UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


———————

FORM 10-K

———————


ü

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

 

 ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended: June 28, 2008

or

 

 

 

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

 

 ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from: _____________ to _____________


———————

[CUISINESOLUTIONS10K001.JPG]

CUISINE SOLUTIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


———————


DELAWARE

1-32439

52-0948383

(State or Other Jurisdiction

(Commission

(I.R.S. Employer

of Incorporation or Organization)

File Number)

Identification No.)

85 South Bragg Street, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22312

(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

(703) 270-2900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

———————

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

 

 

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock - $.01 par value per share

 

American Stock Exchange

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

NONE

 

(Title of Class)

 

———————

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

 

 Yes

ü

 No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

 

 

 Yes

ü

 No







 

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.

ü

 Yes

 

 No

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this
chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or

information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this

Form 10-K.

ü

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.

 

 

Large accelerated filer

 

 

 

Accelerated filer

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

 

 

Smaller reporting company

ü

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

 Yes

ü

 No

 

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.  


The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock on December 15, 2007 as reported on the American Stock Exchange, was approximately $23,801,000. Shares of Common Stock held by each officer and director and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  


As of September 15, 2008, there were 17,449,194 shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the Registrant’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K as indicated herein.


 

 







TABLE OF CONTENTS


 

 

Page

PART I

 

 

Item 1.

Business

1

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

3

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

6

Item 2.

Properties

6

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

6

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

6

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

Item 5.

Market for The Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

7

Item 7.

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

8

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

12

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

12

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

12

Item 9B.

Other Information

13

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

14

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

14

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

14

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

14

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

14

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

15







PART I


ITEM 1.

BUSINESS


Unless the context otherwise requires, when used in this report, the terms “Cuisine Solutions,” the “Company”, “we” and “us” refer to Cuisine Solutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries and joint ventures: FiveLeaf, Inc., “Cuisine Solutions France” refers to the Company’s wholly-owned French subsidiary Cuisine Solutions, S.A.S., and “Cuisine Solutions Chile” refers to Cuisine Solutions Chile, S.A., a corporation in which the Company owns a minority interest.


General Development of Business


Cuisine Solutions, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1974. We commenced operations in 1972 as a wholesale producer of French bread for daily delivery to the Washington, D.C. area. We expanded our business into new geographic markets throughout the 1970s.  In fiscal year 1979, then known as Vie de France Corporation, we began offering our product through Company-owned retail bakeries where the products could be freshly baked throughout the day. During the 1980s, we expanded our frozen dough product line and developed processes to facilitate the baking of these products at the point-of-sale. As of May 1994, we owned and operated 31 retail units. We sold the Bakery Division and the Restaurant Division to Vie de France Bakery Yamazaki, Inc. in 1991 and 1994, respectively, and changed our name to Cuisine Solutions, Inc.


We began development of the Culinary Division business in 1987, in conjunction with research previously performed by Nouvelle Carte France, a related French company. Due to the growth in high quality frozen products in Europe, our Board of Directors authorized the establishment of the Culinary Division for the express purpose of the research into and development of high quality frozen products for the U.S. market. In 1989, construction began on a plant in Alexandria, Virginia designed to manufacture our sous-vide product line and began operations in May 1990.  In 1999, we acquired the French company, Nouvelle Carte France, to supply airline customers in Europe as well as to supply global foodservice and retail customers.   


We listed our common stock on the American Stock Exchange on February 24, 2005 under the ticker symbol FZN.


In fiscal year 2005, we obtained a new source of salmon and other white fish raw material from Cuisine Solutions Chile, a company in which we have a 10% minority interest.  They own and operate a sous-vide plant in Chile that opened in August 2004. We have exclusive marketing rights in the U.S. and most of Europe for the sous-vide products produced by Cuisine Solutions Chile.

In May 2006, we purchased a new production location in Le Pertre, France and in June 2007 we announced a 60% increase in U.S. manufacturing operations.


Description of Business


We produce and market premium, fully-cooked, frozen and prepared foods to a variety of channels and geographic regions.  We believe that we are recognized in the market place as having the highest quality frozen food product line in the world.   Our motto is:  exceptional food for exceptional events with ultimate convenience.


The phrase “ sous-vide ” means “under vacuum” in French. While the words have taken on broad meaning, the original authentic usage is derived from a process that we pioneered and refined by our French operations. Sous-vide is a unique and gentle method of cooking which allows the cellular structure of food to remain intact while also pasteurizing the product. The food's natural moisture and juices are retained, preserving its flavor, aroma, and nutrients. Natural flavors are so enhanced that far less seasoning, especially salt, is required. Natural fibers soften and dissolve, leaving proteins, such as beef, tender enough to cut with a fork. The food is not only improved in taste, it retains its nutritional content; a fact that is very important in today's health conscious society. As an added benefit, measurable shrinkage of sous-vide products is 10% or less compared to 20% or more on some conventionally cooked products.  This entire process is managed through computerized cooking equipment under the supervision of culinary professionals.  Heating of our food is easy and can be accomplished with any kitchen oven.   


Major Product Classes


The sous-vide process places fresh ingredients in a sealed, protected environment where they are slow cooked at a low and precise temperature to achieve maximum flavor, texture and quality. During the cooking process, the food is also pasteurized, and all forms of vegetative bacteria are destroyed. Once the food is cooked, the package is quickly chilled in nearly freezing water and flash frozen. Flash freezing minimizes crystallization and therefore eliminates the deterioration of the food.


We have an enrobed pasta line with automated packaging equipment that produces a pasta product that provides the customer with a pasta and sauce combination that only needs to be heated in order to serve.







1



Our offerings also include appetizers and desserts. In May of 2006 we purchased a plant in Le Pertre, France, where we installed the new line for the production of Mini Deliss desserts and Mini Savories hors d’oeuvres. These appetizers and mini desserts are an important part of Cuisine Solutions' growing repertoire of premium frozen foods.


Our products do not require additional preservatives normally found in prepared foods due to our unique cooking process. Our management believes that this makes our products especially attractive to any foodservice establishment.


Supported by what we believe to be the best and most experienced technical team in this cooking technology and enhanced by the collaboration of some of the best culinary chefs in the industry, we provide unique value to the market place with our quality consistent products. We offer the struggling, overworked and understaffed foodservice operators expanded menu lines, potential labor savings, flexibility, serving time reduction, reduced yield losses and increased food safety.


We have positioned ourself as a high quality provider of prepared foods, with unique product capabilities at competitive market prices.


Manufacturing


We have manufacturing sites in Alexandria, VA, Louviers and Le Pertre, France and a minority interest in a facility in Puerto Montt, Chile that produces Atlantic salmon, whitefish and shellfish.


Distribution


Most of our sales are frozen products shipped throughout the U.S. and Europe. We produce a diversified product mix for Europe and the U.S., while we fulfill much of our international distribution of salmon through products produced by Cuisine Solutions Chile. All products are shipped frozen except for some retail sales in France, which are shipped refrigerated. We maintained one additional third-party warehouse for storage in France and five third-party outside warehouses in the U.S. at the end of fiscal year 2008. Most of the warehouses were secured to meet the demands of foodservice customers for short lead times and product availability. We can quickly and easily add or reduce outside warehouses when and where it is deemed necessary.


We sell 100% of our product through our own sales personnel located in either Europe or the U.S.  These sales are either made directly to end-users or indirectly through distributors who generally take possession and then re-sell our products to end-users.


We currently distribute products through the following sales channels:


·

On Board Services: Airlines, railroad and cruise lines.

·

Foodservice: Hotel banquets, convention centers, sport stadiums and other special events such as the Olympics.

·

Retail: Supermarket in-store deli, premium frozen packaged foods.

·

Military: Naval carriers, Army field feeding, and military dining halls and clubs.

·

National Restaurant Chains: Casual dining multi-unit restaurants.

   

Raw Material Status


In fiscal year 2009, we intend to seek greater cost savings by negotiating with our suppliers for further price reductions due to increased purchasing volumes and buying at favorable times during the year when certain raw materials are in less demand or the supply is greater.  Due to recent economic difficulties we have seen raw material prices generally rise and are less cyclical than in the past.


Trademarks


We believe that our trademarks are important to our business success. Accordingly, we take steps we believe are necessary to protect these trademarks. For example, we secured, in Europe and in the U.S., the service trademark "Your Culinary Partner" and "Votre Partenaire Culinaire", which is being used in our international advertising campaign.  We continually review the trademarks to determine whether there is value in paying the fees associated with maintaining registered trademarks.


Customer Dependency


During fiscal year 2008 and 2007, PWC/Agility, a distributor to the U.S. Military represented 13.7% and 4.4%, respectively, of our total revenue.  Ocean Direct, a distributor to the U.S. Army represented 1.1% and 10.7%, respectively, of our total revenue and a retail customer, Costco, accounted for 8.8% and 15.3% , respectively, of our total revenue during fiscal year 2008 and 2007.


Competition


We consider ourself to be the leader in upscale fully cooked frozen food with our sous-vide product line within the foodservice




2



industry in the U.S.  At present, limited but growing competition exists within the U.S. frozen wholesale component of this product line, however, many firms exist in Europe within the retail and refrigerated components of the sous-vide prepared foods. As such, we primarily compete for sales against foodservice providers in the frozen and raw segment, rather than against other upscale frozen or sous-vide suppliers.


We try to develop products that are non-comparable, so we can determine the market price, while we also believe our products can successfully compete with other comparable products in price when product quality, value and convenience are considered.  We also offer implementation and menu development services, as well as equipment selections to our customers as another means of building sales.  We depend on our product development, marketing, and menu items as a means of maintaining our leadership position within the sous-vide industry.


Research & Development


We spent $1,067,000 and $909,000 in research and development expenses in fiscal years 2008 and 2007, respectively. We maintain a staff of experienced culinary and food science professionals in order to provide the marketplace with innovative products on a continuous basis. Our chefs and scientists in the U.S. and Europe provide us with the latest in culinary trends from around the world.


