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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 September 30, 2004

 

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 1-13806

 


 

REWARDS NETWORK INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

DELAWARE   84-6028875

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 950, Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

312-521-6767

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 


 

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.    x  Yes    ¨  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    x  Yes    ¨  No

 

As of November 5, 2004, there were 24,778,069 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $.02 per share, outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

INDEX

 

REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

          PAGE NO.

PART I.

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements:

    
    

Consolidated Balance Sheets—September 30, 2004 (unaudited) and December 31, 2003

   3
    

Consolidated Statements of Income—Three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)

   4
    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)

   5
    

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   6-11

Item 2.

  

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

   12-25

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

   25

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   26

PART II.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   26

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   26-28

SIGNATURES

   29

 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     September 30,
2004


    December 31,
2003*


 
     Unaudited        
Assets                 

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,075     $ 9,709  

Short-term available for sale securities

     2,268       10,291  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,534 and $2,502, respectively

     6,546       6,268  

Rights to Receive, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $25,370 and $19,253, respectively

     142,529       119,233  

Deferred income taxes

     8,235       6,901  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,386       3,764  
    


 


Total current assets

     163,039       156,166  

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $12,047 and $9,092, respectively

     10,265       9,254  

Other assets

     1,617       2,745  

Long-term available for sale securities

     9,455       8,395  

Deferred income taxes

     7       894  

Excess of cost over net assets acquired

     9,671       9,671  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 194,054     $ 187,125  
    


 


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                 

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable—Rights to Receive

   $ 12,501     $ 15,197  

Accounts payable—trade

     13,764       16,458  

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

     7,085       7,547  

Deferred membership fee income

     1,608       2,101  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     34,958       41,303  

Convertible subordinated debentures

     70,000       70,000  

Deferred income taxes

     1,756       2,024  

Other long-term liabilities

     6       151  
    


 


Total liabilities

     106,720       113,478  
    


 


Stockholders’ equity:

                

Common stock, par value $0.02 per share; authorized 70,000 shares; issued 25,083 and 24,473 shares, respectively; and outstanding 24,801 and 24,191 shares, respectively

     502       489  

Additional paid-in capital

     57,099       54,172  

Cumulative other comprehensive income

     19       11  

Retained earnings

     31,924       21,185  

Treasury stock, at cost (282 shares)

     (2,210 )     (2,210 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     87,334       73,647  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 194,054     $ 187,125  
    


 



* The balance sheet at December 31, 2003 is derived from the registrant’s audited consolidated financial statements.

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except earnings per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Operating revenues:

                                

Sales

   $ 86,818     $ 89,530     $ 266,047     $ 259,794  
    


 


 


 


Cost of sales

     42,291       42,844       128,254       125,140  

Provision for losses

     6,788       4,468       14,576       13,143  

Member rewards and savings

     15,518       18,463       50,596       53,304  
    


 


 


 


Total direct expenses

     64,597       65,775       193,426       191,587  
    


 


 


 


Net revenue

     22,221       23,755       72,621       68,207  

Membership fees and other income

     871       1,121       2,743       3,676  
    


 


 


 


Total operating revenues

     23,092       24,876       75,364       71,883  
    


 


 


 


Operating expenses:

                                

Salaries and benefits

     3,347       4,251       13,915       11,848  

Sales commissions and expenses

     5,011       5,301       15,572       15,299  

Member and merchant marketing

     2,056       1,729       6,720       5,364  

Printing and postage

     1,160       1,313       3,358       4,770  

General and administrative

     5,880       4,472       15,647       13,944  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     17,454       17,066       55,212       51,225  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     5,638       7,810       20,152       20,658  

Other income (expense):

                                

Interest and other income

     76       49       305       130  

Interest expense and financing costs

     (697 )     (529 )     (2,408 )     (1,474 )
    


 


 


 


Income before income tax provision

     5,017       7,330       18,049       19,314  

Income tax provision

     2,028       2,896       7,310       7,525  
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 2,989     $ 4,434     $ 10,739     $ 11,789  
    


 


 


 


Earnings per share of common stock:

                                

Basic

   $ 0.12     $ 0.19     $ 0.44     $ 0.53  
    


 


 


 


Diluted

   $ 0.12     $ 0.17     $ 0.42     $ 0.47  
    


 


 


 


Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:

                                

Basic

     24,752       23,215       24,476       22,411  
    


 


 


 


Diluted

     25,566       26,407       25,662       25,172  
    


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income

   $ 10,739     $ 11,789  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     3,009       2,904  

Amortization of deferred financing cost

     543       315  

Deferred income taxes

     (715 )     (1,950 )

Provision for losses on Rights to Receive

     14,576       13,137  

Impairment on investment

     500       —    

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     (278 )     (430 )

Rights to Receive including accounts payable—Rights to Receive

     (40,568 )     (20,457 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,378       (24 )

Other assets

     (116 )     (527 )

Accounts payable

     (2,694 )     1,425  

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

     (392 )     (118 )

Deferred membership fee income

     (493 )     (155 )
    


 


Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (13,511 )     5,909  
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Additions to property and equipment

     (3,964 )     (4,500 )

Decrease (increase) in short-term available for sale securities

     8,023       (2,047 )

(Increase) decrease in long-term available for sale securities

     (1,122 )     41  
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     2,937       (6,506 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Dividends paid

     —         (15 )

Exercise of warrants and options for common stock

     2,940       5,054  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     2,940       5,039  
    


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash

     (7,634 )     4,442  

Cash and cash equivalents:

                

Beginning of the period

     9,709       8,266  
    


 


End of the period

   $ 2,075     $ 12,708  
    


 


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                

Cash paid during the period for:

                

Interest

   $ 1,339     $ 1,110  
    


 


Income taxes

   $ 5,016     $ 8,051  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Unaudited Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(1) Basis of Presentation

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of Rewards Network Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) at September 30, 2004, consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 have been made. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 12, 2004. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2003 is derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Nature of operations: The Company markets and administers loyalty rewards programs that bring its participating merchants and members together. The Company does this by offering rewards in the form of savings and benefits to its members who patronize its participating merchants, principally restaurants and hotels. The Company attracts participating restaurants by purchasing credits for food and beverages in advance and by providing yield management tools such as variable promotions, dining incentives and off-peak pricing in order to fill empty tables and generate incremental business. The Company attracts participating hotels by providing yield management tools in order to fill empty hotel rooms and generate incremental business. The Company offers rewards in the form of cash, airline frequent flyer miles and other currencies to its members who patronize its participating merchants and pay using a payment card they have registered with the Company. The Company partners with significant airlines and banks to obtain and service members.

 

Principles of consolidation: The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rewards Network Inc. and its subsidiaries after the elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions.

 

Reclassification: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

 

(2) Available for sale securities

 

Investments and marketable securities, all classified as available-for-sale, consisted of the following at September 30, 2004.

 

     Amortized
Cost


   Gross
Unrealized
Gains


   Gross
Unrealized
Losses


   Market
Value


     (in thousands)

Short-term available for sale securities

                           

U.S. government obligations

   $ 1,028    $ —      $ 3    $ 1,025

Municipalities

     1,246      —        3      1,243
    

  

  

  

Total short-term available for sale securities

   $ 2,274    $ —      $ 6    $ 2,268
    

  

  

  

Long-term available for sale securities

                           

U.S. government obligations

   $ 5,751    $ —      $ 31    $ 5,720

Municipalities

     3,418      —        14      3,404

Other

     331      —        —        331
    

  

  

  

Total long-term available for sale securities

   $ 9,500    $ —      $ 45    $ 9,455
    

  

  

  

 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Unaudited Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

(3) Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

 

On May 5, 2003, the Company entered into an office lease agreement with Equity Office Properties Management Corp., the agent for Two North Riverside Plaza Joint Venture Limited Partnership, a limited partnership comprised in part of trusts established for the benefit of Samuel Zell, the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, and members of his family. The lease initially provided for 10,000 square feet of office space at Two North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois and, effective July 1, 2004, the Company exercised its option to increase this space to 14,324 square feet. The term of the lease is from September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2008.

