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Note A - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements  
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE A – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

J & J Snack Foods Corp. and Subsidiaries (the Company) manufactures, markets and distributes a variety of nutritional snack foods and beverages to the food service and retail supermarket industries. A summary of the significant accounting policies consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows. Our fiscal years 2019 and 2018 comprise 52 weeks. Our 2017 fiscal year comprised 53 weeks. All references to 2017 fiscal year refer to that 53 week period.

 

1.

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These financial statements include the accounts of J & J Snack Foods Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

 

2.

Revenue Recognition

 

On  September 30, 2018, we adopted ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and all the related amendments to ASC 606 in relation to all contracts that were not completed or expired as of September 30, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. There was no adjustment made to the opening balance of retained earnings as a result of applying ASC 606. Results for reporting periods beginning September 30, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while the comparative information is not restated and will continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.

 

When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account for revenue recognition. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied.

 

The singular performance obligation of our customer contracts for product and machine sales is determined by each individual purchase order and the respective products ordered, with revenue being recognized at a point-in-time when the obligation under the terms of the agreement is satisfied and product control is transferred to our customer. Specifically, control transfers to our customers when the product is delivered to, installed or picked up by our customers based upon applicable shipping terms, as our customers can direct the use and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the product at this point in time. The performance obligations in our customer contracts for product are generally satisfied within 30 days.

 

The singular performance obligation of our customer contracts for time and material repair and maintenance equipment service is the performance of the repair and maintenance with revenue being recognized at a point-in-time when the repair and maintenance is completed.

 

The singular performance obligation of our customer repair and maintenance equipment service contracts is the performance of the repair and maintenance with revenue being recognized over the time the service is expected to be performed. Our customers are billed for service contracts in advance of performance and therefore we have contract liability on our balance sheet.

 

Significant Payment Terms

In general, within our customer contracts, the purchase order identifies the product, quantity, price, pick-up allowances, payment terms and final delivery terms. Although some payment terms may be more extended, presently the majority of our payment terms are 30 days. As a result, we have used the available practical expedient and, consequently, do not adjust our revenues for the effects of a significant financing component.

 

Shipping

All amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are classified as revenues; therefore, we recognize revenue for shipping and handling fees at the time the products are shipped or when services are performed. The cost of shipping products to the customer is recognized at the time the products are shipped to the customer and our policy is to classify them as Distribution expenses.

 

Variable Consideration

In addition to fixed contract consideration, our contracts include some form of variable consideration, including sales discounts, trade promotions and certain other sales and consumer incentives, including rebates and coupon redemptions. In general, variable consideration is treated as a reduction in revenue when the related revenue is recognized. Depending on the specific type of variable consideration, we use the most likely amount method to determine the variable consideration. We believe there will be no significant changes to our estimates of variable consideration when any related uncertainties are resolved with our customers. We review and update our estimates and related accruals of variable consideration each period based on historical experience. Our recorded liability for allowances, end-user pricing adjustments and trade spending was approximately $14.8 million at September 28, 2019 and $13.6 million at September 29, 2018.

 

Warranties & Returns

We provide all customers with a standard or assurance type warranty. Either stated or implied, we provide assurance the related products will comply with all agreed-upon specifications and other warranties provided under the law. No services beyond an assurance warranty are provided to our customers.

 

We do not grant a general right of return. However, customers may return defective or non-conforming products. Customer remedies may include either a cash refund or an exchange of the product. We do not estimate a right of return and related refund liability as returns of our products are rare.

 

Contract Balances

Our customers are billed for service contracts in advance of performance and therefore we have contract liability on our balance sheet as follows:

 

   

Fiscal Year Ended

 
   

September 28,

   

September 29,

 
   

2019

   

2018

 
   

(in thousands)

 
                 

Beginning Balance

  $ 1,865     $ 1,956  

Additions to contract liability

    6,308       6,887  

Amounts recognized as revenue

    (6,839 )     (6,978 )

Ending Balance

  $ 1,334     $ 1,865  

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

See Note O for disaggregation of our net sales by class of similar product and type of customer.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables

We provide an allowance for doubtful receivables after taking into consideration historical experience and other factors. The allowance for doubtful receivables was $665,000 and $400,000 at June 29, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively.

