10-K 1 a07-2766_110k.htm 10-K

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended November 2, 2006

 

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

 

For the transition period from         to       

 

Commission File Number:  333-117263

 

VICORP RESTAURANTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado

 

84-0511072

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

400 West 48th Avenue, Denver, CO

 

80216

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

303-296-2121

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  YES   o   NO   x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  YES   x   NO   o

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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES   x   NO   o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers, pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to this form 10-K:   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated  filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o  Accelerated filer o  Non-accelerated filer x

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

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant is not determinable as such shares were privately placed and there is no public market for such shares.

Number of shares of Common Stock, $.0001 par value, outstanding at December 31, 2006: 1,361,753, excluding treasury shares.

 




Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to the reports will be provided without charge upon written request addressed to: Investor Relations, VICORP Restaurants, Inc., 400 West 48th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80216.  Additionally, our consolidated financial statements are available at our website, www.vicorpinc.com, under the “Our Company — Investor Relations” headings.

FORM 10-K INDEX

 

PART I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1

 

Business

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1a

 

Risk Factors

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1b

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2

 

Properties

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3

 

Legal Proceedings

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5

 

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6

 

Selected Financial Data

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7

 

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

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7a

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

Item 8

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9A

 

Controls and Procedures

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9B

 

Other Information

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10

 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

Item 11

 

Executive Compensation

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

Item 12

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

Item 13

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

Item 14

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

 

46

 

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “will” or “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.  These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts.  They appear in a number of places throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future.  We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.

The following listing represents some, but not necessarily all, of the factors that may cause actual results to differ from those anticipated or predicted:

·                  Our level of indebtedness;

·                  Our development and expansion plans;

·                  Our ability to profitably implement our growth strategy;

·                  Competitive pressures and trends in the restaurant industry;

·                  Our exposure to commodity prices;

·                  Our dependence upon frequent deliveries of food and other supplies;

·                  Food-borne illness incidents;

·                  Adverse publicity and litigation;

·                  Seasonality of our business and weather conditions;

·                  Government regulations;

·                  Our vulnerability to changes in consumer preferences and economic conditions;

·                  Integration of future acquisitions into our business;

·                  Our reliance in part on our franchisees;

·                  Our ability to attract and retain employees;

·                  Our liquidity and capital resources;

·                  The loss of key employees;

·                  The impact of having a controlling shareholder; and

·                  Loss development factors used in determining our insurance reserves.

These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, including the factors described under “Item 1. Business - Risk factors related to our business.”  The forward-looking events we discuss in this Annual Report on Form 10-K speak only as of the date of such statement and might not occur in light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We undertake no obligation and disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Unless otherwise provided in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to “the Company,” “VICORP,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to VI Acquisition Corp. and our consolidated subsidiaries including VICORP Restaurants, Inc.

 

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PART I

Item 1.                    Business.

Our company

We operate family-dining restaurants under two proven and well-recognized brands, Village Inn and Bakers Square. As of November 2, 2006, our company, which was founded in 1958, had 404 restaurants in 25 states, consisting of 309 company-operated restaurants and 95 franchised restaurants.   Our restaurant locations are concentrated in particular regions in order to maximize operating efficiencies, including regional management, purchasing and advertising penetration. In addition to our restaurants, we operate three strategically located pie production facilities that produce premium pies that are offered in our restaurants and sold to third-party customers. Our revenues increased from $404.2 million in 2002 to $466.3 million in 2006. Both of our restaurant concepts operate in the stable family-dining segment of the restaurant industry. Over our 48-year history, we have concentrated on providing our customers great-tasting, high-quality food at reasonable prices with fast and friendly service. Our commitment to an attractive price-to-value relationship has enabled us to develop a stable base of repeat customers.

We continually seek to increase the efficiency of our operations, increase customer visits and sales per customer, provide new menu options for our guests and increase sales of higher margin items. Significant investments in our brands and operational improvements, including an investment of approximately $7.2 million to upgrade our information and restaurant point-of-sale (“POS”) systems in 2002 and 2003, ongoing remodeling of our restaurants and reductions in purchasing and manufacturing costs have enabled us to manage our prime margin, which is our profitability expressed as a percentage of restaurant sales after deducting our two most significant costs, food and labor.  Prime margin was 40.7% in 2002 compared to 41.0% in 2006.  In addition, we provide our managers with extensive training and the tools necessary to effectively operate our business, such as on-line ordering and bill processing and real-time information on key business metrics. We continually engage in selective menu engineering and the development of updated menu items for our restaurants such as our signature oven-roasted focaccia sandwiches in our Village Inn restaurants, seasonal offerings such as artisan-style bread bowls filled with hearty soups and stews and new flavors of pie offerings in our Bakers Square restaurants. Our other efforts to drive sales growth include creative marketing programs, and expansion of our third-party customer base for our pies.

Village Inn

We opened our first Village Inn restaurant in 1958, and as of November 2, 2006 we had 256 locations, 161 of which were operated by our company and 95 of which we franchised. Our company-operated Village Inn restaurants are located in eleven states, primarily in the Rocky Mountain region (91 units), the Midwest (39 units), and Florida (16 units).  Village Inn is focused on family dining and appeals to a large segment of the population, and we believe it has a strong reputation for fast and friendly service, fresh food and reasonable prices. We are known for serving fresh breakfast items throughout the day, including our Ultimate Skillet meals, Pecan Roll French Toast, made-from-scratch buttermilk pancakes and fluffy three-egg omelets. Breakfast items accounted for 58.7% of Village Inn sales in 2006. We have also successfully leveraged our strong breakfast heritage to establish a well-developed brand platform encompassing a broad selection of traditional American fare for lunch and dinner, at price points that position us in the mid-range of the family-dining segment. Signature items on our lunch and dinner menus include our Portabella Chicken Skillet and our All-World Double Cheeseburger®. We frequently review and update our menus with the assistance of our team of in-house research and development chefs to enhance the attractiveness of our menu offerings to our customers. Customer loyalty is one of Village Inn’s strongest characteristics, with a significant number of customers who patronize our restaurants three or more times a month.

Our Village Inn restaurants are predominantly free-standing units which average approximately 5,000 square feet in size and can seat between 120 and 180 people. We are typically open from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. allowing us to effectively generate revenue in all three day parts. Our typical entrée prices range from $4.29 to $11.35 for breakfast items and from $4.99 to $13.25 for lunch and dinner items, with an average per-person check of $8.09 overall in 2006. In order to improve our efficiency and purchasing power, our menus are standardized throughout the United States, with some variations driven by regional preferences. In 2006, Village Inn’s average unit sales were $1.48 million, and corresponding average restaurant operating cash flow was $281,000, representing a 19.0% margin.

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Bakers Square

The Bakers Square concept began in 1983 when we acquired 59 Poppin Fresh Pies restaurants from the Pillsbury Restaurant Group. Since then, we have grown Bakers Square to 148 company-operated restaurants as of November 2, 2006. Our Bakers Square restaurants are located in eight states, including California (47 units), Illinois (47 units) and Minnesota (25 units). The foundation of the Bakers Square concept is our signature freshly baked pies, which accounted for 22.7% of Bakers Square’s sales in 2006. Building upon our reputation for quality pies, we have extended our offerings to include popular traditional American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bakers Square offers dozens of varieties of multi-layer specialty pies made from premium ingredients, which differentiates the concept from our family-dining competitors. Many of our customers complement their lunch or dinner with a serving of pie, while others purchase whole pies for at-home consumption throughout the year, and particularly around the holidays. As with Village Inn, we use our team of in-house research and development chefs to regularly update the Bakers Square menu offerings to attract a wider demographic range of diners and increase repeat business from existing customers. For example, we have successfully promoted our artisan-style bread bowls filled with hearty soups and stews, along with popular menu favorites like our Stir-Fry Chicken Pita, Honey Mustard Chicken and Portabella Pot Roast.

Our Bakers Square restaurants are free-standing units which average approximately 4,500 square feet in size and can generally seat between 120 and 160 people. We are typically open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with our highest traffic generated at lunch and dinner. Our typical entrée prices range from $4.99 to $9.99 for breakfast items and from $6.79 to $12.99 for lunch and dinner items, with an average per-person check of $9.39 overall in 2006. As with Village Inn, our menus are standardized across the United States, with some variations driven by regional preferences.  In 2006, Bakers Square’s average unit sales were $1.40 million, and corresponding average restaurant operating cash flow was $114,000, representing an 8.1% margin.

In fiscal 2005 and 2006 we opened four remodeled test units.  We are currently in the process of evaluating performance data to determine the appropriate model for the future Bakers Square units.

Pie production operations

Complementing our restaurant operations, we produce premium pies for the Bakers Square and Village Inn restaurants and for sale to select third-party customers. In 2006, we produced 19.4 million premium pies compared to 15.4 million pies in 2005. By producing pies at our three strategically located facilities, we are able to control the quality, consistency and freshness of our pies and enhance our distribution capabilities. We differentiate ourselves from other pie manufacturers by producing multi-layer pies, using premium ingredients such as fresh cream, whole fruits and high quality pie crusts, and maintaining a strict shelf life policy of no more than three days for the fresh pies in our restaurants. At the 2006 National Pie Championships, we won 21 first place awards, which was more than any other competitor.

We continue to focus on the efficiency of our pie production operations and increased sales of our pies to third parties, including the addition of several new accounts. We have used our enterprise resource planning system to manage inventory and costs, concentrated our frozen pie production in our high volume Chaska, Minnesota facility to achieve economies of scale and restructured our delivery arrangements to obtain substantial savings.

Although our primary focus is to produce pies for Village Inn and Bakers Square, our third-party pie sales have increased over time. The overall results of operations of our pie manufacturing historically have not had, and currently do not have, a material impact on our operating profit. We show the results of operations associated with our third party pie sales separately on our income statement. In order to determine the operating profit for our third party sales, we allocate both variable and fixed costs. As external sales increase as a percentage of total pie production, the allocation method may cause a decrease in the operating profit due to the higher allocation of fixed costs to the external sales. The net costs associated with internal “sales” to our restaurants are included in restaurant food cost. As part of our overall effort to optimize total company food cost, we have been focusing on various measures to improve the net margins within our pie manufacturing operations, including increasing third-party sales, investing in equipment to improve automation, renegotiating our distribution contracts and rebalancing the production among our three plants to increase efficiency.

Industry overview

The restaurant industry is a significant contributor to the U.S. economy, with estimated total 2006 sales of $511 billion, the fifteenth consecutive year of real growth. We believe this growth can be attributed to several key lifestyle and demographic trends, including the continued increase in spending on food consumed away from home and restaurant dining, and the

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continued growth in disposable incomes and key age groups of the population. The restaurant industry can be divided into two primary operating segments: full service restaurants (“FSR”) and limited service restaurants (“LSR”). Restaurants operating in the FSR segment present broad menu choices that are served to patrons by a wait-staff, while restaurants operating in the LSR segment serve customers at a counter or through a drive-thru window.

Our Village Inn and Bakers Square concepts operate in the “family-dining” category of the FSR segment. The family-dining category is estimated to be near 6% of the total sales of the top 100 restaurants per the National Restaurant Association.  While not exhibiting the higher growth of certain other segments, we believe the family-dining category has a loyal customer base and stable characteristics. We believe that family-dining restaurants offer consumers a consistent dining experience with quality food at a lower cost per check than other FSR dining options.

Our background

We opened our first restaurant under the name “Village Inn Pancake House” in Denver, Colorado in 1958. Due to the success of the Village Inn concept, we began franchising the brand, and our first franchise restaurant opened in 1961. We introduced the Bakers Square concept in 1983 when we acquired 59 Poppin Fresh Pies restaurants from the Pillsbury Restaurant Group. We transformed the Poppin Fresh Pies restaurants, all of which were located in the Midwest, into the Bakers Square concept. In 1984, we acquired 175 former Sambo’s restaurants in California, Florida and Arizona. We converted these restaurants in California into Bakers Square restaurants, which served as the basis for our expansion to the West Coast, and we converted the Florida and Arizona restaurants into Village Inn restaurants.

We completed an initial public offering in 1982 and changed our name from Village Inn Pancake House, Inc. to VICORP Restaurants, Inc. Following our initial public offering, we were publicly traded until we were acquired in a going-private transaction led by the private equity firms Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison and BancBoston Capital in May 2001. In June 2003, we were acquired in a transaction led by the private equity firm Wind Point Partners.  In April 2004, we completed a private placement of senior unsecured notes.  The registration statement relating to these notes was declared effective and the unregistered notes were exchanged for registered notes in August 2004.

Our sponsor

Wind Point Partners is a private equity investment firm that manages over $2 billion in commitments and has invested in more than 80 companies since its founding in 1984. Wind Point’s strategy is to partner with top caliber CEOs and to align its economic interests closely with those of company management teams through significant equity participation. Wind Point typically invests between $20 million and $70 million in transactions such as leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, industry consolidations and expansion capital transactions involving companies with revenue between $100 million and $400 million.

Operations and controls

To maintain a consistently high level of food quality and service in our restaurants, we have established uniform operational standards relating to the quality of ingredients, preparation of food, menu selection, maintenance of premises and employee conduct. We require each of our restaurants to operate in accordance with these rigorous standards, and our managers are responsible for implementing these standards.

We use updated information systems, including our ReMACS back-office system, our POS system and our enterprise resource planning system. Our ReMACS information system provides our restaurant managers with improved electronic food ordering, inventory, ideal and actual food cost reporting, cash control and labor management tools. By using our recently upgraded POS system in our restaurants, we are able to track sales, product mix, labor dollars and hours, and credit card and cash deposit information for each of our restaurants on a daily basis. We use an SAP enterprise resource planning system in our pie production facilities to measure and reduce waste, labor costs and inventory levels. In addition, to enable us to better understand and manage our operations, we maintain a central database of information and data relating to decisions support, cash and sales, enterprise resource planning and our vital systems.

Site development and expansion

We believe that the locations of our restaurants are critical to our long-term success, and we devote significant time and resources to analyzing each prospective site. We plan to expand in a number of ways, including through the development of new sites, the conversion of competitors’ sites, and the purchase of franchised sites from franchisees. The costs of opening a Bakers Square or Village Inn restaurant may vary by restaurant depending upon, among other factors, the location of the site, the method of acquisition and the amount of construction required. With an average projected investment of approximately

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$450,000 for leased units, we believe we have a low-cost economic model for the continued development of new restaurants. At times, we receive landlord development and/or rent allowances for leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment. In addition, we anticipate that we will enter into sale-leaseback transactions and other leasing arrangements with respect to our newly constructed restaurant properties. The standardized decor and interior design of each of our restaurant concepts can be readily adapted to accommodate different types of building configurations.

We use our in-house development team, including real estate, design and legal professionals, to find, evaluate and negotiate new sites for our restaurants. We evaluate potential sites based on a number of criteria, including surrounding population density, demographic information, median household income and size, location, area restaurant competition, traffic, access, visibility, potential restaurant size, parking and signage capability. We also selectively use outside consultants who specialize in site evaluation to provide independent validation of our sales potential estimates for new sites. In fiscal 2006, we opened 22 new restaurants and acquired 5 franchise locations.

We may also purchase our competitors’ sites and convert them to our restaurant concepts. We evaluate each potential conversion site using the same criteria that we use to evaluate new restaurant sites. We believe that conversion can be a cost-effective method for adding new restaurants.

We also seek to grow by purchasing franchised Village Inn restaurants from our franchisees. These opportunities may arise as our franchisees retire or seek liquidity for their investment. For example, in 2003 we acquired eight franchised Village Inn restaurants located in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area.  Additionally, we completed a transaction in 2006 with a franchisee in Oklahoma in which we purchased five Village Inn restaurants.

Restaurant staffing and training

Attraction and retention of quality employees, continuous employee development, regular communication of expectations and regular performance feedback are critical factors that help us achieve customer satisfaction. We believe we distinguish ourselves by the quality of personnel and longevity of service among our Regional Managers, restaurant general managers and hourly staff. We attribute much of our success in retaining our management and employees to our extensive training programs, attractive cash incentive compensation program and competitive benefit programs.

Each of our restaurants is typically managed by one general manager, one associate manager and one assistant manager. On average, general managers possess over eight years of experience with us. Each of our general managers has primary responsibility for day-to-day operations in one of our restaurants, including hiring, scheduling, cleanliness of the restaurant and restaurant cash flows. The restaurant managers are supported by Regional Managers, Regional Vice Presidents (Village Inn) or District Managers (Bakers Square) and our corporate office. As of November 2, 2006, we had 39 Regional Managers, each of whom is responsible for managing approximately eight restaurants in a designated geographic region in a manner consistent with our strategies, policies and standards of quality. The Regional Managers report to one of the Regional Vice Presidents of Operations (in Village Inn) or the District Managers (in Bakers Square). Our Regional Vice Presidents of Operations and District Managers participate in every aspect of our restaurant operations, from organizing quality management teams for the restaurants to routine visits to each location.

Our training programs are designed to equip our employees and franchisees with the skills necessary to help us achieve our objectives. We focus on outcome-based training, emphasizing the acquisition of basic skills and behavior that result in desired performance for specific positions. The average time in training for a manager new to our company is eight to ten weeks.  At the successful completion of training they are placed in a restaurant as an assistant manager.  At this point the manager continues to be trained and developed, utilizing a program called Management Development Criteria.  This ongoing training challenges the new manager to thoroughly understand and demonstrate proficiency in all facets of management of our restaurants.  Upon completion, the manager is eligible to participate in our bonus program.  In addition to these programs, we conduct field training for our restaurant managers covering a variety of topics such as new products, food safety and management development. For each of our franchised restaurants, we require that a minimum of two managers receive certification through our management training program. Additionally, we require our franchisees to successfully complete our management training program prior to the scheduled opening of any of our franchised restaurants.

Marketing, advertising and menu development

The family-dining segment in which our restaurant concepts operate attracts customers seeking quality, consistency, variety and value, with an average per-person check typically between $8 and $9. Our mid-range price positioning in the family-dining segment provides the competitive advantage of flexibility in menu choices by offering higher or lower priced items based on customer preferences. We use various marketing techniques, such as television and radio (in geographic markets

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where we have sufficient market penetration), newspaper, direct mail and point-of-purchase materials to promote our restaurant concepts and gain market share.

In our ongoing effort to maximize our sales and profitability, we engage in careful menu engineering and the development of new menu items. We maintain a modern test kitchen at our headquarters staffed by highly qualified food professionals who create new menu offerings as well as new pie recipes. Before new items are introduced, a program of testing is undertaken to assess customer acceptance and implementation considerations. In preparing menu items, we emphasize quality and freshness, as well as trends in the family-dining segment. New items may be offered on a promotional or seasonal basis, serve as special items to provide variety to our regular menus, or become a permanent part of our offerings.

Purchasing and distribution

Our ability to maintain consistent quality throughout our restaurants depends in large part upon our ability to acquire food products and related items from reliable sources in accordance with our specifications. We make centralized, national purchasing decisions for most menu ingredients to gain favorable prices and maintain quality and freshness levels. We negotiate directly with our major suppliers to obtain competitive prices and use purchase agreements in an effort to stabilize the potentially volatile pricing associated with certain commodities. We believe that we have good relationships with our suppliers and that alternative supply sources are readily available if necessary.

We deliver our pies from our three pie manufacturing facilities to all of our restaurants and to our third-party customers using external distributors and transportation companies.

Franchise program

We established our first Village Inn franchise in 1961. As of November 2, 2006 we had a total of 95 franchised Village Inn restaurants, operated by 25 franchisees, each with one to eleven restaurants. We believe that we currently enjoy solid working relationships with our franchisees. We presently intend to focus our expansion efforts on company-operated restaurants but may pursue selected franchising opportunities.  We completed a transaction in 2006 with a franchisee in Oklahoma in which we purchased five Village Inn restaurants.

We generally seek franchisees that have related business experience and access to capital to build out and support the Village Inn concept. We also provide our franchisees with access to training, marketing, quality control, purchasing/distribution and operations assistance.  Our current franchisees pay royalty fees up to 4% of gross sales.  Additionally, our current franchisees pay marketing fees up to 2% of gross sales.  Our franchise consultants work toward visiting each of our Village Inn franchisees approximately four times a year to monitor their business and to ensure that their stores meet with our quality standards.

A franchisee is required to pay an initial franchise fee for a 15 year franchise term. Until the end of their first year of operation, our franchisees also pay us a royalty fee of $1,154 a week and a marketing fee of $577 a week. A franchisee is also typically obligated to pay a fee for renewal of a franchise agreement beyond the initial term. After the first year of operation, our franchisees are required to pay royalty and marketing fees based on gross sales. Our standard franchise agreement gives our franchisees the right to use our trademarks, service marks, trade dress and our recipes, systems, manuals, processes and related items.

Competition

The restaurant industry is highly competitive with respect to price, quality and speed of service, and quality and value of the food products offered. The number and location of units, attractiveness of facilities, effectiveness of advertising and marketing programs, and new product development are also important competitive factors. Changes in consumer tastes and preferences, economic conditions or population demographics as well as shifts in traffic patterns, can also impact operations and profitability.

We compete in the family-dining category within the full-service segment of the restaurant industry. Key competitors in this category for Village Inn include Denny’s, International House of Pancakes (“IHOP”), Perkins, and, to a lesser extent, Country Kitchen, Cracker Barrel, Shoney’s and Waffle House. Our Midwest Bakers Square restaurants face competition from Denny’s, IHOP, independent restaurants and, to a lesser extent, Bob Evans, Embers and Perkins. Competitors for our California Bakers Square restaurants include Coco’s, Denny’s, Marie Callender’s and, to a lesser extent, Carrow’s, Hof’s Hut and Polly’s. Some of these competitors have greater financial, distribution and brand resources than we do. Our restaurants, like all other restaurants, also face heightened competition from supermarkets, many of which are increasing the breadth of

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their meal offerings in the form of fresh entrées and side dishes.

Intellectual property

We have an extensive portfolio of registered service marks, trademarks and logos, including “Bakers Square®,” “Village Inn®,” “Village Inn Pancake HouseÒ,” “Best Pie in AmericaÒ,” “Great Food. Unbelievable PieÒ,” “The Skillet ExpertsÒ,” “Good Food … Good FeelingsÒ,” “The Breakfast ExpertsÒ“ and “J. Horner’sÒ.” We believe that our service marks, trademarks and logos are valuable to the operation of our restaurants and are important to our marketing strategy. Our policy is to actively pursue and maintain registration of our service marks, trademarks and logos where our business strategy requires us to do so and to oppose vigorously any infringement or dilution of our service marks, trademarks or logos. However, we cannot predict whether steps taken by us to protect our proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of these rights or the use by others of restaurant features based upon, or otherwise similar to, our concepts. It may be difficult for us to prevent others from copying elements of our concepts, and any litigation to enforce our rights will likely involve significant costs.

Environmental matters

Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including regulation of discharges into the air and water. Under various federal, state and local laws, an owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances on or in such property. Such liability may be imposed without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances.

Some of our properties are located on or adjacent to sites that we know or suspect to have been used by prior owners or operators as retail gas stations or industrial facilities. Such properties previously contained underground storage tanks, and some of these properties may currently contain abandoned underground storage tanks. We do not believe that we have contributed to the contamination at any of our properties. It is possible that petroleum products and other contaminants may have been released at or migrated beneath our properties into or through the soil or groundwater. Under applicable federal and state environmental laws, we, as the current owner or operator of these sites, may be jointly and severally liable for the costs of investigation and remediation of any contamination. While we seek to obtain certain assurances relating to environmental issues at the properties that we purchase from the prior owners of the properties or from third parties, there can be no assurances that we will not be liable for environmental conditions relating to our prior, existing or future restaurants or restaurant sites. If we are found liable for the costs of remediation of contamination at any of these properties, our operating expenses would likely increase and our operating results would be materially adversely affected.

Governmental regulation

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting the operation of our business, as are our franchisees, including various health, sanitation, fire and safety standards. Each of our restaurants and pie production facilities is subject to licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities, which include zoning, health, safety, environmental, sanitation, building and fire agencies in the jurisdiction in which the restaurant is located. We are also subject to the rules and regulations of the Federal Trade Commission and various state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. In addition, all of our restaurants located in California and some of our restaurants in the Midwest sell beer and wine. As a result, we are required to comply with applicable alcohol licensing requirements and alcoholic beverage control regulations.

We also are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and various federal and state laws governing such matters as minimum wages, overtime and other working conditions. A significant portion of our hourly staff is paid at rates consistent with the applicable federal or state minimum wage and, accordingly, increases in the minimum wage will increase our labor cost.

The federal Americans with Disability Act prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in public accommodations and employment. We are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and regulations relating to accommodating the needs of the disabled in connection with the construction of new facilities and with significant renovations of existing facilities.

Employees

As of November 2, 2006, we had 12,789 employees, consisting of 7,423 part-time employees and 5,366 full-time employees. We employ 173 employees at our corporate headquarters. Our employees are not covered by any collective bargaining

9




agreement, and we consider our employee relations to be good. In 2003, employees at one of our pie manufacturing facilities conducted an election to unionize our 138 employees at that facility. This effort was unsuccessful; however, our employees could engage in future unionization efforts that may succeed.

Item 1a.                  Risk Factors.

Risk factors related to our business

Our level of indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from meeting our obligations under our indebtedness.

We are significantly leveraged. The following chart shows our level of indebtedness and certain other information as of November 2, 2006:

(In millions)

 

As of
November 2,
2006

 

Senior secured credit facility

 

 

 

Revolving credit facility(1)

 

$

12.6

 

Term loan

 

15.0

 

10 ½% senior unsecured notes

 

126.5

 

Unamortized original issue discount

 

(1.0

)

Capitalized leases

 

0.2

 

Other debt

 

0.8

 

Total indebtedness (2)

 

$

154.1

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

$

63.3

 


(1)             Does not include $7.4 million of outstanding letters of credit that were issued under the senior secured revolving credit facility as of November 2, 2006. We are able to borrow under the senior secured revolving credit facility the lesser of (a) $30.0 million and (b) 1.2 times trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the senior secured credit facility) minus the original principal amount of our senior secured term loan.  As of November 2, 2006, we had the ability to borrow the full $30 million, less the amount of outstanding letters of credit under the senior secured revolving credit facility, or $10.0 million.

