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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015.
or
(cid:1) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to .
Commission file number 001-16769
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Virginia
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
11-6040273
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
675 Avenue of the Americas, 6 Floor, New York, New York 10010
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
th
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(212) 589-2700
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, no par value
Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes (cid:1) No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes (cid:1) No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes No (cid:1)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes No (cid:1)
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference
in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer (cid:1)
Non-accelerated filer (cid:1) (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company (cid:1)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes (cid:1) No
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 27, 2014 (based upon the closing price of
$20.54 per share of common stock as of June 27, 2014, the last business day of the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of 2014, as quoted on the
New York Stock Exchange) was $571,205,322. For purposes of this computation, it is assumed that shares of common stock held by our
directors, executive officers and our controlling shareholders as of June 27, 2014 would be deemed stock held by affiliates.
The number of shares outstanding of common stock as of January 31, 2015 was 56,711,534.
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2015 annual meeting of shareholders are incorporated herein by reference in
Part III, Items 10-14. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the registrant’s fiscal year ended January 3,
2015.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Table of Contents
Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
Table of Contents
Part I
Item 1. Business
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Executive Officers and Directors of the Company
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
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BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Weight Watchers International, Inc. is a Virginia corporation with its principal executive offices in New York, New York. In this Annual
Report on Form 10-K unless the context indicates otherwise: “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “WWI” refer to Weight Watchers
International, Inc. and all of its operations consolidated for purposes of its financial statements; “North America” refers to our North American
Company-owned operations; “United Kingdom” refers to our United Kingdom Company-owned operations; “Continental Europe” refers to our
Continental Europe Company-owned operations; and “Other” refers to Asia Pacific and emerging markets operations and franchise revenues and
related costs. Each of North America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Other is also a reporting segment.
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st and consists of either 52- or 53-week periods. In this Annual Report on
Form 10-K:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
rd
“fiscal 2008” refers to our fiscal year ended January 3, 2009 (included a 53 week);
“fiscal 2009” refers to our fiscal year ended January 2, 2010;
“fiscal 2010” refers to our fiscal year ended January 1, 2011;
“fiscal 2011” refers to our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;
“fiscal 2012” refers to our fiscal year ended December 29, 2012;
“fiscal 2013” refers to our fiscal year ended December 28, 2013;
“fiscal 2014” refers to our fiscal year ended January 3, 2015 (included a 53 week); and
“fiscal 2015” refers to our fiscal year ended January 2, 2016.
rd
The following terms used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are our trademarks: Weight Watchers
®
, PointsPlus
®
, ProPoints and
®
ActiveLink
®
.
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Item 1.
Business
Overview
PART I
We are a leading, global-branded consumer company and the world’s leading commercial provider of weight management services,
operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. With over five decades of weight management experience,
expertise and know-how, we have established Weight Watchers as one of the most recognized and trusted brand names among weight-conscious
consumers. In fiscal 2014, consumers spent approximately $5 billion on Weight Watchers branded products and services, including meetings
conducted by us and our franchisees, digital weight management products provided through our websites, mobile sites and apps, products sold at
meetings, licensed products sold in retail channels and magazine subscriptions and other publications. Our primary sources of revenue are
subscriptions for our monthly commitment plan for Weight Watchers meetings and subscriptions for our Online products. Our “meetings”
business refers to providing access to meetings to our monthly commitment plan subscribers, “pay-as-you-go” members, Total Access
subscribers and other meeting members. “Online” refers to Weight Watchers Online, Weight Watchers Online Plus , Personal Coaching and
other digital subscription products.
Our brand enjoys high awareness and credibility among all types of weight-conscious consumers—women and men, consumers online and
offline, the support-inclined and the self-help-inclined. We are one of only a few commercial weight management programs whose efficacy has
been clinically proven repeatedly. As the number of overweight and obese people worldwide grows, the demand for an effective, scalable and
consumer-friendly weight management program increases. We believe our global presence and brand awareness uniquely position us in the
global weight management market. We continue to explore different channels to access this market, including through our healthcare strategic
initiative.
We believe the unique value provided by our offerings is inspiration, accountability and support. In the more than 50 years since our
founding, we have built our meetings business by helping millions of people around the world lose weight through sensible and sustainable food
plans, exercise, behavior modification and group support. Each week, approximately 800,000 members attend over 36,000 Weight Watchers
meetings around the world, which are run by more than 10,000 leaders—each of whom has lost weight on our program. We also believe we are
the leading global provider of Online subscription weight management products. As of the end of fiscal 2014, we had approximately 1.5 million
active Online subscribers. Our Online products, including applications for mobile and tablet devices, have evolved over time and, at times, vary
by market. Our strong brand, together with the effectiveness of our plans, loyal customer base and unparalleled network of service providers, are
unique in the marketplace.
Business Organization and Global Operations
Effective the first day of fiscal 2014 (i.e., December 29, 2013), we realigned our organizational structure to improve the leverage of our
significant assets and the alignment of our innovation efforts, which resulted in new reporting segments (North America, United Kingdom,
Continental Europe, and Other) for the purpose of making operational and resource decisions and assessing financial performance. Each
reporting segment provides similar products and services through various offerings. Further information regarding our reporting segments and
our geographic areas can be found in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under Note 14 “Segment and
Geographic Data” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Information concerning some of the risks to which we are exposed
resulting from our international operations and foreign currency exchange rates is set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
We operate in numerous countries around the world. Our “North America” reporting segment consists of our United States and Canada
Company-owned operations; our “United Kingdom” reporting segment consists of
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our United Kingdom Company-owned operations; our “Continental Europe” reporting segment consists of our Germany, Switzerland, France,
Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Sweden Company-owned operations; and our “Other” reporting segment includes our Australia, New Zealand,
Mexico and Brazil Company-owned operations. We also have franchise operations in the United States and certain other countries. Revenues
from our North America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and Other reporting segments contributed 64.0%, 10.6%, 20.2% and 5.2%,
respectively, of our total revenues in fiscal 2014. Revenues from our North America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and Other reporting
segments contributed 67.4%, 10.0%, 17.4% and 5.2%, respectively, of our total revenues in fiscal 2013. Finally, revenues from our North
America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and Other reporting segments contributed 68.4%, 11.1%, 14.7% and 5.8%, respectively, of our
total revenues in fiscal 2012.
The Global Weight Management Market
We participate in the global weight management market. According to Marketdata Enterprises, the weight management industry had
revenue of approximately $60.5 billion in 2013 in the United States alone. The number of overweight and obese adults around the world rose
27.5% between 1980 and 2013, to more than 2 billion individuals, and is estimated to reach over 3 billion by 2030. Between 2011 and 2012,
69% of Americans at or over the age of 20 were considered overweight and over a third of these were obese. Numerous diseases, including heart
disease, high blood pressure and Type II diabetes, are associated with being overweight or obese.
Our Services and Products
Our Weight Management Plans
In each of our markets, we offer services and products that are built upon our weight management program which is comprised of a range
of nutritional, exercise and behavioral tools and approaches. Our weight management plan, PointsPlus as it is known in North America, or
ProPoints as it is known in certain of our other geographies, is an innovative weight loss system. It was developed from a combination of
advancements in scientific research and insights of customers who experienced prior Weight Watchers plans. With the PointsPlus system, each
food has a PointsPlus value determined by a unique and proprietary formula based on the food’s protein, carbohydrates, fat and dietary fiber
content. The formula takes into account how these nutrients are processed by the body as well as their impact on satiety. Subject to certain
nutritional guidelines, customers following the PointsPlus system can eat any food as long as the PointsPlus value of their total food
consumption stays within their personalized PointsPlus “budget”. Since nutritious foods generally have low PointsPlus values, this approach
guides customers toward healthier eating habits. In 2014, we offered a new, two-week starter plan, known as Simple Start in North America, to
provide an on-ramp to PointsPlus .
Our Clinical Efficacy and Reputation in the Marketplace
Our program is one of the most clinically-studied commercial weight management programs, with dozens of peer-reviewed publications in
the last 20 years. For example, in fiscal 2012, a clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health in the United States found that
individuals following Weight Watchers lost more weight, on average, over a 48-week period than those following a program administered by
healthcare professionals preceding a period of time of following Weight Watchers. Similarly, in 2013, a randomized controlled trial conducted
by the Baylor College of Medicine researchers and funded by us was published in The American Journal of Medicine and found that overweight
and obese adults following Weight Watchers lost significantly more weight at six months than those who tried to lose weight on their own.
The efficacy of our program and value of our offerings are well-acknowledged in the marketplace. For instance, in 2015 we again were
recognized with the highest ranking in numerous “Best Diets 2015” categories by U.S. News & World Report . Of these categories, we ranked #1
for “Best Weight Loss Diet” for the fifth consecutive year, #1 for “Best Commercial Diet Plan” for the fifth consecutive year and #1 for “Easiest
Diet to Follow” for the fourth consecutive year since the category was added.
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Our Meetings
In our meetings business we present our program in a series of weekly meetings of approximately one hour in duration, conveniently
scheduled throughout the day. Our group support system remains the cornerstone of our meetings. Members provide each other support by
sharing their experiences with, and by providing encouragement and empathy to, other people experiencing similar weight management
challenges. This group support provides the reassurance that no one must overcome his or her weight management challenge alone. Group
support assists members in building healthy routines that support long-term weight management through changes in behavior, eating, and
exercise. We facilitate this support through interactive meetings that encourage learning through group activities and discussions and individual
goal-setting. In our meetings, our leaders present our program in a manner that combines group support and education with a structured approach
to food, activity and lifestyle modification developed by credentialed weight management experts. Our leaders educate members on the Weight
Watchers method of successful and sustained weight management, provide inspiration and motivation for our members and are examples of our
program’s effectiveness because they have lost weight and maintained their weight loss on our program. For meetings, leaders are typically paid
a base rate (which varies based on geographic region), plus various types of commissions based on the number of attendances and products
sold. Leaders are also typically paid on an hourly basis (which varies based on the nature of the task and their geographic region) for all of their
non-meeting activities, including Personal Coaching and 24/7 Expert Chat which are discussed further below in “—Our Online Product
Offerings.”
Our leaders help set a member’s weight goal within a healthy range based on body mass index. When members reach their weight goal and
maintain it for six weeks, they achieve lifetime member status. This gives them the privilege to attend our meetings free of charge as long as they
maintain their weight within a certain range and weigh in at least once a month. Successful members also become eligible to apply for positions
as leaders.
The primary payment structure for our meetings business globally is through a monthly commitment plan. Under this plan, members
receive unlimited access to meetings at a discounted monthly price plus free access to certain Online and mobile tools and 24/7 Expert Chat as
discussed in further detail below in “—Our Online Product Offerings.” Pursuant to this plan, a fee is charged automatically to the member’s
credit card or debit card on a monthly basis until the member elects to cancel. As of the end of fiscal 2014, we had approximately one million
active subscribers to our monthly commitment plan. We also have a “pay-as-you-go” arrangement for the meetings business. Under this
arrangement, a new member pays an initial registration fee and then a weekly fee for each meeting attended. We also offer prepayment plans
consisting of pre-paid meeting vouchers and coupons in some countries. In addition, in December 2014, we launched our new Total Access
product in certain of our markets, including the United States. Total Access offers the bundling of meetings and all of our Online products
described below so the customer can experience the full benefit of all these offerings. Total Access is provided pursuant to a monthly
commitment plan.
As of the end of fiscal 2014, approximately 11.0% of our total worldwide attendance was represented by franchised operations. We
estimate that, in fiscal 2014, these franchised operations attracted attendance of over 4.5 million people. Franchisees typically pay us a fee equal
to 10% of their meeting fee revenues. We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with our franchisees over many years. In our early
years, we used an aggressive franchising strategy to quickly establish a meeting infrastructure to pre-empt competition. Since then, we have
acquired a large number of franchises.
Our franchisees are responsible for operating classes in their franchise class territory using the program and marketing guidelines we have
developed. We provide a central support system for the program and our brand. In many of our markets, franchisees purchase products from us
at wholesale prices for resale directly to members. Franchisees are obligated to adhere strictly to our program content guidelines, with the
freedom to control pricing, class locations, operational structure and local promotions. Franchisees provide local operational expertise,
advertising and public relations. Most franchise agreements are perpetual and can be terminated only upon a material breach or bankruptcy of the
franchisee.
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Our Online Products
We offer various Online subscription products, including Weight Watchers Online and Weight Watchers eTools. Weight Watchers Online
provides interactive and personalized resources that allow users to follow our weight management plans via the Internet or on their mobile
device. Weight Watchers eTools is the Internet weight management companion for Weight Watchers meetings members who want to
interactively manage the day-to-day aspects of their weight management plans on the Internet or on their mobile device. Weight Watchers
eTools is offered as part of our monthly commitment plan for meetings. Though these products have similar functionality across markets, each is
tailored specifically to the local market. While certain of our markets continue to provide the above products, in December 2014, we launched an
enhanced version of each of these products in certain markets, including the United States. The enhanced version offers the same resources as
Weight Watchers Online and Weight Watchers eTools with the addition of the new 24/7 Expert Chat which provides real time support.
In addition, in December 2014, we also launched a new Online subscription product, Personal Coaching, in certain of our markets,
including the United States. Personal Coaching offers one-on-one telephonic, e-mail and text support and personalized planning from a Weight
Watchers-certified Coach . This product also includes access to all of the Online resources discussed above.
Our Online subscription products are based on the Weight Watchers approach to weight management and provide additional tools to our
meetings members, as applicable. They help subscribers adopt a healthier lifestyle, with a view toward long-term behavior modification—a key
aspect of the Weight Watchers approach toward sustainable weight loss. These products provide subscribers with online and mobile content,
functionality, resources and, in certain cases, interactive web-based weight management plans. We believe our personalized and interactive
Online subscription products give subscribers an engaging weight management experience. Our Online subscription products help subscribers
monitor their weight management efforts, encourage exercise and a more active lifestyle, and provide guidance toward healthier eating habits by
offering interactive and other resources, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
PointsPlus Tracker
PointsPlus Calculators
Power Foods lists
Weight Tracker and Progress Charts
Nutritional Guidelines
Hunger Tracker
Fitness Workouts and Videos
Recipe and Food Databases
Recipe Builder
Meal Ideas
Restaurant Guides
®
We believe that mobile weight management tools and resources are an important market opportunity for us. Our mobile phone (iPhone
and Android
) and iPad applications provide monthly commitment plan purchasers and Online subscribers with access to a suite of weight-
loss tools, such as recipe and tracking tools, as well as other helpful content and the ability to scan the barcodes of food products and provide
PointsPlus values. We continue to explore opportunities to enhance the mobility of our plans and products.
™
®
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In addition, we continue to innovate to support our customers’ weight management efforts, including improving the capabilities of our
products and exploring how our products can work with other offerings in the marketplace. For instance, to achieve a more complete and
integrated weight loss experience, we have integrated with certain third-party application program interfaces (APIs) and intend to continue with
further integration. Our subscribers can now seamlessly sync their Weight Watchers Online accounts with popular activity-tracking monitors and
apps including Fitbit
, Jawbone and Apple’s Health app.
®
®
Finally, we believe that we are under-penetrated in many demographic and market segments, and that these will present opportunities for
us. With respect to men, for example, we have customized website content in certain of our markets.
Our Product Sales
We sell a range of products, including bars, snacks, cookbooks, food and restaurant guides with PointsPlus values, Weight Watchers
magazines, PointsPlus calculators and fitness kits, and certain third-party products, such as Fitbit
management plans and help our customers in their weight management efforts. We have focused on selling products that drive recurring
purchases. Our products are designed to be high quality, offer benefits related to the Weight Watchers plans and be easy to merchandise.
. These products complement our weight
®
We sell our products primarily through our meetings business and to our franchisees. Excluding sales to or by our franchisees, in fiscal
2014, sales of proprietary products in our meetings business represented approximately 11.4% of our revenues. We seek to grow our product
sales per attendee in our meetings business by continuing to optimize our product offerings by updating existing products, selectively
introducing new products and sharing best practices across geographies.
At-Work Meetings and Healthcare
As healthcare costs continue to be a significant concern on the minds of employers and their employees, we believe that our broad range of
services and products uniquely positions us to serve the corporate market and help companies reduce their healthcare costs and improve the
overall well-being of their employees. Our strategy is focused on leveraging our organizational capability to serve companies of every size and
type by offering convenient and flexible weight-loss solutions that include meetings at the workplace, local community meetings and access to
Weight Watchers Online. As a result of our strategy, we now have, and plan to continue to invest in, the capability to sell, market, and service
companies at the local level, the mid-market level, and the national level of the corporate market.
We believe the healthcare market, from the doctor’s office to national and other health plan providers, represents an important channel to
reach new consumers. At the end of fiscal 2014, we announced a partnership with Humana, Inc. to offer our weight management services as a
part of coverage under certain employer-sponsored health plans. We continue to explore different approaches to this market.
Licensing, Endorsements and Publishing
Licensing and Endorsements
Companies show continued interest in licensing our brand and other intellectual property as a platform to build their businesses since the
Weight Watchers brand brings high credibility and access to the weight-conscious consumer. By partnering with carefully selected companies in
categories relevant and helpful to weight-conscious consumers, we have created a highly profitable licensing business as well as a powerful
vehicle to reinforce the Weight Watchers brand in the minds of our target consumers.
We license the Weight Watchers brand and our other intellectual property in certain categories of food, including frozen foods and baked
goods, among others, and other relevant consumer products, including scales. We also endorse carefully selected branded consumer products,
such as yogurt, frozen vegetables and soups. We
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seek to increase our licensing revenues by targeting sizeable or strategic product categories where the Weight Watchers brand can add real value.
In order to achieve this goal, our global licensing team focuses on strategically increasing the number of categories and geographies of our
licensed and endorsed products.
We typically partner in our licensing and endorsement arrangements with third parties that excel at new product development and have
strong marketing and sales expertise, manufacturing and distribution capabilities, financial strength, prior performance in previous licensing and
endorsement deals and senior management committed to building the Weight Watchers brand. In connection with our acquisition from the
H.J. Heinz Company, or Heinz, in September 1999, Heinz received a perpetual royalty-free license to continue using our brand in its core food
categories. We plan to continue to choose our licensing and endorsement partners carefully after identifying and prioritizing product categories
that enhance the Weight Watchers brand and have long-term growth potential.
We ask each of our licensees to include on their packaging certain information about our services and our products, such as our toll free
numbers and a URL for WeightWatchers.com. This marketing and promotional support reinforces the value of our brand.
Our licensing and endorsement arrangements give us access to weight-conscious consumers through products sold at retail and increase the
awareness of our brand. We continue to believe there are significant opportunities both in the United States and internationally to take advantage
of the strength of the Weight Watchers brand and our other intellectual property through additional licensing and endorsement arrangements.
Weight Watchers Magazine
Weight Watchers magazines are published in most of our major markets. In the United States, Weight Watchers Magazine is an important
branded marketing platform that continues to show strong circulation and advertiser acceptance. As of fall 2014, our US magazine had a
readership of approximately eight million, according to GfK Mediamark Research and Intelligence, LLC, an industry tracking service. In
addition to generating revenues from subscription sales and third-party advertising, Weight Watchers Magazine also reinforces the value of our
brand and serves as a powerful tool for marketing to both existing and potential customers.
Marketing and Promotion
Our communications with consumers and other promotional efforts enhance our brand image and awareness, and motivate both former and
potential new customers to join Weight Watchers meetings or subscribe to our Online subscription products.
Media Advertising
We advertise primarily in national media vehicles (television, digital, print, radio, etc.), which are selected based on their efficiency and
effectiveness in reaching our target audience. We develop and maintain a high level of engagement with new and potential customers on various
social platforms like Facebook and Twitter. While our traditional advertising schedule generally supports the three key marketing campaigns of
the year, winter, spring and fall, we communicate with consumers in the Online space in real time throughout the year. Also, we utilize brand
ambassadors, including from time to time celebrity spokespersons, as part of our advertising.
Word of Mouth
The word of mouth generated by our current and former customers is an important source of new customers. These referrals, combined
with our strong brand and the effectiveness of our plans, enable us to attract new and returning customers.
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Public Relations
We carry out many of our key public relations initiatives through the efforts of current and former Weight Watchers leaders, members and
subscribers, including from time to time celebrities. These leaders, members and subscribers engage in national and local promotions,
information presentations and charity events to promote Weight Watchers and demonstrate the program’s efficacy. In addition, some become
media-trained ambassadors and represent us in various national and local public relations activities. We currently have over 400 media-trained
ambassadors as part of our grass roots network.
In addition, we have a science-based public relations initiative to capitalize on Weight Watchers’ position as one of only a few clinically
proven commercial weight management programs. This has included an investment in third-party scientific research and increased efforts to
share our consumer and program insights with leaders in the scientific and medical communities as well as the general public.
Customer Relationship Management
We use direct mail and email to attract new and returning customers and to engage current customers. We maintain databases of current
and former customers in each country in which we operate, which we use to focus our direct mailings and email. During fiscal 2014, North
America sent nearly 16 million pieces of direct mail. Most of these mailings are timed to coincide with the start of our marketing campaigns and
are intended to encourage former meetings members to re-enroll. In addition, we continue to leverage our email targeting capabilities. Our email
promotional programs are an important customer acquisition vehicle for us.