Regulations


We are subject to various Federal, state and local laws affecting our business, including health, sanitation and safety regulations. U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), Food Safety and Inspection Service (“FSIS”) group and the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) have promulgated specific regulations containing requirements for the processing of certain meat and poultry products.  FSIS permits establishments to develop total quality control (“TQC”) systems.  TQC systems encompass all aspects of product processing and must include procedures for raw material control; the nature and frequency of tests to be made; the critical check or control points to be addressed; the nature of charts and other records that will be used; the length of time such charts and records will be maintained; the nature of deficiencies the system is designed to identify and control; the parameters or limits that will be used; and the points at which corrective action will occur and the nature of such corrective action -- ranging from the least to the most severe.  All of our facilities follow the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (“HACCP”) program and are audited by international third-party auditors such as NSF-Cook and Thurber, Steritech or SGS.  In addition, our France facilities comply with International Food Standards (“IFS”) as well as the British Retail Consortium (“BRC”).  We believe our operations comply in all material respects with applicable laws and regulations.  We were recently approved to sell meat to the European Marketplace.


Employees

As of June 28, 2008 we employed approximately 354 persons, including 347 full-time employees and 7 part-time employees and corporate staff.  We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS


The following risk factors should be read carefully in connection with evaluating our business and the forward-looking information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. While we believe we have identified and discussed below the key risk factors affecting our business, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known or that are not currently believed to be significant that may adversely affect our business, performance or financial condition in the future.


We are exposed to a number of risks associated with food production, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on us.


We face all of the risks inherent in the production and distribution of frozen food products, including contamination, adulteration, spoilage, and the associated risks of product liability litigation, which may occur even with an isolated event.  Although our modern production facilities have obtained governmental approvals that we believe are required for their operations, and we employ what we believe are the necessary processes and equipment in order to insure food safety, there can be no assurance that our procedures will be adequate to prevent the occurrence of such events.  Claims alleging problems with our products, whether or not successful, would likely be expensive to defend, distract management’s attention and could potentially expose us to significant liabilities.  Although we maintain insurance to protect ourselves against such liabilities, these policies are subject to exclusions and limitations, and there can be no assurance that such insurance would be sufficient to satisfy such liabilities.  In any event, regardless of the merit or ultimate success of any claims, such accusations could significantly harm our reputation, thereby leading to a material adverse effect on our sales and results of operations.  


As a food company, we are required to comply with many federal, state and local laws and regulations, and the failure to comply with applicable laws could have a material adverse impact on our reputation and results of operations.





3



Our facilities and products are subject to many laws and regulations administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Federal Food and Drug Administration, and other federal, state, local, and foreign governmental agencies relating to the processing, packaging, storage, distribution, advertising, labeling, quality, and safety of food products. Our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to administrative penalties and injunctive relief, civil remedies, including fines, injunctions and recalls of our products, and negative publicity.


We do not enter into long term contracts with our customers, and the loss of one or more significant customers could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

A large portion of our revenue has traditionally come from the supply of our products to travel-related customers. In fiscal year 2002 and 2003, our sales declined tremendously as the travel-related industries experienced a major set back in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Since fiscal 2004, we have made a concerted effort to diversify our sales into other sales channels. Growth in those areas continues to reduce our dependency on the travel industry. However, the success in implementing this diversification strategy might not limit or eliminate the risk of concentration of sales to certain number of customers. In fiscal 2007 and 2006, one Military distributor and one Retail customer became our two largest customers. Generally, we do not enter into long term supply contracts with our customers and, as a result, these customers may generally discontinue purchasing our products at any time. For example, we cannot guarantee that the Army will continue to purchase items from us.


Moreover, because we sell to the government indirectly through a number of prime contractors, if governmental investigations or audits uncover improper or illegal activities by a prime contractor to whom we sell our products, or if the Military sales to a prime contractor are discontinued or decreased, then our revenue and results of operations may be negatively impacted.   We are aware that one prime contractor through which we sell our products is the subject of a governmental investigation.  To date, we have not been adversely impacted as a result of the investigation, however, this or other similar investigations or audits may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations in the future.


Fluctuation in the availability and price of raw materials may increase our operating costs, resulting in an adverse impact on our margins.


We purchase certain raw materials that are subject to availability and price fluctuations caused by factors beyond our control, including seasonality, market demand, inflation, weather and environmental conditions, currency fluctuations and other factors.  While the movements of raw material costs and the fluctuation of availability are uncertain in fiscal 2009, we continue to develop strategic purchasing programs to purchase our raw materials from a number of different suppliers internationally with annual arrangements.  However, the implementation of these strategies might not effectively limit or eliminate the exposure to a decline in operating results due to changes in raw material prices and availability.  Therefore, we cannot assure you that future costs and availability fluctuations in raw material will not have a negative impact on our margins, and we may be unable to raise the prices of our products to offset these increased costs in the short-term or at all.  As a result, our business, financial position or results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.  Changes in governmental and agricultural regulations and programs may also impact our ability to source products internationally.  


The markets in which we compete are highly competitive.


The food industry is highly competitive.  While we currently face little direct competition in the U.S. from very large competitors in the premium, fully cooked, frozen food market, these potential competitors could choose to enter our markets.  Such companies are larger and have access to significantly greater financial, managerial, sales, technical and other resources than us.  If large food companies elect to enter the premium markets in which we compete, they could outspend us and decrease our market share and potentially drive down prevailing prices in these markets, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.  Within Europe we face direct sous-vide competition from a number of manufacturers.  Many of these are similar or larger in size and compete directly in the same markets of Food Service, On Board Services and Retail channels in Europe.


The market for our common stock is characterized by relatively low trading volume, and high trading volume could result in a significant decline in our stock price.


The market for our common stock is characterized by low and somewhat sporadic trading volume, which has extreme price volatility.  A large volume of stock being sold into the market at any one time or over a short period of time, or the perception that such events will occur, could cause our stock price to rapidly decline.


The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly for reasons beyond our control and potentially unrelated to our performance.


The market price and marketability of our common stock may from time to time be significantly affected by numerous factors, including many over which we have no control and that may not be directly related to us. These factors include the following:





4



·

price and volume fluctuations in the stock market from time to time, which are often unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies;

·

significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of shares of food companies, which is not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;

·

changes in regulatory policies;

·

changes in our earnings or variations in our operating results;

·

any shortfall in our revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by securities analysts;

·

departure of our key personnel;

·

operating performance of companies comparable to us;

·

general economic trends and other external factors;

·

loss of one or more of our significant customers; and

·

loss of a major funding source.


Fluctuations in the trading prices of our shares may adversely affect the liquidity of the trading market for the shares and, if we seek to raise capital through future equity financings, our ability to raise such equity capital.


Our future financial performance is subject to a number of additional uncertainties, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.


Our ability to generate cash to meet our expenses and debt service obligations and to otherwise reduce our debt as anticipated will depend on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic, legislative, regulatory and other factors, including potential changes in consumer preferences, the success of product and marketing innovation and pressure from competitors. Many of these factors are beyond our control. Any factor that negatively affects our results of operations, including our cash flow, may also negatively affect our ability to pay the principal and interest on our outstanding debt.  If we are unable to reduce our debt as anticipated, our interest expense could be materially higher than anticipated and our financial performance could be adversely affected.  If we do not have enough cash to pay our debt service obligations, we may be required to amend our credit facility or indentures, refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, incur additional indebtedness or raise equity. We cannot assure you that we will be able, at any given time, to take any of these actions on terms acceptable to us or at all.


Our foreign operations subject us to a number of risks.  


In fiscal year 2008, 34.6% of our sales were generated in foreign countries.  Our foreign operations are subject to the risks described in this section, as well as risks related to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the local currencies, economic and political uncertainties in such countries.  Our subsidiaries conduct their business in local currency and, for purposes of financial reporting, their results are translated into U.S. dollars based on average exchange rates prevailing during a reporting period.  During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar, our reported revenues and operating income will be reduced because the local currency will be translated into fewer U.S. dollars.  As a result, the foreign exchange fluctuations could adversely affect our profitability.


We depend on common carriers to deliver our products, and the disruption of such delivery channels could have an adverse impact on our ability to deliver our products to market.


Logistics and other transportation-related costs have a significant impact on our earnings and results of operations.  We use multiple forms of transportation to bring our products to market. These include trucks, planes, rail cars, and ships.  Disruption to the timely supply of these services or increases in the cost of these services for any reason, including availability or cost of fuel, regulations affecting the industry, or labor shortages in the transportation industry, could have an adverse effect on our ability to serve our customers, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.


Increases in interest rates may have an adverse impact on our profitability.


Increases in interest rates can make it more difficult and expensive to obtain the funds needed to operate our businesses.  As of June 28, 2008 we had no outstanding short-term borrowings on our $7,500,000 and $6,000,000 lines of credit which accrue interest at a variable rate based on prevailing interest rates (4.71% as of June 28, 2008).  We have not used derivative financial instruments to hedge our interest rate exposure.  Increases in interest rates would increase our interest expense and adversely affect our results of operations. Therefore, we cannot assure that future interest rate increases and borrowings will not have a negative impact on our business, financial position or operating results.


Members of the Vilgrain family and their affiliates control a majority of our common stock and are able to exert significant control over our future direction.


Members of the Vilgrain family and their affiliates together control approximately 56.2% of our outstanding common stock.  As a result, these stockholders, if they act together, are able to exert significant influence, as a practical matter, on all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. Additionally, three




5



members of the Vilgrain family serve on our board of directors, including Stanislas Vilgrain, who also serves as our Chief Executive Officer and President and Mr. Jean-Louis Vilgrain who serves as our Chairman of the Board. As a result, this concentration of ownership and representation on our board of directors and management may delay, prevent or deter a change in control, could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of us or our assets and might reduce the market price of our common stock.


