Item 1. Business.
Overview
Organization & Business Model
We are a Nevada corporation incorporated in April 2006, with our principal office at 1511 E. 2nd Street, Webster City, Iowa 50595. Our telephone number is (866) 851-7787. We are a development stage company and plan to launch revenue-producing operations in the second half of 2011.
We use USDA-approved, custom-engineered, proprietary wood-burning oven technology to produce a complete line of fully cooked, Smoke-BakedTM meat and fish. We plan to sell our line of smoked foods under the Smoky Market brand through retail channels of distribution that include on-line sales from the Internet and point-of-sale display merchandising in supermarkets and other food-buying traffic venues. Additionally, we intend to produce certified kosher smoked foods and to distribute this line of products under the “Smoky Kosher” brand through retail distribution channels that include the Internet and display merchandising. Our retail products are portion-packaged for convenience. To penetrate the restaurant industry with our smoked food products, we plan to develop a national chain of “BarBQ Diner” fast-casual restaurants that are designed as pre-manufactured modular buildings of various sizes that can be placed on high-traffic commercial property, and would not cook raw products on site. We produce our smoked foods at a centralized location and we expect to be able to deliver food of consistent size, taste and quality without the need to construct expensive on-site ovens or to train skilled cooks to handle raw product at individual locations. We believe this will permit our development of a national chain operation while keeping our per-unit operating costs down.
Our focus of operations at this time is the development of the Smoky Market and Smoky Kosher brands for Internet and in-store merchandising operations. We have identified our target market customer base for Internet selling and have developed a sophisticated operating system to manage the transactions and commissions expected to be owed to marketing affiliates in connection with our online sales and marketing plan. Once revenues from retail distribution channels have gained traction, we intend to pursue development of the BarBQ Diner restaurant chain. We expect that operating dual channels of distribution for our smoked foods will enable us to maximize the operating and financial efficiencies of our production capacity.
Market Opportunity
Our goal is to build three nationally recognized gourmet-quality brands for sales of our wood-smoked meat and fish that are prepared authentically and without the use of sodium, sugar, and chemical preservatives. At this time, we believe the marketplace for our unique quality of Smoke-Baked food is largely untapped and without any major brand or national restaurant franchise company; our three brand concepts are “Smoky Market” and “Smoky Kosher” for sales into the retail packaged food sector, and “BarBQ Diner” representing our franchise concept to penetrate the fast casual restaurant sector.
We believe that our two retail brands and our restaurant concept will succeed where other food companies have not because of these principal aspects: (i) our quality of smoked food under USDA production is believed to be the most authentic and healthful of any commercial smoked food on the market; (ii) our regionalized operating organization should enable us to market our food to fit the regional demographic profiles of our customer audience, and (iii) we believe that for the quality and convenience of our smoked foods, our planned retail and restaurant prices are very competitive. As we begin to expand operations from our launch, we intend to recruit five regional presidents who are each familiar with the food demographic profile of the customers within their respective region relative to types or cuts of meat, sauces and other dining aspects. Each regional president will be charged with customizing the recipes, marketing program and other aspects of our business in order to meet the food profile demographics of that region.
Food Production & Distribution
Proprietary Smoking Technology and Ovens
The wood-burning smoker-oven system used to produce our line of wood-smoked foods uniquely “Smoke-Bakes”TM meat and fish with a smoke-heat-vapor that is generated by the slow burning of hickory and apple timber, after which the fully-cooked smoked foods are portion-cut and vacuum-packaged for freshness. The smoke-heat-vapor infuses the meat and fish with an authentic smoky taste, but with delicate flavor that is not over-powering. No additives (water, sugar, high amounts of sodium, liquid smoke, etc.) and no preservatives are used in the process; only garlic, natural spices, and very little sea salt are applied as seasoning.
In July 2011, in order to raise capital in order to complete our 2010 audit, complete this report and continue our operations, we entered into a Purchase and Lease Agreement (the “Sale/Lease Agreement”) with SMKY Asset Fund LLC (the “Lessor”) related to our smoker-oven system. Pursuant to the Sale/Lease Agreement, we sold the smoker-oven system to the Lessor for a purchase price equal of $170,000, subject to increase by the Lessor prior to January 25, 2012 subject to a maximum of $500,000. In addition, we are required to issue to Lessor a warrant to purchase a share of common stock for each $1.00 in purchase price paid. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.50 per share, a five-year term and include net exercise provisions. We leased back the smoker-oven system for rent equal to the lesser of (a) $0.20 per pound of product produced using the smoker-oven, or (b) the amount necessary to generate a 30% return on the sum of the purchase price and $5,000. The Sale/Lease Agreement has a 10-year term, provided that we may repurchase the smoker-oven system at any time after July 25, 2014 that the market price for our common stock has exceeded $0.50 for thirty trading days. The repurchase price is a number of shares of common stock with a fair market value equal to 20 times the sum of (a) the purchase price, plus (b) $5,000.
USDA-Inspected Meat Production and Availability of Raw Materials
We presently outsource, and for the foreseeable future, expect to continue to outsource, our commercial smoked food processing to Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods (“Specialty Foods”). Specialty Foods is a USDA-approved contract food processing company located in Webster City, Iowa and operates an 80,000 square foot processing facility, which sits on 15 acres of family-owned land, and is expected to be responsible for our food production and distribution requirements. In order to establish production capability and complete the development of our smoked food products, we entered into an Amended and Restated Processing Agreement dated July 1, 2006 with Specialty Foods, which agreement was further modified by a Second Amended and Restated Processing Agreement dated October 30, 2009.
Pursuant to the processing agreement, Specialty Foods has agreed to process the smoked meats for our business in return for a processing fee based on its actual costs of production, labor costs, packaging materials costs, allocated overhead costs, and a set amount of profit based on the amount of packaged products produced. We agreed that Specialty Foods would be our exclusive processor for meat products, subject to certain limitations. The agreement is based upon a single oven capable of producing at least 100,000 pounds of smoked meat and/or fish per month or more depending upon the production item mix, and we have the option to construct an addition building adjacent to Specialty Foods’ processing facility to install additional smoker-oven systems. The term of the agreement is ten years from October 30, 2009, with an option to extend the agreement for three additional 10-year periods (subject to early termination in the event of default).
With respect to meat, fish and other raw materials used to make our products, we require that all of our raw beef, pork, lamb and poultry be raised without growth hormones, steroids and antibiotics, and our salmon is “open-pen” farmed naturally from Canadian rivers. Market prices for meat, fish and other food items are subject to constant fluctuation and frequent shortages of item availability, which we expect to mitigate through contract purchasing. We have established strategic supply relationships with Special Foods and Marine Harvest, a supplier of fish products, that we believe will enable lower market prices as we grow and achieve economies-of-scale.
Canadian & Kosher Meat & Fish Production
We intend to form two subsidiary companies to handle production of meat and fish for specific channels of distribution. We intend to install a smoker-oven system into the processing facility of a fish company located in Canada, which will enable us to produce and market “wild” salmon and other fish for distribution into the Canadian region as well as into Asia and Europe. We expect this Canadian processing arrangement to be consummated in late 2011, subject to the availability of capital.
We have created the Smoky Kosher brand for production and marketing of a line of fully-certified kosher smoked foods, which will be distributed by Internet sales and in-store retail merchandising, as well as export sales to Israel and other international regions. At this time, we plan to install a smoker-oven system into the facility of a kosher meat processor to launch our Smoky Kosher operation, with expansion of the kosher production to be built from an addition to Specialty Foods facility.
Co-Pack Production
We plan to use co-packing affiliates to produce a selection of specialty gourmet items, including one-dish meals of smoked meat/fish pasta, casseroles, quiches, and pizzas. We have not entered into agreements with any co-packing facilities, but have entered into discussions with several and believe that suitable arrangements can be reached when we commence operations. Our plan is to cause Specialty Foods to bulk-ship smoked meat and fish ingredients to the co-packers. There, the various menu items will be packaged, and shipped to our planned regional distribution centers.
Process & Price Value
Our wood-smoking process is expensive. Costs include obtaining freshly cut timber, labor associated with the smoking process, and having to absorb a 25% to 30% cook shrinkage loss in the process. Consequently, Smoky Market brand smoked foods cost more to produce and have higher price points than many competing smoked food products. However, the existence of a market for higher-priced organic foods and other prepared foods that are advertised as 100% natural, low-sodium and/or free of additives suggests that customers will pay slightly more for products they know to be of premium quality, especially prepared foods that are natural, tasty, and convenient. Based upon our review of the nutritional labels of our competitors, we believe that the absence of any preservatives, brining solutions, liquid smoke and similar additives in Smoky Market brand smoked meats foods distinguishes our product from smoked meat products currently on the market.
Smoked Food Products
Below is our line of smoked foods that we expect to produce under the Smoky Market retail brand, with certain of these items intended to also be featured in our BarBQ Diner concept and Smoky Kosher marketing operations.
Our line of wood-smoked foods presently includes the follow:
Entrée Items (Individual serving portions that are ready to “heat’n serve”)
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Pork Loin Baby Back Ribs
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Pork Country-Style Ribs
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Pork Loin Chop
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Beef Spare Ribs
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Carved Boneless Chicken Breast
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Jumbo Chicken Thigh
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Cornish Game Hen
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Turkey Breast, Thigh & Leg
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Rack Of Lamb & Lamb Chops
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Duck
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Salmon & Trout
Sliced, Pulled or Cut Smoked Foods (Sliced, pulled or cut from the bone and packaged in portion servings for sandwiches, or to add to salads, tacos, casseroles & soups)
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Beef Sirloin Tri-Tip
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Beef Brisket
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Corned Beef Brisket
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Pork Loin Roast
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Pork Shoulder
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Boneless Pork Leg
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Carved Chicken Strips
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Turkey Breast
Smoked Finger Foods (Delicate smoky treats for snacking fun & entertainment)
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Beef & Pork Meatballs
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Pork Country Rib Strips
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Pork Ribletts
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Carved Chicken Strips
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Chicken Drummies (Regular & Teriyaki)
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Lamb Ribletts Teriyaki
Side Order Foods
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Hickory Smoke-BakedTM Beans
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Creamy-Garlic Coleslaw Dressing & Veggie Dip
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Southern-Style Barbecue Dipping Sauce
Marketing & Operations
Smoky Market Retail Distribution
We have completed a re-branding design of the Smoky Market logo and website, which depicts a more contemporary, gourmet quality appeal to the brand image. The new website is expected to go live for on-line ordering of our Smoke-Baked Salmon, which is our introductory product, in the second half of 2011, with more items to be featured as our production capacity is expanded. We consider the smoked salmon to be the most unique product we produce and consumer market trends show the consumption of salmon to be growing substantially due to its healthful benefits.
