-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, TJGRMqRvkeFtwb3afzKzu2g6hESQ+9a+ZT2mRdC1dFsrxGSmpdO7zhvyAgbhizu6 FZlgeBsYI5/a4XzKplX6Mw== 0001016843-98-000575.txt : 19981023 0001016843-98-000575.hdr.sgml : 19981023 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001016843-98-000575 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19980907 FILED AS OF DATE: 19981021 SROS: NASD FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHECKERS DRIVE IN RESTAURANTS INC /DE CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000879554 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812] IRS NUMBER: 581654960 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-19649 FILM NUMBER: 98728754 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 14255 49TH STREET NORTH BLDG I CITY: CLEARWATER STATE: FL ZIP: 33762 BUSINESS PHONE: 7275192000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 14255 49TH STREET NORTH BLDG I CITY: CLEARWATER STATE: FL ZIP: 33762 10-Q 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (Mark One) [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 7, 1998 OR [ ] 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 0-19649 CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. ------------------------------------------------------ (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 58-1654960 ------------------------------ ------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer incorporation or organization) identification no.) 14255 49TH STREET NORTH, BUILDING 1 SUITE 101 CLEARWATER, FL 33762 --------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (727) 519-2000 Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ] The Registrant had 73,411,092 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, outstanding as of October 7, 1998. This document contains 25 pages. Exhibit Index appears at page 24.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE ITEM 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets September 7, 1998 and December 29, 1997..................................3 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Quarter ended September 7, 1998 and September 8, 1997 and Three Quarters ended September 7, 1998 and September 8, 1997.........5 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three Quarters ended September 7, 1998 and September 8, 1997.............6 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.......................7 ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS...................................................12 ITEM 3 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK..................18 PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS...........................................................19 ITEM 2 CHANGES IN SECURITIES.......................................................22 ITEM 3 DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.............................................22 ITEM 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS ........................22 ITEM 5 OTHER INFORMATION...........................................................22 ITEM 6 EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K............................................22
2 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) ASSETS (UNAUDITED) SEPTEMBER 7, DECEMBER 29, 1998 1997 ------------- ------------ CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents: Restricted $ 1,472 2,555 Unrestricted 2,215 1,366 Accounts receivable 1,017 1,175 Notes receivable-current 182 265 Inventory 2,045 2,222 Assets held for sale 3,117 4,332 Deferred loan costs-current 1,511 1,648 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,003 309 -------- -------- Total current assets 12,562 13,872 Property and equipment, net 81,705 87,889 Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 10,818 11,520 Deferred loan costs - less current portion -- 1,099 Notes receivable - long term portion 343 381 Deposits and other non-current assets 611 640 -------- -------- $106,039 $115,401 ======== ======== SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 3
CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) SEPTEMBER 7, DECEMBER 29, 1998 1997 ------------ ------------ CURRENT LIABILITIES: Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations $ 26,961 $ 3,484 Accounts payable 5,649 8,186 Accrued wages, salaries and benefits 2,558 2,528 Reserves for Restaurant relocation and abandoned sites 1,517 2,159 Other accrued liabilities 7,994 11,408 Deferred income-current 212 260 --------- --------- Total current liabilities 44,891 28,025 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current installments 2,453 29,401 Deferred income 608 346 Long-term reserves for Restaurant relocations and abandoned sites 434 581 Minority interests in joint ventures 872 966 Other noncurrent liabilities 7,677 5,710 --------- --------- Total liabilities 56,935 65,029 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, $.001 par value, authorized 2,000,000 shares, no shares outstanding -- -- Common stock, $.001 par value, authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 73,411,092 at September 7, 1998 and 72,755,031 at December 29, 1997 73 73 Additional paid-in capital 112,550 112,536 Warrants 9,463 9,463 Retained deficit (72,582) (71,300) --------- --------- 49,504 50,772 Less treasury stock, at cost, 578,904 shares 400 400 --------- --------- Net stockholders' equity 49,104 50,372 --------- --------- $ 106,039 $ 115,401 ========= =========
SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 4
CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) (UNAUDITED) QUARTER ENDED THREE QUARTERS ENDED ----------------------- ----------------------- SEPT. 7, SEPT. 8, SEPT. 7, SEPT. 8, 1998 1997 1998 1997 --------- --------- --------- --------- REVENUES: Restaurant sales $ 30,770 $ 30,786 $ 98,880 $ 94,987 Franchise revenues and fees 1,714 1,797 5,314 5,122 Modular restaurant packages 101 150 220 494 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total revenues $ 32,585 $ 32,733 $ 104,414 $ 100,603 COSTS AND EXPENSES: Restaurant food and paper costs 9,619 9,715 31,351 31,223 Restaurant labor costs 10,110 9,887 31,619 31,017 Restaurant occupancy expense 2,622 2,573 7,841 7,377 Restaurant depreciation and amortization 1,768 1,904 5,283 5,731 Other restaurant operating expense 3,014 3,093 9,440 9,526 Advertising expense 1,630 1,588 5,093 4,828 Cost of modular restaurant package revenues 158 150 341 439 Other depreciation and amortization 531 518 1,564 1,546 General and administrative expenses 3,128 3,609 9,563 10,936 Loss provisions 251 -- (123) -- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total costs and expenses 32,831 33,037 101,972 102,623 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income (loss) (246) (304) 2,442 (2,020) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest income 49 57 192 238 Interest expense (867) (1,046) (2,700) (3,566) Interest - loan cost amortization (415) (445) (1,244) (3,100) --------- --------- --------- --------- Loss before minority interests and income tax expense (1,479) (1,738) (1,310) (8,448) Minority interests (10) -- (28) (60) --------- --------- --------- --------- Loss before income tax expense (1,469) (1,738) (1,282) (8,388) Income tax expense -- -- -- -- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net loss $ (1,469) $ (1,738) $ (1,282) $ (8,388) ========= ========= ========= ========= Preferred dividends $ -- $ 696 $ -- $ 696 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net loss to common shareholders $ (1,469) $ (2,434) $ (1,282) $ (9,084) ========= ========= ========= ========= Comprehensive loss $ (1,469) $ (2,434) $ (1,282) $ (9,084) ========= ========= ========= ========= Net loss per common share - basic $ (0.02) $ (0.04) $ (0.02) $ (0.15) ========= ========= ========= ========= Net loss per common share - diluted $ (0.02) $ (0.04) $ (0.02) $ (0.15) ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted average number of common shares - basic 73,411 65,548 73,379 60,163 ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted average number of common shares - diluted 73,411 65,548 73,379 60,163 ========= ========= ========= =========
SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 5 CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) THREE QUARTERS ENDED -------------------- SEPT. 7, SEPT. 8, 1998 1997 -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss $ (1,282) $ (8,388) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 6,847 7,277 Provision for losses on assets to be disposed of 377 -- Reverse sales tax audit provision (500) -- Deferred loan cost amortization 1,244 3,100 Provision for bad debt 466 323 Gain on debt extinguishment (141) -- Loss on disposal of property & equipment 29 81 Minority interests in (losses) earnings (28) (60) Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase in accounts receivable (269) (1,351) Decrease in notes receivable 65 316 Decrease in inventory 176 260 Decrease in income taxes receivable -- 3,514 Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets (699) (772) Decrease in deposits and other 29 119 Decrease in accounts payable (2,503) (6,205) Decrease in accrued liabilities (1,896) (3,960) Increase in deferred income 214 10 -------- -------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 2,129 (5,736) -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (1,046) (1,198) Proceeds from sale of assets 2,005 3,280 Cash paid on business purchases -- (155) -------- -------- Net cash provided by investing activities 959 1,927 -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repayments on short-term debt -- (2,500) Principal payments on long-term debt (3,257) (12,423) Net proceeds from private placement -- 19,450 Distributions to minority interests (65) (53) -------- -------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (3,322) 4,474 -------- -------- Net (decrease) increase in cash (234) 665 CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 3,921 3,056 -------- -------- CASH AT END OF PERIOD $ 3,687 $ 3,721 ======== ======== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION--- Interest paid $ 2,822 $ 4,071 ======== ======== SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 6 CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (a) BASIS OF PRESENTATION - The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein have been included. The operating results for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, are not necessarily an indication of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 28, 1998. Except as disclosed herein, there has been no material change in the information disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 1997. Therefore, it is suggested that the accompanying financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company's December 29, 1997 consolidated financial statements. (b) PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION - The principal business of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (the "Company") is the operation and franchising of Checkers Restaurants. At September 7, 1998, there were 483 Checkers Restaurants operating in 23 different states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and West Bank in the Middle East. Of those Restaurants, 228 were Company-operated (including 12 joint venture restaurants) and 255 were operated by franchisees. The accounts of the joint ventures have been included with those of the Company in these consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of all of the Company's subsidiaries, including Champion Modular Restaurant Company, Inc. ("Champion"). Champion manufactures Modular Restaurant Packages ("MRP's") primarily for the Company and franchisees. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation and minority interests have been established for the outside partners' interests. (c) REVENUE RECOGNITION - Franchise fees are generated from the sale of rights to develop, own and operate Restaurants. Such fees are based on the number of potential Restaurants in a specific area which the franchisee agrees to develop pursuant to the terms of the franchise agreement between the Company and the franchisee and are recognized as income on a pro rata basis when substantially all of the Company's obligations per location are satisfied, generally at the opening of the Restaurant. Franchise fees are nonrefundable. The Company receives royalty fees from franchisees based on a percentage of each restaurant's gross revenues. Royalty fees are recognized as earned. Champion recognizes revenues on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of costs incurred to the estimated total costs of the contract. (d) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of less than three months to be cash equivalents. In January 1998, $1.2 million in restricted cash balances were released for the Company's use as the funds have been guaranteed by a letter of credit from a bank. (e) RECEIVABLES - Receivables consist primarily of franchise fees, royalties and notes due from franchisees and receivables from the sale of modular restaurant packages. Allowances for doubtful receivables were $2.2 million at September 7, 1998 and $2.1 million at December 29, 1997. (f) INVENTORY - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out (FIFO) method) or market. (g) DEFERRED LOAN COSTS - Deferred loan costs incurred in connection with the Company's November 22, 1996 restructure of its primary credit facility (see Note 2) are being amortized on the effective interest method. (h) IMPAIRMENT OF LONG LIVED ASSETS - The Company accounts for tangible property and intangibles under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of" (SFAS 121), which requires the write-down of certain intangibles and tangible property associated with under performing sites to the level supported by the forecasted discounted cash flow in cases where undiscounted cash flow projected does not exceed the book value of the related assets. 7 (i) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Property and equipment (P & E) are stated at cost except for P & E that have been impaired, for which the carrying amount is reduced to estimated fair value. Property and equipment under capital leases are stated at their fair value at the inception of the lease. Depreciation and amortization are computed on straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. (j) GOODWILL AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS - Goodwill and non-compete agreements are being amortized over 20 years and 3 to 7 years, respectively, on a straight-line basis. (k) INCOME TAXES - The Company accounts for income taxes under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" (SFAS 109). Under the asset or liability method of SFAS 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under SFAS 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date (see Note 5). (l) USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (m) DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - The balance sheets as of September 7, 1998 and December 29, 1997 reflect the fair value amounts which have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgement is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, and long-term debt are a reasonable estimate of their fair value. Interest rates that are currently available to the Company for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair value for debt issues that are not quoted on an exchange. (n) EARNINGS PER SHARE - Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, "Earnings per Share". Effective for periods ending after December 15, 1997, SFAS 128 replaces the presentation of primary earnings per share and fully diluted earnings per share previously found in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15, "Earnings Per Share" ("APB 15") with basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share. Potentially dilutive common stock warrants and options have no effect, as they are anti-dilutive for all periods presented. (o) STOCK OPTIONS - As discussed in Note 3, the Company utilizes the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (SFAS 123), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation". (p) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." This statement establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. Comprehensive income is the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. Reclassification of the Company's financial statements for earlier periods provided for comparative purposes is required under SFAS 130. (q) YEAR 2000 - In January 1997, the Company developed a plan to deal with the Year 2000 problem and began converting its computer systems to be Year 2000 compliant. The plan provides for the conversion efforts to be completed by the end of 1999. The Year 2000 problem is the result of computer programs being written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $100,000 and will be funded through operating cash flows. The Company anticipates expensing all costs associated with these systems changes as costs are incurred. (r) RECLASSIFICATIONS - Certain amounts in the 1997 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1998 presentation. 8
NOTE 2: LONG TERM DEBT Long-term debt consists of the following: (Dollars in thousands) SEPTEMBER 7, DECEMBER 29, 1998 1997 ------------ ------------ Notes payable under Restated Credit Agreement $25,432 $26,077 Notes payable and obligations under capital lease, due at various dates secured by building and equipment with interest rates primarily ranging from 9.0% to 15.83%, payable monthly 2,856 5,441 Other 1,126 1,367 ------- ------- Total long-term debt 29,414 32,885 Less current installments 26,961 3,484 ------- ------- Long-term debt, less current installments $ 2,453 $29,401 ======= =======
At November 13, 1997, the effective date of the registration statements filed on Form S-4, the Company had outstanding promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $3.2 million, (the "Notes") payable to Rall-Folks, Inc. ("Rall-Folks"), Restaurant Development Group, Inc. ("RDG") and Nashville Twin Drive-Through Partners, L.P. (" N.T.D.T."). The Company agreed to acquire the Notes issued to Rall-Folks and RDG in consideration of the issuance of an aggregate of approximately 1.9 million shares of Common Stock and the Note issued to NTDT in exchange for a convertible note in the same principal amount and convertible into approximately 614,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to agreements entered into in 1995 and subsequently amended. All three of the parties received varying degrees of protection on the purchase price of the promissory notes. Accordingly, the actual number of shares to be issued was to be determined by the market price of the Company's stock. Consummation of the Rall-Folks, RDG, and NTDT purchases occurred on November 24, December 5, and November 24, 1997, respectively. During December 1997, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,622,559 shares of common stock in payment of $2.9 million of principal and accrued interest relating to the Notes. In early 1998, the Company issued an additional 359,129 shares of common stock to NTDT. Additionally, in January 1998, the Company issued 12,064 shares of common stock to RDG in payment of accrued interest, issued 279,868 shares of common stock and paid $86,000 in cash to Rall-Folks in full settlement of all remaining amounts owed in relation to debt principal, accrued interest, and purchase price protection. After these issuances, the remaining amount owed in relation to these Notes was $22,000 payable to NTDT. It is currently estimated that the Company may owe approximately $70,000 in additional cash payments to NTDT for principal, accrued interest and purchase price protection. As of September 7, 1998, the Company has paid RDG $36,000 for accrued interest and purchase price protection and does not expect any significant financial commitments beyond $70,000 necessary to settle the Notes. The Company's primary credit facility (the "Restated Credit Agreement") is held by an investor group led by CKE Restaurants, Inc.. Also participating is KCC Delaware, a wholly owned subsidiary of GIANT GROUP, LTD which is a significant shareholder of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. (a 26% owner of the Company). The Restated Credit Agreement with the CKE Group contains restrictive covenants which include the consolidation EBITDA covenant as defined, As of July 13, 1998, the Company was in violation of the consolidated EBITDA covenant. The Company received a waiver for periods seven through ten of fiscal 1998. This credit facility is due in full on July 31, 1999 and is therefore classified in its entirety as current installments of long-term debt. NOTE 3: RELATED PARTIES Effective November 30, 1997 the Company entered into a Management Services Agreement with Rally's, whereby the Company is providing accounting, technology, and other functional and management services to predominantly all of the operations of Rally's. The Management Services Agreement carries a term of seven years, terminable upon the mutual consent of the parties. The Company will receive fees from Rally's relative to the shared departmental costs times the respective store ratio. The Company has increased its corporate and regional staff in late 1997 and early 1998 in order to meet the demands of the agreement, but management believes that sharing of administrative expenses ($1.5 million in the third quarter of 1998 and $3.5 million for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998) under the terms of this agreement will enable the Company to attract the management staff with 9 expertise necessary to more successfully manage and operate both Rally's and the Company at significantly reduced costs to both entities. Although the number of Company employees has grown to handle the increased workload, the costs of each department are equitably allocated between the Company