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EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32 - PANERA BREAD COa20150929ex32.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - PANERA BREAD COa20150929ex101.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - PANERA BREAD COa20150929ex311.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - PANERA BREAD COa20150929ex312.htm


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 29, 2015

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: 0-19253

Panera Bread Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
04-2723701
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)

3630 South Geyer Road, Suite 100, St. Louis, MO
63127
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

(314) 984-1000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   x Yes   ¨ No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
                   Large accelerated filer x
                                   Accelerated filer ¨
                   Non-accelerated filer ¨
                                   Smaller reporting company ¨
                   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

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

As of October 27, 2015, the registrant had 23,798,811 shares of Class A common stock ($.0001 par value per share) and 1,381,730 shares of Class B common stock ($.0001 par value per share) outstanding.





PANERA BREAD COMPANY
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS









2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
PANERA BREAD COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share information)
 
September 29, 2015
 
December 30, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
275,177

 
$
196,493

Trade accounts receivable, net
42,764

 
36,584

Other accounts receivable
32,776

 
70,069

Inventories
20,631

 
22,811

Prepaid expenses and other
63,998

 
51,588

Deferred income taxes
33,955

 
28,621

Assets held for sale
38,257

 

Total current assets
507,558

 
406,166

Property and equipment, net
782,099

 
787,294

Other assets:
 
 
 
Goodwill
118,907

 
120,778

Other intangible assets, net
64,400

 
70,940

Deposits and other
10,250

 
5,508

Total other assets
193,557

 
197,226

Total assets
$
1,483,214

 
$
1,390,686

LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
23,234

 
$
19,511

Accrued expenses
305,653

 
333,201

Current portion of long-term debt
19,765

 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
5,135

 

Total current liabilities
353,787

 
352,712

Long-term debt
391,497

 
99,784

Deferred rent
63,614

 
67,390

Deferred income taxes
45,104

 
76,589

Other long-term liabilities
56,053

 
58,027

Total liabilities
910,055

 
654,502

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)


 


STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Common stock, $.0001 par value per share:
 
 
 
Class A, 112,500,000 shares authorized; 30,827,452 issued and 24,021,228 outstanding at September 29, 2015; 30,703,472 issued and 25,442,728 outstanding at December 30, 2014
3

 
3

Class B, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,381,730 issued and outstanding at September 29, 2015; 1,381,865 issued and outstanding at December 30, 2014

 

Treasury stock, carried at cost; 6,806,224 shares at September 29, 2015 and 5,260,744 shares at December 30, 2014
(986,374
)
 
(706,073
)
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value per share; 2,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding at September 29, 2015 and December 30, 2014

 

Additional paid-in capital
230,164

 
214,437

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(5,993
)
 
(1,360
)
Retained earnings
1,335,359

 
1,229,177

Total stockholders’ equity
573,159

 
736,184

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,483,214

 
$
1,390,686


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

3


PANERA BREAD COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share information)

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bakery-cafe sales, net
$
584,664

 
$
545,393

 
$
1,756,464

 
$
1,636,587

Franchise royalties and fees
33,740

 
30,585

 
98,952

 
89,950

Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees
46,250

 
43,912

 
134,399

 
130,161

Total revenues
$
664,654

 
$
619,890

 
$
1,989,815

 
$
1,856,698

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bakery-cafe expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of food and paper products
$
178,700

 
$
165,443

 
$
535,281

 
$
492,524

Labor
190,736

 
170,207

 
561,762

 
500,880

Occupancy
42,835

 
40,357

 
129,083

 
118,845

Other operating expenses
82,706

 
79,094

 
252,150

 
233,625

Total bakery-cafe expenses
494,977

 
455,101

 
1,478,276

 
1,345,874

Fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees
41,643

 
39,100

 
118,161

 
113,842

Depreciation and amortization
33,885

 
31,187

 
100,167

 
90,681

General and administrative expenses
37,575

 
34,460

 
103,515

 
102,112

Pre-opening expenses
2,298

 
2,083

 
6,253

 
5,283

Refranchising loss
2,174

 

 
11,732

 

Total costs and expenses
612,552

 
561,931

 
1,818,104

 
1,657,792

Operating profit
52,102

 
57,959

 
171,711

 
198,906

Interest expense
1,363

 
462

 
2,266

 
1,386

Other (income) expense, net
(55
)
 
(719
)
 
948

 
(5,934
)
Income before income taxes
50,794

 
58,216

 
168,497

 
203,454

Income taxes
18,401

 
19,002

 
62,315

 
72,653

Net income
$
32,393

 
$
39,214

 
$
106,182

 
$
130,801

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.28

 
$
1.47

 
$
4.08

 
$
4.85

Diluted
$
1.27

 
$
1.46

 
$
4.07

 
$
4.83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
25,394

 
26,715

 
26,011

 
26,979

Diluted
25,501

 
26,813

 
26,119

 
27,108


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

4


PANERA BREAD COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Net income
$
32,393

 
$
39,214

 
$
106,182

 
$
130,801

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments
(4,908
)
 

 
(4,908
)
 

Tax (expense) benefit
1,941

 

 
1,941

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment
(963
)
 
(570
)
 
(1,666
)
 
(514
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(3,930
)
 
(570
)
 
(4,633
)
 
(514
)
Comprehensive income
$
28,463

 
$
38,644

 
$
101,549

 
$
130,287


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

5


PANERA BREAD COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
106,182

 
$
130,801

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
100,167

 
90,681

Stock-based compensation expense
11,110

 
8,032

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
(2,023
)
 
(2,733
)
Deferred income taxes
(34,908
)
 
(12,410
)
Refranchising loss
10,786

 

Other
1,928

 
1,434

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effect of acquisitions:
 
 
 
Trade and other accounts receivable, net
33,128

 
17,924

Inventories
682

 
1,486

Prepaid expenses and other
(11,762
)
 
(7,121
)
Deposits and other
(179
)
 
237

Accounts payable
3,723

 
3,100

Accrued expenses
(39,089
)
 
(35,349
)
Deferred rent
2,433

 
(282
)
Other long-term liabilities
(5,669
)
 
(1,162
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
176,509

 
194,638

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment
(153,301
)
 
(155,348
)
Proceeds from refranchising
20,805

 

Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions
10,095

 
10,315

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
1,553

 

Net cash used in investing activities
(120,848
)
 
(145,033
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
299,070

 
100,000

Capitalized debt issuance costs
(363
)
 
(193
)
Payment of deferred acquisition holdback

 
(270
)
Repurchase of common stock
(280,301
)
 
(134,247
)
Exercise of employee stock options

 
863

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
2,023

 
2,733

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee benefit plans
2,594

 
2,374

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
23,023

 
(28,740
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
78,684

 
20,865

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
196,493

 
125,245

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
275,177

 
$
146,110


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

6


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which consist of the accounts of Panera Bread Company and its wholly owned direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), under the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and on a basis substantially consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2014 (“fiscal 2014”). These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with such audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2014, as filed with the SEC on February 23, 2015. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Consolidated Balance Sheet data as of December 30, 2014 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP contained herein.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals) that management considers necessary for a fair statement of the Company's financial position and comprehensive income for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360)”. This update was issued to clarify the reporting for discontinued operations and disclosures for disposals of components of an entity. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures; however, it may impact the reporting of future discontinued operations if and when they occur.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. This update provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 delaying the effective date for adoption. The update is now effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The update permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. This update requires management of the Company to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. This update is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the standard but its adoption is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”. This update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs were not affected by this update. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-03 during the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2015. As a result of the retrospective adoption, the Company reclassified unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.2 million as of December 30, 2014 from Deposits and other to Long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Adoption of this standard did not impact the Company's results of operations or cash flows in either the current or previous interim and annual reporting periods.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”. This update provides guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory, which changes the measurement from lower of cost or market to

7


lower of cost and net realizable value. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments”. This update eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Acquirers would now recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amount of the adjustment. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied prospectively to adjustments for provisional amounts that occur after the effective date with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Divestitures

Refranchising Initiative

In February 2015, the Company announced a plan to refranchise approximately 50 to 150 Company-owned bakery-cafes by December 29, 2015, the end of fiscal 2015.

On March 3, 2015, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of one bakery-cafe to an existing franchisee for cash proceeds of approximately $3.2 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $2.6 million.

The Company recognized impairment losses of $3.8 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2015 related to certain under-performing bakery-cafes in one of the refranchised markets for which the Company had signed letters of intent, which were excluded from the proposed sale.

On July 14, 2015, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of 29 bakery-cafes in the Boston market to an existing franchisee for a purchase price of approximately $19.6 million, including $0.5 million for inventory on hand, with $2.0 million held in escrow for certain holdbacks, and recognized a loss on sale of $0.6 million. The holdback amount is primarily to satisfy any indemnification obligations of the Company and will be held in escrow until July 14, 2017, the two-year anniversary of the transaction closing date, with the remaining balance of the holdback amount reverting to the Company.