 

3.

Foreign Currency

 

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange for the period. The cumulative translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and changes to such are included in comprehensive income.

 

4.

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

5.

Cash Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

6.

Concentrations and related risks

 

We maintain cash balances at financial institutions located in various states. We have cash balances at two banks totaling approximately $21 million that is in excess of FDIC insurance of $250,000 per bank.

 

Financial instruments that could potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk are trade accounts receivable; however, such risks are limited due to the large number of customers comprising our customer base and their dispersion across geographic regions. We have approximately 15 customers with accounts receivable balances of between $1 million and $10 million.

 

We have several large customers that account for a significant portion of our sales. Our top ten customers accounted for 43%, 43% and 42% of our sales during fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, with our largest customer accounting for 11% of our sales in 2019, 9-1/2% of our sales in 2018 and 9-1/2% of our sales in 2017. Four of the ten customers are food distributors who sell our product to many end users.

 

About 27% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

 

None of our vendors supplied more than 10% of our ingredients and packaging in 2019, 2018 or 2017.

 

Virtually all of our accounts receivable are due from trade customers. Credit is extended based on evaluation of our customers’ financial condition and collateral is not required. Accounts receivable payment terms vary and are stated in the financial statements at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. At September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, our accounts receivables were $140,938,000 and $132,342,000, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $572,000 and $400,000. Accounts receivable outstanding longer than the payment terms are considered past due. We determine our allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, our previous loss history, customers’ current ability to pay their obligations to us, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. We write off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

7.

Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (determined by the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value.  We recognize abnormal amounts of idle facilities, freight, handling costs, and spoilage as charges of the current period.  Additionally, we allocate fixed production overhead to inventories based on the normal capacity of our production facilities.  We calculate normal capacity as the production expected to be achieved over a number of periods or seasons under normal circumstances, taking into account the loss of capacity resulting from planned maintenance. This requires us to use judgment to determine when production is outside the range of expected variation in production (either abnormally low or abnormally high).  In periods of abnormally low production (for example, periods in which there is significantly lower demand, labor and material shortages exist, or there is unplanned equipment downtime) the amount of fixed overhead allocated to each unit of production is not increased.  However, in periods of abnormally high production the amount of fixed overhead allocated to each unit of production is decreased to assure inventories are not measured above cost.

 

8.

Investment Securities

 

We classify our investment securities in one of three categories: held to maturity, trading, or available for sale. Our investment portfolio at September 28, 2019 consists of investments classified as held to maturity and available for sale. The securities that we have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and are stated at amortized cost. Investments classified as available for sale are reported at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses related to the changes in fair value of the securities recognized in investment income. The mutual funds and preferred stock in our available for sale portfolio do not have contractual maturities; however, we classify them as long term assets as it is our intent to hold them for a period of over one year, although we may sell some or all of them depending on presently unanticipated needs for liquidity or market conditions. See Note C for further information on our holdings of investment securities.

 

9.

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation of equipment and buildings is provided for by the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. We review our equipment and buildings to ensure that they provide economic benefit and are not impaired. 

 

Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided for by the straight-line method over the term of the lease or the assets’ estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter.  Licenses and rights, customer relationships, non-compete agreements and certain tradenames are being amortized by the straight-line method over periods ranging from 2 to 20 years and amortization expense is reflected throughout operating expenses.

 

Long-lived assets, including fixed assets and amortizing intangibles, are reviewed for impairment as events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.  Indefinite lived intangibles are reviewed annually for impairment. Cash flow and sales analyses are used to assess impairment. The estimates of future cash flows and sales involve considerable management judgment and are based upon assumptions about expected future operating performance.  Assumptions used in these forecasts are consistent with internal planning. The actual cash flows and sales could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in business conditions, operating performance, economic conditions, competition and consumer preferences.