Weight Watchers Magazine
In addition to generating revenues from subscription sales and third-party advertising, Weight Watchers Magazine reinforces the value of
our brand and serves as an important marketing tool to both existing and potential customers. We offer Weight Watchers magazines in most of
our major markets.
WeightWatchers.com Website
The WeightWatchers.com website is an important global promotional channel for our brand, services and products. The website is a
vehicle for communicating our services and products in greater detail than could be achieved in more traditional advertising vehicles. In addition
to being a gateway for our Online subscription products, the website contributes value to our meetings business by promoting our brand,
advertising Weight Watchers meetings, assisting in locating meetings and keeping members involved with Weight Watchers outside of meetings
through useful offerings. In 2014, our Meeting Finder feature generated on average over 1.1 million meeting searches per month globally. The
Meeting Finder allows our existing and potential members to find a convenient meeting place and time.
Seasonality
Our business is seasonal due to the importance of the winter diet season to our overall recruitment environment. Our advertising schedule
generally supports the three key recruitment-generating seasons of the year: winter, spring and fall, with winter having the highest concentration
of advertising spending.
Competition
The weight management market includes surgical procedures; the pharmaceutical industry; self-help weight management regimens and
other self-help weight management products, services and publications, such as books, magazines and websites; commercial weight management
programs; Internet, free mobile and other weight management applications, activity monitors and other electronic weight management
approaches; dietary
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supplements and meal replacement products; healthy lifestyle services, products and publications; weight management services administered by
doctors, nutritionists and dieticians; government agencies and non-profit groups that offer weight management services; fitness centers and
national drug store chains.
Competition among commercial weight management programs is largely based on program recognition and reputation and the
effectiveness, safety and price of the program. In the United States, we compete with several other companies in the commercial weight
management industry, although we believe that their businesses are not comparable to us. For example, many of these competitors’ businesses
are based on the sale of pre-packaged meals and meal replacements. Our meetings use group support, education and behavior modification to
help our members change their eating habits, in conjunction with flexible food plans that allow members the freedom to choose what they eat.
There are no significant group education-based competitors in any of our major markets, except in the United Kingdom.
We believe that food manufacturers that produce meal replacement products are not comparable competition because these businesses’
meal replacement products do not engender behavior modification through education in conjunction with a flexible, healthy food plan.
We also compete with various self-help diets, products and publications, such as free mobile and other weight management applications
and activity monitors. Further information regarding our competition can be found in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Trademarks, Patents and Other Proprietary Rights
We own numerous domestic and international trademarks, patents and other proprietary rights that are valuable assets and are important to
our business. Depending upon the jurisdiction, trademarks are valid as long as they are used in the regular course of trade and/or their
registrations are properly maintained. Patent protection extends for varying periods according to the date of patent filing or grant and the legal
term of patents in the jurisdiction in which the patent is granted. The actual protection afforded by a patent may vary from country to country
depending upon the type of patent, the scope of its coverage and the availability of legal remedies in the country. We believe the protection of
our trademarks, copyrights, patents, domain names, trade dress and trade secrets is important to our success. We aggressively protect our
intellectual property rights by relying on a combination of trademark, copyright, patent, trade dress and trade secret laws, and through domain
name dispute resolution systems.
History
Early Development
In 1961, Jean Nidetch, our founder, attended a New York City obesity clinic and took what she learned from her personal experience at the
obesity clinic and began weight-loss meetings with a group of her overweight friends in the basement of a New York apartment building. Under
Ms. Nidetch’s leadership, the group members supported each other in their weight-loss efforts, and word of the group’s success quickly spread.
Ms. Nidetch and Al and Felice Lippert, who all successfully lost weight through these efforts, formally launched our business in 1963. Weight
Watchers International, Inc. was incorporated as a Virginia corporation in 1974 and succeeded to the business started in New York in 1963.
Heinz acquired us in 1978.
Artal Ownership
In September 1999, Artal Luxembourg, S.A., or Artal Luxembourg, acquired us from Heinz. Artal Luxembourg is an indirect subsidiary of
Artal Group, S.A., which together with its parents and its subsidiaries is referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as Artal. Currently,
Artal Luxembourg is the record holder of all our shares owned by Artal.
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WeightWatchers.com Acquisition
In July 2005, we acquired control of our licensee and affiliate, WeightWatchers.com, Inc., by increasing our ownership interest from
approximately 20% to approximately 53%. Subsequently, in December 2005, WeightWatchers.com, Inc. redeemed all shares owned by Artal in
it, resulting in our current ownership of 100% of WeightWatchers.com, Inc.
2012 Tender Offer and Share Repurchase
On February 23, 2012, we commenced a “modified Dutch auction” tender offer for up to $720.0 million in value of our common stock at a
purchase price not less than $72.00 and not greater than $83.00 per share, or the Tender Offer. Prior to the Tender Offer, on February 14, 2012,
we entered into an agreement, or the Purchase Agreement, with Artal Holdings Sp. z o.o., Succursale de Luxembourg, or Artal Holdings (the
then-current record holder of all our shares owned by Artal), whereby Artal Holdings agreed to sell to us, at the same price as was determined in
the Tender Offer, such number of its shares of our common stock that, upon the closing of this purchase after the completion of the Tender
Offer, Artal Holdings’ percentage ownership in the outstanding shares of our common stock would be substantially equal to its level prior to the
Tender Offer. Artal Holdings also agreed not to participate in the Tender Offer so that it would not affect the determination of the purchase price
of the shares in the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer expired at midnight, New York time, on March 22, 2012, and on March 28, 2012 we
repurchased approximately 8.8 million shares at a purchase price of $82.00 per share. On April 9, 2012, we repurchased approximately
9.5 million of Artal Holdings’ shares at a purchase price of $82.00 per share pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In March 2012, we amended
and extended our then-current credit facility to finance these repurchases.
Regulation
A number of laws and regulations govern our advertising, services, products, operations and relations with consumers, employees and
other service providers in the countries in which we operate. Certain federal, state and foreign agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission,
or FTC, and the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, regulate and enforce such laws relating to advertising, promotions, packaging, privacy,
consumer pricing and billing arrangements and other consumer protection matters. Since we operate both in the United States and
internationally, we are subject to many distinct employment, labor, benefits and tax laws in each country in which we operate, including
regulations affecting our employment practices and our relations with our employees and service providers. Laws and regulations directly
applicable to communications, operations or commerce over the Internet such as those governing intellectual property, privacy, libel and
taxation, are more prevalent and continue to evolve. Our operations are subject to these laws and regulations and we continue to monitor their
development and our compliance. In addition, we are subject to other laws and regulations in the United States and internationally.
During the mid-1990s, the FTC filed complaints against a number of commercial weight management providers alleging violations of
federal law in connection with the use of advertisements that featured testimonials, claims for program success and program costs. In 1997, we
entered into a consent order with the FTC settling all contested issues raised in the complaint filed against us. The consent order requires us to
comply with certain procedures and disclosures in connection with our advertisements of services and products.
Employees and Service Providers
As of January 3, 2015, we had approximately 21,000 employees, a majority of whom were part-time employees. In addition, in certain of
our markets, our service providers are self-employed and are not included in this total. We consider our relations with our employees and service
providers to be satisfactory.
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Available Information
Corporate information and our press releases, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on
Form 8-K, and amendments thereto, are available free of charge on our website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com as soon as reasonably
practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (i.e . , generally the same day
as the filing). Moreover, we also make available at that site the Section 16 reports filed electronically by our officers, directors and 10 percent
shareholders. Usually these are publicly accessible no later than the business day following the filing.
We use our website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com , our corporate Facebook page (www.facebook.com/weightwatchers) and
our corporate Twitter account (@WeightWatchers) as channels of distribution of Company information. The information we post through these
channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings
and public conference calls and webcasts. The contents of our website and social media channels shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein
by reference.
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Corporate Governance Guidelines are also available on our website at
www.weightwatchersinternational.com .
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CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information contained herein, this Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements,” within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the
Exchange Act, including, in particular, the statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the headings “Business” and
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We have generally used the words “may,” “will,”
“could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend” and similar expressions in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the
documents incorporated by reference herein to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our
current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in these
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other
things:
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competition from other weight management industry participants or the development of more effective or more favorably perceived
weight management methods;
our ability to continue to develop innovative new services and products and enhance our existing services and products or the failure
of our services and products to continue to appeal to the market, or our ability to successfully expand into new channels of
distribution or respond to consumer trends;
the ability to successfully implement new strategic initiatives;
the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising programs and strength of our social media presence;
the impact on the Weight Watchers brand of actions taken by our franchisees, licensees and suppliers;
the impact of our debt service obligations and restrictive debt covenants;
the inability to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt service obligations;
uncertainties regarding the satisfactory operation of our information technology or systems;
the recognition of asset impairment charges;
the inability to renew certain of our licenses, or the inability to do so on terms that are favorable to us;
the expiration or early termination by us of leases;
risks and uncertainties associated with our international operations, including economic, political and social risks and foreign
currency risks;
our ability to successfully make acquisitions or enter into joint ventures, including our ability to successfully integrate, operate or
realize the projected benefits of such businesses;
uncertainties related to a downturn in general economic conditions or consumer confidence;
the seasonal nature of our business;
the impact of events that discourage or impede people from gathering with others or accessing resources;
our ability to enforce our intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally, as well as the impact of our involvement
in any claims related to intellectual property rights;
the impact of security breaches or privacy concerns;
the outcomes of litigation or regulatory actions;
the impact of existing and future laws and regulations;
the loss of key personnel or failure to effectively manage and motivate our workforce;
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the possibility that the interests of our majority owner will conflict with other holders of our common stock; and
other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should understand that many important factors, including those
discussed under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,”
could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or suggested in any forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, we
do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that
occur after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should consider carefully, in addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the exhibits hereto,
the following risk factors in evaluating our business. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely
affected by any of these risks. The following discussion of risks is not all inclusive but is designed to highlight what we believe are the most
significant risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties, not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, may also
impair our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Competition from other weight management industry participants or the development of more effective or more favorably perceived
weight management methods could result in decreased demand for our services and products.
The weight management industry is highly competitive. We compete against a wide range of providers of weight management services and
products. Our competitors include: surgical procedures; the pharmaceutical industry; self-help weight management regimens and other self-help
weight management products, services and publications, such as books, magazines and websites; commercial weight management programs;
Internet, free mobile and other weight management applications, activity monitors and other electronic weight management approaches; dietary
supplements and meal replacement products; healthy lifestyle services, products and publications; weight management services administered by
doctors, nutritionists and dieticians; government agencies and non-profit groups that offer weight management services; fitness centers and
national drug store chains. Additional competitors may emerge as new or different products or methods of weight management are developed
and marketed. More effective or more favorably perceived diet and weight management methods, including pharmaceutical treatments, fat and
sugar substitutes or other technological and scientific advancements in weight management methods, also may be developed. This competition
may reduce demand for our services and products.
The purchasing decisions of weight management consumers are highly subjective and can be influenced by many factors, such as brand
image, marketing programs, cost, consumer trends and perception of the efficacy of the service and product offerings. Moreover, consumers can,
and frequently do, change weight management approaches easily and at little cost. For example, our revenue was adversely affected by increased
popularity and media exposure of low-carbohydrate diets in 2003 and 2004, and more recently, by the popularity of mobile technology, which
has led to increased trial of free mobile and other weight management applications and activity monitors. Any decrease in demand for our
services and products may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
If we do not continue to develop innovative new services and products or if our services and products do not continue to appeal to the
market, or if we are unable to successfully expand into new channels of distribution or respond to consumer trends, our business may
suffer.
The weight management industry is subject to changing consumer demands based, in large part, on the efficacy and popular appeal of
weight management programs. The popularity of weight management programs is dependent, in part, on their ease of use, cost and channels of
distribution as well as consumer trends. For example, the increasing focus of consumers on more integrated lifestyle and fitness approaches
rather than just food, nutrition and diet could adversely impact the popularity of our programs. Our future success depends on our ability to
continue to develop and market new, innovative services and products and to enhance our existing services and products, each on a timely basis
to respond to new and evolving consumer demands, achieve market acceptance and keep pace with new nutritional, weight management,
technological and other developments. We may not be successful in developing, introducing on a timely basis or marketing any new or enhanced
services and products, and we cannot assure you that any new or enhanced services or products will appeal to the market. Our future success also
will depend, in part, on our ability to successfully distribute our products and services through appealing channels of distribution, such as
mobile. Our failure to develop new services and products and
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to enhance our existing services and products, the failure of our services and products to continue to appeal to the market or the failure to expand
into appealing new channels of distribution could have an adverse impact on our ability to attract and retain members and subscribers and thus
adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We may not be able to successfully implement new strategic initiatives, which could adversely impact our business.
We are continuously evaluating changing consumer preferences and the competitive environment of our industry and seeking out
opportunities to improve our performance through the implementation of selected strategic initiatives, such as our healthcare initiative. The goal
of these efforts is to develop and implement a comprehensive and competitive business strategy which addresses the continuing changes in the
weight management industry environment and our position within the industry. For example, as the healthcare industry continues to evolve its
response to the obesity epidemic so do the requirements, both regulatory and business, for providers. If we do not successfully meet these
requirements, we may not be perceived as an appropriate partner for certain purposes. We may not be able to successfully implement our
strategic initiatives and realize the intended business opportunities, growth prospects, including new business channels, and competitive
advantages. Our efforts to capitalize on business opportunities may not bring the intended results. Assumptions underlying expected financial
results or consumer demand may not be met or economic conditions may deteriorate. We also may be unable to attract and retain highly
qualified and skilled personnel to implement our strategic initiatives. If these or other factors limit our ability to successfully execute our
strategic initiatives, our business activities, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our business depends on the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising programs, as well as the strength of our social media
presence, to attract and retain members and subscribers.
Our business success depends on our ability to attract and retain members to our meetings and subscribers to our Online products. Our
ability to attract and retain members and subscribers depends significantly on the effectiveness of our marketing practices. From time to time, we
use the success stories of our members and subscribers, including in some cases celebrities, in our marketing and advertising programs to
communicate on a personal level with consumers. Actions taken by these members and subscribers that harm their personal reputation, or
include the cessation of using our services and products, could have an adverse impact on the marketing and advertising campaigns in which
they are featured. We also use social media channels as a means of communicating with consumers. Unauthorized or inappropriate use of these
channels could result in harmful publicity or negative consumer experience which could have an adverse impact on the effectiveness of our
marketing in these channels. In addition, substantial negative commentary by others on social media platforms could have an adverse impact on
our reputation and ability to attract and retain members and subscribers. If our marketing and advertising campaigns do not generate a sufficient
number of members and subscribers, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
The Weight Watchers brand could be impaired due to actions taken by our franchisees, licensees and suppliers.
We believe that the Weight Watchers brand, including its widespread recognition and strong reputation in the market, is one of our most
valuable assets and that it provides us with a competitive advantage. Our franchisees operate their businesses under our brand. In addition, we
license the Weight Watchers brand to third parties for the manufacture and sale in retail stores by such parties of a variety of goods, including
food products, and also endorse third-party branded consumer products. We also sell in our meeting rooms food and non-food products
manufactured by third-party suppliers. Because our franchisees, licensees and suppliers are independent third parties with their own financial
objectives, actions taken by them, including violations of generally accepted ethical business practices or breaches of law or contractual
obligations, such as not following our program or not maintaining our quality and safety standards, could harm our brand. Also, Weight
Watchers products may be
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subject to product recalls, litigation or other deficiencies. Any negative publicity associated with these actions would adversely affect our brand
and may result in decreased meeting attendance, Online product subscriptions and product sales and, as a result, lower revenues and profits.
Our debt service obligations could adversely affect our financial condition, and the restrictions of our debt covenants could impede our
operations and flexibility.
As of January 3, 2015, our total debt was $2,358.0 million. In addition, at January 3, 2015, we had $48.2 million available under our
revolving credit facility. Our debt consists entirely of variable-rate instruments so we are subject to the risk of higher interest rates. We seek to
manage our exposure to interest rates through interest rate swaps. At the end of fiscal 2014, we had in effect an interest rate swap with a notional
amount of $1.5 billion.
While there is no net debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) leverage ratio maintenance
requirement on our $2,358.0 million of debt outstanding, our credit facilities contain customary covenants, including covenants that in certain
circumstances restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other payments, including
investments, sell our assets and enter into consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets. A breach of any of these
covenants could result in an event of default under the credit facilities. If an event of default exists under the credit facilities, the lenders could
elect to cease making loans and declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable. If the lenders under the credit
facilities accelerate the payment of the indebtedness, our assets may not be sufficient to repay in full that indebtedness and our other
indebtedness that would become due as a result of any such acceleration.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt service obligations and may be forced to take other actions to
satisfy these obligations, which may not be successful.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations and to fund our planned capital expenditures and other
ongoing liquidity needs depends on our future performance, which may be affected by financial, business, economic, demographic and other
factors, such as attitudes toward weight management and pressure from our competitors. We have a term loan credit facility in an aggregate
principal amount of $300.0 million that will mature in April 2016. We expect to satisfy our debt obligations with respect to this April 2016
maturity with cash flows from operating activities, and, if needed, from borrowing available under our revolving credit facility. However, there
can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve a level of cash flows from operating activities in an amount sufficient for us to meet this
obligation.
We also have a term loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.1 billion that will mature in April 2020. We expect to pay
the principal and interest due in April 2020 from a combination of our cash flows provided by operating activities and by opportunistically using
other means to repay or refinance our obligations as we determine appropriate. There can be no assurance that we will maintain a level of cash
flows from operating activities in an amount sufficient to permit us to pay the principal and interest on all of our outstanding debt. If our cash
flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital
expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt
will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We also may not be able to secure future borrowings
under our WWI Credit Facility (as defined below) or otherwise to fund our planned capital expenditures and other ongoing liquidity needs.
Any refinancing, if available on acceptable terms or at all, of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with
more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments may restrict us
from adopting some of these alternatives. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on
a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness.
Any failure of our technology or systems to perform satisfactorily could result in an adverse impact on our business.
We rely on software, hardware, network systems and similar technology, including cloud-based technology, that is either developed by us
or licensed from or maintained by third parties to operate our websites, Online
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subscription product offerings and other products and services such as the recurring billing system associated with certain of our commitment
plans, and to support our business operations. As much of this technology is complex, there may be future errors, defects or performance
problems, including when we update our technology or integrate new technology to expand and enhance our capabilities. Our technology may
malfunction or suffer from defects that become apparent only after extended use. In addition, our operations depend on our ability to protect our
information technology systems against damage from fire, power loss, water, earthquakes, telecommunications failures and similar unexpected
adverse events. Interruptions in our websites, products and services or network systems could result from unknown technical defects, insufficient
capacity or the failure of our third party providers to provide continuous and uninterrupted service. While we maintain disaster recovery
capabilities to return to normal operation in a timely manner, we do not have a fully redundant system that includes an instantaneous recovery
capability.
As a result of such possible defects, failures or other problems, our products and services could be rendered unreliable or be perceived as
unreliable by customers, which could result in harm to our reputation and brand. Any failure of our technology or systems could result in an
adverse impact on our business.
We may be required to recognize asset impairment charges for indefinite- and definite-lived assets.
In accordance with GAAP (as defined hereafter), we perform impairment reviews of our indefinite-lived assets, which include franchise
rights acquired and goodwill, on at least an annual basis or more often if events so require. We also continually evaluate whether current factors
or indicators, such as a deterioration in general economic conditions, an increased competitive environment, a decline in our financial
performance, and/or other prevailing conditions in the capital markets, require the performance of an interim impairment assessment of those
assets. The process of testing franchise rights acquired, goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets for impairment involves numerous judgments,
assumptions and estimates made by management which inherently reflect a high degree of uncertainty. Certain factors, including the future
profitability of our businesses, the price of our stock and macroeconomic conditions, might have a negative impact on the fair value of these
assets. In fiscal 2014, we recorded an impairment charge of $26.1 million related to franchise rights acquired in connection with our Canada
operations. In fiscal 2013, we recorded impairment charges in the aggregate of approximately $1.2 million related to franchise rights acquired in
connection with our Mexico and Hong Kong operations. We may incur additional impairment charges in the future, which would have an
adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, we evaluate definite-lived assets, both tangible, which includes our physical plant and equipment, and intangible, which
includes both internally developed and purchased software, for impairment by comparing the net realizable value of the asset to the carrying
value of the capitalized cost. If the value of those assets is not deemed to be recoverable an assessment of the fair value of those assets is
performed and to the extent the carrying value exceeds the fair value an impairment charge is recognized. Should our investment in capitalized
definite-lived assets become impaired, there would also be an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
The inability to renew certain of our licenses, or the inability to do so on terms that are favorable to us, could have a material adverse
effect on our financial results.
We have entered into licensing and endorsement relationships with numerous partners for the distribution and sale of certain products that
are relevant and helpful to weight-conscious consumers. These arrangements are typically for fixed terms, following which the parties decide
whether to extend the term of the arrangement. There is no guarantee that we will reach mutually agreeable terms with our partners for extending
an arrangement. Similarly, in those instances where a licensee enjoys the option to extend the term of a license as a result of having achieved
certain conditions, there is no guarantee that the licensee will avail itself of such option. Our financial results could be adversely affected if we
are unable to extend a licensing or endorsement arrangement, if we are unable to do so on terms favorable to us, or if we cannot locate a suitable
alternative to an incumbent licensee who has decided not to renew its arrangement.