As of September 29, 2015, the Company classified as held for sale the assets and certain liabilities of 53 Company-owned bakery-cafes the Company expects to sell during the next 12 months. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, the Company recorded losses on assets held for sale of $1.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively.  The Company classifies assets as held for sale and ceases depreciation of the assets when those assets meet the held for sale criteria, as defined in GAAP. The following summarizes the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities associated with the bakery-cafes classified as held for sale (in thousands):
 
September 29, 2015
Inventories
$
1,005

Property and equipment, net
35,381

Goodwill
1,871

Assets held for sale
$
38,257

 
 
Deferred rent
$
4,065

Asset retirement obligation
1,070

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
$
5,135


Assets held for sale were valued using Level 3 inputs, primarily representing information obtained from signed letters of intent.  Costs to sell are considered in the estimates of fair value for those assets included in Assets held for sale in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following summarizes activity associated with the refranchising initiative recorded in the caption entitled Refranchising loss in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated (in thousands):

8


 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 29,
2015
Loss on assets held for sale (1)
$
1,000

 
$
8,941

Impairment of long-lived assets (1)

 
3,837

Professional fees and severance
596

 
946

Loss (gain) on sale of bakery-cafes (1)
578

 
(1,992
)
Refranchising loss
$
2,174

 
$
11,732


(1)
Amounts for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 are included in the caption entitled Refranchising loss in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as a non-cash adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities.

On October 7, 2015, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of 45 bakery-cafes in the Seattle and Northern California markets to a new franchisee for a purchase price of approximately $26.7 million, including $0.9 million for inventory on hand. Assets and liabilities associated with these bakery-cafes were classified as held for sale as of September 29, 2015.

Note 3. Fair Value Measurements

The following summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
September 29, 2015:
Cash equivalents
$
2

 
$
2

 
$

 
$

Total assets
$
2

 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Interest rate swap liability
$
4,908

 
$

 
$
4,908

 
$

Total liabilities
$
4,908

 
$

 
$
4,908

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 30, 2014:
Cash equivalents
$
92,316

 
$
92,316

 
$

 
$

Total assets
$
92,316

 
$
92,316

 
$

 
$


The fair value of the Company's cash equivalents is based on quoted market prices for identical securities. The fair value of the Company's interest rate swaps are determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected future cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and credit spreads.


9


Note 4. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
September 29, 2015
 
December 30, 2014
Food:
 
 
 
 
Fresh dough facilities:
 
 
 
 
Raw materials
 
$
3,723

 
$
3,413

Finished goods
 
305

 
460

Bakery-cafes:
 
 
 
 
Raw materials
 
13,527

 
15,152

Paper goods
 
3,076

 
3,786

Total
 
$
20,631

 
$
22,811


Note 5. Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
September 29, 2015
 
December 30, 2014
Unredeemed gift cards, net
$
77,207

 
$
105,576

Capital expenditures
70,572

 
56,808

Compensation and related employment taxes
42,094

 
59,442

Insurance
37,339

 
32,559

Taxes, other than income taxes
22,159

 
21,068

Fresh dough and other product operations
8,550

 
6,812

Occupancy costs
8,088

 
7,263

Deferred revenue
6,965

 
5,291

Utilities
5,877

 
5,527

Advertising
4,509

 
10,147

Loyalty program
2,699

 
2,525

Other
19,594

 
20,183

Total
$
305,653

 
$
333,201


Note 6. Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
September 29, 2015
 
December 30, 2014
2014 Term Loan
 
$
100,000

 
$
100,000

2015 Term Loan
 
300,000

 

2015 Note Payable
 
12,680

 

Aggregate unamortized lender fees and issuance costs
 
(1,418
)
 
(216
)
Total carrying amount
 
411,262

 
99,784

Current portion of long-term debt
 
19,765

 

Long-term debt
 
$
391,497

 
$
99,784


Term Loans

On June 11, 2014, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the “2014 Term Loan Agreement”), by and among the Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and other lenders party thereto. The 2014 Term Loan Agreement provides for an unsecured term loan in the amount of $100 million (the "2014 Term Loan"). The 2014 Term Loan is scheduled to mature on June 11, 2019, subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of default, including breaches of representations or covenants, failure to pay other material indebtedness or a change of control of the Company, as defined in the 2014 Term Loan Agreement. The Company incurred lender fees and issuance costs totaling $0.2 million in connection with the

10


issuance of the 2014 Term Loan. The lender fees and issuance costs are being amortized to expense over the term of the 2014 Term Loan.

On July 16, 2015, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the “2015 Term Loan Agreement”), with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and other lenders party thereto. The 2015 Term Loan Agreement provides for an unsecured term loan in the amount of $300 million (the "2015 Term Loan"). The 2015 Term Loan is scheduled to mature on July 16, 2020, subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of default, including breaches of representations or covenants, failure to pay other material indebtedness or a change of control of the Company, as defined in the 2015 Term Loan Agreement, and is amortized in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 1.25 percent of the original principal amount of the 2015 Term Loan. The Company incurred lender fees and issuance costs totaling $1.3 million in connection with the issuance of the 2015 Term Loan. The lender fees and issuance costs are being amortized to expense over the term of the 2015 Term Loan. As of September 29, 2015, $14.7 million of the 2015 Term Loan's carrying amount is presented as the Current portion of long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Each of the 2014 Term Loan and 2015 Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to, at the Company's option, (1) the Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.00 percent to 1.50 percent depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio or (2) the highest of (a) the Bank of America prime rate, (b) the Federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent or (c) the Eurodollar rate plus 1.00 percent, plus a margin ranging from 0.00 percent to 0.50 percent depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Company’s obligations under the 2014 Term Loan Agreement and 2015 Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

The weighted-average interest rate for the 2014 Term Loan, excluding the amortization of issuance costs, was 1.19 percent and 1.18 percent for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015. The weighted-average interest rate for the 2015 Term Loan, excluding the amortization of lender fees and issuance costs, was 1.32 percent for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, respectively. As of September 29, 2015, the carrying amounts of the 2014 Term Loan and 2015 Term Loan approximate fair value as the interest rates approximate current market rates (Level 2 inputs).

On July 16, 2015, in order to hedge the variability in cash flows from changes in benchmark interest rates, the Company entered into two forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate initial notional value of $242.5 million. The forward-starting interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedging instruments. See Note 7 for information on the Company's interest rate swaps.

Installment Payment Agreement

On September 15, 2015, the Company entered into a Master Installment Payment Agreement (the “Master IPA”) with PNC Equipment Finance, LLC (“PNC”) pursuant to which PNC financed the Company's purchase of hardware, software, and services associated with new storage virtualization and disaster recovery systems. The Master IPA provides for a secured note payable in the amount of $12.7 million (the “2015 Note Payable”), payable in five annual installments beginning November 1, 2015 and each September 1st thereafter. As of September 29, 2015, $5.1 million of the 2015 Note Payable is presented as the Current portion of long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Revolving Credit Agreements

On November 30, 2012, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the "2012 Credit Agreement") with Bank of America, N.A. and other lenders party thereto. The 2012 Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility of $250 million that will become due on November 30, 2017. As of December 30, 2014, the Company had no loans outstanding under the 2012 Credit Agreement.

On July 16, 2015, the Company terminated the 2012 Credit Agreement and entered into a new credit agreement (the “2015 Credit Agreement”), with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and each lender from time to time party thereto. The 2015 Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility of $250 million that will become due on July 16, 2020, subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of default, including breaches of representations or covenants, failure to pay other material indebtedness or a change of control of the Company, as defined in the 2015 Credit Agreement. The 2015 Credit Agreement provides that the Company may select interest rates under the credit facility equal to, at the Company's option, (1) the Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.00 percent to 1.50 percent depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio or (2) the highest of (a) the Bank of America prime rate, (b) the Federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent or (c) the Eurodollar rate plus 1.00 percent, plus a margin ranging from 0.00 percent to 0.50 percent depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. As of September 29, 2015, we had no loans outstanding under the 2015 Credit Agreement.


11


The 2014 Term Loan Agreement, 2015 Term Loan Agreement and 2015 Credit Agreement contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants limiting liens, dispositions, fundamental changes, investments, indebtedness, and certain transactions and payments. In addition, such term loan and credit agreements contain various financial covenants that, among other things, require the Company to satisfy two financial covenants at the end of each fiscal quarter: (1) a consolidated leverage ratio less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00, and (2) a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00. As of September 29, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all covenant requirements.

Note 7. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company enters into derivative instruments solely for risk management purposes. To the extent the Company's cash-flow hedging instruments are effective in offsetting the variability in the hedged cash flows, and otherwise meet the cash flow hedge accounting criteria required by FASB Accounting Standards Codification 815, "Derivatives and Hedging", changes in the derivatives' fair value are not included in current earnings but are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. These changes in fair value will be reclassified into earnings at the time of the forecasted transaction. By using these instruments, the Company exposes itself, from time to time, to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. The Company minimizes this credit risk by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties. Market risk is the adverse effect on the value of a financial instrument that results from changes in interest rates. The Company minimizes this market risk by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken.

On July 16, 2015, the Company entered into two forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate initial notional value of $242.5 million to hedge a portion of the cash flows of its term loan borrowings. For each of the swaps, the Company has agreed to exchange with a counterparty the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon principal amount.

