BBX Capital Corporation (NYSE: BBX)(OTCQX: BBXTB) (“Parent”) and
its subsidiary, BBX Capital Florida LLC (“New BBX Capital”),
announced today that their subsidiary, IT’SUGAR LLC and its
subsidiaries (“IT’SUGAR”), has filed voluntary petitions under
Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the U.S. Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”).
The Chapter 11 filings were made in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for
the Southern District of Florida (the “Bankruptcy Court”). IT’SUGAR
intends to continue to operate its retail locations while the
Bankruptcy proceedings are ongoing.
Parent and its other principal subsidiaries, including New BBX
Capital and its subsidiaries other than IT’SUGAR, remain
financially strong and continue to conduct normal business
operations. New BBX Capital and its subsidiaries, including
IT’SUGAR, will be spun-off to the shareholders of Parent if
Parent’s previously announced spin-off of New BBX Capital is
completed.
Jarett Levan, President of BBX Capital Corporation and BBX
Capital Florida LLC commented, “Unfortunately, it has become
necessary for IT’SUGAR to make this filing, as the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic on demand, sales levels, and consumer behavior,
as well as the recessionary economic environment, have had a
material adverse effect on IT’SUGAR’s business, results of
operations and financial condition. Sales related to travel and
tourism historically represented approximately 60% of IT’SUGAR
sales on an annualized basis. In the middle of March 2020, as a
result of the COVID-19 pandemic, IT’SUGAR closed all of its
approximately 100 store locations. While IT’SUGAR commenced a
gradual reopening of its stores between early June and the middle
of July, as we previously disclosed, IT’SUGAR’s liquidity and its
ability to sustain its operations were dependent on obtaining
significant rent abatements or deferrals from its landlords,
amended payment terms from its vendors, and improvement and
stabilization of its sales volumes. This has not occurred and
resulted in the decision to file bankruptcy proceedings. We believe
that IT’SUGAR will be better positioned to successfully navigate
the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic upon exiting from
bankruptcy.”
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, IT’SUGAR had
approximately $3.6 million and $19.6 million of sales,
respectively, and losses before income taxes of approximately $8.4
million and $36.5 million, respectively. As of the time of the
bankruptcy filing, IT’SUGAR has approximately $0.5 million of cash,
$6.2 million of secured debt, and $10.4 million of unsecured
liabilities, including unpaid rent obligations.
As a result of the impact of the pandemic, IT’SUGAR ceased
paying rent or has made only partial payments to the landlords.
While IT’SUGAR has been engaged in negotiations with its landlords
for rent abatements, deferrals and other modifications, it has
received notices of default from the landlords of 49 of its retail
locations. While no termination notices have been received, the
cure periods of the defaults have generally expired.
Parent recognized $24.9 million of impairment losses related to
IT’SUGAR’s goodwill and long-lived assets during the six months
ended June 30, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, the carrying amount of
the IT’SUGAR reporting unit was $18.9 million, which included
goodwill of $14.9 million and was net of debt payable to a
subsidiary of New BBX Capital.
IT’SUGAR will need cash to continue to operate its business
during the bankruptcy proceedings and to cover its legal and other
professional advisor expenses. Subject to Bankruptcy Court
approval, a subsidiary of New BBX Capital will provide
debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing to IT’SUGAR under the
protections of the Bankruptcy Code.
Bankruptcy of IT’SUGAR
IT’SUGAR and its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for
relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida (the cases
commenced by such filings, the “Bankruptcy Cases”). Under Section
362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of a bankruptcy petition
automatically stays most actions against IT’SUGAR, including most
actions to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control
of the property of IT’SUGAR. Absent an order of the Bankruptcy
Court, substantially all pre-petition liabilities will be subject
to settlement under a plan of reorganization.