(2)             Does not include deemed landlord financing liability.

Our substantial degree of leverage could have important consequences, including the following:

·                  it may limit our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing for working capital, capital expenditures, new restaurant development, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes;

·                  a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations must be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness and is not available for other purposes, including our operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities;

·                  the debt service requirements of our other indebtedness could make it more difficult for us to make payments on our indebtedness;

·                  certain of our borrowings, including borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, are at variable rates of interest, exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates;

·                  it may limit our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and

·                  we may be vulnerable in a downturn in general economic conditions or in our business, or we may be unable to carry out capital spending that is important to our growth.

 

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We may have difficulty implementing our expansion strategy.

Our ability to open new restaurants is dependent upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including our ability to:

·                  find suitable locations;

·                  reach acceptable agreements regarding the lease or purchase of prospective locations for our restaurants;

·                  comply with applicable zoning, land use and environmental regulations;

·                  raise or have available an adequate amount of money for construction and opening costs;

·                  hire, train and retain the skilled management and other employees necessary to meet staffing needs in a timely and cost-effective manner;

·                  obtain required permits and approvals; and

·                  efficiently manage the amount of time and money used to build and open each new restaurant.

Historically, there is a “ramp-up” period of time before a new restaurant location achieves its targeted level of performance. This phenomenon is due to higher operating costs caused by start-up and other temporary inefficiencies associated with opening new restaurants, such as lack of market familiarity and acceptance when we enter new markets and lack of experienced staff. We may not be able to attract enough customers to new restaurants because potential customers may be unfamiliar with our restaurants or our restaurants’ atmosphere or menus might not appeal to them.

We may not be able to open new restaurants profitably, which could negatively affect our growth strategy.

We have historically added, and plan to continue to add, new restaurants through new construction, acquisitions and conversions. We have traditionally used cash flow from operations and sale-leaseback transactions as the primary funding sources for additional restaurants. We cannot guarantee that our cash flows will be sufficient to achieve the desired development levels if our revenues, profitability or cash flow from operations decline. Opening a new restaurant in an existing market also could reduce the revenue of our existing restaurants in that market.

Our restaurants may not be able to compete successfully with other restaurants.

We operate in a highly competitive industry. Price, restaurant location, food quality and type, service and attractiveness of facilities are important aspects of competition in the restaurant industry, and the competitive environment is often affected by factors beyond a particular restaurant management’s control, including changes in the public’s taste and eating habits, population, traffic patterns and general economic conditions. Competitive pressures may have the effect of limiting our ability to increase prices, which may adversely affect our operating earnings. This competitive environment makes it more difficult for us to continue to provide high levels of service while maintaining our reputation for value without adversely affecting operating margins. Additionally, to the extent we raise prices, our customer traffic may decline. Our restaurants compete with a large number of other restaurants, including national and regional restaurant chains and franchised restaurant operations, as well as independently owned restaurants, for customers, restaurant locations, qualified management and other restaurant staff. Many of our competitors have greater financial and other resources than we have. In addition, the restaurant industry has few non-economic barriers to entry, and therefore new competitors may emerge at any time. We may not be able to compete successfully against our competitors in the future, and competition may have a material adverse effect on our operations.

The success of our restaurants is highly dependent on their location.

The success of our company-operated and franchised restaurants is significantly influenced by location. There can be no assurance that our current locations will continue to be attractive, as demographic patterns change and the economic conditions where our restaurants are located could change. The success of new restaurants that we open will be substantially dependent on the locations that we select and the availability of desirable locations.

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We are vulnerable to fluctuations in the cost, availability and quality of our ingredients.

The cost, availability and quality of the ingredients we use to prepare our food are subject to a range of factors, many of which are beyond our control. We depend on frequent deliveries of fresh ingredients, thereby subjecting us to the risk of shortages or interruptions in supply. Fluctuations in economic and political conditions, weather and demand could adversely affect the cost of our ingredients. Our efforts to pass along price increases may be subject to delays associated with our cycle of updating our menus. We have no control over fluctuations in the price of commodities, and we may be unable to pass through cost increases to our customers. For example, we did not pass on to our customers the 75% increase in the price of eggs (one of our largest food costs) which occurred during the 2004 fiscal year. We currently do not enter into futures contracts with respect to potential price fluctuations in the cost of food and other supplies, which we purchase at prevailing market or contracted prices. Although we at times enter into arrangements locking in the price of certain ingredients for a specified period of time, we typically do not rely on long-term written contracts with our suppliers. Our suppliers could implement significant price increases. All of these factors could adversely affect our financial results.

We depend heavily on our suppliers and distributors.

We currently purchase our raw materials from various suppliers. Most of our suppliers drop-ship directly to our pie production facilities. Our reliance on our suppliers subjects us to a number of risks, including possible delays or interruptions in delivery of supplies, diminished control over quality and a potential lack of adequate raw material capacity. If any of these suppliers do not perform adequately or otherwise fail to distribute products or supplies to our restaurants or pie production facilities, we may be unable to replace the suppliers in a short period of time on acceptable terms. For example, labor disputes at any of our suppliers could result in those suppliers being unable to provide us with raw materials or supplies that we depend upon to run our business. Our inability to replace the suppliers in a short period of time on acceptable terms could increase our costs and could cause shortages at our restaurants or pie production facilities of food and other items.

We depend on our distribution system to distribute our food products to our restaurant locations. If there is any disruption in our distribution system, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Food-borne illness incidents, claims of food-borne illness and adverse publicity could reduce our restaurant sales.

Claims of illness or injury relating to food quality or food handling are common in the food service industry, and a number of these claims may exist at any given time. We cannot guarantee that our internal controls and training will be effective in preventing all food-borne illnesses. Some food-borne illness incidents could be caused by third-party food suppliers and transporters outside of our control. New illnesses resistant to our current precautions may develop in the future, or diseases with long incubation periods could arise, such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (also known as Mad Cow Disease), that could give rise to claims or allegations on a retroactive basis. We could be adversely affected by negative publicity resulting from food quality or handling claims at one or more of our restaurants. Food-borne illnesses spread at restaurants have generated significant negative publicity at other restaurant chains in the past, which has had a negative impact on their results of operations. One or more instances of food-borne illness in one of our restaurants could negatively affect our restaurants’ image and sales. These risks exist even if it were later determined that an illness was wrongly attributed to one of our restaurants.

In addition, the impact of adverse publicity relating to one of our restaurants may extend beyond that restaurant to affect some or all of our other restaurants. The risk of negative publicity is particularly great with respect to our franchised restaurants because we have limited ability to control their operations, especially on a real-time basis. A similar risk exists with respect to unrelated food service businesses if customers mistakenly associate them with our operations.

We face the risk of litigation in connection with our operations.

We are from time to time the subject of complaints or litigation from our consumers alleging illness, injury or other food quality, health or operational concerns. Adverse publicity resulting from these allegations may materially adversely affect us, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately held liable. In addition, employee claims against us based on, among other things, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination or wage, rest break and meal break issues, including those relating to overtime compensation, may divert our financial and management resources that would otherwise be used to benefit the future performance of our operations. We have been subject to such claims from time to time.

We settled two class action claims in California related to overtime and wage payments in June 2005 for an aggregate

12




payment of up to $6.5 million, subject to the following partial indemnification.  We filed a suit in December 2004 in Cook County, Illinois, seeking indemnification for damages related to this litigation under the Purchase Agreement dated June 14, 2003, pursuant to which VICORP Restaurants, Inc., was acquired, in addition to assertion of other claims.  The former shareholders of Midway Investors Holdings Inc. filed a similar action in December 2004 in Superior Court in Massachusetts.  Through our parent company, VI Acquisition Corp., an agreement to settle claims brought in both of these actions was finalized and VI Acquisition Corp. received a settlement payment in December 2005 of $2.65 million.  The ultimate cost to settle the two class actions was reduced to $5.3 million.

We are currently defendants in two class action claims in California.  The first class action was brought in March 2006 by two former managers and alleges that we violated California law with regard to unpaid overtime, compensation for missed meals and rest periods, civil penalties for failure to provide itemized wage statements, failure to provide notice on paychecks where paychecks may be cashed without any fees, and unfair business practices.  The classes and subclasses alleged in the action have not been certified by the court at the current stage of the litigation but generally are claimed to be persons who have been employed since February 1, 2005, in the position of restaurant managers, persons who have been employed in California since March 15, 2002, in any capacity who received a payroll check in California, and all restaurant managers who  have ended their employment with VICORP prior to the effective date of any settlement, judgment, or other resolution of the action.  No dollar amount in damages is requested in the Complaint and the Complaint seeks statutory damages, and attorneys’ fees in an unspecified amount.

The second class action was brought in April 2006 by a former employee and alleges that VICORP violated California laws with regard to failure to pay vested vacation pay and unfair business practices.  The class alleged is any person who has been employed by us in California at any time from four years prior to the filing of the class action to date of trial.  No dollar amount in damages is requested in the Complaint and the Complaint seeks attorneys’ fees in an unspecified amount.  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, The Company established a liability of $600,000 relating to this action.

Our operating results may fluctuate significantly due to the seasonality of our business and weather conditions.

Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations that may vary depending upon the region in which a particular restaurant is located. In addition, the sales of our pies typically increase during holiday periods, in particular during November and December of each year, and decrease significantly following holiday periods. Accordingly, results for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other quarter or for any year. Adverse weather conditions can also negatively impact our financial results. For example, unusually cold temperatures or above-average rainfall tends to adversely affect sales in affected markets. These fluctuations can make it more difficult for us to predict accurately and address in a timely manner factors that may have a negative impact on our business.

We may incur additional costs or liabilities and lose revenues and profits as a result of government regulation.

Our business is subject to extensive federal, state and local government regulation, including regulations related to the preparation and sale of food, the sale of alcoholic beverages, the use of tobacco, zoning and building codes, land use and employee, health, sanitation and safety matters. One or more of our restaurants could be subject to litigation and governmental fine, censure or closure in connection with issues relating to our food and/or our facilities. Our franchise operations are also subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission. We and our franchisees must also comply with state franchising laws and a wide range of other state and local rules and regulations applicable to our business. The failure to comply with federal, state and local rules and regulations could impair our ability to continue operating our business.

All of our restaurants located in California and some of our restaurants in the Midwest sell beer and wine. Typically, each restaurant’s license to sell alcoholic beverages must be renewed annually and may be suspended or revoked at any time for cause. Alcoholic beverage control regulations relate to various aspects of daily operations of our restaurants, including the minimum age of patrons and employees, hours of operation, advertising, wholesale purchasing and inventory control, handling and storage.

Our restaurants that sell beer and wine are also subject to “dram shop” laws, which allow a person to sue us if that person was injured by a legally intoxicated person who was wrongfully served alcoholic beverages at one of our restaurants. A judgment against us under a dram shop law could exceed our liability insurance coverage policy limits and could result in substantial liability for us and have a material adverse effect on our profitability.

To the extent that governmental regulations impose material additional obligations on our suppliers, including, without limitation, regulations relating to the inspection or preparation of meat, food and other products used in our business, product availability could be limited and the prices that our suppliers charge us could increase. The costs of operating our restaurants

13




may also increase if there are changes in laws and regulations such as those governing access for the disabled, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. If any of these costs increased and we were unable to offset the increase by increasing our menu prices or by other means, we would generate lower profits, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. See “Business—Governmental regulation.”

We may be locked into long-term and non-cancelable leases that we want to cancel, and may be unable to renew leases that we want to extend at the end of their terms.

Many of our current leases are non-cancelable and typically have terms ranging from 15 to 20 years and renewal options for terms ranging from five to 20 years. It is likely that leases we enter into in the future will also be long-term and non-cancelable and have similar renewal options. If we close a restaurant, we may remain committed to perform our obligations under the applicable lease, which would include, among other things, payment of the base rent for the balance of the lease term. As of November 2, 2006, we were responsible for lease payments at 4 closed restaurant locations. Additionally, the potential losses associated with our inability to cancel leases may result in our keeping open restaurant locations that are performing significantly below targeted levels. As a result, ongoing lease operations at closed or underperforming restaurant locations could impair our results of operations.

In addition, at the end of the lease term and any renewal period for a restaurant, we may be unable to renew the lease without substantial additional cost, if at all. As a result, we may be required to close or relocate a restaurant, which could subject us to construction and other costs and risks, and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Changing consumer preferences and discretionary spending patterns could have an adverse effect on our business.

Food service businesses are often affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional and local economic conditions and demographic trends. Factors such as traffic patterns, local demographics and the type, number and location of competing restaurants may adversely affect the performance of individual locations. In addition, inflation and increased food and energy costs may harm the restaurant industry in general and our locations in particular. Adverse changes in any of these factors could reduce consumer traffic or impose practical limits on pricing, which could harm our business. Our continued success will depend in part on our ability to anticipate, identify and respond to changing consumer preferences and economic conditions.

The success of our restaurants is significantly influenced by the attractiveness and condition of our facilities. We periodically update the exterior and interior of our locations. If we temporarily close a restaurant for renovation, we will lose the revenue that the restaurant would otherwise receive had it remained open. In addition, renovated restaurants may also experience a significant reduction in revenue after they reopen if our existing customers change their dining habits as a result of the temporary closing of the restaurants.

In addition, our business may be adversely affected by laws restricting smoking in restaurants, particularly in areas where smoking is only allowed in restaurants that serve alcohol, since most of our restaurants do not serve alcohol. Adverse changes involving any of these factors could further reduce our guest traffic and impose practical limits on pricing, which could further reduce our revenues and operating income.

If we make acquisitions in the future, we may experience assimilation problems and dissipation of management resources, and we may need to incur additional indebtedness.

Our future growth may be a function, in part, of acquisitions of other restaurants. To the extent that we grow through acquisitions, we will face the operational and financial risks commonly encountered with that type of a strategy. We would also face operational risks, such as failing to assimilate the operations and personnel of the acquired businesses, disrupting our ongoing business, dissipating our limited management resources and impairing relationships with employees and customers of the acquired business as a result of changes in ownership and management. Additionally, we may incur additional indebtedness to finance future acquisitions, as permitted under our senior secured credit facility and our indenture, in which case we would also face certain financial risks associated with the incurrence of this indebtedness, such as reductions in our liquidity, access to capital markets and financial stability.

Any prolonged disruption in our pie manufacturing business could harm our business.

We operate three pie manufacturing plants which produce pies for Bakers Square and Village Inn as well as third-party customers. Any prolonged disruption in the operations of any of these plants, whether as a result of technical or labor difficulties, destruction or damage to the facilities or other reasons, could result in increased costs and reduced revenues, and

14




our relationships with third-party customers could be harmed.

We rely in part on our franchisees.

We rely in part on our Village Inn franchisees and the manner in which they operate their locations to develop, promote and operate our Village Inn business. Our Village Inn franchises generated revenues to us of $5.1 million during the 2006 fiscal year. Although we have developed criteria to evaluate and screen prospective franchisees, there can be no assurance that franchisees will have the business acumen or financial resources necessary to operate successful franchises in their franchise areas. The failure of franchisees to operate franchises successfully could have a material adverse effect on Village Inn’s reputation and its brands. While we try to ensure that the quality of the Village Inn brand is maintained by all of our franchisees, franchisees could take actions that adversely affect the value of our intellectual property or reputation.

We could face labor shortages that could slow our growth and increase our labor costs.

Our success depends in part upon our ability to attract, motivate and retain qualified employees, including restaurant managers, kitchen staff and servers, in quantities sufficient to keep pace with our expansion schedule and meet the needs of our existing restaurants. A sufficient number of qualified individuals of the requisite caliber to fill these positions may be in short supply in some areas. Additionally, competition for qualified employees could require us to pay higher wages, which could result in higher labor costs. Any future inability to recruit and retain qualified individuals may delay the planned openings of new restaurants and could adversely impact our existing restaurants. Any such delays, any material increases in employee turnover rates in existing restaurants or any widespread employee dissatisfaction could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Additionally, any labor disruption resulting from unionization efforts or otherwise could result in increased costs and reduced revenues. In 2003, employees at one of our pie manufacturing facilities conducted an election to unionize our workforce of 138 employees at that facility. This effort was unsuccessful; however, future unionization efforts could result in our being subject to collective bargaining agreements that are on terms that are not as economically attractive as our current arrangements with our employees.

Changes in employment laws may adversely affect our business.

Various federal and state labor laws govern our relationship with our employees and affect operating costs. These laws include minimum wage requirements, overtime and tip credits, working conditions, unemployment tax rates, workers’ compensation rates and citizenship requirements. Significant additional government-imposed increases in the following areas could materially affect our results of operations:

·                  minimum wages;

·                  mandated health benefits;

·                  paid leaves of absence;

·                  tax reporting; or

·                  revisions in the tax payment requirements for employees who receive gratuities.

We may not be able to protect our trademarks, service marks, logos and other proprietary rights.

We believe that our trademarks, service marks, logos and other proprietary rights are important to our success and our competitive position. Accordingly, we protect our trademarks, service marks, logos and proprietary rights. However, the actions taken by us may be inadequate to prevent imitation of our products and concepts by others or to prevent others from claiming violations of their trademarks, service marks, logos and proprietary rights by us. In addition, our intellectual property rights may not have the value that we believe they have. If we are unsuccessful in protecting our intellectual property rights, or if another party prevails in litigation against us relating to our intellectual property rights, we may incur significant costs and may be required to change certain aspects of our operations.

We face risks associated with environmental laws.

We are subject to federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances that:

15




·                  govern activities or operations that may have adverse environmental effects, such as discharges to air and water, as well as handling and disposal practices for solid and hazardous wastes; and

·                  impose liability for the costs of cleaning up, and certain damages resulting from, sites of past spills, disposals or other releases of hazardous materials.

In particular, under applicable environmental laws, we may be responsible for remediation of environmental conditions and may be subject to associated liabilities resulting from lawsuits brought by private litigants, relating to our restaurants and the land on which our restaurants are located, regardless of whether we lease or own the restaurants or land in question and regardless of whether such environmental conditions were created by us or by a prior owner or tenant. Some of our properties are located on or adjacent to sites that we know or suspect to have been used by prior owners or operators as retail gas stations or industrial facilities. Such properties previously contained underground storage tanks, and some of these properties may currently contain abandoned underground storage tanks. It is possible that petroleum products and other contaminants may have been released at or migrated beneath our properties into or through the soil or groundwater. Under applicable federal and state environmental laws, we, as the current owner or operator of these sites, may be jointly and severally liable for the costs of investigation and remediation of any contamination. If we are found liable for the costs of remediation of contamination at any of these properties, our operating expenses would likely increase and our operating results could be materially adversely affected. Environmental conditions relating to our prior, existing or future restaurants or restaurant sites could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We depend on the services of key executives, the loss of whom could materially harm our business.

Our senior executives are important to our success because they have been instrumental in setting our strategic direction, operating our business, identifying, recruiting and training key personnel, identifying expansion opportunities and arranging necessary financing. Losing the services of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business until a suitable replacement could be found. See “Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.”

We are controlled by affiliates of Wind Point.

As a result of their control of VI Acquisition Corp., which is our parent, investment funds affiliated with Wind Point have the power to elect a majority of our directors, to appoint members of management, to approve all actions requiring the approval of the holders of our common stock, including adopting amendments to our certificate of incorporation and approving mergers, acquisitions or sales of all or substantially all of our assets, and to direct our operations.

The interests of Wind Point may not in all cases be aligned with the interests of our other equity holders and the holders of our indebtedness. For example, if we encounter financial difficulties or are unable to pay our debts as they mature, the interests of Wind Point as a holder of equity might conflict with the interests of our other equity holders and the holders of our indebtedness. Wind Point also may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings or other transactions that, in its judgment, could enhance its equity investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to other equity holders and the holders of our indebtedness.

We have two independent directors (as defined under the federal securities laws) on our Board of Directors and, as a result, our Board of Directors and Audit Committee have not met, and do not meet, the standard “independence” requirements that would be applicable if our equity securities were traded on the NASDAQ National Market or the New York Stock Exchange.

Item 1b.                  Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2.                    Properties.

We own our executive offices consisting of approximately 93,050 square feet in Denver, Colorado. In addition, we own two pie production facilities, each with approximately 63,000 square feet, located in Chaska, Minnesota and Oak Forest, Illinois, and we lease a pie production facility consisting of approximately 68,000 square feet located in Santa Fe Springs, California. We believe that our current office and operating space is suitable and adequate for its intended purposes and that we have the ability to increase production at our pie production facilities without significant capital expenditures.

Our restaurants for both Village Inn and Bakers Square provide seating capacity for approximately 120 to 180 customers and typically average around 5,000 square feet. We currently own the land and building at eight of our restaurant properties. The

16




rest of our company-operated restaurants are leased, in whole or in part.

We also lease 10 restaurants that we sublease to franchisees and lease four restaurants that we sublease to others. All of our other franchise restaurants are leased or owned directly by the respective franchisees.   As of November 2, 2006, we owned no idle property.

Our senior secured credit facility is secured by a lien on all of our assets, including our real properties.

Locations.  As of November 2, 2006, we and our franchisees operated 404 restaurants as follows:

Village Inn restaurants:

State of operation

 

Number of
company-
operated
restaurants

 

Number of
franchised
restaurants

 

Total
number of
restaurants

 

Alaska

 

 

3

 

3

 

Arizona

 

29

 

 

29

 

Arkansas

 

 

4

 

4

 

Colorado

 

38

 

16

 

54

 

Florida

 

16

 

15

 

31

 

Illinois

 

2

 

1

 

3

 

Iowa

 

18

 

4

 

22

 

Kansas

 

 

10

 

10

 

Minnesota

 

 

3

 

3

 

Missouri

 

 

3

 

3

 

Nebraska

 

19

 

3

 

22

 

New Mexico

 

10

 

5

 

15

 

North Dakota

 

 

2

 

2

 

Oklahoma

 

5

 

 

5

 

Oregon

 

1

 

3

 

4

 

Texas

 

9

 

8

 

17

 

Utah

 

14

 

2

 

16

 

Virginia

 

 

1

 

1

 

Washington

 

 

3

 

3

 

Wyoming

 

 

9

 

9

 

Total

 

161

 

95

 

256

 

 

Bakers Square restaurants:

State of operation

 

Number of
company-
operated
restaurants

 

Number of
franchised
restaurants

 

Total
number of
restaurants

 

California

 

47

 

 

47

 

Illinois

 

47

 

 

47

 

Indiana

 

4

 

 

4

 

Iowa

 

3

 

 

3

 

Michigan

 

7

 

 

7

 

Minnesota

 

25

 

 

25

 

Ohio

 

7

 

 

7

 

Wisconsin

 

8

 

 

8

 

Total

 

148

 

 

148

 

 

Lease expirations

In fiscal 2007, leases for 22 of our properties are scheduled to expire.  Of these expiring leases, we plan to exercise options to extend the lease term on 19 properties.  Of the three leases we expect to let expire, these are associated with currently operating restaurants which will close.

 

17




Item 3.                    Legal proceedings.

We are parties to lawsuits, revenue agent reviews by taxing authorities and legal proceedings, of which the majority involve workers’ compensation, employment practices liability and general liability claims arising in the ordinary course of business.

We settled two class action claims in California related to overtime and wage payments in June 2005 for an aggregate payment of up to $6.5 million, subject to the following partial indemnification.  We filed a suit in December 2004 in Cook County, Illinois, seeking indemnification for damages related to this litigation under the Purchase Agreement dated June 14, 2003, pursuant to which VICORP Restaurants, Inc., was acquired, in addition to assertion of other claims.  The former shareholders of Midway Investors Holdings Inc. filed a similar action in December 2004 in Superior Court in Massachusetts.  Through our parent company, VI Acquisition Corp., an agreement to settle claims brought in both of these actions was finalized and VI Acquisition Corp. received a settlement payment in December 2005 of $2.65 million.  The ultimate cost to settle the two class actions was reduced to $5.3 million.

We are currently defendants in two class action claims in California.  The first class action was brought in March 2006 by two former managers and alleges that we violated California law with regard to unpaid overtime, compensation for missed meals and rest periods, civil penalties for failure to provide itemized wage statements, failure to provide notice on paychecks where paychecks may be cashed without any fees, and unfair business practices.  The classes and subclasses alleged in the action have not been certified by the court at the current stage of the litigation but generally are claimed to be persons who have been employed since February 1, 2005, in the position of restaurant managers, persons who have been employed in California since March 15, 2002, in any capacity who received a payroll check in California, and all restaurant managers who  have ended their employment with the Company prior to the effective date of any settlement, judgment, or other resolution of the action.  No dollar amount in damages is requested in the Complaint and the Complaint seeks statutory damages, and attorneys’ fees in an unspecified amount.

The second class action was brought in April 2006 by a former employee and alleges that the Company violated California laws with regard to failure to pay vested vacation pay and unfair business practices.  The class alleged is any person who has been employed by us in California at any time from four years prior to the filing of the class action to date of trial.  No dollar amount in damages is requested in the Complaint and the Complaint seeks attorneys’ fees in an unspecified amount.  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company established a liability of $600,000 relating to this action.

We believe that these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition, and that established reserves adequately provide for the estimated resolution of these claims. However, a significant increase in the number of these claims or an increase in the number of successful claims would materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

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

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders of the Company during the fiscal year covered by this report.

PART II

Item 5.                                                           Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

Our outstanding common stock is privately held and is not traded on any public market. A majority of our outstanding common stock, as of the date of this filing, was owned by affiliates of our sponsor, Wind Point Partners.  See “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

Item 6.                    Selected Financial Data.

The table below presents selected historical consolidated financial data. The selected historical consolidated financial data for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2004, the fiscal year ended November 3, 2005 and the fiscal year ended November 2, 2006 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. The selected historical consolidated financial data for the fiscal year ended October 27, 2002 and the period from October 28, 2002 to June 13, 2003, and the period from June 14, 2003 to October 26, 2003 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements for those periods not included elsewhere herein.

