FORM 10-K
Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 


 

(Mark One)

x Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003

 

OR

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Commission File No. 333-107774

 


 

DOMINO’S, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

DELAWARE   38-3025165

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification number)

 

30 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(734) 930-3030

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) 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  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act):    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K:    ¨

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates is zero.

 

As of March 15, 2004, there were 10 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

Documents incorporated by reference: None

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page No.

Part I     

Item 1.

   Business.    2

Item 2.

   Properties.    15

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings.    15

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.    15
Part II     

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

   16

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data.    16

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.    18

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.    32

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.    33

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.    72

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures.    72
Part III     

Item 10.

   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.    73

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation.    75

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders Matters.    79

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.    81

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services.    83
Part IV     

Item 15.

   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.    84
SIGNATURES    91

 

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Table of Contents

Part I

 

Item 1. Business.

 

Overview

 

Domino’s, Inc. (referred to as the “Company”, “Domino’s”, or in the first person notations of “we”, “us” and “our”) is the number one pizza delivery company in the United States with a 19.8% share of the U.S. pizza delivery channel. We also have a leading international presence. We believe our Domino’s Pizza® brand is one of the most widely-recognized consumer brands in the world. We and our franchisees have supported the Domino’s Pizza® brand with an estimated $1.2 billion in domestic advertising spending over the past five years. We operate through a network of 594 Company-owned stores, substantially all of which are in the United States, 4,350 franchise stores located in all 50 states, as well as 2,483 franchise stores located in more than 50 other countries. Our stores follow the model we have developed over our 43-year history, which focuses on the timely delivery of high-quality, affordable pizza and complementary side items. In addition, we operate 18 regional dough manufacturing and distribution centers in the contiguous United States, and eight dough manufacturing and distribution centers outside the contiguous United States.

 

Our earnings are driven largely from retail sales at our franchise stores, which in turn generate royalty payments and distribution sales. We also generate earnings through retail sales at our Company-owned stores. We operate our business in three segments: domestic stores, domestic distribution and international.

 

  Domestic stores. The domestic stores segment, comprised of 577 Company-owned stores and 4,327 franchise stores, generated revenues of $519.9 million, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, gains (losses) on sale/disposal of assets, and other, which is the measure in which management allocates resources to its segments and, as required by SFAS No. 131, is disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this filing, which we refer to as our Segment Income, of $140.1 million and income from operations of $127.1 million during fiscal 2003.

 

  Domestic distribution. Our domestic distribution segment, which distributes food, equipment and supplies to all of our domestic Company-owned stores and approximately 98% of our domestic franchise stores, generated revenues of $717.1 million, Segment Income of $54.6 million and income from operations of $45.9 million during fiscal 2003.

 

  International. Our international segment, which operates 17 Company-owned stores and oversees 2,506 franchise stores outside the contiguous United States and also distributes food and supplies in a limited number of these markets, generated revenues of $96.4 million, Segment Income of $29.1 million and income from operations of $28.1 million during fiscal 2003.

 

On a consolidated basis, we generated revenues of more than $1.3 billion and income from operations, after deducting $42.0 million of unallocated corporate and other expenses, of $159.2 million in fiscal 2003, which was more than double our income from operations in fiscal 1999. We have been able to grow our earnings based largely on strong global same store sales growth over the past five years, the addition of more than 1,200 stores worldwide over that time and strong performance by our distribution business. This growth was achieved with limited capital requirements, due to the significant portion of our earnings that are derived from retail sales by our franchisees, which require minimal capital expenditures by us.

 

Our History

 

We have been delivering high-quality, affordable pizza to our customers since 1960 when brothers Thomas and James Monaghan borrowed $900 and purchased a small pizza store in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Since that time, our store count and geographic reach have grown substantially. We opened our first franchise store in 1967, our first international store in 1983, and by 1998 we had expanded to over 6,200 stores, including more than 1,700 international stores on six continents.

 

In 1998, an investor group led by investment funds affiliated with Bain Capital, LLC completed a recapitalization through which the investor group acquired a 93% controlling economic interest in our Company from Thomas Monaghan and his family. At the time of the recapitalization in 1998, Mr. Monaghan retired and, in March 1999, David A. Brandon was named our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

 

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Continuing upon the strong growth of our Company since its founding, the Company surpassed the 7,400 store level during 2003 while leading its two primary competitors in domestic same store sales growth for the third consecutive year.

 

Industry Overview

 

In this document, we rely on and refer to information regarding the U.S. quick service restaurant (“QSR”) sector, the U.S. QSR pizza category and its channels and competitors (including us) from the report prepared by NPD Foodworld, a division of NPD Crest (“Crest”) as well as market research reports, analyst reports and other publicly-available information. Although we believe this information to be reliable, we have not independently verified it. Domestic sales information relating to the QSR sector, the U.S QSR pizza category and the U.S. pizza delivery channel represent consumer-reported spending provided by Crest.

 

The U.S. QSR pizza category is large and growing. With sales of $32.3 billion in the twelve months ended November 2003, the U.S. QSR pizza category is the second largest category within the $180.2 billion QSR sector, which consists of restaurants that offer a relatively focused menu of quickly prepared foods and beverages for consumption on or off premises. Over the past three years, the U.S. QSR pizza category has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 0.4%, which was driven by growth in the delivery and carry-out channels and was offset in part by a decline in the dine-in pizza channel.

 

We operate primarily within the large, growing and fragmented U.S. pizza delivery channel which generated sales of approximately $11.7 billion and accounted for 36% of total U.S. QSR pizza category sales in the twelve months ended November 2003.

 

The pizza delivery channel had a compound annual growth rate of 1.1% between 2000 and 2003. We believe that this growth is the result of long-lasting demographic and lifestyle trends that include the growth of dual career families, longer work weeks and increased consumer emphasis on convenience. This can be further evidenced by the dine-in pizza channel, which had a compound annual growth rate decline of 4.0% between 2000 and 2003.

 

We also compete, to a lesser extent, in the carry-out pizza channel, which with the delivery channel are the largest and fastest growing two channels in the U.S. QSR pizza category. While our primary focus is on the pizza delivery channel, we are also favorably positioned to compete in the carry-out channel given our strong brand, convenient store locations and high-quality, affordable menu offerings.

 

Like the U.S. pizza delivery channel, we believe the international pizza delivery channel is large and growing. By contrast, this channel is relatively underdeveloped, with only Domino’s and one other competitor having a significant multinational presence. We believe that the continued increase in acceptance and demand for convenience of delivered pizza will drive growth of the international pizza delivery channel.

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe that our competitive strengths include the following:

 

  #1 pizza delivery company in the United States with a leading international presence. We are the number one pizza delivery company in the United States with a 19.8% share of the large and growing U.S. pizza delivery channel. With 4,904 domestic stores located in the contiguous United States, our domestic store delivery areas cover a majority of U.S. households. We believe our delivery channel coverage is one of the strongest in the industry. Our share position and scale allow us to leverage our purchasing power, distribution costs and advertising expenditures across our store base. We also believe that our scale and market coverage allow us to effectively serve our customers’ demands for convenience and timely delivery.

 

  Outside the United States, we have significant share positions in the key markets in which we compete, including, among other countries, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Our top ten international markets, based on store count, accounted for approximately 83% of our international retail sales in 2003. We believe we have a leading presence in these markets.

 

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  Strong brand awareness. We believe our Domino’s Pizza® brand is one of the most widely-recognized consumer brands in the world. We believe consumers associate our brand with the timely delivery of high-quality, affordable pizza and complementary side items. Over the past five years, our domestic franchise and Company-owned stores have invested an estimated $1.2 billion on national, local and co-operative advertising in the United States. Our Domino’s Pizza® brand has been routinely named a MegaBrand by Advertising Age. We continue to reinforce our brand with extensive advertising through television, radio and print. We have also enhanced the strength of our brand through marketing affiliations with brands such as Coca-Cola® and NASCAR®.

 

  Strong and proven earnings model. Over our 43-year history, we have developed a successful cash flow and earnings model. This model, anchored by strong unit economics, has driven demand for franchise stores and has established a strong and well-diversified franchise system.

 

  Strong unit economics. We have developed a cost-efficient store model, characterized by a delivery and carry-out oriented store design with low capital requirements and a focused menu of high-quality, affordable pizza and complementary side items. At the store level, we believe that the simplicity and efficiency of our operations gives us significant advantages over our competitors who primarily focus on the dine-in channel of the pizza category.

 

Our domestic stores and most of our international stores do not offer dine-in areas and thus do not require expensive restaurant facilities. In addition, our focused menu of pizza and complementary side items simplifies and streamlines our production and delivery processes and maximizes economies of scale on purchases of our principal ingredients. As a result of our focused business model and menu, our stores are small (averaging approximately 1,000 to 1,300 square feet) and inexpensive to build, furnish and maintain as compared to many other QSR franchise opportunities. The combination of this efficient store model and strong store sales volume has resulted in strong store-level financial returns for us and makes Domino’s an attractive business opportunity for existing and prospective franchisees.

 

  Strong and well-diversified franchise system. We have developed a large, global, diversified and highly committed franchise network that is a critical component of our system-wide success and our leading position in the U.S. pizza delivery channel. As of December 28, 2003, our franchise store network consisted of 6,833 stores, 63% of which were located in the contiguous United States. In the United States only four franchisees operate more than 50 stores, including our largest franchisee which operates 160 stores, and the average franchisee operates approximately three stores.

 

In addition, we share 50% of the pre-tax profits generated by our regional dough manufacturing and distribution centers with those domestic franchisees who agree to purchase all of their food from our distribution system. These arrangements strengthen our ties with our franchisees, provide us with a continuing source of revenues and earnings, and provide incentives for franchisees to work closely with us to reduce costs. We believe our strong, mutually-beneficial franchisee relationships are evidenced by the approximately 98% voluntary participation in our domestic distribution system, our over 99% domestic franchise contract renewal rate and our over 99% collection rate on domestic franchise royalty payments.

 

Internationally, we have also been able to grow our franchise network by attracting franchisees with business experience and local market knowledge. We generally use our master franchise model, which provides our international franchisees with exclusive rights to operate stores or sub-franchise our well-recognized brand name in their markets. From year-end 2000 to year-end 2003, we grew our international franchise network 16%, from 2,157 stores to 2,506 stores. Our largest master franchisee operates 504 stores, which accounts for approximately 20% of our total international store count.

 

  Strong cash flow and earnings stream. A substantial percentage of our earnings are generated by our highly-committed, owner-operator franchisees through royalty payments and revenues to our vertically-integrated distribution system. Royalty payments yield strong profitability to us because there are minimal corresponding Company-level expenses and no capital requirements associated with their collection.

 

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We believe that our strong unit economics have led to a strong and well-diversified franchise system. This established franchise system has produced strong cash flow and earnings for us, which have allowed us to meet our debt service requirements while also allowing us to make substantial investments in our stores and in the Domino’s Pizza® brand.

 

  Vertically-integrated distribution system. In addition to generating significant revenues and earnings, we believe that our vertically-integrated distribution system enhances the quality and consistency of our products, enhances our relationships with franchisees, leverages economies of scale to offer lower costs to our stores and allows our store managers to better focus on store operations and customer service.

 

In 2003, we made approximately 650,000 full-service food deliveries to our domestic stores, or an average of over two deliveries per store, per week, with a delivery accuracy rate of approximately 99%. All of our domestic Company-owned and approximately 98% of our domestic franchise stores purchase all of their food from our distribution system. This is accomplished through our network of 18 regional dough manufacturing and distribution centers, each of which is generally located within a one-day delivery radius of the stores it serves, and a leased fleet of over 200 tractors and trailers. We supply our domestic and international franchisees with equipment and supplies through our equipment and supply distribution center, which we operate as part of our domestic distribution segment. Our equipment and supply distribution center ships a full range of products, including ovens and uniforms, on a daily basis.

 

Because we source the food for substantially all of our domestic stores, our domestic distribution segment enables us to leverage and monitor our strong supplier relationships to achieve the cost benefits of scale and to ensure compliance with our rigorous quality standards. In addition, the “one-stop shop” nature of this system, combined with our delivery accuracy, allow our store managers to eliminate a significant component of the typical “back-of-store” activity that many of our competitors’ store managers must undertake.

 

Our Business Strategy

 

We intend to achieve further growth and strengthen our competitive position through the continued implementation of our business strategy, which includes the following key elements:

 

  Implement our strategic initiatives. Our mission statement is “Exceptional people on a mission to be the best pizza delivery company in the world.” We undertake this mission by focusing on four strategic initiatives:

 

  PeopleFirst. Attract and retain high-quality Company employees, who we refer to as team members, with the goals of reducing turnover and maintaining continuity in the workforce. We continually strive to achieve this objective through a combination of performance-based compensation for our non-hourly team members, learning and development programs and team member ownership opportunities to promote our entrepreneurial spirit.

 

  Build the Brand. Strengthen and build upon our strong brand name to further solidify our position as the brand of first choice within the pizza delivery channel. We continually strive to achieve this objective through product and process innovation, advertising and promotional campaigns and a strong brand message.

 

  Maintain High Standards. Elevate and maintain quality throughout the entire Domino’s system, with the goals of making quality and consistency a competitive advantage, controlling costs and supporting our stores. We believe that our comprehensive store audits and vertically-integrated distribution system help us to consistently achieve high quality of operations across our system in a cost-efficient manner.

 

  Flawless Execution. Perfect operations with the goals of making high-quality products, attaining consistency in execution, maintaining the best operating model, making our team members a competitive advantage, operating stores with smart hustle, and aligning us with our franchisees.

 

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  Leverage our strong brand awareness. We believe that the strength of our Domino’s Pizza® brand makes us one of the first options consumers consider when seeking a convenient, high-quality and affordable meal. We intend to continue to promote our brand name and enhance our reputation as the leader in pizza delivery. For example, we intend to continue to promote our highly-recognizable advertising campaign, “Get the Door. It’s Domino’s.®”, through national, local and co-operative media. In addition, we intend to leverage our strong brand by continuing to introduce innovative, consumer-tested and profitable new pizza varieties and complementary side items, such as Domino’s Buffalo Chicken Kickers and Cinna Stix® as well as through marketing affiliations with brands such as Coca-Cola® and NASCAR®. We believe these actions will allow us to increase our market share in the highly fragmented pizza delivery channel.

 

  Expand and optimize domestic store base. We plan to continue expanding our base of domestic stores to take advantage of the attractive growth opportunities as well as the fragmented nature of the U.S. pizza delivery channel. We believe that our scale allows us to expand our store base with limited incremental infrastructure costs. We also believe that our franchise-oriented business model allows us to expand our store base with limited capital expenditures and working capital requirements. While we plan to expand our traditional domestic store base primarily through opening new franchise stores, we will also continually evaluate our mix of Company-owned and franchise stores and opportunistically refranchise Company-owned stores and acquire franchise stores.

 

We believe that pizza has global appeal and that there is strong international acceptance of delivered pizza. We have successfully built a leading international platform, almost exclusively through our master franchise model. We believe that we have long-term growth opportunities in international markets where we have established a leading presence, but where we believe the market is not yet fully developed. We believe we will achieve long-term growth internationally due to the strong unit economics of our business model, international acceptance of delivered pizza and strong global recognition of the Domino’s Pizza® brand.

 

Store Operations

 

We believe that our focused and proven store model provides a significant competitive advantage relative to many of our competitors who focus on multiple pizza category channels, particularly the dine-in channel. We have been focused on pizza delivery for over 43 years. Because our domestic stores and most of our international stores do not offer dine-in areas, they typically do not require expensive real estate, are relatively small, and are relatively inexpensive to build and furnish. Our stores also benefit from lower maintenance costs, as store assets have long lives and updates are not frequently required. Our simple and efficient operational processes, which we have refined through continuous improvement, include:

 

  strategic store locations to facilitate delivery service;

 

  production-oriented store designs;

 

  product and process innovations;

 

  a focused menu;

 

  efficient order taking, production and delivery;

 

  Domino’s PULSE point-of-sale system; and

 

  a comprehensive store audit program.

 

Strategic Store Locations to Facilitate Delivery Service

 

We locate our stores strategically to facilitate timely delivery service to our customers. The majority of our domestic stores are located in populated areas in or adjacent to large or mid-size cities, or on or near college campuses. We use geographic information software, which incorporates variables such as traffic volumes, competitor locations, household demographics and visibility, to evaluate and identify potential store locations and new markets.

 

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Production-Oriented Store Designs

 

Our typical store is relatively small, occupying approximately 1,000 to 1,300 square feet, and is designed with a focus on efficient and timely production of consistent, high-quality pizza for delivery. The store layout has been refined over time to provide an efficient flow from order taking to delivery. Our stores are primarily production facilities and, accordingly, do not typically have a dine-in area.

 

Product and Process Innovations

 

Our 43 years of experience and innovative culture have resulted in numerous new product and process developments that increase both quality and efficiency. These include our efficient, vertically-integrated distribution system, a sturdier corrugated pizza box and a mesh tray that helps cook pizza crust more evenly. The Domino’s HeatWave® hot bag, which was introduced in 1998, keeps our pizza hot during delivery. We have also added a number of complementary side items such as buffalo wings, bread sticks, cheesy bread, Domino’s Buffalo Chicken Kickers and Cinna Stix®.

 

Focused Menu

 

We maintain a focused menu that is designed to present an attractive, high-quality offering to customers, while minimizing errors in, and expediting, the order taking and food preparation processes. Our basic menu has three choices: pizza type, pizza size and pizza toppings. Most stores carry two sizes of Traditional Hand-Tossed, Ultimate Deep Dish and Crunchy Thin Crust pizza. The typical store also offers buffalo wings, bread sticks, cheesy bread, Domino’s Buffalo Chicken Kickers, Cinna Stix® and Coca-Cola® soft drink products. We also occasionally offer other products on a promotional basis. We believe that our focused menu creates a strong identity among consumers, improves operating efficiency and maintains food quality and consistency.

 

Efficient Order Taking, Production and Delivery

 

Each store executes an operational process that includes order taking, pizza preparation, cooking (via automated, conveyor-driven ovens), boxing and delivery. The entire order taking and pizza production process is designed for completion in approximately 15 minutes. These operational processes are supplemented by an extensive employee training program designed to ensure world-class quality and customer service. It is our priority to ensure that every Domino’s store operates in an efficient, consistent manner while maintaining our high standards of food quality and team member safety.

 

Domino’s PULSE Point-of-Sale System

 

Our computerized management information systems are designed to improve operating efficiencies, provide corporate management with timely access to financial and marketing data and reduce store and corporate administrative time and expense. We have installed Domino’s PULSE, our proprietary point-of-sale system, in every Company-owned store in the United States. We are also offering Domino’s PULSE to our franchisees. Some enhanced features of Domino’s PULSE over our previous point-of-sale system include:

 

  touch screen ordering, which improves accuracy and facilitates more efficient order taking;

 

  a delivery driver routing system, which improves delivery efficiency;

 

  improved administrative and reporting capabilities, which enables store managers to better focus on store operations and customer satisfaction; and

 

  a customer relationship management tool, which enables us to recognize customers and track ordering preferences.

 

Comprehensive Store Audit Program

 

We utilize a comprehensive store audit program to ensure that our stores are meeting both our stringent standards as well as the expectations of our customers. The audit program focuses primarily on the quality of the pizza a store is producing, the out-the-door time and the condition of the store as viewed by the customer. We believe that this store audit program is an integral part of our strategy to maintain high standards in our stores.

 

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Segment Overview

 

We operate in three business segments:

 

  Domestic stores. Our domestic stores segment consists of domestic Company-owned store operations, which operates our domestic network of 577 Company-owned stores, and our domestic franchise operations, which oversees our domestic network of 4,327 franchise stores;

 

  Domestic distribution. Our domestic distribution segment operates 18 regional dough manufacturing and food distribution centers and one distribution center providing equipment and supplies to certain of our domestic and international stores; and

 

  International. Our international segment oversees our network of 2,506 international franchise stores in more than 50 countries, operates 16 Company-owned stores in the Netherlands and one Company-owned store in France. Our international segment also distributes food to a limited number of markets from eight dough manufacturing and distribution centers in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada (four), the Netherlands and France.

 

Domestic Stores

 

During 2003, our domestic stores segment accounted for $519.9 million, or 39%, of our consolidated revenues. Our domestic franchises are operated by entrepreneurs who own and operate an average of three stores. Only four of our domestic franchisees operate more than 50 stores, including our largest domestic franchisee, who operates 160 stores. Our principal sources of revenues from domestic store operations are Company-owned store sales and royalty payments based on franchise retail sales. Our domestic network of Company-owned stores also plays an important strategic role in our predominantly franchised operating structure. In addition to generating revenues and earnings, we use our domestic Company-owned stores as a forum for training new store managers and prospective franchisees, and as a test site for new products and promotions as well as store operational improvements. We also believe that our domestic Company-owned stores add to the economies of scale available for advertising, marketing and other costs that are primarily borne by our franchisees.

 

Our domestic store operations are divided into three geographic zones and are managed through offices located in Georgia, California and Maryland. The offices provide direct supervision over our domestic Company-owned stores and also provide limited training, store operational audits and marketing services. These offices also provide financial analysis and store development services to our franchisees. We maintain a close relationship with our franchise stores through regional franchise teams, an array of computer-based training materials that help franchise stores comply with our standards and franchise advisory groups that facilitate communications between us and our franchisees.

 

We continually evaluate our mix of domestic Company-owned and franchise stores in an effort to optimize our profitability. During 2001, we sold 95 of our domestic Company-owned stores to franchisees because we believed that these stores would be more profitable to the Company if run by franchisees. In contrast, during 2002, we acquired 83 franchise stores in Arizona where we believe there are significant growth opportunities, and we believe that over the long-term we can utilize our operational expertise to improve the operation of these stores, resulting in higher profitability.

 

Domestic Distribution

 

During 2003, our domestic distribution segment accounted for $717.1 million, or 54%, of our consolidated revenues. Our domestic distribution segment is comprised of dough manufacturing and distribution centers that manufacture fresh dough on a daily basis and purchase, receive, store and deliver high-quality pizza-related food products, complementary side items, and equipment to all of our Company-owned stores and approximately 98% of our domestic franchise stores. Each regional dough manufacturing and distribution center serves an average of approximately 268 stores, generally located within a one-day delivery radius. We regularly supply more than 4,800 stores with various supplies and ingredients, of which nine product groups account for nearly 90% of the volume. Our domestic distribution segment made approximately 650,000 full-service deliveries in 2003, or more than two deliveries per store, per week, and we produced over 350 million pounds of dough during 2003.

 

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We believe that franchisees choose to obtain food, supplies and equipment from us because we provide the most efficient, convenient and cost-effective alternative, while also providing both quality and consistency. In addition, our domestic distribution segment offers a profit-sharing arrangement to stores that purchase all of their food from our domestic dough manufacturing and distribution centers. This profit-sharing arrangement provides domestic Company-owned stores and participating franchisees with 50% of their regional distribution center’s pre-tax profits. Profits are shared with the franchisees based upon each franchisee’s purchases from our distribution centers. We believe these arrangements strengthen our ties with these franchisees.

 

The information systems used by our domestic dough manufacturing and distribution centers are an integral part of the high-quality service we provide our stores. We use routing strategies and software to optimize our daily delivery schedules, which maximizes on-time deliveries. Through our strategic dough manufacturing and distribution center locations and proven routing systems, we achieved on-time delivery rates of approximately 99% during 2003. Our distribution center drivers unload food and supplies and stock store shelves typically during non-peak store hours, which minimizes disruptions in store operations.

 

International

 

During 2003, our international segment accounted for $96.4 million, or 7%, of our consolidated revenues. We have 475 franchise stores in Mexico, representing the largest presence of any QSR company in Mexico, more than 200 franchise stores in each of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and South Korea and over 100 franchise stores in both Japan and Taiwan. The principal sources of revenues from our international operations are sales of food to franchisees in certain markets, royalty payments generated by retail sales from franchise stores and, to a lesser extent, Company-owned store retail sales and fees from master franchise agreements and store openings.

 

We have grown by more than 750 international stores over the past five years. While our stores are designed for the less capital-intensive delivery and carry-out channels, we empower our managers and franchisees to adapt the standard operating model, within certain parameters, to satisfy the local eating habits and consumer preferences of various regions outside the United States. Currently, most of our international stores are operated under master franchise agreements, and we plan to continue entering into master franchise agreements with qualified franchisees to expand our international operations in selected countries. We believe that our international franchise stores appeal to potential franchisees because of our well-recognized brand name, the limited capital expenditures required to open and operate our stores, and our system’s favorable store economics. The following table shows our store count as of December 28, 2003 in our top ten international markets, which account for approximately 77% of our international stores:

 

Market


   Number of Stores

Mexico

   475

United Kingdom

   298

Australia

   268

Canada

   232

South Korea

   216

Japan

   165

Taiwan

   103

India

   78

Netherlands

   58

France

   57

 

Our Franchise Program

 

As of December 28, 2003, our 4,327 domestic franchise stores were owned and operated by our 1,300 domestic franchisees. The success of our franchise formula, which enables franchisees to benefit from our brand name with a relatively low initial capital investment, has attracted a large number of highly-motivated entrepreneurs as franchisees. As of December 28, 2003, the average domestic franchisee operated approximately three stores and had been in our franchise system for over eight years. At the same time, only four of our domestic franchisees operated more than 50 stores, including our largest domestic franchisee who operates 160 stores.

 

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Domestic Franchisees

 

We apply rigorous standards to prospective franchisees. We generally require prospective domestic franchisees to manage a store for at least one year before being granted a franchise. This enables us to observe the operational and financial performance of a potential franchisee prior to entering into a long-term contract. We also restrict the ability of domestic franchisees to become involved in other businesses, which focuses our franchisees’ attention on operating their stores. We believe these standards are unique to the franchise industry and result in highly-qualified and focused franchisees operating their stores.

 

Franchise Agreements

 

We enter into franchise agreements with domestic franchisees under which the franchisee is granted the right to operate a store in a particular location for a term of ten years, with an option to renew for an additional ten years. We currently have a franchise contract renewal rate of over 99%. Under the current standard franchise agreement, we assign an exclusive area of primary responsibility to each franchise store. During the term of the franchise agreement, the franchisee is required to pay a 5.5% royalty fee on sales, subject, in limited instances, to lower rates based on area development agreements, sales initiatives and new store incentives. We have the contractual right, subject to state law, to terminate a franchise agreement for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, a franchisee’s failure to make required payments when due or failure to adhere to specified Company policies and standards.

 

Franchise Store Development

 

We provide domestic franchisees with assistance in selecting store sites and conforming the space to the physical specifications required for our stores. Each domestic franchisee selects the location and design for each store, subject to our approval, based on accessibility and visibility of the site and demographic factors, including population density and anticipated traffic levels. We provide design plans and sell fixtures and equipment for most of our franchise stores.

 

Franchisee Financing

 

We have offered a limited internal financing program to franchisees who meet our standards for creditworthiness. At December 28, 2003, loans outstanding to our domestic and international franchisees totaled $7.7 million.

 

Franchise Training and Support

 

Training store managers and employees is a critical component of our success. We require all domestic franchisees to complete initial and ongoing training programs provided by us. In addition, under the standard domestic franchise agreement, domestic franchisees are required to implement training programs for their store employees. We assist our domestic and international franchisees by making training materials available to them for their use in training store managers and employees, including computer-based training materials, comprehensive operations manuals and franchise development classes. We also maintain communications with our franchisees online and through various newsletters.

 

Franchise Operations

 

We enforce stringent standards over franchise operations to protect our brand name. All franchisees are required to operate their stores in compliance with written policies, standards and specifications, which include matters such as menu items, ingredients, materials, supplies, services, furnishings, decor and signs. Each franchisee has full discretion to determine the prices to be charged to customers. We also provide ongoing support to our franchisees, including training, marketing assistance and consultation to franchisees who experience financial or operational difficulties. We have established several advisory boards, through which franchisees contribute to developing system-wide initiatives.

 

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International Franchisees

 

The vast majority of our franchisees outside of the contiguous United States are master franchisees with franchise and distribution rights for entire regions or countries. In select regions or countries, we franchise directly to individual store operators. Our master franchise agreements generally grant the franchisee exclusive rights to develop or sub-franchise stores and the right to operate distribution centers in a particular geographic area for a term of ten to twenty years, with an option to renew for an additional ten year term. The agreements typically contain growth clauses requiring franchisees to open a minimum number of stores within a specified period. Prospective master franchisees are required to possess or have access to local market knowledge required to establish and develop Domino’s Pizza stores. The local market knowledge focuses on the ability to identify and access targeted real estate sites along with expertise in local customs, culture, consumer behavior and laws. We also seek candidates that have access to sufficient capital to meet their growth and development plans. The master franchisee is generally required to pay an initial, one-time franchise fee based on the size of the market covered by the master franchise agreement, as well as an additional franchise fee upon the opening of each new store. In addition, the master franchisee is required to pay a continuing royalty fee as a percentage of sales, which varies among international markets.

 

Domino’s Image Campaign

 

We have implemented a re-imaging campaign aimed at increasing store sales and market share through improved brand visibility. This campaign involves relocating selected stores, upgrading store interiors, adding new store signs to draw attention to the stores and providing more contemporary uniforms for employees. If a store is already in a desirable location, the store signs and carry-out areas are updated as needed. At December 28, 2003, approximately 88% of our domestic stores had been re-imaged or relocated as part of this campaign, including significantly all of our domestic Company-owned stores. We plan to continue to re-image and relocate our domestic stores until each store meets our new image standards.

 

Marketing Operations

 

We require domestic stores to contribute 3% of their sales to fund national marketing and advertising campaigns. In addition to the required national advertising contributions, in those markets where we have co-operative advertising programs, we require stores to contribute a minimum of 1% to 2% of their sales to market level media campaigns. These funds are administered by Domino’s National Advertising Fund, Inc. (“DNAF”), a not-for-profit subsidiary. The funds remitted to DNAF are used primarily to purchase television advertising, but also support market research, field communications, commercial production, talent payments and other activities supporting the Domino’s Pizza® brand. DNAF also provides cost-effective print materials to franchisees for use in local marketing that reinforce our national branding strategy. In addition to the national and market level advertising contributions, domestic stores spend an additional percentage of their sales on local store marketing, including targeted database mailings, saturation print mailings and community involvement through school and civic organizations.

 

By communicating a common brand message at the national, local market and store levels, we create and reinforce a powerful, consistent marketing message to consumers. This is evidenced by our successful marketing campaign with the slogan, “Get the Door. It’s Domino’s.®”. Over the past five years, we estimate that domestic stores have invested approximately $1.2 billion on national, local and co-operative advertising.

 

Internationally, marketing efforts are primarily the responsibility of the franchisee in each local market. We assist international franchisees with their marketing efforts through marketing workshops and knowledge sharing of best practices.

 

Suppliers

 

We have maintained active relationships of 15 years or more with more than half of our major suppliers. Our suppliers are required to meet strict quality standards to ensure food safety. We review and evaluate our suppliers’ quality assurance programs through, among other actions, on-site visits to ensure compliance with our standards. We believe that the length and quality of our relationships with suppliers provides us with priority service and high-quality products at competitive prices.

 

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We believe that two factors have been critical to maintaining long-lasting relationships and keeping our purchasing costs low. First, we are one of the largest domestic volume purchasers of pizza-related products such as flour, cheese, sauce and pizza boxes, which allows us to maximize leverage with our suppliers. Second, we use a combination of single-source and multi-source procurement strategies. Each supply category is evaluated along a number of criteria including value of purchasing leverage, consistency of quality and reliability of supply to determine the appropriate number of suppliers. We currently purchase our cheese from a single supplier pursuant to a requirements contract that provides for pricing based on volume. The agreement is terminable by us upon 90 days prior written notice. Our chicken, meat toppings and Crunchy Thin Crust dough products are currently sourced by another single supplier pursuant to requirements contracts that expire in 2005. We have the right to terminate these requirements contracts for quality failures and for uncured breaches. We believe that alternative suppliers for all of these ingredients are available and all of our other dough ingredients, boxes and sauces are sourced from multiple suppliers. While we will incur additional costs if we are required to replace any of our suppliers, we do not believe that such additional costs would have a material adverse effect on our business. We have also entered into a multi-year agreement with Coca-Cola® effective January 1, 2003 for the contiguous United States. The contract provides for Coca-Cola® to be our exclusive beverage supplier and expires on the later of December 31, 2009 or such time as a minimum number of cases of Coca-Cola® products are purchased by us. We continually evaluate each supply category to determine the optimal sourcing strategy.

 

We have not experienced any significant shortages of supplies or any delays in receiving our food or beverage inventories, restaurant supplies or products. Prices charged to us by our suppliers are subject to fluctuation and we have historically been able to pass increased costs and savings on to our stores. We do not engage in commodity hedging.

 

Competition

 

The U.S. pizza delivery channel is highly competitive. We compete against regional and local companies as well as national chains, including Pizza Hut® and Papa John’s®. We generally compete on the basis of product quality, location, delivery time, service and price. We also compete on a broader scale with quick service and other international, national, regional and local restaurants. In addition, the overall food service industry and the QSR sector in particular are intensely competitive with respect to product quality, price, service, convenience and concept. The industry is often affected by changes in consumer tastes, economic conditions, demographic trends and consumers’ disposable income. We compete within the food service industry and the QSR sector not only for customers, but also for personnel, suitable real estate sites and qualified franchisees.