and Rally's in accordance with the Management Services Agreement. NOTE 4: LOSS PROVISIONS During the third quarter of 1998, the Company recorded provisions of $188,000 to reserve for the costs associated with the closure of two Restaurants. Additionally, during 1998 the Company recorded losses on assets to be disposed of in the amounts of $63,000 in each quarter in order to lower the net realizable value on certain of its assets held for sale including used MRPs. During the second quarter of 1998, the Company recorded a reversal of $500,000 of previously accrued state sales tax audit provisions due to the successful completion of certain state sales tax audits. NOTE 5: INCOME TAXES The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $558,000 for the quarter ended September 7, 1998 and income tax benefits of $660,000 for the quarter ended September 8, 1997, or 38.0% of the respective losses before income taxes. The Company then recorded a valuation allowance of $558,000 against deferred income tax assets for the quarter ended September 7, 1998 ($660,000 for the quarter ended September 8, 1997). The Company's total valuation allowances of approximately $30.9 million as of September 7, 1998, is maintained on deferred tax assets which the Company has not determined to be more likely than not realizable at this time. Subject to a review of the tax assets, these valuation allowances will be reversed during periods in the future in which the Company records pre-tax income, in amounts necessary to offset any then recorded income tax expenses attributable to such future periods. NOTE 6: LITIGATION TEX-CHEX, INC. ET AL V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. ET. AL. On February 4, 1997, a Petition was filed against the Company and two former officers and directors of the Company in the District Court of Travis County, Texas 98th Judicial District, ENTITLED TEX-CHEX, INC., BRIAN MOONEY, AND SILVIO PICCINI V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., JAMES MATTEI, AND HERBERT G. BROWN and numbered as Case No. 97-01335 on the docket of said court. The original Petition generally alleged that Tex-Chex, Inc. and the individual Plaintiffs were induced into entering into two franchise agreements and related personal guarantees with the Company based on fraudulent misrepresentations and omissions made by the Company. On October 2, 1998, the Plaintiffs filed an Amended Petition realleging the fraudulent misrepresentations and omission claims set forth in the original Petition and asserting additional causes of action for violation of Texas' Deceptive Trade Practices Act and violation of Texas' Business Opportunity Act. The Company believes the causes of action asserted in the amended Petition against the Company and the individual defendants are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously. The matter is in the pre-trial stages and no estimate of any possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. V. INTERSTATE DOUBLE DRIVE-THRU, INC. ET. AL. On May 9, 1998, a Counterclaim was filed against the company and a former officer and director of the Company, Herbert T. Brown, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, entitled CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. V. INTERSTATE DOUBLE DRIVE-THRU, INC. AND JIMMIE V. GILES and numbered as Case No. 98-648-CIV-T-23B on the docket of said court. The original Complaint filed by the Company seeks a temporary and permanent injunction enjoining Interstate Double Drive-Thru, Inc. and Mr. Giles' continued use of Checkers' Marks and trade dress notwithstanding the termination of its Franchise Agreement and to collect unpaid royalty fees and advertising fund contributions. The Court granted the Company's motion for a preliminary injunction on July 16, 1998. The Counterclaim generally alleges that Interstate Double Drive-Thru, Inc. and Mr. Giles were induced into entering a franchise agreement and a personal guaranty, respectfully, with the Company based on misrepresentations and omissions made by the Company. The Counterclaim asserts claims for breach of contract, breach of the implied convenant of good faith and fair dealing, violation of Florida's Deceptive Trade Practices Act, violation of Florida's Franchise Act, violation of Mississippi's Franchise Act, fraudulent concealment, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation and rescission. The Company has filed a motion to dismiss seven of the nine causes of action set forth in the Counterclaim which remain pending. The Company believes the causes of action asserted in the Counterclaim against the Company and Mr. Brown are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously. The matter is in the pre-trial stages and no estimate of any possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. 10 FIRST ALBANY CORP., AS CUSTODIAN FOR THE BENEFIT OF NATHAN SUCKMAN V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. ET AL. Case No. 16667. This putative class action was filed on September 29, 1998, in the Delaware Chancery Court in and for New Castle County, Delaware by First Albany Corp., as custodian for the benefit of Nathan Suckman, an alleged stockholder of 500 shares of the Company's common stock. The complaint names the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors as defendants including William P. Foley, II, James J. Gillespie, Harvey Fattig, Joseph N. Stein, Richard A. Peabody, James T. Holder, Terry N. Christensen, Frederick E. Fisher, Clarence V. McKee, Burt Sugarman, C. Thomas Thompson and Peter C. O'Hara. The Complaint also names Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. ("Rally's") and GIANT GROUP, LTD. ("GIANT") as defendants. The complaint arises out of the proposed merger announced on September 28, 1998 between the Company, Rally's and GIANT (the "Proposed Merger") and alleges generally, that certain of the defendants engaged in an unlawful scheme and plan to permit Rally's to acquire the public shares of the Company's stock in a "going-private" transaction for grossly inadequate consideration and in breach of the defendants' fiduciary duties. The plaintiff allegedly initiated the Complaint on behalf of all stockholders of the Company as of September 28, 1998, and seeks INTER ALIA, certain declaratory and injunctive relief against the consummation of the Proposed Merger, or in the event the Proposed Merger is consummated, recision of the Proposed Merger and costs and disbursements incurred in connection with bringing the action, including attorney's fees, and such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. No estimate of possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. DAVID J. STEINBERG AND CHAILE B. STEINBERG, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF THOSE SIMILARLY SITUATED V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., ET AL. Case No. 16680. This putative class action was filed on October 2, 1998, in the Delaware Chancery Court in and for New Castle County, Delaware by David J. Steinberg and Chaile B. Steinberg, alleged stockholders of an unspecified number of shares of the Company's common stock. The complaint names the Company and certain of its current officers and directors as defendants including William P. Foley, II, James J. Gillespie, Harvey Fattig, Joseph N. Stein, Richard A. Peabody, James T. Holder, Terry N. Christensen, Frederick E. Fisher, Clarence V. McKee, Burt Sugarman, C. Thomas Thompson and Peter C. O'Hara. The Complaint also names Rally's and GIANT as defendants. As with the FIRST ALBANY complaint described above, this complaint arises out of the proposed merger announced on September 28, 1998 between the Company, Rally's and GIANT (the "Proposed Merger") and alleges generally, that certain of the defendants engaged in an unlawful scheme and plan to permit Rally's to acquire the public shares of the Company's common stock in a "going-private" transaction for grossly inadequate consideration and in breach of the defendant's fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs allegedly initiated the Complaint on behalf of all stockholders of the Company as of September 28, 1998, and seeks INTER ALIA, certain declaratory and injunctive relief against the consummation of the Proposed Merger, or in the event the Proposed Merger is consummated, recision of the Proposed Merger and costs and disbursements incurred in connection with bringing the action, including attorneys' fees, and such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. No estimate of possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. NOTE 7: SUBSEQUENT EVENT On September 28, 1998 the Company announced that it had agreed in principle to a merger transaction pursuant to which the Company and GIANT GROUP, LTD. ("GIANT"), will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. ("Rally's"). Under the terms of the letter of intent each share of Checker's common stock will be converted into 0.5 share of Rally's common stock and each share of GIANT'S common stock will be converted into 10.48 shares of Rally's common stock upon consummation of the merger. The transaction is subject to negotiation of definitive agreements, receipt of fairness opinions by each party, receipt of stockholder and other required approvals and customary conditions. 11 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS INTRODUCTION The Company commenced operations on August 1, 1987, to operate and franchise Checkers Double Drive-Thru Restaurants. As of September 7, 1998, the Company had an ownership interest in 228 Company-operated Restaurants and an additional 255 Restaurants were operated by franchisees. The Company's ownership interest in the Company-operated Restaurants is in one of two forms: (i) the Company owns 100% of the Restaurant (as of September 7, 1998, there were 216 such Restaurants) and (ii) the Company owns a 10.55% or 65.83% interest in a partnership which owns the Restaurant (a "Joint Venture Restaurant") (as of March 23, 1998, there were 12 such Joint Venture Restaurants). During the third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company realized an overall 0.1% decrease in Restaurant sales compared to the third quarter of fiscal 1997 due to the closure of two Restaurants during the current quarter. Comparable store sales increased 0.6% during the same period. During the third quarter, the Company continued to apply a marketing strategy in major markets relying primarily on television advertising that focused on the quality and freshness of the menu items the Company offers. With the goal of enhancing menu flexibility, the Company continues a test that will evaluate the utilization of two sizes of hamburger patties rather than the standard quarter pound patty that is currently in use. The Company is still determining the expected impact of a system-wide introduction of new menu boards. The Company continues to realize reductions in food and paper costs during the third quarter of 1998. Restaurant food and paper costs were 31.3% of restaurant sales for the quarter versus 