For the quarterly period ended March 30, 2008
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 30, 2008

OR

 

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

Commission File Number: 001-33174

 

 

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   16-1287774

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

968 James Street

Syracuse, New York

  13203
(Address of principal executive office)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (315) 424-0513

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class:

  

Name on each exchange on which registered:

Common Stock, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.,

par value $.01 per share

   The NASDAQ Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Commission File Number: 001-06553

 

 

CARROLS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   16-0958146

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

968 James Street

Syracuse, New York

  13203
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number including area code: (315) 424-0513

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

Carrols Corporation meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(A) and (B) and is therefore filing this form with reduced disclosure format pursuant to General Instruction H(2).

Indicate by check mark whether either of the registrants (1) have 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 were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are large accelerated filers, accelerated filers, non-accelerated filers or smaller reporting companies. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, (Check one):

 

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.   
Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

 

Carrols Corporation

  
Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  x    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether either of the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of May 2, 2008, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. had 21,571,565 shares of its common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding. As of May 2, 2008, all outstanding equity securities of Carrols Corporation, which consisted of 10 shares of its common stock, were owned by Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTER ENDED MARCH 30, 2008

 

          Page
PART I    FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1

   Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Subsidiary - Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007

   3
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

   4
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

   5
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6
   Carrols Corporation and Subsidiaries - Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007

   15
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

   16
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

   17
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   18

Item 2

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    34

Item 3

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    46

Item 4

   Controls and Procedures    47

PART II

   OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1

   Legal Proceedings    47

Item 1A

   Risk Factors    47

Item 2

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    47

Item 3

   Default Upon Senior Securities    47

Item 4

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    47

Item 5

   Other Information    47

Item 6

   Exhibits    48

 

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Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1—INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,062     $ 7,396  

Trade and other receivables

     5,167       4,734  

Inventories

     5,041       5,339  

Prepaid rent

     2,789       2,803  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     7,146       6,172  

Deferred income taxes

     4,784       4,802  
                

Total current assets

     28,989       31,246  

Property and equipment, net

     205,416       200,325  

Franchise rights, net (Note 4)

     79,268       80,052  

Goodwill (Note 4)

     124,934       124,934  

Intangible assets, net

     814       887  

Franchise agreements, at cost less accumulated amortization of $5,681 and $5,646, respectively

     5,596       5,548  

Deferred income taxes

     10,271       10,559  

Other assets

     11,833       12,007  
                

Total assets

   $ 467,121     $ 465,558  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT     

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of long-term debt (Note 5)

   $ 4,610     $ 3,129  

Accounts payable

     19,311       20,054  

Accrued interest

     4,215       8,148  

Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits

     14,741       18,669  

Accrued income taxes

     725       933  

Accrued real estate taxes

     1,946       3,312  

Other liabilities

     11,818       10,113  
                

Total current liabilities

     57,366       64,358  

Long-term debt, net of current portion (Note 5)

     305,448       298,154  

Lease financing obligations (Note 9)

     52,749       52,689  

Deferred income—sale-leaseback of real estate

     31,902       31,348  

Accrued postretirement benefits (Note 8)

     3,021       3,022  

Other liabilities (Note 7)

     21,542       22,822  
                

Total liabilities

     472,028       472,393  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

    

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Preferred stock, par value $.01; authorized 20,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding—none

     —         —    

Voting common stock, par value $.01; authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued and
outstanding— 21,571,565 shares at both dates

     216       216  

Additional paid-in capital

     (1,117 )     (1,591 )

Accumulated deficit

     (5,234 )     (6,680 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,369       1,361  

Treasury stock, at cost

     (141 )     (141 )
                

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (4,907 )     (6,835 )
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 467,121     $ 465,558  
                

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

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007

(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     2008    2007  

Revenues:

     

Restaurant sales

   $ 195,393    $ 187,866  

Franchise royalty revenues and fees

     360      337  
               

Total revenues

     195,753      188,203  
               

Costs and expenses:

     

Cost of sales

     57,629      52,294  

Restaurant wages and related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense of $57 and $37, respectively)

     58,541      55,948  

Restaurant rent expense

     11,483      10,679  

Other restaurant operating expenses

     29,545      27,947  

Advertising expense

     7,824      8,535  

General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense of $417 and $318, respectively)

     12,995      13,146  

Depreciation and amortization

     8,022      7,691  

Impairment losses (Note 3)

     21      —    

Other income (Note 10)

     —        (347 )
               

Total operating expenses

     186,060      175,893  
               

Income from operations

     9,693      12,310  

Interest expense

     7,434      8,356  

Loss on extinguishment of debt (Note 5)

     —        1,485  
               

Income before income taxes

     2,259      2,469  

Provision for income taxes (Note 6)

     813      892  
               

Net income

   $ 1,446    $ 1,577  
               

Basic and diluted net income per share (Note 13)

   $ 0.07    $ 0.07  
               

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (Note 13)

     21,571,565      21,550,827  

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (Note 13)

     21,574,239      21,558,382  

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

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     2008     2007  

Cash flows provided from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 1,446     $ 1,577  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used for) operating activities:

    

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment

     62       (121 )

Stock-based compensation

     474       355  

Depreciation and amortization

     8,022       7,691  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     298       335  

Amortization of unearned purchase discounts

     (539 )     (539 )

Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions

     (513 )     (488 )

Impairment losses

     21       —    

Accretion of interest on lease financing obligations

     60       130  

Deferred income taxes

     311       —    

Accrued income taxes

     (208 )     3,016  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —         1,485  

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:

     (10,312 )     (6,954 )
                

Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities

     (878 )     6,487  
                

Cash flows used for investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures:

    

New restaurant development

     (7,430 )     (8,361 )

Restaurant remodeling

     (2,638 )     (1,218 )

Other restaurant capital expenditures

     (2,077 )     (1,111 )

Corporate and restaurant information systems

     (704 )     (191 )
                

Total capital expenditures

     (12,849 )     (10,881 )

Properties purchased for sale-leaseback

     —         (1,633 )

Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions

     1,735       2,473  

Proceeds from sales of other properties

     —         979  
                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (11,114 )     (9,062 )
                

Cash flows provided from financing activities:

    

Repayment of term loans under prior credit facility

     —         (118,400 )

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

     41,800       11,200  

Repayments on revolving credit facility

     (33,100 )     (10,500 )

Proceeds from new senior credit facility

     —         120,000  

Principal payments on capital leases

     (42 )     (137 )

Expenses from initial public offering

     —         (16 )

Financing costs associated with issuance of debt

     —         (1,228 )
                

Net cash provided from financing activities

     8,658       919  
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,334 )     (1,656 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     7,396       3,939  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 4,062     $ 2,283  
                

Supplemental disclosures:

    

Interest paid on long-term debt

   $ 9,749     $ 10,582  

Interest paid on lease financing obligations

   $ 1,259     $ 1,335  

Increase in accruals for capital expenditures

   $ 99     $ 3,065  

Income taxes paid (refunded), net

   $ 709     $ (2,122 )

Capital lease obligations incurred

   $ 117     $ —    

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

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

1. Basis of Presentation

Basis of Consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented herein include the accounts of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Carrols Restaurant Group” or the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Carrols Corporation (“Carrols”). Carrols Restaurant Group is a holding company and conducts all of its operations through Carrols and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, Carrols Restaurant Group, Carrols and the direct and indirect subsidiaries of Carrols are collectively referred to as the “Company.” All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The difference between the consolidated financial statements of Carrols Restaurant Group and Carrols is primarily due to additional rent expense of approximately $6 per year for Carrols Restaurant Group and the composition of stockholders’ deficit.

Business Description. At March 31, 2008 the Company operated, as franchisee, 322 quick-service restaurants under the trade name “Burger King” in 12 Northeastern, Midwestern and Southeastern states. At March 31, 2008, the Company also owned and operated 86 Pollo Tropical restaurants, of which 83 were located in Florida and three were located in New Jersey, and franchised a total of 27 Pollo Tropical restaurants, 23 in Puerto Rico, two in Ecuador and two on college campuses in Florida. At March 31, 2008, the Company owned and operated 146 Taco Cabana restaurants located primarily in Texas and franchised two Taco Cabana restaurants in New Mexico and one in Georgia.

Fiscal Year. The Company uses a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. All references herein to the fiscal years ended December 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 will be referred to as the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Similarly, all references herein to the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007 will be referred to as the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. The years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 each contained 52 weeks and the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 each contained thirteen weeks.

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 have been prepared without an audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include certain of the information and the footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2007 contained in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The December 31, 2007 balance sheet data is derived from those audited financial statements.

Reclassification of previously issued financial statements. The Company has reclassified certain prior year amounts related to its Pollo Tropical restaurant expenses from cost of sales to other restaurant operating expenses in order to conform to the 2008 presentation and to present such expenses consistently for all of its restaurants. The amount of increase (decrease) in previously reported amounts was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2007
 

Cost of sales

   $ (263 )

Other restaurant operating expenses

     263  
        

Total

   $ —    
        

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates include: accrued occupancy costs, insurance liabilities, legal obligations, income taxes, evaluation for impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and Burger King franchise rights, lease accounting matters and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

 

2. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company adopted an incentive stock plan in 2006 (the “2006 Plan”) under which incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and restricted shares may be granted to employees and non-employee directors.

On January 15, 2008, the Company granted options to purchase 517,820 shares of its common stock, consisting of 160,000 shares of non-qualified stock options and 357,820 shares of incentive stock options (“ISOs”), and issued 7,100 shares of restricted stock. The non-qualified stock options and ISOs granted are exercisable for up to one-fifth of the total number of option shares on or after the first anniversary of the grant date and as of the first day of each month thereafter are exercisable for an additional one-sixtieth of the total number of option shares until fully exercisable. The options expire seven years from the date of the grant and were issued with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock price, or $8.08 per share of common stock, on the date of grant. The restricted stock awards vest 100% on the third anniversary of the award date. There were no restricted shares issued or stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2007.

The Company currently uses and will continue to use the simplified method to estimate the expected term for share option grants until it has enough historical experience to provide a reasonable estimate of expected term in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110 (“SAB 110”). The weighted average fair-value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $2.72 which was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     2008  

Risk-free interest rate

   3.04 %

Annual dividend yield

   0 %

Expected term

   4.8 years  

Expected volatility

   33 %

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

As of March 31, 2008, the total non-vested stock-based compensation expense relating to the options and restricted shares is approximately $4.8 million and the Company expects to record an additional $1.5 million as compensation expense in 2008. The remaining weighted average vesting period for the stock options is 4.11 years and restricted shares is approximately 2.42 years at March 31, 2008.

Stock Options

A summary of all option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was as follows:

 

     2006 Plan
     Number of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in
thousands)
(1)

Options outstanding at January 1, 2008

   1,214,690     $ 14.61    6.0    $ —  

Granted

   517,820       8.08      

Forfeited

   (13,390 )     12.06      
              

Options outstanding at March 31, 2008

   1,719,120     $ 12.45    6.2    $ 437
                  

Expected to vest at March 31, 2008

   1,381,162     $ 12.06    6.3    $ 424
                  

Options exercisable at March 31, 2008

   300,545     $ 14.30    6.0    $ —  
                  

 

(1) The aggregate intrinsic value was calculated using the difference between the market price of the Company’s common stock at March 31 and the grant price for only those awards that have a grant price that is less than the market price of the Company’s common stock at March 31.

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

 

Restricted Shares

The restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was as follows:

 

     Shares     Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at January 1, 2008

   55,398     $ 13.22

Shares granted

   7,100       8.08

Shares forfeited

   (772 )     13.36
        

Nonvested at March 31, 2008

   61,726       12.62
        

The value of restricted shares is determined based on the Company’s closing price on the date of grant.

3. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, for impairment at the restaurant level. If an indicator of impairment exists for any of its assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows from the related long-lived assets is compared to that long-lived asset’s carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flow, the Company then determines the fair value of the asset. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value.

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company recorded impairment losses of $21 on long-lived assets for its Burger King segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recorded no impairment losses.

4. Goodwill and Franchise Rights

Goodwill. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may be impaired. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of December 31 and does not believe circumstances have changed since the last assessment date which would make it necessary to reassess their values. Goodwill balances are summarized below:

 

     Pollo
Tropical
   Taco
Cabana
   Burger
King
   Total

Balance, March 31, 2008

   $ 56,307    $ 67,177    $ 1,450    $ 124,934
                           

Burger King Franchise Rights. Amounts allocated to franchise rights for each Burger King acquisition are amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining term of the acquired franchise agreements at January 1, 2002 plus one twenty-year renewal period. The Company assesses the potential impairment of franchise rights whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If an indicator of impairment exists, an estimate of the aggregate undiscounted future cash flows from the acquired restaurants is compared to the respective carrying value of franchise rights for each Burger King acquisition. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. The Company recorded no impairment charges against franchise rights for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.

Amortization expense related to Burger King franchise rights was $801 and $804 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for the year ending December 31, 2008 is $3,197 and for each of the five succeeding years is $3,196.

