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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-11(c) or § 240.14a-12 |
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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No fee required. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o Check box if
any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by
registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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SEC 1913 (04-05)
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Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this
form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control
number. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.
265 Turner Drive
Durango, Colorado 81303
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON July 21, 2006
To our Shareholders:
The 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. will be held
on Friday, July 21, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. (local time), at The Doubletree Hotel, 501 Camino Del Rio,
Durango, Colorado 81301 for the following purposes:
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To elect six directors to serve until the fiscal 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment
thereof. |
Only holders of Common Stock of record at the close of business on June 9, 2006 will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Each shareholder, even though he or she now plans to attend the meeting, is requested to
promptly mark, sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy in the envelope provided. Any shareholder
present at the meeting may withdraw his or her Proxy and vote personally on each matter brought
before the meeting.
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By order of the Board of Directors |
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/S/ Virginia M. Perez
Virginia M. Perez
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Secretary |
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Durango, Colorado
June 16, 2006
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.
265 Turner Drive
Durango, Colorado 81303
PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Shareholders July 21, 2006
SOLICITATION AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of Proxies by the Board
of Directors of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (the Company) for use only at the Annual
Meeting of the Companys shareholders to be held at the time and place, and for the purposes set
forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Each shareholder, even though he or she now plans to attend the meeting, is requested to
promptly mark, sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy in the envelope provided. Any shareholder
present at the meeting may withdraw his or her Proxy and vote personally on each matter brought
before the meeting.
It is anticipated that the Proxy Statement, together with the Proxies and the Companys 2006
Annual Report on Form 10-K, will first be mailed to the Companys shareholders on or about June 21,
2006. A person giving the enclosed Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is
exercised by (1) delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, (2) duly
executing and delivering a Proxy for the Annual Meeting bearing a later date or (3) voting in
person at the Annual Meeting.
The Company will bear the cost of this solicitation of Proxies, including the charges and
expenses of brokerage firms and others for forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners
of the Companys Common Stock, par value $0.03 per share (the Common Stock). In addition, the
Companys officers, directors and other regular employees, without additional compensation, may
solicit Proxies by mail, personal interview, telephone or telegraph.
VOTING SECURITIES
The close of business on June 9, 2006 has been fixed as the record date for the determination
of holders of record of the Companys Common Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting. On the record date, approximately 6,083,429 shares of the Companys Common Stock were
outstanding and eligible to be voted at the Annual Meeting.
For each share of Common Stock held on the record date, a shareholder is entitled to one vote
on all matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, except the election of directors.
Shareholders have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors, and there is no
condition precedent to the exercise of those rights. Under cumulative voting, each shareholder is
entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of his or her shares multiplied by six, the
number of directors to be elected, and he or she may cast all of those votes for a single nominee
or divide them among any two or more nominees as he or she sees fit. It is the intention of the
Proxy holders to exercise voting rights in order to elect the maximum number of nominees named
below. An instruction on the Proxy to withhold authority to vote for any nominee will be deemed an
authorization to vote cumulatively for the remaining nominees, unless otherwise indicated.
VOTING PROCEDURES
The vote required for the election of directors is a plurality of the shares of Common Stock
present or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, provided a quorum is
present. The vote required for the approval of any other item to be acted upon at the Annual
Meeting is the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the matter and
present or represented by proxy at the meeting, provided a quorum is present. A quorum is
established by the presence or representation at the Annual Meeting of the holders of a majority of
the Companys voting shares. Brokers who hold shares in street name have discretionary authority to
vote on certain routine items even if they have not received instructions from the persons
entitled to vote such shares. However, brokers do not have authority to vote on nonroutine items
without such instructions. Such broker non-votes (shares held by brokers or nominees as to which
they have no discretionary power to vote on a particular matter and have received no instructions
from the persons entitled to vote such shares) are counted as present and entitled to vote for
purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present but are not considered entitled to vote on any nonroutine
matter to be acted upon. For
1
matters requiring the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of
Common Stock present or represented at the Meeting, such as Item No. 1, broker non-votes would have
no effect on the outcome of the vote. For matters requiring the affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares of Common Stock present or represented at the Meeting and entitled to vote, broker
non-votes would not be counted as among the shares entitled to vote with respect to such matters.
Thus, the effect of any broker non-votes with respect to such matters would be to reduce the number
of affirmative votes required to approve the proposals and the number of negative votes required to
block such approval.
Shareholders are not entitled to any rights of appraisal or similar dissenters rights with
respect to any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, because, pursuant to Colorado law,
the matters to be acted upon do not give rise to any such dissenters rights.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information, as of June 9, 2006, with respect to the shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned (i) by each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner
of more than 5% of the Companys Common Stock, (ii) by each director or nominee for election as a
director and each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table, and (iii) by all
current directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
The number of shares beneficially owned includes shares of Common Stock with respect to which
the persons named below have either investment or voting power. A person is also deemed to be the
beneficial owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of that
security within 60 days through the exercise of an option or through the conversion of another
security. Except as noted, each beneficial owner has sole investment and voting power with respect
to the Common Stock.
Common Stock not outstanding that is subject to options or conversion privileges is deemed to
be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by
the person holding such options or conversion privileges, but is not deemed to be outstanding for
the purpose of computing the percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by any other person.