 

On June 25, 2004, the Company entered into an office lease agreement with Equity Office Management, L.L.C., as indirect manager of San Felipe Plaza, Ltd., a limited partnership. Equity Office Management, L.L.C. is an affiliate of Equity Office Properties Trust. Samuel Zell is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Equity Office Properties Trust. The lease provides for 827 square feet of office space at 5847 San Felipe, Suite 1675, Houston, Texas. The term of the lease is from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2009.

 

The future minimum lease obligation for these two leases is as follows:

 

Year ending December 31,


   (in thousands)

2004 (remaining 3 months)

   $ 72

2005

     291

2006

     298

2007

     305

Thereafter (through June 30, 2009)

     221
    

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 1,187
    

 

Equity Group Investments, L.L.C. (“EGI”), an affiliate of Samstock, L.L.C., the Company’s largest stockholder, has provided investment and other financial advisory services to the Company. The Company paid $62,500 and $187,500, respectively, to EGI for these services for each of the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. Samuel Zell serves as Chairman of EGI. This arrangement was terminated as of September 30, 2004.

 

In March 2002, the Company and Responsys Inc. (“Responsys”) entered into an agreement for Responsys to provide e-mail marketing services to the Company. The term of the agreement was from May 31, 2002 to May 31, 2004, and the total payments made were $386,544 for the two years. After May 31, 2004, the Company has continued to employ Responsys on an as-needed basis. At the time the agreement was signed, George S. Wiedemann, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer was the President, Chief Executive Officer, a director, and a stockholder of Responsys. Subsequently, Mr. Wiedemann resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of Responsys. The Company paid $77,584 and $215,593 respectively, to Responsys Inc. for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $40,044 and $108,398, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

(4) Litigation

 

On May 25, 2004, a complaint was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries by Bistro Executive, Inc., Westward Beach Restaurant Holdings, LLC and MiniBar Lounge, all of which were participants in the Company’s Dining Credits Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), and their respective owners.

 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Unaudited Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

The complaint purports to be a class action brought by the named plaintiffs on behalf of a class consisting of all restaurants located in California who participated in the Plan and all persons in California who provided personal guaranties of obligations under the Plan. The complaint claims that amounts paid by the Company under the Plan constituted loans, and asserts claims for damages and equitable and injunctive relief for violations of California usury laws and the California Unfair Business Practices Act and declaratory relief. The complaint seeks, among other relief, disgorgement of all purported “interest” and profits earned by the Company from the Plan in California, which plaintiffs allege to be a significant portion of an amount in excess of $300 million, and treble damages for all purported “interest” paid within one year prior to the filing of the complaint.

 

On June 25, 2004, the action was removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The Company believes that the complaint is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it. The ultimate cost to the Company from this action is not possible to predict and may not be determined for a number of years.

 

On October 1, 2004, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Rewards Network Inc. by Source Inc. The complaint claims that the Company is infringing four patents owned by Source Inc. The complaint seeks among other relief, treble damages due to willful infringement and equitable relief. The Company is investigating the claims asserted by Source Inc. and believes that the complaint is without merit. The Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims. The ultimate cost to the Company from this action is not possible to predict and may not be determined for a number of years.

 

(5) Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share were computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for each period presented. Diluted earnings per share were computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding for each period presented.

 

     Three months ended

   Nine months ended

 
     9/30/04

   9/30/03

   9/30/04

   9/30/03

 
     (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Net income

   $ 2,989    $ 4,434    $ 10,739    $ 11,789  

Series A Preferred Stock dividends

     —        —        —        (15 )
    

  

  

  


Net income available to common stockholders

   $ 2,989    $ 4,434    $ 10,739    $ 11,774  
    

  

  

  


Weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding

                             

Basic

     24,752      23,215      24,476      22,411  

Series A Preferred Stock

     —        —        —        130  

Stock options

     351      1,612      607      1,203  

Warrants

     463      1,580      579      1,428  
    

  

  

  


Diluted

     25,566      26,407      25,662      25,172  
    

  

  

  


Earnings per share:

                             

Basic

   $ 0.12    $ 0.19    $ 0.44    $ 0.53  
    

  

  

  


Diluted

   $ 0.12    $ 0.17    $ 0.42    $ 0.47  
    

  

  

  


 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Unaudited Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

(6) Stock-based Compensation

 

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure”, the Company has elected to continue to comply with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”) to account for stock options and, accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized in the Company’s financial statements because the exercise price of employee stock options equals the fair market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123”), compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting or service period. Had the Company determined compensation expense based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

     Three months ended

    Nine months ended

 
     09/30/04

    09/30/03

    09/30/04

    09/30/03

 
     (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Net income

                                

As reported

   $ 2,989     $ 4,434     $ 10,739     $ 11,789  

Employee stock option compensation expense, net of tax

     (747 )     (1,218 )     (2,077 )     (3,109 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 2,242     $ 3,216     $ 8,662     $ 8,680  
    


 


 


 


Net income per common share (basic)

                                

As reported

   $ 0.12     $ 0.19     $ 0.44     $ 0.53  

Employee stock option compensation expense, net of tax

     (0.03 )     (0.05 )     (0.08 )     (0.14 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 0.09     $ 0.14     $ 0.36     $ 0.39  
    


 


 


 


Net income per common and common equivalent share (diluted)

                                

As reported

   $ 0.12     $ 0.17     $ 0.42     $ 0.47  

Employee stock option compensation expense, net of tax

     (0.03 )     (0.05 )     (0.08 )     (0.12 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 0.09     $ 0.12     $ 0.34     $ 0.35  
    


 


 


 


 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of options granted. During the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 there were no options granted by the Company. The following represents the estimated fair value of options granted and the weighted-average assumptions used in calculating such estimate:

 

     Nine months ended

 
     09/30/04

    09/30/03

 

Weighted average estimated fair value per option granted

   $ 6.10     $ 9.26  

Stock volatility

     43.0 %     46.8 %

Risk-free interest rate

     4.3 %     3.2 %

Expected option life in years

     10       10  

Expected stock dividend yield

     0 %     0 %

 

Under the Company’s 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, certain executives and other key employees were granted restricted stock unit awards for a total of 116,750 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Awards”). The vesting of 106,750 of the Awards is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance and service objectives. If the Company achieves a certain performance target in 2004, the Awards vest ratably over three years, subject to service objectives. If the performance objective is not met at the end of 2004, the employee will

 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Unaudited Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

forfeit all rights with respect to the Award, and the Award will terminate in its entirety. As such, the Awards are variable until the performance objectives have been achieved. The remaining 10,000 Awards vest ratably over three years, subject to service objectives, and are not contingent on the achievement of any performance targets.

 

Compensation cost of the Awards is calculated based upon the market value at the date of the grant and amortized over the vesting period. Compensation cost for variable Awards is adjusted each reporting period for increases or decreases in the value of the shares until final measurement. Management has determined that the 2004 performance target will not be met and, accordingly $445,100 of compensation cost accrued as of June 30, 2004 relating to the 106,750 of the Awards was reversed during the third quarter ended September 30, 2004. Compensation costs for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 for the remaining 10,000 Awards shares was $21,900.

