The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic has significantly impacted the Company’s business, and public concerns about the spread of COVID-19 continue to be widespread. The Company experienced a significant reduction in guest traffic at its restaurants as a result of restrictions mandated by state and local governments and temporary closure of several restaurants and the shift in operations to provide only take-out and delivery service. Starting in May 2020, state and local governments began easing restrictions on stay-at-home orders; however, certain states have reimposed restrictions as COVID-19 cases increased during the fall of 2020. Currently, all domestic Company-owned restaurants are open for outdoor dining or in-person dining with seating capacity restrictions. Certain of the Company’s managed and licensed venues internationally are temporarily closed or on to-go/delivery only due to COVID-19. The Company has taken significant steps to adapt its business to increase sales while providing a safe environment for guests and employees.

In response to these conditions, and out of concern for its customers and partners, the Company has implemented enhanced safety measures and sanitation procedures to allow for in-person dining at its restaurants. As the Company navigates through the pandemic, it has also implemented measures to reduce its costs including the deferral of capital projects and negotiations with suppliers and landlords regarding deferral or abatement of payments.

Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company cannot reasonably predict when its restaurants will be able to return to normal dining room operations. The Company expects that its results of operations could be materially and negatively affected by COVID-19 in 2021. The Company’s resumption of normal dining operations is subject to events beyond its control, including the effectiveness of governmental efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial results of Kona Grill have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition on October 4, 2019.

The Company consolidates entities in which it has a controlling financial interest, the usual condition of which is ownership of a majority voting interest. The Company also considers for consolidation an entity in which it has certain interests, where the controlling financial interest may be achieved through arrangements that do not involve voting interests. Such an entity, known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”), is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that possesses the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that are significant to it.

The Company evaluates its investments for impairment whenever an event or change in circumstances occurs that may have a significant adverse impact on the fair value of the investment. If a loss in value has occurred and is deemed to be other than temporary, an impairment loss is recorded. Several factors are reviewed to determine whether a loss has occurred that is other than temporary, including the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, the length and extent of the fair value decline, and the financial condition and future prospects of the investee. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a non-cash write down of $2.7 million related to its investments. Refer to Note 9 – Nonconsolidated Variable Interest Entities for additional information regarding the Company’s investments and related impairment.

Prior Period Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of the 2019 amounts in the accrued expenses and segment reporting footnotes have been made to conform to the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions for the reporting period and as of the reporting date. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Business Combination

On October 4, 2019, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Kona Grill, which was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Standard Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations. Acquired assets and assumed liabilities were assigned fair values based on widely accepted valuation techniques, in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The process for estimating fair values in many cases requires the use of significant estimates, assumptions and judgments, including determining the timing and estimates of future cash flows and developing appropriate discount rates. Unanticipated events or circumstances may occur which could affect the accuracy of the Company’s fair value estimates, including assumptions regarding industry economic factors and business strategies.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Assets and liabilities are valued based upon observable and non-observable inputs. Valuations using Level 1 inputs are based on unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs utilize significant other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly. Valuations using Level 3 inputs are based on significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. There were no significant transfers between levels during any period presented.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash on hand and highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and at the restaurants as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Accounts Receivable

The majority of the Company’s receivables arise primarily from credit cards, management agreements, trade customers and other reimbursable amounts due from hotel operators where the Company operates a food and beverage service. The Company determines an allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, previous loss and payment history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole. The Company has not reserved any trade receivables as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Inventory

Inventories, which consist of food, liquor and other beverages, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first in, first out method. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs to sell. The Company has not reserved any inventory as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Property and Equipment

Additions to property and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are recorded at cost. Costs incurred to repair and maintain the Company’s operations and equipment are expensed as incurred. Restaurant smallwares are capitalized during the initial year of operation of a particular restaurant. All restaurant supplies purchased subsequent to the first year are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost of the assets and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on retirements is reflected in operating income in the year of disposition.

After the asset has been placed into service, depreciation is based on the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line method for financial statement purposes. Computers and equipment as well as furniture and fixtures are depreciated over their useful lives from three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining term of the associated lease. Lease terms begin on the date the Company takes possession under the lease and include option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the “Kona Grill” trade name. The “Kona Grill” tradename is amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life of 20 years. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the gross carrying amount of the tradename intangible was $17.4 million. The accumulated amortization of the tradename was $1.1 million and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and the amortization expense was $0.9 million and $0.2 million for the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company’s estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is approximately $0.9 million annually.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of these assets may not be fully recoverable. The impairment evaluation is generally performed at the individual venue asset group level. Recoverability of restaurant assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an individual restaurant’s assets to the estimated identifiable undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by those restaurant assets. If the carrying amount of an individual restaurant’s assets exceeds its estimated, identifiable, undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined by discounting a restaurant’s identifiable future cash flows.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not identify any event or changes in circumstances that indicated that the carrying values of its restaurant assets were impaired.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense based on the term of the related debt agreement using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. The Company has recorded debt issuance costs as an offset to long-term debt, net of current portion on the consolidated balance sheets.