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Amount and Nature |
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Name of Beneficial Owner |
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of Beneficial Ownership |
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Percent of Class |
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Franklin E. Crail* |
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679,564 |
(1) |
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11.2 |
% |
Hodges Captial
Management, Inc. |
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374,384 |
(6) |
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6.2 |
% |
Clyde Wm. Engle* et al. |
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18,480 |
(5) |
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0.3 |
% |
Bryan J. Merryman* |
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104,527 |
(3) |
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1.7 |
% |
Fred M. Trainor* |
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173,016 |
(2) |
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2.8 |
% |
Edward L. Dudley |
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103,054 |
(3) |
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1.7 |
% |
Gerald A. Kien* |
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77,080 |
(2) |
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1.3 |
% |
Lee N. Mortenson* |
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18,400 |
(2) |
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0.3 |
% |
Jay B. Haws |
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63,300 |
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1.0 |
% |
Gregory L. Pope |
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151,011 |
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2.4 |
% |
All executive officers
and directors as a
group (10 persons) |
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1,459,836 |
(4) |
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22.7 |
% |
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Director |
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Mr. Crails address is the same as the Companys address. Of the 679,564 shares indicated as
being beneficially owned by Mr. Crail, 7,996 shares are owned beneficially by members of Mr.
Crails immediate family. Mr. Crail disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his
family members. |
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Includes shares that these directors have the right to acquire within 60 days through the
exercise of options granted pursuant to the Companys 2000 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for
Non-employee Directors (2000 Directors Plan) as follows: Mr. Trainor, 3080 shares; Mr.
Mortenson, 6,160 shares; and Mr. Kien, 15,400 shares. |
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Includes shares that these officers have the right to acquire within 60 days through the
exercise of options granted pursuant to the Companys 1995 Stock Option Plan and the Companys
2004 Stock Option Plan as follows: Mr. Dudley, 53,170 shares; Mr. Merryman, 60,500 shares; Mr.
Haws, 32,500 shares; and Mr. Pope, 124,725 shares. |
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Includes 349,014 shares that officers and directors as a group have the right to acquire
within 60 days through the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Companys 1995 Stock
Option Plan, 2000 Directors Plan and the 2004 Stock Option Plan. |
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The following information was calculated by the Company for Mr. Engle based upon publicly
available Form 4 filings and record keeping for the Companys 2000 Directors Plan. Included
12,320 shares that Mr. Engle purchased through exercise of stock options and 6,100 shares that
Mr. Engle has the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of options granted
pursuant to the Companys 2000 Directors Plan. |
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Based solely on the information contained in a Form 13F-HR, Quarterly report filed by
institutional managers, Holdings, filed for the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2006. |
The following table provides information with respect to the Companys equity compensation
plans as of February 28, 2006.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
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Number of securities to be |
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issued upon exercise of |
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Weighted average exercise |
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Number of securities |
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outstanding options, warrants |
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price of outstanding options, |
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remaining available for future |
Plan category |
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and rights |
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warrants and rights |
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issuance |
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders |
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575,876 |
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$ |
9.04 |
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83,160 |
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Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders |
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-0- |
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-0- |
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-0- |
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Total |
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575,876 |
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$ |
9.04 |
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83,160 |
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ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing
similar functions. In addition, in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 4350(n), the Company has adopted a
Code of Conduct applicable to all officers, directors, and employees of the Company. The text of
the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct is posted on the Companys website at www.rmcf.com.
Nominees
The Companys By-laws provide for no fewer than three nor more than nine directors. The Board
has previously fixed the current number of directors at six. Directors are elected for one year.
Six directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting. All of the nominees are currently directors of
the Company.
Proxies will be voted, unless authority to vote is withheld by the shareholder, FOR the
election of Messrs. Crail, Merryman, Kien, Mortenson, Trainor and Engle to serve until the 2007
Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until the election and qualification of their respective
successors. If any such nominee shall be unable or shall fail to accept nomination or election by
virtue of an unexpected occurrence, Proxies may be voted for such other person or persons as shall
be determined by the Proxy holders in their discretion. Shareholders may not vote for more than six
persons for election as directors at the Annual Meeting.
Set forth below is certain information concerning each nominee for election as a director:
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Name |
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Positions with Company |
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Age |
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Director Since |
Franklin E. Crail |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President |
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64 |
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1982 |
Bryan J. Merryman |
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Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director |
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45 |
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1999 |
Gerald A. Kien |
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Director* |
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74 |
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1995 |
Lee N. Mortenson |
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Director* |
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70 |
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1987 |
Fred M. Trainor |
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Director* |
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67 |
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1992 |
Clyde Wm. Engle |
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Director* |
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63 |
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2000 |
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Nasdaq Rule 4350(c) requires that a majority of the Board of Directors must be comprised of
independent directors as defined in Nasdaq Rule 4200. The Board of Directors has determined
that Gerald A. Kien, Lee N. Mortenson, Fred M. Trainor, and Clyde Wm. Engle are each
independent directors under Nasdaq Rule 4200. |
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Franklin E. Crail. Mr. Crail co-founded the first Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store in
May 1981. Since the incorporation of the Company in November 1982, he has served as its President
and a director, and, from September 1981 to January 2000 as its Treasurer. He was elected Chairman
of the Board in March 1986. Prior to founding the Company, Mr. Crail was co-founder and President
of CNI Data Processing, Inc., a software firm which developed automated billing systems for the
cable television industry.