Smoky Market salmon will be offered from our new website at www.smokymarket.com for on-line ordering and shipping nationwide, and in the months to come we expect to place our attractive point-of-sale display merchandisers into selected traditional and non-traditional food buying venues that include supermarkets, chain beverage stores and national chain outlets of fitness gyms.
Internet Marketing With Affiliates
We have identified several affiliate companies and organizations with whom to affiliate for Internet marketing and promotion of our products. With proceeds from proposed financing plans, we intend to launch a national marketing campaign with Smoky Market ads on prominent websites for promotion and ordering of our products. We have identified potential national affiliates for Internet marketing that include an audience of dieters, RV users, tailgaters and gourmet food buyers.
Fulfillment &Distribution
Processed product produced at our Iowa facility is to be shipped to our fulfillment partner in Wisconsin, Neesvig, Inc., for fulfillment of orders placed on our website. We have no fixed expense relative to production of product and fulfillment of Internet orders, which serves to substantially limit our costs while revenues begin to grow. When we begin to establish distribution into retail store and chain venues, our plan is to ship product to regional distributors that will provide distribution services to these outlets.
General Information
Intellectual Property
We own the recipes for substantially all of our products, certain registered and unregistered trademarks and tradenames, including Smoky Market®, Smoke-Baked™, Smoky Kosher™, and BarBQ Diner™, along with design features related to the ovens used for smoking our products. We have not registered any patents, but we expect to be able to secure certain patent rights for the diffusing system attached to our smoker-oven from the firebox.
Government Regulation
As a distributor of food products and planned restaurant operator, we are subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, and to licensing and regulation by state and local health, sanitation, building, zoning, safety, fire and other authorities. In addition, the operations of our food processor are subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, and the rules issued under these laws. The FDA regulates standards of identity for specified foods and prescribes the format and content of information on food product labels. The USDA imposes standards for product quality and sanitation including the inspection, labeling and compliance of meat and poultry products and the grading and commercial acceptance of shipments from our suppliers.
Costs of compliance with such laws and regulations are presently insignificant. If we or our food processor were to be found to be out of compliance with such laws, particularly those related to the production, labeling and handling of food, we could be subject to significant fines and forced to discontinue our operations until all material violations were addressed. Were our relationship with our food processor to terminate, we would have to find another USDA-approved meat processor or qualify as such ourselves. There are a limited number of USDA-approved meat processors and barriers to entry are significant (with an estimated start-up cost of not less than $2 million dollars and required time of at least one year for qualification).
Environmental Laws
We are not required to obtain any environmental permits and do not use any hazardous materials in connection with the operation of our business. Accordingly, we have not incurred, and do not expect to incur, any material expenses associated with environmental compliance.
Competition
We plan to compete principally in the retail packaged food industry until such time as we launch our BarBQ Diner foodservice operations. In the retail packaged food segment, we expect our competitors will include the hundreds of established companies selling their smoked salmon over the Internet and in supermarkets. Our food will compete on the basis of price, flavor, healthfulness and brand recognition. We believe that our food will compete favorable with competing products in terms of flavor and healthfulness. With respect to price, we expect our prices to be competitive with those of specialty stores and Internet sellers, but slightly above that of major retail chains that sell typical smoked meats with high concentrations of sodium, sugar and additives. Many of our competitors will have stronger brand recognition than we do.
Research and Development
We do not have any historical research and development expenses. We plan to add products to our lines as our business develops and expect that research, developing and testing of new or improved recipes and products will be an ongoing part of our business.
Employees
We currently have a total of three paid full-time employees and two paid part-time contractors, which include two officers (Edward C. Feintech, our CEO and Toni L. Adams, our Secretary), a quality-control operator of our smoker-oven system, and two executives, our Chief Financial Officer and our Chief Information Officer, providing services on a part-time basis as consultants for which they are paid in cash and/or stock.
Execution of our business plan as set forth above would, we believe, require the hiring of approximately 30 people over the next three years to staff our corporate management team, our regional offices, and our expanded production facility operations. The actual number of employees we will hire in the next 12 months depends upon our success in obtaining capital and how rapidly we can expand our operations.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, and all of the other information set forth in this prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. In addition to historical information, the information in this prospectus contains forward-looking statements about our future business and performance. Our actual operating results and financial performance may be different from what we expect as of the date of this prospectus. The risks described in this prospectus represent the risks that management has identified and determined to be material to our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently deem to be immaterial, may also materially harm our business operations and financial condition.
The delay in reporting our financial statements are related events has had, and will continue to have, a material adverse effect on us.
Because of the delay in completing our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, we have been unable to timely file our required periodic reports with the SEC. This report is being filed after it was due. We have not filed any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q since November 2010. As a result of these events, we are unable to register securities for public offering and are out of compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, many registered broker-dealers are not permitted to effect trades in our outstanding stock. This is harming, and may continue to harm, the market for our common stock and our ability to raise capital.
We have generated only a nominal amount of revenue and may be unable to generate significant revenue in the future.
We were incorporated in April 2006 and are in the process of commencing operations. As a result, we have generated only a nominal amount of revenue, and all of our plans are speculative. We may be unable to generate or expand revenue at the rate anticipated. If we do not generate significant revenue in the future, or if costs of expansion and operation exceed revenues, we will not be profitable. We may be unable to execute our business plan, generate significant revenue or be profitable.
The inexperience of our key management, and our limited operating history and evolving business plan, make it difficult to evaluate our performance and forecast our future.
We were formed in April 2006. Our key management individuals have experience in the restaurant industry, but have limited or no experience in internet retailing, establishing a national food service business (directly or through franchise arrangements) or operating a reporting issuer. Our limited operating history and limited experience make it difficult to evaluate our ability to generate revenues, manage growth, obtain necessary capital, manage costs, create profits, and generate cash from operations. Specifically, our ability to do the following may be impaired:
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implement our business plan (which may be based upon faulty assumptions and expectations arising from our limited experience);
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obtain capital necessary to continue operations and implement our business plan;
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comply with SEC rules and regulations and manage market expectations;
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differentiate ourselves from our competitors; and
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establish a significant retail and restaurant customer base.
If we fail to successfully manage these risks, we may never expand our business or become profitable and our business may fail.
We will be unable to implement our business plan if we cannot raise sufficient capital and may be required to pay a high price for capital.
As of December 31, 2010, we had $10 in cash and cash equivalents. We need to obtain a significant amount of additional capital to implement our business plan and meet our financial obligations as they become due. We may not be able to raise the additional capital needed or may be required to pay a high price for capital. Factors affecting the availability and price of capital may include the following:
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the availability and cost of capital generally;
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our financial results, including our liquidity situation;
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the market price of our common stock;
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the experience and reputation of our management team;
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market interest, or lack of interest, in our industry and business plan;
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the trading volume of, and volatility in, the market for our common stock;
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our ongoing success, or failure, in executing our business plan;
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the amount of our capital needs; and
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the amount of debt, options, warrants and convertible securities we have outstanding.
We may be unable to meet our current or future obligations or to adequately exploit existing or future opportunities if we cannot raise sufficient capital. If we are unable to obtain capital for an extended period of time, we may be forced to discontinue operations.
Our auditors have included an explanatory paragraph in our financial statements regarding our status as a going concern.
Our audited financial statements included in this prospectus were prepared on the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. Our independent registered public accounting firm has stated that it substantially doubts our ability to continue as a going concern in a report dated August 30, 2011. This doubt is based on the fact that we have had losses since inception, have a stockholders’ deficit and have had no material revenue generating operations since inception.
The packaged food market is competitive, and we may be unable to successfully capture retail customers.
The market for packaged meat products, and competing packaged products, is highly competitive. We propose to sell packaged meat products over the Internet and at retail locations. We may be unable to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace and compete successfully against existing or future competitors of our business. In order to succeed, we will be required to take customers away from established smoked meat and fish brands and alternative food products sold over the Internet or at retail stores. Our retail products will be sold at higher prices than some of our competitor’s products, and consumers may not differentiate the quality of our products or may not be willing to pay higher prices. If we fail to establish customers for our packaged food business, it is unlikely that we will generate significant revenue or become profitable, and in the long run our business will likely fail.
We may be unable to establish a significant number of restaurant-stores or kiosks.
Many factors may affect our ability to establish new restaurant-stores and kiosks, including:
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identification and availability of suitable locations;
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negotiation of favorable lease or purchase arrangements;
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management of the costs of construction and development;
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securing required governmental approvals and permits and complying with governmental regulations;
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recruitment of qualified operating personnel;
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labor disputes;
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shortages of materials and skilled labor;
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environmental concerns; and
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other increases in costs, any of which could give rise to delays or cost overruns.
If we are not able to establish and expand our restaurant-store or kiosk business, our revenues will not grow as expected, which would inhibit our ability to continue operations in the long term.
The risk of product contamination and recall may harm our public image and result in decreased revenues and harm to our business.
There is a risk that our food processor could produce contaminated meat or other products that we would ship or serve at our restaurant-markets or kiosks. If such an event occurs, we may be required to recall our products from retail stores, affiliate warehouses and from the restaurant outlets being served. A product recall would increase costs, result in lost revenues and harm our public relations image, in addition to exposing us to liability for any personal injury resulting from such contamination.
The availability of raw meat, fish and other food products may change without notice, and the fluctuating cost of these products may unexpectedly increase our operating costs and harm our business.
The costs of obtaining the meat, fish and other food products required for our products are subject to constant fluctuations and frequent shortages of item availability. Adequate supplies of raw meat, fish and other food products may not always be available, and the price of raw meat, fish and other food products may rise unexpectedly, resulting in increased operating costs, potential interruptions in our supply chain, and harm to our business.
Adverse publicity regarding fish, poultry or beef could negatively impact our business.
Our business can be adversely affected by reports regarding mad cow disease, Asian bird flu, meat contamination within the U.S. generally or food contamination generally. In addition, concerns regarding hormones, steroids and antibiotics may cause consumers to reduce or avoid consumption of fish, poultry, or beef. Any reduction in consumption of fish, poultry, or beef by consumers, would harm our revenues, financial condition and results of operations.
Our supply chain may be subject to shipping losses, various accidents, or spoilage, which would decrease revenues and potentially lead to a loss of customers.
We have contracted with a food processor that will be responsible for shipping our processed products, restaurant-stores or consumers to distribution centers or marketing affiliates. Shipping losses, various accidents and product spoilage during this process may lead to decreased sales, potentially disgruntled commercial customers and possible shortages at our distribution centers and retail locations. Repeated or extensive problems of this nature would harm our reputation and revenues.
We may lose our processor affiliation or experience a breakdown in our single processing oven system, substantially harming our ability to generate revenues until another processor is located.
We are completely dependent upon Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods, Inc., and upon a single oven-system located at Specialty Foods, to produce our smoked foods in order to operate the business and generate revenue. If our oven system breaks down, becomes contaminated or is removed from Specialty Foods’ facility, we would experience an interruption in our ability to supply products to customers. This would harm our relationships with our customers and internet affiliates, and harm our revenues in the short run. Any long-term interruptions in our ability to produce smoked foods would significantly limit our ability to continue operations.
