UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

[X]

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

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

 

OR

 

[   ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from __________________ to _________________

 

Commission file number: 001-36724

 

The Joint Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 90-0544160

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or

organization)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

16767 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 240, Scottsdale

Arizona

85260
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(480) 245-5960

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

             
Large accelerated filer     Accelerated filer  
       
Non-accelerated filer   ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company  
       
        Emerging growth company  

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell Company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

 

As of May 5, 2017, the registrant had 13,082,531 shares of Common Stock ($0.001 par value) outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE JOINT CORP.

FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        PAGE NO.
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
         
  Item 1.   Financial Statements:  
      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 (unaudited) and December 31, 2016 1
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited) 2
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited) 3
      Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 4
         
  Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 19
         
  Item 4.   Controls and Procedures 25
         
Part I, Item 3 – Not applicable  
     
PART II OTHER INFORMATION  
         
  Item 1.   Legal Proceedings 26
         
  Item 1A.   Risk Factors 26
         
  Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 26
         
  Item 6.   Exhibits 26
         
  SIGNATURES 27
         
  EXHIBIT INDEX 28
         
Part II, Items 3, 4, and 5 - Not applicable  

 

 

 

 

 

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   March 31,  December 31,
   2017  2016
ASSETS  (unaudited)   
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $2,676,607   $3,009,864 
Restricted cash   312,551    334,394 
Accounts receivable, net   1,189,132    1,021,733 
Income taxes receivable   3,054    42,014 
Notes receivable - current portion   30,818    40,826 
Deferred franchise costs - current portion   686,873    748,300 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   893,520    499,525 
Total current assets   5,792,555    5,696,656 
Property and equipment, net   4,360,900    4,724,706 
Deferred franchise costs, net of current portion   738,258    836,350 
Intangible assets, net   2,164,066    2,338,922 
Goodwill   2,750,338    2,750,338 
Deposits and other assets   667,021    707,889 
Total assets  $16,473,138   $17,054,861 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $1,089,176   $1,054,946 
Accrued expenses   161,542    299,997 
Co-op funds liability   95,007    73,246 
Payroll liabilities   397,095    750,421 
Notes payable - current portion   168,000    331,500 
Deferred rent - current portion   148,564    215,450 
Deferred revenue - current portion   2,866,880    3,077,430 
Other current liabilities   54,479    60,894 
Total current liabilities   4,980,743    5,863,884 
Revolving credit - notes payable   1,000,000    - 
Deferred rent, net of current portion   907,723    1,400,790 
Deferred revenue, net of current portion   2,695,729    2,231,712 
Deferred tax liability   156,920    120,700 
Other liabilities   1,242,332    512,362 
Total liabilities   10,983,447    10,129,448 
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders' equity:          
Series A preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000 shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding, as of March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016   -    - 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 13,371,535 shares issued and 13,075,031 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and 13,317,393 shares issued and 13,020,889 outstanding as of December 31, 2016   13,371    13,317 
Additional paid-in capital   36,609,876    36,398,588 
Treasury stock 296,504 shares as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016   (503,118)   (503,118)
Accumulated deficit   (30,630,438)   (28,983,374)
Total stockholders' equity   5,489,691    6,925,413 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $16,473,138   $17,054,861 

 

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

 

1
 

 

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended
   March 31,
   2017  2016
Revenues:      
Revenues and management fees from company clinics  $2,515,601   $1,658,553 
Royalty fees   1,706,073    1,368,831 
Franchise fees   449,500    514,800 
Advertising fund revenue   598,436    265,721 
IT related income and software fees   267,013    221,134 
Regional developer fees   76,896    147,537 
Other revenues   60,338    88,460 
Total revenues   5,673,857    4,265,036 
Cost of revenues:          
Franchise cost of revenues   683,243    694,735 
IT cost of revenues   58,861    45,228 
Total cost of revenues   742,104    739,963 
Selling and marketing expenses   958,706    738,683 
Depreciation and amortization   577,987    575,544 
General and administrative expenses   4,564,079    5,692,056 
Total selling, general and administrative expenses   6,100,772    7,006,283 
Loss on disposition or impairment   417,971    - 
Loss from operations   (1,586,990)   (3,481,210)
           
Other (expense) income, net   (19,465)   473 
Loss before income tax expense   (1,606,455)   (3,480,737)
           
Income tax expense   (40,609)   (44,397)
           
Net loss and comprehensive loss  $(1,647,064)  $(3,525,134)
           
Loss per share:          
Basic and diluted loss per share  $(0.13)  $(0.28)
           
Basic and diluted weighted average shares   13,042,595    12,567,901 

 

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

 

2
 

 

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended
   March 31,
   2017  2016
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net loss  $(1,647,064)  $(3,525,134)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Net franchise fees recognized upon termination of franchise agreements   -    (41,100)
Depreciation and amortization   577,987    575,544 
Loss on disposition or impairment of assets   417,971    - 
Deferred income taxes   36,220    - 
Stock based compensation expense   95,065    197,669 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Restricted cash   21,843    (71,985)
Accounts receivable   (214,860)   (902,190)
Income taxes receivable   38,960    32,021 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (393,995)   (78,997)
Deferred franchise costs   159,519    121,602 
Deposits and other assets   40,868    (3,339)
Accounts payable   34,230    (1,229,146)
Accrued expenses   (138,455)   (234,291)
Co-op funds liability   21,761    (96,546)
Payroll liabilities   (353,326)   (829,933)
Other liabilities   102,459    9,790 
Deferred rent   (309,367)   628,181 
Deferred revenue   253,467    (311,874)
Net cash used in operating activities   (1,256,717)   (5,759,728)
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Reacquisition and termination of regional developer rights   -    (275,000)
Purchase of property and equipment   (39,325)   (287,942)
Payments received on notes receivable   10,008    17,258 
Net cash used in investing activities   (29,317)   (545,684)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Borrowings on revolving credit note payable   1,000,000    - 
Issuance of common stock, offering costs adjustment   -    (1,042)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   116,277    1,600 
Repayments on notes payable   (163,500)   (120,500)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   952,777    (119,942)
           
Net decrease in cash   (333,257)   (6,425,354)
Cash at beginning of period   3,009,864    16,792,850 
Cash at end of period  $2,676,607   $10,367,496 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, cash paid for income taxes was $5,875 and $3,625, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, cash paid for interest was $30,161 and $2,648, respectively.

