UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

X

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended August 31, 2013

 

___

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ________to________

 

Commission file number: 0-14749

 

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Colorado 

 

84-0910696

(State of incorporation) 

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

265 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(970) 259-0554

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer

____

Accelerated filer

____

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer  

____

Smaller reporting company

   X   

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

 

             

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ____ No     X   

 

On September 30, 2013, the registrant had outstanding 6,115,860 shares of its common stock, $.03 par value.

 

 

 
1

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

5

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

11

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

19

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

20

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

20

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

20

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

20

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

20

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

21

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

21

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

21

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

22

SIGNATURES    

23

  

 
2

 

 

PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.     Financial Statements

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months

Ended August 31,

   

Six Months Ended August 31,

Nine Months Ended

 
   

2013

   

2012

   

201

   

2012

 

Revenues

                               

Sales

  $ 6,686,149     $ 6,230,144     $ 14,864,838     $ 14,320,770  

Franchise and royalty fees

    1,977,012       1,499,693       3,976,185       3,067,260  

Total revenues

    8,663,161       7,729,837       18,841,023       17,388,030  
                                 

Costs and Expenses

                               

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense of $72,509, $71,928, $144,379 and $142,323, respectively

    3,700,926       3,669,575       8,728,090       8,691,811  

Franchise costs

    519,649       558,094       998,459       1,102,520  

Sales and marketing

    462,721       408,805       968,158       869,987  

General and administrative

    1,208,115       701,742       2,478,819       1,541,838  

Retail operating

    944,013       893,260       1,784,975       1,824,273  

Depreciation and amortization

    235,997       230,406       471,753       467,546  
                                 

Total costs and expenses

    7,071,421       6,461,882       15,430,254       14,497,975  
                                 

Income from Operations

    1,591,740       1,267,955       3,410,769       2,890,055  
                                 

Interest Income

    15,324       11,487       26,988       22,781  
                                 

Income Before Income Taxes

    1,607,064       1,279,442       3,437,757       2,912,836  
                                 

Income Tax Provision

    510,568       450,660       1,094,722       1,021,725  
                                 

Consolidated Net Income

  $ 1,096,496     $ 828,782     $ 2,343,035     $ 1,891,111  

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

    68,712       -       135,944       -  

Net Income attributable to RMCF

  $ 1,027,784     $ 828,782     $ 2,207,091     $ 1,891,111  
                                 

Basic Earnings per Common Share

  $ .17     $ .14     $ .36     $ .31  

Diluted Earnings per Common Share

  $ .16     $ .13     $ .35     $ .30  
                                 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

    6,097,278       6,045,070       6,083,979       6,102,257  

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

    388,051       155,133       312,733       153,226  

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Assuming Dilution

    6,485,329       6,200,203       6,396,712       6,255,483  

 

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

 

 
3

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   

August 31,

2012

   

February 28,

2013

 
   

(unaudited)

         

Assets

               

Current Assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 4,138,645     $ 5,321,696  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $615,242 and $507,806, respectively

    3,442,083       3,916,320  

Notes receivable, current portion, less current portion of the valuation allowance of $10,382 and $10,382, respectively

    498,650       197,078  

Refundable income taxes

    113,578       -  

Inventories, less reserve for slow moving inventory of $204,563 and $253,148, respectively

    5,183,894       4,221,036  

Deferred income taxes

    581,269       628,633  

Other

    516,906       259,170  

Total current assets

    14,475,025       14,543,933  
                 

Property and Equipment, Net

    6,742,222       6,777,143  
                 

Other Assets

               

Notes receivable, less current portion and valuation allowance of $59,900 and $37,400, respectively

    588,170       469,362  

Goodwill, net

    1,046,944       1,046,944  

Franchise Rights

    800,000       800,000  

Intangible assets, net

    15,193       635  

Other

    149,086       195,928  

Total other assets

    2,599,393       2,512,869  
                 

Total Assets

  $ 23,816,640     $ 23,833,945  
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

               

Current Liabilities

               

Accounts payable

  $ 1,482,191     $ 1,998,897  

Accrued salaries and wages

    403,089       1,184,739  

Other accrued expenses

    1,201,331       1,294,487  

Dividend payable

    672,745       667,532  

Deferred income

    447,439       417,484  
                 

Total current liabilities

    4,206,795       5,563,139  
                 

Deferred Income Taxes

    822,139       881,694  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies

               
                 

Stockholders’ Equity

               

Preferred stock, $.10 par value; 250,000 authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, authorized 50,000 shares

    -       -  

Undesignated series, authorized 200,000 shares

    -       -  

Common stock, $.03 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 6,115,860 and 6,068,470 issued and outstanding, respectively

    183,476       182,054  

Additional paid-in capital

    7,910,130       7,559,442  

Retained earnings

    9,507,609       8,642,093  

Non-controlling interest in equity of subsidiary

    1,186,491       1,005,523  

Total stockholders’ equity

    18,787,706       17,389,112  
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 23,816,640     $ 23,833,945  

 

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

 

 
4

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

   

Six Months Ended

August 31,

 
   

2013

   

2012

 

Cash Flows From Operating activities

               

Net income

  $ 2,207,091     $ 1,891,111  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    471,753       467,546  

Provision for obsolete inventory

    22,126       30,000  

Asset impairment and store closure losses

    -       (17,000 )

Provision for loss on accounts and notes receivable

    132,132       139,000  

Gain on sale of property and equipment

    (907 )     (28,870 )

Expense recorded for stock compensation

    268,462       229,900  

Deferred income taxes

    (12,191 )     (221,032 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    416,507       209,917  

Inventories

    (702,542 )     (147,205 )

Other current assets

    (258,393 )     (167,431 )

Accounts payable

    (799,148 )     (517,321 )

Accrued liabilities

    (988,384 )     454,696  

Deferred income

    29,955       18,000  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    786,461       2,341,311  
                 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

               

Addition to notes receivable

    (603,188 )     (36,215 )

Proceeds received on notes receivable

    108,406       123,199  

Proceeds from sale or distribution of assets

    2,600       668,000  

Purchases of property and equipment

    (408,404 )     (517,413 )

(Increase) decrease in other assets

    183,789       (8,458 )

Net cash provided by (used) in investing activities

    (716,797 )     229,113  
                 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

               

Repurchase of common stock

    -       (1,715,352 )

Issuance of common stock

    14,816       22,224  

Tax benefit of stock awards

    68,832       52,042  

Dividends paid

    (1,336,363 )     (1,291,970 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (1,252,715 )     (2,933,056 )
                 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

    (1,183,051 )     (362,632 )
                 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

    5,321,696       4,125,444  
                 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

  $ 4,138,645     $ 3,762,812  

 

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

 

 
5

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO INTERIM (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Nature of Operations

 

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

 

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

 

Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC (“ALY”) was incorporated in the state of Colorado as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, Inc. on September 30, 2010 and organized through conversion as Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC on October 14, 2010. ALY was a franchisor and retail operator of self-serve frozen yogurt retail locations until the sale of substantially all of its assets in January 2013. ALY has ceased to operate any Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations, or sell and support franchise locations.

 

On January 14, 2013, Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC (“Newco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formed in the State of Colorado on January 2, 2013, entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the franchise rights of YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units branded as “Yogurtini.” In addition, on January 14, 2013, the Company entered into two agreements to sell all of its membership interests in Newco and substantially all of its assets in ALY to U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (OTCQB: SWRL), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc. U-Swirl, Inc. is in the business of offering consumers frozen desserts such as yogurt and sorbet. U-Swirl launched a national chain of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés called U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt and is franchising this concept. U-Swirl has built and operates cafés owned and operated by U-Swirl, Inc. (“Company-owned”) and franchises to others the right to own and operate U-Swirl cafés. It also franchises and operates self-serve frozen yogurt cafes under the name “Yogurtini” and “Aspen Leaf Yogurt.”

 

The Company’s revenues are currently derived from three principal sources: sales to franchisees and others of chocolates and other confectionery products manufactured by the Company; the collection of initial franchise fees and royalties from franchisees’ sales; and sales at Company-owned stores of chocolates and frozen yogurt and other confectionery products. The following table summarizes the number of stores operating under RMCF and its subsidiaries at August 31, 2013:

 

 

   

Sold, Not Yet Open

   

Open

   

Total

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

                       

Company-owned stores

    -       6       6  

Franchise stores – Domestic stores

    3       219       222  

Franchise stores – Domestic kiosks

    -       6       6  

Franchise units – International

    1       69       70  

Cold Stone Creamery – co-branded

    9       58       67  

U-Swirl, Inc. Stores(Including Yogurtini and Aspen Leaf Yogurt)

                       

Company-owned stores

    -       12       12  

Franchise stores – Domestic stores

    6       68       74  

Total

    19       438       457  

 

 

 
6

 

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared by the Company and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments (of a normal and recurring nature) which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and six months ended August 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.

 

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

At August 31, 2013, the Company had stock-based compensation plans for employees and non-employee directors that authorized the granting of stock awards, including stock options and restricted stock units.

 

The Company recognized $125,653 and $268,462 of stock-based compensation expense during the three and six-month periods ended August 31, 2013, respectively, compared to $94,867 and $229,900 during the three and six-month periods ended August 31, 2012, respectively. Compensation costs related to stock-based compensation are generally amortized over the vesting period.

 

The following table summarizes stock option transactions for common stock during the six months ended August 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

   

Six Months Ended

August 31,

 
   

2013

   

2012

 

Outstanding stock options as of February 28 or 29:

    270,945       307,088  

Granted

    -       -  

Exercised

    (2,000 )     (3,000 )

Cancelled/forfeited

    (88,725 )     (14,952 )

Outstanding stock options as of August 31:

    180,220       289,136  
                 

Weighted average exercise price

  $ 7.93     $ 10.67  

Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)

    0.92       2.32  

 

The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock unit transactions for common stock during the six months ended August 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

   

Six Months Ended

August 31,

 
   

2013

   

2012

 

Outstanding non-vested restricted stock units as of February 28 or 29:

    57,030       101,980  

Granted

    280,900       -  

Vested

    (41,390 )     (44,190 )

Cancelled/forfeited

    -       (560 )

Outstanding non-vested restricted stock units as of August 31:

    296,540       57,230  
                 

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 12.09     $ 9.22  

Weighted average remaining vesting period (in years)

    5.49       1.63  

 

During the six months ended August 31, 2013, the Company issued 4,000 fully vested, unrestricted shares of stock to non-employee directors compared with 4,000 fully vested, unrestricted shares of stock to non-employee directors in the six months ended August 31, 2012. There were no unrestricted shares of stock issued during the three-month periods ended August 31, 2013 or August 31, 2012. In connection with these non-employee director stock issuances, the Company recognized $48,400 and $37,200 of stock-based compensation expense during the six-month periods ended August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

 

 
7

 

 

During the three and six month periods ended August 31, 2013, the Company recognized $125,653 and $220,061, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested, non-forfeited restricted stock unit grants. The restricted stock unit grants generally vest between 17% and 20% annually over a period of five to six years. During the three and six month periods ended August 31, 2013 and 2012, 41,390 and 44,190 restricted stock units vested and were issued as common stock, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation expense of non-vested, non-forfeited shares granted as of August 31, 2013 was $3,500,868, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 5.5 years.

 

There were no stock options awarded during the six months ended August 31, 2013 or August 31, 2012.

 

NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options and restricted stock units. For the three months ended August 31, 2013 there were no stock options excluded from the computation, compared with 101,661 stock options excluded from the computation of earnings per share for the three months ended August 31, 2012 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the six months ended August 31, 2013 and 2012, 50,831 and 103,449 stock options, respectively, were excluded from the computation of earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Restricted stock units become dilutive within the period granted and remain dilutive until the units vest and are issued as common stock.

 

NOTE 3 – INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

   

August 31, 2013

   

February 28, 2013

 

Ingredients and supplies

  $ 2,948,547     $ 2,531,559  

Finished candy

    2,140,828       1,590,966  

U-Swirl, Inc. food and packaging

    94,519       98,511  

Total inventories

  $ 5,183,894     $ 4,221,036  

 

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

   

August 31, 2013

   

February 28, 2013

 
                 

Land

  $ 513,618     $ 513,618  

Building

    4,777,476       4,764,005  

Machinery and equipment

    8,961,518       8,864,126  

Furniture and fixtures

    1,146,764       1,024,261  

Leasehold improvements

    1,995,492       1,930,991  

Transportation equipment

    392,755       392,755  
      17,787,623       17,489,756  
                 

Less accumulated depreciation

    11,045,401       10,712,613  

Property and equipment, net

  $ 6,742,222     $ 6,777,143  

 

NOTE 5 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Stock Repurchases

 

On February 19, 2008, the Company announced the plan to purchase up to $3.0 million of its common stock in the open market or in private transactions, whenever deemed appropriate by management. Between May 1, 2012 and May 31, 2012, the Company repurchased 33,800 shares under the plan at an average price of $10.73 per share. Between June 1, 2012 and June 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 129,500 shares under the plan at an average price of $10.45 per share. There were no repurchases of common stock during the three and six months ended August 31, 2013.

 

 

 
8

 

 

Cash Dividend

 

The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock on March 15, 2013 to shareholders of record on March 1, 2013. The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock on June 14, 2013 to shareholders of record June 4, 2013. The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock on August 22, 2013 payable on September 13, 2013 to shareholders of record on September 3, 2013.