Bryan J. Merryman. Mr. Merryman joined the Company in December 1997 as Chief Financial
Officer and Vice President Finance. Since April 1999, Mr. Merryman has also served the Company as
the Chief Operating Officer, as a Director, and since January 2000 as the Companys Treasurer.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Merryman was a principal in Knightsbridge Holdings, Inc. (a
leveraged buyout firm) from January 1997 to December 1997. Mr. Merryman also served as Chief
Financial Officer of Super Shops, Inc., a retailer and manufacturer of aftermarket auto parts from
July 1996 to November 1997 and was employed for more than eleven years by Deloitte and Touche LLP,
most recently as a Senior Manager.
Gerald A. Kien. Mr. Kien became a director in August 1995. He retired in 1995 from his
positions as President and Chief Executive Officer of Remote Sensing Technologies, Inc., a
subsidiary of Envirotest Systems, Inc., a company engaged in the development of instrumentation for
vehicle emissions testing located in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Kien has served as a Director and as
Chairman of the Executive Committee of Sun Electric Corporation since 1980 and as Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Electric until retirement in 1993.
Lee N. Mortenson. Mr. Mortenson has served on the Board of Directors of the Company since
1987. Mr. Mortenson has been engaged in consulting and investments activities since July 2000, and
was a Managing Director of Kensington Partners, LLC (a private investment firm) from June 2001 to
April 2006. Mr. Mortenson has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Newell Resources LLC
since 2002 providing management consulting and investment services. Mr. Mortenson served as
President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Telco Capital Corporation of Chicago, Illinois
from January 1984 to February 2000. Telco Capital Corporation was principally engaged in the
manufacturing and real estate businesses. He was President, Chief Operating Officer and a director
of Sunstates Corporation from December 1990 to February 2000. Sunstates Corporation was a company
primarily engaged in real estate development and manufacturing. Mr. Mortenson was a director of
Alba-Waldensian, Inc. from 1984 to July 1999, and served as its President, Chief Executive Officer
and director of Alba-Waldensian, Inc. from February 1997 to July 1999. Alba was principally engaged
in the manufacturing of apparel and medical products.
Fred M. Trainor. Mr. Trainor has served as a director of the Company since August 1992. Mr.
Trainor is the founder, and since 1984 has served as Chief Executive Officer and President of AVCOR
Health Care Products, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas (a manufacturer and marketer of specialty dressings
products). Prior to founding AVCOR Health Care Products, Inc. in 1984, Mr. Trainor was a founder,
Chief Executive Officer and President of Tecnol, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas (also a company involved
with the health care industry). Before founding Tecnol, Inc., Mr. Trainor was with American
Hospital Supply Corporation (AHSC) for 13 years in a number of management capacities.
Clyde Wm. Engle. Mr. Engle has served as a director of the Company since January 2000. Mr.
Engle is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Sunstates Corporation
and Chairman of the Board of Directors., President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincolnwood
Bancorp, Inc. (formerly known as GSC Enterprises, Inc.), a one-bank holding company, and Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Bank of Lincolnwood
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the election of
the six nominees named above.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
No family relationships exist between any director or executive officer and any other director
or executive officer of the Company.
Committees and Meetings
The Board of Directors has a standing Nominating Committee, Compensation Committee and Audit
Committee.
4
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Audit Committee
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5 meetings in Fiscal 2006 |
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Members:
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Lee N Mortenson
Fred M. Trainor
Gerald A. Kien |
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Responsibilities:
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Assists the full Board; |
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Oversight of the Companys accounting and financial reporting principles and policies
and internal controls and procedures; |
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Oversight of the Companys financial statements and the independent audit thereof; |
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Selecting, evaluating and, where deemed appropriate, replacing the independent auditors; |
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Evaluating the independence of the independent auditors. |
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Compensation Committee
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4 meeting in Fiscal 2006 |
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Members:
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Lee N Mortenson |
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Fred M. Trainor |
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Gerald A. Kien |
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Responsibilities:
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Assists the full Board; |
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Approving remuneration arrangements for the Companys executive officers; |
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Approving and administering grants of stock options under the 1995 Stock Option Plan; |
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Approving and administering grants of stock options under the 2000 Directors Plan; |
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Approving and administering grants of stock options under the 2004 Stock Option Plan. |
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Nominating Committee
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1 meeting in Fiscal 2006 |
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Members:
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Lee N Mortenson |
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Fred M. Trainor |
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Gerald A. Kien |
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Responsibilities:
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Assists the full Board; |
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Identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors; |
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Approving and recommending to the full Board director candidates. |
During the last fiscal year, the Companys Board of Directors held 5 meetings. Each director
attended 100% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors held
and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served,
during the period he was a director, except that Mr. Trainor attended 53%, Mr. Engle attended 80%
and Mr. Kien attended 87% of such meetings. The Company has no policy with regard to directors
serving on the Board attending the annual meeting. Mr. Crail and Mr. Merryman, the Companys two
employee-directors, attended last years annual meeting.
The Board of Directors has adopted a Policy on Shareholder Communications with the Board of
Directors in order to facilitate shareholder communications with the Board of Directors. Under the
Policy, shareholders are encouraged to contact the Board of Directors, any individual director or
group of directors, in writing by sending communications to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.,
265 Turner Drive, Durango, Colorado 81303; Attn: Corporate Secretary, Shareholder Communication. A
copy of the Policy on Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors is posted on the
Companys website at www.rmcf.com.
