SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q


 

 

x

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

 

 

x

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

For the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011

Commission file number 1-09453

 

ARK RESTAURANTS CORP.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 

 

 

 

New York

 

 

13-3156768


 

 


(State or other jurisdiction of

 

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

 

Identification No.)


 

 

 

 

85 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York

 

 

10003


 

 


(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 206-8800

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 shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant 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).
Yes o No o

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer o

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller

 

reporting company)

Smaller Reporting Company x

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

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

 

 

 

 

Class

 

 

Outstanding shares at May 11, 2011


 

 


(Common stock, $.01 par value)

 

3,494,845



SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We may make statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q regarding our assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference herein relating to management’s current expectations of future financial performance, continued growth and changes in economic conditions or capital markets are 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.

Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “targets,” “will likely result,” “hopes,” “will continue” or similar expressions identify forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. We caution that while we make such statements in good faith and we believe such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in records and other data available from third parties, we cannot assure you that our projections will be achieved. Factors that may cause such differences include: economic conditions generally and in each of the markets in which we are located, the amount of sales contributed by new and existing restaurants, labor costs for our personnel, fluctuations in the cost of food products, adverse weather conditions, changes in consumer preferences and the level of competition from existing or new competitors.

We have attempted to identify, in context, certain of the factors that we believe may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from our current expectation regarding the relevant matter of subject area. In addition to the items specifically discussed above, our business, results of operations and financial position and your investment in our common stock are subject to the risks and uncertainties described in “Item 1A Risk Factors” in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2010 as updated by the information contained under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements are also included in our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, Schedule 14A, our press releases and other materials released to the public. Although we believe that at the time made, the expectations reflected in all of these forward-looking statements are and will be reasonable; any or all forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. This may occur as a result of inaccurate assumptions or as a consequence of known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, certain of which are beyond our control, will be important in determining our future performance. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those that might be anticipated from forward-looking statements. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not regard the inclusion of a forward-looking statement in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or other public communications that we might make as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and Schedule 14A.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “ARKR” and the “Company” refer specifically to Ark Restaurants Corp. and its subsidiaries and predecessor entities.

- 2 -


Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

 

ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2,
2011

 

October 2,
2010

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(Note 1)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents (includes $834 at April 2, 2011 related to VIEs)

 

$

2,672

 

$

2,011

 

Short-term investments in available-for-sale securities

 

 

2,567

 

 

7,438

 

Accounts receivable (includes $1,618 at April 2, 2011 related to VIEs)

 

 

3,955

 

 

2,048

 

Related party receivables, net

 

 

 

 

1,044

 

Employee receivables

 

 

312

 

 

290

 

Current portion of long-term receivables

 

 

34

 

 

102

 

Inventories (includes $22 at April 2, 2011 related to VIEs)

 

 

1,657

 

 

1,652

 

Prepaid income taxes (includes $124 at April 2, 2011 related to VIEs)

 

 

1,079

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (includes $7 at April 2, 2011 related to VIEs)

 

 

512

 

 

797

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

400

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total current assets

 

 

13,188

 

 

15,382

 

FIXED ASSETS - Net (includes $3,887 at April 2, 2011 related to VIEs)

 

 

26,898

 

 

24,113

 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Net

 

 

33

 

 

37

 

GOODWILL

 

 

4,813

 

 

4,813

 

TRADEMARKS

 

 

721

 

 

721

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 

 

6,149

 

 

6,149

 

OTHER ASSETS (includes $141 at April 2, 2011 related to VIEs)

 

 

940

 

 

416

 

 

 



 



 

TOTAL

 

$

52,742

 

$

51,631

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable - trade (includes $217 at April 2, 2011 related to VIEs)

 

$

2,287

 

$

2,423

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (includes $2,364 at April 2, 2011 related VIEs)

 

 

9,155

 

 

7,548

 

Accrued income taxes

 

 

 

 

290

 

Current portion of note payable

 

 

192

 

 

224

 

 

 



 



 

Total current liabilities

 

 

11,634

 

 

10,485

 

OPERATING LEASE DEFERRED CREDIT

 

 

3,497

 

 

3,628

 

NOTE PAYABLE, LESS CURRENT PORTION

 

 

 

 

78

 

 

 



 



 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

 

15,131

 

 

14,191

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $.01 per share - authorized, 10,000 shares; issued, 5,670 shares and 5,668 shares at April 2, 2011 and October 2, 2010, respectively; outstanding, 3,493 shares and 3,491 shares at April 2, 2011 and October 2, 2010, respectively

 

 

57

 

 

57

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

23,238

 

 

23,050

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

3

 

 

8

 

Retained earnings

 

 

18,696

 

 

22,554

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

41,994

 

 

45,669

 

Less stock option receivable

 

 

(29

)

 

(29

)

Less treasury stock, at cost, of 2,177 shares at April 2, 2011 and October 2, 2010

 

 

(10,095

)

 

(10,095

)

 

 



 



 

Total Ark Restaurants Corp. shareholders’ equity

 

 

31,870

 

 

35,545

 

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

5,741

 

 

1,895

 

 

 



