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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 29, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Fiscal Year: The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st and consists of either 52 or 53-week periods. Fiscal year 2018, fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2016 all contained 52 weeks. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with GAAP, requires management 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. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to inventories, the impairment analysis for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, share-based compensation, income taxes, tax contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors and assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates. Translation of Foreign Currencies: For all foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into US dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the end of each reporting period. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during each reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Foreign currency gains and losses arising from the translation of intercompany receivables and intercompany payables with the Company’s international subsidiaries are recorded as a component of other expense, net, unless the receivable or payable is considered long-term in nature, in which case the foreign currency gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash balances may, at times, exceed insurable amounts. The Company believes it mitigates this risk by investing in or through major financial institutions. Cash includes balances due from third-party credit card companies. Inventories: Inventories, which consist of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a first-in, first-out basis, net of reserves for obsolescence and shrinkage. Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are recorded at cost. For financial reporting purposes, equipment is depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (3 to 10 years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the term of the lease or the useful life of the related assets. Expenditures for new facilities and improvements that substantially extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and any related gains or losses are included in income. Impairment of Long Lived Assets: The Company reviews long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. In fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0, $674 and $484, respectively, related to internal-use computer software that was not expected to provide substantive service potential. In fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $27, $8 and $131, respectively, related to property, plant and equipment that were expected to be disposed of before the end of their estimated useful lives. Goodwill and Franchise Rights Acquired: The Company reviews goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including franchise rights acquired with indefinite lives, for potential impairment on at least an annual basis or more often if events so require. The Company performed fair value impairment testing as of May 6, 2018 and May 7, 2017, each the first day of fiscal May, on its goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. In addition, for the Company’s Brazil reporting unit only, given the ongoing challenging economic environment, the negative performance trends and the Company’s reduced expectations regarding the future impact of its business growth strategies in the country, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment analysis at December 30, 2017. In performing the interim goodwill impairment analysis for its Brazil reporting unit, the Company recorded a $13,323 impairment charge at December 30, 2017. In performing its annual impairment analysis as of May 6, 2018 and May 7, 2017, the Company determined that the carrying amounts of its goodwill reporting units and franchise rights acquired with indefinite lives units of account did not exceed their respective fair values and therefore, no impairment existed. For all reporting units, except for Brazil, there was significant headroom in the impairment analysis. Based on the results of the Company’s annual impairment test performed for all of its reporting units except for Brazil, as of the December 29, 2018 balance sheet date, the Company estimated that for reporting units that hold approximately 97.0% of the Company’s goodwill, those units had a fair value at least 50% higher than the respective reporting unit’s carrying amount. Based on the results of the Company’s annual impairment test performed for its Brazil reporting unit, the fair value of this reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 10.0% and accordingly a relatively small change in the underlying assumptions would likely cause a change in the results of the impairment assessment and, as such, could result in an impairment of the goodwill related to Brazil, for which the carrying amount is $5,001. When determining fair value, the Company utilizes various assumptions, including projections of future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. A change in these underlying assumptions would cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the carrying amounts and result in an impairment of those assets. In the event such a result occurred, the Company would be required to record a corresponding charge, which would impact earnings. The Company would also be required to reduce the carrying amounts of the related assets on its balance sheet. The Company continues to evaluate these assumptions and believes that these assumptions are appropriate. The following is a discussion of the goodwill and franchise rights acquired impairment analysis. Goodwill In performing the impairment analysis for goodwill, the fair value for the Company’s reporting units is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. This approach involves projecting future cash flows attributable to the reporting unit and discounting those estimated cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting units. The Company has determined the appropriate reporting unit for purposes of assessing annual impairment to be the country for all reporting units. For all of the Company’s reporting units except for Brazil (see below), the Company estimated future cash flows by utilizing the historical debt-free cash flows (cash flows provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) attributable to that country and then applied expected future operating income growth rates for such country. The Company utilized operating income as the basis for measuring its potential growth because it believes it is the best indicator of the performance of its business. The Company then discounted the estimated future cash flows utilizing a discount rate which was calculated using the average cost of capital, which included the cost of equity and the cost of debt. The cost of equity was determined by combining a risk-free rate of return and a market risk premium for the Company’s peer group. The risk-free rate of return was determined based on the average rate of long-term U.S. Treasury securities. The market risk premium was determined by reviewing external market data. The cost of debt was determined by estimating the Company’s current borrowing rate. As it relates to the impairment analysis for Brazil, the Company estimated future debt free cash flows in contemplation of its growth strategies for that market. In developing these projections, the Company considered the historical impact of similar growth strategies in other markets as well as the current market conditions in Brazil. The Company then discounted the estimated future cash flows utilizing a discount rate which was calculated using the average cost of capital, which included the cost of equity and the cost of debt. The cost of equity was determined by combining a risk-free rate of return and a market risk premium for the Company’s peer group. The risk-free rate of return was determined based on the average rate of long-term U.S. Treasury securities. The market risk premium was determined by reviewing external market data including the current economic conditions in Brazil and the country specific risk thereon. A further risk premium was included to reflect the risk associated with the significantly higher growth rates projected in the May 7, 2017 annual impairment test. The cost of debt was determined by estimating the Company’s current borrowing rate. The book values of goodwill in the United States, Canada, Brazil and other countries at December 29, 2018 were $98,857, $39,300, $4,584 and $9,778, respectively, totaling $152,519 and the values at December 30, 2017 were $97,755, $42,634, $5,372 and $10,520, respectively, totaling $156,281. Franchise Rights Acquired Finite-lived franchise rights acquired are amortized over the remaining contractual period, which is generally less than one year. Indefinite-lived franchise rights acquired are tested on an annual basis for impairment. In performing the impairment analysis for indefinite-lived franchise rights acquired, the fair value for franchise rights acquired is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach referred to as the hypothetical start-up approach for franchise rights related to the Company’s Studio + Digital business and a relief from royalty methodology for franchise rights related to the Company’s Digital business. The aggregate estimated fair value for these rights is then compared to the carrying value of the unit of account for those franchise rights. The Company has determined the appropriate unit of account for purposes of assessing impairment to be the combination of the rights in both the Studio + Digital business and the Digital business in the country in which the acquisitions have occurred. The book values of these franchise rights in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand at December 29, 2018 were $671,914, $52,919, $11,441, $6,327 and $4,747, respectively, totaling $747,348 and the values at December 30, 2017 were $671,914, $57,408, $12,680, $7,018 and $5,020, respectively, totaling $754,040. In its hypothetical start-up approach analysis for fiscal 2018, the Company assumed that the year of maturity was reached after 7 years. Subsequent to the year of maturity, the Company estimated future cash flows for the Studio + Digital business in each country based on assumptions regarding revenue growth and operating income margins. The cash flows associated with the Digital business were based on the expected Digital revenue for such country and the application of a market-based royalty rate. The cash flows for the Studio + Digital and Digital businesses were discounted utilizing rates consistent with those utilized in the goodwill impairment analysis. Other Intangible Assets: Other finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years. The Company expenses all software costs (including website development costs) incurred during the preliminary project stage and capitalizes all internal and external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing software (including website development costs) once the development has reached the application development stage. Application development stage costs generally include software configuration, coding, installation to hardware and testing. These costs are amortized over their estimated useful life of 3 years for website development costs and from 3 to 5 years for all other software costs. All costs incurred for upgrades, maintenance and enhancements, including the cost of website content, which do not result in additional functionality, are expensed as incurred. Revenue Recognition: WW earns revenue from subscriptions for the Company’s digital products and by conducting workshops, for which it charges a fee, predominantly through commitment plans, prepayment plans or the “pay-as-you-go” arrangement. WW also earns revenue by selling consumer products (including publications) in its workshops, online through its ecommerce platform and to its franchisees, collecting commissions from franchisees, collecting royalties related to