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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 10-Q

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


     
For the quarterly period ended   Commission file number
September 27, 2003   0-27826
Party City Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   22-3033692
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
400 Commons Way    
Rockaway, New Jersey   07866
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

973-983-0888
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No: o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes x No: o

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date:

     As of November 3, 2003, there were outstanding 17,537,320 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value.



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
EXHIBIT INDEX
SIGNATURES
EX-3.2: BYLAWS
EX-10.10: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EX-10.11: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EX-23.1: CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION OF CEO
EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION OF CFO
EX-32.1: CERTIFICATION OF CEO
EX-32.2: CERTIFICATION OF CFO


Table of Contents

PARTY CITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

INDEX

                   
              Page
              No.
             
Part I  
Financial Information
    3  
Item 1.  
Financial Statements
    3  
       
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — September 27, 2003 (Unaudited) September 28, 2002 (Unaudited) and June 28, 2003
    3  
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) For the quarters ended September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002
    4  
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the quarters ended September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002
    5  
       
Notes to Condensed Consolidated (Unaudited) Financial Statements
    6  
Item 2.  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    11  
Item 3.  
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
    18  
Item 4.  
Controls and Procedures
    18  
Part II  
Other Information
    19  
Item 1.  
Legal Proceedings
    20  
Item 2.  
Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
    20  
Item 3.  
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
    20  
Item 4.  
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
    20  
Item 5.  
Other Information
    20  
Item 6.  
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
    20  
         
Exhibit Index
       
         
Signature
       

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

PARTY CITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share information)

                             
        September 27,   September 28,   June 28,
        2003   2002   2003(1)
       
 
 
        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)        
ASSETS
                       
Current assets:
                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 4,603     $ 5,241     $ 3,372  
 
Merchandise inventory
    93,227       94,760       65,908  
 
Other current assets, net
    22,360       21,402       21,900  
 
   
     
     
 
   
Total current assets
    120,190       121,403       91,180  
Property and equipment, net
    50,495       54,941       52,819  
Goodwill
    18,614       19,062       18,614  
Other assets
    5,234       4,392       5,386  
 
   
     
     
 
   
Total assets
  $ 194,533     $ 199,798     $ 167,999  
 
   
     
     
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
 
Accounts payable
  $ 64,841     $ 69,864     $ 37,960  
 
Book overdraft
    1,548       3,391       4,126  
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    24,823       23,893       24,998  
 
Advances under Loan Agreement
    15,171       16,136       11,229  
 
   
     
     
 
   
Total current liabilities
    106,383       113,284       78,313  
Long-term liabilities:
                       
 
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities
    10,034       10,310       10,264  
 
Senior Notes
          9,083        
Commitments and contingencies
                       
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
 
Common stock $.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued 17,425,070, 17,010,465 and 17,296,807 shares, respectively
    174       170       173  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    43,821       40,597       43,178  
 
Retained earnings
    40,061       28,183       42,011  
 
Treasury stock, at cost (747,012, 284,000 and 747,012 shares, respectively)
    (5,940 )     (1,829 )     (5,940 )
 
   
     
     
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    78,116       67,121       79,422  
 
   
     
     
 
   
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 194,533     $ 199,798     $ 167,999  
 
 
   
     
     
 


(1)   The June 28, 2003 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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PARTY CITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)

                     
        Quarter Ended
       
        September 27,   September 28,
        2003   2002
       
 
        (Unaudited)
Revenues:
               
 
Net sales
  $ 102,620     $ 91,124  
 
Royalty fees
    3,908       3,647  
 
Franchise fees
    447       235  
 
   
     
 
   
Total revenues
    106,975       95,006  
Expenses:
               
 
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs
    74,328       64,425  
 
Company-owned stores operating and selling expense
    25,879       23,698  
 
Franchise expense
    1,659       1,562  
 
General and administrative expense
    8,159       7,302  
 
   
     
 
   
Total expenses
    110,025       96,987  
 
   
     
 
Operating loss
    (3,050 )     (1,981 )
 
Interest income
    (4 )     (7 )
 
Interest expense
    204       892  
 
   
     
 
 
Interest expense, net
    200       885  
 
   
     
 
Loss before income taxes
    (3,250 )     (2,866 )
 
Benefit for income taxes
    (1,300 )     (1,130 )
 
   
     
 
Net loss
  $ (1,950 )   $ (1,736 )
 
 
   
     
 
 
Basic and diluted loss per share
  $ (0.12 )   $ (0.11 )
 
 
   
     
 
   
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic and diluted
    16,599       16,396  
 
   
     
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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PARTY CITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

                     
        Quarter Ended
       
        September 27,   September 28,
        2003   2002
       
 
        (Unaudited)
Cash flow from operating activities:
               
Net loss
  $ (1,950 )   $ (1,736 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    3,802       3,372  
Non-cash interest and financing costs
    40       250  
Deferred rent
    (123 )     259  
Equity based compensation
    124       138  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    (63 )     (301 )
Other
    4       (312 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
 
Merchandise inventory
    (27,319 )     (38,487 )
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    24,128       34,905  
 
Other long-term liabilities
    (107 )     37  
 
Other current assets and other assets
    (319 )     (2,939 )
 
   
     
 
   
