10-Q 1 a05-18208_110q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(D)

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark one)

 

ý

 

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

 

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o

 

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

 

Commission File No. 0-23911

 

Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland

 

52-2081138

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

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

 

1410 SW Jefferson Street

Portland, OR  97201

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(503) 721-6500

 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes 
o  No ý.

 

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

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding at October 31, 2005

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 

7,957,428 shares

 

 



 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

 

FORM 10-Q

 

I N D E X

 

PART I–FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited):

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

PART II–OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

Available information

 

Our website is www.fccgi.com.  We make our annual report on Form 10-K, as well as other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed.  A copy of these reports may also be obtained by writing to us at 1410 SW Jefferson Street, Portland, Oregon 97201, Attn:  Investor Reporting.

 



 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

September 30
2005

 

December 31
2004

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5,262

 

$

11,948

 

Loans

 

2,634

 

6,651

 

Investments in real estate, net

 

24,761

 

26,660

 

Loans to senior executives

 

3,017

 

2,983

 

Investment in Bourne End

 

1,753

 

1,901

 

Restaurant property, plant and equipment, net

 

5,308

 

6,228

 

Intangible assets, net

 

5,714

 

5,401

 

Goodwill

 

9,081

 

7,063

 

Other assets

 

6,732

 

5,063

 

Total assets

 

$

64,262

 

$

73,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings and notes payable

 

10,120

 

7,977

 

Obligations under capital leases

 

11,166

 

12,401

 

Obligation under leave of absence agreement

 

8

 

1,771

 

Deferred income

 

4,168

 

4,466

 

Deferred income taxes

 

5,744

 

5,782

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

7,562

 

7,194

 

Total liabilities

 

38,768

 

39,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, $.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 11,757,073 shares issued as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004; 7,957,428 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2005 and 8,380,673 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2004

 

168,214

 

168,214

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(131,018

)

(123,916

)

Option to purchase common stock

 

 

(593

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

307

 

329

 

Treasury stock, 3,799,645 common shares as of September 30, 2005 and 3,376,400 common shares as of December 31, 2004, at cost

 

(12,009

)

(9,727

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

25,494

 

34,307

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

64,262

 

$

73,898

 

 

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

 

3



 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 (dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

Net Interest Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

47

 

$

456

 

$

820

 

$

1,431

 

Securities

 

1

 

11

 

7

 

616

 

Loans to senior executives

 

54

 

51

 

161

 

138

 

Other investments

 

56

 

14

 

150

 

85

 

Total interest income

 

158

 

532

 

1,138

 

2,270

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

112

 

Net interest income

 

158

 

532

 

1,138

 

2,158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

1,031

 

1,106

 

3,199

 

3,083

 

Operating expense

 

(391

)

(454

)

(1,231

)

(1,330

)

Gain on sale of real estate

 

195

 

154

 

1,784

 

159

 

Interest expense

 

(255

)

(281

)

(783

)

(843

)

Depreciation

 

(123

)

(166

)

(396

)

(489

)

Total real estate operations

 

457

 

359

 

2,573

 

580

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue

 

6,003

 

5,673

 

18,041

 

16,424

 

Cost of goods sold

 

(3,469

)

(3,274

)

(10,532

)

(9,812

)

Franchise and royalty fee

 

721

 

349

 

1,743

 

998

 

General and administrative costs

 

(3,032

)

(2,530

)

(8,646

)

(7,946

)

Interest expense

 

(161

)

(97

)

(471

)

(442

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(337

)

(377

)

(1,048

)

(1,121

)

Total restaurant operations

 

(275

)

(256

)

(913

)

(1,899

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Operating Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of loans and securities

 

 

 

 

2,099

 

Loan brokerage fees

 

2,825

 

1,839

 

5,255

 

4,213

 

Gain on sale of prepaid servicing credit

 

 

 

 

1,530

 

Equity in earnings of equity investees

 

(415

)

2,719

 

26

 

4,231

 

Other

 

35

 

476

 

143

 

1,349

 

Total other operating income

 

2,445

 

5,034

 

5,424

 

13,422

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

3,347

 

2,443

 

7,045

 

7,966

 

Leave of absence expense

 

 

 

 

4,750

 

Professional fees

 

661

 

794

 

1,866

 

1,963

 

Other

 

1,258

 

1,541

 

3,255

 

4,464

 

Total operating expenses

 

5,266

 

4,778

 

12,166

 

19,143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before provision for income taxes

 

(2,481

)

891

 

(3,944

)

(4,882

)

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

$

(2,481

)

$

891

 

$

(3,944

)

$

(4,882

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per share

 

$

(0.31

)

$

0.11

 

$

(0.49

)

$

(0.57

)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

7,957,428

 

8,380,173

 

8,089,692

 

8,490,376

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share

 

$

(0.31

)

$

0.11

 

$

(0.49

)

$

(0.57

)

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

7,957,428

 

8,385,146

 

8,089,692

 

8,490,376

 

Dividends declared per share

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.39

 

 

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

 

4



 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option to

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Treasury Stock

 

Accumulated

 

Purchase

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Shares (1)

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Deficit

 

Common Stock

 

Income

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2005

 

8,380,673

 

$

168,214

 

3,376,400

 

$

(9,727

)

$

(123,916

)

$

(593

)

$

329

 

$

34,307

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(3,944

)

 

 

(3,944

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(473

)

(473

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassification adjustment for net losses on securities and foreign currency translation included in net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

451

 

451

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,966

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(423,245

)

 

423,245

 

(2,282

)

 

593

 

 

(1,689

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

(3,158

)

 

 

(3,158

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2005

 

7,957,428

 

$

168,214

 

3,799,645

 

$

(12,009

)

$

(131,018

)

$

 

$

307

 

$

25,494

 

 


(1)   Issued and outstanding

 

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

 

5



 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 (dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2,481

)

$

891

 

$

(3,944

)

$

(4,882

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net operating cash flows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in (income) losses of equity investees

 

415

 

(2,719

)

(26

)

(4,231

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

543

 

509

 

1,639

 

1,611

 

Loss (gain) on foreign currency translation

 

34

 

(31

)

454

 

(51

)

Gain on sale of securities and loans

 

 

 

 

(2,099

)

Gain on sale of real estate

 

(195

)

(154

)

(1,784

)

(159

)

Gain on sale of prepaid servicing credit

 

 

 

 

(1,530

)

Other

 

146

 

(237

)

32

 

(882

)

Change in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income

 

(202

)

417

 

(297

)

726

 

Other assets

 

99

 

1,673

 

221

 

520

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(2,474

)

(436

)

(3,297

)

2,616

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(4,115

)

(87

)

(7,002

)

(8,361

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal payments on securities available for sale

 

 

 

 

6,818

 

Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale

 

 

 

 

29,090

 

Proceeds from sale of real estate

 

476

 

362

 

3,796

 

536

 

Proceeds from sale of prepaid servicing credit

 

 

 

 

1,530

 

Investment in loans and discounted loans

 

(824

)

(935

)

(2,259

)

(8,008

)

Proceeds from investments in and loans to equity investees

 

 

4,429

 

 

4,429

 

Principal repayments on loans and discounted loans

 

3,145

 

115

 

4,254

 

1,169

 

Investment in real estate

 

(132

)

(2,400

)

(2,258

)

(4,662

)

Investments in restaurant property, plant, and equipment

 

(49

)

(293

)

(69

)

(1,077

)

Other

 

(12

)

(9

)

(28

)

18

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

2,604

 

1,269

 

3,436

 

29,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

56

 

 

2,348

 

 

Repayments on borrowings

 

(78

)

(1,324

)

(160

)

(27,136

)

Repayments under capital leases

 

(135

)

(117

)

(380

)

(378

)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

(1,689

)

(1,710

)

Investment in option to purchase stock

 

 

 

 

(592

)

Dividend payments on common stock

 

(998

)

(1,080

)

(3,149

)

(4,480

)

Other

 

 

206

 

 

294

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,155

)

(2,315

)

(3,030

)

(34,002

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH

 

8

 

(1

)

(90

)

16

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(2,658

)

(1,134

)

(6,686

)

(12,504

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

7,920

 

8,237

 

11,948

 

19,607

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

5,262

 

$

7,103

 

$

5,262

 

$

7,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

424

 

$

380

 

$

1,266

 

$

1,355

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

12

 

$

71

 

$

34

 

$

203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NONCASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock acquired through exercise of option

 

$

 

$

 

$

593

 

$

 

 

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

 

6



 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and Subsidiaries (“FCCG” or the “Company”) are unaudited and have been prepared in conformity with the requirements of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), particularly Rule 10-01 thereof, which governs the presentation of interim financial statements.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.  The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s amended 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.  A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies is set forth in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in the amended 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.

 

In the Company’s opinion, all adjustments, comprised of normal recurring accruals necessary for the fair presentation of the interim financial statements, have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Certain items in the previously reported consolidated financial statements were reclassified to conform to the September 30, 2005 presentation, none of which affected previously reported results of operations.

 

At September 30, 2005, certain Company officers and directors had, directly or indirectly, majority voting control of the Company.

 

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS

 

Sale of Real Estate

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company sold eight stand-alone retail locations (including one location subject to a capital lease) in separate transactions for an aggregate sales price of $4.1 million in cash and notes receivable of $0.4 million.  The Company used $0.4 million of the proceeds to retire an associated capital lease obligation and recognized gains on the sales totaling $1.8 million.