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

 

5. Long-term Debt

Long-term debt at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 

Collateralized:

    

Revolving Credit facility

   $ 8,700     $ —    

Senior Credit Facility-Term loan A facility

     120,000       120,000  

Unsecured:

    

9% Senior Subordinated Notes

     180,000       180,000  

Capital leases

     1,358       1,283  
                
     310,058       301,283  

Less: current portion

     (4,610 )     (3,129 )
                
   $ 305,448     $ 298,154  
                

On March 9, 2007, Carrols terminated and replaced its prior senior credit facility with a new senior credit facility with a syndicate of lenders. Carrols’ credit facility totals approximately $185 million, consisting of $120 million principal amount of term loan A borrowings maturing on March 8, 2013 (or earlier on September 30, 2012 if the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 are not refinanced by June 30, 2012) and a $65.0 million revolving facility (including a sub limit of up to $25.0 million for letters of credit and up to $5.0 million for swingline loans), maturing on March 8, 2012. The term loan A borrowings and an additional $4.3 million of revolver borrowings from this facility were used to repay all outstanding borrowings and other obligations under the Carrols’ prior senior credit facility and to pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the new senior credit facility. The Company also recorded a $1.5 million loss on extinguishment of debt in the three months ended March 31, 2007 for the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the prior senior credit facility.

The term loan and revolving credit borrowings under the senior credit facility bear interest at a per annum rate, at Carrols’ option, of either:

1) the applicable margin ranging from 0% to 0.25% based on Carrols’ senior leverage ratio (as defined in the new senior credit facility) plus the greater of (i) the prime rate or (ii) the federal funds rate for that day plus 0.5%; or

2) Adjusted LIBOR plus the applicable margin percentage in effect ranging from 1.0% to 1.5% based on Carrols’ senior leverage ratio.

Term loan A borrowings shall be due and payable in quarterly installments, beginning on June 30, 2008 as follows:

1) four quarterly installments of $1.5 million beginning on June 30, 2008;

2) eight quarterly installments of $3.0 million beginning on June 30, 2009;

3) four quarterly installments of $4.5 million beginning on June 30, 2011; and

4) four quarterly installments of $18.0 million beginning on June 30, 2012.

Under the senior credit facility, Carrols is also required to make mandatory prepayments of principal on term loan A facility borrowings (a) annually in an initial amount equal to 50% of Excess Cash Flow depending upon Carrols’ Total Leverage Ratio (as such terms are defined in the senior credit facility), (b) in the event of certain dispositions of assets (all subject to certain exceptions) and insurance proceeds, in an amount equal to 100% of the net proceeds received by Carrols therefrom, and (c) in an amount equal to 100% of the net proceeds from any subsequent issuance of debt.

In general, Carrols’ obligations under the senior credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and all of Carrols’ material subsidiaries and are collateralized by a pledge of Carrols’ common stock and the stock of each of Carrols’ material subsidiaries. The senior credit facility contains certain covenants, including, without limitation, those limiting the Carrols’ ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of its business, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. In addition, Carrols is required to meet certain financial ratios, including fixed charge coverage, senior leverage, and total leverage ratios (all as defined under the senior credit facility). Carrols was in compliance with the covenants under its senior credit facility as of March 31, 2008.

At March 31, 2008, $120.0 million principal amount of term loan borrowings were outstanding under the term loan A facility and $8.7 million principal amount of borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. After reserving $14.2 million for letters of credit guaranteed by the facility, $42.1 million was available for borrowings under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2008.

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

 

On December 15, 2004, Carrols issued $180 million of 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, which are referred to herein as the “senior subordinated notes”. Restrictive covenants under the senior subordinated notes include limitations with respect to the Carrols’ ability to issue additional debt, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, pay dividends and make certain investments. At both March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, $180.0 million principal amount of the senior subordinated notes was outstanding.

6. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was comprised of the following:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2008    2007

Current

   $ 502    $ 892

Deferred

     311      —  
             
   $ 813    $ 892
             

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for 2008 of 38.0%, which excludes any discrete tax adjustments. Discrete tax adjustments reduced the provision for income taxes by $46 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for 2007 of 36.1%. There were no discrete tax adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions.

The tax years 2004-2007 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. It is not possible to reasonably estimate any possible change in the unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

7. Other Liabilities, Long-Term

Other liabilities, long-term, at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,
2008
   December 31,
2007

Unearned purchase discounts

   $ 1,674    $ 2,231

Accrued occupancy costs

     9,957      9,667

Accrued workers’ compensation costs

     4,116      4,418

Other

     5,795      6,506
             
   $ 21,542    $ 22,822
             

In 2001, management decided to close seven Taco Cabana restaurants in the Phoenix, Arizona market and discontinue restaurant development underway in that market. At both March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had $0.5 million in lease liability reserves for remaining locations that are included in accrued occupancy costs.

8. Postretirement Benefits

The Company provides postretirement medical and life insurance benefits covering substantially all Burger King administrative and restaurant management salaried employees. A December 31 measurement date is used for postretirement benefits. On November 1, 2007 the Company amended its postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to eliminate life insurance benefits for active employees who retire after December 31, 2007 and to increase retiree contributions for both current and future retirees effective January 1, 2008. These amendments reduced the Company’s postretirement benefit obligations and reduced expense in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

 

The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

    

Service cost

   $ 38     $ 119  

Interest cost

     71       93  

Amortization of net gains and losses

     41       17  

Amortization of prior service credit

     (113 )     (7 )
                

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

   $ 37     $ 222  
                

During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company made contributions of $49 to its postretirement plan. The Company expects to make additional contributions during 2008.

9. Lease Financing Obligations

The Company entered into sale-leaseback transactions in various years involving certain restaurant properties that did not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting and as a result, have been classified as financing transactions under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 98, “Accounting for Leases” (“SFAS 98”). Under the financing method, the assets remain on the consolidated balance sheet and proceeds received by the Company from these transactions are recorded as a financing liability. Payments under these leases are applied as payments of imputed interest and deemed principal on the underlying financing obligations.

10. Other Income

In the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a gain of $0.3 million related to the sale of one of its Taco Cabana properties.

11. Business Segment Information

The Company is engaged in the quick-service and quick-casual restaurant industry, with three restaurant concepts: Burger King operating as a franchisee and Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, both Company-owned concepts. The Company’s Burger King restaurants are all located in the United States, primarily in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest. Pollo Tropical is a quick-casual restaurant chain featuring grilled marinated chicken and Caribbean style “made from scratch” side dishes. Pollo Tropical’s core markets are located in South and Central Florida. Taco Cabana is a quick-casual restaurant chain featuring fresh Mexican style food, including flame-grilled beef and chicken fajitas, quesadillas and other Tex-Mex dishes. Taco Cabana’s core markets are primarily located in Texas.

The accounting policies of each segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The following table includes Segment EBITDA which is the measure of segment profit or loss reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. Segment EBITDA is defined as earnings attributable to the applicable segment before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment losses, stock-based compensation expense, other income and expense and loss on extinguishment of debt.

The “Other” column includes corporate related items not allocated to reportable segments, including stock-based compensation expense. Other identifiable assets consist primarily of cash, certain other assets, corporate property and equipment, goodwill and deferred income taxes.

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

 

Three Months Ended

   Pollo
Tropical
   Taco
Cabana
   Burger
King
   Other    Consolidated

March 31, 2008:

              

Revenues

   $ 44,332    $ 60,257    $ 91,164    $ —      $ 195,753

Cost of sales

     14,341      18,836      24,452      —        57,629

Restaurant wages and related expenses

     11,300      17,650      29,534      57      58,541

General and administrative expense (1)

     2,566      3,006      7,006      417      12,995

Depreciation and amortization

     1,916      2,071      3,638      397      8,022

Segment EBITDA

     6,004      6,582      5,624      

Capital expenditures, including acquisitions

     6,546      2,882      2,717      704      12,849

March 31, 2007:

              

Revenues

   $ 41,539    $ 58,194    $ 88,470    $ —      $ 188,203

Cost of sales

     13,129      16,978      22,187      —        52,294

Restaurant wages and related expenses

     10,331      16,480      29,100      37      55,948

General and administrative expense (1)

     2,487      2,873      7,468      318      13,146

Depreciation and amortization

     1,495      2,053      3,843      300      7,691

Segment EBITDA

     6,832      7,351      5,826      

Capital expenditures, including acquisitions

     6,430      2,656      1,604      191      10,881

Identifiable Assets:

              

At March 31, 2008

   $ 64,419    $ 80,187    $ 146,590    $ 175,925    $ 467,121

At December 31, 2007

     59,609      79,370      148,467      178,112      465,558

 

(1) For the Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana segments, such amounts include general and administrative expenses related directly to each segment. For the Burger King segment such amounts include general and administrative expenses related directly to the Burger King segment as well as expenses associated with administrative support to all three of the Company’s segments including executive management, information systems and certain accounting, legal and other administrative functions.

A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to consolidated net income is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008    2007  

Segment EBITDA:

     

Pollo Tropical

   $ 6,004    $ 6,832  

Taco Cabana

     6,582      7,351  

Burger King

     5,624      5,826  
               

Subtotal

     18,210      20,009  

Less:

     

Depreciation and amortization

     8,022      7,691  

Impairment losses

     21      —    

Interest expense

     7,434      8,356  

Provision for income taxes

     813      892  

Stock-based compensation expense

     474      355  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —        1,485  

Other income

     —        (347 )
               

Net income

   $ 1,446    $ 1,577  
               

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

 

12. Commitments and Contingencies

On November 16, 1998, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (the “Court”), under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, against Carrols. The complaint alleged that Carrols engaged in a pattern and practice of unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation against former and current female employees. The EEOC identified approximately 450 individuals (which were subsequently increased to 511 individuals) that it believed represented the class of claimants and was seeking monetary and injunctive relief from Carrols.

On April 20, 2005, the Court issued a decision and order granting Carrols’ Motion for Summary Judgment that Carrols filed in January 2004. Subject to possible appeal by the EEOC, the case is dismissed; however the Court noted that it was not ruling on the claims, if any, that individual employees might have against Carrols. The Company does not believe that any individual claim, if any, would have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial statements.

On February 27, 2006, Carrols filed a motion for summary judgment to dismiss all but between four and 17 of the individual claims. On July 10, 2006, in its response to that motion, the EEOC asserted that, notwithstanding the Court’s dismissal of the case as a class action, the EEOC may still maintain some kind of collective action on behalf of these claimants. Oral argument before the Court was held on October 4, 2006 and the Company is awaiting the Court’s decision on Carrols’ summary judgment motion. Although the Company believes that the EEOC’s continued class litigation argument is without merit, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the pending motion.

On November 30, 2002, four former hourly employees commenced a lawsuit against Carrols in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York (the “Court”) entitled Dawn Seever, et al. v. Carrols Corporation. The lawsuit alleged, in substance, that Carrols violated certain minimum wage laws under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act and related state laws by requiring employees to work without recording their time and by retaliating against those who complained. The plaintiffs sought damages, costs and injunctive relief. They also sought to notify and certify, a class consisting of current and former employees who, since 1998, have worked, or are working, for Carrols.

On December 17, 2007, the Court issued a decision and order denying Plaintiffs’ motion for notice and class certification and granting the Company’s motion to dismiss all of the claims of the plaintiffs, other than certain nominal claims relating to orientation and managers’ meetings. The Court instructed the parties to confer, in good faith, and settle those nominal claims. Subject to settlement of the amounts for orientation and managers’ meetings and possible appeal by the Plaintiffs, the case is concluded. The Company does not believe that these settlement amounts will be material to its consolidated financial statements.

The Company is a party to various other litigation matters incidental to the conduct of business. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of these other matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

13. Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options using the treasury stock method.

The computation of diluted net income per share excludes options to purchase 1,045,969 and 620,875 shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, because the exercise price of these options was greater than the average market price of the common shares in the periods and therefore, they were antidilutive. In addition, options to purchase 1,045,969 and 620,875 shares of common stock are excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as they were antidilutive under the treasury stock method.

 

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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

 

The following table is a reconciliation of the income and share amounts used in the calculation of basic net income per share and diluted net income per share:

 

     Three months ended March 31,
     2008    2007

Basic income per share:

     

Net income

   $ 1,446    $ 1,577

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     21,571,565      21,550,827

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.07    $ 0.07

Diluted income per share:

     

Net income for diluted income per share

   $ 1,446    $ 1,577

Shares used in computing basic income per share

     21,571,565      21,550,827

Dilutive effect of stock options - treasury stock method

     2,674      7,555
             

Shares used in computing diluted income per share

     21,574,239      21,558,382
             

Diluted income per share

   $ 0.07    $ 0.07
             

14. Comprehensive income

SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (“SFAS 130”), requires the disclosure of certain revenue, expenses, gains and losses that are excluded from net income in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The items that currently impact the Company’s other comprehensive income are changes in postretirement benefit obligations, net of tax.

