<PAGE> 1
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 1996
REGISTRATION NO. ________
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
-----------
FORM SB-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
DELAWARE 5995 31-1421571
(State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
</TABLE>
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
4006 VENTURE COURT
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43228
(614) 771-2777
(Name, address and telephone number of principal executive offices
and principal place of business)
JOHN GAYLORD
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
4006 VENTURE COURT
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43228
(614) 771-2777
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
-------------------
Copies to:
MARTIN C. LICHT, ESQ.
845 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 935-3131
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
--------------
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box./X/
<PAGE> 2
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=================================================================================================================================
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES MOUNT TO BE PROPOSED OFFERING PROPOSED AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF
TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PRICE PER SHARE (1) OFFERING PRICE (1) REGISTRATION FEE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value
("Common Stock")(2)..................................... 1,015,000 1.5625 1,585,937.50 546.88
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock Purchase Warrants(2)......................... 800,000 .4375 350,000 120.69
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares of Common Stock underlying the
Common Stock Purchase Warrants.......................... 800,000 1.5625 1,250,000 431.04
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Registration Fee.................................... 1,098.61
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE
OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 416 there are also being registered such additional shares
of Common Stock as may become issuable pursuant to the antidilution
provisions of the Common Stock Purchase Warrants.
(ii)
<PAGE> 3
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NO. CAPTION IN FORM SB-2 LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
-------- -------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C>
1. Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside
Front Cover Page of Prospectus.................................. Outside Front Cover.
2. Inside Front and Outside Bank Cover Pages of
Prospectus ..................................................... Inside Front and Outside Back Covers.
3. Summary Information; Risk Factors................................ Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors.
4. Use of Proceeds.................................................. Use of Proceeds.
5. Determination of Offering Price.................................. Plan of Distribution.
6. Selling Security-Holders......................................... Selling Securityholders.
7. Plan of Distribution............................................. Plan of Distribution.
8. Legal Proceedings................................................ Business - Litigation.
9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and
Control Persons.................................................. Management.
10. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management...................................................... Principal Shareholders.
11. Description of Securities ....................................... Description of Securities.
12. Interests of named Experts and Counsel........................... Legal Matters; Experts.
13. Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification
for Securities Act Liabilities.................................. Description of Securities.
14. Organization Within Last Five Years.............................. Prospectus Summary.
15. Description of Business.......................................... Prospectus Summary; Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations;
Business; and Financial Statements.
16. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of
Operation....................................................... Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
17. Description of Property.......................................... Business - Leased Properties.
18. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions................... Certain Transactions.
19. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Market for Common Equity and Related
Matters......................................................... Stockholder Matters.
20. Executive Compensation........................................... Management - Executive Compensation.
21. Financial Statements............................................. Financial Statements.
22. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosures............................ Change in Accountants
</TABLE>
(iii)
<PAGE> 4
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
Issued July 1, 1996
1,015,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
800,000 COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
Gaylord Companies, Inc. is hereby offering (the "Offering") 1,015,000
shares (the "Shares") of its common stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock")
and 800,000 common stock purchase warrant (the "Warrants") on behalf of certain
selling securityholders (the "Selling Securityholders"). The Shares and the
Warrants are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Securities." The Company
will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities by the
Selling Securityholders.
Each Warrant expires on October 30, 2000, and entitles the holder,
commencing October 31, 1996 to purchase one share of Common Stock for $3.00. The
exercise price of the Warrants is subject to adjustment in certain events
pursuant to the antidilution provisions thereof. The Warrants are redeemable by
the Company at a price of $.05 per Warrant commencing October 31, 1997 and prior
to their expiration, provided that (i) prior notice of not less than 30 days is
given to the holders of the Warrants, and (ii) the closing sale price of the
Common Stock as reported on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") for 20 consecutive trading days, ending on
the tenth day prior to the date on which the Company gives notice of redemption,
has been at least $4.50. The holders of the Warrants shall have exercise rights
until the close of the business day preceding the date fixed for redemption. See
"DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES."
The Securities may be offered from time to time by the Selling
Securityholders through ordinary brokerage transactions in the over-the-counter
market, in negotiated transactions or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at
the time of sale or at negotiated prices.
The Company's Common Stock and Warrants are traded on NASDAQ under the
symbols GJCO and GJCOW, respectively, and on the Boston Stock Exchange under the
symbols GJC and GJCW, respectively.
-------------------
THESE SECURITIES ARE SPECULATIVE AND INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. PURCHASERS
SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE MATTERS DESCRIBED UNDER "RISK FACTORS" ON
PAGE 8.
-------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION, OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
The date of this Prospectus is , 1996.
<PAGE> 5
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
A Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (the "Registration Statement")
under the Securities Act relating to the securities offered hereby has been
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), Washington, D.C. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and the
securities offered hereby, reference is made to such Registration Statement,
exhibits and schedules. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the
contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or
other document filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, each such
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. A copy of the
Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the Commission's
principal offices in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may
be obtained from the Commission upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by
the Commission.
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith files periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning the Company may be inspected or copied at the public
reference facilities of the Commission located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room
1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices in New
York, 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and in
Chicago, Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such documents can be obtained at the
public reference section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
The Company intends to furnish its shareholders with annual reports
containing audited financial statements certified by an independent public
accounting firm.
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<PAGE> 6
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain information contained in this
Prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed
information, the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. The Company was formed on July 19, 1994.
As of August 1, 1994, the Company became a holding company with six operating
subsidiaries when all of the shareholders of the operating entities exchanged
all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of such companies for
all of the then issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
Accordingly, all of the information appearing in the Prospectus reflects this
new ownership structure as if the subsidiaries were wholly-owned by the Company
for all periods presented. Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this
Prospectus does not give effect to the exercise of any options, warrants or
conversion rights. See "CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS," and "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES -
1996 Financing." Each prospective investor is urged to read this Prospectus in
its entirety.
THE COMPANY
Gaylord Companies, Inc. (the "Company") is a specialty retailer of
books and quality cookware and serving equipment. Unless the context otherwise
indicates, the term "Company" includes Gaylord Companies, Inc. and its six
wholly-owned subsidiaries (the "Subsidiaries"). The Company owns and operates
six retail "Little Professor" bookstores (the "Bookstores") and four specialty
retail stores offering quality cookware and serving equipment, cooking
accessories and certain select food products as well as cookbooks and
food-related publications (the "Cookstores").
The Company's strategy is to capitalize upon its dual experience as a
specialty retailer of books in the Bookstores and of quality cookware and
serving equipment in the Cookstores and to expand these approaches into regional
malls and select other sites throughout the country. The Company intends to
focus its plans for expansion on the Cookstores because of what is believed to
be the higher margins, the fragmented nature of competition in this line of
business and the relatively few number of stores owned by its chief national
competitors. The Company believes that there is greater competition in the
Bookstore business which has lower margins and less opportunity for growth.
Although the Company may open additional Bookstores in select sites in the
future, the Company is not presently planning to open any additional Bookstores.
See "BUSINESS - Strategy."
The Bookstores are operated pursuant to separate license agreements
(the "License Agreements") with Little Professor Book Centers, Inc. (the
"Franchisor") and are situated in regional malls and strip shopping centers in
Ohio. Five of the six Bookstores are known as Little Professor Book Company
superstores (the "Superstores") and range from 8,000 to 18,000 square feet in
size. Each Superstore offers 60,000 to 80,000 book titles. In addition, all of
the Superstores offer thousands of foreign and domestic magazines, books on
cassette, out-of-town newspapers, travel guides, maps and calendars. The Company
believes that one of the keys to its success is that it has created a warm,
comfortable atmosphere in the Superstores, with furnishings that include
fireplaces, pianos, reading rooms and comfortable chairs, with an added emphasis
on special children's sections with child-sized furniture. Activities are
conducted for readers of all ages, including visits, readings, workshops and
booksignings by locally and nationally acclaimed writers and book illustrators.
The other Bookstore is known as a Little Professor Bargain Bookstore (the
"Bargain Bookstore"). The Bargain Bookstore is approximately 2,000 square feet
in size and offers approximately 10,000 titles. The Bargain Bookstore sells
deeply discounted publisher overstock, remaindered and used books.
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<PAGE> 7
The Cookstores are each approximately 3,300 square feet in size and are
situated in regional retail malls in Ohio. These stores carry cookware sold
under such brand names as Calphalon, Le Crueset, Cuisinart, Kitchen Aid, Krups,
Braun and Melitta, which are believed to be the trademarks of their respective
owners. The merchandising philosophy of the Company is "if it is used in the
kitchen, it can be purchased at The Cookstore." Accordingly, the Company
attempts to carry a broad range of merchandise in the following categories:
accessories, bakeware, books, cookware, cutlery, electrics, food, furniture,
gadgets, gifts, tableware and textiles. See "BUSINESS."
The first of the Company's six wholly-owned Subsidiaries was formed and
commenced operating a Bookstore in 1977. The first Cookstore was opened by one
of the Subsidiaries in 1981. The Company was formed on July 19, 1994 for the
purpose of consolidating the activities of the six Subsidiaries: Gaylord Book
Company, Sawworth Book Company, formerly known as Little Professor Enterprises,
Inc., Gaylord's, Inc., Gaylord Enterprises, Inc., The Cookstore, Inc. and The
Cookstore Worthington, Inc., formerly known as Gaylord Companies, Inc. As of
August 1, 1994, all of the shareholders of the Subsidiaries entered into an
agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") whereby such shareholders exchanged all of
the issued and outstanding common stock of each of the Subsidiaries for all of
the then outstanding Common Stock of the Company. The Company's principal
executive offices are located at 4006 Venture Court, Columbus, Ohio 43228 and
its telephone number is (614) 771-2777. See "BUSINESS" and "CERTAIN
TRANSACTIONS."
THE OFFERING
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Securities Offered.............................................................. 1,015,000 shares of Common Stock
800,000 Warrants
Offering Price.................................................................. The market price thereof at the time of sale by
the Selling Securityholders.
Common Stock Outstanding prior to
the Offering................................................................... 2,750,000 shares
Common Stock Outstanding after the
Offering....................................................................... 2,750,000 shares (1)
Warrants Outstanding prior to Offering.......................................... 1,725,000
Warrants Outstanding after Offering............................................. 1,725,000(2)
Exercise Terms of Warrants...................................................... Each Warrant expires on October 30, 2000 and
entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share
of Common Stock for $3.00, commencing October
31, 1996. See "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
- Warrants."
Redemption of Warrants.......................................................... The Warrants are redeemable by the Company,
commencing October 31, 1997, at a price of $.05
per Warrant upon not less than 30 days prior
notice to the holders of such Warrants, provided
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 8
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
that the closing sale price of the Common Stock as
reported on NASDAQ is at least $4.50, for 20
consecutive trading days ending on the tenth day
prior to the date on which the Company gives
notice of redemption. See "DESCRIPTION OF
SECURITIES - Warrants."
Use of Proceeds ................................................................ The Company will not receive any of the proceeds
from the sale of the Securities offered hereby.
Risk Factors.................................................................... The purchase of the shares of Common Stock and
the Warrants offered hereby involves a high
degree of risk. See "RISK FACTORS."
Trading Symbols:
BOSTON
NASDAQ STOCK EXCHANGE
------ --------------
Common Stock .................................................................. GJCO GJC
Warrants....................................................................... GJCOW GJCW
<FN>
(1) Does not include (i) a maximum of 1,725,000 shares of Common Stock,
subject to adjustment, issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants sold in
the Company's initial public offering (the "Initial Public Offering");
(ii) an aggregate of 1,708,337 shares of Common Stock, subject to
adjustment, issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and
conversion rights; (iii) a maximum of 333,333 shares of Common Stock which
are issuable upon exercise of options which may be granted pursuant to the
Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan; and (iv) 415,000 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the conversion of notes (the "Convertible Notes") in the
aggregate original principal amount of $622,500 issued in June 1996 (the
"1996 Financing"). See "MANAGEMENT - Stock Options" and "DESCRIPTION OF
SECURITIES - 1996 Financing."
(2) Does not include the Warrants issuable upon the exercise of rights to
acquire up to 800,000 Warrants. See "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES - 1996
Financing" and "- Recent Developments."
</TABLE>
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary financial information is derived from, and should
be read in conjunction with, the financial statements of the Company included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The summary financial information for the three
months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995 are derived from the Company's unaudited
interim financial statements for those periods. In the opinion of management
those interim unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same
basis as the Company's audited financial statements and include all adjustments,
consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation
of such interim financial information. The results of operations for the three
months ended March 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of results of
operations that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 1996. See
"MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS," and "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS."
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<PAGE> 9
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
---------------------------- --------------------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: 1995 1994 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales ....................................... $ 13,722,144 $ 12,621,148 $ 2,884,819 $ 2,919,495
Cost of goods sold, including store occupancy and
delivery costs ............................... 10,177,693 9,185,959 2,206,362 2,217,357
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Gross profit .................................... 3,544,451 3,435,189 678,457 702,138
Operating expenses .............................. 3,848,101 3,559,490 962,554 931,412
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Operating income (loss) ......................... (303,650) (124,301) (284,097) (229,274)
Other expenses - net ............................ (573,767) (379,565) (91,172) (96,645)
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) (877,417) (503,866) (375,269) (325,919)
Income tax expense (benefit) (267,490) (202,000) (150,107) (130,368)
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Net income (loss) $ (609,927) $ (301,866) $ (225,162) $ (195,551)
============ ============ =========== ===========
Earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.29) $ (0.15) $ (0.08) $ (0.09)
============ ============ =========== ===========
Weighted average common shares used 2,125,000 2,000,000 2,750,000 2,125,000
============ ============ =========== ===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, 1996
--------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
<S> <C>
Current assets................................................................ $2,924,017
Working capital............................................................... 414,447
Property and equipment........................................................ 663,470
Goodwill...................................................................... 124,311
Deferred income taxes......................................................... 357,061
Investment.................................................................... 125,000
Other assets.................................................................. 39,475
Current liabilities........................................................... 2,509,570
Capital lease obligations..................................................... 5,018
Stockholders' equity.......................................................... 1,718,746
</TABLE>
1996 FINANCING
In June 1996 the Company consummated a private placement to 12 investors of
an aggregate of $622,500 of its Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are due
and payable on December 11, 1996. Interest is payable at the rate of 5% per
annum. The principal amount of each Convertible Note is convertible into shares
of Common Stock at the rate of $1.50 per share. In the event that the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes are not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on or before August 11,
1996, then the interest rate is 20% per annum calculated as of June 11, 1996.
The shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes
are being offered hereby.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
As of April 23, 1996, the Company entered into a twenty-four month financial
consulting and investor relations agreement with Solay, Inc. Pursuant to the
financial consulting and investor relations agreement, Solay, Inc. is entitled
to receive $135,000 payable over six months, which amount has been prepaid by
the Company. In addition, Solay, Inc. received $65,000 in connection with
financial advisory services rendered to the Company in connection with the 1996
Financing. Pursuant to the financial consulting and investor relations
agreement, Solay, Inc. has the right to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock
and 600,000 Warrants identical to the Warrants offered in the Initial Public
Offering
- 6 -
<PAGE> 10
through October 23, 1996, for an aggregate purchase price of $300,000. In
addition, Rodika Salter, an affiliate of Solay, Inc., has an option to purchase
up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock until October 23, 1996 for $1.50 per share.
In connection with the 1996 Financing, Lido Equities Corp. received an aggregate
of $35,175 of commissions and non-accountable expenses. Pursuant to a
consulting agreement, Lido Equities Corp. has been granted the right to acquire
100,000 shares of Common Stock and 200,000 Warrants identical to the Warrants
offered in the Initial Public Offering until November 30, 1996, for an
aggregate purchase price of $100,000.
- 7 -
<PAGE> 11
RISK FACTORS
THIS OFFERING INVOLVES SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT RISKS AND THE SECURITIES
SHOULD BE PURCHASED ONLY BY PERSONS WHO CAN AFFORD TO SUSTAIN THE LOSS OF THEIR
ENTIRE INVESTMENT. IN EVALUATING AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS
PRIOR TO PURCHASE, PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING
RISK FACTORS AS WELL AS OTHER INFORMATION SET FORTH ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS.
OPERATING HISTORY
The Company incurred losses of $609,927 and $225,162 for fiscal 1995
and the first three months of 1996, respectively. There can be no assurance that
the Company's future operations will be profitable. The Company may, in fact,
continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. See "MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" and
"BUSINESS."
DEPENDENCE ON PROPOSED EXPANSION PROGRAM
The Company's continued growth depends to a significant degree on its
ability to open new Cookstores, increase sales at existing stores and achieve
and sustain profitability. The Company currently intends to open three or
possibly four new Cookstores during the next 12 to 18 months. The Company is
basing its plans for expansion principally on the operation of the Cookstores
because of what is believed to be higher margins, the fragmented nature of
competition in this line of business and the relatively few number of stores of
its chief national competitors. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to hire, train and integrate employees, locate and obtain favorable
store sites, and adapt its management information and other operational systems,
to the extent necessary to grow in a profitable manner. In addition, the costs
associated with the planned expansion of the Cookstores may have a material
adverse impact upon the Company's results and prospects. In the event that the
Company's plans for expansion are not successful, there could be a material
adverse affect on the Company's business. See "Need for Additional Financing"
and "BUSINESS."
LICENSE AGREEMENTS
Four of the Subsidiaries are licensees under five separate License
Agreements with the Franchisor with respect to the Bookstores. There can be no
assurance that the Company or the Subsidiaries will be able to comply with all
of the terms and conditions of the License Agreements. Noncompliance under any
of the License Agreements may lead to termination of all of the License
Agreements by the Franchisor. In such event, the Company may be compelled, among
other things, to rename its stores and advertise such name change, which may
have a material adverse affect on the Company. See "BUSINESS - License
Agreements."
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING, CONVERSION OF CONVERTIBLE NOTES
The Company intends to develop, open and operate three or possibly four
additional Cookstores during the next 12 to 18 months. However, the Company must
refinance its existing credit facilities which expire in January 1997, of which
there can be no assurance. In addition, in the event that any or all of the
Convertible Notes are not converted into shares of Common Stock, additional
financing will
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<PAGE> 12
be required. Moreover, additional short-term financing may be required to meet
the Company's increased seasonal working capital requirements due to the
Company's anticipated expansion. The Company has not made any arrangements for
any additional financing. If the Company's revenues are not sufficient for the
operation of the Company, or to enable the Company to complete its present plans
for expansion, then the Company will have to seek additional financing.
Moreover, the Company intends to further expand the number of stores, when and
if appropriate, and anticipates that it will need to seek additional financing
for such expansion. Such additional financing may be in the form of indebtedness
from institutional lenders or other third parties or as equity financing. There
can be no assurance that such financing will be available and, if so, on
acceptable terms. Any such financing may result in significant dilution to
investors in this Offering or cause the Company to become overly leveraged. In
such event, the shareholders, including purchasers in this Offering, may lose or
experience a substantial reduction in the value of their investment in the
Company. See "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Liquidity and Financial Resources."
SECURED LIENS -- EXISTENCE OF LIENS ON ALL OF THE COMPANY'S ASSETS
All of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries (the "Secured
Assets") have been pledged as collateral to secure obligations owed to Bank One
Columbus, N.A. and to Ingram Book Company (the "Consignor"), the primary
supplier of the Bookstores. The payments due to such parties are based upon the
prime rate of interest. If the prime rate of interest rises, there may be a
negative impact on results of operations. Assuming that the average amount owed
to the Consignor for the goods consigned by the Consignor to the Bookstores is
equal to approximately $2,600,000 during the next 12 months (of which interest
accrues on approximately $2,300,000) and that the Company's outstanding bank
debt is approximately $1,050,491 as of May 31, 1996, and there are no other
changes with respect to the Company's obligations, then each percentage point
increase in the prime rate of interest will decrease the Company's net earnings
before income taxes by approximately $33,500 per annum. There can be no
assurance that the prime rate of interest will not increase. In fiscal 1994 the
Company's interest expense was $274,401 compared to $391,081 in fiscal 1995. The
increase was due to higher average bank borrowings in fiscal 1995, together with
higher interest rates on the Company's debt which was attributable to
significant increases in the prime rate of interest. Furthermore, in the event
that the Company or its Subsidiaries fail to comply with such obligations,
including the making of required payments of principal and interest, the
indebtedness could be declared immediately due and payable and, in certain
cases, the lender could foreclose upon the Secured Assets. Moreover, to the
extent that the assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries continue to be pledged
to secure outstanding indebtedness, such assets will be unavailable to secure
additional debt financing, which may adversely affect the Company's ability to
borrow in the future. See "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Liquidity and Financial Resources."
DEPENDENCE ON CREDIT FACILITIES
The Company's operations are dependent upon the availability of credit.
The Company's existing line of credit expires on January 10, 1997 and Bank One
Columbus, N.A. has advised the Company that it does not intend to renew the
Company's credit facilities. Moreover, the Company may not draw any additional
advances under the line of credit. In the event that the Company is not able to
obtain financing on favorable terms, there would be a material adverse affect on
the Company. The Company believes that additional short-term financing may be
required to meet the Company's increased working capital requirements due to the
Company's anticipated expansion. There can be no assurance that such financing
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will be available, or, if so, on acceptable terms. See "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Liquidity and
Financial Resources."
COMPETITION
The specialty retail business is highly competitive. The Company's
Bookstores compete with other retail stores including, most notably, Barnes &
Noble, Inc., the Borders-Walden Group, a subsidiary of K Mart Corporation, and
Media Play, a division of Musicland Stores Corporation. The Company's Cookstores
compete with other retail stores including Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Lechter's,
Inc., Linens & Things and Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as other specialty stores
and department stores. Certain of the Company's competitors have greater
financial, distribution and marketing resources than the Company. There can be
no assurance that the Company will have the ability to compete successfully. See
"BUSINESS - Competition."
RISK OF OPENING SUPERSTORE COOKSTORES
The Company is considering opening Cookstores which would each be in
excess of 5,000 square feet in size. No definitive plans have been formulated
and the Company does not presently intend to open any such stores during the
next 18 months. These "superstore" Cookstores would expand each product category
carried in the Cookstores, particularly the food and tableware categories. The
Company does not have any experience in operating superstore Cookstores. If the
Company opens any superstore Cookstores and if they are not successful, there
would be a material adverse affect on the Company. See "BUSINESS - Strategy."
SUPPLIERS
Although the Cookstores currently acquire their products from over 200
suppliers, certain suppliers of well-known products are particularly important
to the Cookstores' ability to offer the quality of products necessary to
implement the Company's strategy. These suppliers are not obligated to continue
to furnish products to the Company. Moreover, the Bookstores acquire
approximately 70% of their products from the Consignor. The Company does not
have any written contracts with its suppliers other than the consignment
agreements with the Consignor. In the event that the Company cannot maintain its
existing relationships with its suppliers on terms no less advantageous than
currently available, or experiences any delay or difficulty in obtaining
alternative suppliers on comparable terms, then there could be a material
adverse affect on the Company's business. See "BUSINESS - Suppliers and
Distribution."
NONCOMPLIANCE WITH CONSIGNMENT AGREEMENTS
The Subsidiaries have not satisfied all of the provisions of the
consignment agreements with the Consignor. However, the Consignor has never
declared a default under the consignment agreements. Upon a default under any of
the consignment agreements the Consignor may terminate all of such consignment
agreements. As of March 31, 1996, the Company was holding approximately
$2,600,000 of consigned goods, at cost, under the consignment agreements. In the
event such consignment agreements are terminated, the Company would be required
to return the consigned goods to the Consignor. Moreover, the Company would find
it necessary to seek alternative sources of inventory financing. There can be no
assurance that such financing will be available and, if so, on acceptable terms.
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<PAGE> 14
In the event that the consignment agreements are terminated, there could be a
material adverse affect on the Company. See "BUSINESS - Suppliers and
Distribution."
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONS
The Company is dependent upon the services of both John Gaylord and
John D. Critser, both of whom serve as officers and members of the Company's
Board of Directors under employment agreements which expire in April 2001. The
Company carries keyman insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 on the lives of
both John Gaylord and John D. Critser. The loss or curtailment of the services
of either would have a material adverse affect on the Company's operations and
prospects. In addition, the Company has an ongoing need to expand its management
personnel, marketing and support staff. Competition for personnel having the
qualifications required by the Company is intense and no assurance exists that
the Company will be successful in recruiting or retaining such personnel in the
future. See "BUSINESS Employees" and "MANAGEMENT."
CONTROL BY CURRENT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS; RELATIONSHIP OF PRINCIPAL
SHAREHOLDERS
The current officers and directors of the Company own an aggregate of
approximately 56% of the Company's Common Stock and are in a position to
influence the election of the Company's directors and otherwise essentially
control the outcome of all matters requiring shareholder approval. Moreover, all
of the principal shareholders of the Company are related by blood or marriage
and own an aggregate of approximately 70% of the Common Stock. See "MANAGEMENT"
and "PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS."
LEASES
The Company currently leases all of its properties. No assurance can be
given that the Company will be able to find favorable store sites for expansion
and negotiate leases on satisfactory terms and conditions or that the Company
will be able to comply with the provisions of the current leases or renegotiate
favorable lease terms as they expire. See "BUSINESS - Leased Properties."
SEASONALITY
The Company's business is subject to substantial seasonal variations.
Historically, a significant portion of the Company's net sales and net earnings
have been realized during the period from October through December, and levels
of net sales and net earnings have generally been significantly lower during the
period from January through September. The Company believes that this is the
general pattern associated with similar retail industries. If for any reason the
Company's sales were to be substantially below seasonal norms during the October
through December period, the Company's annual results could be materially and
adversely affected. Unfavorable economic conditions affecting retailers
generally during the Christmas selling season in any year could materially and
adversely affect the Company's results of operations for the year. The Company
must also make decisions regarding how much inventory to buy well in advance of
the season in which it will be sold, especially for the Christmas selling
season. Significant deviations in actual from projected demand for products can
have an adverse affect on the Company's sales and profitability. See
"MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS."
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<PAGE> 15
POTENTIAL LIMITATION ON TRADEMARK PROTECTION
The Cookstore, Inc. has been granted a registered trademark for "The
Cookstore" and has applied for registration of a logo for "The Cookstore." The
Company does not have any other trademark applications pending. However,
additional trademark registration applications which may be filed by the Company
with the United States Patent and Trademark Office may or may not be granted and
the breadth or degree of protection which the Company's existing or future
trademarks, whether or not registered, afford the Company may not be adequate.
Moreover, the Company may not be able to defend successfully any legal rights it
obtains. See "BUSINESS - Trademarks."
POTENTIAL ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT OF PROVISIONS OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND
DELAWARE LAW
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a
publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination"
with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of
the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless (i)
prior to the date of the business combination, the transaction is approved by
the board of directors of the corporation, (ii) upon consummation of the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder, the interested stockholder owns at least 85% of the outstanding
voting stock, or (iii) on or after such date the business combination is
approved by the board of directors and by the affirmative vote of at least 66
2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested
stockholder. A "business combination" includes mergers, asset sales and other
transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the stockholder. An "interested
stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or
within three years, did own), 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock.
This provision of law could similarly discourage, prevent or delay a change in
control of the Company, which could have the effect of discouraging bids for the
Company and thereby prevent stockholders from receiving the maximum value for
their shares. See "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES."
AUTHORIZATION AND DISCRETIONARY ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of
"blank check" preferred stock with such designations, rights and preferences as
may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the
Board of Directors is empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue
preferred stock with dividends, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights
which could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for
distribution to holders of Common Stock and adversely affect the relative voting
power or other rights of the holders of the Company's Common Stock. In the event
of issuance, the preferred stock could be used, under certain circumstances, as
a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of the
Company. Although the Company has no present intention to issue any shares of
its preferred stock, there can be no assurance that the Company will not do so
in the future. See "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES."