The Office of the United States Trustee, a division of the
Department of Justice, may appoint an official committee of
unsecured creditors (the “Creditors Committee”). The Creditors
Committee and its legal representatives have a right to be heard on
all matters that come before the Bankruptcy Court. If IT’SUGAR
files a plan of reorganization or liquidation, the rights and
claims of various creditors and security holders will be determined
by a plan of reorganization that is confirmed by the Bankruptcy
Court. Under the priority rules established by the Bankruptcy Code,
certain post-petition liabilities and pre-petition liabilities are
given priority over pre-petition indebtedness and need to be
satisfied before unsecured creditors or stockholders are entitled
to any distribution.
Reorganization Plan. In order to successfully exit the Chapter
11 Bankruptcy Cases, IT’SUGAR would need to propose, and obtain
confirmation by the Bankruptcy Court of, a plan of reorganization
or liquidation (the “Reorganization Plan”) that satisfies the
requirements of the Bankruptcy Code. As provided by the Bankruptcy
Code, IT’SUGAR initially has the exclusive right to solicit a plan.
At this time, it is not possible to predict the precise effect of
the reorganization process on IT’SUGAR’s business and creditors or
when or if IT’SUGAR may emerge from bankruptcy, nor is it possible
to predict the effect of the Bankruptcy Cases and the
reorganization process on IT’SUGAR and its results of operations,
cash flows or financial condition. A Reorganization Plan is
expected to be filed shortly but has not yet been submitted to the
Bankruptcy Court.
Chapter 7 or Dismissal of the Bankruptcy Cases. If IT’SUGAR
fails to file a Reorganization Plan or if the Bankruptcy Court does
not confirm a Reorganization Plan filed by IT’SUGAR, the Bankruptcy
Cases could be converted to cases under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy
Code. Under Chapter 7, a trustee is appointed to collect IT’SUGAR’s
assets, reduce them to cash and distribute the proceeds to
IT’SUGAR’s creditors in accordance with the statutory scheme of the
Bankruptcy Code. Alternatively, in the event IT’SUGAR’s
Reorganization Plan is not confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, in
lieu of conversion to Chapter 7, the Bankruptcy Court could dismiss
the Bankruptcy Cases.
It is likely that, in connection with a final Reorganization
Plan, the liabilities of IT’SUGAR will be found to exceed the fair
value of their assets. This would result in claims being paid at
less than 100% of their face value and the extinguishment of the
equity interests of the pre-bankruptcy owners. At this time, it is
not possible to predict the outcome of the bankruptcy
proceedings.
Accounting Impact. Based on this filing and the uncertainties
surrounding the nature, timing and specifics of the Bankruptcy
proceedings, it is anticipated that Parent and, following the
proposed spin-off, New BBX Capital will de-consolidate IT’SUGAR as
of September 22, 2020 and recognize a noncontrolling equity
investment in IT’SUGAR at its estimated fair value on such date and
a gain or loss based on the difference between the carrying amount
of IT’SUGAR at the time it is de-consolidated and the estimated
fair value of the noncontrolling equity investment. Parent and New
BBX Capital are currently evaluating whether its noncontrolling
equity investment in IT’SUGAR will be prospectively accounted for
under the cost or equity method of accounting. In addition, Parent
and New BBX Capital will be required to assess the collectability
of $6.2 million in debt payable by IT’SUGAR to a subsidiary of New
BBX Capital that will no longer be eliminated in consolidation in
Parent and New BBX Capital’s consolidated financial statements
following the de-consolidation of IT’SUGAR. It is not possible at
this time to predict the outcome of the Bankruptcy proceedings or
whether Parent or New BBX Capital will continue to have an equity
interest in IT’SUGAR upon the resolution of the Bankruptcy
Cases.
About BBX Capital
Corporation: BBX Capital Corporation (NYSE: BBX) (OTCQX:
BBXTB) is a Florida-based diversified holding company. For
additional information, please visit www.BBXCapital.com.