 

Government Regulation

 

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting the operation of our business, as are our franchisees, including various health, sanitation, fire and safety standards. Each store is subject to licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities, which include zoning, health, safety, sanitation, building and fire agencies in the jurisdiction in which the store is located. In connection with the re-imaging of our stores, we may be required to expend funds to meet certain federal, state and local regulations, including regulations requiring that remodeled or altered stores be accessible to persons with disabilities. Difficulties in obtaining, or the failure to obtain, required licenses or approvals could delay or prevent the opening of a new store in a particular area or cause an existing store to cease operations. Our distribution facilities are licensed and subject to similar regulations by federal, state and local health and fire codes.

 

We are also subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and various other laws governing such matters as minimum wage requirements, overtime and other working conditions and citizenship requirements. A significant number of our food service personnel are paid at rates related to the federal minimum wage, and past increases in the minimum wage have increased our labor costs as would future increases.

 

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We are subject to the rules and regulations of the Federal Trade Commission and various state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. The Federal Trade Commission and various state laws require that we furnish a franchise offering circular containing certain information to prospective franchisees and a number of states require registration of the franchise offering circular with state authorities. We are operating under exemptions from registration in several states based on the net worth of our operating subsidiary, Domino’s Pizza LLC, and experience. Substantive state laws that regulate the franchisor-franchisee relationship presently exist in a substantial number of states, and bills have been introduced in Congress from time to time that would provide for federal regulation of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. The state laws often limit, among other things, the duration and scope of non-competition provisions, the ability of a franchisor to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise and the ability of a franchisor to designate sources of supply. We believe that our uniform franchise offering circular, together with any applicable state versions or supplements, and franchising procedures comply in all material respects with both the Federal Trade Commission guidelines and all applicable state laws regulating franchising in those states in which we have offered franchises.

 

Internationally, our franchise stores are subject to national and local laws and regulations that often are similar to those affecting our domestic stores, including laws and regulations concerning franchises, labor, health, sanitation and safety. Our international franchise stores are also often subject to tariffs and regulations on imported commodities and equipment, and laws regulating foreign investment. We believe that our international disclosure statements, franchise offering documents and franchising procedures comply with the laws of the foreign countries in which we have offered franchises.

 

Trademarks

 

We have many registered trademarks and service marks and believe that the Domino’s® mark and Domino’s Pizza® names and logos, in particular, have significant value and are important to our business. Our policy is to pursue registration of our trademarks and to vigorously oppose the infringement of any of our trademarks. We license the use of our registered marks to franchisees through franchise agreements.

 

Environmental Matters

 

We are not aware of any federal, state or local environmental laws or regulations that will materially affect our earnings or competitive position, or result in material capital expenditures. However, we cannot predict the effect of possible future environmental legislation or regulations. During 2003, there were no material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities and no such material expenditures are anticipated in 2004.

 

Employees

 

As of December 28, 2003, we had approximately 13,500 employees, who we refer to as team members, in our Company-owned stores, dough manufacturing and distribution centers, World Resource Center and zone offices. As franchisees are independent business owners, they and their employees are not included in our employee count. We consider our relationship with our employees and franchisees to be good. We estimate the total number of people who work in the Domino’s Pizza system, including our employees, franchisees and the employees of franchisees was approximately 145,000 as of December 28, 2003.

 

None of our employees are represented by a labor union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement other than statutorily mandated programs in European countries where we operate.

 

Driver Safety

 

Our commitment to safety is embodied in our hiring, training and review process. Before an applicant is considered for hire as a delivery driver, motor vehicle records are reviewed to ensure a minimum two-year safe driving record. In addition, we require regular checks of driving records and proof of insurance for delivery drivers throughout their employment with us. Each Domino’s driver, including drivers employed by franchisees, must complete our safe delivery training program. We have also implemented several Company-wide safe driving incentive programs.

 

Our safety and security department oversees security matters for our stores. Regional security and safety directors oversee security measures at store locations, and assist local authorities in investigations of incidents involving our stores or personnel.

 

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Community Activities

 

We believe strongly in supporting the communities we serve. This is evidenced by our strong support of the Domino’s Pizza Partners Foundation. The foundation is a separate, not-for-profit organization that was established in 1986 to assist Domino’s Pizza team members in times of tragedy and special need. In 2003, our employees and franchisees contributed over $1.3 million to the foundation’s efforts, including a $250,000 contribution by the Company, and, since its inception, the foundation has supplied millions of dollars to team members in need.

 

Since 2001, we have had a national partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Through this alliance, we dedicated ourselves to deliver wishes to children with life threatening illnesses and assist the foundation with its benevolent volunteer efforts through heightened awareness and direct contributions. To date, we have delivered wishes to more than 25 children.

 

Insurance

 

We maintain insurance coverage for general liability, owned and non-owned automobile liability, workers’ compensation, employment practices liability, director’s and officer’s liability, fiduciary, property (including leaseholds and equipment, as well as business interruption), commercial crime, global risks and other coverages in form and with such limits as we believe are customary for a business of our size and type.

 

The Company is partially self-insured for workers’ compensation, general liability and owned and non-owned automobile liabilities for certain periods prior to December 1998 and for periods after December 2001. The Company is generally responsible for up to $1.0 million per occurrence under these retention programs for workers’ compensation and general liability. The Company is also generally responsible for between $500,000 and $3.0 million per occurrence under these retention programs for owned and non-owned automobile liabilities. Pursuant to the terms of our standard franchise agreement, franchisees are also required to maintain minimum levels of insurance coverage at their expense and to have us named as an additional insured on their liability policies.

 

Research and Development

 

We operate research and product development facilities at our World Resource Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Company-sponsored research and development activities, which include among other things, testing new products for possible menu additions, are an important activity to us and our franchisees. However, we do not consider the related amounts to be material.

 

Working Capital

 

Information about the Company’s working capital is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7., page 27.

 

Customers

 

The Company’s business is not dependent upon a single customer or small group of customers, including franchisees. No customer accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated revenues in 2001, 2002, or 2003.

 

Seasonal Operations

 

The Company’s business is not typically seasonal.

 

Backlog Orders

 

The Company has no backlog orders as of December 28, 2003.

 

Government Contracts

 

No material portion of the Company’s business is subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts or subcontracts at the election of the United States government.

 

Financial Information about Business Segments and Geographic Areas

 

Financial information about international and United States markets and business segments is incorporated herein by reference from Selected Financial Data, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes in Part II, Item 6., pages 16 and 17, Item 7., pages 18 through 31 and Item 8., pages 33 through 71, respectively of this Form 10-K.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 2. Properties.

 

We lease approximately 200,000 square feet for our World Resource Center and distribution facility located in Ann Arbor, Michigan under an operating lease with Domino’s Farms Office Park, L.L.C., a related party. The lease, as amended, expires in December 2013 and has two five-year renewal options.

 

We own four domestic Company-owned store buildings and five distribution center buildings. We also own ten store buildings which we lease to domestic franchisees. All other domestic Company-owned stores are leased by us, typically with five-year leases with one or two five-year renewal options. All other domestic distribution centers are leased by us, typically with leases ranging between five and fifteen years with one or two five-year renewal options. All other franchise stores are leased or owned directly by the respective franchisees.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

 

We are a party to lawsuits, revenue agent reviews by taxing authorities and legal proceedings, of which the majority involve workers’ compensation, employment practices liability, general liability, automobile and franchisee claims arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe that these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition, and the established reserves adequately provide for the estimated resolution of such claims.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

None.

 

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Table of Contents

Part II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

As of March 15, 2004, Domino’s had 3,000 authorized shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 10 were issued and outstanding and held by TISM, Inc., our parent company (“TISM” or the “Parent”). There were no equity securities sold by Domino’s or TISM during the period covered by this report. There is no established public trading market for Domino’s or TISM’s common stock. Domino’s ability to pay dividends is limited under the indenture related to our senior subordinated notes and under our senior credit facility agreement.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

 

The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Form 10-K. The selected financial data below, with the exception of store counts and same store sales growth, have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Domino’s, Inc. and subsidiaries. These historical data are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.

 

(In millions, except store and same store data)    Fiscal year ended

 
    

January 2,

2000(5)


    December 31,
2000


    December 30,
2001


    December 29,
2002


    December 28,
2003 (6)


 
Income Statement Data:                                         

Revenues (1):

                                        

Domestic Company-owned stores

   $ 378.1     $ 378.0     $ 362.2     $ 376.5     $ 375.4  

Domestic franchise

     116.7       120.6       134.2       140.7       144.5  
    


 


 


 


 


Domestic stores

     494.8       498.6       496.4       517.2       519.9  

Domestic distribution

     603.4       604.1       691.9       676.0       717.1  

International

     58.4       63.4       70.0       81.8       96.4  
    


 


 


 


 


Total revenues

     1,156.6       1,166.1       1,258.3       1,275.0       1,333.3  

Cost of sales

     854.2       862.2       937.9       939.0       992.1  

General and administrative

     219.3       191.6       193.3       177.9       182.1  

Restructuring

     7.6       —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


Income from operations

     75.6       112.4       127.1       158.1       159.2  

Interest expense, net

     73.1       71.8       66.6       59.8       74.3  

Other

     —         (0.9 )     0.2       1.8       22.7  
    


 


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

     2.5       41.4       60.3       96.5       62.1  

Provision for income taxes

     0.4       16.2       23.5       35.8       23.3  
    


 


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 2.1     $ 25.2     $ 36.8     $ 60.7     $ 38.8  
    


 


 


 


 


Income From Operations by Segment:                                         

Domestic stores

   $ 116.4     $ 109.7     $ 114.3     $ 126.7     $ 127.1  

Domestic distribution

     24.7       30.1       38.1       43.2       45.9  

International

     10.7       14.4       15.2       25.1       28.1  

Corporate and other

     (76.2 )     (41.9 )     (40.4 )     (36.9 )     (42.0 )
    


 


 


 


 


Consolidated income from operations

   $ 75.6     $ 112.4     $ 127.1     $ 158.1     $ 159.2  
    


 


 


 


 


Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):                                         

Total assets (2)

   $ 385.2     $ 382.4     $ 402.6     $ 422.4     $ 448.4  

Total debt

     717.6       686.1       654.7       602.0       959.7  

Total stockholder’s deficit

     (479.0 )     (454.8 )     (424.9 )     (375.6 )     (718.1 )
Other Financial Data:                                         

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 51.7     $ 33.6     $ 33.1     $ 28.3     $ 29.8  

Capital expenditures

     27.9       37.9       40.6       53.9       29.2  
Same Store Sales Growth (3):                                         

Domestic Company-owned stores

     1.7 %     (0.9 )%     7.3 %     0.0 %     (1.7 )%

Domestic franchise

     2.9 %     0.1 %     3.6 %     3.0 %     1.7 %
    


 


 


 


 


Domestic stores

     2.8 %     0.0 %     4.0 %     2.6 %     1.3 %

International

     3.6 %     3.7 %     6.4 %     4.1 %     4.0 %

 

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January 2,

2000


   December 31,
2000


   December 30,
2001


   December 29,
2002


   December 28,
2003


Store Counts (at end of period):                         

Domestic Company-owned stores

   656    626    519    577    577

Domestic franchise (4)

   3,973    4,192    4,294    4,271    4,327
    
  
  
  
  

Domestic stores

   4,629    4,818    4,813    4,848    4,904

International

   1,930    2,159    2,259    2,382    2,523
    
  
  
  
  

Total

   6,559    6,977    7,072    7,230    7,427
    
  
  
  
  

(1) Our royalty revenues, which are included in domestic franchise and international revenues, are derived from retail sales by our franchise stores and are calculated by multiplying the applicable royalty rate by the retail sales at our franchise stores. Franchise retail sales are reported to us by our franchisees. The table below presents retail sales from our franchise stores, which are not included in our revenues:

 

     Fiscal year ended

    

January 2,

2000


   December 31,
2000


   December 30,
2001


   December 29,
2002


   December 28,
2003


Franchise retail sales:                                   

Domestic

   $ 2,185.2    $ 2,269.2    $ 2,454.5    $ 2,550.2    $ 2,628.0

International

     800.1      895.2      967.1      1,030.7      1,183.0
    

  

  

  

  

Total franchise retail sales

   $ 2,985.3    $ 3,164.4    $ 3,421.6    $ 3,580.9    $ 3,811.0
    

  

  

  

  

 

The table below presents retail sales from our Company-owned stores, which are included in our revenues:

 

     Fiscal year ended

    

January 2,

2000


   December 31,
2000


   December 30,
2001


   December 29,
2002


   December 28,
2003


Company-owned retail sales:                                   

Domestic

   $ 378.1    $ 378.0    $ 362.2    $ 376.5    $ 375.4

International

     0.9      1.1      0.8      4.3      6.0
    

  

  

  

  

Total Company-owned retail sales

   $ 379.0    $ 379.1    $ 363.0    $ 380.8    $ 381.4
    

  

  

  

  

 

We refer to total worldwide retail sales at all of our Company-owned and franchise stores, collectively as “system-wide sales.”

 

(2) Total assets as of December 29, 2002 include a reclassification of approximately $28.2 million of restricted assets relating to our advertising fund subsidiary.
(3) Same store sales growth is calculated on a weekly basis including only sales from stores that also had sales in the same week of the prior year but excluding sales from certain seasonal locations such as stadiums and concert arenas. International same store sales growth is calculated similarly to domestic same store sales growth, on a constant dollar basis. Changes in international same store sales on a constant dollar basis reflect changes in international local currency sales. Changes in international same store sales on a historical dollar basis reflect changes in international sales converted using the U.S. dollar exchange rates that were in effect for the applicable periods.
(4) Includes a 51 store reduction in the 2001 ending store count as a result of our revised definition of a store. During the fourth quarter of 2001, we reviewed our store definition and decided to exclude from our total store count any retail location that was open less than 52 weeks and had annual sales of less than $100,000. Although these units are no longer included in our store counts, revenues and profits generated from these units are recognized in our operating results. The 1999 and 2000 store count information has not been adjusted to reflect this change in store count methodology.
(5) In 1999, we recognized $7.6 million in restructuring charges comprised primarily of staff reduction costs.
(6) In connection with our recapitalization in 2003, we issued and sold $403.0 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of senior subordinated notes at a discount resulting in gross proceeds of $400.1 million and borrowed $610.0 million in term loans. We used the proceeds from the senior subordinated notes, borrowings from our term loans and cash from operations to retire $206.7 million principal amount of our then outstanding senior subordinated notes plus accrued interest for approximately $236.7 million, repay all amounts outstanding under our previous senior credit facility, distribute amounts to the Parent to redeem all of its outstanding preferred stock for approximately $200.5 million, and distribute amounts to the Parent to pay a dividend on its outstanding common stock of approximately $188.3 million. Additionally, we expensed approximately $16.8 million of related general and administrative expenses, primarily comprised of compensation expenses, wrote-off approximately $15.6 million of deferred financing costs to interest expense and expensed approximately $20.4 million of bond tender fees in other expense. Total recapitalization related expenses were $52.8 million (pre-tax). We also recorded an approximately $20.4 million deferred financing cost asset.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Overview

 

We are the number one pizza delivery company in the United States with a 19.8% share of the U.S. pizza delivery channel. We also have a leading international presence. We operate through a network of 594 Company-owned stores, substantially all of which are in the United States, 4,350 franchise stores located in all 50 states and 2,483 franchise stores located in more than 50 other countries. In addition, we operate 18 regional dough manufacturing and distribution centers in the contiguous United States as well as eight dough manufacturing and distribution centers outside the contiguous United States.

 

Our financial results are driven largely by changes in retail sales at our Company-owned and franchise stores. We refer to total worldwide retail sales at all of our Company-owned and franchise stores, collectively as “system-wide sales.” Changes in system-wide sales are driven by changes in same store sales and store counts. We monitor both of these metrics very closely, as they directly impact our revenues and profits, and strive to consistently increase the related amounts. System-wide sales drive Company-owned store revenues, royalty payments from franchisees and distribution revenues. System-wide sales are primarily impacted by the strength of the Domino’s Pizza® brand, the success of our marketing promotions, and our ability to flawlessly execute our store operating model and other business strategies.

 

We earn a significant portion of our income from our franchisees through royalty payments and distribution earnings as well as earnings from our Company-owned stores. We pay particular attention to the unit economics of both our Company-owned and franchise stores. We believe that our system’s unit economics benefit from the relatively small investment required to open and operate a Domino’s Pizza store. We believe these favorable investment requirements, coupled with a strong brand message supported by significant advertising spending, as well as high-quality and focused menu offerings, drive favorable unit economics, which in turn drives same store sales growth and demand for new stores.

 

We devote significant attention to our brand-building efforts which is evident in our estimated $1.2 billion of domestic advertising spending over the past five years and our frequent designation as a MegaBrand by Advertising Age. We plan on continuing to build our brand by satisfying customers worldwide with our pizza delivery offerings and by continuing to invest significant amounts in the advertising and marketing of the Domino’s Pizza® brand.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires our management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, our management evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for uncollectible receivables, long-lived and intangible assets, insurance and legal matters, and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are 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 those estimates. Changes in our estimates could materially impact our results of operations and financial condition for any particular period. We believe that our most critical accounting policies are:

 

  Revenue recognition. We earn revenues through our network of domestic Company-owned and franchise stores, dough manufacturing and distribution centers and international operations. Retail sales from Company-owned stores and royalty revenues resulting from the retail sales from franchise stores are recognized as revenues when the items are delivered to or carried out by customers. Sales of food from our distribution centers are recognized as revenues upon delivery of the food to franchisees while sales of equipment and supplies from our distribution centers are generally recognized as revenues upon shipment of the related products to franchisees.

 

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  Allowance for uncollectible receivables. We closely monitor our accounts and notes receivable balances and provide allowances for uncollectible amounts as a result of our reviews. These estimates are based on, among other factors, historical collection experience and a review of our receivables by aging category. Additionally, we may also provide allowances for uncollectible receivables based on specific customer collection issues that we have identified. While write-offs of bad debts have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, management cannot guarantee that future write-offs will not exceed historical rates. Specifically, if the financial condition of our franchisees were to deteriorate resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

 

  Long-lived and intangible assets. We record long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and capitalized software, at cost. For acquisitions of franchise operations, we estimate the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired based on physical inspection of assets, historical experience and other information available to us regarding the acquisition. We depreciate and amortize long-lived assets using useful lives determined by us based on historical experience and other information available to us including industry practice. We review long-lived assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the related amounts might be impaired. We perform related impairment tests on a market level basis for Company-owned stores. At December 28, 2003, we determined that our long-lived assets were not impaired. However, if our future operating performance were to deteriorate, we may be required to recognize an impairment charge.

 

We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis by comparing the fair value of our reporting units to their carrying values. A significant portion of our goodwill relates to acquisitions of domestic franchise stores and is included in our domestic stores segment. At December 28, 2003, the fair value of our Company-owned stores exceeds the recorded carrying value of the related goodwill. However, if the future performance of our domestic Company-owned stores were to deteriorate, we may be required to recognize a goodwill impairment charge.

 

  Insurance and legal matters. We are a party to lawsuits and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management closely monitors these legal matters and estimates the probable costs for the resolution of such matters. These estimates are primarily determined by consulting with both internal and external parties handling the matters and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. If our estimates relating to legal matters proved inaccurate for any reason, we may be required to increase or decrease the related expense in future periods.

 

For certain periods prior to December 1998 and for periods after December 2001 we maintain insurance coverage for workers’ compensation, general liability and owned and non-owned auto liability under insurance policies requiring payment of a deductible for each occurrence up to between $500,000 and $3.0 million, depending on the policy year and line of coverage. The related insurance reserves are determined using actuarial estimates, which are based on historical information along with assumptions about future events. Changes in assumptions for such factors as medical costs and legal actions, as well as changes in actual experience, could cause these estimates to change in the near term which could result in an increase or decrease in the related expense in future periods.

 

  Income taxes. Our net deferred tax assets assume that we will generate sufficient taxable income in specific tax jurisdictions, based on estimates and assumptions. The amounts relating to taxes recorded on the balance sheet, including tax reserves, also consider the ultimate resolution of revenue agent reviews based on estimates and assumptions. If these estimates and assumptions change in the future, we may be required to adjust our valuation allowance or other tax reserves resulting in additional income tax expense or benefit in future periods.

 

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Same Store Sales Growth

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s same store sales growth for 2001, 2002 and 2003:

 

     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Domestic Company-owned stores

   7.3 %   0.0 %   (1.7 )%

Domestic franchise

   3.6 %   3.0 %   1.7 %
    

 

 

Domestic stores

   4.0 %   2.6 %   1.3 %

International

   6.4 %   4.1 %   4.0 %

 

Store Growth Activity

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s store growth activity for fiscal 2001, 2002 and 2003:

 

    

Domestic

Company-owned

Stores


   

Domestic

Franchise


   

Domestic

Stores


    International

    Total

 

Store count at December 31, 2000

   626     4,192     4,818     2,159     6,977  

Openings

   15     183     198     215     413  

Closings

   (27 )   (176 )(a)   (203 )   (115 )   (318 )

Transfers

   (95 )   95     —       —       —    
    

 

 

 

 

Store count at December 30, 2001

   519     4,294     4,813     2,259     7,072  

Openings

   5     140     145     220     365  

Closings

   (16 )   (94 )   (110 )   (97 )   (207 )

Transfers

   69     (69 )   —       —       —    
    

 

 

 

 

Store count at December 29, 2002

   577     4,271     4,848     2,382     7,230  

Openings

   5     127     132     224     356  

Closings

   (4 )   (72 )   (76 )   (83 )   (159 )

Transfers

   (1 )   1     —       —       —    
    

 

 

 

 

Store count at December 28, 2003

   577     4,327     4,904     2,523     7,427  
    

 

 

 

 


(a) Includes a 51 store reduction as a result of our revised definition of an operating store in 2001. During 2001, we revised our store definition and excluded from our total store count any retail location that was open less than 52 weeks and had annual sales of less than $100,000 from our total store count. Although these units are no longer included in our store counts, revenues and profits generated from these units are recognized in our operating results.

 

System-wide Sales

 

Retail sales, which generate royalty payments by our franchisees, revenues from our Company-owned stores and revenues to our distribution business, are driven by same store sales growth and store counts. The following table sets forth worldwide retail sales for our franchise and Company-owned stores for 2001, 2002 and 2003 (dollars in millions). We refer to total worldwide retail sales, including retail sales at both our franchise and Company-owned stores, as system-wide sales.

 

     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Franchise retail sales:

                                       

Domestic

   $ 2,454.5    71.7 %   $ 2,550.2    71.2 %   $ 2,628.0    69.0 %

International

     967.1    28.3 %     1,030.7    28.8 %     1,183.0    31.0 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total franchise retail sales

   $ 3,421.6    100.0 %   $ 3,580.9    100.0 %   $ 3,811.0    100.0 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Company-owned retail sales:

                                       

Domestic

   $ 362.2    99.8 %   $ 376.5    98.9 %   $ 375.4    98.4 %

International

     0.8    0.2 %     4.3    1.1 %     6.0    1.6 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total Company-owned retail sales

   $ 363.0    100.0 %   $ 380.8    100.0 %   $ 381.4    100.0 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

 

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Revenues

 

We derive our revenues principally from retail sales at Company-owned stores, royalty revenues which are derived from retail sales at our franchise stores and sales of food and supplies to franchise stores by our distribution business. The following table sets forth our revenues for 2001, 2002 and 2003 (dollars in millions).

 

     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Revenues:

                                       

Domestic Company-owned stores

   $ 362.2    28.8 %   $ 376.5    29.5 %   $ 375.4    28.2 %

Domestic franchise

     134.2    10.7 %     140.7    11.1 %     144.5    10.8 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

Domestic stores

     496.4    39.5 %     517.2    40.6 %     519.9    39.0 %

Domestic distribution

     691.9    55.0 %     676.0    53.0 %     717.1    53.8 %

International

     70.0    5.5 %     81.8    6.4 %     96.4    7.2 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total revenues

   $ 1,258.3    100.0 %   $ 1,275.0    100.0 %   $ 1,333.3    100.0 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

 

Income Statement Data

 

The following tables set forth income statement data expressed in dollars and as a percentage of revenues for 2001, 2002 and 2003 (dollars in millions):

 

     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Revenues

   $ 1,258.3    100.0 %   $ 1,275.0    100.0 %   $ 1,333.3    100.0 %

Cost of sales

     937.9    74.5 %     939.0    73.6 %     992.1    74.4 %

General and administrative

     193.3    15.4 %     177.9    14.0 %     182.1    13.7 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

Income from operations

     127.1    10.1 %     158.1    12.4 %     159.2    11.9 %

Interest expense, net

     66.6    5.3 %     59.8    4.7 %     74.3    5.6 %

Other

     0.2    0.0 %     1.8    0.1 %     22.7    1.7 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

Income before provision for income taxes

     60.3    4.8 %     96.5    7.6 %     62.1    4.7 %

Provision for income taxes

     23.5    1.9 %     35.8    2.8 %     23.3    1.7 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

Net income

   $ 36.8    2.9 %   $ 60.7    4.8 %   $ 38.8    2.9 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

 

2003 Compared to 2002

(tabular amounts in millions, except percentages)

 

Revenues. Revenues primarily include retail sales by Company-owned stores, royalties from domestic and international franchise stores, and sales of food, equipment and supplies by our distribution centers to franchise stores.

 

Consolidated revenues increased $58.3 million or 4.6% in 2003 to $1.33 billion, from $1.27 billion in 2002. This increase in revenues was due primarily to increases in revenues from domestic distribution operations and international operations. These increases in revenues are more fully described below.

 

Domestic Stores. Domestic stores revenues are comprised of revenues from domestic Company-owned store operations and domestic franchise store operations, as summarized in the following table:

 

     2002

    2003

 

Domestic Company-owned stores

   $ 376.5    72.8 %   $ 375.4    72.2 %

Domestic franchise

     140.7    27.2 %     144.5    27.8 %
    

  

 

  

Total domestic stores revenues

   $ 517.2    100.0 %   $ 519.9    100.0 %
    

  

 

  

 

Domestic stores revenues increased $2.7 million or 0.5% to $519.9 million in 2003, from $517.2 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to increases in royalty revenues from our franchise stores, offset in part by a decrease in revenues at our Company-owned stores. These changes are more fully described below.

 

Domestic Company-owned stores. Revenues from domestic Company-owned store operations decreased $1.1 million or 0.3% to $375.4 million in 2003, from $376.5 million in 2002. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in same store sales. Same store sales for domestic Company-owned stores decreased 1.7% in 2003 compared to 2002. There were 577 domestic Company-owned stores in operation as of December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003, respectively.

 

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Domestic franchise. Revenues from domestic franchise operations increased $3.8 million or 2.7% to $144.5 million in 2003, from $140.7 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to an increase in same store sales and an increase in the average number of domestic franchise stores open during 2003. Same store sales for domestic franchise stores increased 1.7% in 2003 compared to 2002. There were 4,271 and 4,327 domestic franchise stores in operation as of December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003, respectively.

 

Domestic Distribution. Revenues from domestic distribution operations increased $41.1 million or 6.1% to $717.1 million in 2003, from $676.0 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to an increase in volumes relating to increases in domestic franchise retail sales, and a market increase in overall food prices, primarily cheese.

 

International. Revenues from international operations increased $14.6 million or 17.9% to $96.4 million in 2003, from $81.8 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to an increase in same store sales, an increase in the average number of international stores open during 2003 and a related increase in revenues from our international distribution operations. On a constant dollar basis, same store sales increased 4.0% in 2003 compared to 2002. On a historical dollar basis, same store sales increased 8.0% in 2003 compared to 2002, reflecting a generally weaker U.S. dollar in those markets in which we compete. There were 2,382 and 2,523 international stores in operation as of December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003, respectively.

 

Cost of Sales / Operating Margin. Consolidated cost of sales is comprised primarily of Company-owned store and domestic distribution costs incurred to generate related revenues. Components of consolidated cost of sales primarily include food, labor and occupancy costs.

 

The consolidated operating margin, which we define as revenues less cost of sales, increased $5.2 million or 1.6% to $341.2 million in 2003, from $336.0 million in 2002, as summarized in the following table.

 

     2002

    2003

 

Consolidated revenues

   $ 1,275.0    100.0 %   $ 1,333.3    100.0 %

Consolidated cost of sales

     939.0    73.6 %     992.1    74.4 %
    

  

 

  

Consolidated operating margin

   $ 336.0    26.4 %   $ 341.2    25.6 %
    

  

 

  

 

The $5.2 million increase in consolidated operating margin was due primarily to increases in the operating margin from both our domestic franchise operations and our international operations, offset in part by a decrease in our domestic Company-owned store operating margin. Franchise revenues do not have a cost of sales component and, as a result, increases in related franchise revenues have a disproportionate effect on the consolidated operating margin.

 

As a percentage of total revenues, our consolidated operating margin decreased primarily as a result of increased costs at our domestic Company-owned stores, offset in part by the aforementioned increases in domestic franchise and international operation margins. Changes in the operating margin at our domestic Company-owned store operations and our domestic distribution operations are more fully described below.

 

Domestic Company-owned stores. The domestic Company-owned store operating margin decreased $8.4 million or 9.9% to $75.8 million in 2003, from $84.2 million in 2002, as summarized in the following table.

 

     2002

    2003

 

Revenues

   $ 376.5    100.0 %   $ 375.4    100.0 %

Cost of sales

     292.4    77.6 %     299.6    79.8 %
    

  

 

  

Store operating margin

   $ 84.2    22.4 %   $ 75.8    20.2 %
    

  

 

  

 

The $8.4 million decrease in the domestic Company-owned store operating margin is primarily due to increases in food and occupancy costs.

 

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As a percentage of store revenues, food costs increased 1.1% to 27.3% in 2003, from 26.2% in 2002, due primarily to a market increase in food prices, including cheese. The cheese block price per pound averaged $1.31 in 2003 compared to $1.19 in 2002. As a percentage of store revenues, occupancy costs, which include rent, telephone, utilities and other related costs, including depreciation and amortization, increased 0.9% to 11.2% in 2003, from 10.3% in 2002. This increase in occupancy costs was due primarily to an increase in depreciation as a result of recent investments in our stores including the implementation of a new point-of-sale system. As a percentage of store revenues, labor costs remained relatively flat, decreasing 0.1% to 30.1% in 2003, from 30.2% in 2002.

 

Domestic Distribution. The domestic distribution operating margin increased $0.8 million or 1.1% to $76.6 million in 2003, from $75.8 million in 2002, as summarized in the following table.

 

     2002

    2003

 

Revenues

   $ 676.0    100.0 %   $ 717.1    100.0 %

Cost of sales

     600.2    88.8 %     640.4    89.3 %
    

  

 

  

Distribution operating margin

   $ 75.8    11.2 %   $ 76.6    10.7 %
    

  

 

  

 

The $0.8 million increase in the domestic distribution operating margin was due primarily to increases in volumes and efficiencies in the areas of operations and purchasing.

 

As a percentage of distribution revenues, our distribution operating margin decreased primarily as a result of rising food prices, including cheese, offset by the aforementioned increase in volumes, and operational and purchasing efficiencies. Increases in certain food prices, including cheese, have a negative effect on the distribution operating margin due to the fixed dollar margin earned by domestic distribution on certain food items, including cheese. Had cheese prices remained constant with fiscal 2002 levels, the distribution operation margin would have increased to approximately 10.9% of distribution revenues, or 0.2% higher than the reported amount.

 

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $4.2 million or 2.3% to $182.1 million in 2003, from $177.9 million in 2002. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased 0.3% to 13.7% in 2003, from 14.0% in 2002. This increase in total general and administrative expenses was due primarily to an $11.9 million increase in labor, offset in part by a $5.5 million decrease in net gains (losses) on sale/disposal of assets in 2003. The increase in general and administrative labor was due primarily to $16.0 million of compensation expenses incurred as part of our recapitalization in June 2003. The decrease in net gains (losses) on sales/disposal of assets was due primarily to $5.3 million of certain capitalized software costs expensed in 2002.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense increased $14.4 million or 23.8% to $74.7 million in 2003, from $60.3 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to a $15.6 million write-off of financing fees in connection with our recapitalization in June 2003. The increase in total interest expense was also due in part to higher average debt levels compared to 2002. These increases were offset in part by a reduction in our overall borrowing rates, primarily as a result of our recapitalization in June 2003.

 

Other. Other expenses increased $20.9 million to $22.7 million in 2003, from $1.8 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to $20.4 million of bond tender fees expensed as part of our recapitalization in June 2003.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes decreased $12.5 million to $23.3 million in 2003, from $35.8 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to a decrease in pre-tax income.

 


 

Summary of recapitalization expenses. The following table presents total recapitalization-related expenses for 2003. These pre-tax expenses affect comparability of the 2003 and 2002 income statements.

 

     2003

General and administrative (primarily compensation expense)

   $ 16.8

Interest (write-off of deferred financing fees)

     15.6

Other (bond tender fees)

     20.4
    

Total recapitalization-related expenses

   $ 52.8
    

 

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Segment Income. The following table summarizes earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, gains (losses) on sale/disposal of assets, and other, which is the measure in which management allocates resources to its segments and, as required by SFAS No. 131, is disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this filing. We refer to this measure as our Segment Income. Segment Income for each of the Company’s reportable segments for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003 are summarized in the following table:

 

     2002

   2003

Domestic Stores

   $ 137.6    $ 140.1

Domestic Distribution

     50.0      54.6

International

     25.9      29.1

 

Domestic Stores. Domestic Stores Segment Income increased $2.5 million or 1.8% to $140.1 million in 2003, from $137.6 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to increases in franchise royalty revenues, as described more fully in the revenues discussion above and reductions in related office general and administrative costs. This increase was offset in part by increases in food costs in our Company-owned stores, driven primarily by increases in cheese prices.

