Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Restaurants / Nathan's Famous, Inc. / FY2006 Annual Report

Nathan's Famous, Inc.
Annual Report 2006

NATH · NASDAQ Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker NATH
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Restaurants
Employees 147
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FY2006 Annual Report · Nathan's Famous, Inc.
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2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

Financial Highlights

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Fiscal Year(1)

2006

2005

2004

Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
Revenues from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations(2)
Net income(2)
Basic income (loss) per share(2)

Income from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations(2)
  Basic income per share(2)
Diluted income (loss) per share(2)

Income from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations(2)
  Diluted income per share(2)

Weighted average shares used in computing income (loss) per share
  Basic
  Diluted
Total assets
Stockholders’ equity

$ 41,360
$  3,945
$  1,732
$  5,677

$ 34,295
$  2,854
$ 
$  2,737

(117) $ 

$ 29,908
$  2,038
(144)
$  1,894

$  0.71
$  0.31
$  1.02

$  0.54
$  0.38
$  (0.02) $  (0.02)
$  0.36
$  0.52

$  0.60
$  0.27
$  0.87

$  0.47
$  0.36
$  (0.02) $  (0.03)
$  0.33
$  0.45

5,584
6,546
$ 37,423
$ 28,048

5,307
6,080
$ 31,269
$ 21,356

5,306
5,678
$ 27,584
$ 17,352

(1)   Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in March which results in a 52 or 53 week year. Fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004 were 52 week years.
(2)   The fiscal year ended March 26, 2006, includes a gain of $2,919, before income taxes, from the sale of a vacant piece of land in Coney Island, NY.

P R O F I L E

  Nathan’s  began  as  a  nickel  hot  dog  stand  in  Coney  Island  in  1916  and  has  become  a  much-loved  “New  York  institution”  now  

available throughout the United States and overseas.

  Through  our  innovative  points-of-distribution  strategies,  Nathan’s  products  are  marketed  within  our  restaurant  system  and  
throughout  a  broad  spectrum  of  other  food-service  and  retail  environments.  Our  Branded  Product  Program  provides  for  the  sale  
of  Nathan’s  signature  products  in  over  7,700  food-service  locations  nationwide.  Nathan’s  products  are  also  featured  in  over  7,000  
supermarkets and club stores throughout the United States and are being marketed on television by QVC.

  Successful market penetration of our highly recognized valued brand and products, through a wide variety of distribution channels, 

continues to provide new and exciting growth opportunities for our Company.

Revenues from  
Continuing Operations
($ in millions)

 $41.4

Income from  
Continuing Operations
($ in millions)

 $3.9

Stockholders’ Equity
($ in millions)

 $28.0

 $34.3

 $29.9

 $2.9

 $21.4

 $2.0

 $17.4

’04

’05

’06

’04

’05

’06

’04

’05

’06

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
President’s Letter

Fiscal 2006 has been a year accentuated by both 
enhanced  profitability  and  overall  advancement  of 
our  business.  Our  success  has  been  fueled  by  the 
continuation  of  our  brand-marketing  approach  and 
points-of-distribution strategy.

Nathan’s  has  just  concluded  its  most  successful 
operating  year  since  its  1993  initial  public  offering. 
The  final  quarter  of  fiscal  2006  marks  the  twelfth 
consecutive quarter in which profits from continuing 
operations were higher when compared to the prior 
comparable fiscal period.
Financial Results

Net  income  for  the  fifty-two  weeks  ended  
March 26, 2006, was $5,677,000 or $1.02 per basic 
share  and  $0.87  per  diluted  share  as  compared  to 
$2,737,000  or  $0.52  per  basic  share  and  $0.45  per 
diluted  share  for  the  fifty-two  weeks  ended  March 
27,  2005.  Net  income  for  the  2006  fiscal  period 
includes  the  sale  of  a  previously-owned,  vacant  
parcel  of  land  whereby  Nathan’s  realized  a  profit 
after tax of $1,781,000.

Earnings  from  continuing  operations  increased 
by  38.2%  to  $3,945,000  for  the  fifty-two  weeks 
ended  March  26,  2006  compared  to  the  prior  fiscal 
year.  Total  revenue  from  continuing  operations 
increased  by  20.6%  to  $41,360,000  during  fiscal 
2006 compared to fiscal 2005.
Restaurant Operations

Thirty  new  franchised  restaurants  were  opened 
during  fiscal  2006,  including  five  units  in  Kuwait, 
three  units  in  Japan,  three  units  in  the  United  Arab 

Emirates, and our first unit in the Dominican Republic. 
Domestic  restaurants  opened  within  seven  movie 
theaters, as part of five shopping-center food courts, 
inside  three  Walmart  super  centers,  and  as  part  of 
new  developments  within  the  Venetian  Hotel  and 
the Convention Center, both in Las Vegas.

During  fiscal  2006,  royalties  and  fees  derived 
from  Nathan’s  franchised  restaurants  increased 
approximately 12.3% over the prior year.

Sales and pre-tax profits from the six compara-
ble company-owned restaurants operating at March 
26,  2006,  increased  by  approximately  $297,000  or 
2.7% and $241,000 or 25.6%, respectively, over the 
prior fiscal period.

For  a  number  of  years,  Nathan’s  licensed  from 
PAT Franchise Systems, Inc. the right to use the Arthur 
Treacher’s trademarks and signature products for the 
purpose of co-branding within its restaurant system. 
Primarily based upon the success of our co-branding 
effort, NF Treacher’s Corp., a wholly-owned subsid-
iary  of  Nathan’s  Famous,  Inc.,  acquired  the  world-
wide  rights  to  all  trademarks  and  other  intellectual 
property relating to the “Arthur Treacher’s” brand on 
February 28, 2006.
The Branded-Product Program

The  branded-product  program,  featuring  the 
sale of Nathan’s hot dogs to the food-service indus-
try,  has  continued  its  significant  growth.  Sales 
increased by 52.0% to $16,476,000 during the fifty-
two  weeks  ended  March  26,  2006  as  compared  to 
fiscal 2005.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
President’s Letter

As  part  of  the  program,  Nathan’s  hot  dogs  are 
sold  in  over  one  thousand  Subway  sandwich  shops  
in  Walmarts,  and  in  about  seven  hundred  and  fifty 
Auntie Anne’s pretzel outlets. Recently, Nathan’s has 
been  introduced  in  certain  K-Mart  and  Sears  Grand 
department  stores.  Nathan’s  signature  products  are 
featured  in  a  substantial  number  of  convenience-
store chains, movie theaters, and amusement venues, 
including Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium.
Retail Licensing

License royalties increased by 7.1% or $237,000 
to  $3,569,000  during  fiscal  2006  compared  to  the 
prior  year  due  to  increased  retail  sales  of  Nathan’s 
hot  dogs  by  our  existing  licensee  and  from  sales 
under new product license agreements.

Nathan’s retained its ranking as the number one 
retail-selling, “premium” all-beef hot dog based upon 
pounds  sold  in  the  United  States,  for  the  fifty-two 
weeks ended April 22, 2006.

New Nathan’s branded products that have been 
recently  introduced  or  that  are  being  developed  for 
retail  include:  dinner  loop  sausages,  flavored  link  
sausages,  cheese  franks,  kosher  hot  dogs,  hot  dog 
and  hamburger  rolls,  franks’n  the  blanket,  pretzel 
dogs,  corn  dogs  on  a  stick,  mini  bagel  dogs,  beef 
sticks,  cheese  and  garlic  fries,  potato  pancakes,  and 
pet-food treats.
Strategic Expansion

Long-term,  profitable  growth  continues  to  be 
the  centerpiece  of  our  objectives.  We  intend  to  
continue  to  expose  the  Nathan’s 
brand  and  promote  the  sale  of 
Nathan’s  products  through-
out  a  broad  spectrum  

of  varied  environments.  The  prominence  of  the 
Nathan’s  brand  and  the  presentation  of  Nathan’s 
products  are  greater  today  than  ever  before,  prima-
rily driven by our overall business expansion. Nathan’s 
exposure  has  also  been  enhanced  due  to  increased 
marketing of Nathan’s on QVC and through hot dog 
eating contests staged throughout the U.S.

At March 26, 2006, Nathan’s products were dis-
tributed  in  49  states  and  the  District  of  Columbia 
through  its  domestic  restaurant  system,  branded-
product  program,  and  retail  licensing  activities.  In 
total,  Nathan’s  products  are  now  sold  in  more  than 
14,000  retail  and  food-service  locations  in  the  U.S. 
Systemwide, we are engaged in business activities in 
12  countries,  featuring  the  Nathan’s,  Miami  Subs, 
Kenny Rogers Roasters, and Arthur Treacher’s brands.
In Conclusion

Our  focused  strategies,  creative  approaches, 
ever-expanding  opportunities  and  commitment  to 
quality  highlight  Nathan’s  path  towards  continued 
long-term success. We believe significant benefit will 
be  afforded  to  our  consumers,  business  partners, 
employees,  and  to  you—our  shareholders.  We  are 
appreciative of your continued support.

Sincerely,

H O WA R D  M .  LO R B E R
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

WAY N E  N O R B I T Z
President and Chief Operating Officer

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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Selected Consolidated Financial Data

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

S T A T E M E N T   O F   E A R N I N G S   D A T A :
Revenues:
  Sales
  Franchise fees and royalties
  License royalties, investment and other income

  Total revenues

Costs and Expenses:
  Cost of sales
  Restaurant operating expenses
  Depreciation and amortization
  Amortization of intangible assets
  General and administrative expenses

Interest expense
Impairment of long-lived assets
Impairment of notes receivable

  Other (income) expense, net

  Total costs and expenses

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) 

for income taxes

Income tax expense (benefit)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

Discontinued operations:

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes(3)

  Provision (benefit) for income taxes

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change
 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax  

benefit of $854 in 2003

  Net income (loss)

Basic income (loss) per share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  Net income (loss)

Diluted income (loss) per share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  Net income (loss)

Dividends
Weighted average shares used in computing net income (loss) per share
  Basic
  Diluted(4)

Fiscal Years Ended

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005(2)

March 28, 
2004(2)

March 30, 
2003(2,4)

March 31, 
2002(1,2)

$29,785
6,799
4,776

$23,296
6,774
4,225

$19,848
6,286
3,774

$ 23,809
5,977
3,184

$26,400
7,944
4,259

41,360

34,295

29,908

32,970

38,603

22,225
3,180
812
262
8,552
31
—
—
—

35,062

6,298
2,353

3,945

2,839
1,107

1,732

5,677

17,266
3,063
918
263
8,341
49
—
—
(16)

29,884

4,411
1,557

2,854

(199)
(82)

(117)

14,198
3,441
923
261
7,519
75
—
208
45

26,670

3,238
1,200

2,038

(244)
(100)

(144)

16,012
5,292
1,270
278
8,600
132
1,367
1,425
232

34,608

(1,638)
(222)

(1,416)

(357)
(143)

(214)

17,644
6,221
1,354
888
9,292
256
392
185
(210)

36,022

2,581
1,110

1,471

(370)
(148)

(222)

2,737

1,894

(1,630)

1,249

—

—

—

(12,338)

—

$  5,677

$  2,737

$  1,894

$(13,968)

$  1,249

$    0.71
0.31
—

$    0.54
(0.02)
—

$    0.38
(0.02)
—

$    (0.24)
(0.04)
(2.06)

$    0.21
(0.03)
—

$    1.02

$    0.52

$    0.36

$    (2.34)

$    0.18

$    0.60
0.27
—

$    0.47
(0.02)
—

$    0.36
(0.03)
—

$    (0.24)
(0.04)
(2.06)

$    0.21
(0.03)
—

$    0.87

$    0.45

$    0.33

$    (2.34)

$    0.18

—

—

—

—

—

5,584
6,546

5,307
6,080

5,306
5,678

5,976
5,976

7,048
7,083

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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Selected Consolidated Financial Data

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(continued)

B A L A N C E   S H E E T   D A T A   A T   E N D   O F   F I S C A L   Y E A R :
  Working capital
  Total assets
  Long-term debt, net of current maturities
  Stockholders’ equity

S E L E C T E D   R E S T A U R A N T   O P E R A T I N G   D A T A :
  Company-owned Restaurant Sales(5)

N U M B E R   O F   U N I T S   O P E N   A T   E N D   O F   F I S C A L   Y E A R :
  Company-owned

  Franchised

Fiscal Years Ended

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005(2)

March 28, 
2004(2)

March 30, 
2003(2,4)

March 31, 
2002(1,2)

$19,075
37,423
31
$28,048

$14,009
31,269
692
$21,356

$  9,185
27,584
866
$17,352

$   5,935
25,886
1,053
$ 16,383

$  9,565
48,745
1,220
$36,145

$11,419

$11,538

$12,780

$  21,955

$27,484

6

362

6

355

7

338

12

343

22

364

Notes to Selected Financial Data
1)   Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in March, which results in a 52- or 53-week year. Fiscal 2002 was a 53-week year.
2)   Results have been adjusted to reflect the sale of vacant land during the fiscal year ended March 26, 2006, and the closure of one restaurant during the fiscal 

year ended March 27, 2005 for the reclassification of the operating results of both properties to discontinued operations.
3)   The fiscal year ended March 26, 2006, includes a gain of $2,919 from the sale of a vacant piece of land in Coney Island, NY.
4)   Common stock equivalents have been excluded from the computation for the year ended March 30, 2003, as, due to the net loss, the impact of their inclusion 

would have been anti-dilutive.

5)   Company-owned restaurant sales represent sales from restaurants presented within continuing operations and discontinued operations.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

  We  have  historically  operated  and  franchised  fast  food  units 
featuring Nathan’s Famous brand all beef frankfurters, crinkle-cut 
French-fried potatoes, and a variety of other menu offerings. Our 
Nathan’s  brand  Company-owned  and  franchised  units  operate 
under  the  name  “Nathan’s  Famous,”  the  name  first  used  at  our 
original Coney Island restaurant opened in 1916. Nathan’s licens-
ing  program  began  in  1978  by  selling  packaged  hot  dogs  and  
other  meat  products  to  retail  customers  through  supermarkets  
or  grocery-type  retailers  for  off-site  consumption.  During  fiscal 
1998, we introduced our Branded Product Program, which enables 
foodservice retailers to sell some of Nathan’s proprietary products 
outside of the realm of a traditional franchise relationship. In con-
junction  with  this  program,  foodservice  operators  are  granted  a 
limited use of the Nathan’s Famous trademark with respect to the 
sale  of  hot  dogs  and  certain  other  proprietary  food  items  and 
paper goods.

  During the fiscal year ended March 26, 2000, we completed 
two  acquisitions  that  provided  us  with  two  highly  recognized 
brands. On April 1, 1999, we became the franchisor of the Kenny 
Rogers  Roasters  restaurant  system  by  acquiring  the  intellectual 
property  rights,  including  trademarks,  recipes  and  franchise  
agreements  of  Roasters  Corp.  and  Roasters  Franchise  Corp.  On 
September  30,  1999,  we  acquired  the  remaining  70%  of  the  
outstanding  common  stock  of  Miami  Subs  Corporation  we  did  
not  already  own.  On  February  28,  2006,  we  acquired  all  of  the 
intellectual  property  rights,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  trade-
marks,  trade  names,  and  recipes,  of  the  Arthur  Treachers  Fish  N 
Chips Brand.

  Our  revenues  are  generated  primarily  from  selling  products 
under  Nathan’s  Branded  Product  Program,  operating  Company-
owned  restaurants,  franchising  the  Nathan’s,  Miami  Subs  and 
Kenny  Rogers  restaurant  concepts  and  licensing  agreements  for 
the sale of Nathan’s products within supermarkets.

In addition to plans for expansion through franchising and our 
Branded Product Program, Nathan’s continues to co-brand within 
its  existing  restaurant  system.  Currently,  the  Arthur  Treacher’s 
brand  is  being  sold  within  111  Nathan’s,  Kenny  Rogers  Roasters 
and Miami Subs restaurants, the Nathan’s brand is included on the 
menu of 54 Miami Subs and Kenny Rogers restaurants, while the 
Kenny Rogers Roasters brand is being sold within 103 Miami Subs 
and Nathan’s restaurants.

  At  March  30,  2003,  Nathan’s  owned  12  Company-operated 
restaurants. During the fiscal year ended March 28, 2004, Nathan’s 
franchised  three  Company-operated  restaurants  and  entered  into 
two  management  agreements  with  franchisees  to  operate  two 
Company-operated  restaurants.  During  the  fiscal  year  ended 
March  27,  2005,  Nathan’s  closed  one  Company-operated  res-
taurant  due  to  its  lease  expiration.  The  remaining  six  restau-
rants are presented as continuing operations in the accompanying 
financial statements.

  At  March  26,  2006,  our  franchise  system,  consisting  of 
Nathan’s Famous, Kenny Rogers Roasters and Miami Subs restau-
rants, included 362 franchised units, including five units operating 

pursuant to management agreements, located in 23 states and 11 
foreign  countries.  We  also  operated  six  Company-owned  units, 
including one seasonal location, within the New York metropolitan 
area.  At  March  26,  2006  and  March  27,  2005,  our  Company-
owned restaurant system included six Nathan’s units, as compared 
to seven Nathan’s units at March 28, 2004.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

  Our  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  notes  to  our 
consolidated  financial  statements  contain  information  that  is  per-
tinent  to  management’s  discussion  and  analysis.  The  preparation 
of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles 
generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  requires  management  to 
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts 
of  assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosures  of  contingent  assets  and 
liabilities.  We  believe  the  following  critical  accounting  policies 
involve additional management judgment due to the sensitivity of 
the methods, assumptions and estimates necessary in determining 
the related asset and liability amounts.

Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Good-
will and Other Intangible Assets,” (“SFAS No. 142”) requires that 
goodwill  and  intangible  assets  with  indefinite  lives  will  no  longer 
be  amortized  but  will  be  tested  annually  (or  more  frequently  if 
events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  the  carrying  value  
may  not  be  recoverable)  for  impairment.  The  most  significant 
assumptions,  which  are  used  in  this  test,  are  estimates  of  future 
cash flows. We typically use the same assumptions for this test as 
we use in the development of our business plans. If these assump-
tions differ significantly from actual results, additional impairment 
charges may be required in the future. We conducted our annual 
impairment tests and no goodwill or other intangible assets were 
determined  to  be  impaired  during  the  fifty-two  week  periods 
ended March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 or March 28, 2004.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  144, 
“Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” 
(“SFAS  No.  144”)  requires  management  judgments  regarding  
the  future  operating  and  disposition  plans  for  under-performing 
assets,  and  estimates  of  expected  realizable  values  for  assets  
to  be  sold.  The  application  of  SFAS  No.  144  has  affected  the 
amounts and timing of charges to operating results in recent years. 
We  evaluate  possible  impairment  of  each  restaurant  individually 
and  record  an  impairment  charge  whenever  we  determine  that 
impairment factors exist. We consider a history of restaurant oper-
ating losses to be the primary indicator of potential impairment of 
a  restaurant’s  carrying  value.  During  the  fifty-two  week  periods 
ended  March  26,  2006  and  March  27,  2005,  no  impairment 
charges  on  long-lived  assets  were  recorded.  During  the  fifty-two 
week period ended March 28, 2004, we identified one restaurant 
that  had  been  impaired  and  recorded  impairment  charges  of 
approximately  $25,000  which  is  included  within  the  results  of  
discontinued operations.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Impairment of Notes Receivable

  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  114, 
“Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan,” as amended, 
requires management judgments regarding the future collectibility 
of  notes  receivable  and  the  underlying  fair  market  value  of  col-
lateral. We consider the following factors when evaluating a note 
for  impairment:  a)  indications  that  the  borrower  is  experiencing 
business  problems,  such  as  operating  losses,  marginal  working 
capital, inadequate cash flow or business interruptions; b) whether 
the  loan  is  secured  by  collateral  that  is  not  readily  marketable; 
and/or  c)  whether  the  collateral  is  susceptible  to  deterioration  in 
realizable  value.  When  determining  possible  impairment,  we  also 
assess  our  future  intention  to  extend  certain  leases  beyond  the 
minimum lease term and the debtor’s ability to meet its obligation 
over the projected term. During the fifty-two week periods ended 
March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005, no impairment charges on 
notes  receivable  were  recorded.  We  previously  identified  certain 
notes receivable that had been impaired and recorded impairment 
charges  of  approximately  $208,000  relating  to  two  notes  during 
the fifty-two weeks ended March 28, 2004.

Revenue Recognition

  Sales  by  Company-owned  restaurants,  which  are  typically 
paid  in  cash  by  the  customer,  are  recognized  upon  the  perfor-
mance of services.

In  connection  with  its  franchising  operations,  Nathan’s  
receives  initial  franchise  fees,  development  fees,  royalties,  and  in 
certain  cases,  revenue  from  sub-leasing  restaurant  properties  
to franchisees.

  Franchise  and  area  development  fees,  which  are  typically 
received  prior  to  completion  of  the  revenue  recognition  process, 
are recorded as deferred revenue. Initial franchise fees, which are 
non-refundable,  are  recognized  as  income  when  substantially  all 
services  to  be  performed  by  Nathan’s  and  conditions  relating  to 
the sale of the franchise have been performed or satisfied, which 
generally occurs when the franchised restaurant commences oper-
ations.  The  following  services  are  typically  provided  by  Nathan’s 
prior to the opening of a franchised restaurant:

  •   Approval of all site selections to be developed.
  •   Provision  of  architectural  plans  suitable  for  restaurants  to  

be developed.

  •   Assistance  in  establishing  building  design  specifications, 
reviewing  construction  compliance,  and  equipping  the  
restaurant.

  •   Provision of appropriate menus to coordinate with the res-

taurant design and location to be developed.

  •   Provide  management  training  for  the  new  franchisee  and 

selected staff.

  •   Assistance  with  the  initial  operations  of  restaurants  being 

developed.

  Development fees are non-refundable and the related agree-
ments require the franchisee to open a specified number of restau-
rants  in  the  development  area  within  a  specified  time  period  or 
Nathan’s may cancel the agreements. Revenue from development 

agreements  is  deferred  and  recognized  as  restaurants  in  the  
development  area  commence  operations  on  a  pro  rata  basis  to  
the minimum number of restaurants required to be open, or at the 
time the development agreement is effectively canceled.

  Nathan’s recognizes franchise royalties when they are earned 
and  deemed  collectible.  Franchise  fees  and  royalties  that  are  not 
deemed to be collectible are not recognized as revenue until paid 
by the franchisee, or until collectibility is deemed to be reasonably 
assured.  The  number  of  non-performing  units  is  determined  by 
analyzing  the  number  of  months  that  royalties  have  been  paid  
during  a  period.  When  royalties  have  been  paid  for  less  than  
the majority of the time frame reported, such location is deemed 
non-performing. Accordingly, the number of non-performing units 
may differ between the quarterly results and year to date results. 
Revenue  from  sub-leasing  properties  is  recognized  as  income  as 
the  revenue  is  earned  and  becomes  receivable  and  deemed  
collectible. Sub-lease rental income is presented net of associated 
lease costs in the consolidated statements of earnings.

  Nathan’s  recognizes  revenue  from  the  Branded  Product 
Program when it is determined that the products have been deliv-
ered via third party common carrier to Nathans’ customers.

  Nathan’s  recognizes  revenue  from  royalties  on  the  licensing  
of  the  use  of  its  name  on  certain  products  produced  and  sold  
by outside vendors. The use of Nathan’s name and symbols must 
be  approved  by  Nathan’s  prior  to  each  specific  application  to 
ensure  proper  quality  and  project  a  consistent  image.  Revenue 
from license royalties is recognized when it is earned and deemed 
collectible.

In the normal course of business, we extend credit to franchi-
sees for the payment of ongoing royalties and to trade customers 
of  our  Branded  Product  Program.  Notes  and  accounts  receivable, 
net, as shown on our consolidated balance sheets are net of allow-
ances for doubtful accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is 
determined through analysis of the aging of accounts receivable at 
the  date  of  the  financial  statements,  assessment  of  collectibility 
based  upon  historical  trends  and  an  evaluation  of  the  impact  of 
current  and  projected  economic  conditions.  In  the  event  that  
the  collectibility  of  a  receivable  at  the  date  of  the  transaction  is 
doubtful,  the  associated  revenue  is  not  recorded  until  the  facts  
and  circumstances  change  in  accordance  with  Staff  Accounting 
Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition.”

Self-Insurance Liabilities

  We are self-insured for portions of our general liability cover-
age. As part of our risk management strategy, our insurance pro-
grams  include  deductibles  for  each  incident  and  in  the  aggregate 
for each policy year. As such, we accrue estimates of our ultimate 
self-insurance  costs  throughout  the  policy  year.  These  estimates 
have  been  developed  based  upon  our  historical  trends,  however, 
the final cost of some claims may not be known for five years or 
longer. Accordingly, our annual self-insurance costs may be subject 
to adjustment from previous estimates as facts and circumstances 
change. The self-insurance accrual at March 26, 2006 and March 
27,  2005  was  $281,000  and  $324,000,  respectively.  During  the 

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fifty-two weeks ended March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005, we 
reversed  approximately  $55,000,  and  $71,000,  respectively,  of 
previously  recorded  insurance  accruals  to  reflect  the  revised  esti-
mated  cost  of  claims.  Also,  during  the  fifty-two  weeks  ended 
March  28,  2004,  we  reversed  approximately  $268,000  of  previ-
ously  recorded  insurance  accruals  for  items  that  were  concluded 
without further payment.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Year Ended March 26, 2006 compared to Fiscal Year Ended 
March 27, 2005

Revenues from Continuing Operations

  Total sales increased by $6,489,000 or 27.9% to $29,785,000 
for  the  fifty-two  weeks  ended  March  26,  2006,  (“fiscal  2006 
period”)  as  compared  to  $23,296,000  for  the  fifty-two  weeks 
ended  March  27,  2005  (“fiscal  2005  period”).  Sales  from  the 
Branded Product Program increased by 52.0% to $16,476,000 for 
the  fiscal  2006  period  as  compared  to  sales  of  $10,837,000  in  
the  fiscal  2005  period.  This  increase  was  primarily  attributable  
to  increased  volume  from  new  accounts,  and  a  price  increase  of 
approximately  2.2%.  Sales  at  the  six  Company-owned  Nathan’s 
restaurants  (including  one  seasonal  restaurant)  increased  by 
$296,000 or 2.7% to $11,419,000 from $11,123,000, all of which 
operated  during  the  same  periods  in  both  years.  This  increase  is 
due  primarily  to  higher  volume  during  the  summer  at  our  Coney 
Island  restaurant  resulting  from  favorable  weather  conditions, 
together  with  an  effective  price  increase  of  approximately  1.1%. 
During the fiscal 2006 period, sales to our television retailer were 
approximately $554,000 higher than the fiscal 2005 period, result-
ing from the introduction of new products, more frequent airings 
and sales increases per item sold.

  Franchise  fees  and  royalties  increased  by  $25,000  to 
$6,799,000 in the fiscal 2006 period compared to $6,774,000 in 
the fiscal 2005 period. Franchise royalties were $6,030,000 in the 
fiscal  2006  period  as  compared  to  $6,103,000  in  the  fiscal  2005 
period.  Domestic  franchise  restaurant  sales  were  $160,814,000  
in the fiscal 2006 period as compared to $164,925,000 in the fis-
cal  2005  period.  The  total  sales  reduction  associated  with  closed 
restaurants was approximately $13,236,000 of which $11,194,000 
was  related  to  closings  in  Florida,  which  lowered  royalty  income  
by  approximately  $351,000  overall  and  $270,000  in  Florida.  The 
decrease in restaurant sales was offset by an increase of $8,724,000 
due to new stores that opened during the fiscal 2006 period and 
the  full  year  effect  of  stores  that  opened  during  the  fiscal  2005 
period.  Comparable  domestic  franchise  sales  (consisting  of  184 
restaurants)  increased  by  $402,000  or  0.3%  to  $134,430,000  in 
the fiscal 2006 period as compared to $134,028,000 in the fiscal 
2005 period including the affects of Hurricane Wilma. On October 
24, 2005, Hurricane Wilma hit southern Florida where our franchi-
sees  operated  71  restaurants.  Most  of  these  restaurants  were 
affected  by  the  storm  and  were  temporarily  closed.  One  Miami 
Subs restaurant sustained significant damage and was permanently 
closed.  We  estimate  that  franchisee  sales  and  royalties  from  the 

affected  stores  were  reduced  in  the  third  quarter  fiscal  2006  by 
approximately  $885,000  and  $36,000,  respectively,  due  to  the 
period  that  the  restaurants  were  closed.  The  foregoing  reduction 
in  royalties  assumes  full  payment  of  royalties  by  the  affected  
franchisees.  At  March  26,  2006,  362  domestic  and  international 
franchised  or  licensed  units  were  operating  as  compared  to  355 
domestic  and  international  franchised  or  licensed  units  at  March 
27,  2005.  During  the  fifty-two  weeks  ended  March  26,  2006,  
royalty  income  from  21  domestic  franchised  locations  has  been 
deemed unrealizable as compared to 25 domestic franchised loca-
tions during the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2005. Domestic 
franchise  fee  income  was  $351,000  in  the  fiscal  2006  period  as 
compared  to  $355,000  in  the  fiscal  2005  period.  International 
franchise  fee  income  was  $314,000  in  the  fiscal  2006  period  as 
compared to $250,000 in the fiscal 2005 period. During the fiscal 
2006  period,  30  new  franchised  units  opened,  including  three 
units in Japan, five units in Kuwait, three units in the United Arab 
Emirates and one unit in the Dominican Republic. During the fiscal 
2006  period,  we  franchised  one  restaurant  that  previously  oper-
ated pursuant to a management agreement. During the fiscal 2005 
period, 28 new domestic franchised units were opened. Fourteen 
of  the  new  units  that  opened  during  the  fiscal  2005  period were 
non-traditional stores for which lower franchise fees were earned. 
During the fiscal 2006 period, Nathan’s also recognized $104,000 
in connection with three forfeited franchise fees, as compared to 
$66,000 during the fiscal 2005 period.

  License  royalties  increased  $237,000  or  7.1%  to  $3,569,000 
in  the  fiscal  2006  period  as  compared  to  $3,332,000  in  the  
fiscal 2005 period. This increase is primarily attributable to higher 
royalties  earned  from  the  sale  of  Nathan’s  frankfurters  within 
supermarkets,  club  stores  and  other  locations,  and  new  license 
agreements entered into since the beginning of fiscal 2005, which 
were partly offset by lower royalties earned on the sale of condi-
ments and the Nathan’s griddle.

Investment and other income was $748,000 in the fiscal 2006 
period versus $655,000 in the fiscal 2005 period due primarily to 
higher subleasing income of $128,000, which was partly offset by 
less revenue recognized under supplier contracts of $41,000.

Interest income was $459,000 in the fiscal 2006 period versus 
$238,000 in the fiscal 2005 period due primarily to higher interest 
earned  on  the  increased  amount  of  marketable  securities  owned 
during  the  fiscal  2006  period  as  compared  to  the  fiscal  2005 
period. We have continued to invest our excess cash in market-
able securities.

Costs and Expenses from Continuing Operations

  Cost of sales increased by $4,959,000 to $22,225,000 in the 
fiscal  2006  period  from  $17,266,000  in  the  fiscal  2005  period. 
During  the  fiscal  2006  period,  we  incurred  higher  costs  of  our 
Branded Product Program totaling approximately $4,542,000 pri-
marily  in  connection  with  the  increased  volume  during  the  fiscal 
2006 period as compared to the fiscal 2005 period. We also paid 
more for beef products during the fiscal 2006 period, despite the 
softening  of  the  market  during  the  second  half  of  fiscal  2006. 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Commodity  costs  of  our  hot  dogs,  which  have  increased  for  the 
third consecutive year, were approximately 1.3% higher during the 
fiscal 2006 period than the fiscal 2005 period. These commodity 
cost  increases  caused  us  to  increase  our  selling  prices  beginning  
in  June  2005  in  an  effort  to  reduce  the  margin  pressure  that  
we  continued  to  experience.  The  cost  of  restaurant  sales  at  our  
six  comparable  units  (including  one  seasonal  restaurant)  was 
$ 6,695,0 0 0  or  58.6%  of  restaurant  sales  as  compared  to 
$6,709,000 or 60.3% of restaurant sales in the fiscal 2005 period. 
This  reduction  was  primarily  due  to  lower  labor  and  associated 
costs. Combined food and paper costs, as a percentage of restau-
rant sales, were slightly lower in the fiscal 2006 period than in the 
fiscal 2005 period due to the effects of re-engineering of our menu 
and certain retail price increases to mitigate higher beef costs. Cost 
of sales also increased by $432,000 in the fiscal 2006 period due 
to higher sales to our television retailer.

  Restaurant  operating  expenses  increased  by  $117,000  to 
$3,180,000 during the fiscal 2006 period from $3,063,000 during 
the  fiscal  2005  period.  Utility  costs  increased  by  $118,000  or 
21.1%  as  compared  to  the  fiscal  2005  period.  Lower  occupancy 
and marketing costs during the fiscal 2006 period offset the other 
cost  increases.  Based  upon  current  market  conditions  for  natural 
gas and electricity, we expect to incur continued cost increases in 
fiscal 2007.

  Depreciation  and  amortization  decreased  by  $106,000  to 
$812,000  in  the  fiscal  2006  period  from  $918,000  in  the  fiscal 
2005  period  resulting  from  the  expiration  of  the  amortization 
period  of  the  new  accounting  software  implemented  as  part  of 
Nathan’s Y2K efforts and the effect of assets disposals.

  Amortization  of  intangible  assets  was  $262,000  in  the  fiscal 

2006 period as compared to $263,000 in the fiscal 2005 period.

  General  and  administrative  expenses  increased  by  $211,000 
to $8,552,000 in the fiscal 2006 period as compared to $8,341,000 
in  the  fiscal  2005  period.  The  increase  in  general  and  adminis-
trative  expenses  was  primarily  due  to  higher  total  compensation 
expense  of  $227,000,  substantially  in  connection  with  increased 
earnings  by  the  Company,  which  includes  $146,000  related  to 
increased  earnings  by  the  Company  resulting  from  the  sale  of  
a  vacant  piece  of  property  in  Brooklyn,  NY  to  a  third  party,  as  
discussed below. During the fiscal 2005 period, we recorded sever-
ance  expense  of  $158,000.  Higher  sales  solicitation  costs  of 
$52,000  were  incurred  in  connection  with  the  Branded  Product 
Program during the fiscal 2006 period, which were partly offset by 
lower professional fees of $42,000 and lower corporate insurance 
costs of $35,000.

Interest expense was $31,000 during the fiscal 2006 period as 
compared to $49,000 during the fiscal 2005 period. The reduction 
in interest expense relates primarily to the repayment of outstand-
ing loans between the two periods.

Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations

In  the  fiscal  2006  period,  the  income  tax  provision  was 
$2,353,000 or 37.4% of income from continuing operations before 
income  taxes  as  compared  to  $1,557,000  or  35.3%  of  income 

from continuing operations before income taxes in the fiscal 2005 
period. During the fiscal 2005 period, Nathan’s received a refund 
of prior years’ state income taxes, which, net of applicable federal 
income  tax,  was  approximately  $81,000,  lowering  the  effective 
tax rate by 1.9% during the fiscal 2005 period.

Discontinued Operations

  On  July  13,  2005,  we  sold  a  vacant  piece  of  property  in 
Brooklyn,  NY  to  a  third  party,  which  was  classified  as  “available-
for-sale” at March 27, 2005. The property had a carrying value of 
$187,000 and Nathan’s recognized a gain before income taxes of 
$2,819,000, net of associated expenses. On January 15, 2006, the 
adjacent parcel of vacant land that we leased was also sold to the 
same  buyer.  In  connection  with  that  sale,  we  recognized  into 
income the $100,000 deposit received in contemplation of the sale 
for  our  leasehold  interest.  In  addition,  we  closed  one  Company-
operated  restaurant  during  fiscal  2005.  Revenues  were  $415,000 
from that restaurant during the fiscal 2005 period. Income before 
income taxes from discontinued operations during the fiscal 2006 
period  was  $2,839,000  as  compared  to  loss  before  income  taxes 
of $199,000 during the fiscal 2005 period.

Fiscal Year Ended March 27, 2005 compared to Fiscal Year Ended 
March 28, 2004

Revenues from Continuing Operations

  Total sales increased by $3,448,000 or 17.4% to $23,296,000 
for  the  fifty-two  weeks  ended  March  27,  2005  (“fiscal  2005 
period”)  as  compared  to  $19,848,000  for  the  fifty-two  weeks 
ended  March  28,  2004  (“fiscal  2004  period”).  Sales  from  the 
Branded Product Program increased by 41.7% to $10,838,000 for 
the fiscal 2005 period as compared to sales of $7,651,000 in the 
fiscal  2004  period.  This  increase  was  attributable  to  a  volume 
increase  of  approximately  44.7%  and  price  increases  which  were 
partly offset by higher sales allowances. Company-owned restau-
rant  sales  decreased  by  $741,000  or  6.2%  to  $11,122,000  from 
$11,863,000 primarily due to the operation of five fewer Company-
owned stores as compared to the prior fiscal year, which was partly 
offset  by  a  4.7%  sales  increase  at  our  comparable  restaurants 
(consisting  of  six  Nathan’s,  including  one  seasonal  location).  The 
reduction in Company-owned stores is the result of our franchising 
three restaurants and entering into two management agreements 
during the fiscal 2004 period. The financial impact associated with 
these five restaurants lowered restaurant sales by $1,237,000 and 
improved  restaurant  operating  profits  before  depreciation  by 
$138,000  versus  the  fiscal  2004  period.  During  the  fiscal  2005 
period, we realized sales of $1,336,000 as compared to $334,000 
in  the  fiscal  2004  period  in  connection  with  our  QVC  marketing 
program, which was introduced in September 2003. The majority 
of the sales generated by QVC during the fiscal 2005 period were 
in  connection  with  the  “Today’s  Special  Value”  program  held  on 
May 20, 2004 featuring Nathan’s hot dogs.

  Franchise  fees  and  royalties  increased  by  $488,000  or  7.8% 
to $6,774,000 in the fiscal 2005 period compared to $6,286,000 
in the fiscal 2004 period. Franchise royalties increased by $396,000 

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or 6.9% to $6,103,000 in the fiscal 2005 period as compared to 
$5,707,000 in the fiscal 2004 period. This increase is due primarily 
to  improved  contract  compliance  and  higher  domestic  franchise 
sales.  Domestic  sales  increased  by  2.2%  to  $164,925,000  in  the 
fiscal 2005 period as compared to $161,332,000 in the fiscal 2004 
period.  Comparable  domestic  franchise  sales  (consisting  of  175 
restaurants) increased by $7,931,000 or 6.3% to $133,141,000 in 
the fiscal 2005 period as compared to $125,210,000 in the fiscal 
2004  period.  At  March  27,  2005,  there  were  355  domestic  and 
international  franchised  or  licensed  restaurants  operating  as  
compared to 338 domestic and international franchised or licensed 
restaurants at March 28, 2004. During the fifty-two weeks ended 
March 27, 2005, royalty income from 25 domestic franchised loca-
tions have been deemed unrealizable as compared to 35 domestic 
franchised locations during the fifty-two weeks ended March 28, 
2004.  Domestic  franchise  fee  income  was  $355,000  in  the  fiscal 
2005 period as compared to $376,000 in the fiscal 2004 period. 
During  the  fiscal  2005  period,  28  new  domestic  franchised  units 
opened  as  compared  to  opening  20  new  franchised  units  and  
franchising  four  Company-owned  restaurants  during  the  fiscal 
2004  period.  Fourteen  of  the  new  units  that  opened  during  the 
fiscal  2005  period  were  non-traditional  stores  for  which  lower 
franchise fees are earned as compared to nine non-traditional units 
during the fiscal 2004 period. Nathan’s also recognized $66,000 in 
connection with three forfeited domestic franchise fees during the 
fiscal  2005  period  and  $23,000  in  connection  with  one  forfeited 
domestic franchise fee during the fiscal 2004 period. International 
franchise  fee  income  was  $250,000  in  the  fiscal  2005  period  as 
compared to $180,000 during the fiscal 2004 period. During the 
fiscal 2005 period, 11 new international units were opened.

  License royalties were $3,332,000 in the fiscal 2005 period as 
compared to $2,970,000 in the fiscal 2004 period. This increase is 
primarily  attributable  to  higher  royalties  earned  from  the  sale  of 
Nathan’s  frankfurters  within  supermarkets  and  club  stores  and 
from our license agreements for Nathan’s French fries and condi-
ments,  which  more  than  offset  lower  royalties  earned  from  the 
sale of the Nathan’s griddle that was marketed via infomercial and 
retailers during the Christmas 2003 season.

Investment and other income was $655,000 in the fiscal 2005 
period versus $605,000 in the fiscal 2004 period. During the fiscal 
2005 period, income from  subleasing activities and other  income 
was  approximately  $217,000  higher  than  the  fiscal  2004  period 
primarily due to the termination of unprofitable leases, which was 
partially offset by lower investment income and amortized deferred 
income. Additionally, gains associated with the sale of fixed assets 
were approximately $122,000 lower during the fiscal 2005 period 
than  during  the  fiscal  2004  period.  In  the  fiscal  2004  period  net 
gains of $149,000 were realized, primarily in connection with the 
sale of two Company-owned restaurants to franchisees.

Interest income was $238,000 in the fiscal 2005 period versus 
$199,000 in the fiscal 2004 period due primarily to earning higher 
interest  income  from  our  marketable  investment  securities  and 
lower interest income on notes receivable which were determined 
to be impaired during the fiscal year ended March 28, 2004.

Costs and Expenses from Continuing Operations

  Cost of sales increased by $3,068,000 to $17,266,000 in the 
fiscal  2005  period  from  $14,198,000  in  the  fiscal  2004  period. 
Higher costs of approximately $2,868,000 were incurred primarily 
in  connection  with  the  growth  of  our  Branded  Product  Program. 
Increased  costs  were  also  incurred  in  connection  with  our  QVC 
marketing program and higher commodity costs of both programs 
during the fiscal 2005 period. During the fiscal 2005 period, res-
taurant  cost  of  sales  was  lower  than  the  fiscal  2004  period  by 
approximately  $706,000.  Restaurant  cost  of  sales  were  lower  by 
approximately  $919,000  as  a  result  of  operating  five  fewer 
Company-owned  restaurants  during  the  fiscal  2005  period.  The 
cost of restaurant sales at our comparable units as a percentage of 
restaurant sales was 60.3% in the fiscal 2005 period as compared 
to 61.1% in the fiscal 2004 period. This decrease was the result of 
lower labor and related costs, which were  partly offset by  higher 
food  costs.  The  cost  of  beef  products  has  continued  to  increase 
since  the  beginning  of  fiscal  2004.  The  cost  of  hot  dogs  was 
approximately 7.1% higher during the fiscal 2005 period than the 
fiscal 2004 period. In response to cost increases during fiscal 2004, 
Nathan’s  increased  selling  prices  within  its  Branded  Product 
Program  where  possible  to  offset  some  of  the  margin  pressure  
during  the  second  half  of  fiscal  2004.  Nathan’s  had  previously 
increased menu prices in its Company-operated restaurants due to 
these rising costs.

  Restaurant  operating  expenses  decreased  by  $378,000  to 
$3,063,000  in  the  fiscal  2005  period  from  $3,441,000  in  the  
fiscal  2004  period.  Restaurant  operating  expenses  were  lower  by 
$456,000  as  a  result  of  operating  five  fewer  restaurants,  which 
were  partly  offset  by  higher  marketing,  and  insurance  costs. 
Insurance costs during the fiscal 2004 period were lower as a result 
of the reversal of previously recorded insurance accruals for items 
that were concluded without further payment by Nathan’s.

  Depreciation  and  amortization  was  $918,000  in  the  fiscal 

2005 period as compared to $923,000 in the fiscal 2004 period.

  Amortization  of  intangible  assets  was  $263,000  in  the  fiscal 

2005 period and $261,000 in the fiscal 2004 period.

  General  and  administrative  expenses  increased  by  $822,000 
to $8,341,000 in the fiscal 2005 period as compared to $7,519,000 
in the fiscal 2004 period. The increase in general and administra-
tive  expenses  was  due  primarily  to  higher  personnel,  severance 
and incentive compensation expenses of approximately $588,000 
and higher corporate insurance expense of approximately $65,000. 
Insurance costs during the fiscal 2004 period were lower as a result 
of the reversal of previously recorded insurance accruals for items 
that were concluded without further payment by Nathan’s. During 
the  fiscal  2004  period,  Nathan’s  recorded  an  expense  reversal  of 
approximately  $50,000  from  the  settlement  of  a  disputed  claim 
for less than the anticipated amount.

Interest  expense  was  $49,000  during  the  fiscal  2005  period 
as compared to $75,000 during the fiscal 2004 period. The reduc-
tion in interest expense relates primarily to the repayment of out-
standing loans between the two periods.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

9

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

  No  notes  receivable  were  determined  to  be  impaired  during 
the  fiscal  2005  period.  Impairment  charge  on  notes  receivable  of 
$208,000 during the fiscal 2004 period represents the write-down 
of  two  notes  receivable,  due  to  the  failure  of  the  franchisees  to 
make required payments to us.

Provision for Income Taxes

In  the  fiscal  2005  period,  the  income  tax  provision  was 
$1,557,000 or 35.3% of income from continuing operations before 
income taxes as compared to $1,200,000 or 37.1% of income from 
continuing  operations  before  income  taxes  in  the  fiscal  2004 
period.  During  the  third  quarter  fiscal  2005,  Nathan’s  received  a 
refund of prior years’ state income taxes, which, net of applicable 
federal  income  tax,  was  approximately  $81,000,  lowering  the 
effective tax rate by 1.9% for the fiscal 2005 period.

Discontinued Operations

  The  fiscal  2005  period  and  fiscal  2004  period  include  the 
results  of  one  restaurant  that  was  closed  pursuant  to  its  lease  
expiration  on  September  12,  2004.  Revenues  generated  by  this 
restaurant  were  $415,000  and  $917,000  during  the  fiscal  2005 
and  2004  periods,  respectively.  On  July  13,  2005,  we  sold  a  
vacant  piece  of  property  in  Brooklyn,  NY  to  a  third  party,  which 
was  classified  as  “available-for-sale”  at  March  27,  2005.  Losses 
before  income  taxes  from  the  vacant  land  and  the  restaurant  
were  $199,000  and  $244,000  during  the  fiscal  2005  and  2004 
periods, respectively.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

  We are not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

  Cash  and  cash  equivalents  at  March  26,  2006  aggregated 
$3,009,000, increasing by $74,000 during the fiscal 2006 period. 
At March 26, 2006, marketable securities increased by $5,241,000 
from  March  27,  2005  to  $16,882,000  and  net  working  capital 
increased to $19,075,000 from $14,009,000 at March 27, 2005.

  Cash provided by operations of $4,061,000 in the fiscal 2006 
period is primarily attributable to net income, excluding the gains 
on sales of fixed assets, of $2,692,000, plus non-cash expenses of 
$1,566,000 and an income tax benefit from the exercise of stock 
options  of  $394,000.  Changes  in  operating  assets  and  liabilities 
reduced  cash  by  $591,000  due  to  increased  accounts  receivable 
and  notes  receivable  of  $678,000  resulting  primarily  from  higher 
sales  of  the  Branded  Product  Program,  increased  royalties  from 
franchisees  and  retail  licensees,  increased  inventory  in  support  of 
our  Branded  Product  Program  of  $129,000,  increased  prepaid 
expenses and other current assets of $112,000, reductions of other 
liabilities  of  $142,000  and  deferred  fees  of  $119,000  that  were 
recognized into income, which were partly offset by an increase in 
accounts payable and accrued expenses of $600,000.

  We  used  cash  for  investment  purposes  of  $3,802,000  in  
the  fiscal  2006  period  in  investment  securities  as  a  result  of  the  
net  purchase  of  available-for-sale  securities  of  $5,632,000,  the 
purchase  of  the  intellectual  property  of  Arthur  Treacher’s  of 

$1,346,000, including legal fees, and invested $795,000 in capital 
expenditures. During the fiscal 2006 period, we received proceeds 
of $3,621,000 from the sale of vacant land, the sale of our lease-
hold interest in an adjacent piece of vacant land and from the sale 
of  another  restaurant  to  a  franchisee.  A  property  that  we  pre-
viously  leased,  which  lease  was  assigned  on  July  13,  2005  for  a 
total consideration of $500,000, of which $100,000 was received, 
was sold on January 18, 2006. Nathan’s also received payments of 
$350,000 on certain of its notes receivable.

  We used cash in our financing activities of $185,000. During 
the fiscal 2006 period, we repaid bank debt and capitalized lease 
obligations  in  the  amount  of  $827,000.  On  January  13,  2006, 
Nathan’s prepaid the balance of its subsidiaries’ outstanding bank 
loan payable in the amount of $694,000. The principal on the loan 
had  been  due  in  equal  monthly  installments  through  February 
2010. Interest was at prime plus 0.25%, or 4.50% through January 
2006.  The  interest  rate  was  scheduled  to  adjust  to  prime  plus 
0.25% in January 2006 and January 2009. We also received pro-
ceeds  of  $642,000  from  the  exercise  of  employee  stock  options 
during the fiscal 2006 period.

  On September 14, 2001, Nathan’s was authorized to purchase 
up to one million shares of its common stock. Pursuant to its stock 
repurchase program, it repurchased one million shares of common 
stock  in  open  market  transactions  and  a  private  transaction  at  a 
total cost of $3,670,000 through the quarter ended September 29, 
2002. On October 7, 2002, Nathan’s was authorized to purchase 
up to one million additional shares of its common stock. Through 
March 26, 2006, Nathan’s purchased 891,100 shares of common 
stock  at  a  cost  of  approximately  $3,488,000.  To  date,  Nathan’s 
has  purchased  a  total  of  1,891,100  shares  of  common  stock  at  a 
cost  of  approximately  $7,158,000.  There  were  no  repurchases  of 
the  Company’s  common  stock  during  the  fifty-two  weeks  ended 
March  26,  2006.  Nathan’s  expects  to  make  additional  purchases 
of  stock  from  time  to  time,  depending  on  market  conditions,  in 
open  market  or  in  privately  negotiated  transactions,  at  prices 
deemed appropriate by management. There is no set time limit on 
the  purchases.  Nathan’s  expects  to  fund  these  stock  repurchases 
from its operating cash flow.

  We expect that we will make additional investments in certain 
existing  restaurants  and  support  the  growth  of  the  Branded 
Product  Program  in  the  future  and  fund  those  investments  from 
our operating cash flow. We may also incur capital expenditures in 
connection with opportunistic investments on a case-by-case basis.
  There are currently 29 properties that we either own or lease 
from  third  parties  which  we  lease  or  sublease  to  franchisees,  
operating managers and non-franchisees. We remain contingently 
liable for all costs associated with these properties including: rent, 
property taxes and insurance. We may incur future cash payments 
with respect to such properties, consisting primarily of future lease 
payments, including costs and expenses associated with terminat-
ing  any  of  such  leases.  Additionally,  we  guaranteed  financing  on 
behalf  of  certain  franchisees  with  two  third-party  lenders.  Our 
maximum obligation for loans funded by the lenders as of March 
26, 2006 was approximately $205,000.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

10

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  The  following  schedules  represent  Nathan’s  cash  contractual  obligations  and  the  expiration  of  other  contractual  commitments  by 

maturity (in thousands):

Cash Contractual Obligations

Capital Lease Obligations
Employment Agreements
Operating Leases

  Gross Cash Contractual Obligations
Sublease Income

  Net Cash Contractual Obligations

Other Contractual Commitments

Loan Guarantees

Total Commercial Commitments

Payments Due by Period

Total

$ 

39
1,508
11,925

13,472
7,227

Less than  
1 Year

$       8
749
3,364

4,121
1,878

1–3 Years

4–5 Years

$     18
572
4,737

5,327
2,703

$     13
187
2,487

2,687
1,585

After  
5 Years

$  —
—
$1,337

1,337
1,061

$  6,245

$2,243

$2,624

$1,102

$  276

Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period

Total 
Amounts 
Committed

$205

$205

Less than  
1 Year

$205

$205

1–3 Years

4–5 Years

$—

$—

$—

$—

After  
5 Years

$—

$—

  Management believes that available cash, marketable invest-
ment  securities,  and  internally  generated  funds  should  provide  
sufficient  capital  to  finance  our  operations  for  at  least  the  next 
twelve months. We currently maintain a $7,500,000 uncommitted 
bank line of credit and have never borrowed any funds under this 
line of credit.

Seasonality

  Our business is affected by seasonal fluctuations, the effects 
of weather and economic conditions. Historically, restaurant sales 
from  Company-owned  restaurants,  franchised  restaurants  from 
which royalties are earned and the Company’s earnings have been 
highest  during  our  first  two  fiscal  quarters  with  the  fourth  fiscal 
quarter typically representing the slowest period. This seasonality 
is  primarily  attributable  to  weather  conditions  in  the  marketplace 
for  our  Company-owned  and  franchised  Nathan’s  restaurants, 
which is principally the New York metropolitan area. As a result of 
the  changing  composition  of  the  Miami  Subs’  restaurant  system, 
sales, and the resulting royalties derived, are less seasonally depen-
dant  despite  the  ongoing  concentration  of  restaurants  being 
located  in  Florida.  Notwithstanding  the  continued  growth  of  our 
Branded  Product  Program  and  the  reduced  number  of  our 
Company-owned restaurants, we believe that future revenues and 
profits will continue to be highest during our first two fiscal quar-
ters with the fourth fiscal quarter representing the slowest period.

Inflationary Impact

  We believe that general inflation has not materially impacted 
earnings  during  the  past  three  years.  Nevertheless,  during  that 
period  of  time  our  commodity  costs  for  beef  have  increased  sig-
nificantly  while  other  costs  have  increased  slightly.  Beginning  
with fiscal 2004, throughout fiscal 2005 and into the first half of 
fiscal 2006, the price of our beef products rose dramatically over  

historical norms before softening somewhat during the second half 
of  fiscal  2006.  As  previously  discussed,  Nathan’s  has  increased 
prices  in  response  to  the  increased  commodity  costs.  In  addition, 
during  fiscal  2004,  fiscal  2005  and  fiscal  2006,  we  have  realized 
the  impact  of  higher  oil  prices  in  the  form  of  higher  distribution 
costs for our products and utility costs in our Company-owned res-
taurants.  From  time  to  time,  various  Federal  and  New  York  State 
legislators have proposed changes to the minimum wage require-
ments. Effective January 1, 2006, the Federal minimum wage was 
increased from $6.35 to $6.75 per hour. This increase has not had 
a material impact on our results of operations or financial position 
as  the  vast  majority  of  our  employees  were  not  affected  by  this 
increase.  Although  we  only  operate  six  Company-owned  restau-
rants,  we  believe  that  significant  increases  in  the  minimum  wage 
could  have  a  significant  financial  impact  on  our  financial  results 
and  the  results  of  our  franchisees.  Continued  increases  in  labor, 
food  and  other  operating  expenses  could  adversely  affect  our 
operations and those of the restaurant industry and we might have 
to  further  reconsider  our  pricing  strategy  as  a  means  to  offset 
reduced operating margins.

  The Company’s business, financial condition, operating results 
and cash flows can be impacted by a number of factors, including 
but  not  limited  to  those  set  forth  above  in  “Management’s 
Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of 
Operations,”  any  one  of  which  could  cause  our  actual  results  to 
vary  materially  from  recent  results  or  from  our  anticipated  future 
results.  For  a  discussion  identifying  additional  risk  factors  and 
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materi-
ally from those anticipated, also see the discussions in “Forward-
Looking  Statements,”  “Risk  Factors”  and  “Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial  Statements”  in  this  annual  report  or  the  Company’s 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2006.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

11

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Cash and Cash Equivalents

cash  equivalents  would  increase  or  decrease  by  approximately 
$7,500 per annum for each 0.25% change in interest rates.

  We have historically invested our cash and cash equivalents in 
short-term,  fixed  rate,  highly  rated  and  highly  liquid  instruments, 
which  are  reinvested  when  they  mature  throughout  the  year. 
Although  our  existing  investments  are  not  considered  at  risk  
with  respect  to  changes  in  interest  rates  or  markets  for  these  
instruments,  our  rate  of  return  on  short-term  investments  could  
be  affected  at  the  time  of  reinvestment  as  a  result  of  inter-
vening  events.  As  of  March  26,  2006,  Nathans’  cash  and  cash 
equivalents  aggregated  $3,009,000.  Earnings  on  these  cash  and 

Marketable Investment Securities

  We  have  invested  our  marketable  investment  securities  in 
intermediate term, fixed rate, highly rated and highly liquid instru-
ments.  These  investments  are  subject  to  fluctuations  in  interest 
rates. As of March 26, 2006, the market value of Nathans’ market-
able  investment  securities  aggregated  $16,882,000.  Interest 
income on these marketable investment securities would increase 
or decrease by approximately $42,200 per annum for each 0.25% 
change in interest rates.

  The  following  chart  presents  the  hypothetical  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  marketable  investment  securities  held  at  March  26, 

2006 that are sensitive to interest rate fluctuations (in thousands):

Valuation of Securities  
Given an Interest Rate  
Decrease of X Basis Points

(150BPS)

(100BPS)

(50BPS)

Fair  
Value

Valuation of Securities  
Given an Interest Rate  
Increase of X Basis Points

+50BPS

+100BPS

+150BPS

Municipal notes and bonds

$17,888

$17,544

$17,208

$16,882

$16,562

$16,249

$15,943

Borrowings

  The  interest  rate  on  our  borrowings  is  generally  determined 
based upon the prime rate and may be subject to market fluctua-
tion as the prime rate changes as determined within each specific 
agreement. We do not anticipate entering into interest rate swaps 
or other financial instruments to hedge our borrowings. At March 
26,  2006,  total  outstanding  debt,  which  was  comprised  solely  of 
capital leases, aggregated $39,000, none of which is at risk due to 
changes  in  interest  rates.  Nathan’s  also  maintains  a  $7,500,000 
credit  line  at  the  prime  rate  (7.50%  as  of  March  28,  2006).  The 
Company  has  never  borrowed  any  funds  under  its  credit  lines. 
Accordingly,  the  Company  does  not  believe  that  fluctuations  in 
interest rates would have a material impact on its financial results.

Commodity Costs

  The  cost  of  commodities  are  subject  to  market  fluctuation. 
We have not attempted to hedge against fluctuations in the prices 
of the commodities we purchase using future, forward, option or 
other  instruments.  As  a  result,  our  future  commodities  purchases 
are subject to changes in the prices of such commodities. Generally, 
we attempt to pass through permanent increases in our commod-
ity prices to our customers, thereby reducing the impact  of  long-
term increases on our financial results. Beginning with fiscal 2004, 
throughout  fiscal  2005  and  into  the  first  half  of  fiscal  2006,  the 
price of our beef products rose dramatically over historical norms 
before softening somewhat during the second half of fiscal 2006. 
The  increases  were  initially  caused  by  reductions  in  the  supply  of 
beef primarily due to: 1) the prohibition since May 2003 on import-
ing  of  Canadian  beef  livestock  into  the  U.S.,  2)  the  decrease  in 
imports  of  Australian  beef  due  to  local  drought  conditions  and  

3) the export of United States beef had increased through December  
23, 2003 when the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopa-
thy,  otherwise  known  as  BSE  in  the  United  States  was  reported. 
Although the export of beef by the United States was significantly 
reduced  as  a  result  of  this  finding,  beef  costs  have  continued  to 
rise, hitting a high during June 2005. During 2005, the Canadian 
border was partially re-opened to the beef trade to allow import-
ing Canadian beef that is less than 30 months old into the United 
States. As a result, supply has increased and the price of beef has 
been somewhat lowered. Nathan’s cost of its hot dogs was approx-
imately 1.3% higher during the fifty-two weeks ended March 26, 
2006 than the fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2005, which is in 
addition  to  an  approximately  7.16%  increase  over  the  fifty-two 
weeks  ended  March  28,  2004.  Nathan’s  has  already  been  forced 
to increase menu prices in its Company-operated restaurants and 
had increased prices within its Branded Product Program to offset 
some of the margin pressure. A short-term increase or decrease of 
10%  in  the  cost  of  our  food  and  paper  products  for  the  entire 
fifty-two  weeks  ended  March  26,  2006  would  have  increased  or 
decreased cost of sales by approximately $1,694,000.

  On  December  23,  2003,  the  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture  (“USDA”)  announced  that  the  first  case  of  bovine 
spongiform encephalopathy, otherwise known as BSE, or mad-cow 
disease was discovered in the United States in a single cow in the 
State  of  Washington.  Nathan’s  obtained  written  assurances  from 
its beef processors that Nathan’s products did not come from the 
meat processing plants associated with the production of products 
having to do with this incident. Nathan’s demand for its products 
continued to be strong and Nathan’s did not experience any mate-
rial sales impact in connection with that incident.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

12

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Foreign Currencies

  Foreign  franchisees  generally  conduct  business  with  us  and 
make payments in United States dollars, reducing the risks inherent 
with  changes  in  the  values  of  foreign  currencies.  As  a  result,  we 
have not purchased future contracts, options or other instruments 
to hedge against changes in values of foreign currencies and we do 
not  believe  fluctuations  in  the  value  of  foreign  currencies  would 
have a material impact on our financial results.

Forward-Looking Statements

  Statements  in  this  annual  report  may  be  “forward-looking 
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation 
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are 
not  limited  to,  statements  that  express  our  intentions,  beliefs, 
expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating 
to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These 
statements  are  based  on  current  expectations,  estimates  and 
projections  about  our  business  based,  in  part,  on  assumptions 
made  by  management.  These  statements  are  not  guarantees  of 
future  performance  and  involve  risks,  uncertainties  and  assump-
tions  that  are  difficult  to  predict.  These  risks  and  uncertainties, 
many  of  which  are  not  within  our  control,  include,  but  are  not 
limited to: the future effects of the first case of bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy, BSE, identified in the United States on December 23, 
2003; economic, weather, legislative and business conditions; the 
collectibility of receivables; changes in consumer tastes; the ability 
to  continue  to  attract  franchisees;  no  material  increases  in  the 
minimum  wage;  and  our  ability  to  attract  competent  restaurant 
and  managerial  personnel,  as  well  as  those  risks  discussed  from 
time  to  time  in  this  annual  report  for  the  year  ended  March  26, 
2006,  and  in  other  documents  which  we  file  with  the  Securities 
and Exchange Commission. Therefore, actual outcomes and results 
may  differ  materially  from  what  is  expressed  or  forecasted  in  the 
forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking 
statements  with  the  words  “believe,”  “intend,”  “plan,”  “expect,” 
“anticipate,”  “estimate,”  “will,”  “should”  and  similar  expressions. 
Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which 
they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update 
any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances 
after the date of this annual report.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

13

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

A S S E T S
Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents
  Marketable securities
  Notes and accounts receivable, net

Inventories

  Assets available for sale
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  Deferred income taxes

  Total current assets

  Notes receivable, net
  Property and equipment, net
  Goodwill

Intangible assets, net
  Deferred income taxes
  Other assets, net

L I A B I L I T I E S   A N D   S T O C K H O L D E R S ’   E Q U I T Y
Current Liabilities
  Current maturities of note payable and capital lease obligations
  Accounts payable
  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
  Deferred franchise fees

  Total current liabilities

  Note payable and capital lease obligations, less current maturities
  Other liabilities

  Total liabilities

Commitments and Contingencies (Note L)
Stockholders’ Equity

 Common stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 7,600,399 and 7,440,317 shares issued;  
and 5,709,299 and 5,549,217 shares outstanding at March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005 respectively

  Additional paid-in capital
  Deferred compensation
  Accumulated deficit
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  Treasury stock, at cost, 1,891,100 shares at March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005

  Total stockholders’ equity

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

$  3,009
16,882
3,908
817
—
1,019
1,364

26,999
137
4,568
95
3,884
1,484
256

$   2,935
11,641
3,591
688
688
907
1,168

21,618
136
4,583
95
2,800
1,792
245

$37,423

$ 31,269

$         8
2,091
5,606
219

7,924
31
1,420

9,375

$      174
2,009
5,088
338

7,609
692
1,612

9,913

76
43,699
(208)
(8,197)
(164)

35,206
(7,158)

28,048

74
42,665
(281)
(13,874)
(70)

28,514
(7,158)

21,356

$37,423

$ 31,269

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

14

2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Revenues
  Sales
  Franchise fees and royalties
  License royalties
Interest income
Investment and other income

  Total revenues

Costs and Expenses
  Cost of sales
  Restaurant operating expenses
  Depreciation and amortization
  Amortization of intangible assets
  General and administrative expenses

Interest expense
Impairment charge on notes receivable

  Other (income) expense, net

  Total costs and expenses

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes

Income from continuing operations

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, including gain on disposal of  

discontinued operations of $2,919 in 2006, before income taxes

Income tax expense (benefit)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  Net income

Per Share Information
  Basic income (loss) per share:

Income from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  Net income

  Diluted income (loss) per share:

Income from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  Net income

Weighted average shares used in computing income per share
  Basic

  Diluted

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

Fifty-Two 
Weeks Ended

Fifty-Two 
Weeks Ended 

Fifty-Two 
Weeks Ended 

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

March 28, 
2004

$29,785
6,799
3,569
459
748

41,360

22,225
3,180
812
262
8,552
31
—
—

35,062

6,298
2,353

3,945

2,839
1,107

1,732

$23,296
6,774
3,332
238
655

34,295

17,266
3,063
918
263
8,341
49
—
(16)

29,884

4,411
1,557

2,854

(199)
(82)

(117)

$19,848
6,286
2,970
199
605

29,908

14,198
3,441
923
261
7,519
75
208
45

26,670

3,238
1,200

2,038

(244)
(100)

(144)

$  5,677

$  2,737

$  1,894

$      .71
.31

$    1.02

$      .60
.27

$      .87

$      .54
(.02)

$      .52

$      .47
(.02)

$      .45

$      .38
(.02)

$      .36

$      .36
(.03)

$      .33

5,584,000

5,307,000

5,306,000

6,546,000

6,080,000

5,678,000

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

15

2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands, except share amounts)

Fifty-two weeks ended March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004

Common  Common 
Shares

Stock

Additional 
Paid-in 
Capital

Deferred 
Compensation

Accumulated
Deficit

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive
Income

Treasury Stock, 
at Cost

Shares

Amount

Total  
Stock- 
holders’ 
Equity

Compre- 
hensive  
Income 
(Loss)

7,065,202
—

$71
—

$40,746
—

$      —
—

$(18,505)
—

$   64
—

1,641,238 $(5,993) $16,383
(928)

210,063

(928)

$       —

—

—

—
—

—

7,065,202

142,855

182,260

—
50,000

—
—

—
—

—

—
—

—

71

1

1

—
1

—
—

—
—

—

—

—
—

—

40,746

856

529

172
362

—
—

—
—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—
(363)

82
—

—
—

—

—

—
1,894

—

(16,611)

—

—

—
—

—
—

10

(7)
—

—

67

—

—

—
—

—
—

—

—
—

—

—

—
—

—

10

10

(7)
1,894

(7)
1,894

— $1,897

1,851,301

(6,921)

17,352

—

—

—
—

—

—

—
—

857

530

172
—

—
39,799

—
(237)

82
(237)

—
2,737

—

(137)
—

—

—
—

—

—
—

—

(137)
2,737

(137)
2,737

— $2,600

7,440,317

$74

$42,665

$(281)

$(13,874)

$  (70)

1,891,100 $(7,158) $21,356

160,082

—

—

—
—

—

2

—

—

—
—

—

640

394

—

—
—

—

—

—

73

—
—

—

—

—

—

—
5,677

—

—

—

—

(94)
—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

642

394

73

(94)
5,677

(94)
5,677

— $5,583

Balance, March 30, 2003
Repurchase of treasury stock
Unrealized gains on marketable  
securities, net of deferred  
income taxes of $7

Reclassification adjustment for net  
gains realized in net income, net  
of deferred income taxes of $5

Net income

Comprehensive income

Balance, March 28, 2004
Shares issued in connection with  

the exercise of warrants

Shares issued in connection with  

exercise of employee stock options
Income tax benefit on stock option  

exercises

Issuance of restricted stock award
Amortization of deferred compensation 

relating to restricted stock
Repurchase of treasury stock
Unrealized (losses) on marketable  

securities, net of deferred income  
tax (benefit) of ($95)

Net income

Comprehensive income

Balance, March 27, 2005
Shares issued in connection with  

exercise of employee stock options
Income tax benefit on stock option  

exercises

Amortization of deferred compensation 

relating to restricted stock

Unrealized (losses) on marketable  

securities, net of deferred income  
tax (benefit) of ($63)

Net income

Comprehensive income

Balance, March 26, 2006

7,600,399

$76

$43,699

$(208)

$  (8,197)

$(164)

1,891,100 $(7,158) $28,048

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

16

2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

  Depreciation and amortization
  Amortization of intangible assets
  Amortization of bond premium
  Amortization of deferred compensation
  Gain on disposal of fixed assets
  Loss (gain) on sale of available-for-sale securities

Impairment of long-lived assets
Impairment of notes receivable

  Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts
Income tax benefit on stock option exercises

  Deferred income taxes

  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

  Notes and accounts receivable

Inventories

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  Other assets
  Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
  Deferred franchise fees
  Other liabilities

  Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
  Purchase of available-for-sale securities
  Purchase of intellectual property
  Purchases of property and equipment
  Payments received on notes receivable
  Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

  Net cash used in investing activities

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Principal repayments of notes payable and capitalized lease obligations
  Repurchase of treasury stock
  Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants

  Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

Cash Paid During the Year for:

Interest

Income taxes

Noncash Financing Activities:
  Loans to franchisees in connection with sale of restaurants

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

Fifty-Two 
Weeks Ended

Fifty-Two 
Weeks Ended

Fifty-Two 
Weeks Ended

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

March 28, 
2004

$ 5,677

$ 2,737

$ 1,894

812
262
232
73
(2,985)
2
—
—
10
394
175

(678)
(129)
(112)
(11)
600
(119)
(142)

4,061

2,245
(7,877)
(1,346)
(795)
350
3,621

(3,802)

(827)
—
642

(185)

74
2,935

918
263
155
82
(84)
—
—
—
13
172
915

(1,406)
55
(444)
5
311
165
(549)

3,308

1,357
(5,910)
—
(588)
331
11

(4,799)

(173)
(237)
1,387

977

(514)
3,449

971
261
127
—
(206)
(12)
25
208
(17)
—
945

294
(354)
179
18
467
46
430

5,276

2,497
(5,461)
—
(449)
797
489

(2,127)

(187)
(928)
—

(1,115)

2,034
1,415

$ 3,009

$ 2,935

$ 3,449

$       31

$ 3,040

$       49

$     522

$       74

$     253

$         —

$         —

$     600

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

17

2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004

Note A—Description and Organization of Business

  Nathan’s  Famous,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  (collectively  the 
“Company” or “Nathan’s”) has historically operated or franchised 
a  chain  of  retail  fast  food  restaurants  featuring  the  Nathan’s 
Famous  brand  of  all  beef  frankfurters,  fresh  crinkle-cut  French-
fried potatoes and a variety of other menu offerings. Nathan’s has 
also established a Branded Product Program, which enables food-
service retailers to sell some of Nathan’s proprietary products out-
side  of  the  realm  of  a  traditional  franchise  relationship.  The 
Company, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, is also the franchi-
sor  of  Kenny  Rogers  Roasters  (“Roasters”)  and  Miami  Subs.  The 
Company  is  also  the  owner  of  the  Arthur  Treacher’s  brand  (See 
Note C). Miami Subs features a wide variety of lunch, dinner and 
snack foods, including hot and cold sandwiches and various ethnic 
foods. Roasters features home-style family foods based on a menu 
centered  around  wood-fire  rotisserie  chicken.  Arthur  Treacher’s 
main  product  is  its  “Original  Fish  &  Chips”  product  consisting  of 
fish  fillets  coated  with  a  special  batter  prepared  under  a  proprie-
tary  formula,  deep-fried  golden  brown,  and  served  with  English-
style chips and corn meal “hush puppies.” The Company considers 
its subsidiaries to be in the food service industry, and has pursued 
co-branding  and  co-hosting  initiatives;  accordingly,  management 
has evaluated the Company as a single reporting unit.

  At  March  26,  2006,  the  Company’s  restaurant  system,  con-
sisting  of  Nathan’s  Famous,  Kenny  Rogers  Roasters  and  Miami 
Subs  restaurants,  included  six  company-owned  units  in  the  New 
York City metropolitan area and 362 franchised or licensed units, 
including  five  units  operating  pursuant  to  management  agree-
ments located in 23 states and 11 foreign countries.

Note B—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

  The following significant accounting policies have been applied 

in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:

1. Principles of Consolidation

  The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  
of  the  Company  and  all  of  its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.  All  
significant  inter-company  balances  and  transactions  have  been 
eliminated in consolidation.

2. Fiscal Year

  The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in March, 
which results in a 52- or 53-week reporting period. The results of 
operations  and  cash  flows  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  26, 
2006, March 27, 2005, and March 28, 2004 are all on the basis of 
52-week reporting periods.

3. Use of Estimates

  The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with 
accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of 
America requires management to make estimates and assumptions  

that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  
disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of  the 
financial  statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and 
expenses  during  the  reporting  period.  Actual  results  could  differ 
from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management 
in preparing the consolidated financial statements include revenue 
recognition,  the  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts,  the  allowance 
for  impaired  notes  receivable,  the  self-insurance  reserve  and 
impairment charges on goodwill and long-lived assets.

4. Cash and Cash Equivalents

  The  Company  considers  all  highly  liquid  instruments  pur-
chased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash 
equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents is cash restricted 
for untendered shares associated with the acquisition of Nathan’s 
in 1987 of $83 at March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005.

5. Impairment of Notes Receivable

  Nathan’s  follows  the  guidance  in  Statement  of  Financial 
Accounting  Standards  (“SFAS”)  No.  114  (“SFAS  No.  114”) 
“Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan,” as amended. 
Pursuant  to  SFAS  No.  114,  a  loan  is  impaired  when,  based  on  
current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be 
unable  to  collect  all  amounts  due  according  to  the  contractual 
terms of the loan agreement. When evaluating a note for impair-
ment,  the  factors  considered  include:  (a)  indications  that  the  
borrower  is  experiencing  business  problems  such  as  operating 
losses, marginal working capital, inadequate cash flow or business 
interruptions,  (b)  loans  secured  by  collateral  that  is  not  readily 
marketable,  or  (c)  loans  that  are  susceptible  to  deterioration  in 
realizable  value.  When  determining  impairment,  management’s 
assessment  includes  its  intention  to  extend  certain  leases  beyond 
the minimum lease term and the debtor’s ability to meet its obli-
gation  over  that  extended  term.  In  certain  cases  where  Nathan’s 
has  determined  that  a  loan  has  been  impaired,  it  generally  does 
not  expect  to  extend  or  renew  the  underlying  leases.  Based  on  
the  Company’s  analysis,  it  has  determined  that  there  are  notes  
that  have  incurred  such  an  impairment.  Following  are  summaries 
of  impaired  notes  receivable  and  the  allowance  for  impaired  
notes receivable:

Total recorded investment in impaired notes 

receivable

Allowance for impaired notes receivable

Recorded investment in impaired notes  

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

$ 1,801
(1,680)

$ 1,836
(1,701)

receivable, net

$     121

$     135

Allowance for impaired notes receivable at 

beginning of the fiscal year

Recovery of impaired notes receivable
Impaired notes written off

Allowance for impaired notes receivable at 

$ 1,701
(21)
—

$ 2,051
—
(350)

end of the fiscal year

$ 1,680

$ 1,701

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

18

2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Based  on  the  present  value  of  the  estimated  cash  flows  of 
identified impaired notes receivable, the Company records interest 
income on its impaired notes receivable on a cash basis. The fol-
lowing  represents  the  interest  income  recognized  and  average 
recorded investment of impaired notes receivable.

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

March 28, 
2004

$       1

$     13

$     19

$1,817

$1,942

$2,341

Interest income recorded on 
impaired notes receivable
Average recorded investment  
in impaired notes receivable

6. Inventories

Inventories,  which  are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  market 
value,  consist  primarily  of  food  and  supplies.  Inventories  also 
include  equipment  and  marketing  items  in  connection  with  the 
Branded  Product  Program.  Cost  is  determined  using  the  first-in, 
first-out method.

7. Marketable Securities

In  accordance  with  SFAS  No.  115,  “Accounting  for  Certain 
Investments  in  Debt  and  Equity  Securities,”  the  Company  deter-
mines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of pur-
chase  and  reassesses  the  appropriateness  of  the  classification  at 
each reporting date. At March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005, all 
marketable securities held by the Company have been classified as 
available-for-sale  and,  as  a  result,  are  stated  at  fair  value,  with 
unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities included 
as  a  component  of  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss  in  the 
accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheet.  Realized  gains  and 
losses on the sale of securities, as determined on a specific identi-
fication  basis,  are  included  in  the  accompanying  consolidated 
statements of earnings (See Note F).

8. Sales of Restaurants

  The Company observes the provisions of SFAS No. 66, “Account-
ing  for  Sales  of  Real  Estate,”  (“SFAS  No.  66”)  which  establishes 
accounting standards for recognizing profit or loss on sales of real 
estate.  SFAS  No.  66  provides  for  profit  recognition  by  the  full 
accrual method, provided (a) the profit is determinable, that is, the 

collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured or the amount 
that will not be collectible can be estimated, and (b) the earnings 
process  is  virtually  complete,  that  is,  the  seller  is  not  obliged  to 
perform significant activities after the sale to earn the profit. Unless 
both  conditions  exist,  recognition  of  all  or  part  of  the  profit  shall 
be postponed and other methods of profit recognition shall be fol-
lowed. In accordance with SFAS No. 66, the Company recognizes 
profit  on  sales  of  restaurants  under  the  full  accrual  method,  the 
installment  method  and  the  deposit  method,  depending  on  the 
specific  terms  of  each  sale.  The  Company  records  depreciation 
expense  on  the  property  subject  to  the  sales  contracts  that  are 
accounted for under the deposit method and records any principal 
payments received as a deposit until such time that the transaction 
meets the sales criteria of SFAS No. 66.

  As of March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005, the Company had 
deferred gains, included in other liabilities, on the sales of restau-
rants,  which  are  accounted  for  under  the  installment  method,  of 
$145 and $196, respectively. Installment gains recognized in earn-
ings  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005 
and March 28, 2004 were $51, $73 and $205, respectively.

9. Property and Equipment

  Property  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated 
depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are 
calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives 
of  the  assets.  Leasehold  improvements  are  amortized  over  the 
shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term of the related 
asset. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Building and improvements
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures
Leasehold improvements

5–25 years
5–15 years
5–20 years

10. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Intangible  assets  primarily  consist  of  (i)  the  goodwill  of  $95 
resulting from the acquisition of Nathan’s in 1987; (ii) trademarks, 
trade  names  and  franchise  rights  of  $460  in  connection  with 
Roasters,  (iii)  trademarks,  trade  names  and  franchise  rights  of 
$2,075 in connection with Miami Subs and (iv) trademarks, trade 
names  and  other  intellectual  property  of  $1,346  in  connection 
with Arthur Treachers (See Note C).

  The table below presents amortized and unamortized intangible assets as of March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005:

Amortized intangible assets:
  Royalty streams
  Favorable leases
  Other

Unamortized intangible assets:
  Trademarks and tradenames

  Goodwill

March 26, 2006

March 27, 2005

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

Net 
Carrying 
Amount

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

Net 
Carrying 
Amount

$4,259
285
6

$4,550

$(1,792)
(285)
(3)

$(2,080)

$2,467
—
3

$4,259
285
6

$2,470

$4,550

$(1,531)
(285)
(2)

$(1,818)

1,414

$3,884

$     95

$2,728
—
4

$2,732

68

$2,800

$     95

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

19

2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 (continued)

  As of March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005, the Company has 
performed  its  required  annual  impairment  test  of  goodwill  and 
other intangible assets, and determined no impairment is deemed 
to exist.

  Total  amortization  expense  for  intangible  assets  was  $262, 
$263 and $261 for the fiscal years ended March 26, 2006, March 
27,  2005  and  March  28,  2004.  The  Company  estimates  future 
annual  amortization  expense  of  approximately  $262  per  year  for 
each of the next five years.

11. Long-Lived Assets

  Long-lived  assets  are  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever 
events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may 
not be recoverable. Impairment is measured by comparing the car-
rying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted 
future  cash  flows  expected  to  result  from  use  of  the  assets  and 
their ultimate disposition. In instances where impairment is deter-
mined to exist, the Company writes down the asset to its fair value 
based on the present value of estimated future cash flows.

Impairment  losses  are  recorded  on  long-lived  assets  on  a  
restaurant-by-restaurant  basis  whenever  impairment  factors  are 
determined  to  be  present.  The  Company  considers  a  history  of 
restaurant operating losses to be its primary indicator of potential 
impairment  for  individual  restaurant  locations.  No  units  were 
deemed impaired during the fiscal year ended March 26, 2006.

12. Self-Insurance

  The Company is self-insured for portions of its general liability 
coverage. As part of Nathan’s risk management strategy, its insur-
ance  programs  include  deductibles  for  each  incident  and  in  the 
aggregate  for  a  policy  year.  As  such,  Nathan’s  accrues  estimates  
of  its  ultimate  self-insurance  costs  throughout  the  policy  year. 
These  estimates  have  been  developed  based  upon  Nathan’s  
historical  trends,  however,  the  final  cost  of  many  of  these  claims 
may not be known for five years or longer. Accordingly, Nathan’s 
annual  self-insurance  costs  may  be  subject  to  adjustment  from 
previous  estimates  as  facts  and  circumstances  change.  The  self-
insurance  accruals  at  March  26,  2006  and  March  27,  2005  were 
$281 and $324, respectively and are included in “accrued expenses 
and  other  current  liabilities”  in  the  accompanying  consolidated 
balance sheets.

  During the fifty-two weeks ended March 26, 2006 and March 
27,  2005,  the  Company  reversed  approximately  $55  and  $71, 
respectively,  of  previously  recorded  insurance  accruals  to  reflect 
the revised estimated cost of claims. During the fiscal year ended 
March 28, 2004, approximately $268 of previously recorded insur-
ance accruals for items that have been concluded without further 
payment were reversed.

13. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

  The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, market-
able securities, accounts receivable and accounts payable approxi-
mate fair value due to the short-term maturities of the instruments.  
The carrying amounts of note payable and capital lease obligations 
and  notes  receivable  approximate  their  fair  values  as  the  current 
interest  rates  on  such  instruments  approximates  current  market 
interest rates on similar instruments.

14. Stock-Based Compensation

  At  March  26,  2006,  the  Company  has  five  stock-based 
employee  compensation  plans,  which  are  more  fully  described  in 
Note  K.  The  Company  accounts  for  stock-based  compensation 
using  the  intrinsic  value  method  in  accordance  with  Accounting 
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to 
Employees,”  and  related  Interpretations  (“APB  No.  25”)  and  has 
adopted  the  disclosure  provisions  of  SFAS  No.  148  “Accounting  
for  Stock-Based  Compensation-Transition  and  Disclosure.”  Under 
APB  No.  25,  when  the  exercise  price  of  stock  options  granted  to 
employees  or  the  Company’s  independent  directors  equals  the 
market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no com-
pensation  expense  is  recognized.  Accordingly,  no  compensation 
expense  has  been  recognized  in  the  consolidated  financial  state-
ments in connection with employee or independent director stock 
option  grants.  Compensation  expense  for  restricted  stock  awards 
measured  at  the  fair  value  on  the  date  of  grant  based  upon  the 
number  of  shares  granted  and  the  quoted  market  price  of  the 
Company’s  stock.  Such  value  is  recognized  as  expense  over  the 
vesting period of the award.

  The  following  table  illustrates  the  effect  on  net  income  and 
net income per share had the Company applied the fair value rec-
ognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
No.  123,  “Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation,”  to  stock-
based employee compensation.

Net income, as reported
Add: Stock-based compensation 

included in net income
Deduct: Total stock-based 
employee compensation 
expense determined under  
fair value-based method  
for all awards

Fiscal Year Ended

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

March 28, 
2004

$5,677

$2,737

$1,894

44

49

—

(132)

(171)

(170)

Pro forma net income

$5,589

$2,615

$1,724

Net income per share
  Basic—as reported

  Diluted—as reported

  Basic—pro forma

  Diluted—pro forma

$  1.02

$    .87

$  1.00

$    .85

$    .52

$    .45

$    .49

$    .43

$    .36

$    .33

$    .32

$    .30

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Pro forma compensation expense may not be indicative of pro 
forma expense in future years. For purposes of estimating the fair 
value  of  each  option  on  the  date  of  grant,  the  Company  utilized 
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

  The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for 
use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which  have no 
vesting  restrictions  and  are  fully  transferable.  In  addition,  option 
valuation  models  require  the  input  of  highly  subjective  assump-
tions  including  the  expected  stock  price  volatility.  Because  the 
Company’s stock options have characteristics significantly different 
from those of traded options and because changes in the subjec-
tive input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, 
in  management’s  opinion  the  existing  models  do  not  necessarily 
provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee 
stock options. No stock options were granted during the fiscal year 
ended March 26, 2006.

  The  weighted-average  option  fair  values  and  the  assump-
tions  used  to  estimate  these  values  for  stock  options  granted  are 
as follows:

Weighted-average option fair values
Expected life (years)
Interest rate
Volatility
Dividend yield

2005

2004

$2.87
7.0
4.50%
29.9%
0%

$1.60
7.0
3.85%
30.6%
0%

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-
Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”), which revises SFAS No. 123, 
“Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation,”  and  generally 
requires, among other things, that all employee stock-based com-
pensation  be  measured  using  a  fair  value  method  and  that  the 
resulting  compensation  cost  be  recognized  in  the  financial  state-
ments.  SFAS  123R  also  provides  guidance  on  how  to  determine 
the grant-date fair value for awards of equity instruments, as well 
as alternative methods of adopting its requirements. On April 14, 
2005, the SEC delayed the effective date of required adoption of 
SFAS  No.  123R  to  the  beginning  of  the  first  annual  period  after 
June  15,  2005.  The  Company  plans  to  adopt  the  provisions  of 
SFAS No. 123R in the first quarter of fiscal year 2007. The Company 
has evaluated the impact of this standard on its consolidated finan-
cial  statements  and,  based  upon  its  unvested  options  currently 
outstanding, at March 26, 2006, expects to incur pre-tax expenses 
of $103 and $19 during its fiscal years ending March 25, 2007 and 
March 31, 2008, respectively.

15. Start-Up Costs

  Pre-opening and similar costs are expensed as incurred.

16. Revenue Recognition—Branded Products Operations

  The  Company  recognizes  revenue  from  the  Branded  Product 
Program when it is determined that the products have been deliv-
ered via third party common carrier to Nathans’ customers.

17. Revenue Recognition—Company-Owned Restaurants

  Sales  by  Company-owned  restaurants,  which  are  typically 
paid  in  cash  by  the  customer,  are  recognized  upon  the  perfor-
mance of services.

18. Revenue Recognition—Franchising Operations

In  connection  with  its  franchising  operations,  the  Company 
receives  initial  franchise  fees,  development  fees,  royalties,  and  in 
certain  cases,  revenue  from  sub-leasing  restaurant  properties  
to franchisees.

  Franchise  and  area  development  fees,  which  are  typically 
received  prior  to  completion  of  the  revenue  recognition  process, 
are recorded as deferred revenue. Initial franchise fees, which are 
non-refundable,  are  recognized  as  income  when  substantially  all 
services  to  be  performed  by  Nathan’s  and  conditions  relating  to 
the sale of the franchise have been performed or satisfied, which 
generally  occurs  when  the  franchised  restaurant  commences  
operations.

  The following services are typically provided by the Company 

prior to the opening of a franchised restaurant:

  •   Approval of all site selections to be developed.
  •   Provision of architectural plans suitable for restaurants to be 

developed.

  •   Assistance  in  establishing  building  design  specifications, 
reviewing construction compliance and equipping the  
restaurant.

  •   Provision of appropriate menus to coordinate with the res-

taurant design and location to be developed.

  •   Provide  management  training  for  the  new  franchisee  and 

selected staff.

  •   Assistance  with  the  initial  operations  of  restaurants  being 

developed.

  At  March  26,  2006  and  March  27,  2005,  $219  and  $338, 
respectively, of deferred franchise fees are included in the accom-
panying  consolidated  balance  sheets.  For  the  fiscal  years  ended 
March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005  and  March  28,  2004,  the 
Company earned franchise fees from new unit openings, transfers 
and co-branding of $665, $605 and $556, respectively.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 (continued)

  Development  fees  are  nonrefundable  and  the  related  agree-
ments require the franchisee to open a specified number of restau-
rants in the development area within a specified time period or the 
agreements  may  be  canceled  by  the  Company.  Revenue  from 
development agreements is deferred and recognized as restaurants 
in the development area commence operations on a pro rata basis 
to the minimum number of restaurants required to be open, or at 
the  time  the  development  agreement  is  effectively  canceled.  At 
March  26,  2006  and  March  27,  2005,  $242  and  $316,  respec-
tively,  of  deferred  development  fee  revenue  is  included  in  the 
accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

  The following is a summary of franchise openings and closings 
for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005  and 
March 28, 2004:

2006

2005

2004

Franchised restaurants operating at the begin-

ning of the period

355

338

343

New franchised restaurants opened during the 

period

Franchised restaurants closed during the period

Franchised restaurants operating at the end of 

30
(23)

39
(22)

40
(45)

the period

362

355

338

  The Company recognizes franchise royalties, which are gener-
ally  based  upon  a  percentage  of  sales  made  by  the  Company’s 
franchisees,  when  they  are  earned  and  deemed  collectible.  Fran-
chise  fees  and  royalties  that  are  not  deemed  to  be  collectible  are 
not recognized as revenue until paid by the franchisee or until col-
lectibility  is  deemed  to  be  reasonably  assured.  Revenue  from  sub- 
leasing  properties  to  franchisees  is  recognized  as  income  as  the 
revenue is earned and becomes receivable and deemed collectible. 
Sub-lease rental income is presented net of associated lease costs 
in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

19. Revenue Recognition—License Royalties

  The  Company  earns  revenue  from  royalties  on  the  licensing  
of the use of its name on certain products produced and sold by 
outside  vendors.  The  use  of  the  Company  name  and  symbols  
must  be  approved  by  the  Company  prior  to  each  specific  appli-
cation  to  ensure  proper  quality  and  project  a  consistent  image. 
Revenue from license royalties is recognized when it is earned and 
deemed collectible.

20. Interest Income

Interest  income  is  recorded  when  it  is  earned  and  deemed 

realizable by the Company.

21. Investment and Other Income

  The Company recognizes gains on the sale of fixed assets under 
the full accrual method, installment method or deposit method in 
accordance with provisions of SFAS No. 66 (See Note B-8).

  Deferred revenue associated with supplier contracts is gener-
ally amortized into income on a straight-line basis over the life of 
the contract.