Force majeure events, such as terrorist attacks, other acts of violence or war, political instability and health epidemics may adversely affect us.


Terrorist attacks, war, and political instability, along with health epidemics, may disrupt our ability to generate revenues.  These events may negatively affect our ability to maintain sales revenue and to develop new business relationships.  Moreover, because a significant and growing part of our revenues is derived from sales to customers outside of the United States, terrorist attacks, war and international political instability anywhere may decrease international demand for our products and inhibit customer development opportunities abroad, disrupt our supply chain, or impair our ability to deliver our products, which could materially adversely affect our net revenues or results of operations.  Any of these events may also disrupt global financial markets and precipitate a decline in the price of our common stock.


ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS


None.


ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES


We own our French facilities and properties, and lease our U.S. office and manufacturing facilities. One of the French facilities is located in Louviers, France and is approximately 15,000 square feet.  In May 2006, we purchased a new production facility in Le Pertre, France with approximately 46,000 square feet. The U.S. plant is located in Alexandria, Virginia.  In June 2006, we entered into a new lease agreement with the existing landlord to lease approximately 18,000 additional square feet at the same location which expanded the manufacturing facility from approximately 48,000 square feet to 66,000 square feet. We own substantially all of the equipment used in our facilities.  Lease commitments and future minimum lease payments are included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which is included elsewhere in this report. We believe that our current owned and leased properties are sufficient to meet our needs for the foreseeable future.


ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


In 1999, we became a minority partner and provided management services toward a Brazilian joint venture.  Over the next several years, we also contributed advances, accounts receivable for services performed and extended a loan.  At the end of fiscal year 2002, we filed a civil lawsuit in the Federal District Court of Brasilia against the controlling partner in this joint venture, as a result of the Brazilian partner’s failure to disclose financial information and operating results of Cuisine Solutions do Brasil Ltda to Cuisine Solutions Inc. according to both the joint venture agreement and Brazilian law.  We continue to seek full recovery of the amounts owed by Cuisine Solutions do Brasil Ltda, including the loan of $763,000, and management and administrative fees of $895,000 according to the joint venture agreement.  The managing directors of Cuisine Solutions do Brasil Ltda, Jose Sanchez Aguayo and Rodrigo Sanchez, were named as nominal defendants in the lawsuit.  At the time of filing this Form 10-K, this case is still pending for mediation and/or a court hearing; therefore, management is unable to predict any possible outcome.  We have not accrued any potential income, gain or expense related to this matter.


There are no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the Company’s business, to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of its property is subject.  Management does not believe that any amounts it may be required to pay by reason thereof will have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.


ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


None.




6



PART II


ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) under the symbol “FZN.” The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low common stock closing prices as quoted on AMEX. Such quotations reflect interdealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.


  

  

High

  

Low

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2007:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

First Quarter – September 16, 2006

  

$

5.44

  

  

$

4.55

  

Second Quarter – December 9, 2006

  

  

5.99

  

  

  

4.75

  

Third Quarter – March 31, 2007

  

  

8.04

  

  

  

5.13

  

Fourth Quarter – June 30, 2007

  

  

7.83

  

  

  

5.56

  

Fiscal Year Ended June 28, 2008:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

First Quarter – September 22, 2007

  

$

6.47

  

  

$

4.99

  

Second Quarter – December 15, 2007

  

  

6.10

  

  

  

4.12

  

Third Quarter – April 5, 2008

  

  

4.35

  

  

  

2.85

  

Fourth Quarter – June 28, 2008

  

  

3.15

  

  

  

1.94

  

     

As of September 10, 2008, there were approximately 524 record holders of our common stock.  We currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business.  We did not repurchase any shares of common stock in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.


Dividends


No dividends were paid during fiscal year 2008 or 2007. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, restriction in our credit facilities and other factors deemed relevant to the Board of Directors.


Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities


There were no unregistered sales of securities during the fiscal year ended June 28, 2008.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans


The following table provides certain information with respect to all of the Company’s equity compensation plans in effect as of June 28, 2008:

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan Category

  

Number of 

securities to be

issued upon 

exercise of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

(a)

Weighted-average

exercise price

of outstanding

options, warrants

and rights

(b)

  

Number of securities

remaining available

for issuance 

under equity

compensation plans

(excluding securities

reflected in column (a)) 

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

  

  

3,854,500

  

$

1.34 

  

  

1,885,597

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  

  

0

  

0

  

  

0

Total

  

  

3,854,500

  

$

1.34

  

  

1,885,597





7



ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those discussed in or implied by any of the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to those listed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K and those listed in other documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission(the “SEC”).

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES


A summary of our significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included elsewhere in this report. Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide the users of the financial statements with useful and reliable information about our operating results and financial condition.


The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported consolidated amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods reported.  Judgments and assessments of uncertainties are required in applying our accounting policies in the areas of allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence reserve and income taxes.  We base our judgments and estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.


Trade receivables are reported in the consolidated balance sheets net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Generally, we consider receivables past due 30 days subsequent to the billing date.  We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally extend credit without requiring collateral.  We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is determined based on historical collection experience or changes in the financial condition of our customers.  As these factors change, our allowance for doubtful accounts may change in subsequent accounting periods.  Generally, losses have historically been within management’s expectations and have not been significant.  As of June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, we maintained an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $413,000 and $373,000, or 4.8% and 6.0% of gross accounts receivable, respectively.


We determine the inventory obsolescence reserve based on management’s historical experience and establish reserves against inventory according to the age of the product. Additional reserves are sometimes established as a result of lack of marketability or changes in customer consumption patterns.  Management’s judgment is necessary in determining the realizable value of those products to arrive at the proper obsolescence reserve.  Total inventory obsolescence reserve as of June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 were $469,000 and $256,000 or 4.0% and 1.7% of total inventory, respectively.


We account for corporate income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes , which requires an asset and liability approach. This approach results in the recognition of deferred tax assets (future tax benefits) and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary timing differences between the book carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Future tax benefits are subject to a valuation allowance to the extent of the likelihood that the deferred tax assets may not be realized. We had a net operating loss carry-forward for U.S. Federal and state income tax purposes of approximately $15,450,000 as of June 28, 2008.


RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS


In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 . FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Differences between the amounts recognized in the statements of financial position prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and the amounts recognized after the adoption should be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. Effective July 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FIN 48 and the effect of the adoption was not material.


In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R clarifies the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a business combination and it replaces SFAS No. 141. SFAS 141R revises the method of accounting for a number of aspects of business combinations, including acquisition costs, contingencies (including contingent assets, contingent liabilities and contingent purchase price), the impacts of partial and step-acquisitions (including the valuation of net assets attributable to non-acquired minority interests) and post-acquisition exit activities of acquired businesses. SFAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting beginning on or after December 15, 2008.





8



In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). This standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements but rather eliminates inconsistencies in guidance found in various prior accounting pronouncements. On February 12, 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. SFAS 157-2,   Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 , which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  We have not yet assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 157.


In December 2007, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 requires noncontrolling (minority) interests to be reported as a component of equity on the balance sheet, to include all earnings of a consolidated subsidiary in consolidated results of operations and to treat all transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interest as equity transactions between the parties. SFAS 160 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. SFAS 160 will be effective for us during our fiscal year beginning June 28, 2009.  We have not yet assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 160.


In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133 and is intended to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of (1) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (2) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations; and (3) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for the Company beginning June 28, 2009. We are currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 161 to determine the impact on its consolidated financial statements.  We have not yet assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 161.


In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. SFAS shall be effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with General Accepted Accounting Principles. We have not yet assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 162.


In May 2008, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 163, Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts (“SFAS 163”). SFAS 163 relates to recognition and measurement of premium revenue and claim liabilities and to disclosures. The premium revenue recognition approach for a financial guarantee insurance contract links premium revenue recognition to the amount of insurance protection and the period in which it is provided. The recognition approach for a claim liability relating to a financial guarantee insurance contract requires that an insurance enterprise recognize a claim liability when the insurance enterprise expects, based on the present value of expected net cash outflows to be paid under the insurance contract discounted using a risk-free rate, that a claim loss will exceed the unearned premium revenue. An insurance enterprise is required to provide expanded disclosures about financial guarantee insurance contracts. Those disclosures would focus, in part, on the information included in the risk-management activities used by the insurance enterprise to evaluate credit deterioration in its insured financial obligations. SFAS No. 163 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  We have not yet assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 163.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Fiscal year ended June 28, 2008 (52 weeks) compared to fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 (53 weeks)


NET SALES


By Geographic Region

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

 

% change

 

USA Sales

 

$

57,255,000

 

 

$

55,866,000

 

 

 

2.5

%

Europe Sales

 

 

29,535,000

 

 

 

24,150,000

 

 

 

22.3

%

Rest of World Sales

 

 

689,000

 

 

 

315,000

 

 

 

118.7

%

Net Sales

 

$

87,479,000

 

 

$

80,331,000

 

 

 

8.9

%

 

  

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

 

% change

 

Existing products

 

$

69,002,000

 

 

$

63,603,000

 

 

 

8.5

%

New products

 

 

18,477,000

 

 

 

16,728,000

 

 

 

10.5

%

Net Sales

 

$

87,479,000

 

 

$

80,331,000

 

 

 

8.9

%





9




  By Channel

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

 

% change

 

On Board Services

 

$

24,637,000

 

 

$

19,385,000

 

 

 

27.1

%

Food Service

 

 

14,621,000

 

 

 

13,693,000

 

 

 

6.8

%

Retail

 

 

21,665,000

 

 

 

23,766,000

 

 

 

(8.8

%)

Military

 

 

17,864,000

 

 

 

17,612,000

 

 

 

1.4

%

National Restaurant Chain

 

 

8,692,000

 

 

 

5,875,000

 

 

 

47.9

%

Net Sales

 

$

87,479,000

 

 

$

80,331,000

 

 

 

8.9

%


Net Sales of $87,479,000 for fiscal year 2008 increased $7,148,000, or 8.9%, over prior fiscal year sales of $80,331,000.  We do not have any defined segments since all of our products are produced similarly despite the sales channel or area of distribution.  Our new product sales rose to $18,477,000 in fiscal year 2008 from prior fiscal year 2007 new product sales of $16,728,000, a 10.5% increase.  These new product sales are defined as sales over the first year of introduction.  For fiscal year 2008 we had gains in all sales channels other than retail, with our largest channel, On Board Services, increasing by 27.1% over prior fiscal year 2007, a gain of approximately $5.3 million.  Retail net sales decreased over $2.1 million, or 8.8%, reflecting the loss of promotions to Costco, offset partially by gains in other retail customers.  While we consider new products and channel information helpful to the reader we cannot forecast any particular trends for our sales as a result of such information.  Our sales cycle can run over one year in certain markets before recognizing a sale.  