 

Domestic Distribution. Domestic Distribution Segment Income increased $4.6 million or 9.2% to $54.6 million in 2003, from $50.0 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to increases in revenues, as described more fully in the revenues discussion above, and efficiencies in the areas of purchasing and operations.

 

International. International Segment Income increased $3.2 million or 12.4% to $29.1 million in 2003, from $25.9 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to increases in revenues, as described more fully in the revenues discussion above. This increase was offset in part by the impact in 2002 of a favorable resolution of a contingent liability.

 

2002 Compared to 2001

(tabular amounts in millions, except percentages)

 

Revenues. Consolidated revenues increased $16.7 million or 1.3% in 2002 to $1.27 billion, from $1.26 billion in 2001. This increase in revenues was due primarily to increases in revenues from domestic stores and international operations, offset in part by a decrease in revenues from domestic distribution operations. These increases in revenues are more fully described below.

 

Domestic Stores. Domestic stores revenues are comprised of revenues from domestic Company-owned store operations and domestic franchise store operations, as summarized in the following table:

 

     2001

    2002

 

Domestic Company-owned stores

   $ 362.2    73.0 %   $ 376.5    72.8 %

Domestic franchise

     134.2    27.0 %     140.7    27.2 %
    

  

 

  

Total domestic stores revenues

   $ 496.4    100.0 %   $ 517.2    100.0 %
    

  

 

  

 

Domestic stores revenues increased $20.8 million or 4.2% to $517.2 million in 2002, from $496.4 million in 2001. This increase was due primarily to increases in revenues at both our franchise and Company-owned stores. These increases are more fully described below.

 

Domestic Company-owned stores. Revenues from domestic Company-owned store operations increased $14.3 million or 4.0% to $376.5 million in 2002, from $362.2 million in 2001. This increase was due primarily to an increase in the average number of domestic Company-owned stores open during 2002. There were 519 and 577 domestic Company-owned stores in operation as of December 30, 2001 and December 29, 2002, respectively. This increase was due primarily to the purchase of 83 stores from our former franchisee in Arizona. Same store sales for domestic Company-owned stores were flat in 2002 compared to 2001.

 

Domestic franchise. Revenues from domestic franchise operations increased $6.5 million or 4.8% to $140.7 million in 2002, from $134.2 million in 2001. This increase was due primarily to an increase in same store sales offset in part by a decrease in the average number of domestic franchise stores open during 2002. Same store sales for domestic franchise stores increased 3.0% in 2002 compared to 2001. There were 4,294 and 4,271 domestic franchise stores in operation as of December 30, 2001 and December 29, 2002, respectively. This decrease in store count was due primarily to the aforementioned acquisition of 83 domestic franchise stores in Arizona offset in part by net new store openings.

 

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Table of Contents

Domestic Distribution. Revenues from domestic distribution operations decreased $15.9 million or 2.3% to $676.0 million in 2002, from $691.9 million in 2001. This decrease was due primarily to a market decrease in overall food prices, primarily cheese, and a decrease in the average number of domestic franchise stores open in 2002, offset in part by an increase in volumes relating to increases in domestic franchise same store sales.

 

International. Revenues from international operations increased $11.8 million or 16.8% to $81.8 million in 2002, from $70.0 million in 2001. This increase was due primarily to the acquisition of the Netherlands franchise operations, which included 39 franchise stores, 15 Company-owned stores and a distribution center, in the fourth quarter of 2001 ($7.1 million year-over-year impact on revenues), as well as increases in same store sales and the average number of international stores open during 2002. On a constant dollar basis, same store sales increased 4.1% in 2002 as compared to 2001. On a historical dollar basis, same store sales increased 3.2% in 2002 compared to 2001, reflecting a generally stronger U.S. dollar in those markets in which we compete. There were 2,259 and 2,382 international stores in operation as of December 30, 2001 and December 29, 2002, respectively.

 

Cost of sales / operating margin. The consolidated operating margin, which we define as revenues less cost of sales, increased $15.6 million or 4.9% to $336.0 million in 2002, from $320.4 million in 2001, as summarized in the following table.

 

     2001

    2002

 

Consolidated revenues

   $ 1,258.3    100.0 %   $ 1,275.0    100.0 %

Consolidated cost of sales

     937.9    74.5 %     939.0    73.6 %
    

  

 

  

Consolidated operating margin

   $ 320.4    25.5 %   $ 336.0    26.4 %
    

  

 

  

 

The $15.6 million increase in consolidated operating margin was due to increases in the operating margin from all of our business segments.

 

As a percentage of total revenues, our consolidated operating margin increased primarily as a result of increases in domestic franchise and international operation margins and decreased costs at our domestic distribution operations. Changes in the operating margin at our domestic Company-owned store operations and our domestic distribution operations are more fully described below.

 

Domestic Company-owned stores. The domestic Company-owned store operating margin increased $2.8 million or 3.3% to $84.2 million in 2002, from $81.4 million in 2001, as summarized in the following table.

 

     2001

    2002

 

Revenues

   $ 362.2    100.0 %   $ 376.5    100.0 %

Cost of sales

     280.8    77.5 %     292.4    77.6 %
    

  

 

  

Store operating margin

   $ 81.4    22.5 %   $ 84.2    22.4 %
    

  

 

  

 

The $2.8 million increase in domestic Company-owned store operating margin is primarily due to decreases in food costs, offset in part by increases in labor, insurance and occupancy costs.

 

As a percentage of store revenues, labor costs increased 0.4% to 30.2% in 2002, from 29.8% in 2001, reflecting increased average wage rates at our stores. As a percentage of store revenues, insurance costs increased 1.0% to 4.4% in 2002, from 3.4% in 2001. This increase in insurance costs was driven primarily by the increased cost of workers’ compensation and automobile liability premiums. As a percentage of store revenues, occupancy costs, which include rent, telephone, utilities and other related costs, including depreciation and amortization, increased 0.3% to 10.3% in 2002, from 10.0% in 2001. This increase in occupancy costs was due primarily to increases in rents.

 

These increases in cost of sales were offset in part by a decrease in food costs as a percentage of store revenues. Food costs decreased 1.7% to 26.2% in 2002, from 27.9% in 2001 due primarily to lower cheese prices during 2002 as compared to 2001. The cheese block price per pound averaged $1.19 in 2002 compared to $1.43 in 2001.

 

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Table of Contents

Domestic Distribution. The domestic distribution operating margin increased $4.8 million or 6.6% to $75.8 million in 2002, from $71.0 million in 2001, as summarized in the following table.

 

     2001

    2002

 

Revenues

   $ 691.9    100.0 %   $ 676.0    100.0 %

Cost of sales

     620.9    89.7 %     600.2    88.8 %
    

  

 

  

Distribution operating margin

   $ 71.0    10.3 %   $ 75.8    11.2 %
    

  

 

  

 

The $4.8 million increase in the domestic distribution operating margin was primarily due to increases in volumes and efficiencies in the areas of operations and purchasing.

 

As a percentage of distribution revenues, our distribution operating margin increased primarily as a result of the aforementioned increases in volumes and operational and purchasing efficiencies as well as decreases in food prices, including cheese. Reductions in certain food prices, including cheese, have a positive effect on the distribution operating margin as a percentage of revenues due to the fixed dollar margin earned by domestic distribution on certain food items, including cheese. Had cheese prices remained constant with fiscal 2001 levels, the distribution operation margin would have decreased to approximately 10.6% of distribution revenues, or 0.6% lower than the reported amount.

 

These increases in operating margin were offset in part by increases in workers’ compensation and automobile liability premiums.

 

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased $15.4 million or 7.9% to $177.9 million in 2002, from $193.3 million in 2001. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased 1.4% to 14.0% in 2002, from 15.4% in 2001. This improvement in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues was due in part to management’s continued focus on controlling overhead costs, and improved collections, as well as the following:

 

  The absence of covenant not-to-compete amortization expense in 2002 relating to our covenant with our former majority stockholder ($5.3 million in 2001);

 

  The reversal in 2002 of a $2.5 million reserve originally recorded in 2001 relating to an international contingent liability which was favorably resolved in 2002, as well as a related $1.4 million reserve for doubtful accounts receivable originally recorded in 2000 and 2001 which was reversed upon collection of the receivable in 2002 ($7.2 million year over year impact); and

 

  The absence of goodwill expense in 2002 relating to our adoption of SFAS No. 142 ($2.0 million in 2001).

 

These decreases in general and administrative expenses in 2002 were offset in part by a $1.0 million increase in net losses on the sale/disposal of assets, which includes approximately $5.3 million of certain capitalized software costs that were expensed in 2002.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $8.1 million or 11.8% to $60.3 million in 2002, from $68.4 million in 2001. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in variable interest rates and interest rate margins on our senior credit facility and reduced debt levels. The Company repaid approximately $52.7 million of debt in 2002. This decrease in interest expense was offset in part by a $4.5 million write-off of financing fees related to the Company’s refinancing of its senior credit facility.

 

Other. Other expenses increased $1.6 million to $1.8 million in 2002, from $0.2 million in 2001. This increase was due to an increase in losses on senior subordinated debt retirements in 2002 compared to 2001.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes increased $12.3 million to $35.8 million in 2002, from $23.5 million in 2001. This increase was due primarily to an increase in pre-tax income.

 


 

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Segment Income. The following table summarizes Segment Income for each of the Company’s reportable segments for the fiscal years ended December 30, 2001 and December 29, 2002:

 

     2001

   2002

Domestic Stores

   $ 126.6    $ 137.6

Domestic Distribution

     44.3      50.0

International

     16.3      25.9

 

Domestic Stores. Domestic Stores Segment Income increased $11.0 million or 8.7% to $137.6 million in 2002, from $126.6 million in 2001. This increase was due primarily to increases in revenues, as described more fully in the revenues discussions above, reductions in food costs in our Company-owned stores, driven primarily by decreases in cheese prices, and reductions in office overhead costs. These increases were offset in part by increases in insurance and rent costs.

 

Domestic Distribution. Domestic Distribution Segment Income increased $5.7 million or 12.7% to $50.0 million in 2002, from $44.3 million in 2001. This increase was due primarily efficiencies in the areas of purchasing and operations. This increase was offset in part by increases in insurance costs.

 

International. International Segment Income increased $9.6 million or 58.5% to $25.9 million in 2002, from $16.3 million in 2001. This increase was due primarily to increases in revenues, as described more fully in the revenues discussion above, and the impact of a favorable resolution of a contingent liability and collection of a previously reserved receivable, both of which are more fully described in the general and administrative expense discussion above.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of December 28, 2003 we had negative working capital of $1.4 million and cash and cash equivalents of $42.7 million. Historically, we have operated with minimal positive working capital or negative working capital primarily because our receivable collection periods and inventory turn rates are faster than the normal payment terms on our current liabilities. We generally collect our receivables within three weeks from the date of the related sale and we generally experience 40 to 50 inventory turns per year. In addition, our sales are not typically seasonal, which further limits our working capital requirements. These factors, coupled with significant and ongoing cash flows from operations, which are primarily used to repay long-term debt and invest in long-term assets, reduce our working capital amounts. Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations and availability of borrowings under our revolving credit facility. We have historically funded capital expenditures and debt repayments from cash flows from operations and expect to in the future. We did not have any material commitments for capital expenditures as of December 28, 2003.

 

As of December 28, 2003, we had $959.7 million of long-term debt, of which $18.6 million was classified as a current liability. During 2003, there were no borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Letters of credit issued under our $125.0 million revolving credit facility were $25.4 million. These letters of credit are primarily related to our insurance programs and distribution center leases. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are available to fund our working capital requirements, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $102.5 million and $105.0 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively. The $2.5 million decrease was due primarily to a $21.8 million decrease in net income, primarily as a result of expenses incurred as part of our recapitalization, a $5.5 million decrease in net gains (losses) on sale/disposal of assets and a $4.6 million decrease in provision for deferred income taxes. These decreases were offset in part by a $13.6 million net change in operating assets and liabilities and a $10.8 million increase in amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $19.6 million and $72.0 in 2003 and 2002, respectively. The $52.4 million decrease was due primarily to a $24.8 million decrease in capital expenditures, a $22.0 million decrease in acquisitions of franchise operations and a $7.2 million increase in net repayments of notes receivable. The decrease in capital expenditures was due in part to significant investments in 2002 in connection with the implementation of a new point-of-sale system and the related hardware in our Company-owned stores. The decrease in acquisitions of franchise operations was due primarily to the Company’s purchase of 83 domestic franchise stores in Arizona during the first quarter of 2002.

 

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Cash used in financing activities was $62.9 million and $65.8 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively. The $2.9 million decrease was due primarily to activity relating to the Company’s June 2003 recapitalization, including a $244.8 million increase in repayments of long-term debt, a $379.4 million increase in distributions to Parent and a $17.5 million increase in cash paid for financing costs. These decreases were offset by a $645.1 million increase in proceeds from issuance of debt.

 

On June 25, 2003, the Company, together with the Parent, consummated a recapitalization transaction (the “2003 Recapitalization”) whereby the Company (i) issued and sold $403.0 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of 8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (the “2011 Notes”) at a discount resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $400.1 million, and (ii) borrowed $610.0 million in term loans and secured a $125.0 million revolving credit facility with a consortium of banks (collectively, the “2003 Agreement”). The 2003 Agreement was amended on November 25, 2003 primarily to obtain more favorable interest rate margins.

 

The 2011 Notes require semi-annual interest payments, beginning January 1, 2004. Before July 1, 2006, the Company may, at a price above par, redeem all, but not part, of the 2011 Notes if a change in control occurs, as defined in the 2011 Notes. Beginning July 1, 2007, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2011 Notes at fixed redemption prices, ranging from 104.125% of par in 2007 to 100% of par in 2009 through maturity. In the event of a change in control, as defined, the Company will be obligated to repurchase the 2011 Notes tendered at the option of the holders at a fixed price. Upon a public stock offering, the Company may use up to 40% of the net proceeds from such offering to retire 2011 Notes. The 2011 Notes are guaranteed by most of Domino’s domestic subsidiaries and one foreign subsidiary and are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt of the Company.

 

The 2003 Agreement provides the following credit facilities: a term loan (the “Term Loan”) and a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”). The aggregate borrowings available under the 2003 Agreement are $735.0 million. The 2003 Agreement provides borrowings of $610.0 million under the Term Loan. The Term Loan was initially fully borrowed. Borrowings under the Term Loan bear interest, payable at least quarterly, at either (i) the higher of (a) the prime rate (4.00% at December 28, 2003) or (b) 0.50% above the Federal Reserve reported overnight funds rate, each plus an applicable margin of 1.50%, or (ii) the Eurodollar rate (1.125% at December 28, 2003) plus an applicable margin of 2.50%. At December 28, 2003, the Company’s borrowing rate was 3.625% for Term Loan borrowings. As of December 28, 2003, all borrowings under the Term Loan were under a Eurodollar contract with an interest period of 180 days. The 2003 Agreement requires Term Loan principal payments of $7.0 million in 2004, $42.0 million in 2005, $56.0 million in 2006, $52.5 million in 2007, $76.9 million in 2008, $108.2 million in 2009 and $195.4 million in 2010. The timing of the Company’s required payments under the 2003 Agreement may change based upon voluntary prepayments and generation of excess cash, as defined. Upon a public stock offering, the Company is required to pay down the Term Loan in an amount equal to 50% of the net proceeds of such offering. The final scheduled principal payment on the outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan is due in June 2010.

 

The 2003 Agreement also provides for borrowings of up to $125.0 million under the Revolver, of which up to $60.0 million is available for letter of credit advances. Borrowings under the Revolver (excluding letters of credit) bear interest, payable at least quarterly, at either (i) the higher of (a) the prime rate or (b) 0.50% above the Federal Reserve reported overnight funds rate, each plus an applicable margin of between 1.25% to 2.00%, or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin of between 2.25% to 3.00%, with margins determined based upon the Parent and its subsidiaries ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA, as defined. The Company also pays a 0.50% commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolver. The fee for letter of credit amounts outstanding ranges from 2.375% to 3.125%. At December 28, 2003, the fee for letter of credit amounts outstanding was 3.125%. At December 28, 2003, there is $99.6 million in available borrowings under the Revolver, with $25.4 million of letters of credit outstanding. The Revolver expires in June 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

Based upon the current level of operations and anticipated growth, we believe that the cash generated from operations and amounts available under the revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our anticipated debt service requirements, capital expenditures and working capital needs for the next several years. There can be no assurance, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available under the senior credit facility or otherwise to enable us to service our indebtedness, including the senior credit facility and the senior subordinated notes, or to make anticipated capital expenditures. Our future operating performance and our ability to service or refinance the senior subordinated notes and to service, extend or refinance the senior credit facility will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Additionally, the Company may be requested to provide funds to TISM for stock dividends, distributions and/or other cash needs of TISM.

 

Impact of Inflation

 

We believe that our results of operations are not materially impacted upon moderate changes in the inflation rate. Inflation and changing prices did not have a material impact on our operations in 2001, 2002, or 2003. Severe increases in inflation, however, could affect the global and U.S. economies and could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (FIN 45). FIN 45 clarifies the requirements of SFAS No. 5 “Accounting for Contingencies”, relating to a guarantor’s accounting for, and disclosure of, the issuance of certain types of guarantees. We adopted FIN 45 at the beginning of fiscal 2003. The adoption did not have a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure” (SFAS 148). SFAS 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation as required by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123). In addition, SFAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 to require more prominent and more frequent disclosures in financial statements about the effects of stock-based compensation. We adopted SFAS 148 in 2003. The adoption did not have a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued a revised interpretation of FASB Interpretation 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - an interpretation of ARB No. 51” (FIN 46R). FIN 46R requires the consolidation of a variable interest entity (VIE) by an enterprise if the enterprise is determined to be the primary beneficiary, as defined in FIN 46R. We are required to apply this interpretation immediately for all entities created after December 31, 2003. We are required to adopt FIN 46R for all variable interest entities created on or prior to December 31, 2003 by the beginning of the first annual period beginning after December 15, 2004, which is beginning of our fiscal 2005. We are assessing FIN 46R and related guidance as it relates to VIEs, and are unable to predict the impact, if any, of this interpretation on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

The following is a summary of our significant contractual obligations at December 28, 2003: (in millions)

 

Contractual Obligations


   2004

   2005

   2006

   2007

   2008

   Thereafter

   Total

Long-term debt

   $ 18.4    $ 42.0    $ 56.0    $ 52.5    $ 76.9    $ 706.8    $ 952.7

Capital lease

     0.7      0.7      0.7      0.7      0.7      7.1      10.8

Operating leases (1)

     28.6      28.2      24.1      19.4      15.5      58.3      174.0

(1) We lease retail store and distribution center locations, distribution vehicles, various equipment and our World Resource Center, which is our corporate headquarters, under leases with expiration dates through 2019.

 

We may be required to purchase the Domino’s, Inc. senior subordinated notes upon a change of control, as defined in the indenture governing those notes. As of December 28, 2003, there was $403.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes outstanding.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As part of TISM’s recapitalization in 1998, we and our subsidiaries entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of one of TISM’s stockholders to provide specified management services. We are committed to pay an amount not to exceed $2.0 million per year, excluding out-of-pocket expenses on an ongoing basis for management services as defined in the management agreement.

 

TISM is contingently liable to pay our former majority TISM stockholder and his wife an amount not exceeding approximately $15 million under a note payable, plus 8% interest per annum beginning in 2003, in the event the majority of TISM stockholders sell a specified percentage of their common stock to an unaffiliated party.

 

We are party to letters of credit and, to a lesser extent, financial guarantees with off-balance sheet risk. Our exposure to credit loss for letters of credit and financial guarantees is represented by the contractual amounts of these instruments. Total conditional commitments under letters of credit and financial guarantees as of December 28, 2003 are $26.4 million, and primarily relate to letters of credit for our insurance programs and distribution center leases.

 

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995:

 

Certain statements contained in this report relating to our anticipated profitability and operating performance are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Among these risks and uncertainties are competitive factors, increases in our operating costs, ability to retain our key personnel, our substantial leverage, ability to implement our growth and cost-saving strategies, industry trends and general economic conditions, adequacy of insurance coverage and other factors, all of which are described in this and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See Exhibit 99.1. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The matters discussed in this Form 10-K, as well as in future oral and written statements by our management, that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in conjunction with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial position or state other “forward-looking” information.

 

We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our stakeholders. However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to accurately predict or control. The factors listed in Exhibit 99.1 “Risk Factors,” as well as any cautionary language in this Form 10-K, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to, those described in Exhibit 99.1 “Risk Factors.”

 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K. Except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we do not have any intention to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date of this Form 10-K, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-K or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, us. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

 

This Form 10-K contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”), including information within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The following cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the provisions of the Act and with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Act. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to, the following:

 

Our ability to maintain good relationships with our franchisees;

 

Our ability to successfully implement cost-saving strategies;

 

Increases in our operating costs, including cheese, fuel and other commodity costs and the minimum wage;

 

Our ability to compete domestically and internationally in our intensely competitive industry;

 

Our ability to retain or replace our executive officers and other key members of management and our ability to adequately staff our stores and distribution centers with qualified personnel;

 

Our ability to pay principal and interest on our substantial debt;

 

Our ability to borrow in the future;

 

Our ability to find and/or retain suitable real estate for our stores and distribution centers;

 

Adverse legislation or regulation;

 

Adverse legal settlements;

 

Changes in consumer taste, demographic trends and traffic patterns;

 

Our ability to sustain or increase historical revenues and profit margins;

 

Continuation of certain trends and general economic conditions in the industry; and

 

Adequacy of insurance coverage

 

We do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Market Risk

 

We are exposed to market risks from interest rate changes on our variable rate debt. Management actively monitors this exposure. We do not engage in speculative transactions nor do we hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

We are also exposed to market risks from changes in commodity prices. During the normal course of business, we purchase cheese and certain other food products that are affected by changes in commodity prices and, as a result, we are subject to volatility in our food costs. Management actively monitors this exposure. However, we do not enter into financial instruments to hedge commodity prices. The cheese block price per pound averaged $1.31 in 2003. The estimated change in Company-owned store food costs from a hypothetical $0.20 change in the average cheese block price per pound would have been approximately $3.5 million in 2003. This hypothetical change in food cost could be positively or negatively impacted by average ticket changes and product mix changes.

 

Financial Derivatives

 

We enter into interest rate swaps, collars or similar instruments with the objective of reducing our volatility in borrowing costs.

 

At December 28, 2003 we had three interest rate swap agreements effectively converting the variable Eurodollar component on a portion of our senior credit facility term debt to various fixed rates over various terms. Additionally, we had two interest rate swap agreements effectively converting the fixed rate interest component on our senior subordinated notes to variable rates over the term of our senior subordinated notes. These agreements are summarized as follows:

 

Derivative


  

Total

Notional

Amount


  

Term


   Rate

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 60.0 million    June 2001 – June 2004    4.90%

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 30.0 million    September 2001 – September 2004    3.69%

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 75.0 million    August 2002 – June 2005    3.25%

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 50.0 million    August 2003 – July 2011    LIBOR plus 319
basis points

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 50.0 million    August 2003 – July 2011    LIBOR plus 324
basis points

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our variable interest expense is sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates. At December 28, 2003, the weighted average interest rate on our $473.0 million of variable interest debt was approximately 3.8%.

 

We had total interest expense of approximately $74.7 million in 2003. The estimated increase in 2003 interest expense from a hypothetical 200 basis-point adverse change in applicable variable interest rates would have been approximately $5.2 million.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

We have exposure to various foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for revenues generated by our operations outside the United States, which can adversely impact our net income and cash flows. Approximately 7% of our revenues in 2003 were derived from sales to customers and royalties from franchisees outside the contiguous United States. This business is conducted in the local currency. This exposes us to risks associated with changes in foreign currency that can adversely affect revenues, net income and cash flows. We do not enter into financial instruments to manage this foreign currency exchange risk.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

Report of Independent Auditors

 

To Domino’s, Inc.:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income, of stockholder’s deficit and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Domino’s, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 28, 2003 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for goodwill in 2002.

 

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

 

January 30, 2004

 

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Table of Contents

DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

    

December 29,

2002


  

December 28,

2003


ASSETS              

CURRENT ASSETS:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 22,472    $ 42,726

Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $3,764 in 2002 and $3,869 in 2003

     57,497      64,571

Inventories

     21,832      19,480

Notes receivable, net of reserves of $1,785 in 2002 and $291 in 2003

     3,398      3,785

Prepaid expenses and other

     6,673      16,040

Advertising fund assets, restricted

     28,231      30,544

Deferred income taxes

     6,809      5,730
    

  

Total current assets

     146,912      182,876
    

  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

             

Land and buildings

     15,986      21,849

Leasehold and other improvements

     57,029      61,433

Equipment

     145,513      158,286

Construction in progress

     5,727      6,133
    

  

       224,255      247,701

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     103,708      120,634
    

  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     120,547      127,067
    

  

OTHER ASSETS:

             

Investments in marketable securities, restricted

     3,172      4,155

Notes receivable, less current portion, net of reserves of $1,899 in 2002 and $1,840 in 2003

     10,755      1,813

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $22,436 in 2002 and $846 in 2003

     18,264      18,847

Goodwill

     23,232      23,432

Capitalized software, net of accumulated amortization of $25,930 in 2002 and $26,936 in 2003

     28,313      27,197

Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,374 in 2002 and $2,087 in 2003

     10,945      11,020

Deferred income taxes

     60,287      52,042
    

  

Total other assets

     154,968      138,506
    

  

Total assets

   $ 422,427    $ 448,449
    

  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.

 

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Table of Contents

DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Continued)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

    

December 29,

2002


   

December 28,

2003


 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 2,843     $ 18,572  

Accounts payable

     46,131       53,388  

Accrued compensation

     26,723       25,315  

Accrued interest

     12,864       17,217  

Insurance reserves

     8,452       9,432  

Advertising fund liabilities

     28,231       30,544  

Other accrued liabilities

     31,984       29,795  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     157,228       184,263  
    


 


LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

                

Long-term debt, less current portion

     599,180       941,165  

Insurance reserves

     12,510       15,941  

Other accrued liabilities

     29,090       25,169  
    


 


Total long-term liabilities

     640,780       982,275  
    


 


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

                

STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT:

                

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000 shares authorized; 10 shares issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     120,723       124,210  

Retained deficit

     (491,793 )     (842,308 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (4,511 )     9  
    


 


Total stockholder’s deficit

     (375,581 )     (718,089 )
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholder’s deficit

   $ 422,427     $ 448,449  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands)

 

     For the Years Ended

 
    

December 30,

2001


   

December 29,

2002


   

December 28,

2003


 

REVENUES:

                        

Domestic Company-owned stores

   $ 362,189     $ 376,533     $ 375,421  

Domestic franchise

     134,195       140,667       144,458  

Domestic distribution

     691,902       676,018       717,057  

International

     69,995       81,762       96,386  
    


 


 


Total revenues

     1,258,281       1,274,980       1,333,322  
    


 


 


OPERATING EXPENSES:

                        

Cost of sales

     937,899       938,972       992,096  

General and administrative

     193,277       177,938       182,068  
    


 


 


Total operating expenses

     1,131,176       1,116,910       1,174,164  
    


 


 


INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     127,105       158,070       159,158  

INTEREST INCOME

     1,778       537       386  

INTEREST EXPENSE

     (68,380 )     (60,321 )     (74,678 )

OTHER

     (217 )     (1,836 )     (22,747 )
    


 


 


INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     60,286       96,450       62,119  

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     23,506       35,789       23,295  
    


 


 


NET INCOME

   $ 36,780     $ 60,661     $ 38,824  
    


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

 

     For the Years Ended

 
    

December 30,

2001


   

December 29,

2002


   

December 28,

2003


 

NET INCOME

   $ 36,780     $ 60,661     $ 38,824  
    


 


 


OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), BEFORE TAX:

                        

Currency translation adjustment

     (259 )     1,082       1,704  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for derivative instruments

     2,685       —         —    

Unrealized losses on derivative instruments

     (8,124 )     (10,241 )     (1,856 )

Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income

     2,384       5,389       6,300  
    


 


 


       (3,314 )     (3,770 )     6,148  

TAX ATTRIBUTES OF ITEMS IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

     1,130       1,795       (1,628 )
    


 


 


OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX

     (2,184 )     (1,975 )     4,520  
    


 


 


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

   $ 34,596     $ 58,686     $ 43,344  
    


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT

(In thousands)

 

     Common
Stock


  

Additional
Paid-in
Capital


   Retained
Deficit


    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
(Loss)


 
             Currency
Translation
Adjustment


   

Fair Value

of Derivative
Instruments


 

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2000

   $ —      $ 120,202    $ (574,657 )   $ (352 )   $ —    

Net income

     —        —        36,780       —         —    

Distributions to Parent

     —        —        (4,663 )     —         —    

Currency translation adjustment

     —        —        —         (259 )     —    

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for derivative instruments, net of tax

     —        —        —         —         1,692  

Unrealized losses on derivative instruments, net of tax

     —        —        —         —         (5,119 )

Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income, net of tax

     —        —        —         —         1,502  
    

  

  


 


 


BALANCE AT DECEMBER 30, 2001

     —        120,202      (542,540 )     (611 )     (1,925 )

Net income

     —        —        60,661       —         —    

Distributions to Parent

     —        —        (9,914 )     —         —    

Capital contribution

     —        521      —         —         —    

Currency translation adjustment

     —        —        —         1,082       —    

Unrealized losses on derivative instruments, net of tax

     —        —        —         —         (6,452 )

Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income, net of tax

     —        —        —         —         3,395  
    

  

  


 


 


BALANCE AT DECEMBER 29, 2002

     —        120,723      (491,793 )     471       (4,982 )

Net income

     —        —        38,824       —         —    

Distributions to Parent

     —        —        (389,339 )     —         —    

Tax benefit related to the exercise of Parent stock options

     —        134      —         —         —    

Non-cash compensation expense

     —        3,353      —         —         —    

Currency translation adjustment

     —        —        —         1,704       —    

Unrealized losses on derivative instruments, net of tax

     —        —        —         —         (1,121 )

Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income, net of tax

     —        —        —         —         3,937  
    

  

  


 


 


BALANCE AT DECEMBER 28, 2003

   $ —      $ 124,210    $ (842,308 )   $ 2,175     $ (2,166 )
    

  

  


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     For the Years Ended

 
    

December 30,

2001


   

December 29,

2002


   

December 28,

2003


 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Net income

   $ 36,780     $ 60,661     $ 38,824  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities–

                        

Depreciation and amortization

     33,092       28,273       29,822  

Provision (benefit) for losses on accounts and notes receivable

     2,996       (441 )     (212 )

(Gains) losses on sale/disposal of assets

     1,964       2,919       (2,606 )

Provision for deferred income taxes

     4,101       12,271       7,696  

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount

     6,031       9,966       20,756  

Non-cash compensation expense

     —         —         3,353  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities-

                        

Increase in accounts receivable

     (10,050 )     (2,252 )     (7,393 )

Decrease (increase) in inventories, prepaid expenses and other

     3,427       (1,196 )     981  

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     11,567       (12,488 )     6,891  

Increase (decrease) in insurance reserves

     (2,727 )     7,263       4,411  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     87,181       104,976       102,523  
    


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Capital expenditures

     (40,606 )     (53,931 )     (29,161 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     2,225       719       1,101  

Acquisitions of franchise operations

     (1,362 )     (22,157 )     (200 )

Repayments of notes receivable, net

     4,807       3,247       10,423  

Other, net

     180       108       (1,727 )
    


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (34,756 )     (72,014 )     (19,564 )
    


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     —         365,000       1,010,090  

Repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligation

     (32,332 )     (417,736 )     (662,492 )

Cash paid for financing costs

     —         (3,636 )     (21,142 )

Distributions to Parent

     (2,893 )     (9,914 )     (389,339 )

Capital contributions from Parent

     —         521       —    
    


 


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (35,225 )     (65,765 )     (62,883 )
    


 


 


EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     41       128       178  
    


 


 


INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     17,241       (32,675 )     20,254  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     37,906       55,147       22,472  
    


 


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 55,147     $ 22,472     $ 42,726  
    


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(1) DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Description of Business

 

The Company is primarily engaged in the following business activities: (i) retail sales through Company-owned Domino’s Pizza stores, (ii) sales of food, equipment and supplies to Company-owned and franchised Domino’s Pizza stores through Company-owned distribution centers, and (iii) receipt of royalties and fees from domestic and international Domino’s Pizza franchisees.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Domino’s, Inc. (Domino’s), a Delaware corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and one majority-owned subsidiary (collectively, the Company). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Domino’s is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TISM, Inc. (the Parent).

 

Fiscal Year

 

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. The 2001 fiscal year ended December 30, 2001; the 2002 fiscal year ended December 29, 2002; and the 2003 fiscal year ended December 28, 2003. Each of these fiscal years consists of fifty-two weeks.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out basis) or market.