 

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

 

NOTE 6 – SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

   

Six Months Ended

August 31,

 

Cash paid (received) for:

 

2013

   

2012

 

Interest

  $ (21,105 )   $ (23,134 )

Income taxes

    1,572,736       453,580  

Non-Cash Operating Activities

               

Accrued Inventory

    282,442       209,817  

Non-Cash Financing Activities

               

Dividend Payable

  $ 672,745     $ 665,531  

 

NOTE 7 - OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

The Company classifies its business interests into five reportable segments: Franchising, Manufacturing, Retail Stores, U-Swirl, Inc. operations and Other. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to these financial statements and Note 1 to the Company’s financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on operating contribution, which excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative costs and income tax expense or benefit. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic businesses that utilize common merchandising, distribution and marketing functions, as well as common information systems and corporate administration. All inter-segment sales prices are market based. Each segment is managed separately because of the differences in required infrastructure and the difference in products and services:

 

Three Months Ended

August 31, 2013

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 
                                     

Total revenues

  $ 1,538,025     $ 5,230,804     $ 636,389     $ 1,692,460     $ -     $ 9,097,678  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (434,517 )     -       -       -       (434,517 )

Revenue from external customers

    1,538,025       4,796,287       636,389       1,692,460       -       8,663,161  

Segment profit (loss)

    756,853       1,560,919       18,467       159,792       (888,967 )     1,607,064  

Total assets

    1,348,904       11,171,172       1,237,907       3,881,872       6,176,785       23,816,640  

Capital expenditures

    7,078       164,628       11,167       63,750       103,637       350,260  

Total depreciation & amortization

    9,305       73,020       14,655       105,370       33,647       235,997  

 

 

 
9

 

 

NOTE 7 - OPERATING SEGMENTS - CONTINUED

 

Three Months Ended

August 31, 2012

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 
                                     

Total revenues

  $ 1,499,692     $ 5,080,496     $ 1,660,068     $ -     $ -     $ 8,240,256  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (510,419 )     -       -       -       (510,419 )

Revenue from external customers

    1,499,692       4,570,077       1,660,068       -       -       7,729,837  

Segment profit (loss)

    628,016       1,344,529       64,829       -       (757,932 )     1,279,442  

Total assets

    1,530,306       10,620,818       4,385,447       -       5,900,973       22,437,544  

Capital expenditures

    16,468       117,833       80,888       -       49,372       264,561  

Total depreciation & amortization

    9,713       72,840       109,047       -       38,806       230,406  

 

Six Months Ended

August 31, 2013

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 
                                     

Total revenues

  $ 3,198,041     $ 11,956,859     $ 1,151,527     $ 3,409,866     $ -     $ 19,716,293  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (875,270 )     -       -       -       (875,270 )

Revenue from external customers

    3,198,041       11,081,589       1,151,527       3,409,866       -       18,841,023  

Segment profit (loss)

    1,605,298       3,309,387       (26,392 )     327,871       (1,778,407 )     3,437,757  

Total assets

    1,348,904       11,171,172       1,237,907       3,881,872       6,176,785       23,816,640  

Capital expenditures

    15,529       196,109       16,778       63,750       115,888       408,054  

Total depreciation & amortization

    17,898       145,392       29,396       210,947       68,120       471,753  

 

Six Months Ended

August 31, 2012

 

Franchising

   

Manufacturing

   

Retail

   

U-Swirl, Inc.

   

Other

   

Total

 
                                     

Total revenues

  $ 3,067,260     $ 12,036,927     $ 3,337,349     $ -     $ -     $ 18,441,536  

Intersegment revenues

    -       (1,053,506 )     -       -       -       (1,053,506 )

Revenue from external customers

    3,067,260       10,983,421       3,337,349       -       -       17,388,030  

Segment profit (loss)

    1,296,951       3,162,796       77,463       -       (1,624,374 )     2,912,836  

Total assets

    1,530,306       10,620,818       4,385,447       -       5,900,973       22,437,544  

Capital expenditures

    24,007       170,255       241,746       -       81,405       517,413  

Total depreciation & amortization

    21,093       144,177       225,828       -       76,448       467,546  

 

Revenue from one customer of the Company’s Manufacturing segment represented approximately $2.0 million, or 10.6 percent, of the Company’s revenues from external customers during the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to $2.2 million, or 12.8 percent of the Company’s revenues from external customers during the six months ended August 31, 2012.

 

NOTE 8 – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

               

August 31, 2013

   

February 28, 2013

 
   

Amortization Period

(years)

   

Gross

Carrying

Value

   

Accumulated

Amortization

   

Gross

Carrying

Value

   

Accumulated Amortization

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization

                                           

Store design

      10       $ 220,777     $ 205,585       205,777       205,142  

Packaging licenses

    3 - 5       120,830       120,830       120,830       120,830  

Packaging design

      10         430,973       430,973       430,973       430,973  

Total

                772,581       757,388       757,580       756,945  

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

                                           

Franchising segment-

                                           

Company stores goodwill

                1,099,328       267,020       1,099,328       267,020  

Franchising goodwill

                295,000       197,682       295,000       197,682  

Manufacturing segment-Goodwill

                295,000       197,682       295,000       197,682  

Trademark

                20,000       -       20,000       -  

Total Goodwill

                1,709,328       662,384       1,709,328       662,384  
                                             

Franchise Rights

                800,000       -       800,000       -  
                                             

Total intangible assets

              $ 3,281,908     $ 1,419,772       3,266,908       1,419,329  

 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled $443 and $4,988 during the six months ended August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in amortization expense is primarily the result of some assets becoming fully amortized and Aspen Leaf Yogurt assets being sold. As of August 31, 2013 $15,193 net intangible assets subject to amortization remained to be amortized through fiscal year 2024.

 

 

 
10

 

 

NOTE 9 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company has entered into Franchise Agreements and a Development Agreement with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Director operates two ALY locations under the Franchise Agreements and the Development Agreement. As of August 31, 2013, the Company had receivables of approximately $2,600 due from the Director associated with the director’s ownership and operation of the two current ALY locations.

 

U-Swirl, Inc. was owed $6,520 and $8,597 as of August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively, from a U-Swirl franchise that is owned and operated by the grandchildren of the Company’s Chief Marketing Officer. The corporate secretary and treasurer of the franchise is also the Company’s corporate secretary.

 

As of August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, U-Swirl, Inc. had deferred revenue of $30,000 and $30,000, respectively, from an area developer in which the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer have a minority interest.

 

Item 2.

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

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and related notes of the Company included elsewhere in this report. The statements included in this report other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and include statements regarding our cash flow, dividends, operating income and future growth. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this document may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "potential," or similar expressions. Factors which could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to: changes in the confectionery business environment, seasonality, consumer interest in our products, general economic conditions, the success of U-Swirl, Inc., receptiveness of our products internationally, consumer trends, costs and availability of raw materials, competition, the success of our co-branding strategy and the effect of government regulations. Government regulations which we and our franchisees either are or may be subject to and which could cause results to differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: local, state and federal laws regarding health, sanitation, safety, building and fire codes, franchising, employment, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of food products and motor carriers. For a detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained herein, please see the “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013 which can be viewed at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or through our website at www.rmcf.com. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that might reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report or those that might reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Overview

 

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

 

 

 
11

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In January 2013, Ulysses Asset Acquisition, LLC (“Newco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formed in the State of Colorado on January 2, 2013, entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of YHI, Inc. and Yogurtini International, LLC (collectively, “Yogurtini”), which are the franchisors of self-serve frozen yogurt retail units branded as “Yogurtini.” In addition, we entered into two agreements to sell all of our membership interests in Newco and substantially all of our assets in Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC to U-Swirl, Inc., a publicly traded company (QTCQB: SWRL), in exchange for a 60% controlling equity interest in U-Swirl, Inc. Upon completion of these transactions, we ceased to operate any Company-owned Aspen Leaf Yogurt locations or sell and support franchise locations. We believe that the acquisition of 60% controlling interest in U-Swirl, Inc. will provide us with the ability to reverse operating losses incurred in prior fiscal years by the development and operation of Aspen Leaf Yogurt, LLC and provide an opportunity to continue to expand our presence in the self-serve frozen yogurt industry. Our ability to execute on this strategy is dependant upon continued expansion of the franchise network of U-Swirl, Inc. and the success of their franchisees. We have included U-Swirl Inc.’s performance into Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

In March 2013, we entered into a License Agreement covering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under the terms of the agreement, the licensee agreed to open and begin operating four (4) Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores within 30 months following the execution of the agreement. The licensee has also been granted a 30-month option to convert its initial License Agreement into a Master License Agreement covering the entire country of Saudi Arabia. If the licensee chooses to exercise the option prior to its expiration date, the licensee (or through third-party franchisees) will acquire the right to develop an additional six (6) Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

In March 2013, we entered into a License Agreement covering South Korea. Under the terms of the agreement, the licensee agreed to open five (5) Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores within 30 months following the execution of the agreement. The first Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store was opened in Seoul, South Korea in May 2013. The licensee has also been granted a 30-month option to convert its initial License Agreement into a Master License Agreement covering the entire country of South Korea. If the licensee chooses to exercise the option prior to its expiration date, the licensee (or through third-party franchisees) will acquire the right to develop not less than 30 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores, inclusive of the five (5) stores developed under the terms of the initial License Agreement. As of September 30, 2013, five locations were operating under the agreement.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended August 31, 2013 Compared to the Three Months Ended August 31, 2012

 

Basic earnings per share increased 21.4% from $.14 in the three months ended August 31, 2012 to $.17 in the three months ended August 31, 2013. Revenues increased 12.1% from $7.7 million in the three months ended August 31, 2012 to $8.7 million in the same period of the current year. Operating income increased 25.5% from $1.27 million in the three months ended August 31, 2012 to $1.59 million in the same period of the current year. Net income increased 24.0% from $829,000 in the three months ended August 31, 2012 to $1,028,000 in the same period of the current year. The increase in revenues, operating income and net income was due primarily to income from operations related to our frozen yogurt business, compared with an operating loss in our frozen yogurt business in the same period of the prior year.

 

 

 
12

 

 

Revenues

 

Three Months Ended

                 
   

August 31,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

Factory sales

  $ 4,796.2     $ 4,673.2     $ 123.0       2.6 %

Retail sales

    1,889.9       1,556.9       333.0       21.4 %

Franchise fees

    61.8       35.2       26.6       75.6 %

Royalty and Marketing fees

    1,915.2       1,464.5       450.7       30.8 %

Total

  $ 8,663.1     $ 7,729.8     $ 933.3       12.1 %

 

Factory Sales

 

The increase in factory sales for the three months ended August 31, 2013 versus the three months ended August 31, 2012 was primarily due to a 2.2% increase in same-store pounds purchased by our network of domestic franchised stores and an increase in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchise retail locations. We believe the increase in same store pounds purchased during the period to primarily be the result of an increase in same-store retail sales at franchised Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory retail locations. Same store sales at domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations increased 1.7% in the three months ended August 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended August 31, 2012.

 

Retail Sales

 

The increase in retail sales was primarily due to changes in units in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority ownership in U-Swirl, Inc. Same store sales at Company-owned stores decreased 0.4% in the three months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended August 31, 2012.

 

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

The increase in royalties and marketing fees from the three months ended August 31, 2012 to the three months ended August 31, 2013 resulted from a 18.6% increase in domestic franchise stores in operation from the three months ended August 31, 2012 to the three months ended August 31, 2013, primarily as a result of our acquisition of a majority ownership position in the U-Swirl franchise system. This increase was partially offset by a 5.5% decrease in the number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchises in operation. The average number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise stores in operation decreased from 238 in the three months ended August 31, 2012 to 225 during the three months ended August 31, 2013. This decrease is primarily the result of domestic store closures exceeding domestic store openings. Franchise fee revenues increased as a result of an increase in the number of domestic franchise store openings from two in the three months ended August 31, 2012 to nine openings in the three months ended August 31, 2013. This increase was primarily the result of U-Swirl, Inc. franchise openings.

 

Costs and Expenses  

Three Months Ended

August 31,

   

$

   

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Cost of sales – factory adjusted

  $ 3,077.5     $ 3,068.6     $ 8.9       0.3 %

Cost of sales - retail

    623.4       601.0       22.4       3.7 %

Franchise costs

    519.7       558.1       ( 38.4 )     (6.9% )

Sales and marketing

    462.7       408.8       53.9       13.2 %

General and administrative

    1,208.1       701.7       506.4       72.2 %

Retail operating

    944.0       893.3       50.7       5.7 %

Total

  $ 6,835.4     $ 6,231.5     $ 603.9       9.7 %

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

Three Months Ended

August 31,

   

$

   

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 1,718.7     $ 1,604.6     $ 114.1       7.1 %

Retail

    1,266.5       955.9       310.6       32.5 %

Total

  $ 2,985.2     $ 2,560.5     $ 424.7       16.6 %

 

 
13

 

 

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

Three Months Ended

                 
   

August 31,

   

%

   

%

 
   

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

(Percent)

                               

Factory adjusted gross margin

    35.8 %     34.3 %     1.5 %     4.4 %

Retail

    67.0 %     61.4 %     5.6 %     9.1 %

Total

    44.6 %     41.1 %     3.5 %     8.5 %

 

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

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

August 31,

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 1,718.7     $ 1,604.6  

Less: Depreciation and Amortization

    72.5       71.9  

Factory GAAP gross margin

  $ 1,646.2     $ 1,532.7  

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Cost of Sales

 

Factory margins increased 150 basis points in the three months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended August 31, 2012 due primarily to an increase in the average selling price of products to domestic franchise units. The increase in Company-owned store margin is due primarily to an increase in U-Swirl stores in operation and the associated higher margins.

 

Franchise Costs

 

The decrease in franchise costs in the three months ended August 31, 2013 versus the three months ended August 31, 2012 is due primarily to a decrease in franchise development costs associated with Aspen Leaf Yogurt due to the sale of the Aspen Leaf Yogurt concept to U-Swirl in January 2013, partially offset by increased franchise costs from the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc. As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs decreased to 26.3% in the three months ended August 31, 2013 from 37.2% in the three months ended August 31, 2012. This decrease as a percentage of royalty, marketing and franchise fees is primarily a result of a 31.8% increase in royalty, marketing and franchise fee revenue as a result of an increase in system-wide franchise stores in the three months ended August 31, 2013.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

The increase in sales and marketing costs for the three months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended August 31, 2012 is primarily due to increased marketing-related compensation costs and an increase in marketing costs associated with U-Swirl, Inc. franchise locations.  

