SEC Form 10-Q filed by BT Brands Inc.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission File Number: 001-41061

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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

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

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

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

As of August 1, 2024, there were 6,195,682 shares of common stock outstanding.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING RISKS

AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

Forward-Looking Information

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements about the business, financial condition and prospects of BT Brands, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, the “Company”). Forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “projects,” “expects,” “may,” “estimates,” “should,” “plans,” “targets,” “intends,” “could,” “would,” “anticipates,” “potential,” “confident,” “optimistic” or the negative thereof, or other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, objectives, estimates, guidance, expectations, and future plans. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties.

While the Company believes the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances that such expectations will prove to be accurate. Security holders are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this report in the context of the factors that could cause outcomes to differ materially from our expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to:

               We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not contain all of the factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, will result in the consequences we anticipate or affect us or our operations in the ways we expect. The forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates regarding those or other forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements are also included in our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, our Schedule 14A, our press releases and other materials released to the public. Although we believe that at the time made, the expectations reflected in all of these forward-looking statements are and will be reasonable, any or all of the forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. This may occur due to inaccurate assumptions or due to known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, certain of which are beyond our control, will be important in determining our future performance. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated from forward-looking statements. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not regard the inclusion of a forward-looking statement in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or other public communications that we might make as a representation that our plans and objectives will be achieved, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, future events or otherwise. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BT BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BT Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company," "we," "our," "us," "BT Brands," or "BT") and have been prepared in accordance with the US generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") requirements for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent in all material respects with the accounting policies for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. In our opinion, all regular and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operation have been included. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full fiscal year.

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2024, does not include all the disclosures required by GAAP. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023, and the related notes included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and the differences could be material.

The Company

BT Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated as Hartmax of NY Inc. on January 19, 2016. Effective July 30, 2018, the Company acquired 100% of BTND, LLC.

As of June 30, 2024, including our approximately 40% owned Bagger Dave’s business, we operated eighteen restaurants comprising the following:

See Note 8 for information regarding our related party investment in NGI.

Business

In addition to eight Burger Time restaurants, collectively ("BTND"), we own and operate Keegan's Seafood Grille ("Keegan's"), a dine-in restaurant located in Florida, Pie In The Sky Coffee and Bakery ("PIE"), a casual dining coffee shop bakery located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Schnitzel Haus (“Schnitzel”), a German-themed restaurant in Hobe Sound, Florida and the Village Bier Garten (“VBG”), a German-themed restaurant in Cocoa, Florida. Our Burger Time restaurants feature a variety of burgers and other affordable foods, sides, and soft drinks. Keegan's has operated in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, for more than thirty-five years, offering a variety of traditional fresh seafood items for lunch and dinner. The menu at Keegan's includes beer and wine. PIE features an array of fresh baked goods, freshly made sandwiches, and our locally roasted coffee. Schnitzel is a full-service restaurant and bar featuring a German-themed menu with specialty imported European beers. Our revenues are derived from food and beverages at our restaurants, retail goods such as apparel, private-labeled "Keegan's Hot Sauce," and other souvenir items, which account for an insignificant portion of our income.

On June 2, 2022, BT Brands purchased 11,095,085 common shares of Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern, Inc. “Bagger”). At the time of the purchase, our ownership represented 41.2% ownership of Bagger and currently represents approximately 40% ownership. We acquired the shares from the founder of Bagger Dave’s for $1,390,000, or approximately $.114 per share. Following the investment, two representatives of BT Brands were appointed to comprise the Board of Directors of Bagger. The Bagger concept offers burgers, hand-cut fries, locally crafted beers on draft, milkshakes, salads, chili, and pizza. The first Bagger Dave's opened in January 2008 in Berkley, Michigan. There are six Bagger Dave's restaurants, including four in Michigan and single units in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Centerville, Ohio.

