Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

 

 

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 October 3, 2009

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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

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

 

Large Accelerated Filer   x    Accelerated Filer   ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller Reporting Company   ¨

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 October 30, 2009 was 77,022,566.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

          Page No.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Financial Statements   
   Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 3, 2009 and January 3, 2009    2
   Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008    3
   Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended October 3, 2009 and
September 27, 2008
   4
   Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Total Deficit for the nine months ended October 3, 2009 and for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2009    5
   Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008    6
   Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements    7
Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements    19
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    20
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    34
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    34
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    35
Item 1A.    Risk Factors    37
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    37
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    37
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    37
Item 5.    Other Information    37
Item 6.    Exhibits    37
Signatures   
Exhibit Index   


Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

     October 3,
2009
    January 3,
2009
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 62,791      $ 47,322   

Receivables, net

     38,422        37,850   

Inventories, net

     23,201        40,121   

Prepaid income taxes

     13,940        29,782   

Deferred income taxes

     21,761        32,331   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     27,931        37,635   
                

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     188,046        225,041   

Property and equipment, net

     36,988        37,508   

Franchise rights acquired

     755,736        743,572   

Goodwill

     51,359        51,296   

Trademarks and other intangible assets, net

     33,830        33,531   

Deferred income taxes

     —          8,105   

Deferred financing costs and other noncurrent assets

     10,766        7,699   
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,076,725      $ 1,106,752   
                

LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Portion of long-term debt due within one year

   $ 201,875      $ 162,500   

Accounts payable

     24,053        33,151   

Dividend payable

     13,758        13,876   

Derivative payable

     51,073        61,532   

U.K. VAT liability

     36,596        42,905   

Accrued liabilities

     103,144        107,031   

Income taxes payable

     5,795        14,083   

Deferred revenue

     80,894        60,046   
                

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     517,188        495,124   

Long-term debt

     1,272,750        1,485,000   

Deferred income taxes

     22,941        2,685   

Other

     12,059        10,932   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     1,824,938        1,993,741   

TOTAL 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, 34,973 shares at October 3, 2009 and 35,067 shares at January 3, 2009

     (1,684,449     (1,684,828

Retained earnings

     1,252,995        1,131,080   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (16,016     (28,933
                

TOTAL WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. DEFICIT

     (752,305     (887,516

Noncontrolling interest

     4,092        527   
                

TOTAL DEFICIT

     (748,213     (886,989
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT

   $ 1,076,725      $ 1,106,752   
                

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

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

     Three Months Ended
     October 3,
2009
    September 27,
2008

Meeting fees, net

   $ 191,481      $ 213,206

Product sales and other, net

     83,294        91,748

Internet revenues

     49,719        47,664
              

Revenues, net

     324,494        352,618

Cost of meetings, products and other

     137,102        149,395

Cost of Internet revenues

     9,397        8,798
              

Cost of revenues

     146,499        158,193
              

Gross profit

     177,995        194,425

Marketing expenses

     35,807        39,958

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     40,948        46,631
              

Operating income

     101,240        107,836

Interest expense

     16,677        21,342

Other (income)/expense, net

     (425     1,191
              

Income before income taxes

     84,988        85,303

Provision for income taxes

     33,040        33,151
              

Net income

     51,948        52,152

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     621        518
              

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 52,569      $ 52,670
              

Earnings per share attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

    

Basic

   $ 0.68      $ 0.68
              

Diluted

   $ 0.68      $ 0.67
              

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    

Basic

     77,010        77,897
              

Diluted

     77,157        78,123
              

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.18      $ 0.18
              

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

 

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Table of Contents

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     October 3,
2009
    September 27,
2008
 

Meeting fees, net

   $ 633,424      $ 693,572   

Product sales and other, net

     305,794        353,523   

Internet revenues

     148,380        142,564   
                

Revenues, net

     1,087,598        1,189,659   

Cost of meetings, products and other

     462,347        512,699   

Cost of Internet revenues

     27,614        26,579   
                

Cost of revenues

     489,961        539,278   
                

Gross profit

     597,637        650,381   

Marketing expenses

     163,545        186,583   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     127,667        138,677   
                

Operating income

     306,425        325,121   

Interest expense

     50,375        68,220   

Other income, net

     (400     (1,264
                

Income before income taxes

     256,450        258,165   

Provision for income taxes

     99,736        102,652   
                

Net income

     156,714        155,513   

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     1,923        1,162   
                

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 158,637      $ 156,675   
                

Earnings per share attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

    

Basic

   $ 2.06      $ 1.99   
                

Diluted

   $ 2.06      $ 1.98   
                

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    

Basic

     76,996        78,735   
                

Diluted

     77,096        79,011   
                

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.53      $ 0.53   
                

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

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN TOTAL DEFICIT

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

    Weight Watchers International, Inc.              
                        Accumulated
Other

Comprehensive
Loss
    Dividend
to Artal
Luxembourg,
S.A.
    Retained
Earnings
    Noncontrolling
Interest
       
    Common Stock   Treasury Stock                
    Shares   Amount   Shares     Amount             Total  

Balance at December 29, 2007

  111,988   $ —     32,578      $ (1,570,054   $ (1,654   $ (304,835   $ 950,213      $ —        $ (926,330

Investment by the noncontrolling interest

                  2,511        2,511   

Comprehensive income/(loss):

                 

Net income/(loss)

                204,331        (1,984     202,347   

Translation adjustment, net of taxes of $3,028

            (4,949           (4,949

Change in fair value of derivatives accounted for as hedges, net of taxes of $14,278

            (22,330           (22,330
                             

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

                  (1,984     175,068   
                             

Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans

      (297     1,199            6,302          7,501   

Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised

                13,621          13,621   

Cash dividends declared

                (54,689       (54,689

Purchase of treasury stock

      2,786        (115,973             (115,973

Compensation expense on share-based awards

                11,302          11,302   
                                                               

Balance at January 3, 2009

  111,988   $ —     35,067      $ (1,684,828   $ (28,933   $ (304,835   $ 1,131,080      $ 527      $ (886,989

Investment by the noncontrolling interest

                  5,488        5,488   

Comprehensive income/(loss):

                 

Net income/(loss)

                158,637        (1,923     156,714   

Translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($4,133)

            6,465              6,465   

Change in fair value of derivatives accounted for as hedges, net of taxes of ($4,125)

            6,452              6,452   
                             

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

                  (1,923     169,631   
                             

Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans

      (94     379            (1,512       (1,133

Tax shortfall of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised

                (1,266       (1,266

Cash dividends declared

                (40,478       (40,478

Compensation expense on share-based awards

                6,534          6,534   
                                                               

Balance at October 3, 2009

  111,988   $ —     34,973      $ (1,684,449   $ (16,016   $ (304,835   $ 1,252,995      $ 4,092      $ (748,213
                                                               

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

 

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Table of Contents

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     October 3,
2009
    September 27,
2008
 

Cash provided by operating activities

   $ 242,234      $ 234,124   
                

Investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (9,643     (13,115

Capitalized software expenditures

     (5,367     (6,313

Website development expenditures

     (4,115     (4,426

Cash paid for acquisitions

     —          (39,660

Other items, net

     (43     (210
                

Cash used for investing activities

     (19,168     (63,724
                

Financing activities:

    

Proceeds from new term loans

     —          20,000   

Payments of long-term debt

     (172,875     (25,625

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     30        8,016   

Tax benefit from restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised

     —          92   

Repurchase of treasury stock

     —          (115,973

Payment of dividends

     (40,597     (41,589

Deferred financing costs

     (4,043     —     

Investment and advances from noncontrolling interest

     5,733        4,843   
                

Cash used for financing activities

     (211,752     (150,236
                

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

     4,155        (2,182
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     15,469        17,982   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     47,322        39,823   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 62,791      $ 57,805   
                

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

 

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Table of Contents

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 all of its subsidiaries. The term “Company” as used throughout these notes is used to indicate Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. The term “WWI” as used throughout these notes is used to indicate Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries other than WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. The term “WW.com” as used throughout these notes is used to indicate WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

As further discussed in Note 4, effective with its formation in February 2008, the Company consolidates the financial statements of its joint venture entity, Weight Watchers Danone China Limited, and its subsidiaries (the “China Joint Venture”).

