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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 30, 2000.
- --- Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
Commission file number 333-56551
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
(Exact name as specified in its charter)
TEXAS 74-2337775
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS employer identification no.)
of incorporation or organization)
11103 West Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78213-1392
(Address of principal executive offices, including ZIP Code)
(210) 340-3531
(Company's telephone number, including area code)
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE
Indicate by check mark whether the Company (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. N/A
Aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant is $442,862. As the registrant's common stock is not traded publicly,
the per share price used in this calculation is based on the per share price as
designated by the Board of Directors ($12.85 per share).
Applicable only to Corporate Registrants: Indicate the number of shares
outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest
practicable date: 7,410,156 shares of common stock as of March 1, 2001.
Documents incorporated by reference: None
FORM 10-K INDEX
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS....................................................................................... 2
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.....................................................................................20
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS..............................................................................21
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS............................................21
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS...........................22
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA...........................................................22
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS..........24
ITEM 7a. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.....................................30
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA....................................................31
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE...........31
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.............................................32
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.........................................................................35
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.................................38
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.................................................40
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS
ON FORM 8-K....................................................................................41
1
PART I
------
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained herein constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this
report regarding the Company's financial position, business strategy, budgets
and plans and objectives of management for future operations are
forward-looking statements. Although the management of the Company believes
that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have
been correct. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different
from those contemplated or projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted in or
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include,
among others, the risk and other factors set forth under "Risk Factors" in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and under the heading "Government Regulation" herein as
well as the following: general economic and business conditions; industry
trends; the loss of major customers or suppliers; cost and availability of raw
materials; changes in business strategy or development plans; availability and
quality of management; and availability, terms and deployment of capital.
SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE FACT THAT STATEMENTS ARE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, STATEMENTS RELATING
TO (I) THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO EXECUTE ITS BUSINESS STRATEGY (INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, WITH RESPECT TO NEW STORE OPENINGS AND INCREASING THE
COMPANY'S PARTICIPATION IN MANAGED VISION CARE PROGRAMS), (II) THE COMPANY'S
ABILITY TO OBTAIN SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO FINANCE ITS WORKING CAPITAL AND
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE NEEDS AND PROVIDE FOR ITS OBLIGATIONS, (III) THE CONTINUING
SHIFT IN THE OPTICAL RETAIL INDUSTRY OF MARKET SHARE FROM INDEPENDENT
PRACTITIONERS AND SMALL REGIONAL CHAINS TO LARGER OPTICAL RETAIL CHAINS, (IV)
INDUSTRY SALES GROWTH AND CONSOLIDATION, (V) IMPACT OF REFRACTIVE SURGERY AND
OTHER CORRECTIVE VISION TECHNIQUES, (VI) DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS, (VII) THE
COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS WITH PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS AND (VIII) THE
ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO MAKE AND INTEGRATE ACQUISITIONS.
2
GENERAL
Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. (the "Company") is the third largest
retail optical chain in the United States as measured by net revenues,
operating or managing 361 stores, 287 of which are optical superstores. The
Company operates predominately under the trade name "EyeMasters," and in
certain geographical regions under the trade names "Visionworks," "Hour Eyes,"
"Dr. Bizer's VisionWorld," "Dr. Bizer's ValuVision," "Doctor's ValuVision,"
"Stein Optical," "Eye DRx," "Vision World," "Doctor's VisionWorks" and
"Binyon's." The Company utilizes a strategy of clustering its stores within its
targeted markets in order to build local market leadership and strong consumer
brand awareness, as well as to achieve economies of scale in advertising,
management and field overhead. Management believes that the Company has the
number one or two superstore market share position in fourteen of its top
fifteen markets, including Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Dallas, Houston,
Tampa/St. Petersburg, Phoenix, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Portland and San Antonio.
The Company has achieved positive same store sales growth in each of the past
seven years and generated net revenues and EBITDA (as defined within the
heading "Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data") of $338.5 million and
$47.1 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2000
("fiscal 2000").
The Company's stores, which average approximately 4,100 square feet, carry
a broad selection of branded frames at competitive prices, including designer
eyewear such as ARMANI, LAURA ASHLEY, CALVIN KLEIN, EDDIE BAUER and POLO/RALPH
LAUREN, as well as its own proprietary brands. In addition, the Company's
superstores offer customers "one-hour service" on most prescriptions, utilizing
on-site processing laboratories to grind, coat and edge lenses. Moreover,
optometrists ("ODs") located inside or adjacent to all of the Company's stores
offer customers convenient eye exams and provide a consistent source of optical
retail customers. In the Company's experience, over 80% of such ODs' regular
eye exam patients purchase eyewear from the Company's adjacent optical retail
stores.
Since joining the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer in
early 1996, Bernard W. Andrews has built a management team with extensive
operating, financial, merchandising and marketing experience in the retail
industry. This management team has focused on improving operating efficiencies
and growing the business through both strategic acquisitions and new store
openings. Under current management, the Company's net revenues have increased
from $140.2 million in fiscal 1995 to $338.5 million in fiscal 2000, while the
Company's store base increased from 152 to 361 over the same period, primarily
as a result of four acquisitions. The Company's senior management team owns or
has the right to acquire approximately 13.8% of the Company's common stock on a
fully diluted basis, through direct ownership and incentive option plans.
3
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company plans to capitalize on the industry trends discussed under the
heading "Industry" by building local market leadership through the
implementation of the following key elements of its business strategy.
MAXIMIZE STORE PROFITABILITY. Management plans to continue to improve the
Company's operating margins through enhanced day-to-day store execution,
customer service and inventory asset management. The Company has implemented
various programs focused on (i) increasing sales of higher margin, value-added
and proprietary products, (ii) continuing store expense reductions, (iii)
offering extensive productivity-enhancing employee training and (iv) upgrading
the point-of-sale information system. Management believes its store clustering
strategy will enable the Company to continue to leverage local advertising and
field management costs to improve its operating margins. In addition,
management believes that the Company can achieve further improvement in its
operating margins by realizing certain synergies from its recent acquisitions.
REDUCTION OF DEBT. In order to improve the Company's EBITDA to total
debt ratio and the amount of outstanding debt, management has initiated
strategies to generate cash. Capital expenditures have been budgeted to
correspond to the new store opening program to be implemented in 2001 through
2003. The Company closed ten unprofitable stores in the third and fourth
quarters of 2000 and will continue to evaluate appropriate actions as lease
renewals occur. Management has also focused on process improvement
initiatives that have allowed for reduction in head counts and corporate
overhead expenses. Management is continually evaluating methods to increase
store profitability and increase working capital.
CAPITALIZE ON MANAGED VISION CARE. Management has made a strategic
decision to pursue managed care relationships aggressively in order to help
grow the Company's retail business and over the past five years has devoted
significant management resources to the development of its managed care
business. As part of its effort, the Company has (i) implemented direct
marketing programs and information systems necessary to compete for managed
care relationships with large employers, groups of employers and other third
party payors, (ii) developed significant relationships with certain HMOs and
insurance companies (e.g., United Healthcare and Humana), which have
strengthened the Company's ability to secure managed care relationships, and
(iii) been asked to participate on numerous regional and national managed
care panels. While the average ticket price on products purchased under
managed care reimbursement plans is typically lower, managed care
transactions generally earn comparable operating profit margins as they
require less promotional spending and advertising support. The Company
believes that the increased volume resulting from managed care relationships
compensates for the lower average ticket price. As of December 30, 2000, the
Company participated in managed vision care programs, with retail sales from
managed care lives totaling approximately 35.7% of fiscal 2000 optical sales
compared to 24% of fiscal 1998 optical sales. Management believes that the
increasing role of managed vision care will continue to benefit the Company
and other large retail optical chains with strong local market shares, broad
geographic coverage and sophisticated information management and billing
systems.
4
EXPAND STORE BASE. In order to continue to build leadership in its
targeted markets, the Company plans to take advantage of "fill-in"
opportunities in its existing markets, as well as enter attractive new markets
where it can achieve a number one or two market share position. Consequently,
the Company currently plans to open approximately twelve stores in 2001 and
four to five stores each year after 2001 in existing markets. Management
believes that the Company has in place the systems and infrastructure to
execute its new store opening plan. The Company uses a site selection model
utilizing proprietary software which incorporates industry and internally
generated data (such as competitive market factors, demographics and customer
specific information) to evaluate the attractiveness of new store openings. The
Company spends approximately $430,000 per new store using a store format
averaging approximately 4,000 square feet and equipping each new store with
standardized fixtures and equipment. In addition, pre-opening costs average
$18,000 and initial inventory requirements for new stores average $73,000, of
which approximately 40% are typically financed by vendors.
ACQUISITION HISTORY
The Company was incorporated in Texas in 1984, acquired by Sears, Roebuck
and Co. in 1987, acquired by Desai Capital Management Incorporated in 1993 and
acquired by the Thomas H. Lee Company in April 1998 (through a recapitalization
transaction). From its organization through 1988, the Company expanded its
business through the acquisition of: (i) a thirteen store Phoenix-based chain
named 20/20 Eye Care in 1986, (ii) a twelve store Texas and Louisiana-based
chain named EyeMasters in 1986, (iii) five stores in Phoenix from EyeCo. in
1988 and (iv) a twenty store Portland-based chain named Binyon's in 1988.
Since the current management team implemented a strategy focused on
improving operating efficiencies and increasing the store base in early 1996,
the Company has consummated and integrated four acquisitions over the last five
years:
o In September 1996, the Company acquired Visionworks Holdings, Inc. and
its subsidiaries (collectively, "Visionworks"), a sixty store optical
retailer located along the Atlantic Coast from Florida to Washington,
D.C. (the "Visionworks Acquisition").
o In September 1997, the Company acquired The Samit Group, Inc. and its
subsidiaries (collectively, "TSGI"), with ten Hour Eyes stores in
Maryland and Washington, D.C., and certain of the assets of Hour Eyes
Doctors of Optometry, P.C., a Virginia professional corporation
formerly known as Dr. Samit's Hour Eyes Optometrist, P.C. (the "PC"),
and simultaneously entered into long-term management agreements with
the PC to manage the PC's twelve stores in Virginia (collectively, the
"Hour Eyes Acquisition").
o In September 1998, the Company acquired certain of the assets of Dr.
Bizer's VisionWorld, PLLC and related entities (the "Bizer Entities"),
a nineteen store optical retailer located primarily in Kentucky and
Tennessee, and simultaneously entered into long-term management
agreements with a private optometrist ("Bizer OD") to manage such
nineteen stores (collectively, the "Bizer Acquisition").
o In August 1999, the Company acquired from Vision Twenty-One, Inc.
("Vision Twenty-One") substantially all of the assets used to operate
an aggregate of 76 retail eyewear
5
outlets (the "VTO Retail Acquisition") located in Minnesota, North
Dakota, Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin operating under the tradename
"Vision World," in Wisconsin operating under the tradename "Stein
Optical," and in New Jersey operating under the tradename "Eye DRx."
Simultaneously, the Company assumed the rights and obligations under a
management agreement with a private optometrist ("VTO OD", and
together with the PC and Bizer OD, the "OD PCs") to manage the
nineteen Eye DRx stores.
The following table sets forth a summary of the Company's stores operating
under each trade name, as of March 1, 2001, ranked by number of stores:
NUMBER OF GEOGRAPHIC AVERAGE STORE
TRADE NAME STORES FOCUS FORMAT BUSINESS MIX
------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------ ------------------
EyeMasters 161 Southwest, Superstores Glasses
Midwest, Sq. Ft. 4,000 Managed Care
Southeast Lab
OD Subleases
Visionworks 57 Mid Atlantic, Superstores Glasses
Southeast Sq. Ft. 6,000 Contacts
Lab Managed Care
OD Subleases
Vision World 39 Midwest Conventional Glasses
Sq. Ft. 2,400 Contacts
Managed Care
Dr. Bizer's VisionWorld, Dr. 34 Southeast, Superstores Glasses
Bizer's ValuVision, Doctor's Maryland & Sq. Ft. 5,400 Contacts
ValuVision and Doctor's Colorado Lab Managed Care
VisionWorks
Hour Eyes 22 Mid Atlantic Conventional Glasses
Sq. Ft. 2,400 Contacts
Lab Managed Care
Stein Optical 17 Midwest Superstores Glasses
Sq. Ft. 3,300 Contacts
Lab Managed Care
Eye DRx 17 Northeast Conventional Glasses
Sq. Ft. 3,100 Contacts
Managed Care
Binyon's 14 Pacific Superstores Glasses
Northwest Sq. Ft. 4,600 Managed Care
Lab
OD Subleases
------------
Total 361
============
STORE OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW. The Company believes that the location of its stores is an
essential element of its strategy to compete effectively in the optical retail
market. The Company emphasizes locations within regional shopping malls, power
centers, strip shopping centers and freestanding locations. The Company
generally targets retail space that is close to high volume retail anchor stores
6
frequented by middle to high-income clientele. In order to generate economies
of scale in advertising, management and field overhead expenses, the Company
attempts to cluster its stores within a direct marketing area.
The following table sets forth as of December 30, 2000 the Company's top
fifteen markets. Management's estimate of the Company's superstore market share
ranking is number one or two in each of these markets as measured by sales.
NUMBER OF
DESIGNATED MARKET AREA SUPERSTORES
- ---------------------------- -------------------
Washington, D.C 22
Dallas 22
Houston 18
Tampa/St. Petersburg 14
Louisville 7
Minneapolis/St. Paul 25
Phoenix 12
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale 10
New York 16
Milwaukee 17
Nashville 11
Portland 12
San Antonio 8
Austin 5
Kansas City 7
-------------------
Total of Top Fifteen Markets 206
===================
LOCATIONS. The Company operates 361 stores, 287 of which are superstores,
located primarily in the Southwest, Midwest and Southeast, along the Gulf Coast
and Atlantic Coast and in the Pacific Northwest regions of the United States. Of
the Company's stores, 176 are located in enclosed regional malls, 125 are in
strip shopping centers and 60 are freestanding locations.
7
The following table sets forth by location, ranked by number of stores, the
Company's store base as of March 1, 2001.
LOCATION EYEMASTERS VISIONWORKS VISION WORLD BIZER HOUR EYES STEIN EYE DRX BINYON'S TOTAL
- -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ----- --------- ----- ------- -------- -----
Texas 76 - - - - - - - 76
Florida - 42 - - - - - - 42
Minnesota - - 33 - - - - - 33
Wisconsin - - 2 - - 17 - - 19
Tennessee 7 - - 12 - - - - 19
New Jersey - - - - - - 17 - 17
Virginia - 1 - - 13 - - - 14
Arizona 13 - - - - - - - 13
Oregon - - - - - - - 13 13
Louisiana 13 - - - - - - - 13
North Carolina - 12 - - - - - - 12
Maryland - - - 5 6 - - - 11
Ohio 9 - - - - - - - 9
Kentucky - - - 9 - - - - 9
Missouri 6 - - 1 - - - - 7
Colorado - - - 6 - - - - 6
Oklahoma 5 - - - - - - - 5
Kansas 5 - - - - - - - 5
Nevada 4 - - - - - - - 4
New Mexico 4 - - - - - - - 4
Nebraska 4 - - - - - - - 4
Utah 4 - - - - - - - 4
Alabama 3 - - - - - - - 3
Mississippi 3 - - - - - - - 3
Idaho 3 - - - - - - - 3
Washington, - - - - 3 - - - 3
D.C
Iowa 1 - 2 - - - - - 3
South Carolina - 2 - - - - - - 2
Washington 1 - - - - - - 1 2
Indiana - - - 1 - - - - 1
North Dakota - - 1 - - - - - 1
South Dakota - - 1 - - - - - 1
----------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ------- ------------
Total 161 57 39 34 22 17 17 14 361
=========== ============ ========== ========== ========== ========= ========== ======= ============
STORE LAYOUT AND DESIGN. The average size of the Company's stores is
approximately 4,100 square feet. The Company has developed and implemented a
smaller and more efficient new store prototype, which averages approximately
3,500 square feet in size. This new store prototype typically has approximately
450 square feet dedicated to the in-house lens processing area and 1,750 square
feet devoted to product display and fitting areas. The OD's office is generally
1,300 square feet and is, depending on state regulation, either in or adjacent
to the store. Each store follows a uniform merchandise layout plan, which is
designed to emphasize fashion, invite customer browsing and enhance the
customer's shopping experience. Frames are displayed in self-serve cases along
the walls and on tabletops located throughout the store and are organized by
gender suitability and frame style. The Company believes its self-serve
displays are
8
more effective than the less customer friendly locked glass cases or "under the
shelf" trays used by some of its competitors. Above the display racks are
photographs of men and women which are designed to help customers coordinate
frame shape and color with their facial features. In-store displays and signs
are rotated periodically to emphasize key vendors and new styles.
IN-HOUSE LENS PROCESSING. Most stores have an on-site lens-processing
laboratory of approximately 450 square feet in which most prescriptions can be
prepared in one hour or less. Lens processing involves grinding, coating and
edging lenses. Some stores utilize the Company's main laboratory in San
Antonio, Texas, which has a typical turnaround of two to four days and also
handles unusual or difficult prescriptions.
ON-SITE OPTOMETRIST. Most stores have an OD, located in or adjacent to
the store, who performs eye examinations and in some cases dispenses contact
lenses. The ODs generally have the same operating hours as the Company's
adjacent stores. The ODs offer customers convenient eye exams and provide a
consistent source of optical retail customers. In the Company's experience,
over 80% of such ODs' regular eye exam patients purchase eyewear from the
adjacent optical retail store. In addition, the Company believes proficient
ODs help to generate repeat customers and reinforce the quality and
professionalism of each store. Due to the various applicable state
regulations, the Company has a variety of operating structures. Most of the
ODs are either independent optometrists (the "Independent ODs"), who lease
space in or adjacent to each store from the Company or landlord, or employees
of the Company. Certain of the stores are owned by an professional
corporation or other entity controlled by an OD (the "OD PC") that employs
the ODs, and the Company (through its subsidiaries) operates the store
through the provision of management services to the OD PC (including the
professional practice and optical retail business). Independent ODs who lease
space adjacent to or within a Company-owned store represent approximately 71%
of the ODs and most pay the Company monthly rent consisting of a percentage
of gross receipts, base rental or a combination of both. Approximately 23% of
the ODs are employed by the OD PCs and the remaining 6% are employees of the
Company.
STORE MANAGEMENT. Each store has an operating plan, which maps out
appropriate staffing levels to maximize store profitability. In addition, a
general manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of each store. In
higher volume locations, a retail manager supervises the merchandising area and
the eyewear specialists. Customer service is highly valued by the Company and
is monitored by location and associate. A lab manager trains the lab
technicians and supervises eyewear manufacturing. Sales personnel are trained
to assist customers effectively in making purchase decisions. A portion of
store managers' and territory directors' compensation is based on sales,
profitability and customer service scores at their particular stores. The
stores are open during normal retail hours, typically 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., six
days a week, and typically 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
9
MERCHANDISING
The Company's merchandising strategy is to offer its customers a wide
selection of high quality and fashionable frames at various price points, with
particular emphasis on offering a broad selection of competitively priced
designer and proprietary branded frames. The Company's product offering is
supported by strong customer service and advertising. The key elements of the
Company's merchandising strategy are described below.
BREADTH AND DEPTH OF SELECTION. The Company offers its customers high
quality frames, lenses, accessories and sunglasses, including designer and
proprietary brand frames. Frame assortments are tailored to match the
demographic composition of each store's market area. On average, each store
features between 1,500 and 2,000 frame stock keeping units in 350 to 400
different styles of frames representing two to three times the assortment
provided by conventional optical retail chains or independent optical
retailers. Approximately 25% of the frames carry designer names such as POLO,
ARMANI, GUCCI, LIZ CLAIBORNE, LAURA ASHLEY and CALVIN KLEIN. In fiscal 2000,
other well-known frame manufacturers supplied over 13% of the Company's frames
and about 32% of the Company's frames were manufactured specifically for the
Company under proprietary brands. The Company believes that a broader selection
of high-quality, lower-priced proprietary brand frames allow it to offer more
value to customers while improving the Company's gross margin. In addition, the
Company also offers customers a wide variety of value-added eyewear features
and services on which it realizes a higher gross margin. These include thinner
and lighter lenses, progressive lenses and customer lens features, such as
tinting, anti-reflecting coatings, scratch-resistant coatings, ultra-violet
protection and edge polishing.
PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY. The Company's frames and lenses are generally
comparably priced or priced lower than its direct superstore competitors, with
prices varying based on geographic region. The Company employs a comprehensive
promotional strategy on a wide selection of frames and/or lenses, offering
discounts and "two for one" promotions. While the promotional strategy is
fairly common for optical retail chains, independent optometric practitioners
tend to offer fewer promotions in order to guard their margins and mass
merchandisers tend to generally adhere to an "Every Day Low Pricing" strategy.
