SEC Form 10-Q filed by SPAR Group Inc.

SPAR Group, Inc. ("SGRP" or the "Corporation"), and its subsidiaries (and SGRP together with its subsidiaries may be referred to as "SPAR Group", the "Company", "SPAR", "We", or "Our") is a global merchandising and brand marketing services company, providing a broad range of services to retailers, consumer goods manufacturers and distributors around the world. 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial statements. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in the 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2024.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the included disclosures are adequate, and the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position as of June 30, 2024, consolidated results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, and consolidated cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024.

North Mill Capital Credit Facility

The Company, through SPAR Marketing Force, Inc. ("SMF") and SPAR Canada Company ULC ("SCC", and collectively with SMF, the “NM Borrowers”), has a secured revolving credit facility in the United States (the "US Revolving Credit Facility") and Canada (the "Canada Revolving Credit Facility", and collectively with the US Revolving Credit Facility, the "NM Credit Facility") with North Mill Capital, LLC, d/b/a SLR Business Credit ("NM").

In order to obtain, document and govern the NM Credit Facility, SMF, SCC, SGRP and certain of SGRP's direct and indirect subsidiaries in the United States and Canada (including SMF and SCC as borrowers and SGRP as a guarantor, collectively, the "NM Loan Parties") entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with NM dated as of April 10, 2019, which, as amended from time to time (as amended, the "NM Loan Agreement"), governs the NM Credit Facility. Pursuant to the NM Loan Agreement, the NM Borrowers agreed to reimburse NM for legal and documentation fees incurred in connection with the NM Loan Agreement and such amendments.

On February 1, 2023, the NM Loan Parties and NM executed and delivered a Sixth Modification Agreement, effective immediately (the "Sixth Modification Agreement"), pursuant to which the NM Loan Parties and NM agreed to increase the amount of the US Revolving Credit Facility to $28.0 million and increase the Canada Revolving Credit Facility to CDN$2.0 million. In addition, the Sixth Modification Agreement increased the cap on unbilled accounts in the borrowing base for SMF to $7.0 million from $6.5 million.

On March 27, 2024, the NM Loan Parties and NM executed and delivered a Seventh Modification Agreement, effective immediately (the "Seventh Modification Agreement"), pursuant to which the NM Loan Parties and NM agreed to extend the NM Credit Facility from October 10, 2024 to October 10, 2025.

The Restated US Note and Restated Canadian Note (together, the "NM Notes") and the NM Loan Agreement together require the NM Borrowers to pay interest on the loans thereunder equal to: (i) the Prime Rate designated from time to time by Wells Fargo Bank; plus (ii) one and nine-tenths percentage points (1.90%) or an aggregate minimum of 6.75% per annum. In addition, the NM Borrowers are paying a facility fee to NM in an amount equal to: (i) for the year commencing on October 10, 2022, approximately $0.1 million plus 0.80% of the amount of any advances other than under the US Revolving Credit Facility plus an additional facility fee of $15,000 for every incremental $1.0 million of loan balance in excess of $21.0 million, and (ii) for the year commencing on October 10, 2023, approximately $0.2 million plus 0.80% of the amount of any advances other than under the US Revolving Credit Facility plus an additional facility fee of $15,000 for every incremental $1.0 million of loan balance in excess of $21.0 million. For the Sixth Modification Agreement, the NM Borrowers paid NM a fee of approximately $28,000.

As of June 30, 2024, the aggregate interest rate was 10.40% per annum and the aggregate outstanding loan balance was approximately $17.7 million, which is included within lines of credit and short-term loans in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate outstanding loan balance is divided between the US Revolving Credit Facility and the Canada Revolving Credit Facility as follows: (i) the outstanding loan balance under the US Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $16.7 million; and (ii) the outstanding loan balance under the Canada Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $1.0 million.

The NM Credit Facility contains certain financial and other restrictive covenants and also limits certain expenditures by the NM Loan Parties, including maintaining a positive trailing EBITDA for each the NM Borrowers (i.e., SMF and SCC) and imposes limits on all of the NM Loan Parties (including SGRP) on non-ordinary course payments and transactions, incurring or guaranteeing indebtedness, capital expenditures and certain other investments. The NM Loan Parties were in compliance with such covenants as of June 30, 2024. The obligations of the NM Borrowers are secured by the receivables and other assets of the NM Borrowers and substantially all of the assets of the other NM Loan Parties.