NO DIVIDENDS
In the past, several of the Subsidiaries have paid nominal dividends on
their common stock. However, the Company's loan agreements with an institutional
lender prohibits the payment of any cash dividends. The Company has not paid and
does not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
See "DIVIDEND POLICY."
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<PAGE> 16
SHARES AVAILABLE FOR RESALE
The Company has outstanding 2,750,000 shares of Common Stock. In
addition, up to 1,725,000 shares of Common Stock are issuable upon the exercise
of the Warrants and 1,708,337 shares of Common Stock are issuable upon the
exercise of outstanding options, warrants and conversion rights, and 415,000
shares of Common Stock are issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible
Notes. Moreover, options to purchase 333,333 shares of Common Stock may be
issued under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan. To the extent that such stock
options, warrants and conversion rights are exercised, dilution to the interests
of the Company's shareholders will occur. Moreover, the terms upon which the
Company will be able to obtain additional equity capital may be adversely
affected since the holders of the outstanding options, warrants and conversion
rights can be expected to exercise them, to the extent they are able to, at a
time when the Company would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed
capital on terms more favorable to the Company than those provided in the
options, warrants and conversion rights. Furthermore, the sale of Common Stock
or other securities held by or issuable to the holders, or merely the potential
of such sales, could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Company's
securities. See "MANAGEMENT - Executive Compensation," "CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS"
and "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES."
Of the shares of Common Stock outstanding, 1,930,525 are "restricted
securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may
only be sold pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act
or in compliance with Rule 144 or another exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. The holders of such shares of Common Stock
have agreed not to sell any of their shares of Common Stock without the consent
of RAS Securities Corp., the representative of the underwriters of the Company's
Initial Public Offering, until October 31, 1997. It is not anticipated that RAS
Securities Corp. will consent to the sales of any shares if any such sales might
have an adverse impact on the market price of the Common Stock. Sales of the
Company's Common Stock by present shareholders may, in the future, have a
depressive effect on the market price of the Company's securities.
See "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES" and "PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION."
POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT OF REDEMPTION OF WARRANTS
The Warrants offered hereby are redeemable by the Company at a price of
$.05 per Warrant, commencing October 31, 1997 and prior to their expiration,
provided that (i) prior notice of not less than 30 days is given to the holders
of the Warrants, and (ii) the closing sale price of the Common Stock as reported
on NASDAQ on each of the 20 consecutive trading days ending on the tenth day
prior to the date on which the Company gives notice of redemption has been at
least $4.50. The holders of the Warrants shall have exercise rights until the
close of the business day preceding the date fixed for redemption. Notice of
redemption of the Warrants could force the holders to exercise the Warrants and
pay the exercise price at a time when it may be disadvantageous for them to do
so, to sell the Warrants at the market price when they might otherwise wish to
hold the Warrants, or to accept the redemption price which is likely to be
substantially less than the market value of the Warrants at the time of
redemption. See "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES - Warrants."
RELATIONSHIP OF UNDERWRITERS TO TRADING
The underwriters of the Initial Public Offering (the "Underwriters")
may act in a brokerage capacity with respect to the purchase or sale of the
Common Stock or Warrants on NASDAQ or the Boston Stock Exchange. The
Underwriters also have the right to act as the Company's sole agent in
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<PAGE> 17
connection with any future solicitation of the holders of the Warrants to
exercise their Warrants. Unless granted an exemption by the Commission from Rule
10b-6 promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Underwriters and any soliciting
broker-dealers will be prohibited from engaging in any market-making activities
with regard to the Company's securities during a period beginning nine business
days prior to the commencement of any such solicitation and ending on the later
of the termination of such solicitation activity or the termination (by waiver
or otherwise) of any right that the Underwriters and soliciting broker-dealers
may have to receive a fee for soliciting the exercise of the Warrants. As a
result, the Underwriters and soliciting broker-dealers may be unable to continue
to provide a market for the Company's securities during certain periods while
the Warrants are exercisable. Such a limitation, while in effect, could impair
the liquidity and market price of the Common Stock.
CURRENT PROSPECTUS AND STATE BLUE SKY REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO EXERCISE WARRANTS
Holders of the Warrants will have the right to exercise the Warrants
for the purchase of shares of Common Stock only if a current prospectus relating
to such shares is then in effect and only if the shares are qualified for sale,
or there is an exemption from the applicable qualification requirements, under
the securities laws of the applicable state or states. The Company has
undertaken and intends to file and keep effective and current a prospectus which
will permit the purchase and sale of the Common Stock underlying the Warrants,
but there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so. Although
the Company intends to seek to qualify for sale the shares of Common Stock
underlying the Warrants in those states in which the securities are to be
offered, no assurance can be given that such qualification will occur. The
Warrants may be deprived of any value if a prospectus covering the shares
issuable upon the exercise thereof is not kept effective and current or if such
underlying shares are not, or cannot be, registered in the applicable states.
Although the Company does not presently intend to do so, the Company reserves
the right to call the Warrants for redemption whether or not a current
prospectus is in effect or such underlying shares are not, or cannot be,
registered in the applicable states. If the Company calls the Warrants under
such circumstances, the holders of the Warrants may have difficulty in selling
or exercising their Warrants prior to redemption. See "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
- - Warrants."
UNDERWRITERS' WARRANTS AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The Company has sold to the Underwriters for $18.00, Underwriters'
Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 75,000 shares of Common Stock and 150,000
Warrants. The shares of Common Stock and the Warrants issuable upon exercise of
the Underwriters' Warrants are identical to those offered hereby. The
Underwriters' Warrants are exercisable for a period of four years commencing
October 31, 1996. The exercise of the Underwriters' Warrants may dilute the
value of the shares of Common Stock and may adversely affect the Company's
ability to obtain equity capital. Moreover, if the Common Stock issuable upon
the exercise of the Underwriters' Warrants is sold in the public market it may
adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. The Underwriters have
been granted certain "piggyback" registration rights for a period of seven years
from October 31, 1995, and demand registration rights for a period of five years
from October 31, 1995, with respect to the registration under the Securities Act
of the securities issuable upon exercise of the Underwriters' Warrants. The
exercise of such rights could result in substantial expense to the Company.
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<PAGE> 18
LACK OF TRADING MARKET; NASDAQ MAINTENANCE; POSSIBLE DELISTING OF SECURITIES
FROM NASDAQ; RISKS OF LOW-PRICED STOCKS
Prior to the Initial Public Offering, there had been no established
public trading market for the Company's Securities and there is no assurance
that a regular public trading market for the Company's Securities will be
sustained. The Company's Securities are listed on the NASDAQ small
capitalization market. For continued listing, the Company, generally, must have
$2,000,000 in total assets, $1,000,000 in total capital and surplus, $200,000 in
market value of public float, a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, a minimum
of 100,000 shares publicly held and a minimum of 300 shareholders. If the
Company is unable to satisfy NASDAQ's maintenance criteria in the future, the
Securities will be subject to being delisted, and trading, if any, in the
Company's Securities would thereafter be conducted in the over-the-counter
market in the so-called "pink sheets" or the NASD's "Electronic Bulletin Board."
As a consequence of such delisting, an investor would likely find it more
difficult to dispose of, or to obtain quotations as to the price of, the
Securities.
PENNY STOCK REGULATION
In the event that the Company is unable to satisfy the NASDAQ
maintenance requirements, trading would be conducted in the pink sheets or the
NASD's Electronic Bulletin Board. In the absence of the Securities being quoted
on NASDAQ, or the Company having $2,000,000 in net tangible assets, trading in
the Securities would be covered by Rule 15g-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act
for non-NASDAQ and non-exchange listed securities. Under such rule,
broker-dealers who recommend such securities to persons other than established
customers and accredited investors must make a special written suitability
determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to
a transaction prior to sale. Securities are exempt from this rule if the market
price is at least $5.00 per share.
The Commission has adopted regulations that generally define a "penny
stock" to be any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per
share, subject to certain exceptions. Such exceptions include an equity security
listed on NASDAQ and an equity security issued by an issuer that has (i) net
tangible assets of at least $2,000,000, if such issuer has been in continuous
operation for three years, (ii) net tangible assets of at least $5,000,000, if
such issuer has been in continuous operation for less than three years, or (iii)
average revenue of at least $6,000,000 for the preceding three years. Unless an
exception is available, the regulations require the delivery, prior to any
transaction involving a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule explaining the
penny stock market and the risks associated therewith.
If the Company's securities were subject to the regulations applicable
to penny stocks, the market liquidity for the securities would be severely
affected by limiting the ability of broker-dealers to sell the securities and
the ability of purchasers in this Offering to sell their securities in the
secondary market. There is no assurance that trading in the Company's securities
will not be subject to these or other regulations that would adversely affect
the market for such securities.
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<PAGE> 19
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the
Securities offered hereby.
DIVIDEND POLICY
Several of the Subsidiaries have previously paid nominal dividends on
their capital stock. However, the Company's loan agreements prohibit the
distribution of cash dividends. Except for the payment of dividends on the
Company's Series A Preferred Stock, the Company has not in the past paid, and
does not anticipate paying in the foreseeable future, cash dividends, but
instead intends to retain future earnings, if any, for reinvestment in its
business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the
discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the Company's
financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other
factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
GENERAL
Gaylord Companies, Inc. is a specialty retailer of books and quality
cookware and serving equipment. The Company was formed on July 19, 1994 for the
purpose of consolidating the activities of its six wholly-owned Subsidiaries:
Gaylord Book Company, Sawworth Book Company, formerly known as Little Professor
Enterprises, Inc., Gaylord's, Inc., Gaylord Enterprises, Inc., The Cookstore,
Inc. and The Cookstore Worthington, Inc., formerly known as Gaylord Companies,
Inc. As of August 1, 1994, all of the shareholders of the Subsidiaries entered
into the Exchange Agreement whereby such shareholders exchanged all of the
issued and outstanding common stock of each of the Subsidiaries for all of the
then outstanding Common Stock of the Company. See "CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS."
The Company's strategy is to capitalize upon its dual experience as a
specialty retailer of books in the Bookstores and of quality cookware and
serving equipment in the Cookstores and to expand these approaches into regional
malls and select other sites throughout the country. The Company intends to
focus its plans for expansion on the Cookstores because of what is believed to
be the higher margins, fragmented nature of competition in this line of business
and the relatively few number of stores owned by its chief national competitors.
The Company believes that there is greater competition in the Bookstore
business, which has lower margins and less opportunity for growth. Although the
Company may open additional Bookstores in select sites in the future, the
Company is not presently planning to open any additional Bookstores. See
"BUSINESS - Strategy."
Barnes and Noble, Inc. owns three superstore bookstores, and Media
Play, a division of Musicland Stores Corporation, owns three superstores, in
Columbus, Ohio. Media Play and Barnes and Noble, Inc. are both discount
retailers and their presence had a significant negative impact on the Company's
sales and profitability. In addition, Barnes & Noble, Inc. opened a superstore
in Boardman, Ohio late in 1995. In Cincinnati, Ohio the Company experienced a
similar negative competitive impact on the performance of its only store in the
market due to the opening of an approximately 40,000 square foot bookstore by
the Borders-Walden Group and the opening of stores by Barnes & Noble, Inc.,
Media Play and a regional independent operator. The Company believes that the
Borders-Walden Group plans
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<PAGE> 20
to open a new store in Boardman, Ohio in the fall of 1996 in the close proximity
to the Bookstore in the Plaza at Sawmill Place in Columbus, Ohio. Discount
retailers significantly affected the Company's sales and margins in fiscal 1993
through fiscal 1995. As a result, the Company introduced its own discount
pricing strategy in order to provide its customers with comparable price value
and meet the competition. The Company has also engaged in marketing promotions,
offered a new product mix and changed its purchasing strategy.
The original Cookstore was opened in 1981 in Columbus, Ohio. Management
believes that the Cookstores are upscale, high fashion culinary stores that
attract the professional as well as the everyday buyer. Management has refined
its Cookstore operations and in late December 1993 opened its second location in
Worthington, Ohio. Management believes that opportunities exist for expansion in
the fragmented cookware market and has shifted the emphasis of its expansion
plans from Bookstores to Cookstores. In 1994, the Company doubled the number of
Cookstore locations from two to four. A third Cookstore in Dayton, Ohio and a
fourth Cookstore in Akron, Ohio opened during the fourth quarter of 1994. A
fifth Cookstore is scheduled to open in the fall of 1996 in Indianapolis,
Indiana. The original Cookstore has been remodeled to the standards of the other
locations.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1995
Consolidated Operations
The Company incurred a net loss of $225,162 in the three months ended
March 31, 1996 as compared to a net loss of $195,551 for the comparable period
in the prior year. Management believes that the increase in the net loss in the
three months ended March 31, 1996 as compared to the same period in 1995 was
primarily due to lower gross profit margins, higher store operating expenses and
higher administrative costs.
Net sales in the three months ended March 31, 1996 were $2,884,819, a
1.2% decrease over net sales of $2,919,495 for the comparable period in the
prior year. Management believes that the decrease was due primarily to the fact
that the Superstores in both Boardman and Cincinnati, Ohio posted significant
sales decreases as a result of competition from stores operated by Barnes &
Noble, Inc. in close proximity during the three months ended March 31, 1996.
Such stores did not encounter such competition in the same period in 1995.
Except for the Bargain Bookstore which experienced slightly lower sales, the
Company's other stores had increased sales in the three months ended March 31,
1996 as compared to the same period in the prior year. All net sales are
comparable in the period.
Cost of goods sold, including store occupancy and delivery costs, was
$2,206,362 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 as compared to $2,217,357
for the three months ended March 31, 1995. Gross profit as a percentage of net
sales was 23.5% for the three months ended March 31, 1996 as compared to 24.0%
during the same period in 1995. Management believes that the primary reason for
the lower gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended
March 31, 1996, as compared to the same period in 1995, is the lower gross
profit as a percentage of sales in the Company's Superstore in Boardman, Ohio,
due to more aggressive discounting in response to the October 1995 opening of a
superstore by Barnes & Noble, Inc. in close proximity. In addition, while sales
decreased in the Superstore in Boardman, Ohio, for the three months ended March
31, 1996, as compared to the same period in 1995, occupancy costs remained
substantially the same.
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<PAGE> 21
Store level operating expenses were $604,292 for the three months ended
March 31, 1996 as compared to $575,178 for the three months ended March 31,
1995. Management believes that the increase in such expenses was due primarily
to the reclassification of certain payroll expenses to store level operating
expenses for the three months ended March 31, 1996. Such expenses were
classified as administrative expenses in the same period in 1995. Store level
operating expenses were 21.0% of net sales for the three months ended March 31,
1996 as compared to 19.7% in the same period in 1995. Management believes that
the increase in such expenses as a percentage of net sales is due primarily to
the fact that while store level operating expenses increased in the three months
ended March 31, 1996 as compared to the same period in the prior year, net sales
decreased.
Administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 1996 were
$310,200 compared to $291,861 for the three months ended March 31, 1995.
Management believes that the increase in administrative expenses is due
primarily to the Company's anticipated expansion.
Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 1996
were $48,062 compared to $64,373 for the three months ended March 31, 1995.
Management believes that the decrease in deprecation and amortization is due
primarily to the fact that some assets had been completely depreciated or
amortized in the three months ended March 31, 1996 as compared to the same
period in the prior year.
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 1996 was $76,817
compared to $79,536 in the same period in the prior year. Amortization of
discount on notes payable for the three months ended March 31, 1996 was $0
compared to $17,292 for the three months ended March 31, 1995. The decrease in
amortization of discount on notes payable is due primarily to the fact that the
amortization was accelerated upon the repayment of the bridge loans in the
original principal amount of $500,000 (the "Bridge Loans") upon the completion
of the Initial Public Offering in November of 1995 and the amortization was
subsequently discontinued.
Cookstore Operations
Net sales in the three months ended March 31, 1996 were $579,541, a
13.9% increase over net sales of $508,734 during the same period in the prior
year. Net sales increased in all of the Cookstores for the period ended March
31, 1996 as compared to the same period in the prior year. All Cookstore net
sales are comparable in the period.
Cost of goods sold, including store occupancy and delivery costs, was
$420,425 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 as compared to $381,153 for
the three months ended March 31, 1995. Management believes that such increase
was due primarily to the increased level of sales. Gross profit as a percentage
of net sales was 27.5% for the three months ended March 31, 1996 as compared to
25.1% during the same period in 1995. Management believes that the primary
reasons for the higher gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the three
months ended March 31, 1996, as compared to the same period in 1995, are that
while sales increased for the three months ended March 31, 1996, as compared to
the same period in 1995, occupancy costs remained the same.
Bookstore Operations
Net sales in the three months ended March 31, 1996 were $2,305,278, a
4.4% decrease over net sales of $2,410,761 in the prior year. Management
believes that the decrease was due primarily to
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<PAGE> 22
significant sales decreases in Superstores in both Boardman and Cincinnati,
Ohio, as discussed above. Except for sales in the Bargain Bookstores, all of the
Company's other Bookstores had sales increases in the three months ended March
31, 1996 as compared to the same period in the prior year. All Bookstore sales
are comparable for the period.
Cost of good sold, including store occupancy and delivery costs, was
$1,785,936 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 as compared to $1,836,204
for the three months ended March 31, 1995. Management believes that such
decrease was due primarily to the decreased level of sales. Gross profit as a
percentage of net sales was 22.5% for the three months ended March 31, 1996 as
compared to 23.8% during the same period in 1995. Management believes that the
primary reason for the lower gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the
three months ended March 31, 1996, as compared to the same period in 1995, is
the lower gross profit as a percentage of sales in the Superstore in Boardman,
Ohio, due to more aggressive discounting in response to the early October 1995
opening of a store by Barnes & Noble, Inc. in close proximity. In addition,
while sales decreased in the Company's Book Superstore in Boardman, Ohio, for
the three months ended March 31, 1996, as compared to the same period in 1995,
occupancy costs remained substantially the same.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
Consolidated Operations
The Company incurred a net loss of $609,927 in fiscal 1995 as compared
to a net loss of $301,866 for fiscal 1994. Management believes that the increase
in the net loss in fiscal 1995 as compared to fiscal 1994 was primarily due to
lower gross profit margins, higher store operating expenses, higher
administrative expenses, higher interest expenses and a higher amortization of
discounts on notes payable in fiscal 1995 as compared to fiscal 1994.
Net sales in fiscal 1995 were $13,722,144, an 8.7% increase over net
sales of $12,621,148. Management believes that the increase was due primarily to
the fact that the two newest Cookstores were open for twelve months in fiscal
1995 as compared to having been open only a few weeks at the end of fiscal 1994,
and increases in comparable Cookstore net sales. Comparable store net sales were
up 0.5% in fiscal 1995 as compared to fiscal 1994.
Cost of goods sold, including store occupancy and delivery costs, was
$10,177,693 for fiscal 1995 as compared to $9,185,959 for fiscal 1994.
Management believes that such increase was due primarily to the increased level
of sales and the inclusion of the occupancy costs for the two newest Cookstores
for the full twelve month period in fiscal 1995 compared to only a few weeks at
the end of fiscal 1994. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 25.8% for
fiscal 1995 as compared to 27.2% during fiscal 1994. Management believes that
the primary reasons for the higher gross profit as a percentage of net sales for
fiscal 1994, as compared to fiscal 1995, are higher occupancy costs as a
percentage of net sales due primarily to seasonality in the two newest
Cookstores that were open for twelve months in fiscal 1995 compared to having
been open only a few weeks in fiscal 1994. While the store occupancy cost
portion of cost of goods sold are relatively fixed throughout a twelve month
period, December Cookstore net sales account for approximately 29% of total net
Cookstore sales for a twelve month period. In addition, "Grand Opening" price
promotions were conducted in the two newest Cookstores in the first quarter of
1995 that were not conducted in 1994.
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<PAGE> 23
Store level operating expenses for fiscal 1995 were $2,394,236 compared
to $2,259,523 for fiscal 1994. Management believes that such increase was due
primarily to the increased level of sales. Store level operating expenses were
17.5% of net sales for fiscal 1995 as compared to 17.9% in fiscal 1994.
Administrative expenses for fiscal 1995 were $1,206,874 compared to
$1,017,768 for fiscal 1994. Management believes that the increase in
administrative expenses is due primarily to the Company's expansion plans and
increased costs due to the Initial Public Offering.
Depreciation and amortization for fiscal 1995 were $246,991 compared to
$242,199 for fiscal 1994.
Interest expenses for fiscal 1995 were $391,081 compared to $274,401
for fiscal 1994. Management believes that the increase in interest expenses is
due primarily to a higher level of bank debt and higher rates of interest in
fiscal 1995 as compared to fiscal 1994.
Amortization of discount on notes payable for fiscal 1995 was $190,208
compared to $17,292 for fiscal 1994. Management believes that the increase in
amortization of discount on notes payable is due primarily to the fact that the
amortization was accelerated upon the repayment of the Bridge Loans in the
aggregate principal of $500,000 after the completion of the Initial Public
Offering in fiscal 1995 compared to fiscal 1994.
Cookstore Operations
Net sales in fiscal 1995 were $3,042,412 a 62.9% increase over net
sales of $1,867,872 during fiscal 1994. Management believes that the increase
was due primarily to the opening of the two newest Cookstores for all of fiscal
1995 as compared to having been open only a few weeks at the end of fiscal 1994,
and increases in comparable stores net sales. Comparable store net sales were up
9.4% in fiscal 1995 as compared to fiscal 1994.
Cost of goods sold, including store occupancy and delivery costs, was
$2,103,086 for fiscal 1995 as compared to $1,134,658 for fiscal 1994. Management
believes that such increase was due primarily to the increased level of sales
and the inclusion of the occupancy costs for the newest Cookstores. Gross profit
as a percentage of net sales was 30.9% for fiscal 1995 as compared to 39.3%
during fiscal 1994. Management believes that the primary reasons for the higher
gross profit as a percentage of net sales for fiscal 1994, as compared to the
same period in fiscal 1995, are higher occupancy costs as a percentage of net
sales due primarily to seasonality in the two newest Cookstores that were open
for all of fiscal 1995 as compared to having been open only a few weeks at the
end of fiscal 1994. While the store occupancy cost portion of cost of goods sold
is generally relatively fixed throughout the year, December net sales in the
Cookstores were approximately 29% of total net sales for the twelve month
period. In addition, "Grand Opening" price promotions were conducted in the two
newest Cookstores in the first quarter of 1995 that were not conducted in 1994.
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<PAGE> 24
Bookstore Operations
Net sales in fiscal 1995 were $10,679,732, a 0.7% decrease over net
sales of $10,753,276 in fiscal 1994. All Bookstore net sales are comparable in
the period.
Cost of goods sold, including store occupancy and delivery costs, was
$8,074,607 for fiscal 1995 as compared to $8,051,301 for fiscal 1994. Gross
profit as a percentage of net sales was 24.4% for fiscal 1995 as compared to
25.1% in fiscal 1994. Management believes that the decrease in the gross profit
as a percentage of net sales for fiscal 1995 as compared to fiscal 1994 is due
primarily to the fact that while sales decreased, occupancy costs remained
approximately the same.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Through March 31, 1996, the Company funded its requirements for working
capital and capital expenditures from the net proceeds of the Initial Public
Offering and through borrowings under its bank credit facilities. As of March
31, 1996, the Company had a revolving line of credit of $395,000 and secured
term debt in the aggregate amount of $579,989. The bank debt bears interest at
rates of 1% to 1.5% over the prime rate of interest. The line of credit and the
secured term debt mature on January 10, 1997 and September 30, 1996,
respectively. Under the loan agreements, no additional advances will be made
under the line of credit through the maturity date of January 10, 1997. The
failure of the Company to refinance the Company's existing credit facilities, of
which there can be no assurance, would have a material adverse affect on the
Company.
The Company's capital expenditures totaled $307,100 in fiscal 1994 and
$26,775 in fiscal 1995 and $1,501 in the three months ended March 31, 1996 and
$10,699 in the three months ended March 31, 1995. Capital expenditures were
higher in 1994 because the Company opened two new Cookstores. Management
estimates that capital expenditures, including the funds needed for opening
three or possibly four new retail stores, during the next 12 to 18 months will
aggregate approximately $750,000.
At December 31, 1995, the Company has recorded deferred tax assets
aggregating approximately $409,000. Such deferred tax assets are primarily
related to net operating loss carryforwards aggregating $799,000, which expire
in the years 2009 and 2010, and book over tax depreciation of $110,000. The
Company has assessed its past earnings history coupled with its plans for
expansion, specifically the opening of new Cookstores, and has concluded,
although there can be no assurance, that it is more likely than not that it will
realize the benefits of these tax assets through future profitable operations
sometime prior to their expiration. In its most recently completed fiscal year,
the Company had a pre-tax loss of approximately $877,000. However, the Company
believes that this is not representative of what can be expected of future
performance, although there can be no assurance, since such loss included
approximately $190,000 of note discount write-offs and other expenses connected
with the Company's activities in becoming a publicly traded corporation. The
Company has plans to institute cost saving measures to help it achieve
profitability. The Company also has plans to raise additional financing to
achieve its growth plans. However, there can be no assurance that these results
will occur. Taxable income would need to average approximately $65,000 per year
over the next 14 years to take full advantage of the deferred tax assets prior
to the expiration of any portion thereof.
On November 7, 1995, the Company consummated the Initial Public
Offering of 750,000 shares of Common Stock and 1,725,000 Warrants at a price to
the public of $3.00 and $0.10, respectively. In
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<PAGE> 25
addition, certain principal stockholders of the Company purchased 60,000 shares
of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock at a price of $5.00 per share.
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
MARKET INFORMATION
From inception the Common Stock and Warrants have been quoted on the
NASDAQ Small Capitalization Market under the symbols GJCO and GJCOW,
respectively, and on the Boston Stock Exchange under the symbols GJC and GJCW,
respectively. The following table sets forth the range of high and low bid
quotations prior to the end of the fourth Quarter of 1995, through June 13, 1996
as reported by the NASDAQ Small Capitalization Market. Prior to October 31, 1995
there was no public market for the Common Stock or Warrants.
<TABLE>
Common Stock Redeemable Warrants
------------ -------------------
High Low High Low
---- --- ---- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1995
- ----
Fourth Quarter* ............................... 4 3 2 .10
1996
- ----
First Quarter (through 3/31/96)................ 5 3/8 1 17/32 2 1/16 3/8
Second Quarter (through 6/13/96)............... 3 3/8 15/16 1 1/8 5/32
<FN>
* Prior to such time there was no public market for the Common Stock and the
Warrants.
</TABLE>
HOLDERS
The Company has approximately 330 record holders of its Common Stock.
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<PAGE> 26
BUSINESS
GENERAL
The Company is a specialty retailer of books in the Bookstores and
quality cookware and serving equipment in the Cookstores. The Company owns and
operates six Bookstores and four Cookstores.
In 1977 Gaylord Book Company, the first of the Company's Subsidiaries,
purchased the assets of a Bookstore located at the Lane Avenue Shopping Center
in Columbus, Ohio which had been operated by George Gaylord and Mary Jo Gaylord,
his wife (the "Founders"), through a corporation controlled by them for part of
such time, beginning in 1970. Gaylord Book Company also owns and operates a
Bargain Bookstore in the Lane Avenue Shopping Center which it opened in 1993.