Net cash used in operating activities
    (1,783 )     (4,814 )
Cash flow from investment activities:
               
 
Purchases of property and equipment
    (1,448 )     (8,737 )
 
Stores acquired
          (1,648 )
 
   
     
 
   
Net cash used in investment activities
    (1,448 )     (10,385 )
Cash flow from financing activities:
               
 
Net proceeds from Loan Agreement
    3,942       16,136  
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants
    520       837  
 
   
     
 
   
Net cash provided by financing activities
    4,462       16,973  
 
   
     
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    1,231       1,774  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    3,372       3,467  
 
   
     
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 4,603     $ 5,241  
 
   
     
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
 
Income taxes paid
  $ 788     $ 2,167  
 
Interest paid
    165       642  
 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activity:
               
 
Issuance of shares under employee stock plan
  $     $  
 
Issuance of shares under management stock plan
    87       282  
 
Issuance of warrants
          245  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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PARTY CITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

     The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002 and the results of operations and cash flows for the quarters ended September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002. Because of the seasonality of the party goods industry, operating results of the Company on a quarterly basis may not be indicative of operating results for the full fiscal year.

     These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 28, 2003, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K with respect to such period filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2003. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The June 28, 2003 consolidated balance sheet amounts are derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements.

     Our Fiscal Year (“Fiscal Year”) refers to the 52 or 53 weeks, as applicable, ending the Saturday nearest to June 30, unless otherwise noted. The year ended July 3, 2004 (“Fiscal 2004”) is a 53 week year as compared to the years ended June 28, 2003 (“Fiscal 2003”) and June 29, 2002 (“Fiscal 2002”), which were 52 week years.

     Certain reclassifications have been made to the consolidated financial statements in prior periods to conform to the current period presentation.

2. Stock-Based Compensation

     The Company periodically grants stock options to employees. Pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, the Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation arrangements using the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to option grants. The Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation”, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of SFAS No. 123”. If compensation cost for the Company’s stock option plans had been determined in accordance with the fair value method prescribed by SFAS No. 123 the Company’s net loss would have been (in thousands, except per share data):

                   
      Quarter Ended
     
      September 27,   September 28,
      2003   2002
     
 
Net loss as reported
  $ (1,950 )   $ (1,736 )
 
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of taxes
    (114 )     (188 )
 
   
     
 
 
Pro-forma net loss
  $ (2,064 )   $ (1,924 )
 
   
     
 
Basic and diluted loss per share:
               
 
As reported
  $ (0.12 )   $ (0.11 )
 
Pro-forma net loss
    (0.12 )     (0.12 )

     The weighted average fair value of options granted during the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 and 2003 was $3.94 and $7.92, respectively.

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3. Earnings Per Share

     The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted loss per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                 
    Quarter Ended
   
    September 27,   September 28,
    2003   2002
   
 
Net loss
  $ (1,950 )   $ (1,736 )
Loss per share — basic
    (0.12 )     (0.11 )
Loss per share — diluted
    (0.12 )     (0.11 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    16,599       16,396  
Dilutive effect of warrants
    (a)     (b)
Dilutive effect of stock options
    (a)     (b)
Restricted stock units
    (c)     (c)
 
   
     
 
Weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding
    16,599       16,396  
 
   
     
 


(a)   Options to purchase 2,080,618 shares of common stock at prices ranging from $1.71 to $30.88 per share were outstanding at September 27, 2003 and warrants to purchase 2,496,000 shares of common stock at $1.07 per share were outstanding at September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002 but were not included in the computation of earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive.
 
(b)   Options to purchase 2,320,586 shares of common stock at prices ranging from $1.71 to $32.50 per share were outstanding at September 28, 2002 and warrants to purchase 2,496,000 shares of common stock at $1.07 per share were outstanding at September 28, 2002 but were not included in the computation of earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive.
 
(c)   Restricted shares of 17,396 and 97,398 shares of common stock were outstanding at September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002, respectively, related to the Management Stock Purchase Plan which were not included in the computation of earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive.

4. Financing Agreements

     In January 2003, the Company entered into a $65 million revolving credit facility (“Loan Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as the arranger, collateral agent and administrative agent, and Fleet Retail Finance, Inc., as the documentation agent. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company may borrow amounts based on a percentage of its eligible inventory and credit card receivables, subject to certain borrowing conditions and customary sub-limits, reserves and other limitations. Interest on advances is charged, at the Company’s option, (i) at the adjusted Eurodollar rate plus the applicable margin, which was set initially at 1.50% and is currently at 1.25%, per annum or (ii) at the prime rate less the applicable margin, which was initially set at and is currently 0.25% per annum. The term of the Loan Agreement is through April 30, 2006 and is secured by a lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Company had a standby letter of credit of $3.1 million outstanding at September 27, 2003. At September 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003, the Company had $15.2 million and no borrowings outstanding under the Loan Agreement, respectively. The Company had $35.2 million available to be borrowed under the Loan Agreement at November 3, 2003.

5. Stockholders’ Equity

Shares Outstanding

     The Company’s authorized capital stock is 25,000,000 shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per share. Shares of common stock issued and outstanding were 17,425,070 and 17,010,465 at September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002, respectively.

