S-1/A 1 ds1a.htm AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO FORM S-1 Amendment No. 4 to Form S-1
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Index to Financial Statements

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2003

Registration No. 333-108695


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Amendment No. 4

to

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota   5812   31-1455915
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (Primary standard industrial classification code number)   (I.R.S. employer
identification number)

 

1600 Utica Avenue South

Suite 700

Minneapolis, MN 55416

(952) 593-9943

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)


Sally J. Smith

Chief Executive Officer and President

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.

1600 Utica Avenue South

Suite 700

Minneapolis, MN 55416

(952) 593-9943

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)


Copies To:

Melodie R. Rose, Esq.

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

4000 Pillsbury Center

200 South Sixth Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

(612) 492-7000

 

Jonathan B. Abram, Esq.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

50 South Sixth Street

Suite 1500

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

(612) 340-2600


Approximate date of proposed sale to the public:    As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) check the following box.  ¨

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check the following box.  ¨


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


  
  
  
  

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

   Amount to be
Registered(1)
   Proposed maximum
offering price per
share(2)
   Proposed maximum
aggregate
offering price(2)
   Amount of
registration fee

Common stock, no par value per share

   3,450,000    $17.00    $58,650,000    $4,744.79(3)


  
  
  
  
(1)   Includes 450,000 shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.
(2)   Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(3)   $3,969.49 of this fee was previously paid.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.



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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 20, 2003

 

PROSPECTUS

 

3,000,000 Shares

 

LOGO

 

Common Stock

 


 

This is the initial public offering of 3,000,000 shares of common stock of Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.

 

We expect the public offering price to be between $16.00 and $17.00 per share. Currently, no public market exists for the shares. After pricing the offering, we expect the common stock will be quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “BWLD.”

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “ Risk Factors” beginning on page 6.

 


 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 


 

     Per
Share


     Total

Public offering price

   $                   $             

Underwriting discounts and commissions

   $        $  

Net proceeds, after expenses, to Buffalo Wild Wings

   $        $  

 

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 450,000 shares from us and certain of our stockholders at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus to cover over-allotments. If such shares are sold, we will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about             , 2003.

 


 

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS   SG COWEN

 


 

MCDONALD INVESTMENTS INC.

 

The date of this prospectus is             , 2003.

 


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Index to Financial Statements

LOGO


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

LOGO


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

LOGO


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page

Assumptions Used in this Prospectus

    i 

Prospectus Summary

  1

Risk Factors

  6

Forward-Looking Statements

  13

Use of Proceeds

  14

Dividend Policy

Capitalization

 

14

15

Dilution

  16

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

  17

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

  19

Business

  33

 

 

    Page

Management

  46

Related Party Transactions

  54

Principal and Selling Stockholders

  55

Description of Capital Stock

  58

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

  61

U.S. Federal Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders

  63

Underwriting

  67

Legal Matters

  70

Experts

  70

Where You Can Find Additional Information

  70
     

 


 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. We are offering to sell and seeking offers to buy shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers or sales are permitted. The information in this prospectus may only be accurate on the date of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition or results of operations may have changed since that date.

 

ASSUMPTIONS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS

 

Throughout this prospectus, our fiscal years ended December 27, 1998, December 26, 1999, December 31, 2000, December 30, 2001 and December 29, 2002 are referred to as fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. Our fiscal year consists of 52 or 53 weeks and ends on the last Sunday in December in each fiscal year. Fiscal 2000 was a 53-week year. All other fiscal years shown included 52 weeks. Our nine-month periods consist of 39 weeks ended on September 29, 2002 and September 28, 2003.

 

Unless we indicate otherwise, all of the information in this prospectus: i) reflects a 1-for-5 reverse stock split, which became effective September 9, 2003, ii) assumes the underwriters do not exercise the option granted by us and the selling stockholders to purchase additional shares in this offering, iii) does not include options to purchase 806,697 shares of common stock outstanding and warrants to purchase 131,687 shares of common stock outstanding and exercisable as of October 15, 2003 and iv) assumes all of our outstanding mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock is converted into 1,849,415 shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering. The mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock will be automatically converted into common stock upon the closing of this offering.

 

We own a number of trademarks and service marks registered or pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. We have registered the following marks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Better-Be-Ready Blazin’; Buffalo Wild Wings; Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck; Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck The Real Wing; bw-3; Gotta Wing It; Home Of The Real Wing; Something Wild Has Come To Town; and Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar Logo. We have filed applications to federally register the following marks, which are pending: Buffalo Wild Wings (2); Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar Logo (2); Buffalo Wild Wings Trade Dress (4); Get It To Go; Buffalo Design; Wings. Beer. Sports. All the Essentials.; We Can’t Stand Bland; Blazin’; Buffarita; Buffalito; Buffalo Chips; Wild; Be Wild; BWLD; We’re on Fire; B-Dubs; and Buffalo Legs. We have also registered the Internet domain names http://www.buffalowildwings.com and http://www.bwld.com. This prospectus also contains trademarks of companies other than Buffalo Wild Wings.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes. References in this prospectus to “Buffalo Wild Wings,” “company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the business of Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. and our subsidiaries.

 

Our Business

 

We are an established and growing owner, operator and franchisor of restaurants featuring a variety of boldly flavored, made-to-order menu items including our Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings spun in one of our 12 signature sauces. In addition to fresh chicken wings, our menu also features specialty hamburgers and sandwiches, Buffalito soft tacos, finger foods and salads. Our 12 sauces, from the mildest Teriyaki to the hottest Blazin’, are designed to complement many of our menu items, allowing guests to customize their meal by adding a signature sauce. Our restaurants feature a full bar including approximately 20 domestic and imported beers on tap, a broad selection of bottled beer, wine and liquor.

 

Our restaurants create an inviting neighborhood atmosphere by using a flexible service model, an extensive multi-media system and an open layout. Upon entering our restaurants, guests may choose to order at the counter for dine-in or take-out service or order at the table from our servers. This option allows our guests to customize each dining experience based on their different time demands or service preferences. Each of our restaurants contains an extensive multi-media system consisting of up to five projection televisions and 40 additional televisions, National Trivia Network and a selection of video games. We believe that the layout of our restaurants is attractive to both sports fans and families, as guests may move tables together to watch sporting events, to share a family dinner or to join friends at the bar. Furthermore, by designing our restaurants with a layout that differentiates the dining and bar areas, we believe that we appeal to families while still targeting our 21- to 40-year-old demographic.

 

Since our first restaurant opened over 20 years ago, we have grown to 220 restaurants, comprised of 78 company-owned and 142 franchised restaurants, operating in 28 states across the United States. By the end of 2003, we expect to have 240 system-wide restaurants opened in 30 states. Over the past five fiscal years, we have increased the number of our company-owned restaurants from 10 to 70, representing a compound annual growth rate of 47.6%, and have grown company-owned restaurant sales from $12.2 million to $85.5 million, representing a compound annual growth rate of 47.6%. Over the same period, net earnings have grown from $860,000 to $3.1 million, representing a compound annual growth rate of 29.0%. We have also increased the number of our franchised restaurants from 68 to 129 over the same period, representing a compound annual growth rate of 13.7%, and have grown franchised restaurant sales at a compound annual growth rate of 22.8%. We typically receive a 5.0% royalty from our franchisees based on franchised restaurant sales.

 

Our Business Strategy

 

In order to continue our growth, we plan to execute the following strategies:

 

    Offer a boldly flavored menu with broad appeal. Our menu features made-to-order items enhanced by our 12 signature sauces, from mild Teriyaki to Blazin’. We offer Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings and a variety of other items including specialty hamburgers and sandwiches, Buffalito soft tacos, finger foods and salads. We strive to build strong guest loyalty by offering the food quality and dining experience typically associated with casual dining restaurants at competitive prices.

 

   

Create an inviting, neighborhood atmosphere. We provide an energetic atmosphere with familiar surroundings to position our restaurants as a frequent neighborhood destination. Our restaurants feature

 

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an extensive multi-media system, furnishings that can easily be rearranged and an open layout, all of which appeal to both sports fans and families.

 

    Enable our guests to customize their dining experience. Our flexible service model and restaurant design allow guests to customize each dining experience to meet the different time demands or service preferences of a workday lunch, a dine-in dinner, a take-out meal, an afternoon or evening enjoying a sporting event or a late-night craving.

 

    Continue to strengthen the Buffalo Wild Wings brand. Our marketing program is designed to communicate a distinctive and consistent brand to differentiate Buffalo Wild Wings from our competitors. We showcase our food and fun, energetic atmosphere through irreverent, award-winning advertising.

 

    Focus on operational excellence. To continue our expansion and develop into an industry-leading restaurant company, we strive for consistent execution of our concept. We have developed extensive systems and controls for our company-owned and franchised restaurants to support our current operations and projected growth.

 

    Increase same-store sales and average unit volume. We seek to increase same-store sales and average unit volumes by introducing new menu items, increasing sales during non-peak dayparts, expanding our takeout business and running targeted product promotions. We coordinate marketing programs with these initiatives to drive frequent guest visits and expand our guest demographic. Same-store sales for our company-owned restaurants increased during each of the last three fiscal years, and during the nine months ended September 28, 2003, at a rate of 11.0%, 8.8%, 1.6% and 2.7%, respectively. Over the same periods, same-store sales at our franchised restaurants increased at a rate of 5.6%, 5.5%, 1.5% and 3.4%, respectively.

 

Our Growth Strategy

 

We plan to grow by opening company-owned and franchised restaurants in both new and existing markets.

 

    Company-owned restaurants. We intend to open company-owned restaurants in new and existing markets. In new markets, we will primarily target large metropolitan areas and build brand awareness by opening multiple restaurants within six months. In our existing markets, we have opportunities to open additional restaurants. We plan to open 14 restaurants in 2003 and 20 restaurants in 2004.

