; expected stock price volatility--40%; risk-free interest
rate--6.4% for 1995, 1996 and 1997, and 4.6% for the nine months ended October
3, 1998; expected life of options--4.5 years, 3.0 years, 4.2 years and 3.0 years
for 1995, 1996, 1997, and the nine months ended October 3, 1998, respectively.
The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during 1995,
1996, 1997 and the nine months ended October 3, 1998 was $1.80, $2.03, $1.92,
and $3.85, respectively.
 
    WARRANTS
 
    In connection with the financing completed in March 1997 (see Note 7), the
Company issued a warrant to purchase 1,100,000 shares of Common Stock at $10.50
per share (Series A Warrant) and a warrant to purchase 1,000,000 shares of
Common Stock at $0.01 per share (Series B Warrant). The Series B Warrant
provided that the number of shares exercisable could be reduced based on future
earnings levels or in the event the Company completed an initial public
offering. Effective March 31, 1998, the warrants were adjusted and combined,
resulting in a single warrant to purchase 1,309,583 shares of Common Stock at
$8.82 per share, exercisable at any time prior to March 31, 2005.
 
    In April 1996, the Company amended the Series E Stock Purchase Agreement
dated December 28, 1995 to provide for the issuance of warrants to the holders
of Series E Preferred Stock to purchase an aggregate of 171,429 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share. During September 1998, warrants
for 3,000 common shares were exercised. Warrants for 168,429 shares remained
outstanding at October 3, 1998.
 
    In connection with a capital lease transaction with a vendor in 1997, the
Company granted the vendor warrants to acquire 31,428 shares of the Company's
Series E convertible preferred stock at a purchase price of $10.50 per share.
The warrants are exercisable for the shorter of (1) ten years from the grant
date, or (2) five years from the effective date of an initial public offering.
 
   
    In connection with short-term debt issued to related parties in 1996, the
Company granted warrants to purchase 71,525 shares of the Company's common stock
at a purchase price of $5.25 per share. The warrants are exercisable for ten
years from the grant date.
    
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(10)  INCOME TAXES
 
    The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                        ENDED OCTOBER
                                                                        1995       1996       1997         3, 1998
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------------
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Current:
  Federal...........................................................  $  --      $  --      $     125     $   1,192
  State.............................................................     --         --             16           544
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------        ------
                                                                         --         --            141         1,736
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------        ------
Deferred:
  Federal...........................................................     --         --         --              (321)
  State.............................................................     --         --         --               (67)
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------        ------
                                                                         --         --         --              (388)
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------        ------
Income tax expense..................................................  $  --      $  --      $     141     $   1,348
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------        ------
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------        ------
</TABLE>
 
Effective tax rates differ from statutory federal income tax rates as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NINE MONTHS
                                                                                   ENDED OCTOBER
                                                   1995       1996       1997         3, 1998
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------------
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Statutory federal income tax rate..............      (34.0)%     (34.0)%     (34.0)%         35.0%
Nondeductible interest expense, put warrants...     --         --           40.8         195.4
Change in valuation allowance..................       36.0       33.0       (2.7)       (211.0)
Effect of change in tax rate on deferred tax
  asset........................................        0.0        8.6        0.0           0.0
State income taxes, net of federal benefit.....       (2.0)      (4.0)       0.4          37.8
General business credits.......................        0.0       (2.6)       0.0           0.0
To adjust to annualized effective rate.........        0.0        0.0        0.0          83.5
Other..........................................        0.0       (1.0)       0.7           3.5
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------        ------
                                                       0.0%       0.0%       5.2%        144.2%
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------        ------
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------        ------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax
assets at December 28, 1996, January 3, 1998 and October 3, 1998 are as follows
(in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1996       1997       1998
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Current:
    Inventory, warranty, and returns reserves.................  $   1,916  $   3,361  $   4,002
    Allowance for doubtful accounts...........................         76        722         93
    Advertising costs.........................................        300     --         --
    Other.....................................................        113        214        734
  Long term:
    Net operating loss carryforwards..........................      4,967      2,842        602
    Other.....................................................        183        344        465
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total gross deferred tax assets.........................      7,555      7,483      5,896
Valuation allowance...........................................     (7,555)    (7,483)    (5,508)
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total net deferred tax assets...........................  $  --      $  --      $     388
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(10)  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    At October 3, 1998, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for
federal income tax purposes of approximately $1,600,000. The Company expects
that approximately $1,400,000 of these carryforwards will expire unutilized due
to an Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 382 limitation resulting from a prior
ownership change. The remaining $200,000 may be available to offset future
taxable income and will expire between the years 2003 and 2006. The utilization
of the carryforwards may be further restricted in the event of future ownership
changes.
 
(11)  NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
 
   
    The following computations reconcile net loss with net loss per common
share--basic (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts).
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                1995
                                                                                 ----------------------------------
                                                                                    NET                  PER SHARE
                                                                                   LOSS       SHARES      AMOUNT
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>         <C>
Net loss.......................................................................  $  (4,560)
Less cumulative preferred dividends............................................     --
                                                                                 ---------
BASIC EPS
Net loss available to common shareholders......................................  $  (4,560)  1,443,741   $   (3.16)
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                1996
                                                                                 ----------------------------------
                                                                                    NET                  PER SHARE
                                                                                   LOSS       SHARES      AMOUNT
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>         <C>
Net loss.......................................................................  $  (3,685)
Less cumulative preferred dividends............................................       (900)
                                                                                 ---------
BASIC EPS
Net loss available to common shareholders......................................  $  (4,585)  1,753,484   $   (2.61)
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                1997
                                                                                 ----------------------------------
                                                                                    NET                  PER SHARE
                                                                                   LOSS       SHARES      AMOUNT
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>         <C>
Net loss.......................................................................  $  (2,846)
Less cumulative preferred dividends............................................       (900)
                                                                                 ---------
BASIC EPS
Net loss available to common shareholders......................................  $  (3,746)  2,352,947   $   (1.59)
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                          OCTOBER 3, 1998
                                                                                 ----------------------------------
                                                                                    NET                  PER SHARE
                                                                                   LOSS       SHARES      AMOUNT
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>         <C>
Net loss.......................................................................  $    (413)
Less cumulative preferred dividends............................................       (675)
                                                                                 ---------
BASIC EPS
Net loss available to common shareholders......................................  $  (1,088)  2,745,602   $   (0.40)
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
                                                                                 ---------  ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(11)  NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE (CONTINUED)
 