On May 14, 2001, Midway Investors Holdings Inc. purchased VICORP Restaurants, Inc., which was a publicly owned company prior to the acquisition. On June 14, 2003, VI Acquisition Corp. purchased Midway Investors Holdings Inc. Neither of these holding companies has had any independent operations, and consequently the consolidated statements of operations of VI Acquisition Corp. and Midway Investors Holdings Inc. are substantially equivalent to those of VICORP

18




Restaurants, Inc. However, as a result of applying the required purchase accounting rules to these acquisitions, our financial statements for periods following the transactions were significantly affected. The application of purchase accounting rules required us to revalue our assets and liabilities at the two respective acquisition dates which resulted in different accounting bases being applied in different periods. As a result of these changes, the summary financial information presented below relate to the entity specified below for the following periods:

Fiscal year ended October 27, 2002

 

Midway Investors Holdings Inc.

October 28, 2002 to June 13, 2003

 

Midway Investors Holdings Inc.

June 14, 2003 to October 26, 2003

 

VI Acquisition Corp.

Fiscal year ended October 28, 2004

 

VI Acquisition Corp.

Fiscal year ended November 3, 2005

 

VI Acquisition Corp.

Fiscal year ended November 2, 2006

 

VI Acquisition Corp.

 

The following data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

19




 

 

 

VI Acquisition Corp.

 

Midway Investors
Holdings Inc.

 

(In thousands)

 

Fiscal year
ended
November 2,
2006

 

Fiscal year
ended
November 3,
2005

 

Fiscal year
ended
October 28,
2004

 

Period from
June 14,
2003 to
October 26,
2003

 

Period from
October 28,
2002 to
June 13,
2003

 

Fiscal year
ended
October 27,
2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income statement data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant operations

 

$

425,185

 

$

407,424

 

$

394,667

 

$

138,696

 

$

243,157

 

$

377,630

 

Franchise operations

 

5,058

 

5,280

 

5,057

 

1,916

 

3,448

 

5,796

 

Manufacturing operations

 

36,065

 

26,641

 

31,796

 

12,378

 

18,726

 

20,754

 

Total revenues

 

466,308

 

439,345

 

431,520

 

152,990

 

265,331

 

404,180

 

Cost and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food

 

108,774

 

105,575

 

103,604

 

35,800

 

64,108

 

101,218

 

Labor

 

141,876

 

132,000

 

127,251

 

45,500

 

79,016

 

122,850

 

Other operating expenses(1)

 

126,415

 

112,204

 

105,043

 

38,161

 

62,067

 

94,336

 

Franchise operating expenses

 

2,148

 

2,181

 

2,311

 

978

 

1,583

 

3,092

 

Manufacturing operating expenses

 

35,350

 

24,809

 

32,322

 

12,899

 

19,432

 

21,518

 

General and administrative expenses

 

29,417

 

29,602

 

27,028

 

10,048

 

17,802

 

28,914

 

Litigation settlement expenses

 

600

 

(408

)

3,168

 

 

 

 

Employee severance

 

40

 

600

 

286

 

297

 

 

 

Transaction expenses(2)

 

 

15

 

125

 

1,226

 

9,436

 

279

 

Management fees

 

850

 

850

 

1,159

 

185

 

674

 

1,000

 

Loss on disposition of assets

 

1,395

 

110

 

438

 

141

 

237

 

88

 

Asset impairments

 

1,381

 

 

1,101

 

 

96

 

 

Operating profit

 

18,062

 

31,807

 

27,684

 

7,755

 

10,880

 

30,885

 

Interest expense

 

(29,976

)

(28,951

)

(26,787

)

(9,719

)

(11,353

)

(19,312

)

Debt extinguishment costs(2)

 

 

 

(6,856

)

 

(6,516

)

 

Other income, net

 

586

 

745

 

522

 

147

 

433

 

787

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(11,328

)

3,601

 

(5,437

)

(1,817

)

(6,556

)

12,360

 

Provision for income taxes (benefit)

 

(3,457

)

138

 

(2,912

)

(1,235

)

(3,139

)

3,882

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(7,871

)

$

3,463

 

$

(2,525

)

$

(582

)

$

(3,417

)

$

8,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet data (at end of period):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,938

 

$

2,099

 

$

1,332

 

$

5,326

 

$

9,036

 

$

16,021

 

Working deficit(3)

 

(12,688

)

(10,708

)

(16,348

)

(25,679

)

(61,111

)

(14,758

)

Total assets

 

395,242

 

412,265

 

384,127

 

376,939

 

270,553

 

276,248

 

Total debt(4)

 

154,168

 

147,261

 

141,918

 

143,169

 

80,611

 

91,700

 

Deemed landlord financing liability

 

108,033

 

132,038

 

114,670

 

108,140

 

92,209

 

89,305

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

63,347

 

71,871

 

68,045

 

69,588

 

5,592

 

45,735

 

Cash flow and other financial data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net rent expense:(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net rent expense, less amortization of rent- related purchase accounting adjustments

 

23,277

 

18,343

 

17,387

 

6,012

 

10,093

 

14,615

 

Amortization of rent-related purchase accounting adjustments

 

1,140

 

1,582

 

1,597

 

614

 

(222

)

(301

)

Capital expenditures(6)

 

24,699

 

21,081

 

16,006

 

9,573

 

9,904

 

10,599

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

22,184

 

20,482

 

18,962

 

6,869

 

11,215

 

19,059

 

Cash flow from operating activities

 

17,890

 

24,490

 

25,121

 

5,820

 

12,243

 

28,657

 

Cash flow from investing activities

 

(36,375

)

(38,871

)

(23,766

)

(154,261

)

(13,743

)

(10,278

)

Cash flow from financing activities

 

18,324

 

15,148

 

(5,349

)

144,731

 

(5,485

)

(7,926

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(7)

 

0.7 x

 

1.1 x

 

0.8 x

 

0.9 x

 

0.7 x

 

1.4 x

 

Operating data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Village Inn company-operated locations (at end of period)

 

161

 

135

 

121

 

118

 

117

 

109

 

Bakers Square company-operated locations (at end of period)

 

148

 

152

 

150

 

149

 

148

 

148

 

Village Inn franchised locations (at end of period)

 

95

 

100

 

103

 

105

 

106

 

115

 

Change in same unit sales—Village Inn

 

(1.9

)%

0.9

%

2.2

%

0.4

%

(0.2

)%

0.2

%

Change in same unit sales—Bakers Square

 

(2.3

)%

(3.1

)%

(1.0

)%

(4.7

)%

(1.3

)%

1.8

%

Change in total same unit sales

 

(2.1

)%

(1.3

)%

0.4

%

(2.6

)%

(0.8

)%

1.1

%


(1)             Other operating expense consists primarily of rent, utilities, depreciation, marketing expenses, supplies, repairs and maintenance, insurance expenses and workers’ compensation costs.

20




(2)             We incurred various expenses directly related to the June 2003 acquisitions of the predecessor companies. The components of the transaction expenses are as follows (there were no transaction or debt related costs incurred in fiscal 2006):

 

 

VI Acquisition Corp.

 

Midway Investors Holdings Inc.

 

(In thousands)

 

Fiscal year
ended
November 3,
2005

 

Fiscal year
ended
October 28,
2004

 

Period from
June 14,
2003 to
October 26,
2003

 

Period from
October 28,
2002 to
June 13,
2003

 

Fiscal year
ended
October 27,
2002

 

Transaction expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employment contract termination and stock compensation(a)

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,574

 

$

 

Legal, accounting and other professional fees

 

15

 

75

 

49

 

3,862

 

279

 

Severance costs(b)

 

 

 

1,177

 

 

 

Legal settlements

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

Total transaction expenses

 

$

15

 

$

125

 

$

1,226

 

$

9,436

 

$

279

 

Debt extinguishment costs:(c)(d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt prepayment penalties

 

$

 

$

2,305

 

$

 

$

1,298

 

$

 

Write-off of deferred debt financing costs

 

 

4,344

 

 

3,322

 

 

Derivative termination

 

 

207

 

 

1,896

 

 

Total debt extinguishment costs

 

$

 

$

6,856

 

$

 

$

6,516

 

$

 


(a)            In connection with the June 2003 acquisition we paid senior employees a total of $2.1 million to terminate their existing employment contracts and recognized $3.5 million of compensation expense associated with the exercise of stock options.

(b)           We made severance payments totaling $1.2 million, primarily related to our former chief executive officer, pursuant to contractual provisions triggered by the June 2003 acquisition.

(c)            In connection with the June 2003 acquisition, we incurred $6.5 million of debt extinguishment costs, including prepayment penalties of $1.3 million relating to the prepayment of existing debt, $3.3 million of noncash write-offs of unamortized deferred debt financing costs related to prior credit facilities and $1.9 million of costs related to terminating interest rate swaps effected to hedge interest rate risk on existing debt.

(d)           In connection with the April 2004 refinancing, we incurred $6.9 million of debt extinguishment costs, including prepayment penalties of $2.3 million, $4.4 million of noncash write-offs of unamortized deferred financing costs and $0.2 million of costs relating to terminating interest rate swaps.

(3)             Working deficit is defined as current assets less current liabilities.

(4)             Total debt at the end of each of the periods presented represents the following:

Midway Investors Holdings Inc.—Term loan and revolving borrowings outstanding under a senior secured credit facility, subordinated debt (net of original issue discounts), capitalized lease obligations and redeemable preferred stock;

VI Acquisition Corp. (October 26, 2003) —Term loan and revolving borrowings under our prior senior secured credit facility, subordinated debt (net of original issue discounts), capitalized lease obligations and a letter of credit secured by our capital stock; and

VI Acquisition Corp. (October 28, 2004, November 3, 2005 and November 2, 2006) —Senior unsecured notes payable, term loan and revolving borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, subordinated debt (net of original issue

21




discounts) and capitalized lease obligations.  Amounts exclude deemed landlord financing liability.

(5)             Net rent expense includes the effects of recording the known escalations in our rent expense on a straight-line basis over the committed term of the lease. Additionally, net rent expense includes amortization of the fair market rent adjustments which we were required to recognize under purchase accounting at the time of June 2003 acquisitions.

(6)             Capital expenditures include capital spent for new stores, remodeling projects, restaurant maintenance and corporate capital projects.

(7)             For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings represent earnings before income taxes, plus fixed charges (excluding amortization of capitalized interest). Fixed charges include interest expense (including amortization of deferred debt financing costs), capitalized interest and the portion of operating rental expense, which management believes is representative of the interest component of rent expense.

Item 7.                                                           Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Forward-looking statements” and under “Risk factors.” You should read the following discussion in conjunction with “Item 6. Selected financial data” and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Company profile

We operate family-dining restaurants under two well-recognized brands, Village Inn and Bakers Square. As of November 2, 2006, our company, which was founded in 1958, had 404 restaurants in 25 states, consisting of 309 company-operated restaurants and 95 franchised restaurants.  We also produce premium pies at three strategically located facilities that we serve in our restaurants or sell to third parties.

Our Village Inn restaurants are known for serving fresh breakfast items throughout the day, and we have leveraged our breakfast heritage to include traditional American fare at lunch and dinner. Our Bakers Square restaurants have built upon the reputation of our signature pies to offer quality meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our broad offering of affordable menu items is designed to appeal to a demographically diverse customer base, including families, senior citizens and other value-oriented diners.

The following table sets forth the changes to the number of company-operated and franchised restaurants for the periods presented below.

22




 

(Units)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Village Inn company-operated restaurants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

135

 

121

 

118

 

Acquired from franchisee

 

5

 

 

1

 

Openings

 

22

 

14

 

5

 

Conversion to a Bakers Square

 

 

 

(1

)

Closings

 

(1

)

 

(2

)

End of period

 

161

 

135

 

121

 

Bakers Square company-operated restaurants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

152

 

150

 

149

 

Openings

 

 

4

 

3

 

Conversion from a Village Inn

 

 

 

1

 

Closings

 

(4

)

(2

)

(3

)

End of period

 

148

 

152

 

150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total company-operated restaurants

 

309

 

287

 

271

 

Village Inn franchised restaurants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

100

 

103

 

105

 

Openings

 

 

 

 

Acquired by our company

 

(5

)

 

(1

)

Closings

 

 

(3

)

(1

)

End of period

 

95

 

100

 

103

 

Total restaurants

 

404

 

387

 

374

 

 

Our Village Inn and Bakers Square concepts operate in the “family-dining” segment of the full service restaurant category. Full service restaurants offer broad menu choices that are served to patrons by a wait-staff, while restaurants operating in the “limited service” segment serve customers at a counter or through a drive-thru window. We believe the family-dining category has a loyal customer base and stable characteristics. According to Crest/NPD, the growth in the third quarter of 2006 was 2.6% which is the lowest since the third quarter 2003 and is expected to be modest in 2007. In the family-dining category, the average per-person check generally ranges from $8 to $9, and diners in this category are sensitive to changes in price. In 2006, the average per-person check at Village Inn was $8.09 and the average per person check at Bakers Square was $9.39. One of the important elements of our business strategy is to provide our customers with an attractive value by offering quality food at reasonable prices. As a result, we continually strive to maintain and improve the efficiency of our operations.

Management overview

Our restaurant revenues are affected by restaurant openings and closings and same unit sales performance. Same unit sales is a measure of the percentage increase or decrease of the sales of units open at least 18 months relative to the same period in the prior year. Restaurants opened for less than 18 months are excluded in order to allow a new restaurant’s operations and sales time to stabilize and provide more meaningful results.  Same unit sales is an important indicator within the restaurant industry because small changes in same unit sales can have a proportionally higher impact on operating margins because of the high degree of fixed costs associated with operating restaurants.

The Village Inn restaurant count has increased over 36% in the last three years.  We plan to continue to increase the number of Company-operated Village Inn restaurants over the next several years. Within Bakers Square, the restaurant count has decreased one unit over the last three years.   In fiscal 2005 and 2006 we opened four remodeled test units.  We are currently in the process of evaluating performance data to determine the appropriate model for the future Bakers Square units.

Like much of the restaurant industry, we view same unit sales as a key performance metric, at the individual unit level, within regions, across each chain and throughout our company. With our field-level and corporate information systems, we monitor same unit sales on a daily, weekly and four-week period basis from the chain level down to the individual unit level. The primary drivers of same unit sales performance are changes in the average per-person check and changes in the number of customers, or customer count. Average check performance is primarily affected by menu price increases and changes in the purchasing habits of our customers. We also monitor entrée count, exclusive of take-out business, and sales of whole pies, which we believe is indicative of overall customer traffic patterns. To increase average unit sales, we focus marketing and promotional efforts on increasing customer visits and sales of particular products. We also selectively increase prices, but are

23




constrained by the price sensitivity of customers in our market segment and our desire to maintain an attractive price-to-value relationship that is a fundamental characteristic of our concepts. For example, we raised prices in our Bakers Square units in fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2003, and while some unit sales increased in fiscal 2003, guest traffic declined. As a result, we generally have increased prices in line with increases in the consumer price index, and expect to continue to do so in the future. Same unit sales performance is also affected by other factors, such as food quality, the level and consistency of service within our restaurants, the attractiveness and physical condition of our restaurants, as well as local and national economic factors. From fiscal 2002 through fiscal 2006, Village Inn recorded average annual same unit sales growth of 1.5% and Bakers Square recorded an annual same unit sales decline of 8.1%.

As of November 2, 2006, we had 95 franchised Village Inn restaurants in 18 states, operated by 25 franchisees which operate one to eleven restaurants each.  Our revenue attributable to franchise operations, consisting primarily of royalty income has averaged approximately 1% of our total revenues over the last three years. On February 24, 2003, we acquired eight restaurants from a franchisee in Albuquerque, New Mexico for $4.6 million, which subsequently reduced our franchise revenue and increased our company-operated restaurant revenue. Although we may increase franchise revenues by increasing the number of franchised Village Inn restaurants, we expect that our franchise revenues will decline as a percentage of our total revenue as we emphasize growth in the number of company-operated units.  During fiscal 2006 we acquired five restaurants in Oklahoma from a franchisee for $650,000.

In addition to unit sales, the other major factor affecting the performance of our restaurants is the cost associated with operating our restaurants. We monitor and assess these costs principally as a percentage of a restaurant’s revenues, or on a margin basis. The operating margin of a restaurant is the profitability, expressed as a percentage of sales, of the restaurant after accounting for all direct expenses of operating the restaurant. Another key performance metric is the prime margin, which is the profitability, expressed as a percentage of sales, of the restaurants after deducting the two most significant costs, labor and food. Due to the importance of both labor cost and food cost, we closely monitor prime margin from the chain level down to the individual restaurant. We have systems in place at each restaurant to assist the restaurant managers in effectively managing these costs to improve prime margin.

Labor is our largest cost element. The principal drivers of labor cost are wage rates, particularly for the significant number of hourly employees in our restaurants, and the number of labor hours utilized in serving our customers and operating our restaurants, as well as health insurance costs for our employees. Wage rates are largely market driven, with increases to minimum wage rates causing corresponding increases in our pay scales. Differences in minimum wage laws among the various states impact the relative profitability of the restaurants in those states. In May 2005 and again on January 1, 2006, the minimum wage rate for the state of Florida increased.  The state of Oregon’s minimum wage increased in both 2005 and 2006 and the states of Michigan and Wisconsin also increased their minimum wage in 2006.  Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, Oregon, and Albuquerque, New Mexico will all raise their minimum wage rate in 2007.  The federal legislation regarding the minimum wage rate currently is under discussion in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate which would also increase our labor costs.

While the wage rates are largely externally determined, labor utilization within our restaurants is more subject to our control and is closely monitored. We seek to staff each restaurant to provide a high level of service to our customers, without incurring more labor cost than is needed. We have included labor scheduling tools in each of our company-operated restaurants’ back office systems to assist our managers in improving labor utilization. We monitor labor hours actually incurred in relation to sales and customer count on a restaurant- by-restaurant basis throughout each week. We have been able to contain increases to our labor cost as a percentage of restaurant revenues, with those amounts increasing from 32.5% in fiscal 2002 to 33.4% in fiscal 2006 as a result of modifying our internal processes to provide our restaurant managers greater control over employee utilization and overtime.

In managing prime margin, we also focus on percentage food cost, which is food cost expressed as a percentage of total revenues. Our food cost is affected by several factors, including market prices for the food ingredients, our effectiveness at controlling waste and proper portioning, and shifts in our customers’ buying habits between low-food-cost and high-food-cost menu items. Our ReMACS food cost management system within each restaurant measures actual ingredient costs and actual customer product purchases against an “ideal” food cost standard. Ideal food cost is calculated within each restaurant based on the cost of ingredients used, assuming proper portion size, adherence to recipes, limited waste and similar factors. We track variances from ideal food cost within each restaurant and seek to address the causes of such variances; to the extent they are within our control, in order to improve our percentage food cost. In addition, our centralized purchasing department buys a majority of the products used in both Village Inn and Bakers Square (as well as our pie production operations), leveraging the purchasing volumes of our restaurants and our franchisees to obtain favorable prices. We attempt to stabilize potentially volatile prices for certain high-cost ingredients such as chicken, beef, coffee and dairy products for three to twelve month periods by entering into purchase contracts when we believe that this will improve our food cost. We also use “menu

24




engineering” to promote menu items which have a lower percentage food cost. However, we are vulnerable to fluctuations in food costs. Given our customers’ sensitivity to price increases and since we only reprint our full menus every six months, our ability to adjust prices and featured menu items in response to rapidly changing commodity prices is limited.

As a result of our efforts, we lowered our consolidated food cost percentage at our restaurants to 25.6% of total restaurant revenues for fiscal 2006 from 26.8% of total restaurant revenues for fiscal 2002.  Controlling food costs presents ongoing challenges.

Other operating expenses principally include occupancy costs, depreciation, supplies, repairs and maintenance, utility costs, marketing expenses, insurance expenses and workers’ compensation costs. Historically, these costs have increased over time and many are not directly related to the level of sales in our restaurants. We have experienced increases in many of these items throughout the last three fiscal years, particularly utility costs. In order to maintain our operating performance levels, and to address expected cost increases, we will be required to increase efficiency in restaurant operations and increase sales, although there is no assurance that we will be able to offset future cost increases.

Our 2006 financial results included:

·                  Growth of revenues by 6.1% to $466.3 million from 2005 to 2006, reflecting the net addition of 38 company-operated restaurants over the past two years (including the net addition of 22 restaurants during 2006).  Same store sales decreased by 2.1% from 2005 to 2006.

·                  Operating profit decreased to $18.1 million in 2006 from $31.8 million in 2005.  Our 2006 results included increased occupancy, utility and labor charges.

·                  Net income decreased to a net loss of $7.9 million in 2006 from net income of $3.5 million in 2005 as a result of increased other restaurant operating costs and the decline in same store sales.

Factors affecting comparability

On May 14, 2001, Midway Investors Holdings Inc., a newly created holding company, purchased VICORP Restaurants, Inc., which was a publicly owned company prior to the acquisition. On June 14, 2003, VI Acquisition Corp., a newly created holding company, purchased Midway Investors Holdings Inc. Neither of these holding companies has had any independent operations, and consequently the consolidated statements of operations of Midway Investors Holdings Inc. and VI Acquisition Corp. are substantially equivalent. As a result of applying the required purchase accounting rules to these acquisitions, our financial statements for periods following the transactions were significantly affected. The application of purchase accounting rules required us to revalue our assets and liabilities at the two respective acquisition dates, which resulted in different accounting bases being applied in different periods. In particular, occupancy expense increased as existing rent escalator accruals were eliminated as part of purchase accounting and the amount of future rent escalator accruals were recalculated based upon the lease escalator provisions applicable over the remaining life of the leases at each acquisition date. In addition, depreciation expense increased as a result of the increase in the valuation of our assets, which correspondingly increased our depreciable base.  Fiscal years 2004, 2005 and 2006 relate to VI Acquisition Corp.

At the time of each of the two acquisitions, we also sold certain properties under sale-leaseback transactions to help finance the acquisitions. Specifically, we sold 48 properties in May 2001 for an aggregate of $57.2 million and an additional ten properties in June 2003 for an aggregate of $13.9 million. The sale-leaseback transactions have resulted in higher interest expense as a result of recording these transactions under the financing method.

On February 24, 2003, we purchased one of our franchisees which owned and operated eight Village Inn restaurants in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area for $4.6 million. After the acquisition, revenue associated with these restaurants was included in our restaurant revenues, and since the date of the acquisition we have not earned franchise revenues from those units. Please refer to the table above for information on unit openings during the relevant periods. Additionally, we completed a transaction in 2006 with a franchisee in Oklahoma in which we purchased five Village Inn restaurants for $650,000.

Our fiscal year, which historically ended on the last Sunday in October, is comprised of 52 or 53 weeks divided into four fiscal quarters of 12 or 13, 12, 12, and 16 weeks. Fiscal 2005 was comprised of 53 weeks, or 371 days and fiscal 2006 was comprised of 52 weeks, or 364 days.  Beginning January 22, 2004, we changed our fiscal year so that it ends on the Thursday nearest to October 31st of each year. This increased fiscal 2004 by an extra four days. This change was made to facilitate restaurant operations by moving the end of our fiscal periods and weekly reporting and payroll periods away from weekends when our restaurants are busier.

 

25




Critical accounting policies and estimates

In the ordinary course of business, our company makes a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of results of operations and financial condition in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates and assumptions. We believe that the following discussion addresses our most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management judgment about the effect of matters that are uncertain.

On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions, including those related to recoverability of long-lived assets, revenue recognition, goodwill and other intangibles. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable at the time the estimates and assumptions are made. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions under different circumstances or conditions.

We have discussed the development and selection of critical accounting policies and estimates with our audit committee.  The following is a summary of our critical accounting policies and estimates:

Goodwill and other intangibles

To assist in the process of determining goodwill and tradenames impairment for fiscal 2006, the Company engaged an outside firm to perform a valuation analysis. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined using discounted cash flows and market comparisons and recent transactions.  These approaches use significant estimates and assumptions including projected future cash flows (including timing), discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, perpetual growth rate, determination of appropriate market comparables and the determination of whether a premium or discount should be applied to comparables.

Change in accounting estimate

It is the Company’s policy to periodically review the estimated useful lives of its fixed assets. This review during 2006 indicated that actual lives for our building assets were longer than the useful lives used for depreciation purposes in the Company’s financial statements. As a result, the Company revised the estimated useful lives of buildings from 30 years to 45 years. The Company reviewed its own restaurants, as well as using construction industry data and comparable restaurant company estimated lives of building assets. The change was made effective during the third quarter. The Company believes the change more appropriately reflects the remaining useful lives of the assets based upon the nature of the asset. This change has been accounted for prospectively in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principle Board Opinion No. 20: Accounting Changes. The effect of this change was a reduction of approximately $0.5 million to depreciation during fiscal 2006.

Property and equipment, build-to-suit projects and assets under deemed landlord financing liability

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and is depreciated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of such assets or through the applicable lease expiration, if shorter.  Leasehold improvements added subsequent to the inception of a lease are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or a term that includes lease renewals, if such renewals are considered reasonably assured.  The useful lives of assets range from 20 to 45 years for buildings and three to ten years for equipment and improvements. Changes in circumstances such as the closing of units within underproductive markets or changes in our capital structure could result in the actual useful lives of these assets differing from our estimates.

For many of our build-to-suit projects, we are considered the owner of the project during the construction period in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 97-10, “The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction,” because we are deemed to have substantially all of the construction period risk.  At the end of these construction projects, a sale-leaseback could be deemed to occur in certain situations and the seller-lessee would record the sale, remove all property and related liabilities from its balance sheet and recognize gain or loss from the sale, which is generally deferred and amortized as an adjustment to rent expense over the term of the lease.  However, many of our historical real estate transactions and build-to-suit projects have not qualified for sale-leaseback accounting because of our deemed continuing involvement with the buyer-lessor, which results in the transaction being recorded under the financing method.  Under the financing method, the assets remain on the consolidated balance sheet and are depreciated over their useful life, and the proceeds from the transaction are recorded as a financing liability.  A portion of lease payments are applied as payments of deemed principal and imputed interest.