GROSS MARGIN

The gross margin decreased this fiscal year 2008 to 20.6%, compared to the prior fiscal year 2007 of 22.7%. This margin reduction can be attributed to higher raw materials costs, increases in raw materials due solely to a weak U.S. dollar, fuel surcharges, increases in facility expansion and increased costs associated with new product introductions.  While we strive to attain a 30% gross margin target, our sales growth and new product introductions are below target margins.  At this time we are unable to project whether our margins will increase or decrease due to the current economic situation both in the U.S. and Europe.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

Research and development expenses increased in fiscal year 2008 to $1,067,000 from prior fiscal year 2007 of $909,000, a 17.4% increase.  These expenses represented 5.8% and 5.4%, respectively, of the amount of new products sold in the past year.  Much of research and development occurs well before an actual sale and the cycle can last over one year in certain markets.  The increase is primarily related to increased salaries from additional staff and travel expenses.

SELLING AND MARKETING EXPENSES

Our sales and marketing teams are focused on customers primarily in the U.S. and Europe.  Expenses for fiscal year 2008 increased $509,000 to $8,197,000, or 6.6%, over prior fiscal year 2007 expenses of $7,688,000 (selling and marketing expenses represented 9.3% and 9.5% of revenue for fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively).  This increase was primarily related to increased costs due to our new Spain office of $498,000 and increased consulting costs of $168,000.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

General and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2008 increased $2,550,000 to $8,601,000, or 42%, over prior fiscal year 2007 expenses of $6,051,000 (general and administrative expenses represented 9.8% and 7.5% of revenue for fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively).  Most of this increase was related to costs associated with personnel reductions in France of $590,000, legal fees and public company expenses of $397,000, increased staff salaries in the U.S. of $350,000, new system expenses of $209,000 and travel expense increases of $92,000.

NON-OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSE

Non-operating expense decreased to $189,000 in fiscal year 2008 from $208,000 in fiscal year 2007, due primarily to the increases in interest expense of $196,000 relating to increased borrowings in France, offset by other income increases of $206,000 from fees for training and consulting.

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES


Income before income taxes in fiscal year 2008 of $8,000 decreased from fiscal year 2007 of $3,359,000, a decrease of $3,351,000.  This decrease is primarily related to lower margin percentage principally from higher raw material costs resulting in approximately $1,750,000 decrease in related margins, increases in Selling and Marketing expenses related to increased revenue and General Administrative expenses related to higher costs from personnel reductions, public company expenses and improvements to infrastructure.





10



INCOME TAXES

The effective income tax rate was (450.0)% and (156.3)% in fiscal years 2008 and 2007, respectively.  In fiscal year 2007, as a result of positive earnings in recent years, the effective income tax rate differed from the applicable mixed statutory rate of approximately 38.0% primarily due to the Company’s current year release of valuation allowances of $7,258,000 resulting in a (194.3)% reduction in effective tax. 


NET INCOME

Net income decreased $8,681,000 to $44,000 for fiscal year 2008 from $8,725,000 in fiscal year 2007.  This decrease is primarily related to the release in the prior year of the valuation allowance in the amount of $5,249,000 as well as lower margin percentage principally from higher raw material costs resulting in approximately a $1,750,000 decrease in potential margins, increases in Selling and Marketing relevant to increased revenue and General and Administrative expenses relevant to higher costs from personnel reductions, public company expenses and improvements to infrastructure.


IMPACT OF INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY


Inflation in labor and ingredient costs can significantly affect the Company's operations. In fiscal 2008, many of the Company’s employees were paid hourly rates related to, but generally higher than the federal minimum rates. The Company’s sales pricing structure allows for the fluctuation of raw material prices and fuel costs.  As a result, market price variations do not significantly affect the gross margin realized on product sales. However, most customers require a sixty-day notice for price changes in order to update their internal systems and evaluate the impact of price changes. Therefore, in the event of a continuous commodity price increase, the Company must either absorb the price increase during that sixty-day period or discontinue sales to the customer, and risk losing the long-term business relationship.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES


Selected financial ratios at the end of fiscal years 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

  

 

June 28,

 

 

June 30,

 

  

 

2008

 

 

2007

 

Liquidity Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current ratio

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

1.9

 

Receivables turnover

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

14.3

 

Days sales in receivables

 

 

34.4

 

 

 

26.6

 

Inventory turnover

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

5.1

 

Days sales in inventory

 

 

59.4

 

 

 

88.6

 

Leverage Ratio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt to equity

 

 

26.6

%

 

 

27.2

%

Operating Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on investment

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

37.7

%

Return on assets

 

 

0.1

%

 

 

21.1

%


Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities were $1,016,000 at the end of fiscal year 2008 compared to $546,000 at the end of fiscal year 2007 due primarily to the reduction of working capital line of credit balance to zero and improved results in France.


During fiscal 2008, net cash provided by operating activities was $3,427,000 compared to $242,000 in fiscal 2007. The increase in net cash by operating activities was primarily due to changes in working capital items, including: decreases in inventory of $4,216,000, which were partially offset by increases in accounts receivable of $1,907,000 and accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1,520,000.   


Net cash used in investing activities was $2,461,000 in fiscal year 2008, compared to $5,242,000 in fiscal year 2007. The decrease was due primarily to the previous year expansion activities at the U.S. facility, including increased capacity as well as additional production related expenses in France.  Current year projects were general in nature.  Projected capital expenditures for fiscal year 2009 are estimated to be between $3,000,000 and $5,000,000.


Net cash used in financing activities was $580,000 in fiscal 2008 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $3,356,000 in fiscal 2007.  This decrease was primarily a result of the Company paying down certain debts.


On June 15, 2007, the Company entered into two separate lines of credit with Branch Banking and Trust Company (“BB&T”) with a total maximum borrowing amount of $13.5 million.  Both lines of credit bear an annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.25%. The first line of credit, with a maximum borrowing amount of $7.5 million and a maturity date of June 15, 2009, is secured by our accounts




11



receivables and inventory; while the second line of credit, with a maximum borrowing amount of $6 million and a maturity of June 15, 2010, is guaranteed by Food Investors Corporation (“FIC”), an affiliate of ours, and secured by real estate owned by FIC.  As of June 28, 2008, there was $0 outstanding on either line of credit with a current interest rate of 4.71%.


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS


Our significant contractual obligations as of June 28, 2008 were for debt, asset retirement obligation, and capital and operating leases. Debt by year of maturity and future rental payments under operating lease agreements are presented below. We have not engaged in commodity contract trading or significant related party transactions.


  

 

 

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

 

Less than 

 year

 

 

1 - 3 years

 

 

4 - 5 years

 

 

More

than 5 years

 

Debt payable – current

 

$

1,950,000

 

 

$

1,950,000

 

 

$

––

 

 

$

––

 

 

$

––

 

Debt payable – long term

 

 

5,671,000

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

2,433,000

 

 

 

1,262,000

 

 

 

1,976,000

 

Capital leases

 

 

22,000

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

13,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

––

 

Operating leases

 

 

4,719,000

 

 

 

809,000

 

 

 

1,277,000

 

 

 

1,254,000

 

 

 

1,380,000

 

Interest

 

 

762,000

 

 

 

199,000

 

 

 

279,000

 

 

 

128,000

 

 

 

155,000

 

Total

 

$

13,124,000

 

 

$

2,963,000

 

 

$

4,002,000

 

 

$

2,648,000

 

 

$

3,511,000

 


Assuming that there are no significant changes to our business plan, management also anticipates generating positive cash flow from operations during fiscal year 2009.  Management believes that the combination of cash on hand, cash flows from operations and available credit facilities will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our ongoing cash requirements for the foreseeable future.


OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS


We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K, as of June 28, 2008.


ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


The information required by this Item 8 is included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K.


ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE


None.


ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


Our management evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.  Based on that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as required by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) the Company has evaluated, with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting


Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and the dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.




12




Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.


We have completed our evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley and Item 308T(a) of Regulation S-K (Internal Control Report). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 28, 2008. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on its assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 28, 2008.


This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.


Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls


Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management’s override of the control.  The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting


There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 28, 2008 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION


Not applicable.




13



PART III


We will file a definitive Proxy Statement for our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2008 Proxy Statement”) with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year. Accordingly, certain information required by Part III has been omitted under General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.  Only those sections of the 2008 Proxy Statement that specifically address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference.


ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE


The information required to be included in this Item 10 will be set forth in the 2008 Proxy Statement under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Section 16 Compliance” and “Code of Ethics” and is incorporated in this report by reference.


ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


The information required to be included in this Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference from the 2008 Proxy Statement under the caption “Executive Compensation.”


ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS



The information required to be included in this Item 12 will be set forth in the 2008 Proxy Statement under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated in this report by reference.


ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE


The information required to be included in this Item 13 will be set forth in the 2008 Proxy Statement under the caption “Certain Related-Person Transactions” and “Independence of the Board of Directors” and is incorporated in this report by reference.


ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES


The information required to be included in this Item 14 will be set forth in the 2008 Proxy Statement under the caption ”Principal Accountant Fees and Services“ and is incorporated in this report by reference.