We have entered into a sale/leaseback transaction with respect to our smoker-oven, which creates risk of loss if we default and may inhibit our cash flow.
In July 2011,we entered into a Purchase and Lease Agreement with SMKY Asset Fund LLC, or the Lessor, related to our smoker-oven system. Pursuant to this Purchase and Lease Agreement we sold the smoker-oven system to the Lessor and are required to pay rent equal to the lesser of (a) $0.20 per pound of product produced using the smoker-oven, or (b) the amount necessary to generate a 30% return on the sum of the purchase price and $5,000. This rent will diminish our cash flow as we begin to generate revenue, and there is some risk that we will default under the lease and forfeit any right to use the smoker-ovens that are the foundation of our business.
We cannot repurchase the smoker-oven system until the first date after July 25, 2014 that the market price of our common stock has exceeded $0.50 for thirty trading days. The repurchase price is a number of shares of common stock with a fair market value equal to 20 times the sum of (a) the purchase price, plus (b) $5,000. If our market price does not exceed $0.50 for thirty trading days we will be unable to repurchase our smoker-oven system (and will be required to continue to pay rent), and any repurchase of the smoker-oven system will be dilutive to our shareholders.
We are dependent upon key personnel to manage business, and the loss of such personnel could significantly impair our ability to implement our business plan.
We are highly dependent upon the efforts of management, particularly Edward C. Feintech, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The number of qualified managers in the smoked-food industry is limited. As our business grows, we will need to recruit executive and regional managers who are capable of implementing our business plan. The e-commerce and restaurant industries are highly competitive, and we may be unable to attract qualified management personnel. If we are unsuccessful in retaining or attracting such employees, our ability to grow and service capacity will be harmed.
In addition, as we expand into different geographic regions the success of our BarBQ Diner fast casual concept will be largely dependent upon the efforts of our regional presidents and local management. We may be unable to locate qualified persons willing to be regional presidents or to manage local stores under the terms we expect to offer. We may be required to increase salaries, benefits, and ownership beyond that anticipated, or management personnel we hire may have limited qualifications and may not perform as anticipated. We may also experience rapid turnover and unexpected legal and other costs associated with our compensation and/or ownership programs for local management. If we are unable to hire and maintain qualified, capable regional presidents and local management, we may experience lower revenues and higher costs than expected.
We expect to be dependent on third party affiliates to provide design, advertising, foodservice operations management, and franchising assistance in relation to our BarBQ Diners and to assist in development of our general operating and marketing plan.
We intend to engage well-established consulting firms for design, advertising, operations management and franchising to assist us in the development and execution of our BarBQ Diner plan. If we are unable to engage and sustain long-term agreements with these operating affiliate firms, our ability to generate revenue will be delayed or reduced, and we may incur substantial costs in obtaining the necessary services to execute the roll out for our restaurants and kiosks.
Labor disputes affecting common carriers and foodservice distributors may hamper our ability to deliver our product to customers and harm our business.
We will be dependent upon UPS and other package delivery contractors and foodservice distributors to ship internet orders to customers and products to our foodservice concept outlets. Labor disputes involving package delivery contractors, or other events creating delays, unpredictability or lost increases in the express delivery market may significantly damage our shipping and delivery capability. This would increase our costs, likely cause us to fail to comply with delivery commitments to our customers, and eventually harm our ability to generate revenues.
Our business may be affected by increased compensation and benefits costs.
We expect labor costs to be a significant expense for our business. We may be negatively affected by increases in workers’ wages and costs associated with providing benefits, particularly healthcare costs. Such increases can occur unexpectedly and without regard to our efforts to limit them. If such increases occur, we may be unable to pass them along to the consumer through product price increases, resulting in decreased operating results.
Changes in general economic and political conditions affect consumer spending and may harm our revenues and operating results.
Our country’s economic condition affects our customers’ levels of discretionary spending. A decrease in discretionary spending due to a recession or decreases in consumer confidence in the economy could affect the frequency with which our customers choose to purchase smoked-foods or dine out or the amount they spend on smoked-food or meals while dining out. This would likely decrease our revenues and operating results.
Failure to comply with governmental regulations could harm our business and our reputation.
We will be subject to regulation by federal agencies and regulation by state and local health, sanitation, building, zoning, safety, fire and other departments relating to the development and operation of our proposed BarBQ Diners. These regulations include matters relating to:
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the environment;
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building construction;
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zoning requirements;
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worker safety;
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the preparation and sale of food and alcoholic beverages; and
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employment.
Our facilities will need to be licensed and will be subject to regulation under state and local fire, health and safety codes. The construction of modular BarBQ Diners will be subject to compliance with applicable zoning, land use, and environmental regulations. We may not be able to obtain necessary licenses or other approvals on a cost-effective and timely basis in order to construct and develop modular BarBQ Diners in the future.
If we elect to serve alcohol to our customers, we will be required to comply with the alcohol licensing requirements of the federal, state, and municipal governments having jurisdiction where our BarBQ Diners are located. Alcoholic beverage control regulations require applications to state authorities and, in certain locations, county and municipal authorities for a license and permit to sell alcoholic beverages. Typically, licenses must be renewed annually and may be revoked or suspended for cause at any time. Alcoholic beverage control regulations relate to numerous aspects of the daily operations of BarBQ Diners, including minimum age of guests and employees, hours of operation, advertising, wholesale purchasing, inventory control and handling, storage and dispensing of alcoholic beverages. If we fail to comply with federal, state, or local regulations, our licenses may be revoked and we may be forced to terminate the sale of alcoholic beverages at one or more of our BarBQ Diners.
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public accommodations and employment. We will likely be required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and regulations relating to accommodating the needs of the disabled in connection with the construction of new facilities and with significant renovations of existing facilities.
Failure to comply with these and other regulations could increase our cost structure, slow our expansion, and harm our reputation, any of which would harm our operating results.
Compliance with existing and new regulations of corporate governance and public disclosure may result in additional expenses.
Compliance with changing laws, regulations, and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other SEC regulations, requires large amounts of management attention and external resources. This may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
Our directors, executive officers and principal stockholders have effective control of the company, preventing non-affiliate stockholders from significantly influencing our direction and future.
Our directors, officers, and 5% stockholders and their affiliates control a significant percentage of our outstanding shares of common stock and are expected to continue to control a significant percentage of our outstanding common stock following any financing transactions projected for the foreseeable future. These directors, officers, 5% stockholders and affiliates effectively control all matters requiring approval by the stockholders, including any determination with respect to the acquisition or disposition of assets, future issuances of securities, declarations of dividends and the election of directors. This concentration of ownership may also delay, defer, or prevent a change in control and otherwise prevent stockholders other than our affiliates from influencing our direction and future.
There is a public market for our stock, but it is thin and subject to manipulation.
The volume of trading in our common stock is limited and can be dominated by a few individuals. The limited volume can make the price of our common stock subject to manipulation by one or more stockholders and will significantly limit the number of shares that one can purchase or sell in a short period of time. An investor may find it difficult to dispose of shares of our common stock or obtain a fair price for our common stock in the market.
The market price of our common stock may be harmed by our need to raise capital.
We need to raise additional capital in order to roll out our business plan and expect to raise such capital through the issuance of preferred stock, common stock and/or convertible debt. Because securities in private placements and other transactions by a company are often sold at a discount to market prices, this need to raise additional capital may harm the market price of our common stock. In addition, the re-sale of securities issued in such capital-raising transactions, whether under Rule 144 or a re-sale registration statement, may harm the market price of our common stock.
The market price for our common stock is volatile and may change dramatically at any time.
The market price of our common stock, like that of the securities of other early-stage companies, is highly volatile. Our stock price may change dramatically as the result of announcements of our quarterly results, the rate of our expansion, significant litigation or other factors or events that would be expected to affect our business or financial condition, results of operations and other factors specific to our business and future prospects. In addition, the market price for our common stock may be affected by various factors not directly related to our business, including the following:
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intentional manipulation of our stock price by existing or future stockholders;
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short selling of our common stock or related derivative securities;
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a single acquisition or disposition, or several related acquisitions or dispositions, of a large number of our shares;
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the interest, or lack of interest, of the market in our business sector, without regard to our financial condition or results of operations;
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the adoption of governmental regulations and similar developments in the United States or abroad that may affect our ability to offer our products and services or affect our cost structure;
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developments in the businesses of companies that purchase our products; or
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economic and other external market factors, such as a general decline in market prices due to poor economic indicators or investor distrust.
Our ability to issue preferred stock and common stock may significantly dilute ownership and voting power, negatively affect the price of our common stock and inhibit hostile takeovers.
Under our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, we are authorized to issue up to 10 million shares of preferred stock and 200 million shares of common stock without seeking stockholder approval. Our board of directors has the authority to create various series of preferred stock with such voting and other rights superior to those of our common stock and to issue such stock without stockholder approval. Any issuance of such preferred stock or common stock would dilute the ownership and voting power of existing holders of our common stock and may have a negative effect on the price of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock without stockholder approval may also be used by management to stop or delay a change of control, or might discourage third parties from seeking a change of control of our company, even though some stockholders or potential investors may view possible takeover attempts as potentially beneficial to our stockholders.
We are unlikely to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid dividends on our stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future, and it is unlikely that investors will derive any current income from ownership of our stock. This means that your potential for economic gain from ownership of our stock depends on appreciation of our stock price and will only be realized by a sale of the stock at a price higher than your purchase price.
Our common stock is a “low-priced stock” and subject to regulation that limits or restricts the potential market for our stock.
Shares of our common stock are “low-priced” or “penny stock,” resulting in increased risks to our investors and certain requirements being imposed on some brokers who execute transactions in our common stock. In general, a low-priced stock is an equity security that:
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Is priced under five dollars;
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Is not traded on a national stock exchange;
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Is issued by a company that has less than $5 million in net tangible assets (if it has been in business less than three years) or has less than $2 million in net tangible assets (if it has been in business for at least three years); and
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Is issued by a company that has average revenues of less than $6 million for the past three years.
We believe that our common stock is presently a “penny stock.” At any time the common stock qualifies as a penny stock, the following requirements, among others, will generally apply:
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Certain broker-dealers who recommend penny stock to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must make a special written suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to a transaction prior to sale.
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Prior to executing any transaction involving a penny stock, certain broker-dealers must deliver to certain purchasers a disclosure schedule explaining the risks involved in owning penny stock, the broker-dealer’s duties to the customer, a toll-free telephone number for inquiries about the broker-dealer’s disciplinary history and the customer’s rights and remedies in case of fraud or abuse in the sale.