 

10.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The carrying value of our short-term financial instruments, such as accounts receivables and accounts payable, approximate their fair values, based on the short-term maturities of these instruments.

 

11.

Income Taxes

 

We account for our income taxes under the liability method.  Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences reverse.  Deferred tax expense is the result of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

Additionally, we recognize a liability for income taxes and associated penalties and interest for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return which are more likely than not to be overturned by taxing authorities (“uncertain tax positions”).  We have not recognized a tax benefit in our financial statements for these uncertain tax positions.  

 

As of September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is $414,000 and $394,000; respectively, all of which would impact our effective tax rate over time, if recognized.  We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a part of the provision for income taxes.  We had $279,000 of accrued interest and penalties as of September 28, 2019 and $259,000 as of September 29, 2018. We did not recognize any penalties and interest resulting from tax settlements in the years ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018.  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

   

(in thousands)

 
         

Balance at September 29, 2018

  $ 394  

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

    20  

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

    -  

Settlements

    -  

Balance at September 28, 2019

  $ 414  

 

In addition to our federal tax return and tax returns for Mexico and Canada, we file tax returns in all states that have a corporate income tax. Virtually all the returns noted above are open for examination for three to four years. 

 

Net earnings for the year ended September 29, 2018 benefited from a $20.7 million gain on the remeasurement of deferred tax liabilities and a $8.8 million reduction in income taxes related primarily to the lower corporate tax rate enacted under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 which was partially offset by a $1.2 million provision for the one time repatriation tax, both of which resulted from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017. Net earnings for the year were also impacted by a $1.4 million expense on the remeasurement of deferred tax liabilities due to changes in New Jersey tax regulations effective July 2018. Excluding the deferred tax gain, the deferred tax expense and the one-time repatriation tax, our effective tax rate was 27.7% in the year ended September 29, 2018. Net earnings this year benefitted by a reduction of $885,000 in tax as the provision for the one-time repatriation tax was reduced as the amount recorded last year was an estimate. Excluding the reduction in the provision for the one-time repatriation tax, our effective tax rate was 25.8% for this year.

 

12.

Earnings Per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS takes into consideration the potential dilution that could occur if securities (stock options) or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and converted into common stock.

 

Our calculation of EPS is as follows:

 

   

Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019

 
   

Income

   

Shares

   

Per Share

 
   

(Numerator)

   

(Denominator)

   

Amount

 
   

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
                         

Earnings Per Basic Share

                       

Net Income available to common stockholders

  $ 94,819       18,812     $ 5.04  
                         

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                       

Options

    -       147       (0.04 )
                         

Earnings Per Diluted Share

                       

Net Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

  $ 94,819       18,959     $ 5.00  

 

162,070 anti-dilutive shares have been excluded in the computation of  2019 diluted EPS.

 

 

   

Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2018

 
   

Income

   

Shares

   

Per Share

 
   

(Numerator)

   

(Denominator)

   

Amount

 
   

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
                         

Earnings Per Basic Share

                       

Net Income available to common stockholders

  $ 103,596       18,694     $ 5.54  
                         

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                       

Options

    -       123       (0.03 )
                         

Earnings Per Diluted Share

                       

Net Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

  $ 103,596       18,817     $ 5.51  

 

1,000 anti-dilutive shares have been excluded in the computation of  2018 diluted EPS.

 

   

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017

 
   

Income

   

Shares

   

Per Share

 
   

(Numerator)

   

(Denominator)

   

Amount

 
   

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
                         

Earnings Per Basic Share

                       

Net Income available to common stockholders

  $ 79,174       18,707     $ 4.23  
                         

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                       

Options

    -       109       (0.02 )
                         

Earnings Per Diluted Share

                       

Net Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

  $ 79,174       18,816     $ 4.21  

 

157,994 anti-dilutive shares have been excluded in the computation of  2017 diluted EPS.