Stock Repurchase

     In September 2001, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $15 million of its outstanding common stock. The stock repurchases are made at the discretion of management. There was no stock repurchase activity for the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 or Fiscal 2003. As of September 27, 2003, the Company had purchased 747,012 shares for an aggregate amount of $5.9 million or 39.6% of the total amount to be purchased.

Warrants

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     There were no warrant exercises in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004. In the first quarter of Fiscal 2003, 688,000 warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock were exercised. This included an exercise of 458,667 warrants for which proceeds of $490,774 were received and a cashless exercise of the remaining 229,333 warrants for which the warrant holders received 213,792 shares of common stock. The remaining 15,541 shares were surrendered in connection with this exercise. These 15,541 shares of the Company’s common stock had a market value of $245,386 at the time of surrender.

6. Legal Proceedings

     A lawsuit was filed on September 25, 2001 against Party City in Los Angeles Superior Court by an assistant manager in one of the Company’s California stores for himself and on behalf of other members of an alleged class of Party City store managers (the “Class”) who claim the Company misclassified the Class members as exempt from California overtime wage and hour laws. The Class members seek the disgorgement of overtime wages allegedly owed by the Company to them but not paid and they also seek punitive damages and statutory penalties. If a class is certified, liability is found, and a judgment is entered, such a judgment may adversely affect the Company.

     In addition to the foregoing, from time to time the Company is involved in routine litigation incidental to the conduct of the business. The Company is aware of no other material existing or threatened litigation to which the Company is or may be a party.

7. Segment Information

     The following table contains key financial information of the Company’s business segments (in thousands):

                 
    Quarter Ended
   
    September 27,   September 28,
    2003   2002
   
 
RETAIL:
               
Net revenue
  $ 102,620     $ 91,124  
Operating income
    2,413       3,001  
Identifiable assets
    177,030       180,219  
Depreciation/amortization
    2,418       2,034  
Capital expenditures
    460       9,830  
FRANCHISING:
               
Net revenue
  $ 4,355     $ 3,882  
Operating income
    2,696       2,320  
Identifiable assets
    2,402       1,942  
Depreciation/amortization
           
Capital expenditures
           
CORPORATE/OTHER:
               
Net revenue
  $     $  
Operating loss
    (8,159 )     (7,302 )
Identifiable assets
    15,101       17,637  
Depreciation/amortization
    1,384       1,338  
Capital expenditures
    988       555  
CONSOLIDATED TOTALS:
               
Net revenue
  $ 106,975     $ 95,006  
Operating loss
    (3,050 )     (1,981 )
Interest expense, net
    200       885  
 
   
     
 
Loss before income taxes
    (3,250 )     (2,866 )
Benefit for income taxes
    (1,300 )     (1,130 )
 
   
     
 
Net loss
  $ (1,950 )   $ (1,736 )
 
   
     
 
Identifiable assets
  $ 194,533     $ 199,798  
Depreciation/amortization
    3,802       3,372  
Capital expenditures
    1,448       10,385  

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8. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Stores

     During Fiscal 2003, the Company acquired two stores from a franchisee. The aggregate consideration paid in connection with this acquisition was $1,603,000. The consolidated balance sheets include allocations of the purchase price related to this transaction of approximately $1,002,000 in goodwill, $195,000 in fixed assets and $406,000 in inventory.

     In Fiscal 2002, the Company completed the acquisition of thirteen stores in the Seattle, Washington market from Paper Warehouse, Inc. The conversion of these locations to the Party City store format was completed and all stores were opened by the first quarter of Fiscal 2003. Additional goodwill of $154,000 was recorded in Fiscal 2003 related to the completion of the conversion of these locations.

     The acquisitions have been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The results of operations of the acquired stores are included in the financial statements from the date the stores were opened.

     The were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill of $18.6 million for the three months ended September 27, 2003.

     Assuming the stores acquired during the quarter ended September 28, 2002 were acquired on June 30, 2002, the beginning of Fiscal 2003, the pro forma results would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                 
    Quarter Ended
   
    September 27,   September 28,
    2003   2002
   
 
Net sales
  $ 106,975     $ 96,281  
Net loss
  $ (1,950 )   $ (1,395 )
Loss per share – basic and diluted
  $ (0.12 )   $ (0.08 )

9. Guarantees

     In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” The Interpretation elaborates on the existing disclosure requirements for most guarantees, including loan guarantees such as standby letters of credit. It also clarifies that at the time a company issues a guarantee, the company must recognize an initial liability for the fair value, or market value, of the obligations it assumes under the guarantee and must disclose that information in its interim and annual financial statements. The provisions related to recognizing a liability at inception of the guarantee for the fair value of the guarantor’s obligations do not apply to product warranties or to guarantees accounted for as derivatives. The initial recognition and initial measurement provisions apply on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002.

     The Company has unconditionally guaranteed the lease payments of 24 leases associated with franchise stores and locations sublet. The majority of the guarantees were given when the Company sold stores in 1999 as part of its restructuring. The guarantees continue until the leases, which range from 2004 through 2011, expire. The maximum amount of the guarantees may vary, but is limited to the sum of the total amount due under the lease. As of September 27, 2003, the maximum amount of the guarantees was approximately $19.5 million.

