rmcf_10q-113012.htm
UNITED STATES
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 November 30, 2012

___
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: 0-14749


Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Colorado   84-0910696
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
265 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(970) 259-0554
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes     X     No ___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer ____ Accelerated filer ____
       
Non-accelerated filer ____ Smaller reporting company     X   
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ____ No    X   

On January 1, 2013, the registrant had outstanding 6,050,279 shares of its common stock, $.03 par value.
 
 
1

 
 
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
FORM 10-Q
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

PART I.       FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements
3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
3
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
5
NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
12
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
20
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
20
     
PART II.         OTHER INFORMATION
21
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
21
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
21
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
21
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
21
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
21
Item 5.
Other Information
22
Item 6.
Exhibits
22
     
SIGNATURE
 
23
 
 
2

 
 
PART I.                   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.                      Financial Statements

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended November 30,
   
Nine Months Ended November 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Revenues
                       
Sales
  $ 7,327,659     $ 7,115,456     $ 21,648,429     $ 20,329,561  
Franchise and royalty fees
    1,308,145       1,164,454       4,375,405       4,164,061  
Total revenues
    8,635,804       8,279,910       26,023,834       24,493,622  
                                 
Costs and Expenses
                               
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense of $72,102, $68,388, $214,425 and $206,953, respectively
    4,769,166       4,681,398       13,460,977       12,892,284  
Franchise costs
    457,558       452,713       1,560,078       1,374,413  
Sales and marketing
    447,887       400,263       1,317,874       1,225,393  
General and administrative
    847,862       800,583       2,389,700       2,257,175  
Retail operating
    743,805       649,696       2,568,078       2,288,246  
Depreciation and amortization
    224,044       194,129       691,590       553,295  
Impairment loss – Aspen Leaf Yogurt long-lived assets
    1,978,216       -       1,978,216       -  
Total costs and expenses
    9,468,538       7,178,782       23,966,513       20,590,806  
                                 
Income (Loss) from Operations
    (832,734 )     1,101,128       2,057,321       3,902,816  
                                 
Interest Income
    10,368       15,270       33,149       46,129  
                                 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
    (822,366 )     1,116,398       2,090,470       3,948,945  
                                 
Income Tax Provision
    (312,882 )     391,430       708,843       1,392,765  
                                 
Net Income (Loss)
  $ (509,484 )   $ 724,968     $ 1,381,627     $ 2,556,180  
                                 
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
  $ (.08 )   $ .12     $ .23     $ .42  
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
  $ (.08 )   $ .12     $ .22     $ .41  
                                 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
    6,050,279       6,126,007       6,085,057       6,102,704  
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options
    130,577       159,445       145,731       194,136  
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Assuming Dilution
    6,180,856       6,285,452       6,230,788       6,296,840  
 
 
 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3

 
 
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


   
November 30,
2012
(unaudited)
    February 29,
2012
 
 
Assets
           
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,535,782     $ 4,125,444  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $709,548 and $488,448, respectively
    4,496,155       4,078,158  
Notes receivable, current portion, less current portion of the valuation allowance of $65,453 and $0, respectively
    192,777       283,225  
Refundable income taxes
    6,801       724,911  
Inventories, less reserve for slow moving inventory of $253,970 and $247,199, respectively
    4,391,324       4,119,073  
Deferred income taxes
    534,149       487,274  
Other
    335,811       281,282  
Total current assets
    13,492,799       14,099,367  
                 
Property and Equipment, Net
    5,794,191       8,515,644  
                 
Other Assets
               
Notes receivable, less current portion and valuation allowance of $37,000 and $74,900, respectively
    295,109       344,474  
Goodwill, net
    1,046,944       1,046,944  
Intangible assets, net
    15,295       22,111  
Other
    135,313       134,430  
Total other assets
    1,492,661       1,547,959  
                 
Total assets
  $ 20,779,651     $ 24,162,970  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,008,945     $ 1,355,818  
Accrued salaries and wages
    530,181       653,276  
Other accrued expenses
    749,350       760,860  
Dividend payable
    665,531       616,239  
Deferred income
    139,930       156,000  
                 
Total current liabilities
    3,093,937       3,542,193  
                 
Deferred Income Taxes
    891,378       1,884,957  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
                 
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Preferred stock, $.10 par value; 250,000 authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding
               
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, authorized 50,000 shares
    -       -  
Undesignated series, authorized 200,000 shares
    -       -  
Common stock, $.03 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 6,050,279 and 6,162,389 issued and outstanding, respectively
               
      181,508       184,872  
Additional paid-in capital
    7,399,788       8,712,743  
Retained earnings
    9,213,040       9,838,205  
Total stockholders’ equity
    16,794,336       18,735,820  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 20,779,651     $ 24,162,970  




 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4

 
 
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
November 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Cash Flows From Operating activities
           
Net income
  $ 1,381,627     $ 2,556,180  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    691,590       553,295  
Impairment loss – Aspen Leaf Yogurt long-lived assets
    1,978,216       -  
Provision for loss on accounts and notes receivable
    245,000       237,000  
Provision for obsolete inventory
    45,000       45,000  
Asset impairment and store closure losses
    (17,000 )     -  
Loss (gain) on sale or acquisition of property and equipment
    (24,957 )     26,598  
Expense recorded for stock compensation
    324,767       356,490  
Deferred income taxes
    (322,344 )     (165,338 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (656,248 )     87,163  
Inventories
    9,150       (241,502 )
Other current assets
    (57,608 )     (99,138 )
Accounts payable
    (542,793 )     (11,119 )
Deferred income
    (16,070 )     (77,910 )
Accrued liabilities
    (134,605 )     100,931  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    2,903,725       3,367,650  
                 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
               