 



 

TOTAL EQUITY

 

 

37,611

 

 

37,440

 

 

 



 



 

TOTAL

 

$

52,742

 

$

51,631

 

 

 



 



 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

- 3 -



 

ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 Weeks Ended

 

26 Weeks Ended

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

April 2,
2011

 

April 3,
2010

 

April 2,
2011

 

April 3,
2010

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

(Note 1)

 

 

 

(Note 1)

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food and beverage sales

 

$

30,024

 

$

23,887

 

$

62,279

 

$

48,962

 

Other revenue

 

 

195

 

 

1,226

 

 

353

 

 

1,727

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total revenues (includes $5,748 and $10,515 for the 13-weeks and 26-weeks ended April 2, 2011, respectively, related to VIEs)

 

 

30,219

 

 

25,113

 

 

62,632

 

 

50,689

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food and beverage cost of sales

 

 

8,339

 

 

6,480

 

 

16,877

 

 

13,002

 

Payroll expenses

 

 

10,940

 

 

8,795

 

 

22,086

 

 

17,777

 

Occupancy expenses

 

 

5,086

 

 

3,851

 

 

9,424

 

 

8,069

 

Other operating costs and expenses

 

 

3,892

 

 

3,710

 

 

8,502

 

 

7,295

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

2,360

 

 

2,626

 

 

4,807

 

 

5,071

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,127

 

 

1,023

 

 

2,278

 

 

1,920

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total costs and expenses (includes $4,477 and $8,523 for the 13-weeks and 26-weeks ended April 2, 2011, respectively, related to VIEs)

 

 

31,744

 

 

26,485

 

 

63,974

 

 

53,134

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

OPERATING LOSS

 

 

(1,525

)

 

(1,372

)

 

(1,342

)

 

(2,445

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

4

 

 

8

 

 

9

 

 

16

 

Interest income

 

 

(26

)

 

(15

)

 

(30

)

 

(72

)

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

(208

)

 

(11

)

 

(278

)

 

(5

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total other (income) expense, net

 

 

(230

)

 

(18

)

 

(299

)

 

(61

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Loss before benefit for income taxes

 

 

(1,295

)

 

(1,354

)

 

(1,043

)

 

(2,384

)

Benefit for income taxes

 

 

(278

)

 

(373

)

 

(217

)

 

(596

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

 

(1,017

)

 

(981

)

 

(826

)

 

(1,788

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations of discontinued restaurant (includes a net loss on disposal of $71 for the 13-weeks ended April 2, 2011)

 

 

(93

)

 

 

 

(219

)

 

 

Benefit for income taxes

 

 

(8

)

 

 

 

(39

)

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

 

(85

)

 

 

 

(180

)

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

CONSOLIDATED NET LOSS

 

 

(1,102

)

 

(981

)

 

(1,006

)

 

(1,788

)

Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

(451

)

 

310

 

 

(759

)

 

393

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARK RESTAURANTS CORP.

 

$

(1,553

)

$

(671

)

$

(1,765

)

$

(1,395

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARK RESTAURANTS CORP.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

 

$

(1,468

)

$

(671

)

$

(1,585

)

$

(1,395

)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

(85

)

 

 

 

(180

)

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net loss

 

$

(1,553

)

$

(671

)

$

(1,765

)

$

(1,395

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS PER ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.42

)

$

(0.19

)

$

(0.46

)

$

(0.40

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Diluted

 

$

(0.42

)

$

(0.19

)

$

(0.46

)

$

(0.40

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

From discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.02

)

$

 

$

(0.05

)

$

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Diluted

 

$

(0.02

)

$

 

$

(0.05

)

$

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

From net loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.44

)

$

(0.19

)

$

(0.51

)

$

(0.40

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Diluted

 

$

(0.44

)

$

(0.19

)

$

(0.51

)

$

(0.40

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

3,493

 

 

3,490

 

 

3,493

 

 

3,490

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Diluted

 

 

3,493

 

 

3,490

 

 

3,493

 

 

3,490

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

- 4 -



 

ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited)

FOR THE TWENTY SIX WEEKS ENDED APRIL 3, 2010 AND APRIL 2, 2011

(In Thousands)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Ark
Restaurants
Corp.
Shareholders’
Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Stock
Option
Receivable

 

Treasury
Stock

 

 

Non-
controlling
Interests

 

Total
Equity

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















BALANCE - October 3, 2009

 

5,667

 

$

57

 

$

22,501

 

$

(29

)

$

23,440

 

$

(76

)

$

(10,095

)

$

35,798

 

$

2,304

 

$

38,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,395

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,395

)

 

 

 

(1,395

)

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(393

)

 

(393

)

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










Total comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,361

)

 

(393

)

 

(1,754

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

312

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

312

 

 

 

 

312

 

Payment of dividends - $0.50 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,745

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,745

)

 

 

 

(1,745

)

Repayments on stock option receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

47

 

 

 






























 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE - April 3, 2010

 

5,667

 

$

57

 

$

22,813

 

$

5

 

$

20,300

 

$

(29

)

$

(10,095

)

$

33,051

 