10. Recent Accounting Standards

     In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”. FIN 46 addresses how to identify variable interest entities and provides guidance as to how a company may assess its interests in a variable interest entity for purposes of deciding whether consolidation of that entity is required. FIN 46 is effective for all variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. The Company is required to adopt the provisions of FIN 46 for any variable interest entity created prior to February 1, 2003 by the end of the current fiscal year. The Company is reviewing the provisions of this interpretation and currently does not expect its implementation to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the appropriate application of certain accounting policies, many of which require estimates and assumptions about future events and their impact on amounts reported in the financial statements and related notes. Since future events and their impact cannot be determined with certainty, the actual results will inevitably differ from our estimates. Such differences could be material to the consolidated financial statements.

     We believe our application of accounting policies, and the estimates inherently required by the policies, are reasonable. These accounting policies and estimates are constantly reevaluated, and adjustments are made when facts and circumstances dictate a change. Historically, we have found the application of accounting policies to be appropriate, and actual results generally do not differ materially from those determined using necessary estimates.

     Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 26, 2003. We have identified certain critical accounting policies that are described below.

     Merchandise inventory. Inventory is valued using the cost method which values inventory at the lower of the actual cost or market, at the individual item level. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. Inventory levels are reviewed to identify slow-moving and closeout merchandise that will no longer be carried. Market is determined by the estimated net realizable value, based upon the merchandise selling price.

     Finite long-lived assets. In the evaluation of the fair value and future benefits of finite long-lived assets, we perform an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related finite long-lived assets. If the carrying value of the related asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. Various factors including future sales growth and profit margins are included in this analysis. To the extent these future projections or strategies change, the conclusion regarding impairment may differ from the current estimates.

     Insurance accruals. Our consolidated balance sheets include liabilities with respect to self-insured workers’ compensation and general liability claims. We estimate the required liability of such claims on a discounted basis, utilizing an actuarial method, based upon various assumptions, which include, but are not limited to, our historical loss experience, projected loss development factors, actual payroll and other data. The required liability is also subject to adjustment in the future based upon the changes in claims experience, including changes in the number of incidents (frequency) and changes in the ultimate cost per incident (severity).

     Goodwill. We evaluate goodwill annually or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable from its estimated future cash flows. In making this assessment, management relies on a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data. A change in these underlying assumptions may cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the carrying value. In such event, we would then be required to record a charge, which would impact earnings.

     Sales Returns. We estimate future sales returns and, when material, record a provision in the period that the related sales are recorded based on historical information. Should actual returns differ from our estimates, we would be required to revise estimated sales returns.

     Store Closure Costs. We will record estimated store closure costs, such as fixed asset write-offs, estimated lease commitment costs net of estimated sublease income and other miscellaneous store closing costs, when the liability is incurred. Such estimates may be subject to change should actual costs differ.

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Results of Operations

                   
      Quarter Ended
      September 27,   September 28,
      2003   2002
     
 
Statement of Operations Data:
               
Total revenues
  $ 106,975     $ 95,006  
 
   
     
 
Company-owned stores:
               
 
Net sales
  $ 102,620     $ 91,124  
 
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs
    74,328       64,425  
 
   
     
 
 
Gross profit
    28,292       26,699  
 
Store operating and selling expense
    25,879       23,698  
 
   
     
 
 
Company-owned stores profit contribution
    2,413       3,001  
 
General and administrative expense
    8,159       7,302  
 
   
     
 
Retail loss contribution
    (5,746 )     (4,301 )
 
   
     
 
Franchise stores:
               
 
Royalty fees
    3,908       3,647  
 
Franchise fees
    447       235  
 
   
     
 
 
Total franchise revenues
    4,355       3,882  
 
Total franchise expense
    1,659       1,562  
 
   
     
 
 
Franchise profit contribution
    2,696       2,320  
 
   
     
 
Operating loss
    (3,050 )     (1,981 )
Interest expense, net
    200       885  
 
   
     
 
Loss before income taxes
    (3,250 )     (2,866 )
Benefit for income taxes
    (1,300 )     (1,130 )
 
   
     
 
Net loss
  $ (1,950 )   $ (1,736 )
 
   
     
 
Basic and diluted loss per share (a)
  $ (0.12 )   $ (0.11 )
 
   
     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic and diluted
    16,599       16,396  
 
   
     
 
Operating Data:
               
 
Number of Company-owned stores (end of period)
    247       234  
 
   
     
 
 
Increase in Company-owned same store sales (b)
    3.9 %     3.4 %
 
   
     
 
 
Number of franchise stores (end of period)
    253       247  
 
   
     
 
 
Increase in franchise same store sales (b)
    3.3 %     5.9 %
 
   
     
 
 
Average sales per Company-owned store
  $ 429     $ 427  
 
   
     
 
Other Information:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 3,802     $ 3,372  
 
   
     
 
Cash flow provided by (used in):
               
 
Investing activities
  $ (1,448 )   $ (10,385 )
 
   
     
 
 
Financing activities
    4,462       16,973  
 
   
     
 
Balance Sheet Data:
               
 
Working capital
  $ 13,807     $ 8,119  
 
   
     
 
 
Total assets
    194,533       199,798  
 
   
     
 
 
Borrowings (c)
    15,171       25,219  
 
   
     
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
    78,116       67,121  
 
   
     
 
EBITDA:
               
EBITDA(d)
  $ 752     $ 1,391  
 
   
     
 
Most directly comparable GAAP measures:
               
 
Net loss
  $ (1,950 )   $ (1,736 )
 
   
     
 
 
Cash flows used in:
               
 
Operating activities
  $ (1,783 )   $ (4,814 )
 
   
     
 


(a)   Options, warrants and restricted stock units related to the Management Stock Purchase Plan were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the quarters ended September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002 because to do so would have been antidilutive.
 