Summary of the Company’s lines of credit and short-term loans (in thousands):

Summary of Unused Company Credit and Other Debt Facilities (in thousands):

Summary of the Company’s Long- term debt (dollars in thousands):

Legal Matters

The Company is a party to various legal actions and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of Company's management, resolution of these matters is not anticipated to have a material adverse effect on the Company or its estimated or desired affiliates, assets, business, clients, capital, cash flow, credit, expenses, financial condition, income, legal costs, liabilities, liquidity, locations, marketing, operations, prospects, sales, strategies, taxation or other achievement, results or condition.

As of June 30, 2024, the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation authorized the Corporation to issue 47,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.  

The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Corporation’s common stock are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers and preferences of the holders of the Corporation’s Series B convertible preferred stock. Each share of the Corporation’s common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Corporation’s stockholders. Holders of the Corporation’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared by the Corporation’s board of directors (the "Board"), if any, subject to the preferential dividend rights of the Corporation’s Series B convertible preferred stock. No cash dividends had been declared or paid during the periods presented.

2024 Stock Repurchase Program

On March 28, 2024, the Board approved SGRP's repurchase of up to 2,500,000 of SGRP's Shares of Common Stock ("SGRP Shares") under the 2024 Stock Repurchase Program (the "2024 Stock Repurchase Program"), which repurchases would be made from time to time over a one-year period in the open market and through privately-negotiated transactions, subject to cash availability and general market and other conditions. Pursuant to the 2024 Stock Repurchase Program, on May 3, 2024, SGRP's Board and its Audit Committee approved SGRP's Repurchase Agreement with William H. Bartels for SGRP's private repurchase of 1,000,000 shares of SGRP's Common Stock from William H. Bartels, dated and effective as of April 30, 2024, at a purchase price of $1.80 per share (the Nasdaq closing price on April 29, 2024).  Mr. Bartels is a Director and significant stockholder of SGRP, is one of the founders of the Company, and is an affiliate and related party of SGRP. There have been no other share repurchases to date under the 2024 Stock Repurchase Program.

The Corporation’s certificate of incorporation authorizes it to issue 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share, which may have such preferences and priorities over the Corporation’s common stock and other rights, powers and privileges as the Board of may establish in its discretion.

In January 2022, the Corporation filed a Certificate of Elimination for its "Certificate of Designation of Series "A” Preferred Stock of SPAR Group, Inc.” (the "Certificate of Elimination”). Pursuant to the Certificate of Elimination, the previous Series A convertible preferred stock designation was cancelled and withdrawn. As a result, all 3,000,000 shares of the previously authorized Series A convertible preferred stock were returned to the Corporation's authorized "blank check” preferred stock. There were no shares of Series A convertible preferred stock outstanding at the time of the cancellation.

Subsequent to filing the Certificate of Elimination, in January 2022, the Corporation filed a "Certificate of Designation of Series "B” Preferred Stock of SPAR Group, Inc.” (the "Preferred Designation”) with the Secretary of State of Delaware, which designation had been approved by the Board in January 2022. The Preferred Designation created a series of 2,000,000 shares of convertible preferred stock designated as "Series B” convertible preferred stock, par value of $0.01 per share.

The Series B convertible preferred stock do not carry any voting or dividend rights and upon vesting converted into the Corporation's common stock at a ratio of 1-to-1.5. See Note 8. The holders of the Series B convertible preferred stock had a liquidation preference over the Corporation's common stock and voted together for matters pertaining only to the Series B convertible preferred stock where only the holders of the Series B convertible preferred stock are entitled to vote. The holders of outstanding Series B Preferred Stock do not have the right to vote for directors or other matters submitted to the holders of the Corporation's common stock.

In January 2022, 2,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock were issued to the majority stockholders and related parties pursuant to the Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement. See Note 8.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, 1,145,247 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock converted to 1,717,870 shares of the Corporation's common stock. As of the year ended December 31, 2022, 854,753 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock were outstanding, which upon vesting would automatically convert into 1,282,129 shares of the Corporation's common stock. 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, all of the remaining 854,753 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock vested and automatically became convertible into 1,282,129 shares of the Corporation's common stock of which 307,129 shares of the Corporation's Common Stock were issued prior to December 31, 2023. The remaining 975,000 shares of SGRP Common Stock were in the process of being issued and the remaining shares of Series B Preferred Stock were in the process of being returned and cancelled at December 31, 2023.  These issuances and cancellations were completed during the quarter ending March 31, 2024. 

Stock Options

For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to stock options of approximately $34,774 and $(17,000), respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to stock options of approximately $69,548 and $30,000, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units of approximately $93,226 and $(26,000), respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units of approximately $186,452 and $100,000, respectively.