 

Inventories at December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003 are comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

     2002

   2003

Food

   $ 16,123    $ 15,886

Equipment and supplies

     5,709      3,594
    

  

Inventories

   $ 21,832    $ 19,480
    

  

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

Notes Receivable

 

During the normal course of business, the Company may provide financing to franchisees (i) to stimulate franchise store growth, (ii) to finance the sale of Company-owned stores to franchisees, (iii) to facilitate new equipment rollouts, or (iv) to otherwise assist a franchisee. Notes receivable generally require monthly payments of principal and interest, or monthly payments of interest only, generally ranging from 10% to 12%, with balloon payments of the remaining principal due one to ten years from the original issuance date. Such notes are generally secured by the related assets or business. The carrying amounts of these notes approximate fair value.

 

Other Assets

 

Current and long-term other assets primarily include prepaid expenses such as insurance and taxes, deposits, investments in international franchisees, covenants not-to-compete and other intangible assets primarily arising from franchise acquisitions, and, at December 28, 2003, assets relating to the fair value of derivatives. Amortization expense for financial reporting purposes is provided using the straight-line method or an accelerated method (Note 7) over the useful lives for covenants not-to-compete and other intangible assets and was approximately $5.5 million, $185,000 and $794,000 in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization expense for financial reporting purposes is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Estimated useful lives are generally as follows (in years):

 

Buildings

   20

Leasehold and other improvements

   10

Equipment

   3 –12

 

Included in land and buildings as of December 28, 2003 is a capital lease asset of approximately $6.2 million related to the lease of a distribution center building. This capital lease asset is being amortized over the fifteen year lease term.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense on property, plant and equipment was approximately $16.0 million, $19.5 million and $22.9 million in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

Impairments of Long-Lived Assets

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the Company evaluates the potential impairment of long-lived assets based on various analyses including the projection of undiscounted cash flows, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the related assets may not be recoverable. For Company-owned stores, the Company performs this evaluation on an operating market basis, which the Company has determined to be the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of other cash flows. If the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds the amount of the expected future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized and the asset is written down to its estimated fair value. No long-lived asset impairment losses have been recognized in 2001, 2002 or 2003.

 

Investments in Marketable Securities

 

Investments in marketable securities consist of investments in various funds made by eligible individuals as part of the Company’s deferred compensation plan (Note 5). These investments are stated at aggregate fair value, are restricted and have been placed in a rabbi trust whereby the amounts are irrevocably set aside to fund the Company’s obligations under the deferred compensation plan. The Company classifies these investments in marketable securities as trading and accounts for them in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”.

 

Deferred Financing Costs

 

Deferred financing costs include debt issuance costs primarily incurred by the Company as part of the 2003 Recapitalization (Note 2). Amortization is provided using the effective interest rate method over the terms of the respective debt instruments to which the costs relate and is included in interest expense.

 

In connection with the consummation of the 2002 Agreement (Note 2), the Company expensed financing costs of approximately $4.5 million. In connection with the 2003 Recapitalization, the Company expensed financing costs of approximately $15.6 million. Amortization of deferred financing costs, including the aforementioned amounts, was approximately $6.0 million, $10.0 million and $20.6 million in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill, primarily arising from franchise store acquisitions, was amortized using the straight-line method over periods not exceeding ten years for periods prior to 2002. Amortization expense was approximately $2.0 million in 2001. The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, effective December 31, 2001 and, accordingly, ceased amortizing goodwill and assigned goodwill to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing. The Company has determined its reporting units to be its operating segments. In addition, the Company performed the required transition impairment test and determined that no impairment existed as of the date of adoption. The Company also performed its annual impairment test at December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003 and determined that no impairment existed.

 

SFAS No. 142 requires prospective application and does not permit restatement of prior period financial statements. Had this Statement been applied in prior years, net income would have been approximately $38.1 million in 2001.

 

During 2002, the Company recorded approximately $10.6 million of goodwill in connection with the acquisition of the Arizona Stores (Note 10). This goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

 

Capitalized Software

 

Capitalized software is recorded at cost and includes purchased, internally developed and externally developed software used in the Company’s operations. Amortization expense for financial reporting purposes is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the software, which range from two to seven years. During 2002, the Company expensed approximately $5.3 million of certain capitalized software costs, which is included in general and administrative expense as a loss on disposal of assets. Capitalized software amortization expense was approximately $9.4 million, $8.5 million and $6.1 million in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

Insurance Reserves

 

The Company’s health insurance program provides coverage for life, medical, dental and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) claims. Self-insurance limitations for medical per a covered individual’s lifetime are $2.0 million in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The AD&D and life insurance components of the health insurance program are fully insured by the Company through third-party insurance carriers.

 

In December 1998, the Company entered into a guaranteed cost, combined casualty insurance program that is effective for the period from December 1998 to December 2001. This program covers insurance claims on a first dollar basis for workers’ compensation, general liability and owned and non-owned automobile liabilities. Total insurance limits under this program are $106.0 million per occurrence for general liability and owned and non-owned automobile liabilities and up to the applicable statutory limits for workers’ compensation.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

The Company is partially self-insured for workers’ compensation, general liability and owned and non-owned automobile liabilities for certain periods prior to December 1998 and for periods after December 2001. The Company is generally responsible for up to $1.0 million per occurrence under these retention programs for workers’ compensation and general liability. The Company is also generally responsible for between $500,000 and $3.0 million per occurrence under these retention programs for owned and non-owned automobile liabilities. Total insurance limits under these retention programs vary depending on the year covered and range up to $108.0 million per occurrence for general liability and owned and non-owned automobile liabilities and up to the applicable statutory limits for workers’ compensation.

 

Insurance reserves, other than health insurance reserves, are determined using actuarial estimates from an independent third party. These estimates are based on historical information along with certain assumptions about future events. Changes in assumptions for such factors as medical costs and legal actions, as well as changes in actual experience, could cause these estimates to change in the near term. In management’s opinion, the insurance reserves at December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003 are sufficient to cover related losses.

 

Other Accrued Liabilities

 

Current and long-term other accrued liabilities primarily include accruals for sales, income and other taxes, legal matters, marketing and advertising expenses, store operating expenses, liabilities relating to the fair value of derivatives and deferred compensation liabilities.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company’s foreign entities use their local currency or the U.S. dollar as the functional currency, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation.” Where the functional currency is the local currency, the Company translates net assets into U.S. dollars at yearend exchange rates, while income and expense accounts are translated at average annual exchange rates. Currency translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in determining net income.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Domestic Company-owned stores revenues are comprised of retail sales through Company-owned stores located in the contiguous U.S. and are recognized when the items are delivered to or carried out by customers.

 

Domestic franchise revenues are primarily comprised of royalties and, to a lesser extent, fees and other income from franchisees with operations in the contiguous U.S. Royalty revenues are recognized when the items are delivered to or carried out by franchise customers.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

Domestic distribution revenues are primarily comprised of sales of food, equipment and supplies to franchised stores located in the contiguous U.S. Revenues from the sales of food are recognized upon delivery of the food to franchisees while revenues from the sales of equipment and supplies are generally recognized upon shipment of the related products to franchisees.

 

International revenues are primarily comprised of sales of food, and royalties and fees from foreign, Alaskan and Hawaiian franchisees and are recognized consistently with the policies applied for revenues generated in the contiguous U.S.

 

Distribution Profit-Sharing Arrangements

 

The Company enters into profit-sharing arrangements with Domestic Stores (Note 9) that purchase all of their food from its distribution centers. These profit-sharing arrangements generally provide participating stores with 50% of their regional distribution center’s pre-tax profits based upon each store’s purchases from the distribution center. Profit-sharing obligations are recorded as a revenue reduction in the Domestic Distribution segment (Note 9) in the same period as the related revenues and costs are recorded, and were $37.9 million, $40.9 million and $41.6 million in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

Advertising

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense, which relates primarily to Company-owned stores, was approximately $35.3 million, $36.0 million and $36.6 million during 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

Domestic Stores are required to contribute a certain percentage of sales to the Domino’s National Advertising Fund, Inc. (DNAF), a not-for-profit subsidiary that administers the Domino’s Pizza system’s national and market level advertising activities. Included in advertising expense were national advertising contributions from Company-owned stores to DNAF of approximately $10.9 million in 2001 and $11.3 million in each of 2002 and 2003. DNAF also received national advertising contributions from franchisees of approximately $73.6 million, $76.5 million and $77.7 million during 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. Franchisee contributions and offsetting expenses are presented net in the accompanying statements of income.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

The Company accounts for its derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, and related Statements which require that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value.

 

During 2001 and 2002, the Company entered into multiple interest rate derivative agreements to effectively convert the variable Eurodollar component of the effective interest rate on a portion of the Company’s debt under its credit agreements to various fixed rates, in an effort to reduce the impact of interest rate changes on income. The Company designated all of these agreements as cash flow hedges. The Company has determined that no ineffectiveness exists related to these derivatives. Related gains and losses upon settlement of these derivatives are recorded in interest expense.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

During 2003, the Company entered into two interest rate derivative agreements to effectively convert the fixed interest rate component of the Company’s debt under the 2011 Notes (Note 2) to variable rates over the term of the 2011 Notes. The Company has designated both of these agreements as fair value hedges. The Company has determined that no ineffectiveness exists related to these derivatives. Related gains and losses upon settlement of these derivatives are recorded in interest expense.

 

These agreements are summarized as follows:

 

Derivative


  

Total

Notional
Amount


  

Term


   Rate

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 60.0 million    June 2001 – June 2004    4.90%

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 30.0 million    September 2001 – September 2004    3.69%

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 75.0 million    August 2002 – June 2005    3.25%

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 50.0 million    August 2003 – July 2011    LIBOR plus 319
basis points

Interest Rate Swap

   $ 50.0 million    August 2003 – July 2011    LIBOR plus 324
basis points

 

At December 29, 2002, the fair value of the Company’s cash flow hedges is a net liability of approximately $7.9 million, of which $6.0 million is included in current other accrued liabilities and $1.9 million is included in long-term other accrued liabilities. At December 28, 2003, the fair value of the Company’s cash flow hedges is a net liability of approximately $3.4 million, of which $3.1 million is included in current other accrued liabilities and $320,000 is included in long-term other accrued liabilities.

 

At December 28, 2003, the fair value of the Company’s fair value hedges is a net asset of approximately $3.6 million, of which $3.1 million is included in prepaid expenses and other and $536,000 is included in long-term other assets.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (FIN 45). FIN 45 clarifies the requirements of SFAS No. 5 “Accounting for Contingencies”, relating to a guarantor’s accounting for, and disclosure of, the issuance of certain types of guarantees. The Company adopted FIN 45 at the beginning of fiscal 2003. The adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure” (SFAS 148). SFAS 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation as required by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123). In addition, SFAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 to require more prominent and more frequent disclosures in financial statements about the effects of stock-based compensation. The Company adopted SFAS 148 in 2003. The adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued a revised interpretation of FASB Interpretation 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - an interpretation of ARB No. 51” (FIN 46R). FIN 46R requires the consolidation of a variable interest entity (VIE) by an enterprise if the enterprise is determined to be the primary beneficiary, as defined in FIN 46R. The Company is required to apply this interpretation immediately for all entities created after December 31, 2003. The Company is required to adopt FIN 46R for all variable interest entities created on or prior to December 31, 2003 by the beginning of the first annual period beginning after December 15, 2004, which is beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2005. The Company is assessing FIN 46R and related guidance as it relates to VIEs, and is unable to predict the impact, if any, of this interpretation on its results of operations or financial condition.

 

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

 

The Company paid interest of approximately $60.6 million, $51.8 million and $49.6 million during 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. Cash paid for income taxes was approximately $11.4 million, $24.0 million and $21.1 million in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

The Company financed the sale of certain Company-owned stores to franchisees with notes totaling approximately $7.0 million and $811,000 in 2001 and 2002, respectively, including $450,000 of notes to a former minority Parent stockholder in 2002.

 

During 2001, the Company distributed approximately $1.8 million of accounts receivable to the Parent.

 

During 2003, the Company entered into a capital lease for one of its distribution center buildings. In connection with this lease, the Company recorded a $6.2 million capital lease asset and offsetting lease liability.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts from fiscal 2001 and 2002 have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2003 presentation.

 

The Company has presented on a gross basis approximately $30.5 million of assets and liabilities of the DNAF in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 28, 2003 and has reclassified approximately $28.2 million of assets and liabilities of the DNAF in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 29, 2002. As the related assets held by the DNAF, consisting primarily of cash received from franchisees and accounts receivable from franchisees, can only be used for activities that promote the Domino’s Pizza brand, all assets held by the DNAF are considered restricted.

 

The Company has reclassified losses on debt extinguishments of $217,000 and $1.8 million in 2001 and 2002, respectively, from general and administrative expense to other expense to conform to the presentation of the Company’s losses on debt extinguishments in 2003, which totaled $22.7 million.

 

(2) FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

 

At December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003, long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     2002

   2003

2003 Agreement – Term Loan

   $ —      $ 538,013

2002 Agreement – Term Loan

     363,175      —  

Other borrowings

     408      437

Capital lease obligation

     —        6,152

Senior subordinated notes due 2009, 10 3/8%

     238,440      11,234

Senior subordinated notes due 2011, 8 1/4%, net of a $2.7 million unamortized discount and including a $3.6 million asset related to fair value derivatives

     —        403,901
    

  

       602,023      959,737

Less– current portion

     2,843      18,572
    

  

     $ 599,180    $ 941,165
    

  

 

On July 29, 2002, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the 2002 Agreement) with a consortium of banks and used the proceeds to repay borrowings outstanding under a previous credit agreement. The 2002 Agreement provided a $365.0 million term loan and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

2003 Recapitalization

 

On June 25, 2003, the Company, together with the Parent, consummated a recapitalization transaction (the 2003 Recapitalization) whereby the Company (i) issued and sold $403.0 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of 8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (the 2011 Notes) at a discount resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $400.1 million, and (ii) borrowed $610.0 million in term loans and secured a $125.0 million revolving credit facility with a consortium of banks (collectively, the 2003 Agreement). The 2003 Agreement was amended on November 25, 2003 primarily to obtain more favorable interest rate margins.

 

The Company used the proceeds from the 2011 Notes and the 2003 Agreement as well as cash from operations to (i) retire all of its outstanding 10 3/8% senior subordinated notes that were tendered, (ii) repay all amounts outstanding under the 2002 Agreement, (iii) distribute amounts to the Parent to redeem all of its outstanding preferred stock, (iv) distribute amounts to the Parent to pay a dividend on its outstanding common stock, and (v) pay related transaction fees and expenses.

 

2003 Agreement

 

The 2003 Agreement provides the following credit facilities: a term loan (the Term Loan) and a revolving credit facility (the Revolver). The aggregate borrowings available under the 2003 Agreement are $735.0 million. The 2003 Agreement provides borrowings of $610.0 million under the Term Loan. The Term Loan was initially fully borrowed. Borrowings under the Term Loan bear interest, payable at least quarterly, at either (i) the higher of (a) the prime rate (4.00% at December 28, 2003) or (b) 0.50% above the Federal Reserve reported overnight funds rate, each plus an applicable margin of 1.50%, or (ii) the Eurodollar rate (1.125% at December 28, 2003) plus an applicable margin of 2.50%. At December 28, 2003, the Company’s borrowing rate was 3.625% for Term Loan borrowings. As of December 28, 2003, all borrowings under the Term Loan were under a Eurodollar contract with an interest period of 180 days. The 2003 Agreement requires Term Loan principal payments of $7.0 million in 2004, $42.0 million in 2005, $56.0 million in 2006, $52.5 million in 2007, $76.9 million in 2008, $108.2 million in 2009 and $195.4 million in 2010. The timing of the Company’s required payments under the 2003 Agreement may change based upon voluntary prepayments and generation of excess cash, as defined. Upon a public stock offering, the Company is required to pay down the Term Loan in an amount equal to 50% of the net proceeds of such offering. The final scheduled principal payment on the outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan is due in June 2010.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

The 2003 Agreement also provides for borrowings of up to $125.0 million under the Revolver, of which up to $60.0 million is available for letter of credit advances. Borrowings under the Revolver (excluding letters of credit) bear interest, payable at least quarterly, at either (i) the higher of (a) the prime rate or (b) 0.50% above the Federal Reserve reported overnight funds rate, each plus an applicable margin of between 1.25% to 2.00%, or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin of between 2.25% to 3.00%, with margins determined based upon the Parent and its subsidiaries ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA, as defined. The Company also pays a 0.50% commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolver. The fee for letter of credit amounts outstanding ranges from 2.375% to 3.125%. At December 28, 2003, the fee for letter of credit amounts outstanding was 3.125%. At December 28, 2003, there is $99.6 million in available borrowings under the Revolver, with $25.4 million of letters of credit outstanding. The Revolver expires in June 2009.

 

Borrowings under the 2003 Agreement are guaranteed by the Parent, are jointly and severally guaranteed by most of Domino’s domestic subsidiaries and one foreign subsidiary, and are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

The 2003 Agreement contains certain financial and non-financial covenants that, among other restrictions, require the maintenance of certain financial ratios related to interest coverage and leverage. The 2003 Agreement also restricts the Company’s ability to pay dividends on or redeem or purchase its capital stock, incur additional indebtedness, make investments, use assets as security in other transactions and sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies.

 

2011 Notes

 

The 2011 Notes require semi-annual interest payments, beginning January 1, 2004. Before July 1, 2006, the Company may, at a price above par, redeem all, but not part, of the 2011 Notes if a change in control occurs, as defined in the 2011 Notes. Beginning July 1, 2007, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2011 Notes at fixed redemption prices, ranging from 104.125% of par in 2007 to 100% of par in 2009 through maturity. In the event of a change in control, as defined, the Company will be obligated to repurchase the 2011 Notes tendered at the option of the holders at a fixed price. Upon a public stock offering, the Company may use up to 40% of the net proceeds from such offering to retire 2011 Notes. The 2011 Notes are guaranteed by most of Domino’s domestic subsidiaries and one foreign subsidiary and are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt of the Company.

 

The indenture related to the 2011 Notes restricts the Company from, among other restrictions, paying dividends or redeeming equity interests, with certain specified exceptions, unless a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio is met and, in any event, such payments are limited to 50% of the Company’s cumulative net income from December 30, 2002 to the payment date plus the net proceeds from any capital contributions or the sale of equity interests.

 

As of December 28, 2003, management estimates the fair value of the 2011 Notes to be approximately $437.3 million. The carrying amounts of the Company’s other debt approximate fair value.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

Other

 

As defined in the 2003 Agreement, an amount not to exceed $75.0 million was made available for the early retirement of 2011 Notes at the Company’s option. Certain amounts were also available for early retirement of senior subordinated notes under the Company’s previous credit agreements. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, the Company retired $6.0 million, $20.6 million and $20.5 million, respectively, of its senior subordinated notes through open market transactions using funds generated from operations. These retirements resulted in losses of approximately $217,000, $1.8 million and $2.3 million in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively, due to purchase prices in excess of face value. Additionally, as part of the 2003 Recapitalization, the Company recorded a $20.4 million loss relating to the retirement of significantly all of the outstanding 10 3/8% senior subordinated notes at a premium. These amounts are included in other in the accompanying statements of income.

 

At December 29, 2002, affiliates of Parent stockholders had term loan holdings of $42.9 million and senior subordinated notes holdings of $16.5 million. At December 28, 2003, affiliates of Parent stockholders had term loan holdings of $36.2 million and senior subordinated note holdings of $15.0 million. Related interest expense to these affiliates was approximately $3.8 million, $2.0 million and $3.2 million in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

As of December 28, 2003, maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligation are as follows, which exclude the $2.7 million unamortized discount on the 2011 Notes and the $3.6 million asset related to fair value derivatives and classifies as current $11.2 million of 10 3/8% senior subordinated notes due 2009 that were called on January 15, 2004 (in thousands):

 

2004

   $ 18,572

2005

     42,274

2006

     56,296

2007

     52,819

2008

     77,244

Thereafter

     711,631
    

     $ 958,836
    

 

(3) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Lease Commitments

 

The Company leases equipment, vehicles, retail store and distribution center locations and its corporate headquarters under operating leases, and one capital lease with respect to a distribution center, with expiration dates through 2019. Rent expenses totaled approximately $34.4 million, $37.5 million and $38.3 million during 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

As of December 28, 2003, the future minimum rental commitments for all non-cancelable leases, which include approximately $52.7 million in commitments to related parties and is net of approximately $3.5 million in future minimum rental commitments which have been assigned to certain franchisees, are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Operating
Leases


   Capital
Lease


   Total

2004

   $ 28,551    $ 736    $ 29,287

2005

     28,165      736      28,901

2006

     24,107      736      24,843

2007

     19,363      736      20,099

2008

     15,538      736      16,274

Thereafter

     58,255      7,119      65,374
    

  

  

Total future minimal rental commitments

   $ 173,979      10,799    $ 184,778
    

  

  

Less – amounts representing interest

            4,647       
           

      

Total principal payable on capital lease

          $ 6,152       
           

      

 

Legal Proceedings and Related Matters

 

The Company is a party to lawsuits, revenue agent reviews by taxing authorities and legal proceedings, of which the majority involve workers’ compensation, employment practices liability, general liability, and automobile and franchisee claims arising in the ordinary course of business. In management’s opinion, these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a significant adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, and the established reserves adequately provide for the estimated resolution of such claims.

 

(4) INCOME TAXES

 

The Parent files a consolidated Federal income tax return which includes the Company’s operations. For financial reporting purposes and in accordance with a tax-sharing agreement, the Company accounts for income taxes as if it files its own consolidated Federal income tax return.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

The differences between the United States Federal statutory income tax provision (using the statutory rate of 35%) and the Company’s consolidated income tax provision for 2001, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Federal income tax provision based on the statutory rate

   $ 21,100     $ 33,758     $ 21,742  

State and local income taxes, net of related Federal income taxes

     1,588       1,908       1,211  

Non-resident withholding and foreign income taxes

     3,726       3,829       4,163  

Foreign tax and other tax credits

     (4,158 )     (4,506 )     (4,962 )

Losses attributable to foreign subsidiaries

     281       325       593  

Non-deductible expenses

     498       471       551  

Other

     471       4       (3 )
    


 


 


     $ 23,506     $ 35,789     $ 23,295  
    


 


 


 

The components of the 2001, 2002 and 2003 provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

 

     2001

    2002

   2003

Provision for Federal income taxes-

                     

Current provision

   $ 11,674     $ 18,685    $ 9,705

Deferred provision

     5,663       10,340      7,564
    


 

  

Total provision for Federal income taxes

     17,337       29,025      17,269

Provision for state and local income taxes-

                     

Current provision

     4,005       1,004      1,731

Deferred provision (benefit)

     (1,562 )     1,931      132
    


 

  

Total provision for state and local income taxes

     2,443       2,935      1,863

Provision for non-resident withholding and foreign income taxes

     3,726       3,829      4,163
    


 

  

     $ 23,506     $ 35,789    $ 23,295
    


 

  

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

As of December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003, the significant components of net deferred income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

 

     2002

    2003

 

Deferred Federal income tax assets–

                

Depreciation, amortization and asset basis differences

   $ 33,618     $ 28,340  

Covenants not-to-compete

     12,789       11,623  

Insurance reserves

     6,996       7,432  

Other accruals and reserves

     7,909       8,077  

Bad debt reserves

     2,465       1,806  

Derivatives liability

     2,925       1,297  

Foreign net operating loss carryovers

     1,352       1,945  

Other

     1,124       1,105  
    


 


       69,178       61,625  
    


 


Valuation allowance on foreign net operating loss carryovers

     (1,352 )     (1,945 )
    


 


Total deferred Federal income tax assets

     67,826       59,680  
    


 


Deferred Federal income tax liabilities–

                

Capitalized software

     6,893       7,939  
    


 


Total deferred Federal income tax liabilities

     6,893       7,939  
    


 


Net deferred Federal income tax asset

     60,933       51,741  

Net deferred state and local income tax asset

     6,163       6,031  
    


 


Net deferred income taxes

   $ 67,096     $ 57,772  
    


 


 

As of December 29, 2002, the classification of net deferred income taxes is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     Current

   Long-term

    Total

 

Deferred tax assets

   $ 6,809    $ 67,180     $ 73,989  

Deferred tax liabilities

     —        (6,893 )     (6,893 )
    

  


 


Net deferred income taxes

   $ 6,809    $ 60,287     $ 67,096  
    

  


 


 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

As of December 28, 2003, the classification of net deferred income taxes is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     Current

   Long-term

    Total

 

Deferred tax assets

   $ 5,730    $ 59,981     $ 65,711  

Deferred tax liabilities

     —        (7,939 )     (7,939 )
    

  


 


Net deferred income taxes

   $ 5,730    $ 52,042     $ 57,772  
    

  


 


 

Realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is dependent upon many factors, including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income. Although realization of the Company’s net deferred tax assets is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized. On an ongoing basis, management will assess whether it remains more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized. As of December 28, 2003, the Company has approximately $5.6 million of foreign net operating loss carryovers, a portion of which will expire between 2004 through 2007, for which a valuation allowance has been provided.

 

(5) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

 

The Company has a retirement savings plan which qualifies under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). All employees of the Company who have completed 1,000 hours of service and are at least 21 years of age are eligible to participate in the plan. The plan requires the Company to match 50% of employee contributions per participant, with Company matching contributions limited to 3% of eligible participant compensation. These matching contributions vest immediately. The charges to operations for Company contributions to the plan were $2.3 million, $2.4 million and $2.2 million for 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

The Company has established a nonqualified deferred compensation plan available for certain key employees. Under this plan, the participants may defer up to 40% of their annual compensation. The participants direct the investment of their deferred compensation within several investment funds. The Company is not required to contribute and did not contribute to this plan during 2001, 2002 or 2003.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

(6) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

 

The Company is a party to letters of credit and, to a lesser extent, financial guarantees with off-balance sheet risk. The Company’s exposure to credit loss for letters of credit and financial guarantees is represented by the contractual amounts of these instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Total conditional commitments under letters of credit and financial guarantees as of December 28, 2003 are $26.4 million, and primarily relate to letters of credit for the Company’s insurance programs and distribution center leases.

 

(7) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Headquarters Lease

 

The Company leases its corporate headquarters under an operating lease agreement with a partnership owned by its founder and former majority Parent stockholder. The Company renewed this lease for a ten-year term, beginning in December 2003. Total lease expense related to this lease was approximately $4.5 million in each of 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

At December 28, 2003, aggregate future minimum lease commitments under this lease are as follows (in thousands):

 

2004

   $ —  

2005

     5,294

2006

     5,373

2007

     5,508

2008

     5,645

Thereafter

     30,871
    

     $ 52,691
    

 

Distributions

 

During the normal course of business, the Company may make discretionary distributions to the Parent.

 

During 2001, the Company distributed approximately $2.7 million to the Parent, which used the proceeds to satisfy certain recapitalization-related obligations to its founder and former majority Parent stockholder and certain members of his family.

 

During 2002, the Company distributed approximately $9.9 million to the Parent, which primarily used the proceeds to repurchase Parent stock as part of the Arizona Stores acquisition.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

During 2003, and in connection with the 2003 Recapitalization, the Company distributed approximately $388.9 million to the Parent, which used the proceeds to redeem its preferred stock and pay a dividend on its common stock.

 

Consulting Agreement

 

As part of a prior recapitalization in which the Company’s founder sold a controlling interest in the Parent (the 1998 Recapitalization), the Company entered into a $5.5 million, ten-year consulting agreement with its founder and former majority Parent stockholder. The Company paid $500,000 in 2001 under this agreement. During 2002, the Company and its founder and former majority Parent stockholder mutually agreed to terminate the consulting agreement. The Company paid $2.9 million to effect such termination.

 

Covenant Not-to-Compete

 

As part of the 1998 Recapitalization, the Parent entered into a covenant not-to-compete with its founder and former majority Parent stockholder. The Parent contributed this asset to the Company in 1998. Amortization expense for this covenant not-to-compete was provided using an accelerated method over a three-year period and was approximately $5.3 million in 2001. As of December 30, 2001, this asset was fully amortized.

 

Management Agreement

 

As part of the 1998 Recapitalization, the Parent and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Group) entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of a Parent stockholder to provide the Group with certain management services. The Company is committed to pay an amount not to exceed $2.0 million per year on an ongoing basis for management services as defined in the management agreement. The Company incurred and paid $2.0 million for management services in each of 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. These amounts are included in general and administrative expense. Furthermore, in certain circumstances, the Group must allow the affiliate to participate in the negotiation and consummation of future senior financing for any acquisition or similar transaction and pay the affiliate a fee, as defined in the management agreement.

 

Stockholder Indemnification of Legal Settlement

 

In 2002, the Company’s founder and former majority Parent stockholder paid the Company $521,000 related to an indemnification of a lawsuit. The Company recorded the $521,000 as a capital contribution. The founder and former majority Parent stockholder has no further obligation to the Company under the related indemnification agreement.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

Financing Arrangements

 

As part of the 2002 Agreement, the Company paid approximately $2.3 million of financing costs to an affiliate of a Parent stockholder. As part of the 2003 Recapitalization, the Company paid approximately $7.9 million of financing costs to an affiliate of a Parent stockholder. A separate affiliate is counterparty to a $50.0 million interest rate derivative agreement.

 

(8) STOCK OPTIONS

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic method prescribed in APB Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the stock at grant date over the amount an optionee must pay to acquire the stock.

 

The Parent has one stock option plan: the TISM, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the Stock Option Plan). The Stock Option Plan benefits the Company’s employees. As of December 28, 2003, the maximum number of shares that may be granted under the Stock Option Plan is 9,836,739 shares of Parent Class A-3 common stock and 62,576 shares of Parent Class L common stock. Options granted under the Stock Option Plan are generally granted at 100% of the Board of Directors’ estimate of fair value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, expire ten years from the date of grant and vest within five years from the date of grant.

 

During 2003, the Company recorded $1.9 million in non-cash compensation expense related to Parent stock options issued with exercise prices below the Board of Director’s estimate of fair value of the underlying stock. In addition, the Company recorded $1.5 million in non-cash compensation expense related to the acceleration of the vesting period on certain Parent stock options in connection with the 2003 Recapitalization. All non-cash compensation expenses are recorded in general and administrative expense.

 

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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

Activity related to the Stock Option Plan is summarized as follows:

 

    

Parent Class A-3

Common Stock Options


  

Parent Class L

Common Stock Options


    

Number

of

Shares


    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


  

Number

of

Shares


Outstanding at December 31, 2000

   4,852,071            22,222

Options granted

   502,000     $ 0.50    —  

Options cancelled

   (267,000 )   $ 0.50    —  

Options exercised

   (69,000 )   $ 0.50    —  
    

        

Outstanding at December 30, 2001

   5,018,071            22,222

Options granted

   1,147,000     $ 3.50    —  

Options cancelled

   (99,100 )   $ 1.06    —  

Options exercised

   (271,000 )   $ 0.50    —  
    

        

Outstanding at December 29, 2002

   5,794,971            22,222

Options granted

   3,145,500     $ 5.83    —  

Options cancelled

   (55,400 )   $ 4.13    —  

Options exercised

   (67,100 )   $ 1.26    —  
    

        

Outstanding at December 28, 2003

   8,817,971            22,222
    

        

 

Options outstanding and exercisable at December 28, 2003 are as follows:

 

     Options
Outstanding


   Options
Exercisable


   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


   Weighted
Average
Remaining Life


                    (Years)

Class A-3

   4,621,471    4,621,471    $ 0.50    5.8

Class A-3

   1,103,000    1,103,000    $ 3.50    8.1

Class A-3

   189,500    189,500    $ 6.70    9.0

Class A-3

   2,904,000    —      $ 5.77    9.5

Class L

   22,222    22,222    $ 40.50    5.0

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

Management has estimated the fair value of each option grant on the date of grant using the minimum value method and the following assumptions: risk free interest rates of 4.60%, 4.02% and 2.95% in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively; expected dividend yields of 0.0%; and expected lives of five years in each of 2001, 2002 and 2003. Approximate fair values per share of each option granted are as follows:

 

     2001

   2002

   2003

Class A-3

   $ 0.10    $ 0.63    $ 0.79

 

Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions. Because changes in subjective input assumptions can significantly affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing model does not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the stock options.

 

Had compensation cost for the Stock Option Plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with the method described in SFAS 123, the Company’s net income would have decreased to the following pro forma amounts, which may not be representative of that to be expected in future years (in thousands):

 

     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 36,780     $ 60,661     $ 38,824  

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

     —         —         2,096  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (68 )     (68 )     (2,958 )
    


 


 


Net income, pro forma

   $ 36,712     $ 60,593     $ 37,962  
    


 


 


 

(9) SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company has three reportable segments as determined by management using the “management approach” as defined in SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”: (i) Domestic Stores, (ii) Domestic Distribution, and (iii) International. The Company’s operations are organized by management on the combined bases of line of business and geography. The Domestic Stores segment includes operations with respect to all franchised and Company-owned stores throughout the contiguous United States. The Domestic Distribution segment primarily includes the distribution of food, equipment and supplies to the Domestic Stores segment from the Company’s regional distribution centers. The International segment primarily includes operations related to the Company’s franchising business in foreign and non-contiguous United States markets, its Company-owned store operations in the Netherlands and France and its distribution operations in Canada, France, the Netherlands, Alaska and Hawaii.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, gains (losses) on sale/disposal of assets, other expense and certain recapitalization-related expenses, referred to on a consolidated basis as Total Segment Income.

