Significant Accounting Policies: (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 30, 2017

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Winmark Capital Corporation, Wirth Business Credit, Inc. and Grow Biz Games, Inc. All material inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. As of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had $8,700 and $149,700 of cash located in Canadian banks. The Company holds its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and at times, such balances may be in excess of insurance limits.

Receivables

The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts on trade receivables. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $400 and $2,100 at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. If receivables in excess of the provided allowance are determined uncollectible, they are charged to expense in the year the determination is made. Trade receivables are written off when they become uncollectible (which generally occurs when the franchise terminates and there is no reasonable expectation of collection), and payments subsequently received on such receivable are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. Historically, receivables balances written off have not exceeded allowances provided.

Restricted Cash

The Company is required by certain states to maintain initial franchise fees in a restricted bank account until the franchise opens. The use of these funds by the Company is restricted until the franchise opens. Cash held in escrow totaled $90,000 and $40,000 at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Investment in Leasing Operations

The Company uses the direct finance method of accounting to record income from direct financing leases. At the inception of a lease, the Company records the minimum future lease payments receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased equipment and the unearned lease income. Initial direct costs related to lease originations are deferred as part of the investment and amortized over the lease term. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the total lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the cost of the equipment.

Leasing Income Recognition

Leasing income for direct financing leases is recognized under the effective interest method. The effective interest method of income recognition applies a constant rate of interest equal to the internal rate of return on the lease. Generally, when a lease is more than 90 days delinquent (when more than three monthly payments are owed), the lease is classified as being on non-accrual and the Company stops recognizing leasing income on that date. Payments received on leases in non-accrual status generally reduce the lease receivable. Leases on non-accrual status remain classified as such until there is sustained payment performance that, in the Company’s judgment, would indicate that all contractual amounts will be collected in full.

In certain circumstances, the Company may re-lease equipment in its existing portfolio. As this equipment may have a fair value greater than its carrying amount when re-leased, the Company may be required to account for the lease as a sales-type lease. At inception of a sales-type lease, revenue is recorded that consists of the present value of the future minimum lease payments discounted at the rate implicit in the lease. In subsequent periods, the recording of income is consistent with the accounting for a direct financing lease.

For leases that are accounted for as operating leases, income is recognized on a straight-line basis when payments under the lease contract are due.

Leasing Expense

Leasing expense includes the cost of financing equipment purchases, the cost of equipment sales as well as depreciation expense for operating lease assets. Additionally, at inception of a sales-type lease, cost is recorded that consists of the equipment’s book value, less the present value of its residual and is included in leasing expense.

Initial Direct Costs

The Company defers initial direct costs incurred to originate its leases in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. The initial direct costs deferred are part of the investment in leasing operations and are amortized using the effective interest method. Initial direct costs include commissions and costs associated with credit evaluation, recording guarantees and other security arrangements, documentation and transaction closing.

Lease Residual Values

Residual values reflect the estimated amounts to be received at lease termination from sales or other dispositions of leased equipment to unrelated parties. The leased equipment residual values are based on the Company’s best estimate.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses at an amount that it believes to be sufficient to absorb losses inherent in its existing lease portfolio as of the reporting dates. Leases are collectively evaluated for potential loss. The Company’s methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses includes consideration of the level of delinquencies and non-accrual leases, historical net charge-off amounts and review of any significant concentrations.

A provision is charged against earnings to maintain the allowance for credit losses at the appropriate level. If the actual results are different from the Company’s estimates, results could be different. The Company’s policy is to charge-off against the allowance the estimated unrecoverable portion of accounts once they reach 121 days delinquent.

Inventories

The Company values its inventories at the lower of cost, as determined by the weighted average cost method, or market. Inventory consists of computer hardware and related accessories.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization for financial reporting purposes is provided on the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives used in calculating depreciation and amortization are: three to five years for computer and peripheral equipment, five to seven years for furniture and equipment and the shorter of the lease term or useful life for leasehold improvements. Major repairs, refurbishments and improvements which significantly extend the useful lives of the related assets are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs, supplies and accessories are charged to expense as incurred.

Goodwill

The Company reviews its goodwill for impairment at its fiscal year end or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that there has been impairment in the value of its goodwill. No impairment was noted during the years ended December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Goodwill of $607,500 in the consolidated balance sheets at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is all attributable to the Franchising segment.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted U.S. 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 reporting period. The ultimate results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates relate to allowance for credit losses. These estimates may be adjusted as more current information becomes available, and any adjustment could be significant.

Advertising

Advertising costs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Advertising costs were $307,700, $200,300 and $199,300 for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the cost of all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, in the consolidated financial statements based on the grant date fair value of those awards. This cost is recognized over the period for which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

The Company estimates the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on its historical volatility rate. The Company’s decision to use historical volatility was based upon the lack of actively traded options on its common stock. The Company estimates the expected term based upon historical option exercises. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on observed interest rates for the expected term. The Company uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record share-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. For options granted, the Company amortizes the fair value on a straight-line basis. All options are amortized over the vesting periods, which are generally four years beginning from the date of grant.