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In connection with the execution of any transaction involving a penny stock, certain broker-dealers must deliver to certain purchasers the following:
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bid and offer price quotes and volume information;
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the broker-dealer’s compensation for the trade;
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the compensation received by certain salespersons for the trade;
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monthly accounts statements; and
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a written statement of the customer’s financial situation and investment goals.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties.
We use office and cold storage warehouse space in the facility of Specialty Foods for free. We have no lease with respect to such space, and our informal arrangement could be terminated at any time.
Pursuant to an Option Agreement dated October 30, 2009, we have an option to purchase from Specialty Foods an approximately 15-acre parcel of real estate on which Specialty Foods is located in Webster City, Iowa during an approximately seven-year term at a purchase price equal to the greater of $3,000,000 (plus the cost of additional improvements) and the appraised value of property at the time the option is exercised. If we exercise the option, we would be required to lease back to Specialty Foods the buildings in which it conducts its operations in exchange for rent of $10,000 per month, subject to certain adjustments.
In January 2008, we entered into an agreement relating to the 29 East Main Cafe, located at 29 East Main Street, Los Gatos, California 95030. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, we acquired the existing leasehold improvements and equipment and assumed the existing lease. We remodeled this location and opened it as a Smoky Market restaurant, but in March 2010 we closed the restaurant. We have since ceased paying the rent payments on this property. We understand that the property was subsequently leased out by the fee owner effective February 2011. A liability for the remaining lease payments due under the lease agreement has been recorded in the financial statements as part of the impairment loss described below.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We are not engaged in any legal proceedings, nor are we aware of any pending or threatened legal proceedings that, singly or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Item 4.
Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Price
The table below sets forth the high and low bid quotations for our common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board and the Pink Sheets for the periods indicated. Until November 2010, our common stock was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol SMKY. Since that time, our common stock has been quoted on the Pink Sheets.
The quotations set forth above reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not represent actual transactions. Our common stock began quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board on September 11, 2007 and was removed from quotation thereon on November 16, 2010.
Outstanding Shares and Number of Stockholders
As of August 30, 2011, there were 103,627,246 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, which were held by approximately 300 holders of record and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid dividends on any class of equity securities, and we currently intend to retain any future earnings for use in our business and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our outstanding common stock in the foreseeable future.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which equity securities of the company are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2010:
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Other than transactions previously reported, the Company offered and sold the following securities during the year ended December 31, 2010 without being registered under the Securities Act.
In October 2010, (i) in exchange for $500 in cash, we offered and sold to a related party 100,000 shares of common stock with a fair market value of $500 (or $0.005 per share) and warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $0.05 per share, exercisable over three years; (ii) in exchange for $1,500 in cash, we offered and sold to a related party a total of 300,000 shares of common stock with a fair market value of $1,500 (or $0.005 per share) and warrants to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock at $0.05, exercisable over three years; (iii) in exchange for $1,500 in cash, we offered and sold to an individual 300,000 shares of common stock with a fair market value of $1,500 (or $0.005 per share) and warrants to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock at $0.05, exercisable over three years; and (iv) in exchange for financing services, we offered and sold to an individual 100,000 shares with a fair market value of $500 (or $0.005 per share). The offer and sale of such shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock were effected in reliance upon the exemptions for sales of securities not involving a public offering, as set forth in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, based upon the following: (a) each investor confirmed to us that the investor was an “accredited investor,” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and had such background, education and experience in financial and business matters as to be able to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in the securities; (b) there was no public offering or general solicitation with respect to each offering; (c) the investors were provided with certain disclosure materials and all other information requested with respect to our company; (d) the investors acknowledged that all securities being purchased were “restricted securities” for purposes of the Securities Act, and agreed to transfer such securities only in a transaction registered under the Securities Act or exempt from registration under the Securities Act; and (e) a legend was placed on the certificates representing each such security stating that it was restricted and could only be transferred if subsequently registered under the Securities Act or transferred in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
In November 2010, in exchange for $1,500 in cash, we offered and sold to a related party 300,000 shares of common stock with a fair market value of $1,500 (or $0.005 per share) and warrants to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock at $0.05 per share, exercisable over three years. The offer and sale of such shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock were effected in reliance upon the exemptions for sales of securities not involving a public offering, as set forth in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, based upon the following: (a) each investor confirmed to us that the investor was an “accredited investor,” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and had such background, education and experience in financial and business matters as to be able to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in the securities; (b) there was no public offering or general solicitation with respect to each offering; (c) the investors were provided with certain disclosure materials and all other information requested with respect to our company; (d) the investors acknowledged that all securities being purchased were “restricted securities” for purposes of the Securities Act, and agreed to transfer such securities only in a transaction registered under the Securities Act or exempt from registration under the Securities Act; and (e) a legend was placed on the certificates representing each such security stating that it was restricted and could only be transferred if subsequently registered under the Securities Act or transferred in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
In December 2010, in exchange for financing services, we offered and sold to an individual 350,000 shares with a fair market value of $3,500 (or $0.010 per share). The offer and sale of such shares of our common stock were effected in reliance upon the exemptions for sales of securities not involving a public offering, as set forth in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, based upon the following: (a) each investor confirmed to us that the investor was an “accredited investor,” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and had such background, education and experience in financial and business matters as to be able to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in the securities; (b) there was no public offering or general solicitation with respect to each offering; (c) the investors were provided with certain disclosure materials and all other information requested with respect to our company; (d) the investors acknowledged that all securities being purchased were “restricted securities” for purposes of the Securities Act, and agreed to transfer such securities only in a transaction registered under the Securities Act or exempt from registration under the Securities Act; and (e) a legend was placed on the certificates representing each such security stating that it was restricted and could only be transferred if subsequently registered under the Securities Act or transferred in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Because we are a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information called for by this item.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. This section may include projections and other forward-looking statements regarding management’s expectations regarding our performance. You should not place undue reliance on such projections and forward looking statements, and, when considering such projections and forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors noted throughout this prospectus. You should also keep in mind that all projections and forward-looking statements are based on management’s existing beliefs about present and future events outside of management’s control and on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Overview
We use proprietary, custom-engineered, USDA-approved wood-burning oven technology to mass produce a complete line of real Smoke-BakedTM meat and fish, and special recipe dishes, which we believe to be unique and of superior quality to other commercially produced smoked meat products. Our meat and fish are prepared 100% naturally without the addition of additives (water, sugar, high sodium) or chemical preservatives, and are individually portion-packaged and vacuum-sealed for convenience and quality retention. From a 15-acre food production campus located in central Iowa and owned by our exclusive meat processor, Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods, Inc. (“Specialty Foods”), we produce and ship our smoked foods to distribution facilities strategically established to support nationwide marketing.
We plan to generate revenue principally from sales of our smoked foods through the operations of two channels of distribution: sales of retail packaged product sold over the Internet and retail display merchandisers, and development of a chain of franchised fast-casual restaurants that are modular, pre-fabricated buildings. A key operating element in our restaurant business model is the culinary systemization we have created - through mass production - designed for highly specialized and profitable foodservice operation within a very small footprint of space. We are able to deliver food of consistent size, taste and quality without the need to install smoking ovens for on-site cooking or to train skilled cooks to handle raw product at numerous locations. We believe this will permit our development of national chain operations with substantially reduced costs relative to investment, labor and product shrinkage.
We produce our smoked foods under an agreement with Specialty Foods, a commercial meat processor in whose USDA facility we placed out first wood-burning oven system, which is capable of producing a minimum of approximately 100,000 pounds of smoked meat and fish per month. To demonstrate the systemization of our foodservice menu operation, we opened a 1,000 square foot Smoky Market restaurant in October 2009, which was located in Los Gatos, California and featured a selection of certain of our smoked meat and fish that was prepared within a kitchen area of 150 square feet. However, after less than five months of testing, we chose to close the restaurant due to insufficient traffic in the area resulting from the down-turn in the economy. As a result of this experience, we plan to launch our restaurant concept using only pre-fabricated modular buildings that can easily be relocated should a property venue not turn out to be a viable location.
In the second half of 2011, we plan to commence retail sales from our new Internet website, which will enable food buyers from across the country to order our products on-line and to receive their order within just a few days. Our Internet marketing and operating plan incorporates the use of national organizations with whom to affiliate for promotion of Smoky Market products on their Internet sites, and for which services we would pay monthly advertising fees, but without having to pay sales commissions.
We have generated net losses in each fiscal year since our inception in the development of our business model. In October 2009, we began to generate initial revenue from food sales at our Los Gatos, CA Smoky Market restaurant, but subsequently closed the restaurant. As discussed in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below, in June 2009 we received $1.5 million in capital financing, which we used toward opening the restaurant and completing the operating systems for our website to launch the Internet business. We estimate that we will need up to $5 million of additional financing in order to accomplish our plans for launch and expansion as follows: $1 million for our Internet marketing affiliations and $4 million for expansion of production capacity relative to Specialty Foods and the Canadian and kosher smoker oven systems to be installed. We expect such proceeds to be provided by our forthcoming private financing transaction.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $10 and a working capital deficit of $1,114,905, as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $110,646 and a working capital deficit of $325,110 as of December 31, 2009.
To finance the expansion of our Internet retail operations and BarBQ Diner concept, we intend to seek additional financing in the second half of 2011. Given that we are not yet in a positive cash flow or earnings position, the options available to us are fewer than to a positive cash flow company and generally do not include bank financing. To raise additional capital, we expect to issue equity securities, including preferred stock, common stock, warrants and/or convertible securities. We do not have any commitments from any party to provide required capital and may, or may not, be able to obtain such capital on reasonable terms or at all.
In a March 2010 transaction with 70 Limited LLC, we received $150,000 in cash for a promissory note in the amount of $150,000 together with a warrant to purchase up to 450,000 shares of our common stock. Under the terms of the promissory note, we were obligated to make payment on the full principal amount, plus interest accruing at 10% per year, by March 5, 2011, and we could prepay any amount of principal or interest at any time without penalty.
In August, 2010, the Company and 70 Limited LLC agreed to refinance the note. Pursuant to the agreement, both loans were combined, along with accrued interest, forming a new loan with a maturity date of August 18, 2020. The note will accrue interest at a 10% annual rate until repaid. Prior warrants were revised to allow for exercise at $.05 per warrant as opposed to the previous $.15. The term for exercising the warrants was adjusted to ten years as opposed to five years on the cancelled warrants. The new warrants were valued based on the Black-Scholes method using a risk-free rate of return of .15% and volatility of 347%.
During 2010, principal uses of cash were approximately $300,000 to finance operating losses and approximately $5,000 for equipment.
Expected minimum capital expenditures during the remainder of 2011 of $750,000 are required for the Company to launch its on-line sales operations and would include expenditures for advertising, inventories and general operating expenses.
