UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended July 1, 2017

OR

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number: 001-16769

 

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

675 Avenue of the Americas, 6^th Floor, New York, New York 10010

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 589-2700

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of July 26, 2017 was 64,391,084.

 

 

 

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

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

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 

 

 

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

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

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

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

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

 

 

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. The terms “Company” and “WWI” as used throughout these notes is used to indicate Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its operations consolidated for purposes of its financial statements. The Company’s “meetings” business refers to providing access to meetings to the Company’s monthly commitment plan subscribers, “pay-as-you-go” members, Total Access subscribers and other meetings members. “Online” refers to Weight Watchers Online, Weight Watchers OnlinePlus, Personal Coaching and other digital subscription products.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. While all available information has been considered, actual amounts could differ from those estimates. The consolidated financial statements include all of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries. All entities acquired, and any entity of which a majority interest was acquired, are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of future or annual results. The consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, accordingly, they do not include all of the information necessary for a comprehensive presentation of results of operations, financial position and cash flow activity required by GAAP for complete financial statements but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments including those of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the interim results presented.

These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016 filed on March 1, 2017, which includes additional information about the Company, its results of operations, its financial position and its cash flows.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued updated guidance regarding leases, requiring lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with the exception of short-term leases. For lessees, leases will continue to be classified as either operating or finance leases in the income statement. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model but will be updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model. Lessors will continue to classify leases as operating, direct financing or sales-type leases. The effective date of the new guidance for public companies is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. The updated guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures of the Company.

In March 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on revenue from contracts with customers, which is intended to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The amendments in this update do not change the core principle of the guidance, but are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations by including indicators to assist an entity in determining whether it controls a specified good or service before it is transferred to the customer. In April 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on revenue from contracts with customers, which is intended to clarify guidance related to identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation guidance contained in the new revenue recognition standard. In May 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on revenue from contracts with customers, which is intended to provide narrow scope guidance and practical expedients contained in the new revenue standard. In December 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on revenue from contracts with customers for technical corrections and improvements on narrow aspects within the original and amended guidance. The amendments in these updates are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption on the consolidated financial statements. The Company has developed an inventory of all revenue streams and has begun to assess the implications of adopting the new five step revenue model and reviewing key contracts. 

In January 2017, the FASB issued amended guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. This guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Under the amended guidance, a goodwill impairment charge will now be recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures of the Company.

For a discussion of the Company’s other significant accounting policies, see “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016. For a discussion of accounting standards adopted in the current year, see Note 3.

In March 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on stock compensation which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification of applicable income tax consequences on the statement of cash flows. This guidance requires recognition of excess tax benefits and shortfalls (resulting from an increase or decrease in the fair value of an award from grant date to the vesting date) in the provision for income taxes as a discrete item in the quarterly period in which they occur. In addition, these amounts will be classified as an operating activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows instead of as a financing activity. The amendments requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and tax shortfalls in the income statement must be applied prospectively (See Note 10), and entities may elect to apply the amendments related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows using either a prospective or retrospective transition method. In May 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance on stock compensation which is intended to clarify when changes to the terms and conditions to a share-based payment transaction requires modification accounting.

The company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. As required by the standard, the Company recognized prospectively any excess tax benefits in the consolidated statements of net income for the three and six months ended July 1, 2017 and applied the amendments relating to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows using the prospective method. For the first six months ended July 2, 2016, the Company recorded $649 of excess tax benefits in equity. For the first six months ended July 2, 2016, the Company paid taxes of $1,875 related to net share settlement of equity awards.  As permitted under the guidance, the Company will continue to account for forfeitures in compensation cost by estimating the number of awards that are expected to vest.

In August 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on the statement of cash flows presentation of certain transactions where diversity in practice exists. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2017, which had no impact on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance to assist Companies with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The Company early adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

On October 18, 2015 (the “Agreement Date”), the Company entered into the following agreements with Oprah Winfrey: the Strategic Collaboration Agreement, the Winfrey Purchase Agreement (defined below), and the Winfrey Option Agreement (defined below). The transactions contemplated by these agreements are collectively referred to herein as the “Winfrey Transaction”. Details of the Strategic Collaboration Agreement, Winfrey Purchase Agreement and Winfrey Option Agreement are below. See Note 16 for related party transactions with Ms. Winfrey.

Strategic Collaboration Agreement

The Company and Ms. Winfrey granted each other certain intellectual property rights under the Strategic Collaboration Agreement. The agreement has an initial term of five years, with additional successive one-year renewal terms. During the term of this agreement, Ms. Winfrey will consult with the Company and participate in developing, planning, executing and enhancing the Weight Watchers program and related initiatives, and provide it with services in her discretion to promote the Company and its programs, products and services.

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

Winfrey Purchase Agreement

On October 19, 2015, pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement between the Company and Ms. Winfrey (the “Winfrey Purchase Agreement”), the Company issued and sold to Ms. Winfrey an aggregate of 6,362 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Purchased Shares”) at a price per share of $6.79 for an aggregate cash purchase price of $43,199. The Company recorded fees related to the issuance of the Purchased Shares totaling $2,315, of which $1,700 was recorded as a reduction of equity in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The Purchased Shares are subject to certain demand registration rights and piggyback rights held by Ms. Winfrey under the Winfrey Purchase Agreement.

The Purchased Shares may not be transferred by Ms. Winfrey within the first two years of the Agreement Date, subject to certain limited exceptions. Thereafter, Ms. Winfrey may generally transfer up to 15% of the Purchased Shares prior to the third anniversary of the Agreement Date, up to 30% prior to the fourth anniversary of the Agreement Date and up to 60% prior to the fifth anniversary of the Agreement Date. On or after the fifth anniversary of the Agreement Date, Ms. Winfrey will be permitted to transfer all of the Purchased Shares. In the event that Ms. Winfrey proposes to transfer any Purchased Shares or Winfrey Option Shares (defined below), the Company will have (a) a right of first offer with respect to such shares if such transfer is (i) for 1% or more of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock and is proposed to be made pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or (ii) proposed to be sold under a resale shelf registration statement or (b) a right of first refusal with respect to such shares if such transfer is (i) for 1% or more of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock and is proposed to be made to a competitor of the Company or (ii) for 5% or more of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. Such transfer restrictions, right of first offer and right of first refusal terminate if Ms. Winfrey then has the right to be nominated as a director and has met certain eligibility requirements under the Winfrey Purchase Agreement, but is not elected as a director of the Company. If Ms. Winfrey is elected as a director of the Company, she shall receive compensation for her services as a director consistent with that of other non-executive directors of the Company. Such transfer restrictions also terminate if there is a change of control, including if another person (or group), other than Artal Luxembourg S.A. and Ms. Winfrey and their respective affiliates, acquires more than 50% of the total voting power of the Company.

Winfrey Option Agreement

In consideration of Ms. Winfrey entering into the Strategic Collaboration Agreement and the performance of her obligations thereunder, on the Agreement Date, the Company granted Ms. Winfrey a fully vested option (the “Winfrey Option”) to purchase 3,513 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.97 per share, which remains outstanding in full. The term sheet, and related terms and conditions, for the Winfrey Option are referred to herein as the “Winfrey Option Agreement”. Based on the Black Scholes option pricing method, the Company recorded $12,759 of compensation expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 for the Winfrey Option. At the date of the grant, the Company used a dividend yield of 0.0%, 63.88% volatility and a risk-free interest rate of 1.36%. Compensation expense is included as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.

Subject to certain limited exceptions, shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Winfrey Option (the “Winfrey Option Shares”) generally could not be transferred by Ms. Winfrey within the first year of the Agreement Date. Ms. Winfrey generally may transfer up to 20% of the Winfrey Option Shares prior to the second anniversary of the Agreement Date, up to 40% prior to the third anniversary of the Agreement Date, up to 60% prior to the fourth anniversary of the Agreement Date and up to 80% prior to the fifth anniversary of the Agreement Date. On or after the fifth anniversary of the Agreement Date, Ms. Winfrey will be permitted to transfer all of the Winfrey Option Shares. Pursuant to the Winfrey Purchase Agreement, in the event that Ms. Winfrey proposes to transfer any Winfrey Option Shares, the Company will have a right of first offer or a right of first refusal with respect to such shares as described above. Such transfer restrictions terminate under the same director service and change of control circumstances that would result in the termination of the transfer restrictions relating to the Purchased Shares as described above.

On June 27, 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its franchisee for certain territories in South Florida, Weight Watchers of Greater Miami, Inc., for a purchase price of $3,250 (the “Miami Acquisition”). Payment was in the form of cash ($2,898) plus cash in reserves ($300) and assumed net liabilities of ($52). The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($114), goodwill ($2,945) and customer relationship value ($191).  The acquisition of the franchisee has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, earnings of the acquired franchisee have been included in the consolidated operating results of the Company since the date of acquisition. The goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

Franchise rights acquired are due to acquisitions of the Company’s franchised territories as well as the acquisition of franchise promotion agreements and other factors associated with the acquired franchise territories. For the six months ended July 1, 2017, the change in the carrying value of franchise rights acquired is due to the effect of exchange rate changes.