 

Investment in Variable Interest Entity

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company funded loans totaling $1.7 million to a Spanish corporation formed to purchase, reposition and sell apartment buildings in Barcelona, Spain.  At September 30, 2005 the Company was also committed to fund an additional $0.2 million in loans to this entity.  During 2004, the Company had funded $2.3 million to two related Spanish entities.  Under the terms of these loans, the Company receives a preferred 30% return on its investment, and, after a similar return is paid to the minority investors, the Company receives an 80% share in additional profits generated by the investment.  These investments meet the definition of a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”)  under FASB Interpretation 46 (“FIN 46”) and the Company is considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE.  As a result, the assets and liabilities of the VIE have been consolidated into the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2005.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the VIE paid $1.8 million for the purchase and improvement of an apartment building and paid $0.8 million for the option to purchase an additional building.  These two transactions have been funded with bank loans totaling $0.7 million, the Company’s $1.7 investment, and a $0.1 million investment from the project managers.  Neither the creditors nor the

 

7



 

other beneficial interest holder have recourse to the Company with regard to this investment.  As a result, as of September 30, 2005, the maximum limit of the Company’s exposure to loss on this investment was $4.2 million.

 

In October 2005, the VIE exercised the option to purchase the additional apartment building in Barcelona, Spain.  The purchase price was approximately $5.4 million and the transaction closed on October 25, 2005.  The purchase involved an additional investment of approximately $2.8 million from the Company and a commitment to fund $0.5 million in the future.  This increased the Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these investments to $7.5 million.  The VIE currently owns four apartment buildings totaling 58 units.

 

Centrisoft Acquisition

 

In July 2005, the Company acquired a 51% controlling interest in Centrisoft Corporation (“Centrisoft”).  Centrisoft develops and sells business software that controls and enhances the productivity of application users as they interrelate with enterprise networks.  The software provides first level security against unauthorized applications and users.  In addition, the software enables the network to recognize and enforce application priorities and measure response times and bandwidth usage.

 

The Company’s investment in Centrisoft included loans and loan commitments totaling $2.9 million.  In addition to fees and interest, the Company received preferred stock in Centrisoft that is convertible into 51% of the fully diluted common stock at the time of conversion.  As a result of this investment, the Company began consolidating Centrisoft in its financial statements in July 2005.  The consolidated assets of Centrisoft are less than 10% of the Company’s total assets and include capitalized software costs of $1.6 million, intangible assets of $0.5 million and goodwill of $2.0 million.

 

Call Option

 

On March 14, 2005, the Company exercised an option (the “Call Option”) to acquire 423,245 shares of the Company’s Common Stock from Andrew Wiederhorn, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and current Chief Strategic Officer for an exercise price of $3.99 per share.  The original purchase price for the Call Option in April 2004 was $750,000, resulting in an “all-in” cost to the Company on exercise of approximately $5.76 per share.

 

Dividends

 

The Company has declared and paid a $0.13 per share dividend for each quarter of 2005 to date.  The first quarter dividend was declared on January 26, 2005 and was paid on February 10, 2005 to stockholders of record on February 4, 2005.  The second quarter dividend was declared on April 27, 2005 and was paid on June 1, 2005 to stockholders of record on May 20, 2005.  The third quarter dividend was declared on August 2, 2005 and was paid on September 1, 2005 to stockholders of record on August 22, 2005.

 

NOTE 3 – COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES & OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

 

CCL Investigation

 

On June 3, 2004, the Company announced that then Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Andrew Wiederhorn, had entered into a settlement (the “Settlement”) with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon (“USAODO”) regarding its investigation into the failure of Capital Consultants, L.L.C (“CCL”) and would take a leave of absence from his corporate positions at the Company.  Under the Settlement terms, Mr. Wiederhorn pled guilty on June 3, 2004 to two federal counts and was sentenced to 18-months incarceration and fined $2.0 million.  The charges to which Mr. Wiederhorn has pled guilty pursuant to the Settlement are not based upon any acts or omissions involving the Company or of Mr. Wiederhorn in his capacity as an officer or director of the Company.

 

8



 

On June 2, 2004, the Company and Mr. Wiederhorn entered into a leave of absence agreement.  In entering into the leave of absence agreement, the Board of Directors considered the nature of the statutes to which Mr. Wiederhorn pled and the fact that he relied on the advice of expert legal counsel and a national accounting firm.  The Board also believed it was important to assure Mr. Wiederhorn’s return to active involvement with the Company because of his expertise and knowledge of the Company’s business and investments.  Under the terms of the leave of absence agreement, Mr. Wiederhorn continued to receive his regular salary and bonus pursuant to and as set forth in his employment agreement.  All of the compensation costs associated with the leave of absence agreement were charged to earnings during the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Mr. Wiederhorn began his leave of absence on August 2, 2004 and returned to active service with the Company on October 12, 2005 as Chief Strategic Officer.  On or about November 22, 2005, Mr. Wiederhorn is expected to resume his role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

 

Shareholder Derivative Complaint

 

On July 6, 2004, Jeff Allan McCoon, derivatively on behalf of the Company, filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for the State of Oregon (Multnomah County) which named the Company and all of its directors as defendants. The lawsuit as amended alleges that the Company’s Board of Directors breached their duties to the Company in a number of ways including by: (a) entering into the Leave of Absence Agreement with Andrew Wiederhorn; (b) purchasing and exercising a Call Option agreement with Andrew Wiederhorn for the purchase as Treasury Stock of 423,245 shares of the Company’s common stock; (c) purchasing as Treasury Stock 330,500 shares of the Company’s common stock from Clarence Coleman; (d) authorizing and/or allowing the Company to incur various expenses (including alleged excessive compensation and fringe benefits to employees of the Company and the directors themselves).  The lawsuit generally seeks the recovery of all payments made or to be made to Mr. Wiederhorn under the Leave of Absence Agreement (claimed to be $6.6 million), and unspecified damages as a result of the other transactions alleged above, plus attorney fees and costs.  The lawsuit also asks that the directors implement changes in corporate governance. The Company’s directors have indemnity agreements with the Company and have asserted the right to indemnification from the Company under those indemnity agreements for the expenses incurred in connection with the lawsuit. The Company has incurred expenses under the indemnity agreements and also may derive benefits if the plaintiff’s claims are successful. At this stage of the case it is too early to predict the outcome with any certainty.

 

Other

 

The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business which it believes will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or operations of the Company.

 

The Company may utilize a wide variety of off-balance sheet financial techniques to manage its risk.  In hedging the interest rate or foreign currency exchange rate exposure, the Company may enter into hedge transactions to counter movements in interest rates and foreign currencies.  These hedges may be in the form of currency and interest rate swaps, options, and forwards or combinations thereof.

 

At September 30, 2005, the Company had no outstanding derivative instruments held for trading or hedging purposes.

 

The Company has operating leases for office and retail space which expire through 2012.  The leases provide for varying minimum annual rental payments including rent increases and free rent periods.

 

9



 

Future minimum rental payments, by year and in the aggregate, under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more, consisted approximately of the following at September 30, 2005 (dollars in thousands):

 

2005

 

$

823

 

2006

 

3,004

 

2007

 

2,259

 

2008

 

1,730

 

2009

 

1,169

 

Thereafter

 

3,690

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

12,675

 

 

In order to facilitate the development of franchise locations, as of September 30, 2005, Fatburger had guaranteed the annual minimum lease payments of three restaurant sites owned and operated by franchisees.  The amount of the guarantees total approximately $1.8 million plus certain contingent rental payments as defined in the respective leases.  These leases expire at various times through 2015.

 

The Company did not have any other off balance sheet arrangements in place as of September 30, 2005.

 

NOTE 4 - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Due to the acquisitions of Fatburger and Centrisoft, the Company has goodwill in the amount of $9.1 million and other intangible assets in the amount of $5.7 million. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an annual impairment test.  Since the acquisitions of Fatburger and Centrisoft by the Company, both operations have experienced operating losses and have funded their operations with limited liquidity.  The Company believes that these conditions are temporary in nature, however, should these conditions not be corrected, the Company may be required to recognize impairment losses on its recorded goodwill.  As of September 30, 2005, the Company was not aware of any events or changes in circumstances that would require the impairment of the recorded goodwill.

 

Summarized information for the Company’s acquired intangible assets as of September 30, 2005 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Amortized intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchise Agreements

 

$

844

 

Other

 

900

 

Total amortized intangible assets

 

$

1,744

 

 

 

 

 

Unamortized intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademarks

 

$

3,970

 

 

Trademarks, which have indefinite lives, are not subject to amortization.  All other intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets of five to fifteen years.  Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2005 and the five succeeding years is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

2005

 

$

87

 

2006

 

290

 

2007

 

287

 

2008

 

279

 

2009

 

263

 

2010

 

222

 

 

10



 

The recorded values of goodwill and other intangible assets may become impaired in the future. The determination of the value of such intangible assets requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the consolidated financial statements.  Potential impairments to intangible assets are assessed when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered.  This assessment is based on the operational performance of acquired businesses, market conditions and other factors including future events.   Any resulting impairment loss could have an adverse impact on the results of operations of the Company.

 

NOTE 5 – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (“FAS 123R”), which requires that the cost resulting for all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. This Statement requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award—the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The provisions of FAS 123R are effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after December 31, 2005. The Company has not yet determined the effect of this new standard on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

NOTE 6 – STOCK OPTIONS AND RIGHTS

 

The Company has adopted a non-qualified stock option plan (the “Option Plan”) which provides for options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock.  The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to options granted under the Option Plan is 3,500,000 shares.

 

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations in accounting for the Option Plan. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for grants under the Option Plan.  Had compensation expense for the Company’s Option Plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant date consistent with the methods of FASB Statement No. 123 “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” the Company’s net income and income per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 would have been decreased to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

Net loss:

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(3,944

)

$

(4,882

)

Pro forma compensation expense from stock based compensation, net of tax

 

(219

)

(278

)

Pro forma net loss

 

$

(4,163

)

$

(5,160

)

Net loss per common and common share equivalent:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.49

)

$

(0.57

)

Pro forma

 

$

(0.51

)

$

(0.61

)

Diluted loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.49

)

$

(0.57

)

Pro forma

 

$

(0.51

)

$

(0.61

)

 

There were no options granted with exercise prices below the market value of the stock at the grant date. Fair values for 2005 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used: 10% dividend yield, expected volatility of 86%, risk-free interest rate of 2.5% and expected lives of five years.

