UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
☒ ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the year ended December 31 , 2021
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission
file number 001-39223
Muscle
Maker, Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
47-2555533
(State
or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S.
Employer
of
incorporation)
Identification
No.)
2600
South Shore Blvd. , Suite 300 ,
League
City , Texas 77573
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: (682) 708-8250
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name
of each exchange on which registered
Common
Stock, $0,0001 par value
GRIL
The
NASDAQ Capital Market
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ 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 ☐ 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 the filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data
File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”
and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):
Large
accelerated filer
☐
Accelerated
filer
☐
Non-accelerated
filer
☐
(Do
not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller
reporting company
☒
Emerging
growth company
☒
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As
of June 30, 2021, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the market value of
our common stock held by non-affiliates was $ 21,006,142 .
The
number of shares if the Registrant’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, outstanding as of March 16, 2022, was 28,620,355 .
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None .
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC
ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FISCAL
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021
Form
10-K
Item
No.
Name
of Item
Page
PART
I
Item
1.
BUSINESS
4
Item
1A.
RISK
FACTORS
13
Item
1B.
UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS
33
Item
2.
PROPERTIES
33
Item
3.
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
34
Item
4.
MINE
SAFETY DISCLOSURE
35
PART
II
Item
5.
MARKET
FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
35
Item
6.
RESERVED
39
Item
7.
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
39
Item
7A.
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
51
Item
8.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
52
Item
9.
CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
52
Item
9A.
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
52
Item
9B.
OTHER
INFORMATION
52
Item
9C.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
53
PART
III
Item
10.
DIRECTORS,
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
53
Item
11.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
58
Item
12.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
67
Item
13.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
70
Item
14.
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
72
PART
IV
Item
15.
EXHIBITS,
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
73
Item
16.
FORM
10-K SUMMARY
75
SIGNATURES
76
2
PART
I
Forward-Looking
Statements
This
Annual Report contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. The events described in forward-looking
statements contained in this Annual Report may not occur. Generally, these statements relate to business plans or strategies, projected
or anticipated benefits or other consequences of our plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions to be made
by us, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings or other aspects of our operating results. The words “may,”
“will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,”
“forecast,” “model,” “proposal,” “should,” “may,” “intend,” “estimate,”
and “continue,” and their opposites and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We caution
you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and
other influences, many of which are beyond our control that may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projections upon which
the statements are based. Factors which may affect our results include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed
in Item 1A of this Annual Report under “Risk Factors” and Item 7 of this Annual Report under “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations”.
Any
one or more of these uncertainties, risks and other influences could materially affect our results of operations and whether forward-looking
statements made by us ultimately prove to be accurate. Our actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from
those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether from new information, future events or otherwise.
This
Annual Report also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth
and other data about our industry. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue
weight to such estimates. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of
the markets in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk.
3
ITEM
1. BUSINESS.
Our
Business Overview
Muscle
Maker, Inc. (referred to herein as “MMI” or “Company”), was incorporated under the laws of the state of Nevada
on October 25, 2019. The principal corporate office of MMI is located at 2600 South Shore Blvd., Suite 300, League City, Texas, 77573,
and the telephone number at that location is (682)708-8250. Our website address is https://www.musclemakergrill.com .
MMI
together with its subsidiaries, is referred to in this Form 10-K annual report (“Form 10-K”) as the Company. The terms “we”,
“us” and “our” are also used in the Form 10-K to refer to the Company. Throughout the Form 10-K, the terms “restaurants”,
“stores”, “eatery” and “locations” are used inter changeably. While MMI, as the parent Company, does
not directly own or operate any restaurants throughout this document we may refer to restaurants that are owned or operated by our subsidiaries
as being Company-owned.
MMI
is our parent company. We own and operate three unique “healthier for you” restaurant concepts within our portfolio of companies:
Muscle Maker Grill restaurants, SuperFit Foods meal prep and Pokemoto Hawaiian Poke restaurants. Our Company was founded on the
belief of taking every-day menu options and converting them into “healthier for you” menu choices. Consumers are demanding
healthier choices, customization, flavor and convenience. We believe our portfolio of companies directly satisfy these consumer needs.
We focus on lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, proprietary sauces, whole grains and various other items like protein shakes,
meal plans, specialty drinks and super foods. Each of our three concepts offers different menus that are tailored to specific consumer
segments. We operate in the fast-casual and meal prep segments of the restaurant industry. We believe our “healthier for you”
inspired concepts deliver a highly differentiated customer experience.
Muscle
Maker Grill Restaurants (“Muscle Maker Grill”): our Muscle Maker Grill restaurants are fast casual style restaurants
specializing in “healthier for you” high quality, made to order, lean protein-based meals. These meals feature all-natural
chicken breast, grass fed beef, lean turkey, shrimp and plant-based items. We pair these lean proteins with super foods such as avocado,
quinoa, spinach, kale and broccoli, while also offering cauliflower rice, whole wheat pasta, sweet potato fries and proprietary specialty
sauces like zero carb, fat free or gluten free options. Our products are made to order. The menu features bowls, wraps, salads and burgers.
We also offer protein shakes and fruit smoothies along with meal plans and catering. Customers can dine in or take out or have their
meals delivered to their door via Company delivery personnel or third-party services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and GrubHub.
SuperFit
Foods Meal Prep (“SuperFit Foods”): On March 25, 2021, we acquired the assets of SuperFit Foods. SuperFit Foods is a
wholly owned meal prep division located in Jacksonville, Florida and focuses solely on meal plans. The terms meal prep and meal plans
will be used interchangeably throughout this document. The business operates with a centralized kitchen that prepares all meals for distribution
to consumers twice per week. This is a subscription-based business model where consumers order their meals via the SuperFitfoods.com
website and are charged automatically every week. There are over 150 meal plan options to choose from as well as various healthy juices,
snacks and desserts. Meal plans focus on specific dietary needs such as vegetarian, high protein, gluten free and low calorie.
SuperFit
Foods’ distribution process is different than most meal prep companies. The business operates with a centralized kitchen that prepares
all meals for distribution to consumers twice per week. While other meal plan companies ship meals directly to consumer’s homes,
the SuperFit Foods model uses Company-owned coolers placed at designated pick-up locations throughout the Jacksonville, Florida market.
Pick up locations are placed inside wellness centers such as gyms, yoga studios, and various lifestyle locations. SuperFit Foods
delivers twice per week by independent contractors to these locations and consumers conveniently pick up their orders after their workouts
or during their daily routines. This model allows us to keep food fresh and refrigerated (even in the summer months), reduces shipping
costs to consumers and provides an easier distribution model for the Company. While we do offer direct shipment to homes, this represents
a small percentage of overall Company revenue. As the lockdowns and restrictions from Covid are reducing, we believe our distribution
model becomes even more attractive for consumers.
4
Pokemoto
Hawaiian Poke restaurants (“Pokemoto”): On May 14, 2021, MMI acquired the Pokemoto chain. This consisted of purchasing
PKM Stamford, LLC, Poke Co., LLC, LB Holdings LLC, and TNB Holdings, LLC, Poke Co Holdings LLC, GLL Enterprises, LLC, and TNB Holdings
II, LLC, each a Connecticut limited liability company (collectively, Pokemoto”). Pokemoto restaurants are fast casual style restaurants
that specialize in Hawaiian inspired poke bowls, wraps and salads. Poke is native Hawaiian cuisine made up of diced fresh fish served
as an appetizer or main course with strong influences of Japanese and Korean cuisine. Think of it as deconstructed sushi that a consumer
can customize into a bowl, salad or wrap every time. Hawaiian Poke is trending in the restaurant industry. It is a unique segment that
is healthy, customizable, popular with millennials and Gen-Zs, offers unique flavor profiles and is “Instagrammable.”
Pokemoto
offers consumers the possibility to customize their order every time. Consumers move down a linear production line (similar to Chipotle
or Subway customer interaction and operations) customizing their bowl from a wide selection of ingredients. Pokemoto offers five types
of protein including sushi grade tuna, salmon, chicken, shrimp or tofu. Consumers pick a base of white/brown rice or salad, select from
over 25 mix-ins/toppings including avocado, kani salad, pickled daikon, hijiki seaweed, masago, caviar, mandarin oranges, edamame, mango,
roasted cashews or wonton crisps to name a few and topped off with over eight proprietary sauces that are made in house daily. All this
gets mixed together creating a flavor explosion that is customized for every consumer.
Pokemoto
requires little to no cooking. Everything is either raw (tuna, salmon, veggies and fruits) or comes in pre-cooked (chicken and shrimp).
The only cooking we do is soup and rice. It’s that simple. Because we have little cooking and consumers customize their orders,
our labor requirements compared to most restaurants may be reduced. In addition, we believe training becomes much easier when
you are not cooking or requiring recipes to be followed while consumers customize their menu options. This creates a consistent product
across all our Pokemoto restaurants as we expand into more markets. Finally, because we have little to no cooking, our build outs usually
do not require expensive hoods, fire suppression systems, deep fryers, grills, ovens, etc. making the potential cost of building
out a location very favorable.
Our
Industry
Muscle
Maker Grill and Pokemoto restaurants operate within the Limited-Service Restaurant, or LSR, segment, of the United States restaurant
industry, which includes quick service restaurants, or QSR, and fast-casual restaurants. We offer fast-casual quality food combined with
quick-service speed, convenience and value across multiple dayparts. We believe our differentiated, high-quality healthy-inspired menu
delivers great value all day, every day and positions us to compete against both QSR and fast-casual concepts.
SuperFit
Foods operates within the pre-made, ready-to-eat meal prep segment. We offer pre-made, ready-to-eat meals that focus on specific dietary
needs like keto, vegetarian, high protein, low sugars, etc. SuperFit Foods offers over 150 different meal plan options to choose
from as well as various healthy juices, snacks and desserts.
We
expect that the upward trend towards healthier eating will attract and increase consumer demand for fresh and healthier menu options,
which may lead to a positive impact on our sales.
Our
Strategy
Our
strategy is clear and concentrates on expansion through franchising. However, in order to “seed” new markets for franchising
we may open Company-owned and operated locations in key markets.
We
believe franchising is the future of this Company. This strategy uses the franchising experience of the management team with the goal
of expanding more quickly. We believe franchising is a great model as it has the potential to propel growth without our Company having
to spend its capital on Company-owned brick and mortar locations.
Our
franchising efforts will continue to be concentrated on expanding the Pokemoto brand. We believe there is a unique opportunity to grow
the Pokemoto brand within the Hawaiian Poke segment of the restaurant industry. The Hawaiian Poke segment is fragmented with the largest
company having approximately 65-85 locations today. The industry is full of independently owned “mom-and-pop” locations and
we expect that the industry is ready for a company to enter the market and become a significant player in the segment. We are positioning
Pokemoto with the goal of playing this role.
5
While
Pokemoto franchising is the focus, we will also open Company-owned Pokemoto locations strategically placed in key markets where
we are focusing our franchising efforts. Franchisee prospects need to experience Pokemoto locally versus having to travel long distances.
This approach is critical to selling franchises. Each Company location should be considered as “seeding” the market. Eventually,
when the market begins to open franchise locations, the intent is to franchise the original “seed” Company location and then
turn to building and franchising the next market. This is a leapfrog strategy that has traditionally been used to drive franchise growth
more aggressively.
Our
strategy for our Muscle Maker Grill restaurants is to optimize the brand. This will be performed through cost reductions, co-branding
locations with Pokemoto or converting the location to a Pokemoto restaurant. We will continue to evaluate profitability at each location
while staying current with market trends in each specific location. As part of the optimization strategy, we will divert resources from
any closed locations towards the remaining open locations with the intent of enhancing their performance.
Muscle
Maker Grill Restaurants are primarily geographically located in the Northeast United States but we also have locations on military bases
such as Fort Sill, Fort Bliss and Fort Benning, as well as franchise locations in Texas, Washington and California. In addition,
we have locations open in Kuwait. Our Kuwaiti partner performs all operational support, training, distribution and manufacturing of various
proprietary items that are used to supply their locations.
Improve
Comparable Restaurant Sales. We plan to improve comparable restaurant sales growth through the following strategies:
Menu
Strategy and Evolution. We will continue to adapt our menu to create entrees that complement our healthy-inspired offerings and that
reinforce our differentiated fast casual positioning. We believe we have opportunities for menu innovation as we look to provide customers
more choices through customization and limited time only alternative proteins, recipes and other healthy-inspired ingredients. Our marketing
and operations teams collaborate to ensure that the items developed in our test stores can be executed to our high standards in our restaurants
with the speed and value that our customers have come to expect. To provide added variety, from time to time we introduce limited time
offerings at MMG and SFF. Pokemoto, due to being highly customizable, will offer new proteins, sauces and other ingredients allowing
consumers to try different flavor combinations.
Attract
New Customers Through Expanded Brand Awareness: Our goal is to attract new customers as we expand our various concepts to become
more widely known through new restaurant openings and marketing efforts focused on broadening the reach and appeal of our brand. The
goal of our marketing efforts is to have consumers become more familiar with our brands as we continue to penetrate our markets, which
we believe will benefit our existing restaurant base. Our marketing strategy centers on our “healthier for you” food, which
highlights the desirability of healthy-inspired food or proprietary recipe quality of our food. We utilize various marketing techniques
including email, text, social media, print, influencers, press releases, third party apps and local store marketing. We believe the restaurant
industry has changed over the past few years and consumer preferences have shifted towards an emphasis on convenience, speed, customization,
delivery and mobility. This has led to an increase in to-go orders, third-party delivery and direct to consumer meal prep/plan offerings.
We believe our various brands have the ability to adjust our business strategy to accommodate these consumer trends.
In
2020 and 2021, the Company expanded its delivery services through third-party delivery companies such as Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash
and others.
Continue
to Grow Dayparts: We currently have multiple dayparts and segments where revenue is generated in our restaurants. These dayparts
and segments include: lunch, dinner, catering, smoothies/protein shakes and meal prep/plans in our various locations, and breakfast in
select locations. We expect to drive growth across our dayparts through enhanced menu offerings, and marketing campaigns. We plan to
continue introducing and marketing limited time offers to increase occasions across our dayparts as well as to educate customers on our
lunch and dinner offerings. Muscle Maker Grill restaurants and SuperFit Foods have the unique opportunity to grow in the pre-packaged,
portion-controlled meal prep/plan category. Currently, we offer pre-portioned and packaged meal prep/plans for consumers who want to
specifically plan their weekly meals for dietary or nutritional needs. These meal plans can be delivered to a consumer’s home,
picked up at each restaurant location or at our Company-owned coolers placed inside fitness, wellness or lifestyle facilities.
6
Third
party delivery services such as Uber Eats, Grub Hub, DoorDash and others offer an expansion beyond the four walls of our restaurants
and represents a growing segment of our overall revenue. We also have partnered with Snackpass in our Pokemoto restaurants. Snackpass
offers online ordering, delivery and pick up while also providing an in-store kiosk where customers can place their orders versus waiting
in line. Snackpass offers consumers the ability to earn game tokens for each order which can be used to play the Snackpass loyalty
program game. The Company uses this partnership as an alternative to traditional loyalty programs and represents, in some locations,
a significant portion of restaurant sales generated through this partnership.
Our
Strengths
Iconic
and Unique Concept: We provide guests healthy-inspired versions of mainstream-favorite and customizable dishes that are intended
to taste great, in our effort to make it convenient, affordable and enjoyable to eat healthier. Our diverse menu was created for everyone
– fitness enthusiasts, those starting their journey to a healthier lifestyle, and people trying to eat better while on-the-go.
We
are focused on expanding our presence through growing the Pokemoto brand within new and existing markets by continuing to add franchise
partners to our system and increasing the number of corporate-owned locations. We currently have approximately $15 million in working
capital to deploy against this strategy and have begun executing against this plan. We have already signed 31 franchise agreements
and opened six new locations over the last few months with three additional locations under construction. Our corporate-owned restaurants
will focus on an expansion in non-traditional locations such as military bases, universities and ghost kitchens, highly concentrated
business and resident demographical areas while also offering direct to consumer pre-made meal prep/plan offerings to consumers within
the Jacksonville, Florida market via SuperFit Foods or a 250-mile radius around certain locations through direct to home deliveries.
Innovative,
Healthier Menu : Our menus feature items such as grass-fed steak, all-natural chicken, lean turkey, plant-based products, tofu, chicken,
salmon, shrimp, sushi grade tuna as well as options that satisfy all dietary preferences – from the carb-free consumer to guests
following gluten-free or vegetarian diets. Our brands do not sacrifice taste to serve healthy-inspired options. We develop and source
proprietary sauces and fat free or zero-carb dressings to enhance our unique flavor profiles. Our open style kitchen at Muscle Maker
Grill restaurants allows guests to experience our preparation and cooking methods such as an open flame grill and sauté. In addition
to our healthy-inspired and diverse food platform, we offer 100% real fruit smoothies, boosters and proprietary protein shakes as well
as retail supplements. While our Pokemoto concept offers consumers the possibility to customize their meal every time. Consumers move
down a linear production line similar to Chipotle or Subway choosing their toppings with a modern twist including tofu, chicken, salmon,
shrimp and sushi grade tuna.
The
Company prides itself on making healthy-inspired versions of the guest’s favorite food, giving them easy access to the food they
seek at our restaurants. This means catering to an array of healthier eating lifestyles. For over 20 years Muscle Maker Grill restaurants
has been providing food to gluten-free diners, low-carbohydrate consumers and vegetarians. We offer over 30 versions of salads, wraps,
bowls, sandwiches and flatbreads. With the addition of Pokemoto we now also offer six types of protein, a base of white/brown rice or
salad, over 25 mix ins/toppings including avocado, kani salad, pickled daikon, hijiki seaweed, masago, mandarin orange, edamame, mango,
roasted cashews or wonton crisps to name a few and topped off with over eight proprietary sauces that are made in house. All this
gets mixed up together creating a flavor explosion that is customizable for each customer.
Delivery:
Delivery is an option through our online ordering platform or third-party delivery apps making it easy and convenient for our guests.
Delivery percentages range from 10% up to 85% of sales in our corporate locations. We strongly believe the delivery segment will continue
to grow as our core demographic has demonstrated the need for online ordering and delivery versus dine-in and take-out. We and our franchise
owners leverage employees for local delivery but also use third party services such as Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash and others to fulfill
delivery orders. SuperFit Foods delivers twice per week utilizing independent contractors to Company-owned coolers placed inside fitness,
wellness or lifestyle facilities where consumers conveniently pick up their orders after their workouts or during their daily routines.
7
Meal
Prep/Plans: To make healthy-inspired eating even easier, Muscle Maker Grill’s healthy-inspired menu items
are available through our Meal Prep/Plan program, allowing pre-orders of meals via phone, online or in-store, available for pick up or
delivered right to their door. Available as five, 10, 15 or 20 meals, guests can choose from over 40 Muscle Maker Grill menu items for
each meal. With the partnership with Happy Meal Prep, Muscle Maker Grill is now able to ship meals direct to consumers within a 250-mile
radius of participating locations.
SuperFit
Foods consists of pre-made, ready-to-eat meals that focus on specific dietary needs like keto, vegetarian, high protein low sugars, etc.
SuperFit Foods offers over 150 different meal options to choose from as well as various healthy juices, snacks and desserts. SuperFit
Foods operates as a subscription model where consumers are automatically charged each month. Consumers order online, provide their credit
card information and have over 150 options to choose from. Guests can also opt to select their likes and dislikes and meal selection
becomes automatic. SuperFit Foods’ distribution process is different than most meal prep companies. Other meal prep companies ship
meals directly to consumer’s homes or use their own fleet of vehicles to drop orders off at homes. The SuperFit Foods model uses
Company-owned coolers placed inside fitness, wellness or lifestyle facilities.
Our
Properties
Rent
Structure: Our restaurants are typically located in retail centers as in-line locations or food court type settings in Universities
or military bases. A typical restaurant generally ranges from 800 to 2,500 square feet with seating for up to approximately 40 people.
Our leases for Company-operated locations generally have terms of one to ten years, with one or two renewal terms of one years to ten
years. Restaurant leases provide for a specified annual rent, and some leases call for additional or contingent rent based on revenue
above specified levels. Generally, our leases are “net leases” that require us to pay a pro rata share of taxes, insurance
and maintenance costs. New leases for our non-traditional locations usually have rent calculated as a percentage of net sales and have
terms up to 10 years. We do not guarantee performance or have any liability regarding franchise location leases.
System-Wide
Restaurant Counts: As of December 31, 2021, our restaurant system consisted of forty-two restaurants comprised of twenty-two Company-operated
restaurants and twenty franchised restaurants located in California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York,
Connecticut, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Rhode Island and Kuwait.
Site
Selection Process: We consider the location of a restaurant to be a critical variable in its long-term performance, and as
such, we devote significant effort to the investigation and evaluation of potential restaurant locations. Our in-house management team
has extensive experience developing hundreds of locations for various brands. We use a combination of our in-house team and outside real
estate consultants to locate, evaluate and negotiate new sites using various criteria including demographic characteristics, daytime
population thresholds and traffic patterns, along with the potential visibility of, and accessibility to, the restaurant. The process
for selecting locations incorporates management’s and franchisee’s experience and expertise and includes data collection
and analysis. Additionally, we use information and intelligence gathered from managers and other restaurant personnel that live in or
near the neighborhoods we are considering.
Direct
to consumer meal prep/plan locations can either be through existing Muscle Maker Grill restaurant locations or can be set up like a commissary
where meals are prepared in a kitchen space not open to consumer traffic like SuperFit Foods. These locations can be in any area as long
as pick up service via UPS or FedEx is available. This allows the Company to build out locations in favorable rent situations while being
able to mail meal prep/plans direct to consumers within a 250-mile radius or conveniently drop off meals at various pick-up locations
throughout the market.
8
Our
Restaurant Design
After
identifying a lease site, we commence our restaurant buildout. Our typical restaurant is an inline retail space or food court that ranges
in size from 800 to 2,500 square feet. Our restaurants are characterized by a unique exterior and interior design, color schemes, and
layout, including specially designed decor and furnishings. Restaurant interiors incorporate modern designs and rich colors in an effort
to provide a clean and inviting environment and fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Each restaurant is designed in accordance with plans
we develop; and constructed with a similar design motif and trade dress. Restaurants are generally located near other business establishments
that will attract customers who desire healthier food at fair prices served in a casual, fun environment.
Our
new restaurants are typically inline or food court buildouts. We estimate that each inline or food court buildout of a Pokemoto restaurant
will require an average total cash investment of approximately $137,000 to $295,000 but these costs can vary depending upon the location
and requirements of specific municipalities or landlords. Since Pokemoto locations have little to no cooking, our build outs usually
do not require expensive hoods, fire suppression systems, deep fryers, grills, ovens, etc. making the cost of entry very reasonable.
We estimate it takes approximately four to six months from identification of the specific site to opening the restaurant. This timeframe
can be shortened to as little at 90 days pending the amount of time it takes to negotiate and finalize a lease for the location.
Our
Restaurant Management and Operations
Service:
We are extremely focused on customer service. We aim to provide fast, friendly service on a solid foundation of dedicated, driven
team members and managers. Our team members and managers are responsible for our dining room environment, personally visiting tables
to ensure every customer’s satisfaction
Operations:
We intend to measure the execution of our system standards within each restaurant through an audit program for quality, service and
cleanliness. The goal is to conduct these audits quarterly and may be more or less frequent based upon restaurant performance. Additionally,
we have food safety and quality assurance programs designed to maintain the high standards for food and food preparation procedures used
by both Company-operated and franchised restaurants.
Managers
and Team Members: Each of our restaurants typically has a manager or shift leader. At each Muscle Maker Grill restaurant location
there are usually between six and ten team members who prepare our food fresh daily and provide customer service. At each Pokemoto
location there are usually between one and four team members who prepare our food fresh daily and provide customer service.
We
are selective in our hiring processes, aiming to staff our restaurants with team members that are friendly, customer-focused, and driven
to provide high-quality products. Our team members are cross-trained in several disciplines to maximize depth of competency and efficiency
in critical restaurant functions.
Training:
The majority of our Company-operated restaurant management staff is comprised of former team members who have advanced along the
Company career path. Successive steps along the management path add increasing levels of duties and responsibilities. Our Franchisee
training generally consists of 10 to 14 days in a certified training location, and an additional 7 to 10 days post opening training.
Our operational team members provide consistent, ongoing training through follow up restaurant visits, inspections, or email or phone
correspondences.
Our
Franchise Program
Overview: We
use a franchising strategy to increase new restaurant growth, especially as we focus on growing the Pokemoto brand, in certain
United States and international markets, leveraging the ownership of entrepreneurs with specific local market expertise and
requiring a relatively minimal capital commitment by us. We believe the franchise revenue generated from our franchise base has
historically served as an important source of stable and recurring cash flows to us and, as such, we plan to expand our base of
franchised restaurants. We currently have roughly $15 million in working capital to deploy against this strategy and have begun
executing against this plan. We have already signed 31 franchise agreements and opened six new locations over the last few
months with three additional locations under construction. In existing markets, we encourage growth from current franchisees. In our
expansion markets, we seek highly motivated and entrepreneurial new franchisees for single-unit or multi-unit development
opportunities. We market our franchise opportunities with the support of a franchising section on our website, social media, trade
shows and other marketing tactics.
9
Franchise
Owner Support: We believe creating a foundation of initial and on-going support is important to future performance for both our franchisees
and our brand.
We
have a mandatory training program that was designed to ensure that our franchise owners and their managers are equipped with the knowledge
and necessary skills to operate our concept. The program consists of hands-on training in the operation and management of the restaurant.
Training is conducted by a general training manager who has been certified by us for training. Instructional materials for the initial
training program include our operations manual, crew training system, wall charts, job aids, recipe books, product build cards, management
training materials, food safety book, videos and other materials we may create from time to time. Training must be successfully completed
before a trainee can be assigned to a restaurant as a manager.
We
also provide numerous opportunities for communication and shared feedback between us and franchise owners. Currently, we communicate
on a frequent basis through email and conference calls allowing for questions and answers with all franchisees. In addition, our operations
and marketing teams conduct phone calls and/or on-site visits on a frequent basis with franchisees on current operational changes, new
products, revenue generating ideas, cost savings, and local store marketing.
Franchise
Agreements:
The
franchise agreements currently:
●
Have
terms for 10 through 20 years, with termination dates ranging from 2023 until 2041. These agreements are generally renewable for
terms ranging from 5 to 10 years.
●
Provide
for the payment of initial franchise fees ranging from $5,000 to $35,000.
●
Require
the payment of on-going royalty payments ranging from 2% to 6% of net sales at the franchise location. In addition, franchisees contribute
ranging from 1% to 2% (total) of net sales to the marketing and brand development/advertising fund.
●
Franchisees
are licensed the right to use the Muscle Maker Grill® or Pokemoto® trademarks, its confidential operating manual and other
intellectual property in connection with the operation of a Muscle Maker Grill or Pokemoto restaurant at a location authorized by
us.
●
Franchisees
are protected from the establishment of another Muscle Maker Grill or Pokemoto restaurant within a geographic territory, the scope
of which is the subject of negotiation between Muscle Maker Development LLC or Poke Co Holdings LLC and the franchisee.
●
Franchisees
are required to offer only those food products that are authorized by Muscle Maker Development LLC or Poke Co Holdings LLC, prepared
using our proprietary recipes; and may obtain most supplies only from suppliers that are approved or designated by Muscle Maker Development
LLC or Poke Co Holdings LLC. Muscle Maker, Inc or Poke Co Holdings LLC receives rebates from various vendors or distributors based
on total system wide purchases.
●
As
partial consideration for payment of the initial franchise fee and on-going royalties, Muscle Maker Development LLC or Poke Co Holdings
LLC loans its franchisees a copy of its confidential operating manual, administers the advertising/brand development fund, and provides
franchisees with pre-opening and on-going assistance including site selection assistance, pre-opening training, and in-term training.
Multi-Unit
Development Agreements: Franchisees who desire to develop more than one restaurant and who have the financial strength and managerial
capability to develop more than one restaurant may enter into a multi-unit development agreement. Under a multi-unit development agreement,
the franchisee agrees to open a specified number of restaurants, at least two, within a defined geographic area in accordance with an
agreed upon development schedule which could span several months or years. Each restaurant, in accordance with the development schedule,
requires the execution of a separate franchise agreement prior to site approval and construction, which in most cases will be the then
current franchise agreement, except that the initial franchise fee, royalty and advertising expenditures will be those in effect at the
time the multi-unit agreement is executed. Multi-unit development agreements require the payment of a development fee ranging from $20,000
to $35,000 for the first restaurant plus ranging from $10,000 to $17,500 multiplied by the number of additional restaurants that must
be opened under such development agreement. The entire development fee is payable at the time the multi-unit development agreement is
signed; however, the development fee actually paid for a particular restaurant is credited as a deposit against the initial franchise
fee that is payable when the franchise agreement for the particular franchise is signed.
10
Area
Representative Agreements: Pursuant to our area representative agreements, the area representatives will identify and refer prospective
franchisee candidates to us, provide franchisees with our site selection criteria and assist franchisees to complete a site review package,
and will advise franchisees concerning our standards and specifications, perform on-going training as required and make quarterly on-site
visits and inspections, but we retain control of all decision-making authority relative to the franchisees, including franchisee approval,
site location approval and determination whether franchisees are in compliance with their franchise agreements.
Area
representative agreements are generally for a term ranging from 10 to 20 years, in consideration for which we generally compensate area
representatives with a range of 1% to 2% of net sales of the franchises that are under the area representative for the term of the agreement
as well as up to 50% of the initial franchise fees for new franchise agreements.
Our
Marketing and Advertising
We
promote our restaurants and products through multiple advertising campaigns. The campaigns aim to deliver our message of fresh and healthy-inspired
product offerings. The campaign emphasizes our points of differentiation, from our fresh ingredients and in-house preparation, to the
preparation of our healthy inspired meals.
We
use multiple marketing channels, including social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, email, text marketing, local store marketing,
public relations/press releases and other methods to broadly drive brand awareness and purchases of our featured products. We complement
this periodically with direct mail.
Our
Purchasing and Distribution
Maintaining
a high degree of quality in our restaurants depends in part on our ability to acquire fresh ingredients and other necessary supplies
that meet our specifications from reliable suppliers. Food and supplies are delivered to most of our restaurants one to two times per
week. Our franchisees are required to use our primary distributors, or an approved regional distributor and franchisees must purchase
food and supplies from approved suppliers. In our normal course of business, we evaluate bids from multiple suppliers for various products.
Fluctuations in supply and prices can significantly impact our restaurant service and profit performance.
Our
Intellectual Property
We
have registered Pokemoto®, SuperFit Foods®, Muscle Maker Grill®, Meal Plan AF®, MMG Burger Bar® and
certain other names used by our restaurants as trademarks or service marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Muscle
Maker Grill® in one foreign country. Our brand campaign, Great Food with Your Health in Mind™, has also been approved for
registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In addition, the Muscle Maker Grill, Pokemoto and SuperFit Foods logos,
recipes, trade dress, packaging, website name and address and Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media and internet accounts
are our intellectual property. Our policy is to pursue and maintain registration of service marks and trademarks in those countries where
business strategy requires us to do so and to oppose vigorously any infringement or dilution of the service marks or trademarks in such
countries. We maintain the recipe for our healthy inspired recipes, as well as certain proprietary standards, specifications and operating
procedures, as trade secrets or confidential proprietary information.