 

The tables below summarize the financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for 2001, 2002 and 2003. Intersegment Revenues are comprised of sales of food, equipment and supplies from the Domestic Distribution segment to the Company-owned stores in the Domestic Stores segment. Intersegment sales prices are market based. The “Other” column as it relates to Segment Income and income from operations information below primarily includes corporate administrative costs. In 2003, the “Other” column as it relates to Segment Income excludes $16.8 million of general and administrative costs that were incurred in connection with the 2003 Recapitalization. The “Other” column as it relates to capital expenditures primarily includes capitalized software and certain equipment and leasehold improvements. All amounts presented below are in thousands.

 

     Domestic
Stores


   Domestic
Distribution


   International

   Intersegment
Revenues


    Other

    Total

Revenues-

                                           

2001

   $ 496,384    $ 796,808    $ 69,995    $ (104,906 )   $ —       $ 1,258,281

2002

     517,200      779,684      81,762      (103,666 )     —         1,274,980

2003

     519,879      821,695      96,386      (104,638 )     —         1,333,322

Segment Income-

                                           

2001

   $ 126,569    $ 44,323    $ 16,346      N/A     $ (25,077 )   $ 162,161

2002

     137,626      49,953      25,910      N/A       (24,227 )     189,262

2003

     140,073      54,556      29,126      N/A       (20,620 )     203,135

Income from Operations-

                                           

2001

   $ 114,253    $ 38,068    $ 15,162      N/A     $ (40,378 )   $ 127,105

2002

     126,714      43,155      25,141      N/A       (36,940 )     158,070

2003

     127,082      45,946      28,117      N/A       (41,987 )     159,158

Capital Expenditures-

                                           

2001

   $ 15,984    $ 6,949    $ 352      N/A     $ 17,321     $ 40,606

2002

     26,218      7,690      722      N/A       19,301       53,931

2003

     9,445      7,966      1,094      N/A       10,656       29,161

 

61


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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

The following table reconciles Total Segment Income to consolidated income before provision for income taxes:

 

     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Total Segment Income

   $ 162,161     $ 189,262     $ 203,135  

Depreciation and amortization

     (33,092 )     (28,273 )     (29,822 )

Gains (losses) on sale/disposal of assets

     (1,964 )     (2,919 )     2,606  

2003 Recapitalization expenses

     —         —         (16,761 )
    


 


 


Income from operations

     127,105       158,070       159,158  

Interest income

     1,778       537       386  

Interest expense

     (68,380 )     (60,321 )     (74,678 )

Other

     (217 )     (1,836 )     (22,747 )
    


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

   $ 60,286     $ 96,450     $ 62,119  
    


 


 


 

The following table summarizes the Company’s identifiable asset information as of December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003:

 

     2002

   2003

Domestic Stores

   $ 116,242    $ 103,967

Domestic Distribution

     98,460      106,476
    

  

Total domestic assets

     214,702      210,443

International

     23,167      26,597

Unallocated

     184,558      211,409
    

  

Total consolidated assets

   $ 422,427    $ 448,449
    

  

 

Unallocated assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, advertising fund assets investments in marketable securities, deferred financing costs, certain long-lived assets, deferred income taxes and, in 2003, assets relating to the fair value of derivatives.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill balance as of December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003:

 

     2002

   2003

Domestic Stores

   $ 21,187    $ 21,197

Domestic Distribution

     1,067      1,067

International

     978      1,168
    

  

Consolidated goodwill

   $ 23,232    $ 23,432
    

  

 

62


Table of Contents

DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

(10) ACQUISITION

 

On February 25, 2002, the Company purchased the assets related to 83 Domino’s Pizza stores (the Arizona Stores) from its former franchisee in Arizona using funds generated from operations. The Company paid approximately $21.5 million to acquire these assets. The results of the Arizona Stores’ operations have been included in the Domestic Stores segment in the consolidated financial statements since that date.

 

(11) PERIODIC FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited, in thousands)

 

The Company’s convention with respect to reporting periodic financial data is such that each of the first three fiscal quarters consists of twelve weeks while the last fiscal quarter consists of sixteen weeks.

 

     For the Fiscal Quarter Ended

  

For the
Fiscal Year
Ended

December 29,
2002


     March 24,
2002


   June 16,
2002


   September 8,
2002


   December 29,
2002


  

Total revenues

   $ 308,056    $ 294,062    $ 277,060    $ 395,802    $ 1,274,980

Income before provision for income taxes

     25,246      17,155      17,146      36,903      96,450

Net income

     15,905      10,809      10,801      23,146      60,661

 

     For the Fiscal Quarter Ended

  

For the
Fiscal Year
Ended

December 28,
2003


     March 23,
2003


   June 15,
2003


   September 7,
2003


    December 28,
2003


  

Total revenues

   $ 312,252    $ 295,216    $ 292,848     $ 433,006    $ 1,333,322

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

     29,117      28,298      (29,340 )     34,044      62,119

Net income (loss)

     18,344      17,541      (18,338 )     21,277      38,824

 

63


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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

(12) SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The tables below present condensed consolidating financial information for the applicable periods for: (i) Domino’s, Inc.; (ii) on a combined basis, the guarantor subsidiaries of the 2011 Notes; and (iii) on a combined basis, the non-guarantor subsidiaries of the 2011 Notes. Each of the guarantor subsidiaries is jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally liable under the related guarantee.

 

DOMINO’S, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended December 30, 2001

 
     Domino’s, Inc.

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

REVENUES

   $ 1,770     $ 1,249,004    $ 7,507     $ —       $ 1,258,281  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                                       

Cost of sales

     —         931,972      5,927       —         937,899  

General and administrative

     —         191,229      2,048       —         193,277  
    


 

  


 


 


Total operating expenses

     —         1,123,201      7,975       —         1,131,176  
    


 

  


 


 


INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     1,770       125,803      (468 )     —         127,105  

EQUITY EARNINGS IN SUBSIDIARIES

     82,955       —        —         (82,955 )     —    

INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

     (68,184 )     1,604      (22 )     —         (66,602 )

OTHER

     (217 )     —        —         —         (217 )
    


 

  


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES

     16,324       127,407      (490 )     (82,955 )     60,286  

PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES

     (20,456 )     43,962      —         —         23,506  
    


 

  


 


 


NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 36,780     $ 83,445    $ (490 )   $ (82,955 )   $ 36,780  
    


 

  


 


 


 

64


Table of Contents

DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended December 29, 2002

 
     Domino’s, Inc.

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

REVENUES

   $ —       $ 1,258,400    $ 16,580     $ —       $ 1,274,980  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                                       

Cost of sales

     —         926,089      12,883       —         938,972  

General and administrative

     —         173,811      4,127       —         177,938  
    


 

  


 


 


Total operating expenses

     —         1,099,900      17,010       —         1,116,910  
    


 

  


 


 


INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     —         158,500      (430 )     —         158,070  

EQUITY EARNINGS IN SUBSIDIARIES

     101,935       —        —         (101,935 )     —    

INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

     (60,013 )     338      (109 )     —         (59,784 )

OTHER

     (1,836 )     —        —         —         (1,836 )
    


 

  


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES

     40,086       158,838      (539 )     (101,935 )     96,450  

PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES

     (20,575 )     56,364      —         —         35,789  
    


 

  


 


 


NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 60,661     $ 102,474    $ (539 )   $ (101,935 )   $ 60,661  
    


 

  


 


 


 

65


Table of Contents

DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2003

 
     Domino’s, Inc.

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

REVENUES

   $ —       $ 1,310,965    $ 22,357     $ —       $ 1,333,322  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                                       

Cost of sales

     —         974,947      17,149       —         992,096  

General and administrative

     —         176,029      6,039       —         182,068  
    


 

  


 


 


Total operating expenses

     —         1,150,976      23,188       —         1,174,164  
    


 

  


 


 


INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     —         159,989      (831 )     —         159,158  

EQUITY EARNINGS IN SUBSIDIARIES

     99,839       —        —         (99,839 )     —    

INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

     (74,280 )     300      (312 )     —         (74,292 )

OTHER

     (22,747 )     —        —         —         (22,747 )
    


 

  


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES

     2,812       160,289      (1,143 )     (99,839 )     62,119  

PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES

     (36,012 )     59,307      —         —         23,295  
    


 

  


 


 


NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 38,824     $ 100,982    $ (1,143 )   $ (99,839 )   $ 38,824  
    


 

  


 


 


 

66


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DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

DOMINO’S, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

 

     As of December 29, 2002

 
     Domino’s, Inc.

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

                                      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —       $ 21,522    $ 950    $ —       $ 22,472  

Accounts receivable

     —         53,523      3,974      —         57,497  

Advertising fund assets, restricted

     —         —        28,231      —         28,231  

Other current assets

     —         37,075      1,637      —         38,712  
    


 

  

  


 


Total current assets

     —         112,120      34,792      —         146,912  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     —         116,916      3,631      —         120,547  

OTHER ASSETS

     246,053       86,373      1,466      (178,924 )     154,968  
    


 

  

  


 


Total assets

   $ 246,053     $ 315,409    $ 39,889    $ (178,924 )   $ 422,427  
    


 

  

  


 


CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                                      

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 2,738     $ —      $ 105    $ —       $ 2,843  

Accounts payable

     —         38,010      8,121      —         46,131  

Advertising fund liabilities

     —         —        28,231      —         28,231  

Other current liabilities

     18,858       59,746      1,419      —         80,023  
    


 

  

  


 


Total current liabilities

     21,596       97,756      37,876      —         157,228  

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

                                      

Long-term debt

     598,877       —        303      —         599,180  

Other long-term liabilities

     1,161       40,165      274      —         41,600  
    


 

  

  


 


Total long-term liabilities

     600,038       40,165      577      —         640,780  

TOTAL STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)

     (375,581 )     177,488      1,436      (178,924 )     (375,581 )
    


 

  

  


 


Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity (deficit)

   $ 246,053     $ 315,409    $ 39,889    $ (178,924 )   $ 422,427  
    


 

  

  


 


 

67


Table of Contents

DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

     As of December 28, 2003

 
     Domino’s, Inc.

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

                                      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —       $ 41,123    $ 1,603    $ —       $ 42,726  

Accounts receivable

     —         59,109      5,462      —         64,571  

Advertising fund assets, restricted

     —         —        30,544      —         30,544  

Other current assets

     7,664       35,243      2,128      —         45,035  
    


 

  

  


 


Total current assets

     7,664       135,475      39,737      —         182,876  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     —         122,815      4,252      —         127,067  

OTHER ASSETS

     248,660       81,897      805      (192,856 )     138,506  
    


 

  

  


 


Total assets

   $ 256,324     $ 340,187    $ 44,794    $ (192,856 )   $ 448,449  
    


 

  

  


 


CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                                      

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 18,234     $ 221    $ 117    $ —       $ 18,572  

Accounts payable

     —         41,832      11,556      —         53,388  

Advertising fund liabilities

     —         —        30,544      —         30,544  

Other current liabilities

     20,944       59,721      1,094      —         81,759  
    


 

  

  


 


Total current liabilities

     39,178       101,774      43,311      —         184,263  

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

                                      

Long-term debt

     934,914       5,931      320      —         941,165  

Other long-term liabilities

     321       40,521      268      —         41,110  
    


 

  

  


 


Total long-term liabilities

     935,235       46,452      588      —         982,275  

TOTAL STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)

     (718,089 )     191,961      895      (192,856 )     (718,089 )
    


 

  

  


 


Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity (deficit)

   $ 256,324     $ 340,187    $ 44,794    $ (192,856 )   $ 448,449  
    


 

  

  


 


 

68


Table of Contents

DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

DOMINO’S, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Fiscal year ended December 30, 2001

 
     Domino’s, Inc.

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

   Consolidated

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (58,861 )   $ 143,836     $ 2,206     $  —      $ 87,181  
    


 


 


 

  


Capital expenditures

     —         (40,538 )     (68 )     —        (40,606 )

Other

     —         6,949       (1,099 )     —        5,850  
    


 


 


 

  


Net cash used in investing activities

     —         (33,589 )     (1,167 )     —        (34,756 )
    


 


 


 

  


Repayments of long-term debt

     (32,290 )     —         (42 )     —        (32,332 )

Other

     91,151       (94,044 )     —         —        (2,893 )
    


 


 


 

  


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     58,861       (94,044 )     (42 )     —        (35,225 )
    


 


 


 

  


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —         55       (14 )     —        41  
    


 


 


 

  


Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     —         16,258       983       —        17,241  
    


 


 


 

  


Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period

     —         37,708       198       —        37,906  
    


 


 


 

  


Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period

   $ —       $ 53,966     $ 1,181     $  —      $ 55,147  
    


 


 


 

  


 

69


Table of Contents

DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

     Fiscal year ended December 29, 2002

 
     Domino’s, Inc.

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

   Consolidated

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (53,686 )   $ 157,381     $ 1,281     $  —      $ 104,976  
    


 


 


 

  


Capital expenditures

     —         (53,059 )     (872 )     —        (53,931 )

Other

     —         (18,083 )     —         —        (18,083 )
    


 


 


 

  


Net cash used in investing activities

     —         (71,142 )     (872 )     —        (72,014 )
    


 


 


 

  


Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     365,000       —         —         —        365,000  

Repayments of long-term debt

     (417,027 )     —         (709 )     —        (417,736 )

Other

     105,713       (118,742 )     —         —        (13,029 )
    


 


 


 

  


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     53,686       (118,742 )     (709 )     —        (65,765 )
    


 


 


 

  


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —         59       69       —        128  
    


 


 


 

  


Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     —         (32,444 )     (231 )     —        (32,675 )
    


 


 


 

  


Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period

     —         53,966       1,181       —        55,147  
    


 


 


 

  


Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period

   $ —       $ 21,522     $ 950     $  —      $ 22,472  
    


 


 


 

  


 

70


Table of Contents

DOMINO’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

 

     Fiscal year ended December 28, 2003

 
     Domino’s, Inc.

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

   Consolidated

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (71,336 )   $ 172,535     $ 1,324     $  —      $ 102,523  
    


 


 


 

  


Capital expenditures

     —         (28,461 )     (700 )     —        (29,161 )

Other

     —         9,597       —         —        9,597  
    


 


 


 

  


Net cash used in investing activities

     —         (18,864 )     (700 )     —        (19,564 )
    


 


 


 

  


Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     1,010,090       —         —         —        1,010,090  

Repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligation

     (662,368 )     (79 )     (45 )     —        (662,492 )

Other

     (276,386 )     (134,095 )     —         —        (410,481 )
    


 


 


 

  


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     71,336       (134,174 )     (45 )     —        (62,883 )
    


 


 


 

  


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —         104       74       —        178  
    


 


 


 

  


Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     —         19,601       653       —        20,254  
    


 


 


 

  


Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period

     —         21,522       950       —        22,472  
    


 


 


 

  


Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period

   $ —       $ 41,123     $ 1,603     $  —      $ 42,726  
    


 


 


 

  


 

71


Table of Contents

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

In a meeting held on March 15, 2002, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors recommended that the Board of Directors not renew Arthur Andersen LLP’s (“Andersen”) engagement as independent auditor for fiscal year 2002 and recommended that the Company engage PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as independent auditor. The Board of Directors instructed the Company to effect such actions as soon as reasonably practicable. On March 21, 2002, the Company notified Andersen that it would not renew its engagement as independent auditor for fiscal year 2002 and appointed PwC as its new independent auditor.

 

Andersen’s report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2001 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the year ended December 30, 2001 and through the date hereof, there were no disagreements with Andersen on any matter of accounting principle or practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Andersen’s satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter in connection with their report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for such year; and there were no reportable events as defined in Item 304 (a) (1) (v) of Regulation S-K.

 

The Company provided Andersen with a copy of the foregoing disclosure. Exhibit 16.1 is a copy of Andersen’s letter, dated March 22, 2002, stating its agreement with such statements.

 

During the year ended December 30, 2001 and through March 21, 2002, the Company did not consult PwC with respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, or any other matters or reportable events as set forth in Items 304 (a) (2) (i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

 

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. An evaluation was performed, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 28, 2003 were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this annual report was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting for the quarter ended December 28, 2003 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, such controls.

 

72


Table of Contents

Part III

 

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

 

The following is a list of directors for each of TISM and Domino’s. All directors of TISM and Domino’s serve until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until the earlier of his death, resignation or removal. There are no family relationships between any of the directors or executive officers of TISM and Domino’s.

 

Name


   Age

David A. Brandon *

   51

Andrew B. Balson

   37

Dennis F. Hightower

   62

Mark E. Nunnelly

   45

Robert M. Rosenberg

   66

Robert Ruggiero, Jr.

   44

* Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has an audit committee. The Board of Directors has determined that two of its independent members, each meeting the requirements of Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act, Messrs. Hightower and Rosenberg, are audit committee financial experts.

 

The following is a list of each person who is a Named Executive Officer of Domino’s. The executive officers of TISM and Domino’s are elected by and serve at the discretion of their respective Board of Directors. These officers also hold executive positions with our operating subsidiary Domino’s Pizza LLC (“Domino’s Pizza”).

 

Name


   Age

  

Position


David A. Brandon

   51    Chief Executive Officer of each of TISM, Domino’s and Domino’s Pizza

Harry J. Silverman

   45    Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President (“EVP”), Finance of Domino’s Pizza; Vice President of each of TISM and Domino’s

Michael D. Soignet

   44    EVP, Maintain High Standards – Distribution of Domino’s Pizza

J. Patrick Doyle

   40    EVP, International of Domino’s Pizza

James G. Stansik

   48    EVP, Flawless Execution – Franchise Operations of Domino’s Pizza

 

David A. Brandon has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of each of TISM and Domino’s since March 1999. Mr. Brandon has also served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and as a Manager of Domino’s Pizza since March 1999. Mr. Brandon was President and Chief Executive Officer of Valassis Communications, Inc., a company in the sales promotion and coupon industries, from 1989 to 1998 and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Valassis Communications, Inc. from 1997 to 1998. Mr. Brandon serves on the Board of Directors of The TJX Companies, Inc., Burger King Corporation and Kaydon Corporation. Mr. Brandon also serves on the Board of Regents for the University of Michigan.

 

Andrew B. Balson has served as a Director of each of TISM and Domino’s since March 1999. Mr. Balson also serves on the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Balson has been a Managing Director of Bain Capital, an investment company, since January 2001. Mr. Balson became a Principal of Bain Capital in June 1998, prior to which he was an Associate from 1996 to 1998. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Balson was a consultant at Bain & Company. Mr. Balson serves on the Board of Directors of Burger King Corporation and a number of other private companies.

 

Dennis F. Hightower has served as a Director of each of TISM and Domino’s and serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Domino’s since February 2003. Mr. Hightower served as Chief Executive Officer of Europe Online Networks, S.A., a broadband interactive entertainment provider, from June 2000 to February 2001. He was Professor of Management at the Harvard Business School from July 1997 to June 2000 and a Senior Lecturer from July 1996 to July 1997. He was previously employed by The Walt Disney Company, serving as President of Walt Disney Television & Telecommunications, President-Disney Consumer Products (Europe, Middle East and Africa), and related executive positions in Europe. He is a director of Accenture, Ltd., The Gillette Company, Northwest Airlines, Inc., The TJX Companies, Inc. and PanAmSat Corporation.

 

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Mark E. Nunnelly has served as a Director of TISM since December 1998 and as a Director of Domino’s since February 1999. Mr. Nunnelly is a Managing Director of Bain Capital, a global investment company. Prior to joining Bain Capital in 1990, Mr. Nunnelly was a Partner of Bain & Company. Mr. Nunnelly serves on the Board of Directors of Houghton-Mifflin Company, Warner Music and DoubleClick, Inc., as well as a number of private companies and not-for-profit corporations.

 

Robert M. Rosenberg has served as a Director of each of TISM and Domino’s since April 1999. Mr. Rosenberg also serves on the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Rosenberg served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Domecq Retailing, USA from 1993 to August 1999 when he retired. Allied Domecq Retailing, USA is comprised of Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo’s Eateries. Mr. Rosenberg also serves on the Board of Directors of Sonic Industries, Inc.

 

Robert Ruggiero, Jr. has served as a Director of each of TISM and Domino’s since February 2003. Mr. Ruggiero is a partner of J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC and has been an investment professional with J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC, and its predecessor companies, since 1996. Mr. Ruggiero, Jr. serves on the Board of Directors of a number of private companies.

 

Harry J. Silverman has served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Finance of Domino’s Pizza since 1993. Mr. Silverman has served as Vice President of each of TISM and Domino’s since December 1998 and as Treasurer of each of TISM and Domino’s from February 2000 to September 2001. Mr. Silverman joined Domino’s Pizza in 1985. Mr. Silverman serves on the Board of Directors of Able Laboratories, Inc. and Authentidate Holding Corporation.

 

Michael D. Soignet has served as Executive Vice President of Maintain High Standards - Distribution of Domino’s Pizza, overseeing global distribution center operations since 1993. Mr. Soignet joined the Company in 1981.

 

J. Patrick Doyle has served as Executive Vice President of International of Domino’s Pizza since May 1999 and as interim Executive Vice President, Build the Brand from December 2000 to July 2001. Mr. Doyle served as Senior Vice President of Marketing from the time he joined Domino’s Pizza in 1997 until May 1999. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. Doyle served as Vice President and General Manager of Gerber Products Company for the United States baby food business and as Vice President and General Manager of their Canadian subsidiary.

 

James G. Stansik has served as Executive Vice President of Flawless Execution – Franchise Operations of Domino’s Pizza since December 2003. Mr. Stansik served as Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer from August 1999 through December 2003 and also served as interim Executive Vice President of Flawless Execution – Corporate Operations of Domino’s from July 2000 through January 2001. Mr. Stansik was Senior Vice President of Franchise Administration from 1994 through August 1999. Mr. Stansik joined the Company in 1985.

 

Christopher C. Behrens and Robert F. White resigned as members of the Board of Directors of each of TISM and Domino’s effective February 25, 2003. There were no disagreements with management.

 

The Company has adopted a Code of Professional Conduct for Senior Financial Officers that applies to all executive officers of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as all of the Company’s other financial officers and other employees with senior financial roles. The Code of Professional Conduct is posted on the Company’s website, www.dominos.com (under Inside Domino’s/Investor Relations/Code of Professional Conduct). The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of the Code of Professional Conduct for the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller or persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on its website.

 

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Item 11. Executive Compensation.

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003 of David A. Brandon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal Position


   Year

   Annual Compensation

  

Long- Term

Compensation

Awards


  

All Other

Compensation(4)


      Salary

   Bonus(1)

  

Other

Annual
Compensation(2)


   Securities
Underlying
Options(3)


  
                 

David A. Brandon

    Chairman and Chief

    Executive Officer

   2003
2002
2001
   $
 
 
600,000
600,000
600,000
   $
 
 
4,548,780
1,200,000
1,100,000
   $
 
 
304,357
59,454
—  
   440,000
250,000
—  
   $
 
 
13,875
20,863
1,575

Harry J. Silverman

    Chief Financial

    Officer, Executive

    Vice President

   2003
2002
2001
    
 
 
310,000
310,000
310,000
    
 
 
1,925,998
510,000
550,000
    
 
 
59,194
—  
—  
   250,000
50,000
—  
    
 
 
6,662
6,700
6,173

Michael D. Soignet

    Executive Vice

    President

   2003
2002
2001
    
 
 
285,000
285,000
285,000
    
 
 
1,795,998
470,000
505,000
    
 
 
59,221
—  
—  
   225,000
50,000
—  
    
 
 
6,695
7,594
6,143

J. Patrick Doyle

    Executive Vice

    President

   2003
2002
2001
    
 
 
260,000
260,000
260,000
    
 
 
876,000
415,000
455,000
    
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   210,000
40,000
—  
    
 
 
9,024
5,768
6,080

James G. Stansik

    Executive Vice

    President

   2003
2002
2001
    
 
 
223,000
223,000
221,577
    
 
 
803,500
370,000
400,000
    
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   175,000
40,000
—  
    
 
 
6,092
8,024
8,338

(1) In 2003, the amounts presented represent annual bonuses as determined by the Board of Directors in conformance with the formula in each Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement, as well as amounts received in connection with the Company’s recapitalization in June 2003, which were based on certain stock and options holdings of the Named Executive Officers.

 

The following table details each Named Executive Officer’s annual bonus and non-recurring payments relating to the 2003 Recapitalization, which were based on certain stock and options holdings of the Named Executive Officers for 2003.

 

    

Annual

Bonus


  

Recapitalization

Payment


   Total

David A Brandon

   $ 1,200,000    $ 3,348,780    $ 4,548,780

Harry J. Silverman

     400,000      1,525,998      1,925,998

Michael D. Soignet

     365,000      1,430,998      1,795,998

J. Patrick Doyle

     325,000      551,000      876,000

James G. Stansik

     300,000      503,500      803,500

 

(2) The 2002 amounts primarily represent amounts related to the use of the Company’s airplane. The 2003 amounts primarily represent amounts reimbursed by the Company for the payment of taxes.
(3) The options are for the purchase of Class A-3 Common Stock of TISM.
(4) These amounts primarily represent reimbursement for certain medical bills and term life insurance premiums paid by the Company for the benefit of the Named Executive Officers and contributions made under our 401(k) plan.

 

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Option Grants

 

The following table sets forth information concerning TISM Class A-3 Common Stock ($0.001 par value, per share) options granted to Named Executive Officers during the 2003 fiscal year.

 

Name


  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Options Granted (1)


  

Percent of Total
Options Granted to
Employees in

Fiscal Year


   

Exercise
Price

($/Share)


  

Expiration

Date


   Potential Realizable Value at
Assumed Annual Rates of
Stock Price Appreciation for
Option Term (2)


              5%

   10%

David A. Brandon

   440,000    14.0 %   $ 5.77    7/1/13    $ 1,596,638    $ 4,046,193

Harry J. Silverman

   250,000    7.9 %     5.77    7/1/13      907,180      2,298,973

Michael D. Soignet

   225,000    7.2 %     5.77    7/1/13      816,462      2,069,076

J. Patrick Doyle

   210,000    6.7 %     5.77    7/1/13      762,032      1,931,138

James G. Stansik

   175,000    5.6 %     5.77    7/1/13      635,026      1,609,281

(1) Options were awarded by the Board of Directors under the TISM, Inc. Stock Option Plan. Options granted are generally granted at fair value of the underlying stock, as determined by the Board of Directors, expire ten years from the date of grant and vest within five years from the grant date. All options vest immediately in the event of a change in control, as defined.
(2) Assumed annual appreciation rates are established by regulations and are not a forecast of future appreciation. The amounts shown are pre-tax and assume the options will be held throughout the entire ten-year term. If TISM’s Class A-3 Common Stock does not increase in value after the grant date of the options, the options are valueless.

 

Option Exercises and Fiscal Year-End Values

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number and value of unexercised stock options of TISM held by each of the Named Executive Officers as of December 28, 2003.

 

FISCAL YEAR-END OPTIONS VALUES

 

Name


  

Shares
Acquired

on Exercise


  

Value

Realized


   Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options At Fiscal Year-End (1)


  

Value of Unexercised

In-The-Money Options At
Fiscal Year-End (2)


         Exercisable

   Unexercisable

   Exercisable

   Unexercisable

David A. Brandon

   —      $ —      1,762,516    440,000    $ 9,825,096    $ 321,200

Harry J. Silverman

   —        —      611,111    250,000      3,564,443      182,500

Michael D. Soignet

   —        —      561,111    225,000      3,264,443      164,250

J. Patrick Doyle

   —        —      290,000    210,000      1,620,000      153,300

James G. Stansik

   —        —      265,000    175,000      1,470,000      127,750

(1) The numbers reported reflect that Messrs. Brandon, Silverman, Soignet, Doyle and Stansik each have the option to purchase TISM Class A-3 Common Stock. Mr. Brandon has the option to purchase 2,202,516 Class A-3 shares. Mr. Silverman has the option to purchase 850,000 Class A-3 shares. Mr. Soignet has the option to purchase 775,000 Class A-3 shares. Mr. Doyle has the option to purchase 500,000 Class A-3 shares. Mr. Stansik has the option to purchase 440,000 Class A-3 shares. Additionally, Messrs. Silverman and Soignet each have the option to purchase 11,111 of TISM Class L Common Stock. The Class L options are fully vested as of December 28, 2003. The in-the-money value reported for Messrs. Silverman and Soignet include an estimate of fair value of the Class L Common Stock equal to the 12% priority return compounded quarterly from the date of grant until December 28, 2003.
(2) There was no public trading market for TISM common stock as of December 28, 2003. Accordingly, these values have been calculated on the basis of the estimated fair market value of such securities on December 28, 2003, as determined by the Board of Directors, less applicable exercise prices.

 

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Compensation of Directors

 

TISM and Domino’s reimburse members of the Board of Directors for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with services provided in such capacity. In addition, TISM and Domino’s may compensate independent members of the Board of Directors for services provided in such capacity. In April 1999, Mr. Rosenberg, an independent Director, was granted options for 55,555 shares of TISM Class A-3 Common Stock. All of these options are fully vested. As of December 28, 2003, these options were still held by Mr. Rosenberg. Mr. Rosenberg was also paid $10,000 per year in 2001 and 2002 for his service to the Board of Directors. On July 1, 2003, Mr. Rosenberg was granted options for 7,500 shares of TISM Class A-3 common stock, which will vest on July 1, 2004.

 

Mr. Hightower, an independent Director appointed in February 2003, was granted options for 7,500 shares of TISM Class A-3 Common Stock. All of these options are fully vested. On July 1, 2003, Mr. Hightower was granted options for 7,500 shares of TISM Class A-3 common stock, which will vest on July 1, 2004.

 

Commencing in 2003, Messrs. Hightower and Rosenberg, our independent directors, each receive $30,000 per year in director fees for their services as directors, plus $1,000 per Board of Directors and/or committee meeting attended. Mr. Hightower will also receive $5,000 for his service as chair of the Audit Committee. During 2003, these directors were paid amounts in accordance with these guidelines.

 

The remaining directors do not receive compensation for their service as directors.

 

Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements

 

Employment Agreements

 

Mr. Brandon is employed as the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to a written employment agreement that terminates on December 31, 2008. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Brandon is entitled to receive an annual salary of $600,000 and is eligible for an annual bonus based on achievement of performance objectives. If Mr. Brandon is terminated other than for cause or resigns voluntarily for good reason, he is entitled to receive continued salary for two years. In addition, each of Mr. Brandon and his wife is entitled to receive continued health insurance paid by us for the remainder of their lives. In connection with our recapitalization in June 2003, Mr. Brandon’s options to purchase shares of TISM’s Class A-3 common stock became fully vested. On July 1, 2003, Mr. Brandon was granted additional options to purchase 440,000 shares of TISM’s Class A-3 Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.77 per share, which options will vest 20% per year, subject to acceleration in specified circumstances involving either a change of control of TISM, as described below, or a termination of employment without cause or for good reason.

 

Each of the other Named Executive Officers is employed pursuant to a written employment agreement, terminable at will by either party. Under each employment agreement, the Named Executive Officer is entitled to receive an annual salary and an annual formula bonus based on achievement of Company performance objectives and is eligible to receive a discretionary bonus. If the employment of any of the other Named Executive Officers is terminated other than for cause or resigns voluntarily for good reason, the affected Named Executive Officer is entitled to continue to receive his salary for twelve months plus any earned but unpaid bonus.

 

If the employment of any of the Named Executive Officers is terminated by reason of physical or mental disability, he is entitled to receive continued salary less the amount of disability income benefits received by him and continued coverage under group medical plans for 18 months. Each of the Named Executive Officers is subject to certain non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality provisions.

 

Change-of-Control Provisions

 

The TISM Stock Option Plan provides that upon a change in control of TISM, the options granted to the Named Executive Officers shall become immediately vested, but exercisable only as to an additional 20% per year. After a change in control, however, should the Named Executive Officer terminate his employment for good cause (as defined) or, if the Company terminates the Named Executive Officer without good reason (as defined), all options shall become immediately exercisable.

 

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Deferred Compensation Plan

 

Domino’s Pizza has adopted a deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain of its executive and managerial employees, including the Named Executive Officers. Under the plan, eligible employees are permitted to defer up to 40% of their compensation. We are not required to and did not match employee contributions in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The amounts under the plan are required to be paid out upon termination of employment or a change in control.

 

Senior Executive Deferred Bonus Plan

 

Prior to TISM’s recapitalization in December 1998, Domino’s Pizza entered into bonus agreements with Messrs. Silverman and Soignet. The bonus agreements, as amended, provided for bonus payments, a portion of which were payable in cash upon the closing of the recapitalization and a portion of which were deferred under the Senior Executive Deferred Bonus Plan. Domino’s Pizza adopted the Senior Executive Deferred Bonus Plan, effective December 21, 1998, which established deferred bonus accounts for the benefit of the two executives listed above. Domino’s Pizza must pay the deferred amounts in each account to the respective executive upon the earlier of (i) a change of control, (ii) a qualified public offering, (iii) the cancellation or forfeiture of stock options held by such executive, or (iv) ten years and 180 days after December 21, 1998. If the plan is terminated, deferred bonus accounts to the participating executives may be paid at that time or may be paid as if the plan had continued to be in effect.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The Company does not have a compensation committee. Compensation decisions for 2003 regarding the Company’s executive officers were made by the Board of Directors. Mr. Brandon participated in discussions with the Board of Directors concerning executive officer compensation.

