Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Acquisitions

v2.4.1.9
Acquisitions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Acquisitions

3. ACQUISITIONS

 

During the year ended December 31, 2013 the Company made the following acquisitions:

 

  American Roadside Burgers, effective September 30, 2013;
     

 

 

West End Wings, LTD (Hooters Nottingham), effective November 7, 2013;
  56% ownership interest in Just Fresh, effective December 10, 2013;

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company made the following acquisitions:

 

  Spoon Bar and Kitchen located in Dallas, Texas, effective January 2014 (and of which we subsequently sold the assets used in the operations of the restaurant to Express Working Capital, LLC d/b/a CapRock Services effective December 31, 2014).
     
  Tacoma Wings, LLC, Jantzen Beach Wings, LLC and Oregon Owl’s Nest, LLC, effective January 31, 2014; and
     
  Hoot Campbelltown Pty. Ltd., Hoot Surfers Paradise Pty. Ltd. and Hoot Townsville Pty. Ltd., step acquisition from 49% to 60% effective April 1, 2014.
     
  60% ownership interest in Hoot Parramatta Pty Ltd, Hoot Australia Pty Ltd, Hoot Penrith Pty Ltd, and TMIX Management Australia Pty Ltd., effective July 1, 2014.
     
  The Burger Company, LLC, effective September 9, 2014.

 

In connection with the acquisition of the restaurants, the Company analyzed each acquisition to determine the purchase price allocation in consideration of all identifiable intangibles. Based on our evaluation, there were no marketing related assets, customer related intangibles or contract based arrangements for which the purchase price would be required to be allocated. For marketing related assets, the Company did not acquire any trademarks or trade names (for Hooters acquisitions) or enter into any non-compete agreements. The Company is however required to pay royalties based on future sales. For acquisitions other than Hooters restaurants, the value of any trademark/tradename, was calculated using a relief of royalty method considering future franchise opportunities, and the value was determined to be de minimus. With respect to customer related intangibles, the Company did not acquire any customer lists or enter into any customer contractual arrangements nor did the Company enter into any licensing or royalty arrangements requiring a further allocation of the purchase price. The premium paid for the businesses represents the economic value which is not captured by other assets such as the reputation of the businesses, the value of its human capital, its future growth potential and its professional management. The acquisition of these businesses will help the Company expand its domestic operations and presence.

 

2013 Acquisitions

 

American Roadside Burgers / American Burger Company (“ABC”)

 

In September 2013, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of American Roadside Burgers, Inc., which we are operating under the brand name American Burger Company (“ABC”). In exchange, the Company issued 740,000 shares of its common stock and warrants to acquire 740,000 shares of common stock for $5.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable beginning October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2018. In connection with this acquisition and the related management team, the Company acquired a strategic opportunity to participate in a high-growth space with an already established brand. The Company plans to continue to expand the American Roadside chain as future opportunities are presented, which has the potential to bring revenue and profits to the Company. During March and April 2014, the Company began doing business as American Burger Company at the two Charlotte ABC locations.

 

The shares issued in connection with the acquisition were valued based on the Company’s closing stock market price on September 30, 2013, the date the acquisition was consummated. For the fair value of the warrants issued, we used the following inputs in the application of the Black-Scholes Option Pricing model:

 

  Current equity value: Our common stock, ticker HOTR on NASDAQ closing price on September 30, 2013, the valuation date, was $4.88.
     
  Strike price of the warrants: Per the warrant agreement, the strike price was $5.00.
     
  Time to maturity: The term of the warrants was calculated based on the time until the expiration date, which per the warrant agreement is five years.
     
  Volatility of the underlying asset: The volatility utilized in the analysis of the warrants was 55.0%, based on our analysis of industry peers.
     
  Risk-free rate of interest of: The risk-free interest rate was based on the rate of treasury securities with a similar term as the warrants, and was 1.39%.

 

The Black-Scholes option valuation model is used to estimate the fair value of the warrants or options granted. The model includes subjective input assumptions that can materially affect the fair value estimates. The Company determined the fair value of the Binomial Lattice Model and the Black-Scholes Valuation Model to be materially the same. The expected stock price volatility for the Company’s warrants was determined by the historical volatilities for industry peers and used an average of those volatilities. The risk free interest rate was obtained from U.S. Treasury rates for the applicable periods. The contractual terms of the agreement does not provide for and the Company does not expect to declare dividends in the near future.