Addition to notes receivable
  $ (36,215 )   $ (101,810 )
Proceeds received on notes receivable
    169,279       165,929  
Proceeds from sale or distribution of assets
    669,300       52,800  
Purchases of property and equipment
    (691,493 )     (1,861,708 )
Increase in other assets
    (5,672 )     (32,895 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    105,199       (1,777,684 )
                 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
               
Repurchase of common stock
  $ (1,715,352 )   $ -  
Issuance of common stock
    22,224       36,715  
Tax benefit of stock awards
    52,042       8,285  
Dividends paid
    (1,957,500 )     (1,827,959 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (3,598,586 )     (1,782,959 )
                 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (589,662 )     (192,993 )
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
  $ 4,125,444     $ 3,344,490  
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
  $ 3,535,782     $ 3,151,497  



 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5

 
 
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Operations

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aspen Leaf  Yogurt, LLC (collectively, the “Company”).  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (“RMCF”) is an international franchisor, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator in the United States, Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. RMCF manufactures an extensive line of premium chocolate candies and other confectionery products.

Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (“ALY”) was incorporated in the state of Colorado as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, Inc. on September 30, 2010 and organized through conversion as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC on October 14, 2010.  ALY is a franchisor and retail operator of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units.

The Company’s revenues are currently derived from three principal sources: sales to franchisees and others of chocolates and other confectionery products manufactured by the Company; the collection of initial franchise fees and royalties from franchisees’ sales; and sales at Company-owned stores of chocolates, frozen yogurt, and other confectionery products.  The following table summarizes the number of stores operating under RMCF and ALY at November 30, 2012:

   
Sold, Not Yet Open
   
Open
   
Total
 
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
                 
Company-owned stores
    -       7       7  
Franchise stores – Domestic stores
    3       227       230  
Franchise stores – Domestic kiosks
    -       8       8  
Franchise units – International
    -       64       64  
Cold Stone Creamery – co-branded
    1       55       56  
Aspen Leaf Yogurt Stores
                       
Company-owned stores
    -       8       8  
Franchise stores – Domestic stores
    4       8       12  
Total
    8       377       385  

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments (of a normal and recurring nature) which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2012.
 
 
6

 
 
NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION – CONTINUED

Subsequent Events

On January 14, 2013, Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC (“Newco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formed in the State of Colorado on January 2, 2013, entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units branded as “Yogurtini.”  In addition, on January 14, 2013, the Company entered into two agreements to sell all of its membership interests in Newco and substantially all of its assets in ALY to U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (OTCQB: SWRL), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc.  Upon completion of these transactions, the Company expects to cease to operate any Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations or sell and support franchise locations.  For the three months ended November 30, 2012, the Company recorded an impairment to certain long-lived assets as discussed in Notes 11 and 12 to these financial statements.  In addition to the impairment of assets, the Company expects to incur future restructuring costs of $500,000-600,000 associated with this restructuring.  As of November 30, 2012, approximately $47,000 of expenses associated with this restructuring had been incurred and was recorded to general and administrative costs.
  
Stock-Based Compensation

At November 30, 2012, the Company had stock-based compensation plans for employees and non-employee directors which authorized the granting of stock awards.

The Company recognized $94,867 and $324,767 of stock-based compensation expense during the three and nine month periods ended November 30, 2012, respectively, compared to $102,260 and $356,490, during the three and nine month periods ended November 30, 2011, respectively. Compensation costs related to stock-based compensation are generally amortized over the vesting period.

The following table summarizes stock option transactions for common stock during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011:
   
Nine Months Ended
November 30,
 
 
 
2012
   
2011
 
Outstanding stock options as of February 28 or 29:
    307,088       341,890  
Granted
    -       12,936  
Exercised
    (3,000 )     (8,731 )
Cancelled/forfeited
    (14,952 )     (1,575 )
Outstanding stock options as of November 30:
    289,136       344,520  
                 
Weighted average exercise price
  $ 10.67     $ 10.11  
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)
    2.07        2.72  

The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock unit transactions for common stock during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011:

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
November 30,
 
 
 
2012
   
2011
 
Outstanding non-vested restricted stock units as of February 28 or 29:
    101,980       141,260  
Granted
    -       4,540  
Vested
    (44,190 )     (43,300 )
Cancelled/forfeited
    (560 )     -  
Outstanding non-vested restricted stock units as of November 30:
    57,230        102,500  
                 
Weighted average grant date fair value
  $ 9.22     $ 9.19  
Weighted average remaining vesting period (in years)
    1.38        2.24  
 
 
7

 
 
NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION – CONTINUED

During the nine months ended November 30, 2012, the Company issued 4,000 fully-vested, unrestricted shares of stock to non-employee directors compared with 4,000 fully-vested, unrestricted shares of stock and 12,936 shares of stock options issued to non-employee directors in the nine months ended November 30, 2011. There were no unrestricted shares or stock options issued during the three-month periods ended November 30, 2012 or November 30, 2011.  In connection with these non-employee director stock issuances, the Company recognized $37,200 and $52,886 of stock-based compensation expense during the nine-month periods ended November 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

During the three and nine month periods ended November 30, 2012, the Company recognized $94,867 and $287,567, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested, non-forfeited restricted stock unit grants. The restricted stock unit grants generally vest 20% annually over a period of five years.  During the nine months ended November 30, 2012, 44,190 restricted stock units vested and were issued as common stock.  Total unrecognized compensation expense of non-vested, non-forfeited shares granted as of November 30, 2012 was $378,678, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

There were no options granted during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 and the weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended November 30, 2011 was $0.89 per share.