26




We review long-lived assets, including land, buildings and building improvements, for impairments on a quarterly basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Management evaluates individual restaurants, which are considered to be the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows for impairment. A specific restaurant is deemed to be impaired if a forecast of undiscounted future operating cash flows directly relating to that restaurant, including disposal value, if any, is less than the carrying amount of that restaurant. If a restaurant is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the restaurant exceeds its fair value. Management determines fair value based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, management estimates the fair value of a restaurant based on either the estimates provided by real estate professionals and/or our past experience in disposing of restaurant properties. Our estimates of undiscounted cash flows may differ from actual cash flows due to economic conditions or changes in operating performance.  During fiscal 2004, we concluded that a $1.1 million impairment charge was necessary.  No impairment was recorded in fiscal 2005.  During fiscal 2006, we concluded that a $1.4 million impairment charge was necessary.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company changed the estimated useful lives of its buildings (Note 2). This change removed the Company’s ability to control the property through at least 90% of its economic life for 26 of our 126 restaurants accounted for using the financing method. As a result, the Company recognized the “sale” of these 26 units by removing both the assets and financing obligations associated with the restaurants and recording any gain or loss in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 98, “Accounting for Leases”. The leases were then tested under the provisions of SFAS No. 13 “Accounting for Leases” for treatment as capital or operating leases. All 26 leases qualified as operating and deferred rent was recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 98 and SFAS No.13. The effect of this change was a reduction in the Company’s financing obligation of $30.5 million, a reduction of financing assets of $29.3 million, an increase in deferred rent of $1.2 million, and a net loss on the transactions of $50,000. The net loss has been deferred and will be amortized to rent expense over the remaining reasonably assured lease term in accordance with SFAS No. 13.

Leases

We lease a substantial amount of our restaurant properties and one of our pie production plants.  We account for our leases under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, “Accounting for Leases,” and subsequent amendments, which require leases to be evaluated and classified as operating or capitalized leases for financial reporting purposes.  In addition, we record the total rent payable during the operating lease term on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and record the difference between the rent paid and the straight-line rent as a deferred straight-line rent payable. Incentive payments received from landlords are recorded as deferred rent liabilities and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a reduction of rent.  Certain of our leases are accounted for under the financing method as discussed above.  Future authoritative changes to the methods of accounting for leases could have a material impact on our reported results of operations and financial position.

In October 2005, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 13-1, “Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred during a Construction Period.” FSP No. FAS 13-1 requires rental costs associated with operating leases that are incurred during a construction period to be recognized as rental expense. FSP No. FAS 13-1 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The transition provisions of FSP No. FAS 13-1 permit early adoption and retrospective application of the guidance. The Company historically capitalized rental costs incurred during a construction period.  We implemented FSP No. FAS 13-1 during the first quarter of fiscal 2006.  We capitalized $0.7 million and $0.2 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Insurance reserves

We self-insure a significant portion of our employee medical insurance, workers’ compensation and general liability insurance plans.  We had an insurance reserve liability of $8.9 million and $9.3 million recorded as of November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005, respectively.  We have obtained stop-loss insurance policies to protect from individual losses over specified dollar values ($175,000 for employee health insurance claims, $250,000 workers’ compensation and $150,000 for general liability for fiscal 2005 and 2006). The full extent of certain claims, especially workers’ compensation and general liability claims may not become fully determined for several years. Therefore, we estimate potential obligations for liabilities that have been incurred but not yet reported based upon historical data, experience, and use of outside consultants. Although management believes that the amounts accrued for these obligations are reasonably estimated, any significant increase in the number of claims or costs associated with claims made under these plans could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.  Favorable workers compensation claims experience related to recent years has permitted a reduction in workers compensation expense accruals in fiscal 2005 and 2006.

27




Loss contingencies

We maintain accrued liabilities and reserves relating to the resolution of certain contingent obligations.  Significant contingencies include those related to litigation.  We account for contingent obligations in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” as interpreted by FASB Interpretation No. 14 which requires that we assess each contingency to determine estimates of the degree of probability and range of possible settlement.  Contingencies which are deemed to be probable and where the amount of such settlement is reasonably estimable are accrued in our financial statements.  If only a range of loss can be determined, we accrue to the best estimate within that range; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, we accrue to the low end of the range.

The assessment of loss contingencies is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events.  Contingencies are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of the accruals and related financial statement disclosure.  The ultimate settlement of loss contingencies may differ significantly from amounts we have accrued in our financial statements.

Income taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future income tax consequences of carry forwards and temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are established for deferred tax assets that are deemed unrealizable.  As of November 2, 2006, we had gross deferred tax assets of $32.2 million, which included $16.1 million of FICA tip credit carry forwards, expiring at various dates through 2026.  Approximately $10.2 million of the FICA tip credit carry forwards were generated prior to our acquisition in June 2003 and are subject to an annual use limitation of $0.7 million.

We must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, valuation allowances are established. The valuation allowance is based on the reversals of our existing deferred tax items and our estimates of future taxable income by each jurisdiction in which we operate as a result of available tax planning strategies.  In the event that actual results differ from these estimates, we are unable to implement certain tax planning strategies or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to establish an additional valuation allowance which could have a material negative impact on our results of operations or financial position.  As of November 2, 2006, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $2.5 million for FICA tip credits for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized due to the impending expiration of such credits.

Significant judgment is required in determining our effective tax rate and in evaluating our tax positions. We establish reserves when, despite our belief that our tax return positions are supportable, we believe that certain positions are likely to be successfully challenged. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. Our effective tax rate includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that we consider appropriate.

 

28




Results of operations

(In thousands)

 

Fiscal year
ended
November 2,
2006

 

Fiscal year
ended
November 3,
2005

 

Fiscal year
ended
October 28,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant operations

 

$

425,185

 

$

407,424

 

$

394,667

 

Franchise operations

 

5,058

 

5,280

 

5,057

 

Manufacturing operations

 

36,065

 

26,641

 

31,796

 

 

 

466,308

 

439,345

 

431,520

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food

 

108,774

 

105,575

 

103,604

 

Labor

 

141,876

 

132,000

 

127,251

 

Other operating expenses

 

126,415

 

112,204

 

105,043

 

Franchise operating expenses

 

2,148

 

2,181

 

2,311

 

Manufacturing operating expenses

 

35,350

 

24,809

 

32,322

 

General and administrative expenses

 

29,417

 

29,602

 

27,028

 

Litigation settlement expense

 

600

 

(408

)

3,168

 

Employee severance

 

40

 

600

 

286

 

Transaction expenses

 

 

15

 

125

 

Management fees

 

850

 

850

 

1,159

 

Loss on disposition of assets

 

1,395

 

110

 

438

 

Asset impairments

 

1,381

 

 

1,101

 

 

 

448,246

 

407,538

 

403,836

 

Operating profit

 

18,062

 

31,807

 

27,684

 

Interest expense

 

(29,976

)

(28,951

)

(26,787

)

Debt extinguishment costs

 

 

 

(6,856

)

Other income, net

 

586

 

745

 

522

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(11,328

)

3,601

 

(5,437

)

Provision for income taxes (benefit)

 

(3,457

)

138

 

(2,912

)

Net income (loss)

 

(7,871

)

3,463

 

(2,525

)

Preferred stock dividends and accretion

 

(9,795

)

(8,941

)

(7,665

)

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

$

(17,666

)

$

(5,478

)

$

(10,190

)

 

 

Fiscal year
ended
November 2,
2006

 

Fiscal year
ended
November 3,
2005

 

Fiscal year
ended
October 28,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant operations

 

91.2

%

92.7

%

91.4

%

Manufacturing operations

 

1.1

 

1.2

 

1.2

 

Franchise operations

 

7.7

 

6.1

 

7.4

 

 

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food (1)

 

25.6

 

25.9

 

26.3

 

Labor (1)

 

33.4

 

32.4

 

32.2

 

Other operating expenses (1)

 

29.7

 

27.5

 

26.6

 

Franchise operating expenses (2)

 

42.5

 

41.3

 

45.7

 

Manufacturing operating expenses (3)

 

98.0

 

93.1

 

101.7

 

General and administrative expenses

 

6.3

 

6.7

 

6.3

 

Litigation settlement expense

 

0.1

 

(0.1

)

0.7

 

Employee severance

 

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

Transaction expenses

 

 

 

 

Management fees

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

0.3

 

Loss on disposition of assets

 

0.3

 

 

0.1

 

Asset impairments

 

0.3

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

96.1

 

92.8

 

93.6

 

Operating profit

 

3.9

 

7.2

 

6.4

 

Interest expense

 

(6.4

)

(6.6

)

(6.2

)

Debt extinguishment costs

 

 

 

(1.6

)

Other income, net

 

0.1

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(2.4

)

0.8

 

(1.3

)

Provision for income taxes (benefit)

 

(0.7

)

 

(0.7

)

Net income (loss)

 

(1.7

)

0.8

 

(0.6

)

Preferred stock dividends and accretion

 

(2.1

)

(2.0

)

(1.8

)

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

(3.8

)%

(1.2

)%

(2.4

)%


(1)             Restaurant costs percentages are based on Restaurant operations revenues.

(2)             Franchise operating expense percentage is based on Franchise operations revenues.

29




(3)             Manufacturing operating expense percentage is based on Manufacturing operations revenues.

All other cost percentages are based on total revenues.

Fiscal 2006 compared to fiscal 2005

Total revenues increased by $27.0 million, or 6.1%, to $466.3 million in fiscal 2006, from $439.3 million for fiscal 2005.  The increase was largely due to operating 22 more locations in fiscal 2006 compared to fiscal 2005 offset by seven extra days in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2006.  However, we experienced a 2.1% decrease in same unit sales for fiscal 2006 over fiscal 2005.  Village Inn same unit sales for fiscal 2006 decreased 1.9% over fiscal 2005, and Bakers Square same unit sales decreased 2.3% over the same period. Average guest spending decreased 2.7% at Village Inn and 4.3% at Bakers Square in fiscal 2006 compared to fiscal 2005. We believe that our decrease in comparable store is closely related to trends within the restaurant industry. The majority of our direct competitors have been experiencing similar declining sales and restaurant analysts believe this is a result of increasing utility and gas prices being absorbed by consumers. Third party pie sales increased $9.5 million, or 35.4%, to $36.1 million in fiscal 2006 due to the addition of a large customer at the end of the first quarter of 2006.

Food costs increased by $3.2 million, or 3.0%, to $108.8 million in fiscal 2006, from $105.6 million for fiscal 2005.  Food costs as a percentage of restaurant revenues decreased to 25.6% for fiscal 2006 from 25.9% in fiscal 2005.  The decrease was driven primarily by menu price increases exceeding commodity price increases.

Labor costs increased by $9.9 million, or 7.5%, to $141.9 million in fiscal 2006, from $132.0 million for fiscal 2005, while labor costs as a percentage of restaurant revenues increased slightly to 33.4% from 32.4% over these periods.  The relative increase in labor costs was due to lower operating efficiency, increased average wage due to minimum wage increases, negative leverage associated with the same store sales declines and labor inefficiencies at the new restaurants in start up mode.

Other operating expenses increased by $14.2 million, or 12.7%, to $126.4 million in fiscal 2006 from $112.2 million for fiscal 2005. Other operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant revenues increased from 27.5% to 29.7% over these periods.  This increase was primarily due to higher occupancy costs ($8.4 million), increased utility costs ($2.1 million) and increased costs associated with new store growth.

Manufacturing operating expenses increased by $10.6 million, or 42.5%, to $35.4 million in fiscal 2006 from $24.8 million for fiscal 2005. This increase was primarily due to higher third party pie sales.  Manufacturing operating expenses as a percentage of manufacturing revenues increased from 93.1% to 98.0% over these periods.

General and administrative expenses decreased $0.2 million, or 0.6%, to $29.4 million for fiscal 2006 from $29.6 million for fiscal 2005.   As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 6.3% in fiscal 2006 from 6.7% in fiscal 2005.

Employee severance in fiscal 2005 related to a severance charge due to the departure of one of our officers.

Litigation settlement expense for fiscal 2006 included a $0.6 charge related to the anticipated settlement of the class action suit brought in April 2006 as discussed in Item 3 Legal Proceedings.  Fiscal 2005 was a credit of $0.4 million due to the net effects of reversing $1.2 million in accrued litigation reserve as a result of the ultimate costs being finalized by the trustee for the prior class action lawsuits and the reversal of $0.8 million of the indemnification receivable from our former shareholders.  The original charge was previously recorded in fiscal 2004 at $3.2 million.

Loss on disposition of assets increased $1.3 million to $1.4 million for fiscal 2006 from $0.1 million for fiscal 2005.   The increase resulted primarily from services related to site investigation, architectural and environmental research associated with properties that we have decided not to develop.

Impairment expense of $1.4 million was incurred in fiscal 2006 related to 12 restaurant locations for which the estimated future cash flows could not recover the carrying value of the applicable long-term assets and for which the fair market value of the assets was less than the carrying value.

Operating profit decreased by $13.7 million, or 43.1%, to $18.1 million in fiscal 2006, from $31.8 million for fiscal 2005. Operating profit as a percentage of total revenues for fiscal 2006 decreased from 7.2% to 3.9% for fiscal 2006.  The decrease was due largely to the decline in our same unit sales, its effect on labor, as well as increases in other operating expenses.

30




Interest expense increased by $1.0 million, or 3.5%, to $30.0 million in fiscal 2006, from $29.0 million for fiscal 2005.  This increase was due primarily to the higher average debt balances and interest rates during fiscal 2006.

Provision for income taxes (benefit) for fiscal 2006 was a benefit of $3.5 million, compared to a provision of $0.1 million for fiscal 2005. The provisions differ from our statutory rate of approximately 40.0% due to general business credits that we earn from FICA taxes paid on employee tips, partially offset by nondeductible amortization related to franchise rights. During fiscal 2006 the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $2.5 million for FICA tip credits for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized due to the impending expiration of such credits.

Valuation

Net income (loss) decreased by $11.4 million to a loss of $7.9 million in fiscal 2006, from income of $3.5 million for fiscal 2005.  Net income (loss) as a percentage of total revenues decreased from 0.8% to (1.7)% over these periods.

Preferred stock dividends and accretion increased by $0.9 million to $9.8 million in fiscal 2006 from $8.9 million for fiscal 2005 as a result of the compounding effect of unpaid preferred stock dividends and issuance of additional shares.  Dividends on VI Acquisition Corp.’s preferred stock accumulate and compound but are not payable until dividends are declared. Covenants contained in our senior secured credit agreement and the indenture governing our 10½% notes restrict our ability to declare dividends on our preferred stock.

Fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004

Total revenues increased by $7.8 million, or 1.8%, to $439.3 million in fiscal 2005, from $431.5 million for fiscal 2004.  The increase was largely due to operating 7.3 more locations on average in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004 and three extra days in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004.  However, we experienced a 1.3% decrease in same unit sales for fiscal 2005 over fiscal 2004.  Village Inn same unit sales for fiscal 2005 increased 0.9% over fiscal 2004, and Bakers Square same unit sales decreased 3.1% over the same period. Average guest spending increased 3.0% at Village Inn and 3.3% at Bakers Square in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004.  Third party pie sales decreased $5.2 million, or 16.4%, to $26.6 million in fiscal 2005.

Food costs increased by $2.0 million, or 1.9%, to $105.6 million in fiscal 2005, from $103.6 million for fiscal 2004.  Food costs as a percentage of restaurant revenues decreased slightly from 26.3% in fiscal 2004 to 25.9% in 2005.  Food commodity costs were very volatile in fiscal 2004 and were moderate in fiscal 2005.  Menu engineering and menu price increases generally offset unfavorable commodity cost increases experienced in fiscal 2004.

Labor costs increased by $4.7 million, or 3.7%, to $132.0 million in fiscal 2005, from $127.3 million for fiscal 2004, but labor costs as a percentage of restaurant revenues increased to 32.4% from 32.2% over these periods.  A factor in the labor increase is the fact that we continue to be impacted by the increases in minimum wage in the states in which we operate.

Other operating expenses increased by $7.2 million, or 6.8%, to $112.2 million in fiscal 2005 from $105.0 million for fiscal 2004. Other operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant revenues increased from 26.6% to 27.5% over these periods.  The increase in other operating expenses is primarily due to higher credit card fees, preopening expenses related to new store openings, and higher utility and occupancy costs which were partially offset by favorable claim expenses in our insurance programs.

Manufacturing operating expenses decreased by $7.5 million, or 23.2%, to $24.8 million in fiscal 2005 from $32.3 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was primarily due to lower third party sales in fiscal 2005.  Manufacturing operating expenses as a percentage of manufacturing revenues decreased from 101.7% to 93.1% over these periods.

General and administrative expenses increased $2.6 million, or 9.6%, to $29.6 million for fiscal 2005 from $27.0 million for fiscal 2004. This increase resulted from increased support expenses related to new store openings, increased audit fees due to the previously reported restatement of our financing obligations and increased legal fees related to our employment litigation.

Employee severance in fiscal 2005 related to a severance charge due to the departure of one of our officers and in fiscal 2004 to the departure of two of our officers.

Litigation settlement expense was a credit of $0.4 million in fiscal 2005 due to the net effects of the $1.2 million reduction in the accrued litigation reserve as a result of the ultimate costs being finalized by the trustee for the class action lawsuits and the corresponding $0.8 million reduction in our indemnification receivable from former shareholders.  The original charge was previously recorded in fiscal 2004 at $3.2 million.

 

31




Impairment expense of $1.1 million was incurred in fiscal 2004.  The impairment in fiscal 2004 related to 10 restaurant locations for which the estimated future cash flows could not recover the carrying value of the applicable long-term assets and for which the fair market value of the assets was less than the carrying value.

Operating profit increased by $4.1 million, or 14.8%, to $31.8 million in fiscal 2005, from $27.7 million for fiscal 2004. Operating profit as a percentage of total revenues for fiscal 2005 increased from 6.4% to 7.2% over fiscal 2004. This increase in profit margin was primarily due to the $3.2 million of litigation settlement costs in fiscal 2004.

Interest expense increased by $2.2 million, or 8.1%, to $29.0 million in fiscal 2005, from $26.8 million for fiscal 2004.  This increase was due primarily to the higher average debt balances and interest rates resulting from our debt refinancing in April 2004.

Debt extinguishment costs of $6.9 million were incurred in fiscal 2004 in connection with the refinancing of our debt that closed in April 2004.  These expenses included $2.3 million of prepayment penalties, a write-off of deferred financing costs of $4.4 million associated with the previous obligations and settlement of outstanding derivative obligations in the amount of $0.2 million.  There were no debt extinguishment costs in fiscal 2005.

Provision for income taxes (benefit) for fiscal 2005 was $0.1 million.  For fiscal 2004, an income tax benefit of $2.9 million was recorded. The provisions differ from our statutory rate of approximately 40.0% due to general business credits that we earn from FICA taxes paid on employee tips, partially offset by nondeductible amortization related to franchise rights.

Net income (loss) increased by $6.0 million to $3.5 million in fiscal 2005, from a $2.5 million loss for fiscal 2004.  Net income (loss) as a percentage of total revenues improved to 0.8% from (0.6%) over these periods.

Preferred stock dividends and accretion increased by $1.2 million to $8.9 million in fiscal 2005 from $7.7 million for fiscal 2004 as a result of the compounding effect of unpaid preferred stock dividends and issuance of additional shares.  Dividends on VI Acquisition Corp.’s preferred stock accumulate and compound but are not payable until dividends are declared. Covenants contained in our senior secured credit agreement and the indenture governing our 10½% notes restrict our ability to declare dividends on our preferred stock.

Liquidity and capital resources

Cash requirements

Our principal liquidity requirements are to continue to finance our operations, service our debt and fund capital expenditures for maintenance and expansion.  Cash flow from operations has historically been sufficient to finance continuing operations and meet normal debt service requirements.  However, we are highly leveraged and our ability to repay borrowings at maturity is likely to depend in part on our ability to refinance the debt when it matures, which will be contingent on our continued successful operation of the business as well as other factors beyond our control, including the debt and capital market conditions at that time.

Our cash balance and working capital needs are generally low, as sales are made for cash or through credit cards that are quickly converted to cash, purchases of food and supplies and other operating expenses are generally paid within 30 to 60 days after receipt of invoices and labor costs are paid bi-weekly.  The timing of our sales collections and vendor and labor payments are consistent with other companies engaged in the restaurant industry.

During fiscal 2007, we anticipate capital expenditures before build-to-suit construction (as discussed below) of approximately $16 million.  Of this amount, $4 million is expected to be spent on new store construction, $5 million for remodels and the remainder on capital maintenance and other support related projects.  We currently expect to open an estimated 9 new stores in fiscal 2007.

In connection with our new restaurant development program, we have entered into build-to-suit development agreements whereby third parties will purchase property, fund the costs to develop new restaurant properties for us and lease the properties to us upon completion.  Under these agreements, we generally are responsible for the construction of the restaurant, and remitting payments to the contractors on the projects, which are subsequently reimbursed by the property owner.  These amounts advanced and subsequently reimbursed are not included in the anticipated capital spending totals above.  On November 2, 2006, we had outstanding receivables of $3.8 million relating to these types of agreements.  In

32




certain of these agreements, we are obligated to purchase the property in the event that we are unable to complete the construction within a specified time frame, and are also responsible for cost overruns above specified amounts.

Debt and other obligations

In April 2004, we completed a refinancing of our prior debt including a private placement of $126.5 million aggregate principal amount of 10½% senior unsecured notes maturing in April 2011.  The notes were issued at a discounted price of 98.791% of face value, resulting in proceeds before transaction costs of $125.0 million.  The senior unsecured notes were issued by VICORP Restaurants, Inc. and are guaranteed by VI Acquisition Corp.

Concurrently with the issuance of the 10½% senior unsecured notes, we entered into an amended and restated senior secured credit facility consisting of a $15.0 million term loan and a $30.0 million revolving credit facility, with a $15.0 million sub-limit for letters of credit.  As of November 2, 2006, we had issued letters of credit aggregating $7.4 million and had $12.6 million of borrowings outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility.  As of November 2, 2006, the senior secured revolving credit facility permitted borrowings equal to the lesser of (a) $30.0 million and (b) 1.2 times trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the senior secured credit agreement) minus the original amount of the senior secured term loan.  Under this formula, as of November 2, 2006, we had the ability to borrow the full $30 million, less the amount of outstanding letters of credit, under the senior secured revolving credit facility, or $10.0 million.  Borrowings under both the revolving credit facility and the term loan bear interest at floating rates tied to either the base rate of the agent bank under the credit agreement or LIBOR rates for a period of one, two or three months, in each case plus a margin that will adjust based on the ratio of our Adjusted EBITDA to total indebtedness, as defined in the senior secured credit agreement. Both facilities are secured by a lien of all of the assets of VICORP Restaurants, Inc., and guaranteed by VI Acquisition Corp. The guarantees are also secured by the pledge of all of the outstanding capital stock of VICORP Restaurants, Inc. by VI Acquisition Corp. The term loan does not require periodic principal payments, but requires mandatory repayments under certain events, including proceeds from sale of assets, issuance of equity, and issuance of new indebtedness.  Both facilities mature in April 2009.

Our senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing the senior unsecured notes contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries, to sell assets, incur additional indebtedness, as defined in the agreements, or issue preferred stock, repay other indebtedness, pay dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, make certain acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, amend certain material agreements governing our indebtedness, change the business conducted by us and our subsidiaries and enter into hedging agreements. In addition, our senior secured credit facility requires us to maintain or comply with a minimum Adjusted EBITDA, a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage ratio, and a maximum Growth Capital Expenditures limitation.  As of November 2, 2006, we were in compliance with these requirements.

We are subject to capital lease obligations related to two of our leased properties. The principal component of our capital lease obligations was $0.2 million as of November 2, 2006. These capital leases have expiration dates of October 2008 and November 2011. We are also the prime lessee under various operating leases or agreements under deemed landlord financing transactions for land, building and equipment for company-operated and franchised restaurants, pie production facilities and locations subleased to non-affiliated third parties. These leases and agreements have initial terms ranging from 15 to 20 years and, in most instances, provide for renewal options ranging from five to 20 years. These leases and agreements expire at various dates through June 2028.

We have guaranteed certain leases for restaurant properties sold in 1986 and restaurant leases of certain franchisees. Estimated minimum future rental payments remaining under these leases were approximately $2.0 million as of November 2, 2006.

On November 2, 2006, our contractual obligations with respect to the above were as follows:

 

Payments due by period

 

(In millions)

 

Total

 

Less than
one year

 

1-3
years

 

3-5
years

 

More than
5 years

 

Senior secured credit facility

 

$

27.6

 

$

 

$

27.6

 

$

 

$

 

10½% senior unsecured notes

 

126.5

 

 

 

126.5

 

 

Total long-term debt

 

154.1

 

 

27.6

 

126.5

 

 

Capital lease obligations(1) (2)

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

 

 

Operating lease obligations (2)

 

189.6

 

24.9

 

45.6

 

38.7

 

80.4

 

Deemed landlord financing liability (1) (2)

 

261.9

 

11.5

 

23.3

 

24.3

 

202.8

 

Other debt (3)

 

0.8

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

Letters of credit (4)

 

7.4

 

7.4

 

 

 

 

Purchase commitments (5)

 

5.1

 

5.1

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

619.1

 

$

49.8

 

$

96.6

 

$

189.5

 

$

283.2

 


(1)             Amounts payable under capital leases and the deemed landlord financing liability represent gross rent payments, including both deemed principal and imputed interest components.

33




(2)             Many of our leases and deemed landlord financing liabilities contain provisions that require additional rent payments contingent on sales performance and the payment of common area maintenance charges and real estate taxes.  Amounts in this table do not reflect any of these additional amounts.

(3)             Property insurance financing for one year.

(4)             We have letters of credit outstanding primarily to guarantee performance under insurance contracts.  The letters of credit are irrevocable and have one-year renewable terms.

(5)             We have commitments under contracts for the purchase of property and equipment.  Portions of such contracts not completed at November 2, 2006 as stated above were not reflected as assets or liabilities in our consolidated financial statements.

