|
|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Arden Group 10-K 2008 Documents found in this filing:
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-K (Mark One)
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
Commission file number 0-9904
ARDEN GROUP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Registrants telephone number, including area code (310) 638-2842
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of
each class
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by a check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
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 o Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the price at which the Class A Common Stock last sold on June 29, 2007, the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $154,855,329.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrants class of common stock as of February 29, 2008 was:
3,161,098 shares of Class A Common Stock
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General
The Registrant, Arden Group, Inc. (Company or Arden), is a holding company which conducts operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Arden-Mayfair, Inc. (Arden-Mayfair) and Arden-Mayfairs wholly-owned subsidiary, Gelsons Markets (Gelsons) which operates supermarkets in Southern California. The Company also owns certain real estate properties through a subsidiary, Mayfair Realty, Inc. (Mayfair Realty) which is wholly-owned by the Company and Arden-Mayfair.
Arden is headquartered at 2020 South Central Avenue, Compton, California 90220 and its telephone number is (310) 638-2842.
Market Operations
As of December 29, 2007, Gelsons operated 18 full-service supermarkets in Southern California, which carry both perishable and grocery products, 17 under the name Gelsons and one under the name Mayfair. Gelsons and Mayfair are self-service cash-and-carry markets which offer a broad selection of local and national brands as well as a limited number of private label items. Gelsons targets the consumer who values superior customer service, merchandise, presentation and selection. Gelsons also operates a distribution center in the City of Commerce, California.
Store Formats and Business Strategy
Gelsons business strategy is to offer a comfortable upscale shopping experience which is superior to its competitors in terms of customer service and merchandise quality, selection and presentation. The goal of this strategy is to continue to develop and maintain Gelsons loyal base of customers and appeal to potential new customers. Central elements of this strategy are as follows:
Merchandise The merchandise offerings in the markets are tailored in response to Gelsons customer profile. Gelsons stores, which range in size from approximately 18,000 to 40,000 square feet, typically carry a wide range of items, including traditional grocery categories such as dry groceries, produce, meat, seafood, bakery, dairy, wine and liquor, floral, sushi, vitamins, health and natural food products, health and beauty aids and a selection of organic products. Gelsons perishables are typically premium products, which are rigorously maintained and culled as appropriate to assure quality and freshness. Gelsons merchandising emphasizes specialty items such as imported foods and unusual delicatessen items, and items found in service departments such as seafood, sit-down coffee areas, bakeries and service deli. The Mayfair store offers a merchandise selection which is equal in quality to a Gelsons but generally offers fewer choices.
Service Gelsons emphasizes customer service by offering a variety of service departments including meat, seafood, delicatessen, floral, sushi, cheese and bakery departments. All sushi
1
and most bakery departments are operated by third parties. Some Gelsons stores include additional service departments such as fresh pizza, coffee bars, gelato bars and carving carts offering cooked meats. Additionally, selected stores offer banking and pharmacy services through third parties. Stores are staffed so that, even at peak times, customer checkout time is minimized. In addition to checkers, there are personnel assigned to bagging and carrying out purchases. All employees are encouraged to know customers by name and assist them whenever possible. All stores offer a Company credit card to qualified customers in addition to the option of paying for their purchases with cash, checks, credit or debit cards. Stores are typically open 14 to 17 hours per day, with hours of operation determined by local code, lease provisions or as appropriate for the business characteristics of each community.
Presentation All stores are maintained in accordance with extremely high standards. Personnel continually fill and face shelves with product. Produce and other perishables are trimmed and culled to maintain quality and appearance.
Pricing The pricing strategy at the stores is to be competitive within their market niches, ranging from the more traditional to the more exotic, specialty or high-end retailers.
Expansion and Store Development Management regularly evaluates the feasibility of opening new stores in and outside its existing trade areas and remodeling existing stores in order to maximize the existing stores appeal to consumers and their profit potential. In 2007, capital expenditures totaled $3,824,000.
Advertising and Promotion Gelsons advertises on a limited basis in newspapers and through its newsletter. Advertising focuses on the promotion of events rather than prices; for example, Gelsons emphasizes special holiday selections, new products, specialty items, services and recipes. In addition, Gelsons maintains a website at www.gelsons.com which allows customers to learn more about the Company and to read about food related topics that may be of interest to them. The website also provides an opportunity for customers to request a newsletter, offer feedback and to place catering and holiday meal orders online. The Company reevaluates its strategy regularly in an effort to identify the most effective means of attracting and retaining customers.
Competition
The retail grocery business is highly competitive. Competition in the supermarket business is based upon price, merchandise variety and quality, service and location. The number of stores, market share and brand awareness are also important competitive factors. Gelsons is in direct competition with numerous local outlets of regional and national supermarket chains (most of which have greater resources and a larger market share than Gelsons), independent grocery stores, convenience stores, specialty and gourmet markets and food and grocery departments in mass merchandise and club stores. The stores of the national and regional chains are generally larger than Gelsons stores which, in some cases, enables them to offer more products. Competition also exists from other types of retailers with respect to particular products. Gelsons competes primarily by offering a combination of high-quality products and superior customer service. The Company also believes that Gelsons prime store locations and long-standing reputation add to its competitive strength.
Certain competitors of the Company offer home delivery, in-store banks and pharmacies in addition to their existing retail store operations. The Company continues to monitor and evaluate
2
opportunities for home delivery, but has elected not to do so at this time. A few of the Companys stores offer in-store banks and pharmacies; most of the Companys stores are not large enough for such additional facilities.
Seasonality
Gelsons business is somewhat seasonal with sales tending to increase during the last quarter of the year due to the holiday season.
Support and Other Services
Each store has an on-site stockroom, the size of which varies for each store. In addition, Gelsons operates a 127,000 square foot warehouse and an adjacent 4,000 square foot truck service facility in the City of Commerce, California. The central warehouse distributes fresh produce, liquor, wine, floral and certain grocery items to the stores. On a limited basis, the stores also receive meat, delicatessen, paper goods, health and beauty aids, hardware and supply items from the warehouse.
The bulk of all merchandise purchasing takes place at Gelsons headquarters in Encino, California. Approximately 47% of the purchases for 2007 were distributed through the central warehouse; the remainder was delivered directly to the stores from manufacturers, distributors or wholesalers. The central purchasing and distribution operations are conducted based on electronic in-store ordering systems. Stores can place and receive orders up to six days per week. Perishables are ordered more frequently than other goods.
The largest supplier for the stores is Unified Western Grocers, Inc. (Unified) (formerly Certified Grocers), a grocery wholesale cooperative, which has been a supplier to the Company for approximately thirty-three years and which accounted for approximately 17% of Gelsons purchases in fiscal 2007. No other supplier accounts for more than 3% of Gelsons purchases. The Company believes that there would be a negative short-term impact if the Company were to lose Unified as a supplier for Gelsons, but that such impact would likely be mitigated by a combination of events, which could include: (i) purchasing certain items for direct store delivery, thereby freeing warehouse capacity to allow other items to be purchased through the warehouse and (ii) purchasing certain products through other wholesalers. However, such a loss could have an adverse effect on the performance of Gelsons.
Employees
Gelsons had approximately 1,328 full-time and 1,001 part-time store, warehouse and office employees at December 29, 2007. Most Gelsons employees are covered by union collective bargaining agreements that establish rates of pay, benefits and procedures for the orderly settlement of disputes. In general, these agreements have been negotiated on a local industry-wide basis.
In February 2007, the Company completed negotiation of a new union contract with the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) to replace the contract which expired on March 5, 2007. The Companys employees who are members of the UFCW voted to ratify the new contract in a vote held on February 21 and 23, 2007. The new contract which expires
3
March 5, 2010 discontinues the use of a two-tier wage structure and provides for, among other things, wage increases and modifications to the pension and health and welfare plans. The Company contributes to a multi-employer health care and pension plan trust on behalf of its employees who are members of the UFCW. All employers who participate in a multi-employer plan are required to contribute at the same hourly rate based on straight time hours worked in order to fund the plan. Consequently, the benefit contribution rates that the Company negotiated with the UFCW effective March 2007 were subject to change retroactively based on the outcome of the unions negotiations with the three major grocery retailers in our trade area which were completed in July 2007. The employees of the three major grocery retailers voted to ratify their contract on July 22, 2007. The new agreement expires March 6, 2011, one year after Gelsons contract with the UFCW expires.