PRODUCT DISPLAY. The Company employs an "easy-to-shop" store layout.
Merchandise in each store is organized by gender suitability, frame style and
brand. Sales personnel are trained to assist customers in selecting frames
which complement an individual's attributes such as facial features, face shape
and skin tone. See "- Store Layout and Design." In-store displays focus
customer attention on premium priced products, such as designer frames and
thinner and lighter lenses.
10
MARKETING
The Company actively supports its stores by aggressive local advertising
in individual geographical markets. Advertising expenditures totaled $30.9
million, or 9.1% of net revenues, in fiscal 2000. The Company utilizes a
variety of advertising media and promotions in order to establish the Company's
image as a high quality, cost competitive eyewear provider with a broad product
offering. The Company's brand positioning is supported by a marketing campaign
which features the phrase "See Better, Look Better." In addition, the Company
believes that its strategy of clustering stores in each targeted market area
maximizes the benefit of its advertising expenditures. As managed care becomes
a larger part of the Company's business in certain local markets, advertising
expenditures as a percentage of sales are likely to decrease in those markets,
since managed care programs tend to reduce the need for marketing expenditures
to attract customers to the Company's stores.
STORE EXPANSION
The Company currently plans to open approximately twelve new stores in
2001 and four to five per year after 2001. The new stores are expected to have
an on-site OD and a lens-processing laboratory. The Company uses a site
selection model utilizing proprietary software which incorporates industry and
internally generated data. The Company spends approximately $430,000 per new
store using a store format averaging approximately 4,000 square feet and
equipping each new store with standardized fixtures and equipment. In addition,
pre-opening costs average $18,000 and initial inventory requirements for new
stores average $73,000, of which approximately 40% are typically financed by
vendors.
EMPLOYEE TRAINING
The Company believes that its dedication to employee training has improved
customer service, increased morale among its employees and contributed to the
Company's increased productivity levels. Each new employee with no prior
experience in the optical industry receives approximately eighty hours of
initial training. New employees with previous experience in the optical retail
industry receive approximately forty hours of initial training. Store managers
participate in approximately fifty hours of annual training. The American Board
of Opticianary ("ABO") has certified the Company to offer up to seventy hours
of ABO continuing education credits to maintain opticianary-licensing
requirements. Employee training emphasizes customer service, thorough product
and service knowledge, optical knowledge, lab skills, selling techniques and
the utilization of store performance data to better manage day-to-day store
operations. Store level employees may also be cross-trained in sales and
lab-related skills to promote increased staffing flexibility. Ongoing training
is conducted periodically to familiarize management and employees with new
products and services, to improve the level of understanding of store
operations and productivity and to maintain the Company's overall high quality
standards.
11
COMPETITION
The retail optical industry is fragmented and highly competitive. The
Company competes with (i) independent practitioners (including opticians,
optometrists and ophthalmologists who operate an optical dispensary within
their practice) (ii) optical retail chains (including superstores) and (iii)
mass merchandisers and warehouse clubs. The Company's largest optical retail
chain competitors are LensCrafters and Cole National Corporation (Pearle and
Cole Vision licensed brands). From time to time, competitors have launched
aggressive promotional programs, which have temporarily impacted the Company's
ability to achieve comparable stores sales growth and maintain gross margin.
Some of the Company's competitors are larger, have longer operating histories,
greater financial resources and greater market recognition than the Company.
VENDORS
The Company purchases a majority of its lenses from four principal vendors
and purchases frames from over twenty different vendors. In fiscal 2000, five
vendors collectively supplied approximately 65.2% of the frames purchased by
the Company. One vendor supplied over 45.9% of the Company's lens materials
during the same period. The Company has consolidated its vendors to develop
strategic relationships resulting in improved service and payment terms. While
such vendors supplied a significant share of the lenses used by the Company,
lenses are a generic product and can be purchased from a number of other
vendors on comparable terms. Management of the Company therefore does not
believe that it is dependent on such vendors or any other single vendor for
frames or lenses. Management of the Company believes that its relationships
with its existing vendors are satisfactory. Management of the Company believes
that significant disruption in the delivery of merchandise from one or more of
its current principal vendors would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's operations because multiple vendors exist for all of the Company's
products.
MANAGED VISION CARE
Managed vision care has grown in importance in the optical retail
industry. Health insurers have sought a competitive advantage by offering a
full range of health insurance options, including coverage of primary eye care.
Managed vision care, including the benefits of routine annual eye examinations
and eyewear discounts, is being utilized by a growing number of managed care
participants. Since regular eye examinations may assist in the identification
and prevention of more serious conditions, managed care programs encourage
members to have their eyes examined more regularly, which in turn typically
results in more frequent eyewear replacement.
While the average ticket price on products purchased under managed care
reimbursement plans is typically lower, managed care transactions generally
earn comparable operating profit margins as they require less promotional
spending and advertising support. Management of the Company believes that the
increased volume resulting from managed care relationships more than offsets
the lower average ticket price.
12
While managed vision care encompasses many of the conventional
attributes of managed care, there are significant differences. For example,
there is no medical risk involved, as these programs cover only a customer's
eye examination and no medical condition of such customer. Moreover, less
than 1% of the Company's total revenues are derived from traditional
capitated managed care programs. In capitated programs, the Company is
compensated by a third party on a per member per month flat fee basis. The
payment is allocated between the providers of services and goods. Since the
number of visits to an OD is limited to annual or bi-annual appointments,
exam utilization is more predictable, so costs to insurers are easier to
quantify, generally resulting in lower capitation risk. Even though managed
vision care programs typically limit coverage to a certain dollar amount or
discount for an eyewear purchase, the member's eyewear benefit generally
allows the member to "trade up." Management believes that the growing
consumer perception of eyewear as a fashion accessory as well as the
consumer's historical practice of paying for eyewear purchases out-of-pocket
contributes to the frequency of "trading-up." The Company has historically
found that managed care participants who take advantage of the eye exam
benefit under the managed care program in turn have typically had their
prescriptions filled at adjacent optical stores.
Management has made a strategic decision to pursue managed care
relationships aggressively in order to help grow the Company's retail business
and over the past five years has devoted significant management resources to
the development of this business. The Company has (i) implemented direct
marketing programs and information systems necessary to compete for managed
care relationships with large employers, groups of employers and other third
party payors, (ii) developed significant relationships with certain HMOs and
insurance companies (e.g., United Healthcare and Humana), which have
strengthened the Company's ability to secure managed care relationships, and
(iii) been asked to participate on numerous regional and national managed care
panels.
As of December 30, 2000, the Company participated in managed vision care
programs with retail sales from managed care lives totaling approximately 35.7%
of fiscal 2000 optical sales compared to 24% of fiscal 1998 optical sales.
Management believes that the increasing role of managed vision care will
continue to benefit the Company and other large retail optical chains. Managed
care is likely to accelerate industry consolidation as payors look to contract
with large retail optical chains who deliver superior customer service, have
strong local brand awareness, offer competitive prices, provide multiple
convenient locations and hours of operation, and possess sophisticated
information management and billing systems. Large optical retail chains are
likely to be the greatest beneficiaries of this trend as independent
practitioners cannot satisfy the scale requirements of managed care programs
and mass merchandisers' "Every Day Low Price" strategy is generally
incompatible with the price structure required by the managed vision care
model. Most managed care contracts renew annually and certain relationships are
not evidenced by contracts. The non-renewal of a material contract or
relationship could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
13
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
At 256 of the Company's stores, the Company or its landlord leases a
portion of the store or adjacent space to Independent ODs. The availability of
such professional services in or adjacent to the Company's stores is critical
to the Company's marketing strategy. At 83 of the stores, to address and comply
with certain regulatory restrictions, the OD PCs own the stores (including the
practice and the optical retail operations) and the Company (through its
subsidiaries) provides certain management services such as accounting, human
resources, marketing and information services for an agreed upon fee pursuant
to a long-term management contract. The OD PCs employ the ODs.
The delivery of health care, including the relationships among health care
providers such as optometrists and suppliers (e.g., providers of eyewear), is
subject to extensive federal and state regulation. The laws of most states
prohibit business corporations such as the Company from practicing optometry or
exercising control over the medical judgments or decisions of optometrists and
from engaging in certain financial arrangements, such as splitting fees with
optometrists.
Management of the Company believes the operations of the Company are in
material compliance with federal and state laws and regulations; however, these
laws and regulations are subject to interpretation, and a finding that the
Company is not in such compliance could have a material adverse effect upon the
Company.
The Company currently is required to maintain local and state business
licenses to operate. However, as a result of the capitation element of some of
its managed care relationships, the Company is required in the states of North
Carolina, Texas and California to obtain insurance licenses and to comply with
certain routine insurance laws and regulations as an insurer in order to offer
managed care discount programs to various employee groups. The cost of such
compliance is minimal. These insurance laws require that the Company make
certain mandatory filings with the state relating to: (i) pertinent financial
information and (ii) quality of care standards. Violation of any of these laws
or regulations could possibly result in the Company incurring monetary fines
and/or other penalties. Management of the Company believes the Company is
currently in material compliance with each of these laws and regulations.
The fraud and abuse provisions of the Social Security Act and
anti-kickback laws and regulations adopted in many states prohibit the
solicitation, payment, receipt, or offering of any direct or indirect
remuneration in return for, or as an inducement to, certain referrals of
patients, items or services. Provisions of the Social Security Act also impose
significant penalties for false or improper billings to Medicare and Medicaid,
and many states have adopted similar laws applicable to any payor of health
care services. In addition, the Stark Self-Referral Law imposes restrictions on
physicians' referrals for designated health services reimbursable by Medicare
or Medicaid to entities with which the physicians have financial relationships,
including the rental of space if certain requirements have not been satisfied.
Many states have adopted similar self-referral laws which are not limited to
Medicare or Medicaid reimbursed services. Violations of any of these laws may
result in substantial civil or criminal penalties, including double and treble
14
civil monetary penalties, and, in the case of violations of federal laws,
exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Management
of the Company believes the Company is currently in material compliance with
all of the foregoing laws and no determination of any violation in any state
has been made with respect to the foregoing laws. Such exclusions and
penalties, if applied to the Company, or a determiniation that the Company or
any of the ODs is not in compliance with such laws, could have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
TRADEMARK AND TRADE NAMES
The Company's superstores operate under the trade names "EyeMasters,"
"Binyon's," "Visionworks," "Hour Eyes," "Dr. Bizer's VisionWorld", "Dr. Bizer's
ValuVision," "Doctor's ValuVision," "Stein Optical," "Vision World," "Doctor's
VisionWorks" and "Eye DRx." In addition, "SlimLite" is the Company's trademark
for its line of lightweight plastic lenses and "SunMasters" is the trade name
for the sunglass kiosk within the "EyeMasters" superstore. Other trademarks and
trade names used by the Company are "Master Eye Associates," "Master Eye Exam,"
"EyeMasters" and the "eyeball" mark used in conjunction with the trade name
"EyeMasters."
EMPLOYEES
As of December 30, 2000, the Company employed approximately 3,900
employees. Approximately 70 hourly paid workers in the Eye DRx stores are
affiliated with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and
Agricultural Implement Workers of America, with which the Company has a
contract extending through November 30, 2003. The Company considers its
relations with its employees to be good.
THE RECAPITALIZATION
On March 6, 1998, ECCA Merger Corp. ("Merger Corp."), a Delaware
corporation formed by Thomas H. Lee Company ("THL Co."), and the Company
entered into a recapitalization agreement (the "Recapitalization Agreement")
providing for, among other things, the merger of such corporation with and into
the Company (the "Merger" and, together with the financing of the
recapitalization and related transactions described below, the
"Recapitalization"). Upon consummation of the Recapitalization on April 24,
1998, Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund IV, L.P. ("THL Fund IV") and other affiliates
of THL Co. (collectively with THL Fund IV and THL Co., "THL") owned
approximately 89.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company ("Common Stock"), existing shareholders (including management) of the
Company retained approximately 7.3% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock
and management purchased additional shares representing approximately 3.0% of
the issued and outstanding Common Stock.
Certain of the funds needed to consummate the Recapitalization were
obtained through the sale, pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of $100,000,000 in
principal amount of 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Fixed Rate
Notes") and $50,000,000 in principal amount of Floating Interest Rate
15
Subordinated Term Securities due 2008 (the "Floating Rate Notes" and, together
with the Fixed Rate Notes, the "Initial Notes"). The Initial Notes were issued
by the Company and guaranteed by the subsidiary guarantors. Under that certain
Indenture, dated April 24, 1998 (the "Indenture"), the Company and its
subsidiary guarantors are jointly and severally liable for payment of the
Initial Notes. In addition to the net proceeds from the sale of the Initial
Notes, the Recapitalization was financed with (a) approximately $55.0 million
of borrowings under the New Credit Facility (see "Liquidity and Capital
Resources" in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operation) and (b) approximately $99.4 million from the sale of
capital stock to THL, Bernard W. Andrews and other members of management (the
"Equity Contribution") consisting of (i) approximately $71.6 million from the
sale of Common Stock and (ii) approximately $27.8 million from the sale of
shares of a newly created series of preferred stock of the Company ("New
Preferred Stock"). The Company used the proceeds from such bank borrowings, the
sale of the Initial Notes, and the Equity Contribution principally to finance
the conversion into cash of the shares of Common Stock which were not retained
by existing shareholders, to refinance certain existing indebtedness of the
Company, to redeem certain outstanding preferred stock of the Company and to
pay related fees and expenses of the Recapitalization.
The Company filed a registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with respect to an offer to exchange the Initial Notes for
notes which have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the
Initial Notes, except such notes are freely transferable by the holders thereof
and are issued without any covenant regarding registration (the "Exchange
Notes"). The registration statement was declared effective on January 28, 1999.
The exchange period ended March 4, 1999. The Exchange Notes are the only notes
of the Company which are currently outstanding.
SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY RESULTS
The Company's sales fluctuate seasonally. Historically, the Company's
highest sales and earnings occur in the first and third quarters. In addition,
quarterly results are affected by the opening of new stores; therefore, the
Company's growth, the Visionworks Acquisition, the Hour Eyes Acquisition, the
Bizer Acquisition and the VTO Retail Acquisition may affect the financial
results which would otherwise reflect seasonal fluctuations. Hence, quarterly
results are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.
16
INDUSTRY
OVERVIEW. Optical retail sales in the United States totaled $16.5 billion
in 2000, according to industry sources. The optical retail market has grown each
year at an average annual rate of approximately 5% from 1991 to 1997. During
1998 through 2000, the average annual growth rate decreased to approximately
2.0%. A leading industry publication projects optical retail chains with only a
0.9% increase in growth and a 1.2% overall growth rate in the optical industry
for 2001.
The following chart sets forth expenditures (based upon products sold) in
the optical retail market over the past nine years according to a leading
industry publication.
U.S. OPTICAL RETAIL SALES BY SECTOR 1991 - 2000
(DOLLARS IN BILLIONS)
2000
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 SHARE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lenses/treatments $ 5.2 $ 5.6 $ 6.0 $ 6.5 $ 6.8 $ 7.2 $ 7.6 $ 7.9 $ 8.0 $ 8.3 50.3%
Frames 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.1 4.4 4.6 5.0 5.2 5.3 5.5 33.3
Sunglasses 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 4.2
Contact lenses 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.0 12.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 11.5 $ 11.9 $ 12.3 $ 12.9 $ 13.8 $ 14.6 $ 15.4 $ 15.8 $ 16.0 16.5 100.0%
=============================================================================================
DISTRIBUTION. Eye care services in the United States are delivered by
local providers consisting of approximately 65,000 opticians, 31,000
optometrists and 16,500 ophthalmologists. The optical retail industry in the
United States is highly fragmented and consists of (i) independent
practitioners (including opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists) who
operate an optical dispensary within their practice, (ii) optical retail chains
and (iii) warehouse clubs and mass merchandisers. In 2000, optical retail
chains accounted for approximately 33.0% of the total market, while independent
practitioners comprised approximately 59.3% and other distribution channels
represented approximately 7.7%. Optical retail chains have begun consolidating
the optical retail market resulting in a decreased marketshare for independent
practitioners. Independent practitioners' market share dropped from 63.0% to
59.3% between 1996 and 2000, while optical retail chains' market share
increased over the same period from 31.3% to 33.0%.
INDEPENDENT PRACTITIONERS. In 2000, independent practitioners represented
$9.8 billion of eyewear retail sales, or 59.3% of the industry's total optical
retail sales volume of $16.5 billion. Independent practitioners typically
cannot provide quick turnaround of eyeglasses because they do not have
laboratories on site and generally charge higher prices than other competitors.
Moreover, their eyewear product assortment is usually narrow, although a
growing portion includes some designer or branded products. Prior to 1974,
independent practitioners benefited from regulatory and other factors which
inhibited commercial retailing of prescription eyewear. In 1974, the Federal
Trade Commission began requiring doctors to provide their patients with copies
of their prescriptions, enabling sophisticated retailers to implement retail
marketing
17
concepts which gave way to a more competitive marketplace. Independent
practitioners' market share has declined from approximately 100% in 1974 to
59.3% in 2000, dropping 3.7% from 1996. Management believes that independent
practitioners will continue to lose market share over the next several years.
OPTICAL RETAIL CHAINS. Optical retail chains represented 33.0% of the
total optical retail market in 2000. Over the past four years, the top one
hundred optical retail chains (in terms of net revenues) have grown at a rate
faster than the overall market. Optical retail chains include both superstores
and conventional optical stores. Optical retail chains offer quality service
provided by on-site optometrists and also carry a wide product line,
emphasizing the fashion element of eyewear, although lower-priced lenses and
frames are also available. In addition, the retail optical chains, particularly
the superstores, are generally able to offer better value and service through a
reduced cost structure, sophisticated merchandising and display, economies of
scale and greater volume. Furthermore, they can generate greater market
awareness than the fragmented independent practitioners as optical retail
chains usually invest more in advertising and promotions. Management believes
that large optical chains are best positioned to benefit from industry
consolidation trends including the growth in managed vision care.
WAREHOUSE CLUBS AND MASS MERCHANDISERS. Warehouse clubs and mass
merchandisers usually provide eyewear in a host environment which is typically
a larger general merchandise store. This segment typically provides some of the
service elements of retail optical chains, but competes primarily on price. As
a result, its eyewear selection tends to focus on lower-priced optical
products. Moreover, this segment's "Every Day Low Price" strategy is generally
incompatible with the pricing structure required by the managed vision care
model. Warehouse clubs and mass merchandisers' market share increased from 4.2%
in 1996 to 5.3% in 2000.
OTHER. Other participants in the optical retail market include HMOs and
school-controlled dispensaries. In 2000, other participants represented
approximately 2.4% of the total optical retail market.
TRENDS. Management believes that growth and consolidation in the optical
retail market is being driven by the following trends:
DEMOGRAPHICS. Approximately 60% of the U.S. population, or 160 million
individuals, and nearly 95% of people over the age of forty-five, require some
form of corrective eyewear. In addition to their higher utilization of
corrective eyewear, the over forty-five segment spends more per pair of glasses
purchased due to their need for premium priced products like bifocals and
progressive lenses and their generally higher levels of discretionary income.
In 1996, the over forty-five segment represented 58% of retail optical spending
despite representing just 33% of the U.S. population. As the "baby boom"
generation ages and life expectancies increase, management believes that this
demographic trend is likely to increase the number of eyewear customers and the
average price per purchase.
INCREASING ROLE OF MANAGED VISION CARE. Management believes that optical
retail sales through managed vision care programs, which were approximately
$5.0 billion (or approximately
18
30% of the market) in 1997, will continue to increase over the next several
years. Managed vision care, including the benefits of routine annual eye
examinations and eyewear discounts, is being utilized by a growing number of
managed care participants. Since regular eye examinations may assist in the
identification and prevention of more serious conditions, managed care programs
encourage members to have their eyes examined more regularly, which in turn
typically results in more frequent eyewear replacement. Management believes
that large optical retail chains are likely to be the greatest beneficiaries of
this trend as payors look to contract with chains who deliver superior customer
service, have strong local brand awareness, offer competitive prices, provide
multiple convenient locations and flexible hours of operation, and possess
sophisticated information management and billing systems.