 

     Three months ended March 31,
     2008    2007

Net income

   $ 1,446    $ 1,577

Change in postretirement benefit obligation, net of tax

     8      —  
             

Comprehensive income

   $ 1,454    $ 1,577
             

15. Recent Accounting Developments

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The statement applies whenever other pronouncements require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. In February 2007, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, delaying the effective date of SFAS 157 for certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The implementation of SFAS 157 for financial assets and financial liabilities, effective for fiscal 2008, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. The Company has decided not to adopt this optional standard for its current financial assets and liabilities.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financials Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 clarifies the accounting for non controlling interests and establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, including classification as a component of equity. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting SFAS 160 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITEM 1—INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,062     $ 7,396  

Trade and other receivables

     5,167       4,734  

Inventories

     5,041       5,339  

Prepaid rent

     2,789       2,803  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     7,146       6,172  

Deferred income taxes

     4,784       4,802  
                

Total current assets

     28,989       31,246  

Property and equipment, net

     205,416       200,325  

Franchise rights, net (Note 4)

     79,268       80,052  

Goodwill (Note 4)

     124,934       124,934  

Intangible assets, net

     814       887  

Franchise agreements, at cost less accumulated amortization of $5,681and $5,646, respectively

     5,596       5,548  

Deferred income taxes

     10,271       10,559  

Other assets

     11,833       12,007  
                

Total assets

   $ 467,121     $ 465,558  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT     

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of long-term debt (Note 5)

   $ 4,610     $ 3,129  

Accounts payable

     19,311       20,054  

Accrued interest

     4,215       8,148  

Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits

     14,741       18,669  

Accrued income taxes payable

     725       933  

Accrued real estate taxes

     1,946       3,312  

Other liabilities

     11,818       10,113  
                

Total current liabilities

     57,366       64,358  

Long-term debt, net of current portion (Note 5)

     305,448       298,154  

Lease financing obligations (Note 9)

     52,749       52,689  

Deferred income—sale-leaseback of real estate

     31,902       31,348  

Accrued postretirement benefits (Note 8)

     3,021       3,022  

Other liabilities (Note 7)

     21,502       22,784  
                

Total liabilities

     471,988       472,355  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

    

Stockholder’s deficit:

    

Common stock, par value $1; authorized 1,000 shares, issued and outstanding— 10 shares at both dates

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     (8,610 )     (9,084 )

Accumulated earnings

     2,374       926  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,369       1,361  
                

Total stockholder’s deficit

     (4,867 )     (6,797 )
                

Total liabilities and stockholder’s deficit

   $ 467,121     $ 465,558  
                

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

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     2008    2007  

Revenues:

     

Restaurant sales

   $ 195,393    $ 187,866  

Franchise royalty revenues and fees

     360      337  
               

Total revenues

     195,753      188,203  
               

Costs and expenses:

     

Cost of sales

     57,629      52,294  

Restaurant wages and related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense of $57 and $37, respectively)

     58,541      55,948  

Restaurant rent expense

     11,483      10,679  

Other restaurant operating expenses

     29,545      27,947  

Advertising expense

     7,824      8,535  

General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense of $417 and $318, respectively)

     12,993      13,144  

Depreciation and amortization

     8,022      7,691  

Impairment losses (Note 3)

     21      —    

Other income (Note 10)

     —        (347 )
               

Total operating expenses

     186,058      175,891  
               

Income from operations

     9,695      12,312  

Interest expense

     7,434      8,356  

Loss on extinguishment of debt (Note 5)

     —        1,485  
               

Income before income taxes

     2,261      2,471  

Provision for income taxes (Note 6)

     813      892  
               

Net income

   $ 1,448    $ 1,579  
               

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

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     2008     2007  

Cash flows provided from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 1,448     $ 1,579  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used for) operating activities:

    

(Gain) loss on disposals of property and equipment

     62       (121 )

Stock-based compensation expense

     474       355  

Depreciation and amortization

     8,022       7,691  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     298       335  

Amortization of unearned purchase discounts

     (539 )     (539 )

Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions

     (513 )     (488 )

Impairment losses

     21       —    

Accretion of interest on lease financing obligations

     60       130  

Deferred income taxes

     311       —    

Accrued income taxes

     (208 )     3,016  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —         1,485  

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities

     (10,314 )     (6,956 )
                

Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities

     (878 )     6,487  
                

Cash flows used for investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures:

    

New restaurant development

     (7,430 )     (8,361 )

Restaurant remodeling

     (2,638 )     (1,218 )

Other restaurant capital expenditures

     (2,077 )     (1,111 )

Corporate and restaurant information systems

     (704 )     (191 )
                

Total capital expenditures

     (12,849 )     (10,881 )

Properties purchased for sale-leaseback

     —         (1,633 )

Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions

     1,735       2,473  

Proceeds from sales of other properties

     —         979  
                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (11,114 )     (9,062 )
                

Cash flows provided from financing activities:

    

Repayment of term loans under prior credit facility

     —         (118,400 )

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

     41,800       11,200  

Repayments on revolving credit facility

     (33,100 )     (10,500 )

Proceeds from new senior credit facility

     —         120,000  

Principal payments on capital leases

     (42 )     (137 )

Expenses from initial public offering

     —         (16 )

Payment of deferred financing costs

     —         (1,228 )
                

Net cash provided from financing activities

     8,658       919  
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,334 )     (1,656 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     7,396       3,939  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 4,062     $ 2,283  
                

Supplemental disclosures:

    

Interest paid on long-term debt

   $ 9,749     $ 10,582  

Interest paid on lease financing obligations

   $ 1,259     $ 1,335  

Increase in accruals for capital expenditures

   $ 99     $ 3,065  

Income taxes paid (refunded), net

   $ 709     $ (2,122 )

Capital lease obligations incurred

   $ 117     $ —    

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

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

Basis of Consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented herein include the accounts of Carrols Corporation and its subsidiaries (“the Company”). The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Carrols Restaurant Group” or the “Parent Company”). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The difference between the consolidated financial statements of Carrols Corporation and Carrols Restaurant Group is primarily due to additional rent expense of approximately $6 per year for Carrols Restaurant Group and the composition of stockholder’s deficit.

Business Description. At March 31, 2008 the Company operated, as franchisee, 322 quick-service restaurants under the trade name “Burger King” in 12 Northeastern, Midwestern and Southeastern states. At March 31, 2008, the Company also owned and operated 86 Pollo Tropical restaurants of which 83 were located in Florida and three were located in New Jersey, and franchised a total of 27 Pollo Tropical restaurants, 23 in Puerto Rico, two in Ecuador and two on college campuses in Florida. At March 31, 2008, the Company owned and operated 146 Taco Cabana restaurants located primarily in Texas and franchised two Taco Cabana restaurants in New Mexico and one in Georgia.

Fiscal Year. The Company uses a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. All references herein to the fiscal years ended December 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 will be referred to as the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Similarly, all references herein to the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007 will be referred to as the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. The years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 each contained 52 weeks and the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 each contained thirteen weeks.

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 have been prepared without an audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include certain of the information and the footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2007 contained in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The December 31, 2007 balance sheet data is derived from those audited financial statements.

Reclassification of previously issued financial statements. The Company has reclassified certain prior year amounts related to its Pollo Tropical restaurant expenses from cost of sales to other restaurant operating expenses in order to conform to the 2008 presentation and to present such expenses consistently for all of its restaurants. The amount of increase (decrease) in previously reported amounts was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2007
 

Cost of sales

   $ (263 )

Other restaurant operating expenses

     263  
        

Total

   $ —    
        

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates include: accrued occupancy costs, insurance liabilities, legal obligations, income taxes, evaluation for impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and Burger King franchise rights, lease accounting matters and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

Earnings Per Share Presentation. The guidance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” requires presentation of earnings per share by all entities that have issued common stock or potential common stock if those securities trade in a public market either on a stock exchange (domestic or foreign) or in the over-the-counter market. The Company’s common stock is not publicly traded and therefore, earnings per share amounts are not presented.

2. Stock-Based Compensation

Carrols Restaurant Group adopted an incentive stock plan in 2006 (the “2006 Plan”) under which incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and restricted shares may be granted to employees and non-employee directors.

On January 15, 2008, Carrols Restaurant Group granted options to purchase 517,820 shares of its common stock, consisting of 160,000 shares of non-qualified stock options and 357,820 shares of incentive stock options (“ISOs”), and issued 7,100 shares of restricted stock. The non-qualified stock options and ISOs granted are exercisable for up to one-fifth of the total number of option shares on or after the first anniversary of the grant date and as of the first day of each month thereafter are exercisable for an additional one-sixtieth of the total number of option shares until fully exercisable. The options expire seven years from the date of the grant and were issued with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock price, or $8.08 per share of common stock, on the date of grant. The restricted stock awards vest 100% on the third anniversary of the award date. There were no restricted shares issued or stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2007.

The Company currently uses and will continue to use the simplified method to estimate the expected term for share option grants until it has enough historical experience to provide a reasonable estimate of expected term in accordance with SAB 110. The weighted average fair-value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $2.72 which was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     2008  

Risk-free interest rate

   3.04 %

Annual dividend yield

   0 %

Expected term

   4.8 years  

Expected volatility

   33 %

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

As of March 31, 2008, the total non-vested stock-based compensation expense relating to the options and restricted shares is approximately $4.8 million and the Company expects to record an additional $1.5 million as compensation expense in 2008. The remaining weighted average vesting period for the stock options is 4.11 years and restricted shares is approximately 2.42 years at March 31, 2008.

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

Stock Options

A summary of all option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was as follows:

 

     2006 Plan
     Number of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in
thousands) (1)

Options outstanding at January 1, 2008

   1,214,690     $ 14.61    6.0    $ —  

Granted

   517,820       8.08      

Forfeited

   (13,390 )     12.06      
              

Options outstanding at March 31, 2008

   1,719,120     $ 12.45    6.2    $ 437
              

Expected to vest at March 31, 2008

   1,381,162     $ 12.06    6.3    $ 424
              

Options exercisable at March 31, 2008

   300,545     $ 14.30    6.0    $ —  
              

 

(1) The aggregate intrinsic value was calculated using the difference between the market price of Carrols Restaurant Group’s common stock at March 31 and the grant price for only those awards that have a grant price that is less than the market price of Carrols Restaurant Group’s common stock at March 31.

Restricted Shares

The restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was as follows:

 

     Shares     Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at January 1, 2008

   55,398     $ 13.22

Shares granted

   7,100       8.08

Shares forfeited

   (772 )     13.36
        

Nonvested at March 31, 2008

   61,726       12.62
        

The value of restricted shares is determined based on Carrols Restaurant Group’s closing price on the date of grant.

3. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, for impairment at the restaurant level. If an indicator of impairment exists for any of its assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows from the related long-lived assets is compared to that long-lived asset’s carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flow, the Company then determines the fair value of the asset. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value.

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company recorded impairment losses of $21 on long-lived assets for its Burger King segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recorded no impairment losses.

4. Goodwill and Franchise Rights

Goodwill. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may be impaired. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of December 31 and does not believe circumstances have changed since the last assessment date which would make it necessary to reassess their values. Goodwill balances are summarized below:

 

     Pollo
Tropical
   Taco
Cabana
   Burger
King
   Total

Balance, March 31, 2008

   $ 56,307    $ 67,177    $ 1,450    $ 124,934
                           

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

Burger King Franchise Rights. Amounts allocated to franchise rights for each Burger King acquisition are amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining term of the acquired franchise agreements at January 1, 2002 plus one twenty-year renewal period. The Company assesses the potential impairment of franchise rights whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If an indicator of impairment exists, an estimate of the aggregate undiscounted future cash flows from the acquired restaurants is compared to the respective carrying value of franchise rights for each Burger King acquisition. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. The Company recorded no impairment charges against franchise rights for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.

Amortization expense related to Burger King franchise rights was $801 and $804 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for the year ending December 31, 2008 is $3,197 and for each of the five succeeding years is $3,196.

5. Long-term Debt

Long-term debt at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 

Collateralized:

    

Revolving Credit facility

   $ 8,700     $ —    

Senior Credit Facility-Term loan A facility

     120,000       120,000  

Unsecured:

    

9% Senior Subordinated Notes

     180,000       180,000  

Capital leases

     1,358       1,283  
                
     310,058       301,283  

Less: current portion

     (4,610 )     (3,129 )
                
   $ 305,448     $ 298,154  
                

On March 9, 2007, the Company terminated and replaced its prior senior credit facility with a new senior credit facility with a syndicate of lenders. The Company’s credit facility totals approximately $185 million, consisting of $120 million principal amount of term loan A borrowings maturing on March 8, 2013 (or earlier on September 30, 2012 if the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 are not refinanced by June 30, 2012) and a $65.0 million revolving facility (including a sub limit of up to $25.0 million for letters of credit and up to $5.0 million for swingline loans), maturing on March 8, 2012. The term loan A borrowings and an additional $4.3 million of revolver borrowings from this facility were used to repay all outstanding borrowings and other obligations under the Company’s prior senior credit facility and to pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the new senior credit facility. The Company also recorded a $1.5 million loss on extinguishment of debt in the three months ended March 31, 2007 for the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the prior senior credit facility.

The term loan and revolving credit borrowings under the senior credit facility bear interest at a per annum rate, at the Company’s option, of either:

1) the applicable margin ranging from 0% to 0.25% based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio (as defined in the new senior credit facility) plus the greater of (i) the prime rate or (ii) the federal funds rate for that day plus 0.5%; or

2) Adjusted LIBOR plus the applicable margin percentage in effect ranging from 1.0% to 1.5% based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio.

Term loan A borrowings shall be due and payable in quarterly installments, beginning on June 30, 2008 as follows:

 

  1) four quarterly installments of $1.5 million beginning on June 30, 2008;

 

  2) eight quarterly installments of $3.0 million beginning on June 30, 2009;

 

  3) four quarterly installments of $4.5 million beginning on June 30, 2011; and

 

  4) four quarterly installments of $18.0 million beginning on June 30, 2012.