 

There is inherent uncertainty in our forecasts and projections, and if we had made different assumptions and estimates than those described previously, the determined fair value of our common stock as of each of the valuation dates could have been materially different.

 

West End Wings (“WEW” or “Hooters Nottingham”)

 

On November 6, 2013, the Company finalized the purchase of West End Wings LTD, which is the owner of the Nottingham, England Hooters restaurant location. The purchase price paid by the Company for WEW was $3,150,000.

 

The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations”. The consolidated statements of operations include the results of the Hooters Nottingham operations beginning November 7, 2013. The assets acquired and the liabilities assumed were recorded at November 6, 2013 at estimated fair values as determined by the Company’s management.

 

In connection with the acquisition of West End Wings, the Company analyzed the acquisition to determine the purchase price allocation in consideration of all identifiable intangibles. Based on our evaluation, there were no marketing related assets or customer related intangibles for which the purchase price would be required to be allocated. The Company is however required to pay royalties based on future sales. For marketing-related assets, the Company did not acquire the rights to any trademarks or trade names or enter into any non-compete agreements. The value of any franchise rights was determined to be de minimis given the franchise agreement provides no significant territorial exclusiveness and given the nominal value of any required franchise fees. The premium paid for the business represents the economic value which is not captured by other assets such as the reputation of the business, the value of its human capital, its future growth potential and its professional management. The acquisition of this business will help the Company expand its international operations.

 

Just Fresh (“JF”)

 

On November 5, 2013, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with JF Restaurants, L.L.C. (“JFR”) and JF Franchising Systems, L.L.C. (“JFFS”), for the purchase of a 51%ownership interest in each entity, for a total purchase price of $560,000. The purchase was finalized on December 10, 2013 with the execution of an Assignment, Assumption, Joinder, and Amendment Agreement with both JFR and JFFS. On December 11, 2013, the Company purchased an additional 5% interest in both JFR and JFFS from an original interest holder for the total purchase price of $30,000, increasing the Company’s ownership interest in JFR and JFFS to a total of 56%.

 

Just Fresh currently operates seven restaurants in the Charlotte, North Carolina area that offer fresh-squeezed juices, gourmet coffee, fresh-baked goods and premium-quality, made-to-order sandwiches, salads and soups.

 

2014 Acquisitions

 

Tacoma Wings, Jantzen Beach Wings and Oregon Owl’s Nest (“Hooters Pacific NW”)

 

On January 31, 2014, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger executed on December 31, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of each of Tacoma Wings, LLC, Jantzen Beach Wings, LLC and Oregon Owl’s Nest, LLC, which owned and operated the Hooters restaurant locations in Tacoma, Washington and Portland, Oregon, respectively. These entities were purchased from Hooters of Washington, LLC and Hooters of Oregon Partners, LLC (collectively, the “Hooters Sellers”) for a total purchase price of 680,272 Company units, with each unit consisting of one share of the Company’s common stock and one five-year warrant to purchase a share of the Company’s common stock. Half of the warrants are exercisable at $5.50 and half of the warrants are exercisable at $7.00. As part of this transaction, the Hooters Sellers were granted registration rights with respect to the Company’s common stock issued and underlying the warrants, and franchise rights and leasehold rights to the locations were transferred to the Company.

 

Dallas Spoon and Dallas Spoon Beverage (“Spoon”)

 

Also on January 31, 2014, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger executed on January 14, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Dallas Spoon, LLC and Dallas Spoon Beverage, LLC from Express Restaurant Holdings, LLC and Express Restaurant Holdings Beverage, LLC. The purchase price of 195,000 Company units was paid to Express Working Capital, LLC (“EWC”); the units consist of one share of the Company’s common stock and one five-year warrant to purchase a share of the Company’s common stock. Half of the warrants are exercisable at $5.50 and half of the warrants are exercisable at $7.00. As part of this transaction, EWC was granted registration rights with respect to the Company’s common stock issued and underlying the warrants, and all leaseholds and other rights were transferred to the Company. (See Note 5 “Discontinued Operations”)

 

For the acquisitions of Hooters Pacific NW and Spoon, the fair value of the shares was the closing stock market price on January 31, 2014, the date the deal acquisition was consummated. The fair value of the warrants issued was determined using the Black-Scholes model. The model includes subjective input assumptions that can materially affect the fair value estimates. The Company determined the fair value of the Binomial Lattice Model and the Black-Scholes Valuation Model to be materially the same. The expected stock price volatility for the Company’s warrants was determined by the historical volatilities for industry peers and used an average of those volatilities. The risk free interest rate was obtained from U.S. Treasury rates for the applicable periods. The contractual terms of the agreement does not provide for and the Company does not expect to declare dividends in the near future. The assumptions were as follows:

 

Acquisitions of Hooters Pacific NW and Spoon:  
Assumptions:        
Risk-free interest rate     0.79 %
Expected life     5 years  
Expected volatility     89.1 %
Dividends     0 %

 

Campbelltown, Penrith, Parramatta, Surfers Paradise, and Townsville (“Hooters Australia”)

 

On April 1, 2014, the Company completed the step acquisition of Hooters Australia, increasing the Company’s ownership percentage from 49% to 60%. The location in Campbelltown, a suburb of Sydney, opened in January 2012; the location in Surfers Paradise, an iconic coastal tourist destination, opened on July 14, 2014; and we expect the location in Townsville, in the northeast part of Australia, to open in late 2014. On July 1, 2014, the Company acquired 60% of the two other Hooters restaurants in Australia, in Penrith and Parramatta, suburbs of Sydney, as well as a 60% interest in the related Australian management company. These entities own, operate, and manage Australian Hooters restaurants and gaming operations. The purchase price was the assumption of $5 million in debt and the issuance of 250,000 five-year warrants at an exercise price to be determined at the next public offering or the end of twelve calendar months. Also as part of the transaction, the Company will receive 100% of all gaming revenue until the debt is repaid, and thereafter the Company will receive 60% of such revenue for the remainder of the lifetime of the gaming machines.

 

The fair value of the warrants issued was determined using the Black-Scholes model. The model includes subjective input assumptions that can materially affect the fair value estimates. The Company determined the fair value of the Binomial Lattice Model and the Black-Scholes Valuation Model to be materially the same. The expected stock price volatility for the Company’s warrants was determined by the historical volatilities for industry peers and used an average of those volatilities. The risk free interest rate was obtained from U.S. Treasury rates for the applicable periods. The contractual terms of the agreement does not provide for and the Company does not expect to declare dividends in the near future. The assumptions were as follows:

 

Acquisitions of Hooters Australia:  
Assumptions:        
Risk-free interest rate     1.62 %
Expected life     5 years  
Expected volatility     109.1 %
Dividends     0 %

 

The Burger Company

 

On September 9, 2014, the Company purchased 100% of the net assets of The Burger Company located in Charlotte, North Carolina, a similar concept to our ABC restaurants, for a purchase price of $550,000, which consisted of $250,000 in cash and $300,000 in the Company’s common stock.

 

Summary of 2013 and 2014 Acquisitions

 

The acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations” and, accordingly, the condensed consolidated statements of operations include the results of these operations from the dates of acquisition. The assets acquired and the liabilities assumed were recorded at estimated fair values based on information currently available and based on certain assumptions as to future operations as follows:

 

    2013 Acquisitions  
                         
    ARB     WEW     JF     Total  
Consideration paid:                                
Common stock   $ 3,611,126     $ -     $ -     $ 3,611,126  
Warrants     1,710,077       -       -       1,710,077  
Cash     -       3,150,000       590,000       3,740,000  
Total consideration paid     5,321,203       3,150,000       590,000       9,061,203  
                                 
Current assets, excluding cash     281,574       151,546       42,206       475,326  
Property and equipment     3,000,122       20,493       242,531       3,263,146  
Goodwill     2,550,611       3,159,500       425,151       6,135,262  
Trademark/trade name/franchise fee     1,784,443       -       1,010,000       2,794,443  
Deposits and other assets     98,035       -       -       98,035  
Total assets acquired, less cash     7,714,785       3,331,539       1,719,888       12,766,212  
Liabilities assumed     (1,490,288 )     (372,824 )     (282,317 )     (2,145,429 )
Deferred tax liabilities     (956,000 )     -       (384,000 )     (1,340,000 )
Non-controlling interest     -       -       (463,571 )     (463,571 )
Common stock and warrants issued     (5,321,203 )     -       -       (5,321,203 )
Cash paid     -       (3,150,000 )     (590,000 )     (3,740,000 )
Cash received in excess of cash paid   $ 52,706     $ 191,285     $ -     $ 243,991  

 