Sawworth Book Company, formerly known as, Little Professor Enterprises, Inc.,
was organized in 1984 and has operated a Bookstore in the Worthington Mall in
Worthington, Ohio since that time. Sawworth Book Company has also operated a
Superstore in the Plaza at Sawmill Place in Columbus, Ohio since 1988, which had
been previously operated at a nearby location since 1985. Gaylord's, Inc. was
organized in 1989 and has operated a Superstore in the Forest Fair Mall in
Cincinnati, Ohio since 1989. Gaylord Enterprises, Inc. was organized in 1993 and
opened a Superstore in Boardman Plaza in Boardman, Ohio in 1993. The Cookstore,
Inc. was organized in 1981 and has operated a Cookstore in the Lane Avenue
Shopping Center since 1981 and opened a Cookstore at the Summit Mall in Akron,
Ohio in December 1994. The Cookstore Worthington, Inc., formerly known as
Gaylord Companies, Inc., was organized in 1993, opened a Cookstore in the
Worthington Mall in 1993, and a Cookstore at The Mall at Fairfield Commons,
Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton, Ohio in November 1994. As of August 1,
1994, all of the shareholders of the Subsidiaries entered into the Exchange
Agreement whereby such shareholders exchanged all of the issued and outstanding
common stock of each of the Subsidiaries for all of the Common Stock of the
Company then outstanding. See "CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS."
The Bookstores are operated pursuant to separate License Agreements
with the Franchisor and are situated in regional malls and strip shopping
centers in Ohio. Five of the six Bookstores are known as Superstores and range
from 8,000 to 18,000 square feet in size. Each Superstore offers 60,000 to
80,000 book titles. In addition, all of the Superstores offer thousands of
foreign and domestic magazines, books on cassette, out-of-town newspapers,
travel guides, maps and calendars. The Company believes that the environment
created at the Superstores is one of the keys to its success. The Company
believes that it has created a warm, comfortable atmosphere in the Superstores,
with furnishings that include fireplaces, pianos, reading rooms and comfortable
chairs, with an added emphasis on special children's sections with child-sized
furniture. Activities are conducted for readers of all ages, including visits,
readings, workshops and booksignings by locally and nationally acclaimed writers
and book illustrators. The other Bookstore is known as a Bargain Bookstore. The
Bargain Bookstore is approximately 2,000 square feet in size and offers
approximately 10,000 titles. The Bargain Bookstore sells deeply discounted
publisher overstock, remaindered and used books.
The Cookstores are each approximately 3,300 square feet in size and are
situated in regional retail malls in Ohio. These stores carry cookware sold
under such brand names as Calphalon, Le Crueset, Cuisinart, Kitchen Aid, Krups,
Braun and Melitta, which are believed to be the trademarks of their respective
owners. The merchandising philosophy of the Company is "if it is used in the
kitchen, it can be purchased at The Cookstore." Accordingly, the Company
attempts to carry a broad range of merchandise in the following categories:
accessories, bakeware, books, cookware, cutlery, electrics, food,
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<PAGE> 27
furniture, gadgets, gifts, tableware and textiles. The full range of the
Cookstore's products are displayed and stocked on the retail floor in what the
Company believes is an upscale and fashionable setting.
The following table sets forth information relating to each of the Company's
Subsidiaries:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE OF
SUBSIDIARY INCORPORATION STORE LOCATION STORE OPENING STORE TYPE
---------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gaylord Book Company 1977 Lane Avenue Shopping Center, August 1977 Little Professor Book
Columbus, Ohio Company Store
Lane Avenue Shopping Center, October 1993 Little Professor
Columbus, Ohio Bargain Bookstore
The Cookstore, Inc......... 1981 Lane Avenue Shopping Center, October 1981 Cookstore
Columbus, Ohio
Summit Mall, December 1994 Cookstore
Akron, Ohio
Castleton Square Shopping Planned opening: Cookstore
Center Fall 1996
Indianapolis, Indiana
Sawworth Book Little Professor Book
Company................... 1984 Worthington Mall, October 1984 Company Bookstore
Worthington, Ohio
Plaza at Sawmill Place, April 1985 Little Professor Book
Columbus, Ohio Company Bookstore
Gaylord's Inc.............. 1989 Forest Fair Mall, April 1989 Little Professor Book
Cincinnati, Ohio Company Bookstore
The Cookstore Worthington Mall, December 1993 Cookstore
Worthington, Inc.......... 1993 Worthington, Ohio
The Mall at Fairfield Commons, November 1994 Cookstore
Beavercreek, Ohio
Gaylord Enterprises, Inc... 1993 Boardman Plaza, December 1993 Little Professor Book
Boardman, Ohio Company Bookstore
</TABLE>
STRATEGY
The Company's strategy is to capitalize upon its dual experience as a
specialty retailer of books in the Bookstores and of quality cookware and
serving equipment in the Cookstores and to expand these approaches into regional
malls and select other sites throughout the country. The Company intends to
focus its plans for expansion on the Cookstores because of what is believed to
be the higher margins, the fragmented nature of competition in this line of
business and the relatively few number of stores owned by its chief national
competitors. The Company believes that there is greater competition in the
Bookstore business, which has lower margins and less opportunity for growth.
Although the Company may open additional Bookstores in select sites in the
future, the Company is not presently planning to open any additional Bookstores.
The Company believes that the combination of its Bookstore and
Cookstore approaches will provide it with operating, financial and marketing
efficiencies while providing the Company with a level of diversification. The
Company anticipates achieving efficiencies through the sharing of marketing
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<PAGE> 28
information, real estate services, finance and central management. The Company
intends to achieve its objectives by pursuing the strategy described below.
STORE CHARACTERISTICS
The six Bookstores are located in regional malls and shopping centers
in Ohio. The Superstores are based upon the Company's "superstore" concept and
range from 8,000 to 18,000 square feet in size while offering 60,000 to 80,000
book titles. The Superstores offer thousands of foreign and domestic magazines,
books on cassette, out-of-town newspapers, travel guides, maps and calendars.
The Bargain Bookstore is approximately 2,000 square feet in size and offers
approximately 10,000 book titles. The Bargain Bookstore sells deeply discounted
publisher overstock, remaindered and used books. The Company's long-term
strategy is to selectively locate and open additional Bookstores, although the
Company does not have any present plans to do so.
The Cookstores are each approximately 3,300 square feet in size and are
situated in regional retail malls. Each store offers approximately 6,000
different types of products which includes 30,000 to 50,000 separate items and
includes products from over 200 vendors. The current product lines for the
Cookstores fall into 12 distinct categories including accessories, bakeware,
books, cookware, cutlery, electrics, food, furniture, gadgets, gifts, tableware
and textiles. Management intends to use its existing Cookstores as the basic
store design prototype for most of the Company's anticipated expansion. The
Company is also considering implementing a "superstore" concept for the
Cookstores. These superstore Cookstores would expand each product category
carried in the basic prototype store, particularly the food and tableware
categories. The superstore Cookstores would be in excess of 5,000 square feet in
size. The Company believes that by offering a far greater selection than a
typical bookstore or store carrying cookware, its superstore Bookstores and
superstore Cookstores would each be able to establish itself as the leading
source for its products in its community.
STORE DESIGN AND AMBIANCE
The Company believes that it has created a warm, comfortable atmosphere
in the Bookstores which are Superstores. The Superstores contain furnishings
that include fireplaces, pianos, reading rooms and comfortable chairs, including
special children's sections with child-sized furniture.
In the Cookstores, the Company's strategy is to present the merchandise
in what the Company believes is an upscale and fashionable setting. The full
range of the stores' products are displayed and stocked on the retail floor. The
merchandise is arranged by category for shopping convenience and every item is
tagged with the current retail price. Feature displays are arranged throughout
the store emphasizing seasonal products or particular themes.
The Company believes that its attractive store environments have caused
its Bookstores and Cookstores to become places where customers enjoy browsing
and shopping.
ADVERTISING
The Superstores utilize marketing programs aimed at reading activities
for readers of all ages including visits, readings, workshops and booksignings
by locally and nationally acclaimed writers and book illustrators. The
Superstores place special emphasis on marketing aimed at the sale of children's
books including its "Rug Club Storytime" and "Read-n-Grow Kid's Club" reading
programs for children.
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<PAGE> 29
Current Cookstore promotions center around seasonal events and holidays
in which certain product lines are traditional favorites. Promotions are planned
around in-store demonstrations and will be advertised in local newspapers, press
releases and/or through direct mail and point of sale materials.
Customer Service
The Company emphasizes customer service in both the Bookstores and
Cookstores and, through its salespeople, strives to provide its customers with
an enjoyable shopping experience. The Company adheres to a number of customer
service policies and practices to reinforce customer confidence in the Company.
Expansion
The Company's strategy is to expand its marketing approach into
regional malls and strip shopping centers and other select sites throughout the
country, with an emphasis in the Midwest. The Company anticipates that a
significant portion of its expansion efforts will be directed toward developing
its Cookstore business. The Company plans to open at least three or possibly
four additional Cookstores during the next 12 to 18 months. The number of
additional Cookstores that will be opened during the next 12 to 18 months will
be dependent upon site opportunities, the cost of opening such stores, the
refinancing of the Company's existing credit facilities and cash flow from
operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient
financing to pursue its plans for expansion. The Company believes that the
primary markets for the basic Cookstore are middle to upper income shopping
destinations. The majority of these locations are in regional shopping malls
located in suburban and urban core revitalization areas. Smaller specialty malls
and select, upper end in-line shopping centers are additional target locations.
The Company believes that due to the industry's highly fragmented nature, and
the relatively few number of stores of its chief national competitors,
Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens & Things and Lechter's, Inc.,
there are hundreds of prime locations available for future Cookstores although
there is no assurance that such locations can be obtained on terms favorable or
acceptable to the Company.
The Company intends to begin expansion close to its current Midwest
base. The Company intends to focus on those locations in which products may be
delivered direct from suppliers by United Parcel Service or truck, eliminating
the costs which would be necessitated by central warehousing and distribution.
Prime considerations for successful new stores are market and site demographics,
competition and the Company's ability to successfully manage the logistics of
store operations.
The Company may consider commencing catalogue sales in the future. The
Company has no experience in this area and has not conducted any investigation
of such activity or commenced a review of the feasibility of its capability to
fulfill any orders generated from catalogue sales. Furthermore, there is no
assurance that the Company will actively investigate the catalogue sales
business or enter into the catalogue sales business. In the event that the
Company commences operation in the catalogue sales area and is not successful,
it could have a material adverse affect on the Company's business.
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<PAGE> 30
COMPETITION
The Bookstores
The retail bookselling business is highly competitive. The Company
competes in the bookstore business with Barnes & Noble, Inc., Media Play, a
division of Musicland Stores Corporation, and Borders-Walden Group, a subsidiary
of K mart Corporation, which is the largest operator of mall bookstores in the
country. In the Bookstore business, the Company competes with other national
chains, which operate substantially more superstores than the Company. The
Company also competes with regional chains, as well as independent single store
operators, local multi-store operators, department stores, variety discounters,
drug stores and warehouse clubs. The Company competes with its competitors on
the basis of price and its presentation of its products. Many of the Company's
competitors have been expanding in both store size and number of outlets, while
others have announced their intentions to pursue such expansion. In addition,
certain of the Company's competitors have substantially greater financial,
advertising and other resources than the Company, which may give them certain
competitive advantages.
The Cookstores
The specialty retail business is highly competitive. The Company's
stores compete against a wide variety of stores, including department and
specialty stores, as well as mail order catalogs. Certain of the Company's
competitors have greater financial, distribution, advertising and marketing
resources than the Company, which may give them certain competitive advantages.
The Company competes on the basis of its selection and quality of merchandise,
and service to its customers. While some cooking product lines are carried in
many stores stocking a broad range of products, few stores specialize totally in
kitchen/cookware as do the Cookstores. The specialized market is highly
fragmented with many local independent stores and small regional chains. The
only national specialized kitchen products stores are Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and
Lechter's, Inc. In addition, the Company competes with other well-known stores,
including Linens & Things and Bed Bath & Beyond. Other local and small regional
competitors vary widely in design, product selection and customer service. The
Company believes that most local competitors are small, highly specialized
operations situated in less desirable retail or non-retail locations. While
these operators may be localized competition for the Cookstores, the Company
believes that most markets do not have significant local operators and few
competitors, with the exception of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and Lechter's, Inc.,
are located in the mall locations where the Company anticipates opening
Cookstores.
SUPPLIERS AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company purchases approximately 70% of its products for the
Bookstores from Ingram Book Company (the "Consignor") and approximately 10% from
Ohio Periodicals. The Bookstores do not purchase more than 5% of their inventory
from any other single supplier. Four of the Subsidiaries are parties to five
separate consignment agreements with the Consignor. Two of such consignment
agreements may be terminated upon 120 days prior written notice by the
Consignor. The balance of the consignment agreements may generally be terminated
by the Consignor upon 270 days prior written notice. Although the Subsidiaries
have not satisfied certain provisions in the consignment agreements, the
Consignor has never declared a default under any of the consignment agreements,
or expressed an intention to do so. Specifically, the Company has not met the
provisions in the consignment agreements with respect to the required inventory
turnover ratios. The inventory turnover provisions under the consignment
agreements require the Company to sell consigned goods at a rate equal to 2.5 to
3 times the average amount of
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<PAGE> 31
consigned goods held by the Company at certain Bookstore locations on an
annualized and/or a calendar year basis. In 1995 the Company failed to meet such
requirements in the five Bookstores subject to the consignment agreements and
does not expect to meet such requirements in 1996. The inventory turnover ratios
ranged from 41% to 70%, of the required inventory turnover ratios for each of
the Bookstores, respectively. In addition, the Company may have failed to comply
with the provisions in the consignment agreements with respect to the amount of
consigned goods on hand in two of the Bookstores. The Company does not
anticipate curing such defaults in the future unless required to do so by the
Consignor. Upon a default by any of the Subsidiaries under any of the
consignment agreements, the Consignor may terminate all of such consignment
agreements. Management believes that the consignment agreements with the
Consignor are advantageous to the Company and that in the event that such
consignment agreements are terminated, there could be a material adverse affect
on the Company. The Cookstores acquire their inventory from approximately 200
suppliers and do not purchase more than 5% of their inventory from any single
supplier. The Company does not have any written supply agreements with these
vendors, who are not obligated to continue to furnish products to the Company.
The Company believes that its decentralized distribution and inventory
control system has significantly enhanced its ability to control costs and to
manage its inventory on a store-by-store basis for both the Bookstores and the
Cookstores. The Company's suppliers ship inventory directly to the stores and
almost all of the inventory is displayed and stocked on the retail floor.
Management believes that this distribution system has resulted in significant
cost savings for the Company. Although the Company may make commitments for
significant warehouse space in the future, management believes that its present
distribution system can continue to be utilized in connection with the Company's
plans for expansion. However, there is no assurance that the Company will not
have to centralize its inventory and lease warehouse space in connection with
the Company's plans for expansion.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
The Company's information systems provide management with sales,
inventory and other information and are important to the Company's ability to
achieve cost efficiencies, operate profitably and control shrinkage. The Company
uses retail point-of-sale systems which are polled daily and which generate
sales reports and supporting documentation which are forwarded to the main
office for auditing and input into the Company's automated accounting program.
The point-of-sale system provides daily accounting of sales and gross profit as
well as other control items such as discounts, price overrides and refunds.
Financial statements, including income statements and balance sheets, are
produced monthly for each location. Complete inventories are taken once or twice
a year. Each item in the Bookstores and the Cookstores has its own distinct item
number which is used by the point-of-sales system to record sale and cost
information. Items are also tracked for reorder information and generation of
historical sales reports used to make purchasing and reorder decisions.
LICENSE AGREEMENTS
Four of the Subsidiaries have entered into five separate License
Agreements with the Franchisor, Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., with
respect to the six Bookstores. The License Agreements replaced separate
franchise agreements relating to five of the Bookstores. The Company owns
approximately 10% of the outstanding common stock of the Franchisor. The initial
term of the License Agreements will expire on December 31, 1996 and may be
extended by the Company until December 31, 2001. The Company pays to the
Franchisor a royalty of 1/2 of 1% of monthly sales for all of the Bookstores. If
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<PAGE> 32
there is a default by any of the Subsidiaries under any one of the License
Agreements, then the Franchisor may terminate all of the License Agreements.
The Company and the Franchisor have also entered into a separate
agreement (the "Supplementary Agreement") which includes, among other things,
consulting services to be rendered to the Franchisor, rights of first refusal
permitting the Company to open additional franchises, the termination of the
License Agreements and the Franchisor's repurchase of its common stock owned by
the Company. Pursuant to the Supplementary Agreement, the Company or the
Franchisor may terminate the License Agreements and the Supplementary Agreement
upon 12 months notice and the payment of $100,000. The initial term of the
Supplementary Agreement expires on December 31, 1996 and may be extended by the
Franchisor until December 31, 2001. In addition, upon the termination of the
Supplementary Agreement, the Franchisor has the right to purchase its shares of
common stock owned by the Company at the greatest of the cost to the Company,
the book value or the fair market value of such shares. The Franchisor has
granted the Company a right of first refusal for the opening of any Little
Professor Bookstore in Ohio, or in Collier County or Lee County, Florida. The
Company has not exercised its right of first refusal in either Ohio or Florida
to date. Management believes that the Company would have to consider its ability
to manage the logistics of store operations in locations that are distant from
its principal executive offices in Columbus, Ohio before electing to open any
Little Professor Bookstores in Florida.
Upon the opening of Little Professor Book Company bookstores by third
parties in excess of 8,000 square feet in size, the Franchisor will pay to the
Company the greater of $10,000 or 15% of the Franchisor's then current initial
franchise fees plus 2/10 of 1% of the monthly sales during the initial term of
any such agreements. In April 1996, the Company received a fee of $10,000 from
the initial franchise fee for a store opened by a third party in Temecula,
California.
TRADEMARKS
The Cookstore, Inc. has been granted a registered trademark for "The
Cookstore" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company
intends to submit applications to register any new trademarks that it develops
in the future.
PROPERTIES
The Company currently operates and occupies, pursuant to written
leases, five Superstores, one Bargain Bookstore and four Cookstores. Total
rental expenses for the Company's real estate leases were $1,075,002 and
$1,156,662 in 1994 and 1995, respectively, including contingent rentals at
$195,842 in 1994 and $166,266 in 1995.
The five Superstores average approximately 13,250 square feet in size
and have current minimum rents which average approximately $11.32 per square
foot. However, if the additional base rent for 1995 paid on the premises located
at Forest Fair Mall in Cincinnati, Ohio is considered, then the average base
rent for the Bookstores is approximately $12.09 per square foot. All of the
Bookstore leases have initial terms which expire between September 1998 and
October 2003, and four of the five leases give the Company an option or options
to renew the lease for additional periods ranging from five to ten years. The
Bargain Bookstore operates under a month-to-month lease, is approximately 2,000
square feet, and pays 10% of its gross receipts as rent. The Cookstores average
approximately 3,300 square feet and have current minimum rents which average
approximately $23.55 per square foot. All of the Cookstore leases
- 29 -
<PAGE> 33
have initial terms which expire in 2003 or 2004 and one of the four leases gives
the Company an option to renew the lease for an additional five years. In
November 1995 the Company entered into a lease for a Cookstore in the Castleton
Square Shopping Center, Marion County, Indiana (suburban Indianapolis). The term
of the lease is ten years, the square footage is 3,790 square feet and the rent
is $28.50 per square foot. The Company anticipates opening the store in the fall
of 1996.
In addition to current minimum rent, the Bookstore and Cookstore leases
generally require the Company to pay additional rent which is calculated as a
percentage of gross sales over an agreed upon figure. For the Bookstore leases,
the percentage ranges from 3% to 6% and the amount of gross sales ranges from
approximately $2,000,000 to $4,500,000. For the Cookstore leases, the percentage
ranges from 5% to 6% and the gross sales number ranges from approximately
$968,000 to $1,500,000. Generally, except for the Forest Fair Mall site, the
Company has not paid percentage rent in excess of minimum base rent. In
addition, the Company is generally obligated to pay common area maintenance
charges and other charges on each of the Superstores and Cookstores leases.
All of the Company's leased properties are situated in regional malls,
specialty centers or strip centers located in Ohio. The Company leases 9,620
square feet for a Superstore, 2,000 square feet for a Bargain Bookstore and
3,298 square feet for a Cookstore at the Lane Avenue Shopping Center, Columbus,
Ohio, a 225,000 square foot enclosed specialty center containing approximately
100 stores, including Micro Center, Talbots, Banana Republic and Bombay Company.
The Company leases 8,929 square feet for a Superstore and 3,341 square feet for
a Cookstore at the Worthington Mall, Worthington, Ohio, a 175,000 square foot
enclosed specialty center containing approximately 50 stores including Talbots,
The Gap, Ann Taylor and Jos. A. Bank. The Company leases 17,782 square feet for
a Superstore at the Plaza at Sawmill Place, Columbus, Ohio, a 110,000 square
foot strip center containing approximately 25 stores, including Service
Merchandise and Blockbuster Video. The Company leases 18,312 square feet for a
Superstore at the Forest Fair Mall, Cincinnati, Ohio, a 1,400,000 square foot
enclosed regional center containing approximately 100 stores, including Elder
Beerman, Parisian and Biggs. The Company leases 11,565 square feet for a
Superstore at Boardman Plaza, Boardman, Ohio, a 450,000 square foot strip center
containing approximately 100 stores, including Burlington Coat Factory and Radio
Shack. The Company leases 3,598 square feet for a Cookstore at the Mall at
Fairfield Commons, Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton, which is a 1,000,000
square foot major regional mall with approximately 100 stores, including The
Limited, The Gap and five major department stores. The Company leases 3,227
square feet for a Cookstore at the Summit Mall in Akron, Ohio, which is an
850,000 square foot major regional mall with approximately 100 stores, including
Kaufman's, Dillards, The Limited and The Gap.
EMPLOYEES
As of March 31, 1996, the Company had 72 full-time employees and 60
part-time employees of which 117 were involved in retail store sales and 15 in
general management and administration. The Company believes its success will
depend upon its ability to identify, hire and retain capable management. As
there is significant competition for qualified personnel, there can be no
assurance that the Company will succeed in recruiting or retaining suitable
staff. In particular, the Company's success is dependent on the continued
availability of both John Gaylord and John D. Critser, either of whose loss or
impairment could have a material adverse affect on the Company. The Company
considers its relations with its employees, none of whom are covered by
collective bargaining agreements, to be generally good.
- 30 -
<PAGE> 34
INSURANCE
The Company presently maintains insurance as required by law, including
workers' compensation coverage, and liability insurance in respect of hazards on
the Company's business premises. The Company carries a general liability policy
which provides for coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the
aggregate. The Company carries key man life insurance in the amount of
$1,000,000 on the lives of both John Gaylord and John D. Critser with the
Company as beneficiary.
LITIGATION
The Company is not a party to any material pending litigation.
SEASONALITY
The Company's business is subject to substantial seasonal variations.
Historically, a significant portion of the Company's net sales and net earnings
have been realized during the period from October through December, and levels
of net sales and net earnings have generally been significantly lower during the
period from January through September.
- 31 -
<PAGE> 35
MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
directors and executive officers of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
George Gaylord.................... 69 Senior Chairman of the Board and Director
John Gaylord...................... 41 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer,
Chief Financial Officer and Director
John D. Critser................... 41 President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Janet Gaylord Goodburn............ 36 Secretary
Martin C. Licht................... 54 Director
</TABLE>
All directors of the Company hold office until the next annual meeting
of shareholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and
qualify. Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
The following is a brief summary of the background of each executive
officer and director of the Company:
GEORGE GAYLORD has been a director and Senior Chairman of the Company
since its inception in July 1994. Mr. Gaylord opened the Company's first Little
Professor Book Center in 1970 and was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
each of the Subsidiaries from their inception through November 1993. Mr. Gaylord
has been a director and Chairman Emeritus of the Subsidiaries since November
1993. Mr. Gaylord is the father of John Gaylord, Janet Gaylord Goodburn, Susan
Gaylord Noble and Judy Gaylord and is the uncle of John D. Critser.
JOHN GAYLORD has been Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief
Executive Officer, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and a director of the
Company since its inception in July 1994. Since November 1993, Mr. Gaylord has
served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the
Subsidiaries. From August 1977 through November 1993, Mr. Gaylord served as
President or Vice President of each of the Subsidiaries. Mr. Gaylord is the son
of George Gaylord, the brother of Janet Gaylord Goodburn, Susan Gaylord Noble
and Judy Gaylord, and the first cousin of John D. Critser.
JOHN D. CRITSER has been a director, President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company since its inception in July 1994. Mr. Critser has been
President and Chief Operating Officer of each of the Subsidiaries since November
1993. Prior to joining the Company in July 1993, Mr. Critser was Vice President
- - Store Operations for Eckerd Vision Group, a division of the Eckerd
Corporation. Mr. Critser joined Eckerd Corporation in 1983 as an operations
manager and served as a Vice President of the Eckerd Vision Group since February
1991. He holds a B.S. degree in Administrative Science (1976) and an M.B.A.
degree from the University of South Florida (1981). Mr. Critser is the first
cousin of John Gaylord, Janet Gaylord Goodburn, Susan Gaylord Noble and Judy
Gaylord and the nephew of George Gaylord.
- 32 -
<PAGE> 36
JANET GAYLORD GOODBURN has been the Secretary of the Company since its
inception in July 1994. Commencing in October 1984 Ms. Goodburn served as a Vice
President of each of the Subsidiaries and she has also served as the Secretary
and/or Treasurer of certain of the Subsidiaries. Ms. Goodburn is the daughter of
George Gaylord and the sister of John Gaylord, Susan Gaylord Noble and Judy
Gaylord and the first cousin of John D. Critser.
MARTIN C. LICHT has been a practicing attorney since 1967 and has been
a partner of the law firm of Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP, since October 1993.
From April 1993 until that time, he was a partner of Solomon, Weiss & Moskowitz,
P.C. For one year prior thereto he was a partner of the law firm of Summit,
Solomon & Feldesman. Prior to such time, Mr. Licht was a member of the law firm
of Herzfeld & Rubin, P.C. for twelve years. All of such firms are located in New
York City. Mr. Licht is also a director of two companies traded on NASDAQ,
Natural Health Trends Corp., which owns and operates three vocational schools,
and an alternative medical clinic in Florida and Cable & Co. Worldwide, Inc., a
wholesale footwear company.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Directors of the Company do not receive any fixed compensation for
their services as directors. However, the Board of Directors may authorize the
payment of a fixed sum to non-employee directors for their attendance at regular
and special meetings of the Board as is customary for similar companies.
Directors will be reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with their duties to the Company. For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995, neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries paid its
directors any cash or other form of compensation for acting in such capacity
except that directors who were also executive officers of the Company and
Subsidiaries received cash compensation for acting in the capacity of executive
officers.
- 33 -
<PAGE> 37
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table provides a summary of cash and non-cash
compensation for each of the last three fiscal years ended December 31, 1993,
1994 and 1995 with respect to the following officers of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
------------------- --------------------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
--------------------- ----------
SECURITIES
RESTRICTED UNDERLYING
OTHER ANNUAL STOCK OPTIONS LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) COMPENSATION(4)(1) AWARD(S)($) SARS(#) PAYOUTS($) COMPENSATION
- ---------------------------- ---- --------- -------- ------------------ ----------- ------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John Gaylord................. 1995 136,259 -- -- -- -- -- --
Chief Executive Officer and 1994 139,832 -- -- -- -- -- --
Chairman of the Board(2) 1993 126,522 -- -- -- -- -- --
George Gaylord............... 1995 216,010 -- -- -- -- -- --
Senior Chairman of the Board 1994 234,641 -- -- -- -- -- --
1993 209,846 -- -- -- -- -- --
John D. Critser.............. 1995 103,076 -- -- -- -- -- --
President and Chief Operatin 1994 88,443 40,000(5) -- -- -- -- --
Officer(4) 1993 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
- --------------------------------
<FN>
(1) Excludes perequisites and other personal benefits that in the aggregate do
not exceed 10% of each of such individual's total annual salary and bonus.
