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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
__________________
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
------ to ------
Commission File Numbers 0-676 and 0-16626
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THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS 75-1085131
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
2711 North Haskell Ave., Dallas, Texas 75204-2906
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code, 214-828-7011
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NAME OF EACH
EXCHANGE
TITLE OF EACH CLASS ON WHICH REGISTERED
------------------- --------------------
- -
None N/A
Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.0001 Par Value
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be
contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form
10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. []
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates
of the registrant was approximately $280,616,663 at March 12, 1999, based
upon 138,149,742 shares held by persons other than officers, directors and
5% owners.
409,941,168 shares of Common Stock, $.0001 par value (the registrant's
only class of Common Stock), were outstanding as of March 12, 1999.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the following documents are incorporated by reference into
the listed Parts and Items of Form 10-K: Definitive Proxy Statement for
April 28, 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: Part III, a portion of Item
10 and Items 11, 12 and 13.
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THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the year ended December 31, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Reference
Form 10-K
PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS 1
General 1
Operating, Franchising and Licensing of Convenience Food Stores 2
Other Information about the Company 10
Environmental Matters 12
Executive Officers of the Registrant 13
Item 2. PROPERTIES 17
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 20
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS 22
PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 23
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 24
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION 25
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 40
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 41
Independent Auditors' Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on The Southland
Corporation and Subsidiaries' Financial Statements for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1998 75
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURES 76
PART III
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT AND SEE PART I, ITEM 1, ABOVE 76*
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 76*
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 76*
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 76*
PART IV
Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K 77
SIGNATURES 84
- ----------------------------
*Included in Form 10-K by incorporation by reference to the Registrant's Proxy Statement,
dated March 25, 1999, for the April 28, 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
SOME OF THE MATTERS DISCUSSED IN THIS FORM 10-K CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS REGARDING THE COMPANY'S
FUTURE BUSINESS PROSPECTS WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, INCLUDING COMPETITIVE
PRESSURES, ADVERSE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. THESE ISSUES, AND OTHER FACTORS WHICH
MAY BE IDENTIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE COMPANY'S REPORTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE INDICATED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
GENERAL
The Southland Corporation ("Southland," the "Company" or
"Registrant"), conducting business principally under the name 7-ELEVEN, is
the largest convenience store chain in the world, with approximately 18,200
Company-operated, franchised and licensed locations worldwide, and is among
the nation's largest retailers. The Company, with executive offices at
2711 North Haskell Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75204 (telephone 214/828-7011),
was incorporated in Texas in 1961 as the successor to an ice business
organized in 1927. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms
"Company," "Southland" and "Registrant" as used herein include The
Southland Corporation and its subsidiaries and predecessors. The Company
has announced its intention to change its name to "7-Eleven, Inc." in 1999,
and shareholder approval for the change is being requested at the 1999
Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
In 1998, the Company's operations (for financial reporting purposes)
were conducted in one operating segment -- the Operating, Franchising and
Licensing of Convenience Food Stores, primarily under the 7-ELEVEN name.
The 7-ELEVEN trademark has been registered since 1961 and is well
known throughout the United States and in many other parts of the world.
The Company believes that 7-ELEVEN is the leading name in the convenience
store industry. The Company has, over the past several years, implemented
its strategic plan to divest all its non-convenience store operations, and
has trimmed its store operations by consolidating its efforts in certain
market areas and by closing less profitable stores. During 1998, the
Company focused on the continued development of a point-of-sale automated
retail information system, and by year-end point-of-sale registers had been
installed in approximately 2,500 stores, 700 of which were operational with
the other 1,800 in training. In addition, for the second year in a row,
the Company increased the number of stores included in its operations in
the U.S. and Canada. This increase resulted from two acquisitions -
Christy's Market and 'red D mart' - and from the development of new sites,
with a total of 299 stores being opened during the year, while only 96
stores were closed. In addition, the Company also added some highly
successful new products in 1998 (such as 7-ELEVEN CAFE COOLER, a frozen
cappuccino-like beverage, and prepaid cellular phone cards) and increased,
by almost 500, the number of stores receiving daily delivery of fresh
foods.
At December 31, 1998, the Company's operations included 5,560 7-ELEVEN
convenience stores in the United States and Canada, and 66 other retail
locations, including Christy's Markets, a HIGH'S Dairy Store and Quik
Marts. The Company also has an equity interest in over 240 convenience
stores in Mexico. Area licensees, including Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.
("Seven-Eleven Japan"), or their franchisees, operate additional 7-ELEVEN
stores in certain areas of the United States, in 16 foreign countries and
the U.S. territories of Guam and Puerto Rico.
1
During 1998, the Company continued to focus on the implementation of
its business plan, by emphasizing to each store operator the importance of
offering that store's customers an ever-changing broad selection of the
quality products and services that they want at fair everyday prices in a
quick, speedy transaction and in a clean, safe and friendly environment,
utilizing the tools of item-by-item control of inventory, proper ordering
techniques (ordering the right products in the right amounts at the right
time), introduction of new products which are "first, best or only" at 7-
ELEVEN, and remaining in stock, at all times, on each particular store's
best-selling items.
THE RESTRUCTURINGS. In 1987, the Company was financially restructured
through a leveraged buyout (the "LBO") and in October 1990, filed a
voluntary bankruptcy petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
On February 21, 1991, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District
of Texas issued an order (the "Confirmation Order") confirming the
Company's Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") and on March 4, 1991, the
Confirmation Order became final and non-appealable. The Plan provided for
holders of the Company's then outstanding debt and equity securities (the
"Old Securities") to receive new debt securities, common stock and, in
certain cases, cash, in exchange for their Old Securities and, pursuant to
a Stock Purchase Agreement, for IYG Holding Company ("IYG"), which is
jointly owned by Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. ("Ito-Yokado") and Seven-Eleven Japan
Co., Ltd. ("Seven-Eleven Japan"), both Japanese corporations, to acquire
approximately 70% of the Company's outstanding shares for $430 million in
cash. Seven-Eleven Japan is the Company's largest area licensee, operating
approximately 7,605 7-ELEVEN stores in Japan and, through its wholly-owned
subsidiary Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc., 48 7-ELEVEN stores in Hawaii.
OPERATING, FRANCHISING AND LICENSING OF CONVENIENCE FOOD STORES
7-ELEVEN STORES. On December 31, 1998, the Company's operations included
5,626 stores in the United States and Canada, operated principally under
the name 7-ELEVEN. An additional 440 stores (in the United States) are
operated by area licensees. These stores are located in 31 states, the
District of Columbia, and five provinces of Canada. During 1998, the
Company opened 144 new convenience stores, twenty of which were rebuilds or
relocations of existing stores and 124 of which were new locations, and
added an additional 155 through two regional acquisitions. In addition, 96
convenience stores were closed during the year (including relocations and
rebuilds), mostly due to changing market patterns, lease expirations and
the closing of selected stores that were not profitable.
The Company's convenience stores are extended-hour retail stores,
emphasizing convenience to the customer and providing beverages, candy,
fresh take-out foods, groceries, tobacco items, self-serve gasoline (at
about 2,200 stores), dairy products, non-food merchandise, specialty items,
certain financial services, lottery tickets, and incidental services.
Generally, the Company's stores are open every day of the year and are
located in neighborhood areas, on main thoroughfares, in shopping centers,
or on other sites where they are easily accessible and have ample parking
facilities for quick in-and-out shopping. Stores are generally from 2,400
to 3,000 square feet in size and carry 2,300 to 2,800 items. The vast
majority of the stores operate 24 hours a day. The stores attract early
and late shoppers, lunch-time customers, weekend and holiday shoppers and
2
customers who may need only a few items at any one time and desire rapid
service. The Company's sales are affected by seasonality and weather,
because many of the Company's traditional products attract more shoppers
during warm and dry weather and during the longer daylight hours of the
summer months, when leisure-time activities are more prevalent.
Substantially all convenience store sales are for cash (including
sales for which checks are accepted), although major credit cards, along
with the "Citgo Plus" credit card, are accepted in most markets for
purchases of both merchandise and gasoline. Credit card sales currently
account for approximately 8.6% of sales, including gasoline. This
percentage has increased over the past few years with the installation of
additional "Pay-At-The-Pump" equipment which has positively affected the
volume of credit card purchases of gasoline.
UPDATING THE STORE FIXTURES AND EQUIPMENT. The Company has, over the past
five years, been engaged in a major effort to remodel and update its stores
throughout the U.S. and Canada. During the past two years, the Company has
made modifications in the stores to to accommodate the new point-of-sale
("POS") equipment that is part of the Company's proprietary new retail
information system. During 1998, approximately 5,000 stores received new
7-ELEVEN CAFE COOLER machines to sell a variety of featured frozen
cappuccino flavors. Also, virtually all stores received a new "Feature End
Cap" to display and maximize sales of seasonal, holiday, and special event
merchandise. Stores that are permitted to sell wine received a new fixture
to display featured premium wines in the sales area. Approximately 2,000
stores also received new shelving, pastry and frozen treat novelty cases
that are more user friendly, in addition to changing the store layouts to
be more attractive and inviting and provide greatly enhanced display of new
or featured items. In addition, during 1998, the Company tested various
new cigarette merchandisers, and has plans to change the way cigarettes are
displayed in the stores, both to be more attractive and to comply with all
new regulations relating to sales of tobacco products.
MERCHANDISING. Each store's merchandise includes a selection of core items
which is supplemented by those optional items that are selected by the
individual store operators to meet their customers' local needs and
preferences. The store operators are expected to know what will sell best
in their respective stores and attractively display the items with the
highest potential so that they are easy for customers to find. In
addition, during 1998, store operators were encouraged to delete slow-
moving and excess inventory to be able to showcase new items.
Merchandising strategy includes aggressively searching for new products
that can initially be offered exclusively at 7-ELEVEN, thus attracting
customers because they have to come to 7-ELEVEN if they want that new item.
New products are crucial to the growth of 7-ELEVEN because customer demands
constantly change and 7-ELEVEN's products and services are constantly being
adjusted to serve those needs.
The emphasis has been on maintaining a product mix with an expanded
selection of higher quality fresh foods through the use of third-party
owned and operated commissaries and bakeries that manufacture food products
to 7-ELEVEN's specifications, and combined distribution centers ("CDC's")
that allow for frequent delivery of the fresh or perishable merchandise
(see "Distribution," below). As of year end, daily deliveries of freshly
made sandwiches and bakery products were available to approximately 3,300
stores.
3
NEW PRODUCTS. New product introductions contributed significantly to the
Company's overall sales increases in 1998. Products like 7-ELEVEN CAFE
COOLER and prepaid cellular phone cards were among the most popular. Much
of the improvement in merchandise sales can be attributed to the aggressive
introduction of new products at 7-ELEVEN.
FRESH FOODS AND FOOD PRODUCTS. During 1998, the Company continued its
initiative to introduce more fresh food products of a higher quality into
the stores, utilizing daily deliveries from local commissaries and
bakeries, operated by companies with expertise in foodservice. These
companies prepare food to 7-ELEVEN specifications exclusively for the
stores and have the product delivered in the exact quantities ordered by
the stores through the CDC program (see "Distribution, Fresh Products,"
below). In 1998, the Company began to offer four new fresh food lines: the
hearty SUPER BIG SUB, an improved THE PITA sandwich, tasty microwavable
sandwiches called DELI CENTRAL WARM-UPS and breakfast sandwiches.
In 1998, the Company successfully introduced a new line of monthly
featured grill products which are grilled fresh on the in-store grill and
served on a hot dog bun: the 1/3 lb. Biggest BIG BITE, the JALAPENO
CHEESEBURGER BIG BITE, the SPICY BITE, the TURKEY BIG BITE and the Maple
Sausage BREAKFAST BITE. These are proprietary products that compete with
the products available at other quick-serve restaurants, but are more
convenient to eat because of their shape.
The introduction of SUPER BIG SUBS in March and April added a
cornerstone to the fresh food business. The Company introduced 13
varieties of "sub" sandwiches in 1998. The products include specially
formulated "sub" rolls that work well in refrigeration, natural cheese,
specially designed sauces and quality meats. By adding items each month
with different features, the stores can focus more on the new item
introductions, which provide a variety of alternatives for the store's
customers.
By the end of 1998, there were eight DELI CENTRAL commissary
facilities and eight WORLD OVENS bakeries providing fresh-made foods to
approximately 3,300 stores. By year-end, commissaries were located in
Dallas, Denver, San Jose, New Jersey, Long Island, Orlando, Chicago and
Virginia. Six commissary facilities operate in Canada, providing fresh
foods (sandwiches, salads, desserts) to stores in Canada, seven days a
week. Bakeries preparing WORLD OVENS products now operate in Dallas, San
Jose, Baltimore, Denver, Orlando, Chicago, Long Island and Virginia.
BEVERAGES. During 1998, the Company introduced 7-ELEVEN CAFE COOLER, a
frozen cappuccino-type product, which was the most noteworthy new product
in 1998. The addition of new flavors late in the summer kept this product
"fresh." In addition, the Company continued to expand its corporate brand
QUALITY CLASSIC SELECTION spring water and sparkling water, adding new
flavors, as well as bringing out the sparkling waters in a 20 oz. size. In
addition, QUALITY CLASSIC SELECTION MIXSTERS were introduced for the
holiday party season along with a raspberry ginger ale. The Company
continues to adjust the product selection of its juices, drinks, waters and
isotonics, to meet seasonal and demographic demands.
In the second half of the year, the Company also began offering a
selection of premium domestic and imported wines, which are being
attractively merchandised in a new, specially designed wine display rack,
along with product identifiers to help customers make their selections.
The premium wine program proved very popular during the November and
December holiday periods.
4
The Company also continued to build and promote its SLURPEE brand by
continuing its BRAIN FREEZE promotions, and, just prior to the busy summer
selling season, introducing a clear plastic SLURPEE STRATA cup to make
flavor mixing more fun for SLURPEE customers of all ages. The SLURPEE
brand was expanded into the Health and Beauty Care category by successfully
launching SLURPEE ICE Lip Balm in the most popular SLURPEE flavors, and
into the candy area by introducing SLURPEE Sour Drops.
In the hot beverage area, as a complement to promoting its ever-
popular 7-ELEVEN Exclusive Blend coffee, the Company continued to emphasize
its own proprietary regular and decaffeinated CAFE SELECT line of gourmet-
flavored coffees and coffee roasts, hot chocolates and cappuccinos,
introducing the fresh ground French Roast, Blueberry Creme and Honey Nut
Roast coffees and Raspberry Mocha cappuccino.
SNACKS. More than half the stores in the U.S. now have new two-sided
frozen treat novelty cases for special display of ice cream and other
frozen treats. SLURPEE ICE products became available during 1998 as an
ice cream novelty, with additional flavors and new packaging planned for
future introduction.
NON-FOOD ITEMS. The Company has continued to aggressively market its
prepaid long distance phone cards, adding both prepaid cellular phone
service and pagers to its product mix. A cellular phone package was also
offered around the holidays as a gift idea.
The Company continues to have the largest ATM network of any retailer
(approximately 4,800 in the U.S., with over 450 in Canada). In addition,
the Company is testing, in 37 stores in Austin, Texas, the world's first
integrated, self-service, automated financial services center, the 7-ELEVEN
SERVICE CENTER ("FSC"). The FSC is a 9-foot wide machine that allows
customers to cash checks, send money transfers, pay bills and make ATM
transactions. It also sells money orders and phone cards and will accept
cash or bank cards for purchases. Customers use simple, menu-driven touch-
screens, featuring instructions in English or Spanish, to perform their
transactions. Those who need personal attention or have questions are able
to speak with a bilingual customer service representative. The Company
continues to be one of the nation's leading retailers of money orders.
The Company's seasonal merchandising strategy put a major focus on the
key holidays, starting with Halloween, in the fourth quarter. Over 4,500
new Feature Fixture racks were delivered to the stores, which are moveable
and provide versatility for the stores to merchandise high potential
seasonal products. Novelty gift merchandise was featured, as were fresh
mini pumpkins for Halloween and potted evergreens and poinsettias for
Christmas. "Holiday staples" such as key seasonal baking ingredients
(pumpkin, yams, whipped topping) and non-food items such as baking pans,
film, batteries and holiday paper products were featured on the new Feature
Fixtures. The Company responded to the explosive growth in demand for one-
time use cameras by introducing SNAPPIX as its proprietary brand for a
35mm, 27-exposure flash camera and 200- and 400-speeds of 35mm film. The
7-ELEVEN collectible truck series was repeated again for the 1998 holiday
season. A 7-ELEVEN plastic tow truck branded with the CITGO logo was
introduced in 1998. In addition, the die cast panel truck, a 1948 Ford,
had commemorative logos celebrating the 10th anniversary of BIG BITE hot
dogs, Coke SLURPEE semi-frozen beverages and DOUBLE GULP fountain drinks.
These new additions, coupled with the focus on avoiding out-of-stock
conditions during the holidays, contributed in a meaningful way to the
stores' improvements during the last four months of the year.
5
TOBACCO PRODUCTS. During 1998, the Company began preparing for a major
change in the merchandising of the Cigarette and Tobacco category, assuming
that there will be ever-increasing restrictions and regulations on the
display and selling of these products. A great deal of time and attention
was devoted to the development and field testing of a number of fixture and
placement options for these products. Over 300 stores actually had a
variety of concepts installed, and based on store and customer feedback, as
well as category performance results, a new approach to "back counter"
merchandising has been adopted. This new concept complies with all current
local, state, and federal regulations on the sale of cigarettes and other
tobacco products, as well as with any anticipated future restrictions. At
the same time, it greatly improves the total category presentation to our
adult smoker customers.
The Company continued to offer premium cigars and is testing a new
tube cigar program from several major manufacturers. These less expensive,
longer lasting varieties better fit the 7-ELEVEN customer base.
GASOLINE. 1998 was a record year for gasoline, as higher volume per store
and an additional 159 stores selling gasoline combined to increase gallons
sold by 137 million bringing total gallons sold to over 1.5 billion.
Approximately 2,175 7-ELEVEN stores and other Southland self-serve outlets
were offering gasoline at year-end 1998. The Company has remodeled over
1,200 gasoline locations over the last five years to meet the new EPA
standards that became effective as of year-end 1998. Over 200 of these
remodels were done in 1998. At the same time, the Company decided to stop
selling gasoline at several low-volume locations due to the cost of the
equipment upgrades necessary to meet the new federal standards.
The Company monitors gasoline sales to maintain a steady supply of
petroleum products to the Company's stores, to determine competitive retail
pricing, to provide the appropriate product mix at each location and to
manage inventory levels, based on market conditions. Approximately 1,200
stores are now equipped to accept credit cards for the purchase of gasoline
at the pump, which makes gasoline shopping at 7-ELEVEN stores even more
convenient for the credit customer. Almost all of the Company's stores
that sell gasoline offer CITGO-branded gasoline.
The Company has a long-term product purchase agreement with CITGO
Petroleum Corporation ("Citgo") under which Southland purchases
substantially all its U.S. gasoline requirements from Citgo at market-
related prices through the year 2006.
Holders of the "Citgo Plus" credit card can use the card to finance
purchases of gasoline, as well as other merchandise, at 7-ELEVEN stores.
At year-end, there were approximately 1.8 million active "Citgo Plus"
credit card accounts.
6
DISTRIBUTION.
FRESH PRODUCTS. By the end of 1998, approximately 3,300 (an addition of
480 during the year) stores in Texas, Colorado, Maryland, Delaware,
Virginia, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Indiana,
Illinois, Wisconsin, Nevada, the District of Columbia and Canada were
receiving daily deliveries from seventeen combined distribution centers
("CDCs"). The CDC concept "combines" products from multiple suppliers, for
daily distribution by a third party operator of the CDC. In so doing, 7-
ELEVEN reduces the number of deliveries that a store must accept throughout
the day, freeing up time for its store operators to accomplish other tasks,
and also keeping more of the limited parking lot space available for
customer use. Additionally, store operators are provided extensive CDC
management reports, which allow them to make better informed ordering and
other business decisions. In 1999, by using excess capacity at existing
CDC facilities, the Company plans to add approximately 500 stores to those
served by the CDCs.
The CDCs are strategically located throughout North America, and deliver
products like 7-ELEVEN's proprietary lines of DELI CENTRAL fresh foods and
WORLD OVENS fresh bakery products. CDCs also provide dairy products,
juices, eggs, bread, packaged bakery, produce, fresh cut flowers, snack
foods, magazines and other perishable items to 7-ELEVEN stores every day
of the year.
WAREHOUSE PRODUCTS. The Company continued to utilize the distribution
services of McLane Company, Inc. ("McLane"), pursuant to a ten-year
contract entered into in 1992, for delivery of warehouse products to all of
the Company's corporate stores and those franchise stores that utilize
McLane for distribution services. McLane serves Southland using two former
Southland distribution centers and eight additional distribution centers
throughout the country.
SUPPLY AGREEMENTS. In connection with the sale of the Company's Reddy Ice
and Dairies Group divisions, both in 1988, the Company entered into long-
term contracts to purchase the products historically supplied to the
Company's stores by such divested operations. Although both contracts have
expired, the Company has continued to buy from those vendors.
RETAIL INFORMATION SYSTEM. In 1994, the Company began development of its
own proprietary retail information system, which is being implemented in
phases, over a multi-year period. The system is designed to build
efficiencies into ordering, distribution and merchandising processes and to
provide timely and accurate store information on an item-by-item basis. At
the end of 1998, the system was in live operation in 700 stores with an
additional 1,800 stores in training. The rollout is scheduled to be
complete by the end of 1999.
