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Risks Related to Our Business and Our Industry
+Added: The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and may in the future continue to have, a material adverse impact on our business.
+Added: The COVID-19 pandemic and the travel restrictions, quarantines, other and related public health measures and actions taken by governments and the private sector have adversely affected global economies, financial markets and the overall environment for our business, and the extent to which it may continue to impact our future results of operations and overall financial performance remains uncertain.
+Added: The global macroeconomic effects of the pandemic may persist for an indefinite period of time, even after the pandemic has subsided.
+Added: As a result of the pandemic and the recommendations of U.S.
+Added: government and health authorities, our retail stores closed to the public beginning on March 19, 2020.
+Added: We began reopening our stores to the public on April 27, 2020 and on June 8, 2020, we announced the successful completion of the reopening process.
+Added: While we expect to be able to continue operations for the duration of the pandemic, our store operations are subject to change based on market conditions and the continued evolution of the pandemic.
+Added: The resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued evolution has impacted and may continue to impact the following areas:
+Added: • a disruption to our growth strategy, supply chain, delivery of merchandise, professional recruitment, ability to staff stores, typical seasonality, customer demand;
+Added: • newly enacted state, local and federal healthcare laws in response to COVID-19 and exposure to potential lawsuits;
+Added: • an inability to maintain sufficient levels of cash flow from our operations to fund our business and growth strategy and difficulty in obtaining additional financing on terms that are favorable to us;
+Added: The scope and duration of the pandemic, including the current resurgences in various regions in the United States and globally and other future resurgences, the pace at which government restrictions are lifted or whether additional actions may be taken to contain the virus, the impact on our customers and suppliers, the speed and extent to which markets fully recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic, and the impact of these factors on our business, will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence.
+Added: It is possible that changes in economic conditions and steps taken by the federal government and the Federal Reserve in response to the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to higher inflation than we had anticipated, which could in turn lead to an increase in our costs of products and services and other operating expenses.
+Added: In addition, to the extent COVID-19 adversely affects our operations and global economic conditions more generally, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described herein.
+Added: While we believe that the long-term fundamentals of our business are largely unchanged, and anticipate that our operating results in future fiscal years will begin to reflect a more normal operating environment, the current economic and public health climate has created a high degree of uncertainty.
+Added: As such, we continue to closely monitor this global health crisis and will continue to reassess our strategy and operational structure on a regular, ongoing basis as the situation evolves.
+Added: We refer you to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations” for a more detailed discussion of the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic disruptions, and the actual operational and financial impacts that we have experienced to date.
If we fail to open and operate new stores in a timely and cost-effective manner or fail to successfully enter new markets, our financial performance could be materially and adversely affected.
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For example, our current management & services agreement with Walmart presents a variety of risks.
−Removed: Pursuant to a recent amendment to our management & services agreement with Walmart, we will be adding five additional Vision Centers in Walmart stores in fiscal year 2020.
−Removed: In addition, the amendment also extended the current term of the management & services agreement by six months, to February 23, 2021 , and such term will automatically renew for an additional three-year term unless, no later than July 23, 2020, one party provides the other party written notice of non-renewal.
−Removed: Sales associated with our arrangement with Walmart represented 9.3% of consolidated net revenue in fiscal year 2019 , which exposes us to concentration of customer risk.
+Added: The current term of the management & services agreement ends on February 23, 2024.
+Added: Sales associated with this arrangement with Walmart represented 8.3% of consolidated net revenue in fiscal year 2020, which exposes us to concentration of customer risk.
In addition, the agreement permits Walmart to control many aspects of the retail operations at the Vision Centers we manage on behalf of Walmart, including pricing, merchandising and similar matters.
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Further, a breach by us of the terms and conditions of this agreement could cause us to lose all management fees derived under this agreement, which could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.
−Removed: At December 28, 2019, the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets at our host and legacy brands was $26.2 million and $90.8 million , respectively.
+Added: At January 2, 2021, the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets at our host and legacy brands was $24.7 million and $84.9 million, respectively.
