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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED] for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1998 OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ____________ TO _________________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-17980
RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 62-1210077
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
14255 49th Street North, Building 1, Suite 101
Clearwater, Florida 33762
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (727) 519-2000
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NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
TITLE OF CLASS ON WHICH REGISTERED
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Securities registered pursuant to 12(b) of the Act: 9 7/8% Senior Notes New York Stock Exchange
due 2000
Securities registered pursuant to 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par NASDAQ -- NMS
value $.10 per share
Securities registered pursuant to 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock NASDAQ -- NMS
Purchase Warrants
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ ] No [ ]
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock as of February
22, 1999, was 29,335,243 shares. The aggregate market value of the shares of
Registrant held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based on the closing price
of such stock on the National Market System of the NASDAQ Stock Market, as of
February 22, 1999, was approximately $11,257,000. For purposes of the foregoing
calculation only, all directors and executive officers of the Registrant have
been deemed affiliates.
Portions of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus of the Registrant and Checkers
Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. for the Registrant's Special Meeting of Stockholders
are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.
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RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC.
1998 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS...........................................................3
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.........................................................8
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS..................................................9
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS...............10
PART II
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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS...........................................................10
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA...........................................12
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.............................................13
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK........19
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.......................20
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES.............................................47
PART III
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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT................47
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION............................................47
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT....47
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS....................47
PART IV
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ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K....47
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and its subsidiaries are collectively
referred to herein as the context requires as "Rally's" or the "Company". See
Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Rally's is one of the largest chains of double drive-thru restaurants
in the United States. At December 28, 1998, the Rally's system included 475
restaurants in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest and the Sunbelt, comprised of
226 Company-owned and operated and 249 franchised, including 26 Company-owned
restaurants in Western markets which are operated as Rally's restaurants by CKE
Restaurants, Inc. ("CKE"), a significant shareholder of the Company, under an
operating agreement which began July 1996. Two additional Company-owned stores
covered by the operating agreement have been converted to the Carl's Jr. format
and are not included in the above store count. The Company's restaurants offer
high quality food, serving primarily the drive-thru and take-out segments of the
quick-service restaurant industry. The Company opened its first restaurant in
January 1985 and began offering franchises in November 1986. See "Item 7:
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
As of December 29, 1997 the Company changed from a fiscal year ending
on the Sunday closest to December 31st to a fiscal year ending on the Monday
closest to December 31st. This resulted in an extra day in fiscal 1998. The
Company also changed its quarterly reporting periods from four 13-week quarters
to three 12-week quarters and a 16-week fourth quarter.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On January 29, 1999, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. ("Checkers")
and Rally's announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to
which both companies would merge in an all stock transaction, ("the Merger").
The Merger agreement provides that each outstanding share of Rally's stock will
be exchanged for 1.99 shares of Checkers stock. The approximate 19.1 million
shares of Checkers common stock which the Rally's owns will be retired following
the Merger. Checkers and Rally's have each received investment bankers' opinions
as to the fairness of the exchange rate used in the Merger. The transaction is
subject to certain approvals, including but not limited to approval by the
shareholders of Checkers and Rally's and potentially the holders of Rally's
Senior Notes and is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal year 1999.
At December 28, 1998, Rally's owned 19,130,930 shares (26.06 percent)
of the outstanding common stock of Checkers and public shareholders owned the
remaining 54,277,177 shares of Checkers common stock. Checkers will issue
58,377,134 shares of its common stock to Rally's shareholders in exchange for
all the outstanding common stock of Rally's (29,335,243 outstanding shares) at a
1 to 1.99 exchange ratio. After the transaction, Rally's shareholders will own
58,377,134 shares (51.8 percent of the outstanding common stock of the new
Checkers) and the remaining 54,277,117 shares (48.2 percent of Checkers common
stock) will then be held by then current shareholders of Checkers. Immediately
following the Merger, the Checkers common stock will undergo a one-for-twelve
reverse split resulting in total common shares outstanding of approximately
9,387,859. In addition, each of Rally's outstanding stock options (5.6 million)
will be exchanged for options to acquire Checkers common stock at a 1 to 1.99
exchange rate.
The business combination under the Merger will be accounted for under
the purchase method. The transaction will be accounted for as a reverse
acquisition as the stockholders of Rally's will receive the larger portion of
the voting interests in the combined enterprise. Accordingly, Rally's will be
considered the acquirer for accounting purposes and therefore, Checkers' assets
and liabilities will be recorded based upon their fair market value.
On December 31, 1998 Santa Barbara Restaurant Group, Inc. ("SBRG"),
acquired approximately 2.4 million shares of Rally's common stock pursuant to an
exchange agreement with Fidelity National Financial, Inc. SBRG operates or
franchises approximately 330 restaurants under the Green Burrito, Timber Lodge
Steakhouse, JB's, and Galaxy Diner names.
In November, 1998, Rally's received notice from NASDAQ that delisting
could occur on February 22, 1999 if the Company's common stock failed to
maintain a closing bid greater than or equal to $1.00 for ten consecutive
trading days during the subsequent 90-day period. As Rally's stock price did not
meet the criteria, management has requested an oral hearing to present a plan of
action to NASDAQ to regain compliance with this standard. This hearing will be
held on April 23, 1999 at which time management will present the Merger with
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and a subsequent one-for-twelve reverse
stock split.
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CONCEPT AND STRATEGY
Rally's primary strategy is to serve the drive-thru and take-out
segment of the quick-service restaurant industry. The Company's operating
strategy is to take advantage of off-premise food consumption by serving a
limited menu consisting of a variety of great tasting burgers with limited side
items. The key elements of this strategy are Rally's operating system,
restaurant design, brand positioning and marketing programs.
RALLY'S OPERATING SYSTEM. The Rally's operating system is designed to
provide fast and accurate service of high quality food. Within the restaurants,
all products are prepared to order in a systematic fashion moving from the back
of the restaurant to the front windows with each employee performing specific
duties. Labor is staffed in an attempt to courteously serve guests within 45
seconds of their reaching the drive-thru window and to maintain a safe, clean
food service environment. The Company's training and franchise support programs
are designed to promote consistency of product and service throughout the
Rally's system and are documented in a uniform confidential operations manual.
Rally's has point of sale devices and related software in each of its
Company-owned restaurants which allow Rally's to centralize control over certain
aspects of restaurant operations at the corporate office on a daily basis. As a
result, menu prices and menus can be controlled and transactions reviewed and
audited at corporate headquarters. The point of sale devices are coupled with a
back office computer to monitor sales, assist inventory management, maintain
cash control, provide variance reporting, and control labor and food costs. Each
restaurant transmits its data via a daily polling procedure and it is
accumulated at the principal offices of Rally's. This data is used to analyze
and make decisions about the business. The Company's back office computer system
will be upgraded or replaced in 1999 at a cost estimated at approximately
$500,000.
RESTAURANT DESIGN AND ECONOMICS. Rally's restaurants present a
distinctive design which conveys a message of "clean and fast" to the passing
motorist. The restaurants' typical "double drive-thru" design features
drive-thru windows on both sides of the restaurant for quicker service. While
the restaurants generally do not have an interior dining area, most have a patio
for outdoor eating. These areas contain canopy tables and seats and are
landscaped to create an attractive eating environment. Rally's restaurant
buildings average 600 to 720 square feet depending upon geographic location and
require less property than the traditional eat-in restaurants. As a result of
the small size of the restaurant building, Rally's restaurants generally require
a smaller capital investment and have lower occupancy and operating costs per
restaurant than traditional quick-service competitors. The size of the facility
also permits somewhat greater flexibility with respect to the selection of
prospective sites for restaurants.
During 1998, Rally's continued the test of an indoor seating
environment where a 20 to 50 seat dining room replaced the passenger side
drive-thru lane. As of December 28, 1998, seven units were converted from a
double-drive-thru format to a single drive-thru/indoor seating format. The
preliminary test results have not resulted in a consistent pattern of sales
increases necessary to achieve an attractive economic return. Therefore, Rally's
will be initiating a second phase of the dining room test where indoor seating
will be added while retaining both drive-thru lanes.
During 1998, Rally's opened one new restaurant, closed five
restaurants, and acquired one restaurant from franchisees. The incremental cash
outlay, exclusive of land, of opening the restaurant was reduced due to the use
of surplus assets and was approximately $350,000.
In 1994, the full development cost associated with constructing and
opening a Rally's restaurant (excluding land cost and interest on construction)
was approximately $478,000. When purchased, the majority of real estate sites
have cost between $100,000 and $300,000. As of December 28, 1998, approximately
69% of Company-owned and operated restaurants were located on leased real
estate.
Over the past two years, Rally's has been building stores by either
using surplus equipment and/or surplus modular buildings or purchasing
conversion properties. When using surplus equipment and modular buildings,
Rally's cash outlay has typically been between $250,000 to $350,000. Although
Rally's expects to continue to use excess modular buildings and seek additional
conversion opportunities, Rally's estimates that the cost associated with new
store development will return to the higher pre-slowdown levels where these
alternatives are not practical.
BRAND POSITIONING: QUALITY FOCUS. Rally's is attempting to establish
an overall brand positioning as the quick-service hamburger chain which serves
the best tasting hamburger for a reasonable price in America. This positioning
is supported by:
1. A limited menu of high quality but fairly priced
hamburgers/cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries and
soft drinks, executed via a highly focused operating system.
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2. Television, radio and outdoor advertising which differentiates
Rally's from other quick-service hamburger chains and targets
frequent hamburger consumers.
3. New, visually attractive menu boards, merchandising and packaging
that feature these value based products/brands and ingredients.
This new brand positioning continues to represent a strategic shift
for Rally's away from its prior positioning which had been based primarily on
low prices and quick service. Low prices and quick service are still important
to guests, but the competitive environment has become so price oriented that
basing a brand positioning on low prices is not unique enough to differentiate
Rally's from its competitors. Further, relying too heavily on low prices and
price promotion had a negative financial impact on Rally's, causing higher costs
as a percentage of sales and lower profits. By focusing the brand positioning on
what Rally's believes guests really want from a quick service hamburger
restaurant and on what Rally's can effectively provide - great tasting burgers
at a fair price - Rally's believes that it will be able to effectively
differentiate itself from its competitors and improve its sales and guest count
trends over time.
In 1998 Rally's shifted its hamburger platform to create value options
for its customers. The 3.2 ounce hamburger patty was replaced with a 2.67 ounce
patty and a larger 4.0 ounce patty. The 2.67 ounce hamburger patty allows
Rally's to sell a great $0.99 fully dressed Rallyburger to its customers, while
the larger 4.0 ounce patty allows for an upsell opportunity to the premium Super
Rallyburger sandwich. Additionally, Rally's continues to offer its One of a Kind
Fries(R), a chicken breast sandwich, onion rings, soft drinks and milk shakes. A
limited number of additional products may be offered in some locations from time
to time.
MARKETING PROGRAM. Rally's "best tasting burger" campaign which began
in April 1998 was not successful in substantially increasing sales. Therefore,
in late July 1998, Rally's discontinued this campaign and turned to a new
advertising company, Crispin, Porter & Bogusky of Miami, to develop a strategy
focusing on the freshness of the Rally's products. The current advertising
campaign uses television as the primary medium. In cases where effective levels
of television are not affordable, Rally's may use radio, outdoor or print
advertising.
INFLATION
The Company does not believe inflation has had a material impact on
earnings during the past three years. Substantial increases in costs could have
a significant impact on the Company and the industry. If operating expenses
increase, management believes it can recover increased costs by increasing
prices to the extent deemed advisable considering competition.
SEASONALITY
The seasonality of restaurant sales due to consumer spending habits
can be significantly affected by the timing of advertising, competitive market
conditions and weather related events. While restaurant sales for certain
quarters can be stronger, there is no predominant pattern.
WORKING CAPITAL
Rally's working capital requirements are generally typical of
companies within the quick-service restaurant industry. Rally's does not
normally require large amounts of working capital to maintain operations since
sales are for cash, purchases are on open accounts and meat and produce
inventories are limited to a two to four day supply to assure freshness. During
1997 and 1998, Rally's working capital requirements were substantially reduced
as a result of significant slowdowns in new store construction as compared with
prior years. Additionally, sales of certain assets held for sale, net of
underlying encumbrances, provided another source of working capital. Additional
working capital will be required for the second phase of the indoor dining areas
project. Rally's also plans to utilize working capital to open a limited number
of new restaurants and to remodel an undetermined number of existing restaurants
in fiscal 1999. See "Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
FRANCHISING PROGRAM; AREA DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
The Company offers area development agreements to franchisees for
construction of one or more new restaurants over a defined period of time within
a defined geographic area. The specific restaurant locations selected by
franchisees are subsequently covered by separate franchise agreements. Under the
standard area development agreement, a franchisee is generally required to pay,
at the time the agreement is signed, a non-refundable fee of approximately
$5,000 per potential restaurant in the defined geographic area. The number of
potential restaurants is determined by negotiation between Rally's and the
franchisee. The Company's standard area development agreement also provides for
a franchise fee of approximately $30,000 for each restaurant, which is due when
the franchise agreement with respect to a restaurant is executed. The standard
franchise agreement is for a term of 15 years and provides for payment to
Rally's of royalties equal to 4% of
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sales and minimum marketing expenditures of 4% of sales (1/2% of which is paid
to the Rally's National Advertising Fund). Rally's requires each franchisee to
have an approved full-time Principal Operator who is responsible for the
supervision and conduct of the franchise. As of December 28, 1998, Rally's had
32 franchisees operating 223 restaurants (exclusive of the CKE-operated
restaurants), representing approximately 47.3% of all systemwide restaurants.
EXPANSION STRATEGY
Rally's currently intends to open up to five new restaurants
in existing Company markets in 1999. Currently, existing and new franchisees are
expected to open 10 to 20 locations during 1999. There can be no assurance that
Rally's or its franchisees will be able to open planned new restaurants or that,
if opened, these restaurants can be operated profitably. The Company has pursued
and intends to continue to pursue an expansion strategy, which may include
addition of indoor seating to existing units.
RESTAURANT LOCATIONS
The following table sets forth the number of restaurants in
the Rally's system at December 28, 1998 by state:
COMPANY-OWNED AND OPERATED RESTAURANTS (226)
Michigan (37) Indiana (22) Virginia (13)
Kentucky (31) Missouri (20) Arkansas (10)
Louisiana (23) Florida (16) Illinois (10)
Ohio (23) Alabama (13) Tennessee (8)
FRANCHISED RESTAURANTS (INCLUDING CKE - OPERATED RESTAURANTS) (249)
Ohio (86) Virginia (7) West Virginia (4)
California (50) Arizona (6) Missouri (3)
Indiana (27) Illinois (6) Pennsylvania (3)
Michigan (18) Louisiana (5) Alabama (2)
Kentucky (15) Mississippi (4) Florida (2)
Georgia (7) Tennessee (4)
SITE SELECTION AND CONSTRUCTION
Rally's believes that the location of a Rally's restaurant is very
important to its success. In evaluating particular sites, Rally's uses
demographic data related to quick-service restaurant sales. Sites proposed for
both Company-owned restaurants and franchised restaurants must be accepted by a
committee comprised of most members of Rally's senior management team. The
committee considers, among other factors, the accessibility, visibility, cost,
surrounding traffic patterns and population characteristics of each potential
site.
The Company has prototype plans and approved suppliers for the
construction of its restaurants. Since 1990, Rally's has increasingly used
modular buildings. Prior to that time, "stick" (constructed on-site) buildings
were used almost exclusively.
PURCHASING
Franchisees are required to purchase their equipment, food, beverages
and supplies from Company-approved suppliers. All products must meet
specifications set by Rally's. Management continually monitors the quality of
the food, beverages and supplies provided to the restaurants. Rally's negotiates
directly with wholesale suppliers to ensure consistent quality and freshness of
products throughout the Rally's system and believes that it has obtained
competitive pricing from its suppliers. Rally's currently has approximately 33
major food and paper suppliers and 15 distributors. During the year, Rally's
continued participating with related parties in attempting to leverage aggregate
purchase volumes of common items to obtain more favorable pricing. Rally's
expects these efforts will continue in the future.
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RESTAURANT STAFFING AND TRAINING; FRANCHISE SUPPORT
A typical Rally's restaurant averages a total of 25 employees, which
usually includes two salaried managers. The function of assuring that each
Company-owned restaurant consistently delivers high-quality food and service is
performed by Area Managers. Area Managers report to Regional Vice Presidents.
Area Managers and restaurant management are compensated with a fixed salary plus
a bonus based on the performance of the restaurants under their supervision.
Rally's has one Area Manager for every eight to ten Company restaurants and
approximately ten Area Managers for each Regional Vice President. The Regional
Vice Presidents are employees of Checkers and report to the Chief Operating
Officer of Checkers under the Management Agreement.
The Company believes that training is important to the success of its
restaurant operations. Rally's training programs emphasize quality food
preparation, quick service, cleanliness of restaurants, courteous employees and
consistency of execution.
All General Managers of Company-owned restaurants are required to
complete the Company's training program, which generally consists of five weeks
of hands-on training. The designated operating partner of each franchisee is
required to receive similar training, generally 12 weeks in duration. All
Company and franchise General Managers must generally complete an intensive
six-day "Train the Trainer" program before being certified to train management
personnel in their respective markets. The certification process takes
approximately 30 days to complete. In addition, Rally's sends a training team
consisting of both management and hourly workers to a new franchisee's first
three restaurant openings for a duration of up to two weeks (one week before and
one week after the opening). After a new franchisee opens three restaurants,
Rally's provides this training team as it deems necessary, or upon the
franchisee's request at the franchisee's expense.
The Company employs Franchise Business Managers through the Management
Agreement with Checkers, who act as a link between Rally's and its franchisees.