CONSOLIDATION. Although the optical retail market in the United States is
highly fragmented, the industry is experiencing increased consolidation. In
1998, the top ten and the top one hundred optical retail chains represented
approximately 18% and 28% of the total optical market, respectively. The
remaining 72% of the market included independent practitioners, smaller chains,
warehouse clubs and mass merchandisers. Independent practitioners' market share
dropped from 63.0% to 59.3% between 1996 and 2000, while optical retail chains'
market share increased over the same period from 31.3% to 33.0%. Management
believes that several factors are likely to drive further consolidation: (i)
the importance of economies of scale to managed care programs which require
providers with strong store brand awareness, multiple locations and
sophisticated information management and billing systems; (ii) economies of
scale in merchandising, marketing, manufacturing and sourcing product; (iii)
the significant capital required to build lens processing laboratories on
premises; (iv) the desire of small regional chains and independent
practitioners to achieve liquidity by selling to larger optical retail chains
and (v) the slower industry growth rates in 1998 through 2000 causing
acceleration of consolidation opportunities. Management believes that the large
optical retail chains are better positioned than mass merchandisers and
warehouse clubs to benefit from this consolidation trend and that such chains
will continue to gain market share from the independent practitioners over the
next several years.
NEW PRODUCT INNOVATIONS. Since the late 1980's, several technological
innovations have led to the introduction of new optical lenses and lens
treatments, including progressive addition lenses (no-line bifocals),
high-index and aspheric lenses (thinner and lighter), polycarbonate lenses
(shatter resistant) and anti-reflective coatings. These innovative products are
popular among consumers, generally command premium prices and yield higher
margins than traditional lenses. The average retail price for all lenses and
lens treatments has increased over 5% per year from $88 to $105 between 1995
and 2000, reflecting, in part, the rising popularity of these products.
Similarly, during the same period, the average retail price for eyeglass frames
has increased on average over 12% per year from $57 to $84, due in large part
to both technological innovation and an evolving customer preference for higher
priced, branded frames.
LASIK SURGERY. Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, or LASIK, was introduced in
1996, leading to a dramatic increase in the popularity of laser vision
correction surgery. In 1999, eye care professionals performed an estimated 1
million laser vision correction surgery procedures in the U.S., representing an
increase of 113% over the approximately 470,000 procedures performed in
19
1998, with volume projected to grow to approximately 2 million procedures in
2001. Industry forecasts estimate 1.5 million laser vision correction surgery
procedures being performed in 2000. Despite this rapid growth, the number of
vision correction surgery patients in 1999 represented 0.3% of the 161
million people with refractive vision conditions in the U.S. The consumer's
evaluation process of LASIK surgery creates options other than eyeglasses and
contacts. Management believes that the increase in LASIK procedures, and the
evaluation process by potential customers (including both individuals who
undergo LASIK surgery and those who decide not to undergo LASIK surgery) has
contributed to the slower growth rates in the optical industry since 1998.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of March 1, 2001, the Company operated 361 retail locations in the
United States. The Company believes its properties are adequate and suitable
for its purposes. The Company leases all of its retail locations, the majority
of which are under triple net leases that require payment by the Company of its
pro rata share of real estate taxes, utilities, and common area maintenance
charges. These leases range in terms of up to 15 years. Certain leases require
percentage rent based on gross receipts in excess of a base rent. The Company
subleases a portion of substantially all of the stores or the landlord leases
an adjacent space, to an Independent OD (or its wholly-owned operating entity).
With respect to the OD PCs, the Company subleases the entire premises of the
store to the OD PC. The terms of these leases or subleases range from one to
fifteen years, with rentals consisting of a percentage of gross receipts, a
base rental, or a combination of both. The general character of the Company's
stores is described in Item 1 of this Report.
The Company leases combined corporate offices and a retail location in San
Antonio, Texas, pursuant to a fifteen-year lease. In addition, the Company
leases a combined distribution center and central laboratory in San Antonio,
pursuant to a seven-year lease. The Company believes central distribution
improves efficiency through better inventory management and streamlined
purchasing.
20
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is a party to routine litigation in the ordinary course of its
business. Except for the matters set forth below, no such pending matters,
individually or in the aggregate, are deemed to be material to the business or
financial condition of the Company.
The Government of the District of Columbia, Office of Corporate Counsel
has terminated its investigation relating to Medicaid claims submitted for
reimbursement by certain optometrists who provided services from (i) one Hour
Eyes store located in Washington, D.C. which was subsequently acquired by the
Company in connection with the Hour Eyes Acquisition and (ii) one other Hour
Eyes store located in Washington, D.C. which was not acquired by the Company
but which was under common control with the corporation which sold certain Hour
Eyes stores to the Company in 1997. This matter has been referred to the
Commission of Health Care Finance for the Department of Health Care for the
District of Columbia (the "Health Commission") for further handling and
disposition. The Company is entitled to certain rights of indemnification with
respect to matters arising out of this investigation under the stock purchase
agreement relating to the Hour Eyes Acquisition, and a limited dollar amount
has been set aside in an escrow account to secure the sellers' indemnification
obligations. In light of the ongoing investigation by the Health Commission,
the Company at this time is unable to determine whether any action or claim
will be brought against the Company or, if brought, the precise nature or
extent of any such action or claim. No assurance can be given that the Health
Commission or any other governmental body will not bring an action, assert one
or more claims or seek material damages, interest, fines and/or penalties,
including criminal penalties, against the Company for matters arising out of
this investigation. The Company believes the indemnification arrangement under
this agreement is reasonably adequate to satisfy any assessed penalties.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
21
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company is not traded on
any established public trading market. There are 16 holders of the Common Stock.
No dividends were paid in fiscal 1999 or 2000 and payment of dividends is
restricted by the Indenture governing the Exchange Notes. See discussion under
"The Recapitalization."
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected financial data and other operating
information of the Company. The selected financial data in the table are derived
from the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The following
selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated
Financial Statements, the related notes thereto and other financial information
included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All references in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K to 1996 or fiscal 1996, 1997 or fiscal 1997, 1998 or
fiscal 1998, 1999 or fiscal 1999 and 2000 or fiscal 2000 relate to the fiscal
years ended December 28, 1996, January 3, 1998, January 2, 1999, January 1, 2000
and December 30, 2000, respectively.
December 28, January 3, January 2, January 1, December 30,
1996 1998 1999 2000 2000
----------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenues $158,224 $219,611 $237,851 $293,795 $338,457
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold 51,884 77,134 80,636 98,184 107,449
Selling, general and administrative (a) 91,897 120,319 132,390 170,146 204,365
Recapitalization and other expenses - - 25,803 - -
Store closure expense - - - - 3,580
Amortization of intangible assets 2,938 2,870 3,705 5,653 9,137
----------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Total costs and expenses 146,719 200,323 242,534 273,983 324,531
----------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Operating income (loss) 11,505 19,288 (4,683) 19,812 13,926
Interest expense, net 9,899 13,738 19,159 24,685 28,694
In-substance defeased bonds interest
expense, net - - 2,418 - -
----------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes 1,606 5,550 (26,260) (4,873) (14,768)
Income tax expense 188 335 13 384 766
----------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary item 1,418 5,215 (26,273) (5,257) (15,534)
Cumulative effect of change in acct
principle - - - 491 -
Extraordinary loss - - 8,355 - -
----------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net income (loss) $1,418 $5,215 $(34,628) $(5,748) $(15,534)
=========== ============= ============ ========== ============
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
Depreciation and amortization $12,449 $15,001 $16,050 $22,753 $29,600
Capital expenditures 4,233 9,470 20,656 19,920 18,932
Gross Margin % 67.2% 64.9% 66.1% 66.6% 68.3%
Total Assets $167,980 $180,144 $222,907 $261,678 $250,303
Long Term Obligations(b) $130,731 $133,263 $248,757 $279,480 $285,607
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(c) 1.11x 1.27x 0.14x 0.85x 0.62x
MISCELLANEOUS DATA:
EBITDA (d) $23,954 $34,289 $37,170 $42,386 $47,107
EBITDA margin % 15.1% 15.6% 15.6% 14.4% 13.9%
Comparable store sales growth (e) 3.5% 3.8% 1.1% 1.1% 0.9%
End of period stores 218 239 270 361 361
Sales per store (f) $935 $995 $1,007 $987 $940
22
- ----------
(a) The Company recorded a $0.7 million non-cash impairment charge related to
its investment in its subsidiary in Mexico, which is included in selling,
general and administrative expenses for 1996.
(b) Long-term obligations include redeemable preferred stock of $11,220 and
$12,117 for fiscal 1996 and 1997, respectively.
(c) In computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" represents
income (loss) before income tax expense plus fixed charges. "Fixed charges"
consists of interest, amortization of debt issuance costs and a portion of
rent, which is representative of interest factor (approximately one-third
of rent expense).
(d) EBITDA represents consolidated net income (loss) before interest expense,
income taxes, depreciation and amortization (other than amortization of
store pre-opening costs), recapitalization and other expenses and store
closure expense. The Company has included information concerning EBITDA
because it believes that EBITDA is used by certain investors as one measure
of a company's historical ability to fund operations and meet its financial
obligations. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more
meaningful than, operating income (loss) or net income (loss) in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principals as an indicator of the
Company's operating performance or cash flow as a measure of liquidity.
Additionally, EBITDA presented may not be comparable to similarly titled
measures reported by other companies.
(e) Comparable store sales growth increase is calculated comparing net revenues
for the period to net revenues of the prior period for all stores open at
least twelve months prior to each such period.
(f) Sales per store is calculated on a monthly basis by dividing total net
revenues by the total number of stores open during the period. Annual sales
per store is the sum of the monthly calculations.
23
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
INTRODUCTION
The Company is the third largest retail optical chain in the United States
as measured by net revenues, operating 361 stores, 287 of which are optical
superstores. The Company operates predominately under the trade name
"EyeMasters," and in certain geographical regions under the trade names
"Binyon's," "Visionworks," "Hour Eyes," "Dr. Bizer's VisionWorld," "Dr. Bizer's
ValuVision," "Doctor's ValuVision," "Stein Optical," "Vision World," "Doctor's
VisionWorks" and "Eye DRx." The Company operates in the $5.4 billion retail
optical chain sector of the $16.5 billion optical retail market. Management
believes that key drivers of growth for retail optical chains include (i) the
aging of the United States population, (ii) the increased role of managed vision
care, (iii) the consolidation of the industry, (iv) new product innovations and
(v) the greater frequency of eyewear purchases.
The industry is highly fragmented and is undergoing significant
consolidation. See the discussion under the heading "Industry" within "ITEM 1.
BUSINESS." Under the current management team, the Company has consummated and
integrated four acquisitions.
o In September 1996, the Company consummated the Visionworks
Acquisition.
o In September 1997, the Company consummated the Hour Eyes Acquisition
and simultaneously entered into a long-term business management
agreement with the PC to manage an additional twelve Hour Eyes optical
stores in Virginia.
o In September 1998, the Company consummated the Bizer Acquisition and
simultaneously entered into a long-term business management agreement
with the Bizer OD to manage the nineteen stores primarily in Kentucky
and Tennessee.
o In August 1999, the Company consummated the Vision 21 Acquisition and
simultaneously entered into a long-term management agreement with the
VTO OD to manage the nineteen Eye DRx stores in New Jersey.
Management believes that optical retail sales through managed vision care
programs will continue to increase over the next several years. As a result,
management has made a strategic decision to pursue managed care relationships
aggressively in order to help the Company's retail business grow and over the
past five years has devoted significant management resources to the development
of its managed care business. While the average ticket price on products
purchased under managed care reimbursement plans is typically lower, managed
care transactions generally earn comparable operating profit margins as they
require less promotional spending and advertising support. The Company believes
that the increased volume resulting from managed care relationships more than
offsets the lower average ticket price. During fiscal 2000, approximately 35.7%
of the Company's total revenues were derived from managed care programs.
Management believes that the increasing role of managed vision care will
continue to benefit the Company and other large retail optical chains with
strong local markets shares, broad geographic coverage and sophisticated
information management and billing systems.
24
The Company uses a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday
closest to December 31, with monthly results on a 4-4-5 week basis each quarter.
Fiscal 1998, 1999 and 2000 were 52-week fiscal years and fiscal 1997 was a
53-week year.
On March 6, 1998, Merger Corp., THL Co., and the Company entered into the
Recapitalization Agreement providing for, among other things, the merger of
Merger Corp. with and into the Company. Upon consummation of the
Recapitalization on April 24, 1998, THL owned approximately 89.7% of the issued
and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, existing shareholders
(including management) of the Company retained approximately 7.3% of the issued
and outstanding Common Stock and management purchased additional shares
representing approximately 3.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock. The
total transaction value of the Recapitalization was approximately $323.8
million, including related fees and expenses, and the implied total equity value
of the Company following the Recapitalization was approximately $107.3 million.
Certain of the funds needed to consummate the Recapitalization were
obtained through the sale, pursuant to rule 144A promulgated under the
Securities Act, of the Initial Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $150.0
million. The Initial Notes were issued by the Company and guaranteed by the
subsidiary guarantors. Under the Indenture governing the Initial Notes, the
Company and the subsidiary guarantors are jointly and severally liable for
payment of the Initial Notes. In addition to the net proceeds from the sale of
the Initial Notes, the Recapitalization was financed with (a) approximately
$55.0 million of borrowings under the New Credit Facility (see "Liquidity and
Capital Resources" in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations) and (b) approximately $99.4 million from
the Equity Contribution through the sale of capital stock to THL, Bernard W.
Andrews and other members of management consisting of (i) approximately $71.6
million from the sale of Common Stock and (ii) approximately $27.8 million from
the sale of shares of New Preferred Stock. The Company used the proceeds from
such bank borrowings, the sale of the Initial Notes, and the Equity Contribution
principally to finance the conversion into cash of the shares of Common Stock
which were not retained by existing shareholders, to refinance certain existing
indebtedness of the Company, to redeem certain outstanding preferred stock of
the Company and to pay related fees and expenses of the Recapitalization. In
connection with the Recapitalization, the Company in-substance defeased its
previously issued Senior Notes by depositing with the trustee for the Senior
Notes (i) an irrevocable notice of redemption of the Senior Notes on October 1,
1998 and (ii) United States government securities in an amount necessary to
yield on October 1, 1998 $78.4 million, which constituted the principal amount,
premium and interest payable on the Senior Notes on the October 1, 1998
redemption date. The Senior Notes were defeased as scheduled on October 1, 1998.
25
The following is a discussion of certain factors affecting the Company's
results of operations from fiscal 1998 to fiscal 2000 and its liquidity and
capital resources. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this
document.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth the percentage relationship to net revenues
of certain income statement data.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
------------------------------
1998 1999 2000
--------- -------- --------
Net Revenues:
Optical sales 98.9% 99.0% 99.2%
Management fee 1.1 1.0 0.8
--------- -------- --------
Total net revenues 100.0 100.0 100.0
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold (a) 34.3 33.8 32.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses (a) 56.3 58.5 60.9
Recapitalization and other expenses 10.8 - -
Store closure expenses - - 1.1
Amortization of intangibles 1.6 1.9 2.7
--------- -------- --------
Total operating costs and expenses 102.0 93.3 95.9
--------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from operations (2.0) 6.7 4.1
Interest expense, net 8.1 8.4 8.5
In-substance defeased bonds interest expense, net 1.0 - -
--------- -------- --------
Loss before income taxes (11.1) (1.7) (4.4)
Income tax expense - 0.1 0.2
--------- -------- --------
Net loss before extraordinary item (11.1) (1.8) (4.6)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - 0.2 -
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of long-term
debt 3.5 - -
--------- -------- --------
Net loss (14.6) (2.0) (4.6)
========= ======== ========
EBITDA margin 15.6% 14.4% 13.9%
(a) Percentages based on optical sales only
FISCAL 2000 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1999
NET REVENUES. The increase in net revenues to $338.5 million in 2000 from
$293.8 million in fiscal 1999 was largely the result of the VTO Retail
Acquisition and an increase in comparable store sales of 0.9%. This acquisition
resulted in an increase in net revenues of $34.7 million for fiscal 2000.
Comparable transactions were relatively flat and average ticket prices increased
compared to the prior year. The Company opened fifteen stores and closed fifteen
stores in fiscal 2000 for a net zero change in its store count.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased to $231.0 million in fiscal 2000 from
$195.6 million in
26
fiscal 1999. Gross profit as a percentage of optical sales increased to 68.0%
($228.2 million) in fiscal 2000 as compared to 66.2% ($192.6 million) in
fiscal 1999. This percentage increase was primarily due to improved buying
efficiencies, primarily in lenses.
SELLING GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (SG&A). SG&A increased to $204.4
million in fiscal 2000 from $170.1 in fiscal 1999. SG&A as a percentage of
optical sales increased to 60.9% in fiscal 2000 from 58.5% in fiscal 1999. This
percentage increase was due primarily to the inclusion of doctor payroll
expenses for the stores acquired through the VTO Retail Acquisition and
increases in occupancy expenses.
STORE CLOSURE EXPENSES. In connection with a comprehensive operational
review during the third quarter of 2000, the Company's management identified ten
existing stores which were unprofitable and five undeveloped lease sites which
did not fit into the Company's future business plan. Management determined that
the ten existing stores should be closed and the leases at the undeveloped sites
should be terminated. Nine of these stores were closed in fiscal 2000 and the
tenth was closed in January 2001. A charge of $3.6 million was recorded to
reflect the necessary write-off of related assets and expenses to be incurred in
the closing of these locations. The charge consists of $1.4 million in goodwill
associated with two of the identified stores that were acquired by the Company
through the Company's various acquisitions, $1.4 million in leasehold
improvements at the stores and $0.8 million in estimated lease buy-out payments.
The comprehensive operating review and resulting store closures and lease
terminations were not part of management's constant evaluation of the
performance of its stores in which, through the course of ongoing operations, it
periodically decides not to renew certain leases or to relocate certain stores.
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE. Amortization expense increased to $9.1 million for
fiscal 2000 from $5.7 million in fiscal 1999. This increase was due to
amortization of the goodwill, noncompete agreement and Strategic Alliance
Agreement assets related to the VTO Retail Acquisition, which were recorded
during the third quarter of fiscal 1999.
NET INTEREST EXPENSE. Net interest expense increased to $28.0 million for
fiscal 2000 from $24.7 million for fiscal 1999. This increase was due to the
increased borrowings made in connection to the VTO Retail Acquisition.
FISCAL 1999 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1998
NET REVENUES. The increase in net revenues to $293.8 million in 1999 from
$237.9 million in fiscal 1998 was largely the result of the VTO Retail
Acquisition and the Bizer Acquisition and an increase in comparable store sales
of 1.1%. These acquisitions resulted in an increase in net revenues of $44.3
million for fiscal 1999.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased to $195.6 million in fiscal 1999 from
$157.2 million in fiscal 1998. Gross profit as a percentage of optical sales
increased to 66.2% ($192.6 million) in fiscal 1999 as compared to 65.7% ($154.6
million) in fiscal 1998. This percentage increase was primarily due to increased
productivity within the store labs.
27
SELLING GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (SG&A). SG&A increased to $170.1
million in fiscal 1999 from $132.4 in fiscal 1998. SG&A as a percentage of
optical sales increased to 58.5% in fiscal 1999 from 56.3% in fiscal 1998. This
percentage increase was due primarily to the inclusion of doctor payroll
expenses for the stores acquired through the Bizer Acquisition and VTO Retail
Acquisition and increases in overhead expenses. The increases in overhead
expenses were primarily due to non-recurring expenses related to the integration
of the VTO Retail Acquisition. These increased costs were partially offset by
savings realized through economies of scale achieved in advertising.
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE. Amortization expense (excluding the amortization of
store pre-opening costs for fiscal 1998) increased to $5.7 million for fiscal
1999 from $3.7 million in fiscal 1998. This increase was due to amortization of
the goodwill related to the Bizer Acquisition and the VTO Retail Acquisition,
which were recorded during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1999,
respectively.
NET INTEREST EXPENSE. Net interest expense increased to $24.7 million for
fiscal 1999 from $19.2 million for fiscal 1998. This increase was due to the
increased borrowings made in connection to the Recapitalization and the Bizer
Acquisition and VTO Retail Acquisition but was partially offset by reduced rates
on the new debt issued in the Recapitalization.
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE. Upon the adoption of
SOP 98-5, the Company recorded a charge of $0.5 million for the write-off of
capitalized store preopening costs and organization costs.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash flows from operating activities provided net cash for 2000, 1999, and
1998 of $4.0 million, $15.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. As of
December 30, 2000, the Company had $4.0 million of cash available to meet the
Company's obligations.
Capital expenditures for 2000, 1999 and 1998 were $18.9 million, $19.9
million and $20.7 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for 2001 are
projected to be approximately $11 million. Capital expenditures are related to
the construction of new stores, repositioning of existing stores in some markets
and new computer systems for the stores. These capital expenditures include
leasehold improvements, laboratory, equipment, furniture and fixtures, doctors'
equipment, point-of-sale equipment, and computer hardware and software.