Goodwill primarily relates to the acquisition of the Company by H.J. Heinz Company in 1978, the acquisition of WeightWatchers.com, Inc. in 2005, the acquisitions of the Company’s franchised territories, the acquisitions of the majority interest in Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda. (“VPM”) and of Knowplicity, Inc., d/b/a Wello, in fiscal 2014 and the acquisition of Weilos, Inc. in fiscal 2015. See Note 5 for additional information about acquisitions by the Company. For the six months ended July 1, 2017, the change in the carrying amount of goodwill is due to the effect of exchange rate changes as follows:

 

 

The Company reviews goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including franchise rights acquired with indefinite lives, for potential impairment on at least an annual basis or more often if events so require. The Company performed fair value impairment testing as of May 7, 2017 and May 8, 2016, each the first day of fiscal May, on its goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets.

In performing its annual impairment analysis as of May 7, 2017, the Company determined that the carrying amounts of its goodwill reporting units and franchise rights acquired with indefinite lives units of account did not exceed their respective fair values and therefore, no impairment existed. For all reporting units, except for Brazil, there was significant headroom in the impairment analysis. Based on the results of this test for Brazil, the fair value of this reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 10%, and accordingly a relatively small change in the underlying assumptions would likely cause a change in the results of the impairment assessment and, as such, could result in an impairment of the goodwill related to Brazil, for which the carrying amount is $19,295.

When determining fair value, the Company utilizes various assumptions, including projections of future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. A change in these underlying assumptions would cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the carrying amounts and result in an impairment of those assets. In the event such a result occurred, the Company would be required to record a corresponding charge, which would impact earnings. The Company would also be required to reduce the carrying amounts of the related assets on its balance sheet. The Company continues to evaluate these assumptions and believes that these assumptions are appropriate.

The following is a discussion of the goodwill and franchise rights acquired impairment analysis.

Goodwill

In performing the impairment analysis for goodwill, the fair value for the Company’s reporting units is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. This approach involves projecting future cash flows attributable to the reporting unit and discounting those estimated cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting units. The Company has determined the appropriate reporting unit for purposes of assessing annual impairment to be the country for all reporting units. For all of the Company’s reporting units except for Brazil (see below), the Company estimated future cash flows by utilizing the historical debt-free cash flows (cash flows provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) attributable to that country and then applied expected future operating income growth rates for such country. The Company utilized operating income as the basis for measuring its potential growth because it believes it is the best indicator of the performance of its business. The Company then discounted the estimated future cash flows utilizing a discount rate which was calculated using the average cost of capital, which included the cost of equity and the cost of debt. The cost of equity was determined by combining a risk-free rate of return and a market risk premium for the Company’s peer group. The risk-free rate of return was determined based on the average rate of long-term U.S. Treasury securities. The market risk premium was determined by reviewing external market data. The cost of debt was determined by estimating the Company’s current borrowing rate.

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

As it relates to the impairment analysis for Brazil, the Company estimated future debt free cash flows in contemplation of its growth strategies for that market. In developing these projections, the Company considered the historical impact of similar growth strategies in other markets as well as the current market conditions in Brazil. The Company then discounted the estimated future cash flows utilizing a discount rate which was calculated using the average cost of capital, which included the cost of equity and the cost of debt. The cost of equity was determined by combining a risk-free rate of return and a market risk premium for the Company’s peer group. The risk-free rate of return was determined based on the average rate of long-term U.S. Treasury securities. The market risk premium was determined by reviewing external market data including the current economic conditions in Brazil and the country specific risk thereon. A further risk premium was included to reflect the risk associated with the rate of growth projected in the analysis. The cost of debt was determined by estimating the Company’s current borrowing rate.

Franchise Rights Acquired

Finite-lived franchise rights acquired are amortized over the remaining contractual period, which is generally less than one year.

In performing the impairment analysis for indefinite-lived franchise rights acquired, the fair value for franchise rights acquired is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach referred to as the hypothetical start-up approach for franchise rights related to the Company’s meetings business and a relief from royalty methodology for franchise rights related to the Company’s Online business. The aggregate estimated fair value for these rights is then compared to the carrying value of the unit of account for those franchise rights. The Company has determined the appropriate unit of account for purposes of assessing impairment to be the combination of the rights in the meetings and Online businesses in the country in which the acquisitions have occurred. In its hypothetical start-up approach analysis for fiscal 2017, the Company assumed that the year of maturity was reached after 7 years. Subsequent to the year of maturity, the Company estimated future cash flows for the meetings business in each country based on assumptions regarding revenue growth and operating income margins. The cash flows associated with the Online business were based on the expected Online revenue for such country and the application of a market-based royalty rate. The cash flows for the meetings and Online businesses were discounted utilizing rates consistent with those utilized in the goodwill impairment analysis.

The carrying values of finite-lived intangible assets as of July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

 

Aggregate amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was recorded in the amounts of $9,015 and $18,190 for the three and six months ended July 1, 2017, respectively. Aggregate amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was recorded in the amounts of $8,603 and $17,023 for the three and six months ended July 2, 2016, respectively. The franchise rights acquired related to the VPM acquisition were amortized ratably over a 2 year period. The franchise rights acquired related to the Miami Acquisition were amortized ratably over a 3 month period.

Estimated amortization expense of existing finite-lived intangible assets for the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:

 

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

The components of the Company’s long-term debt were as follows:

 

 

The Company’s credit facilities at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2013 consisted of the following term loan facilities and revolving credit facilities: a tranche B loan (“Term B Loan”), a tranche C loan (“Term C Loan”), a tranche D loan (“Term D Loan”), a tranche E loan (“Term E Loan”), a tranche F loan (“Term F Loan”), revolving credit facility A-1 (“Revolver A-1” ) and revolving credit facility A-2 (“Revolver A-2”).

On April 2, 2013, the Company refinanced its credit facilities pursuant to a new Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and an issuing bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as revolving agent, swingline lender and an issuing bank, and the other parties thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for (a) a revolving credit facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $250,000 that will mature on April 2, 2018 (the “Revolving Facility”), (b) an initial term B-1 loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $300,000 that matured on April 2, 2016 (the “Tranche B-1 Term Facility”) and (c) an initial term B-2 loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2,100,000 that will mature on April 2, 2020 (the “Tranche B-2 Term Facility”, and together with the Tranche B-1 Term Facility, the “Term Facilities”; the Term Facilities and Revolving Facility collectively, the “WWI Credit Facility”). In connection with this refinancing, the Company used the proceeds from borrowings under the Term Facilities to pay off a total of $2,399,904 of outstanding loans, consisting of $128,759 of Term B Loans, $110,602 of Term C Loans, $117,612 of Term D Loans, $1,125,044 of Term E Loans, $817,887 of Term F Loans, $21,247 of loans under the Revolver A-1 and $78,753 of loans under the Revolver A-2. Following the refinancing of a total of $2,399,904 of loans, at April 2, 2013, the Company had $2,400,000 debt outstanding under the Term Facilities and $248,848 of availability under the Revolving Facility. The Company incurred fees of $44,817 during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 in connection with this refinancing. In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company wrote-off fees associated with this refinancing which resulted in the Company recording a charge of $21,685 in early extinguishment of debt.

On September 26, 2014, the Company and certain lenders entered into an agreement amending the Credit Agreement that, among other things, eliminated the Financial Covenant (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with respect to the Revolving Facility. In connection with this amendment, the Company wrote-off deferred financing fees of approximately $1,583 in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Concurrently with and in order to effect this amendment, the Company reduced the amount of the Revolving Facility from $250,000 to $50,000.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, depending on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), on an annual basis on or about the time the Company is required to deliver its financial statements for any fiscal year, the Company is obligated to offer to prepay a portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Facilities in an aggregate amount determined by a percentage of its annual excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement). On March 13, 2015, the Company commenced an offer to prepay at a discount to par up to $75,000 in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility. On March 20, 2015, the Company accepted offers with a discount equal to or greater than 9.00% in respect of such term loans. On March 25, 2015, the Company paid an aggregate amount of cash proceeds totaling $57,389 plus an amount sufficient to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to prepay $63,065 in aggregate principal amount of such term loans under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility. This expenditure reduced, on a dollar for dollar basis, the Company’s

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

$59,728 obligation to make a mandatory excess cash flow prepayment offer to the term loan lenders under the terms of the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Company made a voluntary prepayment at par on March 25, 2015 of $2,500 in respect of such term loans under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility to reduce the remaining excess cash flow prepayment obligation for fiscal 2014. As a result of this prepayment, the Company wrote-off fees of $326, incurred fees of $601 and recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $4,749, inclusive of these fees, in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

On June 17, 2015, the Company commenced another offer to prepay at a discount to par up to $229,000 in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility. On June 22, 2015, the Company accepted offers with a discount equal to or greater than 9.00% in respect of such term loans. On June 26, 2015, the Company paid an aggregate amount of cash proceeds totaling $77,225 plus an amount sufficient to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to prepay $84,862 in aggregate principal amount of such term loans under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility. As a result of this prepayment, the Company wrote-off fees of $321, incurred fees of $641 and recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $6,677, inclusive of these fees, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

On July 14, 2015, the Company drew down the $48,000 available on its Revolving Facility in order to enhance its cash position and to provide additional financial flexibility. As of January 2, 2016, the revolver borrowing was classified as a short-term liability in consideration of the fact that the terms of the Revolving Facility require an assessment as to whether there have been any material adverse changes with respect to the Company in connection with the Company’s monthly interest elections. Although the revolver borrowing was classified as a short-term liability as of January 2, 2016, absent any change in fact and circumstance, the Company had, and continues to have, the ability to extend and not repay the Revolving Facility until its due date of April 2, 2018.

