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CREDIT FACILITY AND DEBT COVENANTS, LONG-TERM DEBT, AND FINANCING LEASE OBLIGATIONS
12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Credit Facility, Long-Term Debt and Debt Covenants Disclosure [Text Block]

(7) CREDIT FACILITY AND DEBT COVENANTS, AND FINANCING LEASE OBLIGATIONS

On December 2, 2016 (the “Effective Date”), Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Loan Agreement (the “First Loan Agreement”) among the Company and Minwood Partners, Inc., as borrowers, and Venture Bank, as lender (the “Lender”). Also on the Effective Date, the Company entered into a loan agreement providing among the Company, as lead borrower, certain of its affiliates also as borrowers, and the Lender for two additional loans (the “Second Loan Agreement”).

The First Loan Agreement provides for a loan from the Lender to the borrowers set forth therein in the principal amount of $3.7 million and is evidenced by a promissory note (the “First Note”) executed and delivered by the borrowers to the Lender on the Effective Date. The First Note has a maturity date of December 2, 2026 and shall be paid in monthly installments of principal and interest based on a twenty-year amortization period. Interest per annum shall be at a rate of 4.25% for years 1 through 5 and for years 6 through the end of the term LIBOR rate plus 375 basis points, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Lender, as further set forth therein. The First Note may be prepaid, subject to certain prepayment premiums, provided, however, that during any calendar year the borrowers may prepay principal of up to 20% of the original principal amount without paying a prepayment premium.

Proceeds from the First Loan Agreement were used to repay the Company’s debt to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and to pay certain other costs approved by the Lender.

The First Loan Agreement is secured by a mortgage and security agreement and fixture financing statement (the “First Mortgage”) granting to the Lender a security interest in and title to certain real property in the state of Minnesota and as more fully described therein.

The First Loan Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and financial and other covenants and conditions, including, among other things, minimum debt service coverage ratio and a post-closing covenant to obtain certain letters of credit. The First Loan Agreement also places certain restrictions on, among other things, the borrowers’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to use funds for purposes other than as stated therein, to sell or otherwise dispose of assets and to expand on or erect any new material improvements, as such term is defined therein.

In addition, the First Loan Agreement contains events of default (subject to certain materiality thresholds and grace periods), including, without limitation, payment defaults; breaches of covenants; breaches of representations and warranties; failure to perform remediation of any environmental matters on the mortgaged property, as set forth in the First Mortgage; failure to perform or observe the covenants, conditions or terms of the First Loan Agreement and related agreements; certain bankruptcy events of the borrowers and failure to timely provide financial statements.

The Second Loan Agreement provides for two separate loans from the Lender to the borrowers set forth therein in the aggregate principal amount of $7.3 million, one in the principal amount of $6.3 million (“Loan 2”) and the other in the principal amount of $1.0 million (“Loan 3”). Loan 2 is evidenced by a promissory note in the principal amount of $6.3 million (the “Second Note”). The Second Note has a maturity date of December 2, 2023 and shall be paid in monthly installments of principal and interest based on a seven-year amortization period. Interest per annum shall be at a rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus 325 basis points (each of such terms as defined in the Second Note), subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Lender and as further set forth therein. The Second Note may be prepaid at any time without incurring a prepayment premium.

 

Loan 3 is evidenced by a promissory note in the principal amount of $1.0 million (the “Third Note”). The Third Note has a maturity date of December 2, 2019 and shall first be paid in monthly installments of the interest then accrued on the principal balance and then in full on the maturity date. Interest per annum shall be at a rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus 325 basis points (each of such terms as defined in the Third Note), subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Lender, as further set forth therein. The Third Note may be prepaid at any time without incurring a prepayment premium.

Proceeds from the Second Loan Agreement were used to repay the Company’s debt to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, with the remainder to be used as a line of credit as working capital for borrowers’ business and pay certain other costs approved by the Lender.

Loan 2 is secured by a mortgage dated as of the Effective Date (the “Second Mortgage”) which is subordinate to the First Mortgage, a security interest in substantially all of the personal property of the borrowers pursuant to a security agreement dated as of the Effective Date (the “Security Agreement”) and a pledge of certain certificates of deposit pursuant to a pledge agreement also dated as of the Effective Date (the “Pledge Agreement”). Loan 3 is secured by a security interest on substantially all of the personal property of the borrowers pursuant to the Security Agreement and a pledge of certain certificates of deposit pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.