(b)   Same store sales for Company-owned and franchise stores are subject to material differences based on the age of the respective stores for each group. New stores historically have had higher same store comparable sales.
 
(c)   The borrowings at September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002, respectively, are net of an unamortized debt discount of $0 and $1.1 million, respectively.
 
(d)   Our definition of EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We believe EBITDA provides additional information for determining our ability to meet future debt service requirements. EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for net income or cash flow from operating activities (all as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) for the purpose of analyzing our operating performance, financial position and cash flows as EBITDA is not defined by generally accepted accounting principles. We have presented EBITDA, however, because it is commonly used by certain investors and analysts to analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating performance and to determine a company’s ability to service and/or incur debt. Our computation of EBITDA may not be comparable to similar titled measures of other companies.

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     A reconciliation of EBITDA to net loss follows for the periods indicated:

                 
    Quarter Ended
   
    September 27,   September 28,
    2003   2002
   
 
EBITDA
  $ 752     $ 1,391  
Depreciation and amortization
    (3,802 )     (3,372 )
Interest expense, net
    (200 )     (885 )
Benefit for income taxes
    1,300       1,130  
 
   
     
 
Net loss
  $ (1,950 )   $ (1,736 )
 
   
     
 

     Because we also consider EBITDA useful as a liquidity measure, we present the following reconciliation of EBITDA to our cash flow used in operating activities:

                     
        Quarter Ended
       
        September 27,   September 28,
        2003   2002
       
 
EBITDA
  $ 752     $ 1,391  
Interest expense, net
    (200 )     (885 )
Benefit for income taxes
    1,300       1,130  
Non-cash interest
    40       250  
Deferred rent
    (123 )     259  
Equity based compensation
    124       138  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    (63 )     (301 )
Other
    4       (312 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    24,128       34,905  
 
Merchandise inventory
    (27,319 )     (38,487 )
 
Other long-term liabilities
    (107 )     37  
 
Other current assets and other assets
    (319 )     (2,939 )
 
   
     
 
   
Net cash used in operating activities
  $ (1,783 )   $ (4,814 )
 
   
     
 

     We use EBITDA to determine our executive compensation which bases incentive compensation payments on our EBITDA performance measured against budget. EBITDA is also widely used by us and others in our industry to evaluate and price potential acquisitions.

     EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

     •     EBITDA does not reflect our current expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

     •     EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

     •     EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts;

     •     Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;

     •     Other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

     Because of these limitations, EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA only supplementally. See the Statements of Cash Flow included in our financial statements.

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          Quarter Ended
         
          September 27, 2003   September 28, 2002
         
 
          (Unaudited)
Store Data:
               
 
Company-owned:
               
   
Stores open at beginning of period
    242       209  
     
Stores opened
    6       23  
     
Stores closed
    (1 )      
     
Stores acquired from franchisees
          2  
   
 
   
     
 
     
Stores open at end of period
    247       234  
 
   
     
 
   
Average Company-owned stores open in period
    245       224  
 
   
     
 
 
Franchise:
               
   
Stores open at beginning of period
    241       242  
     
Stores opened
    12       7  
     
Stores sold to Company
          (2 )
   
 
   
     
 
     
Stores open at end of period
    253       247  
   
 
   
     
 
   
Average Franchise stores open in period
    248       244  
 
   
     
 
   
Total stores chainwide
    500       481  
 
   
     
 

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General

     Net Sales. Net sales include same store sales and new store sales. Same store sales include sales for those stores that were in operation for a full period in both the current month and the corresponding month for the prior year. New store sales include sales in the current fiscal year from stores opened during the previous fiscal year before they are considered same stores and new stores opened in the current fiscal year.

     Cost of sales. Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise, freight to the stores and store occupancy costs. Store occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, depreciation, insurance and utilities.

     Store operating and selling expenses. Store operating and selling expenses consist of selling and store management payroll, employee benefits, medical insurance, employment taxes, advertising, pre-opening expenses which are expensed when incurred and other store level expenses.

     General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses include payroll and employee benefits, employment taxes, management information systems, marketing, insurance, legal and other corporate level expenses. Corporate level expenses are primarily attributable to our corporate office in Rockaway, New Jersey.

     Franchising. Franchise revenue is composed of the initial franchise fees, which are recorded as revenue when a franchise store opens, and ongoing royalty fees, generally 4.0% of the store’s net sales.

     Interest expense. Interest and debt expense includes interest relating to our senior notes and credit facility. Interest also includes amortization of financing intangibles, bank service charges and interest on capital lease obligations.