 

    Franchised restaurants. We intend to grow our franchise system through the development of new restaurants by existing and new franchisees. Due to the strength of our brand, unit growth opportunities in attractive undeveloped markets and the relative simplicity of our restaurant operations, we believe we are able to attract experienced and well-capitalized area developers. We plan to open 32 restaurants in 2003 and 45 restaurants in 2004.

 

Our History

 

We were founded in 1982 and opened our first restaurant near The Ohio State University. In 1992, our first franchised restaurant opened. In 1994, with nine company-owned and 26 franchised units, we hired our current Chief Executive Officer and President and our current Chief Financial Officer to refine our business strategy and manage our operations and growth. We have further added an experienced senior management team, developed and implemented our restaurant design and décor package and established our flexible service model. Our management has also formalized our real estate and franchise expansion strategy, broadened our menu to attract a wider guest demographic and implemented best practices to develop a platform for nationwide growth.

 


 

We are a Minnesota corporation located at 1600 Utica Avenue South, Suite 700, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416 and our telephone number is (952) 593-9943. Our website address is www.buffalowildwings.com. Information on our website is not a part of this prospectus.

 

 

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The Offering

 

Common stock offered by us

3,000,000 shares

 

Common stock outstanding after the offering

7,671,866 shares

 

Use of proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay all outstanding debt and capital lease obligations, which were approximately $10 million as of October 15, 2003. The remaining net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including opening new restaurants and potentially acquiring existing restaurants from franchisees. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Risk factors

See “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

 

Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol

BWLD

 

 

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Summary Consolidated Financial and Operating Data

 

The following tables summarize consolidated financial and operating data regarding our business and should be read together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and/or consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Fiscal Years Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
   

December 31,

2000


   

December 30,

2001


   

December 29,

2002


   

September 29,

2002


   

September 28,

2003


 
   

(in thousands, except share and per share data,

number of restaurants and footnotes)

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings Data:

                                       

Restaurant sales

  $ 46,244     $ 66,351     $ 85,493     $ 61,669     $ 80,437  

Franchise royalties and fees (1)

    6,931       8,219       10,614       7,724       9,331  
   


 


 


 


 


Total revenue

  $ 53,175     $ 74,570     $ 96,107     $ 69,393     $ 89,768  
   


 


 


 


 


Income from operations

  $ 4,466     $ 4,913     $ 5,985     $ 3,843     $ 4,554  
   


 


 


 


 


Earnings before income taxes

  $ 4,162     $ 4,200     $ 5,107     $ 3,201     $ 3,839  

Income tax expense

    1,600       1,499       2,030       1,274       1,497  
   


 


 


 


 


Net earnings

    2,562       2,701       3,077       1,927       2,342  

Accretion resulting from cumulative dividend and mandatory redemption feature of preferred stock

    1,209       1,317       1,457       1,086       1,205  
   


 


 


 


 


Net earnings available to common stockholders

  $ 1,353     $ 1,384     $ 1,620     $ 841     $ 1,137  
   


 


 


 


 


Earnings per common share — basic

  $ 0.55     $ 0.56     $ 0.64     $ 0.33     $ 0.43  

Weighted average shares outstanding — basic

    2,469,000       2,469,000       2,529,000       2,529,000       2,671,000  

Earnings per common share — diluted

  $ 0.52     $ 0.50     $ 0.54     $ 0.28     $ 0.35  

Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted

    2,583,000       2,781,000       2,976,000       2,979,000       3,296,000  

Pro forma earnings per common share — basic (2)

                  $ 0.70     $ 0.44     $ 0.52  

Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding — basic (2)

                    4,379,000       4,378,000       4,520,000  

Pro forma earnings per common share — diluted (2)

                  $ 0.64     $ 0.40     $ 0.46  

Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding — diluted (2)

                    4,825,000       4,829,000       5,145,000  

Selected Operating Data:

                                       

Company-owned restaurant data:

                                       

Number of restaurants open at end of period

    42       53       70       63       77  

Company-owned restaurant sales

  $ 46,244     $ 66,351     $ 85,493     $ 61,669     $ 80,437  

Company-owned sales growth

    59.2 %     43.5 %     28.9 %     29.4 %     30.4 %

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 4,211     $ 11,019     $ 8,494     $ 4,658     $ 10,672  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (8,133 )     (7,853 )     (9,592 )     (5,463 )     (6,688 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    1,346       (416 )     (1,638 )     (1,683 )     (2,072 )

 

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     September 28, 2003

     Actual

   Pro Forma(2)

   Pro Forma as
Adjusted(3)(4)


     (in thousands, except footnotes)

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,564    $ 6,564    $ 41,536

Total assets

     54,319      54,319      89,291

Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, including current portion

     9,863      9,863      —  

Mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock

     12,992      —        —  

Total common stockholders’ equity

     10,251      23,243      68,078

(1)   Franchise royalties are based on franchised restaurant sales as reported to us by our franchisees. Franchise royalties are typically 5.0% of franchised restaurant sales, and the reported franchised restaurant sales used to calculate franchise royalties are:

 

    Fiscal Years Ended

  Nine Months Ended

   

December 31,

2000


 

December 30,

2001


 

December 29,

2002


 

September 29,

2002


 

September 28,

2003


    (in thousands and derived from unaudited information)

Franchised restaurant sales

  $ 126,497   $ 153,947   $ 195,232   $ 140,375   $ 177,919

 

(2)   Gives effect to the conversion of mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock, which occurs automatically upon the closing of this offering, into 1,849,415 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2001 and the related elimination of preferred stock accretion.
(3)   Pro forma as adjusted amounts give effect to the issuance and sale of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.50 per share, and the receipt and application of the estimated net proceeds of $45.1 million from this offering, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
(4)   As of October 15, 2003, long-term debt and obligations under capital leases were approximately $10 million, including a prepayment penalty of approximately $300,000, which we intend to repay in full with proceeds from this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully read and consider the risks described below before deciding to invest in our common stock. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operation or cash flows could be materially harmed. In any such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. When determining whether to buy our common stock, you should also refer to the other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

 

Risks related to our growth strategy

 

If we are unable to successfully open new restaurants, our revenue growth rate and profits may be reduced.

 

To successfully expand our business, we must open new Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants on schedule and in a profitable manner. In the past, we and our franchisees have experienced delays in restaurant openings and we may experience similar delays in the future. Delays or failures in opening new restaurants could hurt our ability to meet our growth objectives, which may affect the expectations of securities analysts and others and thus our stock price. We cannot guarantee that we or our franchisees will be able to achieve our expansion goals or that new restaurants will be operated profitably. Further, any restaurants that we or our franchisees open may not obtain operating results similar to those of our existing restaurants. Our ability to expand successfully will depend on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include:

 

    locating suitable restaurant sites in new and existing markets;

 

    obtaining acceptable financing for construction of new restaurants or negotiating acceptable lease terms;

 

    recruiting, training and retaining qualified corporate and restaurant personnel and management;

 

    attracting and retaining qualified franchisees;

 

    cost effective and timely planning, design and build-out of restaurants;

 

    obtaining and maintaining required local, state and federal governmental approvals and permits related to the construction of the sites and the sale of food and alcoholic beverages;

 

    creating guest awareness of our restaurants in new markets;

 

    competition in our markets; and

 

    general economic conditions.

 

We must identify and obtain a sufficient number of suitable new restaurant sites for us to sustain our revenue growth rate.

 

We require that all proposed restaurant sites, whether for company-owned or franchised restaurants, meet site-selection criteria established by us. We and our franchisees may not be able to find sufficient new restaurant sites to support our planned expansion in future periods. We face significant competition from other restaurant companies and retailers for sites that meet our criteria and the supply of sites may be limited in some markets. As a result of these factors, our costs to obtain and lease sites may increase, or we may not be able to obtain certain sites due to unacceptable costs. Our inability to obtain suitable restaurant sites at reasonable costs may reduce our growth rate.

 

Our restaurants may not achieve market acceptance in the new geographic regions we enter.

 

Our expansion plans depend on opening restaurants in new markets where we or our franchisees have little or no operating experience. The success of these new restaurants will be affected by the different competitive

 

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conditions, consumer tastes and discretionary spending patterns of the new markets as well as our ability to generate market awareness of the Buffalo Wild Wings brand. Sales at restaurants opening in new markets may take longer to reach average annual restaurant sales, if at all, thereby affecting the profitability of these restaurants. We may not be successful in operating our restaurants in new markets on a profitable basis.

 

New restaurants added to our existing markets may take sales from existing restaurants.

 

We and our franchisees intend to open new restaurants in our existing markets, which may reduce sales performance and guest visits for existing restaurants in those markets. In addition, new restaurants added in existing markets may not achieve system-wide operating performance.

 

Implementing our expansion strategy may strain our resources.

 

Our expansion strategy may strain our management, financial and other resources. We must attract and retain talented operating personnel to maintain the quality and service levels at our existing and future restaurants. We must also continue to enhance our operational, financial and management systems. We may not be able to effectively manage these or other aspects of our expansion. If we fail to do so, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows could suffer.

 

Risks related to our business

 

If the cost of chicken wings increases, our cost of sales will increase and our operating income could be reduced.

 

The primary food product used by our company-owned and franchised restaurants is fresh chicken wings. Any material increase in the cost of fresh chicken wings could adversely affect our operating results. For fiscal 2002, approximately 28%, and for the nine months ended September 28, 2003, approximately 30% of the cost of sales for our company-owned restaurants were attributable to the purchase of fresh chicken wings. Our cost of sales is significantly affected by increases in the cost of chicken wings, which can result from a number of factors, including seasonality, increases in the cost of grain, disease and other factors that affect availability, and greater international demand for domestic chicken products. Because we are currently unable to secure long-term fixed-price contracts for the purchase of fresh chicken wings, a rise in the prices of chicken wings would expose us to cost increases.

 

We are dependent on franchisees and their success.