The Franchise Business Managers perform regularly scheduled restaurant operation
evaluations to ensure that each franchised restaurant consistently delivers high
quality food and fast, friendly service in a clean environment. They also review
the financial results and effectiveness of franchise restaurant management to
identify possible areas of improvement.
COMPETITION
The quick-service restaurant industry is highly competitive and can be
significantly affected by many factors, including changes in local, regional or
national economic conditions, changes in consumer tastes, traffic patterns,
consumer concerns about the nutritional quality of quick-service food and
increases in the number and particular locations of competing quick-service
restaurants. Factors such as inflation, increases in food, labor (including
health care costs) and energy costs and the availability of an adequate number
of hourly-paid employees also affect the quick-service restaurant industry.
Major chains, which have substantially greater financial resources and longer
operating histories than Rally's, dominate the quick-service restaurant
industry. The Company believes that its primary competitors are five national
chains: McDonald's, Wendy's, Hardee's, Burger King and Taco Bell. In certain
markets, Rally's competes with other quick-service double drive-thru hamburger
chains with similar operating concepts. Certain of the major chains have
increasingly offered selected food items and combination meals, including
hamburgers, at discounted prices. Rally's believes that the pricing strategies
of its competitors, in general, had an adverse impact on the Company's
systemwide sales in the last four fiscal years. The pricing or other marketing
strategies of one or more of these competitors could have a continuing adverse
impact on Rally's performance.
With respect to the sale of franchises, Rally's competes with many
franchisors of restaurants, including other double drive-thru franchisors, and
franchisors of other business concepts. Rally's believes it has attracted a
number of franchisees with significant experience in the restaurant industry as
a result of the strength of its concept and operating strategy and the favorable
potential return available from a relatively low capital investment.
In general, there is active competition for management personnel,
capital and attractive commercial real estate sites suitable for restaurants.
EMPLOYEES
As of February 1, 1999, Rally's employed approximately 5,100
employees, substantially all of which are restaurant personnel. On November 30,
1997, Rally's entered into a Management Services Agreement, pursuant to which
predominately all of the management of Checkers manages the corporate and field
operations of the Company.
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Most employees, other than restaurant management and certain corporate
personnel, are paid on an hourly basis. Rally's believes that it provides
working conditions and wages that are comparable with those of other companies
within the quick-service restaurant industry. Rally's employees are not covered
by a collective bargaining agreement.
TRADEMARKS AND SERVICE MARKS
Rally's regards its trademarks and service marks as having significant
value and as being important to its marketing efforts. Rally's has registered
its principal logo Rally's Hamburgers(R) and its design with the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office (the "PTO") on the Principal Register as a service mark for its
restaurant services. Rally's registered One of a Kind Fries(R) with the PTO on
the Principal Register as a trademark for its french fries. The Company also
registered the Rallyburger(R), Rally-Q(R) and Smokin' Sausage(R) with the PTO as
a trademark for these Company sandwiches. Rally's has also filed with the PTO
several applications to register service marks and trademarks used in connection
with its advertising of products and services including the Big Buford(TM)
sandwich. The Company's policy is to pursue registration of its marks whenever
possible and to oppose strenuously any infringement of its marks.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Rally's is subject to Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") regulation and
state laws which regulate the offer and sale of franchises. Rally's is also
subject to a number of state laws which regulate substantive aspects of the
franchisor-franchisee relationship. The FTC's Trade Regulation Rule on
Franchising (the "FTC Rule") requires the Company to furnish to prospective
franchisees a franchise offering circular containing information prescribed by
the FTC Rule. At least fifteen states presently regulate the offer and sale of
franchises and, in almost all cases, require registration of the franchise
offering with state authorities.
State laws that regulate the offer and sale of franchises and/or the
franchisor-franchisee relationship presently exist in a substantial number of
states. Such laws generally require registration of the franchise offering with
state authorities and/or regulate the franchise relationship by, for example,
requiring the franchisor to deal with its franchisees in good faith, prohibiting
interference with the right of free association among franchisees, limiting the
imposition of standards of performance on a franchisee and regulating
discrimination among franchisees in charges, royalties or fees. These laws have
not precluded the Company from seeking franchisees in any given area. Although
such laws may restrict a franchisor in the termination of a franchise agreement
by, for example, requiring "good cause" to exist as a basis for the termination,
advance notice to the franchisee of the termination, an opportunity to cure a
default and repurchase of inventory or other compensation, these provisions have
not had a significant effect on Rally's operations.
Rally's is not aware of any pending franchise legislation which, in
its view, is likely to affect significantly the operations of the Company.
Rally's believes that its operations comply substantially with the FTC Rule and
state franchise laws. Each Company operated and franchised restaurant is subject
to regulation by federal agencies and to licensing and regulation by state and
local health, sanitation, safety, fire and other departments. Difficulties or
failures in obtaining the required licenses or approvals could delay or prevent
the opening of new restaurants.
The Company is subject to federal and state environmental regulations,
although such regulations have not had a material effect on Rally's operations.
More stringent and varied requirements of local governmental bodies with respect
to zoning, land use and environmental factors could delay or prevent development
of new restaurants in particular locations. Rally's is also subject to the Fair
Labor Standards Act and various state laws governing such matters as minimum
wage requirements, overtime and other working conditions and citizenship
requirements. A significant number of the Company's food service personnel are
paid at rates related to the federal minimum wage and increases in the minimum
wage could increase Rally's labor costs.
The restaurant business is subject to extensive federal, state and
local regulations relating to the development and operation of restaurants,
including regulations relating to building and zoning requirements, access to
persons with disabilities, preparation and sale of food and laws governing the
Rally's relationship with its employees, including minimum wage requirements,
overtime and working conditions and citizenship requirements. The failure to
obtain or retain food licenses, or a substantial increase in the minimum wage
rate, could adversely affect the operations of the Company's restaurants.
Rally's believes that it is operating in substantial compliance with applicable
laws and regulations governing its operations.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of December 28, 1998, Rally's owned or leased parcels of land and
buildings for restaurants, either operating, under construction or held for sale
or disposal as follows: Company-owned land (84) and buildings (283); and
Company-leased land (226) and buildings (27). Land leased by Rally's for
restaurants is generally under "triple net" leases that require Rally's to pay
real estate taxes, maintenance and insurance with respect to the premises and,
in some cases, pay
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contingent rentals based on sales in excess of specified amounts. Generally, the
leases have initial terms of five to fifteen years with options to renew for
additional periods which can range from five to twenty years. Rally's also
leases the Louisville office of approximately 18,800 square feet, which has been
subleased subsequent to Rally's transfer of all of its corporate management
functions to Clearwater, Florida in February 1998. See Note 4 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements. Rally's also leases certain temporary storage
facilities for excess modular buildings and surplus equipment.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
JONATHAN MITTMAN ET AL. V. RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC., ET AL. (Case NO.
C-94-0039-L-CS). In January and February 1994, two putative class action
lawsuits were filed, purportedly on behalf of the stockholders of Rally's
Hamburgers Inc. "Rally's", in the United States District Court for the Western
District of Kentucky, Louisville division, against Rally's, Burt Sugarman and
GIANT GROUP, LTD. ("GIANT") and certain of Rally's present and former officers
and directors and its auditors. The cases were subsequently consolidated under
the case name Jonathan Mittman et al vs. Rally's Hamburgers, Inc., et al, case
number C-94-0039-L(CS). The complaints allege defendants violated the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, among other claims, by issuing inaccurate public
statements about the Company in order to arbitrarily inflate the price of its
common stock. The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages. On April 15, 1994,
Rally's filed a motion to dismiss and a motion to strike. On April 5, 1995, the
Court struck certain provisions of the complaint but otherwise denied Rally's
motion to dismiss. In addition, the Court denied plaintiffs' motion for class
certification; the plaintiffs renewed this motion, and despite opposition by the
defendants, the Court granted such motion for class certification on April 16,
1996, certifying a class from July 20, 1992 to September 29, 1993. In October
1995, the plaintiffs filed a motion to disqualify Christensen, Miller, Fink,
Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro, LLP ("Christensen, Miller") as counsel for
defendants based on a purported conflict of interest allegedly arising from the
representation of multiple defendants as well as Ms. Glaser's position as both a
former director of Rally's and a partner in Christensen, Miller. Defendants
filed an opposition to the motion, and the motion to disqualify Christensen,
Miller was denied. A settlement conference occurred on December 7, 1998, but was
unsuccessful. Fact discovery is not yet complete, but it is anticipated that a
deadline for completion of fact discovery will be set during 1999. No trial date
has been set. Management is unable to predict the outcome of this matter at the
present time or whether or not certain available insurance coverages will apply.
The defendants deny all wrongdoing and intend to defend themselves vigorously in
this matter. Because these matters are in a preliminary stage, the Company is
unable to determine whether a resolution adverse to the Company will have a
material effect on its results of operations or financial condition.
Accordingly, no provisions for any liabilities that may result upon adjudication
have been made in the accompanying financial statements. An estimate of defense
costs reimbursable under the Company's directors' and officers' insurance is
included in "Other Assets" in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements.
HARBOR FINANCE PARTNERS V. GIANT GROUP, LTD. ET AL. (Civ. Act. No.
14834). In February 1996, Harbor Finance Partners ("Harbor") commenced a
derivative action, purportedly on behalf of Rally's against GIANT and certain of
Rally's officers and directors before the Delaware Chancery Court. Harbor named
Rally's as a nominal defendant. Harbor claims that the directors and officers of
both Rally's and GIANT, along with GIANT, breached their fiduciary duties to the
public shareholders of Rally's by causing Rally's to repurchase from GIANT
certain Rally's Senior Notes at an inflated price. Harbor seeks "millions of
dollars in damages", along with rescission of the repurchase transaction. In the
fall of 1996, all defendants moved to dismiss the action. The Chancery Court
conducted a hearing on November 26, 1996 and denied the motions to dismiss on
April 3, 1997. Discovery is underway. No trial date has been set. The Company
denies all wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend the action. It is not
possible to predict the outcome of this action at this time.
FIRST ALBANY CORP., AS CUSTODIAN FOR THE BENEFIT OF NATHAN SUCKMAN V.
CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. ET AL. Case No. 16667. This putative class
action was filed on September 29, 1998, in the Delaware Chancery Court in and
for New Castle County, Delaware by an alleged stockholder of 500 shares of the
common stock of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. ("Checkers"). The complaint
names Rally's and certain of its current officers and directors as defendants
including William P. Foley, II, James J. Gillespie, Harvey Fattig, Joseph N.
Stein, James T. Holder, Terry N. Christensen, Burt Sugarman and C. Thomas
Thompson. The Complaint also names Checkers and GIANT as defendants. The
complaint arises out of the proposed merger announced on September 28, 1998
between Rally's, Checkers and GIANT (the "Proposed Merger") and alleges
generally, that certain of the defendants engaged in an unlawful scheme and plan
to permit Rally's to acquire the public shares of the common stock of Checkers
in a "going-private" transaction for grossly inadequate consideration and in
breach of the defendants' fiduciary duties. The plaintiff allegedly initiated
the Complaint on behalf of all stockholders of Checkers as of September 28,
1998, and seeks INTER ALIA, certain declaratory and injunctive relief against
the consummation of the Proposed Merger, or in the event the Proposed Merger is
consummated, recision of the Proposed Merger and costs and disbursements
incurred in connection with bringing the action, including attorney's fees, and
such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. In view of a decision
by Rally's, GIANT and Checkers not to implement the transaction that had been
announced on September 28, 1998, plaintiffs have agreed to provide the Company
and all other defendants with an open extension of time to respond to the
complaint. Plaintiffs have indicated that they will likely file an amended
complaint in the event of the consummation of a merger between Rally's and
Checkers. The Company believes the lawsuit is without
9
<PAGE>
merit and intends to defend it vigorously. No estimate of possible loss or range
of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time.
DAVID J. STEINBERG AND CHAILE B. STEINBERG, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF
OF THOSE SIMILARLY SITUATED V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., ET AL. Case
No. 16680. This putative class action was filed on October 2, 1998, in the
Delaware Chancery Court in and for New Castle County, Delaware by David J.
Steinberg and Chaile B. Steinberg, alleged stockholders of an unspecified number
of shares of the common stock of Checkers. The complaint names Rally's and
certain of its current officers and directors as defendants including William P.
Foley, II, James J. Gillespie, Harvey Fattig, Joseph N. Stein, James T. Holder,
Terry N. Christensen, Burt Sugarman and C. Thomas Thompson. The Complaint also
names Checkers and GIANT as defendants. As with the FIRST ALBANY complaint
described above, this complaint arises out of the proposed merger announced on
September 28, 1998 between Rally's, Checkers and GIANT (the "Proposed Merger")
and alleges generally, that certain of the defendants engaged in an unlawful
scheme and plan to permit Rally's to acquire the public shares of the Checkers'
common stock in a "going-private" transaction for grossly inadequate
consideration and in breach of the defendant's fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs
allegedly initiated the Complaint on behalf of all stockholders of Checkers as
of September 28, 1998, and seeks INTER ALIA, certain declaratory and injunctive
relief against the consummation of the Proposed Merger, or in the event the
Proposed Merger is consummated, recision of the Proposed Merger and costs and
disbursements incurred in connection with bringing the action, including
attorneys' fees, and such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper.
For the reasons stated above in the description of the FIRST ALBANY action,
plaintiffs have agreed to provide the Company and all other defendants with an
open extension of time to respond to the complaint. Plaintiffs have indicated
that they will likely file an amended complaint in the event of the consummation
of a merger between Rally's and Checkers. The Company believes the lawsuit is
without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. No estimate of possible loss
or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time.
The Company is involved in other litigation matters incidental to its
business. With respect to such other lawsuits, management does not believe the
litigation in which it is involved will have a material effect upon its results
of operation or financial condition.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the National Market System of
the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol "RLLY". As of February 22, 1999, there
were approximately 1,559 record holders of the Company's Common Stock. The table
below sets forth the high and low sales prices of the Company's Common Stock, as
reported on the NASDAQ National Market System, for each quarter during the last
two years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998
Quarter ended MARCH 23 JUNE 15 SEPTEMBER 7 DECEMBER 28
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
High $ 3 1/8 $ 2 15/16 $ 2 1/8 $ 1 3/16
Low 2 1/4 2 29/32 15/32
1997
Quarter ended MARCH 30 JUNE 29 SEPTEMBER 28 DECEMBER 28
High $ 5 $ 3 13/16 $ 4 $ 4 5/8
Low 2 3/8 1 15/16 1 7/8 2
</TABLE>
On December 18, 1997, the Company issued 3,909,336 shares of Rally's
common stock and 45,667 shares of Rally's preferred stock pursuant to the
Exchange Agreement (see Item 8, Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated
financial statements), in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933. The Company received approximately 19.1 million shares
of Checkers common stock in exchange for the Rally's common stock and the
Rally's preferred stock. The Rally's preferred stock was converted into
4,566,700 shares of Rally's common stock in 1998 upon approval of such
conversion by Rally's stockholders. The terms of the Rally's preferred stock was
set forth in Exhibit B to the Exchange Agreement. The parties to the Exchange
Agreement include CKE, GIANT, and Fidelity. For a list of the other purchasers,
see Exhibit A to the Exchange Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the
Company's 1997 Form 10-K.
Rally's has not declared or paid any dividends on its common stock, and
does not intend to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. The
Company currently intends to retain any earnings for the future operation and
development of its business. Any determination to pay dividends in the future
will be at the discretion of Rally's Board of Directors and will be dependent
upon the Company's results of operations, financial condition, capital
expenditures, working capital requirements, any contractual restrictions and
other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. Furthermore, under the
terms of the Indenture governing the 9 7/8% Senior Notes due 2000, Rally's is
not permitted to pay any dividends on the Common Stock unless certain income
tests are met.
10
<PAGE>
In November, 1998, Rally's received notice from NASDAQ that delisting
could occur on February 22, 1999 if the Company's common stock failed to
maintain a closing bid greater than or equal to $1.00 for ten consecutive
trading days during the subsequent 90-day period. As Rally's stock price did not
meet the criteria, management has requested an oral hearing to present a plan of
action to NASDAQ to regain compliance with this standard. This hearing will be
held on April 23, 1999 at which time management will present the Merger with
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and a subsequent one-for-twelve reverse
stock split.
11
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data was derived from the
consolidated financial statements of Rally's and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
This data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements of Rally's and the notes thereto, and the information contained in
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" appearing elsewhere herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands, except per share amounts and statistical data)
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29, DECEMBER 31, JANUARY 1,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1995
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Systemwide sales (1) $ 286,876 $ 290,133 $ 316,670 $ 355,719 $ 370,087
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Company restaurant sales $ 139,602 $ 139,350 $ 156,445 $ 181,778 $ 178,476
Other revenues 5,350 5,580 6,307 7,081 7,842
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total revenues 144,952 144,930 162,752 188,859 186,318
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(Loss) income from operations (2) (618) 3,320 4,090 (36,470) (14,636)
Other expenses (6,665) (7,381) (8,057) (9,910) (9,619)
Loss before taxes (7,283) (4,061) (3,967) (46,380) (24,255)
Tax provision (benefit) 252 455 (675) 539 (4,982)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Loss before extraordinary items (7,535) (4,516) (3,292) (46,919) (19,273)
Extraordinary items (3) -- -- 5,280 -- --
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ (7,535) $ (4,516) $ 1,988 $ (46,919) $ (19,273)
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Income (loss) per common share:
Loss before extraordinary items $ (0.28) $ (0.22) $ (0.19) $ (3.00) $ (1.42)
Extraordinary item -- -- 0.31 -- --
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) per common share $ (0.28) $ (0.22) $ 0.12 $ (3.00) $ (1.42)
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted average shares outstanding 27,170 20,709 17,007 15,620 13,564
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Total assets $ 123,306 $ 134,297 $ 112,258 $ 137,392 $ 169,416
Long-term debt and obligations under
capital leases, including current portion $ 70,307 $ 68,444 $ 69,654 $ 97,958 $ 94,141
Cash dividends declared per common share $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Restaurants open at end of period:
Company 226 229 209 239 250
Franchised 249 248 258 242 292
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total 475 477 467 481 542
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
<FN>
(1) Systemwide sales consist of aggregate revenues of Company-owned and
franchised restaurants (including CKE-operated restaurants).