11
Our
Competition
We
operate in the restaurant industry, which is highly competitive and fragmented. The number, size and strength of competitors vary by
region. Our competition includes a variety of locally owned restaurants and national and regional chains that offer dine-in, carry-out
and delivery services as well as meal prep companies. Our competition in the broadest perspective includes restaurants, pizza parlors,
convenience food stores, delicatessens, supermarkets, third party delivery services, direct to consumer meal prep and club stores. However,
we indirectly compete with fast casual restaurants, including Chipotle and Panera Bread, among others, and with healthy inspired fast
casual restaurants, such as Pokeworks, Freshii and Veggie Grill as well as direct-to-consumer meal prep such as Freshly, among
others.
We
believe competition within the fast-casual restaurant and meal prep segments is based primarily on ambience, price, taste, quality and
the freshness of the menu items. We also believe that QSR competition is based primarily on quality, taste, speed of service, value,
brand recognition, restaurant location and customer service. We believe the restaurant industry has changed over the past few years due
to the Covid-19 pandemic and an emphasis on delivery, ghost kitchens, direct mail and other non-traditional locations and methods are
becoming critical, along with healthy menu options, to the restaurant industry and how consumers interact with brands. This changing
environment will require flexibility and the ability to rapidly make adjustments.
As
consumer preferences continue to evolve into healthier eating options, most restaurants are developing healthier menu options. As more
restaurants offer healthier options, the competition for our product offerings becomes more intense and could pose a significant threat
to future revenues. However, we believe our experience, size and flexibility allows Muscle Maker, Inc’s portfolio of Companies
to adapt faster than many other restaurant concepts.
Our
Management Information Systems
All
of our Company-operated and franchised restaurants use computerized point-of-sale and back-office systems, which we believe are
scalable to support our long-term growth plans. The point-of-sale system provides a touch screen interface and a stand-alone high-speed
credit card and gift card processing terminal. The point-of-sale system is used to collect daily transaction data, which generates information
about daily sales and product mix that we actively analyze. Our SuperFit Foods division sales are 100% online through the Superfitfoods.com
website.
Our
in-restaurant back-office computer system is designed to assist in the management of our restaurants. The system also provides
corporate headquarters and restaurant operations management quick access to detailed business data and reduces the time spent by our
restaurant managers on administrative needs. The system also provides sales, bank deposit and variance data to our accounting department.
Third
party delivery and meal prep/plan sales are ordered using online software or apps with reports generated through various software packages.
Our
Corporate Structure
Overview:
Muscle Maker, Inc. serves as a holding company of the following subsidiaries:
●
Muscle
Maker Development, LLC, a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Nevada on July 18, 2019 for the purpose of running
our existing franchise operations and continuing to franchise the Muscle Maker Grill name and business system to qualified franchisees.
●
Muscle
Maker Corp. LLC, a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Nevada on July 18, 2019 for the purposes of developing new
corporate stores and to also operate these new and existing corporate restaurants.
○
MMG
Ft. Bliss, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Texas on January 28, 2016 to run a Company-owned restaurant.
○
MMG
Tribeca, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in New Jersey on July 21, 2026 to run a Company-owned restaurant.
12
●
Muscle
Maker USA, Inc., a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Texas on March 14, 2019 for the purpose of holding specific
assets related to a company financing arrangement.
●
Muscle
Maker Development International. LLC, a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Nevada on November 13, 2020 to franchise
the Muscle Maker Grill name and business system to qualified franchisees internationally.
●
SuperFit
Foods, LLC, a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Nevada on February 23, 2021 for the purpose of running our subscription
based fresh-prepared meal prep business located in Jacksonville, Florida.
●
TNB
Holdings LLC, a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Connecticut for the purpose of running our existing Company-owned
location.
○
Pokemoto
LLC, a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Nevada on August 19, 2021 to serve as a holding company of the following
subsidiaries.
●
TNB
Holdings II LLC, a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Connecticut for the purpose of running our existing Company-owned
location.
●
LB
Holdings LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Connecticut for the purpose of running our existing Company-owned location.
●
GLL
Enterprises LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Connecticut for the purpose of running our existing Company-owned
location.
●
PKM
Stamford LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Connecticut for the purpose of running our existing Company-owned location.
●
Poke
Co LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Connecticut for the purpose of running our existing Company-owned location.
●
Poke
Co Holdings LLC, a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was formed in Connecticut on July 18, 2018 to franchise the Pokemoto name
and business system to qualified franchisees.
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
You
should carefully review the risks described below as they identify important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially
from our forward-looking statements, expectations and historical trends. Any of the following risk factors, either by itself or together
with other risk factors, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and/or financial condition.
Risks
Related to Our Business and Industry
The
novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic has had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Developments
related to COVID-19, which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, have adversely impacted, and
may continue to adversely impact our business and results of operations. The impacts of COVID-19 have included the loss of revenues due
to store closures, reduced store-level operations, full or partial dining room closures and other restrictions on our business and operations.
During 2021, the overall adverse impact of COVID-19 on our operations was less significant than in 2020, but we continued to see negative
impacts as of the end of 2021 due to COVID-19 outbreaks and resulting government restrictions limiting mobility, difficulty in hiring
employees, availability of key ingredients and inflationary pressures across multiple parts of our business.
Conversely,
for our restaurants that prominently feature carryout and delivery options, the pandemic has in many cases contributed to an increase
in sales since the onset of the pandemic. If the impact of the pandemic continues to recede and the restaurant industry in general returns
to more normal operations, the benefits to sales experienced by certain of our restaurants could wane and our results could be negatively
impacted.
13
We
and our franchisees have made operational changes intended to safeguard employees and customers in response to COVID-19. These operational
changes have increased and may continue to increase restaurant operating costs and impact restaurant-level margins and return on invested
capital. Our and our franchisees’ restaurants have also experienced, and may continue to experience, interruptions of food and
other supplies as well as labor shortages. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has required and may continue to require us to implement
certain precautionary measures, such as in relation to vaccinations, testing and face coverings, which could adversely impact our operations,
employee retention and satisfaction, and the willingness of customers to visit our restaurants.
Our
success is heavily reliant on our Concepts’ franchisees, and the COVID-19 pandemic has caused and may continue to cause financial
distress for certain franchisees, particularly those located in areas most significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result
of this distress, certain of our franchisees have been unable to, or in the future may be unable to, meet their financial obligations
to us as they come due, including the payment of royalties, or other amounts due to the Company. Additionally, certain of our franchisees
have been unable to, or in the future may be unable to make payments to landlords, distributors and key suppliers, as well as payments
to service any debt they may have outstanding. Franchisee financial distress has also led to, and may continue to lead to, permanent
store closures and delayed or reduced new franchisee development, which may further harm our results and liquidity.
We
are unable to fully predict the impact that COVID-19 will have on our and our franchisees’ operations going forward due to various
uncertainties, including the severity and duration of the pandemic, the timing, availability acceptance and effectiveness of
medical treatments and vaccines, the spread of potentially more contagious and/or virulent forms of COVID-19, including variants that
may be more resistant to currently available vaccines and treatments, the extent to which COVID-19 may cause customers to continue to
be reluctant to return to in-restaurant dining or otherwise change their consumption patterns (including after the COVID-19 pandemic
has ended), actions that may be taken by governmental authorities, and the extent to which ongoing governmental restrictions in certain
regions will be lifted, and the ongoing impact of the pandemic on economic conditions in the U.S. and globally. Moreover, if conditions
related to the COVID-19 pandemic result in significant disruptions to capital and financial markets, or negatively impact our credit
ratings, our cost of borrowing, our ability to access capital on favorable terms and our overall liquidity and capital structure could
be adversely impacted.
Inflationary
pressures across all services, equipment, commodities, labor, rent and other areas of the business may cause a negative impact on our
financial results if the Company is not able to pass these increased costs in the form of price increases to consumers or find alternative
options to reduce costs.
The
global supply chain is currently experiencing extensive inflationary pressures across most segments of the economy. While these increases
may be temporary, we may have to implement price increases in order to maintain acceptable margins. We have no ability to predict how
long these increased costs will last and if consumers will be able or willing to accept retail price increases, decreased portion sizes,
alternative ingredients or other measures to offset the overall rise in our cost structure. Without being able to pass along these increases
in costs to consumers, the Company may experience a negative impact on our margins.
We
may need additional capital to fund our operations, which, if obtained, could result in substantial dilution or significant debt service
obligations. We may not be able to obtain additional capital on commercially reasonable terms, which could adversely affect our liquidity
and financial position.
In
order to continue operating, we may need to obtain additional financing, either through borrowings, private placements, public offerings,
or some type of business combination, such as a merger, or buyout, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in such pursuits.
We may be unable to acquire the additional funding necessary to continue operating. Accordingly, if we are unable to generate adequate
cash from operations, and if we are unable to find sources of funding, it may be necessary for us to sell one or more lines of business
or all or a portion of our assets, enter into a business combination, or reduce or eliminate operations. These possibilities, to the
extent available, may be on terms that result in significant dilution to our shareholders or that result in our shareholders losing all
of their investment in our Company.
14
If
we need to raise additional capital, we do not know what the terms of any such capital raising would be. In addition, any future sale
of our equity securities could dilute the ownership and control of your shares and could be at prices substantially below prices at which
our shares currently trade. We may seek to increase our cash reserves through the sale of additional equity or debt securities. The sale
of convertible debt securities or additional equity securities could result in additional and potentially substantial dilution to our
shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing
covenants that would restrict our operations and liquidity. In addition, our ability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms
is subject to a variety of uncertainties. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to
us, if at all. Any failure to raise additional funds on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial
condition.
We
face intense competition in our markets, which could negatively impact our business.
The
restaurant industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with many well-established food service companies on the basis of product
choice, quality, affordability, service and location. We expect competition in each of our markets to continue to be intense because
consumer trends are favoring limited-service restaurants that offer healthy-inspired menu items made with better quality products, and
many limited-service restaurants are responding to these trends. With few barriers to entry, our competitors include a variety
of independent local operators, in addition to well-capitalized regional, national and international restaurant chains, meal prep and
franchises, and new competitors may emerge at any time. Furthermore, delivery aggregators and food delivery services provide consumers
with convenient access to a broad range of competing restaurant chains and food retailers, particularly in urbanized areas. Each of our
brands also competes for qualified franchisees, suitable restaurant locations and management and personnel. Our ability to compete will
depend on the success of our plans to improve existing products, to develop and roll-out new products, to effectively respond to consumer
preferences and to manage the complexity of restaurant operations as well as the impact of our competitors’ actions. In addition,
our long-term success will depend on our ability to strengthen our customers’ digital experience through expanded mobile ordering,
delivery and social interaction. Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial resources, higher revenues and greater
economies of scale than we do. These advantages may allow them to implement their operational strategies more quickly or effectively
than we can or benefit from changes in technologies, which could harm our competitive position. These competitive advantages may be exacerbated
in a difficult economy, thereby permitting our competitors to gain market share. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully
respond to changing consumer preferences, including with respect to new technologies and alternative methods of delivery. If we are unable
to maintain our competitive position, we could experience lower demand for products, downward pressure on prices, reduced margins, an
inability to take advantage of new business opportunities, a loss of market share, reduced franchisee profitability and an inability
to attract qualified franchisees in the future. Any of these competitive factors may materially adversely affect our business, financial
condition or results of operations.
There
are risks associated with our increasing dependence on digital commerce platforms to maintain and grow sales.
Customers
are increasingly using e-commerce websites, apps and apps owned by third-party delivery aggregators and third-party mobile payment processors,
to order and pay for our concepts’ products. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in the use of third-party
delivery services by our concepts. Many restaurants in each of our concepts now offer consumers the ability to have the concept’s
food delivered through third-party delivery services. As a result, our concepts and our concepts’ franchisees are increasingly
reliant on digital ordering and payment as a sales channel and our business could be negatively impacted if we are unable to successfully
implement, execute or maintain our consumer-facing initiatives. If the third-party apps or aggregators that we utilize for delivery,
cease or curtail their operations, fail to maintain sufficient labor force to satisfy demand, materially change fees, access or visibility
to our products or give greater priority or promotions on their platforms to our competitors, our business may be negatively impacted.
These digital ordering and payment platforms also could be damaged or interrupted by power loss, technological failures, user errors,
cyber-attacks, other forms of sabotage, inclement weather or natural disasters. The digital ordering platforms relied upon by our concepts
have experienced interruptions and could experience further interruptions, which could limit or delay customers’ ability to order
through such platforms or make customers less inclined to return to such platforms.
15
It
is difficult for us to anticipate the level of sales from digital platforms may generate. That may result in operational challenges,
both in fulfilling orders made through these channels and in operating our restaurants as we balance fulfillment of these orders with
service of our traditional in-restaurant guests as well. Any such operational challenges may negatively impact the customer experience
associated with our digital or delivery orders, the guest experience for our traditional in-restaurant business, or both. These factors
may adversely impact our sales and our brand reputation. Our SuperFit Foods division relies 100% on web-based ordering through
the superfitfoods.com website.
We
are vulnerable to changes in consumer preferences and economic conditions that could harm our business, financial condition, results
of operations and cash flow.
Food
service businesses depend on consumer discretionary spending and are often affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional
and local economic conditions and demographic trends. Factors such as traffic patterns, weather, fuel prices, local demographics, location
closures specific to our military and university locations and the type, number and locations of competing restaurants may adversely
affect the performances of individual locations. In addition, economic downturns, wage rates, health insurance costs, third-party delivery
services and fees, supplies of key ingredients especially tuna and salmon at our Pokemoto division or chicken at our Muscle Maker Grill locations, inflation or increased food or energy costs could harm the restaurant industry in general and our locations in
particular. Adverse changes in any of these factors could reduce consumer traffic or impose practical limits on pricing that could harm
our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. There can be no assurance that consumers will continue to regard
healthy-inspired fast food favorably or that we will be able to develop new menu items that appeal to consumer preferences. Our business,
financial condition and results of operations depend in part on our ability to anticipate, identify and respond to changing consumer
preferences and economic conditions. In addition, the restaurant industry is currently under heightened legal and legislative scrutiny
related to menu labeling and resulting from the perception that the practices of restaurant companies have contributed to nutritional,
caloric intake, obesity or other health concerns of their guests. If we are unable to adapt to changes in consumer preferences and trends,
we may lose customers and our revenues may decline or our costs to produce our products could significantly increase.
Our
growth strategy depends in part on opening new restaurants in existing and new markets and expanding our franchise system, especially
in our Pokemoto division. We may be unsuccessful in opening new Company-operated or franchised restaurants or establishing new markets,
which could adversely affect our growth .
One
of the key means to achieving our growth strategy will be through opening new restaurants to seed the market and selling franchises.
Our ability to open new restaurants and sell franchises is dependent upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control,
including our and our franchisees’ ability to:
●
identify
available and suitable restaurant sites;
●
compete
for restaurant sites;
●
reach
acceptable agreements regarding the lease or purchase of locations;
●
obtain
or have available the financing required to acquire and operate a restaurant, including construction and opening costs, which includes
access to build-to-suit leases and equipment financing leases at favorable interest and capitalization rates;
●
respond
to unforeseen engineering or environmental problems with leased premises;
●
avoid
the impact of inclement weather, natural disasters, the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other calamities;
●
hire,
train and retain the skilled management and other employees necessary to meet staffing needs;
●
obtain,
in a timely manner and for an acceptable cost, required licenses, permits and regulatory approvals and respond effectively to any
changes in local, state or federal law and regulations that adversely affect our and our franchisees’ costs or ability to open
new restaurants; and
●
control
construction and equipment cost increases for new restaurants.
There
is no guarantee that a sufficient number of suitable restaurant sites will be available in desirable areas or on terms that are acceptable
to us in order to achieve our growth plan. If we are unable to open new restaurants or sign new franchisees, or if existing franchisees
do not open new restaurants, or if restaurant openings are significantly delayed, our revenues or earnings growth could be adversely
affected, and our business negatively affected.
16
As
part of our long-term growth strategy, we may enter into geographic markets in which we have little or no prior operating or franchising
experience through Company-operated restaurant growth and through franchise development agreements. The challenges of entering new markets
include, but are not limited to: difficulties in hiring experienced personnel; unfamiliarity with local real estate markets and demographics;
food distribution networks; lack of marketing efficiencies; operational support efficiencies; consumer unfamiliarity with our brand;
and different competitive and economic conditions, consumer tastes and discretionary spending patterns that are more difficult to predict
or satisfy than in our existing markets. Consumer recognition of our brand has been important to Company-operated and franchised restaurants
in our existing markets. Restaurants we open in new markets may take longer to reach expected sales and profit levels on a consistent
basis and may have higher construction, occupancy and operating costs than existing restaurants, thereby affecting our overall profitability.
Any failure on our part to recognize or respond to these challenges may adversely affect the success of any new restaurants. Expanding
our franchise system could require the implementation, expense and successful management of enhanced business support systems, management
information systems and financial controls as well as additional staffing, franchise support and capital expenditures and working capital.
Due
to brand recognition and logistical synergies, as part of our growth strategy, we also intend to open new restaurants in areas where
we have existing restaurants. The operating results and comparable restaurant sales for our restaurants could be adversely affected due
to close proximity with our other restaurants and market saturation.
New
restaurants, once opened, may not be profitable or may close.
Some
of our restaurants open with an initial start-up period of higher-than-normal sales volumes, which subsequently decrease to stabilized
levels. In new markets, the length of time before average sales for new restaurants to stabilize is less predictable and can be longer
as a result of our limited knowledge of these markets and consumers’ limited awareness of our brand. In addition, our average restaurant
revenues and comparable restaurant sales may not increase at the rates achieved over the past several years. Our ability to operate new
restaurants profitably and increase average restaurant revenues and comparable restaurant sales will depend on many factors, some of
which are beyond our control, including:
●
consumer
awareness and understanding of our brand;
●
troop
deployments, reductions or closures of our military base locations;
●
closures
of our university locations;
●
supplies,
equipment, commodity and other resource availability;
●
general
economic conditions, which can affect restaurant traffic, local labor costs and prices we pay for the food products and other supplies
we use;
●
consumption
patterns and food preferences that may differ from region to region;
●
changes
in consumer preferences and discretionary spending;
●
difficulties
obtaining or maintaining adequate relationships with distributors or suppliers in new markets;
●
increases
in prices for commodities, including proteins;
●
inefficiency
in our labor costs as the staff gains experience;
●
competition,
either from our competitors in the restaurant industry or our own restaurants;
●
temporary
and permanent site characteristics of new restaurants;
●
changes
in government regulation; and
●
other
unanticipated increases in costs, any of which could give rise to delays or cost overruns.
If
our new restaurants do not perform as planned or close, our business and future prospects could be harmed. In addition, an inability
to achieve our expected average restaurant revenues in both Company-owned and franchise locations, would have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
17
Opening
new restaurants in existing markets may negatively impact sales at our and our franchisees’ existing restaurants.
The
consumer target area of our and our franchisees’ restaurants varies by location, depending on a number of factors, including population
density, other local retail and business attractions, area demographics and geography. As a result, the opening of a new restaurant in
or near markets in which we or our franchisees’ already have restaurants could adversely impact sales at these existing restaurants.
Existing restaurants could also make it more difficult to build our and our franchisees’ consumer base for a new restaurant in
the same market. Our core business strategy does not entail opening new restaurants that we believe will materially affect sales at our
or our franchisees’ existing restaurants. However, we cannot guarantee there will not be a significant impact in some cases, and
we may selectively open new restaurants in and around areas of existing restaurants that are operating at or near capacity to effectively
serve our customers. Sales cannibalization between our restaurants may become significant in the future as we continue to expand our
operations and could affect our sales growth, which could, in turn, materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
Our
sales growth and ability to achieve profitability could be adversely affected if comparable restaurant sales are less than we expect.
The
level of comparable restaurant sales, which reflect the change in year-over-year sales for restaurants in the fiscal month following
15 months of operation using a mid-month convention, will affect our sales growth and will continue to be a critical factor affecting
our ability to generate profits because the profit margin on comparable restaurant sales is generally higher than the profit margin on
new restaurant sales. While we have not experienced negative comparable same store sales during 2021, we will continue to develop
new sales and marketing efforts including new menu strategy/evolution, new marketing initiatives designed to increase brand awareness,
new operating platforms which improve speed of service and other tactics with the goal of providing positive same store sales in future
years. Our ability to increase comparable restaurant sales depends in part on our ability to successfully implement these initiatives.
It is possible such initiatives will not be successful, that we will not achieve our target comparable restaurant sales growth or that
the change in comparable restaurant sales could be negative, which may cause a decrease in sales growth and ability to achieve profitability
that would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our
marketing programs may not be successful, and our new menu items, advertising campaigns and restaurant designs or remodels may not generate
increased sales or profits.
We
incur costs and expend other resources in our marketing efforts on new menu items, advertising campaigns and restaurant designs and remodels
to raise brand awareness and attract and retain customers. These initiatives may not be successful, resulting in expenses incurred without
the benefit of higher revenues. Additionally, some of our competitors have greater financial resources, which enable them to spend significantly
more on marketing and advertising and other initiatives than we are able to. Should our competitors increase spending on marketing and
advertising and other initiatives or our marketing funds decrease for any reason, or should our advertising, promotions, new menu items
and restaurant designs and remodels be less effective than our competitors, there could be a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition. Our SuperFit Foods division relies heavily on web based, social media and local marketing to generate
new clients. The meal prep industry has a high cost of customer acquisition and our marketing efforts may not prove to be successful
in generating new clients.
Failure
to receive timely deliveries of food or other supplies could result in a loss of revenues and materially and adversely impact our operations.
Our
Company-operated restaurants and franchisees’ ability to maintain consistent quality menu items and prices significantly depends
upon our ability to acquire quality food products from reliable sources in accordance with our specifications on a timely basis. Shortages
or interruptions in the supply of food products caused by unanticipated demand, worker shortages, inflation, problems in production or
distribution, contamination of food products, an outbreak of protein-based diseases, inclement weather, fuel supplies, governmental actions
or other conditions could materially adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of ingredients, which would adversely affect
our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We have contracts with a limited number of suppliers, and, in
some cases, a sole supplier, for certain products, supplies and ingredients. If that distributor or any supplier fails to perform as
anticipated or seeks to terminate agreements with us, or if there is any disruption in any of our supply or distribution relationships
for any reason, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. If we
or our franchisees temporarily close a restaurant or remove popular items from a restaurant’s menu due to a supply shortage, that
restaurant may experience a significant reduction in revenues during the time affected by the shortage and thereafter if our customers
change their dining habits as a result.
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Changes
in food and supply costs or failure to receive frequent deliveries of food ingredients and other supplies could have an adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Although
we are currently generating a net loss, our future profitability, if any, depends in part on our ability to anticipate and react
to changes in food and supply costs, and our ability to maintain our menu depends in part on our ability to acquire ingredients that
meet specifications from reliable suppliers. Shortages or interruptions in the availability of certain supplies caused by unanticipated
demand, problems in production or distribution, food contamination, pandemics such as the COVID 19, inclement weather, world
conflicts or other conditions could adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of our ingredients, which could harm our
operations. Any increase in the prices of the food products most critical to our menu, such as chicken, seafood, beef, fresh produce,
dairy products, packaging and other proteins, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Although we try to manage
the impact that these fluctuations have on our operating results, we remain susceptible to increases in food and packaging costs as a
result of factors beyond our control, such as general economic conditions, seasonal fluctuations, weather conditions, inflation, demand,
food safety concerns, generalized infectious diseases, product recalls, fuel prices and other government regulations. Therefore, material
increases in the prices of the ingredients most critical to our menu could adversely affect our operating results or cause us to consider
changes to our product delivery strategy and adjustments to our menu pricing.
If
any of our distributors or suppliers perform inadequately, or our distribution or supply relationships are disrupted for any reason,
there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Although we often
enter into contracts for the purchase of food products and supplies, we do not have long-term contracts for the purchase of all such
food products and supplies. As a result, we may not be able to anticipate or react to changing food costs by adjusting our purchasing
practices or menu prices, which could cause our operating results to deteriorate. If we cannot replace or engage distributors or suppliers
who meet our specifications in a short period of time, that could increase our expenses and cause shortages of food and other items at
our restaurants, which could cause a restaurant to remove items from its menu. If that were to happen, affected restaurants could experience
significant reductions in sales during the shortage or thereafter, if customers change their dining habits as a result. In addition,
although we provide modestly priced food, we may choose not to, or may be unable to, pass along commodity price increases to consumers,
including price increases with respect to ground beef, chicken, seafood, produce, dairy, packaging or other commodities. These potential
changes in food and supply costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure
to manage our growth effectively could harm our business and operating results.
Our
growth plan includes opening a significant number of new restaurants, both franchised and Company-owned. Our existing restaurant management
systems, financial and management controls and information systems may be inadequate to support our planned expansion. Managing our growth
effectively will require us to continue to enhance these systems, procedures and controls and to hire, train and retain managers and
team members. We may not respond quickly enough to the changing demands that our expansion will impose on our management, restaurant
teams and existing infrastructure, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The
planned rapid increase in the number of our restaurants may make our future results unpredictable.
We
intend to continue to increase the number of our Company-owned and franchised restaurants in the next several years, especially in the
Pokemoto division. This growth strategy and the substantial investment associated with the development of each new restaurant may cause
our operating results to fluctuate unpredictably or have an adverse effect on our profits. In addition, we may find that our restaurant
concept has limited appeal in new markets or we may experience a decline in the popularity of our restaurant concept in the markets in
which we operate. Newly opened restaurants or our future markets and restaurants may not be successful or our system-wide average restaurant
revenue may not increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
19
The
financial performance of our franchisees can negatively impact our business as we rely on an aggressive unit sales strategy.
Our
revenue projections consist of both Company-operated and franchised locations. Our growth plans call for an aggressive approach to Pokemoto
franchise unit level sales and subsequent openings. As approximately 48% of our restaurants are franchised as of December 31, 2021, our
financial results are dependent in significant part upon the operational and financial success of our franchisees. In the event we cannot
meet these forecasts due to the inability to sell franchise locations in certain states, are prevented from selling franchises due to
historical performance, government regulations, licensing, state registrations, or other factors, we will have a material negative impact
on future revenues. Our revenue model and cash flows rely heavily on initial franchise fees, ongoing 2% - 6% royalties of total net sales
and vendor rebates on total purchases and services from franchised locations. A significant reduction in the total number of units sold
and subsequently opened would have a material adverse effect on future revenues. We also collect rebates from some vendors supplying
franchisees for food purchases, services and materials. We have established operational standards and guidelines for our franchisees;
however, we have limited control over how our franchisees’ businesses are run. While we are responsible for the anticipated success
of our entire system of restaurants and for taking a longer-term view with respect to system improvements, our franchisees have individual
business strategies and objectives, which might conflict with our interests. Our franchisees may not be able to secure adequate financing
to open or continue operating their Muscle Maker Grill or Pokemoto restaurants. If they incur too much debt or if economic or sales trends
deteriorate such that they are unable to repay existing debt, our franchisees could experience financial distress or even bankruptcy.
If a significant number of franchisees become financially distressed, it could harm our operating results through reduced royalty revenues
and the impact on our profitability could be greater than the percentage decrease in the royalty revenues. Closure of franchised restaurants
would reduce our royalty revenues and other sources of income and could negatively impact margins, since we may not be able to reduce
fixed costs which we continue to incur.
The
interests of our franchisees may conflict with ours or yours in the future and we could face liability from our franchisees or related
to our relationship with our franchisees.
Franchisees,
as independent business operators, may from time to time disagree with us and our strategies regarding the business or our interpretation
of our respective rights and obligations under the franchise agreement and the terms and conditions of the franchisee/franchisor relationship.
This may lead to disputes with our franchisees and we expect such disputes to occur from time to time in the future as we continue to
offer franchises. Such disputes may result in legal action against us. To the extent we have such disputes, the attention, time and financial
resources of our management and our franchisees will be diverted from our restaurants, which could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows even if we have a successful outcome in the dispute.
In
addition, various state and federal laws govern our relationship with our franchisees and our potential sale of a franchise. A franchisee
and/or a government agency may bring legal action against us based on the franchisee/franchisor relationships that could result in the
award of damages to franchisees and/or the imposition of fines or other penalties against us.
We
have limited control with respect to the operations of our franchisees, which could have a negative impact on our business.
Franchisees
are independent business operators and are not our employees, and we do not exercise control over the day-to-day operations of their
restaurants. We provide training and support to franchisees, and set and monitor operational standards, but the quality of franchised
restaurants may be diminished by any number of factors beyond our control. Consequently, franchisees may not successfully operate restaurants
in a manner consistent with our standards and requirements or may not hire and train qualified managers and other restaurant personnel.
If franchisees do not operate to our expectations, our image and reputation, and the image and reputation of other franchisees, may suffer
materially and system-wide sales could decline significantly, which would reduce our royalty and other revenues, and the impact on profitability
could be greater than the percentage decrease in royalties and fees.
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The
challenging economic environment may affect our franchisees, with adverse consequences to us.
We
rely in part on our franchisees and the manner in which they operate their locations to develop and promote our business. Due to the
continuing challenging economic environment, it is possible that some franchisees could file for bankruptcy or become delinquent in their
payments to us, which could have a significant adverse impact on our business due to loss or delay in payments of royalties, elimination
of vendor rebates on franchisee purchases, contributions to our marketing development fund and brand development/advertising funds and
other fees. Bankruptcies by our franchisees could prevent us from terminating their franchise agreements so that we can offer their territories
to other franchisees, negatively impact our market share and operating results as we may have fewer well-performing restaurants, and
adversely impact our ability to attract new franchisees.
We
cannot be certain that the developers and franchisees we select will have the business acumen or financial resources necessary to open
and operate successful franchises in their franchise areas, and state franchise laws may limit our ability to terminate or modify these
franchise arrangements. Moreover, franchisees may not successfully operate restaurants in a manner consistent with our standards and
requirements or may not hire and train qualified managers and other restaurant personnel. The failure of developers and franchisees to
open and operate franchises successfully could have a material adverse effect on us, our reputation, our brand and our ability to attract
prospective franchisees and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Franchisees
may not have access to the financial or management resources that they need to open the restaurants contemplated by their agreements
with us or be able to find suitable sites on which to develop them. Franchisees may not be able to negotiate an acceptable lease or purchase
terms for restaurant sites, obtain the necessary permits and government approvals or meet construction schedules. Any of these problems
could slow our growth and reduce our franchise revenues. Additionally, our franchisees typically depend on financing from banks and other
financial institutions, which may not always be available to them, in order to construct and open new restaurants. For these reasons,
franchisees operating under development agreements may not be able to meet the new restaurant opening dates required under those agreements.
Our
system-wide restaurant base is geographically concentrated in the Northeastern United States for Muscle Maker Grill and Pokemoto Restaurants
and Jacksonville, Florida for SuperFit Foods, and we could be negatively affected by conditions specific to that region.
Our
Company-operated and franchised restaurants in the Northeastern United States represent approximately 54% of our system-wide restaurants
as of December 31, 2021. Our Company-operated and franchised restaurants in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and other New England states
represent approximately 41% of our system-wide restaurants as of December 31, 2021. Adverse changes in demographic, unemployment, economic,
regulatory or weather conditions in the Northeastern United States have had, and may continue to have, material adverse effects on our
business. As a result of our concentration in these markets, we have been, and in the future may be, disproportionately affected
by these adverse conditions compared to other chain restaurants with a national footprint.
In
addition, our competitors could open additional restaurants in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and other New England states where we
have significant concentration with 20 of our system restaurants, which could result in reduced market share for us and may adversely
impact our profitability.
Furthermore,
our SuperFit Foods division is solely located in Jacksonville, Florida. Adverse changes in demographic, unemployment, economic, regulatory
or weather conditions in the Jacksonville, Florida market have had, and may continue to have, material adverse effects on our business.