Assuming the success of our initial Internet retail operations and our subsequent BarBQ Diner restaurant concept, which are expected to utilize a substantial portion of our existing production capacity, we anticipate the need to invest as much as $1,500,000 to create additional production capacity at Specialty Food’s production facility to support our expanded marketing operations. This will most likely require the construction of an additional building adjacent to Specialty Food’s existing production space for more ovens and packaging equipment. We have entered into agreements with Specialty Foods under which we were granted an option to construct an up to 80 thousand square foot building on its property to accommodate additional smoker ovens and equipment and an option to purchase the 15-acre campus on which Specialty Foods operates if needed to accommodate growth of the Company’s business (subject to an obligation to lease back to Specialty Foods its processing facility). We anticipate that the financing to pay for the proposed building addition will be generated from a combination of our sales and additional financing transactions involving debt or equity securities. If we are unable to obtain financing to construct the building addition as planned, we will be forced to significantly curtail our proposed expansion, and our ability to grow revenue will be halted until increased capacity can be created.
In July 2011, in order to raise capital in order to complete our 2010 audit, complete this report and continue our operations, we entered into a Purchase and Lease Agreement (the “Sale/Lease Agreement”) with SMKY Asset Fund LLC (the “Lessor”) related to our smoker-oven system. Pursuant to the Sale/Lease Agreement, we sold the smoker-oven system to the Lessor for a purchase price equal of $170,000, subject to increase by the Lessor prior to January 25, 2012 subject to a maximum of $500,000. In addition, we are required to issue to Lessor a warrant to purchase a share of common stock for each $1.00 in purchase price paid. The warrant has an exercise price of $0.50 per share, a five-year term and includes net exercise provisions. We leased back the smoker-oven system for rent equal to the lesser of (a) $0.20 per pound of product produced using the smoker-oven, or (b) the amount necessary to generate a 30% return on the sum of the purchase price and $5,000. The Sale/Lease Agreement has a 10-year term, provided that we may repurchase the smoker-oven system at any time after July 25, 2014 that the market price for our common stock has exceeded $0.50 for thirty trading days. The repurchase price is a number of shares of common stock with a fair market value equal to 20 times the sum of (a) the purchase price, plus (b) $5,000.
Results of Operations
Our revenues from operations decreased while our operating expenses increased in 2010. The revenue decrease was due primarily to a decrease in restaurant sales between 2009 and 2010. The operating expense increase was due to an impairment loss on assets in 2010 and to increases in stock-based compensation in the payment of salaries, professional services, and financing activities, as summarized and discussed below. Also, our working capital deficiency increased from 2009 to 2010 as summarized and discussed below.
Revenues and Expenses. Our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows:
Sales decreased by $28,360 from $42,673 in 2009 to $14,313 in 2010, while general and administrative expenses increased by $871,065, from $1,045,906 in 2009 to $1,916,971 in 2010. Our operating loss increased by $953,617, from $1,129,844 in 2009 to $2,083,461 in 2010. The decreased revenues were accompanied by an increase in restaurant operating costs from $126,611 in 2009 to $180,803 in 2010. The increased restaurant operating costs were due primarily to a loss from charge-off of expired inventory in the amount of $117,224 in 2010, with no such loss in 2009, which loss more than offset decreases in restaurant operating costs from food, beverage and packaging, and labor and related costs.
The increase in general & administrative expenses was due primarily to an impairment loss on restaurant assets and increases in professional fees and stock-based compensation. We incurred an impairment of restaurant assets in the amount of $995,493 in 2010, with no such impairment in 2009. This impairment related to the closure of the Company’s restaurant in Los Gatos California in 2010. Professional fees increased by $31,530 from $195,651 in 2009 to $227,181, due primarily to the Company’s utilization of a financial consultant in 2010. Stock-based compensation in the category of salaries, wages & benefits - related parties increased by $45,905 from $26,657 in 2009 to $72,562 in 2010, stock-based compensation in the category of professional services increased by $52,254 from $2,905 in 2009 to $55,159 in 2010, and stock-based compensation in the category of financing activities increased by $26,029, from $13,532 in 2009 to $39,561 in 2010. Overall, total stock-based compensation expense increased by $124,188, from $43,094 in 2009 to $167,282 in 2010. The overall increase in stock-based compensation expense is due primarily to stock-based compensation being exchanged instead of cash for services and financing.
The increase in impairment of restaurant assets and expenses associated with stock-based compensation were partially offset by decreases in expenses relating to salaries, wages and benefits, rent, depreciation and amortization, other expenses, and a write off of a license. Expenses associated with salaries, wages and benefits decreased by $144,216, from $379,263 in 2009 to $235,047 in 2010. The decrease in salaries, wages and benefit expenses is due primarily to the decrease in staffing associated with the Company’s restaurant operations as such operations have ceased. Rent expenses decreased by $37,241 from $109,087 in 2009 to $71,846 in 2010, due primarily to the closing of our Los Gatos restaurant in 2010. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $18,961 from $144,548 in 2009 to $125,587 in 2010, due primarily to the impairment loss recognition on restaurant and related assets, wherein such assets are immediately written off and depreciation is no longer recorded. Other expenses decreased by $57,666, from $140,054 in 2009 to $82,393 in 2010. The decrease in other expenses was due primarily to curtailed Company activity after the restaurant closure. We incurred an expense in the amount of $28,333 in 2009 relating to the write off of a license, with no such write off being incurred in 2010.
In the opinion of our management, inflation has not and will not have a material effect on our operations in the immediate future. Management will continue to monitor inflation and evaluate the possible future effects of inflation on our business and operations.
Working Capital. Our working capital for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is summarized in the table below. For the categories of current assets and current liabilities, the line items included in the table below represent selected components of each category that are material to an understanding of our working capital deficiency. For a complete listing of all components of each category please refer to the financial statements accompanying this Report.
Our working capital deficiency increased by $789,795, from $325,110 in 2009 to $1,114,905 in 2010. The increase in our working capital deficiency was primarily due to (i) a decrease in our cash of $110,636, from $110,646 in 2009 to $10 in 2010, (ii) a decrease in prepaid expenses and inventory, from $11,609 and $117,270, respectively, to $0 for each category in 2010, (iii) an increase in accounts payable of $365,202, from $136,758 in 2009 to $501,960, and (iv) an increase in liabilities due to employees of $151,811, from $244,537 in 2009 to $396,348 in 2010. The decreases in cash, prepaid expenses and inventory are due primarily to the closure of the Los Gatos restaurant, and the increases in accounts payable and liabilities due to employees is due primarily to the Company’s inability to pay operating expenses from available cash.
Cash Flows. Our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 are summarized as follows:
In 2010, we used $301,217 in cash in our operating activities, primarily relating to finance operating losses; we generated $6,581 in cash in our investing activities, primarily relating to the use of existing deposits to offset operating costs; and we generated $184,000 in cash from financing activities, primarily due to the issuance of a new promissory note and advances from individuals.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our critical accounting policies and estimates, including those related to long-lived assets, share-based compensation, revenue recognition, overhead allocation, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory, and deferred income tax. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These judgments and estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Changes to these judgments and estimates could adversely affect the Company’s future results of operations and cash flows.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company periodically reviews the carrying amount of property and equipment and its identifiable intangible assets to determine whether current events or circumstances warrant adjustments to such carrying amounts. If an impairment adjustment is deemed necessary, such loss is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such assets exceeds their fair value. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets; accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Management estimated and recorded an impairment loss at March 31, 2010 relating to the closure of a restaurant in Los Gatos, California. The loss calculation was based on a pending offer on the property. During the three months ended June 30, 2010, the offer was rescinded, so Management recorded an additional impairment loss for the three months ended June 30, 2010. During the last half of the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded additional impairment losses for all operating assets due to the uncertainty of future operating cash flows from such assets. Additionally, the Company sold certain items, receiving $9,125. The total impairment loss was $995,493 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from restaurant sales is recognized when food and beverage products are sold. The Company sells gift cards which do not have an expiration date and it does not deduct non-usage fees from outstanding gift card balances. The Company recognizes revenue from gift cards when: (i) the gift card is redeemed by the customer; or (ii) the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed by the customer is remote (gift card breakage) and the Company determines that there is not a legal obligation to remit the unredeemed gift cards to the relevant jurisdiction. The Company will consider a reduction of the unredeemed gift card liability when more historical evidence will allow a reliable percentage of unredeemed and/or broken gift cards to be estimated. Revenue on internet sales is recognized at the time of shipment.
Net (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings (loss) per common share calculations are determined by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share calculations are determined by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares, outstanding stock options, and the equivalent number of common shares that would have been outstanding had the convertible debt holders converted their debt instruments to common stock. All potential dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation, as their effect is anti-dilutive.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has issued its common shares as compensation to directors, officers, and non-employees (“recipients”). The Company measures the amount of stock-based compensation based on the fair value of the equity instrument issued or the services or goods provided as of the earlier of (1) the date at which an agreement is reached with the recipient as to the number of shares to be issued for performance, or (2) the date at which the recipient’s performance is complete.
Occasionally, the Company sells shares below market value to raise cash to fund operations. The discounts from market are treated as compensation for officers and directors. For non-officers and directors, the discounts are netted against proceeds as a “cost of issue.”
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based upon the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate applicable when the related asset or liability is expected to be realized or settled. Deferred income tax expenses or benefits are based on the changes in the asset or liability each period. If available evidence suggests that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Future changes in such valuation allowance are included in the provision for deferred income taxes in the period of change.
Deferred income taxes may arise from temporary differences resulting from income and expense items reported for financial accounting and tax purposes in different periods. Deferred taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of assets and liabilities to which they relate. Deferred taxes arising from temporary differences that are not related to an asset or liability are classified as current or non-current depending on the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
Uncertainty in income taxes is recognized in the Company’s financial statements. Specifically, the accounting policy determines (a) a consistent recognition threshold and (b) a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides related guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting interim periods, disclosure and transition. To the extent interest and penalties would be assessed by taxing authorities on any underpayment of income taxes, such amounts would be accrued and classified as a component of income tax expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company has evaluated the presence of any such tax uncertainties and determined that they do not have a material impact on the financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Because we are a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information called for by this item.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements.
Our financial statements and associated notes are set forth following the signature page beginning on Page.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
The information required by this Item was previously reported.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of December 31, 2010. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. This conclusion is based in part on the fact that the Company did not complete this Report and related audits within required time periods.
Internal Controls
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). In fulfilling this responsibility, estimates and judgments by management are required to assess the expected benefits and related costs of control procedures. The objectives of internal control include providing management with reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the records of the Company accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition; and that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization and recorded properly to permit the preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. Our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, our internal control over financial reporting is not effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. Our management’s finding of ineffective internal control over financial reporting results primarily from the fact that the Company has only two full time employees, which is not a sufficient number to implement industry-standard internal controls. Subject to the Company’s ability to obtain financing and hire additional employees, the Company expects to be able to design and implement effective internal controls in the near future.