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Expiration or early termination by us of leases could have an adverse impact on our financial results.
Our operations, including corporate headquarters and back-office and customer service operations, are located in leased office space and
many of our meetings are held in leased space in retail centers. As leases expire, we may not be able to renew them on acceptable terms or secure
suitable replacement locations. If we decide to relocate or close meeting locations before the expiration of the applicable lease term, we may
incur payments to landlords to terminate or “buy out” the remaining term of the lease. Either of the above events could adversely impact our
financial results.
Our international operations expose us to economic, political and social risks in the countries in which we operate.
The international nature of our operations involves a number of risks, including changes in US and foreign government regulations, tariffs,
taxes and exchange controls, economic downturns, inflation and political and social instability in the countries in which we operate and our
dependence on foreign personnel. Foreign government regulations may also restrict our ability to operate in some countries, acquire new
businesses, recur bill our customers or repatriate cash from foreign subsidiaries back to the United States. We cannot be certain that we will be
able to enter and successfully compete in additional foreign markets or that we will be able to continue to compete in the foreign markets in
which we currently operate.
We are exposed to foreign currency risks from our international operations that could adversely affect our financial results.
A significant portion of our revenues and operating costs are denominated in foreign currencies. We are therefore exposed to fluctuations
in the exchange rates between the US dollar and the currencies in which our foreign operations receive revenues and pay expenses. We do not
currently hedge, and have not historically hedged, our operational exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. Our consolidated financial results
are presented in US dollars and therefore, during times of a strengthening US dollar, our reported international revenues and earnings will be
reduced because the local currency will translate into fewer US dollars. In addition, the assets and liabilities of our non-US subsidiaries are
translated into US dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated into US dollars at the
average exchange rate for the period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are recorded
in shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Translation adjustments arising from intercompany receivables with
our foreign subsidiaries are generally recorded as a component of other expense (income). Accordingly, changes in currency exchange rates will
cause our revenues, operating costs, net income and shareholders’ equity to fluctuate, and are expected to have a negative impact in 2015.
We may not successfully make acquisitions or enter into joint ventures and we may not successfully integrate, operate or realize the
anticipated benefits of such businesses.
As part of our growth strategy, we may pursue selected acquisitions or joint ventures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effect
these transactions on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any future acquisitions or joint ventures may require access to additional capital,
and we cannot assure you that we will have access to such capital on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Even if we enter into these
transactions, we may not realize the benefits we anticipate or we may experience difficulties in integrating any acquired companies, technologies
and products into our existing business or in providing our services and products in newly acquired markets; attrition of key personnel from
acquired businesses; significant charges or expenses; higher costs of integration than we anticipated; or unforeseen operating difficulties that
require significant financial and managerial resources that would otherwise be available for the ongoing development or expansion of our
existing operations.
Our ability to influence the control of, or distributions from, our joint ventures may be limited by contract or otherwise. If any of the other
investors in one of our joint ventures fails to observe its commitments, or its interests are different than ours, the joint venture may not be able to
operate according to its business plan, we
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may be required to increase our level of commitment, or such entities may take actions which are not in our best interest. If we are unable to
maintain our relationships with our joint venture partners, we could lose our ability to operate in the geographies and/or markets in which they
operate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Consummating these transactions could also result in the incurrence of additional debt and related interest expense, as well as unforeseen
contingent liabilities, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We may also
issue additional equity in connection with these transactions, which would dilute our existing shareholders.
Our business may decline as a result of a downturn in general economic conditions or consumer confidence.
Our business is highly dependent on meeting fees, Online product subscriptions and product sales. A downturn in general economic
conditions or consumer confidence in any of our major markets could result in people curtailing or reallocating their discretionary spending
which, in turn, could reduce attendance at our meetings, Online product subscriptions and product sales. Any reduction in consumer spending
may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The seasonal nature of our business could cause our operating results to fluctuate.
We have experienced and expect to continue to experience fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations due to the seasonal nature of
our business. The first quarter of the fiscal year typically results in the greatest revenue due to the importance of the winter diet season to our
overall recruitment environment. This seasonality could cause our share price to fluctuate as the results of an interim financial period may not be
indicative of our full year results. Seasonality also impacts relative revenue and profitability of each quarter of the year, both on a quarter-to-
quarter and year-over-year basis.
Any event that discourages or impedes people from gathering with others or accessing resources could adversely affect our business.
Our meetings and Online businesses are subject to conditions beyond our control that may prevent or impede current or prospective
members from attending or joining meetings, or subscribers from accessing our Online products, including extreme weather, terrorism, health
epidemics, loss of resources such as electricity, national disasters and other extraordinary events. The occurrence of any event that discourages
people from gathering with others or impedes their ability to access resources could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results
of operations.
Third parties may infringe on our brand and other intellectual property rights, which may have an adverse impact on our business.
We currently rely on a combination of trademark, copyright, trade dress, trade secret, patent and other intellectual property laws and
domain name dispute resolution systems to establish and protect our proprietary rights, including our brand. If we fail to successfully enforce our
intellectual property rights, the value of our brand, services and products could be diminished and our business may suffer. Our precautions may
not prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property, particularly in foreign countries where laws or law enforcement practices may not
protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. Any legal action that we may bring to protect our brand and other intellectual
property could be unsuccessful and expensive and could divert management’s attention from other business concerns. In addition, legal
standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property, especially in Internet-related businesses, are
uncertain and evolving. We cannot assure you that these evolving legal standards will sufficiently protect our intellectual property rights in the
future.
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We may be subject to intellectual property rights claims.
Third parties may make claims against us alleging infringement of their intellectual property rights. Any intellectual property claims,
regardless of merit, could be time-consuming and expensive to litigate or settle and could significantly divert management’s attention from other
business concerns. In addition, if we were unable to successfully defend against such claims, we may have to pay damages, stop selling the
service or product or stop using the software, technology or content found to be in violation of a third party’s rights, seek a license for the
infringing service, product, software, technology or content or develop alternative non-infringing services, products, software, technology or
content. If we cannot license on reasonable terms, develop alternatives or stop using the service, product, software, technology or content for any
infringing aspects of our business, we may be forced to limit our service and product offerings. Any of these results could reduce our revenues or
our ability to compete effectively, increase our costs or harm our business.
Our reputation and the appeal of our services and product offerings may be harmed by security breaches or privacy concerns.
Breaches of security, vandalism and other malicious acts, which are increasingly negatively impacting companies, could result in
unauthorized access to proprietary or customer information or data, including credit card transaction data, or cause interruptions to our products
and services. Such unauthorized access could harm our reputation, expose us to liability claims and may result in the loss of existing or potential
customers. We rely upon sophisticated information technology systems to operate our business. In the ordinary course of business, we collect,
store and utilize confidential information (including, but not limited to, personal customer information and data), and it is critical that we do so in
a secure manner to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of such confidential information as well as comply with applicable regulatory
requirements.
We also have outsourced significant elements of our information technology infrastructure and, as a result, we are managing many
independent vendor relationships with third parties who may or could have access to our confidential information. The size and complexity of
our information technology and information security systems, and those of our third-party vendors with whom we contract, make such systems
potentially vulnerable to security breaches. While we have invested and developed systems and processes designed to protect such proprietary or
customer information or data, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent service interruptions or security breaches.
Most states require that customers be notified if a security breach results in the disclosure of their personal financial account or other
information, and additional states and governmental entities are considering such laws. In addition, other public disclosure laws may require that
material security breaches be reported. If we experience a security breach and such notice or public disclosure is required in the future, our
reputation and our business may be harmed. Privacy concerns among prospective and existing customers regarding our use of such information
or data collected on our websites or through our services and products, such as weight management information, financial data, email addresses
and home addresses, could keep them from using our websites or purchasing our services or products.
In addition, the transmission of computer viruses, or similar malware, could adversely affect our information technology systems and harm
our business operations. As a result, it may become necessary to expend significant additional amounts of capital and other resources to protect
against, or to alleviate, problems caused by security breaches. These expenditures, however, may not prove to be a sufficient remedy.
Outcomes of litigation or regulatory actions could adversely impact our financial condition.
From time to time, we may be a party to lawsuits and regulatory actions relating to our business operations. For example, in the past, we
have had disputes with our franchisees regarding operations and other contractual issues. Due to the inherent uncertainties of legal actions and
regulatory proceedings, we cannot predict their outcomes with certainty. Therefore, it is possible that our results of operations, financial
condition or cash flows could be materially adversely affected by the unfavorable resolution of one or more legal or regulatory actions.
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As we expand our offerings in certain healthcare channels, consumers may misconstrue our program as providing medical advice. As we clearly
state in our consumer communications, most of our service providers do not have extensive training or certification in nutrition, diet or health
fields beyond the training they receive from us. Despite our disclaimers, as more customers come to us through the healthcare channel they may
misperceive that our service providers are providing medical advice regarding weight loss and related topics. We may also be subject to claims
that our service providers have provided inappropriate advice or have inappropriately referred or failed to refer customers to health care
providers when needed. Regardless of the outcome of any legal action or regulatory proceeding, such actions and proceedings could result in
substantial costs and may require that our management devote substantial time and resources to defend us.
Our businesses are subject to legislative and regulatory restrictions.
A number of laws and regulations govern our advertising, services, products, operations and relations with consumers, licensees,
franchisees, employees and other service providers, and government authorities in the countries in which we operate.
Certain federal, state and foreign agencies, such as the FTC and FDA, regulate and enforce such laws relating to advertising, promotions,
packaging, privacy, consumer pricing and billing arrangements, and other consumer protection matters. A determination by a federal, state or
foreign agency, or a court in connection with a governmental enforcement action or private litigation, that any of our practices do not meet
existing or new laws or regulations could result in liability, adverse publicity, and restrictions of our business operations. For example, during
the mid-1990s, the FTC filed complaints against a number of commercial weight management providers alleging violations of federal law in
connection with the use of advertisements that featured testimonials, claims for program success and program costs. In 1997, we entered into a
consent order with the FTC settling all contested issues raised in the complaint filed against us. The consent order requires us to comply with
certain procedures and disclosures in connection with our advertisements of products and services.
Since we operate both in the United States and internationally, we are subject to many distinct employment, labor, benefits and tax laws in
each country in which we operate, including regulations affecting our employment practices and our relations with our employees and service
providers. If we are required to comply with new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations, are unable to
comply with these laws, regulations or interpretations, or are subject to litigation with respect to these laws, regulations or interpretations, our
business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Laws and regulations directly applicable to communications, operations or commerce over the Internet such as those governing intellectual
property, privacy, libel and taxation, are more prevalent and continue to evolve. If we are required to comply with new laws or regulations or
new interpretations of existing laws or regulations, or if we are unable to comply with these laws, regulations or interpretations, our business
could be adversely affected.
Future laws or regulations, including laws or regulations affecting our marketing and advertising practices, consumer pricing and billing
arrangements, relations with consumers, employees, service providers, licensees or franchisees, or our services and products, may have an
adverse impact on us.
Loss of key personnel or failure to effectively manage and motivate our workforce could negatively impact our sales of services and
products.
We depend on senior management and other key personnel, and the loss of certain personnel could result in the loss of management
continuity and institutional knowledge. We also depend heavily upon our service providers to support our members and subscribers on their
weight management efforts. If we fail to appropriately manage and motivate our service providers, we may not be able to adequately service our
customers which could negatively impact our sales of services and products. Changes in factors such as overall unemployment levels, local
competition for qualified personnel, prevailing wage rates, changes in employment law, as well as rising
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employee benefits costs, including insurance in the areas in which we operate, could interfere with our ability to adequately provide support to
customers and increase our labor costs. Additionally, our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could delay or hinder our successfully
executing our strategic initiatives.
Artal controls us and may have conflicts of interest with other shareholders in the future.
Artal controls us and is able to control the election and removal of our directors and determine our corporate and management policies,
including potential mergers or acquisitions, payment of dividends, asset sales, the amendment of our articles of incorporation or bylaws and
other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of our ownership may delay or deter possible changes in control of our company,
which may reduce the value of an investment in our common stock. Even if Artal beneficially owns less than 50% but 10% or more of our
common stock, Artal will have the right pursuant to an agreement with us to nominate directors to our Board of Directors in proportion to its
stock ownership. The interests of Artal may not coincide with the interests of other holders of our common stock.
We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange rules and, as a result, qualify for exemptions from
certain corporate governance requirements.
Artal controls a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Under the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, rules,
a listed company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by another person or group of persons acting
together is a “controlled company” and such a company may elect not to comply with certain NYSE corporate governance requirements,
including (1) the requirement that a majority of the Board of Directors consist of independent directors, (2) the requirement that the nominating
and corporate governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose
and responsibilities, (3) the requirement that the compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter
addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities, (4) that the compensation committee be required to consider certain independence
factors when engaging compensation consultants, legal counsel and other committee advisors and (5) the requirement for an annual performance
evaluation of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees. We have elected to be treated as a “controlled company.”
Accordingly, our shareholders may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE
corporate governance requirements.
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws and Virginia corporate law contain provisions that may discourage a takeover attempt.
Provisions contained in our articles of incorporation and bylaws and the laws of Virginia, the state in which we are incorporated, could
make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our shareholders. Provisions of our articles of
incorporation and bylaws impose various procedural and other requirements, which could make it more difficult for shareholders to effect certain
corporate actions. For example, our articles of incorporation authorize our Board of Directors to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions of unissued series of preferred stock, without any vote or action by our shareholders. Thus, our Board of Directors can authorize and
issue shares of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting or other rights of holders of our common
stock. These rights may have the effect of delaying or deterring a change of control of our company. In addition, a change of control of our
company may be delayed or deterred as a result of our having three classes of directors. These provisions could limit the price that certain
investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
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Item 2.
Properties
We are currently headquartered in New York, New York in leased office space with our US back-office and customer support operations
located in leased office spaces elsewhere in the United States. Each of our foreign country operations generally also has leased office space to
support its operations. Our meetings are typically held in third-party locations (usually meeting rooms in well-located civic or other community
centers) or space leased in retail centers.
Our website and digital products and services are hosted on hardware and software co-located at a third-party facility in New York and by
third-party cloud service providers with facilities in various locations around the United States. We also maintain a disaster recovery site with
hardware and software co-located at a third-party facility in Arizona.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
Jeri Connolly et al. v. Weight Watchers North America, Inc.
In August 2013, the Company was contacted by plaintiffs’ counsel in the previously filed and settled Sabatino v. Weight Watchers North
America, Inc. case, or Sabatino , threatening to file a new class action on behalf of the Company’s current and former service providers in
California asserting various wage and hour claims, including but not limited to claims for unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations, which
allegedly accrued after the effective date of the Sabatino settlement. On March 17, 2014, the parties came to an agreement in principle to settle
the matter on a class-wide basis for $1.7 million. On April 29, 2014, the parties executed a Memorandum of Understanding to document the
terms and conditions of settlement and, the following day, plaintiffs filed a complaint regarding the claims at issue in the Northern District of
California. On June 11, 2014, the parties filed a formal settlement agreement and other required documents for the Court’s preliminary
approval. On July 21, 2014, the parties received the Court’s preliminary approval of the settlement agreement. On August 11, 2014, notices of
settlement were sent out to the class members advising them of the settlement and their right to object or opt-out of the settlement; no class
members did so by the deadline of September 22, 2014. At a December 2014 hearing the Court provided final approval of the settlement and the
Company made the corresponding settlement payment in January 2015.
In re Weight Watchers International, Inc. Securities Litigation
In March 2014, two substantially identical putative class action complaints alleging violation of the federal securities laws were filed by
individual shareholders against the Company, certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors, and the Company’s controlling
shareholder, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaints were purportedly filed on behalf of all
purchasers of the Company’s common stock, no par value per share, between February 14, 2012 and October 30, 2013, inclusive (referred to
herein as the Class Period). The complaints allege that, during the Class Period, the defendants disseminated materially false and misleading
statements and/or concealed material adverse facts. The complaints allege claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5. The plaintiffs seek to recover unspecified damages on behalf of the class members. In June 2014, the
Court consolidated the cases and appointed lead plaintiffs and lead counsel. On August 12, 2014, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint that,
among other things, reduced the Class Period to between February 14, 2012 and February 13, 2013 and dropped all current officers and certain
directors previously named as defendants. On October 14, 2014, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs filed an opposition to the
defendants’ motion to dismiss on November 24, 2014 and the defendants filed a reply in support of their motion to dismiss on December 23,
2014. The Company continues to believe that the suits are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously.
On May 29, 2014 and June 23, 2014, the Company received shareholder litigation demand letters alleging breaches of fiduciary duties and
unjust enrichment by Company officers and directors and Artal Group, S.A., to the alleged injury of the Company. The allegations in the letters
relate to those contained in the ongoing
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securities class action litigation. In response to the letters, pursuant to Virginia law, the Board of Directors has created a special committee to
review and evaluate the facts and circumstances surrounding the claims made in the demand letters.
Other Litigation Matters
Due to the nature of the Company’s activities, it is also, at times, subject to pending and threatened legal actions, including patent and other
intellectual property actions, that arise out of the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based in part upon advice of legal
counsel, the disposition of any such matters is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition
or cash flows. However, the results of legal actions cannot be predicted with certainty. Therefore, it is possible that the Company’s results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows could be materially adversely affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution of one
or more legal actions.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, the information regarding our directors and executive officers required by Items 401
(a), (b) and (e) of Regulation S-K is hereby included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Set forth below are the names, ages as of January 3, 2015 and current positions of our executive officers and directors. Directors are
elected at the annual meeting of shareholders. Executive officers are appointed by, and hold office at, the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Name
James R. Chambers
Michael F. Colosi
Nicholas P. Hotchkin
Jeanine Lemmens
Lesya Lysyj
Corinne Pollier(-Bousquet)
Raymond Debbane
Steven M. Altschuler, M.D.
Philippe J. Amouyal
Cynthia Elkins
Marsha Johnson Evans
Jonas M. Fajgenbaum
Sacha Lainovic
Christopher J. Sobecki
(1)
(1)
(2)
(2)
(1)(2)
Age Position
57 President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
49 General Counsel and Secretary
49 Chief Financial Officer
44 President, United Kingdom
51 President, North America
50 President, Continental Europe & Australia-New Zealand
59 Chairman of the Board of Directors
61 Director
56 Director
49 Director
67 Director
42 Director
58 Director
56 Director
(1) Member of Compensation Committee.
(2) Member of Audit Committee.
James R. Chambers. Mr. Chambers has served as a director and our President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2013. He served as
our President and Chief Operating Officer from January 2013 to July 2013. Prior to joining us, Mr. Chambers served as President of the U.S.
Snacks and Confectionary business unit and General Manager of the Immediate Consumption Channel of Kraft Foods Inc., a global food and
beverage company, from January 2010 to July 2011. Prior to joining Kraft, Mr. Chambers held various positions in the North America business
unit at Cadbury plc, a beverage and confectionary company, from September 2005 to January 2010, most recently as the President and Chief
Executive Officer. Mr. Chambers began his career at Nabisco, Inc. and also held various executive positions with Rémy Cointreau USA,
Paxonix Inc., NetGrocer.com, Inc. and Information Resources, Inc. Mr. Chambers received a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from
Princeton University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chambers is a director of Big
Lots, Inc. Mr. Chambers was previously a director of B&G Foods.
Michael F. Colosi. Mr. Colosi has served as our General Counsel and Secretary since May 19, 2014. Prior to joining us, Mr. Colosi most
recently served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. (KCP), a multi-brand
retail, wholesale and licensing company, from March 2007 to February 2014. His service as General Counsel and Secretary of KCP commenced
in July 2000 and July 2004, respectively. He also served as Corporate Vice President of KCP from July 2000 to February 2007. Prior to joining
KCP, Mr. Colosi was Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for The Warnaco Group, Inc., an international apparel company, from
1996 to 2000. Mr. Colosi received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and English from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor from The University
of Michigan Law School.
Nicholas P. Hotchkin. Mr. Hotchkin has served as our Chief Financial Officer since August 2012. Prior to joining us, Mr. Hotchkin had
spent several years at Staples, Inc., a global leader in the office supply industry. Most recently, Mr. Hotchkin served as Senior Vice President of
Finance for the U.S. Retail division of Staples based in Massachusetts, a position he held from May 2010 to August 2012. Before assuming that
position, he had
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been Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer of Staples, a position he held from November 2006 to April 2010. Prior to joining Staples,
Mr. Hotchkin held several corporate finance positions with Delphi Corporation and General Motors Corporation including assignments in the
United States, Asia and Europe. Mr. Hotchkin received a B.A. in Economics from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business
School.
Jeanine Lemmens. Ms. Lemmens has served as our President, United Kingdom since May 2013. Prior to that time, Ms. Lemmens served as
our Managing Director, Benelux from July 2006 to May 2013. Prior to joining us, beginning in December 1999, Ms. Lemmens held various
senior management and strategic positions with Center Parcs Europe, an operator of European short holiday break villages, including most
recently serving as the Director B2B Strategy / Marketing from November 2005 to July 2006. Prior to joining Center Parcs Europe,
Ms. Lemmens was working as an accountant in the audit practice with Ernst & Young LLP where she serviced a range of clients including many
commercial clients. Ms. Lemmens holds a Certified Public Accountant degree from Erasmus University in the Netherlands, an M.S. in Business
Administration from Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands and a Bachelors of Art degree in Hospitality Management from Hotel
School, The Hague, Hospitality Business School in the Netherlands.