The following table summarizes the Company's interest rate swaps as of September 29, 2015:

Trade Date
 
Effective Date
 
Term (in Years)
 
Notional Amount (in thousands)
 
Fixed Rate
July 16, 2015
 
July 11, 2016
 
4
 
$
100,000

 
1.75
%
July 16, 2015
 
July 18, 2016
 
5
 
142,500

 
1.97
%

The notional amount for the interest rate swap with an effective date of July 18, 2016 decreases quarterly by $1.9 million over the five-year term of the interest rate swap beginning in September 2016.

The interest rate swaps, which have been designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, are recorded on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The change in fair value of the interest rate swaps resulted in a loss of approximately $4.9 million as of September 29, 2015, which is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and Other long-term liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. A net of tax loss of approximately $0.4 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings within the next twelve months. For the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015, the Company did not recognize any gain or loss due to hedge ineffectiveness.

The Company does not hold or use derivative instruments for trading purposes. The Company also does not have any derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and has not designated any non-derivatives as hedging instruments.

Note 8. Stockholders' Equity

Share Repurchase Authorization

On June 5, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved a three year share repurchase authorization of up to $600 million of the Company's Class A common stock (the "2014 repurchase authorization"), pursuant to which the Company may repurchase shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and which may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. Repurchased shares may be retired immediately and resume the status of authorized but unissued shares or may be held by the Company as treasury stock. The 2014 repurchase authorization may be modified, suspended or discontinued by the Company's Board of Directors at any time. On April 15, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase of the 2014 repurchase authorization to $750 million.


12


During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, the Company repurchased 1,518,668 shares under the 2014 repurchase authorization, at an average price of $181.05 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $275.0 million. As of September 29, 2015, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,946,189 shares of its Class A common stock under this repurchase program, at a weighted-average price of $175.50 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $341.6 million. There was approximately $408.4 million available under the 2014 repurchase authorization as of September 29, 2015.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
 
Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
 
Total
September 29, 2015:
Net gains (losses), beginning of period
$
(2,063
)
 
$

 
$
(2,063
)
Net gains (losses) recognized before reclassification
(963
)
 
(2,967
)
 
(3,930
)
Net gains (losses) reclassified to earnings

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(963
)
 
(2,967
)
 
(3,930
)
Net gains (losses), end of period
$
(3,026
)
 
$
(2,967
)
 
$
(5,993
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2014:
Net gains (losses), beginning of period
$
(277
)
 
$

 
$
(277
)
Net gains (losses) recognized before reclassification
(570
)
 

 
(570
)
Net gains (losses) reclassified to earnings

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(570
)
 

 
(570
)
Net gains (losses), end of period
$
(847
)
 
$

 
$
(847
)

The following table summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
 
Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
 
Total
September 29, 2015:
Net gains (losses), beginning of period
$
(1,360
)
 
$

 
$
(1,360
)
Net gains (losses) recognized before reclassification
(1,666
)
 
(2,967
)
 
(4,633
)
Net gains (losses) reclassified to earnings

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(1,666
)
 
(2,967
)
 
(4,633
)
Net gains (losses), end of period
$
(3,026
)
 
$
(2,967
)
 
$
(5,993
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2014:
Net gains (losses), beginning of period
$
(333
)
 
$

 
$
(333
)
Net gains (losses) recognized before reclassification
(514
)
 

 
(514
)
Net gains (losses) reclassified to earnings

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(514
)
 

 
(514
)
Net gains (losses), end of period
$
(847
)
 
$

 
$
(847
)

Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Obligations

As of September 29, 2015, the Company has guaranteed the operating leases of 26 franchisee locations, which the Company accounted for in accordance with the accounting requirements for guarantees. These guarantees are primarily a result of the Company's sales of Company-owned bakery-cafes to franchisees, pursuant to which the Company exercised its right to assign the

13


lease for the bakery-cafe but remain liable to the landlord for the remaining lease term in the event of a default by the assignee. These leases have terms expiring on various dates from July 15, 2020 to December 31, 2044, with a maximum potential amount of future rental payments of approximately $76.6 million as of September 29, 2015. The obligations from these leases will decrease over time as these operating leases expire. The Company has not recorded a liability for these guarantees because the fair value of these lease guarantees was determined by the Company to be insignificant individually, and in the aggregate, based on an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each such lease and each such assignee's performance, and the Company did not believe it was probable that it would be required to perform under any guarantees at the time the guarantees were issued. The Company has not had to make any payments related to any of these guaranteed leases. Applicable assignees continue to have primary liability for these operating leases.

Legal Proceedings

On July 2, 2014, a purported class action lawsuit was filed against one of the Company's subsidiaries by Jason Lofstedt, a former employee of one of the Company's subsidiaries. The lawsuit was filed in the California Superior Court, County of Riverside. The complaint alleges, among other things, violations of the California Labor Code, failure to pay overtime, failure to provide meal and rest periods, and violations of California's Unfair Competition Law. The complaint seeks, among other relief, collective and class certification of the lawsuit, unspecified damages, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, and such other relief as the Court might find just and proper. The Company believes its subsidiary has meritorious defenses to each of the claims in the lawsuit and is prepared to vigorously defend the lawsuit. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company's subsidiary will be successful, and an adverse resolution of the lawsuit could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations in the period in which the lawsuit is resolved. The Company is not presently able to reasonably estimate potential losses, if any, related to the lawsuit.

In addition to the legal matter described above, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings, claims, and litigation that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Defending lawsuits requires significant management attention and financial resources and the outcome of any litigation, including the matter described above, is inherently uncertain. The Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations. However, a significant increase in the number of these claims, or one or more successful claims under which the Company incurs greater liabilities than is currently anticipated, could materially and adversely affect its consolidated financial statements.

Other

The Company is subject to ongoing federal and state income tax audits and sales and use tax audits. The Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements. However, a significant increase in the number of these audits, or one or more audits under which the Company incurs greater liabilities than is currently anticipated, could materially and adversely affect the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations. The Company believes reserves for these matters are adequately provided for in its consolidated financial statements.

Note 10. Business Segment Information

The Company operates three business segments. The Company Bakery-Cafe Operations segment is comprised of the operating activities of the bakery-cafes owned by the Company. The Company-owned bakery-cafes conduct business under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.® or Paradise Bakery & Café® names. These bakery-cafes offer some or all of the following: fresh baked goods, made-to-order sandwiches on freshly baked breads, soups, salads, pasta dishes, custom roasted coffees, and other complementary products through on-premise sales, as well as catering.

The Franchise Operations segment is comprised of the operating activities of the franchise business unit, which licenses qualified operators to conduct business under the Panera Bread or Paradise Bakery & Cafe names and also monitors the operations of these bakery-cafes. Under the terms of most of the agreements, the licensed operators pay royalties and fees to the Company in return for the use of the Panera Bread or Paradise Bakery & Cafe names.

The Fresh Dough and Other Product Operations segment supplies fresh dough, produce, tuna, and cream cheese, and indirectly supplies proprietary sweet goods items through a contract manufacturing arrangement, to Company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes. The fresh dough is sold to a number of both Company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes at a delivered cost generally not to exceed 27 percent of the retail value of the end product. The sales and related costs to the franchise-operated bakery-cafes are separately stated line items in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The sales, costs, and operating profit related to the sales to Company-owned bakery-cafes are eliminated in consolidation in the Consolidated Statements of Income.


14


Segment information related to the Company’s three business segments is as follows (in thousands):
 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company bakery-cafe operations
$
584,664

 
$
545,393

 
$
1,756,464

 
$
1,636,587

Franchise operations
33,740

 
30,585

 
98,952

 
89,950

Fresh dough and other product operations
96,198

 
92,789

 
284,089

 
275,353

Intercompany sales eliminations
(49,948
)
 
(48,877
)
 
(149,690
)
 
(145,192
)
Total revenues
$
664,654

 
$
619,890

 
$
1,989,815

 
$
1,856,698

Segment profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company bakery-cafe operations (1)
$
87,513

 
$
90,292

 
$
266,456

 
$
290,713

Franchise operations
32,461

 
29,214

 
95,219

 
85,403

Fresh dough and other product operations
4,607

 
4,812

 
16,238

 
16,319

Total segment profit
$
124,581

 
$
124,318

 
$
377,913

 
$
392,435

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
33,885

 
$
31,187

 
$
100,167

 
$
90,681

Unallocated general and administrative expenses
36,296

 
33,089

 
99,782

 
97,565

Pre-opening expenses
2,298

 
2,083

 
6,253

 
5,283

Interest expense
1,363

 
462

 
2,266

 
1,386

Other (income) expense, net
(55
)
 
(719
)
 
948

 
(5,934
)
Income before income taxes
$
50,794

 
$
58,216

 
$
168,497

 
$
203,454

Depreciation and amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company bakery-cafe operations
$
26,004

 
$
25,593

 
$
78,698

 
$
75,791

Fresh dough and other product operations
2,321

 
2,141

 
6,855

 
6,295

Corporate administration
5,560

 
3,453

 
14,614

 
8,595

Total depreciation and amortization
$
33,885

 
$
31,187

 
$
100,167

 
$
90,681

Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company bakery-cafe operations
$
39,756

 
$
47,896

 
$
117,866

 
$
112,127

Fresh dough and other product operations
3,217

 
2,534

 
7,710

 
9,101

Corporate administration
5,472

 
14,175

 
27,725

 
34,120

Total capital expenditures
$
48,445

 
$
64,605

 
$
153,301

 
$
155,348


(1)
Includes refranchising losses of $2.2 million and $11.7 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, respectively.