On April 1, 2016, the Company paid in full, with cash on hand, a principal amount of term loans equal to $144,323, which constituted the entire remaining principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility due April 2, 2016.

On July 29, 2016, the Company paid down, with cash on hand, a principal amount of $25,000 of the $48,000 outstanding under its Revolving Facility. On September 16, 2016, the Company paid down, with cash on hand, the remaining outstanding principal amount of $23,000 on its Revolving Facility.

On May 18, 2017, the Company commenced another offer to prepay at a discount to par up to $75,000 in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility. On May 24, 2017, the Company accepted offers with a discount equal to or greater than 3.28% in respect of such term loans. On May 25, 2017, the Company paid an aggregate amount of cash proceeds totaling $73,030 plus an amount sufficient to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to prepay $75,507 in aggregate principal amount of such term loans under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility. As a result of this prepayment, the Company wrote-off fees of $618, incurred fees of $305 and recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $1,554, inclusive of these fees, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

At July 1, 2017 under the WWI Credit Facility, the Company had $1,935,440 outstanding consisting entirely of a term loan under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility. At July 1, 2017, the Revolving Facility had $0 outstanding, $1,819 in issued but undrawn letters of credit outstanding thereunder and $48,181 in available unused commitments thereunder. The proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving Facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) are available to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin or a base rate plus an applicable margin. LIBOR under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 0.75% and the base rate under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 1.75%. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, in the event the Company receives a corporate rating of BB- (or lower) from S&P and a corporate rating of Ba3 (or lower) from Moody’s, the applicable margin relating to the Term Facilities would increase by 25 basis points. On February 21, 2014, both S&P and Moody’s issued revised corporate ratings of the Company of B+ and B1, respectively. As a result, effective February 21, 2014, the applicable margin on borrowings under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility went from 2.75% to 3.00% and on borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility went from 3.00% to 3.25%. The applicable margin relating to the Revolving Facility will fluctuate depending upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio. At April 1, 2016, the date of payment of the principal amount of loans outstanding under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility discussed above, borrowings under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.00%. At July 1, 2017, borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.25%. Based on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of July 1, 2017, had there been any borrowings under the Revolving Facility, it would have borne interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.50%. On a quarterly basis, the Company will pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolving Facility in respect of unutilized

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

commitments thereunder, which commitment fee will fluctuate depending upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Based on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the commitment fee was 0.50% per annum. For the six months ended July 1, 2017 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid $122 and $31, respectively, in commitment fees. The Company also will pay customary letter of credit fees and fronting fees under the Revolving Facility, which totaled $24 for the six months ended July 1, 2017 and $49 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants including covenants that, in certain circumstances, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other payments, including investments, sell its assets and enter into consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of its assets. The WWI Credit Facility does not require the Company to meet any financial maintenance covenants and is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all of the Company’s assets secure the WWI Credit Facility.

At July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s debt consisted entirely of variable-rate instruments. An interest rate swap was entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with the Company’s variable-rate borrowings. The weighted average interest rate (which includes amortization of deferred financing costs) on the Company’s outstanding debt, exclusive of the impact of the swap, was approximately 4.64% and 4.41% per annum based on interest rates at July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The weighted average interest rate (which includes amortization of deferred financing costs) on the Company’s outstanding debt, including the impact of the swap, was approximately 5.27% and 5.32% per annum based on interest rates at July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) are calculated utilizing the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted EPS is calculated utilizing the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented adjusted for the effect of dilutive common stock equivalents.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS:

 

 

The number of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of the weighted average number of common shares for diluted EPS was 868 and 1,265 for the three months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, respectively and 956 and 1,205 for the six months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, respectively.

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

On May 6, 2008 and May 12, 2004, respectively, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). On May 6, 2014, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “2014 Plan”), which replaced the 2008 Plan and 2004 Plan for all equity-based awards granted on or after May 6, 2014. The 2014 Plan is designed to promote the long-term financial interests and growth of the Company by attracting, motivating and retaining employees with the ability to contribute to the success of the business and to align compensation for the Company’s employees over a multi-year period directly with the interests of the shareholders of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof administers the 2014 Plan.

Pursuant to the restricted stock provisions of the 2014 Plan, in fiscal 2016 the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) determined to grant 289.9 performance-based stock unit (“PSU”) awards having both time- and performance-vesting criteria. The time-vesting criteria for these PSUs will be satisfied on the third anniversary of the grant date (i.e., May 16, 2019). The performance-vesting criteria for these PSUs will be satisfied if the Company has achieved a Debt Ratio (as defined in the applicable term sheet for these PSU awards and based on a Debt to EBITDAS ratio (each, as defined therein)) at levels at or above a “threshold” level performance of 4.5x over the performance period from December 31, 2017 to December 29, 2018. Pursuant to these awards, the number of PSUs that become vested, if any, upon the satisfaction of both vesting criteria, shall be equal to (x) the target number of PSUs granted multiplied by (y) the applicable Debt Ratio achievement percentage, rounded down to avoid the issuance of fractional shares. If all of these awards fully meet the time-vesting criteria and the minimum performance condition is attained, depending on the Company’s Debt Ratio achievement, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable under these PSUs range from 62.5 to 312.5. The Company is currently accruing compensation expense to what it believes is the probable outcome upon vesting.

Additionally, pursuant to the restricted stock provisions of the 2014 Plan, in fiscal 2017 the Compensation Committee determined to grant 98.5 PSU awards in May 2017 having both time- and performance-vesting criteria. The time-vesting criteria for these PSUs will be satisfied on the third anniversary of the grant date (i.e., May 15, 2020). The performance-vesting criteria for these PSUs will be satisfied if the Company has achieved certain annual operating income objectives in each fiscal year over a three-year period (i.e., fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2019) (each, a “2017 Award Performance Year”). When the performance measure has been met for a particular 2017 Award Performance Year, that portion of units is “banked” for potential issuance following the satisfaction of the three-year time-vesting criteria. Such portion of units to be “banked” shall be equal to (x) the target number of PSUs granted for the applicable 2017 Award Performance Year multiplied by (y) the applicable achievement percentage, rounded down to avoid the issuance of fractional shares. If all of these awards fully meet the time-vesting criteria and the minimum performance condition is attained in each 2017 Award Performance Year, depending on the Company’s performance achievement, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable under these PSUs range from 32.8 to 164.2.  The Company is currently accruing compensation expense to what it believes is the probable outcome upon vesting.

The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended July 1, 2017 were 36.5% and 23.2%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended July 2, 2016 were 31.5% and 30.0%, respectively. For the six months ended July 1, 2017, the primary difference between the US federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate was due to the $11,633 tax benefit related to the cessation of operations of the Company’s Spanish subsidiary, partially offset by $604 of tax expense related to tax shortfalls in connection with the updated guidance on stock compensation in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, as described in Note 3.  For the six months ended July 2, 2016, the primary difference between the US federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate was due to the reversal of a $2,500 valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses expected to be realized.

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

The differences between the US federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate is as follows:

 

 

Raymond Roberts v. Weight Watchers International, Inc.

On January 7, 2016, an OnlinePlus member filed a putative class action complaint against the Company in the Supreme Court of New York, New York County, asserting class claims for breach of contract and violations of the New York General Business Law. On February 5, 2016, the Company removed the case to the United States District Court, Southern District of New York. On March 18, 2016, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, alleging that, as a result of the temporary glitches in the Company’s website and app in November and December 2015, the Company has: (1) breached its Subscription Agreement with its OnlinePlus members; and (2) engaged in deceptive acts and practices in violation of Section 350 of the New York General Business Law. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified actual, punitive and statutory damages, as well as his attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with this action. The Company filed a motion to dismiss on May 6, 2016. The plaintiff filed his opposition papers on June 9, 2016 and the Company filed its reply papers on June 23, 2016. The Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss on November 14, 2016. On November 16, 2016, the plaintiff filed a timely notice of appeal of the Court’s decision and on January 31, 2017, the plaintiff filed his brief in support of appeal. The Company filed its opposition brief on April 5, 2017, and the plaintiff filed his reply brief on April 25, 2017. The Company believes that the plaintiff’s appeal is without merit and will be denied in due course.