Fiscal Year Periods

BT Brand's fiscal year is 52/53 weeks, ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. Most years consist of four 13-week accounting periods comprising a 52-week year. Fiscal 2023 was the 52 weeks ending December 31, 2023, and Fiscal 2024 is comprised of the 52 weeks ending December 29, 2024. References in this report to periods refer to the 13-week periods in the respective fiscal periods.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents may include money market mutual funds and United States Treasury Bills with original maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less. Our bank deposits often exceed the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, we maintain cash deposits in brokerage accounts, including money market funds above the insured amount. We do not believe there is a significant risk related to cash.

Investments

As of June 30, 2024, noncurrent investments include our net equity method investment of $544,023 in Bagger Dave’s, our $304,000 investment in NGI Corporation (NGI), and a $25,000 short-term demand loan to NGI made on June 27, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, NGI is engaged in private funding raising, and the $25,000 loan is expected to be repaid upon closing the current round of funding with interest to be determined. In 2020, the Company received equity ownership in NGI as consideration for a loan to NGI. At the time of the loan, we attributed $75,000 to the value of equity received. On February 12, 2022, we invested $229,000 in Series A1 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of NGI, including a five-year warrant to purchase 34,697 common shares of NGI at $1.65 per share. In August 2023, our preferred stock in NGI was converted into 157,496 common shares of NGI. Our current ownership of NGI represents less than 2% of its outstanding shares.

Bagger Dave’s common stock is traded on the OTC Pink Sheets market and files quarterly and annual financial reports with OTCMarkets, Inc. under the Alternative Reporting Standard. The listing with OTC Markets does not require the financial information to be audited. For the thirteen weeks ending June 30, 2024, Bagger Dave’s had sales of $1,854,000 and a net loss of $211,000. For the second-quarter thirteen-week period, our approximately 40% equity share in the loss was approximately $81,000, which is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. For the 26 weeks ended June 30, 2024, sales totaled $3,746,732, with a net loss of $438,750 and our share of the loss was $175,500.

See Note 8 for information regarding our related party investment in NGI. 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our accounting for fair value measurements of assets and liabilities, including available-for-sale securities, is that they are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis, adhere to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the input to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.

The hierarchy prioritizes unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

The carrying values of cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, and other financial working capital items approximate fair value due to the short maturity nature of these instruments. The following is a summary of the fair value of Level 1 investments. 

Total cost of marketable securities at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $1,180,708 and $1,477,178, respectively.

Receivables

Receivables consist of estimated rebates due from a primary vendor.

Inventory

Inventory consists of food, beverages, and supplies and is stated at a lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, ranging from three to thirty years.

We review long-lived assets to determine if the carrying value of these assets is recoverable based on estimated cash flows. Assets are evaluated at the lowest level, for which cash flows can be identified at the restaurant level. In determining future cash flows, we estimate the future operating results of each restaurant. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the assets' carrying value exceeds the assets' fair value.

Goodwill and other Intangible Assets and Other Assets

Goodwill is not amortized and is assessed for impairment at least annually. The cost of other intangible assets is amortized over their expected useful lives.

Asset Held for Sale

We closed a Burger Time store in Richmond, Indiana, in 2018. The Richmond location is currently offered for sale. We believe the Richmond property will be sold at or above its current carrying value. In the first quarter of 2023, our former West St. Paul Burger Time location was sold, resulting in a gain of $313,688 during the 2023 period.

Income Taxes

The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (ASC.), 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. ASC 740 using the asset and liability approach in accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. They are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. If necessary, we provide a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value. The deferred tax assets are reviewed periodically for recoverability, and valuation allowances are adjusted as necessary.

As of June 30, 2024, we estimated our annual tax provision using a net combined federal and state rate for the year of approximately 27.5%.

The Company has no accrued interest or penalties related to income tax obligations. No federal or state examinations are in progress, and the company has not had any examinations since its inception.

Per Common Share Amounts

Net income per common share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income or loss per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potentially outstanding shares of common stock during each period. Common stock equivalents are excluded from the computation of diluted per-share amounts if their effect is anti-dilutive. There were no dilutive shares for the periods ending in 2024 and 2023.

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 625,000 shares.

