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THE COMPANY AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2012
THE COMPANY AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
THE COMPANY AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 1—THE COMPANY AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        AMC Entertainment Inc. ("AMCE" or the "Company") is an intermediate holding company, which, through its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including American Multi-Cinema, Inc. ("AMC") and its subsidiaries, and AMC Entertainment International, Inc. ("AMCEI") and its subsidiaries (collectively with AMCE, unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company"), is principally involved in the theatrical exhibition business and owns, operates or has interests in theatres located in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. The Company's theatrical exhibition business is conducted through AMC and its subsidiaries and AMCEI.

        AMCE is a wholly owned subsidiary of AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. ("Parent"), which is owned by J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC and certain related investment funds ("JPMP"), Apollo Management, L.P. and certain related investment funds ("Apollo"), affiliates of Bain Capital Partners ("Bain"), The Carlyle Group ("Carlyle") and Spectrum Equity Investors ("Spectrum") (collectively the "Sponsors").

        On March 31, 2011, Marquee Holdings Inc. ("Holdings"), a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent and a holding company, the sole asset of which consisted of the capital stock of AMCE, was merged with and into Parent, with Parent continuing as the surviving entity. As a result of the merger, AMCE became a direct subsidiary of Parent.

        Use of Estimates:    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to: (1) Impairments, (2) Film exhibition costs, (3) Income and operating taxes, (4) Theatre and Other Closure Expense (Income), and (5) Gift card and packaged ticket breakage. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

        Principles of Consolidation:    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMCE and all subsidiaries, as discussed above. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. There are no noncontrolling (minority) interests in the Company's consolidated subsidiaries; consequently, all of its stockholder's equity, net earnings (loss) and comprehensive earnings (loss) for the periods presented are attributable to controlling interests.

        Fiscal Year:    The Company has a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Thursday closest to the last day of March. Fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010 reflect 52 week periods.

        Revenues:    Revenues are recognized when admissions and concessions sales are received at the theatres. The Company defers 100% of the revenue associated with the sales of gift cards and packaged tickets until such time as the items are redeemed or breakage income is recorded. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company changed its accounting method for recognizing gift card breakage income. Prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company recognized breakage income when gift card redemptions were deemed remote and the Company determined that there was no legal obligation to remit the unredeemed gift cards to the relevant tax jurisdiction ("Remote Method"), which based on historical information the Company concluded to be 18 months after the gift card was issued. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company accumulated a sufficient level of historical data from a large pool of homogeneous transactions to allow management to reasonably and objectively determine an estimated gift card breakage rate and the pattern of actual gift card redemptions. Accordingly, the Company changed its method for recording gift card breakage income to recognize breakage income and derecognize the gift card liability for unredeemed gift cards in proportion to actual redemptions of gift cards ("Proportional Method"). Breakage for packaged tickets continues to be recognized as the redemption of these items is determined to be remote, that is if a ticket has not been used within 18 months after being purchased. During fiscal 2012, the Company recognized $32,633,000 of net gift card breakage income, of which $14,969,000 represented the adjustment related to the change from the Remote Method to the Proportional Method. Additionally, concurrent with the accounting change discussed above, the Company changed the presentation of gift card breakage income from other income to other theatre revenues during fiscal 2012, with conforming changes made for all prior periods presented. During the fiscal years ended March 29, 2012, March 31, 2011 and April 1, 2010, the Company recognized $32,633,000, $14,131,000 and $13,591,000 of income, respectively, related to the derecognition of gift card liabilities which was recorded in other theatre revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refer to Note 2—Accounting Changes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        Film Exhibition Costs:    Film exhibition costs are accrued based on the applicable box office receipts and estimates of the final settlement to the film licenses. Film exhibition costs include certain advertising costs. As of March 29, 2012 and March 31, 2011, the Company recorded film payables of $76,997,000 and $62,598,000, respectively, which is included in accounts payable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        Concession Costs:    The Company records payments from vendors as a reduction of concession costs when earned unless it is determined that the payment was for the fair value of services provided to the vendor where the benefit to the vendor is sufficiently separable from the Company's purchase of the vendor's products. In the latter instance, revenue is recorded when and if the consideration received is in excess of fair value, which excess is recorded as a reduction of concession costs. In addition, if the payment from the vendor is for a reimbursement of expenses, then those expenses are offset.