Other Litigation Matters

Due to the nature of the Company’s activities, it is also, at times, subject to pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the disposition of any such matters is not expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

As of July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had in effect an interest rate swap with a notional amount totaling $1,250,000 and $1,500,000, respectively.

On July 26, 2013, in order to hedge a portion of its variable rate debt, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap with an effective date of March 31, 2014 and a termination date of April 2, 2020. The initial notional amount of this swap was $1,500,000. During the term of this swap, the notional amount decreased from $1,500,000 effective March 31, 2014 to $1,250,000 on April 3, 2017, and will decrease to $1,000,000 on April 1, 2019. This interest rate swap effectively fixes the variable interest rate on the notional amount of this swap at 2.38%. This swap qualifies for hedge accounting and, therefore, changes in the fair value of this swap have been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

As of July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, cumulative unrealized losses for qualifying hedges were reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the amounts of $13,332 ($21,856 before taxes) and $16,002 ($26,232 before taxes), respectively.

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

The Company is hedging forecasted transactions for periods not exceeding the next three years. The Company expects approximately $5,765 ($9,451 before taxes) of derivative losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 1, 2017, based on current market rates, will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

When measuring fair value, the Company is required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s significant financial instruments include long-term debt and an interest rate swap agreement as of July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

The fair value of the Company’s Term Facilities is determined by utilizing average bid prices on or near the end of each fiscal quarter (Level 2 input). As of July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was approximately $1,853,925 and $1,671,920, respectively, as compared to the carrying value (net of deferring financing costs) of $1,919,912 and $2,002,299, respectively.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The fair values for the Company’s derivative financial instruments are determined using observable current market information such as the prevailing LIBOR interest rate and LIBOR yield curve rates and include consideration of counterparty credit risk. See Note 12 for disclosures related to derivative financial instruments.

The following table presents the aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments:

 

 

The Company did not have any transfers into or out of Levels 1 and 2, and did not maintain any assets or liabilities classified as Level 3, during the six months ended July 1, 2017 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component ^(a)

 

 

 

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

 

Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss ^(a)

 

 

The Company has four reportable segments based on an integrated geographical structure as follows: North America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe (CE) and Other. Other consists of Asia Pacific and emerging markets operations and franchise revenues and related costs, all of which have been grouped together as if they were a single reportable segment because they do not meet any of the quantitative thresholds and are immaterial for separate disclosure. To be consistent with the information that is presented to the chief operating decision maker, the Company does not include intercompany activity in the segment results. Information about the Company’s reportable segments is as follows:

 

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

 

 

 

As more fully described in Note 4, on October 18, 2015, the Company entered into the Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Ms. Winfrey, under which she will consult with the Company and participate in developing, planning, executing and enhancing the Weight Watchers program and related initiatives, and provide it with services in her discretion to promote the Company and its programs, products and services.

In addition to the Strategic Collaboration Agreement, Ms. Winfrey and her related entities provided services to the Company totaling $874 and $2,556 for the three and six months ended July 1, 2017, respectively and $542 and $1,685 for the three and six months ended July 2, 2016, respectively, which services included advertising, production and related fees.

The Company’s accounts payable to parties related to Ms. Winfrey at July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $0 and $1,123, respectively.

 

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for historical information contained herein, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, including, in particular, the statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We have generally used the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend” and similar expressions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things:

You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should understand that many important factors, including those discussed herein, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or suggested in any forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise.

 

 

 

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Weight Watchers International, Inc. is a Virginia corporation with its principal executive offices in New York, New York. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q unless the context indicates otherwise: “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “WWI” refer to Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its operations consolidated for purposes of its financial statements; “North America” refers to our North American Company-owned operations; “United Kingdom” refers to our United Kingdom Company-owned operations; “Continental Europe” refers to our Continental Europe Company-owned operations; and “Other” refers to Asia Pacific and emerging markets operations and franchise revenues and related costs. Each of North America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Other is also a reportable segment. Our “meetings” business refers to providing access to meetings to our monthly commitment plan subscribers, “pay-as-you-go” members, Total Access subscribers and other meetings members. “Online” refers to Weight Watchers Online, Weight Watchers OnlinePlus, Personal Coaching and other digital subscription products.

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st and consists of either 52- or 53-week periods. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

The following term used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is our trademark: Weight Watchers^®.

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016 that includes additional information about us, our results of operations, our financial position and our cash flows, and with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (collectively referred to as the Consolidated Financial Statements).

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

To supplement our consolidated results presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, we have disclosed non-GAAP financial measures of operating results that exclude or adjust certain items. We present within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q the non-GAAP financial measure earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation (“EBITDAS”). See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—EBITDAS” for the calculation. Our management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the performance of our business and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of the performance of our business. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly entitled measures reported by other companies.

USE OF CONSTANT CURRENCY

As exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe in certain cases the presentation of results on a constant currency basis in addition to reported results helps improve investors’ ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. We use results on a constant currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we calculate constant currency by calculating current-year results using prior-year foreign currency exchange rates. We generally refer to such amounts calculated on a constant currency basis as excluding or adjusting for the impact of foreign currency or being on a constant currency basis. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with GAAP and are not meant to be considered in

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isolation. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not measures of performance presented in accordance with GAAP.  

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Goodwill and Franchise Rights Acquired Annual Impairment Test

We review goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including franchise rights acquired with indefinite lives, for potential impairment on at least an annual basis or more often if events so require. We performed fair value impairment testing as of May 7, 2017 and May 8, 2016, each the first day of fiscal May, on our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. In performing our goodwill impairment analysis for our reporting units for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, no impairment was identified as the fair value of those units exceeded their respective carrying value. In performing the impairment analysis for franchise rights acquired with indefinite lives for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, we determined that the carrying amounts did not exceed their respective fair values and therefore no impairment existed.

With respect to our analysis, a change in the underlying assumptions would cause a change in the results of the impairment assessments and, as such, could result in an impairment of those assets, which would impact earnings. We would also be required to reduce the carrying amounts of the related assets on our balance sheet. We continue to evaluate these assumptions and believe that they are appropriate.

The following is a more detailed discussion of our fiscal 2017 goodwill and franchise rights acquired impairment analysis.

Goodwill

In performing the impairment analysis for goodwill, the fair value for our reporting units is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. This approach involves projecting future cash flows attributable to the reporting unit and discounting those estimated cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting units. We have determined the appropriate reporting unit for purposes of assessing annual impairment to be the country for all reporting units. The values of goodwill in the United States, Canada, Brazil and other countries at July 1, 2017 were $97.8 million, $41.3 million, $18.7 million and $10.1 million, respectively.

Based on the results of our annual impairment test performed as of the first day of fiscal May (May 7, 2017), we estimated that for reporting units that hold approximately 88.9% of our goodwill, those units had a fair value at least 50% higher than the respective reporting unit’s carrying amount. In Brazil, which holds 11.1% of our goodwill, the fair value of this reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 10%.

For all of our reporting units except for Brazil (see below), we estimated future cash flows by utilizing the historical debt-free cash flows (cash flows provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) attributable to that country and then applied expected future operating income growth rates for such country. We utilized operating income as the basis for measuring our potential growth because we believe it is the best indicator of the performance of our business. We then discounted the estimated future cash flows utilizing a discount rate which was calculated using the average cost of capital, which included the cost of equity and the cost of debt. The cost of equity was determined by combining a risk-free rate of return and a market risk premium for the Company’s peer group. The risk-free rate of return was determined based on the average rate of long-term U.S. Treasury securities. The market risk premium was determined by reviewing external market data. The cost of debt was determined by estimating our current borrowing rate.

The following are the more significant assumptions utilized in our annual impairment analysis (except for Brazil) for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016:

 

 

As it relates to our impairment analysis for Brazil, we estimated future debt free cash flows in contemplation of our growth strategies for that market. In developing these projections, we considered the historical impact of similar growth strategies in other markets as well as the current market conditions in Brazil. We then discounted the estimated future cash flows utilizing a discount rate which was calculated using the average cost of capital, which included the cost of equity and the cost of debt. The cost of equity was determined by combining a risk-free rate of return and a market risk premium for the Company’s peer group. The risk-free rate of return was determined based on the average rate of long-term U.S. Treasury securities. The market risk premium was determined by

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reviewing external market data including the current economic conditions in Brazil and the country specific risk thereon. A further risk premium was included to reflect the risk associated with the rate of growth projected in the analysis. The cost of debt was determined by estimating the Company’s current borrowing rate.

 

The following are the more significant assumptions utilized in our annual impairment analysis for Brazil for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016:

 

Franchise Rights Acquired

Finite-lived franchise rights acquired are amortized over the remaining contractual period, which is generally less than one year. In performing the impairment analysis for our indefinite-lived franchise rights acquired, the fair value for our franchise rights acquired is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach referred to as the hypothetical start-up approach for our franchise rights related to our meetings business and a relief from royalty methodology for our franchise rights related to our Online business. The aggregate estimated fair value for these rights is then compared to the carrying value of the unit of account for those franchise rights. We have determined the appropriate unit of account for purposes of assessing impairment to be the combination of the rights in the meetings and Online businesses in the country in which the acquisitions have occurred. The values of these franchise rights in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand at July 1, 2017 were $671.9 million, $55.7 million, $12.5 million, $6.9 million, and $5.2 million, respectively.