In addition, because all of our SuperFit Foods revenue comes solely from the Jacksonville, Florida market, we could be materially affected
by a major meal prep competitor being introduced to the market. As a result of our concentration in this market for SuperFit Foods, we
have been, and in the future may be, disproportionately affected by these adverse conditions compared to other meal prep or companies
with a national footprint.
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Negative
publicity could reduce sales at some or all of our restaurants.
We
may, from time to time, be faced with negative publicity relating to food quality, the safety, sanitation and welfare of our restaurant
facilities, customer complaints or litigation alleging illness or injury, health inspection scores, integrity of our or our suppliers’
food processing and other policies, practices and procedures, employee relationships and welfare or other matters at one or more of our
restaurants. Negative publicity may adversely affect us, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are held to be
responsible. In addition, the negative impact of adverse publicity relating to one restaurant may extend far beyond the restaurant involved,
especially due to the high geographic concentration of many of our restaurants, to affect some or all of our other restaurants, including
our franchised restaurants. The risk of negative publicity is particularly great with respect to our franchised restaurants because we
are limited in the manner in which we can regulate them, especially on a real-time basis and negative publicity from our franchised restaurants
may also significantly impact Company-operated restaurants. A similar risk exists with respect to food service businesses unrelated to
us, if customers mistakenly associate such unrelated businesses with our operations. Employee claims against us based on, among other
things, wage and hour violations, discrimination, harassment or wrongful termination may also create not only legal and financial liability
but negative publicity that could adversely affect us and divert our financial and management resources that would otherwise be used
to benefit the future performance of our operations. These types of employee claims could also be asserted against us, on a co-employer
theory, by employees of our franchisees. A significant increase in the number of these claims or an increase in the number of successful
claims could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Food
safety and quality concerns may negatively impact our business and profitability, our internal operational controls and standards may
not always be met and our employees may not always act professionally, responsibly and in our and our customers’ best interests.
Any possible instances of food-borne illness could reduce our restaurant sales.
Food-borne
illnesses, such as E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Cyclospora and Trichinosis, and food safety issues, such as food tampering, contamination
(including with respect to allergens) and adulteration or food- or beverage-borne illness, occur or may occur within our system from
time to time. Furthermore, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are now stricter health regulations and guidelines and increased public
concern over food safety standards and controls. Any report or publicity linking us or one of our Concepts’ restaurants, or linking
our competitors or the retail food industry generally, to instances of food- or beverage-borne illness or food safety issues, could adversely
affect us and possibly lead to product liability claims, litigation, governmental investigations or actions, and damages. Moreover, the
reliance of our concepts’ restaurants on third-party food suppliers and distributors and increasing reliance on food delivery aggregators
increases the risk that food or beverage-borne illness incidents and food safety issues could be caused by factors outside of our direct
control. If a customer of one of our Concepts’ restaurants becomes ill from food or beverage-borne illnesses or as a result of
food safety issues, restaurants in our system may be temporarily closed, which could disrupt our operations and materially and adversely
affect our business. In addition, instances or allegations of food or beverage-borne illness or food safety issues, real or perceived,
involving our restaurants, restaurants of competitors, or our suppliers or distributors (regardless of whether we use or have used those
suppliers or distributors), or otherwise involving the types of food served at our restaurants, could result in negative publicity that
could adversely affect either our or our concepts’ franchisees’ revenues and profits. The occurrence of food or beverage-borne
illnesses or food safety issues could also adversely affect the price and availability of affected ingredients, which could result in
disruptions in our supply chain and/or lower margins for us and our Concepts’ franchisees.
The
volatile credit and capital markets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our
ability to manage our debt is dependent on our level of cash flow from Company-operated and franchised restaurants, net of costs. An
economic downturn may negatively impact our cash flows. Credit and capital markets can be volatile, which could make it more difficult
for us to refinance our existing debt or to obtain additional debt or equity financings in the future. Such constraints could increase
our costs of borrowing and could restrict our access to other potential sources of future liquidity. Our failure to have sufficient liquidity
to make interest and other payments required by our debt could result in a default of such debt and acceleration of our borrowings, which
would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. The lack of availability or access to build-to-suit leases
and equipment financing leases could result in a decreased number of new restaurants and have a negative impact on our growth.
22
A
military conflict or large troop deployment could affect our revenue at Company and franchise military locations in the future.
We
have multiple Company-owned non-traditional military base locations. Our military base locations are built in support of “Operation
Live Well” and the desire of the United States military to offer healthier eating options on its bases. In the event of a large
troop deployment or military conflict, the total number of troops present on any given base could be materially reduced and therefore
our total revenues in these locations would likely be reduced accordingly.
The
personal information that we collect may be vulnerable to breach, theft or loss that could adversely affect our reputation, results of
operation and financial condition.
In
the ordinary course of our business, we collect, process, transmit and retain personal information regarding our employees and their
families, our franchisees, vendors and consumers, which can include social security numbers, social insurance numbers, banking and tax
identification information, health care information, user names and passwords and credit card information and our franchisees collect
similar information. Some of this personal information is held and managed by our franchisees and certain of our vendors. A third-party
may be able to circumvent the security and business controls we use to limit access and use of personal information, which could result
in a breach of employee, consumer or franchisee privacy. A major breach, theft or loss of personal information regarding our employees
and their families, our franchisees, vendors or consumers that is held by us or our vendors could result in substantial fines, penalties,
indemnification claims and potential litigation against us which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
As a result of legislative and regulatory rules, we may be required to notify the owners of the personal information of any data breaches,
which could harm our reputation and financial results, as well as subject us to litigation or actions by regulatory authorities. Furthermore,
media or other reports of existing or perceived security vulnerabilities in our systems or those of our franchisees or vendors, even
if no breach has been attempted or has occurred, can adversely impact our brand and reputation, and thereby materially impact our business.
Significant
capital investments and other expenditures could be required to remedy a breach and prevent future problems, including costs associated
with additional security technologies, personnel, experts and credit monitoring services for those whose data has been breached. These
costs, which could be material, could adversely impact our results of operations during the period in which they are incurred. The techniques
and sophistication used to conduct cyber-attacks and breaches, as well as the sources and targets of these attacks, change frequently
and are often not recognized until such attacks are launched or have been in place for a period of time. Accordingly, our expenditures
to prevent future cyber-attacks or breaches may not be successful.
Information
technology system failures or interruptions or breaches of our network security may interrupt our operations, subject us to increased
operating costs and expose us to litigation.
As
our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems. We rely heavily on our computer systems and network
infrastructure across operations including, but not limited to, point-of-sale processing at our restaurants, online/web based transactions
at SuperFit Foods and third-party delivery and loyalty apps as well as the systems of our third-party vendors to whom we outsource certain
administrative functions. Despite our implementation of security measures, all of our technology systems are vulnerable to damage, disruption
or failures due to physical theft, fire, power loss, telecommunications failure or other catastrophic events, as well as from problems
with transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems, internal and external security breaches, denial of service attacks, viruses, worms
and other disruptive problems caused by hackers. If any of our technology systems were to fail, and we were unable to recover in a timely
way, we could experience an interruption in our operations. Furthermore, if unauthorized access to or use of our systems were to occur,
data related to our proprietary information could be compromised. The occurrence of any of these incidents could have a material adverse
effect on our future financial condition and results of operations. To the extent that some of our reporting systems require or rely
on manual processes, it could increase the risk of a breach due to human error.
23
In
addition, we receive and maintain certain personal information about our customers, franchisees and employees, and our franchisees receive
and maintain similar information. For example, in connection with credit card transactions, we and our franchisees collect and transmit
confidential credit card information by way of retail networks. We also maintain important internal data, such as personally identifiable
information about our employees and franchisees and information relating to our operation. Our use of personally identifiable information
is regulated by applicable laws and regulations. If our security and information systems or those of our franchisees are compromised
or our business associates fail to comply with these laws and regulations and this information is obtained by unauthorized persons or
used inappropriately, it could adversely affect our reputation, as well as our restaurant operations and results of operations and financial
condition. As privacy and information security laws and regulations change, we may incur additional costs to ensure that we remain in
compliance.
Further,
the standards for systems currently used for transmission and approval of electronic payment transactions, and the technology utilized
in electronic payment themselves, all of which can put electronic payment data at risk, are determined and controlled by the payment
card industry, not by us. If someone is able to circumvent our data security measures or that of third parties with whom we do business,
including our franchisees, he or she could destroy or steal valuable information or disrupt our operations. Any security breach could
expose us to risks of data loss, litigation, liability, and could seriously disrupt our operations. Any resulting negative publicity
could significantly harm our reputation and could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.
A
number of our systems and processes are not fully integrated and, as a result, require us to manually estimate and consolidate certain
information that we use to manage our business. To the extent that we are not able to obtain transparency into our operations from our
systems, it could impair the ability of our management to react quickly to changes in the business or economic environment.
We
anticipate expanding, upgrading and developing our information technology capabilities. If we are unable to successfully upgrade or expand
our technological capabilities, we may not be able to take advantage of market opportunities, manage our costs and transactional data
effectively, satisfy customer requirements, execute our business plan or respond to competitive pressures.
We
outsource certain aspects of our business to third-party vendors which subjects us to risks, including disruptions in our business and
increased costs.
We
have outsourced certain administrative functions for our business to third-party service providers. We also outsource certain information
technology support services and benefit plan administration. Furthermore, we outsource delivery services to multiple third-party vendors
including UberEats, DoorDash and GrubHub to fulfill delivery orders from both Company-owned and franchise locations. Our SuperFit Foods
division outsources home and pick up location deliveries to independent contractors. Our Pokemoto division outsources online ordering
and loyalty programs to Snackpass. In the future, we may outsource other functions to achieve cost savings and efficiencies. If the service
providers to which we outsource these functions do not perform effectively or are negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we may
not be able to achieve the expected cost savings and may have to incur additional costs in connection with such failure to perform. Depending
on the function involved, such failures may also lead to business disruption, transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, the loss
of sales and customers, the loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breach, and the loss of sensitive data through
security breach or otherwise. Any such damage or interruption could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause us to face
significant fines, customer notice obligations or costly litigation, harm our reputation with our customers or prevent us from paying
our collective suppliers or employees or receiving payments on a timely basis.
The
failure to enforce and maintain our trademarks and protect our other intellectual property could materially adversely affect our business,
including our ability to establish and maintain brand awareness.
We
have registered Muscle Maker Grill®, Healthy Joe’s, Pokemoto®, SuperFit Foods and certain other names used by our restaurants
as trademarks or service marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Muscle Maker Grill® trademark is also registered
in some form in one foreign country. Our current brand campaign, “Great Food with Your Health in Mind” has also been approved
for registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In addition, the Muscle Maker Grill, Pokemoto and SuperFit Foods
logos, recipes, trade dress, packaging, website names and addresses ( www.musclemakergrill.com , www.pokemoto.com and www.superfitfoods.com )
and Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media and internet accounts are our intellectual property. The success of our business
strategy depends on our continued ability to use our existing trademarks and service marks in order to increase brand awareness and develop
our branded products. If our efforts to protect our intellectual property are not adequate, or if any third-party misappropriates or
infringes on our intellectual property, whether in print, on the Internet or through other media, the value of our brands may be harmed,
which could have a material adverse effect on our business, including the failure of our brands and branded products to achieve and maintain
market acceptance. There can be no assurance that all of the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property in the United States
and in foreign countries will be adequate. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights
to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
24
We
or our suppliers maintain the seasonings and additives for our food offerings, as well as certain standards, specifications and operating
procedures, as trade secrets or confidential information. We may not be able to prevent the unauthorized disclosure or use of our trade
secrets or information, despite the existence of confidentiality agreements and other measures. While we try to ensure that the quality
of our brand and branded products is maintained by all of our franchisees, we cannot be certain that these franchisees will not take
actions that adversely affect the value of our intellectual property or reputation. If any of our trade secrets or information were to
be disclosed to or independently developed by a competitor, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
adversely affected.
Third-party
claims with respect to intellectual property assets, if decided against us, may result in competing uses or require adoption of new,
non-infringing intellectual property, which may in turn adversely affect sales and revenues.
There
can be no assurance that third parties will not assert infringement or misappropriation claims against us, or assert claims that our
rights in our trademarks, service marks, trade dress and other intellectual property assets are invalid or unenforceable. Any such claims
could have a material adverse effect on us or our franchisees if such claims were to be decided against us. If our rights in any intellectual
property were invalidated or deemed unenforceable, it could permit competing uses of intellectual property which, in turn, could lead
to a decline in restaurant revenues. If the intellectual property became subject to third-party infringement, misappropriation or other
claims, and such claims were decided against us, we may be forced to pay damages, be required to develop or adopt non-infringing intellectual
property or be obligated to acquire a license to the intellectual property that is the subject of the asserted claim. There could be
significant expenses associated with the defense of any infringement, misappropriation, or other third-party claims.
We
depend on our executive officers, the loss of whom could materially harm our business.
We
rely upon the accumulated knowledge, skills and experience of our executive officers and significant employees. Our executive officers
and significant employees have cumulative experience of more than 100 years in the food service industry. If they were to leave us or
become incapacitated, we might suffer in our planning and execution of business strategy and operations, impacting our brand and financial
results. We also do not maintain any key man life insurance policies for any of our employees.
Matters
relating to employment and labor law may adversely affect our business.
Various
federal and state labor laws govern our relationships with our employees and affect operating costs. These laws include employee classifications
as exempt or non-exempt, minimum wage requirements, unemployment tax rates, workers’ compensation rates, citizenship requirements
and other wage and benefit requirements for employees classified as non-exempt. Significant additional government regulations and new
laws, including mandating increases in minimum wages, changes in exempt and non-exempt status, or mandated benefits such as health insurance
could materially affect our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow. Furthermore, if our or our franchisees’
employees unionize, it could materially affect our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow.
We
are also subject in the ordinary course of business to employee claims against us based, among other things, on discrimination, harassment,
wrongful termination, or violation of wage and labor laws. Such claims could also be asserted against us by employees of our franchisees.
Moreover, claims asserted against franchisees may at times be made against us as a franchisor. These claims may divert our financial
and management resources that would otherwise be used to benefit our operations. The ongoing expense of any resulting lawsuits, and any
substantial settlement payment or damage award against us, could adversely affect our business, brand image, employee recruitment, financial
condition, operating results or cash flows.
25
In
addition, various states in which we operate are considering or have already adopted new immigration laws or enforcement programs, and
the United States Congress and Department of Homeland Security from time to time consider and may implement changes to federal immigration
laws, regulations or enforcement programs as well. Some of these changes may increase our obligations for compliance and oversight, which
could subject us to additional costs and make our hiring process more cumbersome or reduce the availability of potential employees. Although
we require all workers to provide us with government-specified documentation evidencing their employment eligibility, some of our employees
may, without our knowledge, be unauthorized workers. Unauthorized workers are subject to deportation and may subject us to fines or penalties,
and if any of our workers are found to be unauthorized, we could experience adverse publicity that negatively impacts our brand and may
make it more difficult to hire and keep qualified employees. Termination of a significant number of employees who were unauthorized employees
may disrupt our operations, cause temporary increases in our labor costs as we train new employees and result in additional adverse publicity.
We could also become subject to fines, penalties and other costs related to claims that we did not fully comply with all recordkeeping
obligations of federal and state immigration compliance laws. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Restaurant
companies have been the target of class action lawsuits and other proceedings alleging, among other things, violations of federal and
state workplace and employment laws. Proceedings of this nature are costly, divert management attention and, if successful, could result
in our payment of substantial damages or settlement costs.
Our
business is subject to the risk of litigation by employees, consumers, suppliers, franchisees, stockholders or others through private
actions, class actions, administrative proceedings, regulatory actions or other litigation. The outcome of litigation, particularly class
action and regulatory actions, is difficult to assess or quantify. In recent years, restaurant companies, including us, have been subject
to lawsuits, including lawsuits, alleging violations of federal and state laws regarding workplace and employment conditions, discrimination
and similar matters. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in the payment of substantial damages by the defendants. Similar lawsuits
have been instituted from time to time alleging violations of various federal and state wage and hour laws regarding, among other things,
employee meal deductions, overtime eligibility of managers and failure to pay for all hours worked.
Occasionally,
our customers file complaints or lawsuits against us alleging that we are responsible for some illness or injury they suffered at or
after a visit to one of our restaurants, including actions seeking damages resulting from food-borne illness or accidents in our restaurants.
We are also subject to a variety of other claims from third parties arising in the ordinary course of our business, including contract
claims. The restaurant industry has also been subject to a growing number of claims that the menus and actions of restaurant chains have
led to the obesity of certain of their customers. We may also be subject to lawsuits from our employees, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission or others alleging violations of federal and state laws regarding workplace and employment conditions, discrimination and
similar matters.
Regardless
of whether any claims against us are valid or whether we are liable, claims may be expensive to defend and may divert time and money
away from our operations and result in increases in our insurance premiums. In addition, they may generate negative publicity, which
could reduce customer traffic and sales. Although we maintain what we believe to have adequate levels of insurance, insurance may not
be available at all or in sufficient amounts to cover any liabilities with respect to these or other matters. A judgment or other liability
in excess of our insurance coverage for any claims or any adverse publicity resulting from claims could adversely affect our business
and results of operations.
If
we or our franchisees face labor shortages or increased labor costs, our results of operations and our growth could be adversely affected.
Labor
is a primary component in the cost of operating our Company-operated and franchised restaurants. If we or our franchisees face labor
shortages or increased labor costs because of increased competition for employees, higher employee-turnover rates, size of the available
workforce, unionization of restaurant workers, or increases in the federally-mandated or state-mandated minimum wage, change in exempt
and non-exempt status, or other employee benefits costs (including costs associated with health insurance coverage or workers’
compensation insurance), our and our franchisees’ operating expenses could increase and our growth could be adversely affected.
26
We
have a substantial number of hourly employees who are paid wage rates at or based on the applicable federal or state minimum wage and
increases in the minimum wage will increase our labor costs and the labor costs of our franchisees. Federally-mandated, state-mandated
or locally-mandated minimum wages may be raised in the future. We may be unable to increase our menu prices in order to pass future increased
labor costs on to our customers, in which case our margins would be negatively affected. Also, reduced margins of franchisees could make
it more difficult to sell franchises. If menu prices are increased by us and our franchisees to cover increased labor costs, the higher
prices could adversely affect transactions which could lower sales and thereby reduce our margins and the royalties that we receive from
franchisees.
In
addition, our success depends in part upon our and our franchisees’ ability to attract, motivate and retain a sufficient number
of well-qualified restaurant operators, management personnel and other employees. Qualified individuals needed to fill these positions
can be in short supply in some geographic areas. In addition, limited service restaurants have traditionally experienced relatively high
employee turnover rates. Our franchisees’ ability to recruit and retain such individuals may delay the planned openings
of new restaurants or result in higher employee turnover in existing restaurants, which could increase our and our franchisees’
labor costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. If we or our
franchisees are unable to recruit and retain sufficiently qualified individuals, our business and our growth could be adversely affected.
Competition for these employees could require us or our franchisees to pay higher wages, which could also result in higher labor costs.
We
are locked into long-term and non-cancelable leases and may be unable to renew leases at the end of their terms.
Many
of our restaurant leases are non-cancelable and typically have initial terms up to between one and ten years and one to three renewal
terms of one to ten years each that we may exercise at our option. Even if we close a restaurant, we are required to perform our obligations
under the applicable lease, which could include, among other things, a provision for a closed restaurant reserve when the restaurant
is closed, which would impact our profitability, and payment of the base rent, property taxes, insurance and maintenance for the balance
of the lease term. In addition, in connection with leases for restaurants that we will continue to operate, we may, at the end of the
lease term and any renewal period for a restaurant, be unable to renew the lease without substantial additional cost, if at all. As a
result, we may close or relocate the restaurant, which could subject us to construction and other costs and risks. Additionally, the
revenues and profit, if any, generated at a relocated restaurant may not equal the revenues and profit generated at the existing restaurant.
We
and our franchisees are subject to extensive government regulations that could result in claims leading to increased costs and restrict
our ability to operate or sell franchises.
We
and our franchisees are subject to extensive government regulation at the federal, state and local government levels. These include,
but are not limited to, regulations relating to the preparation and sale of food, zoning and building codes, franchising, land use and
employee, health, sanitation and safety matters. We and our franchisees are required to obtain and maintain a wide variety of governmental
licenses, permits and approvals. Difficulty or failure in obtaining them in the future could result in delaying or canceling the opening
of new restaurants. Local authorities may suspend or deny renewal of our governmental licenses if they determine that our operations
do not meet the standards for initial grant or renewal. This risk would be even higher if there were a major change in the licensing
requirements affecting our types of restaurants.
T hese
laws and regulations change regularly and are increasingly complex. For example, we are subject to:
●
The
Americans with Disabilities Act in the U.S. and similar laws that provide protection to individuals with disabilities in the context
of employment, public accommodations and other areas.
●
The
U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act as well as a variety of similar laws, which govern matters such as minimum wages, and overtime, and
the U.S. Family and Medical Leave Act as well as a variety of similar laws which provide protected leave rights to employees.
●
Employment
laws related to workplace health and safety, non-discrimination, non-harassment, whistleblower protections, and other terms and conditions
of employment.
●
Laws
and regulations in government-mandated health care benefits such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in the U.S.
27
●
Laws
and regulations relating to nutritional content, nutritional labeling, product safety, product marketing and menu labeling.
●
Laws
relating to state and local licensing.
●
Laws
relating to the relationship between franchisors and franchisees.
●
Laws
and regulations relating to health, sanitation, food, workplace safety, child labor, including laws regulating the use of certain
“hazardous equipment”, building and zoning, and fire safety and prevention.
●
Laws
and regulations relating to union organizing rights and activities.
●
Laws
relating to information security, privacy (including the European Union’s GDPR and California’s CCPA and CPRA), cashless
payments, and consumer protection.
●
Laws
relating to currency conversion or exchange.
●
Laws
relating to international trade and sanctions.
●
Tax
laws and regulations.
●
Anti-bribery
and anti-corruption laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act.
●
Environmental
laws and regulations, including with respect to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
●
Federal
and state immigration laws and regulations in the U.S.
●
Regulations,
health guidelines and safety protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any
failure or alleged failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations or related standards or guidelines could adversely affect our
reputation, growth prospects and financial results or result in, among other things, litigation, revocation of required licenses, internal
investigations, governmental investigations or proceedings, administrative enforcement actions, fines and civil and criminal liability.
Publicity relating to any such noncompliance could also harm our Concepts’ reputations and adversely affect our revenues. In addition,
the compliance costs associated with complying with new or existing legal requirements could be substantial.
We
are exposed to the risk of natural disasters, unusual weather conditions, pandemic outbreaks, political events, war and terrorism that
could disrupt business and result in lower sales, increased operating costs and capital expenditures.
Our
headquarters, Company-operated and franchised restaurant locations, third-party sole distributor and its facilities, as well as certain
of our vendors and customers, are located in areas which have been and could be subject to natural disasters such as floods, blizzards,
hurricanes, tornadoes, fires or earthquakes. Adverse weather conditions or other extreme changes in the weather, including resulting
electrical and technological failures, especially such events which occur in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, other New England states
and Jacksonville, Florida as a result of the concentration of our restaurants, may disrupt our and our franchisees’ business and
may adversely affect our and our franchisees’ ability to obtain food and supplies and sell menu items. Our business may be harmed
if our or our franchisees’ ability to obtain food and supplies and sell menu items is impacted by any such events, any of which
could influence customer trends and purchases and may negatively impact our and our franchisees’ revenues, properties or operations.
Such events could result in physical damage to one or more of our or our franchisees’ properties, the temporary closure of some
or all of our Company-operated restaurants, franchised restaurants and third-party distributor, the temporary lack of an adequate work
force in a market, temporary or long-term disruption in the transport of goods, delay in the delivery of goods and supplies to our Company-operated
and franchised restaurants and third-party distributor, disruption of our technology support or information systems, or fuel shortages
or dramatic increases in fuel prices, all of which would increase the cost of doing business. These events also could have indirect consequences
such as increases in the costs of insurance if they result in significant loss of property or other insurable damage. Any of these factors,
or any combination thereof, could adversely affect our operations. Some of our restaurants are located on military bases.
28
Pandemics
or disease outbreaks, such as the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19 virus) pandemic may disrupt our business, which could materially
affect our operations and results of operations.
Pandemics
or disease outbreaks such as the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19 virus) pandemic, have and may continue to impact customer traffic
at our restaurants, may make it more difficult to staff our restaurants and, in more severe cases, may cause a temporary inability to
obtain supplies, increase commodity costs or cause full and partial temporary closures of our affected restaurants, sometimes for prolonged
periods of time. In the past, in response to local government requirements we have temporarily shifted to a “take-out, curbside
pickup or delivery” only operating model, temporarily suspending sit-down dining. We and our franchisees have also implemented
temporary closures, modified hours of operation or reduced on-site staff, resulting in cancelled shifts for some of our employees. COVID-19
may also materially adversely affect the timing to implement our growth plans as certain states and cities temporarily restrict business
operations and implement social distancing programs. These changes and any additional changes may materially adversely affect our business
or results of operations particularly if these changes are in place for a significant amount of time. In addition, our operations could
be disrupted if any of our employees or employees of our business partners were or are suspected of having COVID-19 or other illnesses
since this could require us or our business partners to quarantine some or all such employees or close and disinfect our restaurant facilities.
If a significant percentage of our workforce or the workforce of our business partners are unable to work, including because of illness
or travel or government restrictions in connection with pandemics or disease outbreaks (including the current COVID-19 pandemic), our
operations and financial condition may be negatively impacted. We could also be adversely affected if government authorities impose additional
restrictions on public gatherings, human interactions, operations of restaurants or mandatory closures, seek voluntary closures, restrict
hours of operations or impose curfews, restrict the import or export of products or if suppliers issue mass recalls of products.
Upon
the expansion of our operations internationally, we could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
and similar worldwide anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws.
We
anticipate developing franchised locations located outside the United States. The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other similar
anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations, generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments
to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in preventing
our franchisees or other agents from taking actions in violation of these laws or regulations. Such violations, or allegations of such
violations, could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows. We currently have two open franchise locations in Kuwait and a franchise development agreement for 40 locations in Saudi
Arabia.
Members
of our board of directors and our executive officers will have other business interests and obligations to other entities.
Neither
our directors nor our executive officers will be required to manage the Company as their sole and exclusive function and they may have
other business interests and may engage in other activities in addition to those relating to the Company, provided that such activities
do not compete with the business of the Company or otherwise breach their agreements with the Company. We are dependent on our directors
and executive officers to successfully operate our Company. Their other business interests and activities could divert time and attention
from operating our business
Risks
Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock and Lack of Liquidity
As
a smaller reporting company, we are exempt from certain disclosure requirements, which could make our Common Stock less attractive
to the potential investors.
Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act defines a “smaller reporting company” as an issuer that is not an investment company, an asset-backed
issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent that is not a smaller reporting company and that:
●
had
a public float of less than $250 million as of the last business day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter, computed
by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of shares of its voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates by the
price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average of the bid and asked prices of common equity, in the principal market
for the common equity; or
●
in
the case of an initial registration statement under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to
as the Exchange Act, for shares of its common equity, had a public float of less than $250 million as of a date within 30 days of
the date of the filing of the registration statement, computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of such shares held
by non-affiliates before the registration plus, in the case of a Securities Act registration statement, the number of such shares
included in the registration statement by the estimated public offering price of the shares; or
29
●
in
the case of an issuer whose public float as calculated under paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition was zero, had annual revenues
of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available.
As
a smaller reporting company, we will not be required and may not include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section in our proxy
statements; we will provide only two years of financial statements; and we need not provide the table of selected financial data. We
also will have other “scaled” disclosure requirements that are less comprehensive than issuers that are not smaller reporting
companies which could make our Common Stock less attractive to potential investors, which could make it more difficult for our stockholders
to sell their shares.
We
are an emerging growth company and subject to less rigorous public reporting requirements and cannot be certain if the reduced reporting
requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our Common Stock less attractive to investors.
We
are a public reporting company under the Exchange Act, and thereafter publicly report on an ongoing basis as an “emerging growth
company” (as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, which we refer to as the JOBS Act) under the reporting
rules set forth under the Exchange Act. For so long as we remain an “emerging growth company”, we may take advantage of certain
exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other Exchange Act reporting companies that are not “emerging
growth companies”, including but not limited to:
●
Not
being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
●
Taking
advantage of extensions of time to comply with certain new or revised financial accounting standards;
●
Being
permitted to comply with reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements;
and
●
Being
exempt from the requirement to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensations and stockholder approval of a golden parachute
payments not previously approved.
We
expect to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We could be an emerging growth
company for up to five years, circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Common Stock
held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million, if we issue $1 billion or more in non-convertible debt during a three-year period, or if
our annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion. We would cease to be an emerging growth company on the last day of the fiscal year following
the date of the fifth anniversary of our first sale of common equity securities under an effective registration statement or a fiscal
year in which we have $1 billion in gross revenues. Finally, at any time we may choose to opt-out of the emerging growth company reporting
requirements. If we choose to opt out, we will be unable to opt back in to being an emerging growth company.
We
cannot predict if investors will find our Common Stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find
our Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Common Stock and our stock price may
be more volatile.
As
an emerging growth company, our auditor is not required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls.
Our
independent registered public accounting firm is not required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
while we are an emerging growth company. This means that the effectiveness of our financial operations may differ from our peer companies
in that they may be required to obtain independent registered public accounting firm attestations as to the effectiveness of their internal
controls over financial reporting and we are not. While our management will be required to attest to internal control over financial
reporting and we will be required to detail changes to our internal controls on a quarterly basis, we cannot provide assurance that the
independent registered public accounting firm’s review process in assessing the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial
reporting, if obtained, would not find one or more material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. Further, once we cease to be an emerging
growth company we will be subject to independent registered public accounting firm attestation regarding the effectiveness of our internal
controls over financial reporting. Even if management finds such controls to be effective, our independent registered public accounting
firm may decline to attest to the effectiveness of such internal controls and issue a qualified report.
30
As
a public company, we will incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be
required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
As
a public company, we have incurred significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. In addition,
the rules of the SEC and those of the NASDAQ Capital Market has imposed various requirements on public companies including requiring
establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls. Our management and other personnel will need to devote
a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations have increased and will continue
to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costlier. For example, we
expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain directors’ and officers’
liability insurance, which could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors. We
cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we will incur as a public company or the timing of such costs.
The
Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure
controls and procedures. In particular, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial
reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, we will be required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting the later of our second annual report on Form 10-K or the first annual
report on Form 10-K following the date on which we are no longer an emerging growth company. Our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act will require that we incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management efforts. We currently do not have an
internal audit group, and we will need to hire additional accounting and financial staff with appropriate public company experience and
technical accounting knowledge. If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, or if we or our
independent registered public accounting firm identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed
to be material weaknesses, the market price of our stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the
exchange we are listed on, the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.
Our
ability to successfully implement our business plan and comply with Section 404 requires us to be able to prepare timely and accurate
financial statements. We expect that we will need to continue to improve existing, and implement new operational and financial systems,
procedures and controls to manage our business effectively. Any delay in the implementation of, or disruption in the transition to, new
or enhanced systems, procedures or controls, may cause our operations to suffer and we may be unable to conclude that our internal control
over financial reporting is effective and to obtain an unqualified report on internal controls from our auditors as required under Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This, in turn, could have an adverse impact on trading prices for our common stock, and could adversely
affect our ability to access the capital markets.
The
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) sales practice requirements may limit a stockholder’s ability to
buy and sell our stock.