Quarter Ended September 27, 2003 Compared to Quarter Ended September 28, 2002

          Retail. Net sales from company-owned stores increased 12.6% to $102.6 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 from $91.1 million in the same period last year. The first quarter of Fiscal 2004 results include 242 stores that were open at the beginning of Fiscal 2004 and six stores opened during the first quarter. Of the 12.6% increase in sales, 3.9% resulted from a same store sales increase and the remaining 8.7% relates to the stores that have not been open for one year. The same store sales increase was due to a 2.5% increase in the dollar amount of the average sale and an increase of 1.4% in the number of transactions.

     Gross profit, which is net sales minus cost of goods sold and occupancy costs, increased 6.0% to $28.3 million in first quarter of Fiscal 2004 from $26.7 million in the same period last year. The increase in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 was due to increased sales volume. Gross margin was 27.6% and 29.3% of sales for the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 and Fiscal 2003, respectively. The decrease in gross margin percent was related primarily to a high level of promotional activity in July and August, and the continued emphasis on the clearance of discontinued merchandise as part of the Company’s strategic focus.

     Store operating and selling expenses increased 9.2% to $25.9 million for the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 from $23.7 million in the same period last year. The increase in store operating expenses is primarily attributable to increased expenses related to the additional stores opened since the same period last year. Store operating expenses were 25.2% of sales for the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 compared with 26.0% of sales in the same period last year due to a decrease in store opening expenses and a decrease in grand-opening advertising.

     Pre-opening expenses of $303,000 were recorded in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 for six new stores opened during the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 and three stores projected to be opened later in the fiscal year. Pre-opening expenses of $409,000 were recorded in the first quarter of Fiscal 2003 related to 11 new stores opened during the quarter and for eight stores projected to be opened later in the fiscal year.

     Company-owned store profit contribution, which is gross profit minus store operating and selling expenses, was $2.4 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 compared with $3.0 million for the same period last year. Store profit contribution was 2.4% of sales for the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 compared with 3.3% of sales in the same period last year because of the decrease in gross margin described above.

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     General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses increased 11.7% to $8.2 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004, compared with $7.3 million in the same period last year. The increase is primarily attributable to an increased store base. G&A expenses remained flat at 8.0% of sales for the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 and Fiscal 2003.

     Retail loss contribution, which is store profit contribution minus general and administrative expenses, increased by 33.6% to $5.7 million in first quarter of Fiscal 2004, compared with $4.3 million in the same period last year. Retail loss contribution as a percent of sales was 5.6% in first quarter of Fiscal 2004 compared with 4.7% in the same period last year for the reasons set forth above.

     Franchising. Royalty fees increased 7.2% to $3.9 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 compared some with $3.6 million in the same period last year which was due to an overall franchise store sales increase of 6.8% and a franchise same store sales increase of 3.3%. Franchise fees, recognized on 12 store openings during the first quarter of Fiscal 2004, increased 90.2% to $447,000 compared with $235,000 during the same period last year recognized on seven store openings. Franchise same store sales increased 3.3% in first quarter of Fiscal 2004 as compared with a 5.9% during the same period last year.

     Expenses related to franchise revenue increased 6.2% to $1.7 million in first quarter of Fiscal 2004 from $1.6 million in the same period last year. As a percentage of franchise revenue, franchise expenses were 38.1% and 40.2% for first quarter of Fiscal 2004 and Fiscal 2003, respectively. Franchise expenses include direct and indirect expenses. The direct expenses include salaries, travel and other direct expenses of the franchise operations department in addition to legal fees, bad debt expense, insurance expense and other miscellaneous charges. The indirect expenses include pro-rata allocations of corporate expenses for salaries, including bonuses, occupancy and depreciation based on time spent on franchise support.

     Franchise profit contribution, which is franchise revenue minus expenses related to franchise revenue, increased 16.2% to $2.7 million in first quarter of Fiscal 2004 from $2.3 million in the same period last year. The increase in franchise profit contribution is due to the increase in royalty and franchise fees offset in part by an increase in franchise expenses.

     Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $200,000 for the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 from $885,000 in Fiscal 2003. This decrease in interest expense is due to lower average borrowings and a lower average borrowing rate than during the same period last year.

     Income Taxes. An income tax benefit of $1.1 million, or 40% of our pre-tax loss, and $1.1 million, or 39.4% of our pre-tax loss, was recorded in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 and Fiscal 2003, respectively.

     Net Loss. As a result of the above factors, net loss increased to $2.0 million or $0.12 per basic and diluted share in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004, as compared to a net loss of $1.7 million, or $0.11 per basic and diluted share in Fiscal 2003. Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding increased to 16.6 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 from 16.4 million in the same period last year. This increase is mainly due to warrant and stock option exercises during the past 12 months ending September 27, 2003.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

     The Company’s cash requirements are primarily for working capital, the opening of new stores, the improvement and expansion of existing facilities and the improvement of information systems. Historically, these cash requirements have been met through cash flow from operations and borrowings under credit facilities. At September 27, 2003, working capital was $13.8 million compared to $8.1 million in the prior period.

     For the quarter ended September 27, 2003, cash used in operating activities was $1.8 million, compared to $4.8 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The decrease in cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to a decrease in other current assets of approximately $2.7 million. There was also an increase in inventory which was offset by an increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities related to store growth. The decrease in average inventory level per store of 6.8% from the same period last year was attributed to management’s efforts to control inventory and enable the Company to focus on product assortment, merchandise presentation and identify and discontinue slower moving SKU’s.