   
    Net loss per common share--diluted was equal to net loss per common
share--basic for all periods presented. The following is a summary of those
securities outstanding during the respective periods which have been excluded
from the calculations because the effect on net loss per common share would not
have been dilutive:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NINE MONTHS
                                                                                   ENDED
                                                                                 OCTOBER 3,
                                         1995          1996          1997           1998
                                     ------------  ------------  ------------  --------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Options............................     1,635,183     1,679,173     2,095,609      1,660,527
Common stock warrants..............       --            154,023     2,342,954      1,549,537
Preferred stock warrants...........       --             31,428        31,428         31,428
Convertible preferred stock........    12,091,962    12,091,962    12,091,962     12,091,962
</TABLE>
    
 
    Convertible preferred stock and preferred stock warrants were convertible
into 12,292,623; common shares during 1995, 1996, 1997 and the nine months ended
October 3, 1998.
 
(12)  SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
    Total cash paid for interest during 1995, 1996 and 1997 was $34,000, $44,000
and $1,512,000, respectively, and $710,000 and $1,372,000, respectively, for the
nine months ended September 27, 1997 and October 3, 1998. There were no cash
payments for income taxes during 1995 or 1996. Income tax payments during 1997
totaled $16,000 and during the nine month periods ended September 27, 1997 and
October 3, 1998 totaled $16,000 and $1,708,000, respectively.
 
    During 1995, $250,000 of notes payable were converted to common stock.
 
(13)  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted a profit sharing and 401(k)
plan for eligible employees. The plan allows employees to defer up to 15% of
their compensation on a pretax basis. Each year, the Company may make a
discretionary contribution equal to a percentage of the employee's contribution.
The Company did not make a contribution for 1995 and 1996. During 1997 and the
nine months ended October 3, 1998, the Company expensed $78,000 and $50,000,
respectively, relating to its contribution to the 401(k) plan.
 
(14)  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
    At December 28, 1996, the Company had a $50,000 note receivable due from a
former director and executive officer of the Company. The note plus interest at
6% per annum was due on August 31, 1997. On February 20, 1997, the former
director and executive officer signed a promissory note for $387,000, which
replaced the $50,000 note receivable. The note, with interest at 9.25% per
annum, is due and payable to the Company on the earlier of (1) six months
following the completion of an initial public offering of the Company's
securities, or (2) April 30, 1999. The full recourse note is secured by a pledge
of 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock. In April 1998, the former
director and executive officer borrowed an additional $425,000 from the Company
under the same terms as the February 1997 note. At October 3, 1998 the note
receivable, including interest, totaled $890,000.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
(14)  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
    At December 28, 1996 the Company had a $20,000 note receivable due from an
employee of the Company. This non-interest-bearing note was repaid in 1997.
 
(15)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    The Company is a party to various claims, legal actions, sales tax disputes,
and other complaints arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion
of management, any losses that may occur are adequately covered by insurance or
are provided for in the financial statements and the ultimate outcome of these
matters will not have a material effect on the financial position or results of
operations of the Company.
 
(16)  INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
 
    The Company is in the process of completing an initial public offering. Upon
consummation of the offering, mandatorily redeemable preferred shares will be
converted into common shares which will require an increase in authorized
shares. The Company anticipates amending its Articles of Incorporation to
increase authorized common shares from 25,000,000 to 95,000,000.
 
   
(17)  SUBSEQUENT EVENT (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
    In November 1998, the Company adjusted the conversion price of the Series E
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock from $8.82 per share to $8.20 per share
(See Note 8). The adjustment was made in accordance with the Series E Stock
Purchase Agreement and is effective on the closing of the Company's initial
public offering. The adjustment would result in the issuance of an additional
77,155 shares of common stock upon conversion. In addition, in connection with
antidilution provisions included in the Company's Series A Warrant (See Note 9),
the Company agreed to issue an additional warrant to purchase 5,513 shares of
common stock exercisable at $8.82 per share.
    
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
[Inside back cover includes a picture of a cross-section of a Select Comfort air
bed, several pictures of people on Select Comfort air beds, a picture of a
Select Comfort air bed and a picture of a remote control unit for a Select
Comfort air bed]
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------
                                ------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------
                                ------------------------------------------------
 
   
      NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
  ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN
  THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
  MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, ANY
  SELLING SHAREHOLDER OR THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
  AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY
  JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL OR TO ANY
  PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
  ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY
  IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY OR
  THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT
  TO THE DATE HEREOF.
    
 
                                 --------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Prospectus Summary........................................................    3
Risk Factors..............................................................    6
Use of Proceeds...........................................................   15
Dividend Policy...........................................................   15
Capitalization............................................................   16
Dilution..................................................................   17
Selected Consolidated Financial Data......................................   18
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations..............................................................   20
Business..................................................................   29
Management................................................................   44
Certain Transactions......................................................   54
Principal and Selling Shareholders........................................   58
Description of Capital Stock..............................................   63
Shares Eligible for Future Sale...........................................   67
Underwriting..............................................................   69
Legal Matters.............................................................   70
Experts...................................................................   70
Additional Information....................................................   71
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements................................  F-1
</TABLE>
    
 
                                 --------------
 
      UNTIL            , 1998 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
  DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT
  PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
  THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS
  WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
  SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
   
                                4,000,000 SHARES
    
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                                 -------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                 -------------
 