PRODUCT CATEGORIES. The Company does not record merchandise sales on the
basis of product categories. However, based upon the total dollar volume
of store purchases, management estimates that the percentages of its 7-
ELEVEN convenience store merchandise sales in the United States and Canada
by principal product categories for the last three years were as follows:
7
Product Categories Years Ended December 31
------------------ -----------------------
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Beverages 23.7% 23.2% 22.6%
Tobacco Products 23.7% 22.5% 22.3%
Beer/Wine 11.3% 11.8% 12.2%
Candy/Snacks 9.5% 9.8% 9.8%
Non-Foods 6.9% 7.5% 7.6%
Food Service 6.0% 5.9% 5.8%
Dairy Products 5.3% 5.6% 5.8%
Customer Services 4.8% 4.4% 4.4%
Other 4.6% 4.9% 5.0%
Baked Goods 4.2% 4.4% 4.5%
----- ----- ------
Total 100% 100% 100%
===== ===== =====
In addition, gasoline sales accounted for 23.2%, 25.7% and 26.0% in
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, of the Company's total sales in the U.S.
and Canada.
LOCAL REGULATIONS. In certain areas where stores are located, state or
local laws limit the hours of operation or sale of certain products, most
significantly alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, possible inhalants and
lottery tickets. State and local regulatory agencies have the authority to
approve, revoke, suspend or deny applications for and renewals of permits
and licenses relating to the sale of these products or to seek other
remedies. In most states, such agencies have discretion to determine if a
licensee is qualified to be licensed, and denials may be based on past
noncompliance with applicable statutes and regulations, as well as on the
involvement of the licensee in criminal proceedings or activities which in
such agencies' discretion are determined to adversely reflect on the
licensee's qualifications. Such regulation is subject to legislative and
administrative change from time to time.
In addition, federal regulations now require retailers to have
procedures in place to determine the age of persons wanting to purchase
tobacco products. The Company anticipates that in the future there may be
additional restrictions on the sale of tobacco products.
FRANCHISES AND LICENSES.
FRANCHISES. At December 31, 1998, 2,960 7-ELEVEN stores were operated
by independent franchisees under the Company's franchise program for
individual 7-ELEVEN stores. Sales by stores operated by franchisees (which
are included in the Company's net sales) were approximately $3.035 billion
for the year ended December 31, 1998.
In its franchise program for individual 7-ELEVEN stores, the Company
selects qualified applicants and trains the individuals who will
participate personally in operating the store. The franchisee pays the
Company an initial fee, which varies by store, and is generally calculated
based upon gross profit experience for the store or market area, to cover
certain costs relating to the franchising of the store, and may provide a
profit. Under the standard form of franchise agreement, the Company leases
or subleases, to the franchisee, a ready-to-operate 7-ELEVEN store that has
been fully equipped and stocked. The Company bears the costs of acquiring
the land, building and equipment, as well as most utility costs and
property taxes.
8
The standard franchise agreement has an initial term of 10 years. The
franchisee pays for all business licenses and permits, as well as all in-
store selling expenses. The Company finances a portion of these costs, as
well as the ongoing operating expenses and purchases of inventory. Under
the standard agreements that are currently in effect, the Company receives
a share in the gross profit of the store (ranging from 50% to 58%)
depending on certain variables related to the individual store. This is
called the "7-ELEVEN Charge." The franchise may be terminated by the
franchisee at any time, or by the Company only for the causes, and upon
such notices, as are specified in the franchise agreement and as provided
by applicable law.
The Company continues to encourage existing successful franchisees to
franchise multiple locations. This provides growth opportunities for
current franchisees within the 7-ELEVEN system by encouraging them to
pursue additional stores and may result in increased income for the
franchisee, partly by creating opportunities for lower per unit operating
expenses for the franchisee and the Company.
AREA LICENSES. As of December 31, 1998, the Company had granted domestic
area licenses to six companies which were operating 440 convenience stores
using the 7-ELEVEN system and name in certain areas of Hawaii, Indiana
(using the name SUPER-7 in Indianapolis), Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. Although
parts of Kentucky, Nevada and Virginia are also covered by area licenses,
there are no stores currently operated under the area licenses in those
states.
As of the end of 1998, foreign area license agreements covered the
operation of 7,605 7-ELEVEN stores in Japan, 1,908 in Taiwan, 1,105 in
Thailand, 398 in China (350 of which are in Hong Kong), 177 in Australia,
171 in South Korea, 151 in Malaysia, 149 in the Philippines, 89 in
Singapore, 47 in Sweden, 45 in Norway, 30 in Denmark, 20 in Spain, 12 in
Puerto Rico, 9 in Brazil, 8 in Guam and 7 in Turkey. The Company has an
equity interest in the Brazilian and Puerto Rican area licensees.
During 1998, the Company's licensee in the United Kingdom divested all
of its retail business including its 7-ELEVEN stores so the Company no
longer has a presence in the United Kingdom.
Stores operating under area licenses are not included in the number of
Company operating units, and their sales are not included in the Company's
revenue. Revenues from initial fees paid for area licenses and continuing
royalties based on the sales volume of the stores are included in Other
Income.
INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES. The Company also has an equity interest in 236
convenience stores in Mexico operated by 7-ELEVEN Mexico. There are five
additional stores in Mexico operated under a sublicense. The 7-ELEVEN
stores in Mexico feature merchandise and services essentially the same as
7-ELEVEN stores in the U.S. Sales from the stores in Mexico are not
included in Southland's revenues, but Southland's equity in their operating
results is included in Other Income and has not been material.
9
OTHER RETAIL. As of December 31, 1998, the Company operated 53 Christy's
Markets (see "Acquisitions," below), eight Quik Mart high-volume gasoline
outlets combined with a mini-convenience store ranging in size from 300 to
1,600 square feet of sales space stocked primarily with snack food, candy,
cold drinks and other immediately consumable items, three other CITGO-
branded high-volume, multi-pump, self-service gasoline-dispensing
locations, one HIGH'S Dairy Store located in Virginia, which is similar in
size and location to a 7-ELEVEN store and one other retail location in
Illinois.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY
MAJORITY OWNER. IYG Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (the
"Purchaser" or "IYG"), is a jointly owned subsidiary of Ito-Yokado and
Seven-Eleven Japan, formed for the specific purpose of purchasing the
Common Stock of the Company. Ito-Yokado owns 51% and Seven-Eleven Japan
owns 49%, respectively, of IYG.
ITO-YOKADO. Ito-Yokado is among the largest retailing companies in Japan.
Its principal business consists of the operation of approximately 150
superstores that sell a broad range of food, clothing and household goods.
In addition, its activities include operating two restaurant chains doing
business under the names "Denny's" and "Famil" and a chain of supermarkets.
All of Ito-Yokado's operations are located in Japan except for some limited
purchasing activities. Ito-Yokado guarantees the Company's $650 million
commercial paper facility. In addition, in 1995, Ito-Yokado purchased $153
million of 4.5% Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2010
issued by the Company and, in February, 1998, purchased $40.8 million of
4.5% Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2013 issued by the
Company.
SEVEN-ELEVEN JAPAN. Seven-Eleven Japan is the most profitable retailer in
Japan. Seven-Eleven Japan is a 50.3%-owned subsidiary of Ito-Yokado.
Seven-Eleven Japan is the largest area licensee of the Company with
approximately 7,605 7-ELEVEN stores in Japan and owns Seven-Eleven
(Hawaii), Inc., which, as of year-end 1998, operated an additional 48
7-ELEVEN stores in Hawaii under a separate area license agreement covering
that state. In November 1995, Seven-Eleven Japan purchased $147 million of
4.5% Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2010 issued by the
Company and, in February 1998, purchased $39.2 million of 4.5% Convertible
Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2013, issued by the Company.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. The Company conducted extensive testing in 1998
of new recipes, products, packaging and imaging of the fresh food case in
connection with the development and merchandising of new fresh food
products. The Company's test kitchen was involved in taste tests and
testing of equipment used for cooking and displaying food products,
including quality assurance testing. Total expenditures for research and
development in 1998 were $2.2 million.
10
TRADEMARKS. The Company's 7-ELEVEN trademark has been registered since
1961 and is well known throughout the United States and in many other parts
of the world. Other trademarks and service marks owned by the Company
include SUPER-7, SLURPEE, BIG GULP, BIG BITE, DELI CENTRAL, WORLD OVENS and
QUALITY CLASSIC SELECTION, as well as many additional trade names, marks
and slogans relating to other individual types of foods, beverages and
other items.
ADVERTISING. In 1998, the Company's radio and television advertising
used a new angel campaign, which focused on 7-ELEVEN CAFE COOLER, the
variety of cold beverages available at 7-ELEVEN stores, and, in the Austin,
Texas area, the new financial service center. Radio advertising was used
to highlight specific products such as party platters during January, new
French roast coffee, new breakfast sandwiches, the new Slurpee Strata cup
and also the Splitzo cup, Cafe Cooler, new fresh food items, non-carbonated
beverages and the refillable acrylic coffee mug. The Company was a sponsor
of the CITGO NASCAR race car and of the very popular PBS children's series
"Wishbone."
COMPETITION. During the past few years the Company, like other traditional
convenience retailers, has experienced increased competitive pressures from
supermarkets and drug stores offering extended hours and services, as well
as from an increasing number of convenience-type stores built by the oil
companies. The convenience retailing industry is also being negatively
impacted by demographic factors (such as an aging population) and an
erosion of demand for certain of its traditional core products, including
cigarettes, soft drinks and beer. While many retailers are also facing
increased competition from the Internet, the Company does not currently
think that its sales will be impacted by the availability of merchandise
over the Internet.
It is widely recognized that 7-ELEVEN is the most prominent name in
the convenience retailing industry. However, the Company's convenience
retailing operations represent only a very small percentage of the highly
competitive food retailing industry. Independent industry sources estimate
that in the United States annual sales in 1997 (the most recent data
available) for the convenience store industry were approximately $156.2
billion (including $83.8 billion of gasoline) and that over 95,700 store
units were in operation. The industry traditionally has narrow net profit
margins. In addition, the Company's stores compete with a number of
national, regional, local and independent retailers, including grocery and
supermarket chains, grocery wholesalers and buying clubs, other convenience
store chains, oil company gasoline/mini-convenience "g-stores," independent
food stores, and fast food chains as well as variety, drug and candy
stores. In sales of gasoline, the Company's stores compete with other food
stores and service stations and generate only a very small percentage of
the gasoline sales in the United States. Each store's ability to compete
is dependent on its location, accessibility and individual service.
Growing competitive pressures from new participants in the convenience
retailing industry and the rapid growth in numbers of convenience-type
stores opened by oil companies over the past few years have intensified
competitive pressures for the Company.
EMPLOYEES. At December 31, 1998, the Company had 32,368 employees, of whom
approximately 29 percent were considered to be either temporary or part-
time employees. None of the Company's employees in the U.S. or Canada were
subject to collective bargaining agreements at year-end. However, a total
of approximately 120 nonsupervisory employees in Canada (65 at the food
production center in Richmond, British Columbia and 55 at five separate
stores in British Columbia) have had the United Food and Commercial Workers
Union ("UFCW") certified as their agent for collective baragaining. The
Company is negotiating with the UFCW in an effort to reach mutually
satisfactory collective bargaining agreements with respect to the covered
employees at these locations.
11
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
GENERAL. The operations of the Company are subject to various federal,
state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment. Certain
of the more significant federal laws are the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act of 1976, The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
of 1986 and the Clean Air Act. The implementation of these laws by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the states will
continue to affect the Company's operations by imposing increased operating
and maintenance costs and capital expenditures required for compliance.
Additionally, the procedural provisions of these laws can result in
increased lead times and costs for new facilities.
Violation of any federal environmental statutes or regulations or
orders issued thereunder, as well as relevant state and local laws and
regulations, could result in civil or criminal enforcement actions.
For a description of Current Environmental Projects And Proceedings,
see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations, Environmental" beginning on page 35, below.
ACQUISITIONS. Both the 'red D mart' and Christy's Market acquisitions
include retail gasoline outlets that are subject to certain environmental
regulations. Under the terms of the acquisition agreements, the sellers
are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable environmental
regulations existing as of the closing date. In addition, the acquisition
agreements provide that the sellers will remain responsible for the expense
of any future environmental cleanup which is required under applicable
legal requirements and which results from existing conditions at the sites
as of the closing date.
RISK FACTORS. The Company's business is conducted in a highly competitive
environment. Sales are subject to general economic conditions, such as
inflation, unemployment and consumer spending. In addition, interest rate
fluctuations can impact both the Company and its suppliers. The Company
can also be affected by variations in the wholesale price of raw materials
(for example, gasoline, coffee beans and similar commodities) due to
factors outside the Company's control that cause changes in the supply and
demand for such raw materials. These price variations can materially
impact retail price, sales volume and gross profit margin on affected
products. It is expected that changes in tobacco legislation and pricing
by cigarette manufacturers will have an impact on sales and margins in the
tobacco category. In addition, the Company intends to open approximately
200 stores in 1999, which can be impacted by the speed at which new
sites/acquisitions can be located, negotiated, permitted and constructed.
Changes in the minimum wage rate also can be expected to impact the number
and quality of workers available for employment by the Company as well as
the Company's labor costs. Demand for many of the Company's products are
seasonal and weather sensitive. Therefore, unfavorable weather conditions
can adversely affect sales. These factors, among others, may have an
impact on the Company in 1999 and thereafter.
12
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
OFFICERS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998. The names, ages, positions and offices
with the registrant of all current executive officers, as well as the
Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chairman of the Board, of the Company
are shown in the following chart. The term of office of each executive
officer is at the pleasure of the board of directors. The business
experience of each such executive officer for at least the last five years,
and the period during which he or she served in office, as well as the date
each was employed by the Company, are reflected in the applicable footnotes
to the chart. Mr. Ito and Mr. Suzuki, as Chairman of the Board and Vice
Chairman of the Board, respectively, are officers of the Board and are not
administrative executive officers.
AGE AT
NAME 3-01-99 POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH REGISTRANT AT 12/31/98
- ---- ------- --------------------------------------------------
Masatoshi Ito 74 Chairman of the Board and Director (1)
Toshifumi Suzuki 66 Vice Chairman of the Board and Director (2)
Clark J. Matthews,II 62 President, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Director (3)
James W. Keyes 43 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Director (4)
Masaaki Asakura 56 Senior Vice President (5)
Rodney A. Brehm 51 Senior Vice President (6)
Joseph F. Gomes 59 Senior Vice President, Logistics (7)
Gary Rose 53 Senior Vice President, Merchandising (8)
Bryan F. Smith, Jr. 46 Senior Vice President and General Counsel (9)
Terry L. Blocher 54 Vice President, Canada Division (10)
Paul L. Bureau, Jr. 57 Vice President, Corporate Tax (11)
Frank Crivello 45 Vice President, Northeast Division (12)
Cynthia L. Davis 44 Vice President, Central Division (13)
Krista Fuller 44 Vice President, Development (14)
Jeff Hamill 44 Vice-President, Southwest Division (15)
John Harris 52 Vice President, Florida Division (16)
Gary Lockhart 53 Vice President, Gasoline Supply (17)
Dave Podeschi 48 Vice President, Foods Merchandising (18)
Nathan D. Potts 60 Vice President, Non-Foods Merchandising (19)
Sharon R. Powell 47 Vice President, Fresh Foods (20)
Jeffrey Schenck 48 Vice President, Great Lakes Division (21)
Ezra Shashoua 44 Treasurer (22)
Linda Svehlak 53 Vice President, Information Systems (23)
Donald E. Thomas 40 Vice President and Controller (24)
Rick Updyke 39 Vice President, Planning (25)
David A. Urbel 57 Vice President, Finance (26)
- -------------------
(1) Chairman of the Board and Director of the Company since March
5, 1991. Director and Honorary Chairman of Ito-Yokado Group, which
includes Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd., Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. and Denny's
Japan Co., Ltd., as well as other companies. Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. is one
of Japan's leading diversified retailing companies which, together with its
subsidiaries and affiliates, operates superstores, convenience stores,
department stores, supermarkets, specialty shops and discount stores.
President of Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. from 1958 to 1992. Chairman of Seven-
Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. from 1978 to 1992, and President from 1973 to 1978.
Chairman of Denny's Japan Co., Ltd. from 1981 to 1992, and President from
13
1973 to 1981. Chairman of Famil Co., Ltd. since 1986. Chairman of York
Mart Co., Ltd. since 1979. Chairman of Robinson's Japan Co., Ltd. since
1995. Chairman of Maryann Co., Ltd. since 1977. President of Oshman's
Japan Co., Ltd. since 1984. Statutory Auditor of Steps Co., Ltd. since
1992. Chairman of York-Keibi Co., Ltd. since 1989. President of Union
Lease Co., Ltd. since 1985. Statutory Auditor of Daikuma Co., Ltd. since
1982. Chairman of Marudai Co., Ltd. since 1989. Director of Seven-Eleven
(Hawaii), Inc. since 1989. Chairman of Umeya Co., Ltd. since 1981.
Director of Shop America Limited since 1990. Director and Chairman of the
Board of IYG Holding Company since 1990.
(2) Vice Chairman of the Board and Director of the Company since
March 5, 1991. President and Chief Executive Officer of Ito-Yokado Co.,
Ltd., one of Japan's leading diversified retailing companies which,
together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, operates superstores,
convenience stores, department stores, supermarkets, specialty shops and
discount stores, since October 1992 and Director since 1971; Executive Vice
President from 1985 to 1992; Senior Managing Director from 1983 to 1985;
Managing Director from 1977 to 1983; employee since 1963. Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. since
October 1992 and Director since 1973; President from 1975 to 1992; Senior
Managing Director from 1973 to 1975. Statutory Auditor of Robinson's Japan
Co., Ltd. since 1984. Chairman of Daikuma Co., Ltd. since 1985. President
of Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc. since 1989. President of Shop America
Limited since 1990. President and Director of IYG Holding Company since
1990.
(3) Director of the Company since March 5, 1991, and from 1981
until December 15, 1987; President and Chief Executive Officer since March
5, 1991 and Secretary since April 1995; Executive Vice President (or Senior
Executive Vice President) and Chief Financial Officer from 1979 to 1991;
Vice President and General Counsel from 1973 to 1979; employee of the
Company since 1965.
(4) Director of the Company since April 23, 1997; Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer since May 1, 1998; Chief Financial
Officer from May 1996; Senior Vice President, Finance, from June 1993 to
April 1996; Vice President, Planning and Finance, from August 1992 to June
1, 1993; Vice President and/or Vice President, National Gasoline, from
August 1991 to August 1992; General Manager, National Gasoline, from 1986
to 1991; employee of the Company since 1985.
(5) Director of the Company since April 23, 1997; Senior Vice
President from May 1, 1998 to present; Vice President from May 1997 to
April 1998; General Manager and Overseas Liaison, Planning Department,
Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., from 1995 to 1997; Executive Vice President
and General Manager, Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc., from 1991 to 1994;
employee of Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. since 1976.
(6) Senior Vice President since January 1, 1999; Senior Vice
President, Chesapeake Division from May 1998 to December 1998; Senior Vice
President, Southwest Division from May 1997 to April 1998; Senior Vice
President, Distribution from May 1996 to April 1997; Senior Vice President,
Distribution and Foodservice, from June 1993 to April 1996; Vice President,
Merchandising, from February 1992 to June 1993; Vice President, Marketing,
from 1990 to 1992; Vice President, Northwest Region, 7-ELEVEN Stores, from
1989 to 1990; National Marketing Manager from 1986 to 1989; Division
Manager, Central Pacific Division, 7-ELEVEN Stores, from 1979 to 1986;
employee of the Company since 1972.
14
(7) Senior Vice President, Logistics from May 1, 1998 to present;
Vice President, Logistics, from May 1997 to April 1998; Vice President,
Central Division, from May 1996 to April 1997; Division Manager, August
1993 to April 1996; Operations Manager, January 1992 to August 1993;
Operations Division Manager from June 1989 to January 1992; employee of the
Company since 1978.
(8) Senior Vice President, Merchandising from May 1, 1998 to
present; Vice President, Non-Foods Merchandising from May 1997 to April
1998; Vice President, Gasoline and Environmental Services from May 1995 to
April 1997; National Gasoline Manager from January 1991 to April 1995;
Manager, East/West Gasoline from November 1987 to January 1991; employee of
the Company since 1968.
(9) Senior Vice President and General Counsel from May 1, 1995 to
present; Vice President and General Counsel from August 1992 to April 1995;
Assistant General Counsel from January 1990 to July 1992; Associate General
Counsel from January 1987 to December 1989; employee of the Company since
1980.
(10) Vice President, Canada Division, from March 1998 to present;
Vice President, Human Resources from March 1997 to February 1998; Vice
President, Southwest Division, from May 1995, to April 1997; Division
Manager from February 1985 to April 1995; employee of the Company since
1971.
(11) Vice President, Corporate Tax, from May 1993 until retirement
in February 1999; Corporate Tax Manager from March 1983 to May 1993;
Partner, Touche Ross & Co., from 1978 to 1983; employee of the Company from
1983 to 1999.
(12) Vice President, Northeast Division from May 1, 1996 to
present; Division Manager from October 1987 to April 1996; employee of the
Company since 1981.
(13) Vice President, Central Division, from May 1, 1997 to
present; Division Manager from February 1997 to April 1997; Product
Director from January 1995 to February 1997; Category Manager from
November 1993 to January 1995; Merchandising Manager from September 1992 to
November 1993; Operations Division Manager from November 1990 to August
1992; Division Manager from October 1987 to October 1990; employee of the
Company since 1978.
(14) Vice President, Development from May 1, 1998 to present; Vice
President, Construction and Maintenance, from July 1997 to April 1998;
Manager, Corporate Maintenance from April 1992 to July 1997; Division
Operations Manager from November 1990 to January 1992; Division Manager
from October 1987 to October 1990; employee of the Company since 1981.
(15) Vice President, Southwest Division from May 1, 1998 to
present; Southwest Division Manager from January 1998 to April 1998;
Southwest Division Sales/Marketing Manager from March 1997 to December
1997; Southwest Division Merchandising Manager from March 1992 to February
1997; employee of the Company since 1979.
15
(16) Vice President, Florida Division, from May 1, 1998 to
present; Vice President, Chesapeake Division from May 1997 to April 1998;
Vice President, Florida Division from May 1996 to April 1997; Division
Manager from October 1987 to April 1996; employee of the Company since
1979.