     Cash used in investment activities for the quarter ended September 27, 2003 was $1.4 million compared to $10.4 million in the same period in the last fiscal year. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to the opening of six Company-owned stores this year as compared with 23 new store openings and the acquisition of two stores from a franchisee during the same period last year.

     Cash provided by financing activities was $4.5 million for the quarter ended September 27, 2003 compared with $16.9 million for the same period last year. The decrease in borrowing is mainly due to the lower number of stores opened this year compared to last year.

     At September 27, 2003, the Company had a $15.2 million balance outstanding under the Loan Agreement. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company may from time to time borrow amounts based on a percentage of its eligible inventory, up to a maximum of $65 million at any time outstanding. Advances bear interest, at the Company’s option, (i) at the adjusted Eurodollar rate plus the applicable margin, which was set initially at 1.50% and is currently at 1.25%, per annum or (ii) at the prime rate less the applicable margin, which was initially set at and is currently 0.25% per annum, totaling 3.75% at September 27, 2003. The term of the Loan Agreement is three years, and is secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company. At September 27, 20003 and November 3, 2003, the Company had $15.2 million and no borrowings outstanding under the Loan Agreement. The Company had $35.2 million available to be borrowed under the Loan Agreement at November 3, 2003.

     Company management currently believes that the cash generated by operations, together with the borrowing availability under the Loan Agreement, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital needs for the next twelve months, including planned new store openings. We expect to be substantially free of debt by the end of the current calendar year, absent any special transactions. This permits the Company to consider a wider variety of corporate initiatives intended to improve shareholder value, although there is no assurance that any specific initiative will be pursued or consummated.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

     To facilitate an understanding of our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, the following data is provided:

                                           
      Payments Due By Period (in thousands)
     
      Total   1 Year   2-3 Years   4-5 Years   After 5 years
     
 
 
 
 
Contractual Obligations
                                       
 
Operating leases
  $ 256,013     $ 34,760     $ 88,891     $ 70,633     $ 61,819  
 
Advances under Loan Agreement
    15,171       15,171                    
 
Severance arrangements
    149       149                    
 
Capital lease obligations
    21       21                    
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Total Contractual Obligations
  $ 271,444     $ 50,101     $ 88,891     $ 70,633     $ 61,819  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 

     As of September 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003, we had a contingent liability related to severance payments for 11 employees. The total contingent liability ranges from zero to approximately $1.1 million. As of September 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003, we had a standby letter of credit of $3.1 million pursuant to the Loan Agreement.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

     We have not created, and are not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating our business.

Accounting and Reporting Changes

     In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”. FIN 46 addresses how to identify variable interest entities and provides guidance as to how a company may assess its interests in a variable interest entity for purposes of deciding whether consolidation of that entity is required. FIN 46 is effective for all variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. The Company is required to adopt the provisions of FIN 46 for any variable interest entity created prior to February 1, 2003 by the end of the current fiscal year. The Company is reviewing the provisions of this interpretation and currently does not expect its implementation to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Forward-Looking Statements

     This Form 10-Q (including the information incorporated herein by reference) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements are made a number of times throughout the document and may be identified by forward-looking terminology as “estimate,” “project,” “expect,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “intend” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Such forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and include among others, the following: levels of sales, store traffic, acceptance of product offerings, competitive pressures from other party supplies retailers and other retailers, availability of qualified personnel, availability of suitable future store locations, schedules of store expansion plans and other factors beyond our control. As a result of the foregoing risks and uncertainties, actual results and performance may differ materially from those projected or suggested herein. Additional information concerning certain risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested may be identified from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and our public announcements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     We, in the normal course of doing business, are exposed to interest rate change and market risk. As borrowing patterns are cyclical, we are not dependent on borrowing throughout the year. Therefore, a sudden increase in interest rates (which under the Loan Agreement is dependent on, at the Company’s option, (i) at the adjusted Eurodollar rate plus the applicable margin, which was set initially at 1.50% per annum, and is currently at 1.25% per annum, or (ii) at the prime rate less the applicable margin, which was set initially at and is 0.25% per annum) may, during peak borrowing, have a negative impact on short-term results.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

     As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the first fiscal quarter covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

     There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     A lawsuit was filed on September 25, 2001 against Party City in Los Angeles Superior Court by an assistant manager in one of the Company’s California stores for himself and on behalf of other members of an alleged class of Party City store managers (the “Class”) who claim the Company misclassified the Class members as exempt from California overtime wage and hour laws. The Class members seek the disgorgement of overtime wages allegedly owed by the Company to them but not paid and they also seek punitive damages and statutory penalties. If a class is certified, liability is found and a judgment is entered, such a judgment may adversely affect the Company.

     In addition to the foregoing, from time to time the Company is involved in routine litigation incidental to the conduct of the business. The Company is aware of no other material existing or threatened litigation to which the Company is or may be a party.

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

    None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

    None

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

    None

Item 5. Other Information

    None

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  (a)   The exhibits required to be filed as part of this report on Form 10-Q are listed in the attached Exhibit Index.
 