                               HAMBRECHT & QUIST
 
                                   BANCBOSTON
                               ROBERTSON STEPHENS
 
                               PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
 
   
                           CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
    
 
                                          , 1998
 
- ------------------------------------------------
                                ------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------
                                ------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
    The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Company in connection
with the sale of Common Stock being registered. All of the amounts shown are
estimates, except the SEC registration fee, the NASD filing fees and the Nasdaq
listing fee.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
SEC registration fee............................................  $  32,450
NASD filing fee.................................................     11,500
Nasdaq listing fee..............................................     95,000
Fees and expenses of counsel for the Company....................    375,000
Fees and expenses of accountants for the Company................    225,000
Blue sky fees and expenses......................................      5,000
Printing expenses...............................................    100,000
Transfer agent fees.............................................      4,000
Miscellaneous...................................................    152,050
                                                                  ---------
    Total.......................................................  $1,000,000
                                                                  ---------
                                                                  ---------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    Minnesota Statutes, Section 302A.521 provides that a Minnesota business
corporation shall indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding, by reason of
the former or present official capacity (as defined) of the person, against
judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses incurred by the
person in connection with the proceeding if certain statutory standards are met.
"Proceeding" means a threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitration or investigative proceeding, including one by or in
the right of the corporation. Section 302A.521 contains detailed terms regarding
such right of indemnification and reference is made thereto for a complete
statement of such indemnification rights. The Company's Articles of
Incorporation also require the Company to provide indemnification to the fullest
extent of the Minnesota indemnification statute.
 
    The Company also maintains a directors and officers insurance policy
pursuant to which directors and officers of the Company are insured against
liability for certain actions in their capacity as directors and officers.
 
    Reference is also made to Section 7(a) of the Underwriting Agreement
contained in Exhibit 1.1 hereto, indemnifying officers and directors of the
Company against certain liabilities.
 
ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
 
    Since August 1, 1995, the Company has issued and sold the following
securities without registration under the Securities Act:
 
   
         1. On December 28, 1995, the Company sold an aggregate of 857,143
    shares of Series E Preferred Stock at a price of $10.50 per share and issued
    warrants to purchase an aggregate of 171,429 shares of Common Stock
    exercisable through December 28, 2005 at an exercise price of $5.25 pursuant
    to the Company's Series E Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement
    dated December 28, 1995, as amended, for an aggregate purchase price of
    approximately $9.0 million to 25 accredited investors and three
    non-accredited investors, including shares and warrants sold to the
    following entities and individuals in the following amounts: Apex Investment
    Fund, L.P. (19,380 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible into
    24,815 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 3,876 shares); Macke
    Limited Partnership (11,900 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible
    into 15,237 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 2,380 shares);
    Norwest
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
   
    Equity Partners V (257,150 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible
    into 329,277 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 51,430 shares)
    St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company (100,000 shares of Series E
    Preferred Stock convertible into 128,048 shares of Common Stock and a
    warrant to purchase 20,000 shares); John Sculley (15,000 shares of Series E
    Preferred Stock convertible into 19,207 shares of Common Stock and a warrant
    to purchase 3,000 shares); Patrick A. Hopf (950 shares of Series E Preferred
    Stock convertible into 1,216 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to
    purchase 190 shares); Mark L. de Naray (500 shares of Series E Preferred
    Stock convertible into 640 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase
    100 shares); and Daniel J. McAthie (20,000 shares of Series E Preferred
    Stock convertible into 25,609 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to
    purchase 4,000 shares).
    
 
         2. From August 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995, the Company issued an
    aggregate of 119,782 shares of Common Stock to employees and directors of
    the Company pursuant to the exercise of stock options by such individuals.
    Of the 119,782 shares issued, 60,000 were issued at $1.00 per share; 4,782
    were issued at $.45 per share; 25,000 were issued at $.40 per share; and
    30,000 were issued at $.30 per share.
 
   
         3. On August 27, 1996, the Company issued a warrant to Comdisco, Inc.
    to purchase 7,619 shares of the Company's Series E Preferred Stock
    exercisable for five years from the effective date of this offering at an
    exercise price of $10.50 per share in connection with a Master Lease
    Agreement dated as of August 27, 1996 and an Equipment Schedule No. VL-1
    dated as of August 27, 1996. Upon consummation of this offering, the warrant
    will automatically be amended to provide for the purchase of 9,756 shares of
    Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.20 per share.
    
 
   
         4. In November 1996, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $1,251,700
    from certain existing shareholders and issued promissory notes evidencing
    such loans. Interest on these notes accrued at an annual rate of 8%. In
    connection with such loans, the Company granted each of these shareholders
    warrants to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 25% of the
    principal amount of such shareholder's note divided by $5.25 (an aggregate
    of 59,606 shares of Common Stock), exercisable until October 31, 2006 at
    $5.25 per share. The promissory notes were due on the earlier of the
    following: (i) the closing date of an equity financing of $10.0 million or
    more, or (b) November 1, 1997. The Company paid off the promissory notes in
    full in March 1997 and at such time granted each of these shareholders
    additional warrants to purchase a number of shares equal to 5% of the
    principal amount of such shareholder's note divided by $5.25 (an aggregate
    of 11,919 shares of Common Stock), exercisable through October 31, 2006 at
    $5.25 per share. All of the purchasers of the notes and warrants were
    accredited investors, including the following entities: Apex Investment
    Fund, L.P. ($126,450 and warrants to purchase 7,226 shares); related parties
    to Hambrecht & Quist LLC ($50,400 and warrants to purchase 2,880 shares);
    Macke Limited Partnership ($6,000 and warrants to purchase 343 shares);
    Marquette Venture Partners II, L.P. and MVP II Affiliates Fund, L.P.
    ($33,000 and warrants to purchase 1,885 shares); Norwest Equity Partners V
    ($122,550 and warrants to purchase 7,003 shares); and St. Paul Fire and
    Marine Insurance Co. ($835,150 and warrants to purchase 47,723 shares).
    
 
   
         5. On November 11, 1996, Company issued a warrant to Comdisco, Inc. to
    purchase 23,809 shares of the Company's Series E Preferred Stock exercisable
    for five years from the effective date of this offering at an exercise price
    of $10.50 per share in connection with a Master Lease Agreement dated as of
    August 27, 1996 and Equipment Schedule Nos. VL-2 and VL-3 dated as of
    November 11, 1996. Upon consummation of this offering, the warrant will
    automatically be amended to provide for the purchase of 30,487 shares of
    Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.20 per share.
    