        Screen Advertising:    On March 29, 2005, the Company and Regal Entertainment Group combined their respective cinema screen advertising businesses into a new joint venture company called National CineMedia, LLC ("NCM") and on July 15, 2005, Cinemark Holdings, Inc. ("Cinemark") joined NCM, as one of the founding members. NCM engages in the marketing and sale of cinema advertising and promotions products, business communications and training services and the distribution of digital alternative content. The Company records its share of on-screen advertising revenues generated by NCM in other theatre revenues.

        Guest Frequency Program:    On April 1, 2011, the Company fully launched AMC Stubs, a guest frequency program which allows members to earn rewards, including $10 for each $100 spent, redeemable on future purchases at AMC locations. The portion of the admissions and concessions revenues attributed to the rewards is deferred as a reduction of admissions and concessions revenues, based on member redemptions. Rewards must be redeemed no later than 90 days from the date of issuance. Upon redemption, deferred rewards are recognized as revenues along with associated cost of goods. Rewards not redeemed within 90 days are forfeited and recognized as admissions or concessions revenues based on original point of sale. The program's annual membership fee is deferred, net of estimated refunds, and is recognized ratably over the one-year membership period.

        Advertising Costs:    The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred and does not have any direct-response advertising recorded as assets. Advertising costs were $10,208,000, $6,723,000 and $9,103,000 for the periods ended March 29, 2012, March 31, 2011 and April 1, 2010, respectively, and are recorded in operating expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        Cash and Equivalents:    Under the Company's cash management system, checks issued but not presented to banks frequently result in book overdraft balances for accounting purposes and are classified within accounts payable in the balance sheet. The change in book overdrafts are reported as a component of operating cash flows for accounts payable as they do not represent bank overdrafts. The amount of these checks included in accounts payable as of March 29, 2012 and March 31, 2011 was $49,338,000 and $54,619,000, respectively. All highly liquid debt instruments and investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents.

        Intangible Assets:    Intangible assets are recorded at cost or fair value, in the case of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions, and are comprised of lease rights, amounts assigned to theatre leases acquired under favorable terms, guest frequency program intangible asset, management contracts, trademarks and trade names, each of which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives of the assets except for the guest frequency program intangible asset, the AMC trademark and the Kerasotes trade names. The guest frequency program intangible asset is amortized over eight years based upon the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are expected to be consumed or otherwise used up. This pattern indicates that over 2/3rds of the cash flow generated from the asset is derived during the first five years. The AMC trademark and Kerasotes trade names are considered indefinite lived intangible assets, and therefore are not amortized but rather evaluated for impairment annually. In fiscal 2011, the Company impaired favorable lease intangible assets in the amount of $1,334,000.

        Investments:    The Company accounts for its investments in non-consolidated entities using either the cost or equity methods of accounting as appropriate, and has recorded the investments within other long-term assets in its Consolidated Balance Sheets and records equity in earnings and losses of those entities accounted for following the equity method of accounting within equity in earnings of non-consolidated entities in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company follows the guidance in ASC 323-30-35-3, which prescribes the use of the equity method for investments where the Company has significant influence. The Company classifies gains and losses on sales of and changes of interest in equity method investments within equity in earnings of non-consolidated entities or in separate line items on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations when material, and classifies gains and losses on sales of investments accounted for using the cost method in investment income. Gains and losses on cash sales are recorded using the weighted average cost of all interests in the investments. Gains and losses related to non-cash negative common unit adjustments are recorded using the weighted average cost of those units accounted for as Tranche 2 Investments in NCM which were received in connection with prior common unit adjustments. See Note 7—Investments for further discussion of the Company's investments in NCM. As of March 29, 2012, the Company holds equity method investments comprised of a 15.47% interest in NCM, a joint venture that markets and sells cinema advertising and promotions; a 26.22% interest in Movietickets.com, a joint venture that provides moviegoers with a way to buy movie tickets online, access local showtime information, view trailers and read reviews; a 29% interest in Digital Cinema Implementation Partners LLC, a joint venture charged with implementing digital cinema in the Company's theatres; a 50% ownership interest in two U.S. motion picture theatres and one IMAX screen; and a 50% interest in Midland Empire Partners, LLC, a joint venture developing live and film entertainment venues in the Power & Light District of Kansas City, Missouri. During fiscal 2011, the Company formed a motion picture distribution company, Open Road Films, and holds a 50% ownership interest. At March 29, 2012, the Company's recorded investments are less than its proportional ownership of the underlying equity in these entities by approximately $13,675,000, excluding NCM. Included in equity in earnings of non-consolidated entities for the 52 weeks ended March 29, 2012 is an impairment charge of $2,742,000 related to a joint venture investment that was considered to be other than a temporary decline in value. Included in equity in earnings of non-consolidated entities for the 52 weeks ended March 31, 2011 is an impairment charge of $8,825,000 related to a joint venture investment in Midland Empire Partners, LLC. The decline in the fair market value of the investment was considered other than temporary due to inadequate projected future cash flows.