 

Currently, approximately 65% of our restaurants are franchised. Franchising royalties and fees represented approximately 11% of our revenues during fiscal 2002 and 10% for the nine months ended September 28, 2003. Our performance depends upon i) our ability to attract and retain qualified franchisees and ii) the franchisees’ ability to execute our concept and capitalize upon our brand recognition and marketing. We may not be able to recruit franchisees who have the business abilities or financial resources necessary to open restaurants on schedule, or who will conduct operations in a manner consistent with our concept and standards. Our franchisees may not be able to operate restaurants in a profitable manner.

 

Our franchisees may take actions that could harm our business.

 

Franchisees are independent contractors and are not our employees. We provide training and support to franchisees, but the quality of franchised restaurant operations may be diminished by any number of factors beyond our control. Consequently, franchisees may not operate restaurants in a manner consistent with our standards and requirements, or may not hire and train qualified managers and other restaurant personnel. If franchisees do not adequately manage their restaurants, our image and reputation, and the image and reputation of other franchisees, may suffer materially and system-wide sales could significantly decline. In addition, we

 

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may also face potential claims and liabilities due to the acts of our franchisees based on agency or vicarious liability theories.

 

We could face liability from our franchisees.

 

A franchisee or government agency may bring legal action against us based on the franchisee/franchisor relationships. Various state and federal laws govern our relationship with our franchisees and potential sales of our franchised restaurants. If we fail to comply with these laws, we could be liable for damages to franchisees and fines or other penalties. Expensive litigation with our franchisees or government agencies may adversely affect both our profits and our important relations with our franchisees.

 

We may be unable to compete effectively in the restaurant industry.

 

The restaurant industry is intensely competitive. We believe we compete primarily with regional and local sports bars, casual dining and quick casual establishments and wing-based take-out concepts. Many of our direct and indirect competitors are well established national, regional or local chains with a greater market presence than we have. Further, some competitors have substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. In addition, independent owners of local or regional establishments may enter the wing-based restaurant business without significant barriers to entry and such establishments may provide price competition for our restaurants. Competition in the casual dining, quick casual and quick service segments of the restaurant industry is expected to remain intense with respect to price, service, location, concept and the type and quality of food. We also face intense competition for real estate sites, qualified management personnel and hourly restaurant staff.

 

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate due to the timing of special events and other factors.

 

Our quarterly operating results depend, in part, on special events, such as the Super Bowl and other popular sporting events, and thus are subject to fluctuations based on the dates for such events. Historically, sales in most of our restaurants have been higher during fall and winter months based on the relative popularity of national, regional and local sporting and other events. Further, our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly because of other factors, including:

 

    increases or decreases in same-store sales;

 

    fluctuations in food costs, particularly fresh chicken wings;

 

    the timing of new restaurant openings, which may impact margins due to the related preopening costs and initially higher restaurant level operating expense ratios;

 

    the timing and amount of asset impairment and restaurant closing charges;

 

    labor availability and costs for hourly and management personnel;

 

    changes in competitive factors;

 

    disruption in supplies; and

 

    general economic conditions and consumer confidence.

 

As a result of the factors discussed above, our quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate significantly. Accordingly, results for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other quarter or for any year. In the future, operating results may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In that event, the price of our common stock would likely decrease.

 

We may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel to operate and manage our restaurants.

 

Our success and the success of our individual restaurants depend on our ability to attract, motivate and retain a sufficient number of qualified restaurant employees, including restaurant managers, kitchen staff and

 

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Index to Financial Statements

wait staff. The inability to recruit and retain these individuals may delay the planned openings of new restaurants or result in high employee turnover in existing restaurants. This could inhibit our expansion plans and business performance and, to the extent that a labor shortage may force us to pay higher wages, harm our profitability. Further, the loss of any of our executive officers would likely adversely impact us.

 

We may not be able to obtain and maintain licenses and permits necessary to operate our restaurants.

 

The restaurant industry is subject to various federal, state and local government regulations, including those relating to the sale of food and alcoholic beverages. Such regulations are subject to change from time to time. The failure to obtain and maintain these licenses, permits and approvals, including food and liquor licenses, could adversely affect our operating results. Difficulties or failure to obtain the required licenses and approvals could delay or result in our decision to cancel the opening of new restaurants. Local authorities may revoke, suspend or deny renewal of our food and liquor licenses if they determine that our conduct violates applicable regulations.

 

Various federal and state labor laws govern our relationship with our employees and affect operating costs. These laws include minimum wage requirements, overtime pay, unemployment tax rates, workers’ compensation rates, citizenship requirements and sales taxes. A number of factors could adversely affect our operating results, including additional government-imposed increases in minimum wages, overtime pay, paid leaves of absence and mandated health benefits, increased tax reporting and tax payment requirements for employees who receive gratuities, a reduction in the number of states that allow tips to be credited toward minimum wage requirements and increased employee litigation including claims relating to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

 

The Federal Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public accommodations and employment. Although our restaurants are designed to be accessible to the disabled, we could be required to make modifications to our restaurants to provide service to, or make reasonable accommodations for disabled persons.

 

A decline in visitors to any of the business districts near the locations of our restaurants could negatively affect our restaurant sales.

 

Some of our restaurants are located near high activity areas such as retail centers, big box shopping centers and entertainment centers. We depend on high visitor rates at these business districts to attract guests to our restaurants. If visitors to these centers decline due to economic conditions, road construction, changes in consumer preferences or shopping patterns, changes in discretionary consumer spending or otherwise, our restaurant sales could decline significantly and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Changes in consumer preferences or discretionary consumer spending could harm our performance.

 

Our success depends, in part, upon the continued popularity of Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings, our other menu items and casual dining restaurant styles. We also depend on trends toward consumers eating away from home more often. Shifts in these consumer preferences could negatively affect our future profitability. Such shifts could be based on health concerns related to the cholesterol, carbohydrate or fat content of certain food items, including items featured on our menu. Negative publicity over the health aspects of such food items may adversely affect consumer demand for our menu items and could result in a decrease in guest traffic to our restaurants. A decrease in guest traffic could materially harm our business. Smoking bans imposed by state or local laws could also adversely impact our restaurants’ performance. In addition, our success depends to a significant extent on numerous factors affecting discretionary consumer spending, including economic conditions, disposable consumer income and consumer confidence. A decline in consumer spending or in economic conditions could reduce guest traffic or impose practical limits on pricing, either of which could harm our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

 

We are susceptible to adverse trends and economic conditions in Ohio.

 

As of October 15, 2003, 71, or approximately 32%, of our company-owned and franchised restaurants are located in Ohio. As a result, we are susceptible to adverse trends and economic conditions in that state. In

 

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addition, given our geographic concentration in the Midwest, negative publicity regarding any of our restaurants could have a material effect on our business and operations throughout the region, as could other regional occurrences such as local strikes, new or revised laws or regulations, or disruptions in the supply of food products.

 

The acquisition of existing restaurants from our franchisees may have unanticipated consequences that could harm our business and our financial condition.

 

We may seek to selectively acquire existing restaurants from our franchisees. To do so, we would need to identify suitable acquisition candidates, negotiate acceptable acquisition terms and obtain appropriate financing. Any acquisition that we pursue, whether or not successfully completed, may involve risks, including:

 

    material adverse effects on our operating results, particularly in the fiscal quarters immediately following the acquisition as the acquired restaurants are integrated into our operations;

 

    risks associated with entering into markets or conducting operations where we have no or limited prior experience; and

 

    the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns.

 

Future acquisitions of existing restaurants from our franchisees, which may be accomplished through a cash purchase transaction, the issuance of our equity securities or a combination of both, could result in potentially dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities and impairment charges related to goodwill and other intangible assets, any of which could harm our business and financial condition.

 

Our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited, which could adversely impact our business.

 

Changes in our operating plans, acceleration of our expansion plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses or other events, including those described in this section, may cause us to seek additional debt or equity financing on an accelerated basis. Financing may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all, and our failure to raise capital when needed could negatively impact our growth and other plans as well as our financial condition and results of operations. Additional equity financing, if available, may be dilutive to the holders of our common stock and may involve significant cash payment obligations and covenants and/or financial ratios that restrict our ability to operate and grow our business.

 

Improper food handling may affect our business adversely.

 

There are health risks associated with eating improperly handled or prepared food items. Negative publicity over illness caused by improper handling or preparation of food items could harm our future revenue and profitability. While we currently maintain insurance for these types of incidents, we cannot guarantee our insurance is sufficient to cover all adverse outcomes.

 

Complaints or litigation may hurt us.

 

Occasionally, our guests file complaints or lawsuits against us alleging that we are responsible for some illness or injury they suffered at or after a visit to our restaurants, or that we have problems with food quality or operations. We are also subject to a variety of other claims arising in the ordinary course of our business, including personal injury claims, contract claims, employment-related claims and claims from franchisees. The restaurant industry has also been subject to a growing number of claims that the menus and actions of restaurant chains have led to the obesity of certain of their guests. In addition, we are subject to “dram shop” statutes. These statutes generally allow a person injured by an intoxicated person to recover damages from an establishment that wrongfully served alcoholic beverages to the intoxicated person. We are a party to such a dram shop claim

 

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recently filed in Pennsylvania state court. The plaintiff in this claim has asked for unspecified damages for wrongful death and loss of life as well as punitive damages. Recent litigation against restaurant chains has resulted in significant judgments, including punitive damages, under dram shop statutes. Because the plaintiff is seeking punitive damages, which may not be covered by insurance, this action could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. See “Litigation.” Regardless of whether any claims against us are valid or whether we are liable, claims may be expensive to defend and may divert time and money away from our operations and hurt our performance. A judgment significantly in excess of our insurance coverage for any claims could materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. Further, adverse publicity resulting from these allegations may materially adversely affect us and our restaurants.

 

Our current insurance may not provide adequate levels of coverage against claims.