Lesya Lysyj. Ms. Lysyj has served as our President, North America since November 2013. Prior to joining us, Ms. Lysyj served as Senior
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Heineken USA, a leading beer importer in the United States, from March 2011 to November
2013. Prior to joining Heineken USA, Incorporated, Ms. Lysyj had worked as Vice President Marketing Confectionery for the United States at
Kraft Foods Inc., a global food and beverage company, from March 2010 to March 2011. Prior to joining Kraft, Ms. Lysyj held various positions
in the North America business unit at Cadbury plc, a beverage and confectionary company, from 2000 to 2010, most recently as Executive Vice
President Marketing, Cadbury US/Canada from 2007 to 2010. Ms. Lysyj also held various marketing and product development positions with
Cadbury Schweppes Beverages. Ms. Lysyj received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Western Ontario and an M.B.A from
the University of Toronto.
Corinne Pollier(-Bousquet). Ms. Pollier has served as our President, Continental Europe & Australia–New Zealand since January 2014.
Prior to that, Ms. Pollier served as our President, Continental Europe from May 2013 to January 2014, our Senior Vice President of France and
Switzerland from October 2008 to May 2013 and our General Manager of France from October 2003 to October 2008. Prior to joining us, from
1991 to 2003, Ms. Pollier was with VIVARTE Group (France), a European retailer of footwear and apparel, where she held various positions in
the finance and planning analysis department from 1991 to 1995, various senior positions in the organization and strategy department from 1995
to 2000 and as General Manager of Kookai from 2001 to 2003. Ms. Pollier also held various product management and project management
positions for the central buying office of Le Printemps department stores from 1987 to 1991. Ms. Pollier is a graduate of HEC Business School
Paris.
Raymond Debbane. Mr. Debbane has been the Chairman of our Board of Directors since our acquisition by Artal Luxembourg S.A. on
September 29, 1999. Mr. Debbane is a co-founder and the Chief Executive Officer of The Invus Group, LLC. Prior to forming The Invus Group,
LLC in 1985, Mr. Debbane was a manager and consultant for The Boston Consulting Group in Paris, France. He holds an M.B.A. from Stanford
Graduate School of Business, an M.S. in Food Science and Technology from the University of California, Davis and a B.S. in Agricultural
Sciences and Agricultural Engineering from American University of Beirut. Mr. Debbane is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lexicon
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He is also the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Artal Group S.A. and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of a
number of private companies of which Artal Group S.A., or its parents or subsidiaries, or Invus, L.P. are shareholders. Mr. Debbane was
previously a director of Ceres, Inc.
Steven M. Altschuler, M.D. Dr. Altschuler has been a director since September 2012. Dr. Altschuler has served and continues to serve as
the Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one of the leading children’s hospitals in the United States,
since April 2000. Prior to assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Altschuler held several positions at CHOP, including Physician-in-
Chief and chief of the
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Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Prior to joining CHOP, Dr. Altschuler was faculty member and chair of the Department
of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Altschuler received a B.A. in mathematics and an M.D.
from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Altschuler is a director of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company, serves on its Compensation and
Management Development Committee and is also Chair of its Nutrition Science and Technology Committee. Dr. Altschuler is also the Chair of
the Board of Directors of Spark Therapeutics, Inc.
Philippe J. Amouyal. Mr. Amouyal has been a director since November 2002. Mr. Amouyal is a Managing Director of The Invus Group,
LLC, a position he has held since 1999. Previously, Mr. Amouyal was a Vice President and director of The Boston Consulting Group in Boston,
MA. He holds an M.S. in Engineering and a DEA in Management from Ecole Centrale de Paris and was a Research Fellow at the Center for
Policy Alternatives of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Amouyal is a director and member of the Compensation Committee of
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and a number of private companies of which Artal Group S.A., or its parents or subsidiaries, or Invus, L.P. are
shareholders.
Cynthia Elkins. Ms. Elkins has been a director since March 2014. Since March 2011, Ms. Elkins has served as the Vice President of IT
Americas at Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, a leading biotechnology company. She previously served as Genentech’s Senior
Director of IT Enterprise Applications from December 2007 to February 2011. Prior to joining Genentech, Ms. Elkins was Vice President of
Supplier Solutions and Commerce Services at Ariba, Inc. and Vice President of Product Engineering at ATP Inc. Prior to that, she held various
IT positions at Aspect Telecommunications, VeriFone and Digital Equipment Corporation. Ms. Elkins received a B.S. in Applied Mathematics
from the University of California, Los Angeles and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.
Marsha Johnson Evans. Ms. Evans has been a director since February 2002. Ms. Evans served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the American Red Cross, the preeminent humanitarian organization in the United States, from August 2002 to December 2005, and previously
served as the National Executive Director of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. from January 1998 to July 2002. A retired Rear Admiral in the United
States Navy, Ms. Evans served as superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California from 1995 to 1998 and headed the
Navy’s worldwide recruiting organization from 1993 to 1995. Ms. Evans also served as the Acting Commissioner of the Ladies Professional
Golf Association from July 2009 to January 2010. Ms. Evans received a B.A. from Occidental College and a Master’s Degree from the Fletcher
School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Ms. Evans is also a director of The North Highland Company and The First Tee. Ms. Evans
was previously a director of Huntsman Corporation, Office Depot, Inc. and the Estate of Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
Jonas M. Fajgenbaum. Mr. Fajgenbaum has been a director since our acquisition by Artal Luxembourg S.A. on September 29, 1999.
Mr. Fajgenbaum is a Managing Director of The Invus Group, LLC, which he joined in 1996. Prior to joining The Invus Group, LLC,
Mr. Fajgenbaum was a consultant for McKinsey & Company in New York from 1994 to 1996. He graduated with a B.S. in Economics with a
concentration in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Economics from the University of
Pennsylvania. Mr. Fajgenbaum is a director of a number of private companies of which Artal Group S.A., or its parents or subsidiaries, or Invus
L.P. are shareholders.
Sacha Lainovic. Mr. Lainovic has been a director since our acquisition by Artal Luxembourg S.A. on September 29, 1999. Since 2007,
Mr. Lainovic has been Managing Partner of Invus Financial Advisors, LLC, a New York-based investment firm, which he co-founded. From
1985 to 2006, Mr. Lainovic was Executive Vice President of The Invus Group, LLC, which he co-founded. Prior to forming The Invus Group,
LLC in 1985, Mr. Lainovic was a manager and consultant for The Boston Consulting Group in Paris, France. He holds an M.B.A. from Stanford
Graduate School of Business and an M.S. in Engineering from Insa de Lyon in Lyon, France.
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Christopher J. Sobecki. Mr. Sobecki has been a director since our acquisition by Artal Luxembourg S.A. on September 29, 1999.
Mr. Sobecki is a Managing Director of The Invus Group, LLC, which he joined in 1989. He received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
He also obtained a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. Mr. Sobecki is a director of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and a
number of private companies of which Artal Group S.A., or its parents or subsidiaries, or Invus, L.P. are shareholders.
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PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE. Our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “WTW.”
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share for our common stock as reported on the
NYSE composite price history.
Fiscal 2014 (Year ended January 3, 2015)
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Fiscal 2013 (Year ended December 28, 2013)
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
High
$ 33.43
$ 25.15
$ 27.90
$ 29.84
Low
$ 19.50
$ 19.52
$ 19.09
$ 21.21
High
$ 60.30
$ 48.35
$ 48.63
$ 41.44
Low
$ 40.00
$ 40.09
$ 35.58
$ 31.24
On October 9, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized, and we announced, a program to repurchase up to $250.0 million of our
outstanding common stock. On each of June 13, 2005, May 25, 2006 and October 21, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized, and we
announced, adding $250.0 million to this program. The repurchase program allows for shares to be purchased from time to time in the open
market or through privately negotiated transactions. No shares will be purchased from Artal Holdings and its parents and subsidiaries under this
program. The repurchase program currently has no expiration date. We repurchased no shares of our common stock during the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2014. As of the end of fiscal 2014, $208.9 million remained available to purchase shares of our common stock under the repurchase
program.
On February 23, 2012, we commenced a “modified Dutch auction” tender offer for up to $720.0 million in value of our common stock at a
purchase price not less than $72.00 and not greater than $83.00 per share, or the Tender Offer. Prior to the Tender Offer, on February 14, 2012,
we entered into an agreement, or the Purchase Agreement, with Artal Holdings (the then-current record holder of our shares owned by Artal)
whereby Artal Holdings agreed to sell to us, at the same price as was determined in the Tender Offer, such number of its shares of our common
stock that, upon the closing of this purchase after the completion of the Tender Offer, Artal Holdings’ percentage ownership in the outstanding
shares of our common stock would be substantially equal to its level prior to the Tender Offer. Artal Holdings also agreed not to participate in
the Tender Offer so that it would not affect the determination of the purchase price of the shares in the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer expired at
midnight, New York time, on March 22, 2012, and on March 28, 2012 we repurchased approximately 8.8 million shares at a purchase price of
$82.00 per share. On April 9, 2012, we repurchased approximately 9.5 million of Artal Holdings’ shares at a purchase price of $82.00 per share
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In March 2012, we amended and extended the Prior WWI Credit Facility (as defined below) to finance
these repurchases. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and
Capital Resources—Long-Term Debt”. The repurchase of shares of common stock under the Tender Offer and from Artal Holdings pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement was not made pursuant to the Company’s existing repurchase program.
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Holders
The approximate number of holders of record of our common stock as of January 31, 2015 was 289. This number does not include
beneficial owners of our securities held in the name of nominees.
Dividends
On October 30, 2013, we announced that we suspended our quarterly cash dividend. As a result, no dividend was issued for the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2013. We historically had issued a quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share of our common stock every quarter for the past
several fiscal years. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, our Board of Directors declared such a quarterly cash dividend and accelerated its
payment to December 2012 instead of having it paid in January 2013 as it had typically done for the fourth quarter dividend declaration. We
currently intend to use the annual cash savings from such dividend suspension to preserve financial flexibility while funding our strategic growth
initiatives and building cash for future debt repayments. Any future determination to declare and pay dividends will be made at the discretion of
our Board of Directors, after taking into account our financial results, capital requirements and other factors it may deem relevant. The WWI
Credit Facility also contains restrictions on our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Long-Term Debt” in Part II, and “Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules—Financial Statements—Note 6. Long-Term Debt”, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a
description of the WWI Credit Facility.
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Stock Performance Graph
The following graph sets forth the cumulative return on Weight Watchers International common stock from December 31, 2009, the last
trading day of the Company’s 2009 fiscal year, through January 2, 2015, the last trading day of the Company’s 2014 fiscal year, as compared to
the cumulative return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (the “S&P 500 Index”) and the cumulative return of the Standard & Poor’s MidCap
400 Index (the “S&P MidCap 400 Index”). We selected the S&P 500 Index because it is a broad index of equity markets. We selected the S&P
MidCap 400 Index, which is comprised of issuers having a similar market capitalization with the Company, because we believe that there are no
other lines of business or published industry indices or peer groups that provide a more meaningful comparison of the cumulative return of our
stock. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2009 in each of (1) the Company’s common stock, (2) the S&P 500 Index
and (3) the S&P MidCap 400 Index, and that all dividends were reinvested.
Company/Index
Weight Watchers International, Inc.
S&P 500 Index
S&P MidCap 400 Index
Cumulative Total Return ($)
12.31.09 12.31.10 12.30.11 12.28.12 12.27.13 1.2.15
100.00 131.66 195.39 183.25 119.30 78.50
100.00 115.06 117.49 134.03 179.74 205.10
100.00 126.64 124.45 144.38 194.88 214.81
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Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
The following schedule sets forth our selected financial data for the last five fiscal years.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Revenues, net
Net income attributable to the Company
Working capital surplus (deficit)
Total assets
Long-term debt
Earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted
Dividends declared per common share
Items Affecting Comparability
Fiscal 2014
Fiscal 2013
Fiscal 2012
Fiscal 2011
Fiscal 2010
(53 weeks)
$ 1,479.9
98.6
$
$
50.7
$ 1,515.2
$ 2,334.0
(52 weeks)
$ 1,724.1
$ 204.7
$
(30.1 )
$ 1,408.9
$ 2,358.0
(52 weeks)
$ 1,839.4
$ 257.4
$ (229.9 )
$ 1,218.6
$ 2,291.7
(52 weeks)
$ 1,832.5
$ 304.9
$ (279.7 )
$ 1,121.6
$ 926.9
(52 weeks)
$ 1,464.1
$ 194.2
$ (348.7 )
$ 1,092.0
$ 1,167.6
1.74
$
$
1.74
$ —
$
$
$
3.65
3.63
0.53
$
$
$
4.27
4.23
0.70
$
$
$
4.16
4.11
0.70
$
$
$
2.57
2.56
0.70
Several events occurred during each of the last five fiscal years that affect the comparability of our financial statements. The nature of
these events and their impact on underlying business trends are as follows:
Restructuring Charges
In fiscal 2014, we recorded $11.8 million ($7.2 million after tax or $0.13 per fully diluted share) of charges associated with our
restructuring of our organization.
Impairment Charges
In fiscal 2014, we recorded a $26.1 million ($19.1 million after tax or $0.34 per fully diluted share) impairment charge for our franchise
rights acquired related to our Canada operations. In fiscal 2013, we recorded a $1.2 million ($0.02 per fully diluted share) impairment charge for
our franchise rights acquired related to our Mexico and Hong Kong operations.
Net Tax Benefit
In fiscal 2014, we recognized a $2.4 million net tax benefit related to an intercompany loan write-off in connection with the closure of our
China business partially offset by the recognition of a valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are not expected to be
realized.
Early Extinguishment of Debt Charge
Net income and earnings per share, or EPS, for the full year of fiscal 2013 were impacted by a $21.7 million ($13.3 million after tax), or
$0.24 per fully diluted share, early extinguishment of debt charge recorded in fiscal 2013 resulting from the write-off of fees in connection with
our April 2013 debt refinancing.
UK Self-Employment Matter
We received an adverse tax ruling in the United Kingdom that our UK leaders should have been classified as employees for UK tax
purposes and, as such, we should have withheld tax from our leaders pursuant to the “Pay As You Earn” and national insurance contributions
collection rules and remitted such amounts to Her
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Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, or HMRC. In connection with this ruling, we recorded a charge of approximately $36.7 million, of which
approximately $4.2 million was with respect to fiscal 2009 and approximately $32.5 million was with respect to fiscal years 2001 through 2008,
to cost of revenues in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. We subsequently recorded a charge of approximately $4.1 million and $3.0 million in
fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, respectively. In December 2012, we reached an agreement with HMRC to settle the matter in its entirety for
approximately $36.8 million. Based upon the settlement amount, we determined that $14.5 million of the reserved amount represented an over-
accrual and as such was reversed to cost of revenues. As part of the settlement amount, the settlement agreement provided for an amount of
interest to be paid which resulted in a $7.1 million increase to interest expense. The net benefit associated with the settlement was an increase of
$7.4 million to income before income taxes. The reserve for this matter at the end of fiscal 2012 equaled approximately $7.3 million in the
aggregate based on the exchange rates at the end of fiscal 2012. In January 2013, $6.8 million was paid to HMRC, representing the balance due
over the approximately $30.0 million paid to HMRC in February 2012, and the balance of the reserve was used to pay associated costs.
UK VAT Matter
In fiscal 2010, we determined that there was an over-accrual of $2.0 million, which was reversed to revenue, with respect to the previously
disclosed adverse ruling in the United Kingdom related to the imposition of UK value added tax, or UK VAT, on meeting fees earned in the
United Kingdom.
Long-Term Debt
On June 26, 2009, we amended our then-existing credit facilities, or collectively, the Prior WWI Credit Facility, to allow us to make loan
modification offers to all lenders of any tranche of term loans or revolving loans to extend the maturity date of such loans and/or reduce or
eliminate the scheduled amortization. Any such loan modifications would be effective only with respect to such tranche of term loans or
revolving loans and only with respect to those lenders that accepted our offer. Loan modification offers could be accompanied by increased
pricing and/or fees payable to accepting lenders. This amendment also provided for up to an additional $200.0 million of incremental term loan
financing through the creation of a new tranche of term loans, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such new term loans could not
exceed the amount then outstanding under our then-existing revolving credit facility. In addition, the proceeds from such new tranche of term
loans could only be used to repay certain outstanding revolving loans and to reduce the commitments of certain revolving lenders.
On April 8, 2010, we amended the Prior WWI Credit Facility pursuant to a loan modification offer to all lenders of all tranches of term
loans and revolving loans to, among other things, extend the maturity date of such loans. In connection with this amendment, certain lenders
converted a total of $454.5 million of their outstanding term loans under a tranche A loan ($151.8 million) and additional tranche A loan ($302.7
million) into term loans under the new Term C Loan due 2015 (or 2013, upon the occurrence of certain events described in the Prior WWI Credit
Facility agreement), and a total of $241.9 million of their outstanding term loans under the Term B Loan into term loans under the new Term D
Loan due 2016 (each as defined hereafter). In addition, certain lenders converted a total of $332.6 million of their outstanding Revolver A-1
commitments into commitments under the new Revolver A-2 which would have terminated in 2014 (or 2013, upon the occurrence of certain
events described in the Prior WWI Credit Facility agreement) (each as defined hereafter), including a proportionate amount of their outstanding
Revolver A-1 loans into Revolver A-2 loans. Following these conversions of a total of $1,029.0 million of loans and commitments, at April 8,
2010, we had the same amount of debt outstanding under the Prior WWI Credit Facility and aggregate amount of availability under the Revolver
A-1 and Revolver A-2 as we had immediately prior to such conversions. In connection, with this loan modification offer, we incurred fees of
approximately $11.5 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2010.
On March 15, 2012, the composition of the Prior WWI Credit Facility changed as a result of our amending and restating the Prior WWI
Credit Facility to, among other things, extend the maturity of certain of our term loan facilities and our revolving credit facility and to obtain new
commitments for the borrowing of an additional
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$1,449.4 million of term loans to finance the purchases of shares of our common stock in the Tender Offer and from Artal Holdings pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement. Following the amendment of the Prior WWI Credit Facility, (i) $33.1 million in aggregate principal amount of the
Term A-1 Loan and $301.8 million in aggregate principal amount of the Term C Loan were converted into, and $849.4 million in aggregate
principal amount of commitments to borrow new term loans were provided under, the new Term E Loan (as defined hereafter), (ii) $107.0
million in aggregate principal amount of the Term B Loan and $119.1 million in aggregate principal amount of the Term D Loan were converted
into, and $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of commitments to borrow new term loans were provided under, the new Term F Loan,
and (iii) $262.0 million in aggregate principal amount of commitments under the Revolver A-1 were converted into the new revolving credit
facility, Revolver A-2. The loans outstanding under each term loan facility existing prior to the amendment of the Prior WWI Credit Facility and
the loans and commitments outstanding under the Revolver A-1, in each case that were not converted into the Term E Loan, the Term F Loan or
the Revolver A-2, as applicable, continued to remain outstanding under the Prior WWI Credit Facility as the Term A-1 Loan, the Term B Loan,
the Term C Loan, the Term D Loan or the Revolver A-1, as applicable. In connection with this amendment, we incurred fees of approximately
$26.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012.
On April 2, 2013, we refinanced our credit facilities pursuant to a new Credit Agreement, or as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified, the Credit Agreement, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and an
issuing bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as revolving agent, swingline lender and an issuing bank, and the other parties thereto. The Credit
Agreement provides for (a) a revolving credit facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) in an initial aggregate principal amount of
$250.0 million that will mature on April 2, 2018, or the Revolving Facility, (b) an initial term B-1 loan credit facility in an aggregate principal
amount of $300.0 million that will mature on April 2, 2016, or Tranche B-1 Term Facility, and (c) an initial term B-2 loan credit facility in an
aggregate principal amount of $2,100.0 million that will mature on April 2, 2020, or Tranche B-2 Term Facility. We refer herein to the Tranche
B-1 Term Facility together with the Tranche B-2 Term Facility as the Term Facilities, and the Term Facilities and Revolving Facility
collectively as the WWI Credit Facility. In connection with this refinancing, we used the proceeds from borrowings under the Term Facilities to
pay off a total of $2,399.9 million of outstanding loans, consisting of $128.8 million of Term B Loans, $110.6 million of Term C Loans, $117.6
million of Term D Loans, $1,125.0 million of Term E Loans, $817.9 million of Term F Loans, $21.2 million of loans under the Revolver A-1
and $78.8 million of loans under the Revolver A-2. Following the refinancing of a total of $2,399.9 million of loans, at April 2, 2013, we had
$2,400.0 million debt outstanding under the Term Facilities and $248.8 million of availability under the Revolving Facility. We incurred fees of
$44.8 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 in connection with this refinancing. In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we wrote-off fees
associated with this refinancing which resulted in our recording a charge of $21.7 million in early extinguishment of debt.
On September 26, 2014, the Company and certain lenders entered into an agreement amending the Credit Agreement that, among other
things, eliminated the Financial Covenant (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with respect to the Revolving Facility. In connection with this
amendment, the Company wrote-off deferred financing fees of approximately $1.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Concurrently with
and in order to effect this amendment, the Company reduced the amount of the Revolving Facility from $250.0 million to $50.0 million.