Prior indebtedness

Our previous credit facilities consisted of a $25.0 million revolving credit facility, a term A loan, and a term B loan issued pursuant to a credit agreement dated June 13, 2003.  In addition, we had outstanding subordinated indebtedness in the original principal amount of $45.0 million issued pursuant to an investment agreement dated June 13, 2003.  The prior term loans and the prior subordinated debt were paid in full from a portion of the proceeds of our senior unsecured notes and our senior secured term loan.  In addition, a portion of these proceeds were used to pay an early redemption premium of $2.3 million on the subordinated debt, and to pay $0.2 million to terminate an interest rate swap agreement pursuant to which we agreed to make fixed rate payments in exchange for receiving quarterly floating rate payments at the three month LIBOR rate that applied to the borrowings under our previous senior secured credit facility.  In addition, in connection with the refinancing, we wrote off $4.4 million of unamortized debt financing costs in fiscal 2004 related to the prior debt.

Sources and uses of cash

The following table presents a summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the periods indicated:

(In millions)

 

Fiscal year
November 2,
2006

 

Fiscal year
November 3,
2005

 

Fiscal year
October 28,
2004

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

17.9

 

$

24.5

 

$

25.1

 

Net cash used for investing activities

 

(36.4

)

(38.9

)

(23.8

)

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

 

18.3

 

15.2

 

(5.3

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(0.2

)

0.8

 

(4.0

)

 

Operating activities

Operating cash flows for fiscal 2006 decreased $6.6 million due to the increase in labor costs, utilities, and occupancy costs experienced during the year combined with increased purchases of inventory items necessary to meet the increased production related to manufacturing operations in fiscal 2006.

For fiscal 2005, cash flows from operating activities decreased $0.6 million compared to fiscal 2004 which resulted primarily from the payment of the settlement amounts related to the class action lawsuits, offset by a favorable change in the funding of the unpresented checks which relate to outstanding checks issued by us.

Investing activities

Our capital expenditures, excluding amounts related to build-to-suits, for the last three fiscal years were comprised of the following:

34




 

(In millions)

 

Fiscal
2006

 

Fiscal
2005

 

Fiscal
2004

 

New store construction

 

$

10.3

 

$

7.9

 

$

3.6

 

Existing store remodel and refurbishment

 

6.3

 

5.8

 

5.8

 

Store capital maintenance

 

5.3

 

4.8

 

4.3

 

Pie production facility capital maintenance

 

1.9

 

2.0

 

1.4

 

Corporate related

 

0.9

 

0.6

 

0.9

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

$

24.7

 

$

21.1

 

$

16.0

 

 

In addition to the capital expenditures noted above, we spent $7.5 million, $18.0 million and $8.4 million for the purchase of assets under deemed landlord financing liability in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and net spending on build-to-suit construction of $3.8 million associated with our new unit growth during fiscal 2006.  We opened 22 new restaurants in fiscal 2006 and acquired 5 restaurants from a franchisee for $0.7 million. Also, we had an additional 11 locations under construction at the end of fiscal 2006.

Financing activities

During fiscal 2006, we generated cash from financing activities of $18.3 million, consisting principally of the net proceeds from deemed landlord financing transactions associated with our new unit growth during the year of $12.5 million and additional borrowings under our credit facility of $5.9 million.

Our financing activities provided cash of $15.2 million during fiscal 2005, consisting principally of $9.9 million of proceeds from deemed landlord financing transactions associated with our new restaurant construction, and an increase in borrowings under our credit facility of $5.3 million.

We used cash in financing activities of $5.3 million during fiscal 2004, consisting principally of the net proceeds from our April 2004 debt refinancing, $1.4 million of borrowing under our revolving credit facility and $1.8 million of proceeds from deemed landlord financing, offset by the periodic principal payments on the previous term debt and the repayment of $9.8 million on our previous revolving line of credit.

Cash management

We have historically funded the majority of our capital expenditures out of cash from operations. We have on occasion obtained, and may in the future obtain, capitalized lease financing for certain expenditures related to equipment. Our investment requirements for new restaurant development include requirements for acquisition of land, building and equipment.  Historically we have either acquired all of these assets for cash, or purchased building and equipment assets for cash and acquired a leasehold interest in land. We have entered into sale-leaseback arrangements for many of the land and building assets that we have purchased in the past, many of which have been accounted for as financing transactions. Since the initial net cash investment required for leased units is significantly lower than for owned properties, we intend to focus on leasing sites for future growth so that we only have to fund the equipment portion of our new restaurant capital costs from our cash flows. We believe that this will reduce our upfront cash requirements associated with new restaurant growth and enable us to increase our return on these investments, although it will result in significant long term obligations under operating leases, capital leases or financing liabilities.

New accounting pronouncements

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4.”  SFAS No. 151 clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material and requires that such items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the “so abnormal” criterion outlined in ARB No. 43.  SFAS No. 151 also introduces the concept of “normal capacity” and requires the allocation of fixed production overheads to inventory based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.  Unallocated overheads must be recognized as an expense in the period incurred.  SFAS No. 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005.  The Company implemented SFAS No. 151 effective November 4, 2005 and because we did not have abnormal costs, the implementation did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows during the year ended November 2, 2006.

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On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123. SFAS 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in SFAS 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS 123. However, SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

SFAS 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

1. A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date, after estimating forfeitures.

2. A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under SFAS 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures for either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

The Company will use the modified prospective method when it adopts SFAS 123(R).  SFAS 123(R) is effective for non-public filers, with the first annual reporting period that begins after December 15, 2005. For purposes of this Statement, the Company is considered a non-public filer because it is an entity that has only debt securities trading in a public market. As permitted by SFAS 123, the Company had accounted for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. Simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s sale transaction in June 2003, all options became immediately vested, thus the Company did not recognize any compensation expense. Consequently, the adoption of SFAS 123(R) will only impact the Company’s results of operations if the Company grants share-based payments subsequent to November 2, 2006, the beginning of the Company’s 2007 fiscal year.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (“SFAS 154)”. SFAS 154 replaces APB No. 20, Accounting Changes, and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting changes in Interim Financial Statements, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 requires retrospective application of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS 154 defines retrospective application as the application of a different accounting principle to prior accounting periods as if that principle had always been used or as the adjustment of previously issued financial statements to reflect a change in the reporting entity. SFAS 154 also redefines restatement as the revising of previously issued financial statements to reflect the correction of an error.  SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and correction of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005.

In October 2005, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 13-1, “Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred during a Construction Period.” FSP No. FAS 13-1 requires rental costs associated with operating leases that are incurred during a construction period to be recognized as rental expense. FSP No. FAS 13-1 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The transition provisions of FSP No. FAS 13-1 permit early adoption and retrospective application of the guidance. The Company historically capitalized rental costs incurred during a construction period.  The Company implemented FSP No. FAS 13-1 during the first quarter of fiscal 2006 and it did not have a material impact upon the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company capitalized $0.7 million and $0.2 million in fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively.

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This interpretation requires that we recognize in our financial statements the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.  We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48 on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

On September 18, 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  We do not believe such adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.  This bulletin provides guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of a materiality assessment.  The Company assesses the materiality of unrecorded

36




misstatements under the roll over method.  The guidance in this bulletin must be applied to financial reports covering the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006, therefore the Company will adopt in fiscal 2007.  The Company is currently assessing the financial impact upon adoption.

Item 7A.                                                  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We are exposed to market risk primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in food commodity prices.

We are subject to changes in interest rates on borrowings under our senior secured credit facility that bear interest at floating rates.  As of November 2, 2006, $27.6 million, or 17.9% of our total debt and capitalized lease obligations of $154.2 million, bears interest at a floating rate.  A hypothetical one hundred basis increase in interest rates for our variable rate borrowings, as of November 2, 2006, would increase our future interest expense by approximately $0.3 million per year.  This sensitivity analysis does not factor in potential changes in the level of our variable interest rate borrowings, or any actions that we might take to mitigate our exposure to changes in interest rates.

Many of the ingredients purchased for use in the products sold to our guests are subject to unpredictable price volatility outside of our control.  We try to manage this risk by entering into selective short-term agreements for the products we use most extensively.  Also, we believe that our commodity cost risk is diversified as many of our food ingredients are available from several sources and we have the ability to modify recipes or vary our menu items offered.  Historically, we have also been able to increase certain menu prices in response to food commodity price increases and believe the opportunity may exist in the future.  To compensate for a hypothetical price increase of 10% for food ingredients, we would need to increase prices charged to our guests by an average of approximately 2.6%.  We have not historically used financial instruments to hedge our commodity ingredient prices.

Item 8.                                                           Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The information required under this Item 8 is set forth on pages F-1 through F-27 of this Report.

Item 9.                                                           Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

On June 14, 2005, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K, pursuant to Item 4 thereof, reporting that the Company had dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm and had determined to engage Grant Thornton LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2005.

The Company does not have any disagreements with its accountants on accounting and financial disclosure matters.

Item 9A.                                                  Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Within the 90-day period prior to the filing date of this report, our management, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended.  Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them timely to material information required to be included in our Exchange Act filings.

Limitations on the effectiveness of controls

A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, with the company have been detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes, and that controls can be circumvented by the acts of individuals or groups.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Item 9B.                                                  Other Information.

Not applicable.

 

37




PART III

Item 10.                                                    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our Board of Directors and executive officers as of November 2, 2006.

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Walter Van Benthuysen

 

 

67

 

 

Chairman of the Board and Director

Robert Cummings

 

 

59

 

 

Director

Wayne Kocourek

 

 

69

 

 

Director

Michael Solot

 

 

42

 

 

Director

Kenneth Keymer

 

 

58

 

 

Director

Debra Koenig

 

 

54

 

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Anthony Carroll

 

 

55

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer

Jeffry Guido

 

 

47

 

 

President, Village Inn

Timothy Casey

 

 

46

 

 

President, Bakers Square

 

Debra Koenig has been our Chief Executive Officer and one of our directors since June 2003. She joined us after a 25 year career with McDonald’s Corporation. Ms. Koenig’s most recent position was President of the Southeast Division from 1997 to 2001. In this role she was responsible for McDonald’s largest U.S. division, with $4 billion in sales, consisting of approximately 2,675 franchised restaurants and 290 company-operated restaurants in 14 states.

Anthony Carroll has been our Chief Financial Officer since February 2004 and our Chief Administrative Officer since December 2005. From June 2000 until December 2002 Mr. Carroll was Chief Financial Officer of ProcureZone.com, LLC, which provided an Internet-based procurement tool for the utility industry. Mr. Carroll was Chief Financial Officer for Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. and its successor, ABP Corporation, from October 1988 until June 2000. Mr. Carroll began his career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Jeffry Guido has been our President for Village Inn since November 2005.  Mr. Guido has been with Village Inn for nearly 30 years.  During this time, he has worked in a variety of capacities, including Associate Manager, General Manager, Franchise Field Consultant and Corporate Area Manager.  For the past 10 years, Mr. Guido has been the Regional Vice President for the Village Inn West division.

Timothy Casey has been our President for Bakers Square since April 2006.  Mr. Casey is a former Starbucks Executive.  He spent 15 years with Southland Corporation, eventually leading a multi-million dollar business comprised of over 100 units  in the Orlando area.  He joined Circle K Corporation and successfully led the organization in a two year turnaround.  In 1996, Mr. Casey joined Starbucks and over the next 8 years participated in the growth of the business from 20 to 725 stores.  Most recently, Mr. Casey partnered with the founders of Cereality to develop a comprehensive strategy to grow this emerging brand.

Walter Van Benthuysen has been one of our directors and Chairman of the Board since June 2003. Mr. Van Benthuysen served as a member of the Board of Directors of Value Added Bakery Holding Company and as its Chairman of the Board from December 1998 until December 2003. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Hazelwood Farms, a subsidiary of Supervalu, Inc., from September 1995 to December 1998. Previously, Mr. Van Benthuysen was the Executive Vice President of Quaker Oats Company until he retired in October 1995.  Mr. Van Benthuysen is also a director of Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

Robert Cummings has been one of our directors since June 2003. Mr. Cummings has been a Managing Director of Wind Point Advisors LLC, a private equity investment firm, since 1987. Investment funds affiliated with Wind Point Advisors LLC control our company. He is also a director of Procyon Technologies, Inc., Nonni’s Food Company, Inc., Knape and Vogt, Summit Business Media, York Label and United Subcontractors, Inc.

Wayne Kocourek has been one of our directors since June 2003. He is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Member of Mid Oaks Investments LLC, a private equity investment company that he founded in 1997. He is also currently a director of Little Rapids Corporation, Liquid Container Inc., Profile Products LLC, Environmental Materials LLC and Wilkinson Industries, Inc.

38




Michael Solot has been one of our directors since June 2003. He has been employed by Wind Point Advisors LLC, a private equity investment firm, since 1999, most recently as a Managing Director. Investment funds affiliated with Wind Point Advisors LLC control our company. Prior to joining Wind Point, Mr. Solot spent six years in various operating and strategy positions with Werner Ladder Co. Mr. Solot has also held positions as an Associate with Goldman, Sachs and Co. and as a Consultant with Bain & Co.

Kenneth Keymer has been one of our directors since August 2005. Mr. Keymer has been Chief Executive Officer of AFC Enterprises Inc., the franchisor and operator of Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and President of Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits. From January 2002 to November 2003, he was President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Noodles & Company.  He also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Sonic Corporation from July 1996 to January 2002.  Mr. Keymer has also served in board and/or senior executive officer positions with several other restaurant companies, including Taco Bell, Boston Chicken and Perkins Family Restaurants.

Ms. Koenig, Mr. Van Benthuysen, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Solot and Mr. Kocourek were elected as directors in June 2003 pursuant to the stockholders agreement described in “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.” Mr. Keymer was appointed as a director in September 2005 pursuant to the stockholders agreement.  Our directors serve until their successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Our executive officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee that is responsible, among other things, for overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee is comprised solely of Messrs. Kocourek and Van Benthuysen. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Kocourek qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” and that Mr. Van Benthuysen is “independent” as defined in federal securities laws.

VICORP Restaurants, Inc., VI Acquisition Corp. and Village Inn Pancake House of Albuquerque, Inc. have entered into separate indemnification agreements with their directors under which each company has agreed to indemnify, and to advance expenses to, each of that company’s directors to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law with respect to liabilities they may incur in their capacities as that company’s directors and officers.

We have adopted a Business Conduct Policy effective as of January 24, 2005 that is applicable to all of our Board members, employees and executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer).

39




Item 11.                                                    Executive Compensation.

The following table discloses the compensation awarded by us for services rendered during our last three fiscal years to the chief executive officer and to the other named executive officers.

Summary compensation table

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term
Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards

 

Payouts

 

 

 

Name and

 

Annual compensation

 

Restricted
stock

 

Securities
underlying

 

LTIP

 

All other

 

principal position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Bonus(16)

 

awards(1)

 

options

 

Payouts

 

compensation

 

Debra Koenig(2)

 

2006

 

$

412,000

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,464

(3)

Chief Executive Officer

 

2005

 

417,800

 

113,319

 

 

 

 

 

4,552

(4)

 

2004

 

420,757

 

90,000

 

 

 

 

 

64,866

(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anthony Carroll(6)

 

2006

 

$

236,753

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,263

(7)

Chief Financial Officer and

 

2005

 

234,311

 

50,810

 

 

 

 

 

17,136

(8)

Chief Administrative Officer

 

2004

 

165,796

 

23,381

 

 

 

 

 

70,940

(9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffry Guido(10)

 

2006

 

$

214,000

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

10,552

(11)

President, Village Inn

 

2005

 

162,943

 

112,553

 

 

 

 

 

12,997

(12)

 

2004

 

156,794

 

75,030

 

 

 

 

 

4,233

(13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timothy Casey(14)

 

2006

 

$

130,769

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

59,298

(15)

President, Bakers Square

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)                                  The shares represented by the restricted stock awards were purchased by the executives at a price equal to $1.00 per share, the fair market value on the date of each purchase, and are subject to certain repurchase rights upon termination of employment.   The number of restricted shares held by Ms. Koenig at the end of 2004, 2005 and 2006 was 89,825 with an aggregate fair value on the grant date of $89,825 which equaled the amount paid for the restricted shares by Ms. Koenig.  The value of Ms. Koenig’s restricted shares based on the last stock purchase made in 2006 is $406,907 (89,825 x $4.53).  The number of restricted shares held by Mr. Carroll at the end of 2004, 2005 and 2006 was 14,295, 20,097 and 24,340, respectively, which carried an aggregate fair value on the grant date of $14,295, $20,097 and $24,340, respectively, which equaled the total amount paid for the shares by Mr. Carroll. Based on the last stock purchase in 2006 the value of Mr. Carroll’s shares is $110,260 (24,340 x $4.53).  Dividends are paid on shares represented by the restricted stock awards.  All of these shares vest over a five year period at the rate of 20% per year, beginning on the respective date of purchase, and will become fully vested upon a change in control.

(2)                                  Ms. Koenig was named our Chief Executive Officer on June 13, 2003.

(3)                                  Consists in 2006 of our payment of $464 in term life insurance premiums on Ms. Koenig’s behalf and our contribution of $4,000 to Ms. Koenig’s 401(k) plan maintained by us.

(4)                                  Consists in 2005 of our payment of $552 in term life insurance premiums on Ms. Koenig’s behalf and our contribution of $4,000 to Ms. Koenig’s 401(k) plan maintained by us.

(5)                                  Consists in 2004 of payments to Ms. Koenig totaling $60,407 for relocation expenses, our payment of $975 in term life insurance premiums on Ms. Koenig’s behalf and our contribution of $3,484 to Ms. Koenig’s 401(k) plan maintained by us.

(6)                                  Mr. Carroll was named our Chief Financial Officer on February 12, 2004, and our Chief Administrative Officer on December 1, 2005.

40




(7)                                  Consists in 2006 of our payment of $263 in term life insurance premiums on Mr. Carroll’s behalf and our contribution of $4,000 to Mr. Carroll’s 401(k) plan maintained by us.

(8)                                  Consists in 2005 of payments to Mr. Carroll totaling $16,000 for relocation expenses, our payment of $320 in term life insurance premiums on Mr. Carroll’s behalf and our contribution of $816 to Mr. Carroll’s 401(k) plan maintained by us.

(9)                                  Consists in 2004 of payments to Mr. Carroll totaling $70,582 for relocation expenses and our contribution of $358 in term life insurance premiums on Mr. Carroll’s behalf.

(10)                            Mr. Guido was named our President for Village Inn on November 4, 2005.

(11)                            Consists in 2006 of our payment of $6,316 in tuition reimbursement to Mr. Guido, our payment of $236 in term life insurance premiums on Mr. Guido’s behalf and our contribution of $4,000 to Mr. Guido’s 401(k) plan maintained by us.

(12)                            Consists in 2005 of our payment of $9,289 in tuition reimbursement to Mr. Guido, our payment of $236 in term life insurance premiums on Mr. Guido’s behalf and our contribution of $3,472 to Mr. Guido’s 401(k) plan maintained by us.

(13)                            Consists in 2004 of our payment of $233 in term life insurance premiums on Mr. Guido’s behalf and our contribution of $4,000 to Mr. Guido’s 401(k) plan maintained by us.

(14)                            Mr. Casey was named our president for Bakers Square on April 27, 2006.

(15)                            Consists in 2006 of payments to Mr. Casey totaling $59,091 for relocation expenses and our payment of $207 in term life insurance premiums on Mr. Casey’s behalf.

(16)                            Consists of actual bonuses paid for fiscal 2005 and 2006.

Compensation committee interlocks and insider participation

Our compensation committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Robert Cummings and Walter Van Benthuysen.  Neither of these individuals has been at any time an officer or employee of our company. Neither member of our compensation committee serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.

Director compensation

Mr. Keymer receives a fee of $20,000 per annum in exchange for his service on our Board of Directors, payable in substantially equal quarterly installments.

Employment and severance agreements

Employment contracts

We have entered into employment agreements with Ms. Koenig, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Guido and Mr. Casey.

Under Ms. Koenig’s employment agreement, she is entitled to receive a minimum base salary of $400,000, less applicable tax withholding, as well as an annual performance bonus targeted at 50% of base salary.  The annual performance bonus is based upon achievement of our annual budget that is determined by our Board in its sole discretion.  If Ms. Koenig’s employment is terminated by us without “cause”, she is entitled to a severance payment equal to 12 months of her base salary, which severance is payable over the 12 month period immediately following the termination of her employment.  In addition, during the 12 month severance period, we will pay the cost of Ms. Koenig’s health care continuation coverage under COBRA at the same rate that we pay for health insurance for our active employees, if Ms. Koenig elects COBRA continuation coverage.  Ms. Koenig will also be entitled to the foregoing severance payments if she terminates her employment for “good reason,” which is generally defined as a diminution in her duties or position that is not remedied after notice or a breach of her employment contract by us (which includes any decrease in Ms. Koenig’s base salary without her consent or a required relocation outside of the Denver area) that is not remedied after notice.

 

41




Mr. Carroll’s employment agreement is substantially the same as Ms. Koenig’s, except that he is entitled to receive a minimum annual base salary of $225,000, less applicable tax withholding, and his annual performance bonus is targeted at 40% of base salary.  In addition, if Mr. Carroll’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” (or by him for “good reason”), he is entitled to receive as severance the continuation of his base salary then in effect for a period of one month for each month in which he was employed by us, up to a maximum of 12 months, payable in accordance with our payroll policy.

Ms. Koenig and Mr. Carroll are also each subject to noncompetition restrictions for a period of at least twelve months following termination of their employment and nonsolicitation restrictions for a period of two years following employment termination.  We may, in our discretion, extend the noncompetition period up to a maximum period of twelve additional months by similarly extending the period for which they are entitled to receive severance.

Under Mr. Guido’s employment agreement he is entitled to receive a minimum annual base salary of $214,000, less applicable tax withholding, and his annual performance bonus is targeted at 40% of base salary.  In addition, if Mr. Guido’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” (or by him for “good reason”), he is entitled to receive as severance the continuation of his base salary then in effect for a period of twelve months payable in accordance with our payroll policy.

Under Mr. Casey’s employment agreement he is entitled to receive a minimum annual base salary of $250,000, less applicable tax withholding, and his annual performance bonus is targeted at 40% of base salary.  Mr. Casey is also entitled to a $50,000 supplemental bonus covering the period through the end of fiscal 2007.  In addition, if Mr. Casey’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” (or by him for “good reason”), he is entitled to receive as severance the continuation of his base salary then in effect for a period of twelve months payable in accordance with our payroll policy.

Management agreements

Ms. Koenig and Mr. Carroll have entered into certain Management Agreements with us pursuant to which they purchased restricted shares of our common stock at a price equal to $1.00 per share.  The shares vest over a period of five years at the rate of 20% per year and are subject to certain repurchase rights upon termination of employment.  Upon termination of employment, all vesting ceases and the unvested shares may be repurchased by us at their original cost and the vested shares may be repurchased at fair market value (unless termination is for “cause” or voluntarily by the employee without “good reason”, in which event all of the shares may be repurchased by us at the lesser of original cost or fair market value).  In addition, pursuant to the Management Agreements, following the termination of employment, we may elect, or, in the event of their deaths, their respective estates may compel us, to repurchase certain shares of our preferred stock and common stock previously acquired by Ms. Koenig and Mr. Carroll.  The purchase price for such shares will be equal to fair market value with respect to the common stock and original cost with respect to the preferred stock, unless the purchase is pursuant to Ms. Koenig’s and Mr. Carroll’s put right following death, in which case the purchase price will be the lesser of the foregoing amounts or the original cost of the shares.

Mr. Keymer entered into a Management Agreement with us pursuant to which he purchased restricted shares of our common stock at a price equal to $4.53 per share.  The shares vest over a period of four years at the rate of 25% per year and are subject to certain repurchase rights upon termination of Mr. Keymer’s service as a member of our Board of Directors.  Upon termination of Mr. Keymer’s services as a member of our Board of Directors, all vesting ceases and the unvested shares may be repurchased by us at their original cost and the vested shares may be repurchased at fair market value.

Messrs. Guido and Casey have entered into a Management Agreements with us to commit to purchase restricted shares of our common stock at a price equal to $4.53 per share.  The shares vest over a period of five years at the rate of 20% per year and are subject to certain repurchase rights upon termination of employment.  Upon termination of employment, all vesting ceases and the unvested shares may be repurchased by us at their original cost and the vested shares may be repurchased at fair market value (unless termination is for “cause” or voluntarily by the employee without “good reason”, in which event all of the shares may be repurchased by us at the lesser of original cost or fair market value).   As of November 2, 2006, Mr. Guido had purchased the restricted shares.

Severance agreements

We entered into a severance agreement with Mr. Robert Kaltenbach, our former Chief Operating Officer.  Mr. Kaltenbach’s employment terminated on December 3, 2005. Pursuant to the terms of his agreement, we paid Mr. Kaltenbach $500,000 and a portion of the cost of Mr. Kaltenbach’s health care continuation coverage under COBRA on our scheduled salary payment dates until December 3, 2006.  In exchange for these severance payments, Mr. Kaltenbach executed a release of all claims against us.  Mr. Kaltenbach also is subject to an agreement that prohibits him from competing against us for a period

42




of 12 months following the termination of his employment.  In January 2006, we repurchased certain shares of our common stock and preferred stock that had been previously acquired by Mr. Kaltenbach.  The aggregate purchase price paid to Mr. Kaltenbach in connection with such repurchase was approximately $723,000.

Item 12.                                                    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

All of the outstanding capital stock of VICORP Restaurants, Inc. is held by VI Acquisition Corp. The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of all of the common stock of VI Acquisition Corp. as of November 2, 2006 by:

·                  each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of VI Acquisition Corp.’s common stock;

·                  each of the named executive officers;

·                  each of our directors; and

·                  all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

To our knowledge, each of the holders of shares listed below has sole voting and investment power as to the shares owned unless otherwise noted. Our equity securities are privately held and no class of our voting securities is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.  The information set forth herein does not describe the ownership of our preferred stock, which is nonvoting.