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:

 

As of March 31, 2016, we had property and equipment purchases of $796,581 and $147,186 which were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses, respectively.

  

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

 

3
 

 

THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1: Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

These unaudited financial statements represent the condensed consolidated financial statements of The Joint Corp. (“The Joint”) and its wholly owned subsidiary The Joint Corporate Unit No. 1, LLC (collectively, the “Company”). These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with The Joint Corp. and Subsidiary consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto as set forth in The Joint Corp.’s Form 10-K, which included all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position on a consolidated basis and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are not necessarily indicative of expected operating results for the full year. The information presented throughout the document as of and for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is unaudited.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Joint Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Joint Corporate Unit No. 1, LLC, which was dormant for all periods presented.

 

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between The Joint Corp. and its subsidiary have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss are the same for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

Nature of Operations

 

The Joint, a Delaware corporation, was formed on March 10, 2010 for the principal purpose of franchising, developing and managing chiropractic clinics, selling regional developer rights and supporting the operations of franchised chiropractic clinics at locations throughout the United States of America. The franchising of chiropractic clinics is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and various state authorities. 

 

4
 

 

The following table summarizes the number of clinics in operation under franchise agreements and as company-owned or managed clinics for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

   Three Months Ended
   March 31,
Franchised clinics:  2017  2016
Clinics open at beginning of period   309    265 
Opened or purchased during the period   18    14 
Acquired during the period   -    - 
Closed during the period   (1)   (2)
Clinics in operation at the end of the period   326    277 

 

   March 31,
Company-owned or managed clinics:  2017  2016
Clinics open at beginning of period   61    47 
Opened during the period   -    7 
Acquired during the period   -    - 
Closed or sold during the period   (14)   - 
Clinics in operation at the end of the period   47    54 
           
Total clinics in operation at the end of the period   373    331 
           
Clinic licenses sold but not yet developed   107    146 

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

An entity deemed to hold the controlling interest in a voting interest entity or deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) is required to consolidate the VIE in its financial statements. An entity is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it has both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb the majority of losses of the VIE or the right to receive the majority of benefits from the VIE. Investments where the Company does not hold the controlling interest and is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for under the equity method.

 

Certain states in which the Company manages clinics regulate the practice of chiropractic care and require that chiropractic services be provided by legal entities organized under state laws as professional corporations or PCs. Such PCs are VIEs. In these states, the Company has entered into management services agreements with such PCs under which the Company provides, on an exclusive basis, all non-clinical services of the chiropractic practice.  The Company has analyzed its relationship with the PCs and has determined that the Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the PCs. As such, the activities of the PCs are not included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company continually monitors its positions with, and credit quality of, the financial institutions with which it invests. As of the balance sheet date and periodically throughout the period, the Company has maintained balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has invested substantially all of its cash in short-term bank deposits. The Company had no cash equivalents as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

 

5
 

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash relates to cash that franchisees and company-owned or managed clinics contribute to the Company’s National Marketing Fund and cash that franchisees provide to various voluntary regional Co-Op Marketing Funds. Cash contributed by franchisees to the National Marketing Fund is to be used in accordance with the Company’s Franchise Disclosure Document with a focus on regional and national marketing and advertising. 

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

From time to time, the Company grants credit in the normal course of business to franchisees and PCs related to the collection of royalties and other operating revenues. The Company periodically performs credit analysis and monitors the financial condition of the franchisees and PCs to reduce credit risk. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, three PC entities and five franchisees represented 28% and 24%, respectively, of outstanding accounts receivable. The Company did not have any customers that represented greater than 10% of its revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable represent amounts due from franchisees for initial franchise fees and royalty fees, working capital advances due from PCs, and tenant improvement allowances due from landlords. The Company considers a reserve for doubtful accounts based on the creditworthiness of the entity. The provision for uncollectible amounts is continually reviewed and adjusted to maintain the allowance at a level considered adequate to cover future losses. The allowance is management’s best estimate of uncollectible amounts and is determined based on specific identification and historical performance that the Company tracks on an ongoing basis. Actual losses ultimately could differ materially in the near term from the amounts estimated in determining the allowance. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $131,830.

 

Deferred Franchise Costs

 

Deferred franchise costs represent commissions that are paid in conjunction with the sale of a franchise and are recognized as an expense when the respective revenue is recognized, which is generally upon the opening of a clinic.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost or for property acquired as part of franchise acquisitions at fair value at the date of closing. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the assets.

 

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred; major renewals and improvements are capitalized. When items of property or equipment are sold or retired, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in income.

 

Software Developed

 

The Company capitalizes certain software development costs. These capitalized costs are primarily related to proprietary software used by clinics for operations and by the Company for the management of operations. Costs incurred in the preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct, are capitalized as assets in progress until the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Capitalization ceases upon completion of all substantial testing. The Company also capitalizes costs related to specific upgrades and enhancements when it is probable the expenditures will result in additional functionality. Software developed is recorded as part of property and equipment. Maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred. Internal use software is amortized on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life, generally five years.

 

6
 

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets consist primarily of re-acquired franchise and regional developer rights and customer relationships.  The Company amortizes the fair value of re-acquired franchise rights over the remaining contractual terms of the re-acquired franchise rights at the time of the acquisition, which range from six to eight years. In the case of regional developer rights the Company amortizes the acquired regional developer rights over seven years. The fair value of customer relationships is amortized over their estimated useful life of two years. 

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in the acquisitions.  Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. As required, the Company performs an annual impairment test of goodwill as of the first day of the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. No impairments of goodwill were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recovered. The Company looks primarily to estimated undiscounted future cash flows in its assessment of whether or not long-lived assets have been impaired. No impairments of long-lived assets were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

Advertising Fund

 

The Company has established an advertising fund for national/regional marketing and advertising of services offered by its clinics. The monthly marketing fee is 2% of clinic sales. The Company segregates the marketing funds collected which are included in restricted cash on its consolidated balance sheets. As amounts are expended from the fund, the Company recognizes advertising fund revenue and a related expense. Amounts collected in excess of marketing expenditures are included in restricted cash on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. 

