4
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
|X| Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
OR
|_| Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _____________ to
_____________
Commission file number: 1-14128
EMERGING VISION, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
New York 11-3096941
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
(State of Incorporation) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
100 Quentin Roosevelt Boulevard
Garden City, New York 11530
---------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(516) 390-2100
--------------
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes |X| No |_|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes |_| No |X|
As of May 16, 2005, there were 70,323,698 outstanding shares of the registrant's
Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
EMERGING VISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
March 31, December 31,
2005 2004
--------------- ---------------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,148 $ 880
Franchise receivables, net of allowance of $85 and $114, respectively 1,861 1,512
Other receivables, net of allowance of $32 and $47, respectively 98 113
Current portion of franchise notes receivable, net of allowance
of $101 and $58, respectively 341 379
Inventories, net 391 396
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 357 452
--------------- ---------------
Total current assets 4,196 3,732
--------------- ---------------
Property and equipment, net 466 487
Franchise notes receivable, net of allowance of $34 and $22, respectively 223 295
Goodwill 1,266 1,266
Other assets 233 209
--------------- ---------------
Total assets $ 6,384 $ 5,989
=============== ===============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 4,126 $ 4,162
Payables associated with proxy contest and related litigation 50 92
Accrual for store closings 42 42
Related party borrowings 40 39
--------------- ---------------
Total current liabilities 4,258 4,335
--------------- ---------------
Long-term debt 385 385
--------------- ---------------
Related party borrowings 224 234
--------------- ---------------
Franchise deposits and other liabilities 658 659
--------------- ---------------
Contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized:
Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, $100,000 liquidation preference per share;
0.74 shares issued and outstanding 74 74
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 70,506,035
shares issued, and 70,323,698 shares outstanding 705 705
Treasury stock, at cost, 182,337 shares (204) (204)
Additional paid-in capital 126,249 126,213
Accumulated deficit (125,965) (126,412)
--------------- ---------------
Total shareholders' equity 859 376
--------------- ---------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 6,384 $ 5,989
=============== ===============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
condensed financial statements.
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EMERGING VISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------------
2005 2004
---------- ----------
Revenues:
Net sales $ 1,925 $ 1,987
Franchise royalties 1,749 1,686
Other franchise related fees 66 54
Interest on franchise notes receivable 23 17
Other income 9 24
---------- ----------
Total revenues 3,772 3,768
---------- ----------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 262 271
Selling, general and administrative expenses 3,012 2,833
Non-cash charges for issuance of options and warrants 36 --
Interest expense 15 16
---------- ----------
Total costs and expenses 3,325 3,120
---------- ----------
Income before provision for income taxes 447 648
Provision for income taxes -- --
---------- ----------
Net income $ 447 $ 648
========== ==========
Per share information - basic and diluted:
Net income, basic $ 0.01 $ 0.01
========== ==========
Net income, diluted $ 0.00 $ 0.01
========== ==========
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic 70,324 67,646
========== ==========
Diluted 112,164 85,858
========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
condensed financial statements.
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EMERGING VISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
--------------------------------
2005 2004
-------------- --------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 447 $ 648
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 65 53
Provision for doubtful accounts 70 33
Non-cash compensation charges related to options and warrants 36 --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Franchise and other receivables (355) (29)
Inventories 5 1
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 95 59
Other assets (24) 12
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (36) (762)
Payables associated with proxy contest and related litigation (42) --
Franchise deposits and other liabilities (1) (39)
Accrual for store closings -- (67)
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 260 (91)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Franchise notes receivable issued -- (24)
Proceeds from franchise and other notes receivable 61 148
Purchases of property and equipment (44) (55)
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by investing activities 17 69
-------------- --------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on borrowings (9) (43)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares upon exercise of options and warrants -- 15
-------------- --------------
Net cash used in financing activities (9) (28)
-------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 268 (50)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 880 1,383
-------------- --------------
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 1,148 $ 1,333
============== ==============
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 3 $ 7
============== ==============
Taxes $ 34 $ 42
============== ==============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
condensed financial statements.