 

 

 
14

 

 

General and Administrative

 

The increase in general and administrative costs for the three months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended August 31, 2012 is due primarily to the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc.’s general and administrative costs and an increase in compensation related expenses. For the three months ended August 31, 2013, approximately $310,000 of U-Swirl, Inc. general and administrative costs were consolidated within our results, compared with no amount in the three months ended August 31, 2012. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 13.9% in the three months ended August 31, 2013 compared to 9.5% in the three months ended August 31, 2012.

 

Retail Operating Expenses

 

The increase in retail operating expense was primarily due to an increase in the average number of Company-owned stores in operation. The average number of Company-owned stores in operation increased from 17 during the three months ended August 31, 2012 to 19 units in the same period of the current year. Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, decreased from 57.4% in the three months ended August 31, 2012 to 50.0% in the same period of the current year. This decrease is primarily the result of a change in units in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization of $236,000 in the three months ended August 31, 2013 increased 2.6% from $230,000 incurred in the three months ended August 31, 2012, due to additional depreciable assets in service related to the increase in Company-owned stores in operation.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income of $15,000 realized in the three months ended August 31, 2013 represents an increase of $3,500 from the $11,500 realized in the three months ended August 31, 2012 due to an increase in notes receivable.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended August 31, 2013 was 31.8%, compared to 35.2% for the three months ended August 31, 2012. The decrease of 3.4% was primarily the result of the consolidation of the U-Swirl, Inc. net operating income. U-Swirl, Inc. has significant net operating loss carryovers. In accordance with section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, deductibility of U-Swirl, Inc.’s U.S. net operating loss carryovers may be subject to annual limitation in the event of a change in control. We have performed a preliminary evaluation as to whether a change in control has taken place, and have concluded that there was a change of control with respect to the net operating losses of U-Swirl, Inc. when the Company acquired its 60% ownership interest in January 2013. Our effective income tax rate may increase in future periods, or for the full year as a result of estimates related to the income tax liability arising from the income before income taxes of U-Swirl, Inc.

 

Six Months Ended August 31, 2013 Compared to the Six Months Ended August 31, 2012

 

Basic earnings per share increased 16.1% from $.31 for the six months ended August 31, 2012 to $.36 for the six months ended August 31, 2013. Revenues increased 8.4% to $18.8 million for the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to $17.4 million in the same period of the prior year. Operating income increased 18.0% from $2.9 million in the six months ended August 31, 2012 to $3.4 million in the same period of the current year. Net income increased 16.7% from $1.9 million in the six months ended August 31, 2012 to $2.2 million in the same period of the current year. The increase in revenues, operating income and net income was due primarily to income from operations related to our frozen yogurt business, compared with an operating loss in our frozen yogurt business in the same period of the prior year.

 

 
15

 

 

 

Revenues

 

Six Months Ended

                 
   

August 31,

    $    

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

Factory sales

  $ 11,081.6     $ 11,161.8     $ ( 80.2 )     (0.7 %)

Retail sales

    3,783.2       3,158.9       624.3       19.8 %

Franchise fees

    338.2       159.1       179.1       112.6 %

Royalty and marketing fees

    3,638.0       2,908.2       729.8       25.1 %

Total

  $ 18,841.0     $ 17,388.0     $ 1,453.0       8.4 %

 

Factory Sales

 

The decrease in factory sales for the six months ended August 31, 2013 versus the six months ended August 31, 2012 was primarily due to a 7.1% decrease in shipments of product to customers outside our network of franchised retail stores and a 5.0% decrease in the average number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchised stores in operation. These decreases were partially offset by a 2.5% increase in same-store pounds purchased by our network of franchised stores.

 

Retail Sales

 

The increase in retail sales was primarily due to changes in units in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority ownership in U-Swirl, Inc. Same store sales at Company-owned stores increased 1.2% in the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the six months ended August 31, 2012.

 

Royalties, Marketing Fees and Franchise Fees

 

The increase in royalties and marketing fees from the six months ended August 31, 2012 to the six months ended August 31, 2013 resulted from a 17.3% increase in domestic franchise stores in operation from the six months ended August 31, 2012 to the six months ended August 31, 2013, primarily as a result of our acquisition of a majority ownership position in the U-Swirl franchise system. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchises in operation. The average number of domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise stores in operation decreased from 238 in the six months ended August 31, 2012 to 226 during the six months ended August 31, 2013. This decrease is primarily the result of domestic store closures exceeding domestic store openings. Franchise fee revenues increased primarily as a result of the license fees associated with the license agreements for the development and franchising of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in South Korea and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Same store sales at domestic Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations increased 2.4% in the six months ended August 31, 2013, compared with the six months ended August 31, 2012.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Six Months Ended

August 31,

   

$

   

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Cost of sales – factory adjusted

  $ 7,454.7     $ 7,500.8     $ ( 46.1 )     (0.6% )

Cost of sales - retail

    1,273.4       1,191.0       82.4       6.9 %

Franchise costs

    998.5       1,102.5       ( 104.0 )     (9.4% )

Sales and marketing

    968.1       870.0       98.1       11.3 %

General and administrative

    2,478.8       1,541.8       937.0       60.8 %

Retail operating

    1,785.0       1,824.3       ( 39.3 )     (2.2% )

Total

  $ 14,958.5     $ 14,030.4     $ 928.1       6.6 %

 

Adjusted gross margin

 

Six Months Ended

August 31,

   

$

   

%

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 
                                 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 3,626.9     $ 3,661.0     $ ( 34.1 )     (0.9% )

Retail

    2,509.8       1,967.9       541.9       27.5 %

Total

  $ 6,136.7     $ 5,628.9     $ 507.8       9.0 %

 

 

 
16

 

 

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

 

Six Months Ended

                 
   

August 31,

   

%

   

%

 
   

2013

   

2012

   

Change

   

Change

 

(Percent)

                               

Factory adjusted gross margin

    32.7 %     32.8 %     (0.1% )     (0.3% )

Retail

    66.3 %     62.3 %     4.0 %     6.4 %

Total

    41.3 %     39.3 %     2.0 %     5.1 %

 

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

 

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

August 31,

 

($’s in thousands)

 

2013

   

2012

 

Factory adjusted gross margin

  $ 3,626.9     $ 3,661.0  

Less: Depreciation and Amortization

    144.4       142.3  

Factory GAAP gross margin

  $ 3,482.5     $ 3,518.7  

Costs and Expenses

 

Cost of Sales

 

Factory margins decreased 10 basis points in the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the six months ended August 31, 2012 due primarily to a decline in manufacturing efficiencies associated with 2.5% lower production volume in the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the six months ended August 31, 2012. The increase in Company-owned store margin is due primarily to an increase in U-Swirl stores in operation and associated higher margins.

 

Franchise Costs

 

The decrease in franchise costs for the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the six months ended August 31, 2012 is due primarily to a decrease in franchise development costs associated with Aspen Leaf Yogurt due to the sale of the Aspen Leaf Yogurt concept to U-Swirl in January 2013, partially offset by increased franchise costs from the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc. As a percentage of total royalty and marketing fees and franchise fee revenue, franchise costs decreased to 25.1% in the six months ended August 31, 2013 from 35.9% in the six months ended August 31, 2012. This decrease as a percentage of royalty, marketing and franchise fees is primarily a result of a 29.6% increase in royalty, marketing and franchise fee revenue as a result of an increase in system-wide franchise stores in the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the six months ended August 13, 2012.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

The increase in sales and marketing costs for the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the six months ended August 31, 2012 is primarily due to increased marketing-related compensation costs and an increase in marketing costs associated with U-Swirl, Inc. franchise locations.  

 

 

 
17

 

 

General and Administrative

 

The increase in general and administrative costs for the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to the six months ended August 31, 2012 is due primarily to the consolidation of U-Swirl, Inc.’s general and administrative costs and an increase in compensation related expenses. For the six months ended August 31, 2013, approximately $716,000 of U-Swirl, Inc. general and administrative costs were consolidated within our results, compared with no amount in the six months ended August 31, 2012. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 13.2% in the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared to 8.9% in the same period of the prior year.

 

Retail Operating Expenses

 

The decrease in retail operating expense was primarily due to a change in the mix of Company-owned stores in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc. during the six months ended August 31, 2013 compared with the same period of the prior year. The average number of Company-owned stores in operation increased from 18 during the six months ended August 31, 2012 to 20 units in the same period of the current year. Retail operating expenses, as a percentage of retail sales, decreased from 57.8% in the six months ended August 31, 2012 to 47.2% in the same period of the current year. This decrease is primarily the result of a change in units in operation, resulting from the acquisition of a majority interest in U-Swirl, Inc.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization of $472,000 in the six months ended August 31, 2013 increased 0.9% from $468,000 incurred in the six months ended August 31, 2012 due to additional depreciable assets in service.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income of $27,000 realized in the six months ended August 31, 2013 represents an increase of $4,000 from the $23,000 realized in the same period of the prior year due to higher balances of notes receivable.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rate for the six months ended August 31, 2013 was 31.8%, compared to 35.1% for the six months ended August 31, 2012. The decrease of 3.3% was primarily the result of the consolidation of the U-Swirl, Inc. net operating income. U-Swirl, Inc. has significant net operating loss carryovers. In accordance with section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, deductibility of U-Swirl, Inc.’s U.S. net operating loss carryovers may be subject to annual limitation in the event of a change in control. We have performed a preliminary evaluation as to whether a change in control has taken place, and have concluded that there was a change of control with respect to the net operating losses of U-Swirl, Inc. when the Company acquired its 60% ownership interest in January 2013. Our effective income tax rate may increase in future periods, or for the full year as a result of estimates related to the income tax liability arising from the income before income taxes of U-Swirl, Inc.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of August 31, 2013, working capital was $10.3 million, compared with $9.0 million as of February 28, 2013, an increase of $1.3 million. The change in working capital was due primarily to operating results less the payment of dividends an increase in notes receivable and the purchase of equipment.

 

Cash and cash equivalent balances decreased from $5.32 million as of February 28, 2013 to $4.14 million as of August 31, 2013 as a result of cash dividend payments of $1.3 million partially offset by cash flows provided by operating activities. Our current ratio was 3.44 to 1 at August 31, 2013 in comparison with 2.61 to 1 at February 28, 2013. We monitor current and anticipated future levels of cash and cash equivalents in relation to anticipated operating, financing and investing requirements.

 

We have a $5.0 million (no amount was outstanding as of August 31, 2013) working capital line of credit collateralized by substantially all of our assets with the exception of our retail store assets. Additionally, the line of credit is subject to various financial ratio and leverage covenants. As of August 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all such covenants. The line is subject to renewal on July 31, 2014.

 

 

 
18

 

 

We believe cash flows generated by operating activities and available financing will be sufficient to fund our operations at least through the end of fiscal 2014.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of August 31, 2013, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements or obligations.

 

Impact of Inflation

 

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

 

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

 

Seasonality

 

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

 

Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

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

 

We frequently enter into purchase contracts of between six to eighteen months for chocolate and certain nuts. These contracts permit us to purchase the specified commodity at a fixed price on an as-needed basis during the term of the contract. Because prices for these products may fluctuate, we may benefit if prices rise during the terms of these contracts, but we may be required to pay above-market prices if prices fall and we are unable to renegotiate the terms of the contract. As of August 31, 2013, based on future contractual obligations for chocolate products, we estimate that a 10.0% change in the prices of cocoa would result in an $95,000 favorable or unfavorable price benefit or cost, respectively, resulting from our contracts.

 

We have a $5.0 million bank line of credit that bears interest at a variable rate. As of August 31, 2013, no amount was outstanding under the line of credit. We do not believe that we are exposed to any material interest rate risk related to this credit facility.

 

 
19

 

 

 

Item 4.     Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

Management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness, as of August 31, 2013, of our disclosure controls and procedures. We acquired a 60% controlling interest in U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013 and U-Swirl’s operations are consolidated into our unaudited financial statements included in this report.  As such, the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures did not include the internal controls over financial reporting at U-Swirl.  This exclusion is consistent with the SEC’s guidance that an assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted from the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures that are also part of internal control over financial reporting in the year of acquisition.  Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of August 31, 2013.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

As a result of the acquisition of U-Swirl, Inc. in January 2013, the Company is evaluating and implementing changes to processes, policies and other components of its internal control over financial reporting with respect to the consolidation of U-Swirl’s operations into the Company’s financial statements. Management continues to be engaged in substantial efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control procedures and the design of those control procedures relating to U-Swirl. Except for the activities described above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended August 31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

 

We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings other than routine litigation incidental to our business.

 

Item 1A.     Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part 1, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013.

 

Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None

 

 
20

 

 

 

Item 3.     Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 5.     Other Information

 

None

 

 

 
21

 

 

Item 6.     Exhibits

 

 

3.1

Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the year ended February 28, 2009)

 

 

3.2

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on May 22, 2009)

 

 

3.3

Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on December 14, 2007)

 

 

10.1*

Promissory Note dated August 2, 2013 in the amount of $5,000,000 between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant

 

 

10.2*

Business Loan Agreement dated August 2, 2013 between Wells Fargo Bank and the Registrant

 

 

31.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Filed Pursuant To Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

31.2*

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Filed Pursuant To Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

32.1**

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Furnished Pursuant To Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

32.2**

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Furnished Pursuant To Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

 

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 


* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.          

 

 
22

 

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.

(Registrant)

 

Date: October 15, 2013

/s/ Bryan J. Merryman

 

 

 

Bryan J. Merryman, Chief Operating Officer,

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

Exhibit 10.1

Principal

Loan Date

Maturity

Loan No

Call / Coll

Account

Officer

Initials

$5,000,000.00

08-02-2013

07-31-2014

7657418442

 

1570712832

K0096

 

References in the shaded area are for Lender's use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan or item.

Any item above containing “***" has been omitted due to text length limitations.

 

Borrower:

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.

Lender:     Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

265 Turner Drive 

Durango Main

 

Durango, CO 81303

200 West College Drive

    Durango, CO 81301
   
   

Principal Amount: $5,000,000.00

Date of Note: August 2, 2013

 

PROMISE TO PAY. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. ("Borrower") promises to pay to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Lender"), or order, in lawful money of the United States of America, the principal amount of Five Million & 00/100 Dollars ($5,000,000.00) or so much as may be outstanding, together with interest on the unpaid outstanding principal balance of each advance. Interest shall be calculated from the date of each advance until repayment of each advance.