 

Co-Op Marketing Funds

 

Some franchises have established regional Co-Ops for advertising within their local and regional markets. The Company maintains a custodial relationship under which the marketing funds collected are segregated and used for the purposes specified by the Co-Ops’ officers. The marketing funds are included in restricted cash on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities

 

The Company recognizes a liability for the cost associated with an exit or disposal activity that is measured initially at its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred.

 

Costs to terminate an operating lease or other contracts are (a) costs to terminate the contract before the end of its term or (b) costs that will continue to be incurred under the contract for its remaining term without economic benefit to the entity. A liability for costs that will continue to be incurred under a contract for its remaining term without economic benefit to the entity is recognized at the cease-use date. In periods subsequent to initial measurement, changes to the liability are measured using the credit adjusted risk-free rate that was used to measure the fair value of the liability initially. The cumulative effect of a change resulting from a revision to either the timing or the amount of estimated cash flows is recognized as an adjustment to the liability in the period of the change.

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2017 the Company recognized an additional lease exit liability of approximately $0.7 million classified in Other Liabilities on its condensed consolidated balance sheets related to operating leases that will no longer provide economic benefit to the Company, net of estimated sublease income.

 

7
 

 

Deferred Rent

 

The Company leases office space for its corporate offices and company-owned or managed clinics under operating leases, which may include rent holidays and rent escalation clauses.  It recognizes rent holiday periods and scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  The Company records tenant improvement allowances as deferred rent and amortizes the allowance over the term of the lease, as a reduction to rent expense.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company generates revenue through initial franchise fees, regional developer fees, royalties, advertising fund revenue, IT related income, and computer software fees, and from its company-owned and managed clinics.

 

Franchise Fees. The Company requires the entire non-refundable initial franchise fee to be paid upon execution of a franchise agreement, which typically has an initial term of ten years. Initial franchise fees are recognized as revenue when the Company has substantially completed its initial services under the franchise agreement, which typically occurs upon opening of the clinic.  The Company’s services under the franchise agreement include: training of franchisees and staff, site selection, construction/vendor management and ongoing operations support. The Company provides no financing to franchisees and offers no guarantees on their behalf. 

 

Regional Developer Fees. During 2011, the Company established a regional developer program to engage independent contractors to assist in developing specified geographical regions. Under this program, regional developers pay a license fee ranging from $7,250 to 25% of the then current franchise fee for each franchise they receive the right to develop within the region. Each regional developer agreement establishes a minimum number of franchises that the regional developer must develop. Regional developers receive fees ranging from $14,500 to $19,950 which are collected from franchisees upon the sale of franchises within their region and a royalty of 3% of sales generated by franchised clinics in their region. Regional developer license fees paid to the Company are nonrefundable and are recognized as revenue when the Company has performed substantially all initial services required by the regional developer agreement, which generally is considered to be upon the opening of each franchised clinic. Accordingly, revenue is recognized on a pro-rata basis determined by the number of franchised clinics to be opened in the area covered by the regional developer agreement. Upon the execution of a regional developer agreement, the Company estimates the number of franchised clinics to be opened, which is typically consistent with the contracted minimum. The Company reassesses the number of clinics expected to be opened as the regional developer performs under its regional developer agreement. When a material change to the original estimate becomes apparent, the amount of revenue to be recognized per clinic is revised on a prospective basis, and the unrecognized fees are allocated among, and recognized as revenue upon the opening of, the expected remaining unopened franchised clinics within the region. Certain regional developer agreements provide that no additional fee is required for franchises developed by the regional developer above the contracted minimum, while other regional developer agreements require a supplemental payment. The franchisor’s services under regional developer agreements include site selection, grand opening support for the clinics, sales support for identification of qualified franchisees, general operational support and marketing support to advertise for ownership opportunities. Several of the regional developer agreements grant the Company the option to repurchase the regional developer’s license.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company entered into three regional development agreements for which it received approximately $650,000, which was deferred as of the respective transaction dates and will be recognized on a pro-rata basis over the estimated number of franchised clinics to be opened in the respective regions.

 

Revenues and Management Fees from Company Clinics.  The Company earns revenues from clinics that it owns and operates or manages throughout the United States.  In those states where the Company owns and operates the clinic, revenues are recognized when services are performed. The Company offers a variety of membership and wellness packages which feature discounted pricing as compared with its single-visit pricing.  Amounts collected in advance for membership and wellness packages are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized when the service is performed.  In other states where state law requires the chiropractic practice to be owned by a licensed chiropractor, the Company enters into a management agreement with the doctor’s PC.  Under the management agreement, the Company provides administrative and business management services to the doctor’s PC in return for a monthly management fee.  When the collectability of the full management fee is uncertain, the Company recognizes management fee revenue only to the extent of fees expected to be collected from the PCs.

 

8
 

 

Royalties. The Company collects royalties, as stipulated in the franchise agreement, equal to 7% of gross sales, and a marketing and advertising fee currently equal to 2% of gross sales. Certain franchisees with franchise agreements acquired during the formation of the Company pay a monthly flat fee. Royalties are recognized as revenue when earned. Royalties are collected bi-monthly two working days after each sales period has ended.

 

IT Related Income and Software Fees.  The Company collects a monthly computer software fee for use of its proprietary chiropractic software, computer support, and internet services support. These fees are recognized on a monthly basis as services are provided. IT related revenue represents a flat fee to purchase a clinic’s computer equipment, operating software, preinstalled chiropractic system software, key card scanner (patient identification card), credit card scanner and credit card receipt printer. These fees are recognized as revenue upon receipt of equipment by the franchisee.

 

Advertising Costs

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $286,415 and $422,098 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

   

Income Taxes

 

The Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate method in computing its interim tax provision. This effective tax rate is based on forecasted annual pre-tax income, permanent tax differences and statutory tax rates. Deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes. The differences relate principally to depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of goodwill, accounting for leases, and treatment of revenue for franchise fees and regional developer fees collected. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax consequence for those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred taxes are also recognized for operating losses that are available to offset future taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. 

 

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes by recognizing the tax benefit or expense from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company measures the tax benefits and expenses recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements from such a position based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.