 
         6. From January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, the Company issued
    an aggregate of 261,598 shares of Common Stock to employees and directors of
    the Company pursuant to the exercise of stock options by such individuals.
    Of the 261,598 shares issued, 19,567 were issued at $5.25 per share; 9,713
    were issued at $4.80; 61,814 were issued at $2.60 per share; 69,995 were
    issued at $1.00;
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
    11,033 were issued at $.85 per share; 6,090 were issued at $.75 per share;
    4,786 were issued at $.45 per share; 7,000 were issued at $.40 per share and
    71,600 were issued at $.30 per share.
 
         7. On March 27, 1997, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement
    dated March 27, 1997 (the "GE Purchase Agreement") with General Electric
    Capital Corporation ("GECC"), pursuant to which the Company issued to GE a
    senior subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $15.0 million
    (the "GE Note"). Interest on the GE Note accrues at a rate equal to 11% per
    year and is payable quarterly in arrears. The outstanding principal on the
    GE Note is due on or before March 31, 2003. In connection with the GE
    Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to GE a Series A Warrant (the "Series
    A Warrant") to purchase an aggregate of 1,100,000 shares of Common Stock
    exercisable through March 31, 2005 at an exercise price of $10.50 and a
    Series B Warrant (the "Series B Warrant") containing certain contingent
    rights to purchase an aggregate of up to 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at
    an exercise price of $.01. Pursuant to an amendment to the GE Purchase
    Agreement effective as of March 31, 1998, the Company and GECC restructured
    these warrants by combining them into one Series A Warrant to purchase
    1,309,583 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.82.
 
         8. From January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997, the Company issued
    an aggregate of 630,094 shares of Common Stock to employees and directors of
    the Company pursuant to the exercise of stock options by such individuals.
    Of the 630,094 shares issued, 9,302 were issued at $5.25 per share; 26,042
    were issued at $4.80 per share; 38,820 were issued at $1.00 per share; 8,588
    were issued at $.85 per share; 50,160 were issued at $.75 per share; 178,792
    were issued at $.45 per share; 88,440 were issued at $.40 per share; and
    229,950 were issued at $.30 per share.
 
   
         9. From January 1, 1998 through October 3, 1998, the Company issued an
    aggregate of 511,385 shares of Common Stock to employees and directors of
    the Company pursuant to the exercise of stock options and warrants by such
    individuals. Of the 511,385 shares issued, 75 were issued at $16.50 per
    share; 631 were issued at $11.00 per share; 100 were issued at $10.00 per
    share; 166 were issued at $7.50 per share; 201,626 were issued at $5.25 per
    share; 88,683 were issued at $4.80 per share; 33,288 were issued at $1.00
    per share; 60,234 were issued at $.85 per share; 35,182 were issued at $.45
    per share; 25,000 were issued at $.40 per share; and 66,400 were issued at
    $.30 per share.
    
 
   
        10. In November 1998, the Company agreed to issue a warrant to GECC to
    purchase 5,513 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.82.
    
 
    No underwriting commissions or discounts were paid with respect to the sales
of the unregistered securities described above. In addition, all of the above
sales were made in reliance on Rule 701, Regulation D and Section 4(2) under the
Securities Act. With regard to the reliance by the Company upon the exemptions
set forth in the previous sentence, certain inquiries were made by the Company
to establish that such sales qualified for such exemptions from the registration
requirements. In particular, the Company confirmed that (i) all offers of sales
and sales were made by personal contact from officers or directors of the
Company or other persons closely associated with the Company; (ii) each investor
made representations that he or she was sophisticated in relation to this
investment (and the Company has no reason to believe such representations were
incorrect); (iii) each purchaser gave assurance of investment intent and the
certificates for the shares bear a legend accordingly; and (iv) offers and sales
within any offering were made to a limited number of persons.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
    (a) Exhibits
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NO.   DESCRIPTION
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>    <S>
  1.1* Underwriting Agreement
 
  3.1* Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (to be effective upon
         effectiveness of Registration Statement)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NO.   DESCRIPTION
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>    <S>
  3.2* Restated Bylaws of the Company (to be effective upon effectiveness of
         Registration Statement)
 
  4.2* Form of Warrant issued in connection with the sale of Convertible
         Preferred Stock, Series E
 
  4.3* Form of Warrant issued in connection with the November 1996 Bridge
         Financing
 
  4.4* Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated December 28, 1995
 
  4.5* First Amendment to Series E Stock Purchase Agreement and Amended and
         Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated April 25, 1996
 
  4.6* Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
         dated as of November 1, 1996
 
  4.7* Second (sic) Amendment to Amended and Restated Registration Rights
         Agreement dated March 24, 1997
 
  4.8* Series A Warrant effective as of March 31, 1998 issued to General Electric
         Capital Corporation
 
  4.9  Series E Preferred Stock Shareholder Voting Agreement and Irrevocable
         Proxy dated as of November 11, 1998 by and among the Company and each of
         the holders of Series E Convertible Prefered Stock signatory thereto
 
  5.1* Opinion of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP
 
 10.1* Net Lease Agreement dated December 3, 1993 between the Company and Opus
         Corporation
 
 10.2* Amendment of Lease dated August 10, 1994 between the Company and Opus
         Corporation
 
 10.3* Second Amendment to Lease dated May 10, 1995 between the Company and
         Rushmore Plaza Partners Limited Partnership (successor to Opus
         Corporation)
 
 10.4* Letter Agreement dated as of October 5, 1995 between the Company and
         Rushmore Plaza Partners Limited Partnership
 
 10.5* Third Amendment of Lease, Assignment and Assumption of Lease and Consent
         dated as of January 1, 1996 among the Company, Rushmore Plaza Partners
         Limited Partnership and Select Comfort Direct Corporation
 
 10.6* Sublease dated as of March 27, 1997 between Select Comfort SC Corporation
         and Bellsouth Telecommunications, Inc.
 