(2) The fiscal year ended January 1, 1995 includes approximately $17.3 million
charged against operations for changes in business strategies. The fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995 includes approximately $17.3 million charged
against operations for changes in business strategies and restaurant
closings and approximately $13.7 million related to Rally's implementation
of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121.
(3) The extraordinary item for the fiscal year ended December 29, 1996 was a
gain on the early retirement of debt, net of tax expense of $1,350,000.
</FN>
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The principal business of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. (the "Company",
"Rally's") is the operation and franchising of Rally's restaurants. At December
28, 1998, the Rally's system included 475 restaurants, comprised of 226
Company-owned and operated, 249 franchised restaurants, including 26
Company-owned restaurants in Western markets which are operated as Rally's
restaurants by CKE Restaurants, Inc. ("CKE"), a significant shareholder of the
Company, under an operating agreement which began in July, 1996. Two additional
Company-owned stores covered by the operating agreement have been converted to
the Carl's Jr. format and are not included in the above store count.
As of December 29, 1997 Rally's changed from a fiscal year ending on
the Sunday closest to December 31st to a fiscal year ending on the Monday
closest to December 31st. This resulted in an extra day in fiscal 1998. Rally's
also changed its quarterly reporting periods from four 13-week quarters to three
12-week quarters and a 16-week fourth quarter.
On November 30, 1997, a Management Services Agreement was established
between Rally's and Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. ("Checkers") pursuant to
which Checkers is providing accounting, information technology and other
management services to Rally's. At the same time, a new management team was
hired to provide the operational and functional expertise necessary to explore
the opportunities and potential synergies available to both companies. The
relationship between Rally's and Checkers provided reductions in general and
administrative expenses for both companies. Rally's corporate office in
Louisville, Kentucky was closed and as were various regional offices of both
companies. The Management Services Agreement also provided for the supervision
of both Checkers and Rally's operations by a single Regional Vice President,
which increased spans of control with fewer personnel. The number of markets
that contain both Checkers and Rally's units is limited and no markets in which
either company utilizes broadcast media is shared. Therefore, the companies
combined their advertising creative and media buying with one agency in August
of 1998 which resulted in similar commercials running for both companies with
savings of agency fees and production costs. Although both companies have
benefited greatly by participating in the purchasing cooperative with CKE
Restaurants, Inc., further savings were realized during the year as product
specifications were matched where possible.
On January 29, 1999, Rally's and Checkers announced the signing of a
definitive merger agreement pursuant to which both companies would merge in an
all stock transaction, (the "Merger"). The Merger agreement provides that each
outstanding share of Rally's stock will be exchanged for 1.99 shares of Checkers
stock. The approximate 19.1 million shares of Checkers common stock which
Rally's owns will be retired following the Merger. See Item 1. "Business -
Recent Developments".
Comparable store sales at Rally's were 1.8% below the prior year.
Although sales continued to decline on a same store basis, the decrease in 1998
was the smallest in four years. Product innovations during the year included the
shift from a 3.2 ounce hamburger patty to a two-patty platform featuring a 2.67
ounce patty and a 4.3 ounce patty. The 2.67 ounce patty allows Rally's to sell a
fully-dressed Rallyburger for $0.99 while also offering the Super Rallyburger
that utilizes the larger patty for a premium price. This change was necessary to
ensure that Rally's can remain competitive as food and labor costs continue to
escalate.
Critical to the success of these and other menu offerings was the
operational and marketing focus on serving fresh food. The transition to a new
advertising agency resulted in the utilization of a new positioning statement
"Fresh, because we just made it" to emphasize the commitment to serve fresh hot
food to every customer. This message was primarily communicated to consumers via
television advertising.
Although Rally's debt level is still high, the Company has made
substantial progress in improving its balance sheet and reducing fixed costs.
Interest cost was reduced by approximately $300,000 in 1998 after decreasing
$1.2 million in 1997 and $2.1 million in 1996. Interest was significantly
reduced through the retirement of approximately $22 million face value of the
Company's Senior Notes in January 1996 and an additional $4.7 million during the
fourth quarter of 1996. In addition, $10.8 million in gross proceeds were
generated through the Company's rights offering completed in September, 1996.
The proceeds from the offering were used to pay off debt of approximately $4.5
million and the remainder was used for new store construction, refurbishment of
some existing restaurants and for other general corporate purposes. Outstanding
warrants from a rights offering and from a separate issuance of 1,500,000
additional warrants in December, 1996, (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources")
if exercised, would raise an additional $17.4 million in cash proceeds. Rally's
is currently evaluating its options to determine the optimal manner in which to
refinance or retire the Senior Notes.
The Company's revenues are derived primarily from Company-owned
restaurant sales and royalty fees from franchisees. Rally's also receives
revenues from the award of exclusive rights to develop Rally's restaurants in
certain geographic areas (area development fees) and the award of licenses to
use the Rally's brand and confidential operating system
13
<PAGE>
(franchise fees). Company revenue also includes payments resulting from an
operating agreement with CKE, referred to as Owner fee income in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements. Restaurant cost of sales,
restaurant operating expenses, depreciation and amortization, and advertising
and promotion expenses relate directly to Company-owned restaurants. General and
administrative expenses relate to both Company-owned restaurants and franchise
operations. Owner expenses relate to CKE-operated restaurants and consist
primarily of depreciation and amortization.
The table below sets forth the percentage relationship to total
revenues, unless otherwise indicated, of certain items included in Rally's
consolidated statements of income and operating data for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
----------------------------------------
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES:
Restaurant sales 96.3% 96.2% 96.1%
Franchise revenues and fees 3.2% 3.3% 3.6%
Owner fee income 0.5% 0.5% 0.3%
----- ----- -----
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
===== ===== =====
COST AND EXPENSES:
Restaurant food and paper costs (1) 31.8% 32.3% 34.3%
Restaurant labor costs (1) 30.5% 29.8% 31.1%
Restaurant occupancy expense (1) 5.3% 4.7% 4.5%
Restaurant depreciation and amortization (1) 5.2% 5.1% 4.9%
Other restaurant operating expenses (1) 8.8% 9.2% 9.5%
Advertising expense (1) 7.1% 7.4% 5.0%
Owner depreciation (2) 90.6% 84.3% 90.9%
Other depreciation and amortization 1.7% 1.8% 1.4%
General and administrative expenses 9.2% 10.4% 9.9%
Impairment of long-lived assets 1.2% 0.0% 0.0%
Losses on assets to be disposed of 1.1% 0.1% 0.0%
----- ----- -----
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 1.0% 2.3% 2.5%
Loss (income) net of amortization on investment in affiliate 1.4% 0.5% 0.0%
Other income (expense) (4.6)% (4.6)% (4.9)%
----- ----- -----
Net loss before income taxes
and extraordinary items (5.0)% (2.8)% (2.5)%
NET INCOME (LOSS) (5.2)% (3.1)% 1.2%
===== ===== =====
Number of restaurants (company-owned and franchised):
Restaurants open at the beginning of period 477 467 481
----- ----- -----
Company restaurants opened (closed or
transferred), net during period (3) 20 (30)
Franchised restaurants opened (closed or
transferred), net during period 1 (10) 16
----- ----- -----
Total restaurants opened (closed or
transferred), net during period (2) 10 (14)
----- ----- -----
Total restaurants open at end of period 475 477 467
===== ===== =====
<FN>
- --------------------------
(1) As a percentage of restaurant sales.
(2) As a percentage of owner fee income.
</FN>
</TABLE>
14
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
COMPARISON OF HISTORICAL RESULTS - FISCAL YEARS 1998 AND 1997
REVENUES. Total revenues in 1998 of $145.0 million were consistent
with 1997 total revenues of $144.9 million. Company operated restaurant sales of
$139.6 million were also consistent with the prior year sales of $139.3 million.
Sales at comparable stores, which include only the units that were in operation
for the full years being compared, decreased 1.8% in 1998 as compared with 1997.
Also impacting the year to year comparison was the sales increase of $4.1
million associated with 21 units that were opened or transferred from
franchisees during 1997 and 1998 offset by the sales decrease of $1.6 million
related to six units that were closed during 1998.
Franchise revenues and fees decreased 4.2% in 1998 from approximately
$4.8 million in 1997 to $4.6 million in 1998. The decrease is primarily
attributable to lower average sales levels in franchised units.
COSTS AND EXPENSES. Restaurant food and paper costs decreased to 31.8%
of restaurant sales in 1998 compared with 32.3% in 1997. Rally's continued to
benefit from its participation in the purchasing co-op with CKE Restaurants,
Inc., Santa Barbara Restaurant Group, Inc. and Checkers. In addition, food and
papers costs as a percentage of sales also decreased due to limited price
increases to certain combo items that were taken in 1998.
Restaurant labor costs, which include restaurant employees' salaries,
wages, benefits, bonuses and related taxes totaled $42.6 million or 30.5% of
restaurant sales for 1998 compared with $41.5 million or 29.8% for 1997. The
increase as a percentage of sales is due in part to the inefficiencies
associated with operating the restaurants at lower sales levels. In addition,
incremental labor was strategically added to focus on speed of service
improvements in 1998.
Restaurant occupancy expense, which includes rent, property taxes,
licenses and insurance totaled $7.3 million or 5.3% of restaurant sales in 1998
compared with $6.5 million or 4.7% in 1997. Restaurant occupancy expense
increased as a percentage of restaurant sales due primarily to the decline in
average restaurant sales relative to the fixed and semi-variable nature of these
expenses.
Restaurant depreciation and amortization of $7.2 million in 1998 was
consistent with the expense of $7.1 million in 1997. Additional expense
associated with Company operated restaurants that opened during 1998 and 1997
was offset by the closure of eight restaurants during 1998 and the impact of
certain assets becoming fully depreciated.
Other restaurant operating expenses include all other restaurant level
operating expenses other than food and paper costs, labor and benefits, rent and
other occupancy costs and specifically includes utilities, maintenance and other
costs. These expenses totaled $12.2 million or 8.8% of restaurant sales in 1998
compared with $12.8 million or 9.2% in 1997. The decrease as a percent of sales
was due primarily to reduced maintenance expenses during 1998.
Advertising expense decreased approximately $489,000 to $9.9 million
or 7.1% of restaurant sales for 1998 compared with 7.4% for 1997.
Owner depreciation and amortization was $647,000 in 1998 compared to
$627,000 in 1997. The increase of $20,000 was primarily due to the addition of
two CKE operated restaurants in 1998.
General and administrative expenses decreased $1.7 million in 1998 due
to savings experienced as a result of Management Services Agreement with
Checkers and the impact of $940,000 in 1997 associated with warrants that were
issued to CKE and Fidelity National Financial, Inc (Fidelity), on December 20,
1996.
The loss on investment in affiliate of $2.0 million represents Rally's
share of the loss of Checkers ($1.4 million) and the amortization of related
goodwill ($627,000).
Impairment of long-lived assets of $1.7 million representing the
write-down of $590,000 of property and equipment and $1.1 million of intangibles
was recorded during 1998 related to four under-performing sites. No such charges
were made in 1997. Losses on assets to be disposed of in the amounts of $1.6
million and $158,000 were recorded in 1998 and 1997, respectively, to provide
for the estimated losses on disposal for current year closures and the
additional carrying costs of closed restaurants until eventual disposal.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense decreased 3.9% to approximately
$7.1 million for 1998 as compared to $7.4 million for 1997 primarily due to
repurchases of Senior Notes that occurred during 1998.
15
<PAGE>
INTEREST INCOME. Interest income was lower for 1998 as compared to
1997 due to decreases in the average daily invested amounts.
INCOME TAX. The Company's 1998 tax provision was approximately
$252,000 representing estimated state taxes versus a prior year net tax
provision of $455,000.
COMPARISON OF HISTORICAL RESULTS - FISCAL YEARS 1997 AND 1996
REVENUES. Total revenues decreased 11% to $144.9 million in 1997
compared with $162.8 million in 1996. Company operated restaurant sales
decreased 11% to $139.3 million from $156.4 million in 1996. Sales at comparable
stores, which include only the units that were in operation for the full years
being compared, decreased 9.2% in 1997 as compared with 1996. During 1997,
Rally's opened 9 new restaurants, reopened three restaurants previously closed,
acquired 11 restaurants from franchisees, closed 2 units and transferred 1
restaurant to a franchisee.
Franchise revenues and fees decreased 17.5% in 1997 to approximately
$4.8 million from approximately $5.9 million in 1996. Franchisees, exclusive of
CKE, opened 19 new units, acquired 1 unit from the Company, closed 19 units and
transferred ownership of 11 restaurants to the Company.
COSTS AND EXPENSES. Restaurant food and paper costs decreased to 32.3%
in 1997 compared with 34.3% in 1996. The decrease was attributable primarily to
various cost reduction actions taken during 1997 and the second half of 1996.
Management's efforts to improve food and paper costs by implementing tighter
operational controls was supplemented by cost of sales reductions realized by
cooperating with CKE Restaurants, Inc. and Checkers to leverage the purchasing
power of the three entities to negotiate improved terms for their respective
contracts with suppliers.
Restaurant labor costs, which include restaurant employees' salaries,
wages, benefits, bonuses and related taxes totaled $41.5 million or 29.8% of
restaurant sales for 1997 compared with $48.6 million or 31.1% for 1996. The
improvement is primarily attributable to reductions in management and crew labor
that resulted from implemented changes in staffing levels and labor deployment.
Restaurant occupancy expense, which includes rent, property taxes,
licenses and insurance totaled $6.5 million or 4.7% of restaurant sales in 1997
compared with $7.1 million or 4.5% in 1996. Restaurant occupancy expense
increased as a percentage of restaurant sales due primarily to the decline in
average restaurant sales relative to the fixed and semi-variable nature of these
expenses.
Restaurant depreciation and amortization decreased to $7.1 million in
1997 as compared with $7.7 million for the prior year. The decrease was
primarily due to a segregation of the expense associated with the CKE-operated
properties into owner depreciation and amortization as of July 1, 1996 and
certain assets becoming fully depreciated during 1997.
Other restaurant operating expenses include all other restaurant level
operating expenses other than food and paper costs, labor and benefits, rent and
other occupancy costs and specifically includes utilities, maintenance and other
costs. These expenses totaled $12.8 million or 9.2% of restaurant sales in 1997
compared with $14.9 million or 9.5% in 1996.
Advertising expense increased approximately $2.5 million to 7.4% of
restaurant sales for 1997 compared with 5.0% for 1996. During the first quarter
of 1997, Rally's initiated a new campaign that made greater use of television
advertising than in previous years which contributed to the increased cost.
Media expenditures were curtailed during the fourth quarter of 1996 as
management worked with the new advertising agency on new creative and brand
positioning.
Owner depreciation was $627,000 in 1997 compared to $400,000 in 1996.
General and administrative expenses decreased $1.0 million in 1997 due
primarily to reductions in the corporate and field operations staff and lower
levels of bad debt expense, partially offset by higher legal fees.
During the fourth quarter of 1997, Rally's recorded loss on investment
in affiliate of $720,000 based upon its share of the losses of Checkers for
December 1997 and the amortization of related goodwill.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense decreased 13.8% to approximately
$7.4 million for 1997 as compared to $8.6 million for 1996 primarily due to the
early extinguishment of debt during the fourth quarter of 1996.
16
<PAGE>
INTEREST INCOME. Interest income was higher for 1997 as compared to
1996 due to increases in the average daily invested amounts.
INCOME TAX. The Company's 1997 tax provision was approximately
$455,000 representing estimated state taxes versus a prior year net tax
provision of $675,000 (obtained by netting the tax benefit line with the tax
expense of $1.4 million which has been netted against the extraordinary gain).
Of the prior year net amount, $575,000 related to state taxes expected to be
payable and $100,000 related to reduction of an IRS receivable for a NOL
carryback to 1987, 1988 and 1989.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Rally's cash flow from operating activity was approximately $2.5
million for 1998 compared with approximately $8.3 million for 1997. The notable
decrease in 1998 from 1997 resulted primarily from decreased balances in
accounts payable and accrued liabilities compared to the prior year.
Capital expenditures of approximately $2.3 million for 1998 were
funded primarily through cash flow from operations. Approximately $848,000 of
these expenditures were for the construction or conversion of new stores in
1998. Additionally, in 1998, $692,000 was spent to add dining rooms to four test
units. Remaining capital expenditures in 1998 of $760,000 were primarily for the
purchase and installation of certain replacement equipment.
In January 1996, Rally's repurchased approximately $22 million face
value of its 9 7/8% Senior Notes due in the year 2000. The Senior Notes were
purchased from GIANT GROUP, LTD. ("GIANT") at a price of $678.75 per $1,000
principal amount, representing the market closing price on the last business day
prior to the repurchase date. Prior to the Senior Notes repurchases, the
Company's Board of Directors had received an independent opinion from an
investment banking firm as to the fairness of the transactions. Additionally,
during the fourth quarter of 1996, Rally's repurchased approximately $4.7
million face value of the Senior Notes from various other bondholders for
approximately $4.5 million in cash.