On April 24, 1998, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the "New
Credit Facility") which consists of (i) the $55.0 million term loan facility
(the "Term Loan Facility"); (ii) the $35.0 million revolving credit facility
(the "Revolving Credit Facility"); and (iii) the $100.0 million acquisition
facility (the "Acquisition Facility"), of which $50.0 million was committed at
April 24, 1998. The proceeds of the New Credit Facility were used to pay long
term debt
28
outstanding under the previous credit facility. At December 30, 2000, the
Company had $45.0 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility, $24.5
million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, and $69.2 million
outstanding under the Acquisition Facility which funded the Bizer Acquisition
and the VTO Retail Acquisition. On December 27, 2000 the Company amended the
New Credit Facility. As a result of the amendment to the New Credit Facility,
interest on borrowings was increased by 100 basis points from the original
interest rates under the amended New Credit Facility and various financial
covenants and scheduled principal payments were revised. Borrowings made
under the New Credit Facility (as amended) bear interest at a rate equal to,
at the Company's option, LIBOR plus 2.25% to 3.25% or the Base Rate (as
defined in the New Credit Facility) plus 1.25% to 2.25%. At December 30,
2000, the Company's New Credit Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus 3.25% and
the Base Rate plus 2.25%. Under the amended New Credit Facility, the Term
Loan Facility matures five years from the closing date of the New Credit
Facility and the $45.0 million outstanding balance will amortize quarterly in
aggregate annual principal amounts of approximately $15.0 million, $13.0
million, and $17.0 million, respectively, for fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company in-substance defeased
its previously issued Senior Notes by depositing with the trustee for the Senior
Notes (i) an irrevocable notice of redemption of the Senior Notes on October 1,
1998 and (ii) United States government securities in an amount necessary to
yield on October 1, 1998 $78.4 million, which constituted the principal amount,
premium and interest payable on the Senior Notes on the October 1, 1998
redemption date. On October 1, 1998, the Senior Notes were defeased as scheduled
and the Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $4.2 million on the
statement of operations for defeasance costs during the third quarter related to
the call premium on the bonds.
In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company completed a debt
offering of the Initial Notes, consisting of the Fixed Rate Notes and the
Floating Rate Notes. Interest on the Initial Notes is payable semiannually on
each May 1 and November 1, commencing on November 1, 1998. Interest on the Fixed
Rate Notes accrues at the rate of 9 1/8% per annum. The Floating Rate Notes bear
interest at a rate per annum, reset semiannually, and equal to LIBOR (as defined
in the Indenture) plus 3.98%. The Initial Notes are not entitled to the benefit
of any mandatory sinking fund. For discussion of restrictions on subsidiaries,
see Note 8 to the December 30, 2000 Consolidated Financial Statements. On April
24, 1998, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement that converts
a portion of the Floating Rate Notes to a fixed rate.
The Company filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission with respect to an offer to exchange the Initial Notes for notes
which have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Initial
Notes, except such notes are freely transferable by the holders thereof and are
issued without any covenant regarding registration (the "Exchange Notes"). The
registration statement was declared effective on January 28, 1999. The exchange
period ended March 4, 1999. The Exchange Notes are the only notes of the Company
which are currently outstanding.
During 1996, the Company issued 110,000 shares of Series A Cumulative
Mandatorily Redeemable Exchangeable Pay-in-Kind Preferred Stock ("Preferred
Stock"). In conjunction with
29
the Recapitalization, the Company repurchased the Preferred Stock, canceled
it and issued 300,000 shares of a new series of preferred stock (the "New
Preferred Stock"), par value $.01 per share. Dividends on shares of New
Preferred Stock are cumulative from the date of issue (whether or not
declared) and will be payable when and as may be declared from time to time
by the Board of Directors of the Company. Such dividends accrue on a daily
basis from the original date of issue at an annual rate per share equal to
13% of the original purchase price per share, with such amount to be
compounded quarterly. The New Preferred Stock will be redeemable at the
option of the Company, in whole or in part, at $100 per share plus (i) the
per share dividend rate and (ii) all accumulated and unpaid dividends, if
any, to the date of redemption, upon occurrence of an offering of equity
securities, a change of control or certain sales of assets.
The Company anticipates that cash from operations and funds available under
the Revolving Credit Facility will be sufficient to finance the Company's
continuing operations and to make all required payments of principal and
interest on the Exchange Notes through the next twelve months.
INFLATION
The impact of inflation on the Company's operations has not been
significant to date. While the Company does not believe its business is highly
sensitive to inflation, there can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation
would not have an adverse impact on the Company's operations.
SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY RESULTS
The Company's sales fluctuate seasonally. Historically, the Company's
highest sales and earnings occur in the first and third quarters. In addition,
quarterly results are affected by the Company's growth: new store openings, the
Visionworks Acquisition, the Hour Eyes Acquisition, the Bizer Acquisition and
VTO Retail Acquisition. Hence, quarterly results are not necessarily indicative
of results for the entire year.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to various market risks. Market risk is the
potential loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The
Company does not enter into derivative or other financial instruments for
trading or speculative purposes.
INTEREST RATE RISK
The Company's primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk, with
specific vulnerability to changes in LIBOR. At December 30, 2000, $138.7 million
of the Company's long-term debt bears interest at variable rates, with $33.3
million of that amount effectively converted to fixed
30
rates through interest rate swap agreements. Accordingly, the Company's net
income is affected by changes in interest rates. Assuming a two hundred basis
point change in the 2000 average interest rate under the $105.4 million in
unhedged borrowings, the Company's 2000 interest expense would have changed
approximately $2.1 million.
At December 30, 2000, the Company had an unrealized gain of $0.1 million
related to the $33.3 million swap portfolio. The Company's fixed pay rate is
5.9% while the floating receive rate, based on LIBOR, was 6.7% at the end of
fiscal 2000. A two hundred basis point change in the receive rate would affect
the Company's position by $0.7 million.
In the event of an adverse change in interest rates, management could take
actions to mitigate its exposure. However, due to the uncertainty of the actions
that would be taken and their possible effects, this analysis assumes no such
actions. Further, this analysis does not consider the effects of the change in
the level of overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements and supplementary data are set forth in this
annual report on Form 10-K commencing on page F-1.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
31
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The table below sets forth the names, ages and positions of the executive
officers and directors of the Company.
NAME AGE POSITION
- ---- --- --------
Bernard W. Andrews 59 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
David E. McComas 58 President and Chief Operating Officer
Alan E. Wiley 53 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer
George E. Gebhardt 50 Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Managed Vision Care
Michele M. Benoit 44 Senior Vice President of Human Resources
Charles A. Brizius 32 Director
Anthony J. DiNovi 38 Director
Norman S. Matthews 67 Director
Warren C. Smith, Jr. 44 Director
Antoine G. Treuille 51 Director
Directors of the Company are elected at the annual shareholders' meeting
and hold office until their successors have been elected and qualified. The
officers of the Company are chosen by the Board of Directors and hold office
until they resign or are removed by the Board of Directors.
BERNARD W. ANDREWS joned the Company as Director and Chief Executive
Officer in March 1996 and has been Chairman of the Company since the
consummation of the Recapitalization. From January 1994 to April 1995, Mr.
Andrews was President and Chief Operating Officer as well as a Director of
Montgomery Ward-Retail. He was an Executive Vice President and a Director of
Circuit City Stores, Inc., from October 1990 to January 1994. Mr. Andrews was
with Montgomery Ward-Retail from October 1983 to May 1990, serving as
President-Hardlines, Executive Vice President-Marketing and Vice President-Home
Fashions. Prior to 1983, Mr. Andrews spent twenty years with Sears, Roebuck &
Co. in a number of merchandising, marketing and operating positions.
DAVID E. MCCOMAS has served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company since July 1998. Prior to July 1998, Mr. McComas was Western Region
President and Corporate Vice President, Circuit City Stores, Inc., responsible
for eight Western States and Hawaii since 1994. Prior to 1994, Mr. McComas was
General Manager of Circuit City Stores, Inc. Mr. McComas has over thirty years
of store management experience including positions with Montgomery Ward Holding
Corporation and Sears, Roebuck & Co. Since 1996, Mr. McComas has served as a
Director of West Marine, Inc.
32
ALAN E. WILEY has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company since November 1998. From 1992 until November 1998, Mr.
Wiley served as the Senior Executive Vice President, Secretary, Chief Financial
and Administrative Officer and a Director of The Cato Corporation. From 1981
through 1990, Mr. Wiley held senior administrative and financial positions with
British American Tobacco, U.S. in various companies of the specialty retail
division.
GEORGE E. GEBHARDT has served as the Company's Executive Vice President of
Merchandising, since September 1996 when the Company purchased his former
employer, Visionworks. He assumed the responsibilities of the Company's
Marketing in June 1998 and Managed Vision Care Sales in February 1999. Mr.
Gebhardt was with Visionworks from February 1994 to September 1996 serving in
various positions, most recently Senior Vice President of Merchandising and
Marketing. Prior to that, Mr. Gebhardt spent over thirteen years with Eckerd
Corporation in various operational positions including Senior Vice President,
General Manager of Eckerd Vision Group. Mr. Gebhardt also spent seven years
working for Procter & Gamble serving in various positions including Unit Sales
Manager of Procter & Gamble's Health and Beauty Care Division.
MICHELE M. BENOIT has served as the Company's Senior Vice President of
Human Resources since April 1997. From 1995 until joining the Company, she was
Vice President, Human Resources for Ben Franklin Retail Stores, Inc. Prior to
1995, Ms. Benoit was a Vice President and Managing Director with Kennedy and
Company, a retail executive search firm based in Chicago, Illinois. She also
spent fourteen years with Montgomery Ward and Company where she held a variety
of human resources and operational positions.
NORMAN S. MATTHEWS has served as a Director of the Company since October
1993 and served as Chairman from December 1996 to April 1998. Mr. Matthews is
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. From
1988 to the present, Mr. Matthews has been an independent retail consultant and
venture capitalist. Mr. Matthews was President of Federated Department Stores
from 1987 to 1988, and served as Vice Chairman from 1983 to 1987. He is also a
Director of Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation, Toys "R" Us, Inc., The Progressive
Corporation, Sunoco, Inc. and Lechters, Inc.
ANTOINE G. TREUILLE has served as a Director of the Company since October
1993. In March 1998, Mr. Treuille became Managing Director of Financo, Inc., an
investment bank. Mr. Treuille has served as President of Charter Pacific Corp.
since May 1996. Prior to his current position, Mr. Treuille served as Senior
Vice President of Desai Capital Management Inc. From September 1985 to April
1992, he served as Executive Vice President with the investment firm of
Entrecanales, Inc. Mr. Treuille also serves as a Director of Societe BIC S.A.
and Special Metals Corp.
33
ANTHONY J. DINOVI has served as a Director of the Company since the
consummation of the Recapitalization. Mr. DiNovi has been employed by Thomas
H. Lee Company since 1988 and currently serves as a Managing Director. Mr.
DiNovi is a Managing Director and Member of THL Equity Advisors IV, LLC, the
general partner of Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund IV, LP. Mr. DiNovi also serves
as a Director of Fisher Scientific International, Inc., Fair Point
Communications, Inc., US LEC Corporation, Vertis, Inc., and various private
companies.
WARREN C. SMITH, JR., has served as a Director of the Company since the
consummation of the Recapitalization. Mr. Smith has been employed by Thomas
H. Lee Company since 1990 and currently serves as a Managing Director. Mr.
Smith is a Managing Director and Member of THL Equity Advisors IV, LLC, the
general partner of Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund IV, LP. Mr. Smith also serves as
a Director of Rayovac Corporation and Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation.
CHARLES A. BRIZIUS has served as a Director of the Company since the
consummation of the Recapitalization. Mr. Brizius worked at Thomas H. Lee
Company from 1993 to 1995, rejoined in 1997 and currently serves as an
Associate. Mr. Brizius is a Member of THL Equity Advisors IV, LLC, the
general partner of Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund IV, LP. From 1991 to 1993, Mr.
Brizius worked at Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated in the Corporate Finance
Department. Mr. Brizius also serves as a Director of TransWestern Publishing,
L.P., United Industries Corporation and Big V Supermarkets, Inc.
34
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
compensation paid during the last three years to the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers serving as
executive officers at the end of fiscal 2000 (the "Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL ------------
COMPENSATION AWARDS
---------------------------------------- ------------
OTHER ANNUAL SECURITIES ALL OTHER
NAME AND COMPENSATION UNDERLYING COMPENSATION
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($)(a) BONUS($)(b) ($)(c) OPTIONS(#) ($)(d)
- --------------------------- ---- ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Bernard W. Andrews 2000 582,695 - - - 5,654
Chairman and Chief 1999 530,774 100,000 - - 5,211
Executive Officer 1998 489,480 - - 371,376 8,663,996
David E. McComas 2000 349,836 - - - -
President and Chief 1999 340,800 75,000 - - -
Operating Officer 1998 153,750 500,000 - 120,000 -
Alan E. Wiley 2000 241,982 - - - -
Executive Vice 1999 226,269 73,508 75,991 - -
President, Chief 1998 34,615 38,850 - 32,500 -
Financial Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
George E. Gebhardt 2000 215,192 - - - -
Executive Vice President 1999 206,769 40,000 - - -
of Merchandising, 1998 205,577 - - 35,000 790,175
Marketing and Managed
Vision Care Sales
Michele Benoit 2000 147,077 - - - -
Senior Vice President of 1999 140,923 25,000 - - -
Human Resources 1998 138,269 - - 25,000 384,379
- ------------
(a) Represents annual salary, including any compensation deferred by the Named
Executive Officer pursuant to the Company's 401(k) defined contribution
plan.
(b) Represents annual bonus earned by the Named Executive Officer for the
relevant fiscal year.
(c) Except with respect to Mr. Alan E. Wiley for 1999, the dollar value of the
perquisites and other personal benefits, securities or property paid to
each Named Executive Officer did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of
reported annual salary and bonus received by the Named Executive Officer.
Of the total other annual compensation received by Mr. Wiley in 1999,
$68,791 related to relocation expenses paid by the Company on behalf of Mr.
Wiley.
(d) In connection with the Recapitalization, all outstanding options were
simultaneously vested and exercised. Except with respect to Mr. Bernard W.
Andrews' term life insurance premiums discussed below, all 1998 amounts
represent the compensation amounts related to the exercise of options.
During 2000, 1999 and 1998, the Company paid $5,654, $5,211, and $4,893,
respectively, for premiums for term life insurance for Mr. Andrews.
35
STOCK OPTION GRANTS. The Named Executive Officers have not been granted any
options or SARs in fiscal 2000.
STOCK OPTION EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS TABLE. The following table sets forth
information with respect to the Named Executive Officers concerning unexercised
options held as of December 30, 2000. The Named Executive Officers have not been
granted any SARs.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES VALUE OF
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS AT OPTIONS AT
FY-END (#) FY-END ($)
SHARES VALUED -------------------------------------
ACQUIRED ON REALIZED EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME EXERCISE(#) ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE(a)
- ---- ----------- -------- --------------- -----------------
Bernard W. Andrews - - 154,740/216,636 $377,566/$528,592
David E. McComas - - 30,000/90,000 $73,200/$219,600
George E. Gebhardt - - 8,750/26,250 $21,350/$64,050
Alan E. Wiley - - 8,125/24,375 $19,825/$59,475
Michele Benoit - - 6,250/18,750 $15,250/$45,750
(a) There is currently no market for the Company's Common Stock. A value of
$12.85 per share was used for purposes of this calculation.
(b) All options have been granted at an exercise price of $10.41 per share and
with the exception of Mr. Andrews' grant, begin vesting one year after the
date of grant in four installments of 10%, 15%, 25% and 50%. For a
discussion of Mr. Andrews' vesting schedule see the heading "Employment
Agreement."
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has an Executive Committee of which Norman S.
Matthews is chairman and, as of the date hereof, the sole member.
The Board of Directors has a Compensation Committee currently consisting of
Messrs. Matthews, DiNovi and Smith. The Compensation Committee makes
recommendations concerning the salaries and incentive compensation of employees
of and consultants to the Company.
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee currently consisting of
Messrs. DiNovi, Smith, Treuille and Brizius. The Audit Committee is responsible
for reviewing the results and scope of audits and other services provided by the
Company's independent auditors.
36
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Company and THL Co. entered into a management agreement as of the
closing date of the Recapitalization pursuant to which THL Co. receives, among
other things, $250,000 per year ($500,000 before the amendment on December 31,
2000), plus expenses for management and other consulting services provided to
the Company. See "Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS."
The Company entered into a three year consulting agreement (the
"Consulting Agreement"), effective as of the closing of the Recapitalization,
with Norman S. Matthews, which provides for the payment of an annual
consulting fee of $50,000. The Consulting Agreement provides for the grant to
Mr. Matthews, concurrently with the closing of the Recapitalization, of an
option to purchase 110,000 shares as of the closing of the Recapitalization,
subject to a vesting schedule which will be one-half time based and one-half
performance based, at an exercise price equal to approximately $10.41 per
share, the same price paid by THL in connection with the Recapitalization. In
addition, Antoine Treuille receives $10,000 per year for his services. Mr.
Treuille received 5,000 options in 1998, 1999 and 2000 at an exercise price
of $10.41, $10.41 and $12.85 per share, respectively, subject to a vesting
schedule of equal amounts over four years. Except with respect to the
consulting fee paid to Mr. Matthews, the annual payment paid to Mr. Treuille
and the management fee paid to THL Co., during fiscal 2000 none of the
directors of the Company received any compensation for their services as
directors of the Company.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Bernard W. Andrews entered into an employment agreement with the Company,
effective as of the closing of the Recapitalization, which provides for his
employment with the Company for an initial term of three years, and will
thereafter be renewed for consecutive one year terms unless terminated by either
party. Mr. Andrews is entitled to a base salary of $500,000 during the first
year following the Recapitalization, $550,000 during the second year and
$600,000 during the third year. Mr. Andrews will be eligible to receive an
annual performance bonus upon the achievement by the Company of certain EBITDA
targets as determined from year to year by the Board of Directors.
Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Andrews purchased $1.0
million of Common Stock at the same price that THL paid in connection with the
Recapitalization. Mr. Andrews paid for these shares by delivering a promissory
note with an original purchase amount of $1.0 million, which shall accrue
interest at a fixed rate equal to the Company's initial borrowing rate. The
repayment of such note is secured by Mr. Andrews' shares of Common Stock.
Mr. Andrews is entitled to receive severance of two times his base salary
upon termination by the Company without cause or by Mr. Andrews for good reason,
as defined within the employment agreement. Severance shall be paid over twelve
months. Mr. Andrews is also subject to a standard restrictive covenants
agreement (including non-competition, non-
37
solicitation, and non-disclosure covenants) during the term of his employment
and for a period of three years following termination for any reason.
Mr. Andrews has received non-qualified options to purchase 371,376 shares
of Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.41 per share. Certain of these
options vest over time and others vest upon the Company reaching certain
profitability levels. If the profitability levels are not reached for a given
year, the options fail to become exercisable and are carried forward to the next
succeeding vesting period.
The remaining executive officers are each subject to annual employment
agreements that automatically renew unless either party gives thirty days
notice. Each executive officer is eligible to participate in the Company's
Incentive Plan for Key Management, whereby they may receive a certain percentage
of their base compensation upon the achievement of certain EBITDA levels as
determined by the Board of Directors.
Upon termination without cause, as defined in the employment agreement,
the executive officers are eligible for a range of nine to twelve months of
severance. The employment agreements also contain standard restrictive covenants
such as non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disclosure during the term of
employment and for a period of two years following termination for any reason.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company has granted stock options to certain officers under the
Company's 1998 stock option plan. As of March 1, 2001, options to purchase
483,000 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. Subject to acceleration under
certain circumstances, the options vest over a four-year period. The per option
exercise price ranges from $10.41 to $12.85. Generally, all unvested options
will be forfeited upon termination of employment.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION. During 2000,
the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Matthews, DiNovi and Smith, none
of whom were an officer or employee of the Company.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information with respect to the anticipated
beneficial ownership of shares of the Common Stock as of March 1, 2001 by
persons who are beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Common Stock, by each
director, by each executive officer of the Company and by all directors and
executive officers as a group, as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All shares
of the Common Stock are voting stock.