Changes in Internal Controls
During the last fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010, there has been no change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Identification of Directors and Executive Officers
Certain information regarding our executive officers and directors is set forth below. Our executive officers are appointed by, and continue to serve at the will of, our board of directors. Our directors are elected or appointed for terms that continue, absent resignation, death or removal by our stockholders, until the later of the next annual meeting of stockholders or until a replacement is duly appointed or elected and qualified. Among our officers, Edward C. Feintech devotes substantially all of his time to our business, Shane A. Campbell devotes approximately 10% of his time to our business, and Dennis Harrison currently devotes less than 5% of his time to our business.
___________________
* Such officer is not a full time employee of our company.
Edward C. Feintech has been the Chairman of our Board of Directors, and our President and Chief Executive Officer since our incorporation in April 2006. Mr. Feintech operated full-service barbecue restaurants and tested quick-service barbecue operations in Des Moines, Iowa (1977-1984) before closing his enterprise and moving on toward development of our custom-engineered, USDA-approved wood-burning oven system technology. Since organizing Smoky Systems, LLC, in December 2000, Mr. Feintech has been its manager and directed the development phase of the intellectual property that we license from Smoky Systems.
Mr. Feintech has been appointed as a director in light of his experience in the smoked-meat and restaurant industries, his role as our Chief Executive Office and his company-specific knowledge.
Scott L. Bargfrede has served as a director of our company since May 2006. Mr. Bargfrede has been the President and CEO of First American Bank in Webster City, Iowa since October 18, 1999. First American Bank is our primary bank. Mr. Bargfrede graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ag-Business Finance. In 1992, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking.
Mr. Bargfrede has been appointed as a director in light of his experience in financial and banking industry.
Shane A. Campbell has been our Chief Financial Officer (acting as a consultant) since our incorporation in April 2006. Mr. Campbell has served as a business advisor to numerous small and medium sized businesses over his twenty-two years of public and private practice. From April 2004 though the present, Mr. Campbell has functioned as the chief financial officer of Smoky Systems, LLC, and other small companies as chief financial officer on a consultant contract basis consultant contractor. Mr. Campbell worked from January 2001 to April 2004 as chief financial officer for MarketLive, Inc. (previously Multimedia Live, Inc.), an e-commerce software company located in Petaluma, California. Prior to that time, from January 1990 through January 2002, Mr. Campbell was an employee and then a partner at Jones, Schiller & Company, LLC, an accounting firm located in San Francisco. Mr. Campbell earned a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Chico in December 1981.
Mr. Campbell has been appointed as a director in light of his experience in financial, auditing and related business matters and his company-specific knowledge.
Dennis A. Harrison, PhD, has been our Chief Information Officer (acting as a consultant) since our inception in April 2006; however, he is expected to become a full-time employee when and as our financial situation permits. Since January 2000, Dr. Harrison has held senior level management positions as vice president of business development for CSF-Telequest from 2000 to 2003, vice president of business development for CallTech Communications from April 2003 to April 2004, and vice president of business development for Effective Teleservices from April 2004 to present. Dr. Harrison received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy & Classical Languages from the Seminary of St. Pius X, an affiliate of Catholic University, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Loyola College, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Development from the University of Maryland.
Audit Committee
Our entire board of directors presently serves as our audit committee. None of the members of the audit committee satisfy the independence requirements applicable to audit committees of listed companies. In addition, the board of directors has determined that the audit committee does not have a member qualifying as an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 401(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. To save limited capital over the last several years, we have chosen not to expand the size of our Board of Directors or to offer cash compensation to our directors. The absence of cash compensation makes recruiting persons who are not otherwise interested in our company more difficult. For these reasons, we do not have on our board of directors a person who would qualify as an audit committee financial expert.
We do not presently have a standing nominating committee or compensation committee, and we do not have a nominating committee charter or a compensation committee charter.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s officers and directors to file reports concerning their ownership of Common Shares with the SEC and to furnish the Company with copies of such reports. Based solely upon the Company’s review of the reports required by Section 16 and amendments thereto furnished to the Company, the Company believes that all reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during 2010, were filed with the SEC on a timely basis except as follows: (a) Form 4 for Edward Feintech, an officer and director, was due on June 23, 2010, but was filed on August 5, 2010; (b) Form 4 for Scott Bargfrede, a director, was due on July 28, 2010, but was filed on August 19, 2010; (c) Form 4 for Scott Bargfrede, a director, was due on October 19, 2010 but has not been filed; and (d) Form 4 for Harvey Hoffenberg, an officer, was due on December 27, 2010 but has not been filed.
Code of Ethics
We have not adopted a code of ethics. Although we expect to adopt a code of ethics during 2011, we have not done so to date because we believe that, in light of our limited capital and operations, expending the resources on developing a formal code of ethics would not be in the best interest of shareholders. As we obtain the capital to establish more significant operations, we expect to begin developing more comprehensive policies and procedures appropriate to our size and stage.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the compensation for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010 paid or accrued by us to or on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, as well as our two most highly compensated executive officers, if any, whose aggregate compensation for fiscal years 2009 or 2010 exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).
______________
(1) Mr. Campbell is currently serving as a part-time Chief Financial Officer/Consultant; his services are provided on an as-needed basis. Compensation is accrued and then paid as cash becomes available.
On May 10, 2007, Mr. Feintech signed an executive employment agreement. The agreement is for a three-year term and calls for him to receive a minimum base salary of $175,000 per year. The employment agreement also grants to him: (i) a one-time stock issuance of 1,500,000 shares of common stock upon execution of the agreement; (ii) an award of non-statutory stock options of 425,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share; and (iii) a bonus equal to an additional 1,000,000 shares of common stock upon the achievement of each incremental level of $50,000,000 in revenue, provided that cumulative net after-tax income is being maintained at a level not less than 7.5% on total revenue.
In addition, in May 2006, Mr. Feintech was issued 50,000 shares of common stock in exchange for the assignment of any intellectual property rights related to our business and granted an option to purchase 325,000 shares of common stock pursuant to our stock incentive plan at an exercise price of $0.10 at any time prior to May 13, 2013. The options vested 25% on May 31, 2007 and have continued to vest 1/48th each month thereafter until fully vested.
On June 21, 2010, Mr. Feintech was granted 2,250,000 shares of common stock as additional compensation. Such shares were valued at $0.14, for total compensation of $31,500.
On May 17, 2010, Mr. Campbell was granted 1,500,000 warrants to purchase common stock at a strike price of $0.05. The fair value per common share was $0.02. The warrant term extends five years through May 16, 2015. The warrants were valued at $30,027 using the Black-Scholes method, assuming a risk-free rate of return of .12% to .15% and a volatility of 347%.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information regarding equity awards held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2010:
______________
(1) Options vested 25% on May 31, 2007 and 1/48th each month thereafter until fully vested.
(2) No vesting requirement.
Compensation of Directors
Directors who are not officers of the Company do not receive any regular compensation for their service on the board of directors but are entitled to reimbursement of any actual expenses associated with the attendance of board meeting and other activities and to receive options and other awards under the Company’s stock incentive plan. Directors are entitled to receive compensation for services unrelated to their service as a director to the extent that they provide such unrelated services to the Company.
No directors received any compensation, including option awards, for their service as directors for the Company, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Information with respect to the compensation of Edward C. Feintech, our Chief Executive Officer and President, is set forth in the tables above.
Executive Employment Agreements, Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangements
Except as described in following paragraph, we have not entered into employment agreements with any of our executive officers and, other than provisions in our stock incentive plan that permit acceleration of vesting of awards in connection with a change of control, have no arrangements or plans which provide benefits in connection with retirement, resignation, termination or a change of control.
Pursuant to his executive employment agreement dated May 10, 2007, Edward C. Feintech is entitled to receive, as severance and following execution of a release of liabilities in favor of the Company, (i) if the termination was by the Company without cause or by the employee with good reason (except in connection with a change of control), base salary and medical benefits (plus any pro-rated bonus for which he otherwise qualified) for a period of 12-months following the termination, or (ii) if the termination was by the Company without cause or by the employee with good reason and occurred 90 days prior to or within one year after a change of control, base salary and medical benefits for a period of 24 months and acceleration of the vesting of any stock options granted under the employment agreement. Mr. Feintech is not entitled to such severance benefits if the termination is either by the Company for cause, by Mr. Feintech without good reason, or after May 10, 2010. A change of control includes (a) any capital reorganization, reclassification of the capital stock of Company, consolidation or merger of Company with another corporation in which Company is not the survivor (other than a transaction effective solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of Company), (b) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another entity, and (c) the acquisition by a single person (or two or more persons acting as a group, as a group is defined for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of more than 40% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Company has no compensation committee or other board committee performing equivalent functions. Edward C. Feintech, an officer of the Company as well as chairman of the board of directors, participated in deliberations of the Company’s board of directors concerning executive officer compensation during 2010.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of August 30, 2011 and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the shares of our common stock offered hereby, by:
·
all persons known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;
·
each of our named executive officers;
·
each of our directors; and
·
all directors and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC and generally means that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power of that security, and includes options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
_____________________
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
(1) The percentages set forth above have been computed assuming the number of shares of common stock outstanding equals the sum of (a) 103,627,246, which is the number of shares of common stock actually outstanding on August 30, 2011, and (b) shares of common stock subject to options, warrants, convertible notes and similar securities exercisable or convertible for common stock within 60 days of such date held by the person with respect to percentage is computed (but not by any other person).
(2) Includes, in addition to outstanding shares held by Mr. Feintech, 703,125 shares issuable upon exercise of non-statutory stock options. Also includes 257,521 shares of common stock held of record by Cheryl Feintech.
(3) Includes 152,344 shares issuable upon the exercise of non-statutory stock options.
(4) Includes 152,344 shares issuable upon the exercise of non-statutory stock options.
(5) Includes 457,031 shares issuable upon the exercise of non-statutory stock options.
(6) Includes 1,464,844 shares issuable upon the exercise of non-statutory stock options.
(7) Based on the Company’s internal records reflecting the stock ownership of Smoky Systems. Dan Brune is the manager of Smoky Systems, LLC, and, as such, has voting and investment control over these securities. Mr. Brune disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities held by Smoky Systems, LLC.
(8) Based on the Company’s internal records reflecting the stock ownership of 70 Limited, LLC. Includes 2,302,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants. Tertia Dvorchak is the manager of 70 Limited, LLC and, as such, has voting and investment control over these securities. Tertia Dvorchak disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities held by 70 Limited, LLC.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The information set forth above in Item 5 under “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Arrangements with Officers, Directors and Promoters
Set forth below is a description of certain transactions entered into since January 1, 2010, or presently contemplated, with any officer, director, affiliate or other related person:
Our directors have set the initial salary or consulting fee of certain of our officers as follows (in each case pending availability of capital):
________________
* Currently serving as a part-time Chief Financial Officer/Consultant; services are provided on an as-needed basis and salary is being accrued and then paid as cash becomes available.