The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model utilizing the following weighted-average assumptions:

   
Nine Months Ended
November 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Expected dividend yield
    n/a       3.87 %
Expected stock price volatility
    n/a       27 %
Risk-free interest rate
    n/a       2.0 %
Expected life of options (years)
    n/a       5  

NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options and restricted stock units. For the three months ended November 30, 2012 and 2011, 101,661 and 117,663 stock options, respectively, were excluded from the computation of earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended November 30, 2012 and 2011, 102,853 and 118,570 stock options, respectively, were excluded from the computation of earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

NOTE 3 – INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:

   
November 30, 2012
   
February 29, 2012
 
Ingredients and supplies
  $ 2,327,525     $ 2,484,796  
Finished candy
    2,063,799       1,634,277  
Total inventories
  $ 4,391,324     $ 4,119,073  
 
 
8

 

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment consists of the following:

   
November 30, 2012
   
February 29, 2012
 
Land
  $ 513,618     $ 513,618  
Building
    4,764,005       4,700,905  
Machinery and equipment
    8,784,810       8,580,960  
Furniture and fixtures
    1,452,570       1,614,484  
Leasehold improvements
    1,814,118       2,064,345  
Transportation equipment
    362,413       360,582  
Impairment provision of long-lived assets
    (1,989,216 )     -  
    $ 15,702,318     $ 17,834,894  
                 
Less accumulated depreciation
    9,908,127       9,319,250  
                 
Property and equipment, net
  $ 5,794,191     $ 8,515,644  

NOTE 5 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Cash Dividend

The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock on March 16, 2012 to shareholders of record on March 2, 2012.  The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per common share on June 8, 2012 to shareholders of record on May 24, 2012.  The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per common share on September 14, 2012 to shareholders of record on September 4, 2012.  The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock on November 13, 2012 payable on December 14, 2012 to shareholders of record on November 30, 2012.

Future declaration of dividends will depend on, among other things, the Company's results of operations, capital requirements, financial condition and on such other factors as the Company's Board of Directors may in its discretion consider relevant and in the best long-term interest of the shareholders.

NOTE 6 – SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

   
Nine Months Ended
November 30,
 
Cash paid (received) for:
 
2012
   
2011
 
Interest
  $ (33,659 )   $ (50,175 )
Income taxes
    979,145       1,425,551  
Non-Cash Operating Activities Accrued Inventory
     326,401        283,949  
Non-Cash Financing Activities Dividend Payable
  $ 665,531     $ 612,601  
 
NOTE 7 - OPERATING SEGMENTS

The Company classifies its business interests into three reportable segments: Franchising, Manufacturing and Retail Stores.  The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to these financial statements and Note 1 to the Company’s financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2012.  The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on operating contribution, which excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative costs and income tax expense or benefit.  The Company’s reportable segments are strategic businesses that utilize common merchandising, distribution, and marketing functions, as well as common information systems and corporate administration.  All inter-segment sales prices are market based.  Each segment is managed separately because of the differences in required infrastructure and the difference in products and services:
 
 
9

 
 
NOTE 7 - OPERATING SEGMENTS - CONTINUED

Three Months Ended November 30, 2012
 
Franchising
   
Manufacturing
   
Retail
   
Other
   
Total
 
Total revenues
  $ 1,308,146     $ 6,799,847     $ 1,089,431     $ -     $ 9,197,424  
Intersegment revenues
    -       (561,619 )     -       -       (561,619 )
Revenue from external customers
    1,308,146       6,238,228       1,089,431       -       8,635,805  
Segment profit (loss)
    503,380       1,727,587       (2,131,270 )     (922,062 )     (822,365 )
Total assets
    1,316,002       11,499,337       2,422,986       5,541,326       20,779,651  
Capital expenditures
    -       85,058       12,357       76,665       174,080  
Total depreciation & amortization
  $ 9,067     $ 73,012     $ 103,255     $ 38,710     $ 224,044  

Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
 
Franchising
   
Manufacturing
   
Retail
   
Other
   
Total
 
Total revenues
  $ 1,164,453     $ 6,738,048     $ 966,515     $ -     $ 8,869,016  
Intersegment revenues
    -       (589,106 )     -       -       (589,106 )
Revenue from external customers
    1,164,453       6,148,942       966,515       -       8,279,910  
Segment profit (loss)
    374,409       1,740,532       (179,408 )     (819,135 )     1,116,398  
Total assets
    1,328,594       11,488,435       3,982,890       5,371,335       22,171,254  
Capital expenditures
    10,171       22,783       622,587       15,811       671,352  
Total depreciation & amortization
  $ 15,599     $ 73,382     $ 68,121     $ 37,028     $ 194,130  

Nine Months Ended November 30, 2012
 
Franchising
   
Manufacturing
   
Retail
   
Other
   
Total
 
Total revenues
  $ 4,375,405     $ 18,836,774     $ 4,426,780     $ -     $ 27,638,959  
Intersegment revenues
    -       (1,615,125 )     -       -       (1,615,125 )
Revenue from external customers
    4,375,405       17,221,649       4,426,780       -       26,023,834  
Segment profit (loss)
    1,800,330       4,890,384       (2,053,806 )     (2,546,438 )     2,090,470  
Total assets
    1,316,002       11,499,337       2,422,986       5,541,326       20,779,651  
Capital expenditures
    24,007       255,313       254,103       158,070       691,493  
Total depreciation & amortization
  $ 30,160     $ 217,189     $ 329,083     $ 115,158     $ 691,590  

Nine Months Ended November 30, 2011
 
Franchising
   
Manufacturing
   
Retail
   
Other
   
Total
 
Total revenues
  $ 4,164,061     $ 18,092,103     $ 3,911,213     $ -     $ 26,167,377  
Intersegment revenues
    -       (1,673,755 )     -       -       (1,673,755 )
Revenue from external customers
    4,164,061       16,418,348       3,911,213        -       24,493,622  
Segment profit (loss)
    1,756,143       4,646,749       (161,254 )     (2,292,693 )     3,948,945  
Total assets
    1,328,594       11,488,435       3,982,890       5,371,335       22,171,254  
Capital expenditures
    11,613       133,441       1,525,439       191,215       1,861,708  
Total depreciation & amortization
  $ 50,155     $ 221,546     $ 177,210     $ 104,384     $ 553,295  

Revenue from one customer of the Company’s Manufacturing segment represented approximately $2.5 million of the Company’s revenues from external customers during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared to $2.4 million during the nine months ended November 30, 2011.
 
