Note 4 - Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

Oct. 02, 2022

Notes to Financial Statements

Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]

Note 4 – Acquisitions

Acquisition of Vital Choice

On October 27, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the membership interests in Vital Choice Seafood LLC (“Vital Choice”), a provider of wild-caught seafood and sustainably farmed shellfish, pastured proteins, organic foods, and marine-sourced nutritional supplements. The Company utilized its existing credit facility to fund the $20.0 million purchase (subject to certain working capital and other adjustments), which included tradenames, customer lists, websites and operations. Vital Choice revenues were approximately $27.8 million during its most recent year ended December 31, 2020.

After working capital and related adjustments, total consideration was approximately $20.3 million, and was preliminarily allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on our preliminary estimates of their fair values on the acquisition date. The Company is in the process of finalizing its allocation of acquired intangible assets and has recorded certain immaterial adjustments during the measurement period. The final allocation may result in additional adjustments to the carrying value of the respective recorded assets and liabilities, establishment of certain additional intangible assets, revisions of useful lives of intangible assets, and the determination of any residual amount that will be allocated to goodwill.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition:

	Vital Choice Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation		Measurement Period Interim Adjustments			Vital Choice Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
	October 27,					October 2,
	2021					2022
	(in thousands)
Inventory	$	8,653	$	-		$	8,653
Other current assets		929		(474	)		455
Property, plant and equipment		205		(205	)		-
Intangible assets		9,800		-			9,800
Goodwill		4,383		34			4,417
Total assets acquired		23,970		(645	)		23,325
Current liabilities		3,621		(256	)		3,365
Net assets acquired	$	20,349	$	(389	)	$	19,960

The estimated fair value of the acquired work in process and finished goods inventory was determined utilizing the income approach. The income approach estimates the fair value of the inventory based on the net retail value of the inventory, less operating expenses and a reasonable profit allowance. Raw materials inventory was valued at book value, as there have not been any significant price fluctuations or other events that would materially change the cost to replace the raw materials.

Of the acquired intangible assets, $4.5 million was assigned to customer lists, which is being amortized over the estimated remaining life of 5 years, $5.3 million was assigned to tradenames (indefinite life), and $4.4 million was assigned to goodwill (indefinite life), which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill recognized is primarily related to synergistic value created in terms of both operating costs and revenue growth opportunities, enhanced financial and operational scale, and other strategic benefits.

The estimated fair value of the acquired tradenames was determined using the relief from royalty method, which is a risk-adjusted discounted cash flow approach. The relief from royalty method values an intangible asset by estimating the royalties saved through ownership of the asset. The relief from royalty method requires identifying the future revenue that would be generated by the trademark, multiplying it by a royalty rate deemed to be avoided through ownership of the asset and discounting the projected royalty savings amounts back to the acquisition date. The royalty rate used in the valuation was based on a consideration of market rates for similar categories of assets. The discount rate used in the valuation was based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital, the riskiness of the earnings stream associated with the trademarks and the overall composition of the acquired assets.

The estimated fair value of the acquired customer lists was determined using the excess earnings method under the income approach. This method requires identifying the future revenue that would be generated by existing customers at the time of the acquisition, considering an appropriate attrition rate based on the historical experience of the Company. Appropriate expenses are then deducted from the revenues and economic rents are charged for the return on contributory assets. The after-tax cash flows attributable to the asset are discounted back to their net present value at an appropriate intangible asset rate of return and summed to calculate the value of the customer lists.

Operating results of the Vital Choice business are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition within the Gourmet Foods & Gift Baskets segment. Pro forma results of operations have not been presented, as the impact on the Company’s consolidated financial results was not material.

Acquisition of Alice’s Table

On December 31, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Alice’s Table, Inc. (“Alice’s Table”), a lifestyle business offering fully digital livestreaming floral, culinary and other experiences. The Company utilized existing cash of $0.8 million, contributed accounts receivable due from Alice’s Table of $0.3 million, and converted its cost method investment in Alice’s Table of $0.3 million, in order to acquire 100% ownership in Alice’s Table, which included tradenames, customer lists, websites and operations. Immediately prior to completing the acquisition, the Company wrote down its previous cost method investment in Alice’s Table to its $0.3 million fair value, on the date of the acquisition, resulting in an impairment of $0.7 million, which is recorded in the “Other (income) expense, net” line item on the Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2022. Alice’s Table revenues were approximately $3.8 million during its most recent fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.

The resulting total consideration of $1.3 million was preliminarily allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on our preliminary estimates of their fair values on the acquisition date, including: goodwill of $0.7 million, trademarks of $0.5 million, customer lists of $0.2 million (4 year life) and deferred revenue of $0.1 million. The Company is in the process of finalizing its allocation and this may result in potential adjustments to the carrying value of the respective recorded assets and liabilities, establishment of certain additional intangible assets, revisions of useful lives of intangible assets, and the determination of any residual amount that will be allocated to goodwill.