 

(7) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued revised Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46R”), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“ARB 51”), which addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly should consolidate the entity. FIN 46R replaces FASB Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46”), which was issued in January 2003. Before concluding that it is appropriate to apply an ARB 51 voting interest consolidation model to an entity, an enterprise must first determine that the entity is not a variable interest entity. As of the effective date of FIN 46R, an enterprise must evaluate its involvement with all entities or legal structures created before February 1, 2003 to determine whether consolidation requirements of FIN 46R apply to those entities. Application of FIN 46R is required in financial statements of public entities that have interests in variable interest entities or potential variable interest entities commonly referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 15, 2003. Application by public entities for all other types of entities is required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004. The Company has adopted both FIN 46 and FIN 46R, and their adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (“SFAS 150”). SFAS 150 establishes standards for the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS 150 also includes required disclosures for financial instruments within its scope. For the Company, SFAS 150 was effective for instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise will be effective as of January 1, 2004, except with respect to mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. For certain mandatorily redeemable financial instruments, SFAS 150 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2005. The effective date has been deferred indefinitely for certain other types of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. The adoption of SFAS 150 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

In March 2004, the FASB issued a proposed statement, “Share-Based Payment,” that addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. The proposed statement would eliminate the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using APB 25 and generally would require instead that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value based method. The proposed statement is effective for awards granted, modified, or settled in interim and annual period beginning after June 15, 2005 for public entities that used the fair-value based method of accounting under the original

 

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Unaudited Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

provisions of SFAS No. 123 for recognition or pro forma disclosure purposes. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the proposed statement may have on its consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

In April 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB issued Statement No. 03-06 “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method Under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings Per Share” (“EITF 03-06”). EITF 03-06 addresses a number of questions regarding the computation of earnings per share by companies that have issued securities other than common stock that contractually entitle the holder to participate in dividends and earnings of the company when, and if, it declares dividends on its common stock. EITF 03-06 also provides further guidance in applying the two-class method of calculating earnings per share, clarifying what constitutes a participating security and how to apply the two-class method of computing earnings per share once it is determined that a security is participating, including how to allocate undistributed earnings to such a security. EITF 03-06 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after March 31, 2004. The Company has adopted EITF 03-06, and its adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

In September 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB reached consensus on Issue No. 04-08, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share” (“EITF 04-08”). The guidance requires companies to include shares issuable under convertible debt in diluted earnings per share computations (if dilutive) regardless of whether the market price trigger (or other contingent feature) has been met. EITF 04-08 is effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2004. The Company will adopt EITF 04-08 as of December 31, 2004. The Company has $70 million of 3 1/4% debentures that are convertible into approximately 3.9 million shares of common stock if certain conditions are met. Applying the if-converted method, as required by EITF 04-08, net income for the diluted earnings per share calculation is adjusted for interest expense associated with the convertible debt instrument and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are increased for shares issuable upon conversion. Prior periods diluted shares outstanding and diluted earnings per share amounts will be restated to present comparable information, effective with the Company’s fourth quarter of 2004. The estimated reduction in the Company’s diluted earnings per share for the year ending December 31, 2004 is approximately $0.02 per share.

 

(8) Business and Credit Concentrations

 

As of September 30, 2004, the Company had contracts or relationships with nine major airlines that offer frequent flyer miles as rewards. Also for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, United Airlines and Upromise Inc. individually represented 10% or more of the Company’s sales. The following table illustrates the Company’s partner sales concentration as a percentage of total sales

 

     Three months ended
September 30,


    Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Airlines

   57 %   58 %   56 %   58 %

Partners that represent 10% or more of sales

   35 %   31 %   34 %   33 %

 

(9) Subsequent Event

 

On November 3, 2004, we entered into a $50 million unsecured revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. and LaSalle Bank, N.A. This facility expires on July 13, 2008.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)

 

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

 

You should read the following discussion together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements, which are included in this report. This report contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects,” “could,” “should,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” or words or phrases of similar import generally identify forward-looking statements. You are cautioned that forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those statements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) our dependence on our relationships with airlines and other reward program partners for a significant number of our members, (ii) the concentration of a significant amount of our rewards currency in one industry group, the airline industry, (iii) our inability to attract and retain merchants and members, (iv) our inability to maintain an appropriate balance between the number of members and the number of participating merchants in each market, (v) the failure of our program offering members rewards for patronizing select hotels, (vi) the failure of our retail rewards program, (vii) the failure of our expansion into Canada, (viii) changes to card association rules and practices, (ix) our dependence upon our relationships with transaction processors, presenters and aggregators, (x) network interruptions or processing errors, (xi) our susceptibility to a changing regulatory environment, (xii) increased operating costs due to privacy concerns of our marketing partners, payment card processors, merchants and the public, (xiii) the failure of our security measures, (xiv) our susceptibility to restaurant credit risk, (xv) economic changes, (xvi) an adverse change in our loss experience related to Rights to Receive, (xvii) adverse consequences of changes in our programs that affect the rate of rewards received by our members, (xviii) our inability to generate sufficient profit margin on expanded restaurant products offerings, (xix) the loss of key personnel, (xx) adverse determination of lawsuits in which we are a defendant, (xxi) increasing competition, (xxii) our inability to obtain sufficient cash, (xxiii) our control by Samstock, L.L.C. and its affiliates, (xxiv) the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of our preferred stock without stockholder approval, (xxv) possible future sales of restricted and other shares, (xxvi) the price of our common stock could be volatile, and (xxvii) anti-takeover provisions that could delay or prevent a change in our control even if the change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders We undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any such obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or changes to future results over time or otherwise. See the cautionary statements included as Exhibit 99.1 to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a more detailed discussion of the foregoing and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements and that, among others, should be considered in evaluating our outlook.

 

Overview

 

We market and administer loyalty rewards programs that bring our participating merchants and members together. We do this by offering rewards in the form of savings and benefits to our members who patronize our participating merchants, principally restaurants and hotels. We attract participating restaurants by purchasing credits for food and beverages in advance and by providing yield management tools such as variable promotions, dining incentives and off-peak pricing in order to fill empty tables and generate incremental business. We attract participating hotels by providing yield management tools in order to fill empty hotel rooms and generate incremental business. We offer rewards in the form of cash, airline frequent flyer miles and other currencies to our members who patronize our participating merchants and pay using a payment card they have registered with us. We partner with significant airlines and banks to obtain and service members.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

Effective December 9, 2003, we changed our corporate name to Rewards Network Inc. from iDine Rewards Network Inc. Shares of our common stock are traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol IRN.

 

Participating Merchants

 

Restaurants

 

As of September 30, 2004, we had approximately 10,611 participating restaurants in over 55 metropolitan markets in more than 40 states in the United States and in Canada. We primarily offer two plans for our participating restaurants—the Dining Credits Purchase Plan and the Revenue Management Plan.

 

Dining Credits Purchase Plan. Under this plan, we purchase food and beverage credits (“Rights to Receive”) from participating restaurants typically for cash and at a discount from the retail price for which they sell the food and beverages. We then market to our members rewards in the form of savings or benefits for dining in our participating restaurants (in some cases, on certain days of the week or times of day, set at the discretion of the restaurant). When a member dines at a restaurant that participates in the Dining Credits Purchase Plan, we are entitled to a percentage of the total transaction amount, and we generally debit this amount from the participating restaurant’s bank account. We believe that the Dining Credits Purchase Plan is designed so that participating restaurants can make a wholesale profit in advance through the sale of food and beverage credits that are utilized through subsequent dining transactions at the restaurants by our members.

 

If we do not purchase additional Rights to Receive from participating restaurants after the initial Rights to Receive are used and the participating restaurants do not terminate their agreements with us, then in some cases they continue to be included on our website list of participating merchants, and in those cases our members continue to earn rewards and savings by dining in those restaurants. In these cases, we receive a smaller percentage of the total transaction amount from the merchant in an arrangement similar to the Revenue Management Plan.

 

Revenue Management Plan. Under this plan, our members earn rewards by dining at participating restaurants (in most cases, on certain days of the week or times of day, set at the discretion of the restaurant). Under the Revenue Management Plan, we receive a marketing fee from the merchant equal to a percentage of the total transaction amount from the merchant. Although our revenue from these transactions is less than under the Dining Credits Purchase Plan, revenue management transactions do not require us to purchase any Rights to Receive from merchants. Our Revenue Management Plan is designed for restaurants that choose to take advantage of only our marketing services.