 

We currently maintain insurance customary for businesses of our size and type. However, there are types of losses we may incur that cannot be insured against or that we believe are not economically reasonable to insure, such as losses due to natural disasters. Such damages could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

We may not be able to protect our trademarks, service marks or trade secrets.

 

We place considerable value on our trademarks, service marks and trade secrets. We intend to actively enforce and defend our marks and if violations are identified, to take appropriate action to preserve and protect our goodwill in our marks. We attempt to protect our sauce recipes as trade secrets by, among other things, requiring confidentiality agreements with our sauce suppliers and executive officers. However, we cannot be sure that we will be able to successfully enforce our rights under our marks or prevent competitors from misappropriating our sauce recipes. We can also not be sure that: i) our marks are valuable, ii) using our marks does not, or will not, violate others’ marks, iii) the registrations of our marks would be upheld if challenged, or iv) we would not be prevented from using our marks in areas of the country where others might have already established rights to them. Any of these uncertainties could have an adverse effect on us and our expansion strategy.

 

Risks related to our capital stock

 

Our stock price may be volatile and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial offering price.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for shares of our common stock. An active trading market may not develop or be sustained following completion of this offering. The initial public offering price of the shares has been determined by negotiations between us and representatives of the underwriters. The price may bear no relationship to the price at which our common stock will trade upon completion of this offering. The stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. Fluctuations or decreases in the trading price of our common stock may adversely affect your ability to trade your shares.

 

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted. A securities class action suit against us could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources that would otherwise be used to benefit the future performance of our operations.

 

Future sales of shares of common stock into the public market may depress our stock price.

 

The 3,000,000 shares of common stock sold in this offering (and any shares sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, except for any shares purchased by our officers, directors and principal stockholders and shares sold under our directed share program. As of the date hereof, approximately an additional 4,452,944 shares of common stock are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 and are currently freely tradable under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, unless any of such shares are held by one of our existing affiliates as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act or are subject to lock-up agreements. Approximately 4,394,606 shares are

 

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subject to lock-up agreements under which the holders have agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of any of their shares for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of RBC Dain Rauscher Inc. and SG Cowen Securities Corporation.

 

On the effective date of this prospectus, in addition to the 3,000,000 shares sold in this offering and the 450,000 shares that could be sold pursuant to the over-allotment option, 256,710 shares of our restricted shares will be immediately available for sale in the public market. Beginning 90 days after the effective date, approximately 20,550 shares of our restricted shares will be eligible for sale subject to manner of sale and certain other limitations under Rule 144. Beginning 180 days after the effective date, approximately 4,383,606 shares of our restricted shares will be eligible for sale subject to the volume and other limitations of Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act. After expiration of the lock-up period, some of our stockholders have the contractual right to require us to register some of their shares of common stock for future sale.

 

Sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock and our ability to raise capital through a public offering of our equity securities. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” which describes the circumstances under which restricted shares or shares held by affiliates may be sold in the public market.

 

Our executive officers, directors and their affiliates will continue to control us after this offering and they may make decisions with which you disagree.

 

Our executive officers, directors and their affiliates, will beneficially own approximately 26.1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock after this offering. As a result of such ownership, such stockholders, as a group, have the ability to influence actions requiring stockholder approval, including the election or removal of the members of the board of directors and changes in control of the company. See “Principal and Selling Stockholders.”

 

Adverse effect of undesignated stock and anti-takeover provisions.

 

Our authorized capital includes 5,600,000 shares of undesignated stock. Our board of directors has the power to issue any or all of the shares of undesignated stock, including the authority to establish one or more series and to fix the powers, preferences, rights and limitations of such class or series, without seeking stockholder approval. Further, as a Minnesota corporation, we are subject to provisions of the Minnesota Business Corporations Act, or MBCA, regarding “control share acquisitions” and “business combinations.” We may, in the future, consider adopting additional anti-takeover measures. The authority of our board to issue undesignated stock and the anti-takeover provisions of the MBCA, as well as any future anti-takeover measures adopted by us, may, in certain circumstances, delay, deter or prevent takeover attempts and other changes in control of the company not approved by our board of directors. As a result, our stockholders may lose opportunities to dispose of their shares at favorable prices generally available in takeover attempts or that may be available under a merger proposal and the market price, voting and other rights of the holders of common stock may also be affected. See “Description of Capital Stock.”

 

As a new investor, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value.

 

Investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering will pay more for their shares than the amount paid by existing stockholders who acquired shares prior to this offering. Accordingly, if you purchase common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of approximately $7.67 per share. If the holders of outstanding options and warrants exercise these options and warrants, you will incur further dilution. See “Dilution.”

 

We have not and have no plans to pay cash dividends.

 

We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock since inception and do not anticipate declaring or paying any such cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

 

These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those relating to:

 

    our ability to achieve and manage our planned expansion;

 

    our ability to raise capital in the future;

 

    the ability of our franchisees to open and manage new restaurants;

 

    the concentration of our restaurants in Ohio;

 

    our franchisees’ adherence to our practices, policies and procedures;

 

    changes in the costs of food, primarily fresh chicken wings;

 

    potential fluctuation in our quarterly operating results due to seasonality and other factors;

 

    the continued service of key management personnel;

 

    our ability to protect our name and logo and other proprietary information;

 

    changes in consumer preferences or consumer discretionary spending;

 

    health concerns about our food products;

 

    our ability to attract, motivate and retain qualified restaurant managers;

 

    the impact of federal, state or local government regulations relating to our employees or the sale of food and alcoholic beverages;

 

    the impact of litigation; and

 

    the effect of competition in the restaurant industry.

 

Other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors,” could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make.

 

We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The net proceeds to us from the sale of 3,000,000 shares of common stock being offered by us at an assumed initial public offering of $16.50 per share, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, are estimated to be approximately $45.1 million. We will not receive any proceeds from any shares of common stock sold by the selling stockholders.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:

 

    for expansion and development, including opening new restaurants and renovation and maintenance of existing restaurants, collectively for which we have allocated approximately $18.2 million in 2004;

 

    approximately $10 million, including a prepayment penalty of approximately $300,000, to repay the obligations outstanding under capital leases;

 

    approximately $600,000 to repay two long-term bank notes that bear interest at the rates of 7.75% and 8.25% and mature in December 2005 and April 2006, respectively; and

 

    the remainder for other general corporate purposes including potentially acquiring existing restaurants from franchisees. We regularly consider these acquisitions in the ordinary course of business, although we currently have no agreements regarding any future acquisitions.

 

Pending the application of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information regarding our sources and uses of capital.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have not declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain any earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and therefore do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on then existing conditions, including our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 28, 2003 on an actual and pro forma as adjusted basis. The “Actual” column reflects our capitalization as of September 28, 2003 on a historical basis, without any adjustments to reflect subsequent or anticipated events. The “Pro Forma” column reflects our capitalization as of September 28, 2003 with adjustments to reflect the conversion of all outstanding shares of our mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock into 1,849,415 shares of common stock upon the closing of the offering.

 

The “Pro Forma as Adjusted” column reflects our capitalization as September 28, 2003 with adjustments to reflect the receipt by us of the estimated net proceeds from the sale of 3,000,000 shares of common stock by us in the offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.50 per share and the application of the net proceeds of $45.1 million therefrom, including the repayment of approximately $10 million of indebtedness under our loans, including a prepayment penalty of $300,000. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

None of the columns shown below reflect the following:

 

    an aggregate of 745,512 shares of common stock issuable upon currently exercisable stock options and warrants as of September 28, 2003 at an average exercise price of $4.28 per share; and

 

    an aggregate of 254,687 shares of common stock available as of the date of this prospectus for future issuance under our 2003 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

     September 28, 2003

     Actual

   Pro Forma

   Pro Forma as
Adjusted


     (in thousands,
except share data)

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,564    $ 6,564    $ 41,536
    

  

  

Current portion of debt(1)

   $ 4,316    $ 4,316    $ —  

Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, net of current portion

     5,547      5,547      —  

Mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock, no par value; 4,000,000 shares authorized; 1,849,415 shares issued and outstanding (actual); 0 shares issued and outstanding (pro forma and pro forma as adjusted)

     12,992      —        —  

Common stockholders’ equity:

                    

Common stock, no par value; 15,600,000 shares authorized; 2,742,747 shares issued and outstanding (actual); 4,592,162 shares issued and outstanding (pro forma); 7,592,162 shares issued and outstanding (pro forma as adjusted)

     2,413      15,405      60,540

Retained earnings

     7,838      7,838      7,538
    

  

  

Total common stockholders’ equity

     10,251      23,243      68,078
    

  

  

Total capitalization

   $ 33,106    $ 33,106    $ 68,078
    

  

  


(1)   Includes current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases.

 

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DILUTION

 

If you invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our common stockholders’ equity, less intangible assets, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding. As of September 28, 2003, we had a net tangible book value of approximately $22.2 million or $4.83 per share of common stock, giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock into 1,849,415 shares of common stock. After giving effect to the sale of the 3,000,000 shares of common stock offered by us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.50 per share and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom, our net tangible book value as of September 28, 2003 would have been approximately $67.0 million, or approximately $8.83 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $4.00 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $7.67 per share to new investors. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

          $ 16.50

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 28, 2003

   $ 4.83       

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors

     4.00       
    

      

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering

            8.83
           

Dilution per share to new investors

          $ 7.67
           

 

The following table sets forth on a pro forma as adjusted basis, as of September 28, 2003, the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid by existing holders of common stock and by the new investors, before deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

     Shares Purchased

    Total Consideration

   

Average
Consideration

Per Share


     Number

   Percent

    Amount

   Percent

   

Existing stockholders

           4,592,162    60.5 %   $ 10,913,000    18.1 %   $ 2.38

New investors

   3,000,000    39.5       49,500,000    81.9       16.50
    
  

 

  

     

Total

   7,592,162    100.0 %   $ 60,413,000    100.0 %     7.96
    
  

 

  

     

 

The discussion and tables above assume no exercise of outstanding warrants or any outstanding stock options. As of September 28, 2003, there were 807,837 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $5.76 per share, and 250,705 shares available for future grant or issuance under our 2003 Equity Incentive Plan. As of September 28, 2003, there were also 131,687 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants with an exercise price of $3.70 per share. To the extent the options and warrants are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The consolidated statement of earnings data presented below for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000, December 30, 2001 and December 29, 2002 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 30, 2001 and December 29, 2002 are derived from our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants, and should be read in conjunction with those consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The consolidated statement of earnings data presented below for the fiscal years ended December 27, 1998 and December 26, 1999 and the consolidated balance sheet data as December 27, 1998, December 26, 1999 and December 31, 2000 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus. The consolidated statement of earnings data presented below for the nine months ended September 29, 2002 and September 28, 2003 and the consolidated balance sheet data as September 28, 2003, are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus which, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth therein. The consolidated results for the nine months ended September 28, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year ending December 28, 2003 or for any future period.