$

1,911

 

$

34,962

 

 

 






























 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE - October 2, 2010

 

5,668

 

$

57

 

$

23,050

 

$

8

 

$

22,554

 

$

(29

)

$

(10,095

)

$

35,545

 

$

1,895

 

$

37,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect adjustment related to consolidation of variable interest entities upon the adoption of the amendments to ASC Topic 810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(348

)

 

 

 

 

 

(348

)

 

3,765

 

 

3,417

 

 

 






























BALANCE - October 3, 2010

 

5,668

 

 

57

 

 

23,050

 

 

8

 

 

22,206

 

 

(29

)

 

(10,095

)

 

35,197

 

 

5,660

 

 

40,857

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,765

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,765

)

 

 

 

(1,765

)

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

759

 

 

759

 

Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,770

)

 

759

 

 

(1,011

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










Exercise of stock options

 

2

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

30

 

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

3

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

155

 

 

 

 

155

 

Distributions to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(678

)

 

(678

)

Payment of dividends - $0.50 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,745

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,745

)

 

 

 

(1,745

)

 

 






























 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE - April 2, 2011

 

5,670

 

$

57

 

$

23,238

 

$

3

 

$

18,696

 

$

(29

)

$

(10,095

)

$

31,870

 

$

5,741

 

$

37,611

 

 

 






























See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

- 5 -



 

ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In Thousands)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26 Weeks Ended

 

 

 


 

 

 

April 2,
2011

 

April 3,
2010

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net loss

 

$

(1,006

)

$

(1,788

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

155

 

 

312

 

Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation

 

 

(3

)

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

2,278

 

 

1,920

 

Equity in loss of affiliate

 

 

 

 

72

 

Operating lease deferred credit

 

 

37

 

 

(116

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(95

)

 

(109

)

Related party receivables

 

 

 

 

(835

)

Inventories

 

 

6

 

 

(126

)

Prepaid and accrued income taxes

 

 

(1,366

)

 

(2,079

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

286

 

 

(159

)

Other assets

 

 

(453

)

 

(1

)

Accounts payable - trade

 

 

(1,468

)

 

(346

)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

778

 

 

370

 

 

 



 



 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(851

)

 

(2,885

)

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of fixed assets

 

 

(1,548

)

 

(1,277

)

Consolidated cash balances of VIEs

 

 

648

 

 

 

Loans and advances made to employees

 

 

(68

)

 

(37

)

Payments received on employee receivables

 

 

46

 

 

347

 

Purchases of investment securities

 

 

(1,891

)

 

(3,737

)

Proceeds from sales of investment securities

 

 

6,757

 

 

9,927

 

Payments received on long-term receivables

 

 

68

 

 

63

 

 

 



 



 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

 

4,012

 

 

5,286

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal payments on note payable

 

 

(110

)

 

(103

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(1,745

)

 

(5,235

)

Proceeds from issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options

 

 

30

 

 

 

Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation

 

 

3

 

 

 

Distributions to non-controlling interests

 

 

(678

)

 

 

Payments received on stock option receivable

 

 

 

 

47

 

 

 



 



 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(2,500

)

 

(5,291

)

 

 



 



 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

661

 

 

(2,890

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period

 

 

2,011

 

 

5,452

 

 

 



 



 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period

 

$

2,672

 

$

2,562

 

 

 



 



 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

9

 

$

18

 

 

 



 



 

Income taxes

 

$

1,115

 

$

1,487

 

 

 



 



 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

- 6 -


ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 2, 2011

(Unaudited)                                               

1. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated condensed balance sheet as of October 2, 2010, which has been derived from audited financial statements included in the Form 10-K, and the unaudited interim consolidated and condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation for the periods presented have been reflected as required by Regulation S-X, Rule 10-01. Such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 2, 2010. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year or any other interim period.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION — The consolidated condensed interim financial statements include the accounts of Ark Restaurants Corp. and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which it has a controlling interest. Also included in the consolidated condensed interim financial statements are certain variable interest entities. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

RECLASSIFICATIONS — Certain reclassifications of prior period balances have been made to conform to the current period presentation. In connection with the planned or actual sale or closure of various restaurants, the operations of these businesses have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified its statements of operations and cash flow data for the prior periods presented. These dispositions are discussed below in “Recent Restaurant Dispositions.”

SEASONALITY — The Company has substantial fixed costs that do not decline proportionally with sales. The first and second fiscal quarters, which include the winter months, usually reflect lower customer traffic than in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. In addition, sales in the third and fourth fiscal quarters can be adversely affected by inclement weather due to the significant amount of outdoor seating at the Company’s restaurants.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits with banks and highly liquid investments generally with original maturities of three months or less. Outstanding checks in excess of account balances, typically vendor payments, payroll and other contractual obligations disbursed after the last day of a reporting period are reported as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheets.