Forward-Looking
Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All
opinions, forecasts, projections, future plans or other statements,
other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release
are also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking
statements are based on current expectations and involve risks,
uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Parent’s
and New BBX Capital’s control, that may cause actual results or
performance to differ from those set forth or implied in the
forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include,
without limitation, the risks and uncertainties inherent in
bankruptcy proceedings and the inability to predict the effect of
IT’SUGAR’s reorganization and/or liquidation process on Parent, New
BBX Capital, and their respective results of operation and
financial condition, including the risk that additional impairment
charges may be required in the future, IT’SUGAR’s ability to
develop, prosecute, confirm and consummate a plan of reorganization
or liquidation, IT’SUGAR’s ability, through the Chapter 11 process,
to reach agreement with its landlords or other third parties, and
the risk that creditors of IT’SUGAR may assert claims against
Parent, New BBX Capital or any of their respective subsidiaries
(other than IT’SUGAR) and that Parent’s, New BBX Capital’s or any
such subsidiary’s assets may become subject to or included in
IT’SUGAR’s bankruptcy case; risks related to the business,
financial condition and results of the other subsidiaries of Parent
and New BBX Capital; risks related to Parent’s proposed spin-off of
New BBX Capital, including that the spin-off may not be consummated
on the contemplated terms, or at all, that Parent may, in the sole
discretion of its Board of Directors, abandon the spin-off at any
time prior to its consummation, uncertainties relating to the
trading of New BBX Capital’s Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock, that, if consummated, the spin-off may not result in
the benefits anticipated, the impact of IT’SUGAR’s bankruptcy
proceedings and process on New BBX Capital, uncertainties related
to the tax effects of the spin-off to Parent’s shareholders, and
the other risks and uncertainties set forth in the proxy statement
for the special meeting of Parent’s shareholders at which the
spin-off will be considered for approval and in New BBX Capital’s
Registration on Form 10, as amended,, including the respective
“Risk Factors” sections thereof. In addition, reference is also
made to other risks and factors detailed in reports filed by Parent
with the SEC, including Parent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2019 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2020, which may be viewed on the SEC's
website at www.sec.gov or in the Investor Relations section of
Parent’s website at www.BBXCapital.com. The foregoing factors are
not exclusive. You should not place undue reliance on any
forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date made.
Neither Parent nor BBX Capital undertakes, and each of them
specifically disclaims any obligation, to update or supplement any
forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
Additional Information and Where to
Find it
On August 27, 2020, Parent filed with the SEC and mailed to its
shareholders a definitive proxy statement for a special meeting of
its shareholders to vote on the proposed spin-off of New BBX
Capital. Parent has also filed with the SEC certain other documents
that are incorporated by reference into the proxy statement.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THE
INFORMATION INCORPORATED THEREIN BY REFERENCE CAREFULLY AND IN
THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE MAKING A VOTING DECISION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED SPIN-OFF.
Copies of all documents filed by Parent with the SEC, including
the proxy statement and information incorporated therein by
reference, are available, free of charge, on the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov and in the Investor Relations section of Parent’s
website at www.BBXCapital.com. In addition, Parent’s shareholders
may obtain copies of the documents filed by Parent with the SEC at
no charge by contacting Parent’s Investor Relations Department by
mail at BBX Capital Corporation, 401 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite
800, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, or by phone at 954-940-5300.
Shareholders may also contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group, LLC,
Parent’s proxy solicitor, toll-free at (888) 742-1305 for copies of
the proxy statement and information incorporated therein by
reference.
Participant Information
Parent and its directors and executive officers may, under the
rules of the SEC, be deemed to be participants in the solicitation
of proxies from Parent’s shareholders in connection with the
proposed spin-off. Information regarding Parent’s directors and
executive officers, including their names and interests in Parent,
is set forth in Amendment No. 1 to Parent’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which was filed with the
SEC on April 29, 2020. This document can be obtained free of charge
from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding
Parent’s directors and executive officers and their interests in
Parent and the proposed spin-off is contained in the proxy
statement filed by Parent with the SEC and mailed to Parent’s
shareholders.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200922006081/en/
BBX Capital Corporation Contact
Info: Investor Relations:
Leo Hinkley, Managing Director, Investor Relations Officer
954-940-5300, Email: LHinkley@BBXCapital.com
Media Relations: Kip Hunter, Kip
Hunter Marketing 954-303-5551, Email:
kip@kiphuntermarketing.com
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