 10.7* Master Lease Agreement dated August 27, 1996 between Comdisco, Inc. and
         the Company and Equipment Schedules VL-1 dated August 27, 1996 and VL-2
         and VL-3 dated November 11, 1996
 
 10.8* Supply Agreement dated August 23, 1994 between the Company and Supplier(1)
 
 10.9* Equipment Purchase and Software License Agreement dated February 6, 1996
         between the Company and Supplier(1)
 
 10.10* Purchase Agreement dated as of March 27, 1997 between the Company and
         General Electric Capital Corporation
 
 10.11* Senior Subordinated Note dated as of March 27, 1997 in the principal
         amount of $15,000,000 by the Company in favor of General Electric
         Capital Corporation
 
 10.12* Consumer Credit Card Program Agreement dated as of May 22, 1997 among the
         Company, Select Comfort Retail Corporation, Select Comfort Direct
         Corporation, Select Comfort SC Corporation and Monogram Credit Card Bank
         of Georgia(1)
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                                      II-4
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NO.   DESCRIPTION
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>    <S>
 10.13* Major Merchant Agreement dated December 19, 1997 among First National Bank
         of Omaha and the Company, Select Comfort SC Corporation, Select Comfort
         Retail Corporation and Select Comfort Direct Corporation
 
 10.14* 1990 Omnibus Stock Option Plan, as amended
 
 10.15* 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
 
 10.16* Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 1997 Stock Incentive
         Plan
 
 10.17* Form of Performance Based Stock Option Agreement under the 1997 Stock
         Incentive Plan
 
 10.18* Employment Letter Agreement dated April 3, 1997 between the Company and H.
         Robert Hawthorne
 
 10.19* Employment Letter Agreement dated October 20, 1995 between the Company and
         Daniel J. McAthie
 
 10.20* Employment Letter Agreement dated July 11, 1995 between the Company and
         Gregory T. Kliner
 
 10.21* Consulting Agreement and Stock Option Agreement dated April 1, 1996
         between the Company and Ervin R. Shames
 
 10.22* Separation Agreement dated February 20, 1997 between the Company and Mark
         L. de Naray
 
 10.23* Promissory Note dated February 20, 1997 in favor of the Company from Mark
         L. de Naray
 
 10.24* Pledge Agreement dated February 20, 1997 between the Company and Mark L.
         de Naray
 
 10.25* Promissory Note dated April 13, 1998 in favor of the Company from Mark L.
         de Naray
 
 10.26* Pledge Agreement dated April 13, 1998 between the Company and Mark L. de
         Naray
 
 10.27* Separation Agreement dated as of July 13, 1998 between the Company and
         John D. Watson
 
 10.28* Lease Agreement dated September 30, 1998 between the Company and ProLogis
         Development Services Incorporated
 
 10.29* Select Comfort Corporation Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan
 
 21.1* Subsidiaries of the Company
 
 23.1  Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Financial Statement Schedule
         of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
 23.2* Consent of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 
 23.3* Consent of Houlihan Valuation Advisors
 
 24.1* Power of Attorney (included on pages II-9 hereto)
 
 27.1  Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
*   Previously filed.
 
(1) Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to designated
    portions contained within this exhibit. Such portions have been omitted and
    filed separately with the Commission pursuant to Rule 406 under the
    Securities Act.
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
    (b) Financial Statement Schedules.
 
                  SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       ADDITIONS
                                                                                      CHARGED TO   DEDUCTIONS   BALANCE AT
                                                                         BALANCE AT    COSTS AND      FROM        END OF
DESCRIPTION                                                               BEGINNING    EXPENSES     RESERVES      PERIOD
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts--1998 (nine months)....................   $   1,901    $   2,293    $   1,377    $   2,817
                            --1997.....................................   $     200    $   2,101    $     400    $   1,901
                            --1996.....................................   $     261    $      63    $     124    $     200
                            --1995.....................................   $      35    $     237    $      11    $     261
 
Accrued warranty costs        --1998 (nine months).....................   $   3,257    $   3,456    $   2,851    $   3,862
                            --1997.....................................   $   2,036    $   3,274    $   2,053    $   3,257
                            --1996.....................................   $   1,390    $   1,936    $   1,290    $   2,036
                            --1995.....................................   $     608    $   1,492    $     710    $   1,390
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, the Restated
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Registrant, the Underwriting
Agreement, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
        (1) It will provide to the Underwriters at the closing specified in the
    Underwriting Agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in
    such names as required by the Underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each
    purchaser.
 
        (2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
    the information omitted from the form of Prospectus filed as part of this
    Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
    Prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
    497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
    Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
        (3) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
    Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of Prospectus shall
    be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities
    offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
    deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in Minneapolis, Minnesota on this 13th day of November, 1998.
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
 
                                By:           /s/ H. ROBERT HAWTHORNE
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                H. Robert Hawthorne
                                       PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                           (PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
 
                                By:            /s/ DANIEL J. MCATHIE
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                 Daniel J. McAthie
                                     EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL
                                        OFFICER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND
                                         SECRETARY (PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND
                                                ACCOUNTING OFFICER)
</TABLE>
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement has been signed by
the following persons in the capacities indicated, on November 13, 1998.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME AND SIGNATURE                  TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
<C>                             <S>
   /s/ H. ROBERT HAWTHORNE
- ------------------------------  President, Chief Executive
     H. Robert Hawthorne          Officer and Director
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Chairman of the Board
       Ervin R. Shames
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director
       Thomas J. Albani
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director
       Patrick A. Hopf
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher P. Kirchen
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME AND SIGNATURE                  TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
<C>                             <S>
              *
- ------------------------------  Director
       David T. Kollat
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director
       Kenneth A. Macke
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director
     Jean-Michel Valette
 
   /s/ H. ROBERT HAWTHORNE
- ------------------------------  Attorney-in-fact
     H. Robert Hawthorne
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-8
<PAGE>
                           SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
              EXHIBIT INDEX TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-1
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.  DESCRIPTION                                                                           METHOD OF FILING
- -----------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------
<C>          <S>                                                                                   <C>
     1.1*    Underwriting Agreement
 
     3.1*    Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (to be effective upon
               effectiveness of Registration Statement)
 
     3.2*    Restated Bylaws of the Company (to be effective upon effectiveness of Registration
               Statement)
 
     4.2*    Form of Warrant issued in connection with the sale of Convertible Preferred Stock,
               Series E
 
     4.3*    Form of Warrant issued in connection with the November 1996 Bridge Financing
 
     4.4*    Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated December 28, 1995
 
     4.5*    First Amendment to Series E Stock Purchase Agreement and Amended and Restated
               Registration Rights Agreement dated April 25, 1996
 