 

11



 

NOTE 7 – VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

 

As of September 30, 2005, the Company had funded loans totaling $4.0 million to three related Spanish entities formed to purchase, reposition and sell apartment buildings in Barcelona, Spain.  Under the terms of the loans, the Company receives a preferred 30% return on its investment, and, after a similar return is paid to the majority investors, the Company receives an 80% share in additional profits generated by the investment.  The investment meets the definition of a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) under FASB Interpretation 46 (“FIN 46”) and the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.  As a result, the assets and liabilities of the VIE have been consolidated into the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2005.

 

The VIE has purchased three apartment buildings for $6.2 million, including capital improvements.  In addition, the VIE acquired an option to purchase a fourth building.  The purchase price for the option was $0.8 million and gives the VIE the right to acquire the 24 unit apartment building for an additional payment of approximately $5.4 million in October 2005.  These acquisitions by the VIE were funded with bank loans totaling $3.1 million, the Company’s $4.0 million investment and a $0.4 million contribution from the project managers.  As of September 30, 2005, the Company had committed to fund additional advances of $0.2 million to the VIE.  In October 2005, the VIE exercised the option to purchase the fourth building for approximately $5.4 million.  The transaction closed on October 25, 2005 and involved an additional investment of approximately $2.8 million from the Company.  Neither the creditors nor the other beneficial interest holders have recourse to the Company with regard to these investments and, as a result, the maximum limit of the Company’s exposure to loss on this investment was $4.2 million as of September 30, 2005, or $7.5 million after the subsequent purchase of the fourth building.

 

As of September 30, 2005, the following assets and liabilities of the VIE were included in the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition:

 

Investment in real estate, net

 

$

6,236,000

 

Other assets

 

935,000

 

Borrowings and notes payable

 

3,140,000

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

32,000

 

Minority interest

 

355,000

 

 

NOTE 8 – OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

Operating segments consist of (i) restaurant operations conducted through Fatburger Holdings, Inc. (“Fatburger”), (ii) commercial real estate mortgage brokerage activities conducted through George Elkins Mortgage Banking Company (“George Elkins”) and (iii) real estate, merchant banking and financing activities.  The following is a summary of each of the operating segments:

 

Restaurant Operations

 

The Company owns approximately 71% of the voting control of Fatburger.  As of September 30, 2005, Fatburger operated or franchised 77 hamburger restaurants located primarily in California and Nevada.  Fatburger has plans to open additional restaurants, primarily through franchise operations, throughout the United States and Canada.  As of September 30, 2005, franchisees owned and operated approximately 51 of the Fatburger locations.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, franchise rights to open 7 individual Fatburger restaurants were sold and 15 new franchise restaurants were opened.  Franchise and royalty revenues were approximately $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Brokerage Operations

 

The Company holds a 51% ownership interest in George Elkins, a California mortgage banking operation, which provides brokerage services related to the production of over $800 million per year in commercial real estate mortgages. George Elkins is headquartered in Los Angeles, with satellite offices

 

12



 

throughout the southern California area.  The mortgage brokerage operation also manages a commercial loan servicing portfolio of nearly $900 million for various investors.

 

Real Estate, Merchant Banking and Financing Operations

 

The Company invests in real estate and other finance related assets.  The merchant banking and financing operations focus on the acquisition of controlling interests in businesses in the process of restructuring.  This can take the form of assisting in a management buy-out, refinancing corporate debt or acquiring the “non-core” assets of a business.

 

Each of the segments operates with its own management and personnel.  There are no indirect allocations of overhead or other costs.  Minority interests in earnings, which were immaterial for the periods presented, are included in other income (loss) in the following segment financial results.

 

13



 

Segment data for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, and 2004 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Real Estate,
Merchant Banking
and Finance

 

Mortgage Brokerage

 

Restaurant

 

Total

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

Net Interest Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

981

 

$

1,569

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

981

 

$

1,569

 

Securities

 

7

 

616

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

616

 

Other investments

 

146

 

83

 

4

 

2

 

 

 

150

 

85

 

Total interest income

 

1,134

 

2,268

 

4

 

2

 

 

 

1,138

 

2,270

 

Interest expense

 

 

112

 

 

 

 

 

 

112

 

Net interest income

 

1,134

 

2,156

 

4

 

2

 

 

 

1,138

 

2,158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue

 

3,199

 

3,083

 

 

 

 

 

3,199

 

3,083

 

Operating expense

 

(1,231

)

(1,330

)

 

 

 

 

(1,231

)

(1,330

)

Gain on sale of real estate

 

1,784

 

159

 

 

 

 

 

1,784

 

159

 

Interest expense

 

(783

)

(843

)

 

 

 

 

(783

)

(843

)

Depreciation

 

(396

)

(489

)

 

 

 

 

(396

)

(489

)

Total real estate operations

 

2,573

 

580

 

 

 

 

 

2,573

 

580

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

18,041

 

16,424

 

18,041

 

16,424

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

 

 

 

(10,532

)

(9,812

)

(10,532

)

(9812

)

Franchise and royalty fees

 

 

 

 

 

1,743

 

998

 

1,743

 

998

 

General and administrative costs

 

 

 

 

 

(8,646

)

(7,946

)

(8,646

)

(7,946

)

Interest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

(471

)

(442

)

(471

)

(442

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

(1,048

)

(1,121

)

(1,048

)

(1,121

)

Total restaurant operations

 

 

 

 

 

(913

)

(1,899

)

(913

)

(1,899

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of loans and securities

 

 

2,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,099

 

Loan brokerage fees

 

 

 

5,255

 

4,213

 

 

 

5,255

 

4,213

 

Gain on sale of prepaid servicing credit

 

 

1,530

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,530

 

Equity in earnings of equity investees

 

26

 

4,231

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

4,231

 

Other income (loss)

 

(342

)

1,088

 

485

 

261

 

 

 

143

 

1,349

 

Total other operating income (loss)

 

(316

)

8,948

 

5,740

 

4,474

 

 

 

5,424

 

13,422

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

2,206

 

8,935

 

4,839

 

3,781

 

 

 

7,045

 

12,716

 

Professional fees

 

1,821

 

1,934

 

45

 

29

 

 

 

1,866

 

1,963

 

Other

 

2,581

 

3,807

 

674

 

657

 

 

 

3,255

 

4,464

 

Total operating expenses

 

6,608

 

14,676

 

5,558

 

4,467

 

 

 

12,166

 

19,143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before provision for income taxes

 

(3,217

)

(2,992

)

186

 

9

 

(913

)

(1,899

)

(3,944

)

$

(4,882

)

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(3,217

)

$

(2,992

)

$

186

 

$

9

 

$

(913

)

$

(1,899

)

$

(3,944

)

$

(4,882

)

Segment assets

 

$

43,410

 

$

51,204

 

$

1,732

 

$

1,778

 

$

19,120

 

$

20,494

 

$

64,262

 

$

73,746

 

 

14



 

Segment data for the three months ended September 30, 2005, and 2004 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Real Estate,
Merchant Banking
and Finance

 

Mortgage Brokerage

 

Restaurant

 

Total

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

Net Interest Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

101

 

$

507

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

101

 

$

507

 

Securities

 

1

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

11

 

Other investments

 

54

 

13

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

56

 

14

 

Total interest income

 

156

 

531

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

158

 

532

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

156

 

531

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

158

 

532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue

 

1,031

 

1,106

 

 

 

 

 

1,031

 

1,106

 

Operating expense

 

(391

)

(454

)

 

 

 

 

(391

)

(454

)

Gain on sale of real estate

 

195

 

154

 

 

 

 

 

195

 

154

 

Interest expense

 

(255

)

(281

)

 

 

 

 

(255

)

(281

)

Depreciation

 

(123

)

(166

)

 

 

 

 

(123

)

(166

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total real estate operations

 

457

 

359

 

 

 

 

 

457

 

359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

6,003

 

5,673

 

6,003

 

5,673

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

 

 

 

(3,469

)

(3,274

)

(3,469

)

(3,274

)

Franchise and royalty fees

 

 

 

 

 

721

 

349

 

721

 

349

 

General and administrative costs

 

 

 

 

 

(3,032

)

(2,530

)

(3,032

)

(2,530

)

Interest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

(161

)

(97

)

(161

)

(97

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

(337

)

(377

)

(337

)

(377

)

Total restaurant operations

 

 

 

 

 

(275

)

(256

)

(275

)

(256

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan brokerage fees

 

 

 

2,825

 

1,839

 

 

 

2,825

 

1,839

 

Equity in earnings (loss) of equity investees

 

(415

)

2,719

 

 

 

 

 

(415

)

2,719

 

Other income (loss)

 

(22

)

462

 

57

 

14

 

 

 

35

 

476

 

Total other operating income (loss)

 

(437

)

3,181

 

2,882

 

1,853

 

 

 

2,445

 

5,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

959

 

907

 

2,388

 

1,536

 

 

 

3,347

 

2,443

 

Professional fees

 

637

 

779

 

24

 

15

 

 

 

661

 

794

 

Other

 

1,018

 

1,309

 

240

 

232

 

 

 

1,258

 

1,541

 

Total operating expenses

 

2,614

 

2,995

 

2,652

 

1,783

 

 

 

5,266

 

4,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before provision for income taxes

 

(2,438

)

1,076

 

232

 

71

 

(275

)

(256

)

(2,481

)

891

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2,438

)

$

1,076

 

$

232

 

$

71

 

$

(275

)

$

(256

)

$

(2,481

)

$

891

 

Segment assets

 

$

43,410

 

$

51,204

 

$

1,732

 

$

1,778

 

$

19,120

 

$

20,494

 

$

64,262

 

$

73,476

 

 

15



 

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES

 

As of September 30, 2005, the Company had, for U.S. Federal tax purposes, a net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forward of approximately $70.1 million, including $6.0 million relating to Fatburger. The Company’s NOL begins to expire in 2018. Fatburger’s NOL began to expire in 2004 and is generally subject to an annual limitation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 382, Limitation on Net Operating Loss Carryovers and Certain Built-In Losses Following Change in Control.  In addition, to the extent the Fatburger NOL is utilized, the recognition of the related tax benefits would first reduce goodwill related to the Fatburger acquisition, then other non-current intangible assets related to that acquisition, and then income tax expense in accordance with Statement on Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.