NOTE 2 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS

At June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the value of acquired Intangible Assets being amortized are the following:

Tradename assets are being amortized over 15 years at approximately $26,000 per year. The total amortization expense of intangible assets, including covenants not to compete, will approximate $93,200 in 2024, $73,500 in 2025, $59,000 in 2027 and approximately $26,200 per year thereafter through 2036 and $7,500 in 2037.

The total amortization expense for the second quarter of 2024 was $37,800 and was $63,950 for the 26-week period ending June 30, 2024. Amortization expense in the second quarter of 2024 includes $11,660 of expense to write off the remainder of the amount related to the Company’s former franchise intangible asset upon termination of the agreement with the franchisor which was included in other assets of the consolidated balance sheets. Total amortization expense was $28,143 and $42,265 for the comparable 13-week and 26-week periods in 2023.

NOTE 3 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

Depreciation expense for the 13-week periods in 2024 and 2023 was $133,551 and $166,377 respectively and for the 26-week periods in 2024 and 2023 was $267,943 and $313,762, respectively.

NOTE 4 - ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consisted of the following at: 

NOTE 5 - LONG TERM DEBT

Our long-term debt is as follows: 

NOTE 6 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

In 2019, we adopted the BT Brands, Inc. 2019 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), under which the Company may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance stock units, and other stock and cash awards to eligible participants. As of June 30, 2024, 765,750 shares were available for grant under the 2019 Incentive Plan.

In 2023 we granted a consultant a seven year warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $2.50 per share that expire in 7 years. The warrant vest monthly over five years so long as the consultant continues in this capacity. Assuming the consulting agreement continues to full term, we project approximately $144,000 in stock-based compensation will be recognized at $32,000 per year in each of the next four years, and $16,000 will be recognized in 2028. 

Compensation expense equal to the fair value of the options at the grant date is recognized in general and administrative expense over the applicable service period. Total equity-based compensation expenses for stock options and warrants in the second quarters of 2024 and 2023 were $56,000 and $41,400, respectively. Based on current estimates, we project that approximately $136,000 in stock-based compensation expense for current stock options will be recognized over the next five years: $62,000 in 2024, $60,000 in 2025, $10,000 in 2026, $3,000 in 2027 and $1,000 in 2028.

As outlined in each agreement, stock options granted to employees and directors generally vest 20% upon grant and 20% in annual installments for four years. total Options expire ten years from the date of the grant. Compensation expense equal to the fair value of the options at the grant date is recognized in general and administrative expense over the applicable service period.

We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model when determining the compensation cost associated with stock options issued using the following significant assumptions: 

Information regarding our stock options is summarized below: 

On February 27, 2023, the Company adopted a Contingent Incentive Share Award with senior executives. The Contingent Incentive Share Awards provides that so long as the Company’s publicly traded warrants are outstanding, senior management will be deemed to earn an aggregate award of 250,000 shares of common stock as an award upon the Company’s share price reaching $8.50 per share for 20 consecutive trading days, provided, however, participants must be employed by the Company at the time the Incentive Shares are earned.  The estimated expense associated with this award was determined to be $265,000. As a result of the Contingent Incentive Share Award, $62,000 of stock-based compensation was recognized for the twenty-six weeks of 2024 and $41,000 for the twenty-six weeks of 2023. We utilized a lattice model when determining the fair value of the Contingent Incentive Share Awards. We project approximately $160,000 of stock-based compensation will be recognized over the next two years, including $126,000 in 2024 and $36,000 in 2025.

NOTE 7 – LEASES

The present value of leases is calculated at the time the lease is entered into or assumed by us using an estimated incremental borrowing rate at that time. Variable lease expenses primarily are property taxes and insurance.

The Keegan’s lease is for approximately 2,800 square feet of restaurant space. The 131-month Keegan’s lease provides for an initial rent of $5,000 per month with an annual escalation equal to the greater of 3% or the Consumer Price Index. The lease is being accounted for as an operating lease. At the inception of the lease, we recorded an operating lease obligation and a right-of-use asset of $624,000. The present value of future lease payments discounted at 3.75% of the remaining lease obligation of $527,001 is reflected as a liability in the accompanying financial statements.