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES — Available-for-sale securities consist primarily of US Treasury Bills and Notes, all of which have a high degree of liquidity and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The cost of investments in available-for-sale securities is determined on a specific identification basis. Realized gains or losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, if any, are reported in Other (Income) Expense, Net. The Company evaluates its investments periodically for possible impairment and reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time which may be sufficient for anticipated recovery in market value.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS — The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, investments, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of notes payable is determined using current applicable rates for similar instruments as of the balance sheet date and approximates the carrying value of such debt.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADOPTED IN FISCAL 2011 — Effective October 3, 2010, the Company adopted amendments to Accounting Standards Code (“ASC”) Topic 810 (formerly FASB Statement of Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 167—Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS No 167”)). This requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both of the following characteristics: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Additionally, an enterprise is required to assess whether it has an

- 7 -


implicit financial responsibility to ensure that a VIE operates as designed when determining whether it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. This statement requires the Company to focus on a more qualitative approach, rather than a quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it also amended certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a VIE, added an additional requirement to assess whether an entity is a VIE, on an ongoing basis, and required enhanced disclosures that provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a VIE. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the consolidation of certain limited partnerships in the quarter ended January 1, 2011. The Company did not retroactively apply this guidance. See Note 2 for additional information regarding the impact of the adoption of this standard on the consolidated condensed financial statements.

2. CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

Upon adoption of the new accounting guidance for VIEs on October 3, 2010, the Company determined that it is the primary beneficiary of two VIEs which had not been previously consolidated, Ark Hollywood/Tampa Investment, LLC and Ark Connecticut Investment, LLC as the new guidance requires that a single party (including its related parties and de facto agents) be able to exercise their rights to remove the decision maker in order for the “kick-out” rights to be considered substantive. Previously, a simple majority of owners that could exercise kick-out rights was considered a substantive right. This change resulted in the need for consolidation.

The assets and liabilities associated with the Company’s consolidation of VIEs are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2,
2011

 

 

 


 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

834

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

1,618

 

Inventories

 

 

22

 

Prepaid income taxes

 

 

124

 

Due from Ark Restaurants Corp and affiliates (1)

 

 

96

 

Other current assets

 

 

7

 

Fixed assets, net

 

 

3,887

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

141

 

 

 



 

Total assets

 

$

6,729

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

217

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

2,364

 

 

 



 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,581

 

Equity of variable interest entities

 

 

4,148

 

 

 



 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

6,729

 

 

 



 


 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts Due from Ark Restaurants Corp. and affiliates are eliminated upon consolidation.

The liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on our general assets; rather, they represent claims against the specific assets of the consolidated VIEs. Conversely, assets recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional assets that could be used to satisfy claims against our general assets.

For the 13-week and 26-week periods ended April 2, 2011, aggregate revenue and operating expenses relating to these VIEs were $5,748,000 and $10,515,000, and $4,477,000 and $8,523,000, respectively, and are included in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations.

3. RECENT RESTAURANT EXPANSION

In August 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to lease the former ESPN Zone space at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino Resort in Las Vegas and re-open the space under the name The Sporting House, which has been licensed from the landlord as well. Such lease is cancellable upon 90 days written notice no earlier than May 31, 2011 and provides for rent based on profits only. This restaurant opened at the end of October 2010 and the Company did not invest significant funds to re-open the space.

In the quarter ended January 1, 2011 the Company combined three fast food outlets located in the Village Eateries in the New York-New York Hotel & Casino Resort in Las Vegas into a new restaurant, The Broadway Burger Bar, which opened at the end of December 2010.

- 8 -


4. RECENT RESTAURANT DISPOSITIONS

The Company was advised by the landlord that it would have to vacate the Gonzalez y Gonzalez property located in New York, NY, which was on a month-to-month lease. The closure of this property occurred on January 31, 2011.

During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010, the Company closed its Pinch & S’Mac operation located in New York City, and re-concepted the location as Polpette, which featured meatballs and other Italian food. Sales at Polpette failed to reach the level sufficient to achieve the results the Company required. As a result, the Company closed this restaurant on February 6, 2011 and it was sold on April 28, 2011 for $400,000, including a four-year note for $100,000 bearing interest at 6%. The Company realized a loss on the sale of $71,000 which was recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as well as operating losses of $22,000 and $148,000 for the 13-weeks and 26-weeks ended April 2, 2011, respectively, all of which are included in discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations.

The following table presents assets that are measured and recognized at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of April 2, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at
April 2, 2011 Using:

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total Losses

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets Held for Sale

 

$

400

 

$

400

 

$

 

$

 

$

71

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets Held for Sale

 

$

400

 

$

400

 

$

 

$

 

$

71

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

5. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The fair values of the Company’s investment securities are determined in accordance with GAAP, with fair value being defined as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the Company utilizes the three-tier value hierarchy, as prescribed by GAAP, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

 

 

 

Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical asset or liability in an active market.

 

 

 

 

Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

 

 

 

Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability.