Income Taxes

The Company computes income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes, using the enacted statutory rate in effect for the year these differences are expected to be taxable or refunded. Deferred income tax expenses or credits are based on the changes in the asset or liability, respectively, from period to period. A deferred tax asset or liability is recognized whenever there are future tax effects from existing temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset or liability could be realized in a greater or lesser amount than recorded, the deferred tax asset or liability is adjusted and a corresponding adjustment is made to the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income in the period during which the determination is made.

The Company reduces its deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if it determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of these tax assets will not be realized. In making this determination, the Company considers various qualitative and quantitative factors, such as:

the level of historical taxable income;

the projection of future taxable income over periods in which the deferred tax assets would be deductible;

events within the restaurant industry;

the health of the economy; and,

historical trending.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company released approximately $10.3 million of its valuation allowance based on an assessment of the realizability of its deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2020, the remaining valuation allowance of $0.3 million relates to foreign tax credits the Company does not expect to utilize as a result of generating income in a jurisdiction with a higher income tax rate than the U.S. The recording of deferred taxes requires significant management judgment regarding the interpretation of applicable statutes, the status of various income tax audits, and particular facts and circumstances.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it determines that it is more-likely-than-not that the position would be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. If the Company derecognizes an uncertain tax position, the Company’s policy is to record any applicable interest and penalties within the (benefit) provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is derived from restaurant sales, management services and license related operations.

The Company recognizes restaurant revenues, net of discounts, when goods and services are provided. Sales tax amounts collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from net revenue.

Management agreements typically call for a management fee based on a percentage of revenue, a monthly marketing fee based on a percentage of revenues and an incentive fee based on a managed venue’s net profits. Similarly, royalties from the licensee in license agreements are generally based on a percentage of the licensed restaurant’s revenue. These management, license and incentive fees are recognized as revenue in the period the restaurant’s sales occur.

The Company recognizes initial licensing fees and upfront fees related to management and license agreements on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement as a component of management, license and incentive fee revenue on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The Company has a loyalty program for Kona Grill to encourage customers to frequent its restaurants. The loyalty rewards program awards a customer one point for every dollar spent. When a customer is part of the rewards program, the obligation to provide future discounts related to points earned is considered a separate performance obligation, to which a portion of the transaction price is allocated. The performance obligation related to loyalty points is deemed to have been satisfied, and the amount deferred in the balance sheet is recognized as revenue, when the points are converted to a reward and redeemed, or the likelihood of redemption is remote. A portion of the transaction price is allocated to loyalty points, if necessary, on a pro-rata basis, based on the stand-alone selling price, as determined by menu pricing and loyalty points terms. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019 the deferred revenue allocated to loyalty points that have not been redeemed is $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, which is recorded as a component of accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company expects the loyalty points to be redeemed and recognized over a one-year period.

Gift Cards

Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue when redeemed by the holder. There are no expiration dates on the Company’s gift cards and the Company does not charge any service fees that would result in a decrease to a customer’s available balance.

Although the Company will continue to honor all gift cards presented for payment, it may determine the likelihood of redemption to be remote for certain gift cards due to, among other things, long periods of inactivity. In these circumstances, to the extent the Company determines there is no requirement for remitting balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws, outstanding gift card balances may then be recognized as breakage in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income as a component of owned restaurant net revenue. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $1.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in revenue from gift card breakage.

Pre-opening Costs

Pre-opening costs for Company owned restaurants are expensed as incurred prior to a restaurant opening for business. Pre-opening costs for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses the cost of advertising and promotions as incurred. Advertising expense amounted to $2.5 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Leases

Contracts are evaluated to determine whether they contain a lease at inception. The Company’s contracts determined to be or contain a lease include explicitly or implicitly identified assets where the Company has the right to substantially all of the economic benefits of the assets and has the ability to direct how and for what purpose the assets are used during the lease term. Leases are classified as either operating or financing. If it is determined that the contract contains an operating lease, a right-of-use asset and operating lease liability are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. A right-of-use asset represents the Company’s right to use the underlying asset and the lease liability represents the Company’s contractually obligated payments. Both the right-of-use asset and the lease liability are recognized as of the commencement date of the lease and are based upon the present value of lease payments due over the course of the lease. The right-of-use asset is reduced by any lease incentives received and is adjusted for any prepayments. For leases that do not have a rate implicit in the lease, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at the date of commencement is used to determine the present value of the lease payments. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that it would have to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term on an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.

The Company monitors for triggering events or conditions that require a reassessment of its leases. When the reassessment requires a re-measurement of the operating lease liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset. Additionally, the Company assesses its right-of-use assets for impairment in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment.