2023 and 2022 Executive Deferred Compensation Agreements

The Corporation prepared a 2022 Stock Compensation Plan that would have included Awards for NQSOs and RSUs (as defined below), but that plan was never submitted to its shareholders for approval. However, the Board had previously approved, for certain key executives, incentive stock-based awards for 2023 and 2022 using RSUs or cash. Since there were no plan based RSUs available, those executives instead received deferred compensation in the form of Phantom Stock Units ("PSUs"), which correspond to an equal number of shares of the Corporation's Common Stock ("SGRP Shares"). The number of PSUs received equals the dollar value of the incentive award divided by the per share market price of SGRP shares on the date of award. Each PSU represents the right of the grantee to receive cash payments based on the fair market value of SGRP Shares at the time of vesting, but not to receive SGRP Shares themselves. The number of the Grantee's PSUs will be automatically adjusted to reflect the specified events respecting the SGRP Shares as provided in the applicable Phantom Stock Agreement.  The PSUs do not possess the rights of common stockholders of the Corporation, including any voting or dividend rights, and cannot be exercised or traded for SGRP Shares. 

Effective as of March 24, 2022 (the "2022 Grant Date"), the Corporation issued an award of 111,111 PSUs to each of its Executives: Kori G. Belzer; William Linnane; and Ron Lutz.  Vesting will occur in three tranches of one-third each over the three (3) year period following the 2022 Grant Date, provided that: (i) the Grantee is an employee of the Company at the time; and (ii) the Corporation achieved 90% of the agreed upon financial target for 2022.  As of December 31, 2023, the Company had determined that the 2022 performance target had not been met and the first tranche of those PSUs did not vest. The Board approved in October 2023 that the second and third tranches of those PSUs will respectively vest on the second and third anniversary of the 2022 Grant Date with no additional vesting criteria.

Effective as of April 3, 2023 (the "2023 Grant Date"), the Corporation granted an award of 181,818 PSUs to each its Executives: Kori G. Belzer; William Linnane; and Ron Lutz. The PSUs granted and issued to each such grantee shall vest over the three-year period following the Grant Date provided that the Grantee is an employee of the Company on the applicable vesting date; and the first tranche of those PSUs was to have vested upon the achievement by the Company of 70% or greater of the budgeted 2023 Global EBIT. If the first-year metrics are achieved, the second and third tranches will respectively vest on the second and third anniversary of the 2023 Grant Date with no additional vesting criteria.  As of March 31, 2024, the Company determined that the 2023 performance target had been met, the first tranche of those PSUs had vested, and the second and third tranches of those PSUs will respectively vest on the second and third anniversary of the 2023 Grant Date with no additional vesting criteria.

Effective as of the 2023 Grant Date, the Corporation also granted an award of 378,788 PSUs to Michael R. Matacunas, the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation. All of the PSUs granted and issued to him will vest over a one-year period following the 2023 Grant Date provided that the Grantee is an employee of the Company on April 3, 2024, upon the achievement by the Company of 70% or greater of the budgeted 2023 Global EBIT.  As of March 31, 2024, the Company had determined that the 2023 performance target had been met, and all of those PSUs have vested.

Effective as of the 2023 Grant Date, the Corporation also granted an award of 75,758 PSUs to Antonio Calisto Pato, the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of the Corporation. All of the PSUs granted and issued to him will vest over the one-year period following the 2023 Grant Date provided that the Grantee is an employee of the Company on April 3, 2024, upon the achievement by the Company of 70% or greater of the budgeted 2023 Global EBIT.  As of March 31, 2024, the Company had determined that the 2023 performance target had been met, and all of those PSUs have vested.

Domestic Related Party Transactions

Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement

The Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement (the "CIC Agreement") became effective on January 28, 2022, when signed by the Company and Mr. Robert G. Brown, ("Mr. Brown"), Mr. William H. Bartels ("Mr. Bartels"), SPAR Administrative Services, Inc. ("SAS"), and SPAR Business Service, Inc. ("SBS"). Mr. Brown, Mr. Bartels, SAS and SBS may be referred to collectively as the "Majority Stockholders".

Pursuant to the CIC Agreement, the Corporation issued to the Majority Stockholders 2,000,000 restricted shares of Series B Preferred Stock, which converted into 3,000,000 SGRP Shares pursuant to the 1:1.5 conversion ratio set forth in the CIC Agreement. The final shares under the CIC Agreement vested on November 10, 2023, and all of the corresponding SGRP Shares had been issued or were in the process of being issued by December 31, 2023.

Pursuant to the CIC Agreement, all actions, claims and demands between the Majority Stockholders and the Corporation were resolved; and the Majority Stockholders and their affiliates during the five-year term of the CIC Agreement, ending on June 25, 2027, have agreed to give up certain rights with respect to the management of the Corporation.  