Audit Committee for Fiscal 2006:
If the nominees identified above are elected to serve as directors for fiscal 2007, the 2007
Audit Committee will consist of: Lee N. Mortenson, Gerald A. Kien and Fred M. Trainor.
5
Compensation Committee for Fiscal 2006:
If the nominees identified above are elected to serve as directors for fiscal 2007, the 2007
Compensation Committee will consist of: Lee N. Mortenson, Gerald A. Kien and Fred M. Trainor.
Nominating Committee for Fiscal 2006:
If the nominees identified above are elected to serve as directors for fiscal 2007, the 2007
Nominating Committee will consist of: Lee N. Mortenson, Gerald A. Kien and Fred M. Trainor.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The audit committee of the Companys Board of Directors (the Audit Committee) consists of
three non-employee directors, Lee N. Mortenson, Gerald A. Kien and Fred M. Trainor, each of whom
has been determined to be independent as that term is defined in Nasdaq Rule 4200. The Board of
Directors has determined that Lee N. Mortenson is a financial expert as defined in Item 401(h) of
Regulation SK promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and thus possesses
financial sophistication as that term is defined by Nasdaq Rule 4350(d). The Audit Committee
operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the Audit Committee
Charter was included in the 2004 Proxy Statement as Appendix A.
Management is responsible for the Companys internal controls and the financial reporting
process. The independent accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of the
Companys financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States of America and to issue a report thereon. The Audit committees responsibility is to
monitor and oversee these processes. It is not our duty or our responsibility to conduct auditing
or accounting reviews or procedures. We are not employees of the Company and we may not be, and we
may not represent ourselves to be or to serve as, accountants or auditors by profession or experts
in the fields of accounting or auditing. Therefore, we have relied, without independent
verification, on managements representation that the financial statements have been prepared with
integrity and objectivity and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America, and on the representations of the independent auditors included in the
report on the Companys financial statements. Our oversight does not provide us with an independent
basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting
principles or policies, or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure
compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, our
considerations and discussions with management and the independent auditors do not assure that the
Companys financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, that the audit of the Companys financial statements has been carried out in accordance
with the standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States) or that the Companys
independent accountants are in fact independent.
In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions separately with management
and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit
Committee that the Companys financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and the Audit Committee has reviewed
and discussed the financial statements with management and the independent accountants. The Audit
Committee discussed with the independent accountants matters required to be discussed by the
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees, as currently in
effect.
The Companys independent accountants also provided to the Audit Committee the written
disclosure required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with
Audit Committees. The Committee discussed with the independent accountants that firms independence
and considered whether the non-audit services provided by the independent accountants are
compatible with maintaining its independence.
Based on the Audit Committees discussion with management and the independent accountants, and
the Audit Committees review of the representation of management and the report of the independent
accounts to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board of Directors
include the audited financial statements in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended February 28, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors,
Lee N. Mortenson
Gerald A. Kien
Fred M. Trainor
6
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
The nominating committee of the Companys Board of Directors (the Nominating Committee)
consists of three non-employee directors, Lee N. Mortenson, Gerald A. Kien and Fred M. Trainor,
each of whom has been determined to be independent as that term is defined in Nasdaq Rule 4200.
The Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy
of the Nominating Committee Charter was included in the 2004 Proxy Statement as Appendix B.
The purpose of the Nominating Committee is: (i) to assist the Board of Directors in
identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors; and (ii) to approve
and recommend to the Board of Directors qualified director candidates.
The Nominating Committee will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders when
such recommendation is made in writing (i) delivered pursuant to the Companys Policy on
Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors; (ii) received by a date no later than the
120th calendar day before the date of the Companys proxy statement released to
shareholders in connection with the previous years annual meeting; and (iii) signed by one or more
shareholders that beneficially owned five percent (5%) or more of the Companys voting common stock
for a at least one (1) year as of the date the recommendation is made.
In determining whether an individual is qualified to serve on the Companys Board of
Directors, whether recommended by the by the Nominating Committee or by the shareholders, the
Nominating Committee considers relevant factors, including, but not limited to, an individuals
independence, knowledge, skill, training, experience, and willingness to serve on the Board of
Directors.
Each nominee for director identified above is a director standing for re-election.
Submitted by the Nominating Committee of the Companys Board of Directors,
Lee N. Mortenson
Gerald A. Kien
Fred M. Trainor
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The following is a report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
Committee) on executive compensation policies for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2006. The
Committee is composed entirely of non-employee directors and is responsible for administering the
compensation program for executive officers of the Company and making all related decisions.
The principal elements of the compensation program for executive officers are base salary,
performance-based annual bonuses and options granted under the Companys 1995 Stock Option Plan and
2004 Stock Option Plan. The goals of the program are to ensure that a strong relationship exists
between executive compensation and the creation of shareholder value, and that executive officers
are strongly motivated and retained. The Companys compensation philosophy is to create a direct
relationship between the level of total executive officer compensation and the Companys success in
meeting its annual performance goals as represented by its annual business plan. An additional
element of this philosophy is to reward equitably relative contribution and job performance of
individual executive officers.