 

    Fiscal Years Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    Dec. 27,
1998


    Dec. 26,
1999


    Dec. 31,
2000


    Dec. 30,
2001


    Dec. 29,
2002


   

Sept. 29,

2002


   

Sept. 28,

2003


 
    (in thousands, except share and per share data, number of
restaurants and footnotes)
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
Consolidated Statements of Earnings Data:      

Revenue:

                                                       

Restaurant sales

  $ 17,320     $ 29,049     $ 46,244     $ 66,351     $ 85,493     $ 61,669     $ 80,437  

Franchising royalties and fees (1)

    4,345       5,126       6,931       8,219       10,614       7,724       9,331  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total revenue

    21,665       34,175       53,175       74,570       96,107       69,393       89,768  

Costs and expenses:

                                                       

Restaurant operating costs:

                                                       

Cost of sales

    6,484       9,527       13,935       21,133       24,983       17,986       24,916  

Labor

    4,333       7,377       12,754       18,563       24,640       17,974       23,572  

Operating

    2,564       4,397       6,649       10,328       13,311       9,486       12,570  

Occupancy

    1,168       1,936       2,851       4,262       5,734       4,155       5,627  

Depreciation and amortization

    1,235       1,928       2,590       4,096       5,528       3,997       5,124  

General and administrative

    3,683       5,148       9,020       10,333       14,133       10,980       12,088  

Preopening

    323       498       860       653       1,085       541       579  

Restaurant closures and impairment

    185       322       50       289       708       431       738  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total costs and expenses

    19,975       31,133       48,709       69,657       90,122       65,550       85,214  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Income from operations

    1,690       3,042       4,466       4,913       5,985       3,843       4,554  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Other expense, net

    (726 )     (692 )     (304 )     (713 )     (878 )     (642 )     (715 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Earnings before income taxes

    964       2,350       4,162       4,200       5,107       3,201       3,839  

Income tax expense

    383       940       1,600       1,499       2,030       1,274       1,497  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net earnings

    581       1,410       2,562       2,701       3,077       1,927       2,342  

Accretion resulting from cumulative dividend and mandatory redemption feature of preferred stock

          60       1,209       1,317       1,457       1,086       1,205  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net earnings available to common stockholders

  $ 581     $ 1,350     $ 1,353     $ 1,384     $ 1,620     $ 841     $ 1,137  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Earnings per common share — basic

  $ 0.24     $ 0.56     $ 0.55     $ 0.56     $ 0.64     $  0.33     $ 0.43  

Weighted average shares outstanding — basic

    2,385,000       2,417,000       2,469,000       2,469,000       2,529,000       2,529,000       2,671,000  

Earnings per common share — diluted

  $ 0.23     $ 0.55     $ 0.52     $ 0.50     $ 0.54     $ 0.28     $         0.35  

Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted

    2,494,000       2,460,000       2,583,000       2,781,000       2,976,000       2,979,000       3,296,000  

Pro forma earnings per common share — basic (2)

                                  $ 0.70     $ 0.44     $ 0.52  

Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding — basic (2)

                                    4,379,000       4,378,000       4,520,000  

Pro forma earnings per common share — diluted (2)

                                  $ 0.64     $ 0.40     $ 0.46  

Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding — diluted (2)

                                    4,825,000       4,829,000       5,145,000  
Selected Operating Data:      

Company-owned restaurant data:

                                                       

Number of restaurants open at end of period

    16       26       42       53       70       63       77  

Company-owned restaurant sales

  $ 17,320     $ 29,049     $ 46,244     $ 66,351     $ 85,493     $ 61,669     $ 80,437  

Company-owned sales growth

    41.8 %     67.7 %     59.2 %     43.5 %     28.9 %     29.4 %     30.4 %

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 2,042     $ 6,116     $ 4,211     $ 11,019     $ 8,494     $ 4,658     $ 10,672  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (3,615 )     (3,216 )     (8,133 )     (7,853 )     (9,592 )     (5,463 )     (6,688 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    2,230       2,475       1,346       (416 )     (1,638 )     (1,683 )     (2,072 )

 

 

17


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
     Dec. 27,
1998


   Dec. 26,
1999


   Dec. 31,
2000


   Dec. 30,
2001


   Dec. 29,
2002


   Sept. 28,
2003


     (in thousands)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:     

Total current assets

   $ 4,651    $ 9,741    $ 8,868    $ 12,469    $ 12,656    $ 11,532

Total assets

     13,314      22,161      31,872      40,971      50,741      54,319

Total current liabilities

     6,713      6,420      7,865      13,003      14,827      15,134

Total liabilities

       10,984        12,260        17,469        23,717        30,390        31,076

Mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock

          5,867      9,014      10,331      11,788      12,992

Retained earnings

     994      2,344      3,697      5,081      6,701      7,838

Total common stockholders’ equity

     2,330      4,034      5,389      6,923      8,563      10,251

(1)   Franchise royalties are based on franchised restaurant sales as reported to us by our franchisees. Franchise royalties are typically 5.0% of franchised restaurant sales, and the reported franchised restaurant sales used to calculate franchise royalties are:

 

     Fiscal Years Ended

   Nine Months Ended

     Dec. 27,
1998


   Dec. 26,
1999


   Dec. 31,
2000


   Dec. 30,
2001


   Dec. 29,
2002


  

Sept. 29,

2002


  

Sept. 28,

2003


Franchised restaurant sales

   $ 82,780    $ 97,320    $ 126,497    $ 153,947    $ 195,232    $ 140,375    $ 177,919

 

(2)   Gives effect to the conversion of mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock, which occurs automatically upon the closing of this offering, into 1,849,415 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2001 and the related elimination of preferred stock accretion.

 

18


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors including, but not limited to, those discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Overview

 

As of October 15, 2003, we owned and operated 78 restaurants and franchised an additional 142 restaurants under the name Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar. Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December, which generally results in a 52-week year. However, every five or six years the fiscal year is 53 weeks. Fiscal 2000 was a 53-week year. For the purposes of annual comparisons, unless otherwise noted, we have not adjusted for this difference.

 

We were founded in 1982 and opened our first restaurant near The Ohio State University. In 1992, our first franchised restaurant opened. In 1994, with nine company-owned and 26 franchised units, we hired our current Chief Executive Officer and President and our current Chief Financial Officer to refine our business strategy and manage our operations and growth. We have further added an experienced senior management team, developed and implemented our restaurant design and décor package and established our flexible service model. Our management has also formalized our real estate and franchise expansion strategy, broadened our menu to attract a wider guest demographic and implemented best practices to develop a platform for nationwide growth.

 

We have funded our company-owned restaurant development with debt financing, cash from operations and private equity proceeds. In 1996, we completed a private placement of common stock for $400,000 in cash and the conversion into common stock of a $250,000 note payable. At the end of 1996, we had 10 company-owned and 61 franchised restaurants. In early 1998, we completed a private placement of debenture units for $2.3 million. In late 1999, we completed the sale of mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock in consideration for net cash proceeds of $4.2 million and the conversion of $1.6 million of outstanding debt. At the end of 1999, we had 26 company-owned and 79 franchised restaurants. The second closing of the mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock occurred in early 2000 and we received net proceeds of $1.9 million.

 

Since the beginning of 2000, we have continued to expand our restaurant base, growing from 105 to 220 restaurants. We believe that our concept can support a minimum of 1,000 restaurants in the United States. In 2003, we plan to open 14 new company-owned restaurants, of which nine were opened and five were under construction as of October 15, 2003. In 2004, we plan to open 20 new company-owned restaurants, of which 11 had signed leases or for which our designated developers have signed purchase agreements and six had signed letters of intent as of October 15, 2003. Our franchisees are scheduled to open 32 new restaurants in 2003, of which 17 were opened as of October 15, 2003. In 2004, we plan to open 45 new franchised restaurants, for which we had 45 signed commitments as of October 15, 2003. In addition, we have signed commitments for 91 new franchised restaurants to be opened after 2004.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

 

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, which were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Critical accounting policies are those that we believe are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

19


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

We believe that the following discussion represents our more critical accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, although not inclusive.

 

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets and Store Closing Reserves

 

We review long-lived assets quarterly to determine if the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable based on estimated future cash flows. Assets are reviewed at the lowest level for which cash flows can be identified, which is at the restaurant level. Restaurants are included in the impairment analysis after they have been open for 15 months. We evaluate each long-lived asset, including leasehold improvements, equipment and fixtures over its remaining lease term, after considering the potential impact of planned operational improvements and marketing programs. In determining future cash flows, significant estimates are made by us with respect to future operating results of each restaurant over its remaining lease term. If assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment charge is measured by the amount by which the asset carrying amount exceeds its fair value. The determination of asset fair value is also subject to significant judgment. During fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002, and the nine months ended September 28, 2003, we recognized $0, $214,000, $309,000 and $590,000, respectively, of asset impairment charges.