During 1998 and prior to December 18, 1998, Rally's repurchased on the
open market approximately $1.7 million face value of its Senior Notes at an
average price of $887.90 per $1,000 principal amount. During the third quarter
of 1998, the Company completed the required mandatory sinking fund payment due
June 15, 1999 calculated to retire 33 1/3% in aggregate original principal
amount of the Senior Notes.
On December 18, 1998, Rally's entered into a $4.3 million mortgage
transaction with FFCA Acquisition Corporation pursuant to which eight fee-owned
properties were mortgaged. The terms of the transaction include a stated
interest rate of 9.5% on the unpaid balance over a 20 year term with monthly
payments totaling approximately $40,000. Rally's is required to utilize the
entire net proceeds to reduce the Senior Notes. Purchases on the open market
were initiated immediately after the mortgage was finalized and will be
completed as they become available on the open market. As of March 5, 1999, the
Company had utilized $2.7 million of the proceeds to repurchase $3.1 million
face value of the Senior Notes.
The Company is actively marketing the assets included in the caption
"Assets held for sale" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and
expects realization in cash over the next 12 months, although actual timing of
such cash flows cannot be predicted. The assets contained in this caption are
recorded at management's current estimate of fair market value less costs to
sell. There can be no assurances that these values will be realized.
On July 1, 1996, Rally's entered into a ten-year operating agreement
with Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., a subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc.
(collectively referred to as "CKE"). Pursuant to the agreement, 27 (2 of which
have been converted to a Carl's Jr. format) Rally's-owned restaurants located in
California and Arizona are being operated by CKE. The Company retains ownership
in the restaurants and receives from CKE a percentage of gross revenues referred
to in the financial statements as owner fee income. This income is offset by the
Company's segregated ownership costs related to these units, referred to as
owner depreciation in the financial statements and consists primarily of noncash
expenses of depreciation and amortization. The agreement has improved cash flow,
generating approximately $714,000 in 1998 and $790,000 in 1997.
Rally's completed its shareholder rights offering on September 20,
1996. The offering raised over $10.8 million in gross proceeds, offset by legal
and other issuance costs of approximately $437,000. In addition to the
approximate $10.8 million of gross proceeds provided by the offering, the
warrants, if exercised, would provide approximately $10.8 million for the
Company's future growth. The proceeds from the offering were used in 1997 to
retire debt of approximately $4.5 million and the remainder was used primarily
in 1997 for new store construction, refurbishment of some existing restaurants
and for other general corporate purposes.
17
<PAGE>
On October 21, 1996, Rally's was notified by the indenture trustee
that the noteholder consent it had been soliciting had been approved by the
required majority of the holders of record of its 9 7/8% Senior Notes due 2000.
The consent will allow two of the Company's current stockholders, CKE and
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and/or their affiliates, to acquire 35% or
more of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock without triggering
"Change in control" provisions requiring Rally's to offer to purchase the Senior
Notes at 101% of their face value. This gives Rally's greater flexibility to
raise capital in the future, and it gives two of its largest stockholders the
ability to increase their investment in the Company.
On December 1, 1998, the Company entered into two lease agreements,
which have been recorded as capital lease obligations, with Granite Financial
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity, whereby the Company leased security
equipment for its restaurants costing $627,000. The first lease agreement is
payable monthly at $9,689, including effective interest at 11.35%. The second
lease is payable monthly at $11,097, including effective interest at 12.39% and
both have terms of 3 years.
On December 20, 1996, Rally's issued warrants (the "Warrants") to
purchase an aggregate of 1,500,000 restricted shares of its Common Stock to CKE
and Fidelity National Financial, Inc. The Warrants have a three-year term and
became exercisable on December 20, 1997. The exercise price is $4.375 per share,
the closing price of the Common Stock on December 20, 1996. The underlying
shares of Common Stock have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and, therefore, are not freely tradable. If exercised, the Warrants
would provide approximately $6.6 million in additional capital to Rally's. See
Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further
discussion.
Management has plans in place to improve profitability and cash flows
from operations. The Company believes existing cash balances and cash flow from
operations should be sufficient to fund its current operations and obligations
for the remainder of fiscal year 1999. The ability of the Company to satisfy its
obligations under the Senior Notes, however, continues to be dependent upon,
among other factors, the Company successfully increasing revenues and profits.
In addition, the Company is evaluating other alternatives for the repayment and
refinancing of the Senior Notes. If the Company is unable to refinance the debt
in full, management of the Company is evaluating a series of sale-leaseback
transactions and the possibility of selling company-owned stores in certain
markets to existing and potentially new franchisees. Management also anticipates
that further debt reductions may also be accomplished by completing a private
placement of preferred or common stock during the twelve months preceding the
maturity date of the Senior Notes. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to satisfy the entire principal balance of the Senior Notes on the
maturity date of June 15, 2000.
YEAR 2000
The Year 2000 problem arose because many existing computer programs
use only the last two digits to refer to a year. Therefore, these computer
programs do not properly recognize a year that begins with "20" instead of "19".
Pursuant to the terms of the Management Services Agreement that exists between
Rally's and Checkers, the information technology department of Checkers has
completed an assessment of all known internal Information Technology (IT)
systems of Rally's and Checkers to document the state of readiness.
Administrative services such as accounting and payroll are provided to
Rally's by Checkers. Checkers utilizes accounting software packages such as
Lawson (general ledger/accounts payable) and Cyborg (payroll) that require
periodic upgrades to benefit from the latest modifications to the programs.
Typically, all releases of such upgrades must be implemented, eliminating a
company's ability to move directly to the most recent release. During 1998,
Checkers successfully implemented all required releases of both Lawson and
Cyborg that preceded the Year 2000 compliant release. The consulting and
training required for the next Lawson and Cyborg upgrades are underway with
targeted implementation dates during the second quarter of 1999 at a total cost
to Rally's of approximately $50,000. Costs of replacing certain desktop
computers and other required modifications at the corporate office are not
expected to exceed $70,000. Pursuant to the Management Services Agreement that
exists between Rally's and Checkers, the costs of compliance of shared corporate
office systems are allocated between the two companies.
An assessment of the computer systems utilized at the store level has
also been completed. While the cash registers that are used for each transaction
are Year 2000 compliant, the back-office computer and related software is not.
The back-office computer is utilized for capturing and controlling such items as
payroll and food cost and is required to sustain communication of this and other
data to the corporate office. The Company has scheduled the purchase of new
computer systems and the installation of the software currently utilized by the
Checkers restaurants. Final testing of this software will be complete during the
first quarter of 1999 and completion of the rollout is expected by August 31,
1999. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $500,000.
18
<PAGE>
Rally's is continuing to identify third parties that must be Year 2000
compliant to ensure the continued success of our operations. Letters have been
drafted to send to companies that provide financial services, utilities,
inventory preparation and distribution and other key services. This
communication will be initiated during the first quarter of 1999. Rally's has
not been notified of any anticipated Year 2000 related failures by these third
parties but it can not be assured that all such entities will be operable on
January 1, 2000.
Although the Company's systems are not currently fully Year 2000
compliant, management feels that risk in this area is minimal. The most
significant exposure exists in the planned rollout of a back-office computer
system at the store level. Failure to complete this project in a timely manner
would require the temporary installation of a manual payroll system at the store
level and the food cost controls that are provided by the current and proposed
systems would be lost resulting in higher cost of sales. As the cash registers
would remain operable, the Company's restaurants would remain open for business.
If Checkers is unable to implement the upgrade to the payroll system,
Rally's would be able to utilize a third party to process payroll at a cost of
approximately $125,000 per year. Contingency plans related to the accounting
software package are still under development.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITIVE AND QUALITIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKETS RISK.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN BY THE COMPANY CONTAINS, AND FROM TIME TO
TIME THE COMPANY MAY DISSEMINATE MATERIAL AND MAKE STATEMENTS WHICH MAY CONTAIN
"FORWARD-LOOKING" INFORMATION, AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED BY THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 (THE "ACT"). THESE CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS ARE BEING
MADE PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT AND WITH THE INTENTION OF OBTAINING
THE BENEFITS OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE ACT. THE COMPANY CAUTIONS
INVESTORS THAT ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MADE BY THE COMPANY ARE NOT
GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE AND THAT ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY
FROM THOSE IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF VARIOUS FACTORS,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
(I) THE COMPANY COMPETES WITH NUMEROUS WELL ESTABLISHED COMPETITORS
WHO HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND LONGER
OPERATING HISTORIES THAN THE COMPANY. COMPETITORS HAVE
INCREASINGLY OFFERED SELECTED FOOD ITEMS AND COMBINATION MEALS,
INCLUDING HAMBURGERS, AT DISCOUNTED PRICES, AND CONTINUED
DISCOUNTING BY COMPETITORS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT REVENUES AND
PROFITABILITY OF COMPANY RESTAURANTS.
(II) THE COMPANY WILL BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED IF THE COMPANY IS UNABLE
TO REVERSE DECLINING SAME STORE SALES. SALES INCREASES WILL BE
DEPENDENT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ON THE SUCCESS OF COMPANY
ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION OF NEW AND EXISTING MENU ITEMS. NO
ASSURANCES CAN BE GIVEN THAT SUCH ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS WILL
IN FACT BE SUCCESSFUL.
THE COMPANY MAY ALSO BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY OTHER FACTORS COMMON TO
THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY SUCH AS CHANGES IN CONSUMER TASTES AWAY FROM RED MEAT
AND FRIED FOODS; INCREASES IN THE COSTS OF FOOD, PAPER, LABOR, HEALTH CARE,
WORKERS' COMPENSATION OR ENERGY; AN INADEQUATE NUMBER OF HOURLY PAID EMPLOYEES;
AND/OR DECREASES IN THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE CAPITAL RESOURCES. OTHER
FACTORS WHICH MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE COMPANY INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, GENERAL
ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS CONDITIONS; AVAILABILITY, LOCATIONS, AND TERMS OF SITES
FOR RESTAURANT DEVELOPMENT; CHANGES IN BUSINESS STRATEGY OR DEVELOPMENT PLANS;
QUALITY OF MANAGEMENT; AVAILABILITY, TERMS AND DEPLOYMENT OF CAPITAL; THE
RESULTS OF FINANCING EFFORTS; BUSINESS ABILITIES AND JUDGEMENT OF PERSONNEL;
AVAILABILITY OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL; CHANGES IN, OR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH,
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS; IMPACT OF YEAR 2000; CONTINUED NASDAQ LISTING; WEATHER
CONDITIONS; CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULES AND OTHER FACTORS REFERENCED IN THIS FORM
10-K.
19
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Company's Financial Statements included in Item 8
hereof, as required, consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Reports 21
Consolidated balance sheets - December 28, 1998 and December 28, 1997 23
Consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income -
Years ended December 28, 1998, December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996 25
Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity -
Years ended December 28, 1998, December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996 26
Consolidated statements of cash flows -
Years ended December 28, 1998, December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996 27
Notes to consolidated financial statements -
Years ended December 28, 1998, December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996 28
</TABLE>
20
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Rally's Hamburgers, Inc.:
We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of Rally's Hamburgers,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 28, 1998 and the related consolidated
statement of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for the year ended December 28, 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 audit.
We conducted our audit 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 audit provides 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
Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 28, 1998 and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 28,
1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Tampa, Florida
February 26, 1999
21
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Rally's Hamburgers, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Rally's
Hamburgers, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 28,
1997 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two fiscal years in
the period ended December 28, 1997. 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
did not audit the financial statements of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
(Checkers), the investment in which is reflected in the accompanying financial
statements using the equity method of accounting. The investment in Checkers
represents 19 percent of the Company's total assets as of December 28, 1997, and
the equity in its net loss represents 16 percent of the Company's 1997 net loss.
The statements of Checkers were audited by other auditors whose report has been
furnished to us and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included
for Checkers, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
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, based on our audit and the report of other auditors, the
financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
December 28, 1997, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the two fiscal years in the period ended December 28, 1997, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Louisville, Kentucky
February 27, 1998
22
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)
ASSETS
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28,
1998 1997
----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,601 4,008
Restricted cash 1,880 1,380
Investments 47 446
Accounts receivable, net 2,597 1,949
Notes receivable, net 153 --
Inventory 1,017 1,052
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 310 1,057
Property and equipment held for sale 1,131 1,076
-------- --------
Total current assets 11,736 10,968
Property and equipment, net 61,914 68,067
Investment in affiliate, net of accumulated amortization 23,001 24,988
Notes receivable, net 375 872
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $3,062 and $2,811, respectively 8,477 9,913
Reacquired franchise and territory rights, net of accumulated amortization
of $4,129 and $2,991, respectively 11,620 12,758
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $1,470 and $2,894,
respectively 3,783 4,334
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $285 and $1,400,
respectively 2,400 2,397
-------- --------
$123,306 $134,297
======== ========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28,
1998 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 3,686 $ 7,076
Accrued wages, salaries and benefits 1,825 2,262
Reserves for restaurant relocations and abandoned sites 3,148 1,665
Accrued liabilities 5,716 8,596
Current maturities of long-term debt and obligations under capital lease 1,490 1,194
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities 15,865 20,793
Senior notes, net of discount of $59 and $321, respectively 55,768 58,005
Long-term debt, less current maturities 7,819 4,017
Obligations under capital lease, less current maturities 5,230 5,228
Long-term reserves for restaurant relocations and adandoned sites 2,275 3,655
Other noncurrent liabilities 1,830 1,086
--------- ---------
Total liabilities 88,787 92,784
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred Stock, $.10 par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares,
issued, none at December 28, 1998 and 45,667 at December 28, 1997 -- 5
Common stock, $.10 par value, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued
29,608,688 at December 28, 1998 and 24,836,900 at December 28, 1997 2,961 2,484
Additional paid-in capital 97,346 97,277
Retained deficit (63,680) (56,145)
--------- ---------
36,627 43,621
Less treasury stock, at cost, 273,445 shares (2,108) (2,108)
--------- ---------
Net stockholders' equity 34,519 41,513
--------- ---------
$ 123,306 $ 134,297
========= =========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
24
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
---------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES:
Restaurant sales $ 139,602 $ 139,348 $ 156,445
Franchise revenues and fees 4,636 4,838 5,867
Owner fee income 714 744 440
--------- --------- ---------
Total revenues $ 144,952 $ 144,930 $ 162,752
--------- --------- ---------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Restaurant food and paper costs 44,352 44,997 53,712
Restaurant labor costs 42,570 41,464 48,634
Restaurant occupancy expense 7,333 6,487 7,093
Restaurant depreciation and amortization 7,234 7,069 7,744
Other restaurant operating expense 12,293 12,782 14,871
Advertising expense 9,853 10,255 7,767
Owner depreciation 647 627 400
Other depreciation and amortization 2,503 2,623 2,338
General and administrative expenses 13,404 15,125 16,132
Impairment of long-lived assets 1,727 -- 824
Losses on assets to be disposed of 1,635 158 (804)
--------- --------- ---------
Total costs and expenses $ 143,551 $ 141,587 $ 158,711
--------- --------- ---------
Operating income 1,401 3,343 4,041
--------- --------- ---------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income 480 750 614
Loss on investment in affiliate (2,019) (720) --
Interest expense (7,145) (7,434) (8,622)
--------- --------- ---------
Loss before income tax expense (7,283) (4,061) (3,967)
Income tax expense (benefit) 252 455 (675)
--------- --------- ---------
Net loss before extraordinary item $ (7,535) $ (4,516) $ (3,292)
Extraordinary item (net of tax expense of $1,350) -- -- $ 5,280
--------- --------- ---------
Net (loss) income $ (7,535) $ (4,516) $ 1,988
========= ========= =========
Comprehensive (loss) income $ (7,535) $ (4,516) $ 1,988
========= ========= =========
Net loss per share before extraordinary item $ (0.28) $ (0.22) $ (0.19)
Extraordinary item -- -- $ 0.31
========= ========= =========
Net (loss) income per common share (basic and diluted) $ (0.28) $ (0.22) $ 0.12
========= ========= =========
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
(basic and diluted) 27,170 20,709 17,007
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement
25
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
ADDITIONAL RETAINED
COMMON PREFERRED TREASURY PAID-IN EARNINGS TOTAL
STOCK STOCK STOCK CAPITAL (DEFICIT) EQUITY
------ ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at December 31, 1995 $1,593 $ -- $(2,108) $ 60,804 $(53,617) $ 6,672
Issuance of common stock 3 -- -- 74 -- 77
Shareholders rights offering 483 -- -- 9,975 -- 10,458
Compensatory stock options and
warrants -- -- -- 170 -- 170
Net income 1,988 1,988
------ ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Balances at December 29, 1996 2,079 -- (2,108) 71,023 (51,629) 19,365
Issuance of common stock 14 -- -- 264 -- 278
Compensatory stock options and
warrants -- -- -- 957 -- 957
Issuance of common stock and
preferred to acquire investment
in affiliate 391 5 -- 25,033 -- 25,429
Net loss -- -- -- -- (4,516) (4,516)
------ ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Balances at December 28, 1997 2,484 5 (2,108) 97,277 (56,145) 41,513
Exercise of 49,080 employee stock
options, net of $2 issuance costs 4 -- -- 83 -- 87
Issuance of 156,008 shares of
common stock in settlement
of litigation, net of $10 issance costs 16 -- -- 349 -- 365
Conversion of preferred shares to
common stock 457 (5) -- (452) -- --
Other equity funding, net -- -- -- 89 -- 89
Net loss -- -- -- -- (7,535) (7,535)
------ ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Balances at December 28, 1998 $2,961 $ -- $(2,108) $ 97,346 $(63,680) $ 34,519
====== ======= ======= ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
26
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FISCAL YEARS ENDED
-------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income $ (7,535) $ (4,516) $ 1,988
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 10,386 10,319 10,482
Impairment of long-lived assets 1,727 -- 824
Provisions for losses on assets to be disposed of 1,635 158 (804)
Gain on bond repurchase (163) -- (6,630)
Amortization of bond costs and discounts 390 398 395
Provisions for (recovery of) bad debt 593 (392) 968
Warrant expense -- 940 20
Loss, net of amortization, on investment in affiliate 2,019 720 --
Loss on disposal of property & equipment 211 1,025 --
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable (1,635) (331) (306)
Decrease in notes receivable 219 256 312
Decrease (increase) in inventory 86 (196) 262
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets 979 (613) (34)
Decrease (increase) in other assets 45 221 (121)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable (3,390) 1,081 (3,889)
Decrease in accrued liabilities (3,082) (793) (2,807)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 2,485 $ 8,277 $ 660
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures (2,290) (6,845) (2,306)
Acquisitions of restaurants (855) (2,172) --
Decrease in investments 399 1,512 2,975
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 615 1,872 4,392
Cash paid for additional investment in affiliates (32) -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities $ (2,163) $ (5,633) $ 5,061
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash (500) 269 (966)
Repayments of senior notes (2,168) -- (19,612)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 4,300 -- --
Deferred loan costs incurred (290) -- --
Principal payments on long-term debt (1,247) (1,488) (2,204)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 87 298 10,535
Other equity funding 89 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $ 271 $ (921) $(12,247)
-------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash 593 1,723 (6,526)
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 4,008 2,285 8,811
-------- -------- --------
CASH AT END OF PERIOD $ 4,601 $ 4,008 $ 2,285
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidate Financial Statements
27
<PAGE>
RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(TABULAR DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION - The accompanying
consolidated financial statements include Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries. Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and its subsidiaries are
collectively referred to herein as the context requires as "Rally's" or the
"Company". The investment in affiliate, which is owned more than 20% and less
than 50% represents an investment in Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
("Checkers") and is recorded on the equity method (see Note 2). All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
As of December 29, 1997 the Company changed from a fiscal year ending
on the Sunday closest to December 31st to a fiscal year ending on the Monday
closest to December 31st. This resulted in an extra day in fiscal 1998. The
Company also changed its quarterly reporting periods from four 13-week quarters
to three 12-week quarters and a 16-week fourth quarter.