For additional details on the WWI Credit Facility, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Long-Term Debt” in Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Working Capital
The changes in working capital are primarily the result of year-over-year increases related to cash in connection with operations, and a
decrease in the current portion of long-term debt related to the refinancing of our credit facilities as well as the shift in timing of tax payments,
accruals related to the UK self-employment
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matter and other operational items. The refinancing of our credit facilities, including the related decrease in our current debt outstanding, in fiscal
2013 resulted in much lower debt repayments in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014 as compared to our debt repayments in fiscal 2010 through fiscal
2012. Our lower debt repayment obligations in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014 drove increases in cash from operations in both of these years which
resulted in a significant improvement in deficit and a surplus, respectively.
Other Comprehensive Loss
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, was $28.6 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $4.3 million in fiscal 2013 primarily due to the
unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation adjustments and the mark to market of our interest rate swaps. In fiscal 2014, foreign currency
translation adjustments unfavorably impacted results by $11.3 million as compared to $6.3 million in fiscal 2013 primarily due to movements of
the Canadian dollar, the Euro and the Brazilian real. In addition, due to hedge accounting, changes in other comprehensive loss decreased by
$28.3 million ($17.3 million after tax) in fiscal 2014 and increased by $3.3 million ($2.0 million after tax) in fiscal 2013.
Acquisition of Additional Equity Interest in Brazil and Gain on Brazil Acquisition
Prior to March 12, 2014, the Company had owned 35% of Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda., or VPM, a Brazilian limited liability
partnership. On March 12, 2014, the Company acquired an additional 45% equity interest in VPM for a net purchase price of $14.2 million.
VPM was converted into a joint-stock corporation prior to closing and subsequently operates as a subsidiary of the Company with rights to
conduct typical business lines. As a result of the acquisition, the Company gained a direct controlling financial interest in VPM and has therefore
begun consolidating this entity as of the date of acquisition.
As a result of our Brazil acquisition, we adjusted our previously held equity interest to fair value of $11.0 million and recorded a charge of
$0.5 million associated with the settlement of the royalty-free arrangement of the Brazilian partnership. The net effect of these items resulted in
our recognizing a gain of $10.5 million ($6.4 million after tax or $0.11 per fully diluted share) in fiscal 2014.
Acquisition of Wello
On April 16, 2014, the Company acquired Knowplicity, Inc., d/b/a Wello, an online fitness and personal training company for a net
purchase price of $9.0 million. Payment was in the form of stock issued of $4.2 million and cash of $4.8 million. As a result of the acquisition,
Wello became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the Company began to consolidate the entity as of the date of acquisition.
Franchisee Acquisitions
The following are our acquisitions since the beginning of fiscal 2010:
Acquisitions of Alberta and Saskatchewan, West Virginia, Columbus, Reno, Manitoba and Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties. On
March 4, 2013, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada franchisees, Weight Watchers of Alberta
Ltd. and Weight Watchers of Saskatchewan Ltd., for an aggregate purchase price of $35.0 million. On July 15, 2013, we acquired substantially
all of the assets of our West Virginia franchisee, Weight Watchers of West Virginia, Inc., for a net purchase price of $16.0 million. On July 22,
2013, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our Columbus, Ohio franchisee, Weight Watchers of Columbus, Inc., for a net purchase price
of $23.4 million and our Reno, Nevada franchisee, Weight Watchers of Northern Nevada, Inc., for a net purchase price of $4.0 million. On
October 28, 2013, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our Manitoba, Canada franchisee, Weight Watchers of Manitoba Ltd., for a net
purchase price of $5.2 million and our Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, New York franchisee, Weight Watchers of Franklin and St.
Lawrence Counties Inc., for a net purchase price of $0.3 million.
Acquisitions of Southeastern Ontario and Ottawa, Adirondacks and Memphis. On September 10, 2012, we acquired substantially all of the
assets of our Southeastern Ontario and Ottawa, Canada franchisee, Slengora
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Limited, for a net purchase price of $16.8 million. On November 2, 2012, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our Adirondacks
franchisee, Weight Watchers of the Adirondacks, Inc., for a purchase price of $3.4 million. On December 20, 2012, we acquired substantially all
of the assets of our Memphis, Tennessee franchisee, Weight Watchers of the Mid-South, Inc., for a purchase price of $10.0 million.
These acquisitions were financed through cash from operations. These acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and financial
results have been included in our consolidated operating results since their respective dates of acquisition.
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Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” included in Item 6 of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion
contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and
intentions. The cautionary statements discussed in “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and elsewhere in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K should be read as applying to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, without
limitation, those discussed in “Risk Factors” included in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a leading, global-branded consumer company and the world’s leading commercial provider of weight management services,
operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. With over five decades of weight management experience,
expertise and know-how, we have established Weight Watchers as one of the most recognized and trusted brand names among weight-conscious
consumers. We are one of only a few commercial weight management programs whose efficacy has been clinically proven repeatedly. In fiscal
2014, consumers spent approximately $5 billion on Weight Watchers branded products and services, including meetings conducted by us and
our franchisees, digital weight management products provided through our websites, mobile sites and apps, products sold at meetings, licensed
products sold in retail channels and magazine subscriptions and other publications. Our primary sources of revenue are subscriptions for our
monthly commitment plan for Weight Watchers meetings and subscriptions for our Online products. Our “meetings” business refers to providing
access to meetings to our monthly commitment plan subscribers, “pay-as-you-go” members, Total Access subscribers and other meeting
members. “Online” refers to Weight Watchers Online, Weight Watchers Online Plus , Personal Coaching and other digital subscription products.
We operate in numerous countries, including through our franchise operations. Effective the first day of fiscal 2014 (i.e., December 29,
2013), we realigned our organizational structure to improve the leverage of our significant assets and the alignment of our innovation efforts,
which resulted in new reporting segments (North America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and Other) for the purpose of making
operational and resource decisions and assessing financial performance. See the section entitled “Business” in Item 1 of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K for further information on these reporting segments and the countries in which we operate.
Explanatory Note
On February 26, 2015, we announced preliminary fourth quarter and full year 2014 results. Subsequent to this announcement, we adjusted
our 2014 bonus accrual downward by $2.0 million. This adjustment resulted in a decrease of $2.0 million to selling, general and administrative
expenses, which in turn resulted in an increase to both operating income and income before income taxes of the same amount as well as an
increase of $0.7 million to tax expense, for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2014. The net impact of these adjustments to fourth quarter and
full year fiscal 2014 results was a $1.3 million increase to net income and net income attributable to the Company and an increase to earnings per
fully diluted share of $0.02.
Components of our Results of Operations
Revenues
We derive our revenues principally from:
•
Service Revenues. Our “Service Revenues” consist of “Meeting Fees” and “Online Subscription Revenues”. “Meeting Fees” consist
of the fees associated with our monthly commitment plan for unlimited access to meetings and other payment arrangements for
access to meetings, including our “pay-as-you-go” payment arrangement and fees associated with our new Total Access product.
“Online
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Subscription Revenues” consist of the fees associated with subscriptions for our Online subscription products, including our new
Personal Coaching product. In December 2014, we launched several new products, which are further described in the section entitled
“Business” in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In-meeting product sales . We sell a range of products that complement our weight management plans, such as bars, snacks,
•
cookbooks, food and restaurant guides with PointsPlus values, Weight Watchers magazines, PointsPlus calculators and fitness kits
, to members in our meetings.
as well as third-party products, including Fitbit
®
•
Licensing, franchise royalties and other . We license the Weight Watchers brand and our other intellectual property in certain
categories of food and other relevant consumer products. We also endorse carefully selected branded consumer products. In addition,
our franchisees typically pay us a royalty fee of 10% of their meeting fee revenues as well as purchase products for sale in their
meetings. We also generate revenues from subscription sales for our magazines, third-party advertising in our publications, payments
from the sale of third-party Internet advertising and By Mail product.
The following table sets forth our revenues by category for the past three fiscal years.
Service Revenues
In-meeting product sales
Licensing, franchise royalties and other
Total
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Revenue Sources
(in millions)
Fiscal 2014
(53 weeks)
$ 1,181.9
169.1
128.9
$ 1,479.9
Fiscal 2013
(52 weeks)
$ 1,360.8
212.0
151.4
$ 1,724.1
Fiscal 2012
(52 weeks)
$ 1,425.1
253.2
161.1
$ 1,839.4
From fiscal 2012 through fiscal 2014, our revenues decreased at a compound annual rate of 10.3% primarily driven by a decline in Service
Revenues. Additional revenue details are as follows:
•
Service Revenues. Service Revenues declined at a compound annual rate of 8.9% from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2014 due to a decline in
paid weeks from negative recruitment trends in both our meetings and Online businesses in the majority of the countries in which we
operate. See “—Material Trends and Uncertainties” below for an explanation of our paid weeks metric. Recruitment continues to be
the biggest challenge in our business, as we face strong competition for consumer trial from an evolving competitor set, including
mobile apps and activity monitors. Additionally, the increasing focus of consumers on more integrated lifestyle and fitness
approaches rather than just food, nutrition and diet also negatively impacted our recruitment.
In-meeting product sales. Global in-meeting product sales were down 18.3% on a compound annual rate from fiscal 2012 through
fiscal 2014. This decline was primarily driven by a decline in the number of members attending meetings during that period. In
addition, our average product sales per attendee in our meetings business declined from $4.99 to $4.47 at a compound annual rate of
5.4% during that period primarily as a result of lower sales of enrollment products and a lack of successful new product and program
launches.
Licensing, franchise royalties and other . All other revenues were down 10.6% on a compound annual rate from fiscal 2012 through
fiscal 2014. This decline was driven in part by lower revenues from our franchisees which declined at a compound annual rate of
25.8% driven by market performance and the acquisition of three of our franchisees in fiscal 2012 and seven of our franchisees in
fiscal 2013. In addition, this decline was driven in part by licensing revenues which declined at a compound annual
•
•
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rate of 4.8% from fiscal 2012 through fiscal 2014. The decrease in this category was negatively impacted by competition from lower
priced store branded products.
Cost of Revenues
Total cost of revenues primarily consists of expenses to operate our meetings, costs to sell products in our meeting rooms and on the
Internet and costs to operate our website and Online products. Operating costs primarily consist of salary, commissions and expenses paid to our
service providers, salary expense of field staff, meeting room rent, customer service costs (both in-house and third-party), program material
expenses, depreciation and amortization associated with field automation, credit card and fulfillment fees, training and other expenses incurred to
support our field organization. In fiscal 2014, operating expenses also included costs associated with preparing our field organization for the new
24/7 Expert Chat and Personal Coaching offerings. Cost to sell products includes costs of products purchased from our third-party suppliers,
inventory reserves, royalties, inbound and outbound shipping and related costs incurred in making our products available for sale or use. Costs to
operate our website includes salaries and related benefits, depreciation and amortization of website development, credit card processing and
other costs incurred in making our website available to our members.
Marketing Expenses
Marketing expenses primarily consist of costs to produce and advertise our brand and products on television, on the Internet, on the radio
and in print, costs paid to third-party agencies who help us develop our marketing campaigns and strategy, expenses in support of market
research, costs paid to our celebrity spokespersons, as well as costs incurred in connection with local marketing and promotions.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of compensation, benefits and other related costs, including stock-based
compensation, third-party consulting, temp help, audit, legal and litigation expenses as well as facility costs and depreciation and amortization of
systems in support of the business infrastructure and head offices globally. General and administrative expenses also include amortization
expense of certain of our intangible assets.
Gross Margin
The following table sets forth our gross profit and gross margin for the past three fiscal years, as adjusted to exclude the impact of charges
from our previously disclosed 2014 restructuring plan as well as the UK self-employment matter:
(in millions)
Gross Profit
Gross Margin
Adjustments to Reported Amounts
2014 Restructuring charges
(1)
UK self-employment accrual
(1)(2)
(2)
Gross Profit, as adjusted
Gross Margin impact from above adjustments
Gross Margin, as adjusted
(1)(2)
(1)(2)
2014
$ 802.6
54.3 %
2013
$ 1,001.1
58.1 %
2012
$ 1,093.8
59.5 %
4.6
—
$ 807.2
(0.3 %)
54.6 %
—
—
$ 1,001.1
0.0 %
58.1 %
—
(14.5 )
$ 1,079.3
0.8 %
58.7 %
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1)
“As adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2014 to exclude the $4.6 million of charges associated with our
previously disclosed 2014 plan to restructure our organization.
“As adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2012 to exclude the impact of a $14.5 million decrease to cost of
revenues related to the settlement of the UK self-employment matter.
(2)
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.
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From fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013, we benefited from a mix shift to our higher margin Online business. With its fixed cost business model,
the Online business margin expanded as its revenue increased. This margin benefit was more than offset by the decline in margin in the meetings
business which experienced a decline in attendances per meeting. This decline in attendances per meeting outpaced our ability to reduce our
meetings infrastructure resulting in margin contraction. In addition, particularly in the US meetings business, the impact of service provider
compensation changes negatively impacted margin.
From fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2014, our gross margin decline was primarily driven by declining revenues. In addition, particularly in the US
meetings business, the impact of additional service provider compensation changes, as well as, technology and training costs associated with the
December 2014 introduction of new product offerings also negatively impacted margin. Online Subscription Revenues were flat as a percent of
total revenues in both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014 and, as a result, we did not experience the benefit of a mix shift to the higher margin business
in fiscal 2014.
Operating Income Margin
The following table sets forth our Operating Income for the past three fiscal years, as adjusted to exclude the impact of charges from our
previously disclosed 2014 restructuring plan, for fiscal 2014 the impairment charge for franchise rights acquired related to our Canada
operations, for fiscal 2013 the impairment charge for our franchise rights acquired related to our Mexico and Hong Kong operations as well as
for fiscal 2012 the UK self-employment matter:
(in millions)
Operating Income
Operating Income Margin
Adjustments to Reported Amounts
2014 Restructuring charges
Indefinite-lived intangible impairments
UK Self-employment accrual
(1)
(3)
(2)
Operating Income, as adjusted
(1)(2)(3)
Operating Income Margin impact from above adjustments
Operating Income Margin, as adjusted
(1)(2)(3)
(1)(2)(3)
2014
$ 273.3
2013
$ 460.8
18.5 %
26.7 %
2012
$ 510.8
27.8 %
11.8
26.1
—
$ 311.2
—
1.2
—
$ 462.0
-2.5 %
21.0 %
0.1 %
26.8 %
—
—
(14.5 )
$ 496.3
0.8 %
27.0 %
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1)
(2)
(3)
“As adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2014 to exclude the $11.8 million of charges associated with our
previously disclosed plan to restructure our organization.
“As adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2014 to exclude the $26.1 million impact of the impairment charge for
our franchise rights acquired related to our Canada operations and for fiscal 2013 to exclude the $1.2 million impact of the impairment charge for our franchise rights acquired related to
our Mexico and Hong Kong operations.
“As adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of income for fiscal 2012 to exclude the impact of a $14.5 million decrease to cost of revenues
related to the settlement of the UK self-employment matter.
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.
In fiscal 2012, the decline in operating income margin was primarily driven by costs related to first time Online TV marketing campaigns
in several of our international markets and our significant investment in marketing the Weight Watchers Online product to men in the United
States, as well as selling, general and administrative expenses in support of our growth initiatives.
In fiscal 2013, the decrease in operating income margin was primarily the result of lower gross margin largely offset by lower marketing
expense. Lower marketing expense was driven primarily from the elimination of inefficient digital advertising and the lack of a men’s campaign
in the United States, in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year.
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In fiscal 2014, the decrease in operating income margin was primarily the result of lower gross margin partially offset by lower marketing
expense. The decline was primarily driven by lower TV media and production costs from first-time integrated, as well as the sharing among
markets of, TV spots for both our meetings and Online businesses, and lower and more efficient digital marketing spend in the United States.
Material Trends
Performance Indicators
Our management reviews and analyzes several key performance indicators in order to manage our business and assess the quality and
potential variability of our cash flows and earnings. These key performance indicators include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
revenues
Paid Weeks—The “Paid Weeks” metric reports paid weeks by Weight Watchers customers in Company-owned operations for a
given period as follows: (i) “Meeting Paid Weeks” is the sum of total paid commitment plan weeks (including Total Access) and
total “pay-as-you-go” weeks; (ii) “Online Paid Weeks” is the total paid subscription weeks for our digital subscription products
(including Personal Coaching); and (iii) “Total Paid Weeks” is the sum of Meeting Paid Weeks and Online Paid Weeks, in each case
for a given period.
Incoming Active Subscribers/Active Base—“Subscribers” refer to meetings members and Online subscribers who participate in
recurring billing programs, such as our monthly commitment plan for our meetings business. The “Incoming Active Subscribers”
metric reports active Weight Watchers subscribers in Company-owned operations at a given period start as follows: (i) “Incoming
Active Meeting Subscribers” is the total Weight Watchers monthly commitment plan active subscribers (including Total Access);
(ii) “Incoming Active Online Subscribers” is the total number of Weight Watchers Online, Weight Watchers Online Plus and
Personal Coaching active subscribers; and (iii) “Incoming Active Subscribers” is the sum of Incoming Active Meeting Subscribers
and Incoming Active Online Subscribers, in each case at a given period start. We also at times refer to such metrics as the “Incoming
Active Base”.
End of Period Active Subscribers/Active Base—The “End of Period Active Subscribers” metric reports active Weight Watchers
subscribers in Company-owned operations at a given period end as follows: (i) “End of Period Active Meeting Subscribers” is the
total Weight Watchers monthly commitment plan active subscribers (including Total Access); (ii) “End of Period Active Online
Subscribers” is the total number of Weight Watchers Online, Weight Watchers Online Plus and Personal Coaching active
subscribers; and (iii) “End of Period Active Subscribers” is the sum of End of Period Active Meeting Subscribers and End of Period
Active Online Subscribers, in each case at a given period end. We also at times refer to such metrics as the “End of Period Active
Base”.
recruitments
attendance
Meeting Fees per Paid Week and in-meeting product sales per attendee
gross profit and operating expenses as a percentage of revenue
Market Trends
We believe that our revenues and profitability can be sensitive to major trends in the weight management industry. In particular, we believe
that our business could be adversely impacted by:
•
increased competition from Internet, free mobile and other weight management applications, activity monitors and other electronic
weight management approaches;
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the development of more favorably perceived or more effective weight management methods, including pharmaceuticals;
a failure to develop innovative new services and products or to successfully expand into new channels of distribution or respond to
consumer trends, including consumer focus on integrated lifestyle and fitness approaches;
a failure to successfully implement new strategic initiatives;
a decrease in the effectiveness of our marketing, advertising, and social media programs;
an impairment of the Weight Watchers brand and our other intellectual property;
a failure of our technology or systems to perform as designed; and
a downturn in general economic conditions or consumer confidence.
North America Metrics and Business Trends
In fiscal 2012, North America Total Paid Weeks increased 8.5% driven by an increase in Online Paid Weeks of 22.7%, partially offset by a
Meeting Paid Weeks decline of 5.6% versus the prior year. Although we entered fiscal 2012 with a higher Incoming Active Base than at the
beginning of fiscal 2011, throughout the year we experienced lower recruitments for meetings and a declining recruitment trend for our Online
subscription products. This softness in recruitments resulted in entering fiscal 2013 with a lower Incoming Active Base than at the beginning of
fiscal 2012.
In fiscal 2013, North America Total Paid Weeks declined 6.6%, driven by a decline in both Meeting Paid Weeks of 9.4% and Online Paid
Weeks of 4.4% versus the prior year. The decline in Meeting Paid Weeks primarily resulted from the lower Incoming Active Base in the
meetings business at the beginning of fiscal 2013 versus the beginning of fiscal 2012 as well as from lower enrollments in fiscal 2013 versus the
prior year, primarily in the United States, due to the difficulty in attracting members to our brand.
In fiscal 2014, North America Total Paid Weeks declined 16.8%, driven by a decline in both Online Paid Weeks of 17.5% and Meeting
Paid Weeks of 15.8% versus the prior year. Despite the launch of the new Simple Start program at the beginning of the year, as well as new
advertising and promotional tactics, recruitment softness continued throughout the year. The popularity of activity monitors and free apps
resulted in increased competition which exacerbated the negative trend we began to experience in fiscal 2013 in subscriptions for our Online
subscription products. In addition, the increasing focus of consumers on more integrated lifestyle and fitness approaches rather than just food,
nutrition and diet also negatively impacted our recruitments.
United Kingdom Metrics and Business Trends
In fiscal 2012, UK Total Paid Weeks declined 6.8% driven by a decline in Meeting Paid Weeks of 11.3% partially offset by an increase in
Online Paid Weeks of 3.3% versus the prior year. The United Kingdom entered fiscal 2012 with a lower Incoming Active Base as compared to
the beginning of fiscal 2011, and experienced lower recruitments in fiscal 2012 versus the prior year.
In fiscal 2013, UK Total Paid Weeks declined 13.6% driven by a decline in Meeting Paid Weeks of 19.2% and a decline in Online Paid
Weeks of 2.8% versus the prior year. The decline in Meeting Paid Weeks in fiscal 2013 was driven by the lower Incoming Active Meeting
Subscribers at the beginning of fiscal 2013 versus the beginning of fiscal 2012 coupled with lower meeting recruitments in the year as compared
to the prior year. In fiscal 2013, local competition in the United Kingdom significantly contributed to the decline in meeting recruitments.
In fiscal 2014, UK Total Paid Weeks declined 9.2% versus the prior year, driven by a decline in Meeting Paid Weeks of 9.6% and a
decline in Online Paid Weeks of 8.6% versus the prior year. Total Paid Weeks performance in fiscal 2014 was driven by the lower Incoming
Active Base at the beginning of fiscal 2014 versus
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the beginning of fiscal 2013 coupled with lower recruitments in fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior year. In response to weakening recruitment
trends, early in fiscal 2014, the United Kingdom introduced new advertising, implemented new promotional tactics and invested in a local
marketing campaign to combat a strong local competitor. As a result of these initiatives, the recruitment trend turned positive in the second half
of fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior year period.
Continental Europe Metrics and Business Trends
In fiscal 2012, Continental Europe Total Paid Weeks increased 42.6% driven by an increase in Online Paid Weeks of 93.5% and an
increase in Meeting Paid Weeks of 9.2% versus the prior year. This growth was driven by entering fiscal 2012 with a higher Incoming Active
Base than the prior year and the benefit of higher recruitment growth driven by the launch of the updated version of ProPoints , effective new
marketing strategies, which included first-time dedicated Online television advertising, and from the launch of new markets for our Online
products in late 2009 and 2010.
In fiscal 2013, Continental Europe Total Paid Weeks increased 19.9%, driven primarily by an increase in Online Paid Weeks, up 38.4%,
versus the prior year. Continental Europe benefited from an increased number of Incoming Active Meeting Subscribers at the beginning of fiscal
2013 versus the beginning of fiscal 2012, which was partially offset by lower recruitments in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year.
In fiscal 2014, Continental Europe Total Paid Weeks increased 3.1% driven by an increase in Online Paid Weeks of 6.5%, partially offset
by a decline in Meeting Paid Weeks of 2.5%, versus the prior year. This increase in Online Paid Weeks was driven by the higher number of
Incoming Active Online Subscribers at the start of fiscal 2014 versus the start of fiscal 2013. The decrease in Meeting Paid Weeks was driver by
a lower number of Incoming Active Meeting Subscribers at the start of fiscal 2014 versus the start of fiscal 2013 and recruitment declines.
Although Total Paid Weeks continued to grow in fiscal 2014, it reflected a significant slowdown in the year-over-year trend.
Fiscal 2015: Anticipated Business Metrics, Trends and Other Events
We anticipate the Company’s fiscal 2015 revenues will be approximately $1.2 billion, a decline from the $1.48 billion reported in fiscal
2014. This decline is driven by the lower fiscal 2015 Incoming Active Bases in both our meetings and Online businesses as compared to the
beginning of fiscal 2014, as well as the anticipated negative recruitment trend in fiscal 2015.
Due to the difficult start to fiscal 2015, we will be focusing in fiscal 2015 on generating positive cash flow to maintain strong liquidity. To
this end, we have established a new $100 million cost-savings plan which we expect will be split between operating expenses, marketing and
general and administrative expenses. As part of this cost-savings plan, the Company is undertaking a plan of reduction in force which will result
in the elimination of certain positions and termination of employment for certain employees worldwide. We anticipate recording restructuring
charges in connection with employment termination of approximately $10 million during fiscal 2015. We believe that cash generated by our $1.2
billion revenue forecast, our cost-savings plan and our cash on hand of $301.2 million will provide us with sufficient liquidity to meet our April
2016 debt maturity obligation of $291 million.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated results presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or
GAAP, we have disclosed non-GAAP financial measures of operating results that exclude or adjust certain items. Gross profit and gross profit
margin, operating income and operating income margin, net income attributable to the Company, effective tax rate and earnings per fully diluted
share are discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K both as reported (on a GAAP basis) and as adjusted (on a non-GAAP basis), as
applicable, to exclude from fiscal 2014 the impact of charges associated with our previously
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disclosed restructuring of our organization, the impairment charge for our franchise rights acquired related to our Canada operations, the net tax
benefit related to an intercompany loan write-off in connection with the closure of our China business partially offset by the recognition of a
valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are not expected to be realized and the impact of the gain on the Brazil
acquisition (as discussed further herein). Income before taxes, effective tax rate, net income attributable to the Company and earnings per fully
diluted share are discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K both as reported (on a GAAP basis) and as adjusted (on a non-GAAP basis) to
exclude from fiscal 2013 the impact from the early extinguishment of debt charge recorded in connection with our previously announced April 2,
2013 refinancing of our long-term debt and the impairment charge for our franchise rights acquired related to our Mexico and Hong Kong
operations. Gross profit and gross profit margin, operating income and operating income margin, interest expense, net income, earnings per fully
diluted share, and effective tax rate are discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K both as reported (on a GAAP basis) and as adjusted (on a
non-GAAP basis) to exclude from fiscal 2012, in connection with the settlement of the UK self-employment matter, the benefit of a partial
accrual reversal of a charge originally recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.
We generally refer to such non-GAAP measures as excluding or adjusting for the impact of the 2014 restructuring charges, the impairment
charge, the net tax benefit offset by the recognition of a valuation allowance, the gain on the Brazil acquisition, the early extinguishment of debt
charge, and/or the settlement. Our management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide supplemental information to investors
regarding the performance of our business and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of the performance of our business. While we
believe that these financial measures are useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is
not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition,
these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly entitled measures reported by other companies.
Use of Constant Currency
As exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe in certain cases the presentation of
results on a constant currency basis in addition to reported results helps improve investors’ ability to understand our operating results and
evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates
had remained constant period-over-period. We use results on a constant currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. In this
Annual Report on Form 10-K, we calculate constant currency by calculating current-year results using prior-year foreign currency exchange
rates. We generally refer to such amounts calculated on a constant currency basis as excluding or adjusting for the impact of foreign currency or
being on a constant currency basis. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with
GAAP. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies
and are not measures of performance presented in accordance with GAAP.
Critical Accounting Policies
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” is based upon our consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and
judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.
On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to inventories, the impairment analysis for goodwill and
other indefinite-lived intangible assets, share-based compensation, income taxes, tax contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on
historical experience and on various other factors and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which
form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual
results may differ from these estimates.
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We believe the following accounting policies are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and
require our most significant judgments and estimates.
Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue by conducting meetings, for which we charge a fee, predominantly through monthly commitment plans, prepayment
plans or the “pay-as-you-go” arrangement. We also earn revenue from monthly subscriptions for our Online products, selling products in our
meetings, on the Internet and to our franchisees, collecting commissions from franchisees, collecting royalties related to licensing agreements,
selling magazine subscriptions, selling advertising space on our website and in copies of our magazines, and By Mail product sales.
Monthly commitment plans, prepaid meeting fees and magazine subscription revenue is recorded to deferred revenue and amortized into
revenue over the period earned. Online Subscription Revenues are recognized over the period that products are provided. One-time sign-up fees
are deferred and recognized over the expected customer relationship period. Online Subscription Revenues that are paid in advance are deferred
and recognized on a straight-line basis over the subscription period. Revenue from “pay-as-you-go” meeting fees, product sales, By Mail,
commissions and royalties is recognized when services are rendered, products are shipped to customers and title and risk of loss pass to the
customers, and commissions and royalties are earned, respectively. Revenue from advertising in magazines is recognized when advertisements
are published. Revenue from magazine sales is recognized when the magazine is sent to the customer. We charge non-refundable registration
fees in exchange for an introductory information session and materials we provide to new members in our meetings business. Revenue from
these registration fees is recognized when the service and products are provided, which is generally at the same time payment is received from
the customer. Discounts to customers, including free registration offers, are recorded as a deduction from gross revenue in the period such
revenue was recognized. Revenue from advertising on our website is recognized when the advertisement is viewed by the user.
We grant refunds in aggregate amounts that historically have not been material. Because the period of payment of the refund generally
approximates the period revenue was originally recognized, refunds are recorded as a reduction of revenue when paid.
Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years. We review
goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including franchise rights acquired, for potential impairment on at least an annual basis or
more often if events so require. We performed fair value impairment testing as of the end of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 on our goodwill and
other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
In performing the impairment analysis for goodwill, the fair value for our reporting units is estimated using a discounted cash flow
approach. This approach involves projecting future cash flows attributable to the reporting unit and discounting those estimated cash flows using
an appropriate discount rate. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. We have determined the
appropriate reporting unit for purposes of assessing annual impairment to be the country for all reporting units. The values of goodwill in the
United States, Brazil, Canada and other countries at January 3, 2015 were $65.6 million, $23.0 million, $7.5 million and $10.6 million,
respectively, totaling $106.8 million.
In performing the impairment analysis for franchise rights acquired, the fair value for our franchise rights acquired is estimated using a
discounted cash flow approach referred to as the hypothetical start-up approach for our franchise rights related to our meetings business and a
relief from royalty methodology for our franchise rights related to our Online business. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying
value of the unit of accounting for those franchise rights. We have determined the appropriate unit of account for purposes of
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assessing annual impairment to be the combination of the rights in the meetings and Online businesses in the country in which the acquisitions
have occurred. The values of these franchise rights in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other countries at
January 3, 2015 were $697.3 million, $74.7 million, $13.1 million, $7.3 million, $5.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, totaling $799.8
million.
When determining fair value, we utilize various assumptions, including projections of future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. A
change in these underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the
carrying amounts. In the event such a decrease occurred, we would be required to record a corresponding charge, which would impact earnings.
We would also be required to reduce the carrying amounts of the related assets on our balance sheet. We continue to evaluate these estimates and
assumptions and believe that these assumptions are appropriate.
In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, we determined that, based on the fair values calculated,
the carrying amount of the franchise rights acquired related to our Canada operations exceeded its fair value as of the end of fiscal 2014 and
recorded an impairment charge of $26.1 million for such rights. In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended December 28,
2013, we determined that, based on the fair values calculated, the carrying amounts of the franchise rights acquired related to our Mexico and
Hong Kong operations exceeded their respective fair values as of the end of fiscal 2013 and recorded impairment charges of $0.9 million and
$0.2 million, respectively, for such rights. We determined that the carrying amounts of the remainder of these assets did not exceed their
respective fair values, and therefore, no other impairment existed.
We estimate future cash flows for each unit of accounting by utilizing the historical cash flows attributable to the rights in that country and
then applying a growth rate using a blend of the historical operating income growth rates for such country and expected future operating income
growth rates for such country. We utilize operating income as the basis for measuring our potential growth because we believe it is the best
indicator of the performance of our business. For fiscal 2014, the compound annual growth rates used in our discounted cash flow analysis
ranged from a decline of approximately 5% to growth of approximately 21%. In applying the hypothetical start-up approach in fiscal 2014, we
generally assumed that the year of maturity was reached after 7 years. Subsequent to the year of maturity, we assumed growth rates ranging from
a decline of approximately 9% to growth of approximately 16%. For fiscal 2013, the compound annual growth rates used in our discounted cash
flow analysis ranged from a decline of approximately 5% to growth of approximately 12%. In applying the hypothetical start-up approach in
fiscal 2013, we generally assumed that the year of maturity was reached after 7 years. Subsequent to the year of maturity, we assumed growth
rates ranging from a decline of approximately 2% to growth of approximately 8%. We then discounted the estimated future cash flows utilizing a
discount rate which was calculated using the average cost of capital, which included the cost of equity and the cost of debt. The cost of equity
was determined by combining a risk-free rate of return and a market risk premium. The risk-free rate of return was generally determined based
on the average rate of long-term U.S. Treasury securities. The market risk premium was generally determined by reviewing external market data.
When appropriate, we further adjusted the resulting combined rate to account for certain entity-specific factors such as maturity of the market in
order to determine the utilized discount rate. The cost of debt was our average borrowing rate for the period. The discount rates used in our fiscal
2014 and fiscal 2013 year-end impairment tests averaged approximately 10.3% and 9.1%, respectively.
At the end of fiscal 2014, we estimated that approximately 83% of our goodwill and 88% of our franchise rights acquired had a fair value
at least 50% higher than their respective carrying amounts. In the United States, the region which held approximately 61% of the goodwill and
84% of the franchise rights acquired, the aggregate fair value of both our reporting units and franchise rights acquired was at least 50% higher
than the aggregate carrying value of the reporting units and franchise rights acquired, respectively. Although there is currently a measurable
difference between the fair value and carrying value of our franchise rights acquired, we believe that continued significant declines in both our
revenue and profit performance could lead to an impairment in the future. See “Risk Factors”. As it relates to Brazil, given the Company
acquired the business in fiscal 2014, we
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could face an impairment charge in the future if we are unable to deliver on the expected results. In Canada, where we recorded a $26.1 million
impairment charge on our franchise rights acquired, we have $74.8 million of franchise rights remaining as of January 3, 2015.
Information concerning significant accounting policies affecting us is set forth in Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements,
contained in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL 2014 (53 weeks) COMPARED TO FISCAL 2013 (52 weeks)
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st and consists of either 52- or 53-week periods. Fiscal 2014
contained 53 weeks, while fiscal 2013 contained 52 weeks. The 2014 53rd week, which began on December 28, 2014 and ended on January 3,
2015, contributed 1.8 million, or 0.9%, to Total Paid Weeks for fiscal 2014. It also added 0.2 million, or 0.6%, in additional global attendances
to fiscal 2014, and drove additional revenues of $14.0 million, or 0.9%, to fiscal 2014. Due to the timing of the 53rd week, additional marketing
expense drove a decline in fiscal 2014 operating income. The 53rd week also resulted in an additional week of interest expense. As a result, in
the aggregate the 53rd week had a negative $0.05 per share impact on fiscal 2014 EPS.
The table below sets forth selected financial information for fiscal 2014 from our consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2014
versus selected financial information for fiscal 2013 from our consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2013.
Summary of Selected Financial Data
Revenues, net
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Gross Margin %
Marketing expenses
Selling, general & administrative expenses
Indefinite-lived intangible impairments
Operating income
Operating Income Margin %
Interest expense
Other expense, net
Gain on Brazil acquisition
Early extinguishment of debt
Income before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
Diluted EPS
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
46
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal
2014
$ 1,479.9
677.4
802.6
Fiscal
2013
$ 1,724.1
723.0
1,001.1
54.2 %
58.1 %
Increase/
(Decrease)
(244.2 )
$
(45.6 )
(198.5 )
262.3
241.0
26.1
273.3
18.5 %
123.0
3.2
(10.5 )
—
157.6
59.0
98.6
0.1
$ 98.6
56.7
$ 1.74
295.6
243.6
1.2
460.8
26.7 %
103.1
0.6
—
21.7
335.4
130.6
204.7
—
$ 204.7
56.4
3.63
$
$
$
(33.3 )
(2.6 )
24.9
(187.5 )
19.9
2.6
(10.5 )
(21.7 )
(177.7 )
(71.6 )
(106.1 )
0.1
(106.0 )
0.3
(1.89 )
%
Change
(14.2 %)
(6.3 %)
(19.8 %)
(11.3 %)
(1.1 %)
100.0 %
(40.7 %)
19.3 %
100.0 %
—
(100.0 %)
(53.0 %)
(54.8 %)
(51.8 %)
—
(51.8 %)
0.6 %
(52.1 %)
Table of Contents
Certain results for fiscal 2014 are adjusted to exclude the $11.8 million impact of charges from the previously disclosed 2014 restructuring
plan, the $26.1 million impairment charge for the franchise rights acquired related to our Canada operations, $10.5 million related to the gain on
the Brazil acquisition and the $2.4 million net tax benefit related to an intercompany loan write-off in connection with the closure of our China
business partially offset by the recognition of a valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are not expected to be realized.
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of those components of our selected financial data for
the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015 which have been adjusted.
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2014
Adjustments to Reported Amounts
(1)
(1)
2014 Restructuring charges
Indefinite-lived intangible impairment
Gain on Brazil acquisition
Tax benefit, net
(1)
(1)
Total Adjustments
Fiscal 2014, as adjusted
(1)
(1)
Gross
Profit
$ 802.6
4.6
—
—
—
4.6
$ 807.2
Gross
Profit
Margin
54.2 %
54.5 %
Operating
Income
$ 273.3
11.8
26.1
—
—
37.9
$ 311.2
Operating
Income
Margin
18.5 %
Net Income
Attributable to
Company
$
98.6
7.2
19.1
(6.4 )
(2.4 )
17.7
116.3
21.0 %
$
Diluted
EPS
$ 1.74
0.13
0.34
(0.11 )
(0.04 )
0.32
$ 2.05
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1)
“As adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2014 to exclude the $11.8 million ($7.2 million after tax) of charges
associated with our previously disclosed plan to restructure our organization, the impact of the franchise rights acquired impairment charge of $26.1 million ($19.1 million after tax)
related to our Canada operations, the impact of the gain of $10.5 million ($6.4 million after tax) recognized in connection with the Brazil acquisition due to an adjustment of our
previously held equity interest to fair value offset by a charge associated with the settlement of the royalty-free arrangement of the Brazilian partnership and the $2.4 million net tax
benefit related to an intercompany loan write-off in connection with the closure of our China business partially offset by the recognition of a valuation allowance related to tax benefits for
foreign losses that are not expected to be realized. See “Non-GAAP Financials Measures” above for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.
Certain results for fiscal 2013 are adjusted to exclude the $21.7 million impact of the early extinguishment of debt charge and the $1.2
million impairment charge for the franchise rights acquired related to our Mexico and Hong Kong operations. See “Non-GAAP Financial
Measures” above. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of those components of our selected financial data for the fiscal year ended
December 28, 2013 which have been adjusted.
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2013
Adjustments to Reported Amounts
(1)
Early extinguishment of debt charge
(1)
Indefinite-lived intangible impairment
(1)
Total Adjustments
Fiscal 2013, as adjusted
(1)
Income
Before
Taxes
$ 335.4
21.7
1.2
22.9
$ 358.2
Net Income
Attributable
to Company
204.7
$
13.3
1.2
14.5
219.2
$
Diluted
EPS
$ 3.63
0.26
0.00
0.26
$ 3.89
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1)
“As adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2013 to exclude the impact of the $21.7 million ($13.3 million after tax)
early extinguishment of debt charge associated with our previously reported debt refinancing and the impact of the franchise rights acquired impairment charge of $1.2 million related to
our Mexico and Hong Kong operations. See “Non-GAAP Financials Measures” above for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.
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Consolidated Results
Revenues
Revenues in fiscal 2014 declined by 14.2% versus fiscal 2013 driven by revenue declines in the meetings and Online businesses globally,
most notably in North America. See “—Segment Results” for additional details on revenues.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Profit
Total cost of revenues in fiscal 2014 declined $45.6 million, or 6.3%, versus the prior year. Excluding the impact of the 2014 restructuring
charges, total cost of revenues in fiscal 2014 would have declined $50.3 million, or 7.0%, versus the prior year. Excluding the impact of the 2014
restructuring charges, gross profit for fiscal 2014 would have decreased by $193.9 million, or 19.4%, from fiscal 2013. Excluding the impact of
the 2014 restructuring charges, gross margin in fiscal 2014 would have been 54.5%, as compared to gross margin of 58.1% in fiscal 2013. Gross
margin compression was driven primarily by the decline in the North America gross margin, which was partially offset by an increase in gross
margin in Continental Europe. The decline in North America gross margin was driven primarily by fixed cost deleverage, the impact of service
provider compensation changes and training and technology in support of the Personal Coaching offering, 24/7 Expert Chat and healthcare
initiatives.
Marketing
Marketing expenses for fiscal 2014 decreased $33.3 million, or 11.3%, versus fiscal 2013. The decline was primarily driven by lower TV
media and production costs resulting from the integration of TV spots for both our meetings and Online businesses. The decline was also driven
by lower and more efficient digital marketing spend in the United States. This decline was partially offset by the early launch of our winter
season brand campaign in the United States. Marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue were 17.7% in fiscal 2014 as compared to 17.1% in
the prior year.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2014 decreased $2.6 million, or 1.1%, versus fiscal 2013. Excluding the impact of
the 2014 restructuring charges, selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2014 would have decreased by 4.0% versus fiscal 2013. In
fiscal 2014, the Company made concerted efforts to adopt cost-savings initiatives, including rationalization of its workforce and reduction of its
total payroll and discretionary spend. At the same time, the Company decided to invest in certain healthcare and technology initiatives, which
partially offset the savings. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue for fiscal 2014 increased to 16.3% from
14.2% for fiscal 2013. Excluding the impact of the 2014 restructuring charges, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of
revenue for fiscal 2014 increased to 15.8% from 14.2% for fiscal 2013.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Impairment
In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, we determined that, based on the fair values calculated,
the carrying amounts of the franchise rights acquired related to our Canada operations exceeded its fair value as of the end of fiscal 2014 and
recorded an impairment charge of $26.1 million. In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, we
determined that, based on the fair values calculated, the carrying amounts of the franchise rights acquired related to our Mexico and Hong Kong
operations exceeded their respective fair values as of the end of fiscal 2013 and recorded impairment charges of $0.9 million and $0.2 million,
respectively.
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Operating Income
Operating income for fiscal 2014 decreased $187.5 million, or 40.7%, versus fiscal 2013. This decrease in operating income was almost
exclusively the result of lower operating income from North America in fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior year. Excluding the impact of the
2014 restructuring charges and the impairment charge, our operating income margin in fiscal 2014 would have decreased to 21.0% from 26.7%
in fiscal 2013. This decline in operating income margin was primarily driven by the decline in gross margin, higher selling, general and
administrative and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues, as compared to the prior year.