We review the carrying value of our goodwill and intangibles for impairment annually, or more frequently when impairment indicators exist.
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During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we fully impaired goodwill at the Military and Fred Meyer brands of approximately $15.1 million.
−Removed: Additionally, Legacy segment fair value exceeded carrying value by 28%.
Future changes in the business profitability, expected cash flows, changes in our business strategy and external market conditions, among other factors, could require us to record impairment charges for goodwill or intangible assets, which could lead to decreased assets and reduced net income.
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For example, the arrangements we have implemented with optometrists and professional corporations or similar entities owned by eye care practitioners could subject us to scrutiny by federal and state regulatory bodies regarding federal and state fraud and abuse or other laws.
−Removed: In addition, our failure, or the failure of vision care professionals who are our employees or with whom we have contractual arrangements, to obtain and maintain appropriate licenses could result in the unavailability of vision care professionals in or near our stores, loss of sales and/or the closure of our stores without licensed professionals.
−Removed: We must comply with the FCLCA and its implementing regulations, including any proposed updates being considered, with respect to verifying contact lens prescriptions in connection with our online sales of contact lenses.
+Added: In addition, our failure, or the failure of vision care professionals who are our associates or with whom we have contractual arrangements, to obtain and maintain appropriate licenses could result in the unavailability of vision care professionals in or near our stores, loss of sales and/or the closure of our stores without licensed professionals.
+Added: We must comply with the FCLCA and its implementing regulations with respect to verifying contact lens prescriptions in connection with our online sales of contact lenses.
Our extended warranty plans may subject us to state laws, which vary by state, that regulate the sale of product service contracts.
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from China and effective February 14, 2020, the 15% tariff was reduced to 7.5%.
+Added: In June 2020, the U.S.
+Added: government granted a temporary exclusion for plastic and metal frames with a retroactive effective date of September 1, 2019, and such exclusion expired in September 2020.
+Added: Given the recent change in the U.S.
+Added: presidential administration, there is uncertainty whether there will be, and the resulting impacts of, any changes to U.S.
+Added: government trade policy.
While we have implemented mitigation plans and continue to focus on additional mitigation strategies to offset the impact of tariffs, costs with respect to products subject to these tariffs have increased.
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We also may not anticipate changing demands on our distribution system, including the effect of any expansion we may need to implement in our distribution centers.
−Removed: Additionally, events beyond our control, such as disruptions in operations due to natural or man-made disasters, inclement weather conditions, accidents, system failures, power outages, political instability, break-in, server failure, work stoppages, slowdowns or strikes by employees, acts of terrorism, widespread illness, health concerns regarding infectious diseases, and other unforeseen or catastrophic events, could damage our optical laboratories and/or distribution centers or render them inoperable, making it difficult or impossible for us to process customer orders for an extended period of time.
−Removed: For example, the ongoing coronavirus outbreak since the beginning of 2020 in Wuhan, China has resulted in increased travel restrictions and affected certain companies’ operations in China, which may impact our outsourced laboratory in China and our processing of customer orders.
+Added: Additionally, events beyond our control, such as disruptions in operations due to natural or man-made disasters, inclement weather conditions, accidents, system failures, power outages, political instability, break-in, server failure, work stoppages, slowdowns or strikes by associates, acts of terrorism, widespread illness, health concerns regarding infectious diseases, and other unforeseen or catastrophic events, could damage our optical laboratories and/or distribution centers or render them inoperable, making it difficult or impossible for us to process customer orders for an extended period of time.
+Added: For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased travel restrictions and affected certain companies’ operations globally, which may impact our outsourced laboratory in China and our processing of customer orders.
Such events may also result in delays in our receipt of inventory and the delivery of merchandise between our stores, our optical laboratories and our distribution centers.
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Global sourcing and foreign trade involve numerous factors and uncertainties beyond our control including increased shipping costs, the imposition of additional import or trade restrictions, including legal or economic restrictions on overseas suppliers’ ability to produce and deliver products, increased custom duties and tariffs, unforeseen delays in customs clearance of goods, more restrictive quotas, loss of a most favored nation trading status, currency exchange rates, transportation delays, port of entry issues and foreign government regulations, political instability and economic uncertainties in the countries from which we or our vendors source our products.