Rally's is one of the largest double drive-thru restaurant chains in
the United States. At December 28, 1998, the Company's system included 475
restaurants in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest and the Sunbelt, comprised of
226 Company-owned and operated, 223 franchised and 26 Company-owned restaurants
in Western markets which are operated as Rally's restaurants by CKE Restaurants,
Inc. ("CKE"), a significant shareholder of the Company, under an operating
agreement which began in July 1996. Two additional Company-owned stores covered
by the operating agreement have been converted to the Carl's Jr. format and are
not included in the above store count. The Company's restaurants offer high
quality fast food. The Company serves the drive-thru and take-out segments of
the quick-service restaurant industry. The Company opened its first restaurant
in January 1985 and began offering franchises in November 1986.
The preparation of the 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
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, when actual
transactions anticipated are consummated. Certain of the most significant
estimates include useful lives assigned to depreciable/amortizable assets, fair
value less costs to sell of long-lived assets held for sale, fair value of
long-lived assets held for use, future net occupancy costs related to
closed/disposable properties, accruals for the Company's self-insured and high
deductible insurance programs, and disclosures regarding commitments and
contingencies.
b) REVENUE RECOGNITION - The Company recognizes franchise fees as income
on the date a restaurant is opened, at which time the Company has performed its
obligations relating to such fees. Area development fees are generated from the
awarding of exclusive rights to develop, own and operate Rally's restaurants in
certain geographic areas pursuant to an Area Development Agreement. Such fees
are recognized as income on a pro rata basis as the restaurants are opened or
upon the cancellation or expiration of an Area Development Agreement. Both
franchise fees and area development fees are non-refundable. The Company also
receives royalty fees from franchisees in the amount of 4% of each franchised
restaurant's gross revenues, as defined in the Franchise Agreement. Royalty fees
are recognized as earned.
28
<PAGE>
c) RECEIVABLES - Receivables consist primarily of royalties and notes due
from franchisees and advances to Rally's National Advertising Fund. A
rollforward of the allowances for doubtful receivables is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADDITIONS
----------------------
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO
BEGINNING COSTS AND OTHER BALANCE AT
DESCRIPTION YEAR EXPENSES ACCOUNTS DEDUCTIONS END OF YEAR
- ---------------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended December 29, 1996
Accounts receivable $ 1,375 $ 751 $ (81) $ 339 $ 1,706
Notes receivable 542 200 81 (30) 853
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
$ 1,917 $ 951 $ 0 $ 309 $ 2,559
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Year Ended December 28, 1997
Accounts receivable $ 1,706 $ (180) $ (153) $ 942 $ 431
Notes receivable 853 (212) 148 558 231
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
$ 2,559 $ (392) $ (5) $ 1,500 $ 662
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Year Ended December 28, 1998
Accounts receivable $ 431 $ 471 $ 0 $ 259 $ 643
Notes receivable 231 95 0 0 326
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
$ 662 $ 566 $ 0 $ 259 $ 969
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
d) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Property and equipment are depreciated using
the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated
methods for income tax purposes. The estimated useful lives for financial
reporting purposes are the shorter of 20 years or the lease life plus available
renewal options for buildings and property held under capital leases, eight
years for furniture and equipment, five years for software and computer systems
and the life of the lease for leasehold improvements. Expenditures for major
renewals and betterments are capitalized while expenditures for maintenance and
repairs are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment held for sale includes
various excess restaurant facilities and land. The aggregate carrying value of
property and equipment held for sale is periodically reviewed and adjusted
downward to market value, when appropriate.
e) INVENTORY - Inventory is valued at latest invoice cost which
approximates the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market.
f) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - The Company considers all highly liquid
instruments purchased with a maturity of less than three months to be cash
equivalents. Restricted Cash consists of cash on deposit with various financial
institutions as collateral to support the Company's obligations to certain
states for potential workers' compensation claims. This cash is not available
for the Company's use until such time that the respective states permit its
release. Cash equivalents at December 28, 1997 and December 28, 1998 were
approximately $2.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
g) INVESTMENTS - All of the Company's investment securities are deemed as
"available-for-sale" under SFAS 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt
and Equity Securities". Accordingly, investments are reported at fair value with
unrealized holding gains and losses, excluding those losses considered to be
other than temporary, reported as a net amount in a separate component of
shareholders' equity. Provisions for declines in market value are made for
losses considered to be other than temporary. Realized gains or losses from the
sale of investments are based on the specific identification method. No
unrealized gains or losses were recorded for any period presented, due to the
quoted market prices of the Company's investments approximating the cost.
Investments consisted of mortgage-backed securities at December 28, 1998 and
December 28, 1997 of $47,000 and $446,000, respectively.
h) SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
-------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
Interest paid $6,714 $7,013 $8,639
Income taxes paid $ 222 $ 545 $ 983
Capital lease obligations incurred $ 627 $ 386 $ 111
29
<PAGE>
On December 18, 1997 Rally's acquired approximately 26.33% of the
outstanding common stock of Checkers in exchange for common and preferred stock
Rally's valued at $25.4 million (see Note 2).
On April 24, 1998, the Company acquired two restaurants in settlement
of litigation with a former franchisee (see Note 2). On July 9, 1997, the
Company acquired from Arkansas Investment Group, Inc., substantially all the
operating assets employed in the franchisee Rally's restaurants (see Note 2).
These acquisitions were recorded as follows:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
-------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
Fair value of assets acquired $ 949 $ 2,800 $ --
Issuance of common stock (375) -- --
Issuance of note payable (420) -- --
Utilization of bad debt and other
reserves previously established 975 -- --
Cash paid (855) (2,200) --
----- ------- -----
Receivables forgiven $ 274 $ 600 $ --
----- ------- -----
The Company recorded in 1996 approximately $547,000 in notes
receivable primarily as the result of the sale of five of its restaurants in
Montgomery, Alabama.
During fiscal 1996, 1997, and 1998, the Company accepted notes due
within two to five years, bearing interest at rates up to 12%, as previously
specified in the underlying franchise agreements in exchange for certain
receivables from franchisees in the aggregate amount of approximately $340,000
for 1996, approximately $493,000 for 1997, and approximately $30,000 for 1998.
i) EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - Basic earnings (loss) per common
share is calculated based upon the Company's reported income and the weighted
average common shares outstanding of 27,170, 20,709 and 17,007 for fiscal years
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The income and average shares outstanding for
purposes of the computation of diluted earnings per share are the same as for
the computation of basic earnings per share. Potentially dilutive convertible
preferred stock, common stock warrants and common stock options have no effect
as they are anti-dilutive for all periods presented.
j) STOCK OPTIONS - The Company utilizes the disclosure-only provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (SFAS 123), "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation".
k) IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - The Company accounts for long-lived
assets under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be
Disposed Of" (SFAS 121) which requires the write-down of certain intangibles and
tangible property associated with under performing sites. In applying SFAS No.
121 the Company reviewed all stores that recorded losses in the applicable
fiscal years and performed a discounted cash flow analysis where indicated for
each store based upon such results projected over a ten or fifteen year period.
This period of time was selected based upon the lease term and the age of the
building, which the Company believes is appropriate based upon its limited
operating history and the estimated useful life of its restaurants. Impairments
were recorded to adjust the asset values to the amount recoverable under the
discounted cash flow analysis in the cases where the undiscounted cash flows
were not sufficient for full asset recovery, in accordance with SFAS No. 121.
The effect of applying SFAS No. 121 resulted in a reduction of property and
equipment and goodwill of $1.7 million in 1998, $-0- in 1997 and $824,000 in
1996.
l) INCOME TAXES - The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset
or liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized
for the future tax consequences attributable to 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.
m) DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - The balance
sheets as of December 28, 1998 and December 28, 1997, reflect the fair value
amounts which have been determined, using available market information and
appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgement is
necessarily required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of
fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented
30
<PAGE>
herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could
realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions
and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair
value amounts.
Cash and cash equivalents, receivables - Due to the short maturity of
these items, the carrying amounts are a reasonable estimate of their fair value.
Investments and Senior Notes - The fair values of investments and
Senior Notes are based upon quoted market prices. At December 28, 1998 the
carrying value and fair value of Senior Notes was $55.8 million and $44.4
million, respectively. At December 28, 1997, the carrying value and fair value
of Senior Notes was $58.0 million and $55.2 million, respectively.
Long-term debt - The fair value of long-term debt approximates the
carrying value due to all significant amounts bearing interest at rates which
are variable or approximate a rate estimated to be available currently.
n) GOODWILL, REACQUIRED FRANCHISE RIGHTS, OTHER INTANGIBLES AND OTHER
ASSETS - Goodwill, reacquired franchise and territory rights, other intangibles
and other assets are being amortized using the straight-line method over the
following periods:
AMORTIZATION
PERIOD
------------
Goodwill 5-25 years
Reacquired franchise and territory rights 5-20 years
Other intangibles 3-25 years
Other assets 3-25 years
Subsequent to the intangibles' acquisition, the Company evaluates
whether later events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining
estimated useful life of goodwill and other intangibles may warrant revision or
that the remaining balance of goodwill and other intangibles may not be
recoverable. When factors indicate that goodwill or other intangibles should be
evaluated for possible impairment, the Company utilizes the procedures as set
forth in SFAS No 121.
o) OWNER FEE INCOME AND DEPRECIATION - Revenue received as a result of
the operating agreement with CKE is referred to as Owner fee income in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements. Depreciation expenses related to
the ongoing investment in the CKE-operated restaurants are referred to as Owner
depreciation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
p) ADVERTISING COSTS - It is the Company's policy to expense advertising
costs as incurred.
q) RECLASSIFICATIONS - Certain items in the 1997 and 1996 financial
statement have been reclassified to conform with the 1998 presentation.
NOTE 2: ACQUISITIONS
On July 9, 1997, the Company acquired from Arkansas Investment Group,
Inc. ("AIGI") substantially all the operating assets employed in the operation
of AIGI's franchised Rally's restaurants for approximately $2.8 million. The
cash disbursed in payment of the purchase price was reduced by certain amounts
owed by AIGI to the Company. Actual cash disbursed was approximately $2.2
million. In addition, the Company assumed five of AIGI's ground lease
obligations, five of its ground and building lease obligations, and entered into
three additional ground leases. AIGI owned and operated a total of ten Rally's
restaurants in the Little Rock, Arkansas market. The acquisition of the AIGI
operating assets was accounted for as a purchase. The Company believes that the
$2.8 million represents the fair value of the acquired assets. The impact on
operations of this acquisition was not significant for any of the periods
presented, and therefore, proforma amounts are not presented giving effect to
this acquisition.
On December 18, 1997, the Company acquired approximately 19.1 million
shares of the common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Checkers, pursuant to
that certain Exchange Agreement, dated as of December 8, 1997 (the "Exchange
Agreement"), between Rally's, CKE, Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
("Fidelity"), GIANT GROUP, LTD. ("GIANT") and the other parties named in the
Exchange Agreement. CKE, Fidelity and GIANT beneficially owned 5,278,015 shares,
2,759,788 shares and 3,136,849 shares, respectively, of Rally's common
31
<PAGE>
stock prior to the consummation of the Exchange Agreement, approximately 23.9%,
12.7% and 15.2% of the then outstanding shares of Rally's common stock. In
addition, Terry Christensen, William Foley, II, David Gotterer, Andrew Puzder,
Burt Sugarman and C. Thomas Thompson, who are Directors of Rally's, were parties
to the Exchange Agreement. Mary Hart Sugarman, AJ Sugarman and Al Sugarman, who
also participated in the exchange, are related to Burt Sugarman. In
consideration of the acquisition of the Checkers shares, Rally's issued
3,909,336 shares of its common stock, $.10 par value per share, and 45,667
shares of its Series A Participating Preferred Stock, $.10 par value per share
with a combined value of $25.4 million. The Rally's preferred stock was
converted into 4,566,700 shares of Rally's common stock after approval of such
conversion by Rally's stockholders. The exchange ratio used to determine the
number of shares of Rally's common stock (including the shares to be issued upon
conversion of the Rally's preferred stock) issued pursuant to the Exchange
Agreement was based upon the average closing price of the Checkers common stock
and the Rally's common stock for the five trading days preceding the public
announcement of the proposed exchange on September 19, 1997. This stock
acquisition was accounted for as a long term asset under "Investment in
affiliate" using the equity method of accounting with an initial investment
value of $25.4 million, based upon the market value of the Rally's common shares
issued and issuable upon conversion of the Rally's preferred stock issued. This
investment represented a 26.33% interest in Checkers and was recorded with an
initial investment of $13.2 million and a goodwill (excess of purchase price
over fair value of assets acquired) of $12.2 million being amortized over 20
years. Amortization expense related to this goodwill was $627,000 in 1998 and
$52,000 in 1997. The Company purchased an additional 30,000 shares of Checkers
common stock in January 1998. As of December 28, 1998, the Company owned 26.06%
of Checkers outstanding common stock.
Summarized financial information of Checkers follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
---------------------------------------------
Condensed statement of operations data: DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29, DECEMBER 30,
1998 1997 1996
----------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Total revenues $ 145,708 $ 143,894 $ 164,961
Operating income (loss) 318 (3,977) (42,212)
Net loss (5,344) (12,186) (46,409)
Preferred dividends -- 696 --
Net loss to common shareholders $ (5,344) $ (12,882) $ (46,409)
Condensed balance sheet data:
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29, DECEMBER 30,
1998 1997 1996
----------- ------------ ------------
Current assets $ 12,298 $ 13,872 $ 20,955
Non-current assets 89,801 101,529 115,155
--------- --------- ---------
$ 102,099 $ 115,401 $ 136,110
========= ========= =========
Current liabilities $ 18,608 $ 28,025 $ 46,679
Non-current liabilities 38,883 37,004 49,091
Stockholders' equity 44,608 50,372 40,340
--------- --------- ---------
$ 102,099 $ 115,401 $ 136,110
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
In December 1994, the Company entered into two franchise agreements
with Kader Investments, Inc. ("Kader") for the development and operation of
Rally's Hamburgers restaurants in Anaheim, California and Tustin, California.
The Company assisted the franchisee in developing and opening the restaurants.
On November 27, 1996, Kader filed a six-count Complaint against Rally's in the
California Superior Court for Orange County (Case No. 772257) alleging material
misrepresentation, respondent superior, breach of contract, breach of the
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud and unfair competition.
These claims arose out of allegations concerning Rally's offer and sale of two
franchises (under a two-store development agreement), and Rally's actions during
the term of the agreements. The Complaint sought as relief rescission of the
parties' franchise and development agreements; general damages of at least $1.5
million and $1.4 million for the material misrepresentation and fraud counts,
respectively; general damages in unspecified amounts as to the other counts;
punitive damages in unspecified amounts; and attorneys' fees. The Company filed
an Answer, but on December 18, 1997 in settlement of the litigation, the parties
entered into a memorandum of understanding pursuant to which the Company would
purchase Kader's restaurants for total consideration $1.9 million. The
consideration consisted
32
<PAGE>
of $855,000 in cash, $274,000 in forgiveness of accounts receivable, $375,000 in
restricted stock and $420,000 in notes payable. The transaction closed on April
24, 1998 and the action has been dismissed.
NOTE 3: RESTAURANT CLOSURES AND OTHER
Certain charges in fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996 have been referred
to as Impairment of long-lived assets and Losses on assets to be disposed of.
These items represent estimates of the impact of management decisions, which
have been made at various points in time in response to the Company's sales and
profit performance and the then-current revenue building and profit enhancing
strategies.