Relationships with Significant Stockholder
Smoky Systems, LLC beneficially owns approximately 5% of our common stock as of August 30, 2011, and its manager is Henning Madsen. The following affiliates of our company own the following percentage of the outstanding equity interests of Smoky Systems:
* Less than 1%
Independence of Board of Directors and Committees
Our Board of Directors currently consists of Edward C. Feintech, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Scott L. Bargfrede, and Shane A. Campbell, our Chief Financial Officer. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Bargfrede is independent, using the standards of independence applicable to companies listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market. We do not presently have a standing audit committee, nominating committee, or compensation committee, and we do not have a charter for any such committees. Our entire Board of Directors performs the functions generally preformed by such committees. Mr. Bargfrede is independent using the standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market applicable to compensation and nominating committee but may not be independent for purposes of applicable audit committee standards because of the financial relationship disclosed below.
Mr. Bargfrede has been the President and CEO of First American Bank in Webster City, Iowa since October 18, 1999. First American Bank is our company’s primary bank.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Audit Fees
The Company’s independent auditor for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 was Seale and Beers, CPAs, and the aggregate fee for auditing in those years was $10,000 and $20,758, respectively.
Audit Related Fees
The aggregate fees for professional services for assurance and other audit related services was $10,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and $20,758 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
Tax Fees
There were no fees paid to Seal and Beers, CPAs, for tax-related professional services for the year ended December 31, 2010 or the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
All Other Fees
Seale and Beers, CPAs, did not provide to the Company any other material services during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 or the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies
Under the pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors, functioning as the Audit Committee, it would not permit engagement of accountants to render audit or non-audit services without prior approval of the Board of Directors, functioning as the Audit Committee. As a result, all engagements of the independent auditors to render audit or non-audit services were approved by the Board of Directors, functioning as the Audit Committee.
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
Exhibit No.
Exhibit
Incorporated by Reference/Filed Herewith
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on August 24, 2007, File No. 333-143008
3.2
Bylaws
Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on August 24, 2007, File No. 333-143008
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate
Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on August 24, 2007, File No. 333-143008
4.2
Series 2008A Warrant dated September 8, 2008
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on September 10, 2008, File No. 000-52158
4.3
Series 2009B Warrant dated May 29, 2009
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on June 4, 2009, File No. 000-52158
4.4
Series 2009C Warrant dated October 30, 2009
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on November 6, 2009, File No. 000-52158
4.5
Warrant dated March 5, 2010
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on March 19, 2010, File No. 000-52158
4.6
Series 2011C Warrant dated August 25, 2011
Filed herewith
10.1
2006 Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed on February 16, 2007, File No. 000-52158
10.2
Form of NonStatutory Stock Option Agreement
Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed on February 16, 2007, File No. 000-52158
10.3
Employment Agreement dated May 10, 2007 with Edward C. Feintech
Incorporated by reference to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 14, 2007, File No. 000-52158
10.4
Consulting Agreement dated May 1, 2008 with International Monetary
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on May 8, 2008, File No. 000-52158
10.5
Promissory Note dated September 8, 2008
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on September 10, 2008, File No. 000-52158
10.6
Note and Share Purchase Agreement dated January 27, 2009 with 70 Limited LLC
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on February 2, 2009, File No. 000-52158
10.7
Note, Share and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated May 28, 2009 with 70 Limited LLC and The Jimma Lee Beam Revocable Trust
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on June 4, 2009, File No. 000-52158
10.8
Promissory Note dated May 29, 2009
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on June 4, 2009, File No. 000-52158
10.9
License Termination and Asset Transfer Agreement dated June 30, 2009 with Smoky Systems, LLC
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on July 7, 2009, File No. 000-52158
10.10
Option Agreement dated October 30, 2009 with Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods, Inc.
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on November 6, 2009, File No. 000-52158
10.11
Second Amended and Restated Processing Agreement dated October 30, 2009 with Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods, Inc.
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on November 6, 2009, File No. 000-52158
10.12
Consulting Agreement dated October 30, 2009 with William Korleski
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on November 6, 2009, File No. 000-52158
10.13
Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated March 5, 2010 with 70 Limited LLC
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on March 29, 2010, File No. 000-52158
10.14
Secured Promissory Note dated March 5, 2010
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on March 29, 2010, File No. 000-52158
10.15
Security Agreement dated March 5, 2010
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on 8-K filed on March 29, 2010, File No. 000-52158
10.16
Executive Consulting Agreement dated March 25, 2010 with Harvey Hoffenberg
Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 15, 2010
10.17
Purchase and Lease Agreement dated July 25, 2011 with SMKY Asset Fund, LLC
Filed herewith
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accountants
Filed herewith
Power of Attorney
Included on the signature page hereof
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Filed herewith
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Filed herewith
32.1
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Filed herewith
32.2
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Filed herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SMOKY MARKET FOODS, INC.
By: /s/ Eddie Feintech
Eddie Feintech
Chief Executive Officer
Date: September 1, 2011
POWER OF ATTORNEY AND ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person, whose signature to this Form 10-K appears below, hereby constitutes and appoints Eddie Feintech as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, to sign on his behalf individually and in the capacity stated below and to perform any acts necessary to be done in order to file all amendments and post-effective amendments to this Form 10-K, and any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with this Form 10-K or the amendments thereto and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Edward C. Feintech
Edward C. Feintech
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman
(Principal Executive Officer)
September 1, 2011
/s/ Shane Campbell
Shane Campbell
Director, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
September 1, 2011
/s/ Scott L. Bargfrede
Scott L. Bargfrede
Director
September 1, 2011
SMOKY MARKET FOODS, INC.
Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
SMOKY MARKET FOODS, INC.
Balance Sheets
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SMOKY MARKET FOODS, INC.
Statements of Operations
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SMOKY MARKET FOODS, INC.
Statements of Stockholder's Equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SMOKY MARKET FOODS, INC.
Statements of Cash Flows
The interest disclosed in the cash flow from operating activities section above was interest accrued but unpaid on a promissory note as disclosed in Note 3. The accrued but unpaid interest is added to the principal balance of the note. This non-cash expense is added back in the cash flows from operating activities section above in order to arrive at cash flows from operating activities.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Smoky Market Foods, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Smoky Market Foods, Inc, (the “Company”) was incorporated on April 18, 2006 under the laws of the State of Nevada.
The Company engages in the development and operation of fast service casual restaurants. The restaurants feature proprietary menu items and emphasize the preparation of food with high quality ingredients developed under the Smoky Market™ brand, as well as unique recipes and special seasonings to provide high quality food at competitive prices. The Company may also engage in other retail or wholesale distribution strategies intended to exploit the Smoky Market brand.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, management reviews those estimates, including those related to allowances for loss contingencies for litigation, income taxes, and projection of future cash flows used to assess the recoverability of long-lived assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of balance sheet classification and the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable
Management monitors the liquidity and creditworthiness of accounts receivable due from customers on an ongoing basis, considering industry and economic conditions and other factors. These factors form the basis for calculating and recording an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is an estimate of future credit losses. The Company writes off individual accounts receivable against the bad debt allowance when the Company determines a balance is uncollectible. Management has determined that the bad debt allowance is appropriately established at $-0- and $-0-, as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
Inventory
Inventory consists of Smoky Market food items and branded packaging. It is valued at the lower of cost or market using the average cost method. Due to the cessation of operations and doubt about the Company’s ability to return to operations, all inventory was written off as of December 31, 2010. Inventory was as follows at:
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost and are being depreciated using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated economic lives, which range from 3 to 25 years. Property and equipment were as follows as of:
Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the remaining term of the leased facility. The Company recorded $46,451 and $63,100 in depreciation expense relating to the assets above for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. $698,806 of net property and equipment was considered impaired and written off during the year ended December 31, 2010. See “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” disclosure below.
All property and equipment was determined by Management to be impaired as of December 31, 2010, and was therefore written off as an impairment loss for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Deposits
Deposits were as follows as of:
Advances
As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company was indebted to several individuals for non-interest bearing, unsecured advances in the amounts of $91,500 and $75,000, respectively. $82,500 and $-0- of the advances are past due and in default as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. 2,035,000 shares of common stock and 150,000 warrants to purchase common stock were issued to the individuals as part of the advances still outstanding at December 31, 2010. Management intends to repay the advances upon the realization of additional debt/equity financing in 2011. Accordingly, the advances have been classified as current obligations.
Financial Instruments
Fair value estimates discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The respective carrying value of certain on-balance-sheet financial instruments approximated their fair values. These financial instruments include cash and accounts payable. Fair values are assumed to approximate carrying values for these financial instruments because they are short term in nature, or are receivable or payable on demand, and their carrying amounts approximate fair value.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company periodically reviews the carrying amount of property and equipment and its identifiable intangible assets to determine whether current events or circumstances warrant adjustments to such carrying amounts. If an impairment adjustment is deemed necessary, such loss is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such assets exceeds their fair value. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets; accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates.
It was determined during 2010 that all assets other than cash and deposits, both intangible and intangible, were a part of the same asset group. That asset group involved the utilization of the smoker oven technology, and included the smoker oven, leased restaurant property, a real estate option to build another smoker oven, and a consulting contract with an individual who would assist the Company in deploying the smoker oven technology. Future cash flows from this asset group could not be assured. Accordingly, management decided to completely write-off these impaired assets during the year ended December 31, 2010.
Management estimated and recorded an impairment loss at March 31, 2010 relating to the closure of a restaurant in Los Gatos, California. The loss calculation was based on a pending offer on the property. During the three months ended June 30, 2010, the offer was rescinded, so Management recorded an additional impairment loss for the three months ended June 30, 2010.
During the last half of the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded additional impairments losses for all operating assets due to the uncertainty of future operating cash flows from such assets. Additionally, certain of these were sold, receiving $9,125. The total impairment loss was $995,493 and $-0- for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Detail of the impairment losses were as follows for the years ended December 31:
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from restaurant sales is recognized when food and beverage products are sold. The Company sells gift cards which do not have an expiration date and it does not deduct non-usage fees from outstanding gift card balances. The Company recognizes revenue from gift cards when: (i) the gift card is redeemed by the customer; or (ii) the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed by the customer is remote (gift card breakage) and the Company determines that there is not a legal obligation to remit the unredeemed gift cards to the relevant jurisdiction. The Company will consider a reduction of the unredeemed gift card liability when more historical evidence will allow a reliable percentage of unredeemed and/or broken gift cards to be estimated. Revenue on internet sales is recognized at the time of shipment.
Shipping and Handling (Internet Sales)
Shipping and handling charged to customers can vary depending on pricing strategies, market conditions, etc., and is not necessarily based on the recovery of cost. Accordingly, shipping and handling charges are recorded as a component of sales while the corresponding shipping and handling costs are reflected as a component of cost of goods sold.