        The Company's investment in RealD Inc. is an available-for-sale marketable equity security and is carried at fair value (Level 1). Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. See Note 7—Investments for further discussion of the Company's investment in RealD Inc.

        Goodwill:    Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets related to acquisitions. The Company is not required to amortize goodwill as a charge to earnings; however, the Company is required to conduct an annual review of goodwill for impairment.

        The Company's recorded goodwill was $1,923,667,000 as of March 29, 2012 and March 31, 2011. The Company evaluates goodwill and its trademarks for impairment annually as of the beginning of the fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently as specific events or circumstances dictate. The Company's goodwill is recorded in its Theatrical Exhibition operating segment, which is also the reporting unit for purposes of evaluating recorded goodwill for impairment. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value the Company is required to reallocate the fair value of the reporting unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The Company performed its annual impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and elected to early adopt Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Testing Goodwill for Impairment, ("ASU 2011-08") in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Under this amendment, the Company has an option to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test, as described in ASC 350-20. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company assessed qualitative factors and reached a determination that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the Company's reporting unit is less than its carrying value, and therefore, no impairment charge was incurred.

        During fiscal 2011, the Company determined fair value by using an enterprise valuation methodology determined by applying multiples to cash flow estimates less net indebtedness, which the Company believes is an appropriate method to estimate fair value. There is considerable management judgment with respect to cash flow estimates and appropriate multiples and discount rates to be used in determining fair value and such management estimates fall under Level 3 within the fair value measurement hierarchy, see Note 16—Fair Value Measurements.

        Other Long-term Assets:    Other long-term assets are comprised principally of investments in partnerships and joint ventures, costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt securities, which are being amortized to interest expense over the respective lives of the issuances, and capitalized computer software, which is amortized over the estimated useful life of the software.

        Leases:    The majority of the Company's operations are conducted in premises occupied under lease agreements with initial base terms ranging generally from 15 to 20 years, with certain leases containing options to extend the leases for up to an additional 20 years. The Company does not believe that exercise of the renewal options are reasonably assured at the inception of the lease agreements and, therefore, considers the initial base term as the lease term. Lease terms vary but generally the leases provide for fixed and escalating rentals, contingent escalating rentals based on the Consumer Price Index not to exceed certain specified amounts and contingent rentals based on revenues with a guaranteed minimum.

        The Company records rent expense for its operating leases on a straight-line basis over the base term of the lease agreements commencing with the date the Company has "control and access" to the leased premises, which is generally a date prior to the "lease commencement date" in the lease agreement. Rent expense related to any "rent holiday" is recorded as operating expense, until construction of the leased premises is complete and the premises are ready for their intended use. Rent charges upon completion of the leased premises subsequent to the theatre opening date are expensed as a component of rent expense.

        Occasionally, the Company will receive amounts from developers in excess of the costs incurred related to the construction of the leased premises. The Company records the excess amounts received from developers as deferred rent and amortizes the balance as a reduction to rent expense over the base term of the lease agreement.