During 1998, impairment expense of $1.7 million related to four under
performing restaurants was incurred. No additional restaurants were determined
to be impaired in 1997. During 1996, three restaurants, due to their continued
poor operating performance, were determined to be impaired, resulting in charges
of approximately $824,000. As required by the SFAS 121, the Company will
continue to periodically review its assets for impairment where circumstances
indicate that such impairment may exist.
During 1998, the Company closed five restaurants, resulting in the
recording of losses on assets held for sale of $713,000 ($249,000 for fixed
asset write-downs and $464,000 for future occupancy costs). Also in 1998, other
losses recorded upon the disposal of prior years closures was $172,000 and
losses on assets to be disposed of for the continued occupancy costs of other
prior years closures was $750,000.
During 1997, the Company recorded provisions of $33,000 and $199,000
to write-off leasehold improvements and future rental costs associated with the
Louisville corporate office and regional offices. Additionally in 1997, the
Company recorded gains on held for sale properties of $74,000. During 1996, a
reduction of $891,000 was recorded in surplus property reserves related to
management's decision to re-open three units previously closed and to continue
to operate a fourth unit that had been designated for closure, offset by the
loss on sale of assets of $87,000.
The following summarizes the components of the provision for
restaurant closures and other as well as the year end balances of certain
related reserves.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE AT ADDITIONS
BEGINNING CHARGED TO CASH OTHER BALANCE AT
DESCRIPTION OF YEAR EXPENSE OUTLAYS CHANGES END OF YEAR
- -------------------------------------- --------- ---------- -------- ------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended December 28, 1998
Impairment of long-lived assets $ -- $ 1,727 $ -- $(1,727) $ --
Losses on assets to be disposed of 4,558 1,635 (939) 169 5,423
------ ------- ------- ------- ------
$4,558 $ 3,362 $ (939) $(1,558) $5,423
====== ======= ======= ======= ======
Year Ended December 28, 1997
Impairment of long-lived assets $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Losses on assets to be disposed of 5,845 158 (1,486) 41 4,558
------ ------- ------- ------- ------
$5,845 $ 158 $(1,486) $ 41 $4,558
====== ======= ======= ======= ======
Year Ended December 29, 1996
Impairment of long-lived assets $ -- $ 824 $ -- $ (824) $ --
Losses on assets to be disposed of 9,675 (804) (3,830) 804 5,845
------ ------- ------- ------- ------
$9,675 $ 20 $(3,830) $ (20) $5,845
====== ======= ======= ======= ======
</TABLE>
NOTE 4: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
a) ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS - On December 20, 1996, the Company issued
warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of 1,500,000 restricted
shares of its Common Stock to CKE and Fidelity. The Warrants were granted as an
incentive to CKE and Fidelity to continue to participate in the identification
and implementation of synergistic opportunities with the Company. The Warrants
have a three-year term and became exercisable on December 20, 1997. The exercise
price is $4.375 per share, the closing price of the Common Stock on December 20,
1996. The underlying shares of Common Stock have not been registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, are not freely tradable. If
exercised, the Warrants would provide approximately $6.6
33
<PAGE>
million in additional capital to the Company. The Company obtained a valuation
analysis from an investment banking firm of national standing. Such analysis
estimated the value of the Warrants to be approximately $960,000. Approximately
$20,000 and $940,000 was expensed in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
b) WEST COAST OPERATING AGREEMENT - On July 1, 1996, the Company entered
into a ten-year operating agreement with Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., the
subsidiary of CKE that operates the Carl's Jr. restaurant chain. Pursuant to the
agreement, CKE began operating 29 Rally's owned restaurants located in
California and Arizona, two of which were converted to a Carl's Jrs. format.
During 1998, two restaurants which the Company acquired from a franchisee were
added to the agreement and the leases for two of the restaurants expired and
were not renewed leaving 26 restaurants operating under the agreement. Such
agreement is cancelable after an initial five-year period, at the discretion of
CKE. A portion of these restaurants, at the discretion of CKE, will be converted
to the Carl's Jr. format. The agreement was approved by a majority of the
independent Directors of the Company. Prior to the agreement, the Company's
independent Directors had received an opinion as to the fairness of the
agreement, from a financial point of view, from an investment banking firm of
national standing. Under the terms of the operating agreement, CKE is
responsible for any conversion costs associated with transforming restaurants to
the Carl's Jr. format, as well as the operating expenses of all the restaurants.
Rally's retains ownership of all 27 (two of which are Carl's Jrs.) restaurants
and is entitled to receive a percentage of gross revenues generated by each
restaurant. In the event of a sale by Rally's of any of the 27 restaurants,
Rally's and CKE would share in the proceeds based upon the relative value of
their respective capital investments in such restaurant.
c) OPTION GRANTS TO NON-EMPLOYEES - During 1996, the Company granted
150,000 options to certain individuals not employed by the Company for services
provided. Approximately $84,000 has been expensed for these grants in general
and administrative expenses in the accompanying 1996 Statement of Operations.
Such options were granted at the market values on the dates of grant, were
immediately exercisable and expire in five years.
d) OTHER TRANSACTIONS - The Company has had transactions with certain
companies or individuals which are related parties by virtue of having
stockholders in common, by being officers/directors or because they are
controlled by significant stockholders or officers/directors of the Company.
Such transactions which impacted the Company's consolidated financial statements
are summarized below. Information with respect to related party rent is
disclosed in Note 10. The Company and its franchisees each pay 1/2% of sales to
the Rally's National Advertising Fund (the "Fund"), established for the purpose
of creating and producing advertising for the chain. The Fund is not included in
the consolidated financial statements, although the Company's contributions to
the Fund are included in the Advertising and Promotion Expenses in the Company's
consolidated Statements of Operations.
Effective November 30, 1997, the Company entered into a Management
Services Agreement, pursuant to which predominately all of the management of
Checkers is providing key services to the Company, including executive
management, financial planning and accounting, franchise administration,
purchasing and human resources. In addition, the Company and Checkers share
certain of their executive officers, including Chief Executive Officer and the
Chief Operating Officer. The total cost of these services was $5.6 million and
$95,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively. On January 29, 1999, the Company and
Checkers announced the Merger agreement pursuant to which both companies would
merge in an all stock transaction (see Note 16).
On December 1, 1998, the Company entered into two lease agreements,
which have been recorded as capital lease obligations, with Granite Financial
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity, whereby the Company purchased
security equipment for its restaurants valued at $627,000 in the aggregate. The
first lease agreement is payable monthly at $9,689, including effective interest
at 11.35%. The second lease is payable monthly at $11,097, including effective
interest at 12.39% and both have terms of 3 years.
34
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28,
1998 1997
----------- ------------
BALANCE SHEET AMOUNTS
Accounts receivable $ 1,510 $ 1,078
Notes receivable $ 53 $ 86
Investment in affiliate $23,001 $24,988
Accounts payable $ 221 $ 520
Accrued liabilities $ 53 $ 65
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
----------------------------------------
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
REVENUE AND TRANSACTION AMOUNTS
Repurchase of Senior Notes (gross gain) $ -- $ -- $6,339
Owner fee income 714 742 440
Interest income 117 52 49
------- ------- ------
$ 831 $ 794 $6,828
======= ======= ======
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
---------------------------------------
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ -----------
EXPENSE AMOUNTS
Legal $ 1,152 $ 1,017 $1,024
Rent expense 352 396 470
Owner depreciation 647 647 400
Interest expense 9 -- 180
Compensatory stock options and
warrants -- 940 170
Loss on investment in affiliate 2,019 720 --
Management service agreement 5,593 95 --
------- ------- ------
$ 9,772 $ 3,815 $2,244
======= ======= ======
NOTE 5: PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment consists of the following:
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28,
1998 1997
------------ -----------
Land $ 14,487 $ 14,145
Building and leasehold improvements 52,448 52,196
Equipment, furniture and fixtures 40,168 40,582
-------- --------
107,103 106,923
Less accumulated depreciation (48,905) (42,872)
-------- --------
58,198 64,051
-------- --------
Property held under capital lease 6,772 6,145
Less accumulated amortization (3,056) (2,129)
-------- --------
3,716 4,016
-------- --------
Net property and equipment $ 61,914 $ 68,067
======== ========
35
<PAGE>
NOTE 6: SENIOR NOTES
On March 9, 1993, the Company sold approximately $85 million of 9 7/8%
Senior Notes due June 2000 (the "Senior Notes"). The Company was required to
make a mandatory sinking fund payment on or before June 15, 1999 to retire 33
1/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes issued, which was
satisfied during the third quarter of 1998. The Senior Notes are carried net of
the related discount, which is being amortized over the life of the Senior
Notes. Interest is payable June 15 and December 15 of each year until maturity.
The Senior Notes include certain restrictive covenants, which, among other
restrictions, limit the Company's ability to obtain additional borrowings and to
pay dividends as well as impose certain change of control provisions, as
defined. As of December 28, 1998 and December 28, 1997, the amounts outstanding
net of discounts were $55.8 million and $58.0 million, respectively.
In January 1996, Rally's repurchased approximately $22 million face
value of Senior Notes. The Senior Notes were purchased from GIANT at a price of
$678.75 per $1,000 principal amount, representing the market closing price on
the last business day prior to the repurchase date. Prior to the Senior Notes
repurchases, the Company's Board of Directors had received an independent
opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fairness of the transactions.
Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 1996, Rally's repurchased
approximately $4.7 million face value of the Senior Notes from various other
bondholders for approximately $4.5 million in cash.
These purchases resulted in extraordinary gains in 1996 net of tax,
totaling approximately $5.3 million or $.31 per share. As a result of these debt
repurchases, the annualized ongoing interest payments on the Senior Notes was
reduced to approximately $5.8 million.
During 1998 and prior to December 18, 1998 Rally's repurchased on the
open market approximately $1.7 million face value of its Senior Notes at an
average price of $887.90 per $1,000 principal amount. During the third quarter
of 1998, the Company completed the required mandatory sinking fund payment due
June 15, 1999 calculated to retire 33 1/3% in aggregate original principal
amount of the Senior Notes.
The Company entered into a $4.3 million mortgage transaction with FFCA
Acquisition Corporation ("FFCA") pursuant to which eight fee-owned properties
were mortgaged on December 18, 1998. The terms of the transaction include a
stated interest rate of 9.5% on the unpaid balance over a 20-year term with
monthly payments totaling approximately $40,000. The Company is required to
utilize the entire net proceeds to reduce the Senior Notes. Purchases on the
open market were initiated immediately after the mortgage was finalized and will
be completed as they become available.
The remaining outstanding Senior Notes are publicly traded and at
December 28, 1998 had a market value of approximately $44.4 million based on the
quoted market price for such notes.
The Company is evaluating various alternatives for the repayment and
refinancing of the Senior Notes prior to their maturity in June 2000. If the
Company is unable to refinance the debt in full, management of the Company is
evaluating a series of sale-leaseback transactions and the possibility of
selling company-owned stores in certain markets to existing and potentially new
franchisees. Management also anticipates that further debt reductions may also
be accomplished by completing a private placement of preferred or common stock
during the twelve months preceding the maturity date of the Senior Notes. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to satisfy the entire
principal balance of the Senior Notes on the maturity date of June 15, 2000.
36
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOTE 7: LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following:
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28,
1998 1997
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Mortgages payable to FFCA Acquisition Corporation secured by eight
Company owned restaurants payable in 240 aggregate monthly installments
of $40,082, including interest at 9.5%. The Company is required to utilize the
net proceeds of the loan to retire Senior Notes. $ 4,300 $ --
Notes payable to former franchise owners for acquisition of market,
secured by common stock of Hampton Road Foods, maturing March 13,
2001, with outstanding balances due after last monthly payments, bearing
interest of 9%. The notes are payable in monthly principal and interest
installments ranging from $4,742 to $50,211. 4,022 4,073
Notes payable to banks, maturing at various dates through November 10,
2001, secured by property and/or equipment, bearing interest ranging from
1/2% above prime to 9.25%. The notes are payable in monthly principal and
interest installments ranging from $1,531 to $13,333. Interest is payable
monthly. 323 530
Secured notes payable to a bank used to finance equipment and/or modular
buildings for franchisees (the Franchisee Loans), maturing at various dates
through July 15, 2000, bearing interest at prime plus 1/2%. The notes are
payable in monthly principal installments of $4,875. Interest is payable
monthly. 78 136
Note payable to finance company due September 1998, secured by certain
equipment, bearing interest at a rate of 7.3%. The note is payable in monthly
principal and interest installments of $6,762, paid in 1998. -- 59
------- -------
8,723 4,798
Less current portion (904) (781)
------- -------
$ 7,819 $ 4,017
======= =======
</TABLE>
At December 28, 1998, the prime rate was 7.75%.
The following are the remaining annual maturities of long-term debt:
Year
----
1999 $ 904
2000 740
2001 2,894
2002 194
2003 143
Thereafter 3,848
-------
$ 8,723
=======
The Company is subject to certain restrictive covenants under its debt
agreements. If the eight properties included in the FFCA Mortgage transaction
are not in compliance with certain financial performance criteria, the Company
is allowed to substitute another property as security for the debt.
NOTE 8: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
a) LEASE COMMITMENTS - The Company leases certain land and buildings
generally under agreements with terms of or renewable to 15 to 20 years. Some of
the leases contain contingent rental provisions based on percentages of gross
sales. The leases generally obligate the Company for the cost of property taxes,
insurance and maintenance.
On December 1, 1998, the Company entered into two lease agreements,
which have been recorded as capital lease obligations, with Granite Financial
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity, whereby the Company leased security
equipment for its restaurants costing $627,000. The first lease agreement is
payable
37
<PAGE>
monthly at $9,689, including effective interest at 11.35%. The second lease is
payable monthly at $11,097, including effective interest at 12.39% and both have
terms of 3 years. Additionally, the Company leases various restaurant facilities
and a corporate telephone system which are recorded as capital leases with
effective interest rates ranging from 7.0% to 16.03%.
Following is a schedule by year of future minimum lease commitments
under all leases at December 28, 1998:
CAPITAL OPERATING
YEAR LEASES LEASES
- ------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------
1999 $ 1,344 $ 5,701
2000 961 5,175
2001 929 4,994
2002 694 4,298
2003 716 3,523
Thereafter 4,155 16,871
------- --------
Total minimum lease commitments $ 8,799 $ 40,562
========
Less amounts representing interest, discounted at
rates ranging from 7.00% to 16.03% (2,983)
------
Present value of minimum lease payments 5,816
Current portion of capital lease obligations (586)
------
Long-term obligations under capital lease $ 5,230
=======
Rent expense totalled $5.0 million, $4.8 million and $5.3 million in
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
b) SELF INSURANCE - The Company is self-insured for most workers'
compensation, general liability and automotive liability losses subject to per
occurrence and aggregate annual liability limitations. The Company is also
self-insured for health care claims for eligible participating employees subject
to certain deductibles and limitations. The Company determines its liability for
claims incurred but not reported on an actuarial basis.
c) LITIGATION - JONATHAN MITTMAN ET AL. V. RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC.,
ET AL. (Case NO. C-94-0039-L-CS). In January and February 1994, two putative
class action lawsuits were filed, purportedly on behalf of the stockholders of
Rally's, in the United States District Court for the Western District of
Kentucky, Louisville division, against Rally's, Burt Sugarman and GIANT and
certain of Rally's present and former officers and directors and its auditors.
The cases were subsequently consolidated under the case name Jonathan Mittman et
al vs. Rally's Hamburgers, Inc., et al, case number C-94-0039-L(CS). The
complaints allege defendants violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, among
other claims, by issuing inaccurate public statements about the Company in order
to arbitrarily inflate the price of its common stock. The plaintiffs seek
unspecified damages. On April 15, 1994, Rally's filed a motion to dismiss and a
motion to strike. On April 5, 1995, the Court struck certain provisions of the
complaint but otherwise denied Rally's motion to dismiss. In addition, the Court
denied plaintiffs' motion for class certification; the plaintiffs renewed this
motion, and despite opposition by the defendants, the Court granted such motion
for class certification on April 16, 1996, certifying a class from July 20, 1992
to September 29, 1993. In October 1995, the plaintiffs filed a motion to
disqualify Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro, LLP
("Christensen, Miller") as counsel for defendants based on a purported conflict
of interest allegedly arising from the representation of multiple defendants as
well as Ms. Glaser's position as both a former director of Rally's and a partner
in Christensen, Miller. Defendants filed an opposition to the motion, and the
motion to disqualify Christensen, Miller was denied. A settlement conference
occurred on December 7, 1998, but was unsuccessful. Fact discovery is not yet
complete, but it is anticipated that a deadline for completion of fact discovery
will be set during 1999. No trial date has been set. Management is unable to
predict the outcome of this matter at the present time or whether or not certain
available insurance coverages will apply. The defendants deny all wrongdoing and
intend to defend themselves vigorously in this matter. Because these matters are
in a preliminary stage, the Company is unable to determine whether a resolution
adverse to the Company will have a material effect on its results of operations
or financial condition. Accordingly, no provisions for any liabilities that may
result upon adjudication have been made in the accompanying financial
statements. An estimate of defense costs reimbursable under the Company's
directors' and officers' insurance is included in "Other Assets" in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements.
38
<PAGE>
HARBOR FINANCE PARTNERS V. GIANT GROUP, LTD. ET AL. (Civ. Act. No.