 
10

 

NOTE 8 – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets consist of the following:

           
November 30, 2012
   
February 29, 2012
 
   
Amortization
Period (Years)
   
Gross
Carrying
Value
   
Accumulated Amortization
 
   
Gross
Carrying
 Value
   
Accumulated Amortization
 
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization
                               
Store design
      10       $ 205,777     $ 204,300     $ 205,777     $ 200,445  
Packaging licenses
    3 -       120,830       120,830       120,830       120,830  
Packaging design
      10         430,973       430,973       430,973       430,973  
Aspen Leaf Yogurt Design
      5         19,740       5,922       19,740       2,961  
Total
                777,320       762,025       777,320       755,209  
                                             
 
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
                                           
Franchising segment-
                                           
Company stores goodwill
              $ 1,099,328     $ 267,020     $ 1,099,328     $ 267,020  
Franchising goodwill
                295,000       197,682       295,000       197,682  
Manufacturing segment-Goodwill
                295,000       197,682       295,000       197,682  
Trademark
                20,000       -       20,000       -  
Total Goodwill
                1,709,328       662,384       1,709,328       662,384  
                                             
Total intangible assets
              $ 2,486,648     $ 1,424,409     $ 2,486,648     $ 1,417,593  

Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled $6,817 and $40,716 during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of November 30, 2012, $15,295 net intangible assets subject to amortization remained to be amortized through May 2016.

NOTE 9 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has entered into Franchise Agreements and a Development Agreement with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.  The director operates two ALY locations under the Franchise Agreements and the Development Agreement.

As of November 30, 2012, the Company had receivables of approximately $1,900 due from such director associated with the director’s ownership and operation of the two current ALY locations.

Our President and Chief Executive Officer has members of his immediate family with ownership interests in retail marketing businesses.  These businesses have, on occasion, provided services to the Company and may provide services in the future.  As of November 30, 2012, the Company had incurred expenses of $11,150 and there was no amount recorded to accounts payable that related to these businesses. Transactions with these businesses have been immaterial to our results of operations.
 
NOTE 10 – FRANCHISE FEE REVENUE RECOGNITION

Franchise fee revenue is recognized upon the opening of a franchise location.  During the six months ended August 31, 2011 four Aspen Leaf Yogurt franchise locations opened and $78,500 of franchise fee revenue was recognized associated with these openings.  During the three months ended November 30, 2011 the franchise fee for Aspen Leaf Yogurt was reduced and a decrease to revenue of $54,500 was recorded associated with locations previously opened during the six months ended August 31, 2011.  The change to ALY franchise fees was the result of the Company’s continued evaluation of the self serve yogurt franchise environment and its desire to remain competitive among many franchise offerings.  There was no change to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise fee or the Company’s franchise fee revenue recognition policy.
 
 
11

 

NOTE 11 – IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

During the three months ended November 30, 2012, the Company began an initiative to sell substantially all long lived assets associated with continued operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt Company-owned locations.  This initiative caused the Company to perform an evaluation of the assets’ fair value.  An impairment loss for ALY operations was recognized in the amount of $1,978,216 for certain long-lived assets related to all ALY Company-owned locations.  The Company reviewed the machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, and leasehold improvements associated with each Company-owned ALY location, as well as ALY long-lived assets not allocated to a specific location.  Current and historical operating and cash flow losses indicate that recorded asset values for these stores are not fully recoverable. Assets with net book value of $2,893,549 were reduced to their estimated fair value based on prices of similar assets or estimated present value of future net cash flows expected to be generated from the assets.

The impairment of long-lived assets was recorded to the following segments:

Retail segment
  $ 1,929,453  
Other segment
    48,763  
Total impairment provision
  $ 1,978,216  


NOTE 12 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2012-02, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. The amendments permit an entity first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-General Intangibles Other than Goodwill. Determining that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired will require quantitative impairment testing, otherwise, no further action will be required. This ASU is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt the amendments during its fiscal year ending February 28, 2014.  The adoption is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s Fiscal 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements.


Item 2.          Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and related notes of the Company included elsewhere in this report. The statements included in this report other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and include statements regarding our cash flow, dividends, operating income and future growth. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this document may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and "potential," or similar expressions. Factors which could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to: changes in the confectionery business environment, seasonality, consumer interest in our products, general economic conditions, consumer and retail trends, costs and availability of raw materials, competition, the success of our co-branding agreement with Cold Stone Creamery Brands, the success of our international expansion efforts, the success of the Aspen Leaf Yogurt concept and the effect of government regulation. For a detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained herein, please see the “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2012 which can be viewed at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or through our website at www.rmcf.com. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this report. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that might reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report or those that might reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
 
12

 

Overview

We are a product-based international franchisor, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator.  Our revenues and profitability are derived principally from our franchised system of retail stores that feature chocolate, frozen yogurt, and other confectionery products.  We also sell our candy in selected locations outside our system of retail stores to build brand awareness.  We own and operate fifteen retail units as a laboratory to test marketing, design and operational initiatives.