In addition to employees at Gelsons, Arden-Mayfair had approximately 69 full-time and 2 part-time employees at its executive and headquarters offices as of December 29, 2007, some of whom are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Governmental Regulation
Gelsons is subject to regulation by a variety of governmental agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and state and local health departments. The Company believes that Gelsons and Mayfair store operations comply in all material respects with federal, state and local health, environmental and other laws and regulations. Although the Company cannot predict the effect of future laws or regulations on its operations, expenditures for continued compliance with current laws are not expected to have a material adverse impact on Gelsons competitive position or the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Available Information
The Company does not have an internet website to make its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available. However, it will provide free of charge upon written request to Assistant Secretary, Arden Group, Inc., P.O. Box 512256, Los Angeles, California 90051-0256 paper copies of its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with the SEC. This information is also available at www.sec.gov. The reference to this website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on the website and should not be considered part of this document.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Certain statements contained in this Item 1A, Item 7 - Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, other parts of this report and other Company filings are forward-looking statements. These statements discuss, among other things, future sales, operating results and financial
4
condition. Forward-looking statements reflect the Companys current plans and expectations regarding important risk factors and are based on information currently known to the Company.
The Company cautions readers that any forward-looking statements contained in this report or made by the management of the Company involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various important factors. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. The factors listed below, among others, could affect the Companys financial results and could cause the Companys financial performance to differ materially from the expectations expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company:
Changes in Economic, Political or Social Conditions
Our profitability may be impacted by overall economic conditions, particularly in Southern California. Changes in economic conditions such as inflation, employment levels, interest rates and tax rates may reduce consumer spending or influence our customers to shift their spending to our competitors. In addition, our business may be subject to interruption from acts of terrorism, national emergencies or natural disasters.
Competition in the Grocery Business
The retail grocery business is intensely competitive with respect to price, food quality and selection, service and location. During the past several years, there has been a consolidation in the supermarket industry. We are in direct competition with numerous local outlets of regional and national supermarket chains, independent grocery stores, convenience stores, specialty and gourmet markets and food and grocery departments in mass merchandise and club stores. There are a number of well established competitors with substantially greater financial, marketing, personnel and other resources than ours, some of which are also nonunion. We frequently face the opening of a new or remodeled competitors store in our trade area. Competition also requires us to periodically remodel our existing stores, at ever-increasing costs, in order to maintain their appeal. An inability to successfully compete with other grocery retailers in our trade areas could prevent us from increasing or sustaining our revenues and profitability.
New Labor Contracts and Labor Stoppages
The majority of our employees belong to unions with which we have signed labor agreements which establish rates of pay, benefits and procedures for the orderly settlement of disputes. In order to continue to attract and retain quality personnel, we may accept terms that increase our operating costs, which in turn, may negatively impact our profitability. If contract negotiations are not successful, the union could recommend that our employees vote to strike our stores, distribution center and offices.
In February 2007, the Company completed negotiations with the UFCW to renew the contract covering the majority of our employees which expired on March 5, 2007. The new contract discontinues the use of a two-tier wage structure and provides for, among other things, wage increases and modifications to the pension and health and welfare plans. Our new contract expires March 5, 2010.
5
In July 2007, the UFCW completed negotiation of a new contract with the three major grocery retailers in our trade area. The wage increases agreed to by these three competitors were somewhat less than the Company agreed to for certain job classifications and experience levels. This could affect our ability to compete with grocery retailers whose labor costs are less than our own. The new agreement between the UFCW and the three major grocery retailers expires on March 6, 2011, one year after Gelsons contract with the UFCW expires.
Retention of Key Personnel
Our success is dependent on our key employees. We must continue to attract, retain and motivate a sufficient number of qualified management and operating personnel including the replacement of senior management upon retirement. Individuals of this caliber are historically in short supply and this shortage may limit our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel, and thus, may hinder our ability to operate effectively.
Changes in Laws or Regulations or Failure to Comply
We are subject to various federal, state and local laws, regulations and licensing requirements which regulate health and sanitation standards, food labeling and handling, the sale of alcoholic beverages, employment, working conditions, citizenship requirements and public accommodations. Changes to such laws or regulations may adversely affect our profitability by increasing our costs or affecting the sale of certain items. In addition, we must comply with state and local fire, zoning, land use and environmental regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations could adversely affect the operation of our existing stores or could delay or prevent the opening of a new store.
Changes in Accounting Standards, Policies and Practices
The issuance of new pronouncements or changes to existing accounting policies and practices could have a significant impact on our reported results or change the way we account for various transactions. New policies and changes to existing rules may adversely affect our reported financial results.
Availability and Retention of Retail Space
We currently lease the majority of our store locations. Typically, our supermarket leases have initial 20-year lease terms and may include options for up to an additional 20 years. The average term remaining on our supermarket leases, including renewal options, is approximately 20 years. Our revenues and profitability would be negatively impacted if we are unable to renew these leases at reasonable rates.
Our continued growth depends to a significant degree on our ability to open or acquire new stores in existing and new trade areas and to operate these stores successfully. Our expansion strategy is dependent on finding suitable locations, and we face intense competition from other retailers for such sites. We may not be able to find suitable locations that meet our demographic requirements at a reasonable cost.
6
The Ability of our Vendors to Supply Products and Services in a Timely Manner
Our business is dependent on our ability to purchase products from a large wholesaler and numerous smaller vendors in a timely manner and at competitive prices. The largest supplier for our stores is Unified, a grocery wholesale cooperative, which has provided product for our stores for approximately thirty-three years. We currently procure approximately 17% of our product from Unified. Any disruption in the business of Unified or any of our other principal suppliers could negatively impact our sales and profitability. Even where we have access to alternative sources of supply, the failure of a supplier to meet our demands may temporarily disrupt store level merchandise selection.
Ability to Control Insurance Coverage Costs and Claims Experience
We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for coverage associated with losses related to workers compensation, general and auto liability, property damage, directors and officers liability, fiduciary, employment practices liability, business interruption, crime, earthquake and health care. If insurance costs increase, it could have a negative impact on our profitability if we are not able to offset the effect of such increases with plan modifications, cost control measures, sales increases or by improving our operating efficiency.
We are self-insured for general and auto liability and, in some prior years, for workers compensation as well. We have stop-loss insurance coverage to limit our exposure on a per claim basis and are insured for covered costs in excess of per claim limits. The Company devotes substantial time and effort to maintaining a safe environment in our stores, warehouse and offices. However, the cost of both insured and self-insured plans is highly dependent upon legal and legislative trends, the inflation rate of premiums and our ability to manage claims.
The Outcome of Current and Future Legal Proceedings
From time to time we are the subject of complaints or litigation from customers alleging injury, food quality or operational concerns. We may be adversely affected by publicity resulting from such allegations, regardless of whether such allegations are valid or whether we are liable. We are also subject to complaints or allegations from former or current employees, claims concerning hazardous substances on our current or previously owned properties, class action suits concerning warning labels and other claims. A lawsuit or claim could result in a decision against us that could have an adverse effect on our business. Additionally, the cost of defending ourselves against lawsuits and claims, regardless of merit, could have a negative impact on our profitability.
Impact of Local Projects in the Vicinity of our Supermarkets
From time to time, local events or projects take place in the vicinity of our stores that may have a negative impact on our sales and profitability.
Stock Price Volatility
The market price of our Class A Common Stock (Class A) could be subject to significant fluctuation in response to various market factors and events including general economic and market conditions, variations in our earnings results, publicity regarding us and our competitors
7
and the grocery business in general. The stock market in recent years has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. Furthermore, there is not a significant volume of trading in our Class A which subjects our stock price to a higher level of volatility and may adversely impact the liquidity of the stock. In March 2007, the Company merged its Stock Bonus Plan into its 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (401(k) Plan) in order to satisfy the new congressionally mandated diversification requirements. Stock previously held for the benefit of participants in the Companys Stock Bonus Plan was transferred to individual participant accounts in the Companys 401(k) Plan. As of December 29, 2007, participants in the Companys 401(k) Plan held 106,838 shares of Class A in the 401(k) Plan. These participants can elect to sell their shares which may have a negative effect on the price of Class A. Fluctuations in our Class A price also impact compensation expense as it relates to our outstanding stock appreciation rights (SARs). See Item 7 - Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further information.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
In November 2006, the Company formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary called Mayfair Realty. At the end of fiscal 2006, most real estate owned by the Company or Arden-Mayfair was transferred to Mayfair Realty.