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

Under the senior credit facility, the Company is also required to make mandatory prepayments of principal on term loan A facility borrowings (a) annually in an initial amount equal to 50% of Excess Cash Flow depending upon the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio (as such terms are defined in the senior credit facility), (b) in the event of certain dispositions of assets (all subject to certain exceptions) and insurance proceeds, in an amount equal to 100% of the net proceeds received by the Company therefrom, and (c) in an amount equal to 100% of the net proceeds from any subsequent issuance of debt.

In general, the Company’s obligations under the senior credit facility are guaranteed by Carrols Restaurant Group and all of the Company’s material subsidiaries and are collateralized by a pledge of the Company’s common stock and the stock of each of the Company’s material subsidiaries. The senior credit facility contains certain covenants, including, without limitation, those limiting the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of its business, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. In addition, the Company is required to meet certain financial ratios, including fixed charge coverage, senior leverage, and total leverage ratios (all as defined under the senior credit facility). The Company was in compliance with the covenants under its new senior credit facility as of March 31, 2008.

At March 31, 2008, $120.0 million principal amount of term loan borrowings were outstanding under the term loan A facility and $8.7 million principal amount of borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. After reserving $14.2 million for letters of credit guaranteed by the facility, $42.1 million was available for borrowings under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2008.

On December 15, 2004, the Company issued $180 million of 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, which are referred to herein as the “senior subordinated notes.” Restrictive covenants under the senior subordinated notes include limitations with respect to the Company’s ability to issue additional debt, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, pay dividends and make certain investments. At both March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, $180.0 million principal amount of the senior subordinated notes was outstanding.

6. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was comprised of the following:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2008    2007

Current

   $ 502    $ 892

Deferred

     311      —  
             
   $ 813    $ 892
             

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for 2008 of 38.0%, which excludes any discrete tax adjustments. Discrete tax adjustments reduced the provision for income taxes by $46 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for 2007 of 36.1%. There were no discrete tax adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions.

The tax years 2004-2007 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. It is not possible to reasonably estimate any possible change in the unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

7. Other Liabilities, Long-Term

Other liabilities, long-term, at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,
2008
   December 31,
2007

Unearned purchase discounts

   $ 1,674    $ 2,231

Accrued occupancy costs

     9,957      9,667

Accrued workers’ compensation costs

     4,116      4,418

Other

     5,755      6,468
             
   $ 21,502    $ 22,784
             

In 2001, management decided to close seven Taco Cabana restaurants in the Phoenix, Arizona market and discontinue restaurant development underway in that market. At both March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had $0.5 million in lease liability reserves for the remaining locations that are included in accrued occupancy costs.

8. Postretirement Benefits

The Company provides postretirement medical and life insurance benefits covering substantially all Burger King administrative and restaurant management salaried employees. A December 31 measurement date is used for postretirement benefits. On November 1, 2007 the Company amended its postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to eliminate life insurance benefits for active employees who retire after December 31, 2007 and to increase retiree contributions for both current and future retirees effective January 1, 2008. These amendments reduced the Company’s postretirement benefit obligations and reduced expense in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

    

Service cost

   $ 38     $ 119  

Interest cost

     71       93  

Amortization of net gains and losses

     41       17  

Amortization of prior service credit

     (113 )     (7 )
                

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

   $ 37     $ 222  
                

During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company made contributions of $49 to its postretirement plan. The Company expects to make additional contributions during 2008.

9. Lease Financing Obligations

The Company entered into sale-leaseback transactions in various years involving certain restaurant properties that did not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting and as a result, have been classified as financing transactions under SFAS No. 98, “Accounting for Leases” (“SFAS 98”). Under the financing method, the assets remain on the consolidated balance sheet and proceeds received by the Company from these transactions are recorded as a financing liability. Payments under these leases are applied as payments of imputed interest and deemed principal on the underlying financing obligations.

10. Other Income

In the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a gain of $0.3 million related to the sale of one of its Taco Cabana properties.

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

11. Business Segment Information

The Company is engaged in the quick-service and quick-casual restaurant industry, with three restaurant concepts: Burger King operating as a franchisee and Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, both Company-owned concepts. The Company’s Burger King restaurants are all located in the United States, primarily in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest. Pollo Tropical is a quick-casual restaurant chain featuring grilled marinated chicken and Caribbean style “made from scratch” side dishes. Pollo Tropical’s core markets are located in South and Central Florida. Taco Cabana is a quick-casual restaurant chain featuring fresh Mexican style food, including flame-grilled beef and chicken fajitas, quesadillas and other Tex-Mex dishes. Taco Cabana’s core markets are primarily located in Texas.

The accounting policies of each segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The following table includes Segment EBITDA which is the measure of segment profit or loss reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. Segment EBITDA is defined as earnings attributable to the applicable segment before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment losses, stock-based compensation expense, other income and expense and loss on extinguishment of debt.

The “Other” column includes corporate related items not allocated to reportable segments, including stock-based compensation expense. Other identifiable assets consist primarily of cash, certain other assets, corporate property and equipment, goodwill and deferred income taxes.

 

Three Months Ended

   Pollo
Tropical
   Taco
Cabana
   Burger
King
   Other    Consolidated

March 31, 2008:

              

Total revenues

   $ 44,332    $ 60,257    $ 91,164    $ —      $ 195,753

Cost of sales

     14,341      18,836      24,452      —        57,629

Restaurant wages and related expenses

     11,300      17,650      29,534      57      58,541

General and administrative expenses (1)

     2,564      3,006      7,006      417      12,993

Depreciation and amortization

     1,916      2,071      3,638      397      8,022

Segment EBITDA

     6,006      6,582      5,624      

Capital expenditures, including acquisitions

     6,546      2,882      2,717      704      12,849

March 31, 2007:

              

Total revenues

   $ 41,539    $ 58,194    $ 88,470    $ —      $ 188,203

Cost of sales

     13,129      16,978      22,187      —        52,294

Restaurant wages and related expenses

     10,331      16,480      29,100      37      55,948

General and administrative expenses (1)

     2,485      2,873      7,468      318      13,144

Depreciation and amortization

     1,495      2,053      3,843      300      7,691

Segment EBITDA

     6,834      7,351      5,826      

Capital expenditures, including acquisitions

     6,430      2,656      1,604      191      10,881

Identifiable Assets:

              

At March 31, 2008

   $ 64,419    $ 80,187    $ 146,590    $ 175,925    $ 467,121

At December 31, 2007

     59,609      79,370      148,467      178,112      465,558

 

(1) For the Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana segments, such amounts include general and administrative expenses related directly to each segment. For the Burger King segment such amounts include general and administrative expenses related directly to the Burger King segment as well as expenses associated with administrative support to all of the Company’s segments including executive management, information systems and certain accounting, legal and other administrative functions.

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to consolidated net income is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008    2007  

Segment EBITDA:

     

Pollo Tropical

   $ 6,006    $ 6,834  

Taco Cabana

     6,582      7,351  

Burger King

     5,624      5,826  
               

Subtotal

     18,212      20,011  

Less:

     

Depreciation and amortization

     8,022      7,691  

Impairment losses

     21      —    

Interest expense

     7,434      8,356  

Provision for income taxes

     813      892  

Stock-based compensation expense

     474      355  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —        1,485  

Other income

     —        (347 )
               

Net income

   $ 1,448    $ 1,579  
               

12. Commitments and Contingencies

On November 16, 1998, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (the “Court”), under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, against the Company. The complaint alleged that the Company engaged in a pattern and practice of unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation against former and current female employees. The EEOC identified approximately 450 individuals (which were subsequently increased to 511 individuals) that it believed represented the class of claimants and was seeking monetary and injunctive relief from the Company.

On April 20, 2005, the Court issued a decision and order granting the Company’s Motion for Summary Judgment that The Company filed in January 2004. Subject to possible appeal by the EEOC, the case is dismissed; however the Court noted that it was not ruling on the claims, if any, that individual employees might have against the Company. The Company does not believe that any individual claim, if any, would have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial statements.

On February 27, 2006, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment to dismiss all but between four and 17 of the individual claims. On July 10, 2006, in its response to that motion, the EEOC asserted that, notwithstanding the Court’s dismissal of the case as a class action, the EEOC may still maintain some kind of collective action on behalf of these claimants. Oral argument before the Court was held on October 4, 2006 and the Company is awaiting the Court’s decision on the Company’ summary judgment motion. Although the Company believes that the EEOC’s continued class litigation argument is without merit, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the pending motion.

On November 30, 2002, four former hourly employees commenced a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York (the “Court”) entitled Dawn Seever, et al. v. the Company. The lawsuit alleged, in substance, that The Company violated certain minimum wage laws under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act and related state laws by requiring employees to work without recording their time and by retaliating against those who complained. The plaintiffs sought damages, costs and injunctive relief. They also sought to notify and certify, a class consisting of current and former employees who, since 1998, have worked, or are working, for The Company.

On December 17, 2007, the Court issued a decision and order denying Plaintiffs’ motion for notice and class certification and granting the Company’s motion to dismiss all of the claims of the plaintiffs, other than certain nominal claims relating to orientation and managers’ meetings. The Court instructed the parties to confer, in good faith, and settle those nominal claims. Subject to settlement of the amounts for orientation and managers’ meetings and possible appeal by the Plaintiffs, the case is concluded. The Company does not believe that these settlement amounts will be material to its consolidated financial statements.

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

The Company is a party to various other litigation matters incidental to the conduct of business. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of these other matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

13. Comprehensive income

SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (“SFAS 130”), requires the disclosure of certain revenue, expenses, gains and losses that are excluded from net income in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The items that currently impact the Company’s other comprehensive income are changes in postretirement benefit obligations, net of tax.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
     2008    2007

Net income

   $ 1,448    $ 1,579

Change in postretirement benefit obligation, net of tax

     8      —  
             

Comprehensive income

   $ 1,456    $ 1,579
             

14. Recent Accounting Developments

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standrds Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The statement applies whenever other pronouncements require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. In February 2007, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, delaying the effective date of SFAS 157 for certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The implementation of SFAS 157 for financial assets and financial liabilities, effective for fiscal 2008, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. The Company has decided not to adopt this optional standard for its current financial assets and liabilities.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financials Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 clarifies the accounting for non controlling interests and establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, including classification as a component of equity. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting SFAS 160 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

15. Guarantor Financial Statements

The Company’s obligations under the senior subordinated notes are jointly and severally guaranteed in full on an unsecured senior subordinated basis by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (“Guarantor Subsidiaries”), all of which are directly or indirectly wholly-owned by the Company. These subsidiaries are:

Cabana Beverages, Inc.

Cabana Bevco LLC

Carrols Realty Holdings Corp.

Carrols Realty I Corp.

Carrols Realty II Corp.

Carrols J.G. Corp.

Quanta Advertising Corp.

Pollo Franchise, Inc.

Pollo Operations, Inc.

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

Taco Cabana, Inc.

TP Acquisition Corp.

TC Bevco LLC

T.C. Management, Inc.

TC Lease Holdings III, V and VI, Inc.

Get Real, Inc.

Texas Taco Cabana, L.P.

TPAQ Holding Corporation

The following supplemental financial information sets forth on a consolidating basis, balance sheets as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 for the Parent Company only, Guarantor Subsidiaries and for the Company and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.

For certain of the Company’s sale-leaseback transactions, the Parent Company has guaranteed on an unsecured basis the rental payments of its subsidiaries. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 90-14, “Unsecured Guarantee by Parent of Subsidiary’s Lease Payments in a Sale-Leaseback Transaction,” the Company has included in the following guarantor financial statements amounts pertaining to these leases as if they were accounted for as financing transactions of the Guarantor Subsidiaries. These adjustments are eliminated in consolidation.

For purposes of the guarantor financial statements, the Company and its subsidiaries determine the applicable tax provision for each entity generally using the separate return method. Under this method, current and deferred taxes are allocated to each reporting entity as if it were to file a separate tax return. The rules followed by the reporting entity in computing its tax obligation or refund, including the effects of the alternative minimum tax, would be the same as those followed in filing a separate return with the Internal Revenue Service. However, for purposes of evaluating an entity’s ability to realize its tax attributes, the Company assesses whether it is more likely than not that those assets will be realized at the consolidated level. Any differences in the total of the income tax provision (benefit) for the Parent Company only and the Guarantor Subsidiaries, as calculated on the separate return method and the consolidated income tax provision (benefit) are eliminated in consolidation.

The Company provides some administrative support to its subsidiaries related to executive management, information systems and certain accounting, legal and other administrative functions. For purposes of the guarantor financial statements, the Company allocates such corporate costs on a specific identification basis, where applicable, or based on revenues or the number of restaurants for each subsidiary. Management believes that these allocations are reasonable based on the nature of costs incurred.