Bartels' Retirement and Director Compensation

Mr. William H. Bartels retired as an employee of the Company as of January 1, 2020 but continues to serve as a member of SPAR's Board. Mr. Bartels is also one of the founders and a significant stockholder of SGRP. Effective January 18, 2020, SPAR's Governance Committee proposed and unanimously approved retirement benefits for the five-year period commencing January 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2024 (the "Five-Year Period"), for Mr. Bartels. The aggregate value of benefits payable to Mr. Bartels is approximately $0.2 million per year and a total of $1.1 million for the Five-Year Period.

As of June 30, 2024, there are approximately $93 thousand of benefits payable, which are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Other Related Party Transactions and Arrangements 

On April 18, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement to buy from Mr. Richard Justus the remaining minority joint venture interests of Resource Plus and its sister companies, Mobex of North Florida, Inc., and Leasex, LLC. Based on the terms set in the original joint venture agreement, the Company will pay a total of $3 million in annual payments over a five-year period. $250,000 was paid within five business days of closing, and the remaining $2,750,000 will be paid pursuant to a Secured Promissory Note. The agreement resulted in the termination of all relevant shareholder and operating agreements, although specific confidentiality obligations remain effective for three years post-closing and specific mutual releases were provided. The purchase was closed and completed on  May 1, 2024.  As of June 30, 2024, $250,000 has been paid and the remaining $2,750,000 Promissory Note is outstanding.

On December 1, 2021, the Corporation entered into the Agreement for Marketing and Advertising Services (the "WB Agreement") with WB Marketing, Inc. (the "Agent", and together with the Company, the "Parties"). The Agent is an entity owned and controlled by Mrs. Jean Matacunas who is the wife of President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael R. Matacunas.  During the first six months of 2024, the company his recognized approximately $87,000 in expenses under this agreement.

SBS and Infotech are related parties and affiliates of SGRP, but are not under the control or part of the consolidated Company. See Change of Controls, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement, above. In July 1999 the Company, SBS and Infotech entered into a perpetual software ownership agreement providing that each party independently owned an undivided share of and has the right to unilaterally license and exploit certain portions of the Company's proprietary scheduling, tracking, coordination, reporting and expense software are co-owned with SBS and Infotech, and each entered into a non-exclusive royalty-free license from the Company to use certain "SPAR" trademarks in the United States. 

On May 13, 2024, SGRP privately repurchased 1,000,000 shares of SGRP's Common Stock from William H. Bartels, effective as of April 30, 2024, at a purchase price of $1.80 per share (the Nasdaq closing price on April 29, 2024). 

International Joint Venture Transactions

Agreement to sell the Company’s ownership interest in its South African Joint Venture

Prior to March 31, 2024, SGRP Meridian Proprietary Limited ("Meridian") was a consolidated international subsidiary of the Company and was owned 51% by the Company and 49% by Friedshelf (Pty) Ltd., Lindicom Proprietary Limited, and Lindicom Empowerment Holdings Proprietary Limited ("Local Owners"). 

On  February 7, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its 51% ownership interest in Meridian to the Local Owners for 180,700,000 South African Rand, 80% of which would be paid upon closing. 

The closing conditions under that agreement were satisfied in all material respects by March 31, 2024. and on April 29, the Company received 144,560,000 South African Rand from the Local Buyers (or approximately $7.7 million). The remaining purchase price will be paid on December 31, 2024 or 2025, depending on certain financial triggers, and its payment is secured by an irrevocable unconditional guarantee from Investec Bank Limited.  The Company has also licensed certain technology (including SPARView) and trademarks to Meridian in connection with the sale.  The Company has recognized a gain of $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2024 as a result of this transaction.

Agreement to sell the Company’s ownership interest in its Chinese Joint Venture

On February 23, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its 51% ownership interest in SPAR (Shanghai) Marketing Management Co., Ltd. to Shanghai Jingbo Enterprise Consulting Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Wedone Marketing Management Co. Ltd.  The total price to be paid to the Company is $200,000.  The sale was completed in of April 2024.

Agreement to sell the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary that owns its interest in its Brazilian Joint Venture

On  March 26, 2024, the Company signed a share purchase agreement with JK Consultoria Empresarial Ltda. ("JKC") for JKC to acquire the Company's Brazilian holding company (which in turn owns the Company's 51 percent interest in its Brazilian joint venture subsidiary) for BRL 58.9 million or approximately $11.8 million.  Closing of the sale occurred in June 2024.

Summary of Certain Related Party Transactions

Due to related parties consists of the following as of the periods presented (in thousands):

Select statement of operations activity of the Company’s reportable segments for the periods presented were (in thousands):

Net income, depreciation and amortization expense, and capital expenditures of the Company’s reportable segments for the periods presented were (in thousands):