38
SHARES OF PERCENTAGE
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(a) COMMON STOCK OF CLASS
- --------------------------- -----------------------------------
Affiliates of THL Co.(b)............................................. 6,664,800 89.9%
Equity-Linked Investors-II (c)....................................... 383,616 5.2
Bernard W. Andrews (e)............................................... 377,808 5.0
David E. McComas (f)................................................. 54,015 *
Norman S. Matthews (g)............................................... 47,545 *
Antoine G. Treuille (h).............................................. 9,028 *
George E. Gebhardt (i)............................................... 43,749 *
Alan E. Wiley(k)..................................................... 17,732 *
Michele Benoit (j)................................................... 15,850 *
Anthony J. DiNovi (b)................................................ 6,664,800 89.9
Warren C. Smith (b).................................................. 6,664,800 89.9
Charles A. Brizius (b)............................................... 6,664,800 89.9
All directors and executive officers of the Company as a group
(11)(b)(d)........................................................... 7,230,526 94.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Less than 1%.
(a) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and reflects general voting power and/or
investment power with respect to securities.
(b) The business address for such person(s) is c/o Thomas H. Lee Company, 75
State Street, Suite 2600, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Of the securities
held by affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Company, 5,664,330 are held by the
Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund IV, L.P., 195,133 are held by the Thomas H. Lee
Foreign Fund IV, L.P., 551,323 are held by Thomas H. Lee Foreign Fund IV-B,
L.P. and 254,014 are held by others. All such voting securities may be
deemed to be beneficially owned by THL Equity Advisors IV, LLC
("Advisors"), the general partner of THL Fund IV, Thomas H. Lee, Messrs.
DiNovi, Smith and the other managing directors and by Mr. Brizius and the
other officers of THL Co., in each case pursuant to the definition of
beneficial ownership provided in footnote (a). Each of such persons
disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(c) Equity-Linked Investors-II is an investment partnership managed by Desai
Capital Management Incorporated. The business address for such person is
c/o Desai Capital Management, Incorporated, 540 Madison Avenue, New York,
New York 10022.
(d) Includes 269,166 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options
(or those exercisable prior to May 1, 2001).
(e) The business address for such persons is 11103 West Avenue, San Antonio,
Texas 78213-1392. Includes 185,688 shares issuable pursuant to presently
exercisable options (or those exercisable prior to May 1, 2001). Excludes
185,688 shares issuable pursuant to options which are not currently
exercisable (or exercisable prior to May 1, 2001).
(f) Includes 30,000 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options
(or those exercisable prior to May 1, 2001). Excludes 90,000 shares
issuable pursuant to options which are not currently exercisable (or
exercisable prior to May 1, 2001).
(g) Includes 27,853 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options
(or those exercisable prior to May 1, 2001). Excludes 83,559 shares
issuable pursuant to options which are not currently exercisable (or
exercisable prior to May 1, 2001).
(h) Includes 2,500 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options
(or those exercisable prior to May 1, 2001). Excludes 12,500 shares
issuable pursuant to options which are not currently exercisable (or
exercisable prior to May 1, 2001).
(i) Includes 8,750 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options
(or those exercisable prior to May 1, 2001). Excludes 26,250 shares
issuable pursuant to options which are not currently exercisable (or
exercisable prior to May 1, 2001).
(j) Includes 6,250 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options
(or those exercisable prior to May 1, 2001). Excludes 18,750 shares
issuable pursuant to options which are not currently exercisable (or
exercisable prior to May 1, 2001).
(k) Includes 8,125 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options or
those exercisable prior to May 1, 2001). Excludes 24,375 shares issuable
pursuant to options which are not currently exercisable (or exercisable
prior to May 1, 2001).
39
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
The Company and THL Co. entered into a management agreement as of the
closing date of the Recapitalization (the "Management Agreement"), pursuant
to which (i) THL Co. received a financial advisory fee of $6.0 million in
connection with structuring, negotiating and arranging the Recapitalization
and structuring, negotiating and arranging the debt financing and (ii) THL
Co. would receive $500,000 per year plus expenses for management and other
consulting services provided to the Company, including one percent (1%) of
the gross purchase price for acquisitions for its participation in the
negotiation and consummation of any such acquisition. As of December 31,
2000, the Management Agreement was amended to reduce the fees to $250,000 per
year plus expenses for management and other consulting services provided to
the Company. However such fee may be increased dependent upon the Company
attaining certain leverage ratios. The Management Agreement continues unless
and until terminated by mutual consent of the parties in writing, for so long
as THL Co. provides management and other consulting services to the Company.
The Company believes that the terms of the Management Agreement are
comparable to those that would have been obtained from unaffiliated sources.
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
The Company entered into a Stockholders' Agreement (the "Stockholders'
Agreement") among THL and the other shareholders of the Company upon the
consummation of the Recapitalization. Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement,
the shareholders are required to vote their shares of capital stock of the
Company to elect a Board of Directors of the Company consisting of directors
designated by THL. The Stockholders' Agreement also grants THL the right to
require the Company to effect the registration of shares of Common Stock they
hold for sale to the public, subject to certain conditions and limitations. If
the Company proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, whether for its own account or otherwise, the shareholders
are entitled to notice of such registration and are entitled to include their
shares in such registration, subject to certain conditions and limitations. All
fees, costs and expenses of any registration effected on behalf of such
shareholders under the Stockholders' Agreement (other than underwriting
discounts and commissions) will be paid by the Company.
40
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report.
Page
of 10-K
-------
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Auditors F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended January 2, 1999,
January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity/(Deficit) January 2, 1999,
January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows January 2, 1999,
January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-7
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-9
2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Schedule II - Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - For
the Years Ended January 2, 1999, January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-47
3. EXHIBITS
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement dated August 15, 1996 by and between Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc., Visionworks Holdings, Inc. and the Sellers
listed therein.(a)
2.2 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated September 30 1997, by and among Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc., a Texas corporation, Robert A. Samit, O. D. and
Michael Davidson, O. D.(a)
2.3 Recapitalization Agreement dated as of March 6, 1998 among ECCA Merger
Corp., Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. and the sellers Listed therein.(a)
2.4 Amendment No. 1 to the Recapitalization Agreement dated as of April 23,
1998 among ECCA Merger Corp., Eye Care Centers of America, Inc, and the
sellers listed therein.(a)
2.5 Amendment No. 2 to the Recapitalization Agreement dated as of April 24,
1998 among ECCA Merger Corp., Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. and the
sellers listed therein.(a)
41
2.6 Articles of Merger of ECCA Merger Corp. with and into Eye
Care Centers of America, Inc. dated April 24, 1998.(a)
2.7 Master Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 22,
1998, by and among Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.,
Mark E. Lynn, Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates, PLLC; Dr. Bizer's
Vision World, PLLC and its affiliates.(a) Amendment No. 1
to Retail Business Management Agreement by and between
Visionary Retail Management, Inc. and Dr. Mark Lynn &
Associates, PLLC dated June 1, 1999.(j) Amendment No. 1
to Professional Business Management Agreement by and
between Visionary MSO, Inc. and Dr. Mark Lynn &
Associates, PLLC dated June 1, 1999.(j) Amendment No. 1
to Professional Business Management Agreement by and
between Visionary MSO, Inc. and Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates,
PLLC dated August 1, 2000.(j) Amendment No. 1 to Retail
Business Management Agreement by and between Visionary
Retail Management, Inc. and Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates,
PLLC dated August 31, 2000.(j)
2.8 Letter Agreement, dated October 1, 1998, amending and
modifying that certain Master Asset Purchase Agreement,
dated as of August 22, 1998, by and among Eye Care Centers
of America, Inc.; Mark E. Lynn; Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates,
PLLC; Dr. Bizer's VisionWorld, PLLC and its affiliates.(a)
2.9 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated July 7, 1999, by and
among Eye Care Centers of America, Inc., Vision Twenty-One,
Inc., and The Complete Optical Laboratory, Ltd., Corp.+(c)
Amendment No. 2 to Business Management Agreement by and
between Charles M. Cummins, O.D., P.A. and Eye Drx Retail
Management, Inc. dated February 29, 2000.(j) Amendment No. 3
to Business Management Agreement by and between Charles M.
Cummins, O.D., P.A. and Eye Drx Retail Management, Inc.
dated May 1, 2000.(j) Amendment No. 4 to Business
Management Agreement by and between Charles M. Cummins,
O.D., P.A. and Eye Drx Retail Management, Inc. dated
February 1, 2001.(j)
2.10 Letter Agreement, dated August 31,1999, amending and modifying that
certain Asset Purchase Agreement, date July 7,199 by and among Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc., Vision Twenty-One, Inc., and The Complete
Optical Laboratory, Inc., Corp.(d)
2.11 Agreement Regarding Strategic Alliance.(d)
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of Eye Care Centers of America Inc.(a)
3.2 Statement of Resolution of the Board of Directors of Eye Care Centers of
America, Inc. designating a series of Preferred Stock.(a)
3.3 Amended and Restated By-laws of Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.(a)
4.1 Indenture dated as of April 24, 1998 among Eye Care Centers of America,
Inc., the Guarantors named therein and United States Trust Company of New
York, as Trustee for the 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2008 and
Floating Interest Rate Subordinated Term Securities.(a)
4.2 Form of Fixed Rate Exchange Note (included in Exhibit 4.1 Hereto).(a)
4.3 Form of Floating Rate Exchange Note (included in Exhibit 4.1 Hereto).(a)
4.4 Form of Guarantee (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto).(a)
4.5 Registration Rights Agreement dated April 24, 1998 between Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc., the subsidiaries of the Company named as
guarantors therein, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated and Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated.(a)
10.1 Form of Stockholders' Agreement dated as of April 24, 1998 by and among
Eye Care of America, Inc. and the shareholders listed therein.(a)
10.2 1998 Stock Option Plan.(a)
42
10.3 Amended and Restated Deferred Stock Plan of Eye Care Centers of America,
Inc.(a)
10.4 Employment Agreement dated April 24, 1998 by and between Eye Care Centers
of America, Inc. and Bernard W. Andrews.(a)
10.5 Stock Option Agreement dated April 24, 1998 by and between Bernard W.
Andrews and Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.(a)
10.6 Form of Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc. and George Gebhardt.(a)
10.7 Employment Agreement dated March 24, 1997 between Eye Care Centers of
America, Inc. and Michele Benoit.(a)
10.8 Management Agreement, dated as of April 24, 1998, by and between Thomas H.
Lee Company and Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.(a)
10.9 Retail Business Management Agreement, dated September 30, 1997, by and
between Dr. Samit's Hour Eyes Optometrist, P.C., a Virginia professional
corporation, and Visionary Retail Management, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.+(a) Amendment No. 1 to the Retail Business Management
Agreement, dated June 2000, by and between Hour Eyes Doctors of Optometry,
P.C., formerly known as Dr. Samit's Hour Eyes Optometrist, P.C., and
Visionary Retail Management, Inc.(j)
10.10 Professional Business Management Agreement dated September 30, 1997, by
and between Dr. Samit's Hour Eyes Optometrists, P.C., a Virginia
professional corporation, and Visionary MSO, Inc., a Delaware corporation.+(a)
Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Business Management Agreement, dated
June 2000, by and between Hour Eyes Doctors of Optometry, P.C., formerly known
as Dr. Samit's Hour Eyes Optometrist, P.C., and Visionary MSO, Inc.(j)
10.11 Contract for Purchase and Sale dated May 29, 1997 by and between Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc. and JDB Real Properties, Inc.(a)
10.11 Contract for Purchase and Sale dated May 29, 1997 by and between Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc. and JDB Real Properties, Inc.(a)
10.12 Amendment to Contract for Purchase and Sale dated July 3, 1997 by and
between Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. and JDB Real Properties,
Inc.(a)
10.13 Second Amendment to Contract for Purchase and Sale dated July 10, 1997 by
and between Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. and JDB Real Properties,
Inc.(a)
10.14 Third Amendment to Contract for Purchase and Sale by and between Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc., John D. Byram, Dallas Mini #262. Ltd. and Dallas
Mini #343, Ltd.(a)
10.15 Commercial Lease Agreement dated August 19, 1997 by and between John D.
Byram, Dallas Mini #262, Ltd. and Dallas Mini #343, Ltd. And Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc.(a)
10.16 1997 Incentive Plan for Key Management.(a)
10.17 1998 Incentive Plan for Key Management.(a)
43
10.18 Master Lease Agreement, dated August 12, 1997, by and between Pacific
Financial Company and Eye Care Centers of America, Inc., together with all
amendments, riders and schedules thereto.(a)
10.19 Credit Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998, among Eye Care Centers of
America, Inc., Various Lenders, Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative
Agent, and Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation, as Syndication Agent.(a)
10.20 First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December, 27, 2000, among
Eye Care Centers of America, Inc., Various Lenders, Bankers Trust Company,
as Administrative Agent, and Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation, as
Syndication Agent.(i)
10.21 Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 24, 1998, by and among Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc., the subsidiaries of Eye Care Centers of America,
Inc. named therein, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated and Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated.(a)
10.22 Secured Promissory Note, dated April 24, 1998, issued by Bernard W.
Andrews in favor of Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.(a)
10.23 Form of Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. standard managed care
contract.(a)
10.24 Employment Agreement, dated July 8, 1998, by and between Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc. and David E. McComas.(a)
10.25 Employment Agreement, dated November 2, 1998, by and between Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc. and Alan E. Wiley.(a)
10.26 Retail Business Management Agreement, dated October 1, 1998, by and
between Visionary Retail Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and
Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates, PLLC, a Kentucky professional limited
liability company.+(b)
10.27 Professional Business Management Agreement, dated October 1, 1998, by
and between Visionary MSO, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and Dr. Mark
Lynn & Associates, PLLC, a Kentucky professional limited liability
company.+(b)
10.28 Form of Stock Option Agreement.(e)
10.29 Professional Business Management Agreement dated February 27, 2000, by
and between Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. a Texas corporation and
S.L. Christensen, O.D. and Associates, P.C., an Arizona professional
corporation.(f)
10.30 Professional Business Management Agreement dated June 19, 2000, by and
between Visionary Retail Management, Inc. a Delaware corporation and Dr.
Tom Sowash, O.D. and Associates, LLC, a Colorado limited liability
company.(g)
44
10.31 Settlement Agreement dated September 21, 2000 between Eye Care Centers
of America, Inc., a Texas corporation, and Vision Twenty-One, Inc.(h)
12.1 Statement re Computation of Ratios(j)
21.1 List of subsidiaries of Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.(j)
24.1 Powers of Attorney (contained on the signature pages of this report).(j)
- ---------
+ Portions of this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to an
application for an order declaring confidential treatment filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(a) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 (File No. 333 - 56551).
(b) Previously provided with, and incorporated by reference from, the
Company's annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January
2,1999.
(c) Previously provided with, and incorporated by reference from, the
Company's quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
July 3,1999.
(d) Previously, provided with, and incorporated by reference from,
the Company's quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
October 2,1999.
(e) Previously provided with, and incorporated by reference from, the
Company's annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January
1,2000.
(f) Previously, provided with, and incorporated by reference from,
the Company's quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
April 1, 2000.
(g) Previously, provided with, and incorporated by reference from,
the Company's quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
July 1, 2000.
(h) Previously, provided with, and incorporated by reference from,
the Company's quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2000.
(i) Previously, provided with, and incorporated by reference from,
the Company's Report on Form 8-K as of December 27, 2000.
(j) Filed herewith.
(b) The Company filed a report on Form 8-K dated December 27, 2000 under Item
5. Other Events that reported the Company and Bankers Trust Company, acting
as Administrative Agent, and Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation, acting as
Syndication Agent, amended the Credit Agreement dated as of April 23, 1998.
The parties agreed to amend various financial covenants and scheduled
principal payments.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION
15(D) OF THE ACT BY REGISTRANTS WHICH HAVE NOT REGISTERED SECURITIES PURSUANT
TO SECTION 12 OF THE ACT.
No annual report or proxy materials have been sent to security holders of the
Company.
45
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, IN THE CITY OF SAN
ANTONIO, STATE OF TEXAS, ON MARCH 29, 2001.
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
By: /s/ BERNARD W. ANDREWS
-----------------------------------
BERNARD W. ANDREWS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Bernard W. Andrews and Alan E. Wiley and each of
them, with the power to Act without the other, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him or in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any
and all amendments to this report, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every Act and thing
requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their
or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
Chairman of the Board and
/s/ Bernard W. Andrews Chief Executive Officer March 29, 2001
- -------------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
BERNARD W. ANDREWS
Executive Vice President and
/s/ Alan E. Wiley Chief Financial Officer March 29, 2001
- -------------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial and
ALAN E. WILEY Accounting Officer)
/s/ Norman S. Matthews Director March 29, 2001
- --------------------------------------------------
NORMAN S. MATTHEWS
/s/ Antoine G. Treuille Director March 29, 2001
- --------------------------------------------------
ANTOINE G. TREUILLE
/s/ Anthony J. DiNovi Director March 29, 2001
- --------------------------------------------------
ANTHONY J. DINOVI
/s/ Warren C. Smith, Jr. Director March 29, 2001
- --------------------------------------------------
WARREN C. SMITH, JR.
