Durango, Colo., July 8 - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (the "Company"), which franchises gourmet chocolate and confection stores and manufactures an extensive line of premium chocolates and other confectionery products, today reported its operating results for the first quarter of FY2009.
For the three months ended May 31, 2008, revenues declined slightly to approximately $7.1 million, compared with revenues of approximately $7.3 million in the three months ended May 31, 2008. Same-store sales at franchised retail outlets decreased 2.5 percent during the most recent quarter, while same-store pounds of confectionery products purchased from the Company's factory by franchisees declined 14 percent when compared with the same period in FY2008.
Total retail sales for the Company's franchised and Company-owned stores increased 2.4 percent to a first quarter record of approximately $26.6 million, compared with total retail sales of approximately $26.0 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Net earnings for the three months ended May 31, 2008 declined 2.6 percent to $1,004,000, compared with $1,032,000 in the three months ended May 31, 2007. Basic earnings per share increased 6.3 percent to $0.17, versus $0.16 in the first quarter of FY2009, while fully diluted earnings per share were unchanged at $0.16, compared with $0.16 in the first quarter of FY2008.
"In light of widely reported weakness in retail sales throughout the U.S. and lower foot traffic in most shopping environments where we have stores, we are pleased to report record first quarter basic earnings per share and only a slight decline in revenues, when compared with the prior-year period," noted Bryan Merryman, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
"Although same-store sales at franchised retail outlets were down 2.5 percent during the first quarter, royalty and marketing fees rose 11.3 percent and franchise fees more than doubled from prior-year levels. Considering the continuing significant uncertainties surrounding the U.S. economy and retail trends in coming months, combined with lower same-store pounds purchased by franchisees, we continue to feel uncomfortable providing specific revenue and earnings guidance for Fiscal 2009 at the present time. If recent economic and consumer spending trends continue but do not deteriorate further, we are likely to report a modest decline in earnings for the current fiscal year. As previously stated, we will resume our tradition of providing more specific guidance to the investment community when macro-economic factors and product mix trends can be evaluated with greater certainty."
"Franchisees opened eight (8) new stores during the first quarter, and approximately 7-10 new stores are currently scheduled to come on line during the second fiscal quarter. For the fiscal year ending February 28, 2009, store openings appear to be on schedule to reach our target of 35-40 units," concluded Merryman.
During the first quarter of FY2009, franchisees opened new stores in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Burlington, Massachusetts; Houston (Memorial City), Texas; LaHabra, California; Maumee, Ohio; Reno, Nevada; Southlake, Texas and Westminster (Orchard Town Center), Colorado.
On June 13, 2008, the Company paid its 20th consecutive quarterly cash dividend, in the amount of $0.10 per share, to shareholders of record June 2, 2008.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., headquartered in Durango, Colorado, is an international franchiser of gourmet chocolate and confection stores and a manufacturer of an extensive line of premium chocolates and other confectionery products. As of July 8, 2008, the Company and its franchisees currently operate 329 stores in 36 states, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. The Company's common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RMCF".
STORE INFORMATION
New stores opened during
the first three months ended Stores open as of
May 31, 2008 May 31, 2008
United States:
Franchised Stores 8 284
Company-owned Stores 0 4
International Licensed Stores 0 41
Total 8 329
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(in thousands)
May 31, 2008 February 29, 2008
(unaudited) (audited)
Current Assets $8,890 $8,963
Total assets $15,979 $16,147
Current Liabilities $3,191 $3,811
Stockholders' Equity $12,106 $11,655
Interim Unaudited
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
May 31, May 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007
Revenues
Factory sales $5,072 $5,509 71.8% 75.7%
Royalty and marketing
fees 1,442 1,295 20.4% 17.8%
Franchise fees 168 71 2.4% 1.0%
Retail sales 379 404 5.4% 5.5%
Total revenues 7,061 7,279 100.0% 100.0%
Costs and Expenses
Cost of sales 3,697 3,789 52.4% 52.1%
Franchise costs 320 423 4.5% 5.8%
Sales and marketing 391 359 5.5% 4.9%
General and
administrative 625 644 8.9% 8.9%
Retail operating 212 247 3.0% 3.4%
Depreciation and
amortization 198 192 2.8% 2.6%
Total costs and
expenses 5,443 5,654 77.1% 77.7%
Income from Operations 1,618 1,625 22.9% 22.3%
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense (4) - (0.1%) -
Interest income 8 34 0.2% 0.5%
Other, net 4 34 0.1% 0.5%
Income Before Income Taxes 1,622 1,659 23.0% 22.8%
Provision for Income Taxes 618 627 8.8% 8.6%
Net Income 1,004 1,032 14.2% 14.2%
Basic Earnings per
Common Share $0.17 $0.16
Diluted Earnings per
Common Share $0.16 $0.16
Weighted Average Common
Shares Outstanding 5,982 6,381
Dilutive Effect of
Stock Options 127 157
Weighted Average Common
Shares Outstanding,
Assuming Dilution 6,109 6,538