Mayfair Realty currently owns two freestanding Gelsons supermarket properties and a shopping center in which a Gelsons Market is located. The shopping center owned by Mayfair Realty, located in Calabasas, California, consists of approximately 58,000 leasable square feet, approximately 18,000 square feet of which is leased to multiple tenants and approximately 40,000 square feet of which is leased to Gelsons. Fifteen supermarkets and the warehouse and distribution facilities which service the markets are leased from third parties. Gelsons corporate offices in Encino, California and the Companys executive office in Beverly Hills, California are also leased. Typically, supermarkets have initial 20-year lease terms and may include options for up to an additional 20 years. These leases often require the payment of percentage rent on sales in excess of certain levels in addition to minimum rent. The average term remaining on the supermarket leases, including renewal options, is approximately 20 years. The 18 markets range in size from approximately 18,000 to 40,000 square feet. Gelsons warehouse, distribution and truck service facilities in the City of Commerce, California are leased and contain approximately 131,000 square feet. The term of the lease, including renewal options, expires in January 2021. The Company exercised its right to terminate the lease for its Pasadena store in the Spring of 2005, but the lease was reinstated by mutual agreement on different terms in April 2005.
Mayfair Realty owns a 30,000 square foot office building in Compton, California which serves as the Companys headquarters and a parcel of unimproved land in Rubidoux, California. The Company also owns (through Mayfair Realty) or leases several parcels adjacent to, or near, four of its stores which are used for additional parking. In addition, AMG Holdings, Inc. (AMG Holdings), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arden-Mayfair, leases as a tenant, a 62,000 square foot
8
building in Los Angeles, California consisting of office and warehouse space, which is entirely subleased until the lease on the property expires in 2012.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are involved in a number of pending legal and/or administrative proceedings. Such proceedings are not expected individually or in the aggregate to have a material adverse impact upon either the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See the discussion of Commitments and Contingent Liabilities in Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
There was no matter submitted during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 to a vote of the security holders of the Registrant.
9
Item 5. Market for the Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(a) The Companys Class A is traded in the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol ARDNA. During the past two years, the range of high and low sales prices for each quarterly period was, according to NASDAQ, the following:
(b) As of December 29, 2007, there were 894 holders of record of the Companys Class A, with aggregate holdings of 3,161,098 shares of Class A. This does not include 1,357,200 shares of the Companys Class A owned by AMG Holdings, a wholly-owned second-tier subsidiary of the Company.
(c) The Company declared regular quarterly dividends of 25 cents per share of Class A during fiscal 2007 and 2006. The Company anticipates payment of comparable Class A quarterly dividends in future quarters.
10
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
ARDEN GROUP, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
All years are 52 weeks except 2003 which is 53 weeks.
11
(1) The Companys results of operations and financial position reflect, to some extent, the impact of a labor dispute in the Companys trade areas in 2003 and 2004.
(2) Fiscal 2003 operating income includes a $4,311 (stated in thousands) charge for impairment on long-lived assets related to leasehold improvements and equipment at the Pasadena store.
(3) Prior to November 10, 2004, the Company had two classes of Common Stock including Class B Common Stock (Class B) which was convertible on a share-for-share basis into Class A. Class B stockholders were entitled to share in 90% of the dividends (other than stock dividends) paid to Class A stockholders. On November 10, 2004, Bernard Briskin, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, elected to convert Class B shares beneficially owned by him, including shares beneficially owned with his spouse, into Class A shares. The conversion of these shares triggered the automatic and simultaneous conversion of all remaining Class B shares as provided under the Companys Restated Certificate of Incorporation. After the conversion, the Company has only Class A outstanding and all stockholders participate equally in the undistributed earnings of the Company.
(4) Same store sales increases are calculated by comparing year-over-year sales for stores that were open in both years. If a store was not open for the entire year in both years being compared, then the store is not included in the same store analysis. No stores were closed during any of the periods presented. Fiscal 2003 was a 53-week year. No adjustment was made to remove the additional week for comparison purposes. Store sales used to calculate sales increases, above, do not include revenue from leases, subleases, licensing arrangements and finance charges, and therefore, may not agree to total year-over-year sales increases as disclosed in Item 7 - Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
12
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Certain statements contained in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, other parts of this report and other Company filings are forward-looking statements. These statements discuss, among other things, future sales, operating results and financial condition. Forward-looking statements reflect the Companys current plans and expectations regarding important risk factors and are based on information currently available to us. The Company cautions readers that any forward-looking statements contained in this report or made by the management of the Company involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various important factors. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
Overview
Arden is a holding company which conducts operations through its first and second tier wholly-owned subsidiaries, Arden-Mayfair and Gelsons, respectively. Gelsons operates 18 full-service supermarkets in Southern California. Gelsons caters to the upscale customer who expects superior quality, service and merchandise selection. In addition to the customary supermarket offerings, Gelsons offers specialty items such as imported foods, unusual delicatessen items and organic and natural food products. All Gelsons stores include the typical service departments such as meat, seafood, delicatessen, floral, sushi, cheese and bakery. In addition, some stores offer further services including fresh pizza, coffee bars, gelato bars and carving carts offering cooked meats.
The Companys management focuses on a number of performance indicators in evaluating financial condition and results of operations. Same store sales, gross profit and labor costs are some of the key factors that management considers. Both sales and gross profit are significantly influenced by competition in our trade area. Gelsons already faces competition from regional and national supermarket chains (most of which have greater resources and a larger market share than Gelsons), stores specializing in natural and organic foods, specialty and gourmet markets and grocery departments in mass merchandise and club stores. We anticipate having increased competition from new competitors moving into our trade area. In addition, if the merger trend among our competitors continues, this may impact our ability to compete, as the newly formed larger competitors may possess stronger bargaining power with vendors and suppliers and have greater market recognition among consumers.
Labor and other related payroll costs are the second largest expense (after product cost) incurred by Gelsons, and thus is a financial measure which is carefully monitored by management. As of fiscal 2007 year end, Gelsons had approximately 1,328 full-time and 1,001 part-time store, warehouse and office employees. The majority of Gelsons employees are members of the UFCW. In February 2007, the Company completed negotiation of a new union contract with the UFCW to replace the contract which expired on March 5, 2007. The three major grocery retailers in our trade area had not reached an agreement by this date. The new Gelsons contract starts the elimination process of the two-tier wage configuration and returns it to a single wage structure and provides for, among other things, wage increases and modifications to the Companys pension and health and welfare contribution rates. The Companys employees who
13
are members of the UFCW voted to ratify the new contract in a vote held on February 21 and 23, 2007. The new contract expires March 5, 2010.
The Company contributes to a multi-employer health care and pension plan trust on behalf of its employees who are members of the UFCW. All employers who participate in a multi-employer plan are required to contribute at the same hourly rate based on straight time hours worked in order to fund the plan. Consequently, the benefit contribution rates that the Company negotiated with the UFCW effective March 2007 were subject to change retroactively based on the outcome of the unions negotiations with the three major grocery retailers in our trade area which were completed in July 2007. The employees of the three major grocery retailers voted to ratify their contract on July 22, 2007. The new agreement expires March 6, 2011, one year after Gelsons contract with the UFCW expires. If no extension agreement is reached and Gelsons contract expires prior to the others, it is possible that Gelsons will be required to negotiate separately and suffer a job action if an agreement cannot be reached.
The agreement reached with the UFCW and the three major grocery retailers resulted in a substantial reduction in the average hourly contribution rates for pension and health care. The majority of the reduction relates to the health and welfare fund which, as of the first quarter of 2007, was overfunded in total, for all employers, by approximately $500,000,000. The reduction in the health and welfare contribution rate is expected to substantially reduce the overfunded status of the fund during the term of the new contract between the UFCW and the three major grocery retailers. The change in contribution rates for both pension and health care were retroactive to the beginning of March 2007. The reduction in the contribution rates has and will continue to result in a substantial decrease in the Companys selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense when comparing periods covered by the current and the expired contracts.
The agreement that the majors reached with the UFCW also provides for hourly wage rates based on job classification and experience that, in some cases, are less than those agreed to by Gelsons. This could affect our ability to compete with grocery retailers whose hourly rates are less than our own. Increases in wages provided under the new contract will increase the Companys payroll costs unless it is able to offset the increased expense through a combination of sales growth, increased gross margin, management of labor hours, decreased labor turnover and cost savings in other areas.