 

United States tax regulations impose limitations on the use of NOL carry forwards following certain changes in ownership.  If such a change were to occur with respect to the Company, the limitation could significantly reduce the amount of benefits that would be available to offset future taxable income each year, starting with the year of ownership change.  To reduce the likelihood of such ownership changes, the Company established a Shareholder Rights Plan dated as of October 18, 2002, which discourages, under certain circumstances, ownership changes which would trigger the NOL limitations.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 a provision for income taxes was not required due to the tax net operating loss generated during the period.

 

NOTE 10 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Sale of Real Estate

 

During the third quarter of 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to sell eight stand-alone retail locations for a total cash sales price of $4.1 million.  The transaction is expected to generate an expected gain on sale of approximately $0.5 million.  The sale is scheduled to close in December 2005.

 

Purchase of Real Estate

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2005, the Company’s VIE exercised its option to purchase a fourth apartment building in Barcelona, Spain.  The total acquisition and budgeted improvement cost on this transaction is $8.1 million, of which the Company funded $3.6 million and agreed to provide $0.5 million in additional financing.  The VIE assumed bank loans totaling $3.4 million in connection with the transaction.  The purchase was completed on October 25, 2005.

 

Restaurant Openings

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2005, one Fatburger franchise restaurant was opened, which is owned by a franchisee.  This resulted in the recognition of franchise fees totaling $40,000.

 

16



 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this filing.  References in this filing to “Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc.,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

GENERAL

 

Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (“FCCG” or the “Company”) focuses on developing, strengthening and expanding our restaurant and commercial real estate mortgage brokerage operations and continuing to identify and acquire real estate investments and finance related opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns. We may also seek from time to time to identify and acquire controlling interests in other operating businesses in which we feel we can add value.

 

During 2003 and 2004, we redeployed a large portion of the capital generated through our sale of mortgage-backed securities and from cash distributions from our Bourne End subsidiary.  We used a portion of this capital in August 2003 to acquire voting control of Fatburger Holdings Inc. and further increased our investment in Fatburger in May 2004.  The expansion and success of Fatburger is currently one of our primary focuses.  Since our acquisition, Fatburger has opened 27 additional restaurant locations and currently has agreements for approximately 205 new franchise restaurants.

 

Due to the varied nature of our operations, management does not utilize a standard array of key performance indicators in evaluating the progress of the Company.  Management’s evaluation, instead, focuses on an asset-by-asset analysis within the Company’s operating segments.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the 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.  Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  Management believes the following critical accounting policies, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its financial statements.

 

Accounting For Equity Investees

 

The equity method of accounting is used for investments in associated companies which are not unilaterally controlled by the Company and in which the Company’s interest is generally between 20% and 50% of the outstanding voting rights.  The Company’s share of earnings or losses of associated companies in which at least 20% of the voting securities is owned, is included in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Valuation

 

At September 30, 2005, our largest asset consisted of our portfolio of real estate.  We value our real estate holdings either by independent appraisal or through internally generated analysis using comparable market data.

 

17



 

Sale Recognition

 

Our accounting policy calls for the recognition of sales of financial instruments only when we have irrevocably surrendered control over these assets.  We do not retain any recourse or performance obligations with respect to our sales of assets.

 

We recognize gain on sales of real estate under the full accrual method when (1) a sale is consummated, (2) the buyer’s initial and continuing investments are adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the property, (3) any receivable from the buyer is not subject to future subordination and (4) the usual risks and rewards of ownership of the property have been transferred to the buyer.  If any of these conditions are not met, our accounting policy requires that gain on sale be deferred until all of the conditions have been satisfied.

 

Fatburger Restaurant and Franchise Revenue

 

Revenue from the operation of Fatburger company-owned restaurants is recognized when sales occur.

 

Franchise fee revenue from the sale of individual Fatburger franchises is recognized only when all material services or conditions relating to the sales have been substantially performed or satisfied.  The completion of training and the opening of a location by the franchisee constitute substantial performance on the part of Fatburger.  Nonrefundable deposits collected in relation to the sale of franchises are recorded as deferred franchise fees until the completion of training and the opening of the restaurant, at which time the franchise fee revenue is recognized.

 

In addition to franchise fee revenue, Fatburger collects a royalty ranging from 5% to 6% of gross sales from restaurants operated by franchisees.  Fatburger recognizes royalty fees as the related sales are made by the franchisees.  Costs relating to continuing franchise support are expensed as incurred.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price and other acquisition related costs over the estimated fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired.  We do not amortize goodwill.  Intangible assets are stated at the estimated value at the date of acquisition and include trademarks, operating manuals, franchise agreements and leasehold interests.  Trademarks, which have indefinite lives, are not subject to amortization.  All other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from five to fifteen years.

 

We assess potential impairments to intangible assets at least annually, or when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators and future cash flows related to intangible assets are based on operational performance of our acquired businesses, market conditions and other factors. Future events could cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that goodwill or other intangible assets associated with our acquired businesses are impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ¾ NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

NET INCOME.  Our net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, was $3.9 million, or $0.49 per share, compared with a net loss of $4.9 million, or $0.57 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was primarily the result of losses from our restaurant operations of $0.9 million and other operating expenses of $12.2 million, partially offset by gains on sales of real estate of $1.8 million, loan brokerage fees of $5.3 million, and net interest income of $1.1 million.  The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was primarily attributable to operating expenses of $19.1 million and losses from restaurant operations of $1.9 million, partially offset by net interest income of $2.2 million, gain on sale of loans and securities of $2.1 million,

 

18



 

loan brokerage fees of $4.2 million, equity in earnings of equity investees of $4.2 million, and gain on sale of a prepaid servicing credit of $1.5 million.

 

The following sections describe the results of operations of our operating segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004:

 

Restaurant Segment Operations

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we recognized a net loss from our restaurant segment of $0.9 million, compared to a net loss of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  The 2005 results were primarily due to a gross margin (sales net of cost of goods sold) of $7.5 million and franchise and royalty revenue of $1.7 million, offset by general and administrative costs of $8.6 million, interest expense of $0.5 million, and depreciation and amortization of $1.0 million.  The Company’s primary strategy with respect to Fatburger is to increase the number of franchises, thus increasing the franchise fees and future royalty income to the operation.  Since the Company acquired its interest in Fatburger in August 2003, Fatburger has added 27 new restaurants.  While the Company seeks to expand the number of existing restaurants, the identification of qualified franchisees and quality locations has an impact on the rate of growth in the number of our restaurants.

 

The 2004 results were primarily due to a gross margin of $6.6 million and franchise and royalty revenue of $1.0 million, offset by general and administrative costs of $7.9 million, interest expense of $0.4 million, and depreciation and amortization of $1.1 million.

 

Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Brokerage Segment Operations

 

                Our net income from the commercial real estate brokerage segment was $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to break even operations during the 2004 period.  During the 2005 period, we recognized loan brokerage fees of $5.3 million, loan servicing and other revenue of $0.5 million, which was substantially offset by compensation expense of $4.8 million and other operating expense of $0.8 million.

 

During the 2004 period, we recognized loan brokerage fees of $4.2 million, loan servicing and other revenue of $0.3 million, which was offset by compensation expense of $3.8 million and other operating expenses of $0.7 million.

 

Real Estate, Merchant Banking and Finance Segment Operations

 

NET INTEREST INCOME.  Our net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $1.1 million, compared with $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  The decrease is primarily attributable to a net reduction of assets (reflecting our sales of mortgage-backed securities and paydowns of the related debt facilities).  These changes resulted in decreases in interest income on securities of $0.6 million and a decrease in interest income on loans of $0.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $0.1 million.  The following tables set forth information regarding the total amount of income from interest-earning assets and expense from interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting average yields and rates:

 

19



 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

Average

 

Interest

 

Annualized

 

 

 

Balance

 

Income (Expense)

 

Yield/Rate

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Interest-Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan portfolios (1)

 

$

8,575

 

$

981

 

15.3

%

Mortgage-backed securities available for sale

 

5

 

7

 

186.7

%

Cash deposits and other investments

 

8,804

 

146

 

2.2

%

Total interest-earning assets

 

$

17,384

 

1,134

 

8.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings (2)

 

$

 

 

0.0

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

$

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income (3)

 

 

 

$

1,134

 

8.7

%

Net interest margin (4)

 

 

 

 

 

8.7

%

 


(1)   Includes loans to senior officers.

(2)   Excludes borrowings related to investments in real estate.

(3)   Net interest spread represents the difference between the average rate on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(4)   Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

 

 

Average

 

Interest

 

Annualized

 

 

 

Balance

 

Income (Expense)

 

Yield/Rate

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Interest-Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan portfolios (1)

 

$

10,718

 

$

1,569

 

19.5

%

Mortgage-backed securities available for sale

 

16,677

 

616

 

4.9

%

Other investments

 

11,503

 

83

 

1.0

%

Total interest-earning assets

 

$

38,898

 

$

2,268

 

7.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings (2)

 

$

12,335

 

$

(112

)

1.2

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

$

12,335

 

$

(112

)

1.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income (3)

 

 

 

$

2,156

 

6.6

%

Net interest margin (4)

 

 

 

 

 

7.4

%

 


(1)   Includes loans to senior officers.