/s/ Charles A. Brizius Director March 29, 2001
- --------------------------------------------------
CHARLES A. BRIZIUS
46
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Report of Independent Auditors F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended January 2, 1999,
January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity/(Deficit) as of
January 2, 1999, January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended January 2, 1999,
January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-7
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-9
Schedule II - Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - For the
Years Ended January 2, 1999, January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000 F-47
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
AUDIT OPINION
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
ERNST & YOUNG AUDIT OPINION
(TO BE COMPLETED)
F-2
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER, 30
2000 2000
---------- ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,955 $ 3,971
Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
of $1,471 in fiscal 1999 and $3,937 in fiscal 2000 11,215 13,479
Inventory, less reserves of $700 in fiscal 1999 and $1,004 in
fiscal 2000 30,146 25,690
Prepaid expenses and other 1,514 3,796
Deferred income taxes 446 1,297
---------- ------------
Total current assets 46,276 48,233
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and
amortization of $74,053 in fiscal 1999 and $87,503 in fiscal 2000 71,632 73,987
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $15,702 in fiscal 1999
and $24,839 in fiscal 2000 129,908 118,237
Other assets 11,005 9,846
---------- ------------
Total Assets $ 258,821 $ 250,303
========== ============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 22,773 $ 20,860
Current portion of long-term debt 10,799 13,070
Deferred revenue 6,132 6,658
Accrued payroll expense 4,832 4,527
Accrued interest 3,584 4,029
Other accrued expenses 10,573 8,270
---------- ------------
Total current liabilities 58,693 57,414
Deferred income taxes 446 1,297
Long-term debt, less current maturities 270,111 278,306
Deferred rent 3,599 3,771
Deferred gain 2,467 2,233
---------- ------------
Total liabilities 335,316 343,021
---------- ------------
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' deficit:
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 20,000,000 shares authorized;
issued and outstanding 7,426,945 in fiscal 1999
and 7,410,133 in fiscal 2000 74 74
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, 300,000 shares
authorized, issued and outstanding in fiscal 1999 and fiscal
2000 37,268 42,354
Additional paid-in capital 55,738 49,963
Accumulated deficit (169,575) (185,109)
---------- ------------
Total shareholders' deficit (76,495) (92,718)
---------- ------------
$ 258,821 $ 250,303
========== ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements
F-3
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
-----------------------------------------------
JANUARY 2, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
1999 2000 2000
----------- ----------- ------------
Revenues:
Optical sales $ 235,236 $ 290,789 $ 335,624
Management fees 2,615 3,006 2,833
----------- ----------- ------------
Net revenues 237,851 293,795 338,457
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold 80,636 98,184 107,449
Selling, general and administrative expenses 132,390 170,146 204,365
Recapitalization and other expenses 25,803 - -
Store closure expense - - 3,580
Amortization of intangibles:
Goodwill 3,552 4,994 5,214
Noncompete and other intangibles 153 659 3,922
----------- ----------- ------------
Total operating costs and expenses 242,534 273,983 324,530
----------- ----------- ------------
Income (loss) from operations (4,683) 19,812 13,927
Interest expense, net 19,159 24,685 28,695
In-substance defeased bonds interest expense, net 2,418 - -
----------- ----------- ------------
Loss before income taxes (26,260) (4,873) (14,768)
Income tax expense 13 384 766
----------- ----------- ------------
Net loss before cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle and extraordinary item (26,273) (5,257) (15,534)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - 491 -
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of
long-term debt 8,355 - -
----------- ----------- ------------
Net loss $ (34,628) $ (5,748) $ (15,534)
=========== =========== ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-4
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY/(DEFICIT)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Total
Additional Shareholders'
Common Stock Paid-In Preferred Accumulated Equity
Shares Amount Capital Stock (Deficit) (Deficit)
--------- ------ ---------- --------- ----------- ------------
Balance at January 3, 1998 1,011,548 $ 10 $ 31,245 $ - $ (23,127) $ 8,128
Dividends accrued on mandatorily
redeemable preferred stock - - (268) - - (268)
Repurchase of common stock and conversion
of options and warrants as a part of
the recapitalization (1,011,548) (10) (30,977) - (98,198) (129,185)
Common stock issued as a part of the
recapitalization 565,923 6 70,684 - - 70,690
Rollover of shares of common stock to
common stock and preferred stock as a
part of the recapitalization 45,030 - 5,624 2,250 (7,874) -
Common stock issued for shareholder loan
as a part of the recapitalization 8,005 - - - - -
Preferred stock issuance as a part of the
recapitalization - - - 27,750 - 27,750
Recapitalization fees - - (12,733) - - (12,733)
Stock split 6,808,538 68 (68) - - -
Dividends accrued on preferred stock - - (2,793) 2,793 - -
Stock buyback (19,680) - (205) - - (205)
Issuance of common stock 43,227 1 449 - - 450
Net loss - - - - (34,628) (34,628)
--------- ------ --------- --------- ----------- ------------
Balance at January 2, 1999 7,451,030 $ 75 $ 60,958 $32,793 $(163,827) $ (70,001)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-5
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY/(DEFICIT) (CONTINUED)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Total
Additional Shareholders'
Common Stock Paid-In Preferred Accumulated Equity
Shares Amount Capital Stock (Deficit) (Deficit)
--------- ------ ---------- --------- ----------- ------------
Dividends accrued on preferred stock - - (4,475) 4,475 - -
Interest receivable on loan to shareholder - - (164) - - (164)
Distribution to affiliated OD - - (331) - - (331)
Stock buyback (42,266) (1) (439) - - (440)
Issuance of common stock 18,181 - 189 - - 189
Net loss - - - - (5,748) (5,748)
--------- ------ ---------- --------- ----------- ------------
Balance at January 1, 2000 7,426,945 $ 74 $ 55,738 $37,268 $(169,575) $(76,495)
Dividends accrued on preferred stock - - (5,086) 5,086 - -
Interest receivable on loan to shareholder - - (90) - - (90)
*
Distribution to affiliated OD - - (365) - - (365)
Stock buyback (16,812) - (234) - - (234)
Net loss - - - - (15,534) (15,534)
--------- ------ --------- --------- ----------- ------------
Balance at December 30, 2000 7,410,133 $ 74 $ 49,963 $42,354 $(185,109) $(92,718)
========= ====== ========= ========= =========== ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-6
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
--------------------------------------------
JANUARY 2, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
1999 2000 2000
----------- ----------- ------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (34,628) $ (5,748) $ (15,534)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 12,345 16,610 20,464
Amortization of intangibles 3,705 5,653 9,137
Amortization of debt issue costs 1,578 1,551 1,784
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle - 491 -
Amortization of deferred gain (159) (455) (234)
Deferred revenue 654 801 526
Deferred rent 204 353 172
Other (515) (176) -
Loss on disposition of property and equipment 633 725 118
Expenses to affect capital lease retirement - (431) -
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of
long-term debt 8,355 - -
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable (189) (3,678) (3,835)
Inventory 68 319 4,456
Prepaid expenses and other 1,168 (1,408) (3,476)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 6,974 647 (2,362)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities 193 15,254 11,216
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment (20,656) (19,920) (18,932)
Net outflow for the VTO Retail Acquisition - (38,845) (87)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 1,196 100 54
Purchase of retail outlet - (368) -
Payment received on notes receivable 177 177 33
Net outflow for the Bizer acquisition (33,042) - -
Purchase of investment securities - restricted (76,618) - -
Maturity of investment securities - restricted 78,400 - -
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities (50,543) (58,856) (18,932)
----------- ----------- -----------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-7
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
--------------------------------------------
JANUARY 2, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
1999 2000 2000
----------- ----------- ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt $ 234,611 $ 48,618 $ 17,000
Distribution to affiliated OD - (331) (365)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock 71,140 189 -
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock 27,750 - -
Payments related to debt issuance (11,153) (875) -
Payments to retire mandatorily redeemable preferred stock (12,385) - -
Redemption of common stock (129,390) -
Stock buyback - (440) (234)
Recapitalization fees (12,773) - -
Payments on debt and capital leases (112,917) (5,731) (7,669)
Payment of call premium (4,200) - -
Payment of in-substance defeased bonds interest expense, net (2,418) - -
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 48,305 41,430 8,732
----------- ----------- -----------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (2,045) (2,172) 1,016
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 7,172 5,127 2,955
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 5,127 $ 2,955 $ 3,971
=========== =========== ===========
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 17,781 $ 22,660 $ 25,436
Taxes - 505 304
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Additions of property and equipment 588 1,476 665
Dividends accrued on mandatorily redeemable cumulative
preferred stock 268 - -
Dividends accrued on preferred stock 2,793 4,475 5,086
Rollover of common stock to common stock as a part of
the recapitalization 5,624 - -
Rollover of common stock to Preferred Stock as a part of
the recapitalization 2,250 - -
Loan to shareholder to acquire common stock 1,000 - -
Adjustment of noncompete agreement to goodwill 735 - 5,575
Store closure expense - - 3,580
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-8
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS. Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. (the "Company")
operates optical retail stores which sell prescription eyewear, contact lenses,
sunglasses and ancillary optical products, and feature on-site laboratories. The
Company's operations are located in 32 states, primarily in the Pacific
Northwest, Southwest, Midwest and Southeast, in the Mid-Atlantic States and
along the Gulf and East Coasts.
ORGANIZATION. On March 6, 1998, ECCA Merger Corp. ("Merger Corp."), a
Delaware corporation formed by Thomas H. Lee Company ("THL Co."), and the
Company entered into a recapitalization agreement (the "Recapitalization
Agreement") providing for, among other things, the merger of such corporation
with and into the Company (the "Merger" and, together with the financing of the
recapitalization and related transactions described below, the
"Recapitalization"). Upon consummation of the Recapitalization on April 24,
1998, Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund IV, L.P. ("THL Fund IV") and other affiliates of
THL Co. (collectively with THL Fund IV and THL Co., "THL") owned approximately
89.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
("Common Stock"), existing shareholders (including management) of the Company
retained approximately 7.3% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock and
management purchased additional shares representing approximately 3.0% of the
issued and outstanding Common Stock.
The Company financed the Recapitalization with (a) the proceeds from the
offering of $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of its senior subordinated
notes due 2008, consisting of $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of its
9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Fixed Rate Notes") and $50.0
million aggregate principal amount of its Floating Interest Rate Subordinated
Term Securities due 2008 (the "Floating Rate Notes" and, together with the Fixed
Rate Notes, the "Initial Notes") (b) approximately $55.0 million of borrowings
under the New Credit Facility (defined herein) and (c) approximately $99.4
million from the sale of capital stock to THL, Bernard W. Andrews and other
members of management (the "Equity Contribution") consisting of (i)
approximately $71.7 million from the sale of Common Stock and (ii) approximately
$27.7 million from the sale of shares of a newly created series of preferred
stock of the Company ("New Preferred Stock"). Additionally, existing
shareholders rolled over $7.9 million in Common Stock and New Preferred Stock.
The proceeds from such bank borrowings, the sale of the Notes, and the Equity
Contribution was used principally to finance the conversion into cash of the
shares of Common Stock which were not retained by existing shareholders, to
refinance certain existing indebtedness of the
F-9
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Company, to redeem certain outstanding preferred stock of the Company and to
pay related fees and expenses of the Recapitalization.
In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company in-substance defeased
its previously issued 12% Senior Notes due 2003 (the "Senior Notes") by
depositing with the trustee for the Senior Notes (i) an irrevocable notice of
redemption of the Senior Notes on October 1, 1998 and (ii) United States
government securities in an amount necessary to yield on October 1, 1998 $78.4
million, which constitutes the principal amount, premium and interest payable on
the Senior Notes on the October 1, 1998 redemption date. The bonds were defeased
on October 1, 1998 and the Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $4.2
million on the statement of operations for defeasance costs during the third
quarter related to the call premium on the bonds. Additionally, an extraordinary
loss of $4.2 million related to the write-off of unamortized deferred loan costs
related to the early extinguishment of debt was recorded as part of the
Recapitalization.
As a result of the Recapitalization, the Company incurred approximately
$25.1 million of non-recurring expenses. These expenses consisted of
compensation expense recorded in connection with the exercise of employee stock
options and other transaction related expenses. Additionally, the Company
incurred approximately $0.7 million in connection with a point-of-sale system
write-off.
Effective April 24, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized
a twelve-for-one stock split to shareholders of record on that date. The par
value of the Common Stock remained at $0.01. The stock split had no effect on
the percentage ownership of shareholders.
RECENT ACQUISITIONS. On September 30, 1998, the Company acquired (the "Bizer
Acquisition") substantially all of the assets, properties and rights
(collectively, the "Assets") of Dr. Bizer's VisionWorld, PLLC and its
affiliates: Doctor's ValuVision, PLLC; Bizer Enterprises, LLC; Bizer Service
Company, LLC; Eye Care Associates, PLLC; Optical Processors, LLC; The Eye
Surgery Center, PSC; American Vision Administrators, LLC; and Vision for Less of
Kentucky, Inc. (collectively, the "Bizer Entities"). Each of the Bizer Entities
is engaged in the business of providing optometric and ophthalmologic services,
selling optical goods and providing other related services in Kentucky,
Tennessee, Indiana and Missouri. Simultaneously with the Bizer Acquisition, the
Company entered into long-term business management agreements with a certain
private optometrist ("Bizer OD") to manage the stores. Based on the terms of
this agreement, the Company includes the results of operations for the Bizer OD
in the Company's operating results from the date of acquisition. The aggregate
cash
F-10
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
consideration paid by the Company in the Bizer Acquisition was $32.3 million.
The Bizer Acquisition was financed through borrowings under the Company's
Acquisition Facility (defined herein) and $3.0 million of the Company's
existing cash.
The Bizer Acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. Accordingly, a portion of the purchase price was allocated to the
identifiable net assets acquired based on their estimated fair values with the
balance of the purchase price, $30.3 million, included in goodwill. Included in
identifiable net assets acquired is a noncompete agreement being amortized over
five years. The cost in excess of identifiable net assets acquired is being
amortized over 25 years on a straight-line basis.
On August 31, 1999, the Company acquired from Vision Twenty-One, Inc.
("Vision Twenty-One") and its subsidiary, The Complete Optical Laboratory, Ltd.,
Corp. (the "Subsidiary"), substantially all of the assets used to operate 76
retail eyewear outlets pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated
July 7, 1999, by and among the Company, Vision Twenty-One and the Subsidiary
(the "VTO Retail Acquisition"). As a result of this acquisition, the Company
(through its subsidiaries) (i) owns and operates 39 stores under the name
"Vision World" in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin and
17 stores under the name "Stein Optical" in Wisconsin, and (ii) manages 17
stores under the name "Eye Drx" in New Jersey pursuant to a business management
agreement with a private optometrist ("VTO Retail OD" and together with Bizer
OD, "ODs"). Based on the terms of this agreement, the results of operations for
the VTO Retail OD have been included in the Company's operating results from the
date of acquisition.
The aggregate cash consideration paid at the closing by the Company to
Vision Twenty-One and the Subsidiary in the VTO Retail Acquisition was $36.4
million. Subsequent transaction expenses of approximately $2.4 million were
incurred related to this acquisition. The Company utilized its existing $100.0
million Acquisition Facility (defined herein) to finance the transaction.
The VTO Retail Acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method
of accounting. Accordingly, a portion of the purchase price was allocated to the
identifiable net assets acquired based on their estimated fair values, $8.0
million to the Strategic Alliance Agreement (defined herein), $0.5 million to a
noncompete agreement, with the balance of the purchase price, $22.5 million,
included in goodwill. The noncompete and Strategic Alliance Agreement are being
amortized over three years. The goodwill is being amortized over 25 years on a
straight-line basis.
F-11
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
As of January 1, 2000, the Company recognized a $3.2 million acquisition
liability consisting of $2.0 million for lease exit costs, $0.6 million related
to store closures and $0.6 million for severance costs. During fiscal 2000, the
Company decreased the VTO Retail Acquisition purchase price by $0.9 million
primarily for estimated costs related to store closures. As of December 30,
2000, the acquisition liability related to the VTO Retail Acquisition was $0.6
million.
Concurrent with the closing of the VTO Retail Acquisition, the Company
entered into an Agreement Regarding Strategic Alliance (the "Strategic Alliance
Agreement") with Vision Twenty-One involving their respective managed care
programs, optometry and ophthalmology practices and the co-marketing of Vision
Twenty-One's refractive surgery program. Subsequent to the closing of the VTO
Retail Acquisition, (i) certain purchase price adjustments arose in connection
with the VTO Retail Acquisition resulting in Vision Twenty-One owing the Company
the amount of $4.0 million and (ii) Vision Twenty-One announced it had decided
to substantially exit the business of managing practices of optometry and
ophthalmology and the discontinuation of selected managed care contracts that
are not consistent with its business plan.
On September 21, 2000, the Company and Vision Twenty-One, and certain other
interested and affiliated parties, entered into a Settlement Agreement resolving
certain outstanding matters including:
o Vision Twenty-One and each of its subsidiaries agreed to permit the
Company, and the optometrists with practices within or adjacent to the
Company's stores, to participate on their respective managed vision
care panels.
o The amount owed by Vision Twenty-One to the Company with respect to
the purchase price adjustment on the VTO Retail Acquisition was
reduced to $1,531,873, such debt to be evidenced by a convertible note
("Convertible Note") maturing on September 30, 2003. The Convertible
Note accrues interest at seven percent annually and is convertible
into common stock (at conversion price of the greater of $.18 per
share or the market price at the time of closing of Vision
Twenty-One's new credit facility) at varying amounts up to October 1,
2002 at which time it is fully convertible. The Company has deemed the
Convertible Note has no value; therefore it is fully reserved.
In addition, pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the optometric practices
managed by Vision Twenty-One within or adjacent to the Company's stores were
transitioned to private optometrists, the parties settled certain amounts owed
to each other with respect to operating expenditures, and the Company purchased
certain optometric equipment from Vision Twenty-One.
F-12
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION. The financial statements include the accounts of
the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries and certain private optometrists with
practices managed by subsidiaries of the Company (the "ODs"). All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period statements to
conform to the current period presentation.
USE OF ESTIMATES. In preparing financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles, management is required to make
estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported
amount of assets and liabilities, the 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 these estimates.
REPORTING PERIODS. The Company uses a 52/53-week reporting format. The
fiscal years ended 1998, 1999 and 2000 consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal year 1998
ended January 2, 1999 ("fiscal 1998"), fiscal year 1999 ended January 1, 2000
("fiscal 1999") and fiscal year 2000 ended December 30, 2000 ("fiscal 2000").
SEGMENT DISCLOSURE. As of January 4, 1998, the Company adopted FASB No.
131, DISCLOSURES ABOUT SEGMENTS OF AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION
("Statement 131"). Statement 131 establishes standards for the way that public
business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual
financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports. Statement 131
also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas, and major customers. The adoption of Statement 131 did not
affect results of operations or financial position. Furthermore, the statement
did not affect disclosure of segment information as the Company operates in one
business segment, the optical retail segment.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION. During fiscal year 1998, the U.S. dollar
represented the functional currency of the Mexico subsidiary. During fiscal year
1998, translation gains and losses are included in determining net income and
foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in net income. The
retail Mexico location was sold in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998 and all
operations of the subsidiary have ceased.
F-13
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. All short-term investments that mature in less
than 90 days when purchased are considered cash equivalents for purposes of
disclosure in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of
cash flows. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market
value.
ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE. Accounts receivable are primarily from third
party payors related to the sale of eyewear and include receivables from
insurance reimbursements, credit card companies, merchandise, rent and license
fee receivables. Notes receivable are from certain optometrists which have
purchased optical equipment from the Company. Merchandise receivables result
from product returned to vendors pending credit or exchange for new product.
INVENTORY. Inventory consists principally of eyeglass frames, ophthalmic
lenses and contact lenses and is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is
determined using the weighted average method which approximates the first-in,
first-out (FIFO) method.
The Company purchases a majority of its lenses from four principal vendors
and purchases frames from over twenty different vendors. In fiscal 2000, five
vendors collectively supplied approximately 65.2% of the frames purchased by the
Company. One vendor supplied over 45.9% of the Company's lens materials during
the same period. While such vendors supplied a significant share of the lenses
used by the Company, lenses are a generic product and can be purchased from a
number of other vendors on comparable terms. The Company therefore does not
believe that it is dependent on such vendors or any other single vendor for
frames or lenses. The Company believes that its relationships with its existing
vendors are satisfactory. The Company believes that significant disruption in
the delivery of merchandise from one or more of its current principal vendors
would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations because
multiple vendors exist for all of the Company's products.
PREPAID EXPENSES - STORE PREOPENING COSTS. In April 1998, the AICPA issued
Statement of Position 98-5, REPORTING ON THE COSTS OF START-UP ACTIVITIES ("SOP
98-5"). SOP 98-5 requires that start-up costs, including organizational costs,
be expensed as incurred. The SOP broadly defines start-up activities as those
one-time activities related to opening a new facility, introducing a new product
or services, conducting business in a new territory, conducting business with a
new class of customer or beneficiary, initiating a new process in an existing
facility, or commencing some new operation. The Company adopted this SOP for the
fiscal year ended January 1, 2000. The effect of the adoption of the SOP on the
Company's results of operations was a write off of previously capitalized
F-14
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
pre-opening and organization costs of $491, which was reflected as a cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle during the first quarter of fiscal
1999.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Property and equipment is recorded at cost. For
property and equipment acquired through acquisitions, balances are adjusted to
reflect their fair market value, as determined by an independent appraisal. For
financial statement purposes, depreciation of building, furniture and equipment
is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of
the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line method over
the shorter of the life of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the
assets. Depreciation of capital leased assets is included in depreciation
expense and is calculated using the straight-line method over the term of the
lease.
Estimated useful lives are as follows:
Building 20 years
Furniture and equipment 3 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements 5 to 10 years
Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Expenditures for significant betterments are capitalized.
INTANGIBLES. Intangibles principally consist of the amounts of excess
purchase price over the market value of acquired net assets ("goodwill"),
management agreements, noncompete agreements, and a strategic alliance
agreement. Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of
25 years. The agreement intangibles are being amortized over the life of the
agreements on a straight-line basis.
OTHER ASSETS. Other assets consist primarily of deferred debt financing
costs associated with the Recapitalization. These costs are being amortized into
expense over the life of the associated debt.
LONG-LIVED ASSETS. Periodically, the Company evaluates the realizability of
long-lived assets, including intangibles, based upon expectations of
nondiscounted cash flows and operating income. If non-discounted cash flows and
operating income is negative for a period of time, depending on the nature of
the long-lived asset, the Company assesses the recoverability of the asset based
on current market prices and discounted future cash flows; and if impairment is
indicated, the asset is written down to the estimated market
F-15
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
value through operations. Based upon its most recent analysis, the Company
believes that no impairment of long-lived assets exists at December 30, 2000.
DEFERRED REVENUE - REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATES AND WARRANTY CONTRACTS. At the
time of a frame sale, some customers purchase a warranty contract covering frame
defects or damage during the 12-month period subsequent to the date of the sale.
Revenue relating to these contracts is deferred and recognized on a
straight-line basis over the life of the warranty contract (one year). Costs
incurred to fulfill the warranty are expensed when incurred. Certain frame
purchases include a one-year warranty period without requiring the separate
purchase of a warranty contract. Reserves are established for the expected cost
of repair related to these frame sales. At the end of fiscal 1999 and 2000 the
Company has established a reserve of approximately $484 and $809, respectively,
related to these warranties which is included in other accrued expenses on the
accompanying balance sheet.
INCOME TAXES. The Company records income taxes under FASB No. 109 using the
liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of
assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws
that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
REVENUE RECOGNITION. Sales and related costs are recognized by the Company
upon the sale of products at company-owned retail locations. Licensing fees
collected from independent optometrists for using the Company's trade name
"Master Eye Associates," insurance premiums and management fees are recognized
when earned. Historically, the Company's highest sales occur in the first and
third quarters.
ADVERTISING COSTS. Advertising costs of the Company include costs related
to broadcast and print media advertising expenses. The Company expenses
production costs and media advertising costs the first time the advertising
takes place. For the fiscal years ended 1998, 1999 and 2000, advertising costs
amounted to approximately $23,816, $26,860 and $30,880, respectively.