 
September 29,
2015
 
December 30,
2014
Segment assets:
 
 
 
Company bakery-cafe operations
$
950,708

 
$
953,896

Franchise operations
11,565

 
13,145

Fresh dough and other product operations
74,556

 
65,219

Total segment assets
$
1,036,829

 
$
1,032,260

 
 
 
 
Unallocated cash and cash equivalents
$
275,177

 
$
196,493

Unallocated trade and other accounts receivable
5,552

 
3,104

Unallocated property and equipment
103,628

 
84,224

Unallocated deposits and other
8,339

 
3,575

Other unallocated assets
53,689

 
71,030

Total assets
$
1,483,214

 
$
1,390,686


“Unallocated cash and cash equivalents” relates primarily to corporate cash and cash equivalents, “unallocated trade and other accounts receivable” relates primarily to rebates and interest receivable, “unallocated property and equipment” relates primarily

15


to corporate fixed assets, “unallocated deposits and other” relates primarily to insurance deposits, and “other unallocated assets” relates primarily to current and deferred income taxes.

Note 11. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except for per share data):
 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Amounts used for basic and diluted per share calculations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
32,393

 
$
39,214

 
$
106,182

 
$
130,801

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — basic
25,394

 
26,715

 
26,011

 
26,979

Effect of dilutive stock-based employee compensation awards
107

 
98

 
108

 
129

Weighted average number of shares outstanding — diluted
25,501

 
26,813

 
26,119

 
27,108

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.28

 
$
1.47

 
$
4.08

 
$
4.85

Diluted
$
1.27

 
$
1.46

 
$
4.07

 
$
4.83


For each of the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 and September 30, 2014, weighted-average outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and stock-settled appreciation rights of approximately 0.1 million shares were excluded in calculating diluted earnings per share as the exercise price exceeded fair market value and the inclusion of such shares would have been antidilutive.

Note 12. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table sets forth supplemental cash flow information (in thousands):
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
1,783

 
$
421

Income taxes
72,519

 
91,469

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
Change in accrued property and equipment purchases
$
13,764

 
$
14,183

Financed property and equipment purchases
12,680

 

Asset retirement obligations
348

 
374


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

Matters discussed in this report and in our public disclosures, whether written or oral, relating to future events or our future performance, including any discussion, expressed or implied, regarding our intention to repurchase shares from time to time under the share repurchase program and the source of funding of such repurchases, our refranchising activities, our anticipated growth, operating results, future earnings per share, plans, objectives, and the impact of our investments in sales-building initiatives and operational capabilities on future sales and earnings, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements are often identified by the words “believe”, “positioned”, “estimate”, “project”, “plan”, “goal”, “target”, “assumption”, “continue”, “intend”, “expect”, “future”, “anticipate”, and other similar expressions, whether in the negative or the affirmative, that are not statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future

16


performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report and in our other public filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2014 and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements and the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations included in this report or other periodic reports represent our estimates as of the date made and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

General

Panera Bread Company and its subsidiaries are referred to as the “Company,” “Panera Bread,” or in the first person notation of “we,” “us,” and “our” in the following discussion.

Our revenues are derived from Company-owned net bakery-cafe sales, fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees, and franchise royalties and fees. Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees are primarily comprised of sales of fresh dough, produce, tuna, and cream cheese to certain of our franchisees. Franchise royalties and fees include royalty income and franchise fees, which includes fees for development and real estate services and information technology services. The cost of food and paper products, labor, occupancy, and other operating expenses relate primarily to Company-owned net bakery-cafe sales. The cost of fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees relates primarily to the sale of fresh dough, produce, tuna, and cream cheese to certain of our franchisees. General and administrative, depreciation and amortization, and pre-opening expenses relate to all areas of revenue generation.

We include in this report information on Company-owned, franchise-operated, and system-wide comparable net bakery-cafe sales percentages. Bakery-cafes in our comparable net bakery-cafe sales percentages include those bakery-cafes with an open date prior to the first day of our prior fiscal year, which we refer to as our base store bakery-cafes. Company-owned comparable net bakery-cafe sales percentages are based on net sales from Company-owned base store bakery-cafes. Franchise-operated comparable net bakery-cafe sales percentages are based on net sales from franchise-operated base store bakery-cafes, as reported by franchisees. System-wide comparable net bakery-cafe sales percentages are based on net sales at Company-owned and franchise-operated base store bakery-cafes. Acquired Company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes and other restaurant or bakery-cafe concepts are included in our comparable net bakery-cafe sales percentages only if we or our franchisee previously held or acquired a 100 percent ownership interest prior to the first day of our prior fiscal year.  Comparable net bakery-cafe sales exclude closed locations.

We do not record franchise-operated net bakery-cafe sales as revenues. However, royalty revenues are calculated based on a percentage of franchise-operated net bakery-cafe sales, as reported by franchisees. We use franchise-operated and system-wide sales information internally in connection with store development decisions, planning, and budgeting analyses. We believe franchise-operated and system-wide sales information is useful in assessing consumer acceptance of our brand, facilitates an understanding of our financial performance and the overall direction and trends of sales and operating income, helps us appreciate the effectiveness of our advertising and marketing initiatives, to which our franchisees also contribute based on a percentage of their net sales, and provides information that is relevant for comparison within the industry.

We also include in this report information on Company-owned, franchise-operated, and system-wide average weekly net sales. Average weekly net sales are calculated by dividing total net sales in the period by operating weeks in the period. Accordingly, year-over-year results reflect sales for all locations, whereas comparable net bakery-cafe sales exclude closed locations and are based on sales only from our base store bakery-cafes. New stores typically experience an opening “honeymoon” period during which they generate higher average weekly net sales in the first 12 to 16 weeks after opening, after which customers “settle-in” to normal usage patterns. On average, average weekly net sales during the “settle-in” period are 5 percent to 10 percent less than during the “honeymoon” period. As a result, year-over-year results of average weekly net sales are generally lower than the results in comparable net bakery-cafe sales. This results from the relationship of the number of bakery-cafes in the “honeymoon” period, the number of bakery-cafes in the “settle-in” period, and the number of bakery-cafes in the comparable bakery-cafe base.

Executive Summary of Results

For the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015, we earned $1.27 per diluted share with the following performance on key metrics: system-wide comparable net bakery-cafe sales increased 2.8 percent (growth of 3.8 percent for Company-owned bakery-cafes and growth of 1.8 percent for franchise-operated bakery-cafes); system-wide average weekly net sales increased 2.4 percent to $47,518 ($48,364 for Company-owned bakery-cafes and $46,734 for franchise-operated bakery-cafes); 24 new bakery-cafes

17


opened system-wide (10 Company-owned bakery-cafes and 14 franchise-operated bakery-cafes); four franchise-operated bakery-cafes closed; and 29 bakery-cafes were sold to an existing franchisee. Additionally, included in diluted earnings per share for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 were charges related to our refranchising initiative of $0.05 per diluted share, as described further in Note 2 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

For the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2014, we earned $1.46 per diluted share with the following performance on key metrics: system-wide comparable net bakery-cafe sales increased 1.4 percent on a calendar basis (growth of 2.1 percent for Company-owned bakery-cafes and growth of 0.7 percent for franchise-operated bakery-cafes); system-wide average weekly net sales increased 0.9 percent to $46,397 ($46,936 for Company-owned bakery-cafes and $45,881 for franchise-operated bakery-cafes); 28 new bakery-cafes opened system-wide (13 Company-owned bakery-cafes and 15 franchise-operated bakery-cafes); and one Company-owned bakery-cafe closed. Additionally, included in diluted earnings per share for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2014 were discrete tax benefits of $0.08 per diluted share.

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, we earned $4.07 per diluted share with the following performance on key metrics: system-wide comparable net bakery-cafe sales grew 1.7 percent (growth of 2.6 percent for Company-owned bakery-cafes and growth of 0.9 percent for franchise-operated bakery-cafes); system-wide average weekly net sales increased 1.3 percent to $47,639 ($48,301 for Company-owned bakery-cafes and $47,008 for franchise-operated bakery-cafes); 79 new bakery-cafes opened system-wide (39 Company-owned bakery-cafes and 40 franchise-operated bakery-cafes); and 13 bakery-cafes closed system-wide (three Company-owned bakery-cafes and ten franchise-operated bakery-cafes). Included in diluted earnings per share for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 were charges related to our refranchising initiative of $0.28 per diluted share, as described further in Note 2 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014, we earned $4.83 per diluted share with the following performance on key metrics: system-wide comparable net bakery-cafe sales increased 0.5 percent on a calendar basis (growth of 0.7 percent for Company-owned bakery-cafes and growth of 0.2 percent for franchise-operated bakery-cafes); system-wide average weekly net sales were generally consistent year-over-year at $47,036 ($47,463 for Company-owned bakery-cafes and $46,627 for franchise-operated bakery-cafes); 74 new bakery-cafes opened system-wide (39 Company-owned bakery-cafes and 35 franchise-operated bakery-cafes); and six bakery-cafes closed system-wide (three Company-owned bakery-cafes and three franchise-operated bakery-cafes). Additionally, included in diluted earnings per share for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014 were discrete tax benefits of $0.08 per diluted share and a $0.08 per diluted share benefit from a favorable resolution of an insurance coverage matter.