31.6% of restaurant sales during the same quarter of the prior year. Management's efforts to improve food and paper costs by implementing tighter operational controls were supplemented by cost of sales reductions realized by cooperating with CKE Restaurants, Inc. and Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. (Rally's) to leverage the purchasing power of the three entities to negotiate improved terms for their respective contracts with suppliers. Labor costs increased during the third quarter of 1998 to 32.9% of Restaurant sales compared with 32.1% of Restaurant sales for the same quarter of the prior year. This increase was due to higher bonus and group insurance costs and to the increased staffing necessary to accelerate the speed with which our customers are served. Effective November 30, 1997 the Company entered into a Management Services Agreement with Rally's, whereby the Company is providing accounting, information technology, and other functional and management services to predominantly all of the operations of Rally's. The Management Services Agreement carries a term of seven years, terminable upon the mutual consent of the parties. The Company will receive fees from Rally's relative to the shared departmental costs times the respective store ratio. The Company has increased its corporate and regional staff in late 1997 and early 1998 in order to meet the demands of the agreement, but management believes that sharing of administrative expenses under the terms of this agreement will enable the Company to attract the management staff with expertise necessary to more successfully manage and operate both Rally's and the Company at significantly reduced costs to both entities. During the third quarter of 1998, the Company was able to expand the scope of synergistic opportunities under the Management Services Agreement to include the consolidation of marketing personnel as well as the marketing agencies utilized by both concepts. In 1998, the franchise community has indicated an intent to open up to 20 new units, 14 of which have been opened as of the third quarter. The Company will continue to focus on improving existing Restaurant sales and margins. The franchise group as a whole continues to experience higher average per store sales than Company stores. The Company receives revenues from Restaurant sales, franchise fees, royalties and sales of fully-equipped manufactured Modular Restaurant Packages ("MRPs"). Cost of MRP's relates to all Restaurant equipment and building materials, labor and other direct and indirect costs of production. Other expenses, such as depreciation and amortization, and general and administrative expenses, relate both to Company-operated Restaurant operations and MRP revenues as well as the Company's franchise sales and support functions. The Company's revenues and expenses are affected by the number and timing of additional Restaurant openings and the sales volumes of both existing and new Restaurants. MRP revenues are directly affected by the number of new franchise Restaurant openings and the number of new MRP's completed or used MRP's refurbished for sale in connection with those openings. 12 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth the percentage relationship to total revenues of the listed items included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. Certain items are shown as a percentage of Restaurant sales and Modular Restaurant Package revenue. The table also sets forth certain selected restaurant operating data.
QUARTER ENDED THREE QUARTERS ENDED (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) ------------------- -------------------- SEPT. 7, SEPT. 8, SEPT. 7, SEPT. 8, REVENUES 1998 1997 1998 1997 -------- -------- -------- -------- Restaurant sales 94.4% 94.1% 94.7% 94.4% Franchise revenues and fees 5.3% 5.5% 5.1% 5.1% Modular restaurant packages 0.3% 0.4% 0.2% 0.5% ------ ------ ------ ------ Total revenues 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% COSTS AND EXPENSES Restaurant food and paper costs (1) 31.3% 31.6% 31.7% 32.9% Restaurant labor costs (1) 32.9% 32.1% 32.0% 32.7% Restaurant occupancy expense (1) 8.5% 8.4% 7.9% 7.8% Restaurant depreciation and amortization (1) 5.7% 6.2% 5.3% 6.0% Other restaurant operating expense (1) 9.8% 10.0% 9.5% 10.0% Advertising expense (1) 5.3% 5.2% 5.2% 5.1% Costs of modular restaurant package revenues (2) 156.4% 100.0% 155.0% 88.9% Other depreciation and amortization 1.6% 1.6% 1.5% 1.5% General and administrative expense 9.6% 11.0% 9.2% 10.9% Loss provisions 0.8% 0.0% (0.1)% 0.0% ------ ------ ------ ------ Operating income (loss) (0.8)% (0.9)% 2.3% (2.0)% ------ ------ ------ ------ OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest income 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% Interest expense (2.7)% (3.2)% (2.6)% (3.5)% Interest - loan cost amortization (1.3)% (1.4)% (1.2)% (3.1)% Minority interests losses 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% (0.1)% ------ ------ ------ ------ Loss before income tax expense (4.5)% (5.3)% (1.2)% (8.3)% Income tax expense 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% ------ ------ ------ ------ Net loss (4.5)% (5.3)% (1.2)% (8.3)% ====== ====== ====== ====== Preferred Dividends 0.0% 2.1% 0.0% 0.7% ------ ------ ------ ------ Net loss to common shareholders (4.5)% (7.4)% (1.2)% (9.0)% ====== ====== ====== ====== (1) As a percent of Restaurant sales. (2) As a percent of Modular restaurant package revenues.
13
QUARTER ENDED THREE QUARTERS ENDED (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) ------------------- -------------------- SEPT. 7, SEPT. 8, SEPT. 7, SEPT. 8, 1998 1997 1998 1997 -------- -------- -------- --------- Operating data: System - wide restaurant sales (in 000's): Company - operated $ 30,770 $ 30,786 $ 98,880 $ 94,987 Franchised 40,374 43,226 126,044 124,485 -------- -------- -------- -------- Total $ 71,144 $ 74,012 $224,924 $219,472 ======== ======== ======== ======== Average annual sales per restaurant open for a full year (in 000's) (3): 1998 1997 -------- -------- Company - operated $ 612 $ 612 Franchised $ 739 $ 742 System - wide $ 674 $ 677 -------- -------- Number of Restaurants (4) Company - operated 228 232 Franchised 255 248 -------- -------- Total 483 480 ======== ======== (3) Includes sales of restaurants open for entire previous 52 weeks including stores expected to be closed in the following year. (4) Number of restaurants open at end of period.
COMPARISON OF HISTORICAL RESULTS - QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 7, 1998 AND QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 REVENUES. Total revenues decreased 0.5% to $32.6 million for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, compared to $32.7 million for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. Company-operated Restaurant sales remained consistent at $30.8 million for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, and $30.8 million for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. Restaurant sales for comparable Company-operated Restaurants for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, increased 0.6% compared to the quarter ended September 8, 1997. Comparable Company-operated Restaurants are those continuously open during both reporting periods. This increase was offset by the net decrease of four Company-operated Restaurants since September 8, 1997. Franchise revenues and fees decreased 4.6% to $1.7 million for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, from $1.8 million for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. This was a result of a 6.6% decrease in franchise restaurant sales for the third quarter of 1998 versus the third quarter of 1997 and fewer franchise restaurant openings in the third quarter of 1998 versus the third quarter 1997. The Company recognizes franchise fees as revenues when the Company has substantially completed its obligations under the franchise agreement, usually at the opening of the franchised Restaurant. Modular restaurant package ("MRP") revenues decreased 32.7% to $101,000 for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, from $150,000 for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. Modular restaurant package revenues except service work orders are recognized on the percentage of completion method during the construction process; therefore, a substantial portion of the modular restaurant package revenues and costs are recognized prior to the opening of a Restaurant or shipment to a convenience store operator and include amounts charged to franchisees for the refurbishment of used MRP's. COSTS AND EXPENSES. Restaurant food and paper costs totalled $9.6 million or 31.3% of Restaurant sales for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, compared to $9.7 million or 31.6% of Restaurant sales for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. The decrease in these costs as a percentage of Restaurant sales was due to new purchasing contracts negotiated in 1997 and 1998. Restaurant labor costs, which includes restaurant employees' salaries, wages, benefits and related taxes, totalled $10.1 million or 32.9% of Restaurant sales for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, compared to $9.9 million or 32.1% of Restaurant sales for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. These increases in Restaurant labor costs were due to increased bonus expense and group insurance costs and increased staffing levels at the restaurants necessary to accelerate the speed with which customers are served. 