In
addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment
to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to
recommending speculative, low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to
obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. The FINRA requirements
may make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our Common Stock, which may have the effect of reducing
the level of trading activity in our Common Stock. As a result, fewer broker-dealers may be willing to make a market in our common stock,
reducing a stockholder’s ability to resell shares of our Common Stock.
31
Our
stock price may be volatile.
The
market price of our Common Stock has been highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various potential factors,
many of which will be beyond the Company’s control, including the following:
●
services
by the Company or its competitors;
●
additions
or departures of key personnel;
●
the
Company’s ability to execute its business plan;
●
operating
results that fall below expectations;
●
loss
of any strategic relationship;
●
industry
developments;
●
economic
and other external factors; and
●
period-to-period
fluctuations in the Company’s financial results.
In
addition, the securities markets have from time-to-time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the
operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of
the Company’s common stock.
If
securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or publish negative reports about our business,
our share price and trading volume could decline.
The
trading market for our common stock will, to some extent, depends on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish
about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares
or change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or
fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading
volume to decline.
We
do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future, which could reduce the attractiveness of our stock to some investors.
We
currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not expect to declare
or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment in our common stock if
the market price of our common stock increases. In addition, we may incur debt financing to further finance our operations, the governing
documents of which may contain restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.
If
we are unable to maintain listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market or another reputable stock exchange, it may be more
difficult for our stockholders to sell their securities.
Nasdaq
requires listing issuers to comply with certain standards in order to remain listed on its exchange. If, for any reason, Nasdaq should
delist our securities from trading on its exchange and we are unable to obtain listing on another reputable national securities exchange,
a reduction in some or all of the following may occur, each of which could materially adversely affect our stockholders.
We
have received a delisting notice form the NASDAQ Stock Market due to the closing bid price of our common stock had been below $1.00 per
share for the previous 30 consecutive business days, and that we are therefore not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirements.
Our common stock may be involuntarily delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market if we fail to regain compliance with the minimum closing
bid price requirement of $1.00 per share. The quantitative listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ, require, among other
things, that listed companies maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share. We failed to satisfy this threshold for 30 consecutive
trading days and on February 1, 2022, we received a letter from NASDAQ indicating that we had an initial period of 180 calendar days,
or until August 1, 2022, in which to regain compliance. In addition, we are able to apply for a 180-day extension period if we cannot
meet the initial period. A delisting of our common stock is likely to reduce the liquidity of our common stock and may inhibit or preclude
our ability to raise additional financing.
32
If
our shares of Common Stock become subject to the penny stock rules, it would become more difficult to trade our shares.
The
Commission has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are
generally equity securities with a price per share of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities
exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with
respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. If we do not obtain or retain a listing on the NYSE
American or NASDAQ Capital Market and if the price of our Common Stock is less than $5.00 per share, our Common Stock will be deemed
a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before effecting a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from
those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules
require that, before effecting any such transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make
a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive (i) the purchaser’s
written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks;
and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the
trading activity in the secondary market for our Common Stock, and therefore stockholders may have difficulty selling their shares.
Provisions
in our articles of incorporation and bylaws and Nevada law may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our Company and, therefore,
may depress the trading price of our stock.
Our
articles of incorporation and bylaws contain certain provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that our stockholders
may consider favorable. These provisions:
●
prohibit
stockholder action to elect or remove directors by majority written consent;
●
provide
that the board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws;
●
prohibit
our stockholders from calling a special meeting of stockholders; and
●
establish
advance notice requirements for nominations for elections to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon
by stockholders at stockholder meetings.
We
may be subject to securities litigation, which is expensive and could divert management attention.
In
the past companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation.
We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and diversion
of management’s attention and resources, which could seriously hurt our business. Any adverse determination in litigation could
also subject us to significant liabilities.
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not
applicable.
ITEM
2. PROPERTIES.
As
of the year ended December 31, 2021 our corporate office is located at 2600 South Shore Blvd. Suite 300, League City, Texas, 77573. We
believe our current office space is suitable and adequate for its intended purposes and our near-term expansion plans.
33
Currently
Operating System-Wide Restaurants
As
of March 16, 2022, Company-operated, franchised and total system-wide restaurants by jurisdiction are:
State
Company-Owned Restaurants
Franchised Restaurants
Total Restaurants
California
-
2
2
Connecticut
6
4
10
Florida
2
-
2
Georgia
1
-
1
Maryland
1
-
1
Massachusetts
-
2
2
New Jersey
-
3
3
New York
3
1
4
North Carolina
-
1
1
Oklahoma
1
-
1
Rhode Island
-
1
1
Pennsylvania
1
-
1
Texas
1
3
4
Virginia
5
-
5
Washington
-
1
1
Kuwait
-
2
2
TOTAL
21
20
41
ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From
time to time, we are a defendant or plaintiff in various legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. We record legal costs
associated with loss contingencies as incurred and have accrued for all probable and estimable settlements.
We
are currently involved in pending legal proceedings that have been previously disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Below is a summary of the legal proceedings that have become a
reportable event or which have had developments during the year ended December 31, 2021.
On
March 27, 2018, a convertible note holder filed a complaint in the Iowa District Court for Polk County #CVCV056029 against the Company
for failure to pay the remaining balance due on a promissory note in the amount of $100,000, together with interest, attorney fees and
other costs of $171,035. On June 6, 2018 a default judgement was entered against the Company for the amount of $171,035. The Company
repaid an aggregate amount of $71,035, consisting of principal and interest, as of the date of the filing of this report. As of December
31, 2021, the Company has accrued for the liability in convertible notes payable in the amount of $100,000 and accrued interest of $27,210
is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
In
May 2018, Resolute Contractors, Inc., Quality Tile, MTL Construction, Genesis Electric, JNB Interiors and Captive Aire filed a Mechanics
Lien in Orange County, California for labor, service, equipment and materials in the total amount of $98,005. As of December 31, 2021,
the Company has accrued for the liability in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
On
or about March 7, 2019, the Company was listed as a defendant to a lawsuit filed by a contractor in the State of Texas in El Paso County
#2019DCV0824. The contractor is claiming a breach of contract and is seeking approximately $32,809 in damages for services claimed to
be rendered by the contractor. As of December 31, 2021, the Company accrued $30,000 for the liability in accounts payable and accrued
expenses.
34
On January 23, 2020, the Company was served a judgment
issued by the Judicial Council of California in the amount of $130,185 for a breach of a lease agreement in Chicago, Illinois, in connection
with a Company-owned store that was closed in 2018. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has accrued for the liability in accounts payable
and accrued expenses.
In March 2021, the Company participated in a mediation
concerning an investor who invested with American Restaurant Holdings, Inc and/or American Restaurants, LLC, our former parent company,
from 2013 through 2015 in the total amount of $531,250. As of the filing of this report, the Company entered into a settlement with American
Restaurant, LLC and the investor in the amount of $160,000. The Company paid $100,000 as part of the settlement, including legal
fees, while the remaining balance was paid by the insurance carrier and American Restaurants, LLC.
MMI or its subsidiaries failed in certain instances
in paying past state and local sales taxes collected from customers in specific states that impose a tax on sales of the Company’s
products during 2017 and 2018. The Company had accrued a liability for approximately $125,550 and $231,177 as of December 31, 2021 and
2020, respectively, related to this matter. All current state and local sales taxes from January 1, 2018 for open Company-owned locations
have been fully paid and in a timely manner. The Company has completed or is in discussions on payment plans with the various state or
local entities for these past owed amounts.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market Information
The high and low per share closing sales prices of
the Company’s stock on the Nasdaq Market (ticker symbol GRIL) for each quarter for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 commencing
February 10, 2020 were as follows:
Quarter Ended
High
Low
March 31, 2020
$
4.33
$
1.66
June 30, 2020
$
2.71
$
1.57
September 30, 2020
$
3.32
$
1.38
December 31, 2020
$
2.30
$
1.53
March 31, 2021
$
3.02
$
1.81
June 30, 2021
$
2.37
$
1.20
September 30, 2021
$
1.42
$
0.99
December 31, 2021
$
1.67
$
0.69
Transfer Agent
Our transfer agent is Computershare, Inc., 462 South
4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202, and its telephone number is 1-877-373-6374.
Holders
As of March 16, 2022, there were 651 holders
of record of our common stock.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends
on our common stock. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business. As a result, we
do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
35
Warrants
As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, we had warrants
to purchase an aggregate of 20,284,016 and 2,582,857 shares of common stock, respectively, outstanding with a weighted average exercise
price of $1.66 and $4.08 per share, respectively.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides
information, as of December 31, 2021 with respect to equity securities authorized for issuance under compensation plans:
Number
of
Securities
Remaining
Available
for Future
Issuance
Under
Equity
Number
of
Compensation
Securities to be
Weighted-Average
Plans
Issued Upon
Exercise
Price of
(excluding
Exercise of
Outstanding
securities
Outstanding Options
Options under
reflected in
Plan Category
under
the Plan
(a)
the
Plan
(b)
Column
(a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
-
$
-
1,028,652
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
$
-
-
TOTAL
-
$
-
1,028,652
Performance Graph
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use
of Proceeds
Issuance of Stock
On February 3, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
of 20,000 shares of common stock of the Company to a digital marketing consultant with an aggregate fair value of $42,600.
On February 3, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
of 16,126 shares of common stock of the Company to the members of the board of directors as compensation earned through the end of the
fourth quarter of 2020.
On February 7, 2021, the Company entered into a Consulting
Agreement with consultants as a strategy business consultant to provide the Company with business and marketing advice as needed. The
term of the agreement is for five months from the effective date on February 7, 2021. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement the Company
agreed to pay the consultant a total of 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company issued 60,000 shares of common
stock upon the effective date of the agreement with the remaining 40,000 to be issued upon the successful completion of the agreement.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company issued the remaining 40,000 shares of common with a grant date fair value of $42,400 pursuant to
the terms of the agreement.
36
On February 11, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
of 221,783 shares of common stock the Company to various executives and an employee pursuant to the approval of the compensation committee
under the 2020 Plan.
On March 8, 2021, the Company entered into a Consulting
Agreement with consultants as a strategy business consultant to provide the Company with financial and business. The term of the agreement
is for five months from the effective date on March 8, 2021. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement the Company agreed to pay the consultant
a total of 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company issued 70,000 shares of common stock upon the effective date
of the agreement with the remaining 30,000 to be issued upon the successful completion of the agreement. As of December 31, 2021, the
Company issued the remaining 30,000 shares of common with a grant date fair value of $31,800 pursuant to the terms of the agreement.
On March 22, 2021, the Company entered into a Consulting
Agreement with consultants with experience in the area of investor relations and capital introductions. The term of the agreement is
for six months from the effective date on March 22, 2021. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement the Company paid $250,000 in cash
and issued 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
On March 25, 2021, the Company entered into an asset
purchase agreement with SuperFit Foods, LLC a Florida limited liability company and SuperFit Foods LLC, a Nevada limited liability company
(the “SuperFit Acquisition”). The purchase price of the assets and rights was $1,150,000 which included $475,000 that was
paid at closing and the remaining $625,000 paid in 268,240 shares of common stock. The remaining $25,000, which was to be issued in the Company’s common stock, was forfeited as the Company and
former owner agreed that not all obligations were met.
On March 31, 2021, the Company authorized the issuance
of an aggregate of 12,711 shares of common stock to the members of the board of directors as compensation earned during the first quarter
of 2021.
On April 7, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement with an accredited investor for a private placement pursuant to which the investor agreed to purchase from the Company
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $10,000,000 (i) 1,250,000 shares of common stock of the Company (ii) a common stock purchase
warrant to purchase up to 4,115,227 shares of Common Stock (the “Common Warrant”) and (iii) a pre-funded common stock purchase
warrant to purchase up to 2,865,227 shares of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrant”). Each share and accompanying Common
Warrant was sold together at a combined offering price of $2.43 per share and Common Warrant, and each Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying
Common Warrant is being sold together at a combined offering price of $2.42 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Common Warrant. The
Pre-Funded Warrant is immediately exercisable, at a nominal exercise price of $0.01 per share, and may be exercised at any time until
the Pre-Funded Warrant is fully exercised. The Common Warrant has an exercise price of $2.43 per share, are immediately exercisable and
will expire five and one-half (5.5) years from the date of issuance. The private placement closed on April 9, 2021.
On April 30, 2021, the Company
issued an aggregate of 10,000 shares of common stock of the Company to a digital marketing consultant, pursuant to their service
agreement, with an aggregate fair value of $14,700.
On May 6, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of
150,000 shares of common stock of the Company to a digital marketing consultant with an aggregate fair value of $214,500. The Company
accrued for the liability as accrued compensation expense on the books as of June 30, 2021, as the share were fully earned pursuant to
their service agreement.
On May 14, 2021, the Company and the former owners
of the Poke Entities II (as defined below) entered into a Membership Interest Exchange Agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired
Poke Co Holdings LLC, GLL Enterprises, LLC, and TNB Holdings II, LLC, each a Connecticut limited liability company (collectively, the
Poke Entities II”) in exchange for shares of common stock of the Company valued at $1,250,000. The Company issued 880,282 shares
of common stock of the Company. The price per share was determine by using the 10-day trading average preceding the date of closing.
37
On May 27, 2021, the Company cancelled 11,879 shares
of common stock previously issued to an investor pursuant to a settlement agreement. The cancellation of the 11,879 shares was part of
the settlement agreement.
On August 24, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
of 15,000 shares of common stock of the Company to a digital marketing consultant, pursuant to their service agreement, with an aggregate
fair value of $20,999.
On August 24, 2021, the Company authorized the issuance
of an aggregate of 20,829 shares of common stock to the members of the board of directors as compensation earned during the second quarter
of 2021.
On August 26, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
of 1,100 shares of common stock of the Company to an investor in the Company.
On October 11, 2021, the
Company issued an aggregate of 40,000 shares of common stock of the Company to a consultant for general consulting services,
pursuant to their service agreement, with an aggregate fair value of $40,800.
On October 21,
2021, the Company authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 24,275 shares of common stock to the members of the board of directors
as compensation earned during the third quarter of 2021.
On October 22, 2021, the
Company issued an aggregate of 15,000 shares of common stock of the Company to a digital marketing consultant, pursuant to their
service agreement, with an aggregate fair value of $15,150.
On November 17, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement with accredited investors for a private placement pursuant to which the investors (the “Purchasers”) purchased
from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $15,000,000 (i) 6,772,000 shares (the “Shares”) of common
stock of the Company, (ii) a common stock purchase warrant to purchase up to 10,830,305 shares of common stock (the “November Common
Warrant”) and (iii) a pre-funded common stock purchase warrant to purchase up to 4,058,305 shares of common stock (the “Pre-Funded
Warrant”). Each Share and accompanying November Common Warrant was sold together at a combined offering price of $1.385 per Share
and November Common Warrant, and each Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying November Common Warrant was sold together at a combined offering
price of $1.3849 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying November Common Warrant. The November Pre-Funded Warrant is immediately exercisable,
at a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per share, and may be exercised at any time until the November Pre-Funded Warrant is fully exercised.
The November Common Warrant will have an exercise price of $1.385 per share, are immediately exercisable and will expire five (5) years
from the date of issuance. The private placement closed on November 22, 2021.
On December 3, 2021, the Company issued 82,500 shares
of common stock of the Company to a consultant for business strategy consulting with a fair value of $84,975.
On December 7, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
of 160,000 shares of common stock of the Company to a consultant for strategic advisory and digital marketing services with an aggregate
fair value of $177,600.
On December 27, 2021, the Company issued 10,000 shares
of common stock of the Company to a consultant with a fair value of $7,400.
On January 6,
2022, the Company authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 39,573 shares of common stock to the members of the board of directors
as compensation earned during the fourth quarter of 2021. The Company accrued for the liability as of December 31, 2021
On
January 18, 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 30,000 shares of common stock of the Company to a consultant that
assisted with the acquisition of SuperFit Foods and Pokemoto, with an aggregate fair value amount of $15,600. The Company accrued for
the liability as of December 31, 2021
38
The offers, sales, and issuances of the securities
described above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act
or Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of securities in each
of these transactions acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution
thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these
transactions was an accredited or sophisticated person and had adequate access, through employment, business or other relationships, to
information about us.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
ITEM 6.
RESERVED.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis of the results
of operations and financial condition of Muscle Maker, Inc. (“Muscle Maker”), together with its subsidiaries (collectively,
the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 should be read in conjunction
with our financial statements and the notes to those financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
following Item 16. References in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations to “us,”
“we,” “our,” and similar terms refer to Muscle Maker. “Muscle Maker Grill”, “SuperFit Foods”
and “Pokemoto” refers to the names under which our corporate and franchised restaurants do business depending on the concept.
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. The events described in
forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report may not occur. Generally, these statements relate to business plans or strategies,
projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of our plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions
to be made by us, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings or other aspects of our operating results. The words “may,”
“will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,”
“forecast,” “model,” “proposal,” “should,” “may,” “intend,”
“estimate,” and “continue,” and their opposites and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties,
risks and other influences, many of which are beyond our control, which may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projections
upon which the statements are based. Reference is made to “Factors That May Affect Future Results and Financial Condition”
in this Item 7 for a discussion of some of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
OVERVIEW
The Company operates under the names Muscle Maker
Grill, Pokemoto and SuperFit Foods and is a franchisor and owner operator of Muscle Maker Grill and Pokemoto restaurants. As of December
31, 2021, the Company’s restaurant system included twenty-two Company-owned restaurants, including the SuperFit Foods kitchen,
and twenty franchise restaurants. In addition to these restaurants, the Company also operates with the following brand names under our
ghost kitchen model: Meal Plan AF, Muscle Maker Burger Bar, Bowls Deep, Burger Joe’s, Wrap It Up, Salad Vibes, Mr. T’s House
of Boba and Gourmet Sandwich. Our direct mail to consumer meal prep/plan program operates under the musclemakerprep.com and superfitfoods.com
websites.
As of December 31, 2021, MMI consisted of three operating
segments:
●
Muscle Maker Grill Restaurant Division
●
Pokemoto Hawaiian Poke Restaurants Division
●
SuperFit Foods Meal Prep Division
39
Muscle Maker, Inc. is our parent company. We own and
operate three unique “healthier for you” restaurant concepts within our portfolio of companies: Muscle Maker Grill restaurants,
SuperFit Foods and Pokemoto restaurants. Our Company was founded on the belief of taking every-day menu options and converting them into
“healthier for you” menu choices. Consumers are demanding healthier choices, customization, flavor and convenience. We believe
our portfolio of companies directly satisfy these consumer needs. We take focus on lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, proprietary
sauces, whole grains and various other items like protein shakes, meal plans, specialty drinks and super foods. Each of our three concepts
offers different menus that are tailored to specific consumer segments. We operate in the fast-casual and meal prep segments of the restaurant
industry. We believe our “healthier for you” inspired concepts deliver a highly differentiated customer experience.
On February 26, 2020, the Company entered into a
Kitchen Services Agreement with a major delivery-only kitchen concept. The Kitchen Services Agreement provides for ten locations in total
with four initial locations starting in the Chicago market, two locations in the Philadelphia market, one location in the Providence
market, two locations in the Miami market and one location in the New York market. The Kitchen Services Agreement provide the Company
with access to the delivery-only locations for a one-year term with an automatic one-year renewal unless terminated by either party.
The delivery-only locations are set up for third party delivery and provide that the Company must pay monthly license fees, processing
service fees and storage service fees. The monthly license fees for the locations range from $3,000 to $6,000. The monthly license fees
become due 14 days after the Company is granted access to the location. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had opened seven of the
ten locations. One Miami location opened in February 2022 and the second Miami location is anticipated to open in April 2022. During
the year ended December 31, 2021, the decision was made not to renew the monthly license agreements at the seven delivery-only
kitchen locations after their initial one-year term as a cost saving measure due to the locations not performing as anticipated. The
existing assets at the locations were transferred to a storage unit and will be installed in future new locations.
As part of the non-traditional location growth strategy,
the Company entered into an agreement and announced on June 1, 2020, its expansion within the Northern Virginia Community College system
to open 4 locations on various campus locations. These locations were built in 2020 with the anticipation of opening in the fall semester
of 2020. However, due to covid-19 restrictions, these locations were temporarily closed and were opened during 2021 as roughly 50% of
the students were allowed back on campus. These locations are based on a variable lease determined on monthly sales thus limiting the
ongoing costs associated with these locations.
On November 11, 2020, the Company announced an agreement
with Happy Meal Prep to offer Muscle Maker meal prep/plans to consumers via direct- to-consumer shipments of over 40 meal prep/plan options.
This program allows shipments of up to a 250-mile radius around participating locations increasing the total number of potential consumers
who can enjoy Muscle Maker Grill meals. The Company made a greater push in the direct-to-consumer market meal prep/plan strategy in 2021
as an alternate, non-traditional approach to delivering our products to consumers.
On March 25, 2021, we acquired the assets of SuperFit
Foods, a subscription based fresh-prepared meal prep business located in Jacksonville, Florida. With this acquisition, we are also the
owner of the trade name SuperFit Foods that we use in connection with the operations of SuperFit Foods. In 2020 SuperFit Foods produced
over 220,000 fresh-prepared meals. SuperFit Foods is differentiated from other meal prep services by allowing customers in the Jacksonville
Florida market to order online via the Company’s website and pick up their fully prepared meals from 28 Company-owned coolers located
in gyms and wellness centers.
On April 7, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement with an accredited investor for a private placement pursuant to which the investor purchased from the Company for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $10,000,000 (i) 1,250,000 shares of common stock of the Company (ii) a common stock purchase
warrant to purchase up to 4,115,227 shares of Common Stock (the “Common Warrant”) and (iii) a pre-funded common stock purchase
warrant to purchase up to 2,865,227 shares of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrant”). Each share and accompanying Common
Warrant was sold together at a combined offering price of $2.43 per share and Common Warrant, and each Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying
Common Warrant was sold together at a combined offering price of $2.42 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Common Warrant. The Pre-Funded
Warrant is immediately exercisable, at a nominal exercise price of $0.01 per share, and may be exercised at any time until the Pre-Funded
Warrant is fully exercised. The Common Warrant has an exercise price of $2.43 per share, are immediately exercisable and will expire five
and one-half (5.5) years from the date of issuance. The private placement closed on April 9, 2021.
40
On May 14, 2021, MMI acquired the Pokemoto restaurant
chain. This consisted of purchasing PKM Stamford, LLC, Poke Co., LLC, LB Holdings LLC, and TNB Holdings, LLC, Poke Co Holdings LLC, GLL
Enterprises, LLC, and TNB Holdings II, LLC, each a Connecticut limited liability company (collectively, Pokemoto”). Pokemoto has
thirteen locations in four states – Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Georgia and offers up chef-driven contemporary
flavors with fresh delectable and healthy ingredients such as Atlantic salmon, sushi-grade tuna, fresh mango, roasted cashews and black
caviar tobiko that appeals to foodies, health enthusiasts, and sushi-lovers everywhere. The colorful dishes and modern chic dining rooms
provide an uplifting dining experience for guests of all ages. Customers can dine in-store or order online via third party delivery apps
for contactless delivery.
On October 25, 2021, Muscle
Maker Development International LLC (“MMDI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Muscle Maker Inc., entered into a Master Franchise
Agreement (the “Master Franchise Agreement”) with Almatrouk Catering Company – OPC (“ACC”) providing ACC
with the right to grant franchises for the development of 40 “Muscle Maker Grill” restaurants through December 31, 2030 (the
“Term”) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (“KSA”).
On November 17, 2021, the
Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with accredited investors for a private placement pursuant to which the investors
purchased from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $15,000,000 (i) 6,772,000 shares (the “Shares”)
of common stock of the Company, (ii) a common stock purchase warrant to purchase up to 10,830,305 shares of common stock (the “November
Common Warrant”) and (iii) a pre-funded common stock purchase warrant to purchase up to 4,058,305 shares of common stock (the “Pre-Funded
Warrant”). Each Share and accompanying November Common Warrant was sold together at a combined offering price of $1.385 per Share
and November Common Warrant, and each Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying November Common Warrant was sold together at a combined offering
price of $1.3849 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying November Common Warrant. The November Pre-Funded Warrant is immediately exercisable,
at a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per share, and may be exercised at any time until the November Pre-Funded Warrant is fully exercised.
The November Common Warrant will have an exercise price of $1.385 per share, are immediately exercisable and will expire five (5) years
from the date of issuance. The private placement closed on November 22, 2021.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we entered
into various franchise agreements for a total of seventeen potentially new Pokemoto locations with various franchisees. The Franchisees
paid the Company an aggregate of $217,500 and this has been recorded in deferred revenue as of December 31, 2021.
We believe our healthy-inspired restaurant concept
delivers a highly differentiated customer experience by combining the quality and hospitality that customers commonly associate with our
full service and fast casual restaurant competitors with the convenience and value customers generally expect from traditional fast food
restaurants. The foundation of our brand is based on our core values of quality, empowerment, respect, service and value.
●
Quality . Commitment to provide high quality, healthy-inspired food for a perceived wonderful experience for our guests.
●
Empowerment and Respect . We seek to empower our employees to take initiative and give their best while respecting themselves and others to maintain an environment for team work and growth.
●
Service . Provide world class service to achieve excellence each passing day.
●
Value . Our combination of high-quality, healthy-inspired food, empowerment of our employees, world class service, all delivered at an affordable price, strengthens the value proposition for our customers.
In striving for these goals, we aspire to connect
with our target market and create a great brand with a strong and loyal customer base.
We are the owner of the trade name and service mark
Muscle Maker Grill®, SuperFit Foods®, Pokemoto®, Healthy Joe’s, MMG Burger Bar®, Meal Plan AF® and other
trademarks and intellectual property we use in connection with the operation of Muscle Maker Grill® restaurants. We license the right
to use the Muscle Maker Grill®, Pokemoto®, and SuperFit Foods trademarks and intellectual property to our wholly owned subsidiaries,
Muscle Maker Development, Poke Co Holdings LLC and Muscle Maker Corp., and to further sublicense them to our franchisees for use in connection
with Muscle Maker Grill® and Pokemoto® restaurants.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a cash balance,
a working capital surplus and an accumulated deficit of $15,766,703, $15,041,334, and $71,369,837, respectively. During the year ended
December 31, 2021, the Company incurred a pre-tax net loss of $8,176,130 and net cash used in operations of $6,392,711. The Company believes
that our existing cash on hand and future cash flows from our franchise operations, will be sufficient to fund our operations, anticipated
capital expenditures and repayment obligations over the next twelve months.
41
Key Financial Definitions
Total Revenues
Our revenues are derived from three primary sources:
Company restaurant sales, franchise revenues and vendor rebates from Franchisees. Franchise revenues are comprised of franchise royalty
revenues collected based on 2% to 6% of franchisee net sales and other franchise revenues which include initial and renewal franchisee
fees. Vendor rebates are received based on volume purchases or services from franchise owned locations. In addition, we have other revenues
which consists of gift card breakage which is recognized when we determine that there is no further legal obligation to remit the unredeemed
gift card balance.
Food and Beverage Costs
Food and beverage costs include the direct costs associated
with food, beverage and packaging of our menu items at Company-operated restaurants partially offset by vendor rebates from Company-owned
stores. The components of food, beverages and supplies are variable in nature, change with sales volume, are affected by menu mix and
are subject to fluctuations in commodity costs.
Labor
Restaurant labor costs, including preopening labor,
consists of Company-operated restaurant-level management and hourly labor costs, including salaries, wages, payroll taxes, workers’
compensation expense, benefits and bonuses paid to our Company-operated restaurant-level team members. Like other cost items, we expect
total restaurant labor costs at our Company-operated restaurants to increase due to inflation and as our Company restaurant revenues grow.
Factors that influence labor costs include minimum wage and employer payroll tax legislation, mandated health care costs and operational
productivity established by the management team. Our labor costs in 2021 have been partially offset by employee retention tax credits
provided by the Internal Revenue Service due to the impact of Covid-19.
Rent
Restaurant rent, including preopening rental charges,
consist of Company-operated restaurant-level rental or lease payments applicable to executed rental or lease agreements. In many cases
these rental payments may include payments for common area maintenance as well as property tax assessments. Our rent strategy in some
locations consists of a variable rent structure calculated on net sales of the restaurant. While this can have a negative effect on higher
volume locations where we cannot leverage a fixed rent, it provides downside protection for lower volume locations.
Other Restaurant Operating Expenses
Other restaurant operating expenses, including preopening
operating expenses, consist of Company-operated restaurant-level ancillary expenses not inclusive of food and beverage, labor and rent
expense. These expenses are generally marketing, advertising, merchant and bank fees, utilities, leasehold and equipment repairs, insurance
and maintenance. A portion of these costs are associated with third party delivery services such as Uber Eats, Grub Hub, DoorDash and
others. The fees associated with these third-party delivery services can range up to 25% of the total order being delivered. Management
believes delivery is a critical component of our business model and industry trends will continue to push consumers towards delivery.
We have adjusted our cost structure to reflect different pricing models, portion sizes, menu offerings, and other considerations to potentially
partially offset these rising costs of delivery.
42
Impairment of Intangible Assets
Impairment of intangible assets consist of an amount
by which the carry amount of the intangible assets exceeds its fair value. This is recognized by us when the carry amount of an intangible
asset is greater than the projected future undiscounted cash flows, as the asset is not fully recoverable.
Impairment of Goodwill
Impairment of goodwill consist of an amount by which
the carry amount of the goodwill assets exceeds its fair value. This is recognized by us when the carry amount of goodwill is greater
than the projected future discounted cash flows, as the asset is not fully recoverable.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization primarily consist of
the depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets.
Franchise Advertising Expenses
In accordance with Topic 606, the Company recognizes
sales-based advertising contributions from franchisees as franchise revenue when the underlying franchisee incurs the corresponding advertising
expense. The Company records the related advertising expenses as incurred under general and administrative expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses include expenses
associated with corporate and administrative functions that support our operations, including wages, benefits, travel expense, stock-based
compensation expense, legal and professional fees, training, investor relations and other corporate costs. We incur incremental
general and administrative expenses as a result of being a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq capital market. A certain portion of
these expenses are related to the preparation of an initial stock offering and subsequent capital raises and should be considered one-time
expenses.
Other (Expense) Income
Other (expenses) income consists of amortization of
debt discounts on the convertible notes, interest expense related to convertible notes payable, change in fair value of accrued compensation
and gains on debt extinguishments in connection with the PPP loan forgiveness.
Income Taxes
Income taxes represent federal, state, and local current
and deferred income tax expense.
43
Consolidated Results of Operations
The following table represents selected items in our
consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively:
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Revenues:
Company restaurant sales, net of discounts
$
9,320,920
$
3,672,944
Franchise royalties and fees
778,181
739,450
Franchise advertising fund contributions
188,539
61,053
Other revenue
61,996
-
Total Revenues
10,349,636
4,473,447
Operating Costs and Expenses:
Restaurant operating expenses:
Food and beverage costs
3,532,907
1,467,799
Labor
1,917,979
1,908,476
Rent
1,261,096
691,986
Other restaurant operating expenses
2,362,687
1,146,443
Total restaurant operating expenses
9,074,669
5,214,704
Impairment of intangible asset
1,139,908
100,000
Impairment of goodwill
86,348
-
Depreciation and amortization
1,206,505
422,546
Franchise advertising fund expenses
188,539
61,053
Preopening expenses
31,829
56,362
General and administrative expenses
8,094,509
8,576,231
Total Costs and Expenses
19,822,307
14,430,896
Loss from Operations
(9,472,671
)
(9,957,449
)
Other Expenses (Income):
Other income
(9,097
)
27,143
Interest income, net
(50,170
)
(115,881
)
Change in fair value of accrued compensation
127,500
(14,000
)
Gain on debt extinguishment
1,228,308
-
Amortization of debt discounts
-
(38,918
)
Total Other Expenses, Net
1,296,541
(141,656
)
Loss Before Income Tax
(8,176,130
)
(10,099,105
)
Income tax provision
-
-
Net Loss
$
(8,176,130
)
$
(10,099,105
)
44
Year Ended December 31, 2021Compared with Year
Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues
Our revenues totaled $10,349,636 for the year ended
December 31, 2021 compared to $4,473,447 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $5,876,189 increase is primarily attributed to an increase
in restaurant sales as a direct result of the acquisition of Pokemoto and SuperFit Foods.