18


The following table sets forth the percentage relationship to total revenues, except where otherwise indicated, of certain items included in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated. Percentages may not add due to rounding:

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bakery-cafe sales, net
88.0
 %
 
88.0
 %
 
88.3
%
 
88.1
 %
Franchise royalties and fees
5.1

 
4.9

 
5.0

 
4.8

Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees
7.0

 
7.1

 
6.8

 
7.0

Total revenues
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
 %
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bakery-cafe expenses (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of food and paper products
30.6
 %
 
30.3
 %
 
30.5
%
 
30.1
 %
Labor
32.6

 
31.2

 
32.0

 
30.6

Occupancy
7.3

 
7.4

 
7.3

 
7.3

Other operating expenses
14.1

 
14.5

 
14.4

 
14.3

Total bakery-cafe expenses
84.7

 
83.4

 
84.2

 
82.2

Fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees (2)
90.0

 
89.0

 
87.9

 
87.5

Depreciation and amortization
5.1

 
5.0

 
5.0

 
4.9

General and administrative expenses
5.7

 
5.6

 
5.2

 
5.5

Pre-opening expenses
0.3

 
0.3

 
0.3

 
0.3

Refranchising loss
0.3

 

 
0.6

 

Total costs and expenses
92.2

 
90.7

 
91.4

 
89.3

Operating profit
7.8

 
9.3

 
8.6

 
10.7

Interest expense
0.2

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.1

Other (income) expense, net

 
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.3
)
Income before income taxes
7.6

 
9.4

 
8.5

 
11.0

Income taxes
2.8

 
3.1

 
3.1

 
3.9

Net income
4.9
 %
 
6.3
 %
 
5.3
%
 
7.0
 %

(1)
As a percentage of net bakery-cafe sales.
(2)
As a percentage of fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees.


19


The following table sets forth certain information relating to the number of Company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes for the periods indicated:

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Number of bakery-cafes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company-owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
950

 
891

 
925

 
867

Bakery-cafes opened
10

 
13

 
39

 
39

Bakery-cafes closed

 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Bakery-cafes refranchised (1)
(29
)
 

 
(30
)
 

End of period
931

 
903

 
931

 
903

Franchise-operated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
976

 
927

 
955

 
910

Bakery-cafes opened
14

 
15

 
40

 
35

Bakery-cafes closed
(4
)
 

 
(10
)
 
(3
)
Bakery-cafes refranchised (1)
29

 

 
30

 

End of period
1,015

 
942

 
1,015

 
942

System-wide:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
1,926

 
1,818

 
1,880

 
1,777

Bakery-cafes opened
24

 
28

 
79

 
74

Bakery-cafes closed
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(13
)
 
(6
)
End of period (2)
1,946

 
1,845

 
1,946

 
1,845


(1) In March 2015, we refranchised one bakery-cafe to an existing franchisee. In July 2015, we refranchised 29 bakery-cafes to an existing franchisee.
(2) Excluded from the number of total bakery-cafes were 30 and 13 catering-only units, referred to as delivery hubs, as of September 29, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

Comparable Net Bakery-cafe Sales

The following table sets forth certain information relating to comparable net bakery-cafe sales growth for the periods indicated:

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30, 2014 (1)
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 30, 2014 (1)
Company-owned
3.8
%
 
2.1
%
 
2.6
%
 
0.7
%
Franchise-operated
1.8
%
 
0.7
%
 
0.9
%
 
0.2
%
System-wide
2.8
%
 
1.4
%
 
1.7
%
 
0.5
%

(1) Comparable net bakery-cafe sales for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014 reflects a calendar basis comparison. We believe that calendar basis comparable net bakery-cafe sales percentages better reflects the performance of the business as it eliminates the impact of the extra week in fiscal 2013 and compares consistent calendar weeks.


20


The following table summarizes the composition of Company-owned comparable net bakery-cafe sales growth for the periods indicated:

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015

September 30,
2014

September 29,
2015

September 30,
2014
Price
2.1
%

0.8
 %

1.8
%

1.1
 %
Mix
0.7
%
 
(0.1
)%
 
%
 
 %
Average check
2.8
%
 
0.7
 %
 
1.8
%
 
1.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transactions
1.0
%
 
1.4
 %
 
0.8
%
 
(0.4
)%
Company-owned comparable net bakery-cafe sales growth
3.8
%
 
2.1
 %
 
2.6
%
 
0.7
 %

The year-over-year increase in transactions during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 was due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the effectiveness of our new marketing campaign and momentum from our strategic initiatives. Price growth during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 was 2.1%, as retail prices were adjusted in anticipation of labor and food cost inflation. The increase in mix during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 was primarily due to higher catering sales growth and increased sales of higher-priced items.

The year-over-year increase in transactions during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 was due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the effectiveness of our new marketing campaign and momentum from our strategic initiatives, partially offset by severe weather. Price growth year-over-year during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 was 1.8%, as retail prices were adjusted in anticipation of labor and food cost inflation. Mix was generally flat year-over-year during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 as higher catering sales growth was offset by an increase in breakfast transactions, which carry a lower total average check.

Results of Operations

Revenues

The following table summarizes revenues for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands, except for average weekly net sales information):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
Bakery-cafe sales, net
$
584,664


$
545,393


7.2
%
Franchise royalties and fees
33,740


30,585


10.3
%
Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees
46,250


43,912


5.3
%
Total revenues
$
664,654


$
619,890


7.2
%









System-wide average weekly net sales
$
47,518


$
46,397


2.4
%

 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Bakery-cafe sales, net
$
1,756,464

 
$
1,636,587

 
7.3
%
Franchise royalties and fees
98,952

 
89,950

 
10.0
%
Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees
134,399

 
130,161

 
3.3
%
Total revenues
$
1,989,815

 
$
1,856,698

 
7.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
System-wide average weekly net sales
$
47,639

 
$
47,036

 
1.3
%

21



The growth in total revenues for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014 was primarily due to the opening of 119 new bakery-cafes system-wide since September 30, 2014 and the 2.8 percent and 1.7 percent increase in system-wide comparable net bakery-cafe sales for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, respectively, partially offset by the closure of 18 bakery-cafes system-wide and the refranchising of 30 bakery-cafes since September 30, 2014.

Bakery-cafe sales, net

The following table summarizes net bakery-cafe sales for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands, except for average weekly net sales information):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
Bakery-cafe sales, net
$
584,664


$
545,393


7.2
%
As a percentage of total revenues
88.0
%

88.0
%












Company-owned average weekly net sales
$
48,364


$
46,936


3.0
%
Company-owned number of operating weeks
12,089


11,620


4.0
%

 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Bakery-cafe sales, net
$
1,756,464

 
$
1,636,587

 
7.3
%
As a percentage of total revenues
88.3
%
 
88.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company-owned average weekly net sales
$
48,301

 
$
47,463

 
1.8
%
Company-owned number of operating weeks
36,365

 
34,481

 
5.5
%

The increase in net bakery-cafe sales for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014 was primarily due to the opening of 65 new Company-owned bakery-cafes since September 30, 2014 and the 3.8 percent and 2.6 percent increase in Company-owned comparable net bakery-cafe sales for thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, respectively, partially offset by the closure of seven Company-owned bakery-cafes and the refranchising of 30 bakery-cafes since September 30, 2014.

Franchise royalties and fees

The following table summarizes franchise royalties and fees for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands, except for average weekly net sales information):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
Franchise royalties and fees
$
33,740


$
30,585


10.3
%
As a percentage of total revenues
5.1
%

4.9
%












Franchise-operated average weekly net sales
$
46,734


$
45,881


1.9
%
Franchise-operated number of operating weeks
13,041


12,125


7.6
%


22


 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Franchise royalties and fees
$
98,952

 
$
89,950

 
10.0
%
As a percentage of total revenues
5.0
%
 
4.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Franchise-operated average weekly net sales
$
47,008

 
$
46,627

 
0.8
%
Franchise-operated number of operating weeks
38,172

 
35,992

 
6.1
%

The increase in franchise royalty and fee revenues for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014 was primarily due to the opening of 54 franchise-operated bakery-cafes and the refranchising of 30 bakery-cafes since September 30, 2014 and increased information technology fees, partially offset by the closure of 11 franchise-operated bakery-cafes since September 30, 2014.

As of September 29, 2015, there were 1,015 franchise-operated bakery-cafes open and we had received commitments to open 108 additional franchise-operated bakery-cafes. The timetables for opening these bakery-cafes are established in the respective Area Development Agreements, or ADAs, with franchisees, which provide for the majority of such bakery-cafes to open in the next four to five years. An ADA requires a franchisee to develop a specified number of bakery-cafes by specified dates. If a franchisee fails to develop bakery-cafes on the schedule set forth in the ADA, we have the right to terminate the ADA and develop Company-owned bakery-cafes or develop locations through new franchisees in that market. We may exercise one or more alternative remedies to address defaults by franchisees, including not only development defaults, but also defaults in complying with our operating and brand standards and other covenants included in the ADAs and franchise agreements. We may waive compliance with certain requirements included in our ADAs and franchise agreements if we determine such action is warranted under the particular circumstances.

Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees

The following table summarizes fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees
$
46,250


$
43,912


5.3
%
As a percentage of total revenues
7.0
%

7.1
%




 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees
$
134,399

 
$
130,161

 
3.3
%
As a percentage of total revenues
6.8
%
 
7.0
%
 
 

The increase in fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014 was primarily due to the opening of 54 franchise-operated bakery-cafes and the refranchising of 30 bakery-cafes since September 30, 2014, partially offset by the closure of 11 franchise-operated bakery-cafes since September 30, 2014.

Costs and Expenses

Cost of food and paper products

The cost of food and paper products includes the costs associated with our fresh dough and other product operations that sell fresh dough and other products to Company-owned bakery-cafes, as well as the cost of food and paper products supplied by third-party vendors and distributors. The costs associated with our fresh dough and other product operations that sell fresh dough and other products to the franchise-operated bakery-cafes are excluded from the cost of food and paper products and are shown separately as fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees in our Consolidated Statements of Income.


23


The following table summarizes cost of food and paper products for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
Cost of food and paper products
$
178,700


$
165,443


8.0
%
As a percentage of bakery-cafe sales, net
30.6
%

30.3
%




 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Cost of food and paper products
$
535,281

 
$
492,524

 
8.7
%
As a percentage of bakery-cafe sales, net
30.5
%
 
30.1
%
 
 

The increase in cost of food and paper products as a percentage of net bakery-cafe sales for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014 was primarily due to food cost inflation and a shift in product mix towards higher ingredient cost products, partially offset by improved leverage of our fresh dough manufacturing costs due to additional bakery-cafe openings. For the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015, there was an average of 84 bakery-cafes per fresh dough facility, compared to an average of 79 for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2014. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, there was an average of 83 bakery-cafes per fresh dough facility, compared to an average of 79 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014.

Labor

The following table summarizes labor expense for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
Labor expense
$
190,736


$
170,207


12.1
%
As a percentage of bakery-cafe sales, net
32.6
%

31.2
%




 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Labor expense
$
561,762

 
$
500,880

 
12.2
%
As a percentage of bakery-cafe sales, net
32.0
%
 
30.6
%
 
 

The increase in labor expense as a percentage of net bakery-cafe sales for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014 was primarily a result of increased labor supporting ongoing operational initiatives and wage inflation.

Occupancy

The following table summarizes occupancy cost for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Occupancy
$
42,835

 
$
40,357

 
6.1
%
As a percentage of bakery-cafe sales, net
7.3
%
 
7.4
%
 
 


24


 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Occupancy
$
129,083

 
$
118,845

 
8.6
%
As a percentage of bakery-cafe sales, net
7.3
%
 
7.3
%
 
 

The decrease in occupancy costs as a percentage of net bakery-cafe sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same period in fiscal 2014 was primarily a result of improved leverage from higher comparable net bakery-cafe sales.

Occupancy costs as a percentage of net bakery-cafe sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 remained consistent compared to the same period in fiscal 2014 as improved leverage from higher comparable net bakery-cafe sales was offset by modestly higher common area maintenance costs.

Other operating expenses

The following table summarizes other operating expenses for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
Other operating expenses
$
82,706


$
79,094


4.6
%
As a percentage of bakery-cafe sales, net
14.1
%

14.5
%




 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Other operating expenses
$
252,150

 
$
233,625

 
7.9
%
As a percentage of bakery-cafe sales, net
14.4
%
 
14.3
%
 
 

The decrease in other operating expenses as a percentage of net bakery-cafe sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same period in fiscal 2014 was primarily a result of a recovery received from a vendor, partially offset by increased credit card processing expense.

The increase in other operating expenses as a percentage of net bakery-cafe sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same period in fiscal 2014 was primarily a result of increased credit card processing and other controllable expenses, partially offset by a recovery received from a vendor.

Fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees

The following table summarizes fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
Fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees
$
41,643


$
39,100


6.5
%
As a percentage of fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees
90.0
%

89.0
%




 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees
$
118,161

 
$
113,842

 
3.8
%
As a percentage of fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees
87.9
%
 
87.5
%
 
 


25


The increase in fresh dough and other product costs of sales to franchisees as a percentage of fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014 was primarily the result of higher year-over-year sales of zero margin fresh produce to franchisees.

Depreciation and amortization

The following table summarizes depreciation and amortization for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
Depreciation and amortization
$
33,885


$
31,187


8.7
%
As a percentage of total revenues
5.1
%

5.0
%




 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
Depreciation and amortization
$
100,167

 
$
90,681

 
10.5
%
As a percentage of total revenues
5.0
%
 
4.9
%
 
 

The increase in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of total revenues for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014 was primarily the result of increased depreciation on investments in bakery-cafes and support centers to support ongoing operational initiatives, partially offset by the cessation of depreciation on assets classified as held for sale.

General and administrative expenses

The following table summarizes general and administrative expenses for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 
For the 13 Weeks Ended

Percentage
 
September 29, 2015

September 30, 2014

Change
General and administrative expenses
$
37,575


$
34,460


9.0
%
As a percentage of total revenues
5.7
%

5.6
%




 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
Percentage
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Change
General and administrative expenses
$
103,515

 
$
102,112

 
1.4
%
As a percentage of total revenues
5.2
%
 
5.5
%
 
 

The increase in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same period in fiscal 2014 was primarily a result of costs to support ongoing operational initiatives, partially offset by lower corporate overhead expenses reflecting our previously announced initiative to reduce core general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2015.

The decrease in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to the same period in fiscal 2014 was primarily a result of lower corporate overhead expenses reflecting our previously announced initiative to reduce core general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2015.

Refranchising loss

In February 2015, we announced a plan to refranchise approximately 50 to 150 bakery-cafes by December 29, 2015, the end of fiscal 2015. As of September 29, 2015, we refranchised 30 bakery-cafes and classified as held for sale the assets and certain liabilities of 53 bakery-cafes we expect to sell during the next 12 months.


26


The following table summarizes activity associated with the refranchising initiative for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
 
For the 13 Weeks Ended
 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29,
2015
 
September 29,
2015
Loss on assets held for sale
$
1,000

 
$
8,941

Impairment of long-lived assets

 
3,837

Professional fees and severance
596

 
946

Loss (gain) on sale of bakery-cafes
578

 
(1,992
)
Refranchising loss
$
2,174

 
$
11,732


During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, we recorded losses on assets held for sale of $1.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively. We also recognized impairment losses of $3.8 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 related to certain under-performing bakery-cafes. On March 3, 2015, we sold substantially all of the assets of one bakery-cafe to an existing franchisee for cash proceeds of approximately $3.2 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $2.6 million. On July 14, 2015, we sold substantially all of the assets of 29 bakery-cafes in the Boston market to an existing franchisee for a purchase price of approximately $19.6 million, including $0.5 million for inventory on hand, with $2.0 million held in escrow for certain holdbacks, and recognized a loss on sale of $0.6 million.

Other (income) expense, net

Other (income) expense, net was $0.1 million of income for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to $0.7 million of income for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2014. Other (income) expense, net for both the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015 and September 30, 2014 was comprised of immaterial items.

Other (income) expense, net was $0.9 million of expense for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 compared to $5.9 million of income for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014. Other (income) expense, net for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 was comprised of immaterial items. Other (income) expense, net for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014 was primarily comprised of a $3.2 million benefit from a favorable resolution of an insurance coverage matter.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents were $275.2 million as of September 29, 2015 compared to $196.5 million as of December 30, 2014. This $78.7 million increase was primarily a result of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt of $299.1 million, cash generated from operations during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 of $176.5 million, and proceeds from refranchising, sale-leaseback transactions, and the sale of property and equipment totaling $32.5 million, partially offset by the use of $280.3 million to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock and capital expenditures of $153.3 million. We finance our activities through cash flow generated through operations and term loan borrowings. We also have the ability to further borrow up to $250 million under a credit facility, as described below. Historically, our principal requirements for cash have primarily resulted from the cost of food and paper products, employee labor, the repurchase of shares of our Class A common stock, and our capital expenditures for the development of new Company-owned bakery-cafes, for maintaining or remodeling existing Company-owned bakery-cafes, for purchasing existing franchise-operated bakery-cafes or ownership interests in other restaurant or bakery-cafe concepts, for developing, maintaining or remodeling fresh dough facilities, and for other capital needs such as enhancements to information systems and other infrastructure to support ongoing operational initiatives.

Excluding assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale, we had positive working capital of $120.6 million as of September 29, 2015 compared to positive working capital of $53.5 million as of December 30, 2014. The increase in working capital resulted primarily from the previously described increase in cash and cash equivalents of $78.7 million and a decrease in accrued expenses of $27.5 million, partially offset by a decrease in trade and other accounts receivable of $31.1 million. We believe that cash provided by our operations, our term loan borrowings, and available borrowings under our existing credit facility will be sufficient to fund our cash requirements for the foreseeable future. We have not required significant working capital because customers generally pay using cash or credit and debit cards and because our operations do not require significant receivables, nor do they require significant inventories due, in part, to our use of various fresh ingredients.


27


A summary of our cash flows, for the periods indicated, are as follows (in thousands):

 
For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
Cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
176,509

 
$
194,638

Investing activities
(120,848
)
 
(145,033
)
Financing activities
23,023

 
(28,740
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
78,684

 
$
20,865


Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $176.5 million and $194.6 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Cash provided by operating activities consists primarily of net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, and the net change in operating assets and liabilities.