(17) Vice President, Gasoline Supply, from May 1, 1998 to present;
General Manager, Gasoline Supply from September 1997 to April 1998;
employee of the Company since 1997. General Manager, Product Supply and
Distribution, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, a petroleum refining and
marketing company, from 1984 until September 1997.
(18) Vice President, Foods Merchandising from May 1, 1998 to
present; Manager, Business Systems Development - Merchandising from
December 1994 to April 1998; Retail Automation Study Team Leader from
May 1993 to December 1994; employee of the Company since 1980.
(19) Vice President, Non-Foods Merchandising from May 1, 1998
until retirement in February 1999; Vice President, Foods Merchandising,
from May 1997 to April 1998; Product Director from May 1993 to April 1997;
Regional Merchandising Manager, March 1992 to April 1993; General Manager
from November 1990 to March 1992; Division Manager from 1989 to 1990;
Regional Marketing Manager from 1985 to 1989; employee of the Company from
1971 to 1999.
(20) Vice President, Fresh Foods from March 23, 1998 to present;
Vice President, Florida Division, from May 1997 to March 1998; Division
Manager, April 1997; Division Logistics Manager from March to April 1997;
Fresh Foods Area Operations Manager from March 1995 to February 1997;
Market Manager from December 1993 to February 1995; Director of Operations
from September 1992 to November 1993; Operations Division Manager from
April 1992 to August 1992; employee of the Company since 1974.
(21) Vice President, Greater Midwest Division from May 1, 1996 to
present; Division Manager from October 1987 to April 1997; employee of the
Company since 1976.
(22) Treasurer from May 1, 1998 to present; Assistant General
Counsel from December 1989 to April 1998; employee of the Company since
1982.
(23) Vice President, Information Systems, from May 1997 to
present; Manager, MIS from May 1992 to April 1997; Systems Manager from
December 1984 to May 1992; employee of the Company since 1970.
(24) Vice President and Controller from May 1, 1997 to present;
Controller from August 1995 to April 30, 1997; Assistant Controller from
January 1993 to July 1995; employee of the Company since 1993. Financial
Manager, The Trane Company, from April 1992 to December 1992; Senior
Manager, Audit Department, Deloitte & Touche, from January 1990 to March
1992; Audit Department, Deloitte & Touche, from 1989 to 1992.
(25) Vice President, Planning from May 1, 1998 to present; Manager
of Planning from February 1997 to April 1998; Manager Investor Relations &
Business Analysis from November 1995 to February 1997; Consulting Group
Manager from December 1994 to November 1995; Manager Investor Relations
from January 1994 to December 1994; employee of the Company since 1984.
16
(26) Vice President, Finance from May 1, 1998 until retirement on
April 30, 1999; Vice President and Treasurer from May 1997 to May 1998;
Vice President, Planning and Treasurer from August, 1992 to April 1997;
Vice President since April, 1992 and Treasurer since December 1987; Deputy
Treasurer from 1984 to 1987; Assistant Treasurer from 1983 to 1984;
employee of the Company from 1970 until 1999.
FORMER OFFICERS. The names, ages, positions and offices formerly held with
the registrant and the business experience for at least the five years
preceding their departure from Southland of all persons who served as
officers of the Company during 1998 but who no longer serve as such are
shown below. Also shown for each such person is the period during which he
or she served in his or her office, as reflected in the footnotes to the
following chart.
Age at
Name 3-01-99
------ ---------
Robert E. Bailey (1) 56
Wendy W. Barth (2) 42
John S. Brune (3) 52
Stephen B. Krumholz (4) 49
Stephen B. LeRoy (5) 46
(1) Vice President from May 1997 to March 1998; Vice President,
Northwest Division from May 1995 to April 1997; Division Manager from
November 1990 to April 1995; Regional Vice President from May 1986 to
October 1990; employee of the Company from 1970 to 1998.
(2) Vice President, Sales and Marketing, from May 1, 1997 to
October 1998; Product Director from May 1993 to April 1997; Group Product
Manager from September 1989 to March 1992; employee of the Company from
1989 to 1998.
(3) Vice President, Northwest Division from May 1, 1997 to
November 1998; Division Manager from February 1997 to April 1997; Director
of Operations from January 1994 to February 1997; Division Manager from
September 1992 to December 1993; General Manager from November 1990 to
August 1992; employee of the Company from 1974 to 1998.
(4) Director from April 23, 1997 to February 1998; Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer from June 1993 to February 1998;
Senior Vice President, Operations, from August 1992 to June 1993; Senior
Vice President, 7-ELEVEN Stores Operations, from 1990 to August 1992;
employee of the Company from 1972 to 1998.
(5) Senior Vice President, International and Real Estate from May
1, 1995 to March 1998; Vice President, International and Real Estate, from
May 1994 to April 1995; Vice President Real Estate and Licensed Operations,
from August 1992 to May 1994; Vice President, Atlantic Region, 7-ELEVEN
Stores, from 1990 to 1992; employee of the Company from 1975 to 1998.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
In February, 1997, the Company refinanced all of its remaining debt
under the Prior Credit Agreement. The new Credit Agreement is unsecured
and, therefore, the encumbrances on all the Company's properties were
released.
17
7-ELEVEN
The following table shows the location and number of the Company's
7-ELEVEN convenience stores (excluding stores under area licenses and of
certain affiliates) in operation on December 31, 1998.
STATE/PROVINCE OPERATING 7-ELEVEN CONVENIENCE STORES
--------------- ---------------------------------------
OWNED LEASED (a) TOTAL
U.S.
- ----
Arizona 45 55 100
California 243 929 1,172
Colorado 61 169 230
Connecticut 7 46 53
Delaware 10 17 27
District of Columbia 4 14 18
Florida 230 222 452
Idaho 6 8 14
Illinois 59 90 149
Indiana 9 30 39
Kansas 7 9 16
Maine 0 25 25
Maryland 89 222 311
Massachusetts 13 96 109
Michigan 52 60 112
Missouri 32 49 81
Nevada 94 101 195
New Hampshire 3 17 20
New Jersey 74 132 206
New York 43 194 237
North Carolina 2 5 7
Ohio 11 4 15
Oregon 37 95 132
Pennsylvania 60 105 165
Rhode Island 0 11 11
Texas 115 171 286
Utah 41 70 111
Vermont 0 4 4
Virginia 201 403 604
Washington 54 158 212
West Virginia 10 13 23
Wisconsin 15 0 15
CANADA
- -------
Alberta 27 102 129
British Columbia 22 125 147
Manitoba 14 35 49
Ontario 30 77 107
Saskatchewan 20 23 43
----- ----- -----
Total 1,740 3,886 5,626
====== ====== ======
- ---------------------
(a) Of the 7-ELEVEN convenience stores set forth in the foregoing
table, 606 are leased by the Company from The Southland Corporation
Employees' Savings and Profit Sharing Plan (the "Savings and Profit Sharing
Plan"). As of year-end 1998, the Company also leased 18 closed convenience
stores or office locations from the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.
18
At the end of 1998, the 7-ELEVEN stores group was using 63 offices in
20 states and Canada.
ACQUISITIONS. On May 4, 1998, the Company purchased all of the capital
stock of Christy's Market, Inc., of Brockton, Massachusetts, thereby
acquiring 135 Christy's Market convenience stores plus six additional
locations, located in the New England area.
Leased Owned Total
------------------------------
Operating Stores 133 2 135
Closed Stores 3 0 3
Offices 1 0 1
Vacant Land 2 0 2
------------------------------
Total 139 2 141
On May 12 1998, the Company purchased the assets of 20 'red D mart'
onvenience stores plus one additional location, in the South Bend, Indiana,
area from MDK Corporation of Goshen, Indiana.
Leased Owned Total
-----------------------------
Operating Stores 20 0 20
Vacant Land 1 0 1
These acquired locations, to the extent they have been converted to 7-
ELEVEN stores, are included in the table on page 18.
OTHER RETAIL. As shown in the following table, at year-end 1998, the
Company operated 53 Christy's Market stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts,
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, eight Quik Marts and three other high
volume gasoline dispensing locations in California, Illinois, Indiana,
Texas and Virginia, one HIGH'S Dairy Store located in Virginia and one
other retail location in Illinois.
The following table shows the location and number of the Company's
other operating retail locations including Christy's Markets, Quik Marts,
HIGH'S and other locations in operation on December 31, 1998.
STATE OTHER OPERATING RETAIL LOCATIONS
- ----- ----------------------------------
OWNED LEASED TOTAL
California 3 0 3
Connecticut 0 5 5
Illinois 2 1 3
Indiana 0 1 1
Massachusetts 0 24 24
Maine 0 14 14
New Hampshire 0 6 6
Texas 2 0 2
Virginia 3 1 4
Vermont 0 4 4
------------------------------
Total 10 56 66
19
The Company plans to either close or convert most of these units to 7-
ELEVEN stores over the next few years.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT PROPERTIES AND LEASES. At December 31, 1998, there
were 45 7-ELEVEN stores in various stages of construction. The Company
owned or was under contract to purchase 66, and had leases on 102,
undeveloped convenience store sites. In addition, the Company held 87 7-
ELEVEN, HIGH'S and Quik Mart properties available for sale consisting of 39
unimproved parcels of land, 34 closed store locations and 14 parcels of
excess property adjoining store locations. At December 31, 1998, 15 of
these properties were under contract for sale.
On December 31, 1998, the Company held leases on 261 closed store or
other non-operating facilities, 18 of which were leased from the Savings
and Profit Sharing Plan. Of these, 212 were subleased to outside parties.
Generally, the Company's store leases are for primary terms of from 14
to 20 years, with options to renew for additional periods. Many leases
contain provisions granting the Company a right of first refusal in the
event the lessor decides to sell the property. Many of the Company's store
leases, in addition to minimum annual rentals, provide for percentage
rentals based upon gross sales in excess of a specified amount and for
payment of taxes, insurance and maintenance.
OTHER PROPERTIES. The Company also leases 53,580-square-feet of
office/warehouse space in Denver, Colorado, for an equipment warehouse and
service center. The Company also owns a 287-acre tract in Great Meadows,
New Jersey. The chemical plant that was located on this property has now
been demolished and a part of the property is currently involved in
environmental clean-up. The Company holds tracts in Dallas, Texas, not
included in the corporate headquarters, totaling approximately two acres
which are available for sale.
CORPORATE. The Company's corporate office headquarters is in Dallas, Texas
in a 42-story office building, known as Cityplace Center East. The
Company's lease covers the entire Cityplace Tower, but gives the Company
the right to sublease to other parties. Since 1996, subleases with third
parties have been in place so that (including the space leased by
Southland) the building is virtually completely leased or reserved for
expansion under current leases. The Company currently utilizes other
office space in and around Dallas (although most corporate office space is
consolidated in Cityplace Center East).
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION UPDATES THE STATUS OF CERTAIN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
PENDING LITIGATION INVOLVING THE COMPANY.
7-ELEVEN OWNERS FOR FAIR FRANCHISING, ET AL. V. THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION
("OFFF") VALENTE, ET AL. V. THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION, ET AL.
As previously reported, the Company is a defendant in two legal actions,
which are referred to as the 7-ELEVEN OFFF and VALENTE cases, filed by
franchisees in 1993 and 1996, respectively, asserting various claims
against the Company, including claims that Southland wrongfully failed to
20
credit the franchisees' accounts with the value of equipment and with
various rebates, discounts and allowances that Southland received from
various vendors.
A nationwide settlement of the litigation was negotiated. In
connection with the settlement, the OFFF and VALENTE cases have been
combined on behalf of a nationwide class of all persons who operated 7-
ELEVEN convenience stores in the continental United States at any time
between January 1, 1987 and July 31, 1997, pursuant to franchise agreements
with Southland. Class members have overwhelmingly approved the settlement,
and the court presiding over the settlement process gave its final approval
of the settlement on April 24, 1998. The settlement provides that (i)
former franchisees will share in a settlement fund of $7 million to be paid
by the Company; (ii) the Company will pay an additional $4,750,000 to
cover plaintiffs' attorneys' fees and expenses; and (iii) certain changes
will be made to the franchise agreements with current franchisees.
Notices of appeal of the order approving the settlement were filed on
behalf of three of the attorneys who represented the class, six former
franchisees and two current franchisees. One of these current franchisees
has dismissed his appeal. The settlement agreement will not become
effective until the appeals are resolved. However, the settlement
agreement provides that while the appeals are pending the Company will pay
certain maintenance and supply expenses relating to the cash registers and
retail information system equipment of current franchisees that are members
of the settlement class. If the settlement is overturned on appeal, the
Company has the right to require franchisees to repay the amounts that the
company paid for these expenses while the appeals were pending. The
Company's payment of these expenses will not have a material impact on the
Company's earnings, and the Company's accruals are sufficient to cover the
total settlement costs, including the payment due to former franchisees
when the settlement becomes effective.
Pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, the Judge in the
VALENTE case, which was pending in District Court in Dallas County, entered
an order striking the class action allegations in the petition and
dismissing with prejudice the claims of the named plaintiffs.
EMIL V. SPARANO, ET AL. V. THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION, ET AL.
Southland and three of its current and former officers and directors
(John P. Thompson, Jere W. Thompson and Clark J. Matthews, II (collectively
the "Individual Defendants")), are defendants in a lawsuit entitled EMIL V.
SPARANO, ET AL. V. THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION, ET AL., Case No. 94 C 2098.
The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois in March, 1994. Plaintiffs are several franchisees of
7-ELEVEN stores in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Nevada; they
represent a nationwide class of all persons who have owned 7-ELEVEN
franchises anywhere in the United States at any time from December 1, 1987
through March 4, 1991.
Only one claim against the Individual Defendants and the Company was
certified to proceed as a class action. That claim alleges that certain
misleading statements were made to the class members regarding the
financial condition of the Company during the period following the
leveraged buyout of the Company in 1987 and continuing until the Company
emerged from bankruptcy in March, 1991.
21
On March 4, 1999, the judge granted summary judgment in favor of the
Company on the class claim, ruling that the Company made no misleading
statements to its franchisees as plaintiffs had alleged. The named
plaintiffs have individual breach of contract claims remaining in the case,
but all class claims have been dismissed.
DEFAULT INTEREST CLAIM
As previously reported, subsequent to the Company's bankruptcy filing
on October 24, 1990, the Company's senior lenders (the "Banks") under the
Credit Agreement filed a proof of claim demanding, among other things,
default interest, as a result of the Company's having failed to make an
interest payment due June 15, 1990. The amount of default interest in
dispute was $12,186,870, which was calculated under the Credit Agreement on
the average daily outstanding bank debt balance from the date of notice of
default to the confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization. A few of the
individual Bank's claims have been settled so that the disputed amount is
now approximately $9.6 million. The Company objected to the claim for
default interest. On March 17, 1992, the Bankruptcy Court ruled in favor
of the Banks' claim. The Company recognized the amount of the potential
liability in its 1991 year-end financial statements.
The Company appealed this decision to the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Texas. On March 27, 1997, the District Court
affirmed. On December 2, 1998, the United States Court of Appeals for the
Fifth Circuit also affirmed. The case has been returned to the Bankruptcy
Court for final disposition and the Company expects to make payment on the
unsettled amount of the claim in 1999.
GENERAL
In addition, the Company is also occasionally sued by persons who
allege that they have incurred property damage and personal injuries as a
result of releases of motor fuels from underground storage tanks operated
by the Company at its retail outlets. It is the Company's policy to
vigorously defend against such claims. Except as specifically disclosed in
this section on "Legal Proceedings" or in the section on "Environmental
Matters", above, the Company does not believe that its exposure from such
claims, either individually or in the aggregate, is material to its
business or financial condition.
Information concerning other legal proceedings is incorporated herein
from "Management's Discussion and Analysis, Environmental," beginning on
page 35, below.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is also involved in
various other legal proceedings which, in the Company's opinion, are not
material, either individually or in the aggregate.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of 1998.
22
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's Common Stock, $.0001 par value per share, is the only
class of common equity of the Company and represents the only voting
securities of the Company. There are 409,941,168 shares of Common Stock
issued and outstanding and, as of March 12, 1999, there were 2,670 record
holders of the Common Stock. The Company's Common Stock is traded on The
Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "SLCM". The following information has
been provided to the Company by The Nasdaq Stock Market.
QUARTERS PRICE RANGE
- --------- ---------------------------------------
HIGH LOW CLOSE
--------- ---------- --------
1998
--------
FIRST $ 3.03125 $ 1.5625 $ 2.078125
SECOND 3.03125 2.0625 2.750
THIRD 3.03125 2.0625 2.500
FOURTH 2.375 1.750 1.90625
1997
--------
FIRST $ 3.5625 $ 2.65625 $ 3.15625
SECOND 3.6875 3.125 3.34375
THIRD 3.40625 2.50 2.5625
FOURTH 2.875 1.71875 2.125
(a) These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices without retail
mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily
represent actual transactions.
The indentures governing the Company's outstanding debt securities do
not permit the payment of cash dividends except in limited circumstances.
The Credit Agreement also restricts the Company's ability to pay cash
dividends on the Common Stock.
Under Texas law, cash dividends may only be paid (a) out of the
surplus of a corporation, which is defined as the excess of the total value
of the corporation's assets over the sum of its debt, the par value of its
stock and the consideration fixed by the corporation's board of directors
for stock without par value, and (b) only if, after giving effect thereto,
the corporation would not be insolvent, which is defined to mean the
inability of a corporation to pay its debts as they become due in the usual
course. Surplus may be determined by a corporation's board of directors
by, among other things, the corporation's financial statements or by a fair
valuation or information from any other method that is reasonable in the
circumstances. No assurances can be given that the Company will have
sufficient surplus to pay any cash dividends even if the payment thereof is
not otherwise restricted.
23
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
-----------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER-SHARE DATA)
Merchandise sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,573.6 $ 5,181.8 $ 5,084.0 $ 5,063.7 $ 5,066.0
Gasoline sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,684.2 1,789.4 1,784.9 1,682.1 1,618.5
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,257.8 6,971.2 6,868.9 6,745.8 6,684.5
Other income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.0 89.4 86.4 78.5 74.6
Total revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,349.8 7,060.6 6,955.3 6,824.3 6,759.1
LIFO charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9 0.1 4.7 2.6 3.0
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . 194.7 196.2 185.4 166.4 162.7
Interest expense, net . . . . . . . . . . . 91.3 90.1 90.2 85.6 95.0
Earnings before income taxes and
extraordinary gain . . . . . . . . . . . 82.6 115.3 130.8 101.5 73.5
Income taxes (benefit). . . . . . . . . . . 31.9 45.3 41.3 (66.1)(a) (18.5)(b)
Earnings before extraordinary gain. . . . . 50.7 70.0 89.5 167.6 92.0
Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74.0 (c) 70.0 89.5 270.8 (d) 92.0
Earnings before extraordinary gain
per common share:
Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 .17 .22 .41 .22
Diluted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 .16 .20 .40 .22
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,415.8 2,090.1 2,039.1 2,081.1 2,000.6
Long-term debt, including current portion . 1,940.6 1,803.4 1,707.4 1,850.6 2,351.2
- -------------------------
(a) Income taxes (benefit) include an $84.3 million tax benefit from
recognition of the remaining portion of the Company's net deferred
tax assets.
(b) Income taxes (benefit) include a $30 million tax benefit from recog-
nition of a portion of the Company's net deferred tax assets.
(c) Net earnings include an extraordinary gain of $23.3 million on debt
redemption as explained in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
(d) Net earnings include an extraordinary gain of $103.2 million on debt
redemption.
24
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Some of the matters discussed in this annual report contain forward-
looking statements regarding the Company's future business which are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including competitive
pressures, adverse economic conditions and government regulations. These
issues, and other factors, which may be identified from time to time in the
Company's reports filed with the SEC, could cause actual results to differ
materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company's net earnings for the year ended December 31, 1998 were
$74.0 million, compared to net earnings of $70.0 million in 1997 and $89.5
million in 1996.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
------------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER-SHARE DATA) 1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Earnings before income taxes
and extraordinary gain $ 82.6 $115.3 $130.8
Income tax expense (31.9) (45.3) (41.3)
Extraordinary gain on debt redemption (net of tax) 23.3 - -
------- ------- -------
Net earnings $ 74.0 $ 70.0 $ 89.5
======= ====== =======
Net earnings per common share - Basic $ .18 $ .17 $ .22
======= ======= ======
Net earnings per common share - Diluted $ .17 $ .16 $ .20
======= ======= ======
The decline in the Company's earnings before income taxes and
extraordinary gain is primarily due to several material charges incurred in
1998. These charges include $14.1 million associated with write-offs of
computer equipment and development costs, $11.4 million for deletion of
excess or slow-moving inventory and $7.6 million in severance and related
costs. In addition, costs associated with the implementation of the
Company's strategic initiatives continue to unfavorably impact short-term
profits (see Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses).
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Since 1992, the Company has been committed to several key strategies
that it believes, over the long term, will provide further differentiation
from competitors and allow 7-Eleven to maintain its position as the premier
convenience retailer. These strategies include: upgrading and expanding the
store base; a customer-driven approach to product selection; an everyday-
fair-pricing policy on all items; daily delivery of fresh perishable items;
introduction of high-quality, ready-to-eat fresh foods; and the
implementation of a state-of-the-art retail information system.
25
Prior to 1997, the Company focused on upgrading its store base,
through remodeling existing stores and closing underachieving stores. In
late 1996, the Company completed the most extensive remodeling program in
its history. Current upgrade programs will focus on retail information
systems, food service and other merchandising programs. Beginning in late
1996, the Company began to focus its efforts on growing its store base. The
Company recorded the first increase in its total store base in 10 years in
1997. Store openings or acquisitions over the last three years totaled 299,
61 and 44 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Store growth in 1998 was
aided by acquisitions of 135 Christy's Market convenience stores and 20
'red D mart' stores. Also, an additional 45 stores were under construction
at December 31, 1998. In 1999, new store openings are once again expected
to outpace closings, with the expansion occurring in existing markets to
enhance the economies of scale associated with the Company's fresh food and
combined-distribution initiatives. In recent years, the Company has pruned
its store base, closing or disposing of those stores that either could not
support its strategies, were not expected to achieve an acceptable level of
profitability in the future or had leases which expired. As a result, store
closings during the past three years totaled 96, 60 and 46 in 1998, 1997
and 1996, respectively. The Company expects to close slightly fewer stores
in 1999 than it did in 1998. The store additions and closings discussed
above include relocations, rebuilds and seasonal activity.