The most important factors in continued growth in our earnings are ongoing unit growth, increased same-store sales and increased same-store pounds purchased from the factory.  Historically, unit growth has more than offset decreases in same-store sales and same-store pounds purchased.

Our ability to successfully achieve expansion of our Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise system depends on many factors not within our control, including the availability of suitable sites for new store establishment, the availability of adequate financing options and the availability of qualified franchisees to support such expansion.

Efforts to reverse the decline in same-store pounds purchased from the factory by franchised stores and to increase total factory sales depend on many factors, including new store openings, same-store sales, and the receptivity of our franchise system to our product introductions and promotional programs.

In April 2012, we entered into a Master Licensing Agreement for the development and franchising of new Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in Japan. The agreement requires at least ten new stores to open each year for the next ten years, for a total minimum of 100 stores to be opened in Japan by the expiration of the initial term of the agreement.  We believe that international opportunities may create a favorable expansion strategy and reduce dependence on domestic franchise openings to achieve growth.  As of November 30, 2012 five stores were operating under the agreement.

On January 14, 2013, Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC (“Newco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary formed in the State of Colorado on January 2, 2013, entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units branded as “Yogurtini.”  In addition, on January 14, 2013, we entered into two agreements to sell all of our membership interests in Newco and substantially all of our assets in Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (“ALY”) to U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (QTCQB: SWRL), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc.  Upon completion of these transactions, we cease to operate any Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations or sell and support franchise locations.
 
Results of Operations

Three Months Ended November 30, 2012 Compared to the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
 
During the three months ended November 30, 2012, the Company began an initiative to sell substantially all long lived assets associated with continued operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt Company-owned locations.  This initiative caused the Company to perform an evaluation of the assets’ fair value.  An impairment loss for ALY operations was recognized in the amount of $1,978,216 for certain long-lived assets related to all ALY Company-owned locations.

Basic earnings per share decreased from $.12 in the three months ended November 30, 2011 to a loss of $.08 per share in the same period of the current year.  Revenues increased 4.3% from $8.3 million in the three months ended November 30, 2011 to $8.6 million in the same period of the current year.  Operating income decreased from $1.1 million in the three months ended November 30, 2011 to an operating loss of $833,000 in the same period of the current year.  Net income decreased from $725,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2011 to a net loss of $509,000 in the same period of the current year.  The decrease in operating income and net income for the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year was due primarily to an impairment loss for ALY operations being recognized in the amount of $1.98 million for long-lived assets related to eight underperforming Company-owned stores.
 
 
13

 

Revenues  
Three Months Ended
             
     
November 30,
   
$
   
%
 
 
($’s in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
Change
   
Change
 
 
Factory sales
  $ 6,323.4     $ 6,185.5     $ 137.9       2.2 %
 
Retail sales
    1,004.3       929.9       74.4       8.0 %
 
Franchise fees
    88.4       (21.6 )     110.0       n/a  
 
Royalty and Marketing fees
    1,219.7       1,186.1       33.6       2.8 %
 
Total
  $ 8,635.8     $ 8,279.9     $ 355.9       4.3 %

Factory Sales

The increase in factory sales during the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to a 5.4% increase in same-store pounds purchased by our network of franchised stores and an increase in sales to international and co-branded locations. These increases were partially offset by a 19.6% decrease in shipments to customers outside our system of franchised stores resulting from a shift in shipments to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 from November in the prior year.

Retail Sales

The increase in retail sales was primarily due to an increase in the average number of Company-owned stores in operation.  The average number of Company owned units in operation increased from 12 during the three months ended November 30, 2011 to 15 units in the same period of the current year.  The increase in average Company-owned units in operation and the resulting increase in retail sales was partially offset by a decrease in Company-owned same-store sales.  Same-store sales at Company-owned stores decreased by 7.95% in the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2011.  We believe the decline in same-store sales was primarily the result of the grand opening effect of Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations and the resulting revenues associated with these openings in the prior year.

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

Royalties and marketing fees increased 2.8% in the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared with the same period of the prior year as a result of an increase in royalties based on the Company’s purchase-based royalty structure and an increase in royalties from co-branded locations, partially offset by a decrease in domestic franchise units.  Same store sales at franchise locations decreased 0.7% during the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year.  Average licensed locations in operation increased from 46 units in the three months ended November 30, 2011 to 54 units in the same period of the current year.  The average number of domestic units in operation decreased from 250 in the three months ended November 30, 2011 to 241 in the same period of the current year. The increase in franchise fee revenue during the three months ended November 30, 2012, compared with the prior year period was primarily the result of a change in the franchise fee associated with Aspen Leaf Yogurt and a decrease in revenue recorded for the three months ended November 30, 2011 associated with locations opened during the nine months ended November 30, 2011.  Additionally, domestic franchise and licensee openings increased from 4 openings in the three months ended November 30, 2011 to 8 openings in the same period of the current year.

Costs and Expenses
 
 
Three Months Ended
November 30,
    $     %  
($’s in thousands)  
2012
   
2011
   
Change
   
Change
 
                           
 
Cost of sales – factory adjusted
  $ 4,348.9     $ 4,272.6     $ 76.3       1.8 %
 
Cost of sales - retail
    420.3       408.8       11.5       2.8 %
 
Franchise costs
    457.6       452.7       4.9       1.1 %
 
Sales and marketing
    447.9       400.3       47.6       11.9 %
 
General and administrative
    847.9       800.6       47.3       5.9 %
 
Retail operating
    743.8       649.7       94.1       14.5 %
 
Total
  $ 7,266.4     $ 6,984.7     $ 281.7       4.0 %
 
 
14

 

 
Adjusted gross margin
 
Three Months Ended
November 30,
     $      %  
   
2012
   
2011
   
Change
   
Change
 
                         
($’s in thousands)
                       