 

In addition to the valuation of long-lived assets, we also record store closing reserves when a restaurant is abandoned. Store closing reserves are subject to significant judgment as accruals are made for lease payments on abandoned leased facilities. Many factors including the local business environment, other available lease sites and the willingness of lessors to negotiate lease buyouts are considered in making the accruals. We estimate future lease obligations based on these factors and quarterly evaluate the adequacy of estimated reserves based on current market conditions. There were no store closing reserves recorded in fiscal 2000 or 2001. During 2002, we recorded store closing reserves of $243,000 to accrue obligations for an underperforming restaurant that was closed in 2002. During the nine months ended September 28, 2003, we recorded reserves of $119,000, which included charges for a restaurant closed in 2003 and additional reserves for the restaurant closed in 2002.

 

The reconciliation of the store closing reserve for the year ended December 29, 2002 and the nine months ended September 28, 2003 is as follows:

 

    

Balance

December 30,
2001


   2002
provision


   Costs
incurred


    Balance
December 29,
2002


  

2003

provision


  

Costs

incurred


   

Balance

September 28,

2003


     (in thousands)      

Remaining lease obligation and utilities

   $   —    $   185    $   (21 )   $   164    $   119    $   (76 )   $   207

Broker fees

          58            58                 58
    

  

  


 

  

  


 

     $    $ 243    $   (21 )   $ 222    $ 119    $ (76 )   $ 265
    

  

  


 

  

  


 

 

Vendor Allowances

 

Vendor allowances include allowances, rebates and other funds received from vendors. These funds are determined based on various quantitative contract terms. We also receive vendor rebates from certain manufacturers and distributors calculated based upon purchases made by franchisees. Amounts expected to be received from vendors are recognized as a reduction of inventoriable costs as product purchases are made from vendors. Amounts that represent a reimbursement of costs incurred, such as advertising, are recorded as a reduction of the related expense. We record an estimate of earned vendor rebates and allowances on a monthly basis. We generally receive payment from vendors approximately 30 days from the end of a month for that month’s purchases. During fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002 and for the nine months ended September 29, 2002 and September 28, 2003, vendor allowances were recorded as a reduction in inventoriable costs and cost of sales was reduced by $755,000, $1.3 million, $1.8 million, $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

 

20


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Revenue Recognition — Franchise Operations

 

Our franchise agreements have terms ranging from 10 to 20 years. These agreements also convey extension terms of five or 10 years depending on contract terms and if certain conditions are met. We provide training, preopening assistance and restaurant operating assistance in exchange for area development fees, franchise fees and royalties of 5% of the franchised restaurant’s sales. Franchise fee revenue from individual franchise sales is recognized upon the opening of the restaurant when all our material obligations and initial services to be provided by us have been performed. Area franchise fees are dependent upon the number of restaurants granted in the agreement as are our obligations under the area franchise agreement. Consequently, as our obligations are met, area franchise fees are recognized proportionally with the opening of each new restaurant. Royalties are accrued as earned and are calculated each period based on reporting franchisees’ sales.

 

Financial Definitions

 

Revenue.    Revenue is comprised of our restaurant sales, franchise royalties and initial franchise fees. Our restaurant sales are comprised almost entirely of food and beverage sales. Franchise royalties represent royalties received from franchisees based on restaurant sales from the operation of franchised Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar restaurants. Initial franchise fees received for franchise development agreements are recognized as income when the restaurants are opened.

 

Restaurant Operating Costs.    Restaurant operating costs are comprised of cost of sales, labor costs and operating and occupancy expenses. Cost of sales includes food, beverage and paper costs, offset by vendor allowances. Labor costs include direct hourly and management wages, bonuses, payroll taxes and benefits for restaurant employees including workers compensation and health insurance. Operating expenses primarily include advertising and marketing, credit card fees, insurance, uniforms, music and cable, repairs and maintenance, supplies and utilities. Occupancy expenses include fixed and percentage rent, common area maintenance charges and real estate taxes.

 

Depreciation and Amortization.    Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation for restaurant and corporate capital expenditures and amortization of goodwill in fiscal 2000.

 

General and Administrative.    General and administrative costs include all corporate and administrative functions that support existing company-owned restaurants and franchised restaurants and provide support to facilitate our growth. Such costs include corporate wages and benefits, travel, professional fees, supplies, recruiting costs, training and insurance.

 

Preopening.    Preopening costs are expensed as incurred. These costs include costs of hiring and training the initial work force, travel, the cost of food and beverage used in training, marketing costs and any grand opening events.

 

Restaurant Closures and Asset Impairment.    Restaurant closures and asset impairment includes costs such as accrued rent for idle restaurants, severance and utilities along with impairment costs and disposal costs related to long-lived assets.

 

Same-Store Sales.    In calculating same-store sales, restaurants become comparable in the first month following the fifteenth full month of operations. As of September 28, 2003, we had 56 company-owned restaurants and 108 franchised restaurants that met this criteria.

 

21


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Results of Operations

 

Our operating results for 2000, 2001 and 2002 and for the nine months ended September 29, 2002 and September 28, 2003 are expressed as a percentage of total revenue below, except for the components of restaurant operating costs, which are expressed as a percentage of restaurant sales.

 

     Fiscal Years Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    

December 31,

2000


   

December 30,

2001


   

December 29,

2002


   

September 29,

2002


   

September 28,

2003


 

Revenue:

                              

Restaurant sales

   87.0 %   89.0 %   89.0 %   88.9 %   89.6 %

Franchise royalties and fees

   13.0     11.0     11.0     11.1     10.4  
    

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

   100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0  
    

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

                              

Restaurant operating costs:

                              

Cost of sales

   30.1     31.9     29.2     29.2     31.0  

Labor

   27.6     28.0     28.8     29.1     29.3  

Operating

   14.4     15.6     15.6     15.4     15.6  

Occupancy

   6.2     6.4     6.7     6.7     7.0  

Depreciation and amortization

   4.9     5.5     5.8     5.8     5.7  

General and administrative

   17.0     13.9     14.7     15.8     13.5  

Preopening

   1.6     0.9     1.1     0.8     0.6  

Restaurant closures and asset impairment

   0.1     0.4     0.7     0.6     0.8  

Total costs and expenses

   91.6     93.4     93.8     94.5     94.9  
    

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

   8.4     6.6     6.2     5.5     5.1  
    

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

                              

Interest expense

   (1.3 )   (1.2 )   (1.0 )   (1.0 )   (0.9 )

Interest income

   0.8     0.3     0.1     0.1     0.1  
    

 

 

 

 

Total other expense

   (0.6 )   (1.0 )   (0.9 )   (0.9 )   (0.8 )
    

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

   7.8     5.6     5.3     4.6     4.3  

Income tax expense

   3.0     2.0     2.1     1.8     1.7  
    

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

   4.8     3.6     3.2     2.8     2.6  

Accretion resulting from cumulative dividend and mandatory redemption feature of preferred stock

   2.3     1.8     1.5     1.6     1.3  
    

 

 

 

 

Net earnings available to common stockholders

   2.5 %   1.9 %   1.7 %   1.2 %   1.3  %
    

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 28, 2003 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 29, 2002

 

Restaurant sales increased by $18.8 million, or 30.4%, to $80.4 million in 2003 from $61.7 million in 2002. The increase in restaurant sales was primarily due to a $17.8 million increase associated with the opening of eight new company-owned restaurants through September 28, 2003 and the 25 company-owned restaurants opened before 2003 that did not meet the criteria for same-store sales and $1.5 million related to a 2.7% increase in same-store sales.

 

Franchise royalties and fees increased by $1.6 million, or 20.8%, to $9.3 million in 2003 from $7.7 million in 2002. The increase was due primarily to additional royalties collected from the 17 new franchised restaurants that opened in 2003 and a full year of operations for the 28 franchised restaurants that opened in 2002. Same-store sales for franchised restaurants increased 3.4%.

 

 

22


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Cost of sales increased by $6.9 million, or 38.5%, to $24.9 million in 2003 from $18.0 million in 2002 due primarily to more restaurants being operated in 2003. Cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 31.0% in 2003 from 29.2% in 2002. The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to higher fresh chicken wing costs.

 

Labor expenses increased by $5.6 million, or 31.1%, to $23.6 million in 2003 from $18.0 million in 2002 due primarily to more restaurants being operated in 2003. Labor expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 29.3% in 2003 from 29.1% in 2002. The increase in labor expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to management’s focus on increased restaurant hospitality.

 

Operating expenses increased by $3.1 million, or 32.5%, to $12.6 million in 2003 from $9.5 million in 2002 due primarily to more restaurants being operated in 2003. Operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 15.6% in 2003 from 15.4% in 2002. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to higher natural gas prices.

 

Occupancy expenses increased by $1.5 million, or 35.4%, to $5.6 million in 2003 from $4.2 million in 2002 due primarily to more restaurants being operated in 2003. Occupancy expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 7.0% in 2003 from 6.7% in 2002, primarily due to higher rent expense on new free-standing restaurants opened in 2003 and increasing common area maintenance costs for all restaurants.

 

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.1 million, or 28.2%, to $5.1 million in 2003 from $4.0 million in 2002. The increase was primarily due to the additional depreciation on eight new restaurants in 2003 and 10 new restaurants which opened in the first nine months of 2002 and were operated for a full nine months in 2003.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $1.1 million, or 10.1%, to $12.1 million in 2003 from $11.0 million in 2002 due to higher corporate headcount. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 13.5% in 2003 from 15.8% in 2002. This decrease was primarily due to a planned decrease in general and administrative expenses growth relative to sales growth, and to our ability to leverage existing corporate infrastructure.

 

Preopening costs increased by $38,000, or 7.0%, to $579,000 in 2003 from $541,000 in 2002. The decrease was due to eight new company-owned restaurants opened in the first nine months of 2003 versus ten new company-owned restaurants in the first nine months of 2002.