 

At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company maintained a liability for income taxes for uncertain tax positions of approximately $40,000, of which $27,000 represents penalties and interest and is recorded in the “other liabilities” section of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Interest and penalties associated with tax positions are recorded in the period assessed as general and administrative expenses. The Company’s tax returns for tax years subject to examination by tax authorities include 2012 through the current period for state and 2013 through the current period for federal reporting purposes.

 

Loss per Common Share

 

Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share is computed by giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares including preferred stock, restricted stock, and stock options.

 

9
 

 

   Three Months Ended
   March 31,
   2017  2016
       
Net loss  $(1,647,064)  $(3,525,134)
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic   13,042,595    12,567,901 
Effect of dilutive securities:          
Stock options   -    - 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted   13,042,595    12,567,901 
           
Basic and diluted loss per share  $(0.13)  $(0.28)

 

The following table summarizes the potential shares of common stock that were excluded from diluted net loss per share, because the effect of including these potential shares was anti-dilutive:

 

   Three Months Ended
   March 31,
   2017  2016
Unvested restricted stock   80,070    292,466 
Stock options   916,915    768,625 
Warrants   90,000    90,000 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for share based payments by recognizing compensation expense based upon the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant. The Company determines the estimated grant-date fair value of restricted shares using quoted market prices and the grant-date fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. In order to calculate the fair value of the options, certain assumptions are made regarding the components of the model, including the estimated fair value of underlying common stock, risk-free interest rate, volatility, expected dividend yield and expected option life. Changes to the assumptions could cause significant adjustments to the valuation. The Company recognizes compensation costs ratably over the period of service using the straight-line method.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the condensed consolidated 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 amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Items subject to significant estimates and assumptions include the allowance for doubtful accounts, share-based compensation arrangements, fair value of stock options, useful lives and realizability of long-lived assets, classification of deferred revenue and deferred franchise costs, uncertain tax positions, realizability of deferred tax assets, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and purchase price allocations.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard becomes effective for us on January 1, 2018. The Company has performed a preliminary review of ASU 2014-09 and does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on its revenues and management fees from company clinics or franchise royalty revenues. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this standard on recognition of revenue from franchise agreements, advertising fund revenue, and regional developer fee revenue. The Company is still evaluating its transition approach and expects to reach a decision in the first half of fiscal 2017.

 

10
 

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” The ASU requires that substantially all operating leases be recognized as assets and liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet, which is a significant departure from the current standard, which classifies operating leases as off balance sheet transactions and accounts for only the current year operating lease expense in the statement of operations. The right to use the leased property is to be capitalized as an asset and the expected lease payments over the life of the lease will be accounted for as a liability. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018. While the Company has not yet quantified the impact this standard will have on its financial statements, it will result in a significant increase in the asset and liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet and in the interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense reflected in its statement of operations, while reducing the amount of rent expense. This could potentially decrease the Company’s reported net income.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. This update simplifies accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements

 

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”, to clarify the following two aspects of Topic 606: 1) identifying performance obligations, and 2) the licensing implementation guidance. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this amendment on its financial statements.

 

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”, to clarify certain core recognition principles including collectability, sales tax presentation, noncash consideration, contract modifications and completed contracts at transition and disclosures no longer required if the full retrospective transition method is adopted. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this amendment on its financial statements.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. This update addresses how certain cash inflows and outflows are classified in the statement of cash flows to eliminate existing diversity in practice. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this amendment on its financial statements.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash” (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), to provide guidance on the presentation of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition method, and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”, to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments should be applied prospectively, and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

 

11
 

 

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”. This update simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating “Step 2” from the goodwill impairment test. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Note 2: Notes Receivable

 

Effective July 2012, the Company sold a company-owned clinic, including the license agreement, equipment, and customer base, in exchange for a $90,000 unsecured promissory note. The note bore interest at 6% per annum for fifty-four months and requires monthly principal and interest payments over forty-two months, beginning on August 2013. The note matured in January 2017 and was paid in full upon maturity. 

 

Effective July 2015, the Company entered into two license transfer agreements, in exchange for $10,000 and $29,925 in separate unsecured promissory notes.  The non-interest bearing notes require monthly principal payments over 24 months, beginning on September 1, 2015 and maturing on August 1, 2017.

  

Effective May 2016, the Company entered into three license transfer agreements, in exchange for three separate $7,500 unsecured promissory notes.  The non-interest bearing notes require monthly principal payments over six months, beginning on May 1, 2017 and maturing on October 1, 2017. 

 

The net outstanding balance of the notes as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were $30,818 and $40,826, respectively.

 

Note 3: Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

   March 31,  December 31,
   2017  2016
       
Office and computer equipment  $1,099,747   $1,083,039 
Leasehold improvements   5,085,366    5,085,366 
Software developed   1,046,823    891,192 
    7,231,936    7,059,597 
Accumulated depreciation   (2,969,302)   (2,566,172)
    4,262,634    4,493,425 
Construction in progress   98,266    231,281 
   $4,360,900   $4,724,706 

 

Depreciation expense was $403,131 and $401,867 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

In December, 2016, the Company determined that 14 clinics from its Corporate Clinics segment, met the criteria for classification as held for sale. Accordingly, in December, 2016, the Company recognized a $2.4 million impairment charge to lower the carrying costs of the property and equipment to its estimated fair value less cost to sell which was recorded in the loss on disposition or impairment line of the 2016 consolidated statement of operations. The Company completed the sale of the property in the first quarter of 2017 for nominal consideration.

 

Note 4: Fair Value Consideration

 

The Company’s financial instruments include cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and notes payable. The carrying amounts of its financial instruments approximate their fair value due to their short maturities.

 

12
 

 

The Company does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash-flow, market or foreign-currency risks.

 

Authoritative guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on reliability of the inputs as follows:

 

  Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

  

  Level 2: Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

 

  Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company does not have any financial instruments that are measured on a recurring basis as Level 1, 2 or 3.