14



PART IV


ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


(a)

Index to Financial Statements


                                                                               

(1)

Financial Statements


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm BDO Seidman, LLP as of and for the year ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007

                   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007.

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Fiscal Years Ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Other Comprehensive Income for the Fiscal Years Ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007   


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(2)

Financial Statement Schedule:


Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves    


All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.


(3)

Exhibits:


Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Description

3.1

 

Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (1)

 

 

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated By-laws. (2)

 

 

 

4.1

 

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated August 18, 2008, by between Stanislas Vilgrain and the Company. (3)

 

 

 

4.2

 

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated August 18, 2008, by between Ronald Zilkowski and the Company. (3)

 

 

 

4.3

 

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated August 18, 2008, by between L. Felipe Hasselmann and the Company. (3)

 

 

 

4.4

 

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated August 18, 2008, by between Gerard Bertholon and the Company. (3)

 

 

 

10.1*

 

The Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan. (4)

 

 

 

10.2*

 

The Company's 1999 Stock Option Plan. (4)

 

 

 

10.3

 

2007 Equity Incentive Plan (1)

 

 

 

10.4

 

Executive Compensation Plan for Fiscal Year 2008 (2)

 

 

 

10.5

 

Loan and Security Agreement, dated June 15, 2007 by and between Branch Banking and Trust Company and the Company. (5)

10.6

 

Promissory Note, dated June 15, 2007 by and between Branch Banking and Trust Company and the Company. (5)

10.7

 

Loan Agreement, dated June 15, 2007 by and between Branch Banking and Trust Company and the Company. (5)

10.8

 

Security Agreement, dated June 15, 2007 by and between Branch Banking and Trust Company and the Company. (5)

10.9

 

Sublease Agreement, dated May 21, 2008, by and between Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. and the Company. (6)

10.10

 

Loan Contract dated, April 19, 2006 with Credit Industriel de Normandie. (7)

10.11

 

Loan Contract dated, May 23, 2006 with BNP Paribas. (8)

10.12

 

Lease and Lease Addendum No. 1 to Lease with Duke Shirley LLC, dated June 7, 2006. (9)

 

 

 




15






21.1

 

Subsidiaries of the Company

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of BDO Seidman LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

___

* denotes management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.


     (1) Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 31, 2007.

     (2) Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 13, 2008.

     (3) Incorporated by reference to exhibits 10.1 through 10.4 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 20, 2008.

    (4) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s two Registration Statements on Form S-8, dated April 5, 1993.

    (5) Incorporated by reference to exhibit the exhibit in the preceding parenthetical of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 15, 2007.

    (6) Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 31, 2008.

    (7) Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.61 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 25, 2006.

    (8) Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.62 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 30, 2006.

    (9) Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.63 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 13, 2006.

(b) Exhibits:

Exhibits required to be filed in response to this paragraph of Item 15 are listed above in subparagraph (a)(3).


(c) Financial Statement Schedule:

Schedules and reports thereon by independent registered public accountants required to be filed in response to this paragraph of Item 15 are listed in Item 15(a)(2).




16



SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following person on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and on the date indicated.


 

CUISINE SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

 

 

 (Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ S TANISLAS V ILGRAIN

 

 

 

Stanislas Vilgrain

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

 

 (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: September 16, 2008


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ S TANISLAS V ILGRAIN

 

Chief Executive Officer and President  

 

September 16, 2008

Stanislas Vilgrain

 

 (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ R ONALD Z ILKOWSKI

 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary   

 

September 16, 2008

Ronald Zilkowski

 

 (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ J EAN-LOUIS V ILGRAIN

 

Chairman of the Board  

 

September 16, 2008

Jean-Louis Vilgrain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ S EBASTIEN V ILGRAIN

 

Director

 

September 16, 2008

Sebastien Vilgrain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ C HARLES C. M CGETTIGAN

 

Director

 

September 16, 2008

Charles C. McGettigan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ R OBERT van R OIJEN

 

Director

 

September 16, 2008

Robert van Roijen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ H UGUES P RINCE

 

Director

 

September 16, 2008

Hugues Prince

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ J OHN D. F IRESTONE       

 

Director

 

September 16, 2008

John D. Firestone      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ R OBERT N. H ERMAN    

 

Director

 

September 16, 2008

Robert N. Herman    

 

 

 

 







17



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


Board of Directors and Stockholders

Cuisine Solutions, Inc.

Alexandria, Virginia

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cuisine Solutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and other comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 28, 2008.  We have also audited the schedule listed in the accompanying index.  These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and schedule are free of material misstatement.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.   Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and schedule, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and schedule.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cuisine Solutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries at June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 28, 2008 , in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein, for each of the two years in the period ended June 28, 2008.


 

 

/s/ BDO S EIDMAN , LLP

 

 

BDO Seidman, LLP



Bethesda, Maryland

September 15, 2008





18



CUISINE SOLUTIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



  

  

June 28,

2008

 

June 30,

2007

ASSETS

  

  

  

 

  

  

Current assets

  

  

  

 

  

  

  Cash and cash equivalents

  

$

1,016,000

 

$

546,000

  Trade accounts receivable, net (Note 2)

  

  

8,264,000

 

  

5,864,000

  Inventory, net (Note 3 and 5)

  

  

11,322,000

 

  

15,081,000

  Prepaid expenses

  

  

482,000

 

  

521,000

Accounts receivable, related party

  

––

  

 

57,000

  Deferred tax assets

  

  

801,000

 

  

680,000

  Other current assets

  

  

458,000

 

  

638,000

   TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

  

  

22,343,000

 

  

23,387,000

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

Investments, non-current

  

  

375,000

 

  

375,000

Fixed assets, net (Note 4 and 5)

  

  

14,012,000

 

  

12,520,000

Restricted cash (Note 9)

  

  

130,000

 

  

66,000

Deferred tax assets, net (Note 6)

  

  

5,002,000

 

  

4,884,000

Other assets

  

  

86,000

 

  

83,000

   TOTAL ASSETS

  

$

41,948,000

 

$

   41,315,000

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  

  

  

  

Current liabilities

  

  

  

 

  

  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$

6,357,000

  

$

6,999,000

  Accrued payroll and related liabilities

  

  

2,389,000

 

  

2,486,000

  Line-of-credit (Note 5)

  

  

1,049,000

 

  

1,811,000

  Current portion of long-term debt (Note 5)

  

  

906,000

 

  

777,000

     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

  

  

10,701,000

 

  

12,073,000

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

Long-term debt, less current portion (Note 5)

  

  

5,689,000

 

  

5,523,000

Asset retirement obligation (Note 9)

  

  

601,000

 

  

499,000

Deferred rent

  

  

170,000

 

  

100,000

    TOTAL LIABILITIES

  

  

17,161,000

 

  

18,195,000

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)

  

  

––

 

  

––

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

Stockholders’ equity

  

  

  

 

  

  

Preferred Stock - $0.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

  

  

  

 

Common stock - $0.01 par value, 38,000,000 shares authorized,

  

  

  

 

17,449,194 and 16,623,191 shares issued and outstanding

  

  

  

 

  

at June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively

  

174,000

  

 

166,000

Class B Stock - $0.01 par value, none and 175,000 shares authorized at June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively. None issued.

  

––

  

 

––

 Additional paid-in capital

  

  

28,946,000

 

  

28,248,000

Accumulated deficit

  

  

(6,358,000)

 

  

(6,402,000)

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

  

  

  

 

  

 Cumulative translation adjustment

  

  

2,025,000

 

  

1,108,000

    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  

  

24,787,000

 

  

23,120,000

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

41,948,000

  

$

  41,315,000


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




19



CUISINE SOLUTIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


  

 

Year Ended

 

  

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

 2007

 

Net sales (Notes 11 and 12)

 

$

87,479,000

 

 

$

80,331,000

 

Cost of goods sold (Note 10)

 

 

69,417,000

 

 

 

62,116,000

 

Gross margin

 

 

18,062,000

 

 

 

18,215,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

1,067,000

 

 

 

909,000

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

8,197,000

 

 

 

7,688,000

 

General and administrative

 

 

8,601,000

 

 

 

6,051,000

 

Income before non operating expense and income taxes

 

 

197,000

 

 

 

3,567,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non operating (expense) income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

Interest expense

 

 

(425,000

)

 

 

(238,000

)

Loss on sale of investment

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

Other income, net

 

 

236,000

 

 

 

30,000

 

Total  non-operating expense

 

 

(189,000

)

 

 

(208,000

)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

3,359,000

 

Provision for income tax benefit (Note 6)

 

 

36,000

 

 

 

5,249,000

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

44,000

 

 

 

8,608,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       Gain from dissolution of Cuisine Solutions Norway, net of tax

 

 

––

 

 

 

117,000

 

            Net income from discontinued operations

 

 

––

 

 

 

117,000

 

NET INCOME

 

$

44,000

 

 

$

8,725,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per common share data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

––

 

 

$

0.52

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

––

 

 

 

0.01

 

Net income

 

$

––

 

 

$

0.53

 

Diluted earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

––

 

 

$

0.47

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

––

 

 

 

0.01

 

Net income

 

$

––

 

 

$

0.48

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

 

 

16,893,953

 

 

 

16,477,272

 

       Common stock equivalents

 

 

1,022,942

 

 

 

1,851,379

 

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

 

 

17,916,895

 

 

 

18,328,651

 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





20



CUISINE SOLUTIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common

 

 

Paid-In

 

 

(Accumulated

 

 

Translation

 

 

Stockholders'

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit)

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Equity

 

Balance, June 24, 2006

 

$

165,000

 

 

$

27,516,000

 

 

$

(15,127,000

)

 

$

701,000

 

 

$

13,255,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of common stock options

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

172,000

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

173,000

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

––

 

 

 

246,000

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

246,000

 

Windfall tax benefits

 

 

––

 

 

 

314,000

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

314,000

 