14 Restaurant occupancy expense, which includes rent, property taxes, licenses and insurance, totalled $2.6 million or 8.5% of Restaurant sales for the quarter ended September 7, 1998 compared to $2.6 million or 8.4% of Restaurant sales for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. This increase in percentage of restaurant sales was due primarily to an increase in property taxes and rent expense, partially offset by the operation of four fewer Company-operated Restaurants at September 7, 1998. Restaurant depreciation and amortization decreased by $136,000 or 7.1% for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, as compared to the quarter ended September 8, 1997, due primarily to a net decrease of four Company-operated restaurants from September 8, 1997 to September 7, 1998 and certain assets becoming fully depreciated since September 8, 1997. Other restaurant operating expenses include all other Restaurant level operating expenses other than food and paper costs, labor and benefits, rent and other occupancy costs which include utilities, maintenance and other costs. These expenses totalled $3.0 million or 9.8% of Restaurant sales for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, compared to $3.1 million or 10.0% of Restaurant sales for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. The decreased expense is due primarily to a decrease in utilities and the impact of four fewer Restaurants operating during the quarter ended September 7, 1998 versus the third quarter of the prior year. Advertising expense increased as a percentage of sales to 5.3% for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, from 5.2% of Restaurant sales for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. The actual increase in this expense was $42,000. Costs of modular restaurant package revenues totalled $158,000 or 156.4% of modular restaurant package revenues for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, compared to $150,000 or 100.0% of such revenues for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. The increase in these expenses as a percentage of modular restaurant package revenues was attributable to the decline in MRP revenues relative to the fixed and semi-variable nature of these costs. General and administrative expenses were $3.1 million or 9.6% of total revenues, for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, compared to $3.6 million or 11.0% of total revenues for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. The decrease in these expenses of $481,000 was primarily due to the continued savings associated with the management services agreement between the Company and Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. pursuant to which Checkers is providing the majority of the administrative functions for Rally's. LOSS PROVISIONS. During the third quarter of 1998, the Company recorded $251,000 in losses on assets to be disposed of, of which $63,000 was recorded in order to lower the net realizable value on certain of its assets held for sale and $188,000 to provide for the closure of two Restaurants. INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense other than loan cost amortization decreased to $867,000 or 2.7% of total revenues for the quarter ended September 7, 1998 from $1.0 million or 3.2% of total revenues for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. This decrease was due to a reduction in the weighted average balance of debt outstanding during the respective periods. Loan cost amortization decreased by $30,000 to $415,000 for the quarter ended September 7, 1998 from $445,000 for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Due to the loss for the quarter, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $558,000 or 38.0% of the loss before income taxes which was completely offset by deferred income tax valuation allowances of $558,000 for the quarter ended September 7, 1998, as compared to an income tax benefit of $660,000 or 38.0% of earnings before income taxes offset by deferred income tax valuation allowances of $660,000 for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. The effective tax rates differ from the expected federal tax rate of 35.0% due to state income taxes. NET LOSS. The net loss for the quarter was $1.5 million or $.02 per share for the quarter ended September 7, 1998 compared to a net loss to common shareholders of $2.4 million or $.04 per share after deducting preferred dividends of $696,000 for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. This improvement was primarily the result of a decrease in general and administrative expenses and a reduction in interest expense, partially offset by higher labor costs at the Restaurant level and the recording of loss provisions. COMPARISON OF HISTORICAL RESULTS - THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 7, 1998 AND THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 REVENUES. Total revenues increased 3.8% to $104.4 million for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, compared to $100.6 million for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. Company-operated Restaurant sales increased 4.1% to $98.9 million for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, from $95.0 million for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. Restaurant sales for comparable Company-operated Restaurants for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, increased 4.7% compared to the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. Comparable Company-operated Restaurants are those continuously open during both reporting periods. These increases in Restaurant sales and comparable Restaurant sales are primarily attributable to the successful introduction of the Spicy Chicken Sandwich in 15 1998, the introduction of new $.99 menu items and the brand positioning advertising featuring the "Fresh, because we just made it" tag line that focuses on the quality of the Company's products. Franchise revenues and fees increased 3.7% to $5.3 million for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, from $5.1 million for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. This was a result of a 1.3% increase in franchise restaurant sales for the first three quarters of 1998 versus the first three quarters of 1997 and the opening of more franchised restaurants during the first three quarters of 1998 versus the first three quarters of 1997. The Company recognizes franchise fees as revenues when the Company has substantially completed its obligations under the franchise agreement, usually at the opening of the franchised Restaurant. Modular restaurant package revenues decreased 55.5% to $220,000 for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, from $494,000 for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. Modular restaurant package revenues, except service work orders, are recognized on the percentage of completion method during the construction process; therefore, a substantial portion of the modular restaurant package revenues and costs are recognized prior to the opening of a Restaurant or shipment to a convenience store operator. Included in modular restaurant revenues are amounts charged to franchisees for the refurbishment of used MRPs under service work orders. COSTS AND EXPENSES. Restaurant food and paper costs totalled $31.4 million or 31.7% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, compared to $31.2 million or 32.9% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. The decrease in these costs as a percentage of Restaurant sales was due to new purchasing contracts negotiated in 1997 and 1998. Restaurant labor costs, which includes restaurant employees' salaries, wages, benefits and related taxes, totaled $31.6 million or 32.0% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, compared to $31.0 million or 32.7% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. The decrease in these costs as a percentage of Restaurant sales was due to the efficiencies gained at higher sales levels and a reduction in worker's compensation expense, partially offset by an increase in group insurance costs. Restaurant occupancy expense, which includes rent, property taxes, licenses and insurance, totaled $7.8 million or 7.9% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998 compared to $7.4 million or 7.8% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. This increase in restaurant occupancy costs was due primarily to increases in property taxes and rent expense partially offset by the operation of four fewer Restaurants since September 8, 1997. Restaurant depreciation and amortization decreased by $448,000 or 7.8% for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, as compared to the three quarters ended September 8, 1997, due primarily to a net decrease of four Company-operated Restaurants and certain assets becoming fully depreciated since September 8, 1997. Other restaurant operating expenses include all other Restaurant level operating expenses other than food and paper costs, labor and benefits, rent and other occupancy costs which include utilities, maintenance and other costs. These expenses totaled $9.4 million or 9.5% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, compared to $9.5 million or 10.0% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. The decrease in these costs as a percentage of sales was primarily related to the increase in average Restaurant sales relative to the fixed and semi-variable nature of these expenses. Increased repair and maintenance expenditures were offset by a decrease in utilities and the impact of a net decrease of four Company-operated Restaurants since September 8, 1997. Advertising expense increased by $265,000 to 5.2% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, from 5.1% of Restaurant sales for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. The increase in this expense was due to the increased utilization of television advertising during 1998 versus a higher proportion of less expensive radio advertising during 1997. Costs of modular restaurant package revenues totaled $341,000 or 155.0% of modular restaurant package revenues for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, compared to $439,000 or 88.9% of such revenues for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. The increase in these expenses as a percentage of modular restaurant package revenues was attributable to the decline in MRP revenues relative to the fixed and semi-variable nature of these costs. General and administrative expenses were $9.6 million or 9.2% of total revenues, for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, compared to $11.0 million or 10.9% of total revenues for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. The decrease in these expenses of $1.4 million was primarily due to the continued savings associated with the management services agreement between the Company and Rally's, pursuant to which Checkers is providing the majority of the administrative functions for Rally's, and terminated merger costs of $350,000 that were recorded during the second quarter of 1997. LOSS PROVISIONS. During the first, second and third quarters of 1998, the Company recorded losses on assets to be disposed of in the amounts of $63,000 each quarter in order to lower the net realizable value on certain of its assets held for sale and an additional $188,000 in the third quarter to provide for the closure of two Restaurants. As a partial offset, during the second quarter of 1998, 16 the Company recorded a reversal of $500,000 of previously accrued state sales tax audit provisions due to the successful completion of certain state sales tax audits. INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense other than loan cost amortization decreased to $2.7 million or 2.6% of total revenues for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998 from $3.6 million or 3.5% of total revenues for the quarter ended September 8, 1997. This decrease was due to a reduction in the weighted average balance of debt outstanding during the respective periods. Loan cost amortization decreased by $1.9 million to $1.2 million in 1998 from $3.1 million for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997 due to the 1997 accelerated amortization of deferred loan costs resulting from $9.7 million in unscheduled principal reductions in early 1997. INCOME TAX EXPENSE. During 1998, the Company recorded income tax expense of $487,000 or 38.0% of the net income before income taxes which was completely offset by the reversal of deferred income tax valuation allowances of $487,000 for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998, as compared to an income tax benefit of $3.2 million or 38.0% of earnings before income taxes offset by deferred income tax valuation allowances of $3.2 million for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997. The effective tax rates differ from the expected federal tax rate of 35.0% due to state income taxes and job tax credits. NET INCOME (LOSS). Restaurant operating margins before advertising expense improved by $3.2 million in 1998, versus the comparable three quarters in 1997. Earnings were negatively impacted in 1997 by the expensing of $3.1 million in deferred loan costs and $350,000 in terminated merger costs in the three quarters ended September 8, 1997, versus $1.2 million in deferred loan cost amortization in 1998. Net loss before tax and the deferred loan cost amortization was $38,000 or $.00 per share for the three quarters ended September 7, 1998 and $4.9 million or $.08 per share for the three quarters ended September 8, 1997, which resulted primarily from an increase in the average Restaurant sales and margins, an increase in royalties and franchise fees, a decrease in general and administrative expenses and a reduction in interest expense. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES On February 21, 1997, the Company completed a private placement (the "Private Placement") of 8,771,929 shares of the Company's common stock, $.001 par value, and 87,719 shares of the Company's Series A preferred stock, $.001 par value (the "Preferred Stock"). CKE Restaurants, Inc. purchased 6,162,299 of the Company's common stock and 61,623 of the Preferred Stock and other qualified investors, including other members of the CKE Group of lenders under the Restated Credit Agreement, also participated in the Private Placement. The Company received $19.5 million in net proceeds after $500,000 of issuance costs from the Private Placement. The Company used $8.0 million of the Private Placement proceeds to reduce the principal balance due under the Restated Credit Agreement; $2.5 million was utilized to repay the Secondary Credit Line; $2.3 million was utilized to pay outstanding balances to various key food and paper distributors; and the remaining amount was used primarily to pay down outstanding balances due certain other vendors. The reduction of the debt under the Restated Credit Agreement and the Secondary Credit Line, both of which carried a 13% interest rate reduced the Company's interest payments by more than $1.3 million on an annualized basis. At November 13, 1997, the effective date of the Company's Registration Statements on Forms S-4, the Company had outstanding promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $3.2 million (the "Notes") payable to Rall-Folks, Inc. ("Rall-Folks"), Restaurant Development Group, Inc. ("RDG") and Nashville Twin Drive-Through Partners, L.P. (N.T.D.T."). The Company agreed to acquire the Notes issued to Rall-Folks and RDG in consideration of the issuance of an aggregate of approximately 1.9 million shares of Common Stock and the Note issued to NTDT in exchange for a series of convertible notes in the same aggregate principal amount and convertible into approximately 614,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to agreements entered into in 1995 and subsequently amended. All three of the parties received varying degrees of protection on the purchase price of the promissory notes. Accordingly, the actual number of shares to be issued was to be determined by the market price of the Company's stock. Consummation of the Rall-Folks, RDG, and NTDT purchases occurred on November 24, and December 5, and November 24, 1997, respectively. During December 1997, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,622,559 shares of common stock in payment of $2.9 million of principal and accrued interest relating to the Notes. In early 1998, the Company issued an additional 359,129 shares of common stock to NTDT. Additionally, in January 1998, the Company issued 12,064 shares of common stock to RDG in payment of accrued interest, issued 279,868 shares of common stock and paid $86,000 in cash to Rall-Folks in full settlement of all remaining amounts owed in relation to debt principal, accrued interest, and purchase price protection. After these issuance's, the remaining amount owed in relation to these Notes was $22,000 payable to NTDT. It is currently estimated that the Company may owe approximately $70,000 in additional cash payments to NTDT for principal, accrued interest and purchase price protection. As of September 7, 1998, the Company has paid RDG $36,000 for accrued interest and purchase price protection and does not expect any significant financial commitments beyond $70,000 necessary to settle the Notes. The Company currently does not have significant development plans for additional Company Restaurants during fiscal 1998. 17 The Company's primary credit facility (the "Restated Credit Agreement") is held by an investor group led by CKE Restaurants, Inc.. Also participating is KCC Delaware, a wholly owned subsidiary of GIANT GROUP, LTD which is a significant shareholder of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. (a 26% owner of the Company). The Restated Credit Agreement with the CKE Group contains restrictive covenants which include the consolidation EBITDA covenant as defined, As of July 13, 1998, the Company was in violation of the consolidated EBITDA covenant. The Company received a waiver for periods seven through ten of fiscal 1998. This credit facility is due in full on July 31, 1999 and is therefore classified in its entirety as current installments of long-term debt. The Company has negative working capital of $32.3 million at September 7, 1998 (determined by subtracting current liabilities from current assets). A majority of the negative working capital position is due to the classification of the remaining principal balance ($25.4 million) of the Restated Credit Agreement, due July 31, 1999, as a current liability. Various repayment or refinancing alternatives are currently being evaluated. It is anticipated that the Company will continue to have negative working capital since approximately 88.2% of the Company's assets are long-term (property, equipment, and intangibles), and since all operating trade payables, accrued expenses, and property and equipment payables are current liabilities of the Company. In January 1998, $1.2 million in restricted cash balances were released for the Company's use as the funds have been guaranteed by a letter of credit from a bank. Effective November 30, 1997, the Company entered into a Management Services Agreement with Rally's whereby the Company is providing accounting, technology, and other functional and management services to predominantly all of the operations of Rally's. The Management Services Agreement carries a term of seven years, terminable upon the mutual consent of the parties. The Company will receive fees from Rally's relative to the shared departmental costs times the respective store ratio. The Company has increased its corporate and regional staff in late 1997 and early 1998 in order to meet the demands of the agreement, but management believes that sharing of administrative expenses under the terms of this agreement will enable the Company to attract the management staff with expertise necessary to more successfully manage and operate both Rally's and the Company at significantly reduced costs to both entities. During the third quarter of 1998, the Company was able to expand the scope of synergistic opportunities under the Management Services Agreement to include the consolidation of marketing personnel as well as the marketing agencies utilized by both concepts. On September 25, 1998 the Company announced that it had agreed in principle to a merger transaction pursuant to which the Company along with GIANT GROUP, LTD., ("GIANT"), will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. ("Rally's"). Under the terms of the letter of intent each share of Checker's common stock will be converted into 0.5 share of Rally's common stock and each share of GIANT's common stock will be converted into 10.48 shares of Rally's common stock upon consummation of the merger. The transaction is subject to negotiation of definitive agreements, receipt of fairness opinions by each party, receipt of stockholder and other required approvals and customary conditions. Overall, the Company believes many of the fundamental steps have been taken to improve the Company's profitability, but there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Management believes that cash flows generated from operations, and asset sales should allow the Company to continue to meet its financial obligations and to pay operating expenses. The Company's prior operating results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The Company's future operating results may be affected by a number of factors, including: uncertainties related to the general economy; competition; costs of food and labor; the Company's ability to obtain adequate capital and to continue to lease or buy successful sites and construct new Restaurants; and the Company's ability to locate capable franchisees. The price of the Company's common stock can be affected by the above. Additionally, any shortfall in revenue or earnings from levels expected by securities analysts could have an immediate and significant adverse effect on the trading price of the Company's common stock in a given period. ITEM 3 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK COMPETITION The Company's Restaurant operations compete in the fast food industry, which is highly competitive with respect to price, concept, quality and speed of service, Restaurant location, attractiveness of facilities, customer recognition, convenience and food quality and variety. The industry includes many fast food chains, including national chains which have significantly greater resources than the Company that can be devoted to advertising, product development and new Restaurants. In certain markets, the Company will also compete with other quick-service double drive-thru hamburger chains with operating concepts similar to the Company. The fast food industry is often significantly affected by many factors, including changes in local, regional or national economic conditions affecting consumer spending habits, demographic trends and traffic patterns, changes in consumer taste, consumer concerns about the nutritional quality of quick-service food and increases in the number, type and location of competing quick-service Restaurants. The Company competes primarily on the basis of speed of service, price, value, food quality and taste. In addition, with respect to selling franchises, the Company competes with many franchisors of Restaurants and other business concepts. 