Base Salary
Annual salaries for the Companys executive officers, including the Chairman of the Board and
President, are generally reviewed in March of each year based on a number of objective and
subjective factors, with any change to be generally effective on March 1 of that year. Objective
factors considered include the Companys financial performance relative to business plan profit
objectives in the immediately preceding fiscal year, although no specific formulas based on such
factors are used to determine salaries. Salary decisions are based primarily on the Committees
subjective analysis of the factors contributing to the Companys success and of the executives
individual contributions to that success.
7
Performance-based Annual Bonuses
Cash bonuses based on the Companys performance are awarded to the executive officers under an
incentive compensation plan. Under the plan which served as the basis for bonuses paid for fiscal
year 2006, executive officers received a percentage of their base pay based on the overall
performance of the Company. Additional bonuses may be awarded at the discretion of the Committee in
recognition of special accomplishments. Thus, whether the executive officers total pay is
comparable to the compensation of executives with similar responsibilities at comparable companies
may vary from year to year depending upon the Companys performance.
CEO Compensation
At the beginning of fiscal year 2006 the Compensation Committee and Mr. Crail determined that
Mr. Crails base compensation would increase 3% at the beginning of the year. Additionally, a
performance incentive was implemented so that Mr. Crails base salary would be increased if a
certain target was met during the year. Specifically, the Compensation Committee determined that in
the event the Company achieved 100% of budgeted net income (which budgeted number was substantially
higher than the prior years net income), Mr. Crail would receive an additional 7% salary increase
which would be applied retroactively and paid at the end of fiscal 2006. The net income target was
not achieved; therefore, Mr. Crails compensation was not increased.
Stock Options
Awards of stock options strengthen the ability of the Company to attract, motivate and retain
executives of superior capability and more closely align the interests of management with those of
its shareholders. The Committee considers on an annual basis the grant of options to executive
officers and key managers under the Companys 1995 Stock Option Plan and 2004 Stock Option Plan.
The number of options granted is generally based upon the position held by a participant and the
Committees subjective evaluation of such participants contribution to the Companys future growth
and profitability. The grant of options is an annual determination, but the Committee may consider
the size of past awards and the total amounts outstanding in making such a determination. Stock
options are granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the current market price of the
Companys stock and will have value only if the Companys stock price increases, resulting in a
commensurate benefit for the Companys shareholders.
There were 149,640 stock options awarded to executive officers or others in fiscal 2006.
Options presently held by current executive officers and directors under the Companys option plans
cover a total of 349,014 shares.
Other Compensation
An additional element of the executive officers compensation, which is not performance-based,
is the matching of contributions by the Company under the Companys 401(k) plan.
The Compensation Committee believes that linking executive compensation to corporate
performance results in a better alignment of compensation with corporate goals and shareholder
interests. As performance goals are met or exceeded, resulting in increased value to shareholders,
executives are rewarded commensurately. The Committee believes that compensation levels during 2006
adequately reflect the Companys compensation goals and policies.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors:
Lee N. Mortenson
Gerald A. Kein
Fred M. Trainor
8
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to annual compensation for the
years indicated for the Companys Chief Executive Officer and each of the four other most highly
compensated executive officers of the Company who met the minimum compensation threshold of
$100,000 for inclusion in the table (the Named Officers) serving in that capacity as of February
28, 2006.
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Long-Term |
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Compensation |
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Awards |
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Securities |
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Underlying |
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Annual Compensation |
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Options/SARs |
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All Other |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary (1) |
|
Bonus(2) |
|
(#)(3) |
|
Compensation(4) |
Franklin E. Crail, |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
239,913 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
3,150 |
|
Chairman of the Board and President |
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|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
232,925 |
|
|
$ |
116,463 |
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|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
6,150 |
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|
|
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2004 |
|
|
$ |
211,750 |
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|
$ |
105,875 |
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|
-0- |
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$ |
6,000 |
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Bryan J. Merryman, |
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2006 |
|
|
$ |
209,378 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,997 |
|
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
203,280 |
|
|
$ |
116,751 |
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|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
6,150 |
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|
|
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2004 |
|
|
$ |
181,500 |
|
|
$ |
81,675 |
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|
|
42,000 |
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$ |
6,000 |
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Edward L. Dudley, |
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2006 |
|
|
$ |
157,657 |
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|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
$ |
3,040 |
|
Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing |
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|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
153,065 |
|
|
$ |
68,375 |
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|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
5,932 |
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|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
139,150 |
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|
$ |
48,703 |
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|
|
21,000 |
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|
$ |
4,505 |
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|
Gregory L. Pope |
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|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
153,285 |
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|
|
-0- |
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|
|
11,500 |
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$ |
3,052 |
|
Sr. Vice President Franchise Development and Operations |
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|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
148,820 |
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|
$ |
75,975 |
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|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
5,806 |
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|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
126,000 |
|
|
$ |
48,703 |
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|
|
42,000 |
|
|
$ |
4,105 |
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Jay B. Haws |
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2006 |
|
|
$ |
143,948 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
Vice President Creative Services |
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|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
139,755 |
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|
$ |
44,593 |
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|
|
-0- |
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|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
127,050 |
|
|
$ |
31,763 |
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|
|
21,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
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(1) |
|
Includes amounts deferred at the Named Officers election pursuant to the Companys 401(k)
Plan. |
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(2) |
|
Represents amounts paid as bonuses based on performance for the indicated fiscal year, paid
in the following fiscal year. |
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(3) |
|
Options to acquire shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Stock Option Plan. Represents
options granted based on performance or increased responsibilities for the indicated fiscal
year and also considers the officers cumulative options granted. |
|
(4) |
|
Represents Company contributions made or accrued on behalf of the Named Officers under the
Companys 401(k) Plan. |
Option Grants During Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2006
The following table provides information on stock options granted in fiscal 2006 to each of
the Companys Named Officers and stock options granted to all employees as a group. The table also
shows the hypothetical gains that would exist for the options at the end of their ten-year terms
for the Named Officers and for all employees as a group at assumed compound rates of stock
appreciation of 5 percent and 10 percent. The actual future value of the options will depend on the
market value of the Companys Common Stock. All option exercise prices are based on the average of
the closing bid and asked price of the Companys common stock at the date of grant.