We generated Company restaurant sales, net of discounts,
of $9,320,920 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $3,672,944 for the year ended December 31, 2020. This represented an increase
of $5,647,976, or 153.8%, which is mainly attributable to the Pokemoto restaurants sales and SupferFit Foods sales generated during the
current year since their dates of acquisition.
Franchise royalties and fees for the year ended December
31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $778,181 compared to $739,450, respectively. This represents an increase of $38,731, or 5.24%. As the Company
executes against its franchising strategy and expands its efforts to sell franchise locations, management is anticipating that this number
will likely increase over the coming years.
Franchise advertising fund contributions for the years
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $188,539 compared to $61,053, respectively. In accordance with Topic 606, the Company recognizes
these sales-based advertising contributions from franchisees as franchise revenue when the underlying franchisee Company incurs the corresponding
advertising expense. Thus the increase has been a direct result of us increasing our expenses incurred related to our national advertising
services to benefit our franchisees and the brands as a whole.
Other revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021
totaled $61,996. Other revenues consisted of gift card breakage recognized.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating costs and expenses primarily consist of
restaurant food and beverage costs, restaurant labor expense, restaurant rent expense, other restaurant operating expenses, depreciation
and amortization expenses and general and administrative expenses.
Restaurant food and beverage costs for the year ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $3,532,907 or 37.90% as a percentage of Company restaurant net sales, and $1,467,799 or 39.96%, as
a percentage of Company restaurant net sales, respectively. The $2,065,108 increase resulted from higher store counts during the current
year as compared to the prior year resulting in higher sales with an overall decrease (improvement) of (2.06%) in restaurant and
food beverage cost as a percentage of sales.
Restaurant labor for the year ended December 31,
2021 and 2020 totaled $1,917,979, or 20.58%, as a percentage of Company restaurant net sales, and $1,908,476, or 51.96%, as a percentage
of Company restaurant net sales, respectively. The $9,503 increase resulted due a higher store count during the current year as compared
to the prior year as the Company opened and acquired more stores as compared to the prior period, offset by the reduction in labor expense
as a result of approximately $1,920,000 in employee retention credits that were made available to us due to the effects of Covid-19.
Without the employee retention credit restaurant labor for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $3,837,979 or 41.17% as a percentage
of Company restaurant net sales. Notwithstanding the positive effect of the tax credits on our labor costs we were able
to reduce (improve) our overall labor as a percentage of sales by (10.79%) due to increased sales and also due to
improvements in operations.
Restaurant rent expense for the year ended December
31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 totaled $1,261,096, or 13.53% as a percentage of restaurant sales, and $691,986, or 18.84%, as a percentage
of restaurant sales, respectively. The increase of $569,110 is directly attributed to the new Company-owned locations acquired during
the current period as compared to the prior period thus increasing the store count from sixteen stores to twenty-two stores. The percent
of total sales reduced (improved) by (5.31%) as sales increased overall and we are able to leverage fixed rent against these higher
sales levels.
45
Other restaurant operating expenses for the year
ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 totaled $2,362,687, or 25.35% as a percentage of restaurant sales, and $1,146,443, or
31.21% as a percentage of restaurant sales, respectively. The $1,216,244 increase is due to higher third-party merchant fees
resulting from an increase in delivery orders and a higher store count during the year as compared to the prior year. The increased
store count also resulted in an increase in utility fees and insurance expenses. The other restaurant operating expenses as a
percent of total sales reduced (improved) by (5.86%).
Depreciation and amortization expense for the year
ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 totaled $1,206,505 and $422,546, respectively. The $783,959 increase is mainly attributed
to amortization expense attributed to the additions of definite life intangible assets of approximately $4,150,000 acquired through the
various acquisitions during the current year as compared to the prior year. The remaining of the variance is attributable to depreciation
expense related to additional property and equipment of approximately $435,000 acquired through acquisitions and additional property and
equipment purchased of approximately $262,000 for new store build outs and the remodeling of an existing and acquired Company-owned restaurant
compared to the prior year.
Impairment of intangible assets for the year ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $1,139,908 and $100,000. We performed a recoverability test on the Muscle Maker Grill trademark and
franchise agreements based on its projected future undiscounted cash flows. The forecast was based on actual revenues and we also considered
recent developments as well as our strategic plans and intentions. Based on the forecasts we recorded an aggregate impairment charge.
The increase in our impairment charge is directly attributed to the closure of our Muscle Maker Grill Company-owned restaurants and our
franchise locations as compared to the prior period.
Preopening expense for the years ended December 31,
2021 and 2020, totaled $31,829 and $56,362 resulted from expense incurred prior to the opening of our new Company-owned store that opened
during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
General and administrative expenses for the year ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $8,094,509, or 78.21% of total revenue, and $8,576,231, or 191.70 % of total revenue, respectively.
The $481,722 decrease was mainly attributed to a reduction in consulting expenses of approximately
$1,433,000 which is mainly due to stock-based compensation expense for stock issued to various consultants for various services rendered
in the prior year as compared to the current year, a decrease in bad debt expenses of approximately $106,000, a decrease in professional
fees of approximately $42,300 which resulted from changing our auditing firm during the current year. The decrease was offset with increase
in salaries and wages of approximately $1,189,415 which resulted from additional staff members due to our acquisitions, in addition,
included in the increase is stock-based compensation for shares issued to employees of approximately $637,000 as part of their employment
agreements. The remainder of the variance was attributed to various other expenses including recruiting, marketing, computer expenses
etc.
Loss from Operations
Our loss from operations
for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $9,472,671, or 91.53% of total revenues and $9,957,449, or 222.59% of total revenue,
respectively. The decrease of $484,778 in loss from operations is primarily attributable to the increase of total revenues of $5,876,189,
partially offset by the increase in total cost and expenses of $5,391,411 as discussed above.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) for the year ended December
31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $1,296,541 and ($141,656), respectively. The $1,438,197 increase in other income (expense) was primarily attributable
to a gain on extinguishment of debt of $1,228,308 due mainly to the forgiveness of our PPP loans, an
increase of $141,500 in the change in fair value of accrued compensation issued during the current year as compared to the prior year
due to administrative delays by the Company as the shares were earned by the consultant but not issued in the correct period. Attributing
to the increase in other income (expense) is a decrease in interest expense of $65,711 due to the reduction of interest-bearing instrument
in the current year as compared to the prior year and a decrease in amortization of debt discounts of $38,918.
46
Net Loss
Our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021
was $8,176,130 which was an improvement of $1,922,975 as compared to a net loss of $10,099,105 for the year ended December 31, 2020, resulting
from an increase in our total revenue of $5,876,189 and an increase in our other income (expense) of $1,438,197, partially offset by an
increase of our total cost and expenses of $5,391,411.
The following table represents selected items in our
consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, respectively by our operating segments:
Muscle Maker
Pokemoto
SuperFit Foods
Consolidated
Grill Division
Division (d)
Division (e)
Unallocated
Revenues:
Company restaurant sales, net of discounts
$
9,320,920
$
5,159,134
$
2,694,335
$
1,467,451
$
-
Franchise royalties and fees
778,181
627,734
150,447
-
-
Franchise advertising fund contributions
188,539
188,539
-
-
-
Other Revenue
61,996
61,996
-
-
-
Total Revenues
10,349,636
6,037,403
2,844,782
1,467,451
-
Operating Costs and Expenses:
Restaurant operating expenses:
Food and beverage costs
3,532,907
2,038,636
999,586
494,685
-
Labor
1,917,979
1,227,187
416,847
273,944
-
Rent
1,261,096
977,202
209,242
74,652
-
Other restaurant operating expenses
2,362,687
1,437,418
624,437
300,832
-
Total restaurant operating expenses
9,074,669
5,680,443
2,250,112
1,144,113
-
Impairment of intangible assets
1,139,908
-
-
-
1,139,908
(b)
Impairment of goodwill
86,348
-
-
-
86,348
(b)
Depreciation and amortization
1,206,505
461,922
80,752
23,200
640,631
(b)
Franchise advertising fund expenses
188,539
188,539
-
-
-
Preopening expenses
31,829
9,937
21,892
-
-
General and administrative expenses
8,094,509
-
-
-
8,094,509
(a)
Total Costs and Expenses
19,822,307
6,340,841
2,352,756
1,167,313
9,961,396
(Loss) Income from Operations
(9,472,671
)
(303,438
)
492,026
300,138
(9,961,396
)
Other Income:
Other income
(9,097
)
-
-
-
(9,097
)(c)
Interest expense, net
(50,170
)
-
-
-
(50,170
)
Change in fair value of accrued compensation
127,500
-
-
-
127,500
(c)
Gain on debt extinguishment
1,228,308
-
-
-
1,228,308
Amortization of debt discounts
-
-
-
-
-
Total Other Income, Net
1,296,541
-
-
-
1,321,541
Loss Before Income Tax
(8,176,130
)
(303,438
)
492,026
300,138
(8,639,855
)
Income tax provision
-
-
-
-
-
Net (Loss) Income
$
(8,176,130
)
$
(303,438
)
$
492,026
$
300,138
$
(8,639,855
)
(a)
Includes charges related to corporate expense that the Company does not allocate to the respective divisions. The largest portion of this expense relates to payroll, benefits and other compensation expense of $3,320,061, professional fees of $1,818,998, and consulting fees of $1,611,045.
(b)
Includes charges of $1,135,448 and $86,348 related to the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, respectively, related to Muscle Maker Grill restaurants intangible assets and good will. This also includes amortization of intangible assets. See Note 7.
(c)
Includes changes in the fair value of accrued compensation of $127,500.
(d)
Pokemoto Division – Statement of operations for the period from May 14, 2021 (acquisition date) through December 31, 2021.
(e)
SuperFit Foods Division - Statement of operations for the period from March 25, 2021 (acquisition date) through December 31, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
We measure our liquidity in a number of ways, including
the following:
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Cash
$
15,766,703
$
4,195,932
Working Capital Surplus
$
15,041,334
$
1,383,568
Convertible notes payable, including related parties and Former Parent, net
$
182,458
$
182,458
Other notes payable, including related parties
$
1,170,079
$
1,276,692
Availability of Additional Funds
Although we have a working capital surplus of $15,041,334,
we presently have an accumulated deficit of $71,369,837, as of December 31, 2021, and we utilized $6,392,711 of cash in operating activities
during the year ended December 31, 2021. We believe that our existing cash on hand and future cash flows from our franchise operations,
will be sufficient to fund our operations, anticipated capital expenditures and repayment obligations over the next twelve months.
In the event we are required to obtain additional
financing, either through borrowings, private placements, public offerings, or some type of business combination, such as a merger, or
buyout, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in such pursuits. We may be unable to acquire the additional funding
necessary to continue operating. Accordingly, if we are unable to generate adequate cash from operations, and if we are unable to find
sources of funding, it may be necessary for us to sell one or more lines of business or all or a portion of our assets, enter into a business
combination, or reduce or eliminate operations. These possibilities, to the extent available, may be on terms that result in significant
dilution to our shareholders or that result in our shareholders losing all of their investment in our Company.
If we need to raise additional capital, we do not
know what the terms of any such capital raising would be. In addition, any future sale of our equity securities could dilute the ownership
and control of your shares and could be at prices substantially below prices at which our shares currently trade. We may seek to increase
our cash reserves through the sale of additional equity or debt securities. The sale of convertible debt securities or additional equity
securities could result in additional and potentially substantial dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result
in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations and liquidity.
In addition, our ability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms is subject to a variety of uncertainties. We cannot assure you
that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any failure to raise additional funds on favorable
terms could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition.
On April 7, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement with an accredited investor for a private placement pursuant to which the investor purchased from the Company for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $10,000,000 (i) 1,250,000 shares of common stock of the Company (ii) a common stock purchase
warrant to purchase up to 4,115,227 shares of Common Stock (the “Common Warrant”) and (iii) a pre-funded common stock purchase
warrant to purchase up to 2,865,227 shares of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrant”). Each share and accompanying Common
Warrant was sold together at a combined offering price of $2.43 per share and Common Warrant, and each Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying
Common Warrant was sold together at a combined offering price of $2.42 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Common Warrant. The Pre-Funded
Warrant is immediately exercisable, at a nominal exercise price of $0.01 per share, and may be exercised at any time until the Pre-Funded
Warrant is fully exercised. The Common Warrant has an exercise price of $2.43 per share, are immediately exercisable and will expire five
and one-half (5.5) years from the date of issuance. The private placement closed on April 9, 2021.
47
On November 17, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement with accredited investors for a private placement pursuant to which the investors purchased from the Company for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $15,000,000 (i) 6,772,000 shares (the “Shares”) of common stock of the Company,
(ii) a common stock purchase warrant to purchase up to 10,830,305 shares of common stock (the “November Common Warrant”) and
(iii) a pre-funded common stock purchase warrant to purchase up to 4,058,305 shares of common stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrant”).
Each Share and accompanying November Common Warrant was sold together at a combined offering price of $1.385 per Share and November Common
Warrant, and each Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying November Common Warrant was sold together at a combined offering price of $1.3849
per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying November Common Warrant. The November Pre-Funded Warrant is immediately exercisable, at a nominal
exercise price of $0.0001 per share, and may be exercised at any time until the November Pre-Funded Warrant is fully exercised. The November
Common Warrant will have an exercise price of $1.385 per share, are immediately exercisable and will expire five (5) years from the date
of issuance. The private placement closed on November 22, 2021.
Sources and Uses of Cash for the Years Ended December
31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we
used cash of $6,392,711 and $7,785,873, respectively, in operations. Our cash used for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily
attributable to our net loss of $8,176,130, adjusted for net non-cash income in the aggregate amount of $3,484,067, partially offset by
$1,700,648 of net cash provided by changes in the levels of operating assets and liabilities. Our cash used for the year ended December
31, 2020 was primarily attributable to our net loss of $10,099,105, adjusted for net non-cash income in the aggregate amount of $3,535,995,
partially offset by $1,222,763 of net cash provided by changes in the levels of operating assets and liabilities.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used
in investing activities was $3,575,809, of which $262,019 was used to purchase property and equipment, $3,315,390 used in connection with
the acquisition of SuperFit Foods and Pokemoto and $1,600 was collected from loans to franchisees loan issuances. During the year ended
December 31, 2020, cash used in investing activities was $850,334, of which $781,041 was used to purchase property and equipment, $75,000
used in connection with the acquisition of new Company stores from former franchisees and $5,707 was collected from loans to franchisees
and related parties net of loan issuances.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the
year ended December 31, 2021 was $21,539,291, consisting of $22,890,950 proceeds from Private Placement offerings, net of underwriter’s
discount and offering costs, and proceeds from the exercising of the pre-funded warrants of $28,773,
partially offset by repayments of various other notes payable of $1,280,43, which consisted
mainly of SBA loans that was acquired through the Pokemoto acquisition and $100,000 cash paid to a former investor in connection with
the cancellation of their shares. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $12,353,285,
consisting of $11,720,001 in proceeds from the offerings, net of underwriter’s discount and offering costs, $764,399 proceeds from
the over-allotment, net of underwriter’s discount and offering costs, $150,000 proceeds from other note payable, $866,300 proceeds
from the PPP loan, partially offset by repayments of various convertible notes of $550,000 and $597,415 of repayments of other notes payables,
including a related party.
Critical Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosures
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting
period.
Management bases its estimates on historical experience
and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making
judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Significant estimates include:
●
the assessment of recoverability of long-lived assets, including property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets;
●
the estimated useful lives of intangible and depreciable assets;
48
●
estimates and assumptions used to value warrants issued in connection with notes payable;
●
the recognition of revenue; and
●
the recognition, measurement and valuation of current and deferred income taxes.
Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed,
and the effects of any material revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period that they are determined to be necessary.
Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Intangible Assets
We account for recorded intangible assets in accordance
with ASC 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”. In accordance with ASC 350, we do not amortize intangible assets with indefinite
useful lives. Our goodwill and trademarks are deemed to have indefinite lives, and accordingly are not amortized, but are evaluated for
impairment at least annually, or more often whenever changes in facts and circumstances may indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable. The Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at the reporting
unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment). Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment,
including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting
units, and determining the fair value. Significant judgment is required to estimate the fair value of reporting units which includes estimating
future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially
affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment.
Other intangible assets include a trademark with an
indefinite useful life. The other intangible assets estimated original useful lives are as follows:
Franchisee agreements
13 years
Franchise license
10 years
Trademark – SuperFit, Trademark – Pokemoto
Domain name, customer list and
Proprietary recipes
5 – 7 years
Non-compete agreement
2 – 3 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
When circumstances, such as adverse market conditions,
indicate that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may be impaired, we perform an analysis to review the recoverability of the asset’s
carrying value, which includes estimating the undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest charges) from the expected future operations
of the asset. These estimates consider factors such as expected future operating income, operating trends and prospects, as well as the
effects of demand, competition and other factors. If the analysis indicates that the carrying value is not recoverable from future cash
flows, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. Any impairment losses
are recorded as operating expenses, which reduce net income.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue primarily includes initial franchise
fees received by the Company, which are being amortized over the life of the Company’s franchise agreements, as well as unearned
vendor rebates
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenues consist of restaurant
sales, franchise royalties and fees, franchise advertising fund contributions, and other revenues. The Company recognized revenues according
to Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. Under the guidance, revenue is recognized in accordance with a five-step
revenue model, as follows: (1) identifying the contract with the customer; (2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract;
(3) determining the transaction price; (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (5) recognizing revenue
when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In applying this five-step model, we made significant judgments in identifying
the promised goods or services in our contracts with franchisees that are distinct, and which represent separate performance obligations.
49
Restaurant Sales
Retail store revenue at Company-operated restaurants
is recognized when payment is tendered at the point of sale, net of sales tax, discounts and other sales related taxes. The Company recorded
retail store revenues of $9,320,920 and $3,672,944 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company sells gift cards which do not have an
expiration date, and it does not deduct dormancy fees from outstanding gift card balances. The Company recognizes revenues from gift cards
as restaurant revenues once the Company performs its obligation to provide food and beverage to the customer simultaneously with the redemption
of the gift card or through gift card breakage, as discussed in Other Revenues below.
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Franchise revenues consists of royalties, franchise
fees and rebates. Royalties are based on a percentage of franchisee net sales revenue. The Company recognizes the royalties as the underlying
sales occur. The Company recorded revenue from royalties of $434,849 and $331,694 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively,
which is included in franchise royalties and fees on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The Company provides the franchisees with management
expertise, training, pre-opening assistance, and restaurant operating assistance in exchange for the multi-unit development fees and franchise
fees. The Company capitalizes these fees upon collection from the franchisee, these fees are then recognized as franchise fee revenue
on a straight-line basis over the life of the related franchise agreements and any exercised renewal periods. Cash payments are due upon
the execution of the related franchise agreement. The Company’s performance obligation with respect to franchise fee revenues consists
of a license to utilize the Company’s brand for a specified period of time, which is satisfied equally over the life of each franchise
agreement. The Company recorded revenue from franchise fees of $263,215 and $277,255 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively, which is included in franchise royalties and fees on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The Company has supply agreements with certain food
and beverage vendors. Pursuant to the terms of these agreements, rebates are provided to the Company based upon the dollar volume of purchases
for all company-owned and franchised restaurants from these vendors. Rebates earned on purchases by franchise stores are recorded as revenue
during the period in which the related food and beverage purchases are made. The Company recorded revenue from rebates of $80,117 and
$130,501 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which is included in franchise royalties and fees on the accompanying
consolidated statements of operations. Rebates earned on purchases by Company-owned stores are recorded as a reduction of food and beverage
costs during the period in which the related food and beverage purchases are made.
Franchise Advertising Fund Contributions
Under the Company’s franchise agreements, the
Company and its franchisees are required to contribute a certain percentage of revenues to a national advertising fund. The Company’s
national advertising services are provided on a system-wide basis and therefore, not considered distinct performance obligations for individual
franchisees. In accordance with Topic 606, the Company recognizes these sales-based advertising contributions from franchisees as franchise
revenue when the underlying franchisee Company incurs the corresponding advertising expense. The Company records the related advertising
expenses as incurred under general and administrative expenses. When an advertising contribution fund is over-spent at year end, advertising
expenses will be reported on the consolidated statement of operations in an amount that is greater than the revenue recorded for advertising
contributions. Conversely, when an advertising contribution fund is under-spent at a period end, the Company will accrue advertising costs
up to advertising contributions recorded in revenue. The Company recorded contributions from franchisees of $188,539 and $61,053, respectively,
during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, which are included in franchise advertising fund contributions on the accompanying
consolidated statements of operations.
50
Other Revenues
Gift card breakage is recognized when the likelihood
of a gift card being redeemed by the customer is remote and the Company determines there is not a legal obligation to remit the unredeemed
gift card balance to the relevant jurisdiction. The determination of the gift card breakage rate is based upon the Company’s specific
historical redemption patterns. Gift card liability is recorded in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company
recorded $61,996 gift card breakage for the year ended December 31, 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not
record any gift card breakage.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue primarily includes initial franchise
fees received by the Company, which are being amortized over the life of the Company’s franchise agreements, as well as unearned
vendor rebates. Deferred revenue is recognized in income over the life of the franchise agreements and vendor rebates are recognized in
income as performance obligations are satisfied.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under Accounting Standards
Codification (“ASC”) 740 Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined
based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and credit carryforwards
using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to impact taxable income. Valuation allowances are
established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.
ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty
in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process
for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.
Tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on
a tax return are recorded in our financial statements. A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position is only recognized if it is more likely
than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.
The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater
than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.
Our policy is to classify assessments, if any, for
tax related interest as interest expense and penalties as general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have
or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses,
results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not applicable.
51
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements required by this Item 8 are
included in this Annual Report following Item 16 hereof. As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide supplementary
financial information.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of
our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls
and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), as of the year ended December 31, 2021. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer concluded that as of such date our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and
reporting, on a timely basis, information requested to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act.
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) promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December
31, 2021. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO) in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, our internal
control over financial reporting is effective based on these criteria.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Expect as set forth below there were no changes in
our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal
control over financial reporting.
●
Increased staffing in accounting allowing proper segregation of duties and the Company’s ability to gather, analyze and properly reviewed information related to financial reporting in a timely manner.
●
The Company enhanced internal controls the process relating to new contracts or transactions to effective communication and recording.
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION.
On May 4, 2021, Mr. Southall III resigned from the
compensation committee. On May 10, 2021, the Board appointed Major General (ret) Malcolm Frost to the compensation committee and added
Philip Balatsos as an additional member to the compensation committee.
On August 19,
2021, the Company was informed that Peter S. Petrosian, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, passed away. Mr. Petrosian,
an independent director, was a member of the audit committee at the time of his passing. Paul L. Menchik, an independent director of the
Company, was appointed to the audit committee to fill the vacancy resulting from Mr. Petrosian’s death. The Company is extremely
grateful for Mr. Petrosian’s dedication and service to the Company. The Company’s management and Board of Directors extends
its sincerest condolences to Mr. Petrosian’s family.
52
ITEM 9C.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Board of Directors and Executive Officers
Our directors hold office until their successors are
elected and qualified, or until their deaths, resignations or removals. Our executive officers hold office at the pleasure of our board
of directors, or until their deaths, resignations or removals.
As of March 16, 2022, our current directors
and executive officers and their ages are:
Name
Age
Principal Positions Held With Us
Kevin Mohan (1)
48
Chief Investment Officer and Chairman of the Board
Michael J. Roper
57
Chief Executive Officer, Secretary
Kenneth Miller
52
Chief Operating Officer
Jennifer Black
40
Chief Financial Officer
Ferdinand Groenewald
37
Chief Accounting Officer
Aimee Infantee
35
Chief Marketing Officer
Stephen A. Spanos (2)
59
Director
A.B. Southall III (3)
60
Director
Paul L. Menchik (4)
74
Director
Jeff Carl (5)
66
Director
Major General (Ret) Malcolm B. Frost (6)
55
Director
Philip Balatsos (7)
44
Director
(1)
Mr. Mohan serves as the Chairman of the Board.
(2)
Mr. Spanos serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
(3)
Mr. A.B. Southall III serves as a member of the Governance Committee.
(4)
Mr. Menchik serves as the Chairman of the Governance Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee.
(5)
Mr. Carl serves as the Chairman of the Compensations Committee and is a member of the Governance Committee.
(6)
Mr. Frost serves as a member of the Compensation Committee.
(7)
Mr. Balatsos serves as a member of the Compensation and Audit Committee.
Executive Officers
Kevin Mohan . Mr. Mohan has served as
Chairman of the Board and a director of Muscle Maker, Inc. since April, 2018. From April, 2018 through May, 2018, he also served as our
Interim President. He has also served as the Chief Investment Officer since May, 2018. From June 2012 through January, 2018, Mr. Mohan
served as the VP of Capital Markets for American Restaurant Holdings, Inc., a company focused on acquiring and expanding fast casual restaurant
brands.
Based on his experience we have deemed Mr. Mohan fit
to serve on the Board and as Chairman of the Board.
Michael J. Roper. Mr. Roper has served as Chief
Executive Officer, of Muscle Maker, Inc. since May 1, 2018. Mr. Roper has unique experience ranging from owning and operating several
franchise locations through the corporate executive levels. From May 2015 through October 2017, Mr. Roper served as Chief Executive Officer
of Taco Bueno where he was responsible for defining strategy and providing leadership to 162 company-owned and operated locations along
with 23 franchised locations. From March 2014 through May 2015, Mr. Roper served as the Chief Operating Officer of Taco Bueno and from
July 2013 through March 2014 as the Chief Development and Technology Officer of Taco Bueno. Prior to joining Taco Bueno, Mr. Roper was
a franchise owner and operator of a IMS Barter franchise and held several roles with Quiznos Sub from 2000 to 2012 starting as a franchise
owner and culminating in his appointment as the Chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President of Operations in 2009. Mr. Roper received
a Bachelor of Science in Business and General Management from Northern Illinois University.
53
Based on his education and extensive experience in
the restaurant/franchise industry, we have deemed Mr. Roper fit to serve as our principal executive officer.
Kenneth Miller. Mr. Miller has served as Chief
Operating Officer of Muscle Maker, Inc. since September 2018. Mr. Miller has served in the restaurant business for an extensive portion
of his career. Prior to joining us as Chief Operating Officer in September, 2018, Mr. Miller served as the Senior Vice President of Operations
for Dickey’s BBQ Restaurant from April 2018 through September 2018 and in various capacities with Taco Bueno Restaurants, LP from
October 2013 through April 2018 culminating in the position of Senior Vice President of Operations. Mr. Miller received a Bachelor of
Arts in Business/Exercise Science from Tabor College in 1991.
Based on his education and extensive experience in
the restaurant/franchise industry, we have deemed Mr. Miller fit to serve as our Chief Operating Officer.
Jennifer Black . Ms.
Black is an experienced Chief Financial Officer with a demonstrated history of working with public and private equity backed organizations.
Prior to joining the Company, from September 2018 through December 2021, Ms. Black served as the Chief Financial Officer for Eagle Pressure
Control LLC (“Eagle”) and Talon Pressure Control, oilfield service companies. From October 2015 through September 2018, Ms.
Black served as the Controller for AG Resource Management, a private equity backed agriculture lending company, and as the Controller
for Basic Energy Services, an oil and gas services company, from January 2013 through October 2015. Ms. Black has also held various other
roles including Vice President of SEC reporting with OMNI American Bank and Audit Manager with RSM McGladrey. In November 2020, Eagle,
as a result of various events including an oil and gas work related incident, decline of oil and gas prices and the impact from COVID-19,
filed for bankruptcy protection under Subchapter V under Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas (Houston) (Bankruptcy
Petition #: 20-35474). Ms. Black is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. Ms. Black received a Master
of Business Administration from Jack Welch Management Institute in 2018 and Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Texas Tech
University in 2003.
Based on her education and extensive experience in
the financial and accounting industries, we have deemed Ms. Black fit to serve as our Chief Financial Officer.
Ferdinand Groenewald. Mr. Groenewald has served
as the Chief Accounting Officer of Muscle Maker, Inc. since January 2022. Mr. Groenewald previously served as our Chief Financial Officer
of Muscle Maker, Inc. from September 2018 through January 2022. Mr. Groenewald had previously served as our Vice President of Finance,
Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, Muscle Maker Development, LLC and Muscle Maker Corp., LLC from January 25,
2018 through May 29, 2018. In addition, Mr. Groenewald has served as our controller from October 2017 through May 29, 2018. Mr. Groenewald
is a certified public accountant with significant experience in finance and accounting. From July 2018 through August 2018, Mr. Groenewald
serves as senior financial reporting accountant of Wrinkle Gardner & Company, a full service tax, accounting and business consulting
firm. From February 2017 to October 2017, Mr. Groenewald served as Senior Financial Accounting Consultant at Pharos Advisors, Inc. serving
a broad range of industries. From November 2013 to February 2017, he served as a Senior Staff Accountant at Financial Consulting Strategies,
LLC where he provided a broad range of accounting, financial reporting, and pre-auditing services to various industries. From August 2015
to December 2015, Mr. Groenewald served as a Financial Reporting Analyst at Valley National Bank. Mr. Groenewald holds a Bachelor of Science
in accounting from the University of South Africa.
54
Based on his education and extensive experience in
the financial and accounting industries, we have deemed Mr. Groenewald fit to serve as our Chief Accounting Officer.
Aimee Infante. Ms. Infante has served in various
roles with us since 2014 starting as Marketing and Communications Manager in October 2014 and then as a Marketing Director from February
2015 through April 2016. Ms. Infante was then promoted to Vice President of Marketing in April 2016 prior to her appointment as Chief
Marketing Officer in May 2019. Prior to joining us, Ms. Infante served in various marketing roles including Regional Marketing Manager
for Qdoba Mexican Grill from November 2010 through April 2014. Ms. Infante holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Rider University.
Based on her education and extensive experience in
the restaurant/franchise industry, we have deemed MS. Infant fit to serve as our Chief Marketing Officer.
Stephen A. Spanos. Mr. Spanos has served as
director of Muscle Maker, Inc. since February 2020. Since 2013, Mr. Spanos has provided financial and accounting consulting services for
both privately held and public companies. From 2009 to 2013, Mr. Spanos served as the Chief Financial Officer of Orion Seafood International,
Inc., a marketer of frozen lobster products, and as the Controller of Reef Point Systems, a provider of security solutions for converged
wireless and wireline networks in the United States, from 2005 to 2013. Mr. Spanos served as an audit manager for BDO USA, LLP and as
an auditor for Ernst & Young. Mr. Spanos received his MBA and BS in Business Administration, Accounting and Financing in 1995 and
1985, respectively, from Boston University.
Based on his education and extensive experience in
financial and accounting matters, we have deemed that Mr. Spanos is fit to serve on the Board.