Cash provided by operating activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 consisted primarily of net income adjusted for non-cash expenses, including charges related to our refranchising initiative and a decrease in trade and other accounts receivable, partially offset by a decrease in accrued expenses, a decrease in the net deferred income tax liability, and an increase in prepaid expenses and other. The decrease in trade and other accounts receivable was primarily due to a decrease in other receivables due to the timing of the holidays near our fiscal year end and a decrease in refundable income taxes due to the timing of payments and the absence of bonus depreciation in fiscal 2015. The decrease in accrued expenses was primarily due to a decrease in the balance of outstanding gift cards. The decrease in the net deferred income tax liability relates primarily to the absence of bonus depreciation in fiscal 2015. The increase in prepaid expenses was primarily due to the timing of insurance prepayments.

Cash provided by operating activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014 consisted primarily of net income adjusted for non-cash expenses and a decrease in trade and other accounts receivable, partially offset by a decrease in accrued expenses. The decrease in trade and other accounts receivable was primarily due to a decrease in other receivables due to the timing of the holidays near our fiscal year end and a decrease in refundable income taxes due to the timing of payments. The decrease in accrued expenses was primarily due to a decrease in the balance of outstanding gift cards and lower incentive compensation accruals.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $120.8 million and $145.0 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Investing activities consists primarily of capital expenditures, proceeds from the refranchising of Company-owned bakery-cafes, the sale and leaseback of bakery-cafes, and the sale of property and equipment.
 
Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures are the largest ongoing component of our investing activities. New and existing bakery-cafe expenditures include costs related to the opening of bakery-cafes and delivery hubs, to remodel and maintain bakery-cafes, and to upgrade systems and equipment in bakery-cafes. Fresh dough facility expenditures include costs related to the opening of new fresh dough facilities and costs to expand, remodel and maintain existing facilities. Support center expenditures primarily include investments in technology infrastructure to create the capabilities needed to support ongoing operational initiatives and costs related to enterprise systems and other capital needs. Capital expenditures, for the periods indicated, were as follows (in thousands):

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For the 39 Weeks Ended
 
September 29, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
New bakery-cafes
$
77,835

 
$
70,311

Existing bakery-cafes
40,031

 
41,816

Fresh dough facilities
7,710

 
9,101

Support centers
27,725

 
34,120

Total
$
153,301

 
$
155,348


Our capital requirements have been and will continue to be significant. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including the pace of expansion, real estate markets, site locations, the nature of the arrangements negotiated with landlords, and the extent of operational initiatives. We believe that cash provided by our operations, our term loan borrowings, and available borrowings under our credit facility will be sufficient to fund our capital requirements in both our short- and long-term future. We continue to anticipate $225 million to $250 million of capital expenditures in fiscal 2015, including the opening of approximately 10 Company-owned delivery hubs, approximately 55 to 65 Company-owned bakery-cafes, and the conversion of approximately 300 Company-owned bakery-cafes to Panera 2.0, which is intended to enhance the experience for both our dine-in and to-go guests. We also expect to refranchise 50 to 150 bakery-cafes by the end of fiscal 2015.

Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities was $23.0 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015. Cash used in financing activities was $28.7 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014. Financing activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015 consisted primarily of $299.1 million of proceeds from term loan borrowings and the use of $280.3 million to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock. Financing activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014 consisted primarily of the use of $134.2 million to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock and $100 million of proceeds from term loan borrowings.

Share Repurchases
On August 23, 2012, our Board of Directors approved a three year share repurchase authorization of up to $600 million of our Class A common stock, which we refer to as the 2012 repurchase authorization, pursuant to which we repurchased shares on the open market under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014, we repurchased 514,357 shares under the 2012 repurchase authorization, at an average price of $170.15 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $87.5 million. On June 5, 2014, our Board of Directors terminated this repurchase authorization.

On June 5, 2014, our Board approved a three year share repurchase authorization of up to $600 million of our Class A common stock, which we refer to as the 2014 repurchase authorization, pursuant to which we may repurchase shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and which may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. Repurchased shares may be retired immediately and resume the status of authorized but unissued shares or may be held by us as treasury stock. The 2014 repurchase authorization may be modified, suspended, or discontinued by our Board at any time. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014, we repurchased 277,644 shares under the 2014 repurchase authorization, at a weighted-average price of $149.84 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $41.6 million. In total, during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2014, we repurchased 790,001 shares under the 2012 and 2014 repurchase authorizations, at an average price of $163.03 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $129.1 million.

On April 15, 2015, our Board of Directors approved an increase of the 2014 repurchase authorization to $750 million. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2015, we repurchased 1,518,668 shares under the 2014 repurchase authorization, at an average price of $181.05 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $275.0 million. As of September 29, 2015, we had repurchased a total of 1,946,189 shares of our Class A common stock under this repurchase program, at a weighted-average price of $175.50 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $341.6 million. There was approximately $408.4 million available under the 2014 repurchase authorization as of September 29, 2015.

Term Loans

On June 11, 2014, we entered into a term loan agreement, or the 2014 Term Loan Agreement, with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and other lenders party thereto. The 2014 Term Loan Agreement provides for an unsecured term loan in the amount of $100 million, or the 2014 Term Loan. The 2014 Term Loan is scheduled to mature on June 11, 2019, subject to

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acceleration upon certain specified events of default, including breaches of representations or covenants, failure to pay other material indebtedness or a change of control, as defined in the 2014 Term Loan Agreement. The 2014 Term Loan Agreement also allows us from time to time to request that the 2014 Term Loan be further increased by an amount not to exceed, in the aggregate, $150 million, subject to the arrangement of additional commitments with financial institutions acceptable to us and Bank of America and other customary terms and conditions.

On July 16, 2015, we entered into a term loan agreement, or the 2015 Term Loan Agreement, with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and other lenders party thereto. The 2015 Term Loan Agreement provides for an unsecured term loan in the amount of $300 million, or the 2015 Term Loan. The 2015 Term Loan is scheduled to mature on July 16, 2020, subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of default, including breaches of representations or covenants, failure to pay other material indebtedness or a change of control, as defined in the 2015 Term Loan Agreement.

Each of the 2014 Term Loan and 2015 Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to, at our option, (1) the Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.00 percent to 1.50 percent depending on our consolidated leverage ratio or (2) the highest of (a) the Bank of America prime rate, (b) the Federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent or (c) the Eurodollar rate plus 1.00 percent, plus a margin ranging from 0.00 percent to 0.50 percent depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. Our obligations under the 2014 Term Loan Agreement and the 2015 Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by certain of our direct and indirect subsidiaries.

On July 16, 2015, in order to hedge the variability in cash flows from changes in benchmark interest rates, we entered into two forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate initial notional value of $242.5 million. The forward-starting interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

Installment Payment Agreement

On September 15, 2015, we entered into a Master Installment Payment Agreement, or the Master IPA, with PNC Equipment Finance, LLC, or PNC, pursuant to which PNC financed our purchase of hardware, software, and services associated with new storage virtualization and disaster recovery systems. The Master IPA provides for a secured note payable in the amount of $12.7 million, or the 2015 Note Payable, payable in five annual installments beginning November 1, 2015 and each September 1st thereafter.

Revolving Credit Agreements

On November 30, 2012, we entered into a credit agreement, or the 2012 Credit Agreement, with Bank of America, N.A. and other lenders party thereto. The 2012 Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility of $250 million that will become due on November 30, 2017. As of December 30, 2014, we had no balance outstanding under the 2012 Credit Agreement.

On July 16, 2015, we terminated the 2012 Credit Agreement and entered into a new credit agreement, or the 2015 Credit Agreement, with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and each lender from time to time party thereto. The 2015 Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility of $250 million that will become due on July 16, 2020, subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of default, including breaches of representations or covenants, failure to pay other material indebtedness or a change of control, as defined in the 2015 Credit Agreement. We may select interest rates under the credit facility equal to, at our option, (1) the Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.00 percent to 1.50 percent depending on our consolidated leverage ratio or (2) the highest of (a) the Bank of America prime rate, (b) the Federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent or (c) the Eurodollar rate plus 1.00 percent, plus a margin ranging from 0.00 percent to 0.50 percent depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. Our obligations under the 2015 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of our direct and indirect subsidiaries. The 2015 Credit Agreement allows us from time to time to request that the credit facility be further increased by an amount not to exceed, in the aggregate, $150 million, subject to the arrangement of additional commitments with financial institutions acceptable to us and Bank of America. As of September 29, 2015, we had no balance outstanding under the 2015 Credit Agreement.

The 2014 Term Loan Agreement, 2015 Term Loan Agreement and 2015 Credit Agreement contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants limiting liens, dispositions, fundamental changes, investments, indebtedness, and certain transactions and payments. In addition, such term loan and credit agreements contain various financial covenants that, among other things, require us to satisfy two financial covenants at the end of each fiscal quarter: (1) a consolidated leverage ratio less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00, and (2) a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00. As of September 29, 2015, we were, and expect to remain, in compliance with all covenant requirements.