 

PAYMENT. Borrower will pay this loan in one payment of all outstanding principal plus all accrued unpaid interest on July 31, 2014. In addition, Borrower will pay regular monthly payments of all accrued unpaid interest due as of each payment date, beginning August 3, 2013, with all subsequent interest payments to be due on the last day of each month after that. Unless otherwise agreed or required by applicable law, payments will be applied first to any accrued unpaid interest; then to principal; and then to any late charges. Borrower will pay Lender at Lender's address shown above or at such other place as Lender may designate in writing.

 

VARIABLE INTEREST RATE. The interest rate on this Note is subject to change from time to time based on changes in an index which is the floating rate equal to the Prime Rate set from time to time by Lender that serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto (the "Index"). The Index is not necessarily the lowest rate charged by Lender on its loans and is set by Lender in its sole discretion. If the Index becomes unavailable during the term of this loan, Lender may designate a substitute index after notifying Borrower. Lender will tell Borrower the current Index rate upon Borrower's request. The interest rate change will not occur more often than each time the Index changes. Interest will accrue on the outstanding principal balance of the Note at an interest rate equal to the sum of the Index and the Margin, subject to any floor or ceiling rate that may apply. Each change in the Index shall become effective on the date each Prime Rate change is announced within Lender. Lender may reamortize payments as described in the Note or from time to time in Lender's discretion to take into account changes in the interest rate. If payments are intended to amortize principal and interest, the reamortization may adjust the payment amount to an amount which would cause the Note to be fully paid over the intended amortization period of the Note in approximately equal successive payments. Reamortization will not change the Note maturity date. If Lender fails for any reason to timely or properly adjust the interest rate or payment amount, Borrower shall notify Lender of the oversight, and Lender may retroactively adjust the interest rate to correct the oversight and/or reamortize and adjust the payment amount at any subsequent time as may be necessary. In no event shall Lender's failure to properly adjust the interest rate or payment amount result in a forgiveness of any portion of the indebtedness. The "Index currently" stated below is the Index value (rounded to three decimal places) that existed at the time this agreement was prepared, and the "Initial Rate" stated herein is that Index value plus the Margin; they do not necessarily reflect the Index in effect on the date of this agreement. The actual rate applicable to the Note is the actual Index in effect each day plus the Margin, subject to any floor or ceiling rate, or any default rate, that may apply, with interest accrual calculated pursuant to the INTEREST CALCULATION METHOD paragraph. The "Margin" is the amount shown in the sentence below, stated as "<margin> percentage points over the Index". If the margin value is stated as "<margin> percentage points under the index", then the Margin is that value expressed as a negative number. If the sentence states "using a rate equal to the Index", then the Margin is zero. Lender may round the Index value to five decimal places at Lender's discretion. Borrower understands that Lender may make loans based on other rates as well. The Index currently is 3.250% per annum. Interest on the unpaid principal balance of this Note will be calculated as described in the "INTEREST CALCULATION METHOD" paragraph using a rate of 0.500 percentage points under the Index, adjusted if necessary for any minimum and maximum rate limitations described below, resulting in an initial rate of 5.000%. NOTICE: Under no circumstances will the interest rate on this Note be less than 5.000% per annum or more than the maximum rate allowed by applicable law.

 

INTEREST CALCULATION METHOD. Interest on this Note is computed on a 365/360 basis; that is, by applying the ratio of the interest rate over a year of 360 days, multiplied by the outstanding principal balance, multiplied by the actual number of days the principal balance is outstanding. All interest payable under this Note is computed using this method.

 

PREPAYMENT. Borrower may pay without penalty all or a portion of the amount owed earlier than it is due. Early payments will not, unless agreed to by Lender in writing, relieve Borrower of Borrower's obligation to continue to make payments of accrued unpaid interest. Rather, early payments will reduce the principal balance due. Borrower agrees not to send Lender payments marked "paid in full", "without recourse", or similar language. If Borrower sends such a payment, Lender may accept it without losing any of Lender's rights under this Note, and Borrower will remain obligated to pay any further amount owed to Lender. All written communications concerning disputed amounts, including any check or other payment instrument that indicates that the payment constitutes "payment in full" of the amount owed or that is tendered with other conditions or limitations or as full satisfaction of a disputed amount must be mailed or delivered to: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Attn: Commercial Loan Research Department, MAC # T7422-012, PO Box 659713 San Antonio, TX 78265.

 

LATE CHARGE. If a payment is 15 days or more late, Borrower will be charged 5.000% of the unpaid portion of the regularly scheduled payment or $15.00, whichever is greater.INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT. Upon default, at Lender's option, and if permitted by applicable law, Lender may add any unpaid accrued interest to principal and such sum will bear interest therefrom until paid at the rate provided in this Note (including any increased rate). Upon default, the interest rate on this Note shall be increased by adding an additional 4.000 percentage point margin ("Default Rate Margin"). The Default Rate Margin shall also apply to each succeeding interest rate change that would have applied had there been no default. However, in no event will the interest rate exceed the maximum interest rate limitations under applicable law.

 

DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an event of default ("Event of Default") under this Note:

 

Payment Default. Borrower fails to make any payment when due under this Note.

 
 

 

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

Page 2

Loan No: 7657418442

(Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Other Defaults. Borrower fails to comply with or to perform any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Note or in any of the related documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any other agreement between Lender and Borrower.

 

Default in Favor of Third Parties. Borrower or any Grantor defaults under any loan, extension of credit, security agreement, purchase or sales agreement, or any other agreement, in favor of any other creditor or person that may materially affect any of Borrowers property or Borrowers ability to repay this Note or perform Borrower's obligations under this Note or any of the related documents.

 

False Statements. Any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished to Lender by Borrower or on Borrower's behalf under this Note or the related documents is false or misleading in any material respect, either now or at the time made or furnished or becomes false or misleading at any time thereafter.

 

Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Borrower's existence as a going business, the insolvency of Borrower, the appointment of a receiver for any part of Borrower's property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Borrower.

 

Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help, repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Borrower or by any governmental agency against any collateral securing the loan. This includes a garnishment of any of Borrower's accounts, including deposit accounts, with Lender. However, this Event of Default shall not apply if there is a good faith dispute by Borrower as to the validity or reasonableness of the claim which is the basis of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and if Borrower gives Lender written notice of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and deposits with Lender monies or a surety bond for the creditor or forfeiture proceeding, in an amount determined by Lender, in its sole discretion, as being an adequate reserve or bond for the dispute.

 

Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to any guarantor, endorser, surety, or accommodation party of any of the indebtedness or any guarantor, endorser, surety, or accommodation party dies or becomes incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability under, any guaranty of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note.

 

Change In Ownership. Any change in ownership of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the common stock of Borrower.

 

Adverse Change. A material adverse change occurs in Borrower's financial condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of this Note is impaired.

 

Insecurity. Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.

 

LENDER'S RIGHTS. Upon default, Lender may declare the entire unpaid principal balance under this Note and all accrued unpaid interest immediately due, and then Borrower will pay that amount.

 

ATTORNEYS' FEES; EXPENSES. Lender may hire or pay someone else to help collect this Note if Borrower does not pay. Borrower will pay Lender the reasonable costs of such collection. This includes, subject to any limits under applicable law, Lender's attorneys' fees and Lender's legal expenses, whether or not there is a lawsuit, including without limitation attorneys' fees and legal expenses for bankruptcy proceedings (including efforts to modify or vacate any automatic stay or injunction), and appeals. If not prohibited by applicable law, Borrower also will pay any court costs, in addition to all other sums provided by law.

 

GOVERNING LAW. This Note will be governed by federal law applicable to Lender and, to the extent not preempted by federal law, the laws of the State of Colorado without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. This Note has been accepted by Lender in the State of Colorado.

 

RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Borrower's accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Borrower holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future. However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the indebtedness against any and all such accounts, and, at Lender's option, to administratively freeze all such accounts to allow Lender to protect Lender's charge and setoff rights provided in this paragraph.

 

LINE OF CREDIT. This Note evidences a revolving line of credit. Advances under this Note may be requested either orally or in writing by Borrower or by an authorized person. Lender may, but need not, require that all oral requests be confirmed in writing. All communications, instructions, or directions by telephone or otherwise to Lender are to be directed to Lender's office shown above. Borrower agrees to be liable for all sums either: (A) advanced in accordance with the instructions of an authorized person or (B) credited to any of Borrowers accounts with Lender. The unpaid principal balance owing on this Note at any time may be evidenced by endorsements on this Note or by Lender's internal records, including daily computer print-outs.

 

PAYMENT DUE DATE DEFERRAL. Payment invoices will be sent on a date (the "billing date") which is prior to each payment due date. If this Note is booked near or after the billing date for the first scheduled payment, Lender may, in it's sole discretion, defer each scheduled payment date and/or the maturity date by one or more months.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION. All information furnished by Borrower to Lender in connection with the application for credit was true and accurate in every material respect as of the date the information was furnished, and no material facts were omitted so as to make the information incomplete or misleading. There has been no material adverse change to Borrower's financial condition since the date of the most recent submitted statement. Borrower agrees to provide to Lender, upon request, financial statements prepared in a manner and form acceptable to Lender, and copies of such tax returns and other financial information and statements as may be requested by Lender. Financial statements and tax returns submitted to Lender shall be signed and dated by Borrower and any other party preparing such financial statements or tax returns, or otherwise authenticated to Lender's satisfaction. Each financial statement shall give an accurate and complete picture of Borrower's financial condition as of the statement's date, with ownership accurately reflected. Borrower shall also furnish such other information regarding Borrower (and Borrower's general partners or members, if any), Borrower's business operations, the Collateral, and the use of loan proceeds as may be requested by Lender. Borrower warrants that all financial statements and information provided to Lender are and will be accurate, correct and complete. Borrower will permit Lender and Lender's agents and contractors to examine, audit and copy Borrower's books, accounts, records (including electronic records), and computer software programs used to generate the records, including any records in the possession of a third party, at any reasonable time upon request, and will provide to Lender copies of any records Lender requests, all at no cost to Lender.

 
 

 

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

Page 3

Loan No: 7657418442

(Continued)

 

 

 

 

PRIMARY DEPOSIT ACCOUNT. Borrower agrees to maintain Borrower's primary deposit account with Lender or any banking affiliate of Lender and keep such account at all times in good standing. If Borrower does not maintain a separate deposit account for its operations, but rather its operations are primarily administered through a deposit account of Borrower's parent or affiliate, then Borrower agrees to cause such parent or affiliate to maintain its primary deposit account with Lender or any banking affiliate of Lender. As used herein, "primary deposit account" means the deposit account into which substantially all of the receipts from the operations of Borrower, or of Borrower's parent or affiliate if applicable, are deposited and from which substantially all of its disbursements for its operations are made.

 

EXTENSION AND RENEWAL. Lender may, at Lender's discretion, renew or extend this Note by written notice to Borrower. Such renewal or extension will be effective as of the maturity date of this Note, and may be conditioned among other things on modification of Borrower's obligations hereunder, including but not limited to a decrease in the amount available under this Note, an increase in the interest rate applicable to this Note and/or payment of a fee for such renewal or extension Borrower will be deemed to have accepted the terms of such extensions and renewals if Borrower does not deliver to Lender written rejection of such renewal or extension within 10 days following the date of the written notice of such changes, or if Borrower draws additional funds following receipt of such notice. After any renewal or extension of Borrower's obligations under this Note, the term "maturity date" as used in this Note will mean the new maturity date set forth in the written notice of extension or renewal of this Note. The Note may be modified, extended and renewed repeatedly in this manner.

 

LINE ADVANCES. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, requests for advances communicated to any office of Lender by any person believed by Lender in good faith to be authorized to make the request, whether written, verbal, telephonic or electronic, may be acted upon by Lender, and Borrower will be liable for sums advanced by Lender pursuant to such request. Such requests for advances shall be deemed authorized by Borrower, and Lender shall not be liable for such advances made in good faith, and with respect to advances deposited to the credit of any deposit account of Borrower, such advances, when so deposited, shall be conclusively presumed to have been made to or for the benefit of Borrower regardless of the fact that persons other than those authorized to request advances may have authority to draw against such account.

 

Lender may in its discretion allow Borrower to request and receive advances even if applicable loan conditions are not satisfied, and/or the advance results in violation of loan agreements or covenants, and even though the advance may cause the principal balance to exceed the maximum principal amount of the Note. In such cases, Lender shall not be deemed to have waived such loan conditions, requirements or covenants, and Lender may strictly enforce all such loan conditions, requirements and covenants at any time in its discretion. If at any time the outstanding balance of the Note should exceed the maximum principal amount available to Borrower under the Note, then Lender may require Borrower to immediately make a payment in an amount sufficient to reduce the principal balance to an amount which does not exceed said maximum principal amount.

 

Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold Lender harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising out of any claim by Borrower or any third party against Lender in connection with Lender's performance of advances as described above.

 

CREDIT BUREAU INQUIRIES. The parties hereto, and each individual signing below in a representative capacity, agree that Lender may obtain business and/or personal credit reports and tax returns on each of them in their individual capacities.

 

APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Notwithstanding the application of payment provided in the Payment section of this Note, unless otherwise agreed, all sums received from Borrower may be applied to interest, fees, principal, or any other amounts due to Lender in any order at Lender's sole discretion. If a final payment amount is set out in the Payment section of this Note, Borrower understands that it is an estimate, and that the actual final payment amount will depend upon when payments are received and other factors.