Name and address(1)

 

Amount and nature of
beneficial ownership

 

Percentage of
outstanding
voting securities (2)

 

Wind Point Partners V, L.P.(3)

 

686,503

 

49.4

%

Wind Point Partners IV, L.P.(4)

 

258,289

 

18.6

%

Mid Oaks Investments LLC(5)

 

171,939

 

12.4

%

Debra Koenig

 

108,905

 

7.8

%

Anthony Carroll

 

24,340

 

1.8

%

Walter Van Benthuysen

 

29,695

 

2.1

%

Robert Cummings(3)(4)(6)

 

947,690

 

68.2

%

Wayne Kocourek(7)

 

171,939

 

12.4

%

Michael Solot

 

 

 

Jeffry Guido

 

15,448

 

1.1

%

Kenneth Keymer

 

2,901

 

0.2

%

All executive officers and directors as a group (seven persons)(6)(7)

 

1,300,918

 

93.6

%


(1)             The addresses for the beneficial owners and certain directors and executive officers are as follows: for Wind Point Partners V, L.P., Wind Point Partners IV, L.P., and Mr. Cummings, One Towne Square, Suite 780, Southfield, Michigan 48076; for Mr. Solot, 676 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3700, Chicago, Illinois 60611; for Mid Oaks Investments LLC and Mr. Kocourek, 750 Lake Cook Road, Suite 440, Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089; for Mr. Van Benthuysen, 17 Tartan Lakes Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559; and for each other director or executive officer, c/o VICORP Restaurants, Inc., 400 West 48th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80216.

(2)             As of November 2, 2006, VI Acquisition Corp. had 1,361,753 issued and outstanding shares of common stock.

(3)             Wind Point Investors V, L.P. is the general partner of Wind Point Partners V, L.P. (“WPP V”). Wind Point Advisors LLC is the general partner of Wind Point Investors V, L.P., and therefore possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the common shares held by WPP V. Mr. Cummings, as a managing member of Wind Point Advisors LLC, may be deemed to beneficially own the common shares held by WPP V. Mr. Cummings disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.

(4)             Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. is the general partner of Wind Point Partners IV, L.P. (“WPP IV”). Wind Point Advisors LLC is the general partner of Wind Point Investors IV, L.P., and therefore possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the common shares held by WPP IV. Mr. Cummings, as a managing member of Wind Point

43




Advisors LLC, may be deemed to beneficially own the common shares held by WPP IV. Mr. Cummings disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.

(5)             Includes 4,298 shares held by Donald Piazza and 4,298 shares held by Michael Kocourek for which Mid Oaks Investments LLC (“Mid Oaks”) holds sole voting power. Mr. Kocourek, as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and managing member of Mid Oaks may be deemed to beneficially own the common shares held by Mid Oaks. Mr. Kocourek disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.

(6)             Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. is the general partner of Wind Point IV Executive Advisor Partners, L.P. (“WPP IV EAP”). Wind Point Advisors LLC is the general partner of Wind Point Investors IV, L.P., and therefore possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the common shares held by WPP IV EAP. Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. is the general partner of Wind Point Associates IV, L.P. (“WPP Associates IV”). Wind Point Advisors LLC is the general partner of Wind Point Investors IV, L.P., and therefore possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the common shares held by WPP Associates IV. Wind Point Investors V, L.P. is the general partner of Wind Point V Executive Advisor Partners, L.P. (“WPP V EAP”). Wind Point Advisors LLC is the general partner of Wind Point Investors V, L.P., and therefore possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the common shares held by WPP V EAP. Includes 947,690 shares held by WPP V, WPP IV, WPP IV EAP, WPP Associates IV, WPP V EAP and Wind Point Advisors LLC that Mr. Cummings may be deemed to beneficially own. Mr. Cummings disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.

(7)             Includes 171,939 shares held by Mid Oaks that Mr. Kocourek may be deemed to beneficially own. Mr. Kocourek disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.

Item 13.                                                    Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.

Professional services agreement

In June 2003, VI Acquisition Corp. entered into a professional services agreement with Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. pursuant to which they provide services relating to corporate strategy, acquisition and divestiture strategy and advice regarding debt and equity financings. In exchange for such services, Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. is entitled to an annual management fee of $231,668 plus its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. is entitled to an annual management fee of $618,332 plus its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, upon repayment in full of all amounts owing under VI Acquisition Corp.’s prior senior secured credit agreement and its prior subdebt credit agreement, Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. was paid a fee equal to the sum of $250,000 plus the product of $70,000 multiplied by the result of a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from June 13, 2003 until such repayment and the denominator of which is 365. We paid Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. approximately $309,000 pursuant to this provision upon repayment of our prior senior credit facility in connection with the April 2004 refinancing.

The professional services agreement will continue until the occurrence of a change of control of VI Acquisition Corp.; provided that if at such time VI Acquisition Corp. pays in full all amounts owing under its existing senior secured credit facility and mezzanine credit agreement, the professional services agreement shall remain in effect as long as VI Acquisition Corp.’s current stockholders own at least 10% of the common stock or preferred stock of VI Acquisition Corp. The professional services agreement, however, may be terminated by VI Acquisition Corp. if either Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. or Wind Point Investors V, L.P. is in material breach and has not cured such breach within 60 days of notice thereof.  The professional services agreement contains customary indemnification provisions in favor of Wind Point Investors IV, L.P., Wind Point Investors V, L.P. and their affiliates. Mr. Cummings is a managing director and Mr. Solot is a principal of Wind Point Advisors LLC, an affiliate of Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P.

Total management fees paid to Wind Point Investors, IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. totaled $850,000, $1,063,000, and $1,088,000 for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004, respectively.  Total management fee expense for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005, and October 28, 2004 was $850,000, $850,000, and $1,159,000, respectively. As of November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005, $63,000 and $63,000 of such management fees were accrued but unpaid.

Additional equity issuances

In November 2003, Wind Point Partners IV, L.P. purchased 1,324 shares of our common stock for $1,324 and 61.075 shares of our series A preferred stock for $61,075, Wind Point Partners V, L.P. purchased 3,520 shares of our common stock for

44




$3,520 and 162.331 shares of our series A preferred stock for $162,331, Wind Point IV Executive Advisor Partners, L.P. purchased ten shares of our common stock for $10 and 0.459 shares of our series A preferred stock for $459, Wind Point Associates IV, LLC purchased five shares of our common stock for $5 and 0.226 shares of our series A preferred stock for $226, Mid Oaks Investments LLC purchased 629 shares of our common stock for $629 and 29.028 shares of our series A preferred stock for $29,028 and Walter Van Benthuysen purchased 72 shares of our common stock for $72 and 3.325 shares of our series A preferred stock for $3,325.

In March 2004, Walter Van Benthuysen purchased 10,000 shares of our common stock for $10,000, Debra Koenig purchased 3,575 shares of our common stock for $3,575 and Anthony Carroll purchased 14,295 shares of our common stock for $14,295.

In April 2005, Anthony Carroll purchased 5,802 shares of common stock for $26,282 and 284.087 shares of our series A preferred stock for $322,200.  In May 2005, a former employee purchased .913 shares of our series A preferred stock for $1,036.

In September 2005, Kenneth Keymer purchased 2,901 shares of common stock for $13,142.

In June 2006, Anthony Carroll purchased 4,243 shares of common stock for $19,200, Jeffry Guido purchased 10,948 shares of common stock for $49,594 and another member of management purchased 3,399 shares of common stock for $15,397.

Transaction fees in connection with the June 2003 acquisition

In June 2003, VI Acquisition Corp. entered into a stock purchase agreement with Wind Point Partners IV, L.P., Wind Point Partners V, L.P., Wind Point IV Executive Advisor Partners, L.P., Wind Point Associates IV, LLC and certain other parties, including our former Chief Operating Officer, Robert Kaltenbach, pursuant to which VI Acquisition Corp. issued common stock and series A preferred stock. In exchange for certain services in connection with the capitalization of VI Acquisition Corp. and VI Acquisition Corp.’s purchase of all of the capital stock of Midway Investors Holdings Inc., VI Acquisition Corp. paid Wind Point Partners IV, L.P. and Wind Point Partners V, L.P. a transaction fee of $749,994 and fees and expense reimbursement in the amount of $60,000. Mid Oaks Investments LLC also received reimbursement of $120,000 of its fees and expenses associated with the June 2003 transaction. Wayne Kocourek, one of our directors, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mid Oaks Investments LLC.

Item 14.                                                    Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees and related expenses for professional services provided by Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) and Grant Thornton LLP (“GT”), for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005:

 

 

Fiscal 2006

 

Fiscal 2005

 

 

 

GT

 

GT

 

E&Y

 

Audit fees

 

$

287,500

(1)

$

171,813

(1)

$

245,734

(3)

Audit-related fees

 

41,470

(4)

 

 

Tax fees

 

1,395

(2)

7,250

(2)

 

Total

 

$

330,365

 

$

179,063

 

$

245,734

 


(1)             For fiscal 2005 and 2006, fees for GT audit services pertained to professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and the review of our quarterly Form 10-Q and 10-K.

(2)             For fiscal 2005, fees for GT tax services pertained to tax compliance.  For fiscal 2006 fees included tax services provided by GT.

(3)             For fiscal 2005, fees for E&Y audit services pertained to a franchise offering circular ($3,370), the review of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended January 27, 2005 and April 21, 2005 ($24,000), the restatement of our consolidated financial statements for periods spanning from fiscal 2000 through the period ended January 27, 2005 to correct certain accounting errors, primarily as a result of a review of our lease accounting policies and practices prompted by the views expressed by the Office of the Chief Accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 7, 2005 in a letter to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and other recent interpretations regarding certain operating

45




lease issues and their application under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ($207,672) and the transition from E&Y to GT as our independent registered public accounting firm ($10,692).

(4)             For fiscal 2006, fees for GT lease accounting review.

Audit Committee pre-approval of fees.

Our Audit Committee meets with the independent auditors prior to the audit to discuss the planning and staffing of the audit and to approve the proposed fee for the audit and any required special services.  The Audit Committee is notified in advance of any proposed engagement of the independent auditor to provide non-audit services to the Company.  The Audit Committee adopted a pre-approval policy for services by its independent accountant to comply with Securities and Exchange Commission Release No. 33-8183 pursuant to which all services provided by the principal accountant are pre-approved by the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee pre-approved all services performed by the principal accountants for fiscal years 2006 and 2005 in accordance with the pre-approval policy.

PART IV

Item 15.                                                    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)                           The following are being filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

1.                                     Financial Statements

See the Index to Financial Statements which appears on Page F-1 hereof.

2.                                     Financial Statement Schedules

None.

3.                                     Exhibits

2.1                                 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., Midway Investors Holdings Inc., the Sellers listed on Schedule 1 thereto and the Preferred Holders listed on Schedule 1 thereto.  Schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.  The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. *

2.2                                 Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 9, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., Midway Investors Holdings Inc. and BancBoston Ventures, Inc. and Marathon Fund Limited Partnership IV as the Seller Representatives *

2.3                                 Amendment No. 2 to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., Midway Investors Holdings Inc. and BancBoston Ventures, Inc. and Marathon Fund Limited Partnership IV as the Seller Representatives *

2.4                                 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., Wind Point Partners IV, L.P., Wind Point Partners V, L.P., Wind Point IV Executive Advisor Partners, L.P., Wind Point Associates IV, LLC, Mid Oaks Investments LLC, A.G. Edwards Private Equity Partners QP II, L.P., A.G. Edwards Private Equity Partners II, L.P., Debra Koenig, Walter Van Benthuysen, Robert Kaltenbach, Joseph Trungale and the other Executives as defined therein.  Schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.  The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. *

3.1                                 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of VICORP Restaurants, Inc. *

3.2                                 Bylaws of VICORP Restaurants, Inc. *

3.3                                 Certificate of Incorporation of VI Acquisition Corp. *

3.4                                 Bylaws of VI Acquisition Corp. *

46




3.5                                 Certificate of Incorporation of Village Inn Pancake House of Albuquerque, Inc. *

3.6                                 Bylaws of Village Inn Pancake House of Albuquerque, Inc. *

4.1                                 Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2004, by and among VICORP Restaurants, Inc., as issuer, the Securities Guarantors, as defined therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee *

4.2                                 Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2004, by and among VICORP Restaurants, Inc., as issuer, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp., as initial purchasers *

4.3                                 Amendment No. 1 to Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 14, 2004, by and among VICORP Restaurants, Inc., as issuer, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp., as initial purchasers *

4.4                                 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 14, 2004, by and among VICORP Restaurants, Inc., as issuer, VI Acquisition Corp. and Village Inn Pancake House of Albuquerque, Inc., as guarantors, and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp., as initial purchasers *

4.5                                 Form of Note (included as Exhibit B to Exhibit 4.1) *

10.1                                 Stockholders Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., Wind Point Partners IV, L.P., Wind Point Partners V, L.P., Wind Point IV Executive Advisor Stockholders Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., Wind Point Partners IV, L.P., Wind Point Partners V, L.P., Wind Point IV Executive Advisor *

10.2                                 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., Wind Point Partners IV, L.P., Wind Point Partners V, L.P., Wind Point IV Executive Advisor Partners, L.P., Wind Point Associates IV, LLC, Mid Oaks Investments LLC, A.G. Edwards Private Equity Partners QP II, L.P., A.G. Edwards Private Equity Partners II, L.P., Debra Koenig, Walter Van Benthuysen, Robert Kaltenbach, Joseph Trungale and the other Executives, and each of the Initial Warrantholders *

10.3                                 Joinder Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2004, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Anthony Carroll *

10.4                                 Joinder Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Wind Point V Executive Advisor Partners, L.P. *

10.5                                 Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 14, 2004, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., VICORP Restaurants, Inc., the Lenders (as defined therein) and Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc., as the arranger and administrative agent for the Lenders *

10.6                                 Management Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Debra Koenig *+

10.7                                 Management Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Robert Kaltenbach *+

10.8                                 Management Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Walter Van Benthuysen *+

10.9                                 Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Robert Kaltenbach *+

10.10                           Subscription Agreement, dated as of November 19, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Mid Oaks Investments, LLC *

10.11                           Subscription Agreement, dated as of November 19, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Walter Van Benthuysen *

47




10.12                           Amended and Restated Subscription Agreement, dated as of November 19, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., Wind Point Partners IV, L.P., Wind Point Partners V, L.P., Wind Point IV Executive Advisor Partners, L.P. and Wind Point Associates IV, LLC *

10.13                           Management Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2004, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Anthony Carroll *+

10.14                           Management Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2004, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Debra Koenig *+

10.15                           Management Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2004, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Walter Van Benthuysen *+

10.16                           Employment Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Debra Koenig *+

10.17                           Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2004, by and among VICORP Restaurants, Inc. and Debra Koenig *+

10.18                           Employment Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Robert Kaltenbach *+

10.19                           Employment Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2004, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Anthony Carroll *+

10.20                           Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors of VICORP Restaurants, Inc. *

10.21                           Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors of VI Acquisition Corp. *

10.22                           Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors of Village Inn Pancake House of Albuquerque, Inc.*

10.23                           Professional Services Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and among VI Acquisition Corp., Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P.*

10.24                           Agreement of Settlement of Class Actions, dated February 28, 2005, by and among the plaintiffs, as defined therein, and VICORP Restaurants, Inc., as defendant.  Incorporated herein by reference to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 21, 2005.

10.25                           Letter Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2005, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Kenneth Keymer (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 2, 2005)+

10.26                           Management Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2005, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Kenneth Keymer (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 2, 2005)+

10.27                           Joinder Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2005, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Kenneth Keymer (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 2, 2005)+

10.28                           Management Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2006, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Timothy Casey

10.29                           Employment Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2006, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Timothy Casey

10.30                           Joinder Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2006, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Timothy Casey

10.31                           Management Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2006, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Jeffry Guido

10.32                           Employment Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2006, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Jeffry Guido

48




10.33                           Joinder Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2006, by and among VI Acquisition Corp. and Jeffry Guido

12.1                                 Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings and Fixed Charges

14.1                                 Business Conduct Policy (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended November 2, 2005)

21.1                                 Subsidiaries of the Company

31.1                                 Certification by our Chief Executive Officer with respect to our Form 10-K for the year ended November 2, 2006, pursuant to Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2                                 Certification by our Chief Financial Officer with respect to our Form 10-K for the year ended November 2, 2006, pursuant to Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1                                 Certifications by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer with respect to our Form 10-K for the year ended November 2, 2006, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


*               Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed with the SEC on July 9, 2004 (Registration No. 333-117263).

+               Identifies each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(b)                                  Reports on Form 8-K

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 ended November 2, 2006, we filed the following reports on Form 8-K:

Current report on Form 8-K on August 23, 2006, announcing financial results for our third quarter ended July 13, 2006.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

VICORP RESTAURANTS, INC.

 

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Debra Koenig

 

 

Date: January 30, 2007

 

 

Debra Koenig

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Anthony Carroll

 

 

Date: January 30, 2007

 

 

Anthony Carroll

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Administrative Officer

 

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

49




Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant, and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature/Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Walter Van Benthuysen

 

Date: January 30, 2007

 

 

Walter Van Benthuysen, Director and
Chairman of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert Cummings

 

Date: January 30, 2007

 

 

Robert Cummings, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Kenneth Keymer

 

Date: January 30, 2007

 

 

Kenneth Keymer, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Wayne Kocourek

 

Date: January 30, 2007

 

 

Wayne Kocourek, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Michael Solot

 

Date: January 30, 2007

 

 

Michael Solot, Director

 

 

 

 

 

50




VI ACQUISITION CORP.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

 

F-2 – F-3

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005

 

F-4

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations — Fiscal year ended November 2, 2006, fiscal year ended November 3, 2005, and fiscal year ended October 28, 2004

 

F-5

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Fiscal year ended November 2, 2006, fiscal year ended November 3, 2005, and fiscal year ended October 28, 2004

 

F-6

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity — Fiscal year ended November 2, 2006, fiscal year ended November 3, 2005, and fiscal year ended October 28, 2004

 

F-7

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-8

 

F-1




Report of Grant Thornton LLP,
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors
VI Acquisition Corp.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of VI Acquisition Corp. as of November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Our audits include consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of VI Acquisition Corp. as of November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

 

 

Denver, Colorado
January 17, 2007

F-2




Report of Ernst & Young LLP,
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors
VI Acquisition Corp.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of VI Acquisition Corp. for the year ended October 28, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of VI Acquisition Corp. for the year ended October 28, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

 

 

Denver, Colorado
December 10, 2004

 

F-3




VI Acquisition Corp.
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,938

 

$

2,099

 

Receivables, net

 

12,497

 

15,756

 

Inventories

 

16,459

 

12,425

 

Deferred income taxes, short-term

 

2,387

 

1,431

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

4,476

 

3,175

 

Prepaid rent

 

2,459

 

2,172

 

Income tax receivable

 

1,180

 

733

 

Total current assets

 

41,396

 

37,791

 

Property and equipment, net

 

94,234

 

86,459

 

Assets under deemed landlord financing liability, net

 

99,884

 

126,146

 

Goodwill

 

91,881

 

91,881

 

Trademarks and tradenames

 

42,600

 

42,600

 

Franchise rights, net of accumulated amortization of $2,128 and $1,434

 

10,071

 

10,765

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,623

 

3,010

 

Other assets, net

 

12,553

 

13,613

 

Total assets

 

$

395,242

 

$

412,265

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

 

$

847

 

$

63

 

Unpresented checks

 

7,363

 

6,341

 

Accounts payable

 

15,931

 

13,291

 

Accrued compensation

 

8,170

 

8,066

 

Accrued taxes

 

7,049

 

7,746

 

Build-to-suit liability

 

2,549

 

 

Other accrued expenses

 

12,175

 

12,992

 

Total current liabilities

 

54,084

 

48,499

 

Long-term debt

 

153,181

 

147,013

 

Capitalized lease obligations

 

140

 

185

 

Deemed landlord financing liability

 

108,033

 

132,038

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

15,402

 

11,596

 

Total liabilities

 

330,840

 

339,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock subject to repurchase

 

1,055

 

1,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value:

 

 

 

 

 

Series A, 100,000 shares authorized, 68,943 shares issued and outstanding at November 2, 2006 and 68,944 shares issued and outstanding at November 3, 2005 (aggregate liquidation preference of $97,971 and $88,178, respectively)

 

98,501

 

89,287

 

Unclassified preferred stock, 100,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock $0.0001 par value:

 

 

 

 

 

Class A, 2,800,000 shares authorized, 1,361,753 shares issued and outstanding at November 2, 2006 and 1,395,255 shares issued and outstanding at November 3, 2005

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

2,446

 

2,465

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,371.87 shares of preferred stock and 140,490 shares of common stock at November 2, 2006 and 923.87 shares of preferred stock and 80,603 shares of common stock at November 3, 2005

 

(1,057

)

(1,004

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(36,543

)

(18,877

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

63,347

 

71,871

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

395,242

 

$

412,265

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4




VI Acquisition Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

 

Year ended
November 2,
2006

 

Year ended
November 3,
2005

 

Year ended
October 28,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant operations

 

$

425,185

 

$

407,424

 

$

394,667

 

Franchise operations

 

5,058

 

5,280

 

5,057

 

Manufacturing operations

 

36,065

 

26,641

 

31,796

 

 

 

466,308

 

439,345

 

431,520

 

Cost and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food

 

108,774

 

105,575

 

103,604

 

Labor

 

141,876

 

132,000

 

127,251

 

Other operating expenses

 

126,415

 

112,204

 

105,043

 

Franchise operating expenses

 

2,148

 

2,181

 

2,311

 

Manufacturing operating expenses

 

35,350

 

24,809

 

32,322

 

General and administrative expenses

 

29,417

 

29,602

 

27,028

 

Litigation settlement expenses

 

600

 

(408

)

3,168

 

Employee severance

 

40

 

600

 

286

 

Transaction expenses

 

 

15

 

125

 

Management fees

 

850

 

850

 

1,159

 

Loss on disposition of assets

 

1,395

 

110

 

438

 

Asset impairments

 

1,381

 

 

1,101

 

 

 

448,246

 

407,538

 

403,836

 

Operating profit

 

18,062

 

31,807

 

27,684

 

Interest expense

 

(29,976

)

(28,951

)

(26,787

)

Debt extinguishment costs

 

 

 

(6,856

)

Other income, net

 

586

 

745

 

522

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(11,328

)

3,601

 

(5,437

)

Provision for income taxes (benefit)

 

(3,457

)

138

 

(2,912

)

Net income (loss)

 

(7,871

)

3,463

 

(2,525

)

Preferred stock dividends

 

(9,795

)

(8,941

)

(7,665

)

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 

$

(17,666

)

$

(5,478

)

$

(10,190

)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5




Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

Year ended
November 2,
2006

 

Year ended
November 3,
2005

 

Year ended
October 28,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(7,871

)

$

3,463

 

$

(2,525

)

Reconciliation to cash provided by operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

22,184

 

20,482

 

18,962

 

Asset impairments

 

1,381

 

 

1,101

 

Amortization of financing costs and original issue discounts

 

1,250

 

1,255

 

1,085

 

Amortization of deferred gain/loss

 

(7

)

 

 

Loss on disposition of assets

 

1,395

 

110

 

438

 

Deferred finance charge write-off

 

 

 

4,344

 

Deferred income tax benefit

 

(569

)

(1,128

)

(5,159

)

Interest on warrants

 

 

 

88

 

Accretion of interest on deemed landlord financing obligations

 

508

 

554

 

632

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables, net

 

(291

)

171

 

(2,479

)

Inventories

 

(4,034

)

(180

)

(478

)

Unpresented checks

 

1,022

 

3,151

 

(1,676

)

Accounts payable, trade

 

2,640

 

117

 

469

 

Accrued compensation

 

104

 

928

 

(108

)

Other current assets and liabilities

 

(3,092

)

(7,939

)

6,080

 

Other non-current assets and liabilities

 

3,270

 

3,506

 

4,347

 

Cash provided by operations

 

17,890

 

24,490

 

25,121

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions of franchisee locations

 

(650

)

 

(8

)

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(24,699

)

(21,081

)

(16,006

)

Purchase of assets under deemed landlord financing liability

 

(7,452

)

(17,986

)

(8,409

)

Purchase of build-to-suit assets

 

(6,553

)

 

 

Proceeds from disposition of property

 

232

 

 

627

 

Proceeds from build-to-suit reimbursement

 

2,747

 

 

 

Collection of notes receivable

 

 

196

 

30

 

Cash used in investing activities

 

(36,375

)

(38,871

)

(23,766

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of debt, capital lease obligations, and deemed landlord financing obligations

 

(89,229

)

(9,333

)

(165,020

)

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

95,720

 

14,275

 

163,651

 

Proceeds from deemed landlord financing

 

12,494

 

9,855

 

1,820

 

Net proceeds from issuance of preferred and common stock

 

84

 

363

 

298

 

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(12

)

(6,094

)

Repurchase of shares

 

(745

)

 

(4

)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

18,324

 

15,148

 

(5,349

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(161

)

767

 

(3,994

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

2,099

 

1,332

 

5,326

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

1,938

 

$

2,099

 

$

1,332

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (net of amount capitalized)

 

$

29,190

 

$

27,441

 

$

25,700

 

Income taxes

 

876

 

2,728

 

1,867

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Build-to-suit reimbursements not yet received

 

$

3,797

 

$

7,030

 

$

2,359

 

Deemed landlord financing — Third party direct pays

 

7,636

 

2,470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

9,795

 

8,941

 

7,665

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6




VI Acquisition Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

Preferred stock

 

Common stock

 

Treasury

 

Treasury

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

(In thousands,

 

Series A

 

Class A

 

stock

 

stock

 

Paid-in

 

Accumulated

 

stockholders’

 

except shares)

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

preferred

 

common

 

capital

 

deficit

 

equity

 

Balances at October 26, 2003

 

67,854

 

$

71,465

 

1,298,649

 

 

$

(924

)

$

(76

)

$

2,332

 

$

(3,209

)

$

69,588

 

Issuance of preferred stock and common stock

 

258

 

257

 

39,603

 

 

 

 

41

 

 

298

 

Release of collateralized stock

 

547

 

547

 

52,800

 

 

 

 

53

 

 

600

 

Repurchase of common shares

 

 

 

(4,500

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(4

)

Dividends on Series A preferred stock

 

 

7,665

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,665

)

 

Preferred warrant accretion

 

 

88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

88

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,525

)

(2,525

)

Balances at October 28, 2004,

 

68,659

 

$

80,022

 

1,386,552

 

$

 

$

(924

)

$

(80

)

$

2,426

 

$

(13,399

)

$

68,045

 

Issuance of preferred stock and common stock

 

285

 

324

 

8,703

 

 

 

 

39

 

 

363

 

Dividends on Series A preferred stock

 

 

8,941

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,941

)

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,463

 

3,463

 

Balances at November 3, 2005

 

68,944

 

$

89,287

 

1,395,255

 

$

 

$

(924

)

$

(80

)

$

2,465

 

$

(18,877

)

$

71,871

 

Issuance of preferred stock and common stock

 

447

 

 

18,590

 

 

 

 

84

 

 

84

 

Repurchase of preferred and common shares

 

(448

)

(581

)

(52,092

)

 

(1

)

(52

)

(103

)

 

(737

)

Dividends on Series A preferred stock

 

 

9,795

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,795

)

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,871

)

(7,871

)

Balances at November 2, 2006

 

68,943

 

$

98,501

 

1,361,753

 

$

 

$

(925

)

$

(132

)

$

2,446

 

$

(36,543

)

$

63,347

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7




VI Acquisition Corp.
Notes to consolidated financial statements

1. Description of the business and basis of presentation

VI Acquisition Corp. (the “Company” or “VI Acquisition”), a Delaware corporation, was organized by Wind Point Partners and other individual co-investors.