        The Company evaluates the classification of its leases following the guidance in ASC 840-10-25. Leases that qualify as capital leases are recorded at the present value of the future minimum rentals over the base term of the lease using the Company's incremental borrowing rate. Capital lease assets are assigned an estimated useful life at the inception of the lease that generally corresponds with the base term of the lease.

        Occasionally, the Company is responsible for the construction of leased theatres and for paying project costs that are in excess of an agreed upon amount to be reimbursed from the developer. ASC 840-40-05-5 requires the Company to be considered the owner (for accounting purposes) of these types of projects during the construction period and therefore is required to account for these projects as sale and leaseback transactions. As a result, the Company has recorded $40,655,000 and $42,190,000 as financing lease obligations for failed sale leaseback transactions on its Consolidated Balance Sheets related to these types of projects as of March 29, 2012 and March 31, 2011, respectively.

        Sale and Leaseback Transactions:    The Company accounts for the sale and leaseback of real estate assets in accordance with ASC 840-40. Losses on sale leaseback transactions are recognized at the time of sale if the fair value of the property sold is less than the undepreciated cost of the property. Gains on sale and leaseback transactions are deferred and amortized over the remaining base term of the lease.

        Impairment of Long-lived Assets:    The Company reviews long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangibles, investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries accounted for under the equity method, marketable equity securities and internal use software for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. The Company identifies impairments related to internal use software when management determines that the remaining carrying value of the software will not be realized through future use. The Company reviews internal management reports on a quarterly basis as well as monitors current and potential future competition in the markets where it operates for indicators of triggering events or circumstances that indicate potential impairment of individual theatre assets. The Company evaluates theatres using historical and projected data of theatre level cash flow as its primary indicator of potential impairment and considers the seasonality of its business when making these evaluations. The Company performs impairment analysis during the fourth quarter because Christmas and New Year's holiday results comprise a significant portion of the Company's operating cash flow and the actual results from this period, which are available during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, are an integral part of the impairment analysis. Under these analyses, if the sum of the estimated future cash flows, undiscounted and without interest charges, are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value. Assets are evaluated for impairment on an individual theatre basis, which management believes is the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows. The impairment evaluation is based on the estimated cash flows from continuing use until the expected disposal date for the fair value of furniture, fixtures and equipment. The expected disposal date does not exceed the remaining lease period unless it is probable the lease period will be extended and may be less than the remaining lease period when the Company does not expect to operate the theatre to the end of its lease term. The fair value of assets is determined as either the expected selling price less selling costs (where appropriate) or the present value of the estimated future cash flows. The fair value of furniture, fixtures and equipment has been determined using similar asset sales and in some instances with the assistance of third party valuation studies. The discount rate used in determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows was based on management's expected return on assets during fiscal 2012.

        There is considerable management judgment necessary to determine the estimated future cash flows and fair values of the Company's theatres and other long-lived assets, and, accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates which fall under Level 3 within the fair value measurement hierarchy, see Note 16—Fair Value Measurements. During fiscal 2012, the Company recognized non-cash impairment losses of $20,788,000 related to long-term assets. The Company recognized an impairment loss of $285,000 on three theatres with 33 screens (in Arkansas, Maryland and Utah), which was related to property, net. The Company adjusted the carrying value of a joint venture investment, resulting in an impairment charge of $2,742,000. The Company also adjusted the carrying value of a common stock investment in RealD Inc., resulting in an impairment charge of $17,751,000.

        Impairment losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations are included in the following captions:

(In thousands)
  52 weeks
Ended
March 29,
2012
  52 weeks
Ended
March 31,
2011
  52 weeks
Ended
April 1,
2010
 

Impairment of long-lived assets

  $ 285   $ 12,779   $ 3,765  

Equity in (earnings) losses of non-consolidated entities

    2,742     8,825      

Investment loss (income)

    17,751          
               

Total impairment losses

  $ 20,778   $ 21,604   $ 3,765  
               

        Foreign Currency Translation:    Operations outside the United States are generally measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange. The resultant translation adjustments are included in foreign currency translation adjustment, a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, except those intercompany transactions of a long-term investment nature, are included in net earnings (loss).