Based on the results of our fiscal 2017 annual impairment analysis, we estimated that approximately 100.0% of our franchise rights acquired had a fair value at least 40% higher than their carrying amount.

In our hypothetical start-up approach analysis for fiscal 2017, we assumed that the year of maturity was reached after 7 years. Subsequent to the year of maturity, we estimated future cash flows for the meetings business in each country based on assumptions regarding revenue growth and operating income margins. The cash flows associated with the Online business were based on the expected Online revenue for such country and the application of a market-based royalty rate. The cash flows for the meetings and Online businesses were discounted utilizing rates consistent with those utilized in the goodwill impairment analysis.

In performing this impairment analysis for fiscal 2017, for the year of maturity we assumed meeting room revenue (comprised of Meeting Fees and revenues from products sold to members in meetings) growth of 16.2% to 58.3% in the year of maturity from fiscal 2016, in each case, earned in the applicable country and assumed cumulative annual revenue growth rates for the years beyond the year of maturity of 1.9%. For the year of maturity and beyond, we assumed operating income margin rates of 7.1% to 22.5%.

Other Critical Accounting Policies

For a discussion of the other critical accounting policies affecting us, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016. Our critical accounting policies have not changed since the end of fiscal 2016.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Our management reviews and analyzes several key performance indicators in order to manage our business and assess the quality and potential variability of our cash flows and earnings. These key performance indicators include:

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 1, 2017 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 2, 2016

The table below sets forth selected financial information for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 from our consolidated statements of net income for the three months ended July 1, 2017 versus selected financial information for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 from our consolidated statements of net income for the three months ended July 2, 2016:

Summary of Selected Financial Data

 

 

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

Consolidated Results

Revenues

Revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 were $341.7 million, an increase of $31.9 million, or 10.3% versus the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which negatively impacted our revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 by $5.4 million, revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 would have increased 12.1% versus the prior year period. This increase was driven primarily by revenue growth in North America. See “—Segment Results” for additional details on revenues.

Cost of Revenues and Gross Profit

Total cost of revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased $3.9 million, or 2.7%, versus the prior year period. Gross profit increased $28.0 million, or 17.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016 primarily due to the increase in revenues. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which negatively impacted gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 by $3.1 million, gross profit in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 would have increased 19.3% versus the prior year period. Gross margin in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased 3.3% to 55.3% versus 52.0% in the second quarter of fiscal

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2016. Gross margin expansion was driven primarily by improved leverage in both the meetings and Online businesses and a mix shift to the higher margin Online business. This expansion was partially offset by lower revenues in our high margin licensing business.

Marketing

Marketing expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased $0.8 million, or 1.9%, versus the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which decreased marketing expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 by $1.0 million, marketing expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 would have increased 4.3% versus the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue were 12.3% in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 as compared to 13.3% in the prior year period.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased $4.7 million, or 10.2%, versus the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which decreased selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 by $0.6 million, selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 would have increased 11.5% versus the prior year period. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 was driven primarily by higher compensation and incentive related costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue was 14.9% for both the second quarter of fiscal 2017 and for the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Operating Income

Operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased $22.5 million, or 30.5%, versus the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which negatively impacted operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 by $1.5 million, operating income in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 would have increased 32.5% versus the prior year period. This increase in operating income was driven primarily by higher operating income in North America as compared to the prior year period. Operating income margin increased 4.4% for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016. This increase in operating income margin was driven primarily by an increase in gross margin as compared to the prior year period.

Interest Expense

Interest expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 decreased $1.5 million, or 5.3%, versus the second quarter of fiscal 2016. The decrease in interest expense was driven primarily by the decrease in our average debt outstanding, which decreased to $2.0 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 from $2.1 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. This decrease in interest expense was due to: (i) prepayment of $75.5 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility (defined hereafter); (ii) lower interest expense from the impact of our interest rate swap; and (iii) the aggregate payments in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 of the outstanding principal amount of $48.0 million on the Revolving Facility (defined hereafter). The effective interest rate on our debt, based on interest incurred (which includes amortization of our deferred financing costs) and our average borrowings during the second quarter of fiscal 2017 and the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and excluding the impact of our interest rate swap, increased to 4.66% per annum at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2017 from 4.32% per annum at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Including the impact of our interest rate swap, our effective interest rate on our debt, based on interest incurred (which includes amortization of our deferred financing costs) and our average borrowings during the second quarter of fiscal 2017 and the second quarter of fiscal 2016, decreased to 5.44% per annum at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2017 from 5.51% per annum at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2016. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Long-Term Debt” for additional details regarding interest rates on our debt outstanding, the Revolving Facility and payments on our debt. For additional details on our interest rate swap, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Other (Income) Expense, Net

Other (income) expense, net, which consists primarily of the impact of foreign currency on intercompany transactions, increased by $1.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 to $0.5 million of income as compared to $0.6 million of expense in the prior year period.

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Gain on Early Extinguishment of Debt

In May 2017, we paid an aggregate amount of cash proceeds totaling $73.0 million plus an amount sufficient to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to prepay $75.5 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility. As a result of this prepayment, we wrote-off fees of $0.6 million, incurred fees of $0.3 million and recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $1.6 million, inclusive of these fees, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Tax

Our effective tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 was 36.5% as compared to 31.5% for the second quarter of fiscal 2016. This increase in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 was driven primarily by the reversal in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 of a $2.5 million valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are expected to be realized.

Net Income Attributable to the Company and Earnings Per Share

Net income attributable to the Company in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 reflected a $14.7 million, or 48.1% increase from the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which negatively impacted net income attributable to the Company in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 by $1.0 million, net income attributable to the Company in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 would have increased by 51.3% versus the prior year period. Net income attributable to the Company in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 included a $0.9 million (after-tax) gain on early extinguishment of debt and in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 included the reversal of a $2.5 million valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are expected to be realized.

Earnings per fully diluted share, or EPS, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 was $0.67 compared to $0.46 in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.  For the second quarter of fiscal 2017, EPS included a $0.01 benefit in connection with the gain on early extinguishment of debt. For the second quarter of fiscal 2016, EPS included a $0.04 benefit in connection with the release of a valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are expected to be realized.

Segment Results

Metrics and Business Trends

The following tables set forth key metrics by reportable segment for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 and the percentage change in those metrics versus the prior year period:

(in millions except percentages and as noted)

 

 

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

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(in millions except percentages and as noted)

 

 

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

North America Performance

The increase in North America revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven by the increase in Service Revenues. The increase in Service Revenues was driven primarily by an increase in Meeting Fees and to a lesser extent an increase in Online Subscription Revenues. The increase in North America Total Paid Weeks resulted from both the higher number of Incoming Subscribers at the beginning of the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the beginning of the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and higher recruitments in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period.

The increase in North America product sales and other in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven by an increase in product sales, partially offset by a decline in licensing revenue.

United Kingdom Performance

The decline in UK revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven by the negative impact of foreign currency.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency, UK revenues would have increased, driven by an increase in Service Revenues. This increase in Service Revenues on a constant currency basis, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was primarily the result of an increase in Online Subscription Revenues.

Partially offsetting UK Service Revenues was the decline in UK product sales and other in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period. This decrease in UK product sales and other was driven primarily by a decrease in licensing revenue.

Continental Europe Performance

The increase in Continental Europe revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven primarily by the increase in Service Revenues. The increase in Service Revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was primarily the result of an increase in Online Subscription Revenues. The increase in Online Subscription Revenues was driven by the higher number of Incoming Online Subscribers at the beginning of the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the beginning of the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and by an increase in recruitments in the Online business for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period.

The increase in Continental Europe Service Revenues was partially offset by the decline in Continental Europe product sales and other in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period.

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Other Performance

The increase in Other revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven primarily by the increase in Service Revenues. The increase in Other Total Paid Weeks was driven primarily by the higher number of Incoming Subscribers at the beginning of the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the beginning of the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

The increase in product sales and other in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 versus the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was driven by an increase in other product sales from our franchisees as well as an increase in in-meeting product sales.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 1, 2017 COMPARED TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 2, 2016

The table below sets forth selected financial information for the first six months of fiscal 2017 from our consolidated statements of net income for the six months ended July 1, 2017 versus selected financial information for the first six months of fiscal 2016 from our consolidated statements of net income for the six months ended July 2, 2016:

Summary of Selected Financial Data

 

 

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

Consolidated Results

Revenues

Revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 were $670.7 million, an increase of $54.1 million or 8.8% versus the first six months of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which negatively impacted our revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2017 by $9.9 million, revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 would have increased 10.4% versus the prior year period. This increase was driven primarily by revenue growth in North America.  See “—Segment Results” for additional details on revenues.