- 9 -


The following available-for-sale securities (which all mature within one year) are re-measured to fair value on recurring basis and are valued using Level 1 inputs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Holding Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Holding Losses

 

Fair Value

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

At April 2, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale short-term:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government debt securities

 

$

2,564

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

2,567

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Holding Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized

Holding Losses

 

Fair Value

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

At October 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale short-term:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government debt securities

 

$

7,430

 

$

8

 

$

 

$

7,438

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Proceeds from the sale and redemption of investment securities amounted to $6,757,000 and $9,927,000 for the 26-week periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively. No realized gains or losses were included in Other income (expense), net for the 26-week period ended April 2, 2011. Included in Other income (expense), net are realized losses in the amount of $53,000 for the 26-week period ended April 3, 2010 related to these sales and redemptions.

6. RECEIVABLES FROM EMPLOYEES IN RESPECT OF STOCK OPTION EXERCISES

Receivables from employees in respect of stock option exercises includes amounts due from officers and directors totaling $29,000 at April 2, 2011 and October 2, 2010. Such amounts, which are due from the exercise of stock options in accordance with the Company’s Stock Option Plan, are payable on demand with interest at ½% above prime (3.25% at April 2, 2011).

7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Receivables due from officers and employees, excluding stock option receivables, totaled $312,000 at April 2, 2011 and $290,000 at October 2, 2010. Such amounts are payable on demand and bear interest at the minimum statutory rate (0.54% at April 2, 2011).

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of its business, the Company is a party to various lawsuits arising from accidents at its restaurants and worker’s compensation claims, which are generally handled by the Company’s insurance carriers. The employment by the Company of management personnel, waiters, waitresses and kitchen staff at a number of different restaurants has resulted in the institution, from time to time, of litigation alleging violation by the Company of employment discrimination laws. During the second fiscal quarter of 2011 the Company settled a claim for an amount of approximately $350,000 and maintains an accrual of $150,000, which is included in Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities, related to the settlement of additional claims against the Company.

In February 2010, the Company entered into an amendment to its lease for the food court space at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pursuant to this amendment, the Company agreed to, among other things; commit no less than $3,000,000 to remodel the food court by March 2012. In exchange for this commitment, the landlord agreed to extend the food court lease for an additional four years. To date, the Company has spent approximately $1,200,000 related to this commitment in connection with The Broadway Burger Bar construction discussed above.

On March 18, 2011 a subsidiary of the Company entered into a lease agreement to operate a yet to be named restaurant and bar in New York City. In connection with the agreement, the landlord has agreed to contribute up to $1,800,000 towards the construction of the facility, which the Company expects to be $4,000,000 to $5,000,000. The initial term of the lease for this facility will expire on March 31, 2027 and will have one five-year renewal. The Company anticipates the restaurant will open during the first quarter of the 2012 fiscal year.

- 10 -


9. STOCK OPTIONS

The Company has options outstanding under two stock option plans, the 2004 Stock Option Plan (the “2004 Plan”) and the 2010 Stock Option Plan (the “2010 Plan”), which was approved by shareholders in the second quarter of 2010. Effective with this approval, the Company terminated the 2004 Plan. This action terminated the 400 authorized but unissued options under the 2004 Plan but it did not affect any of the options previously issued under the 2004 Plan. Options granted under the 2004 Plan are exercisable at prices at least equal to the fair market value of such stock on the dates the options were granted. The options expire ten years after the date of grant.

The 2010 Plan is the Company’s only equity compensation plan currently in effect. Under the 2010 Plan, 500,000 options were authorized for future grant. Options granted under the 2010 Plan are exercisable at prices at least equal to the fair market value of such stock on the dates the options were granted. The options expire six years after the date of grant. No options have been granted under the 2010 Plan and no options were granted during the 26 weeks ended April 2, 2011.

The fair value of each of the Company’s stock options is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses assumptions that relate to the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock, the expected dividend yield of the Company’s stock, the expected life of the options and the risk free interest rate.

A summary of stock option activity is presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Fair
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

 

 


 


 


 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding, October 2, 2010

 

 

421,064

 

$

22.88

 

$

6.87

 

 

6.5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(2,500

)

$

12.04

 

$

3.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/Cancelled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding and expected to vest at April 2, 2011

 

 

418,564

 

$

22.88

 

$

6.88

 

 

6.0 years

 

$

382,264

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at April 2, 2011

 

 

332,764

 

$

25.76

 

$

7.77

 

 

5.5 years

 

$

192,749

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period during which employees perform related services. As of April 2, 2011, there was approximately $35,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized in the third fiscal quarter of 2011.

Compensation cost for stock options is included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated condensed statements of operations. Compensation cost for stock options was approximately $155,000 and $312,000 for the 26-week periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively and $77,000 and $156,000 for the 13-week periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively.

10. INCOME TAXES

The income tax benefit on losses from continuing operations for the 26-week periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010 reflect effective tax rates of approximately (21%) and (25%), respectively. The Company expects its effective tax rate for its current fiscal year to be significantly lower than the statutory rate as a result of the inclusion of operating income attributable to the non-controlling interests of the VIEs that is not taxable to the Company. The final annual tax rate cannot be determined until the end of the fiscal year; therefore, the actual tax rate could differ from our current estimates.

An audit of the Company’s tax returns for the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 was recently completed by the Internal Revenue Service and did not result in a material adjustment to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

- 11 -


11. LOSS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

Net loss per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period plus, for diluted loss per share, the additional dilutive effect of potential common stock. Potential common stock using the treasury stock method consists of dilutive stock options.