Revenue Recognition - Franchising

The Company collects royalties from each retail franchise based on a percentage of retail store gross sales. The Company recognizes royalties as revenue when earned. The Company collects initial franchise fees when franchise agreements are signed and recognizes the initial franchise fees as revenue when the franchise is opened, which is when the Company has performed substantially all initial services required by the franchise agreement. The Company had deferred franchise fee revenue of $1,267,100 and $1,545,900 at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The Company recognizes deferred software license fees over the 10-year life of the initial franchise agreement. The Company had deferred software license fees of $1,779,600 and $1,672,500 at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Merchandise sales are recognized when the product has been shipped to the franchisee.

Sales Tax

The Company’s accounting policy is to present taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities on a net basis.

Discounted Lease Rentals

The Company may utilize its lease rentals receivable and underlying equipment as collateral to borrow from financial institutions at fixed rates on a non-recourse basis. In the event of a default by a customer, the financial institution has a first lien on the underlying leased equipment, with no further recourse against the Company. Proceeds from discounting are recorded on the balance sheet as discounted lease rentals. As customers make payments, lease income and interest expense are recorded and discounted lease rentals are reduced by the effective interest method.

Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding to arrive at the Earnings Per Share — Basic. The Company calculates Earnings Per Share — Diluted by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and dilutive stock equivalents from the potential exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the presentation of shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):


	Year Ended
	December 30, 2017	December 31, 2016	December 26, 2015
Denominator for basic EPS — weighted average common shares	4,056,049	4,122,854	4,458,927
Dilutive shares associated with option plans	283,895	207,636	192,600
Denominator for diluted EPS — weighted average common shares and dilutive potential common shares	4,339,944	4,330,490	4,651,527
Options excluded from EPS calculation — anti-dilutive	24,516	31,590	22,459

Fair Value Measurements

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company uses three levels of inputs to measure fair value:

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 — observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 3 — unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data available, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company’s marketable securities were valued based on Level 1 inputs using quoted prices.

Due to their nature, the carrying value of cash equivalents, receivables, payables and debt obligations approximates fair value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides guidance for revenue recognition that supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance (but does not apply to nor supersede accounting guidance for lease contracts). The ASU’s core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The ASU should be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the ASU recognized at the date of initial application. The new standard will become effective for the Company beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2018. During 2016, the FASB issued four clarifications on specific topics within the new revenue recognition guidance that did not change the core principles of the guidance originally issued in May 2014.

The adoption of this guidance is not expected to impact the Company’s recognition of leasing revenues or revenue from royalties that are based on a percentage of franchisee sales. Upon adoption, initial franchise fees, which are currently recognized upon the opening of a franchise, are expected to be deferred and recognized over the term of the underlying franchise agreement. The effect of the required deferral of initial franchise fees received in a given year will be mitigated by the recognition of revenue from fees retrospectively deferred from prior years. The Company presently expects to use the retrospective method of adoption when the new guidance is adopted in the first quarter of 2018. Upon adoption, the Company expects to recognize the deferral on its balance sheet of approximately $7 million in revenue from franchise fees, with a corresponding adjustment to retained earnings, net of deferred taxes.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which provides guidance on accounting for leases that supersedes existing lease accounting guidance. The ASU’s core principle is that a lessee should recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under existing lease accounting guidance. The new standard also makes targeted changes to lessor accounting. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The provisions of this guidance are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach, with elective reliefs, which requires application of the guidance for all periods presented. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments, which changes the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of accounting for stock based compensation, including excess tax benefits and deficiencies, forfeiture estimates and classification in the statements of cash flows. Upon adoption, any future excess tax benefits or deficiencies are recorded to the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations instead of recorded to equity in the consolidated balance sheets. This reclassification can have a material impact on the Company’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rate, depending in part on whether significant stock option exercises occur. In addition, when applying the treasury stock method for computing diluted weighted average common shares, the assumed proceeds available for hypothetical repurchase of shares do not include any windfall tax benefits under the new ASU. As a result, outstanding option awards have a more dilutive effect on earnings per share. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, using a prospective approach. As a result of adopting the ASU, for the year ended December 30, 2017, the Company recognized $793,400 of excess tax benefits as a discrete tax benefit. The treatment of forfeitures has not changed as the Company will continue to estimate the number of forfeitures at the time of the option grant; therefore, there is no cumulative effect on retained earnings. The Company has elected to present the cash flows on a retrospective transition method with prior periods adjusted, which resulted in a reclassification of excess tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 of $599,400 and $26,300, respectively, from cash flows from financing activities to cash flows from operating activities.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications did not impact net income or shareholders’ equity (deficit) as previously reported.