18 All of the major chains have increasingly offered selected food items and combination meals, including hamburgers, at temporarily or permanently discounted prices. Beginning generally in the summer of 1993, the major fast food hamburger chains began to intensify the promotion of value priced meals, many specifically targeting the 99(cent) price point at which the Company sells its "Champ Burger(R)". This promotional activity has continued at increasing levels, and management believes that it has had a negative impact on the Company's sales and earnings. Increased competition, additional discounting and changes in marketing strategies by one or more of these competitors could have an adverse effect on the Company's sales and earnings in the affected markets. With respect to its Modular Restaurant Packages, the Company competes primarily on the basis of price and speed of construction with other modular construction companies as well as traditional construction companies, many of which have significantly greater resources than the Company. SFAS 121 The Company examines its long-lived assets for potential impairment where circumstances indicate that such impairment may exist, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of" ("SFAS 121"). The Company believes such examination requires the operations and store level economics of individual restaurants be evaluated for potential impairment. The Company recorded write-downs of its assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1995 and during fiscal year 1996 pursuant to SFAS 121. No assurance can be given that even an overall return to profitability will preclude the write-down of assets associated with the operation of an individual restaurant or restaurants in the future. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS The Company has no material contracts with the United States government or any of its agencies. The restaurant industry generally, and each Company-operated and franchised Restaurant specifically, are subject to numerous federal, state and local government regulations, including those relating to the preparation and sale of food and those relating to building, zoning, health, accommodations for disabled members of the public, sanitation, safety, fire, environmental and land use requirements. The Company and its franchisees are also subject to laws governing their relationship with employees, including minimum wage requirements, accommodation for disabilities, overtime, working and safety conditions and citizenship requirements. The Company is also subject to regulation by the FTC and certain laws of States and foreign countries which govern the offer and sale of franchises, several of which are highly restrictive. Many State franchise laws impose substantive requirements on the franchise agreement, including limitations on noncompetition provisions and on provisions concerning the termination or nonrenewal of a franchise. Some States require that certain materials be registered before franchises can be offered or sold in that state. The failure to obtain or retain food licenses or approvals to sell franchises, or an increase in the minimum wage rate, employee benefit costs (including costs associated with mandated health insurance coverage) or other costs associated with employees could adversely affect the Company and its franchisees. Mandated increases in the minimum wage rate were implemented in 1996 and 1997. The Company's construction, transportation and placement of Modular Restaurant Packages is subject to a number of federal, state and local laws governing all aspects of the manufacturing process, movement, end use and location of the building. Many states require approval through state agencies set up to govern the modular construction industry, other states have provisions for approval at the local level. The transportation of the Company's Modular Restaurant Package is subject to state, federal and local highway use laws and regulations which may prescribe size, weight, road use limitations and various other requirements. The descriptions and the substance of the Company's warranties are also subject to a variety of state laws and regulations. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Except as described below, the Company is not a party to any material litigation and is not aware of any threatened material litigation: IN RE CHECKERS SECURITIES LITIGATION, Master File No. 93-1749-Civ-T-17A. On October 13, 1993, a class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, by a stockholder against the Company, certain of its officers and directors, including Herbert G. Brown, Paul C. Campbell, George W. Cook, Jared D. Brown, Harry S. Cline, James M. Roche, N. John Simmons, Jr. and James F. White, Jr., and KPMG Peat Marwick, the Company's auditors. The complaint alleges, generally, that the Company issued materially false and misleading financial statements which were not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, in violation of Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Florida common law and statute. The allegations, including an allegation that 20 the Company inappropriately selected the percentage of completion method of accounting for sales of modular restaurant buildings, are primarily directed to certain accounting principles followed by Champion. The plaintiffs sought to represent a class of all purchasers of the Company's Common Stock between November 22, 1991 and October 8, 1993, and an unspecified amount of damages. Although the Company believed this lawsuit was unfounded and without merit, in order to avoid further expenses of litigation, the parties reached an agreement in principle for the settlement of this class action. The agreement for settlement provides for one of the Company's director and officer liability insurance carriers and another party to contribute to a fund for the purpose of paying claims on a claims-made basis up to a total of $950,000. The Company has agreed to contribute ten percent (10%) of claims made in excess of $475,000 for a total potential liability of $47,500. The settlement was approved by the Court on January 30, 1998. GREENFELDER ET AL. V. WHITE, ,JR., ET AL. On August 10, 1995, a state court Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida, Civil Division, entitled GAIL P. GREENFELDER AND POWERS BURGERS, INC. V. JAMES F. WHITE, JR., CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., HERBERT G. BROWN, JAMES E. MATTEI, JARED D. BROWN, ROBERT G. BROWN AND GEORGE W. COOK, Case No. 95-4644-CI-21 (hereinafter the "Power Burgers Litigation"). The original Complaint alleged, generally, that certain officers of the Company intentionally inflicted severe emotional distress upon Ms. Greenfelder, who is the sole stockholder, President and Director of Powers Burgers, Inc. (hereinafter "Powers Burgers") a Checkers franchisee. The original Complaint further alleged that Ms. Greenfelder and Powers Burgers were induced into entering into various agreements and personal guarantees with the Company based upon misrepresentations by the Company and its officers and that the Company violated provisions of Florida's Franchise Act and Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The original Complaint alleged that the Company is liable for all damages caused to the Plaintiffs. The Plaintiffs seek damages in an unspecified amount in excess of $2,500,000 in connection with the claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, $3,000,000 or the return of all monies invested by the Plaintiffs in Checkers' franchises in connection with the misrepresentation of claims, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and such other relief as the court may deem appropriate. The Court has granted, in whole or in part, three (3) Motions to Dismiss the Plaintiffs' Complaint, as amended, including an Order entered on February 14, 1997, which dismissed the Plaintiffs' claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, with prejudice, but granted the Plaintiffs leave to file an amended pleading with respect to the remaining claims set forth in their Amended Complaint. A third Amended Complaint has been filed and an Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and a Counterclaim to recover unpaid royalties and advertising fund contributions has been filed by the Company. In response to the Court's dismissal of certain claims in the Power Burgers Litigation, on May 21, 1997, a companion action was filed in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida, Civil Division, entitled GAIL P. GREENFELDER, POWERS BURGERS OF AVON PARK, INC., AND POWER BURGERS OF SEBRING, INC. V. JAMES F. WHITE, JR., CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., HERBERT G. BROWN, JAMES E. MATTEI, JARED D. BROWN, ROBERT G. BROWN AND GEORGE W. COOK, Case No. 97-3565-CI, asserting, in relevant part, the same causes of action as asserted in the Power Burgers Litigation. An Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and a Counterclaim to recover unpaid royalties and advertising fund contributions have been filed by the Company. On February 4, 1998, the Company terminated Power Burgers, Inc.'s, Power Burgers of Avon Park, Inc.'s and Power Burgers of Sebring, Inc.'s franchise agreements and thereafter filed two Complaints in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, styled CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. V. POWER BURGERS OF AVON PARK, INC., Case No. 98-409-CIV-T-17A and CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. V. POWERS BURGERS, INC, Case No. 98-410-CIV-T-26E. The Complaint seeks, INTER ALIA, a temporary and permanent injunction enjoining Power Burgers, Inc. and Power Burgers of Avon Park, Inc.'s continued use of Checkers' Marks and trade dress. A Motion to Stay the foregoing actions are currently pending. The Company believes the lawsuits initiated against the Company are without merit, and intends to continue to defend them vigorously. No estimate of any possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. V. TAMPA CHECKMATE FOOD SERVICES, INC., ET AL. On August 10, 1995, a state court Counterclaim and Third Party Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County, Florida, Civil Division, entitled TAMPA CHECKMATE FOOD SERVICES, INC., CHECKMATE FOOD SERVICES, INC. AND ROBERT H. GAGNE V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., HERBERT G. BROWN, JAMES E. MATTEI, JAMES F. WHITE, JR., JARED D. BROWN, ROBERT G. BROWN AND GEORGE W. COOK, Case No. 95-3869. In the original action filed by the Company in July 1995, against Mr. Gagne and Tampa Checkmate Food Services, Inc., (hereinafter "Tampa Checkmate") a company controlled by Mr. Gagne, the Company is seeking to collect on a promissory note and foreclose on a mortgage securing the promissory note issued by Tampa Checkmate and Mr. Gagne, and obtain declaratory relief regarding the rights of the respective parties under Tampa Checkmate's franchise agreement with the Company. The Counterclaim and Third Party Complaint allege, generally, that Mr. Gagne, Tampa Checkmate and