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EMERGING VISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
Senior Convertible Treasury Stock,
Preferred Stock Common Stock at cost
Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance - December 31, 2004 (Audited) 1 $ 74 70,506,035 $ 705 182,337 $ (204)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Issuance of stock options and warrants -- -- -- -- -- --
Net income -- -- -- -- -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance - March 31, 2005 (Unaudited)
1 $ 74 70,506,035 $ 705 182,337 $ (204)
============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Additional Total
Paid-In Accumulated Shareholders'
Capital Deficit Equity
------------ ------------ ------------
Balance - December 31, 2004 (Audited) $ 126,213 $ (126,412) $ 376
------------ ------------ ------------
Issuance of stock options and warrants 36 -- 36
Net income -- 447 447
------------ ------------ ------------
Balance - March 31, 2005 (Unaudited)
$ 126,249 $ (125,965) $ 859
============ ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated
condensed financial statement.
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EMERGING VISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Emerging Vision,
Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") have been prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted for interim financial
statement presentation and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and
Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted
for complete financial statement presentation. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments for a fair statement of the results of operations and financial
position for the interim periods presented have been included. All such
adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. This financial information should
be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004. There have been no changes in significant accounting policies
since December 31, 2004.
NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Stock-Based Compensation
Beginning with stock options and warrants granted in 2004, the Company began
accounting for stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation," which provided guidance for the recognition of
compensation expense as it related to the issuance of stock options and
warrants. In addition, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 148,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - an
amendment of SFAS No. 123." SFAS No. 148 amended SFAS No. 123 to provide
alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based
method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation provided by SFAS No.
123. As permitted by SFAS No. 148, the Company has adopted the fair value method
recommended by SFAS No. 123 to effect a change in accounting for stock-based
employee compensation. In addition, the Company intends to adopt the provisions
of SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment," which revises SFAS No. 123 "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation," to require all share-based payments to employees,
including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized based on their fair
values.
Stock-based compensation cost of approximately $36,000 is reflected in net
income for the three months ended March 31, 2005. No such costs were incurred
during the three months ended March 31, 2004.
Stock options granted to employees in 2001 were accounted for using the
intrinsic value method permitted under Accounting Principle Board ("APB")
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." For the three months
ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, the pro forma effect on the Company's income,
related to such grants made in 2001, was $0 and $23,000, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin
("SAB") No. 104, "Revenue Recognition," which superceded SAB No. 101, "Revenue
Recognition in Financial Statements." Accordingly, revenues are recorded when
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services
have been rendered, the Company's prices to buyers are fixed or determinable,
and collectibility is reasonably assured.
The Company derives its revenues from the following three principal sources:
Net sales - Represents sales from eye care products and related services;
Franchise royalties - Represents continuing franchise royalty fees based
upon a percentage of the gross revenues generated by each franchised
location;
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Other franchise related fees - Represents the net gains from the sale of
Company-owned store assets to franchisees; and certain fees collected by
the Company under the terms of franchise agreements (including, but not
limited to, initial franchise fees, transfer fees and renewal fees).
Continuing franchise royalties are based upon a percentage of the gross revenues
generated by each franchised location. To the extent that collectibility of
royalties and/or interest on franchise notes is not reasonably assured, the
Company recognizes such revenue when the cash is received. Initial franchise
fees are recognized at the time all material services required to be provided by
the Company have been substantially performed.
The Company also follows the provisions of Emerging Issue Task Force ("EITF")
Issue 01-09, "Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer
(Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products)," and accordingly, accounts for
discounts, coupons and promotions (that are offered to its customers) as a
direct reduction of sales.