Another component of labor related expense is the cost of workers compensation. For claims incurred prior to July 1, 2006, the Company is primarily self-insured through the use of a high deductible policy which provides the Company with stop-loss coverage to limit its exposure on a per claim basis and provides coverage for qualifying costs in excess of per claim limits. Effective July 2006, the Company purchased a one-year fully insured guaranteed cost workers compensation insurance policy to replace the high deductible program for losses occurring after June 30, 2006. The guaranteed cost program eliminates the Companys risk against claims occurring after June 30, 2006 and has resulted in a decrease in workers compensation expense. Effective July 2007, the Company entered into another one-year fully insured guaranteed cost workers compensation insurance policy at a significantly lower rate compared to the previous policy year which will further reduce SG&A expense through June 30, 2008. The Company continues to maintain an accrual for claims incurred prior to July 2006 under the high deductible program. That accrual is based on both undeveloped reported claims and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. While the Company devotes substantial time and commitment to
14
maintaining a safe work environment, the ultimate cost of workers compensation is highly dependent upon legal and legislative trends, the inflation rate of health care costs and the Companys ability to manage claims.
In the past, the Companys quarterly results have reflected significant fluctuations in operating income as a result of adjustments recorded to reflect the change in the fair value of SARs that have been granted to non-employee directors and certain employees. Each SAR entitles the holder to receive cash upon exercise equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of the Companys Class A, as determined in accordance with the SARs agreement, on the date of exercise over the fair market value of such share on the date granted. Fluctuations in the market price of the Companys Class A from the end of the previous fiscal year impact the recognition or reversal of SARs compensation expense in the year being reported upon. Since the Company cannot predict future fluctuations in the market price of its stock, it also cannot forecast future SARs compensation expense adjustments and the extent to which operating income will be impacted.
Results of Operations
2007 Compared to 2006
Net income in 2007 increased 25.8% to $29,207,000 compared to $23,224,000 during 2006. Operating income increased 23.2% to $45,177,000 in 2007 compared to $36,680,000 in 2006.
Sales from the Companys 18 supermarkets (all of which are located in Southern California), including revenue from licensing arrangements, subleases, leases and finance charges, were $485,939,000 in 2007. This represents an increase of .7% from 2006, when sales were $482,737,000. The Company has experienced sales growth due to product pricing decisions (primarily due to product cost increases) partially offset by a decrease in customer count. Sales during 2007 were influenced by increased competition in our trade area from new competitors entering our market. In addition, the merger trend amongst our competitors resulted in larger companies that possess stronger market recognition.
The Companys gross profit as a percent of sales was 38.7% in 2007 compared to 38.6% in 2006. In calculating gross profit, the Company deducts product costs, net of discounts and allowances, and inbound freight charges, as well as warehouse, transportation, purchasing, advertising and occupancy costs in cost of sales. Gross profit as a percent of sales for the Company may not be comparable to those of other companies in the grocery industry since there may be differences in recording certain costs as cost of sales or as SG&A expense.
SG&A expense as a percent of sales was 29.4% in 2007 compared to 31.0% in 2006. The Companys provision for all union pension and health care plans decreased 31.4% to $15,120,000 in 2007 compared to $22,032,000 in 2006 due to a reduction in the average hourly contribution rates for pension and health care as discussed above as well as a slight decrease in the number of hours eligible for contributions. Workers compensation expense also decreased 39.5% to $2,992,000 in 2007 compared to $4,945,000 in 2006 as discussed above. Finally, lower SARs compensation expense in 2007 compared to the prior year also contributed to the decrease in SG&A expense as a percent of sales. During 2007, the Company recognized $2,908,000 of SARs compensation expense compared to $3,671,000 in 2006. The decrease in SG&A expense
15
was partially offset by an increase in labor costs as a result of the new contract with the UFCW as discussed above.
The Company contributes to several multi-employer union pension and health care plans. Pension and health care payments are determined based on straight-time hours worked and the contribution rate as stipulated in the Companys various collective bargaining agreements. The Company recognized union pension expense of $5,332,000 in 2007 compared to $6,801,000 in 2006. Union health care expense was $9,788,000 in 2007 compared to $15,231,000 in 2006. Costs decreased due to a reduction in the average hourly contribution rate and the number of hours eligible for contributions as discussed above.
The Company is primarily self-insured for losses related to general and auto liability claims as well as for workers compensation in some prior years. The Company has stop-loss insurance coverage to limit its exposure on a per claim basis and is insured for covered costs in excess of per claim limits. Accruals are based on reported claims and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in managements opinion, recorded reserves for general and auto liability claims and workers compensation are adequate to cover the future payment of claims.
In addition to high deductible coverage for workers compensation and general and auto liability claims, the Company also carries property, business interruption, fiduciary, directors and officers, crime, earthquake, special event and employment practices liability insurance. Management believes, based on recent and past experience, that current insurance coverage meets the reasonable requirements of the Company.
Stock-based compensation under the SARs program was previously subject to variable accounting in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. (FIN) 28, Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans, an interpretation of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. (APB) 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Under FIN 28, compensation expense was recognized as the SARs vested using the graded-vesting method. In addition, changes in the market price of the Companys Class A impacted the recognition of SARs expense.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. (SFAS) 123(R) (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on the fair value of SARs. The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, and therefore prior period results were not restated. As of January 1, 2006, the cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 123(R) resulted in the recognition of $288,000 in compensation expense as well as additional expense of $3,383,000 related to an increase in the fair value of SARs since the end of fiscal 2005 and the additional vesting of SARs. Compensation expense is recorded under SG&A expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
SFAS 123(R) requires the Company to remeasure the fair value of SARs each reporting period until the award is settled. Compensation expense must be recognized each reporting period for changes in fair value and vesting. During 2007, the Company recorded $2,908,000 of compensation expense related to the increase in the fair value of SARs and additional vesting during the period. As of December 29, 2007, assuming no change in the SARs fair value, there was approximately $4,541,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to SARs which is
16
expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.6 years. The total intrinsic value of SARs exercised during 2007 and 2006 was approximately $5,643,000 and $1,305,000, respectively. Intrinsic value represents the amount by which the fair value of SARs on the date of exercise exceeds the grant price.
During 2007, the Company procured approximately 17% of its product through Unified, a grocery wholesale cooperative. As a member-patron, the Company is required to provide Unified with certain minimum deposits and credit in order to purchase product from the cooperative. As of December 29, 2007, the Company had approximately $1,659,000 on deposit with Unified, in addition to approximately $503,000 related to ownership of equity shares in Unified. In 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded approximately $207,000 and $323,000, respectively, in patronage dividend income received in the form of cash and Unified equity shares as a reduction of cost of sales.
Interest and dividend income was $3,340,000 in 2007 compared to $2,560,000 for 2006 primarily due to increased cash levels and higher interest rates in 2007.
SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, requires that unrealized holding gains and losses from available-for-sale securities be included as a component of stockholders equity. Unrealized gains on investments were $153,000 (net of income tax expense of $106,000) in 2007 compared to unrealized losses of $39,000 (net of income tax benefit of $28,000) in 2006. Management does not believe any of these losses are other-than-temporary.
2006 Compared to 2005
Net income in 2006 increased 17.0% to $23,224,000 compared to $19,851,000 during 2005. Operating income increased 15.3% to $36,680,000 in 2006 compared to $31,816,000 in 2005.
Sales from the Companys 18 supermarkets (all of which are located in Southern California), including revenue from licensing arrangements, subleases, leases and finance charges, were $482,737,000 in 2006. This represents an increase of 2.6% from 2005, when sales were $470,354,000. The Company has experienced sales growth due to product pricing decisions (to some extent resulting from product cost increases) and an increase in customer count.
The Companys gross profit as a percent of sales was 38.6% in 2006 compared to 38.4% in 2005. In calculating gross profit, the Company deducts product costs, net of discounts and allowances, and inbound freight charges, as well as warehouse, transportation, purchasing, advertising and occupancy costs in cost of sales. Gross profit as a percent of sales for the Company may not be comparable to those of other companies in the grocery industry since there may be differences in recording certain costs as cost of sales or as SG&A expense.
SG&A expense as a percent of sales was 31.0% in 2006 compared to 31.6% in 2005. The Company experienced a decrease in labor and other related payroll expense as a percent of sales during 2006 compared to 2005 primarily due to increased sales dollars which did not require a similar increase in labor hours. In addition, workers compensation expense in the second half of 2006 compared to the same period of the prior year is lower as the policy premium under the guaranteed cost program is less than what was accrued in the prior year under the Companys former self-insured plan as discussed above. The overall decrease in SG&A expense was
17
partially offset by higher SARs expense in 2006 compared to the prior year. During 2006, the Company recognized approximately $3,671,000 in SARs compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of SARs since the end of the previous year, the additional vesting of SARs and the adoption of SFAS 123(R) (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, as discussed above. In 2005, the Company recognized $946,000 of SARs compensation expense.