     4.6*    Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated as of
               November 1, 1996
 
     4.7*    Second (sic) Amendment to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated
               March 24, 1997
 
     4.8*    Series A Warrant effective as of March 31, 1998 issued to General Electric Capital
               Corporation
 
     4.9     Series E Preferred Stock Shareholder Voting Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy dated as
               of November 11, 1998 by and among the Company and each of the holders of Series E
               Convertible Prefered Stock signatory thereto
 
     5.1*    Opinion of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP
 
    10.1*    Net Lease Agreement dated December 3, 1993 between the Company and Opus Corporation
 
    10.2*    Amendment of Lease dated August 10, 1994 between the Company and Opus Corporation
 
    10.3*    Second Amendment to Lease dated May 10, 1995 between the Company and Rushmore Plaza
               Partners Limited Partnership (successor to Opus Corporation)
 
    10.4*    Letter Agreement dated as of October 5, 1995 between the Company and Rushmore Plaza
               Partners Limited Partnership
 
    10.5*    Third Amendment of Lease, Assignment and Assumption of Lease and Consent dated as of
               January 1, 1996 among the Company, Rushmore Plaza Partners Limited Partnership and
               Select Comfort Direct Corporation
 
    10.6*    Sublease dated as of March 27, 1997 between Select Comfort SC Corporation and
               Bellsouth Telecommunications, Inc.
 
    10.7*    Master Lease Agreement dated August 27, 1996 between Comdisco, Inc. and the Company
               and Equipment Schedules VL-1 dated August 27, 1996 and VL-2 and VL-3 dated
               November 11, 1996
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.  DESCRIPTION                                                                           METHOD OF FILING
- -----------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------
<C>          <S>                                                                                   <C>
    10.8*    Supply Agreement dated August 23, 1994 between the Company and Supplier(1)
 
    10.9*    Equipment Purchase and Software License Agreement dated February 6, 1996 between the
               Company and Supplier(1)
 
    10.10*   Purchase Agreement dated as of March 27, 1997 between the Company and General
               Electric Capital Corporation
 
    10.11*   Senior Subordinated Note dated as of March 27, 1997 in the principal amount of
               $15,000,000 by the Company in favor of General Electric Capital Corporation
 
    10.12*   Consumer Credit Card Program Agreement dated as of May 22, 1997 among the Company,
               Select Comfort Retail Corporation, Select Comfort Direct Corporation, Select
               Comfort SC Corporation and Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia; as amended in
               First Amendment to Consumer Credit Card Program Agreement dated November 18,
               1987(1)
 
    10.13*   Major Merchant Agreement dated December 19, 1997 among First National Bank of Omaha
               and the Company, Select Comfort SC Corporation, Select Comfort Retail Corporation
               and Select Comfort Direct Corporation
 
    10.14*   1990 Omnibus Stock Option Plan, as amended
 
    10.15*   1997 Stock Incentive Plan
 
    10.16*   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
 
    10.17*   Form of Performance Based Stock Option Agreement under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
 
    10.18*   Employment Letter Agreement dated April 3, 1997 between the Company and H. Robert
               Hawthorne
 
    10.19*   Employment Letter Agreement dated October 20, 1995 between the Company and Daniel J.
               McAthie
 
    10.20*   Employment Letter Agreement dated July 11, 1995 between the Company and Gregory T.
               Kliner
 
    10.21*   Consulting Agreement and Stock Option Agreement dated April 1, 1996 between the
               Company and Ervin R. Shames
 
    10.22*   Separation Agreement dated February 20, 1997 between the Company and Mark L. de
               Naray
 
    10.23*   Promissory Note dated February 20, 1997 in favor of the Company from Mark L. de
               Naray
 
    10.24*   Pledge Agreement dated February 20, 1997 between the Company and Mark L. de Naray
 
    10.25*   Promissory Note dated April 13, 1998 in favor of the Company from Mark L. de Naray
 
    10.26*   Pledge Agreement dated April 13, 1998 between the Company and Mark L. de Naray
 
    10.27*   Separation Agreement dated as of July 13, 1998 between the Company and John D.
               Watson
 
    10.28*   Lease Agreement dated September 30, 1998 between the Company and ProLogis
               Development Services Incorporated
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.  DESCRIPTION                                                                           METHOD OF FILING
- -----------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------
<C>          <S>                                                                                   <C>
    21.1*    Subsidiaries of the Company
 
    23.1     Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Financial Statement Schedule of KPMG
               Peat Marwick LLP
 
    23.2*    Consent of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 
    23.3*    Consent of Houlihan Valuation Advisors
 
    24.1*    Power of Attorney (included on pages II-9 hereto)
 
    27.1     Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
*   Previously filed.
 
(1) Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to designated
    portions contained within this exhibit. Such portions have been omitted and
    filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 406 under the Securities Act.

<PAGE>


                             SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
                              SERIES E PREFERRED STOCK
                            SHAREHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT
                               AND IRREVOCABLE PROXY

     This Shareholder Voting Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy (this "AGREEMENT")
is made as of this 11th day of November, 1998, by and among Select Comfort
Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (the "COMPANY"), and each of the
undersigned holders of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of the Company (the "SERIES E PREFERRED").

     WHEREAS, this Agreement shall constitute a shareholder voting agreement
binding all of the parties who have executed a counterpart of this Agreement
pursuant to the terms of Section 302A.455 of the Minnesota Business Corporation
Act ("MBCA"), and shall constitute an irrevocable proxy pursuant to the terms of
Section 302A.447 of the MBCA, whether or not all or a majority of the holders of
the Series E Preferred shall have executed a counterpart of this Agreement; and

     NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Holders agree as
follows:

     1.   AGREEMENT TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF AMENDMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION.  Each of the undersigned holders of shares of Series E Preferred
hereby agrees to vote all of the shares of the capital stock of the Company held
beneficially or of record by the undersigned in favor of the proposed amendment
of the Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company attached hereto
as Exhibit A (the "AMENDMENT") at the next annual or special meeting of the
shareholders of the Company or by written consent as requested by the Company.