14834). In February 1996, Harbor Finance Partners ("Harbor") commenced a
derivative action, purportedly on behalf of Rally's against GIANT and certain of
Rally's officers and directors before the Delaware Chancery Court. Harbor named
Rally's as a nominal defendant. Harbor claims that the directors and officers of
both Rally's and GIANT, along with GIANT, breached their fiduciary duties to the
public shareholders of Rally's by causing Rally's to repurchase from GIANT
certain Rally's Senior Notes at an inflated price. Harbor seeks "millions of
dollars in damages", along with rescission of the repurchase transaction. In the
fall of 1996, all defendants moved to dismiss the action. The Chancery Court
conducted a hearing on November 26, 1996 and denied the motions to dismiss on
April 3, 1997. Discovery is underway. No trial date has been set. The Company
denies all wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend the action. It is not
possible to predict the outcome of this action at this time.
FIRST ALBANY CORP., AS CUSTODIAN FOR THE BENEFIT OF NATHAN SUCKMAN V.
CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. ET AL. Case No. 16667. This putative class
action was filed on September 29, 1998, in the Delaware Chancery Court in and
for New Castle County, Delaware by an alleged stockholder of 500 shares of the
common stock of Checkers. The complaint names the Company and certain of its
current officers and directors as defendants including William P. Foley, II,
James J. Gillespie, Harvey Fattig, Joseph N. Stein, James T. Holder, Terry N.
Christensen, Burt Sugarman and C. Thomas Thompson. The Complaint also names
Checkers and GIANT as defendants. The complaint arises out of the proposed
merger announced on September 28, 1998 between Rally's, Checkers and GIANT (the
"Proposed Merger") and alleges generally, that certain of the defendants engaged
in an unlawful scheme and plan to permit Rally's to acquire the public shares of
the common stock of Checkers in a "going-private" transaction for grossly
inadequate consideration and in breach of the defendants' fiduciary duties. The
plaintiff allegedly initiated the Complaint on behalf of all stockholders of
Checkers as of September 28, 1998, and seeks INTER ALIA, certain declaratory and
injunctive relief against the consummation of the Proposed Merger, or in the
event the Proposed Merger is consummated, recision of the Proposed Merger and
costs and disbursements incurred in connection with bringing the action,
including attorney's fees, and such other relief as the Court may deem just and
proper. In view of a decision by Rally's, GIANT and Checkers not to implement
the transaction that had been announced on September 28, 1998, plaintiffs have
agreed to provide the Company and all other defendants with an open extension of
time to respond to the complaint. Plaintiffs have indicated that they will
likely file an amended complaint in the event of the consummation of a merger
between Rally's and Checkers. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit
and intends to defend it vigorously. No estimate of possible loss or range of
loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time.
DAVID J. STEINBERG AND CHAILE B. STEINBERG, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF
OF THOSE SIMILARLY SITUATED V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., ET AL. Case
No. 16680. This putative class action was filed on October 2, 1998, in the
Delaware Chancery Court in and for New Castle County, Delaware by David J.
Steinberg and Chaile B. Steinberg, alleged stockholders of an unspecified number
of shares of the common stock of Checkers. The complaint names the Company and
certain of its current officers and directors as defendants including William P.
Foley, II, James J. Gillespie, Harvey Fattig, Joseph N. Stein, James T. Holder,
Terry N. Christensen, Burt Sugarman and C. Thomas Thompson. The Complaint also
names Checkers and GIANT as defendants. As with the FIRST ALBANY complaint
described above, this complaint arises out of the proposed merger announced on
September 28, 1998 between the Rally's, Checkers and GIANT (the "Proposed
Merger") and alleges generally, that certain of the defendants engaged in an
unlawful scheme and plan to permit Rally's to acquire the public shares of the
Checkers' common stock in a "going-private" transaction for grossly inadequate
consideration and in breach of the defendant's fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs
allegedly initiated the Complaint on behalf of all stockholders of Checkers as
of September 28, 1998, and seeks INTER ALIA, certain declaratory and injunctive
relief against the consummation of the Proposed Merger, or in the event the
Proposed Merger is consummated, recision of the Proposed Merger and costs and
disbursements incurred in connection with bringing the action, including
attorneys' fees, and such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper.
For the reasons stated above in the description of the FIRST ALBANY action,
plaintiffs have agreed to provide the Company and all other defendants with an
open extension of time to respond to the complaint. Plaintiffs have indicated
that they will likely file an amended complaint in the event of the consummation
of a merger between Rally's and Checkers. The Company believes the lawsuit is
without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. No estimate of possible loss
or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time.
The Company is involved in other litigation matters incidental to its
business. With respect to such other lawsuits, management does not believe the
litigation in which it is involved will have a material effect upon its results
of operation or financial condition.
d) OTHER COMMITMENTS - The Company is contingently liable on certain
franchisee lease commitments totaling approximately $407,000. The Company from
time to time negotiates purchase contracts for
39
<PAGE>
certain items used in its restaurants in the normal course of business. Although
some of these contracts contain minimum purchase quantities, such quantities do
not exceed expected usage over the term of such agreements.
e) PURCHASE COMMITMENTS - The Rally's Hamburger chain, which includes
both the Company and some franchisee-owned stores, has purchase agreements with
various suppliers extending beyond one year. Subject to the suppliers' quality
and performance, the purchases covered by those agreements aggregate
approximately $48.8 million in 1999 and a total of approximately $70.0 million
for the years 2000 through 2004.
NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES
The major components of the Company's computation of deferred tax
assets and liabilities at December 28, 1998 and December 28, 1997 are as
follows:
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28,
1998 1997
------------ -----------
Excess of tax depreciation over book depreciation $ 5,109 $ 9,316
Acquired intangibles with no tax basis 1,590 2,070
Other 2 17
------- -------
Gross deferred tax liabilities $ 6,701 $11,403
======= =======
Net operating loss carryforwards $17,464 $17,488
Amounts accrued for financial reporting purposes not
yet deductible for tax purposes 9,178 10,742
Alternative minimum tax and targeted job tax credit
carryforward 937 937
Other 236 1,230
------- -------
Gross deferred tax assets $27,815 $30,397
Less valuation allowance 21,114 18,994
------- -------
Net deferred tax asset $ 6,701 $11,403
======= =======
As of December 28, 1998, the Company had net operating loss ("NOL")
carryforwards for Federal income tax purposes of approximately $49.8 million,
the majority of which expires in various amounts from 2008 to 2012. The Company
also has alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of approximately $503,000
that have no expiration and $434,000 in targeted jobs tax credits which expire
in various amounts from 2005 to 2008. A valuation allowance of approximately
$21.1 million has been established due to the uncertainty of realizing the
benefit associated with the NOL carryforwards generated in the current and
previous years. In addition, pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, the utilization of the Company's NOL carryforwards to
offset future taxable income can be limited if the Company experiences a change
in ownership of more than 50 percentage points within a three-year period. The
Company experienced an ownership change, as defined in Section 382, in December
of 1997 in connection with the acquisition of a 26.1% interest in Checkers. The
acquisition in combination with significant equity transactions that occurred
within the preceding 3 years of December 1997 generated a more than 50
percentage point ownership change. As a result of this ownership change, the
Company is significantly limited in utilizing its NOL carryforwards and tax
credit carry forwards arising before the ownership change to offset future
taxable income and tax, respectively. It is anticipated that certain of the
Company's net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards could
expire before becoming available under Section 382. Additionally, on January 29,
1999, the Company and Checkers announced the signing of a definitive merger
agreement pursuant to which the Company will merge into Checkers in an all stock
transaction, "the Merger" (see Note 13). The Company believes that the Merger
would cause it to experience a second ownership change. In the event of the
Merger, the Company would be severely limited in utilizing its net operating
loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards arising before the ownership
change to offset future taxable income and tax, respectively. It is anticipated
that a significant amount of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards and
tax credit carryforwards could expire before becoming available under Section
382.
40
<PAGE>
Income tax expense, including the tax provision on the extraordinary
item in 1996, consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
---------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current $ 252 $ 455 $ 675
Deferred -- -- --
------- ------- -------
Total tax expense $ 252 $ 455 $ 675
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Income tax expense for the years ended December 28, 1998, December 28,
1997 and December 29, 1996 consisted of $252,000, $455,000 and $675,000 in state
income tax expense
A reconciliation of income tax expense with the federal statutory rate
is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
---------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Provision (benefit) computed at statutory rate $(2,562) $(1,330) $ 905
Tax effect of equity in loss of affiliate 687 245 --
State and local income taxes, net of federal
income tax benefit 150 455 575
Change in deferred tax asset valuation
allowance 2,119 1,364 (1,169)
Other (142) (279) 364
------- ------- -------
$ 252 $ 455 $ 675
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
NOTE 10: STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company currently has three stock option plans in effect, the 1990
Stock Option Plan (the "Employees' Plan"), the 1990 Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors (the "1990 Directors' Plan"), and the 1995 Stock Option
Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "1995 Directors' Plan"). In 1998, the
Company terminated the employee stock purchase plan (the "1993 Purchase Plan").
Although there are existing options outstanding under the 1990 Directors' Plan,
no additional grants will be made pursuant to this plan. The Company accounts
for these plans under APB Opinion No. 25, under which approximately $66,000 of
compensation cost was recognized in fiscal 1996 related to 157,000 options
granted to directors under the 1995 Directors Plan. Such compensation
represented the difference between the market values on the dates of grant and
the measurement date, July 10, 1996, the date when the grants were ultimately
approved by the shareholders at the annual meeting. No compensation cost was
recognized in any other period presented.
During 1996, a total of 350,000 options were granted to five of the
current directors and 1.6 million options were granted to the current directors
on February 12, 1998. These options were not granted pursuant to an option plan.
The options were granted at a price equal to the stock's market price on the
date of grant. The options were immediately exercisable and expire after five
years.
Pursuant to the Employees' Plan, the Company issued options to
purchase 720,800 shares at an exercise price of $2.531 on April 27, 1998 and
issued options to purchase 100,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.313 on
August 18, 1998.
The Employees Plan was amended on June 11, 1998 to increase the number
of shares subject to the Plan from 3,250,000 to 5,750,000 and was further
amended to enable certain employees of Checkers who provide services to the
Company pursuant to the Management Services Agreement that exists between the
two companies to participate in the Employees' Plan.
Pursuant to the 1995 Directors Plan, the Company issued options to
purchase 184,000 shares at an exercise price of $2.313 on May 11, 1998. The
options were immediately exercisable and expire after ten years.
41
<PAGE>
On January 29, 1999, the Company and Checkers announced the signing of
a definitive Merger agreement pursuant to which both companies would merge in an
all stock transaction. The Merger agreement provides that each outstanding share
of Company stock will be exchanged for 1.99 shares of Checkers stock. The
approximate 19.1 million shares of Checkers common stock which the company owns
will be retired following the Merger. Pursuant to the Merger agreement, each of
the Company's stock options (5.6 million as of December 28, 1998) will be
exchanged for Checkers options at an exchange rate of 1 to 1.99.
The Company was authorized to sell up to 500,000 shares of stock to
its employees under the 1993 Purchase Plan. The Company sold approximately
28,000 shares and 33,000 shares in 1996 and 1997, respectively, and has sold
approximately 161,000 shares through December 28, 1998 since the inception of
this plan in 1993. The Company sold shares at 85% of the stock's market price at
date of purchase. The weighted average fair value of shares sold in 1997 and
1996 was approximately $3.06 and $3.04, respectively.
Options to purchase an aggregate of 5.5 million shares of the
Company's Common Stock may be granted under the stock option plans, at a price
not less than the market value on the date of grant. The Company has granted
options on approximately 2.5 million shares under the stock option plans.
Outstanding options under the Employees' Plan generally expire ten years after
grant. Certain options granted to a former President and Chief Executive Officer
of the company expire five years from the date of grant. Options outstanding
under the two directors' plans expire five years after grant. Options are
exercisable over various periods ranging from immediate to three years after
grant depending upon their grant dates and the plan under which the options were
granted.
A summary of the status of all options granted to employees and
directors, as well as those options granted to non-employees (see Note 4), at
December 28, 1998, December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996, and changes during
the years then ended is presented in the table and narrative below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Shares represented in thousands)
DECEMBER 28, 1998 DECEMBER 28, 1997 DECEMBER 29, 1996
------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
WTD. AVG. WTD. AVG. WTD. AVG
SHARES EX PRICE SHARES EX. PRICE SHARES EX. PRICE
--------- ------------ ---------- ----------- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year 3,859 $ 2.99 3,664 $ 2.98 2,219 $ 4.24
Granted at price equal to market 6,579 1.26 863 3.00 2,154 2.63
Granted at price greater than market -- -- -- -- 176 1.75
Exercised (49) 1.63 (78) 2.48 (9) 3.05
Forfeited (1,672) 2.26 (429) 2.75 (207) 3.34
Expired (3,077) 2.54 (161) 3.63 (669) 5.62
------ ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
Outstanding at end of year 5,640 1.36 3,859 2.99 3,664 2.92
====== ======= ====== ====== ====== =======
Exercisable at end of year 4,615 $ 1.54 2,921 $ 3.07 2,359 $ 3.21
Weighted average of fair value of
options granted $ 0.90 $ 1.78 $ 1.31
</TABLE>
On December 15, 1998, the Company repriced the 1990 Stock Option Plan
and the options issued outside of a plan. The new option price is $.531 the
closing market price at December 15, 1998. As a result of this transaction
2,124,216 options in the 1990 Stock Option Plan and 1,850,000 options issued
outside of a plan were cancelled and reissued at the new price. These changes
are reflected in the table above.
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding at December 28, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WTD. AVG.
OUTSTANDING REMAINING WTD. AVG. NUMBER WTD. AVG.
RANGE OF AS OF CONTRACTUAL EXERCISE EXERCISABLE EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICES 12/28/98 LIFE (YRS) PRICE 12/28/98 PRICE
--------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0.531 to $2.00 3,770,287 5.7 $ .5765 2,745,065 $ .5922
$2.01 to $3.00 1,735,830 2.7 2.8265 1,735,830 2.8265
$3.01 to $4.00 20,000 2.4 3.4413 20,000 3.4413
$4.01 to $5.00 113,900 0.3 4.3555 113,900 4.3555
--------------- --------- --- -------- ---------- ----------
$0.53 to $20.00 5,640,017 4.6 $ 1.3555 4,614,795 $ 1.5378
=============== ========= === ======== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
42
<PAGE>
Had compensation cost for all option grants to employees and directors
been determined consistent with FASB Statement No. 123, Rally's net income and
earnings per share would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 29,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Income (Loss): As Reported $ (7,535) $ (4,516) $ 1,988
Pro Forma $(10,916) $ (5,577) $ (699)
Earnings (Loss) Per
Commmon Share: As Reported $ (0.28) $ (0.22) $ 0.12
Pro Forma $ (0.40) $ (0.27) $ (0.04)
</TABLE>
Because the Statement 123 method of accounting has not been applied to
options granted prior to January 2, 1995, the resulting pro forma compensation
cost may not be representative of that to be expected in future years.
Additionally, the pro forma amounts include approximately $17,000 and $12,000 in
1997 and 1996, respectively, related to the purchase discount offered under the
1993 Purchase Plan.
For purposes of the pro forma disclosures assuming the use of the fair
value method of accounting, the fair value of each option grant is estimated on
the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in fiscal 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively: expected volatility of 86.0 percent, 47.0 percent, and 45.7
percent; risk-free interest rates of 5.45 percent, 6.26 percent and 6.82 percent
for options granted to employees and 5.45 percent, 6.47 percent and 6.59 percent
for options granted to directors; and expected lives for fiscal 1998, 1997 and
1996 of four years for options granted to employees and directors. An expected
dividend yield of 0 percent was used for all periods based on the Company's
history of no dividend payments.
NOTE 11: QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNADUITED)
As of December 29, 1997 the Company changed from a fiscal year ending
on the Sunday closest to December 31st to a fiscal year ending on the Monday
closest to December 31st. This resulted in an extra day in fiscal 1998. The
Company also changed its quarterly reporting periods from four 13-week quarters
to three 12-week quarters and a 16-week fourth quarter.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER TOTAL
------- ------- ------- ------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1998
Revenues $ 32,164 $ 34,450 $ 34,796 $ 43,542 $ 144,952
Income from operations 557 32 531 281 1,401
Net loss (1,082) (1,600) (1,011) (3,842) (7,535)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Loss per common share (basic and diluted) $ (0.04) $ (0.06) $ (0.03) $ (0.13) $ (0.28)
======== ======== ======== ======== =========
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1997
Revenues $ 32,595 $ 38,090 $ 38,522 $ 35,723 $ 144,930
Income from operations 975 1,832 561 (25) 3,343
Net income (loss) (952) 92 (1,148) (2,508) (4,516)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Loss per common share (basic and diluted) $ (0.05) $ -- $ (0.06) $ (0.11) $ (0.22)
======== ======== ======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
NOTE 12: SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS OFFERING
A Shareholder Rights Offering (the "Offering") was completed on
September 20, 1996. The Company distributed to holders of record of its common
stock, as of the close of business on July 31, 1996 (the "Record Date"),
transferable subscription rights ("Right(s)") to purchase units consisting of
one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase an additional share of
common stock. Stockholders received one Right for each share of common stock
held on the Record Date. For each 3.25 Rights held, a holder had the right to
purchase one unit for $2.25 each. The Offering consisted of 4,825,805 units.
Each warrant may be exercised to acquire an additional share of common stock at
an exercise price of $2.25 per share and expires on September 26, 2000. The
43
<PAGE>
Company may redeem the warrants, at $.01 per warrant, upon 30 days' prior
written notice in the event the closing price of the common stock equals or
exceeds $6.00 per share for 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days ending not
more than 30 days preceding the date of the notice of redemption. The Offering
was fully subscribed and raised over approximately $10.8 million in gross
proceeds, offset by legal and other issuance costs of approximately $437,000.
The net proceeds from the Offering were attributable primarily to the sale of
the Company's common stock. The amount attributable to the warrants is included
in "Additional paid-in capital."