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

March 31, 2008

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 
ASSETS         

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,026     $ 2,036     $ —       $ 4,062  

Trade and other receivables

     1,350       3,817       —         5,167  

Inventories

     3,020       2,021       —         5,041  

Prepaid rent

     1,040       1,749       —         2,789  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,961       4,185       —         7,146  

Deferred income taxes

     2,766       2,018       —         4,784  
                                

Total current assets

     13,163       15,826       —         28,989  

Property and equipment, net

     60,232       199,051       (53,867 )     205,416  

Franchise rights, net

     79,268       —         —         79,268  

Goodwill

     1,450       123,484       —         124,934  

Intangible assets, net

     —         814       —         814  

Franchise fees, net

     5,596       —         —         5,596  

Intercompany receivable (payable)

     171,079       (171,923 )     844       —    

Investment in subsidiaries

     40,524       —         (40,524 )     —    

Deferred income taxes

     3,552       8,149       (1,430 )     10,271  

Other assets

     7,346       6,161       (1,674 )     11,833  
                                

Total assets

   $ 382,210     $ 181,562     $ (96,651 )   $ 467,121  
                                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)         

Current liabilities:

        

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 4,571     $ 39     $ —       $ 4,610  

Accounts payable

     8,558       10,753       —         19,311  

Accrued interest

     4,215       —         —         4,215  

Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits

     7,702       7,039       —         14,741  

Accrued income taxes payable

     725       —         —         725  

Accrued real estate taxes

     159       1,787       —         1,946  

Other liabilities

     8,494       3,324       —         11,818  
                                

Total current liabilities

     34,424       22,942       —         57,366  

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     304,418       1,030       —         305,448  

Lease financing obligations

     13,071       108,181       (68,503 )     52,749  

Deferred income—sale-leaseback of real estate

     18,470       5,575       7,857       31,902  

Accrued postretirement benefits

     3,021       —         —         3,021  

Other liabilities

     13,673       7,314       515       21,502  
                                

Total liabilities

     387,077       145,042       (60,131 )     471,988  

Commitments and contingencies

        

Stockholder’s equity (deficit)

     (4,867 )     36,520       (36,520 )     (4,867 )
                                

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity (deficit)

   $ 382,210     $ 181,562     $ (96,651 )   $ 467,121  
                                

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2007

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 
ASSETS         

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,912     $ 2,484     $ —       $ 7,396  

Trade and other receivables, net

     1,239       3,495       —         4,734  

Inventories

     3,243       2,096       —         5,339  

Prepaid rent

     1,036       1,767       —         2,803  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,458       3,714       —         6,172  

Deferred income taxes

     2,789       2,013       —         4,802  
                                

Total current assets

     15,677       15,569       —         31,246  

Property and equipment, net

     60,874       193,636       (54,185 )     200,325  

Franchise rights, net

     80,052       —         —         80,052  

Goodwill

     1,450       123,484       —         124,934  

Intangible assets, net

     —         887       —         887  

Franchise agreements, net

     5,548       —         —         5,548  

Intercompany receivable (payable)

     166,701       (167,258 )     557       —    

Investment in subsidiaries

     39,080       —         (39,080 )     —    

Deferred income taxes

     3,845       7,961       (1,247 )     10,559  

Other assets

     7,345       6,373       (1,711 )     12,007  
                                

Total assets

   $ 380,572     $ 180,652     $ (95,666 )   $ 465,558  
                                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)         

Current liabilities:

        

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 3,080     $ 49     $ —       $ 3,129  

Accounts payable

     10,436       9,618       —         20,054  

Accrued interest

     8,148       —         —         8,148  

Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits

     10,966       7,703       —         18,669  

Accrued income taxes payable

     933       —         —         933  

Accrued real estate taxes

     744       2,568       —         3,312  

Other liabilities

     7,138       2,975       —         10,113  
                                

Total current liabilities

     41,445       22,913       —         64,358  

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     297,117       1,037         298,154  

Lease financing obligations

     13,065       108,089       (68,465 )     52,689  

Deferred income—sale-leaseback of real estate

     17,713       5,650       7,985       31,348  

Accrued postretirement benefits

     3,022       —         —         3,022  

Other liabilities

     15,007       7,313       464       22,784  
                                

Total liabilities

     387,369       145,002       (60,016 )     472,355  

Commitments and contingencies

        

Stockholder’s equity (deficit)

     (6,797 )     35,650       (35,650 )     (6,797 )
                                

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity (deficit)

   $ 380,572     $ 180,652     $ (95,666 )   $ 465,558  
                                

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations     Consolidated
Total

Revenues:

         

Restaurant sales

   $ 91,164     $ 104,229    $ —       $ 195,393

Franchise royalty revenues and fees

     —         360      —         360
                             

Total revenues

     91,164       104,589      —         195,753
                             

Costs and expenses:

         

Cost of sales

     24,452       33,177      —         57,629

Restaurant wages and related expenses (including stock based compensation expense of $57)

     29,568       28,973      —         58,541

Restaurant rent expense

     6,026       4,102      1,355       11,483

Other restaurant operating expenses

     14,549       14,996      —         29,545

Advertising expense

     3,973       3,851      —         7,824

General and administrative (including stock based compensation expense of $417)

     6,473       6,520      —         12,993

Depreciation and amortization

     3,884       4,455      (317 )     8,022

Impairment losses

     21       —        —         21
                             

Total operating expenses

     88,946       96,074      1,038       186,058
                             

Income from operations

     2,218       8,515      (1,038 )     9,695

Interest expense

     6,373       2,567      (1,506 )     7,434

Intercompany interest allocations

     (4,556 )     4,556      —         —  
                             

Income before income taxes

     401       1,392      468       2,261

Provision for income taxes

     112       518      183       813

Equity income from subsidiaries

     1,159       —        (1,159 )     —  
                             

Net income

   $ 1,448     $ 874    $ (874 )   $ 1,448
                             

 

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Table of Contents

CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Revenues:

        

Restaurant sales

   $ 88,470     $ 99,396     $ —       $ 187,866  

Franchise royalty revenues and fees

     —         337       —         337  
                                

Total revenues

     88,470       99,733       —         188,203  
                                

Costs and expenses:

        

Cost of sales

     22,187       30,107       —         52,294  

Restaurant wages and related expenses (including stock based compensation expense of $37)

     29,137       26,811       —         55,948  

Restaurant rent expense

     5,867       3,524       1,288       10,679  

Other restaurant operating expenses

     13,973       13,974       —         27,947  

Advertising expense

     4,051       4,484       —         8,535  

General and administrative (including stock based compensation expense of $318)

     6,717       6,427       —         13,144  

Depreciation and amortization

     4,000       3,996       (305 )     7,691  

Other income

     —         (347 )     —         (347 )
                                

Total operating expenses

     85,932       88,976       983       175,891  
                                

Income from operations

     2,538       10,757       (983 )     12,312  

Interest expense

     7,277       2,512       (1,433 )     8,356  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     1,485       —         —         1,485  

Intercompany interest allocations

     (4,556 )     4,556       —         —    
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (1,668 )     3,689       450       2,471  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (588 )     1,370       110       892  

Equity income from subsidiaries

     2,659       —         (2,659 )     —    
                                

Net income

   $ 1,579     $ 2,319     $ (2,319 )   $ 1,579  
                                

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Cash flows provided from (used for) operating activities:

        

Net income

   $ 1,448     $ 874     $ (874 )   $ 1,448  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used for) operating activities:

        

Loss on disposals of property and equipment

     29       33       —         62  

Stock-based compensation expense

     382       92       —         474  

Depreciation and amortization

     3,884       4,455       (317 )     8,022  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     283       52       (37 )     298  

Amortization of unearned purchase discounts

     (539 )     —         —         (539 )

Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions

     (318 )     (67 )     (128 )     (513 )

Impairment losses

     21       —         —         21  

Accretion of interest on lease financing obligations

     5       55       —         60  

Deferred income taxes

     308       (181 )     184       311  

Accrued income taxes

     (208 )     —         —         (208 )

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities

     (15,332 )     3,846       1,172       (10,314 )
                                

Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities

     (10,037 )     9,159       —         (878 )
                                

Cash flows used for investing activities:

        

Capital expenditures:

        

New restaurant development

     (842 )     (6,588 )     —         (7,430 )

Restaurant remodeling

     (1,046 )     (1,592 )     —         (2,638 )

Other restaurant capital expenditures

     (829 )     (1,248 )     —         (2,077 )

Corporate and restaurant information systems

     (542 )     (162 )     —         (704 )
                                

Total capital expenditures

     (3,259 )     (9,590 )     —         (12,849 )

Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions

     1,735       —         —         1,735  
                                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (1,524 )     (9,590 )     —         (11,114 )
                                

Cash flows provided from (used for) financing activities:

        

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

     41,800       —         —         41,800  

Repayments on revolving credit facility

     (33,100 )     —         —         (33,100 )

Principal payments on capital leases

     (25 )     (17 )     —         (42 )
                                

Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities

     8,675       (17 )     —         8,658  
                                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,886 )     (448 )     —         (3,334 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     4,912       2,484       —         7,396  
                                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 2,026     $ 2,036     $ —       $ 4,062  
                                

 

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CARROLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Cash flows provided from operating activities:

        

Net income

   $ 1,579     $ 2,319     $ (2,319 )   $ 1,579  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:

        

(Gain) loss on disposals of property and equipment

     30       (151 )     —         (121 )

Stock-based compensation expense

     261       94       —         355  

Depreciation and amortization

     4,000       3,994       (303 )     7,691  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     319       54       (38 )     335  

Amortization of unearned purchase discounts

     (539 )     —         —         (539 )

Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions

     (297 )     (66 )     (125 )     (488 )

Accretion of interest on lease financing obligations

     18       112       —         130  

Deferred income taxes

     —         (168 )     168       —    

Accrued income taxes

     3,016       —         —         3,016  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     1,485       —         —         1,485  

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities

     (9,808 )     235       2,617       (6,956 )
                                

Net cash provided from operating activities

     64       6,423       —         6,487  
                                

Cash flows used for investing activities:

        

Capital expenditures:

        

New restaurant development

     (787 )     (7,574 )     —         (8,361 )

Restaurant remodeling

     (604 )     (614 )     —         (1,218 )

Other restaurant capital expenditures

     (213 )     (898 )     —         (1,111 )

Corporate and restaurant information systems

     (147 )     (44 )     —         (191 )
                                

Total capital expenditures

     (1,751 )     (9,130 )     —         (10,881 )

Properties purchased for sale-leaseback

     —         (1,633 )     —         (1,633 )

Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions

     —         661       1,812       2,473  

Proceeds from sales of other properties

     —         979       —         979  
                                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (1,751 )     (9,123 )     1,812       (9,062 )
                                

Cash flows provided from financing activities:

        

Repayment of term loans under prior credit facility

     (118,400 )     —         —         (118,400 )

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

     11,200       —         —         11,200  

Repayments on revolving credit facility

     (10,500 )     —         —         (10,500 )

Proceeds from new senior credit facility

     120,000       —         —         120,000  

Principal payments on capital leases

     (23 )     (114 )     —         (137 )

Expenses from initial public offering

     (16 )     —         —         (16 )

Proceeds from lease financing obligations

     —         1,825       (1,825 )     —    

Payment of deferred financing costs

     (1,228 )     (13 )     13       (1,228 )
                                

Net cash provided from financing activities

     1,033       1,698       (1,812 )     919  
                                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (654 )     (1,002 )     —         (1,656 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     1,182       2,757       —         3,939  
                                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 528     $ 1,755     $ —       $ 2,283  
                                

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 2—MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we refer to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. as “Carrols Restaurant Group” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, as “we”, “our” and “us” unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires. Any reference to “Carrols” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Carrols Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires. This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is filed by both Carrols Restaurant Group and its wholly owned subsidiary, Carrols.

We use a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. All references herein to the fiscal years ended December 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 will be referred to as the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Similarly, all references herein to the three months ended March 30, 2008 and April 1, 2007 will be referred to as the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. The years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 each contained 52 weeks and the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 each contained thirteen weeks.

Introduction

Carrols Restaurant Group is a holding company and conducts all of its operations through its direct and indirect subsidiaries and has no assets other than the shares of capital stock of Carrols, its direct wholly-owned subsidiary. The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”) relates to the consolidated financial statements of Carrols Restaurant Group and the consolidated financial statements for Carrols presented in Item 1.

The difference between the consolidated financial statements of Carrols Restaurant Group and Carrols is primarily due to additional rent expense of approximately $6,000 per year for Carrols Restaurant Group and the composition of stockholders’ deficit.

The following MD&A is written to help the reader understand our company. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying financial statement notes of each of Carrols Restaurant Group and Carrols appearing elsewhere in this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The overview provides our perspective on the individual sections of MD&A, which include the following:

Company Overview—a general description of our business and our key financial measures.

Recent and Future Events Affecting Our Results of Operations—a description of recent events that affect, and future events that may affect, our results of operations.

Executive Summary—an executive review of our performance for the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Liquidity and Capital Resources—an analysis of historical information regarding our sources of cash and capital expenditures, the existence and timing of commitments and contingencies, changes in capital resources and a discussion of cash flow items affecting liquidity.

Results of Operations—an analysis of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies—an overview of accounting policies requiring critical judgments and estimates.

Effects of New Accounting Standards—a discussion of new accounting standards and any implications related to our financial statements.

Forward Looking Statements—cautionary information about forward-looking statements and a description of certain risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our historical results or our current expectations or projections.