 

Hotels

 

In the second quarter of 2003, we launched a hotel revenue management product that initially focused principally on independent hotels, which typically do not have their own loyalty or rewards programs. In October 2003, we announced that we had entered into a relationship with Travelweb LLC, a travel distribution company, to expand our hotel rewards program by including additional independent hotels as well as certain major U.S. hotel chains. Although our hotel rewards program remains in its early stages, as of September 30, 2004, the number of participating hotels had grown to approximately 11,111. This number represents both hotels sourced through the Travelweb network as well as hotels under direct contract with us. Typically, our members have access to reduced rates at participating hotels and also earn rewards by using the payment cards they register with us to pay for hotel stays after making reservations through our website or call center. Under our Revenue Management Plan for hotels, we receive a marketing fee equal to a percentage of the hotel room rate. At September 30, 2004, participation in our hotel rewards program was available to approximately 70% of our members.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

Members

 

As of September 30, 2004, we had approximately 3.7 million active member accounts (i.e., members with at least one transaction with one of our participating merchants during the last 12 months). An active member account may consist of more than one payment card registered with us and may have more than one person associated with the account, although we consider each member account to be held by one “member.” Our members come from a variety of sources and marketing efforts, including through direct solicitation or through our affiliations with major airlines, large banks, credit card issuers and other affinity partners. In our affiliate programs, members may be solicited for enrollment or may be directly enrolled by our affiliate partner. We offer a choice of member programs. Membership in our programs that provide for cash rewards generally requires an annual fee, and membership in our programs that provide rewards to members in other currencies, such as airline frequent flyer miles, does not require an annual fee. Our membership programs consist of the following:

 

Rewards Network No Fee Program. Our no-fee program offers alternative currency rewards, predominantly airline frequent flyer miles on charges for food, beverages, tax and tip at participating restaurants and on charges for room rates at participating hotels. Members of this program are members of various loyalty program providers.

 

Rewards Network Program. This is a fee-based program that typically offers up to 20% cash savings on charges for food, beverage, tax and tip at participating restaurants and up to 15% cash savings on charges for room rates at participating hotels. Members typically pay an upfront $49 annual fee. Alternatively, members may elect to “earn” their fee. In this case, we retain benefits and rewards until the member has reached the same $49 fee level, after which point the member receives a benefit and we (by not providing a benefit until $49 of benefits has accumulated) have effectively received a fee.

 

Corporate Program. We offer this program as a travel and entertainment expense reduction program to large corporations. The corporate client enrolls some or all of its corporate payment cards in the Rewards Network Program and we typically pay the rewards and savings directly to the corporate client. We typically earn an annual fee by retaining rewards or savings for each member account enrolled in the program.

 

Registered Card Platform

 

A critical part of the administration of our loyalty and rewards programs is our registered card platform. Members in our programs have at least one major payment card registered with us. Members then present that registered payment card while transacting at a participating merchant. Based on our agreements with various processors and presenters throughout the United States and Canada, we aggregate data for all the payment card transactions at our participating merchants. The transactions are then matched to a file containing our members’ registered card information. The matched transactions are qualified via business rules as to whether they are eligible for a reward. Qualified transactions are then used to provide member savings, airline frequent flyer miles or other currency benefits, as well as to invoice and collect from merchants, principally via an electronic debit to the merchant’s bank account.

 

Rewards

 

The vast majority of rewards are delivered to members in the form of a direct credit to their payment card account, a cash-denominated reward to a loyalty or rewards program account, or a mileage credit to their frequent flyer account. Cash rewards typically represent up to 20% of the member’s total transaction amount with participating restaurants and typically up to 15% of the member’s room rate with participating hotels. Loyalty partner program members may receive rewards either in cash or in alternative currencies such as airline frequent flyer miles, depending on the particular program. Members receiving airline frequent flyer miles

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

generally earn up to ten miles for each dollar spent at participating restaurants and up to five miles for each room rate dollar spent at participating hotels, provided that they make the hotel reservation through us. We communicate reward opportunities to our members via a variety of communication tools: email, our website, newsletters, directories, toll-free numbers, fax back services and wireless devices such as personal digital assistants.

 

Canada

 

In June 2004, we launched our dining rewards programs in Canada in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. As of September 30, 2004, we had approximately 56 participating restaurants in Canada.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the provision for Rights to Receive losses, the valuation allowance, if any, for net deferred tax assets, investments and intangible assets. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Allowance for Rights to Receive Losses

 

We provide allowances for Rights to Receive losses based on our estimate of losses that would result from the inability or unwillingness of participating merchants to perform their obligations to us and enable us to recover outstanding Rights to Receive. If the financial condition of our merchant base were to deteriorate beyond our expectations, resulting in certain participating merchants’ inability to provide food and beverage to our members thereby reducing the recoverability of Rights to Receive, additional allowances may be required.

 

We review our ability to realize Rights to Receive on a periodic basis and provide for anticipated losses on Rights to Receive from restaurants that have ceased operations, restaurants that otherwise fail to pay us for unused Rights to Receive and restaurants whose Rights to Receive are not being utilized by our members. All other balances are segregated and evaluated based on the size of balance and the number of months required to recover the Rights to Receive outstanding. Losses are reduced by recoveries of Rights to Receive previously provided for. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after collection efforts have been exhausted.

 

Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance

 

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when future realization is in question. We consider future taxable income and available tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. In the event we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period in which such determination is made.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

Impairment Loss of Unamortized Goodwill

 

At least on an annual basis, we evaluate whether events and changes in circumstances warrant the recognition of an impairment loss of unamortized goodwill. The conditions that would trigger an impairment assessment of unamortized goodwill include a significant, sustained negative trend in our operating results or cash flows, a decrease in demand for our programs, a change in the competitive environment and other industry and economic factors. Recoverability of an asset is measured by comparison of its carrying amount to the expected future cash flows that the asset is expected to generate. Any impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair market value. Significant management judgment is required in the forecasting of future operating results that are used in the preparation of projected cash flows, and, if different conditions prevail or judgments are made, a material write-down of goodwill could occur.

 

We comply with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the current standard for periodic assessment of the carrying value of intangible assets, including goodwill. We assess the impact of SFAS No. 142 using a two-step approach to assess goodwill based on applicable reporting units and reassessed any intangible assets, including goodwill, recorded in connection with our previous acquisitions. There were no impairment charges recorded as a result of our assessments. As of September 30, 2004, we had unamortized goodwill of $9,671.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We recognize revenue when our members patronize our participating merchants and pay using a payment card they have registered with us. Revenue is recognized only if the member’s transaction qualifies in accordance with the rules of the particular marketing program. The amount of revenue recognized is that portion of the member’s total transaction amount that we are entitled to receive in cash, in accordance with the terms of our contract with the participating merchant.

 

Membership Fee and Other Income

 

Membership fee and other income consists principally of renewal fees paid by cash reward Rewards Network Program members and is recognized over the membership period, which is usually twelve months beginning in the month the fee is received. Cardholder membership fees are cancelable and refunded to members, if requested, on a pro rata basis based on the remaining portion of the membership. Rewards and savings retained by us for “earn your fee” members are amortized against member rewards and savings over the membership period.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

(a) Results of operations—Comparison of the quarters ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

The following table sets forth for the periods presented our sales, components of our costs of sales and certain other information for each of our two revenue plans.

 

     Quarter ended September 30,

 
     2004

    2003

 
     Dining
Credits
Purchase
Plan


    Revenue
Management
Plan


    Total

    Dining
Credits
Purchase
Plan


    Revenue
Management
Plan


    Total

 

Qualified transaction amounts

   $ 107,258     $ 28,599     $ 135,857     $ 106,498     $ 30,903     $ 137,401  

Sales yield

     74.6 %     23.8 %     63.9 %     76.3 %     26.8 %     65.2 %

Sales

     80,000       6,818       86,818       81,247       8,283       89,530  

Cost of dining credits

     42,016       —         42,016       42,512       —         42,512  

Processing fee

     253       22       275       301       31       332  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Cost of sales

   $ 42,269     $ 22     $ 42,291     $ 42,813     $ 31     $ 42,844  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Provision for losses

     6,788       —         6,788       4,468       —         4,468  

Member rewards and savings

                     15,518                       18,463  
                    


                 


Net revenue

                   $ 22,221                     $ 23,755  
                    


                 


 

As more fully discussed below, net revenue for the third quarter of 2004 decreased primarily from a decrease in sales, due to a decline in the average transaction amount coupled with lower sales yield and an increase in the rate of provision for losses.