The customer-driven approach to merchandising focuses on providing the
customer a selection of quality products at a good value. This is being
accomplished by emphasizing the importance of ordering at the store level,
removing slow-moving items and aggressively introducing new, high-potential
products in the early stages of their life cycle. This process represents
an ongoing effort to satisfy customers' ever-changing preferences.
The Company's everyday-fair-pricing strategy is designed to provide
consistent reasonable prices on all items. When the everyday-fair-pricing
strategy was introduced, some product prices were lowered, while others
were increased to achieve more consistency. Going forward, as the Company
achieves lower product costs, it plans to migrate toward lower retail
prices.
Daily delivery of high-quality, ready-to-eat foods, along with other
time-sensitive or perishable items, is another key management strategy.
Implementation of this strategy includes third-party development and
operation of combined distribution centers ("CDC"), fresh-food commissaries
and bakery facilities in many of the Company's markets around the country.
The commissary and bakery ready-to-eat items, like fresh sandwiches and
pastries, along with goods from multiple vendors such as dairy products,
bread, produce and other perishable goods, are "combined" at a distribution
center and delivered daily to each store. In addition to providing fresher
products, improved in-stock conditions and quicker response time on new
items, the combined distribution is also intended to provide lower product
costs, in part from vendors' savings, through this approach. At the end of
1998, approximately 3,300 stores were serviced by daily distribution
facilities. Expansion of these programs to another 500 stores is
anticipated in 1999.
The development of a retail information system ("RIS") began in 1994.
The initial phase, completed in early 1996, involved installing in-store
processors ("ISP") in each store to automate accounting and other store-
level tasks. The current phase involves the installation of point-of-sale
registers with scanning capabilities, as well as tools on the ISP to assist
26
with ordering and product assortment, and a hand-held unit for ordering
product from the sales floor. At the end of 1998, point-of-sale registers
had been installed in nearly 2,500 stores in either a live or training
mode. After completion, the system will provide each store, along with the
Company's suppliers and distributors, on-line information to make better
decisions in anticipating customer needs. Management believes that the
effective utilization of daily sales data gathered by the system will
improve sales through reducing out-of-stock incidents and will enhance each
individual store's product mix to better match customers' needs. In
addition, the system will assist with monitoring inventories to better
control shortage and product write-offs. While implementation costs during
the rollout phase are expected to exceed the short-term benefits, the
anticipated long-term benefits of this system, coupled with further cost
reductions resulting from automation, are expected to help the Company
reach its goal of sustained profitable growth over the long term. This
phase of the system is currently expected to be fully operational for all
stores by the fall of 1999.
(EXCEPT WHERE NOTED, ALL PER-STORE NUMBERS REFER TO AN AVERAGE OF ALL
STORES RATHER THAN ONLY STORES OPEN MORE THAN ONE YEAR.)
SALES
The Company recorded net sales of $7.26 billion for the year ended
December 31, 1998, compared to sales of $6.97 billion in 1997 and $6.87
billion in 1996. The increase in net sales over the last two years was a
result of same-store merchandise sales growth, combined with an increase in
stores. The following table illustrates the growth in merchandise sales:
MERCHANDISE SALES GROWTH DATA (per-store)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
-----------------------
1998 1997 1996
----- ----- -----
INCREASE/(DECREASE) FROM PRIOR YEAR
U.S. same-store sales growth 5.7% 1.5% 1.4%
U.S. same-store real sales growth,excluding inflation 3.1% 0.6% (1.0)%
7-Eleven inflation 2.5% 0.9% 2.4%
The fourth quarter of 1998 was the sixth consecutive quarter of
favorable U.S. same-store real sales growth, the longest stretch this
decade. Same-store merchandise sales growth was 7.2% over the last six
months, which is also the largest such increase this decade. The Company
believes that this trend is, in part, a result of changes made to the
merchandising organization and its processes in the second quarter of 1997.
While average per-store merchandise sales growth has been fairly
consistent among the various geographical areas, category results have been
mixed:
Categories with significant 1998 merchandise sales increases were
cigarettes, Cafe Cooler, fresh foods/bakery, coffee, prepaid phone
cards and Slurpee. CIGARETTE SALES increased primarily due to retail
price increases associated with manufacturer cost increases, which
have had an unfavorable impact on margin. CAFE COOLER, a frozen non-
carbonated drink introduced in the spring, provided incremental
growth in per-store sales. SLURPEE and NON-CARBONATED DRINK sales
are up substantially, partially due to the introduction of new
products, flavors and packaging. The Company has plans to revitalize
certain mature categories like soft drinks/fountain and candy, which
27
have had declining sales over the last couple of years. Other
categories which had slight declines in 1998 include
newspapers/publications and packaged bakery/bread.
Categories driving the 1997 merchandise sales increase were coffee,
Slurpee, non-carbonated beverages, tobacco, services, fresh bakery
and roller grill products. Categories that were flat or had slight
declines included fountain drinks, bread, candy and soft drinks.
During 1998, the Company's retail price of gasoline dropped 18 cents
per gallon, or 14.3%. As a result, gasoline sales dollars per store
decreased 10.6% in 1998, compared to 1997, after a decline of 0.9% in 1997
versus 1996. Gas gallon sales per store increased 4.2% when compared to
1997, primarily due to new store volumes, which are higher than existing
stores. Contributing to the 1997 decrease was a .7% decline in average per-
store gallon volume with retail gasoline prices being virtually flat
compared to 1996.
OTHER INCOME
Other income of $92.0 million for 1998 was $2.6 million higher than
1997 and $5.7 million higher than 1996. The improvement over the last two
years is a combination of increased royalty income from licensed
operations, combined with fees generated from higher levels of franchising
activity. In 1998, nearly $53 million of the royalties were from area
license agreements with SEJ. One year following repayment of the Company's
1988 yen-denominated loan, currently projected for 2001, royalty payments
from SEJ will be reduced by approximately two-thirds in accordance with
terms of the license agreement.
GROSS PROFITS
MERCHANDISE GROSS PROFIT DATA
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------ ------- -------
Merchandise Gross Profit - DOLLARS IN MILLIONS $ 1,927.6 $ 1,828.4 $ 1,787.7
Gross margin profit percent 34.58% 35.29% 35.16%
INCREASE/(DECREASE) FROM PRIOR YEAR - ALL STORES
Average per-store gross
profit dollar change 3.2% 2.3% 2.1%
Margin percentage point change (.71) .13 (.19)
Average per-store merchandise sales 5.2% 1.9% 2.7%
The improvement in 1998 total merchandise gross profit dollars,
compared to 1997, was due to a combination of higher per-store sales and
more stores, as the margin percentage decreased 71 basis points. Total
merchandise gross profit dollars increased in 1997 from both higher average
per-store sales and a higher margin.
Merchandise margin declined in 1998 primarily due to product cost
increases and continuing refinement of the Company's everyday-fair-pricing
strategy. Merchandise margin was also impacted by introductory costs
associated with new product offerings, combined with the further rollout of
the Company's fresh food initiatives into four new markets. More aggressive
retail pricing continues to present a challenge in today's increasingly
more competitive environment. Although overall merchandise margin declined,
several categories impacted margin favorably, including Cafe Cooler,
commissions/services and coffee. Management is actively working to improve
merchandise margin while providing fair and consistent prices.
28
The increase in merchandise margin in 1997 was primarily due to
improved sales in some higher-margin categories like Slurpee, coffee, non-
carbonated beverages and services. These increases were partially offset by
higher write-offs, as the Company focused on expanding its fresh-food
program, both geographically and with new products.
Cigarettes currently contribute nearly 22% of the Company's total
merchandise sales and more than 15% of merchandise gross profit. With the
recent and pending legal settlements between cigarette manufacturers and
several state governments, as well as potential additional taxes and
litigation threatened by the federal government, the Company anticipates
that the cost of cigarettes could continue to rise. Additionally, there are
numerous examples of pending state and federal legislation aimed at
reducing minors' consumption of tobacco products, which include significant
increases in cigarette taxes. Although the Company expects merchandise
margin percent to be negatively impacted by these price increases, it is
impossible to predict the impact potential cost increases could have on the
Company's gross profit dollars, due to uncertainties regarding competitors'
reactions and consumers' buying habits.
GASOLINE GROSS PROFIT DATA
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
---------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---- ----- -----
Gasoline Gross Profit - DOLLARS IN MILLIONS $ 208.0 $ 183.8 $ 188.1
Gross profit margin (in cents per gallon) 13.48 13.07 13.45
INCREASE/(DECREASE) FROM PRIOR YEAR
Average per-store gross profit dollar change 7.5% (3.5)% (1.4)%
Margin point change (in cents per gallon) .41 (.38) (.17)
Average per-store gas gallonage 4.2% (.7)% (.1)%
Gasoline gross profits improved $24.3 million in 1998 over 1997. This
improvement was due to more gas stores, higher average per-store gas
gallonage and a favorable change in cents-per-gallon gross profit. In
general, 1998 market conditions created a situation where the wholesale
cost of gasoline was significantly lower than in either 1997 or 1996. These
conditions helped ease the competitive pressures that had been narrowing
margins over the previous two years.
In 1997, gasoline gross profits declined $4.4 million from the levels
achieved in 1996. Excluding the stores on the West Coast, the Company's
gasoline gross profits increased $1.2 million in 1997 compared to 1996.
This increase was comprised of a slight improvement in average per-store
gallons and an increase in the number of gas stores. The stores on the West
Coast (24% of the Company's total gas stores) were impacted by industry
product supply problems and intense competitive conditions, creating a
situation where, in some cases, the Company's cost exceeded other
operators' retail price of gasoline.
29
OPERATING, SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES ("OSG&A")
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) 1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Total operating, selling, general and administrative
expenses $ 2,053.8 $ 1,896.2 $ 1,841.2
Ratio of OSG&A to sales 28.3% 27.2% 26.8%
Increase/(decrease)in OSG&A compared to prior year $ 157.6 $ 55.0 $ (33.3)
The ratio of OSG&A expenses to sales increased 1.1 percentage points
in 1998, compared to 1997. This increase is primarily due to a decline of
18 cents per gallon in 1998's retail price of gasoline. Adjusting for
comparable gasoline prices, the ratio of OSG&A to sales was flat, when
compared to 1997.
The increase in 1998 OSG&A expense over 1997 levels was partially due
to charges of $14.1 million associated with write-offs of computer
equipment and development costs and $7.6 million in severance and related
costs. Other factors impacting OSG&A were increased store labor costs, a
higher amount of gross profits shared with the franchisees (due to higher
gross profits earned by franchisees), costs associated with operating
additional stores and more environmental expenses. In addition, OSG&A
expenses increased due to the Company's implementation of its retail
information system and other strategic initiatives. Expenses associated
with the Company's retail information system were approximately $13 million
higher in 1998 than in 1997. While the ratio of OSG&A expenses to sales
will vary on a quarterly basis, management believes this ratio will not
improve significantly during the rollout phase of the retail information
system.
The increase in OSG&A expenses, and the ratio to sales, in 1997
compared to 1996, was primarily the result of the following factors:
incremental costs related to the retail information system initiatives;
higher store labor costs due to a tight labor market and increases in the
minimum wage rate; more depreciation expense due to the extensive
remodeling program completed in late 1996, completion of new stores and
other initiatives; more environmental remediation; and higher store
insurance due to the comparison with favorable claims experience reflected
in 1996.
The Company continues to review the functions necessary to enable its
stores to respond faster and more cost efficiently to rapidly changing
customer needs and preferences. In conjunction with this review, management
continues to realign and reduce personnel in order to eliminate non-
essential costs, while devoting resources to the implementation of its
retail information system and other strategic initiatives (see Management
Strategies). During 1998, accruals of $7.6 million were made representing
severance benefits for close to 120 management and administrative employees
whose positions have been, or will be terminated. The benefit from these
reductions on an annualized basis approximates the charge, with the
majority of the benefit carrying forward to future years.
The Company is a defendant in two legal actions, which are referred to
as the 7-Eleven OFFF and Valente cases, filed by franchisees in 1993 and
1996, respectively, asserting various claims against the Company. A
nationwide settlement was negotiated and, in connection with the
settlement, these two cases have been combined on behalf of a class of all
persons who operated 7-Eleven convenience stores in the United States at
30
any time between January 1, 1987 and July 31, 1997, under franchise
agreements with the Company. Class members have overwhelmingly approved the
settlement, and the court presiding over the settlement process gave its
final approval of the settlement on April 24, 1998. The settlement provides
that former franchisees will share in a settlement fund and that certain
changes will be made to the franchise agreements with current franchisees.
Notices of appeal of the order approving the settlement were filed on
behalf of three of the attorneys who represented the class, six former
franchisees and two current franchisees. One of these current franchisees
has dismissed his appeal. The settlement agreement will not become
effective until the appeals are resolved. However, the settlement agreement
provides that while the appeals are pending the Company will pay certain
maintenance and supply expenses relating to the cash registers and retail
information system equipment of current franchisees that are members of the
settlement class. If the settlement is overturned on appeal, the Company
has the right to require franchisees to repay the amounts that the Company
paid for these expenses while the appeals were pending. The Company's
payment of these expenses had no material impact on 1998 earnings and
should have no material impact on future earnings. The Company's accruals
are sufficient to cover the total settlement costs, including the payment
due to former franchisees when the settlement becomes effective.
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
Net interest expense increased $1.2 million in 1998, compared to 1997.
This increase is primarily due to a higher average debt balance in 1998,
combined with the redemption of a portion of the Company's public debt
securities (see Extraordinary Gain) which were accounted for under SFAS No.
15 (see discussion below), partially offset by the write-off of deferred
costs associated with the Company's refinancing of its credit agreement in
February 1997.
Approximately 43% of the Company's debt contains floating rates that
will be unfavorably impacted by rising interest rates. Nearly 30% of the
Company's floating rate debt exposure to rising interest rates has been
eliminated as a result of an interest rate swap agreement (see Interest
Rate Swap Agreement). The weighted-average interest rate for such debt,
including the impact of the interest rate swap agreement, was 5.7% for 1998
versus 5.8% for both 1997 and 1996.
The Company expects net interest expense in 1999 to increase
approximately 10% over 1998 based on anticipated levels of debt and
interest rate projections. Factors increasing 1999 interest expense include
higher borrowings to finance new store development and other initiatives,
combined with the redemption of $65 million of the Company's public debt
securities in 1998 and early 1999, which were accounted for under SFAS No.
15 (see Extraordinary Gain).
In accordance with SFAS No. 15, no interest expense is recognized on
the Company's public debt securities. These securities were recorded at an
amount equal to the future undiscounted cash payments, both principal and
interest, and accordingly, the cash interest payments are charged against
the recorded amount of such securities and are not treated as interest
expense. Accordingly, interest expense on debt used to redeem public debt
securities would increase the Company's reported interest expense.
31
Net interest expense decreased slightly in 1997 compared to 1996 due
to lower average borrowing throughout the year, partially offset by lower
interest income. The lower interest income was primarily the result of a
new money order agreement in 1996 that eliminated interest income from the
funding arrangement; however, it provided lower cost of goods and operating
costs, which more than offset the impact of the lost interest.
INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENT
In June 1998, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement
that fixed the interest rate on $250 million notional principal amount of
existing floating rate debt at 5.4% through June 2003. A major financial
institution, as counterparty to the agreement, agreed to pay the Company a
floating interest rate based on three-month LIBOR during the term of the
agreement in exchange for the Company paying a fixed interest rate. The
impact on net interest expense for the fourth quarter and for 1998 was
nominally favorable as a result of this agreement. The swap agreement
granted the counterparty the option, upon expiration of the initial swap
term, of extending the agreement for an additional five years at a fixed
interest rate of 5.9%. This option component of the agreement was
recognized at fair value and was marked to market. Due to declining
interest rates, the Company recognized OSG&A expense related to the option
component of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter and $3.7 million for 1998.
In February 1999, the Company amended the terms of the interest rate
swap agreement. The fixed rate was increased to 6.1% and the term of the
swap was extended to February 2004; the remaining terms of the swap
agreement were unchanged. In exchange for the increase in the fixed rate,
the five-year extension option held by the counterparty was terminated.
INCOME TAXES
The Company recorded tax expense in 1998 from earnings before
extraordinary gain of $31.9 million, compared to expense of $45.3 million
in 1997 and $41.3 million in 1996. The decrease in 1998 income tax expense,
compared to 1997, resulted from lower earnings before tax, in large part
due to charges discussed in the Summary of Results of Operations section.
The 1998 extraordinary gain was net of $14.9 million of tax expense. Higher
income tax expense in 1997, when compared to 1996, was due to a settlement
of an IRS tax examination, resulting in a $7.3 million tax benefit in 1996.
EXTRAORDINARY GAIN
During 1998, the Company redeemed $45.6 million of its public debt
securities resulting in a $23.3 million after-tax gain. The gain resulted
from the retirement of future undiscounted interest payments as recorded
under SFAS No. 15, combined with repurchasing a portion of the debentures
below their face amount. As a result of the redemptions, the face amount of
the debentures has been reduced by the following: 100% of the 12% Second
Priority Senior Subordinated Debentures, 5.8% of the 5% First Priority
Senior Subordinated Debentures, 6.3% of the 4.5% Second Priority Senior
Subordinated Debentures-Series A and 1.3% of the 4% Second Priority Senior
Subordinated Debentures-Series B. The Company's cash outlay, including
fees, was $42.2 million, which was financed through the issuance of $80
million of 4-1/2% Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities ("1998
QUIDS") due 2013. The 1998 QUIDS were issued to Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. and
Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., the joint owners of IYG Holding Company, the
Company's majority shareholder.
32
In the first quarter of 1999, the Company redeemed an additional $19.4
million of its public debt securities resulting in a $4.3 million after-tax
gain.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The majority of the Company's working capital is provided from three
sources: i) cash flows generated from its operating activities; ii) a $650
million commercial paper facility (guaranteed by Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd.); and
iii) short-term seasonal borrowings of up to $400 million (reduced by
outstanding letters of credit) under its revolving credit facility. The
Company believes that operating activities, coupled with available short-
term working capital facilities, will provide sufficient liquidity to fund
current commitments for operating and capital expenditure programs, as well
as to service debt requirements. Actual capital expenditure funding will be
dependent on the level of cash flow generated from operating activities and
the funds available from financings.
In January 1999, the Company expanded the existing commercial paper
facility from $400 million to $650 million. The commercial paper is
unsecured but is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Ito-Yokado Co.,
Ltd.
In April 1998, the Company entered into a financing agreement for 12.5
billion yen, or $96.5 million, monetizing a portion of its future yen
royalty stream. The financing, which bears interest at 2.325%, is secured
by a pledge (secondary to the 1988 yen-denominated loan) of the future
royalty payments from Seven-Eleven Japan associated with the Company's
Japanese 7-Eleven trademarks. Payment of principal and interest on the debt
is non-recourse to the Company and will commence when the 1988 yen-
denominated loan is paid in full, which is currently estimated to be in
2001. It is anticipated that this 1998 loan will be fully repaid in 2006.
In February 1998, the Company issued $80 million of 1998 QUIDS, which
is subordinated to all existing debt except the 1995 Convertible Quarterly
Income Debt Securities due 2010, which have the same priority ranking. The
debt has a 15-year life, no amortization and an interest rate of 4.5%. The
instrument gives the Company the right to defer interest payments thereon
for up to 20 consecutive quarters. The debt mandatorily converts into
32,508,432 shares of the Company's common stock if the price of the
Company's common stock achieves certain levels after the third anniversary
of issuance. A portion of the proceeds from the 1998 QUIDS was used to
redeem a portion of the Company's public debt securities.
Southland's credit agreement, established in February 1997, includes a
$225 million term loan and a $400 million revolving credit facility, which
has a sublimit of $150 million for letters of credit ("Credit Agreement").
The Credit Agreement contains certain financial and operating covenants
requiring, among other things, the maintenance of certain financial ratios,
including interest and rent coverage, fixed-charge coverage and senior
indebtedness to net earnings before extraordinary items and interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"). The covenant levels
established by the Credit Agreement generally require continuing
improvement in the Company's financial condition. In March 1999, the
33
financial covenant levels required by these instruments were amended
prospectively in order to allow the Company flexibility to continue its
store growth strategy. In connection with this amendment, the interest
rate on borrowings was changed to a reserve-adjusted Eurodollar rate plus
.475% instead of the previous increment of .225%.
For the period ended December 31, 1998, the Company was in compliance
with all of the covenants required under the Credit Agreement, including
compliance with the principal financial and operating covenants under the
Credit Agreement (calculated over the latest 12-month period) as follows:
REQUIREMENTS
------------------------
Covenants Actuals Minimum Maximum
- --------- ------- ------- -------
Interest and rent coverage* 2.08 to 1.0 1.80 to 1.0 -
Fixed charge coverage 1.67 to 1.0 1.50 to 1.0 -
Senior indebtedness to EBITDA 3.74 to 1.0 - 4.10 to 1.0
Capital expenditure limit (tested annually) $413 million $425 million
*INCLUDES EFFECTS OF THE SFAS NO. 15 INTEREST PAYMENTS NOT RECORDED IN INTEREST EXPENSE.