(2) John Gaylord received such compensation as President of each of the
Subsidiaries through November 1993 when he became Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer thereof.
(3) George Gaylord received such compensation as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of each of the Subsidiaries through November 1993 when he became
Chairman Emeritus thereof. Excludes amounts paid or payable to George
Gaylord from Gaylord Family Limited. See "CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS."
(4) John D. Critser, the Company's President, received an automobile allowance
and health benefits, but did not receive a salary, for the period
commencing in July 1993 through December 31, 1993.
(5) Mr. Critser received 21,845 shares of Common Stock in 1994 which were
valued at $40,000.
</TABLE>
EMPLOYMENT AND CONSULTING AGREEMENTS
The Company has entered into employment agreements with George Gaylord,
John Gaylord and John D. Critser, which will expire in April 2001, under which
they each will receive annual salaries of $150,000. The agreements provide that
the executive will be eligible to receive short-term incentive bonus
compensation if the Company is profitable, the amount of which, if any, will be
determined by the Board of Directors based on the employee's performance,
contributions to the Company's success and on the Company's ability to pay such
incentive compensation. The employment agreements also provide for termination
based on death, disability, voluntary resignation or material failure in
performance. The employment agreements provide for severance payments upon
termination unless the executive is
- 34 -
<PAGE> 38
terminated with cause. In the event that the executive is terminated without
cause, the executive will receive the executive's salary until the later of two
years from the date of termination or the termination date of the agreement as
severance. The agreements contain non-competition provisions that preclude each
executive from competing with the Company for a period of one year from the date
of termination of employment.
In addition, as a precondition for the underwriting of the Initial
Public Offering, RAS Securities Corp. required the Company to engage RAS
Securities Corp. for a period of 24 months as a financial consultant. As a
financial consultant, RAS Securities Corp. will assist the Company in the review
and analysis of the Company's operations, recommend action based on such review
and assist the Company in preparing a business plan. The Company paid RAS
Securities Corp. a consulting fee of $23,000 for such services. In June 1996,
the Company paid RAS Securities Corp. a fee of $24,000 in connection with a
waiver of a right of first refusal relating to the 1996 Financing.
STOCK OPTIONS
No options were granted to, held or exercised by, any of the Company's
officers during fiscal 1995. The Company has adopted the 1994 Stock Option Plan
under which up to 333,333 options to purchase shares of Common Stock may be
granted to key employees, consultants and members of the Board of Directors of
the Company. The exercise price of the options will be determined by the Stock
Option Committee selected by the Board of Directors, but the exercise price will
not be less than 85% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of
grant.
- 35 -
<PAGE> 39
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
As of August 1, 1994, George Gaylord, John Gaylord, Judy Gaylord,
Jennifer Lynn Gaylord, Susan Gaylord Noble, Janet Gaylord Goodburn and John D.
Critser entered into the Exchange Agreement with the Company whereby such
parties exchanged 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock in the
Subsidiaries for an aggregate of 2,610,082 shares of Common Stock in the Company
which represented 100% of the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding. The
following table sets forth the ownership of the Subsidiaries prior to the
execution of the Exchange Agreement and the ownership of the Company resulting
from the transactions effectuated by the Exchange Agreement as of August 1,
1994.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPROXIMATE OWNERSHIP OF THE SUBSIDIARIES PRIOR TO
THE EXECUTION OF THE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT APPROXIMATE
-------------------------------------------------- OWNERSHIP OF THE
GAYLORD THE SAWWORTH COMPANY AFTER THE
BOOK COOKSTORE BOOK GAYLORD'S THE COOKSTORE GAYLORD EXECUTION OF THE
COMPANY INC. COMPANY INC. WORTHINGTON, INC. ENTERPRISES, INC. EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
------- ---- ------- ---- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
George Gaylord 66% 50% 52% 40% 35% 35% 35.4%
John Gaylord -- 25% 12% 15% 25% 25% 22.2%
Jennifer Lynn Gaylord -- 25% -- -- 10% -- 3.7%
Janet Gaylord Goodburn -- -- 12% 15% 10% 16% 10.4%
Judy Gaylord -- -- 12% 15% 10% 12% 10.4%
Susan Gaylord Noble -- -- 12% 15% 10% 12% 10.4%
John D. Critser 34% -- -- -- -- -- 7.5%
--- --- --- --- --- --- -----
TOTAL: 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100.0%
</TABLE>
After the completion of the transactions contemplated in the Exchange
Agreement, the Company issued an additional 21,845 shares of Common Stock to
John D. Critser, as additional compensation for serving as the Company's
President during 1994. In March 1995, upon the request of RAS Securities Corp.
as a precondition to proceeding with the Initial Public Offering, the following
individuals surrendered to the Company for no cash consideration an aggregate of
41,667 shares of Common Stock: George Gaylord surrendered 14,647 shares, John
Gaylord surrendered 9,167 shares, Judy Gaylord surrendered 4,282 shares,
Jennifer Lynn Gaylord surrendered 1,540 shares, Susan Gaylord Noble surrendered
4,282 shares, Janet Gaylord Goodburn surrendered 4,282 shares and John D.
Critser surrendered 3,467 shares. In May 1995, upon the request of RAS
Securities Corp. as a precondition to proceeding with the Initial Public
Offering, the following individuals surrendered to the Company for no cash
consideration an aggregate of 659,735 additional shares of Common Stock: George
Gaylord surrendered 231,897 shares, John Gaylord surrendered 145,132 shares,
Judy Gaylord surrendered 67,782 shares, Jennifer Lynn Gaylord surrendered 24,382
shares, Susan Gaylord Noble surrendered 67,782 shares, Janet Gaylord Goodburn
surrendered 67,782 shares and John D. Critser surrendered 54,978 shares.
Four of the Subsidiaries have entered into five separate License
Agreements with the Franchisor. The License Agreements replaced separate
Franchise Agreements originally entered into between the Franchisor and Mary Jo
Gaylord and/or George Gaylord or Gaylord's, Inc. As a condition of entering into
the License Agreements, the Franchisor and the Company entered into a mutual
release agreement relieving such parties of any liability under such Franchise
Agreements.
Pursuant to an agreement dated September 12, 1994 between Gaylord
Family Limited ("GFL") and the Franchisor, the Franchisor has agreed to make
payments to GFL for the development of the
- 36 -
<PAGE> 40
superstore concept for two Little Professor bookstores. GFL is owned by John
Gaylord, George Gaylord, Janet Gaylord Goodburn, Susan Gaylord Noble and Judy
Gaylord. The Franchisor has agreed to pay to GFL 25% of the initial franchise
fees and 33% of the royalties paid to the Franchisor by Little Professor
bookstores unaffiliated with the Company located in Ft. Wayne, Indiana (the "Ft.
Wayne Store") and Reston, Virginia (the "Reston Store"). As of May 31, 1996, GFL
had received $91,016 with respect to both stores. This reflects $20,000 due to
GFL with respect to the initial franchise fees and $71,016 with respect to
royalties through March 31, 1995. Pursuant to an agreement among the members of
GFL, George Gaylord receives all of the payments, net of expenses, received by
GFL from the Franchisor.
John Gaylord and George Gaylord have guaranteed, jointly and severally,
certain loans in the aggregate principal amount of $1,050,491 as of May 31, 1996
due to Bank One Columbus, N.A. John Gaylord and Jennifer Lynn Gaylord, his wife,
and George Gaylord have mortgaged their respective residences to secure the
guarantees. John Gaylord and Jennifer Lynn Gaylord have guaranteed, jointly and
severally, the lease for the Cookstore located in the Lane Avenue Shopping
Center, Columbus, Ohio. George Gaylord has guaranteed the lease for the
Superstore located in the Lane Avenue Shopping Center, Columbus, Ohio. In
addition, John Gaylord has guaranteed certain capital leases with M&I First
National Leasing Company.
George Gaylord is a founder of the Company and may be deemed a parent
of the Company as a result of his ownership of approximately 34% of the Common
Stock prior to the Initial Public Offering, his service as a director, and his
relationship to his children who collectively owned approximately 55% of the
Common Stock of the Company prior to the Initial Public Offering. John Gaylord
may be deemed a parent of the Company as a result of his ownership of
approximately 25% of the Common Stock prior to the Initial Public Offering,
including the 71,345 shares of Common Stock owned by his wife, Jennifer Lynn
Gaylord, his executive position, his service as a director, and his relationship
to his father, George Gaylord, who owned approximately 34% of the Common Stock
of the Company prior to the Initial Public Offering.
As of May 31, 1996, George Gaylord, John Gaylord, Susan Gaylord Noble,
Janet Gaylord Goodburn and Judy Gaylord owed the Company an aggregate of $76,105
in connection with advances made to such individuals by the Company and the
Subsidiaries. The debt is evidenced by a term note (the "Note"), dated February
28, 1995, in the original principal amount of $88,701 executed by such
individuals. Each of the parties are jointly and severally liable for the entire
amount due under the Note. The Note bears interest at the prime rate and is
payable in sixty equal monthly installments of principal and interest which
commenced August 1, 1995.
Martin C. Licht, a partner of Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP, the
Company's counsel, is a director of the Company. The Company paid Gallet Dreyer
& Berkey, LLP legal fees of $50,000, $275,423 and $63,202 in 1994, 1995 and
1996, respectively.
- 37 -
<PAGE> 41
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information as to the Common
Stock and Series A Preferred Stock ownership of each of the Company's directors,
executive officers, all executive officers and directors as a group and all
persons known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than five
percent of the Company's Common Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL COMMON SERIES A
------------------------------ COMMON STOCK STOCK PREFERRED SERIES A PREFERRED
OWNER NUMBER OF SHARES(1) PERCENTAGE STOCK-NUMBER STOCK-PERCENTAGE
----- ------------------- ---------- ------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
George Gaylord....................... 678,580(2)(4) 24.6% 28,320 47.2%
2611 Clarion Court
Columbus, Ohio 43220
John Gaylord......................... 496,036(2)(3) 18.0 20,720 34.5
8836 Finlarig Drive
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Judy Gaylord......................... 198,344(2) 7.2 2,945 4.9
8667 Blanca Ct.
Powell, Ohio 43065
Janet Gaylord Goodburn............... 198,344(2) 7.2 2,946 4.9
3935 Cedric Lane
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Susan Gaylord Noble.................. 198,344(2) 7.2 2,945 4.9
2933 Kicking Bird Trace
Dublin, Ohio 43017
John D. Critser...................... 160,877(2)(4) 5.9 2,124 3.5
8562 Torwoodlee Ct.
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Martin C. Licht...................... 4,167(5) -- -- --
Selden Lane
Greenwich, Connecticut
06831
Solay, Inc........................... 300,000(6) 9.8 -- --
888 Prospect Street, Suite 225
La Jolla, California 92037
All present officers and
directors as a group
(5 persons)........................ 1,538,004 55.8 60,000 100%
- ---------------
<FN>
(1) Unless otherwise noted, all persons named in the table have sole voting
and dispositive power with respect to all shares of Common Stock and
Series A Preferred Stock beneficially owned by them.
(2) Each of these five members of the Gaylord family named, as well as John D.
Critser, disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities owned by the
other individuals named in the above table.
(3) Includes 71,345 shares of Common Stock and 2,960 shares of Series A
Preferred Stock owned by John Gaylord's wife, Jennifer Lynn Gaylord.
</TABLE>
- 38 -
<PAGE> 42
(4) The foregoing does not reflect an agreement between Mr. Critser and George
Gaylord whereby George Gaylord may purchase from Mr. Critser up to the
following number of shares if Mr. Critser's employment with the Company is
terminated for any reason during any of the 12-month periods ending on
July 31st of the years indicated: 118,488 shares (1996), 78,992 shares
(1997) and 39,497 shares (1998). The purchase price for the shares of
Common Stock will be Mr. Critser's cost.
(5) Consists of warrants to purchase 4,167 shares of Common Stock acquired in
connection with the Bridge Loans.
(6) Does not include up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock issuable to Rodika
Salter, the sister of the sole stockholder of Solay, Inc. upon the
exercise of options granted to Ms. Salter and does not include Warrants to
purchase up to 600,000 shares of Common Stock granted to Solay, Inc. which
are not exerciseable until October 31, 1996. See "DESCRIPTION OF
SECURITIES - Recent Developments."
- 39 -
<PAGE> 43
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
GENERAL
The total amount of authorized capital stock of the Company is
10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share and 1,500,000 shares
of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share. Prior to this Offering the Company
had 2,750,000 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, an aggregate of
1,708,337 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
options and warrants, and 415,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
conversion of the Convertible Notes, excluding the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise of options issuable under the Company's 1994 Stock
Option Plan.
COMMON STOCK
Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on
all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. Since the holders of Common
Stock do not have cumulative voting rights, holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares can elect all of the directors of the Company then being
elected and holders of the remaining shares by themselves cannot elect any
directors. Upon completion of this Offering, the current officers and directors
of the Company will own an aggregate of approximately 56% of the Company's
Common Stock and will be in a position to influence the election of the
Company's directors and otherwise essentially control the outcome of all matters
requiring shareholder approval. The holders of Common Stock do not have
preemptive rights or rights to convert their Common Stock into other securities.
Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. In
the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of
the Common Stock have the right to a ratable portion of the assets remaining
after payment of liabilities. All shares of Common Stock outstanding are fully
paid and nonassessable. See "MANAGEMENT" and "PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS."
PREFERRED STOCK
The Company is authorized by its Certificate of Incorporation to issue
a maximum of 1,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock of which 60,000 shares are
issued and outstanding, in one or more series and containing such rights,
privileges and limitations, including voting rights, dividend rates, conversion
privileges, redemption rights and terms, redemption prices and liquidation
preferences, as the Board of Directors of the Company may, from time to time,
determine.
The Company is not required by current Delaware law to seek shareholder
approval prior to any issuance of authorized but unissued stock and the Board of
Directors does not currently intend to seek shareholder approval prior to any
issuance of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, unless otherwise required
by law. The issuance of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to the Board's
authority could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for
distribution to holders of Common Stock, and otherwise adversely affect the
rights and powers, including voting rights, of such holders and may have the
effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company.
Series A Preferred Stock
George Gaylord, John Gaylord, Judy Gaylord, Jennifer Lynn Gaylord,
Susan Gaylord Noble, Janet Gaylord Goodburn and John D. Critser own an aggregate
of 60,000 shares of the Company's Series
- 40 -
<PAGE> 44
A Preferred Stock, $.01 par value. The Series A Preferred Stock with respect to
dividend rights and with respect to rights of liquidation, dissolution and
winding up, ranks, senior to the Common Stock. The holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive dividends payable in cash, when, as
and if declared by the Board of Directors out of legally available funds for
such purpose, payable in quarterly installments commencing three months from the
date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock. Dividends on the Series A
Preferred Stock accrue at the annual rate of $.60 per share, subject to
adjustment. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are cumulative from the
date of its original issuance (whether or not in any dividend period or periods,
there shall be capital surplus or earnings of the Company legally available for
the payment of such dividends). Shares of Series A Preferred Stock have no
voting rights.
The Company has the right, in its discretion, to redeem any or all of
the shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding on a pro rata basis from time
to time upon not less than 10 days prior written notice at a price of $5.00 per
share, subject to adjustment. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, then out of the assets of the Company before any
distribution of payment to the holders of Common Stock, the holders of the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid $5.00 per share,
subject to adjustment. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company, the Company by resolution of the Board of Directors, will, to
the extent of any legally available funds therefor, declare a dividend payable
only in cash on the Series A Preferred Stock payable before any distribution is
made to any holders of Common Stock in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid
dividends, calculated at the dividend rate, which will be added to the amount to
be received by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock upon such
liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
WARRANTS
Each Warrant is issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement between the
Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company as warrant agent (the
"Warrant Agent"). The following statements are subject to the detailed
provisions of, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the Warrant
Agreement, which is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of
which this Prospectus is a part.
Each Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of
the Company's Common Stock for $3.00 for a period of four years commencing
October 31, 1996. The exercise price of the Warrants and the number of shares
issuable upon exercise of such Warrants are subject to adjustment to protect
against dilution in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, combinations,
subdivisions and reclassification. Warrants may be exercised by surrendering to
the Warrant Agent the Warrants and the payment of the exercise price in United
States funds by cash or certified or bank check. No fractional shares of Common
Stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of Warrants. Upon exercise,
the Company will pay the holder the value of any such fractional shares based
upon the market value of the Common Stock at such time. The Warrants may not be
exercised unless a registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act, as
amended, covering the underlying shares of Common Stock is current and such
shares have been qualified, or there is an exemption from qualification
requirements, under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder
of the Warrants.
Commencing October 31, 1997, the Company may redeem the Warrants at a
price of $.05 per Warrant by giving not less than 30 days' prior written notice
to the record holders if the closing sale price of the Common Stock as reported
on NASDAQ equals or exceeds $4.50 for the 20 consecutive trading days ending on
the tenth day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is given. In
the event the Company notifies record holders of its intent to redeem the
Warrants, the record holders may exercise
- 41 -
<PAGE> 45
same at any time prior to the close of business on the day immediately preceding
the date fixed for redemption.
Unless extended by the Company at its discretion, the Warrants will
expire at 5:00 p.m. New York time on October 30, 2000. In the event a holder of
Warrants fails to exercise the Warrants prior to such time, the Warrants will
expire and the holder thereof will have no further rights with respect to the
Warrants.
1996 FINANCING
In June 1996 the Company consummated a private placement to 12
investors of an aggregate of $622,500 of its Convertible Notes. The Convertible
Notes are due and payable on December 11, 1996. Interest is payable at the rate
of 5% per annum. The principal amount of each Convertible Note is convertible
into shares of Common Stock at the rate of $1.50 per share. In the event that
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes
are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on or before
August 11, 1996, then the interest rate is 20% per annum calculated as of June
11, 1996. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the
Convertible Notes are being offered hereby.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
As of April 23, 1996, the Company entered into a twenty-four month
financial consulting and investor relations agreement with Solay, Inc. Pursuant
to the financial consulting and investor relations agreement, Solay, Inc. is
entitled to receive $135,000 payable over six months, which amount has been
prepaid by the Company. In addition, Solay, Inc. received $65,000 in connection
with financial advisory services rendered to the Company in connection with the
1996 Financing. Pursuant to the financial consulting and investor relations
agreement, Solay, Inc. has the right to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock
and 600,000 Warrants identical to the Warrants offered in the Initial Public
Offering through October 23, 1996, for an aggregate purchase price of $300,000.
In addition, Rodika Salter, an affiliate of Solay, Inc., has an option to
purchase up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock until October 23, 1996 for $1.50
per share. In connection with the 1996 Financing, Lido Equities Corp. received
an aggregate of $35,175 of commissions and non-accountable expenses. Pursuant
to a consulting agreement, Lido Equities Corp. has been granted the right to
acquire 100,000 shares of Common Stock and 200,000 Warrants identical to the
Warrants offered in the Initial Public Offering until November 30, 1996, for an
aggregate purchase price of $100,000.
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
Pursuant to Delaware Law, the power to adopt, amend and repeal bylaws
is conferred solely upon the stockholders unless the corporation's certificate
of incorporation also confers such power upon the board of directors. Under the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors are granted the
power to amend the Bylaws of the Company. Such Bylaws provide that each director
has one vote on each matter for which directors are entitled to vote. The
Certificate of Incorporation and/or the Bylaws also provide that (i) from time
to time, by resolution, the Board has the power to decrease the number of
directors to three and increase the number of directors to up to nine members,
provided that no decrease will have the effect of shortening the term of any
incumbent director, (ii) the directors will hold office until the next annual
meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and
qualified, (iii) the stockholders of the Company may not apply to request that
the Delaware Court of Chancery summarily order an election to be held to fill
vacancies in the Board of Directors, and (iv)
- 42 -
<PAGE> 46
special meetings of stockholders may only be called by the Senior Chairman of
the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the President or a majority of the Board
of Directors of the Company. These provisions, in addition to the existence of
authorized but unissued capital stock, may have the effect, either alone or in
combination with each other, of making more difficult or discouraging an
acquisition of the Company deemed undesirable by the Board of Directors.
Management is not aware of any potential takeover attempts relating to the
Company. The Company is not presently contemplating the adoption of any
additional anti-takeover provisions. The Board of Directors of the Company
currently consists of four persons. See "MANAGEMENT - Executive Officers and
Directors."
SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE LAW
Section 203 of the Delaware Law prohibits a publicly held Delaware
corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested
stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in
which the person became an interested stockholder, unless (i) prior to the date
of the business combination, the transaction is approved by the board of
directors of the corporation; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which
resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owns at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock, or (iii) on or
after such date the business combination is approved by the board of directors
and by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock
that is not owned by the interested stockholder. A "business combination"
includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial
benefit to the stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is a person, who,
together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own)
15% or more of the corporation's voting stock. This provision of law could
discourage, prevent or delay a change in management or stockholder control of
the Company, which could have the effect of discouraging bids for the Company
and thereby prevent stockholders from receiving the maximum value for their
shares, or a premium for their shares in a hostile takeover situation.
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides that the
Company shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law any
person whom it may indemnify thereunder, including directors, officers,
employees and agents of the Company. Such indemnification (other than as ordered
by a court) shall be made by the Company only upon a determination that
indemnification is proper in the circumstances because the individual met the
applicable standard of conduct. Advances for such indemnification may be made
pending such determination. In addition, the Certificate of Incorporation
provides for the elimination, to the extent permitted by Delaware law, of
personal liability of directors to the Company and its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been
advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid
by a director, officer of controlling person of the Company in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer
or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Company, will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
- 43 -
<PAGE> 47
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent, registrar and warrant agent for the shares of
Common Stock and Warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 2
Broadway, New York, New York 10004.
- 44 -
<PAGE> 48
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
COMMON STOCK
Of the presently outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock,
1,930,525 are "restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under
the Securities Act. Such shares may be sold in the future only pursuant to a
registration statement under the Securities Act or in compliance with Rule 144
or pursuant to another exemption therefrom. Sales of the Company's Common Stock
by present shareholders in the future may have a depressive effect on the price
of the Company's Common Stock. Of such outstanding shares of Common Stock,
1,930,525 shares are "control securities" (as that term is defined in Rule 144)
because they are held by "affiliates" of the Company. The holders of such shares
of Common Stock have agreed not to sell any of their shares of Common Stock
without the consent of RAS Securities Corp. until October 31, 1997.
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
The Selling Securityholders are offering an aggregate of 415,000 shares
of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes in the
aggregate amount of $622,500 and an additional 600,000 shares of Common Stock
and 800,000 Warrants. The Company has agreed to register the public offering of
of such Securities and to pay substantially all of the expenses in connection
therewith. Except as set forth below, none of the Selling Securityholders has
ever held any position or office with the Company or had any other material
relationship with the Company. The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to the Selling Securityholders.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WARRANTS/WARRANT WARRANTS/WARRANT
NAME OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY SHARES BENEFICIALLY SHARES BENEFICIALLY SHARES BENEFICIALLY
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER OWNED PRIOR TO SALE OWNED AFTER SALE(1) OWNED PRIOR TO SALE OWNED AFTER SALE
---------------------- --------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Christopher Cirri 10,000 0 0 0
Michael Citrin 20,000 0 0 0
Andrea E. Dougherty 40,000 0 0 0
Michele Freeman 20,000 0 0 0
HST Partnership 30,000 0 0 0
Peter Janssen 60,000 0 0 0
Omega Development Group, Inc. 20,000 0 0 0
Jerome Rosen 10,000 0 0 0
Darrow C. Roundy 100,000 0 0 0
Wainscott Capital Ltd. 40,000 0 0 0
Wheatear, Inc. 25,000 0 0 0
Francie Whittenburg 40,000 0 0 0
Solay, Inc. 300,000 0 600,000 0
Rodika Salter 200,000 0 0 0
Lido Equities Corp. 100,000 0 200,000 0
--------- - ------- -
Total.............................. 1,015,000 0 800,000 0
========= = ======= =
- --------------------------------
<FN>
(1) Assumes that all Selling Securityholder's Securities are sold by such
persons and no additional securities are acquired thereby.
</TABLE>
- 45 -
<PAGE> 49
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Selling Securityholders may sell the Selling Securityholders'
Securities from time to time in their discretion on NASDAQ, in the
over-the-counter market, the Boston Stock Exchange or in privately-negotiated
transactions, at fixed prices which may be changed, at market prices prevailing
at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. The Selling Securityholders may effect such transactions in
their discretion in sales to or through broker-dealers, and such broker-dealers
may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions
from the Selling Securityholders or the purchasers of the Selling
Securityholders' Securities for whom such broker-dealers may act as agent or to
whom they sell as principal, or both (which compensation to a broker-dealer
might be in excess of customary commissions).
The Selling Securityholders and any broker-dealers who act in
connection with the sale of the Securities offered hereby may be deemed to be
"underwriters" as that term is defined in the Securities Act with respect to the
securities offered and any profits realized or commissions received may be
deemed underwriting compensation.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the issuance of the securities
offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company Martin C. Licht, 845 Third
Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Martin C. Licht is a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company. Mr. Licht's wife owns warrants to purchase up to 4,167
shares of Common Stock.
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP had served as the independent accountants in
connection with the review of the Company's financial statements for the years
ended December 31, 1992 and 1993 and had been engaged to perform an audit of the
financial statements for such years. In September 1994, the Company and KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP mutually agreed to terminate their relationship and the Company
engaged Feldman Radin & Co., P.C. to serve as its auditors. The change to
Feldman Radin & Co., P.C. was ratified by the Company's Board of Directors. The
engagement of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP was terminated prior to the completion of
the audits and prior to the issuance of any audit report on the Company's
financial statements for the years ended December 31, 1992 and 1993. The Company
believes, and has been advised by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP that it concurs in such
belief, that in connection with the incomplete audits of the Company's financial
statements for each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1992 and 1993 and
subsequent thereto, the Company and KPMG Peat Marwick LLP did not have any
disagreement as of the date of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP's termination on any
matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or
auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, would have caused KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
to make reference to the matter in their reports.
- 46 -
<PAGE> 50
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
1995 and for each of the two years in the period then ended have been included
herein and in the Registration Statement in reliance upon the report of Feldman
Radin & Co., P.C., independent certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere
herein, and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
- 47 -
<PAGE> 51
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1995 F-3-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1994 F-5
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1994 F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8-19
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Quarter Ended March 31, 1996:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Balance Sheet F-20
Consolidated Statement of Operations F-21
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows F-22
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-23
</TABLE>
F - 1
<PAGE> 52
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
----------------------------
To the Shareholders and
Board of Directors
Gaylord Companies, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of
Gaylord Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash
flows for each of the two years then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Gaylord
Companies, Inc. as of December 31, 1995, and the results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the two years then ended in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Feldman Radin & Co., P.C.