9
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
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Individual Grants (1) |
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% of Total |
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Number of |
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Options |
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Potential Realizable Value at |
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Securities |
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Granted to |
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Assumed Annual Rates of |
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Underlying |
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Employees |
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Exercise |
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Stock Price Appreciation for |
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Options |
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in Fiscal |
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Price |
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Expiration |
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Option Term (2) |
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Name |
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Granted (#) |
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|
Year |
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($/Sh) |
|
|
Date |
|
|
5% ($) |
|
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10% ($) |
|
Bryan J. Merryman |
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|
2,300 |
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|
1.8 |
% |
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|
15.84 |
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|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
17,517 |
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|
|
49,473 |
|
Gregory L. Pope |
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|
2,300 |
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|
1.8 |
% |
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|
15.84 |
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02/21/16 |
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17,517 |
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49,473 |
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Edward L. Dudley |
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2,300 |
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1.8 |
% |
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|
15.84 |
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02/21/16 |
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17,517 |
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49,473 |
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Jay B. Haws |
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|
2,300 |
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|
1.8 |
% |
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|
15.84 |
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02/21/16 |
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|
17,517 |
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49,473 |
|
Bryan J. Merryman |
|
|
2,300 |
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|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
17.29 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
14,205 |
|
|
|
46,161 |
|
Gregory L. Pope |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
17.29 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
14,205 |
|
|
|
46,161 |
|
Edward L. Dudley |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
17.29 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
14,205 |
|
|
|
46,161 |
|
Jay B. Haws |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
17.29 |
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|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
14,205 |
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|
|
46,161 |
|
Bryan J. Merryman |
|
|
2,300 |
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|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
18.72 |
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02/21/16 |
|
|
|
10,893 |
|
|
|
42,849 |
|
Gregory L. Pope |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
18.72 |
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02/21/16 |
|
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|
10,893 |
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|
42,849 |
|
Edward L. Dudley |
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|
2,300 |
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|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
18.72 |
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02/21/16 |
|
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|
10,893 |
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|
|
42,849 |
|
Jay B. Haws |
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|
2,300 |
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|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
18.72 |
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|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
10,893 |
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|
|
42,849 |
|
Bryan J. Merryman |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
20.16 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
7,581 |
|
|
|
39,537 |
|
Gregory L. Pope |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
20.16 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
7,581 |
|
|
|
39,537 |
|
Edward L. Dudley |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
20.16 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
7,581 |
|
|
|
39,537 |
|
Jay B. Haws |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
20.16 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
7,581 |
|
|
|
39,537 |
|
Bryan J. Merryman |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
21.60 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
4,269 |
|
|
|
36,225 |
|
Gregory L. Pope |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
21.60 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
4,269 |
|
|
|
36,225 |
|
Edward L. Dudley |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
21.60 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
4,269 |
|
|
|
36,225 |
|
Jay B. Haws |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
21.60 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
4,269 |
|
|
|
36,225 |
|
All Employees as a group |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
% |
|
|
15.84 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
190,402 |
|
|
|
537,747 |
|
All Employees as a group |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
% |
|
|
17.28 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
154,402 |
|
|
|
501,747 |
|
All Employees as a group |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
% |
|
|
18.72 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
118,402 |
|
|
|
465,747 |
|
All Employees as a group |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
% |
|
|
20.16 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
82,402 |
|
|
|
429,747 |
|
All Employees as a group |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
% |
|
|
21.60 |
|
|
|
02/21/16 |
|
|
|
46,402 |
|
|
|
393,747 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Options granted were fully exercisable at grant date. |
|
(2) |
|
These amounts, based on assumed appreciation rates of 5 percent and 10 percent rates
prescribed by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, are not intended to forecast
possible future appreciation, if any, of the Companys stock price. |
Aggregated Option Exercises During Fiscal 2006 and Fiscal Year End Option Values
The following table provides information regarding the number and value of options held by the
Named Officers at fiscal year end. Options for 195,020 shares of stock were exercised by the Named
Officers during fiscal 2006. The Company does not have any outstanding stock appreciation rights.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
|
Value of Unexercised In- |
|
|
|
Acquired |
|
|
Value |
|
|
Option at Fiscal |
|
|
The-Money Options at Fiscal |
|
|
|
on |
|
|
Realized |
|
|
Year End (#) |
|
|
Year End ($)(1) |
|
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
|
($)(2) |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
Franklin E. Crail |
|
|
30,800 |
|
|
|
412,918 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
Bryan J. Merryman |
|
|
25,340 |
|
|
|
326,685 |
|
|
|
60,500 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
415,154 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
Edward L. Dudley |
|
|
60,880 |
|
|
|
969,123 |
|
|
|
53,170 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
390,310 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
Jay B. Haws |
|
|
61,600 |
|
|
|
1,127,016 |
|
|
|
32,500 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
146,400 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
Gregory L. Pope |
|
|
16,400 |
|
|
|
266,483 |
|
|
|
132,965 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
1,202,998 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The closing bid price of the Common Stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market on February 28, 2006,
was $14.75 per share. |
|
(2) |
|
The value realized represents the difference between the per share closing price of the
Companys Common stock on the day of exercise and the exercise price of the options, and does
not necessarily indicate that the optionee sold such stock. |
10
Compensation of Directors
Directors of the Company do not receive any compensation for serving on the Board.