     2.   GRANT OF IRREVOCABLE PROXY.  In furtherance of the foregoing and not
in limitation thereof, each of the undersigned holders of shares of Series E
Preferred hereby appoints H. Robert Hawthorne and Daniel J. McAthie, or either
of them, as Proxies, each with full power to act alone and each with full power
of substitution, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote all
of the shares of the capital stock of the Company held beneficially or of record
by the undersigned as of the date hereof at the next annual or special meeting
of shareholders of the Company, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof,
in favor of the Amendment as set forth above.  The proxy granted hereby by each
of the undersigned holders of shares of Series E Preferred is coupled with an
interest within the meaning of such term under Subdivision 3 of Section 302A.449
of the MBCA and is therefore not terminable or revocable by any of the
undersigned holders of shares of Series E Preferred.

     3.   INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.  Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees
that in the event of a breach of this Agreement the damage to the nonbreaching
party or parties would be irreparable and extremely difficult to estimate or
determine, making any remedy at law or in damages inadequate.  Thus, in addition
to any other right or remedy available at law or in equity, 

<PAGE>

a nonbreaching party or parties shall be entitled to an injunction 
restraining such breach or threatened breach and to specific performance of 
any of the provisions of the Agreement, and in any such case no bond or other 
security shall be required.

     4.   GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the
parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Minnesota without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions
thereof.

     5.   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed concurrently in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and each of the undersigned holders of
Series E Preferred has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered
as of November 11, 1998.

                                   SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION,
                                   a Minnesota corporation

                                   By:  /s/ Daniel J. McAthie
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its: Chief Financial Officer
                                      --------------------------------

                                   ST. PAUL FIRE AND MARINE 
                                   INSURANCE CO., a Minnesota corporation

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its:                              
                                      --------------------------------

                                   NORWEST EQUITY PARTNERS V,
                                   a Minnesota Limited Partnership

                                   By: Itasca Partners V
                                    Its General Partner

                                   By: /s/ Itasca Partners V
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its: Partner
                                      --------------------------------

                                      2
<PAGE>

                                   MARQUETTE VENTURE PARTNERS II,
                                   L.P.

                                   By: MARQUETTE GENERAL II, L.P.
                                    Its General Partner

                                   By:  /s/ James E. Daverman or 
                                            Lloyd D. Ruth
                                      --------------------------------
                                        James E. Daverman or Lloyd D. Ruth
                                        Authorized Signatory


                                   MVP II AFFILIATES FUND, L.P.

                                   By: MARQUETTE GENERAL II, L.P.
                                    Its General Partner

                                   By:  /s/ James E. Daverman or 
                                            Lloyd D. Ruth
                                      --------------------------------
                                        James E. Daverman or Lloyd D. Ruth
                                        Authorized Signatory


                                   APEX INVESTMENT FUND, L.P.,
                                   a Delaware Limited Partnership

                                   By:  Apex Management Partnership,
                                    Its General Partner

                                   By:  Stellar Investment Co.,
                                    Its Managing General Partner

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                        James A. Johnson, President


<PAGE>
                                   THE PRODUCTIVITY FUND II, L.P.,
                                   a Delaware Limited Partnership

                                   By:  First Analysis Management Company II,
                                   Its General Partner

                                   By:  First Analysis Corporation,
                                   Its General Partner

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its:                              
                                      --------------------------------


                                   GROSSMAN INVESTMENTS,
                                   a General Partnership

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its General Partner


                                   H & Q SELECT COMFORT INVESTORS
                                   L.P., a limited partnership

                                   By:  H & Q Select Comfort Investors L.L.C.
                                    Its General Partner

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its:                              
                                      --------------------------------


                                   H & Q LONDON VENTURES

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its:                              
                                      --------------------------------


                                   MACKE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its:                              
                                      --------------------------------

                                      4
<PAGE>

                                   PAINE WEBBER INCORPORATED,
                                   CUSTODIAN OF FRED W. REESE
                                   DECEDENT IRA

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its:                              
                                      --------------------------------


                                   BAYVIEW INVESTORS, LTD.

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its:                              
                                      --------------------------------


                                   ALEX. BROWN & SONS EMPLOYEES 
                                   VENTURE FUND LP

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its:                              
                                      --------------------------------


                                   MONTGOMERY ASSOCIATES, 1992 L.P.

                                   By:                           
                                      --------------------------------
                                    Its:                              
                                      --------------------------------


                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Patrick A. Hopf

                                     /s/ Daniel J. McAthie
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Daniel J. McAthie

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Theodore H. Ashford

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   John Sculley

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Lynn Elliott

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Everett V. Cox

                                      5
<PAGE>

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Michael B. Gorman

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Terral Jordan

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Erwin A. Kelen

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   John A. Rollwagen

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Dewey K. Shay

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Doug Hickman

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Brian D. Jacobs

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Barbro E. Shronts

                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Sharon Pearson

                                      6
<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT A TO
                                                                    SHAREHOLDER
                                                               VOTING AGREEMENT
                                                          AND IRREVOCABLE PROXY


                                     AMENDMENT
                                       OF THE
                             ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                         OF
                             SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
                                          

     The undersigned, Daniel J. McAthie, being the Secretary of Select Comfort
Corporation (the "Corporation"), a corporation organized under and subject to
the provisions of Chapter 302A, Minnesota Statutes, does hereby certify that
pursuant to actions duly taken by the Board of Directors and shareholders of the
Corporation, the following resolutions were adopted:

     RESOLVED, That section B.6(b) of Article III of the Second Restated
Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended in its entirety
to read as follows:

          "(b) AUTOMATIC CONVERSION.  Preferred Stock shall be automatically
     converted into Conversion Stock upon the election of the Corporation and
     delivery of written notice of such election to the holders of Preferred
     Stock (which election and notice may be delivered within ninety (90) days
     before or after the automatic conversion events described below without
     affecting the effective time of such automatic conversion) if the
     Corporation closes the issuance and sale of Common Stock in a public
     offering underwritten on a firm commitment basis by an underwriter, or
     group of underwriters represented by an underwriter or underwriters, which
     is a member of the New York Stock Exchange,  pursuant to an effective
     registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (a
     "Public Offering"), in which (i) the gross proceeds received by the
     Corporation equal or exceed $20,000,000 and (ii) the public offering price
     equals or exceeds $14.25 per share (as adjusted to reflect stock splits or
     combinations, stock dividends or other corporate recapitalizations effected
     after adoption of this amendment of Article III), or, solely with respect
     to the Series E Preferred Stock, the public offering price equals or
     exceeds $15.00 per share (as adjusted to reflect stock splits or
     combinations, stock dividends or other corporate recapitalizations effected
     after adoption of this amendment of Article III) (a "Qualified Public
     Offering").  Any provision in these Second Restated Articles of
     Incorporation which terminates upon completion of a Qualified Public
     Offering shall not terminate as to the Series E Preferred Stock until the
     Series E Preferred Stock is automatically converted into Conversion Stock
     pursuant to the terms of this Section 6(b).  The effective date of such
     automatic conversion shall be the date upon which the registration
     statement filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission is declared to be effective.  As used herein, the term "closes"
     shall mean delivery by the Corporation to the underwriters of certificates
     representing the 

<PAGE>

     shares of Common Stock of the Corporation offered to the public against 
     delivery to the Corporation by such underwriters of payment therefor.  
     The term "firm commitment basis" with respect to the underwriting of such 
     public offering shall mean a commitment pursuant to a written underwriting 
     agreement under which the nature of the underwriters' commitment is such 
     that all securities will be purchased by such underwriters if any 
     securities are purchased by such underwriters."

     RESOLVED, That paragraph B.6(c)(vi) of Article III of the Second Restated
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation is hereby amended in
its entirety to read as follows:
     
          "Except for (A) the grant of options to purchase shares from the pool
     of Reserved Option Shares and the issuance of shares upon the exercise of
     such options, (B) the grant of an aggregate of 171,429 warrants, each to
     purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share
     of Common Stock, to the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock and the
     issuance of shares upon the exercise of such warrants, (C) the grant of an
     aggregate of up to 119,210 warrants, each to purchase one share of Common
     Stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share of Common Stock, to the
     participants in the bridge financing in the aggregate principal amount of
     $1,251,700 completed by the Corporation in November 1996 and the issuance
     of shares upon the exercise of such warrants, and (D) the grant of an
     aggregate of 1,315,096 warrants to General Electric Capital Corporation
     ("GECC") pursuant to the terms of that certain Purchase Agreement dated as
     of March 27, 1997 between the Corporation and GECC, as amended, and the
     issuance of shares upon the exercise of such warrants, if and whenever the
     Corporation shall issue or sell any shares of Common Stock for a
     consideration per share less than the Series E Conversion Price then in
     effect (other than dividends payable in Common Stock) or shall issue any
     convertible securities, options, warrants or other rights for the purchase
     of such shares at a consideration per share that is less than the Series E
     Conversion Price then in effect, then, upon such issuance or sale of such
     shares, convertible securities, options, warrants, or other purchase
     rights, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance
     or sale shall be reduced to (y) if such issuance or sale occurs on or
     before December 31, 1997, the price at which such shares of Common Stock
     were sold or at which shares of Common Stock are issuable upon the exercise
     of such convertible securities, options, warrants or other purchase rights
     or (z) if such issuance or sale occurs after December 31, 1997, the price
     (calculated to the nearest cent) determined by dividing (aa) an amount
     equal to the sum of (1) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
     immediately prior to such issuance or sale multiplied by the then existing
     Conversion Price and (2) the consideration, if any, received by the
     Corporation upon such issuance or sale, by (bb) an amount equal to the sum
     of (1) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior
     to such issuance or sale and (2) the number of shares of Common Stock thus
     issued or sold and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
     exercise of such convertible securities, options, warrants or other
     purchase rights.  Solely for purposes of (aa) and (bb) above, the term
     "Common Stock outstanding" shall include those shares of Common Stock
     issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. If any
     options or purchase rights that 

                                      2
<PAGE>

     are taken into account in any such adjustment of the Series E Conversion 
     Price described above subsequently expire without exercise, the Series E 
     Conversion Price shall be recomputed at the time of expiration by deleting 
     such options or purchase rights.
     
          "In addition to the foregoing, (i) in the event that the Corporation
     completes a Public Offering (as defined in Section B.6(b) above) in 1998,
     then the Series E Conversion Price shall be reduced to $8.20 per share (as
     adjusted to reflect stock splits or combinations, stock dividends or other
     corporate recapitalizations effected after adoption of this amendment of
     Article III); and (ii) in the event that the Corporation completes a Public
     Offering after 1998, then the Series E Conversion Price shall be reduced to
     the lower of $8.20 per share (as adjusted to reflect stock splits or
     combinations, stock dividends or other corporate recapitalizations effected
     after adoption of this amendment of Article III) or 46.02% of the mid-point
     of the filing range of public offering prices set forth in the prospectus
     included in the last amendment of the registration statement filed before
     the registration statement is declared effective, but in no event below
     $5.25 per share."
     
     FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Corporation be and hereby is
authorized and directed to make, execute and acknowledge Articles of Amendment
of the Corporation evidencing the amendments to the Second Restated Articles of
Incorporation set forth above and to cause such Articles of Amendment to be
filed for record with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota in the
manner required by law, and to become effective upon the date of such filing.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of November,
1998.

                                   ----------------------------------------
                                   Daniel J. McAthie
                                   Secretary

                                      3


<PAGE>
                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.1


   INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT AND REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE




The Board of Directors
Select Comfort Corporation:


The audits referred to in our report dated October 23, 1998, included the 
related consolidated financial statement schedule as of December 28, 1996, 
January 3, 1998, and October 3, 1998, and for each of the years in the 
three-year period ended January 3, 1998, and the nine-month period ended 
October 3, 1998, included in the registration statement.  This consolidated 
financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's 
management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this consolidated 
financial statement schedule based on our audits.  In our opinion, such 
consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the 
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all 
material respects the information set forth therein.

We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to 
our firm under the headings "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and 
"Experts" in the prospectus.


                                   /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                   


Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 12, 1998


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<PAGE>
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9-MOS
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<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-11-1995             DEC-31-1995             DEC-29-1996             DEC-29-1996
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<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1995             DEC-28-1996             JAN-03-1998             SEP-27-1997
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