For the 13 and 26-week periods ended April 2, 2011, options to purchase 173,064, 145,500 and 100,000 shares of common stock at a exercise prices of $12.04, $29.60 and $32.15 per share, respectively, were not included in diluted loss per share as their impact was antidilutive.

For the 13 and 26-week periods ended April 3, 2010, options to purchase 176,600, 145,500 and 100,000 shares of common stock at a exercise prices of $12.04, $29.60 and $32.15 per share, respectively, were not included in diluted loss per share as their impact was antidilutive.

12. DIVIDENDS

On December 8, 2010 and April 1, 2011 the Company paid quarterly cash dividends in the amount of $0.25 per share on the Company’s common stock. The Company intends to continue to pay such quarterly cash dividend for the foreseeable future, however, the payment of future dividends is at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and is based on future earnings, cash flow, financial condition, capital requirements, changes in U.S. taxation and other relevant factors.

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 17, 2011 the Company suffered a flood at its Sequoia property located in Washington, DC. Although the exact amount of the loss is not currently determinable, the Company expects to recover substantially all of its losses through insurance proceeds and does not expect amounts not covered by insurance to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

- 12 -



 

 

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

Certain reclassifications of prior year balances have been made to conform to the current year presentation. In connection with the planned or actual sale or closure of various restaurants, the operations of these businesses have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified its statements of operations and cash flow data for the prior periods presented. These dispositions are discussed below in “Recent Restaurant Dispositions.”

Overview

The Company had a loss from continuing operations of ($1,468,000) in the second fiscal quarter of 2011 compared to a loss from continuing operations of ($671,000) in the second fiscal quarter of 2010. This decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in operating income from variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that were consolidated as of October 3, 2010 due to the adoption of new accounting guidance (see below).

Effective October 3, 2010, the Company adopted amendments to ASC 810 (formerly FASB Statement of Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 167—Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS No. 167”)). This guidance requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both of the following characteristics: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Additionally, an enterprise is required to assess whether it has an implicit financial responsibility to ensure that a VIE operates as designed when determining whether it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. This guidance also requires the Company to focus on a more qualitative approach, rather than a quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE, amended certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a VIE, added an additional requirement to assess whether an entity is a VIE on an ongoing basis, and required enhanced disclosures that provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a VIE. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the consolidation of two VIEs which had not been previously consolidated, Ark Hollywood/Tampa Investment, LLC and Ark Connecticut Investment, LLC, as of October 3, 2010. The Company did not retroactively apply this guidance.

The Company has substantial fixed costs that do not decline proportionally with sales. The first and second fiscal quarters, which include the winter months, usually reflect lower customer traffic than in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. In addition, sales in the third and fourth fiscal quarters can be adversely affected by inclement weather due to the significant amount of outdoor seating at the Company’s restaurants.

The following discussion and analysis excludes the impacts of the VIEs consolidated as of October 3, 2010 and whose impacts were included in Other Revenues in prior periods.

Revenues

During the Company’s second fiscal quarter of 2011, revenues of $24,471,000 (excluding revenues from VIEs in the amount of $5,748,000) decreased 2.6% compared to revenues of $25,113,000 in the second fiscal quarter of 2010. This decrease is primarily due to: (i) a decrease in sales at Gonzalez y Gonzalez, which was closed in January 2011, (ii) the impact of management fees related to the VIEs which were included in Other Revenue in the prior period and are now consolidated, as discussed above, and (iii) a slight decrease in sales at most of our properties due to poor weather conditions, partially offset by sales at The Sporting House, in Las Vegas, which opened in October 2010.

          Food and Beverage Same-Store Sales

On a Company-wide basis, same store sales increased 0.7% during the second fiscal quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year. Same-store sales in Las Vegas increased by $553,000 or 4.5% in the second fiscal quarter of 2011 compared to the second fiscal quarter of 2010 primarily as a result of combining three fast food outlets located in the Village Eateries in the New York-New York Hotel & Casino Resort in Las Vegas into a new restaurant, The Broadway Burger Bar, which opened at the end of December 2010. Same-store sales in New York decreased $300,000 or 6.4% during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as a result of poor weather conditions as compared to unusually mild March in the prior year. Same store sales in Washington D.C. decreased by $119,000 or 4.4% during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as a result of poor weather conditions as compared to the prior year. Same-store sales in Atlantic City increased by $113,000, or 20.3% in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to 2010 as result of new ownership at Resorts Casino Hotel and their significant marketing efforts for the property. Same-store sales in Boston decreased $102,000 or 14.0% during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as a result of poor weather conditions as compared to the prior year.

During the Company’s 26-week period ended April 2, 2011, revenues of $52,117,000 (excluding revenues from VIEs in the amount of $10,515,000) increased 2.8% compared to revenues of $50,689,000 in the 26-week period ended April 3, 2010, primarily as a result of sales related to our restaurants Robert in New York City which opened in December 2009 and The

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Sporting House in Las Vegas, which opened in October 2010, offset by a decrease in sales at Gonzalez y Gonzalez, which was closed in January 2011 and the impact of the VIE Management Fees discussed above.