        Stock-based Compensation:    AMCE has no stock-based compensation arrangements of its own; however its parent, AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. has granted stock options and restricted stock awards. The options and restricted stock have been accounted for using the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation arrangements, and the Company has valued the options using the Black-Scholes formula and has elected to use the simplified method for estimating the expected term of "plain vanilla" share option grants as it does not have enough historical experience to provide a reasonable estimate. See Note 10—Stockholder's Equity for further information.

        Income and Operating Taxes:    The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740-10. Under ASC 740-10, deferred income tax effects of transactions reported in different periods for financial reporting and income tax return purposes are recorded by the asset and liability method. This method gives consideration to the future tax consequences of deferred income or expense items and recognizes changes in income tax laws in the period of enactment. The statement of operations effect is generally derived from changes in deferred income taxes on the balance sheet.

        The Company and Parent file a consolidated federal income tax return and combined income tax returns in certain state jurisdictions. Income taxes are allocated based on separate Company computations of income or loss. Tax sharing arrangements are in place and utilized when tax benefits from affiliates in the consolidated group are used to offset what would otherwise be taxable income generated by the Parent or another affiliate.

        Casualty Insurance:    For fiscal 2012, the Company was self-insured for general liability up to $500,000 per occurrence and carried a $400,000 deductible limit per occurrence for workers compensation claims. Effective April 1, 2011, the Company is self-insured for general liability up to $1,000,000 per occurrence and carries a $500,000 deductible limit per occurrence for workers compensation claims. The Company utilizes actuarial projections of its ultimate losses to calculate its reserves and expense. The actuarial method includes an allowance for adverse developments on known claims and an allowance for claims which have been incurred but which have not yet been reported. As of March 29, 2012 and March 31, 2011, the Company had recorded casualty insurance reserves of $15,163,000 and $14,420,000, respectively, net of estimated insurance recoveries. The Company recorded expenses related to general liability and workers compensation claims of $12,900,000, $12,398,000 and $11,363,000 for the periods ended March 29, 2012, March 31, 2011 and April 1, 2010, respectively.

        Other Expense:    The following table sets forth the components of other expense:

 
  Fifty-two Weeks Ended  
(In thousands)
  March 29, 2012   March 31, 2011   April 1, 2010  

Loss on redemption of 85/8% Senior Notes due 2012

  $   $   $ 11,276  

Loss on redemption of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016

        24,332      

Loss on redemption and modification of Senior Secured Credit Facility

    383     3,656      

Loss on redemption of 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

    640          

Other expense (income)

    379     (141 )   (244 )
               

Other expense

  $ 1,402   $ 27,847   $ 11,032  
               

        New Accounting Pronouncements:    In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Testing Goodwill for Impairment. Under this amendment, an entity will have an option to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. ASU 2011-08 will be effective for the goodwill impairment test performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2011-08 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and the adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of operations. For further information, see Goodwill within Note 1—The Company and Significant Accounting Policies.

        In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)—Presentation of Comprehensive Income, ("ASU 2011-05"). This ASU provides companies with an option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two-separate but consecutive statements. This ASU will eliminate the option of presenting the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholder's equity. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)—Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-05, ("ASU 2011-12"), which defers the requirement within ASU 2011-05 to present on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. During the deferral entities should continue to report reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income consistent with the presentation requirements in effect prior to the issuance of ASU 2011-05. ASU 2011-05 and the deferrals in ASU 2011-12 will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 with retrospective application required. The Company will adopt these accounting standard updates as of the beginning of fiscal 2013 and include the presentation requirements in its consolidated financial statements as of the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

        In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820)—Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, ("ASU 2011-04"). This ASU will require disclosures regarding transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, disclosures about the sensitivity of a fair value measurement categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, and the categorization by level of the fair value hierarchy for items that are not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position, but for which the fair value of such items is required to be disclosed. ASU 2011-04 will be effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is effective for the Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2013. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company will include the disclosures required in its notes to its consolidated financial statements, effective in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013.