Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File No. 001-16769

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Virginia   11-6040273

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

11 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10010

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

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

 

 


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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer  x            Accelerated Filer  ¨            Non Accelerated Filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of April 30, 2007 was 78,695,753.

 



WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

          Page No.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Financial Statements   
   Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2007 and December 30, 2006    2
   Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006    3
   Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity/(Deficit) for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006    4
   Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006    5
   Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements    6
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    14
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    21
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    21
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    22
Item 1A.    Risk Factors    22
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    22
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    23
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    23
Item 5.    Other Information    23
Item 6.    Exhibits    23
Signatures    24
Exhibits   

 


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

     March 31,
2007
    December 30,
2006
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 53,887     $ 37,504  

Receivables, net

     44,899       40,324  

Inventories, net

     34,924       38,548  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     34,969       34,927  

Deferred income taxes

     17,952       3,443  
                

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     186,631       154,746  

Property and equipment, net

     31,906       31,033  

Franchise rights acquired

     692,944       691,903  

Goodwill

     51,337       51,329  

Trademarks and other intangible assets, net

     23,107       21,027  

Deferred income taxes

     22,926       43,931  

Deferred financing costs and other noncurrent assets

     10,330       8,423  
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,019,181     $ 1,002,392  
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Portion of long-term debt due within one year

   $ 22,500     $ 18,922  

Accounts payable

     23,049       31,891  

Dividend payable

     13,997       17,062  

Accrued liabilities

     114,724       109,698  

Income taxes payable

     22,135       6,457  

Deferred income taxes

     —         9,063  

Deferred revenue

     71,763       43,439  
                

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     268,168       236,532  

Long-term debt

     1,795,575       830,237  

Other

     8,294       3,990  
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     2,072,037       1,070,759  

SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

    

Dividend to Artal Luxembourg S.A.

     (304,835 )     (304,835 )

Common stock, $0 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 111,988 shares issued

     —         —    

Treasury stock, at cost, 33,317 shares at March 31, 2007 and 14,486 shares at December 30, 2006

     (1,572,475 )     (540,318 )

Retained earnings

     817,301       770,539  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     7,153       6,247  
                

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

     (1,052,856 )     (68,367 )
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

   $ 1,019,181     $ 1,002,392  
                

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

 

2


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,
2007
    April 1,
2006
 

Meeting fees, net

   $ 234,855     $ 198,539  

Product sales and other, net

     128,910       112,276  

Internet revenues

     35,636       31,233  
                

Revenues, net

     399,401       342,048  

Cost of meetings, products and other

     166,138       141,555  

Cost of internet revenues

     7,156       8,000  
                

Cost of revenues

     173,294       149,555  
                

Gross profit

     226,107       192,493  

Marketing expenses

     70,778       53,880  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     39,584       34,538  
                

Operating income

     115,745       104,075  

Interest expense

     25,213       11,287  

Other income, net

     (11 )     (108 )

Early extinguishment of debt

     3,021       —    
                

Income before income taxes

     87,522       92,896  

Provision for income taxes

     33,696       35,899  
                

Net income

   $ 53,826     $ 56,997  
                

Earnings per share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.63     $ 0.57  
                

Diluted

   $ 0.63     $ 0.56  
                

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     85,066       100,539  
                

Diluted

     85,702       101,338  
                

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.18     $ 0.18  
                

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

 

3


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES

IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY/(DEFICIT)

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

     Common Stock    Treasury Stock    

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income

   

Dividend
to Artal
Luxembourg

S.A.

    Retained
Earnings
    Total  
     Shares    Amount    Shares     Amount          

Balance at December 31, 2005

   111,988    $ —      11,410     $ (390,864 )   $ 5,995     $ (304,835 )   $ 609,053     $ (80,651 )

Comprehensive Income:

                  

Net income

                   209,825       209,825  

Translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($675)

               699           699  

Change in fair value of derivatives accounted for as hedges, net of taxes of $287

               (447 )         (447 )
                        

Total Comprehensive Income

                     210,077  
                        

Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans

         (551 )     2,224           2,947       5,171  

Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised

                   6,234       6,234  

Secondary offering fees

                   (455 )     (455 )

Cash dividends declared

                   (68,854 )     (68,854 )

Purchase of treasury stock

         3,627       (151,678 )           (151,678 )

Compensation expense on share-based awards

                   11,789       11,789  
                                                          

Balance at December 30, 2006

   111,988    $ —      14,486     $ (540,318 )   $ 6,247     $ (304,835 )   $ 770,539     $ (68,367 )

Comprehensive Income:

                  

Net income

                   53,826       53,826  

Translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($349)

               1,234           1,234  

Change in fair value of derivatives accounted for as hedges, net of taxes of $210

               (328 )         (328 )
                        

Total Comprehensive Income

                     54,732  
                        

Cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48

                   (1,907 )     (1,907 )

Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans

         (228 )     923           4,678       5,601  

Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised

                   1,373       1,373  

Purchase of treasury stock

         19,059       (1,033,080 )           (1,033,080 )

Compensation expense on share-based awards

                   2,794       2,794  

Cash dividends declared

                   (14,002 )     (14,002 )
                                                          

Balance at March 31, 2007

   111,988    $ —      33,317     $ (1,572,475 )   $ 7,153     $ (304,835 )   $ 817,301     $ (1,052,856 )
                                                          

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

 

4


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,
2007
    April 1,
2006
 

Cash provided by operating activities

   $ 102,294     $ 101,066  
                

Investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (3,201 )     (3,732 )

Capitalized software expenditures

     (2,276 )     (222 )

Website development expenditures

     (1,353 )     (472 )

Other items, net

     61       (49 )
                

Cash used for investing activities

     (6,769 )     (4,475 )
                

Financing activities:

    

Net decrease in short-term borrowings

     —         (378 )

Proceeds from new term loans

     1,200,000       —    

Payments of long-term debt

     (231,084 )     (73,667 )

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     5,785       3,337  

Tax benefit from restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised

     1,373       1,454  

Repurchase of treasury stock

     (1,033,080 )     (6,809 )

Costs of public equity offering

     —         (883 )

Payment of dividends

     (17,068 )     —    

Deferred financing costs

     (5,417 )     —    
                

Cash used for financing activities

     (79,491 )     (76,946 )
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash/cash equivalents and other

     349       1,777  
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     16,383       21,422  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     37,504       31,476  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 53,887     $ 52,898  
                

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

 

5


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Weight Watchers International, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, which effective December 16, 2005 includes WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “WW.com”). The term the “Company” as used throughout this document is used to indicate Weight Watchers International, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The term “WWI” as used throughout this document is used to indicate Weight Watchers International, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries other than WW.com.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. While all available information has been considered, actual amounts could differ from those estimates. The consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the interim results presented.

These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006, which includes additional information about the Company, its results of operations, its financial position and its cash flows.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

For a discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies, see “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006.

 

3. Acquisitions

The acquisitions of certain franchisees have been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, earnings have been included in the consolidated operating results of the Company since their dates of acquisition. Details of these franchise acquisitions are outlined below.

On July 27, 2006, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Indiana franchisee, Weight Watchers of Greater Indiana, Inc., for a net purchase price of approximately $24,575, plus assumed liabilities and transaction costs of $476. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($24,849), inventory ($102) and fixed assets ($100).

On August 17, 2006, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its eastern Canadian franchisee, Walmar (Eastern Canada) Limited (“Walmar”), and of Vale Printing Limited (“Vale”, and collectively with Walmar, “Eastern Canada”), for a net purchase price of approximately $49,781, plus assumed liabilities and transaction costs of $1,059. The total purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to franchise rights acquired ($49,040), inventory ($885), fixed assets ($779) and prepaid expenses and other current assets ($136).

On November 2, 2006, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Suffolk County, New York franchisee, Weight Watchers of Suffolk, Inc., for a net purchase price of approximately $24,170, plus assumed liabilities of $330. The total purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to franchise rights acquired ($23,225), fixed assets ($1,133), inventory ($140) and other current assets ($2).

 

6


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

On December 11, 2006, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its western Michigan franchise, Weight Watchers of Western Michigan, Inc., for a net purchase price of $36,935, plus assumed liabilities of $330. The total purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to franchise rights acquired ($34,724), fixed assets ($1,927), inventory ($612) and other current assets ($2).

On December 11, 2006, the Company reacquired its franchise rights in Greece and Italy for an aggregate amount of $4,375.

The effects of these franchise acquisitions, individually or in the aggregate, were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or operating cash flows in any of the periods presented.

 

4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the Company no longer amortizes goodwill or other indefinite lived intangible assets. The Company performed its annual impairment review as of December 30, 2006 and determined that no impairment existed. Unamortized goodwill is due mainly to the acquisition of the Company by the H.J. Heinz Company in 1978 and the acquisition of WW.com in 2005. Franchise rights acquired are due mainly to acquisitions of the Company’s franchised territories. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the changes in goodwill and franchise rights acquired are primarily due to foreign currency fluctuations.

In accordance with SFAS No. 142, aggregate amortization expense for finite lived intangible assets was recorded in the amounts of $1,668 and $1,485 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006, respectively.

The carrying amount of the amortized intangible assets as of March 31, 2007 and December 30, 2006 was as follows:

 

     March 31, 2007    December 30, 2006
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization

Deferred software costs

   $ 21,750    $ 7,387    $ 19,361    $ 6,372

Trademarks

     8,407      7,721      8,393      7,647

Website development costs

     16,434      9,440      15,081      8,900

Other

     5,382      4,318      5,317      4,206
                           
   $ 51,973    $ 28,866    $ 48,152    $ 27,125
                           

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

 

Remainder of 2007

   $ 5,530

2008

   $ 7,158

2009

   $ 5,301

2010

   $ 2,041

2011

   $ 1,373

 

7


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

5. Long-Term Debt

WWI Credit Facility

WWI’s Credit Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2001, and amended and restated as of January 21, 2004, as supplemented on October 19, 2004 and as amended on June 24, 2005, May 8, 2006 and amended and supplemented on January 26, 2007, consists of a term loan facility consisting of two tranche A facilities, or Term Loan A and Additional Term Loan A, and a tranche B facility, or Term Loan B, in an aggregate amount of up to $1,550,000 and a revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $500,000, or the Revolver, or the WWI Credit Facility.

On May 8, 2006, WWI entered into a refinancing to reduce its effective interest rate while increasing its borrowing capacity and extending the maturities of borrowings under the WWI Credit Facility. In connection with the refinancing, WWI’s Term Loan B and Additional Term Loan B in the aggregate amount of $294,375 were repaid and replaced with a new Term Loan A in the amount of $350,000. The additional funds of $55,625 were used to pay down the revolving line of credit. Also, in connection with this refinancing, WWI’s then existing revolving line of credit was repaid and replaced with a new revolving line of credit, the Revolver, that increased borrowing capacity from $350,000 to $500,000. The Term Loan A and the Revolver have a maturity date of June 2011. In connection with the early extinguishment of debt resulting from this refinancing, the Company recorded a charge of $1,321 in the second quarter of 2006 relating to the write-off of a portion of the deferred financing costs associated with its old debt.

On January 26, 2007, in connection with the Tender Offer and the share repurchase from Artal Holdings Sp. z.o.o., an indirect subsidiary of Artal Group, S.A., and together with its parent and subsidiaries, Artal (see Note 6), the Company increased its debt capacity by adding an Additional Term Loan A in the amount of $700,000 and a new Term Loan B in the amount of $500,000. The Company utilized $185,784 of these proceeds to pay off the WW.com credit facilities consisting of (i) a five year, senior secured first lien term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $170,000 and (ii) a five and one-half year, senior secured second lien term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $45,000, or the WW.com Credit Facilities, $461,593 to repurchase 8,548 of its shares in the Tender Offer (as defined in Note 6) and $567,617 to repurchase 10,511 of its shares from Artal. In connection with the early extinguishment of the WW.com Credit Facilities, the Company recorded a charge of $3,021 in the first quarter of 2007 relating to the write-off of the deferred financing costs associated with the WW.com Credit Facilities. The Additional Term Loan A and Term Loan B mature in January 2013 and January 2014, respectively. At March 31, 2007, WWI had $229,200 of availability under the Revolver.

The Term Loan A, Additional Term Loan A and the Revolver bear interest at an initial rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum or, at WWI’s option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Agreement). The Term Loan B bears interest at an initial rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.5% per annum or, at WWI’s option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility). In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the WWI Credit Facility, WWI is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolver with respect to the unused commitments at an initial rate equal to 0.25% per annum.

The WWI Credit Facility contains customary covenants including covenants that in certain circumstances restrict WWI’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other restricted payments, including investments, sell its assets and enter into consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of its assets. The WWI Credit Facility also requires WWI to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial condition tests. At March 31, 2007, WWI complied with all of the required financial ratios and also met all of the financial condition tests and is expected to continue to do so. The WWI Credit Facility contains customary events of default.

 

8


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the WWI Credit Facility, the lenders thereunder may cease making loans and declare amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. The WWI Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all the assets of the Company collateralize the WWI Credit Facility.

On January 5, 2007, Standard & Poor’s assigned a “BB” rating to WWI’s Term Loan A and Revolver and assigned a “BB” rating to WWI’s Additional Term Loan A and Term Loan B. On January 4, 2007, Moody’s affirmed its “Ba1” rating for WWI’s Term Loan A and Revolver and assigned a “Ba1” rating to WWI’s Additional Term Loan A and Term Loan B.

WW.com Credit Facilities

On December 16, 2005, WW.com borrowed $215,000 pursuant to the WW.com Credit Facilities. The WW.com Credit Facilities were governed by two credit agreements among WW.com, Credit Suisse, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto. As discussed above, the WW.com Credit Facilities were repaid in full in January 2007.

 

6. Treasury Stock

On October 9, 2003, the Company, at the direction of WWI’s Board of Directors, authorized a program to repurchase up to $250,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On each of June 13, 2005 and May 25, 2006, the Company, at the direction of WWI’s Board of Directors, authorized adding an additional $250,000 to this program. The repurchase program allows for shares to be purchased from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. No shares will be purchased from Artal under the program.

During the three months ended April 1, 2006, the Company purchased 148 shares of its common stock in the open market at a total cost of $6,809. Other than shares repurchased in connection with the Tender Offer and the share repurchase from Artal referred to below, the Company purchased no additional shares of its common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2007.

On December 18, 2006, the Company commenced a tender offer in which it sought to acquire up to 8,300 shares of its common stock at a price between $47.00 and $54.00 per share (the “Tender Offer”). Prior to the Tender Offer, the Company entered into an agreement with Artal whereby Artal agreed to sell to the Company at the same price as is determined in the Tender Offer the number of its shares necessary to keep its percentage ownership in the Company at substantially the same level after the Tender Offer. Artal also agreed not to participate in the Tender Offer so that it would not affect the determination of the price in the Tender Offer.

The Tender Offer expired at midnight on January 18, 2007, and on January 26, 2007 approximately 8,548 shares were repurchased at a price of $54.00 per share. The 8,548 shares repurchased are comprised of the 8,300 shares the Company offered to purchase and 248 shares purchased pursuant to the Company’s right to purchase up to an additional 2% of the outstanding shares as of November 30, 2006. On February 2, 2007, the Company repurchased 10,511 of its shares from Artal at a purchase price of $54.00 per share pursuant to its prior agreement with Artal. In January 2007, the Company amended and supplemented the WWI Credit Facility to finance these repurchases. See Note 5.

 

9


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

7. Earnings Per Share

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

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

     Three Months Ended
     March 31,
2007
   April 1,
2006

Numerator:

     

Net income

   $ 53,826    $ 56,997
             

Denominator:

     

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

     85,066      100,539

Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents

     636      799
             

Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding

     85,702      101,338
             

EPS:

     

Basic

   $ 0.63    $ 0.57

Diluted

   $ 0.63    $ 0.56

The number of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares for diluted EPS was 984 and 851 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006, respectively.

 

8. Stock Plans

On May 12, 2004 and December 16, 1999, respectively, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) and the 1999 Stock Purchase and Option Plan (the “1999 Plan,” and together with the 2004 Plan, the “Stock Plans”). These plans are designed to promote the long-term financial interests and growth of the Company by attracting and retaining management with the ability to contribute to the success of the business. The Board of Directors or a committee thereof administers the Stock Plans.

Under the 2004 Plan, grants may take the following forms at the Board of Directors’ or a committee’s sole discretion: non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and other share-based awards. The maximum number of shares available for grant under the 2004 Plan is 2,500 shares of authorized common stock.

Under the 1999 Plan, grants may take the following forms at the Board of Directors’ or a committee’s sole discretion: non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, purchase stock, dividend equivalent rights, performance units, performance shares and other share-based grants. The maximum number of shares available for grant under this plan is 7,058 shares of authorized common stock.

 

10


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

On March 12, 2007, the Company granted 326 options and 41 RSUs to certain members of management. The options and RSUs will vest over three years and the options will expire 10 years from the date of grant. The options and RSUs had an aggregate estimated grant-date fair value of $4,253 and $1,790, respectively.

 

9. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006 was 38.5% and 38.6%, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006 the primary differences between the U.S. federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate were state income taxes, offset by lower statutory rates in certain foreign jurisdictions.

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” (“FIN 48”) on December 31, 2006, the first day of its 2007 fiscal year. As a result of the adoption of this standard, the Company recognized approximately a $1,907 increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as a reduction to the opening balance of retained earnings for fiscal 2007. Upon adoption of FIN 48 on December 31, 2006, the Company had $8,232 of unrecognized tax benefits, of which $4,234 would affect its effective tax rate, if recognized.

In addition, the Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had $708 of accrued interest and penalties.

The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. At December 31, 2006, with few exceptions, the Company was no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2002, and, non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2001. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 2002 through 2003. The IRS has proposed and management has agreed to certain adjustments that will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

10. Legal

In March 2006, the Company agreed to settle a litigation filed on behalf of a purported class of employees under the California Labor Code and the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act for $2,300 plus other costs and expenses. This settlement was accrued for in fiscal 2005 and is subject to final approval by the court.

On July 7, 2006, the Company filed an amended notice of appeal with the U.K. VAT and Duties Tribunal (the “Tribunal”) appealing Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ (“HMRC”) ruling that from April 1, 2005 Weight Watchers meetings fees in the U.K. should be fully subject to 17.5% standard rated value added tax, or VAT. For over a decade prior to April 1, 2005, HMRC had determined that Weight Watchers meetings fees in the U.K. were only partially subject to 17.5% VAT. It is the Company’s view that this prior determination by HMRC should remain in effect and this view was further supported on March 8, 2007 when the Tribunal ruled that Weight Watchers meetings in the U.K. should only be partially subject to 17.5% VAT. On May 3, 2007, HMRC appealed the Tribunal’s ruling in favor of the Company and the Company intends to vigorously defend the Tribunal’s ruling. If such appeal by HMRC is ultimately successful or if it is determined by HMRC that a lesser proportion of Weight Watchers meetings fees as compared to HMRC’s prior rulings is not subject to 17.5% VAT, the Company may

 

11


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

incur monetary liability in excess of reserves previously recorded and its U.K. results of operations may be adversely affected in the future. However, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of this matter, to the extent not previously provided for, will not have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or ongoing cash flows of the Company.

Due to the nature of its activities, the Company is also, at times, subject to pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the normal course of business. The Company has had and continues to have disputes with certain of its franchisees. In the opinion of management, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, the disposition of all such matters is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

11. Derivative Instruments and Hedging

The Company enters into interest rate swaps to hedge a substantial portion of its variable rate debt. As of March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006, the Company held contracts for interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $1,050,000 and $257,500, respectively. The Company is hedging forecasted transactions for periods not exceeding the next five years. At March 31, 2007, given the current configuration of its debt, the Company estimates that no derivative gains or losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified to the Statement of Operations within the next twelve months.

As of March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006, cumulative gains for qualifying hedges were reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the amounts of $626 ($1,026 before taxes) and $1,894 ($3,109 before taxes), respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006, there were no fair value adjustments recorded in the statement of operations since all hedges are considered qualifying.

 

12. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income for the Company includes net income, the effects of foreign currency translation and changes in the fair value of derivative instruments. Comprehensive income is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,
2007
    April 1,
2006
 

Net income

   $ 53,826     $ 56,997  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     1,234       (772 )

Current period changes in fair value of derivatives

     (328 )     492  
                

Comprehensive income

   $ 54,732     $ 56,717  
                

 

12


WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

13. Segment Data

The Company has two operating segments, each of which is a reportable segment: WWI and WW.com. These are two separate and distinct businesses for which discrete financial information is available. This discrete financial information is maintained and managed separately and is reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision maker. All intercompany activity is eliminated in consolidation.

Information about the Company’s reportable operating segments is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2007  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 362,946    $ 36,455    $ —       $ 399,401  

Intercompany revenue

     3,421      12,635      (16,056 )     —    
                              

Total revenue

     366,367      49,090      (16,056 )     399,401  
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     3,453      911      —         4,364  
                              

Operating income

     99,383      16,362      —         115,745  
                        

Interest expense

             25,213  

Other income, net

             (11 )

Early extinguishment of debt

             3,021  

Provision for taxes

             33,696  
                

Net income

           $ 53,826  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,267,742    $ 53,272    $ (301,833 )   $ 1,019,181  
                              

 

     Three Months Ended April 1, 2006  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 310,815    $ 31,233    $ —       $ 342,048  

Intercompany revenue

     2,428      1,328      (3,756 )     —    
                              

Total revenue

     313,243      32,561      (3,756 )     342,048  
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     2,436      1,425      —         3,861  
                              

Operating income

     94,964      9,111      —         104,075  
                        

Interest expense

             11,287  

Other expense, net

             (108 )

Provision for taxes

             35,899  
                

Net income

           $ 56,997  
                

Total assets

   $ 933,606    $ 40,993    $ (118,610 )   $ 855,989  
                              

 

13


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context indicates otherwise: the “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refers to Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all subsidiaries consolidated for purposes of its financial statements, including WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries; “Weight Watchers International” or “WWI” refers to Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries other than WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and subsidiaries of WeightWatchers.com, Inc.; “WeightWatchers.com” or “WW.com” refers to WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries; and “NACO” refers to our North American Company-owned operations.

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006 that includes additional information about us, our results of operations, our financial position and our cash flows, and with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (collectively, the “Consolidated Financial Statements”). Except for historical information contained herein, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 including, in particular, the statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We have used the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend,” and similar expressions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things:

 

   

competition, including price competition and competition with self-help, pharmaceutical, surgical, dietary supplements and meal replacement products, and other weight-management brands, diets, programs and products;

 

   

risks associated with the relative success of our marketing and advertising;

 

   

risks associated with the continued attractiveness of our plans;

 

   

risks associated with general economic conditions and consumer confidence; and

 

   

the other factors discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006.

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

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

For a discussion of the critical accounting policies affecting us, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006. These critical accounting policies have not changed since December 30, 2006.

 

14


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net revenues were $399.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $57.4 million or 16.8%, from $342.0 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006. Revenues increased $57.4 million driven by a $36.4 million increase in meeting fees, a $15.8 million increase in product sales, a $4.4 million increase in internet revenues, and a $2.0 million increase in licensing revenues, partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in other revenues. Net revenues were positively impacted by foreign currency exchange rates in the amount of $12.6 million or 3.7%.

For the three months ended March 31, 2007, total meeting fees were $234.9 million versus $198.5 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $36.4 million or 18.3% including the favorable impact of foreign currency translation. Attendance volumes in the quarter increased compared to prior year in the U.K. and in NACO. These gains were partially offset by a decline in Continental Europe, leaving total worldwide attendance at 18.7 million, up 0.8 million from the prior year level of 17.9 million.

In NACO, meeting fees for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were $155.1 million, up $27.1 million or 21.2%, from $128.0 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006. Attendances grew 7.3% versus the prior year quarter to 11.1 million including the impact of acquisitions, but declined 2.6% without the benefit of acquisitions. Meeting fee growth far outpaced attendance growth in the quarter. The average meeting fee per attendee rose 12.8% over the prior year comparable period as a result of the continued success of our Monthly Pass commitment plan. Monthly Pass, first introduced in our 2006 fall diet season, is a recurring billing model whereby the member authorizes us to charge her credit card on a monthly basis, at a discounted rate, until the member elects to cancel. The increase in the average meeting fee arises because not all members who purchase Monthly Pass will attend all the meetings for which they have paid.

In this quarter, we are introducing paid weeks, a new and additional volume metric to provide a greater degree of insight into our business. Before the recent launch of our new commitment plans in the meeting business, growth in attendance essentially approximated growth in meeting paid weeks. With Monthly Pass’ growing penetration in NACO, we felt that another metric, meeting paid weeks, was needed. The meeting paid week metric captures total Weight Watchers paid meeting membership by adding paid commitment plan weeks to pay-as-you-go weeks for a given period, thus providing a greater degree of transparency. In the first quarter of 2007, paid weeks in the NACO meeting business including acquisitions grew 26.3% exceeding overall attendance growth of 7.3%.

International Company-owned meeting fees were $79.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $9.3 million or 13.2%, from $70.5 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006. On a local currency basis, total international meeting fee revenues rose 3.3% from the comparable prior year quarter. Growth in U.K. attendance of 9.8% in the quarter drove meeting fee revenue growth. In Continental Europe, the meeting revenue impact of lower attendance, down 6.6% versus the prior year quarter, was offset by pricing actions taken in some of our Continental European countries.

Worldwide product sales for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were $105.3 million, up $15.8 million, or 17.7%, from $89.5 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006. Domestically, product sales posted strong growth, up 14.5% or $7.2 million to $56.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. Internationally, product sales increased 21.6% or $8.6 million, to $48.4 million. On a local currency basis, international product sales rose 11.1%. The increase in worldwide product sales is partially the result of newly designed enrollment products that appeal to our enrollees as well as to many of our ongoing members.

 

15


Internet revenues, which include subscription revenue from sales of Weight Watchers Online and Weight Watchers eTools subscriptions, as well as internet advertising revenue, grew $4.4 million or 14.1%, to $35.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $31.2 million for three months ended April 1, 2006. The number of end-of-period active Weight Watchers Online subscribers increased 21.3%, from 497,000 in the first quarter of 2006 to 603,000 in the first quarter of 2007, driven by WW.com’s first national television advertising campaign, which aired in the quarter. The revenue impact of the growth in end-of-period online subscribers was partially offset by a lower sign-up rate in the quarter for paid eTools, the paid internet product for meeting members. This is a result of meeting members migrating to the Monthly Pass commitment plan which includes ‘free’ eTools as part of its monthly fee.

Other revenue, comprised primarily of licensing revenues and our publications, was $18.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $1.9 million or 11.4%, from $16.6 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006. Licensing revenues increased $2.0 million or 16.0% worldwide. Excluding a sizable catch-up payment made in first quarter last year in one of our international markets, the increase in licensing revenues rises to 20%.

Franchise royalties were $3.6 million domestically and $1.5 million internationally for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Total franchise royalties were $5.1 million, down 17.3% from $6.2 million in the prior year. Excluding lost commissions resulting from our recent acquisition of four of our franchises, franchise royalties rose 10.5%.

Cost of revenues was $173.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $23.8 million or 15.9%, from $149.5 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006. Gross profit margin of 56.6% of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2007 increased 30 basis points from 56.3% of sales in the prior year.

Marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2007 increased $16.9 million or 31.4%, to $70.8 million, from $53.9 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006. A significant portion of the increased spend resulted from additional television advertising. In the U.S., WW.com began advertising on television for the first time, while in NACO, Continental Europe and the U.K., we increased our level of television advertising. We also invested more heavily in print and direct mail this quarter as compared to the prior year. As a percentage of net revenues, marketing expenses were 17.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to 15.8% in the same period last year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $39.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared to $34.5 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006, an increase of $5.1 million. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were down to 9.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to 10.1% in the same period last year. This year’s selling, general and administrative expense is and will continue to be impacted by our ongoing technology investment in upgrading our systems.

Operating income was $115.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $11.6 million or 11.1%, from $104.1 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006. The operating income margin for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was 29.0%, a decrease of 140 basis points from 30.4% for the comparable period last year, a direct result of our higher marketing expense.

Net interest charges increased $13.9 million to $25.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to $11.3 million for the three months ended April 1, 2006. The increase in interest expense was primarily the result of higher debt outstanding. In the first quarter, we increased our debt in order to finance the repurchase of 19.1 million shares (as further explained in Liquidity and Capital Resources – Stock Transactions).

In connection with the early extinguishment of debt resulting from the pay down of the WW.com Credit Facilities (as further explained in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), we recorded a charge of $3.0 million relating to the write-off of the deferred financing costs associated with the WW.com Credit Facilities.

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was 38.5%, as compared to 38.6% for the three months ended April 1, 2006.

 

16


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and Uses of Cash

For the three months ended March 31, 2007, cash and cash equivalents were $53.9 million, an increase of $16.4 million from December 30, 2006. Cash flows provided by operating activities were $102.3 million, including $6.9 million used by WW.com’s operating activities. The cash provided by operations exceeded our net income of $53.8 million, with the excess arising from changes in our working capital, in particular a significant increase in deferred revenues, and differences between book and cash taxes. Funds used for investing and financing activities combined totaled $86.3 million. Investing activities utilized $6.8 million, primarily for capital expenditures of $3.2 million, software expenditures of $2.3 million and website development expenditures of $1.3 million. Cash used for financing activities totaled $79.5 million. This included the repurchase of 19.1 million shares of our common stock for $1,033.1 million in connection with our Tender Offer and share repurchase from Artal and dividend payments of $17.1 million, financed primarily by net proceeds from borrowings of $968.9 million.

For the three months ended April 1, 2006, cash and cash equivalents were $52.9 million, an increase of $21.4 million from December 31, 2005. Cash flows provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2006 were $101.1 million, including $11.5 million provided by WW.com’s operating activities. The cash provided by operations was driven by our net income of $57.0 million and changes in our working capital. Funds used for investing and financing activities combined totaled $81.4 million. Investing activities utilized $4.5 million, primarily for capital expenditures of $3.7 million. Cash used for financing activities totaled $76.9 million. This included the repurchase of 148.3 thousand shares of our common stock for $6.8 million, consistent with our stock repurchase program (See Part II, Item 2) and a net paydown of debt of $73.7 million.

Balance Sheet

Comparing the balance sheet at March 31, 2007 with that at December 30, 2006, our cash balance has increased by $16.4 million to $53.9 million, as noted above. Our working capital deficit at March 31, 2007 was $81.5 million, including $53.9 million of cash, as compared to $81.8 million, including $37.5 million of cash, at December 30, 2006. Excluding the change in cash, the working capital deficit increased by $16.1 million from December 30, 2006 to March 31, 2007.

Of the $16.1 million increase in negative working capital, approximately $36.1 million relates to operational items and $3.6 million reflects an increase in the current portion of our long-term debt. These are partially offset by a decrease in negative working capital of $23.6 million arising from higher deferred taxes. The $36.1 million of operational items is largely the result of a $28.3 million increase in deferred revenue for member prepayments associated with our new commitment plans. The remaining $7.8 million is comprised of net payables and accrued expenses increasing $8.8 million, inventories declining by $3.6 million, and a $4.6 million higher receivables balance in the quarter.

Long Term Debt

As of March 31, 2007, the WWI Credit Facility consists of a term loan facility in an aggregate amount of up to $1,550.0 million consisting of Term Loan A, Additional Term Loan A and

 

17


Term Loan B, and the Revolver in the amount of up to $500.0 million. At March 31, 2007, WWI had debt of $1,818.1 million and had additional availability under its $500.0 million Revolver of $229.2 million.

At March 31, 2007 and December 30, 2006, our debt consisted entirely of variable-rate instruments. The average interest rate on our debt was approximately 6.7% and 6.8% per annum at March 31, 2007 and December 30, 2006, respectively.

The following schedule sets forth WWI’s long-term debt obligations and interest rates at March 31, 2007:

 

Long-Term Debt At March 31, 2007

 
     Balance
(in millions)
   Interest
Rate
 

Revolver due 2011

   $ 268.1    6.68 %

Term Loan A due 2011

     350.0    6.66 %

Additional Term Loan A due 2013

     700.0    6.63 %

Term Loan B due 2014

     500.0    6.88 %
         

Total Debt

     1,818.1   

Less Current Portion

     22.5   
         

Total Long-Term Debt

   $ 1,795.6   
         

The Term Loan A, Additional Term Loan A and the Revolver bear interest at an initial rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum or, at WWI’s option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility). The Term Loan B bears interest at an initial rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.5% per annum or, at WWI’s option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility). In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the WWI Credit Facility, WWI is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolver with respect to the unused commitments at an initial rate equal to 0.25% per year.

The WWI Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including covenants that, in certain circumstances, restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other restricted payments, including investments, sell our assets and enter into consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets. The WWI Credit Facility also requires WWI to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial condition tests. At March 31, 2007, WWI complied with all of the required financial ratios and also met all of the financial condition tests and is expected to continue to do so. The WWI Credit Facility contains customary events of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the WWI Credit Facility, the lenders thereunder may cease making loans and declare amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. The WWI Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of our existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all of our assets collateralize the WWI Credit Facility.

On January 5, 2007, Standard & Poor’s assigned a “BB” rating to WWI’s Term Loan A and Revolver and assigned a “BB” rating to WWI’s Additional Term Loan A and Term Loan B. On January 4, 2007, Moody’s affirmed its “Ba1” rating for WWI’s Term Loan A and Revolver and assigned a “Ba1” rating to WWI’s Additional Term Loan A and Term Loan B.

 

18


The following schedule sets forth our year-by-year debt obligations:

Total Debt Obligation

(Including Current Portion)

As of March 31, 2007

(in millions)

 

Remainder of 2007

   $ 16.9

2008

     45.6

2009

     162.5

2010

     215.0

2011

     623.1

Thereafter

     755.0
      

Total

   $ 1,818.1
      

Debt obligations due to be repaid in the next 12 months are expected to be satisfied with operating cash flows. We believe that cash flows from operating activities, together with borrowings available under our Revolver, will be sufficient for the next 12 months to fund currently anticipated capital expenditure requirements, debt service requirements and working capital requirements.

Dividends

On March 12, 2007, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.175 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 to be paid on April 13, 2007 to shareholders of record as of March 30, 2007.

The WWI Credit Facility provides that we are permitted to pay dividends and extraordinary dividends so long as we are not in default under our credit agreement. However, payment of extraordinary dividends shall not exceed $150 million in any fiscal year if net debt to EBITDA is greater than 2.5:1 and investment grade rating date (as defined in the credit agreement) has not occurred. We do not expect this restriction to impair our ability to pay dividends, but it could do so.

Stock Transactions

On December 18, 2006, we commenced a tender offer in which we sought to acquire up to 8.3 million shares of our common stock at a price between $47.00 and $54.00 per share, or Tender Offer. Prior to the Tender Offer, we entered into an agreement with Artal whereby Artal agreed to sell to us at the same price as is determined in the Tender Offer the number of our shares necessary to keep its percentage ownership in us at substantially the same level after the Tender Offer. Artal also agreed not to participate in the Tender Offer so that it would not affect the determination of the price in the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer expired at midnight on January 18, 2007, and on January 26, 2007 we repurchased approximately 8.5 million shares at a price of $54.00 per share. The 8.5 million shares repurchased are comprised of the 8.3 million shares we offered to purchase and 0.2 million shares purchased pursuant to our right to purchase up to an additional 2% of the outstanding shares as of November 30, 2006. On February 2, 2007, we repurchased 10.5 million of our shares from Artal at a purchase price of $54.00 per share pursuant to our prior agreement with Artal.

On October 9, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $250.0 million of our outstanding common stock. On each of June 13, 2005 and May 25, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized adding an additional $250.0 million to this plan. The repurchase program allows for shares to be purchased from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions.

 

19


No shares will be purchased from Artal under the program. Other than the aforementioned Tender Offer and share repurchase from Artal, we purchased no additional shares of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2007.

Factors Affecting Future Liquidity

Any future acquisitions, joint ventures or other similar transactions could require additional capital and we cannot be certain that any additional capital will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Our ability to fund our capital expenditure requirements, interest, principal and dividend payment obligations and working capital requirements and to comply with all of the financial covenants under our debt agreements depends on our future operations, performance and cash flow. These are subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS

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

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

For a discussion of related party transactions affecting us, see “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006. Other than during the normal course of business, the related party transactions affecting us have not changed since December 30, 2006.

SEASONALITY

Our business is seasonal, with revenues generally decreasing at year end and during the summer months. Our advertising schedule supports the three key enrollment-generating seasons of the year: winter, spring and fall, with winter having the highest concentration of advertising spending. The timing of certain holidays, particularly Easter, which precedes the spring diet season and occurs between March 22 and April 25, may affect our results of operations and the year-to-year comparability of our results. For example, in 2007, Easter fell on April 8, which means that the pre-summer diet season began earlier than it did in 2006. Our operating income for the first half of the year is generally the strongest. While WW.com experiences similar seasonality in terms of new subscriber signups, its revenue tends to be less seasonal because it amortizes subscription revenue over the related subscription period.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Since 100% of our debt is variable rate-based, any changes in market interest rates will cause an equal change in our interest expense associated with our long-term debt. Accordingly we have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge a substantial portion of our variable rate debt, which mitigates a substantial portion of the associated market risk.

For a more detailed discussion of our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks that affect us, see Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006. Our exposure to market risks has not changed materially since December 30, 2006.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

In addition, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. However, in fiscal 2007, we are in the process of upgrading some of our information systems, which will result in the automation of certain key processes. As we migrate to this new environment, our management takes appropriate actions to ensure the continuity of key controls, and the transitions are reviewed as part of our testing of internal controls as they relate to the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On July 7, 2006, we filed an amended notice of appeal with the U.K. VAT and Duties Tribunal (the “Tribunal”) appealing Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ (“HMRC”) ruling that from April 1, 2005 Weight Watchers meetings fees in the U.K. should be fully subject to 17.5% standard rated value added tax, or VAT. For over a decade prior to April 1, 2005, HMRC had determined that Weight Watchers meetings fees in the U.K. were only partially subject to 17.5% VAT. It is our view that this prior determination by HMRC should remain in effect and this view was further supported on March 8, 2007 when the Tribunal ruled that Weight Watchers meetings in the U.K. should only be partially subject to 17.5% VAT. On May 3, 2007, HMRC appealed the Tribunal’s ruling in favor of the Company and the Company intends to vigorously defend the Tribunal’s ruling. If such appeal by HMRC is ultimately successful or if it is determined by HMRC that a lesser proportion of Weight Watchers meetings fees as compared to HMRC’s prior rulings is not subject to 17.5% VAT, we may incur monetary liability in excess of reserves previously recorded and our U.K. results of operations may be adversely affected in the future. However, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of this matter, to the extent not previously provided for, will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or ongoing cash flows.

Due to the nature of our activities, we are also at times subject to pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the normal course of business. We have had and continue to have disputes with certain of our franchisees. In the opinion of management, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, the disposition of all such matters is not expected to have a material effect on our results of operations.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors at March 31, 2007 from those detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Below is a summary of our stock repurchases during the quarter ended March 31, 2007:

 

     Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (a)
   Average
Price Paid
per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plan (a)
   Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plan

December 31 - February 3

   19,059,459    $ 54.00    19,059,459    $ 216,446,141

February 4 - March 3

   —        —      —      $ 216,446,141

March 4 - March 31

   —        —      —      $ 216,446,141
                   
   19,059,459    $ 54.00    19,059,459    $ 216,446,141
                   

 

(a) On October 9, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $250 million of our outstanding stock. On each of June 13, 2005 and May 25, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized adding an additional $250 million to this plan. Under this plan, we will not purchase stock held by Artal. This plan currently has no expiration date. We made no stock repurchases under this program during the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

On December 18, 2006 we commenced a Tender Offer in which we sought to acquire up to 8,300,000 shares of our common stock at a price between $47.00 and $54.00 per share. On December 18, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized us to spend $1,033.1 million in connection with our Tender Offer and the share repurchase from Artal. The Tender Offer expired on January 18, 2007 and on January 26, 2007, we repurchased 8,548,027 shares of common stock at a price of $54.00 per share. Additionally, as part a prior agreement with Artal, we repurchased 10,511,432 shares of our common stock on February 2, 2007 at a price of $54.00 per share.

 

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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Nothing to report under this item.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Nothing to report under this item.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Nothing to report under this item.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit 31.1    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
Exhibit 32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
Exhibit 32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

    WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Date: May 10, 2007     By:   /s/ DAVID P. KIRCHHOFF
        David P. Kirchhoff
        President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
        (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: May 10, 2007     By:   /s/ ANN M. SARDINI
        Ann M. Sardini
        Chief Financial Officer
        (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number
  

Description

Exhibit 31.1    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
Exhibit 32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
Exhibit 32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.