licensing agreements, selling magazine subscriptions, publishing, selling advertising space on its websites and in copies of its publications and By Mail product sales. Commitment plan revenues, prepaid workshop fees and magazine subscription revenue is recorded to deferred revenue and amortized into revenue as control is transferred over the period earned since these performance obligations are satisfied over time. Digital subscription revenues, consisting of the fees associated with subscriptions for the Company’s Digital products, including its Personal Coaching + Digital product, are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis as control is transferred over the subscription period. One-time Digital sign-up fees are considered immaterial in the context of the contract and the related revenue is recorded to deferred revenue and amortized into revenue over the commitment period. In the Studio + Digital business, WW generally charges non-refundable registration and starter fees in exchange for access to the Company’s digital subscription products, an introductory information session and materials it provides to new members. Revenue from these registration and starter fees is considered immaterial in the context of the contract and is recorded to deferred revenue and amortized into revenue over the commitment period. Revenue from “pay-as-you-go” workshop fees, consumer product sales and By Mail, commissions and royalties is recognized at the point in time control is transferred, which is when services are rendered, products are shipped to customers and title and risk of loss passes to the customers, and commissions and royalties are earned, respectively. Revenue from advertising in magazines is recognized when advertisements are published. Revenue from magazine sales is recognized when the magazine is sent to the customer. For revenue transactions that involve multiple performance obligations, the amount of revenue recognized is determined using the relative fair value approach, which is generally based on each performance obligation’s stand-alone selling price. Discounts to customers, including free registration offers, are recorded as a deduction from gross revenue in the period such revenue was recognized. Revenue from advertising on its websites is recognized when the advertisement is viewed by the user. The Company grants refunds in aggregate amounts that historically have not been material. Because the period of payment of the refund generally approximates the period revenue was originally recognized, refunds are recorded as a reduction of revenue over the same period. Advertising Costs: Advertising costs consist primarily of broadcast and digital media. All costs related to advertising are expensed in the period incurred, except for media production-related costs, which are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. Total advertising expenses for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, were $218,062, $193,423 and $186,614, respectively. Income Taxes: Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result primarily from temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which differences are expected to reverse. If it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. The Company considers historic levels of income, estimates of future taxable income and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a tax valuation allowance. The Company recognizes a benefit for uncertain tax positions when a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as part of the provision for income taxes on its consolidated statements of net income. In addition, assets and liabilities acquired in purchase business combinations are assigned their fair values and deferred taxes are provided for lower or higher tax bases. 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. An interest rate swap was 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 the interest rate swap 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 accumulated other comprehensive 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 swap is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss on its balance sheet. See Note 17 for a further discussion regarding the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap. The net effect of the interest payable and receivable under the Company’s interest rate swap is included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of net income. Deferred Financing Costs: Deferred financing costs consist of fees paid by the Company as part of the establishment, exchange and/or modification of the Company’s long-term debt. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company incurred fees of $53,832 (which includes $30,800 of a debt discount) in connection with the November 2017 debt refinancing (as described in Note 8). In addition, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10,524 in connection thereto. This early extinguishment of debt write-off was comprised of $5,716 of deferred financing fees paid in connection with the November 2017 debt refinancing and $4,808 of pre-existing deferred financing fees. During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 in connection with the prepayment of debt, the Company wrote-off deferred financing fees of $618, incurred fees of $305 and recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $1,554, inclusive of these fees. Amortization expense for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $8,539, $6,112 and $6,116, respectively. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss includes changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and the effects of foreign currency translations. At December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the cumulative balance of changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes, was $1,175, $5,392 and $16,002, respectively. At December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the cumulative balance of the effects of foreign currency translations, net of taxes, was $14,582, $5,075 and $11,118, respectively.

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