NOTE 3 - PER SHARE INFORMATION:
In accordance with SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", basic net income per
common share ("Basic EPS") is computed by dividing the net income attributable
to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding. Diluted net income per common share ("Diluted EPS") is computed by
dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the
weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents
and convertible securities then outstanding. SFAS No. 128 requires the
presentation of both Basic EPS and Diluted EPS on the face of the Company's
Consolidated Statements of Operations. Common share equivalents totaling
3,160,653 and 7,813,658, respectively, were excluded from the computation for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, as their impact would have been
anti-dilutive.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted per share
information:
For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In thousands)
---------------------
2005 2004
--------- ---------
Numerator:
Net income $ 447 $ 648
========= =========
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding 70,324 67,646
Dilutive effect of:
Stock options and warrants 41,840 18,212
--------- ---------
Weighted-average common shares outstanding,
assuming dilution 112,164 85,858
========= =========
Basic and Diluted Per Share Information:
Net income - basic $ 0.01 $ 0.01
========= =========
Net income - diluted $ 0.00 $ 0.01
========= =========
NOTE 4 - CONTINGENCIES:
Litigation
In 1999, Apryl Robinson commenced an action in Kentucky against, among others,
the Company, seeking an unspecified amount of damages and alleging numerous
claims, including fraud and misrepresentation. The claims that are the subject
of this action were subsequently tried in an action in New York that resulted in
a judgment in favor of the Company, and against Ms. Robinson and Dr. Larry Joel,
7
a co-defendant in such action. Subsequently, Ms. Robinson and Dr. Joel filed for
bankruptcy in Kentucky, and received a discharge from the trustee. Presently,
there is a motion pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to vacate Dr. Joel's
discharge based upon, among other things, fraud on the Bankruptcy Court. A trial
on this motion has been postponed by the Court.
In 1999, Berenter Greenhouse and Webster, the advertising agency previously
utilized by the Company, commenced an action, against the Company, in the New
York State Supreme Court, New York County, for amounts alleged to be due for
advertising and related fees. The amounts claimed by the plaintiff are in excess
of $200,000. In response to this action, the Company filed counterclaims of
approximately $500,000, based upon estimated overpayments allegedly made by the
Company pursuant to the agreement previously entered into between the parties.
As of the date hereof, these proceedings were still in the discovery stage.
In July 2001, the Company commenced an Arbitration Proceeding, in the Ontario
Superior Court of Justice, against Eye-Site, Inc. and Eye Site (Ontario), Ltd.,
as the makers of two promissory notes (in the aggregate original principal
amount of $600,000) made by one or more of the makers in favor of the Company,
as well as against Mohammed Ali, as the guarantor of the obligations of each
maker under each note. The notes were issued, by the makers, in connection with
the makers' acquisition of a Master Franchise Agreement for the Province of
Ontario, Canada, as well as their purchase of the assets of, and a Sterling
Optical Center Franchise for, four of the Company's retail optical stores then
located in Ontario, Canada. In response, the defendants counterclaimed for
damages, in the amount of $1,500,000, based upon, among other items, alleged
misrepresentations made by representatives of the Company in connection with
these transactions. The Company believes that it has a meritorious defense to
each counterclaim. As of the date hereof, these proceedings were in the
discovery stage.
In February 2002, Kaye Scholer, LLP, the law firm previously retained by the
Company as its outside counsel, commenced an action in the New York State
Supreme Court seeking unpaid legal fees of approximately $122,000. The Company
answered the complaint in such action, and has heard nothing since. The Company
believes that it has a meritorious defense to such claim.
On May 20, 2003, Irondequoit Mall, LLC commenced an action against the Company
and Sterling Vision of Irondequoit, Inc. ("SVI") alleging, among other things,
that the Company had breached its obligations under its guaranty of the lease
for the former Sterling Optical store located in Rochester, New York. The
Company and SVI believe that they have a meritorious defense to such action. As
of the date hereof, these proceedings were in the discovery stage.
In October 2003, Luzerne Optical Laboratories, Ltd. ("Luzerne") commenced an
action against the Company in the Court of Common Pleas of the County of
Luzerne, State of Pennsylvania, which action was thereafter removed to the
Federal Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania. In this action, plaintiff seeks
to recover, from the Company, the approximate sum of $240,000 for certain
laboratory services allegedly provided to the Company. The Company believes that
is has a meritorious defense to such action. As of the date hereof, these
proceedings were in the discovery stage.
In December 2003, Westminster Mall Company commenced an action against the
Company and Sterling Vision of Westminster, Inc., the Company's wholly-owned
subsidiary, in the District Court of the County of Jefferson, State of Colorado,
in which the plaintiff, as the Landlord of the Company's former Sterling Optical
store located in Westminster, Colorado, is seeking, among other things, damages
against such subsidiary under the lease for such store in the approximate amount
of $229,000, and damages against the Company under its guaranty of such lease,
in the approximate amount of $110,000. The Landlord was granted a default
judgment against such subsidiary, which default judgment was uncontested by such
subsidiary. On April 18, 2005, this action proceeded to trial and, on April 19,
2005, the Court entered judgment against the Company, in the amount of $84,000,
plus fees and costs.