 

Note 5: Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

   As of March 31, 2017
   Gross Carrying  Accumulated  Net Carrying
   Amount  Amortization  Value
Amortized intangible assets:               
Reacquired franchise rights  $1,911,750   $515,136   $1,396,614 
Customer relationships   701,000    580,584    120,416 
Reacquired development rights   923,250    276,214    647,036 
   $3,536,000   $1,371,934   $2,164,066 

 

Amortization expense was $174,856 and $173,677 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

13
 

 

Estimated amortization expense for 2017 and subsequent years is as follows:

 

2017  $404,025 
2018   439,589 
2019   413,256 
2020   413,256 
2021   348,034 
Thereafter   145,906 
Total  $2,164,066 

 

Note 6: Debt

 

Notes Payable

 

During 2015, the Company delivered 12 notes payable totaling $800,350 as a portion of the consideration paid in connection with the Company’s various acquisitions. Interest rates range from 1.5% to 5.25% with maturities through February, 2017.

 

During 2016, the Company delivered two notes payable totaling $186,000 as a portion of the consideration paid in connection with the Company’s various acquisitions. Interest rates for both notes are 4.25% with maturities through May, 2017.

 

Maturities of notes payable are as follows as of March 31, 2017:

 

2017  $168,000 
Thereafter   - 
Total  $168,000 

 

Credit and Security Agreement

 

On January 3, 2017, the Company entered into a Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), and signed a revolving credit note payable to the lender. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company is able to borrow up to an aggregate of $5,000,000 under revolving loans. Interest on the unpaid outstanding principal amount of any revolving loans is at a rate equal to 10% per annum, provided, that the minimum amount of interest paid in the aggregate on all revolving loans granted over the term of the Credit Agreement is $200,000. Interest is due and payable on the last day of each fiscal quarter in an amount determined by the Company, but not less than $25,000. The lender’s lending commitments under the Credit Agreement terminate in December 2019, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Company intends to use the credit facility for general working capital needs. As of March 31, 2017, the Company has drawn $1,000,000 of the $5,000,000 available under the Credit Agreement.

 

Note 7: Equity

 

Stock Options

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company granted 40,000 stock options to employees with exercise prices ranging from $2.65 - $3.11. 

 

Upon the completion of the Company’s IPO in November 2014, its stock trading price became the basis of fair value of its common stock used in determining the value of share based awards. To the extent the value of the Company’s share based awards involves a measure of volatility, it will rely upon the volatilities from publicly traded companies with similar business models until its common stock has accumulated enough trading history for it to utilize its own historical volatility. The expected life of the options granted is based on the average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the option. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury 10-year yield curve in effect at the date of the grant.

 

14
 

 

The Company has computed the fair value of all options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, using the following assumptions:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31,
   2017  2016
Expected volatility   42%  44% - 45%
Expected dividends   None    None 
Expected term (years)   7    7 
Risk-free rate  2.10%to2.14%  1.50%-1.68%
Forfeiture rate   20%   20%

 

 

The information below summarizes the stock options activity:

 

   Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted
Average
Fair
Value
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
Outstanding at December 31, 2016   953,075   $3.66   $1.86    6.9 
Granted at market price   40,000    3.00           
Exercised   (59,142)   1.20           
Cancelled   (17,018)   5.10           
Outstanding at March 31, 2017   916,915   $3.76   $1.78    7.0 
Exercisable at March 31, 2017   345,855   $4.59   $2.24    4.4 

 

The intrinsic value of the Company’s stock options outstanding was $1,021,554 at March 31, 2017.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, stock based compensation expense for stock options was $51,038 and $107,506, respectively.  Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for stock options as of March 31, 2017 was $686,052, which is expected to be recognized ratably over the next 3.1 years.

 

Restricted Stock

 

The information below summaries the restricted stock activity:

 

Restricted Stock Awards  Shares
Outstanding at December 31, 2016   92,415 
Awards granted   - 
Awards vested   - 
Awards forfeited   (12,345)
Outstanding at March 31, 2017   80,070 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, stock based compensation expense for restricted stock was $44,027 and $90,163, respectively. Unrecognized stock based compensation expense for restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2017 was $73,672 to be recognized ratably over the next 1.5 years.

 

15
 

 

Treasury Stock

 

In December, 2013, the Company exercised its right of first refusal under the terms of a Stockholders Agreement dated March 10, 2010 to repurchase 534,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The shares were purchased for $0.45 per share or $240,000 in cash along with the issuance of an option to repurchase the 534,000 shares. The repurchased shares were recorded as treasury stock, at cost in the amount of $791,638, and were available for general corporate purposes. The option is classified in equity as it is considered indexed to the Company’s stock and meets the criteria for classification in equity.  The option was granted to the seller for a term of 8 years.  The option contained the following exercise prices:

 

Year 1  $0.56 
Year 2  $0.68 
Year 3  $0.84 
Year 4  $1.03 
Year 5  $1.28 
Year 6  $1.59 
Year 7  $1.97 
Year 8  $2.45 

 

Consideration given in the form of the option was valued using a Binomial Lattice-Based model resulting in a fair value of $1.03 per share option for a total fair value of $551,638. The option was valued using the Binomial Lattice-Based valuation methodology because that model embodies all of the relevant assumptions that address the features underlying the instrument.

 

During December, 2016, the option holder partially exercised the call option, and purchased 250,872 shares at a total repurchase price of $210,000. The Company reduced the cost of treasury shares by approximately $113,000 related to the transaction, reduced the value of the option by approximately $259,000, and reduced additional paid in capital by approximately $162,000.

 

Note 8: Income Taxes

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded income tax expense of approximately $41,000 and $44,000, respectively, with the difference due to a valuation allowance on the Company's deferred tax assets, and the impact of certain permanent differences on taxable income.

 

Note 9: Related Party Transactions

 

The Company entered into consulting and legal agreements with certain common stockholders related to services performed for the operations and transaction related activities of the Company. Amounts paid to or for the benefit of these stockholders was approximately $52,000 and $110,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

  

Note 10:  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases its corporate office space and the space for each of the company-owned or managed clinics in the portfolio.

 

Total rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $744,295 and $752,495, respectively.