(2)   Excludes borrowings related to investments in real estate.

(3)   Net interest spread represents the difference between the average rate on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(4)   Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

20



 

REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS.  Our real estate operations represent activity from our investment in 10 commercial properties located in Oregon, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Michigan, as well as the operations of our leasehold interests in 77 freestanding retail buildings located throughout the United States.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we realized net income from real estate operations of approximately $2.6 million, compared with net income of $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  The increase in net income from real estate was primarily the result of gains recognized on sales of $1.8 million during the 2005 period.  Our strategy with regard to our real estate investments is to position each property to enhance lease values for long-term income or for sale.

 

EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF EQUITY INVESTEES.   At September 30, 2005, our sole equity investee was Bourne End Properties Plc. (“Bourne End”). We own approximately 26% of Bourne End, which operates a shopping center in the United Kingdom.  At the time of our original investment in 2001, Bourne End owned 15 shopping centers in Europe.  Fourteen of these centers were sold in prior years generating net income to us totaling $9.7 million since our original investment.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 we recognized less than $0.1 million income from equity investees, compared to $4.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  The decrease was due to the sale of shopping centers in the prior year.

 

GAIN ON SALE OF LOANS AND SECURITIES.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we did not recognize any gains on sales of loans or securities.  This compares to gains of $2.1 million, primarily from the sale of mortgage-backed securities, during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.  Because we have sold substantially all of our subordinate mortgage-backed securities portfolio, we expect that gain on sale of securities will no longer contribute to future income.

 

PREPAID LOAN SERVICING CREDITDuring the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we sold our Wilshire Credit Corporation (“WCC”) prepaid loan servicing credit (the “Loan Servicing Credit”) for $1.7 million in cash.  The Loan Servicing Credit was originally acquired by us in 1998, when we were an affiliate of WCC.  The Loan Servicing Credit may be used, subject to certain limitations, to pay for loan portfolio servicing activities performed by WCC.  As a result of the sale, we recognized a gain in the amount of $1.5 million in 2004.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we incurred segment operating expenses from real estate, merchant banking and finance operations of $6.6 million, compared to $14.7 million during the comparable period in 2004.  Operating expenses for the 2005 period is comprised of compensation costs of $2.2 million, professional fees of $1.8 million and other costs of $2.6 million.  Operating expenses for the 2005 period include Centrisoft operating expenses incurred since its acquisition by the Company in July 2005 of $0.5 million.  Operating expenses for the 2004 period include compensation costs of $9.0 million, professional fees of $1.9 million and other costs of $3.8 million.  Compensation costs during the 2004 period included $4.8 million in accruals under the Leave of Absence Agreement with Mr. Wiederhorn.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ¾ QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 COMPARED TO QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

NET INCOME.  Our net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, was $2.5 million, or $0.31 per share, compared with net income of $0.9 million, or $0.11 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.  The net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was primarily the result of net income from real estate operations of $0.5 million and loan brokerage fees of $2.8 million, offset by losses from our restaurant operations of $0.3 million and other operating expenses of $5.3 million.  The net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 was primarily attributable to net interest income of $0.5 million; equity in earnings of equity investees of $2.7 million, and loan brokerage fees of $1.8 million, partially offset by operating expenses of $4.8 million.

 

The following sections describe the results of operations of our operating segments for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and 2004:

 

21



 

Restaurant Segment Operations

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2005, we recognized a net loss from our restaurant segment of $0.3 million, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.  The 2005 results were primarily due to a gross margin (sales net of cost of goods sold) of $2.5 million and franchise and royalty revenue of $0.7 million, offset by general and administrative costs of $3.0 million, interest expense of $0.2 million, and depreciation and amortization of $0.3 million.

 

The 2004 results were primarily due to a gross margin of $2.4 million and franchise and royalty revenue of $0.3 million, offset by general and administrative costs of $2.5 million, interest expense of $0.1 million, and depreciation and amortization of $0.4 million.

 

Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Brokerage Segment Operations

 

Our net income from the commercial real estate brokerage segment was $0.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, compared to net income of $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.  During the 2005 period, we recognized loan brokerage fees of $2.8 million, loan servicing and other revenue of $0.1 million, which was substantially offset by compensation expense of $2.4 million and other operating expense of $0.3 million.

 

During the 2004 period, we recognized loan brokerage fees of $1.8 million, partially offset by compensation expense of $1.5 million and other operating expenses of $0.2 million.

 

Real Estate, Merchant Banking and Finance Segment Operations

 

NET INTEREST INCOME.  Our net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, was $0.2 million, compared with $0.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.  The decrease is primarily attributable to a net reduction of assets.  The following tables set forth information regarding the total amount of income from interest-earning assets and expense from interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting average yields and rates:

 

 

 

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

Average

 

Interest

 

Annualized

 

 

 

Balance

 

Income (Expense)

 

Yield/Rate

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Interest-Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan portfolios (1)

 

$

6,700

 

$

101

 

6.0

%

Mortgage-backed securities available for sale

 

2

 

1

 

200.0

%

Cash deposits and other investments

 

7,659

 

54

 

2.8

%

Total interest-earning assets

 

$

14,361

 

156

 

4.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings (2)

 

$

 

 

0.0

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

$

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income (3)

 

 

 

$

156

 

4.3

%

Net interest margin (4)

 

 

 

 

 

4.3

%

 


(1)   Includes loans to senior officers.

(2)   Excludes borrowings related to investments in real estate.

(3)   Net interest spread represents the difference between the average rate on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(4)   Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

22



 

 

 

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2004

 

 

 

Average

 

Interest

 

Annualized

 

 

 

Balance

 

Income (Expense)

 

Yield/Rate

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Interest-Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan portfolios (1)

 

$

13,017

 

$

507

 

15.6

%

Mortgage-backed securities available for sale

 

29

 

11

 

151.7

%

Other investments

 

7,241

 

13

 

0.7

%

Total interest-earning assets

 

$

20,287

 

$

531

 

10.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings (2)

 

$

 

$

 

0.0

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

$

 

$

 

0.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income (3)

 

 

 

$

531

 

10.5

%

Net interest margin (4)

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

%

 


(1)   Includes loans to senior officers.

(2)   Excludes borrowings related to investments in real estate.

(3)   Net interest spread represents the difference between the average rate on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(4)   Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2005, we realized net income from real estate operations of approximately $0.5 million, compared with net income of $0.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.

 

EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF EQUITY INVESTEES.   At September 30, 2005, our sole equity investee was Bourne End Properties Plc. (“Bourne End”). We recognized our share of the loss of equity investees in the amount of $0.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2005.  This compares to earnings of $2.7 million, which resulted from the sale of a shopping center, during the 2004 period.

 

GAIN ON SALE OF LOANS AND SECURITIES.  We did not recognize any gains on sales of loans or securities in the quarters ended September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2004.  Because we have sold substantially all of our subordinate mortgage-backed securities portfolio, we expect that gain on sale of securities will not contribute to future income.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES.  During the three months ended September 30, 2005, we incurred segment operating expenses from real estate, merchant banking and finance operations of $2.6 million, compared to $3.0 million during the comparable period in 2004.  Operating expenses for the 2005 period include compensation costs of $1.0 million, professional fees of $0.6 million and other costs of $1.0 million.  Operating expenses for the 2005 period include Centrisoft operating expenses incurred since its acquisition by the Company in July 2005 of $0.5 million.  Operating expenses for the 2004 period include compensation costs of $0.9 million, professional fees of $0.8 million and other costs of $1.3 million.

 

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

GENERAL.  Total assets decreased from approximately $73.9 million at December 31, 2004 to approximately $64.3 million at September 30, 2005.  Total liabilities decreased slightly from approximately $39.6 million at December 31, 2004 to approximately $38.8 million at September 30, 2005.  Stockholders’ equity decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 by approximately $8.8 million resulting from our net loss of $3.9 million, dividends declared of $3.2 million and the purchase of treasury stock of $1.7 million.

 

23



 

CENTRISOFT ACQUISITION.  In July 2005, we acquired a 51% controlling interest in Centrisoft Corporation (“Centrisoft”).  Centrisoft develops and sells business software that controls and enhances the productivity of application users as they interrelate with enterprise networks.  The software provides first level security against unauthorized applications and users.  In addition, the software enables the network to recognize and enforce application priorities and measure response times and bandwidth usage.

 

Our investment in Centrisoft included loans and loan commitments totaling $2.9 million.  In addition to fees and interest, we received preferred stock in Centrisoft that is convertible into 51% of the fully diluted common stock at the time of conversion.  As a result of this investment, we began consolidating Centrisoft in out financial statements in July 2005.  The consolidated assets of Centrisoft are less than 10% of our total assets and included capitalized software costs of $1.6 million, intangible assets of $0.5 million and goodwill of $2.0 million.

 

INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE.  Investments in real estate decreased by $1.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  The decrease was primarily due to the sale of eight retail properties with a net book value of $2.7 million, including one subject to capital lease with a carrying value of $0.4 million, the disposal of two additional properties subject to capital leases with a carrying value of $0.5 million and depreciation of $0.4 million, offset by the purchase of an apartment building in Barcelona, Spain for $1.5 million.

 

LOAN PORTFOLIO.  We make loans from time to time, to borrowers who, due to their particular circumstances, may not have access to traditional lending sources.  As a result, these transactions can provide good returns to the Company, but they also come with a higher relative degree of risk.  These lending opportunities can arise in a variety of circumstances, but generally involve situations in which the borrower needs further financing to maintain or develop its business and other financing sources are not available.