The Company has made an accounting policy election not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases with a lease term of 12 months or less, including renewal options that are reasonably certain to be exercised, that also do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that is reasonably certain of exercise. Instead, lease payments for these leases are recognized as lease cost on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additionally, the Company has elected not to separate the accounting for lease components and non-lease components, for all leased assets. Given the importance of each of its restaurant locations to its operations, the Company has historically concluded that it was reasonably assured of exercising two renewal periods included in its leases as failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty.

The Company enters into contracts to lease office space, restaurant space and equipment with terms that expire at various dates through 2041, which includes exercise of options to extend the lease. Under ASC Topic 842, the lease term at the lease commencement date is determined based on the non-cancellable period for which the Company has the right to use the underlying asset, together with any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option, periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if the Company is reasonably certain not to exercise that option, and periods covered by an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease in which the exercise of the option is controlled by the lessor. The Company considered a number of factors when evaluating whether the options in its lease contracts were reasonably certain of exercise, such as length of time before option exercise, expected value of the leased asset at the end of the initial lease term, importance of the lease to overall operations, costs to negotiate a new lease, and any contractual or economic penalties.

Certain of the Company’s leases also provide for percentage rent, which are variable lease costs determined as a percentage of gross sales in excess of specified, minimum sales targets, as well as other lease costs to reimburse the lessor for real estate tax and insurance expenses, and certain non-lease components that transfer a distinct service to the Company, such as common area maintenance services. These percentage rents and other variable lease costs are not included in the calculation of lease payments when classifying a lease and in the measurement of the lease liability as they do not meet the definition of in-substance, fixed-lease payments under ASC Topic 842.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains an equity incentive compensation plan under which it may grant options, warrants, restricted stock or other stock-based awards to directors, officers, key employees and other key individuals performing services to the Company. Restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are valued using the closing stock price on the date of grant. The fair value of an option award or warrant is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires estimates of the expected term of the option, the risk-free interest rate, future volatility and dividend yield. The Company’s assumptions are as follows:

Expected Term – The expected term of options is based upon evaluations of historical and expected future exercise behavior with consideration of both the vesting period and contractual terms of the instruments.

Risk Free Interest Rate – The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected term at the grant date.

Implied Volatility – Implied volatility is based upon an average of the volatilities of an industry peer group who are publicly traded.

Dividend Yield – The Company has historically not paid dividends and does not plan to do so in the foreseeable future.

Under the plan, vesting of awards can either be based on the passage of time or on the achievement of performance goals. For awards that vest on the passage of time, compensation cost is recognized over the vesting period. For performance-based awards, the Company recognizes compensation costs over the requisite service period when conditions for achievement become probable. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ or are expected to differ. These estimates, which are currently at 10%, are based on historical forfeiture behavior exhibited by employees of the Company.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and income available to common stockholders. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effect of all potential shares of common stock including common stock issuable pursuant to stock options, warrants, and RSUs. As a result, the sum of per share amount may not equal the total. Refer to Note 14 for the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share.

Segment Reporting

In the fourth quarter of 2019, in conjunction with the Kona Grill acquisition, the Company implemented certain organizational changes, including the reorganization of our internal reporting structure to better facilitate its strategy for growth, operational efficiency and management accountability. As a result of these organizational changes, the Company has identified the following four reportable operating segments: STK, Kona Grill, ONE Hospitality and Corporate. Refer to Note 17 for additional details and certain financial information regarding the Company’s operating segments relating to the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Prior year amounts have been revised to conform to the current year segment presentation.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Gains or losses resulting from the translation of foreign subsidiaries represent other comprehensive income (loss) and are accumulated as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Currency translation gains or (losses) are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity and amounted to approximately $5,000 and ($0.3) million during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of two components: net income and other comprehensive income (loss). The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments. All of the Company’s foreign currency translation adjustments relate to wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2020, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in conjunction with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) developed Technical Question and Answer (“TQA”) 3200.18, “Borrower Accounting for a Forgivable Loan Received Under the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program”, which is intended to provide clarification on how to account for loans received from the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). TQA 3200.18 states that an entity may account for PPP loans under ASC 470, “Debt” or, if the entity is expected to meet PPP eligibility criteria and the PPP loan is expected to be forgiven, the entity may account for the loans under IAS 20, “Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance”. Although the Company anticipates forgiveness of the entire amount of the CARES Act Loans, no assurances can be provided that the Company will obtain forgiveness of the CARES Act Loans in whole or in part. Therefore, the Company has elected to account for PPP loan proceeds under ASC 470 as allowed by TQA 3200.18.

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Updated (“ASU”) No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” (“ASU 2019-12”) which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Accounting Standard Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes, and it clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2019-12 on its financial statements but does not expect the adoption of ASU 2019-12 to be material.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018‑15, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350‑40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract” (“ASU 2018‑15”). ASU 2018‑15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in cloud computing arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. ASU 2018‑15 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Entities can choose to adopt the new guidance prospectively or retrospectively. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 requires companies to measure credit losses utilizing a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires a consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022, and we do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-13 to be material.