 

DEFAULT RATE. At Lenders option and without prior notice, upon default or at any time during the pendency of any event of default under the Note or any related loan documents, Lender may impose a default rate of interest (the "Default Rate") equal to the pre-default interest rate plus four percent per annum, not to exceed the maximum lawful rate. If the pre-default rate is a floating or adjustable rate based upon an Index, it will continue to float or adjust on the same periodic schedule, and the Default Rate will be a variable rate per annum equal to the applicable Index plus the pre-default margin plus four percent, not to exceed the maximum lawful rate. The Default Rate shall remain in effect until the default has been cured and that fact has been communicated to and confirmed by Lender. Lender may, from time to time in its discretion, adjust or reamortize payments to take into account changes in the interest rate. Lender shall give written notice to Borrower of Lender's imposition of the Default Rate, except that if the Note is not paid at maturity, Lender may impose the Default Rate from the maturity date to the date paid in full without notice. Lender's imposition of the Default Rate shall not constitute an election of remedies or otherwise limit Lender's rights concerning other remedies available to Lender as a result of the occurrence of an event of default. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this paragraph and any other provision of the Note or any related agreement, the provisions of this paragraph shall control. If a default rate is prohibited by applicable law, then the pre-default rate (including periodic rate adjustments for floating or adjustable rates) shall continue to apply after default or maturity.

 

FURTHER ASSURANCES. The undersigned agrees to (i) do all things deemed necessary by Lender in order to fully document the loan evidenced by the Note and any related agreements, and will fully cooperate concerning the execution and delivery of security agreements, stock powers, instructions and/or other documents pertaining to any collateral intended to secure the Indebtedness, (ii) assist in the cure of any defects in the execution, delivery or substance of the Note and related agreements, and in the creation and perfection of any liens, security interests or other collateral rights securing the Note, and (iii) pay Lender immediately upon demand the full amount of all charges, costs and expenses (to include fees paid to third parties) expended or incurred by Lender to monitor Lender's interest in any real or personal property pledged as collateral for the Note, including without limitation all costs of appraisals.

 

CONSENT TO SELL LOAN. The parties hereto agree: (a) Lender may sell or transfer all or part of this loan to one or more purchasers, whether related or unrelated to Lender, without notice and without the consent of the parties; (b) Lender may-provide to any purchaser, or potential purchaser, any information or knowledge Lender may have about the parties or about any other matter relating to this loan obligation, without notice, and the parties waive any rights to privacy it may have with respect to such matters; (c) the purchaser of a loan will be considered its absolute owner and will have all the rights granted under the loan documents or agreements governing the sale of the loan; (d) the purchaser of a loan may enforce its interests irrespective of any claims or defenses that the parties may have against Lender; and (e) to waive all notices of sale of the loan, as well as all notices of any repurchase, and all rights of offset or counterclaim that the parties have now or later against Lender or against any purchaser of the loan.

 

FACSIMILE AND COUNTERPART. This document may be signed in any number of separate copies, each of which shall be effective as an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute a single document. An electronic transmission or other facsimile of this document or any related document shall be deemed an original and shall be admissible as evidence of the document and the signer's execution.

 
 

 

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

Page 4

Loan No: 7657418442

(Continued)

 

 

 

 

DOCUMENT DELIVERY AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF DOCUMENTS. Each party or person signing this agreement (referred to in this paragraph as "you") agrees that Lender may, in its sole discretion, rely upon any document, report, financial statement, tax return, agreement or other communication ("Document") physically delivered to Lender by mail, hand delivery or delivery service which Lender in good faith believed was sent by you or any of your representatives or employees. Similarly, Lender may, in its sole discretion, rely upon any Document sent by email, facsimile or other electronic means to Lender which Lender in good faith believed was sent by you or any of your representatives or employees. Lender may treat the Document as genuine and authorized to the same extent as if it was an original document validly executed or authenticated as genuine by you. Lender may from time to time in its sole discretion reject any such Document and require a signed original, or require you to provide acceptable authentication of any such Document before accepting or relying on same. You understand and acknowledge that there is a risk that Documents sent by electronic means may be viewed or received by unauthorized persons, and you agree that by sending Documents by electronic means, you shall be deemed to have accepted this risk and the consequences of any such unauthorized disclosure.

 

COMMUNITY AND OTHER PROPERTY. . In addition to the rights of Lender under any applicable community property laws, Borrower, Guarantor or Grantor who is a Married Person and who has an interest in marital or community property under applicable law acknowledges and agrees that his/her obligation as a Borrower, Guarantor or Grantor is incurred in the interest of and to benefit the marital community (or domestic partnership, if applicable), and expressly agrees that recourse may be had against his or her separate property and his or her rights in community property and community assets for all of his or her obligations to Lender, in addition to any other property that may be subject to rights of Lender. Borrower and Guarantor also agree not to, without Lender's prior written consent, enter into any community property agreement which alters the separate or community property character of any of such party's property. For the purpose of this provision, "Married Person" means a person in a spousal relationship and shall include parties to a duly registered and/or legally recognized same-sex civil union, domestic partnership, and other terms, whether or not gender-specific in a spousal relationship, that denote spousal relationship, as those terms are used throughout the laws, codes and regulations of states and/or jurisdictions that recognize legally married same-sex couples, civil unions and/or domestic partnerships, and any references herein to a married person or marital status shall be deemed to also include the applicable corresponding term, or other reference relating to a party to a civil union or domestic partnership.

 

SECURITY INTEREST AND RIGHT OF SETOFF. In addition to all liens upon and rights of setoff arising by law, Borrower pledges and grants to Lender as security for Borrower's indebtedness and obligations under the Note (excluding any consumer obligations subject to the Federal Truth In Lending Act) a security interest and lien upon all monies, securities, securities accounts, brokerage accounts, deposit accounts and other property of Borrower now or hereafter in the possession of or on deposit with Lender or any Wells Fargo affiliate, whether held in a general or special account or for safekeeping or otherwise, excluding however all IRA and Keogh accounts. No security interest, lien or right of setoff will be deemed to have been waived by any act or conduct on the part of Lender, or by any neglect to exercise such right, or by any delay in so doing, and every right of setoff, lien and security interest will continue in full force and effect until specifically waived or released by Lender in writing.

 

LOAN FEE AUTHORIZATION. Borrower shall pay to Lender any and all fees as specified in the "Disbursement Request and Authorization" executed by Borrower in connection with this Note. Such fees are non-refundable and shall be due and payable in full immediately upon Borrower's execution of this Note.

 

ADDITIONAL EVENTS OF DEFAULT. In addition to the Events of Default described herein, the following shall be an Event of Default if applicable: (i) Borrower, any Guarantor or any grantor of collateral fails to comply with any terms or conditions of any agreement with Lender or any Wells Fargo Affiliate; (ii) Borrower or any Guarantor revokes or disputes the validity of any of its liabilities or obligations under any Note, related agreement, or any other agreement with Lender or any Wells Fargo Affiliate; (iii) any change in ownership of an aggregate of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the common stock, members’ equity or other ownership interest in Borrower or any general partner or borrower or any Guarantor (iv ) the withdrawal, resignation or expulsion of any one or more of the general partners in Borrower or any Guarantor with an aggregate ownership interest in Borrower or such Guarantor of twenty-five percent (25%) or more; or (v) Borrower or any Guarantor or chairman, CEO, CFO, president, manager or general partner of Borrower or any Guarantor, nor any officer, member, or shareholder with an ownership interest of 25% or more of Borrower or any Guarantor, is adjudicated a felon under any criminal law. For purposes of this provision Wells Fargo Affiliate shall mean Wells Fargo & Company and any present or future subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company.

 

TRADE FINANCE SUBFEATURE. Borrower shall have available a Letter of Credit Subfeature and a Foreign Exchange Subfeature as described in this section, in a total amount not to exceed the available principal amount of the line of credit evidenced by this Note.

 

A.      Letters of Credit Subfeature. As a subfeature of this Note, Lender may from time to time issue or cause to be issued by a Wells Fargo Affiliate (such Lender or Wells Fargo Affiliate being referred to herein as the "Issuer") for your account, commercial and/or standby letters of credit (each individually, a "Letter of Credit" and collectively "Letters of Credit"); provided however, that the form and substance of each Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval by the Issuer in its sole discretion. Each Letter of Credit shall be issued for a term designated by Borrower; provided however, that no Letter of Credit shall have an expiration subsequent to the maturity of the Note unless otherwise agreed to by Issuer and Lender. Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit Agreement and related documents, if any, required by Issuer in connection with the issuance of such Letter of Credit (each individually a "Letter of Credit Agreement" and collectively, the "Letter of Credit Agreements"). Each draft paid by Issuer under a Letter of Credit and reimbursed by Lender shall be paid with an advance under the Note and shall be repaid by Borrower in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Note applicable to such advances; provided however, that if advances under the Note are not available, for any reason whatsoever, at the time any amount is paid by Lender, then the full amount of such advance shall be immediately due and payable, together with interest thereon, from the date such amount is paid by Issuer or Lender to the date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, at the rate of interest applicable to advances under the Note. In such event, Borrower agrees that Issuer or Lender, at Issuer's or Lender's sole discretion, may debit Borrower's deposit account(s) with Lender or a Wells Fargo Affiliate for the amount of any such draft. Upon the issuance of an amendment to a Letter of Credit, upon the reimbursement by Lender of a draft under any Letter of Credit, and otherwise as agreed by Borrower and Issuer pursuant to the Letter of Credit Agreements, Borrower shall pay to Issuer or Lender fees determined in accordance with Issuer's/Lender's standard fees and charges at such time.

 

B.      Foreign Exchange Subfeature. As a subfeature of this Note, Lender or a Wells Fargo Affiliate (such Lender or Wells Fargo Affiliate being referred to herein as the "Exchanger") may, in its sole discretion, from time to time up to and including the maturity date of the Note, enter into foreign exchange transactions for the account of Borrower for the purchase and/or sale, or options on the purchase and/or sale, by Borrower of the currency of the United States and of foreign countries. Each foreign exchange transaction entered into between the Exchanger and Borrower shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the foreign exchange master agreement, the form and substance of which must be acceptable to the Exchanger in all respects in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Exchanger is not obligated to enter into any foreign exchange transactions with Borrower.

 
 

 

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

Page 5

Loan No: 7657418442

(Continued)

 

 

 

 

C.      Subfeature Limits. The amount available for drawing under all Letters of Credit, plus the amount drawn under the Letters of Credit but not yet reimbursed, plus 120% of the amount of all outstanding foreign exchange contracts, shall be reserved under the Note and shall not be available for Note advances. The amount available for drawing under all Letters of Credit, plus the amount drawn under such letters of credit but not yet reimbursed, plus 120% of the amount of all outstanding foreign exchange contracts, plus the principal amounts of any advances outstanding under the Note, shall not at any time exceed the principal amount of the Note, unless allowed by Lender at Lender's full discretion. Any excess amount shall be fully due and payable immediately without notice. As used herein, Wells Fargo Affiliate means any present or future subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, any subsidiary thereof, and any successors of such financial service companies.

 

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT. Arbitration - Binding Arbitration, Lender and each party to this agreement hereby agree, upon demand by any party, to submit any Dispute to binding arbitration in accordance with the terms of this Arbitration Program. Arbitration may be demanded before the institution of a judicial proceeding, or during a judicial proceeding, but not more than 60 days after service of a complaint, third party complaint, cross-claim, or any answer thereto, or any amendment to any of such pleadings. A "Dispute" shall include any dispute, claim or controversy of any kind, whether in contract or in tort, legal or equitable, now existing or hereafter arising, relating in any way to any aspect of this agreement, or any related note, instrument or agreement incorporating this Arbitration Program (the "Documents"), or any renewal, extension, modification or refinancing of any indebtedness or obligation relating thereto, including without limitation, their negotiation, execution, collateralization, administration, repayment, modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement, enforcement, default or termination. This provision is a material inducement for the parties entering into the transactions relating to this Agreement. DISPUTES SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION ARE NOT RESOLVED IN COURT BY A JUDGE OR JURY. TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTE ARBITRATED PURSUANT TO THIS ARBITRATION PROGRAM.

 

A. Governing Rules, Any arbitration proceeding will (i) be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the documents between the parties; and (ii) be conducted by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), or such other administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon, in accordance with the AAA's commercial dispute resolution procedures, unless the claim or counterclaim is at least $1,000,000.00 exclusive of claimed interest, arbitration fees and costs, in which case the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA's optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes (the commercial dispute resolution procedures or the optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes are referred to herein, as applicable, as the "Rules"). If there is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the Rules, the terms and procedures set forth herein shall control. Arbitration proceedings hereunder shall be conducted at a location mutually agreeable to the parties, or if they cannot agree, then at a location selected by the AAA in the state of the applicable substantive law primarily governing the Note. Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling arbitration of any Dispute. The arbitrator shall award all costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party that is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. Section 91, as amended or replaced from time to time, or any similar applicable state law.

 

B. No Waiver of Provisional Remedies. Self-Help and Foreclosure, The arbitration requirement does not limit the right of any party to (i) foreclose against real or personal property collateral; (ii) exercise self-help remedies relating to collateral or proceeds of collateral such as setoff or repossession; or (iii) obtain provisional or ancillary remedies such as replevin, injunctive relief, attachment or the appointment of a receiver, before during or after the pendency of any arbitration proceeding. This exclusion does not constitute a waiver of the right or obligation of any party to submit any Dispute to arbitration or reference hereunder, including those arising from the exercise of the actions detailed in sections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph.

 

C. Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers. Any arbitration proceeding in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less will be decided by a single arbitrator selected according to the Rules, and who shall not render an award of greater than $5,000,000.00. Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all hearings and deliberations. Every arbitrator must be a neutral practicing attorney or a retired member of the state or federal judiciary, in either case with a minimum of ten years experience in the substantive law applicable to the subject matter of the Dispute. The arbitrator will determine whether or not an issue is arbitratable and will give effect to the statutes of limitation in determining any claim. In any arbitration proceeding the arbitrator will decide (by documents only or with a hearing at the arbitrator's discretion) any pre-hearing motions which are similar to motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim or motions for summary adjudication. The arbitrator shall resolve all Disputes in accordance with the applicable substantive law and may grant any remedy or relief that a court of such state could order or grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award. The arbitrator shall also have the power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other action as the arbitrator deems necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the applicable state rules of civil procedure, or other applicable law. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of a provisional or ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or daim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial relief.

 

D. Discovery. In any arbitration proceeding discovery will be permitted in accordance with the Rules. All discovery shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to the Dispute being arbitrated and must be completed no later than 20 days before the hearing date. Any requests for an extension of the discovery periods, or any discovery disputes, will be subject to final determination by the arbitrator upon a showing that the request for discovery is essential for the party's presentation and that no alternative means for obtaining information is available.