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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations is based upon the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions, which we believe to be reasonable, based on the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Variances in the estimates or assumptions used to actual experience could yield materially different accounting results. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the continued appropriateness of our accounting policies and resulting estimates to make adjustments we consider appropriate under the facts and circumstances.

We have chosen accounting policies we believe are appropriate to report accurately and fairly our consolidated operating results and financial position, and we apply those accounting policies in a consistent manner. As described in Item 7., “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2014, we consider our policies on accounting for revenue recognition, valuation of goodwill, self-insurance, income taxes, lease obligations, and the impairment of long-lived assets to be the most critical in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements because they involve the most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. There have been no material changes to our application of critical accounting policies and significant judgments and estimates since December 30, 2014.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

In addition to our planned capital expenditure requirements, we have certain other contractual and committed cash obligations. Our contractual cash obligations consist of non-cancelable operating leases for our bakery-cafes, fresh dough facilities and trucks, and support centers; principal and interest payments related to the term loan borrowings; capital leases; purchase obligations primarily for certain commodities; and uncertain tax positions. Lease terms for our trucks are generally for five to seven years. The reasonably assured lease term for most bakery-cafe and support center leases is the initial non-cancelable lease term plus one renewal option period, which generally equates to an aggregate of 15 years. The reasonably assured lease term for most fresh dough facilities is the initial non-cancelable lease term plus one to two renewal option periods, which generally equates to an aggregate of 20 years. Lease terms generally require us to pay a proportionate share of real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, and other operating costs. Certain bakery-cafe leases provide for contingent rental (i.e. percentage rent) payments based on sales in excess of specified amounts, scheduled rent increases during the lease terms, and / or rental payments commencing on a date other than the date of initial occupancy.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 29, 2015, we have guaranteed the operating leases of 26 franchisee locations, which we account for in accordance with the accounting requirements for guarantees. These guarantees are primarily a result of the sales of Company-owned bakery-cafes to franchisees, pursuant to which we exercised our right to assign the lease for the bakery-cafe but remain liable to the landlord for the remaining lease term in the event of a default by the assignee. These leases have terms expiring on various dates from July 15, 2020 to December 31, 2044, with a maximum potential amount of future rental payments of approximately $76.6 million as of September 29, 2015. Our obligation from these leases will decrease over time as these operating leases expire. We have not recorded a liability for these guarantees because the fair value of these lease guarantees was determined by us to be insignificant individually, and in the aggregate, based on analysis of the facts and circumstances of each such lease and each such assignee's performance, and we did not believe it was probable that we would be required to perform under any guarantees at the time the guarantees were issued. We have not had to make any payments related to any of these guaranteed leases. Applicable assignees continue to have primary liability for these operating leases.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360)”. This update was issued to clarify the reporting for discontinued operations and disclosures for disposals of components of an entity. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures; however, it may impact the reporting of future discontinued operations if and when they occur.


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In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. This update provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 delaying the effective date for adoption. The update is now effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The update permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. This update requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. This update is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of the standard but its adoption is not expected to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”. This update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this update. We early adopted ASU 2015-03 during the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2015. As a result of the retrospective adoption, we reclassified unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.2 million as of December 30, 2014 from Deposits and other to Long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Adoption of this standard did not impact our results of operations or cash flows in the current or previous interim and annual reporting periods.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”. This update provides guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory, which changes the measurement from lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments”. This update eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Acquirers would now recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amount of the adjustment. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied prospectively to adjustments for provisional amounts that occur after the effective date with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk primarily from fluctuations in interest rates on our $400 million term loan borrowings and any borrowings we may make under our revolving credit facility of $250 million. Under the 2015 Credit Agreement, 2014 Term Loan Agreement and 2015 Term Loan Agreement, we may select interest rates equal to (1) LIBOR plus the Applicable Rate for LIBOR loans (which is an amount ranging from 1.00 percent to 1.50 percent for the term loans and 1.00 to 2.00 percent for the credit facility depending on our consolidated leverage ratio) or (2) the Base Rate (which is defined as the highest of the Bank of America prime rate, the Federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent, or LIBOR plus 1.00 percent) plus the Applicable Rate for Base Rate loans (which is an amount ranging from 0.00 percent to 0.50 percent for the term loans and 0.00 percent to 1.00 percent for the credit facility depending on our consolidated leverage ratio). An increase in the present interest rate of 100 basis points on the term loan borrowings would increase annual interest expense by approximately $4.0 million.

On July 16, 2015, in order to hedge the variability in cash flows from changes in benchmark interest rates, we entered into two forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate initial notional value of $242.5 million. The forward-starting interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedging instruments and effectively convert variable rate term loan borrowings to a fixed rate. See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 29, 2015. The term “disclosure controls and procedures”, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act are accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 29, 2015, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the third fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On July 2, 2014, a purported class action lawsuit was filed against one of our subsidiaries by Jason Lofstedt, a former employee of one our subsidiaries. The lawsuit was filed in the California Superior Court, County of Riverside. The complaint alleges, among other things, violations of the California Labor Code, failure to pay overtime, failure to provide meal and rest periods, and violations of California's Unfair Competition Law. The complaint seeks, among other relief, collective and class certification of the lawsuit, unspecified damages, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, and such other relief as the Court might find just and proper. We believe our subsidiary has meritorious defenses to each of the claims in the lawsuit and we are prepared to vigorously defend the lawsuit. There can be no assurance, however, that our subsidiary will be successful, and an adverse resolution of the lawsuit could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations in the period in which the lawsuit is resolved. We are not presently able to reasonably estimate potential losses, if any, related to the lawsuit.

In addition to the legal matter described above, we are subject to other routine legal proceedings, claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business. Defending lawsuits requires significant management attention and financial resources and the outcome of any litigation, including the matters described above, is inherently uncertain. We do not believe the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. However, a significant increase in the number of these claims, or one or more successful claims under which we incur greater liabilities than is currently anticipated, could materially and adversely affect our consolidated financial statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business is subject to a number of risks, some of which are beyond our control. In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Item 1A. - “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2014, as filed with the SEC on February 23, 2015, that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity and that could cause our operating results to vary significantly from period to period. As of September 29, 2015, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, although we may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

During the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2015, we repurchased Class A common stock as follows:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs (2)
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or Programs (2)
July 1, 2015 - July 28, 2015
262,400

 
$
180.11

 
262,400

 
$
486,167,491

July 29, 2015 - September 1, 2015
227,794

 
$
188.32

 
202,900

 
$
448,235,091

September 2, 2015 - September 29, 2015
218,386

 
$
182.87

 
217,588

 
$
408,448,224

Total
708,580

 
$
183.60

 
682,888

 
 

(1)
Includes 25,692 shares of Class A common stock surrendered by participants under the Panera Bread 1992 Stock Incentive Plan and the Panera Bread 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, as payment of applicable tax withholding on the vesting of restricted stock. Shares so surrendered by the participants are repurchased by us pursuant to the terms of those plans and the applicable award agreements and not pursuant to publicly announced share repurchase authorizations.

(2)
Share repurchase authorization of up to $600 million of our Class A common stock approved by the Board of Directors and announced on June 5, 2014 and increased to $750 million on April 15, 2015, pursuant to which we may repurchase shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and which may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. Repurchased shares may be retired immediately and resume the status of authorized but unissued shares or may be held by us as treasury stock. The share repurchase authorization may be modified, suspended or discontinued by our Board of Directors at any time.


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Item 6. Exhibits

See the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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SIGNATURES

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

 
 
 
PANERA BREAD COMPANY
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
October 28, 2015
 
By:
/s/ RONALD M. SHAICH
 
 
 
 
Ronald M. Shaich
 
 
 
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
(principal executive officer)
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
October 28, 2015
 
By:
/s/ MICHAEL J. BUFANO
 
 
 
 
Michael J. Bufano
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(principal financial officer)
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
October 28, 2015
 
By:
/s/ MARK D. WOOLDRIDGE
 
 
 
 
Mark D. Wooldridge
 
 
 
 
VP, Controller, Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
(principal accounting officer)


36



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
Description
 
 
 
 
10.1
General Release, dated as of October 9 2015, by and between the Registrant and Mark Wesley
 
 
 
 
10.2
Credit Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2015, by and among the Registrant, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and each lender party thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-19253), as filed with the Commission on July 21, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
 
 
 
10.3
Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2015 by and among the Registrant, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and each lender party thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-19253), as filed with the Commission on July 21, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
 
 
 
10.4
Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 16, 2015, to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2014, by and among the Registrant, as borrower, Bank of America, as administrative agent, and each lender from time to time party thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-19253), as filed with the Commission on July 21, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
 
 
 
10.5
2005 Long-Term Incentive Program, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-19253), as filed with the Commission of August 10, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
 
 
 
10.6
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for directors under the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-19253), as filed with the Commission on August 10, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
 
 
 
10.7
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-19253), as filed with the Commission on August 10, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
 
 
 
10.8
Form of Stock Settled Appreciation Right Agreement under the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-19253), as filed with the Commission on August 10, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
 
 
 
10.9
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Program, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-19253), as filed with the Commission on August 10, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
 
 
 
10.10
Form of Stock Settled Appreciation Right Agreement under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Program, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-19253), as filed with the Commission on August 10, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
 
 
 
31.1
Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
31.2
Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
32
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 

37


101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 


38