 

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Company Overview

We are one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States operating three restaurant brands in the quick-casual and quick-service restaurant segments with 554 restaurants located in 16 states as of March 31, 2008. We have been operating restaurants for more than 45 years. We own and operate two Hispanic restaurant brands, Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana (together referred to by us as our Hispanic Brands), which we acquired in 1998 and 2000, respectively. We are also the largest Burger King franchisee, based on the number of restaurants, and have operated Burger King restaurants since 1976. As of March 31, 2008, our company-owned restaurants included 86 Pollo Tropical restaurants and 146 Taco Cabana restaurants, and we operated 322 Burger King restaurants under franchise agreements. We also franchise our Hispanic Brand restaurants with 30 franchised restaurants located in Puerto Rico, Ecuador and the United States as of March 31, 2008. We believe that the diversification and strength of our restaurant brands as well as the geographic dispersion of our restaurants provide us with stability and enhanced growth opportunities. Our primary growth strategy is to develop new company-owned Hispanic Brand restaurants. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, we had total revenues of $195.8 million and $188.2 million, respectively, and net income of $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

The following is an overview of the key financial measures discussed in our results of operations:

 

   

Restaurant sales consist of food and beverage sales, net of discounts, at our company-owned Hispanic Brand restaurants and the Burger King restaurants we operate under franchise agreements. Restaurant sales are influenced by menu price increases, new restaurant openings, closures of underperforming restaurants, and changes in comparable restaurant sales. The changes in comparable restaurant sales noted below are calculated using only those restaurants open since the beginning of the earliest period being compared and for the entirety of both periods being compared. Restaurants are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been open for 12 months for our Burger King restaurants and 18 months for our Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurants.

 

   

Cost of sales consists of food, paper and beverage costs, including packaging costs, less purchase discounts. Cost of sales is generally influenced by changes in commodity costs, the sales mix of items sold and the effectiveness of our restaurant-level controls to manage food and paper costs. For our Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurants, we have negotiated directly with local and national suppliers for the purchase of food, paper and beverage products and related supplies. Our Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurants’ commodities are ordered from approved suppliers and are shipped via distributors directly to our restaurants. Key commodities, including chicken and beef, for our Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurants are generally purchased under annual contracts. For our Burger King restaurants we are a member of a national purchasing cooperative, Restaurant Services, Inc., a non-profit independent cooperative that serves as the purchasing agent for most of the commodities for the Burger King franchise system and also contracts with various distributors to fulfill orders to our restaurants.

 

   

Restaurant wages and related expenses include all restaurant management and hourly productive labor costs, employer payroll taxes, restaurant-level bonuses and related benefits. Payroll and related benefits are subject to inflation, including minimum wage rate increases and any increases in costs for health insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. A significant number of our hourly staff is paid at rates consistent with the applicable Federal or state minimum wage and, accordingly, increases in minimum wage rates will increase our labor costs. We are insured for workers’ compensation, general liability and medical insurance claims under policies where we pay all claims, subject to annual stop-loss limitations both for individual claims and claims in the aggregate.

 

   

Restaurant rent expense includes base rent, contingent rent and common area maintenance on our leases characterized as operating leases, reduced by the amortization of gains on sale-leaseback transactions.

 

   

Other restaurant operating expenses include all other restaurant-level operating costs, the major components of which are royalty expenses for our Burger King restaurants, utilities, repairs and maintenance, real estate taxes and credit card fees.

 

   

Advertising expense includes all promotional expenses including television, radio, billboards and other media. Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana utilize an integrated, multi-level marketing approach that includes periodic chain-wide promotions, direct mail, in-store promotions, local store marketing and other strategies, including the use of radio and television advertising in their major markets. For our Burger King restaurants we are generally required to contribute 4% of restaurant sales to an advertising fund utilized by the Burger King franchise system for its advertising, promotional programs and public relations activities. We also supplement from time to time, on a discretionary basis, BKC’s advertising and promotional activities with our own local advertising and promotions which may include the purchase of additional media or other forms of advertising.

 

   

General and administrative expenses are comprised primarily of (1) salaries and expenses associated with corporate and administrative functions that support the development and operations of our restaurants, (2) legal and professional fees, including external auditing and related costs, (3) costs associated with being a publicly-held company and (4) stock-based compensation expense.

 

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Segment EBITDA, which is the measure of segment profit or loss used by our chief operating decision maker for purposes of allocating resources to our segments and assessing their performance, is defined as earnings attributable to the applicable segment before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment losses, stock-based compensation expense, other income and expense and loss on extinguishment of debt. Segment EBITDA may not be necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculation. Segment EBITDA for our Burger King restaurants includes general and administrative expenses related directly to the Burger King segment as well as the expenses associated with administrative support to all three of our segments including executive management, information systems and certain accounting, legal and other administrative functions.

 

   

Depreciation and amortization primarily includes the depreciation of fixed assets, including equipment and leasehold improvements, depreciation of assets under lease financing obligations and the amortization of Burger King franchise rights and franchise fees.

 

   

Interest expense consists primarily of interest expense associated with our 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (“the Notes”), borrowings under our senior credit facility, amortization of deferred financing costs and imputed interest expense on certain leases entered into in connection with sale-leaseback transactions which are accounted for as lease financing obligations. Interest expense also includes any gains and losses from the settlement of lease financing obligations. Interest on borrowings under our senior credit facility is substantially based on LIBOR with a current margin of 1.25%. Consequently, changes in LIBOR rates will impact our interest expense.

Recent and Future Events Affecting our Results of Operations

Initial Public Offering

In December 2006, we and certain selling stockholders, respectively, completed an initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 5,666,666 and 5,333,334 shares of our common stock (the latter of which included 1,000,000 shares sold upon the underwriters’ exercise of its over-allotment option) at an initial public offering price of $13.00 per share. We received net proceeds of approximately $65.4 million from the sale by us of shares of our common stock in the offering after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses paid by us. We contributed the net proceeds from the IPO to Carrols, which used such funds to repay approximately $68.0 million principal amount of term loan borrowings under our senior credit facility.

New Senior Credit Facility

On March 9, 2007, Carrols terminated the prior senior credit facility and entered into a loan agreement governing our new senior credit facility with a syndicate of lenders. Carrols’ new senior credit facility totals approximately $185 million, consisting of $120 million principal amount of term loan A borrowings maturing on March 8, 2013 (or earlier on September 30, 2012 if the Notes are not refinanced by June 30, 2012) and a $65.0 million revolving credit facility maturing on March 8, 2012. The term loan A borrowings and an additional $4.3 million of revolver borrowings from this facility were used to repay all outstanding borrowings and other obligations under the Carrols’ prior senior credit facility and to pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the new senior credit facility. In addition, we recorded a pretax charge of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2007 related to the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the prior senior credit facility. For a more detailed discussion of the new senior credit facility, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Issuance of Stock Options and Restricted Shares

In connection with the IPO, we granted options to purchase 1,241,750 shares of our common stock and issued 75,800 shares of restricted stock under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan to certain of our employees and directors in December 2006. Total stock-based compensation expense of approximately $5.4 million will be recognized over the vesting period of these grants. In January 2008 we also granted options to purchase 517,820 shares of our common stock and issued 7,100 shares of restricted stock under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan to certain of our employees. Total stock-based compensation expense of $1.3 million will be recognized over the vesting period of these grants. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, stock-based compensation expense was $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. We currently anticipate we will record total stock-based compensation expense of approximately $2.0 million in 2008. In addition, we will incur additional stock-based compensation expense in future periods for any additional stock option and restricted share grants we make.

 

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Future Burger King Restaurant Closures

We evaluate the performance of our Burger King restaurants on an ongoing basis. Such evaluation depends on many factors, including our assessment of the anticipated future operating results of the restaurant, the cost of required capital improvements that we would need to commit for such restaurants and the location of the restaurant in its current market. If we determine that a Burger King restaurant is underperforming, we may elect to close such restaurant. In 2007, excluding one Burger King Restaurant which was relocated and opened in the same market area in the first quarter of 2008 under a new franchise agreement, we closed five Burger King restaurants in 2007 and one Burger King restaurant in the first quarter of 2008. Excluding five Burger King restaurants which we may relocate in the same market area under a new franchise agreement, we currently anticipate that we will likely elect to close an additional six to seven Burger King restaurants in 2008. Based on the current operating results of such closed restaurants, we believe that the future impact on our consolidated results of operations as a result of such restaurant closures will not be material, although there can be no assurance in this regard. Our determination of whether to close such restaurants is subject to further evaluation and may change. We may also elect to close additional Burger King restaurants in the future.

Postretirement Benefits

On November 1, 2007, we amended our postretirement medical and life insurance benefits covering substantially all Burger King administrative and restaurant management personnel. The amendment included an elimination of life insurance benefits for active employees who retire after December 31, 2007 and increases in retiree contributions for both current and future retirees effective January 1, 2008. These amendments reduced our postretirement benefit obligations and will reduce expense in 2008 and subsequent years.

Executive Summary - Operating Performance for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

In the first quarter of 2008, we opened two Pollo Tropical restaurants, one Burger King restaurant and closed one Burger King restaurant and one Taco Cabana restaurant. Since January 1, 2007, we have opened eleven new Pollo Tropical restaurants, eight new Taco Cabana restaurants and one new Burger King restaurant. As of March 31, 2008, we operated a total of 554 restaurants, including 322 Burger King, 86 Pollo Tropical and 146 Taco Cabana restaurants.

Total revenues increased 4.0% to $195.8 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $188.2 million in the first quarter of 2007. Revenues from our Hispanic Brand restaurants increased 4.9% to $104.6 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $99.7 million in the first quarter of 2007 and revenues from our Burger King restaurants increased 3.0% to $91.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $88.5 million in the first quarter of 2007.

Pollo Tropical revenues increased 6.7% to $44.3 million during the first quarter of 2007 compared to $41.5 million in the first quarter of 2007 due to the opening of eleven new Pollo Tropical restaurants since the beginning of the same period in 2007, including two new Pollo Tropical restaurants in New Jersey. We also closed one Pollo Tropical restaurant during the same time period. Comparable restaurant sales at Pollo Tropical decreased 1.0% in the first quarter of 2008 due to lower customer traffic.

Taco Cabana revenues increased 3.5% to $60.3 million during the first quarter of 2008 compared to $58.2 million in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to the opening of eight new Taco Cabana restaurants since the beginning of the same period in 2007. Comparable restaurant sales at Taco Cabana increased 0.7%. These increases were partially offset by the closure of five Taco Cabana restaurants since the beginning of 2007.

Total restaurant sales at our Burger King restaurants increased 3.0% in the first quarter of 2008 to $91.2 million from $88.5 million in the first quarter of 2007 due to a comparable restaurant sales increase of 4.0%, driven primarily from an increase in customer traffic. This increase was partially offset by the closure of seven Burger King restaurants since the beginning of 2007.

Restaurant operating margins were negatively impacted significantly due to higher commodity costs at all three of our restaurant concepts. As a percentage of total restaurant sales, food and paper costs increased 1.7% to 29.5% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 27.8% in the first quarter of 2007 as a result of higher prices for chicken, cheese, beef and wheat-based products.

 

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Advertising expenditures decreased to $7.8 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $8.5 million in the first quarter of 2007 and, as a percentage of total restaurant sales, decreased to 4.0% in the first quarter of 2008 from 4.5% in the first quarter of 2007, primarily from the timing of expenditures for our Taco Cabana restaurants.

General and administrative expenses were $13.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $13.1 million in the first quarter of 2007. As a percentage of total restaurant sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 6.7% in the first quarter of 2008 from 7.0% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to lower administrative bonus accruals.

Interest expense decreased to $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $8.4 million in the first quarter of 2007 due to lower effective interest rates on our LIBOR based borrowings under our senior credit facility.

Our operating subsidiary, Carrols, completed the refinancing of its senior credit facility on March 9, 2007. As a result of the refinancing the interest rate on our senior secured borrowings was lowered by approximately 1%. In connection with the refinancing we recorded an expense in the first quarter of 2007 of $1.5 million, or $0.9 million after-tax, to write-off the balance of deferred financing costs related to our prior senior credit facility.

Net income was $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2007 as a result of the above. In addition, we recognized a non-recurring pretax gain of $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2007 related to the sale of a closed restaurant location.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We do not have significant receivables or inventory and receive trade credit based upon negotiated terms in purchasing food products and other supplies. We are able to operate with a substantial working capital deficit because:

 

   

restaurant operations are primarily conducted on a cash basis;

 

   

rapid turnover results in a limited investment in inventories; and

 

   

cash from sales is usually received before related liabilities for food, supplies and payroll become due.

Interest payments under our debt obligations, capital expenditures and payments related to our lease obligations represent significant liquidity requirements for us. We believe cash generated from our operations, availability of borrowing under our revolving credit facility and proceeds from anticipated sale-leaseback transactions will provide sufficient cash availability to cover our anticipated working capital needs, capital expenditures (which include new restaurant development and represent a major investment of cash for us) and debt service requirements for the next twelve months.

Operating activities. Net cash used for operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $0.9 million due to reductions in working capital of $10.5 million due in part to the timing of payments for medical claims and deferred compensation, substantially offset by net income of $1.4 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $8.0 million. Net cash provided from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $6.5 million due primarily to net income of $1.6 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $7.7 million. We also recorded a $1.5 million non-cash pretax loss on early extinguishment of debt from the write-off of previously deferred financing costs related to our prior senior credit facility in the first quarter of 2007.