2007 Net income

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

8,725,000

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

8,725,000

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Translation adjustment

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

407,000

 

 

 

407,000

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,132,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2007

 

 

166,000

 

 

 

28,248,000

 

 

 

(6,402,000

)

 

 

1,108,000

 

 

 

23,120,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of common stock options

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

625,000

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

633,000

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

––

 

 

 

73,000

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

73,000

 

2008 Net income

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

44,000

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

44,000

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Translation adjustment

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

917,000

 

 

 

917,000

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

961,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, June 28, 2008

 

$

174,000

 

 

$

28,946,000

 

 

$

(6,358,000

)

 

$

2,025,000

 

 

$

24,787,000

 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




21



CUISINE SOLUTIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



  

 

Year Ended

 

  

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

44,000

 

 

$

8,725,000

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,942,000

 

 

 

1,445,000

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

(300,000

)

Inventory obsolescence reserve

 

 

354,000

 

 

 

(27,000

)

Deferred tax credit

 

 

(112,000

)

 

 

(5,564,000

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

73,000

 

 

 

246,000

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of non-cash transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in trade accounts receivable

 

 

(1,907,000

)

 

 

9,000

 

Decrease (increase) in inventory

 

 

4,216,000

 

 

 

(5,323,000

)

Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses

 

 

47,000

 

 

 

(152,000

)

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, related parties

 

 

56,000

 

 

 

(32,000

)

Increase (decrease) in other assets

 

 

253,000

 

 

 

85,000

 

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

(1,220,000

)

 

 

1,156,000

 

(Decrease) increase in accrued payroll and related liabilities

 

 

(300,000

)

 

 

18,000

 

Increase in deferred rent

 

 

70,000

 

 

 

100,000

 

Changes in assets and liabilities of discontinued operations

 

 

––

 

 

 

(144,000

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

3,427,000

 

 

 

242,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in restricted cash

 

 

(64,000

)

 

 

(61,000

)

Capital expenditures

 

 

(2,397,000

)

 

 

(5,181,000

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(2,461,000

)

 

 

(5,242,000

)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

633,000

 

 

 

173,000

 

Net (repayment) borrowings on line-of-credit

 

 

(835,000

)

 

 

811,000

 

Proceeds from debts

 

 

549,000

 

 

 

2,726,000

 

Repayment of debts

 

 

(927,000

)

 

 

(354,000

)

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

 

 

(580,000

)

 

 

3,356,000

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

84,000

 

 

 

36,000

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

470,000

 

 

 

(1,608,000

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

 

546,000

 

 

 

2,154,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH and CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

 

$

1,016,000

 

 

$

546,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for interest

 

$

494,000

 

 

$

394,000

 

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

 

$

3,000

 

 

$

1,000

 

Fixed assets acquired through capital leases

 

$

––

 

 

$

31,000

 

Addition to fixed assets due to recognition of asset retirement obligation

 

$

102,000

 

 

$

101,000

 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




22



CUISINE SOLUTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


ORGANIZATION


The Company produces and markets premium, fully cooked, frozen and prepared foods to a variety of channels and geographic regions.  The Company has manufacturing facilities in U.S.A. and France and its products are sold primarily to the U.S.A. and European Union business customers in Foodservice, On Board Services, Retail, Military and National Restaurant Chains.


BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION


The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cuisine Solutions, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.


FISCAL PERIODS

 

The Company utilizes a 52/53 week fiscal year which ends on the last Saturday in June. For the fiscal year 2008, the first, second and fourth quarters contain 12 weeks and the third quarter contains 16 weeks. For the fiscal year 2007, the first and second quarters  contain 12 weeks while the third and fourth quarters contain 16 weeks and 13 weeks, respectively.


USE OF ESTIMATES


The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported consolidated amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Judgments and assessments of uncertainties are required in applying the Company’s accounting policies in the areas of sales rebates, tax assets and liabilities, allowance for doubtful accounts, and inventory obsolescence reserved. The Company bases its judgments and estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that it believes are reasonable.  Actual results may or may not differ from estimated results.


REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Revenues are recognized when the earnings process is complete. This occurs when products are shipped and when title and risk of loss transfer to customers, collection is probable and pricing is fixed or determinable. Revenues are recognized net of provisions for returns, discounts, allowances and coupon redemption costs.


SEGMENT REPORTING


The Company operates only in one business segment, the foodservice industry.


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS


Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase and are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. As of June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, $241,000 and $204,000, respectively, of cash were held in foreign financial institutions.


INVESTMENTS


The Company’s only investment is a minority interest in Cuisine Solutions Chile, which is accounted for under the cost method.


INVENTORY


Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method, or market. Included in inventory costs are raw materials, labor and manufacturing overhead.


The Company determines the inventory obsolescence reserve based on management’s historical experience and establishes reserves against inventory according to the age of the product. Additional reserves are sometimes established as a result of lack of marketability or changes in customer consumption patterns.






23



FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS


The Company considers the recorded value of its financial instruments, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable, line-of-credit and long-term debt to approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities at June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007.


FIXED ASSETS


Fixed assets are stated at cost.  Machinery, equipment and furniture and fixtures which cost $1,000 or above and have an estimated useful life of two years or more are capitalized and are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives which range from two to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the term of the leases which range from four to twenty years, or the estimated useful life of the improvement.  Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives which range from twenty to thirty years. The Company periodically evaluates whether current events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of its depreciable assets may not be recoverable.


CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE


The Company capitalizes certain costs to obtain internal use software for significant systems and amortizes them over the estimated useful life of the software which ranges from two to ten years. Costs to obtain software for projects that are not significant are expensed as incurred.


SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS


Shipping and handling costs are expensed when incurred and are classified as cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.


RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS


Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Included in research and development is 70% of our culinary team expenses as well as 100% of direct costs.


INCOME AND OTHER TAXES


The Company computes income taxes using the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  A valuation allowance is established against such assets where management is unable to conclude more likely than not that such asset will be realized.


IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF


The Company accounts for the impairment of long-lived assets pursuant to SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“Statement 144”). Statement 144 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.


VALUATION OF STOCK-BASED AWARDS


The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Under SFAS No. 123R, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period of the individual equity instrument.  Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating the expected term of stock options, the expected volatility of our stock, and expected dividends. The computation of the expected volatility assumption used in the Black-Scholes calculation for option grants is based on historical volatility as options on our stock are not traded.  When establishing the expected life assumption, we review annual historical employee exercise behavior of option grants with similar vesting periods. In addition, judgment is also required in estimating the amount of stock-based awards that are expected to be forfeited.  If actual forfeitures differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially affected.




24



EARNINGS PER SHARE


Basic earnings per common share are computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share are computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the year plus the incremental shares outstanding, assuming the exercise of diluted stock options. Anti-dilutive options of 30,000 and 15,000 were not included in the computation for fiscal year 2008 and 2007, respectively.


FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION


The statements of income of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars using average exchange rates. Foreign subsidiaries’ balance sheets have been translated using the current exchange rates. The impact of the exchange rate changes on the translation of the Subsidiary’s balance sheet is reflected as a component of Other Comprehensive Income in the accompanying Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Other Comprehensive Income.


RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS


In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 . FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Differences between the amounts recognized in the statements of financial position prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and the amounts recognized after the adoption should be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. Effective July 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 and the effect of the adoption was not material.


In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R clarifies the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a business combination and it replaces SFAS No. 141. SFAS 141R revises the method of accounting for a number of aspects of business combinations, including acquisition costs, contingencies (including contingent assets, contingent liabilities and contingent purchase price), the impacts of partial and step-acquisitions (including the valuation of net assets attributable to non-acquired minority interests) and post-acquisition exit activities of acquired businesses. SFAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting beginning on or after December 15, 2008.


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). This standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements but rather eliminates inconsistencies in guidance found in various prior accounting pronouncements. On February 12, 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. SFAS 157-2,   Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 , which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  The Company has not yet assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 157.


In December 2007, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 requires noncontrolling (minority) interests to be reported as a component of equity on the balance sheet, to include all earnings of a consolidated subsidiary in consolidated results of operations and to treat all transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interest as equity transactions between the parties. SFAS 160 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. SFAS 160 will be effective for the Company during its fiscal year beginning June 28, 2009.


In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133 and is intended to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of (1) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (2) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations; and (3) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for the Company beginning June 28, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 161 to determine the impact on its consolidated financial statements.  The Company has not yet assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 161.


In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. SFAS shall be effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with General Accepted Accounting Principles. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 162.


In May 2008, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 163, Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts (“SFAS 163”). SFAS 163 relates to recognition and measurement of premium revenue and claim liabilities and to disclosures. The premium revenue




25



recognition approach for a financial guarantee insurance contract links premium revenue recognition to the amount of insurance protection and the period in which it is provided. The recognition approach for a claim liability relating to a financial guarantee insurance contract requires that an insurance enterprise recognize a claim liability when the insurance enterprise expects, based on the present value of expected net cash outflows to be paid under the insurance contract discounted using a risk-free rate, that a claim loss will exceed the unearned premium revenue. An insurance enterprise is required to provide expanded disclosures about financial guarantee insurance contracts. Those disclosures would focus, in part, on the information included in the risk-management activities used by the insurance enterprise to evaluate credit deterioration in its insured financial obligations. SFAS No. 163 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company has not yet assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 163.


NOTE 2 – TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET


Trade accounts receivable consisted of:


 

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

$

8,677,000

 

 

$

6,237,000

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(413,000

)

 

 

(373,000

)

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

$

8,264,000

 

 

$

5,864,000

 


The Company provides allowances for estimated credit losses, product returns, and adjustments at a level deemed appropriate to adequately provide for known and inherent risks related to such accounts. The allowances are based on reviews of individual accounts by customer, their financial conditions, and other factors that deserve recognition in estimating potential losses. While management uses the best information available in making its determination, the ultimate recovery of recorded accounts and other receivables is also dependent on future economic and other conditions that may be beyond management’s control.