The Company adopted new accounting guidance related to noncontrolling interests on January 4, 2009. This guidance establishes accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interests, previously referred to as minority interests. In accordance with the provisions of this guidance, the financial statements for the comparable prior periods as shown in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been restated to conform to the presentation requirements of this guidance.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 including those 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 fiscal 2008, which includes additional information about the Company, its results of operations, its financial position and its cash flows.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”). The Codification has become the single source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied to financial statements issued for periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Codification does not change U.S. GAAP and does not affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

In May 2009, new accounting guidance was issued which sets forth general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. In that regard, the Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through November 12, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.

For a discussion of the Company’s other 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 fiscal 2008.

 

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Table of Contents

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

3. Acquisitions

The acquisitions of certain franchisees have been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, their 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 January 31, 2008, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Palm Beach, Florida franchisee, Weight Watchers of Palm Beach County, Inc., for a net purchase price of $12,936, plus assumed liabilities and transaction costs of $319. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($12,693), inventory ($113), fixed assets ($299) and other current assets ($150).

On June 13, 2008, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Wichita, Kansas franchisee, Weight Watchers of Greater Wichita, Inc., for a net purchase price of $5,734. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($5,676) and prepaid expenses ($58).

On June 19, 2008, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of two of its franchisees, Weight Watchers of Syracuse, Inc. and Dieters of the Southern Tier, Inc., for a combined net purchase price of $20,935, plus assumed liabilities and transaction costs of $164. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($20,948), fixed assets ($36), inventory ($56) and prepaid expenses ($59).

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.

The Company adopted the provisions of new accounting guidance related to business combinations on January 4, 2009, the first day of fiscal 2009. This guidance establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer (a) recognizes and measures the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (b) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired; and (c) determines what information to disclose. The Company will apply the provisions of this guidance for business combinations with an acquisition date on or after January 4, 2009.

 

4. China Joint Venture

On February 5, 2008, Weight Watchers Asia Holdings Ltd. (“Weight Watchers Asia”), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Danone Dairy Asia, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Groupe DANONE S.A., entered into a joint venture agreement to establish a weight management business in the People’s Republic of China. Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement, Weight Watchers Asia and Danone Dairy Asia own 51% and 49%, respectively, of the China Joint Venture. Because the Company has a direct controlling financial interest in the China Joint Venture, it began to consolidate this entity in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

For the nine months ended October 3, 2009, the change in goodwill is due to foreign currency fluctuations. The Company’s goodwill by reportable segment at October 3, 2009 was $25,159 related to its WWI segment and $26,200 related to its WW.com segment. Franchise rights acquired are due to acquisitions of the Company’s franchised territories. For the nine months ended October 3, 2009, the change in franchise rights acquired is due to foreign currency fluctuations.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

Aggregate amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was recorded in the amounts of $3,535 and $9,996 for the three and nine months ended October 3, 2009, respectively. Aggregate amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was recorded in the amounts of $2,909 and $8,067 for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2008, respectively.

The carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets as of October 3, 2009 and January 3, 2009 was as follows:

 

     October 3, 2009    January 3, 2009
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization

Deferred software costs

   $ 44,893    $ 24,023    $ 39,027    $ 17,408

Trademarks

     9,409      8,496      9,287      8,233

Website development costs

     28,858      17,756      25,847      15,995

Other

     5,742      4,797      5,741      4,735
                           
   $ 88,902    $ 55,072    $ 79,902    $ 46,371
                           

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

 

Remainder of fiscal 2009

   $ 3,602

Fiscal 2010

   $ 12,691

Fiscal 2011

   $ 10,089

Fiscal 2012

   $ 4,294

Fiscal 2013

   $ 1,594

During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company performed an interim impairment test of its goodwill and franchise rights acquired balances. The results of this interim impairment test indicated that no impairment existed.

 

6. Long-Term Debt

The Company’s credit agreement consists of a term loan facility consisting of two tranche A facilities (“Term Loan A” and “Additional Term Loan A”), and a tranche B facility (“Term Loan B”), in an aggregate original principal amount of $1,550,000 and a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”), of up to $500,000. The term loan facility and the Revolver are referred to in these notes collectively as the “WWI Credit Facility.” At October 3, 2009, the Company had $1,474,625 outstanding under the WWI Credit Facility with an additional $387,027 of availability under the Revolver.

At October 3, 2009, the Term Loan A, Additional Term Loan A and the Revolver bore interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.0% per annum or, at the Company’s option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements). At October 3, 2009, the Term Loan B bore interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.5% per annum or, at the Company’s option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements). In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the WWI Credit Facility, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolver with respect to the unused commitments at a rate equal to 0.20% per annum at October 3, 2009.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

The WWI Credit Facility contains customary covenants including covenants that, in certain circumstances, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other 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 the Company to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests. At October 3, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all of the required financial ratios and also met all of the financial condition tests and expects to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. 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 the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all the assets of the Company collateralize the WWI Credit Facility.

On June 26, 2009, the Company amended the WWI Credit Facility to allow it to make loan modification offers to all lenders of any tranche of term loans or revolving loans to extend the maturity date of such loans and/or reduce or eliminate the scheduled amortization. Any such loan modifications would be effective only with respect to such tranche of term loans or revolving loans and only with respect to those lenders that accept the Company’s offer. Loan modification offers may be accompanied by increased pricing and/or fees payable to accepting lenders. This amendment also provides for up to an additional $200,000 of incremental term loan financing through the creation of a new tranche of term loans, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such new term loans cannot exceed the amount then outstanding under the Company’s existing revolving credit facility. In addition, the proceeds from such new tranche of term loans must be used solely to repay certain outstanding revolving loans and permanently reduce the commitments of certain revolving lenders. In connection with this amendment, the Company incurred fees of approximately $4,043 during the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

On March 20, 2008, Standard & Poor’s affirmed its “BB+” rating on the WWI Credit Facility. On March 30, 2009, Moody’s affirmed its “Ba1” rating for the WWI Credit Facility.

 

7. Treasury Stock

On October 9, 2003, the Company, at the direction of its 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 its Board of Directors, authorized adding $250,000 to the 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 Group S.A. (together with its parents and subsidiaries, “Artal”) under the program.

During the nine months ended October 3, 2009, the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock. During the nine months ended September 27, 2008, the Company purchased 2,786 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $115,973.

 

8. Earnings Per Share

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

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
     October 3,
2009
   September 27,
2008
   October 3,
2009
   September 27,
2008

Numerator:

           

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 52,569    $ 52,670    $ 158,637    $ 156,675
                           

Denominator:

           

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     77,010      77,897      76,996      78,735

Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents

     147      226      100      276
                           

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

     77,157      78,123      77,096      79,011
                           

EPS attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.:

           

Basic

   $ 0.68    $ 0.68    $ 2.06    $ 1.99

Diluted

   $ 0.68    $ 0.67    $ 2.06    $ 1.98

The number of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares for diluted EPS was 1,971 and 1,791 for the three months ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008, respectively, and 2,399 and 1,582 for the nine months ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008, respectively.

 

9. Stock Plans

On May 6, 2008, May 12, 2004 and December 16, 1999, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) and the 1999 Stock Purchase and Option Plan (the “1999 Plan” and together with the 2008 Plan and the 2004 Plan, the “Stock Plans”), respectively. These Stock Plans are designed to promote the long-term financial interests and growth of the Company by attracting, motivating and retaining employees with the ability to contribute to the success of the business and aligning compensation for the Company’s employees over a multi-year period directly with the interests of the shareholders of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof administers the Stock Plans.

On March 27, 2009, the Company granted 458 non-qualified stock options and 71 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees. The options and RSUs will vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant 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 $2,403 and $1,245, respectively.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

10. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for both the three and nine months ended October 3, 2009 was 38.9%. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2008 was 38.9% and 39.8%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended October 3, 2009, the primary differences between the U.S. federal statutory rate and the Company’s effective tax rate were state income taxes and increases in valuation allowances, offset by lower statutory rates in certain foreign jurisdictions. For the three and nine months ended September 27, 2008, the primary differences between the U.S. federal statutory rate and the Company’s effective tax rate were state income taxes, increases in valuation allowances and the U.K. VAT adjustment, which caused a shift in the mix of earnings.

