form8k08477_06042012.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 4, 2012
 
NATHAN’S FAMOUS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
1-3189
11-3166443
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
One Jericho Plaza, Jericho, New York
11753
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (516) 338-8500
 
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 
 

 
 
Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On June 4, 2012, Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company’s financial results for the fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended March 25, 2012.  A copy of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
 
As provided in General Instruction B.2 to Form 8-K, the information contained in Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
 
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)
Exhibits.
 
 
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
 
 
Exhibit No.
Description
 
 
99.1
Press release dated June 4, 2012
 
 
 

 
 
SIGNATURES
 
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 hereunto duly authorized.
 
Dated:  June 4, 2012
NATHAN’S FAMOUS, INC.
   
   
 
By:
/s/  Ronald DeVos
   
Name:
Ronald DeVos
   
Title:
Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)
ex991to8k08477_06042012.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. Reports Year-End and Fourth Quarter Results
 
JERICHO, N.Y., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ: NATH) today reported results for its fiscal year ended March 25, 2012.
 
For the fiscal year ended March 25, 2012:
 
 
·
Net income was $6,158,000 or $1.22 per diluted share as compared to $2,213,000 or $0.40 per diluted share for the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011;
 
·
Non-GAAP earnings after tax, which exclude the litigation expense items described below, increased by 15.8% to $6,445,000 as compared to $5,566,000 for the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011;
 
·
Non-GAAP  earnings per share, which exclude the litigation expense items described below, increased by 26.7% to $1.28 per diluted share as compared to $1.01 per diluted share for the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011; and
 
·
Revenues increased by 15.7% to $66,222,000, as compared to revenues of $57,255,000 during the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011.

For the fiscal quarter ended March 25, 2012:
 
 
·
Net income was $1,082,000 or $0.23 per diluted share as compared to $555,000 or $0.11 per diluted share for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2011;
 
·
Non-GAAP earnings after tax, which exclude the litigation expense items described below, increased by 93.1% to $1,153,000 as compared to $597,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2011;
 
·
Non-GAAP  earnings per share, which exclude the litigation expense items described below, increased by 100.0% to $0.24 per diluted share as compared to $0.12 per diluted share for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2011; and
 
·
Revenues increased by 17.4% to $14,407,000, as compared to revenues of $12,268,000 during the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2011.

The Company also reported the following:
 
 
·
Sales from the Branded Product Program, featuring the sale of Nathan’s hot dogs to the foodservice industry, increased by 26.3% to $38,506,000 during the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012 as compared to sales of $30,497,000 during the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011.
 
·
Gross profit was 19.6% of sales during the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012 as compared to 22.6% of sales during the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011 due primarily to the impact of higher beef costs on our Branded Product Program.
 
·
Retail license royalties increased by 11.8% or $799,000 to $7,586,000 during the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012 as compared to $6,787,000 during the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011.
 
·
Revenues from franchise operations increased by 12.0% or $597,000 to $5,586,000 during the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012 as compared to $4,989,000 during the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011.  Sixty-seven new franchised units were opened during the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012, including two restaurants in Canada, China, Jamaica, Kuwait and the Dominican Republic.
 
·
We opened 43 Branded Menu Program units during the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012, including 29 locations within K-Mart.  Our Branded Menu Program was created to provide qualified operators of existing locations with the ability to become a Nathan’s franchisee, adding our signature products along with a limited-menu of other Nathan’s products to their current operations.
 
·
Sales and pre-tax profits from the five comparable company-owned restaurants were $13,209,000 and $2,024,000, respectively during the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012 as compared to $13,007,000 and $1,923,000, respectively during the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011.
 
·
The effective tax rate of 38.5% for the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012 is approximately 5.2% higher than for the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011 when earnings from tax-exempt interest income represented a higher portion of earnings before income taxes.
 
·
During the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2011, we recorded a litigation accrual of $4,910,000, or $2,939,000, net of tax, as a result of the unfavorable SMG ruling.
 
·
During the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012, we continued returning capital to our shareholders through the repurchase of our stock, acquiring 736,208 shares at a total cost of approximately $15,867,000, including the 598,989 shares described below.
 
·
We completed a modified dutch tender offer in January 2012 by acquiring 598,989 shares, at a cost of approximately $13,294,000, including fees and expenses.
 
 
 

 
 
As previously described with respect to our litigation with SMG, on April 7, 2011, the Court entered a stipulation and order which granted a stay of enforcement of the final judgment which is in the amount of approximately $4,910,000.
 