Checkmate Food Services, Inc. (hereinafter "Checkmate") were induced into entering into various franchise agreements with, and personal guarantees to, the Company based upon misrepresentations by the Company. The Counterclaim and Third Party Complaint seek damages in the amount of $3,000,000 or the return of all monies invested by Checkmate, Tampa Checkmate and Mr. Gagne in Checkers' franchises, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and such other relief as the court may deem appropriate. The Counterclaim was dismissed by the court on January 26, 1996, with the right to amend. On February 12, 1996, the Counterclaimants filed an Amended Counterclaim alleging violations of Florida's Franchise Act, Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and breaches of implied duties of "good faith and fair dealings" in connection with a settlement agreement and franchise agreement between various of the parties. The Amended Counterclaim seeks a judgment for damages in an unspecified amount, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and such other relief as the court may deem appropriate. The Company has filed an Answer to the Complaint. On or about July 15, 1997, Tampa Checkmate filed a Chapter 11 petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division entitled IN RE: TAMPA CHECKMATE FOOD SERVICES, INC., and numbered as 97-11616-8G-1 on the docket of said Court. On July 25, 1997, Checkers filed an Adversary Complaint in the Tampa Checkmate bankruptcy proceedings entitled CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. V. TAMPA CHECKMATE FOOD SERVICES, 20 INC. and numbered as Case No. 97-738. Following a hearing on Checkers' motion for Preliminary Injunction on July 22, 1998, the Court entered an order enjoining Tampa Checkmate's continued use of Checkers' Marks and trade dress notwithstanding the termination of its Franchise Agreement on April 8, 1997. The Company believes that the lawsuit is without merit and intends to continue to defend it vigorously. No estimate of possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. TEX-CHEX, INC. ET AL V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. ET. AL. On February 4, 1997, a Petition was filed against the Company and two former officers and directors of the Company in the District Court of Travis County, Texas 98th Judicial District, ENTITLED TEX-CHEX, INC., BRIAN MOONEY, AND SILVIO PICCINI V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., JAMES MATTEI, AND HERBERT G. BROWN and numbered as Case No. 97-01335 on the docket of said court. The original Petition generally alleged that Tex-Chex, Inc. and the individual Plaintiffs were induced into entering into two franchise agreements and related personal guarantees with the Company based on fraudulent misrepresentations and omissions made by the Company. On October 2, 1998, the Plaintiffs filed an Amended Petition realleging the fraudulent misrepresentations and omission claims set forth in the original Petition and asserting additional causes of action for violation of Texas' Deceptive Trade Practices Act and violation of Texas' Business Opportunity Act. The Company believes the causes of action asserted in the amended Petition against the Company and the individual defendants are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously. The matter is in the pre-trial stages and no estimate of any possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. V. INTERSTATE DOUBLE DRIVE-THRU, INC. ET. AL. On May 9, 1998, a Counterclaim was filed against the company and a former officer and director of the Company, Herbert T. Brown, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, entitled CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. V. INTERSTATE DOUBLE DRIVE-THRU, INC. AND JIMMIE V. GILES and numbered as Case No. 98-648-CIV-T-23B on the docket of said court. The original Complaint filed by the Company seeks a temporary and permanent injunction enjoining Interstate Double Drive-Thru, Inc. and Mr. Giles' continued use of Checkers' Marks and trade dress notwithstanding the termination of its Franchise Agreement and to collect unpaid royalty fees and advertising fund contributions. The Court granted the Company's motion for a preliminary injunction on July 16, 1998. The Counterclaim generally alleges that Interstate Double Drive-Thru, Inc. and Mr. Giles were induced into entering a franchise agreement and a personal guaranty, respectfully, with the Company based on misrepresentations and omissions made by the Company. The Counterclaim asserts claims for breach of contract, breach of the implied convenant of good faith and fair dealing, violation of Florida's Deceptive Trade Practices Act, violation of Florida's Franchise Act, violation of Mississippi's Franchise Act, fraudulent concealment, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation and rescission. The Company has filed a motion to dismiss seven of the nine causes of action set forth in the Counterclaim which remain pending. The Company believes the causes of action asserted in the Counterclaim against the Company and Mr. Brown are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously. The matter is in the pre-trial stages and no estimate of any possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. FIRST ALBANY CORP., AS CUSTODIAN FOR THE BENEFIT OF NATHAN SUCKMAN V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. ET AL. Case No. 16667. This putative class action was filed on September 29, 1998, in the Delaware Chancery Court in and for New Castle County, Delaware by First Albany Corp., as custodian for the benefit of Nathan Suckman, an alleged stockholder of 500 shares of the Company's common stock. The complaint names the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors as defendants including William P. Foley, II, James J. Gillespie, Harvey Fattig, Joseph N. Stein, Richard A. Peabody, James T. Holder, Terry N. Christensen, Frederick E .Fisher, Clarence V. McKee, Burt Sugarman, C. Thomas Thompson and Peter C. O'Hara. The Complaint also names Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. ("Rally's") and GIANT GROUP, LTD. ("GIANT") as defendants. The complaint arises out of the proposed merger announced on September 28, 1998 between the Company, Rally's and GIANT (the "Proposed Merger") and alleges generally, that certain of the defendants engaged in an unlawful scheme and plan to permit Rally's to acquire the public shares of the Company's stock in a "going-private" transaction for grossly inadequate consideration and in breach of the defendants' fiduciary duties. The plaintiff allegedly initiated the Complaint on behalf of all stockholders of the Company as of September 28, 1998, and seeks INTER ALIA, certain declaratory and injunctive relief against the consummation of the Proposed merger, or in the event the Proposed Merger is consummated, recision of the Proposed Merger and costs and disbursements incurred in connection with bringing the action, including attorney's fees, and such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. No estimate of possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. DAVID J. STEINBERG AND CHAILE B. STEINBERG, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF THOSE SIMILARLY SITUATED V. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., ET AL. Case No. 16680. This putative class action was filed on October 2, 1998, in the Delaware Chancery Court in and for New Castle County, Delaware by David J. Steinberg and Chaile B. Steinberg, alleged stockholders of an unspecified number of shares of the Company's common stock. The complaint names the Company and certain of its current officers and directors as defendants including William P. Foley, II, James J. Gillespie, Harvey Fattig, Joseph N. Stein, Richard A. Peabody, James T. Holder, Terry N. Christensen, Frederick E. Fisher, Clarence V.McKee, Burt Sugarman, C. Thomas Thompson and Peter C. O'Hara. The Complaint also names Rally's and GIANT as defendants. As with the FIRST ALBANY complaint described above, this complaint arises out of the proposed merger announced on September 28, 1998 between the Company, Rally's and GIANT (the "Proposed Merger") and alleges generally, that certain of the defendants engaged in an unlawful scheme and plan to permit Rally's to acquire the public shares of the Company's common stock in a "going-private" transaction for grossly inadequate consideration and in breach of 21 the defendant's fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs allegedly initiated the Complaint on behalf of all stockholders of the Company as of September 28, 1998, and seeks INTER ALIA, certain declaratory and injunctive relief against the consummation of the Proposed merger, or in the event the Proposed Merger is consummated, recision of the Proposed Merger and costs and disbursements incurred in connection with bringing the action, including attorneys' fees, and such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. No estimate of possible loss or range of loss resulting from the lawsuit can be made at this time. ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES None ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES None ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS None ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION None ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits: 27 Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on 8-K: There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter covered by this report. 22 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements 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. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. (Registrant) Date: October 20, 1998 By: /s/ RICHARD A. PEABODY ---------------------- Richard A. Peabody Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) 23 SEPTEMBER 7, 1998 FORM 10-Q CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT # EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION PAGE - --------- ------------------- ---- 27 Financial Data Schedule (included in electronic filing only). 23 24 EX-27 2
5 This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the financial statements of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., for the quarterly periods ended September 7, 1998 and September 8, 1997, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 9-MOS 9-MOS DEC-28-1998 DEC-29-1997 DEC-30-1997 DEC-31-1996 SEP-07-1998 SEP-08-1997 3,687 3,721 0 0 1,542 2,427 0 0 2,045 2,045 12,562 16,724 129,715 132,180 48,010 42,216 106,039 121,300 44,891 31,234 2,453 30,136 0 0 0 0 73 70 49,031 51,300 106,039 121,300 99,100 95,481 104,414 100,603 90,968 90,141 102,095 102,623 (220) (298) 123 0 3,944 6,666 (1,282) (8,388) 0 0 (1,282) (8,388) 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1,282) (8,388) (0.02) (0.15) (0.02) (0.15) Receivables consist of -- Accounts Receivable - net $1,017 $1,810 Notes Receivable 525 617 ------ ------ Total $1,542 $2,427 ====== ======
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