          Other Revenue

The decreases in the Other Revenue for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended April 2, 2011 compared with the comparable periods of the prior year are due to the impact of management fees included in Other Revenue in the prior periods related to VIEs which are now consolidated.

Costs and Expenses

Food and beverage costs for the second quarter of 2011 as a percentage of total revenues were 27.4% (excluding food and beverage costs associated with VIEs in the amount of $1,626,000) as compared to 25.8% for the second quarter of 2010. Food and beverage costs for the 26-weeks ended April 2, 2011 as a percentage of total revenues were 26.7% (excluding food and beverage costs associated with VIEs in the amount of $2,941,000) as compared to 25.7% for the 26-week period ended April 3, 2010. These increases are the result of higher commodity prices in the current fiscal year.

Payroll expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 38.7% for the second quarter of 2011 (excluding payroll expenses associated with VIEs in the amount of $1,458,000) as compared to 35.0% in the second quarter of 2010. Payroll expenses for the 26-weeks ended April, 2, 2011 as a percentage of total revenues were 37.0% (excluding payroll expenses associated with VIEs in the amount of $2,799,000) as compared to 35.1% for the 26-week period ended April 3, 2010. These increases in payroll expenses as a percentage of revenue were primarily due to start-up payroll at The Sporting House in Las Vegas.

Occupancy expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 17.8% during the second fiscal quarter of 2011 (excluding occupancy expenses associated with VIEs in the amount of $735,000) compared to 15.3% in the second quarter of 2010. This increase in occupancy expenses as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to contingent rentals at The Sporting House in Las Vegas. Occupancy expenses for the 26-weeks ended April, 2, 2011 as a percentage of total revenues were 15.4% (excluding occupancy expenses associated with VIEs in the amount of $1,410,000) as compared to 15.9% for the 26-week period ended April 3, 2010. This decrease in occupancy expenses as a percentage of revenue was due to a decrease in insurance premiums combined with increased sales at properties where rents are fixed partially offset by contingent rentals at The Sporting House in Las Vegas.

Other operating costs and expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 13.9% for the second fiscal quarter of 2011 (excluding other operating costs and expenses associated with VIEs in the amount of $496,000) as compared to 14.8% in the second quarter of 2010. This decrease in other operating costs and expenses as a percentage of revenue was due primarily to unusually high other operating cost and expense levels in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Other operating costs and expenses for the 26-weeks ended April, 2, 2011 as a percentage of total revenues were 14.2% (excluding other operating costs and expenses associated with VIEs in the amount of $1,085,000) and were comparable to 14.4% for the 26-week period ended April 3, 2010.

General and administrative expenses (which relate solely to the corporate office in New York City and therefore there is no impact from the VIEs) as a percentage of total revenues were 9.6% and 9.2% for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended April 2, 2011, respectively, compared to 10.5% and 10.0% for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended April 3, 2010, respectively. The decrease in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue is due to the fixed nature of the expenses and the increase in revenues discussed above.

Income Taxes

The income tax benefit on losses from continuing operations for the 26-week periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010 reflect effective tax rates of approximately (21%) and (25%), respectively. The Company expects its effective tax rate for its current fiscal year to be significantly lower than the statutory rate as a result of the inclusion of operating income attributable to the non-controlling interests of the VIEs that is not taxable to the Company. The final annual tax rate cannot be determined until the end of the fiscal year; therefore, the actual tax rate could differ from our current estimates.

An audit of the Company’s tax returns for the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 was recently completed by the Internal Revenue Service and did not result in a material adjustment to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company’s overall effective tax rate in the future will be affected by factors such as the level of losses incurred at the Company’s New York facilities, which cannot be consolidated for state and local tax purposes, pre-tax income earned outside of New York City, the utilization of state and local net operating loss carryforwards and the utilization of FICA tax credits. Nevada has no state income tax and other states in which the Company operates have income tax rates substantially lower in comparison to New York. In order to utilize more effectively tax loss carryforwards at restaurants that were unprofitable, the Company has merged certain profitable subsidiaries with certain loss subsidiaries.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary source of capital has been cash provided by operations. We utilize cash generated from operations to fund the cost of developing and opening new restaurants, acquiring existing restaurants owned by others and remodeling existing restaurants we own.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the 26-week period ended April 2, 2011 was $4,198,000 and resulted from net proceeds from the sales of investment securities and the inclusion of cash balances from VIEs in the amount of $834,000 partially offset by purchases of fixed assets at existing restaurants and the construction of The Broadway Burger Bar located at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the 26-week period ended April 3, 2010 was $5,286,000 and resulted from net proceeds from the sales of investment securities partially offset by purchases of fixed assets at existing restaurants and the construction of Robert in New York City.

Net cash used in financing activities for the 26-week periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010 of $2,500,000 and $5,291,000, respectively was principally used for the payment of dividends.

The Company had a working capital surplus of $1,530,000 at April 2, 2011 (excluding working capital from VIEs in the amount of $24,000) as compared to a working capital surplus of $4,897,000 at October 2, 2010.