The PIE lease is for approximately 3,500 square feet of restaurant and bakery production space. The terms of the 60-month lease provide for an initial rent of $10,000 per month with an annual escalation after 24 months of 3%. The PIE lease includes three five-year renewal option periods. The PIE lease is accounted for as an operating lease. At the inception of the lease, we recorded an operating lease obligation and a right-of-use asset of $1,055,000. The present value discounted at 4.5% of the remaining lease obligation of $877,259 is reflected as a liability in the accompanying financial statements.

The Village Bier Garten five-year lease is for approximately 3,000 square feet of restaurant space and access to an additional 3,000 square feet of shared entertainment and seating area. The terms of the triple-net 60-month lease provide for an initial rent of $8,200 per month with an annual escalation of 3%. The VBG lease includes three five-year renewal option periods. The VBG lease is accounted for as an operating lease. At its inception, we recorded an operating lease obligation and a right-of-use asset of $469,949. The present value, discounted at 4.5% of the remaining lease obligation of $309,271, is reflected as a liability in the accompanying financial statements.

Concurrent with the May 2024 acquisition of assets and our commencing operations, we assumed the remaining 44 months on the restaurant’s lease obligation for approximately $5,400 per month. The Schnitzel Hause lease is accounted for as an operating lease. At its inception, we recorded an operating lease obligation and a right-of-use asset of $182,878. The present value, discounted at 6.5% of the remaining lease obligation of $179,437, is reflected as a liability in the accompanying financial statements.

The weighted average remaining lease term is approximately 3.5 years, and the weighted average discount rate is approximately 5.5%.

Following is a schedule of the approximate minimum future lease payments on the operating leases as of June 30, 2024:

The total operating lease expenses for the second 13-week periods in 2024 and 2023 were approximately $85,000 and $81,000, respectively. In the 2024 and 2023 respective 26-week periods operating lease expenses totaled $154,500 and $97,900. Cash paid for leases during the second thirteen weeks in 2024 totaled $79,000, and in 2023 totaled $76,000. Cash paid for leases was $148,000 and $140,000 for the 2024 and 2023 26-week periods, respectively. Variable expenses for lease properties were approximately $9,000 in the second quarter of 2024 and $8,500 in the second quarter of 2023, and variable lease expenses were $26,250 and $14,200 in the 26-week periods for 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The Company also pays a monthly rent under month-to-month arrangements for corporate and administrative office spaces in West Fargo, North Dakota, and Minnetonka, Minnesota, for a combined monthly rent of approximately $2,200.

NOTE 8 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

NGI Corporation

Our CEO and CFO also serve as Chairman and CFO, respectively, of NGI Corporation (NGI). As of June 30, 2024, BT Brands owns 336,496 common shares and holds warrants to purchase 358,000 common shares at $1.00 per share, expiring March 31, 2028, and 34,697 warrants to purchase additional shares of NGI at $1.65 per share of NGI. During 2020, we received 179,000 shares of common stock in NGI as consideration for modifying a note. The common stock and warrants received in the note modification transaction were recorded at a value determined by BT Brands of $75,000. The investment in NGI does not have a readily determinable market value; therefore, the NGI investment is carried at a cost determined by BT Brands. In June 2024, BT Brands, Inc. advanced $25,000 to NGI on a demand note.