 

E. Class Proceedings and Consolidations. No party hereto shall be entitled to join or consolidate disputes by or against others in any arbitration, except parties to this agreement, or any contract, instrument or document relating to this agreement, or to include in any arbitration any dispute as a representative or member of a class, or to act in any arbitration in the interest of the general public or in a private attorney general capacity.

 

F. Small Claims Court. Any party may require that a Dispute be resolved in Small Claims Court if the Dispute and related claims are fully within that court's jurisdiction.

 
 

 

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

Page 6

Loan No: 7657418442

(Continued)

 

 

 

 

G.  Real Property Collateral: Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Dispute shall be submitted to arbitration if the Dispute concerns indebtedness secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by any real property and the Dispute is governed by the laws of California, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, Virginia or Utah, unless any conditions for arbitration that may be set forth in the mortgage or deed of trust are satisfied; if any such Disputes are not referred to arbitration, then any provision in such mortgage or deed of trust providing for referral of Disputes to a referee or master under the laws of California, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, Virginia or Utah shall be applicable to such Disputes.

 

H.  State Specific Provisions,

If Delaware, Pennsylvania or Virginia law governs the Dispute, the following provision is applicable if there is a Confession of Judgment in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents: Confession of Judgment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the arbitration requirement does not limit or preclude the right of Lender to confess judgment pursuant to a warrant of attorney provision set forth in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents. No party shall have the right to demand binding arbitration of any claim, dispute or controversy seeking to (i) strike-off or open a judgment obtained by confession pursuant to a warrant of attorney contained in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents, or (ii) challenge the waiver of a right to prior notice and a hearing before judgment is entered, or after judgment is entered, but before execution upon the judgment. Any claims, disputes or controversies challenging the confession of judgment shall be commenced and prosecuted in accordance with the procedures set forth, and in the forum specified by the applicable state rules of civil procedure or other applicable law.

 

If Maryland law governs the Dispute, the following provision is applicable if there is a Confession of Judgment in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents: Confession of Judgment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the arbitration requirement does not limit or preclude the right of Lender to confess judgment, and no party shall have the right to demand binding arbitration of any claim, dispute or controversy seeking to open a judgment obtained by confession. Nothing herein, including the arbitration requirement, shall limit the right of any party to foreclose judicially or non-judicially against any real or personal property collateral, or exercise judicial or non-judicial power of sale rights. No provision regarding submission to a jurisdiction and/or venue in any court or the waiver of any right to trial by jury is intended or shall be construed to be in derogation of the provisions for arbitration of any dispute. Any claim or counterclaim or defense raised in connection with Lender's exercise of any rights set forth in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents shall be subject to the arbitration requirement.

 

If South Carolina law governs the Dispute, the following provision is included: WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, WITHOUT INTENDING IN ANY WAY TO LIMIT THE PARTIES' AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE ANY DISPUTE AS SET FORTH IN THIS MORTGAGE, TO THE EXTENT ANY DISPUTE IS NOT SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION OR IS DEEMED BY THE ARBITRATOR OR BY ANY COURT WITH JURISDICTION TO BE NOT ARBITRABLE OR NOT REQUIRED TO BE ARBITRATED, MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH DISPUTE AND ANY ACTION ON SUCH DISPUTE. THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY MADE BY MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE, AND MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE HEREBY REPRESENT THAT NO REPRESENTATIONS OF FACT OR OPINION HAVE BEEN MADE BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY TO INDUCE THIS WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR TO IN ANY WAY MODIFY OR NULLIFY ITS EFFECT. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES ENTERING INTO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS. MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE ARE EACH HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS SECTION IN ANY PROCEEDING AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL MORTGAGOR FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED IN THE SIGNING OF THIS MORTGAGE AND IN THE MAKING OF THIS WAIVER BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, OR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL SELECTED OF ITS OWN FREE WILL, AND THAT IT HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS WAIVER WITH COUNSEL.

 

I. Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the Dispute with the AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business or by applicable law or regulation. If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a Dispute, the arbitration provision most directly related to the documents between the parties or the subject matter of the Dispute shall control. This arbitration provision shall survive the repayment of the Note and the termination, amendment or expiration of any of the Documents or any relationship between the parties.

 

FLOOR RATE - FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES. If Lender and Borrower enter into an interest rate swap transaction to hedge the interest rate of this loan without including a similar interest rate floor applicable to the Lender's floating rate leg in such swap transaction, then in lieu of amending this Note, the interest rate floor provision of this loan will automatically be deemed not to apply to the principal portion of this loan so hedged for the period of such swap transaction. The foregoing is limited to an interest rate swap transaction with the Lender and shall not apply to any other derivative, such as an interest rate cap.

 

PRIOR NOTE. This Note is given in renewal, extension and/or modification of, and not in satisfaction of, that certain promissory note("Note") dated August 28, 2012 in the original amount of $5,000,000.00, and it is not a novation of the obligations of that note.

 

SUCCESSOR INTERESTS. The terms of this Note shall be binding upon Borrower, and upon Borrower's heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Lender and its successors and assigns.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS. If any part of this Note cannot be enforced, this fact will not affect the rest of the Note. Lender may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights or remedies under this Note without losing them. Borrower and any other person who signs, guarantees or endorses this Note, to the extent allowed by law, waive presentment, demand for payment, and notice of dishonor. Upon any change in the terms of this Note, and unless otherwise expressly stated in writing, no party who signs this Note, whether as maker, guarantor, accommodation maker or endorser, shall be released from liability. All such parties agree that Lender may renew or extend (repeatedly and for any length of time) this loan or release any party or guarantor or collateral; or impair, fail to realize upon or perfect Lender's security interest in the collateral; and take any other action deemed necessary by Lender without the consent of or notice to anyone. All such parties also agree that Lender may modify this loan without the consent of or notice to anyone other than the party with whom the modification is made. The obligations under this Note are joint and several.

 

 

PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS NOTE, BORROWER READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS NOTE, INCLUDING THE VARIABLE INTEREST RATE PROVISIONS. BORROWER AGREES TO THE TERMS OF THE NOTE.

 

 

BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COMPLETED COPY OF THIS PROMISSORY NOTE

 
 

 

 

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

Page 7

Loan No: 7657418442

(Continued)

 

 

 

 

BORROWER:

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/ Bryan Merryman

 
 

Bryan Merryman, CFO/COO of Rocky Mountain

Chocolate Factory, Inc.

 

 

BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.2

 

Principal

Loan Date

Maturity

Loan No

Call / Coll

Account

Officer

Initials

$5,000,000.00

08-02-2013

07-31-2014

7657418442

 

1570712832

K0096

 

References in the shaded area are for Lender's use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan or item.

Any item above containing “***" has been omitted due to text length limitations.

 

Borrower:

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.

Lender:     Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

265 Turner Drive 

Durango Main

 

Durango, CO 81303

200 West College Drive

    Durango, CO 81301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT dated August 2, 2013, is made and executed between Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. ("Borrower") and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Lender") on the following terms and conditions. Borrower has received prior commercial loans from Lender or has applied to Lender for a commercial loan or loans or other financial accommodations, including those which may be described on any exhibit or schedule attached to this Agreement. Borrower understands and agrees that: (A) in granting, renewing, or extending any Loan, Lender is relying upon Borrower's representations, warranties, and agreements as set forth in this Agreement; (B) the granting, renewing, or extending of any Loan by Lender at all times shall be subject to Lender's sole judgment and discretion; and (C) all such Loans shall be and remain subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

TERM. This Agreement shall be effective as of August 2, 2013, and shall continue in full force and effect until such time as all of Borrower's Loans in favor of Lender have been paid in full, including principal, interest, costs, expenses, attorneys' fees, and other fees and charges, or until such time as the parties may agree in writing to terminate this Agreement.

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EACH ADVANCE. Lender's obligation to make the initial Advance and each subsequent Advance under this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment to Lender's satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Related Documents.

 

Loan Documents. Borrower shall provide to Lender the following documents for the Loan: (1) the Note; (2) Security Agreements granting to Lender security interests in the Collateral; (3) financing statements and all other documents perfecting Lender's Security Interests; (4) evidence of insurance as required below; (5) together with all such Related Documents as Lender may require for the Loan; all in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and Lender's counsel.

 

Borrower's Authorization. Borrower shall have provided in form and substance satisfactory to Lender properly certified resolutions, duly authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Note and the Related Documents. In addition, Borrower shall have provided such other resolutions, authorizations, documents and instruments as Lender or its counsel, may require.

 

Payment of Fees and Expenses. Borrower shall have paid to Lender all fees, charges, and other expenses which are then due and payable as specified in this Agreement or any Related Document.

 

Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, in the Related Documents, and in any document or certificate delivered to Lender under this Agreement are true and correct.

 

No Event of Default. There shall not exist at the time of any Advance a condition which would constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement or under any Related Document.

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender, as of the date of this Agreement, as of the date of each disbursement of loan proceeds, as of the date of any renewal, extension or modification of any Loan, and at all times any Indebtedness exists:

 

Organization. Borrower is a non-profit corporation which is, and at all times shall be, duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Colorado. Borrower is duly authorized to transact business in all other states in which Borrower is doing business, having obtained all necessary filings, governmental licenses and approvals for each state in which Borrower is doing business. Borrower maintains an office at 265 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303. Unless Borrower has designated otherwise in writing, the principal office is the office at which Borrower keeps its books and records including its records concerning the Collateral. Borrower will notify Lender prior to any change in the location of Borrower's state of organization or any change in Borrower's name.

 

Assumed Business Names. Borrower has filed or recorded all documents or filings required by law relating to all assumed business names used by Borrower. Excluding the name of Borrower, the following is a complete list of all assumed business names under which Borrower does business: None.

 

Authorization. Borrower's execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and all the Related Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action by Borrower and do not conflict with, result in a violation of, or constitute a default under (1) any provision of (a) Borrower's articles of incorporation or organization, or bylaws, or (b) any agreement or other instrument binding upon Borrower or (2) any law, governmental regulation, court decree, or order applicable to Borrower or to Borrower's properties.

 

Properties. Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as previously disclosed in Borrower's financial statements or in writing to Lender and as accepted by Lender, and except for property tax liens for taxes not presently due and payable, Borrower owns and has good title to all of Borrower's properties free and clear of all liens and security interests, and has not executed any security documents or financing statements relating to such properties. All of Borrower's properties are titled in Borrower's legal name, and Borrower has not used or filed a financing statement under any other name for at least the last five (5) years.

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender that, so long as this Agreement remains in effect, Borrower will:

 

Notices of Claims and Litigation. Promptly inform Lender in writing of (1) all material adverse changes in Borrower's financial condition, and (2) all existing and all threatened litigation, claims, investigations, administrative proceedings or similar actions affecting Borrower or any Guarantor which could materially affect the financial condition of Borrower or the financial condition of any Guarantor.

 

 

 
 

 

 

Loan No: 7657418442

BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

Page 2

 

(Continued)

 

 

Financial Records. Maintain its books and records in accordance with accounting principles acceptable to Lender, applied on a consistent basis, and permit Lender to examine and audit Borrower's books and records at all reasonable times.

 

Financial Statements. Furnish Lender with such financial statements and other related information at such frequencies and in such detail as Lender may reasonably request.

 

Loan Proceeds . Use all Loan proceeds solely for Borrower's business operations, unless specifically consented to the contrary by Lender in writing.

 

Taxes, Charges and Liens . Pay and discharge when due all of its indebtedness and obligations, including without limitation all assessments, taxes, governmental charges, levies and liens, of every kind and nature, imposed upon Borrower or its properties, income, or profits, prior to the date on which penalties would attach, and all lawful claims that, if unpaid, might become a lien or charge upon any of Borrower's properties, income, or profits. Provided however, Borrower will not be required to pay and discharge any such assessment, tax, charge, levy, lien or claim so long as (1) the legality of the same shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and (2) Borrower shall have established on Borrower's books adequate reserves with respect to such contested assessment, tax, charge, levy, lien, or claim in accordance with GAAP.

 

Performance. Perform and comply, in a timely manner, with all terms, conditions, and provisions set forth in this Agreement, in the Related Documents, and in all other instruments and agreements between Borrower and Lender. Borrower shall notify Lender immediately in writing of any default in connection with any agreement.

 

Operations. Maintain executive and management personnel with substantially the same qualifications and experience as the present executive and management personnel; provide written notice to Lender of any change in executive and management personnel; conduct its business affairs in a reasonable and prudent manner.

 

Compliance with Governmental Requirements. Comply with all laws, ordinances, and regulations, now or hereafter in effect, of all governmental authorities applicable to the conduct of Borrower's properties, businesses and operations, and to the use or occupancy of the Collateral, including without limitation, the Americans With Disabilities Act. Borrower may contest in good faith any such law, ordinance, or regulation and withhold compliance during any proceeding, including appropriate appeals, so long as Borrower has notified Lender in writing prior to doing so and so long as, in Lender's sole opinion, Lender's interests in the Collateral are not jeopardized. Lender may require Borrower to post adequate security or a surety bond, reasonably satisfactory to Lender, to protect Lender's interest.

 

Inspection . Permit employees or agents of Lender at any reasonable time to inspect any and all Collateral for the Loan or Loans and Borrower's other properties and to examine or audit Borrower's books, accounts, and records and to make copies and memoranda of Borrower's books, accounts, and records. If Borrower now or at any time hereafter maintains any records (including without limitation computer generated records and computer software programs for the generation of such records) in the possession of a third party, Borrower, upon request of Lender, shall notify such party to permit Lender free access to such records at all reasonable times and to provide Lender with copies of any records it may request, all at Borrower's expense.