In January 2005, the Company commenced an action against Cherello, Inc.,
Theodore Cherofsky and Jimmy Choello, in the Supreme Court of the State of New
York, County of Nassau, seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and
monetary damages, in an amount not less than $100,000, as a result of the
defendants' alleged breach of the terms of the Sterling Optical Center Franchise
Agreement (and related documents) with the Company to which they are parties.
The defendants then asserted counterclaims against the Company, seeking, among
other things, money damages under such Franchise Agreement, as a result of the
Company's alleged violation of such Franchise Agreements. The Company believes
that is has a meritorious defense to such claims. As of the date hereof, these
proceedings were in the discovery stage.
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In February 2005, the Company commenced an action against Abell Vision, Inc.,
Excel of Beaver Dam, Inc., The Visions Group, Inc., John Bellotti and Anne
Bellotti, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Nassau,
seeking, among other things, monetary damages, in the approximate amount of
$100,000, as a result of the defendants' alleged breach of the terms of the
Sterling Optical Center Franchise Agreements (and related documents) with the
Company to which they are parties. The Defendants then asserted counterclaims
against the Company, seeking, among other things, rescission of such Franchise
Agreements, and money damages thereunder, as a result of the Company's alleged
violation of such Franchise Agreements, as well as applicable franchise laws.
The Company believes that is has a meritorious defense to such claims. As of the
date hereof, these proceedings were in the discovery stage.
In April 2005, 22 Light Street, Inc. commenced an action against the Company in
the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Baltimore, Maryland, in which the
plaintiff, as the landlord of Sterling Optical of Light Street, Inc.'s (an
affiliate of the Company) Sterling Optical store located in Baltimore, Maryland,
is seeking, among other things, damages against the Company under the guaranty
of lease for such store, in the approximate amount of $56,000. The Company
believes that is has a meritorious defense in action. As of the date hereof, the
plaintiff has filed a motion for summary judgment on its Complaint, and the
Company has filed an answer to said complaint, and an opposition to such motion
for summary judgment.
In April 2005, New Arcade, LLC commenced an action against the Company in the
Small Claims Court, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, in which the plaintiff, as the
landlord of Sterling Optical of Grand Avenue, Inc.'s (an affiliate of the
Company) Sterling Optical store located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is seeking,
among other things, damages against the Company under the lease for such store,
in an amount yet to be determined. The Company believes that is has a
meritorious defense in action. As of the date hereof, the Company's time to
answer the plaintiff's complaint has not yet expired.
In addition to the foregoing, in the ordinary course of business the Company is
a defendant in certain lawsuits alleging various claims incurred, certain of
which claims are covered by various insurance policies, subject to certain
deductible amounts and maximum policy limits. In the opinion of management, the
resolution of these claims should not have a material adverse effect,
individually or in the aggregate, upon the Company's business or financial
condition. Other than as set forth above, management believes that there are no
other legal proceedings, pending or threatened, to which the Company is, or may
be, a party, or to which any of its properties are or may be subject to, which,
in the opinion of management, will have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
Additionally, with respect to the landlord-tenant actions described herein, the
Company has already accounted for the estimated possible costs (including
possible judgments) associated with such actions as part of accounts payable and
accrued liabilities, and the accrual for store closings as of March 31, 2005.
Guarantees
As of March 31, 2005, the Company was a guarantor of certain leases of retail
optical stores franchised and subleased to its franchisees, and, in the event
that all of such franchisees defaulted on their respective subleases, the
Company would be obligated for aggregate lease obligations of approximately
$3,264,000. The Company continually evaluates the credit-worthiness of its
franchisees in order to determine their ability to continue to perform under
their respective subleases. Additionally, in the event that a franchisee
defaults under its sublease, the Company has the right to take over operation of
the respective location.