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Cost of Revenues and Gross Profit

Total cost of revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 increased $11.7 million, or 3.8%, versus the prior year period. Gross profit increased $42.4 million, or 13.6% in the first six months of fiscal 2017 compared to the first six months of fiscal 2016 primarily due to the increase in revenues. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which negatively impacted gross profit for the first six months of fiscal 2017 by $5.4 million, gross profit in the first six months of fiscal 2017 would have increased 15.4% versus the prior year period. Gross margin in the first six months of fiscal 2017 increased 2.3% to 52.6% versus 50.4% in the first six months of fiscal 2016. Gross margin expansion was driven primarily by improved leverage in both the meetings and Online businesses and a mix shift to the higher margin Online business. This expansion was partially offset by lower revenues in our high margin licensing business.

Marketing

Marketing expenses for the first six months of fiscal 2017 increased $0.7 million, or 0.5%, versus the first six months of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which decreased marketing expenses for the first six months of fiscal 2017 by $2.2 million, marketing expenses in the first six months of fiscal 2017 would have increased 2.3% versus the first six months of fiscal 2016. Marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue were 19.1% in the first six months of fiscal 2017 as compared to 20.7% in the prior year period.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first six months of fiscal 2017 increased $2.6 million, or 2.7%, versus the first six months of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which decreased selling, general and administrative expenses for the first six months of fiscal 2017 by $1.0 million, selling, general and administrative expenses in the first six months of fiscal 2017 would have increased 3.7% versus the prior year period. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the first six months of fiscal 2017 was driven primarily by higher compensation and incentive related costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue for the first six months of fiscal 2017 decreased to 14.7% from 15.5% for the first six months of fiscal 2016.

Operating Income

Operating income for the first six months of fiscal 2017 increased $39.2 million, or 44.9%, versus the first six months of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which negatively impacted operating income for the first six months of fiscal 2017 by $2.2 million, operating income in the first six months of fiscal 2017 would have increased 47.3% versus the prior year period. This increase in operating income was driven primarily by higher operating income in North America as compared to the prior year period. Operating income margin increased 4.7% for the first six months of fiscal 2017 compared to the first six months of fiscal 2016. This increase in operating income margin was driven in part by an increase in gross margin, a decrease in marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue, and a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue, all as compared to the prior year period.

Interest Expense

Interest expense in the first six months of fiscal 2017 decreased $3.4 million, or 5.8%, versus the first six months of fiscal 2016. The decrease in interest expense was driven primarily by the decrease in our average debt outstanding, which decreased to $2.0 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2017 from $2.1 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2016. This decrease in interest expense was due to: (i) prepayment of $75.5 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility; (ii) lower interest expense from the impact of our interest rate swap; and (iii) the payment in full in April 2016 of the principal amount of loans outstanding under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility (defined hereafter) and the aggregate payments in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 of the outstanding principal amount of $48.0 million on the Revolving Facility. The effective interest rate on our debt, based on interest incurred (which includes amortization of our deferred financing costs) and our average borrowings during the first six months of fiscal 2017 and the first six months of fiscal 2016 and excluding the impact of our interest rate swap, increased to 4.64% per annum at the end of the first six months of fiscal 2017 from 4.30% per annum at the end of the first six months of fiscal 2016. Including the impact of our interest rate swap, our effective interest rate on our debt, based on interest incurred (which includes amortization of our deferred financing costs) and our average borrowings during the first six months of fiscal 2017 and the first six months of fiscal 2016, increased to 5.56% per annum at the end of the first six months of fiscal 2017 from 5.45% per annum at the end of the first six months of fiscal 2016. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Long-Term Debt” for additional details regarding interest rates on our debt outstanding, the Revolving Facility and payments on our debt. For additional details on our interest rate swap, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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Other Expense, Net

Other expense, net, which consists primarily of the impact of foreign currency on intercompany transactions, decreased by $0.3 million in the first six months of fiscal 2017 to $0.2 million as compared to $0.5 million in the prior year period.

Gain on Early Extinguishment of Debt

In May 2017, we paid an aggregate amount of cash proceeds totaling $73.0 million plus an amount sufficient to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to prepay $75.5 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility. As a result of this prepayment, we wrote-off fees of $0.6 million, incurred fees of $0.3 million and recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $1.6 million, inclusive of these fees, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Tax

Our effective tax rate for the first six months of fiscal 2017 was 23.2% as compared to 30.0% for the first six months of fiscal 2016. This decrease in the first six months of fiscal 2017 was driven primarily by the $11.6 million tax benefit related to the cessation of operations of our Spanish subsidiary.

Net Income Attributable to the Company and Earnings Per Share

Net income attributable to the Company in the first six months of fiscal 2017 reflected a $36.1 million, or 182.8% increase from the first six months of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which negatively impacted net income attributable to the Company in the first six months of fiscal 2017 by $1.4 million, net income attributable to the Company in the first six months of fiscal 2017 would have increased by 189.7% versus the prior year period. Net income attributable to the Company in the first six months of fiscal 2017 was impacted by the following items that affect year-over-year comparability: (i) an $11.6 million tax benefit related to the cessation of operations of our Spanish subsidiary and (ii) a $1.0 million (after-tax) gain on early extinguishment of debt.  Net income attributable to the Company in the first six months of fiscal 2016 included a reversal of a $2.5 million valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are expected to be realized. Net income attributable to the Company in the first six months of fiscal 2017 was driven primarily by higher operating income, lower tax expense, a decline in the interest expense and a gain on the early extinguishment of debt.  

EPS in the first six months of fiscal 2017 was $0.83 compared to $0.30 in the first six months of fiscal 2016. The lower tax rate of 23.2% in the first six months of fiscal 2017 compared to 30.0% in the first six months of fiscal 2016 resulted in a net benefit. This EPS benefit was primarily comprised of (i) a tax benefit of $0.18 that was offset by $0.01 of expense, both related to the cessation of operations of our Spanish subsidiary and (ii) $0.01 gain on early extinguishment of debt.  For the first six months of fiscal 2016, EPS included a $0.04 benefit in connection with the release of a valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are expected to be realized.

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Segment Results

Metrics and Business Trends

The following tables set forth key metrics by reportable segment for the first six months of fiscal 2017 and the percentage change in those metrics versus the prior year period:

(in millions except percentages and as noted)

 

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

(in millions except percentages and as noted)

 

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

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North America Performance

The increase in North America revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven primarily by the increase in Service Revenues. The increase in Service Revenues was driven primarily by an increase in Meeting Fees and an increase in Online Subscription Revenues. The increase in North America Total Paid Weeks resulted from both the higher number of Incoming Subscribers at the beginning of fiscal 2017 versus the beginning of fiscal 2016 and higher recruitments in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period. This increase in recruitments was driven by effective promotional strategy and marketing execution, as well as by continued improvements to our products and services.

The increase in North America product sales and other in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven primarily by an increase in product sales, partially offset by a decline in licensing revenue.

United Kingdom Performance

The decline in UK revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven by the negative impact of foreign currency.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency, UK revenues would have increased, driven by an increase in Service Revenues. This increase in Service Revenues on a constant currency basis, in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was the result of an increase in Online Subscription Revenues, partially offset by a decrease in Meeting Fees. Service Revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period benefited from both higher Online recruitments and the higher number of Incoming Subscribers at the beginning of fiscal 2017 versus the beginning of fiscal 2016.

Additionally, the decline in UK revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 was driven in part by the decline in UK product sales and other in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period, which was driven by the decline in licensing revenue.

Continental Europe Performance

The increase in Continental Europe revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven primarily by the increase in Service Revenues. The increase in Service Revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was the result of an increase in Online Subscription Revenues. The increase in Online Subscription Revenues was driven by the higher number of Incoming Online Subscribers at the beginning of fiscal 2017 versus the beginning of fiscal 2016 and by an increase in recruitments in the Online business for the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period.

The increase in Continental Europe revenues was partially offset by the decline in Continental Europe product sales and other in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period.

Other Performance

The increase in Other revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the prior year period was driven primarily by the increase in Service Revenues. The increase in Other Total Paid Weeks was driven primarily by the higher number of Incoming Subscribers at the beginning of fiscal 2017 versus the beginning of fiscal 2016.

The increase in product sales and other in the first six months of fiscal 2017 versus the first six months of fiscal 2016 was driven primarily by an increase in in-meeting product sales as well as an increase in other product sales from our franchisees, partially offset by a decline in licensing revenue.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flows provided by operating activities have historically supplied, and are expected to continue to supply, us with our primary source of liquidity. We use these cash flows, supplemented with long-term debt and short-term borrowings, to fund our operations and global initiatives, pay down debt and opportunistically engage in selective acquisitions. We believe that cash generated by operations during fiscal 2017, our cash on hand of $104.5 million at July 1, 2017 and our continued cost focus will provide us with sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations for the next twelve months.  