Compensation committee members are paid quarterly, $750 each for committee members and $1,500 for
the committee chairman. Audit committee members are paid quarterly, $500 each for committee members
and $1,500 for the committee chairman. Additionally, audit committee members receive $250 for each
meeting held by phone and $500 for each meeting held in person. Also, an audit committee member
attending all of the audit meetings for any fiscal year will receive a $1,000 bonus for that year.
Directors who are not also officers or employees of the Company are entitled to receive stock
option awards under the 1990 Directors Plan and the 2000 Directors Plan.
The 2000 Directors Plan provides for automatic grants of nonqualified stock options covering
a maximum of 266,400 shares of Common Stock of the Company to directors of the Company who are not
also employees or officers of the Company. The 2000 Directors Plan provides that, during the term
of the 2000 Directors Plan, options will be granted automatically to new nonemployee directors
upon their election. Each such option permits the nonemployee director to purchase 30,800 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of
grant of the option. Each year following adoption of the 2000 Directors Plan, on a date
established by the Compensation Committee, during the term of the 2000 Directors Plan, options to
purchase 2,200 shares of common stock shall be granted automatically to each nonemployee director,
if any, who is serving the Company as a director on such date. Each nonemployee directors option
may be exercised in full beginning on the Vesting Date as determined by the Compensation Committee
and ending five years after such vesting date, unless the option expires sooner due to termination
of service or death.
Employment Agreements
The Company has entered into employment agreements with certain executives of the Company which
contain, among other things, change in control severance provisions. Specifically, the Company
has entered into employment agreements with Franklin E. Crail, Edward L. Dudley, Jay B. Haws and
Bryan J. Merryman. The employment agreements generally provide that, if the Company terminates the
executives employment under circumstances constituting a Triggering Termination (as defined in
the employment agreements) during a specified period preceding a Change in Control (as defined in
the employment agreements) of the Company, or if the executive or the Company terminates the
executives employment under circumstances constituting a Triggering Termination during a specified
period after a Change in Control, the executive will be entitled to receive, among other benefits,
2.99 times the sum of (i) the executives annual salary and (ii) two times the bonus that would be
payable to the executive for the bonus period in which the Change in Control occurred. A Triggering
Termination also includes a voluntary termination by the executive within five business days before
an anticipated Change in Control with the concurrence of two Concurring Persons (as defined in
the employment agreements) that the Change in Control is likely to occur during such five-business
day period. In such event, the executive must agree to continue to work on an at-will basis,
without compensation, until the Change in Control occurs. If the Change in Control does not occur
within 10 business days, the executive must refund the severance payment to the Company. The
foregoing description of the employment agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the form of employment agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to
Schedule on Form 14D9 of the Company filed on May 21, 1999.
Comparison of Return on Equity
The following graph reflects the total return, which assumes reinvestment of dividends, of a
$100 investment in the Companys Common Stock, in the Nasdaq U.S. Index, in the Russell 2000 Index
and in a Peer Group Index of companies in the confectionery industry, on February 28, 2001.
11
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
Base Period |
|
|
Return |
|
|
Return |
|
|
Return |
|
|
Return |
|
|
Return |
|
Company/Index Name |
|
2001 |
|
|
2/2002 |
|
|
2/2003 |
|
|
2/2004 |
|
|
2/2005 |
|
|
2/2006 |
|
|
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. |
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
268.16 |
|
|
|
183.63 |
|
|
|
396.58 |
|
|
|
993.00 |
|
|
|
1,012.24 |
|
Nasdaq Index US |
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
81.27 |
|
|
|
63.38 |
|
|
|
95.45 |
|
|
|
96.91 |
|
|
|
108.55 |
|
Russell 2000 Index |
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
100.34 |
|
|
|
78.17 |
|
|
|
128.52 |
|
|
|
140.77 |
|
|
|
164.12 |
|
Peer Group(l) |
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
116.01 |
|
|
|
107.93 |
|
|
|
127.16 |
|
|
|
163.43 |
|
|
|
152.66 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Comprised of the following companies: The Hershey Company, Imperial Sugar Company, Monterey Gourmet Foods, Inc.,
Paradise, Inc., Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., Valhi, Inc. and Wrigley (Wm.), Jr. Company. Sherwood Brands, Inc.
was previously a part of our peer group but deregistered its shares in calendar year 2005 and therefore has been
removed from our peer group. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors consists of Lee N. Mortenson,
Fred M. Trainor and Gerald A. Kien. None of the foregoing persons is or has been an officer of the
Company.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
None.