 

16
 

 

Future minimum annual lease payments are as follows:

 

2017 (remaining)  $1,814,011 
2018   1,855,661 
2019   1,536,117 
2020   1,264,664 
2021   1,122,612 
Thereafter   3,923,358 
Total  $11,516,423 

 

Note 11: Segment Reporting

 

An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available and is reviewed regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), to evaluate performance and make operating decisions. The Company has identified its CODM as the Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Company has two operating business segments. The Corporate Clinics segment is comprised of the operating activities of the company-owned or managed clinics. As of March 31, 2017, the Company operated or managed 47 clinics under this segment. The Franchise Operations segment is comprised of the operating activities of the franchise business unit. As of March 31, 2017, the franchise system consisted of 326 clinics in operation. Corporate is a non-operating segment that develops and implements strategic initiatives and supports the Company’s two operating business segments by centralizing key administrative functions such as finance and treasury, information technology, insurance and risk management, litigation and human resources. Corporate also provides the necessary administrative functions to support the Company as a publicly traded company. A portion of the expenses incurred by Corporate are allocated to the operating segments. 

 

 

 

 

 

17
 

 

The tables below present financial information for the Company’s two operating business segments (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended
   March 31,
   2017  2016
Revenues:      
Corporate clinics  $2,497   $1,659 
Franchise operations   3,177    2,606 
Total revenues  $5,674   $4,265 
           
Segment operating (loss) income:          
Corporate clinics  $(599)  $(1,694)
Franchise operations   1,351    989 
Total segment operating (loss) income  $752   $(705)
           
Depreciation and amortization:          
Corporate clinics  $444   $493 
Franchise operations   -    - 
Corporate administration   134    83 
Total depreciation and amortization  $578   $576 
           
Reconciliation of total segment operating income (loss) to consolidated earnings (loss) before income taxes (in thousands):          
Total segment operating (loss) income  $752   $(705)
Unallocated corporate   (2,339)   (2,776)
Consolidated loss from operations   (1,587)   (3,481)
Other (expense) income, net   (19)   - 
Loss before income tax expense  $(1,606)  $(3,481)

 

   March 31,  December 31,
   2017  2016
Segment assets:          
Corporate clinics  $10,301   $10,481 
Franchise operations   1,894    2,003 
Total segment assets  $12,195   $12,484 
           
Unallocated cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash  $2,989   $3,344 
Unallocated property and equipment   680    781 
Other unallocated assets   609    446 
Total assets  $16,473   $17,055 

 

“Unallocated cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash” relates primarily to corporate cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (see Note 1), “unallocated property and equipment” relates primarily to corporate fixed assets, and “other unallocated assets” relates primarily to deposits, prepaid and other assets.

 

The Company reclassified approximately $545,000 of assets from Other unallocated assets to Corporate clinics segment assets for the year ended December 31, 2016 to align with current period presentation of segment assets.

 

Note 12: Subsequent Events

 

On April 29, 2017, the Company entered into a regional developer agreement for certain territories in the state of Florida. The parties paid an initial development fee of $320,000. The development schedule requires the opening and operating of a minimum of 32 clinics over the next ten years. A portion of the development fee will be funded through a promissory note. The note will bear interest at 10% per annum for 42 months and requires monthly principal and interest payments over 36 months, beginning November 1, 2017 and maturing on October 1, 2020.

 

18
 

 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The information in this discussion contains forward-looking statements and information 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, (“the Exchange Act”), which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management; and accounting estimates and the impact of new or recently issued accounting pronouncements. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. The forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q are made based on our current expectations, forecasts, estimates and assumptions, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider various factors, uncertainties and risks that could affect our future results or operations as described from time to time in our SEC reports, including those risks outlined under “Risk Factors” which are contained in Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. These factors, uncertainties and risks may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement set forth in this Form 10-Q. You should carefully consider these risk and uncertainties and other information contained in the reports we file with or furnish to the SEC before making any investment decision with respect to our securities. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Some of the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  we may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy if we or our franchisees are unable to locate and secure appropriate sites for clinic locations, obtain favorable lease terms, and attract patients to our clinics;

 

  we have limited experience operating company-owned or managed clinics, and we may not be able to duplicate the success of some of our franchisees, and in the case of certain company-owned or managed clinics that we have or may close, we were not able to duplicate the success of our most successful franchisees;

 

  we may not be able to acquire operating clinics from existing franchisees or develop company-owned or managed clinics on attractive terms;

 

  any acquisitions that we make could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition;

 

  we may not be able to continue to sell franchises to qualified franchisees;

 

  we may not be able to identify, recruit and train enough qualified chiropractors to staff our clinics;

 

  new clinics may not be profitable, and we may not be able to maintain or improve revenues and franchise fees from existing franchised clinics;

  

  the chiropractic industry is highly competitive, with many well-established competitors, which could prevent us from increasing our market share or result in reduction in our market share;

 

19
 

 

  recent administrative actions and rulings regarding the corporate practice of medicine and joint employer responsibility may jeopardize our business model;

 

  we may face negative publicity or damage to our reputation, which could arise from concerns expressed by opponents of chiropractic and by chiropractors operating under traditional service models;

 

  legislation, regulations, as well as new medical procedures and techniques could reduce or eliminate our competitive advantages; and

 

  we face increased costs as a result of being a public company.

 

Additionally, there may be other risks that are otherwise described from time to time in the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements in this report should be considered in light of various important factors, including the risks and uncertainties listed above, as well as others.

 

Overview

  

Our principal business is to develop, own, operate, support and manage chiropractic clinics through franchising and the sale of regional developer rights, and through direct ownership and management arrangements throughout the United States.

 

We seek to be the leading provider of chiropractic care in the markets we serve and to become the most recognized brand in our industry through the rapid and focused expansion of chiropractic clinics in key markets throughout North America and abroad.

  

We believe that we have an attractive business concept, benefiting from the fundamental changes taking place in the manner in which Americans access chiropractic care and their growing interest in seeking effective, affordable natural solutions for general wellness. These trends join with the strong preference we have seen among chiropractic doctors to reject the insurance-based model, to produce a dynamic combination that benefits the consumer and the service provider alike. We believe that these forces create an important opportunity to accelerate the growth of our network.

  

Key Performance Measures.  We receive both weekly and monthly performance reports from our clinics which include key performance indicators including gross clinic sales, total royalty income, and patient office visits. We believe these indicators provide us with useful data with which to measure our performance and to measure our franchisees’ and clinics’ performance.