 

13.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

 

At September 28, 2019, the Company has three stock-based employee compensation plans. Share-based compensation was recognized as follows:

 

   

Fiscal year ended

 
   

September 28,

   

September 29,

   

September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

 
    (in thousands)  
                         

Stock options

  $ 1,743     $ 1,432     $ (436 )

Stock purchase plan

    390       423       363  

Stock issued to an outside director

    66       64       56  

Restricted stock issued to employees

    -       4       4  

Total share-based compensation

  $ 2,199     $ 1,923     $ (13 )
                         

The above compensation is net of tax benefits

  $ 2,030     $ 1,935     $ 3,061  

 

At September 28, 2019, the Company has unrecognized compensation expense of approximately $7.8 million to be recognized over the next three fiscal years.

 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017: expected volatility of 17.2% for fiscal year 2019, 17.4% for fiscal year 2018 and expected volatility of 16.6% for fiscal year 2017: weighted average risk-free interest rates of 2.1%, 2.7% and 2.0%; dividend rate of 1.2%, 1.3% and 1.3% and expected lives ranging between 5 and 10 years for all years. An expected forfeiture rate of 8% was used for 2019, 10% was used for 2018 and 13% was used for 2017.

 

Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the price of our common shares over the past 49 to 51 months for 5 year options and 10 years for 10 year options. We use historical information to estimate expected life and forfeitures within the valuation model. The expected term of awards represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Compensation cost is recognized using a straight-line method over the vesting or service period and is net of estimated forfeitures.

 

14.

Advertising Costs

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Total advertising expense was $5,938,000, $5,805,000 and $6,095,000 for the fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

15.

Commodity Price Risk Management

 

Our most significant raw material requirements include flour, packaging, shortening, corn syrup, sugar, juice, cheese, chocolate, and a variety of nuts. We attempt to minimize the effect of future price fluctuations related to the purchase of raw materials primarily through forward purchasing to cover future manufacturing requirements, generally for periods from 1 to 12 months. As of September 28, 2019, we have approximately $100 million of such commitments. Futures contracts are not used in combination with forward purchasing of these raw materials. Our procurement practices are intended to reduce the risk of future price increases, but also may potentially limit the ability to benefit from possible price decreases. Our policy is to recognize estimated losses on purchase commitments when they occur. At each of the last three fiscal year ends, we did not have any material losses on our purchase commitments.

 

16.

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Total research and development expense was $645,000, $623,000 and $674,000 for the fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

17.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014 and in subsequent updates, the FASB issued guidance on revenue recognition which requires that we recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We performed a review of the requirements of the new revenue standard, including reviewing customer contracts and applying the five-step model of this new guidance to each contract category we identified. We adopted this guidance on the first day of our fiscal 2019 year using a modified retrospective approach; however, we did not record a cumulative-effect adjustment from initially applying the standard as the adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. See additional revenue recognition disclosures in Note 2.

 

In January 2016,  the FASB issued guidance which requires an entity to measure equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income , to use the price that would be received by a seller when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, and which eliminates the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet.  Under prior guidance, changes in fair value of equity investments available for sale were recognized in Stockholders’ Equity. We adopted this guidance on the first day of our 2019 fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements was not material.  

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on lease accounting which requires that an entity recognize most leases on its balance sheet.  The guidance retains a dual lease accounting model for purposes of income statement recognition, continuing the distinction between what are currently known as “capital” and “operating” leases for lessees.  This guidance is effective for our fiscal year ended September 2020. Our operating leases, as disclosed in Note J — Commitments and Contingencies, will be subject to the new standard. We will recognize right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of between $65 million and $18 million on our consolidated balance sheet upon adoption, which will materially increase our total assets and liabilities.

 

18.

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior year financial statement amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with the presentation for the current year.