February 16, 1996 Certified Public Accountants
F - 2
<PAGE> 53
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
-----------------------
BALANCE SHEETS
--------------
DECEMBER 31, 1995
-----------------
ASSETS
------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash $ 649,019
Restricted cash (Note 5) 250,000
Accounts receivable - trade 42,098
Other receivables (Note 2) 193,707
Inventories (Note 3) 1,810,452
Deferred income taxes - current (Note 8) 52,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 111,371
----------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 3,108,647
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Note 4) 708,592
GOODWILL, (net of accumulated amortization of $88,705 in 1995
and $83,346 in 1994) 125,651
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES (Note 8) 357,062
INVESTMENT (Note 1) 125,000
OTHER ASSETS 40,181
----------
$4,465,133
==========
</TABLE>
The notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 54
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
-----------------------
BALANCE SHEETS
--------------
DECEMBER 31, 1995
-----------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $1,482,315
Sales tax payable 179,303
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 5) 628,764
Current installments of capital lease obligations 11,859
Other current liabilities (Note 7) 202,215
----------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,504,456
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS 7,769
----------
2,512,225
----------
COMMITMENTS (Note 6)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Cumulative preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 1,500,000 shares
authorized, 60,000 shares issued and outstanding 300,000
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares
authorized, 2,750,000 shares issued and outstanding 27,500
Paid-in-capital in excess of par value of common stock 1,600,817
Retained earnings 24,591
----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,952,908
----------
$4,465,133
==========
</TABLE>
The notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 55
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
-----------------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
-----------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------
1995 1994
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
NET SALES $ 13,722,144 $ 12,621,148
COST OF GOODS SOLD, including store occupancy and
delivery costs (Note 3) 10,177,693 9,185,959
------------ ------------
GROSS PROFIT 3,544,451 3,435,189
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Store operating expenses 2,394,236 2,259,523
Administrative 1,206,874 1,017,768
Depreciation and amortization 246,991 242,199
Non-cash imputed compensation expense -- 40,000
------------ ------------
3,848,101 3,559,490
------------ ------------
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (303,650) (124,301)
------------ ------------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense (391,081) (274,401)
Interest income 4,448 --
Write-off of registration costs -- (92,700)
Amortization of discount on notes payable (190,208) (17,292)
Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment -- 3,265
Other income (expense) 3,074 1,563
------------ ------------
(573,767) (379,565)
------------ ------------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) (877,417) (503,866)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) (Note 8) (267,490) (202,000)
------------ ------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (609,927) $ (301,866)
============ ============
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.29) $ (0.15)
============ ============
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES USED 2,125,000 2,000,000
============ ============
</TABLE>
The notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 56
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
-----------------------
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
--------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Preferred Stock Common Stock Paid-in Capital
-------------------- --------------------- In Excess Of Retained
Shares Amount Shares Amount Par Value Earnings Totals
-------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1993 -- $ -- 1,908,680 $ 19,087 $ 20,451 $ 958,249 $ 997,787
Reclassification of paid-in capital -- -- -- -- 16,486 (16,486) --
Stock issued in connection
with bridge financing -- -- 69,475 695 149,305 -- 150,000
Stock issued as compensation -- -- 21,845 218 39,782 -- 40,000
Net income -- -- -- -- -- (301,866) (301,866)
-------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- -----------
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1994 -- -- 2,000,000 20,000 226,024 639,897 885,921
Sale of preferred stock 60,000 300,000 -- -- -- -- 300,000
Sale of common stock and warrants -- -- 750,000 7,500 1,374,793 -- 1,382,293
Dividends paid on preferred stock -- -- -- -- -- (5,379) (5,379)
Net income -- -- -- -- -- (609,927) (609,927)
-------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- -----------
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1995 60,000 $ 300,000 2,750,000 $ 27,500 $1,600,817 $ 24,591 $ 1,952,908
======== ========= ========= ========= ========== ========= ===========
</TABLE>
The notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE> 57
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
----------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended December 31,
--------------------------
1995 1994
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) $ (609,927) $ (301,866)
----------- -----------
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 246,991 242,199
Non-cash imputed compensation expense -- 40,000
Write-off of registration costs -- 92,700
Amortization of discount on notes payable 190,208 17,292
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable (9,674) 16,153
Decrease (increase) in other receivables 5,844 (41,957)
Decrease (increase) in inventory 3,148 (623,761)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets (60,505) (114,475)
Decrease (increase) in other assets 8,862 (7,839)
Decrease (increase) in refundable income taxes 91,365 (34,780)
Decrease (increase) in deferred income taxes (352,477) (56,585)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable (253,272) 781,544
Increase (decrease) in sales tax payable 32,560 40,215
Increase (decrease) in other current liabilties (51,823) 29,806
Decrease (increase) in deferred registration costs 192,832 (285,532)
----------- -----------
Total adjustments 44,059 94,980
----------- -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (565,868) (206,886)
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment (26,775) (307,100)
----------- -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (26,775) (307,100)
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock 300,000 --
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants 1,382,293 --
Dividends paid (5,379) --
Proceeds from issuance of debt 250,000 1,980,655
Repayments of debt (688,817) (1,168,290)
Increase in restricted cash (250,000) --
Costs incurred in association with bridge financing -- (57,500)
Principal payments of capital lease obligations (8,062) (17,028)
----------- -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 980,035 737,837
----------- -----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH 387,392 223,851
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 261,627 37,776
----------- -----------
CASH AT END OF YEAR $ 649,019 $ 261,627
=========== ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 147,391 $ 78,335
=========== ===========
Income taxes $ -- $ 28,497
=========== ===========
Noncash activity:
Discount recorded in connection with debt financing $ -- $ 150,000
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-7
<PAGE> 58
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
------------------------------------------
(a) Basis of Presentation
The financial statements of Gaylord Companies, Inc. (the "Company")
include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries (Note 9). All
significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated
in the consolidated financial statements. The Company is a specialty
retailer of books, quality cookware and serving equipment, with all
operations in Ohio.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that effect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure 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.
(b) Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is
determined using the retail method and the FIFO method.
(c) Investment
The investment security represents a ten percent interest in the common
stock of a franchisor organization, Little Professor Book Company
("LPBC"), held for long-term investment purposes, which is stated at
cost which management believes approximates fair market value. An
agreement with the franchisor states that the franchisor may purchase
the stock from the Company at the end of the license agreements with
the franchisor at the higher of cost, book value, or market value.
F - 8
<PAGE> 59
(d) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Property and equipment held
under capital leases are stated at the lower of the present value of
minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease term or fair value
at the inception of the lease.
Depreciation of property and equipment is calculated using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Property and equipment held under capital leases and leasehold
improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the
shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.
(e) Goodwill
Goodwill, which arose as a result of the purchase of one of the
Company's bookstores in 1977 is being amortized on a straight-line
basis over a period of 40 years. The Company assesses the
recoverability of the goodwill by evaluating whether the amortization
of the goodwill balance over its remaining useful life can be recovered
through projected undiscounted future results of the acquired entity.
The amount of goodwill impairment, if any, is measured based on
projected discounted future results, using a discount rate reflecting
the Company's average cost of capital.
(f) Preopening Costs
Expenses associated with the opening of new stores are deferred and
amortized ratably over a twelve month period beginning on the date of
the store opening.
(g) Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Net earnings (loss) per share is computed based on the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding after giving retroactive effect for
all periods presented to the Exchange Agreement (Note 9), the
subsequent issuance of 13,107 shares of common stock to an officer
(Note 9) and the issuance of 41,680 shares in connection with the
bridge financing (Note 9).
(h) Accumulated Earnings Under S Corporation Status
In accordance with S.E.C. accounting rules, during the year ended
December 31, 1994 the Company reclassified approximately $17,000 from
retained earnings to paid in capital reflecting the undistributed
earnings of its then S corporation subsidiaries when such S corporation
elections were terminated on January 1, 1994.
F - 9
<PAGE> 60
(i) Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the December 31, 1994 financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
2. OTHER RECEIVABLES
-----------------
Other receivables consist of the following at December 31, 1995:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Officers' receivable $ 82,418
Other receivables 111,289
-------
$ 193,707
=======
</TABLE>
Certain officers have received funds from the Company which are due in
monthly installments through July 2000 and bear interest at the rate of
8.5% per annum.
3. INVENTORIES
-----------
The Company, as consignee, has entered into consignment agreements
whereby title to the consigned goods remain with the consignor until
sold by the Company. These consignment agreements have an original term
of 2 years with automatic one-year renewals, unless terminated by
either party. The Company is obligated to pay a formula based
consignment fee. Such formula is based on the average amount of
consigned goods held during the period at prime plus 2 percent (10.5%
at December 31, 1995 and 1994) plus a fixed charge. The total
consignment fees for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 were
$254,300 and $214,800, respectively.
The Company may return consigned goods to the consignor up to a defined
level without a fee. Upon the termination of the consignment
agreements, the consignor shall be entitled to the immediate return of
all of the consigned goods.
As the consigned goods remain the property of the consignor until sold,
the consigned goods (cost of approximately $2,749,000 at December 31,
1995) are not reflected as inventory in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements. The maximum amount of consigned goods the Company
may have on hand at any time cannot exceed $4,670,000 (at retail
value). The consigned goods sold under this arrangement were
approximately 61% and 63% of cost of sales in the years ended December
31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Currently, the Company is not in compliance with the provisions in the
consignment
F - 10
<PAGE> 61
agreement with respect to the Company's inventory turnover ratios. Upon
a default under the consignment agreements, the Consignor may terminate
all of such consignment agreements.
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
----------------------
The following is a summary of property and equipment at December 31,
1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Depreciable
Life
------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Computers and equipment 5 years $ 205,165
Leasehold improvements 10 years 539,580
Furniture and fixtures 7 years 978,453
Vehicles 5 years 21,038
---------
1,744,236
Accumulated depreciation and amortization 1,035,644
---------
$ 708,592
=========
</TABLE>
5. LONG-TERM DEBT
--------------
The following is a summary of long-term debt at December 31, 1995:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Term loans (1) $ 378,764
Time loan (1) 250,000
Notes payable to bridge lenders, bearing
interest at 10%, payable through October
1997 (2) ---------
$ 628,764
=========
</TABLE>
F - 11
<PAGE> 62
(1) In November 1995, the Company entered into a master financing
agreement with its lending bank, which replaced several
existing term loans, and which provides for three different
lending facilities: (a) a term loan in the amount of $17,222
plus interest at prime plus 1%; (b) a time loan in the amount
of $250,000 bearing interest at prime plus 1.5%, with
principal due upon the termination date of the financing
agreement (however with prepayments necessary upon the receipt
by the Company of tenant allowances from landlords of property
on which new stores are opened); and (c) a revolving credit
loan providing for total borrowing of $550,000, bearing
interest at prime plus 1.5%, provided however, that the bank
is not required to advance any funds to the Company during the
continuance of an event of default. At December 31, 1995, the
Company did not have any balance due on the revolving credit
loan. The financing agreement expires in October 1997, at
which time any unpaid principal is due.
For calendar years 1996 through 1997 the principal maturities
are: $197,993 in 1996 and $180,771 in 1997.
The Company's accounts receivable, inventory, property and
equipment, investment and a $250,000 certificate of deposit
with the lending bank are pledged as security under the
Company's loan agreement. Also, certain stockholders have
personally guaranteed the long-term debt.
The financing agreement requires the Company to meet covenants
pertaining to the following financial measurements: 1)
quarterly net income before taxes; 2) tangible net worth; 3)
cash flow coverage of debt service. At December 31, 1995, the
Company was in violation of all three measurements, and
therefore was in technical default of this financing
agreement. The bank has granted the Company waivers through
May 31, 1996, but since such waiver period is for less than
one year, all debt under this agreement has been reclassified
as current. In connection with obtaining such waivers, the
Company agreed to be bound under the default rate of interest,
which is prime plus 2.5%, and is precluded from obtaining any
funds under the revolving credit portion of this loan
agreement.
(2) In accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 14,
the proceeds received for the bridge financings were allocated
between the equity and debt securities included in such units
based upon their relative estimated fair values. The
difference between the face amount and the allocated value of
the debt was recorded as a discount on the notes payable
totaling $150,000. An additional $57,500 of financing costs
were also recorded as discounts. Remaining unamortized
discount totaling $132,568, was written off during November
1995 upon the Company's accelerated repayment of the bridge
loans with the proceeds
F - 12
<PAGE> 63
of its Initial Public Offering.
6. COMMITMENTS
-----------
(i) Leases
The Company has nine noncancelable operating leases, primarily for
buildings and facilities. Such leases expire variously over the next
ten years, but also provide for renewal options.
Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating
Year ending December 31, leases
------------------------ ----------------
<S> <C>
1996 $ 950,550
1997 966,583
1998 1,019,251
1999 896,664
2000 672,056
Later years, through 2004 2,037,734
</TABLE>
Total rental expense for operating leases was $1,156,662 and $1,075,002
in 1995 and 1994, respectively, including contingent rentals of
$166,266 and $195,842 in 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Certain principal shareholders of the Company have jointly and
severally guaranteed two of the aforementioned operating leases.
(ii) License Agreements
Four of the subsidiaries have recently entered into five separate
license agreements with LPBC with respect to six bookstores. The
license agreements replaced separate franchise agreements relating to
five of the bookstores. The Company owns approximately 10% of the
outstanding common stock of LPBC (See Note 1(c)). The initial term of
the license agreements will expire on December 31, 1996 and may be
extended by the Company until December 31, 2001. The Company will pay
LPBC a royalty of 1/2 of 1% of monthly sales for all of the bookstores.
If there is a default by any of the Subsidiaries under any one of the
license agreements, then LPBC may terminate all of the license
agreements. The Company and LPBC have also recently entered into a
separate agreement (the
F - 13
<PAGE> 64
"Supplementary Agreement") which includes, among other things,
consulting services to be rendered to LPBC, rights of first refusal
permitting the Company to open additional franchises, the termination
of the license agreements and LPBC's repurchase of its common stock
owned by the Company. Pursuant to the Supplementary Agreement, the
Company or LPBC may terminate the license agreements and the
Supplementary Agreement upon 12 months notice and the payment of
$100,000. The initial term of the Supplementary Agreement expires on
December 31, 1996 and may be extended by LPBC until December 31, 2001.
In addition, upon the termination of the Supplementary Agreement, LPBC
has the right to repurchase its shares of common stock owned by the
Company at the greater of the cost to the Company, the book value or
the fair market value of such shares. LPBC has granted the Company a
right of first refusal for the opening of any Little Professor
Bookstore in Ohio, or in Collier County or Lee County, Florida. Upon
the opening of Little Professor Book Company bookstores by third
parties in excess of 8,000 square feet in size, LPBC will pay to the
Company the greater of $10,000 or 15% of its then current initial
franchise fees plus 2/10 of 1% of the monthly sales during the initial
term of any such agreements.
(iii) Employment Agreements
The Company has entered into employment agreements with three of its
executive officers which expire in April 1998. Aggregate annual
salaries under these agreements are $425,000.
7. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
-------------------------
Other current liabilities consist of the following at December 31,
1995:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes $ 130,033
Gift certificates payable 60,592
Other payables 11,590
--------
$ 202,215
========
</TABLE>
F - 14
<PAGE> 65
8. INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
----------------------------
The Company accounts for income taxes under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109.
Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
------------------------
1995 1994
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Current refundable federal $ (30,000) $ (96,000)
Current refundable state and local (40,000) (20,000)
Deferred federal (197,490) (86,000)
--------- ---------
$(267,490) $(202,000)
========= =========
</TABLE>
The differences between income taxes computed by applying the statutory
federal income tax rate (34%) and income tax expense (benefit) in the
consolidated financial statements are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
------------------------
1995 1994
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Tax benefit computed at statutory rate $(297,000) $(178,000)
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit (40,000) (24,000)
Effect of permanent differences 68,000 --
Other, net 1,510 --
--------- ---------
$(267,490) $(202,000)
========= =========
</TABLE>
The Company had deferred tax assets representing the tax effect of the
net operating loss carryforwards totaling $799,000, book depreciation
in excess of tax depreciation of $110,000, and other items aggregating
$76,000 as of December 31, 1995. The tax effect resulting in the
deferred tax asset was approximately $45,000 for depreciation, other
items aggregating $31,000, and $333,000 for net operating loss
carryforwards. The net operating loss carryforwards expire in the years
2009 and 2010.
F - 15
<PAGE> 66
9. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
--------------------
Prior to August 1, 1994, each of the Company's subsidiaries were
separately owned companies, which had previously been combined for
financial reporting purposes based on common control of the subsidiary
companies and interrelated operations. In July 1994, the Company was
established as a holding company. On August 1, 1994, the individual
shareholders of the subsidiary companies entered into an Exchange
Agreement whereby they exchanged 100% of the issued and outstanding
common stock of the subsidiary companies for 1,566,053 shares of common
stock of the Company. Accordingly, these consolidated financial
statements reflect the new ownership structure as if the Company had
owned all of the subsidiaries for all periods presented.
After completion of the Exchange Agreement transactions, the Company
issued 21,845 shares of common stock to an officer of the Company. In
accordance with S.E.C. Staff Accountants Bulletin #83 the 21,845 shares
of common stock which were issued for services within one year of the
initial filing of the Company's registration statement for its public
offering were valued at approximately 85% of the anticipated offering
price. This resulted in a non-cash charge to income of $40,000 in the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
On September 20, 1994, the Company completed a private placement
"Bridge Financing." The Bridge Financing notes, which had a face amount
of $500,000, bore interest at 10% per annum and were due at the earlier
of the closing of the Company's initial public offering or August 1997.
In connection with the Bridge Financing, the Company issued 69,475
shares of common stock to the Bridge Lenders. A value of approximately
$150,000 was attributed to the 69,475 shares of common stock and
accordingly, the face amount of the Bridge Financing notes was reduced
by a corresponding amount as a discount, with paid in capital credited.
Any remaining unamortized portion of this amount was written off upon
repayment of the notes. In addition, the Bridge Lenders were issued
warrants to purchase 83,337 shares of common stock at $4.32 per share.
On August 1, 1994, the Company adopted the 1994 Stock Option Plan under
which up to 333,333 options to purchase shares of common stock may be
granted to key employees, consultants and members of the Board of
Directors. As of December 31, 1995, no options have been issued under
this plan.
In March and May 1995, certain principal shareholders surrendered an
aggregate of 41,667 and 659,735 shares, respectively, of the Company's
common stock and such shares were retired. These transactions have been
accounted for as a recapitalization of the Company and have been given
retroactive effect in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements for all periods presented.
F - 16
<PAGE> 67
In October 1995 the Company effected a stock split of one and
two-thirds shares for each issued and outstanding share in the form of
a stock dividend. All common stock data in these financial statements
are adjusted to reflect this transaction.
The Company can issue a maximum of 1,500,000 shares of preferred stock,
in one or more series, containing such rights, including voting rights,
dividend rates, redemption prices and liquidation preferences, as the
Board of Directors may determine.
In November 1995, the Company sold 60,000 shares of Series A Cumulative
preferred stock to certain shareholders for $5.00 per share. The shares
pay an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and contain a liquidation
preference of $5.00 per share.
10. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
-----------------------
The Company completed an Initial Public Offering in November 1995,
selling a total of 750,000 shares of common stock for $3.00 per share,
and 1,725,000 warrants at $0.10 per warrant. The warrants entitle the
holder to purchase one share of Company common stock at $3.00 per share
through October 30, 2000. Warrants are redeemable by the Company at
$0.05 per warrant, generally, upon the common stock achieving certain
price levels. Net proceeds to the Company after underwriter discounts
and other expenses were approximately $1.4 million.
F - 17
<PAGE> 68
11. SEGMENT INFORMATION
-------------------
Summary information for the Company's two industry segments is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Bookstore Cookstore Total
------------ ----------- ------------
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995:
-------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales $ 10,679,732 $ 3,042,412 $ 13,722,144
Cost of Goods Sold, including store
occupancy and delivery costs 8,074,607 2,103,086 10,177,693
------------ ----------- ------------
Gross Profit 2,605,125 939,326 3,544,451
Store Operating Expenses 1,803,698 590,538 2,394,236
------------ ----------- ------------
Store Level Income 801,427 348,788 1,150,215
Depreciation and Amortization 156,128 90,863 246,991
Administrative 939,292 267,582 1,206,874
------------ ----------- ------------
Operating income $ (293,993) $ (9,657) (303,650)
============ ===========
Other expenses 573,767
------------
Income before taxes $ (877,417)
============
Identifiable assets $ 2,385,618 $ 1,620,389 $ 4,006,007
============ ===========
Corporate assets 459,126
------------
Total assets $ 4,465,133
============
Other information:
Depreciation and amortization $ 156,128 $ 90,863 $ 246,991
============ =========== ============
Capital acquisitions $ 14,518 $ 12,257 $ 26,775
============ =========== ============
</TABLE>
F - 18
<PAGE> 69
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994:
-------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 10,753,276 $1,867,872 $ 12,621,148
Cost of Goods Sold, including store
occupancy and delivery costs 8,051,301 1,134,658 9,185,959
------------ ---------- ------------
Gross Profit 2,701,975 733,214 3,435,189
Store Operating Expenses 1,949,268 310,255 2,259,523
------------ ---------- ------------
Store Level Income 752,707 422,959 1,175,666
Depreciation and Amortization 206,624 35,575 242,199
Administrative 867,143 150,625 1,017,768
Non-cash Imputed Compensation
Expense 34,080 5,920 40,000
------------ ---------- ------------
Operating income $ (355,140) $ 230,839 (124,301)
============ ==========
Other expenses 379,565
------------
Income before taxes $ (503,866)
============
Identifiable assets $ 2,052,737 $1,136,877 3,189,614
============ ==========
Corporate assets 792,438
------------
Total assets $ 3,982,052
============
Other information:
Depreciation and amortization $ 207,221 $ 34,978 $ 242,199
============ ========== ============
Capital acquisitions $ 74,551 $ 232,549 $ 307,100
============ ========== ============
</TABLE>
F - 19
<PAGE> 70
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
-----------------------
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
--------------------------
MARCH 31, 1996
--------------
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash $ 514,126
Accounts receivable - trade 32,569
Other receivables 215,133
Inventories 1,848,695
Deferred income taxes - current 202,250
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 111,244
-----------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 2,924,017
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 663,470
GOODWILL 124,311
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 357,061
INVESTMENT 125,000
OTHER ASSETS 39,475
-----------
$ 4,233,334
===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 1,371,726
Line of credit 395,000
Bank note - short term 250,000
Sales tax payable 78,818
Current portion of long-term debt 329,989
Current installments of capital lease obligations 11,859
Other current liabilities 72,178
-----------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,509,570
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS 5,018
-----------
2,514,588
-----------
COMMITMENTS
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Cumulative preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 1,500,000 shares
authorized, 60,000 shares issued and outstanding 300,000
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares
authorized, 2,750,000 shares issued and outstanding 27,500
Paid-in-capital in excess of par 1,600,817
Retained earnings (deficit) (209,571)
-----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,718,746
-----------
$ 4,233,334
===========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-20
<PAGE> 71
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
-----------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
------------------------------------
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31,
--------------------------
1996 1995
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
NET SALES $ 2,884,819 $ 2,919,495
COST OF GOODS SOLD, including store occupancy and
delivery costs 2,206,362 2,217,357
----------- -----------
GROSS PROFIT 678,457 702,138
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Store operating expenses 604,292 575,178
Administrative 310,200 291,861
Depreciation and amortization 48,062 64,373
----------- -----------
962,554 931,412
----------- -----------
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (284,097) (229,274)
----------- -----------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense (76,817) (79,536)
Amortization of discount on notes payable -- (17,292)
Other income (expense) (14,355) 183
----------- -----------
(91,172) (96,645)
----------- -----------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) (375,269) (325,919)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) (150,107) (130,368)
----------- -----------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (225,162) $ (195,551)
=========== ===========
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.08) $ (0.09)
=========== ===========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES USED 2,750,000 2,125,000
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-21
<PAGE> 72
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
----------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
------------------------------------
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31,
-------------------------
1996 1995
--------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) $(225,162) $ (195,551)
--------- -----------
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 48,062 62,268
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable 9,529 (10,404)
Decrease (increase) in other receivables (21,426) (20,610)
Decrease (increase) in inventory (38,243) (38,705)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets 127 (157,472)
Decrease (increase) in deferred income taxes (150,250) --
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable (110,588) (541,758)
Increase (decrease) in sales tax payable (100,485) (95,765)
Increase (decrease) in other current liabilties (138,430) (11,911)
-----------
Total adjustments (501,704) (814,357)
--------- -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (726,866) (1,009,908)
--------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment (1,501) (10,699)
--------- -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (1,501) (10,699)
--------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of debt 395,000 850,000
Repayments of debt (48,775) (50,166)
Principal payments of capital lease obligations (2,751) (3,100)
--------- -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 343,474 796,734
--------- -----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH (384,893) (223,873)
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 899,019 261,627
--------- -----------
CASH AT END OF PERIOD $ 514,126 $ 37,754
========= ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 15,612 $ 30,537
========= ===========
Income taxes $ -- $ 100
========= ===========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-22
<PAGE> 73
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
----------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
------------------------------------------
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
---------------------------------
(UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
---------------------
The accompanying financial statements are unaudited, but
reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are
necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and the results
of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments
are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for any
interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results attainable
for a full fiscal year.
2. LOSS PER SHARE
--------------
Per share information is computed based on the weighted
average number of shares outstanding during the period.
F-23
<PAGE> 74
================================================================================
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PROSPECTUS
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY
OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS, OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN
WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IS UNLAWFUL. THE DELIVERY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF
THE PROSPECTUS.
------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY .....................................................
RISK FACTORS ...........................................................
USE OF PROCEEDS ........................................................
DIVIDEND POLICY ........................................................
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ................................................
BUSINESS ...............................................................
MANAGEMENT .............................................................
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS ...................................................
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS .................................................
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES ..............................................
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE ........................................
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS ................................................
LEGAL MATTERS ..........................................................
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS ..................................................
EXPERTS ................................................................
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .......................................F-1
</TABLE>
------
================================================================================
1,015,000 SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK
800,000 COMMON STOCK
PURCHASE WARRANTS
GAYLORD
COMPANIES, INC.
--------------
PROSPECTUS
--------------
, 1996
================================================================================
<PAGE> 75
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 24. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL") permits,
in general, a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person made, or threatened
to be made, a party to an action or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or
she was a director or officer of the corporation, or served another entity in
any capacity at the request of the corporation, against any judgment, fines,
amounts paid in settlement and expenses, including attorney's fees actually and
reasonably incurred as a result of such action or proceeding, or any appeal
therein, if such person acted in good faith, for a purpose he or she reasonably
believed to be in, or, in the case of service for another entity, not opposed
to, the best interests of the corporation and, in criminal actions or
proceedings, in addition had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her
conduct was unlawful. Section 145(e) of the DGCL permits the corporation to pay
in advance of a final disposition of such action or proceeding the expenses
incurred in defending such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount as, and to the
extent, required by statute. Section 145(f) of the DGCL provides that the
indemnification and advancement of expense provisions contained in the DGCL
shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which a director or officer
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled.
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides, in general, that
the Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of
the DGCL, any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under said
section from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other
matters referred to in, or covered by, said section. The Certificate of
Incorporation also provides that the indemnification provided for therein shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be
entitled under any By-Law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to actions taken in his or her official capacity
and as to acts in another capacity while holding such office.
In accordance with that provision of the Certificate of Incorporation,
the Company shall indemnify any officer or director (including officers and
directors serving another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or
other enterprise in any capacity at the Company's request) made, or threatened
to be made, a party to an action or proceeding (whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that he or she was
serving in any of those capacities against judgments, fines, amounts paid in
settlement and reasonable expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred as a
result of such action or proceeding. Indemnification would not be available if a
judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such director or officer
establishes that (i) his or her acts were committed in bad faith or were the
result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (ii) he or she personally gained
in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally
entitled.