 

Restaurant closures and asset impairment increased by $307,000, or 71.2%, to $738,000 in 2003 from $431,000 in 2002. The loss in 2003 represented the asset impairment of one underperforming restaurant, closure of one restaurant and additional reserves related to a restaurant which closed in 2002. The loss in 2002 represents the impairment and closure of an underperforming restaurant.

 

Interest expense increased by $52,000, or 7.3%, to $768,000 in 2003 from $716,000 in 2002. The increase was due to additional capital leases for equipment executed in 2003. This increase was partially offset by new capital leases lowering the overall blended interest rate in 2003 compared to 2002.

 

Interest income decreased by $21,000, or 28.4%, to $53,000 in 2003 from $74,000 in 2002. The decrease was due to lower interest rates and lower investment balances in 2003 compared to 2002.

 

Provision for income taxes decreased $223,000, or 17.5%, to $1.5 million in 2003 from $1.3 million in 2002. The effective tax rate as a percentage of income before taxes decreased to 39.0% in 2003 from 40.0% in 2002. Our effective tax rate reflects the full federal and state statutory rates on taxable income. The reduction in our effective tax rate period over period was due to more restaurants being added in states with lower effective rates.

 

23


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Fiscal Year 2002 Compared to Fiscal Year 2001

 

Restaurant sales increased by $19.1 million, or 28.9%, to $85.5 million in 2002 from $66.4 million in 2001. The increase in restaurant sales was due to an $18.1 million increase associated with the opening of 18 new company-owned restaurants in 2002 and six company-owned restaurants opened before 2002 that did not meet the criteria for same-store sales, and $1.0 million related to a 1.6% increase in same-store sales.

 

Franchise royalties and fees increased by $2.4 million, or 29.1%, to $10.6 million in 2002 from $8.2 million in 2001. The increase was primarily due to additional royalties collected from the 28 new franchised restaurants that opened in 2002 and a full year of operations for the 11 franchised restaurants that opened in 2001. Same-store sales for franchised restaurants increased 1.5%.

 

Cost of sales increased by $3.9 million, or 18.2%, to $25.0 million in 2002 from $21.1 million in 2001 primarily due to more restaurants being operated in 2002. Cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales decreased to 29.2% in 2002 from 31.9% in 2001. The reduction in cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to lower fresh chicken wing costs.

 

Labor expenses increased by $6.1 million, or 32.7%, to $24.6 million in 2002 from $18.6 million in 2001 primarily due to more restaurants being operated in 2002. Labor expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 28.8% in 2002 from 28.0% in 2001. The increase in labor expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to management’s focus on increased restaurant hospitality.

 

Operating expenses increased by $3.0 million, or 28.9%, to $13.3 million in 2002 from $10.3 million in 2001 primarily due to more restaurants being operated in 2002. Operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales remained constant at 15.6%. Higher repair and maintenance costs were offset by lower utilities costs.

 

Occupancy expenses increased by $1.5 million, or 34.5%, to $5.7 million in 2002 from $4.3 million in 2001 primarily due to more restaurants being operated in 2002. Occupancy expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 6.7% in 2002 from 6.4% in 2001, primarily due to higher occupancy expenses for higher quality and more expensive restaurant sites.

 

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.4 million, or 35.0%, to $5.5 million in 2002 from $4.1 million in 2001. The increase was primarily due to the additional depreciation on 18 new restaurants in 2002 and 11 new restaurants from 2001 that operated for a full year in 2002.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $3.8 million, or 36.8%, to $14.1 million in 2002 from $10.3 million in 2001. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue increased to 14.7% in 2002 from 13.9% in 2001. This increase was primarily due to adding key personnel to support our expansion and related hiring costs, higher professional fees and travel costs.

 

Preopening costs increased by $432,000, or 66.2%, to $1.1 million in 2002 from $653,000 in 2001. The increase was due to costs associated with opening 18 new company-owned restaurants in 2002 versus nine new company-owned restaurants in 2001.

 

Restaurant closures and asset impairment increased $419,000, or 145%, to $708,000 in 2002 from $289,000 in 2001. The loss in 2002 represented the impairment and closure of an underperforming restaurant and the impairment of liquor licenses in a particular market. The loss in 2001 represented the impairment of an underperforming restaurant and some miscellaneous equipment.

 

Interest expense increased $56,000, or 6.2%, to $966,000 in 2002 from $910,000 in 2001. The increase was due to additional capital leases for equipment executed in 2002. This increase was partially offset by new capital leases lowering the overall blended interest rate in 2002 compared to 2001.

 

 

24


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Interest income decreased $109,000, or 55.3%, to $88,000 in 2002 from $197,000 in 2001. The decrease was due to lower interest rates and lower investment balances in 2002 compared to 2001.

 

Provision for income taxes increased $531,000, or 35.4%, to $2.0 million in 2002 from $1.5 million in 2001. The effective tax rate as a percentage of income before taxes increased to 39.8% in 2002 from 35.7% in 2001 due to higher state taxes and a reduction in general business credits.

 

Fiscal Year 2001 Compared to Fiscal Year 2000

 

Restaurant sales increased by $20.1 million, or 43.5%, to $66.4 million in 2001 from $46.2 million in 2000. The increase in restaurant sales was due to an $18.1 million increase associated with the opening of nine new company-owned restaurants in 2001, the acquisition of two franchised restaurants and 20 company-owned restaurants opened before 2001 that did not meet the criteria for same-store sales. $3.4 million related to a 8.8% increase in same-store sales. The comparison of 2001 and 2000 restaurant sales was affected by $1.4 million for a 53rd week of sales in 2000.

 

Franchise royalties and fees increased by $1.3 million, or 18.6%, to $8.2 million in 2001 from $6.9 million in 2000. The increase was primarily due to additional royalties collected from the 11 new franchised restaurants that opened in 2001 and a full year of operations for the 19 franchised restaurants that opened in 2000. Same-store sales for franchised restaurants increased 5.5%.

 

Cost of sales increased by $7.2 million, or 51.7%, to $21.1 million in 2001 from $13.9 million in 2000 primarily due to more restaurants being operated in 2001. Cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 31.9% in 2001 from 30.1% in 2000. The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to higher fresh chicken wing costs.

 

Labor expenses increased by $5.8 million, or 45.6%, to $18.6 million in 2001 from $12.8 million in 2000 primarily due to more restaurants being operated in 2001. Labor expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 28.0% in 2001 from 27.6% in 2000. The increase in labor expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to higher hourly and management wages as well as higher medical costs.

 

Operating expenses increased by $3.7 million, or 55.3%, to $10.3 million in 2001 from $6.6 million in 2000 primarily due to more restaurants being operated in 2001. Operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 15.6% in 2001 from 14.4% in 2000. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to higher repair and maintenance costs along with higher utilities.

 

Occupancy expenses increased by $1.4 million, or 49.5%, to $4.3 million in 2001 from $2.9 million in 2000 primarily due to more restaurants being operated in 2001. Occupancy expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 6.4% in 2001 from 6.2% in 2000. The increase was due to higher rent, common area maintenance costs and taxes.

 

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.5 million, or 58.2%, to $4.1 million in 2001 from $2.6 million in 2000. The increase was primarily due to the additional depreciation on 11 new restaurants in 2001 and 16 new restaurants from 2000 that operated for a full year in 2001.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $1.3 million, or 14.6%, to $10.3 million in 2001 from $9.0 million in 2000. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 13.9% in 2001 from 17.0% in 2000. This decrease was primarily a result of opening new restaurants without a proportional increase in general and administrative costs or administrative personnel.

 

25


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Preopening costs decreased by $207,000, or 24.1%, to $653,000 in 2001 from $860,000 in 2000. The decrease was due to the opening of nine new company-owned restaurants in 2001 versus 16 new company-owned restaurants in 2000.

 

Restaurant closures and asset impairment increased by $239,000, or 478%, to $289,000 in 2001 from $50,000 in 2000. The loss in 2001 represented the impairment of an underperforming restaurant and miscellaneous equipment. The loss in 2000 represents the disposal of miscellaneous equipment.

 

Interest expense increased by $205,000, or 29.1%, to $910,000 in 2001 from $705,000 in 2000. The increase was due to additional capital leases for equipment executed in 2001.

 

Interest income decreased by $204,000, or 50.9%, to $197,000 in 2001 from $401,000 in 2000. The decrease was due to lower interest rates and lower investment balances in 2001 compared to 2000.

 

Provision for income taxes decreased by $101,000, or 6.3%, to $1.5 million in 2001 from $1.6 million in 2000. The effective tax rate as a percentage of income before taxes decreased to 35.7% in 2001 from 38.4% in 2000 due to a relatively greater utilization of general business credits in 2001.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our primary liquidity and capital requirements have been for new restaurant construction, remodeling and maintaining our existing company-owned restaurants, working capital and other general business needs. Our main sources of liquidity and capital are cash flows from operations, proceeds from equipment leasing and the issuance of mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock, including the conversion of a $1.6 million line of credit, in late 1999 and early 2000 with aggregate net consideration of $7.7 million. The mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock accretes at a 12% cumulative dividend and is redeemable in December 2004. Upon the closing of this offering, the mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock will automatically convert to 1,849,415 shares of common stock, without the accrued dividend. The cash balances at the fiscal years ended 2000, 2001, 2002 and nine months ended September 28, 2003, were $4.6 million, $7.4 million, $4.7 million and $6.6 million, respectively.