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The Company has no knowledge that any person who was a director, executive officer or 10%
shareholder (a Reporting Person) at any time during fiscal 2006 failed to file, or was late in
filing, any Form 3, 4 or 5. In making these disclosures, the Company has relied solely on written
representations of its Reporting Persons, including certain written representations from Reporting
Persons, that Forms 5 were not required, and on the reports filed by such Reporting Persons with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
12
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman (EKS&H) was the independent registered public accounting firm
for the Company for the year ended February 28, 2006. It is expected that representatives of EKS&H
will be present at the Annual Meeting to make any statement they desire and to respond to
appropriate questions.
Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman have been appointed as independent registered public
accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2007. Shareholders are not
being asked to ratify the appointment.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT AUDIT FEES AND SERVICES
For the fiscal years ended February 28, 2006 and 2005, EKS&H, our auditor and principal
accountant, billed the approximate fees as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
Audit fees |
|
$ |
80,126 |
|
|
$ |
63,351 |
|
Audit-related fees (1) |
|
$ |
36,184 |
|
|
$ |
17,405 |
|
Tax fees (2) |
|
$ |
21,903 |
|
|
$ |
19,295 |
|
All other fees (3) |
|
$ |
-0- |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit-Related Fees consist of assurance and related services that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Companys financial
statements. This category includes fees related to the performance of audits and attest
services not required by statute or regulations, audits of the Companys benefit plans, and
additional compliance procedures related to performance of the review or audit of the
Companys financial statements, and accounting consultations about the application of GAAP to
proposed transactions. These services support the evaluation of the effectiveness of internal
controls. |
|
(2) |
|
Tax Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services
rendered for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning services. |
|
(3) |
|
No fees of this category were incurred. |
The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of the services listed above is
compatible with maintaining the principal accountants independence, and has approved the same.
The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation, and overseeing the
work of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee has established a policy regarding
pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent
auditor. Such policy requires that all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by
the independent auditor must be submitted to the Audit Committee for approval at a meeting of the
Audit Committee or by unanimous written consent of the Audit Committee in lieu of a meeting.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any shareholder of the Company wishing to have a proposal considered for inclusion in the
Companys 2007 proxy solicitation materials must, in addition to other applicable requirements, set
forth the proposal in writing and submit it to the Secretary of the Company at the principal
executive offices of the Company at 265 Turner Drive Durango, Colorado 81303 on or before February
16, 2007. The Board of Directors of the Company will review any proposals from shareholders it
receives by that date and will determine whether any proposals will be included in its 2007 Proxy
solicitation materials.
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Companys 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K is being mailed to shareholders with this Proxy
Statement.
OTHER MATTERS AT THE MEETING
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, management knows of no matters not described herein to
be brought before the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Should any other matters properly come
before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying Proxy will vote
thereon according to their best judgment in the interest of the Company.
13
OTHER DOCUMENTS NOT A PART OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT
Certain information in this Proxy Statement, specifically the Audit Committee Report beginning
on page 6 (other than any information contained therein not permitted to be so excluded), the
report of the Nominating Committee on page 7 (other than any information contained therein not
permitted to be so excluded), the report of the Compensation Committee beginning on page 7 (other
than any information contained therein not permitted to be so excluded); and the Performance Graph
appearing on page 12, shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under or pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as currently in effect and shall not be deemed to be incorporated
by reference into any filing by the Company under such Acts, unless specifically provided otherwise
in such filing.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO PROMPTLY MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
|
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|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
/S/ Bryan J. Merryman
Bryan J. Merryman
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
June 16, 2006
14
Proxy Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
Meeting Details
265 Turner Drive
Durango, Colorado 81303
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints FRANKLIN E. CRAIL and VIRGINIA M. PEREZ, and each of them,
as the undersigneds attorneys and proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute,
and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as directed below, all the shares of Common
Stock of ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. (the Company) held of record by the undersigned
on June 9, 2006, at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on July 21, 2006 or any
adjournment thereof.
Please mark boxes in black ink.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned.
IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR MANAGEMENTS NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS
DIRECTORS.
(Continued and to be voted on reverse side.)
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
o Mark this box with an X if you have made changes to your name or address details below.
|
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|
Use a black pen. Print in
CAPITAL letters inside the grey
areas as shown in this example.
|
|
A B C 1 2 3
|
|
X |
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
1. Election of Directors
FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below)
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), strike a line through
the nominees name or write a zero (0) in the space following his name below. To exercise
cumulative voting by casting two or more votes per share for any individual nominee(s), write the
number of votes cast for the nominee in the space following his name. Each share of common stock
is entitled to six votes, in the aggregate.)
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For |
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Withhold |
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Number of Votes |
|
01 Franklin E. Crail
|
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o
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o |
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02 Lee N. Mortenson
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o
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o |
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03 Bryan J. Merryman
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o
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o |
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04 Fred M. Trainor
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o
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o |
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05 Gerald A. Kien
|
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o
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o |
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06 Clyde Wm. Engle
|
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o
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o |
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2. Issues
Each of the above-named attorneys and proxies (or his or her substitute) is authorized to vote
in his or her discretion upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
3. Authorized Signatures Sign Here This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed.
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
|
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Signature 1
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Signature 2
|
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Date (dd/mm/yyyy) |
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/ / |
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1 U P X