II-1
<PAGE> 76
ITEM 25. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the various expenses which will be paid
by the Company in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities being registered, with the exception of the registration fee, all
amounts shown are estimates.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Registration fee.................................................................... $ 1,099
Blue Sky fees and expenses (including legal and filing)............................. 6,500
Printing expenses................................................................... 3,000
Legal fees and expenses (other than Blue Sky)....................................... 75,000
Miscellaneous expenses.............................................................. 401
---------
Total...................................................................... $86,000
=======
</TABLE>
ITEM 26. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
In the past three years, the Company has made the sales of unregistered
securities set forth below, all of which sales were intended to be exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2)
based upon the representations of the parties to the Exchange Agreement, as
defined below. Each of the parties represented that they acquired the shares for
investment and without a view to the distribution thereof.
I. As of August 1, 1994, George Gaylord, John Gaylord, Judy Gaylord,
Jennifer Lynn Gaylord, Susan Gaylord Noble, Janet Gaylord Goodburn and John D.
Critser entered into the Exchange Agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") with the
Company whereby such parties exchanged 100% of the issued and outstanding common
stock in the Subsidiaries for an aggregate of 1,566,053 shares of Common Stock
in the Company which represented 100% of the Common Stock of the Company then
outstanding. George Gaylord owned approximately 66% of the shares of common
stock of Gaylord Book Company, 50% of the shares of common stock of The
Cookstore, Inc., 52% of the shares of common stock of Sawworth Book Company, 40%
of the shares of the common stock of Gaylord's, Inc., 35% of the shares of
common stock of The Cookstore Worthington, Inc. and 35% of the shares of common
stock of Gaylord Enterprises, Inc. and he received approximately 35% of the
Common Stock of the Company then outstanding.
John Gaylord owned 25% of the shares of common stock of The Cookstore,
Inc., 12% of the shares of common stock of Sawworth Book Company, 15% of the
shares of common stock of Gaylord's, Inc., 25% of the shares of common stock of
The Cookstore Worthington, Inc. and 25% of the shares of common stock of Gaylord
Enterprises, Inc. and he received approximately 22% of the Common Stock of the
Company then outstanding.
Jennifer Lynn Gaylord owned 25% of the shares of common stock of The
Cookstore, Inc., 10% of the shares of common stock of The Cookstore Worthington,
Inc. and she received approximately 4% of the Common Stock of the Company then
outstanding.
II-2
<PAGE> 77
Janet Gaylord Goodburn owned 12% of the shares of common stock of
Sawworth Book Company, 15% of the shares of common stock of Gaylord's, Inc., 10%
of the shares of common stock of The Cookstore Worthington, Inc, and 16% of the
shares of common stock of Gaylord Enterprises, Inc. and she received
approximately 10% of the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding.
Judy Gaylord owned 12% of the shares of common stock of Sawworth Book
Company, 15% of the shares of common stock of Gaylord's, Inc., 10% of the shares
of common stock of The Cookstore Worthington, Inc. and 12% of the shares of
common stock of Gaylord Enterprises, Inc. and she received approximately 10% of
the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding.
Susan Gaylord Noble owned 12% of the shares of common stock of Sawworth
Book Company, 15% of the shares of common stock of Gaylord's, Inc., 10% of the
shares of common stock of The Cookstore Worthington, Inc. and 12% of the shares
of Gaylord Enterprises, Inc. and she received approximately 10% of the Common
Stock of the Company then outstanding.
John D. Critser owned approximately 34% of the shares of Common Stock
of Gaylord Book Company and he received approximately 8% of the Common Stock of
the Company then outstanding. After the completion of the transactions
contemplated in the Exchange Agreement, the Company issued an additional 13,107
shares of Common Stock to John D. Critser.
II. During August through October 1994, the Company borrowed an
aggregate of $500,000 from the Bridge Lenders, and issued thereto Bridge Notes
in the principal amounts and on the various dates, set forth below. In partial
consideration for making such loans, the Company issued an aggregate of 69,475
shares of Common Stock and 83,337 warrants as set forth below. These sales were
intended to be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
pursuant to Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. Meridian, Dunhill & Co., Inc. acted
as the exclusive placement agent in connection with the Bridge Financing and
received commissions aggregating $47,500 in connection with such sales. See
"CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS" and "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES - Bridge Financing."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER NUMBER
PRINCIPAL OF OF
DATE NAME OF SHAREHOLDER AMOUNT SHARES WARRANTS
- ---- ------------------- ------ ------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
8/17/94 Ralph C. Liebert Family Trust $25,000 3,474 4,167
FBO Andrea B. Liebert
8/17/94 Ralph C. Liebert Family Trust 25,000 3,474 4,167
FBO Michelle Liebert
8/17/94 Michael Cantor 75,000 10,420 12,500
8/17/94 James Lynch 25,000 3,474 4,167
8/17/94 Carl Backes 25,000 3,474 4,167
8/17/94 Eugene Silverman 25,000 3,474 4,167
8/17/94 Thomas & Christine Pittarese 25,000 3,474 4,167
8/17/94 Leonard Perre, III 25,000 3,474 4,167
9/01/94 Smith Barney as Roll-over 50,000 6,947 8,333
Custodian for Stanley Katz
</TABLE>
II-3
<PAGE> 78
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER NUMBER
PRINCIPAL OF OF
DATE NAME OF SHAREHOLDER AMOUNT SHARES WARRANTS
- ---- ------------------- ------ ------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
9/01/94 Julian Herskowitz 25,000 3,474 4,167
9/01/94 David & Kathleen Carroll 100,000 13,894 16,667
9/14/94 Richard Reiss 25,000 3,474 4,167
9/14/94 Robert Liebert 25,000 3,474 4,167
10/17/94 Rona J. Licht 25,000 3,474 4,167
</TABLE>
III. In November 1995, George Gaylord, John Gaylord, Jennifer Lynn
Gaylord, Susan Gaylord Noble, Janet Gaylord Goodburn and John D. Critser
purchased an aggregate of 60,000 shares of the Company's Series A Preferred
Stock at a price of $5.00 per share. Based upon the representations of the
purchasers, such sales were exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof. See "PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS"
and "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES Preferred Stock."
IV. In June 1996, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $622,500 from 12
investors and issued thereto the Convertible Notes in the principal amounts on
the dates set forth below. These sales and the issuance of the shares of Common
Stock upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes are intended to be exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section
4(2) and/or Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. Pursuant to a consulting agreement,
Lido Equities Corp. received an aggregate of $35,175 of commissions and
non-accountable expenses. Pursuant to a consulting agreement, Lido Equities
Corp. has been granted the right to acquire 100,000 shares of Common Stock and
200,000 Warrants identical to the Warrants offered in the Initial Public
Offering until November 30, 1996, for an aggregate purchase price of $100,000.
See "DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES - 1996 Financing."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
DATE NAME OF SECURITYHOLDER AMOUNT
- ---- ---------------------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
6/11/96 Christopher Cirri $ 15,000
6/11/96 Michael Cirtin 30,000
6/11/96 Andrea E. Dougherty 60,000
6/11/96 Michele Freeman 30,000
6/11/96 HST Parnership 45,000
6/11/96 Peter Janssen 90,000
6/11/96 Omega Development Group, Inc. 30,000
6/11/96 Jerome Rosen 15,000
6/11/96 Darrow C. Roundy 150,000
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE> 79
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
DATE NAME OF SECURITYHOLDER AMOUNT
- ---- ---------------------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
6/11/96 Wainscott Capital Ltd. 60,000
6/11/96 Wheatear, Inc. 37,500
6/11/96 Francie Whittenburg 60,000
</TABLE>
V. As of April 23, 1996, the Company entered into a twenty-four month
financial consulting and investor relations agreement with Solay, Inc. Pursuant
to the financial consulting and investor relations agreement, Solay, Inc. has
been granted the right to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock and 600,000
Warrants identical to the Warrants offered in the Initial Public Offering
through October 23, 1996, for an aggregate purchase price of $300,000. In
addition, Rodika Salter, an affiliate of Solay, Inc., has been granted an
option to purchase up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock until October 23, 1996
for $1.50 per share. These sales were intended to be exempt from the
registration requirements of the Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.
ITEM 27. EXHIBITS.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ------ ----------------------
<S> <C>
1.1 -- Form of Underwriting Agreement between the Company and the Underwriters.+
3.1 -- Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.+
3.2 -- By-Laws of the Company.+
4.1 -- Form of Warrant Agreement between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, as warrant agent.+
4.2 -- Specimen Certificate of the Company's Common Stock.+
4.3 -- 1994 Stock Option Plan, as amended.+
4.4 -- Specimen Certificate of the Company's Warrant.+
4.5 -- Form of Underwriter's Warrants.+
4.6 -- Option Agreement between the Company and Lido Equities Corp.
4.7 -- Option Agreement between the Company and Solay, Inc.
4.8 -- Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Rodika Salter.
4.9 -- Form of Convertible Note.
5.1 -- Opinion of Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP counsel to the Company.*
10.1 -- Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and John D. Critser.+
10.2 -- Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and John Gaylord.+
10.3 -- Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and George Gaylord.+
10.4 -- Agreements between the Subsidiaries and Bank One, Columbus, N.A.+
10.5 -- Exchange Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1994, by and among George Gaylord, John
Gaylord, Janet Gaylord Goodburn, Susan Gaylord Noble, Judy Gaylord, Jennifer Lynn
Gaylord, John D. Critser and Gaylord Companies, Inc.+
10.6 -- Lease, dated September 30, 1987, between UAP-Columbus JV326132, as Landlord, and
Gaylord Book Company, as Tenant, as amended, for premises located at 1655 and 1657 West
Lane Avenue, Lane Avenue Shopping Center, Upper Arlington, Ohio.+
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE> 80
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ------ ----------------------
<S> <C>
10.7 -- Lease, dated December 15, 1988, between Retail Projects of Cincinnati, Inc., as Landlord, and
Little Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Tenant, as subsequently assigned to Gaylord's Inc. and
amended, for premises located at Space 180, Forest Fair Mall, Forest Park, Ohio.+
10.8 -- Lease, dated June 13, 1989, between UAP-Columbus JV326132, as Landlord, and The
Cookstore, Inc., as Tenant, as amended, for premises located at 1677 West Lane Avenue,
M-1/4 and M-6, Lane Avenue Shopping Center, Upper Arlington, Ohio.+
10.9 -- Lease, dated September 24, 1990, between Planned Communities Company, as Landlord, and
Little Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Tenant, for premises located at Worthington Square
Shopping Center, Worthington, Ohio.+
10.10 -- Lease, dated July 16, 1992, between Sawmill Place Plaza Associates, as Landlord, and Little
Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Tenant, as amended, for premises known as Space 122, Plaza
at Sawmill Place, 2700 Sawmill Place Blvd., Columbus, Ohio.+
10.11 -- Lease, dated September 10, 1993, between UAP-Columbus, JV326132, as Landlord, and
Gaylord Book Co., Inc., as Tenant, as amended, for premises located at 1595 West Lane
Avenue, Upper Arlington, Ohio.+
10.12 -- Lease, dated September 13, 1993, between Aetna Life Insurance Company, as Landlord, and
Gaylord Companies, Inc., as Tenant, for premises located at Worthington Mall, Worthington,
Ohio.+
10.13 -- Lease, dated October 21, 1993, between Greater Boardman Plaza, Inc., as Landlord, and
Gaylord Enterprises, Inc., as Tenant, for premises located at Room No. 101, Greater
Boardman Plaza Shopping Center, 255 Boardman-Canfield Road, Youngstown, Ohio.+
10.14 -- Lease, dated July 15, 1994, between Glimcher Properties Limited Partnership, as Landlord,
and Gaylord Companies, as Tenant, for premises located at the Mall at Fairfield Commons,
Store #E181, Beavercreek, Ohio.+
10.15 -- Lease, dated August 19, 1994, between DeBartolo Capital Partnership, as Landlord, and The
Cookstore Inc., as Tenant, for premises located at Room 240, Summit Mall Shopping Center,
3265 West Market Street, Akron, Ohio.+
10.16 -- Sublease, dated August 31, 1994, between J.E. Hanger, Inc., sublessor and The Gaylord
Companies, Inc., sublessee, as a sublease under the master lease dated April 23, 1991 between
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, as lessor, and J. E. Hanger, Inc., as lessee, for
premises located at 4006 Venture Court, Columbus, Ohio.+
10.17 -- Consignment Agreement, dated February 25, 1989, between Ingram Industries, Inc., as
Consignor, and Gaylord's, Inc., as Consignee, relating to the store located at 1018 Forest Fair
Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio.+
10.18 -- Consignment Agreement dated May 21, 1991, between Ingram Book Company, as Consignor,
and Little Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Consignee, relating to the store located at 155
Worthington Square, Worthington, Ohio.+
10.19 -- Consignment Agreement, dated February 10, 1993, between Ingram Book Company, as
Consignor, and Gaylord Book Company, as Consignee, relating to the store located at 1646
W. Lane Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.+
10.20 -- Consignment Agreement, dated February 10, 1993, between Ingram Book Company, as
Consignor, and Little Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Consignee, relating to the store located
at 6490 Sawmill Road, Columbus, Ohio.+
</TABLE>
II-6
<PAGE> 81
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ------ ----------------------
<S> <C>
10.21 -- Consignment Agreement, dated December 1993, between Ingram Book Company, as
Consignor, and Gaylord Enterprises, Inc., as Consignee, relating to the store located at 101
Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman, Ohio.+
10.22 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Sawworth Book Company, as
License Owner, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating to 155
Worthington Square, Worthington, Ohio. +
10.23 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Sawworth Book Company, as
License Owner, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating to 6490
Sawmill Road, Columbus, Ohio.+
10.24 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Gaylord Enterprises, Inc., as License
Owner, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating to 101
Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman, Ohio.+
10.25 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Gaylord's, Inc., as License Owner,
and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating to 1018 Forest Fair Drive,
Cincinnati, Ohio.+
10.26 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Gaylord Book Company, as License
Owner, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating to 1657 W. Lane
Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.+
10.27 -- Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between the Company and Little Professor Book
Centers, Inc.+
10.28 -- Letter Agreement, dated September 12, 1994, from Little Professor Book Centers, Inc. to
Gaylord Family Limited.+
10.29 -- Mutual Release Agreement, dated September 12, 1994, among Little Professor Book Centers,
Inc. and the Company Gaylord's, Inc., Gaylord Family Investments, Inc., Gaylord Book
Company, Sawworth Book Company, Gaylord Enterprises, Inc., Gaylord Family Limited,
George Gaylord and John Gaylord.+
10.30 -- Form of Engagement Agreement: Financial Consultant Services between the Underwriter and
the Company.+
10.31 -- Consulting Agreement dated as of April 23, 1996 by and between Solay, Inc. and the
Company.
10.32 -- Consulting Agreement between the Company and Lido Equities Corp.
10.33 -- Amendments to Agreements between the Company and Bank One Columbus, N.A.
10.34 -- Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between the Company and John Critser.
10.35 -- Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between the Company and John Gaylord.
10.36 -- Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between the Company and George Gaylord.
16.1 -- Letter from KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP on change in certifying accountant.+
21.1 -- List of Subsidiaries.+
23.1 -- Consent of Feldman Radin & Co., P.C.
23.2 -- Consent of Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).*
23.3 -- Consent of Martin C. Licht to serve as a director.+
24.1 -- Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement).
<FN>
+ Previously filed with the Registration Statement on Form SB-2, Registration No. 33-90832.
* To be filed by Amendment.
</TABLE>
II-7
<PAGE> 82
ITEM 28. UNDERTAKINGS.
1. The undersigned, Company, hereby undertakes:
(a) To file, during any period in which the Company offers or sells
securities, a post-effective amendment(s) to this registration statement:
(1) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(2) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which,
individually or together, represent a fundamental change in the
information in the registration statement; and
(3) To include any additional or changed material information with
respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such information in
the registration statement;
(b) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering; and
(c) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
2. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit
or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-8
<PAGE> 83
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing this Form SB-2 and has authorized this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Columbus, State of Ohio, on June 28, 1996.
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ John Gaylord
-----------------------------------
John Gaylord, Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints JOHN GAYLORD and/or JOHN D. CRITSER his true and
lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments)
to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact and agent or either of them or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ John Gaylord Chairman of the Board, Chief June 28, 1996
- ------------------------------ Executive Officer and Treasurer
John Gaylord (Principal Executive Officer,
Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ John D. Critser President, Chief Operating June 28, 1996
- ----------------------------- Officer and Director
John D. Critser
/s/ George Gaylord Senior Chairman of the Board and June 28, 1996
- ----------------------------- Director
George Gaylord
/s/ Martin C. Licht Director June 28, 1996
- -----------------------------
Martin C. Licht
</TABLE>
II-9
<PAGE> 84
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ------ ----------------------
<S> <C>
1.1 -- Form of Underwriting Agreement between the Company and the Underwriters.+
3.1 -- Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.+
3.2 -- By-Laws of the Company.+
4.1 -- Form of Warrant Agreement between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, as warrant agent.+
4.2 -- Specimen Certificate of the Company's Common Stock.+
4.3 -- 1994 Stock Option Plan, as amended.+
4.4 -- Specimen Certificate of the Company's Warrant.+
4.5 -- Form of Underwriter's Warrants.+
4.6 -- Option Agreement between the Company and Lido Equities Corp.
4.7 -- Option Agreement between the Company and Solay, Inc.
4.8 -- Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Rodika Salter.
4.9 -- Form of Convertible Note.
5.1 -- Opinion of Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP counsel to the Company.*
10.1 -- Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and John D. Critser.+
10.2 -- Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and John Gaylord.+
10.3 -- Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and George Gaylord.+
10.4 -- Agreements between the Subsidiaries and Bank One, Columbus, N.A.+
10.5 -- Exchange Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1994, by and among George Gaylord,
John Gaylord, Janet Gaylord Goodburn, Susan Gaylord Noble, Judy Gaylord,
Jennifer Lynn Gaylord, John D. Critser and Gaylord Companies, Inc.+
10.6 -- Lease, dated September 30, 1987, between UAP-Columbus JV326132, as Landlord,
and Gaylord Book Company, as Tenant, as amended, for premises located at 1655
and 1657 West Lane Avenue, Lane Avenue Shopping Center, Upper Arlington,
Ohio.+
10.7 -- Lease, dated December 15, 1988, between Retail Projects of Cincinnati, Inc., as
Landlord, and Little Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Tenant, as subsequently assigned
to Gaylord's Inc. and amended, for premises located at Space 180, Forest Fair Mall,
Forest Park, Ohio.+
10.8 -- Lease, dated June 13, 1989, between UAP-Columbus JV326132, as Landlord, and
The Cookstore, Inc., as Tenant, as amended, for premises located at 1677 West Lane
Avenue, M-1/4 and M-6, Lane Avenue Shopping Center, Upper Arlington, Ohio.+
10.9 -- Lease, dated September 24, 1990, between Planned Communities Company, as
Landlord, and Little Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Tenant, for premises located at
Worthington Square Shopping Center, Worthington, Ohio.+
10.10 -- Lease, dated July 16, 1992, between Sawmill Place Plaza Associates, as Landlord,
and Little Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Tenant, as amended, for premises known as
Space 122, Plaza at Sawmill Place, 2700 Sawmill Place Blvd., Columbus, Ohio.+
10.11 -- Lease, dated September 10, 1993, between UAP-Columbus, JV326132, as Landlord, and
Gaylord Book Co., Inc., as Tenant, as amended, for premises located at 1595 West Lane
Avenue, Upper Arlington, Ohio.+
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 85
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ------ ----------------------
<S> <C>
10.12 -- Lease, dated September 13, 1993, between Aetna Life Insurance Company, as Landlord,
and Gaylord Companies, Inc., as Tenant, for premises located at Worthington Mall,
Worthington, Ohio.+
10.13 -- Lease, dated October 21, 1993, between Greater Boardman Plaza, Inc., as Landlord,
and Gaylord Enterprises, Inc., as Tenant, for premises located at Room No. 101,
Greater Boardman Plaza Shopping Center, 255 Boardman-Canfield Road,
Youngstown, Ohio.+
10.14 -- Lease, dated July 15, 1994, between Glimcher Properties Limited
Partnership, as Landlord, and Gaylord Companies, as Tenant, for
premises located at the Mall at Fairfield Commons, Store #E181,
Beavercreek, Ohio.+
10.15 -- Lease, dated August 19, 1994, between DeBartolo Capital Partnership, as Landlord,
and The Cookstore Inc., as Tenant, for premises located at Room 240, Summit Mall
Shopping Center, 3265 West Market Street, Akron, Ohio.+
10.16 -- Sublease, dated August 31, 1994, between J.E. Hanger, Inc., sublessor and The
Gaylord Companies, Inc., sublessee, as a sublease under the master lease dated April
23, 1991 between Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, as lessor, and J. E.
Hanger, Inc., as lessee, for premises located at 4006 Venture Court, Columbus,
Ohio.+
10.17 -- Consignment Agreement, dated February 25, 1989, between Ingram Industries, Inc.,
as Consignor, and Gaylord's, Inc., as Consignee, relating to the store located at 1018
Forest Fair Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio.+
10.18 -- Consignment Agreement dated May 21, 1991, between Ingram Book Company, as
Consignor, and Little Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Consignee, relating to the store
located at 155 Worthington Square, Worthington, Ohio.+
10.19 -- Consignment Agreement, dated February 10, 1993, between Ingram Book Company,
as Consignor, and Gaylord Book Company, as Consignee, relating to the store
located at 1646 W. Lane Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.+
10.20 -- Consignment Agreement, dated February 10, 1993, between Ingram Book Company,
as Consignor, and Little Professor Enterprises, Inc., as Consignee, relating to the
store located at 6490 Sawmill Road, Columbus, Ohio.+
10.21 -- Consignment Agreement, dated December 1993, between Ingram Book
Company, as Consignor, and Gaylord Enterprises, Inc., as
Consignee, relating to the store located at 101 Boardman-Canfield
Road, Boardman, Ohio.+
10.22 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Sawworth Book Company,
as License Owner, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating
to 155 Worthington Square, Worthington, Ohio. +
10.23 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Sawworth Book Company,
as License Owner, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating
to 6490 Sawmill Road, Columbus, Ohio.+
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 86
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ------ ----------------------
<S> <C>
10.24 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Gaylord Enterprises, Inc.,
as License Owner, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating
to 101 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman, Ohio.+
10.25 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Gaylord's, Inc., as License
Owner, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating to 1018
Forest Fair Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio.+
10.26 -- License Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between Gaylord Book Company,
as License Owner, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc., as Franchisor, relating
to 1657 W. Lane Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.+
10.27 -- Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, between the Company and Little Professor
Book Centers, Inc.+
10.28 -- Letter Agreement, dated September 12, 1994, from Little Professor Book Centers,
Inc. to Gaylord Family Limited.+
10.29 -- Mutual Release Agreement, dated September 12, 1994, among Little Professor Book
Centers, Inc. and the Company Gaylord's, Inc., Gaylord Family Investments, Inc.,
Gaylord Book Company, Sawworth Book Company, Gaylord Enterprises, Inc.,
Gaylord Family Limited, George Gaylord and John Gaylord.+
10.30 -- Form of Engagement Agreement: Financial Consultant Services between the
Underwriter and the Company.+
10.31 -- Consulting Agreement dated as of April 23, 1996 by and between Solay, Inc. and the
Company.
10.32 -- Consulting Agreement between the Company and Lido Equities Corp.
10.33 -- Amendments to Agreements between the Company and Bank One Columbus, N.A.
10.34 -- Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between the Company and John
Critser.
10.35 -- Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between the Company and John
Gaylord.
10.36 -- Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between the Company and George
Gaylord.
16.1 -- Letter from KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP on change in certifying accountant.+
21.1 -- List of Subsidiaries.+
23.1 -- Consent of Feldman Radin & Co., P.C.
23.2 -- Consent of Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).*
23.3 -- Consent of Martin C. Licht to serve as a director.+
24.1 -- Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement).
<FN>
+ Previously filed with the Registration Statement on Form SB-2, Registration No. 33-90832.
* To be filed by Amendment.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.6
OPTION AGREEMENT
The Securities represented hereby have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Act") or any state securities laws and
neither the securities nor any interest therein may be offered, sold,
transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective
registration statement under such act or such laws or an exemption from
registration under such act and such laws which, in the opinion of counsel
satisfactory to the Company, is available.
Option Agreement (the "Agreement") made and entered into this 27th day
of June, 1996, by and between Gaylord Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation
with its principal office located at 4006 Venture Court, Columbus, Ohio 43228
(the "Company") and Lido Equities Corp., a New York corporation with its
principal office located at 16 Nome Drive, Woodbury, New York 11797 (the
"Grantee").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Company is a corporation duly organized and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, having been incorporated on
July 19, 1994; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant to the Grantee an irrevocable
option (the "Option") to purchase up to one hundred thousand (100,000) units
(the "Units"), each Unit consisting of one
- 1 -
<PAGE> 2
(1) share of the Company's common stock and two (2) warrants identical to the
Warrants offered in the Company's initial public offering, each warrant
entitling the holder to purchase one (1) share of the Company's common stock;
and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises and other good
and valuable consideration or set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. The recitals set forth above are hereby incorporated by reference as
part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.
2. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Company hereby irrevocably grants to the Grantees an Option to
purchase up to one hundred thousand (100,000) Units, each Unit consisting of one
(1) share of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Option
Shares"), and two (2) warrants identical to the Warrants offered in the
Company's initial public offering (the "Option Warrants"), at a purchase price
of one dollar ($1.00) per Unit (the "Option Purchase Price"), each Option
Warrant entitling the holder, on October 31, 1996, and for a period of four (4)
years thereafter up to and including October 30, 2000, to purchase one (1) share
of common stock for $3.00, the initial public offering price (the "Warrant
Exercise Price").
- 2 -
<PAGE> 3
3. The Option shall be exercisable by the Grantee at any time on or
prior to November 30, 1996 (the "Option Period"), but not thereafter. The
Grantee may exercise the Option with respect to all or any part of the number of
Units then exercisable hereunder by giving the Company written notice of intent
to exercise. The notice of exercise shall specify the number of Units as to
which the Option is to be exercised and the date of exercise thereof, which date
shall be at least five (5) days after the giving of such notice unless an
earlier time shall have been mutually agreed upon. Full payment (in U.S.
dollars) by the Grantee of the option price for the Units purchased shall be
made on or before the exercise date specified in the notice of exercise in cash.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Company are as follows:
(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware being the
state of its incorporation and is qualified to transact business in all other
states requiring qualification therein;
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby including,
without limitation, the Option granted herein and the sale, assignment and
transfer of the Units
- 3 -
<PAGE> 4
and Option Shares and Option Warrants comprising the Units provided for herein,
have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company,
which authorization remains in full force and effect, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby;
(c) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
act of the Company and is enforceable with respect to the Company in accordance
with its terms and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby, nor compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof, will
conflict with or result in a breach or violation of, or default under, any of
the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, security
agreement, indenture, license, agreement, charter or other instrument,
obligation or corporate restriction (including, without limitation, its Articles
of Incorporation and By-Laws) to which the Company is a party or by which it is
bound, or violate any judgment, order, injunction, decree, statute, rule or
regulation applicable to the Company or any of its properties or assets.
(d) The delivery of the Option Shares and Option Warrants by
the Company to the Grantees pursuant to this Agreement is exempted from the
registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
- 4 -
<PAGE> 5
(e) The rights granted to the Optionee hereunder may not be
transferred, pledged, assigned or hypothecated in any way.
5. All prior understandings and agreements of the parties relating to
the subject matter hereof have been merged into this Agreement. No
representations or warranties as to the subject matter hereof have been made,
except as expressly set forth herein. No modifications, changes or alterations
of this Agreement shall be binding upon any party hereto unless the same shall
be in writing signed by all of the parties hereto.