NOTE 9 – ACQUISITION

On May 13, 2024, our 1519BT, LLC subsidiary completed the purchase of certain assets from LC Food Concepts. The acquired assets comprised a business operating as a high-end German-themed restaurant with approximately 175 seats located in Hobe Sound, Florida, doing business as “Schnitzel Haus. The aggregate purchase price was $943,000, including $850,000 paid at closing as payment for certain assets, separate payments of $65,000 for inventory on hand at closing, and $23,000 for the purchase of a utility vehicle used in the business. Concurrent with acquiring the assets, we assumed the seller’s remaining lease obligation of $5,400 monthly for 44 months. Aside from the lease obligation, no liabilities of the seller were assumed in the purchase of assets. A summary of the assets acquired is as follows:

NOTE 10 – CONTINGENCIES

In the course of its business, the Company may be a party to claims and legal or regulatory actions arising from the conduct of its business. We are unaware of any significant asserted or potential claims that could impact our financial position. 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2024 and July 2, 2023, as applicable. Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases, and in statements made by or with the approval of authorized personnel constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements reflect intent, belief, current expectations, estimates or projections about, among other things, our industry, management’s beliefs, and future events and financial trends affecting us. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These differences can arise as a result of the risks described in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2024 “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report, as well as other factors that may affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and forward-looking statements in documents incorporated by reference speak only as of the date of those documents. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this report will, in fact, transpire.

Introduction

As of June 30, 2024, including our partially owned Bagger Dave’s business, we owned and operated eighteen restaurants comprising the following:

Our business environment is challenging, as competition is intense. We operate through a central management organization that provides continuity across our restaurant base by utilizing the efficiencies of a central management team.

Notable Recent Events

Our recent acquisitions have allowed us to diversify our operations into new restaurant segments and new geographic regions, reducing our dependency on the financial performance of our Burger Time restaurants. During 2022, we acquired three operating restaurants and approximately a 40% ownership interest in Bagger Dave’s, an operator of six casual restaurants. During the second quarter of 2024, we acquired assets and assumed the remaining lease obligation related to the Schnitzel Haus restaurant in Hobe Sound, Florida. We continue to consider new acquisition opportunities.

Material Trends and Uncertainties

Industry trends have a direct impact on our business. Current trends include difficulties attracting food service workers and rapid inflation in the cost of input items. Recent trends also include the rapidly changing area of technology and food delivery. The major companies in the restaurant industry have rapidly adopted and developed smartphone and mobile delivery applications, aggressively expanded drive-through operations, and developed loyalty programs and database marketing supported by a robust technology platform. We expect these trends to continue as restaurants aggressively compete for customers. Competitors will continue to discount prices through aggressive promotions.

Food costs have increased over the last two years, and we expect to see moderation of inflationary pressure during the remainder of 2024. Beef and egg costs trended down slightly in 2023. Given the competitive nature of the restaurant industry, raising menu prices to fully cover cost increases may be challenging. As a result, future margin improvements may be difficult to achieve. Margin improvement will be achieved through operational enhancements, equipment advances, and increased volumes offsetting food cost increases.

Labor is a critical factor in operating our stores. Securing staff to run our locations at full capacity has become more challenging in most areas where we operate our restaurants. The current labor market has resulted in higher wages as the competition for employees intensifies, not only in the restaurant industry but in practically all retail and service industries. To succeed, we must identify, develop, and retain quality employees.

Results of Operations for the Thirteen Weeks Ended June 30, 2024, and the Thirteen Weeks Ended July 2, 2023

The following table sets forth our Condensed Statements of Operations and percentages of total revenues for the thirteen-week fiscal periods. The percentages below may not reconcile because of rounding.

Net Sales:

Net sales for the second fiscal quarter of 2024 increased $110,674 to $4,110,639 from $3,999,965 in fiscal 2023.  The increase in sales was principally the result of improved sales performance at Burger Time. The increase reflects strong sales performance at Pie in the Sky, which experienced a 16.5% sales increase over the prior year’s 13-week period. The increase also reflects sales increases at the majority of our Burger Time locations net of the impact of our  Ham Lake, Minnesota location, which was closed for approximately four weeks during the period as the location was repurposed to a Burger Time store, which opened July 1, 2024. Sales also reflect the addition of the operations of Schnitzel Haus on May 13, 2024.

Restaurant unit sales for Burger Time for the 13 weeks ranged from a low of approximately $161,000 to a high of approximately $348,000. The average sales for each Burger Time unit were approximately $276,000 in 2024, approximately $34,000 above the same period in 2023. The average customer transaction at our Burger Time restaurants increased by approximately 10% in 2024. The results reflect a significant menu price increase, particularly in our “Deal of the Day” offering. The average check is currently about $18.00.