    2014 Acquisitions  
    Hooters           Hooters Australia     The        
    Pacific NW     Spoon     April 1, 2014     July 1, 2014     Burger Co.     Total  
Consideration paid:                                                
Common stock   $ 2,891,156     $ 828,750     $ -     $ -     $ 300,000     $ 4,019,906  
Warrants     978,000       280,400       -       123,333       -       1,381,733  
Assumption of debt     -       -       -       5,000,000       -       5,000,000  
Cash     -       -       100,000       -       250,000       350,000  
Total consideration paid     3,869,156       1,109,150       100,000       5,123,333       550,000       10,751,639  
                                                 
Current assets, excluding cash     112,078       89,817       377,296       47,777       9,926       636,894  
Property and equipment     2,731,031       391,462       2,934,307       1,603,557       284,795       7,945,152  
Goodwill     1,951,909       698,583       -       8,487,138       256,379       11,394,009  
Trademark/trade name/franchise fee     60,937       -       277,867       220,500       -       559,304  
Deposits and other assets     20,275       5,193       90,371       20,186       -       136,025  
Total assets acquired, less cash     4,876,230       1,185,055       3,679,841       10,379,158       551,100       20,671,384  
Liabilities assumed     (1,009,348 )     (97,541 )     (1,560,710 )     (1,496,536 )     (1,100 )     (4,165,235 )
Non-controlling interest     -       -       (993,999 )     (3,759,289 )     -       (4,753,288 )
Chanticleer equity     -       -       (1,028,749 )     -       -       (1,028,749 )
Common stock and warrants issued     (3,869,156 )     (1,109,150 )     -       (123,333 )     (300,000 )     (5,401,639 )
Assumption of debt     -       -       -       (5,000,000 )     -       (5,000,000 )
Cash paid     -       -       (100,000 )     -       (250,000 )     (350,000 )
Cash received in excess of cash paid   $ 2,274     $ 21,636     $ 3,617     $ -     $ -     $ 27,527  

 

Unaudited pro forma results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 as if the Company had acquired majority ownership of the operation on January 1 of each year is as follows. The pro forma results include estimates and assumptions which management believes are reasonable. However, pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred if the business combination had been in effect on the dates indicated, or which may result in the future.

 

    Years Ended  
    December 31,  
    2014     2013  
             
Total revenues   $ 34,531,238     $ 31,949,925  
Loss from continuing operations     (5,845,064 )     (6,276,055 )
Loss from discontinued operations     (920,960 )     (25,215 )
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest     (247,705 )     (264,022 )
Net loss   $ (6,092,769 )   $ (6,540,077 )
Net loss per share, basic and diluted   $ (0.96 )   $ (1.50 )
Net loss per share, discontinued operations   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.01 )

 

The following table includes information from the Company’s 2013 acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

    2013 Acquistions  
    ARC     Just Fresh     WEW     Total  
                         
                         
Revenues   $ 701,742     $ 182,091     $ 560,614     $ 1,444,447  
                                 
Cost of sales     282,454       53,964       197,169       533,587  
Other expenses     787,757       179,109       274,021       1,240,887  
                                 
Operating income (loss)   $ (368,469 )   $ (50,982 )   $ 89,424     $ (330,027 )

 

The following table includes information from the Company’s 2014 acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

    2014 Acquistions  
    Hooters Pacific NW     Spoon     Hooters Australia     The Burger Co.     Total  
                               
                               
Revenues   $ 4,382,492     $ 1,207,688     $ 5,613,381     $ 81,539     $ 11,285,100  
                                         
Cost of sales     1,239,726       529,974       1,564,198       33,305       3,367,203  
Other expenses     3,340,963       915,661       4,330,224       30,847       8,617,695  
                                         
Operating income (loss)   $ (198,197 )   $ (237,947 )   $ (281,041 )   $ 17,387     $ (699,798 )

 

Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates

 

On April 1, 2014, the Company increased its ownership in the Australian Hooters entities, Hoot Campbelltown Pty. Ltd., Hoot Surfers Paradise Pty. Ltd. and Hoot Townsville Pty. Ltd., from 49% to 60%.

 

On July 1, 2014, we purchased 60% of Hoot Parramatta Pty Ltd, Hoot Australia Pty Ltd, Hoot Penrith Pty Ltd, and TMIX Management Australia Pty Ltd.

 

Prior to April 1, 2014, the Company accounted for its 49% ownership using the equity method of accounting and our share of earnings and losses was recorded in equity in losses from investments in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. For periods subsequent to April 1, 2014, the results of the Australia entities are consolidated in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss effective with the date of controlling ownership.