 

LENDER'S EXPENDITURES. If any action or proceeding is commenced that would materially affect Lender's interest in the Collateral or if Borrower fails to comply with any provision of this Agreement or any Related Documents, including but not limited to Borrower's failure to discharge or pay when due any amounts Borrower is required to discharge or pay under this Agreement or any Related Documents, Lender on Borrower's behalf may (but shall not be obligated to) take any action that Lender deems appropriate on any Collateral and paying all costs for insuring, maintaining and preserving any Collateral. All such expenditures incurred or paid by Lender for such purposes will then bear interest at the rate charged under the Note from the date incurred or paid by Lender to the date of repayment by Borrower. All such expenses will become a part of the Indebtedness and, at Lender's option, will (A) be payable on demand; (B) be added to the balance of the Note and be apportioned among and be payable with any installment payments to become due during either (1) the term of any applicable insurance policy; or (2) the remaining term of the Note; or (C) be treated as a balloon payment which will be due and payable at the Note's maturity.

 

CESSATION OF ADVANCES. If Lender has made any commitment to make any Loan to Borrower, whether under this Agreement or under any other agreement, Lender shall have no obligation to make Loan advances or to disburse Loan proceeds if: (A) Borrower or any guarantor is in default under the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement that Borrower or any guarantor has with Lender; (B) Borrower or any guarantor dies, becomes incompetent or becomes insolvent, files a petition in bankruptcy or similar proceedings, or is adjudged a bankrupt; (C) there occurs a material adverse change in Borrower's financial condition, in the financial condition of any guarantor, or in the value of any collateral securing any Loan; or (D) any guarantor seeks, claims or otherwise attempts to limit, modify or revoke such guarantor's guaranty of the Loan or any other loan with Lender; or (E) Lender in good faith deems itself insecure, even though no Event of Default shall have occurred.

 

RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Borrower's accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Borrower holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future. However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the Indebtedness against any and all such accounts, and, at Lender's option, to administratively freeze all such accounts to allow Lender to protect Lender's charge and setoff rights provided in this paragraph.

 

DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:
Payment Default. Borrower fails to make any payment when due under the Loan.

 

Other Default. Borrower fails to comply with any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any of the Related Documents.

 

Default in Favor of Third Parties. Borrower defaults under any loan, extension of credit, security agreement, purchase or sales agreement, or any other agreement, in favor of any other creditor or person that may materially affect any of Borrower's property or Borrower's ability to repay the Loans or perform Borrower's obligations under this Agreement or any related document.

 

False Statements. Any representation or statement made by Borrower to Lender is false in any material respect.

 

Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Borrower's existence as a going business, the insolvency of Borrower, the appointment of a receiver for any part of Borrowers property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Borrower.

 

Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help,

repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Borrower or by any governmental agency against any collateral securing the Loan.

 

Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to any Guarantor of any of the Indebtedness or any Guarantor dies or becomes incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability under, any Guaranty of the Indebtedness.

 

 

 
 

 

 

Loan No: 7657418442

BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

Page 3

 

(Continued)

 

 

Change in Ownership. Any change in ownership of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the common stock of Borrower. Insecurity. Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.

 

EFFECT OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT. If any Event of Default shall occur, except where otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Related Documents, all commitments and obligations of Lender under this Agreement immediately will terminate (including any obligation to make further Loan Advances or disbursements), and, at Lender's option, all Indebtedness immediately will become due and payable, all without notice of any kind to Borrower, except that in the case of an Event of Default of the type described in the Insolvency" subsection above, such acceleration shall be automatic and not optional. In addition, Lender shall have all the rights and remedies provided in the Related Documents or available at law, in equity, or otherwise. Except as may be prohibited by applicable law, all of Lender's rights and remedies shall be cumulative and may be exercised singularly or concurrently. Election by Lender to pursue any remedy shall not exclude pursuit of any other remedy, and an election to make expenditures or to take action to perform an obligation of Borrower or of any Grantor shall not affect Lender's right to declare a default and to exercise its rights and remedies

 

FACSIMILE AND COUNTERPART. This document may be signed in any number of separate copies, each of which shall be effective as an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute a single document. An electronic transmission or other facsimile of this document or any related document shall be deemed an original and shall be admissible as evidence of the document and the signer's execution.

 

SECURITY INTEREST AND RIGHT OF SETOFF. In addition to all liens upon and rights of setoff arising by law, Borrower pledges and grants to Lender as security for Borrower's indebtedness and obligations under the Note (excluding any consumer obligations subject to the Federal Truth In Lending Act) a security interest and lien upon all monies, securities, securities accounts, brokerage accounts, deposit accounts and other property of Borrower now or hereafter in the possession of or on deposit with Lender or any Wells Fargo affiliate, whether held in a general or special account or for safekeeping or otherwise, excluding however all IRA and Keogh accounts. No security interest, lien or right of setoff will be deemed to have been waived by any act or conduct on the part of Lender, or by any neglect to exercise such right, or by any delay in so doing, and every right of setoff, lien and security interest will continue in full force and effect until specifically waived or released by Lender in writing.

 

INSURANCE. Borrower shall assure that insurance is maintained pursuant to any insurance requirements set forth in the Agreement to Provide Insurance and any Related Documents or other related agreements, if applicable.

 

ADDITIONAL EVENTS OF DEFAULT. In addition to the Events of Default described herein, the following shall be an Event of Default if applicable: (i) Borrower, any Guarantor or any grantor of collateral fails to comply with any terms or conditions of any agreement with Lender or any Wells Fargo Affiliate; (ii) Borrower or any Guarantor revokes or disputes the validity of any of its liabilities or obligations under any Note, related agreement, or any other agreement with Lender or any Wells Fargo Affiliate; (iii) any change in ownership of an aggregate of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the common stock, members’ equity or other ownership interest in borrower or any partner of Borrower or any Guarantor, (iv) the withdrawal, resignation or expulsion of any one or more of the general partners in Borrower or any Guarantor with an aggregate ownership interest in Borrower or such Guarantor of twenty-five percent (25%) or more; or (v) Borrower or any Guarantor or any chairman, CEO, CFO, president, manager or general partner of Borrower or any Guarantor, nor any officer, member, or shareholder with an ownership interest of 25% or more of Borrower or any Guarantor, is adjudicated a felon under any criminal law. For purposes of this provision Wells Fargo Affiliate shall mean Wells Fargo & Company and any present or future subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company.

 

EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL. Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that he/she/it has had an opportunity to review and consider the terms and provisions of this agreement and each related loan document, to consult with counsel of his/her/its choice, if desired, and to suggest changes to the structure and terms of the agreements. Each party hereto warrants and agrees that his/her/its execution of this agreement and any related loan documents is made voluntarily and with full knowledge of the significance and effect of such agreements.

 

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT. Arbitration - Binding Arbitration, Lender and each party to this agreement hereby agree, upon demand by any party, to submit any Dispute to binding arbitration in accordance with the terms of this Arbitration Program. Arbitration may be demanded before the institution of a judicial proceeding, or during a judicial proceeding, but not more than 60 days after service of a complaint, third party complaint, cross-claim, or any answer thereto, or any amendment to any of such pleadings. A "Dispute" shall include any dispute, claim or controversy of any kind, whether in contract or in tort, legal or equitable, now existing or hereafter arising, relating in any way to any aspect of this agreement, or any related note, instrument or agreement incorporating this Arbitration Program (the "Documents"), or any renewal, extension, modification or refinancing of any indebtedness or obligation relating thereto, including without limitation, their negotiation, execution, collateralization, administration, repayment, modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement, enforcement, default or termination. This provision is a material inducement for the parties entering into the transactions relating to this Agreement. DISPUTES SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION ARE NOT RESOLVED IN COURT BY A JUDGE OR JURY. TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTE ARBITRATED PURSUANT TO THIS ARBITRATION PROGRAM.

 

A.      Governing Rules, Any arbitration proceeding will (i) be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the documents between the parties; and (ii) be conducted by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), or such other administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon, in accordance with the AAA's commercial dispute resolution procedures, unless the claim or counterclaim is at least $1,000,000.00 exclusive of claimed interest, arbitration fees and costs, in which case the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA's optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes (the commercial dispute resolution procedures or the optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes are referred to herein, as applicable, as the "Rules"). If there is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the Rules, the terms and procedures set forth herein shall control. Arbitration proceedings hereunder shall be conducted at a location mutually agreeable to the parties, or if they cannot agree, then at a location selected by the AAA in the state of the applicable substantive law primarily governing the Note. Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling arbitration of any Dispute. The arbitrator shall award all costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding.

 

B.      No Waiver of Provisional Remedies. Self-Help and Foreclosure, The arbitration requirement does not limit the right of any party to (i) foreclose against real or personal property collateral; (ii) exercise self-help remedies relating to collateral or proceeds of collateral such as setoff or repossession; or (iii) obtain provisional or ancillary remedies such as replevin, injunctive relief, attachment or the appointment of a receiver, before during or after the pendency of any arbitration proceeding. This exclusion does not constitute a waiver of the right or obligation of any party to submit any Dispute to arbitration or reference hereunder, including those arising from the exercise of the actions detailed in sections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph.

 

 

 
 

 

 

Loan No: 7657418442

BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

Page 4

 

(Continued)

 

 

C.      Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers Any arbitration proceeding in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less will be decided by a single arbitrator selected according to the Rules, and who shall not render an award of greater than $5,000,000.00. Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all hearings and deliberations. Every arbitrator must be a neutral practicing attorney or a retired member of the state or federal judiciary, in either case with a minimum of ten years experience in the substantive law applicable to the subject matter of the Dispute. The arbitrator will determine whether or not an issue is arbitratable and will give effect to the statutes of limitation in determining any claim. In any arbitration proceeding the arbitrator will decide (by documents only or with a hearing at the arbitrators discretion) any pre-hearing motions which are similar to motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim or motions for summary adjudication. The arbitrator shall resolve all Disputes in accordance with the applicable substantive law and may grant any remedy or relief that a court of such state could order or grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award. The arbitrator shall also have the power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other action as the arbitrator deems necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the applicable state rules of civil procedure, or other applicable law. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of a provisional or ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial relief.

 

D.      Discovery. In any arbitration proceeding discovery will be permitted in accordance with the Rules. All discovery shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to the Dispute being arbitrated and must be completed no later than 20 days before the hearing date. Any requests for an extension of the discovery periods, or any discovery disputes, will be subject to final determination by the arbitrator upon a showing that the request for discovery is essential for the party's presentation and that no alternative means for obtaining information is available.

 

E.      Class Proceedings and Consolidations. No party hereto shall be entitled to join or consolidate disputes by or against others in any arbitration, except parties to this agreement, or any contract, instrument or document relating to this agreement, or to include in any arbitration any dispute as a representative or member of a class, or to act in any arbitration in the interest of the general public or in a private attorney general capacity.

 

F.      Small Claims Court. Any party may require that a Dispute be resolved in Small Claims Court if the Dispute and related claims are fully within that court's jurisdiction.

 

G.      Real Property Collateral: Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Dispute shall be submitted to arbitration if the Dispute concerns indebtedness secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by any real property and the Dispute is governed by the laws of Califomia, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, Virginia or Utah, unless any conditions for arbitration that may be set forth in the mortgage or deed of trust are satisfied; if any such Disputes are not referred to arbitration, then any provision in such mortgage or deed of trust providing for referral of Disputes to a referee or master under the laws of California, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, Virginia or Utah shall be applicable to such Disputes.

 

H.      State Specific Provisions,

If Delaware. Pennsylvania or Virginia law governs the Dispute, the following provision is applicable if there is a Confession of Judgment in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents:

Confession of Judgment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the arbitration requirement does not limit or preclude the right of Lender to confess judgment pursuant to a warrant of attorney provision set forth in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents. No party shall have the right to demand binding arbitration of any claim, dispute or controversy seeking to (i) strike-off or open a judgment obtained by confession pursuant to a warrant of attorney contained in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents, or (ii) challenge the waiver of a right to prior notice and a hearing before judgment is entered, or after judgment is entered, but before execution upon the judgment. Any claims, disputes or controversies challenging the confession of judgment shall be commenced and prosecuted in accordance with the procedures set forth, and in the forum specified by the applicable state rules of civil procedure or other applicable law.

 

If Maryland law governs the Dispute, the following provision is applicable if there is a Confession of Judgment in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents:

Confession of Judgment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the arbitration requirement does not limit or preclude the right of Lender to confess judgment, and no party shall have the right to demand binding arbitration of any claim, dispute or controversy seeking to open a judgment obtained by confession. Nothing herein, including the arbitration requirement, shall limit the right of any party to foreclose judicially or non-judicially against any real or personal property collateral, or exercise judicial or non-judicial power of sale rights. No provision regarding submission to a jurisdiction and/or venue in any court or the waiver of any right to trial by jury is intended or shall be construed to be in derogation of the provisions for arbitration of any dispute. Any claim or counterclaim or defense raised in connection with Lender's exercise of any rights set forth in the Note, any Guaranty, or Related Documents shall be subject to the arbitration requirement.

 

If South Carolina law governs the Dispute, the following provision is included:

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, WITHOUT INTENDING IN ANY WAY TO LIMIT THE PARTIES' AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE ANY DISPUTE AS SET FORTH IN THIS MORTGAGE, TO THE EXTENT ANY DISPUTE IS NOT SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION OR IS DEEMED BY THE ARBITRATOR OR BY ANY COURT WITH JURISDICTION TO BE NOT ARBITRABLE OR NOT REQUIRED TO BE ARBITRATED, MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH DISPUTE AND ANY ACTION ON SUCH DISPUTE. THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY MADE BY MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE, AND MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE HEREBY REPRESENT THAT NO REPRESENTATIONS OF FACT OR OPINION HAVE BEEN MADE BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY TO INDUCE THIS WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR TO IN ANY WAY MODIFY OR NULLIFY ITS EFFECT. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES ENTERING INTO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS. MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE ARE EACH HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS SECTION IN ANY PROCEEDING AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. MORTGAGOR FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED IN THE SIGNING OF THIS MORTGAGE AND IN THE MAKING OF THIS WAIVER BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, OR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL SELECTED OF ITS OWN FREE WILL, AND THAT IT HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS WAIVER WITH COUNSEL.