In addition to the approximately $10.8 million provided by the
Offering, the warrants issued, if exercised, could provide an additional $10.8
million in proceeds. The Company had 15,683,869 shares of common stock
outstanding on the Record Date. Immediately after the Offering, 20,509,674
shares of common stock and 4,825,805 warrants were outstanding. As of December
28, 1998, 4,813,757 of these warrants were outstanding. The warrants are
publicly traded and at December 28, 1998 had a market value of approximately
$301,000 based on the quoted market price for such warrants.
NOTE 13: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 29, 1999, Rally's and Checkers announced the signing of a
definitive merger agreement pursuant to which both companies would merge in an
all stock transaction. The Merger agreement provides that each outstanding share
of Rally's stock will be exchanged for 1.99 shares of Checkers stock. The
approximate 19.1 million shares of Checkers common stock which Rally's owns will
be retired following the Merger. Checkers and Rally's have each received
investment bankers' opinions as to the fairness of the exchange rate used in the
Merger. The transaction is subject to certain approvals, including but not
limited to approval by the shareholders of Checkers and Rally's and potentially
the holders of Rally's Senior Notes and is expected to close in the second
quarter of fiscal year 1999.
At December 28, 1998, Rally's owned 19,130,930 shares (26.06 percent)
of the outstanding common stock of Checkers and public shareholders owned the
remaining 54,277,177 shares of Checkers common stock. Checkers will issue
58,377,134 shares of its common stock to Rally's shareholders in exchange for
all the outstanding common stock of Rally's (29,335,243 outstanding shares) at a
1 to 1.99 exchange ratio. After the transaction, Rally's shareholders will own
58,377,134 shares (51.8 percent of the outstanding common stock of the new
Checkers) and the remaining 54,277,117 shares (48.2 percent of Checkers common
stock) will then be held by then current shareholders of Checkers. Immediately
following the Merger, the Checkers common stock will undergo a one-for-twelve
reverse split resulting in total common shares outstanding of approximately
9,387,859. In addition, each of Rally's outstanding stock options (5.6 million
at December 28, 1998) will be exchanged for Checkers options at an exchange rate
of 1 to 1.99.
The business combination under the Merger will be accounted for under
the purchase method. The transaction will be accounted for as a reverse
acquisition as the stockholders of Rally's will receive the larger portion of
the voting interests in the combined enterprise. Accordingly, Rally's is
considered the acquirer for accounting purposes and therefore, Checkers' assets
and liabilities will be recorded based upon their fair market value (see Note
14).
44
<PAGE>
NOTE 14: PRO FORMA INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The following pro forma condensed consolidated financial data sets
forth certain pro forma financial information giving effect to the Merger. The
pro forma financial information is based on, and should be read in conjunction
with the historical consolidated financial statements of each of the companies
and the notes related thereto. The pro forma financial information gives effect
to the issuance of 58,377,134 shares of Checkers common stock in exchange for
29,335,243 shares of Rally's common stock, based upon the per share price of
Checkers common shares at $0.531 and a one-for twelve reverse split, assuming
the Merger had occurred December 28, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
CHECKERS RALLY'S
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, PRO FORMA
1998 1998 ADJUSTMENTS MERGED
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
Total current assets 12,298 11,736 - 24,034
Property and equipment, net 78,390 61,914 140,304
Investment in affilate, including net goodwill
of $11,861 after accumulated amortization - 23,001 A) (23,001) -
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 10,123 23,880 G) 18,714 52,717
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization 1,288 2,775 4,063
--------- --------- -------- ---------
$ 102,099 $ 123,306 $ (4,287) $ 221,118
========= ========= ======== =========
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current liabilities 18,608 15,865 B) 1,500 35,973
Senior notes, net of discount, less current maturities - 55,768 55,768
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less
current maturities 29,654 13,049 42,703
Minority interests in joint ventures 802 - 802
Other long-term liabilities 8,427 4,105 12,532
--------- --------- -------- ---------
Total liabilities 57,491 88,787 1,500 147,778
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock - - - -
Common stock 73 2,961 C) (3,025) 9
Additional paid-in capital 121,579 97,346 D) (81,914) 137,011
Retained deficit (76,644) (63,680) E) 76,644 (63,680)
--------- --------- -------- ---------
45,008 36,627 (8,295) 73,340
Less treasury stock, at cost (400) (2,108) F) 2,508 -
--------- --------- -------- ---------
Net stockholders'equity 44,608 34,519 (5,787) 73,340
--------- --------- -------- ---------
$ 102,099 $ 123,306 $ (4,287) $ 221,118
========= ========= ======== =========
</TABLE>
A) Pro forma adjustment to record the elimination of Rally's original investment
of $11,140 in Checkers common stock and the reclassification to intangibles
of $11,861 of goodwill associated with Rally's investment in Checkers.
B) Pro forma adjustment to accrue estimated transaction costs related to the
Merger.
C) Pro forma adjustments to record the issuance of 58,377 shares of Checkers
common stock in exchange for Rally's outstanding shares; $58, to eliminate
the previous common stock account of Rally's; ($2,961), to eliminate the par
value associated with Rally's investment in Checkers common stock; ($19) and
to effect a one-for-twelve reverse split; ($103).
D) Pro forma adjustments, in accordance with reverse acquisition accounting, to
record the fair value of the outstanding 54,277 shares of common stock of
Checkers valued at $0.531 per share; $28,767 which is net of related par
value, eliminate the previous treasury stock of Rally's; ($2,108), eliminate
the previous additional paid-in capital account of Checkers; ($121,579), to
reduce additional paid in capital for the par value of the 58,377 shares
issued to Rally's shareholders; ($58), to eliminate the previous common stock
account of Rally's; $2,961, to attribute a $10,000 estimated fair value to
the outstanding Checkers stock options and warrants, and effect a
one-for-twelve reverse split; $103.
E) Pro forma adjustments to record the elimination of the retained deficit
account of Checkers.
F) Pro forma adjustment to eliminate the previous treasury stock of Checkers;
$400, as well as the treasury stock of Rally's; $2,108 which is cancelled as
a result of the Merger.
G) Pro forma adjustment to record goodwill of $6,853 associated with the Merger
and the reclassification of $11,861 of goodwill associated with Rally's
original investment in Checkers (see A).
NOTE: The final adjustments to value the outstanding Checkers options and
warrants as well as final adjustments to the fair value of assets and
liabilities as a result of the Merger will not be known until the Merger is
formally completed.
45
<PAGE>
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
data sets forth certain pro forma financial information giving effect to the
Merger, assuming the Merger had occurred December 30, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
CHECKERS RALLY'S
FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR
ENDED ENDED PRO FORMA
DEC. 28, 1998 DEC. 28, 1999 ADJUSTMENT MERGED
------------- ------------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total Revenues $145,708 $ 144,952 $ 290,660
-------- --------- ------- ---------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Restaurant operating costs 119,416 113,782 233,198
Advertising expense 6,921 9,853 16,774
Other expenses 516 647 1,163
Other depreciation and amortization 2,275 2,503 H) 842 5,620
General and administrative expense 13,309 13,404 I) (380) 26,333
SFAS 121 provisions 2,953 3,362 6,315
-------- --------- ------- ---------
Total costs and expenses 145,390 143,551 462 289,403
-------- --------- ------- ---------
Operating income (loss) 318 1,401 (462) 1,257
-------- --------- ------- ---------
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (6,007) (7,145) (13,152)
Loss (income) net of amortization on investment
in affiliate - (2,019) J) 2,019 -
Interest income 272 480 752
-------- --------- ------- ---------
Loss before minority interest and income tax
expense (benefit) (5,417) (7,283) 1,557 (11,143)
Minority interests in operations of joint venture (73) - (73)
-------- --------- ------- ---------
Loss before income tax expense (benefit) (5,344) (7,283) 1,557 11,070
Income tax expense - 252 252
-------- --------- ------- ---------
Net (loss) earnings $ (5,344) $ (7,535) $ 1,557 $ (11,322)
======== ========= ======= =========
Comprehensive (loss) earnings $ (5,344) $ (7,535) $ 1,557 $ (11,322)
======== ========= ======= =========
Net loss per common share (basic and diluted) ($0.07) ($0.28) ($1.21)
======== ========= ======= =========
Weighted average number of common shares
(basic and diluted) 73,388 27,170 K) 9,388
======== ========= ======= =========
</TABLE>
H) Pro forma adjustment to increase the amortization of goodwill associated with
the Merger.
I) Pro forma adjustment to eliminate excess public company expenses recorded on
Rally's.
J) Pro forma adjustment to eliminate loss from the Rally's equity investment in
Checkers.
K) The merged weighted average number of common shares outstanding consists of
112,654 shares immediately following the Merger, effected for the
one-for-twelve reverse split.
46
<PAGE>
ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
None.
PART III
ITEMS 10, 11, 12 AND 13. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT;
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION; SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT; AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The information required by these items is omitted because the Company
is filing a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than
120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report which includes
the required information. The required information contained in the Company's
proxy statement is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14: EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) 1.0 The following financial statements of the Registrant are included in
Part II, Item 8:
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements:
Independent Auditors' Reports
Consolidated balance sheets as of December 28, 1998 and December 28,
1997
Consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for
each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 28,
1998
Consolidated statements of shareholders' equity for each of the three
years in the three-year period ended December 28, 1998
Consolidated statements of cash flow for each of the three years in
the three-year period ended December 28, 1998
Notes to consolidated financial statements
2.0 All schedules have been omitted because the required information is
not applicable, not required or is included elsewhere in the financial
statements and notes thereto.
47
<PAGE>
3.0 Exhibits:
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
------ -----------------------
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1
to Rally's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 29, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.)
3.2 Restated By-Laws. (Filed as Exhibit 3.3 to Form 8 Amendment
No. 1 to Rally's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated September
28, 1990, and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.1 Indenture dated as of March 1, 1993, between the Company,
certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank Kentucky, Inc., as
Trustee, relating to the issuance of $85,000,000 principal
amount of the Company's 9 7/8% Senior Notes due 2000. (Filed
as Exhibit 4.1 to Rally's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended January 3, 1993, and incorporated herein by
reference.)
4.2 Specimen form of 9 7/8% Senior Note due 2000. (Filed as
Exhibit 4.2 to Rally's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended January 3, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.3 Form of Common Stock Certificate. (Filed as Exhibit 4 to
Rally's Registration Statement on Form S-1, dated October 11,
1989, and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.4 Form of Warrant Agreement between Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent,
including form of Warrant Certificate (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Rally's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 29, 1996 (the "1996
10-K")).
4.5 Form of Warrant Agreement between Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and
CKE Restaurants, Inc., including form of Warrant Certificate
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the 1996 10-K).
4.6 First Amendment to the Indenture (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.6 to the 1996 10-K).
4.7 Other Debt Instruments - Copies of debt instruments for which
the related debt is less than 10% of the Company's total
assets will be furnished to the Commission upon request.
4.8 Certificate of Designation for Rally's Series A Participating
Preferred Stock.
10.1 Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Company and its
directors and officers. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Rally's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, dated October 11, 1989,
and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.2* Amended and Restated Non-qualified Stock Option Plan. (Filed
as Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 1 to Rally's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, dated October 11, 1989, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10.3* First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Non-qualified
Stock Option Plan, dated as of October 26, 1989. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.4 to Rally's Registration Statement on form S-1,
dated December 29, 1989, and incorporated herein by
reference.)
10.4 Lease between Blue Ridge Associates and the Company dated
November 17, 1987. (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Rally's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, dated October 11, 1989,
and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.5* Rally's, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the 1996 10-K).
* Compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 14c of
Form 10K.
48
<PAGE>
10.6* Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan for
Non-employee Directors. (Filed as Exhibit A to Rally's
definitive Proxy Statement, dated June 19, 1996, for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on July 10, 1996, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10.7* Employment Agreement between the Company and Evan G. Hughes
dated March 28, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Rally's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 2,
1995, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.8* Employment Agreement between the Company and Donald E. Doyle
dated March 1, 1996. (Filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Rally's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10.9* Supplemental Employment Agreement between the Company and
Donald E. Doyle, dated February 11, 1997 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the 1996 10-K).
10.10 Operating Agreement by and between Rally's Hamburgers, Inc.
and Carl Karcher Enterprises. (Filed as Exhibit 10.43 to CKE
Restaurants, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended May 20, 1996, and incorporated herein by
reference.)
10.11 Consulting Agreement by and between Rally's Hamburgers, Inc.
and CKE Restaurants, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.16 to the 1996 10-K).
10.12 Exchange Agreement, dated as of December 8, 1997, between
Rally's Hamburgers, Inc., CKE, Fidelity, GIANT and the other
parties named in Exhibit A thereto (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit A to Rally's Statement on Schedule 13D, dated
December 18, 1997.
10.13* Management Services Agreement, dated November 30, 1997,
between Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and Rally's
Hamburgers, Inc.
10.14* Employment Agreement dated November 10, 1997, between the
Company, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and Jay
Gillespie.
10.15 Certificate of Designation of Series A Participating Preferred
Stock of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc., dated December 8, 1997.
10.16 Form 10-K of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. for the
fiscal year ended December 29, 1997. (Filed with the
Commission on March 30, 1998, and herein incorporated by
reference.)
10.17 Form 10-K of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. for the
fiscal year ended December 28, 1998. (Filed with the
Commission on March 22, 1999, and herein incorporated by
reference.)
10.18 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 29, 1999 between
the Company and Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
21 Subsidiaries of the Company:
(a) Rally's of Ohio, Inc., an Ohio corporation.
(b) Self-Service Drive-Thru, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (merged with the Company, effective
December 28, 1998).
(c) Rally's Finance, Inc., a Delaware corporation (merged
with the Company, effective December 28, 1998).
(d) Rally's Management, Inc., a Kentucky corporation.
(e) ZDT Corporation, a Missouri corporation.
(f) RAR, Inc., a Delaware corporation (merged with the
Company, effective December 28, 1998).
(g) MAC1,
Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(h) Hampton Roads Foods, Inc., a Louisiana corporation.
23** Consent of KPMG LLP
24** Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
49
<PAGE>
27** Financial Data Schedule
* Compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 14c of
Form 10K.
** Filed herewith
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
The following reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of
year 1998:
On September 25, 1998, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K under
Item 5 announcing the signing of a letter of intent between the
Company, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and GIANT GROUP, LTD.
whereby the three companies would merge in an all-stock transaction.
On November 2, 1998, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K under Item
5 announcing the termination of the proposed merger between the
Company, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and GIANT GROUP, LTD.
(c) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
Described in Item 14(a)(3) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(d) Financial Statement Schedules:
Described in Item 14(a)(2) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
50
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC.
Date: March 24, 1999
By: /s/ JAMES J. GILLESPIE
----------------------
James J. Gillespie
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 24, 1999.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ WILLIAM P. FOLEY, II Chairman and Director
- ------------------------
William P. Foley, II
/s/ JAMES J. GILLESPIE President, Chief Executive Officer and
- ------------------------ Director (Principal Executive Officer)
James J. Gillespie
/s/ JOSEPH N. STEIN Executive Vice President,
- ------------------------ Chief Financial Officer
Joseph N. Stein (Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
/s/ TERRY N. CHRISTENSEN Director
- ------------------------
Terry N. Christensen
/s/ WILLIE D. DAVIS Director
- ------------------------
Willie D. Davis
/s/ DAVID GOTTERER Director
- ------------------------
David Gotterer
/s/ RONALD MAGGARD Director
- ------------------------
Ronald Maggard
/s/ ANDREW PUZDER Director
- -------------------------
Andrew Puzder
/s/ BURT SUGARMAN Director
- -------------------------
Burt Sugarman
/s/ C. THOMAS THOMPSON Director
- ------------------------
C. Thomas Thompson
51
EXHIBIT 23
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Rally's Hamburgers, Inc.:
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos.
33-33367, 33-333419, 33-39420, 33-62792 and 33-66978) on Form S-8 of Rally's
Hamburgers, Inc. of our report dated February 26, 1999, relating to the
consolidated balance sheet of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
December 28, 1998, and the related consolidated statement of operations and
comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the year ended
December 28, 1998, which appears in the December 28, 1998, annual report on Form
10-K of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Tampa, Florida
March 25, 1999
EXHIBIT 24
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
reports included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed Form S-8
Registration Statements (Registration Statement Nos. 33-33367, 33-39419,
33-39420, 33-62792 and 33-66978).
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Louisville, Kentucky
March 25, 1999
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC., FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIODS
ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1998 AND DECEMBER 28, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANICAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-28-1998 DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-START> DEC-29-1997 DEC-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-28-1998 DEC-28-1997
<CASH> 6,481 5,388
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 2,750<F1> 1,949<F1>
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 1,017 1,052
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 11,736 10,968
<PP&E> 61,914<F2> 68,067<F2>
<DEPRECIATION> 0 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 123,306 134,297
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 15,865 20,793
<BONDS> 7,819 4,017
0 0
0 5
<COMMON> 2,961 2,484
<OTHER-SE> 31,558 39,024
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 123,306 134,297
<SALES> 139,602 139,348
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 144,952 144,930
<CGS> 124,282 123,681
<TOTAL-COSTS> 140,189 141,429
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 480 750
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,635 158
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,145 7,434
<INCOME-PRETAX> (7,283) (4,061)
<INCOME-TAX> 252 455
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (7,535) (4,516)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (7,535) (4,516)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (0.28) (0.22)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.28) (0.22)
<FN>
<F1> Receivables consist of -
Accounts Receivable - net $ 2,597 $ 1,555
Notes Receivable 153 394
------- -------
Total $ 2,750 $ 1,949
<F2> PP&E is net of accumulated depreiation and amortization of $51,961 and
$45,001, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>