The Company contributes to several multi-employer union pension and health care plans. Pension and health care payments are determined based on straight-time hours worked and the contribution rate as stipulated in the Companys various collective bargaining agreements. The Company recognized union pension expense of $6,801,000 in 2006 compared to $6,241,000 in 2005. Higher pension costs in 2006 resulted from an increase in the average hourly pension contribution rate. Union health care expense was $15,231,000 in 2006 compared to $16,047,000 in 2005. Health care costs decreased due to a reduction in the average hourly contribution rate and the number of hours eligible for contributions.
For a discussion of workers compensation, general and auto liability and other types of insurance coverage, see the discussion under the heading 2007 Compared to 2006 presented above.
During 2006, the Company procured approximately 18% of its product through Unified, a grocery wholesale cooperative. As a member-patron, the Company is required to provide Unified with certain minimum deposits and credit in order to purchase product from the cooperative. As of December 30, 2006, the Company had approximately $1,933,000 on deposit with Unified, in addition to approximately $503,000 related to ownership of equity shares in Unified. In 2006 and 2005, the Company recorded approximately $323,000 and $451,000, respectively, in patronage dividend income received in the form of cash and Unified equity shares as a reduction of cost of sales.
Interest and dividend income was $2,560,000 in 2006 compared to $1,722,000 for 2005 primarily due to higher interest rates and higher average cash levels in 2006.
SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, requires that unrealized holding gains and losses from available-for-sale securities be included as a component of stockholders equity. Unrealized losses on investments were $39,000 (net of income tax benefit of $28,000) in 2006 compared to unrealized losses of $392,000 (net of income tax benefit of $269,000) in 2005. Management does not believe any of these losses are other-than-temporary.
During 2006, the Company purchased 217,904 shares of Class A in unsolicited private transactions with unrelated parties for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $19,999,000. As a result of the 2006 purchases of Class A shares, the weighted average shares outstanding of Class A used in computing net income per common share was 3,241,805 in 2006 as compared to 3,381,051 in 2005 which had the effect of increasing net income per common share on a comparative basis.
18
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Companys current cash position, including investments and net cash provided by operating activities, are the primary sources of funds available to meet the Companys capital expenditure and liquidity requirements. The Companys cash position, including investments, at December 29, 2007 was $78,852,000. Cash not required for the immediate needs of the Company is temporarily invested in commercial paper and marketable securities. Currently, all temporary investments are highly liquid. The Company is continually investigating opportunities for the use of these funds including new locations and the expansion and remodel of existing stores. The Mayfair store on Franklin Boulevard in Hollywood, California is currently being remodeled and, when completed in the Summer of 2008, will become a Gelsons.
The Company also has two revolving lines of credit totaling $23,000,000 available for standby letters of credit, funding operations and expansion. There were no outstanding borrowings against either of the revolving lines as of December 29, 2007. The Company currently maintains four standby letters of credit aggregating $9,569,000 pursuant to the Companys lease requirements and general and auto liability and workers compensation self-insurance programs. The standby letters of credit reduce the available borrowings under its revolving lines.
The Companys working capital was $70,154,000 at December 29, 2007 compared to $41,942,000 at December 30, 2006. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $30,202,000. Cash flows from operating activities resulted primarily from net income plus non-cash expenses and changes in working capital.
Net cash used in investing activities was $4,739,000 in 2007. Investing activities primarily included capital expenditures of $3,824,000 and the purchase of investments of $945,000. Net cash used in financing activities was $3,386,000 in 2007 which included cash dividend payments of $3,161,000 and principal payments on capital lease obligations of $225,000.
The Companys current ratio was 2.63 at December 29, 2007 compared to 1.89 at December 30, 2006. The Companys total liabilities to equity ratio decreased to .54 at December 29, 2007 from .77 at December 30, 2006.
The following table sets forth the Companys contractual cash obligations and commercial commitments as of December 29, 2007:
19
(1) Operating leases does not include a five-year option period for one store for which the rent amount is not yet determinable.
(2) Other Contractual Cash Obligations
The Company had the following other contractual cash obligations at December 29, 2007. The Company is unable to include these liabilities in the tabular disclosure of contractual cash obligations as the exact timing and amount of payments is unknown.
Self-Insurance Reserves
The Company is primarily self-insured for losses related to general and auto liability claims and for all open years prior to July 1, 2006 for workers compensation. Effective July 1, 2006, the Company purchased a fully insured guaranteed cost workers compensation insurance policy for losses occurring after June 30, 2006. This policy replaced the high deductible program for workers compensation. The Company maintains stop-loss insurance coverage to limit its loss exposure on a per claim basis. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience and regression analysis. Accruals are based on reported claims and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in managements opinion recorded reserves are adequate to cover the future payment of claims. The Companys liability reserve for unpaid and incurred but not reported claims at December 29, 2007 was approximately $7,107,000.
Employment Agreement
The Company has an employment agreement with a key executive officer that provides for annual retirement compensation equal to 25% of his average base salary and bonus earned in the last three fiscal years prior to his retirement. The Company had accrued $2,167,000 under the terms of the employment agreement as of December 29, 2007.
Property, Plant and Equipment Purchases
As of December 29, 2007, management had authorized expenditures on incomplete projects for the purchase of property, plant and equipment which totaled approximately $3,867,000. The Company has an ongoing program to remodel existing supermarkets and to add new stores. During 2007, total capital expenditures were $3,824,000.
(3) Standby Letters of Credit
All of the Companys letters of credit renew automatically each year unless the issuer notifies the Company otherwise. The amount of each letter of credit held pursuant to the Companys workers compensation and general and auto liability insurance programs will be adjusted annually based upon the outstanding claim reserves as of the renewal date. Each letter of credit obligation related to insurance will cease when all claims for the particular policy year are closed or the Company negotiates a release.
20
In April 2003, the Company announced a stock repurchase program, authorized by the Board of Directors, to purchase from time to time up to 100,000 shares of its Class A in the open market or in private transactions. The timing, volume and price of purchases are at the discretion of the management of the Company. In February 2006, the Companys Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional 150,000 shares of Class A. During 2006, the Company purchased 217,904 shares of Class A in unsolicited private transactions with unrelated parties for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $19,999,000. The remaining number of shares authorized for purchase as of December 29, 2007 was 22,904.
During 2007 and 2006, the Company paid quarterly dividends of 25 cents per share of Class A for a total of approximately $3,161,000 and $3,267,000, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management has established accounting policies that they believe are appropriate in order to reflect the accurate reporting of the Companys operating results, financial position and cash flows. The Company applies these accounting policies in a consistent manner. Management bases their estimates on historical experience, current and expected economic conditions and various other factors that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The Company reevaluates these significant factors and makes adjustments where facts and circumstances dictate. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty, and therefore actual results may differ from estimates.
Management believes that the following accounting policies are the most critical in the preparation of the Companys financial statements because they involve the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Inventories
Supermarket nonperishable inventories are recorded using the retail method and are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Perishable inventories are valued at the lower of cost on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis or market.
Inventory reserves are maintained for dry goods at historical run rates that are adjusted annually, and trued up at each physical count (three times per year) to ensure adequacy of the reserve. Inventories of perishable items are taken at the end of every month, and balances are adjusted accordingly with the offset recorded in cost of sales.
21
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company monitors the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairment is recognized when estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and before interest charges) are less than carrying value. The estimation of expected future net cash flows is inherently uncertain and relies on assumptions regarding current and future economic and market conditions and the availability of capital. If impairment analysis assumptions change, then an adjustment to the carrying value of the Companys long-lived assets could occur. To the extent that an asset is impaired, the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its estimated fair value is charged against earnings.
Workers Compensation and General and Auto Liability Insurance
The Company is primarily self-insured for losses related to general and auto liability claims and for all open years prior to July 1, 2006 for workers compensation. The Company purchases stop-loss insurance coverage to limit its loss exposure on a per claim basis. Accruals are based on reported claims and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred are dependent on future developments, in managements opinion recorded reserves are adequate to cover the future payment of claims. The Company purchased a fully insured guaranteed cost workers compensation insurance policy for losses occurring after June 30, 2006. This policy replaced the high deductible program for workers compensation.