On June 14, 2003, the Company acquired Midway Investors Holdings Inc. (“Midway”), and its wholly owned subsidiaries VICORP Restaurants, Inc. (“VICORP”) and Village Inn Pancake House of Albuquerque, Inc. (collectively “Midway” or “Predecessor”) in a stock purchase transaction accounted for under the purchase method of accounting pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations.”  The Midway legal entity was merged into the Company on April 14, 2004 and no longer exists.

Midway was a Delaware corporation originally organized by BancBoston Ventures, Inc., Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison, Incorporated (“Goldner Hawn”), Fairmont Capital, Inc. and other affiliates. Midway acquired VICORP in May 2001 in a “going private” stock purchase transaction accounted for under the purchase method of accounting pursuant to SFAS No. 141. Prior to the acquisition of VICORP by Midway, VICORP operated as a publicly-traded company.

The Company operates family-style restaurants under the brand names “Bakers Square” and “Village Inn,” and franchises restaurants under the Village Inn brand name. At November 2, 2006, the Company operated 309 Company-owned restaurants in 16 states. Of the Company-owned restaurants, 148 are Bakers Squares and 161 are Village Inns, with an additional 95 franchised Village Inn restaurants in 18 states. The Company-owned and franchised restaurants are concentrated in Arizona, California, Florida, the Rocky Mountain region, and the upper Midwest. In addition, the Company operates three pie manufacturing facilities located in Santa Fe Springs, California; Oak Forest, Illinois; and Chaska, Minnesota.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of VI Acquisition Corp. as of November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005 and for the years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004 include the accounts of the Company, Midway, VICORP and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Neither VI Acquisition Corp. nor Midway has had any independent operations, and consequently the consolidated financial statements of VI Acquisition Corp. and Midway are substantially equivalent to those of VICORP.

All intercompany accounts and balances have been eliminated.

Fiscal year

The Company’s fiscal year, which historically ended on the last Sunday in October, is comprised of 52 or 53 weeks divided into four fiscal quarters of 12 or 13, 12, 12, and 16 weeks.  Fiscal 2005 was comprised of 53 weeks, or 371 days and fiscal 2006 was comprised of 52 weeks, or 364 days.  Beginning January 22, 2004, the Company changed its fiscal year so that it ends on the Thursday nearest to October 31st of each year. This increased the number of days in the fiscal year ended October 28, 2004 by four days.  This change was made to facilitate restaurant operations by moving the end of the Company’s fiscal periods and weekly reporting and payroll periods away from weekends when the Company’s restaurants are busier.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period that they are determined to be necessary. The Company’s critical accounting estimates include (i) useful life assignments and impairment evaluations associated with property and equipment and intangible assets, (ii) anticipated outcomes of legal proceedings and other contingencies (iii) self-insurance reserves and (iv) valuation allowances associated with deferred tax assets.

F-8




Change in Accounting Estimate

It is the Company’s policy to periodically review the estimated useful lives of its fixed assets. This review during 2006 indicated that actual lives for our building assets were longer than the useful lives used for depreciation purposes in the Company’s financial statements. As a result, the Company revised the estimated useful lives of buildings from 30 years to 45 years. The Company reviewed its own restaurants, as well as using construction industry data and comparable restaurant company estimated lives of building assets. The change was made effective during the third quarter. The Company believes the change more appropriately reflects the remaining useful lives of the assets based upon the nature of the asset. This change has been accounted for prospectively in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principle Board Opinion No. 20: Accounting Changes. The effect of this change was a reduction of approximately $0.5 million to depreciation during fiscal 2006.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased.  Amounts in-transit from credit card processors are also considered cash equivalents because they are both short-term and highly liquid in nature and are typically converted to cash within three days of the sales transaction.

Receivables

Receivables generally represent billings to third-party customers of our pie production facilities, construction billings due from landlords, billings to franchisees for royalties, initial and renewal fees and equipment sales, and rent receivable from franchisees and other sublessees.  Trade receivables are generally unsecured, while notes receivable are typically secured by the property that gave rise to them.  Other receivables consist of various amounts due from others in the ordinary course of business.

The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses related to existing receivables.  The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience and management’s judgment regarding the collectibility of certain accounts.  Account balances are charged off against the allowance after management determines that the potential for recovery is considered remote.

Concentrations of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents and receivables.  The Company maintains deposits in excess of FDIC limits at two banks. The maximum loss that would have resulted from this risk amounted to approximately $253,000 at November 2, 2006, which represents the excess of the deposit liabilities reported by the bank over the amounts that would have been covered by federal deposit insurance.  The Company considers the concentration of credit risk within its receivables to be minimal as a result of payment histories and the general financial condition of its third party-customers and franchisees.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (which is determined using standard cost which approximates a first-in, first-out basis) or market and consist of food, paper products and supplies. Inventories consisted of the following:

 

(In thousands)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

Production facility inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

6,453

 

$

4,408

 

Finished goods

 

6,940

 

5,059

 

 

 

13,393

 

9,467

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant inventories

 

3,066

 

2,958

 

 

 

$

16,459

 

$

12,425

 

 

F-9




Activity in the allowance for inventory obsolescence reserve was as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

Year ended
November 2,
2006

 

Year ended
November 3,
2005

 

Beginning of period

 

$

214

 

$

197

 

Additions/expense

 

403

 

482

 

Write-offs

 

(392

)

(465

)

End of period

 

$

225

 

$

214

 

 

The Company obtains most of its food products and supplies from three distributors.  Management believes that it could obtain its food products and supplies from alternative sources under terms that are similar to those currently received.

Renovations, improvements and repairs and maintenance

The Company renovates, remodels or improves its restaurants and production facilities (all or a portion depending on need), replaces aged equipment and periodically upgrades equipment to more current technology.  These expenditures are typical in the restaurant industry and each provides a future economic benefit.  Therefore, the related costs are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful lives discussed further below under the caption “Property and equipment”.  While the Company believes the estimated useful lives used for depreciation purposes are representative of the assets’ actual useful lives, the Company has an asset retirement policy, and any assets that are replaced are retired.

The Company routinely incurs costs to repair and maintain its facilities and equipment, which are expensed as incurred. Such repairs and maintenance costs generally relate to repairs to existing equipment, fixtures or facilities, including, but not limited to, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, painting, tile work, roof repairs and wood repairs. The Company recorded repair and maintenance expense of $10.4 million, $9.7 million, and $9.2  million for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004, respectively.

Property and equipment, build-to-suit projects and assets under deemed landlord financing liability

Acquisitions of property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense is calculated using the straight-line method. The useful lives of assets range from 20 to 45 years for buildings and three to ten years for equipment and improvements. In general, assets acquired under capital leases and initial leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the useful life or the lease term. Leasehold improvements added subsequent to the inception of a lease are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or a term that includes lease renewals, if such renewals are considered reasonably assured.  Property and equipment additions include acquisitions of buildings, equipment and costs incurred in the development and construction of new stores.

For many of the Company’s build-to-suit restaurant construction projects, it is considered the owner of the project during the construction period in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 97-10, “The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction,” because the Company is deemed to have substantially all of the construction period risk.  At the end of these construction projects, a sale-leaseback could be deemed to occur in certain situations and the Company would record the sale, remove all property and related liabilities from its consolidated balance sheet and recognize gain or loss from the sale, which is generally deferred and amortized as an adjustment to rent expense over the term of the lease.  However, many of the Company’s historical real estate transactions and build-to-suit restaurant construction projects have not qualified for sale-leaseback accounting because of its deemed continuing involvement with the buyer-lessor, which results in the transaction being recorded under the financing method.  In the majority of situations the Company believes it has continuing involvement in the leased property because of the existence of “perpetual fixed price renewal options.”  This form of continuing involvement precludes sale-leaseback accounting because the seller-lessee benefits from future appreciation in the underlying property in a manner similar to a fixed-price purchase option.  Under the financing method, the assets remain on the consolidated balance sheet and are depreciated over their useful life, and the proceeds from the transaction are recorded as a financing liability.  A portion of lease payments are applied as payments of deemed principal and imputed interest.

Long-lived assets

The Company evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate revision to the remaining useful lives or the remaining balances of long-lived assets may be appropriate. Such events and circumstances include, but are not limited to a change in business strategy or a change in current and long-term projected operating performance. When factors

F-10




indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of such asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset

Intangible assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization but are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or change in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and other Intangible Assets,” requires a two-step process for testing impairment. For goodwill, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value to determine whether an indication of impairment exists. If an impairment is indicated, the fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined by allocating the unit’s fair value to its assets and liabilities (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. For other indefinite lived intangibles, the fair value is compared to the carrying value. The amount of impairment, if any, for goodwill and other intangible assets is measured as the excess of its carrying value over its fair value. The Company has determined that no impairments have existed related to goodwill or other intangible assets in any of the periods presented. Intangible assets with lives restricted by contractual, legal, or other means continue to be amortized over their useful lives.

Determining the fair value of the reporting unit under the first step of the goodwill impairment test and determining the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit (including unrecognized intangible assets) under the second step of the goodwill impairment test is judgmental in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Similarly, estimates and assumptions are used in determining the fair value of other intangible assets. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether or not an impairment charge is recognized and also the magnitude of any such charge.

In connection with the June 14, 2003 purchase transaction and in accordance with SFAS No. 142, the Company had its trademarks and tradenames evaluated by an external third party. As a result of this evaluation, it was determined that the Company possesses $42.6 million in trademarks and tradenames which have indefinite lives. The trademarks and tradenames are not amortized and are evaluated for impairment at least annually.

To assist in the process of determining goodwill and tradenames impairment, the Company engaged an outside firm to perform a valuation analysis. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined using discounted cash flows and market comparisons and recent transactions.  These approaches use significant estimates and assumptions including projected future cash flows (including timing), discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, perpetual growth rate, determination of appropriate market comparables and the determination of whether a premium or discount should be applied to comparables.  Based on the analysis there was no impairment of goodwill or tradenames as of November 2, 2006.

At the date of the June 14, 2003 purchase transaction, the remaining franchise rights were adjusted to their then current fair market value of $12.2 million. This value is being amortized over the remaining period expected to be benefited. Amortization expense of $694,000, $592,000 and $592,000 was recorded for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005, and October 28, 2004, respectively. The Company expects to record annual amortization expense of $694,000 over the remaining 14.5 year life of the franchise rights.

Upon completion of VICORP’s “going-private” transaction on May 14, 2001, the former chairman of VICORP’s Board of Directors entered into a non-competition and escrow agreement pursuant and was paid a total of $2 million not to compete with the Company for a period of five years after the purchase.  The non-competition agreement was reflected in other assets and amortized using the straight-line method over a five-year period.

Loss contingencies and self-insurance reserves

The Company maintains accrued liabilities and reserves relating to the resolution of certain contingent obligations including reserves for self-insurance.  Contingent obligations are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” which requires that the Company assess each contingency to determine estimates of the degree of probability and the range of possible settlement.  Those contingencies that are deemed to be probable and where the amount of such settlement is reasonably estimable are accrued in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  If only a range of loss can be determined, the best estimate within that range is accrued; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, the low end of the range is accrued.  Reserves for self-insurance are determined based on the insurance companies undiscounted incurred loss estimates, loss development factors and management’s judgment in consultation with an outside

F-11




insurance risk specialist.

The assessment of contingencies is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events.  Contingencies are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of the accruals and related financial statement disclosure.  The ultimate settlement of contingencies may differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements.

Leases and deferred straight-line rent payable

The Company leases most of its restaurant properties.  Leases are accounted for under the provisions of SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases,” as amended, which requires that leases be evaluated and classified as operating or capital leases for financial reporting purposes.

For leases that contain rent escalations, the Company records the total rent payable during the lease term on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and records the difference between the rent paid and the straight-line rent as a deferred straight-line rent payable.  Incentive payments received from landlords are recorded as landlord incentives and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a reduction of rent.  Certain of our leases are accounted for under the financing method, as discussed above and in Note 8.

Revenue recognition

Revenue from Company-operated stores is recognized in the period during which food and beverage products are sold.  Gift cards sold but not yet redeemed are included in other accrued expenses (Note 6).  Revenues are recognized upon redemption of the gift cards.

Royalties are calculated as a percentage of the franchisee gross sales and recognized in the period the sales are generated. Initial franchise fees are recognized as income upon commencement of the franchise operation and completion of all material services and conditions by the Company. Rental income on properties subleased to franchisees is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Interest income on franchisee notes receivable is recognized when earned.

Franchise operations gross revenues and expenses consisted of the following:

 

(In thousands)

 

Year ended
November 2,
2006

 

Year ended
November 3,
2005

 

Year ended
October 28,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalties

 

$

3,998

 

$

4,129

 

$

3,917

 

Property rental

 

1,060

 

1,144

 

1,120

 

Interest income on franchise notes

 

 

7

 

20

 

Franchise revenues

 

5,058

 

5,280

 

5,057

 

Franchise operating expenses

 

(2,148

)

(2,181

)

(2,311

)

Franchise operations, net

 

$

2,910

 

$

3,099

 

$

2,746

 

 

Revenue from the Company’s pie manufacturing operations is recognized in the period during which the products are shipped to the customer.

Advertising costs

Advertising costs for television, radio, newspapers, direct mail and point-of-purchase materials are expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expense for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004 was approximately $14.6 million, $12.7 million, and $12.3 million, respectively.  Prepaid advertising costs totaled $0.7 million at November 2, 2006 and $0.9 million at November 3, 2005 representing billings paid for media events not occurring for the first time until after the respective dates.

New store pre-opening costs

New store pre-opening costs consist of salaries and other direct expenses incurred in connection with the setup and stocking of stores, employee training, and general store management costs incurred prior to the opening of new restaurants.  New store pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred in accordance with SOP 98-5, “Reporting on the Costs of Start-up Activities.”  New store pre-opening costs for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004 were

F-12




$2.1 million, $1.3 million, and $0.5 million, respectively.

Fair value of financial instruments

At November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005, the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated their carrying value based on the short-term nature of these instruments.  See Note 7 for information concerning the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt and Note 8 for information regarding the fair value of the Company’s financing obligations.

Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying value for financial reporting purposes and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which such differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from a change in tax rates is recognized as a component of income tax expense (benefit) in the period such change occurs.  Net operating loss and other credit carry forwards, including FICA tip credit, are recorded as deferred tax assets.  A valuation allowance is recorded for the tax benefit of the deferred tax assets not expected to be utilized.

Accounting for stock based compensation

SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” defines a fair value method of accounting for employee stock compensation and encourages, but does not require, all entities to adopt that method of accounting. Entities electing not to adopt the fair value method of accounting must make pro forma disclosures of net income as if the fair value method of accounting defined in SFAS No. 123 had been applied. The Company has elected not to adopt the fair value method and instead has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Under APB Opinion No. 25, compensation expense related to stock options is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the option and the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. This expense is recognized over the vesting period of the option or at the time of grant if the options immediately vest. As a result of the minimal number of fully vested options outstanding during all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the pro forma effects of applying the fair value method to outstanding options over their respective vesting periods had no effect on net income (loss).

New accounting pronouncements

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4.”  SFAS No. 151 clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material and requires that such items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the “so abnormal” criterion outlined in ARB No. 43.  SFAS No. 151 also introduces the concept of “normal capacity” and requires the allocation of fixed production overheads to inventory based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.  Unallocated overheads must be recognized as an expense in the period incurred.  SFAS No. 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005.  The Company implemented SFAS No. 151 effective November 4, 2005 and because we did not have abnormal costs, the implementation did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows during the year ended November 2, 2006.

On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123. SFAS 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in SFAS 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS 123. However, SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

SFAS 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

1. A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date, after estimating forfeitures.

F-13




2. A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under SFAS 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures for either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

The Company will use the modified prospective method when it adopts SFAS 123(R).  SFAS 123(R) is effective for non-public filers, with the first annual reporting period that begins after December 15, 2005. For purposes of this Statement, the Company is considered a non-public filer because it is an entity that has only debt securities trading in a public market. As permitted by SFAS 123, the Company had accounted for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. Simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s sale transaction in June 2003, all options became immediately vested, thus the Company did not recognize any compensation expense. Consequently, the adoption of SFAS 123(R) will only impact the Company’s results of operations if the Company grants share-based payments subsequent to November 2, 2006, the beginning of the Company’s 2007 fiscal year.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (“SFAS 154)”. SFAS 154 replaces APB No. 20, Accounting Changes, and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting changes in Interim Financial Statements, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 requires retrospective application of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS 154 defines retrospective application as the application of a different accounting principle to prior accounting periods as if that principle had always been used or as the adjustment of previously issued financial statements to reflect a change in the reporting entity. SFAS 154 also redefines restatement as the revising of previously issued financial statements to reflect the correction of an error.  SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and correction of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005.

In October 2005, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 13-1, “Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred during a Construction Period.” FSP No. FAS 13-1 requires rental costs associated with operating leases that are incurred during a construction period to be recognized as rental expense. FSP No. FAS 13-1 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The transition provisions of FSP No. FAS 13-1 permit early adoption and retrospective application of the guidance. The Company historically capitalized rental costs incurred during a construction period.  The Company implemented FSP No. FAS 13-1 during the first quarter of fiscal 2006 and it did not have a material impact upon the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company capitalized $0.7 million and $0.2 million in fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively.

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This interpretation requires that we recognize in our financial statements the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.  We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48 on our consolidated financial statements.

On September 18, 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  We do not believe such adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.  This bulletin provides guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of a materiality assessment.  The Company assesses the materiality of unrecorded misstatements under the roll over method.  The guidance in this bulletin must be applied to financial reports covering the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006, therefore the Company will adopt in fiscal 2007.  The Company is currently assessing the financial impact upon adoption.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year information to conform to the current year presentation.

Although the primary focus is to produce pies for Village Inn and Bakers Square, the third-party pie sales have increased over time therefore beginning in fiscal 2006 the current and prior year results were reflected in separate captions on the income statement. The overall results of operations of the pie manufacturing historically have not had, and currently do not have, a material impact on operating profit.  In order to determine the operating profit for third party sales, both variable and

F-14




fixed costs are allocated. As external sales increase as a percentage of total pie production, the allocation method may cause a decrease in the operating profit due to the higher allocation of fixed costs to the external sales. The net costs associated with internal “sales” to the restaurants are included in restaurant food cost.

3. Receivables, net

Receivables, net consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

 

$

8,249

 

$

5,799

 

Construction receivables

 

3,797

 

7,030

 

Indemnification receivable (Note 17)

 

 

2,557

 

Other receivables

 

584

 

721

 

Notes receivable

 

7

 

7

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(140

)

(358

)

Receivables, net

 

$

12,497

 

$

15,756

 

 

Construction receivables represent amounts due from landlords for build-to-suit construction projects (Note 4).

Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:

(In thousands)

 

Year ended
November 2,
2006

 

Year ended
November 3,
2005

 

Beginning of period

 

$

358

 

$

378

 

Bad debt expense

 

40

 

110

 

Write-offs and adjustments

 

(258

)

(130

)

End of period

 

$

140

 

$

358

 

 

4. Property and equipment and assets under deemed landlord financing liability

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

5,378

 

$

5,634

 

Buildings and improvements

 

56,987

 

49,331

 

Equipment

 

71,914

 

57,926

 

Construction in progress

 

9,740

 

5,606

 

Capitalized lease buildings

 

1,112

 

1,284

 

Impairment reserve (Note 14)

 

(1,771

)

(1,101

)

 

 

143,360

 

118,680

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

(49,126

)

(32,221

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

94,234

 

$

86,459

 

 

Depreciation expense on property and equipment was $17.0 million, $14.8 million and $13.6 million during the years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004, respectively.

 

F-15




Assets under deemed landlord financing liability consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

44,691

 

$

48,806

 

Buildings and improvements

 

65,776

 

67,929

 

Construction in progress

 

3,342

 

19,917

 

 

 

113,809

 

136,652

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

(13,925

)

(10,506

)

Assets under deemed landlord financing liability, net

 

$

99,884

 

$

126,146

 

 

Depreciation expense on assets under deemed landlord financing liability was $4.2 million, $4.6 million and $4.4 million during the years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004, respectively.

5. Other assets, net

Other assets, net consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-competition agreements

 

$

 

$

2,030

 

Deferred debt financing costs

 

8,150

 

8,150

 

Deferred lease payments

 

6,748

 

6,610

 

Prepaid contracts

 

123

 

250

 

Deposits and miscellaneous financing costs

 

510

 

331

 

 

 

15,531

 

17,371

 

Less: accumulated amortization

 

(2,978

)

(3,758

)

Other assets, net

 

$

12,553

 

$

13,613

 

 

The deferred lease payments asset was established at the date of the Company’s purchase of Midway and represents the present value of the excess market rates in effect as of that date compared to the Company’s lease payments on individual properties. Also included is deferred lease payments resulting from sale leaseback accounting.

6. Other accrued expenses

Other accrued expenses consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

Legal settlements (Notes 3 and 17)

 

$

700

 

$

517

 

Insurance

 

4,085

 

4,346

 

Rent

 

1,504

 

1,668

 

Interest

 

1,012

 

983

 

Gift certificates and cards

 

1,974

 

1,315

 

Advertising

 

476

 

1,047

 

Reserve for closed/subleased locations (Note 14)

 

189

 

406

 

Miscellaneous

 

2,235

 

2,710

 

 

 

$

12,175

 

$

12,992

 

 

F-16




Accrued miscellaneous expenses consisted primarily of accrued expenses for 401(k) employer contributions, credit card fees, royalty prepayments and legal services, management and audit fees.

7. Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

10½% Senior Unsecured Notes:

 

$

126,530

 

$

126,530

 

Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Facility:

 

 

 

 

 

Term loan

 

15,000

 

15,000

 

Revolving credit facility

 

12,625

 

6,675

 

Gross amount payable

 

154,155

 

148,205

 

Unamortized original issue discount on senior unsecured notes

 

(974

)

(1,192

)

Long-term debt

 

$

153,181

 

$

147,013

 

 

On April 14, 2004, the Company completed a private placement of $126.5 million aggregate principal amount of 10½% senior unsecured notes maturing on April 15, 2011.  The notes were issued at a discounted price of 98.791% of face value, resulting in net proceeds before transaction expenses of $125.0 million.  The senior unsecured notes were issued by VICORP Restaurants, Inc. and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by VI Acquisition Corp.  In August 2004, the Company’s registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-4 was declared effective and the senior unsecured notes and guarantees were exchanged for registered notes and guarantees having substantially the same terms and evidencing the same indebtedness.  Interest is payable semi-annually on each April 15 and October 15 until maturity.

Concurrently with the issuance of the 10½% senior unsecured notes, we entered into an amended and restated senior secured credit facility consisting of a $15.0 million term loan and a $30.0 million revolving credit facility, with a $15.0 million sub-limit for letters of credit.  As of November 2, 2006, we had issued letters of credit aggregating $7.4 million and had $12.6 million of borrowings outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility.  As of November 2, 2006, the senior secured revolving credit facility permitted borrowings equal to the lesser of (a) $30.0 million and (b) 1.2 times trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the senior secured credit agreement) minus the original amount of the senior secured term loan.  Under this formula, as of November 2, 2006, we had the ability to borrow the full $30 million, less the amount of outstanding letters of credit, under the senior secured revolving credit facility, or $10.0 million.  Borrowings under both the revolving credit facility and the term loan bear interest at floating rates tied to either the base rate of the agent bank under the credit agreement or LIBOR rates for a period of one, two or three months, in each case plus a margin that will adjust based on the ratio of our Adjusted EBITDA to total indebtedness, as defined in the senior secured credit agreement. Both facilities are secured by a lien of all of the assets of VICORP Restaurants, Inc., and guaranteed by VI Acquisition Corp. The guarantees are also secured by the pledge of all of the outstanding capital stock of VICORP Restaurants, Inc. by VI Acquisition Corp. The term loan does not require periodic principal payments, but requires mandatory repayments under certain events, including proceeds from sale of assets, issuance of equity, and issuance of new indebtedness.  Both facilities mature in April 2009.

Our senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing the senior unsecured notes contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries, to sell assets, incur additional indebtedness, as defined in the agreements, or issue preferred stock, repay other indebtedness, pay dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, make certain acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, amend certain material agreements governing our indebtedness, change the business conducted by us and our subsidiaries and enter into hedging agreements. In addition, our senior secured credit facility requires us to maintain or comply with a minimum Adjusted EBITDA, a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage ratio, and a maximum Growth Capital Expenditures limitation.  As of November 2, 2006, we were in compliance with these requirements.

Deferred debt financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the related loan.

The Company recognized interest expense of $30.0 million, $29.0 million, and $26.8 million during the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004, respectively.  In addition to these amounts $379,000, $457,000, and $193,000 were capitalized in the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004, respectively.

F-17




As of November 2, 2006 the Company recognized a current obligation of $792,000 related to property insurance financing.