 

Key Clinic Development Trends.   Our current growth strategy is to grow through the sale and development of additional franchises and regional developer territories and to foster the growth of acquired and developed clinics that are owned and managed by us. In the quarter ended March 31, 2017, we added a net 17 franchised clinics and closed or sold 14 company-owned or managed clinics in the Chicago area and in Upstate New York as part of our plan to improve cash usage and progress toward profitability. This brought the total number of clinics to 373 as of March 31, 2017, up from 370 total clinics at December 31, 2016, and 331 at March 31, 2016. 

 

We recognize the critical importance of preserving cash and strengthening clinics we have already developed. Therefore, we will not actively pursue the addition of company-owned or managed clinics during the 2017 fiscal year, but will address strategic opportunities as they present themselves. Scaling back the launch of company-owned or managed clinics will allow us to continue to focus on growing gross sales, streamlining operations across all company-owned or managed clinics and expanding franchise development. During the first quarter of 2017, our company-owned or managed clinics continued to demonstrate improved performance. As of March 31, 2017, we had 47 company-owned or managed clinics which represented 13% of the clinic portfolio, as compared to 54, or 16% of the clinic portfolio, at the same point the previous year.

 

 

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Recent Developments

 

In January, 2017, we entered into a Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), and signed a revolving credit note payable to the lender. Under the Credit Agreement, we are able to borrow up to an aggregate of $5,000,000 under revolving loans. Interest on the unpaid outstanding principal amount of any revolving loans is at a rate equal to 10% per annum, provided, however, that the minimum amount of interest paid in the aggregate on all revolving loans granted over the term of the Credit Agreement is $200,000. Interest is due and payable on the last day of each fiscal quarter in an amount determined by us, but not less than $25,000. The lender’s lending commitments under the Credit Agreement terminate in December 2019, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement. We intend to use the credit facility for general working capital needs. We have drawn $1,000,000 of the $5,000,000 available under the Credit Agreement.

 

In January, 2017, we sold the assets of six of our 11 clinics in the Chicago area for a nominal amount to a limited liability company that includes existing franchisees. The purchaser will continue to operate the clinics as franchised locations pursuant to a franchise agreement. Concurrently, we sold regional developer rights to the Chicago area to the purchaser of our six Chicago clinics for $300,000. Pursuant to the regional developer agreement, the developer has agreed to open a minimum of 30 Chicago area clinics over the next 10 years, with plans to open five to 10 clinics over the next 18 months. We have closed the remaining five Chicago-area clinics, as well as three Company-managed clinics in upstate New York. We recognized an additional lease exit liability in the first quarter of 2017 of $739,000 related to these closures. These assets were designated as held for sale as of December 31, 2016, and we recognized a loss on disposition or impairment of approximately $3.5 million. We made these tactical decisions in the 4th quarter of 2016 to reduce our current cash usage, allowing us to focus on accelerating the point at which we believe we will achieve cash-flow breakeven in 2017.

 

In addition to the Chicago regional developer rights discussed above, during the three months ended March 31, 2017, we sold regional developer territories for Philadelphia and Washington State for a total, including the Chicago area, of approximately $0.7 million. Their combined development schedule requires the opening and operating of a minimum of 70 clinics over the next ten years. The revenues related to these sales will be recognized over the estimated number of franchised clinics to be opened in the respective territories.

 

Factors Affecting Our Performance

 

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing of new clinic openings, markets in which they operate and related expenses, general economic conditions, consumer confidence in the economy, consumer preferences, and competitive factors.

  

Significant Accounting Polices and Estimates

  

There were no additional changes in our significant accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2017 from those set forth in “Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial results encompasses our consolidated results and results of our two business segments: Corporate Clinics and Franchise Operations.

   

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Total Revenues – Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 

Components of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016, are as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended      
   March 31,      
   2017  2016  Change from
Prior Year
  Percent Change
from Prior Year
Revenues:            
Revenues and management fees from company clinics  $2,515,601   $1,658,553   $857,048    51.7%
Royalty fees   1,706,073    1,368,831    337,242    24.6%
Franchise fees   449,500    514,800    (65,300)   (12.7)%
Advertising fund revenue   598,436    265,721    332,715    125.2%
IT related income and software fees   267,013    221,134    45,879    20.7%
Regional developer fees   76,896    147,537    (70,641)   (47.9)%
Other revenues   60,338    88,460    (28,122)   (31.8)%
                     
Total revenues  $5,673,857   $4,265,036   $1,408,821    33.0%

 

The reasons for the significant changes in our components of total revenues are as follows:

 

Consolidated Results

 

  · Total revenues increased by $1.4 million primarily due to the continued growth and maturity of our company-owned or managed clinics portfolio, and continued expansion and revenue growth of our franchise base.

  

Corporate Clinics

 

  · Revenues and management fees from company-owned or managed clinics increased due to the continued maturity of our company-owned or managed clinics in operation and the improved same-store sales growth experienced over the last twelve months, which includes strong contributions from clinics acquired in the second quarter of 2016.

 

Franchise Operations

 

  · Royalty fees have increased due to an increase in the number of franchised clinics in operation during the current period along with continued sales growth in existing franchised clinics. As of March 31, 2017 and 2016, there were 326 and 277 franchised clinics in operation, respectively.

  

  · Franchise fees decreased due to the timing of franchise clinic openings and license terminations. In the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized revenue from 12 clinic openings and 14 clinic openings, respectively. In addition, in the three months ended March 31, 2016 we recognized revenue for three franchise license terminations.

 

  · Regional developer fees decreased due to the timing of clinic openings in regional developer territories and the timing of transfer fees. We had eight and nine clinics open in RD territories during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  

 

  · IT related income and software fees increased due to an increase in our franchise clinic base as described above.

 

Cost of Revenues  2017  2016  Change from
Prior Year
  Percent Change
from Prior Year
                     
Three Months Ended March 31,  $742,104   $739,963   $2,141    0.3%

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared with the same period last year, the total cost of revenues increased slightly due to $67,000 fewer regional developer commissions recognized in conjunction with franchise openings in the period as compared to the same prior year period, offset by an increase in regional developer royalties of $74,000 triggered by an increase of royalty revenues of approximately 25% as compared to the same quarter in the prior year.