 

During fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the nine months ended September 29, 2002 and September 28, 2003, net cash provided by operating activities was $4.2 million, $11.0 million, $8.5 million, $4.7 million and $10.7 million, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities in 2002 consisted primarily of net earnings adjusted for non-cash expenses and an increase in accrued expenses, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable and the timing of income tax payments which reduced income taxes payable. The increase in accrued expenses was due primarily to higher incentive compensation costs resulting from additional corporate headcount and improved company performance. The increase in accounts receivable was primarily the result of higher amounts of purchased restaurant furniture and fixtures that were pending funding from a third-party lessor, which funding was received in early 2003.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2001 consisted primarily of net earnings adjusted for non-cash expenses and an increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and income taxes payable partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable. The increase in accounts payable was due to an increased number of invoices as a result of the larger restaurant base. The increase in accrued expenses was due primarily to higher incentive compensation costs resulting from company performance. The increase in income taxes payable was due to the timing of payments. The increase in accounts receivable was primarily the result of higher amounts of purchased restaurant furniture and fixtures that were pending funding from a third party lessor, which funding was received in early 2002.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2000 consisted primarily of net earnings adjusted for non-cash expenses and an increase in accrued expenses, offset by an increase in accounts receivable due to higher amounts

 

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of restaurant furniture and fixtures and a decrease in accounts payable from fewer restaurants under construction at the end of the year. The increase in accrued expenses was due primarily to higher incentive compensation costs resulting from company performance.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 28, 2003 consisted primarily of net earnings adjusted for non-cash expenses, a decrease in accounts receivable due to funding of equipment leases and a decrease in income taxes receivable due to the receipt of a tax refund, offset by a decrease in accounts payable due to fewer restaurants under construction at the end of the period as compared to December 29, 2002. In anticipation of this offering, subsequent to September 28, 2003, the Company has ceased funding equipment purchases through third-party lessors.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 29, 2002 consisted primarily of net earnings adjusted for non-cash expenses and an increase in accrued expenses due to higher incentive compensation costs resulting from additional corporate headcount and improved company performance, offset by a decrease in accounts payable due to fewer restaurants under construction at the end of the period and the timing of tax payments.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the nine months ended September 29, 2002 and September 28, 2003 was $8.1 million, $7.9 million, $9.6 million, $5.5 million and $6.7 million, respectively. Investing activities consisted of purchases of property and equipment related to the opening of new restaurants in all periods. In 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the nine months ended September 29, 2002 and September 28, 2003 we opened 16, nine, 18, 10 and eight new restaurants, respectively. In 2001, we acquired two franchised restaurants for $1.4 million. Fiscal 2003 capital expenditures for leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment are expected to be approximately $11.2 million. We expect capital expenditures to increase to approximately $18.2 million in fiscal 2004 due to additional new company-owned restaurants and renovation and maintenance of existing restaurants.

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities for 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the nine months ended September 29, 2002 and September 28, 2003 was $1.3 million, ($416,000), ($1.6 million), ($1.7 million) and ($2.1 million), respectively. Net cash used in financing activities for 2002 resulted primarily from payments made on capital lease obligations, offset by cash received from lessors related to restaurant construction. Net cash used in financing activities for 2001 resulted primarily from payments made on capital lease obligations, offset by cash received from lessors related to restaurant construction and cash received from bank loans related to the acquisition of two franchised restaurants. Net cash provided by financing activities in 2000 resulted primarily from cash received from the second closing of the mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock issuance and cash received from lessors related to restaurant construction offset by payments made on capital lease obligations.

 

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 28, 2003 resulted primarily from payments made on capital lease obligations offset by cash received from lessors related to restaurant construction and proceeds from the exercise of warrants and stock options. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 29, 2002 resulted primarily from payments made on capital lease obligations offset by cash received from lessors related to restaurant construction.

 

Our liquidity is impacted by minimum cash payment commitments resulting from long-term debt outstanding, capital lease obligations and operating lease obligations. The following table presents a summary of our contractual obligations and payments by period, as of September 28, 2003.

 

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     Cash Payments Due By Period

     Total

   Less than
One year


   1-3 years

   3-5 years

   After 5
years


     (in thousands)

Contractual Obligations:

                                  

Notes payable

   $ 555    $ 217    $ 338    $    $

Capital lease obligations

     9,308      4,099      5,209          

Operating lease obligations

     55,171      7,199      20,430      12,082      15,460
    

  

  

  

  

     $   65,034    $   11,515    $   25,977    $   12,082    $   15,460
    

  

  

  

  

 

We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay the notes payable and capital lease obligations. Repayment of the capital lease obligations has a prepayment penalty of approximately $300,000.

 

We enter into franchise agreements with unrelated third parties to build and operate restaurants using the Buffalo Wild Wings brand within a defined geographical area. We believe that franchising is an effective and efficient means to expand our Buffalo Wild Wings concept. During 2002, our franchised restaurants averaged $1.8 million in sales. Franchisees are required to operate their restaurants in compliance with their franchise agreement that includes adherence to operating and quality control procedures established by us. We do not provide loans, leases, guarantees or other financial assistance to the franchisee or the franchisee’s employees or vendors. If a franchisee becomes financially distressed, we do not provide any financial assistance. If financial distress leads to a franchisee’s non-compliance with the franchise agreement, we may elect to terminate the franchise agreement and we have the right, but not the obligation, to acquire the assets of the franchisee at fair value as determined by an independent appraiser. We receive a 5% royalty of restaurant sales as defined in the franchise agreement and, in most cases, allowances directly from the franchisee’s vendors that generally are less than 0.5% of the franchisees’ restaurant sales. We have financial exposure for the collection of the royalty payments. Franchisees generally remit franchise payments weekly for the prior week’s sales, which substantially minimizes our financial exposure. Historically, we have experienced insignificant write-offs of franchisee royalties. Franchise and area development fees are paid upon the signing of the related agreements.

 

We are obligated under non-cancelable operating leases for our restaurants and our corporate offices. Lease terms are generally 10 to 15 years with renewal options and generally require us to pay a proportionate share of real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance and other operating costs. Some restaurant leases provide for contingent rental payments based on sales thresholds. We do not currently own any of the properties on which our restaurants operate and therefore do not have the ability to enter into sale-leaseback transactions as a potential source of cash.

 

Historically, we have operated with a net working capital deficit utilizing our cash from operations and proceeds from equity financings and equipment leasing to fund our operations and our expansion. We believe the cash flows from our operating activities and the proceeds from this offering will be sufficient to fund our operations and meet our obligations for the foreseeable future.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our market risk exposures are related to our cash and cash equivalents. We invest our excess cash in highly liquid short-term investments with maturities of less than one year. These investments are not held for trading or other speculative purposes. Changes in interest rates affect the investment income we earn on our cash and cash equivalents and, therefore, impact our cash flows and results of operations.

 

Many of the food products purchased by us are affected by weather, production, availability and other factors outside our control. We believe that almost all of our food and supplies are available from several sources, which helps to control food product risks. We negotiate directly with independent suppliers for our supply of food and paper products. We use Unipro Food Services, Inc., a national cooperative of independent

 

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Index to Financial Statements

food distributors, to distribute these products from the suppliers to our restaurants. We have no minimum purchase commitments from our vendors. The primary food product used by company-owned and franchised restaurants is fresh chicken wings. We purchase fresh chicken wings based on current market prices that are subject to fluctuation. A material increase in fresh chicken wing costs may adversely effect our operating results. For fiscal 2002 and the nine months ended September 28, 2003, fresh chicken wing costs were 28% and 30%, respectively, of restaurant cost of sales. If we had experienced a 10% increase or decrease in fresh chicken wing costs, restaurant cost of sales would have increased or decreased by approximately $700,000 for 2002 and $700,000 for the nine months ended September 28, 2003.

 

We enter into capital lease arrangements with fixed terms of four to five years with fixed interest rates of 7% to 11%. We are not subject to interest rate fluctuations on our capital lease obligations. However, if we enter into new capital lease obligations, we will be subject to the then-current interest rates.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” SFAS No. 146 addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3 “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including certain costs incurred in a restructuring).” SFAS No. 146 requires recognition of a liability for the costs associated with an exit or disposal activity when the liability is incurred, as opposed to when the entity commits to an exit plan as required under EITF Issue 94-3. SFAS No. 146 was effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. SFAS No. 146 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock- based employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 also amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require additional disclosure in both annual and interim financial statements on the method of accounting for stock-based compensation. We adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” FIN No. 46 states that companies that have exposure to the economic risks and potential rewards from another entity’s assets and activities have a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity and should consolidate the entity, despite the absence of clear control through a voting equity interest. The consolidation requirements apply to all variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities that existed prior to February 1, 2003, the consolidation requirements are effective for annual or interim periods ending after December 15, 2003. We have completed our analysis of FIN No. 46 and determined that we are not required to consolidate our franchisees.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” This statement requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument within the scope of the pronouncement as a liability. SFAS No. 150 is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on our financial statements because our mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock.

 

Quarterly Results of Operations

 

Quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including increases or decreases in same-store sales, changes in fresh chicken wing prices, the timing and amount of new restaurant openings and related expenses, asset impairment charges, store closing charges, competitive factors, any disruption in supplies, general economic conditions and consumer confidence. Our business is also

 

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subject to seasonal fluctuations. Historically, sales in most of our restaurants have been higher during fall and winter months. As a result, we may be unable to adjust our business in a timely manner and our financial condition and operating results may be significantly harmed. Our historical results of operations may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for any future period.

 

The following table sets forth the unaudited quarterly results of operations for each of the 11 quarters ended September 28, 2003, as well as the same data expressed as a percentage of our total revenue for the periods presented. Restaurant operating costs are expressed as a percentage of restaurant sales. This information includes all adjustments management considers necessary for the fair presentation of such data. The information for each quarter is unaudited and we have prepared it on the same basis as the audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this document. In the opinion of management, all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have been included to present fairly the unaudited quarterly results. The results of historical periods are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 

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Results of Quarterly Operations

 

    Apr. 1,
2001


    July 1,
2001


    Sept. 30,
2001


    Dec. 30,
2001


    Mar. 31,
2002


    Jun. 30,
2002


    Sept. 29,
2002


    Dec. 29,
2002


    Mar. 30,
2003


    June 29,
2003


    Sept. 28,
2003


 
    (in thousands)        

Revenue: