Franchise Group
Annual Report 2021

Plain-text annual report

Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021 or ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File Number: 001-35588 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 27-3561876 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 109 Innovation Court, Suite J Delaware, Ohio 43015 (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (740) 363-2222 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share 7.50% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share and liquidation preference of $25.00 per share Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None. Trading Symbol(s) FRG FRGAP Name of each exchange on which registered NASDAQ Global Market NASDAQ Global Market Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No o Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Act. Yes o No ☒ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No o Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No o Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒ The aggregate market value of the shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant computed based on the last reported sale price of $35.90 on June 26, 2021 was $974,490,942. The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding as of February 18, 2022 was 40,298,214. Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 1 Table of Contents Item 1. Item 1A. Item 1B. Item 2. Item 3. Item 4. Item 5. Item 6. Item 7. Item 7A. Item 8. Item 9. Item 9A. Item 9B. Item 9C. Item 10. Item 11. Item 12. Item 13. Item 14. Item 15. Item 16. Signatures Table of Contents Part I Business Risk Factors Unresolved Staff Comments Properties Legal Proceedings Mine Safety Disclosures Part II Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities [Reserved] Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Controls and Procedures Other Information Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance Executive Compensation Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Principal Accounting Fees and Services Part III Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules Form 10-K Summary Part IV 3 7 11 27 28 28 28 28 28 29 38 39 90 90 90 101 91 91 91 91 91 92 99 99 Table of Contents SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2021 (this "Annual Report") contains forward-looking statements concerning our business, operations, and financial performance and condition as well as our plans, objectives, and expectations for our business operations and financial performance and condition. Any statements contained herein that are not of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. You can identify these statements by words such as "aim," "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "could," "due," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "predict," "potential," "positioned," "should," "target," "will," "would," and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and our management's beliefs and assumptions. They are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are in some cases beyond our control. Additionally, other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks described under "Item 1A-Risk Factors," including: • • • • • • • • • • • • the uncertainty of the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures on our business and results of operations, including uncertainties surrounding the physical and financial health of our customers, the ability of government assistance programs available to individuals, households and businesses to support consumer spending, levels of foot traffic in our stores, changes in customer demand for our products and services, possible disruptions in our supply chain or sources of supply, potential future temporary store closures due to government mandates and whether we will have the governmental approvals, personnel and sources of supply to be able to keep our stores open; our plans and expectations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased expenses for potential higher wages and bonuses paid to our associates and the cost of personal protective equipment and additional cleaning supplies and protocols for the safety of our associates, and expected delays in new store openings and cost reduction initiatives; the effect of steps we take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the severity and duration of the pandemic, new variants of COVID-19 that have emerged, and the speed and efficacy of vaccine and treatment developments, the pace of recovery when the pandemic subsides and the heightened impact it has on many of the risks described herein and in our other filings with the SEC; potential regulatory actions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related government mitigation efforts on our business and our financial results; the risk that natural disasters, public health crises, political uprisings, uncertainty or unrest, or other catastrophic events could adversely affect our operations and financial results, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on manufacturing operations and our supply chain, customer traffic and our operations in general; the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period, our businesses and our acquisitions may not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, or revenues following our acquisitions may be lower than expected; our inability to grow on a sustainable basis; changes in operating costs, including employee compensation and benefits; higher inflation rates; the seasonality of the products and services we provide in certain of our business segments; departures of key executives, senior management members or directors; our ability to attract additional talent to our teams; 4 Table of Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • our ability to maintain an active trading market for our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”); the effect of regulation of the products and services that we offer, including changes in laws and regulations and the costs and administrative burdens associated with complying with such laws and regulations; our ability to develop and maintain relationships with our third-party product and service providers; our ability to offer merchandise and services that our customers demand; our ability to successfully manage our inventory levels and implement initiatives to improve inventory management and other capabilities; competitive conditions in the retail industry and consumer services markets; the performance of our products within the prevailing industry; worldwide economic conditions and business uncertainty, the availability of consumer and commercial credit, change in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending, and changes in vendor relationships; disruption of manufacturing, warehouse or distribution facilities or information systems; the continued reduction of our competitors promotional pricing on new-in-box appliances, potentially adversely impacting our sales of out-of-box appliances and associated margin; any potential non-compliance, fraud or other misconduct by our franchisees, dealers, or employees; our ability and the ability of our franchisees and dealers to comply with legal and regulatory requirements; failures by our franchisees, the franchisees' employees, and our dealers to comply with their contractual obligations to us and with laws and regulations, to the extent these failures affect our reputation or subject us to legal risk; the ability of our franchisees and dealers to open new territories and operate them successfully; the availability of suitable store locations at appropriate lease terms; the ability of our franchisees and dealers to generate sufficient revenue to repay their indebtedness to us; our ability to manage Company-owned stores; our exposure to litigation and any governmental investigations; our ability and our franchisees' and dealers' ability to protect customers' personal information, including from a cyber-security incident; the impact of identity-theft concerns on customer attitudes toward our products and services; our ability to access the credit markets and satisfy our covenants to lenders; one of our operating subsidiaries may be required to repurchase certain finance receivables if certain representations and warranties about the quality and nature of such receivables are breached, which may negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity; a decline in the credit quality of our customers, a decrease in our credit sales, or other factors outside of our control could lead to a decrease in our product sales and profitability; our reliance on technology systems and electronic communications; 5 Table of Contents • • the impact of any acquisitions or dispositions, including our ability to integrate acquisitions and capitalize on their anticipated synergies or our ability to sale non-core assets including the anticipated benefits; and other factors, including the risk factors discussed in this Annual Report. Potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. Unless required by law, we do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or otherwise. A potential investor or other vendor should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") after the date of this Annual Report. 6 Table of Contents Item 1. Business. Overview PART I We are an owner and operator of franchised and franchisable businesses that continually looks to grow our portfolio of brands while utilizing our operating and capital allocation philosophies to generate strong cash flows. We have a diversified and growing portfolio of highly recognized brands. Our asset-light business model is designed to generate consistent, recurring revenue and strong operating margins and requires limited maintenance capital expenditures. As a multi-brand operator, we continually look to diversify and grow our portfolio of brands either through acquisition or organic brand development. Our acquisition strategy typically targets businesses that are highly cash flow generative with compelling unit economics that can be scaled by adding franchise and company owned units, or that can be restructured to enhance performance and value to Franchise Group. We strive to create value for our stockholders by generating free cash flow and capital-efficient growth across economic cycles. Our business lines include The Vitamin Shoppe ("Vitamin Shoppe"), Pet Supplies Plus, Badcock Home Furniture & More ("Badcock"), American Freight, Buddy’s Home Furnishings ("Buddy's"), and Sylvan Learning ("Sylvan"). As of the year ended December 25, 2021, on a combined basis, we operated 2,948 locations consisting of 1,221 franchised locations, 1,410 company run locations, and 317 dealer locations. Each of our companies has its own management team with significant experience in its respective industry. Additionally, we offer our brands a shared services platform that allows us to drive economies of scale, efficiencies, and best practices. We believe our platform enables our portfolio of brands to be stronger together than they are apart. We believe our financial performance and business model have been resilient across economic cycles and recently during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, our franchised business model is designed to generate consistent, recurring revenue and predictable free cash flow in order to insulate us from the operating cost variability of our franchised locations. The operating costs of our franchised locations are borne by our franchisees themselves. We believe our success is driven in large part by our mutually beneficial relationships with our individual franchisees. Our franchise programs are designed to promote consistency and we are selective in granting franchises. We are focused on partnering with franchisees who have the commitment, capability and capitalization to grow our brands. Franchisees can range in size from individuals owning just one location to publicly-traded companies. While the specific terms of our franchise agreements vary between brands, we utilize both store-level franchise and master franchise programs. Under both types of franchise programs, franchisees supply capital by purchasing or leasing the land, building, equipment, signs, inventory and supplies. Store-level franchise agreements typically require payment to us of certain upfront fees such as initial fees paid upon opening a store, fees paid to renew the term of the franchise agreement and fees paid in the event the franchise agreement is transferred to another franchisee. Franchisees also pay monthly continuing fees based on a percentage of their store sales and are required to spend a certain amount to advertise and promote the brand. Additionally, one of our subsidiaries offers dealership agreements, whereby a dealer receives a non-exclusive license for use at a designated premises to operate the dealership devoted exclusively to the sale of merchandise and other activities as approved. There are no fees that are paid by the dealer for entering into a dealership agreement. However, the dealers are able to earn and become entitled to receive a commission, as determined by our subsidiary, upon the sale of merchandise consigned by our subsidiary to the dealer. We seek to maintain healthy relationships with our franchisees, dealers and their representatives. We invest a significant amount of time working with the franchisee community on key aspects of the business, including products, equipment, operational improvements, standards and management techniques. Our Brands For further detail on the number of Company-owned stores, dealer-owned stores, franchised stores, and distribution centers operated by each of our brands, refer to Item 2. Properties. Our Vitamin Shoppe segment is an omnichannel specialty retailer of vitamins, minerals, herbs, specialty supplements, sports nutrition and other health and wellness products. We market approximately 600 nationally recognized brands as well as our own brands, which include The Vitamin Shoppe®, BodyTech®, True Athlete®, plnt®, ProBioCare®, Fitfactor Weight Management System® and Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe®. We believe we offer one of the largest varieties of products among vitamin, mineral and supplement retailers, and we continue to refine our assortment with approximately 6,800 stock keeping units ("SKUs") offered in our typical store and approximately 4,200 additional SKUs available through e-commerce. Our broad product offering enables us to provide our customers with a depth of selection of products that may not be readily available at other specialty retailers or mass merchants, such as discount stores, supermarkets, drug stores and wholesale clubs. We believe 7 Table of Contents our product offering and emphasis on product knowledge and customer service helps us meet the needs of our target customer and serves as a foundation for enhancing strong customer loyalty. We continue to focus on improving the customer experience through the roll-out of initiatives including increasing customer engagement and personalization, redesigning the omnichannel experience (including in stores as well as through the internet and mobile devices), growing our private brands and improving the effectiveness of pricing and promotions. Vitamin Shoppe is headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey. Our Pet Supplies Plus segment is a leading omnichannel retail chain and franchisor of pet supplies and services. Pet Supplies Plus has a diversified revenue model comprised of Company-owned store revenue, franchise royalties and revenue generated by the wholesale distribution of products to its franchisees. Pet Supplies Plus offers a curated selection of premium brands, proprietary private labels and specialty products with retail price parity with online players. Additionally, Pet Supplies Plus offers grooming, pet wash and other services in most of its locations. Pet Supplies Plus has developed broad and deep omnichannel capabilities, offering its customers varied cost-competitive shopping options through its convenient neighborhood locations, direct-to-consumer local delivery and buy-online-pickup-in-store model. Pet Supplies Plus is headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. Our Badcock segment is a specialty retailer of furniture, appliances, bedding, electronics, home office equipment, accessories and seasonal items in a showroom format. Additionally, Badcock offers multiple and flexible payment solutions and credit options through its consumer financing services. We expect Badcock to shift its consumer financing business to third-party vendors in the future. Badcock is headquartered in Mulberry, Florida. Our American Freight segment is a retail chain offering in-store and online access to furniture, mattresses, new and out-of-box home appliances and home accessories at discount prices. American Freight buys direct from manufacturers and sells direct in warehouse-style stores. By cutting out the middleman and keeping its overhead costs low, American Freight can offer quality products at low prices. American Freight provides customers with multiple payment options providing access to high-quality products and brand name appliances that may otherwise remain aspirational to some of its customers. American Freight also serves as a liquidation channel for major appliance vendors. American Freight operates specialty distribution centers that test every out-of- box appliance before it is offered for sale to customers. Customers typically are covered by the original manufacturer's warranty and are offered the opportunity to purchase a full suite of extended-service plans and services. American Freight is headquartered in Delaware, Ohio. Our Buddy's segment is a specialty retailer of high quality, name brand consumer electronic, residential furniture, appliances and household accessories through rent-to-own agreements. The rental transaction allows our customers the opportunity to benefit from the use of high-quality products under flexible rental purchase agreements without long-term obligations. Buddy's is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Our Sylvan Learning segment is an established and growing franchisor of supplemental education for Pre-K-12 students and families in the U.S. and Canada. Sylvan addresses the full range of student needs with a broad variety of academic curriculums delivered in an omnichannel format. The Sylvan platform provides franchisees with the ability to provide a range of services, including on premises, virtually, at a satellite location, and in the home. Sylvan is headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland. On February 21, 2021 we entered into a purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") to sell our Liberty Tax Service ("Liberty Tax") segment to NextPoint Acquisition Corp ("NextPoint"). On July 2, 2021, we completed the transaction and received total consideration of approximately $255.3 million. The Liberty Tax segment met the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations, therefore, we are reporting the historical financial position and results of operations of the Liberty Tax segment as discontinued operations and, as such, the results of operations for Liberty Tax have been excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and all prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to this presentation. Please refer to "Note 3. Discontinued Operations and Assets Disposition" of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding discontinued operations. A more complete description of our business prior to our entry into the Purchase Agreement is included in Item 1. "Business" in Part I of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2020 that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 10, 2021. Regulation The products and services offered by our business segments are subject to federal laws and regulation by one or more federal agencies, including but not limited to the FDA, the Federal Trade Commission, the CFPB, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency. These activities are also regulated by various state, local and international laws and agencies of the states and localities in which our products or services are provided. Please see “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Segments” in this Annual Report. 8 Table of Contents Competition Each of our brands competes with many well-established companies on the basis of product choice, quality, affordability, service and location. Vitamin Shoppe competes in the highly competitive nutritional supplements retail industry, in which competition is based primarily on quality, product assortment, price, customer service, convenience, marketing support and availability of new products. American Freight and Badcock primarily compete with discount retailers of furniture and mattresses and with big box retailers and locally-owned appliance retailers that sell new-in-box and liquidations of their out-of-box or as-is appliances. Pet Supplies Plus competes in the highly competitive pet products retail industry, in which competition is based primarily on quality, product assortment, price, customer service, convenience, marketing support and availability of new products. Buddy’s competes with other national, regional and local rent-to-own businesses, including online only competitors, as well as with rental stores that do not offer their customers a purchase option. Sylvan competes with other national, regional and local tutoring centers, including online only competitors. Business Strategy Our strategy is to focus on the operation and acquisition of franchise and franchisable businesses. We strive to assemble a mix of businesses that we believe provide us balance and overall economic resiliency, while also allowing us to benefit from the scale of a single franchising platform. As a multi-brand operator, we continually look to diversify and grow our portfolio of brands either through acquisition or organic brand development. Our acquisition strategy typically targets businesses that are highly cash flow generative with compelling unit economics that can be scaled by adding franchise and company owned units, or that can be restructured to enhance performance and value to Franchise Group. We have established a corporate platform that enables us to deploy capital to acquire assets that may have few natural buyers but become more valuable as part of our Company. Across all businesses, we look to create operating efficiencies in order to drive incremental free cash flow while allowing the management teams of each brand to focus on growing their businesses. Furthermore, our aggregated platform of multiple brands and increased scale provides cost of capital advantages relative to financing each business alone. We believe our portfolio of brands will allow us to offer franchisees a variety of platforms that will allow them to diversify their investment portfolio in a local area, optimize their geographic penetration and grow their businesses. We believe our investors will benefit from sustainable franchise royalties and opportunistic franchise sales. Furthermore, we expect our refranchising strategy to create significant cash inflows to opportunistically de-lever and acquire additional brands. Impact of COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has affected, and likely will continue to affect, our financial condition and results of operations for the foreseeable future. In most states, during 2020, our businesses were deemed essential and, therefore, the majority of our stores remained open during the pandemic. The highest number of temporary store closures we experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic was approximately 240 stores during the second quarter of 2020. The spread of the Omicron variant of COVID- 19 had an impact on availability of employees and, in some areas, required us to reduce store hours and in some cases temporarily close stores. We cannot predict when we will be able to restore full store hours or whether our stores will remain open if the COVID-19 pandemic continues or if states and localities will issue new restrictions. We have not experienced a significant negative impact on our sales and profitability due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact our business and financial results by weakening demand for our products and services, interfering with our ability and our franchisees’ ability to operate store locations, disrupting our supply chain or affecting our ability to raise capital from financial institutions. As events are rapidly changing, we are unable to accurately predict the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our results of operations due to uncertainties including, but not limited to, the duration of shutdowns, quarantines and travel restrictions, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak and the public’s response to the outbreak; however, we are actively managing our business to respond to the impact. Change of Year-End On October 1, 2019, our Board of Directors (our "Board") approved a change in our fiscal year-end from April 30th to the Saturday in December closest to December 31st of each year. The decision to change the fiscal year-end was related to our recent acquisitions to more closely align our operations and internal controls with that of our subsidiaries. We refer to the period from May 1, 2019 through December 28, 2019, as the "Transition Period" in this report. 9 Table of Contents On February 22, 2022, our Board approved a change in our fiscal year-end from the Saturday in December closest to December 31st to the Saturday closest to December 31st. Human Capital Management General As of December 25, 2021, we employed 9,119 full-time and 5,551 part-time employees. Part-time employees work an average of fewer than 30 hours per work. The number of part-time employees fluctuates based on seasonal needs. All of our employees are expected to be guided by our values and by an underlying set of ethical principles as incorporated into our Code of Conduct. We believe these values strengthen our culture and our workforce. We strive to demonstrate to our customers, stockholders, business partners, communities and employees that we are worthy of their trust and continually strive to enhance our brand reputation. The success of our business relies on our ability to attract and retain talented employees. To attract and retain talent, we strive to create an inclusive, diverse and supportive workplace, with opportunities for our employees to develop and grow in their careers, supported by competitive compensation, benefits and health and wellness programs. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board (our “NCG Committee”) oversees human capital management activities including the review of management’s strategies, activities, policies and goals with regard to environmental sustainability, climate change, human rights, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and overall human capital management. Our NCG Committee reviews these activities for purposes of risk management, our long term business strategy, and effective communication. Our NCG Committee also has the responsibility to update and make recommendations to our Board on the impact of our human capital management strategies as outlined in its charter, subject to NCG Committee and Board approval. Corporate Culture We are focused on creating a corporate culture of integrity and respect, with the goal of working together to drive our business to be innovative and competitive. We operate in a performance-based environment where results matter and financial discipline is enforced. We strive to create a highly collaborative culture in which employees feel that their input is sought after and valued. At the same time, we believe in holding individuals accountable and endeavor to create a culture in which employees do what they say they are going to do. We believe that our culture is a long-term competitive advantage for us, fuels our ability to execute our business strategy and is a critical component of our employee talent strategy. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion We believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive environment where human differences are valued, respected, supported and amplified. We have taken actions to recruit, retain, develop and advance a diverse and talented workforce. At the close of fiscal 2020, the representation of women was 20.7% of our total workforce, with increased representation at every level enterprise wide both in technical and executive roles, and our representation of underrepresented minorities was 60.9% overall. At the close of fiscal 2021, the representation of women in executive management was 36.9% across all segments, corporate, and the Board. Further data for fiscal 2021 was not yet available as of the date of filing this Annual Report. We are an equal opportunity employer. We respect diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, separation, recruitment, pay and equity, access to facilities and programs, training and general treatment during employment. We invest in attracting, developing and retaining the best talent. We do this by communicating a clear purpose and strategy, transparent goal setting, driving accountability, continuously assessing, developing, advancing talent, and a leadership-driven talent strategy. We also comply with the Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Commission rules, including making our EEO reports publicly available. Our Vitamin Shoppe segment, as a government contractor, has an affirmative action plan that is updated annually. Health Safety and Wellness We are committed to the health, safety and wellness of our employees. We provide our employees and their families with access to a variety of health and wellness programs, including programs that support their physical and mental health. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a top priority of the Company has been the health, safety, and well-being of our 10 Table of Contents employees and their families. Our management teams continue to monitor, identify and address emerging risks to formulate our response to actions taken by governments and public policy organizations. We base our protocols on guidance from healthcare experts and public health leaders, and regularly review and update them to reflect the best, most current information available. Compensation and Benefits We believe and are committed to providing each of our employees a fair wage. We provide competitive compensation and benefit programs for our employees. In addition to competitive salaries, these programs include, among other items, bonuses, stock awards, a 401(k) plan, health and wellness programs, health savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off, paid parental leave, flexible work schedules and employee assistance programs. Ethics Hotline We maintain an Ethics Hotline that is available to all employees to report (anonymously if desired) any matter of concern. Communications to the hotline are routed to appropriate functions (whether Human Resources, Legal or other departments) for investigation and resolution, and in certain instances, such communications may also be escalated, pursuant to our internal policies, to the Audit Committee of our Board for review, investigation and resolution. In addition, any stockholder or other interested party may send communications to us or our Board of Directors through our website. Available Information Our Annual Report, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the SEC are available, free of charge, through our website at www.franchisegrp.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our Board’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Board committee charters (including the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and NCG Committee) and Code of Conduct are also available at that same location on our website. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers who file electronically with the SEC. We encourage investors to visit our website from time to time, as information is updated, and new information is posted. The content of our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only. Item 1A. Risk Factors. In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our business. The Risk Factor Summary that follows should be read in conjunction with the detailed description of risk factors below. If any of the risks or uncertainties described below were to occur, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and operations. When considering any investment in our securities, investors should consider the following risk factors, as well as the information contained under the caption “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” in analyzing our present and future business performance. Risks Related to Our Business, including risks related to: • • • • • • • • • • • • the COVID-19 pandemic; the integration of our recent acquisitions; our indebtedness and our ability to incur more indebtedness; our ability to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness; despite current and anticipated indebtedness levels, we may still be able to incur substantially more debt; the terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness and their restriction of our current and future operations and operating flexibility; interest rate risk exposure from our floating rate debt financing; changes in the method of determining the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate; the substantial ownership stake of certain of our stockholders; potential difficulties associated with our rapid growth and expansion; the potential sale of one or more of our business segments or certain assets; our operation in highly competitive industries; 11 Table of Contents • • • our failure to maintain sound business and contractual relationships with our franchisees and dealers; our significant lease obligations; and our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls. Risks Related to Our Segments, including risks related to: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • the ownership of significant amounts of real estate exposes our Badcock segment and us to possible liabilities incidental to such ownership; our Badcock segment's failure to operate its dealer network in its current manner, which remains outside the purview of federal and state franchise laws, which may adversely affect its and our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; operational and other failures by dealers may adversely impact our Badcock segment and our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; our Badcock segment’s consumer financing business is a highly regulated industry and existing and new laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our Badcock segment; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception of our segments' products and any similar products distributed by other companies; our Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus segments’ sale of food, dietary supplement, topical products, and pet products containing cannabidiol; disruptions at our Pet Supplies Plus, Badcock, American Freight, and Vitamin Shoppe segments' warehouses and distribution facilities or at our contract manufacturers’ manufacturing facilities; increases in the price or shortages of supply in connection with our segments' products; product recalls, withdrawals or seizures; consumer spending factors affecting the success of our segments; the ability of our segments to compete effectively with the growing e-commerce sector; the ability of our Vitamin Shoppe, Pet Supplies Plus, Badcock, American Freight, and Buddy's segments to successfully manage their inventory levels; the growth and effective operations of our Company-owned locations and franchises and dealers, and the franchise and dealer operations; our franchisees’ failure to open locations in new territories or successfully operate their new locations; our potential to be held responsible by third parties, regulators, or courts for the action of, or failure to act, by our franchisees and dealers and the exposure to possible fines or other liabilities and bad publicity; disputes with our franchisees and dealers; and the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising programs and franchisee support of these programs. Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters, including risks related to: • • • • • • adverse outcomes related to litigation or regulatory actions; our failure to protect or failure to comply with laws and regulations related to our customers’ personal information; our or our franchisees’ failure to comply with marketing and advertising laws, including with regard to direct marketing; compliance with governmental regulations or newly enacted laws; product liability claims; and our involvement in federal securities class-action lawsuits and derivative complaints. General Risk Factors, including risks related to: • • • • • • • • • our failure to protect our intellectual property rights; our reliance on technology systems and electronic communications; negative publicity, costly government enforcement actions or private litigation and increased costs as a result of our inability to secure our customers’ personal and confidential information, or other private data relating to our associates, suppliers or our business; our failure to retain key senior management personnel or attract and retain highly skilled and other key personnel; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; the exclusive forum provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation; the volatility of our stock price; our ability to continue to pay dividends in the future; and antitakeover provisions in our charter documents. 12 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Business Our results of operations and financial condition have been, and will likely continue to be, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and, depending on future developments, may be materially adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had and will likely continue to have an impact on our operations and financial performance. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition is uncertain and cannot be predicted. There can be no assurance that any of our efforts to address adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be effective. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may experience adverse impacts to our business as a result of any economic recession or depression that has occurred or may occur in the future. For instance, changes in the behavior of customers, businesses and their employees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including social distancing practices, even after formal restrictions have been lifted, are unknown. Furthermore, the financial condition of our customers and vendors may be adversely impacted, which may result in a decrease in the demand for our products, the inability and our franchisees’ ability to operate store locations or a disruption to our supply chain. Any of these events may, in turn, have a material adverse impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. We have incurred significant transaction and acquisition-related costs and expect to incur integration-related costs in connection with our acquisitions We have incurred a number of non-recurring costs associated with our acquisitions and expect to incur integration-related costs in combining areas of the companies. The substantial majority of non-recurring expenses were comprised of transaction costs related to certain of our acquisitions. We also expect to incur transaction fees and costs related to formulating and implementing integration plans, including facilities and systems consolidation costs and employment-related costs. We continue to assess the magnitude of these costs, and additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in connection with the integration of all of these companies’ businesses. Although we expect that the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of these businesses, should allow us to offset integration-related costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all. Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition, limit our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our debt agreements. We have substantial indebtedness, which could adversely affect our ability to fulfill our obligations and have a negative impact on our financing options and liquidity position. Our high level of debt could have significant consequences for us, including the following: • • limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes; requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows to be dedicated to debt service payments instead of other purposes, thereby reducing the amount of cash flows available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; limiting our ability to refinance our indebtedness on terms acceptable to us or at all; increasing the cost of future borrowings and, accordingly, our cost of capital; imposing restrictive covenants on our operations; placing us at a competitive disadvantage to competitors carrying less debt; and • • • • • making us more vulnerable to economic downturns and other conditions, changes in the markets and adverse developments in our business and limiting our ability to withstand competitive pressures. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our indebtedness, which may not be successful. Cash flows from operations are the principal source of funding for us. Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the availability of financing in the international banking and capital markets. We may be unable to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to fund our day-to-day operations or to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or to refinance our 13 Table of Contents indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations and our ability to satisfy our obligations. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations and other cash requirements, we could face substantial liquidity problems and could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures or to sell assets or operations, seek additional debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to effect any such alternative measures, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, such alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. The agreements that govern our indebtedness may restrict us from accomplishing any of these alternatives on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Additionally, the agreements that govern our indebtedness may restrict (a) our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from any such dispositions and (b) our ability to raise debt capital to be used to repay our indebtedness when it becomes due. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain proceeds in an amount sufficient to meet any debt service obligations then due. Any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations and limit our financial flexibility. Any issuances of additional capital stock would be dilutive to existing stockholders. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness. If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in default and, as a result, lenders under our existing and future indebtedness could declare (or some of the following could occur automatically) all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under our credit facilities could terminate their commitments to loan money, our secured lenders could foreclose against the assets securing such borrowings and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation, in each case, which could result in any of the holders of our indebtedness and/or our stockholders losing their investments. Despite current and anticipated indebtedness levels, we may still be able to incur substantially more debt. If we were to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, it could further exacerbate the risks described above. Although the agreements that govern our indebtedness restrict the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are and will be subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and any additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions also will not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness (which may include, among others, trade payables and other expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business). Further, pursuant to our credit facilities and subject to the limitations set forth therein, we may have the option to increase our commitments under our credit facilities thereunder. Such increases would be secured indebtedness. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify. The terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness may restrict our current and future operations and operating flexibility, particularly our ability to respond to changes in the economy or our industry or to pursue our business strategies, and could adversely affect our capital resources, financial condition and liquidity. The agreements that govern our indebtedness contain a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interests, including, among other things, restrictions on our ability to: incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness; declare or pay dividends or make other distributions with respect to, or purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value, equity interests; • • • make any principal payment on, or redeem or repurchase, certain indebtedness; • make loans, advances or other investments; • • • • • • materially change the nature of our business; • • incur liens; sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; consolidate or merge with or into, or sell all or substantially all of our assets to, another person; enter into transactions with affiliates; enter into agreements that restrict the ability of certain subsidiaries to make dividends or other payments; and service our indebtedness if covenants under our credit facilities are not satisfied. 14 Table of Contents Our credit facilities also contain covenants that may limit our ability to service our other indebtedness. As a result of these restrictions, we may be limited in how we conduct our business, unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to operate during general economic or business downturns, or unable to compete effectively, take advantage of new business opportunities or grow in accordance with our plans. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain compliance with such covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the holders of such indebtedness and/or amend the covenants. A breach of the covenants under the agreements governing our indebtedness could result in an event of default under the applicable indebtedness, which, if not cured or waived, could result in us having to repay such indebtedness before its due date. Such an event of default may result in the acceleration of any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In addition, such an event of default may permit the lenders in our credit facilities to terminate all commitments to extend further credit thereunder. In the event the repayment of any of our indebtedness is accelerated, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient assets to repay such indebtedness. If we are forced to refinance such indebtedness on less favorable terms or if we experience difficulty in refinancing such indebtedness, our results of operations or financial condition could be materially affected. Furthermore, if we are unable to repay the amounts due and payable under the agreements governing our secured indebtedness, the lenders or holders of such indebtedness may be able to proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure such indebtedness. Our floating rate debt financing exposes us to interest rate risk. We may borrow amounts under our credit facilities or otherwise that bear interest at rates that vary with prevailing market interest rates. If such market interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness will increase even though the amount borrowed may remain the same, and our profit and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, will correspondingly decrease. In the future, we may enter into interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments in order to reduce interest rate volatility. However, it is possible that we will not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to any of our variable rate indebtedness. Alternatively, any swaps we enter into may not fully or effectively mitigate our interest rate risk. Changes in the method of determining the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, may adversely affect interest rates on our outstanding indebtedness dependent on LIBOR. We may borrow amounts under our credit facilities or otherwise that bear interest at variable interest rates that use LIBOR as a reference rate. In March 2021, the Chief Executive of the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA"), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of the LIBOR benchmark after June 30, 2023. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate ("SOFR"), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. These reforms may cause LIBOR to perform differently than in the past or to disappear entirely. The consequences of these developments with respect to LIBOR cannot be entirely predicted but may result in an increase in the interest cost of our indebtedness that uses (or in the absence of the changes to or disappearance of LIBOR, would have used) LIBOR as a reference rate. In the event that LIBOR is no longer available as a reference rate or ceases to adequately and fairly reflect the cost to our lenders of making and maintaining loans, our credit facilities permit the lenders to suspend maintaining loans that use LIBOR as a reference rate. In addition, the overall financial markets may be disrupted as a result of the phase-out or replacement of LIBOR. Disruption in the financial markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Certain stockholders have a substantial ownership stake, and their interests could conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. As of December 25, 2021, Vintage Capital Management, LLC (“Vintage”) currently owns shares of our common stock representing approximately 12.3% of our outstanding common stock. As a result of substantial ownership of our stock, and Vintage's participation on the Board, Vintage currently has the ability to influence certain actions requiring stockholder approval, including increasing or decreasing the authorized share capital, the election of directors, declaration of dividends, the appointment of management, and other policy decisions. The interests of Vintage may be different from the interests of our other stockholders. While any future transaction with Vintage or other significant stockholders could benefit us, the interests of Vintage could at times conflict with the interests of other stockholders. Conflicts of interest may also arise between us and Vintage or its affiliates, which may result in the conclusion of transactions on terms not determined by market forces. Any such conflicts of interest could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and the trading price of our common stock. Moreover, the concentration of ownership may delay, deter or prevent acts that would be favored by other stockholders or deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock as part of a sale of us. Similarly, this concentration of stock ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock 15 Table of Contents because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning equity in a company with concentrated ownership. See "Note 13: Related Party Transactions" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Because of the significant changes to our business initiatives and strategies, including as a result of our acquisitions we are susceptible to the potential difficulties associated with rapid growth and expansion and we may not achieve the same level of growth in revenues and profits as we had in prior years. Our future viability, profitability, and growth will depend upon our ability to successfully operate and continue to expand our operations. We have grown rapidly since we began making the acquisitions in July 2019. Our management believes that our future success depends in part on our ability to manage the rapid growth and integration that we have experienced from current and future acquisitions, and the demands from increased responsibility on management personnel within the businesses we acquired and at the corporate level. Our ability to continue to grow our business will be subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and will depend in large part on: • • • • • • • • • • our ability to manage increased responsibilities for our executive level personnel and administrative burdens; our risk of litigation and other unanticipated liabilities; adding new customers and retaining existing customers, franchisees and dealers; innovating new products and services to meet the needs of our customers; finding new opportunities in our existing and new markets; remaining competitive in the specialty retailing, consumable durable goods and retail industries; attracting and retaining capable franchisees and dealers; delivering on our products and services in sufficient volumes and in a timely manner; hiring, training, and retaining skilled managers and employees; and expanding and improving the efficiency of our operations and systems and managing related organizational challenges. There can be no assurance that any of our efforts will prove successful or that we will continue to achieve growth in revenues and profits. Our operating results could be adversely affected if we do not successfully manage our ability to grow and these potential risks and uncertainties. Our historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be realized in the future. In addition, due to the timing of the acquisitions, there is very limited comparative information on our combined business. We may seek to continue to expand through acquisitions of and investments in other businesses. These acquisition activities may be unsuccessful or divert management’s attention. We may consider strategic and complementary acquisitions of and investments in other franchise-centric businesses. In pursuing these opportunities, we will likely be competing with third parties that may have substantially greater financial resources than us. Acquisitions or investments in brands, businesses, properties or assets, as well as third-party alliances are subject to risks that could affect our business, including risks related to: (i) issuing shares of stock that could dilute the interests of our existing stockholders, (ii) spending cash and incurring debt, (iii) assuming contingent liabilities, or (iv) creating additional expenses. We may not be able to identify opportunities or complete transactions on commercially reasonable terms or at all or we may not actually realize any anticipated benefits from such acquisitions or investments. Similarly, we may not be able to obtain financing for acquisitions or investments on attractive terms or at all, or the ability to obtain financing may be restricted by the terms of our indebtedness. In addition, the success of any acquisition or investment also will depend, in part, on our ability to integrate the acquisition or investment with our existing operations. Finally, any potential acquisitions or investments could demand significant attention from management that would otherwise be available for business operations, which could harm our business. We may seek to sell one of our business segments which may adversely affect our results of operations, personnel, reputation and financial position. As a company that manages a portfolio of retail and franchised brands, we continue to evaluate opportunities to restructure our business in an effort to optimize shareholder value, which could potentially include the divestiture of certain business segments. Divestitures involve numerous risks, such as: (i) the acceptance of a less than favorable sales price, (ii) the potential loss of key employees, (iii) adverse reactions by customers, suppliers, or parties transacting business with the divested business segment or 16 Table of Contents us, (iv) potential litigation or any administrative proceedings arising from the divestiture, (v) negative impacts on stock analyst ratings, and (vi) our inability to retain certain intellectual property rights. Such divestitures could result in significant costs to us which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We cannot provide assurance that such a sale of a business segment will be successful or will not harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, or stock price. We operate in highly competitive industries and our revenues or profits could be harmed if we are unable to compete effectively. The retail, consumer services, tutoring, and rent-to-own industries in which we operate are subject to intense competition. Our principal competitors are other similar operators with well-established and recognized brands. We also compete against smaller retailers and “mom and pop” operations. If we are unable to compete successfully, our revenues or profits may decline. Certain of our competitors may have significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do, and may be able to adapt to changes in consumer preferences more quickly, devote greater resources to the marketing and sale of their products or services, or generate greater brand recognition. In addition, our competitors may be more effective and efficient in introducing new products and services. Furthermore, if we fail to meet supply and demand or fail to provide our customers with an attractive omnichannel experience, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Failure to maintain sound business and contractual relationships with our franchisees and dealers may have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Our financial success depends in significant part on our ability to maintain sound business relationships with our franchisees and dealers. The support of our franchisees and dealers is also critical for the success of our marketing programs and any new strategic initiatives we seek to undertake. Deterioration in our relationships with our franchisees and dealers or the failure of our franchisees and dealers to support our marketing programs and strategic initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our business and our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, the failure of our franchisees and dealers to timely renew their franchise agreements could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to enforce the franchisees' and dealers' contractual obligations. We have significant lease obligations, which may require us to continue paying rent for store locations that we no longer operate. We have company-owned operations of which the majority are operated in leased locations, specifically in our Vitamin Shoppe and American Freight segments. We are subject to risks associated with our current and future real estate leases. Our costs could increase because of changes in the real estate markets and supply or demand for real estate sites. We generally cannot cancel our leases, so if we decide to close or relocate a location, we may nonetheless be committed to perform our obligations under the applicable lease including paying the base rent for the remaining lease term. As each lease expires, we may fail to negotiate renewals, either on commercially acceptable terms or any terms at all and may not be able to find replacement locations that will provide for the same success as current store locations. Our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports, our brands and operating results could be harmed. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. While we continue to evaluate and improve our internal controls, we cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that we implement and maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Failure to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock price. As we have grown our business through our acquisitions, our disclosure controls and internal controls have become more complex and may require significantly more resources to ensure the effectiveness of these controls. If we are unable to continue upgrading our financial and management controls, reporting segments, information technology and procedures in a timely and 17 Table of Contents effective fashion, additional management and other resources may need to be devoted to assist in compliance with the disclosure and financial reporting requirements which would adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations. Risks Related to Our Segments The ownership of significant amounts of real estate exposes our Badcock segment and us to possible liabilities incidental to such ownership. Our Badcock segment owns the land and buildings for 38 of its 383 stores, as well as for its three distribution centers and its headquarters. Accordingly, our Badcock segment is subject to all of the risks associated with owning real estate. In particular, the value of our Badcock segment’s real estate assets could decrease, and the operating costs for such real estate could increase, because of changes in the investment climate for real estate, demographic trends and, in the case of its store locations, supply or demand for the use of such stores, which may result from competition from similar stores in the area. Additionally, our Badcock segment is subject to potential liability for environmental conditions on the property that it owns. In the case of owned stores, if any such store is not profitable, and we decide to close it, we may be required to record an impairment charge and/or exit costs associated with the disposal of such store. Our Badcock segment's failure to operate its dealer network in a manner which remains outside the purview of federal and state franchise laws may adversely affect its and our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. As operated now, our Badcock segment’s dealer program is not a franchise subject to franchise laws and regulations enacted by a number of states and rules promulgated by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (collectively, the “Franchise Laws”). However, if the relationship between our Badcock segment and its dealers should be deemed to constitute a franchise under the Franchise Laws or otherwise violate one or more of the Franchise Laws, our Badcock segment’s and our operations could be negatively affected including requiring our Badcock segment to incur substantial additional costs which could adversely affect its and our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Additionally, our Badcock segment could face the prospect that discontented dealers could use such violations as the basis for seeking to terminate its dealership agreement or to initiate claims against our Badcock segment for alleged prior failure to comply with the Franchise Laws. Our Badcock segment may also face enforcement actions by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and state governmental agencies, which may seek fines and other remedies available to these agencies under such Franchise Laws. If our Badcock segment's dealer program were determined to be a franchise subject to the Franchise Laws, as a franchisor, our Badcock segment would be more susceptible to the risk of adverse legislation or regulations being enacted in the future and we cannot predict how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted. Additionally, we cannot predict the amount of future expenditures that may be required in order to comply with any such laws or regulations. Companies that operate franchise systems may be subject to claims arising out of violations of laws and regulations at their franchised locations, including, without limitation, for allegedly being a joint employer with a franchisee. Litigation may lead to a decline in the sales and operating results of our Badcock segment’s stores and divert management resources regardless of whether the allegations in such litigation are valid or whether our Badcock segment is liable. Badcock's consumer financing business is in an industry that is highly regulated. Existing and new laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on Badcock and adversely affect Badcock’s and our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and failure to comply with these laws and regulations could subject Badcock and us to various fines, civil penalties and other relief. Our Badcock segment’s consumer financing business is subject to extensive regulation, supervision and licensing under various federal, state, and local statutes, ordinances, regulations, rules and guidance. We must comply with federal laws, such as The Truth In Lending Act and Regulation Z, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and Regulation P, and Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act, among others. In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) has regulatory and enforcement powers over providers of consumer financial products and services under many federal consumer protection laws and regulations. Included in the CFPB’s authority is the power to prohibit unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices (“UDAAP”) and to investigate and penalize financial institutions. In addition to assessing financial penalties, the CFPB can require remediation of practices, pursue administrative proceedings or litigation and obtain cease and desist orders (which can include orders for restitution or rescission or reformation of contracts). Also, if a company has violated Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act or related CFPB regulations, the Dodd-Frank Act empowers state attorneys general and state regulators to bring civil actions to remedy violations. In addition, state attorneys generals and/or other state regulators have the authority to prohibit unfair and deceptive acts and practices under state law (“UDAP”), as well as a wide variety of state consumer protection laws and regulations. If the CFPB or state attorneys general or state regulators believe that our Badcock segment has violated any laws or regulations, they could exercise their enforcement 18 Table of Contents powers which could adversely affect our Badcock segment's and our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Accordingly, regulatory requirements, and the actions our Badcock segment must take to comply with regulations, vary considerably by jurisdiction. Managing this complex regulatory environment requires considerable compliance efforts. It is costly to operate in this environment, and it is possible that those costs will increase materially over time. This complexity also increases the risks that our Badcock segment will fail to comply with regulations which could adversely affect our Badcock segment’s and our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. These regulations affect our Badcock segment’s business in many ways, and include regulations relating to: • • • • • • • • • the terms of consumer loans (such as interest rates, finance and other charges, fees, durations, repayment terms, maximum loan amounts, renewals and extensions and repayment plans), the number and frequency of loans and reporting and use of state-wide databases; underwriting requirements; collection and servicing activity, including initiation of payments from consumer accounts; licensing, reporting and document retention; unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and practices and discrimination; disclosures, notices, advertising and marketing; requirements governing electronic payments, transactions, signatures and disclosures; privacy and use of personally identifiable information and consumer data, including credit reports; and posting of fees and charges. There are a range of penalties that governmental entities could impose if our Badcock segment fails to comply with the various laws and regulations that apply to its business, including: • • • • • • • • ordering corrective actions, including changes to compliance systems, product terms and other business operations; imposing fines or other monetary penalties, which could be substantial; ordering restitution, damages or other amounts to customers, including multiples of the amounts charged; requiring disgorgement of revenues or profits from certain activities; imposing cease and desist orders, including orders requiring affirmative relief, targeting specific business activities; subjecting Badcock’s operations to monitoring or additional regulatory examinations during a remediation period; revoking licenses required to operate in particular jurisdictions; and/or ordering the closure of one or more stores. Accordingly, if our Badcock segment fails to comply with applicable laws and regulations, it could adversely affect our Badcock segment’s and our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Unfavorable publicity or consumer perception of our services, products and any similar products distributed by other companies could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, which could result in decreased sales and significant fluctuations in our business, financial condition and results of operations. We depend significantly on consumer perception regarding the safety and quality of our products, as well as similar products distributed by other companies. Consumer perception of products can be significantly influenced by adverse publicity in the form of published scientific research, national media attention or other publicity, whether or not accurate, that associates consumption of our Vitamin Shoppe segment’s products or any other similar products with illness or other adverse effects, or questions the benefits of our or similar products or that claims that any such products are ineffective. A new product may initially be received favorably, resulting in high sales of that product, but that sales level may not be sustainable as consumer preferences change. Future scientific research or publicity could be unfavorable to our Vitamin Shoppe segment’s industry or any of its particular products and may not be consistent with earlier favorable research or publicity. Unfavorable research or publicity could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate sales within our Vitamin Shoppe segment. Our Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus segments sell food, dietary supplement, topical products and/or pet products containing cannabidiol (“CBD”), which is a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. There is significant uncertainty regarding the legal status of CBD and other hemp-based products in the U.S. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") currently prohibits the sale of foods and dietary supplements containing CBD, which could subject our Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus segments to regulatory enforcement action. 19 Table of Contents Products that contain CBD are subject to various state and federal laws regarding the production and sale of hemp-based products. Historically, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) considered CBD to be a Schedule I controlled substance subject to the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) under the definition for “marijuana.” However, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the “2018 Farm Bill”) removed “hemp” from the definition of “marijuana.” “Hemp” is defined as the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. As a result of the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill, we believe that our Vitamin Shoppe segment’s CBD products and the hemp from which they are derived are not Schedule I controlled substances under the CSA. However, there is a risk that we could be subject to DEA enforcement action, including prosecution, if any of our Vitamin Shoppe segment’s products are determined to not meet the definition of “hemp” and to constitute “marijuana” based on THC levels or other violations. In addition, although hemp and hemp-derived CBD are no longer controlled substances subject to regulation under the CSA, the FDA has stated publicly that it is nonetheless unlawful under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”) to market foods or dietary supplements containing CBD, even if lawful under the 2018 Farm Bill. Specifically, the FDCA prohibits the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of any food or dietary supplement that contains an approved drug or a drug for which substantial clinical investigations have been instituted and made public, unless a statutory exemption applies. The FDA has stated its conclusion that this statutory prohibition applies and none of the exceptions has been met for CBD. The FDA has held public meetings and formed an internal working group to evaluate the potential pathways to market for CBD products, which could include seeking statutory changes from Congress or promulgating new regulations. If legislative action is necessary, such legislative changes could take years to finalize and may not include provisions that would enable our Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus segments to produce, market and/or sell CBD products, and FDA could similarly take years to promulgate new regulations. Additionally, while the agency’s enforcement focus to date has primarily been on CBD products that are associated with therapeutic claims, the agency has recently issued warning letters to companies marketing CBD products without such claims, and there is a risk that FDA could take enforcement action against our Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus segments, their third-party contract manufacturers or suppliers, or those marketing similar products, which could limit or prevent these segments from marketing CBD products. While the FDA announced on March 5, 2020 that it is currently evaluating a risk-based enforcement policy for CBD to provide more clarity to industry and the public while the agency takes potential steps to establish a clear regulatory pathway, it remains unclear whether or when FDA will ultimately issue such an enforcement policy. Moreover, local, state, federal, and international CBD, hemp and cannabis laws and regulations are rapidly changing and subject to evolving interpretations, which could require our Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus segments to incur substantial costs associated with compliance requirements or alteration of certain aspects of their business plan in the event that its CBD products become subject to new restrictions. In addition, violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt the businesses and result in a material adverse effect on their operations. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations, or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus segments' activities in the hemp and CBD industry. The constant evolution of laws and regulations may require these segments to incur substantial costs associated with legal and compliance fees and ultimately require them to alter their current business plans. Disruptions at our American Freight, Pet Supplies Plus, Badcock, and Vitamin Shoppe segments' warehouses and distribution facilities or at our contract manufacturers’ manufacturing facilities could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and customer relationships. Any significant disruption in our segments' warehouse and distribution facilities or at any contract manufacturers’ manufacturing facilities for any reason, including regulatory requirements, and FDA determination that the contract manufacturers’ facility is not in compliance with the cGMP regulations, the loss of certifications, power interruptions, destruction of or damage to facilities, unexpected delays in delivery or increases in transportation costs (including through increased fuel costs), terrorist attacks, civil unrest, war or the perceived threat thereof, natural disasters could disrupt our contract manufacturers’ ability to manufacture products for our segments and our ability to deliver products to our customers. Any such disruption could have a material adverse effect on our business. Increases in the price or shortages of supply in connection with products sold by our segments could have a material adverse effect on our business. 20 Table of Contents Certain products sold by our segments are composed of certain key raw materials. If the prices of these raw materials were to increase significantly, including but not limited to the impact of higher interest rates, it could result in a significant increase to us in the prices charged to us for our segments' own branded products and third- party products. Raw material prices may increase in the future and we may not be able to pass on those increases to customers who purchase our products. A significant increase in the price of raw materials that cannot be passed on to customers could have a material adverse effect on our business. We may experience product recalls, withdrawals or seizures, which could materially and adversely affect our business. We may be subject to product recalls, withdrawals or seizures if any of the products we sell are believed to cause injury or illness or if we are alleged to have violated governmental regulations in the manufacturing, labeling, promotion, sale or distribution of those products. A significant recall, withdrawal or seizure of any of the products we manufacture or sell may require significant management attention, which would likely result in substantial and unexpected costs and may materially and adversely affect our business. Furthermore, a recall, withdrawal or seizure of any of our products may adversely affect consumer confidence in our brands and thus decrease consumer demand for our products. In some cases, we rely on our contract manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that the products they manufacture and sell to us comply with all applicable regulatory and legislative requirements. In general, we seek representations and warranties, indemnification and/or insurance from our contract manufacturers and suppliers. However, even with adequate insurance and indemnification, any claims of non-compliance could significantly damage our reputation and consumer confidence in our products. In addition, the failure of those products to comply with applicable regulatory and legislative requirements could prevent us from marketing the products or require us to recall or remove such products from the market, which in certain cases could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The success of our segments is dependent on factors affecting consumer spending that are not under our control. Consumer spending is affected by general economic conditions and other factors including levels of employment, disposable consumer income, prevailing interest rates, consumer debt and availability of credit, costs of fuel, inflation, recession and fears of recession, war and fears of war, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), inclement weather, tariff policies, tax rates and rate increases, timing of receipt of tax refunds, consumer confidence in future economic conditions and political conditions, and consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security. Unfavorable changes in factors affecting discretionary spending could reduce demand for our products and services resulting in lower revenue and negatively impacting our business and financial results. If our segments are unable to compete effectively with the growing e-commerce sector, our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. With the continued expansion of Internet use, as well as mobile computing devices and smartphones, competition from the e-commerce sector continues to grow. There can be no assurance we will be able to grow our e-commerce operations in a profitable manner. Certain of our competitors, and a number of e-commerce retailers, have established e-commerce operations against which we compete for customers. It is possible that the increasing competition from the e-commerce sector may reduce our market share, gross and operating margins, and may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations in other ways. If our Vitamin Shoppe, Pet Supplies Plus, Badcock, American Freight, and Buddy's segments do not successfully manage their inventory levels, our operating results will be adversely affected. We must maintain sufficient inventory levels to operate our business successfully. However, we also must avoid accumulating excess inventory as we seek to minimize out-of-stock levels across all product categories and to maintain in-stock levels. We continue to rely on and obtain significant portions of our inventory from vendors located outside the United States. Some of these vendors often require us to provide lengthy advance notice of our requirements in order to be able to supply products in the quantities we request. This usually requires us to order merchandise and enter into purchase order contracts for the purchase and manufacture of such merchandise, well in advance of the time these products will be offered for sale. As a result, we may experience difficulty in responding to a changing retail environment, which makes us vulnerable to changes in price and consumer preferences. If we do not accurately anticipate the future demand for a particular product or the time it will take to obtain new inventory, our inventory levels will not be appropriate, and our results of operations may be negatively impacted. 21 Table of Contents Our success is tied to the growth and effective operations of our Company-owned locations, franchises and dealers, and the franchise and dealer operations could adversely affect our business. Our financial success depends on how effectively we operate our Company-owned locations and how our franchisees and dealers operate and develop their businesses. We do not exercise direct control over the day-to-day operations of our franchises and dealers, and our franchisees and dealers may not operate their businesses in a manner consistent with our philosophy and standards and may not increase the level of revenues generated compared to prior years. Our growth and revenues may, therefore, be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that the training programs and quality control procedures we have established will be effective in enabling franchisees and dealers to run profitable businesses or that we will be able to identify problems or take corrective action quickly enough. In addition, failure by a franchisee or dealer to provide service at acceptable levels may result in adverse publicity that can materially adversely affect our reputation and ability to compete in the market in which the franchisee or dealer is located. If our franchisees or dealers fail to open locations in new territories or if they are not successful in operating their new locations, our franchise-related revenue and results of operation will be adversely affected. Each year, we anticipate adding locations to our franchise and dealer system, but the opening of these locations depends on the purchase of additional territories by our franchisees and the opening of offices in territories previously purchased and newly purchased. Many factors go into opening a new location, including obtaining a suitable location, the availability of sufficient start-up capital, and the ability to recruit qualified personnel to work in new locations. If a significant number of locations that we expect to be open, fail to open, are delayed, or open in unsuitable locations or with insufficient personnel, the revenue we expect to receive from royalty payments and the repayment of indebtedness to us by our franchisees and dealers will be adversely affected. We may be held responsible by third parties, regulators, or courts for the action of, or failure to act, by our franchisees and dealers and their employees which could be expose us to possible fines, other liabilities, bad publicity or damage to our brands. We grant our franchisees and dealers a limited license to use our registered service marks and, accordingly, there is risk that one or more of the franchisees or dealers may be identified as being controlled by us. Third parties, regulators, or courts may seek to hold us responsible for the actions or failures to act by our franchisees and dealers. In recent years, some government agencies have taken the position that the extent to which a franchise system establishes requirements for franchisees may justify treating the franchisor or dealer as if it “controls” the franchisee’s or dealer's behavior. Thus, the failure of our franchisees and dealers to comply with laws and regulations may expose us to liability and damages that may have an adverse effect on our business. Our franchisees and dealers operate their businesses under our brands. Because our franchisees and dealers are independent third parties with their own financial objectives, actions taken by them, including breaches of their contractual obligations, and negative publicity associated with these actions, could adversely affect our reputation and brands more broadly. Any actions as a result of conduct by our franchisees and dealers, their employees or otherwise which negatively impacts our reputation and brands may result in fewer customers and lower revenues and profits for us. Disputes with our franchisees or dealers may have a material adverse effect on our business. From time to time, we engage in disputes with some of our franchisees and dealers, and some of these disputes result in litigation or arbitration proceedings. Disputes with our franchisees and dealers may require us to incur significant legal fees, subject us to damages, and occupy a disproportionate amount of management's time. A material increase in the number of these disputes, or unfavorable outcomes in these disputes, may have a material adverse effect on our business. To the extent we have disputes with our franchisees and dealers, our relationships with our franchisees and dealers could be negatively impacted, which could hurt our growth prospects or negatively impact our financial performance. Additionally, to attempt to limit costly and lengthy consumer and other litigation, including class actions, and to provide a streamlined, faster and less expensive method of dispute resolution, some of our segments require customers and employees to sign arbitration agreements and class action waivers, many of which offer opt- out provisions. Recent judicial and regulatory actions have attempted to restrict or eliminate the enforceability of such agreements and waivers. If we are not permitted to use arbitration agreements and/or class action waivers, or if the enforceability of such agreements and waivers is restricted or eliminated, we could incur increased costs to resolve legal actions brought by customers, employees and others as we would be forced to participate in more expensive and lengthy dispute resolution processes, including class actions. 22 Table of Contents Our operating results depend on the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising programs and franchisee or dealer support of these programs. Our revenues are heavily influenced by brand marketing and advertising. If our marketing and advertising programs are unsuccessful, we may fail to retain existing customers and attract new customers, which could limit the growth of our revenues or profitability or result in a decline in our revenues or profitability. Moreover, because franchisees and dealers are required to pay us marketing and advertising fees based on a percentage of their revenues, our marketing fund expenditures are dependent upon sales volumes of our franchisees and dealers. The support of our franchisees and dealers is critical for the success of our marketing programs and any new strategic initiatives we seek to undertake. While we can mandate certain strategic initiatives through enforcement of our franchise agreements, we need the active support of our franchisees and dealers if the implementation of our marketing programs and strategic initiatives is to be successful. Although certain actions are required of our franchisees and dealers under the franchise agreements, there can be no assurance that our franchisees or dealers will continue to support our marketing programs and strategic initiatives. The failure of our franchisees and dealers to support our marketing programs and strategic initiatives would adversely affect our ability to implement our business strategy and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters The lines of business in which we operate involve substantial litigation, and such litigation may damage our reputation or result in material liabilities and losses. We have been named, from time to time, as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitration, class-actions, and other litigation arising in connection with our various business activities. We are currently involved in a class-action lawsuit, in which we are vigorously defending ourselves. There can be no assurance, however, that we will not have to pay significant damages or amounts in settlement above insurance coverage. Adverse outcomes related to litigation could result in substantial damages and could materially affect our liquidity and capital resources and cause our net income to decline or may require us to alter our business operations. Failure to pay any material judgment would be a default under our credit facilities. Negative public opinion can also result from our actual or alleged conduct in such claims, possibly damaging our reputation, which could negatively impact our financial performance and could cause the value of our stock to decline. See “Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. If we fail to protect or fail to comply with laws and regulations related to our customers' personal information, we may face significant fines, penalties, or damages and our brands and reputation may be harmed. We are subject to various federal and state laws related to the use of and protection of customer personal information, including but not limited, California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and other Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”). We rely on technology in virtually all aspects of our business. Like those of many large businesses, certain of our information systems have been subject to computer viruses, malicious codes, unauthorized access, phishing efforts, denial-of-service attacks and other cyber-attacks and we expect to be subject to similar attacks in the future as such attacks become more sophisticated and frequent. A significant disruption or failure of our technology systems could result in service interruptions, safety failures, security events, regulatory compliance failures, an inability to protect information and assets against unauthorized users, and other operational difficulties. Attacks perpetrated against our systems could result in loss of assets and critical information and expose us to remediation costs and reputational damage. We and our franchisees manage highly sensitive client information in our operations, and although we have established security procedures to protect against identity theft and require our franchisees to do the same, a security incident resulting in breaches of our customers' privacy may occur. Our computer systems are subject to penetration and our data protection measures may not prevent unauthorized access to sensitive client information. Threats to our systems, our franchisees systems, or associated third parties' systems can derive from human error, fraud, or malice on the part of employees or third parties, or may result from accidental technological failure. If the measures we have taken prove to be insufficient or inadequate or if our franchisees fail to meet their obligations in this area, we and our franchisees may become subject to litigation or administrative sanctions, which could result in significant fines, penalties, or damages and harm to our brands and reputation, which in turn could negatively impact our ability to retain our customers. Moreover, although we have some insurance that may defray the cost, the cost of remediating any breach resulting from a cybersecurity incident or other breach of the privacy of customer information would likely be substantial. Furthermore, we may be required to invest additional resources to protect us against damages caused by these actual or perceived disruptions or security breaches in the future. We could also suffer harm to our 23 Table of Contents reputation from a security breach or inappropriate disclosure of customer information. Changes in these federal and state regulatory requirements could result in more stringent requirements and could result in a need to change business practices, including how information is disclosed. These changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Moreover, a significant security breach or disclosure of customer information could so damage our brands and reputation that demand for the services that are provided by us and our franchisees may be reduced. Although we have taken steps intended to mitigate these risks, a significant disruption or cyber intrusion could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. If we become victim to a security breach resulting in third-party access to customer’s personal information which we host, collect, use and retain, this could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our services and products, our reputation, and cause material losses. We share these risks with all of our business segments. If we or our franchisees or dealers fail to comply with marketing and advertising laws, including with regard to direct marketing we may face significant damages. We rely on a variety of marketing techniques, including telemarketing, email and social media marketing and postal mailings, and we are subject to various laws and regulations in the U.S. and internationally that govern marketing and advertising practices. The retention of customers by our business and franchisees and dealers, and our ability to attract additional franchisees and dealers, depends on the use of these marketing techniques to contact customers and potential franchisees and dealers. However, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) imposes significant restrictions on the ability to utilize telephone calls and text messages to mobile telephone numbers as a means of communication, when the prior consent of the person being contacted has not been obtained. Violations of the TCPA may be enforced by individual customers through class-actions, and statutory penalties for TCPA violations range from $500 to $1,500 per violation. If we fail to ensure that our own telemarketing and telemarketing efforts are TCPA compliant, or if our franchisees or dealers fail to do so and we are held responsible for their behavior, we may incur significant damages. Compliance with governmental regulations or newly enacted laws could increase our costs significantly and adversely affect our operating income and financial results. The products and services offered by our business segments are subject to federal laws and regulation by one or more federal agencies, including but not limited to the FDA, the Federal Trade Commission, the CFPB, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency. These activities are also regulated by various state, local and international laws and agencies of the states and localities in which our products or services are provided. Regulations may prevent or delay the introduction, or require the reformulation, of our products or services, which could result in lost sales and increased costs to us. For example, the FDA may not accept the evidence of safety for any new ingredients that our Vitamin Shoppe segment may want to market, may determine that a particular ingredient is not a legal dietary ingredient under the FDCA, may determine that a particular product or product ingredient presents an unacceptable health risk, may determine that a particular statement of nutritional support on our products, or that we want to use on our products, is an unacceptable drug claim or an unauthorized version of a food “health claim.” The FDA or FTC may determine that particular claims are not adequately supported by available scientific evidence. The FDA may also determine that our Vitamin Shoppe segment’s CBD-containing food and dietary supplement products are unlawful and may issue an enforcement action against us. Any such regulatory determination would prevent us from marketing particular products or using certain statements on those products or force us to recall a particular product and be subject to additional enforcement or penalties, which could adversely affect our sales of those products. Additionally, our rental business unit is subject to various federal and state including consumer protection statutes, such as a grace period for late fees and certain contract reinstatement rights. Moreover, many states have passed laws that regulate rental purchase transactions as separate and distinct from credit sales. Specific rental purchase laws generally require certain contractual and advertising disclosures. Any failure of our Buddy’s segment to comply with such laws could have a material adverse effect on our business. The CCPA which became effective on January 1, 2020 and requires covered companies to provide new disclosures to California consumers, and afford such consumers new abilities to opt-out of certain sales of personal information. We collect internal and customer data, including personally identifiable information for a variety of important business purposes, including managing our workforce and providing requested products and services. The CCPA required us to modify our data processing practices and policies at our Pet Supplies Plus, Vitamin Shoppe, Sylvan and American Freight segments, as a result of which 24 Table of Contents we may incur substantial costs and expenses in an effort to comply. The effects of the CCPA are potentially significant and require us to modify our data processing practices and policies which as a result, we may incur substantial costs and expenses in an effort to comply. We may also from time to time be subject to, or face assertions that we are subject to, additional obligations relating to personal data by contract or due to assertions that self-regulatory obligations or industry standards apply to our practices. There may be additional regulatory actions or enforcement priorities, or new interpretations of existing requirements that differ from ours, which could impose unanticipated limitations or require changes to our business. Any developments of this nature could increase our costs significantly and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may be subject to product liability claims if people or properties are harmed by the products we sell or the services we offer. Some of the products we sell may expose us to product liability claims relating to personal injury, death, or property damage caused by such products, and may require us to take actions such as product recalls. Although we maintain liability insurance, we cannot be certain that our coverage will be adequate for liabilities actually incurred or that insurance will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Our Vitamin Shoppe segment, in particular, as a retailer and direct marketer of products designed for human consumption, is subject to product liability claims if the use of its products is alleged to have resulted in injury or to include inadequate instructions for use or inadequate warnings concerning possible side effects and interactions with other substances. In addition, third-party manufacturers produce many of the products we sell which may expose us to product liability claims for products we do not manufacture. While we attempt to manage these risks by obtaining indemnification agreements from the manufacturers of products that we sell and insurance, third parties may not satisfy their indemnification obligations to us and/or our insurance policies may not be sufficient or available. A product liability claim against us, whether with respect to products of a third-party that we sell or our branded products, could result in increased costs and could adversely affect our reputation with our customers, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. General Risk Factors Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights may harm our competitive position, and litigation to protect our intellectual property rights or defend against third-party allegations of infringement may be costly. We regard our intellectual property as critical to the success of our business. Third parties may infringe or misappropriate our brand names, trademarks or other intellectual property rights, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or operating results. The actions we take to protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights may not be adequate. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets, or determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. There are no assurances that we will be able to prevent infringement of our intellectual property rights or misappropriation of our proprietary information. Any infringement or misappropriation could harm any competitive advantage we currently derive or may derive from our proprietary rights. In addition, third parties may assert infringement claims against us. Any claims and any resulting litigation could subject us to significant liability for damages. An adverse determination in any litigation of this type could require us to design around a third-party's patent or to license alternative technology from another party. Litigation is time-consuming and expensive to defend and could result in the diversion of our time and resources. Any claims from third parties may also result in limitations on our ability to use the intellectual property subject to these claims. Our business relies on technology systems and electronic communications, which, if disrupted, could materially affect our business. We depend heavily upon our information technology systems in the conduct of our business. We develop, own and license or otherwise contract for sophisticated technology systems and services. If we experience significant disruptions to our systems, we could experience a loss of business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Any data breach or severe disruption of our network or electronic communications could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We rely on certain software vendors to maintain and periodically upgrade many of these systems so that they can continue to support our business. The software programs supporting many of our systems were licensed to us by independent software developers. The inability of these developers or us to continue to maintain and upgrade these information systems and software programs would disrupt or reduce the efficiency of our operations if we were unable to convert to alternate systems in an efficient and timely manner. 25 Table of Contents If we are unable to secure our customers’ personal and confidential information, or other private data relating to our associates, suppliers or our business, we could be subject to negative publicity, costly government enforcement actions or private litigation and increased costs, which could damage our business reputation and adversely affect our results of operations or business. Many of our information technology systems, such as those we use for our point-of-sale, web and mobile platforms, including online and mobile payment systems, and for administrative functions, including human resources, payroll, accounting, and internal and external communications, contain personal, financial or other information that is entrusted to us by our customers and associates. Many of our information technology systems also contain proprietary and other confidential information related to our business and suppliers. Although we have developed procedures, employee training and technology in place to safeguard our customers’ personal information, our associates’ private data, suppliers’ data, and our business records and intellectual property and other sensitive information, we may nevertheless, be vulnerable to, and unable to anticipate, detect and appropriately respond to, data security breaches and data loss, including cyber-security attacks. To date, we have not experienced a material data breach, however, if we or any third-party systems we use experience a data security breach, we could be exposed to negative publicity, reputational risk with our customers, government enforcement actions and private litigation, in addition to the potential of significant capital investments and other expenditures to remedy cybersecurity problems and prevent future security breaches. These costs, which could be material, could adversely impact our results of operations in the period in which they are incurred and may not meaningfully limit the success of future attempts to breach our information technology systems. If we fail to retain our key senior management personnel or are unable to attract and retain highly skilled and other key personnel, our financial performance could be materially adversely affected. We depend on our senior management and other key or highly skilled personnel. The loss of any of our executive officers or other key employees or the inability to hire, train, retain, and manage qualified personnel, could harm our business. If we and our franchisees and dealers are unable to attract and retain qualified employees, our financial performance could be materially adversely affected. Both we and our franchisees and dealers depend on the ability to find, hire and retain qualified employees to manage day-to-day business activities. Our operating subsidiaries also need qualified and competent personnel in executing their business plans and serving their customers. Our inability to recruit and retain qualified and competent managers and personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for certain disputes between us and our stockholders, which may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds preferable for disputes with us and our directors, officers or other employees. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we otherwise determine, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders, any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This forum selection provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or any claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. This forum selection provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim that is not arising under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, in a judicial forum (other than in a Delaware court) that it finds preferable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims and result in increased costs for stockholders to bring a claim. If a court were to find this forum selection provision to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs or business interruption associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition. Our stock price has been extremely volatile, and investors may be unable to resell their shares at or above their acquisition price or at all. Our stock price has been, and may continue to be, subject to wide fluctuations in response to many risk factors listed in this section, and others beyond our control, including, but not limited to: 26 Table of Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • actual or anticipated variations in our operating results from quarter to quarter; actual or anticipated variations in our operating results and financial performance from the expectations of securities analysts and investors; if analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they publish misleading or unfavorable research or reports about our business; actual or anticipated variations in our operating results from our competitors; fluctuations in the valuation of companies perceived by investors to be comparable to us; sales of common stock or other securities by us or our stockholders in the future; certain non-compliance, fraud and other misconduct by our franchisees, dealers, and/or employees; departures of key executives or directors; announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, financing efforts or capital commitments; delays or other changes in our expansion plans; failure to maintain adequate internal controls; involvement in litigation (including securities class action litigation) or governmental investigations or enforcement activity; stock price and volume fluctuations attributable to inconsistent trading volume levels of our shares; general economic, stock market and market conditions in our industry and the industries of our customers; regulatory or political developments; global pandemics (such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic); and capital markets and trading markets fluctuations. Although we may desire to continue to pay dividends in the future, our financial condition, debt covenants, or Delaware law may prohibit us from doing so. The payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend, among other things, on our earnings, capital requirements, and financial condition. Our ability to pay dividends will also be subject to compliance with financial covenants that are contained in our credit facility and may be restricted by any future indebtedness that we incur or issuances of preferred stock. In addition, applicable law requires our Board of Directors to determine that we have adequate surplus prior to the declaration of dividends. Although we expect to pay a quarterly cash dividend to holders of our common stock, we have no obligation to do so, and our dividend policy may change at any time without notice to our stockholders. We cannot provide an assurance that we will continue to pay dividends at any specific level or at all. Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents, Delaware law, and our credit facility could make an acquisition of us more difficult, limit attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management, and adversely affect the value of our common stock. Provisions in our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. In addition, our credit facility contains covenants that may impede, discourage, or prevent a takeover of us. For instance, upon a change of control, we would default on our credit facility. As a result, a potential takeover may not occur unless sufficient funds are available to repay our outstanding debt. Provisions in our bylaws and credit facility may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our Board of Directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management. Any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws or our debt documents that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change of control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect our stock value if they are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. None. 27 Table of Contents Item 2. Properties. Stores As of December 25, 2021, we operated 1,410 Company-owned stores, operated 317 dealer-owned stores, and franchised 1,221 stores. See breakout of Company- owned stores, dealer-owned stores, franchised stores, and distribution centers by segment as detailed below: Vitamin Shoppe Pet Supplies Plus Badcock American Freight Buddy's Sylvan Total Franchise Group Company-owned 711 228 66 362 37 6 1,410 Dealer-owned Franchised Total Distribution Centers — — 317 — — — 317 — 374 — 5 276 566 1,221 711 602 383 367 313 572 2,948 2 3 3 9 — — 17 We lease the vast majority of our Company-owned stores and the majority of our Distribution Centers. Our leases typically provide an initial term with options to extend. As current leases expire, we believe that we will be able to obtain lease renewals, if desired, for present store locations, or to obtain leases for equivalent or better locations in the same general area. We lease our corporate headquarters. Our principal executive office is located at 109 Innovation Court, Suite J, Delaware, Ohio 43015. Item 3. Legal Proceedings. For information regarding legal proceedings, please see "Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which information is incorporated herein by reference. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Not applicable. Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. PART II Market and Stock Information Our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbols "FRG" and "FRGAP," respectively. As of February 18, 2022, we had approximately 122 registered record holders of our common stock and 1 registered record holder of our Series A Preferred Stock. An aggregate maximum of 5,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for stock compensation award issuance. Future decisions to pay cash dividends continue to be at the discretion of our Board and will be dependent on our earnings, capital requirements, and financial condition. Our ability to pay dividends is also subject to compliance with financial covenants that are contained in our credit facility and may be restricted by any future indebtedness that we incur. In addition, applicable law requires our Board to determine that we have adequate surplus prior to the declaration of dividends. We cannot provide an assurance that we will pay dividends at any specific level or at all. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities Other than those sales of unregistered securities that we have disclosed in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K, we have not recently sold any unregistered securities. Share Repurchases Our Board has authorized up to $10.0 million for repurchases of shares of our common stock. During the year ended December 25, 2021, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock. 28 Table of Contents Stock Performance Graph The following graph sets forth the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock during the five fiscal years ended December 25, 2021, compared with the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Retailing Index. The comparison assumes that $100 was invested in our common stock on May 1, 2016, and, in each of the foregoing indices on May 1, 2016, that dividends were reinvested. The stock price performance shown in the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. April 30, 2016 April 30, 2017 April 30, 2018 Year or Period Ended April 30, 2019 Franchise Group, Inc. $ S&P 500 Index $ S&P Retailing Index $ 100.00 100.00 100.00 122.93 114.55 97.08 128.53 114.55 97.08 95.69 127.22 102.22 December 28, 2019 85.93 141.53 103.35 December 26, 2020 241.14 155.66 104.62 December 25, 2021 318.35 177.28 146.52 Item 6. [Reserved] Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. General Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday in December closest to December 31st. Fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019 included 52 weeks. The discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 26, 2020 and April 30, 2019, included in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) can be found in Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2021, to reflect certain retrospective revisions for discontinued operations and changes in reportable segments in the consolidated financial statements of the Company in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2020 that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 10, 2021 (the “Form 10- K”). Overview We are an owner and operator of franchised and franchisable businesses that continually looks to grow our portfolio of brands while utilizing our operating and capital allocation philosophy to generate strong cash flows. We currently operate six reportable segments: Vitamin Shoppe, Pet Supplies Plus, Badcock, American Freight, Buddy’s, and Sylvan. 29 Table of Contents Our Vitamin Shoppe segment is an omnichannel specialty retailer of vitamins, minerals, herbs, specialty supplements, sports nutrition and other health and wellness products. Our Pet Supplies Plus segment is a leading franchisor and retailer of pet supplies and services. Our Badcock segment carries a complete line of furniture, appliances, bedding, electronics, home office equipment, accessories and seasonal items in a showroom format. Our American Freight segment is a retail chain offering in-store and online access to furniture, mattresses, new and out-of-box appliances and home accessories at discount prices. On October 23, 2019, we completed the acquisition of the Sears Outlet business (“Sears Outlet”) from Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (the “Sears Outlet Acquisition”). Sears Outlet has been rebranded as American Freight Outlet and is included in our American Freight segment. Our Buddy's segment is a specialty retailer of high quality, name brand consumer electronic, residential furniture, appliances and household accessories through rent-to-own agreements. Our Sylvan segment is an established and growing franchisor of supplemental education for Pre-K-12 students and families in the United States and Canada. Our revenue is primarily derived from merchandise sales, rental revenue, and service revenues comprised of royalties and other required fees from our franchisees, dealers, and financing programs. In evaluating our performance, management focuses on several metrics that we believe are key to our success: • • • Net change in retail and franchise locations. The change in retail and franchise locations from year to year is a function of the opening of new locations, offset by locations that we or our franchisees close. Please see "Item 2. Properties" in this Annual Report for the number of locations as of December 25, 2021. Same-store or comparable store sales. The difference in revenue generated by the segment's existing store locations over a certain period (often a fiscal week, month, or quarter), compared to an identical period in the past, usually in the previous year. A segment's store becomes a comparable store at the beginning of the fiscal period following the one year anniversary of the store open date (or the beginning of the 13th fiscal period after the store opens). If a store relocates outside of the current trade area or defined territory, it is removed from the comparable store base and is treated as a new store. On-line revenue is included in the overall segment comparable store sales calculation. Adjusted EBITDA. Management focuses on adjusted EBITDA as a measure of the cash flow from recurring operations from the businesses. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss), before income taxes, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain other items. Acquisitions On December 27, 2020, we completed our acquisition of Furniture Factory Outlet ("FFO Home"). For a complete description of the FFO Home Acquisition, refer to "Note 2 - Acquisitions" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. On March 10, 2021, we completed our acquisition of PSP Midco, LLC ("Pet Supplies Plus"). For a complete description of the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition, refer to "Note 2 - Acquisitions" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. On September 27, 2021, we completed our acquisition of Sylvan. For a complete description of the Sylvan Acquisition, refer to "Note 2 - Acquisitions" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. On November 22, 2021, we completed our acquisition of Badcock. For a complete description of the Badcock Acquisition, refer to "Note 2 - Acquisitions" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Discontinued Operations As disclosed above, on February 21, 2021, we entered into the Purchase Agreement with NextPoint to sell our Liberty Tax business. In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the parties entered into a transition services agreement pursuant to which both parties agreed to provide certain transition services to each other for a period not to exceed twelve months. On July 2, 2021, we completed the transaction and received total consideration of $255.3 million, consisting of $181.2 million in cash and $74.1 million in proportionate voting shares of NextPoint recorded as an investment in equity securities in "Other non-current assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The transaction resulted in a gain on the sale of $188.1 million recorded in "Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax" on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As part of the divestiture, we incurred transaction costs of $7.1 million which were paid using shares of NextPoint. As a result of the transaction, the financial position and results of operations of the Liberty Tax business are presented as discontinued operations and, as such, have been excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. 30 Table of Contents Results of Operations For the Year Ended December 25, 2021 as compared to the Year Ended December 26, 2020 As described above, our Liberty Tax business is reported as a discontinued operation and its results of operations are excluded from our results of operations. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, Liberty Tax was our only business, therefore, no continuing operations existed for that fiscal year and comparative information is not provided. The following table sets forth the results of our operations for the years ended December 25, 2021, and December 26, 2020: (In thousands) Total revenues Total operating expenses Income (loss) from operations Net income (loss) from continuing operations Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Net income (loss) attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. Fiscal Years Ended 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 3,255,204 3,028,853 226,351 191,966 171,822 363,788 $ $ 2,029,727 $ 1,977,216 52,511 20,645 4,419 25,064 $ Change $ 1,225,477 1,051,637 173,840 171,321 167,403 338,724 Revenues. The table below sets forth the components and changes in our revenue for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020: (In thousands) Product Service and other Rental Total revenue Fiscal Years Ended 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 3,012,471 209,103 33,630 3,255,204 $ $ 1,899,662 65,798 64,267 2,029,727 $ $ Change $ 1,112,809 143,305 (30,637) 1,225,477 % 60 % 53 % 331 % 830 % 3,788 % 1351 % % 59 218 (48) 60 % % % % Our total revenue increased by $1.2 billion, or 60%, in the year ended December 25, 2021 compared to the year ended December 26, 2020. This increase was primarily due to the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition on March 10, 2021, which increased revenue by $917.4 million, the Badcock Acquisition on November 22, 2021, which increased revenue by $102.1 million, and the Sylvan Acquisition on September 27, 2021, which increased revenue by $9.7 million. The $30.6 million decrease in rental revenue was due to the refranchising of 47 Buddy's' Company-owned stores on November 10, 2020 and an additional 8 stores on August 25, 2021. Operating expenses. The following table details the amounts and changes in our operating expenses for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020: (In thousands) Cost of revenue: Product Service and other Rental Total cost of revenue Selling, general and administrative expenses Total operating expenses Fiscal Years Ended Change 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ % $ $ 1,892,741 16,506 11,552 1,920,799 1,108,054 3,028,853 $ $ 1,136,054 $ 2,149 21,905 1,160,108 817,108 1,977,216 $ 756,687 14,357 (10,353) 760,691 290,946 1,051,637 67 % 668 % (47)% 66 % 36 % 53 % Total operating expenses increased $1.1 billion, or 53%, in the year ended December 25, 2021 compared to the year ended December 26, 2020. This increase was primarily due to the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition on March 10, 2021, which increased operating expenses by $875.8 million, the Badcock Acquisition on November 22, 2021, which increased operating expenses by $79.4 million and the Sylvan Acquisition on September 27, 2021, which increased operating expenses by $10.4 31 Table of Contents million. The $10.4 million decrease in rental cost of sales was due to the refranchising of 47 Buddy's Company-owned stores on November 10, 2020 and an additional 8 stores on August 25, 2021. Non-operating income (expense). The following table sets forth certain information regarding our non-operating income (expense) for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020: (In thousands) Bargain purchase gain Other Interest expense, net Non-operating income (expense) 12/25/2021 Fiscal Years Ended 12/26/2020 4/30/2019 $ % Change (Fiscal 2021 vs. Fiscal 2020) $ $ 132,559 (67,368) (133,114) (67,923) $ $ — (5,294) (96,774) (102,068) $ — $ — — — $ 132,559 (62,074) (36,340) 34,145 100 % 1,173 % 38 % (33)% Non-operating income (expense) increased $34.1 million due to the following: • Bargain purchase gain increased $132.6 million in the year ended December 25, 2021 driven by the $132.0 million bargain purchase gain from the Badcock Acquisition; • Other expenses increased $62.1 million for the year ended December 25, 2021 due to a prepayment penalty of $36.7 million from the repayment of the Franchise Group New Holdco Term Loan and ABL Term Loan and a $31.8 million loss related to our investment in NextPoint; and • Interest expense, net increased by $36.3 million due to the write-off of $29.3 million, $6.1 million and $4.7 million of deferred financing costs from the termination of the Franchise Group New Holdco Term Loan and ABL Term Loan, the $182.1 million principal payment on the First Lien Term Loan and the $219.0 million principal payment on the First Lien Badcock Term Loan. These increases were partially offset by the reduction in amortization of deferred financing costs. Income Taxes. The following table sets forth certain information regarding our income taxes for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020: (In thousands) Gain (loss) before income taxes Income tax benefit Effective tax rate Fiscal Years Ended Change 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ % $ $ 158,428 (33,538) (21.2)% $ (49,557) (60,501) 122.1 % 207,985 26,963 (420)% (45)% The decrease in the effective tax rate from 122.1% to (21.2)% for the year ended December 25, 2021 compared to the year ended December 26, 2020 is primarily due to a $45.2 million release of a valuation allowance in the current year, on the basis of management's reassessment of the amount of its deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized. In addition, the bargain purchase gain recorded in the Badcock Acquisition in the current year is disregarded for tax purposes, resulting in a permanent benefit. In the prior year, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $52.3 million on a pre-tax loss of $50.0 million related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (the "CARES Act"), which was enacted on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act retroactively changed the eligibility of certain assets for expense treatment in the year placed in service, back to 2018, and permitted any net operating loss for the tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back for five years. Net Income. In the year ended December 25, 2021, we had net income from continuing operations of $192.0 million compared to net income of $10.9 million in the year ended December 26, 2020 due to fluctuations noted above. Segment Information Our operations are conducted in six reporting business segments: Vitamin Shoppe, Pet Supplies Plus, Badcock, American Freight, Buddy's, and Sylvan. We define our segments as those operations whose results our chief operating decision maker ("CODM") regularly reviews to analyze performance and allocate resources. Because the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition, Sylvan Acquisition, and Badcock Acquisition occurred in the year ended December 25, 2021, comparable information is not available; therefore, Pet Supplies Plus, Sylvan, and Badcock segment information is not provided. 32 Table of Contents Vitamin Shoppe The following table summarizes the operating results of our Vitamin Shoppe segment for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020. Because the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition occurred in the Transition Period, comparable information for the year ended April 30, 2019 is not available: (In thousands) Total revenues Operating expenses Operating income (loss) Fiscal Years Ended 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 1,172,725 1,068,721 104,004 $ $ 1,035,964 1,030,593 5,371 $ $ Change $ 136,761 38,128 98,633 % 13 4 1,836 % % % Total revenue for our Vitamin Shoppe segment increased $136.8 million, or 13%, for the year ended December 25, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 26, 2020. The increase in revenue was the result of a 14.4% increase in comparable store sales, which was the driven by strong customer traffic, several new product introductions throughout the year and the continuation in demand for health and wellness products. Operating expenses for the Vitamin Shoppe segment increased $38.1 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 25, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 26, 2020. The increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by: • • • • a $55.2 million increase in cost of revenue correlated to the revenue growth noted above, as a percentage of revenue. Gross margin, excluding the inventory step-up amortization in 2020 due to purchase price accounting, decreased approximately ten basis points to 45.2% compared to 45.3% in the prior year due to higher sales for supplement products which have a lower margin. Operating expense increases were partially offset by: $20.6 million of inventory step-up amortization in the prior year period; a $9.8 million decrease in occupancy costs due to 32 fewer stores compared to the prior year; a $2.9 million right-of-use asset impairment in the prior year period; and a $7.3 million decrease in depreciation expense. American Freight The following table summarizes the operating results of our American Freight segment for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020. Because the American Freight Acquisition occurred in the year ended December 26, 2020, comparable information for the year ended April 30, 2019 is not available: (In thousands) Total revenues Operating expenses Operating income (loss) Fiscal Years Ended Change 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ % $ $ 988,892 $ 922,351 66,541 $ 896,431 $ 856,083 40,348 $ 92,461 66,268 26,193 10 % 8 % 65 % Total revenue for our American Freight segment increased $92.5 million, or 10%, for the year ended December 25, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 26, 2020. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by the following: • • • the inclusion of the full first quarter results in the current year (American Freight was acquired on February 14, 2020); increased revenue from new store openings; and the FFO Home Acquisition. 33 Table of Contents Operating expenses for the American Freight segment increased $66.3 million, or 8%, for the year ended December 25, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 26, 2020. The increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by the following: the inclusion of the full first quarter in the current year (American Freight was acquired on February 14, 2020); higher occupancy costs due to new store openings and store acquisitions; and an increase in advertising expenses due to reduced advertising in the prior year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. • • • Buddy's The following table summarizes the operating results of our Buddy's segment for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020. Because the Buddy's Acquisition occurred in the Transition Period, comparable information for the year ended April 30, 2019 is not available: (In thousands) Total revenues Operating expenses Operating income (loss) Fiscal Years Ended 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 64,409 $ 47,724 16,685 $ 97,332 $ 76,968 20,364 $ Change $ (32,923) (29,244) (3,679) % (34)% (38)% (18)% Total revenue for our Buddy's segment decreased $32.9 million, or (34)%, for the year ended December 25, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 26, 2020. The decrease in revenue was primarily driven by the following: a $30.6 million decrease in rental revenue due to the refranchising of 47 Company-owned stores on November 10, 2020 and an additional 8 stores on August 25, • 2021. Rental revenue for comparable stores for the year increased to $30.4 million from $29.7 million in the prior year. • The decrease in rental revenue was partially offset by an increase of $3.8 million in royalty revenue for the year ended December 25, 2021 due to the refranchising of Company-owned stores. Operating expenses for the Buddy's segment decreased $29.2 million, or (38)%, for the year ended December 25, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 26, 2020. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily driven by the following: • a $10.4 million decrease in rental cost of sales, an $8.2 million decrease in employee compensation, and a $7.3 million decrease in other expenses due to the refranchising of 47 Company-owned stores on November 10, 2020 and an additional 8 stores on August 25, 2021. Adjusted EBITDA. To provide additional information regarding our financial results, we have disclosed Adjusted EBITDA in the table below and within this Annual Report. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss), before income taxes, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain other items specified below. We have provided a reconciliation below of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. We have included Adjusted EBITDA in this Annual Report because we believe the presentation of these measures is useful to investors as supplemental measures in evaluating the aggregate performance of our operating businesses and in comparing our results from period to period because they exclude items that we do not believe are reflective of our core or ongoing operating results. These measures are used by our management to evaluate performance and make resource allocation decisions each period. Adjusted EBITDA is also the primary operating metric used in the determination of executive management’s compensation. In addition, a measure similar to Adjusted EBITDA is used in our credit facilities. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized financial measure under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss), or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. 34 Table of Contents The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020. Amounts for the year ended April 30, 2019 are not provided as they are all attributable to discontinued operations. (In thousands) Net income (loss) from continuing operations Add back: Interest expense Income tax benefit Depreciation and amortization charges Total Adjustments EBITDA Adjustments to EBITDA Executive severance and related costs Stock based compensation Litigation costs and settlements Corporate compliance costs Store closures Securitized receivables, net Prepayment penalty on early debt repayment Right-of-use asset impairment Integration costs Divestiture costs Acquisition costs Loss on investment in equity securities Acquisition bargain purchase gain Total Adjustments to EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA Funding Requirements Fiscal Years Ended 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ 191,966 $ 133,114 (33,538) 69,086 168,662 360,628 302 14,956 (1,130) 2,172 2,429 (19,919) 36,726 2,948 16,655 515 22,878 31,773 (132,559) (22,254) 338,374 $ $ 10,944 96,774 (60,501) 52,152 88,425 99,369 5,643 8,923 (1,070) 543 592 — 44,996 2,895 2,703 — 26,309 — — 91,534 190,903 We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to support our ongoing operations and maintain a sufficient liquidity position to meet our obligations and commitments. Our liquidity plans are established as part of our financial and strategic planning processes and consider the liquidity necessary to fund our operating, capital expenditure and debt service needs. We primarily fund our operations and acquisitions through operating cash flows and, as needed, a combination of borrowings under various credit agreements, availability under our revolving credit facilities and the issuance of equity securities. Cash generation can be subject to variability based on many factors, including seasonality, receipt of prepaid payments from area developers, timing of repayment of loans to franchisees and the effects of changes in end markets. Subsequent to December 25, 2021, several transactions and events occurred that will or have the potential to affect our liquidity and capital resources in future periods as discussed in Part I, Item 1. Business. Sources and uses of cash Operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $135.5 million in 2021 compared to 2020 due to a $219.1 million increase in cash used for inventory and a $36.1 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses due to the timing of payments. These were partially offset by a $127.5 million increase in cash net income and an $18.5 million increase in other assets due to our investment in NextPoint. Cash net income represents net income adjusted for non-cash or non-operating 35 Table of Contents activities such as bargain purchase gains, the gain on the divestiture of our Liberty tax business, debt prepayment penalties, change in fair value of investment and amortization of deferred financing costs. Investing activities Net cash used in investing activities increased $572.9 million in 2021 compared to 2020. This increase was primarily driven by an increase of $710.4 million in cash used for acquisitions and a $23.5 million decrease of proceeds from the sale of company-owned stores partially offset by $179.5 million in cash received from divestitures. Financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities increased $743.6 million in 2021 compared to 2020. The increase was driven by a $1,689.0 million increase in proceeds from the issuance of debt, a $150.7 million decrease in repayments of revolving credit facilities and a $50.1 million increase in proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock. The increases in cash provided by financing activities were partially offset by a $671.1 million increase in repayments of long-term obligations, a $198.0 million reduction in proceeds from the issuance of common stock, a $157.9 million reduction in borrowing under our revolving credit facilities, a $49.1 million increase in payments for debt issuance costs, a $37.9 million increase in dividends paid and a $36.7 million increase in cash paid for penalties for early debt repayment. Contractual Obligations The following tables summarize our contractual obligations as of December 25, 2021: (in thousands) Lease Financing Finance lease liabilities Operating lease liabilities Long-Term Obligations Secured Borrowing Term Loans ABL Revolver Total Obligations (in thousands) Guarantees Purchase obligations Total commitments Total 2022 2023 Contractual Obligations 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter $ $ $ $ 6,465 $ 730,172 1,952 $ 66,834 1,757 $ 199,063 1,325 $ 155,360 1,056 $ 112,046 375 $ 80,557 — 116,312 407,502 1,482,016 20,000 1,909,518 $ 302,246 4,319 — 306,565 $ 105,256 362,252 — 467,508 $ — — — — $ — — — — $ — 1,115,445 20,000 1,135,445 $ — — — — Total Expiring in 2022 Expiring in 2023 23,925 $ 145,890 169,815 $ 4,228 $ 84,249 88,477 $ 3,860 $ 58,462 62,322 $ Commitments Expiring in 2024 Expiring in 2025 Expiring in 2026 Thereafter 4,506 $ 2,969 7,475 $ 3,039 $ 210 3,249 $ 2,597 $ — 2,597 $ 5,695 — 5,695 For more information on the long-term obligations, refer to "Note 9 - Long-Term Obligations”, to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Lease financing Operating lease obligations. Refer to "Note 8 - Leases”, to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for information on our operating leases. The obligation above includes amounts for leases that were signed prior to December 25, 2021 for stores that were not yet open on December 25, 2021. Other factors affecting our liquidity Tax Receivable Agreement. We may be required to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA Payments") to the owners of Buddy's (the "Buddy’s Members"). As of December 25, 2021, we had TRA Payments due to the Buddy's Members of $17.3 million. Refer to "Note 12 - Income Taxes”, to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for more information on the Tax Receivable Agreement. 36 Table of Contents Off Balance Sheet Arrangements The Company remains secondarily liable under various real estate leases that were assigned to franchisees who acquired stores from the Company. In the event of the failure of an acquirer to pay lease payments, the Company could be obligated to pay the remaining lease payments which extend through 2033 and aggregated $22.9 million as of December 25, 2021. If the Company is required to make payments under these guarantees, the Company could seek to recover those amounts from the franchisees or in some cases their affiliates. The Company believes that payment under these guarantees is remote as of December 25, 2021. Interest Rate Risk We are exposed to various types of market risk in the normal course of our business, including the impact of interest rate changes. We may enter into interest rate swaps to manage exposure to interest rate changes. We do not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than cash flow hedging and we do not hold derivative instruments for trading purposes. Long-term Debt. We utilize short-term and long-term financing to manage our overall interest expense related to our existing variable-rate debt, as well as to hedge the variability in cash flows due to changes in benchmark interest rates related to anticipated debt issuances. See "Note 9 - Long-Term Obligations" to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further details of the components of our long-term debt as of December 25, 2021. Fair Value 10 Basis Point Increase in Underlying Rate 10 Basis Point Decrease in Underlying Rate Changes in Fair Value Long-term debt $ 1,909,518 $ 190,952 $ (190,952) Critical Accounting Policies The preparation of financial statements requires the use of estimates. Certain of our estimates require a high level of judgment and have the potential to have a material effect on the financial statements if actual results vary significantly from those estimates. Following is a discussion of the estimates that we consider critical. Long-Lived and Right-of-Use Assets. We review our long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, purchased intangibles subject to amortization, and operating lease right-of-use assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability by comparison of the carrying value of an asset to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. We recognize and measure potential impairment at the lowest level where cash flows are individually identifiable. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, we recognize an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. We determine fair value through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values, and third-party independent appraisals. Business Combinations-Purchase Price Allocation. For acquisitions which meet the definition of a business combination in accordance with ASC 805, we allocate the purchase price to the various tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values, some of which are preliminary as of December 25, 2021. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents goodwill derived from the acquisition. The amount by which the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the fair value of consideration transferred as the purchase price is recorded as a bargain purchase gain. Determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities is subjective in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, which are inherently uncertain. Many of the estimates and assumptions used to determine fair values, such as those used for intangible assets are made based on forecasted information and discount rates. In addition, the judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact our results of operations. Refer to “Note 2 - Acquisitions” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information. Goodwill and Non-amortizing Intangible Assets. Goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets are initially recorded at their fair values. These assets are not amortized but are evaluated as of the end of July of each fiscal year, and a more frequent evaluation is performed if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the assets fair values below their carrying values. Such events or circumstances could include, but are not limited to, significant negative industry or 37 Table of Contents economic trends, unanticipated changes in the competitive environment and a significant sustained decline in the market price of our stock. For goodwill, the Company performs a qualitative and/or quantitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that each reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value, including goodwill. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company then estimates the fair value. The Company uses either a market multiple method or a discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of its reporting units and recognizes goodwill impairment for any excess of the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill over its estimated fair value. For non-amortizing intangible assets, the Company evaluates its tradenames for impairment by comparing the fair value, based on an income approach using the relief-from-royalty method, to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company's reporting units are determined in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).” Refer to “Note 6 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Refer to "Note 1 - Organization and Significant Accounting Policies", in our consolidated financial statements. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of this Annual Report. 38 Table of Contents Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. TABLE OF CONTENTS Reports of Independent Registered Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34 (Deloitte & Touche LLP) and No. 677 (Cherry Bekaert LLP)) Consolidated Statements of Operations Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 1 - Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Note 2 - Acquisitions Note 3 - Discontinued Operations Note 4 - Notes and Accounts Receivable Note 5 - Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net Note 6 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets Note 7 - Revenue Note 8 - Leases Note 9 - Long-Term Obligations Note 10 - Stockholders' Equity Note 11 - Stock Compensation Plan Note 12 - Income Taxes Note 13 - Related Party Transactions Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies Note 15 - Segments Note 16 - Subsequent Events Note 17 - Selected Quarterly Financial Information 39 40 44 46 45 47 49 51 51 57 62 63 65 66 68 70 71 76 78 81 85 86 86 88 88 Table of Contents REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Franchise Group, Inc. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Franchise Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for the fiscal years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, and the transition period ended December 28, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, and the transition period ended December 28, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 23, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matter The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. Acquisitions – Refer to Notes 1 and 2 to the financial statements Critical Audit Matter Description The Company completed multiple acquisitions during the current year. The Company accounted for the acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values. The method for determining fair value of certain assets and liabilities, such as intangible assets, is subjective in nature and involved management making significant estimates and assumptions, such as future cash flows and the selection of the discount rate. We identified certain acquired assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, as a critical audit matter because of the significant judgments made by management to estimate the preliminary fair value. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists, when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future cash flows and selection of the discount rate, in determining the estimated fair value assigned to certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such as intangible assets. 40 Table of Contents How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit Our audit procedures related to the forecasted information, discount rates, and the estimated fair value assigned to certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such as intangible assets, for the acquired companies included the following, among others: • We evaluated the reasonableness of management's revenue forecasts by comparing the forecasts to historical revenues. • We evaluated the impact of actual results compared to management's forecasts from the acquisition date to December 25, 2021. • With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the (1) valuation methodologies and (2) discount rate by: • Testing the source information underlying the determination of the discount rate and the mathematical accuracy of the calculation. • Developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rate selected by management. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Richmond, Virginia February 23, 2022 We have served as the Company's auditor since 2019. 41 Table of Contents REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Franchise Group, Inc. Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Franchise Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 25, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO. We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021, of the Company and our report dated February 23, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. As described in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Pet Supplies Plus, Sylvan, and Badcock, as these companies were acquired during the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021. The financial statements of these acquired companies collectively constitute 39% of consolidated total assets, 32% of consolidated revenues, and 14% of consolidated net income as of and for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at Pet Supplies Plus, Sylvan, and Badcock. Basis for Opinion The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Richmond, Virginia February 23, 2022 42 Table of Contents REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Stockholders Franchise Group, Inc. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Liberty Tax, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended April 30, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two‑year period ended April 30, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated June 27, 2019, expressed an adverse opinion. Basis for Opinion These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Adoption of the New Accounting Standard As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method for accounting for revenue as a result of the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), effective May 1, 2018. Our opinion is not modified with respect to that matter. /s/ Cherry Bekaert LLP We served as the Company's auditor from 2018 to 2019. Virginia Beach, Virginia June 27, 2019 (except for the effects of discontinued operations discussed in Note 3, as to which the date is June 25, 2021) 43 Table of Contents FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Operations Years Ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, Transition Period Ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 (Unaudited), and Year Ended April 30, 2019 (In thousands, except per share data) Revenues: Product Service and other Rental Total revenues Operating expenses: Cost of revenue: Product Service and other Rental Total cost of revenue Selling, general, and administrative expenses Total operating expenses Income (loss) from operations Other income (expense): Bargain purchase gain Other Interest expense, net Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income tax expense (benefit) Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Net Income (Loss) Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest Net income (loss) attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. Amounts attributable to Franchise Group, Inc.: Net income (loss) from continuing operations Net income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income (loss) attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. Basic earnings (loss) per share: Continuing operations Discontinued operations Total basic earnings (loss) per share Diluted earnings (loss) per share: Continuing operations Discontinued operations Total diluted earnings (loss) per share Weighted-average shares outstanding: Basic Diluted Twelve Months Ended 12/25/2021 Twelve Months Ended 12/26/2020 Transition Period From 5/1/2019- 12/28/2019 Period from 5/1/2018 - 12/29/2018 Twelve Months Ended 4/30/2019 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 3,012,471 209,103 33,630 3,255,204 1,892,741 16,506 11,552 1,920,799 1,108,054 3,028,853 226,351 132,559 (67,368) (133,114) 158,428 (33,538) 191,966 171,822 363,788 — 363,788 191,966 171,822 363,788 4.56 4.27 8.83 4.48 4.19 8.67 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 1,899,662 65,798 64,267 2,029,727 1,136,054 2,149 21,905 1,160,108 817,108 1,977,216 52,511 — (5,294) (96,774) (49,557) (60,501) 10,944 16,210 27,154 (2,090) 25,064 20,645 4,419 25,064 0.57 0.13 0.70 0.57 0.13 0.70 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 96,139 14,751 23,636 134,526 71,820 768 8,661 81,249 96,298 177,547 (43,021) — — (6,998) (50,019) (8,577) (41,442) (63,024) (104,466) 36,039 (68,427) (22,614) (45,813) (68,427) (1.35) (2.76) (4.11) (1.36) (2.75) (4.11) $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (43,053) (43,053) — (43,053) $ — $ (43,053) (43,053) — (3.17) (3.17) — (3.17) (3.17) $ $ $ $ $ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (2,156) (2,156) — (2,156) — (2,156) (2,156) — (0.16) (0.16) — (0.16) (0.16) 40,199,681 40,964,182 34,531,362 34,971,935 16,669,065 16,669,065 13,602,774 13,602,774 13,800,884 13,800,884 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 44 Table of Contents FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Years Ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, Transition Period Ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 (Unaudited) and Year Ended April 30, 2019 (In thousands) Net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 Transition Period From 5/1/2019 - 12/28/2019 Transition Period From 5/1/2018 - 12/29/2018 Twelve Months Ended 4/30/2019 $ 363,788 $ 27,154 $ (104,466) $ (43,053) $ (2,156) Foreign currency translation adjustment Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swap agreement, net of taxes of $13, ($24), ($15), ($16), and ($23), respectively Reclassification of unrealized loss on interest rate swap agreement and foreign currency translation adjustments realized upon disposal of business Other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income (loss) Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non- controlling interest Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. $ 381 45 973 1,399 365,187 — 242 (103) — 139 27,293 (1,915) 412 (40) — 372 (104,094) 35,911 (654) (18) — (672) (43,725) — (527) (36) — (563) (2,719) — 365,187 $ 25,378 $ (68,183) $ (43,725) $ (2,719) See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 45 Table of Contents (In thousands, except share count and per share data) 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 Assets FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets As of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Current receivables, net Current securitized receivables, net Inventories, net Current assets held for sale Other current assets Total current assets Property, plant, and equipment, net Non-current receivables, net Non-current securitized receivables, net Goodwill Intangible assets, net Tradenames Operating lease right-of-use assets Non-current assets held for sale Investment in equity securities Other non-current assets Total assets Current liabilities: Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current installments of long-term obligations Current operating lease liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Current liabilities held for sale Other current liabilities Total current liabilities Long-term obligations, excluding current installments Non-current operating lease liabilities Non-current liabilities held for sale Other non-current liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 180,000,000 and 180,000,000 shares authorized, 40,296,688 and 40,092,260 shares issued and outstanding at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, respectively Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 4,800,000 and 20,000,000 shares authorized, 4,541,125 and 1,250,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, respectively Additional paid-in capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes Retained earnings Total equity Total liabilities and equity See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 46 $ $ $ $ 292,714 118,698 369,567 673,170 — 24,063 1,478,212 449,886 11,755 47,252 806,536 127,951 222,687 714,741 — 35,249 18,902 3,913,171 486,170 173,101 410,552 — 50,833 1,120,656 1,383,725 557,071 — 88,888 3,150,340 403 45 475,396 — 286,987 762,831 3,913,171 $ $ $ $ 148,780 67,335 — 302,307 43,023 13,997 575,442 135,872 12,800 — 448,258 16,592 93,300 502,104 55,116 — 8,428 1,847,912 104,053 127,032 252,389 40,576 25,174 549,224 466,944 402,276 8,779 35,522 1,462,745 401 13 382,383 (1,399) 3,769 385,167 1,847,912 Table of Contents (In thousands) Balance at December 26, 2020 Net income Total other comprehensive income Exercise of stock options Stock-based compensation, net Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock Common dividend declared ($1.750 per share) Preferred dividend declared ($1.875 per share) $ Shares 40,092 — — 60 145 — — — Balance at December 25, 2021 40,297 $ FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Year Ended December 25, 2021 Common stock Shares Preferred stock Additional paid- in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Franchise Group Equity Non-controlling interest Total Equity 401 — — 1 1 — — — 403 $ 1,250 — — — — 3,291 — — 4,541 $ 13 — — — — 32 — — 45 $ $ 382,383 — — 663 12,840 79,510 — — $ 475,396 $ $ (1,399) — 1,399 — — — — — — $ 3,769 363,788 — — — — (72,055) (8,515) $ 385,167 363,788 1,399 664 12,841 79,542 (72,055) (8,515) $ 286,987 $ 762,831 $ — — — — — — — — — $ $ 385,167 363,788 1,399 664 12,841 79,542 (72,055) (8,515) 762,831 (In thousands) Balance at December 29, 2019 Changes and distributions of non-controlling interest in New Holdco Net income Total other comprehensive income Exercise of stock options Stock-based compensation, net Issuance of common stock Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock Conversion of preferred to common stock Common dividend declared ($1.125 per share) Preferred dividend declared ($0.609 per share) Tax Receivable Agreement Adjustment — — — 50 66 12,292 — 9,434 — — — — Balance at December 26, 2020 40,092 $ Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Year Ended December 26, 2020 Shares Common stock Shares Preferred stock Additional paid- in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Franchise Group Equity Non-controlling interest Total Equity 18,250 $ 183 1,887 $ 19 $ 108,339 $ (1,538) $ 18,388 $ 125,391 $ 26,370 $ 151,761 — — — 1 — 123 — 94 — — — — 401 — — — — — — 1,250 (1,887) — — — — — — — — — — 13 (19) — — — — 23,744 — — 519 8,810 228,892 29,470 (10,028) — — (7,363) — (175) — 314 — — — — — — — — — — 25,064 — — — — — — (41,286) (755) — 2,358 23,569 25,064 314 520 8,810 229,015 29,483 (9,953) (41,286) (755) (7,363) 2,358 (25,927) 2,090 (175) — — — — — — — — (2,358) 1,250 $ 13 $ 382,383 $ (1,399) $ 3,769 $ 385,167 $ — $ (2,358) 27,154 139 520 8,810 229,015 29,483 (9,953) (41,286) (755) (7,363) — 385,167 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 47 Table of Contents (In thousands) Balance at May 1, 2019 Cumulative effect of adopted accounting standards, net Buddy's Acquisition - issuance of Preferred Stock and New Holdco units, net of taxes Non-controlling interest in New Holdco Buddy's Partners Acquisition - issuance of Preferred Stock and New Holdco Units Net loss Total other comprehensive income Exercise of stock options Stock-based compensation, net Issuance of common stock related to Buddy's Acquisition Issuance of common stock related to Sears Outlet Acquisition Issuance of common stock related to Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition Tender Offer Common dividend declared ($0.25 per share) Balance at December 28, 2019 18,250 $ FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Transition Period Ended December 28, 2019 Shares Common stock Shares Preferred Stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Franchise Group Equity Non-controlling interest Total Equity 14,049 $ 140 — $ — $ 12,552 $ (1,910) $ 92,932 $ 103,714 $ — $ 103,714 — — — — — — 208 74 2,083 3,333 2,439 (3,936) — — — — — — — 2 1 21 33 25 (39) — 183 — 1,617 — 270 — — — — — — — — — 1,887 $ — 16 — 3 — — — — — 19 — 87,934 (62,409) 16,197 — — 2,200 2,991 24,979 39,967 31,118 (47,190) — — — — — — 372 — — — — — — — 319 — — — (68,427) — — — (6,436) 319 87,950 (62,409) 16,200 (68,427) 372 2,202 2,992 25,000 40,000 31,143 (47,229) (6,436) — — 62,409 — (36,167) 128 — — — — — — — 319 87,950 — 16,200 (104,594) 500 2,202 2,992 25,000 40,000 31,143 (47,229) (6,436) $ 108,339 $ (1,538) $ 18,388 $ 125,391 $ 26,370 $ 151,761 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Year Ended April 30, 2019 (In thousands) Balance at May 1, 2018 Cumulative effect of adopted accounting standards, net Net income Total other comprehensive loss Conversion of preferred stock to common stock Exercise of stock options Stock-based compensation, net Dividend declared ($0.16 per share) Converted Class B common stock to Class A common stock Balance at April 30, 2019 Shares Class A common stock Shares Class B common stock 12,823 $ 128 200 $ — — — — 14 12 — 1,200 14,049 $ — — — — — — — 12 140 — — — — — — — (200) — $ 2 — — — — — — — (2) — Shares Exchangeable stock Additional paid-in- capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained earnings Total Equity 1,000 $ 10 $ 11,570 $ (1,347) $ 101,139 $ 111,502 — — — (1,000) — — — — — $ — — — (10) — — — — — — — — — 153 829 — — — — (563) — — — — — (3,794) (2,156) — — — — (2,257) — (3,794) (2,156) (563) (10) 153 829 (2,257) 10 $ 12,552 $ (1,910) $ 92,932 $ 103,714 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 48 Table of Contents Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Years Ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, Transition Period Ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 (Unaudited) and Year Ended April 30, 2019 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Twelve Months Ended 12/25/2021 Twelve Months Ended 12/26/2020 Transition Period From 5/1/2019 - 12/28/2019 Period From 5/1/2018 - 12/29/2018 Twelve Months Ended 4/30/2019 (In thousands) Operating Activities Net income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Provision for doubtful accounts Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges Amortization of deferred financing costs Stock-based compensation expense (Gain) loss on bargain purchases and sales of Company stores Deferred tax (income) expense Prepayment penalty for early debt extinguishment Gain on divestiture of Liberty Tax Change in fair value of investment Other, net Change in Accounts, notes, and interest receivable Income taxes receivable Other assets Accounts payable and accrued expenses Inventory Deferred revenue Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Investing Activities Issuance of operating loans to franchisees Payments received on operating loans to franchisees Purchases of Company-owned stores Proceeds from sale of Company-owned stores Acquisition of business, net of cash and restricted cash acquired Divestiture of business, net of cash and restricted cash sold Capital expenditures Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment Net cash (used in) investing activities Financing Activities Proceeds from the exercise of stock options Repurchase of common stock and tax impact of stock compensation Dividends paid Non-controlling interest distribution Repayment of other long-term obligations Borrowings under revolving credit facility Repayments under revolving credit facility Issuance of common stock Issuance of preferred stock Tender Offer Payment for debt issue costs Prepayment penalty for early debt extinguishment Issuance of debt Cash paid for taxes on exercises/vesting of stock-based compensation Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, net Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year $ 363,788 $ 27,154 $ (104,466) $ (43,053) $ 8,878 72,765 56,054 13,696 (137,747) 709 36,726 (188,092) 31,773 1,749 (18,543) (20,191) 12,939 (12,215) (121,393) 5,073 105,969 (17,749) 23,103 (1,087) 12,866 (1,063,811) 179,471 (46,958) 6 (914,159) 665 — (67,234) — (1,176,581) 26,724 (84,874) — 79,542 — (65,926) (36,726) 2,275,000 (856) 949,734 36 141,580 151,502 5,930 62,543 30,635 9,484 (4,133) 1,092 — — — 85 (19,811) (8,059) (5,573) 23,927 97,681 20,537 241,492 (34,136) 50,291 (6,587) 36,349 (353,423) — (34,931) 1,224 (341,213) 520 — (29,350) (4,716) (505,486) 184,665 (235,614) 198,004 29,482 — (16,865) — 586,000 (487) 206,153 (76) 106,356 45,146 4,751 32,401 319 3,102 (1,106) (9,275) — — — 900 (226) (2,012) 27,038 (4,414) 10,134 1,369 (41,485) (22,483) 827 (3,491) 279 (317,251) — (1,136) — (343,255) 2,202 — — — (13,054) 129,260 (25,403) 96,143 — (47,229) (15,071) — 280,000 (110) 406,738 165 22,163 22,983 5,150 8,429 169 604 (155) (200) — — — 5,244 9,726 (23,546) 1,470 (12,510) — (3,102) (51,774) (28,940) 2,048 (139) 1,207 — — (2,391) — (28,215) — — (2,244) — (4,235) 75,946 (3,692) — — — — — — (83) 65,692 (244) (14,541) 18,522 (2,156) 8,738 14,084 38 999 694 586 — — — 5,833 3,035 (6,886) (3,656) (338) — (3,842) 17,129 (68,283) 67,556 (229) 1,229 — — (2,939) — (2,666) 153 (88) (2,244) — (7,502) 123,615 (123,615) — — — — — — (83) (9,764) (238) 4,461 18,522 22,983 $ 293,082 $ 151,502 $ 45,146 $ 3,981 $ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 49 Table of Contents (In thousands) Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds Cash paid for interest Accrued capital expenditures Non-cash proceeds from divestiture of Liberty Tax Deferred financing costs from issuance of common stock Capital expenditures funded by finance lease liabilities Tax receivable agreement included in other long-term liabilities Twelve Months Ended 12/25/2021 Twelve Months Ended 12/26/2020 Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure Period From 5/1/2018 - 12/29/2018 Transition Period From 5/1/2019 - 12/28/2019 Twelve Months Ended 4/30/2019 $ 42,154 $ 91,623 3,445 74,073 — 756 504 1,858 $ 49,825 5,025 — 31,013 — 16,775 1,140 $ 4,180 — — — — — 4,031 $ 1,577 — — — — — 4,031 2,734 — — — — — The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheet that sum to the total of the same amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows. (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash included in other non-current assets Cash and cash equivalents for discontinued operations Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 292,714 $ 368 — 293,082 $ 148,780 — 2,722 151,502 Amounts included in other non-current assets represent those required to be set aside by a contractual agreement with an insurer for the payment of specific workers' compensation claims. See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 50 Table of Contents FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (1) Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business. Franchise Group, Inc. (the "Company") is an owner and operator of franchised and franchisable businesses that continually looks to grow its portfolio of brands while utilizing its operating and capital allocation philosophies to generate strong cash flows. The Company has a diversified and growing portfolio of highly recognized brands. Change in Fiscal Year-End. On October 1, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a change in the Company's fiscal year-end from April 30 to the Saturday closest to December 31 of each year. The decision to change the fiscal year-end was related to the Company's recent acquisitions to more closely align the Company’s operations and internal controls with that of its subsidiaries. As a result of the change in fiscal year-end the Company previously filed a Transition Report on Form 10-K/T reporting the Company's financial results for the period beginning May 1, 2019 through December 28, 2019. Acquisitions. For a complete description of the Company's acquisitions, see "Note 2 - Acquisitions". On March 10, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Pet Supplies Plus for an aggregate purchase price of $451.1 million. On September 27, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Sylvan Learning ("Sylvan") for an aggregate purchase price of $$82.9 million. On November 22, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Badcock Home Furniture & More ("Badcock") for an aggregate purchase price of $545.8 million. The assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the acquisitions above are recorded at fair value in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805, "Business Combinations." Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The purchase price is allocated to the various tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values, some of which are preliminary as of December 25, 2021. In the case where there is an excess of aggregate net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the fair value of consideration transferred, the purchase price will be recorded as a bargain purchase gain. Determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities is subjective in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, which are inherently uncertain. Many of the estimates and assumptions used to determine fair values, such as those used for intangible assets are made based on forecasted information and discount rates. In addition, the judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact the Company's results of operations. During the measurement period, which is not to exceed one year from the acquisitions, the Company may record adjustments to the acquired assets and liabilities assumed or the preliminary purchase price, with a corresponding offset to goodwill or bargain purchase gain, to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition dates. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings. Divestitures. On July 2, 2021, the Company completed the sale of its Liberty Tax business to NextPoint, as described in "Note 3 - Discontinued Operations". Segment Information. The Company currently operates in six reportable segments: Vitamin Shoppe, Pet Supplies Plus, Badcock, American Freight, Buddy’s, and Sylvan. The Vitamin Shoppe segment is an omnichannel specialty retailer of vitamins, minerals, herbs, specialty supplements, sports nutrition, and other health and wellness products. The Vitamin Shoppe segment markets approximately 700 nationally recognized brands as well as its own brands, which include The Vitamin Shoppe®, BodyTech®, True Athlete®, plnt®, ProBioCare®, Fitfactor Weight Management System® and Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe®, and is headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Pet Supplies Plus segment is a leading omnichannel retail chain and franchisor and retailer of pet supplies and services. Pet Supplies Plus has a diversified revenue model comprised of Company-owned store revenue, franchise royalties and revenue generated from wholesale distribution to franchisees. The Pet Supplies Plus segment consists of the Company's operations under the "Pet Supplies Plus" brand and is headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. The Badcock segment is a specialty retailer of furniture, appliances, bedding, electronics, home office equipment, accessories and seasonal items in a showroom format. Additionally, Badcock offers multiple and flexible payment solutions and credit options through its consumer financing services. We expect Badcock to shift its consumer financing business to third- 51 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements party vendors in the future. The Badcock segment operates under the brand "Badcock Home Furniture & More" and is headquartered in Mulberry, Florida. The American Freight segment is a retail chain offering in-store and online access to furniture, mattresses, new and out-of-box home appliances and home accessories and seasonal items in a showroom format. The American Freight segment consists of our operations under the "American Freight" banner and is headquartered in Delaware, Ohio. The Buddy's segment is a specialty retailer of high quality, name brand consumer electronics, residential furniture, appliances and household accessories through rent-to-own agreements. The Buddy's segment consists of the Company's operations under the "Buddy's" brand and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. The Sylvan segment is an established and growing franchisor of supplemental education for Pre-K-12 students and families in the United States and Canada. The Sylvan segment consists of the Company's operations under the "Sylvan" brand and is headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Principles of Consolidation. The audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP"). The Company consolidates any entities in which it has a controlling interest, the usual condition of which is ownership of a majority voting interest. Prior to April 1, 2020, the Company reported a non-controlling interest representing the economic interest in New Holdco held by the Buddy’s Members. As of April 1, 2020, the Company redeemed all outstanding New Holdco units for shares of common stock of the Company and now has a 100% interest in New Holdco. Refer to "Note 10 - Stockholders Equity" for more information on the non-controlling interest. The Company does not possess any ownership interests in franchisee entities; however, the Company may provide financial support to franchisee entities. Because the Company's franchise arrangements provide franchisee entities the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact their economic performance, the Company does not consider itself the primary beneficiary of any such entity that meets the definition of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). 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. Based on the results of management's analysis of potential VIEs, the Company has not consolidated any franchisee entities. The Company's maximum exposure to loss resulting from involvement with potential VIEs is attributable to accounts and notes receivables and future lease payments due from franchisees. When the Company does not have a controlling interest in an entity but has the ability to exert significant influence over the entity, the Company applies the equity method of accounting. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 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 and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Basis of Presentation. Revenues have been classified into product, service and other and rental revenues as further discussed in "Note 7 - Revenue." Costs of sales for product includes the cost of merchandise, transportation and warehousing costs. Service and other costs of sales include the direct costs of warranties. Rental cost of sales represents the amortization of inventory costs over the leased term. Other operating expenses, including employee costs, depreciation and amortization, and advertising expenses have been classified in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company also includes occupancy costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase, as well as credit card receivables for sales to customers in its Company-operated stores that generally settle within two to five business days, to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances with financial institutions that exceed federally-insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances, and the Company believes credit risk to be minimal. Inventories. Inventory for the Vitamin Shoppe segment is recorded at the lower of cost or market value using the weighted-average cost method. Inventory includes costs directly incurred in bringing the product to its existing condition and location. In addition, the cost of inventory is reduced by purchase discounts and other allowances received from vendors. A markdown reserve is estimated based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the amount of inventory on hand and its remaining shelf life, current and expected market conditions and product expiration dates. In addition, the Company has established a reserve for estimated inventory shrinkage based on the actual, historical shrinkage of its most recent physical 52 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements inventories adjusted, if necessary, for current economic conditions and business trends. Physical inventories and cycle counts are taken on a regular basis. These adjustments are estimates, which could vary significantly from actual results if future economic conditions, customer demand or competition differ from management expectations. Inventory for the Pet Supplies Plus segment is recorded at the lower of cost, determined on the average cost method or net realizable value for store inventories. Pet Supplies Plus includes freight and labor costs on products purchased from its distribution center in cost of products sold. Wholesale inventories are valued at the lower of cost (including freight), determined on the average cost method or net realizable value. Volume-based vendor allowances, rebates, and credits that relate to the Company's store merchandising activities are applied to product cost and recognized in cost of goods sold as the related product is sold. Inventory for the Badcock segment is comprised of finished goods and is valued at the lower of cost or market value, with cost determined by the first-in, first-out method. Inventory includes the purchase price of the inventory plus costs of freight for moving merchandise from vendors to distribution centers as well as from distribution centers to stores. An obsolescence reserve is estimated based on the amount of inventory on hand, its age, and its condition. Estimates are compared to the actual results of the physical inventory counts as they are taken and adjust the shrink estimates accordingly. Inventory for American Freight is comprised of finished goods and is valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined by the first-in, first-out method. The Company writes down inventory, the impact of which is reflected in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations, if the cost of specific inventory items on hand exceeds the amount the Company expects to be realized from the ultimate sale or disposal of the inventory. These estimates are based on management’s judgment regarding future demand and market conditions and analysis of historical experience. Inventory includes the purchase price of the inventory plus costs of freight for moving merchandise from vendors to distribution centers as well as from distribution centers to stores. A provision for estimated shrinkage is maintained based on the actual historical results of physical inventories. Estimates are compared to the actual results of the physical inventory counts as they are taken and adjust the shrink estimates accordingly. Inventory for the Buddy's segment is recorded at cost, including shipping and handling fees. Upon purchase, merchandise is not initially depreciated until it is leased or three months after the purchase date. Non-leased merchandise is depreciated on a straight-line basis over a period of 24 months. Leased merchandise is depreciated over the lease term of the rental agreement and recorded in rental cost of revenue. On a weekly basis, all damaged, lost, stolen, or unsalable merchandise identified is written off. Maintenance and repairs of lease merchandise are charged to operations as incurred. Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Notes receivable are due from the Company's franchisees and are collateralized by the underlying franchise. The debtors' ability to repay the notes is dependent upon both the performance of the franchisee's industry as a whole and the individual franchise. The adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts is assessed on a quarterly basis and adjusted as deemed necessary. Management believes the recorded allowance is adequate based upon its consideration of the estimated value of the franchises, which collateralize the receivables. Any adverse change in the individual franchisees' areas could affect the Company's estimate of the allowance. Goodwill and Non-amortizing Intangible Assets. Goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets (Tradenames), including the segments' tradenames, are not amortized, but rather tested for impairment at least annually. In addition, goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets will be tested on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred. The Company performs a qualitative and/or quantitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that each reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value, including goodwill. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company then estimates the fair value. The Company uses either a market multiple method or a discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of its reporting units and recognizes goodwill impairment for any excess of the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill over its estimated fair value. The Company evaluates the segments' tradenames for impairment by comparing the fair value, based on an income approach using the relief-from-royalty method, to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company's reporting units are determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.” The Company performs its annual impairment testing of goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets on the last day of the first month of the Company's third quarter. Refer to “Note 6 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information on these balances. Intangible Assets and Asset Impairment. Components of intangible assets consist of customer contracts, franchise and dealer agreements, and proprietary content. Amortization of intangible assets is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Amortization of intangible assets is generally two to ten years. Purchased intangible 53 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. Recognition and measurement of a potential impairment is performed for these assets at the lowest level where cash flows are individually identifiable. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values, and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. Property, Plant, and Equipment. Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally seven years for land and land improvements, twenty to thirty years for buildings, and seven, fifteen, or thirty-nine years for building improvements. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are amortized five to ten years, which includes machinery (amortized for seven years) and computer equipment (amortized three to five years). Certain allowable costs of software acquired, developed, or obtained for internal use are capitalized and typically amortized over the estimated useful life of the software. Software also includes educational materials, which is amortized two to five years. Insurance Programs. The Company maintains its own insurance arrangements with third-party insurance companies for exposures incurred for a number of risks including worker's compensation and general liability claims. The liability represents an estimate of the discounted cost of claims incurred and is recorded in other current and long-term liabilities. The Company may use restricted cash as collateral for these programs which is recorded in "Other non-current assets". Employee Compensation and Benefits. The Company records the cost of its employee compensation and benefits as compensation expense in SG&A within its consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 25, 2021, total employee compensation and expense was $494.9 million. Accrued compensation and benefits is recorded within accounts payable and accrued expenses within the consolidated balance sheet and totaled $63.4 million as of December 25, 2021. Stock-Based Compensation. The Company records the cost of its employee stock-based compensation as compensation expense in its consolidated statements of operations. Compensation costs related to stock options are based on the grant-date fair value of awards using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model and considering forfeitures. Compensation costs related to restricted stock units are based on the grant-date fair value and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company recognizes compensation costs for an award that has a graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Compensation costs related to market-based restricted stock units are based on the grant-date fair value of the awards using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model to calculate grant date fair value. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period using the proportionate amount of the award’s fair value that has been earned through service to date. Revenue Recognition. The following is a description of the principal activities from which the Company generates its revenues. For more detailed information regarding reportable segments, see "Note 7 - Revenue." • Product revenues: These include sales of merchandise at the stores and online. Revenue is measured based on the amount of fixed consideration that the Company expects to receive, reduced by estimates for variable consideration such as returns. Revenue also excludes any amounts collected from customers and remitted or payable to governmental authorities. In arrangements where the Company has multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. The Company satisfies its performance obligations at the point of sale for retail store transactions and upon delivery for online transactions. The Company recognizes revenue for retail store and online transactions when it transfers control of the goods to the customer. Merchandise sales also include payments received for the exercise of the early purchase option offered through rental- purchase agreements or merchandise sold through point of sale transactions. Revenue for merchandise sales associated with rental purchase agreements is recognized when payment is received, and ownership of the merchandise passes to the customer. • Service and other revenues: These may include the following: Franchise fees; Royalties and advertising fees; Financing revenue; ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Warranty and damage revenue; 54 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Interest income; Services and extended-service plans; and ◦ ◦ ◦ Other miscellaneous income. Commissions earned on services and financing revenue are presented net of related costs because the Company is acting as an agent in arranging the services for the customer and does not control the services being rendered. The Company recognizes revenue on the commissions on extended-service plans when it transfers control of the related goods to the customer. The Company recognizes franchise fee revenue for the sales of individual territories on a straight-line basis over the initial contract term and renewal periods when the obligations of the Company to prepare the franchisee for operation are substantially complete, not to exceed the estimated amount of cash to be received. Royalties and advertising fees are recognized as franchisees generate sales. • Rental revenue: The Company provides merchandise, consisting of consumer electronics, computers, residential furniture, appliances, and household accessories to its customers pursuant to rental-purchase agreements which provide for weekly, semi-monthly or monthly non-refundable rental payments. The average rental term is twelve to eighteen months and the Company maintains ownership of the lease merchandise until all payment obligations are satisfied under sales and lease ownership agreements. Customers have the option to purchase the leased goods at any point in the lease term. Customers can terminate the agreement at the end of any rental term without penalty. Therefore, rental transactions are accounted for as operating leases and rental revenue is recognized over the rental term. Cash received prior to the beginning of the lease term is recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue related to various reinstatement or late fees are recognized when paid by the customer. The Company offers additional product plans along with rental agreements that provide customers with liability protection against significant damage or loss of a product, and club membership benefits, including various discount programs, product services and replacement benefits in the event merchandise is damaged or lost. Customers renew product plans in conjunction with their rental term renewals and can cancel the plans at any time. Revenue for product plans is recognized over the term of the plan. Leases. The Company's lease portfolio primarily consists of leases for its retail store locations, office space and distribution centers, as well as in the operation of certain of our dealer-owned stores. The Company also leases tractors and trucks used in its Badcock segment, local delivery trucks used in its American Freight segment, and leases certain office equipment under finance leases. The finance lease right of use assets are included in property, plant, and equipment ("PP&E") and the finance lease liabilities are included in current installments of long-term obligations. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception by evaluating whether the arrangement conveys the right to use an identified asset and whether the Company obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from and has the ability to direct the use of the asset. Operating leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets, and the Company recognizes rent expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For leases with an initial term in excess of 12 months, lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future lease payments over the committed lease term at the lease commencement date. The Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate; therefore, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate and the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Most leases include one or more options to renew and the exercise of renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company does not include renewal options in its determination of the lease term unless the renewals are deemed to be reasonably certain at lease commencement. For leases where the Company is a lessor, rent income and related operating lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company uses the long-lived assets impairment guidance in ASC 360-10, “Property, Plant, and Equipment - Overall,” to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired, and if so, the amount of the impairment loss to recognize. The Company subleases some of its real estate leases. Our lessor and sublease portfolio primarily consists of stores within our Badcock segment that have been leased to dealers. For these leases, which are all classified as operating leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as one lease component, as discussed above. For operating leases, lease costs are recorded within selling, general, and administrative expenses ("SG&A") within the consolidated statements of operations as follows: (1) rental expense related to leases for Company-owned stores (2) rental expense for leased properties that are subsequently subleased to dealers, and (3) rental income from sublease agreements with dealers. For finance leases where the Company is the lessee, lease cost includes the amortization of the right-of-use ("ROU") asset, which is amortized on a straight-line basis and recorded to "SG&A" and interest expense on the finance lease liabilities is recorded to "Interest expense, net." Finance lease ROU assets are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the respective leases. 55 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which the Company elects to combine as one lease component for all classes of underlying assets. Non-lease components include variable costs based on actual costs incurred by the lessor related to the payment of real estate taxes, common area maintenance, and insurance. These variable payments are expensed as incurred as variable lease costs. Fair Value of Financial Instruments. As required, financial assets and liabilities are classified in the fair value hierarchy in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The carrying value of Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable as reported in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. The carrying amount of Long-term debt approximates fair value because the interest rate paid has a variable component. The fair value for the Company's Investment in equity securities for which it does not have the ability to exercise significant influence is based on quoted prices in active markets. Deferred Income Taxes. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded within "Other non-current assets" and "Other non-current liabilities" within the consolidated balance sheets, are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company has elected to classify interest charged on a tax settlement in interest expense, and accrued penalties, if any, in selling, general, and administrative expenses. The determination of the Company's provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Significant judgment is required in assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items. The Company records unrecognized tax benefit liabilities for known or anticipated tax issues based on an analysis of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The Company reclassified "Intangible assets, net" to segregate "Tradenames" in the consolidated balance sheet statement due to significance. There was no impact on total assets. Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-13, "Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which changes how companies will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that aren't measured at fair value through net income. The standard replaces the "incurred loss" approach with an "expected loss" model for instruments measured at amortized cost (which generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses) and requires companies to record allowances for available-for- sale debt securities, rather than reduce the carrying amount. In addition, companies will have to disclose significantly more information, including information used to track credit quality by year of origination, for most financing receivables. The ASU should be applied as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is effective. The ASU is effective for the Company for the 2023 fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This standard eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The ASU is effective for the Company for the 2023 fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard to its consolidated financial statements. The London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) is scheduled to be discontinued on June 30, 2023. In an effort to address the various challenges created by such discontinuance, the FASB issued an amendment to existing guidance, ASU No. 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform." The amended guidance is designed to provide relief from the accounting analysis and impacts that may otherwise be required for modifications to agreements (e.g., loans, debt securities, derivatives, borrowings) necessitated by 56 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements the reference rate reform. It also provides optional expedients to enable companies to continue to apply hedge accounting to certain hedging relationships impacted by the reference rate reform. Application of the guidance in the amendment is optional, is only available in certain situations, and is only available for companies to apply until December 31, 2022. The Company expects to adopt the guidance and begin transitioning from LIBOR to alternative reference rates in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. The Company does not expect adoption and transition to alternative reference rates to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Effective as of May 1, 2019, the Company has adopted ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)". The guidance in ASU 2016-02 (as subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, ASU 2018-10, ASU 2018-11 and ASU 2018-20) requires that a lessee recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The Company has adopted utilizing the transition election to not restate comparative periods for the impact of adopting the standard and recognizing the cumulative impact of adoption in the opening balance of retained earnings. (2) Acquisitions The Company continually looks to diversify and grow its portfolio of brands through acquisitions. On March 10, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Pet Supplies Plus, on September 27, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Sylvan Learning ("Sylvan"), and on November 22, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Badcock. For a complete description of the Company's accounting policy regarding acquisitions, see "Note 1 – Organization and Significant Accounting Policies". Badcock Acquisition On November 22, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition (the "Badcock Acquisition") of Badcock Home Furniture and More. The preliminary fair value of the consideration transferred at the acquisition date was $545.8 million. As of December 25, 2021, $5.9 million of acquisition fees had been incurred that are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. The table below summarizes the preliminary estimates of the fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Badcock Acquisition on November 22, 2021. The preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to revisions, which may result in an adjustment to the preliminary values or bargain purchase gain presented below. As of February 23, 2022, the fair value of certain working capital accounts, leases and PP&E are preliminary estimates and are subject to revisions. The Company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as reasonably possible but not to exceed one year from the date of completion of the Badcock Acquisition. 57 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents Inventories Accounts receivable Other current assets Property, plant, and equipment Operating lease right-of-use assets Other non-current assets Total assets Current operating lease liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Other current liabilities Current installments of long-term obligations Long-term obligations, excluding current installments Non-current operating lease liabilities Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Bargain purchase gain Consideration transferred Preliminary November 22, 2021 23,413 130,045 411,268 5,023 233,938 51,669 2,506 857,862 12,070 71,436 18,942 5,261 7,247 39,599 25,424 179,979 (132,043) 545,840 $ $ Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of $51.7 million, consist of leases for retail store locations, warehouses and office equipment. Property, plant and equipment consists of fixtures and equipment of $93.0 million, buildings and building improvements of $93.1 million, land and land improvements of $33.4 million, leasehold improvements of $23.7 million, and construction in progress of $1.4 million. As a result of the Badcock Acquisition, the excess of the aggregate net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the fair value of consideration transferred as the purchase price has been recorded as a bargain purchase gain of $132.0 million. The gain is recorded in "Bargain purchase gain" in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company believes the seller in the Badcock Acquisition was willing to accept a bargain purchase price in return for the Company's ability to act more quickly, partially due to the Company's access to capital to complete the transaction, and with greater certainty than any other prospective acquirer. Additionally, the Company believes the seller was motivated to complete the transaction as part of an overall repositioning of its business. Upon completion of this reassessment, the Company concluded that recording a bargain purchase gain with respect to the Badcock Acquisition was appropriate and required under GAAP. The tax impact related to the bargain purchase gain was non-taxable and impacted the Company's effective tax rate for the period. Sylvan Acquisition On September 27, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Sylvan (the "Sylvan Acquisition"). The preliminary fair value of the consideration transferred at the acquisition date was $82.9 million. As of December 25, 2021, $1.8 million of acquisition fees had been incurred that are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. The table below summarizes the preliminary estimates of the fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Sylvan Acquisition on September 27, 2021. The preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to revisions, which may result in an adjustment to the preliminary values presented below. The Company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as reasonably possible but not to exceed one year from the date of completion of the Sylvan Acquisition. 58 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents Other current assets Property, plant, and equipment Goodwill Tradenames Operating lease right-of-use assets Other intangible assets Other non-current assets Total assets Current operating lease liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Non-current operating lease liabilities Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Consideration transferred Preliminary September 27, 2021 4,364 3,592 26,324 19,456 24,987 2,874 19,412 185 101,194 891 6,072 1,984 9,320 18,267 82,927 $ $ Other intangible assets consists of the franchise agreements of $18.3 million and proprietary content of $1.1 million. Property, plant and equipment consists of fixtures and equipment of $0.3 million, leasehold improvements of $0.7 million, and software and electronic content of $25.3 million. Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition On March 10, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Pet Supplies Plus (the "Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition"). The preliminary fair value of the consideration transferred at the acquisition date was $451.1 million. As of December 25, 2021, $5.5 million of acquisition fees had been incurred that are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. The table below summarizes the preliminary estimates of the fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition on March 10, 2021. The preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to revisions, which may result in an adjustment to the preliminary values presented below. Subsequent to the acquisition, the preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were adjusted, which resulted in an increase in goodwill of $0.2 million. The increase was primarily due to $0.3 million of accrued taxes and $1.3 million of net working capital true-up netted with an increase of tenant improvement allowances of $1.7 million. The Company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as reasonably possible but not to exceed one year from the date of completion of the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition. 59 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents Other current assets Inventories Property, plant, and equipment Goodwill Operating lease right-of-use assets Tradenames Other intangible assets Other non-current assets Total assets Current operating lease liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Other current liabilities Current installments of long-term obligations Long-term obligations, excluding current installments Non-current operating lease liabilities Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Consideration transferred Preliminary March 10, 2021 2,131 39,844 118,600 75,616 335,876 151,243 104,400 101,400 6,393 935,503 25,405 82,237 1,725 3,507 247,458 114,292 9,761 484,385 451,118 $ $ Other intangible assets consists of franchise agreements of $67.1 million and customer relationships of $34.3 million. Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities consist of leases for retail store locations, warehouses and office equipment. Operating lease right-of-use assets incorporates a favorable adjustment of $12.4 million, net for favorable and unfavorable Pet Supplies Plus real estate leases (as compared to prevailing market rates) which will be amortized over the remaining lease terms. Property, plant, and equipment consists of fixtures and equipment of $37.0 million, leasehold improvements of $33.5 million, construction in progress of $3.5 million and financing leases of $1.7 million. Other non-current assets includes $0.4 million of restricted cash. Furniture Factory Outlet Acquisition On December 27, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition (the "FFO Home Acquisition") of FFO Home, a regional retailer of furniture and mattresses, for an all cash purchase price of $13.8 million. In the twelve months ended December 25, 2021, the preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were adjusted, which resulted in a decrease in goodwill of $0.3 million and a corresponding $0.3 million increase of property, plant, and equipment. The Company acquired 31 operating locations which were rebranded as American Freight stores and included in its American Freight segment. As of December 25, 2021, $0.4 million of acquisition fees had been incurred that are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. 60 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents Other current assets Inventories Property, plant, and equipment Goodwill Operating lease right-of-use assets Total assets Current operating lease liabilities Other current liabilities Non-current operating lease liabilities Total liabilities Consideration transferred Preliminary December 27, 2020 6 96 6,450 3,280 2,947 26,571 39,350 2,587 299 22,624 25,510 13,840 $ $ Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities consist of leases for retail store locations. Operating lease right-of-use assets incorporates a favorable adjustment of $1.4 million, net for favorable and unfavorable FFO Home leases (as compared to prevailing market rates) which will be amortized over the remaining lease terms. The property, plant, and equipment consists of leasehold improvements of $2.5 million and fixtures and equipment of $0.8 million. Pro forma financial information The following unaudited consolidated pro forma summary has been prepared by adjusting the Company's historical data to give effect to the Badcock Acquisition, the Sylvan Acquisition, the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition, the FFO Home Acquisition, the American Freight Acquisition, the Vitamin Shoppe Acquisition, the Sears Outlet Acquisition, the Buddy's Acquisition, the A-Team Leasing Acquisition and the Buddy's Partners Acquisition as if they had occurred on May 1, 2018. (In thousands) Revenue Net income (loss) from continuing operations Basic net income per share - continuing operations Diluted net income per share - continuing operations (Unaudited) Fiscal Year Ended 12/25/2021 Fiscal Year Ended 12/26/2020 $ 4,282,329 $ 184,574 4.59 4.51 3,849,583 92,954 2.69 2.66 These unaudited pro forma results include adjustments such as inventory step-up, amortization of acquired intangible assets, depreciation of acquired property, plant, and equipment and interest expense on debt financing in connection with the Acquisitions. Material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the Acquisitions include the following. Acquired inventory step-up to its fair value of $7.1 million was removed from net income for the year ended December 25, 2021 and recognized as an incremental product cost in the year ended December 26, 2020, and acquisition related costs of $11.3 million were removed from net income for the year ended December 25, 2021 and recognized as an expense in the year ended December 26, 2020. The unaudited consolidated pro forma financial information was prepared in accordance with accounting standards and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred if the Acquisitions had been completed on the dates indicated, nor is it indicative of the future operating results of the Company. The unaudited pro forma results do not reflect events that either have occurred or may occur after these Acquisitions, including, but not limited to, the anticipated realization of operating synergies in subsequent periods. They also do not give effect to certain charges that the Company expects to incur in connection with these Acquisitions, including, but not limited to, additional professional fees and employee integration. 61 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (3) Discontinued Operations On February 21, 2021, the Company and NextPoint entered into the Purchase Agreement to sell its Liberty Tax business to NextPoint. In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the parties entered into a transition services agreement pursuant to which both parties agreed to provide certain transition services to each other for a period not to exceed twelve months. On July 2, 2021, the Company completed the transaction and received total consideration of approximately $255.3 million, consisting of approximately $181.2 million in cash and approximately $74.1 million in proportionate voting shares of NextPoint recorded as an investment in equity securities in "Investment in equity securities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The transaction resulted in a gain on the sale of $188.1 million recorded in "Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax" on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The total unrealized loss on the investment in NextPoint was $31.8 million, recorded in "Other" on the consolidated statement of operations. During the three months ended December 25, 2021, a correction to the calculation of the share-based component of the purchase price resulted in an additional $14.3 million recognized on the gain on the sale of the Liberty Tax business. As part of the divestiture, the Company incurred transaction costs of approximately $7.1 million which were paid using shares of NextPoint. As a result of the transaction, the financial position and results of operations of the Liberty Tax business are presented as discontinued operations and, as such, have been excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. The following is a summary of the major categories of assets and liabilities for the Liberty Tax business. The balances for all periods prior to the sale are included in assets and liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. (In thousands) December 25, 2021 December 26, 2020 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Current receivables, net Other current assets Total current assets held for sale Property, plant, and equipment, net Non-current receivables, net Goodwill Intangible assets, net Operating lease right-of-use assets Other non-current assets Total assets held for sale Liabilities Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term obligations Current operating lease liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Other current liabilities Total current liabilities held for sale Long-term obligations, excluding current installments Non-current operating lease liabilities Other non-current liabilities Total liabilities held for sale $ $ $ $ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — $ $ $ $ 2,722 33,525 6,776 43,023 7,634 3,889 8,719 24,804 8,771 1,299 98,139 1,335 4,658 20,200 14,383 40,576 1,711 4,738 2,330 49,355 62 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following is a Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Liberty Tax business. The amounts for all periods are included in "Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. (In thousands) Revenue Selling, general, and administrative expenses Income from operations Other expense: Other Interest expense, net Income before income taxes Income tax expense Net Income Less: Net (income) attributable to non-controlling interest Net income attributable to discontinued operations Twelve Months Ended 12/25/2021 Twelve Months Ended 12/26/2020 Transition Period 5/1/2019- 12/28/2019 Period from 5/1/2018- 12/29/2018 Twelve Months Ended 4/30/2019 $ 107,486 66,042 41,444 188,256 (3) 229,697 57,875 171,822 — $ 122,777 $ 99,166 23,611 14,984 $ 77,562 (62,578) 16,647 $ 77,612 (60,965) 107 (4,977) 18,741 2,531 16,210 (11,791) 37 (2,351) (64,892) (1,868) (63,024) 17,211 (12) (1,802) (62,779) (19,726) (43,053) — $ 171,822 $ 4,419 $ (45,813) $ (43,053) $ 132,546 133,405 (859) (113) (3,023) (3,995) (1,839) (2,156) — (2,156) The Company applied the "Intraperiod Tax Allocation" rules under ASC 740 "Income Taxes", which requires the allocation of an entity's total income tax provision among continuing operations and, in the Company's case, discontinued operations. The following is the operating and investing activities for the Liberty Tax business. These amounts are included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. (In thousands) Cash flows provided by operating activities from discontinued operations Cash flows provided by investing activities from discontinued operations Twelve Months Ended 12/25/2021 Twelve Months Ended 12/26/2020 Transition Period 5/1/2019- 12/28/2019 Period from 5/1/2018- 12/29/2018 Twelve Months Ended 4/30/2019 $ 39,334 $ 52,185 $ (21,477) $ (51,774) $ 173,633 6,259 (26,004) (28,215) 17,129 (2,666) 63 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (4) Notes and Accounts Receivable Current and non-current receivables, as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 are presented in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: (In thousands) Accounts receivable Notes receivable Interest receivable Income tax receivable Allowance for doubtful accounts Current receivables, net Notes receivable - non-current Allowance for doubtful accounts - non-current Non-current receivables, net Total receivables 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 86,087 $ 1,681 54 32,448 (1,572) 118,698 12,183 (428) 11,755 130,453 $ 38,444 15,440 84 13,650 (283) 67,335 12,800 — 12,800 80,135 Notes receivable are due from the Company's franchisees and are collateralized by the underlying franchise. The debtors' ability to repay the notes is dependent upon both the performance of the franchisee's industry as a whole and the individual franchise. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts is assessed on a quarterly basis and adjusted as deemed necessary. Management believes the recorded allowance is adequate based upon its consideration of the estimated value of the franchises, which collateralize the receivables. Any adverse change in the individual franchisees' areas could affect the Company's estimate of the allowance. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 was as follows: (In thousands) Balance at beginning of year Provision for doubtful accounts Payments received against previous write-offs Write-offs and reduction from repurchases of franchises Balance at end of year 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 283 $ 1,720 (2) (1) 2,000 $ — 283 — — 283 64 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Analysis of Past Due Receivables The breakdown of accounts and notes receivable past due at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 was as follows: (In thousands) Accounts receivable Notes and interest receivable Total accounts, notes, and interest receivable (In thousands) Accounts receivable Notes and interest receivable Total accounts, notes, and interest receivable Secured Borrowing Accounting Past due Current Interest receivable Total receivables 12/25/2021 7,966 $ 452 8,418 $ 78,121 $ 13,412 91,533 $ 12/26/2020 — $ 54 54 $ 86,087 13,918 100,005 Past due Current Interest receivable Total receivables 505 $ — 505 $ 37,939 $ 28,240 66,179 $ — $ 84 84 $ 38,444 28,324 66,768 $ $ $ $ On December 20, 2021, Badcock entered into a Master Receivables Purchase Agreement (“Receivables Purchase Agreement”) with B. Riley Receivables, LLC (the "Purchaser") and consummated the sale to the Purchaser of the existing consumer credit receivables portfolio of Badcock as of December 15, 2021 for a purchase price of $400.0 million in cash. In connection with the Receivables Purchase Agreement, Badcock entered into a Servicing Agreement (the “Servicing Agreement”) with the Purchaser pursuant to which Badcock will provide to the Purchaser certain customary servicing and account management services in respect of the receivables purchased by the Purchaser under the Receivables Purchase Agreement. As a result of the transaction, the Company's Badcock segment sold beneficial interests in revolving lines of credit that it originated. The sales are accounted for as secured borrowings on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with both assets and non-recourse liabilities because the sales do not qualify as a sale under ASC 860 - "Transfers and Servicing," although the underlying receivables are deemed to be legally sold. The income earned on the securitized revolving lines of credit is recorded as interest income in "service and other revenues" and the accretion of the securitized debt recorded in "Interest expense, net" on the consolidated statements of operations. Current securitized receivables, net includes $476.1 million of securitized receivables and an amortized discount of $106.5 million. Non-current securitized receivables, net includes $60.9 million of securitized receivables and an amortized discount of $13.6 million. (5) Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net Property, plant, and equipment at December 25, 2021, and December 26, 2020 was as follows: (In thousands) Land and land improvements Buildings and building improvements Leasehold improvements Furniture, fixtures, and equipment Software Construction in progress Finance lease asset Property, plant, and equipment, gross Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Property, plant, and equipment, net 65 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 36,306 $ 176,188 115,539 117,973 97,427 4,388 6,148 553,969 104,083 449,886 $ — — 67,114 66,885 44,250 3,578 1,913 183,740 47,868 135,872 $ $ FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Total depreciation and amortization expense on property, plant, and equipment was $56.0 million, $47.6 million, $2.1 million and $0.0 million for the years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, the Transition Period, and the year ended April 30, 2019, respectively. (6) Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 were as follows: (In thousands) Balance as of December 28, 2019 Acquisitions Disposals and purchase accounting adjustments Balance as of December 26, 2020 Acquisitions Disposals and purchase accounting adjustments Balance as of December 25, 2021 Vitamin Shoppe $ Pet Supplies Plus American Freight Buddy's Sylvan 4,951 $ — (3,674) 1,277 $ — — 1,277 $ — $ — — — $ 335,875 — 335,875 $ 31,028 $ 336,854 — 367,882 $ 3,293 (346) 370,829 $ 88,542 $ — (9,443) 79,099 $ — — 79,099 $ — $ — — — $ 19,456 — 19,456 $ Total 124,521 336,854 (13,117) 448,258 358,624 (346) 806,536 $ $ The Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill as of July 25, 2021. No impairment has been recorded for any of the reporting units. 66 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Components of intangible assets as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, were as follows: (In thousands) 12/25/2021 Vitamin Shoppe Pet Supplies Plus Badcock American Freight Buddy's Sylvan Total Tradenames Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net carrying amount Customer contracts Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net carrying amount Franchise and dealer agreements Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net carrying amount Other intangible assets Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net carrying amount Total intangible assets (In thousands) Tradenames $ 12,000 $ 104,400 $ — 12,000 — 104,400 — — — — — — — — — 34,300 (1,856) 32,444 67,100 (3,576) 63,524 — — — $ 12,000 $ 200,368 $ Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net carrying amount Customer contracts Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net carrying amount Franchise and dealer agreements Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net carrying amount Other intangible assets Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net carrying amount Total intangible assets — — — — — — — — — — — — — $ 70,200 $ 11,100 $ 24,987 $ 222,687 — 70,200 — — — — — — 44 (3) 41 — 11,100 8,114 (3,359) 4,755 10,500 (2,596) 7,904 566 (319) 247 — 24,987 — 222,687 — — — 18,265 (399) 17,866 1,226 (56) 1,170 42,414 (5,215) 37,199 95,865 (6,571) 89,294 1,836 (378) 1,458 $ 70,241 $ 24,006 $ 44,023 $ 350,638 12/26/2020 Vitamin Shoppe 12,000 — 12,000 American Freight 70,200 $ — 70,200 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 12,000 $ — — — 70,200 $ $ Buddy's Total 11,100 — 11,100 8,780 (2,159) 6,621 10,500 (1,545) 8,955 1,478 (462) 1,016 27,692 $ $ $ $ $ 93,300 — 93,300 8,780 (2,159.00) 6,621 10,500 (1,545.00) 8,955 1,478 (462.00) 1,016 109,892 $ $ The Company's tradenames have an indefinite life and their annual impairment test was performed as of July 25, 2021. No impairment has been recorded for any of the reporting units. The Company also reviews amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company did not record impairment expense related to the amortizable intangible assets during the years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, the Transition Period, or year ended April 30, 2019. 67 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements For the years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, the Transition Period, and year ended April 30, 2019, amortization expense was $8.7 million, $4.6 million, $1.8 million, and $0.0 million respectively. Annual amortization expense for the next five years is estimated to be as follows: (In thousands) Estimate for Fiscal Year 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter Total estimated amortization expense (7) Revenue $ $ 10,786 10,750 10,623 9,952 9,206 76,634 127,951 For details regarding the principal activities from which the Company generates its revenue, see "Note 1 - Organization and Significant Accounting Policies". For more detailed information regarding reportable segments, see "Note 15 - Segments." The following represents the disaggregated revenue by reportable segments for the years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, the Transition Period, the period May 1, 2018 through December 29, 2018, and year ended April 30 2019. All revenue for periods prior to the Transition Period was from discontinued operations, see "Note 3. Discontinued Operations". (In thousands) Retail sales Wholesale sales Total product revenue Franchise fees Royalties and advertising fees Financing revenue Warranty and damage revenue Interest income Other revenues Total service and other revenue Rental revenue, net Total rental revenue Total revenue Vitamin Shoppe $ 1,172,462 $ Pet Supplies Plus † 517,508 $ 355,377 872,885 623 19,538 — — 228 24,165 44,554 — — 917,439 $ Fiscal Year Ended 12/25/2021 Badcock † American Freight Buddy's Sylvan † Consolidated 67,353 $ — 67,353 — — — 5,389 25,508 3,807 34,704 — — 102,057 $ 894,905 $ 945 895,850 — 1,287 41,623 34,786 986 14,360 93,042 — — 988,892 $ 3,913 $ — 3,913 84 14,390 — 6,667 — 5,725 26,866 33,630 33,630 64,409 $ 8 $ — 8 89 8,217 — — — 1,368 9,674 — — 9,682 $ 2,656,149 356,322 3,012,471 797 43,694 41,623 46,842 26,722 49,425 209,103 33,630 33,630 3,255,204 — 1,172,462 1 262 — — — — 263 — — $ 1,172,725 $ † Reflects the results from the March 10, 2021, November 22, 2021, and September 27, 2021 acquisition dates for the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition, the Badcock Acquisition, and the Sylvan Acquisition, respectively. 68 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Vitamin Shoppe Pet Supplies Plus Badcock Fiscal Year Ended 12/26/2020 American Freight Buddy's Sylvan Consolidated $ 1,035,964 $ 1,035,964 — — — — — — — — — $ 1,035,964 $ — $ — — — — — — — — — — — $ — $ — — — — — — — — — — — $ 857,955 $ 857,955 — — 15,977 16,799 1,288 4,412 38,476 — — 896,431 $ 5,743 $ 5,743 99 9,993 — 12,668 — 4,562 27,322 64,267 64,267 97,332 $ Pet Supplies Plus Transition Period From 5/1/2019 - 12/28/2019 American Freight Buddy's Badcock Vitamin Shoppe $ 30,574 $ 30,574 — — — — — — — — — 30,574 $ $ — $ — — — — — — — — — — — $ — $ — — — — — — — — — — — $ 64,067 $ 64,067 — — — 2,734 267 1,162 4,163 — — 68,230 $ 1,498 $ 1,498 160 4,042 — 4,937 — 1,449 10,588 23,636 23,636 35,722 $ — $ — — — — — — — — — — — $ 1,899,662 1,899,662 99 9,993 15,977 29,467 1,288 8,974 65,798 64,267 64,267 2,029,727 Sylvan Consolidated — $ — — — — — — — — — — — $ 96,139 96,139 160 4,042 — 7,671 267 2,611 14,751 23,636 23,636 134,526 (In thousands) Retail sales Total product revenue Franchise fees Royalties and advertising fees Financing revenue Warranty and damage revenue Interest income Other revenues Total service and other revenue Rental revenue, net Total rental revenue Total revenue (In thousands) Retail sales Total product revenue Franchise fees Royalties and advertising fees Financing revenue Warranty and damage revenue Interest income Other revenues Total service and other revenue Rental revenue, net Total rental revenue Total revenue Contract Balances The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred revenue) from contracts with customers as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020: (In thousands) Accounts receivable Notes receivable Customer deposits Gift cards and loyalty programs Deferred franchise fee revenue Other deferred revenue Total deferred revenue 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ $ 86,087 13,864 37,626 7,604 16,984 8,400 70,614 $ $ $ 38 28 18 4 2 25 69 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Revenue The following table reflects when deferred revenue is expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at the end of the period: (In thousands) 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter Total (8) Leases $ $ Estimate for Fiscal Year 49,038 3,165 2,780 1,787 1,624 12,220 70,614 See "Leases" under "Note 1 - Organization and Significant Accounting Policies" for a discussion of our accounting policies. The finance lease right of use assets and lease liabilities are included in PP&E, current installments of long-term debt and long-term debt respectively. These lease are immaterial to the financial statements. Company as Lessee The components of lease costs for leases that were recognized in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 were as follows: (In thousands) Operating lease cost Short-term operating lease costs Variable operating lease costs Sublease income Total operating lease cost 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 212,837 2,261 35,367 (1,753) 248,712 As of December 25, 2021, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: (In thousands) Operating leases 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter Total undiscounted lease payments Less interest Present value of lease liabilities $ $ 70 94 2 14 ( 110 225,395 199,063 155,360 112,046 80,557 116,313 888,734 158,562 730,172 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following represents other information pertaining to the Company's lease arrangements for the year ended December 25, 2021: (In thousands) Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Weighted average remaining lease terms (years) Weighted average discount rates (1) $ December 25, 2021 December 26, 2020 Operating $ 153,538 191,827 9.03 4.9 % 157,007 87,399 11.17 (1) As of December 25, 2021, the majority of the lease liabilities arising from right-of-use assets were a result of the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition. As of December 26, 2020, the majority of the lease liabilities arising from right-of-use assets were a result of the American Freight Acquisition. Company as Lessor Total rental income for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 were $0.9 million and $0. Total rental income includes sublease income of $0.7 million and $0 recognized during 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company subleases some of its Badcock segment's leased locations to certain dealers for operation as Badcock stores. The terms of these leases generally match those of the lease the Company has with the lessor. The following table illustrates the Company's maturity analysis of lease payments to be received for non- cancelable operating leases and subleases as of December 25, 2021: (In thousands) Fiscal Year: 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter Total future minimum receipts Operating Leases Subleases Owned Properties $ $ 6,841 $ 5,938 4,461 3,536 2,560 1,791 25,127 $ 1,937 1,817 1,721 1,519 1,391 2,533 10,918 Our Vitamin Shoppe, Pet Supplies Plus, and American Freight segments have subleases but the lease payments on those locations are immaterial to the financial statements. Properties owned by the Company and leased to dealers and other third parties under operating leases include: (In thousands) Buildings and improvements Total properties owned and leased by the Company Accumulated depreciation Total properties owned and leased by the Company, net December 25, 2021 December 26, 2020 $ $ 34,172 $ 34,172 $ (88) $ 34,084 $ — — — — 71 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (9) Long-Term Obligations Long-term obligations as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 were as follows: (In thousands) Revolving credit facilities Term loan, net of debt issuance costs Debt securitized by accounts receivable, net of discount Finance lease liabilities Total long-term obligations Less current installments Total long-term obligations, excluding current installments First Lien Credit Agreement and Term Loan 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 20,000 $ 1,435,928 407,502 6,465 1,869,895 486,170 1,383,725 $ 78,310 491,836 — 851 570,997 104,053 466,944 On March 10, 2021 (the “PSP Closing Date”), the Company entered into a First Lien Credit Agreement (the “First Lien Credit Agreement”) with various lenders that provides for a $1,000.0 million senior secured term loan (the “First Lien Term Loan”). The Company’s obligations under the First Lien Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and each of the Company’s other direct and indirect subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries) pursuant to a First Lien Guarantee Agreement (the “First Lien Guarantee Agreement”) and are required to be guaranteed by each of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries) that may be formed or acquired after the PSP Closing Date. The obligations of the Company under the First Lien Credit Agreement are secured on a first priority basis by substantially all of the assets and are secured on a second priority basis by credit card receivables, accounts receivable, deposit accounts, securities accounts, commodity accounts, inventory and goods (other than equipment) of the Company, and in each case are required to be secured by such assets of the Company (other than certain excluded subsidiaries) that may be formed or acquired after the PSP Closing Date. The proceeds of the First Lien Term Loan, together with the proceeds of the Second Lien Term Loan (as defined below) and certain cash on hand of the Company, were used to consummate the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition and to pay fees and expenses for certain related transactions, including the entry into the ABL Agreement (as defined below). A portion of the First Lien Term Loan and Second Lien Term Loan were also used to repay existing lenders. The First Lien Term Loan will mature on March 10, 2026 and bears interest at a variable rate with a floor of 5.50%. Interest is payable on either the last day of the interest period or the last business day of the calendar quarter. The Company is required to repay the First Lien Term Loan in equal quarterly installments of $2.5 million on the last day of each calendar quarter, commencing on June 30, 2021 subject to certain early payment requirements based on certain events. On July 2, 2021, the Company repaid $182.1 million of principal of the First Lien Term Loan using cash proceeds from the sale of the Liberty Tax business. The payment also satisfied the requirements for the quarterly principal payments so no additional principal payments are due until the First Term Loan maturity date. The early repayment resulted in additional interest expense of $6.1 million for the write-off of deferred financing costs. The First Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien Collateral Agreement and the First Lien Guarantee Agreement collectively include customary affirmative, negative, and financial covenants binding on the Company, including delivery of financial statements and other reports. The negative covenants limit the ability of the Company to, among other things, incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends and enter into transactions with affiliates. The financial covenants set forth in the First Lien Credit Agreement include a maximum total leverage ratio (net of certain cash) and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio to be tested at the end of each fiscal quarter commencing with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the PSP Closing Date. In addition, the First Lien Credit Agreement includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which may require the Company to pay an additional 2.00% interest on the First Lien Term Loan and/or may result in, among other consequences, acceleration of the payment obligations with respect to the First Lien Term Loan, calling on the guarantees, or exercise of remedies with respect to the collateral. 72 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Second Lien Credit Agreement and Second Lien Term Loan On the PSP Closing Date, the Company entered into a Second Lien Credit Agreement (the “Second Lien Credit Agreement”) with various lenders (the "Second Lien Lenders", and together with the First Lien Lenders, the "Term Loan Lenders") which provides for a $300.0 million senior secured term loan (the “Second Lien Term Loan”, and together with the First Lien Term Loan, the “Term Loans”), made by the Second Lien Lenders to the Company. The Company's obligations under the Second Lien Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Loan Parties pursuant to a Second Lien Guarantee Agreement (the “Second Lien Guarantee Agreement”) and are required to be guaranteed by each of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries) that may be formed or acquired after the Closing Date. The obligations of the Company under the Second Lien Credit Agreement are secured on a second priority basis by the Term Priority Collateral and are secured on a third priority basis by the ABL Priority Collateral pursuant to a Second Lien Collateral Agreement (the “Second Lien Collateral Agreement”) and are required to be secured by such assets of each of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries) that may be formed or acquired after the PSP Closing Date. The Second Lien Term Loan will mature on September 10, 2026 and bears interest at a variable rate with an 8.50% floor. Interest is payable on either the last day of the interest period or the last business day of the calendar quarter. The Second Lien Term Loan is not subject to scheduled amortization. Solely to the extent the First Lien Term Loan and related obligations have been repaid in full, the Company is required to prepay the Second Lien Term Loan with 50% of consolidated excess cash flow on an annual basis, subject to certain exceptions and to leverage-based step-downs to 25% and 0%, and with 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain other customary events, including certain asset sales (but excluding sales of ABL Priority Collateral), including customary reinvestment rights and leverage-based step-downs to 50% and 0%, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (ABL) On the PSP Closing Date, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “ABL Agreement”) with various lenders. The ABL Agreement provides for a senior secured revolving loan facility (the “ABL Revolver”) with aggregate commitments available to Company of the lesser of (i) $150.0 million and (ii) a specified borrowing base based on a percentage of the Company's eligible credit card receivables, accounts (subject to certain limitations) and inventory (subject to certain limitations), less certain reserves (the “Aggregate Borrowing Cap”). Furthermore, the ABL Agreement includes separate borrowing caps equal to (A) the lesser of (1) $100.0 million and (2) a specified borrowing base based on a percentage of certain of the Company's subsidiaries eligible credit card receivables, accounts (subject to certain limitations) and inventory (subject to certain limitations), less certain reserves. As of December 25, 2021, there was $20.0 million drawn on the ABL Revolver. The ABL Agreement amended and restated the existing Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2019. The Company's obligations under the ABL Agreement are guaranteed pursuant to a Second Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the PSP Closing Date. The obligations of the Company under the ABL Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company pursuant to the ABL Agreement and a Third Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement (the “ABL Pledge”). The ABL Revolver matures on March 10, 2025, and borrowings under the ABL Revolver will bear interest at a variable rate with a 1.75% floor. Interest is payable on either the last day of the interest period or the last business day of the calendar quarter. Subject to an intercreditor agreement, the Company is required to repay the excess amount of borrowings under the ABL Revolver if: (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all borrowings by the Company under the ABL Revolver at any time exceeds the Aggregate Borrowing Cap, or (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all borrowings of certain of the Company's subsidiaries exceeds their borrowing caps. The ABL Agreement and ABL Pledge include customary affirmative and negative covenants binding on the Company, including delivery of financial statements, borrowing base certificates and other reports. The negative covenants limit the ability of the Company, among other things, to incur debt, incur liens, make investments, sell assets, pay dividends and enter into 73 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements transactions with affiliates. In addition, the ABL Agreement includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which may require the Company to pay an additional 2.0% interest on the borrowings under the ABL Revolver. Badcock First Lien Credit Agreement and First Lien Badcock Term Loan On November 22, 2021 (the “Badcock Closing Date”), the Company entered into a First Lien Credit Agreement (the “First Lien Badcock Credit Agreement”) with various lenders. The First Lien Badcock Credit Agreement provides for a $425.0 million senior secured term loan (the "First Lien Badcock Term Loan"), made by the First Lien Badcock Lenders to the Company. The Company's obligations under the First Lien Badcock Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company, the FRG Guarantors, and Badcock (also referred to as the “Badcock Guarantor” and collectively with the Company and FRG Guarantors, the “Loan Parties”) pursuant to the First Lien Guarantee Agreements (collectively, the “First Lien Guarantee Agreements”) and are required to be guaranteed by each of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries) that may be formed or acquired after the Badcock Closing Date. The obligations of the Borrowers under the First Lien Badcock Credit Agreement are secured on a first priority basis by liens on substantially all of the assets of the Badcock Guarantor (the “Badcock Collateral”) and substantially all assets of the Loan Parties, pursuant to certain First Lien Collateral Agreements (collectively, the “First Lien Collateral Agreements”), by and among the Loan Parties party thereto and the First Lien Badcock Agent, and are required to be secured by such assets of each of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries) that may be formed or acquired after the Badcock Closing Date. The proceeds of the First Lien Badcock Term Loan, together with the proceeds of the Second Lien Badcock Term Loan and certain cash on hand of the Company and its subsidiaries, were used to consummate the Badcock Acquisition and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and with certain related transactions, including the entry into the Credit Agreement. The First Lien Badcock Term Loan will mature on November 22, 2023, unless the maturity is accelerated subject to the terms set forth in the First Lien Badcock Credit Agreement. The First Lien Badcock Term Loan will, at the option of the Borrowers, bear interest at either (i) a rate per annum based on Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") for an interest period of one, three or six months (or under certain circumstances, twelve months or less than one month), plus an interest rate margin of 4.75% (each, a “Badcock First Lien SOFR Loan”), or (ii) an alternate base rate determined as provided in the First Lien Credit Agreement, plus an interest rate margin of 3.75% (each, a “Badcock First Lien ABR Loan”), with an effective 1.00% alternate base rate floor. Interest on Badcock First Lien SOFR Loans is payable in arrears at the end of each applicable interest period (and, with respect to an interest period of longer than three months, at three-month intervals during such interest period), and interest on Badcock First Lien ABR Loans is payable in arrears on the last business day of each calendar quarter. The First Lien Badcock Term Loan will not be subject to amortization payments. The Borrowers are required to prepay the First Lien Badcock Term Loan with 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain customary events, including certain asset sales of Badcock Collateral. Subject to certain exceptions, repayments of the First Lien Badcock Term Loan within six months after the Closing Date in connection with a refinancing to reduce the pricing with respect to the First Lien Term Loan are subject to a prepayment premium of 1.00%. The Borrowers may also be required to pay SOFR breakage and redeployment costs in certain limited circumstances. On December 23, 2021, the Company repaid $219.0 million of principal of the First Lien Badcock Term Loan using cash proceeds from the Receivables Purchase Agreement. The early repayment resulted in additional interest expense of $5.0 million for the write-off of deferred financing costs. On December 27, 2021, the Company repaid an additional $31.0 million of principal of the First Lien Badcock Term Loan using cash proceeds from the Receivables Purchase Agreement, which is included in current installments of long-term obligations within the consolidated balance sheet. Badcock Second Lien Credit Agreement and Term Loan On the Badcock Closing Date, the Company entered into a Second Lien Credit Agreement (the “Second Lien Badcock Credit Agreement” and together with the First Lien Badcock Credit Agreement, the “Badcock Credit Agreements”) with the various lenders from time-to-time party thereto (the “Second Lien Badcock Lenders”) and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent (“Second Lien Badcock Agent” and together with the First Lien Badcock Agent, the 74 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements “Badcock Agents”). The Second Lien Badcock Credit Agreement provides for a $150.0 million senior secured term loan (the “Second Lien Badcock Term Loan” and together with the First Lien Badcock Term Loan, the “Badcock Term Loans”), made by the Second Lien Badcock Lenders to one or more of the Borrowers. The Borrowers’ obligations under the Second Lien Badcock Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties pursuant to the Second Lien Guarantee Agreements (collectively, the “Second Lien Guarantee Agreements”), by and among the Loan Parties party thereto and the Second Lien Badcock Agent, and are required to be guaranteed by each of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries) that may be formed or acquired after the Closing Date. The obligations of the Borrowers under the Second Lien Badcock Credit Agreement are secured on a second priority basis by liens on the Badcock Collateral and substantially all assets of the Loan Parties, pursuant to certain Second Lien Collateral Agreements (collectively, the “Second Lien Collateral Agreements”), by and among the Loan Parties party thereto and the Second Lien Badcock Agent, and are required to be secured by such assets of each of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries) that may be formed or acquired after the Badcock Closing Date. The proceeds of the Second Lien Badcock Term Loan, together with the proceeds of the First Lien Badcock Term Loan and certain cash on hand of the Company and its subsidiaries, were used to consummate the Acquisition and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and with certain related transactions, including the entry into the Credit Agreement Amendments. The Second Lien Badcock Term Loan will mature on November 22, 2023, unless the maturity is accelerated subject to the terms set forth in the Second Lien Badcock Credit Agreement. The Second Lien Badcock Term Loan will, at the option of the Borrowers, bear interest at either (i) a rate per annum based on Term SOFR for an interest period of one, three or six months (or under certain circumstances, twelve months or less than one month), plus an interest rate margin of 7.50% (each, a “Second Lien SOFR Loan”), or (ii) an alternate base rate determined as provided in the Second Lien Badcock Credit Agreement, plus an interest rate margin of 6.50% (each, a “Second Lien Badcock ABR Loan”), with an effective 1.00% SOFR floor and a 2.00% alternate base rate floor. Interest on Second Lien Badcock SOFR Loans is payable in arrears at the end of each applicable interest period (and, with respect to an interest period of longer than three months, at three-month intervals during such interest period), and interest on Second Lien Badcock ABR Loans is payable in arrears on the last business day of each calendar quarter. The Second Lien Badcock Term Loan will not be subject to amortization payments. The Borrowers are required to prepay the Second Lien Badcock Term Loan with 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain customary events, including certain asset sales of Badcock Priority Collateral. The Second Lien Badcock Term Loan may be voluntarily prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. The Borrowers may also be required to pay SOFR breakage and redeployment costs in certain limited circumstances. On December 27, 2021, the Company repaid $150.0 million, the full outstanding balance of principal, of the Second Lien Badcock Term Loan using cash proceeds from the Receivables Purchase Agreement, which is included in current installments of long-term obligations within the consolidated balance sheet. The early repayment resulted in additional interest expense of $3.5 million for the write-off of deferred financing costs. Debt Related to the Securitization of Accounts Receivable In December 2021, the Company's Badcock segment sold beneficial interests in revolving lines of credit that it originated. The sales are accounted for as secured borrowings on our consolidated balance sheets with both assets and non-recourse liabilities because the sales do not qualify as a sale under ASC 860 - "Transfers and Servicing," although the underlying receivables are deemed to be legally sold. The income earned on the securitized revolving lines of credit is recorded as interest income in service and other revenues with a corresponding amount recorded in Interest expense, net on the consolidated statements of operations. Proceeds from secured borrowings issued in the securitization are accounted for as non-recourse notes payable. The Company's customers are responsible for repaying the debt from a secured borrowing, and the Company is not liable for the repayment of non-recourse loans unless representations or warranties in the loan agreements are breached. The lender assumes the credit risk and their only recourse, upon default by the customer, is against the customer. 75 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Debt securitized by accounts receivable, net includes $400.0 million of securitized debt and an amortized discount of $7.5 million. Current installments of debt securitized by accounts receivable, net includes $296.7 million of securitized debt and an amortized discount of $5.6 million. Compliance with Debt Covenants The Company's revolving credit and long-term debt agreements impose restrictive covenants on it, including requirements to meet certain ratios. As of December 25, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under these agreements and, based on a continuation of current operating results, the Company expects to continue to be in compliance for the next twelve months. Aggregate maturities of long-term debt at December 25, 2021 were as follows: (In thousands) 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter Total long-term obligations Estimate for fiscal year 485,8 284,0 1,3 1,0 1,097,6 1,869,8 $ $ The following debt agreements have been repaid since reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020. Franchise Group New Holdco Credit Agreement and Term Loan On March 10, 2021, the outstanding amount of $527.4 million, including accrued interest, under the Franchise Group New Holdco Credit Agreement and Term Loan was paid in full in connection with the issuance of the First Lien Term Loan and the Second Lien Term Loan. The early repayment resulted in additional interest expense of $20.1 million for the write-off of deferred financing costs and $36.7 million for a prepayment penalty. The prepayment penalty is recorded in the Other expense line of the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 25, 2021. Franchise Group New Holdco New ABL Credit Agreement and New ABL Term Loan On March 10, 2021, the Franchise Group New Holdco New ABL Credit Agreement and Term Loan was replaced by the ABL Agreement and the outstanding amount of $37.0 million, including accrued interest, under the Franchise Group New Holdco New ABL Credit Agreement and Term Loan was paid in full by the Company in connection with the issuance of the First Lien Term Loan and the Second Lien Term Loan. The early repayment resulted in additional interest expense of $8.1 million for the write-off of deferred financing costs. Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver On March 10, 2021, the outstanding amount of $43.0 million, including accrued interest, under the Vitamin Shoppe ABL Revolver was paid in full with the proceeds from the First Lien Term Loan and the Second Lien Term Loan which resulted in a write-off of $1.2 million of deferred financing costs. (10) Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Activity On January 11, 2021, the Company entered into an Underwriting Agreement with B. Riley Securities, Inc., as representative of the underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), to issue and sell an aggregate of 2,976,191 shares of the Company’s 7.50% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share and liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), in a public offering at a price to the public of $25.20 per share. The 76 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Company also granted the Underwriters an option (the "Option") to purchase up to 446,428 additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock during the 30 days following the date of the Underwriting Agreement. On January 14, 2021, the Underwriters partially exercised the Option for 314,934 shares. The offering closed on January 14, 2021, and the net proceeds to the Company were approximately $79.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, an advisory fee and offering expenses totaling approximately $3.2 million. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, are as follows: (In thousands) Foreign currency adjustment Interest rate swap agreements, net of tax Total accumulated other comprehensive loss 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ — $ — — $ (1,254) (145) (1,399) For the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, all components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were from discontinued operations. Non-controlling interest The Company is the sole managing member of Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC ("New Holdco") and, as a result, consolidates the financial results of New Holdco. Prior to April 1, 2020, the Company reported a non-controlling interest representing the economic interest in New Holdco held by the former equity holders of Buddy's (the "Buddy’s Members"). Changes in the Company's ownership interest in New Holdco while it retained a controlling interest in New Holdco were accounted for as equity transactions. On March 26, 2020, the Company redeemed 3,937,726 New Holdco units and 787,545 shares of preferred stock for common stock. On April 1, 2020, the Company redeemed the remaining 5,495,606 New Holdco units and 1,099,121 shares of preferred stock for common stock and the Company became the sole owner of New Holdco. The exchange of New Holdco units for common stock resulted in an increase in the tax basis of the net assets of New Holdco and a liability to be recognized pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA"). The difference of $10.0 million in the adjustment of the deferred tax balances and the tax receivable agreement liability was recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in-capital. Refer to "Note 12 - Income Taxes" for further discussion of the TRA. Income (Loss) per Share Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common stock and, if dilutive, the potential common stock outstanding during the period. Potential common stock consists of the incremental common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and restricted stock units is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. The computation of basic and diluted net income per share for the years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, the Transition Period, and year ended April 30, 2019 is as follows: 77 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for share and per share amounts) Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Franchise Group Less: Preferred dividend declared Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Franchise Group available to Common Stockholders Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Franchise Group Adjusted net income (loss) available to Common Stockholders Weighted-average common shares outstanding Net dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock Weighted-average dilutive shares outstanding Basic net income (loss) per share: Continuing operations Discontinued operations Basic net income (loss) per share Diluted net income (loss) per share: Continuing operations Discontinued operations Diluted net income (loss) per share 12/25/2021 Common stock 12/26/2020 Common stock 12/28/2019 Common stock 4/30/2019 Common stock 191,966 $ 8,515 183,451 171,822 355,273 $ 20,645 $ 755 19,890 4,419 24,309 $ (22,614) $ — (22,614) (45,813) (68,427) $ — — — (2,156) (2,156) 40,199,681 764,501 40,964,182 34,531,362 440,573 34,971,935 16,669,065 — 16,669,065 13,800,884 — 13,800,884 4.56 $ 4.27 8.83 $ 4.48 $ 4.19 8.67 $ 0.57 $ 0.13 0.70 $ 0.57 $ 0.13 0.70 $ (1.35) $ (2.76) (4.11) $ (1.36) $ (2.75) (4.11) $ — (0.16) (0.16) — (0.16) (0.16) $ $ $ $ $ $ Diluted net income per share excludes the impact of shares of potential common stock from the exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units to purchase 206,899 and 524,649 shares for the Transition Period and year ended April 30, 2019, respectively, because the effect would be anti-dilutive. (11) Stock Compensation Plan 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan In December 2019, the Company's stockholders approved the Company's 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2019 Plan"). The 2019 Plan provides for a variety of awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance shares, shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, restricted stock, restricted stock units, incentive awards, dividend equivalent units and other stock-based awards. Awards under the 2019 Plan may be granted to the Company’s eligible employees, directors, or consultants or advisors. The 2019 Plan provides that an aggregate maximum of 5,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events. At December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, 3,004,259 and 4,062,558 shares of common stock remained available for grant, respectively. Simultaneously with stockholder approval of the Plan, the Company's prior equity incentive compensation plan, the JTH Holding Inc. 2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan"), was terminated. No new awards will be granted under the 2011 Plan, although awards previously granted under the 2011 Plan and still outstanding will continue to be subject to all terms and conditions of the 2011 Plan. 78 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Restricted Stock Units The Company has awarded service-based restricted stock units ("RSUs") to its non-employee directors, officers and certain employees. The Company recognizes expense based on the estimated fair value of the RSUs granted over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. The fair value of RSUs is determined using the Company's closing stock price on the date of the grant. At December 25, 2021, unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs was $5.0 million. These costs are expected to be recognized through fiscal 2023. The following table summarizes the status of service-based RSU activity during the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, the Transition Period, and year ended April 30, 2019: Balance at April 30, 2018 Granted Vested Forfeited Balance at April 30, 2019 Granted Vested Forfeited Balance at December 28, 2019 Granted Vested Forfeited Balance at December 26, 2020 Granted Vested Forfeited Balance at December 25, 2021 Performance Restricted Stock Units Number of RSUs Weighted-Average Fair Value at Grant Date 127,030 $ 147,991 (28,029) (78,200) 168,792 $ 153,085 (80,549) (36,122) 205,206 $ 192,809 (85,911) (15,957) 296,147 $ 124,350 (148,447) (2,342) 269,708 $ 12.48 10.40 13.47 12.31 10.56 14.10 10.73 10.72 13.11 24.83 12.67 19.69 20.51 35.95 20.11 12.22 27.92 The Company has awarded performance restricted stock units ("PRSUs") to its officers and certain employees. The Company recognizes expense based on the estimated fair value of the PRSUs granted over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. The fair value of PRSUs is determined using the Company's closing stock price on the date of the grant. At December 25, 2021, unrecognized compensation cost related to PRSUs was $8.3 million. These costs are expected to be recognized through fiscal 2023. The following table summarizes the status of PRSU activity during the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 and the Transition Period: 79 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Number of PRSUs Weighted-Average Fair Value at Grant Date — $ 465,833 — — 465,833 $ 154,904 — (2,000) 618,737 $ 107,023 (19,500) — 706,260 $ — 14.40 — — 14.40 24.84 — 14.40 17.00 35.66 14.40 — 19.90 Balance at April 30, 2019 Granted Vested Forfeited Balance at December 28, 2019 Granted Vested Forfeited Balance at December 26, 2020 Granted Vested Forfeited Balance at December 25, 2021 Market-Based Restricted Stock Units The Company has awarded market-based restricted stock units ("MPRSUs") to its officers and certain employees. The Company recognizes expense based on the estimated fair value of the MPRSUs granted over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. The fair value of MPRSUs is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model to calculate grant date fair value. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period using the proportionate amount of the award’s fair value that has been earned through service to date. At December 25, 2021, unrecognized compensation cost related to MPRSUs was $14.1 million. These costs are expected to be recognized through fiscal 2024. The following table summarizes the status of MPRSU activity during the year ended December 25, 2021: Balance at December 26, 2020 Granted Vested Forfeited Balance at December 25, 2021 Stock Options Number of MPRSUs Weighted-Average Fair Value at Grant Date — $ 826,926 — — 826,926 $ — 20.13 — — 20.13 The Company has awarded stock options to its non-employee directors and officers. As of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, there were 332,033 and 391,409 stock options outstanding, respectively. During the year ended December 25, 2021, there were 0 stock options granted, 59,376 stock options exercised, and 0 stock options forfeited. The weighted-average exercise price of stock options outstanding was $10.02 per share as of December 25, 2021. Stock options vest from the date of grant to three years after the date of grant and expire from 4 to 5 years after the vesting date. As of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, there were 0 and 63,334 non-vested stock options outstanding, respectively. During the year ended December 25, 2021, there were 0 non-vested stock options granted, 63,334 options vested, and 0 non-vested stock options forfeited. At December 25, 2021, there was no remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to vested or non-vested stock options. The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 25, 2021. 80 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Range of Exercise Prices Number of options outstanding Options outstanding Weighted-average exercise price Weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years) Number of options exercisable Weighted-average exercise price Options exercisable 0.00 - 10.89 10.90 - 12.01 204,500 $ 127,533 332,033 $ 8.80 11.98 10.02 1.5 2.3 204,500 $ 127,533 332,033 $ 8.80 11.98 10.02 Stock Compensation Expense The Company recorded $13.4 million, $8.9 million, and $2.3 million of expense related to stock awards from continuing operations for the years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, and the Transition Period, respectively. There were no expenses related to stock awards from continuing operations recorded for the year ended April 30, 2019. The Company has stock based incentive plans at various operating companies which are recorded as liabilities. The total aggregate liability for these plans as of December 25, 2021 is $1.7 million, recorded in "Accounts payable and accrued expenses" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. During the year ended December 25, 2021, total expense recognized related to these plans was $1.5 million, included in the total $13.4 million of expense related to stock awards from continuing operations noted above. Future expense to be recognized for these plans as of December 25, 2021 is $19.9 million. (12) Income Taxes TRA The Company previously had a non-controlling interest as a result of its acquisition of Buddy's on July 10, 2019. On April 1, 2020, the Company redeemed all of the non-controlling interest units. On July 10, 2019, the Company entered into a tax receivable agreement (the "TRA") with the then-existing non-controlling interest holders, which comprised the former equity holders of Buddy's ("the "Buddy's Members") that provides for the payment by the Company to the non-controlling interest holders of 40% of the cash savings, if any, in federal, state and local taxes that the Company realizes or is deemed to realize as a result of any increases in tax basis of the assets of New Holdco resulting from future redemptions or exchanges of New Holdco units. During the year ended December 26, 2020, the Company acquired an aggregate of 9,433,332 New Holdco units, which resulted in an increase in the tax basis of its investment in New Holdco subject to the provisions of the TRA. As of December 25, 2021, the Company recognized a total liability in the amount of $17.3 million for the payments due to the redeeming members under the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA Payments"), representing 40% of the cash savings it expects to realize from the tax basis increases related to the redemption of New Holdco units. In the year ended December 25, 2021, the Company recognized an additional $0.5 million for the payments due to the redeeming members. TRA Payments will be made when such TRA related deductions actually reduce the Company’s income tax liability. No payments were made to members of New Holdco pursuant to the TRA during the year ended December 25, 2021. Pursuant to the Company's election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), the Company has obtained an increase in its share of the tax basis in the net assets of New Holdco when the New Holdco units were redeemed or exchanged by the non-controlling interest holders and other qualifying transactions. The Company has treated the redemptions and exchanges of New Holdco units by the non-controlling interest holders as direct purchases of New Holdco units for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This increase in tax basis will reduce the amounts that it would otherwise pay in the future to various tax authorities. They may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain capital assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those capital assets. CARES Act The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES Act (the “Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020. The Act retroactively changed the eligibility of certain assets for expense treatment in the year placed in service, back to 2018, and permitted any net operating loss for the tax years 2018, 2019 and 2020 to be carried back for 5 years. The Company recorded a total income tax benefit of $52.3 million during the year ended December 26, 2020 associated with the income tax components contained in the Act. As of December 25, 2021, the Company has completed its analysis of the tax effects of the Act but 81 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements continues to monitor developments by federal and state rule making authorities regarding implementation of the Act. The Company will adjust, if needed, as new laws or guidance becomes available. Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) The Tax Act subjects a U.S. shareholder to tax on GILTI earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. The FASB Staff Q&A, Topic 740, No. 5, Accounting for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income, states that an entity can make an accounting policy election to either recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred as a period expense only. The Company elected to account for GILTI in the year the tax is incurred as a period cost. Components of income tax expense for the fiscal years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, the Transition Period, and year ended April 30, 2019 were as follows: (In thousands) Current: Federal State Current tax expense Deferred: Federal State Deferred tax expense (benefit) 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 12/28/2019 4/30/2019 $ $ — 1,362 1,362 (37,816) 2,916 (34,900) $ (62,897) 615 (62,282) 3,931 (2,150) 1,781 $ — 56 56 (3,971) (4,662) (8,633) Total income tax expense (benefit) $ (33,538) $ (60,501) $ (8,577) $ — — — — — — — For the years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, Transition Period, and year ended April 30, 2019, income before taxes consisted of the following: (In thousands) Income (loss) before income taxes 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 12/28/2019 4/30/2019 $ 158,428 $ (49,557) $ (50,019) $ 82 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Income tax benefit differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% to pre-tax income from continuing operations as a result of the following for years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 are as follows: (In thousands) Computed "expected" income tax benefit Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from: State income taxes, net of federal benefit Bargain purchase gain 162(m) limitation Nondeductible expenses Stock compensation expense Transaction costs Permanent goodwill on sale of Buddy's stores CARES Act Non-controlling interest in New Holdco Research credit Decrease in DTL due to change in tax status Decrease to valuation allowance due to change in tax status Decrease in valuation allowance due to CARES Act Increase in valuation allowance due to operations Increase in DTL for current year activity Decrease in valuation allowance due to current year income Other Total income tax benefit 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 33,270 $ 5,304 (27,729) 2,019 197 (900) 858 — — — — — — — — — (45,180) (1,377) (33,538) $ (10,407) (2,083) — — 55 196 392 1,062 (52,337) 1,782 (676) (8,882) 8,882 (11,417) 2,456 10,254 — 222 (60,501) 83 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 are as follows: (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Federal and state net operating loss carryforward Section 743 adjustment Interest expense carryforward State bonus depreciation Equity compensation Inventory Goodwill, intangible assets, and assets held for sale (Canada) R&D Credits Deferred revenue Accrued expenses and reserves Property, plant, and equipment (Canada) Allowances Unrealized gain/loss Lease liability (ASC 842) Other Total deferred tax assets (before valuation allowance) Valuation allowance Total deferred tax assets (after valuation allowance) Deferred tax liabilities Property, plant, and equipment (U.S.) Goodwill, intangible assets, and assets held for sale (U.S.) Right-of-use assets (ASC 842) Prepaid expenses Total deferred tax liabilities Net deferred tax liability 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ 16,865 $ 38,604 1,485 5,069 3,806 4,528 — — 4,176 9,976 — 795 — 185,064 3,463 273,831 (8,213) 265,618 (78,895) (33,786) (181,227) (4,968) (298,876) $ (33,258) $ 19,364 39,974 559 4,791 2,316 5,793 33 601 1,056 4,212 115 4,272 29 138,850 2 221,967 (53,004) 168,963 (30,147) (16,678) (131,637) (2,620) (181,082) (12,119) In assessing the realizability of the gross deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The Company increased its valuation allowance by $47.0 million, of which $45.2 million was attributable to continuing operations. The Company increased its valuation allowance by $2.2 million related to acquired net operating losses subject to Section 382 limitation. As of December 25, 2021, the Company has gross U.S. federal net operating losses of $40.4 million, state net operating losses of $172.5 million, a portion of which will begin to expire in 2024. A portion of the Company's net operating loss carry forwards is subjected to an annual limitation under Section 382, which may restrict the Company's ability to use them to offset its taxable income in future periods. The Company adopted the accounting and disclosure requirements for uncertain tax positions, which require a two-step approach to evaluate tax positions. This approach involves recognizing any tax positions that are more likely than not to occur and then measuring those positions to determine the amounts to be recognized in the financial statements. The Company increased reserves for uncertain tax positions by $4.8 million as of December 25, 2021 related to prior tax positions. The 84 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Company decreased its position of $0.2 million related to its Canadian entity. It is reasonably possible that $1.5 million of uncertain tax positions may be recognized in the coming year as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the gross liability for uncertain tax positions for the fiscal years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, is as follows: (In thousands) Liability for uncertain tax positions, beginning of year Decreases related to current year positions Increases related to prior year positions Liability for uncertain tax positions, end of year 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 357 $ (219) 4,819 4,957 $ 461 (104) — 357 As of December 25, 2021, the Company's earliest open tax year for U.S. federal income tax purposes was its fiscal year ended April 30, 2019. (13) Related Party Transactions The Company considers directors and their affiliated companies, as well as named executive officers and members of their immediate families, to be related parties. Messrs. Kahn and Laurence Vintage Capital Management, LLC and its affiliates ("Vintage") held approximately 12.3% of the aggregate voting power of the Company through their ownership of common stock as of December 25, 2021. Brian Kahn and Andrew Laurence are principals of Vintage. Mr. Kahn is a member of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Laurence is an Executive Vice President of the Company, served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors until the Company's annual meeting of stockholders in May 2021 and served as the Company's Chairman of the Board until March 31, 2020. Buddy's Franchises. Mr. Kahn's brother-in-law owns seven Buddy's franchises. All transactions between the Company's Buddy's segment and Mr. Kahn's brother- in-law are conducted on a basis consistent with other franchisees. Bryant Riley (former director) Bryant Riley, through controlled entities or affiliates held approximately 4.0% of the aggregate ownership of the Company's common stock as of December 25, 2021. Mr. Riley was also a member of the Company's Board of Directors from September 2018 through March 2020. Prior to the second quarter of 2021, Mr. Riley held greater than 5.0% of the aggregate ownership of the Company's common stock, as such, the transactions with Mr. Riley while his ownership was greater than 5.0% included: January 2021 Underwritten Offering of Preferred Stock. On January 11, 2021, the Company reopened its original issuance of its Series A Preferred Stock, which closed on September 18, 2020. The Company completed the reopened underwritten offering on January 15, 2021 in which B. Riley Securities, an affiliate of Mr. Riley, acted as representative of the underwriters. In connection with the offering B. Riley Securities and the other underwriters in the offering were entitled to an underwriting discount and reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred of approximately $3.0 million and B. Riley Securities was entitled to a structuring fee of $0.3 million. Debt Commitment Letter and Fee Letter. On January 23, 2021, in connection with the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition and the refinancing of the Company's existing indebtedness, the Company entered into a debt commitment letter with, among others, BRF Finance Co., LLC (“BRF”), an affiliate of Mr. Riley, pursuant to which BRF committed to provide (i) $100.0 million of a then-contemplated first lien term loan credit facility and (ii) $300.0 million of a then-contemplated senior unsecured term loan credit facility (the “Senior Unsecured Facility”). On January 23, 2021, the Company entered into a fee letter with BRF pursuant to which (a) BRF committed to provide $100.0 million of an alternative then-contemplated first lien term loan credit facility (the “Alternative First Lien Facility”) and (b) BRF (or its affiliates) received, on March 10, 2021, (i) a $9.0 million arrangement fee as consideration for BRF’s commitments and agreements with respect to the Senior Unsecured Facility and (ii) a $1.0 million take-out fee as consideration for BRF’s commitments and agreements with respect to the 85 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Alternative First Lien Facility. M. Brent Turner Mr. Turner was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s Liberty Tax business which was sold to NextPoint on July 2, 2021 in connection with the Purchase Agreement. The Company previously entered into certain agreements with Revolution Financial, Inc., an entity partially owned by Mr. Turner, which were terminated upon completion of the sale of the Liberty Tax business. During the year ended December 25, 2021, the Company earned less than $0.2 million in royalties related to such agreements which was recorded in "Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax" in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Tax Receivable Agreement In connection with the Company's acquisition of Buddy's, the Company entered into a TRA with the Buddy's Members that provides for the payment to the Buddy's Members of 40% of the amount of any tax benefits that the Company actually realizes as a result of increases in the tax basis of the net assets of New Holdco resulting from any redemptions or exchanges of New Holdco units. Amounts due under the TRA to the Buddy's Members as of December 25, 2021, were $17.3 million which is recorded in "Other non-current liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. No payments were made to Buddy's Members pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement during the year ended December 25, 2021. (14) Commitments and Contingencies In the ordinary course of operations, the Company may become a party to legal proceedings. Based upon information currently available, management believes that such legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations. The Company is party to claims and lawsuits that are considered to be ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the business, including claims and lawsuits concerning the fees charged to customers for various products and services, relationships with franchisees, intellectual property disputes, employment matters, and contract disputes. Although the Company cannot provide assurance that it will ultimately prevail in each instance, it believes the amount, if any, it will be required to pay in the discharge of liabilities or settlements in these claims will not have a material adverse impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Guarantees The Company remains secondarily liable under various real estate leases that were assigned to franchisees who acquired Pet Supplies Plus stores from the Company. In the event of the failure of an acquirer to pay lease payments, the Company could be obligated to pay the remaining lease payments which extend through 2033 and aggregated $22.9 million as of December 25, 2021. If the Company is required to make payments under these guarantees, the Company could seek to recover those amounts from the franchisees or in some cases their affiliates. The Company believes that payment under these guarantees is remote as of December 25, 2021. (15) Segments The Company's operations are conducted in six reporting business segments: Vitamin Shoppe, Pet Supplies Plus, Badcock, American Freight, Buddy's, and Sylvan. The Company defines its segments as those operations which results its chief operating decision maker ("CODM") regularly reviews to analyze performance and allocate resources. The results of operations of Buddy's are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on July 10, 2019, the results of operations of Vitamin Shoppe are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on December 16, 2019, while the results of operations of American Freight are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on February 14, 2020. The results of operations of the Sears Outlet business are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on October 23, 2019 and are included in the results of operations of the American Freight segment. The results of operations of the FFO business are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on December 27, 2020 and are included in the results of operations of the American Freight segment. The results of Pet Supplies Plus are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on March 10, 2021, the results of operations of Sylvan are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on September 27, 2021, and the results of Badcock are included in the Company's results of operations beginning on November 22, 2021. As a result of the Company's sale of its Liberty Tax business, as discussed in "Note 3. Discontinued Operations", the 86 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Company's Liberty Tax business is not reported in segment information as this business is reported as a discontinued operation. Current and prior year amounts have been revised to reflect this change. The Company measures the results of our segments using, among other measures, each segment's net revenues, operating expenses and operating income (loss). The Company may revise the measurement of each segment's operating income, including the allocation of overhead costs, as determined by the information regularly reviewed by the CODM. When the measurement of a segment changes, previous period amounts and balances are reclassified to be comparable to the current period's presentation. Because the Pet Supplies Plus Acquisition, Sylvan Acquisition, and Badcock Acquisition occurred in the year ended December 25, 2021, comparable information is not available; therefore, aforementioned segments' information is not provided in this discussion. Due to our Liberty Tax business being a discontinued operation, there is no comparative segment information to report. The Company measures the results of its segments, using, among other measures, each segment's total revenue and income (loss) from operations. The Company may revise the measurement of each segment's income (loss) from operations as determined by the information regularly reviewed by the CODM. For the period ended December 29, 2018 and the year ended April 30, 2019, all revenues and operating income (loss) were from discontinued operations so no amounts are presented in the tables below. Total revenues by segment are as follows: (In thousands) Total revenue: Vitamin Shoppe Pet Supplies Plus Badcock American Freight Buddy's Sylvan Consolidated total revenue Operating income (loss) by segment are as follows: (In thousands) Income (loss) from operations: Vitamin Shoppe Pet Supplies Plus Badcock American Freight Buddy's Sylvan Total Segments Corporate Consolidated income (loss) from operations Twelve Months Ended 12/25/2021 Twelve Months Ended 12/26/2020 Transition Period From 5/1/2019 - 12/28/2019 1,172,725 $ 917,439 102,057 988,892 64,409 9,682 3,255,204 $ 1,035,964 $ — — 896,431 97,332 — 2,029,727 $ 30,574 — — 68,230 35,722 — 134,526 Twelve Months Ended 12/25/2021 Twelve Months Ended 12/26/2020 Transition Period From 5/1/2019 - 12/28/2019 104,004 $ 41,654 22,674 66,541 16,685 (712) 250,846 (24,495) 226,351 $ 5,371 $ — — 40,348 20,364 — 66,083 (13,572) 52,511 $ (13,509) — — (18,539) 3,172 — (28,876) (14,145) (43,021) $ $ $ $ 87 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 12/25/2021 12/26/2020 $ $ 596,964 $ 957,849 1,062,310 959,282 146,033 103,850 3,826,288 86,883 3,913,171 $ 607,148 — — 801,731 137,698 — 1,546,577 203,196 1,749,773 Total assets by segment are as follows: (In thousands) Total assets: Vitamin Shoppe Pet Supplies Plus Badcock American Freight Buddy's Sylvan Total Segments Corporate Consolidated total assets (16) Subsequent Events On February 22, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.625 per share of common stock and $0.46875 per share of Series A Preferred Stock. The dividends will be paid in cash on or about April 15, 2022 to holders of record of the Company's common stock and Series A Preferred Stock on the close of business on April 1, 2022. On February 22, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors approved a change in the Company's fiscal year-end from the Saturday in December closest to December 31st to the Saturday closest to December 31st. 88 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (17) Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) The following tables show a summary of the Company's quarterly financial information for each of the four quarters of 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts): Fiscal year ended December 25, 2021: Fourth Quarter Third Quarter Second Quarter First Quarter (1) Total revenues Income from operations Net income (loss) from continuing operations Net income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income (loss) attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. (1) Basic earnings (loss) per share: Continuing operations Discontinued operations Total basic earnings per share Diluted earnings (loss) per share Continuing operations Discontinued operations Total diluted earnings per share Fiscal year ended December 26, 2020: (1) Total revenues Income from operations Net income (loss) from continuing operations Net income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income (loss) attributable to Franchise Group, Inc. (1) Basic earnings (loss) per share: Continuing operations Discontinued operations Total basic earnings per share (2) Diluted earnings (loss) per share: Continuing operations Discontinued operations Total diluted earnings per share (2) (1) Slight variations in totals are due to rounding. $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 942,276 $ 60,457 $ 151,782 $ (4,613) $ 147,169 $ 3.71 $ (0.11) 3.60 $ 3.64 $ (0.11) 3.53 $ 491,534 $ 15,899 $ 7,748 $ (11,953) $ (4,205) $ 0.19 $ (0.30) (0.11) $ 0.19 $ (0.30) (0.11) $ 828,826 $ 54,763 $ 35,998 $ 128,072 $ 164,070 $ 0.84 $ 3.18 4.02 $ 0.83 $ 3.13 3.96 $ 537,692 $ 24,680 $ (4,726) $ (3,871) $ (8,597) $ (0.12) $ (0.10) (0.22) $ (0.12) $ (0.10) (0.22) $ 862,758 $ 58,156 $ 32,521 $ 6,215 $ 38,736 $ 0.76 $ 0.15 0.91 $ 0.74 $ 0.15 0.89 $ 497,554 $ 14,777 $ (16,361) $ (5,312) $ (21,673) $ (0.47) $ (0.15) (0.62) $ (0.47) $ (0.15) (0.62) $ 621,345 52,976 (28,334) 42,147 13,813 (0.76) 1.05 0.29 (0.76) 1.05 0.29 502,947 (2,845) 33,984 25,555 59,539 1.45 1.09 2.54 1.43 1.08 2.51 (2) Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of quarterly basic and diluted per share information may not equal annual basic and diluted earnings per share. 89 Table of Contents Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. None. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. Disclosure Controls and Procedures The Company's management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") as of December 25, 2021. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 25, 2021, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management to allow their timely decisions regarding required disclosure.. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting In the ordinary course of business, the Company reviews its system of internal control over financial reporting and makes changes to improve such controls and increase efficiency. The Company is currently implementing new processes and controls as well as enhancing existing processes and control activities at companies acquired through acquisitions. The Company believes the related changes to processes and internal controls will allow it to be more efficient and further enhance its internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 25, 2021 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting except for the operations of Pet Supplies Plus, Sylvan, and Badcock as these companies were acquired during the fiscal year. The Company is in the process of implementing its internal control structure over the acquired operations and expects that this effort will be completed in fiscal 2022. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. The scope of management's assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting included all of our consolidated operations except for the operations of Pet Supplies Plus, Sylvan, and Badcock as these companies were acquired during the fiscal year. The operations of these acquired entities represented 39% of the Company's consolidated total assets, 32% of the Company's consolidated revenues, and 14% of the Company's consolidated net income from continuing operations as of and for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021. The Company is in the process of implementing its internal control structure over the acquired operations and expects that this effort will be completed in fiscal 2022. Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on the criteria set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework, management concluded that, as of December 25, 2021, the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting. Deloitte and Touche LLP, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued their attestation report on the Company's internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein. 90 Table of Contents Item 9B. Other Information. On February 22, 2022, our Board approved a change in our fiscal year-end from the Saturday in December closest to December 31st to the Saturday closest to December 31st. The change will be effective commencing in fiscal year 2022, and, since the change in fiscal year does not result in a transition period, a report covering the transition period is not required. Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections. None. PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance. The information required by this item will be provided by being incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Item 11. Executive Compensation. The information required by this item will be provided by being incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. The information required by this item will be provided by being incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. The information required by this item will be provided by being incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services. The information required by this item will be provided by being incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. 91 Table of Contents Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules. (a) Financial Statements. PART IV The following financial statements of the Company are included in Item 8 of this Annual Report: Audited Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, Transition Period, and the Year Ended April 30, 2019 Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms (PCAOB IDs No. 34 (Deloitte and Touche LLP) and No. 677 (Cherry Bekaert LLP)) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, Transition Period Ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 (Unaudited), and Year Ended April 30, 2019 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, Transition Period Ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 (Unaudited), and Year Ended April 30, 2019 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, Transition Period Ended December 28, 2019, and Year Ended April 30, 2019 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, Transition Period Ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 (Unaudited), and Year Ended April 30, 2019 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Page 40 46 44 45 47 49 51 92 Table of Contents (b) Exhibits. Exhibit Number 2.1 2.2 2.2.1 2.3 2.4 2.4.1 2.5 2.6 2.6.1 2.6.2 2.7 2.8 3.1 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 Exhibit Description Agreement of Merger and Business Combination Agreement dated as of July 10, 2019, among Liberty Tax, Inc., Buddy’s Newco, LLC, Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC, Franchise Group B Merger Sub, LLC, and Vintage RTO, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on July 11, 2019). Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 7, 2019, by and among Liberty Tax, Inc., Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. and Valor Acquisition, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on August 8, 2019). First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 11, 2019, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. and Valor Acquisition, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on November 12, 2019). Equity and Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2019, by and between Sears Hometown Outlet Stores, Inc., Franchise Group Newco S, LLC and solely for purposes of Section 10.17 thereto, Liberty Tax, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 on August 28, 2019). Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 28, 2019, by and among Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, American Freight Group, Inc., Franchise Group Merger Sub AF, Inc., and The Jordan Company, L.P., solely in its capacity as representative (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on December 30, 2019). Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 14, 2020, by and among American Freight Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC and The Jordan Company, L.P., solely in its capacity as representative for the Fully-Diluted Stockholders (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1, File No. 001-35588 filed on February 18, 2020). Amended and Restated Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2021, by and among Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, PSP Holdings, LLC, Sentinel Capital Partners VI-A, L.P., Sentinel PSP Blocker, Inc., PSP Midco, LLC, PSP Intermediate, LLC, Sentinel Capital Partners, L.L.C., solely for purposes of agreeing to the covenants set forth in Section 6.8 and Section 6.9 thereof, effective as of immediately prior to the Closing (as defined therein), a newly formed Delaware limited liability company to be named PSP Midco Holdings, LLC, and Franchise Group, Inc., solely for purposes of agreeing to the covenants set forth in Section 10.19 thereof (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 8, 2021). Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, by and between NextPoint Acquisition Corp. and Franchise Group Intermediate L, LLC, dated as of February 21, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed February 22, 2021). Amendment No. 1, dated as of April 13, 2021 to Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, by and between NextPoint Acquisition Corp. and Franchise Group Intermediate L, LLC, dates as of February 21, 2021. Amendment No. 2, dated as of June 30, 2021 to Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, by and between NextPoint Acquisition Corp. and Franchise Group Intermediate L, LLC, dates as of February 21, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6.2. to Form 10-Q, File No. 001- 35588 filed August 3, 2021). Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group Newco BHF, LLC, W.S. Badcock Corporation, the shareholders set forth on Annex I thereto, and William K. Pou, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-25588 filed November 24, 2021).* Master Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2021, between W.S. Badcock Corporation and B. Riley Receivables, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed December 21, 2021). Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Liberty Tax, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on December 19, 2018). Certificate of Designation of the Voting Non-Economic Preferred Stock of Liberty Tax, Inc. filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware July 10, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1, File No. 001-35588 filed on July 11, 2019). Certificate of Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Liberty Tax, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on September 19, 2019). Certificate of Increase of the Number of Shares of Voting Non-Economic Preferred Stock of Franchise Group, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 30, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on October 1, 2019). Certificate of Designation designating the 7.50% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of Franchise Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed September 18, 2020). 93 Table of Contents Exhibit Number 3.1.5 3.2 4.1 4.2 10.1# 10.2# 10.3# 10.4 10.4.1 10.5 10.5.1 10.5.2 10.5.3 10.5.4 10.6 10.7# 10.8# Exhibit Description Certificate of Increase of the Number of Shares of 7.50% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of Franchise Group, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 15, 2021 Certificate of Increase of the Number of Shares of Voting Non-Economic Preferred Stock of Franchise Group, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 30, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on January 15, 2021). Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Liberty Tax, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on July 15, 2014). Form of Indenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 to Form S-3, File No. 333-236211 filed on May 21, 2020). Description of the Company’s Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form 10-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 10, 2021). JTH Holding, Inc. 2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1, File No. 333-176655 filed on February 3, 2012). Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for Employees via JTH Holding, Inc. 2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Amendment No. 5 to Form S-1, File No. 333-176655 filed on October 15, 2012). Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Employees via JTH Holding, Inc. 2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Form 10-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on October 1, 2013). First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of July 10, 2019, among Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC, as the company, Liberty Tax, Inc., the Brian DeGustino Revocable Trust, the Amy DeGustino Revocable Trust, Samjor Family LP, Vintage RTO, L.P., Martin Meyer, Fengfeng Ren, David O’Neil and Jeffrey D. Miller, each as a member, and Liberty Tax, Inc., as the manager (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on July 11, 2019). Amended Schedule 1 to the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2019, among Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC, as the company, Franchise Group, Inc., the Brian DeGustino Revocable Trust, the Amy DeGustino Revocable Trust, Samjor Family LP, Vintage RTO, L.P., Martin Meyer, Fengfeng Ren, David O’Neil and Jeffrey D. Miller, each as a member, and Franchise Group, Inc., as the manager (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 File No. 001-35588 filed on October 1, 2019). Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 10, 2019, among Liberty Tax, Inc., Tributum, L.P., the Brian DeGustino Revocable Trust, the Amy DeGustino Revocable Trust, Samjor Family LP, Vintage RTO, L.P., Martin Meyer and Fengfeng Ren, David O’Neil and Jeffrey D. Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on July 11, 2019). Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2019, among Franchise Group, Inc., Tributum, L.P., Samjor Family LP, Vintage RTO, L.P., Vintage Capital Management, LLC and Vintage Tributum, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on October 1, 2019). Amendment No. 2 to Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2019, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Tributum, L.P., Samjor Family LP, Vintage RTO, L.P., Vintage Capital Management, LLC and Vintage Tributum, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on October 23, 2019). Amendment No. 3 to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 16, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on December 17, 2019). Amendment No. 4 to Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 31, 2020, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Tributum, L.P., Samjor Family LP, Vintage RTO, L.P., Vintage Capital Management, LLC, Vintage Tributum, LP, Stefac LP, Brian Kahn and Lauren Kahn, as tenants by the entirety, and B. Riley FBR, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4.4 to Form S-3, File No. 333-236211 filed on January 31, 2020). Income Tax Receivable Agreement dated as of July 10, 2019, among Liberty Tax, Inc., Vintage RTO, L.P., Samjor Family LP, the Brian DeGustino Revocable Trust, the Amy DeGustino Revocable Trust, Martin Meyer, Fengfeng Ren, David O’Neil and Jeffrey D. Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on July 11, 2019). Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between Brian Kahn and Franchise Group, Inc., dated October 2, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on October 4, 2019). Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between Eric Seeton and Franchise Group, Inc., dated October 2, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on October 4, 2019). 94 Table of Contents Exhibit Number 10.9# 10.10# 10.11# 10.12# 10.13# 10.14# 10.15 10.16 10.17# 10.17.1# 10.18 10.18.1 10.19 10.20 10.21 10.21.1 Exhibit Description Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between Andrew Laurence and Franchise Group, Inc., dated October 2, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on October 4, 2019). Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between Andrew Kaminsky and Franchise Group, Inc., dated October 2, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on October 4, 2019). Franchise Group, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on December 5, 2019). Form of Franchise Group, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on December 5, 2019). Form of Franchise Group, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on December 5, 2019). Form of Franchise Group, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Memorandum and Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed on December 5, 2019). Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2020, by and between Franchise Group, Inc. and Kayne FRG Holdings, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7, File No. 001-35588 filed on February 18, 2020). Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC dated as of April 1, 2020, between Franchise Group New Holdco, Inc., as the company, and Franchise Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18.2 to Form 10-K/T, File No. 001-35588 filed on April 24, 2020). Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between Todd Evans and Franchise Group, Inc., dated as of August 1, 2020. Amendment to Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between Todd Evans and Franchise Group, Inc., dated as of March 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50.1 to Form 10-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 10, 2021). First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, among Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as a Borrower and as Lead Borrower, Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Valor Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, each as a Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 15, 2021). First Amendment to First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, Valor Acquisition, LLC, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, the other loan parties party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). First Lien Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, among Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Valor Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the other Guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 15, 2021). First Lien Collateral Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, among Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Valor Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the other Grantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 15, 2021). Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, among Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as a Borrower and as Lead Borrower, Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Valor Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, each as a Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 15, 2021). First Amendment to Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, Valor Acquisition, LLC, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, the other loan parties party thereto from time to time, and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). 95 Table of Contents Exhibit Number 10.22 10.23 10.24 10.24.1 10.25 10.26 10.27 10.28 10.29 10.30 10.31 Exhibit Description Second Lien Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, among Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Valor Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the other Guarantors party thereto and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 15, 2021). Second Lien Collateral Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, among Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Valor Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the other Grantors party thereto and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 15, 2021). Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Administrative Borrower and a Borrower, American Freight Outlet Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, American Freight, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Pet Supplies “Plus”, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Valor Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Vitamin Shoppe Industries LLC, a New York limited liability company, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, each as a Borrower, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders and other entities from time to time parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 15, 2021). First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, Valor Acquisition, LLC, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, the other loan parties party thereto from time to time, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). Second Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021 (as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as a Guarantor, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 15, 2021). Third Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Administrative Borrower and a Pledgor, the other Pledgors from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed March 15, 2021). Amended and Restated Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as ABL Representative, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. as Initial First Lien Term Loan Representative, Alter Domus (US) LLC as Initial Second Lien Term Loan Representative, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as BDK First Lien Term Loan Representative and Alter Domus (US) LLC as BDK Second Lien Term Loan Representative (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). First Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Initial FRG Representative and Initial FRG Collateral Agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as BDK Representative and BDK Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). Second Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Initial FRG Representative and Initial FRG Collateral Agent and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as BDK Representative and BDK Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). Amended and Restated 1L/2L Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Initial First Lien Representative and the Initial First Lien Collateral Agent for the First Lien Claimholders, Alter Domus (US) LLC, as the Initial Second Lien Representative and the Initial Second Lien Collateral Agent for the Second Lien Claimholders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the BDK First Lien Representative and the BDK First Lien Collateral Agent and Alter Domus (US) LLC as the BDK Second Lien Representative and the BDK Second Lien Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). Four Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as First Lien Representative and the First Lien Collateral Agent for the First Lien Claimholders, Alter Domus (US) LLC, as the Second Lien Representative and the Second Lien Collateral Agent for the Second Lien Claimholders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Third Lien Representative and the Third Lien Collateral Agent for the Third Lien Claimholders, and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Fourth Lien Representative and Fourth Lien Collateral Agent for the Fourth Lien Claimholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). 96 Table of Contents Exhibit Number 10.32 10.33 10.34 10.35 10.36 10.37 10.38 10.39 10.40 10.41 10.42 10.43#* 21.1* 23.1* 23.2* 24.1* 31.1** 31.2** 32.1** 32.2** Exhibit Description First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, Valor Acquisition, LLC, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). First Lien Collateral Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, Valor Acquisition, LLC, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, the other grantors party thereto from time to time, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). First Lien Collateral Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among W. S. Badcock Corporation and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). First Lien Guarantee Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, Valor Acquisition, LLC, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, the other guarantors party thereto from time to time, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). First Lien Guarantee Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among W.S. Badcock Corporation, the other guarantors party thereto from time to time, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, Valor Acquisition, LLC, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). Second Lien Collateral Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, Valor Acquisition, LLC, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, the other grantors party thereto from time to time, and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). Second Lien Collateral Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among W. S. Badcock Corporation and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). Second Lien Guarantee Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among Franchise Group, Inc., Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC, Valor Acquisition, LLC, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, the other guarantors party thereto from time to time, and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed November 24, 2021). Second Lien Guarantee Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, by and among W.S. Badcock Corporation, the other guarantors party thereto from time to time, and Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Form 8-K, File No. 001- 35588 filed November 24, 2021). Servicing Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2021, between W.S. Badcock Corporation and B. Riley Receivables, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 001-35588 filed December 21, 2021). Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between Lee Wright and Franchise Group, Inc., dated as of January 3, 2022. Subsidiaries of Franchise Group, Inc. Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP Consent of Cherry Bekaert LLP Power of Attorney (included on signature page) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 97 Table of Contents Exhibit Number 101 104 Exhibit Description The following materials from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2021, are formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):(i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, Transition Period ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018, and year ended April 30, 2019 iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, Transition Period ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018, and year ended April 30, 2019, (iv) Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, Transition Period ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018, and year ended April 30, 2019, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, Transition Period ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018, and year ended April 30, 2019, and (vi) Notes to Audited Consolidated Financial Statements. Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). * Filed herewith. ** Furnished herewith. # Indicates management contract or compensatory plan 98 Table of Contents Item 16. Form 10-K Summary. None. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SIGNATURES Date: February 23, 2022 Date: February 23, 2022 FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. (Registrant) /s/ BRIAN R. KAHN Brian R. Kahn Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ ERIC F. SEETON Eric F. Seeton Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) By: By: 99 Table of Contents POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that each of the undersigned whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Brian R. Kahn and Eric F. Seeton, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and on his behalf, and in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities to execute and sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof and the registrant hereby confers like authority on its behalf. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Date: February 23, 2022 Date: February 23, 2022 Date: February 23, 2022 Date: February 23, 2022 Date: February 23, 2022 Date: February 23, 2022 Date: February 23, 2022 /s/ BRIAN R. KAHN Brian R. Kahn Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ ERIC F. SEETON Eric F. Seeton Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ MATTHEW AVRIL Matthew Avril Director and Chairman of the Board /s/ CYNTHIA DUBIN Cynthia Dubin Director /s/ PATRICK A. COZZA Patrick A. Cozza Director /s/ THOMAS HERSKOVITS Thomas Herskovits Director /s/ LISA FAIRFAX Lisa Fairfax Director By: By: By: By: By: By: By: 100 Exhibit 10.43 EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT This Agreement (this “Agreement”) is between Lee Wright (“Executive”) and Franchise Group, Inc. (“Franchise Group” and, together with its Affiliates, the “Company”). WHEREAS, Executive commenced employment with Franchise Group on January 3, 2022 (the “Employment Commencement Date”) as its Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Executive’s services are valuable to the conduct of the business of the Company; and WHEREAS, Franchise Group and Executive desire to specify the terms and conditions on which Executive will continue employment on and after January 3, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), and under which Executive will receive severance in the event that Executive separates from service with the Company under the circumstances described in this Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, for the consideration described herein, and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree as follows: 1. Effective Date; Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and continue until the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”). Thereafter, the Agreement shall renew automatically for successive one (1) year periods unless and until either party provides written notice to the other party of the intent not to renew the Agreement at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent one-year term (the Initial Term and the period, if any, thereafter, during which the Executive's employment shall continue are collectively referred to herein as the “Term”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) if a Change of Control (as defined below) occurs prior to the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent one-year term, then the Agreement shall be extended automatically until the later of (i) the end of the Initial Term or (ii) one (1) year from the date of the Change of Control, and (b) if Executive provides notice of resignation for Good Reason (as defined in Section 2(j) below) prior to the expiration of the Term, and if the Executive terminates Executive’s employment for such Good Reason, then the Term of this Agreement will be extended to the date that is one day following the Termination Date (as defined in Section 2(p) below). The expiration of the Agreement due to the Company’s notice of non-renewal shall be considered a termination without Cause of Executive’s employment by the Company (as described in Section 4(a)(iii) below) effective as of the last day of the Term. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them: a. “Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to Franchise Group, any partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint stock company, unincorporated organization or association, trust, joint venture, or other organization that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with, Franchise Group within the meaning of Code Section 414(b) or (c); provided that, in applying such provisions, the phrase “at least 50 b. c. d. e. percent” shall be used in place of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears therein. “Accrued Benefits” shall mean the following amounts, payable as described herein: (i) all Base Salary that has accrued but is unpaid as of the Termination Date; (ii) reimbursement of Executive for Executive’s reasonable and necessary expenses, which have been approved in accordance with Company policy and which were incurred by Executive on behalf of the Company as of the Termination Date; (iii) any and all other cash earned by Executive through the Termination Date and deferred at the election of Executive pursuant to any deferred compensation plan then in effect (to the extent vested); and (iv) all other payments and benefits to which Executive (or in the event of Executive’s death, Executive’s surviving spouse or other beneficiaries) is entitled on the Termination Date under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company, excluding severance payments under any Company severance policy, practice or agreement in effect on the Termination Date. Payment of Accrued Benefits shall be made promptly in accordance with the Company’s prevailing practice with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) or, with respect to clauses (iii) and (iv), pursuant to the terms of the benefit plan or practice establishing such benefits, and any applicable law (but in each instance no less favorable than that applied to the most senior executive officers of the Company). “Base Salary” shall mean Executive’s annual base salary with the Company as in effect from time to time. “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of Franchise Group or a committee of such Board authorized to act on its behalf in certain circumstances, including the Compensation Committee of the Board. “Cause” shall mean any of the following, as determined by the Company in its reasonable judgment, exercised in good faith: (i) Executive’s willful, intentional or grossly negligent failure to substantially perform Executive’s duties under this Agreement; if, within 30 days of receiving a written demand for substantial performance from the Board that specifically identifies the manner in which the Executive has not substantially performed such duties, the Executive shall have failed to cure the non- performance or to take measures to cure the non-performance; (ii) the Executive’s willful, intentional or grossly negligent violation of the Company’s Code of Conduct, Insider Trading Policy or any other material written policy; (iii) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a crime constituting (x) a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or (y) a misdemeanor under the laws of the United States or any state thereof (not including any traffic offense) involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud that relates to the Company’s property; (iv) the willful, intentional or grossly negligent conduct of the Executive which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise; or (v) the Executive’s material breach of any provision of this Agreement. For purposes of this definition of Cause, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be deemed willful, intentional or grossly negligent if the Executive acted in good faith and in a manner that the Executive reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company. If the alleged conduct or act constituting Cause is described in clause (i) above but Executive does not timely cure such conduct or act, then Executive’s employment will terminate on the date immediately following the end of the cure period. In all other cases, then Executive’s employment will terminate on the date specified in the written notice of termination (which may be immediate). “Change of Control” shall mean a “Change of Control” as defined in the Franchise Group, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and in effect from time to time, or any successor incentive plan thereto. f. i. g. “COBRA” shall mean the provisions of Code Section 4980B. h. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as interpreted by rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto, all as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference to a specific provision of the Code shall be deemed to include reference to any successor provision thereto. “Disability” shall mean, subject to applicable law, that a medically determinable physical or mental impairment of Executive renders Executive unable to perform the essential functions of Executive’s position with the Company, either with or without a reasonable accommodation in substantially the manner and to the extent required hereunder prior to the commencement of such disability, and Executive shall be unable to return to such duties at the end of the short-term disability period provided under the Company’s short-term disability plan applicable to other senior executive officers of the Company (or such longer period as the Company may grant in its sole discretion or as otherwise required by law). “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events while this Agreement is in effect, without the Executive’s written consent: j. i. ii. iii. iv. A relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment to a location more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s current office location, unless such new location is no further from the Executive’s then-current residence than the immediately prior location; Any material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus opportunity, unless part of an across-the-board reduction applicable on a similar basis to all other senior executive officers of Franchise Group and, in that event, provided that such reduction does not exceed five (5%) of Executive’s total cash compensation opportunity (Base Salary and Target Bonus); Any material breach of this Agreement by Franchise Group; or Any material reduction in Executive’s duties, responsibilities or authority, or any change in Executive’s title; provided that such event shall constitute Good Reason only if: (A) Executive continues to perform Executive’s job duties as set forth in this Agreement and continues to comply with all of the covenants set forth herein (including the terms of Section 7 hereof) and any other non-compete, confidentiality, invention or other written agreements otherwise applicable to him; (B) Executive provides Franchise Group written notice of resignation, specifying in reasonable detail the event constituting Good Reason, within ninety (90) days after the initial existence of such event; and (C) Franchise Group fails to cure (if curable) the Good Reason event within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice. If Franchise Group timely cures the Good Reason event, then Executive’s notice of resignation shall be automatically rescinded. If Franchise Group does not timely cure the Good Reason event, then the Termination Date shall be the date immediately following the end of the Company’s cure period. a. “Separation Agreement” shall mean the form of Separation Agreement which is substantially similar to that used for b. departing executives who receive severance, subject to modifications to reflect the terms of this Agreement. “Separation from Service” shall mean Executive’s separation from service (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) from Franchise Group and its Affiliates. “Severance Benefits” shall mean the payments and benefits described in Section 5 hereof. c. d. “Severance Payment” shall mean one (1) times the sum of Executive’s (i) Base Salary and (ii) a prorata Target Bonus (as defined in Section 3(c)(i)) calculated by multiplying the Target Bonus times a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed during the fiscal year of the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365; provided that if the Termination Date occurs on or within the one year period following a Change of Control, then the Severance Payment shall mean two (2) times the sum of the Executive’s (i) Base Salary and (ii) Target Bonus. For purposes of this definition, the Executive’s Base Salary and Target Bonus shall be the amount in effect immediately preceding the Termination Date; provided that if a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus constituted a Good Reason for the termination, then Base Salary and Target Bonus for purposes of calculating the Severance Payment shall be the amount in effect immediately prior to such reduction. e. “Severance Period” shall mean the twelve (12)-month period following the Termination Date; provided that if the Termination Date occurs on or within the one (1) year period following a Change of Control, then the Severance Period shall mean the twenty-four (24)-month period following the Termination Date. “Termination Date” shall mean the date of Executive’s termination of employment from the Company, as further described in Section 4. f. 3. Employment of Executive a. Position. i. Executive shall serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Franchise Group, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of Franchise Group. In such position, Executive shall have such duties, responsibilities and authority as is customarily associated with such position and shall have such other duties, as may be reasonably assigned from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of Franchise Group, consistent with Executive’s position and the terms of this Agreement. Executive shall devote sufficient business time and attention to the business of the Company as necessary in order to perform Executive’s duties in a competent, diligent, and professional manner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from (1) engaging in other business activities; (2) serving as an officer or a member of charitable, educational or civic organizations; (3) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs; and (4) managing Executive’s personal investments and affairs; provided, however, that such service and ii. iii. activities do not, in the Company’s reasonable opinion, materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company, create any conflict of interest as it relates to the Company, and are not represented in a manner that suggests the Company supports or endorses the services or activities without the advance approval of the Company. Executive shall be responsible for complying with all policies and operating procedures of the Company applicable to all senior executives of the Company (that are provided or made available to the Executive) in the performance of Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company, including any clawback or recoupment policy adopted by Franchise Group.Executive’s principal place of employment shall be based in The Woodlands, Texas as of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall travel to such other places, including, without limitation, the site of such facilities of the Company and its Affiliates as are established from time to time, at such times as are advisable for the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. Executive shall submit to the Company all business, commercial and investment opportunities or offers presented to Executive or of which Executive becomes aware which relate to the business of the Company (the “Company Opportunities”). Unless approved by the Board, Executive shall not accept or pursue, directly or indirectly, any Company Opportunities on Executive’s own behalf. b. Base Salary. Commencing on the Effective Date, Franchise Group shall pay Executive a Base Salary at an annual rate of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s usual payroll practices. At least once per year, the Board shall review Executive’s Base Salary for potential increase based on market trends, performance, and such internal and other considerations as the Board may deem relevant. c. Bonus and Equity Incentives. i. ii. Beginning with the fiscal year including the Effective Date, and for each fiscal year thereafter during the Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in such annual cash incentive plans and programs of Franchise Group as are generally provided to the senior executives of Franchise Group pursuant to such terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe from time to time; provided that the cash incentive plan shall provide the Executive the opportunity to earn a payout of (A) at least fifty (50%) of the target payout amount if the threshold annual performance goals(s) established by the Board is (are) achieved, (B) at least one hundred percent (100%) of Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) if the target annual performance goal(s) established by the Board is (are) achieved, and (C) at least one hundred fifty (150%) of the target payout amount if the maximum annual performance goals(s) established by the Board is (are) achieved. Beginning with the fiscal year including the Effective Date, and for each fiscal year thereafter during the Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in such long-term cash and equity incentive plans and programs of Franchise Group as are generally provided to the senior executives of Franchise Group, as determined by the Board in its discretion. d. Executive Benefits. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans (in addition to the annual and/or long-term incentive programs, which are addressed in Section 3(c)) as in effect from time to time on the same basis as those benefits are generally made available to other similarly-situated senior executives of Franchise Group. e. Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for any reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder subject to and in accordance with Company policies. f. Additional Payments and Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to the amounts and benefits set forth on Exhibit A, subject to the terms and conditions thereof. g. Withholding. All payments under this Agreement shall be subject to payroll taxes and other withholdings in accordance with the Company’s (or the applicable employer of record’s) standard payroll practices and applicable law. 4. Termination of Employment. a. Date and Manner of Termination. Executive’s employment with the Company will terminate during the Term, and this Agreement will terminate on the date of such termination, as follows: i. ii. iii. iv. Executive’s employment will terminate on the date of Executive’s death. If Executive is subject to a Disability, and if within thirty (30) days after Franchise Group notifies Executive in writing that it intends to terminate Executive’s employment, Executive shall not have returned to the performance of Executive’s essential functions (either with or without a reasonable accommodation), Franchise Group may terminate Executive’s employment, effective immediately following the end of such thirty-day (30) period. Franchise Group may terminate Executive’s employment with or without Cause (other than as a result of Disability which is governed by Section 4(a)(ii)). If the termination is without Cause, then Executive’s employment will terminate on the date set forth in Franchise Group’s written notice of termination to Executive (which may be immediate). If the termination is for Cause, then Executive’s employment will terminate in accordance with Section 2(e). Unless otherwise directed by Franchise Group, from and after the date of the written notice of proposed termination (subject to all applicable cure periods), Executive shall be relieved of Executive’s duties and responsibilities and shall be considered to be on a paid leave of absence pending any final action by Franchise Group confirming such proposed termination, provided that during such notice period Executive shall remain a full-time employee of the Company, and shall continue to receive Executive’s then current Base Salary and all other benefits as provided in this Agreement. Executive may terminate Executive’s employment with or without Good Reason. If the termination is without Good Reason, then Executive must provide at least thirty (30), but no more than ninety (90), days advance written notice to Franchise Group; provided that the Company may immediately relieve Executive of all duties and responsibilities upon receipt of such notice, and choose to terminate Executive’s employment without further notice or delay, which termination shall not constitute a termination without Cause. If the termination is for Good Reason, then Executive’s employment will terminate in accordance with Section 2(j). b. Relinquishment of Positions Upon Termination. Upon termination of employment for any reason, Executive shall resign all officerships, directorships or other positions that Executive then holds with the Company or any of its Affiliates. 5. Payments upon Termination. a. Entitlement to Accrued Benefits and Equity Awards. Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, whether by the Company or by Executive, the Company shall pay or provide Executive with the Accrued Benefits and all of Executive’s outstanding equity awards shall be subject to the terms of the applicable award agreement and plan (except as described in subsection (d)(iv)). b. Entitlement to Severance. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to Severance Benefits in the following circumstances: i. ii. iii. Executive’s employment is terminated by Franchise Group without Cause, and for other than death or Disability; or Executive terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for Good Reason. If Executive dies after receiving a notice by Franchise Group that Executive is being terminated without Cause, or after providing notice of termination for Good Reason, then Executive’s estate, heirs and beneficiaries (as the case may be) shall be entitled to the Accrued Benefits and the Severance Benefits at the same time such amounts would have been paid or benefits provided to Executive had Executive lived. a. Requirement for Severance Benefits. As an additional prerequisite for receipt of the Severance Benefits, Executive must (i) execute, deliver to Franchise Group, and not revoke (to the extent Executive is allowed to do so) a Separation Agreement within sixty (60) calendar days (or such longer period as is provided in the Separation Agreement) following the Executive’s receipt of such Separation Agreement, which Franchise Group must provide Executive within ten (10) days following Executive’s Termination Date, and (ii) comply with all of Executive’s covenants set forth in this Agreement. b. Severance Benefits; Timing and Form of Payment. Subject to the limitations imposed by Section 6, if Executive is entitled to Severance Benefits, then: i. The Company shall pay Executive the Severance Payment in equal installments, consistent with the Company’s normal payroll practices, over the Severance Period; provided that any amounts that would be payable prior to the effectiveness of the Separation Agreement shall be delayed until the Separation Agreement becomes effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, as of the date of Executive’s Separation from Service (i) Executive is a “specified employee” as determined under Code Section 409A, then any portion of the Severance Payment that is subject to Code ii. iii. Section 409A and that would otherwise be payable within the first six (6) months following such Separation from Service shall be delayed until the first regular payroll date of the Company following the six (6) month anniversary of Executive’s Separation from Service (or the date of Executive’s death, if earlier than that anniversary) or (ii) Executive is not a “specified employee” as determined under Code Section 409A, then any portion of the Severance Payment that is subject to Code Section 409A and that would be otherwise payable within the first sixty (60) days after Executive’s Separation from Service shall be paid sixty (60) days after Executive’s Separation from Service (and not promptly following the effectiveness of the Separation Agreement). The Company shall pay, in a lump sum in the fiscal year following the fiscal year of the Termination Date, an amount equal to the product of (A) the annual cash incentive award to which Executive would have been entitled for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs based on actual performance for such fiscal year had Executive’s employment not terminated, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed during the annual performance period through the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all or any portion of such annual bonus payment was paid upon a Change of Control in the same fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs, then the amount due under this Section 5(d)(ii) shall be reduced by the amount of such payment. The Company shall continue to provide to Executive and Executive’s dependents (as applicable) up to eighteen (18) months of group health and dental benefits to the extent that such benefits were in effect for Executive and Executive’s family as of the Termination Date, subject to Executive’s timely election of COBRA. The Company shall be responsible for payment of all premiums necessary to maintain these benefits. Benefit continuation under this Section 5(d)(iii) shall be concurrent with any coverage under the Company’s plans pursuant to COBRA or similar state laws. Such benefits shall be terminated prior to the expiration of the 18 months to the extent Executive has obtained new employment and is covered by benefits which in the aggregate are comparable to such continued benefits. Executive shall promptly notify the Company when Executive becomes employed after the Termination Date and shall provide such reasonable cooperation as the Company requests with respect to determining whether Executive is covered by comparable benefits with such new employer. If the health or dental benefits are fully insured, and the provision of such benefits under this Section 5(d)(iii) would subject the Company or its benefits arrangements to a penalty or adverse tax treatment, then the Company shall provide a cash payment to Executive in an amount reasonably determined by the Company to be equivalent to the COBRA premiums for such benefits. If the health or dental benefits are self-insured, and the provision of such benefits under this Section 5(d)(iii) is considered discriminatory under Code Section 105(h), then to the extent required by the Code, Executive acknowledges that the value of the premiums paid by the Company iv. hereunder shall be considered taxable wages to Executive, and the Company shall be permitted to withhold applicable taxes with respect to such wages from other amounts owed to Executive, or require Executive to make satisfactory arrangements with the Company for the payment of such withholding taxes. With respect to any long-term incentive awards (whether cash or equity) (A) if the award is subject to time-based vesting only, then upon the Termination Date, Executive shall become vested in a pro-rata portion (based on Executive’s length of employment during the applicable vesting period) of such award, and (B) if the award is subject to performance vesting, then following the completion of the applicable performance period, Executive will receive a pro-rata portion of such award (based on Executive’s length of employment during the applicable performance period), to the extent the performance goals are otherwise achieved for the performance period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any award, if the terms of the award provide for a more favorable result upon the termination of the Executive’s employment, then the terms of such award shall supersede the provisions herein. 6. Limitations on Severance Payments and Benefits. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any portion of the Severance Payment or any other payment under this Agreement, or under any other agreement with or plan of the Company (in the aggregate “Total Payments”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment,” then the Total Payments to be made to Executive shall be reduced such that the value of the aggregate Total Payments that Executive is entitled to receive shall be One Dollar ($1) less than the maximum amount which Executive may receive without becoming subject to the tax imposed by Code Section 4999 or which the Company may pay without loss of deduction under Code Section 280G(a); provided that the foregoing reduction in the amount of Total Payments shall not apply if the After-Tax Value to Executive of the Total Payments prior to reduction in accordance herewith is greater than the After-Tax Value to Executive if Total Payments are reduced in accordance herewith. For purposes of this Agreement, the terms “excess parachute payment” and “parachute payments” shall have the meanings assigned to them in Code Section 280G, and such “parachute payments” shall be valued as provided therein. Present value for purposes of this Agreement shall be calculated in accordance with Code Section 1274(b)(2). Within twenty (20) business days following delivery of the notice of termination or notice by Franchise Group to Executive of its belief that there is a payment or benefit due Executive that will result in an excess parachute payment as defined in Code Section 280G, Executive and Franchise Group, at Franchise Group’s expense, shall obtain the opinion (which need not be unqualified) of nationally recognized tax counsel selected by Franchise Group, which opinion sets forth: (A) the amount of the Base Period Income, (B) the amount and present value of Total Payments, (C) the amount and present value of any excess parachute payments without regard to the limitations of this Section 6, (D) the After-Tax Value of the Total Payments if the reduction in Total Payments contemplated under this Section 6 did not apply, and (E) the After-Tax Value of the Total Payments taking into account the reduction in Total Payments contemplated under this Section 6. As used in this Section 6, the term “Base Period Income” means an amount equal to Executive’s “annualized includible compensation for the base period” as defined in Code Section 280G(d)(1). For purposes of such opinion, the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by Franchise Group’s independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Code Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4), which determination shall be evidenced in a certificate of such auditors addressed to Franchise Group and Executive. For purposes of determining the After-Tax Value of Total Payments, Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes and employment taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income and employment taxation in the calendar year in which the Severance Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of taxation in the state and locality of Executive’s domicile for income tax purposes on the date the Severance Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that may be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. Such opinion shall be dated as of the Termination Date and addressed to Franchise Group and Executive and shall be binding upon Franchise Group and Executive. If such opinion determines that there would be an excess parachute payment and that the After-Tax Value of the Total Payments taking into account the reduction contemplated under this Section 6 is greater than the After-Tax Value of the Total Payments if the reduction in Total Payments contemplated under this Section 6 did not apply, then the Severance Payment hereunder or any other payment determined by such counsel to be includible in Total Payments shall be reduced or eliminated as specified by Executive in writing delivered to Franchise Group within five (5) business days of Executive’s receipt of such opinion or, if Executive fails to so notify Franchise Group, then as Franchise Group shall reasonably determine, so that under the bases of calculations set forth in such opinion there will be no excess parachute payment. If such legal counsel so requests in connection with the opinion required by this Section 6, Executive and Franchise Group shall obtain, at Franchise Group’s expense, and the legal counsel may rely on in providing the opinion, the advice of a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants as to the reasonableness of any item of compensation to be received by Executive. If the provisions of Code Sections 280G and 4999 are repealed without succession, then this Section 6 shall be of no further force or effect. 7. Covenants by Executive. a. Confidentiality. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s work for the Company will bring Executive into close contact with many confidential affairs of the Company not readily available to the public, including plans for further developments or activities by the Company. Executive agrees that during the Term and at all times thereafter, Executive shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence all confidential matters (“Confidential Information”) of the Company, including but not limited to, “know how,” sales and marketing information or plans; business or strategic plans; salary, bonus, or other personnel information; information about or concerning existing, new, or potential customers, franchisees, clients, or shareholders; trade secrets; pricing policies; operational methods; technical processes; inventions and research projects; and other business affairs of the Company, in each case that Executive may develop or learn in the course of Executive’s employment, and shall not remove such Confidential Information from the Company’s premises (other than for the purpose of working from home), use such Confidential Information for personal gain or disclose such Confidential Information to anyone outside of the Company, either during or after the Term, except (i) in good faith, in the course of performing Executive’s duties under this Agreement; (ii) with the prior written consent of the Board; (iii) it being understood that Confidential Information shall not be deemed to include any information that is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by Executive; or (iv) to the extent disclosure is compelled by a court of competent jurisdiction, arbitrator, agency, or other tribunal or investigative body in accordance with any applicable statute, rule, or regulation (but only to the extent any such disclosure is compelled, and no further). Further, nothing herein shall prevent Executive from cooperating with any investigation or inquiry conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding any employment practice or policy of the Employers. In addition, pursuant to Section 7 of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (which added 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b)), Executive acknowledges that Executive shall not have criminal or civil liability under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, or at any time the Company may so request, Executive shall return to the Company all tangible embodiments (in whatever medium) relating to Confidential Information and Work Product (as defined below) that Executive may then possess or have under Executive’s control. b. Ownership of Property. Executive acknowledges ideas, inventions, that all discoveries, concepts, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, processes, programs, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications, copyrightable work, and mask work (whether or not including any Confidential Information), and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) that relate to the Company’s actual or anticipated business, research and development, or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed, contributed to, made, or reduced to practice by Executive (either solely or jointly with others) while employed by the Company, including any of the foregoing that constitutes any proprietary information or records (“Work Product”) belonging to the Company, and Executive hereby assigns, and agrees to assign, all of the above Work Product to the Company. Any copyrightable work prepared in whole or in part by Executive in the course of Executive’s work for the Company shall be deemed a “work made for hire” under the copyright laws, and the Company shall own all rights therein. To the extent that any such copyrightable work is not a “work made for hire,” Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company all right, title, and interest, including without limitation, copyright in and to such copyrightable work. Executive shall perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board, at the Company’s sole expense, to establish and confirm the Company’s ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of attorney, and other instruments) in Work Product and copyrightable work identified by the Board. c. Third Party Information. Executive understands that the Company will receive from third parties confidential or proprietary information (“Third Party Information”) subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. During Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, and without in any way limiting the provisions of Section 7(a) of this Agreement, Executive shall hold Third Party Information in the strictest confidence and shall not disclose to anyone (other than personnel and consultants of the Company who need to know such information in connection with their work for the Company) or use, except in connection with Executive’s work for the Company, Third Party Information unless expressly authorized by the Board in writing. d. Restrictive Covenants. Executive acknowledges that (i) in the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will become familiar with the Company’s trade secrets and with other Confidential Information concerning the Company; (ii) Executive’s services will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company; (iii) the agreements and covenants of Executive contained in this Section 7 are essential to the business and goodwill of the Company; and (iv) the Company would not have entered into this Agreement but for the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 7. Therefore, Executive agrees that, without limiting any other obligation pursuant to this Agreement: i. ii. Non-Competition. Except with prior written permission of the Board, Executive shall not, during the Term and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter (or for the length of the Severance Period if Executive is entitled to Severance Benefits), directly or indirectly (individually or on behalf of other persons) (i) enter (or prepare to enter) the employ of, or render services to, any person engaged in (a) the provision of franchising or tax preparation services or (b) any other line of business actively being conducted by the Company accounting for more than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s gross revenues on the date of Executive’s termination (a “Competitive Business”); (ii) engage (or prepare to engage) in a Competitive Business on Executive’s own account; or (iii) become interested in any such Competitive Business, directly or indirectly, as an individual, partner, shareholder, director, officer, principal, agent, employee, trustee, consultant, or in any other relationship or capacity; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 7(d)(i) shall be deemed to prohibit Executive from acquiring, solely as a passive investment, less than five percent (5%) of the total outstanding securities of any publicly-traded corporation. Non-Solicitation. Except with prior written permission of the Board, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (individually or on behalf of other persons), during the Term and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter (or for the length of the Severance Period if Executive is entitled to Severance Benefits), for any reason hire, offer to hire, or entice away any officer, employee, franchisee, or agent of the Company (or any former officer, employee, or agent of the Company who was employed by the Company at any time during the twelve (12) month period prior to Executive’s termination of iii. iv. v. employment) or interfere with or attempt to interfere with business relationships between the Company and any current or prospective franchisee, customer, client, or supplier of the Company; provided that the foregoing shall not be violated by general advertisements not targeted at employees or consultants of the Company. Non-Disparagement. At any time during or after the Term, Executive shall not make (whether directly or through any other person) any public or private statements (whether oral or in writing) which are derogatory or damaging to the Company or its direct or indirect parents, together with each of its current and former principals, officers, directors, direct or indirect equity holders, general and limited partners, agents, representatives, and employees, or any of their businesses, activities, operations, affairs, reputations, or prospects, and the Company will not authorize any of their officers, directors, or employees to make disparaging or derogatory statements about Executive (and will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent such individuals from making such statements) except, in each case, to the extent required by law, and only after consultation with the other party to the maximum extent possible to maintain the goodwill of such party. Injunctive Relief with Respect to Covenants. Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any material breach by Executive of any of section of this Agreement that remedies at law may be inadequate to protect the Company, and, without prejudice to any other legal or equitable rights and remedies otherwise available to the Company, Executive agrees to the granting of injunctive relief in the Company’s favor in connection with any such breach or violation without proof of irreparable harm. Enforcement. If, at the time of enforcement of this Section 7, a court or other body of legal authority holds that the restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope, or geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope, or area and that the court may revise such restrictions to cover the maximum duration, scope, and area permitted by law and reasonable under such circumstances. Because Executive’s services are unique and because Executive has access to Confidential Information, the parties hereto agree that the Company would be irreparably harmed by, and money damages would be an inadequate remedy for, any breach of this Agreement. Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the Company and/or its respective successors or assigns may, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in their favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). e. Reasonable Restrictions. Executive agrees that the terms and conditions in Sections 7(a) through 7(d) are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company’s business and to prevent damage or loss to the Company as the result of action taken by Executive. Executive acknowledges that Executive could continue to actively pursue Executive’s career and earn sufficient compensation without breaching any of the restrictions contained in Sections 7(a) through 7(d). f. Trade Secrets. Nothing in this Agreement diminishes or limits any protection granted by law to trade secrets or relieves Executive of any duty not to disclose, use, or misappropriate any information that is a trade secret, for as long as such information remains a trade secret. g. Notice. Executive agrees that Executive will give notice of this Agreement and Executive’s obligations to comply with its terms to any person or organization that Executive may become associated with during the first twelve (12) months (or for the length of the Severance Period if Executive is entitled to Severance Benefits), after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive further agrees that the Company may, if it desires, send a copy of, or otherwise make the provisions in Section 7 hereof known to any such person, firm or entity during that time. h. Return of Company Property. Upon termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall promptly return to the Company: (i) all documents, records, procedures, books, notebooks, and any other documentation in any form whatsoever, including but not limited to written, audio, video or electronic, containing any information pertaining to the Company which includes Confidential Information and Third Party Information, including any and all copies of such documentation then in Executive’s possession or control regardless of whether such documentation was prepared or compiled by Executive, Company, other employees of the Company, representatives, agents, or independent contractors, and (ii) all equipment or tangible personal property entrusted to Executive by the Company. Executive acknowledges that all such documentation, copies of such documentation, equipment, and tangible personal property are and shall at all times remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company. i. No Conflicts. Executive hereby represents and warrants that: (a) Executive will not bring any confidential information of any former employer, nor any proprietary work product created as part of Executive’s duties with Executive’s former employer; (b) Executive will not use or disclose any former employer’s confidential information or proprietary work product in the performance of Executive’s duties with the Company; and (c) Executive is not currently, nor will Executive take or be in a position, that breaches the Company’s ethics policies as in effect from time to time. 8. Notice. Any notice, request, demand or other communication required or permitted herein will be deemed to be properly given when personally served in writing, by email or when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to Executive at the address (or email address) last appearing in Franchise Group’s personnel records and to the Company at its headquarters with attention (or an email) to the General Counsel of Franchise Group. Either party may change its address by written notice in accordance with this paragraph. 9. Set Off; Mitigation. The Company’s obligation to pay Executive the amounts and to provide the benefits hereunder shall be subject to set-off, counterclaim or recoupment of amounts owed by Executive to the Company. However, Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for pursuant to this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise. 10.Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective executors, administrators, successors and assigns. If Franchise Group sells, assigns or transfers all or substantially all of its business and assets to any person or entity, then Franchise Group shall assign all of its right, title and interest in this Agreement as of the date of such event to such person or entity, and Franchise Group shall cause such person or entity, by written agreement, to expressly assume and agree to perform from and after the date of such assignment all of the terms, conditions and provisions imposed by this Agreement upon the Company. In case of such assignment by Franchise Group and assumption and agreement by such person or entity, as used in this Agreement, “Franchise Group” shall thereafter mean the person which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 10 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, such person or entity. Except as provided in this Section 10, this Agreement shall not be assignable by Franchise Group or Executive. This Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of Franchise Group. 11.Applicable Law and Jurisdiction. This Agreement is to be governed by and construed under the laws of the United States and of the State of Delaware without resort to Delaware’s choice of law rules. Each party hereby agrees that the forum and venue for any legal or equitable action or proceeding arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement will lie in the appropriate federal or state courts located in Delaware and specifically waives any and all objections to such jurisdiction and venue. 12.Captions and Paragraph Headings. Captions and section or paragraph headings used herein are for convenience only and are not a part of this Agreement and will not be used in construing it. 13.Divisibility of Agreement or Modification By Court. To the extent permitted by law, the invalidity of any provision of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, it shall be, to the furthest extent permitted by law, modified to the extent necessary to be interpreted in a manner most consistent with the present terms of the provision, to give effect to the provision. Finally, in the event that any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid and not capable of modification by a court, then it shall be considered expunged, and the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision. 14.No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. 15.Survival. The termination or expiration of this Agreement will not affect the rights or obligations of the parties hereunder arising out of, or relating to, circumstances occurring prior to the termination or expiration of this Agreement, which rights and obligations will survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. In addition, the following provisions shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement: Sections 5 and 6 (as necessary for the payments and benefits due thereunder to be paid or provided), and Sections 7, 8, 9, and 11 through 19. 16.Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits attached hereto contain the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement except where other agreements are specifically noted, adopted, or incorporated by reference. This Agreement and the Exhibits attached hereto otherwise supersede any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties hereto with respect to the employment of Executive by Company. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, oral or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this Agreement will be valid or binding. 17.Modification or Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except through a writing signed by hand by both an authorized representative of Franchise Group and Executive, except as required by a court with competent jurisdiction in order to enforce this Agreement. 18.Claims by Executive. Executive acknowledges and agrees that any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of the restrictions and covenants set forth in this Agreement and shall not be used to prohibit injunctive relief. 19.Legal Fees. The parties hereto agree that the non-prevailing party in any dispute, claim, action or proceeding between the parties hereto arising out of or relating to the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any provision thereof (a “Dispute”), shall reimburse the prevailing party for reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such Dispute; provided, however, that the Executive shall only be required to reimburse the Company for its fees and expenses incurred in connection with a Dispute if the Executive’s position in such Dispute was found by the court, arbitrator or other person or entity presiding over such Dispute to be frivolous or advanced not in good faith. 20.Directors and Officers Insurance. During the Term, the Company shall maintain commercially reasonable directors and officers insurance. Any release requirement set forth in the Separation Agreement shall not require Executive to waive any right or claim for coverage under such insurance. 21.Execution of Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signature of more than one (1) party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Further, this Agreement may be signed and delivered by means of facsimile or scanned pages via electronic mail, and such scanned or facsimile signatures shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original signature and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were an original signature, and no party may raise the use of facsimile or scanned signatures as a defense to the formation of this Agreement. 22.Review by Counsel. Executive represents and warrants that this Agreement is the result of full and otherwise fair and good faith bargaining over its terms following a full and otherwise fair opportunity to have legal counsel for Executive review this Agreement, propose modifications and changes, and to verify that the terms and provisions of this Agreement are reasonable and enforceable. Executive acknowledges that Executive has read and understands the foregoing provisions and that such provisions are reasonable and enforceable. This Agreement has been jointly drafted by both parties, and shall not be interpreted as against one party as the drafter. 23.Section 409A. It is intended that this Agreement will comply with Code Section 409A and any regulations and other published guidance of the IRS thereunder, to the extent the Agreement is subject thereto, and the Agreement shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent. With respect to any reimbursement or in-kind benefit arrangements of the Company that constitutes deferred compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A, the following conditions shall be applicable (except as otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A): (a) the amount eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, under any such arrangement in one calendar year may not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, under such arrangement in any other year (except that any health or dental plan may impose a limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid), (b) any reimbursement must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred, and (c) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or caused to be executed, this Agreement on the Effective Date. EXECUTIVE /s/ Lee Wright Lee Wright FRANCHISE GROUP, Inc. By: /s/ Brian Kahn Name: Brian Kahn Title: President and Chief Executive Officer EXHIBIT A On the Effective Date, the Board shall approve a grant to the Executive of: (1) performance restricted units (“PRSU”) having a value equal to $3,000,000 reflecting ownership of the Company’s common stock as determined by the closing price of the Company’s stock on the Effective Date. Each PRSU award shall provide for vesting on the third anniversary of the Employment Commencement Date unless otherwise stated in the award agreement, and shall otherwise be subject to the terms and conditions of the form of equity award and performance metrics adopted by the Board for use under the plan; (2) performance restricted units (“PRSU”) with respect to 70,000 shares. Each PRSU vests two years after the Company’s common stock achieves a total shareholder return of 100% of the grant date closing price of Company’s common stock (or $71.96, before giving effect to dividends paid during this period) for 10 consecutive trading days (the "TSR Hurdle"), provided the TSR Hurdle is achieved by June 21, 2024, and shall otherwise be subject to the terms and conditions of the form of equity award adopted by the Board for use under the plan. SUBSIDIARIES OF FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. Exhibit 21.1 Entity Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate B, LLC Buddy’s Newco, LLC Buddy’s Franchising and Licensing, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate S, LLC Franchise Group Newco S, LLC Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC American Freight Outlet Stores, LLC Outlet Merchandise, LLC American Freight Franchisor LLC American Freight Franchising LLC (formerly) American Freight Discount Outlet Franchising, LLC American Freight Group, LLC American Freight Holdings, LLC American Freight, LLC American Freight Management Company, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate V, LLC Franchise Group Newco V, LLC Valor Acquisition, LLC Vitamin Shoppe Industries LLC Vitamin Shoppe Global, LLC Vitamin Shoppe Mariner, LLC Vitamin Shoppe Procurement Services LLC Vitamin Shoppe Franchising LLC Vitamin Shoppe Florida, LLC Betancourt Sports Nutrition, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate L, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate L 1, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate L 2, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate PSP, LLC Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC PSP Midco, LLC Pet Supplies "Plus", LLC PSP Group, LLC PSP Service Newco, LLC PSP Stores, LLC PSP Subco, LLC PSP Franchising, LLC PSP Distribution, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate BHF LLC Franchise Group Newco BHF, LLC W.S. Badcock Corporation Franchise Group Intermediate SL, LLC Franchise Group Newco SL, LLC Jurisdiction DE DE DE DE FL DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE NY DE DE DE DE DE FL DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE OH DE DE DE DE DE FL DE DE Sole Member Franchise Group, Inc. Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate B, LLC Buddy’s Newco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate S, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Newco S, LLC Franchise Group Newco S, LLC American Freight Outlet Stores LLC Franchise Group Newco S, LLC Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC American Freight Group, LLC American Freight Holdings, LLC American Freight, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate V, LLC Franchise Group Newco V, LLC Valor Acquisition, LLC Vitamin Shoppe Industries LLC Vitamin Shoppe Industries LLC Vitamin Shoppe Industries LLC Vitamin Shoppe Industries LLC Vitamin Shoppe Industries LLC Vitamin Shoppe Industries LLC Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate L, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate L 1, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate PSP, LLC Franchise Group Newco PSP, LLC PSP Midco, LLC Pet Supplies "Plus", LLC PSP Group, LLC PSP Group, LLC PSP Group, LLC PSP Stores, LLC PSP Stores, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate BHF LLC Franchise Group Newco BHF, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC Franchise Group Intermediate SL, LLC Educate, Inc. Educate Operating Company, LLC Sylvan Learning, LLC Learning Partnerships, LLC Educate Product Development, LLC Sylvan School Solutions, LLC (formerly Achievement Solutions, LLC) Learning System of the Future, LLC Sylvan In-Home, LLC Educate Corporate Centers Holdings, LLC Internet Strategy Group, LLC Educate Digital, LLC Sylvan Learning Centers, LLC Omega Learning Centers, LLC Maryland Learning Centers, LLC Massachusetts Learning Centers, LLC DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE Franchise Group Newco SL, LLC Educate, Inc. Educate Operating Company, LLC Educate Operating Company, LLC Educate Operating Company, LLC Educate Operating Company, LLC Educate Operating Company, LLC Educate Operating Company, LLC Educate Operating Company, LLC Educate Operating Company, LLC Educate Operating Company, LLC Educate Corporate Centers Holdings, LLC Sylvan Learning Centers, LLC Sylvan Learning Centers, LLC Sylvan Learning Centers, LLC CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-236211 and 333-257430 on Form S-3 and in Registration Statement Nos. 333-182585 and 333-236209 on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 23, 2022, relating to the financial statements of Franchise Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021. Exhibit 23.1 /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Richmond, Virginia February 23, 2022  Exhibit 23.2 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-236211 and 333-257430), and Form S-8 (Nos. 333-182585 and 333-236209) of our report dated June 27, 2019 (except for the effects of discontinued operations discussed in Note 3, as to which the date is June 25, 2021) included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Franchise Group, Inc. (the “Company”), relating to the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of April 30, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended April 30, 2019. Our report dated June 27, 2019, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2019, expressed our opinion that the Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2019, because the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring controls were not effective. /s/ Cherry Bekaert LLP Virginia Beach, Virginia February 23, 2022 Exhibit 31.1 I, Brian R. Kahn, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Franchise Group, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal controls over financial reporting, or caused such internal controls over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: February 23, 2022 By: /s/ Brian R. Kahn Brian R. Kahn Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) Exhibit 31.2 I, Eric F. Seeton, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Franchise Group, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal controls over financial reporting, or caused such internal controls over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: February 23, 2022 By: /s/ Eric F. Seeton Eric F. Seeton Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 32.1 In connection with the Annual Report of Franchise Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Brian R. Kahn, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: February 23, 2022 By: /s/ Brian R. Kahn Brian R. Kahn Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 32.2 In connection with the Annual Report of Franchise Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Eric F. Seeton, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: February 23, 2022 By: /s/ Eric F. Seeton Eric F. Seeton Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

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