A.B. Southall III . Mr. Southall has
served as director of Muscle Maker, Inc. since February 2017. He has over 35 years of experience managing construction and land developing
businesses. From December 1997 until December 2017 he was the President of a custom home building company. From March 2011 to current,
Mr. Southall has been the President of Third Generation Builders, Inc. In addition, since 2001, Mr. Southall has been the President of
Southall Landings Marina, Inc., a 189 boat slip marina complex. His involvement in the marina business led him to co-found a local Waterway
Association. He has diversely invested across multiple sectors including private placements, oil & gas, real estate, restaurant businesses
and commodities. Mr. Southall is an advocate of a healthy approach to the food industry and the restaurant business.
Based on his vast business and financial experience
with real estate and restaurants, we have deemed Mr. Southall fit to serve on the Board.
Paul L. Menchik . Mr. Menchik has served
as director of Muscle Maker, Inc. since February 2017. Since 1986, Mr. Menchik has been Professor of Economics at Michigan State University
where he has been Department chairperson and Director of Graduate Programs. He has served as Senior Economist for Economic Policy for
the White House Office of Management and Budget (where among other matters he worked on Social Security solvency issues) and served as
Visiting Scholar at the Tax Analysis Division of the Congressional Budget Office. Menchik has also been on the faculty of Rutgers University
and the University of Wisconsin and has served as visiting faculty at University of Pennsylvania, London School of Economics, University
College London, and Victoria University in Wellington New Zealand. Over the years he has advised three state governments and five United
States government agencies. He holds a Ph.D. from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. He has
over 40 publications including a book on household and family economics, made over 85 paper presentations at other universities and conferences
around the world and has refereed for over 20 academic journals and is currently a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Income
Distribution. He is a member of Who’s Who in Economics and Who’s Who in America.
Based on his education and extensive experience in
economic and financial matters, we have deemed Mr. Menchik fit to serve on the Board.
Jeff Carl. Mr. Carl has served as director
of Muscle Maker, Inc. since September 3, 2019. Since February, 2017, Mr. Carl has served as Executive Director of Nice & Company,
an ad agency with a focus on print, TV, digital, experiential and mobile, and as an independent consultant to the restaurant industry.
From June, 2013 to January, 2017, Mr. Carl served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Taco Bueno Restaurants and from 2009 to 2013 as the
Chief Marketing Officer of Tavistock Restaurants LLC. Mr. Carl received a BA from Wake Forest University in 1977 and a MBA from University
of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1979.
55
Based on his experience within the restaurant industry
and due to the fact that he has held senior level executive positions with a focus on advertising and marketing, we have deemed Mr. Carl
a fit to serve on the Board.
Major General (Ret) Malcolm B. Frost . Maj.
Gen (Ret) Frost has 31 years of military experience providing large-scale strategic and operational leadership and oversight in the Indo-Asia-Pacific,
Middle East, Europe, and the United States for the United States Army - successfully leading the evolution of soldier training programs
in peace and war from platoon through 2-star command level. Maj. Gen. (Ret) Frost has been deployed to combat several times in a variety
of leadership and command positions. Since 2019, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Frost served as Executive Consultant for Fortune 500 and larger corporations
through Malcolm Frost and Associates LLC. From 2015 through 2019, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Frost served as the Commanding General for the US Army
Training and Doctrine Command located at Fort Eustis, Virginia and as the Chief of Public Affairs for the US Army Headquarters based in
Washington, DC. Maj. Gen. (Ret) Frost also served as the Deputy Commanding General for Support for the US Army, Deputy Director of Operations
for the US Department of Defense and the Director of Operations for the US Army Pacific Headquarters. He deployed to Bosnia-Hercegovina
as a company commander in 1995 and deployed twice to Iraq as commander of an 800-person Cavalry Squadron operating in Tal Afar during
the Surge in 2006-7, and as commander of a 5K person Stryker Brigade Combat Team operating in Diyala, Salah ad Din, and Kirkuk provinces
in 2010-11. Additionally, he deployed as Director of Operations of a 4,000-person airborne brigade task force in Afghanistan in 2002-3.
In addition to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Maj.
Gen. (Ret) Frost holds advanced degrees from Webster University and the U.S. Army War College in Human Resources Development and National
Security Strategy, respectively. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal x2, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of
Merit x3, Bronze Star Medal x3, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal x6 including one for Valor, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist
Badge and Ranger Tab. He is a Certified Project Director and is the recipient of the U.S. Department of State Meritorious Honor Award
for reconstruction, civic and humanitarian achievements while serving in Iraq.
Based on his vast business and financial experience
with the military as well as his business experience, we have deemed Maj. Gen (Ret) Frost a fit to serve on the Board.
Philip Balatsos. Since 2016, Mr.
Balatsos has worked in the restaurant and hospitality industries. In 2018, Mr. Balatsos founded and has served as the owner operator of
LAPH Hospitality which operates a café/catering business and also serves as a consultant providing financial, purchasing and usage
analysis as well as rollout services pertaining to ordering, invoicing and inventorying systems. From 2016 through 2018, Mr. Balatsos
held various positions with Barteca Restaurant Group including Assistant General Manager and Purchasing Manager. Prior to 2016, Mr. Balatsos
held various position on Wall Street for 16 years including Vice President, Foreign Exchange Sales/Trading for Credit Suisse, Director,
Foreign Exchange Hedge Fund Sales for Barclays Capital and Financial Advisor for Stifel Nicolaus & Co. Mr. Balatsos graduated from
Skidmore College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and from Institute of Culinary Education in 2016.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among any of our
executive officers and directors.
Corporate Governance
Board of Directors and Board Committees
Our stock (symbol: GRIL) is listed on the NASDAQ capital
market. Under the rules of Nasdaq, “independent” directors must make up a majority of a listed company’s board of directors.
In addition, applicable Nasdaq rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit and
compensation committees be independent within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq rules. Audit committee members must also satisfy the
independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
56
Our board of directors currently consists of seven
(7) members. Our board of directors has determined that Stephen Spanos, A.B. Southall III, Paul L. Menchik, Malcolm Frost, Philip
Balatsos and Jeff Carl, qualify as independent directors in accordance with the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq listing requirements.
Kevin Mohan is not considered independent. Nasdaq’s independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that
the director is not, and has not been for at least three (3) years, one of our employees and that neither the director nor any of his
or her family members has engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as required by Nasdaq rules, our board
of directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist that, in the opinion of
our board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
In making these determinations, our board of directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard
to each director’s business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. There are no
family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
As required under Nasdaq rules and regulations and
in expectation of listing on Nasdaq, our independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent
directors are present.
Board Leadership Structure and Board’s Role
in Risk Oversight
Kevin Mohan is the Chairman of the Board. The Chairman
has authority, among other things, to preside over the Board meetings and set the agenda for the Board meetings. Accordingly, the Chairman
has substantial ability to shape the work of our Board. We currently believe that separation of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer ensures appropriate oversight by the Board of our business and affairs. However, no single leadership model is right for all companies
and at all times. The Board recognizes that depending on the circumstances, other leadership models, such as the appointment of a lead
independent director, might be appropriate. Accordingly, the Board may periodically review its leadership structure.
Our Board is generally responsible for the oversight
of corporate risk in its review and deliberations relating to our activities. Our principal source of risk falls into two categories,
financial and product commercialization. The audit committee oversees management of financial risks; our Board regularly reviews information
regarding our cash position, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. The Board regularly reviews plans, results
and potential risks related to our system-wide restaurant growth, brand awareness and menu offerings. Our Compensation Committee is expected
to oversee risk management as it relates to our compensation plans, policies and practices for all employees including executives and
directors, particularly whether our compensation programs may create incentives for our employees to take excessive or inappropriate risks
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has already established an
audit committee (the “Audit Committee”), a Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) and a Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee (“Governance Committee”). The composition and function of each committee are described
below.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has three members, including Messrs.
Spanos, Balatsos and Menchik. Mr. Spanos serves as the chairman of the Audit Committee and satisfies the definition of “audit committee
financial expert”.
Our audit committee is authorized to:
●
approve and retain the independent auditors to conduct the annual audit of our financial statements;
●
review the proposed scope and results of the audit;
●
review and pre-approve audit and non-audit fees and services;
●
review accounting and financial controls with the independent auditors and our financial and accounting staff;
●
review and approve transactions between us and our directors, officers and affiliates;
●
recognize and prevent prohibited non-audit services; and
●
establish procedures for complaints received by us regarding accounting matters; oversee internal audit functions, if any.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee has three members, including
Messrs. Carl, Balatsos and Frost. Mr. Carl serves as the chairman of the Compensation Committee.
Our Compensation Committee is authorized to:
●
review and determine the compensation arrangements for management;
●
establish and review general compensation policies with the objective to attract and retain superior talent, to reward individual performance and to achieve our financial goals;
●
administer our stock incentive and purchase plans; and
●
review the independence of any compensation advisers.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Governance Committee has three members, including
Messrs. Menchik, Southall III and Carl. Mr. Menchik serves as the chairman of the Governance Committee.
The functions of our Governance Committee, among other
things, include:
●
identifying individuals qualified to become board members and recommending director;
●
nominees and board members for committee membership;
●
developing and recommending to our board corporate governance guidelines;
●
review and determine the compensation arrangements for directors; and
●
overseeing the evaluation of our board of directors and its committees and management.
Our goal is to assemble a Board that brings together
a variety of skills derived from high quality business and professional experience.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of our Compensation Committee,
at any time, has been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served,
as a member of the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers on our Board of
Directors or Compensation Committee. For a description of transactions between us and members of our Compensation Committee and affiliates
of such members, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics
that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the
Company’s executive officers, directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s
equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the Company’s common
stock. Such officers, directors, and persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a)
forms that they file with the SEC.
To our knowledge, based solely on review of the copies
of such reports and amendments to such reports with respect to the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC, all required
Section 16 reports under the Exchange Act for our directors, executive officers, principal accounting officer and beneficial owners
of greater than 10% of our common stock were filed on a timely basis during the year ended December 31, 2021, except for the shares
issued on February 11, 2021 for Mr. Roper, Mr. Miller, Mr. Mohan, Mr. Groenewald and Ms. Infante as the Form 4’s were filed on April
1, 2021.
57
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Summary Compensation Table
The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth
all compensation earned in all capacities during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 by (i) our principal executive officer,
(ii) our two most highly compensated executive officers, other than our principal executive officer, who were serving as executive officers
as of December 31, 2021 and whose total compensation for the 2021 fiscal year, as determined by Regulation S-K, Item 402, exceeded $100,000,
(iii) a person who would have been included as one of our two most highly compensated executive officers, other than our principal executive
officer, but for the fact that he was not serving as one of our executive officers as of December 31, 2021 (the individuals falling within
categories (i), (ii) and (iii) are collectively referred to as the “Named Executive Officers”):
Summary Compensation Table
Non-Qualified
Non-Equity
Deferred
Stock
Option
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
All Other
Year
Salary
Bonus
Award
Awards
Compensation
Earnings
Compensation
Total
Michael J. Roper
2021
$
356,077
$
-
$
287,000
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
643,077
Chief Executive Officer
of
Muscle Maker, Inc.
2020
$
360,503
$
180,288
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
540,791
Kenneth Miller
2021
$
283,461
$
-
$
92,248
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
375,709
Chief Operating Officer
of
Muscle Maker, Inc.
2020
$
256,442
$
53,846
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
310,288
Kevin Mohan
2021
$
180,384
$
50,000
$
184,498
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
414,882
Chief Operating Officer
of
Muscle Maker, Inc.
2020
$
185,077
$
78,000
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
72,327
$
335,404
Employment Agreements
Michael Roper
On February
10, 2022, Muscle Maker, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Employment Agreement with Michael Roper effective February 14,
2022, which replaced his prior employment agreement. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Roper will continue to be employed as Chief
Executive Officer of the Company on an at will basis. During the term of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Roper will be entitled to a base
salary at the annualized rate of $350,000, which will be increased to $375,000 upon the one-year anniversary. Mr. Roper will be eligible
for a discretionary performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity. Within 90 days of the effective date, the Company will issue Mr. Roper
stock options to receive 100,000 shares of common stock which will vest over a term of five years. If Mr. Roper is terminated by the Company
for any reason other than cause, including termination without cause in connection with a change in control, Mr. Roper will be entitled
to a severance package of 18 months of salary and health and dental benefits paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll schedule,
but subject to the execution of a valid release in favor of the Company and its related parties.
Jennifer Black
On January 2,
2022, the Company appointed Jennifer Black as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and entered into an Offer Letter with Ms. Black.
Pursuant to the Offer Letter, Ms. Black will be employed as Chief Financial Officer of the Company on an at-will basis. Ms. Black will
be entitled to a base salary at the annualized rate of $190,000. The Company’s previous CFO, Ferdinand Groenewald, will remain and
was appointed as the Chief Accounting Officer of the Company. The Company agreed to issue Ms. Black 20,000 restricted stock units upon
completion of 90 days of employment. Ms. Black will be entitled to receive stock options to acquire 20,000 shares of common stock subject
to the approval of the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee and the terms and conditions will be subject to entering into a stock
option agreement.
58
Kenneth Miller
On February
9, 2022, the Company and Kenn Miller, Chief Operations Officer, entered a letter agreement providing that Mr. Miller will continue to
be engaged by the Company on an at-will basis with a base salary at the annualized rate of $275,000 effective February 14, 2022. Mr. Miller
will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity of up to 75% of his salary. Within 90 days of the
effective date, the Company will issue Mr. Miller stock options to receive 50,000 shares of common stock which will vest over a term of
five years. If Mr. Miller is terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause, including termination without cause in connection
with a change in control, he will be entitled to a severance package of 12 months of salary and health and dental benefits paid in accordance
with the Company’s payroll schedule and insurance program, but subject to the execution of a valid release in favor of the Company
and its related parties.
Aimee Infante
On February
9, 2022, the Company and Aimee Infante, Chief Marketing Officer, entered a letter agreement providing that Ms. Infante will continue to
be engaged by the Company on an at-will basis with a base salary at the annualized rate of $175,000 effective February 14, 2022. Ms. Infante
will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity of up to 25% of her salary. Within 90 days of the
effective date, the Company will issue Ms. Infante stock options to receive 42,500 shares of common stock which will vest over a term
of five years. If Ms. Infante is terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause, including termination without cause in connection
with a change in control, she will be entitled to a severance package of six months of salary and health and dental benefits paid in accordance
with the Company’s payroll schedule and insurance program, but subject to the execution of a valid release in favor of the Company
and its related parties.
Kevin Mohan
On February
10, 2022, the Company and Kevin Mohan, Chief Investment Officer, entered a letter agreement providing that Mr. Mohan will continue to
be engaged by the Company on an at-will basis with a base salary at the annualized rate of $200,000 effective February 14, 2022. Mr. Mohan
will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity of up to 75% of his salary. Within 90 days of the
effective date, the Company will issue Mr. Mohan stock options to receive 75,000 shares of common stock which will vest over a term of
five years. If Mr. Mohan is terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause, including termination without cause in connection
with a change in control, he will be entitled to a severance package of six months of salary and health and dental benefits paid in accordance
with the Company’s payroll schedule and insurance program, but subject to the execution of a valid release in favor of the
Company and its related parties.
Ferdinand Groenewald
On February
9, 2022, the Company and Ferdinand Groenewald, Chief Accounting Officer, entered a letter agreement providing that Mr. Groenewald will
continue to be engaged by the Company on an at-will basis with a base salary at the annualized rate of $175,000 effective February 14,
2022. Mr. Groenewald will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity of up to 25% of his salary. Within
90 days of the effective date, the Company will issue Mr. Groenewald stock options to receive 25,000 shares of common stock which will
vest over a term of five years. If Mr. Groenewald is terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause, including termination
without cause in connection with a change in control, he will be entitled to a severance package of six months of salary and health and
dental benefits paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll schedule and insurance program, but subject to the execution of a
valid release in favor of the Company and its related parties.
59
Elements of Compensation
Base Salary
Messrs. Roper, Black, Miller, Mohan, Infante
and Groenewald received a fixed base salary in an amount determined in accordance with their then employment agreement with Muscle Maker
Inc., and based on a number of factors, including:
●
The nature, responsibilities and duties of the officer’s position;
●
The officer’s expertise, demonstrated leadership ability and prior performance;
●
The officer’s salary history and total compensation, including annual cash bonuses and long-term incentive compensation; and
●
The competitiveness of the market for the officer’s services.
Bonus
Mr. Mohan and Groenewald received discretionary performance
based bonuses during the year ended December 31, 2021 pursuant to their employment agreements.
Stock Award
In fiscal 2021, we issued an aggregate of 221,783
shares of our restricted common stock, with an aggregate fair value of $636,495, to our executive team.
Equity Incentive Plans
2019 Plan
Our board of directors and shareholders approved the
2019 Equity Incentive Plan or the 2019 Plan. Our shareholders approved the plan on October 28, 2019. The 2019 Plan provides incentives
to eligible employees, officers, directors and consultants in the form of Non-Qualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Bonus Awards, Performance Compensation Awards (including cash
bonus awards) or any combination of the foregoing. We have reserved a total of 214,286 shares of common stock for issuance under the 2019
Plan. As of the date of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements 188,527 shares have been issued under the 2019 Plan. Upon
the adoption of our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, we no longer issue awards under the 2019 Plan, but any existing awards granted to our
management team and Board of Directors will remain outstanding under the 2019.
2020 Plan
The Company’s board of directors and shareholders
approved and adopted on October 27, 2020 the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (“2020 Plan”), effective on October 27, 2020 under
which stock options and restricted stock may be granted to officers, directors, employees and consultants in the form of non-qualified
stock options, incentive stock-options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock Units, stock bonus awards,
performance compensation awards (including cash bonus awards) or any combination of the foregoing. Under the 2020 Plan, the Company reserved
1,750,000 shares of common stock for issuance. As of the date of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements 889,756 shares
have been issued under the 2020 Plan.
2021Plan
The Company’s board of directors and shareholders
approved and adopted on October 7, 2021 the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (“2021 Plan”) under which stock options and restricted
stock may be granted to officers, directors, employees and consultants in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock-options,
stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock Units, stock bonus awards, performance compensation awards (including
cash bonus awards) or any combination of the foregoing. Under the 2021 Plan, the Company reserved 1,500,000 shares of common stock for
issuance. As of the date of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements 471,348 shares have been issued under the 2021 Plan.
60
Administration
The Company’s Board of Directors or a committee
appointed by the Board (the “Committee”) will administer the Plan. The Committee will have the authority, without limitation
(i) to designate Participants to receive Awards, (ii) determine the types of Awards to be granted to Participants, (iii) determine the
number of shares of common stock to be covered by Awards, (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Awards granted under the Plan,
(v) determine to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, shares of common stock, other securities, other
Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended, (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the
delivery of cash, Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall
be made; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, settle any controversy regarding, correct any defect in and/or complete
any omission in this Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, this Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend,
or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of this
Plan; (ix) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards; (x) reprice existing Awards with
shareholder approval or to grant Awards in connection with or in consideration of the cancellation of an outstanding Award with a higher
price; and (xi) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration
of this Plan. The Committee will have full discretion to administer and interpret the Plan and to adopt such rules, regulations and procedures
as it deems necessary or advisable and to determine, among other things, the time or times at which the awards may be exercised and whether
and under what circumstances an award may be exercised.
Eligibility
Employees, directors, officers, advisors and consultants
of the Company or its affiliates are eligible to participate in the Plan and are referred to as “Participants”. The Committee
has the sole and complete authority to determine who will be granted an Award under the Plan, however, it may delegate such authority
to one or more officers of the Company under the circumstances set forth in the Plan.
Number of Shares Authorized
Up to approximately 1,500,000 shares of common stock
may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the Plan.
If an Award is forfeited, canceled, or if any Option
terminates, expires or lapses without being exercised, the Common Stock subject to such Award will again be made available for future
grant. However, shares that are used to pay the exercise price of an Option or that are withheld to satisfy the Participant’s tax
withholding obligation will not be available for re-grant under the Plan.
If there is any change in the Company’s corporate
capitalization or structure, the Committee in its sole discretion may make substitutions or adjustments to the number of shares of common
stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, the number of shares covered by Awards then outstanding under the Plan, the limitations on
Awards under the Plan, the exercise price of outstanding Options and such other equitable substitution or adjustments as it may determine
appropriate.
The Plan has a term of ten years and no further Awards
may be granted under the Plan after that date.
Awards Available for Grant
The Committee may grant Awards of Non-Qualified Stock
Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Bonus Awards, Performance
Compensation Awards (including cash bonus awards) or any combination of the foregoing. Notwithstanding, the Committee may not grant to
any one person in any one calendar year Awards (i) for more than 50% of the Available Shares in the aggregate or (ii) payable in cash
in an amount exceeding $10,000,000 in the aggregate.
61
Options
The Committee will be authorized to grant Options
to purchase Common Stock that are either “qualified,” meaning they are intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section
422 for Incentive Stock Options, or “non-qualified,” meaning they are not intended to satisfy the requirements of Section
422 of the Code. Options granted under the Plan will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the Committee. Under the terms
of the Plan, unless the Committee determines otherwise in the case of an Option substituted for another Option in connection with a corporate
transaction, the exercise price of the Options will not be less than the fair market value (as determined under the Plan) of the shares
of common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the Plan will be subject to such terms, including the exercise price and the
conditions and timing of exercise, as may be determined by the Committee and specified in the applicable award agreement. The maximum
term of an Option granted under the Plan will be ten years from the date of grant (or five years in the case of an Incentive Stock Option
granted to a 10% stockholder). Payment in respect of the exercise of an Option may be made in cash or by check, by surrender of unrestricted
shares of Common Stock (at their fair market value on the date of exercise) that have been held by the participant for any period deemed
necessary by the Company’s accountants to avoid an additional compensation charge or have been purchased on the open market, or
the Committee may, in its discretion and to the extent permitted by law, allow such payment to be made through a broker-assisted cashless
exercise mechanism, a net exercise method, or by such other method as the Committee may determine to be appropriate.
Stock Appreciation Rights
The Committee will be authorized to award Stock Appreciation
Rights (or SARs) under the Plan. SARs will be subject to such terms and conditions as established by the Committee. A SAR is a contractual
right that allows a participant to receive, either in the form of cash, shares or any combination of cash and shares, the appreciation,
if any, in the value of a share over a certain period of time. A SAR granted under the Plan may be granted in tandem with an option and
SARs may also be awarded to a participant independent of the grant of an Option. SARs granted in connection with an Option shall be subject
to terms similar to the Option which corresponds to such SARs. SARs shall be subject to terms established by the Committee and reflected
in the award agreement.
Restricted Stock
The Committee will be authorized to award Restricted
Stock under the Plan. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee and specified in an award agreement, restrictions on Restricted Stock
will lapse after three years of service with the Company. The Committee will determine the terms of such Restricted Stock awards. Restricted
Stock are shares of common stock that generally are non-transferable and subject to other restrictions determined by the Committee for
a specified period. Unless the Committee determines otherwise or specifies otherwise in an award agreement, if the participant terminates
employment or services during the restricted period, then any unvested restricted stock will be forfeited.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
The Committee will be authorized to award Restricted
Stock Unit awards. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee and specified in an award agreement, Restricted Stock Units will vest after
three years of service with the Company. The Committee will determine the terms of such Restricted Stock Units. Unless the Committee determines
otherwise or specifies otherwise in an award agreement, if the participant terminates employment or services during the period of time
over which all or a portion of the units are to be earned, then any unvested units will be forfeited. At the election of the Committee,
the participant will receive a number of shares of common stock equal to the number of units earned or an amount in cash equal to the
fair market value of that number of shares at the expiration of the period over which the units are to be earned or at a later date selected
by the Committee.
Stock Bonus Awards
The Committee will be authorized to grant Awards of
unrestricted shares of common stock or other Awards denominated in shares of common stock, either alone or in tandem with other Awards,
under such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.
62
Performance Compensation Awards
The Committee will be authorized to grant any Award
under the Plan in the form of a Performance Compensation Award exempt from the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code by conditioning
the vesting of the Award on the attainment of specific performance criteria of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates, divisions or
operational units, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. The Committee will select the performance criteria based
on one or more of the following factors: (i) revenue; (ii) sales; (iii) profit (net profit, gross profit, operating profit, economic profit,
profit margins or other corporate profit measures); (iv) earnings (EBIT, EBITDA, earnings per share, or other corporate profit measures);
(v) net income (before or after taxes, operating income or other income measures); (vi) cash (cash flow, cash generation or other cash
measures); (vii) stock price or performance; (viii) total stockholder return (stock price appreciation plus reinvested dividends divided
by beginning share price); (ix) economic value added; (x) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, equity,
investments or sales, and cash flow return on assets, capital, equity, or sales); (xi) market share; (xii) improvements in capital structure;
(xiii) expenses (expense management, expense ratio, expense efficiency ratios or other expense measures); (xiv) business expansion or
consolidation (acquisitions and divestitures); (xv) internal rate of return or increase in net present value; (xvi) working capital targets
relating to inventory and/or accounts receivable; (xvii) inventory management; (xviii) service or product delivery or quality; (xix) customer
satisfaction; (xx) employee retention; (xxi) safety standards; (xxii) productivity measures; (xxiii) cost reduction measures; and/or (xxiv)
strategic plan development and implementation.
Transferability
Each Award may be exercised during the Participant’s
lifetime only by the Participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative
and may not be otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The
Committee, however, may permit Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) to be transferred to family members, a trust for the benefit
of such family members, a partnership or limited liability company whose partners or stockholders are the Participant and his or her family
members or anyone else approved by it.
Amendment
The Plan will have a term of ten years. The Company’s
board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time; however, shareholder approval to amend the Plan may be necessary
if the law or SEC so requires. No amendment, suspension or termination will materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant
or recipient of any Award without the consent of the Participant or recipient.
Change in Control
Except to the extent otherwise provided in an Award
or required by applicable law, in the event of a Change in Control, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Committee is authorized,
but not obligated, to make any of the following adjustments (or any combination thereof) in the terms and conditions of outstanding Awards:
(a) continuation or assumption of outstanding Awards by the surviving company; (b) substitution by the surviving company of equity, equity-based
and/or cash awards with substantially the same terms for outstanding Awards; (c) accelerated exercisability, vesting and/or lapse of restrictions
under outstanding Awards immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control; (d) upon written notice, provide that any outstanding
Awards must be exercised, to the extent then exercisable, during a reasonable period determined by the Committee and at the end of such
period, any unexercised Awards will terminate; and (e) cancellation of all or any portion of outstanding Awards for fair value (in the
form of cash, shares or other property) and which value may be zero.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a general summary of the material
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the grant and exercise and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the disposition of shares acquired
pursuant to the exercise of such Awards. This summary is intended to reflect the current provisions of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
However, this summary is not intended to be a complete statement of applicable law, nor does it address foreign, state, local and payroll
tax considerations. Moreover, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any particular participant may differ from those described herein
by reason of, among other things, the particular circumstances of such participant.
63
Options
There are a number of requirements that must be met
for a particular Option to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option. One such requirement is that Common Stock acquired through the exercise
of an Incentive Stock Option cannot be disposed of before the later of (i) two years from the date of grant of the Option, or (ii) one
year from the date of its exercise. Holders of Incentive Stock Options will generally incur no federal income tax liability at the time
of grant or upon exercise of those Options. However, the spread at exercise will be an “item of tax preference,” which may
give rise to “alternative minimum tax” liability for the taxable year in which the exercise occurs. If the holder does not
dispose of the shares before the later of two years following the date of grant and one year following the date of exercise, the difference
between the exercise price and the amount realized upon disposition of the shares will constitute long-term capital gain or loss, as the
case may be. Assuming both holding periods are satisfied, no deduction will be allowed to the Company for federal income tax purposes
in connection with the grant or exercise of the Incentive Stock Option. If, within two years following the date of grant or within one
year following the date of exercise, the holder of shares acquired through the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option disposes of those
shares, the Participant will generally realize taxable compensation at the time of such disposition equal to the difference between the
exercise price and the lesser of the Fair Market Value of the share on the date of exercise or the amount realized on the subsequent disposition
of the shares, and that amount will generally be deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes, subject to the possible limitations
on deductibility under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to executives designated in those Sections. Finally,
if an otherwise Incentive Stock Option becomes first exercisable in any one year for shares having an aggregate value in excess of $100,000
(based on the date of grant value), the portion of the Incentive Stock Option in respect of those excess shares will be treated as a non-qualified
stock option for federal income tax purposes.
No income will be realized by a Participant upon grant
of a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the Participant will recognize ordinary compensation
income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the underlying exercised shares over the Option Exercise
Price paid at the time of exercise. Such income will be subject to income tax withholdings, and the Participant will be required to pay
to the Company the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect to such income.
The Company will be able to deduct this same amount
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid
to certain executives designated in those Sections.
Restricted Stock
A Participant will not be subject to tax upon the
grant of an Award of Restricted Stock unless the Participant otherwise elects to be taxed at the time of grant pursuant to Section 83(b)
of the Code. On the date an Award of Restricted Stock becomes transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture,
the Participant will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares on that
date over the amount the Participant paid for such shares, if any. Such income will be subject to income tax withholdings, and the Participant
will be required to pay to the Company the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect to such income. If the Participant made
an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Participant will recognize ordinary compensation income at the time of grant equal to
the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares on the date of grant over the amount the Participant paid for such shares,
if any, and any subsequent appreciation in the value of the shares will be treated as a capital gain upon sale of the shares. Special
rules apply to the receipt and disposition of Restricted Shares received by officers and directors who are subject to Section 16(b) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). The Company will be able to deduct, at the same time as it is recognized
by the Participant, the amount of taxable compensation to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may
be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections.
Restricted Stock Units
A Participant will not be subject to tax upon the
grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award. Rather, upon the delivery of shares or cash pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Participant
will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the Fair Market Value of the number of shares (or the amount of cash) the Participant
actually receives with respect to the Award. Such income will be subject to income tax withholdings, and the Participant will be required
to pay to the Company the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect to such income. The Company will be able to deduct the amount
of taxable compensation recognized by the Participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but the deduction may be limited under Sections
280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections.
64
SARs
No income will be realized by a Participant upon grant
of an SAR. Upon the exercise of an SAR, the Participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the Fair Market
Value of the payment received in respect of the SAR. Such income will be subject to income tax withholdings, and the Participant will
be required to pay to the Company the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect to such income. The Company will be able to
deduct this same amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the
Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections.
Stock Bonus Awards
A Participant will recognize ordinary compensation
income equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares on the date the shares of common stock subject to the Award
are transferred to the Participant over the amount the Participant paid for such shares, if any, and any subsequent appreciation in the
value of the shares will be treated as a capital gain upon sale of the shares. The Company will be able to deduct, at the same time as
it is recognized by the Participant, the amount of taxable compensation to the Participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such
deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections.
Section 162(m)
In general, Section 162(m) of the Code denies a publicly
held corporation a deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 per year per person paid to
its principal executive officer and the three other officers (other than the principal executive officer and principal financial officer)
whose compensation is disclosed in its proxy statement/prospectus as a result of their total compensation, subject to certain exceptions.
The Plan is intended to satisfy an exception with respect to grants of Options to covered employees. In addition, the Plan is designed
to permit certain Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, cash bonus awards and other Awards to be awarded as performance
compensation awards intended to qualify under the “performance-based compensation” exception to Section 162(m) of the Code.
New Plan Benefits
Future grants under the Plan will be made at the discretion
of the Committee and, accordingly, are not yet determinable. In addition, the value of the Awards granted under the Plan will depend on
a number of factors, including the Fair Market Value of the shares of common stock on future dates, the exercise decisions made by the
Participants and/or the extent to which any applicable performance goals necessary for vesting or payment are achieved. Consequently,
it is not possible to determine the benefits that might be received by Participants receiving discretionary grants under, or having their
annual bonus paid pursuant to, the Plan.
Interests of Directors or Officers
The Company’s directors may grant Awards under
the Plan to themselves as well as to the Company’s officers and other employees, consultants and advisors.
65
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides
information, as of December 31, 2021, with respect to equity securities authorized for issuance under compensation plans:
Number
of
Securities
Remaining
Available
for Future
Issuance
Under
Equity
Number
of
Compensation
Securities to be
Weighted-Average
Plans
Issued Upon
Exercise
Price of
excluding
Exercise of
Outstanding Options
( securities
Outstanding Options
under
reflected in
Plan Category
under the Plan
(a)
The
Plan
(b)
Column
(a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
-
$
-
1,098,255
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
$
-
-
TOTAL
-
$
-
1,098,255
Director Compensation
On December 4, 2020, the board of directors approved
a new board compensation plan that would compensate the board members for their deferred compensation for the fourth quarter 2020 through
the third quarter of 2021. The board members are eligible for cash compensation of $12,000 per year to be paid quarterly within 30 days
of the close of each quarter.
In addition, on an ongoing basis pursuant to the approved
board compensation plan each director will receive $8,000 in value of common stock per year for service as director, $6,000 in value of
shares of common stock per year for service on each committee and $4,000 in value of shares of common stock per year for service as chair
for such committee. The number of shares to be issued would be based upon the closing price of the last trading date of each calendar
quarter. The shares of common stock for committee service will be limited to two committees.
Kevin Mohan is an employee-director and does not receive
compensation for serving in his role as a director or Chairman of the Board.
The following
table provides information relating to compensation of our directors for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2021
Name
Fees earned or paid in cash
Stock awards
Option awards
Non-equity incentive plan compensation
Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings
All Other Compensation
Total
Stephen A. Spanos
$
12,000
$
13,493
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
25,493
A.B. Southall III
12,000
12,544
-
-
-
-
24,544
Paul L. Menchik
12,000
14,177
-
-
-
-
26,177
Jeff Carl
12,000
17,992
-
-
-
-
29,992
Major General (Ret) Malcolm B. Frost
11,143
8,347
-
-
-
-
19,490
Philip Balatsos
11,143
8,347
-
-
-
-
19,490
66
Executive Compensation Philosophy
Our Board of Directors determines the compensation
given to our executive officers in their sole determination. Our Board of Directors reserves the right to pay our executives or any future
executives a salary, and/or issue them shares of common stock issued in consideration for services rendered and/or to award incentive
bonuses which are linked to our performance, as well as to the individual executive officer’s performance. This package may also
include long-term stock-based compensation to certain executives, which is intended to align the performance of our executives with our
long-term business strategies. Additionally, while our Board of Directors has not granted any performance base stock options to date,
the Board of Directors reserves the right to grant such options in the future, if the Board in its sole determination believes such grants
would be in the best interests of the Company.
Incentive Bonus
The Board of Directors may grant incentive bonuses
to our executive officers and/or future executive officers in its sole discretion, if the Board of Directors believes such bonuses are
in the Company’s best interest, after analyzing our current business objectives and growth, if any, and the amount of revenue we
are able to generate each month, which revenue is a direct result of the actions and ability of such executives.
Long-Term, Stock Based Compensation
In order to attract, retain and motivate executive
talent necessary to support the Company’s long-term business strategy we may award our executives and any future executives with
long-term, stock-based compensation in the future, at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The following table sets forth information about
the beneficial ownership of our common stock at March 16, 2022, for:
●
each person, or group of affiliated persons, whom we know to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;
●
each of our named executive officers;
●
each of our directors; and
●
all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance
with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons
who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. In addition, the rules include shares of
common stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options or warrants or upon conversion of a security that are either exercisable
or convertible on or before a date that is 60 days after March 16, 2022. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially
owned by the person holding those options or warrants for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they
are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated,
the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially
owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.
Except as otherwise noted below, the address for persons
listed in the table is c/o Muscle Maker, Inc., 2600 South Shore Blvd., Suite 300, League City, Texas 77573.
67
The
percentage ownership information shown in the column labeled “Percentage of Shares Outstanding” is based upon 28,531,401
shares of common stock outstanding as of March 16, 2022.
Number of Shares
Percentage of Shares
Beneficially
Outstanding Prior to
Name of Beneficial Owner
Owned (1)
Offering (1)
5% Stockholders:
Armistice Capital Master Fund LTD (2)
2,863,411
9.99 %
Altuim Growth Fund, LP (3)
1,995,882
7.00 %
Catalytic Holdings 1 LLC (4)
1,979,802
6.74 %
Thoroughbred Diagnostics, LLC (4)
1,579,000
5.42 %
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
Kevin Mohan (5)
136,537
*
Michael J. Roper (6)
105,000
*
Ferdinand Groenewald
-
*
Kenneth Miller (7)
32,142
*
Aimee Infante (8)
2,602
*
Stephen Spanos (9)
24,408
*
A.B. Southall, III (10)
124,915
*
Paul L. Menchik (11)
78,420
*
Jeff Carl (12)
17,639
*
Major General (ret) Malcolm Frost (13)
26,589
*
Philip Balatsos (14)
16,607
*
All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons)
564,859
1.98 %
*
denotes less than 1%
1.
Beneficial
ownership as reported in the above table has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. The number of shares of
common stock shown as beneficially owned includes shares of common stock issuable upon (i) the exercise of stock options that will
become exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 16, 2022, (ii) the conversion of the convertible promissory notes into
shares of our common stock, and (iii) the exercise of warrants that will become exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 16,
2022. Shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the foregoing methods are deemed outstanding for purposes of calculating the
percentage of beneficial ownership of the person or entity holding such securities. Accordingly, the total percentages of beneficial
ownership are in excess of one hundred percent (100%).
2.
Armistice
Capital Master Fund LTD beneficial owns (i) 2,728,553 shares of the common stock of the Company and (ii) 7,725,337 shares of common
stock of the Company which are subject to presently exercisable purchase warrants. There is a beneficial ownership limitation on
the warrants and prefunded warrants owned by the holder that limits beneficial ownership of the holder to 9.99% of the number of
shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise
of the warrant at any time. The beneficial ownership limitation can be increase by the holder by giving written notice to the Company,
but this will not take effect until 61 days after the delivery of the notice to the Company. Armistice Capital Master Fund LTD is
managed by Armistice Capital, LLC, its investment manager. Steven Boyd, the managing member of Armistice Capital, LLC has the sole
voting and investment power over the securities held by Armistice Capital Master Fund LTD. Based solely on the information provided
in Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated February 14, 2022 by Armistice Capital, LLC.
68
3.
Altium
Growth Funds, LP beneficial owns (i) 1,995,882 shares of the common stock of the Company, (ii) 2,888,085 shares of common stock of
the Company which are subject to presently exercisable purchase warrants and (iii) 438,085 shares of common stock of the Company
issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants. There is a beneficial ownership limitation on the warrants and prefunded warrants
owned by the holder that limits beneficial ownership of the holder to 9.99% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately
after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant at any time. The beneficial ownership
limitation can be increase by the holder by giving written notice to the Company, but this will not take effect until 61 days after
the delivery of the notice to the Company. Altium Growth Fund, LP is managed by Jacob Gottlieb who has the sole voting and investment
power over the securities held by Altium Growth Fund, LP. Based solely on the information provided in Schedule 13G/A filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission dated February 11, 2022 by Armistice Capital, LLC.
4.
Catalytic
Holdings, LLC beneficially owns (i) 1,129,052 shares of common stock of the Company (ii) 850,750 shares of Common Stock of the Company
which are subject to presently exercisable purchase warrants. The natural person with voting and investment control for Catalytic
Holdings, LLC is Dmitriy Shapiro. Thoroughbred Diagnostics, LLC beneficially owns (i) 979,000 shares of common stock of Muscle Maker
(ii) 600,000 shares of common stock of Muscle Maker which are subject to presently exercisable purchase warrants. The natural person
with voting and investment control for Thoroughbred Diagnostics, LLC is Joey Giamichael.
5.
Kevin
Mohan beneficially owns (i) indirectly 5,574 shares of common stock of the Company through various family members that reside in
the same household as Kevin Mohan and (ii) directly 130,963 shares of common stock of Muscle Maker of which 10,714 are subject to
presently exercisable purchase warrants issued to Kevin Mohan.
6.
Michael
J. Roper beneficial owns directly 105,000 shares of common stock of the Company (i) 100,000 shares of Common stock of Muscle Maker
Inc. for serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and (ii) 5,000 shares of common stock of the Company purchased on
the open market.
7.
Aimee
Infante beneficial owns directly 2,602 shares of common stock of the Company for serving as the Chief Marketing Officer of the Company.
8.
Kenneth
Miller beneficial owns directly 32,142 shares of common stock of the Company for serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Company.
9.
Stephen
Spanos beneficially owns directly (i) 19,108 shares of common stock of the Company for serving as a director and (ii) 5,300 of the
common stock of through purchase on the open market.
10.
A.B.
Southall III beneficially owns (i) directly 114,915 shares of common stock of Muscle Maker, and (ii) directly 10,000 shares of common
stock of the Company subject to presently exercisable purchase warrants issued to A.B. Southall III.
11.
Paul
L. Menchik beneficially owns (i) directly 78,420 shares of common stock of Muscle Maker, and (ii) directly 10,000 shares of common
stock of the Company subject to presently exercisable purchase warrants issued to Paul L. Menchik.
12.
Jeff
Carl beneficially owns directly 17,639 shares of common stock of the Company for services rendered as a board of director.
13.
Major
General (ret) Malcolm Frost beneficially owns directly (i) 11,656 shares of common stock of the Company for services rendered as
a board of director and (ii) 4,951 shares of common stock of the Company through purchases on the open market..
14.
Philip
Balatsos beneficially owns directly 16,607 shares of common stock of the Company for services rendered as a board of director.
69
ITEM
13.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Policies
and Procedures for Related Party Transactions
Following
this offering, pursuant to the written charter of our Audit Committee, the Audit Committee will be responsible for reviewing and approving,
prior to our entry into any such transaction, all related party transactions and potential conflict of interest situations involving:
●
any
of our directors, director nominees or executive officers;
●
any
beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding stock; and
●
any
immediate family member of any of the foregoing.
Our
Audit Committee will review any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship that:
●
involves
or will involve, directly or indirectly, any related party identified above and is in an amount greater than $0;
●
would
cast doubt on the independence of a director;
●
would
present the appearance of a conflict of interest between us and the related party; or
●
is
otherwise prohibited by law, rule or regulation.
The
Audit Committee will review each such transaction, arrangement or relationship to determine whether a related party has, has had or expects
to have a direct or indirect material interest. Following its review, the Audit Committee will take such action as it deems necessary
and appropriate under the circumstances, including approving, disapproving, ratifying, canceling or recommending to management how to
proceed if it determines a related party has a direct or indirect material interest in a transaction, arrangement or relationship with
us. Any member of the Audit Committee who is a related party with respect to a transaction under review will not be permitted to participate
in the discussions or evaluations of the transaction; however, the Audit Committee member will provide all material information concerning
the transaction to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will report its action with respect to any related party transaction to the
board of directors.
Transactions
with Officers, Directors and Executives of Muscle Maker
On
February 17, 2020 the Company authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 25,616 shares of common stock to the members of the board of
directors as compensation earned through the end of the fourth quarter of 2019.
On
June 24, 2020 the Company authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 4,340 shares of common stock to the members of the board of directors
as compensation earned through the end of the first quarter of 2020.
On
November 10, 2020 the Company authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 5,944 shares of common stock to the members of the board of
directors as compensation earned for the second and third quarter of 2020
On
December 4, 2020, the board of directors approved a new board compensation plan that would compensate the board members for their deferred
compensation for the fourth quarter 2020 through the third quarter of 2021. The board members are eligible for cash compensation of $12,000
per year to be paid quarterly within 30 days of the close of each quarter.
In
addition, on an ongoing basis pursuant to the approved board compensation plan each director will receive $8,000 in value of common stock
per year for service as director, $6,000 in value of shares of common stock per year for service on each committee and $4,000 in value
of shares of common stock per year for service as chair for such committee. The number of shares to be issued would be based upon the
closing price of the last trading date of each calendar quarter. The shares of common stock for committee service will be limited to
two committees.
On
February 3, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 16,126 shares of common stock of the Company to the members of the board of directors
as compensation earned through the end of the fourth quarter of 2020.
70
On
March 31, 2021, the Company authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 12,711 shares of common stock to the members of the board of directors
as compensation earned during the first quarter of 2021.
On
August 24, 2021, the Company authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 20,829 shares of common stock to the members of the board of
directors as compensation earned during the second quarter of 2021.
On
October 21, 2021, the Company authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 24,275 shares of common stock to the members of the board of
directors as compensation earned during the third quarter of 2021.
As
of December 31, 2021, the Company accrued a total of $39,573 related to board compensation for stock issuance and $18,000 for their portion
of cash compensation earned during the fourth quarter of 2021.
On
February 10, 2022, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Michael Roper effective February 14, 2022, which replaced his
prior employment agreement. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Roper will continue to be employed as Chief Executive Officer of
the Company on an at will basis. During the term of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Roper will be entitled to a base salary at the annualized
rate of $350,000, which will be increased to $375,000 upon the one-year anniversary. Mr. Roper will be eligible for a discretionary
performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity. Within 90 days of the effective date, the Company will issue Mr. Roper stock options
to receive 100,000 shares of common stock which will vest over a term of five years. If Mr. Roper is terminated by the Company for any
reason other than cause, including termination without cause in connection with a change in control, Mr. Roper will be entitled to a
severance package of 18 months of salary and health and dental benefits paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll schedule,
but subject to the execution of a valid release in favor of the Company and its related parties.
On
February 10, 2022, the Company and Kevin Mohan, Chief Investment Officer, entered a letter agreement providing that Mr. Mohan will continue
to be engaged by the Company on an at-will basis with a base salary at the annualized rate of $200,000 effective February 14, 2022. Mr.
Mohan will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity of up to 75% of his salary. Within 90 days
of the effective date, the Company will issue Mr. Mohan stock options to receive 75,000 shares of common stock which will vest over a
term of five years. If Mr. Mohan is terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause, including termination without cause in
connection with a change in control, he will be entitled to a severance package of six months of salary and health and dental benefits
paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll schedule and insurance program, but subject to the execution of a valid release in
favor of the Company and its related parties.
On
February 9, 2022, the Company and Kenn Miller, Chief Operations Officer, entered a letter agreement providing that Mr. Miller will continue
to be engaged by the Company on an at-will basis with a base salary at the annualized rate of $275,000 effective February 14, 2022. Mr.
Miller will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity of up to 75% of his salary. Within 90 days
of the effective date, the Company will issue Mr. Miller stock options to receive 50,000 shares of common stock which will vest over
a term of five years. If Mr. Miller is terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause, including termination without cause
in connection with a change in control, he will be entitled to a severance package of 12 months of salary and health and dental benefits
paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll schedule and insurance program, but subject to the execution of a valid release in
favor of the Company and its related parties.
On
February 9, 2022, the Company and Aimee Infante, Chief Marketing Officer, entered a letter agreement providing that Ms. Infante will
continue to be engaged by the Company on an at-will basis with a base salary at the annualized rate of $175,000 effective February 14,
2022. Ms. Infante will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity of up to 25% of her salary. Within
90 days of the effective date, the Company will issue Ms. Infante stock options to receive 42,500 shares of common stock which will vest
over a term of five years. If Ms. Infante is terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause, including termination without
cause in connection with a change in control, she will be entitled to a severance package of six months of salary and health and dental
benefits paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll schedule and insurance program, but subject to the execution of a valid
release in favor of the Company and its related parties.
71
On
February 9, 2022, the Company and Ferdinand Groenewald, Chief Accounting Officer, entered a letter agreement providing that Mr. Groenewald
will continue to be engaged by the Company on an at-will basis with a base salary at the annualized rate of $175,000 effective February
14, 2022. Mr. Groenewald will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus to be paid in cash or equity of up to 25% of his salary.
Within 90 days of the effective date, the Company will issue Mr. Groenewald stock options to receive 25,000 shares of common stock which
will vest over a term of five years. If Mr. Groenewald is terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause, including termination
without cause in connection with a change in control, he will be entitled to a severance package of six months of salary and health and
dental benefits paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll schedule and insurance program, but subject to the execution of a
valid release in favor of the Company and its related parties.
We
have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and entered into such agreements with certain of our executive
officers. These agreements require us, among other things, to indemnify these individuals for certain expenses (including attorneys’
fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts reasonably incurred by such person in any action or proceeding, including any action by
or in our right, on account of any services undertaken by such person on behalf of our Company or that person’s status as a member
of our Board of Directors to the maximum extent allowed under Nevada law.
ITEM
14.
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES .
Paris
Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP (formerly known as Benjamin and Ko) has served as our independent registered public accountants for the year
ended December 31, 2021. Marcum LLP has served as our independent registered public accountants for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The
following is a summary of the fees billed or expected to be billed to us by our independent registered public accountants, for professional
services rendered by Paris Kreit & Chiu CPA (formerly known as Benjamin and Ko) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and Marcum
LLP for the year ended December 31, 2020:
2021
2020
Audit fees (1)
$ 58,000
$ 312,390
Audit-related fees (2)
75,000
-
Tax fees (3)
-
-
All other fees (4)
-
-
$ 133,000
$ 312,390
Audit
Fees consist of fees billed and expected to be billed for services rendered for the audit of our consolidated financial statements for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and in connection with the filing of our Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and multiple Forms S-1
and Forms S-3s.
1.
Audit-Related
Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of our
financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.”
2.
Tax
Fees consist of fees billed for professional services related to preparation of our U.S. federal and state income tax returns and
tax advice.
3.
All
Other Fees consist of fees billed for products and services provided by our independent registered public accountants, other than
those disclosed above.
The
Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accountants
and approves in advance any services to be performed by the independent registered public accountants, whether audit-related or not.
The Audit Committee reviews each proposed engagement to determine whether the provision of services is compatible with maintaining the
independence of the independent registered public accountants. The fees shown above were pre-approved either by our Board or our Audit
Committee.
72
PART
IV
ITEM
15.
EXHIBITS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
Exhibit
No.
Exhibit
Description
3.1+
Articles of Incorporation of Muscle Maker, Inc., a Nevada corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2019)
3.2+
Bylaws of Muscle Maker, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2019)
3.3+
Certificate of Change Pursuant to NRS 78.209 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2019)
3.4+
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Muscle Maker, Inc., a Nevada corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 16, 2020)
4.1+
Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock dated April 9, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2021)
4.2
+
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant to Purchase Common Stock dated April 9, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2021)
4.3+
Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued to A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners dated April 9, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2021)
4.4+
Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock dated November 22, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2021)
4.5+
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant to Purchase Common Stock dated November 22, 2021(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2021)
4.6+
Form of Placement Agent Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued to A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners dated November 22, 2021(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2021)
4.7
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
4.8
Description of Securities
10.1†
Muscle Maker 2017 Stock Option and Stock Issuance Plan and form of award agreements (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6.1 to Amendment No 1 to the Offering Statement Report on Form 1-A/A filed on September 21, 2017)
10.2†
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under Muscle Maker 2017 Stock Option and Stock Issuance Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6.5 to Amendment No 1 to the Offering Statement Report on Form 1-A/A filed on September 21, 2017)
10.3
Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated August 25, 2017, between Muscle Maker Brands Conversion, Inc. and Muscle Maker Development, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6.7 to Amendment No 1 to the Offering Statement Report on Form 1-A/A filed on September 21, 2017)
73
10.4
Agreement of Conveyance, Transfer and Assigning of Assets and Assumptions of Obligations, dated September 15, 2017, between Muscle Maker, Inc. and Muscle Maker Corp., LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6.8 to the Registrant’s Amendment No 1 to the Offering Statement Report on Form 1-A/A filed on September 21, 2017)
10.5
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 7, 2021, between Muscle Maker, Inc. and the Purchaser* (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2021)
10.6
Placement Agency Agreement between Muscle Maker, Inc. and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners dated April 6, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2021)
10.7
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated November 17, 2021, between Muscle Maker, Inc. and the Purchasers*(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2021)
10.8
Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 17, 2021, between Muscle Maker, Inc. and the Purchasers(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2021)
10.9
Placement Agency Agreement between Muscle Maker, Inc. and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners dated November 17, 2021(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2021)
10.10†
Employment Agreement between Muscle Maker, Inc. and Michael Roper dated February 10, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2022)
10.11†
Letter Agreement between Muscle Maker, Inc. and Kevin Mohan dated February 10, 2022(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2022)
10.12†
Letter Agreement between Muscle Maker, Inc. and Aimee Infante dated February 9, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2022)
10.13†
Letter Agreement between Muscle Maker, Inc. and Kenn Miller dated February 9, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2022)
10.14†
Letter Agreement between Muscle Maker, Inc. and Ferdinand Groenewald dated February 9, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2022)
10.15†
Form of Director Agreement dated July 16, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 10, 2019)
10.16
Form of Conversion Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2019)
10.17
Form of Addendum to Conversion Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2019)
21.1*
List of Subsidiaries
23.1*
Consent of Paris Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP
74
23.2*
Consent of Marcum LLP
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.3
Certification of Chief Financial Accounting Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
Inline XBRL
Instance Document*
101.SCH
Inline XBRL
Schema Document*
101.CAL
Inline
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.DEF
Inline XBRL
Definition Linkbase Document*
101.LAB
Inline
XBRL Label Linkbase Document*
101.PRE
Inline XBRL
Presentation Linkbase Document*
104
Cover
Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
†
Includes management contracts and compensation plans and arrangements
*Filed
herewith.
+Previously
filed.
ITEM
16.
FORM
10-K SUMMARY.
Not
applicable.
75
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC
By:
/s/
Michael J. Roper
Michael
J. Roper
Dated:
March 17, 2022
Chief
Executive Officer
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.
Name
Title
/s/
Michael J. Roper
Chief
Executive Officer, and
Michael
J. Roper
Secretary
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/
Jennifer Black
Chief
Financial Officer
Jennifer
Black
(Principal
Financial Officer)
/s/
Ferdinand Groenewald
Chief
Accounting Officer
Ferdinand
Groenewald
(Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/
Kevin Mohan
Chief
Investment Officer and Chairman of the Board
Kevin
Mohan
/s/
Stephen A. Spanos
Director
Stephen
A. Spanos
/s/
A.B. Southall III
Director
A.B.
Southall III
/s/
Paul L. Menchik
Director
Paul
L. Menchik
/s/
Jeff Carl
Director
Jeff
Carl
/s/
Malcolm Frost
Director
Major
General (Ret) Malcolm B. Frost
/s/
Philip Balatsos
Director
Philip
Balatsos
76
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 2021 (PCAOB ID: 6651 )
F-2
Prior
year report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 2020 (PCAOB ID: 34446 )
F-3
Consolidated
Financial Statements
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-4
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-5
Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-6
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-10
F- 1
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 2021
Board
of Directors and Shareholders
Muscle
Maker, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinion
on the Financial Statements
We
have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Muscle Maker, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended,
and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021, and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis
for Opinion
These
financial statements are the responsibility of the entity’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the entity’s
financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal
securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company
is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit
we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. 4
Our
audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or
fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/
Paris, Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP
(formerly
Benjamin & Ko)
We
have served as Muscle Maker Inc.’s auditor since 2021.
New
York, NY
March
16, 2022
F- 2
PRIOR
YEAR REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 2020
To
the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Muscle
Maker, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinion
on the Financial Statements
We
have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Muscle Maker, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December
31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations , changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year
ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion,
the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and
the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory
Paragraph – Going Concern
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described
in Note 1, the Company has incurred significant losses and net cash used in operations and needs to raise additional funds to meet its
obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going
concern. Management’s plans in regards to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis
for Opinion
These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal
securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company
is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits,
we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting 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.
Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error
or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provide
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/
Marcum LLP
We
have served as the Company’s auditor from 2016 to May 2021.
Melville,
NY
April
15, 2021
Marcum
LLP ■ 10 Melville Park Road ■ Melville, New York 11747 ■ Phone 631.414.4000 ■ Fax 631.414.4001 ■ marcumllp.com
F- 3
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash
$ 15,766,703
$ 4,195,932
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 23,693 and $ 75,000 as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
155,167
140,305
Inventory
258,785
113,824
Current portion of loans receivable, net of allowance of $ 71,184 and $ 106,900 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively
-
2,394
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,789,328
40,903
Total Current Assets
17,969,983
4,493,358
Property and equipment, net
2,280,267
2,342,723
Goodwill
2,626,399
656,348
Intangible assets, net
6,387,464
2,878,278
Loans receivable, non-current
-
996
Security deposits and other assets
167,770
131,916
Total Assets
$ 29,431,883
$ 10,503,619
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$ 2,208,523
$ 1,500,935
Convertible note payable to Former Parent
82,458
82,458
Convertible note payable
100,000
100,000
Other notes payable
165,052
701,552
Deferred revenue, current
49,728
62,858
Deferred rent, current
36,800
20,569
Other current liabilities
286,088
641,418
Total Current Liabilities
2,928,649
3,109,790
Other notes payable
1,005,027
575,140
Deferred revenue, non-current
1,013,645
944,271
Deferred rent, non-current
91,295
79,290
Total Liabilities
5,038,616
4,708,491
Commitments and Contingencies
-
-
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $ 0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 26,110,268 and 11,725,764 shares
issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively
2,611
1,172
Additional paid-in capital
95,760,493
68,987,663
Accumulated deficit
( 71,369,837 )
( 63,193,707 )
Total Stockholders’ Equity
24,393,267
5,795,128
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$ 29,431,883
$ 10,503,619
See
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 4
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Revenues:
Company restaurant sales, net of discounts
$ 9,320,920
$ 3,672,944
Franchise royalties and fees
778,181
739,450
Franchise advertising fund contributions
188,539
61,053
Other revenue
61,996
-
Total Revenues
10,349,636
4,473,447
Operating Costs and Expenses:
Restaurant operating expenses:
Food and beverage costs
3,532,907
1,467,799
Labor
1,917,979
1,908,476
Rent
1,261,096
691,986
Other restaurant operating expenses
2,362,687
1,146,443
Total restaurant operating expenses
9,074,669
5,214,704
Impairment of intangible asset
1,139,908
100,000
Impairment of goodwill
86,348
-
Depreciation and amortization
1,206,505
422,546
Franchise advertising fund expenses
188,539
61,053
Preopening expenses
31,829
56,362
General and administrative expenses
8,094,509
8,576,231
Total Costs and Expenses
19,822,307
14,430,896
Loss from Operations
( 9,472,671 )
( 9,957,449 )
Other Expenses (Income):
Other income
( 9,097 )
27,143
Interest income, net
( 50,170 )
( 115,881 )
Change in fair value of accrued compensation
127,500
( 14,000 )
Gain on debt extinguishment
1,228,308
-
Amortization of debt discounts
-
( 38,918 )
Total Other Expenses, Net
1,296,541
( 141,656 )
Loss Before Income Tax
( 8,176,130 )
( 10,099,105 )
Income tax provision
-
-
Net Loss
$ ( 8,176,130 )
$ ( 10,099,105 )
Net Loss Per Share:
Basic and Diluted
$ ( 0.50 )
$ ( 1.33 )
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic and Diluted
16,467,393
7,579,905
See
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 5
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Total
Balance - December 31, 2020
11,725,764
$ 1,172
$ 68,987,663
$ ( 63,193,707 )
$ 5,795,128
Issuance of restricted stock
1,200
-
-
-
-
Common stock issued upon offering on February 12, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering costs
Common stock issued upon offering on February 12, 2020, net of underwriter's discount and offering costs, shares
Common stock issued in exchange for accrued interest
Common stock issued in exchange for accrued interest, shares
Restricted common stock cancelled by executive team
Restricted Common stock cancelled by executive team, shares
Common stock issued as compensation for services as part of settlement
Common stock issued as compensation for services as part of settlement, shares
Common stock cancelled by consultant issued for prior services
Common stock cancelled by consultant issued for prior services, shares
Offering on September 10, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering cost of $660,000
Offering on September 10, 2020, net of underwriter's discount and offering cost, shares
Over-allotment exercised on October 27, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering cost
Over-allotment exercised on October 27, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering cost, shares
Common stock issued in connection of the acquisition of SuperFit Foods on March 25, 2021
268,240
27
624,973
-
625,000
Common stock, pre-funded warrants and warrant issued in private placement on April 7, 2021, net of fees $ 790,000
1,250,000
125
9,181,224
-
9,181,349
Common stock, pre-funded warrants and warrant issued in private placement on April 7, 2021
1,250,000
125
9,181,224
-
9,181,349
Common stock issued in connection of the acquisition of Pokemoto on May 14, 2021
880,282
88
1,249,912
-
1,250,000
Common stock, pre-funded warrants and warrant issued in private placement on November 22, 2021, net of fees $ 1,289,965
6,772,000
677
13,708,924
-
13,709,601
Common stock, pre-funded warrants and warrant issued in private placement on November 22, 2021
6,772,000
677
13,708,924
-
13,709,601
Restricted common stock issued as compensation to executives and employees
221,783
22
636,495
-
636,517
Common stock issued as compensation to board of directors
73,941
7
114,029
-
114,036
Common stock issued as compensation for services
852,500
86
1,326,941
-
1,327,027
Exercise of pre-funded warrants
4,075,337
408
28,365
-
28,773
Cancellation of share per agreement with shareholder
( 11,879 )
( 1 )
( 99,999 )
-
( 100,000 )
Common stock issued to investor
1,100
-
1,540
-
1,540
Amortization of restricted common stock
-
-
426
-
426
Stock-based compensation: Restricted common stock
Stock-based compensation: Warrants - Issued as compensation for services
Stock-based compensation: Warrants - Cancelled by consultant for prior services
Stock-based compensation: Options
Net loss
-
-
-
( 8,176,130 )
( 8,176,130 )
Balance - December 31, 2021
26,110,268
$ 2,611
$ 95,760,493
$ ( 71,369,837 )
$ 24,393,267
See
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 6
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Total
Balance - December 31, 2019
5,714,464
$ 571
$ 53,339,793
$ ( 53,094,602 )
$ 245,762
Beginning balance, value
5,714,464
$ 571
$ 53,339,793
$ ( 53,094,602 )
$ 245,762
Issuance of restricted stock
1,226
-
-
-
-
Common stock issued upon offering on February 12, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering costs of $ 920,000
1,540,000
154
6,779,846
-
6,780,000
Common stock issued upon offering on February 12, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering costs
1,540,000
154
6,779,846
-
6,780,000
Restricted common stock issued as compensation to executive team upon completion of the initial public offering
216,783
22
1,083,893
-
1,083,915
Restricted common stock issued as compensation to executives and employees
216,783
22
1,083,893
-
1,083,915
Common stock issued as compensation to board of directors
35,900
4
149,817
-
149,821
Common stock issued as compensation for services
594,834
60
2,457,983
-
2,458,043
Common stock issued in exchange for accrued interest
51,105
5
357,730
-
357,735
Restricted common stock cancelled by executive team
( 216,783 )
( 22 )
( 1,083,893 )
-
( 1,083,915 )
Common stock issued as compensation for services as part of settlement
300,000
30
-
-
30
Common stock cancelled by consultant issued for prior services
( 300,000 )
( 30 )
-
-
( 30 )
Offering on September 10, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering cost of $ 660,000
3,294,118
329
4,939,672
-
4,940,001
Offering on September 10, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering cost
3,294,118
329
4,939,672
-
4,940,001
Over-allotment exercised on October 27, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering cost of $ 75,600
494,117
49
764,350
-
764,399
Over-allotment exercised on October 27, 2020, net of underwriter’s discount and offering cost
494,117
49
764,350
-
764,399
Stock-based compensation:
Restricted common stock
-
-
80,472
-
80,472
Stock-based compensation: Restricted common stock
-
-
80,472
-
80,472
Warrants - Issued as compensation for services
-
-
191,000
-
191,000
Stock-based compensation: Warrants - Issued as compensation for services
-
-
191,000
-
191,000
Warrants - Cancelled by consultant for prior services
-
( 191,000 )
-
( 191,000 )
Stock-based compensation: Warrants - Cancelled by consultant for prior services
-
-
( 191,000 )
-
( 191,000 )
Options
-
-
118,000
-
118,000
Stock-based compensation: Options
-
-
118,000
-
118,000
Net loss
-
-
-
( 10,099,105 )
( 10,099,105 )
Balance - December 31, 2020
11,725,764
$ 1,172
$ 68,987,663
$ ( 63,193,707 )
$ 5,795,128
Ending balance, value
11,725,764
$ 1,172
$ 68,987,663
$ ( 63,193,707 )
$ 5,795,128
See
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 7
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net loss
$ ( 8,176,130 )
$ ( 10,099,105 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
1,206,505
422,546
Stock-based compensation
2,207,046
2,806,336
Gain on extinguishments of debt
( 1,228,308 )
-
Impairment of intangible asset
1,139,908
100,000
Impairment of goodwill
86,348
-
Amortization of debt discounts
-
38,918
Change in fair value of compensation
( 127,500 )
14,000
Write off of property and equipment
193,405
41,480
Bad debt expense
6,663
112,715
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net
( 21,525 )
( 56,543 )
Inventory
( 125,461 )
( 35,402 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
( 1,748,425 )
7,161
Security deposits and other assets
( 274 )
( 92,454 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
622,828
( 786,278 )
Deferred rent
( 3,081 )
20,521
Deferred revenue
( 69,380 )
( 268,543 )
Other current liabilities
( 355,330 )
( 11,225 )
Total Adjustments
1,783,419
2,313,232
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
( 6,392,711 )
( 7,785,873 )
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment
( 262,019 )
( 781,041 )
Cash paid in connection with the acquisition of SuperFit Foods
( 500,000 )
-
Cash paid in connection with the acquisition of Pokemoto, net of cash acquired
( 2,815,390 )
-
Cash paid in connection with the acquisition of Philadelphia
-
( 75,000 )
Cash paid in connection with the acquisition
-
( 75,000 )
Collections from loans receivable
1,600
5,707
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
( 3,575,809 )
( 850,334 )
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from offerings, net of underwriter’s discount and offering costs of $ 1,580,000
-
11,720,001
Proceeds from over-allotment, net of underwriter’s discount and offering costs of $ 75,600
-
764,399
Proceeds from PPP loan
-
866,300
Repayments of convertible note payable
-
( 550,000 )
Proceeds from Private Placement Offering, net of underwriter’s discount and offering costs of $ 2,079,965
22,890,950
-
Proceeds from exercise of pre-funded warrants
28,773
-
Cash paid in connection with cancellation of shares
( 100,000 )
-
Repayments of other notes payable - related parties
-
( 91,000 )
Repayments of other notes payables
( 1,280,432 )
( 506,415 )
Proceeds from other notes payable
-
150,000
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
21,539,291
12,353,285
Net Increase in Cash
11,570,771
3,717,078
Cash - Beginning of Period
4,195,932
478,854
Cash - End of Period
$ 15,766,703
$ 4,195,932
See
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 8
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – CONTINUED
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest
$ 80,697
$ 395,695
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities
Common stock issued in exchange for accrued interest
$ -
$ 357,735
Acquisition of Chelsea NY - loans receivable settled as consideration for the acquisition of Chelsea
$ -
$ 68,292
F- 9
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
1 – BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Muscle
Maker, Inc. (“MMI”), a Nevada corporation was incorporated in Nevada on October 25, 2019. MMI was a wholly owned subsidiary
of Muscle Maker, Inc (“MMI-Cal”), a California corporation incorporated on December 8, 2014, but the two merged on November
13, 2019 with MMI as the surviving entity. MMI wholly owns Muscle Maker Development, LLC (“MMD”), Muscle Maker Corp, LLC
(“MMC”) and Muscle Maker USA, Inc (“Muscle USA”). MMD was formed on July 18, 2017, in the State of Nevada for
the purpose of running our existing franchise operations and continuing to franchise the Muscle Maker Grill name and business system
to qualified franchisees. MMC was formed on July 18, 2017, in the State of Nevada for the purpose of developing new corporate stores
and operating new and existing corporate stores of MMI. Muscle USA was formed on March 14, 2019 in the State of Texas for the purpose
of opening additional new corporate stores. Muscle Maker Development International. LLC, a directly wholly owned subsidiary, which was
formed in Nevada on November 13, 2020 to franchise the Muscle Maker Grill name and business system to qualified franchisees internationally.
MMI
is a fast-casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing healthy-inspired, high-quality, fresh, made-to-order lean, protein-based
meals featuring chicken, seafood, pasta, hamburgers, wraps and flat breads. In addition, our restaurants feature freshly prepared entrée
salads and an appealing selection of sides, protein shakes and fruit smoothies. MMI operates in the fast-casual restaurant segment.
MMI
is the owner of the trade name and service mark Muscle Maker Grill®, Healthy Joe’s and other trademarks and intellectual property
we use in connection with the operation of Muscle Maker Grill® restaurants. We license the right to use the Muscle Maker Grill®
and Healthy Joe’s trademarks and intellectual property to our wholly-owned subsidiaries, MMD, MMC and Muscle USA, and to further
sublicense them to our franchisees for use in connection with Muscle Maker Grill® and Healthy Joe’s restaurants.
On
March 25, 2021, MMI acquired the assets of SuperFit Foods, a subscription based fresh-prepared meal prep business located in Jacksonville,
Florida. With this acquisition, we are also the owner of the trade name SuperFit Foods that we use in connection with the operations
of SuperFit Foods. In 2020 SuperFit Foods produced overs 220,000 fresh-prepared meals. SuperFit Foods is differentiated from other meal
prep services by allowing customers in the Jacksonville Florida market to order online via the Company’s website or mobile app
and pick up their fully prepared meals from 28 Company-owned coolers located in gyms and wellness centers.
On
May 14, 2021, MMI acquired PKM Stamford, LLC, Poke Co., LLC, LB Holdings LLC, TNB Holdings, LLC, Poke Co Holdings LLC, GLL Enterprises,
LLC, and TNB Holdings II, LLC, each a Connecticut limited liability company (collectively, Pokemoto”), a healthier modern culinary
twist on the traditional Hawaiian poke classic. Pokemoto had thirteen locations in four states – Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts,
and Georgia and offers up chef-driven contemporary flavors with fresh delectable and healthy ingredients such as Atlantic salmon, sushi-grade
tuna, fresh mango, roasted cashews and black caviar tobiko that appeals to foodies, health enthusiasts, and sushi-lovers everywhere.
The colorful dishes and modern chic dining rooms provide an uplifting dining experience for guests of all ages. Customers can dine in-store
or order online via third party delivery apps for contactless delivery.
MMI
and its subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as the “Company”.
As
of December 31, 2021, MMI consisted of three operating segments:
●
Muscle
Maker Grill Division
●
Pokemoto
Division
●
SuperFit
Foods Division
F- 10
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
1 – BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
The
Company operates under the name Muscle Maker Grill, Pokemoto and SuperFit Foods and is a franchisor and owner operator of Muscle Maker
Grill, Healthy Joe’s and Pokemoto restaurants. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s restaurant system included twenty-two
Company-owned restaurants, including the SuperFit Foods kitchen, and twenty franchise restaurants.
COVID-19
In
March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic which continues to spread
throughout the United States. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, “shelter in place” orders and other public health measures
have been implemented across much of the United States.
The
COVID-19 global pandemic continues to rapidly evolve. The Company is continually monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19 and the related
business and travel restrictions and changes to behavior intended to reduce its spread, and its impact on operations, financial position,
cash flows, inventory, supply chains, labor shortages resulting from various factors including mandatory vaccination requirements, purchasing
trends, customer payments, and the industry in general, in addition to the impact on its employees. The pandemic has resulted in a negative
impact on the Company’s operations during the year ended December 31, 2020 and continued into the year ended December 31, 2021.
However, due to the rapid development and fluidity of this situation, the magnitude and duration of the pandemic and its impact on the
Company’s operations and liquidity is uncertain as of the date of this report. While there could ultimately be an additional material
impact on operations and liquidity of the Company, the full impact could not be determined, as of the date of this report.
Liquidity
Our
primary source of liquidity is cash on hand. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a cash balance, a working capital surplus and an
accumulated deficit of $ 15,766,703 , $ 15,041,334 , and $ 71,369,837 , respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company
incurred a pre-tax net loss of $ 8,176,130 and net cash used in operations of $ 6,392,711 . The Company believes that our existing cash
on hand and future cash flows from our franchise operations, will be sufficient to fund our operations, anticipated capital expenditures
and repayment obligations over the next twelve months.
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles
of Consolidation
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and majority-owned
subsidiary. Any intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications
Certain
prior year balances have been reclassified in order to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on
the previously reported results of operations or loss per share.
F- 11
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements
and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.
Management
bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the
results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other sources. Significant estimates include:
●
the
assessment of recoverability of long-lived assets, including property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets;
●
the
estimated useful lives of intangible and depreciable assets;
●
estimates
and assumptions used to value warrants and options;
●
the
recognition of revenue; and
●
the
recognition, measurement and valuation of current and deferred income taxes.
Estimates
and assumptions are periodically reviewed, and the effects of any material revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the
period that they are determined to be necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers all highly-liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
There were no cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021 or 2020.
Inventory
Inventories,
which are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, consist primarily of perishable food items and supplies. Cost is determined
using the first-in, first out method.
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Major improvements are capitalized, and minor replacements,
maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are calculated on the straight-line basis over
the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease
term of the related asset. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
SCHEDULE OF ESTIMATED USEFUL LIVES OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Furniture
and equipment
5
- 7 years
Leasehold
improvements
1
- 11 years
F- 12
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Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued
Intangible
Assets
The
Company accounts for recorded intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”. In accordance
with ASC 350, the Company does not amortize intangible assets having indefinite useful lives. The Company’s goodwill and trademarks
are deemed to have indefinite lives, and accordingly are not amortized, but are evaluated for impairment at least annually, or more often
whenever changes in facts and circumstances may indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Accounting Standards Codification
(“ASC”) requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below
an operating segment). Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units,
assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value. Significant
judgment is required to estimate the fair value of reporting units which includes estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate
discount rates and other assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value
and/or goodwill impairment.
Other
intangible assets include a trademark with an indefinite useful life. The other intangible assets estimated original useful lives are
as follows:
SCHEDULE OF OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS USEFUL LIVES
Franchisee agreements
13 years
Franchise license
10 years
Trademark – SuperFit, Trademark – Pokemoto
Domain name, customer list and
Proprietary recipes
5 – 7 years
Non-compete agreement
2 – 3 years
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
When
circumstances, such as adverse market conditions, indicate that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may be impaired, the Company
performs an analysis to review the recoverability of the asset’s carrying value, which includes estimating the undiscounted cash
flows (excluding interest charges) from the expected future operations of the asset. These estimates consider factors such as expected
future operating income, operating trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand, competition and other factors. If the analysis
indicates that the carrying value is not recoverable from future cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the
carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. Any impairment losses are recorded as operating expenses, which reduce net income.
F- 13
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Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued
Convertible
Instruments
The
Company evaluates its convertible instruments to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivative
financial instruments to be separately accounted for in accordance with Topic 815 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)
Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).
If
the instrument is determined not to be a derivative liability, the Company then evaluates for the existence of a beneficial conversion
feature by comparing the market price of the Company’s common stock as of the commitment date to the effective conversion price
of the instrument.
As
of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company deemed the conversion feature was not required to be bifurcated and
recorded as a derivative liability.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company’s revenues consist of restaurant sales, franchise royalties and fees, franchise advertising fund contributions, and other
revenues. The Company recognized revenues according to Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. Under the guidance,
revenue is recognized in accordance with a five-step revenue model, as follows: (1) identifying the contract with the customer; (2) identifying
the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determining the transaction price; (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance
obligations; and (5) recognizing revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In applying this five-step model,
we made significant judgments in identifying the promised goods or services in our contracts with franchisees that are distinct, and
which represent separate performance obligations.
Restaurant
Sales
Retail
store revenue at Company-operated restaurants is recognized when payment is tendered at the point of sale, net of sales tax, discounts
and other sales related taxes. The Company recorded retail store revenues of $ 9,320,920 and $ 3,672,944 during the years ended December
31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The
Company sells gift cards which do not have an expiration date, and it does not deduct dormancy fees from outstanding gift card balances.
The Company recognizes revenues from gift cards as restaurant revenues once the Company performs its obligation to provide food and beverage
to the customer simultaneously with the redemption of the gift card or through gift card breakage, as discussed in Other Revenues below.
Franchise
Royalties and Fees
Franchise
revenues consists of royalties, franchise fees and rebates. Royalties are based on a percentage of franchisee net sales revenue. The
Company recognizes the royalties as the underlying sales occur. The Company recorded revenue from royalties of $ 434,849 and $ 331,694
during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which is included in franchise royalties and fees on the accompanying
consolidated statements of operations.
F- 14
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Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued
Franchise
Royalties and Fees, continued
The
Company provides the franchisees with management expertise, training, pre-opening assistance, and restaurant operating assistance in
exchange for the multi-unit development fees and franchise fees. The Company capitalizes these fees upon collection from the franchisee,
these fees are then recognized as franchise fee revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of the related franchise agreements and
any exercised renewal periods. Cash payments are due upon the execution of the related franchise agreement. The Company’s performance
obligation with respect to franchise fee revenues consists of a license to utilize the Company’s brand for a specified period of
time, which is satisfied equally over the life of each franchise agreement. The Company recorded revenue from franchise fees of $ 263,215
and $ 277,255 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which is included in franchise royalties and fees on the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The
Company has supply agreements with certain food and beverage vendors. Pursuant to the terms of these agreements, rebates are provided
to the Company based upon the dollar volume of purchases for all company-owned and franchised restaurants from these vendors. Rebates
earned on purchases by franchise stores are recorded as revenue during the period in which the related food and beverage purchases are
made. The Company recorded revenue from rebates of $ 80,117 and $ 130,501 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively,
which is included in franchise royalties and fees on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Rebates earned on purchases
by Company-owned stores are recorded as a reduction of food and beverage costs during the period in which the related food and beverage
purchases are made.
Franchise
Advertising Fund Contributions
Under
the Company’s franchise agreements, the Company and its franchisees are required to contribute a certain percentage of revenues
to a national advertising fund. The Company’s national advertising services are provided on a system-wide basis and therefore,
not considered distinct performance obligations for individual franchisees. In accordance with Topic 606, the Company recognizes these
sales-based advertising contributions from franchisees as franchise revenue when the underlying franchisee Company incurs the corresponding
advertising expense. The Company records the related advertising expenses as incurred under general and administrative expenses. When
an advertising contribution fund is over-spent at year end, advertising expenses will be reported on the consolidated statement of operations
in an amount that is greater than the revenue recorded for advertising contributions. Conversely, when an advertising contribution fund
is under-spent at a period end, the Company will accrue advertising costs up to advertising contributions recorded in revenue. The Company
recorded contributions from franchisees of $ 188,539 and $ 61,053 , respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, which
are included in franchise advertising fund contributions on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Other
Revenues
Gift
card breakage is recognized when the likelihood of a gift card being redeemed by the customer is remote and the Company determines there
is not a legal obligation to remit the unredeemed gift card balance to the relevant jurisdiction. The determination of the gift card
breakage rate is based upon the Company’s specific historical redemption patterns. Gift card liability is recorded in other current
liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company recorded $ 61,996
gift card breakage for the year ended December
31, 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not record any gift card breakage.
F- 15
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MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued
Deferred
Revenue
Deferred
revenue primarily includes initial franchise fees received by the Company, which are being amortized over the life of the Company’s
franchise agreements, as well as unearned vendor rebates. Deferred revenue is recognized in income over the life of the franchise agreements
and vendor rebates are recognized in income as performance obligations are satisfied.
Advertising
Advertising
costs are charged to expense as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $ 134,073 and $ 175,378 for the years ended December 31,
2021 and 2020, and are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Net
Loss per Share
Basic
loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, plus the impact of potential common shares, if dilutive, resulting from the
exercise of warrants, options or the conversion of convertible notes payable.
The
following securities are excluded from the calculation of weighted average diluted common shares at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively,
because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:
SCHEDULE OF ANTIDILUTIVE SECURITIES EXCLUDED FROM COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
December 31,
2021
2020
Warrants
20,284,016
2,582,857
Options
100,000
300,000
Convertible debt
32,350
32,350
Total potentially dilutive shares
20,416,366
2,915,207
Major
Vendor
The
Company engages various vendors to distribute food products to their Company-owned restaurants. Purchases from the Company’s largest
supplier totaled 54 % and 87 % of the Company’s purchases for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”
(“ASC 820”).
ASC
820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the
principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement
date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize
the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
F- 16
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments, continued
Level
1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level
2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level
3 — inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)
The
carrying amounts of accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying amounts
of our short–term credit obligations approximate fair value because the effective yields on these obligations, which include contractual
interest rates, taken together with other features such as concurrent issuance of common stock and warrants, are comparable to rates
of returns for instruments of similar credit risk.
See
Note 16 – Equity – Warrant and Options Valuation for details related to accrued compensation liability being fair valued
using Level 1 inputs.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740 Income Taxes (“ASC 740”).
Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases
of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and credit carryforwards using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the
differences are expected to impact taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets
to the amounts expected to be realized.
ASC
740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes
a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected
to be taken in a tax return.
Tax
benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return are recorded in the Company’s financial statements. A tax benefit from
an uncertain tax position is only recognized if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by
the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such
a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate
resolution. Uncertain tax positions have had no impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company does not expect any significant changes in its unrecognized tax benefits within years of the reporting date.
The
Company’s policy is to classify assessments, if any, for tax related interest as interest expense and penalties as general and
administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Stock-Based
Compensation
The
Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award. For
employees and directors, the fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and for non-employees, the fair value of the award
is generally recorded on the grant date and re-measured on financial reporting dates and vesting dates until the service period is complete.
The fair value amount of the award is then recognized over the period services are required to be provided in exchange for the award,
usually the vesting period.
F- 17
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MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No.
2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires companies to recognize lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use leased assets on
the balance sheets and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Qualitative and quantitative disclosures will be enhanced
to better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for annual periods
beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted.
Additionally,
in 2018 and 2019, the FASB issued the following Topic 842–related ASUs:
●
ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which clarifies the applicability of Topic 842 to land easements
and provides an optional transition practical expedient for existing land easements;
●
ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which makes certain technical corrections to Topic 842;
●
ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which allows companies to adopt Topic 842 without revising comparative period
reporting or disclosures and provides an optional practical expedient to lessors to not separate lease and non-lease components of a
contract if certain criteria are met; and
●
ASU 2019-01, Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements, which provides guidance for certain lessors on determining the fair value
of an underlying asset in a lease and on the cash flow statement presentation of lease payments received; ASU No. 2019-01 also clarifies
disclosures required in interim periods after adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 in the year of adoption.
The
Company will adopt Topic 842 as of December 31, 2022 and will recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated
deficit as of the adoption date. The Company is still currently evaluating the aforementioned ASUs and its impact on its consolidated
financial statements and disclosure.
In
June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718),” (“ASU 2018-07”).
ASU 2018-07 is intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for nonemployee share-based payments. Currently,
the accounting requirements for nonemployee and employee share-based payment transactions are significantly different. ASU 2018-07 expands
the scope of Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (which currently only includes share-based payments to employees) to
include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees
and employees will be substantially aligned. This ASU supersedes Subtopic 505-50, Equity — Equity-Based Payments to Nonemployees.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than a Company’s adoption date of Topic 606, Revenue
from Contracts with Customers. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements and related disclosures.
F- 18
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MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements, continued
In
October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08 Business Combinations (“Topic 805”): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract
Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. The ASU requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination
to be recognized and measured by the acquirer on the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,
as if it had originated the contracts. Under the current business combinations guidance, such assets and liabilities were recognized
by the acquirer at fair value on the acquisition date. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal
years, beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the extent of the impact of this
ASU, but do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Subsequent
Events
The
Company evaluated events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Based upon the
evaluation and transactions, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in
the financial statements, except as disclosed in Note 17 – Subsequent Events.
NOTE
3 – ACQUISITIONS
Chelsea
Acquisition
On
October 19, 2020, the Company acquired a franchisee store in Chelsea, New York, as a corporate store (the “Chelsea Acquisition”).
The purchase price of the store was $ 68,292 , of which $ 34,146 related to equipment purchased and the remaining $ 34,146 was attributed
to leasehold improvements. The Company agreed to forgive a promissory note in the amount of $ 68,292 that was owed from the franchisee
in exchange for the purchase of the location. In addition, the Company became obligated for payments pursuant to a five-year lease, exclusive
of options to renew. Monthly rent payments pursuant to this lease agreement range from $ 11,000 to $ 16,105 with a straight-line rent expense
of $ 13,431 per month.
The
unaudited pro-forma financial information in the table below summarizes the consolidated results of operations of the Company and the
Chelsea franchisee store as though the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2020. The pro forma financial information as presented
below is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved
if the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor does it intend to be a projection of future
results.
SCHEDULE OF BUSINESS ACQUISITION PRO FORMA INFORMATION
Pro Forma
(Unaudited)
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2020
Revenues
$ 4,723,815
Restaurant operating expenses
5,440,040
Total cost and expenses
14,650,196
Loss from Operations
( 9,926,382 )
F- 19
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
3 – ACQUISITIONS, continued
Philadelphia
Acquisition
On
November 2, 2020, the Company acquired a franchisee store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a corporate store (the “Philadelphia
Acquisition”). The purchase price of the store was $ 250,000 , of which $ 125,000 related to equipment purchased and the remaining
$ 125,000 relates to leasehold improvements. The Company paid cash of $ 75,000 to the seller on the closing date and agreed to a $ 175,000
7 % promissory note over the next sixty months with the first payment being due and payable on December 2, 2020. As part of the acquisition
the Company agreed to a lease assignment and assumed the remaining commitment under the lease upon the closing date.
The
unaudited pro-forma financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations of the Company and the Philadelphia
franchisee store as though the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2020. The pro forma financial information as presented below
is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the
acquisition had taken place at the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor does it intend to be a projection of future results.
SCHEDULE OF BUSINESS ACQUISITION PRO FORMA INFORMATION
Pro Forma
(Unaudited)
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2020
Revenues
$ 4,877,003
Restaurant operating expenses
5,548,238
Total cost and expenses
14,758,430
Loss from Operations
( 9,881,427 )
SuperFit
Foods Acquisition
On
March 25, 2021, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with SuperFit Foods, LLC, a Florida limited liability company and
SuperFit Foods, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (the “SuperFit Acquisition”). The purchase price of the assets and
rights was $ 1,150,000 .
The purchase price was payable as follows: $ 500,000 that was paid at closing, of which $ 25,000 was released from an escrow
account held by our attorney, and $ 625,000 paid in 268,240 shares of common stock. The remaining $25,000, which was to be issued in the
Company’s common stock, was forfeited as the Company and former owner agreed that not all obligations were met.
The
Company acquired the following assets as part of the purchase agreement, adjusted for purchase accounting adjustments to reflect our
estimate of the fair value of the net assets acquired during the year ended December 31, 2021:
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS ACQUIRED IN BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Furniture and equipment
$ 82,000
Vehicles
55,000
Tradename
45,000
Customer list
140,000
Domain name
125,000
Proprietary Recipes
160,000
Non-compete agreement
260,000
Goodwill
258,000
Total assets acquired
$ 1,125,000
F- 20
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Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
3 – ACQUISITIONS, continued
SuperFit
Foods Acquisition, continued
The
adjustment to the estimate identifiable net assets acquired resulted in a corresponding $ 25,000 decrease in estimated goodwill due to
the Company having no further obligation to issue the $ 25,000 shares of common stock as mentioned above.
The
unaudited pro-forma financial information in the table below summarizes the consolidated results of operations of the Company and SuperFit
Foods, LLC as though the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2020. The pro forma financial information as presented below is for
informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition
had taken place at the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor does it intend to be a projection of future results.
SCHEDULE OF BUSINESS ACQUISITION PRO FORMA INFORMATION
2021
2020
Pro Forma
(Unaudited)
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Revenues
$ 10,857,136
$ 5,335,297
Restaurant operating expenses
9,663,874
9,981,409
Total cost and expenses
20,277,080
15,203,204
Loss from Operations
( 9,419,944 )
( 9,867,907 )
Pokemoto
Acquisition
On
May 14, 2021, the Company entered into Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with the members (the (“Poke Sellers”) of PKM
Stamford, LLC, Poke Co., LLC, LB Holdings LLC, and TNB Holdings, LLC, each a Connecticut limited liability company (collectively, the
“Poke Entities”) pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding membership interest of the Poke
Entities in consideration of $ 4,000,000 in cash and $ 730,000 payable in the form of a promissory note (the “Poke Note”).
In
a related transaction, on May 14, 2021, the Company and the Poke Sellers entered into a Membership Interest Exchange Agreement pursuant
to which the Company acquired Poke Co Holdings LLC, GLL Enterprises, LLC, and TNB Holdings II, LLC, each a Connecticut limited liability
company (collectively, the Poke Entities II”) in exchange for shares of common stock of the Company valued at $ 1,250,000 . The Company
issued 880,282 shares of common stock of the Company on May 14, 2021. The price per share was determined by using the 10-day trading
average preceding the date of closing. The closing occurred on May 14, 2021.
Poke
Entities and Poke Entities II are hereinafter referred to as “Pokemoto”.
As
of the date of the acquisition Pokemoto operated a total of thirteen locations, six Company-owned restaurants and 8 franchised restaurants,
in four states, offering up chef-driven contemporary flavors with fresh delectable and healthy
ingredients such as Atlantic salmon, sushi-grade tuna, fresh mango, roasted cashews and black caviar tobiko that appeals to foodies,
health enthusiasts, and sushi-lovers everywhere.
F- 21
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Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
3 – ACQUISITIONS, continued
Pokemoto
Acquisition, continued
The
Company acquired the following assets as part of the purchase agreement, adjusted for purchase accounting adjustments to reflect our
estimate of the fair value of the net assets acquired during the year ended December 31, 2021:
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS ACQUIRED IN BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Purchase Price
$ 5,980,000
Assets
Cash
$ 1,184,610
Accounts Receivables
-
Inventory
19,500
Property and Equipment
297,529
Intangible assets, net
4,560,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net
719,941
Security deposits and other assets
35,580
$ 6,817,160
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$ 296,224
Other notes payable
1,462,453
Deferred revenue
125,624
Operating lease liability
751,258
$ 2,635,559
Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired
4,181,601
Goodwill
$ 1,798,399
The
adjustment to the estimated identifiable net assets acquired resulted in a corresponding $ 76,183
increase in estimated goodwill due to the
following changes to the purchase price allocation.
SCHEDULE
OF INCREASE DECREASE IN GOODWILL
Increase (Decrease) in Goodwill
Assets
Accounts Receivables
$ ( 60,208 )
Assets
$ ( 60,208 )
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$ 13,767
Deferred revenue
2,208
Liabilities
$ 15,975
Total increase in Goodwill
$ 76,183
F- 22
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Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
3 – ACQUISITIONS, continued
Pokemoto
Acquisition, continued
Identifiable
intangible assets acquired include the following:
SCHEDULE OF IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Fair Value
Weighted average amortization
period
Tradename
$ 175,000
5.00
Franchise License
2,775,000
10.00
Proprietary Recipes
1,130,000
7.00
Non-Compete
480,000
2.00
$ 4,560,000
8.22
The
unaudited pro-forma financial information in the table below summarizes the consolidated results of operations of the Company and Pokemoto,
LLC as though the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2020. The pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational
purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken
place at the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor does it intend to be a projection of future results.
SCHEDULE OF BUSINESS ACQUISITION PRO FORMA INFORMATION
2021
2020
Pro Forma
(Unaudited)
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Revenues
$ 11,646,468
$ 8,126,925
Restaurant operating expenses
10,074,110
7,883,343
Total cost and expenses
20,959,940
17,676,026
Loss from Operations
( 9,313,472 )
( 9,549,101 )
NOTE
4 - LOANS RECEIVABLE
At
December 31, 2021 the Company’s loan receivable balance was $ 0 . At December 31, 2020 the Company’s loans receivable consists
of the following:
SCHEDULE OF LOANS RECEIVABLES
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Loans receivable, net
$ -
$ 3,390
Less: current portion
-
( 2,394 )
Loans receivable, non-current
$ -
$ 996
Loans
receivable includes loans to franchisees totaling, in the aggregate, $ 0 and $ 3,390 , net of reserves for uncollectible loans of $ 71,184
and $ 106,900 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
F- 23
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Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
5 - PREPAID EXENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
At
December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s prepaid expenses and other current assets consists of the following:
SCHEDULE OF PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Prepaid expenses
$ 83,975
$ 23,446
Preopening expenses
602
17,457
Other receivables
1,704,751
-
Prepaid and Other Current Assets
$ 1,789,328
$ 40,903
Include
in prepaid and other current assets is a receivable of $ 1,704,751 , which reduced labor expense included in restaurant operating expenses,
related to the employee retention tax credits receivable from the Internal Revenue Services (“IRS”) that was made available
to companies effected by Covid-19. The Company started to early access the credit in the fourth quarter of 2021 as allowed by the IRS.
NOTE
6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, property and equipment consist of the following:
SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Furniture and equipment
$ 1,397,098
$ 1,143,320
Vehicles
55,000
-
Leasehold improvements
1,981,019
1,940,907
Property and equipment, gross
3,433,117
3,084,227
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
( 1,152,850 )
( 741,504 )
Property and equipment, net
$ 2,280,267
$ 2,342,723
Depreciation
expense amounted to $ 565,599 and $ 362,009 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the years ended December
31, 2021 and 2020, the Company wrote off property and equipment with an original cost value of $ 347,658 and $ 151,111 , respectively, related
to closed locations and future locations that were terminated due to the economic environment as a result of COVID-19 and recorded a
loss on disposal of $ 193,405 and $ 41,480 , respectively, after accumulated depreciation of $ 154,253 and $ 109,631 , respectively, in the
consolidated statement of operations.
F- 24
MUSCLE
MAKER, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE
7 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
The
Company’s intangible assets include a trademark with an indefinite useful life as well as franchise agreements which are amortized
over useful lives of thirteen years.
A
summary of the intangible assets is presented below:
SCHEDULE OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets, net at December
31, 2021
Acquisitions
Impairment of intangible assets
Amortization expense
Intangible assets, net at December
31, 2020
Impairment of intangible assets
Amortization expense
Intangible assets, net at December
31, 2019
Trademark Muscle Maker Grill
$ 1,425,653
$ -
$ ( 998,347 )
$ -
$ 2,424,000
$ -
$ -
$ 2,524,000
Franchise Agreements
262,439
-
( 141,561 )
( 50,278 )
454,278
( 100,000 )
( 60,537 )
514,815
Trademark SuperFit
38,075
45,000
-
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