 

11. Legal

U.K. VAT Matter

In July 2006, the Company filed an amended notice of appeal with the U.K. VAT and Duties Tribunal, or VAT Tribunal, appealing a ruling by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, or HMRC, that from April 1, 2005 Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom 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 meeting fees in the United Kingdom were only partially subject to 17.5% VAT. In March 2007, the VAT Tribunal ruled that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom should only be partially subject to 17.5% VAT. The VAT Tribunal’s ruling was appealed by HMRC to the High Court of Justice Chancery Division, or the High Court, in May 2007, and in January 2008 the High Court denied HMRC’s appeal in part and allowed HMRC’s appeal in part. In April 2008, the Company filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in part against the High Court’s ruling and HMRC also filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in part against the High Court’s ruling. In June 2008, the Court of Appeal issued a ruling that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were fully subject to 17.5% VAT, thus reversing in its entirety the VAT Tribunal’s 2007 decision in the Company’s favor. In July 2008, the Company sought permission from the U.K. House of Lords to appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which permission was denied in January 2009.

In light of the Court of Appeal’s ruling that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were fully subject to 17.5% VAT and in accordance with accounting guidance for contingencies, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $32,500 as an offset to revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for U.K. VAT liability (including interest) in excess of reserves previously recorded. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, in accordance with accounting guidance for contingencies, the Company recorded as an offset to revenue VAT charges associated with U.K. meeting fees as earned, consistent with the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

However, with respect to U.K. VAT owed for the period prior to July 1, 2005, HMRC has failed to raise a notice of assessment within the statutory three-year time period. In addition, although HMRC raised notices of assessment against the Company with respect to U.K. VAT due for the periods July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005, the Company has asserted that these notices of assessment are invalid and should not have been raised on the grounds that they had been raised outside the relevant statutory time limits. HMRC indicated in November 2008 that it agreed with the Company’s assertion that the notice of assessment for the period July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005 was invalid, and, in February 2009, confirmed that this notice had been formally withdrawn. As a result of the expiration of the statutory time period with respect to U.K. VAT owed prior to October 1, 2005, the Company recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as a benefit to revenue for the periods prior to October 1, 2005 an amount of approximately $9,200 as an offset against reserves previously recorded including in part the charge recorded against revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for U.K. VAT liability. In March 2009, June 2009 and September 2009, HMRC raised notices of assessment against the Company in respect of U.K. VAT due for the periods January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006, April 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 and July 1, 2006 to September 30, 2006, respectively, which the Company similarly believes were raised outside the relevant statutory time limits. The Company intends to vigorously

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

challenge any amount of U.K. VAT that HMRC claims to be owed by it for any period between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006. Accordingly, the Company filed notices of appeal with the VAT Tribunal against the U.K. VAT assessments issued for the periods October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005, January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006, April 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 and July 1, 2006 to September 30, 2006 in March 2009, April 2009, July 2009 and October 2009, respectively.

U.K. Self-Employment Matter

In July 2007, HMRC issued to the Company notices of determination and decisions that, for the period April 2001 to April 2007, its leaders and certain other service providers should have been classified as employees for tax purposes and, as such, it should have withheld tax from the leaders and certain other service providers pursuant to the “Pay As You Earn,” or PAYE, and national insurance contributions, or NIC, collection rules and remitted such amounts to HMRC. HMRC also issued a claim to the Company in October 2008 in respect of NIC which corresponds to the prior notices of assessment with respect to PAYE previously raised by HMRC. As of October 3, 2009, the assessment associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC was approximately $25,700. It is the Company’s view that the U.K. leaders and other service providers identified by HMRC in its notices and in its claim are self-employed and no withholding by the Company was required. Accordingly, the Company intends to vigorously pursue an appeal of the notices of determination and decisions and the corresponding claim in respect of NIC.

In September 2007, the Company appealed HMRC’s notices as to these classifications and against any amount of PAYE and NIC liability claimed to be owed by it and, in July 2008, filed this appeal with the U.K. Special Commissioners. The Company’s appeal was heard by the U.K. Special Commissioners in June 2009 and October 2009. Although there can be no assurances, the Company believes, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, it will ultimately prevail in its appeal and thus, in accordance with accounting guidance for contingencies, has not formed the conclusion at this time that it is probable that a loss has been incurred. Accordingly, in accordance with accounting guidance for contingencies, the Company has not recorded any reserves with respect to this matter. However, as there is a possibility of a loss, the Company believes as of October 3, 2009 that the estimated range of possible loss associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC was between $0 and approximately $25,700; the upper end of this range represents the total amount that HMRC has assessed against the Company as of such date for PAYE and NIC. In addition, although the Company has not yet been assessed by HMRC for any period after April 2007, if it were unsuccessful in its appeal, the Company believes it would have an additional estimated range of possible loss associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC for the period from April 2007 to the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009 of between $0 and approximately $10,600; the upper end of this range was determined following the methodology utilized by HMRC in its notices of determination and decisions. If the Company’s appeal is unsuccessful, it is possible that its cash flows and results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter may be adversely affected by this matter. However, it is the opinion of management that the disposition of this matter will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or ongoing results of operations or cash flows.

Sabatino v. Weight Watchers North America, Inc.

In September 2009, the Company was served with a lawsuit that was filed in the Superior Court of California by one of its former leaders alleging violations of certain California wage and hour laws on behalf of herself, and, if approved by the Court, other leaders and those employees who have performed the location coordinator function in California since September 17, 2005. In this matter, the plaintiff is seeking unpaid wages and certain other damages. In October 2009, the Company answered the complaint and removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Although the

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

Company disagrees with the allegations that it has violated California wage and hour laws and it believes it has valid defenses with respect to this matter, litigation is inherently unpredictable. At this time, it is not possible to determine the outcome of this action and the Company has not made any provision for losses in connection with it.

Other Litigation Matters

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 ordinary course of business. 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.

 

12. Derivative Instruments and Hedging

The Company is exposed to certain risks related to its ongoing business operations, primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with the Company’s variable-rate borrowings. The Company does not use any derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The Company recognizes the fair value of all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company has designated and accounted for interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of its variable-rate borrowings. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss) and reclassified into earnings in the periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is reported in the derivative payable and prepaid expenses balances on its balance sheet. See Note 13 for a further discussion regarding the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps. The net effect of the interest payable and receivable under the Company’s interest rate swaps is included in interest expense on the statement of operations.

As of October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008, the Company had in effect an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $900,000. In addition, in January 2009, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap with an effective date of January 4, 2010 and a termination date of January 27, 2014. During the term of this forward-starting interest rate swap, the notional amount will fluctuate. The initial notional amount is $425,000 and the highest notional amount will be $755,000.

The Company is hedging forecasted transactions for periods not exceeding the next five years. At October 3, 2009, given the current configuration of its debt, the Company estimates that no derivative gains or losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified to the statement of operations within the next twelve months.

As of October 3, 2009, cumulative losses for qualifying hedges were reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the amount of $30,874 ($50,616 before taxes). As of September 27, 2008, cumulative losses for qualifying hedges were reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the amount of $16,121 ($26,431 before taxes). For the three and nine months ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008, there were no fair value adjustments recorded in the statement of operations since all hedges were considered qualifying and effective.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

13. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

   

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

When measuring fair value, the Company is required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

On April 9, 2009, accounting guidance was issued which requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for annual and interim reporting periods. This guidance is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009.

The Company’s significant financial instruments include long-term debt and interest rate swap agreements.

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is determined by utilizing average bid prices on or near the end of each fiscal quarter. As of October 3, 2009, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was approximately $1,402,948.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The fair values for the Company’s derivative financial instruments are determined using observable current market information such as the prevailing LIBOR interest rate and LIBOR yield curve rates and include consideration of counterparty credit risk. See Note 12 for disclosures related to derivative financial instruments.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

The following table presents the aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments.

 

          Fair Value Measurements Using:
     Total
Fair
Value
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Interest rate swap liability at October 3, 2009

   $ 51,073    —      $ 51,073    —  

Interest rate swap liability at January 3, 2009

   $ 61,532    —      $ 61,532    —  

On February 12, 2008, accounting guidance was issued which delayed the application of fair value measurement rules to fiscal 2009 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on at least an annual basis. The Company adopted this guidance beginning December 30, 2007, the first day of fiscal 2008, and began to apply the fair value measurement rules to goodwill and other intangible assets on the first day of fiscal 2009.