6. The Company is required to file and use its best efforts to have
declared effective a registration statement on Form SB-2 (the "Registration
Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") for the registration of certain shares of the Company's common
stock issuable upon the conversion of the Company's promissory notes (the
"Notes") (as that term is defined in the term sheet dated May 28, 1996 (the
"Term Sheet"). The Company agrees at is sole cost and expense to include for
registration with the Consultant as selling shareholder the Options Shares, the
Option Warrants and the 200,000 shares of the Company's common stock issuable
upon exercise of the Option Warrants and the Company agrees, at its sole cost
and expense, to use its best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared
effective and, at its sole cost and expense, will keep the Registration
Statement current for a period up to and including February 28,
- 5 -
<PAGE> 6
1997.
7. The parties agree that any suit, action or proceeding arising out of
or relating in any manner to this Agreement shall be instituted exclusively in
New York State Supreme Court, County of New York or in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York.
8. This Agreement may not be assigned by any of the parties hereto
without the consent of all of the other parties hereto and shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
9. If any paragraph, term or provision of this Agreement shall be held
or determined to be unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall
nevertheless continue in full force and effect unaffected by such holding or
determination.
10. The failure of any party to enforce strict performance of this
Agreement or any of their rights hereunder in any one or more instances shall
not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any terms, conditions, rights,
options or remedies hereunder, and the same shall continue in full force and
effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.
- 6 -
<PAGE> 7
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By:
-----------------------
John Critser, President
LIDO EQUITIES CORP.
By:
-----------------------
- 7 -
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.7
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
OPTION AGREEMENT
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (THE "ACT") OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE
OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO
AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION
FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, IS AVAILABLE.
This Agreement, dated as of June 11, 1996 by and between
Gaylord Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Solay,
Inc. (the "Optionee").
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, the Company considers it to be in its best interests
and in the best interests of its stockholders that the Optionee be given the
opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company by possessing an
option to purchase certain shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Common Stock") and common stock purchase warrants (the "Warrants"), of
the Company in accordance with the provisions set forth below; (a share of
Common Stock and two Warrants are referred to as the "Option Units").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
promises contained herein, it is agreed by and between the parties as follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION. The Company hereby grants to
Optionee the right, privilege and option (the "Option") to purchase up to
300,000 Option Units at a purchase price of $1.00 per Option Unit, in the
manner and subject to the conditions provided herein.
2. TIME OF EXERCISE OF OPTION. The Option is
exercisable in full commencing on the date hereof, subject to the terms of this
Agreement.
3. METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Option shall be exercised by
written notice directed to the Company at the Company's principal place of
business, accompanied by a check in payment of the option price for the number
of Option Units specified and paid for in full. The Company shall make prompt
delivery of such Option Units once payment clears, provided that if any law or
regulation requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Option
Units specified in such notice before the issuance thereof, then the date of
delivery of such Option Units shall be extended for the period necessary to
take such action. If the Optionee fails to pay for any of the Option Units
specified in such notice or fails to accept delivery thereof, the Optionee's
right to purchase such
-1-
<PAGE> 2
Option Units may be terminated by the Company. The date specified in the
Optionee's notice as the date of exercise shall be deemed the date of exercise
of the Option, provided that payment in full for the Option Units to be
purchased upon such exercise shall have been received by such date. No
fractional shares may be purchased hereunder.
4. TERMINATION OF OPTION. The Option and all rights
granted by this Agreement, to the extent such rights have not been exercised,
will terminate and become null and void on October 23, 1996.
5. LIMITATION ON TRANSFER. The rights granted to the
Optionee hereunder may not be transferred, pledged, assigned or hypothecated in
any way.
6. ADJUSTMENTS IN EVENT OF CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK. In
the event of any change in the Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination
or exchange of shares, or rights offering to purchase Common Stock at a price
substantially below fair market value, or of any similar change affecting the
Common Stock, the number and kind of Option Units subject to Option hereunder
and the purchase price per Option Share thereof shall be appropriately adjusted
consistent with such change in such manner as the Committee may deem equitable.
7. RIGHTS PRIOR TO EXERCISE OF OPTION. The Optionee
shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the Option
Units until full payment of the option price and delivery of Common Stock as
herein provided.
8. INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. This Option may not be
exercised if the issuance of securities of the Company upon such exercise would
constitute a violation of any applicable Federal or state securities or other
laws or regulations. The Optionee, as a condition to the Optionee's exercise
of this Option, shall represent to the Company that the securities that the
Optionee acquires hereunder are being acquired by the Optionee for investment
and not with a view to distribution or resale thereof, unless counsel for the
Company is then of the opinion that such a representation is not required under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any other applicable law, regulation
or rule of any governmental agency.
9. WAIVER; ENTIRE AGREEMENT. No waiver of any breach or
condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other or
subsequent breach or condition, whether of like or different nature. This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof.
10. GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction,
interpretation and effect of this Agreement shall exclusively be governed by
and determined in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York,
which is the sole jurisdiction in which any issues relating to this Agreement
may be litigated.
<PAGE> 3
11. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
agreement to be executed on the date and year first above written.
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
-3-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.8
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (THE "ACT") OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE
OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO
AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION
FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, IS AVAILABLE.
This Agreement, dated as of June 11, 1996 by and between
Gaylord Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Rodika
Salter (the "Optionee").
W I T N E S E T H:
- - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, the Company considers it to be in its best interests
and in the best interests of its stockholders that the Optionee be given the
opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company by possessing an
option to purchase certain shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Common Stock"), of the Company in accordance with the provisions set
forth below;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
promises contained herein, it is agreed by and between the parties as follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION. The Company hereby grants to
Optionee the right, privilege and option (the "Option") to purchase all or any
part of 200,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Option Shares") at a purchase
price of $1.50 per share, in the manner and subject to the conditions provided
herein.
2. TIME OF EXERCISE OF OPTION. The Option is
exercisable in full commencing on the date hereof, subject to the terms of this
Agreement.
3. METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Option shall be exercised by
written notice directed to the Company at the Company's principal place of
business, accompanied by a check in payment of the option price for the number
of Option Shares specified and paid for in full. The Company shall make prompt
delivery of such Option Shares once payment clears, provided that if any law or
regulation requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Option
Shares specified in such notice before the issuance thereof, then the date of
delivery of such Option Shares shall be extended for the period necessary to
take such action. If the Optionee fails to pay for any of the Option Shares
specified in such notice or fails to accept delivery
<PAGE> 2
thereof, the Optionee's right to purchase such Option Shares may be terminated
by the Company. The date specified in the Optionee's notice as the date of
exercise shall be deemed the date of exercise of the Option, provided that
payment in full for the Option Shares to be purchased upon such exercise shall
have been received by such date. No fractional shares may be purchased
hereunder.
4. TERMINATION OF OPTION. The Option and all rights
granted by this Agreement, to the extent such rights have not been exercised,
will terminate and become null and void on October 23, 1996.
5. LIMITATION ON TRANSFER. The rights granted to the
Optionee hereunder may not be transferred, pledged, assigned or hypothecated in
any way.
6. ADJUSTMENTS IN EVENT OF CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK. In
the event of any change in the Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination
or exchange of shares, or rights offering to purchase Common Stock at a price
substantially below fair market value, or of any similar change affecting the
Common Stock, the number and kind of Option Shares subject to Option hereunder
and the purchase price per Option Share thereof shall be appropriately adjusted
consistent with such change in such manner as the Committee may deem equitable.
7. RIGHTS PRIOR TO EXERCISE OF OPTION. The Optionee
shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the Option
Shares until full payment of the option price and delivery of such Option
Shares as herein provided.
8. INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. This Option may not be
exercised if the issuance of shares of Common Stock of the Company upon such
exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable Federal or state
securities or other laws or regulations. The Optionee, as a condition to the
Optionee's exercise of this Option, shall represent to the Company that the
shares of Common Stock that the Optionee acquires hereunder are being acquired
by the Optionee for investment and not with a view to distribution or resale
thereof, unless counsel for the Company is then of the opinion that such a
representation is not required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
any other applicable law, regulation or rule of any governmental agency.
9. WAIVER; ENTIRE AGREEMENT. No waiver of any breach or
condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other or
subsequent breach or condition, whether of like or different nature. This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof.
10. GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction,
interpretation and effect of this Agreement shall exclusively be governed by
and determined in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York,
which is the sole jurisdiction in which any issues relating to this Agreement
may be litigated.
-2-
<PAGE> 3
11. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed on the date and year first above written.
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By:____________________________
-3-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.9
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (THE "ACT") OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE
OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO
AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION
FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, IS AVAILABLE.
CONVERTIBLE NOTE
----------------
________ June 11, 1996
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Maker") having an office at 4006 Venture Court, Columbus,
Ohio 43228 hereby promises to pay to the order of _________________________
(the "Payee"), at______________________________ or at such other place as the
Payee of this Note may designate in writing from time to time, the principal
sum of _______________ ($ ) DOLLARS together with interest at the rate
of five (5%) percent per annum six months from the date hereof (the "Maturity
Date").
Subject to the provisions of this Note, the Payee has
the right at its option between the date hereof and the Maturity Date, to
convert the principal amount of this Note in, whole or in part, into fully paid
and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Maker at the conversion price
of $1.50 per share (the "Conversion Price"), by surrender of this Note to the
Maker.
The Conversion Price in effect at any time and the
number and kind of securities purchasable upon the conversion of this Note
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the happening of certain
events as follows:
(a) If the Company shall (i) declare a dividend or make a
distribution on its outstanding shares of Common Stock in shares of Common
Stock, (ii) subdivide or reclassify its outstanding shares of Common Stock into
a greater number of shares, or (iii) combine or reclassify its outstanding
shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then the Conversion
Price in effect at the time of the effective date or record date, as the case
may be, for such dividend or distribution or of the effective date of such
subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be adjusted so that it shall
equal the price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price by a fraction,
the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding after giving effect to such action, and the numerator of which
shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
such action.
<PAGE> 2
(b) Whenever the Conversion Price payable upon conversion
of the Note is adjusted pursuant to the preceding paragraph the number of
shares of Common Stock purchasable upon conversion of this Note shall
simultaneously be adjusted by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock
initially issuable upon conversion of this Note by the Conversion Price in
effect on the date hereof and dividing the product so obtained by the
Conversion Price, as adjusted.
(c) In the event that the Maker does not register under
the Act the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of this Note
within sixty (60) days of the date hereof the interest rate shall be twenty
(20%) per annum calculated from the date hereof.
The following shall be deemed events of default hereunder:
1. If any payment shall not be made within ten (10) days
after written notice as and when the same shall become due and payable;
2. If the Maker shall (i) apply for or consent to the
appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator of a substantial part of its
assets or property; (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors; (iii) be adjudicated a bankrupt; (iv) file a voluntary petition in
bankruptcy or petition or an answer seeking reorganization, or make a plan with
creditors or take advantage of any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute now or
hereafter in effect or an answer admitting the material allegations of any
petition filed against it in any proceeding under any such law or statute; or
(v) admit in writing the Maker's inability to pay the Maker's debts as they
become due;
3. If any proceeding against the Maker seeking
reorganization, arrangement, composition, adjustment, liquidation, dissolution
or similar relief under the present or any future Federal Bankruptcy Act or
other applicable Federal or state statute, law or regulation shall remain
undismissed or continue unstayed and in effect for any period of forty-five
(45) days; and
4. If a court of competent jurisdiction shall enter an
order, judgment or decree appointing a receiver for a substantial part of the
assets or properties of the Maker and such order, judgment or decree shall
continue unvacated or unstayed and in effect for a period of forty-five (45)
days.
Unless the Payee otherwise elects, in the Payee's sole
discretion, this Note shall automatically become immediately due and payable,
without further notice or demand, upon the occurrence of any event of default
hereinabove described and shall bear interest until paid in full at the rate of
fifteen (15%) percent per annum. Upon the acceleration of the entire or any
portion of the unpaid balance of this Note, the holder, without prejudice to
any other rights, is authorized to proceed against Maker and shall not be
required to have recourse to any security given for payment of this Note.
At the option of the Maker, the unpaid balance of this Note
may be prepaid in whole or in part, from time to time, without penalty or
premium.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Maker,
sureties, guarantors and endorsers of this Note hereby severally waive
presentment, demand for payment, dishonor,
<PAGE> 3
notice of dishonor, protest and notice of protest, and any and all other
requirements necessary to hold them liable as Maker.
The liability of Maker hereunder shall be unconditional. No
act, failure or delay by the holder hereof to declare a default as set forth
herein or to exercise any right or remedy it may have hereunder, or otherwise,
shall constitute a waiver of its rights to declare such default or to exercise
any such right or remedy at such time as it shall determine in its sole
discretion.
Each Maker, surety, guarantor and endorser further agree,
jointly and severally, to pay all costs of collection, including a reasonable
attorney's fee and all costs of levy or appellate proceedings or review, or
both, in case the principal or any interest thereon is not paid at the
respective maturity thereof, or in case it becomes necessary to protect the
security hereof, whether suit be brought or not.
Any and all notices or other communications required or
permitted to be given under this Note shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been duly given upon personal delivery or the mailing thereof by
certified or registered mail (a) if to the Maker, addressed to it at its
address set forth above; and (b) if to Payee, addressed to it or at such other
address any person or entity entitled to receive notices may specify by written
notice given as aforesaid.
This Note may not be changed or terminated orally.
This Note shall be binding upon Maker, its legal
representatives, successors or assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Payee
and its successors, endorsees, assigns or holder(s) in due course.
This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of
conflicts of law. By signing below, the Maker hereby irrevocably submits to
the jurisdiction of such state and to service of process by certified or
registered mail at the Maker's last known address. No provision of this Note
may be changed unless in writing signed by the Payee.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker has caused this Note to be
executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date and year first
above written.
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By:__________________________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 10.31
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
--------------------
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made as of the 23rd day of April,
1996, by and between Gaylord Companies, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, a Delaware
corporation ( "Company") on the one hand, and Solay, Inc., a Florida
Corporation, hereafter ("Consultant") on the other.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company desires to engage the Consultant to provide certain
consulting services with respect to the Company's business; and
WHEREAS, the Consultant represents that it has considerable knowledge and
experience in financial public relations, product marketing and distribution and
desires to provide those services to the Company, all as more specifically set
forth below.
WHEREAS, the Consultant agrees to provide the services of Brett Salter
("Salter");
WHEREAS, the Company is a specialty retailer of books and quality cookware and
serving equipment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective covenants
and agreements of the parties herein contained, the parties hereby agree as
follows:
1. CONSULTING ENGAGEMENT. The Company hereby engages the Consultant and the
Consultant hereby accepts such engagement by the Company as a consultant and
advisor with respect to the matters specifically set forth herein.
2. CONSULTING SERVICES. During the term of the Agreement, the Consultant shall
undertake for and on behalf of, and to the extent specifically requested in
writing by, the Company to advise the Company with respect to such business
matters as may be reasonably requested by the Company, including, without
limitation, the following:
(a) financial public relations
(b) sourcing of locations for stores; and
(c) identifying prospective acquisition candidates.
The Consultant shall be required to render on a monthly basis a written report,
within ten days of the end of each month, to the Company with respect to the
foregoing services and documenting its activities and contacts.
1
<PAGE> 2
The parties understand and agree that the Consultant is not required to spend
all of its time and efforts with respect to the foregoing services; provided,
however, the Consultant represents and warrants to the Company that it is able
to provide such services in a professional manner consistent with this type of
engagement. The parties understand and further agree that during the term of
this Agreement, the Consultant is not restricted from providing similar
consulting services to other companies, provided that any such other activities
shall not materially interfere with the services required to be provided
hereunder.
3. TERM Twenty four months from the signing of this agreement or upon 10 days
written notice from the Company to the Consultant.
4. COMPENSATION. In consideration of the consulting services to be rendered as
set forth herein, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the
Company shall pay the Consultant according to the following terms and fees as
follows:
(a) $50,000 upon the signing of this agreement,
(b) $25,000, plus the first month's payment of (c), below, (less
any of the consultant's expenses paid directly by the Company
prior to the signing of this agreement), all to be paid upon
the completion of the financing as described in (d) below,
(c) A monthly fee of $10,000, monthly, for six (6) months.
(d) The Company shall issue Consultant options to purchase 300,000
units of the Company's securities (a unit is defined as one
share of the Company's common stock and two warrants having
the same terms as those warrants issued to the public in the
Company's initial public offering) at an exercise price of
$1.00 per unit, exercisable at any time following the
successful completion of a convertible debt or equity
financing, with terms satisfactory to the Company. The options
will expire after six months from the signing of this
agreement. The options and the securities contained therein
may only be sold upon registration thereof under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), or upon an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Act.
Within three business days following the exercise (including payment in
full) by the Consultant of the Option (the "Closing Date"), the Company
shall issue and deliver the underlying Shares in the name of the
Consultant, i.e. Solay, Inc. The Company shall use its best efforts to
register the shares underlying the options for the issuance and resale
thereof in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
within 120 days from the date of this agreement.
2
<PAGE> 3
5. EXPENSES. Consultant shall be responsible for payment of all ordinary and
necessary expenses such as overhead, postage, telephone and other communications
expenses paid or incurred together with travel, lodging, meals, etc. All other
expenses must be approved by the Company in writing.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
(a) The Company hereby represents and warrants that it has full power
and legal right and authority to execute, deliver and perform under
this Agreement, and that the officers executing this Agreement on
behalf of the Company have full power and authority to do so.
(b) The Company hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, executed and
delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms, subject only to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar laws relating to or affecting the
rights of creditors generally and to principles of equity.
(c) The Company hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Consultant from and against and in respect of (i) any and
all losses and damages resulting from any misrepresentation or breach
of any warranty, covenant or agreement by the Company made or contained
in this Agreement and (ii) any and all actions, suits proceedings,
claims, demands, judgments, costs, and expenses, incident to the
foregoing.
7. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE CONSULTANT.
(a) Consultant hereby represents and warrants that it has full power
and legal right and authority to execute, deliver and perform under
this Agreement, and that the officers and individuals executing this
Agreement on behalf of the Consultant shall have full power and
authority to do so.
(b) Consultant and Salter jointly and severally, hereby represent and
warrant:
(i) This Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate and individual action, executed and delivered by the
Consultant and constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Consultant, enforceable against the
Consultant in accordance with its terms, subject only to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors
generally and to general principles of equity.
3
<PAGE> 4
(ii) Consultant is an accredited investor as that term is
defined in Securities Act of 1933.
(iii) No petition under any Federal or State bankruptcy or
insolvency law has been filed by or against them.
(iv) Salter will perform substantially all of the consulting
tasks to be performed by the Consultant hereunder,
(v) Neither Consultant nor Salter has been the subject of any
order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended or vacated, which permanently or temporarily
enjoined him from any of the following activities:
(A) acting as a futures commission merchant,
introducing broker, commodity trading advisor,
commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage
transaction merchant or any other person regulated by
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; or as an
associated person of any of the foregoing; or as an
investment advisor, under- writer, broker or dealer
in securities, or as an affiliated person, director
or employee of an investment Company, bank, savings
and loan association or insurance Company or any
other person regulated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission; or engaging in or continuing any conduct
or practice in connection with such activities;
(B) engaging in any type of business practice;
(C) engaging in any activity in connection with the
purchase or sale of any security or commodity in
connection with any violation of Federal or State
securities laws of Federal Commodities laws.
(vi) Neither Consultant nor Salter has been the subject of any
order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority
barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than thirty
(30) days his right to engage in any of the activities
described above or their right to be associated with persons
engaged in any of such activities.
(vii) Neither Consultant nor Salter has been found by a court
in a civil or criminal action or by the Securities and
Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission to have violated any Federal or State securities
law, or any Federal commodities law, where such judgment has
not subsequently been reversed, suspended or vacated.
4
<PAGE> 5
(viii) Neither Consultant nor Salter has been the subject of
any professional disciplinary proceeding.
(ix) No administrative sanctions have been levied against
Consultant or Salter.
(c) The Consultant and Salter hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Company from and against and in respect of any
and all losses and damages resulting from any misrepresentation or
breach of any warranty, covenant or agreement by the Consultant made or
contained in this Agreement.
8. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS. It is expressly understood and agreed that
this is a consulting services agreement only and does not constitute an
employer/employee relationship. Accordingly, the Consultant agrees that the
Consultant shall be solely responsible for the payment of its own taxes or sums
due to the federal, state or local governments, office overhead, worker's
compensation, fringe benefits, pension contributions and other expenses, except
as otherwise specifically provided herein to the contrary. It is further
understood and agreed that the Consultant is an independent contractor and that
the Company shall have no right to control the activities of the Consultant
other than to require the Consultant to provide its consulting services in a
professional manner pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Moreover, the Consultant shall have no authority to bind the Company.
9. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) NOTICES. Any notice, request, demand or other communications
required or permitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been properly given if delivered in person
or by courier or other overnight carrier, by facsimile transmission or
by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt
requested, to each party hereto at the address indicated below or at
any other address as may be designated from time to time by written
notice to each party. Such notice shall be deemed given upon delivery .
5
<PAGE> 6
If to Consultant:
Solay, Inc.
888 Prospect Street, Suite 225
La Jolla, Ca 92037
with a copy to:
Dennis J. Olle, Esq.
Olle, Macaulay & Zorrilla, P.A.
1402 Miami Center
201 S. Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33131
If to Company:
John Gaylord
Gaylord Companies, Inc.
4006 Venture Court
Columbus, Ohio 43228
with a copy to:
Martin C. Licht, Esq.
Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP
845 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(b) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and
supersedes all prior written or oral agreements, commitments or
understandings with respect to the matters provided for herein, and no
modification shall be binding unless set forth in writing and duly
executed by each party hereto.
(c) EXPENSES. Each of the parties hereto shall bear its own expenses in
connection with the preparation of this Agreement.
(d) BINDING EFFECTS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto, their respective heirs, executors,
administrators and successors, including any corporation with which or
into which either party may be merged or which may succeed to its
assets or business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the consulting
services to be rendered by the Consultant are not assignable without
the express written consent of the Company.
6
<PAGE> 7
(e) HEADLINES. The headings or captions of this Agreement are inserted
only as a matter of convenience and for reference and in no way define
limit, extend or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of
any provisions hereof.
(f) LANGUAGE. Whenever required by the context of this Agreement, the
singular number shall include the plural, the masculine gender shall
include the feminine and the neuter genders, and the word "person" or
"party" shall include a corporation, firm, partnership, proprietorship
or other form of association.
(g) WAIVER. The waiver by any party to this Agreement of a breach of
any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a continuing waiver
or a waiver of any subsequent breach of that or any other provision of
this Agreement.
(h) REMEDIES. In the event litigation shall be necessary to enforce,
interpret or rescind either the provisions of this Agreement or matters
relating thereto, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover
from the adverse party, in addition to such other relief as the court
deems proper, the prevailing party's reasonable attorney's fees for
services before trial, on trial and on any appeal therefrom.
(i) COUNTERPARTS. For the convenience of the parties hereto, this
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, which shall each
be considered an original. All of the other counterparts shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
(j) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared
invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue
in full force and effect so far as the intent of the parties hereto can
be carried out.
(k) SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. In the event of any breach of this Agreement,
the non- breaching party hereto may maintain an action for specific
performance against the other party hereto who is alleged to have
breached any of the terms, conditions, representations, warranties or
agreements herein contained, and it is hereby further agreed that no
objection to the form of action in any proceeding for specific
performance of this Agreement shall be raised by any party hereto so
that such specific performance of this Agreement may not be obtained by
the aggrieved party. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, the foregoing sentences shall not be
constructed to limit in any manner whatsoever any of the rights and
remedies an aggrieved party may have by virtue of any breach of this
Agreement.
(l) The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.
7
<PAGE> 8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as a
sealed instrument as of the day and year first above written.
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
BY:__________________________________
TITLE:_______________________________
SOLAY, INC.
BY:__________________________________
TITLE: ______________________________
____________________________________
BRETT SALTER
8
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 10.32
ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 27th day of June, 1996, by and between Lido
Equities Corp., with its principal office located at 16 Nome Drive, Woodbury,
New York 11797 (the "Consultant") and Gaylord Companies, Inc., with its
principal office located at 4006 Venture Court, Columbus, Ohio 43228 (the
"Company").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Consultant provides consultation services relating to
investment banking, corporate finance, business management and marketing; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to utilize the services of the Consultant
in connection with its business operations.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. The Consultant shall provide, at the request of the Company,
business management and marketing consultation services. Such services shall
include assistance in (a) advice concerning the proposed implementation of
procedures for the enhancement of the market value of the Company's publicly
traded securities,
<PAGE> 2
(b) advice concerning implementation and monitoring of business and marketing
plans, (c) advice concerning investment banking and corporate financing
strategies, (d) advice concerning the Company retaining (as required) the
services of SEC attorneys and other professionals with respect to the foregoing
and (e) such other assistance as the parties may mutually agree upon.
2. The Consultant may also assist the Company in compiling Due
Diligence information pertinent to the foregoing.
3. The Consultant may thereupon initiate introductions of other parties
to the Company who may be of assistance in the implementation by the Company of
the activities referenced in Paragraph "1" hereinabove.
4. The Consultant may also assist the Company in its negotiation with
the parties introduced by the Consultant to it.
5. Any parties introduced to the Company by the Consultant, even if
declining participation hereby, shall be deemed a "Protected Party", provided
that the Consultant sends written notice to the Company that the party
introduced by the Consultant is a "Protected Party" within seven (7) days of
such introduction, and thereafter the Company shall not directly deal with the
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<PAGE> 3
Protected Party except by and through the Consultant.
6. The Consultant, as authorized, will provide the Company with
pre-approved monthly expense and out-of-pocket disbursement invoices covering
expenses incurred solely in connection with the activities contemplated hereby
which shall be promptly paid by the Company.
7. Each party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party and
its affiliates against any legal action arising from written warranties and
representations provided by the indemnifying party. Such indemnification shall
include payment of judgments, if any, and costs of legal representation and
court costs, if any.
8. The fees set forth hereinbelow shall be in addition to any other
fees that the Company may be required to pay to implement any of the activities
referenced in Paragraph "1" hereinabove. This Agreement does not constitute a
commitment nor an undertaking on the part of the Consultant to internally ensure
the successful arrangement nor completion of any such activities. This Agreement
does not constitute an exclusive arrangement with the Consultant for any
services to be provided in Paragraph "1" hereinabove.
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<PAGE> 4
9. In consideration of the foregoing consulting services the Company
further agrees to the following financial terms and conditions and the Company
agrees to the Consultant's fees and expenses as follows:
(a) Effective as of the date hereof the Company will engage the
Consultant as a special consultant for a period of six (6) months on the
following fee basis:
i) The Company hereby grants to the Consultant an irrevocable
option in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit "A" (the "Option") entitling the
Consultant and/or its designees (the "Holder") to purchase one hundred thousand
(100,000) units (the "Units"), each Unit consisting of one (1) share of the
Company's common stock, $.01 par value (the "Option Shares"), and two (2)
warrants identical to the Warrants offered in the Company's initial public
offering (the "Option Warrants"), at a purchase price of one dollar ($1.00) per
Unit. The Option is exercisable by the Consultant at any time on or prior to
November 30, 1996 (the "Option Period").