In 1998, the Company repaid $196.5 million of debt of which $42.1
million related to the redemption of the Company's subordinated debentures
(see Extraordinary Gain) and $10.9 million was for debt assumed in the
Christy's acquisition (see Capital Expenditures - Acquisitions). The
remaining principal reduction of $143.5 million included $56.3 million for
quarterly installments due on the term loan, $40.9 million for principal
payments on the Company's yen-denominated loan (secured by the royalty
income stream from SEJ), $20.5 million for SFAS No. 15 interest and $20.4
million on capital leases. Outstanding balances at December 31, 1998, for
commercial paper, term loan and revolver, were $368.3 million, $168.8
million and $295.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 1998,
outstanding letters of credit issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement
totaled $71.1 million.
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net cash provided by operating activities was $232.8 million for 1998,
compared to $197.9 million in 1997 and $261.0 million in 1996. Contributing
to the decline in cash provided by operating activities in 1997, when
compared to 1996, was an increase in inventories, caused by a December 1997
cigarette buy-in and generally higher per-store inventory levels.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
In 1998, net cash used in investing activities consisted primarily of
payments of $380.9 million for property and equipment and $32.9 million for
acquisitions (see Capital Expenditures - Acquisitions). The majority of the
property and equipment capital was used for new store development,
continued implementation of the Company's retail information system,
remodeling stores, new equipment to support merchandising initiatives,
upgrading retail gasoline facilities, replacing equipment and complying
with environmental regulations.
The Company expects 1999 capital expenditures, excluding lease
commitments, to exceed $375 million. Capital expenditures are being used to
develop or acquire new stores, upgrade store facilities, further implement
the retail information system, replace equipment, upgrade gasoline
facilities and comply with environmental regulations. The amount of
34
expenditures during the year will be materially impacted by the proportion
of new store development funded through capital expenditures versus leases
and the speed at which new sites/acquisitions can be located, negotiated,
permitted and constructed.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES - ACQUISITIONS
In May 1998, the Company purchased all of the capital stock of
Christy's Market, Inc., of Brockton, Mass., thereby acquiring 135 Christy's
Market convenience stores, located in the New England area. Also in May
1998, the Company purchased the assets of 20 'red D mart' convenience
stores in the South Bend, Indiana, area from MDK Corporation of Goshen,
Indiana.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES - GASOLINE EQUIPMENT
The Company incurs ongoing costs to comply with federal, state and
local environmental laws and regulations primarily relating to underground
storage tank ("UST") systems. The Company does not anticipate any 1999
capital improvements required to comply with environmental regulations
relating to USTs as well as above-ground vapor recovery equipment at store
locations, but will spend approximately $15-20 million on such capital
improvements from 2000 through 2002.
ENVIRONMENTAL
In December 1988, the Company closed its chemical manufacturing
facility in New Jersey. The Company is required to conduct environmental
remediation at the facility, including groundwater monitoring and treatment
for a projected 15-year period. This remediation program will commence in
1999 with the performance of certain engineering and design work. The
Company has recorded undiscounted liabilities representing its best
estimates of the clean-up costs of $8.7 million at December 31, 1998. In
1991, the Company and the former owner of the facility entered into a
settlement agreement pursuant to which the former owner agreed to pay a
substantial portion of the clean-up costs. Based on the terms of the
settlement agreement and the financial resources of the former owner, the
Company has a receivable recorded of $5.1 million at December 31, 1998.
Additionally, the Company accrues for the anticipated future costs and
the related probable state reimbursement amounts for remediation activities
at its existing and previously operated gasoline sites where releases of
regulated substances have been detected. At December 31, 1998, the
Company's estimated undiscounted liability for these sites was
$41.9 million. This estimate is based on the Company's prior experience
with gasoline sites and its consideration of such factors as the age of the
tanks, location of tank sites and experience with contractors who perform
environmental assessment and remediation work. The Company anticipates that
substantially all of the future remediation costs for detected releases at
these sites as of December 31, 1998, will be incurred within the next four
to five years.
Under state reimbursement programs, the Company is eligible to receive
reimbursement for a portion of future remediation costs, as well as a
portion of remediation costs previously paid. Accordingly, at December 31,
1998, the Company has recorded a net receivable of $46.7 million for the
estimated probable state reimbursements. In assessing the probability of
35
state reimbursements, the Company takes into consideration each state's
fund balance, revenue sources, existing claim backlog, status of clean-up
activity and claim ranking systems. As a result of these assessments, the
recorded receivable amount is net of an allowance of $10.0 million. While
there is no assurance of the timing of the receipt of state reimbursement
funds, based on its experience, the Company expects to receive the majority
of state reimbursement funds, except from California, within one to three
years after payment of eligible remediation expenses, assuming that the
state administrative procedures for processing such reimbursements have
been fully developed. The Company estimates that it may take one to six
years to receive reimbursement funds from California. Therefore, the
portion of the recorded receivable amount that relates to sites where
remediation activities have been conducted has been discounted at 4.6% to
reflect their present value. Thus, the recorded receivable amount is also
net of a discount of $4.1 million.
The estimated future assessment and remediation expenditures and
related state reimbursement amounts could change within the near future as
governmental requirements and state reimbursement programs continue to be
implemented or revised.
ENVIRONMENTAL - ACQUISITIONS
Both the 'red D mart' and Christy's Market acquisitions include retail
gasoline outlets that are subject to certain environmental regulations.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreements, the sellers are responsible
for ensuring compliance with all applicable environmental regulations
existing as of the closing date. In addition, the acquisition agreements
provide that the sellers will remain responsible for the expense of any
future environmental cleanup, which is required under applicable legal
requirements and which results from conditions existing at the sites (see
Capital Expenditures - Acquisitions).
YEAR 2000
The Year 2000 issue ("Y2K") is the result of computer software
programs being coded to use two digits rather than four to define the
applicable year. Some of the Company's older computer programs that have
date-sensitive coding may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900
rather than the year 2000. This could result in system failures or
miscalculations, causing disruptions of operations.
The Company has approached the Y2K issue in phases. A Year 2000
Project Office Manager, together with a strong support organization, has
designed a Y2K work plan that is currently being implemented. The Y2K work
plan includes: (1) identifying and inventorying all Year 2000 tasks and
items; (2) assigning priorities to all tasks and items; (3) remediation
of information systems ("IS") applications code, testing and reintegration
to production, as well as testing all replaced systems software and non-
remediated applications; (4) contacting third-party vendors to verify
their compliance and perform selected interface tests with major vendors;
(5) determining the Company's Y2K responsibilities to its franchisees,
subsidiaries and affiliates; (6) establishing contingency alternatives
assuming worst-case scenarios.
The Company continues to progress favorably in its completion of the
various tasks and target dates identified in the Y2K work plan. The Company
believes it has identified and prioritized all major Y2K-related items. In
addition, numerous non-IS, merchandise, equipment, financial institution,
insurance and public utility vendors have been contacted, inquiring as to
their readiness and the readiness of their respective vendors. At this time
36
the Company is performing follow-up efforts with the above vendors as
required. Testing compliance with major vendors is now being planned and is
scheduled to begin June 1, 1999. The following reflects management's
assessment of the Company's Year 2000 state of readiness:
STATE OF READINESS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998
ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
PHASE PERCENT COMPLETE COMPLETION DATE
- ----- ---------------- ---------------
INTERNAL IS AND NON-IS SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT:
Awareness 98% Dec. 1999 *
Assessment changes required 95% March 1999
Remediation or replacement 85% June 1999
Testing 20% Sept. 1999
Contingency Planning 15% June 1999 *
SUPPLIERS, CUSTOMERS AND THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS:
Awareness-Identify companies 95% April 1999
Assessment questionnaire completed by major suppliers 60% May 1999 *
Assessment review with third-party providers 25% May 1999
Review contractual commitments 40% June 1999
Risk Assessment 50% May 1999
Contingency Planning 5% June 1999 *
Testing as applicable 5% Sept. 1999
* INDICATES WORK SHOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY FINISHED AT THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE,
BUT THE COMPANY WILL CONTINUE TO REEVALUATE AWARENESS, SEND FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONNAIRES
AND UPDATE CONTINGENCY PLANS AS NEEDED.
The Company estimates that the cost of the Year 2000 Project will be
approximately $7-8 million, of which about $3 million will be capital
costs. The costs incurred to date are $1 million, with the remaining cost
for outside consultants, software and hardware applications to be funded
through operating cash flow. This estimate includes costs related to the
upgrade and/or replacement of computer software and hardware; costs of
remediated code testing and test result verification; and the reintegration
to production of all remediated applications. In addition, the costs
include the testing of applications and software currently certified as
Year 2000 compliant. The Company does not separately track the internal
costs incurred for the Y2K project, which are primarily the related payroll
costs for the IS and various user personnel participating in the project.
Due to the general uncertainty inherent in the Year 2000 process,
primarily due to issues surrounding the Y2K readiness of third-party
suppliers and vendors, a reasonable worst-case scenario is difficult to
determine at this time. The Company does not anticipate more than temporary
isolated disruptions attributed to Year 2000 issues to affect either the
Company or its primary vendors. The Company is concentrating on four
critical business areas in order to identify, evaluate and determine the
scenarios requiring the development of contingency plans: (1) merchandise
ordering and receipt, (2) petroleum products ordering and receipt, (3)
human resource systems and (4) disbursement systems. To the extent vendors
are unable to deliver products due to their own Year 2000 issues, the
Company believes it will generally have alternative sources for comparable
products and does not expect to experience any material business
37
disruptions. Although considered unlikely, the failure of public utility
companies to provide telephone and electrical service could have material
consequences. Contingency planning efforts will escalate as the Company
continues to receive and evaluate responses from all of its primary
merchandise vendors and service providers. These contingency plans are
scheduled to be complete by June 1999.
The costs of the Y2K project and the date on which the Company plans
to complete the Year 2000 modifications are based on management's best
estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future
events including the continued availability of certain resources, third-
party modification plans and other factors. As a result, there can be no
assurance that these forward-looking estimates will be achieved and the
actual costs and vendor compliance could differ materially from the
Company's current expectations, resulting in a material financial risk. In
addition, while the Company is making significant efforts in addressing all
anticipated Year 2000 risks within its control, this event is unprecedented
and consequently there can be no assurance that the Year 2000 issue will
not have a material adverse impact on the Company's operating results and
financial condition.
MARKET-SENSITIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The following discussion summarizes the financial and derivative
instruments held by the Company at December 31, 1998, which are sensitive
to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. The
Company uses interest-rate swaps to manage the primary market exposures
associated with underlying liabilities and anticipated transactions. The
Company uses these instruments to reduce risk by essentially creating
offsetting market exposures. In addition, the two yen-denominated loans
serve to effectively hedge the Company's exposure to yen-dollar currency
fluctuations. The instruments held by the Company are not leveraged and are
held for purposes other than trading. There are no material quantitative
changes in market risk exposure at December 31, 1998, when compared to
December 31, 1997.
In the normal course of business, the Company also faces risks that
are either nonfinancial or nonquantifiable. Such risks principally include
country risk, credit risk and legal risk and are not represented in this
discussion.
INTEREST-RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
The table below presents descriptions of the floating-rate financial
instruments and interest-rate-derivative instruments held by the Company at
December 31, 1998. The Company entered into an interest-rate swap to
achieve the appropriate level of variable and fixed-rate debt as approved
by senior management. Under the interest-rate swap, the Company agreed with
other parties to exchange the difference between fixed-rate and floating-
rate interest amounts on a quarterly basis.
For the debt, the table below presents principal cash flows that exist
by maturity date and the related average interest rate. For the swap, the
table presents the notional amounts outstanding and expected interest rates
that exist by contractual dates. The notional amount is used to calculate
the contractual payments to be exchanged under the contract. The variable
rates are estimated based on implied forward rates in the yield curve at
38
the reporting date. Additionally, the interest rate on the bank debt
reflects a LIBOR margin of 22.5 basis points as prescribed in the Credit
Agreement.
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 There-after Total Fair Value
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------- ----- ----------
Floating-Rate Financial Instruments:
Bank debt $56 $56 $56 $295 $0 $0 $463 $463
Commercial paper $18 $0 $0 $0 $0 $350 $368 $368
Average interest rate 5.2% 5.2% 5.3% 5.2% 5.3% 5.4% 5.2%
Interest-Rate Derivatives:
Notional amount $250 $250 $250 $250 $250 $250 $250 $(11)
Average pay rate 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1%
Average receive rate 5.1% 5.2% 5.2% 5.3% 5.3% 5.4% 5.3%
The $11 million fair value of the interest-rate swap represents an
estimate of the payment amount if the Company chose to terminate the swap.
See Notes 9 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed
information on both floating- and fixed-rate liabilities. See Note 11 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements for fair value and derivative
discussions, including the mark-to-market adjustment relating to the
unwinding of the swap's option component in February 1999.
FOREIGN-EXCHANGE RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company recorded over $68 million in royalty income in 1998 that
was impacted by fluctuating exchange rates. Approximately 77% of such
royalties were from area license agreements with SEJ. SEJ royalty income
will not fluctuate with exchange rate movements since the Company has
effectively hedged this exposure by using the royalty income to make
principal and interest payments on its yen-denominated loans (see Notes 9
and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company is exposed to
fluctuating exchange rates on the non-SEJ portion of its royalties earned
in foreign currency, but based on current estimates, future risk is not
material.
The Company has several wholly or partially owned foreign subsidiaries
and is susceptible to exchange-rate risk on earnings from these
subsidiaries. Based on current estimates, the Company does not consider
future foreign-exchange risk associated with these subsidiaries to be
material.
EQUITY-PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company has equity securities, which are classified as available
for sale and are carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value.
Changes in fair value are recognized as other comprehensive earnings, net
of tax, as a separate component of shareholders' equity. At December 31,
1998, the Company held the following available-for-sale marketable equity
securities:
39
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
--------------------
Impact of 20% Change
Cost Fair Value In Market Price
---- ---------- ---------------------
568,788 shares of ACS common stock $0 $25.6 $5.1
151,452 shares of Precept common stock $0 $1.4 $0.3
The Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. stock ("ACS") was obtained in
1988 as partial consideration for Southland to enter into a mainframe data
processing contract with ACS. At the time, ACS was a privately held start-
up company and accordingly the stock was valued with no cost. Subsequently
ACS became a public company and Precept Business Services, Inc. ("Precept")
was spun off from ACS and also became a public company.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations - Market-Sensitive Instruments and Risk Management"
page 38.
40
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Financial Statements for the
Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
41
THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER-SHARE DATA)
ASSETS 1998 1997
------------ -----------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 26,880 $ 38,605
Accounts receivable 148,046 126,495
Inventories 101,045 104,540
Other current assets 162,631 117,001
----------- -----------
Total current assets 438,602 386,641
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 1,652,932 1,416,687
OTHER ASSETS 324,310 286,753
----------- -----------
$ 2,415,844 $ 2,090,081
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Trade accounts payable $ 136,059 $ 118,222
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 362,398 353,844
Commercial paper 18,348 48,744
Long-term debt due within one year 151,754 208,839
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 668,559 729,649
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES 220,653 187,414
LONG-TERM DEBT 1,788,843 1,594,545
CONVERTIBLE QUARTERLY INCOME DEBT SECURITIES 380,000 300,000
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares
authorized; 409,922,935 shares issued and outstanding 41 41
Additional capital 625,574 625,574
Accumulated deficit (1,278,009) (1,352,057)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings 10,183 4,915
------------ ------------
Total shareholders' equity (deficit) (642,211) (721,527)
------------ ------------
$ 2,415,844 $ 2,090,081
=========== ===========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
42
THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER-SHARE DATA)
1998 1997 1996
------------- ------------- -------------
REVENUES:
Merchandise sales (including $466,013, $438,489 and
$437,573 in excise taxes) $ 5,573,606 $ 5,181,762 $ 5,084,024
Gasoline sales (including $577,457, $532,635 and
$524,414 in excise taxes) 1,684,184 1,789,383 1,784,888
------------ ----------- ------------
Net sales 7,257,790 6,971,145 6,868,912
Other income 92,021 89,412 86,351
------------- ------------- ------------
7,349,811 7,060,557 6,955,263
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Merchandise cost of goods sold 3,645,974 3,353,323 3,296,316
Gasoline cost of goods sold 1,476,144 1,605,603 1,596,745
----------- ----------- -----------
Total cost of goods sold 5,122,118 4,958,926 4,893,061
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses 2,053,791 1,896,206 1,841,174
Interest expense, net 91,289 90,130 90,204
------------- ------------- ------------
7,267,198 6,945,262 6,824,439
------------- ------------- ------------
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
EXTRAORDINARY GAIN 82,613 115,295 130,824
INCOME TAXES 31,889 45,253 41,348
------------- ------------- ------------
EARNINGS BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY GAIN 50,724 70,042 89,476
EXTRAORDINARY GAIN ON DEBT REDEMPTION (net
of tax effect of $14,912) 23,324 - -
------------- ------------- ------------
NET EARNINGS $ 74,048 $ 70,042 $ 89,476
============= ============= ============
EARNINGS BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY GAIN PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic $ .12 $ .17 $ .22
Diluted .12 .16 .20
EXTRAORDINARY GAIN ON DEBT REDEMPTION PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic $ .06 $ - $ -
Diluted .05 - -
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic $ .18 $ .17 $ .22
Diluted .17 .16 .20
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
43
THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
1998 1997 1996
---------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------------
ENDING ENDING ENDING BEGINNING
BALANCE ACTIVITY BALANCE ACTIVITY BALANCE ACTIVITY BALANCE
----------- --------- ----------- -------- --------- ---------- ----------
COMMON STOCK SHARES ISSUED
AND OUTSTANDING 409,922,935 - 409,922,935 - 409,922,935 - 409,922,935
COMMON STOCK, $.0001 PAR VALUE $ 41 $ - $ 41 $ - $ 41 $ - $ 41
ADDITIONAL CAPITAL 625,574 - 625,574 - 625,574 - 625,574
ACCUMULATED EARNINGS (DEFICIT) (1,278,009) 74,048 (1,352,057) 70,042 (1,422,099) 89,476 (1,511,575)
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS:
Foreign Currency Translation
(Activity net of ($1,255),
($672),($167) income tax benefit) (6,273) (1,997) (4,276) (1,040) (3,236) (258) (2,978)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Equity
Securities (Activity net of $4,645,
($1,006), $1,674 deferred taxes) 16,456 7,265 9,191 (1,574) 10,765 2,619 8,146
----------- -------- ---------- ------- ----------- -------- ----------
TOTAL ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
EARNINGS (LOSS) 10,183 5,268 4,915 (2,614) 7,529 2,361 5,168
----------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------
ACCUMULATED COMPREHENSIVE
EARNINGS (LOSS) (1,267,826) 79,316 (1,347,142) 67,428 (1,414,570) 91,837 (1,506,407)
----------- ------- ------------ --------- ----------- -------- -----------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) $ (642,211) $ 79,316 $ (721,527) $ 67,428 $ (788,955) $ 91,837 $ (880,792)
========== ========= =========== ======== =========== ========= ==========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
44
THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1998 1997 1996
------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings $ 74,048 $ 70,042 $ 89,476
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Extraordinary gain on debt redemption (23,324) - -
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 175,086 177,174 166,347
Other amortization 19,611 19,026 19,026
Deferred income taxes 19,190 31,812 23,790
Noncash interest expense 1,725 2,342 1,746
Other noncash expense 4,557 96 182
Net loss on property and equipment 9,631 2,391 1,714
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable (29,428) (6,560) 4,824
Decrease (increase) in inventories 11,306 (16,010) (4,046)
Increase in other assets (28,576) (6,117) (2,598)
Decrease in trade accounts payable and other liabilities (1,014) (76,250) (39,421)
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 232,812 197,946 261,040
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for purchase of property and equipment (380,871) (232,539) (194,373)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 8,607 39,648 14,499
Increase in restricted cash (22,810) - -
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (32,929) - -
Other 8,379 6,908 9,588
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash used in investing activities (419,624) (185,983) (170,286)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from commercial paper and revolving credit facilities 7,231,795 5,907,243 4,292,215
Payments under commercial paper and revolving credit facilities (7,032,120) (5,842,539) (4,249,134)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 96,503 225,000 -
Principal payments under long-term debt agreements (196,477) (299,005) (140,388)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible quarterly income debt securities 80,000 - -
Other (4,614) (551) -
------------ ------------- -------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 175,087 (9,852) (97,307)
------------- ------------- -------------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (11,725) 2,111 (6,553)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 38,605 36,494 43,047
------------- ------------- -------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 26,880 $ 38,605 $ 36,494
============= ============= =============
RELATED DISCLOSURES FOR CASH FLOW REPORTING:
Interest paid, excluding SFAS No.15 Interest $ (99,240) $ (97,568) $ (100,777)
============= ============= =============
Net income taxes paid $ (11,721) $ (10,482) $ (18,918)
============= ============= =============
Assets obtained by entering into capital leases $ 33,643 $ 56,745 $ 3,761
============= ============= =============
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
45
THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER-SHARE DATA)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION - The Southland Corporation and
subsidiaries ("the Company") is owned approximately 65% by IYG
Holding Company, which is jointly owned by Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd.
("IY") and Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. ("SEJ"). The Company
operates more than 5,600 7-Eleven and other convenience stores in
the United States and Canada. Area licensees, or their franchisees,
and affiliates operate approximately 12,600 additional 7-Eleven
convenience stores in certain areas of the United States, in 16
foreign countries and in the U. S. territories of Guam and Puerto
Rico.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The
Southland Corporation and its subsidiaries. Intercompany
transactions and account balances are eliminated. Prior-year and
quarterly amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-
year presentation.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Merchandise and gasoline sales and cost of goods sold of stores
operated by franchisees are consolidated with the results of
Company-operated stores. Merchandise and gasoline sales of stores
operated by franchisees are $3,034,951, $2,880,148 and $2,860,768
from 2,960, 2,868 and 2,927 stores for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The gross profit of the franchise stores is split between the
Company and its franchisees. The Company's share of the gross
profit of franchise stores is its continuing franchise fee,
generally ranging from 50% to 58% of the merchandise gross profit of
the store, which is charged to the franchisee for the license to use
the 7-Eleven operating system and trademarks, for the lease and use
of the store premises and equipment, and for continuing services
provided by the Company. These services include merchandising,
advertising, recordkeeping, store audits, contractual
indemnification, business counseling services and preparation of
financial summaries. In addition, franchisees receive the greater
of one cent per gallon sold or 25% of gasoline gross profit as
compensation for measuring and reporting deliveries of gasoline,
conducting pricing surveys of competitors, changing the prices and
46
cleaning the service areas. The total gross profit earned by the
Company's franchisees of $551,003, $524,941 and $520,216 for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, is
included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as operating,
selling, general and administrative expenses ("OSG&A").