Cost of sales reflects the direct costs involved in bringing the Companys product to market including product costs, net of discounts and allowances, and inbound freight charges, as well as warehouse, transportation, purchasing, advertising and occupancy costs. Warehouse and transportation costs include receiving costs, internal transfer costs, labor, building rent, utilities, depreciation, repairs and maintenance and fuel for the Companys distribution center and distribution system. Purchasing costs include both labor and administrative expense associated with the purchase of the Companys products. Advertising costs, net of vendor reimbursements, are expensed as incurred and include the cost of the Gelsons newsletter, newspaper ads and other print advertising. Occupancy costs consist of rent, common area charges (where applicable), depreciation and utilities related to Gelsons operations.
Promotional and rebate allowances make up the majority of all allowances received by Gelsons from its vendors. With promotional allowances, vendors pay the Company to promote their product. The promotion may be a temporary price reduction, a feature in a print advertisement or newsletter, or placement of the vendors product in a preferred location in a store. The promotions are typically two to three weeks long and are recognized when the commitment has been fulfilled. Promotional and vendor cash rebate
22
allowances are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales. The Company also receives other allowances which are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales when they are earned.
Occasionally, the Company receives rebate allowances in the form of upfront lump-sum payments from vendors. Under the terms of these long-term agreements (which typically extend for several months or years), the Company earns the rebates as it purchases product from the vendor. The upfront payments are recorded as a liability when they are received and are recorded as a reduction of inventory cost as the product is purchased. In the event that the Company does not purchase the minimum amount of product specified in the agreement, the upfront payments must be returned on a pro rata basis to the vendor. If the contract does not specify that the rebate is earned as product is purchased, then the upfront payments are recorded as a liability when received and recognized as a reduction of cost of sales on a pro rata basis as the product is sold.
Stock-based compensation under the SARs program was previously subject to variable accounting in accordance with FIN 28, Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans, an interpretation of APB 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Under FIN 28, compensation expense was recognized as the SARs vested using the graded-vesting method. In addition, changes in the market price of the Companys Class A impacted the recognition of SARs expense.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on the fair value of SARs. The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, and therefore prior period results have not been restated. SFAS 123(R) requires the Company to remeasure the fair value of SARs each reporting period until the award is settled. Compensation expense must be recognized each reporting period for changes in fair value and vesting.
Recent Accounting Standards
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ratified the consensus of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation). EITF No. 06-3 indicates that the income statement presentation on either a gross basis or a net basis of the taxes within the scope of the issue is an accounting policy decision. The Companys accounting policy is to present the taxes within the scope of EITF No. 06-3 on a net basis. The adoption of EITF No. 06-3 in the first quarter of 2007 did not result in a change to the Companys accounting policy and, accordingly, did not have any effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and
23
transition. This interpretation, which was effective for the Company on the first day of its 2007 fiscal year, did not have a significant impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for the Companys first quarter of 2008 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. SFAS 159 permits entities to make an irrevocable election to measure certain financial instruments and other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be included in net earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS 159 will be effective at the beginning of the Companys fiscal year 2008 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks
The Company currently has no outstanding bank debt or fixture financing. If the Company should obtain financing or draw on its existing lines of credit, which bear interest at the banks reference rate or at the banks adjusted London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin up to 1.2%, the Company could then be exposed to market risk related to interest fluctuations.
A change in market prices exposes the Company to market risk related to its investments. As of December 29, 2007, all investments were classified as available-for-sale securities and totaled $19,933,000. A hypothetical 10% drop in the market value of these investments would result in a $1,993,000 unrealized loss and a corresponding decrease in the fair value of these instruments. This hypothetical drop would not affect cash flow and would not have an impact on earnings until the Company sold the investments.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
24
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was carried out by the Companys Chief Executive Officer and the person temporarily performing the functions of the Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of December 29, 2007. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the person temporarily performing the functions of the Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the person temporarily performing the functions of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, has evaluated any changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter. Based on that evaluation, management, the Chief Executive Officer and the person temporarily performing the functions of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company have concluded that there has been no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting during the Companys fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
None.
25
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Identification and Information Concerning Directors
Below is set forth certain information about each of the Companys directors as of February 29, 2008. Certain of this information has been supplied by the persons shown.
26
Identification of Executive Officers
Below is set forth certain information about each of the executive officers of the Company as of February 29, 2008:
Mr. Briskin served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Arden-Mayfair until August 1978, when he was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Arden-Mayfair. In November 1978, Mr. Briskin was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and in June 1994, he was elected Chairman of the Board of the Company. Mr. Briskin serves in his current positions with the Company and its subsidiaries pursuant to an employment agreement which expires on January 1, 2010, although the term will be automatically extended for successive one year periods unless certain termination notices are given by either Mr. Briskin or the employers fifteen to eighteen months prior to the current expiration date. See Item 11 - Executive Compensation for further information.
Except for Mr. Briskin, who has an employment agreement, all officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
Audit Committee and Financial Expert
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee comprised of three outside directors. During 2007, the following individuals served as members of the Audit Committee:
27
On August 17, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company elected John G. Danhakl to fill a vacancy on the Audit Committee. Effective February 28, 2007, the Board of Directors elected M. Mark Albert to serve on the Audit Committee, and Mr. Danhakl concurrently resigned from the Audit Committee.
The Companys Board of Directors has determined that at least one person serving on the Audit Committee is an audit committee financial expert as defined under Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K. Steven Romick, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, is independent as defined under applicable SEC and the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ) rules and the Board of Directors determined he was an audit committee financial expert.
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applicable to all officers, directors, management and employees. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct includes a Supplementary Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals which is applicable to the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and individuals performing similar functions. A copy of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct may be obtained, without charge, upon written request to the Assistant Secretary, Arden Group, Inc., P.O. Box 512256, Los Angeles, California 90051-0256.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that directors and executive officers of the Company, as well as persons holding more than ten percent (10%) of a registered class of the Companys equity securities, file with the SEC initial reports of the ownership and reports of changes of ownership of Class A and other equity securities of the Company. Based solely on review of copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required to be filed during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the Companys executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent (10%) beneficial owners were complied with during such fiscal year.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Companys Compensation Objectives
The Companys general objective in setting executive compensation is to meet industry standards of base compensation, while providing an incentive program as part of the overall compensation package to reward named executive officers and other executives who have made a contribution to the Company in the applicable period; to recognize, when applicable, the Companys financial performance in bonus or other incentive type payments; to reward those named executive officers and others who have performed up to and beyond the Companys expectations for them; and to attract new executives who have the self-assurance of good job performance to recognize that a part of their overall compensation will be in a discretionary bonus structure.
28
Elements of the Companys Compensation Program for Executives
The Companys compensation packages for its named executives include elements of (1) a base salary; (2) a discretionary or formula bonus; (3) a Company contribution to the employees account in the Arden Group, Inc. 401(k) Plan; (4) a medical benefits program; (5) possible participation in the Companys SARs program; and (6) other minor benefits.
Reasons for Including Each Element of Executive Compensation
It is the Companys philosophy to reward its named executives at a level commensurate with executives at other companies in the upscale supermarket industry in Southern California including a significant portion of performance-based compensation. All executives other than the Companys Chief Executive Officer (CEO) are employed on an at-will basis. The CEO is the only executive with an employment agreement as described below.
The Company currently has no stock options outstanding and does not presently plan on granting stock options. Instead, it provides incentives to certain named executive officers and other executives with participation in the Companys SARs program. Typically, the Companys CEO or certain other executives will periodically make a request for the Company to consider awarding SARs to certain employees. The request(s) are typically brought before the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors to consider. In awarding SARs units, the Board of Directors takes into account the balance between the executives base salary level, past bonuses and the more long-term nature of the SARs program. Overall, the Company believes that the majority of the compensation package should be in current compensation, but that there should be a meaningful level of longer term rewards, such as contributions to the 401(k) Plan and the SARs program. Each case is discussed on a case by case, individual basis. Also taken into account are the executives performance, the Companys performance and any other SARs units the particular executive in question may have. SARs issued to date entitle the holder to receive upon exercise thereof the excess of the fair market value of a share of Class A, as determined in accordance with the SARs agreement, on the date of exercise over the fair market value of such share on the date granted. The SARs vest 25% each year beginning at the end of the first or third year and expire five or seven years from the date of grant, respectively. The CEO has never participated in the SARs program.