Excluding capitalized lease obligations (Note 9), the aggregate maturities of debt obligations for the five years following November 2, 2006 are:

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2007

 

$

792

 

2008

 

 

2009

 

27,625

 

2010

 

 

2011

 

126,530

 

2012 and thereafter

 

 

 

 

$

154,947

 

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt (excluding capitalized lease obligations) was approximately $149.1 million at November 2, 2006.  The Company believes that the carrying value of debt balances under its Senior Secured Credit Facility approximates fair value, because of its variable interest feature and the difference between the estimated fair value of long-term debt compared to its historical cost reported in the consolidated balance sheets at November 2, 2006, relates primarily to market quotations for the 10½% Senior Unsecured Notes.

8. Deemed landlord financing liability

For many of our build-to-suit projects, we are considered the owner of the project during the construction period in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 97-10, “The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction,” because we are deemed to have substantially all of the construction period risk.  At the end of these construction projects, a sale-leaseback could be deemed to occur in certain situations and the seller-lessee would record the sale, remove all property and related liabilities from its balance sheet and recognize gain or loss from the sale, which is generally deferred and amortized as an adjustment to rent expense over the term of the lease.  However, many of our historical real estate transactions and build-to-suit projects have not qualified for sale-leaseback accounting because of our deemed continuing involvement with the buyer-lessor, which results in the transaction being recorded under the financing method.  Under the financing method, the assets remain on the consolidated balance sheet and are depreciated over their useful life, and the proceeds from the transaction are recorded as a financing liability.  A portion of lease payments are applied as payments of deemed principal and imputed interest.

The Company’s continuing involvement for most of its leases currently accounted for under the financing method resulted from its ability to control the property with pre-determined rental payments through at least 90 percent of the economic life of the property, even though lease renewals would need to be exercised by the Company to effectuate such control. These “perpetual fixed-price renewal options” are considered continuing involvement because the seller-lessee is deemed to benefit from future appreciation in the underlying property in a manner similar to a fixed-price purchase option. Such continuing involvement precludes the use of sale-leaseback accounting until such time that the continuing involvement no longer exists.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company changed the estimated useful lives of its buildings (Note 2). This change removed the Company’s ability to control the property through at least 90% of its economic life for 26 of our 126 restaurants accounted for using the financing method. As a result, the Company recognized the “sale” of these 26 units by removing both the assets and financing obligations associated with the restaurants and recording any gain or loss in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 98, “Accounting for Leases”. The leases were then tested under the provisions of SFAS” No. 13 “Accounting for Leases” for treatment as capital or operating leases. All 26 leases qualified as operating and deferred rent was recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 98 and SFAS No.13. The effect of this change was a reduction in the Company’s financing obligation of $30.5 million, a reduction of financing assets of $29.3 million, an increase in deferred rent of $1.2 million, and a net loss on the transactions of $50,000. The net loss has been deferred and will be amortized to rent expense over the remaining reasonably assured lease term in accordance with SFAS No. 13.

The agreements related to the Company’s deemed landlord financing liability generally contain an initial term of 15 or 20 years plus renewal options and also require payment of property taxes, maintenance, insurance and utilities.

The following summarizes future minimum payments under the Company’s agreements related to the deemed landlord financing liability having an initial or remaining non-cancelable term of one year or more as of November 2, 2006 :

F-18




 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2007

 

$

11,524

 

2008

 

11,688

 

2009

 

11,587

 

2010

 

12,172

 

2011

 

12,119

 

2012 and thereafter

 

202,775

 

 

 

261,865

 

Less: amount representing imputed interest

 

(153,832

)

Present value of minimum payments

 

$

108,033

 

 

The imputed interest rates on the deemed landlord financing liability ranged from 9.8% to 12.1%.  Imputed interest expense on the deemed landlord financing liability totaled $13.6 million, $13.1 million, and $11.8 million during the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005, and October 28, 2004, respectively.

9. Leases

The Company is the prime lessee under various land, building, and equipment leases for Company-operated and franchised restaurants, pie production facilities and other locations. The leases have initial terms ranging from 15 to 20 years and, in most instances, provide for renewal options ranging from five to 20 years.  Many leases contain purchase options at the end of the lease term and escalation clauses, either predetermined or based upon inflation. When predetermined escalation clauses are present, the Company recognizes rental expense on the straight-line basis. Certain leases contain provisions that require additional rental payments based upon restaurant sales volume (“contingent rentals”).  Contingent rentals are accrued each accounting period as the liabilities are incurred utilizing prorated periodic sales targets.  Under most leases, the Company is responsible for occupancy costs including taxes, insurance and maintenance.  Subleases to franchisees and others generally provide for similar terms as the prime lease and an obligation for occupancy costs.

The following summarizes future minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable term of one year or more as of November 2, 2006:

(In thousands)

 

Capital
leases

 

Operating
leases

 

Lease and
sublease
income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

$

74

 

$

24,897

 

$

723

 

2008

 

66

 

23,237

 

574

 

2009

 

37

 

22,385

 

382

 

2010

 

37

 

20,715

 

257

 

2011

 

27

 

17,991

 

119

 

2012 and thereafter

 

 

80,431

 

299

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

241

 

$

189,656

 

$

2,354

 

Less: amount representing interest

 

(46

)

 

 

 

 

Present value of minimum lease payments

 

195

 

 

 

 

 

Less: current maturities of capitalized lease obligations

 

(55

)

 

 

 

 

Capitalized lease obligations

 

$

140

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-19




Two of our leased properties are subject to capital lease obligations. These capital leases have expiration dates of July 2008 and June 2011.  Implicit interest rates are 10.14% on capital leases.

Net rental expense consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

 

Year ended
November 2,
2006

 

Year ended
November 3,
2005

 

Year ended
October 28,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant land and buildings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum rentals

 

$

23,539

 

$

18,963

 

$

17,944

 

Contingent rentals

 

1,820

 

2,091

 

2,061

 

Equipment

 

320

 

313

 

437

 

Gross rental expense

 

25,679

 

21,367

 

20,442

 

Less: lease and sublease rental income

 

(1,262

)

(1,442

)

(1,458

)

Net rental expense

 

$

24,417

 

$

19,925

 

$

18,984

 

 

10. Other non-current liabilities

Other non-current liabilities and credits consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for closed/subleased properties (Note 14)

 

$

440

 

$

602

 

Deferred straight-line rent payable

 

6,179

 

2,685

 

Deferred lease payments

 

2,134

 

2,499

 

Deferred gain on sale-leasebacks

 

1,030

 

 

Insurance

 

4,864

 

4,980

 

Landlord incentive

 

732

 

807

 

Other

 

23

 

23

 

 

 

$

15,402

 

$

11,596

 

 

The deferred lease payments liability was established at the date of the Company’s purchase of Midway and represents the present value of the difference between the market rates in effect as of that date compared to the Company’s lease payments on individual properties.

11. Stockholders’ equity—VI Acquisition Corp.

Preferred stock

The VI Acquisition Corp. Series A preferred stock has a par value of $0.0001 per share with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Dividends on the Series A preferred stock accrue cumulatively on a daily basis at a fixed rate of 10% and are payable upon liquidation or redemption. Accrued dividends were approximately $9.8 million and $8.9 million for the years ended November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005, respectively.  Holders of the Series A preferred stock have no voting rights in relation to matters of the Company.

Common stock

VI Acquisition Corp. common stock has a par value of $0.0001 per share and each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock.

Mezzanine and collateralized securities

Certain members of management have purchased shares of the Company’s common and preferred stock, and those shares are subject to a put by the holder upon the death of the holder.  Since the put feature is at the option of the holders’ estate but is not mandatory, these shares have been classified as mezzanine equities. These shares have resulted in common mezzanine equity of 27,453 shares, or $27,453 and 35,248 shares, or $35,248 at November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2006, respectively and preferred mezzanine equity of 1,027.85 shares, or $1,028,000 at November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2006.

F-20




Treasury stock

Following the separation of a member of management from the Company during the period ended October 28, 2004, the Company repurchased 4,500 shares of common stock at a cost of $1.00.  No stock was repurchased during the year ended November 3, 2005.  During the year ended November 2, 2006, the Company repurchased 52,092 shares of common stock and 448 shares of preferred stock at a cost of $1.00 and $24.80 per share plus accrued dividends, respectively, following the separation of two other members of management.  The aggregate purchase price paid to the former officers was approximately $745,000.

Warrants

In connection with the issuance of senior debt on June 13, 2003, VI Acquisition issued common and preferred stock purchase warrants which entitled the holders to purchase at any time through June 13, 2013 an aggregate of 95,745 shares of common stock and an aggregate of 0.06 shares of Series A preferred stock at $0.01 per share. The preferred stock warrant holders are subject to an anti-dilution provision, which allows their ownership to remain at approximately 6% of the value of the accrued dividends on the Series A preferred stock. As of November 2, 2006, the preferred warrants were exercisable for an aggregate of 1,765.23 shares of preferred stock.

Management agreements

Ms. Koenig and Mr. Carroll have entered into certain Management Agreements with us pursuant to which they purchased restricted shares of our common stock at a price equal to $1.00 per share.  The shares vest over a period of five years at the rate of 20% per year and are subject to certain repurchase rights upon termination of employment.  Upon termination of employment, all vesting ceases and the unvested shares may be repurchased by us at their original cost and the vested shares may be repurchased at fair market value (unless termination is for “cause” or voluntarily by the employee without “good reason”, in which event all of the shares may be repurchased by us at the lesser of original cost or fair market value).  In addition, pursuant to the Management Agreements, following the termination of employment, we may elect, or, in the event of their deaths, their respective estates may compel us, to repurchase certain shares of our preferred stock and common stock previously acquired by Ms. Koenig and Mr. Carroll.  The purchase price for such shares will be equal to fair market value with respect to the common stock and original cost with respect to the preferred stock, unless the purchase is pursuant to Ms. Koenig’s and Mr. Carroll’s put right following death, in which case the purchase price will be the lesser of the foregoing amounts or the original cost of the shares.

Mr. Keymer entered into a Management Agreement with the Company pursuant to which he purchased restricted shares of the Company’s common stock at a price equal to $4.53 per share.  The shares vest over a period of four years at the rate of 25% per year and are subject to certain repurchase rights upon termination of Mr. Keymer’s service as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.  Upon termination of Mr. Keymer’s services as a member of the Board of Directors, all vesting ceases and the unvested shares may be repurchased by the Company at their original cost and the vested shares may be repurchased at fair market value.

Messrs. Guido and Casey have entered into a Management Agreements with us to commit to purchase restricted shares of our common stock at a price equal to $4.53 per share.  The shares vest over a period of five years at the rate of 20% per year and are subject to certain repurchase rights upon termination of employment.  Upon termination of employment, all vesting ceases and the unvested shares may be repurchased by us at their original cost and the vested shares may be repurchased at fair market value (unless termination is for “cause” or voluntarily by the employee without “good reason”, in which event all of the shares may be repurchased by us at the lesser of original cost or fair market value).   As of November 2, 2006, Mr. Guido had purchased the restricted shares.

12. Stock option and incentive program

In connection with the acquisition of Midway by VI Acquisition, those members of management who chose to roll over options to purchase shares of Midway stock were granted options to purchase shares of Series A preferred stock of VI Acquisition Corp. for $24.80 per share. These options were fully vested as of the grant date and no expense was recorded.

Information regarding activity for stock options exercisable for shares of Series A preferred stock outstanding under VI Acquisition Corp. Stock Option Plan is as follows:

F-21




 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
average
exercise
price

 

Options outstanding at October 26, 2003

 

647

 

$

24.80

 

Granted rollover options

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

Options outstanding at October 28, 2004

 

647

 

24.80

 

Granted

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

Options outstanding at November 3, 2005

 

647

 

$

24.80

 

Granted

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(447

)

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

Options outstanding at November 2, 2006

 

200

 

$

24.80

 

 

The options outstanding at November 2, 2006 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.6 years.

13. Employee benefit plans

The Company maintains the VICORP Restaurants, Inc. Employees’ 401(k) Plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which provides for annual contributions by the Company in the amount of 2% of the aggregate compensation of participants. Full-time and part-time employees meeting a 1,000 hour service requirement are eligible to participate. During the years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 24, 2004, the Company recorded expense of $670,000 and $620,000 and $587,000, respectively, for its 401(k) contributions.

14. Asset impairments, asset disposals and related costs

During the fiscal year ended November 2, 2006, the Company recorded a $1.4 million pretax impairment charge related to the write-down of assets for 12 restaurant locations, all of which will continue to be operated.  Management assessed various factors relevant to the assets, including projected negative cash flows, and concluded the historical performance trends at the operating locations were unlikely to improve materially. Therefore an impairment charge was recognized to reduce the carrying value of the assets to fair market value, which was estimated based upon management’s historical experience associated with such assets.  No impairment charges were recorded in the fiscal year ended November 3, 2005 while a $1.1 million impairment charge was recorded for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2004.

As of November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005, the Company had recorded a reserve for closed/subleased restaurant locations (Notes 6 and 10) of approximately $0.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively, primarily representing estimated future minimum lease payments related to the restaurant facilities, net of expected sublease income. Of the five restaurant locations to which this reserve relates, four of such locations were subleased as of November 2, 2006.

The following summarizes the activities that occurred in the Company’s reserve for closed/subleased restaurant locations during the years ended November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005, respectively:

(In thousands)

 

Year ended 
November 2,
2006

 

Year ended 
November 3,
2005

 

Beginning of period

 

$

1,008

 

$

1,270

 

Additions

 

 

 

Payments

 

(379

)

(262

)

End of period

 

$

629

 

$

1,008

 

 

F-22




15. Income taxes

The total provisions for income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

 

Year ended
November 2,
2006

 

Year ended
November 3,
2005

 

Year ended
October 28,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

(2,023

)

$

1,190

 

$

1,394

 

State

 

(865

)

76

 

853

 

 

 

(2,888

)

1,266

 

2,247

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(1,134

)

(1,262

)

(4,394

)

State

 

565

 

134

 

(765

)

 

 

(569

)

(1,128

)

(5,159

)

Provision for income taxes (benefit)

 

$

(3,457

)

$

138

 

$

(2,912

)

 

The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the federal statutory rate to the Company’s income tax expense (benefit):

(In thousands)

 

Year
ended
November 2,
2006

 

Year
ended
November 3,
2005

 

Year
ended
October 28,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision computed at statutory federal income tax rates

 

(3,965

)

35

%

1,261

 

35

%

(1,903

)

35

%

FICA tip tax credit

 

(1,364

)

12

%

(1,147

)

(32

)%

(1,049

)

19

%

Non-deductible costs

 

45

 

0

%

14

 

0

%

18

 

0

%

AMT Credits

 

(517

)

5

%

 

0

%

 

0

%

State income tax provision, net of federal benefit

 

(198

)

2

%

137

 

5

%

58

 

(1

)%

Valuation allowances

 

2,435

 

(22

)%

 

0

%

 

0

%

Other, net

 

107

 

(1

)%

(127

)

(4

)%

(36

)

1

%

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(3,457

)

31

%

138

 

4

%

(2,912

)

54

%

 

The components of the net deferred tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:

(In thousands)

 

November 2,
2006

 

November 3,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss

 

$

1,871

 

$

 

FICA tax credit carry forwards

 

16,148

 

13,870

 

Alternative minimum tax credit carry forwards

 

3,883

 

3,366

 

Accrued insurance claims not yet deductible

 

3,319

 

3,522

 

Property and equipment

 

 

1,264

 

Investment

 

2,691

 

2,754

 

Leasing/financing transactions

 

1,977

 

2,098

 

Other

 

2,266

 

1,682

 

 

 

$

32,155

 

$

28,556

 

Valuation allowance

 

(5,195

)

(2,760

)

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance

 

$

26,960

 

$

25,796

 

Trademarks

 

(16,612

)

(16,999

)

Franchise rights

 

(3,927

)

(4,296

)

Property and equipment

 

(1,411

)

 

Other

 

 

(60

)

Deferred tax liabilities

 

$

(21,950

)

$

(21,355

)

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

5,010

 

$

4,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes, short-term

 

$

2,387

 

$

1,431

 

Deferred income taxes, long-term

 

$

2,623

 

$

3,010

 

 

As of November 2, 2006, the Company had aggregate federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $5 million

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which expire in years 2024 through 2026.

The FICA tip credit is a general business income tax credit claimed by the Company for employer social security taxes paid on employee tips exceeding the amount treated as wages for minimum wage purposes. To the extent that the FICA tip credit is claimed, a business deduction for the FICA tax is not received for the FICA tax which is subject to the federal income tax credit.  Any unused FICA tip credit may be carried back one year and forward 20 years (three-year carryback and 15-year carry forward for credits generated in tax years beginning before 1998).  The alternative minimum tax credit carry forwards never expire.

Approximately $10.2 million of the FICA tip credit carry forwards were generated prior to the Company’s acquisition in June 2003 and are subject to an annual use limitation of approximately $0.7 million.  Of these credit carry forwards, $6.2 million may be carried forward up to 15 years with expirations in 2008 through 2012 and $4.0 million may be carried forward up to 20 years with expirations in 2018 through 2022.  The remaining $5.9 million of FICA tip credit carry forwards were generated post-acquisition, are not subject to annual limitations and will expire in 2023 through 2026.  As of November 2, 2006, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $2.5 million for FICA tip credits for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized due to the impending expiration of such credits.

The Company established a valuation allowance of $2.8 million for the portion of its deferred tax asset related to an investment for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.  This investment arose from the sale of a subsidiary and in 1991 had been written-off for financial reporting purposes.  While the Company believes that this investment will ultimately be written-off for tax purposes, it does not believe that it will generate sufficient capital gains to offset the capital loss.

16. Transaction and debt extinguishment expenses

The Company incurred various expenses directly related to the acquisitions of the predecessor companies (Note 1). The components of the transaction expenses and debt extinguishment costs were as follows (there were no transaction or debt extinguishment costs during the year ended November 2, 2006).

(In thousands)

 

Year ended
November 3,
2005

 

Year ended
October 28,
2004

 

Transaction expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Legal, accounting and other professional fees

 

$

15

 

$

75

 

Legal settlements

 

 

50

 

Total transaction expenses

 

$

15

 

$

125

 

Debt extinguishment costs:

 

 

 

 

 

Debt prepayment penalties

 

$

 

$

2,305

 

Write-off of deferred financing costs

 

 

4,344

 

Derivative termination

 

 

207

 

Total debt extinguishment costs

 

$

 

$

6,856

 

 

17. Commitments and contingencies

Insurance reserves

The Company retains a significant portion of certain insurable risks primarily in the medical, dental, workers’ compensation, general liability and property areas. Traditional insurance coverage is obtained for catastrophic losses.  Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based upon the Company’s estimates of liabilities for claims incurred, including those not yet reported.  Such estimates utilize prior Company history and actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry.  As of November 2, 2006, the Company had placed letters of credit totaling approximately $7.4 million, primarily associated with its insurance programs.

Litigation contingencies

From time-to-time, the Company has been involved in various lawsuits and claims arising from the conduct of its business. Such lawsuits typically involve claims from customers and others related to operational issues and complaints and allegations from former and current employees. These matters are believed to be common for restaurant businesses. Additionally, the

F-24




Company has been party to various assessments of taxes, penalties and interest from federal and state agencies.  Management believes the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

The Company settled two class action claims in California related to overtime and wage payments in June 2005 for an aggregate payment of up to $6.5 million, subject to the following partial indemnification.  We filed a suit in December 2004 in Cook County, Illinois, seeking indemnification for damages related to this litigation under the Purchase Agreement dated June 14, 2003, pursuant to which VICORP Restaurants, Inc., was acquired, in addition to assertion of other claims.  The former shareholders of Midway Investors Holdings Inc. filed a similar action in December 2004 in Superior Court in Massachusetts.  Through our parent company, VI Acquisition Corp., an agreement to settle claims brought in both of these actions was finalized and VI Acquisition Corp. received a settlement payment in December 2005 of $2.65 million.  The ultimate cost to settle the two class actions was reduced to $5.3 million.

The Company is currently defendants in two class action claims in California.  The first class action was brought in March 2006 by two former managers and alleges that we violated California law with regard to unpaid overtime, compensation for missed meals and rest periods, civil penalties for failure to provide itemized wage statements, failure to provide notice on paychecks where paychecks may be cashed without any fees, and unfair business practices.  The classes and subclasses alleged in the action have not been certified by the court at the current stage of the litigation but generally are claimed to be persons who have been employed since February 1, 2005, in the position of restaurant managers, persons who have been employed in California since March 15, 2002, in any capacity who received a payroll check in California, and all restaurant managers who  have ended their employment with the Company prior to the effective date of any settlement, judgment, or other resolution of the action.  No dollar amount in damages is requested in the Complaint and the Complaint seeks statutory damages, and attorneys’ fees in an unspecified amount.

The second class action was brought in April 2006 by a former employee and alleges the Company violated California laws with regard to failure to pay vested vacation pay and unfair business practices.  The class alleged is any person who has been employed by us in California at any time from four years prior to the filing of the class action to date of trial.  No dollar amount in damages is requested in the Complaint and the Complaint seeks attorneys’ fees in an unspecified amount.  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company established a liability of $600,000 relating to this action.

Guarantees and commitments

The Company guaranteed certain leases for restaurant properties sold in 1986 and restaurant leases of certain franchisees. Minimum future rental payments remaining under these leases were approximately $2.0 million as of November 2, 2006.  The Company has not made any payments due to default under these agreements, and management believes the guarantee has no fair value.  Management believes the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Contractual obligations, primarily for restaurants under construction, amounted to approximately $5.1 million as of November 2, 2006.

Indemnifications

In the normal course of business, the Company is party to a variety of agreements under which it may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These obligations typically arise in contracts where the Company customarily agrees to hold the other party harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants for certain matters such as title to assets. The Company also has indemnification obligations to its officers and directors. The duration of these indemnifications varies, and in certain cases, is indefinite. In each of these circumstances, payment by the Company depends upon the other party making an adverse claim according to the procedures outlined in the particular agreement, which procedures generally allow the Company to challenge the other party’s claims. In certain instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for payments that we make.

The Company is unable to reasonably estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances of each agreement and the fact that certain indemnifications provide for no limitation to the maximum potential future payments under the indemnification. The Company has not recorded any liability for these indemnifications in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets; however, the Company does accrue losses for any known contingent liability, including those that may arise from indemnification provisions, when the obligation is both probable and reasonably estimable.

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18. Related party transactions

In June 2003, VI Acquisition Corp. entered into a professional services agreement with Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. pursuant to which they provide services relating to corporate strategy, acquisition and divestiture strategy and advice regarding debt and equity financings. In exchange for such services, Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. is entitled to an annual management fee of $231,668 plus its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. is entitled to an annual management fee of $618,332 plus its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, upon repayment in full of all amounts owing under VI Acquisition Corp.’s prior senior secured credit agreement and its prior subdebt credit agreement, Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. was paid a fee equal to the sum of $250,000 plus the product of $70,000 multiplied by the result of a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from June 13, 2003 until such repayment and the denominator of which is 365. We paid Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. approximately $309,000 pursuant to this provision upon repayment of our prior senior credit facility in connection with the April 2004 refinancing.

The professional services agreement will continue until the occurrence of a change of control of VI Acquisition Corp.; provided that if at such time VI Acquisition Corp. pays in full all amounts owing under its existing senior secured credit facility and mezzanine credit agreement, the professional services agreement shall remain in effect as long as VI Acquisition Corp.’s current stockholders own at least 10% of the common stock or preferred stock of VI Acquisition Corp. The professional services agreement, however, may be terminated by VI Acquisition Corp. if either Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. or Wind Point Investors V, L.P. is in material breach and has not cured such breach within 60 days of notice thereof.  The professional services agreement contains customary indemnification provisions in favor of Wind Point Investors IV, L.P., Wind Point Investors V, L.P. and their affiliates. Mr. Cummings is a managing director and Mr. Solot is a principal of Wind Point Advisors LLC, an affiliate of Wind Point Investors IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P.

Total management fees paid to Wind Point Investors, IV, L.P. and Wind Point Investors V, L.P. totaled $850,000, $1,063,000, and $1,088,000 for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005 and October 28, 2004, respectively.  Total management fee expense for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2006, November 3, 2005, and October 28, 2004 was $850,000, $850,000, and $1,159,000, respectively. As of November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2005, $63,000 of such management fees were accrued but unpaid, respectively.

In March 2004, Walter Van Benthuysen purchased 10,000 shares of our common stock for $10,000, Debra Koenig purchased 3,575 shares of our common stock for $3,575 and Anthony Carroll purchased 14,295 shares of our common stock for $14,295.

In April 2005, Anthony Carroll purchased 5,802 shares of common stock for $26,282 and 284.087 shares of our series A preferred stock for $322,200.  In May 2005, a former employee purchased .913 shares of our series A preferred stock for $1,036.

In September 2005, Kenneth Keymer purchased 2,901 shares of common stock for $13,142.

In June 2006, Anthony Carroll purchased 4,243 shares of common stock for $19,200, Jeffry Guido purchased 10,948 shares of common stock for $49,594 and another member of management purchased 3,399 shares of common stock for $15,397.

19. Quarterly financial data (unaudited)

The Company’s quarterly results of operations for fiscal years 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:

 

Quarter ended (a)

 

(In thousands)
Fiscal 2006

 

January 26,
2006

 

April 20,
2006

 

July 13,
2006

 

November 2,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

112,132

 

$

106,164

 

$

105,433

 

$

142,579

 

Litigation settlement expense

 

 

 

 

600

 

Transaction costs

 

 

 

 

 

Asset impairment

 

308

 

513

 

 

560

 

Operating profit

 

6,598

 

4,801

 

5,391

 

1,272

 

Net income (loss)

 

65

 

(1,290

)

(581

)

(6,065

)

 

 

Quarter ended (a)

 

Fiscal 2005

 

January 27,
2005

 

April 21,
2005

 

July 14,
2005

 

November 3,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

115,130

 

$

97,511

 

$

96,782

 

$

129,922

 

Litigation settlement expense

 

 

 

(408

)

 

Transaction costs

 

15

 

 

 

 

Asset impairment

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

10,206

 

6,770

 

7,723

 

7,108

 

Net income (loss)

 

2,269

 

456

 

1,308

 

(570

)


(a)             The Company’s first, second and third quarters generally consist of twelve weeks each and the fourth quarter consists of sixteen weeks.  The first quarter of fiscal 2005 included an extra week.

 

F-26