−Removed: For example, the previously mentioned ongoing coronavirus outbreak in China could impact our product sourcing if the travel restrictions and shut down of certain businesses in China continues for an extended period of time.
+Added: For example our product sourcing could be impacted by current and future travel restrictions and/or the shut-down of certain businesses in China or elsewhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our sourcing operations may also be hurt by health concerns regarding infectious diseases in countries in which our merchandise is produced.
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These and other issues affecting our international vendors or internationally manufactured merchandise could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: The current presidential administration has also advocated for greater restrictions on international trade generally and has expressed antipathy toward certain international trade agreements and organizations, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) and the World Trade Organization (the “WTO”).
−Removed: In December 2019, the United States, Mexico and Canada signed the amended United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (the “USMCA”), which, once ratified by all three countries, will replace NAFTA.
−Removed: It is currently difficult to predict what affect the USMCA will have on us and if the transition to the new trade agreement will have any negative effects on our business.
+Added: The former presidential administration advocated for greater restrictions on international trade generally, including with respect to the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) and the World Trade Organization (the “WTO”).
+Added: In December 2019, the United States, Mexico and Canada signed the amended United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (the “USMCA”), which replaced NAFTA.
+Added: In July 2020, the U.S.
+Added: notified the United Nations of its intention to withdraw from the WTO.
+Added: While the current presidential administration has rejoined the WTO, it remains difficult to predict what affect the USMCA, the WTO or other trade agreements and organizations will have on our business.
were to withdraw from or materially modify any other international trade agreements to which it is a party or if the U.S.
−Removed: were to withdraw from trade organizations such as the WTO, or if the U.S.
imposes significant additional tariffs or other restrictions on imports from China and Mexico, where our outsourced optical laboratories are located and where the majority of our frames are sourced and manufactured, it could have an adverse impact on our business.
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Some of our suppliers are owned by vertically-integrated companies with retail divisions that compete with us and, as such, we are exposed to the risk that these suppliers may not be willing, or may become unwilling, to sell their products to us on acceptable terms, or at all.
−Removed: We rely on a limited number of vendors to supply the majority of our eyeglass frames, eyeglass lenses and contact lenses and are thus exposed to concentration of supplier risk.
+Added: We rely on a limited number of vendors to supply the majority of our eyeglass lenses and contact lenses and are thus exposed to concentration of supplier risk.
In particular, we have agreed to exclusively purchase almost all of our spectacle lenses from one supplier.
−Removed: During fiscal year 2019, 88% of lens expenditures were from this vendor, 92% of contact lens expenditures were with three vendors and 51% of frame expenditures were with two vendors.
+Added: During fiscal year 2020, 89% of lens expenditures were from this vendor and 93% of contact lens expenditures were with three vendors.
+Added: We are less exposed to a supplier risk for our eyeglass frames as only 52% of frame expenditures were with two vendors.
If we were to lose any significant supplier, we may be unable to establish additional or replacement sources for our products that meet our quality controls and standards in a timely manner or on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
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any significant failure, inadequacy, interruption or security breach could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operations.
−Removed: We rely heavily on our information technology systems for many functions across our operations, including managing our supply chain and inventory, processing customer transactions in our stores, allocating lens processing jobs to the appropriate laboratories, our financial accounting and reporting, compensating our employees and operating our websites.
+Added: We rely heavily on our information technology systems for many functions across our operations, including managing our supply chain and inventory, processing customer transactions in our stores, allocating lens processing jobs to the appropriate laboratories, our financial accounting and reporting, compensating our associates and operating our websites.
Our ability to effectively manage our business and coordinate the sourcing, distribution and sale of our products depends significantly on the reliability and capacity of these systems.
−Removed: We also collect, process and store sensitive and confidential information, including our proprietary business information and that of our customers, employees, suppliers and business partners, including Walmart and Sam’s Club.