 

Qualified transaction amounts at our participating merchants (which are transactions where our members are entitled to receive rewards or savings) declined 1.1% for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003. While Dining Credit Purchase Plan qualified transactions increased 0.7% to $107,258 during the third quarter of 2004 as compared with the third quarter of 2003, Revenue Management Plan qualified transaction amounts decreased 7.5% to $28,599 when compared with the same period in 2003. Qualified transaction amounts declined in the third quarter of 2004 compared with the third quarter of 2003 because of a lower average transaction amount and the impact of the hurricanes that made landfall in the southeastern United States during August and September 2004, partially offset by an increase in the number of transactions.

 

A decrease in the average transaction amount to $48.12 for the third quarter of 2004 from $49.46 for the same period in 2003 was partially offset by the increase in number of transactions, which increased by 1.6% to approximately 2,824 during the third quarter of 2004 as compared with 2,778 for the third quarter of 2003. Included in qualified transaction amounts were dining qualified transaction amounts, which decreased 3.0% to $132,731 for the third quarter of 2004 compared with $136,901 for the third quarter of 2003. The average dining transaction amount decreased 4.2% to $47.24 for the third quarter of 2004 compared with $49.31 for the third quarter of 2003. This was partially offset by an increase in hotel qualified transaction amounts to $3,058 for the third quarter of 2004 compared with $500 for the third quarter of 2003. Although hotel qualified transaction amounts increased, the average hotel transaction amount also decreased to $244.41 for the third quarter of 2004 compared with $297.56 for the third quarter of 2003. We believe that the lower average dining transaction amount in the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the three months ended September 30, 2003 was due to a number of factors, including the replacement of some merchants in our programs with merchants with lower menu prices, our expansion into secondary markets where the average transaction amount

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

tends to be lower and decreased sales in some large primary markets and increased weekday revenues where transaction amounts tend to be slightly lower. We believe that the lower average hotel transaction amount in the third quarter of 2004 compared with the third quarter of 2003 was due to the availability in the 2004 quarter of over 10,000 additional hotels as compared with the 2003 quarter and generally lower room rates at the hotels in this larger offering. The increase in the number of transactions was primarily the result of a 12.7% increase in the number of our active member accounts at September 30, 2004 as compared with September 30, 2003. Although the active member accounts increased by 12.7% at September 30, 2004 as compared with September 30, 2003, we did not experience a corresponding increase in the number of qualified transactions because we experienced an increased rate of attrition in our restaurant merchants that resulted in a decline in the number of restaurant merchants in the third quarter of 2004 compared with the third quarter of 2003. An active member account is an account with at least one qualified transaction with one of our participating merchants during the previous 12 months.

 

Sales yield, which represents sales as a percentage of qualified transaction amounts, decreased to 63.9% for the third quarter of 2004 compared with 65.2% for the third quarter of 2003. The decline in the sales yield reflects the changing mix in business propositions marketed to our merchants. We continue to work to improve restaurant merchant products to meet the needs of new merchants and reduce attrition of existing merchants. Many of these products have more favorable business propositions to our merchants and have resulted in lower sales yield from Dining Credit Purchase Plan and Revenue Management Plan qualified transaction amounts. Dining qualified transaction amounts included in the Revenue Management Plan decreased $4,930 to $25,473 for the third quarter of 2004 compared with $30,403 for the same quarter in 2003 and hotel qualified transaction amounts included in the Revenue Management Plan increased $2,558 to $3,058 for the third quarter of 2004 compared with $500 for the same quarter in 2003. Dining Revenue Management Plan qualified transactions typically have a higher sales yield than hotel qualified transactions and, therefore, the decrease in dining qualified transaction amounts to 89.1% of total Revenue Management Plan qualified transaction amounts for the third quarter of 2004 compared with 98.4% of total Revenue Management Plan qualified transaction amounts for the third quarter of 2003 resulted in lower overall yield from the Revenue Management Program Plan. We expect that all of our future product lines such as our retail rewards program will be of a Revenue Management nature, which results in a lower sales yield than Dining Credit Purchase Plan qualified transactions.

 

Accordingly, we expect that in the future our sales yield percentage will further decline as qualified transactions from our Revenue Management Plan represent a larger percentage of our total qualified transactions, as our hotel qualified transaction amounts increase, and to the extent we offer our restaurant merchants more favorable economics to address the increased rate of attrition we have been experiencing and to attract new restaurant merchants. The extent to which we are successful in reducing restaurant merchant attrition and attracting new restaurant merchants and the amount of increased sales that result from having more restaurant merchants will determine how much we are able to offset the impact of the lower sales yield.

 

Sales for the third quarter of 2004 decreased $2,712 or 3.0% when compared to the same period in 2003, primarily as a result of the reduction in the average transaction amount and lower sales yield.

 

Cost of sales, which is composed of the cost of dining credits and related processing fees increased to 48.7% of sales during the third quarter of 2004 compared to 47.9% of sales for the same period in 2003. Contributing to the increase in the cost of sales percentage was the decrease in sales under our Revenue Management Plan to 7.9% of total sales for the third quarter of 2004 compared to 9.3% of total sales for the same period in 2003. There is no cost of sales associated with sales under our Revenue Management Plan and, therefore, the relative decrease in these sales as a percentage of total sales results in a higher total cost of sales percentage.

 

The provision for losses increased to 7.8% of total sales and 8.5% of Dining Credits Purchase Plan sales for the third quarter of 2004 compared to 5.0% of sales and 5.5% of Dining Credits Purchase Plan sales for the same

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

period in 2003. We perform a quarterly analysis of the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts on the balance sheet and, if necessary, adjust this allowance. This analysis is based on a number of factors, including the aging of the Rights to Receive and the overall size of the portfolio.

 

Member rewards and savings decreased to 17.9% of sales for the third quarter of 2004 compared to 20.6% of sales for the same period in 2003. There are two primary reasons for the decrease in the rate of rewards during the 2004 period. First, in some cases, as part of the changes in merchant deal economics, we have reduced member benefit levels. Secondly, we have continued the program of variable benefits whereby some of our member rewards and savings are tied to their level of participation in our programs. The reduced rate of rewards paid to less engaged members has resulted in a lower overall effective rate of reward earned by our total membership base.

 

Membership fees and other income decreased $250 or 22.3% for the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. The decrease can be primarily attributed to the decline in membership fee income and reflects the continuing effects of a change in our marketing strategy. In the fourth quarter of 1999, we reduced our marketing of the fee-based membership due to changes in the regulatory environment regarding direct marketing solicitations and we shifted our marketing strategy to focus mainly on marketing a no-fee dining program to key affinity and loyalty partners where we could take advantage of the registered card platform and enroll large quantities of accounts at a reduced cost of acquisition and solicitation.

 

Salaries and benefits decreased $904 or 21.3% for the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003 primarily due to the reversal of $1,751 of previously accrued management incentive compensation and restricted stock awards. Both of these incentive compensation programs were based on us achieving certain financial performance targets which at the end of the second quarter of 2004 management believed would be achieved. However, management has now determined that these financial performances targets will not be met. Excluding the reversal of the previously accrued incentive compensation, salaries and benefits increased $847 or 19.9% for the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003 primarily as a result of a planned increase in the number of employees, annual merit increases and higher employee benefit costs. The planned increase in the number of employees was principally in information technology, marketing, corporate development and customer services.

 

Sales commissions and expenses decreased $290 or 5.5% for the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003, and sales commissions and expenses amounted to 5.8% of sales for the third quarter of 2004 compared with 5.9% for the third quarter of 2003. The $290 decrease in sales commissions during the third quarter of 2004 compared with the third quarter of 2003 reflects lower sales and the reversal of $125 of previously accrued salespersons’ incentive compensation which at the end of the second quarter of 2004 management believed would be achieved. However, management has now determined that these financial performances targets will not be achieved. In January 2004, we changed our sales consultants’ compensation plan to increase the incentive for sales consultants to grow their merchant portfolios. Sales consultants continue to earn a commission only when one of our members transacts at one of our participating merchants. We no longer anticipate that this new sales consultant compensation plan will result in decreased sales commission rate in 2004. This change in outlook is because of the loss of some of our more experienced sales consultants and the replacement of such sales consultants with less experienced sales consultants who earn a fixed salary as part of their compensation. We continue to include in sales commissions and expenses for the third quarter of 2004 and 2003 all costs associated with generating sales, including the cost of sales managers’ salaries, which in 2003 were included in salaries and benefits.