The Company is required to file and use its best efforts to have
declared effective a registration statement on Form SB-2 (the "Registration
Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") for the registration of
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<PAGE> 5
certain shares of the Company's common stock issuable upon the conversion of the
Company's promissory notes (the "Notes") (as that term is defined in the term
sheet dated May 28, 1996 (the "Term Sheet"). The Company agrees at its sole cost
and expense to include for registration with the Consultant as selling
shareholder the Option Shares, the Option Warrants and the 200,000 shares of the
Company's common stock issuable upon exercise of the Option Warrants and the
Company agrees, at its sole cost and expense, to use its best efforts to have
the Registration Statement declared effective and, at its sole cost and expense,
will keep the Registration Statement current for a period of up to and including
February 28, 1997.
10. The Company and its affiliates agree to fully disclose to the
Consultant any and all information that is deemed pertinent to the business of
the Company as requested by the Consultant.
11. (a) The parties have agreed to hold private and confidential all
information and not to circumvent the disclosing party with regard to any and
all contracts, customers and related persons or entities.
(b) Information may include identifying financing
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<PAGE> 6
sources, working party participants, bond providers, banks, investors, credit
enhancement sources, underwriters, brokers, contractors, developers, joint
venture investors, the identity and it is acknowledged hereby that the business
of each and all of them is to be construed as confidential information and
belongs to the party providing such information.
(c) Neither party, without the prior written consent of the other,
shall divulge, disseminate, communicate or otherwise disclose any confidential
or proprietary information provided as a result of the business between the
parties except to the reasonable extent required to accomplish the purpose
contemplated by said business arrangements between the parties.
(d) The parties agree that neither, without the prior written
consent of the other party(ies), shall circumvent the disclosing party with
regard to the contacts, customers and/or related persons or entities identified
by the identifying party.
(e) Confidential includes, but is not limited to, any information
not obtainable by the general public and which contains information which would
be considered owned by the owner and proprietary in nature and which would be
considered as a trade secret except so far as it already exists in the public
domain.
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<PAGE> 7
(f) It is the intention of the parties to use the confidential or
proprietary information and to use the contacts, customers or related persons or
entities to the advantage of the receiving party and for like benefit to the
providing party in accordance with the terms and conditions of this business
transaction.
(g) The parties warrant that the content of this paragraph of this
Agreement has been communicated to each officer, director, employee, agent,
subsidiary or affiliate and those persons have consented to this paragraph of
this Agreement.
(h) Each party agrees with the other that it, its officers,
directors, employees, consultants and attorneys shall not knowingly contact
directly or indirectly any Protected Party introduced by the other party for the
purpose of arranging or completing the transactions as contemplated in this
Agreement or other transactions with said parties without the express written
consent of the other party(ies).
(i) The parties agree that any transaction undertaken by either of
them relating to the subject matter of this Agreement shall entitle all other
parties to full information
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<PAGE> 8
regarding the transaction, including the identity of persons, firms,
corporations, copies of all documentation, copies of all closing agreements and
access to bank accounts for verification of the amounts in closing agreements,
and alternatively, each party may attend the closing of any transaction if, in
the estimation of the party arranging for such closing, this shall be possible,
feasible or not a violation of any confidentiality between that party and the
person with whom such closing occurs.
12. Any and all prior agreed upon expenses which may be incurred by the
Consultant in connection with this Agreement will be paid by the Company within
fifteen (15) business days following written notification by the Consultant to
the Company.
13. Should payments due under the terms of this Agreement as detailed
hereinabove cease prior to completion or should the Company default for any
reason, the Company agrees that the total remaining sum(s) shall be accelerated
and become due and payable in full ten (10) days after such default. Any
condition of default may be cured within five (5) business days of such default;
thereafter acceleration as described herein shall become effective.
14. Services provided by the Consultant to and on behalf of the Company
in connection with this Agreement will be suspended
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<PAGE> 9
forthwith in the event of nonpayment of fees or expenses.
15. No prepaid expense monies nor any fees are refundable under any
circumstances except for the dissolution of Lido Equities Corp.
16. This Agreement shall be defined by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.
17. Representations and Warranties of the Company are as follows:
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, will be
duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company which
authorization will remain in full force and effect, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Company will be necessary to authorize this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(b) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
act of the Company and is enforceable with respect to the Company in accordance
with its terms and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby, nor compliance
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<PAGE> 10
by the Company with any of the provisions hereof, will conflict with or result
in a breach or violation of, or default under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, security agreement, indenture, license,
agreement, charter or other instrument, obligation or corporate restriction
(including, without limitation, Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws) to which
the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound, or violate any
judgment, order, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to
the Company or any of its properties or assets.
18. Representations and Warranties of the Consultant are as follows:
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the
consummation by the Consultant of the transactions contemplated hereby, will be
duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Consultant which
authorization will remain in full force and effect, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Consultant will be necessary to authorize this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(b) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
act of the Consultant and is enforceable with respect to the Consultant in
accordance with its terms and neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Consultant nor the consummation by the Consultant of the
transactions contemplated
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<PAGE> 11
hereby, nor compliance by the Consultant with any of the provisions hereof, will
conflict with or result in a breach or violation of, or default under, any of
the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, security
agreement, indenture, license, agreement, charter or other instrument,
obligation or corporate restriction (including, without limitation, Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws) to which the Consultant is a party or by which the
Consultant is bound, or violate any judgment, order, injunction, decree,
statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Consultant or any of its
properties or assets.
19. All prior understandings and agreements of the parties relating to
the subject matter hereof have been merged into this Agreement. No
representations or warranties as to the subject matter hereof have been made,
except as expressly set forth herein. No modifications, changes or alterations
of this Agreement shall be binding upon any party hereto unless the same shall
be in writing signed by all of the parties hereto.
20. The parties agree that any suit, action or proceeding between the
parties hereto arising out of or relating in any manner to this Agreement shall
be instituted exclusively in New York State Supreme Court, County of New York or
in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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<PAGE> 12
21. This Agreement may not be assigned by any of the parties hereto
without the consent of all of the other parties hereto and shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
22. If any paragraph, term or provision of this Agreement shall be held
or determined to be unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall
nevertheless continue in full force and effect unaffected by such holding or
determination.
23. The failure of any party to enforce strict performance of this
Agreement or any of their rights hereunder in any one or more instances shall
not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any terms, conditions, rights,
options or remedies hereunder, and the same shall continue in full force and
effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.
LIDO EQUITIES CORP.
By:
-----------------------
Howard Zelin, President
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GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By:
-----------------------
John Crister, President
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<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.33
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 6, 1995
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 ("Amendment") is dated as of May 28,1996, between
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and BANK
ONE, COLUMBUS, NA, a national association ("Bank").
WITNESSETH:
THAT the Company and the Bank, parties to that certain Revolving Credit
And Term Loan Agreement dated as of October 18, 1994 (the "Agreement"), have
agreed to amend the Agreement on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
Terms not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the Agreement as
amended hereby.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Bank hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF THE AGREEMENT. The Agreement is, effective the
date hereof, hereby amended as follows:
SECTION 1.1. The definition of "Revolving Credit Termination
Date" under Section 1.1 shall be deleted and replaced with the following:
"Revolving Credit Termination Date" means (a) as to
the $395,000 principal outstanding under the Revolving Credit Note on May 28,
1996, January 10, 1997 and (b) as to any other principal outstanding thereunder,
August 27, 1996.
SECTION 1.2. The definition of "Term Loan Termination Date"
under Section 1.1 shall be deleted and replaced with the following:
"Term Loan Termination Date" means (a) as to the
Secured Term Loan, January 10, 1997 and (b) as
to the Secured Time Loan, September 30, 1996.
SECTION 1.3. The violation of the financial covenants
contained in Sections 6.11 and 6.12 are hereby waived. Sections 6.10, 6.11 and
6.12 shall be revised as set forth on Exhibit A.
SECTION 1.4. The following provisions shall be added to
Section 3.4:
3.4.1. Upon the completion of any Public Offering,
private placement or other sale of securities of any nature of
the Company, the Company shall be obligated to pay immediately
to the Bank a portion of the
<PAGE> 2
proceeds, net of underwriter's discount, of such offering as
follows: first, an amount equal to the amount of principal
outstanding under the Revolving Credit Note in excess of
$395,000; second, an amount, net of the Company's other
reasonable issuance expenses, equal to the principal
outstanding under the Secured Time Note and third, fifty
percent (50%) of the proceeds of such offering (or any series
of such offering that, when aggregated, generate net proceeds
in excess of $800,000), net of the Company's other reasonable
issuance expenses, in excess of $800,000, which shall be
applied to the remaining amounts of principal outstanding
under the Revolving Credit Note and to the principal
outstanding under the Secured Term Note. Any such payment on
the amounts of principal outstanding under the Revolving
Credit shall act as a permanent reduction of the Revolving
Credit Commitment. A "Public Offering" means any sale or
exchange of securities by the Company or any Subsidiary that
causes such issuer to become a reporting company pursuant to
Section 12 or 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or any successor statute.
3.4.2. The Company shall pay to the Bank any advances
the Company the receives from its landlord(s), and such
amounts shall be applied to the principal outstanding under
the Secured Time Note.
SECTION 1.5. Section 3.7.3 shall be amended and restated in
its entirety as follows:
3.7.3. Upon each reduction of principal of the
Secured Time Loan, a similar dollar amount assigned under the Collateral
Assignment of Savings or Time Deposit shall be released from the lien thereof.
SECTION 2. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment No. 1 shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
SECTION 3. COSTS AND EXPENSES. All costs and expenses of the Bank in
connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment No. 1
and the other documents to be delivered in connection herewith, including,
without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel to
the Bank with respect thereto shall be paid by the Company, on demand.
SECTION 4. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment No. 1 may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of
which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 5. CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. The Company hereby authorizes any
<PAGE> 3
attorney at law to appear for the Company, in an action on this Amendment No. 1,
at any time after the same becomes due, as herein provided, in any court of
record in or of the State of Ohio, or elsewhere, to waive the issuing and
service of process against the Company and to confess judgment in favor of the
holder of this Amendment No. 1 or the party entitled to the benefits of this
Amendment No. 1 against the Company for the amount that may be due, with
interest at the rate herein mentioned and costs of suit, and to waive and
release all errors in said proceedings and judgment, and all petitions in error,
and right of appeal from the judgment rendered.
SECTION 6. REAFFIRMATION OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; NO
DEFAULTS. The Company hereby expressly acknowledges and confirms that the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 5 of the
Agreement are true and accurate on this date with the same effect as if made on
and as of this date; that no financial condition or circumstance exists which
would inevitably result in the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 7
of the Agreement; and that no event has occurred or no condition exists which
constitutes, or with the running of time or the giving of notice would
constitute an Event of Default under Section 7 of the Agreement, other than the
financial covenant violations outlined in the April 3, 1996 letter from the Bank
to the Company.
SECTION 7. REAFFIRMATION OF DOCUMENTS. Except as herein expressly
modified, the parties hereto ratify and confirm all of the terms, conditions,
warranties and covenants of the Agreement, and all security agreements, pledge
agreements, mortgage deeds, assignments, subordination agreements, or other
instruments or documents executed in connection with the Agreement, including
provisions for the payment of the Notes pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.
This Amendment No. 1 does not constitute the extinguishment of any obligation or
indebtedness previously incurred, nor does it in any manner affect or impair any
security interest granted to the Bank, all of such security interests to be
continued in full force and effect until the indebtedness described herein is
fully satisfied.
<PAGE> 4
The Company and the Bank have executed this Amendment No. 1 as of the
date first above written.
BANK ONE, COLUMBUS, NA
By: /s/ Geoffrey A. Huber
----------------------
Name: Geoffrey A. Huber
Its: Vice President
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ John Gaylord
-----------------------
Name: John Gaylord
Its: Chairman
<PAGE> 5
EXHIBIT A
Revised Financial Covenants
6.10. CASH FLOW COVERAGE RATIO. The Company will not permit, at the
specified date, the Cash Flow Coverage Ratio of the Company to be less than the
amount set forth opposite the specified date below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Date Ratio
---- -----
<S> <C>
June 30,1996 0.20:1.0
September 30, 1996 0.00:1.0
</TABLE>
6.11. QUARTERLY NET INCOME BEFORE TAXES. The Company will not permit
the net income before taxes to be less than:
($400,000) for the quarter ending June 30,1996
($325,000) for the quarter ending September 30,1996
6.12. TANGIBLE NET WORTH TEST. The Company will not permit Tangible Net
Worth to be less than the amount set forth below at such date:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Quarter End Limitation
------------------ ----------
<S> <C>
June 30,1996 1,200,000
September 30, 1996 1,500,000
</TABLE>
BANK ONE, COLUMBUS, NA
By: /s/ Geoffrey A. Huber
-------------------------
Name: Geoffrey A. Huber
Its: Vice President
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ John Gaylord
-------------------------
Name: John Gaylord
Its: Chairman
<PAGE> 6
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
SECURED TERM NOTE
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 6, 1995
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 ("Amendment") is dated as of May 28, 1996, between
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), and BANK
ONE, COLUMBUS, NA (the "Bank").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Bank, parties to that certain Secured Term
Note dated as of November 6, 1995 in the amount of $395,985.94 (the "Secured
Term Note") and that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as
of November 6, 1995, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of the date hereof
(the "Agreement"), have agreed to amend the Secured Term Note on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth. Terms not otherwise defined herein are used as
defined in the Agreement or the Secured Term Note as amended hereby; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Bank hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF THE SECURED TERM NOTE. The Secured Term Note
is, effective the date hereof, hereby amended by inserting the following:
This Secured Term Note matures on January 10, 1997.
SECTION 2. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
SECTION 3. COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Company hereby agrees to pay on
demand all costs and expenses of the Bank in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other documents to be delivered
in connection herewith, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
out-of-pocket expenses of outside legal counsel incurred by the Bank.
SECTION 4. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 5. CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. The Company hereby authorizes any
attorney at law to appear for the Borrower, in an action on the Revolving Credit
Note, at any time after the same becomes due, as herein provided, in any court
of record in or of the State of Ohio, or elsewhere, to waive the issuing and
service of process against
<PAGE> 7
the Company and to confess judgment in favor of the holder of the Revolving
Credit Note or the party entitled to the benefits of the Revolving Credit Note
against the Company for the amount that may be due, with interest at the rate
herein mentioned and costs of suit, and to waive and release all errors in said
proceedings and judgment, and all petitions in error, and right of appeal from
the judgment rendered.
The Company has executed this Amendment No. 1 as of the date first
above written.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By:
-------------------------
Name: John Gaylord
Its: Chairman
<PAGE> 8
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
TERM PROMISSORY NOTE
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 6, 1995
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 ("Amendment") is dated as of May 28, 1996, between
GEORGE GAYLORD, an individual, and JOHN GAYLORD, an individual (collectively,
the "Borrowers") and BANK ONE, COLUMBUS, NA (the "Bank").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Borrowers and the Bank, parties to that certain Term
Promissory Note dated as of November 6, 1995 in the amount of $289,380 (the
"Term Note") have agreed to amend the Term Promissory Note on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth. Terms not otherwise defined herein are used as
defined in the Agreement or the Term Promissory Note as amended hereby; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Borrowers and the Bank hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF THE TERM PROMISSORY NOTE.
1.1. Section 1.1 of the Term Promissory Note is, effective the
date hereof, hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
1.1. PRINCIPAL. The Borrowers shall pay the principal
balance of this Note to the Bank on or before January
10, 1997.
1.2. Schedule A of the Note is hereby deleted.
SECTION 2. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
SECTION 3. COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay on
demand all costs and expenses of the Bank in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other documents to be delivered
in connection herewith, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
out-of-pocket expenses of outside legal counsel incurred by the Bank.
SECTION 4. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 5. CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. The undersigned and all indorsers
<PAGE> 9
authorize any attorney at law, including an attorney engaged by the holder, to
appear in any court of record in Columbus, Ohio, after the indebtedness
evidenced hereby, or any part thereof, becomes due and waive the issuance and
service of process and confess judgment against any one or more than one of the
undersigned and all indorsers in favor of the holder, for the amount then
appearing due, together with costs of suit and, thereupon, to release all errors
and waive all rights of appeal and stay of execution, but no such judgment or
judgments against any one of the undersigned shall be a bar to a subsequent
judgment or judgments against any one or more than one of such persons against
whom judgment has not been obtained hereon. The foregoing warrant of attorney
shall survive any judgment; and if any judgment be vacated for any reason, the
holder hereof nevertheless may thereafter use the foregoing warrant of attorney
to obtain an additional judgment or judgments against the undersigned and all
indorsers or any one or more of them. The undersigned and all indorsers hereby
expressly waive any conflict of interest that the holder's attorney may have in
confessing such judgment against such parties and expressly consent to the
confessing attorney receiving a legal fee from the holder for confessing such
judgment against such parties.
The Borrowers has executed this Amendment No. 1 as of the date first
above written.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Name: George Gaylord Name: John Gaylord
<PAGE> 10
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 6, 1995
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 ("Amendment") is dated as of May 28, 1996, between
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), and BANK
ONE, COLUMBUS, NA (the "Bank").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Bank, parties to that certain Revolving
Credit Note dated as of November 6, 1995 in the amount of $550,000 (the
"Revolving Credit Note") and that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan
Agreement dated as of November 6, 1995, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as
of the date hereof (the "Agreement"), have agreed to amend the Revolving Credit
Note on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Terms not otherwise
defined herein are used as defined in the Agreement or the Revolving Credit Note
as amended hereby; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Bank hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE. The Revolving Credit
Note is, effective the date hereof, hereby amended by inserting the following
definition:
"Revolving Credit Termination Date" means (a) as to the $395,000
principal outstanding under the Revolving Credit Note on May 28, 1996,
January 10, 1997 and (b) as to any other principal outstanding
thereunder, August 27, 1996.
SECTION 2. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
SECTION 3. COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Company hereby agrees to pay on
demand all costs and expenses of the Bank in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other documents to be delivered
in connection herewith, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
out-of-pocket expenses of outside legal counsel incurred by the Bank.
SECTION 4. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 5. CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. The Company hereby authorizes any
attorney at law to appear for the Borrower, in an action on the Revolving Credit
Note, at
<PAGE> 11
any time after the same becomes due, as herein provided, in any court of record
in or of the State of Ohio, or elsewhere, to waive the issuing and service of
process against the Company and to confess judgment in favor of the holder of
the Revolving Credit Note or the party entitled to the benefits of the Revolving
Credit Note against the Company for the amount that may be due, with interest at
the rate herein mentioned and costs of suit, and to waive and release all errors
in said proceedings and judgment, and all petitions in error, and right of
appeal from the judgment rendered.
The Company has executed this Amendment No. 1 as of the date first
above written.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By:
-------------------------------
Name: John Gaylord
Its: Chairman
<PAGE> 12
CONSENT OF GUARANTOR
The undersigned (the "Guarantor"), a guarantor under that certain
Unconditional Continuing Guaranty dated as of November 6, 1995 (the "Guaranty"),
in order to induce BANK ONE, COLUMBUS, NA., a national banking association (the
"Bank"), to extend credit, despite the occurrence of covenant violations, to
Gaylord Companies, Inc. (the "Borrower") pursuant to that certain Revolving
Credit and Term Loan dated November 6, 1995, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated
as of the date hereof (the "Agreement"), does hereby consent to the changes
embodied in Amendment No. 1, and acknowledges that the Guaranty applies to the
Secured Obligations (as such term is defined in the Agreement), as amended or
modified. Nothing herein shall be deemed to otherwise amend, modify or rescind
or affect the continuing enforceability of the Guaranty, and the Guarantor
acknowledges the continuing validity of the Guaranty to all the Secured
Obligations thereunder. Terms not otherwise defined herein are used as defined
in the Guaranty.
The Guarantor hereby authorizes any attorney at law to appear for it,
in an action on the Guaranty, as therein provided, in any court of record in or
of the State of Ohio, or elsewhere, to waive the issuing and service of process
against the Guarantor and to confess judgment in favor of the holder of the
Guaranty against the Guarantor for the amount that may be due, with interest at
the rate therein mentioned and costs of suit, and to waive and release all
errors in said proceedings and judgment, and all petitions in error, and right
of appeal from the judgment rendered.
The Guarantor is presently informed of the financial condition of the
Borrower and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would reveal
and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Secured Obligations. The
Guarantor hereby covenants that he will continue to keep himself informed of the
Borrower's financial condition, the status of other guarantors, if any, and of
all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of nonpayment. Absent a written
request for such information by the Guarantor to the Bank, the Guarantor hereby
waives his right, if any, to require the Bank to disclose to him any information
which the Bank may now or hereafter acquire concerning such condition or
circumstances including, but not limited to, the release of or revocation by any
other guarantor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has executed this Consent of Guarantor as
of the ____ day of May, 1996.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------
George Gaylord
<PAGE> 13
CONSENT OF GUARANTOR
The undersigned (the "Guarantor"), a guarantor under that certain
Unconditional Continuing Guaranty dated as of November 6, 1995 (the "Guaranty"),
in order to induce BANK ONE, COLUMBUS, NA., a national banking association (the
"Bank"), to extend credit, despite the occurrence of covenant violations, to
Gaylord Companies, Inc. (the "Borrower") pursuant to that certain Revolving
Credit and Term Loan dated November 6, 1995, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated
as of the date hereof (the "Agreement"), does hereby consent to the changes
embodied in Amendment No. 1, and acknowledges that the Guaranty applies to the
Secured Obligations (as such term is defined in the Agreement), as amended or
modified. Nothing herein shall be deemed to otherwise amend, modify or rescind
or affect the continuing enforceability of the Guaranty, and the Guarantor
acknowledges the continuing validity of the Guaranty to all the Secured
Obligations thereunder. Terms not otherwise defined herein are used as defined
in the Guaranty.
The Guarantor hereby authorizes any attorney at law to appear for it,
in an action on the Guaranty, as therein provided, in any court of record in or
of the State of Ohio, or elsewhere, to waive the issuing and service of process
against the Guarantor and to confess judgment in favor of the holder of the
Guaranty against the Guarantor for the amount that may be due, with interest at
the rate therein mentioned and costs of suit, and to waive and release all
errors in said proceedings and judgment, and all petitions in error, and right
of appeal from the judgment rendered.
The Guarantor is presently informed of the financial condition of the
Borrower and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would reveal
and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Secured Obligations. The
Guarantor hereby covenants that he will continue to keep himself informed of the
Borrower's financial condition, the status of other guarantors, if any, and of
all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of nonpayment. Absent a written
request for such information by the Guarantor to the Bank, the Guarantor hereby
waives his right, if any, to require the Bank to disclose to him any information
which the Bank may now or hereafter acquire concerning such condition or
circumstances including, but not limited to, the release of or revocation by any
other guarantor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has executed this Consent of Guarantor as
of the ____ day of May, 1996.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------
John Gaylord
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.34
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
---------------------------------------
Amendment, dated as of the 1st day of June, 1996 (the
"Amendment"), to the Employment Agreement, dated October 27, 1995 (the
"Employment Agreement"), by and between GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation having an office at 4006 Venture Court, Columbus, Ohio 43228 (the
"Company"), and JOHN D. CRITSER (the "Executive"), residing at 3341 River
Landings Blvd., Hilliard, Ohio 43026.
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, the parties hereto hereby agree that it would be in
their mutual best interest to amend the Employment Agreement in the manner set
forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and
of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties
hereby agree as follows:
B. MODIFICATIONS. The Employment Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
1. Section 3 is hereby modified as follows:
(a) in the third line and sixth line, One Hundred Twenty Five
Thousand ($125,000) dollars is changed to One Hundred Fifty Thousand
($150,000) dollars.
2. Section 8(a) is replaced in its entirely by the following:
a. Except in the case of earlier termination, as
herein provided, the term of this Agreement shall expire on
April 30, 2001.
<PAGE> 2
3. Paragraph 8(b)(i) is hereby replaced in its entirety by the
following:
except as otherwise provided herein, the due
expiration of this Agreement contemplated by the parties on
April 30, 2001.
4. The last sentence of Section 8(c) is hereby replaced in its
entirety by the following:
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, in the event the Company terminates the Executive for
reasons other than "for cause," the Executive shall be entitled
to severance payments equal to the Executive's then current
annual base salary as provided in Section 3 through the later
of (i) April 30, 2001 or (ii) two years from the date of
termination.
5. CONFIRMATION. Except as expressly specified herein, all other
terms, conditions and provisions of the Employment Agreement are hereby
confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect without modification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By:____________________________________
_______________________________________
John D. Critser
-2-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.35
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
---------------------------------------
Amendment, dated as of the 1st day of June, 1996 (the
"Amendment"), to the Employment Agreement, dated October 27, 1995 (the
"Employment Agreement"), by and between GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation having an office at 4006 Venture Court, Columbus, Ohio 43228 (the
"Company"), and JOHN GAYLORD (the "Executive"), residing at 8836 Finlarig
Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017.
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, the parties hereto hereby agree that it would be in
their mutual best interest to amend the Employment Agreement in the manner set
forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and
of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties
hereby agree as follows:
C. MODIFICATIONS. The Employment Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
1. Section 8(a) is replaced in its entirely by the following:
a. Except in the case of earlier termination, as
herein provided, the term of this Agreement shall expire on
April 30, 2001.
2. Paragraph 8(b)(i) is hereby replaced in its entirety by the
following:
except as otherwise provided herein, the due
expiration of this Agreement contemplated by the parties on
April 30, 2001.
3. The last sentence of Section 8(c) is hereby replaced in its
entirety by the following:
<PAGE> 2
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, in the event the Company terminates the Executive
for reasons other than "for cause," the Executive shall be
entitled to severance payments equal to the Executive's then
current annual base salary as provided in Section 3 through
the later of (i) April 30, 2001 or (ii) two years from the
date of termination.
4. CONFIRMATION. Except as expressly specified herein, all other
terms, conditions and provisions of the Employment Agreement are hereby
confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect without modification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By:____________________________________
_______________________________________
John Gaylord
-2-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.36
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
---------------------------------------
Amendment, dated as of the 1st day of June, 1996 (the
"Amendment"), to the Employment Agreement, dated October 27, 1995 (the
"Employment Agreement"), by and between GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation having an office at 4006 Venture Court, Columbus, Ohio 43228 (the
"Company"), and GEORGE GAYLORD (the "Executive"), residing at 2611 Clarion
Court, Columbus, Ohio 43220.
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, the parties hereto hereby agree that it would be in
their mutual best interest to amend the Employment Agreement in the manner set
forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and
of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties
hereby agree as follows:
A. MODIFICATIONS. The Employment Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
1. Section 8(a) is replaced in its entirely by the following:
a. Except in the case of earlier termination, as
herein provided, the term of this Agreement shall expire on
April 30, 2001.
2. Paragraph 8(b)(i) is hereby replaced in its entirety by the
following:
except as otherwise provided herein, the due
expiration of this Agreement contemplated by the parties on
April 30, 2001.
3. The last sentence of Section 8(c) is hereby replaced in its
entirety by the following:
<PAGE> 2
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, in the event the Company terminates the Executive
for reasons other than "for cause," the Executive shall be
entitled to severance payments equal to the Executive's then
current annual base salary as provided in Section 3 through
the later of (i) April 30, 2001 or (ii) two years from the
date of termination.
4. CONFIRMATION. Except as expressly specified herein, all other
terms, conditions and provisions of the Employment Agreement are hereby
confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect without modification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
GAYLORD COMPANIES, INC.
By:____________________________________
_______________________________________
George Gaylord
-2-
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form SB-2 of
our report dated February 16, 1996, relating to the consolidated financial
statements of Gaylord Companies, Inc. And the reference to our firm under the
caption "Experts" in this Registration Statement.
/s/ Feldman Radin & Co., P.C.
FELDMAN RADIN & CO., P.C.
Certified Public Accountants
New York, New York
June 28, 1996