Sales by stores operated under domestic and foreign area license
agreements are not included in consolidated revenues. All fees or
royalties arising from such agreements are included in other income.
Initial fees, which have been immaterial, are recognized when the
services required under the agreements are performed.
OPERATING SEGMENT - As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information." SFAS No. 131 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1997, and establishes standards for reporting
information about a company's operating segments. It also
establishes standards for related disclosures about products and
services, geographic areas and major customers.
The Company operates in a single operating segment - the operating,
franchising and licensing of convenience food stores, primarily
under the 7-Eleven name. Revenues from external customers are
derived principally from two major product categories - merchandise
and gasoline. The Company's merchandise sales are comprised of
groceries, beverages, tobacco products, beer/wine, candy/snacks,
fresh foods, dairy products, non-food merchandise and services.
Services include lottery, ATM and money order service
fees/commissions for which there are little, if any, costs included
in merchandise cost of goods sold.
The Company does not record merchandise sales on the basis of
product categories. However, based on the total dollar volume of
store purchases, management estimates that the percentages of its
convenience store merchandise sales by principal product category
for the last three years were as follows:
Product Categories Years Ended December 31
------------------ -----------------------
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Beverages 23.7% 23.2% 22.6%
Tobacco Products 23.7% 22.5% 22.3%
Beer/Wine 11.3% 11.8% 12.2%
Candy/Snacks 9.5% 9.8% 9.8%
Non-Foods 6.9% 7.5% 7.6%
Food Service 6.0% 5.9% 5.8%
Dairy Products 5.3% 5.6% 5.8%
Customer Services 4.8% 4.4% 4.4%
Other 4.6% 4.9% 5.0%
Baked Goods 4.2% 4.4% 4.5%
----- ----- ------
Total Merchandise Sales 100% 100% 100%
===== ===== =====
47
The Company does not rely on any major customers as a source of
revenue. Excluding area license royalties, which are included in
other income as stated above, the Company's operations are
concentrated in the United States and Canada. Approximately 8% of
the Company's net sales for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996 are from Canadian operations, and approximately 5% of the
Company's long-lived assets for the years ended December 31, 1998
and 1997 are located in Canada.
OTHER INCOME - Other income is primarily area license royalties and
franchise fee income. The area license royalties include amounts
from area license agreements with SEJ of approximately $53 million,
$50 million and $47 million for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively. Under the present franchise
agreements, initial franchise fees are generally calculated based on
gross profit experience for the store or market area. These fees
cover certain costs including training, an allowance for lodging for
the trainees and other costs relating to the franchising of the
store. The Company defers the recognition of these fees in income
until its obligations under the agreement are completed. For the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively,
franchisee fee income was $11,881, $8,309 and $9,358.
OPERATING, SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES - Buying
and occupancy expenses are included in OSG&A. Advertising costs,
also included in OSG&A, generally are charged to expense as
incurred and were $40,144, $35,111 and $34,707 for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
INTEREST EXPENSE - Interest expense is net of interest income of
$12,021, $8,788 and $10,649 for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively.
INCOME TAXES - Income taxes are determined using the liability
method, where deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for
temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and
liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements.
Deferred tax assets include tax carryforwards and are reduced by a
valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more
likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets
will not be realized.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - The Company considers all highly liquid
investment instruments purchased with maturities of three months or
less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include
temporary cash investments of $29,167 and $5,240 at December 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively, stated at cost, which approximates
market.
INVENTORIES - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.
Cost is generally determined by the LIFO method for stores in the
United States and by the FIFO method for stores in Canada.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION - Depreciation of property and
equipment is based on the estimated useful lives of these assets
using the straight-line method. Buildings and leaseholds are
depreciated over periods generally ranging from five to twenty
48
years, and equipment is generally depreciated over a three-to-ten-
year period. Acquisition and development costs for significant
business systems and related software for internal use are
capitalized and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over a
three-to-seven-year period based on their estimated useful lives.
Amortization of capital leases, improvements to leased
properties and favorable leaseholds is based on the remaining terms
of the leases or the estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter.
Foreign and domestic area license royalty intangibles were recorded
in 1987 at the fair value of future royalty payments and are being
amortized over 20 years using the straight-line method. The 20-year
life is less than the estimated lives of the various royalty
agreements, the majority of which are perpetual. The excess of cost
over fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill and
amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years.
STORE CLOSINGS / ASSET IMPAIRMENT - Provision is made on a current
basis for the write-down of identified owned-store closings to their
net realizable value. For identified leased-store closings,
leasehold improvements are written down to their net realizable
value and a provision is made on a current basis if anticipated
expenses are in excess of expected sublease rental income. The
Company's long-lived assets, including goodwill, are reviewed for
impairment and written down to fair value whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable.
INSURANCE - The Company has established insurance programs to cover
certain insurable risks consisting primarily of physical loss to
property, business interruptions resulting from such loss, workers'
compensation, employee healthcare, comprehensive general and auto
liability. Third-party insurance coverage is obtained for property
and casualty exposures above predetermined deductibles as well as
those risks required to be insured by law or contract. Provisions
for losses expected under the insurance programs are recorded based
on independent actuarial estimates of the aggregate liabilities for
claims incurred.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted
the provisions of SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits," which is an amendment
of SFAS No. 87, No. 88 and No. 106. SFAS No. 132 revises
employers' disclosures related to pension and other postretirement
plans by requiring, among other things, standardization of
disclosures among such plans as well as additional information on
the changes in benefit obligations and fair values of plan assets.
It also eliminates certain other disclosures no longer deemed
useful. SFAS No. 132 is effective for financial periods beginning
after December 15, 1997, and will have no effect on the Company's
financial position or results of operations as it does not change
the measurement or recognition criteria for such plans.
The Company has adopted the disclosure-only requirements of SFAS
No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," and therefore
continues to apply the provisions of Accounting Principles Board
("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,"
in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. Pursuant to
the requirements of SFAS No. 123, which defines a fair-value-based
method of accounting for employee stock options, the Company
provides pro forma net earnings and earnings-per-share disclosures
as if it were using that statement to account for its employee stock
option plans.
49
ENVIRONMENTAL - Environmental expenditures related to existing
conditions resulting from past or current operations and from which
no current or future benefit is discernible are expensed by the
Company. Expenditures that extend the life of the related property
or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized. The
Company determines its liability on a site-by-site basis and records
a liability when it is probable and can be reasonably estimated.
The estimated liability of the Company is not discounted.
A portion of the environmental expenditures incurred for gasoline
sites is eligible for refund under state reimbursement programs. A
related receivable is recorded for estimated probable refunds. The
receivable is discounted if the amount relates to remediation
activities which have already been conducted. A receivable is also
recorded to reflect estimated probable reimbursement from other
parties.
COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS - In January 1998, the Company adopted the
provisions of SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," which
is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The
statement establishes standards for reporting comprehensive
earnings and its components in a full set of general-purpose
financial statements. Comprehensive earnings are the changes in
equity of a business enterprise during a period from net earnings
and other events, except activity resulting from investments by
owners and distributions to owners.
2. ACQUISITIONS
On May 4, 1998, the Company purchased 100% of the common stock of
Christy's Market, Inc., a Massachusetts company that operates 135
convenience stores in the New England area. On May 12, 1998, the
Company purchased the assets of 20 'red D mart' convenience stores
in the South Bend, Indiana, area from MDK Corporation of Goshen,
Indiana.
These acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting and, accordingly, the results of operations of the
acquired businesses have been included in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements from their dates of acquisition.
Pro forma information is not provided as the impact of the
acquisitions does not have a material effect on the Company's
results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
The following information is provided as supplemental cash flow
disclosure for the acquisitions of businesses as reported in the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended
December 31, 1998 (dollars in thousands):
Fair value of assets acquired $ 75,479
Fair value of liabilities assumed 42,478
----------
Cash paid 33,001
Less cash acquired 72
----------
Net cash paid for acquisitions $ 32,929
==========
50
3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
December 31
------------------------
1998 1997
---- ----
(Dollars in Thousands)
Trade accounts receivable $ 59,985 $ 50,235
Franchisee accounts receivable 74,176 55,449
Environmental cost reimbursements
(net of long-term portion of
$42,012 and $38,716) - see Note 14 9,798 12,219
Other accounts receivable 12,854 15,388
----------- -----------
156,813 133,291
Allowance for doubtful accounts (8,767) (6,796)
----------- -----------
$ 148,046 $ 126,495
=========== ===========
4. INVENTORIES
December 31
------------------------
1998 1997
---- ----
(Dollars in Thousands)
Merchandise $ 74,835 $ 78,022
Gasoline 26,210 26,518
--------- ---------
$ 101,045 $ 104,540
========= =========
Inventories stated on the LIFO basis that are included in
inventories in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets were
$50,242 and $59,914 for merchandise and $21,070 and $21,446 for
gasoline at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. These amounts
are less than replacement cost by $33,804 and $26,980 for
merchandise and $600 and $4,545 for gasoline at December 31, 1998
and 1997, respectively.
51
5. OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
December 31
-------------------------
1998 1997
--------- -----------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Prepaid expenses $ 26,670 $ 22,640
Deferred tax assets - see Note 15 61,260 65,640
Restricted cash - see Note 10 22,810 -
Advances for lottery and other tickets 22,247 20,856
Reimbursable equipment purchases under
the master lease facility - see Note 13 22,892 2,254
Other 6,752 5,611
---------- ----------
$ 162,631 $ 117,001
========== ==========
6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
December 31
----------------------------
1998 1997
------------ ------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Cost:
Land $ 493,369 $ 461,568
Buildings and leaseholds 1,437,542 1,356,856
Equipment 1,084,694 911,598
Construction in process 102,524 38,152
------------- -------------
3,118,129 2,768,174
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (1,465,197) (1,351,487)
------------- -------------
$ 1,652,932 $ 1,416,687
============= =============
52
7. OTHER ASSETS
December 31
--------------------------
1998 1997
---- ----
(Dollars in Thousands)
SEJ license royalty intangible
(net of accumulated amortization of
$181,034 and $165,019) $ 137,466 $ 153,482
Other license royalty intangibles
(net of accumulated amortization of
$32,259 and $29,423) 24,345 27,181
Environmental cost reimbursements -
see Note 14 42,012 38,716
Goodwill (net of accumulated amortization
of $449) 30,671 -
Investments in domestic securities 27,011 15,101
Other (net of accumulated amortization
of $7,060 and $5,827) 62,805 52,273
---------- ----------
$ 324,310 $ 286,753
========== ==========
8. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
December 31
-------------------------
1998 1997
---- ----
(Dollars in Thousands)
Insurance $ 54,059 $ 69,412
Compensation 47,216 42,931
Taxes 51,807 52,400
Lotto, lottery and other tickets 37,446 36,922
Other accounts payable 36,492 30,989
Environmental costs - see Note 14 22,364 19,818
Profit sharing - see Note 12 16,490 14,780
Interest 20,432 17,173
Other current liabilities 76,092 69,419
--------- ---------
$ 362,398 $ 353,844
========= =========
The Company continues to review the functions necessary to enable
its stores to respond faster, more creatively and more cost
efficiently to rapidly changing customer needs and preferences. To
accomplish this goal, the Company continues to realign and reduce
personnel.
53
For the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company accrued $7,643 for
severance benefits for the reduction in force of approximately 120
management and administrative employees. The cost of the severance
benefits was recorded in OSG&A and, as of December 31, 1998, $2,730
of severance benefits has been paid against the accrual. There was
no material change in estimate of the accrual during 1998.
9. DEBT
December 31
----------------------------
1998 1997
---- -----
(Dollars in Thousands)
Bank Debt Term Loans $ 168,750 $ 225,000
Bank Debt revolving credit facility 295,000 62,000
Commercial paper 350,000 350,000
5% First Priority Senior Subordinated
Debentures due 2003 317,866 350,556
4-1/2% Second Priority Senior Subordinated
Debentures (Series A) due 2004 144,472 159,823
4% Second Priority Senior Subordinated
Debentures (Series B) due 2004 22,590 23,645
12% Second Priority Senior Subordinated
Debentures (Series C) due 2009 - 51,853
Yen Loans 223,751 168,198
7-1/2% Cityplace Term Loan due 2005 272,883 277,926
Capital lease obligations 137,152 125,777
Other 8,133 8,606
----------- -----------
1,940,597 1,803,384
Less long-term debt due within one year 151,754 208,839
----------- -----------
$ 1,788,843 $ 1,594,545
=========== ============
BANK DEBT - In February 1997, the Company became obligated to a
group of lenders under a new, unsecured credit agreement ("Credit
Agreement") that includes a $225 million term loan and a $400
million revolving credit facility. A sublimit of $150 million for
letters of credit is included in the revolving credit facility. In
addition, to the extent outstanding letters of credit are less than
the $150 million maximum, the excess availability can be used for
additional borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
Payments on the term loan, which matures on December 31, 2001,
commenced March 31, 1998, when the first installment of 16 quarterly
installments of $14,063 was paid. Upon expiration of the revolving
credit facility in February 2002, all the then-outstanding letters
of credit must expire and may need to be replaced, and all other
amounts then outstanding will be due and payable in full. At
December 31, 1998, outstanding letters of credit under the facility
totaled $71,124.
54
Interest on the term loan and borrowings under the revolving credit
facility is generally payable quarterly and is based on a variable
rate equal to the administrative agent bank's base rate or, at the
Company's option, at a rate equal to a reserve-adjusted Eurodollar
rate plus .225% per year. A fee of .325% per year on the
outstanding amount of letters of credit is required to be paid
quarterly. In addition, a facility fee of .15% per year is charged
on the aggregate amount of the credit agreement facility and is
payable quarterly. The weighted-average interest rate on the term
loan outstanding at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, was
5.6% and 6.1%. The weighted-average interest rate on the revolving
credit facility borrowings outstanding at December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively, was 5.6% and 8.5%.
The Credit Agreement contains various financial and operating
covenants which require, among other things, the maintenance of
certain financial ratios including interest and rent coverage,
fixed-charge coverage and senior indebtedness to earnings before
interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Credit
Agreement also contains various covenants which, among other things,
(a) limit the Company's ability to incur or guarantee indebtedness
or other liabilities other than under the Credit Agreement, (b)
restrict the Company's ability to engage in asset sales and
sale/leaseback transactions, (c) restrict the types of investments
the Company can make and (d) restrict the Company's ability to pay
cash dividends, redeem or prepay principal and interest on any
subordinated debt and certain senior debt.
In March 1999, the Credit Agreement was amended prospectively to
change the existing financial covenant levels to allow the Company
more flexibility and to increase the levels of capital expenditures
allowable to continue its store-growth strategy. Also, in
connection with this amendment, the interest rate on borrowings was
changed to a reserve-adjusted Eurodollar rate plus .475% instead of
the previous increment of .225%.
COMMERCIAL PAPER - As of December 31, 1998, the Company had a
facility that provided for the issuance of up to $400 million in
commercial paper. Effective January 15, 1999, the availability of
borrowings under this facility was increased to $650 million. At
both December 31, 1998 and 1997, $350 million of the respective
$368,348 and $398,744 outstanding principal amounts, net of
discount, was classified as long-term debt since the Company intends
to maintain at least this amount outstanding during the next year.
Such debt is unsecured and is fully and unconditionally guaranteed
by IY. IY has agreed to continue its guarantee of all commercial
paper issued through 2000. While it is not anticipated that IY
would be required to perform under its commercial paper guarantee,
in the event IY makes any payments under the guarantee, the Company
and IY have entered into an agreement by which the Company is
required to reimburse IY subject to restrictions in the Credit
Agreement. The weighted-average interest rate on commercial paper
borrowings outstanding at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively,
was 5.2% and 5.8%.
DEBENTURES - The Debentures are accounted for in accordance with
SFAS No. 15, "Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt
Restructuring," and were recorded at an amount equal to the future
undiscounted cash payments, both principal and interest ("SFAS No.
15 Interest"). Accordingly, no interest expense will be recognized
over the life of these securities, and cash interest payments will
55
be charged against the recorded amount of such securities. Interest
on all of the Debentures is payable in cash semiannually on June 15
and December 15 of each year.
The 5% First Priority Senior Subordinated Debentures, due
December 15, 2003 ("5% Debentures"), had an outstanding principal
balance of $254,293 at December 31, 1998, and are redeemable at any
time at the Company's option at 100% of the principal amount.
The Second Priority Senior Subordinated Debentures were issued in
three series, and each series is redeemable at any time at the
Company's option at 100% of the principal amount and are described
as follows:
- 4-1/2% Series A Debentures, due June 15, 2004 ("4-1/2%
Debentures"), had an outstanding principal balance of $115,809 at
December 31, 1998.
- 4% Series B Debentures, due June 15, 2004 ("4% Debentures"), had
an outstanding principal balance of $18,516 at December 31, 1998.
- - 12% Series C Debentures, due June 15, 2009 ("12% Debentures"),
were redeemed by the Company on March 31, 1998, with a portion of
the proceeds from the issuance of $80 million principal amount of
Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2013 ("1998
QUIDS") to IY and SEJ (see Note 10). The 12% Debentures had an
outstanding principal balance of $21,787 when they were redeemed.
The Company also utilized a portion of the proceeds from the 1998
QUIDS to purchase $15,700 principal amount of its 5% Debentures,
$7,845 principal amount of its 4-1/2% Debentures and $250 principal
amount of its 4% Debentures during the fourth quarter of 1998. The
partial purchases of these debentures, together with the redemption
of the 12% Debentures, resulted in an extraordinary gain of $23,324
(net of current tax effect of $14,912) as a result of the discounted
purchase price and the inclusion of SFAS No. 15 Interest in the
carrying amount of the debt.
In addition, the Company purchased $15,000 principal amount of its
5% Debentures in January 1999 and $4,418 principal amount of its 4-
1/2% Debentures in February 1999 with a portion of the proceeds of
the 1998 QUIDS. These partial purchases resulted in an
extraordinary gain of $4,290 (net of current tax effect of $2,743)
in 1999 as a result of the discounted purchase price and the
inclusion of SFAS No. 15 Interest in the carrying amount of the
debt.
Prior to the partial purchases, the 5% Debentures were subject to a
sinking fund payment of $8,696 due on December 15, 2002. The
Company used its purchase of the 5% Debentures to satisfy all
sinking fund requirements so that no sinking fund payments remain.
The Debentures contain certain covenants that, among other things,
(a) limit the payment of dividends and certain other restricted
payments by both the Company and its subsidiaries, (b) require the
purchase by the Company of the Debentures at the option of the
holder upon a change of control, (c) limit additional indebtedness,
(d) limit future exchange offers, (e) limit the repayment of
subordinated indebtedness, (f) require board approval of certain
asset sales, (g) limit transactions with certain stockholders and
affiliates and (h) limit consolidations, mergers and the conveyance
of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
56
The First and Second Priority Senior Subordinated Debentures are
subordinate to the borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement
and to previously outstanding mortgages and notes that are either
backed by specific collateral or are general unsecured,
unsubordinated obligations. The Second Priority Debentures are
subordinate to the First Priority Debentures.
YEN LOANS - In March 1988, the Company monetized its future royalty
payments from SEJ, its area licensee in Japan, through a loan that
is nonrecourse to the Company as to principal and interest ("1988
Yen Loan"). The original amount of the yen-denominated debt was 41
billion yen (approximately $327 million at the exchange rate in
March 1988) and is collateralized by the Japanese trademarks and a
pledge of the future royalty payments. By designating its future
royalty receipts during the term of the loan to service the monthly
interest and principal payments, the Company has hedged the impact
of future exchange rate fluctuations. Payment of the debt is
required no later than March 2006 through future royalties from SEJ.
The Company believes it is a remote possibility that there will be
any principal balance remaining at that date because current royalty
projections suggest the 1988 Yen Loan could be repaid as early as
2001. Upon the later of February 28, 2000, or the date which is one
year following the final repayment of the 1988 Yen Loan, royalty
payments from SEJ will be reduced by approximately two-thirds in
accordance with the terms of the license agreement. The interest
rate was 6.25% as of December 31, 1997, and was reset to 3.10% on
March 10, 1998. The new rate was .5% in excess of the Japanese
long-term lending rate on that date.
On April 30, 1998, funding occurred on an additional yen-
denominated loan ("1998 Yen Loan") for 12.5 billion yen or $96.5
million of proceeds. The 1998 Yen Loan has an interest rate of
2.325% and will be repaid from the Seven-Eleven Japan area license
royalty income beginning in 2001, after the 1988 Yen Loan has been
retired. Both principal and interest of the loan are nonrecourse
to the Company. The Company utilized a short-term put option to
lock-in the exchange rate and avoid the risk of foreign currency
exchange loss. The put option was financed by selling a call
option with the same yen amount and maturity as the put option.
Due to market conditions, the call option was not exercised and, as
a result, income of $1.6 million was recognized during 1998.
Proceeds of the loan were designated for general corporate
purposes.
CITYPLACE DEBT - Cityplace Center East Corporation ("CCEC"), a
subsidiary of the Company, constructed the headquarters tower,
parking garages and related facilities of the Cityplace Center
development and is currently obligated to The Sanwa Bank, Limited,
Dallas Agency ("Sanwa"), which has a lien on the property financed.
The debt with Sanwa has monthly payments of principal and interest
based on a 25-year amortization at 7.5%, with the remaining
principal due on March 1, 2005 (the "Cityplace Term Loan").