Interest Expense
Interest expense in fiscal 2014 increased $19.9 million, or 19.3%, versus fiscal 2013. Interest expense for fiscal 2014 included a $1.6
million write-off of deferred financing fees associated with the reduction of the amount of our Revolving Facility (defined hereafter). The
increase in interest expense was primarily driven by the difference in the notional amount of our interest rate swaps in effect during fiscal 2014
versus the prior year, the 25 basis point increase related to the issuance of revised corporate ratings by S&P and Moody’s on February 21, 2014
and higher interest rates on our debt as a result of the April 2, 2013 debt refinancing. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Long-Term
Debt” for additional details regarding our Revolving Facility and interest rates on our debt. Our average debt outstanding decreased by $24.4
million to $2,372.9 million in fiscal 2014 from $2,397.3 million in fiscal 2013, however, the effective interest rate on our debt, excluding the
impact of our interest rate swaps, increased by 0.37% to 3.86% in fiscal 2014 from 3.49% in fiscal 2013. Including the impact of our interest rate
swaps, our effective interest rate increased to 4.67% in fiscal 2014 from 3.92% in fiscal 2013. For additional details on our interest rate swap see
“—“Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Gain on Brazil Acquisition
In March 2014, we acquired an additional 45% equity interest in our Brazilian partnership thereby increasing our equity interest to 80%.
As a result of this transaction, we adjusted our previously held equity interest to fair value and recorded a charge associated with the settlement
of the royalty-free arrangement of our Brazilian partnership. The net effect of these items resulted in us recognizing a pre-tax gain of $10.5
million in fiscal 2014.
Other Expense
Other expense, which consists of the impact of foreign currency on intercompany transactions, increased by $2.6 million in fiscal 2014
versus the prior year.
Tax
Our effective tax rate was 37.4% for fiscal 2014 as compared to 39.0% for fiscal 2013. The decrease was due mainly to the net tax benefit
associated with the closure of our China business that was recorded in fiscal 2014 and a shift in the mix of our domestic and foreign earnings
which resulted in lower state income taxes. These were offset by the recognition of a valuation allowance that was recorded in fiscal 2014 related
to tax benefits previously recorded for foreign losses that are not expected to be realized and the tax impact associated with the Canada
impairment charge due to the lower statutory tax rate in Canada.
Net Income Attributable to the Company and Earnings Per Share
Net income attributable to the Company in fiscal 2014 declined 51.8% versus fiscal 2013. Excluding the impact of the 2014 restructuring
charges, the impairment charge, the gain on the Brazil acquisition, the net tax benefit offset by the recognition of a valuation allowance, and the
early extinguishment of debt charge, net income attributable to the Company in fiscal 2014 would have declined 47.0% versus the adjusted prior
year. This decline in net income attributable to the Company was primarily driven by the decrease in operating income in fiscal 2014 versus the
prior year.
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EPS in fiscal 2014 decreased to $1.74 versus fiscal 2013. Excluding the impact of the 2014 restructuring charges, the impairment charge,
the gain on the Brazil acquisition, the net tax benefit offset by the recognition of a valuation allowance and the early extinguishment of debt
charge, EPS would have been $2.05 in fiscal 2014 as compared to $3.87 in the prior year.
Segment Results
Metrics and Business Trends
The following tables set forth key metrics by reportable segment for fiscal 2014 and the percentage change in those metrics versus the prior
year:
(in millions unless otherwise stated)
North America
UK
CE
Other
Total
(1)
North America
UK
CE
Other
Total
(1)
GAAP
Product
Sales &
Other
Service
Revenues
Total
Revenues
Fiscal 2014
Constant Currency
Product
Sales &
Other
Service
Revenues
Total
Revenues
Total
Paid
Weeks
Incoming
Active
Base
EOP
Active
Base
(in thousands)
$ 794.4 $ 153.3 $ 947.7 $ 799.6 $ 153.8 $ 953.4 117.1 2,066.1 1,617.8
108.6 48.2 156.8 102.7 45.6 148.3 20.2 297.4 277.8
230.9 68.0 298.9 230.5 67.6 298.1 35.6 528.4 551.9
62.1
50.6 29.4
$ 1,181.9 $ 298.0 $ 1,479.9 $ 1,183.4 $ 296.2 $ 1,479.6 177.8 2,962.9 2,509.5
48.0 28.4
79.9 4.9
76.5
71.1
% Change Fiscal 2014 vs. Fiscal 2013
-18.0 % -21.9 % -18.6 % -17.4 % -21.6 % -18.1 % -16.8 % -12.3 % -21.7 %
-5.5 % -16.6 % -9.2 % -10.6 % -21.2 % -14.1 % -9.2 % -14.3 % -6.6 %
1.2 % -4.6 % -0.2 % 1.0 % -5.2 % -0.4 % 3.1 % 14.6 % 4.4 %
-2.8 % -25.1 % -12.5 % 2.4 % -22.8 % -8.5 % -2.2 % -7.1 % -12.6 %
-13.1 % -18.0 % -14.2 % -13.0 % -18.5 % -14.2 % -12.2 % -8.6 % -15.3 %
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1) Represents Asia Pacific and emerging markets operations and franchise revenues.
(in millions unless otherwise stated)
GAAP
Currency
Constant
Paid
Weeks
Active
Meeting
Subscribers
Meeting Fees
Meeting
Incoming
Fiscal 2014
EOP
Active
Meeting
Subscribers
Online Subscription
Revenues
Online
Constant
GAAP
Currency
Paid
Weeks
Incoming
Active
Online
Subscribers
EOP
Active
Online
Subscribers
(in thousands)
925.2
$ 496.2 $ 499.3 50.3
119.7
80.8 76.4 12.4
373.6
133.4 133.0 12.8
34.1 35.6 2.7
35.6
$ 744.6 $ 744.3 78.2 1,216.7 1,055.4 $ 437.4 $ 439.1 99.6 1,746.2 1,454.1
692.6 $ 298.2 $ 300.3 66.8 1,232.9
131.4
158.1 27.9 26.4 7.9
344.8
178.2 97.4 97.5 22.8
37.1
26.4 13.9 15.0 2.1
(in thousands)
833.2
166.0
183.6
33.9
% Change Fiscal 2014 vs. Fiscal 2013
-16.6 % -16.1 % -15.8 % -11.7 % -16.9 % -20.1 % -19.6 % -17.5 % -12.6 % -25.0 %
-5.2 % -10.4 % -9.6 % -18.7 % -4.7 % -6.2 % -11.3 % -8.6 % -8.0 % -8.9 %
-2.8 % -3.1 % -2.5 % -0.9 % -2.9 % 7.3 % 7.4 % 6.5 % 25.0 % 8.4 %
0.3 % 4.8 % 6.2 % -3.4 % -22.0 % -9.6 % -2.9 % -11.0 % -10.2 % -4.1 %
-12.6 % -12.6 % -12.3 % -11.1 % -13.3 % -14.1 % -13.8 % -12.2 % -6.7 % -16.7 %
North America
UK
CE
Other
Total
(1)
North America
UK
CE
Other
Total
(1)
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1) Represents Asia Pacific and emerging markets operations and franchise revenues.
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North America Performance
North America continued to face strong competition for consumer trial from an evolving competitor set, including mobile apps and activity
monitors, during fiscal 2014. The Company believes this competition drove declines in all revenue categories in North America in fiscal 2014
versus the prior year. The decline in North America Total Paid Weeks primarily resulted from the lower Incoming Active Base at the beginning
of fiscal 2014 versus the beginning of fiscal 2013 as well as by lower recruitments in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year. In response to weakening
recruitment trends in early fiscal 2014, North America introduced new advertising and implemented new promotional tactics. In addition, the
United States launched its 2014 winter season brand campaign one month early.
The decline in North America product sales and other was driven primarily by a decline in in-meeting product sales and to a lesser extent a
decline in licensing revenue. In fiscal 2014, in-meeting product sales of $85.2 million decreased by $33.9 million, or 28.5%, versus the prior
year. This decrease resulted primarily from a 15.3% attendance decline in fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior year. In-meeting product sales per
attendee decreased by 15.5% in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year, driven primarily by a decline in sales of enrollment products. Licensing
revenue of $37.2 million declined $1.4 million, or 3.7%, from $38.6 million in the prior year.
United Kingdom Performance
The decline in UK revenues in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year was driven primarily by the decline in product sales and to a lesser extent a
decline in Service Revenues. The decline in UK Total Paid Weeks was driven by the lower Incoming Active Base at the beginning of fiscal 2014
versus the beginning of fiscal 2013 coupled with lower recruitments in fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior year. In response to weakening
recruitment trends, primarily in the meetings business, early in fiscal 2014, the United Kingdom introduced new advertising, implemented new
promotional tactics and invested in a local marketing campaign to combat a strong local competitor. As a result of these initiatives, although still
negative in fiscal 2014, the United Kingdom experienced an improvement in its recruitment trend in the second half of fiscal 2014 as compared
to the prior year period.
The decline in UK product sales and other in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year was driven primarily by a decline in in-meeting product sales
and to a lesser extent a decline in licensing revenue. In fiscal 2014, in-meeting product sales of $30.2 million decreased by $5.7 million, or
15.9%, versus the prior year. This decrease resulted primarily from an 11.4% attendance decline in fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior year. In-
meeting product sales per attendee also declined by 5.0%, or 10.3% on a constant currency basis, in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year driven by
the impact of the Simple Start program on product sales. The decline in licensing revenue was driven by timing associated with brand marketing.
Continental Europe Performance
The decline in Continental Europe revenues in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year was driven primarily by the decline in product sales and
other partially offset by an increase in Service Revenues. The increase in Continental Europe Service Revenues on a constant currency basis in
fiscal 2014 versus fiscal 2013 was primarily the result of an increase in Online Subscription Revenues versus the prior year. This increase in
Online Subscription Revenues was driven by the higher number of Incoming Active Online Subscribers at the start of fiscal 2014 versus the start
of fiscal 2013 which drove higher Online Paid Weeks in the year as compared to the prior year. This increase in Online Subscription Revenues
more than offset a lower number of Incoming Active Meeting Subscribers and recruitment softness in the meetings business, particularly in
Germany, in fiscal 2014.
The decline in Continental Europe product sales and other in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year was driven primarily by both a decline in in-
meeting product sales and a decline in licensing revenue. In fiscal 2014, in-meeting product sales of $46.3 million decreased by $1.7 million, or
3.6% (4.4% on a constant currency basis), versus the prior year. This decrease resulted primarily from a 5.2% attendance decline in fiscal 2014
as compared
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to the prior year. In fiscal 2014, licensing revenue of $10.1 million declined $2.0 million, or 16.2% (16.3% on a constant currency basis), from
$12.1 million in the prior year driven by the timing associated with brand marketing.
Other Performance
The decline in Other revenue in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year was driven by revenue declines in Asia Pacific and with our franchisees,
partially offset by the beneficial impact of the consolidation of the Brazil operations. The increase in Other Service Revenues in fiscal 2014
versus the prior year was driven by a 6.2% increase in Other Meeting Paid Weeks. The decline in fiscal 2014 Other Total Paid Weeks versus the
prior year was driven by the lower Incoming Active Base at the beginning of fiscal 2014 versus the beginning of fiscal 2013 and higher
recruitments as compared to the prior year.
The decline in Other product sales and other in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year was driven primarily by a decline in revenue from our
franchisees and to a lesser extent our licensees. Revenues from our franchisees totaled $11.4 million in fiscal 2014, a decline of $4.6 million, or
28.8%, from the prior year, driven in part by the decline in their meetings business performance, similar to that which we experienced in North
America, and in the number of franchises resulting from our recent franchise acquisitions. In fiscal 2014, licensing revenue declined in part due
to the timing of brand revenue from our licensing partners. In fiscal 2014, in-meeting product sales of $7.4 million decreased by $1.6 million, or
17.5% (14.5% on a constant currency basis), versus the prior year driven by volume declines in Asia Pacific partially offset by the impact of the
Brazil acquisition.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL 2013 (52 weeks) COMPARED TO FISCAL 2012 (52 weeks)
The table below sets forth selected financial information for fiscal 2013 from our consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2013
versus selected financial information for fiscal 2012 from our consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2012.
Summary of Selected Financial Data
Revenues, net
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Gross Margin %
Marketing expenses
Selling, general & administrative expenses
Indefinite-lived intangible impairment
Operating income
Operating Income Margin %
Interest expense
Other expense, net
Early extinguishment of debt
Income before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
Diluted EPS
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal
2013
$ 1,724.1
723.0
1,001.1
Fiscal
2012
$ 1,839.4
745.6
1,093.8
58.1 %
59.5 %
Increase/
(Decrease)
(115.3 )
$
(22.6 )
(92.7 )
295.6
243.6
1.2
460.8
26.7 %
103.1
0.6
21.7
335.4
130.6
$ 204.7
56.4
3.63
$
353.7
229.3
—
510.8
27.8 %
90.5
2.0
1.3
417.0
159.5
$ 257.4
60.9
4.23
$
$
$
(58.0 )
14.2
1.2
(50.0 )
12.6
(1.4 )
20.4
(81.6 )
(28.9 )
(52.7 )
(4.5 )
(0.60 )
%
Change
(6.3 %)
(3.0 %)
(8.5 %)
(16.4 %)
6.2 %
—
(9.8 %)
13.9 %
(69.7 %)
—
(19.6 %)
(18.1 %)
(20.5 %)
(7.4 %)
(14.1 %)
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Certain results for fiscal 2013 are adjusted to exclude the $21.7 million impact of the early extinguishment of debt charge and the
$1.2 million impairment charge for the franchise rights acquired related to our Mexico and Hong Kong operations. See “Non-GAAP Financial
Measures” above. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of those components of our selected financial data for the fiscal year ended
December 28, 2013 which have been adjusted.
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2013
Adjustments to Reported Amounts
(1)
Early extinguishment of debt charge
(1)
Indefinite-lived intangible impairment
(1)
Total Adjustments
Fiscal 2013, as adjusted
(1)
Income
Before
Taxes
$ 335.4
21.7
1.2
22.9
$ 358.2
Net Income
Attributable
Diluted
to Company
204.7
$
EPS
$ 3.63
13.3
1.2
14.5
219.2
0.26
0.0
0.26
$ 3.89
$
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1)
“As adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2013 to exclude the impact of the $21.7 million ($13.3 million after tax)
early extinguishment of debt charge associated with our previously reported debt refinancing and the impact of the franchise rights acquired impairment charge of $1.2 million related to
our Mexico and Hong Kong operations. See “Non-GAAP Financials Measures” above for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.
Certain results for fiscal 2012 are adjusted to exclude the $14.5 million decrease to cost of revenues and the $7.1 million increase to
interest expense related to the settlement of the UK self-employment matter. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above. The table below sets
forth a reconciliation of those components of our selected financial data for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 which have been adjusted.
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2012
Adjustments to Reported Amounts
(1)
UK self-employment accrual reversal
(1)
Total Adjustments
Fiscal 2012, as adjusted
(1)
Gross
Profit
$ 1,093.8
Operating
Gross
Profit
Margin
Income
59.5 % $ 510.8
(14.5 )
(14.5 )
$ 1,079.3
(14.5 )
(14.5 )
58.7 % $ 496.3
Operating
Interest
Income
Margin
27.8 % $ 90.5 $ 257.4 $ 4.23
Net
Income
Diluted
EPS
Expense
(0.07 )
(0.07 )
27.0 % $ 83.4 $ 253.3 $ 4.16
(7.1 )
(7.1 )
(4.1 )
(4.1 )
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1)
“As adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of net income for fiscal 2012 to exclude the impact of a $ 14.5 million decrease to cost of
revenues and the $7.1 million increase to interest expense related to the settlement of the UK self-employment matter.
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.
Consolidated Results
Revenues
Revenues in fiscal 2013 declined by 6.3% versus fiscal 2012 driven by revenue declines in the meetings business globally, most notably in
the North America and the United Kingdom. See “—Segment Results” for additional details on revenues.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Profit
Total cost of revenues in fiscal 2013 declined $22.6 million, or 3.0%, versus the prior year. Excluding the impact of the settlement of the
UK self-employment matter, total cost of revenues in fiscal 2013 would have declined $37.1 million, or 4.9%, versus the prior year. Excluding
the impact of such settlement, gross profit in fiscal 2013 would have decreased $78.2 million, or 7.2%, from fiscal 2012, and gross margin would
have
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declined 0.6%. Gross margin compression was driven primarily by the gross margin decline in North America and to a lesser extent the United
Kingdom. This margin compression was also partially offset by the shift of revenue towards the higher margin Online business. Gross margin
decline was driven by fixed cost deleverage, the impact of the US service provider compensation changes, an increase in product discounting
globally as well as higher product and freight costs in North America. Price increases taken in some of our markets and reduced cost of meeting
materials in North America were partially offsetting.
Marketing
Marketing expenses for fiscal 2013 decreased $58.0 million, or 16.4%, versus fiscal 2012. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, which
increased marketing expenses for fiscal 2013 by $0.5 million, marketing expenses were 16.5% lower in fiscal 2013 compared to the prior year.
The decline was primarily driven by the absence of a Weight Watchers Online US men’s specific marketing campaign, achieving lower and
more efficient digital marketing spend in the United States and lower TV advertising and production costs globally. Marketing expenses as a
percentage of revenue were 17.1% in fiscal 2013 as compared to 19.2% in the prior year.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2013 increased $14.2 million, or 6.2%, versus fiscal 2012. Excluding the impact of
foreign currency, which decreased selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2013 by $0.2 million, fiscal 2013 selling, general and
administrative expenses increased by 6.3% versus fiscal 2012. The increase in these expenses was primarily related to higher bonus expenses,
investments in technology for the development of our mobile, field systems and customer relationship management platforms in support of our
healthcare initiatives, one-time costs associated with the impairment of intangible and long-lived assets, severance, China shutdown costs and
costs related to our acquisitions, partially offset by lower stock compensation expense in fiscal 2013. Selling, general and administrative
expenses as a percentage of revenue for fiscal 2013 increased to 14.1% from 12.5% for fiscal 2012.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Impairment
In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, we determined that, based on the fair values
calculated, the carrying amounts of the franchise rights acquired related to our Mexico and Hong Kong operations exceeded their respective fair
values as of the end of fiscal 2013 and recorded impairment charges of $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Operating Income
Operating income for fiscal 2013 decreased $50.0 million, or 9.8%, from fiscal 2012. Excluding the impact of the settlement of the UK
self-employment matter, the impairment charge and of foreign currency which negatively impacted operating income for fiscal 2013 by $0.5
million, operating income in fiscal 2013 decreased by $33.8 million, or 6.8%, versus the prior year. This decrease in operating income was
primarily the result of lower Meeting Fees in North America in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year that were partially offset by lower marketing
expense in North America, primarily from the elimination of inefficient digital advertising and the lack of a men’s campaign in the United States
in fiscal 2013. As adjusted for the settlement and the impairment charge, our gross margin in fiscal 2013 would have decreased 0.5%, and
operating income margin in fiscal 2013 would have decreased 0.2%, from fiscal 2012. This decline in operating income margin was primarily
driven by the decline in gross margin and higher selling, general and administrative expenses, which were partially offset by the absence of a
Weight Watchers Online US men’s specific marketing campaign, achieving lower and more efficient digital marketing spend in the United
States in fiscal 2013 and lower TV advertising and production costs globally versus fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2013, marketing expenses decreased as
a percentage of revenue, but this decrease was slightly offset by the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of
revenue, as compared to the prior year.
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Interest Expense
Interest expense for fiscal 2013 increased $12.6 million, or 13.9%, from fiscal 2012. Excluding the impact of the settlement of the UK self-
employment matter, interest expense for fiscal 2013 increased $19.7 million, or 23.6%, versus the prior year. The increase was primarily driven
by an increase in our average debt outstanding and higher interest rates on our debt. Our average debt outstanding increased by $294.4 million to
$2,397.3 million in fiscal 2013 from $2,102.9 million in fiscal 2012. The increase in average debt outstanding was driven by the additional
borrowings under our Prior WWI Credit Facility in March and April 2012 in connection with our repurchase of shares in the Tender Offer and
the related share repurchase from Artal Holdings (see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Stock Transactions”). The effective interest rate on
our debt increased by 0.58% to 3.49% in fiscal 2013 from 2.91% in fiscal 2012 as a result of our April 2, 2013 debt refinancing. Interest expense
was partially offset by a decrease in the notional value of our interest rate swap, which resulted in a higher effective interest rate of 3.92% in
fiscal 2013, as compared to 3.60% in fiscal 2012.
Other Expense
The Company incurred $0.6 million of other expense in fiscal 2013 as compared to $2.0 million of other expense in the prior year. While
both years include the impact of foreign currency on intercompany transactions, the prior year also includes $2.4 million of expense resulting
from a write-off associated with an investment.
Early Extinguishment of Debt
In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we wrote-off $21.7 million of fees in connection with the April 2013 refinancing of our debt that we
recorded as an early extinguishment of debt charge. In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we wrote-off $1.3 million of fees in connection with the
March 2012 refinancing of our debt that we recorded as an early extinguishment of debt charge.