On December 8, 2010 and April 1, 2011 the Company paid quarterly cash dividends in the amount of $0.25 per share on the Company’s common stock. We intend to continue to pay such quarterly cash dividend for the foreseeable future, however, the payment of future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and is based on future earnings, cash flow, financial condition, capital requirements, changes in U.S. taxation and other relevant factors.

In February 2010, the Company entered into an amendment to its lease for the food court space at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pursuant to this amendment, the Company agreed to, among other things; commit no less than $3,000,000 to remodel the food court by March 2012. In exchange for this commitment the landlord agreed to extend the food court lease for an additional four years. To date, the Company has spent approximately $1,200,000 related to this commitment in connection with The Broadway Burger Bar construction discussed above.

On March 18, 2011 a subsidiary of the Company entered into a lease agreement to operate a yet to be named restaurant and bar in New York City. In connection with the agreement, the landlord has agreed to contribute up to $1,800,000 towards the construction of the facility, which the Company expects to be $4,000,000 to $5,000,000. The initial term of the lease for this facility will expire on March 31, 2027 and will have one five-year renewal. The Company anticipates the restaurant will open during the first quarter of the 2012 fiscal year.

Recent Restaurant Expansion

In August 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to lease the former ESPN Zone space at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino Resort in Las Vegas and re-open the space under the name The Sporting House, which has been licensed from the landlord as well. Such lease is cancellable upon 90 days written notice no earlier than May 31, 2011 and provides for rent based on profits only. This restaurant opened at the end of October 2010 and the Company did not invest significant funds to re-open the space.

In the quarter ended January 1, 2011 the Company combined three fast food outlets located in the Village Eateries in the New York-New York Hotel & Casino Resort in Las Vegas into a new restaurant, The Broadway Burger Bar, which opened at the end of December 2010.

Recent Restaurant Dispositions

During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010, the Company closed its Pinch & S’Mac operation located in New York City, and re-concepted the location as Polpette, which featured meatballs and other Italian food. Sales at Polpette failed to reach the level sufficient to achieve the results the Company required. As a result, the Company closed this restaurant on February 6, 2011 and it was sold on April 28, 2011 for $400,000, including a four-year note for $100,000 bearing interest at 6%. The Company realized a loss on the sale of $71,000 which was recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as well as operating losses of $22,000 and $148,000 for the 13-weeks and 26-weeks ended April 2, 2011, respectively, all of which are included in discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations.

The Company was advised by the landlord that it would have to vacate the Gonzalez y Gonzalez property located in New York, NY, which was on a month-to-month lease. The closure of this property occurred on January 31, 2011.

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Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements requires the application of certain accounting policies, which may require the Company to make estimates and assumptions of future events. In the process of preparing its consolidated condensed financial statements, the Company estimates the appropriate carrying value of certain assets and liabilities, which are not readily apparent from other sources. The primary estimates underlying the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements include allowances for potential bad debts on accounts and notes receivable, leases, the useful lives and recoverability of its assets, such as property and intangibles, fair values of financial instruments, the realizable value of its tax assets and other matters. Management bases its estimates on certain assumptions, which they believe are reasonable in the circumstances, and actual results could differ from those estimates. Although management does not believe that any change in those assumptions in the near term would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or the results of operations, differences in actual results could be material to the consolidated condensed financial statements.

The Company’s critical accounting policies are described in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 2, 2010. There have been no significant changes to such policies during fiscal 2011, other than the implementation of amendments to ASC 810 (formerly FASB Statement of Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 167—Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS No. 167”)) which required the Company to consolidate certain variable interest entities effective October 3, 2010.

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 1 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements, including those adopted in fiscal 2011 and the expected dates of adoption and the anticipated impact on the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company purchases commodities such as chicken, beef, lobster and shrimp for the Company’s restaurants. The prices of these commodities may be volatile depending upon market conditions. The Company does not purchase forward commodity contracts because the changes in prices for these items have historically been short-term in nature and, in the Company’s view, the cost of the contracts is in excess of the benefits.

The Company’s business is also highly seasonal and dependent on the weather. Outdoor seating capacity, such as terraces and sidewalk cafes, are available for dining only in the warm seasons and then only in clement weather.

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of April 2, 2011 to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to them as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and that all such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations of the Effectiveness of Internal Control

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations of any internal control system, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected.

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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is not subject to any other pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine claims incidental to its business, which the Company does not believe will materially impact results of operations.

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The most significant risk factors applicable to the Company are described in Part I, Item 1A (Risk Factors) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2010 (the “2010 Form 10-K”). There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the 2010 Form 10-K. The risks described in the 2010 Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to management may materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, and/or operating results.

 

 

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

None.

 

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

 

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits


 

 

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32

Certificate of Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

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

 

 

 

Date:

May 17, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

ARK RESTAURANTS CORP.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Weinstein

 

 


 

 

Michael Weinstein

 

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Stewart

 

 


 

 

Robert J. Stewart

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

(Authorized Signatory and Principal

 

Financial and Accounting Officer)

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