The Company is occupying part of the building as its corporate
headquarters and the balance is subleased. As additional
consideration through the extended term of the debt, CCEC will pay
to Sanwa an amount that it receives from the Company which is equal
to the net sublease income that the Company receives on the property
and 60% of the proceeds, less $275 million and permitted costs, upon
a sale or refinancing of the building.
57
MATURITIES - Long-term debt maturities assume the continuance of
the commercial paper program. The maturities, which include
capital lease obligations as well as SFAS No. 15 Interest accounted
for in the recorded amount of the Debentures, are as follows
(dollars in thousands):
1999 $ 151,754
2000 150,881
2001 132,794
2002 78,700
2003 306,872
Thereafter 1,119,596
-----------
$ 1,940,597
===========
10. CONVERTIBLE QUARTERLY INCOME DEBT SECURITIES
In November 1995, the Company issued $300 million principal amount
of Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2010 ("1995
QUIDS") to IY and SEJ. The 1995 QUIDS have an interest rate of 4.5%
and give the Company the right to defer interest payments thereon
for up to 20 consecutive quarters. The holder of the 1995 QUIDS can
convert the debt into a maximum of 72,111,917 shares of the
Company's common stock. The conversion rate represents a premium to
the market value of the Company's common stock at the time of
issuance of the 1995 QUIDS. As of December 31, 1998, no shares had
been issued as a result of debt conversion.
In February 1998, the Company issued $80 million principal amount of
1998 QUIDS, which have a 15-year life, no amortization and an
interest rate of 4.5%. The instrument gives the Company the right
to defer interest payments thereon for up to 20 consecutive
quarters. The debt mandatorily converts into 32,508,432 shares of
the Company's common stock if the Company's stock achieves certain
levels after the third anniversary of issuance. A portion of the
proceeds from the 1998 QUIDS was used to redeem the Company's 12%
Debentures at par and to fund the partial purchases of its other
Debentures (see Note 9). At December 31, 1998, the Company had
$22,810 designated as restricted cash to be used for future
purchases of Debentures. The 1998 QUIDS, together with the 1995
QUIDS (collectively, "Convertible Debt"), are subordinate to all
existing debt.
In addition to the principal amount of the Convertible Debt, the
financial statements include interest payable of $723 in 1998 and
$563 in 1997 as well as interest expense of $16,801, $13,733 and
$13,658 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, related to the
Convertible Debt.
58
11. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FAIR VALUE - The disclosure of the estimated fair value of
financial instruments has been determined by the Company using
available market information and appropriate valuation
methodologies as indicated below.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts
receivable, trade accounts payable and accrued expenses and other
liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values. Letters
of credit are included in the estimated fair value of accrued
expenses and other liabilities.
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of other financial
instruments at December 31, 1998, are listed in the following
table:
Carrying Estimated
Amount Fair Value
---------- ----------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Bank Debt $ 463,750 $ 463,750
Commercial Paper 368,348 368,348
Debentures 484,928 334,609
Yen Loans 223,751 250,922
Cityplace Term Loan 272,883 301,404
Convertible Debt
- not practicable to estimate fair value 380,000 -
The methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair value for
each of the classes of financial instruments presented in the table
above are as follows:
- The carrying amount of the Bank Debt approximates fair value
because the interest rates are variable.
- Commercial paper borrowings are sold at market interest rates and
have an average remaining maturity of less than 47 days.
Therefore, the carrying amount of commercial paper is a
reasonable estimate of its fair value. The guarantee of the
commercial paper by IY is an integral part of the estimated fair
value of the commercial paper borrowings.
- The fair value of the Debentures is estimated based on
December 31, 1998, bid prices obtained from investment banking
firms where traders regularly make a market for these financial
instruments. The carrying amount of the Debentures includes
$96,309 of SFAS No. 15 Interest.
- The fair value of the Yen Loans is estimated by calculating the
present value of the future yen cash flows at current interest
and exchange rates.
59
- The fair value of the Cityplace Term Loan is estimated by
calculating the present value of the future cash flows at current
interest rates.
- It is not practicable, without incurring excessive costs, to
estimate the fair value of the Convertible Debt (see Note 10) at
December 31, 1998. The fair value would be the sum of the fair
values assigned to both an interest rate and an equity component
of the debt by a valuation firm.
DERIVATIVES - The Company uses derivative financial instruments to
reduce its exposure to market risk resulting from fluctuations in
both foreign exchange rates (see Note 9) and interest rates. On
June 26, 1998, the Company entered into an interest rate swap
agreement that fixed the interest rate at 5.395% on $250 million
notional principal amount of floating rate debt until June 26,
2003. The interest rate swap had a fair value of $(10,821) as of
December 31, 1998, which reflects the estimated amount that the
Company would have to pay to terminate the swap. This agreement
was amended on February 9, 1999, and the Company will pay a fixed
interest rate of 6.096% on the floating rate debt until February 9,
2004. A major financial institution, as counterparty to the
agreement, will pay the Company a floating interest rate based on
three-month LIBOR during the term of the agreement in exchange for
the Company paying the fixed interest rate. Interest payments
related to the original agreement commenced September 28, 1998, and
interest payments related to the amended agreement will commence on
May 9, 1999. Interest payments are made quarterly by both parties.
Except for the option component discussed below, the swap is
accounted for as a hedge and, accordingly, any difference between
amounts paid and received under the swap are recorded as interest
expense. The impact on net interest expense as a result of this
agreement was nominally favorable for the year ended December 31,
1998, and the Company does not anticipate a material impact on its
earnings as a result of the amended agreement. The Company is at
risk of loss from this swap agreement in the event of
nonperformance by the counterparty.
Upon expiration of the initial swap term, the original agreement
was extendible for an additional five years at the option of the
counterparty. This extendible option component of the original
agreement was unwound by the amended agreement. The option
component was recognized at fair value and marked to market as of
December 31, 1998, and also at the time of unwinding. Due to
declining interest rates throughout the third and fourth quarters,
the Company recognized $3,677 of expense related to the option
component. However, with respect to its unhedged floating rate
debt, the Company experienced a positive economic benefit from the
declining interest rates during the same period. In the first
quarter of 1999, the Company recognized income of $1,505 as a
result of the mark-to-market adjustment of the option component
through the date of the unwinding.
The Company is currently reviewing SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." The statement
establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in
other contracts, and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 becomes
effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after
June 15, 1999, and earlier application is permitted as of the
beginning of any fiscal quarter subsequent to June 15, 1998. The
Company intends to adopt the provisions of this statement as of
January 1, 2000. The impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 133 has not
been determined at this time due to the Company's continuing
investigation of its financial instruments and the applicability of
SFAS No. 133 to them.
60
12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
PROFIT SHARING PLANS - The Company maintains profit sharing plans
for its U.S. and Canadian employees. In 1949, the Company excluding
its Canadian subsidiary ("Southland") adopted The Southland
Corporation Employees' Savings and Profit Sharing Plan (the "Savings
and Profit Sharing Plan") and, in 1970, the Company's Canadian
subsidiary adopted the Southland Canada, Inc., Profit Sharing
Pension Plan. In 1997, the name of the Canadian plan was changed to
the Southland Canada, Inc., Pension Plan. These plans provide
retirement benefits to eligible employees.
Contributions to the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan, a 401(k)
defined contribution plan, are made by both the participants and
Southland. Southland contributes the greater of approximately 10% of
its net earnings minus the amount contributed to The Southland
Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for Eligible
Employees (the "Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan") or an
amount determined by Southland. Net earnings are calculated without
regard to the contribution to the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan,
federal income taxes, gains from debt repurchases and refinancings
and, at the discretion of Southland's president, income from
accounting changes. The contribution by Southland is generally
allocated to the participants on the basis of their individual
contribution and years of participation in the Savings and Profit
Sharing Plan. The provisions of the Southland Canada, Inc., Pension
Plan are similar to those of the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.
Total contributions to these plans for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996 were $13,403, $12,977 and $14,069, respectively,
and are included in OSG&A.
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN - Effective January 1, 1998,
the Company established the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan,
which is an unfunded employee benefit plan maintained primarily to
allow compensation to be deferred by highly compensated employees
as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Benefits under this
plan constitute general obligations of the Company, subject to the
claims of general creditors of the Company, and participants have
no security or other interest in such funds.
Contributions to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, a
deferred compensation plan, are made by the participant and may be
made by the Company. A participant may elect to defer a maximum of
12 percent of eligible compensation. The Company may make a
matching contribution, if so authorized each plan year, up to a
maximum of six percent of the participant's eligible compensation
minus the amount of the participant's deferral to the Savings and
Profit Sharing Plan. Matching contributions, if any, will be
credited to the participant's account at the same rate that
Southland matches under the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan, but
using years of service with the Company, minus one, rather than
years of participation in the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan to
determine a participant's group. There were no Company
contributions to this plan for the year ended December 31, 1998.
61
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS - The Company's group insurance plan (the
"Insurance Plan") provides postretirement medical and dental
benefits for all retirees that meet certain criteria. Such criteria
include continuous participation in the Insurance Plan ranging from
10 to 15 years depending on hire date, and the sum of age plus years
of continuous service equal to at least 70. The Company contributes
toward the cost of the Insurance Plan a fixed dollar amount per
retiree based on age and number of dependents covered, as adjusted
for actual claims experience. All other future costs and cost
increases will be paid by the retirees. The Company continues to
fund its cost on a cash basis; therefore, no plan assets have been
accumulated.
The following information on the Company's Insurance Plan is
provided:
December 31
-----------------------
1998 1997
---- ----
(Dollars in Thousands)
CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 21,238 $ 21,197
Service cost 536 521
Interest cost 1,523 1,535
Plan participants' contributions 2,953 2,413
Actuarial (gain) loss 894 (704)
Gross benefits paid (4,230) (3,724)
---------- ---------
Net benefit obligation at end of year $ 22,914 $ 21,238
========== =========
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $0 $0
Employer contributions 1,277 1,311
Plan participants' contributions 2,953 2,413
Gross benefits paid (4,230) (3,724)
--------- ---------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $0 $0
========= =========
Funded status at end of year $ (22,914) $ (21,238)
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss (6,270) (7,724)
---------- ----------
Accrued benefit costs $ (29,184) $ (28,962)
========== ==========
62
Years Ended December 31
--------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
(Dollars in Thousands)
COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST:
Service cost $ 536 $ 521 $ 595
Interest cost 1,523 1,535 1,496
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (560) (603) (498)
-------- -------- --------
Net periodic benefit cost $ 1,499 $ 1,453 $ 1,593
======== ======== ========
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS USED:
Discount rate 6.75% 7.25% 7.50%
Rate of compensation increase 5.00% 5.00% 5.00%
Health care cost trend on covered charges:
1996 trend N/A N/A 11.00%
1997 trend N/A 10.00% 10.00%
1998 trend 9.00% 9.00% 9.00%
Ultimate trend 6.00% 6.00% 6.00%
Ultimate trend reached in 2001 2001 2001
There was no effect of a one-percentage-point increase or decrease
in assumed health care cost trend rates on either the total service
and interest cost components or the postretirement benefit
obligation for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 as
the Company contributes a fixed dollar amount.
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN - The Southland Corporation 1995 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Stock Incentive Plan") was adopted by the
Company in October 1995 and approved by the shareholders in April
1996. The Stock Incentive Plan provides for the granting of stock
options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted
stock, restricted stock units, bonus stock and other forms of stock-
based awards and authorizes the issuance of up to 41 million shares
over a ten-year period to certain key employees and officers of the
Company. All options granted in 1998, 1997 and 1996 were granted at
an exercise price that was equal to the fair market value on the
date of grant. The options granted are exercisable in five equal
installments beginning one year after grant date with possible
acceleration thereafter based upon certain improvements in the price
of the Company's common stock.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of
grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the
following weighted-average assumptions used for the options granted:
for each year presented, expected life of five years and no dividend
yields, combined with risk-free interest rates of 4.50%, 5.81% and
6.39% in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and expected volatility
of 61.76% in 1998, 51.37% in 1997 and 55.49% in 1996.
63
A summary of the status of the Stock Incentive Plan as of
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, and changes during the years
ending on those dates, is presented below:
1998 1997 1996
------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------
Shares Weighted-Average Shares Weighted-Average Shares Weighted-Average
Fixed Options (000's) Exercise Price (000's) Exercise Price (000's) Exercise Price
- -------------------------------- -------- ---------------- ------- ---------------- ------- ----------------
Outstanding at beginning of year 10,500 $2.8903 7,618 $3.0895 3,864 $3.1875
Granted 3,359 1.9063 3,390 2.4690 3,978 $3.0000
Exercised - - - - - -
Forfeited (431) 2.8693 (508) 3.0679 (224) 3.1875
-------- ------- -------
Outstanding at end of year 13,428 $2.6448 10,500 $2.8903 7,618 $3.0895
======= ======= =======
Options exercisable at year-end 4,044 $3.0074 2,126 $3.1231 728 $3.1875
Weighted-average fair value of
options granted during the year $1.0741 $1.2691 $1.6413
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------
Weighted-
Options Average Weighted- Options Weighted-
Range of Outstanding Remaining Average Exercisable Average
Exercise Prices at 12/31/98 Contractual Life Exercise Price at 12/31/98 Exercise Price
--------------- ----------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------
$1.9063 3,359,300 9.79 $1.9063 - -
2.4690 3,234,500 8.87 2.4690 646,900 $2.4690
3.0000 3,515,940 7.75 3.0000 1,406,376 3.0000
3.1875 3,318,100 6.81 3.1875 1,990,860 3.1875
----------- -----------
1.9063 - 3.1875 13,427,840 8.30 2.6448 4,044,136 3.0074
=========== ===========
The Company is accounting for the Stock Incentive Plan under the
provisions of APB No. 25 and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been
recognized. If compensation cost had been determined based on the fair value
at the grant date for awards under this plan consistent with the method
prescribed by SFAS No. 123, the Company's net earnings and earnings per share
for the years ended December 31 ,1998, 1997 and 1996, would have been reduced
to the pro forma amounts indicated in the table below:
1998 1997 1996
--------- -------- ----------
(Dollars in Thousands,
Except Per-Share Data)
Net earnings:
As reported $74,048 $70,042 $89,476
Pro forma 72,017 68,542 88,520
Earnings per common share:
As reported:
Basic $ .18 $ .17 $ .22
Diluted .17 .16 .20
Pro forma:
Basic $ .18 $ .17 $ .22
Diluted .16 .16 .20
64
13. LEASES
LEASES - Certain property and equipment used in the Company's
business is leased. Generally, real estate leases are for primary
terms from 14 to 20 years with options to renew for additional
periods, and equipment leases are for terms from one to ten years.
The leases do not contain restrictions that have a material effect
on the Company's operations.
In April 1997, the Company obtained commitments from the same group
of lenders that participated in the Credit Agreement (see Note 9)
for up to $115 million of lease financing under a master lease
facility to be used primarily for electronic point-of-sale equipment
associated with the Company's retail information system. As of
December 31, 1998, the Company had received $44,748 of the available
funding under the lease facility and intends to use the remainder of
the funding as the system rollout continues. Lease payments are
variable based on changes in LIBOR.
Individual leases under this master lease facility have initial
terms that expire on June 30, 2000, at which time the Company has an
option to cancel all leases under this facility by purchasing the
equipment or arranging its sale to a third party. The Company also
has the option to renew the leases semiannually until five years
after the beginning of the individual leases. At each semiannual
renewal date, the Company has the option to purchase the equipment
and end the lease. Individual leases may be extended beyond five
years through an extended rental agreement.
The composition of capital leases reflected as property and
equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows:
December 31
--------------------------
1998 1997
---- -----
(Dollars in Thousands)
Buildings $ 129,520 $ 111,946
Equipment 47,568 43,115
----------- -----------
177,088 155,061
Accumulated amortization (69,989) (72,059)
----------- -----------
$ 107,099 $ 83,002
=========== ===========
The present value of future minimum lease payments for capital lease
obligations is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as
long-term debt. The amount representing imputed interest necessary
to reduce net minimum lease payments to present value has been
calculated generally at the Company's incremental borrowing rate at
the inception of each lease.
65
Future minimum lease payments for years ending December 31 are as
follows:
Capital Operating
Leases Leases
---------- -----------
(Dollars in Thousands)
1999 $ 34,116 $ 122,657
2000 31,653 105,298
2001 28,481 91,640
2002 22,805 75,597
2003 14,846 56,588
Thereafter 85,633 221,003
---------- ----------
Future minimum lease payments 217,534 $ 672,783
===========
Estimated executory costs (55)
Amount representing imputed interest (80,327)
----------
Present value of future minimum lease payments $ 137,152
==========
Minimum noncancelable sublease rental income to be received in the
future, which is not included above as an offset to future payments,
totals $14,436 for capital leases and $14,571 for operating leases.
Rent expense on operating leases for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, totaled $143,539, $136,516 and $132,760,
respectively, including contingent rent expense of $10,441, $9,360
and $9,438, but reduced by sublease rent income of $5,909, $6,620
and $7,175. Contingent rent expense on capital leases for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, was $1,818, $1,987 and
$2,088, respectively. Contingent rent expense is generally based on
sales levels or changes in the Consumer Price Index.
LEASES WITH THE SAVINGS AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN - At December 31,
1998, the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan owned 12 stores leased to
the Company under capital leases and 612 stores leased to the
Company under operating leases at rentals which, in the opinion of
management, approximated market rates at the date of lease. In
addition, in 1998, 1997 and 1996, there were 99, 64 and 38 leases,
respectively, that either expired or, as a result of properties that
were sold by the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan to third parties,
were canceled or assigned to the new owner. Also, five properties
and one property, respectively, were sold to the Company by the
Savings and Profit Sharing Plan in 1998 and 1997.
66
Included in the consolidated financial statements are the following
amounts related to leases with the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan:
December 31
------------------------
1998 1997
---- ----
(Dollars in Thousands)
Buildings (net of accumulated amortization
of $886 and $4,830) $ 281 $ 513
========= ==========
Capital lease obligations (net of current
portion of $56 and $709) $ 314 $ 321
========= =========
Years Ended December 31
---------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
(Dollars in Thousands)
Rent expense under operating leases and
amortization of capital lease assets $19,987 $23,961 $25,670
======= ======= =======
Imputed interest expense on capital
lease obligations $ 59 $ 159 $ 299
======= ======= =======
Capital lease principal payments included
in principal payments under long-term
debt agreements $ 594 $ 1,183 $ 1,580
======= ======= =======
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MCLANE COMPANY, INC. - In connection with the 1992 sale of
distribution and food center assets to McLane, the Company and
McLane entered into a ten-year service agreement under which McLane
is making its distribution services available to 7-Eleven stores in
the United States. If the Company does not fulfill its obligation
to McLane during this time period, the Company must reimburse McLane
on a pro-rata basis for the transitional payment received at the
time of the transaction. The original payment received of $9,450 in
1992 is being amortized to cost of goods sold over the life of the
agreement. The Company has exceeded the minimum annual purchases
each year and expects to exceed the minimum required purchase levels
in future years.
CITGO PETROLEUM CORPORATION - In 1986, the Company entered into a
20-year product purchase agreement with Citgo to buy specified
quantities of gasoline at market prices. These prices are
determined pursuant to a formula based on the prices posted by
gasoline wholesalers in the various market areas where the Company
purchases gasoline from Citgo. Minimum required annual purchases
under this agreement are generally the lesser of 750 million gallons
or 35% of gasoline purchased by the Company for retail sale. The
Company has exceeded the minimum required annual purchases each year
and expects to exceed the minimum required annual purchase levels in
future years.
67
ENVIRONMENTAL - In December 1988, the Company closed its chemical
manufacturing facility in New Jersey. As a result, the Company is
required to conduct environmental remediation at the facility and
has submitted a clean-up plan to the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection (the "State"), which provides for active
remediation of the site for approximately a three-to-five-year
period as well as continued groundwater monitoring and treatment
for a projected 15-year period. The Company has received
conditional approval of its clean-up plan. The projected 15-year
clean-up period represents a reduction from the previously reported
20-year period and is a result of revised estimates as determined
by an independent environmental management company in the first
quarter of 1997. These revised estimates, which generally resulted
from the conditional approval of the Company's plan, reduced both
the estimated time and the estimated costs to complete the project
and resulted in decreasing the liability and the related receivable
balances by $16.3 million and $9.7 million, respectively. The
Company has recorded undiscounted liabilities representing its best
estimates of the clean-up costs of $8,726 and $10,442 at December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Of this amount, $6,462 and $8,624
are included in deferred credits and other liabilities and the
remainder in accrued expenses and other liabilities for the
respective years.
In 1991, the Company and the former owner of the facility executed
a final settlement pursuant to which the former owner agreed to pay
a substantial portion of the clean-up costs. Based on the terms of
the settlement agreement and the financial resources of the former
owner, the Company has recorded receivable amounts of $5,098 and
$6,126 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Of this
amount, $3,750 and $4,907 are included in other assets and the
remainder in accounts receivable for 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Additionally, the Company accrues for the anticipated future costs
and the related probable state reimbursement amounts for
remediation activities at its existing and previously operated
gasoline store sites where releases of regulated substances have
been detected. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, the
Company's estimated undiscounted liability for these sites was
$41,897 and $40,880, of which $21,797 and $22,880 are included in
deferred credits and other liabilities and the remainder is
included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. These
estimates were based on the Company's prior experience with
gasoline sites and its consideration of such factors as the age of
the tanks, location of tank sites and experience with contractors
who perform environmental assessment and remediation work. The
Company anticipates that substantially all of the future
remediation costs for detected releases at these sites as of
December 31, 1998, will be incurred within the next four or five
years.
Under state reimbursement programs, the Company is eligible to
receive reimbursement for a portion of future remediation costs, as
well as a portion of remediation costs previously paid.