+Added: We also collect, process and store sensitive and confidential information, including our proprietary business information and that of our customers, associates, suppliers and business partners, including Walmart and Sam’s Club.
The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations.
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Our existing safety systems, data backup, access protection, user management and information technology emergency planning may not be sufficient to prevent data loss or long-term network outages.
−Removed: In addition, we may have to upgrade our existing information technology systems from time to time in order for such systems to withstand the increasing needs of our expanding business.
+Added: In addition, we may have to upgrade our existing information technology systems or choose to incorporate new technology systems from time to time in order for such systems to support the increasing needs of our expanding business.
Costs and potential problems and interruptions associated with the implementation of new or upgraded systems and technology or with maintenance or adequate support of existing systems could disrupt or reduce the efficiency of our operations.
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If unauthorized parties gain access to our networks or databases, or those of our third-party service providers or business partners, they may be able to steal, publish, delete, use inappropriately or modify our private and sensitive third-party information including personal health information, credit card information and personal identification information.
−Removed: In addition, employees may intentionally or inadvertently cause data or security breaches that result in unauthorized release of personal or confidential information.
+Added: In addition, associates may intentionally or inadvertently cause data or security breaches that result in unauthorized release of personal or confidential information.
Because the techniques used to circumvent security systems can be highly sophisticated, change frequently, are often not recognized until launched against a target and may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the world, we may be unable to proactively address all possible techniques or implement adequate preventive measures for all situations.
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Decreases in total tenant occupancy in shopping centers in which we are located, or to which our locations are near, may affect traffic at our stores.
+Added: In addition, the potential default or bankruptcy of landlords in existing or pending leasehold locations may affect our ability to maintain or renew our existing leases.
All of these factors could have a material adverse impact on our operations.
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Technological advances in vision care, including the development of telemedicine and other new or improved products, as well as future drug development for the correction of vision-related problems, could significantly change how eye exams may be conducted and make our existing products less attractive or even obsolete.
−Removed: Several companies have developed technologies for and some companies are incorporating the remote delivery of eye examinations and eye refractions.
−Removed: If consumers accept the use of these technologies, we may not be able to successfully incorporate them in our business, and in turn, consumers could become less likely to obtain an in-person eye examination and therefore less likely to shop at our retail locations.
+Added: Several companies have developed technologies for and some companies are incorporating the remote delivery of eye examinations and eye refracti ons.
+Added: We have begun to pilot remote medicine technologies in a limited number of locations to enable the provision of remote eye examinations.
+Added: If consumers accept the use of these technologies, consumers could become less likely to obtain an in-person eye examination and therefore less likely to shop at our retail locations.
+Added: We also may not be able to successfully incorporat e remote medicine technologies into our business which could make our exam process less attractive to customers.
Additionally, the greater availability and acceptance, or reductions in the cost, of vision correction alternatives to prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, such as corneal refractive surgery procedures, including radial-keratotomy, photo-refractive keratotomy, or PRK and LASIK, may reduce the demand for our products, lower our sales and thereby adversely impact our business and profitability.
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Our business depends on consumer demand for our products and, consequently, is sensitive to a number of factors that influence consumer confidence and spending, such as general economic conditions, consumer disposable income, energy and fuel prices, recession and fears of recession, unemployment, minimum wages, availability of consumer credit, consumer debt levels, conditions in the housing market, interest rates, tax rates and policies, inflation, consumer confidence in future economic conditions and political conditions, war and fears of war, inclement weather, natural disasters, terrorism, outbreak of viruses or widespread illness and consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security.
−Removed: For example, in 2017 and 2018, we temporarily closed certain stores due to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Florence.
−Removed: Although these store closures did not have a material adverse impact on our business, similar events in the future that are outside of our control could materially adversely affect our sales and profitability.
+Added: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we temporarily closed our retail stores to the public in the first half of 2020, which had a material adverse impact on our sales and profitability.
+Added: In addition, from time to time we have temporarily closed certain stores due to hurricanes, natural disasters or civil unrest.
+Added: Such store closures due to factors that are outside of our control could materially adversely affect our sales and profitability.