Investment and other income consists of the following:

Gain on disposal of fixed assets
Realized gains (losses) on marketable securities
Gain (loss) on subleasing of rental properties
Amortization of supplier contributions
Other income

2006

2005

2004

$  66
—
187
361
134

$  84
—
59
407
105

$ 206
12
(166)
455
98

$ 748

$ 655

$ 605

22. Business Concentrations and Geographical Information

  The Company’s accounts receivable consist principally of receiv-
ables  from  franchisees  for  royalties  and  advertising  contributions, 
from  sales  under  the  Branded  Product  Program,  and  for  royalties 
from  retail  licensees.  At  March  26,  2006,  one  retail  licensee,  one 
Branded Products distributor and one franchisee each represented 
12%, 11% and 10% respectively of accounts receivable. At March 
27, 2005, one retail licensee and one franchisee each represented 
19%  and  11%  respectively  of  accounts  receivable.  (See  Note  D). 
No  franchisee,  retail  licensee  or  Branded  Product  customer 
accounted  for  10%  or  more  of  revenues  during  the  fiscal  years 
ended March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004.

  The  Company’s  primary  supplier  of  hot  dogs  represented 
77%,  66%  and  62%  of  product  purchases  for  the  fiscal  years 
ended  March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005  and  March  28,  2004, 
respectively. The Company’s distributor of product to its Company-
owned  restaurants  represented  13%,  24%,  and  34%  of  product 
purchases  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  26,  2006,  March  27, 
2005 and March 28, 2004, respectively.

  The  Company’s  revenues  were  derived  from  the  following 

geographic areas:

Domestic (United States)
Non-domestic

2006

2005

2004

$39,982
1,378

$33,177
1,118

$29,183
725

$41,360

$34,295

$29,908

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23. Advertising

26. Reclassifications

  The Company administers various advertising funds on behalf 
of  its  subsidiaries  and  franchisees  to  coordinate  the  marketing 
efforts of the Company. Under these arrangements, the Company 
collects  and  disburses  fees  paid  by  franchisees  and  Company-
owned  stores  for  national  and  regional  advertising,  promotional 
and  public  relations  programs.  Contributions  to  the  advertising 
funds  are  based  on  specified  percentages  of  net  sales,  generally 
ranging up to 3%. Net Company-owned store advertising expense 
was  $194,  $242,  and  $241,  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  26, 
2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004, respectively.

24. Classification of Operating Expenses

  Cost of sales consists of the following:
  •   The  cost  of  products  sold  by  the  Company-operated  res-
taurants, through the Branded Product Program and other 
distribution channels.

  •   The cost of labor and associated costs of in-store restaurant 

management and crew.

  •   The cost of paper products used in Company-operated  

restaurants.

  •   Other direct costs such as fulfillment, commissions, freight 

and samples.

  Restaurant operating expenses consist of the following:
  •   Occupancy costs of Company-operated restaurants.
  •   Utility costs of Company-operated restaurants.
  •   Repair  and  maintenance  expenses  of  the  Company- 

operated restaurant facilities.

  •   Marketing  and  advertising  expenses  done  locally  and  
contributions  to  advertising  funds  for  Company-operated 
restaurants.

  •   Insurance costs directly related to Company-operated  

restaurants.

25. Income Taxes

  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future 
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial 
statement  carrying  amounts  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and 
their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-
forwards.  Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  measured  using 
enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year 
in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered 
or  settled.  A  valuation  allowance  has  been  established  to  reduce 
deferred tax assets attributable to net operating losses and credits 
of Miami Subs to net realizable value.

  Certain  prior  years’  balances  have  been  reclassified  to  con-

form with current year presentation.

27. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board 
(“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs—an amendment 
of ARB No. 43” (“SFAS No. 151”), which is the result of its efforts 
to  converge  U.S.  accounting  standards  for  inventories  with  Inter-
national Accounting Standards. SFAS No. 151 requires idle facility 
expenses,  freight,  handling  costs,  and  wasted  material  (spoilage) 
costs  to  be  recognized  as  current-period  charges.  It  also  requires  
that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of con-
version be based on the normal capacity of the production facili-
ties.  SFAS  No.  151  will  be  effective  for  inventory  costs  incurred 
during  fiscal  years  beginning  after  June  15,  2005.  The  Company 
has evaluated the impact of this standard on its consolidated finan-
cial statements and does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 151 
will have a material impact on its results of operations.

In  June  2005,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  154,  “Accounting 
Changes  and  Error  Corrections—a  replacement  of  APB  Opinion 
No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” (“SFAS No. 154”). Opinion 20  
previously  required  that  most  voluntary  changes  in  accounting 
principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of 
the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new account-
ing  principle.  SFAS  No.  154  requires  retrospective  application  to 
prior  periods’  financial  statements  of  changes  in  accounting  prin-
ciple,  unless  it  is  impracticable  to  determine  either  the  period- 
specific  effects  or  the  cumulative  effect  of  the  change.  SFAS  No. 
154  is  effective  for  accounting  changes  and  corrections  of  errors 
made  in  fiscal  years  beginning  after  December  15,  2005.  The 
Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 154 to have 
an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Note C—Acquisition

  On February 28, 2006, the Company acquired all trademarks 
and  other  intellectual  property  relating  to  the  Arthur  Treacher’s 
brand  from  PAT  Franchise  Systems,  Inc.  (“PFSI”)  for  $1,250  in  
cash  plus  related  expenses  of  approximately  $96  and  terminated 
its  Co-Branding  Agreement  with  PFSI.  Since  fiscal  2000,  the 
Company  has  successfully  co-branded  certain  Arthur  Treacher’s 
signature products in Nathan’s franchise system. Based upon such 
co-branding  success,  the  Company  acquired  these  assets  to  con-
tinue its co-branding efforts and seek new means of distribution.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 (continued)

  The  Company  simultaneously  granted  back  to  PFSI  a  limited 
license to use the Arthur Treacher’s intellectual property solely for 
the purposes of: (a) PFSI continuing to permit the operation of its  
existing  Arthur  Treacher’s  franchised  restaurant  system  (approxi-
mately 60 restaurants); and (b) PFSI granting rights to third parties 
who  wish  to  develop  new  traditional  Arthur  Treacher’s  quick  ser-
vice  restaurants  in  Indiana,  Maryland,  Michigan,  Ohio,  Pennsyl-
vania, Virginia, Washington D.C. and areas of Northern New York 
State (collectively, the “PFSI Markets”). The Company also retained 
certain  rights  to  sell  franchises  for  the  operation  of  Arthur 
Treacher’s  restaurants  in  certain  circumstances  within  the  geo-
graphic scope of the PFSI Markets. PFSI has no obligation to pay 
fees or royalties to the Company in connection with its use of the 
Arthur Treacher’s system within the PFSI Markets.

  NF Treacher’s Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary, was created 
for the purpose of acquiring these assets. The acquired assets have 
been  recorded  as  trademarks  and  trade  names  based  upon  the 
preliminary  purchase  price  allocation,  which  is  subject  to  adjust-
ment  based  upon  finalization  of  a  valuation,  and  which  will  be 
subject  to  periodic  impairment  testing.  No  restaurants  were 
acquired  in  this  transaction.  Results  of  operations  are  included  in 
these consolidated financial statements since February 28, 2006.

Note D—Income Per Share

  The following presents the pro forma results of operations as 
if the Company had owned these assets at the beginning of each 
of the three years presented:

Fifty-Two 
Weeks Ended

Fifty-Two 
Weeks Ended

Fifty-Two 
Weeks Ended

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

March 28, 
2004

Total revenues

$41,496

$34,450

$30,062

Income from continuing 

operations

Net income

Basic income per share:
 Income from continu-

ing operations

  Net income

Diluted income per share:
 Income from continu-

ing operations

  Net income

4,030

2,954

2,135

$  5,762

$  2,837

$  1,991

$      .72

$    1.03

$      .56

$      .53

$      .40

$      .38

$      .62

$      .88

$      .49

$      .47

$      .38

$      .35

  Basic income per common share is calculated by dividing income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and 
excludes any dilutive effects of stock options or warrants. Diluted income per common share gives effect to all potentially dilutive com-
mon shares that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive common shares used in the computation of diluted income per common 
share result from the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants, using the treasury stock method.

  The  following  chart  provides  a  reconciliation  of  information  used  in  calculating  the  per  share  amounts  for  the  fiscal  years  ended 

March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004, respectively:

Basic EPS
  Basic calculation

 Effect of dilutive employee  

stock options and warrants

Diluted EPS
  Diluted calculation

Income from  
Continuing Operations

2006

2005

2004

2006

Shares

2005

Income Per Share from 
Continuing Operations

2004

2006

2005

2004

$3,945

$2,854

$2,038

5,584,000

5,307,000

5,306,000

$ .71

$ .54

$ .38

—

—

—

962,000

773,000

372,000

(.11)

(.07)

(.02)

$3,945

$2,854

$2,038

6,546,000

6,080,000

5,678,000

$ .60

$ .47

$ .36

  Options  and  warrants  to  purchase  19,500,  367,939  and  1,017,469  shares  of  common  stock  for  the  years  ended  March  26,  2006, 
March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exer-
cise prices exceeded the average market price of common shares during the respective periods.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

24

2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note E—Notes and Accounts Receivable, Net

Note F—Marketable Securities

  Notes and accounts receivable, net, consist of the following:

Notes receivable, net of impairment charges
Franchise and license royalties
Branded product sales
Other

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts
Less: notes receivable due after one year

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

$   182
1,807
1,576
657

4,222
177
137

$   523
1,764
1,167
450

3,904
177
136

Notes and accounts receivable, net

$3,908

$3,591

  Notes  receivable  at  March  26,  2006  and  March  27,  2005  
principally  resulted  from  sales  of  restaurant  businesses  to  Miami 
Sub’s  and  Nathan’s  franchisees  and  are  generally  guaranteed  by 
the  purchaser  and  collateralized  by  the  restaurant  businesses  and 
assets sold. The notes are generally due in monthly installments of 
principal  and  interest  with  a  balloon  payment  at  the  end  of  the 
term, with interest rates ranging principally between 5% and 10% 
(See Note B-5).

  Accounts receivable are due within 30 days and are stated at 
amounts due from franchisees, retail licensees and Branded Product 
Program  customers,  net  of  an  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts. 
Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms 
are  considered  past  due.  The  Company  determines  its  allowance 
by  considering  a  number  of  factors,  including  the  length  of  time 
accounts  receivable  are  past  due,  the  Company’s  previous  loss  
history, the customer’s current and expected future ability to pay 
its  obligation  to  the  Company,  and  the  condition  of  the  general 
economy  and  the  industry  as  a  whole.  The  Company  writes-off 
accounts receivable when they are deemed to be uncollectible.

  The  cost,  gross  unrealized  gains,  gross  unrealized  losses  and 
fair market value for marketable securities, which consists of bonds 
at March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005, are as follows:

Gross 
Unrealized 
Gains

Gross 
Unrealized 
Losses

Fair 
Market 
Value

Cost

2006:
Available-for-sale 

securities

2005:
Available-for-sale 

securities

$ 17,176

$  5

$(299)

$ 16,882

$ 11,778

$24

$(161)

$ 11,641

  As  of  March  26,  2006,  the  bonds  mature  at  various  dates 

between August 2006 and April 2014.

  Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale and trading secu-
rities  and  the  resulting  gross  realized  gains  and  losses  included  in 
the determination of net income are as follows:

Available-for-sale securities:
  Proceeds
  Gross realized gains
  Gross realized losses

2006

2005

2004

$2,245
—
(2)

$1,357
—
—

$2,497
17
(5)

  The  net  unrealized  (losses)  gains  on  available-for-sale 
securities  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  26,  2006,  March  27, 
2005 and March 28, 2004, respectively, of $(94), $(137), and $3, 
which  is  net  of  deferred  income  taxes,  have  been  included  as  a 
component of comprehensive income.

Note G—Property and Equipment, Net

  Changes  in  the  Company’s  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts 

  Property and equipment consists of the following:

are as follows:

Beginning balance
  Bad debt (recoveries) expense
  Other
  Accounts written off

Ending balance

2006

2005

2004

$177
10
—
(10)

$ 328
13
17
(181)

$418
(17)
—
(73)

$177

$ 177

$328

Land
Building and improvements
Machinery, equipment, furniture  

and fixtures

Leasehold improvements
Construction-in-progress

Less: accumulated depreciation  

and amortization

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

$1,094
1,932

5,355
4,377
120

$1,094
1,917

6,021
4,371
9

12,878

13,412

8,310

$4,568

8,829

$4,583

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 (continued)

  Assets under capital lease amounted to $48 at March 26, 2006 
and  March  27,  2005  and  are  fully  amortized  as  of  both  periods. 
Depreciation  and  amortization  expense  on  property  and  equip-
ment was $812, $918, and $971 for the fiscal years ended March 
26, 2006, March 27, 2005, and March 28, 2004, respectively.

1. Sales of Property

  The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 144, “Account-
ing for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 
No. 144”), related to the accounting and reporting for segments of 
a business to be disposed of. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, the 
definition  of  discontinued  operations  includes  components  of  an 
entity  whose  cash  flows  are  clearly  identifiable.  SFAS  No.  144 
requires  the  Company  to  classify  as  discontinued  operations  any 
restaurant  that  it  sells,  abandons  or  otherwise  disposes  of  where 
the  Company  will  have  no  further  involvement  in,  or  cash  flows, 
from such restaurant’s operations.

  During  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  26,  2006,  the  Company 
sold one Company-owned restaurant that it had previously leased 
to  the  operator  pursuant  to  a  management  agreement,  for  total 
cash consideration of $515 and entered into a franchise agreement 
with the buyer to continue operating the restaurant. As the Com-
pany  expects  to  have  a  continuing  stream  of  cash  flows  for  this 
restaurant,  the  results  of  operations  for  this  Company-operated 
restaurant is included as a component of continuing operations in 
the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.

  During  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  26,  2006,  the  Company 
sold all of its right, title and interest in and to a vacant real estate 
parcel previously utilized as a parking lot, adjacent to a Company-
owned restaurant, located in Brooklyn, New York, in exchange for 
a  cash  payment  of  $3,100.  Nathan’s  also  entered  into  an  agree-
ment pursuant to which an affiliate of the buyer has assumed all  
of  Nathan’s  rights  and  obligations  under  a  lease  for  an  adjacent 
property and has agreed to pay $500 to Nathan’s over a period of 
up to three years or six months upon buyer’s purchase of the adja-
cent  property,  $100  of  which  has  been  paid  and  recognized  as 
part  of  the  gain.  In  January  2006,  the  adjacent  parcel  of  vacant 
land  was  sold.  Nathan’s  recognized  a  total  gain  before  income 
taxes  of  $2,919,  net  of  associated  expenses.  This  gain  and  the  
operating expenses for this property have been included in discon-
tinued  operations  for  fiscal  years  ended  March  26,  2006,  March 
27, 2005, and March 28, 2004, as the Company has no continuing 
involvement in the operation of, or cash flows from, this property.
  During  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  27,  2005,  the  Company 
ceased  the  operations  of  one  Company-owned  restaurant  pursu-
ant to the termination of the lease and notification by the landlord 
not  to  renew.  The  results  of  operations  for  this  restaurant  have 
been  included  in  discontinued  operations  for  fiscal  years  ended 
March  27,  2005  and  March  28,  2004,  as  the  Company  has  no 
continuing  involvement  in  the  operation  of,  or  cash  flows  from, 
this restaurant.

  During  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  28,  2004,  the  Company 
sold  three  Company-owned  restaurants  for  total  consideration  
of  $1,083  and  entered  into  two  management  agreements  with 

franchisees  to  operate  two  Company-owned  restaurants.  As  the 
Company expects to have a continuing stream of cash flows from 
all  of  these  restaurants,  the  results  of  operations  for  these 
Company-operated  restaurants  are  included  as  a  component  of 
continuing earnings in the accompanying consolidated statements 
of earnings.

2. Discontinued Operations

  As  described  in  Note  F-1  above,  the  Company  has  classified 
the  results  of  operations  of  certain  restaurants  and  properties  as 
discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS No. 144. The fol-
lowing is a summary of the results of earnings for these properties 
for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005  and 
March 28, 2004:

Revenues (excluding gain from sale  

of property in 2006)

2006

2005

2004

$  — $ 231

$ 771

Income (loss) before income taxes

$ 2,839

$ (199)

$ (244)

3. Assets Held for Sale

Included  in  assets  held  for  sale  as  of  March  27,  2005  are  
certain  land,  building  and  improvements  associated  with  one  
restaurant  property  that  was  sold  during  the  fiscal  year  ended 
March 26, 2006.

Note H— Accrued Expenses, Other Current Liabilities and  

Other Liabilities

  Accrued  expenses  and  other  current  liabilities  consist  of  the 

following:

Payroll and other benefits
Professional and legal costs
Self-insurance costs
Rent, occupancy and lease  
reserve termination costs

Taxes payable
Unexpended advertising funds
Deferred marketing funds
Other

Other liabilities consists of the following:

Deferred income—supplier contracts
Deferred development fees
Deferred gain on sales of fixed assets
Deferred rental liability
Deferred income—other
Tenant’s security deposits on  

subleased property

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

$1,891
391
281

379
782
789
89
1,004

$1,618
328
324

413
684
498
365
858

$5,606

$5,088

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

$   682
242
145
250
8

$   771
316
160
265
—

93

100

$1,420

$1,612

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Lease Reserve Termination Costs

  At March 26, 2006, the aggregate annual maturities of capi-

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of Miami Subs 
in  fiscal  2000,  Nathan’s  planned  to  permanently  close  18  under-
performing  Company-owned  restaurants;  Nathan’s  expected  to 
abandon or sell the related assets at amounts below the historical 
carrying  amounts  recorded  by  Miami  Subs.  In  accordance  with 
APB  No.  16  “Business  Combinations”,  the  write-down  of  these 
assets was reflected as part of the purchase price allocation. The 
Company  has  closed  or  sold  all  18  units.  As  of  March  26,  2006, 
the  Company  has  recorded  cumulative  charges  to  operations  of 
approximately $1,461 ($877 after tax) for lease reserves and ter-
mination costs in connection with these properties.

  Changes  in  the  Company’s  reserve  for  lease  reserve  and  ter-

mination costs are as follows:

Beginning balance
  Additions
  Payments

Ending balance

2006

2005

2004

$198
—
—

$198

$532
—
(334)

$529
80
(77)

$198

$532

Note I—Notes Payable and Capitalized Lease Obligations

  A summary of notes payable and capitalized lease obligations 

is as follows:

talized lease obligations are as follows:

2007
2008
2009
2010
2011

$  8
9
9
11
2

$39

  The  Company  maintains  a  $7,500  line  of  credit  with  its  
primary  banking  institution.  Borrowings  under  the  line  of  credit  
are  intended  to  be  used  to  meet  the  normal  short-term  working 
capital needs of the Company. The line of credit is not a commit-
ment  and,  therefore,  credit  availability  is  subject  to  ongoing 
approval. The line of credit expires on October 1, 2006, and bears 
interest at the prime rate (7.5% at March 26, 2006). There were 
no  borrowings  outstanding  under  this  line  of  credit  as  of  March 
26, 2006 and March 27, 2005.

Note J—Income Taxes

Income  tax  provision  (benefit)  consists  of  the  following  for 
the  fiscal  years  ended  March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005,  and 
March 28, 2004:

Note payable to bank at 8.5% through 

January 2003, 4.5% from February 2003 
through January 2006
Capital lease obligations

Less current portion

Long-term portion

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

$   —
39

39
(8)

$31

$  819
47

866
(174)

$  692

Federal
  Current
  Deferred

State and local
  Current
  Deferred

2006

2005

2004

$ 1,682
148

$  633
611

$  165
804

1,830

1,244

969

496
27

523

276
37

313

89
142

231

$ 2,353

$ 1,557

$ 1,200

  On January 13, 2006, Nathan’s prepaid the balance of its out-
standing bank loan payable in the amount of $694. The principal 
on  the  loan  had  been  due  in  equal  monthly  installments  through 
February 2010. Interest was at prime plus 0.25%, or 4.50% 
through  January  2006.  The  interest  rate  was  scheduled  to  adjust 
to  prime  plus  0.25%  in  January  2006  and  January  2009.  The 
above  note  was  secured  by  the  related  property  and  equipment, 
which was fully depreciated as of March 27, 2005.

  The  Company  also  guarantees  a  franchisee’s  note  payable 
with  the  bank.  The  Company’s  maximum  obligation  should  the 
franchisee  default  on  the  required  payments  to  the  bank  for  the 
loan  funded  by  the  lender  was  approximately  $189  as  of  March 
26, 2006. (See Note L-2.)

  Total income tax provision (benefit) for the fiscal years ended 
March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005  and  March  28,  2004  differs 
from the amounts computed by applying the United States Federal 
income tax rate of 34% to income before income taxes as a result 
of the following:

Computed “expected” tax expense
Nondeductible amortization
State and local income taxes, net of 

Federal income tax benefit
Tax-exempt investment earnings
Tax refunds received
Nondeductible meals and entertainment 

and other

2006

2005

2004

$ 2,141
37

$ 1,500
37

$ 1,101
37

340
(150)
—

173
(66)
(81)

192
(46)
(62)

(15)

(6)

(22)

$ 2,353

$ 1,557

$ 1,200

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 (continued)

  The  tax  effects  of  temporary  differences  that  give  rise  to  
significant  portions  of  the  deferred  tax  assets  and  deferred  tax 
liabilities are presented below:

Deferred tax assets
  Accrued expenses
  Allowance for doubtful accounts
Impairment of notes receivable

  Deferred revenue

 Depreciation expense and impairment of 

long-lived assets

  Expenses not deductible until paid
  Amortization of intangibles
  Net operating loss and other carryforwards
  Unrealized loss on marketable securities
  Excess of straight line over actual rent
  Other

March 26, 
2006

March 27, 
2005

$     775
71
672
436

$     619
72
705
582

757
112
159
346
110
100
12

850
130
213
557
47
106
5

  Total gross deferred tax assets

$ 3,550

$ 3,886

Deferred tax liabilities

 Difference in tax bases of installment gains 

not yet recognized

  Deductible prepaid expense
  Other

  Total gross deferred tax liabilities

  Net deferred tax asset

Less valuation allowance

Less current portion

Long-term portion

184
120
52

356

198
170
1

369

3,194
(346)

3,517
(557)

$ 2,848

$ 2,960

(1,364)

(1,168)

$ 1,484

$ 1,792

  The  Company  utilized  net  operating  loss  carryforwards 
(“NOLs”)  of  approximately  $244  during  fiscal  2005.  A  valuation 
allowance  is  provided  when  it  is  more  likely  than  not  that  some 
portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based 
upon  anticipated  taxable  income,  Management  believes  that  it  is 
more  likely  than  not  that  the  Company  will  realize  the  benefit  of 
this  net  deferred  tax  asset  of  $2,848  and  $2,960  at  March  26, 
2006  and  March  27,  2005,  respectively.  The  Company  has  State 
net  operating  loss  carryforwards  in  certain  tax  jurisdictions  of 
approximately  $5,915  expiring  in  varying  amounts  during  fiscal 
years  2020  through  2025.  A  valuation  allowance  has  been  pro-
vided for these net operating loss carryforwards.

  At  March  26,  2006,  the  Company  had  AMT  credit  carryfor-
wards  remaining  of  approximately  $121,  which  may  be  used  to 
offset  liabilities  through  2008.  These  credits  are  subject  to  lim-
itations  imposed  under  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  pursuant  to 
Section 382 and 383 regarding changes in ownership. As a result 
of these limitations, the Company has recorded a valuation allow-
ance for the Miami Subs credits related to the acquisition.

Note K— Stockholders’ Equity, Stock Plans and Other Employee 

Benefit Plans

1. Stock Option Plans

  On  December  15,  1992,  the  Company  adopted  the  1992 
Stock Option Plan (the “1992 Plan”), which provides for the issu-
ance  of  incentive  stock  options  (“ISO’s”)  to  officers  and  key 
employees  and  nonqualified  stock  options  to  directors,  officers 
and key employees. Up to 525,000 shares of common stock have 
been reserved for issuance under the 1992 Plan. The terms of the 
options  are  generally  ten  years,  except  for  ISO’s  granted  to  any 
employee,  whom  prior  to  the  granting  of  the  option,  owns  stock 
representing  more  than  10%  of  the  voting  rights,  for  which  the 
option term will be five years. The exercise price for nonqualified 
stock options outstanding under the 1992 Plan can be no less than 
the fair market value, as defined, of the Company’s common stock 
at the date of grant. For ISO’s, the exercise price can generally be 
no less than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock 
at the date of grant, with the exception of any employee who prior 
to the granting of the option owns stock representing more than 
10%  of  the  voting  rights,  for  which  the  exercise  price  can  be  no 
less  than  110%  of  fair  market  value  of  the  Company’s  common 
stock at the date of grant.

  On May 24, 1994, the Company adopted the Outside Director 
Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”), which provides for the 
issuance of nonqualified stock options to non-employee directors, 
as  defined,  of  the  Company.  Under  the  Directors’  Plan,  200,000 
shares of common stock have been authorized and issued. Options 
awarded  to  each  non-employee  director  are  fully  vested,  subject  
to  forfeiture  under  certain  conditions  and  shall  be  exercisable  
upon vesting.

In  April  1998,  the  Company  adopted  the  Nathan’s  Famous, 
Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”), which provides for 
the issuance of nonqualified stock options to directors, officers and 
key employees. Up to 500,000 shares of common stock have been 
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options granted under 
the 1998 Plan.

In  June  2001,  the  Company  adopted  the  Nathan’s  Famous, 
Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”), which provides for 
the issuance of nonqualified stock options to directors, officers and 
key employees. Up to 350,000 shares of common stock have been 
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options granted and for 
future issuance in connection with awards under the 2001 Plan.

In  June  2002,  the  Company  adopted  the  Nathan’s  Famous, 
Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”), which provides 
for  the  issuance  of  nonqualified  stock  options  or  restricted  stock 
awards  to  directors,  officers  and  key  employees.  Up  to  300,000 
shares  of  common  stock  have  been  reserved  for  issuance  in  con-
nection with awards under the 2002 Plan.

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  The 1992 Plan and Directors’ Plan expired with respect to the 
granting of new options on December 2, 2002 and December 31, 
2004,  respectively.  The  1998  Plan,  the  2001  Plan  and  the  2002 
Plan  expire  on  April  5,  2008,  June  13,  2011  and  June  17,  2012, 
respectively,  unless  terminated  earlier  by  the  Board  of  Directors 
under conditions specified in the respective Plan.

  The Company issued 478,584 stock options to employees of 
Miami  Subs  to  replace  957,168  of  previously  issued  Miami  Subs 
options pursuant to the acquisition by Nathan’s and issued 47,006 
new  options.  All  options  were  fully  vested  upon  consummation  
of  the  merger.  Exercise  prices  range  from  a  low  of  $3.1875  to  a 
high  of  $18.6120  per  share  and  expire  at  various  times  through 
September 30, 2009.

  During the fiscal year ended March 26, 2006, 160,082 stock 
options were exercised which aggregated proceeds of $642 to  
the Company.

2. Warrants

In November 1993, the Company granted to its Chairman and 
Chief  Executive  Officer  a  warrant  to  purchase  150,000  shares  of 
the  Company’s  common  stock  at  an  exercise  price  of  $9.71  per 

share,  representing  105%  of  the  market  price  of  the  Company’s 
common  stock  on  the  date  of  grant,  which  exercise  price  was 
reduced on January 26, 1996 to $4.50 per share. The shares vested 
at a rate of 25% per annum commencing November 1994 and the 
warrant expired unexercised in November 2003.

  On July 17, 1997, the Company granted to its Chairman and 
Chief  Executive  Officer  a  warrant  to  purchase  150,000  shares  of 
the  Company’s  common  stock  at  an  exercise  price  of  $3.25  per 
share,  representing  the  market  price  of  the  Company’s  common 
stock  on  the  date  of  grant.  The  shares  vested  at  a  rate  of  25%  
per annum commencing July 17, 1998 and the warrant expires in 
July 2007.

In connection with the merger with Miami Subs, the Company 
issued 579,040 warrants with an exercise price of $6.00 per share 
to  purchase  common  stock  to  the  former  shareholders  of  Miami 
Subs.  During  fiscal  2005,  142,855  of  these  warrants  were  exer-
cised  which  aggregated  proceeds  of  $857  to  the  Company.  The 
remaining warrants expired on September 30, 2004. The Company 
also  issued  63,700  warrants  with  an  exercise  price  of  $16.55  per 
share to purchase common stock to the former warrant holders of 
Miami Subs, all of which expired as of March 26, 2006.

  A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options and warrants, excluding the 579,040 warrants issued to former shareholders 
of Miami Subs, at March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 and changes during the fiscal years then ended is presented in 
the tables below:

2006

2005

2004

Options outstanding—beginning of year
  Granted
  Expired
  Exercised

Options outstanding—end of year

Options exercisable—end of year

Weighted-average fair value of options granted

Warrants outstanding—beginning of year
  Expired

Warrants outstanding—end of year

Warrants exercisable—end of year

Weighted-average fair value of warrants granted

Shares

1,494,796
—
(2,690)
(160,082)

1,332,024

1,247,025

168,750
(18,750)

150,000

150,000

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise 
Price

$  3.81
—
9.09
4.01

Shares

1,778,686
95,000
(141,250)
(237,640)

3.78

1,494,796

1,322,629

$       —

$  4.73
16.55

3.25

$       —

168,750
—

168,750

168,750

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise 
Price

$3.91
5.62
7.22
4.08

3.81

$2.87

$4.73

4.73

$     —

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise 
Price

$4.01
4.03
11.67

Shares

1,754,249
65,000
(40,563)
—

1,778,686

3.92

1,572,268

318,750
(150,000)

168,750

168,750

$1.60

$4.62
4.50

4.73

$     —

  At March 26, 2006, 203,500 common shares were reserved for future restricted stock or stock option grants.
  The following table summarizes information about stock options and warrants at March 26, 2006:

Range of  
Exercise Prices

$3.19 to $4.00
  4.01 to   5.62
  5.63 to   6.20

$3.19 to $6.20

Options and Warrants Outstanding

Options and Warrants Exercisable

Number 
Outstanding 
at 3/26/06

Weighted-Average 
Remaining  
Contractual Life

Weighted-Average 
Exercise Price

1,316,024
123,750
42,250

1,482,024

3.0
7.9
1.2

3.4

$3.36
  5.35
  6.20

$3.61

Number 
Exercisable 
at 3/26/06

1,302,692
52,083
42,250

1,397,025

Weighted-Average 
Exercise Price

$3.35
  5.17
  6.20

$3.51

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 (continued)

3. Common Stock Purchase Rights

  On June 20, 1995, the Board of Directors declared a dividend 
distribution of one common stock purchase right (the “Rights”) for 
each  outstanding  share  of  Common  Stock  of  the  Company.  The 
distribution  was  paid  on  June  20,  1995  to  the  shareholders  of 
record on June 20, 1995. The terms of the Rights were amended 
on April 6, 1998 and December 8, 1999. Each Right, as amended, 
entitles  the  registered  holder  thereof  to  purchase  from  the 
Company  one  share  of  the  Common  Stock  at  a  price  of  $4.00  
per  share  (the  “Purchase  Price”),  subject  to  adjustment  for  anti-
dilution.  New  Common  Stock  certificates  issued  after  June  20, 
1995 upon transfer or new issuance of the Common Stock will con-
tain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference.

  The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The 
Distribution  Date  is  the  earlier  to  occur  of  (i)  ten  days  following  
a  public  announcement  that  a  person  or  group  of  affiliated  or 
associated persons (an “Acquiring Person”) acquired, or obtained 
the  right  to  acquire,  beneficial  ownership  of  15%  or  more  of  the 
outstanding shares of the Common Stock, as amended, or (ii) ten 
business days (or such later date as may be determined by action 
of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any person becomes 
an Acquiring Person) following the commencement, or announce-
ment of an intention to make a tender offer or exchange offer by a 
person (other than the Company, any wholly-owned subsidiary of 
the Company or certain employee benefit plans) which, if consum-
mated, would result in such person becoming an Acquiring Person. 
The Rights were set to expire on June 19, 2005. On June 15, 2005, 
the  Board  of  Directors  approved  an  extension  of  the  Rights  
through  June  19,  2010,  unless  earlier  redeemed  by  the  Company 
under essentially the same terms and conditions.

  At  any  time  prior  to  the  time  at  which  a  person  or  group  or 
affiliated or associated persons has acquired beneficial ownership 
of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock 
of  the  Company,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  may 
redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.001 per 
Right. In addition, the Rights Agreement, as amended, permits the 
Board of Directors, following the acquisition by a person or group 
of  beneficial  ownership  of  15%  or  more  of  the  Common  Stock 
(but before an acquisition of 50% or more of Common Stock), to 
exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such 15% per-
son  or  group),  in  whole  or  in  part,  for  Common  Stock,  at  an 
exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right.

  Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have 
no  rights  as  a  shareholder  of  the  Company,  including,  without  
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. The Company 
has reserved 9,285,923 shares of Common Stock for issuance upon 
exercise of the Rights.

4. Stock Repurchase Plan

  On  September  14,  2001,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Company authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of 
the Company’s common stock. The Company completed its initial 
Stock  Repurchase  Plan  at  a  cost  of  approximately  $3,670  during 
the  fiscal  year  ended  March  30,  2003.  On  October  7,  2002,  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  authorized  the  repurchase  of 
up  to  1,000,000  additional  shares  of  the  Company’s  common 
stock. Purchases of stock will be made from time to time, depend-
ing on market conditions, in open market or in privately negotiated 
transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There 
is  no  set  time  limit  on  the  purchases.  The  Company  expects  to 
fund these stock repurchases from its operating cash flow. Through 
March 26, 2006, 891,100 additional shares have been repurchased 
at a cost of approximately $3,488.

5. Employment Agreements

  We entered into an employment agreement with Howard M. 
Lorber,  our  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer,  effective  as  
of  January  1,  2005.  The  agreement  expires  December  31,  2009. 
Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  Mr.  Lorber  receives  a  base  salary  of 
$250 and an annual bonus equal to 5 percent of our consolidated 
pre-tax earnings over $5,000 for each fiscal year. The agreement 
further provides for a consulting agreement after the termination 
of  employment  during  which  Mr.  Lorber  will  receive  a  consulting 
payment  of  $225  per  year.  Mr.  Lorber  is  also  entitled  to  a  sev-
erance  payment  in  certain  circumstances  upon  termination,  as 
defined  in  the  agreement.  The  employment  agreement  also  pro-
vides  Mr.  Lorber  the  right  to  participate  in  employment  benefits 
offered  to  other  Nathan’s  executives.  In  connection  with  the  
agreement,  we  issued  to  Mr.  Lorber  50,000  shares  of  restricted 
common  stock  which  vest  ratably  over  the  5-year  term  of  the 
employment agreement.

  A  charge  of  $363  based  on  the  fair  market  value  of  the 
Company’s  common  stock  has  been  recorded  to  deferred  com-
pensation  and  is  being  amortized  to  earnings  ratably  over  the  
vesting period.

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In the event that Mr. Lorber’s employment is terminated with-
out  cause,  he  is  entitled  to  receive  his  salary  and  bonus  for  the 
remainder  of  the  contract  term.  The  employment  agreement  fur-
ther  provides  that  in  the  event  there  is  a  change  in  control,  as 
defined  in  the  agreement,  Mr.  Lorber  has  the  option,  exercisable 
within  one  year  after  such  event,  to  terminate  his  employment 
agreement.  Upon  such  termination,  he  has  the  right  to  receive  
a  lump  sum  cash  payment  equal  to  the  greater  of  (A)  his  salary 
and  annual  bonuses  for  the  remainder  of  the  employment  term 
(including a prorated bonus for any partial fiscal year), which bonus 
shall  be  equal  to  the  average  of  the  annual  bonuses  awarded  to  
him during the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year of termi-
nation; or (B) 2.99 times his salary and annual bonus for the fiscal 
year immediately preceding the fiscal year of termination, as well 
as a lump sum cash payment equal to the difference between the 
exercise price of any exercisable options having an exercise price of 
less than the then current market price of the Company’s common 
stock and such then current market price. In addition, Nathan’s will 
provide  Mr.  Lorber  with  a  tax  gross-up  payment  to  cover  any 
excise  tax  due.  In  the  event  of  termination  due  to  Mr.  Lorber’s 
death  or  disability,  he  is  entitled  to  receive  an  amount  equal  to  
his  salary  and  annual  bonuses  for  a  three-year  period,  which  
bonus  shall  be  equal  to  the  average  of  the  annual  bonuses  
awarded  to  him  during  the  three  fiscal  years  preceding  the  fiscal 
year of termination.