Factory adjusted gross margin
  $ 1,974.5     $ 1,912.9     $ 61.6       3.2 %
Retail
    584.0       521.1       62.9       12.1 %
  Total
  $ 2,558.5     $ 2,434.0     $ 124.5       5.1 %

                         
(Percent)
                       
Factory adjusted gross margin
    31.2 %     30.9 %     0.3 %     1.0 %
Retail
    58.1 %     56.0 %     2.1 %     3.8 %
  Total
    34.9 %     34.2 %     0.7 %     2.0 %

Adjusted gross margin, a non-GAAP measure, is equal to the sum of our factory adjusted gross margin plus our retail gross margin calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Factory adjusted gross margin is equal to factory gross margin minus depreciation and amortization expense.  We believe adjusted gross margin is helpful in understanding our past performance as a supplement to gross margin and other performance measures calculated in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").  We believe that adjusted gross margin is useful to investors because it provides a measure of operating performance and our ability to generate cash that is unaffected by non-cash accounting measures.  Additionally, we use adjusted gross margin rather than gross margin to make incremental pricing decisions.  Adjusted gross margin has limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes the impact of depreciation and amortization expense and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for any measure reported under GAAP.  Our use of capital assets makes depreciation and amortization expense a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate income.  Due to these limitations, we use adjusted gross margin as a measure of performance only in conjunction with GAAP measures of performance such as gross margin.  The following table provides a reconciliation of factory adjusted gross margin to factory gross margin, the most comparable performance measure under GAAP:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
November 30,
 
($’s in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Factory adjusted gross margin
  $ 1,974.5     $ 1,912.9  
Less: Depreciation and Amortization
    72.1       68.4  
Factory GAAP gross margin
  $ 1,902.4     $ 1,844.5  

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Factory adjusted gross margin increased 30 basis points in the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2011 due primarily to an increase in the average selling price of products to domestic franchise units.  The increase in Company-owned store margin is due primarily to a change in product mix.

Franchise Costs

Franchise costs were approximately unchanged in the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared with the same period of the prior year. As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs decreased to 35.0% in the three months ended November 30, 2012 from 38.9% in the three months ended November 30, 2011.  This decrease as a percentage of royalty, marketing and franchise fees is primarily a result of a 12.3% increase in total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue.

Sales and Marketing

The increase in sales and marketing costs for the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2011 is primarily due to increased costs of marketing of franchise locations and marketing related compensation costs.
 
 
15

 

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs increased 5.9% for the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2011.  This increase was primarily due to restructuring expenses associated with Aspen Leaf Yogurt as described above.  As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expense increased to 9.8% in the three months ended November 30, 2012 compared to 9.7% in the same period of the prior year.

Retail Operating Expenses

The increase in retail operating expenses was primarily due to an increase in the average number of Company-owned stores in operation.  The average number of Company owned units in operation increased from 12 during the three months ended November 30, 2011 to 15 units in the same period of the current year.  Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, increased from 69.9% in the three months ended November 30, 2011 to 74.1% in the three months ended November 30, 2012.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization of $224,000 in the three months ended November 30, 2012 increased 15.4% from $194,000 incurred in the three months ended November 30, 2011 due to additional depreciable assets acquired by us as a result of an increase in the number of Company-owned stores in operation and the associated depreciation of those assets.

Interest Income

Interest income of $10,400 realized in the three months ended November 30, 2012 represents a decrease of $4,900 from the $15,300 realized in the three months ended November 30, 2011.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective income tax rate in the three months ended November 30, 2012 was 38.0% which is an increase of 2.9% compared to 35.1% in the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily the result of the effect of recording an impairment on certain long-lived assets and the associated tax benefit of that impairment.

Nine Months Ended November 30, 2012 Compared to the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2011
 
During the nine months ended November 30, 2012, the Company began an initiative to sell substantially all long lived assets associated with continued operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt Company-owned locations.  This initiative caused the Company to perform an evaluation of the assets’ fair value.  An impairment loss for ALY operations was recognized in the amount of $1,978,216 for certain long-lived assets related to all ALY Company-owned locations.
 
Basic earnings per share decreased 45.2% from $.42 for the nine months ended November 30, 2011 to $­­.23 for the same period of the current year. Revenues increased 6.2% to $26.0 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared to $24.5 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2011. Operating income decreased 47.3% from $3.9 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2011 to $2.1 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2012. Net income decreased 45.9% from $2.6 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2011 to $1.4 million in the nine months ended November 30, 2012. The decrease in operating income and net income for the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year was due primarily to an impairment loss for ALY operations being recognized in the amount of $1.98 million for long-lived assets related to eight underperforming Company-owned stores.

Revenues
   
Nine Months Ended
             
   
November 30,
   
$
   
%
 
($’s in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
Change
   
Change
 
Factory sales
  $ 17,485.2     $ 16,557.5     $ 927.7       5.6 %
Retail sales
    4,163.2       3,772.0       391.2       10.4 %
Franchise fees
    247.5       228.2       19.3       8.5 %
Royalty and marketing fees
    4,127.9       3,935.9       192.0       4.9 %
Total
  $ 26,023.8     $ 24,493.6     $ 1,530.2       6.2 %
 
 
16

 
 
Factory Sales

The increase in factory sales for the nine months ended November 30, 2012 versus the nine months ended November 30, 2011 was primarily due to a 6.6% increase in sales to domestic and international franchised and licensed stores and a 1.5% increase in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchised retail stores.  Same-store pounds purchased by franchise locations was unchanged in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared with the same period in the prior year.  These increases were partially offset by a 3.8% decrease in the average number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchised stores in operation.