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Balance Sheet Working Capital

The following table sets forth certain relevant measures of our balance sheet working capital at:

 

 

We generally operate with negative working capital that is driven in part by our commitment and subscription plans which are our primary payment method. These plans require members and subscribers to pay us for meetings and Online subscription products before we pay for our obligations in the normal course of business. These prepayments are recorded as a current liability on our balance sheet which has resulted in, and in certain circumstances has helped drive, negative working capital. This core characteristic of our business model is expected to continue. However, in a period in which revenue is increasing, we get higher working capital benefit from this deferred revenue.

Including cash and cash equivalents and the current portion of long-term debt, our working capital deficit increased by $0.7 million to $57.9 million at July 1, 2017 from $57.2 million at December 31, 2016. Excluding cash and cash equivalents and the current portion of long-term debt, the working capital deficit at July 1, 2017 decreased by $2.7 million to $142.2 million from $144.9 million at December 31, 2016. The factors contributing to this decrease in our working capital deficit were: (i) a $22.5 million decrease in operational liabilities and other arising primarily from higher accrued liability balances at December 31, 2016, (ii) a $6.3 million decrease in the derivative payable due to a decrease in the fair value, (iii) a $3.2 million increase in prepaid income taxes as of July 1, 2017 primarily due to a tax benefit related to the cessation of operations of our Spanish subsidiary, and (iv) a $1.8 million decrease in accrued salaries and wages. These factors were offset by: (i) a $23.7 million increase in deferred revenue driven by improved business performance, and (ii) a $7.4 million decrease in other current assets.      

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s cash flows for the six months ended:

 

 

Operating Activities

First Six Months of Fiscal 2017

Cash flows provided by operating activities of $98.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2017 reflected an increase of $51.7 million from $46.4 million of cash flows used for operating activities in the first six months of fiscal 2016. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of $36.1 million of higher net income and a $9.5 million deferred tax provision benefit, as well as the $6.8 million of benefit from the year-over-year change in working capital. The working capital benefit consisted of a decrease in accounts payable, a decrease in accrued expenses and an increase in prepaid expenses. This working capital benefit was partially offset by a decrease in inventory, an increase in deferred revenue and an increase in income taxes payable in the first six months of fiscal 2017 as compared to the prior year period.

First Six Months of Fiscal 2016

Cash flows provided by operating activities of $46.4 million for the first six months of fiscal 2016 reflected an increase of $20.1 million from $26.3 million of cash flows used for operating activities in the first six months of fiscal 2015. The increase in cash

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provided by operating activities was primarily the result of $47.2 million of benefit from year-over-year change in working capital in the first six months of fiscal 2016 as compared to the prior year period.

Investing Activities

First Six Months of Fiscal 2017

Net cash used for investing activities totaled $19.1 million in the first six months of fiscal 2017, a decrease of $0.8 million as compared to the first six months of fiscal 2016, which included the acquisition of its franchisee for certain territories in South Florida for $2.9 million.

First Six Months of Fiscal 2016

Net cash used for investing activities totaled $19.9 million in the first six months of fiscal 2016, a decrease of $6.8 million as compared to the first six months of fiscal 2015. Our technology and operating infrastructure required less investment in the first six months of fiscal 2016 as compared to the first six months of fiscal 2015.

Financing Activities

First Six Months of Fiscal 2017

Net cash used for financing activities totaled $85.7 million in the first six months of fiscal 2017, primarily due to $73.0 million used for the debt prepayment and other scheduled debt repayments of $10.5 million in connection with the Tranche B-2 Term Facility in the first six months of fiscal 2017.

First Six Months of Fiscal 2016

Net cash used for financing activities totaled $153.9 million in the first six months of fiscal 2016, primarily due to a $144.3 million debt repayment in connection with the Tranche B-1 Term Facility and other scheduled debt repayments of $10.5 million in connection with the Tranche B-2 Term Facility, offset by a tax benefit for restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised of $0.9 million in the first six months of fiscal 2016. 

Long-Term Debt

We currently plan to meet our long-term debt obligations by using cash flows provided by operating activities and opportunistically using other means to repay or refinance our obligations as we determine appropriate.

The following schedule sets forth our long-term debt obligations at July 1, 2017:

Long-Term Debt

At July 1, 2017

(Balances in millions)

 

 

Our credit facilities at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2013 consisted of the following term loan facilities and revolving credit facilities: a tranche B loan, or Term B Loan, a tranche C loan, or Term C Loan, a tranche D loan, or Term D Loan, a tranche E loan, or Term E Loan, a tranche F loan, or Term F Loan, revolving credit facility A-1, or Revolver A-1, and revolving credit facility A-2, or Revolver A-2.

On April 2, 2013, we refinanced our credit facilities pursuant to a new Credit Agreement, or as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the Credit Agreement, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and an issuing bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as revolving agent, swingline lender and an issuing bank, and the other parties thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for (a) a revolving credit facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million that will mature on April 2, 2018, or the Revolving Facility, (b) an initial

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term B-1 loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million that matured on April 2, 2016, or Tranche B-1 Term Facility, and (c) an initial term B-2 loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2,100.0 million that will mature on April 2, 2020, or Tranche B-2 Term Facility. We refer herein to the Tranche B-1 Term Facility together with the Tranche B-2 Term Facility as the Term Facilities, and the Term Facilities and Revolving Facility collectively as the WWI Credit Facility. In connection with this refinancing, we used the proceeds from borrowings under the Term Facilities to pay off a total of $2,399.9 million of outstanding loans, consisting of $128.8 million of Term B Loans, $110.6 million of Term C Loans, $117.6 million of Term D Loans, $1,125.0 million of Term E Loans, $817.9 million of Term F Loans, $21.2 million of loans under the Revolver A-1 and $78.8 million of loans under the Revolver A-2. Following the refinancing of a total of $2,399.9 million of loans, at April 2, 2013, we had $2,400.0 million debt outstanding under the Term Facilities and $248.8 million of availability under the Revolving Facility. We incurred fees of $44.8 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 in connection with this refinancing. In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we wrote-off fees associated with this refinancing which resulted in our recording a charge of $21.7 million in early extinguishment of debt.

On September 26, 2014, we entered into an agreement with certain lenders amending the Credit Agreement that, among other things, eliminated the Financial Covenant (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with respect to the Revolving Facility. In connection with this amendment, we wrote-off deferred financing fees of approximately $1.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Concurrently with and in order to effect this amendment, we reduced the amount of the Revolving Facility from $250.0 million to $50.0 million.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, depending on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), on an annual basis on or about the time we are required to deliver our financial statements for any fiscal year, we are obligated to offer to prepay a portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Facilities in an aggregate amount determined by a percentage of our annual excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement). On March 13, 2015, we commenced an offer to prepay at a discount to par up to $75.0 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility. On March 20, 2015, we accepted offers with a discount equal to or greater than 9.00% in respect of such term loans. On March 25, 2015, we paid an aggregate amount of cash proceeds totaling $57.4 million plus an amount sufficient to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to prepay $63.1 million in aggregate principal amount of such term loans under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility. This expenditure reduced, on a dollar for dollar basis, our $59.7 million obligation to make a mandatory excess cash flow prepayment offer to the term loan lenders under the terms of the Credit Agreement. In addition, we made a voluntary prepayment at par on March 25, 2015 of $2.5 million in respect of such term loans under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility to reduce the remaining excess cash flow prepayment obligation for fiscal 2014. As a result of this prepayment, we wrote-off fees of $0.3 million, incurred fees of $0.6 million and recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $4.7 million, inclusive of these fees, in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

On June 17, 2015, we commenced another offer to prepay at a discount to par up to $229.0 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility. On June 22, 2015, we accepted offers with a discount equal to or greater than 9.00% in respect of such term loans. On June 26, 2015, we paid an aggregate amount of cash proceeds totaling $77.2 million plus an amount sufficient to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to prepay $84.9 million in aggregate principal amount of such term loans under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility. As a result of this prepayment, we wrote-off fees of $0.3 million, incurred fees of $0.6 million and recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $6.7 million, inclusive of these fees, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

On July 14, 2015, we drew down the $48.0 million available on our Revolving Facility in order to enhance our cash position and to provide additional financial flexibility. As of January 2, 2016, the revolver borrowing was classified as a short-term liability in consideration of the fact that the terms of the Revolving Facility require an assessment as to whether there have been any material adverse changes with respect to the Company in connection with our monthly interest elections. Although the revolver borrowing had classified as a short-term liability as of January 2, 2016, absent any change in fact and circumstance, we had, and continue to have, the ability to extend and not repay the Revolving Facility until its due date of April 2, 2018.

On April 1, 2016, we paid in full, with cash on hand, a principal amount of term loans equal to $144.3 million, which constituted the entire remaining principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility due April 2, 2016.

On July 29, 2016, we paid down, with cash on hand, a principal amount of $25.0 million of the $48.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Facility. On September 16, 2016, we paid down, with cash on hand, the remaining outstanding principal amount of $23.0 million on the Revolving Facility.  