  (b)   Reports on Form 8-K:
 
      The Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 2003 in reference to a press release dated August 29, 2003 reporting certain information regarding the Company’s search for a new Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) after Acting CEO Nancy Pedot announced she did not wish to be a candidate for the CEO position on a permanent basis. In addition, Franklin R. Johnson had been named to the Company’s Board of Directors to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of director Michael Gatto.
 
      The Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 21, 2003 in reference to a press release dated August 21, 2003 reporting certain information regarding the Company’s sales and earnings results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 28, 2003.
 
      The Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 15, 2003 in reference to a press release dated July 10, 2003 reporting certain information regarding the Company’s sales results for the fourth quarter ended June 28, 2003.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit No.    

   
    3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement as amended on Form S-1 Number 333-00350 as filed with the Commission on January 18, 1996 (the “S-1”).
     
    3.2   Bylaws of the Company as amended.
     
    4.1   Specimen stock certificate evidencing the Common Stock, incorporated by reference from the S-1.
     
    4.2   Form of Amended and Restated Warrant, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on January 19, 2000 (the “January 2000 8-K”).
     
    4.3   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 16, 1999, by and between the Company and each of the Investors, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on August 25, 1999 (the “August 1999 8-K”).
     
    4.4   First Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2000, by and between the Company and each of the Investors, incorporated by reference from the January 2000 8-K.
     
    4.5   Second Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2001, by and among the Company and each of the Investors, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Commission on May 15, 2001 (the “May 2001 10-Q”).
     
 10.1   Form of Unit Franchise Agreement entered into by the Company and franchisees, incorporated by reference from the S-1.
     
 10.2   Option Agreement, dated as of June 8, 1999, between Steven Mandell and Jack Futterman, incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D as filed by Jack Futterman with the Commission on June 17, 1999 (“Futterman’s 13D”).
     
 10.3   Stock Pledge Agreement, dated as of June 8, 1999, between Steven Mandell and Jack Futterman, incorporated by reference from Futterman’s 13D.
     
 10.4   Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, by and among the Company and the Investors, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Commission on September 26, 2003 (the “September 2003 10-K”).
     
 10.5   Description of oral consulting agreement between the Company and Ralph Dillon, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Commission on February 13, 2001 (the “February 2001 10-Q”).
     
 10.6   General Release and Severance Agreement of James Shea, dated as of May 28, 2003, by and between the Company and James Shea, incorporated by reference from the September 2003 10-K.
     
 10.7   Separation Agreement of Andrew Bailen, dated as of July 14, 2003, by and between the Company and Andrew Bailen, incorporated by reference from the September 2003 10-K.
     
 10.8   Separation Agreement of Thomas Larson, dated as of August 26, 2002, by and between the Company and Thomas Larson, incorporated by reference from the September 2003 10-K.
     
 10.9   Employment Agreement of Steven Skiba, dated as of November 29, 2002, by and between the Company and Steven Skiba, incorporated by reference from the September 2003 10-K.
     
10.10   Employment Agreement of Linda Siluk, dated as of November 7, 2003, by and between the Company and Linda M. Siluk.
 
10.11   Employment Agreement of Warren Jeffrey, dated as of November 7, 2003, by and between the Company and Warren Jeffery.
 
10.12   Management Stock Purchase Plan of the Company, incorporated

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Exhibit No.    

   
    by reference from the Registration of Form S-8 as filed with the Commission on July 23, 2001.
     
10.13   Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Company, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, included within Form 14-A as filed with the Commission on October 18, 2001.
     
10.14   Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference from the Registration of Form S-8 as filed with the Commission on January 9, 1997.
     
10.15   1999 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated as of October 25, 2000), incorporated by reference from the February 2001 10-Q.
     
10.16   Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), dated January 9, 2003, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC (“WFRF”), as the arranger, collateral agent and administrative agent, and Fleet Retail Finance, Inc., as the documentation agent, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on January 10, 2003.
     
10.17   Stock Pledge Agreement, dated January 9, 2003, by and among the Company, Party City Michigan, Inc. (“PCMI”) and WFRF, as the arranger, collateral agent and administrative agent for the lender group under the Loan Agreement, incorporated by reference from the September 2003 10-K.
     
10.18   Trademark Security Agreement, dated January 9, 2003, by and between the Company and WFRF, as the arranger, collateral agent and administrative agent for the lender group under the Loan Agreement, incorporated by reference from the September 2003 10-K.
     
10.19   Copyright Security Agreement, dated January 9, 2003, by and between the Company and WFRF, as the arranger, collateral agent and administrative agent for the lender group under the Loan Agreement, incorporated by reference from the September 2003 10-K.
     
10.20   Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated January 9, 2003, by and between PCMI and WFRF, as the arranger, collateral agent and administrative agent for the lender group under the Loan Agreement, incorporated by reference from the September 2003 10-K.
     
 21.1   Subsidiaries. The wholly owned subsidiary of the Company is Party City Michigan, Inc. incorporated on October 23, 1997, in the State of Delaware. This subsidiary does business under the name Party City Michigan, Inc.
     
 23.1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
     
 31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

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

         
    PARTY CITY CORPORATION
         
    By   /s/ NANCY PEDOT
       
        (Nancy Pedot)
        Acting Chief Executive Officer
         
    By   /s/ LINDA M. SILUK
       
        (Linda M. Siluk)
        Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 12, 2003

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