Advertising Costs
All advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred or the first time the advertising takes place, unless it is direct-response advertising that results in probable future economic benefits. Advertising expenses were $-0- and $100 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Segment Information
Certain information is disclosed based on the way management organizes financial information for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The Company currently operates in one business segment and will evaluate additional segment disclosure requirements if it expands operations.
Net (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings (loss) per common share calculations are determined by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share calculations are determined by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares, outstanding stock options, and the equivalent number of common shares that would have been outstanding had the convertible debt holders converted their debt instruments to common stock. All potential dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation, as their effect is anti-dilutive.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has issued its common shares as compensation to directors, officers, and non-employees (“recipients”). The Company measures the amount of stock-based compensation based on the fair value of the equity instrument issued or the services or goods provided as of the earlier of (1) the date at which an agreement is reached with the recipient as to the number of shares to be issued for performance, or (2) the date at which the recipient’s performance is complete.
Occasionally, the Company sells shares below market value to raise cash to fund operations. The discounts from market are treated as compensation for officers and directors. For non-officers and directors, the discounts are netted against proceeds as a “cost of issue.”
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based upon the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate applicable when the related asset or liability is expected to be realized or settled. Deferred income tax expenses or benefits are based on the changes in the asset or liability each period. If available evidence suggests that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Future changes in such valuation allowance are included in the provision for deferred income taxes in the period of change.
Deferred income taxes may arise from temporary differences resulting from income and expense items reported for financial accounting and tax purposes in different periods. Deferred taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of assets and liabilities to which they relate. Deferred taxes arising from temporary differences that are not related to an asset or liability are classified as current or non-current depending on the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
Uncertainty in income taxes is recognized in the Company’s financial statements. Specifically, the accounting policy determines (a) a consistent recognition threshold and (b) a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides related guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting interim periods, disclosure and transition. To the extent interest and penalties would be assessed by taxing authorities on any underpayment of income taxes, such amounts would be accrued and classified as a component of income tax expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company has evaluated the presence of any such tax uncertainties and determined that they do not have a material impact on the financial statements.
The provision for (benefit from) income taxes was comprised of:
The differences between Smoky Market's effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory regular tax rate are as follows:
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company’s management has reviewed recent accounting pronouncements issued through the date of the issuance of these financial statements. In management’s opinion, except for the pronouncement detailed below, no other pronouncements apply or will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC 855 Subsequent Events, which establishes principles and requirements for subsequent events. In accordance with the provisions of ASC 855, the Company currently evaluates subsequent events through the date the financial statements are available to be issued. Effective for the Company’s interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2010, or for certain disclosures, January 1, 2011, new guidance from the FASB ASC 2010-06 will require additional disclosures about transfers between the various levels of the fair value hierarchy, as well as activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. The new guidance also requires the disaggregation of asset and liability classes as well as the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure Level 2 fair value measurements as well as Level 3. The adoption of this new guidance will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. However, additional disclosure may be required.
NOTE 2. GOING CONCERN
Management believes that there is substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is contingent upon its ability to commence profitable operations and/or obtain additional debt and/or capital financing. Management is attempting to obtain additional financing with various parties, but the eventual success of such efforts can not be assured.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplates continuation of the Company as a going concern.
The Company has experienced $9,523,300 in losses since inception. The Company has had minimal revenue generating operations since inception.
The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.
NOTE 3. NOTES PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTY
In September 2008, the Company received $500,000 from a trust in exchange for a $500,000 promissory note and 300,000 warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock. The promissory note was non-interest bearing and due on September 30, 2010. The warrants have an exercise price of $.15 per share and expire on the due date of the promissory note. The warrants were valued at $9,172 using the Black-Scholes method, and classified as a note discount.
In January 2009, the Company received $150,000 from a limited liability company (“LLC”) which is related to the trust described above, in exchange for a $150,000 promissory note and 1,500,000 shares of common stock. The note was due and payable within 60 days subsequent to issuance. According to the loan agreement, an additional 1,500,000 common shares were issued to the LLC in March 2009 as the note was not repaid during the mandatory 60-day repayment period. The note shall accrue interest beginning in the second quarter of 2009. The shares were valued at $100,500 and classified as a note discount.
In June 2009, the above loans were combined, along with an additional $1,500,000 in proceeds, plus $2,000 in previously accrued interest, to form a new $2,152,000 loan. The loan accrued interest at a 10% annual rate, with all principal and interest due and payable upon the two-year maturity on May 28, 2011. A portion of the principal must be retired, under the terms of the note agreement, when/if the Company obtains in excess of $2 million of equity financing. Fifty percent of any equity raised above $2 million must be used to pay down principal on this promissory note. The lender received 11,587,926 common shares and 1,852,500 warrants to purchase common stock as additional compensation in the transaction. The warrants have an exercise price of $.15 per share and expire in May 2014. They were valued at $92,182 using the Black Scholes method and are being amortized over the two year life of the note along with the value of the common stock issued in connection with the debt.
The LLC acquired over 10% of the common stock of the Company as a result of the June 2009 transaction, and is therefore now deemed a related party. However, the LLC does not have management control. The transaction is therefore considered at “arm’s length.”
In March of 2010, the LLC loaned an additional $150,000 to the Company. The loan bears interest at a 10% annual rate, is secured by tangible and intangible restaurant assets located in Los Gatos, California, and was due in March 2011. The loan went into default due to the cancellation of a pending sale of restaurant property mentioned at Note 1 Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. The Company issued the LLC 445,000 warrants to purchase shares of common stock in connection with the loan. The warrants are exercisable for five years through March 2005 at a $.15 exercise price. The warrants were valued at $4,529 using the Black-Scholes method and recorded as stock based compensation - financing expense in the first quarter of 2010.
In August, 2010, the Company and the LLC agreed to refinance the debt. Pursuant to the agreement, both loans were combined, along with accrued interest, forming a new loan with a maturity date of August 18, 2020. The note will accrue interest at a 10% annual rate until repaid. Prior warrants were revised to allow for exercise at $.05 per warrant as opposed to the previous $.15. The term for exercising the warrants was adjusted to ten years as opposed to five years on the cancelled warrants. The new warrants were valued based on the Black-Scholes method using a risk-free rate of return of .15% and volatility of 347%. An incremental $26,058 in loan costs relating to the revised warrants was recognized as loan discount which will be amortized ratably over the ten-year life of the note. Incremental loan expenses charged to earnings for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $27,689 and $-0-, respectively.
The refinanced promissory note was determined as follows:
The recalculated note discount was determined as follows:
The net promissory note obligation was as follows as of:
As discussed above, the LLC is considered a related party. Related party expenses relative to these loans were as follows for the years ended:
NOTE 4. CAPITAL STOCK
Common Stock
On April 18, 2006, the State of Nevada authorized the Company to issue a maximum of 200,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The assigned par value was $.001. On the same day, the Company issued 40,000,000 common shares to Smoky Systems, LLC, a Nevada LLC and related party, in exchange for certain assets.
Preferred Stock
In June 2006, the State of Nevada authorized the Company to issue a maximum of 10,000,000 shares of the Company’s preferred stock with a $.001 par value. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. Each series shall be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of the Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends thereon, if any, shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. No preferred shares had been issued as of December 31, 2010.
Stock Transactions:
The Company has engaged in numerous transactions whereby shares of common stock (description above) were issued in exchange for cash and/or services. The Statement of Stockholders’ Equity provides a summary of such transactions.
A reconciliation of stock based compensation issued in 2011 is as follows:
The warrant modifications are further discussed at Note 3.
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company owed $125,107 and $106,457 to a related party for past operating expenses, respectively. Such debt was reflected as related party trade payables on the balance sheets, bears no interest and has no formal repayment terms.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Lease Commitment
The Company has defaulted on a long-term operating lease of real property previously used as a restaurant operation in Los Gatos, California. All amounts due under the lease have been recognized as a liability and included in accounts payable. Such amount were $187,307 and $-0- as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
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Employment Contracts
Chief Executive Officer
Effective May 1, 2007, the Company entered into a three-year employment contract with the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Terms of the agreement included annual compensation of $175,000, a potential 80% bonus, a stock award of 1,500,000 common shares, 425,000 options to purchase common stock at $.10 per share, and an additional contingent 1,000,000 shares assuming that certain operating performance metrics are achieved. The employment contract expired and has not yet been renewed as of the date of these financial statements. The CEO and the Company have continued the same compensation structure subsequent to the expiration of the employment contract.
Chief Marketing Officer
Effective March 25, 2010, the Company retained an outsourced Chief Marketing Officer (“CMO”) under a cancelable five-year Executive Consulting Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the CMO was entitled to 350,000 common shares as a signing bonus and variable monthly compensation based on a percentage commission on internet sales. Other than the signing bonus, no compensation was earned or paid under this agreement prior to being cancelled in March 2011.
Real Estate Option and Consulting Agreement
The Company entered into an agreement with Mary Anne’s Specialty Foods, Inc. (“Supplier”) in October 2009. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company issued the Supplier 1,500,000 warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock at a $.15 exercise price, expiring in five years, in exchange for certain real property rights to purchase and build production facilities located on property presently owned by the Supplier. The transaction was valued at $75,000 using the Black-Scholes Method. The Company also issued 1,000,000 common shares to the Supplier in exchange for a three-year real estate related consulting contract that the Company may require in subsequent years in order to build the new facility described above. The transaction was valued at $50,000, and based on the $.05 per share fair value of the Company’s common shares on the date of the agreement. The values of the assets were considered impaired by Management and written off as an impairment loss at December 31, 2010.
Dispute with Contractor
Smoky Market previously retained the services of an independent financial consultant contractor (the “Contractor”). The Contractor was terminated in 2009 and Company Management believes that a settlement was agreed to between the parties. The Contractor now disputes the agreement, claiming additional amounts are owed. The Company plans to contest the Contractor’s claim, but has recognized and recorded a liability in these financial statements equal to the full amount claimed by the Contractor. The amount in dispute is $123,720.
NOTE 7. COMMON STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
Common Stock Option Plan
The Company has reserved 6,500,000 common shares for the exercise of stock options to be issued pursuant to the 2006 Stock Option Plan. Information relating to options issued under this plan is as follows:
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2010:
Common Stock Warrants
The following is a summary of the status of all the Company's stock warrants as of December 31, 2010:
The following table summarizes information about stock warrants outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2010:
Warrants issued in 2010 were valued and recorded pursuant to the Black-Scholes Method. Assumptions used were an average risk-free rate of return of .12% to .15%, average expected stock price volatility of 347%, weighted average expected term of 6.01 years, and a weighted average fair value of $.01 per warrant.
NOTE 8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has evaluated the period subsequent to December 31, 2010 up to and including the date of the issuance of the financial statements for material subsequent events to disclose, and has determined that no such subsequent events exist.