On March 4, 2011, Nathan’s filed a notice of appeal seeking to appeal the final judgment.  Throughout the duration of the appeal, Nathan’s is required to deposit post-judgment interest on the damages awarded at 9% per annum into a security account.  Nathan’s has made these deposits and recorded interest expense of $447,000 or $266,000, net of tax, during the fifty-two weeks ended March 25, 2012.
 
Certain Non-GAAP Financial Information:
 
In addition to disclosing results that are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), the Company has provided its non-GAAP earnings and earnings per diluted share as adjusted for the litigation expenses described above, including the interest expense that has accrued during the appeals process through the end of the fourth quarter, that the Company believes impacts the comparability of its results of operations.
The Company believes that such non-GAAP financial information is useful to investors to assist in assessing and understanding the Company’s operating performance and underlying trends in the Company’s business because management considers the litigation expenses referred to above to be outside the Company’s normal operating results.  This non-GAAP financial information is among the indicators management uses as a basis for evaluating the Company’s financial and operating performance.
 
The presentation of this additional non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or alternative to, earnings and earnings per diluted share determined in accordance with GAAP.  Analysis of results and outlook on a non-GAAP basis should be used as a complement to, and in conjunction with, data presented in accordance with GAAP.
 
About Nathan’s Famous
 
Nathan’s products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and six foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities.  The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 304 units, comprised of 299 franchised units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit).  For additional information about Nathan’s please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.
 
Except for historical information contained in this news release, the matters discussed are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are based on the current belief of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company’s management.  Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the effect of business and economic conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the ability to obtain an adequate supply of beef and other food products at competitive prices; capacity; the status of our license and supply agreements; the regulatory and trade environment; the risk factors and the forward-looking statements reported from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports.  The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.
 
 
 

 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc.
 
Financial Highlights
 
   
Thirteen weeks ended
   
Fifty-two weeks ended
 
   
Mar. 25, 2012
   
Mar. 26, 2011
   
Mar. 25, 2012
   
Mar. 26, 2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
                         
Total revenues
  $ 14,407,000     $ 12,268,000     $ 66,222,000     $ 57,255,000  
                                 
Net income
  $ 1,082,000     $ 555,000     $ 6,158,000     $ 2,213,000  
                                 
Basic income per share
                               
Net income
  $ 0.24     $ 0.11     $ 1.26     $ 0.41  
                                 
Diluted income per share
                               
Net income
  $ 0.23     $ 0.11     $ 1.22     $ 0.40  
                                 
Weighted-average shares used in computing income (loss) per share
                               
                                 
Basic
    4,559,000       5,094,000       4,906,000       5,403,000  
Diluted
    4,720,000       5,190,000       5,049,000       5,504,000  


Nathan’s Famous, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures
 
   
Thirteen weeks ended
   
Fifty-two weeks ended
 
   
Mar. 25, 2012
   
Mar. 26, 2011
   
Mar. 25, 2012
   
Mar. 26, 2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
                         
NET INCOME
                       
Net income
  $ 1,082,000     $ 555,000     $ 6,158,000     $ 2,213,000  
                                 
Litigation accrual, (net of tax)
    -       -       -       2,939,000  
                                 
Legal expense (a), (net of tax)
    5,000       4,000       21,000       376,000  
                                 
Interest expense (b), (net of tax)
    66,000       38,000       266,000       38,000  
                                 
Non-GAAP income
  $ 1,153,000     $ 597,000     $ 6,445,000     $ 5,566,000  
                                 
                                 
                                 
DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE
                               
Net income
  $ 0.23     $ 0.11     $ 1.22     $ 0.40  
                                 
Litigation accrual, (net of tax)
    -       -       -       0.53  
                                 
Legal expense (a), (net of tax)
    0.00       0.00       0.01       0.07  
                                 
Interest expense (b), (net of tax)
    0.01       0.01       0.05       0.01  
                                 
Non-GAAP income per share
  $ 0.24     $ 0.12     $ 1.28     $ 1.01  

(a) Represents legal expense incurred in connection with the SMG matter during the respective periods.
(b) Represents accrued interest expense incurred in connection with Nathan’s appeal of the SMG damages award.
COMPANY    Ronald G. DeVos, Vice President - Finance and CFO
CONTACT:            (516) 338-8500 ext. 229