 

As we negotiate these loans, we generally seek to obtain significant brokerage fees and interest rates, as well as opportunities to take equity positions in the borrower.  These loans are typically short-term, with maturities ranging from 6 to 24 months.  While the Company will seek security (including real estate) for any loan it makes, in some cases the value of the assets pledged may not exceed the amount of the loan.   While the Company believes that these loans provide good returns to the Company, there can be no assurance that these loans will continue to perform in the future.

 

As of September 30, 2005, our special situation loan portfolio consisted of three individual loans with a combined carrying value of $2.6 million.  One loan is secured by real estate consisting of commercial property located in Texas.  One loan is secured by all of the stock and assets of a commercial manufacturing business, and one loan is secured by stock in a restaurant company.  The loans have a weighted average interest rate (including the effects of $2.2 million in impaired loans on non-accrued status and excluding fees and points) of 10.6% and a weighted average maturity of 2 months.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, our loan portfolio decreased by approximately $4.0 million.  This was primarily the result of the repayment of two loans during the period.  As of September 30, 2005, two of the Company’s loans totaling $2.2 million had been restructured to provide additional time for repayment by the borrowers in exchange for various extension fees or other new terms.  As a result, these loans were considered impaired for accounting purposes, however, no impairment reserves were required on these loans due to management’s expectation that the carrying amounts will be collected.

 

LOANS TO SENIOR EXECUTIVES.  On February 21, 2002 (prior to the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), we loaned Mr. Wiederhorn $175,000 to finance the purchase of Common Stock.  This loan is full recourse to Mr. Wiederhorn and is secured by all of Mr. Wiederhorn’s rights under his employment agreement.  At Mr. Wiederhorn’s direction (in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement), on February 21, 2002, we loaned a limited partnership (the “LP”) controlled by Mr. Wiederhorn’s spouse $687,000 to finance the purchase of Common Stock.  The loan is secured by the membership interests of two limited liability companies owned by the LP.  The limited liability companies

 

24



 

each own a parcel of real property in Oregon and have no liabilities.  At the time of the loan, the real properties had an appraised value of $725,000.  The loan is also guaranteed by Mr. Wiederhorn.  The Common Stock purchased with the proceeds of these loans does not serve as security for the loans.  The loans are due on February 21, 2007, and bear interest at the prime rate, as published in the Wall Street Journal, which interest is added to the principal annually.

 

On July 9, 2002 (prior to the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), we loaned Mr. Wiederhorn $2.0 million.  This loan is full recourse to Mr. Wiederhorn and his spouse and is secured by trust deeds on two residences located in Oregon.  The loan is due on August 1, 2007 and bears interest at 8.5% per annum, payable monthly.

 

Further information on these loans to executives is included in our proxy statements for 2005 and prior years’ Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

INVESTMENT IN BOURNE END.  Our investment in Bourne End decreased by $0.1 million from $1.9 million at December 31, 2004 to approximately $1.8 million at September 30, 2005, due primarily to changes in foreign exchange rates.

 

RESTAURANT PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET.  Our investment in restaurant property, plant and equipment, net of depreciation, decreased $0.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to a balance of $5.3 million.  The decrease was primarily the result of depreciation expense.

 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET.  As a result of the acquisition and consolidation of Fatburger and Centrisoft, as of September 30, 2005 we had intangible assets, net of amortization, of $5.7 million.  This consisted of trademark rights of approximately $4.0 million, franchise agreements of approximately $0.8 million and other miscellaneous intangible assets of approximately $0.9 million.  Intangible assets increased $0.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 primarily as the result of the acquisition and consolidation of Centrisoft.

 

GOODWILL.  As a result of the acquisition and consolidation of Fatburger and Centrisoft, we had recorded goodwill of $7.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2005.  Goodwill increased $2.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 due to the acquisition and consolidation of Centrisoft.

 

OTHER ASSETS.  At September 30, 2005, the Company’s other assets consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

Capitalized deferred compensation

 

$

600

 

Prepaid expenses

 

638

 

Trade receivables

 

509

 

Investment in operating leases

 

213

 

Mortgage servicing rights

 

238

 

Real estate purchase option

 

842

 

Restaurant assets

 

737

 

Centrisoft software

 

1,561

 

Other

 

1,394

 

Total

 

$

6,732

 

 

The capitalized deferred compensation included in other assets relates to the acquisition of George Elkins.  In conjunction with the acquisition, certain employees of George Elkins entered into long-term employment agreements.  These employees received payments totaling $1.9 million which we capitalized as deferred compensation.  The employees are obligated to perform under the employment agreements and must repay any unearned deferred compensation payments upon early termination.  The deferred compensation is earned ratably over the terms of the employment agreements, and we are amortizing the

 

25



 

$1.9 million investment over the contract terms.  At September 30, 2005, the remaining contracts expire within the next 20 months.

 

BORROWINGS AND NOTES PAYABLE.  Our borrowings and notes payable increased $2.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to an ending balance of $10.1 million.  This was primarily the result of borrowings to finance the purchase of an apartment building in Barcelona, Spain.

 

OBLIGATIONS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES.  Obligations under capital leases decreased approximately $1.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  This decrease was primarily the result of the disposal of three properties subject to capital leases with a carrying value of $0.9 million.

 

DEFERRED INCOME.  Franchise fee revenue from the sales of individual Fatburger franchises is recognized only when all material services or conditions relating to the sales have been substantially performed or satisfied.  The completion of training and the opening of a location by the franchisee constitute substantial performance.  Currently, Fatburger charges $50,000 per location in franchise fees.  One-half of the fees are collected in cash at the time the franchise rights are granted and the balance is collected at the time the lease for the location is executed. Nonrefundable deposits collected in relation to the sale of franchises are recorded as deferred franchise fees until the completion of training and the opening of the restaurant, at which time the franchise fee revenue is recognized.  As of September 30, 2005, our deferred income relating to the collection of unearned Fatburger franchise fees was $4.2 million, a decrease of $0.3 million from December 31, 2004.  As of September 30, 2005, nearly all of the deferred income was comprised of the initial one-half non-refundable deposit received per location and the balance of the franchise fee (approximately an additional $4.2 million) will be collected in cash as leases on these locations are signed.

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES.  Our deferred income taxes remained unchanged at $5.8 million at September 30, 2005.  As of September 30, 2005, we had, for U.S. Federal tax purposes, a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward of approximately $70.1 million, including $6.0 million relating to Fatburger.  The NOL carryforward may reduce the future cash payment of the deferred income tax liability.  Our NOL begins to expire in 2018.  Fatburger’s NOL began to expire in 2004 and is generally subject to an annual limitation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 382, Limitation on Net Operating Loss Carryovers and Certain Built-In Losses Following Change in Control.  In addition, to the extent the Fatburger NOL is utilized, the recognition of the related tax benefits would first reduce goodwill related to the Fatburger acquisition, then other non-current intangible assets related to that acquisition, and then income tax expense in accordance with Statement on Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.

 

United States tax regulations impose limitations on the use of NOL carry forwards following certain changes in ownership.  If such a change were to occur with respect to the Company, the limitation could significantly reduce the amount of benefits that would be available to offset future taxable income each year, starting with the year of ownership change.  To reduce the likelihood of such ownership changes, we established a Shareholder Rights Plan dated as of October 18, 2002, which discourages, under certain circumstances, ownership changes which would trigger the NOL limitations.

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY.  Stockholders’ equity decreased by approximately $8.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005, resulting from our net loss of $3.9 million, purchase of treasury stock of $1.7 million and dividends declared of $3.2 million.

 

In April 2004 we purchased a three year call option (the “Call Option”) from Andrew A. Wiederhorn, the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and current Chief Strategic Officer.  The Call Option gave us the right, but not the obligation, to purchase 423,245 of the Company’s outstanding common stock (the “Option Shares”) from Mr. Wiederhorn for a purchase price of $3.99 per share.  We paid $750,000 ($1.77 per Option Share) for the Call Option.  The Call Option was exercised on March 14, 2005 for $1.7 million and we placed Option Shares in treasury.

 

26



 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund business operations and acquisitions, engage in loan acquisition and lending activities and for other general business purposes.  The primary sources of funds for liquidity during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 consisted of net cash provided by investing activities, including proceeds from the sale of real estate.  As of September 30, 2005, we had cash or cash equivalents of $5.3 million which we believe will be sufficient to meet our current liquidity needs.

 

Our borrowings and the availability of further borrowings are substantially affected by, among other things, changes in interest rates, changes in market spreads or decreases in credit quality of our assets.

 

Fluctuations in interest rates will impact our net income to the extent our operations and our fixed rate assets are funded by variable rate debt.  We may also be impacted to the extent that our variable rate assets reprice on a different schedule or in relation to a different index than any floating rate debt.  See “Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.”

 

At September 30, 2005, we had total consolidated secured indebtedness of $21.3 million, as well as $17.5 million of other liabilities. The consolidated secured indebtedness consisted of (i) $11.2 million outstanding of capital leases maturing between 2010 and 2040 which are secured by real estate, (ii) mortgage notes payable of $3.1 million secured by real estate and (iii) notes payable and other debt of Fatburger of $7.0 million secured by the assets of Fatburger.

 

If our existing liquidity position were to prove insufficient, and we were unable to repay, renew or replace maturing indebtedness on terms reasonably satisfactory to us, we may be required to sell (potentially on short notice) a portion of our assets, and could incur losses as a result.  Also, Fatburger is involved in a nationwide expansion of franchise and Fatburger owned locations, which will require significant liquidity.  If Fatburger or its franchisees are unsuccessful in obtaining credit lines sufficient to fund this expansion, the timing of restaurant openings may be delayed.  We also expect that Centrisoft will require liquidity and have negative cash flow for the near term.  Centrisoft is currently marketing its software to potential customers both directly and through re-seller relationships.  There can be no assurance that Centrisoft will be successful in generating sufficient cash flow to support its own operations in the near term.  Similarly, our special situation lending business requires liquidity to fund new investments or extend existing loans.