Reduced customer confidence and spending cutbacks may result in reduced demand for our merchandise and may force us to take inventory markdowns.
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Because of the importance of the first half of the fiscal year for us, a significant downward trend in the first half could have a substantial negative impact on our annual financial results.
+Added: We benefited from U.S.
+Added: government assistance that we received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act in fiscal year 2020.
+Added: Such assistance under the CARES Act or pursuant to additional relief efforts may not be available in future years.
Our profitability and cash flows may be negatively affected if we are not successful in managing our inventory balances and inventory shrinkage.
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If our buying and distribution decisions do not accurately predict customer trends or spending levels in general or at particular stores or if we inappropriately price products, we may have to take unanticipated markdowns and discounts to dispose of obsolete or excess inventory or record potential write-downs relating to the value of obsolete or excess inventory.
−Removed: For example, in the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017, we wrote off $2.3 million of inventory related to a slow-moving contact lens product which had expired or would expire prior to possible sale.
Conversely, if we underestimate future demand for a particular product or do not respond quickly enough to replenish our best performing products, we may have a shortfall in inventory of such products, likely leading to unfulfilled orders, reduced revenue and customer dissatisfaction.
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We are generally reimbursed for the vision care services and products that we provide through payment systems managed by private insurance companies, managed care organizations and governmental agencies.
−Removed: Coverage and payment levels are determined at each third-party payor’s discretion, and we have no direct control over third-party payor’s decision-making with respect to coverage and payment levels.
+Added: Coverage and payment levels are determined at each third-party payor’s discretion, and we have limited control over third-party payor’s decision-making with respect to coverage and payment levels.
Coverage restrictions and reductions in reimbursement levels or payment methodologies may negatively impact our sales and profits.
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Furthermore, any changes to or repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or any other significant changes to the healthcare regulatory landscape may reduce or eliminate coverage or reimbursement rates of insurance-funded eye exams or eyewear.
−Removed: Our e-commerce business faces distinct risks, and our failure to successfully manage it could have a negative impact on our profitability.
−Removed: As an e-commerce retailer, we encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by internet-based businesses.
−Removed: The successful operation of our e-commerce business as well as our ability to provide a positive shopping experience that will generate orders and drive subsequent visits depends on efficient and uninterrupted operation of our order-taking and fulfillment operations.
−Removed: Risks associated with our e-commerce business include:
+Added: Our e-commerce and omni-channel business faces distinct risks, and our failure to successfully manage it could have a negative impact on our profitability.
+Added: As an e-commerce and omni-channel retailer, we encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by internet-based businesses.
+Added: The successful operation of our business as well as our ability to provide a positive shopping experience that will generate orders and drive subsequent visits depends on efficient and uninterrupted operation of our order-taking and fulfillment operations.
+Added: Risks associated with our e-commerce and omni-channel business include:
• uncertainties associated with our websites including changes in required technology interfaces, website downtime and other technical failures, costs and technical issues as we upgrade our website software, inadequate system capacity, computer viruses, human error, security breaches, legal claims related to our website operations and e-commerce fulfillment;
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If we are unable to allow real-time and accurate visibility to product availability when customers are ready to purchase, quickly and efficiently fulfill our customers’ orders using the fulfillment and payment methods they demand, provide a convenient and consistent experience for our customers regardless of the ultimate sales channel or effectively manage our online sales, our ability to compete and our results of operations could be adversely affected.
−Removed: Furthermore, if our e-commerce business successfully grows, it may do so in part by attracting existing customers, rather than new customers, who choose to purchase products from us online rather than from our brick and mortar stores, thereby detracting from the financial performance of our stores.
+Added: Furthermore, if our e-commerce and omni-channel business successfully grows, it may do so in part by attracting existing customers, rather than new customers, who choose to purchase products from us online rather than from our brick and mortar stores, thereby detracting from the financial performance of our stores.
We could be adversely affected by product liability, product recall or personal injury issues.
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Our transactions with the international laboratories we contract with may subject us to the FCPA and trade sanction laws, and similar anti-corruption, anti-bribery and international trade laws, any violation of which could create substantial liability for us and also harm our reputation.
−Removed: Our four laboratories in the United States and our in-store laboratories at our Eyeglass World locations subject us to various federal, state and local laws, regulations and other requirements pertaining to protection of the environment, public health and employee safety, including regulations governing the management of hazardous substances and the maintenance of safe working conditions, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended.
+Added: Our four laboratories in the United States and our in-store laboratories at our Eyeglass World locations subject us to various federal, state and local laws, regulations and other requirements pertaining to protection of the environment, public health and associate safety, including regulations governing the management of hazardous substances and the maintenance of safe working conditions, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended.
These laws also apply generally to all our properties.
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From time to time, we are subject to allegations, and may be party to legal claims and regulatory proceedings, relating to our business operations.
−Removed: “Legal Proceedings.” Such allegations, claims and proceedings may be brought by third parties, including our customers, employees, governmental or regulatory bodies or competitors and may include class actions.
+Added: “Legal Proceedings.” Such allegations, claims and proceedings may be brought by third parties, including our customers, associates, governmental or regulatory bodies or competitors and may include class actions.
Defending against such claims and proceedings is costly and time consuming and may divert management’s attention and personnel resources from our normal business operations, and the outcome of many of these claims and proceedings cannot be predicted.
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Moreover, if we are unable to successfully defend against such claims, we may be prevented from using our trademarks, service marks or other intellectual property rights in the future and may be liable for damages, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
−Removed: Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
+Added: Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and Ownership of Common Stock
We have a significant amount of indebtedness which could adversely affect our business and financial position, including limiting our business flexibility and preventing us from meeting our debt obligations.
We have a significant amount of indebtedness.
−Removed: As of December 28, 2019 , we had approximately $540.4 million of aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding (excluding capital lease obligations).
+Added: As of January 2, 2021, we had approximately $719.9 million of aggregate principal amount of indebtedness associated with our first lien term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $420.0 million (the “Term Loan”) and 2025 Notes outstanding (excluding finance lease obligations).
Our leverage could have important consequences for us, including:
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Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt service obligations, or to refinance or restructure our obligations on commercially reasonable terms or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as on our ability to satisfy our obligations in respect of our indebtedness.
−Removed: An increase in interest rates or discontinuation, reform or replacement of LIBOR and other benchmark rates, or uncertainty related to the potential for any of the foregoing, may adversely affect our business.
−Removed: As of December 28, 2019, after inclusion of $430.0 million interest rate swaps fixing a portion of the variable rate debt, $110.4 million, or 20.4%, of our term loans was subject to variable rates.
−Removed: As a result, an increase in interest rates, whether because of an increase in market interest rates or a decrease in our creditworthiness, could increase the cost of servicing our debt and could materially reduce our profitability and cash flows.
−Removed: The London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and certain other “benchmarks” are the subject of recent national, international, and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform.
−Removed: These reforms may cause such benchmarks to perform differently than in the past or have other consequences which cannot be predicted.
−Removed: On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, publicly announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021.
−Removed: Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S.
−Removed: financial institutions, is considering replacing U.S.
−Removed: dollar LIBOR with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities.
−Removed: It is unknown whether SOFR or any other alternative reference rate will attain market acceptance as replacements for LIBOR.
−Removed: It is expected that a transition away from the widespread use of LIBOR to alternative rates will occur over the course of the next several years.
−Removed: As a result of this transition, interest rates on our floating rate obligations, may be adversely affected.
−Removed: Further, any uncertainty regarding the continued use and reliability of LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate could adversely affect the value of our floating rate obligations.
+Added: A change in interest rates or discontinuation, reform or replacement of LIBOR and other benchmark rates, or uncertainty related to the potential for any of the foregoing, may adversely affect our business.
+Added: As of January 2, 2021, after inclusion of $317.0 million interest rate swaps fixing a portion of the variable rate debt, $0.4 million, or 0.1%, of our Term Loan was subject to variable rates.
+Added: In fiscal year 2021, following the maturity of the interest rate swaps, the interest rate collar will hedge some of the variability in Company’s interest rates.
+Added: A decrease in LIBOR below a certain threshold could require payments to the counterparty of our interest rate collar derivative and could materially reduce our profitability and cash flows.
+Added: An increase in interest rates, whether because of an increase in market interest rates or a decrease in our creditworthiness, could also increase the cost of servicing our debt and could materially reduce our profitability and cash flows.
+Added: In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021.
+Added: Further, on November 30, 2020 the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited announced its plan to extend the date that most USD-LIBOR values would cease being computed to June 30, 2023.
+Added: The Alternative Reference Rates Committee and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association have identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative rate for USD-LIBOR in debt, derivatives, and other financial contracts.
+Added: Even if financial instruments are transitioned to alternative benchmarks, such as SOFR, successfully, the new benchmarks are likely to differ from LIBOR, and our interest expense associated with our outstanding indebtedness or any future indebtedness we incur may increase.
+Added: Further, transitioning to an alternative benchmark rate, such as SOFR, may result in us incurring significant expense and legal risks, as renegotiation and changes to documentation may be required in effecting the transition.
+Added: Any alternative benchmark rate may be calculated differently than LIBOR and may increase the interest expense associated with our existing or future indebtedness.
Our credit agreement contains restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.
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The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants.
−Removed: We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the lenders and/or amend the covenants.
+Added: We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in
+Added: the future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the lenders and/or amend the covenants.
Our failure to comply with the restrictive covenants described above as well as others contained in our future debt instruments from time to time could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in our being required to repay these borrowings before their maturity dates.
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If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or if we are unable to repay, refinance or restructure such indebtedness, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
−Removed: Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
+Added: Conversion of the 2025 Notes could dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders or may otherwise depress the price of our common stock.
+Added: On May 12, 2020, we completed the issuance of 2.50% convertible senior notes due on May 15, 2025 (the “2025 Notes”).
+Added: The 2025 Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock at our election, based on the applicable conversion rate at such time.
+Added: Prior to February 15, 2025, the 2025 Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders of such notes under certain circumstances as provided in the governing indenture.
+Added: Based on the initial conversion rate of the 2025 Notes, which is subject to adjustment, the 2025 Notes are convertible into 12.9 million shares of our common stock with a maximum possible issuance of 16.5 million shares.
+Added: The conversion of some or all of the 2025 Notes could dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders to the extent we elect to deliver shares of our common stock upon conversion of any of the 2025 Notes.
+Added: Any sales in the public market of the common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock.
Our stock price may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance.
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Ineffective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price, and could result in our financial statements becoming unreliable.
−Removed: We previously had a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting.
Our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud.
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If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business and financial results could be harmed and we could fail to meet our financial reporting obligations.
−Removed: As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2018 and subsequent Form 10-Qs, management previously identified a control deficiency that constituted a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.
−Removed: As a result, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 29, 2018.
−Removed: We have since remediated this material weakness, however, the remediated material weakness may reoccur or other material weaknesses could occur in the future.
−Removed: The recurrence of the remediated material weakness or the development of new material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and cause us to fail to meet our reporting and financial obligations, which in turn could have a negative impact on our financial condition.
−Removed: In addition, any future required remediation measures may be time consuming, costly, and may place significant demands on our financial and operational resources.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents could delay or prevent a change of control.
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The powers, preferences and rights of these additional series of preferred stock may be senior to or on parity with our common stock, which may reduce its value.
−Removed: Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, subject to limited exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.
−Removed: Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, subject to limited exceptions, that unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee or stockholder of our company to the Company or our stockholders, creditors or other constituents, (iii) action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (iv) action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
+Added: Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, subject to limited exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, associates or stockholders.
+Added: Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, subject to limited exceptions, that unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other associate or stockholder of our company to the Company or our stockholders, creditors or other constituents, (iii) action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (iv) action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
−Removed: This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims.
+Added: This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other associates or stockholders which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims.
Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
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Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.