NOTE 3 – INVENTORY, NET


Inventory consisted of the following:


 

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

Raw material

 

$

4,018,000

 

 

$

4,626,000

 

Frozen product & other finished goods

 

 

6,741,000

 

 

 

9,722,000

 

Packaging

 

 

1,032,000

 

 

 

989,000

 

  

 

 

11,791,000

 

 

 

15,337,000

 

Less obsolescence reserve

 

 

(469,000

)

 

 

(256,000

)

  

 

$

11,322,000

 

 

$

15,081,000

 


NOTE 4 – FIXED ASSETS, NET


The components of fixed assets were as follows:


  

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

Land

 

$

565,000

 

 

$

484,000

 

Buildings

 

 

6,884,000

 

 

 

5,869,000

 

Machinery & equipment

 

 

19,470,000

 

 

 

14,488,000

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

4,352,000

 

 

 

3,509,000

 

Furniture & fixtures

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

183,000

 

Capitalized software

 

 

1,033,000

 

 

 

1,010,000

 

Construction in progress

 

 

466,000

 

 

 

2,953,000

 

Capital leases

 

 

31,000

 

 

 

64,000

 

  

 

 

33,001,000

 

 

 

28,560,000

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(18,986,000

)

 

 

(16,017,000

)

Less: Accumulated amortization on capital leases

 

 

(3,000

)

 

 

(23,000

)

  

 

$

14,012,000

 

 

$

12,520,000

 


Construction in progress includes $267,000 in the implementation of the Company’s new ERP systems and $79,000 in the acquisition of new computers required to work with the new systems. The total cost of the new ERP systems is estimated to be $400,000 and it is expected to be completed in the first half of fiscal year 2009.





26



NOTE 5 DEBT


Debt, at June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 was as follows:


 

 

 

 

2008 Principal Outstanding

In Foreign

 

 


Interest

 

 


2008 Principal

 

 


2007 Principal

 

Description

 

Maturity

 

Currency

 

 

Rates

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Outstanding

 

Term Loan

 

June 20, 2010

 

 

27,000

 

 

3.8

%

 

$

43,000

 

 

$

54,000

 

Term Loan

 

October 22, 2012

 

 

96,000

 

 

5.7

%

 

 

151,000

 

 

 

155,000

 

Term Loan

 

November  28, 2012

 

 

189,000

 

 

2.8

%

 

 

298,000

 

 

 

304,000

 

Term Loan

 

October 23, 2013

 

 

492,000

 

 

3.8

%

 

 

775,000

 

 

 

766,000

 

Term Loan

 

March 1, 2015

 

 

374,000

 

 

4.3

%

 

 

590,000

 

 

 

––

 

Term Loan

 

June 12, 2019

 

 

1,813,000

 

 

3.6

%

 

 

2,856,000

 

 

 

2,560,000

 

Term Loan

 

June 3, 2008

 

 

––

 

 

 

3.3

%

 

 

––

 

 

 

81,000

 

Term Loan

 

June 15, 2008

 

 

––

 

 

 

4.0

%

 

 

––

 

 

 

20,000

 

Term Loan

 

June 5, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

1,423,000

 

 

 

1,718,000

 

Term Loan

 

October 5, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.3

%

 

 

359,000

 

 

 

490,000

 

Term Loan

 

March 15, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.8

%

 

 

78,000

 

 

 

118,000

 

Line of credit

 

  

 

 

482,000

 

 

T4M+ 1.25

%

 

 

759,000

 

 

 

––

 

Line of credit

 

  

 

 

184,000

 

EONIA + 1.6

 

 

290,000

 

 

 

––

 

Line of credit

 

June 15, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

LIBOR+2.25

 

 

––

 

 

 

1,811,000

 

Capital Lease

 

September 18, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.4

%

 

 

––

 

 

 

6,000

 

Capital Lease

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.4

%

 

 

22,000

 

 

 

28,000

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

7,644,000

 

 

$

8,111,000

 

  

 

  

 

Less: current portion

 

 

 

1,955,000

 

 

 

2,588,000

 

  

 

  

 

Non-current portion

 

 

$

5,689,000

 

 

$

5,523,000

 


From time to time, the Company enters into separate term loans in purchasing new equipment and improvement projects.  As of June 28, 2008, the total principal balance of all these term loans was $6,572,000; of which $4,712,000 was denominated in Euros in the amount 2,991,000 €. These loans bear interest rates ranging from 2.8% to 7.3%, with maturity dates ranging from March 5, 2010 to June 12, 2019.  The loans are typically secured by the equipment.


On June 15, 2007, the Company entered into two separate lines of credit with Branch Banking and Trust Company (“BB&T”).  Both lines of credit bear an annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% which was 4.7% as of June 28, 2008. The first line of credit, with a maximum borrowing amount of $7.5 million and a maturity date of June 15, 2009, is secured by the Company’s accounts receivables and inventory; this line had zero borrowings and provided credit security for $778,000 in standby letters of credit as of June 28, 2008. The second line of credit, with a maximum borrowing amount of $6.0 million and a maturity date of June 15, 2010, is guaranteed by Food Investors Corporation (“FIC”), an affiliate of the Company, and is secured by real estate owned by FIC; there were no borrowings or guarantees on this line as of June 28, 2008.


As of June 28, 2008, the loan balance under capital lease was $22,000, bearing interest at an annual rate of 8.4%, which matures on December 31, 2011.


Debt maturities during each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter on an aggregate basis at June 28, 2008 are as follows:


2009

 

$

1,955,000

 

2010

 

 

1,568,000

 

2011

 

 

878,000

 

2012

 

 

861,000

 

2013

 

 

405,000

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,976,000

 

Total

 

$

7,643,000

 





27



NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES

Income before income tax provision is comprised of the following:


  

 

Year Ended

 

  

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

Domestic

 

$

1,093,000

 

 

$

3,044,000

 

Foreign

 

 

(1,085,000

)

 

 

315,000

 

Total

 

$

8,000

 

 

$

3,359,000

 


The composition of the provision for income taxes attributable to operations was:


  

 

Year Ended

 

  

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

––

 

 

$

––

 

State

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

Foreign

 

 

47,000

 

 

 

––

 

  

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

149,000

 

 

$

824,000

 

State

 

 

––

 

 

 

145,000

 

Foreign

 

 

(235,000

)

 

 

1,039,000

 

  

 

 

(86,000

)

 

 

2,008,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reversal of valuation allowance:

 

$

––

 

 

$

(7,258,000

)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

$

(36,000

)

 

$

(5,249,000

)


The differences between amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rates to income from operations and the total income tax benefit applicable to operations were as follows:


  

 

Year Ended

 

  

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

Federal tax expense at statutory rates

 

$

3,000

 

 

$

1,242,000

 

Earnings in jurisdictions taxed at rates different from the statutory U.S. federal rate

 

 

38,000

 

 

 

564,000

 

State income taxes, net

 

 

72,000

 

 

 

145,000

 

France minimum taxes

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

Period effect of change in valuation allowance

 

 

(200,000

)

 

 

(7,258,000

)

Permanent differences

 

 

51,000

 

 

 

38,000

 

Other, net

 

 

––

 

 

 

19,000

 

Total

 

$

(36,000

)

 

$

(5,250,000

)





28



The significant components of deferred tax assets were as follows:


  

 

Year Ended

 

  

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOL – US

 

$

3,634,000

 

 

$

4,083,000

 

NOL – France

 

 

1,185,000

 

 

 

794,000

 

Capital losses

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

43,000

 

Foreign other

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

12,000

 

Inventory adjustment

 

 

201,000

 

 

 

90,000

 

Property and equipment

 

 

351,000

 

 

 

272,000

 

Allowance for bad debts

 

 

98,000

 

 

 

0

 

Stock options

 

 

181,000

 

 

 

220,000

 

Other

 

 

144,000

 

 

 

270,000

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

5,822,000

 

 

 

5,784,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Valuation allowance

 

 

(20,000

)

 

 

(220,000

)

Net deferred tax

 

$

5,802,000

 

 

$

5,564,000

 


In fiscal year 2007 the Company reversed substantially all of the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets since it is more likely than not these assets will be realized.  This determination was primarily based on cumulative positive earnings in recent years and projected taxable income.  In evaluating our ability to realize our deferred tax assets we considered all available positive and negative evidence including our past operating results and our forecast of future taxable income.  The Company has previously provided a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets since the realization of these tax benefits could not be reasonably assured. The net changes in total valuation allowance for the years ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 were a decrease of $200,000 and a decrease of $7,258,000, respectively, using an estimated tax rate of 40%.


The Company has foreign net operating loss carry-forwards of $3,556,000 as of June 28, 2008 that can only be used to offset taxable income in the country where the loss carry-forward was generated and may be carried forward indefinitely.


The Company has net operating loss carry-forwards for U.S. Federal and state income tax purposes of $15,450,000 (including windfall tax benefits from stock option exercises of $6,364,000) at June 28, 2008, which is available to offset future federal and state taxable income, if any, through 2025.  Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code limits the utilization of net operating losses when ownership changes, as defined by that section, are greater than 50%.  The effects of any potential ownership changes, if any, have not been analyzed by the Company.  Management believes there have been no significant ownership changes that would impact the use of net operating losses.


During the year ended June 28, 2008, 826,003 stock options were exercised for the purchase of shares of common stock.  The exercise of these stock options generated an income tax deduction equal to the excess of the fair market value over the exercise price.  In accordance with SFAS 123(R), the Company will not recognize a deferred tax asset with respect to the excess stock compensation deductions until those deductions actually reduce our income tax liability.  The Company has not recorded a deferred tax asset related to the net operating losses resulting from the exercise of these stock options in the accompanying financial statements.  At such time as the Company utilizes these net operating losses to reduce income tax payable, the tax benefit will be recorded as an increase to additional paid in capital.  The cumulative amount of unrecognized tax benefits at June 28, 2008 was $2,546,000.