 

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders Matters.

 

All of Domino’s issued and outstanding common stock is owned by TISM. As of December 28, 2003, the issued and outstanding capital stock of TISM consists of (i) 49,058,950 shares of Class A Common Stock, of which 9,641,874 shares are Class A-1 Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, 9,866,633 shares are Class A-2 Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 29,550,443 shares are Class A-3 Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share and (ii) 5,421,699 shares of Class L Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share. The Class L Common Stock is the same as the Class A-1 Common Stock except that the Class L Common Stock is nonvoting and is entitled to a preference over the Class A Common Stock, with respect to any distribution by TISM to holders of its capital stock, equal to the original cost of such share plus an amount which accrues at a rate of 12% per annum, compounded quarterly. The Class L Common Stock is convertible upon an initial public offering, or certain other dispositions, of TISM into Class A Common Stock upon a vote of the Board of Directors of TISM.

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to ownership of TISM Class A-1 Common Stock as of March 15, 2004 (i) by each person known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of such class of securities, and (ii) by each Director and Named Executive Officer, and (iii) all Directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise noted, to our knowledge, each of such stockholders has sole voting and investment power as to the shares shown.

 

Name and Address


  

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership


   

Percentage of Outstanding

Voting Securities


 

Principal Stockholders:

            

Bain Capital Fund VI, L.P. and Related Funds

c/o Bain Capital, LLC

111 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

   4,724,518 (1)   49.0 %

Thomas S. Monaghan

24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106

   2,595,008     26.9 %

Directors and Named Executive Officers:

            

David A. Brandon*†

   —       —    

Harry J. Silverman*

   —       —    

Michael D. Soignet*

   —       —    

J. Patrick Doyle*

   —       —    

James G. Stansik*

   —       —    

Andrew B. Balson†

   3,996,158 (2)**   41.4 %

Dennis F. Hightower†

   —       —    

Mark E. Nunnelly†

   4,155,811 (3)**   43.1 %

Robert M. Rosenberg†

   —       —    

Robert Ruggiero, Jr.†

   944,904 (4)   9.8 %

All Directors and executive officers as a group (16 Persons)

   5,136,979 (2)(3)(4)   53.3 %

Director
* Named Executive Officer
** Messrs. Balson and Nunnelly are Managing Directors of Bain Capital, LLC. Amounts disclosed for Messrs. Balson and Nunnelly are also included above in the amounts disclosed for Bain Capital Fund VI, L.P. and Related Funds.

 

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(1) Consists of (i) 1,849,036 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by Bain Capital Fund VI, L.P. (“Fund VI”), whose sole general partner is Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. (“BCP VI”), whose sole general partner is Bain Capital Investors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BCI”), (ii) 2,104,694 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by Bain Capital VI Coinvestment Fund, L.P. (“Coinvest Fund”), whose sole general partner is BCP VI, whose sole general partner is BCI, (iii) 6,164 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by PEP Investments PTY Ltd. (“PEP”), a New South Wales company limited by shares for which BCI is Attorney-in-Fact, (iv) 161,215 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by BCIP Associates II (“BCIP II”), whose managing partner is BCI, (v) 34,702 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by BCIP Trust Associates II (“BCIP Trust II”), whose managing partner is BCI, (vi) 26,043 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by BCIP Associates II-B (“BCIP II-B”), whose managing partner is BCI, (vii) 10,221 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by BCIP Trust Associates II-B (“BCIP Trust II-B”), whose managing partner is BCI, (viii) 50,349 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by BCIP Associates II-C (“BCIP II-C), whose managing partner is BCI, (ix) 96,419 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by Sankaty High Yield Asset Partners, L.P., whose sole general partner is Sankaty High Yield Asset Investors, LLC, whose sole managing member is Sankaty Investors, LLC, whose sole managing member is Mr. Jonathan S. Lavine, and (x) 385,675 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by Brookside Capital Partners Fund, L.P., whose sole general partner is Brookside Capital Investors, L.P., whose sole general partner is Brookside Capital Management, LLC, whose sole managing member is Mr. Roy Edgar Brakeman, III.
(2) Consists of (i) 1,849,036 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by Fund VI, whose sole general partner is BCP VI, whose sole general partner is BCI, of which Mr. Balson is a member, (ii) 2,104,694 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by Coinvest Fund, whose sole general partner is BCP VI, whose sole general partner is BCI, of which Mr. Balson is a member, (iii) 6,164 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by PEP, for which BCI, of which Mr. Balson is a member, is Attorney-in-Fact, (iv) 26,043 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by BCIP II-B, a Delaware general partnership of which Mr. Balson or an entity affiliated with him is a general partner and whose managing partner is BCI, of which Mr. Balson is a member, and (v) 10,221 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by BCIP Trust II-B, a Delaware general partnership of which an entity affiliated with Mr. Balson is a general partner and whose managing partner is BCI, of which Mr. Balson is a member. Mr. Balson disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.
(3) Consists of (i) 1,849,036 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by Fund VI, whose sole general partner is BCP VI, whose sole general partner is BCI, of which Mr. Nunnelly is a member, (ii) 2,104,694 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by Coinvest Fund, whose sole general partner is BCP VI, whose sole general partner is BCI, of which Mr. Nunnelly is a member, (iii) 6,164 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by PEP, for which BCI, of which Mr. Nunnelly is a member, is Attorney-in-Fact, (iv) 161,215 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by BCIP II, a Delaware general partnership of which Mr. Nunnelly or an entity affiliated with him is a general partner and whose managing partner is BCI, of which Mr. Nunnelly is a member, and (v) 34,702 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock owned by BCIP Trust II, a Delaware general partnership of which an entity affiliated with Mr. Nunnelly is a general partner and whose managing partner is BCI, of which Mr. Nunnelly is a member. Mr. Nunnelly disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.
(4) Mr. Ruggiero is an executive officer of the ultimate general partners of J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), L.P. (formerly known as Chase Equity Associates, L.P. and hereinafter referred to as “JPMP BHCA”), J.P. Morgan Capital, L.P. (formerly known as J.P. Morgan Capital Corporation and hereinafter referred to as “JPM Capital”) and Sixty Wall Street Fund, L.P. (hereinafter referred to as “Sixty WSF”). Mr. Ruggiero is also a partner of J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC, an investment adviser to JPMP BHCA, JPM Capital and Sixty WSF. JPMP BHCA is a member of DP Investors I, LLC which holds 472,452 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock. Each of JPM Capital and Sixty WSF holds 446,834 and 25,618 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock, respectively. Accordingly, Mr. Ruggiero may be deemed the indirect beneficial owner of the voting shares held by JPMP BHCA, JPM Capital and JPM Sixty WSF. Mr. Ruggiero disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares held by each of JPMP BHCA, JPM Capital and Sixty WSF, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein which is not readily determinable because it is subject to several variables including without limitation, the internal rates of returns and vesting of each of JPMP BHCA, JPM Capital and Sixty WSF.

 

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The following table sets forth information with respect to ownership of TISM, Inc. non-voting securities as of March 15, 2004 by each Named Executive Officer. Under certain circumstances these securities are convertible into voting Class A-1 Common Stock.

 

Name


  

Class A-3

Common
Stock


  

Class L

Common
Stock


David A. Brandon

   400,000    44,444

Harry J. Silverman

   100,000    —  

Michael D. Soignet

   100,000    —  

J. Patrick Doyle

   27,276    3,031

James G. Stansik

   27,276    3,031

 

The Named Executive Officers participated on a pro rata basis with all TISM stockholders in the 2003 Recapitalization and received proceeds related to dividends on common stock and the redemption of preferred stock. Mr. Brandon received $1,543,856, Messrs. Silverman and Soignet each received $291,662, respectively, and Messrs. Doyle and Stansik each received $226,766, respectively.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

 

Stockholders Agreement

 

In connection with our recapitalization in 1998, TISM, we, Thomas S. Monaghan, our former majority stockholder, and his affiliates, and all of the equity holders of TISM (including the investment funds affiliated with Bain Capital, LLC, the other institutional investors and certain members of our management), entered into a stockholders agreement that, among other things, provides for the right of a minority stockholder to sell shares in a sale transaction entered into by a majority stockholder, commonly known as a tag-along right, the right of a majority stockholder to force a minority stockholder to sell shares upon the sale of a majority owner’s interest, at the same price and the same other terms and conditions as the majority owner, commonly known as a drag-along right, registration rights and related lock-up agreements, restrictions on the transfer of shares held by parties to the stockholders agreement together with rights of repurchase by us upon specified stockholder’s termination of employment and certain preemptive rights for certain stockholders. Under the terms of the stockholders agreement, the approval of the Bain Capital, LLC funds will be required for TISM, its subsidiaries, including us, and its stockholders to take various specified actions, including major corporate transactions such as a sale or initial public offering, acquisitions, divestitures, financings, declarations of dividends, recapitalizations and mergers, as well as other actions such as amending charters or by-laws, hiring and firing senior managers, setting management compensation, entering into partnerships or joint ventures or transactions with affiliates, establishing capital and operating budgets and business plans and entering into material contracts. Pursuant to the stockholders agreement and TISM’s Articles of Incorporation, the funds affiliated with Bain Capital, LLC have the power to elect up to half of the Board of Directors of TISM. The stockholders agreement includes customary indemnification provisions in favor of any persons who is or might be deemed a controlling person within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, who we refer to as controlling persons, and related parties against liabilities under the Securities Act incurred in connection with the registration of any of our debt or equity securities. These provisions provide indemnification against certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act and certain liabilities resulting from violations of other applicable laws in connection with any filing or other disclosure made by us under the securities laws relating to any such registrations. We agreed to reimburse such persons for any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such liability, action or proceeding, except that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries will be required to indemnify any such person or reimburse related legal or other expenses if such loss or expense arises our of or is based on any untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information provided by such person.

 

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Management Agreement

 

In connection with our recapitalization in 1998, TISM and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a management agreement with Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. pursuant to which it provides financial, management and operation consulting services. These services include advice in connection with the negotiation and consummation of agreements and other documents to provide us with financing from banks or other entities, as well as financial, managerial and operational advice in connection with our day-to-day operations, including advice with respect to the investment of funds and advice with respect to the development and implementation of strategies for improving our operating, marketing and financial performance. In exchange for such services, Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. is entitled to an annual management fee of $2.0 million plus reimbursement of the expenses of Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. and its affiliates in connection with the management agreement, our recapitalization in 1998 or otherwise related to their investment in Domino’s. In addition, in exchange for assisting us in negotiating the senior financing for any recapitalization, acquisition or other similar transaction, Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. is entitled to a transaction fee equal to 1% of the gross purchase price, including assumed liabilities, for such transaction, irrespective of whether such senior financing is actually committed or drawn upon. The management agreement will continue in effect as long as Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. continues to provide such services. The management agreement, however, may be terminated (i) by mutual consent of the parties, (ii) by either party following a material breach of the management agreement by the other party and the failure of such other party to cure the breach within thirty days of written notice of such breach or (iii) by Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. upon sixty days written notice. The management agreement includes customary indemnification provisions in favor of Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. and its affiliates and related parties. Messrs. Balson and Nunnelly are managing directors of Bain Capital, LLC, an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. The management agreement indemnification provision provides that we will indemnify each of the above-referenced entities and persons from and against all liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with our recapitalization in 1998, the management agreement or other transactions related to their investment in Domino’s, except for such liability or expense arising on account of such indemnified person’s willful misconduct.

 

Financing Arrangements

 

One of our directors, Mr. Robert Ruggiero, Jr., is an executive officer of the ultimate general partners of J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), L.P., and Sixty Wall Street Fund, L.P. and an executive of J.P. Morgan Capital, L.P., each of whom is a TISM stockholder (collectively, the “JPMorgan Stockholders”). Affiliates of the JPMorgan Stockholders provide services to us from time to time on terms which we believe are no less favorable than obtainable from an unrelated third party. During 2002 and in connection with the consummation of our previous senior secured credit facility, these affiliates provided financing services for which they were paid approximately $2.3 million in financing fees. These affiliates, in their respective capacities, acted as joint lead arranger, administrative agent and a lender under our new senior secured credit facility, for which they received customary fees, and also received or will receive commitment and letters of credit fees for their ratable portion of our previous senior secured credit facility and our new senior secured credit facility. In addition, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., an affiliate of the JPMorgan Stockholders served as the book-running manager of our 2003 senior subordinated note offering and solicitation agent for the 2009 senior subordinated note tender offer that was executed in 2003 and related consent solicitation, for which it received customary fees, which totaled approximately $7.9 million. A separate affiliate is also counterparty to a $50.0 million interest rate derivative agreement.

 

Charitable Contribution

 

In February 2004, the Board of Directors approved a contribution of $100,000 to the David A. Brandon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization which was founded by the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who serves on the Board of Directors of the foundation.

 

Shareholder Indemnification of Legal Settlement

 

In 2000, we settled a lawsuit in which we paid the plaintiffs $5.0 million for a full release of all related claims. Thomas S. Monaghan, a principal stockholder, agreed to indemnify TISM for 80% of all related legal settlements. Mr. Monaghan paid $4.0 million to the Company in 2000 and $521,000 in 2002 in accordance with this indemnification agreement. Mr. Monaghan has no further obligations under this indemnification agreement.

 

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Lease Agreement

 

In connection with our recapitalization in 1998, Domino’s Pizza LLC entered into a new lease agreement with Domino’s Farms Office Park, L.L.C. (“Domino’s Farms”) with respect to its World Resource Center and Michigan distribution center. The lease provided for lease payments of $4.3 million in 2004, the first year of the agreement, increasing annually to approximately $4.5 million in the fifth year. Thomas S. Monaghan, a TISM shareholder and former director of TISM and Domino’s, is the ultimate general partner of Domino’s Farms.

 

In August of 2002, we amended the aforementioned lease agreement with Domino’s Farms. The lease, as amended, provides for no lease payments in 2004, the first year of the lease, lease payments of approximately $5.0 million in the second year, increasing annually to approximately $6.2 million in the tenth year. We believe that this lease, as amended, is on terms no less favorable than are obtainable from unrelated third parties.

 

Contingent Note Payable

 

TISM is contingently liable to pay Thomas S. Monaghan and his wife an amount not to exceed approximately $15 million under a note payable, plus 8% interest per annum beginning in 2003, in the event the majority stockholders of TISM sell a certain percentage of their TISM common stock to an unaffiliated party. TISM is the sole obligor under the contingent note.

 

Consulting Agreement with Thomas S. Monaghan

 

In connection with our recapitalization in 1998, Mr. Monaghan entered into a consulting agreement that had a term of ten years, was terminable by either the Company or Mr. Monaghan upon thirty days prior written notice, and may have been extended or renewed by written agreement. Under the consulting agreement, Mr. Monaghan would be required to make himself available to Domino’s Pizza on a limited basis. Mr. Monaghan received a retainer of $1.0 million for the first twelve months of the agreement and was entitled to receive $500,000 per year for the remainder of the term of the agreement. The agreement provided that upon termination for any reason, the Company would pay Mr. Monaghan a lump sum payment equal to the full amount of the retainer for the remainder of the term. During 2002, we terminated the consulting agreement in exchange for a payment of approximately $2.9 million. As a consultant, Mr. Monaghan was entitled to reimbursement of travel and other expenses incurred in performance of his duties but was not entitled to participate in any of our employee benefit plans or other benefits or conditions of employment available to our employees.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003 by the Company’s principal accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (dollars in thousands).

 

     2002

   2003

Audit fees

   $ 588    $ 430

Audit-related fees (1)

     251      476

Tax fees (2)

     17      10
    

  

     $ 856    $ 916
    

  


(1) Includes fees for services related to audits of our advertising fund subsidiary and 401(k) savings plan, transaction-related services and an agreed upon procedures engagement.
(2) Includes fees for services related to tax compliance and tax planning.

 

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Part IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K .

 

 

(a)    1.   Financial Statements: The following financial statements of Domino’s, Inc. and subsidiaries are included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”:
   

Report of Independent Accountants

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003

   

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 30, 2001, December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003

   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 30, 2001, December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003

   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Deficit for the Years Ended December 30, 2001,

   

December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 30, 2001, December 29, 2002 and December 28, 2003

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

        2.   Financial Statement Schedules: The following financial statement schedule is attached to this report.
   

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

 

 

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

        3.       Exhibits: Certain of the following Exhibits have been previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such exhibits are identified by the parenthetical references following the listing of each such exhibit and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Domino’s, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1999 (Reg. No. 333-74797), (the “1999 S-4”)).
3.2    Amended and Restated By-Laws of Domino’s, Inc.(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the 1999 S-4).
3.3    Articles of Organization of Domino’s Pizza LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2003 (Reg. No. 333-107774), (the “2003 S-4”)).
3.4    Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Organization for Domino’s Pizza LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the 2003 S-4).
3.5    By-laws of Domino’s Pizza LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the 2003 S-4).
3.6    Articles of Incorporation of Domino’s Franchise Holdings Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the 1999 S-4).
3.7    By-laws of Domino’s Franchise Holding Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 to the 1999 S-4).
3.8    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Domino’s Pizza International, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to the 1999 S-4).

 

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3.9    Amended and Restated By-laws of Domino’s Pizza International, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 to the 1999 S-4).
3.10    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Domino’s Pizza International Payroll Services, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.11 to the 1999 S-4).
3.11    Amended and Restated By-laws of Domino’s Pizza International Payroll Services, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.12 to the 1999 S-4).
3.12    Articles of Incorporation of Domino’s Pizza—Government Services Division, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13 to the 1999 S-4).
3.13    By-laws of Domino’s Pizza—Government Services Division, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14 to the 1999 S-4).
3.14    Articles of Incorporation of Domino’s Pizza PMC, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Domino’s, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2000 (Reg. No. 333-74797) (the “1999 10-K”).
3.15    By-laws of Domino’s Pizza PMC, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the 1999 10-K).
3.16    Memorandum of Association of Domino’s Pizza NS Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.16 to the 2003 S-4).
3.17    Articles of Association of Domino’s Pizza NS Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.17 to the 2003 S-4).
4.1    Indenture dated as of December 21, 1998 by and among Domino’s Inc., Metro Detroit Pizza, Bluefence, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International Payroll Services, Inc., Domino’s Pizza—Government Services Division, Inc. and IBJ Schroder Bank and Trust Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the 1999 S-4).
4.2    Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 7, 2000 by and among Domino’s Inc., Domino’s Franchise Holding Co., Domino’s Pizza International, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International Payroll Services, Inc., Domino’s Pizza—Government Services Division, Inc., Domino’s Pizza LLC, Domino’s Pizza PMC, Inc., Domino’s Pizza NS Co. and The Bank of New York, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 10, 2000 (Reg. No. 333-74797)).
4.3    Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 10, 2003 by and among Domino’s, Inc., Domino’s Franchise Holding Co., Domino’s Pizza International, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International Payroll Services, Inc., Domino’s Pizza—Government Services Division, Inc., Domino’s Pizza LLC, Domino’s Pizza PMC, Inc., Domino’s Pizza NS Co. and The Bank of New York, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 11, 2003 (Reg. No. 333-74797)).
4.4    Execution copy of Indenture dated June 25, 2003 by and among Domino’s, Inc., Domino’s Franchise Holding Co., Domino’s Pizza LLC, Domino’s Pizza PMC, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International Payroll Services, Inc., Domino’s Pizza—Government Services Division, Inc. and Domino’s Pizza NS Co. and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the 2003 S-4).

 

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4.5    Registration Rights Agreement dated June 25, 2003 by and among Domino’s, Inc., Domino’s Franchise Holding Co., Domino’s Pizza LLC, Domino’s Pizza PMC, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International Payroll Services, Inc., Domino’s Pizza—Government Services Division, Inc. and Domino’s Pizza NS Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Banc One Capital Markets, Inc., Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Lehman Brothers Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 26, 2003 (Reg. No. 333-74797) (the “June 26, 2003 8-K”)).
4.6    Form of 8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (contained in Exhibit 4.4).
10.1    Consulting Agreement dated December 21, 1998 by and between Domino’s Pizza, Inc. and Thomas S. Monaghan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 1999 S-4).
10.2    Lease Agreement dated as of December 21, 1998 by and between Domino’s Farms Office Park Limited Partnership and Domino’s, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the 1999 S-4).
10.3    Amendment, dated February 7, 2000, to Lease Agreement dated December 21, 1998 by and between Domino’s Farms Office Park Limited Partnership and Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 of the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 (Reg. No. 333-74797), (the “2000 10-K”)).
10.4    First Amendment to a Lease Agreement between Domino’s Farms Office Park, L.L.C. and Domino’s Pizza, LLC, dated as of August 8, 2002, by and between Domino’s Farms Office Park L.L.C. and Domino’s Pizza, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2002 (Reg. No. 333-74797), (the “2002 10-K”)).
10.5    Stockholders Agreement dated as of December 21, 1998 by and among TISM, Inc., Domino’s, Inc., Bain Capital Fund VI, L.P., Bain Capital VI Coinvestment Fund, L.P., BCIP, PEP Investments PTY Ltd., Sankaty High Yield Asset Partners, L.P., Brookside Capital Partners Fund, L.P., RGIP, LLC, DP Investors I, LLC, DP Investors II, LLC, J.P. Morgan Capital Corporation, Sixty Wall Street Fund, L.P., DP Transitory Corporation, Thomas S. Monaghan, individually and in his capacity as trustee, and Marjorie Monaghan, individually and in her capacity as trustee, Harry J. Silverman, Michael D. Soignet, Stuart K. Mathis, Patrick Kelly, Gary M. McCausland and Cheryl Bachelder (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the 1999 S-4).
10.6    Senior Executive Deferred Bonus Plan of Domino’s, Inc. dated as of December 21, 1998 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the 1999 S-4).
10.7    Domino’s Pizza, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan adopted effective January 4, 1999 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the 1999 S-4).
10.8    Amendment to the Domino’s Pizza, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the 1999 10-K).
10.9    TISM, Inc. Fourth Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the June 26, 2003 8-K).
10.10    Management Agreement by and among TISM, Inc., each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries and Bain Capital Partners VI, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the 1999 S-4).
10.11    Settlement Letter, dated March 23, 2000, between TISM, Inc. and Thomas S. Monaghan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the 2000 10-K).

 

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10.12    Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2002 between Domino’s Pizza LLC and Harry J. Silverman. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Domino’s, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2001 (Reg. No. 333-74797), (the “2001 10-K”)).
10.13    Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2002 between Domino’s Pizza LLC and Patrick W. Knotts (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the 2001 10-K).
10.14    Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2002 between Domino’s Pizza LLC and Michael D. Soignet (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the 2001 10-K).
10.15    Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2002 between Domino’s Pizza LLC and J. Patrick Doyle (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the 2001 10-K).
10.16    Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2002 between Domino’s Pizza LLC and James G. Stansik.
10.17    Employment Agreement dated as of June 1, 2003 between David A. Brandon and TISM, Inc., Domino’s, Inc. and Domino’s Pizza LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the June 26, 2003 8-K).
10.18    Time sharing agreement dated as of December 2, 2002 between Domino’s Pizza LLC and David A. Brandon (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the 2002 10-K).
10.19    Purchase Agreement dated as of June 18, 2003 by and among JP Morgan, as representative of itself and Banc of America Securities, Inc. Bear Stearns & Co., Inc., Citigroup, Credit Suisse First Boston, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, Domino’s, Inc. Domino’s Franchise Holding Co., Domino’s Pizza LLC, Domino’s Pizza PMC, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International, Inc., Domino’s Pizza International Payroll Services, Inc., Domino’s Pizza—Government Services Division, Inc. and Domino’s Pizza NS Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the June 26, 2003 8-K).
10.20    Credit agreement, dated as of July 29, 2002, and amended and restated as of June 25, 2003, among Domino’s, Inc., as borrower, TISM, Inc., as guarantor, the lenders listed therein, as lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, Citicorp North America, Inc., as syndication agent, and Bank One, NA, as documentation agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the June 26, 2003 8-K).
10.21    First amendment to credit agreement, dated as of November 25, 2003, among Domino’s, Inc., as borrower, TISM, Inc., JPMorgan Securities Inc., as sole lead arranger and book runner, the lenders listed therein, as lenders, JP Morgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, Citicorp North America, Inc., as syndication agent, and Bank One, NA, as documentation agent.
10.22    Pledge agreement, dated as of July 29, 2002, and amended and restated as of June 25, 2003, among Domino’s, Inc., TISM, Inc. and certain other respective subsidiaries, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as collateral agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the June 26, 2003 8-K).
10.23    Security agreement, dated as of July 29, 2002, and amended and restated as of June 25, 2003, among Domino’s, Inc., TISM, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as collateral agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the June 26, 2003 8-K).
10.24    TISM, Inc. Class A-3 Stock Option Agreement with Dennis F. Hightower, dated as of February 25, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 23, 2003).
16.1    Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission, dated March 22, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.1 to the 2001 10-K).
21.1    Subsidiaries of Domino’s, Inc.

 

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31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.1    Risk Factors

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

 

The following report on Form 8-K was filed on October 23, 2003 and was the only report on Form 8-K filed during the fiscal quarter ended December 28, 2003: Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 23, 2003 which included a press release announcing the Company’s third quarter 2003 financial results.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE ACT BY REGISTRANTS WHICH HAVE NOT REGISTERED SECURITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE ACT.

 

No annual report has been sent to security holders covering the registrant’s last fiscal year and no proxy materials have been sent to more than 10 of the registrant’s security holders during the registrant’s last fiscal year.

 

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Report of Independent Auditors

 

To Domino’s, Inc.:

 

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report dated January 30, 2004 of Domino’s, Inc. and subsidiaries (which report and consolidated financial statements are included in this Form 10-K) also included an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, this financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.

 

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

 

Detroit, Michigan

January 30, 2004

 

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SCHEDULE II – VALUATION and QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

DOMINO’S, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

 

(In Thousands)

 

     Balance
Beginning
of Year


   Provision
(Benefit)


    * Additions /
Deductions
from Reserves


    Translation
Adjustments


    Balance
End of
Year


Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

                                     

2003

   $ 3,764    $ 1,222     $ (1,242 )   $ 125     $ 3,869

2002

     6,071      650       (3,036 )     79       3,764

2001

     3,561      2,955       (345 )     (100 )     6,071

Allowance for doubtful notes receivable

                                     

2003

   $ 3,684    $ (1,434 )   $ (139 )   $ 20     $ 2,131

2002

     3,493      (1,091 )     1,275       7       3,684

2001

     3,141      41       311       —         3,493

* Consists primarily of write-offs, recoveries of bad debt and certain reclassifications.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of Ann Arbor, State of Michigan on the 23rd day of March, 2004.

 

DOMINO’S, INC.

/s/ Harry J. Silverman


Harry J. Silverman

Chief Financial Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 23, 2004.

 

/s/ David A. Brandon


    

David A. Brandon

  

Chairman, CEO and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Harry J. Silverman


    

Harry J. Silverman

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Andrew B. Balson


    

Andrew B. Balson

  

Director

/s/ Dennis F. Hightower


    

Dennis F. Hightower

  

Director

/s/ Mark E. Nunnelly


    

Mark E. Nunnelly

  

Director

/s/ Robert M. Rosenberg


    

Robert M. Rosenberg

  

Director

/s/ Robert Ruggiero, Jr.


    

Robert Ruggiero, Jr.

  

Director

 

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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT 10.16

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement is made as of January 1, 2002, by Domino’s Pizza LLC, a Michigan corporation (the “Company”) with James G. Stansik (the “Executive”).

 

RECITALS

 

  1. The Executive has experience and expertise required by the Company and its Affiliates.

 

  2. Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Company therefore wishes to employ the Executive as its Special Assistant to the Chairman and the Executive wishes to accept such employment.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for valid consideration received, the parties agree as follows:

 

  1. Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company offers and the Executive accepts employment hereunder effective as of the date first set forth above (the “Effective Date”).

 

  2. Term. This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall remain in effect for an indefinite time until terminated by either party as set forth in Section 5 hereof.

 

  3. Capacity and Performance.

 

3.1 Offices. During the Term, the Executive shall serve the Company in the office of Special Assistant to the Chairman. The Executive shall have such other powers, duties and responsibilities consistent with the Executive’s position as Special Assistant to the Chairman as may from time to time be prescribed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (“CEO”).

 

3.2 Performance. During the Term, the Executive shall be employed by the Company on a full-time basis and shall perform and discharge, faithfully, diligently and to the best of his/her ability, his/her duties and responsibilities hereunder. During the Term, the Executive shall devote his/her full business time exclusively to the advancement of the business and interests of the Company and its Affiliates and to the discharge of his/her duties and responsibilities hereunder. The Executive shall not engage in any other business activity or serve in any industry, trade, professional, governmental, political, charitable or academic position during the


Term of this Agreement, except for such directorships or other positions which he/she currently holds and has disclosed to the CEO in Exhibit 3.2 hereof and except as otherwise may be approved in advance by the CEO.

 

  4. Compensation and Benefits. During the Term, as compensation for all services performed by the Executive under this Agreement and subject to performance of the Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company and its Affiliates, pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, the Executive shall receive the following:

 

  4.1 Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive a base salary at the rate of Two Hundred Twenty Three Thousand Dollars ($223,000) per year, payable in accordance with the payroll practices of the Company for its executives and subject to such increases as the Board of Directors of the Company or the Compensation Committee (the “Board”) in its sole discretion may determine from time to time (the “Base Salary”).

 

  4.2 Bonus.

 

(a) Formula Bonus. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Executive shall be paid an annual bonus in each fiscal year that he/she is an employee (the “Bonus”). The Executive shall have a Bonus target of 100% of Base Salary (the “Target”) which shall be based upon the Company’s achievement of annual targets as recommended by the CEO and approved by the Board. No Bonus shall be paid unless 90% of the Target is exceeded in the applicable fiscal year. The Executive shall receive one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of his/her Base Salary for every one hundredth of one percent (0.01%) (rounded to the nearest hundredth) in excess of 90% of the Target that is achieved in the applicable fiscal year. By way of example only, if 100% of the Target is achieved, Executive is entitled to a Bonus under this Section 4.2(a) equal to 100% of Executive’s Base Salary.

 

(b) Discretionary Bonus The Executive shall also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, the amount of which is determined in the sole discretion of the CEO based on subjective and objective criteria established by the CEO, of up to 25% of Base Salary.

 

(c) Pro-Ration Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, any Bonus payable to the Executive in this Agreement for any period of service less than a full year shall be prorated by multiplying (x) the amount of the Bonus otherwise payable for the applicable fiscal year in accordance with this Section 4.2 by (y) a fraction, the denominator of which shall be 365 and the numerator of which shall be the number of days during the applicable fiscal year for which the Executive was employed by the Company.

 

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4.3 Vacations. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of vacation per calendar year, to be taken at such times and intervals as shall be determined by the Executive, subject to the reasonable business needs of the Company. The Executive may not accumulate or carry over from one calendar year to another any unused, accrued vacation time. The Executive shall not be entitled to compensation for vacation time not taken.

 

4.4 Other Benefits. During the Term and subject to any contribution therefor required of executives of the Company generally, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, including without limitation any 401(k) plan, from time to time adopted by the Board and in effect for executives of the Company generally (except to the extent such plans are in a category of benefit otherwise provided the Executive hereunder). Such participation shall be subject to (i) the terms of the applicable plan documents and (ii) generally applicable policies of the Company. The Company may alter, modify, add to or delete any aspects of its employee benefit plans at any time as the Board, in its sole judgment, determines to be appropriate.

 

4.5 Business Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable business expenses, including without limitation the cost of first class air travel and dues for industry-related association memberships, incurred or paid by the Executive in the performance of his/her duties and responsibilities hereunder, subject to (i) any expense policy of the Company set by the Board from time to time, and (ii) such reasonable substantiation and documentation requirements as may be specified by the Board or CEO from time to time.

 

4.6 Airline Clubs. Upon receiving the prior written approval of the CEO authorizing the Executive to join a particular airline club, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for dues for not less than two nor more than four airline clubs, provided such club memberships serve a direct business purpose and subject to such reasonable substantiation and documentation requirements as to cost and purpose as may be specified by the CEO from time to time.

 

4.7 Physicals. The Company shall annually pay for or reimburse the Executive for the cost of a physical examination and health evaluation performed by a licensed medical doctor, subject to such reasonable substantiation and documentation requirements as to cost as may be specified by the Board or CEO from time to time.

 

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  5. Termination of Employment and Severance Benefits. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2 hereof, the Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement under the following circumstances:

 

5.1 Retirement or Death. In the event of the Executive’s retirement or death during the Term, the Executive’s employment hereunder shall immediately and automatically terminate. In the event of the Executive’s retirement after the age of 65 with the prior consent of the Board or death during the Term, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or in the case of death, the Executive’s designated beneficiary or, if no beneficiary has been designated by the Executive, to Executive’s estate) any Base Salary earned but unpaid through the date of such retirement or death, any Bonus for the fiscal year preceding the year in which such retirement or death occurs that was earned but has not yet been paid and, at the times the Company pays its executives bonuses in accordance with its general payroll policies, an amount equal to that portion of any Bonus earned but unpaid during the fiscal year of such retirement or death (prorated in accordance with Section 4.2).

 

  5.2 Disability.

 

5.2.1 The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder, upon notice to the Executive, in the event that the Executive becomes disabled during his/her employment hereunder through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a physical or psychological nature and, as a result, is unable to perform substantially all of his/her duties and responsibilities hereunder for an aggregate of 120 days during any period of 365 consecutive calendar days.

 

5.2.2 The Board may designate another employee to act in the Executive’s place during any period of the Executive’s disability. Notwithstanding any such designation, the Executive shall continue to receive the Base Salary in accordance with Section 4.1 and to receive benefits in accordance with Section 4.5, to the extent permitted by the then current terms of the applicable benefit plans, until the Executive becomes eligible for disability income benefits under any disability income plan maintained by the Company, or until the termination of his/her employment, whichever shall first occur. Upon becoming so eligible, or upon such termination, whichever shall first occur, the Company shall pay to the Executive any Base Salary earned but unpaid through the date of such eligibility or termination and any Bonus for the fiscal year preceding the year of such eligibility or termination that was earned but unpaid. At the times the Company pays its executives bonuses generally, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to that portion of any Bonus earned but unpaid during the fiscal year of such eligibility or termination (prorated in accordance with Section 4.2). During the 18-month period from the date of such eligibility or termination, the Company shall pay the Executive, at its regular pay periods, an amount equal to the difference between the Base Salary and the amounts of disability income benefits that the Executive receives pursuant to the above-referenced disability income plan in respect of such period.

 

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5.2.3 Except as provided in Section 5.2.2, while receiving disability income payments under any disability income plan maintained by the Company, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any Base Salary under Section 4.1 or Bonus payments under Section 4.2 but shall continue to participate in benefit plans of the Company in accordance with Section 4.4 and the terms of such plans, until the termination of his/her employment. During the 18-month period from the date of eligibility or termination, whichever shall first occur, the Company shall contribute to the cost of the Executive’s participation in group medical plans of the Company, provided that the Executive is entitled to continue such participation under applicable law and plan terms.

 

5.2.4 If any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is disabled through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a physical or psychological nature so as to be unable to perform substantially all of his/her duties and responsibilities hereunder, the Executive may, and at the request of the Company shall, submit to a medical examination by a physician selected by the Company to whom the Executive or his/her duly appointed guardian, if any, has no reasonable objection, to determine whether the Executive is so disabled and such determination shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. If such question shall arise and the Executive shall fail to submit to such medical examination, the Board’s determination of the issue shall be binding on the Executive.

 

5.3 By the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause at any time upon notice to the Executive setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of such Cause. The following events or conditions shall constitute “Cause” for termination: (i) Executive’s willful failure to perform (other than by reason of disability), or gross negligence in the performance of his/her duties to the Company or any of its Affiliates and the continuation of such failure or negligence for a period of ten (10) days after notice to the Executive; (ii) the Executive’s willful failure to perform (other than by reason of disability) any lawful and reasonable directive of the CEO; (iii) the commission of fraud, embezzlement or theft by the Executive with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates; or (iv) the conviction of the Executive of, or plea by the Executive of nolo contendere to, any felony or any other crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude. Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, upon the giving of notice of termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause, the Company and its Affiliates shall have no further obligation or liability to the Executive hereunder, other than for Base Salary earned but unpaid through the date of termination. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any Bonus amounts which have not been paid prior to the date of termination.

 

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5.4 By the Company Other Than for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder other than for Cause at any time upon notice to the Executive. In the event of such termination, the Company shall pay the Executive: (i) Base Salary earned but unpaid through the date of termination, plus (ii) monthly severance payments, each in an amount equal to the Executive’s monthly base compensation in effect at the time of such termination (i.e., 1/12th of the Base Salary) for a period of twelve (12) months (“Severance Term”), plus (iii) any unpaid portion of any Bonus for the fiscal year preceding the year in which such termination occurs that was earned but has not been paid, plus (iv) at the times the Company pays its executives bonuses generally, an amount equal to that portion of any Bonus earned but unpaid during the fiscal year of such termination (prorated in accordance with Section 4.2).

 

5.5 By the Executive for Good Reason. The Executive may terminate employment hereunder for Good Reason, upon notice to the Company setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of such Good Reason. The following shall constitute “Good Reason” for termination by the Executive: (i) any material diminution in the nature and scope of the Executive’s responsibilities, duties, authority or title; (ii) material failure of the Company to provide the Executive the Base Salary and benefits in accordance with the terms of Section 4 hereof; or (iii) relocation of the Executive’s office to a location outside a 50-mile radius of the Company’s current headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In the event of termination in accordance with this Section 5.5, then the Company shall pay the Executive the amounts specified in Section 5.4.

 

5.6 By the Executive Other Than for Good Reason. The Executive may terminate employment hereunder at any time upon 90 days written notice to the Company. In the event of termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 5.6, the CEO or the Board may elect to waive the period of notice or any portion thereof. The Company will pay the Executive his/her Base Salary for the notice period, except to the extent so waived by the Board. Upon the giving of notice of termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to this Section 5.6, the Company and its Affiliates shall have no further obligation or liability to the Executive, other than (i) payment to the Executive of his/her Base Salary for the period (or portion of such period) indicated above, (ii) continuation of the provision of the benefits set forth in Section 4.4 for the period (or portion of such period) indicated above, and (iii) any unpaid portion of any Bonus for the fiscal year preceding the year in which such termination occurs that was earned but has not been paid.

 

5.7 Post-Agreement Employment. In the event the Executive remains in the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates following termination of this Agreement, by the expiration of the Term or otherwise, then such employment shall be at will.

 

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  6. Effect of Termination of Employment. The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply in the event of termination of Executive’s employment, pursuant to Section 5, or otherwise.

 

6.1 Payment in Full. Payment by the Company or its Affiliates of any Base Salary, Bonus or other specified amounts that are due to the Executive under the applicable termination provision of Section 5 shall constitute the entire obligation of the Company and its Affiliates to the Executive, except that nothing in this Section 6.1 is intended or shall be construed to affect the rights and obligations of the Company or its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Executive, on the other, with respect to any option plans, option agreements, subscription agreements, stockholders agreements or other agreements to the extent said rights or obligations therein survive termination of employment.

 

6.2 Termination of Benefits. If Executive is terminated by the Company without Cause, or terminates employment with the Company for Good Reason, and provided that Executive elects continuation of health coverage pursuant to Section 601 through 608 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“COBRA”), Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premiums for the Severance Term; provided further, such payment will cease upon Executive’s entitlement to other health insurance without charge. Except for medical insurance coverage continued pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, all other benefits shall terminate pursuant to the terms of the applicable benefit plans based on the date of termination of the Executive’s employment without regard to any continuation of Base Salary or other payments to the Executive following termination of employment.

 

6.3 Survival of Certain Provisions. Provisions of this Agreement shall survive any termination of employment if so provided herein or if necessary to accomplish the purpose of other surviving provisions, including, without limitation, the obligations of the Executive under Sections 7 and 8 hereof. The obligation of the Company to make payments to or on behalf of the Executive under Sections 5.2, 5.4 or 5.5 hereof is expressly conditioned upon the Executive’s continued full performance of his/her obligations under Sections 7 and 8 hereof. The Executive recognizes that, except as expressly provided in Section 5.2, 5.4 or 5.5, no compensation is earned after termination of employment.

 

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  7. Confidential Information; Intellectual Property.

 

7.1 Confidentiality. The Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates continually develop Confidential Information (as that term is defined in Section 11.2, below); that the Executive may develop Confidential Information for the Company or its Affiliates and that the Executive may learn of Confidential Information during the course of his/her employment. The Executive will comply with the policies and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates for protecting Confidential Information and shall never use or disclose to any Person (except as required by applicable law or for the proper performance of his/her duties and responsibilities to the Company) any Confidential Information obtained by the Executive incident to his/her employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates. The Executive understands that this restriction shall continue to apply after employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination.

 

7.2 Return of Documents. All documents, records, tapes and other media of every kind and description relating to the business, present or otherwise, of the Company and its Affiliates and any copies, in whole or in part, thereof (the “Documents”), whether or not prepared by the Executive, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. The Executive shall safeguard all Documents and shall surrender to the Company and its Affiliates at the time employment terminates, or at such earlier time or times as the Board or CEO designee may specify, all Documents then in the Executive’s possession or control.

 

7.3 Assignment of Rights to Intellectual Property. The Executive shall promptly and fully disclose all Intellectual Property to the Company. The Executive hereby assigns to the Company (or as otherwise directed by the Company) the Executive’s full right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property. The Executive shall execute any and all applications for domestic and foreign patents, copyrights or other proprietary rights and to do such other acts (including without limitation the execution and delivery of instruments of further assurance or confirmation) requested by the Company or its Affiliates to assign the Intellectual Property to the Company and to permit the Company and its Affiliates to enforce any patents, copyrights or other proprietary rights to the Intellectual Property. The Executive will not charge the Company or its Affiliates for time spent in complying with these obligations. All copyrightable works that the Executive creates shall be considered “Work For Hire” under applicable laws.

 

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  8. Restricted Activities.

 

8.1 Agreement Not to Compete With the Company. During the Executive’s employment hereunder and for a period of 24 months following the date of termination thereof (the “Non-Competition Period”), the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control or participate in any manner in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected as an officer, employee, partner, director, principal, member, manager, consultant, agent or otherwise with, or have any financial interest in, or aid or assist anyone else in the conduct of, any business, venture or activity which in any material respect competes with the following enumerated business activities to the extent then being conducted or being planned to be conducted by the Company or its Affiliates or being conducted or known by the Executive to being planned to be conducted by the Company or by any of its Affiliates, at or prior to the date on which the Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (the “Date of Termination”), in the United States or any other geographic area where such business is being conducted or being planned to be conducted at or prior to the Date of Termination (a “Competitive Business”, defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, “Competitive Business” shall be defined as: (i) any company or other entity engaged as a “quick service restaurant” (“QSR”) which offers pizza for sale; (ii) any “quick service restaurant” which is then contemplating entering into the pizza business or adding pizza to its menu; (iii) any entity which at the time of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company, offers, as a primary product or service, products or services then being offered by the Company or which the Company is actively contemplating offering; and (iv) any entity under common control with an entity included in (i), (ii) or (iii), above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ownership of not more than 5% of any class of equity security of any publicly traded corporation shall not, of itself, constitute a violation of this Section 8.1.

 

8.2 Agreement Not to Solicit Employees or Customers of the Company. During employment and during the Non-Competition Period the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, (i) recruit or hire or otherwise seek to induce any employees of the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates to terminate their employment or violate any agreement with or duty to the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates; or (ii) solicit or encourage any franchisee or vendor of the Company or of any of the Company’s Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with any of them or to violate any agreement with any of them, or, in the case of a franchisee, to conduct with any Person any business or activity that such franchisee conducts or could conduct with the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates.

 

  9. Enforcement of Covenants. The Executive acknowledges that he/she has carefully read and considered all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation the restraints imposed upon his/her pursuant to Sections 7 and 8

 

 

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hereof. The Executive agrees that said restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its Affiliates and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area. The Executive further acknowledges that, were he/she to breach any of the covenants or agreements contained in Sections 7 or 8 hereof, the damage to the Company and its Affiliates could be irreparable. The Executive, therefore, agrees that the Company and its Affiliates, in addition to any other remedies available to it, shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against any breach or threatened breach by the Executive of any of said covenants or agreements. The parties further agree that in the event that any provision of Section 7 or 8 hereof shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of it being extended over too great a time, too large a geographic area or too great a range of activities, such provision shall be deemed to be modified to permit its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

  10. Conflicting Agreements. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that the execution of this Agreement and the performance of his/her obligations hereunder will not breach or be in conflict with any other agreement to which or by which the Executive is a party or is bound and that the Executive is not now subject to any covenants against competition or solicitation or similar covenants or other obligations that would affect the performance of his/her obligations hereunder. The Executive will not disclose to or use on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates any proprietary information of a third party without such party’s consent.

 

  11. Definitions. Words or phrases which are initially capitalized or are within quotation marks shall have the meanings provided in this Section 11 or as specifically defined elsewhere in this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions apply:

 

11.1 Affiliates. “Affiliates” shall mean TISM, Inc., Domino’s, Inc. and all other persons and entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, where control may be by management authority or equity interest.

 

11.2 Confidential Information. “Confidential Information” means any and all information of the Company and its Affiliates that is not generally known by others with whom they compete or do business, or with whom they plan to compete or do business, and any and all information the disclosure of which would otherwise be adverse to the interest of the Company or any of its Affiliates. Confidential Information includes without limitation such information relating to (i) the products and services sold or offered by the Company or any of its Affiliates (including without limitation recipes, production processes and heating technology), (ii) the costs, sources of supply, financial performance and strategic plans of the Company and its Affiliates, (iii) the identity of the suppliers to the Company and its Affiliates, and (iv) the people and organizations with whom the Company and its Affiliates have business relationships and those relationships. Confidential Information also

 

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includes information that the Company or any of its Affiliates have received belonging to others with any understanding, express or implied, that it would not be disclosed.

 

11.3 ERISA. “ERISA” means the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and any successor statute, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and, in the case of any referenced section thereof, any successor section thereto, collectively and as from time to time amended and in effect.

 

11.4 Intellectual Property. “Intellectual Property” means inventions, discoveries, developments, methods, processes, compositions, works, concepts, recipes and ideas (whether or not patentable or copyrightable or constituting trade secrets or trademarks or service marks) conceived, made, created, developed or reduced to practice by the Executive (whether alone or with others, whether or not during normal business hours or on or off Company premises) during the Executive’s employment that relate to either the business activities or any prospective activity of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

11.5 Person. “Person” means an individual, a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an estate, a trust and any other entity or organization.

 

  12. Withholding. All payments made by the Company under this Agreement shall be reduced by any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law.

 

13. Miscellaneous.

 

13.1 Assignment. Neither the Company nor the Executive may assign this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other; provided, however, that the Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the Executive in the event that the Company shall hereafter affect a reorganization, consolidate with, or merge into, any other Person or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any other Person, in which event such other Person shall be deemed the “Company” hereunder, as applicable, for all purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to place any limitation or restriction on the transfer of the Company’s Common Stock in addition to any restrictions set forth in any stockholder agreement applicable to the holders of such shares. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Executive, and their respective successors, executors, administrators, representatives, heirs and permitted assigns.

 

13.2 Severability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction,

 

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then the application of such provision in such circumstances shall be deemed modified to permit its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by law, and both the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

13.3 Waiver; Amendment. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of either party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by either party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and any expressly authorized representative of the Company.

 

13.4 Notices. Any and all notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective when delivered in person or deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified, and addressed (i) in the case of the Executive, to:                              at                                                              , and (ii) in the case of the Company, to the attention of Mr. David A. Brandon, CEO, at 30 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106, or to such other address as either party may specify by notice to the other actually received.

 

13.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any and all prior communications, agreements and understandings, written or oral, between the Executive and the Company, or any of its predecessors, with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment.

 

13.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

13.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the State of Michigan without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

13.8 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the Company and the Executive evidenced by the execution hereof, (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of Michigan for the purpose of any claim or action arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof and (ii) hereby waives, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to

 

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assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such claim or action, any claim that it or he/she is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its or his/her property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such proceeding brought in the above-named courts is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. Each of the Company and the Executive hereby consents to service of process in any such proceeding in any manner permitted by Michigan law, and agrees that service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof is reasonably calculated to give actual notice.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Company, by its duly authorized representative, and by the Executive, as of the date first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:

 

DOMINO’S PIZZA LLC

   

By:

 

/s/ David A. Brandon


   

Name:

 

David A. Brandon

   

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

THE EXECUTIVE:

     

/s/ James G. Stansik


   

Name:

 

James G. Stansik

 

 

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EXHIBIT 3.2

 

(None, unless additional information is set forth below.)

 

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FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT 10.21

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “First Amendment”), dated as of November 25, 2003, among DOMINO’S, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), TISM, INC., a Michigan corporation (“TISM”), J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. (“JPMSI”), as sole lead arranger and book runner, the lenders from time to time party to the Credit Agreement referred to below (each a “Lender” and collectively, “Lenders”), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK (“JPMorgan Chase Bank”), as administrative agent for Lenders (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”), CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC. (“Citicorp”), as syndication agent (in such capacity, “Syndication Agent”), and BANK ONE, NA (“Bank One”), as documentation agent (in such capacity, “Documentation Agent”). Unless otherwise indicated, all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings provided such terms in the Credit Agreement referred to below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, Borrower, TISM, JPMSI, Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., Lenders, Administrative Agent, Syndication Agent and Documentation Agent are parties to a Credit Agreement, dated as of July 29, 2002 and amended and restated as of June 25, 2003 (as so amended and restated, the “Credit Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this First Amendment, the parties hereto wish to amend the Credit Agreement as herein provided;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed:

 

I. Amendments to Credit Agreement.

 

1. The first paragraph of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the text “(in such capacity, collectively, “Arrangers”)” appearing in such paragraph and inserting the text “(in such capacity, collectively, “Initial Arrangers”)” in lieu thereof.

 

2. The definition of “Applicable Leverage Ratio” appearing in subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) inserting the text “occurring after the First Amendment Effective Date” immediately following each instance of the text “first Pricing Period” appearing in said definition, (ii) deleting the text “September 30, 2003” appearing in said definition and inserting the text “December 31, 2003” in lieu thereof and (iii) deleting the text “Restatement Effective Date” appearing in said definition and inserting the text “First Amendment Effective Date” in lieu thereof.

 

3. The definition of “Class” appearing in subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the text “Term Loan” appearing in said definition and inserting the text “New Term Loan” in lieu thereof.

 

4. The definition of “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” appearing in subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the text “(for such


purpose, determined without giving effect to the last sentence appearing in the definition thereof)” immediately after the text “Consolidated Interest Expense” appearing in clause (ii) of said definition.

 

5. The definition of “Consolidated Excess Cash Flow” appearing in subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the word “and” appearing immediately prior to the text “(h)” appearing in said definition and inserting a semi-colon in lieu thereof and (ii) inserting the following text immediately prior to the period at the end of said definition:

 

“and (i) to the extent not otherwise deducted in determining Consolidated Excess Cash Flow, the aggregate amount of Cash used to repurchase the Existing Senior Subordinated Notes pursuant to subsection 7.5(xiv)”.

 

6. The definition of “Loan” appearing in subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the text “New Term Loans,” immediately following the text “Term Loans,” appearing in said definition.

 

7. The definition of “Notes” appearing in subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the text “New Term Notes,” immediately following the text “Term Notes,” appearing in said definition.

 

8. The definition of “Requisite Lenders” appearing in subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the text “(ii)” appearing in said definition and inserting the text “(iii)” in lieu thereof and (ii) inserting the text “, (ii) the aggregate New Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders” immediately prior the text “and (iii)” appearing in said subsection (as modified pursuant to preceding subclause (i)).

 

9. The definition of “Shareholder Subordinated PIK Note” appearing in subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the text “Term Loans” appearing in said definition and inserting the text “New Term Loans” in lieu thereof.

 

10. The definition of “Term Loan Commitment” appearing in subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the text “2.1A(i)” appearing in said subsection and inserting the text “2.1A(i)(I)” in lieu thereof.

 

11. Subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by deleting the definitions of “Applicable Base Rate Margin”, “Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin”, “Arrangers” and “Pro Rata Share” in their entirety.

 

12. Subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by inserting in appropriate alphabetical order the following new definitions:

 

Additional New Term Loan” has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 2.1A(i)(II).

 

Applicable Base Rate Margin” means, as to New Term Loans or Revolving Loans, (a) for the period from the First Amendment Effective Date to (but excluding) the

 

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date of commencement of the first Pricing Period occurring after the First Amendment Effective Date, the applicable Level V percentage for such type of Loan set forth below and (b) for any date thereafter, a rate per annum equal to the percentage set forth below for such type of Loan opposite the Applicable Leverage Ratio in effect as of such date of determination, any change in any such Applicable Base Rate Margin to be effective on the date of any corresponding change in the Applicable Leverage Ratio:

 

Level


  

Applicable

Leverage Ratio


  

Applicable

New Term Loan

Base Rate Margin


 

Applicable

Revolving Loan

Base Rate Margin


V

   Greater than or equal to 4.75x    1.50%   2.00%

IV

   less than 4.75x and greater than or equal to 4.25x    1.50%   2.00%

III

   less than 4.25x and greater than or equal to 3.75x    1.50%   1.75%

II

   less than 3.75x and greater than or equal to 3.25x    1.50%   1.50%

I

   less than 3.25x    1.50%   1.25%

 

; provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, at any time an Event of Default is then in existence, the Applicable Base Rate Margin shall be the applicable Level V percentage for the respective type of Loan set forth above. It is understood and agreed that the “Applicable Base Rate Margin” applicable to Revolving Loans for periods prior to the First Amendment Effective Date shall be the “Applicable Base Rate Margin” as determined pursuant to the definitions “Applicable Base Rate Margin” and “Applicable Leverage Ratio”, in each case as such definitions were in effect immediately prior to the First Amendment Effective Date.

 

Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin” means, as to New Term Loans or Revolving Loans, (a) for the period from the First Amendment Effective Date to (but excluding) the date of commencement of the first Pricing Period occurring after the First Amendment Effective Date, the applicable Level V percentage for such type of Loan set forth below and (b) for any date thereafter, a rate per annum equal to the percentage set forth below for such type of Loan opposite the Applicable Leverage Ratio in effect as of such date of determination, any change in any such Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin to be effective on the date of any corresponding change in the Applicable Leverage Ratio:

 

Level


  

Applicable

Leverage Ratio


  

Applicable

New Term Loan

Eurodollar Rate Margin


 

Applicable

Revolving Loan

Eurodollar Rate Margin


V

   Greater than or equal to 4.75x    2.50%   3.00%

IV

   less than 4.75x and greater than or equal to 4.25x    2.50%   3.00%

III

   less than 4.25x and greater than or equal to 3.75x    2.50%   2.75%

II

   less than 3.75x and greater than or equal to 3.25x    2.50%   2.50%

I

   less than 3.25x    2.50%   2.25%

 

-3-


; provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, at any time an Event of Default is then in existence, the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin shall be the applicable Level V percentage for the respective type of Loan set forth above. It is understood and agreed that the “Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin” applicable to Revolving Loans for periods prior to the First Amendment Effective Date shall be the “Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin” as determined pursuant to the definitions “Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin” and “Applicable Leverage Ratio”, in each case as such definitions were in effect immediately prior to the First Amendment Effective Date.

 

Arrangers” means, collectively, Initial Arrangers and First Amendment Arranger.

 

Consenting Term Lender” means each Lender holding outstanding Term Loans that has theretofore executed and delivered a counterpart of the First Amendment to the Administrative Agent on or prior to 5:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the later to occur of November 21, 2003 or the First Amendment Effective Date.

 

Converted New Term Loan” has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 2.1A(i)(II).

 

Existing Term Loan Borrowing” has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 2.2B(x).

 

First Amendment” means the First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2003.

 

First Amendment Arranger” means JPMSI, in its capacity as sole lead arranger and book runner pursuant to the First Amendment.

 

First Amendment Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to that term in the First Amendment.

 

Initial Arrangers” has the meaning assigned to that term in the first paragraph of this Amendment.

 

New Term Loan” has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 2.1A(i)(II).

 

New Term Loan Commitment” means the commitment of a Lender to make Additional New Term Loans to Borrower pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i)(II), and “New Term Loan Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate.

 

New Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the New Term Loans of that Lender.

 

New Term Notes” means any promissory notes of Borrower issued pursuant to subsection 2.1E to evidence the New Term Loans of any Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit III-A annexed hereto, as they may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Non-Consenting Term Lender” means each Lender that is not a Consenting Term Lender.

 

Pro Rata Share” means (i) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Term Loan Commitment or the Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders, (ii) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the New Term Loan Commitment or the New Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the New Term Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate New Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders, (iii) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Revolving Loan Commitment or the Revolving Loans of any Lender or any Letters of Credit issued or participations therein purchased by any Lender or any participations in any Swing Line Loans purchased by any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Revolving Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders, and (iv) for all other purposes with respect to each Lender, (A) prior to the occurrence of the First Amendment Effective Date, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the sum of the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender plus the Revolving Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders or (B) after the occurrence of the First Amendment Effective Date, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the sum of the New Term Loan Exposure of that Lender plus the Revolving Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate New Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders, in any such case as the applicable percentage may be adjusted by assignments permitted pursuant to subsection 10.1. The Pro Rata Share of each Lender for purposes of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the preceding sentence is set forth opposite the name of that Lender in Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto.

 

Term Loan Conversion” has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 2.1A(i)(II).

 

13. Subsection 2.1A of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the text “(I), 2.1A(i)(II)” immediately following the text “2.1A(i)” appearing in the first sentence of said subsection.

 

14. Subsection 2.1A(i) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) inserting the text “(I)” immediately following the text “(i)” appearing in the first sentence of said subsection, (ii) deleting each instance of the text “2.1A(i)” appearing in said subsection and inserting the text “2.1A(i)(I)” in lieu thereof and (iii) inserting the following new clause (II) at the end of said subsection:

 

“(II) New Term Loans. (x) Each Consenting Term Lender severally agrees to convert (the “Term Loan Conversion”), on the First Amendment Effective Date, all Term Loans of such Consenting Term Lender outstanding on the First Amendment Effective

 

-5-


Date (immediately prior to giving effect thereto) into new term loans hereunder (each such term loan, a “Converted New Term Loan” and, collectively, “Converted New Term Loans”) and (ii) each Lender with a New Term Loan Commitment severally agrees to make, on the First Amendment Effective Date, a term loan or term loans in an initial principal amount equal to such Lender’s New Term Loan Commitment (each, an “Additional New Term Loan” and, collectively, “Additional New Term Loans”, and, together with the Converted New Term Loans, “New Term Loans”) to Borrower to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5E. The amount of each Lender’s New Term Loan Commitment and Converted New Term Loans (if any) is set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the aggregate amount of (x) Additional New Term Loans and (y) Converted New Term Loans is $540,000,000. The New Term Loan Commitments of Lenders shall be adjusted to give effect to any assignments of the New Term Loan Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B. Each Lender’s New Term Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and without further action on December 5, 2003 if the Additional New Term Loans are not made on or before that date. Borrower may make only one borrowing on the First Amendment Effective Date under the New Term Loan Commitments. Amounts borrowed under this subsection 2.1A(i)(II) or amounts borrowed as Term Loans under subsection 2.1(A)(i)(I) and continued as New Term Loans pursuant to this subsection 2.1(A)(i)(II) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.”.

 

15. Subsection 2.1B of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting each instance of the text “Term Loans” appearing in said subsection and inserting the text “New Term Loans” in lieu thereof, (ii) inserting the text “(x)” immediately following the text “provided that” appearing in the first sentence of said subsection and (iii) inserting the text “and (y) Additional New Term Loans incurred on the First Amendment Effective Date shall be subject to the terms of subsection 2.2B(x)” prior to the period at the end of the first sentence of said subsection.

 

16. Subsection 2.1C of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the text “Term Loans” appearing in the first sentence of said subsection and inserting the text “Additional New Term Loans” in lieu thereof, (ii) inserting the text “(or, in the case of New Term Loans made available on the First Amendment Effective Date, pro rata based upon their respective New Term Loan Commitments as in effect on the First Amendment Effective Date (before giving effect to the making of New Term Loans on such date)” immediately after the text “Pro Rata Shares” appearing in the first sentence of said subsection, (iii) inserting the text “(or, in the case of Additional New Term Loans, each Lender with an Additional New Term Loan Commitment will make the amount of its Additional New Term Loan Commitment available to Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the First Amendment Effective Date)” immediately following the first appearance of the text “on the applicable Funding Date” appearing in the third sentence of said subsection and (iv) inserting the text “Part II, Section 5 of the First Amendment (in the case of New Term Loans)” immediately prior to the text “and 4.2” appearing in subsection.

 

17. Subsection 2.1D of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting each instance of the text “Term Loan” appearing in said subsection and inserting the text “New Term Loan” in lieu thereof and (ii) deleting each instance of the text “Term Loans” appearing in said subsection and inserting the text “New Term Loans” in lieu thereof.

 

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18. Subsection 2.1E of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) inserting the text “New Term Loan,” immediately after the text “Term Loan,” appearing in said subsection, (ii) inserting the text “Exhibit III-A,” immediately after the text “Exhibit III,” appearing in said subsection and (iii) inserting the following new text at the end of said subsection:

 

“Without limiting the foregoing, on and after the First Amendment Effective Date, each Consenting Term Lender which holds a Term Note shall be entitled to surrender such Term Note to Borrower against delivery of a New Term Note completed in conformity with this subsection 2.1E, substantially in the form of Exhibit III-A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions; provided that if any such Term Note is not so surrendered, then from and after the First Amendment Effective Date such Term Note shall be deemed to evidence the Converted New Term Loans into which the Term Loans theretofore evidenced by such Term Note have been converted.”.

 

19. Subsection 2.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting each instance of the text “Term Loan” appearing in said subsection and inserting the text “New Term Loan” in lieu thereof and (ii) deleting each instance of the text “Term Loans” appearing in said subsection and inserting the text “New Term Loans” in lieu thereof.

 

20. Subsection 2.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by inserting the text “, provided that all New Term Loans converted or incurred on the First Amendment Effective Date shall be subject to the rules set forth in clause (x) of subsection 2.2B” immediately after the text “pursuant to subsection 2.1B” appearing in the third sentence of subsection 2.2A of the Credit Agreement.

 

21. Subsection 2.2B of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the text “and” appearing at the end of clause (viii) of said subsection, (ii) deleting the period appearing at the end of clause (ix) of said subsection and inserting the text “; and” in lieu thereof and (iii) inserting the following new clause (x) at the end of said subsection:

 

“(x) in connection with the Term Loan Conversion and the incurrence of Additional New Term Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i)(II), (A) each borrowing of Term Loans existing on the First Amendment Effective Date immediately prior to the Term Loan Conversion and maintained as Eurodollar Rate Loans subject to a given Interest Period (each, an “Existing Term Loan Borrowing”) shall, upon the occurrence of the Term Loan Conversion, be deemed to be a new borrowing of New Term Loans for all purposes of this Agreement (including subsection 2.2F), (B) each such newly-deemed borrowing of New Term Loans shall be subject to the same Interest Period (and Adjusted Eurodollar Rate) as the Existing Term Loan Borrowing to which it relates, (C) Additional New Term Loans shall be initially incurred pursuant to a single borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans which shall be added to (and thereafter be deemed to constitute a part of) each such newly-deemed borrowing of New Term Loans on a pro rata basis (based on the relative sizes of the various such newly-deemed borrowings of New Term Loans) and (D)

 

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Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby authorized to) take all appropriate actions to ensure that all Lenders with outstanding New Term Loans (after giving effect to the Term Loan Conversion and the incurrence of Additional New Term Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i)(II)) participate in each newly-deemed borrowing of New Term Loans on a pro rata basis (based upon the sum of such Lender’s (x) New Term Loan Commitment as in effect on the First Amendment Effective Date (prior to the making of New Term Loans on such date) and (y) and Converted New Term Loans).”.

 

22. Subsection 2.4A of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting said subsection in its entirety and inserting the following new subsection 2.4A in lieu thereof:

 

“A. Scheduled Payments of New Term Loans. Borrower shall make principal payments on the New Term Loans in installments on the dates and in the amounts set forth below:

 

DATE


  

SCHEDULED REPAYMENT

OF TERM LOANS


December 31, 2004

   $ 7,000,000.00

March 31, 2005

   $ 10,500,000.00

June 30, 2005

   $ 10,500,000.00

September 30, 2005

   $ 10,500,000.00

December 31, 2005

   $ 10,500,000.00

March 31, 2006

   $ 14,000,000.00

June 30, 2006

   $ 14,000,000.00

September 30, 2006

   $ 14,000,000.00

December 31, 2006

   $ 14,000,000.00

March 31, 2007

   $ 17,500,000.00

June 30, 2007

   $ 17,500,000.00

September 30, 2007

   $ 17,500,000.00

December 31, 2007

   $ 17,500,000.00

March 31, 2008

   $ 19,800,000.00

June 30, 2008

   $ 19,800,000.00

September 30, 2008

   $ 19,800,000.00

December 31, 2008

   $ 19,800,000.00

March 31, 2009

   $ 22,100,000.00

 

-8-


DATE


  

SCHEDULED REPAYMENT

OF TERM LOANS


June 30, 2009

   $ 22,100,000.00

September 30, 2009

   $ 22,100,000.00

December 31, 2009

   $ 22,100,000.00

March 31, 2010

   $ 74,500,000.00

June 25, 2010

   $ 120,912,820.59

 

; provided that the scheduled installments of principal of the New Term Loans set forth above shall be reduced in connection with any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the New Term Loans in accordance with subsection 2.4B(iv); and provided further, that the New Term Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the New Term Loans shall be paid in full no later than June 25, 2010 and the final installment payable by Borrower in respect of the New Term Loans on such date shall be in an amount, if such amount is different from that specified above, sufficient to repay all amounts owing by Borrower under this Agreement with respect to the New Term Loans.”.

 

23. Subsection 2.4B of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting each instance of the text “Term Loans” appearing in said subsection and inserting the text “New Term Loans” in lieu thereof.

 

24. Subsection 2.4C of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the text “Term Loans” appearing in clause (iii) of said subsection and inserting the text “New Term Loans” in lieu thereof.

 

25. Subsection 2.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following new subsection 2.5E at the end of said subsection:

 

“E. Additional New Term Loans. The Additional New Term Loans incurred on the First Amendment Effective Date shall be used on the First Amendment Effective Date to repay outstanding Term Loans of Non-Consenting Term Lenders (if any) and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the First Amendment.”.

 

26. Subsection 2.6D is hereby amended by inserting the following text at the end of said subsection:

 

“In connection with the Term Loan Conversion and the incurrence of Additional New Term Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i)(II), Lenders and Borrower hereby agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (A) if requested by any Lender making Additional New Term Loans which actually “match funds” in the manner described in subsection 2.6F below, Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amounts necessary, as reasonably determined by such Lender, to compensate such Lender for making such New Term Loans in the middle of an existing Interest Period (rather than at the beginning of the respective Interest Period, based upon

 

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the rates then applicable thereto) and (B) Borrower shall be obligated to pay to Non-Consenting Term Lenders breakage or other costs of the type referred to above in this subsection 2.6D (if any) incurred in connection with the repayment of outstanding Term Loans of such Non-Consenting Term Lenders (if any) on the First Amendment Effective Date.”.

 

27. Subsection 2.6F of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following sentence at the end of said subsection:

 

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the assumptions concerning the funding of Eurodollar Rate Loans set forth above in this subsection 2.6F shall not apply in connection with any determination made pursuant to subclause (A) of the last sentence of subsection 2.6D.”

 

28. Section 6 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following new subsection 6.13 at the end of said Section:

 

“6.13 First Amendment Mortgage Amendments. Within 60 days following the First Amendment Effective Date (unless otherwise agreed by the Collateral Agent), Borrower shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent, or caused to be delivered to the Collateral Agent, fully executed counterparts of amendments (the “First Amendment Mortgage Amendments”), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to each of the Mortgages covering a Mortgaged Property, together with evidence that counterparts of each of the First Amendment Mortgage Amendments have been delivered to the title company insuring the Lien on the Mortgages for recording in all places to the extent necessary or desirable, in the judgment of the Collateral Agent, effectively to maintain a valid and enforceable first priority mortgage lien on the Mortgaged Properties in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors securing all of the Obligations (including the Additional New Term Loans); provided that the actions required to be taken by Borrower pursuant to this subsection 6.13 shall not be required in the event that on the First Amendment Effective Date there are no Lenders that are Non-Consenting Term Lenders.

 

29. Subsection 7.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following new clause (xv) at the end of said subsection:

 

“(xv) so long as no Potential Event of Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, Borrower may redeem New Senior Subordinated Notes in accordance with the terms of the indenture therefor and/or repurchase New Senior Subordinated Notes on the open-market, in each case so long as (I) the aggregate amount of Cash expended by Borrower to effect all such redemptions and repurchases (and to pay all premiums payable in connection therewith) on and after the First Amendment Effective Date does not exceed $75,000,000 in the aggregate, (II) all such New Senior Subordinated Notes so redeemed or repurchased are permanently cancelled or retired by Borrower promptly following such redemption or repurchase and (III) concurrently with any such redemption or repurchase, Borrower shall have made a voluntary prepayment of New Term Loans in accordance with subsection 2.4B(i) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate amount of Cash so utilized to redeem or repurchase such New Senior Subordinated Notes (and to pay all premiums payable in connection therewith).”.

 

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30. Subsection 9.1A of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the text “JPMSI and Citigroup are hereby appointed Arrangers hereunder, and each Lender hereby authorizes each of Arrangers to act as its agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents” appearing in the first sentence of said subsection and inserting the text “(x) JPMSI and Citigroup are hereby appointed Initial Arrangers hereunder as of the Restatement Effective Date and (y) JPMSI is hereby appointed First Amendment Arranger hereunder as of the First Amendment Effective Date, and each Lender hereby authorizes each of Initial Arrangers and First Amendment Arranger to act as its agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents” in lieu thereof and (ii) inserting the text “Concurrently with the occurrence of the First Amendment Effective Date, all obligations of JPMSI, in its capacity as First Amendment Arranger hereunder, shall terminate.” immediately prior to the penultimate sentence of said subsection.

 

31. Subsection 10.1B of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the text “Term Loans” appearing in clause (ii) of said subsection and inserting the text “New Term Loans” in lieu thereof.

 

32. Schedule 2.1 to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting same in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof a new Schedule 2.1 in the form of Schedule 2.1 attached hereto.

 

33. The Credit Agreement is hereby further amended adding Exhibit III-A thereto in the form of Exhibit III-A attached hereto.

 

34. Exhibits IV and VII to the Credit Agreement are hereby amended by deleting each instance of the text “Term Loans” appearing in said Exhibits and inserting the text “New Term Loans” in lieu thereof.

 

35. The Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by deleting the text “J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. AND CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., AS JOINT LEAD ARRANGERS AND JOINT BOOK RUNNERS” appearing on the coverpage to the Credit Agreement and inserting the text “J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC., AS SOLE LEAD ARRANGER AND BOOK RUNNER” in lieu thereof.

 

II. Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

1. In order to induce Lenders to enter into this First Amendment, each of Borrower and TISM hereby represents and warrants that (i) no Default or Event of Default exists as of the First Amendment Effective Date after giving effect to this First Amendment, (ii) all of the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on the First Amendment Effective Date after giving effect to this First Amendment, with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the First Amendment Effective Date (it being understood that any representation or warranty made as of a specific date shall be true and

 

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correct in all material respects as of such specific date) and (iii) concurrently with the effectiveness of this First Amendment, the proceeds of the Additional New Term Loans shall be immediately applied by Borrower to repay all outstanding Term Loans of Non-Consenting Term Lenders (if any).

 

2. This First Amendment is limited as specified and shall not constitute a modification, acceptance or waiver of any other provision of the Credit Agreement, the Security Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

3. This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts when executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. A complete set of counterparts shall be lodged with Borrower and Administrative Agent.

 

4. THIS FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

5. This First Amendment shall become effective on the date (the “First Amendment Effective Date”) when each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied (it being understood that the condition set forth in clause (iii) below may be satisfied concurrently with the occurrence of the First Amendment Effective Date):

 

(i) Borrower, TISM, each other Loan Party, Lenders constituting the Requisite Lenders (determined prior to giving effect to this First Amendment) and each Lender with a New Term Loan Commitment and/or converting Term Loans into Converted New Term Loans pursuant to the Term Loan Conversion shall have signed a counterpart hereof (whether the same or different counterparts) and shall have delivered (including by way of facsimile transmission) the same to White & Case LLP, 1155 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 Attention: May Yip (facsimile number 212-354-8113);

 

(ii) there shall have been delivered to Administrative Agent for the account of each Consenting Term Lender and each Lender with a New Term Loan Commitment which has requested same, an appropriate New Term Note executed by Borrower in each case in the amount, maturity and otherwise as provided in the Credit Agreement;

 

(iii) there shall have been delivered to Administrative Agent copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Loan Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and the Loan Documents as amended by this Amendment, certified as of the First Amendment Effective Date by the corporate secretary or an assistant secretary of such Loan Party as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment; and

 

(iv) (x) all accrued and unpaid interest on all Term Loans shall have been paid in full (regardless of whether payment of such interest would otherwise have been required pursuant to subsection 2.2C of the Credit Agreement) and (y) the principal of all outstanding Term Loans of Non-Consenting Term Lenders shall have been repaid in full.

 

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6. By executing and delivering a copy hereof, each Loan Party hereby agrees that all Loans (including, without limitation, the New Term Loans) shall be fully guaranteed pursuant to the Holdings Guaranty and the Subsidiaries Guaranty in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof and shall be fully secured pursuant to the Collateral Documents.

 

7. From and after the First Amendment Effective Date, all references in the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to the Credit Agreement and the Security Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the Credit Agreement as modified hereby.

 

*        *        *

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

TISM, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Harry Silverman


Name:

 

Harry Silverman

Title:

 

Vice President

DOMINO’S, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Harry Silverman


Name:

 

Harry Silverman

Title:

 

Vice President

DOMINO’S FRANCHISE HOLDING CO.

(f/k/a Bluefence, Inc.)

By:

 

/s/ Harry Silverman


Name:

 

Harry Silverman

Title:

 

Vice President

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, individually and as

Administrative Agent

By:

 

/s/ Teri Streusand


Name:

 

Teri Streusand

Title:

 

Vice President


SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 25, 2003, AMONG DOMINO’S, INC., TISM, INC., J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. AND CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., AS ARRANGERS, THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR LENDERS, CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS SYNDICATION AGENT AND BANK ONE, NA, AS DOCUMENTATION AGENT

NAME OF INSTITUTION:

JP Morgan Chase Bank

By:

 

/s/ Teri Streusand


Name:

 

Teri Streusand

Title:

 

Vice President


Each of the undersigned, each being a Subsidiary Guarantor under, and as defined in, the Credit Agreement referenced in the foregoing First Amendment, hereby consents to the entering into of the First Amendment and agrees to the provisions thereof (including, without limitation, Part II, Section 6 thereof).

 

DOMINO’S PIZZA LLC

DOMINO’S PIZZA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

DOMINO’S PIZZA INTERNATIONAL PAYROLL SERVICES, INC.

DOMINO’S PIZZA PMC, INC.

DOMINO’S FRANCHISE HOLDING CO.

By:

 

/s/ Harry Silverman


Name:

 

Harry Silverman

Title:

 

Vice President

DOMINO’S PIZZA GOVERNMENT SERVICES DIVISION, INC.

By:

 

/s/ James Betts


Name:

 

Nathaniel J. Betts

Title:

   


SCHEDULE 2.1

 

Lender Commitments

 

Lender


  

Initial Term

Loan

Commitment


  

Tranche B

Term Loans


  

New Term

Loan

Commitments


  

Converted

New Term

Loans


  

Revolving

Loan

Commitment


JPMorgan Chase Bank

   $ 275,108,311.11                     $ 27,888,888.89

Citicorp North America, Inc.

   $ 275,108,311.11                     $ 27,888,888.89

Bank of America

                           $ 7,000,000.00

Bank One, NA

   $ 15,000,000.00                     $ 20,000,000.00

Bear Stearns Corporate Lending Inc.

                           $ 7,000,000.00

Credit Industriel Et Commerical

   $ 6,000,000.00                     $ 6,000,000.00

Credit Suisse First Boston

                           $ 7,000,000.00

General Electric Capital Corporation

   $ 9,000,000.00                        

Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.

                           $ 7,000,000.00

Hamilton Floating Rate Fund, LLC

   $ 2,000,000.00                        

KZH CypressTree-1 LLC

   $ 4,000,000.00                        

KZH ING-2 LLC

   $ 4,000,000.00                        

KZH Sterling LLC

   $ 2,500,000.00                        

KZH Riverside LLC

   $ 610,000.00                        

KZH Soleil LLC

   $ 632,000.00                        

KZH Soleil-2 LLC

   $ 1,263,600.00                        

KZH CNC LLC

   $ 2,851,851.85                     $ 648,148.15

KZH Crescent LLC

   $ 2,037,037.04                     $ 462,962.96

KZH Crescent 2 LLC

   $ 2,851,851.85                     $ 648,148.15

KZH Crescent 3 LLC

   $ 2,037,037.04                     $ 462,962.96

KZH Highland-2 LLC

   $ 1,000,000.00                        

Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc.

                           $ 7,000,000.00

Standard Federal Bank, N.A.

   $ 4,000,000.00                     $ 6,000,000.00

[INSERT ADDITIONAL LENDERS]

                              
    

  

            

Total

   $ 610,000,000.00    $ 0.00              $ 125,000,000.00


EXHIBIT III-A

 

[FORM OF NEW TERM NOTE]

 

PROMISSORY NOTE DUE JUNE 25, 2010

 

$[1]

  New York, New York
    [Date]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, DOMINO’S, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”) hereby promises to pay to [2] (“Payee”) or its registered assigns the principal amount of [3] ($[l]) in the installments referred to below.

 

Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid in full, at the rates and at the times which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 29, 2002 and amended and restated as of June 25, 2003, by and among Borrower, TISM, INC., a Michigan corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto (each individually referred to therein as a “Lender” and collectively as “Lenders”), J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. and CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., as joint lead arrangers, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as administrative agent for Lenders (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”), CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., as syndication agent, and BANK ONE, NA, as documentation agent (as so amended and restated and as the same may be further amended, supplemented, restated and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”, with the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined).

 

Borrower shall make principal payments on this Note in consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on September 30, 2003 and ending on June 25, 2010. Each such installment shall be due on the date specified in the Credit Agreement and in an amount determined in accordance with the provisions thereof; provided that the last such installment shall be in an amount sufficient to repay the entire unpaid principal balance of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

 

This Note is one of Borrower’s “New Term Notes” in the aggregate principal amount of $540,000,000 and is issued pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a more complete statement of the terms and conditions under which the New Term Loan evidenced hereby was made and is to be repaid, and the other Loan Documents.


[1] Insert amount of Lender’s New Term Loan in numbers.
[2] Insert Lender’s name in capital letters.
[3] Insert amount of Lender’s New Term Loan in words.


EXHIBIT III-A

Page 2

 

All payments of principal and interest in respect of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America in same day funds at the Funding and Payment Office or at such other place as shall be designated in writing for such purpose in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer of this Note shall have been accepted by Administrative Agent and recorded in the Register as provided in subsection 10.1B(iv) of the Credit Agreement, Borrower and Administrative Agent shall be entitled to deem and treat Payee as the owner and holder of this Note and the Loan evidenced hereby. Payee hereby agrees, by its acceptance hereof, that before disposing of this Note or any part hereof it will make a notation hereon of all principal payments previously made hereunder and of the date to which interest hereon has been paid; provided, however, that the failure to make a notation of any payment made on this Note shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Borrower hereunder with respect to payments of principal of or interest on this Note.

 

Whenever any payment on this Note shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest on this Note.

 

This Note is subject to mandatory prepayment as provided in subsection 2.4B(iii) of the Credit Agreement and to prepayment at the option of Borrower as provided in subsection 2.4B(i) of the Credit Agreement.

 

THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF BORROWER AND PAYEE HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

 

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the unpaid balance of the principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable in the manner, upon the conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

The terms of this Note are subject to amendment only in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

This Note is subject to restrictions on transfer or assignment as provided in subsection 10.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or impair the obligations of Borrower, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein prescribed.

 

After the occurrence of an Event of Default, Borrower promises to pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, all as provided in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement, incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note. Borrower hereby


EXHIBIT III-A

Page 3

 

consents to renewals and extensions of time at or after the maturity hereof, without notice, and hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand and notice of every kind and, to the full extent permitted by law, the right to plead any statute of limitations as a defense to any demand hereunder.


EXHIBIT III-A

Page 4

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date and at the place first written above.

 

DOMINO’S, INC.

By:

 

 


Name:

   

Title:

   
SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES OF DOMINO'S, INC.

EXHIBIT 21.1

 

SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES OF DOMINO’S, INC.

 

Domino’s Pizza LLC

  

Michigan

Domino’s Franchise Holding Co.

  

Michigan

Domino’s Pizza PMC, Inc.

  

Michigan

Domino’s Pizza California LLC

  

California

Domino’s Pizza International, Inc.

  

Delaware

Domino’s Pizza International Payroll Services, Inc.

  

Florida

Domino’s Pizza NS Co.

  

Canada

Domino’s Pizza of Canada

  

Canada

Domino’s Pizza of France S.A.S.

  

France

Dutch Pizza Beheer B.V.

  

Netherlands

CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DOMINO’S, INC.

 

I, David A. Brandon, Chief Executive Officer, Domino’s, Inc., certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual Report on Form 10-K of Domino’s, Inc.

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual Report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual Report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual Report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual Report is being prepared;

 

  b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual Report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c) presented in this annual Report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

March 23, 2004

        Date

 

/s/ David A. Brandon


 

David A. Brandon

   

Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, DOMINO’S, INC.

 

I, Harry Silverman, Chief Financial Officer, Domino’s, Inc., certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual Report on Form 10-K of Domino’s, Inc.

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual Report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual Report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual Report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual Report is being prepared;

 

  b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual Report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c) presented in this annual Report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual Report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

March 23, 2004

        Date

 

/s/ Harry Silverman


 

Harry Silverman

   

Chief Financial Officer

CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U. S. C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Domino’s Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David A. Brandon, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 1350, adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

  2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ David A. Brandon


David A. Brandon

Chief Executive Officer

 

Dated: March 23, 2004

CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U. S. C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Domino’s Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Harry J. Silverman, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 1350, adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ Harry J. Silverman


Harry J. Silverman

Chief Financial Officer

 

Dated: March 23, 2004

RISK FACTORS

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

RISK FACTORS

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes various forward-looking statements about the Company that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include information concerning future results of operations, and business strategy. Also, statements that contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimated” or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. We have based these forward looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. While we believe these expectations and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, including the following factors. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K might not occur.

 

 

Risks relating to our business and industry

 

The pizza delivery channel is highly competitive, and such competition could adversely affect our operating results.

We compete in the United States against two national chains, as well as many regional and local businesses. We could experience increased competition from existing or new companies in the pizza delivery channel, which could create increasing pressures to grow our business in order to maintain our channel share. If we are unable to maintain our competitive position, we could experience downward pressure on prices, lower demand for our products, reduced margins, the inability to take advantage of new business opportunities and the loss of channel share, all of which would have an adverse effect on our operating results.

 

We also compete on a broader scale with QSRs and other international, national, regional and local restaurants. The overall food service market and the QSR sector are intensely competitive with respect to food quality, price, service, convenience and concept, and are often affected by changes in:

 

  consumer tastes;
  national, regional or local economic conditions;
  disposable purchasing power;
  demographic trends; and
  currency fluctuations to the extent international operations are involved.

 

We compete within the food service market and the QSR sector not only for customers, but also for management and hourly employees, suitable real estate sites and qualified franchisees. Our domestic distribution segment is also subject to competition from outside suppliers. If other suppliers were to offer lower prices or better service to our franchisees for their ingredients and supplies and, as a result, our franchisees chose not to purchase from our domestic distribution centers, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.

 

If we fail to successfully implement our growth strategy, which includes opening new domestic and international stores, our ability to increase our revenues and operating profits could be adversely affected.

 

A significant component of our growth strategy is opening new domestic and international franchise stores. We and our franchisees face many challenges in opening new stores, including, among others:

 

  selection and availability of suitable store locations;
  negotiation of acceptable lease or financing terms;
  securing required domestic or foreign governmental permits and approvals; and
  employment and training of qualified personnel.


The opening of additional franchise stores also depends, in part, upon the availability of prospective franchisees who meet our criteria. Our failure to add a significant number of new stores would adversely affect our ability to increase revenues and operating income. We are currently planning to expand our international operations in markets where we currently operate and in selected new markets. This may require considerable management time as well as start-up expenses for market development before any significant revenues and earnings are generated. Operations in new foreign markets may achieve low margins or may be unprofitable and expansion in existing markets may by affected by local economic and market conditions. Therefore, as we expand internationally, we may not experience the operating margins we expect, and our revenues and earnings may be negatively impacted.

 

We may also pursue strategic acquisitions as part of our business. If we are able to identify acquisition candidates, such acquisitions may be financed, to the extent permitted under our debt agreements, with substantial debt.

 

The food service market is affected by consumer preferences and perceptions. Changes in these preferences and perceptions may lessen the demand for our products, which would reduce sales and harm our business.

 

Food service businesses are affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional and local economic conditions, and demographic trends. Our sales could also be affected by changing consumer tastes. For instance, if prevailing health or dietary preferences cause consumers to avoid pizza and other products we offer in favor of foods that are perceived as more healthy, our business and operating results would be harmed. Moreover, because we are primarily dependent on a single product, if consumer demand for pizza should decrease, our business would suffer more than if we had a more diversified menu, as many other food service businesses do.

 

Increases in food, labor and other costs could adversely affect our profitability and operating results.

 

An increase in our operating costs could adversely affect our profitability. Factors such as inflation, increased food costs, increased labor and employee benefit costs and increased energy costs may adversely affect our operating costs. Most of the factors affecting costs are beyond our control and, in many cases, we may not be able to pass along these increased costs to our customers or franchisees. Most ingredients used in our pizza, particularly cheese, are subject to significant price fluctuations as a result of seasonality, weather, demand and other factors. The cheese block price per pound averaged $1.31 in 2003 and the estimated increase in company-owned store food costs from a hypothetical $0.20 adverse change in the average cheese block price per pound would have been approximately $3.5 million in 2003. Labor costs are largely a function of the minimum wage for a majority of our store and distribution center personnel, and, generally, are a function of the availability of labor. Food, including cheese costs, and labor represent approximately 45% to 60% of a typical company-owned store’s cost of sales.

 

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our business and limit our ability to plan for or respond to changes in our business.

 

As of December 28, 2003, our consolidated indebtedness was approximately $959.7 million. Our substantial indebtedness and the fact that a large portion of our cash flow from operations must be used to make principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, could have important consequences to you. For example, it could:

 

  make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our debt agreements;
  increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
  require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow for other purposes;
  limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate thereby placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that may have less debt;


  limit, by the financial and other restrictive covenants in our debt agreements, our ability to borrow additional funds; and
  have a material adverse effect on us if we fail to comply with the covenants in our debt agreements, because such failure could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in a substantial amount of our indebtedness becoming immediately due and payable.

 

In addition, the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes and our senior secured credit facility permits us to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, including up to an additional $125 million under our revolving credit facility. As of December 28, 2003, we had $125.0 million available to us for additional borrowing under the revolving credit facility portion of our senior secured credit facility (excluding outstanding letters of credit of $25.4 million). If new indebtedness is added to our and our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the risks described above would intensify.

 

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our significant debt service obligations, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability to make principal and interest payments on and to refinance our indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. In addition, the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes permits us to make distributions to our parent corporation and make other payments otherwise prohibited by the indenture so long as we meet specified financial tests that are based in part on our consolidated net income, as defined, since December 29, 2002. Any of these distributions or payments, if made, could make it more difficult for us to make scheduled payments on our debt obligations and could result in our inability to satisfy our debt obligations.

 

If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, if currently anticipated cost savings and operating improvements are not realized on schedule, in the amounts projected or at all, or if future borrowings are not available to us under our senior secured credit facility in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, or to fund our other liquidity needs our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. If we cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations to make scheduled principal and interest payments on our debt obligations in the future, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity, sell assets, delay capital expenditures, or seek additional equity. If we are unable to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all or to effect any other action relating to our indebtedness on satisfactory terms or at all, our business may be harmed.

 

The terms of our senior subordinated notes and our senior secured credit facility have restrictive terms and our failure to comply with any of these terms could put us in default, which would have an adverse effect on our business and prospects.

 

Our senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes contain a number of significant covenants. These covenants limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things:

 

  incur additional indebtedness and issue additional preferred stock;

 

  make capital expenditures and other investments;

 

  merge, consolidate or dispose of our assets or the capital stock or assets of any restricted subsidiary;

 

  pay dividends, make distributions or redeem capital stock;

 

  change our line of business;

 

  enter into transactions with our affiliates; and

 

  grant liens on our assets or the assets of our restricted subsidiaries.


Our senior secured credit facility requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial condition tests at the end of each fiscal quarter. Our ability to meet these financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we may not meet those tests. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our senior secured credit facility and/or the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes. If our banks accelerate amounts owing under our senior secured credit facility because of a default under our senior secured credit facility and we are unable to pay such amounts, the banks have the right to foreclose on substantially all of our assets.

 

We do not have long-term contracts with many of our suppliers, and as a result they could seek to significantly increase prices or fail to deliver.

 

We typically do not rely on written contracts or long-term arrangements with our suppliers. Although we have not experienced significant problems with our suppliers, our suppliers may implement significant price increases or may not meet our requirements in a timely fashion, if at all. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

 

Shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of fresh food products could adversely affect our operating results.

 

We and our franchisees are dependent on frequent deliveries of fresh food products that meet our specifications. Shortages or interruptions in the supply of fresh food products caused by unanticipated demand, problems in production or distribution, inclement weather or other conditions could adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of ingredients, which would adversely affect our operating results.

 

Any prolonged disruption in the operations of any of our dough manufacturing and distribution centers could harm our business.

 

We operate 18 regional dough manufacturing and distribution centers in the contiguous United States and dough manufacturing and distribution centers in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, the Netherlands and France. Our domestic dough manufacturing and distribution centers service all of our company-owned stores and approximately 98% of our domestic franchise stores. As a result, any prolonged disruption in the operations of any of these facilities, whether due to technical or labor difficulties, destruction or damage to the facility, real estate issues or other reasons, could result in increased costs and reduced revenues and our profitability and prospects could be harmed.

 

We face risks of litigation from customers, franchisees, employees and others in the ordinary course of business, which diverts our financial and management resources. Any adverse litigation or publicity may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Claims of illness or injury relating to food quality or food handling are common in the food service industry. In addition, class action lawsuits have been filed, and may continue to be filed, against various QSRs alleging, among other things, that QSRs have failed to disclose the health risks associated with high-fat foods and that QSR marketing practices have encouraged obesity. In addition to decreasing our sales and profitability and diverting our management resources, adverse publicity or a substantial judgment against us could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations and brand reputation, hindering our ability to attract and retain franchisees and grow our business.

 

Further, we may be subject to employee, franchisee and other claims in the future based on, among other things, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and wage, rest break and meal break issues, including those relating to overtime compensation. We have been subject to these types of claims in the past, and we are currently subject to a purported class action claim of this type in California relating to rest break and meal break compensation and if one or more of these claims were to be successful or if there is a significant increase in the number of these claims, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be harmed.


Loss of key personnel or our inability to attract and retain new qualified personnel could hurt our business and inhibit our ability to operate and grow successfully.

 

Our success in the highly competitive pizza delivery channel will continue to depend to a significant extent on our leadership team and other key management personnel. Other than with our chairman and chief executive officer, David A. Brandon, we do not have any long-term employment agreements with any of our executive officers. As a result, we may not be able to retain our executive officers and key personnel or attract additional qualified management. Our success also will continue to depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel to operate our stores, dough manufacturing and distribution centers and international operations. The loss of these employees or our inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

 

Our international operations subject us to additional risks, which risks and costs may differ in each country in which we do business, and may cause our profitability to decline due to increased costs.

 

We conduct a portion of our business outside the United States. Our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected if global markets in which our company-owned and franchise stores compete are affected by changes in political, economic or other factors. These factors, over which neither we nor our franchisees have control, may include:

 

  recessionary or expansive trends in international markets;

 

  changing labor conditions and difficulties in staffing and managing our foreign operations;

 

  increases in the taxes we pay and other changes in applicable tax laws;

 

  legal and regulatory changes and the burdens and costs of our compliance with a variety of foreign laws;

 

  changes in inflation rates;

 

  changes in exchange rates and the imposition of restrictions on currency conversion or the transfer of funds;

 

  difficulty in collecting our royalties and longer payment cycles;

 

  expropriation of private enterprises;

 

  political or economic instability; and

 

  other external factors.

 

Fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to other currencies may lead to lower revenues and earnings.

 

Exchange rate fluctuations could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Approximately 5.6% of our revenues in 2001, 6.4% of our revenues in 2002 and 7.2% of our revenues in 2003 were derived from our international segment, the majority of which were denominated in foreign currencies. Sales made by our stores outside the United States are denominated in the currency of the country in which the store is located, and this currency could become less valuable prior to conversion to U.S. dollars as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. Unfavorable currency fluctuations could lead to increased prices to customers outside the United States or lower profitability to our franchisees outside the United States, or could result in lower revenues for us, on a U.S. dollar basis, from such customers and franchisees.


We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property, which could harm the value of our brand and branded products and adversely affect our business.

 

We depend in large part on our brand and branded products and believe that they are very important to our business. We rely on a combination of trademarks, copyrights, service marks, trade secrets and similar intellectual property rights to protect our brand and branded products. The success of our business depends on our continued ability to use our existing trademarks and service marks in order to increase brand awareness and further develop our branded products in both domestic and international markets. We have registered certain trademarks and have other trademark registrations pending in the United States and foreign jurisdictions. Not all of the trademarks that we currently use have been registered in all of the countries in which we do business and they may never be registered in all of these countries. We may not be able to adequately protect our trademarks and our use of these trademarks may result in liability for trademark infringement, trademark dilution or unfair competition. All of the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property in the United States and in foreign countries may not be adequate. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Further, through acquisitions of third parties, we may acquire brands and related trademarks that are subject to the same risks as the brands and trademarks we currently own.

 

We may from time to time be required to institute litigation to enforce our trademarks or other intellectual property rights, or to protect our trade secrets. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could negatively affect our sales, profitability and prospects regardless of whether we are able to successfully enforce our rights.

 

Our earnings and business growth strategy depends on the success of our franchisees and we may be harmed by actions taken by our franchisees that are outside of our control.

 

A significant portion of our earnings comes from royalties generated by our franchise stores. Franchisees are independent operators and their employees are not our employees. We provide limited training and support to franchisees, but the quality of franchise store operations may be diminished by any number of factors beyond our control. Consequently, franchisees may not successfully operate stores in a manner consistent with our standards and requirements, or may not hire and train qualified managers and other store personnel. If they do not, our image and reputation may suffer, and revenues and system-wide sales could decline. While we try to ensure that our franchisees maintain the quality of our brand and branded products, our franchisees may take actions that adversely affect the value of our intellectual property or reputation. As of December 28, 2003, we had 1,300 domestic franchisees operating 4,327 domestic stores. Four of these franchisees each operate over 50 domestic stores, including our largest franchisee who operates 160 stores, and the average franchisee operates only three stores. In addition, our international master franchisees are generally responsible for the development of significantly more stores than our domestic franchisees. As a result, our international operations are more closely tied to the success of a smaller number of franchisees than our domestic operations. Our largest international master franchisee operates 504 stores, which accounts for approximately 20% of our total international store count. Our domestic and international franchisees may not operate their franchises successfully. If one or more of our key franchisees were to become insolvent or otherwise were unable or unwilling to pay us our royalties, our results of operation could be adversely affected.

 

We are subject to extensive government regulation, and our failure to comply with existing or increased regulations could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

We are subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, including those relating to:

 

  the preparation and sale of food;
  building and zoning requirements;
  environmental protection;
  minimum wage, overtime and other labor requirements;
  compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and
  working and safety conditions.


We may become subject to legislation seeking to tax and/or regulate high-fat foods. If we fail to comply with existing or future regulations, we may be subject to governmental or judicial fines or sanctions. In addition, our capital expenditures could increase due to remediation measures that may be required if we are found to be noncompliant with any of these laws or regulations.

 

We are also subject to a Federal Trade Commission rule and to various state and foreign laws that govern the offer and sale of franchises. Additionally, these laws regulate various aspects of the franchise relationship, including terminations and the refusal to renew franchises. The failure to comply with these laws and regulations in any jurisdiction or to obtain required government approvals could result in a ban or temporary suspension on future franchise sales, fines or other penalties or require us to make offers of rescission or restitution, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

Our current insurance coverage may not be adequate, and insurance premiums for such coverage may increase and we may not be able to obtain insurance at acceptable rates, or at all.

 

We are partially self-insured for workers’ compensation, general liability and owned and non-owned automobile liabilities. We are generally responsible for up to $1.0 million per occurrence under these retention programs for workers’ compensation and general liability. We are also generally responsible for between $500,000 and $3.0 million per occurrence under these retention programs for owned and non-owned automobile liabilities. Total insurance limits under these retention programs vary depending on the period covered and range up to $108.0 million per occurrence for general liability and owned and non-owned automobile liabilities and up to the applicable statutory limits for workers’ compensation. These insurance policies may not be adequate to protect us from liabilities that we incur in our business. In addition, in the future our insurance premiums may increase and we may not be able to obtain similar levels of insurance on reasonable terms or at all. Any such inadequacy of or inability to obtain insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are not required to, and do not, specifically set aside funds for our self-insurance programs. We believe that our cash flows from operations and our available borrowings under our senior secured credit facility are adequate to fund related liabilities.

 

Our annual and quarterly financial results are subject to significant fluctuations depending on various factors, many of which are beyond our control, which could adversely affect our ability to satisfy our debt obligations as they become due.

 

Our sales and operating results can vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include:

 

  variations in the timing and volume of our sales and our franchisees’ sales;
  the timing of expenditures in anticipation of future sales;
  sales promotions by us and our competitors;
  changes in competitive and economic conditions generally;
  changes in the cost or availability of our ingredients or labor; and
  foreign currency exposure.

 

As a result, our results of operations may decline quickly and significantly in response to changes in order patterns or rapid decreases in demand for our products. We anticipate that fluctuations in operating results will continue in the future.


The current principal stockholders of TISM, Inc., our parent corporation, have significant influence over us, and could delay, deter or prevent a change of control or other business combination or otherwise cause us to take action with which you may disagree.

 

Investment funds affiliated with Bain Capital, LLC together hold 49% of TISM’s outstanding Class A voting common stock, approximately 69% of TISM’s outstanding Class A non-voting common stock and approximately 65% of TISM’s outstanding Class L non-voting common stock. In addition, these investment funds affiliated with Bain Capital, LLC and all of TISM’s other stockholders have entered into a stockholders agreement regarding, among other things, the voting of such capital stock. These agreements and their stock ownership give the investment funds affiliated with Bain Capital, LLC the power:

 

  to prevent the approval of all matters submitted to stockholders of TISM and the company;
  to elect up to a majority of the directors of TISM and its subsidiaries, including the company; and
  to limit actions related to the business, policies and affairs of TISM and the company.