Retail Sales

The increase in retail sales resulted primarily from an increase in the average number of Company-owned stores in operation from 13 in the nine months ended November 30, 2011 to 17 in the same period of the current year.  The increase in average Company-owned units in operation and the resulting increase in retail sales was partially offset by a decrease in Company-owned same-store sales. Same-store retail sales at Company-owned locations decreased 1.0% in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year.

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

Royalties and marketing fees increased 4.9% in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared with the same period of the prior year as a result of an increase in royalties based on the Company’s purchase based royalty structure, an increase in same store sales and an increase in royalties from co-branded locations, partially offset by a decrease in domestic franchise units.  Same store sales at franchise locations increased 1.1% during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year.  Average licensed locations in operation increased from 44 units in nine months ended November 30, 2011 to 52 units in the same period of the current year.  The average number of domestic units in operation decreased from 246 in the nine months ended November 30, 2011 to 237 in the same period of the current year. The increase in franchise fee revenue during the nine months ended November 30, 2012, compared with the prior year period was the result of an increase in international license fees partially offset by a decrease in domestic franchise openings from 11 during the nine months ended November 30, 2011 to 9 openings during the nine months ended November 30, 2012.

 
Costs and Expenses
 
 
Nine Months Ended
November 30,
    $     %  
 
($’s in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
Change
   
Change
 
 
Cost of sales – factory adjusted
  $ 11,849.7     $ 11,360.4     $ 489.3       4.3 %
 
Cost of sales - retail
    1,611.3       1,531.9       79.4       5.2 %
 
Franchise costs
    1,560.1       1,374.4       185.7       13.5 %
 
Sales and marketing
    1,317.9       1,225.4       92.5       7.5 %
 
General and administrative
    2,389.7       2,257.2       132.5       5.9 %
 
Retail operating
    2,568.1       2,288.2       279.9       12.2 %
 
Total
  $ 21,296.8     $ 20,037.5     $ 1,259.3       6.3 %

Adjusted gross margin  
Nine Months Ended
November 30,
    $     %  
     
2012
   
2011
   
Change
   
Change
 
 
($’s in thousands)
                       
 
Factory adjusted gross margin
  $ 5,635.5     $ 5,197.1     $ 438.4       8.4 %
 
Retail
    2,551.9       2,240.1       311.8       13.9 %
 
Total
  $ 8,187.4     $ 7,437.2     $ 750.2       10.1 %
 
(Percent)
                               
 
Factory adjusted gross margin
    32.2 %     31.4 %     0.8 %     2.5 %
 
Retail
    61.3 %     59.4 %     1.9 %     3.2 %
 
Total
    37.8 %     36.6 %     1.2 %     3.3 %
 
 
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Adjusted gross margin, a non-GAAP measure, is equal to the sum of our factory adjusted gross margin plus our retail gross margin calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Factory adjusted gross margin is equal to factory gross margin minus depreciation and amortization expense.  We believe adjusted gross margin is helpful in understanding our past performance as a supplement to gross margin and other performance measures calculated in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").  We believe that adjusted gross margin is useful to investors because it provides a measure of operating performance and our ability to generate cash that is unaffected by non-cash accounting measures.  Additionally, we use adjusted gross margin rather than gross margin to make incremental pricing decisions.  Adjusted gross margin has limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes the impact of depreciation and amortization expense and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for any measure reported under GAAP.  Our use of capital assets makes depreciation and amortization expense a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate income.  Due to these limitations, we use adjusted gross margin as a measure of performance only in conjunction with GAAP measures of performance such as gross margin.  The following table provides a reconciliation of factory adjusted gross margin to factory gross margin, the most comparable performance measure under GAAP:
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
November 30,
 
($’s in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Factory adjusted gross margin
  $ 5,635.5     $ 5,197.1  
Less: Depreciation and Amortization
    214.4       207.0  
Factory GAAP gross margin
  $ 5,421.1     $ 4,990.1  

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Factory adjusted gross margin increased 80 basis points during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year due primarily to an increase in the average selling price of products to domestic franchise units.  The increase in Company-owned store margin is due primarily to lower costs associated with Aspen Leaf Yogurt grand openings, a change in the number of Company-owned stores in operation, and the associated change in product mix.

Franchise Costs

The increase in franchise costs for the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2011 is due primarily to an increase in travel and support costs associated with our international development initiative and an increase in franchise opportunity advertising costs.  As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs increased to 35.7% in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 from 33.0% in the nine months ended November 30, 2011. This increase as a percentage of royalty, marketing and franchise fees is primarily a result of higher franchise costs relative to revenues, as discussed above.

Sales and Marketing

The increase in sales and marketing expense for the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year is due primarily to an increase in marketing-related compensation and benefit costs.

General and Administrative

The increase in general and administrative costs for the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2011 is due primarily to an increase in travel costs associated with our international development initiative and costs associated with restructuring of Aspen Leaf Yogurt.  As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses were unchanged at 9.2% in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 and the same period of the prior year.

Retail Operating Expenses

The increase in retail operating expense was primarily due to an increase in the average number of Company-owned stores in operation during the nine months ended November 30, 2012 compared with the same period of the prior year.  The average number of Company owned units in operation increased from 13 during the nine months ended November 30, 2011 to 17 units in the same period of the current year.  Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, increased from 60.7% in the nine months ended November 30, 2011 to 61.7% in the same period of the current year.
 
 
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Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization of $692,000 in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 increased 25.0% from $553,000 incurred in the nine months ended November 30, 2011 due to an increase in the number of Company-owned stores in operation and the associated depreciation of those assets.

Interest Income

Interest income of $33,000 realized in the nine months ended November 30, 2012 represents a decrease of $13,000 from the $46,000 realized in the same period of the prior year due to lower balances of notes receivable.
 