 

I.      Miscellaneous, To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the Dispute with the AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business or by applicable law or regulation. If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a Dispute, the arbitration provision most directly related to the documents between the parties or the subject matter of the Dispute shall control. This arbitration provision shall survive the repayment of the Note and the termination, amendment or expiration of any of the Documents or any relationship between the parties.

 

 

 
 

 

 

Loan No: 7657418442

BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

Page 5

 

(Continued)

 

 

LOAN AGREEMENT PROVISION (MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT). The following covenants apply to the loan evidenced by the Note and to all other loans or other credit accommodations from Lender to Borrower now existing or subsequently arising under any future confirmation letter, agreement or promissory note, excluding any loans or financial accommodations which are not serviced by the Wells Fargo Business Banking Group, or its successors ("Excluded Loans"). These covenants supersede and replace any prior financial reporting and condition covenants and shall survive the payoff of the Note, but shall not affect any Excluded Loans or covenants which by their nature relate only to a specific credit transaction. Further, with respect to any prior agreements between Lender and Borrower which were not executed in connection with any Excluded Loans, if any term or provision of any such prior agreement conflicts with any term or provision of this Agreement, then to the extent of such conflict, the terms and provisions of this Agreement will control.

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION / GAAP COVENANT . Borrower shall maintain its financial condition as follows using generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and used consistently with prior practices (except to the extent modified by the definitions herein):

 

Definitions:

 

"Cash Flow" means the sum of net income after taxes, plus depreciation expense, amortization expense and interest expense, less the sum of dividends and distributions.

 

"Current Liabilities" means the aggregate amount of Borrower's items properly shown as current liabilities on its balance sheet less any portion of such current liabilities that constitute Subordinated Debt.

 

"EBITDA" means net income before tax plus interest expense (net of capitalized interest expense), depreciation expense and amortization expense.

 

"Net Worth" means total owner's equity.

 

"Subordinated Debt" means debt that is expressly subordinated to Lender in a writing acceptable to Lender. “Tangible Net Worth" means Net Worth less any intangible assets.

 

"Total Liabilities" means the aggregate amount of Borrower's items properly shown as liabilities on its balance sheet.

 

Current Ratio as of the end of each month not less than 1.500 to 1.0, with "Current Ratio" defined as current assets divided by Current Liabilities.

 

Working Capital as of the end of each month not less than $3,750,000.00, with "Working Capital" defined as current assets minus Current Liabilities.

 

Tangible Net Worth as of the end of each month not less than $9,000,000.00.

 

Total Liabilities divided by Tangible Net Worth as of the end of each quarter not greater than 1.60 to 1.0.

 

Debt Coverage Ratio on a rolling four-quarter basis not less than 1.250 to 1.0, with "Debt Coverage Ratio" defined as the ratio of Cash Flow to the sum of the prior period current maturities of long term debt plus interest expense.

 

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (BORROWER) . Borrower shall provide to Lender interim financial statements not later than 50 days after and as of the end of each month, prepared by Borrower, to include (but not limited to), a balance sheet as of the end of each such period, and an income statement and a statement of changes to owner's equity, from the beginning of the then fiscal year to the end of such period. If Borrower has subsidiaries, all financial statements shall be provided on a consolidated and consolidating basis. Such financial statements shall be in form and detail satisfactory to Lender, and signed and dated by Borrower, and by any other party preparing such financial statements or otherwise authenticated to Lenders satisfaction.

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS . Borrower further covenants that so long as Lender remains committed to extend credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or un-liquidated) of Borrower to Lender under any of the loan documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower will not without Lenders prior written consent:

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Make any additional investment in fixed assets in any fiscal year in excess of an aggregate of $1,750,000.00.

 

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS (CORPORATION). Declare or pay any dividends or distributions, or redeem, retire, repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of any class of Borrower’s stock now, or hereafter outstanding except that Borrower may do the following: (1) Borrower may declare and pay dividends and distributions to its shareholders in a total amount not to exceed $4,000,000.00 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, either in cash, stock or any other property, and in addition, (2) if Borrower is an S corporation, Borrower may declare and pay cash dividends or distributions to its shareholders in any fiscal year in a total amount not to exceed the minimum amount required for each such shareholder to cover the federal and state income tax liability of such shareholder for the immediately preceding fiscal year arising as a direct result of Borrower's reported income for said fiscal year, and shall provide to Lender, upon request, any documentation required by Lender to substantiate the appropriateness of amounts paid or to be paid.

 

OTHER.

 

-Monthly financial statement; within 60 days of month end

 

-Quarterly 10Q; within 90 days of quarter end

 

-Monthly borrowing base certificate w/ A/R & inventory values, within 60 days and only when LOC is drawn on

 

-Annual audited financial statement, Annual 10K; within in 150 days of FYE

 

-30-day clean-up provision on line of credit;

 

-Projections/Business Plan due annually; within 150 days FYE

 

-Facilities cross-defaulted with all Wells Fargo debt (future);

 

 

 
 

 

 

Loan No: 7657418442

BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

Page 6

 

(Continued)

 

 

-Other Covenant as follows:

   

COVENANTS FOR. $5,000,000.00 Revolving Line of Credit.

 

LINE REST REQUIREMENT . Borrower shall maintain a zero balance on the line of credit governed by this Agreement for a minimum of 30 consecutive days during the first twelve months of the line of credit, and during each successive twelve-month period.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE [AND INVENTORY] ADVANCE RATES . Limitation on Advances. Amounts outstanding under any line of credit governed by this Agreement, to a maximum of the principal remaining available, shall not exceed an amount (the "Borrowing Base") equal to 75% of Borrowers Eligible Accounts Receivable as determined by Lender ("Borrowing Base"). The Borrowing Base shall be determined by Lender upon receipt and review of all collateral reports and borrowing base certificates required hereunder and such other documents, collateral information and inspections as Lender may from time to time require. In the event for any reason Lender permits the amount of any line of credit to exceed the applicable percentage of the Borrowing Base, it shall not constitute a modification or waiver of the terms of this Agreement or Lenders rights and remedies. If at any time the amount outstanding exceeds the applicable percentage of the Borrowing Base, Lender in its sole discretion may require Borrower to immediately make a principal reduction to the balance of the line of credit sufficient to restore compliance with the Borrowing Base limitation stated herein.

 

As used herein, "Eligible Accounts Receivable" shall consist solely of trade accounts created in the ordinary course of Borrowers business, upon which Borrowers right to receive payment is absolute and not contingent upon the fulfillment of any condition whatsoever, and in which Lender has a perfected security interest of first priority, and shall not include:

 

any account which represents an obligation of an account debtor located in a foreign country, except to the extent any such account, in Lender's determination, is supported by a letter of credit or insured under a policy of foreign credit insurance, in each case in form, substance and issued by a party acceptable to Lender;

 

any account which represents an obligation of any account debtor when ten percent (10%) or more of Borrower's accounts from such account debtor have not been fully paid within 90 days of invoice date or within three times the length of Borrower's normal selling terms, whichever is less, excluding accounts with extended payment terms acceptable to Lender which are not more than 30 days past due;

 

any account deemed ineligible by Lender when Lender, in its sole discretion, deems the creditworthiness or financial condition of the account debtor, or the industry in which the account debtor is engaged, to be unsatisfactory.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER REPORTS, Borrower shall provide the following reports to Lender, all in a form satisfactory to Lender: not later than 60 days following, and as of the end of each month, a Borrowing Base certificate.

 

not later than 60 days following, and as of the end of each month, an accounts receivable aging report.

 

not later than 60 days following, and as of the end of each month, an accounts payable aging report.

 

not later than 60 days following, and as of the end of each month, an itemized listing of all Borrower's inventory.

 

REPORTS; SUPPLEMENT. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Related Documents to the contrary, Borrower shall provide the following reports to Lender, as required herein, if and when the line of credit governed by this Agreement has a balance as of the last day of the month: Borrowing Base certificate, accounts receivable aging receivable aging report, accounts payable aging report, and inventory report.

 

DEFINITIONS. The following capitalized words and terms shall have the following meanings when used in this Agreement. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, all references to dollar amounts shall mean amounts in lawful money of the United States of America. Words and terms used in the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular, as the context may require. Words and terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code. Accounting words and terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the date of this Agreement:

 

Advance. The word "Advance" means a disbursement of Loan funds made, or to be made, to Borrower or on Borrower's behalf on a line of credit or multiple advance basis under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

Agreement. The word "Agreement" means this Business Loan Agreement, as this Business Loan Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time, together with all exhibits and schedules attached to this Business Loan Agreement from time to time.

 

Borrower. The word "Borrower" means Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. and includes all co-signers and co-makers signing the Note and all their successors and assigns.

 

Collateral. The word "Collateral" means all property and assets granted as collateral security for a Loan, whether real or personal property, whether granted directly or indirectly, whether granted now or in the future, and whether granted in the form of a security interest, mortgage, collateral mortgage, deed of trust, assignment, pledge, crop pledge, chattel mortgage, collateral chattel mortgage, chattel trust, factor's lien, equipment trust, conditional sale, trust receipt, lien, charge, lien or title retention contract, lease or consignment intended as a security device, or any other security or lien interest whatsoever, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise.

 

Event of Default. The words "Event of Default" mean any of the events of default set forth in this Agreement in the default section of this Agreement.

 

GAAP. The word "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Grantor. The word "Grantor" means each and all of the persons or entities granting a Security Interest in any Collateral for the Loan, including without limitation all Borrowers granting such a Security Interest.

 

Guarantor. The word "Guarantor" means any guarantor, surety, or accommodation party of any or all of the Loan.

 

Guaranty. The word "Guaranty" means the guaranty from Guarantor to Lender, including without limitation a guaranty of all or part of the Note.

 

Indebtedness. The word "Indebtedness" means the indebtedness evidenced by the Note or Related Documents, including all principal and interest together with all other indebtedness and costs and expenses for which Borrower is responsible under this Agreement or under any of the Related Documents.

 

Lender. The word "Lender" means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, its successors and assigns.

 

Loan. The word "Loan" means any and all loans and financial accommodations from Lender to Borrower whether now or hereafter existing, and however evidenced, including without limitation those loans and financial accommodations described herein or described on any exhibit or schedule attached to this Agreement from time to time.

 

Note. The word "Note" means the Note dated August 2, 2013 and executed by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. in the principal amount of $5,000,000.00, together with all renewals of, extensions of, modifications of, refinancings of, consolidations of, and substitutions for the note or credit agreement.

 

 

 
 

 

 

Loan No: 7657418442

BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

Page 7

 

(Continued)

 

 

Related Documents. The words "Related Documents" mean all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan agreements, environmental agreements, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, security deeds, collateral mortgages, and all other instruments, agreements and documents, whether now or hereafter existing, executed in connection with the Loan.

 

Security Agreement. The words "Security Agreement" mean and include without limitation any agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, understandings or other agreements, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise, evidencing, governing, representing, or creating a Security Interest.

 

Security Interest. The words "Security Interest" mean, without limitation, any and all types of collateral security, present and future, whether in the form of a lien, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of trust, security deed, assignment, pledge, crop pledge, chattel mortgage, collateral chattel mortgage, chattel trust, factor's lien, equipment trust, conditional sale, trust receipt, lien or title retention contract, lease or consignment intended as a security device, or any other security or lien interest whatsoever whether created by law, contract, or otherwise.

 

BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT AND BORROWER AGREES TO ITS TERMS. THIS BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT IS DATED AUGUST 2, 2013.

 

BORROWER:

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/ Bryan Merryman

Bryan Merryman, CFO/COO of Rocky Mountain

Chocolate Factory, Inc.

 

LENDER:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

By:

/s/ Mike Field

Authorized Signer

 

 

 
 

 

 

Loan No: 7657418442

BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

Page 8

 

(Continued)

 

 

 

ADDENDUM TO BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS ADDENDUM is attached to and made a part of that certain Business Loan Agreement (the "Agreement") dated 8/02/13 , executed by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. ("Borrower") in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Bank"), executed in connection with that certain Note in the principal amount of $ 5,000,000.00 . This Addendum may be attached to and shall be considered a part of the Loan Agreement, and shall supplement the Loan Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings defined for them in the Agreements.

 

The following provisions are hereby amended in the Agreement:

 

1.      Loan Proceeds on Page 2 of the Agreement is amended to now read:

 

"Loan Proceeds. Use all Loan proceeds solely for Borrower's business operations to include stock repurchase, unless specifically consented to the contrary by Lender in writing."

 

2.      The third sentence under RIGHT OF SETOFF on Page 2 of the Agreement is amended to now read:

 

"However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, 401(k)'s, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law."

 

3.      SECURITY INTEREST AND RIGHT OF SETOFF on Page 3 of the Agreement should also exclude 401(k)'s.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Addendum has been executed this 2nd day of August, 2013, to be effective

as of the same date as the Agreement.

 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

By: /s/ Mike Field                    
Mike Field
Sr. Business Relationship Manager

 

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.

By: /s/ Bryan Merryman          
Bryan Merryman
CFO/COO

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

I, Franklin E. Crail, certify that:

 

1.     I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.;

 

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.     The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:

 

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.     The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: October 15, 2013

/s/ Franklin E. Crail

 

 

 

Franklin E. Crail, President, Chief Executive Officer and

 

 

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

   

Exhibit 31.2

 

Certification Pursuant To Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

I, Bryan J. Merryman, certify that:

 

1.     I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.;

 

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.     The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:

 

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.     The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: October 15, 2013

/s/ Bryan J. Merryman

 

 

 

Bryan J. Merryman, Chief Operating Officer,

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

 

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

 

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended August 31, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), the undersigned officer of the Company certifies, in his capacity as such, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to his knowledge:

 

(1)     The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(2)     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 

 

Date: October 15, 2013

/s/ Franklin E. Crail

 

 

 

Franklin E. Crail, President, Chief Executive Officer and

 

 

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

   

Exhibit 32.2

 

 

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

 

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended August 31, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), the undersigned officer of the Company certifies, in his capacity as such, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to his knowledge:

 

(1)     The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(2)     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 

 

Date: October 15, 2013

/s/ Bryan J. Merryman

 

 

 

Bryan J. Merryman, Chief Operating Officer,

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director