 

14. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income 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     Nine Months Ended  
     October 3,
2009
    September 27,
2008
    October 3,
2009
   September 27,
2008
 

Net income

   $ 51,948      $ 52,152      $ 156,714    $ 155,513   

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

         

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

     5,487        (2,105     6,465      (2,280

Current period changes in fair value of derivatives, net of tax

     (4,203     (628     6,452      (1,127
                               

Total other comprehensive income/(loss)

     1,284        (2,733     12,917      (3,407
                               

Comprehensive income

     53,232        49,419        169,631      152,106   

Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     621        518        1,923      1,162   
                               

Comprehensive income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 53,853      $ 49,937      $ 171,554    $ 153,268   
                               

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

15. Segment Data

The Company has two reportable segments: WWI and WW.com. The WWI business has multiple operating segments which have been aggregated into one reportable segment. WWI and WW.com 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 segments is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended October 3, 2009  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 274,440    $ 50,054    $ —        $ 324,494   

Intercompany revenue

     4,826      —        (4,826     —     
                              

Total revenue

     279,266      50,054      (4,826     324,494   
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     6,608      1,212      —          7,820   
                              

Operating income

     84,438      16,802      —          101,240   
                        

Interest expense

             16,677   

Other income, net

             (425

Provision for taxes

             33,040   
                

Net income

           $ 51,948   
                

Total assets

   $ 1,180,602    $ 190,430    $ (294,307   $ 1,076,725   
                              
     Three Months Ended September 27, 2008  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 304,418    $ 48,200    $ —        $ 352,618   

Intercompany revenue

     4,556      —        (4,556     —     
                              

Total revenue

     308,974      48,200      (4,556     352,618   
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     4,912      1,704      —          6,616   
                              

Operating income

     92,138      15,698      —          107,836   
                        

Interest expense

             21,342   

Other expense, net

             1,191   

Provision for taxes

             33,151   
                

Net income

           $ 52,152   
                

Total assets

   $ 1,248,480    $ 156,226    $ (294,307   $ 1,110,399   
                              

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

     Nine Months Ended October 3, 2009  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 937,663    $ 149,935    $ —        $ 1,087,598   

Intercompany revenue

     14,188      —        (14,188     —     
                              

Total revenue

     951,851      149,935      (14,188     1,087,598   
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     18,046      3,806      —          21,852   
                              

Operating income

     263,615      42,810      —          306,425   
                        

Interest expense

             50,375   

Other income, net

             (400

Provision for taxes

             99,736   
                

Net income

           $ 156,714   
                
     Nine Months Ended September 27, 2008  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 1,044,871    $ 144,788    $ —        $ 1,189,659   

Intercompany revenue

     13,613      105      (13,718     —     
                              

Total revenue

     1,058,484      144,893      (13,718     1,189,659   
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     14,630      4,637      —          19,267   
                              

Operating income

     280,693      44,428      —          325,121   
                        

Interest expense

             68,220   

Other income, net

             (1,264

Provision for taxes

             102,652   
                

Net income

           $ 155,513   
                

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING 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, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, 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 generally used the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend” and similar expressions 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 from other weight management industry participants or the development of more effective or more favorably perceived weight management methods;

 

   

our ability to continue to develop innovative new services and products and enhance our existing services and products, or the failure of our services and products to continue to appeal to the market;

 

   

the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising programs;

 

   

the impact on the Weight Watchers brand of actions taken by our franchisees and licensees;

 

   

risks and uncertainties associated with our international operations, including economic, political and social risks and foreign currency risks;

 

   

our ability to successfully make acquisitions or enter into joint ventures, including our ability to successfully integrate, operate or realize the projected benefits of such businesses;

 

   

uncertainties related to a downturn in general economic conditions or consumer confidence;

 

   

the seasonal nature of our business;

 

   

the impact of events that discourage people from gathering with others;

 

   

our ability to enforce our intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally, as well as the impact of our involvement in any claims related to intellectual property rights;

 

   

uncertainties regarding the satisfactory operation of our information technology or systems;

 

   

risks associated with unauthorized penetration of our information security;

 

   

the impact of disputes with our franchise operators;

 

   

the impact of existing and future laws and regulations;

 

   

the impact of our debt service obligations and restrictive debt covenants;

 

   

the possibility that the interests of our majority owner will conflict with other holders of our common stock; and

 

   

other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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 statement. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise.

 

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

Weight Watchers International, Inc. is a Virginia corporation with its principal executive offices in New York, New York. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q unless the context indicates otherwise: “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries consolidated for purposes of its financial statements, including WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries; “Weight Watchers International” and “WWI” refer to Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries other than WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries; “WW.com” refers to WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries; “NACO” refers to our North American Company-owned meeting operations; and “China Joint Venture” refers to Weight Watchers Danone China Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st and consists of either 52- or 53-week periods. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

 

   

“fiscal 2006” refers to our fiscal year ended December 30, 2006;

 

   

“fiscal 2007” refers to our fiscal year ended December 29, 2007;

 

   

“fiscal 2008” refers to our fiscal year ended January 3, 2009;

 

   

“fiscal 2009” refers to our fiscal year ended January 2, 2010;

 

   

“fiscal 2010” refers to our fiscal year ended January 1, 2011;

 

   

“fiscal 2011” refers to our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;

 

   

“fiscal 2012” refers to our fiscal year ended December 29, 2012; and

 

   

“fiscal 2013” refers to our fiscal year ended December 28, 2013.

The following terms used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are our trademarks: Weight Watchers® and WeightWatchers.com®.

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008 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”).

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

To supplement the Company’s consolidated statements of operations presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, the Company has disclosed non-GAAP measures of operating results that exclude or adjust certain items. Net revenues, operating income, net income, diluted earnings per share and other GAAP measures are discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as reported (on a GAAP basis), excluding the impact of the previously disclosed cost savings initiatives from our fiscal 2009 results, and adjusting the fiscal 2008 results to exclude the impact of the previously reported adverse U.K. VAT ruling. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the performance of the Company’s business and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of the performance of the Company’s business. While the Company believes that these financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not

 

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meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly entitled measures reported by other companies. See “Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended October 3, 2009 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 27, 2008” below for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures excluding the impact of the cost savings initiatives from our fiscal 2009 results and excluding the impact of the adverse U.K. VAT ruling for certain prior periods from our fiscal 2008 results to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

USE OF CONSTANT CURRENCY

As exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe the presentation of results on a constant currency basis in addition to reported results helps improve investors’ ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. We use results on a constant currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we calculate constant currency by calculating current-year results using prior-year foreign currency exchange rates. We generally refer to such amounts calculated on a constant currency basis as excluding or adjusting for the impact of foreign currency. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with GAAP. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not measures of performance presented in accordance with GAAP.

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 fiscal 2008. Our critical accounting policies have not changed since the end of fiscal 2008.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 2009 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 2008

The table below shows our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended October 3, 2009 versus the three months ended September 27, 2008.

 

     (In millions, except per share amounts)
     Three Months
Ended
October 3, 2009
    Three Months
Ended
September 27, 2008

Revenues, net

   $ 324.5      $ 352.6

Cost of revenues

     146.5        158.2
              

Gross profit

     178.0        194.4

Marketing expenses

     35.8        40.0

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     41.0        46.6
              

Operating income

     101.2        107.8

Interest expense

     16.7        21.3

Other (income)/expense, net

     (0.5     1.2
              

Income before income taxes

     85.0        85.3

Provision for income taxes

     33.0        33.1
              

Net income

     52.0        52.2

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     0.6        0.5
              

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 52.6      $ 52.7
              

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     77.2        78.1
              

Diluted EPS attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 0.68      $ 0.67
              

Fiscal 2009 third quarter revenues of $324.5 million declined 8.0% compared to $352.6 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2008. Part of the decline in the quarter versus the prior year period resulted from unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates which reduced revenues by 3.3%, or $11.5 million. In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the average exchange rate from the British pound to the U.S. dollar dropped by 13.3% versus the prior year period, from 1.8903 to 1.6386, and the average exchange rate from the Euro to the U.S. dollar dropped by 4.5% versus the prior year period, from 1.5017 to 1.4338. On a constant currency basis, third quarter fiscal 2009 revenues declined 4.7% versus the prior year period. This compares to a decline in revenues on a constant currency basis of 7.0% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period as adjusted to exclude the impact of the $30.3 million offset to revenue recorded in connection with the U.K. VAT ruling related to periods prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Similar to the economic environment we have been experiencing all year, consumer discretionary spending in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 remained depressed. The improvement in trend in our revenue performance versus prior year periods from second to third quarter of fiscal 2009, while likely partially the result of some relative improvement in the economic environment, we believe was primarily driven by business actions such as certain promotional activities.

Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 of $52.6 million decreased slightly, by $0.1 million, or 0.2%, from $52.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $0.68 as compared to $0.67 in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. After taking into account the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which reduced earnings by $0.03 per share, diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $0.71, an increase of 6.0% from $0.67 in the comparable prior year quarter.

Components of Revenue and Volumes

For the third quarter of fiscal 2009, global meeting fees were $191.5 million, a decrease of $21.7 million, or 10.2%, from the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, fiscal 2009 third quarter global meeting fees as compared to the prior year period declined $15.2 million, or 7.1%, as difficult economic conditions worldwide continued to impact our business.

 

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Global meeting paid weeks were 20.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus 21.1 million in the prior year period, a 3.8% decline. Global attendance in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 declined at a higher rate of 7.4% versus the prior year period, to 12.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus 13.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. It is generally acknowledged that consumers have significantly reduced their discretionary spending as a result of economic conditions. We believe this has had the impact of deferring weight loss efforts on the part of some consumers. The decline in global attendance in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period was, however, an improvement in trend as compared to our second quarter fiscal 2009 global attendance. The second quarter fiscal 2009 global attendance was 12.3% below the prior year period partially as a result of the shift of the Easter holiday timing. The improvement in trend was primarily the result of 6.0% attendance volume growth in the United Kingdom in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the comparable prior year period, fueled by expanded marketing activity and promotions.

The global average meeting fee per attendee in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, which declined 3.0% versus the prior year period including the negative impact of foreign currency translation, increased only marginally on a constant currency basis by 0.3% versus the prior year period. Introductory promotional pricing for Monthly Pass in the United States, which had a beneficial impact on enrollment trends, reduced our average meeting fee per attendee, offsetting the impact of higher average meeting fee per attendee internationally which was driven by increasing acceptance of Monthly Pass in our international markets. As Monthly Pass penetration increases in a market, it typically drives an increase in average meeting fee per attendee because not all members who purchase it will attend all meetings for which they have paid.

In NACO, meeting fees for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $126.3 million, a decline of $19.3 million, or 13.3%, from $145.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. For the full quarter, attendances of 7.2 million and paid weeks of 12.8 million declined versus the prior year period by 11.1% and 10.6%, respectively. In September 2009, NACO launched its first new major price promotion other than a free registration promotion which has been part of our seasonal marketing campaigns for many years. This new promotion lowered our third quarter fiscal 2009 meeting fees by approximately 1.0%, but had an immediate, positive effect on our enrollment trends and on shifting members from the pay-as-you-go payment model into Monthly Pass. Members who purchase Monthly Pass on average have a longer tenure and are thus more profitable to us. We believe that the benefits of this promotion will be realized in future quarters.

Our international meeting fees were $65.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $2.4 million, or 3.6%, from the prior year period, but an increase of $3.7 million, or 5.5%, on a constant currency basis. While international meeting fee per attendee declined 2.2% for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, international meeting fee per attendee on a constant currency basis grew 7.0% which was driven by Monthly Pass in the United Kingdom, Germany and France. This growth mitigated the impact on revenue of an overall international attendance decline of 1.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. Monthly Pass was also the primary driver of a 10.6% increase in total paid weeks in our international meeting business in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, with paid weeks in the United Kingdom up 17.1% and in Continental Europe up 4.8%.

Global product sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $61.2 million, a decline of $7.4 million, or 10.8%, from $68.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Global in-meeting product sales per attendee declined 2.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, but increased 2.6% on a constant currency basis. As a result of lower attendances, NACO’s third quarter fiscal 2009 in-meeting product sales of $26.8 million declined versus the prior year period by 5.3%, or $1.5 million; however, in-meeting product sales per attendee increased 6.5% versus the prior year period, primarily as a result of new consumable product launches. International in-meeting product sales per attendee declined

 

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12.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period and declined 3.6% on a constant currency basis. In Continental Europe, we are in the pre-launch stage for a new program innovation which we expect to launch by the end of 2009. This decline in in-meeting product sales per attendee reflects our planned run down of inventory in Continental Europe in preparation for the upcoming launch of this new program innovation. In contrast, our other international markets showed growth on a constant currency basis. International product sales in total were $29.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, a decline of 14.0% versus the prior year period, or 5.5% on a constant currency basis.

Internet revenues, which include subscription revenues from sales of WeightWatchers Online and WeightWatchers eTools as well as Internet advertising revenues, grew $2.0 million, or 4.2%, to $49.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 from $47.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. On a constant currency basis, Internet revenues rose 6.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. Promotional activities in some of our international countries helped to drive third quarter fiscal 2009 online sign-up growth of 10.1% versus the prior year period. End-of-period active Weight Watchers Online subscribers increased 9.3%, from 755,000 at September 27, 2008 to 825,000 at October 3, 2009.

Other revenue, comprised primarily of licensing revenues and revenues from our publications, was $19.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 3.0%, from $19.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency, other revenues were up 1.2%, slightly higher than the prior year period. Our global licensing revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased 5.6% on an as reported basis and 1.3% on a constant currency basis versus the prior year period. NACO licensing revenues declined 11.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period; however, excluding revenues from two of our licensing partners, one with whom we restructured our relationship and the other who experienced a change in ownership, NACO licensing revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 would have increased versus the prior year period. While international licensing revenues declined 1.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, international licensing revenues on a constant currency basis increased 8.0% versus the prior year period, with the United Kingdom maintaining strong performance, but some of our Continental European countries continuing to be especially impacted by the weak economy.

Franchise royalties for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $1.9 million in the United States and $1.0 million internationally. Total franchise royalties of $2.9 million were 13.3% lower in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, or 12.4% lower in constant currency, reflecting the weakened U.S. economy.

Expenses and Margins

Cost of revenues was $146.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $11.7 million, or 7.4%, from $158.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Gross profit margin was 54.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to 55.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The decline in the gross margin that resulted from a combination of lower attendance per meeting and in-meeting product promotions, mainly in NACO, was mostly offset by gross margin expansion in WW.com and the positive impact of Monthly Pass on international meeting revenue per attendee.

Marketing expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased $4.2 million, or 10.5%, to $35.8 million, from $40.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, marketing expenses decreased $3.3 million, or 8.1%, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period partially as a result of advertising rate efficiencies. In addition, in Continental Europe, we shifted marketing expenses in fiscal 2009 from the third quarter to the fourth quarter in further support of the launch of our new program innovation. Marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 11.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to 11.3% in the prior year period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $41.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus $46.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008, a decrease of $5.6 million, or 12.0%, or 9.6% on a constant currency basis. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 12.6% of revenues in the

 

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third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus 13.2% in the prior year period. Our restructuring and other cost saving efforts have continued to benefit the Company in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and will continue throughout the year.

Our operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was $101.2 million, a decrease of $6.6 million, or 6.1%, from $107.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. On a constant currency basis, fiscal 2009 third quarter operating income decreased $2.9 million, or 2.7%, versus the prior year period. Our operating income margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was 31.2%, an increase of 60 basis points versus 30.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. This margin expansion resulted from lower marketing and selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues.

Interest expense was $16.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $4.6 million, or 21.6%, from $21.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. We benefited from a lower LIBOR during the third quarter of fiscal 2009 which resulted in a 91 basis point reduction in our average effective interest rate, a decline from 5.10% in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 to 4.19% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we repaid $55.6 million of our debt outstanding, and at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we had $1.475 billion debt outstanding as compared to $1.648 billion at the end of fiscal 2008.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we reported other income of $0.5 million, as compared to other expense of $1.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The change resulted primarily from the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany transactions.

The effective tax rate on our results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was 38.9%, the same rate as the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 2009 COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 2008

For the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our reported revenues were $1,087.6 million, a decrease of $102.1 million, or 8.6%, as compared to the prior year period. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was $158.6 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 1.2%, from $156.7 million for the prior year period.

The table below shows our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended October 3, 2009 versus the nine months ended September 27, 2008 on both a GAAP basis and an adjusted basis to further the understanding of our financial results. See discussion of “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above. In adjusting the statements of operations, we have reflected the impact of two factors: first, in the first nine months of fiscal 2008, we recorded a $27.9 million offset to revenue, which represented the portion of the previously reported adverse U.K. VAT ruling pertaining to periods prior to the first nine months of fiscal 2008; and second, in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, we recorded $5.1 million of restructuring charges associated with the cost savings initiatives previously announced in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The “As Adjusted” amounts in the table below eliminate these items from both years.

 

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     (In millions, except per share amounts)  
     Nine Months Ended October 3, 2009     Nine Months Ended September 27, 2008  
     As
Reported
    Impact of
Restructuring
    As
Adjusted (1)
    As
Reported
    Impact of
U.K. VAT
Ruling
   As
Adjusted (1)
 

Revenues, net

   $ 1,087.6      $ —        $ 1,087.6      $ 1,189.7      $ 27.9    $ 1,217.6   

Cost of revenues

     490.0        —          490.0        539.3        —        539.3   
                                               

Gross profit

     597.6        —          597.6        650.4        27.9      678.3   

Marketing expenses

     163.5        —          163.5        186.6        —        186.6   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     127.7        (5.1     122.6        138.7        —        138.7   
                                               

Operating income

     306.4        5.1        311.5        325.1        27.9      353.0   

Interest expense

     50.4        —          50.4        68.2        —        68.2   

Other income, net

     (0.4     —          (0.4     (1.3     —        (1.3
                                               

Income before income taxes

     256.4        5.1        261.5        258.2        27.9      286.1   

Provision for income taxes

     99.7        2.0        101.7        102.7        9.0      111.7   
                                               

Net income

     156.7        3.1        159.8        155.5        18.9      174.4   

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     1.9        —          1.9        1.2        —        1.2   
                                               

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 158.6      $ 3.1      $ 161.7      $ 156.7      $ 18.9    $ 175.6   
                                               

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     77.1        77.1        77.1        79.0        79.0      79.0   
                                               

Diluted EPS attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 2.06      $ 0.04      $ 2.10      $ 1.98      $ 0.24    $ 2.22   
                                               

 

(1) With respect to the above table, “As Adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of operations to exclude the impact of restructuring charges from the results of operations for the nine months ended October 3, 2009 and exclude the impact of the U.K. VAT ruling pertaining to periods prior to fiscal 2008 from the results of operations for the nine months ended September 27, 2008. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.

After adjusting the first nine months of fiscal 2008 revenues for the U.K. VAT ruling, revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 of $1,087.6 million declined 10.7% compared to $1,217.6 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2008. The largest component of the decline in revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period was the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which reduced our revenues by $75.9 million, or 6.2%. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, the average exchange rate from the British pound to the U.S. dollar dropped by 20.5% versus the prior year period, from 1.9465 to 1.5472, and the average exchange rate from the Euro to the U.S. dollar dropped by 10.0% versus the prior year period, from 1.5211 to 1.3692.

Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 of $158.6 million increased $1.9 million, or 1.2%, from $156.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Net income in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was reduced by $3.1 million of after-tax restructuring charges and net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was reduced by $18.9 million of after-tax charges related to the U.K. VAT ruling.

Diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $2.06, an increase of 4.0% from diluted earnings per share of $1.98 for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. When we adjust the first nine months of fiscal 2009 for $0.04 associated with the restructuring charges and the first nine months of fiscal 2008 for $0.24 associated with the U.K. VAT ruling, diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $2.10 versus $2.22 for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The impact of foreign currency exchange rates reduced the first nine months of fiscal 2009 diluted earnings per share by a further $0.15. Excluding this negative foreign currency exchange impact, adjusted diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $2.25, up $0.03 from adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.22 for the first nine months of fiscal 2008.

 

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Components of Revenue and Volumes

For the first nine months of fiscal 2009, global meeting fees were $633.4 million, a decrease of $60.2 million, or 8.7%, from the prior year period. After adjusting the first nine months of fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling, global meeting fees were $721.5 million. On a constant currency basis, global meeting fees in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 as compared to the prior year period, as adjusted for the U.K. VAT ruling, decreased $46.7 million, or 6.5%.

Global meeting paid weeks were 67.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus 69.8 million in the prior year period, a 3.8% decline, while global attendance declined 8.1% to 43.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus 47.2 million in the prior year period. Declining volume trends in the midst of difficult economic conditions worldwide led to a decline in global meeting fees in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, but the increased acceptance of Monthly Pass in our international markets mitigated part of this revenue decline. We now have Monthly Pass outside the United States, in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia, each of which launched in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, and in France, which launched during the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The global average meeting fee per attendee in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, which decreased 0.6% versus the prior year period, increased 1.8% excluding the negative impact of foreign currency and adjusting the first nine months of fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling.

In NACO, meeting fees for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $427.3 million, a decline of $53.9 million, or 11.2%, from $481.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Attendances of 25.7 million and paid weeks of 42.6 million declined at a similar rate versus the prior year period, declining 10.1% and 9.0%, respectively. Without the benefit of prior year acquisitions, NACO attendances and paid weeks for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 declined approximately 11.3% and 9.7%, respectively. As a result of economic conditions, it is generally acknowledged that consumers have significantly reduced their discretionary spending. We believe this has had the impact of deferring weight loss efforts on the part of some consumers, particularly potential new members, whose decision to spend on any new service or product is likely to be highly scrutinized in this environment.

Our international meeting fees were $206.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $6.3 million, or 3.0%, from the prior year period. After adjusting the first nine months of fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling, international meeting fees were $240.3 million for that period. Compared to this adjusted 2008 amount, international meeting fees in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were 14.2% below the prior year period and international meeting fees per attendee declined 9.7%. On a constant currency basis, international meeting fees in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 increased $4.0 million, or 1.7%, from the prior year period as adjusted for the U.K. VAT ruling. Monthly Pass in the United Kingdom, Germany and France enabled constant currency meeting fee revenue stability in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, despite the overall international attendance decline of 5.0% in the period versus the prior year period. Monthly Pass was a primary driver of a 6.7% increase in total paid weeks in our international meeting business in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, with paid weeks in the United Kingdom increasing 10.3% and in Continental Europe increasing 3.8% versus the prior year period.

Global product sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $235.8 million, a decline of $40.8 million, or 14.8%, from $276.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Global in-meeting product sales per attendee declined 6.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, global in-meeting product sales per attendee, which grew substantially through much of last year, increased 3.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, driven primarily by our international business. In NACO, in-meeting product sales declined 10.6%, or $12.3 million, in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, to $103.6 million, primarily due to lower attendance and a shift in product mix away from our higher priced enrollment products. Despite the unfavorable economic conditions in many of the international countries in which we operate, and the lower in-meeting product sales per attendee in Continental Europe resulting from our planned run down of inventory in preparation for the upcoming launch of our new program innovation,

 

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international in-meeting product sales per attendee in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, which declined by 12.1% versus the prior year period, grew 5.1% on a constant currency basis. In the United Kingdom, sales were strong. While on a reported basis in-meeting product sales per attendee in the United Kingdom for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 declined versus the prior year period, they increased on a constant currency basis. International product sales in total were $111.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus $135.3 million in the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, total international product sales for the first nine months of 2009 were down 1.6% versus the prior year period.

Internet revenues, which include subscription revenues from sales of Weight Watchers Online and Weight Watchers eTools as well as Internet advertising revenues, grew $5.8 million, or 4.1%, to $148.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 from $142.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. On a constant currency basis, Internet revenues rose 8.5% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. Online signup growth decelerated in the United States in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, reflecting both the impact of low consumer confidence in 2009 and higher online signup growth in the prior year period. Internationally, online signup growth was driven by successful marketing campaigns and promotions. End-of-period active Weight Watchers Online subscribers increased 9.3%, from 755,000 at September 27, 2008 to 825,000 at October 3, 2009.

Other revenue, comprised primarily of licensing revenues and revenues from our publications, was $59.5 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $4.3 million, or 6.7%, from $63.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency, other revenue increased $0.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. Despite weak economic conditions in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our global licensing revenues, which decreased 6.5%, increased 2.2% on a constant currency basis versus the prior year period. While licensing revenues in the United Kingdom have been strong, economic conditions have tempered growth in our licensing business elsewhere during the first nine months of fiscal 2009.

Franchise royalties for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $6.9 million in the United States and $3.6 million internationally. Total franchise royalties of $10.5 million were 19.8% lower in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, or 15.8% lower in constant currency. Excluding lost commissions resulting from franchise acquisitions which occurred during fiscal 2008, franchise royalties for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 declined 12.8% on a constant currency basis versus the prior year period, with demonstrable impact from the weakened U.S. economy.

Expenses and Margins

Cost of revenues was $490.0 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $49.3 million, or 9.1%, from $539.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Gross profit margin was 55.0% for the first nine months of fiscal 2009, an increase of 30 basis points from the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The impact of the U.K. VAT ruling on the first nine months of fiscal 2008 revenues lowered the gross margin for that period by 100 basis points. Excluding that impact, gross margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was 55.7%, 70 basis points above a 55.0% gross margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2009. The primary factor for the decline in gross margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period was lower attendance per meeting.

In-meeting product promotions also put pressure on gross margin.

Marketing expenses for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 decreased $23.1 million, or 12.4%, to $163.5 million, from $186.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, marketing expenses decreased $11.6 million, or 6.2%, in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, the result of a combination of advertising rate efficiencies and cost containment efforts in the meeting business across our geographies, particularly in Continental Europe. Marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues declined to 15.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 as compared to 15.7% in the prior year period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $127.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus $138.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008, a decrease of $11.0 million, or 7.9%. Our selling, general and administrative expenses in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 included $5.1

 

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million of restructuring charges associated with our cost savings initiatives and also included a $7.7 million benefit from foreign currency translation. Excluding the restructuring charges and the benefit from foreign currency translation, selling, general and administrative expenses were $130.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $8.4 million, or 6.1%, from the prior year period, reflecting cost savings from restructuring and other initiatives that began to have an impact in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Selling, general and administrative expenses declined despite higher investment with respect to our China Joint Venture and increased depreciation resulting from our information technology investments. On a reported basis, our selling, general and administrative expenses were 11.7% of revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency and restructuring charges from our first nine months of fiscal 2009 results and excluding the impact of the U.K. VAT ruling from our first nine months of fiscal 2008 results, selling, general and administrative expenses declined as a percentage of revenues to 11.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus 11.4% in the prior year period.

Our operating income for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was $306.4 million, a decrease of $18.7 million, or 5.8%, from the prior year period. Excluding the impact of restructuring charges from the first nine months of fiscal 2009, and after adjusting the first nine months of fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling, our operating income for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 declined by $41.5 million, or 11.8%, from $353.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 to $311.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009. On a constant currency basis, the first nine months fiscal 2009 operating income as adjusted for restructuring charges decreased $23.5 million, or 6.7%, versus the prior year period as adjusted for the U.K. VAT ruling, due mainly to volume declines.

Our operating income margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was 28.2% versus 27.3% for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Excluding the restructuring charges in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 and adjusting the first nine months of fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling, our adjusted operating income margin declined 40 basis points from 29.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 to 28.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 due to gross margin decline.

Interest expense was $50.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $17.8 million, or 26.1%, from $68.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Mainly as a result of lower market rates, our average effective interest rate declined 129 basis points, down from 5.43% in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 to 4.14% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009. We made debt payments of $172.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 reducing our debt outstanding under our credit facility at the end of the first nine months of fiscal 2009 to $1.475 billion as compared to $1.648 billion at the end of fiscal 2008.

We reported other income of $0.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 as compared to $1.3 million in the comparable prior year period. The change resulted primarily from the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany transactions.

The effective tax rate on our results for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was 38.9% versus 39.8% in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Our tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was inflated as a result of a change in the geographic mix of our income as a consequence of the $27.9 million offset to revenue for prior periods recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 related to the negative U.K. VAT ruling. For the full fiscal year 2008, our effective tax rate was 39.5%.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and Uses of Cash

For the nine months ended October 3, 2009, cash and cash equivalents were $62.8 million, an increase of $15.5 million from the end of fiscal 2008. Cash flows provided by operating activities were $242.2 million, exceeding the period’s $158.6 million net income by $83.6 million. The excess of cash over net income arose from changes in our working capital, as described below under “Balance Sheet”, and differences between book and cash taxes. Net cash used for investing and financing activities combined totaled $230.9 million. Investing activities, consisting primarily of capital spending, utilized $19.2 million. Net cash used for financing activities totaled $211.7 million, including dividend payments of $40.6 million and long-term debt payments of $172.9 million.

For the nine months ended September 27, 2008, cash and cash equivalents were $57.8 million, an increase of $18.0 million from the end of fiscal 2007. Cash flows provided by operating activities were $234.1 million, exceeding the period’s $156.7 million net income by $77.4 million. The excess of cash over net income arose from changes in our working capital and differences between book and cash taxes. Net cash used for investing and financing activities combined totaled $213.9 million. Investing activities utilized $63.7 million, including $39.7 million for franchise acquisitions and $23.9 million for capital spending. Net cash used for financing activities totaled $150.2 million, including $116.0 million used to repurchase 2.8 million shares of our common stock, dividend payments of $41.6 million and net long-term debt payments of $5.6 million.

Balance Sheet

Comparing our balance sheet at October 3, 2009 with our balance sheet at January 3, 2009, our cash balance increased by $15.5 million. Our working capital deficit at October 3, 2009 was $329.1 million, including $62.8 million of cash (as noted above), as compared to $270.1 million at January 3, 2009, including $47.3 million of cash. Excluding the change in cash, the working capital deficit increased by $74.5 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009.

Of the $74.5 million increase in negative working capital, approximately $39.4 million represented increases in the current portion of our long-term debt, $26.4 million was due to lower prepaid and deferred income taxes, and $25.5 million related to operational items. Partially offsetting this increase in negative working capital was a decrease of approximately $10.5 million due to changes in the fair value of our interest rate swaps resulting from fluctuations in the interest rate yield curve, and a $6.3 million decrease in the U.K. VAT liability. The $25.5 million net increase in negative working capital related to operational items was consistent with the normal seasonality of our business and included $20.8 million of higher deferred revenue for member prepayments associated with our commitment plans and a $16.9 million lower inventory balance, partially offset by $11.6 million lower net payables and accrued expenses and $0.6 million higher receivables balance.

Long-Term Debt

As of October 3, 2009, our credit facility consisted 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 original principal amount of $1,550.0 million and a revolving credit facility, or the Revolver, of up to $500.0 million, collectively, the WWI Credit Facility. At October 3, 2009, we had $1,474.6 million outstanding under the WWI Credit Facility with an additional $387.0 million of availability under the Revolver.

 

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At October 3, 2009 and January 3, 2009, our debt consisted entirely of variable-rate instruments. Interest rate swaps are entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with our variable-rate borrowings. The average interest rate on our debt was approximately 1.5% and 4.7% per annum at October 3, 2009 and January 3, 2009, respectively.

The following schedule sets forth our long-term debt obligations and interest rates at October 3, 2009:

Long-Term Debt

At October 3, 2009

(Balances in millions)

 

     Balance    Interest
Rate
 

Revolver due 2011

   $ 109.0    1.26

Term Loan A due 2011

     258.1    1.25

Additional Term Loan A due 2013

     621.2    1.31

Term Loan B due 2014

     486.3    1.79
         

Total Debt

     1,474.6   

Less Current Portion

     201.9   
         

Total Long-Term Debt

   $ 1,272.7   
         

At October 3, 2009, the Term Loan A, Additional Term Loan A and the Revolver bore interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.0% per annum or, at our option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements). At October 3, 2009, the Term Loan B bore interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.5% per annum or, at our option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements). In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the WWI Credit Facility, we are required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolver with respect to the unused commitments at a rate equal to 0.20% per year at October 3, 2009.

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 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 us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial condition tests. At October 3, 2009, we were in compliance with all of the required financial ratios and also met all of the financial condition tests and we expect to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. 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 June 26, 2009, we amended the WWI Credit Facility to allow us to make loan modification offers to all lenders of any tranche of term loans or revolving loans to extend the maturity date of such loans and/or reduce or eliminate the scheduled amortization. Any such loan modifications would be effective only with respect to such tranche of term loans or revolving loans and only with respect to those lenders that accept our offer. Loan modification offers may be accompanied by increased pricing and/or fees payable to accepting lenders. This amendment also provides for up to an additional $200.0 million of incremental term loan financing through the creation of a new tranche of term loans, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such new term loans cannot exceed the amount then outstanding under our existing revolving credit facility. In addition, the proceeds from such new tranche of term loans must be used solely to repay certain outstanding revolving loans and permanently reduce the commitments of certain revolving lenders. In connection with this amendment, we incurred fees of approximately $4.0 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

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On March 20, 2008, Standard & Poor’s affirmed its “BB+” rating on the WWI Credit Facility. On March 30, 2009, Moody’s affirmed its “Ba1” rating for the WWI Credit Facility.

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

Total Debt Obligation

(Including Current Portion)

As of October 3, 2009

(in millions)

 

Remainder of fiscal 2009

   $ 40.6

Fiscal 2010

     215.0

Fiscal 2011

     464.0

Fiscal 2012

     229.0

Fiscal 2013

     61.0

Thereafter

     465.0
      

Total

   $ 1,474.6
      

We currently plan to meet our long-term debt obligations by using cash flows provided by operating activities and opportunistically using other means to repay or refinance our obligations as we determine appropriate. 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

We have issued a quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share of our common stock every quarter beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2006. Prior to these dividends, we had not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock since our acquisition by Artal Group S.A. and its parents and subsidiaries, or Artal, in 1999.

Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors, after taking into account our financial results, capital requirements and other factors it may deem relevant. Our Board of Directors may decide at any time to increase or decrease the amount of dividends or discontinue the payment of dividends based on these factors. The WWI Credit Facility also contains restrictions on our ability to pay dividends on our common stock.

The WWI Credit Facility provides that we are permitted to pay dividends and extraordinary dividends so long as we are not in default under the WWI Credit Facility agreements. However, payment of extraordinary dividends shall not exceed $150.0 million in any fiscal year if net debt to EBITDA (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements) is greater than 3.75:1 and an investment grade rating date (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements) has not occurred. We do not expect this restriction to impair our ability to pay dividends, but it could do so.

Stock Transactions

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 $250.0 million to this program. No shares will be purchased from Artal under the program. We repurchased no shares of our common stock during the three months ended October 3, 2009.

 

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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.

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 marketing campaign 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 fiscal 2009, Easter fell on April 12, which means that our spring marketing campaign began in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 as opposed to the campaign beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. 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.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Corporate information and our press releases, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments thereto, are available on our website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (i.e., generally the same day as the filing). Moreover, we also make available at that site the Section 16 reports filed electronically by our officers, directors and 10 percent shareholders. Usually these are publicly accessible no later than the business day following the filing. We use our website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com as a channel of distribution of material Company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible at our website. Our website and the information posted on it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The market risk disclosures appearing in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008 have not materially changed from January 3, 2009.

Based on the amount of our variable rate debt and interest swap agreements as of October 3, 2009, a hypothetical 50 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates on our variable debt would increase or decrease our annual interest expense by approximately $2.9 million.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure 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 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 are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

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.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

U.K. VAT Matter

In July 2006, we filed an amended notice of appeal with the U.K. VAT and Duties Tribunal, or VAT Tribunal, appealing a ruling by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, or HMRC, that from April 1, 2005 Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom 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 meeting fees in the United Kingdom were only partially subject to 17.5% VAT. In March 2007, the VAT Tribunal ruled that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom should only be partially subject to 17.5% VAT. The VAT Tribunal’s ruling was appealed by HMRC to the High Court of Justice Chancery Division, or the High Court, in May 2007, and in January 2008 the High Court denied HMRC’s appeal in part and allowed HMRC’s appeal in part. In April 2008, we filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in part against the High Court’s ruling and HMRC also filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in part against the High Court’s ruling. In June 2008, the Court of Appeal issued a ruling that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were fully subject to 17.5% VAT, thus reversing in its entirety the VAT Tribunal’s 2007 decision in our favor. In July 2008, we sought permission from the U.K. House of Lords to appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which permission was denied in January 2009.

In light of the Court of Appeal’s ruling that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were fully subject to 17.5% VAT and in accordance with accounting guidance for contingencies, we recorded a charge of approximately $32.5 million as an offset to revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for U.K. VAT liability (including interest) in excess of reserves previously recorded. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, in accordance with accounting guidance for contingencies, we recorded as an offset to revenue VAT charges associated with U.K. meeting fees as earned, consistent with the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

However, with respect to U.K. VAT owed for the period prior to July 1, 2005, HMRC has failed to raise a notice of assessment within the statutory three-year time period. In addition, although HMRC raised notices of assessment against us with respect to U.K. VAT due for the periods July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005, we have asserted that these notices of assessment are invalid and should not have been raised on the grounds that they had been raised outside the relevant statutory time limits. HMRC indicated in November 2008 that it agreed with our assertion that the notice of assessment for the period July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005 was invalid, and, in February 2009, confirmed that this notice had been formally withdrawn. As a result of the expiration of the statutory time period with respect to U.K. VAT owed prior to October 1, 2005, we recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as a benefit to revenue for the periods prior to October 1, 2005 an amount of approximately $9.2 million as an offset against reserves previously recorded including in part the charge recorded against revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for U.K. VAT liability. In March 2009, June 2009 and September 2009, HMRC raised notices of assessment against us in respect of U.K. VAT due for the periods January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006, April 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 and July 1, 2006 to September 30, 2006, respectively, which we similarly believe were raised outside the relevant statutory time limits. We intend to vigorously challenge any amount of U.K. VAT that HMRC claims to be owed by us for any period between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006. Accordingly, we filed notices of appeal with the VAT Tribunal against the U.K. VAT assessments issued for the periods October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005, January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006, April 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 and July 1, 2006 to September 30, 2006 in March 2009, April 2009, July 2009 and October 2009, respectively.

 

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U.K. Self-Employment Matter

In July 2007, HMRC issued to us notices of determination and decisions that, for the period April 2001 to April 2007, our leaders and certain other service providers should have been classified as employees for tax purposes and, as such, we should have withheld tax from the leaders and certain other service providers pursuant to the “Pay As You Earn,” or PAYE, and national insurance contributions, or NIC, collection rules and remitted such amounts to HMRC. HMRC also issued a claim to us in October 2008 in respect of NIC which corresponds to the prior notices of assessment with respect to PAYE previously raised by HMRC. As of October 3, 2009, the assessment associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC was approximately $25.7 million. It is our view that the U.K. leaders and other service providers identified by HMRC in its notices and in its claim are self-employed and no withholding by us was required. Accordingly, we intend to vigorously pursue an appeal of the notices of determination and decisions and the corresponding claim in respect of NIC.

In September 2007, we appealed HMRC’s notices as to these classifications and against any amount of PAYE and NIC liability claimed to be owed by us and, in July 2008, filed this appeal with the U.K. Special Commissioners. Our appeal was heard by the U.K. Special Commissioners in June 2009 and October 2009. Although there can be no assurances, we believe, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, we will ultimately prevail in our appeal and thus, in accordance with accounting guidance for contingencies, have not formed the conclusion at this time that it is probable that a loss has been incurred. Accordingly, in accordance with accounting guidance for contingencies, we have not recorded any reserves with respect to this matter. However, as there is a possibility of a loss, we believe as of October 3, 2009 that the estimated range of possible loss associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC was between $0 and approximately $25.7 million; the upper end of this range represents the total amount that HMRC has assessed against us as of such date for PAYE and NIC. In addition, although we have not yet been assessed by HMRC for any period after April 2007, if we were unsuccessful in our appeal, we believe we would have an additional estimated range of possible loss associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC for the period from April 2007 to the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009 of between $0 and approximately $10.6 million; the upper end of this range was determined following the methodology utilized by HMRC in its notices of determination and decisions. If our appeal is unsuccessful, it is possible that our cash flows and results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter may be adversely affected by this matter. However, it is the opinion of management that the disposition of this matter will not have a material effect on our financial condition or ongoing results of operations or cash flows.

Sabatino v. Weight Watchers North America, Inc.

In September 2009, we were served with a lawsuit that was filed in the Superior Court of California by one of our former leaders alleging violations of certain California wage and hour laws on behalf of herself, and, if approved by the Court, other leaders and those employees who have performed the location coordinator function in California since September 17, 2005. In this matter, the plaintiff is seeking unpaid wages and certain other damages. In October 2009, we answered the complaint and removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Although we disagree with the allegations that we have violated California wage and hour laws and we believe we have valid defenses with respect to this matter, litigation is inherently unpredictable. At this time, it is not possible to determine the outcome of this action and we have not made any provision for losses in connection with it.

Other Litigation Matters

Due to the nature of our activities, we are also, at times, subject to pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the ordinary course of business. 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, financial condition or cash flows.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors from those detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008.

 

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

Nothing to report under this item.

 

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
Number

  

Description

Exhibit 10.1    Amendment to Agreements, dated as of October 1, 2002, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc., WW Foods, LLC and H.J. Heinz Company.
Exhibit 10.2    Amendment to Operating Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and H.J. Heinz Company.
Exhibit 31.1    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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: November 12, 2009     By:  

/s/ DAVID P. KIRCHHOFF

      David P. Kirchhoff
      President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
      (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: November 12, 2009     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 10.1    Amendment to Agreements, dated as of October 1, 2002, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc.,
WW Foods, LLC and H.J. Heinz Company.
Exhibit 10.2    Amendment to Operating Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and H.J. Heinz Company.
Exhibit 31.1    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
Exhibit 32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.