Accordingly, the Company has recorded net receivable amounts of
$46,712 and $44,809 for the estimated probable state
reimbursements, of which $38,262 and $33,809 are included in other
assets and the remainder in accounts receivable for 1998 and 1997,
respectively. In assessing the probability of state reimbursements,
the Company takes into consideration each state's fund balance,
revenue sources, existing claim backlog, status of clean-up
activity and claim ranking systems. As a result of these
68
assessments, the recorded receivable amounts in other assets are
net of allowances of $9,992 and $9,704 for 1998 and 1997,
respectively. While there is no assurance of the timing of the
receipt of state reimbursement funds, based on the Company's
experience, the Company expects to receive the majority of state
reimbursement funds, except from California, within one to three
years after payment of eligible remediation expenses, assuming that
the state administrative procedures for processing such
reimbursements have been fully developed. The Company estimates
that it may take one to six years to receive reimbursement funds
from California. Therefore, the portion of the recorded receivable
amounts that relates to remediation activities which have already
been conducted has been discounted at 4.6% and 5.7% in 1998 and
1997, respectively, to reflect its present value. The 1998 and
1997 recorded receivable amounts are net of discounts of $4,051 and
$6,048, respectively.
The estimated future remediation expenditures and related state
reimbursement amounts could change within the near future as
governmental requirements and state reimbursement programs continue
to be implemented or revised.
15. INCOME TAXES
The components of earnings before income taxes and extraordinary
gain are as follows:
Years Ended December 31
------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------- --------- --------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Domestic (including royalties of
$68,329, $67,259 and $63,536
from area license agreements
in foreign countries) $ 78,719 $ 109,982 $ 124,316
Foreign 3,894 5,313 6,508
--------- --------- ---------
$ 82,613 $ 115,295 $ 130,824
========== ========== ==========
69
The provision for income taxes on earnings before extraordinary
gain in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings
consists of the following:
Years Ended December 31
-------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- ---------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Current:
Federal $ 1,146 $ 1,182 $ 5,054
Foreign 10,753 11,559 10,704
State 800 700 1,800
-------- -------- ---------
Subtotal 12,699 13,441 17,558
Deferred:
Provision 19,190 31,812 23,790
-------- --------- ---------
Income taxes before
extraordinary gain $ 31,889 $ 45,253 $ 41,348
======== ========= =========
Included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) at December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, are $10,521, $5,877 and $6,882 of income taxes
provided on unrealized gains on marketable securities.
Reconciliations of income taxes (benefit) before extraordinary gain
at the federal statutory rate to the Company's actual income taxes
provided are as follows:
Years Ended December 31
--------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- ---------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Taxes at federal statutory rate $ 28,915 $ 40,353 $ 45,788
State income taxes, net of federal
income tax benefit 520 455 1,170
Foreign tax rate difference 263 2,095 1,077
Settlement of IRS examination - - (7,261)
Other 2,191 2,350 574
--------- --------- ---------
$ 31,889 $ 45,253 $ 41,348
========= ========= =========
70
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and
liabilities are as follows:
December 31
------------------------
1998 1997
---------- ----------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
SFAS No. 15 Interest $ 43,983 $ 65,559
Compensation and benefits 38,823 40,729
Accrued liabilities 25,842 25,980
Accrued insurance 25,483 33,838
Tax credit carryforwards 11,515 13,981
Debt issuance costs 6,518 6,777
Other 6,075 6,312
---------- ---------
Subtotal 158,239 193,176
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment (70,943) (61,687)
Area license agreements (63,106) (70,459)
Other (15,498) (10,791)
---------- - --------
Subtotal (149,547) (142,937)
---------- ----------
Net deferred taxes $ 8,692 $ 50,239
========== ==========
At both December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company's net deferred tax
asset is recorded in other current assets (see Note 5) and deferred
credits and other liabilities. At December 31, 1998, the Company
had approximately $11,500 of alternative minimum tax credit
carryforwards, which have no expiration date.
16. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
The Company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," in December
1997. This statement, which replaces APB Opinion No. 15, "Earnings
per Share," establishes simplified accounting standards for
computing earnings per share ("EPS") and makes them comparable to
international EPS standards.
Basic EPS is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-
average number of common shares outstanding during each year.
Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net earnings, plus interest on
Convertible Debt (see Note 10) net of tax benefits, by the sum of
the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, the
weighted-average number of common shares associated with the
Convertible Debt and the dilutive effects of the stock options
outstanding (see Note 12) during each year. All prior-period EPS
amounts presented have been restated to conform to the provisions of
SFAS No. 128.
71
A reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the
basic and diluted per-share computations for net earnings, as
required by SFAS No. 128, is presented below:
Years Ended December 31
-----------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------ ------- -------
(Dollars in Thousands, Except
Per-Share Data)
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION:
Earnings (Numerator):
Earnings before extraordinary gain available
to common shareholders $ 50,724 $ 70,042 $ 89,476
Earnings on extraordinary gain available
to common shareholders 23,324 - -
--------- -------- ---------
Net earnings available to common shareholders $ 74,048 $ 70,042 $ 89,476
Shares (Denominator):
Weighted-average number of common
shares outstanding 409,923 409,923 409,923
======== ======== ========
BASIC EPS:
Earnings per common share before extraordinary gain $ .12 $ .17 $ .22
Earnings per common share on extraordinary gain .06 - -
------- ------- --------
Net earnings per common share $ .18 $ .17 $ .22
======== ======== =========
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION:
Earnings (Numerator):
Earnings before extraordinary gain available
to common shareholders $ 50,724 $ 70,042 $ 89,476
Add interest on convertible quarterly income debt
securities, net of tax 10,316 8,343 8,297
-------- -------- --------
Earnings before extraordinary gain available to
common shareholders plus assumed conversions 61,040 78,385 97,773
Earnings on extraordinary gain available to
common shareholders 23,324 - -
--------- --------- --------
Net earnings available to common shareholders
plus assumed conversions $ 84,364 $ 78,385 $ 97,773
======== ========= =========
Shares (Denominator):
Weighted-average number of common
shares outstanding 409,923 409,923 409,923
Add effects of assumed conversions:
Exercise of stock options 119 170 167
Conversion of convertible quarterly income debt
securities 99,589 72,112 72,112
-------- -------- --------
Weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding plus shares from assumed conversions 509,631 482,205 482,202
======== ======== ========
DILUTED EPS:
Earnings per common share before extraordinary gain $ .12 $ .16 $ .20
Earnings per common share on extraordinary gain .05 - -
-------- -------- ---------
Net earnings per common share $ .17 $ .16 $ .20
======== ======== =========
72
17. PREFERRED STOCK
The Company has 5 million shares of preferred stock authorized for
issuance. Any preferred stock issued will have such rights, powers
and preferences as determined by the Company's Board of Directors.
18. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Summarized quarterly financial data for 1998 and 1997 is as follows:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998:
First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per-Share Data)
Merchandise sales $1,204 $1,421 $1,556 $1,393 $5,574
Gasoline sales 391 424 444 425 1,684
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net sales 1,595 1,845 2,000 1,818 7,258
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Merchandise gross profit 411 502 546 469 1,928
Gasoline gross profit 43 44 59 62 208
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Gross profit 454 546 605 531 2,136
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income taxes (benefit) (7) 16 22 1 32
Earnings (loss) before
extraordinary gain (12) 26 36 1 51
Net earnings 6 26 36 6 74
Earnings (loss) per common
share before extraordinary gain:
Basic (.03) .06 .09 .01 .12
Diluted (.03) .06 .07 .01 .12
The first and fourth quarters include extraordinary gains of
$17,871 and $5,453, respectively, resulting from the redemption of
the 12% Debentures and the partial purchases of the 5% Debentures,
the 4-1/2% Debentures and the 4% Debentures (see Note 9). The
first quarter includes an expense of $11,839 resulting from the
cumulative effects of a computer equipment lease termination and an
accrual of $7,104 for severance benefits and related costs.
73
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997:
First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per-Share Data)
Merchandise sales $1,169 $1,335 $1,409 $1,269 $5,182
Gasoline sales 435 447 465 442 1,789
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net sales 1,604 1,782 1,874 1,711 6,971
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Merchandise gross profit 411 476 506 435 1,828
Gasoline gross profit 39 46 46 53 184
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Gross profit 450 522 552 488 2,012
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income taxes 4 17 22 2 45
Net earnings 6 26 33 5 70
Earnings per common share:
Basic .01 .06 .08 .01 .17
Diluted .01 .06 .07 .01 .16
74
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
The Southland Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The
Southland Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity
(deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of The
Southland Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 4, 1999
75
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Certain of the information required in response to this Item is
incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement
for the April 28, 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
See also "Executive Officers of the Registrant" beginning on page 13,
herein.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information required in response to this Item is incorporated
herein by reference from the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement for
the April 28, 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The information required in response to this Item is incorporated
herein by reference from the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement for
the April 28, 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required in response to this Item is incorporated
herein by reference to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement for the
April 28, 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
76
PART IV
Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
1. The Southland Corporation and Subsidiaries' Financial Statements for
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998 are included herein:
PAGE
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31,1998 and 1997 42
Consolidated Statements of Earnings - Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 43
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - Years Ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996 44
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 45
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 46
Independent Auditors' Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 75
2. The Southland Corporation and Subsidiaries' Financial Statement
Schedule, included herein.
PAGE
Independent Auditors' Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on Financial Statement Schedule 82
II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 83
All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, are
not required, or the required information is shown in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
3. The following is a list of the Exhibits required to be filed by
Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
EXHIBIT NO.
2. PLAN OF ACQUISITION, REORGANIZATION, ARRANGEMENT, LIQUIDATION OR
SUCCESSION.
2.(1) Debtor's Plan of Reorganization, dated October 24, 1990, as filed
in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas, Dallas
Division, and Addendum to Debtor's Plan of Reorganization dated January 23,
1991, incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Current
Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 1991, File Numbers 0-676 and 0-16626,
Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2.
2.(2) Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 25, 1991, by and
among The Southland Corporation, Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. and Seven-Eleven
Japan Co., Ltd., incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 1991, File Numbers 0-676 and
0-16626, Exhibit 2.3.
2.(3) Confirmation Order issued on February 21, 1991 by the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas
Division, incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Current
Report on Form 8-K dated March 4, 1991, File Numbers 0-676 and 0-16626,
Exhibit 2.1.
77
3. ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS.
3.(1) Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of The Southland
Corporation, as amended through March 5, 1991, incorporated by reference to
The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1990, Exhibit 3.(1).
3.(2) Bylaws of The Southland Corporation, restated as amended through
April 24, 1996, incorporated by reference to File Nos. 0-676 and 0-16626,
The Southland Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1996, Exhibit 3.
4. INSTRUMENTS DEFINING THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS, INCLUDING
INDENTURES (SEE EXHIBITS (3).(1) AND (3).(2), ABOVE).
4.(i)(1) Specimen Certificate for Common Stock, $.0001 par value,
incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, Exhibit 4.(i)(1).
4.(i)(2) Shareholders Agreement dated as of March 5, 1991, among The
Southland Corporation, Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd., IYG Holding Company, Thompson
Brothers, L.P., Thompson Capital Partners, L.P., The Hayden Company, The
Williamsburg Corporation, Four J Investment, L.P., The Philp Co.,
participants in the Company's Grant Stock Plan who are signatories thereto
and certain limited partners of Thompson Capital Partners, L.P. who are
signatories thereto, incorporated by reference to Schedule 13D filed by
Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd., Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. and IYG Holding Company,
Exhibit A.
4.(i)(3) First Amendment, dated December 30, 1992, to Shareholders
Agreement, dated as of March 5, 1991, incorporated by reference to The
Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1992, Exhibit 4.(i)(5).
4.(i)(4) Second Amendment, dated February 28, 1996, to Shareholders
Agreement, dated as of March 5, 1991, incorporated by reference to The
Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995, Exhibit 4.(i)(6), Tab 1.
4.(ii)(1) Indenture, including Debenture, with Chase Manhattan Trust,
N.A., as successor trustee, providing for 5% First Priority Senior
Subordinated Debentures due December 15, 2003, incorporated by reference to
The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1990, Exhibit 4.(ii)(2).
4.(ii)(2) Indenture, including Debentures, with Bank of New York as
successor trustee, providing for 4 1/2% Second Priority Senior Subordinated
Debentures (Series A) due June 15, 2004 and 4% Second Priority Senior
Subordinated Debentures (Series B) due June 15, 2004, incorporated by
reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1990, Exhibit 4.(ii)(3).
4.(ii)(3) Form of 4.5% Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities due
2010, incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Form 8-K,
dated November 21, 1995, Exhibit 4(v)-1.
4.(ii)(4) Form of 4.5% Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities due
2013, incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, Exhibit
4.(ii)(3).
9. VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT. NONE.(EXCEPT SEE EXHIBITS 4.(i)(2),ABOVE.)
10. MATERIAL CONTRACTS.
78
10.(i)(1) Stock Purchase Agreement among The Southland Corporation, Ito-
Yokado Co., Ltd. and Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., dated as of January 25,
1991. See Exhibit 2.(2), above.
10.(i)(2) Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 1997, among The
Southland Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as Senior
Lenders, the financial institutions party thereto as Issuing Banks,
Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and The Sakura Bank, Limited, New
York Branch, as Co-Agent, incorporated by reference to The Southland
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996, Exhibit 10.(i)(2).
10.(i)(3) First Amendment dated as of February 9, 1998 to Credit Agreement
dated as of February 27, 1997, among The Southland Corporation, the
financial institutions party thereto as Senior Lenders, the financial
institutions party thereto as Issuing Banks, Citibank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and The Sakura Bank, Limited, New York Branch, as Co-
Agent, incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, Exhibit
10.(i)(3).
10.(i)(4) Second Amendment, dated as of April 29, 1998, to Credit
Agreement dated as of February 27, 1997, among The Southland Corporation,
the financial institutions party thereto as Senior Lenders, the financial
institutions party thereto as Issuing Banks, Citibank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and The Sakura Bank, Limited, New York Branch, as Co-
Agent, incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998, Exhibit 10.(i)(1).
10.(i)(5) Third Amendment, dated as of February 23, 1999, to Credit
Agreement dated as of February 27, 1997, among The Southland Corporation,
the financial institutions party thereto as Senior Lenders, the financial
institutions party thereto as Issuing Banks, Citibank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and The Sakura Bank, Limited, New York Branch, as Co-
Agent.*
Tab 1
10.(i)(6) Credit and Reimbursement Agreement by and between Cityplace
Center East Corporation, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Southland,
and The Sanwa Bank Limited, Dallas Agency, dated February 15, 1987,
relating to $290 million of 7 7/8% Notes due February 15, 1995, issued by
Cityplace Center East Corporation (to which Southland is not a party and
which is non-recourse to Southland), incorporated by reference to The
Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1986, Exhibit 10.(i)(6).
10.(i)(7) Third Amendment to Credit and Reimbursement Agreement, dated as
of February 10, 1995, by and between The Sanwa Bank, Limited, Dallas Agency
and Cityplace Center East Corporation, incorporated by reference to The
Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1994, Exhibit 10.(i)(4).
10.(i)(8) Amended and Restated Lease Agreement between Cityplace Center
East Corporation and The Southland Corporation relating to The Southland
Tower, Cityplace Center, Dallas, Texas, incorporated by reference to The
Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1990, Exhibit 10.(i)(7).
10.(i)(9) Limited Recourse Financing for The Southland Corporation
relating to royalties from Seven-Eleven (Japan) Company, Ltd. in the amount
of Japanese Yen 41,000,000,000, dated March 21, 1988, incorporated by
reference to The Southland Corporation's Form 10-K for year ended December
31, 1988, Exhibit 10.(i)(6).
79
10.(i)(10) Secured Yen Loan Agreement for The Southland Corporation
relating to royalties from Seven-Eleven (Japan) Company, Ltd. in the amount
of Japanese Yen 12,500,000,000, dated as of April 21, 1998, incorporated by
reference to The Southland Corporation's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 1998, Exhibit 10.(i)(2).
10.(i)(11) Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, dated as of August 17,
1992, relating to commercial paper facility, Form of Note, Indemnity and
Reimbursement Agreement and amendment thereto and Guarantee, incorporated
by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1995, Exhibit 10.(i)(8).
10.(i)(12) Amendment, dated as of January 15, 1999, to Issuing and
Paying Agency Agreement, dated as of August 17, 1992, relating to
commercial paper facility.*
Tab 2
10.(ii)(B)(1) Standard Form of 7-Eleven Store Franchise Agreement,
incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, Exhibit 10(ii)(B)(1).
10.(ii)(D)(1) Master Leasing Agreement dated as of April 15, 1997, among
the financial institutions party thereto as Lessor Parties, CBL Capital
Corporation, as Agent for the Lessor Parties and The Southland Corporation,
as Lessee, incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, Exhibit
10.(ii)(D)(1).
10.(iii)(A)(1) The Southland Corporation Executive Protection Plan
Summary, incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, Exhibit
10.(iii)(A)(3).
10.(iii)(A)(2) The Southland Corporation Officers' Deferred Compensation
Plan, sample agreement, incorporated by reference to The Southland
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1993, Exhibit 10.(iii)(A)(4).
10.(iii)(A)(3) Form of Bonus Deferral Agreement relating to deferral of
Annual Performance Incentive Payment, incorporated by reference to The
Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.(iii)(A)(3).
10.(iii)(A)(4) 1997 Performance Plan, incorporated by reference to The
Southland Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.(iii)(A)(4).
10.(iii)(A)(5) 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to
Registration Statement on Form S-8, Reg. No. 333-63617, Exhibit 4.10.
10.(iii)(A)(6) The Southland Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan for Eligible Employees incorporated by reference to Registration
Statement on Form S-8, Reg. No. 333-42731, Exhibit 4.(i)(3).
10.(iii)(A)(7) Form of Deferral Election Form for The Southland
Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for Eligible Employees,
incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.(iii)(A)(7).
10.(iii)(A)(8) Form of Award Agreement granting options to purchase Common
Stock, dated October 23, 1995, under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, Exhibit 10.(iii)(A)(10),
Tab 4.
80
10.(iii)(A)(9) Form of Award Agreement granting options to purchase
Common Stock, dated October 1, 1996, under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.(iii)(A)(6).
10.(iii)(A)(10) Form of Award Agreement granting options to purchase
Common Stock, dated November 12, 1997, under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.(iii)(A)(10).
10.(iii)(A)(11) Form of Award Agreement granting options to purchase
Common Stock, dated October 14, 1998, under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan.*
Tab 3
10.(iii)(A)(12) The Southland Corporation Stock Compensation Plan for Non-
Employee Directors and Election Form, effective October 1, 1998,
incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Form S-8
Registration Statement, Reg. No. 333-68491, Exhibit 4.(i)(4).
10.(iii)(A)(13) Consultant's Agreement between The Southland Corporation
and Timothy N. Ashida, incorporated by reference to The Southland
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1991, Exhibit 10.(iii)(A)(10).
10.(iii)(A)(14) First Amendment to Consultant's Agreement between The
Southland Corporation and Timothy N. Ashida, effective as of May 1, 1995,
incorporated by reference to The Southland Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.(iii)(A)(9).
11. STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF PER-SHARE EARNINGS.
Not Required
21. SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT AS OF MARCH 1999.*
Tab 4
23. CONSENTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent
Auditors.*
Tab 5
27. FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE.
FILED ELECTRONICALLY ONLY, NOT ATTACHED TO PRINTED
REPORTS.
- -----------------------------
*Filed or furnished herewith
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
During the fourth quarter of 1998, the Company filed no reports on
Form 8-K.
(c) The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are attached
hereto or incorporated by reference herein.
(d)(3) The financial statement schedule for The Southland Corporation and
Subsidiaries is included herein, as follows:
Schedule II - The Southland Corporation and Subsidiaries
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (for the Years Ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996). Page 83
81
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
The Southland Corporation
Our report on the consolidated financial statements of The Southland
Corporation and Subsidiaries is included on page 75 of this Form 10-K. In
connection with our audits of such financial statements, we have also
audited the related financial statement schedule listed in the index on
page 77 of this Form 10-K.
In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be
included herein.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 4, 1999
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SCHEDULE II
THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Additions
-----------------------
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
beginning costs and other end
of period expenses accounts Deductions of period
--------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended December 31, 1998.................... $ 6,796 $ 3,148 $ - $ (1,177)(1) $ 8,767
Year ended December 31, 1997.................... 5,009 2,459 - (672)(1) 6,796
Year ended December 31, 1996.................... 4,858 2,153 - (2,002)(1) 5,009
Allowance for environmental cost reimbursements:
Year ended December 31, 1998.................... 9,704 288 - - 9,992
Year ended December 31, 1997.................... 9,459 245 - - 9,704
Year ended December 31, 1996.................... 13,705 - - (4,246) 9,459
(1) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
THE SOUTHLAND CORPORATION
(Registrant)
/s/ Clark Matthews
March 23, 1999 ------------------------------------
Clark J. Matthews, II
(President and Chief Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
TITLE DATE
/s/ Masatoshi Ito
- ---------------------
Masatoshi Ito Chairman of the Board and Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Toshifumi Suzuki
- ---------------------
Toshifumi Suzuki Vice Chairman of the Board and Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Clark Matthews
- ---------------------
Clark J. Matthews, II President and Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer) and
Acting Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer) March 23, 1999
/s/ James W. Keyes
- ---------------------
James W. Keyes Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer and Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Donald E. Thomas
- ---------------------
Donald E. Thomas Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer) March 23, 1999
/s/ Yoshitami Arai
- --------------------
Yoshitami Arai Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Masaaki Asakura
- --------------------
Masaaki Asakura Senior Vice President and Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Timothy N. Ashida
- ---------------------
Timothy N. Ashida Director March 23, 1999
- -------------------
Jay W. Chai Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Gary J. Fernandes
- ----------------------
Gary J. Fernandes Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Masaaki Kamata
- ---------------------
Masaaki Kamata Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Kazuo Otsuka
- --------------------
Kazuo Otsuka Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Asher O. Pacholder
- ----------------------
Asher O. Pacholder Director March 23, 1999
/s/ Nobutake Sato
- ---------------------
Nobutake Sato Director March 23, 1999
84