 

We consider the sale of assets to be a normal, recurring part of our operations and we are currently generating adequate cash flow as a result of these transactions.  However, excluding the sale of assets from time to time, we are currently operating with negative cash flow, since many of our assets do not currently generate sufficient cash to cover operating expenses.  We believe that our existing sources of funds will be adequate for purposes of meeting our liquidity needs; however, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.  Material increases in interest expense from variable-rate funding sources, or material decreases in monthly cash receipts from operations, generally would negatively impact our liquidity.  On the other hand, material decreases in interest expense from variable-rate funding sources would positively affect our liquidity.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2004, we declared four quarterly cash distributions of $0.13 per share each, totaling $0.52 per share ($4.4 million).  Through November 14, 2005, we have declared three quarterly cash dividends of $0.13 per share each.  The Company does not have a fixed dividend policy and may declare and pay new quarterly dividends on our common stock, subject to our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.  One factor the Board of Directors may consider is the impact of dividends on the Company’s liquidity.

 

Effective October 14, 2004, the Company’s Common Stock began trading in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market.  Prior to that, the Company’s Common Stock was quoted on the NASDAQ National Market.  On July 20, 2004, the Company was notified by NASDAQ of a staff determination to delist the Company’s Common Stock effective July 29, 2004.  The Company challenged the staff determination and requested an oral hearing by a Listing Qualifications Panel to review the staff’s conclusions.  A hearing was held on September 9, 2004, and, on October 12, 2004, the Company was notified by NASDAQ that the Listing Qualifications Panel upheld the staff determination and the Company’s Common Stock was delisted from the NASDAQ National Market on October 14, 2004.  The Company requested a review of the Listing

 

27



 

Qualifications Panel’s decision by NASDAQ’s Listing and Hearing Review Council.  On February 16, 2005, the Company received notice that the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council had upheld the Panel’s decision.  On April 21, 2005, the Board of Governors of NASDAQ approved the decision of the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council and the NASDAQ decision became final.  The Company has appealed the decision to the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that the appeal will be successful.

 

Trading of our Common Stock on the OTC market may reduce the liquidity of our Common Stock compared to quotation on the NASDAQ National Market.  Also, the coverage of the Company by security analysts and media could be reduced, which could result in lower prices for our Common Stock than might otherwise prevail and could also result in increased spreads between the bid and ask prices for our Common Stock.  Additionally, certain investors will not purchase securities that are not quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market, which could materially impair our ability to raise funds through the issuance of Common Stock or other securities convertible into Common Stock.

 

In addition, if the trading price of our Common Stock is less than $5.00 per share, trading in our Common Stock could also be subject to the requirements of Rule 15g-9 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Under that Rule, brokers and dealers who recommend such low priced securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must satisfy special sales practice requirements, including a requirement that they make an individualized written suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written consent prior to any transaction.  The Securities Enforcement Remedies and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 also requires additional disclosure in connection with any trades involving a stock defined as a penny stock (generally, according to regulations adopted by the SEC, any equity security not traded on an exchange or quoted on NASDAQ that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions), including the delivery, prior to any penny stock transaction, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the risks associated therewith.  Such requirements could severely limit the market liquidity of our Common Stock.  There can be no assurance that our Common Stock will not become treated as penny stock.

 

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

In order to facilitate the development of franchise locations, as of September 30, 2005, Fatburger had guaranteed the annual minimum lease payments of three restaurant sites owned and operated by franchisees.  The guarantees approximate $1.8 million plus certain contingent rental payments as defined in the respective leases.  These leases expire at various times through 2015.

 

The lease guarantees by Fatburger do not provide a material source of liquidity, capital resources or other benefits to the Company.  There are no revenues, expenses or cash flows connected with the lease guarantees other than the receipt of normal franchise royalties.  As of September 30, 2005, there was no known event, demand, trend or uncertainty that was likely to trigger the guarantee by Fatburger.

 

We did not have any other off balance sheet arrangements in place as of September 30, 2005.

 

28



 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Our market risk is primarily the exposure to loss resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices.  Our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations arises from our UK investment in BEP and our investment in Barcelona real estate as of September 30, 2005, approximately 26% of the Company’s equity is currently invested in net assets located outside of the United States.  These investments are primarily denominated in British pounds or the Euro.

 

The following table illustrates the projected effect on our net asset value as a result of hypothetical changes in foreign currency rates as of September 30, 2005:

 

Change in Foreign
Exchange Rates (1)

 

Projected Change in
Net Asset
Fair Value

 

Projected
Percentage Change
in Net Asset
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease 10%

 

$

(653,000

)

-2.6

%

Decrease 20%

 

$

(1,305,000

)

-5.1

%

No Change

 

$

 

0.0

%

Increase 10%

 

$

653,000

 

2.6

%

Increase 20%

 

$

1,305,000

 

5.1

%

 


(1)           Assumes that uniform percentage changes occur instantaneously in both the Great Britain pound and the euro.  A decrease in the foreign exchange rate indicates a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against that currency.  An increase in the foreign exchange rate indicates a weakening of the U.S. dollar against that currency.

 

We can utilize a wide variety of financial techniques to assist in the management of currency risk.  For example, in hedging the exchange rate exposure of a foreign currency denominated asset or liability, we may enter into hedge transactions to counter movements in the different currencies.  These hedges may be in the form of currency swaps, options, and forwards, or combinations thereof.  No such currency hedging techniques were in use as of September 30, 2005.

 

Interest rate risk has historically been our primary market risk.  A large percentage of our assets are generally funded by equity or by fixed-rate liabilities.  This change in asset mix has resulted in a significant decrease in interest rate risk, which resulted from the sale of the remainder of the mortgage-backed securities portfolio and the repayment of the associated repurchase agreements during 2004.

 

Changes in interest rates can affect net income by affecting the spread between our interest-earning assets and our interest-bearing liabilities and by increasing the cost associated with operating and expanding our restaurant operation.  Changes in the level of interest rates can also affect, among other things, the value of our interest-earning assets (and the default rates associated therewith), our ability to acquire loans and general levels of consumer spending.

 

The following table quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and net portfolio value as of September 30, 2005 should interest rates go up or down (shocked) by 100 or 200 basis points. Net portfolio value is calculated as the sum of the value of off-balance sheet instruments and the present value of cash in-flows generated from interest-earning assets net of cash out-flows in respect of interest-bearing liabilities.  The table assumes that changes in interest rates occur instantaneously.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the table.

 

29



 

Projected Percent Change In

 

Change in Interest
Rates (1)

 

Net Interest
Income

 

Net Portfolio
Fair Value

 

Change in Annual
Net
Interest Income

 

Change in Net
Portfolio
Fair Value

 

-200 Basis Points

 

18.6

%

-4.3

%

$

112,000

 

$

(1,094,000

)

-100 Basis Points

 

6.8

%

-2.1

%

$

41,000

 

$

(526,000

)

 0 Basis Points

 

0.0

%

0.0

%

$

 

$

 

100 Basis Points

 

-6.4

%

1.9

%

$

(39,000

)

$

487,000

 

200 Basis Points

 

-12.9

%

3.7

%

$

(78,000

)

$

938,000

 

 


(1)           Assumes that uniform changes occur instantaneously in both the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes and the interest rate applicable to U.S. dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

The following table provides information as to the type of funding used to finance our assets as of September 30, 2005.

 

Assets and Liabilities
As of September 30, 2005
(dollars in thousands)

 

Interest-Bearing Assets

 

Basis Amount

 

Coupon Type

 

Liability

 

Type

 

Fixed-rate assets, no financing

 

$

3,020

 

Fixed

 

$

 

None

 

Variable-rate assets, no financing

 

2,631

 

Prime

 

 

None

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

5,262

 

N/A

 

 

None

 

Subtotal

 

10,913

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in real estate

 

24,761

 

N/A

 

14,306

 

Fixed

 

Investment in BEP

 

1,753

 

N/A

 

 

None

 

Restaurant property, plant and equipment

 

5,308

 

N/A

 

6,981

 

LIBOR

 

Intangible assets, net

 

5,714

 

N/A

 

 

None

 

Goodwill

 

9,081

 

N/A

 

 

None

 

Other

 

6,732

 

N/A

 

 

None

 

Subtotal

 

53,349

 

 

 

21,287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liability Only

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income

 

 

 

 

4,168

 

None

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

5,744

 

None

 

Other

 

 

 

 

7,569

 

None

 

Total

 

$

64,262

 

 

 

$

38,768

 

 

 

 

Our restaurant operations are also exposed to the impact of commodity and utility price fluctuations related to unpredictable factors such as weather and various other market conditions outside our control. Our ability to recover increased costs through higher prices is limited by the competitive environment in which we operate.

 

30



 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(A)  Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to us by others within these entities.