Income Tax Expense

Our effective income tax rate in the nine months ended November 30 2012, was 33.9%, a decrease of 1.4% from the 35.3% during the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily the result of the effect of recording an impairment on certain long-lived assets and the associated tax benefit of that impairment

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of November 30, 2012, working capital was $10.4 million, compared with $10.6 million as of February 29, 2012, a decrease of $200,000.  The decrease in working capital was primarily due to operating results less payments for dividends and the repurchase of common stock.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $4.1 million as of February 29, 2012 to $3.5 million as of November 30, 2012 as a result of cash flows provided by operating activities being less than cash flows used by financing. Our current ratio was 4.36 to 1 at November 30, 2012 compared to a current ratio of 3.98 to 1 at February 29, 2012. We monitor current and anticipated future levels of cash and cash equivalents in relation to anticipated operating, financing and investing requirements.

We have a $5.0 million ($5.0 million available as of November 30, 2012) working capital line of credit collateralized by substantially all of our assets with the exception of our retail store assets.  The line is subject to renewal in July 2013.  As of November 30, 2012, no amount was outstanding under this line of credit.

In November 2011, we executed a promissory note for $2.5 million in order to establish a line of credit for the funding of the potential expansion of Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations.  The line of credit is guaranteed by us and is collateralized by our land, building and improvements. We may draw from the line of credit until November 1, 2013 to fund new Aspen Leaf Yogurt store openings. After November 1, 2013, any amount outstanding will be repaid over the 48 month period subsequent to November 1, 2013. Interest on borrowings is at 4.75% per annum.  As of November 30, 2012, no amount was outstanding under this promissory note.

We believe cash flows generated by operating activities and available financing will be sufficient to fund our operations at least through the end of fiscal 2013.

Impact of Inflation

Inflationary factors such as increases in the costs of ingredients and labor directly affect our operations.  Most of our leases provide for cost-of-living adjustments and require us to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses, all of which are subject to inflation.  Additionally our future lease costs for new facilities may include potentially escalating costs of real estate and construction. There is no assurance that we will be able to pass on increased costs to our customers.

Depreciation expense is based on the historical cost of our fixed assets, and is therefore potentially less than it would be if it were based on current replacement cost.  While property and equipment acquired in prior years will ultimately have to be replaced at higher prices, it is expected that replacement will be a gradual process over many years.
 
 
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Seasonality

We are subject to seasonal fluctuations in sales, which cause fluctuations in quarterly results of operations.  Historically, the strongest sales of our products have occurred during the Christmas holiday and summer vacation seasons.  In addition, quarterly results have been, and in the future are likely to be, affected by the timing of new store openings and sales of franchises.  Because of the seasonality of our business and the impact of new store openings and sales of franchises, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved in other quarters or for a full fiscal year.

Item 3.           Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We do not engage in commodity futures trading or hedging activities and do not enter into derivative financial instrument transactions for trading or other speculative purposes.  We also do not engage in transactions in foreign currencies or in interest rate swap transactions that could expose us to market risk.  However, we are exposed to some commodity price and interest rate risks.

We frequently enter into purchase contracts of between six to eighteen months for chocolate and certain nuts. These contracts permit us to purchase the specified commodity at a fixed price on an as-needed basis during the term of the contract. Because prices for these products may fluctuate, we may benefit if prices rise during the terms of these contracts, but we may be required to pay above-market prices if prices fall and we are unable to renegotiate the terms of the contracts. As of November 30, 2012, based on future contractual obligations for chocolate products, we estimate that a 10.0% change in the price of cocoa would result in an $85,000 favorable or unfavorable price benefit resulting from our contracts.

As of November 30, 2012, all of our long-term debt was paid in full.  We also have a $5.0 million bank line of credit that bears interest at a variable rate and a $2.5 million promissory note that allows draws until November 1, 2013 and bears interest at 4.75% per annum.  As of November 30, 2012, no amount was outstanding under the line of credit or the promissory note. We do not believe that we are exposed to any material interest rate risk related to these credit facilities.

Item 4.           Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that material information relating to us is made known to the officers who certify as to our financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.  These disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness, as of November 30, 2012, of our disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of November 30, 2012.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended November 30, 2012, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
   
 
We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings other than routine litigation incidental to our business.
   
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
   
 
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part 1, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2012. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2012.
   
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
   
 
None
   
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
   
  None
   
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
   
 
Not Applicable
 
 
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Item 5. Other Information
   
  None
   
Item 6.
Exhibits
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the year ended February 28, 2009
 
3.2
 
Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on May 22, 2009)
 
  3.3
 
Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on December 14, 2007)
 
  10.1
 
*Promissory Note dated August 28, 2012 in the amount of $5,000,000 between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant.
 
  10.2
 
*Commercial Security Agreement dated August 28, 2012 between Wells Fargo  Bank and the Registrant.
 
  10.3
 
*Business Loan Agreement dated August 28, 2012 between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant.
 
  31.1
 
*Certification Pursuant To Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Executive Officer
 
  31.2
 
*Certification Pursuant To Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Financial Officer
 
 32.1
 
**Certification Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Executive Officer
 
32.2
 
**Certification Pursuant To Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Chief Financial Officer
 
  101.INS
 
***XBRL Instance Document
 
  101.SCH
 
***XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
  101.CAL
 
***XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
  101.DEF
 
***XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
    101.LAB
 
***XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
  101.PRE
  ***XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
* Filed herewith.
 
 
** Furnished herewith.
 
 
 ***
Furnished with this report.  In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T,  the XBRL-related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall be deemed “furnished” and not “filed” or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
 
 
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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.


ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.
(Registrant)

Date:  January 14, 2013
 
/s/  Bryan J. Merryman
 
    Bryan J. Merryman, Chief Operating Officer,  
    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director  


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