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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
This Report contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating
to the Company that is based on the beliefs of the Company's management, as well
as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company's
management. When used in this Report, the words "anticipate", "believe",
"estimate", "expect", "there can be no assurance", "may", "could", "would",
"might", "intends" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or the
Company's management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such
statements reflect the view of the Company at the date they are made with
respect to future events, are not guarantees of future performance and are
subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties may
include, among other items: potential conflicts of interest that could occur
with certain of our directors; the retention of certain members of our
management team; our inability to control the management of our franchised
stores; the effects of new federal, state and local regulations that affect the
health care industry; insured health plan reimbursement policies and practices
with respect to our products and services; our ability to continue to enter
favorable arrangements with health care providers; increased competition from
other eyewear providers; the general consumer acceptance of refractive laser
surgery; product demand and market acceptance risks; the effect of general
economic conditions; the impact of competitive products, services and pricing;
product development, commercialization and technological difficulties; our
ability, or lack thereof, to secure additional equity or debt financing in the
future, if necessary, due to the potential lack of liquidity of our common
shares; the potential limitation on the use of our net operating loss
carry-forwards in accordance with Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, based on certain changes in ownership that have occurred or
could in the future occur; the possibility that we will be unable to
successfully execute our business plan; and the outcome of pending and future
litigation. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or
should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those described herein with the forward-looking statements
referred to above. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking
statements for the occurrence of events or developments not within the Company's
control.
Results of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005, as Compared to the Comparable Period
in 2004
Net sales for Company-owned stores increased by approximately $31,000, or 3.0%,
to $1,068,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, as compared to
$1,037,000 for the comparable period in 2004. This increase was due to a higher
average number of Company-owned stores in operation during the same comparable
periods.
As of March 31, 2005, there were 11 Company-owned stores (including 2
Company-owned stores being managed by franchisees), as compared to 11
Company-owned stores (including 3 Company-owned stores being managed by
franchisees) as of March 31, 2004. On a same store basis (for those stores that
the Company will continue to operate as Company-owned stores), comparative net
sales decreased by $92,000, or 9.6%, to $869,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 2005, as compared to $961,000 for the comparable period in 2004.
Management believes that this decrease was a direct result of generally weak
sales levels experienced in the upstate New York market, where the majority of
the Company-owned stores are located, combined with the effects of employee
turnover in certain of the stores.
Revenues generated by the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, VisionCare of
California, Inc. ("VCC"), a specialized health care maintenance organization
licensed by the State of California Department of Managed Health Care, decreased
by approximately $78,000, or 8.3%, to $860,000 for the three months ended March
31, 2005, as compared to $938,000 for the comparable period in 2004. This
decrease was primarily due to a decrease in membership fees generated by VCC
during the three months ended March 31, 2005, as compared to the same period in
2004.
Franchise royalties increased by $64,000, or 3.8%, to $1,750,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 2005, as compared to $1,686,000 for the comparable period
in 2004. Management believes this increase was a result of increased levels of
field support to franchisees and the success of the Company's audits of
franchise locations, which generated additional revenues, offset by a decrease
in franchise sales for the stores that were open during both of the comparable
periods and a lower average number of stores in operation during the same
comparable periods. As of March 31, 2005, there were 155 franchised stores, as
compared to 157 stores in operation as of March 31, 2004.
Other franchise related fees (which includes initial franchise fees, renewal
fees and fees related to the transfer of store ownership from one franchisee to
another) increased by $12,000, or 22.2%, to $66,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 2005, as compared to $54,000 for the comparable period in 2004. This
increase was a direct result of the Company entering into three new franchise
agreements for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to two for the
comparable period in 2004.
10
Excluding revenues generated by VCC, the Company's gross profit margin increased
by 1.0%, to 71.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, as compared to
70.4% for the comparable period in 2004. This increase was mainly a result of
improved inventory management and control, improved purchasing at lower average
product costs, and improved discounts obtained from certain of the Company's
vendors. In the future, the Company's gross profit margin may fluctuate
depending upon the extent and timing of changes in the product mix in
Company-owned stores, competitive pricing, and promotional incentives, among
other things.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $179,000, or 6.3%, to
$3,012,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, as compared to $2,833,000
for the comparable period in 2004. This increase was mainly a result of
increases in salaries and related expenses of $98,000, and facility and other
overhead charges of $70,000, as the Company had a higher average number of
Company-owned stores in operation during the three months ended March 31, 2005.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2005, the Company had negative working capital of $62,000 and
cash on hand of $1,148,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, cash
flows provided by its operating activities were $260,000. This was principally
due to net income of $447,000, offset, in part, by an increase in accounts
receivable of $355,000, and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities of $36,000.