  The  Company  and  its  President  and  Chief  Operating  Officer 
entered  into  an  employment  agreement  on  December  28,  1992  
for  a  period  commencing  on  January  1,  1993  and  ending  on 
December  31,  1996.  The  employment  agreement  automatically 
extends  for  successive  one-year  periods  unless  notice  of  non-
renewal  is  provided  in  accordance  with  the  agreement.  Conse-
quently,  the  employment  agreement  has  been  extended  annually 
through December 31, 2006, based on the original terms, and no 
non-renewal notice has been given as of June 9, 2006. The agree-
ment  provides  for  annual  compensation  of  $289  plus  certain  
other  benefits.  In  November  1993,  the  Company  amended  this 
agreement to include a provision under which the officer has the 
right  to  terminate  the  agreement  and  receive  payment  equal  to  
approximately  three  times  annual  compensation  upon  a  change  
in control, as defined.

  The  Company  and  the  President  of  Miami  Subs,  pursuant  to 
the merger agreement, entered into an employment agreement on 
September  30,  1999  for  a  period  commencing  on  September  30, 
1999 and ending on September 30, 2002. The agreement provides 
for  annual  compensation  of  $210  plus  certain  other  benefits  and 
automatically renews annually unless 180 days prior written notice 
is given to the employee. No non-renewal notice has been given as 
of June 9, 2006. The agreement includes a provision under which 
the  officer  has  the  right  to  terminate  the  agreement  and  receive 
payment equal to approximately three times his annual compensa-
tion  upon  a  change  in  control,  as  defined.  In  the  event  a  non-
renewal notice is delivered, the Company must pay the officer an 
amount equal to the employee’s base salary as then in effect.

  The Company and one executive of Miami Subs entered into  
a  change  of  control  agreement  effective  November  1,  2001  for 
annual compensation of $136 per year. The agreement additionally 
includes  a  provision  under  which  the  executive  has  the  right  to 
terminate  the  agreement  and  receive  payment  equal  to  approx-
imately  three  times  his  annual  compensation  upon  a  change  in 
control, as defined.

  The Company and one employee of Miami Subs entered into 
a severance agreement dated November 14, 2003, which provides 
that  upon  termination  of  the  employee’s  employment,  the 
employee  will  receive  a  severance  payment  in  an  amount  equal  
to  the  employee’s  annual  compensation  of  $115  per  year.  The  
severance  payment  is  payable  in  six  equal  monthly  installments  
following such termination.

  Each  employment  agreement  terminates  upon  death  or  
voluntary  termination  by  the  respective  employee  or  may  be  ter-
minated by the Company on up to 30-days’ prior written notice by 
the  Company  in  the  event  of  disability  or  “cause,”  as  defined  in 
each agreement.

6. 401(k) Plan

  The  Company  has  a  defined  contribution  retirement  plan 
under  Section  401(k)  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  covering  all 
nonunion employees over age 21 who have been employed by the 
Company  for  at  least  one  year.  Employees  may  contribute  to  the 
plan,  on  a  tax-deferred  basis,  up  to  20%  of  their  total  annual  
salary.  Company  contributions  are  discretionary.  The  Company 
matches  contributions  at  a  rate  of  $.25  per  dollar  contributed  by 
the employee on up to a maximum of 3% of the employee’s total 
annual  salary.  Employer  contributions  for  the  fiscal  years  ended 
March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 were $26, 
$22, and $21, respectively.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 (continued)

7. Other Benefits
The Company provides, on a contributory basis, medical benefits 
to active employees. The Company does not provide medical ben-
efits to retirees.

gross  sales  to  be  paid  and  related  gross  sales  level  vary  by  unit.  
Contingent  rental  expense  was  approximately  $47,  $52  and  $67 
for the fiscal years ended March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005, and 
March 28, 2004 respectively.

Note L—Commitments and Contingencies

2. Guarantees

1. Commitments

  The Company’s operations are principally conducted in leased 
premises. The leases generally have initial terms ranging from 5 to 
20  years  and  usually  provide  for  renewal  options  ranging  from  5  
to  20  years.  Most  of  the  leases  contain  escalation  clauses  and  
common  area  maintenance  charges  (including  taxes  and  insur-
ance).  Certain  of  the  leases  require  additional  (contingent)  rental 
payments if sales volumes at the related restaurants exceed speci-
fied limits. As of March 26, 2006, the Company has noncancelable 
operating  lease  commitments,  net  of  certain  sublease  rental 
income, as follows:

Lease 
Commitments

Sublease 
Income

Net Lease 
Commitments

2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Thereafter

$  3,364
2,806
1,931
1,614
873
1,337

$11,925

$1,878
1,603
1,100
937
648
1,061

$7,227

$1,486
1,203
831
677
225
276

$4,698

  Aggregate  rental  expense,  net  of  sublease  income,  under  all 
current  leases  amounted  to  $1,037,  $1,278,  and  $1,584  for  the  
fiscal  years  ended  March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005,  and  March 
28, 2004, respectively.

  The Company also owns or leases sites, which it in turn sub-
leases to franchisees, which expire on various dates through 2015 
exclusive  of  renewal  options.  The  Company  remains  liable  for  all 
lease costs when properties are subleased to franchisees.

  The  Company  also  subleases  locations  to  third  parties.  Such 
subleases  provide  for  minimum  annual  rental  payments  by  the 
Company  aggregating  approximately  $2,202  and  expire  on  vari-
ous dates through 2015 exclusive of renewal options.

  Contingent  rental  payments  on  building  leases  are  typically 
made  based  on  the  percentage  of  gross  sales  on  the  individual 
restaurants  that  exceed  predetermined  levels.  The  percentage  of  

  The  Company  guarantees  certain  equipment  financing  for 
franchisees  with  a  third-party  lender.  The  Company’s  maximum 
obligation, should the franchisees default on the required monthly 
payment to the third-party lender, for loans funded by the lender, 
as  of  March  26,  2006,  was  approximately  $16.  The  equipment 
financing expires at various dates through fiscal 2007.

In August 2001, Miami Subs entered into an agreement with 
a franchisee and a bank, which called for the assumption of a note 
payable  by  the  franchisee  and  the  repayment  of  an  existing  note 
receivable  from  the  franchisee.  The  Company  also  guarantees  a 
franchisee’s note payable with a bank. The note payable matures 
in  fiscal  2007.  The  Company’s  maximum  obligation,  should  the 
franchisee default on the required monthly payments to the bank, 
for  the  loan  funded  by  the  lender,  as  of  March  26,  2006,  was 
approximately $189.

  The  guarantees  referred  to  above  were  entered  into  by  the 
Company prior to December 31, 2002 and have not been modified 
since that date, which was the effective date for FIN 45 “Guarantors 
Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including 
Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.”

3. Contingencies

  An  action  was  commenced,  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  the 
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County, Florida in September 
2001  against  Miami  Subs  and  EKFD  Corporation,  a  Miami  Subs 
franchisee  (“the  franchisee”)  claiming  negligence  in  connection 
with a slip and fall which allegedly occurred on the premises of the 
franchisee  for  unspecified  damages.  Pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the 
Miami  Subs  Franchise  Agreement,  the  franchisee  is  obligated  to 
indemnify Miami Subs and hold it harmless against claims asserted 
and  procure  an  insurance  policy  which  names  Miami  Subs  as  an 
additional insured. Miami Subs has denied any liability to plaintiffs 
and has made demand upon the franchisee’s insurer to indemnify 
and defend against the claims asserted. The insurer has agreed to 
indemnify  and  defend  Miami  Subs  and  has  assumed  the  defense 
of this action for Miami Subs.

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  Miami  Subs  has  received  a  claim  from  a  landlord  for  a  fran-
chised  location  that  Miami  Subs  owes  the  landlord  $150  in  con-
nection with the construction of the leased premises. Miami Subs 
had been the primary tenant at the location since 1993, when the 
lease  was  assigned  to  Miami  Subs  by  the  initial  tenant  under  the 
lease,  the  party  to  whom  the  construction  loan  was  made.  On 
September  6,  2005,  this  claim  was  settled  without  payment  by 
Miami Subs of any sums.

Ismael Rodriguez commenced an action, in the Supreme Court 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  Kings  County,  in  May  2004  against 
Nathan’s  Famous,  Inc.  seeking  damages  of  $1,000  for  claims  
of  age  discrimination  in  connection  with  the  termination  of  
Mr. Rodriguez’s employment. Mr. Rodriguez was terminated from 
his position in connection with his repeated violation of company 
policies  and  failure  to  follow  company-mandated  procedures.  
On  October  28,  2005,  we  executed  a  settlement  and  release  of  
all  claims  by  the  employee  against  the  Company.  The  settlement 
did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of 
operations or cash flows.

  An  employee  of  a  Miami  Subs  franchised  restaurant  com-
menced  an  action  for  unspecified  damages  in  the  United  States 
District  Court,  Southern  District  of  Florida  in  September  2004 
against Miami Subs Corporation, Miami Subs USA, Inc., and three 
Miami Subs franchisees, FMI Subs Corporation, NEESA Subs Corp. 
and  Muhammad  Amin,  (the  franchisees),  claiming  that  she  was 
not  paid  overtime  when  she  worked  in  excess  of  40  hours  per 
week, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The action also 
seeks  damages  for  any  other  employees  of  the  defendants  who 
would  be  similarly  entitled  to  overtime.  Pursuant  to  the  terms  of 
the Miami Subs Franchise Agreement, the franchisees are obligated 
to operate their Miami Subs franchises in compliance with the law, 
including all labor laws. On May 27, 2005, this action was settled 
without payment to the plaintiffs by Miami Subs Corporation.

In July 2001, a female manager at one of our company-owned 
restaurants filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission  (“EEOC”)  claiming  sex  discrimination  in  violation  of 
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and a violation of the Equal 
Pay Act. The employee claimed that she was being paid less than 
male  employees  for  comparable  work,  which  Nathan’s  denied.  In 
June  and  August  2004,  the  employee  filed  further  charges  with 
the EEOC claiming that Nathan’s had retaliated against her, first by 
refusing her request for a shift change and then by terminating her  

employment in July 2004. Following a determination by the EEOC 
in  May  2005  that  there  was  no  reasonable  cause  to  believe  that 
the  employee  was  terminated  in  retaliation  for  filing  a  charge  of 
discrimination, but that there was reasonable cause to believe that  
she  was  paid  less  than  similarly  situated  males  in  violation  of  the 
Equal Pay Act and Title VII and that she was denied a request for a 
change  in  shift  in  retaliation  for  filing  the  discrimination  charge,  
the EEOC advised that it would engage in conciliation and settle-
ment efforts to try to resolve the employee’s charges. On September 
30, 2005, those efforts resulted in the settlement and release of all 
claims by the employee against the Company, and of any related 
charges made by the EEOC against the Company. The settlement 
did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of 
operations or cash flows.

  The  Company  is  involved  in  various  other  litigation  in  the  
normal course of business, none of which, in the opinion of man-
agement,  will  have  a  significant  adverse  impact  on  its  financial 
position or results of operations.

Note M—Related Party Transactions

  An accounting firm of which Mr. Raich, who joined Nathan’s 
Board of Directors on June 15, 2004, serves as Managing Partner, 
received  ordinary  tax  preparation  and  other  consulting  fees  of 
$108,  $127,  and  $99  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  26,  2006, 
March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004, respectively.

  A firm on which Mr. Lorber serves as chairman of the board of 
directors, and the firm’s affiliates, received ordinary and customary 
insurance  commissions  aggregating  approximately  $25,  $49,  and 
$26 for the fiscal years ended March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005, 
and March 28, 2004, respectively.

Note N—Significant Fourth Quarter Adjustments

  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company’s man-
agement  continued  to  monitor  and  evaluate  the  collectibility  and  
potential  impairment  of  its  assets,  in  particular,  notes  receivable, 
certain  fixed  assets  and  certain  intangible  assets.  In  connection  
therewith, impairment charges on certain notes receivable of $108 
and  impairment  charges  on  fixed  assets  of  $25  were  recorded  in 
the  fourth  quarter.  It  is  management’s  opinion  that  these  adjust-
ments are properly recorded in the fourth quarter based upon the 
facts and circumstances that became available in that period.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

33

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004 (continued)

Note O—Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

Fiscal Year 2006
Total revenues(a)
Gross profit(a)(b)
Net income (a)

Per share information
Net income per share
  Basic(c)

  Diluted(c)

Shares used in computation of net income per share
  Basic(c)

  Diluted(c)

Fiscal Year 2005
Total revenues(a)
Gross profit(a)(b)
Net income (a)

Per share information
Net income per share
  Basic(c)

  Diluted(c)

Shares used in computation of net income per share
  Basic(c)

  Diluted(c)

First 
Quarter

Second 
Quarter

Third 
Quarter

Fourth 
Quarter

$11,382
1,927
$  1,169

$11,653
2,624
$  3,108

$9,505
1,754
$   770

$8,820
1,255
$   630

$      .21

$      .56

$      .18

$      .48

$    .14

$    .12

$    .11

$    .10

5,555,000

5,566,000

5,594,000

5,620,000

6,474,000

6,527,000

6,565,000

6,620,000

$  9,292
1,812
$     950

$  9,926
2,243
$  1,090

$7,357
1,033
$   476

$7,720
942
$   221

$      .18

$      .21

$      .16

$      .18

$    .09

$    .08

$    .04

$    .04

5,214,000

5,203,000

5,352,000

5,459,000

5,913,000

5,924,000

6,173,000

6,312,000

(a)   Total revenues and gross profit were adjusted from amounts previously reported on Forms 10-Q to reflect a reclassification of continuing operations to discontinued operations in the 

fiscal year ended March 26, 2006.

(b)   Gross profit represents the difference between sales and cost of sales.
(c)   The sum of the quarters does not equal the full year per share amounts included in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings due to the effect of the weighted average 

number of shares outstanding during the fiscal years as compared to the quarters.

N A T H A N ’ S   F A M O U S ,   I N C .   &   S U B S I D I A R I E S  

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2 0 0 6   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred 
to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  consolidated 
financial  position  of  Nathan’s  Famous,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  as  of 
March 26, 2006 and March 27, 2005, and the consolidated results 
of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for the fifty-
two  weeks  ended  March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005  and  March 
28,  2004  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally 
accepted in the United States of America.

Melville, New York
June 9, 2006

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

  We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance 
sheets  of  Nathan’s  Famous,  Inc.  (a  Delaware  Corporation)  and 
subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 26, 2006 and March 27, 
2005, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, stock-
holders’  equity  and  cash  flows  for  the  fifty-two  weeks  ended 
March  26,  2006,  March  27,  2005  and  March  28,  2004.  These 
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s man-
agement.  Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these 
financial statements based on our audits.

  We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of 
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to 
obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  financial  state-
ments  are  free  of  material  misstatement.  The  Company  is  not 
required  to  have,  nor  were  we  engaged  to  perform  an  audit  of  
its  internal  control  over  financial  reporting.  Our  audit  included 
consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis 
for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circum-
stances,  but  not  for  the  purpose  of  expressing  an  opinion  on  the 
effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting.  Accordingly,  we  express  no  such  opinion.  An  audit  
also  includes  examining,  on  a  test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the 
amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements,  assessing  
the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement 
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis 
for our opinion.

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Market for Registrant’s Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

Common Stock Prices

Dividend Policy

  Our  common  stock  began  trading  on  the  over-the-counter 
market on February 26, 1993 and is quoted on the Nasdaq National 
Market  System  (“Nasdaq”)  under  the  symbol  “NATH.”  The  fol-
lowing  table  sets  forth  the  high  and  low  closing  sales  prices  per 
share for the periods indicated:

Fiscal year ended March 26, 2006
  First quarter
  Second quarter
  Third quarter
  Fourth quarter
Fiscal year ended March 27, 2005
  First quarter
  Second quarter
  Third quarter
  Fourth quarter

High

Low

$  9.48
9.60
10.20
12.40

$  6.16
6.30
8.35
8.39

$ 7.85
8.03 
8.43
9.98

$ 5.50
5.61
5.86
7.01

  At June 15, 2006, the closing price per share for our common 

stock, as reported by Nasdaq was $13.00.

  We have not declared or paid a cash dividend on our common 
stock  since  our  initial  public  offering  and  do  not  anticipate  that  
we will pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. It is our Board 
of  Directors’  policy  to  retain  all  available  funds  to  finance  the 
development  and  growth  of  our  business  and  to  purchase  stock 
pursuant to our stock buyback program. The payment of any cash 
dividends  in  the  future  will  be  dependent  upon  our  earnings  and 
financial requirements.

Shareholders

  As  of  June  15,  2006,  we  had  817  shareholders  of  record, 
excluding  shareholders  whose  shares  were  held  by  brokerage  
firms,  depositories  and  other  institutional  firms  in  “street  name” 
for their customers.

Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

  The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company will be 
held  at  10:00  a.m.,  EST  on  Tuesday,  September  12,  2006,  in  the 
Conference Room on the lower level of 1400 Old Country Road, 
Westbury, New York.

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Corporate Directory

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Grant Thornton, LLP
445 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York 11747

Corporate Counsel
Kramer, Coleman, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
100 Jericho Quadrangle, Jericho, New York 11753

Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038

Form 10-K
The  Company’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  as  filed  with  
the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  is  available  upon  
written request:
  Secretary, Nathan’s Famous, Inc.,
  1400 Old Country Road,
  Westbury, New York 11590

Quarterly Shareholder Letter
Will  be  available  on  our  website.  Copies  will  be  provided  
upon request.

Corporate Headquarters
1400 Old Country Road, Westbury, New York 11590
516-338-8500 Telephone
516-338-7220 Facsimile

Company Website
www.nathansfamous.com

List of Directors

Howard M. Lorber
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

Wayne Norbitz
President & Chief Operating Officer, Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

Donald L. Perlyn
Executive Vice President, Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

Eric Gatoff
Vice President—Corporate Counsel, Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

Robert J. Eide
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, AEGIS Capital Corp.

Barry Leistner
President & Chief Executive Officer, Koenig Iron Works, Inc.

Brian S. Genson
President, Motorsport Investments

A.F. Petrocelli
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Corp.

Charles Raich
Managing Partner, Raich, Ende, Malter & Co. LLP

List of Officers

Howard M. Lorber
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Wayne Norbitz
President & Chief Operating Officer

Donald L. Perlyn
Executive Vice President

Ronald G. DeVos
Vice President—Finance, Chief Financial Officer & Secretary

Eric Gatoff
Vice President—Corporate Counsel

Randy K. Watts
Vice President—Franchise Operations

Donald P. Schedler
Vice President—Development, Architecture & Construction

designed by curran & connors, inc. / www.curran-connors.com

1400 Old Country Road, Suite 400
Westbury, New York 11590

www.nathansfamous.com