Investing activities including capital expenditures and qualified sale-leaseback transactions. Net cash used for investing activities in the first quarter of 2008 and 2007 was $11.1 million and $9.1 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were $12.8 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Our capital expenditures included expenditures for development of new Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurants for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 of $6.6 million and $7.6 million, respectively. Expenditures to remodel our existing Pollo Tropical and Burger King restaurants for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 totaled $2.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

In each of the first quarters of 2008 and 2007, we sold two restaurant properties in sale-leaseback transactions for net proceeds of $1.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively. We also sold one Taco Cabana property in the first quarter of 2007 for net proceeds of $1.0 million. The net proceeds from these sales were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under our senior credit facility. We also had expenditures related to the purchase of restaurant properties to be sold in sale-leaseback transactions of $1.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007.

Our capital expenditures are primarily for (1) new restaurant development, which includes the purchase of related real estate; (2) restaurant remodeling, which includes the renovation or rebuilding of the interior and exterior of our existing restaurants, including expenditures associated with Burger King franchise renewals; (3) other restaurant capital expenditures, which include capital restaurant maintenance expenditures for the ongoing reinvestment and enhancement of our restaurants; and (4) corporate and restaurant information systems.

 

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The following table sets forth our capital expenditures for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

     Pollo
Tropical
   Taco
Cabana
   Burger
King
   Other    Consolidated

Three months ended March 31, 2008:

              

New restaurant development

   $ 4,671    $ 1,917    $ 842    $ —      $ 7,430

Restaurant remodeling

     1,451      141      1,046      —        2,638

Other restaurant capital expenditures (1)

     424      824      829      —        2,077

Corporate and restaurant information systems

     —        —        —        704      704
                                  

Total capital expenditures

   $ 6,546    $ 2,882    $ 2,717    $ 704    $ 12,849
                                  

Number of new restaurant openings

     2      —        1         3

Three months ended March 31, 2007:

              

New restaurant development

   $ 5,349    $ 2,225    $ 787    $ —      $ 8,361

Restaurant remodeling

     614      —        604      —        1,218

Other restaurant capital expenditures (1)

     467      431      213      —        1,111

Corporate and restaurant information systems

     —        —        —        191      191
                                  

Total capital expenditures

   $ 6,430    $ 2,656    $ 1,604    $ 191    $ 10,881
                                  

Number of new restaurant openings

     1      1      —           2

 

1) Excludes restaurant repair and maintenance expenses included in other restaurant operating expenses in our consolidated financial statements. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, total restaurant repair and maintenance expenses were approximately $5.0 million and $4.6 million, respectively.

In 2008, we anticipate that total capital expenditures will range from $70 million to $80 million, although the actual amount of capital expenditures may differ from these estimates. These capital expenditures are expected to include approximately $35 million to $45 million for the development of new restaurants and purchase of related real estate. In 2008, we currently anticipate that we will open a total of six to ten new Pollo Tropical restaurants, eleven to thirteen new Taco Cabana restaurants and six new Burger King restaurants, five of which will be the relocation of existing restaurants within their current market area. We also currently anticipate closing one Taco Cabana restaurant and six to seven Burger King restaurants in 2008 in addition to those Burger King restaurants being relocated. Capital expenditures in 2008 also are expected to include expenditures of approximately $15 million to $18 million for the ongoing reinvestment in our three restaurant concepts for remodeling costs, capital maintenance expenditures of approximately $9 million and approximately $6 million to $8 million related to the replacement and upgrade of our point-of-sale systems.

Financing activities. Net cash provided from financing activities for the first quarter of 2008 and 2007 was $8.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively. On March 9, 2007, Carrols entered into a new senior credit facility and terminated its prior senior credit facility. Term loan A borrowings of $120.0 million and an additional $4.3 million of revolver borrowings were used to repay all outstanding borrowings under the prior senior credit facility and to also pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the new senior credit facility. We incurred $1.2 million of deferred financing costs related to the new senior credit facility in the first quarter of 2007.

Senior Credit Facility. Carrols’ senior credit facility totals approximately $185 million, consisting of $120 million principal amount of term loan A borrowings maturing on March 8, 2013 (or earlier on September 30, 2012 if the Notes are not refinanced by June 30, 2012) and a $65.0 million revolving facility (including a sub limit of up to $25.0 million for letters of credit and up to $5.0 million for swingline loans), maturing on March 8, 2012.

Both term loan and revolving credit borrowings under the new senior credit facility bear interest at a per annum rate, at our option, of either:

1) the applicable margin ranging from 0% to 0.25% based on our senior leverage ratio (as defined in the senior credit facility) plus the greater of (i) the prime rate or (ii) the federal funds rate for that day plus 0.5%; or

2) Adjusted LIBOR plus the applicable margin percentage in effect ranging from 1.0% to 1.5% based on our senior leverage ratio.

 

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Term loan A borrowings shall be due and payable in quarterly installments, beginning on June 30, 2008 as follows:

 

  1) four quarterly installments of $1.5 million beginning on June 30, 2008;

 

  2) eight quarterly installments of $3.0 million beginning on June 30, 2009;

 

  3) four quarterly installments of $4.5 million beginning on June 30, 2011; and

 

  4) four quarterly installments of $18.0 million beginning on June 30, 2012.

Under the senior credit facility, Carrols is also required to make mandatory prepayments of principal on term loan A facility borrowings (a) annually in an amount up to 50% of Excess Cash Flow depending upon Carrols’ Total Leverage Ratio (as such terms are defined in the new senior credit facility), (b) in the event of certain dispositions of assets (all subject to certain exceptions) and insurance proceeds, in an amount equal to 100% of the net proceeds received by Carrols therefrom, and (c) in an amount equal to 100% of the net proceeds from any subsequent issuance of debt.

In general, obligations under the senior credit facility are guaranteed by us and all of Carrols’ material subsidiaries and are collateralized by a pledge of Carrols’ common stock and the stock of each of Carrols’ material subsidiaries. The senior credit facility contains certain covenants, including, without limitation, those limiting our ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of our business, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. In addition, we are required to meet certain financial ratios, including fixed charge coverage, senior leverage, and total leverage ratios (all as defined under the senior credit facility). Carrols was in compliance as of March 30, 2008 with the covenants in the senior credit facility.

Notes. On December 15, 2004 Carrols issued $180.0 million of Notes. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 9% payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 and mature on January 15, 2013. The Notes are redeemable at the option of Carrols in whole or in part on or after January 15, 2009 at a price of 104.5% of the principal amount if redeemed before January 15, 2010, 102.25% of the principal amount if redeemed after January 15, 2010 but before January 15, 2011 and at 100% of the principal amount after January 15, 2011.

The Notes are unsecured and guaranteed by Carrols’ material subsidiaries. Restrictive covenants under the Notes include limitations with respect to, among other things, Carrols’ and its material subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, pay dividends and make certain investments. Carrols was in compliance as of March 31, 2008 with the restrictive covenants in the indenture governing the Notes.

Indebtedness. At March 31, 2008, we had total debt outstanding of $362.8 million comprised of $180.0 million of Notes, term loan borrowings of $120.0 million under the senior credit facility, borrowings of $8.7 million under the revolving credit facility, lease financing obligations of $52.7 million and capital lease obligations of $1.4 million. After reserving $14.2 million for letters of credit guaranteed by our senior credit facility, $42.1 million was available for borrowings under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2008. Carrols was in compliance with the covenants under our senior credit facility as of March 31, 2008.

Contractual Obligations

A table of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2007 was included in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. There have been no significant changes to our contractual obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

The following table sets forth, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, selected operating results as a percentage of consolidated restaurant sales:

 

     2008     2007  

Restaurant sales:

    

Pollo Tropical

   22.5 %   22.0 %

Taco Cabana

   30.8 %   30.9 %

Burger King

   46.7 %   47.1 %
            

Total restaurant sales

   100.0 %   100.0 %

Costs and expenses:

    

Cost of sales

   29.5 %   27.8 %

Restaurant wages and related expenses

   30.0 %   29.8 %

Restaurant rent expense

   5.9 %   5.7 %

Other restaurant operating expenses

   15.1 %   14.9 %

Advertising expense

   4.0 %   4.5 %

General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense)

   6.7 %   7.0 %

Since March 31, 2007 through March 31, 2008 we have opened ten new Pollo Tropical restaurants, seven new Taco Cabana restaurants and one new Burger King restaurant, which was relocated within its market area. During the same period we closed an additional five Burger King restaurants, one Pollo Tropical restaurant and two Taco Cabana restaurants.

Restaurant Sales. Total restaurant sales for the first quarter of 2008 increased $7.5 million, or 4.0%, to $195.4 million from $187.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 due to sales increases at our Hispanic Brand restaurants of $4.8 million, or 4.9%, and sales increases at our Burger King restaurants of $2.7 million. Restaurant sales at our Hispanic Brand restaurants were $104.2 million in the first quarter of 2008.

Pollo Tropical restaurant sales increased $2.8 million, or 6.7%, to $44.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 due primarily to the opening of eleven new Pollo Tropical restaurants since the beginning of the first quarter of 2007, which contributed $3.7 million in additional sales in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007. Comparable restaurant sales at our Pollo Tropical restaurants decreased 1.0% in the first quarter of 2008 due to lower customer traffic. Effective menu price increases were 5.3% in the first quarter of 2008.

Taco Cabana restaurant sales increased $2.1 million, or 3.5%, to $60.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 due primarily to the opening of eight new Taco Cabana restaurants since the beginning of the first quarter of 2007 which contributed $2.4 million of additional sales in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007. This increase was partially offset by the closure of five Taco Cabana restaurants since the beginning of the first quarter of 2007. Comparable restaurant sales at our Taco Cabana restaurants increased 0.7% in the first quarter of 2008 due primarily to effective menu price increases of 2.2%.

Burger King restaurant sales increased by $2.7 million to $91.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 due to a comparable restaurant sales increase of 4.0% at our Burger King restaurants partially offset by the closure of seven Burger King restaurants since the beginning of the first quarter of 2007. Effective menu price increases were 3.1% in the first quarter of 2008.

Operating Costs and Expenses. Cost of sales (food and paper costs), as a percentage of total restaurant sales, increased to 29.5% in the first quarter of 2008 from 27.8% in the first quarter of 2007. Pollo Tropical cost of sales, as a percentage of Pollo Tropical restaurant sales, increased to 32.6% in the first quarter of 2008 from 31.8% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to higher chicken commodity prices (1.2% of Pollo Tropical sales in the first quarter of 2008) and higher prices of other commodities (0.8% of Pollo Tropical sales) partially offset by the effect of menu price increases. Taco Cabana cost of sales, as a percentage of Taco Cabana restaurant sales, increased to 31.3% in the first quarter of 2008 from 29.2% in the first quarter of 2007 due to higher commodity costs including higher cheese costs (1.3% of Taco Cabana sales in the first quarter of 2007), higher wheat-based product costs (0.5% of Taco Cabana sales) and lower vendor rebates (0.4% of Taco Cabana sales). Burger King cost of sales, as a percentage of Burger King restaurant sales, increased to 26.8% in the first quarter of

 

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2008 from 25.1% in the first quarter of 2007 due to higher commodity costs including beef, cheese, shortening and wheat-based products (2.2% of Burger King sales in the first quarter of 2007) offset in part by the effect of menu price increases since the end of the first quarter of 2007.

Restaurant wages and related expenses, as a percentage of total restaurant sales, increased to 30.0% in the first quarter of 2008 from 29.8% in the first quarter of 2007. Pollo Tropical restaurant wages and related expenses, as a percentage of Pollo Tropical restaurant sales, increased to 25.7% in the first quarter of 2008 from 25.0% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to the effect of lower sales volumes on fixed labor costs and higher workers compensation claim costs (0.3% of Pollo Tropical sales). Taco Cabana restaurant wages and related expenses, as a percentage of Taco Cabana restaurant sales, increased to 29.3% in the first quarter of 2008 from 28.3% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to the effect of labor cost increases on relatively flat sales and higher restaurant level bonus accruals (0.4% of Taco Cabana sales). Burger King restaurant wages and related expenses, as a percentage of Burger King restaurant sales, decreased to 32.5% in the first quarter of 2008 from 32.9% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to the effect of higher sales volumes on fixed labor costs and lower medical insurance claim costs (0.3% of Burger King sales).

Restaurant rent expense, as a percentage of total restaurant sales, increased to 5.9% in the first quarter of 2008 from 5.7% in the first quarter of 2007 due in part to the effect of sale-leaseback transactions entered into since the beginning of the first quarter of 2007 and the reduction of a Taco Cabana unfavorable lease liability in the first quarter of 2007 (0.1% of consolidated restaurant sales).

Other restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of total restaurant sales, increased to 15.1% in the first quarter of 2008 from 14.9% in the first quarter of 2007. Pollo Tropical other restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of Pollo Tropical restaurant sales, increased to 14.3% in the first quarter of 2008 from 13.1% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to higher repair and maintenance expenses associated with reimaging our restaurants (0.8% of Pollo Tropical sales) and the effect of lower sales volumes on fixed operating costs. Taco Cabana other restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of Taco Cabana restaurant sales, decreased to 14.5% in the first quarter of 2008 from 14.8% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to lower real estate tax expense resulting from lower tax assessments in the state of Texas (0.3% of Taco Cabana sales). Burger King other restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of Burger King restaurant sales increased to 16.0% in the first quarter of 2008 from 15.8% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to higher Burger King royalty expenses and higher fees associated with the acceptance of credit cards (0.1% of Burger King sales).