Named Executive Officers Compensation
Bernard Briskin, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and CEO of the Company has an employment agreement (Employment Agreement) with the Company dating back to 1988. The term of the Employment Agreement currently expires on January 1, 2010 and is automatically extended for successive periods of one fiscal year unless either the Company and its subsidiaries, who are parties to the Employment Agreement, or Mr. Briskin gives notice of termination no less than fifteen months and no more than eighteen months prior to the date upon which the then current term of the Employment Agreement will expire.
The Employment Agreement presently provides for 2008 base compensation of $669,290 which is adjusted each year based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index, subject to a maximum annual increase of 4%, together with incentive formula based compensation in an amount equal to 2½% of the Companys first $2,000,000 of pre-tax profits (as defined in the Employment Agreement) plus 3½% of pre-tax profits in excess of $2,000,000. In addition, it provides for
29
participation in the Companys medical plan, the use of a Company-owned car and an annual uninsured medical expense reimbursement of up to $200,000 for Mr. Briskin and his immediately family. In 2007, Mr. Briskins overall compensation was $2,411,931 which included a base salary of $647,282 and incentive formula based compensation of $1,737,772. Accordingly, 72% of Mr. Briskins overall compensation is primarily incentive based. Mr. Briskins Employment Agreement also provides that at such time as his base salary and bonus cease to accrue under the Employment Agreement for any reason other than his breach of the Employment Agreement or termination of his employment for cause, the Company will thereafter pay him on a monthly basis in arrears, as long as he lives, an amount per annum equal to 25% of his average base salary and bonus earned in the last three full fiscal years prior to the cessation of his employment. The Company would also continue to provide Mr. Briskin during his lifetime with health insurance benefits and an automobile allowance equivalent to that which the Company then grants to its senior executives and an annual uninsured medical expense reimbursement of up to $200,000 for Mr. Briskin and his immediate family. At each time that modifications were made to Mr. Briskins Employment Agreement, the Company carefully evaluated the effects of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 162(m). The terms of the Employment Agreement were subject to review during the 2003 fiscal year by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. During the review, discussions took place between Mr. Briskin and the Committee concerning amendments to certain provisions of the Employment Agreement, but no amendments have yet been effected. In addition, the Company is considering whether an amendment to the Employment Agreement will be required in order to continue to satisfy the requirements for deduction of remuneration payable to Mr. Briskin in excess of $1,000,000 under IRC Section 162(m) in light of a change in position by, and related general public guidance from, the Internal Revenue Service with respect to certain performance based remuneration.
The Companys other named executive officer, Ms. Laura J. Neumann, received total compensation of $254,857 in 2007, consisting of a base salary of $141,450, a bonus of $30,000, option awards in the form of SARs of $65,060 and other benefits amounting to $18,347. The $65,060 of option awards compensation represents the expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to fiscal 2007 for the increase in fair value of SARs granted in fiscal 2007 and previous years in accordance with SFAS 123(R) (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment and additional vesting. For information regarding valuation assumptions used, see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. This amount reflects compensation expense recorded in the Companys financial statements for these awards which does not necessarily correspond to the actual value that will be realized by Ms. Neumann. Ms. Neumann presently holds 875 units of SARs which were awarded to her in 2003 and 3,500 units granted in 2007. Ms. Neumann exercised SARs covering 875 units in both 2007 and 2006.
How Amounts and Formulas are Determined by the Company
Toward the end of each year, the Companys CEO and certain executives recommend to the Compensation Committee bonuses for each named executive officer (other than the CEO of the Company who is the only executive with an employment agreement) and other executives for the year then being completed and salaries for each for the upcoming year. Those recommendations are then reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors. In reviewing and finalizing bonuses and salary adjustments, the CEO and the Compensation
30
Committee review individual performance and results, as well as the performance of the Company overall.
GeneralThe following table sets forth the total annual and long-term compensation paid or accrued by the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with all businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries to or for the account of the CEO of the Company and the person acting in a similar capacity as the Principal Financial Officer during the 2007 and 2006 fiscal years.
Summary Compensation Table
31 (4) The following table sets forth the components of All Other Compensation included in the Summary Compensation Table:
(1) Represents Company discretionary contributions to the 401(k) Plan.
Employment Agreement and Payment Upon Termination
The compensation of Mr. Briskin, the CEO of the Company, is established under an Employment Agreement, as amended, which currently expires on January 1, 2010. The Employment Agreement provides that, upon the expiration of the initial term on January 1, 2004, the term thereof is automatically extended for successive periods of one fiscal year unless either the Company and its subsidiaries or Mr. Briskin gives notice of termination not less than fifteen months and no more than eighteen months prior to the date upon which the then current term of the Employment Agreement will expire. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Briskins base salary increases on January 1 of each year based upon increases in the Consumer Price Index subject to a maximum annual increase of 4%. His annual bonus is equal to 2½% of the Companys first $2,000,000 of pre-tax profits (as defined in the Employment Agreement) plus 3½% of pre-tax profits in excess of $2,000,000. The Employment Agreement provides for an annual uninsured medical expense reimbursement up to $200,000 for Mr. Briskin and his immediate family. The terms of the Employment Agreement were subject to review during the 2003 fiscal year by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. During the review, discussions took place between Mr. Briskin and the Committee concerning amendments to certain provisions of the Employment Agreement, but no amendments have yet been effected.
Mr. Briskins Employment Agreement provides that at such time as his base salary and bonus cease to accrue under the Employment Agreement for any reason other than his breach of the Employment Agreement or termination of his employment for cause, the Company will thereafter pay him on a monthly basis in arrears, as long as he lives, an amount per annum equal to 25% of his average base salary and bonus earned in the last three full fiscal years prior to the cessation of his employment. The Company would also continue to provide Mr. Briskin during his lifetime with health insurance benefits, an automobile allowance equivalent to that which the Company then grants to its senior executives and an annual uninsured medical expense reimbursement of up to $200,000 for Mr. Briskin and his immediate family. If the Companys obligation to make these payments was triggered on December 28, 2007, the last business day of the Companys fiscal year ended December 29, 2007, the Company would be obligated to pay Mr. Briskin $43,212 per month on the first day of each month beginning on February 1, 2008 and ending upon his death and to provide him with an automobile allowance which would be approximately $25,000 per year and health insurance benefits and uninsured medical expense reimbursements up to $200,000 per year for him and his immediate family. For accrual
32
purposes, it is assumed that the cost of the health insurance benefits and the uninsured medical expense reimbursement would aggregate $200,000 per year.
Stock Appreciation Rights
The Company has granted SARs covering shares of the Companys Class A to non-employee directors and to certain officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Each SAR entitles the holder to receive upon exercise thereof the excess of the fair market value of a share of Class A, as determined in accordance with the SARs agreement, on the date of exercise over the fair market value of such share on the date granted. SARs granted prior to December 2007 vest 25% each year beginning at the end of the first year and expire five years from the date of grant. SARs granted in December 2007 vest 25% each year beginning at the end of the third year and expire seven years from the date of grant.
The following table provides information as to SARs granted to named executive officers during fiscal 2007:
SAR Granted During Fiscal 2007
(1) Acting in a similar capacity as the Principal Financial Officer.
(2) See note 3 under Summary Compensation Table.
The following table provides information as to outstanding SARs held by named executive officers as of December 29, 2007:
Outstanding SAR Awards at 2007 Fiscal Year-End
(1) Acting in a similar capacity as the Principal Financial Officer.
(2) These SARs vest 25% each year beginning at the end of the third year.
33
The following table provides information on the exercise of SARs by the named executive officers in 2007:
SAR Exercises 2007
(1) Acting in a similar capacity as the Principal Financial Officer.
(2) Difference between the fair market value of a share of Class A on the date of exercise and the fair market value on the date of grant.
Remuneration of Directors
The following table provides information as to non-employee director compensation for the year ended December 29, 2007:
Director Compensation for 2007
(1) As of December 29, 2007, each of the directors held SARs covering 9,500 shares of Class A, except Mr. Davidow and Mr. Albert who held SARs covering 12,000 and 17,000 shares of Class A, respectively. Option awards compensation represents the expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to fiscal 2007 for the fair value of SARs granted in fiscal 2007 and previous years in accordance with SFAS 123(R) (revised 2004), Shared-Based Payment and additional vesting. For information regarding valuation assumptions used, see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. These amounts reflect the compensation expense recorded in the Companys financial statements for these awards which does not necessarily correspond to the actual value that will be realized by the named directors.