 

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Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

Selling and Marketing Expenses  2017  2016  Change from
Prior Year
  Percent Change
from Prior Year
                     
Three Months Ended March 31,  $958,706   $738,683   $220,023    29.8%

 

Selling and marketing expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016, due to the timing of national marketing fund expenditures.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses  2017  2016  Change from
Prior Year
  Percent Change
from Prior Year
                     
Three Months Ended March 31,  $577,987   $575,544   $2,443    0.4%

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily due to property and equipment additions related to the launch of certain internally developed software during the current period.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and Administrative Expenses  2017  2016  Change from
Prior Year
  Percent Change
from Prior Year
                     
Three Months Ended March 31,  $4,564,079   $5,692,056   $(1,127,977)   (19.8)%

 

General and administrative expenses decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily due to the following:

 

  · A decrease of approximately $0.4 million in payroll related expenses from our corporate overhead;
     
  ·

A decrease of approximately $0.2 million in legal and accounting related expenses from our corporate overhead; and

 

  · A decrease of approximately $0.4 million of other miscellaneous expenses as a result of reduced headcount from the sale or closure of company-owned or managed clinics in the Chicago and New York areas.

   

Loss from Operations - Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 

Profit (Loss) from Operations  2017  2016  Change from
Prior Year
  Percent Change
from Prior Year
                     
Three Months Ended March 31,  $(1,586,990)  $(3,481,210)  $1,894,220    (54.4)%

 

Consolidated Results

 

Consolidated loss from operations decreased by $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily driven by the $1.1 million decrease in operating loss in the corporate clinic segment, discussed below; decrease in corporate general and administrative expenses of $0.4 million; and increased net income from franchised operations of $0.4 million, discussed below.

 

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Franchise Operations

 

Our franchise operations segment had net income from operations of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $0.4 million, compared to net income from operations of $1.0 million for the same period ended March 31, 2016. This increase was primarily due to:

 

  · An increase of approximately $0.2 million in total revenues (net of national marketing fund contributions), due primarily to an approximately 25% increase in franchise royalty revenues; and
     
  · A decrease of approximately $0.1 million in general and administrative expenses.

 

Corporate Clinics

 

Our corporate clinics segment (i.e., company-owned or managed clinics) had a loss from operations of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, a decrease of $1.1 million compared to a loss from operations of $1.7 million for the same period last year. This decrease was primarily due to:

 

  · An increase in revenues of approximately $0.8 million from company-owned or managed clinics;
     
  · A decrease of approximately $0.2 million of payroll and travel related expense due to decreased headcount from the sale or closure of company-owned or managed clinics;
     
  · A decrease of approximately $0.1 million in selling and marketing expenses due to the sale or closure of company-owned or managed clinics;
     
  · A decrease of approximately $0.1 million in depreciation and amortization related to the sale or closure of company-owned or managed clinics; and
     
  · Offset by a $0.4 million loss on disposition or impairment for the portfolio of clinics in Illinois and New York where we recognized a lease exit liability for certain abandoned leases during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Liquidity

 

We have used a significant amount of the net proceeds from our public offerings for the development of company-owned or managed clinics.  We accomplished this by developing new clinics and by repurchasing existing franchises. In addition, we have used proceeds from our offerings to repurchase existing regional developer licenses, to continue to expand our franchised clinic business and for general business purposes.  We are holding the remaining net proceeds in cash or short-term bank deposits.

 

As of March 31, 2017, we had cash and short-term bank deposits of approximately $2.7 million. To preserve cash, we will not proactively pursue the addition of any company-owned or managed clinics during the 2017 fiscal year. In addition, our tactical decisions made with respect to the clinics in Chicago and New York in January, 2017, as well as expected cash infusion from the sale of regional developer territories, has significantly reduced our estimated net cash usage for 2017 to approximately $2.0 million. Cash used in 2016 included expenditures for the acquisition or development of 14 company-owned or managed clinics and working capital losses in the Chicago and New York markets of approximately $2.8 million. As we have no current plan to acquire or develop company-owned or managed clinics during 2017, and have sold or closed 14 clinics in the Chicago and New York markets, our projected use of cash in 2017 is significantly lower than in 2016.

 

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In January, 2017, we executed a Credit and Security Agreement which provided a credit facility of up to $5.0 million. We have drawn $1.0 million under the credit facility. See Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report for additional discussion of the credit facility.

 

Analysis of Cash Flows

 

Net cash used in operating activities decreased by $4,503,012 to $1,256,716 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $5,759,728 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in cash used in operating activities was attributable primarily to decreased expenses caused by decreased operating losses and working capital requirements of our company-owned or managed clinics.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $29,317 and $545,684 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017, this includes purchases of fixed assets of $39,325 and payments received on notes receivable of $10,008. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, this includes the purchase of regional developer rights of $275,000, purchases of fixed assets of $287,942 and payments received on notes receivable of $17,258.   

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $952,777 and $(119,942) for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and 2016, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, this includes borrowings of $1,000,000 on our revolving line of credit, $116,277 from the exercise of stock options and $163,500 from repayments on notes payable. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, this includes repayments on notes payable of $120,500 and offering costs adjustment of $1,042, partially offset by proceeds from exercise of stock options of $1,600.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements that may impact our financial statements.

  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated organizations or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special purpose entities that would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.

  

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2017. The term “disclosure controls and procedures”, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act are accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2017, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is party to litigation from time to time.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

 

None.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

The Exhibit Index immediately following the Signatures to this Form 10-Q is hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q.

 

 

 

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THE JOINT CORP.

 

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.

 

  THE JOINT CORP.
       
Dated: May 12, 2017 By:  /s/ Peter D. Holt  
    Peter D. Holt  
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer )

  

 

 

   
       
Dated: May 12, 2017 By:  /s/ John P. Meloun  
    John P. Meloun  
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

  

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description of Document
10.1   Credit and Security Agreement dated as of January 3, 2017 by and between The Joint Corp., a Delaware corporation, and Tower 7 Partnership LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 1/9/17, file no. 001-36274).
     
10.2   Revolving Credit Note, dated January 3, 2017, by The Joint Corp. in favor of Tower 7 Partnership LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 1/9/17, file no. 001-36274).
     
10.3#   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated January 3, 2017 between The Joint Corp., a Delaware corporation, and Peter Holt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 1/9/17, file no. 001-36274).
     
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (filed herewith).
     
31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (filed herewith).
     
32   Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
     
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document.
     
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
     
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
     
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
     
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
     
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 __________________

 #Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

 

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