F-16
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET. Interest expense, net consists of the following:
YEAR-ENDED
-----------------------------------------------------
JANUARY 2, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
1999 2000 2000
------------- ------------- ------------
Interest expense $ 23,815 $ 25,385 $ 29,585
Interest income (2,227) (407) (269)
Interest capitalized (11) (293) (621)
------------- ------------- ------------
Interest expense, net $ 21,577 $ 24,685 $ 28,695
============= ============= ============
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION. The Company grants stock options for a fixed
number of shares to employees with an exercise price equal to the fair value of
the shares at the date of grant. In accordance with FASB No. 123, "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation," the Company has continued to account for stock
option grants in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock
Issues to Employees," and, accordingly, recognized no compensation expense for
the stock option grants.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME. As of January 4, 1998, the Company adopted FASB No.
130, REPORTING COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ("Statement 130"). Statement 130 establishes
new rules for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its
components; however, the adoption of Statement 130 had no impact on the
Company's net income or shareholders' equity (deficit). There were no other
components of comprehensive income other than net income (loss).
DERIVATIVES. Derivatives are used to hedge interest rate exposure by
modifying the interest rate characteristics of related balance sheet
instruments. The specific criteria for derivatives used for these purposes are
described below. Derivatives used as hedges must be effective at reducing the
risk associated with the exposure being hedged and must be designated as a hedge
at the inception of the derivative contract. Derivatives currently used for
hedging purposes include interest rate swaps. These swap transactions allow
management to structure the interest rate sensitivity of the liability side of
the Company's long-term debt. The fair value of derivative contracts are carried
off-balance sheet and the unrealized gains or losses on derivative contracts are
generally deferred. The interest component associated with derivatives used as
hedges or to modify the interest rate characteristics of liabilities is
recognized over the life of the contract in interest expense. Upon contract
settlement or early termination, the cumulative change in the market value of
such derivatives is recorded as an adjustment to the carrying value of the
underlying
F-17
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
liability and recognized in interest expense over the expected remaining life
of the derivative contract. In instances where the underlying hedge instrument
is repaid, the cumulative change in the value of the associated derivative is
recognized immediately in earnings.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB No. 133,
ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES, which is required
to be adopted in years beginning after June 15, 1999. In June 1999, FASB No.
137, ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES-DEFERRAL OF
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF FASB 133 (AN AMENDMENT OF FASB 133), was issued, which
delays the required adoption of FASB No. 133 by one year. The statement permits
early adoption as of the beginning of any fiscal quarter after its issuance. The
statement will require the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance
sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair
value through income. If the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of
the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives will either be offset
against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm
commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until
the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a
derivative's change in fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings.
The Company has not yet determined what the effect of FASB No. 133 will have on
the earnings and financial position of the Company.
3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company and THL Co. entered into a management agreement as of April 24,
1998 (the "Management Agreement"). After a term of ten years from April 24,
1998, the Management Agreement is automatically renewable on an annual basis
unless either party serves notice of termination at least ninety days prior to
the renewal date. In addition, pursuant to the Management Agreement, THL Co.
received approximately $500 plus expenses in fiscal years 1998, 1999 and 2000
for management and other consulting services provided to the Company.
F-18
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
4. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER
Prepaid expenses and other consists of the following:
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
2000 2000
---------- -----------
Prepaid insurance $ 387 $ 486
Prepaid store supplies 821 882
Prepaid advertising 39 2,111
Other 267 317
---------- -----------
$ 1,514 $ 3,796
========== ===========
5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
2000 2000
---------- -----------
Land $ - $ 638
Building 1,563 2,241
Furniture and equipment 91,349 103,564
Leasehold improvements 52,773 55,047
---------- -----------
145,685 161,490
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (74,053) (87,503)
---------- -----------
Property and equipment, net $ 71,632 $ 73,987
========== ===========
F-19
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following is a summary of the components of intangible assets along
with the related accumulated amortization for the fiscal years then ended.
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
2000 2000
------------ ------------
Goodwill and other $ 133,257 $ 125,149
Management agreement 7,988 7,988
Less accumulated amortization (14,957) (20,226)
------------ ------------
Net 126,288 112,911
------------ ------------
Noncompete and strategic alliance agreements 4,365 9,940
Less accumulated amortization (745) (4,614)
------------ ------------
Net 3,620 5,326
------------ ------------
Intangibles, net $ 129,908 $ 118,237
============ ============
7. OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES
Other accrued expenses consists of the following:
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
2000 2000
------------ ------------
Store expenses $ 885 $ 1,769
Professional fees 690 1,388
Insurance 1,110 1,193
Other 1,585 710
Payroll and sales/use taxes 1,111 700
Store closures 702 644
Construction - 601
Lease termination fees 2,055 585
Property taxes 405 537
Advertising 1,626 143
Severance and exit fees 404 -
------------ ------------
Other accrued expenses $ 10,573 $ 8,270
============ ============
F-20
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
8. LONG-TERM DEBT
NEW CREDIT FACILITY. In connection with the Recapitalization, the amounts
owed under the Amended Credit Facility were paid in full and the facility
canceled. Simultaneously, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the "New
Credit Facility") which consists of (i) the $55.0 million term loan facility
(the "Term Loan Facility"); (ii) the $35.0 million revolving credit facility
(the "Revolving Credit Facility"); and (iii) the $100.0 million acquisition
facility (the "Acquisition Facility"). At December 30, 2000, the Company had
$45.0 million in term loans outstanding under the Term Loan Facility, $24.5
million under the Revolving Credit Facility and $69.2 million outstanding under
the Acquisition Facility which funded the Bizer Acquisition and the VTO Retail
Acquisition. Borrowings made under the New Credit Facility bear interest at a
rate equal to, at the Company's option, LIBOR plus 2.25% to 3.25% or the Base
Rate (as defined in the New Credit Facility) plus 1.25% to 2.25%. On December
27, 2000 the Company amended the New Credit Facility. The applicable additional
interest points for both the LIBOR or Base Rate options were revised by the
amendment and are based upon the Company's Leverage Rate (as defined in the New
Credit Facility). The amendment also affected various financial covenants and
scheduled principal payments. Under the amended New Credit Facility, the Term
Loan Facility matures five years from the closing date of the New Credit
Facility, the $45.0 million outstanding balance will amortize quarterly in
aggregate annual principal amounts of approximately $15.0 million, $13.0
million, and $17.0 million, respectively, for fiscal years 2001 through 2003 and
the Acquisition Facility will amortize quarterly in aggregate principal amounts
of approximately $0.5 million, $0.5 million, $0.7 million, and $67.5 million,
respectively, for fiscal years 2001 through 2004. The unamortized amount of debt
issuance costs as of December 30, 2000 related to the amendment was $0.6
million. In addition, the Company has agreed to guarantee a $1.0 million loan
that is related to the long-term business agreement entered into at the time of
the acquisition of Hour Eyes.
The New Credit Facility contains additional restrictive covenants including
a limitation on capital requirements, minimum interest coverage, maximum
leverage ratio, minimum net worth and working capital requirements. As of
December 30, 2000 the Company was in compliance with the financial reporting
covenants.
SENIOR NOTES. In 1993, the Company issued $70.0 million 12 percent senior
notes with detachable warrants to acquire common stock (the "Warrants"). The
senior notes and the Warrants were offered as Units (the "Units") consisting of
$1.0 million principal amount of senior notes and one Warrant to acquire 0.4522
share of common stock of the
F-21
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Company for no additional consideration. The fair value of the Warrants at
issuance was $0.6 million and this value was recorded in shareholders'
equity/(deficit) with a corresponding discount from the face value of the
senior notes. This discount was accreted to interest expense using the
effective interest method over the life of the debt.
In June 1994, the senior notes discussed above were exchanged for $70.0
million of publicly registered 12% Senior Notes. The Senior Notes contained
substantially the same provisions as the senior notes described above.
In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company in-substance defeased
its previously issued 12% Senior Notes due 2003 by depositing with the trustee
for the Senior Notes (i) an irrevocable notice of redemption of the Senior Notes
on October 1, 1998 and (ii) United States government securities in an amount
necessary to yield on October 1, 1998 $78.4 million, which constitutes the
principal amount, premium and interest payable on the Senior Notes on the
October 1, 1998 redemption date. On October 1, 1998, the Senior Notes were
defeased as scheduled and the Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $4.2
million on the statement of operations for defeasance costs during the third
quarter related to the call premium on the bonds.
In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company completed a debt
offering of the Initial Notes, consisting of the Fixed Rate Notes and the
Floating Rate Notes. Interest on the Initial Notes will be payable semiannually
on each May 1 and November 1, commencing on November 1, 1998. Interest on the
Fixed Rate Notes accrues at the rate of 9 1/8% per annum. The Floating Rate
Notes bear interest at a rate per annum, reset semiannually, and equal to LIBOR
plus 3.98%. The Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes will not be entitled to
the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund. As discussed in Note 9, on April 24,
1998, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement that converts a
portion of the Floating Rate Notes to a fixed rate.
The Company filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission with respect to an offer to exchange the Initial Notes for notes
which have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Initial
Notes, except such notes are freely transferable by the holders thereof and are
issued without any covenant regarding registration (the "Exchange Notes"). The
registration statement was declared effective on January 28, 1999. The exchange
period ended March 4, 1999. The Exchange Notes are the only notes of the Company
which are currently outstanding.
The Exchange Notes are senior uncollateralized obligations of the Company
and will rank PARI PASSU with all other indebtedness of the Company that by its
terms other
F-22
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
indebtedness is not subordinate to the Exchange Notes. In connection with the
issuance of the Exchange Notes, the Company incurred approximately $11.2
million in debt issuance costs. These amounts are classified within other
assets in the accompanying balance sheets and are being amortized over the
life of the Exchange Notes. The unamortized amount of debt issuance costs as
of December 30, 2000 related to the Exchange Notes was $8.1 million.
The Exchange Notes contain various restrictive covenants which apply to
both the Company and the Guarantor Subsidiaries (defined herein), including
limitations on additional indebtedness, restriction on dividends and sale of
assets other than in the normal course of business.
CAPITAL LEASES. In connection with the acquisition of Visionworks, the
Company assumed an agreement to sublease land, buildings and equipment at eight
operating locations. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company committed to
purchase such properties for $10.0 million and to pay Eckerd Corporation an
annual interest amount of $1.3 million.
During the second quarter of 1999, a third party paid $8.6 million of the
Company's $10.0 million capital lease obligations to the Eckerd Corporation. The
Company simultaneously leased seven of these same properties under separate
lease agreements, accounting for these transactions as sales leaseback
transactions. The remaining capital lease obligation of $1.4 million under the
original $10.0 million capital lease obligation was renewed as an operating
lease. During the second quarter of 2000, the third party paid the remaining
$1.4 million of the capital lease obligation and the remaining property was
simultaneously leased and also accounted for as a sales leaseback transaction. A
gain of $0.5 million has been deferred related to the sales leaseback
transactions.
Additionally, in connection with the Bizer Acquisition, the Company assumed
agreements to sublease equipment at the related operating locations. The Company
has accounted for the equipment subleases and five of the property leases as
capital leases and has recorded the assets, as shown below, and the future
obligations on the balance sheet at $3.0 million. The remaining three property
leases are being accounted for as operating leases.
F-23
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
2000 2000
------------ -------------
Buildings and equipment 2,606 3,031
------------ -------------
$ 2,606 $ 3,031
============ =============
The Company's scheduled future minimum lease payments for the next five fiscal
years under the property and equipment capital leases are as follows:
2001 $ 1,327
2002 1,065
2003 757
2004 803
2005 829
Beyond 2005 2,897
-------------
Total minimum lease payments 7,678
-------------
Amounts representing interest 4,647
-------------
Present value of minimum lease payments $ 3,031
=============
F-24
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Long-term debt outstanding, including capital lease obligations, consists
of the following:
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
2000 2000
------------- -------------
Exchange Notes, face amount of $150,000, net of
unamortized debt discount of $407 and $358,
respectively $ 149,593 $ 149,642
New Credit Facility 121,211 114,203
Capital Lease Obligations 2,606 3,031
Revolving Credit Facility 7,500 24,500
------------- -------------
280,910 291,376
Less current portion (10,799) (13,070)
------------- -------------
$ 270,111 $ 278,306
============= =============
Future principal maturities for long-term debt and capital lease
obligations are as follows:
2001 $ 14,077
2002 16,038
2003 109,558
2004 135
2005 219
Beyond 2005 151,349
-------------
Total future principal payments on debt $ 291,376
=============
As of the end of fiscal 2000, the fair value of the Company's Exchange
Notes was approximately $56.4 million and the fair value of the capital lease
obligations was approximately $3.0 million. The estimated fair value of
long-term debt is based primarily on quoted market prices for the same or
similar issues and the estimated fair value of the capital lease obligation is
based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. The carrying amount
of the variable rate New Credit Facility approximates its fair value.
F-25
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
9. INTEREST RATE SWAP
The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading
purposes nor is it a party to leveraged derivatives. The Company uses interest
rate swaps that are "vanilla" and involve little complexity as hedge instruments
to manage interest rate risk.
The counter parties to the Company's derivatives consist of major
international financial institutions. Because of the number of these
institutions and their high credit ratings, management believes these
derivatives do not present significant credit risk to the Company.
WEIGHTED
NOTIONAL AMOUNTS WEIGHTED AVERAGE AVERAGE FLOATING
DECEMBER 30, 2000 MATURITY DATE FIXED PAY RATE RECEIVE RATE
--------------------- ----------------- -------------------- --------------------
$33.3 million 2001 5.9% 6.7%
Interest rate swap agreements effectively convert floating rates on
long-term debt to fixed rates. The Company's intent is to reduce overall
interest expense while maintaining an acceptable level of risk to interest rate
fluctuations. The swap agreements specifically hedge a portion of both $50.0
million aggregate principle amount of the Company's Floating Interest Rate
Subordinated Term Securities due 2008 and $50.0 million of the Company's Credit
Facility, which consists of (i) the $55.0 million term loan facility; (ii) the
$35.0 million revolving credit facility; and (iii) the $100.0 million
acquisition facility. As market interest rates fluctuate, the unrealized gain or
loss on the swap portfolio moves in relationship to the fair value of the
underlying debt. The Company had an unrealized gain on the interest rate swap
portfolio of $135 as of December 30, 2000. The change in the market value of
these interest rate swaps is not recorded in the financial position or
operations of the Company. Interest to be paid or received is accrued as an
adjustment to interest expense. Upon termination of interest rate swaps, the
fair value of the swaps is recorded through operations. If the hedged item is
repaid early, the Company will evaluate if the swap agreement is to be
redesignated or exited.
10. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The Exchange Notes described in Note 8 were issued by Eye Care Centers of
America, Inc. ("ECCA") and are guaranteed by EAGI, MVC, VHI and Holdings but are
not guaranteed by ODs. The guarantor subsidiaries are wholly owned by the
Company and the guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several. The
following condensed consolidating financial information presents the financial
position, results of operations
F-26
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
and cash flows of (i) ECCA, as parent, as if it accounted for its subsidiaries
on the equity method, (ii) EAGI, MVC, VHI and Holdings (the "Guarantor
Subsidiaries"), and (iii) ODs. There were no transactions between the
Guarantor Subsidiaries during any of the periods presented. Separate financial
statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented herein as
management does not believe that such statements would be material to
investors.