On May 18, 2017, we commenced another offer to prepay at a discount to par up to $75.0 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility. On May 24, 2017, we accepted offers with a discount equal to or greater than 3.28% in respect of such term loans. On May 25, 2017, we paid an aggregate amount of cash proceeds totaling $73.0 million plus an amount sufficient to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to prepay $75.5 million in aggregate principal amount of such term loans under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility. As a result of this prepayment, we wrote-off fees of $0.6

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million, incurred fees of $0.3 million and recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $1.6 million, inclusive of these fees, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

At July 1, 2017, the Revolving Facility had $0 outstanding, $1.8 million in issued but undrawn letters of credit outstanding thereunder and $48.2 million in available unused commitments thereunder. The proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving Facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) are available to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. At July 1, 2017, under the WWI Credit Facility, we had $1,935.4 million outstanding consisting entirely of a term loan under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility. At July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our debt consisted entirely of variable-rate instruments. An interest rate swap was entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with our variable-rate borrowings. The weighted average interest rate (which includes amortization of deferred financing costs) on our outstanding debt, exclusive of the impact of the swap, was approximately 4.64% and 4.41% per annum at July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, based on interest rates on the applicable dates. The weighted average interest rate (which includes amortization of deferred financing costs) on our outstanding debt, including the impact of the swap, was approximately 5.27% and 5.32% per annum at July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, based on interest rates on the applicable dates.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin or a base rate plus an applicable margin. LIBOR under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 0.75% and the base rate under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 1.75%. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, in the event we receive a corporate rating of BB- (or lower) from S&P and a corporate rating of Ba3 (or lower) from Moody’s, the applicable margin relating to the Term Facilities would increase by 25 basis points. On February 21, 2014, both S&P and Moody’s issued revised corporate ratings of the Company of B+ and B1, respectively. As a result, effective February 21, 2014, the applicable margin on borrowings under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility went from 2.75% to 3.00% and on borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility went from 3.00% to 3.25%. The applicable margin relating to the Revolving Facility will fluctuate depending upon our Consolidated Leverage Ratio. At April 1, 2016, the date of payment of the principal amount of loans outstanding under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility discussed above, borrowings under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.00%. At July 1, 2017, borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.25%. Based on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of July 1, 2017, had there been any borrowings under the Revolving Facility, it would have borne interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.50%. On a quarterly basis, we will pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolving Facility in respect of unutilized commitments thereunder, which commitment fee will fluctuate, but in no event exceed 0.50% per annum, depending upon our Consolidated Leverage Ratio. At our Consolidated Leverage Ratio of 6:32:1.00 as of July 1, 2017, the commitment fee was 0.50% per annum. We also will pay customary letter of credit fees and fronting fees under the Revolving Facility.

The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants including covenants that, in certain circumstances, restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other payments, including investments, sell our assets and enter into consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets. The WWI Credit Facility does not require us to meet any financial maintenance covenants and is guaranteed by certain of our existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all of our assets secure the WWI Credit Facility.

The following schedule sets forth our year-by-year debt obligations at July 1, 2017:

Total Debt Obligation

(Including Current Portion)

At July 1, 2017

(in millions)

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss includes changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and the effects of foreign currency translations. At July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, the cumulative balance of changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes, was a loss of $13.3 million and $34.2 million, respectively. At July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, the cumulative balance of the effects of foreign currency translations, net of taxes, was a loss of $7.4 million and $7.5 million, respectively.

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Dividends and Stock Transactions

We do not currently pay a cash dividend. Any future determination to declare and pay dividends will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors, after taking into account our financial results, capital requirements and other factors it may deem relevant. The WWI Credit Facility also contains restrictions on our ability to pay dividends on our common stock.

On October 9, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized, and we announced, a program to repurchase up to $250.0 million of our outstanding common stock. On each of June 13, 2005, May 25, 2006 and October 21, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized, and we announced, adding $250.0 million to this program. The repurchase program allows for shares to be purchased from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. No shares will be purchased from Artal Holdings Sp. z o.o., Succursale de Luxembourg and its parents and subsidiaries under this program. The repurchase program currently has no expiration date. During the six months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, we repurchased no shares of our common stock in the open market under this program.

The WWI Credit Facility provides that we are permitted to pay dividends and extraordinary dividends, as well as repurchase shares of our common stock, so long as we are not in default under the Credit Agreement. However, payment of extraordinary dividends and stock repurchases shall not exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate in any fiscal year if our Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than 3.25:1. As of July 1, 2017, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was greater than 3.25:1 and we expect that it will remain above 3.25:1 for the foreseeable future.

EBITDAS

We define EBITDAS, a non-GAAP financial measure, as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation. The table below sets forth the calculations for EBITDAS for the three and six months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, and for the trailing twelve months ended July 1, 2017:

(in millions)

 

 

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

Reducing leverage is a clear capital structure priority for the Company. As part of our commitment to deleveraging, we are targeting a year end 2018 net debt/EBITDAS ratio of less than 4.5x, based on improved operating performance and cash generation. As of July 1, 2017 our trailing twelve months EBITDAS was $299.6 million and our net debt/EBITDAS ratio was 6.1x. We present EBITDAS because we consider this to be a useful supplemental measure of our performance. In addition, we believe EBITDAS is useful to investors, analysts and rating agencies in measuring the ability of a company to meet its debt service obligations. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for an explanation of our use of this non-GAAP financial measure.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.

SEASONALITY

Our business is seasonal due to the importance of the winter season to our overall recruitment environment. Our advertising schedule generally supports the three key recruitment-generating seasons of the year: winter, spring and fall, with winter having the highest concentration of advertising spending.

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AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Corporate information and our press releases, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments thereto, are available free of charge on our website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (i.e., generally the same day as the filing). Moreover, we also make available at that site the Section 16 reports filed electronically by our officers, directors and 10 percent shareholders. Usually these are publicly accessible no later than the business day following the filing.

We use our website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com, corporate Facebook page (www.facebook.com/weightwatchers) and Instagram account (Instagram.com/weightwatchers) as channels of distribution of Company information. The information we post through these channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels, in addition to following our press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission filings and public conference calls and webcasts. The contents of our website and social media channels shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference.

As of July 1, 2017, the market risk disclosures appearing in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016 have not materially changed from December 31, 2016.

At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2017, borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.25%. For the Tranche B-2 Term Facility, the minimum interest rate for LIBOR applicable to such facility pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement is set at 0.75%, referred to herein as the B-2 LIBOR Floor. In addition, at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2017, our interest rate swap in effect had a notional amount of $1.25 billion. Accordingly, as of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2017, based on the amount of variable rate debt outstanding and the then-current LIBOR rate, after giving consideration to the impact of the interest rate swap and the B-2 LIBOR Floor, a hypothetical 50 basis point increase in interest rates would have increased annual interest expense by approximately $3.4 million and a hypothetical 50 basis point decrease in interest rates would have decreased annual interest expense by approximately $3.8 million. This increase is driven primarily by the interest rate applicable to our Tranche B-2 Term Facility. This decrease is driven primarily by the lower debt balance resulting from our Tranche B-2 Term Facility prepayment of $73.0 million as well as the principal payments during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2017.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of July 1, 2017, the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Raymond Roberts v. Weight Watchers International, Inc.

On January 7, 2016, an OnlinePlus member filed a putative class action complaint against the Company in the Supreme Court of New York, New York County, asserting class claims for breach of contract and violations of the New York General Business Law. On February 5, 2016, the Company removed the case to the United States District Court, Southern District of New York. On March 18,

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2016, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, alleging that, as a result of the temporary glitches in the Company’s website and app in November and December 2015, the Company has: (1) breached its Subscription Agreement with its OnlinePlus members; and (2) engaged in deceptive acts and practices in violation of Section 350 of the New York General Business Law. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified actual, punitive and statutory damages, as well as his attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with this action. The Company filed a motion to dismiss on May 6, 2016. The plaintiff filed his opposition papers on June 9, 2016 and the Company filed its reply papers on June 23, 2016. The Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss on November 14, 2016. On November 16, 2016, the plaintiff filed a timely notice of appeal of the Court’s decision and on January 31, 2017, the plaintiff filed his brief in support of appeal. The Company filed its opposition brief on April 5, 2017, and the plaintiff filed his reply brief on April 25, 2017. The Company believes that the plaintiff’s appeal is without merit and will be denied in due course.

Other Litigation Matters

Due to the nature of the Company’s activities, it is also, at times, subject to pending and threatened legal actions, including patent and other intellectual property actions, that arise out of the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the disposition of any such matters is not expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. However, the results of legal actions cannot be predicted with certainty. Therefore, it is possible that the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows could be materially adversely affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution of one or more legal actions.

There have been no material changes in the risk factors from those detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016 other than as set forth below.

We are undergoing a chief executive officer transition, which could cause disruption to our business.

In September 2016, James R. Chambers resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company. Thereafter, a search was commenced for Mr. Chambers’ successor. Effective July 5, 2017, Mindy Grossman was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company.

Nothing to report under this item.

Nothing to report under this item.

Not applicable.

Nothing to report under this item.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

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