The Company adopted FIN 48 on July 1, 2007, which requires financial statement benefits to be recognized for positions taken for tax return purposes when it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained.  There has been no change in our financial position and results of operations due to the adoption of FIN 48.


As of July 1, 2007 and June 28, 2008, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits, nor did it have any that would have an effect on the effective tax rate.  Income taxes are provided based on the liability method for financial reporting purposes.  No interest or penalties were accrued as of January 1, 2007 as a result of the adoption of FIN 48.  For the year ended June 28, 2008, there was no interest or penalties recorded included in tax expense.


In France, the Company is still open to examination by the French tax authorities from 2005 forward.  In the United States, the Company is still open to examination from 2005 forward, although carryforward tax attributes that were generated prior to 2005 may still be adjusted upon examination by tax authorities if they either have been or will be utilized.




29



NOTE 7 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

 

The Company sponsors a qualified employee savings plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All employees who are at least age 18 and have one year of service with the Company are eligible to participate in the Plan. The Company makes matching contributions to the Plan equal to one-third of the first 6% of the participant’s voluntary contributions to the plan. Participants are immediately vested in their own tax deferred contributions plus actual earnings thereon. Participants vest 20% each year of the Company’s contribution plus actual earnings and are fully vested after five years. The Company expensed $68,000 and $37,000 in fiscal years 2008 and 2007, respectively, for matching contributions made to the Plan.


The Company expensed $39,000 and $34,000 for a separate health and retirement plan for the CEO of the Company and two other non-officers but key employees in fiscal years 2008 and 2007, respectively.

  

During fiscal year 1993 and amended in 1998, the Company established, upon stockholder approval, the 1992 Stock Option Plan which provided for up to 1,753,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to be made available to employees at various prices as established by the Board of Directors at the date of grant.  Only 134,500 non-qualified stock options are still outstanding under this plan.


During fiscal year 2000, the Company adopted the 1999 Stock Option Plan which provides for up to 2,600,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to be made available to employees and directors at various prices as established by the Board of Directors of the Company.  As of June 30, 2007, there are 285,597 shares are available for future option grants under the 1999 Plan.  All of the grants under this plan have been issued as non-qualified stock options.


The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2008, 2007 and 2006 as follows:


 

 

June 28,

2008

 

June 30,

2007

Expected dividend yield

 

n/a

 

––

Risk-free interest rate

 

n/a

 

4.61%

Total option life

 

n/a

 

10

Expected life (in years)

 

n/a

 

4

Expected volatility                                                                          

 

n/a

 

73%

Weighted average grant date fair value

 

n/a

 

$7.24


The expected life of option is based on the weighted-average years of post-vesting employment termination and employees’ exercises or forfeiture history.  The expected volatility is estimated based on the past three-year average closing prices of the Company’s stock.  None of the Company’s outstanding option awards have post-vesting restrictions.


The following is a summary of stock option activity during the fiscal years ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007:


 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

Value

 

 

2008

 

 

Price

 

 

(in 000’s)

 

 

2007

 

 

Price

 

(in 000’s)

Options outstanding, beginning of year:

  

  

2,254,500

  

  

$

1.13

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

2,448,099

  

  

$

0.99

  

  

  

Granted

  

  

––

  

  

  

––

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

72,000

  

  

  

6.00

  

  

  

Exercised

  

  

(826,003

)

  

  

0.77

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

(184,000

)

  

  

0.94

  

  

  

Forfeited or expired

  

  

(5,500)

  

  

  

––

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

(82,000

)

  

  

––

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Options outstanding, end of year

  

  

1,422,997

  

  

$

1.34

  

  

$

1,262

  

  

  

2,254,500

  

  

$

1.13

  

11,160

 

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

Weighted average remaining contractual term

  

  

4.55

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

5.12

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Options exercisable at end of year

  

  

1,399,247

  

  

$

1.21

  

  

$

1,268

  

  

  

2,204,500

  

  

$

1.00

  

11,140

 

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

Weighted average remaining contractual term

  

  

4.47

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

5.02

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Options exercisable at end of year and expected to be exercisable **

  

  

1,422,997

  

  

$

1.34

  

  

$

1,262

  

  

  

2,254,500

  

  

$

1.13

  

11,160

 





30



*

The aggregate intrinsic value on this table was calculated based on the positive difference between the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at fiscal year end 2008 and 2007 and the exercise price of the underlying options.  The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the fiscal years ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 were $2,180,000 and $898,000, respectively.


**

Options exercisable at fiscal year end 2008 and 2007, and expected to be exercisable include both vested options and non-vested options outstanding less our expected forfeiture rate of 0%.


As of June 28, 2008 the total unrecognized estimated compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted prior to that date is $98,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.75 years.  The Company recorded cash from the exercise of stock options of $633,000 as well as $633,000 in related tax benefits for the fiscal year ending June 28, 2008.


NOTE 8 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


The Company leases office and plant space, vehicles, and certain office equipment under operating leases, which expire on various dates through 2014. Certain leases provide for escalations in rent based upon increases in the lessor’s annual operating costs or the consumer price index. Future minimum lease payments under these agreements at June 28, 2008 were as follows:


2009

 

$

809,000

 

2010

 

 

668,000

 

2011

 

 

608,000

 

2012

 

 

616,000

 

2013

 

 

638,000

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,380,000

 

Total

 

$

4,719,000

 


Rent expense for operations approximated $1,262,000 and $1,104,000 for fiscal years 2008 and 2007, respectively.  We recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. Differences between amounts paid and amounts expensed are recorded as deferred rent.


NOTE 9 – ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION


According to the terms and conditions of the amended lease agreement, effective June 2006, for the manufacturing facility in the U.S., the Company is required to restore a portion of the premises to its conditions as in existence prior to the alterations and improvements made by the Company. The present value of the estimated restoration cost is $601,000 and $499,000 at June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively, and is also included in fixed assets.  In addition, the Company is required to make monthly deposits of $5,000, adjusted annually, to a restricted bank account (restricted cash) as security in fulfilling this obligation.


NOTE 10 – TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES


The Company’s 10% equity investment in Cuisine Solutions Chile for $375,000 is accounted for under the cost method as the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating or financial policy of Cuisine Solutions Chile.  During the fiscal year 2008 and 2007, the Company purchased $4,778,000 and $7,969,000, respectively, of products from Cuisine Solutions Chile for resale in the U.S. and Europe. The balance owed by the Company to Cuisine Solutions Chile as of June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 is $200,000 and $558,000, respectively.


On June 15, 2007, the Company entered into two separate lines of credit with Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T).  Both lines of credit bear an annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% which was 4.7% as of June 28, 2008. The first line of credit, with a maximum borrowing amount of $7.5 million and a maturity date of June 15, 2009, is secured by the Company’s accounts receivables and inventory. The second line of credit, with a maximum borrowing amount of $6.0 million and a maturity date of June 15, 2010, is guaranteed by Food Investors Corporation (“FIC”), an affiliate of the Company, and secured by real estate owned by FIC. Both lines of credit had no balance as of June 28, 2008. During fiscal year 2008, the Company paid FIC $95,000 as a compensation for its guarantee on this line-of-credit.




31



NOTE 11 – GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION


Revenues to external customers are attributed to individual countries based upon the location of the customer.  Revenue by geographic area was as follows:


Fiscal year ended:

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

USA

 

$

58,121,000

 

 

$

55,866,000

 

France

 

 

22,750,000

 

 

 

18,296,000

 

UK

 

 

2,791,000

 

 

 

4,071,000

 

Germany

 

 

3,084,000

 

 

 

1,540,000

 

Spain

 

 

733,000

 

 

 

558,000

 

Net Sales

 

$

87,479,000

 

 

$

80,331,000

 


Long lived assets consisting of property and equipment by geographic area were as follows:


 

 

June 28,

2008

 

 

June 30,

2007

 

USA

 

$

7,714,000

 

 

$

6,903,000

 

France

 

 

6,298,000

 

 

 

5,617,000

 

Total

 

$

14,012,000

 

 

$

12,520,000

 



NOTE 12 - SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS/SUPPLIERS


One military distributor represented 13.7% of the Company’s total revenue during fiscal year 2008, while another military distributor represented 10.7% of the Company’s total revenue during fiscal year 2007. One retail customer accounted for 15.3% of the Company’s total revenue during fiscal year 2007.


There were no purchases from any one supplier that exceeded 10% of total costs during either fiscal year 2008 or 2007.


NOTE 13 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS


On July 28, 2008, the Company entered into a sublease agreement (the “Sublease”) with Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. for 15,532 square feet of office space located at 2800 Eisenhower Avenue Suite 450, Alexandria, VA  22314 (the “New Location”).  The target commencement date of the Sublease is October 15, 2008, and the New Location will house the Company’s principal executive offices and training center.  The sublease provides for an initial term of approximately six years, ending June 30, 2014, with monthly rental payments starting from $28,475.33 and increasing 3% per annum on each July 1 thereafter.   The Company has issued an irrevocable letter of credit for $28,475.34 as a security deposit.  Honeywell Technology Solutions will reimburse the first $271,810 of tenant improvements related to the New Location. 


SCHEDULE II

CUISINE SOLUTIONS, INC.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES


 

 

Balance at

 

 

Additions

 

 

Reduction/

 

 

Balance at

 

 

 

Beginning

 

 

charged to

 

 

write-off to

 

 

End of

 

 

 

of Period

 

 

operations

 

 

allowance

 

 

Period

 

Year ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

662,000

 

 

$

––

 

 

$

289,000

 

 

$

373,000

 

  Allowance for obsolete inventory

 

$

281,000

 

 

$

––

 

 

$

25,000

 

 

$

256,000

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 28, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

373,000

 

 

$

40,000

 

 

$

––

 

 

$

413,000

 

  Allowance for obsolete inventory

 

$

256,000

 

 

$

213,000

 

 

$

––

 

 

$

469,000

 






32


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