F-27
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended January 2, 1999
GUARANTOR CONSOLIDATED
PARENT SUBSIDIARIES ODS ELIMINATIONS COMPANY
-------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Revenues:
Optical sales $147,973 $79,545 $7,718 $ - $235,236
Management fees 1,438 2,615 - (1,438) 2,615
Investment earnings in subsidiaries 2,398 - - (2,398)
-------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Net revenues 151,809 82,160 7,718 (3,836) 237,851
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold 49,314 29,552 1,770 - 80,636
Selling, general and administrative expenses 83,388 44,558 5,882 (1,438) 132,390
Recapitalization and other expenses 25,819 (16) - - 25,803
Amortization of intangibles:
Goodwill 994 2,557 1 - 3,552
Noncompete and other intangibles - 153 - - 153
-------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Total operating costs and expenses 159,515 76,804 7,653 (1,438) 242,534
-------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Income (loss) from operations (7,706) 5,356 65 (2,398) (4,683)
Interest expense, net 16,058 3,099 2 - 19,159
In-substance defeased bonds
Interest expense, net 2,418 - - - 2,418
-------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes (26,182) 2,257 63 (2,398) (26,260)
Income tax expense 91 (78) - - 13
-------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary item (26,273) 2,335 63 (2,398) (26,273)
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of
long-term debt 8,355 - - - 8,355
-------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $(34,628) $ 2,335 $ 63 $(2,398) $(34,628)
======== ============ ====== ============ ============
F-28
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended January 2, 1999
GUARANTOR CONSOLIDATED
PARENT SUBSIDIARIES ODS ELIMINATIONS COMPANY
--------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $(34,628) $ 2,335 $ 63 $ (2,398) $ (34,628)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
to net
Cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 8,656 3,689 - - 12,345
Amortization of intangibles 993 2,711 1 - 3,705
Other amortization 1,415 163 - - 1,578
Amortization of deferred gain (159) - - - (159)
Deferred revenue 494 160 - - 654
Deferred rent 99 105 - - 204
Other (1,511) 996 - - (515)
(Gain) loss on disposition of property
and equipment 775 (142) - - 633
Extraordinary loss on early
extinguishment of long-term debt 8,355 - - - 8,355
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable (62,032) (12,959) (64) 74,866 (189)
Inventory 669 (601) - - 68
Prepaid expenses and other 661 507 - - 1,168
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 21,005 60,835 - (74,866) 6,974
--------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities (55,208) 57,799 - (2,398) 193
--------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment (16,923) (3,733) - - (20,656)
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment 1,011 185 - - 1,196
Payment received on notes receivable 2 175 - - 177
Net outflow for The Bizer Acquisition - (32,942) (100) - (33,042)
Purchase of investment securities -
restricted (76,618) - - - (76,618)
Maturity of investment securities -
restricted 78,400 - - - 78,400
Investment in Subsidiaries (2,398) - - 2,398 -
Reclass Mexico Retained Earning to
Parent (1,997) 1,997 - - -
--------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities (18,523) (34,318) (100) 2,398 (50,543)
--------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
F-29
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 204,511 30,000 100 - 234,611
Proceeds from the issuance of common
stock 71,140 - - - 71,140
Proceeds from issuance of preferred
stock 27,750 - - - 27,750
Payments related to debt issuance (11,153) - - - (11,153)
Payments to retire mandatorily
redeemable preferred stock - (12,385) - - (12,385)
Stock buyback (130,775) 1,385 - - (129,390)
Recapitalization fees (12,733) - - - (12,733)
Payments on debt and capital leases (70,000) (42,917) - - (112,917)
Payment of call premium (4,200) - - - (4,200)
Payment of in-substance defeased bonds
interest expense, net (2,418) - - - (2,418)
--------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities 72,122 (23,917) 100 - 48,305
--------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,609) (436) - - (2,045)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 4,728 2,444 - - 7,172
--------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 3,119 $ 2,008 $ - $ - $ 5,127
========= ============ ===== ============ ============
F-30
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Consolidating Balance Sheet
January 1, 2000
Guarantor Consolidated
Parent Subsidiaries ODs Eliminations Company
--------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 862 $ 1,656 $ 437 $ - $ 2,955
Accounts and notes receivable 111,532 4,146 2,609 (107,072) 11,215
Inventory 16,463 12,330 1,353 - 30,146
Prepaid expenses and other 1,026 444 44 - 1,514
Deferred income taxes 446 - - - 446
--------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Total current assets 130,329 18,576 4,443 (107,072) 46,276
Property and equipment 44,153 27,479 - - 71,632
Intangibles 18,805 111,008 95 - 129,908
Other assets 9,666 1,339 - - 11,005
Investment in subsidiaries 5,514 - - (5,514) -
--------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Total assets $ 208,467 $158,402 $4,538 $(112,586) $ 258,821
========= ============ ====== ============ ============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 16,899 $108,996 $3,950 $(107,072) $ 22,773
Current portion of long-term debt 10,000 799 - - 10,799
Deferred revenue 4,213 1,919 - - 6,132
Accrued payroll expense 1,884 2,944 4 - 4,832
Accrued interest 3,134 450 - - 3,584
Other accrued expenses 6,615 3,750 208 - 10,573
--------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 42,745 118,858 4,162 (107,072) 58,693
Deferred income taxes 446 446
Long-term debt, less current maturities 238,211 31,800 100 - 270,111
Deferred rent 2,472 1,127 - - 3,599
Deferred gain 1,849 618 - - 2,467
--------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Total liabilities 285,723 152,403 4,262 (107,072) 335,316
--------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Shareholders' equity/(deficit):
Common stock 74 - - - 74
Preferred stock 37,268 - - - 37,268
Additional paid-in capital 54,977 1,092 (331) - 55,738
Accumulated deficit (169,575) 4,907 607 (5,514) (169,575)
--------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
Total shareholders' equity/(deficit) (77,256) 5,999 276 (5,514) (76,495)
--------- ------------ ------ ------------ ------------
$ 208,467 $158,402 $4,538 $(112,586) $ 258,821
========= ============ ====== ============ ============
F-31
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended January 1,2000
Guarantor Consolidated
Parent Subsidiaries ODs Eliminations Company
--------- ------------ ------- ------------ ------------
Revenues:
Optical sales $157,171 $ 93,499 $40,119 $ - $290,789
Management fees - 12,748 - (9,742) 3,006
Investment earnings in subsidiaries (739) - - 739 -
--------- ------------ ------- ------------ ------------
Net revenues 156,432 106,247 40,119 (9,003) 293,795
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold 52,437 35,591 10,156 - 98,184
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 86,603 64,265 29,020 (9,742) 170,146
Amortization of intangibles:
Goodwill 1,051 3,939 4 - 4,994
Noncompete and other intangibles 35 624 - - 659
--------- ------------ ------- ------------ ------------
Total operating costs and expenses 140,126 104,419 39,180 (9,742) 273,983
--------- ------------ ------- ------------ ------------
Income (loss) from operations 16,306 1,828 939 739 19,812
Interest expense, net 21,740 2,937 8 - 24,685
--------- ------------ ------- ------------ ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes (5,434) (1,109) 931 739 (4,873)
Income tax expense (51) 48 387 - 384
--------- ------------ ------- ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect
of change in accounting principle and
extraordinary item (5,383) (1,157) 544 739 (5,257)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle 365 126 - - 491
--------- ------------ ------- ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ (5,748) $ (1,283) $ 544 $ 739 $ (5,748)
========= ============ ======= ============ ============
F-32
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended January 1, 2000
Guarantor Consolidated
Parent Subsidiaries ODs Eliminations Company
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $(5,748) $(1,283) $544 $739 $(5,748)
Adjustments to reconcile net income
(loss) to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation 11,164 5,446 0 - 16,610
Amortization of intangibles 1,050 4,599 4 - 5,653
Other amortization 1,551 - - - 1,551
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle 365 126 - - 491
Amortization of deferred gain (326) (129) - - (455)
Deferred revenue 716 85 - - 801
Deferred rent 200 153 - - 353
Other - (176) - - (176)
(Gain) loss on disposition of property
and equipment 387 338 - - 725
Expenses to affect capital lease
retirement - (431) - - (431)
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable (28,417) 14,460 (2,464) 12,743 (3,678)
Inventory 524 (201) (4) - 319
Prepaid expenses and other (557) (851) - - (1,408)
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities (11,850) 23,337 1,903 (12,743) 647
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities (30,941) 45,473 (17) 739 15,254
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment (15,228) (4,692) - - (19,920)
Net outflow for The VTO Retail
Acquisition - (38,845) - - (38,845)
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment 170 (70) - - 100
Purchase of retail outlet (368) - - - (368)
Payment received on notes receivable 4 173 - - 177
Investment in Subsidiaries 739 - - (739) -
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Net cash used in investing activities (14,683) (43,434) - (739) (58,856)
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
F-33
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Guarantor Consolidated
Parent Subsidiaries ODs Eliminations Company
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term
debt 48,618 - - - 48,618
Distribution to affiliated OD - - (331) - (331)
Proceeds from the issuance of common
stock 189 - - - 189
Payments related to debt issuance - (875) - - (875)
Stock buyback (440) - - - (440)
Payments on debt and capital leases (5,000) (731) - - (5,731)
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities 43,637 (1,606) (331) - 41,430
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Net decrease/(increase) in cash and cash
equivalents (2,257) 433 (348) - (2,172)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 3,119 1,223 785 - 5,127
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $862 $1,656 $437 $- $2,955
============ ================== ========= ================== ================
F-34
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 30, 2000
Guarantor Consolidated
ASSETS Parent Subsidiaries ODs Eliminations Company
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $2,215 $1,187 $569 $- $3,971
Accounts and notes receivable 126,619 32,119 4,403 (149,662) 13,479
Inventory 14,782 9,242 1,666 - 25,690
Prepaid expenses and other 2,284 1,466 46 - 3,796
Deferred income taxes 1,297 - - - 1,297
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Total current assets 147,197 44,014 6,684 (149,662) 48,233
Property and equipment 44,215 29,772 - - 73,987
Intangibles 17,749 100,397 91 - 118,237
Other assets 8,921 925 - - 9,846
Investment in subsidiaries (16,124) - - 16,124 -
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Total Assets $201,958 $175,108 $6,775 $(133,538) $250,303
============ ================== ========= ================== ================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $16,114 $145,517 $8,891 $(149,662) $20,860
Current portion of long-term debt 12,511 559 - - 13,070
Deferred revenue 3,976 2,676 6 - 6,658
Accrued payroll expense 1,754 2,769 4 - 4,527
Accrued interest 3,542 487 - - 4,029
Other accrued expenses 5,906 2,159 205 - 8,270
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Total current liabilities 43,803 154,167 9,106 (149,662) 57,414
Deferred income taxes 1,297 - - - 1,297
Long-term debt, less current maturities 245,749 32,457 100 - 278,306
Deferred rent 2,533 1,238 - - 3,771
Deferred gain 1,690 543 - - 2,233
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Total liabilities 295,072 188,405 9,206 (149,662) 343,021
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Shareholders' deficit:
Common stock 74 - - - 74
Preferred stock 42,354 - - - 42,354
Additional paid-in capital 49,567 1,092 (696) - 49,963
Accumulated deficit (185,109) (14,389) (1,735) 16,124 (185,109)
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Total shareholders' deficit (93,114) (13,297) (2,431) 16,124 (92,718)
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
$201,958 $175,108 $6,775 $(133,538) $250,303
============ ================== ========= ================== ================
F-35
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended December 30, 2000
Guarantor Consolidated
Parent Subsidiaries ODs Eliminations Company
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Revenues:
Optical sales $167,555 $113,510 $54,559 $- $335,624
Management fees 808 20,939 - (18,914) 2,833
Investment earnings in subsidiaries (14,583) - - 14,583 -
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Net revenues 153,780 134,449 54,559 (4,331) 338,457
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold 54,379 42,422 10,648 - 107,449
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 93,393 84,395 45,491 (18,914) 204,365
Store closure expense 3,580 - - - 3,580
Amortization of intangibles:
Goodwill 1056 4,154 4 - 5,214
Noncompete and other intangibles - 3,922 - 3,922
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Total operating costs and expenses 152,408 134,893 56,143 (18,914) 324,530
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Income (loss) from operations 1,372 (444) (1,584) 14,583 13,927
Interest expense, net 17,066 11,621 8 - 28,695
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Income (loss) before income taxes (15,694) (12,065) (1,592) 14,583 (14,768)
Income tax (benefit) expense (160) 176 750 - 766
------------ ------------------ --------- ------------------ ----------------
Net income (loss) $(15,534) $(12,241) $(2,342) $14,583 $(15,534)
============ ================== ========= ================== ================
F-36
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 30, 2000
Guarantor Consolidated
Parent Subsidiaries ODs Eliminations Company
--------- ------------ -------- ------------ ------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $(15,534) $(12,241) $(2,342) $14,583 $(15,534)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
to net
Cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 12,988 7,476 - - 20,464
Amortization of intangibles 1,056 8,077 4 - 9,137
Other amortization 1,507 277 - - 1,784
Amortization of deferred gain (159) (75) - - (234)
Deferred revenue (237) 757 6 - 526
Deferred rent 61 111 - - 172
(Gain) loss on disposition of property
and equipment 118 - - - 118
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable (15,189) (29,442) (1,794) 42,590 (3,835)
Inventory 1,681 3,088 (313) - 4,456
Prepaid expenses and other 5,084 (8,558) (2) - (3,476)
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities (2,136) 37,426 4,938 (42,590) (2,362)
--------- ------------ -------- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities (10,760) 6,896 497 14,583 11,216
--------- ------------ -------- ------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment (12,290) (6,642) - - (18,932)
Net outflow for the VTO Retail
Acquisition - (87) - - (87)
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment 54 - - - 54
Payment received on notes receivable - 33 - - 33
Investment in Subsidiaries 14,583 - - (14,583) -
--------- ------------ -------- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities 2,347 (6,696) - (14,583) (18,932)
--------- ------------ -------- ------------ ------------
F-37
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Guarantor Consolidated
Parent Subsidiaries ODs Eliminations Company
------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term
debt 17,000 - - - 17,000
Distribution to affiliated OD - - (365) - (365)
Redemption of common stock (234) - - - (234)
Payments on debt and capital leases (7,000) (669) - - (7,669)
------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities 9,766 (669) (365) - 8,732
------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 1,353 (469) 132 - 1,016
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 862 1,656 437 - 2,955
------- ------------ ----- ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 2,215 $1,187 $ 569 $- $ 3,971
======= ============ ===== ============ ============
F-38
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
11. PREFERRED STOCK
During 1996, the Company issued 110,000 shares of Series A Cumulative
Mandatorily Redeemable Exchangeable Pay-in-Kind Preferred Stock ("Preferred
Stock"). In conjunction with the Recapitalization, the Company repurchased the
Preferred Stock, canceled it and issued 300,000 shares of New Preferred Stock,
par value $.01 per share. Dividends on shares of New Preferred Stock are
cumulative from the date of issue (whether or not declared) and will be payable
when and as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors of the
Company. Such dividends accrue on a daily basis from the original date of issue
at an annual rate per share equal to 13% of the original purchase price per
share, with such amount to be compounded quarterly. Cumulative preferred
dividends in arrears were $7.3 million and $12.4 million as of January 1, 2000
and December 30, 2000, respectively. The New Preferred Stock will be redeemable
at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at $100 per share plus (i)
the per share dividend rate and (ii) all accumulated and unpaid dividends, if
any, to the date of redemption, upon occurrence of an offering of equity
securities, a change of control or certain sales of assets. The New Preferred
Stock has no voting rights.
12. SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
WARRANTS. As discussed in Note 8, the Senior Notes were issued with
detachable warrants entitling the holder to acquire, for no additional
consideration, 0.4522 shares of common stock. In conjunction with the
Recapitalization and the repayment of the Senior Notes, the warrants were issued
and exercised.
1998 EXECUTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN. On April 25, 1998, the Company authorized
a non-qualified stock option plan whereby key executives and senior officers may
be offered options to purchase the Company's Common Stock. Under the plan, the
exercise price set by the Board of Directors of the Company must at least equal
the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock at the date of grant. The
options begin vesting one year after the date of grant in four installments of
10%, 15%, 25% and 50% provided the optionee is an employee of the Company on the
anniversary date and shall expire 10 years after the date of grant. Under
certain specified conditions the vesting schedule may be altered. During 1999
and 2000, the Company granted options to purchase 122,000 shares at an option
price of $10.41 per share and 66,500 shares at an option price of $12.85 per
share, respectively, under this plan.
F-39
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Following is a summary of activity in the plan for fiscal years 1998, 1999
and 2000.
AVERAGE OPTION
PRICE OPTIONS OPTIONS
PER SHARE($) OUTSTANDING EXERCISABLE
-------------- ------------ -----------
Outstanding - January 3, 1998 - -
Granted 10.41 482,000 -
Became exercisable - -
Canceled or expired 10.41 (12,500) -
------------ -----------
Outstanding - January 2, 1999 469,500 -
Granted 10.41 122,000 -
Became exercisable - 39,550
Canceled or expired 10.41 (76,500) (250)
------------ -----------
Outstanding - January 1, 2000 515,000 39,300
Granted 12.85 66,500 -
Became exercisable - 61,950
Canceled or expired 10.41 (98,500) (6,800)
------------ -----------
Outstanding - December 30, 2000 483,000 94,450
============ ===========
Subsequent to the Recapitalization, two directors were granted options
to purchase 5,000 and 111,412 shares, respectively. Each option is
exercisable at $10.41 per share and begin vesting one year after the date of
grant in four installments of 25% with such options expiring 10 years from
the date of grant. Similarly, the Company's chief executive officer was
granted options to purchase 371,376 shares. Each option is exercisable at
$10.41 per share and subject to a vesting schedule which will be one-half
time based and one-half performance based. In both 1999 and 2000, one
director was granted options to purchase 5,000 shares at an exercise price of
$10.41 and $12.85 per share, respectively. Each option begins vesting one
year after the date of grant in four installments of 25% with such options
expiring 10 years from the date of grant.
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") and related
interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options because, as
discussed below, the alternative fair value accounting provided for under FASB
Statement No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-
F-40
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Based Compensation," requires use of option valuation models that were not
developed for use in valuing employee stock options of privately held
companies. Under APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company's employee
stock options equals the estimated fair value of the underlying stock on the
date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by FASB Statement No. 123, which also requires that the information be
determined as if the Company has accounted for its employee stock options
granted subsequent to December 31, 1994 under the fair value method of that
Statement. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of the
grant using the minimum value method with the following assumptions for 1998,
1999, and 2000 respectively: risk-free interest rates of 6%; no dividend yield;
and a weighted-average expected life of the options of 4 years.
Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions.
Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly
different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's
pro forma net income for fiscal years 1998, 1999 and 2000 are as follows:
FISCAL FISCAL FISCAL
1998 1999 2000
---------- ------------ ------------
Pro forma Net Loss $ (34,735) $ (5,987) $ (15,801)
The pro forma calculations include only the effects of 1998 through 2000
grants as all grants previous to 1998 were exercised in connection with the
Recapitalization. As such, the impacts are not necessarily indicative of the
effects on reported net income of future years.
DEFERRED STOCK PLAN. Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted a
Deferred Stock Plan whereby certain directors, executives or employees of the
Company (as approved by the Board of Directors) may elect to defer part of their
compensation to be
F-41
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
used to purchase common stock of the Company at fair market value to be
determined in advance by the Board of Directors. At April 24, 1998, all 17,291
issuable shares in the plan were issued in connection with the
Recapitalization.
13. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following:
YEAR ENDED
-----------------------------------------------
JANUARY 2, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
1999 2000 2000
---------- ---------- ------------
Current $ 13 $ 384 $ 766
Deferred - - -
---------- ---------- ------------
$ 13 $ 384 $ 766
========== ========== ============
The reconciliation between the federal statutory tax rate at 34% and the
Company's effective tax rate is as follows:
JANUARY 2, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
1999 2000 2000
---------- ---------- ------------
Expected tax expense (benefit) $(11,769) $(1,657) $ (5,021)
Goodwill 1,079 1,079 1,772
Deferred rent 142 - -
NOL and other adjustments - (4,461) -
Nondeductible meals and donations 26 32 33
Change in valuation allowance 9,938 5,384 2,992
Other 597 (336) 990
---------- ---------- ------------
$ 13 $ 384 $ 766
========== ========== ============
The above reconciliation takes into account certain entities that are
consolidated for GAAP purposes but are not consolidated for tax purposes,
therefore, the net operating loss carryforward cannot offset the income from
the non-consolidated entities.
F-42
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
The components of the net deferred tax assets are as follows:
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
2000 2000
------------ --------------
Total deferred tax liabilities, current $ (140) $ (737)
Total deferred tax liabilities, long-term (306) (560)
Total deferred tax assets, current 3,192 1,201
Total deferred tax assets, long-term 19,465 25,299
Valuation allowance (22,211) (25,203)
------------ --------------
Net deferred tax assets $ - $ -
============ ==============
The sources of the difference between the financial accounting and tax
basis of the Company's assets and liabilities which give rise to the deferred
tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
2000 2000
------------ -----------
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred rent $ 796 $ 866
Deferred compensation 21 -
Deferred revenue 1,477 1,338
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards 12,320 12,075
Inventory basis differences 445 424
Accrued salaries 768 617
Property and equipment 5,999 6,738
Other 831 4,442
------------ -----------
Total deferred tax assets 22,657 26,500
Valuation allowance (22,211) (25,203)
------------ -----------
Net deferred tax assets $ 446 $ 1,297
============ ===========
F-43
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Prepaid expense $ 116 $ -
Goodwill 158 34
Allowance for bad debts - 553
Deferred financing costs - 524
Cash discounts - 184
Other 172 2
------------ -----------
Net deferred tax liability $ 446 $ 1,297
============ ===========
At January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2000, the Company had, subject to the
limitations discussed below, net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes
of $38,275 and $37,492, respectively. These loss carryforwards will expire from
2008 through 2018 if not utilized.
Uncertainties exist as to the future realization of the deferred tax asset under
the criteria set forth under FASB Statement No. 109. Therefore, the Company has
established a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets of $22,211 at January
1, 2000 and $25,203 at December 30, 2000.
14. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
401(k) PLAN. The Company maintains a defined contribution plan whereby
substantially all employees who have been employed for at least six consecutive
months are eligible to participate. Contributions are made by the Company as a
percentage of employee contributions. In addition, discretionary contributions
may be made at the direction of the Company's Board of Directors. Total Company
contributions were approximately $127, $165, and $174 for fiscal years 1998,
1999 and 2000, respectively.
15. LEASES
The Company is obligated as lessee under operating leases for substantially
all of the Company's retail facilities as well as certain warehouse space. In
addition to rental payments, the leases generally provide for payment by the
Company of property taxes, insurance, maintenance and it's pro rata share of
common area maintenance. These leases range in terms of up to 15 years. Certain
leases also provide for additional rent in excess of the base rentals calculated
as a percentage of sales.
F-44
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
The Company subleases a portion of substantially all of the stores to an
independent optometrist or a corporation controlled by an independent
optometrist. The terms of these leases or subleases are principally one to
fifteen years with rentals consisting of a percentage of gross receipts, base
rentals, or a combination of both. Certain of these leases contain renewal
options.
Certain of the Company's lease agreements contain provisions for scheduled
rent increases or provide for occupancy periods during which no rent payment is
required. For financial statement purposes, rent expense is recorded based on
the total rentals due over the entire lease term and charged to rent expense on
a straight-line basis. The difference between the actual cash rentals paid and
rent expenses recorded for financial statement purposes is recorded as a
deferred rent obligation. At the end of fiscal years 1999 and 2000, deferred
rent obligations aggregated approximately $3.6 million and $3.7 million,
respectively.
Rent expense for all locations, net of lease and sublease income, is as
follows. For the purposes of this table, base rent expense includes common area
maintenance costs. Common area maintenance costs were approximately 21, 20 and
20 percent of base rent expense for fiscal years 1998, 1999 and 2000.
JANUARY 2, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 30,
1999 2000 2000
---------- ---------- ------------
Base rent expense $ 26,204 $ 31,604 $ 37,331
Rent as a percent of sales 151 239 537
Lease and sublease income (4,211) (4,282) (4,512)
---------- ---------- ------------
Rent expense, net $ 22,144 $ 27,561 $ 33,356
========== ========== ============
F-45
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE)
Future minimum lease payments, excluding common area maintenance costs, net
of future minimum lease and sublease income under noncancelable operating leases
for the next five years and beyond are as follows:
OPERATING LEASE AND OPERATING
RENTAL SUBLEASE LEASE
PAYMENTS INCOME NET
----------- --------- ----------
2001 $ 30,362 $ 2,042 $ 28,320
2002 27,977 1,560 26,417
2003 24,870 906 23,964
2004 22,426 707 21,719
2005 19,762 476 19,286
Beyond 2005 58,089 339 57,750
----------- --------- ----------
Total minimum lease payments $ 183,486 $ 6,030 $ 177,456
=========== ========= ==========
16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.
F-46
SCHEDULE II
EYE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
CHARGED TO/ CHARGED TO/
BALANCE AT CREDITED CREDITED FROM DEDUCTIONS BALANCE
BEGINNING OF FROM COSTS OTHER FROM AT CLOSE
PERIOD AND EXPENSES ACCOUNTS RESERVE OF PERIOD
------------ ------------ ------------- ---------- ---------
Allowance for doubtful accounts of
current receivables:
Year ended January 2, 1999 318,000 - 241,000 - 559,000
Year ended January 1, 2000 559,000 912,000 - - 1,471,000
Year ended December 30, 2000 1,471,000 2,466,000 3,937,000
Inventory obsolescence reserves:
Year Ended January 2, 1999 561,000 (9,000) 300,000 - 852,000
Year Ended January 1, 2000 852,000 (152,000) - - 700,000
Year ended December 30, 2000 700,000 304,000 1,004,000
F-47