 

Member and merchant marketing expenses increased $327 or 18.9% for the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003 primarily due to increases in the compensation we paid to loyalty program partners and bonus incentive rewards paid to our members.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

Printing and postage expenses decreased $153 or 11.7% for the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. This is primarily due to the marketing initiative we began in the second half of 2003, replacing national directories with a customized, pocket-sized, eight-panel directory of restaurant listings in a member’s frequent dining areas (which we call “Fold-N-Go statements”) for segments of our membership base. These Fold-N-Go statements are less expensive to produce and distribute than the directories.

 

General and administrative expenses increased $1,408 or 31.5% for the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. The increase is primarily the result of an impairment of $500 on an investment in a development stage entity, increases in professional fees primarily related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and legal matters and rent and other office expenses related to our option to increase the space rented in the Chicago executive offices.

 

Interest expense and financing costs related to our securitization facility and convertible subordinated debentures increased $168 or 31.8% for the third quarter of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003. The increase in our interest expense is a result of our having an additional $10,000 of debt outstanding in the third quarter of 2004 compared to the third quarter of 2003 and a fixed interest rate on our convertible subordinated debentures that were outstanding in the third quarter of 2004 that is higher than the floating rate on the securitization facility under which we had outstanding debt in the third quarter of 2003.

 

Our effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2004 was 40.4% compared with 39.5% for the third quarter of 2003 due to the increase in the weighted average effective state tax rate resulting from a shift in the apportionment factors among the states in which we conduct business.

 

Net income decreased $1,445 or 32.6% for the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. Diluted earnings per share decreased to $0.12 for the third quarter of 2004 compared to $0.17 for the third quarter of 2003, and there were 3.2% less diluted weighted average shares outstanding in the third quarter of 2004 than in the third quarter of 2003.

 

(b) Results of operations—Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

The following table sets forth for the periods presented our sales, components of our costs of sales and certain other information for each of our two revenue plans.

 

     Nine months ended September 30,

 
     2004

    2003

 
     Dining
Credits
Purchase
Plan


    Revenue
Management
Plan


    Total

    Dining
Credits
Purchase
Plan


    Revenue
Management
Plan


    Total

 

Qualified transaction amounts

   $ 323,404     $ 88,559     $ 411,963     $ 312,268     $ 77,611     $ 389,879  

Sales yield

     75.6 %     24.4 %     64.6 %     76.5 %     27.0 %     66.6 %

Sales

     244,437       21,610       266,047       238,856       20,938       259,794  

Cost of dining credits

     127,330       —         127,330       124,199       —         124,199  

Processing fee

     849       75       924       865       76       941  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Cost of sales

   $ 128,179     $ 75     $ 128,254     $ 125,064     $ 76     $ 125,140  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Provision for losses

     14,576       —         14,576       13,143       —         13,143  

Member rewards and savings

                     50,596                       53,304  
                    


                 


Net revenue

                   $ 72,621                     $ 68,207  
                    


                 


 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

As more fully discussed below, sales and net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased primarily from an increase in the number of active member accounts and qualified transactions and a reduction in the rate of rewards paid to our members, partially offset by a decrease in the average transaction amount and an increase in the provision for losses.

 

Qualified transaction amounts at our participating merchants (which are transactions where our members are entitled to receive rewards or savings) rose 5.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003. A decrease in the average transaction amount to $48.89 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 from $50.53 for the same period in 2003 was more than offset by the increase in number of transactions, which increased by 9.2% to approximately 8,426 during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared with 7,716 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Included in qualified transaction amounts were dining qualified transaction amounts which increased to $404,630 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with $389,303 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. However, the average dining transaction amount decreased 4.5% to $48.22 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with $50.47 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Hotel qualified transaction amounts increased to $7,003 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with $575 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and the average hotel transaction amount decreased to $251.20 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with $292.57 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The increase in the number of transactions was primarily the result of a 12.7% increase in the number of our active member accounts at September 30, 2004 as compared with September 30, 2003. An active member account is an account with at least one qualified transaction with one of our participating merchants during the previous 12 months. The lower average dining transaction amount in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was due to a number of factors, including the replacement of some restaurant merchants in our programs with restaurant merchants with lower menu prices, our expansion into secondary markets where the average transaction amount is lower, decreased sales in some large primary markets and increased weekday revenues where transaction amounts tend to be slightly lower. We believe that the lower average hotel transaction amount in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was due to the availability in 2004 of over 10,000 additional hotels as compared with 2003 and generally lower room rates at the hotels in this larger offering.

 

Sales yield, which represents sales as a percentage of qualified transaction amounts, decreased to 64.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with 66.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The decline in the sales yield reflects the changing mix in business propositions marketed to our merchants. We continue to work to improve restaurant merchant products to meet the needs of new merchants and reduce attrition of existing merchants. Many of these products have more favorable business propositions to our merchants and have resulted in lower sales yield from Dining Credit Purchase Plan and Revenue Management Plan qualified transaction amounts. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, Revenue Management Plan qualified transaction amounts increased 14.1% to $88,559 when compared with the same period in 2003. Although dining qualified transaction amounts included in the total qualified transaction amount increased $15,326 to $404,631 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with $389,304 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the 2004 period amount represented 98.2% of total qualified transaction amount compared with 99.9% of total qualified transaction amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Dining qualified transactions typically have a higher sales yield than hotel qualified transactions. Hotel qualified transaction amounts increased $6,428 to $7,003 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with $575 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. We expect that all of our future product lines such as our retail rewards program will be of a Revenue Management nature, which results in a lower sales yield than Dining Credit Purchase Plan qualified transactions.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

We expect that in the future our sales yield percentage will further decline as qualified transactions from our Revenue Management Plan represent a larger percentage of our total qualified transactions, as our hotel qualified transaction amounts increase, and to the extent we offer our restaurant merchants more favorable economics to address the increased rate of attrition we have been experiencing and to attract new restaurant merchants. To the extent that we are successful in reducing restaurant merchant attrition and attracting new restaurant merchants, the increased sales that result from having more restaurant merchants will offset the lower sales yield.

 

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased $6,253 or 2.4% when compared to the same period in 2003, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of active member accounts. We have increased the number of active member accounts enrolled through our airline relationships. In the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we also had a 60.4% increase in active member accounts enrolled through other existing partner loyalty programs.

 

Cost of sales, which is composed of the cost of dining credits and related processing fees, remained fairly stable at 48.2% of sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. Sales under our Revenue Management Plan remained stable at 8.1% of total sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. There is no cost of sales associated with sales under our Revenue Management Plan and any change in these sales as a percentage of total sales would result in a change in the total cost of sales percentage.

 

The provision for losses increased to 5.5% of total sales and 6.0% of Dining Credits Purchase Plan sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 5.1% of sales and 5.5% of Dining Credits Purchase Plan sales for the same period in 2003. This increase is primarily attributable to an adjustment to increase the balance sheet allowance, an amount that is determined by an analysis based on a number of factors, including the aging of the Rights to Receive and the overall size of the portfolio.

 

Member rewards and savings decreased to 19.0% of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 20.5% of sales for the same period in 2003. There are two primary reasons for the decrease in the rate of rewards during the 2004 period. First, in some cases, as part of the changes in merchant business deal economics, we have reduced member benefit levels. Secondly, we have commenced a program of variable benefits where some of our members’ rewards and savings are tied to their level of participation in our programs. The reduced rate of rewards paid to less engaged members has resulted in a lower overall effective rate of reward earned by our total membership base.

 

Membership fees and other income decreased $933 or 25.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. The decrease can be mainly attributed to the decline in membership fee income and reflects the continuing effects of a change in our marketing strategy. In the fourth quarter of 1999, we reduced our marketing of the fee-based membership due to changes in the regulatory environment regarding direct marketing solicitations and we shifted our marketing strategy to focus mainly on marketing a no-fee dining program to key affinity and loyalty partners where we could take advantage of the registered card platform and enroll large quantities of accounts at a reduced cost of acquisition and solicitation.