Our various restaurants all experience unique seasonal sales patterns.

Costs of Sales - food and paper:

The cost of sales—food and paper—for the fiscal 2024 period declined to 38.1% from 40.2% of restaurant sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2023. This percentage was the net result of moderating inflationary pressures, including the cost of key inputs from a year ago and the impact of menu price increases at all locations, particularly at Burger Time, where the menu price of the popular “Deal of the Day” was increased approximately 10%.

Restaurant Operating Costs:

Restaurant operating costs (which refer to all the costs associated with the operation of our restaurants but do not include general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization) as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 89.4% of sales in the fiscal quarter of 2024 from 84.2% in the similar period of fiscal 2023. This increase was the result of increases in labor costs, additional occupancy costs, and stabilizing commodity costs and the matters discussed in the "Cost of Sales, - food and paper," "Labor Costs," and "Occupancy and Other Operating Costs" sections below.

Labor Costs

For the second quarter of fiscal 2024, labor and benefits costs increased as a percentage of restaurant sales to 37.7% from 35.3% in fiscal 2023. The increase in the percentage cost resulted from the continued tightness of labor markets, higher-than-historical costs to train new employees and continued upward competitive pressure on hourly wage costs. These costs were offset by leveraging existing staffing and labor costs associated with the Schnitzel Haus acquisition. Payroll costs are semi-variable, meaning they do not increase proportionally to increases in revenue.

Occupancy and Other Operating Expenses

For the second fiscal quarter of 2024, occupancy and other expenses increased to 13.6% of sales from 8.7% in 2023, partly reflecting a spike in maintenance expense, inflationary increases in utility costs and the lease expense related to the Schnitzel Haus acquisition. The increase in 2024 from occupancy expense in 2023 also reflects the 2023 second-quarter reversal of previously accrued property taxes related to a property in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. The St. Louis property was deeded to the taxing authority as settlement of the amount due.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense:

For the second fiscal quarter of 2024, depreciation and amortization expenses were $171,351 (4.2% of sales), a decrease from $192,520 (4.8% of sales) in the prior year as more of the Company’s assets reached the fully depreciated amount.

General and Administrative Costs

General and administrative costs in the second fiscal quarter of 2024 were $454,805, a decline of $64,272 from $519,077 in the second quarter of 2023. Due to increased sales, general and administrative expenses decreased slightly as a percentage of sales to 11.1% of sales from 13.0% in the same period of the previous year.

Income from Operations

The loss from operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $188,543, compared to a loss of $79,548 in the prior year fiscal quarter. This reflects higher hourly and increases in manager wages in virtually all of the company’s businesses, as well as the items discussed in the "Net Sales" and "Restaurant Operating Costs" sections above. 

Restaurant-level EBITDA 

To supplement the condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses restaurant-level EBITDA, which is not a measure defined by GAAP. This non-GAAP operating measure is useful to both management and, we believe, investors because it represents one means of gauging the overall profitability of our recurring and controllable core restaurant operations. This measure is not indicative of our overall results, nor does restaurant-level profit accrue directly to the benefit of stockholders, primarily due to the exclusion of corporate-level expenses. Restaurant-level EBITDA should not be considered a substitute or superior to operating income calculated under GAAP. The reconciliations to operating income set forth below should be carefully evaluated.

We define restaurant-level EBITDA as operating income before pre-opening costs, including general and administrative costs, depreciation and amortization, and impairment charges. General and administrative expenses are excluded as they are generally not specifically identifiable as restaurant-specific costs. Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges are excluded because they are not ongoing controllable cash expenses and are not related to the health of ongoing operations.

Results of operations for the 26 weeks ending June 30, 2024, compared to the 26 weeks ending July 2, 2023

The following table sets forth our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of total revenues for the indicated periods. The percentages may not add up because of rounding.