 

(B)  Changes in internal control over financial reporting.  There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with an evaluation that occurred during our third fiscal quarter of 2005 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

31



 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

CERTAIN STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN AND CERTAIN STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN FUTURE FILINGS BY THE COMPANY WITH THE SEC MAY NOT BE BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS AND ARE “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED.  FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH ARE BASED ON VARIOUS ASSUMPTIONS (SOME OF WHICH ARE BEYOND THE COMPANY’S CONTROL) MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY REFERENCE TO A FUTURE PERIOD OR PERIODS, OR BY THE USE OF FORWARD-LOOKING TERMINOLOGY, SUCH AS “MAY,” “WILL,” “BELIEVE,” “EXPECT,” “ANTICIPATE,” “CONTINUE,” OR SIMILAR TERMS OR VARIATIONS ON THOSE TERMS, OR THE NEGATIVE OF THOSE TERMS.  ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE SET FORTH IN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DUE TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE RELATED TO THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE MARKET AREAS IN WHICH THE COMPANY OPERATES, THE FINANCIAL AND SECURITIES MARKETS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY, COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS AND PRICING, THE REAL ESTATE MARKET, FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICIES OF THE U.S.  GOVERNMENT, CHANGES IN PREVAILING INTEREST RATES, CHANGES IN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES, ACQUISITIONS AND THE INTEGRATION OF ACQUIRED BUSINESSES, PERFORMANCE OF RETAIL/CONSUMER MARKETS, DETERIORATION IN CONSUMER CREDIT, THE MARKET FOR CENTRISOFT’S SOFTWARE PRODUCTS, CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT, ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT, THE IMPACT OF ONGOING LITIGATION, AND THE IMPACT OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE INVESTIGATION OF THE COMPANY’S FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CURRENT CHIEF STRATEGIC OFFICER).  EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW, THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY OBLIGATION, TO PUBLICLY RELEASE THE RESULTS OF ANY REVISIONS WHICH MAY BE MADE TO ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF ANTICIPATED OR UNANTICIPATED EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE DATE OF SUCH STATEMENTS.

 

32



 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.

 

Capital Consultants LLC

 

As the Company has previously disclosed, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and current Chief Strategic Officer, Andrew Wiederhorn, and former President, Lawrence Mendelsohn, received letters from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon (“USAODO”) in March 2001 advising them that they were targets of a grand jury investigation (the “CCL Investigation”) into the failure of Capital Consultants, L.L.C (“CCL”).  CCL was a lender to Wilshire Credit Corporation (“WCC”) and related and affiliated companies. WCC was a mortgage loan servicing company owned by Mr. Wiederhorn and Mr. Mendelsohn that provided mortgage loan servicing for Wilshire Financial Services Group Inc., a public company for which Mr. Wiederhorn acted as CEO and Mr. Mendelsohn acted as President and which was principally engaged in banking, loan pool purchasing, and investing in mortgage-backed securities.  As a result of the liquidity crisis in the financial markets in the fall of 1998, Wilshire Financial Services Group Inc. experienced significant losses and filed for bankruptcy, which in turn had a significant impact on its affiliates, including WCC, which could not repay the amounts borrowed from CCL.  At the time, Wilshire Financial Services Group Inc. owned approximately 8.6% of the Company’s common stock and managed the Company’s investments under a management agreement.

 

In August 2002, Mr. Mendelsohn resigned as President and Director of the Company. In November 2003, Mr. Mendelsohn entered into an agreement with the USAODO pursuant to which he pled guilty to filing a false 1998 personal tax return and agreed to cooperate in the CCL Investigation.

 

On June 3, 2004 the Company announced that Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board Andrew Wiederhorn had entered into a settlement with the USAODO regarding its investigation into CCL (the “Settlement”) and would take a leave of absence from his corporate positions at the Company.

 

Under the Settlement terms, Mr. Wiederhorn pled guilty on June 3, 2004 to two federal counts and was sentenced to 18 months incarceration and fined $2.0 million.  The first count, a violation of an ERISA provision, involved a federal law that required no criminal intent and for which his reliance on the advice of counsel was not a defense. The second count related to a violation involving a deduction on a personal tax return.  The deduction was structured and approved by Mr. Wiederhorn’s tax advisors and did not reduce Mr. Wiederhorn’s tax liability or reduce the government’s tax collections.  The charges to which Mr. Wiederhorn has pled guilty pursuant to the Settlement are not based upon any acts or omissions involving the Company or Mr. Wiederhorn in his capacity as an officer or director of the Company.

 

On June 2, 2004, the Company and Mr. Wiederhorn entered into a leave of absence agreement.  In entering into Mr. Wiederhorn’s leave of absence agreement, the Company’s Board of Directors considered the nature of the statutes to which Mr. Wiederhorn pled and the fact that he relied on the advice of expert legal counsel and a national accounting firm.  The Board also believed it was important to assure Mr. Wiederhorn’s return to active involvement with the Company because of his expertise and knowledge and to preserve a significant business relationship and the value of the Company’s investments.

 

Under the terms of the leave of absence agreement, Mr. Wiederhorn continued to receive his regular salary and bonus pursuant to and as set forth in his employment agreement.  In addition, in consideration of Mr. Wiederhorn’s good will, cooperation, and continuing assistance, and in recognition of Mr. Wiederhorn’s past service to the Company, to help avoid litigation and for the other reasons stated in the agreement, the Company made a leave of absence payment to Mr. Wiederhorn in the amount of $2.0 million on June 2, 2004.

 

33



 

Mr. Wiederhorn began his leave of absence on August 2, 2004 and returned to the Company on October 12, 2005 where he currently serves as Chief Strategic Officer.  On or about November 22, 2005, Mr. Wiederhorn is expected to resume his role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

 

NASDAQ Delisting

 

Effective October 14, 2004, the Company’s Common Stock began trading in the over-the-counter market.  Prior to that, the Company’s Common Stock was quoted on the NASDAQ National Market.  On July 20, 2004, the Company was notified by NASDAQ of a staff determination to delist the Company’s Common Stock effective July 29, 2004.  The Company challenged the staff determination and requested an oral hearing by a Listing Qualifications Panel to review the staff’s conclusions.  A hearing was held on September 9, 2004, and, on October 12, 2004, the Company was notified by NASDAQ that the Listing Qualifications Panel upheld the staff determination and the Company’s Common Stock was delisted from the NASDAQ National Market on October 14, 2004.  The Company requested a review of the Listing Qualifications Panel’s decision by NASDAQ’s Listing and Hearing Review Council.  On February 16, 2005, the Company received notice that the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council had upheld the Panel’s decision.  On April 21, 2005, the Board of Governors of NASDAQ approved the decision of the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council and the NASDAQ decision became final.  The Company is appealing the decision to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  There can be no assurance that an appeal will be successful.

 

Shareholder Derivative Complaint

 

On July 6, 2004, Jeff Allan McCoon, derivatively on behalf of the Company, filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for the State of Oregon (Multnomah County) which named the Company and all of its directors as defendants. The lawsuit as amended alleges that the Company’s Board of Directors breached their duties to the Company in a number of ways including by: (a) entering into the Leave of Absence Agreement with Andrew Wiederhorn; (b) purchasing and exercising a Call Option agreement with Andrew Wiederhorn for the purchase as Treasury Stock of 423,245 shares of the Company’s common stock; (c) purchasing as Treasury Stock 330,500 shares of the Company’s common stock from Clarence Coleman; (d) authorizing and/or allowing the Company to incur various expenses (including alleged excessive compensation and fringe benefits to employees of the Company and the directors themselves).  The lawsuit generally seeks the recovery of all payments made or to be made to Mr. Wiederhorn under the Leave of Absence Agreement (claimed to be $6.6 million), and unspecified damages as a result of the other transactions alleged above, plus attorney fees and costs.  The lawsuit also asks that the directors implement changes in corporate governance. The Company’s directors have indemnity agreements with the Company and have asserted the right to indemnification from the Company under those indemnity agreements for the expenses incurred in connection with the lawsuit. The Company has incurred expenses under the indemnity agreements and also may derive benefits if the plaintiff’s claims are successful. At this stage of the case it is too early to predict the outcome with any certainty.

 

Other Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business which the Company believes will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or operations of the Company.

 

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

Not applicable.

 

34



 

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

None.

 

Item 5.    Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 6.    Exhibits

 

3.1           Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1999, as previously filed with the SEC on November 22, 1999.

 

3.2           Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

 

4.1           Common Stock Certificate Specimen, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

 

4.2           Form of Registration Rights Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

 

4.3           Form of Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

 

4.4           Summary of Rights to Purchase Shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 18, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on October 18, 2002.

 

4.5           Rights Agreement dated as of October 18, 2002 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Form 8-A, as previously filed with the SEC on October 29, 2002.

 

4.6           Amendment to the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2004, by and between the Registrant and The Bank of New York as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

 

4.7           Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement among the Registrant and Lawrence Mendelsohn, Andrew Wiederhorn and David Egelhoff, dated October 1, 2000, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on March 3, 2003.

 

4.8           Amendment Number 1 to the Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement dated as of September 19, 2002, by and between the Registrant and Andrew Wiederhorn, Don Coleman, and David Dale-Johnson as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

 

4.9           Amendment Number 2 to the Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and between the Registrant and Andrew Wiederhorn, Don Coleman, and David Dale-Johnson as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

 

11.1         Computation of Per Share Earnings.

 

31.1         Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

35



 

31.2         Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1         Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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

 

36



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

 

 

 

By: /s/ Donald J. Berchtold

 

 

Donald J. Berchtold

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ R. Scott Stevenson

 

 

R. Scott Stevenson

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Date: November 14, 2005

 



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

3.1           Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1999, as previously filed with the SEC on November 22, 1999.

 

3.2           Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

 

4.1           Common Stock Certificate Specimen, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

 

4.2           Form of Registration Rights Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

 

4.3           Form of Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

 

4.4           Summary of Rights to Purchase Shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 18, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on October 18, 2002.

 

4.5           Rights Agreement dated as of October 18, 2002 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Form 8-A, as previously filed with the SEC on October 29, 2002.

 

4.6           Amendment to the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2004, by and between the Registrant and The Bank of New York as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

 

4.7           Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement among the Registrant and Lawrence Mendelsohn, Andrew Wiederhorn and David Egelhoff, dated October 1, 2000, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on March 3, 2003.

 

4.8           Amendment Number 1 to the Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement dated as of September 19, 2002, by and between the Registrant and Andrew Wiederhorn, Don Coleman, and David Dale-Johnson as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

 

4.9           Amendment Number 2 to the Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and between the Registrant and Andrew Wiederhorn, Don Coleman, and David Dale-Johnson as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

 

11.1         Computation of Per Share Earnings.

 

31.1         Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2         Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1         Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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