 

Salaries and benefits increased $2,067 or 17.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003 primarily due to a planned increase in the number of employees, annual merit increases and higher employee benefit costs. These increases were partially offset by a $933 reduction in management incentive compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. The planned increase in the number of employees was principally in information technology, marketing, corporate development and customer services. The reduced management incentive compensation expense is the result of the Company not achieving certain financial targets in 2004.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

Sales commissions and expenses increased $273 or 1.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003, and sales commissions and expenses amounted to 5.9% of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. Although our sales commission rate decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the same period in 2003, this decrease was offset, in part, by increased expenses relating to a sales contest, sales person training, travel allowance and a national sales conference. In January 2004, we changed our sales consultants’ compensation plan to increase the incentive for sales consultants to grow their merchant portfolios. Sales consultants continue to earn a commission only when one of our members transacts at one of our participating merchants. We have included in sales commissions and expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 all costs associated with generating sales, including the cost of sales managers’ salaries, which in 2003 were included in salaries and benefits.

 

Member and merchant marketing expenses increased $1,356 or 25.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003 primarily due to increases in the compensation we paid to loyalty program partners, in web and email promotion expenses and in bonus incentive rewards paid to our members. In addition, during the first quarter of 2003 we terminated a media marketing purchase commitment with one of our partners. As a result, $448 of previously accrued compensation to this loyalty partner was eliminated.

 

Printing and postage expenses decreased $1,412 or 29.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. This is primarily due to the marketing initiative we began in the second half of 2003, replacing national directories with a customized, pocket-sized, eight-panel directory of restaurant listings in a member’s frequent dining areas (which we call “Fold-N-Go statements”) for segments of our membership base. These Fold-N-Go statements are less expensive to produce and distribute than the directories.

 

General and administrative expenses increased $1,703 or 12.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. However, during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we had severance costs of $88 compared with $421 during the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Excluding the impact of severance expenses, general and administrative expenses increased $2,036 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The increase is primarily the result of an impairment on an investment in a development stage entity and increases in professional fees primarily related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and legal matters, rent and other office expenses primarily related to the exercise of our option to increase the space rented for the Chicago executive offices, programming and systems primarily related to the redesign of our websites and telephone expenses related to rate increases. These increases were partly offset by lower recruiting costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003.

 

Interest expense and financing costs related to our securitization facility and convertible subordinated debentures increased $934 or 63.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the same period in 2003. The increase in our interest expense is a result of our having an additional $10,000 of debt outstanding in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and a fixed interest rate on our convertible subordinated debentures that were outstanding in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 that is higher than the floating rate on the securitization facility under which we had outstanding debt in the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Additionally, we continued to amortize both the renewal costs associated with the securitization and the issuance costs of the convertible subordinated debentures through May 2004. The costs relating to the securitization were fully amortized in May 2004.

 

Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was 40.5% compared with 39.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 due to the increase in the weighted average effective state tax rate resulting from a shift in the apportionment factors among the states in which we conduct business.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

Net income decreased $1,050 or 8.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. There was a 1.9% increase in diluted weighted average shares outstanding in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The combination of the lower net income and the increase in diluted weighted average shares resulted in a decline in diluted earnings per share to $0.42 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $0.47 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

(b) Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At September 30, 2004, our short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $4,343, and our long-term investments amounted to $9,455. Cash used in operating activities amounted to $13,511 in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and was primarily due to the significant growth of our Rights to Receive portfolio. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we purchased $25,992 in Rights to Receive.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $2,937 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, $6,901 of investments were liquidated to fund operational activities and capital expenditures. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were $3,964 and consisted primarily of website development for our products and software development relating to our hotel and retail initiatives, our geographical expansion into Canada and the new sales compensation plan.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, our only source of financing cash flow was provided from the exercise of warrants and stock options.

 

On October 15, 2003, we completed a private placement of $70,000 principal amount of our 3 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures with a final maturity date of October 15, 2023. The debentures bear interest at 3.25% per annum, payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on April 15, 2004. The net proceeds from the offering were $67,500, and the issuance costs of $2,500 are being amortized over five years. A holder of the debentures may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of its debentures on October 15, 2008, October 15, 2013 and October 15, 2018 or upon a change of our control at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debentures, together with accrued and unpaid interest. We may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, at any time after October 15, 2008 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debentures, together with accrued and unpaid interest. The debentures are convertible prior to the maturity date into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $17.89 per share, subject to adjustment for certain events, upon the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the closing price of our common stock on the trading day prior to the conversion date was 110% or more of the conversion price of the debentures on such trading day; (ii) we have called the debentures for redemption; (iii) the average of the trading prices of the debentures for any five consecutive trading day period was less than the average conversion value for the debentures during that period, subject to certain limitations; or (iv) we make certain distributions to holders of our common stock or enter into specified corporate transactions.

 

On November 3, 2004, we entered into a $50 million unsecured revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. and LaSalle Bank, N.A. This facility expires on July 13, 2008.

 

Our working capital was $128,081 at September 30, 2004. As of the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we expect to continue to maintain a positive working capital position. However, we cannot predict whether current trends and conditions will continue or what the effect on our business might be from events beyond our control, such as airline bankruptcies, consolidation or liquidation, U.S. military actions, acts of terrorism or adverse litigation. We believe that investments available for sale at September 30, 2004, together with cash on hand, cash generated from operations and funds available under our new credit facility will be sufficient to satisfy all of our funding requirements for at least the next 12 months.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

(c) Business Expansion and Outlook

 

The following is a description of some of the initiatives that, as of the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we are undertaking or we plan to undertake. There can be no assurance that any of the initiatives will be successful, and we undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any such obligation to, update or revise any of the statements set forth below.

 

In 2004, we have significantly increased the size of the sales force and invested in their training. We have recently decided to maintain the sales force at the current level while we focus on improving the team’s overall productivity. We believe that such productivity increases combined with new products and services should result in an increase in the number of new participating restaurant merchants. Many of these restaurant merchants will be participants in the Dining Credits Purchase Plan and, therefore, we expect to use our capital to fund this growth.

 

Marketing efforts in the hotel rewards product offering will now be expanded to include approximately 600 Canadian hotels we added in October 2004. We also intend to invest in the growth of the dining product offerings in Canada that we commenced earlier this year. We anticipate that our retail initiative will launch in December 2004 with an online mall of a group of national retailers. We expect that all of our future product lines such as retail will be of a Revenue Management nature.

 

The competitive environment in which we operate and an increase in the rate of restaurant merchant attrition suggests that we will need to expand our array of product offerings to improve retention of existing restaurant merchants and attract new merchants to our program. The failure rate in the restaurant industry is quite high. Although we experience merchant attrition due to the closing of restaurants, we also lose merchants as a result of their dissatisfaction with our programs’ impact on their business.

 

We have begun to create and deploy merchant marketing tools that are designed to demonstrate the value of our product offerings in an effort to improve our rate of retention of restaurant merchants. Additionally, we have developed alternative marketing propositions that we believe will have broader applicability to both independent and chain restaurant merchants and we intend to begin making these products available to our restaurant merchants in November 2004. We expect that this expanded array of product offerings will include products that result in more favorable economics for participating restaurant merchants and, therefore, will continue to reduce our sales yield percentage.