34
Under SFAS 123(R), the measurement date for cash settled SARs is the date of settlement. Accordingly, liabilities related to SARs are remeasured at the end of each reporting period until settlement. As of December 29, 2007, the fair value of SARs granted to Directors during 2007 without regard to vesting or forfeitures were as follows:
Non-employee directors are compensated for their services as directors at an annual rate of $24,000, plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended and $1,000 for attendance at each committee meeting. Non-employee directors who serve as committee chairmen are entitled to an additional $6,000 per year. Directors serving on the Audit Committee receive an additional $12,000 per year and the chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional $6,000 per year. Mr. Briskin is an employee of the Company and does not receive the compensation otherwise payable to directors.
Each of the non-employee directors presently holds SARs covering shares of Class A. When the SARs are exercised, each unit entitles the holder to receive the excess of the fair market value of a share of Class A, as determined in accordance with the SARs agreement, on the date of exercise over the fair market value on the date of grant. SARs granted prior to December 2007 vest 25% each year beginning at the end of the first year and expire five years from the date of grant. SARs granted in December 2007 vest 25% each year beginning at the end of the third year and expire seven years from the date of grant.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Board of Directors has a Compensation Committee. In 2007, the Compensation Committee was comprised of the following directors, none of whom are or have been officers or employees of the Company:
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management of the Company and based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Companys annual report on Form 10-K.
John G. Danhakl, Chairman M . Mark Albert Robert A. Davidow Members of the Compensation Committee
35
The foregoing Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be soliciting material, or to be filed with the SEC or be subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, other than as provided in Item 407(e)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically requests that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth information as of February 29, 2008 related to the stockholdings of persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Class A of the Company, its only outstanding class of equity securities:
(1) Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, all beneficial owners have sole investment and voting power. For purposes of this table, 1,357,200 treasury shares of Class A are not deemed to be outstanding.
(2) This amount includes the following shares: (i) 186,096 shares held in trust (of which Mr. Briskin is the trustee) for the benefit of Mr. Briskin and his children and (ii) an aggregate of 103,012 shares held by Mr. Briskins spouse or in her Individual Retirement Accounts for her benefit. Mr. Briskin disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares set forth in clause (ii) hereof and has no voting or investment power with respect to these shares. Nothing herein should be construed as an admission that Mr. Briskin is in fact the beneficial owner of these shares.
(3) This amount excludes 33,004 shares of Class A held by The Judy and Bernard Briskin Foundation of which Mr. Briskin serves as a co-trustee. Mr. Briskin disclaims any beneficial ownership with respect to these shares.
(4) Based upon Schedule 13-G filed on January 25, 2008 with the SEC.
36
Security Ownership of Management
The following table shows the beneficial ownership of the Companys Class A, its only outstanding class of equity securities, by each director, executive officer and by all directors and executive officers as a group as of February 29, 2008:
(1) Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, all beneficial owners have sole investment and voting power. The number of outstanding shares of Class A, on which the percentages shown in this table are based, does not include 1,357,200 treasury shares of the Companys Class A.
(2) See notes (2) and (3) to the table under Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners set forth above.
(3) Of these shares, 40,800 are held in trust by Mr. Goldman, as trustee, for the grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Briskin and 88,000 are held by limited partnerships, of which Mr. Goldman is one of the general partners and the limited partners are trusts of which the beneficiaries are members of Mr. and Mrs. Briskins family.
(4) Ms. Neumann is Senior Director of Financial Reporting and Compliance and is included in the table on account of her acting in 2007 in a similar capacity as the Principal Financial Officer of the Company.
37
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information related to the Companys equity compensation plans as of December 29, 2007:
(1) Does not include SARs which provide for cash only compensation.
In 1998, the Company adopted a Stock Option Plan which was not submitted to security holders for approval and initially provided for the granting of stock options to key employees to purchase up to 35,000 shares of the Companys Class A. The Stock Option Plan was amended in fiscal 2000 to increase the number of shares available thereunder to an aggregate of 70,000 shares. The objective of the Stock Option Plan is to attract and retain quality personnel and to promote the success of the Company by providing employees the opportunity to share in its growth. These options vest at 25% per year beginning at the end of the first year and expire five years from the date of grant. The exercise price of stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan is equal to the fair market value of the Companys Class A on the date of grant. As of December 29, 2007, there were no stock options issued and outstanding.
Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
A director of the Company, Mr. Goldman, is a partner of a law firm which performs legal services for the Company.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties
The Company has a written policy to enter into or ratify a related party transaction only if the Audit Committee has approved or ratified such transaction in accordance with the guidelines and has determined that the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arms-length dealings with a non-related third party.
38
For purposes of this policy, a related party transaction is a transaction or series of transactions between the Company and an executive officer or director, a stockholder holding in excess of 5% of the Companys outstanding voting stock, a member of the immediate family of an executive officer, director or 5% holder, an entity owned or controlled by any of the foregoing or in which any of the foregoing has a substantial ownership interest or controls such entity. Excluded from related party transactions are transactions generally available to all employees, transactions involving less than $50,000 when aggregated with a series of similar transactions and compensation matters approved by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors.
The Companys policies and procedures for review, approval or ratification of related party transactions are in writing.
Directors Independence
The Board of Directors has determined that M. Mark Albert, John G. Danhakl, Robert A. Davidow and Steven Romick are independent directors as defined in the listing standards for NASDAQ. These directors constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors. All of the directors who are members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors are independent in compliance with the independence standards applicable for members of those specific committees in the listing standards for NASDAQ. In reaching the conclusion that Mr. Romick is independent, the Board of Directors considered the fact that he has an ownership interest in, and is an employee of, a limited liability company that is the investment advisor to a group of mutual funds, in one of which the Company has an investment. The mutual fund in which the Company has invested is not one that is managed by Mr. Romick. The Companys investment constituted less than 1% of the total funds held by the mutual fund as of December 29, 2007.
Bernard Briskin and Kenneth A. Goldman are members of the Nominating Committee and are not independent as defined in the listing standards for NASDAQ, but the Company qualifies as a Controlled Company under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4350(c)(5) as Mr. Briskin controls more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the Company. As a Controlled Company, the listing requirements for NASDAQ do not require that the members of its Nominating Committee or the Compensation Committee be independent or that a majority of its directors be independent.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit Fees
Audit fees include the aggregate fees billed for the audit of the Companys annual consolidated financial statements and the reviews of each of the quarterly consolidated financial statements included in the Companys Forms 10-Q. The aggregate audit fees billed to the Company by Moss Adams LLP (Moss) were approximately $292,000 and $272,000 for 2007 and 2006, respectively.
In July 2007, the Company responded to a comment letter from the SEC. As a result, Moss billed the Company approximately $4,000 in fees related to researching issues raised in the letter and reviewing the Companys response.
39
Audit-Related Fees
Audit-related fees incurred in connection with the audit of the Companys employee benefit plans by Moss totaled approximately $20,000 and $19,000 in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Tax Fees
Fees billed by Moss for tax services in 2007 aggregated approximately $53,000, including $32,000 for tax return and compliance work and $21,000 for other projects. Fees billed by Moss for tax services in 2006 aggregated approximately $43,000, including $32,000 for tax return and compliance work and $11,000 for other projects.
All Other Fees
Other than the fees for services described above, there were no additional fees billed by Moss in 2007 or 2006.
It is the policy of the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee reviewed the above-described fees for non-audit services and considered whether the provision of those services is compatible with maintaining the independence of Moss and concluded that Moss has maintained their independence.
40
41
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
42
ARDEN GROUP, INC. and consolidated subsidiarIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements include the Companys subsidiaries (Arden-Mayfair, Inc. and Mayfair Realty, Inc.) and the subsidiaries of Arden-Mayfair, Inc.
Schedules are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required.
43
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Companys management assessed the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2007. In making the assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on that assessment, management concluded that, as of December 29, 2007, the Companys internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
The effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2007 has been audited by Moss Adams LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears on page 45.
44
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmBoard of Directors and Stockholders of Arden Group, Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Arden Group, Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders equity and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 29, 2007. We also have audited the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2007, based on criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. The Companys management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also include performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
45
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Arden Group, Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries, as of December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 29, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, Arden Group, Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries, maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2007, based on criteria set forth by the COSO in Internal Control - Integrated Framework.
As described in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted a new principle of accounting for share-based payments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment.
Moss Adams LLP Los Angeles, California March 5, 2008
46 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmTo the Stockholders of Arden Group, Inc.
In our opinion, the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2005 present fairly, in all material respects, the results of Arden Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Los Angeles, California March 8, 2006
47
ARDEN GROUP, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
48
ARDEN GROUP, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
49
ARDEN GROUP, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||