For the three months ended March 31, 2005, cash flows provided by investing
activities were $17,000, as compared to $69,000 for the comparable period in
2004. This was principally due to proceeds received on the Company's franchise
notes receivable, offset, in part, by limited capital expenditures.
For the three months ended March 31, 2005, cash flows used in financing
activities were $9,000, principally due to the repayment of the Company's
related party borrowings.
Future Contractual Obligations
Payments due under contractual obligations as of March 31, 2005 were as follows
(in thousands):
Within 1-3 After
1 year years 3 years Total
------- ------- ------- -------
Long-term debt (a) $ 40 $ 609 $ -- $ 649
Interest on long-term
debt (a) -- 125 -- 125
Operating leases 4,567 5,795 2,745 13,107
------- ------- ------- -------
4,607 6,529 2,745 13,881
------- ------- ------- -------
(a) Effective April 14, 2003, in connection with certain Rescission
Transactions consummated by the Company on December 31, 2003, the Company
signed numerous promissory notes with certain of its shareholders, two of
whom are also directors of the Company. The notes, which aggregate
$520,000, bear interest at a rate of 6% per annum, and all sums (principal
and interest) under the notes are due and payable in April 2007.
11
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company presently has outstanding certain equity instruments with beneficial
conversion terms. Accordingly, in the future, the Company could incur non-cash
charges to equity (as a result of the exercise of such beneficial conversion
terms), which would have a negative impact on future per share calculations.
The Company believes that the level of risk related to its cash equivalents is
not material to the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on their evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as
of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the
Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO")
have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are
effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in
reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and forms, and include controls and procedures
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in
such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management,
including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure. The Company's management has not yet completed, and is not
yet required to have completed, the assessment about the effectiveness of
internal controls over financial reporting required by Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are 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
In December 2003, Westminster Mall Company commenced an action against the
Company and Sterling Vision of Westminster, Inc., the Company's wholly-owned
subsidiary, in the District Court of the County of Jefferson, State of Colorado,
in which the plaintiff, as the Landlord of the Company's former Sterling Optical
store located in Westminster, Colorado, is seeking, among other things, damages
against such subsidiary under the lease for such store in the approximate amount
of $229,000, and damages against the Company under its guaranty of such lease,
in the approximate amount of $110,000. The Landlord was granted a default
judgment against such subsidiary, which default judgment was uncontested by such
subsidiary. On April 18, 2005, this action proceeded to trial and, on April 19,
2005, the Court entered judgment against the Company, in the amount of $84,000,
plus fees and costs.
In April 2005, 22 Light Street, Inc. commenced an action against the Company in
the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Baltimore, Maryland, in which the
plaintiff, as the landlord of Sterling Optical of Light Street, Inc.'s (an
affiliate of the Company) Sterling Optical store located in Baltimore, Maryland,
is seeking, among other things, damages against the Company under the guaranty
of lease for such store, in the approximate amount of $56,000. The Company
believes that is has a meritorious defense in action. As of the date hereof, the
plaintiff has filed a motion for summary judgment on its Complaint, and the
Company has filed an answer to said complaint, and an opposition to such motion
for summary judgment.
In April 2005, New Arcade, LLC commenced an action against the Company in the
Small Claims Court, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, in which the plaintiff, as the
landlord of Sterling Optical of Grand Avenue, Inc.'s (an affiliate of the
Company) Sterling Optical store located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is seeking,
among other things, damages against the Company under the lease for such store,
in an amount yet to be determined. The Company believes that is has a
meritorious defense in action. As of the date hereof, the Company's time to
answer the plaintiff's complaint has not yet expired.
Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Not applicable.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
Not applicable.
Item 6. Exhibits
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange
Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange
Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and 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, as amended,
the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
EMERGING VISION, INC.
(Registrant)
BY: /s/ Christopher G. Payan
-----------------------------------
Christopher G. Payan
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
BY: /s/ Brian P. Alessi
-----------------------
Brian P. Alessi
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated: May 16, 2005
14