 

Beginning in the second quarter of 2004, we started to implement changes to our member rewards and savings propositions. Currently, these changes consist of reduced member benefit levels at certain merchants. Additional changes, expected to be effective during the second half of 2005, are designed to provide enhanced member benefits to some of our more active members relative to some of our less active members and, correspondingly, reduced member benefits to some of our less active members. The tiered member benefit schedule that may result from our planned changes could continue to reduce the percentage of sales represented by member rewards and savings.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Since December 31, 2003, there have been no changes with regard to market risk that would require further quantitative or qualitative disclosure. For our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003, refer to our annual report on Form 10-K, filed on March 12, 2004.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be disclosed in our filings with the SEC. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

On October 1, 2004, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Rewards Network Inc. by Source Inc. The complaint claims that the Company is infringing four patents owned by Source Inc. The complaint seeks among other relief, treble damages due to willful infringement and equitable relief. The Company is investigating the claims asserted by Source Inc. and believes that the complaint is without merit. The Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims. The ultimate cost to the Company from this action is not possible to predict and may not be determined for a number of years.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rewards Network Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-111390), filed on December 19, 2003.
3.2    By-Laws of Rewards Network Inc., as amended, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Rewards Network Inc’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on March 12, 2004.
4.1    Form of Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock of Transmedia Network Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Amendment No. 1 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-84947), filed on October 5, 1999.
4.2    Form of Series A Preferred Stock certificate is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-84947), filed on October 5, 1999.
4.3    Form of Subscription Agreement between Transmedia Network Inc. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 1 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-84947), filed on October 5, 1999.
4.4    Investment Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2000, among Transmedia Network Inc., Gene M. Henderson, Herbert M. Gardner, James M. Callaghan, Gregory J. Robitaille, John A. Ward III, George S. Wiedemann, Christine M. Donohoo, Frank F. Schmeyer, Elliot Merberg, Gerald Fleischman and Thomas J. Litle is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on December 29, 2000.

 

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(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


4.5    Investment Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2000, among Transmedia Network Inc., Minotaur Partners II, L.P., ValueVision International Inc., Dominic Mangone and Raymond Bank is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on December 29, 2000.
4.6    First Amendment, dated February     , 2003, to that certain Investment Agreement, dated April 28, 2000, among iDine Rewards Network Inc., Minotaur Partners II, L.P., ValueVision International Inc., Dominic Mangone and Raymond Bank is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on March 31, 2003.
4.7    Letter Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2002, between iDine Rewards Network Inc. and Samstock, L.L.C. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Amendment No. 1 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on October 7, 2003.
4.8    Second Amended and Restated Investment Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1999, among Transmedia Network Inc., Samstock, L.L.C., EGI-Transmedia Investors, L.L.C. and Robert M. Steiner, as trustee, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 1 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-84947), filed on October 5, 1999.
4.9    Amendment, dated February 5, 2003, to the Second Amended and Restated Investment Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1999, among iDine Rewards Network Inc., Samstock, L.L.C., the former members and distributees of EGI-Transmedia Investors, L.L.C. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to Amendment No. 1 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on October 7, 2003.
4.10    Form of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-49366), filed on November 6, 2000.
4.11    Form of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-49366), filed on November 6, 2000.
4.12    Form of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on November 17, 1997.
4.13    Indenture, dated as of October 15, 2003 and as amended and restated as of February 4, 2004, between Rewards Network Inc. and LaSalle Bank National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to Rewards Network Inc’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on March 12, 2004.
4.14    Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 8, 2003, between iDine Rewards Network Inc. and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on November 14, 2003.
10.1    Lease by and between Equity Office Properties Management, as agent for Two North Riverside Plaza Joint Venture Limited Partnership, and iDine Rewards Network Inc., dated May 5, 2003 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (File No. 001-13806), filed on October 7, 2003.
10.2    Severance and Release Agreement, dated April 28, 2004, between Stephen E. Lerch and Rewards Network Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Reward Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on May 10, 2004.

 

27


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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

Exhibit No.

    

Description


10.3      Rewards Network Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on August 5, 2004.
10.4      Amendment No. 1 to the Rewards Network Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on August 5, 2004.
10.5      Rewards Network Inc. 2004 Non-Employee Director Awards Program is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on August 5, 2004.
10.6      Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2004, by and among Rewards Network Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Letter of Credit Issuer, and the other lenders party thereto is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on November 4, 2004.
10.7 *    Amendment Number One to the Rewards Network Inc. 2004 Non-Employee Director Awards Program
10.8 *    Lease by and between Equity Office Management, L.L.C., as indirect manager of San Felipe Plaza, Ltd.. and Rewards Network Inc., dated June 25, 2004
31.1 *    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2 *    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1 *    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2 *    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
99.1 *    Cautionary Statements

* Filed herewith

 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

(dollar amounts in thousands except average transaction amounts and per share data)—(Continued)

 

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.

 

    

REWARDS NETWORK INC.

November 8, 2004

  

/s/    KENNETH R. POSNER        


    

Kenneth R. Posner

Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration,

and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and on behalf of the registrant)

 

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REWARDS NETWORK INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

EXHIBIT LIST

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rewards Network Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-111390), filed on December 19, 2003.
3.2    By-Laws of Rewards Network Inc., as amended, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Rewards Network Inc’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on March 12, 2004.
4.1    Form of Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock of Transmedia Network Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Amendment No. 1 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-84947), filed on October 5, 1999.
4.2    Form of Series A Preferred Stock certificate is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-84947), filed on October 5, 1999.
4.3    Form of Subscription Agreement between Transmedia Network Inc. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 1 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-84947), filed on October 5, 1999.
4.4    Investment Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2000, among Transmedia Network Inc., Gene M. Henderson, Herbert M. Gardner, James M. Callaghan, Gregory J. Robitaille, John A. Ward III, George S. Wiedemann, Christine M. Donohoo, Frank F. Schmeyer, Elliot Merberg, Gerald Fleischman and Thomas J. Litle is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on December 29, 2000.
4.5    Investment Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2000, among Transmedia Network Inc., Minotaur Partners II, L.P., ValueVision International Inc., Dominic Mangone and Raymond Bank is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on December 29, 2000.
4.6    First Amendment, dated February     , 2003, to that certain Investment Agreement, dated April 28, 2000, among iDine Rewards Network Inc., Minotaur Partners II, L.P., ValueVision International Inc., Dominic Mangone and Raymond Bank is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on March 31, 2003.
4.7    Letter Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2002, between iDine Rewards Network Inc. and Samstock, L.L.C. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Amendment No. 1 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on October 7, 2003.
4.8    Second Amended and Restated Investment Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1999, among Transmedia Network Inc., Samstock, L.L.C., EGI-Transmedia Investors, L.L.C. and Robert M. Steiner, as trustee, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 1 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-84947), filed on October 5, 1999.
4.9    Amendment, dated February 5, 2003, to the Second Amended and Restated Investment Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1999, among iDine Rewards Network Inc., Samstock, L.L.C., the former members and distributees of EGI-Transmedia Investors, L.L.C. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to Amendment No. 1 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on October 7, 2003.


Table of Contents
Exhibit No.

  

Description


4.10    Form of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-49366), filed on November 6, 2000.
4.11    Form of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-49366), filed on November 6, 2000.
4.12    Form of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Transmedia Network Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on November 17, 1997.
4.13    Indenture, dated as of October 15, 2003 and as amended and restated as of February 4, 2004, between Rewards Network Inc. and LaSalle Bank National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to Rewards Network Inc’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on March 12, 2004.
4.14    Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 8, 2003, between iDine Rewards Network Inc. and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on November 14, 2003.
10.1    Lease by and between Equity Office Properties Management, as agent for Two North Riverside Plaza Joint Venture Limited Partnership, and iDine Rewards Network Inc., dated May 5, 2003 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to iDine Rewards Network Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (File No. 001-13806), filed on October 7, 2003.
10.2    Severance and Release Agreement, dated April 28, 2004, between Stephen E. Lerch and Rewards Network Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Reward Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on May 10, 2004.
10.3    Rewards Network Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on August 5, 2004.
10.4    Amendment No. 1 to the Rewards Network Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on August 5, 2004.
10.5    Rewards Network Inc. 2004 Non-Employee Director Awards Program is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13806), filed on August 5, 2004.
10.6    Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2004, by and among Rewards Network Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Letter of Credit Issuer, and the other lenders party thereto is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Rewards Network Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13806), filed on November 4, 2004.
10.7*    Amendment Number One to the Rewards Network Inc. 2004 Non-Employee Director Awards Program
10.8*    Lease by and between Equity Office Management, L.L.C., as indirect manager of San Felipe Plaza, Ltd. and Rewards Network Inc., dated June 25, 2004
31.1*    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2*    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1*    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2*    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
99.1*    Cautionary Statements

* Filed herewith