The Second Loan Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and financial and other covenants and conditions, including, among other things, minimum debt service coverage ratio and a post-closing covenant to obtain certain letters of credit. The Second Loan Agreement also places certain restrictions on, among other things, the borrowers’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, to use funds for purposes other than as stated therein, to create liens or other encumbrances, to sell or otherwise dispose of assets and to expand on or erect any new material improvements, as such term is defined therein.

In addition, the Second Loan Agreement contains events of default (subject to certain materiality thresholds and grace periods), including, without limitation, payment defaults; breaches of covenants; breaches of representations and warranties; failure to perform remediation of any environmental matters on the mortgaged property, as set forth in the Second Mortgage; failure to perform or observe the covenants, conditions or terms of the Second Loan Agreement and related agreements; certain bankruptcy events of the borrowers and failure to timely provide financial statements. If an event of default were to occur, the Lender has the right to call the debt prior to expiration.

On December 2, 2016, the Company refinanced approximately $9.9 million from borrowings under the First Loan Agreement and Second Loan Agreement to fund repayment of certain outstanding amounts under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 8, 2015, as amended (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the Company and its subsidiaries and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent on behalf of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement. For a period of up to 45 days following December 2, 2016, one letter of credit in the amount of $625,000 and a related cash collateral pledge remained outstanding under the Credit Agreement. Other than this letter of credit and related pledge, as well as certain breakage and treasury service management fees, the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement were terminated on December 2, 2016. At January 1, 2017, the Company had $1.0 million of additional borrowing capacity in Loan 3.

The weighted average interest rate of the First, Second and Third notes for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 was 4.0%. The weighted average interest rate of the Term Loans for fiscal years ended January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016 was 3.69% and 2.66%, respectively.

As of January 1, 2017, we were in compliance with all of our covenants.  

If, in the event of a default, the Lender were to call the debt prior to expiration, the Company believes there are multiple options available to obtain other sources of financing.  Although possibly at different terms, the Company believes there would be other lenders available and willing to finance a new credit facility. However, if replacement financing were unavailable to us, termination of the Facility without adequate replacement would have a material and adverse impact on our ability to continue our business operations. 

We expect to use any borrowings under the Credit Agreement for general working capital purchases as needed. 

(in thousands)January 1,January 3,
20172016
Notes Payable - Wells Fargo - minimum monthly
installments of $150 until December 31, 2018, followed
by a balloon payment of approximately $6,750 plus interest. $---$12,000
First Note - Venture Bank - monthly installments of
principal and interest until December 2, 20263,700---
Second Note - Venture Bank - monthly
payments of principal and interest until December 2, 20236,300---
Less: deferred financing fees(234)(80)
Less: current maturities(917)(1,800)
Long-term debt net of current maturities$8,849$10,120

Required principal payments on long-term debt are as follows:

(in thousands)
Fiscal Year
2017$917
2018954
2019993
20201,120
2021988
Thereafter5,028
Total$10,000

Financing Lease Obligation

On March 31, 1999, the Company completed a $4.5 million financing obligation involving three existing restaurants as part of a sale/leaseback transaction. Under this financing, we are obligated to make monthly payments of $56,627 (which increases 4.04% every two years) for a minimum of 20 years. At the end of the 20 year lease term, we may extend the lease for up to two additional five year terms. We also have the option to purchase the leased restaurants on the 20th anniversary of the lease term and between the first and second five year option terms. The option purchase price is the greater of $4.5 million or the fair market value, as defined in the agreement, of the properties at the time the purchase option is exercised. Based upon our continued involvement in the leased property and its purchase option, the transaction has been accounted for as a financing arrangement. Accordingly, the three existing restaurants are included in property, equipment and leasehold improvements, and are being depreciated over a 20 year term. In addition, as the monthly lease payments are made, the obligation will be reduced by the 20 year amortization table.

Financing lease obligations consisted of the following at:

(in thousands)January 1,January 3,
20172016
Financing lease – Spirit Financial – monthly installments of $54-$59 – including an interest rate of 9.63%, due in March 2019.$2,757$3,150
Less: deferred financing fees(23)(33)
Less: current maturities(454)(393)
Long-term financing lease net of current maturities$2,280$2,724

Required future minimum payments under our financing leases are as follows:

(in thousands)
Fiscal Year
2017$700
2018707
20191,838
Total minimum payments$3,245
Imputed interest component of minimum payments(488)
Total financing lease payable$2,757