Advertising expense, as a percentage of total restaurant sales, decreased to 4.0% in the first quarter of 2008 from 4.5% in the first quarter of 2007. Pollo Tropical advertising expense, as a percentage of Pollo Tropical restaurant sales, increased to 3.7% in the first quarter of 2008 from 3.4% in the first quarter of 2007 due to higher radio expenditures. Pollo Tropical advertising costs are currently expected to be approximately 2.6% to 2.8% of Pollo Tropical restaurant sales for all of 2008, but there can be no assurance in this regard. Taco Cabana advertising expense, as a percentage of Taco Cabana restaurant sales, decreased to 3.7% in the first quarter of 2008 from 5.3% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to the timing of promotions in 2007. Taco Cabana advertising costs are currently expected to be approximately 4.4% to 4.6% of Taco Cabana restaurant sales for all of 2008, but there can be no assurance in this regard. Burger King advertising expense, as a percentage of Burger King restaurant sales, decreased to 4.4% in the first quarter of 2008 from 4.6% in the first quarter of 2007 due to decreased promotional activities in certain of our Burger King markets.

General and administrative expenses decreased $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 or, as a percentage of total restaurant sales, to 6.7% in the first quarter of 2008 from 7.0% in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to lower administrative bonus accruals in the first quarter of 2008 of $0.4 million.

Segment EBITDA. As a result of the factors above, Segment EBITDA for our Pollo Tropical restaurants decreased to $6.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2007. Segment EBITDA for our Taco Cabana restaurants decreased to $6.6 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2007. Segment EBITDA for our Burger King restaurants decreased to $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2007.

Depreciation and Amortization and Impairment Losses. Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2007 due primarily to our capital expenditures of $57.8 million since the end of the first quarter of 2007. There were no significant impairment losses in the first quarter of 2008 or 2007.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $0.9 million to $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $8.4 million in the first quarter of 2007 due to lower effective interest rates on our LIBOR based borrowings under our senior credit facility. The weighted average interest rate on our long-term debt, excluding lease financing obligations, for the first quarter of 2008 decreased to 7.4% from 8.4% in the first quarter of 2007. Interest expense on lease financing obligations was $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2007.

 

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Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for 2008 of 38.0%, which excludes any discrete tax adjustments. Discrete tax adjustments reduced the provision for income taxes by $46 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for 2007 of 36.1%. There were no discrete tax adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

Net Income. As a result of the foregoing, net income was $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2007.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements other than our operating leases, which are primarily for our restaurant properties and not recorded on our consolidated balance sheet.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparing consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by the application of our accounting policies. Our significant accounting policies are described in the “Significant Accounting Policies” footnote in the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Critical accounting estimates are those that require application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

Sales recognition at our company-owned and operated restaurants is straightforward as customers pay for products at the time of sale and inventory turns over very quickly. Payments to vendors for products sold in the restaurants are generally settled within 30 days. The earnings reporting process is covered by our system of internal controls and generally does not require significant management estimates and judgments. However, critical accounting estimates and judgments, as noted below, are inherent in the assessment and recording of accrued occupancy costs, insurance liabilities, legal obligations, income taxes, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment, assessing impairment of long-lived assets and lease accounting matters. While we apply our judgment based on assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could vary from these assumptions. It is possible that materially different amounts would be reported using different assumptions.

Accrued occupancy costs. We make estimates of accrued occupancy costs pertaining to closed restaurant locations on an ongoing basis. These estimates require assessment and continuous evaluation of a number of factors such as the remaining contractual period under our lease obligations, the amount of sublease income we are able to realize on a particular property and estimates of other costs such as property taxes. Differences between actual future events and prior estimates could result in adjustments to these accrued costs. At March 31, 2008 we had five non-operating restaurant properties.

Insurance liabilities. We are insured for workers’ compensation, general liability and medical insurance claims under policies where we pay all claims, subject to annual stop-loss limitations both for individual claims and claims in the aggregate. At March 31, 2008, we had $7.5 million accrued for these insurance claims. We record insurance liabilities based on historical and industry trends, which are continually monitored, and adjust accruals as warranted by changing circumstances. Since there are many estimates and assumptions involved in recording these insurance liabilities, including the ability to estimate the future development of incurred claims based on historical trends, differences between actual future events and prior estimates and assumptions could result in adjustments to these liabilities.

Legal obligations. In the normal course of business, we must make estimates of potential future legal obligations and liabilities which require the use of management’s judgment. Management may also use outside legal advice to assist in the estimating process. However, the ultimate outcome of various legal issues could be different than management estimates and adjustments to income could be required.

 

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Income taxes. We record income tax liabilities utilizing known obligations and estimates of potential obligations. We are required to record a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that the value of estimated deferred tax assets are different from those recorded. This would include making estimates and judgments on future taxable income, the consideration of feasible tax planning strategies and existing facts and circumstances. When the amount of deferred tax assets to be realized is expected to be different from that recorded, the asset balance and income statement would reflect any change in valuation in the period such determination is made.

Evaluation of Goodwill. We must evaluate our recorded goodwill under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”) on an ongoing basis. We have elected to conduct our annual impairment review of goodwill assets at December 31. Our review at December 31, 2007 indicated there has been no impairment as of that date. This annual evaluation of goodwill requires us to make estimates and assumptions to determine the fair value of our reporting units including projections regarding future operating results of each restaurant over its remaining lease term and market values. These estimates may differ from actual future events and if these estimates or related projections change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets. We assess the potential impairment of long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We determine if there is impairment at the restaurant level by comparing undiscounted future cash flows from the related long-lived assets with their respective carrying values. In determining future cash flows, significant estimates are made by us with respect to future operating results of each restaurant over its remaining lease term. If assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment charge is measured by calculating the amount by which the asset carrying amount exceeds its fair value. This process of assessing fair values requires the use of estimates and assumptions, which are subject to a high degree of judgment. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets.

Impairment of Burger King Franchise Rights. We assess the potential impairment of Burger King franchise rights whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We determine if there is impairment by comparing the aggregate undiscounted future cash flows from those acquired restaurants with the respective carrying value of franchise rights for each Burger King acquisition. In determining future cash flows, significant estimates are made by us with respect to future operating results of each group of acquired restaurants over their remaining franchise life. If acquired franchise rights are determined to be impaired, the impairment charge is measured by calculating the amount by which the franchise rights carrying amount exceeds its fair value. This process requires the use of estimates and assumptions, which are subject to a high degree of judgment. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets.

Lease Accounting. Judgments made by management for our lease obligations include the lease term including the determination of renewal options that are reasonably assured which can affect the classification of a lease as capital or operating for accounting purposes, the term over which related leasehold improvements for each restaurant are amortized, and any rent holidays and/or changes in rental amounts for recognizing rent expense over the term of the lease. These judgments may produce materially different amounts of depreciation, amortization and rent expense than would be reported if different assumed lease terms were used.

We also must evaluate under SFAS 98 sales of our restaurants which occur in sale-leaseback transactions to determine the proper accounting for the proceeds of such sales either as a sale or a financing. This evaluation requires certain judgments in determining whether or not clauses in the lease or any related agreements constitute continuing involvement under SFAS 98. These judgments must also consider the various interpretations of SFAS 98 since its issuance. For those sale-leasebacks that are accounted for as financing transactions, we must estimate our incremental borrowing rate, or another rate in cases where the incremental borrowing rate is not appropriate to utilize, for purposes of determining interest expense and the resulting amortization of the lease financing obligation. Changes in the determination of the incremental borrowing rates or other rates utilized in connection with the accounting for lease financing transactions could have a significant effect on the interest expense and underlying balance of the lease financing obligations.

In addition, if a purchase option exists for any properties subject to a lease financing obligation, the purchase option is evaluated for its probability of exercise on an ongoing basis. This evaluation considers many factors including, without limitation, our intentions, the fair value of the underlying properties, our ability to acquire the property, economic circumstances and other available alternatives to us for the continued use of the property. These factors may change and be considered differently in future assessments of probability.

Stock-based Compensation. Beginning in 2006, we account for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”). As required by SFAS No. 123(R), stock-based compensation is estimated for equity awards at fair value at the grant date. We determine the fair value of equity awards using the Black-Scholes model which requires the use of certain assumptions. The assumptions include the risk-free rate of interest, expected

 

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dividend yield, expected volatility, and the expected life of the award. The risk-free rate of interest is based on the zero coupon U.S. Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term of the award. There are no expected dividends as we do not currently plan to pay dividends on our common stock. Expected stock price volatility is based on the implied volatility of a peer group that had actively traded stock during the period immediately preceding the share-based award grant. This period is equal in length to the award’s expected term as we currently do not have our own historical stock price data. Compensation expense is recognized only for those options expected to vest, with forfeitures estimated based on our historical experience and future expectations.

Effects of New Accounting Standards

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The statement applies whenever other pronouncements require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. In February 2007, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, delaying the effective date of SFAS 157 for certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The implementation of SFAS 157 for financial assets and financial liabilities, effective for fiscal 2008, did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We are currently assessing the impact of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective in our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. We have decided not to adopt this optional standard for our current financial assets and liabilities.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financials Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 clarifies the accounting for non controlling interests and establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, including classification as a component of equity. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact that adopting SFAS 160 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 110 (“SAB 110”). SAB 110 expresses the views of the SEC regarding the use of a “simplified” method, as discussed in SAB 107, “Share-Based Payment”, in developing an estimate of the expected term of “plain vanilla” share options in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R). SAB 110 allows public companies which do not have historically sufficient experience to provide a reasonable estimate to continue use of the simplified method to estimate expected term of “plain vanilla” share option grants after December 31, 2007. We currently use and will continue to use the simplified method to estimate the expected term for share option grants until we have enough historical experience to provide a reasonable estimate of expected term in accordance with SAB 110. We do not expect SAB 110 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are predictive in nature or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. These statements are often identified by the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “hope” or similar expressions. In addition, expressions of our strategies, intentions or plans are also forward looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their date. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. We believe important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include the following, in addition to other risks and uncertainties discussed herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

   

Competitive conditions;

 

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Regulatory factors;

 

   

Environmental conditions and regulations;

 

   

General economic conditions, particularly at the retail level;

 

   

Weather conditions;

 

   

Increases in commodity costs;

 

   

Fuel prices;

 

   

Significant disruptions in service or supply by any of our suppliers or distributors;

 

   

Changes in consumer perception of dietary health and food safety;

 

   

Labor and employment benefit costs;

 

   

The outcome of pending or future legal proceedings;

 

   

Our ability to manage our growth and successfully implement our business strategy;

 

   

The risks associated with the expansion of our business;

 

   

General risks associated with the restaurant industry;

 

   

Our inability to integrate any businesses we acquire;

 

   

Our borrowing costs and credit ratings, which may be influenced by the credit ratings of our competitors;

 

   

The availability and terms of necessary or desirable financing or refinancing and other related risks and uncertainties;

 

   

The risk of events similar to those of September 11, 2001 or an outbreak or escalation of any insurrection or armed conflict involving the United States or any other national or international calamity; and

 

   

Factors that affect the restaurant industry generally, including recalls if products become adulterated or misbranded, liability if product consumption causes injury, ingredient disclosure and labeling laws and regulations, reports of cases of “mad cow” disease and avian flu, and the possibility that consumers could lose confidence in the safety and quality of certain food products, as well as recent publicity concerning the health implications of obesity and transfatty acids.

Inflation

The inflationary factors that have historically affected our results of operations include increases in food and paper costs, labor and other operating expenses and energy costs. Wages paid in our restaurants are impacted by changes in the Federal and state hourly minimum wage rates. Accordingly, changes in the Federal and state hourly minimum wage rates directly affect our labor costs. We typically attempt to offset the effect of inflation, at least in part, through periodic menu price increases and various cost reduction programs. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to offset such inflationary cost increases in the future.

ITEM 3—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS

There were no material changes from the information presented in Item 7A included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 with respect to the Company’s market risk sensitive instruments.

 

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ITEM 4—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as other key members of our management. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 30, 2008.

No change occurred in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2008 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

There were no material changes to the disclosure made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 regarding these matters.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Part I — Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 describes important factors that could cause our actual operating results to differ materially from those indicated or suggested by forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q or presented elsewhere by management from time-to-time. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

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

None

 

Item 3. Default Upon Senior Securities

None

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

 

Item 5. Other Information

None

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this report.

 

Exhibit No.

    
31.1    Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
31.2    Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
31.3    Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Corporation.
31.4    Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Corporation.
32.1    Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
32.2    Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
32.3    Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Corporation.
32.4    Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Corporation.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

    CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Date: May 7, 2008       /s/ ALAN VITULI
      (Signature)
     

Alan Vituli

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: May 7, 2008       /s/ PAUL R. FLANDERS
      (Signature)
     

Paul R. Flanders

Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

SIGNATURES

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

 

    CARROLS CORPORATION
Date: May 7, 2008       /s/ ALAN VITULI
      (Signature)
     

Alan Vituli

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 7, 2008       /s/ PAUL R. FLANDERS
      (Signature)
     

Paul R. Flanders

Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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