Tax
Our effective tax rate was 39.0% for fiscal 2013 as compared to 38.3% for fiscal 2012. Excluding the impact of the settlement of the UK
self-employment matter, our effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 would have been 38.1%. The difference in period-over-period effective tax rates is
primarily the result of the lack of a tax benefit recorded for certain non-deductible impairments charges recorded in fiscal 2013 as well as the
impact of a non-recurring tax benefit recorded in fiscal 2012 associated with a reduction in certain international tax rates.
Net Income and Earnings Per Share
Net income in fiscal 2013 declined 20.5% versus fiscal 2012. This decline in net income was driven by the decrease in operating income in
fiscal 2013 versus the prior year as well as a charge of $21.7 million in early extinguishment of debt, the impairment charge and higher interest
expense resulting from our long-term debt refinancing in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Excluding this early extinguishment of debt charge
(after tax) and the impairment charge, net income would have been $219.2 million in fiscal 2013.
EPS in fiscal 2013 decreased $0.60 versus fiscal 2012. Excluding the early extinguishment of debt charge and the impairment charge, EPS
would have been $3.89 in fiscal 2013 as compared to $4.23 in the prior year. EPS in fiscal 2013 benefited from our repurchase of shares in the
Tender Offer and the related share repurchase from Artal Holdings as the number of our weighted average diluted shares outstanding for fiscal
2013 decreased to 56.4 million from 60.9 million in the prior year. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Stock Transactions” for a
description of the Tender Offer and related share repurchase from Artal Holdings.
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Segment Results
Metrics and Business Trends
The following tables set forth key metrics by reportable segment for fiscal 2013 and the percentage change in those metrics versus the prior
year:
(in millions unless otherwise stated)
North America
UK
CE
Other
Total
(1)
North America
UK
CE
Other
Total
(1)
GAAP
Product
Sales &
Other
Service
Revenues
Total
Revenues
Fiscal 2013
Constant Currency
Product
Sales &
Other
Service
Revenues
Total
Revenues
Total
Paid
Weeks
Incoming
Active
Base
EOP
Active
Base
(in thousands)
$ 968.4 $ 196.3 $ 1,164.6 $ 970.9 $ 196.5 $ 1,167.4 140.7 2,355.5 2,066.1
114.9 57.8 172.7 116.7 58.5 175.2 22.3 346.8 297.4
228.1 71.3 299.4 221.4 69.6 290.9 34.6 461.1 528.4
71.1
52.3 39.2
$ 1,360.8 $ 363.3 $ 1,724.1 $ 1,361.2 $ 363.8 $ 1,724.9 202.5 3,239.9 2,962.9
49.4 38.0
91.5 5.0
87.4
76.5
% Change Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012
-6.4 % -12.2 % -7.4 % -6.1 % -12.1 % -7.2 % -6.6 % 7.9 % -12.3 %
-14.4 % -17.7 % -15.6 % -13.1 % -16.7 % -14.3 % -13.6 % -12.3 % -14.3 %
15.1 % -1.7 % 10.6 % 11.7 % -4.1 % 7.5 % 19.9 % 43.1 % 14.6 %
-15.7 % -21.0 % -18.1 % -10.8 % -18.5 % -14.3 % -8.1 % -12.4 % -7.1 %
-4.5 % -12.3 % -6.3 % -4.5 % -12.2 % -6.2 % -3.9 % 8.4 % -8.6 %
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1) Represents Asia Pacific and emerging markets operations and franchise revenues.
Fiscal 2013
(in millions unless otherwise stated)
GAAP
Currency
Constant
Paid
Weeks
Active
Meeting
Subscribers
Meeting
Subscribers
Meeting Fees
Meeting
Incoming
EOP Active
Online
Subscription
Revenues
Constant
GAAP
Currency
Incoming
Active
Online
Subscribers
EOP
Active
Online
Subscribers
Online
Paid
Weeks
(in thousands)
833.2 $ 373.3 $ 374.3 81.0 1,411.4 1,232.9
$ 595.1 $ 596.6 59.7
131.4
166.0 29.7 30.1 8.6
85.2 86.5 13.7
344.8
183.6 90.8 87.9 21.4
137.3 133.4 13.2
34.0 35.7 2.5
37.1
33.9 15.4 16.5 2.4
$ 851.6 $ 852.3 89.1 1,368.6 1,216.7 $ 509.1 $ 508.9 113.4 1,871.4 1,746.2
142.8
275.8
41.3
(in thousands)
944.1
204.0
185.3
35.1
% Change Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012
-8.9 % -8.7 % -9.4 % -0.3 % -11.7 % -1.9 % -1.7 % -4.4 % 14.2 % -12.6 %
-18.4 % -17.1 % -19.2 % -17.5 % -18.7 % -0.5 % 1.0 % -2.8 % -3.6 % -8.0 %
1.0 % -1.8 % -1.5 % 11.8 % -0.9 % 45.9 % 41.3 % 38.4 % 76.2 % 25.0 %
-17.4 % -13.2 % -12.0 % -16.6 % -3.4 % -11.5 % -5.1 % -3.6 % -8.6 % -10.2 %
-8.9 % -8.8 % -10.1 % -2.4 % -11.1 % 3.9 % 3.8 % 1.7 % 18.0 % -6.7 %
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding
(1) Represents Asia Pacific and emerging markets operations and franchise revenues.
North America Performance
The decline in North America revenues in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year was driven by declining North America Service Revenues
arising primarily from lower Meeting Fees. The decline in North America Total Paid Weeks primarily resulted from the decline in Meeting Paid
Weeks. The decline in Meeting Paid Weeks resulted from
56
North America
UK
CE
Other
Total
(1)
North America
UK
CE
Other
Total
(1)
Table of Contents
the lower number of Incoming Active Meeting Subscribers at the beginning of fiscal 2013 versus the beginning of fiscal 2012 as well as by
lower recruitments in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year. Lower recruitments in the United States in fiscal 2013 were driven by difficulty in
attracting members into our brand. Although we introduced our new Weight Watchers 360° plan in December 2012, this new program was not
as effective in driving consumer trial as our PointsPlus innovation. Partially offsetting the decline in North America Meeting Fees was a 0.6%
increase in Meeting Fees per Paid Week in fiscal 2013 as compared to the prior year. This increase in Meeting Fees per Paid Week was driven in
part by a 2011 US price increase for new members, the impact of which was more significant in fiscal 2013 due to the cycling of new members
paying this higher price throughout 2012. In addition, this increase in Meeting Fees per Paid Week was driven by a discounted offer in the
United States in the Spring of fiscal 2012 that was not repeated until the Fall of fiscal 2013, and was less impactful in fiscal 2013.
Although Online Paid Weeks benefited from entering the year with a higher number of Incoming Active Online Subscribers at the start of
fiscal 2013 as compared to the start of fiscal 2012, lower recruitments impacted by increasing consumer trial of activity monitors and free apps
during the year resulted in a decline in Online Paid Weeks.
The decline in North America product sales and other in fiscal 2013 was driven primarily by a decline in in-meeting product sales. In fiscal
2013, in-meeting product sales of $119.1 million decreased by $26.8 million, or 18.4%, versus the prior year. This decrease resulted primarily
from a 14.7% attendance decline in fiscal 2013 as compared to the prior year. In-meeting product sales per attendee decreased by 4.3% in fiscal
2013 versus the prior year driven primarily by sales declines in consumables, enrollment products and electronics which more than offset strong
sales of the new ActiveLink product, which was first introduced in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Recruitment weakness in North America in
fiscal 2013 also contributed to these sales declines. Licensing revenue of $38.6 million increased $1.9 million, or 5.3%, from $36.7 million in the
prior year.
The Company completed seven franchise acquisitions in North America in fiscal 2013 as compared to three franchise acquisitions in the
second half of fiscal 2012. Franchise acquisitions benefited North America Meeting Fees by 2.2% and North America Meeting Paid Weeks by
1.7% in fiscal 2013, but had a de minimis impact on North America Meeting Fees and volumes in fiscal 2012.
United Kingdom Performance
The decline in UK revenues in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year was driven primarily by declining UK Service Revenues arising primarily
from lower Total Paid Weeks versus the prior year. Total Paid Weeks performance in fiscal 2013 was driven by the lower Incoming Active Base
at the beginning of fiscal 2013 versus the beginning of fiscal 2012 coupled with lower recruitments in fiscal 2013 as compared to the prior year.
In fiscal 2013, local competition from another meetings business in the United Kingdom primarily drove the decline in meeting recruitments.
Partially offsetting the decline in UK Meeting Fees was an increase in Meeting Fees per Paid Week of 1.0%, or 2.6% on a constant currency
basis, versus the prior year. This increase in Meeting Fees per Paid Week was driven primarily by a UK price increase in the third quarter of
fiscal 2012 for all members. UK attendance decreased by 22.7% in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year.
The decline in UK product sales and other in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year was driven primarily by a decline in in-meeting product
sales. In fiscal 2013, in-meeting product sales of $35.9 million decreased by $10.7 million, or 22.9%, versus the prior year. This decrease
resulted primarily from a 22.7% attendance decline in fiscal 2013 as compared to the prior year. Licensing revenue in fiscal 2013 declined versus
the prior year.
Continental Europe Performance
Revenues in Continental Europe in fiscal 2013 increased versus the prior year, and increased by 7.5% when excluding the impact of
foreign currency, driven primarily by an increase in Service Revenues partially offset by the decline in product sales and other. The increase in
Continental Europe Service Revenues was driven primarily
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by an increase in Online Paid Weeks partially offset by a decline in Meeting Paid Weeks versus the prior year. Total Paid Weeks performance in
fiscal 2013 was driven by the higher Incoming Active Base at the beginning of fiscal 2013 versus the beginning of fiscal 2012, however,
recruitments in the Online business benefited from effective marketing campaigns early in the year, particularly in Germany, while recruitments
in the meetings business were weak as a result of cycling against the successful launch of new program and new advertising campaigns in the
prior year.
The decline in Continental Europe product sales and other in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year was driven primarily by a decline in in-
meeting product sales. In fiscal 2013, in-meeting product sales of $48.0 million decreased by $1.0 million, or 2.1% (4.5% on a constant currency
basis), versus the prior year. This decrease resulted primarily from an 8.1% attendance decline in fiscal 2013 as compared to the prior year.
Licensing revenue increased in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year.
Other Performance
The decline in Other revenues in fiscal 2013 versus the prior year was driven primarily by a decrease in Other Meeting Paid Weeks and to
a lesser extent by a decline in Other Online Paid Weeks versus the prior year. Other Total Paid Weeks performance in fiscal 2013 was driven by
the lower Incoming Active Base at the beginning of fiscal 2013 versus the beginning of fiscal 2012.
Other Product sales and other for fiscal 2013 declined 21.0%, or 18.5% on a constant currency basis, versus the prior year driven primarily
by a decline in revenue from our franchisees and to a lesser extent our licensees. In fiscal 2013, in-meeting product sales of $8.9 million
decreased by $2.7 million, or 23.5% (19.9% on a constant currency basis), versus the prior year driven by volume declines in Asia Pacific. In
fiscal 2013, licensing revenue declined versus the prior year.
Revenues from our franchisees totaled $16.1 million in fiscal 2013, a decline of $8.7 million, or 35.1%, from $24.8 million in the prior
year, driven in part by the decline in the meetings business performance, similar to that which we experienced in North America, and in the
reduction in the number of franchises resulting from our 2012 and 2013 acquisitions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flows provided by operating activities have historically supplied us with a significant source of liquidity. We use these cash flows,
supplemented with long-term debt and short-term borrowings, to fund our operations and global initiatives, pay down debt and opportunistically
engage in selective acquisitions. On October 30, 2013, we announced that we suspended our quarterly cash dividend, as described below (see
“—Dividends”). We believe that cash generated by our $1.2 billion revenue forecast, our cost-savings plan and our cash on hand of $301.2
million will provide us with sufficient liquidity to meet our April 2016 debt maturity obligation of $291 million. We also have the ability to
access the unused portion of our revolving credit facility of $48.2 million and, if necessary, to delay investments or reduce marketing spend.
However, there can be no assurance that we will meet this obligation.
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Balance Sheet Working Capital
The following table sets forth certain relevant measures of the Company’s balance sheet working capital for the fiscal years ended:
Total current assets
Total current liabilities
Working capital surplus (deficit)
Cash and cash equivalents
Current portion of long-term debt
Working capital deficit, excluding change in cash and cash equivalents and
current portion of long-term debt
January 3,
December 28,
2015
$ 427.7
377.0
50.7
301.2
24.0
2013
(in millions)
315.7
$
345.8
(30.1 )
174.6
30.0
Increase/
(Decrease)
$ 112.0
31.2
(80.8 )
126.7
(6.0 )
$ (226.5 )
$
(174.7 )
$ 51.8
We generally operate with negative working capital that is driven in part by our commitment and subscription plans which are our primary
payment method. These plans require members and subscribers to pay us for meetings and Online subscription products, respectively, before we
pay for our obligations in the normal course of business. These prepayments are recorded as a current liability on our balance sheet which has
resulted in, and in certain circumstances has helped drive, negative working capital. This core characteristic of our business model is expected to
continue. In years when revenues decline, the impact of this characteristic of our business model is not as pronounced and may be diminished by
timing issues with our operational working capital accounts.
Despite our history of negative working capital, as of the end of fiscal 2014, our working capital shifted to a surplus. This shift was
primarily driven by the lack of any meaningful debt maturities in fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2014 due to the refinancing of our credit facilities in March
2013, which resulted in a build-up of cash on our balance sheet at the end of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014. Including changes in cash and cash
equivalents and the current portion of long-term debt, our working capital deficit decreased $80.8 million to a $50.7 million working capital
surplus at January 3, 2015 from a $30.1 million working capital deficit at December 28, 2013. After making scheduled debt repayments of $30
million in fiscal 2014, the current portion of our long-term debt decreased to $24.0 million versus the end of fiscal 2013 as described below (see
“—Long-Term Debt”).
Excluding the changes in cash and cash equivalents and current portion of long-term debt from both periods, the working capital deficit at
January 3, 2015 increased by $51.8 million to $226.5 million from $174.7 million at December 28, 2013. The primary factor contributing to this
increase in our working capital deficit was a $34.8 million increase in the derivative payable.
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal years ended:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
January 3,
December 28,
December 29,
2015
$ 231.6
$ (69.0 )
$ (29.4 )
2013
(in millions)
323.5
$
(145.3 )
$
(74.4 )
$
2012
$
$
$
336.7
(109.5 )
(211.1 )
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Operating Activities
Fiscal 2014
Cash flows provided by operating activities of $231.6 million for fiscal 2014 decreased by $91.9 million from $323.5 million in fiscal
2013. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of $106.1 million of lower net income in fiscal 2014 as
compared to the prior year.
Fiscal 2013
Cash flows provided by operating activities of $323.5 million for fiscal 2013 decreased by $13.2 million from $336.7 million in fiscal
2012. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of lower net income in fiscal 2013 as compared to the prior
year offset by the add back of the non-cash early extinguishment of debt charge and the intangible and long-lived asset impairment charges in
fiscal 2013 as well as a payment to HMRC in fiscal 2012 in connection with the previously reported UK self-employment liability.
Investing Activities
Fiscal 2014
Net cash used for investing activities totaled $69.0 million in fiscal 2014, a decrease of $76.4 million as compared to fiscal 2013. This
decrease was primarily attributable to the lower aggregate investment in acquisitions in fiscal 2014 versus the prior year. For additional
information on our acquisitions, see “Item 6. Selected Financial Data”. In addition, in fiscal 2014, although we invested in technology and
operating infrastructure, as well as healthcare initiatives, we incurred lower capital expenditures as compared to fiscal 2013 which had
expenditures in connection with the move of our headquarters and our previously disclosed retail initiative to upgrade our meetings centers.
Fiscal 2013
Net cash used for investing activities totaled $145.3 million in fiscal 2013, an increase of $35.9 million as compared to fiscal 2012. This
increase was primarily attributable to the $83.8 million aggregate purchase price paid for franchise acquisitions completed in fiscal 2013. In
fiscal 2013, we acquired substantially all of the assets of the following franchisees: Weight Watchers of Alberta Ltd. and Weight Watchers of
Saskatchewan Ltd. for an aggregate purchase price of $35.0 million, Weight Watchers of West Virginia, Inc. for a net purchase price of $16.0
million, Weight Watchers of Columbus, Inc. for a net purchase price of $23.3 million, Weight Watchers of Northern Nevada, Inc. for a net
purchase price of $4.0 million, Weight Watchers of Manitoba Ltd. for a net purchase price of $5.2 million, and Weight Watchers of Franklin and
St. Lawrence Counties Inc. for a net purchase price of $0.3 million. In addition, we incurred capital expenditures in connection with the move of
our headquarters, our retail initiative and capitalized software expenditures to support our customer relationship management platform and other
global systems initiatives.
Financing Activities
Fiscal 2014
Net cash used for financing activities totaled $29.4 million in fiscal 2014, primarily due to term loan payments under the WWI Credit
Facility of $30.0 million.
Fiscal 2013
Net cash used for financing activities totaled $74.4 million in fiscal 2013 and included $44.8 million of deferred financing fees in
connection with our April 2013 debt refinancing. Additionally, term loan payments
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under our then-existing credit facility of $2.41 billion were offset by new borrowings of $2.40 billion in connection with our April 2013 debt
refinancing. In addition, we paid $29.6 million of dividends to our shareholders which offset $18.3 million in proceeds from stock options
exercised and the tax benefit thereon in fiscal 2013.
Fiscal 2012
Net cash used for financing activities totaled $211.1 million in fiscal 2012 and included proceeds from new term loans under our then-
existing credit facilities of $1.45 billion and additional revolver borrowings of $30.0 million which were used to finance stock repurchases of
$1.5 billion and deferred financing costs of $26.2 million in connection with the Tender Offer and related Artal Holdings share repurchase. See
“—Stock Transactions” for a description of the Tender Offer and the related Artal Holdings share repurchase. In addition, we paid $52.0 million
of dividends to our shareholders and received $12.7 million in proceeds from stock options exercised in fiscal 2012.
Long-Term Debt
We currently plan to meet our long-term debt obligations by using cash flows provided by operating activities and opportunistically using
other means to repay or refinance our obligations as we determine appropriate.
The following schedule sets forth our long-term debt obligations (and interest rates, exclusive of the impact of swaps) at January 3, 2015:
Long-Term Debt
At January 3, 2015
(Balances in millions)
Revolving Facility due April 2, 2018
Tranche B-1 Term Facility due April 2, 2016
Tranche B-2 Term Facility due April 2, 2020
Total Debt
Less Current Portion
Total Long-Term Debt
Alternative
Base Rate
or LIBOR
0.000 %
0.160 %
0.750 %
Applicable
Margin
0.000 %
3.000 %
3.250 %
Interest
Rate
0.000 %
3.160 %
4.000 %
Balance
$ —
294.8
2,063.2
2,358.0
24.0
$ 2,334.0
On April 2, 2013, we refinanced our credit facilities pursuant to a new Credit Agreement, or as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified, the Credit Agreement, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and an
issuing bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as revolving agent, swingline lender and an issuing bank, and the other parties thereto. The Credit
Agreement provides for (a) a revolving credit facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) in an initial aggregate principal amount of
$250.0 million that will mature on April 2, 2018, or the Revolving Facility, (b) an initial term B-1 loan credit facility in an aggregate principal
amount of $300.0 million that will mature on April 2, 2016, or Tranche B-1 Term Facility, and (c) an initial term B-2 loan credit facility in an
aggregate principal amount of $2,100.0 million that will mature on April 2, 2020, or Tranche B-2 Term Facility. We refer herein to the Tranche
B-1 Term Facility together with the Tranche B-2 Term Facility as the Term Facilities, and the Term Facilities and Revolving Facility
collectively as the WWI Credit Facility. In connection with this refinancing, we used the proceeds from borrowings under the Term Facilities to
pay off a total of $2,399.9 million of outstanding loans, consisting of $128.8 million of Term B Loans, $110.6 million of Term C Loans, $117.6
million of Term D Loans, $1,125.0 million of Term E Loans, $817.9 million of Term F Loans, $21.2 million of loans under the
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Revolver A-1 and $78.8 million of loans under the Revolver A-2 (each as defined hereafter). Following the refinancing of a total of $2,399.9
million of loans, at April 2, 2013, we had $2,400.0 million debt outstanding under the Term Facilities and $248.8 million of availability under
the Revolving Facility. We incurred fees of $44.8 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 in connection with this refinancing. In the
second quarter of fiscal 2013, we wrote-off fees associated with this refinancing which resulted in our recording a charge of $21.7 million in
early extinguishment of debt.
On September 26, 2014, we entered into an agreement with certain lenders amending the Credit Agreement that, among other things,
eliminated the Financial Covenant (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with respect to the Revolving Facility. In connection with this
amendment, we wrote-off deferred financing fees of approximately $1.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Concurrently with and in
order to effect this amendment, we reduced the amount of the Revolving Facility from $250.0 million to $50.0 million.
At January 3, 2015, we had $2,358.0 million outstanding under the WWI Credit Facility, consisting entirely of term loans and there were
no loans outstanding under the Revolving Facility. In addition, at January 3, 2015, the Revolving Facility had $1.8 million in issued but undrawn
letters of credit outstanding thereunder and $48.2 million in available unused commitments thereunder. The proceeds from borrowings under the
Revolving Facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) are available to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
At the end of fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, our debt consisted entirely of variable-rate instruments. Interest rate swaps were
entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with our variable-rate borrowings. The average interest rate on our debt,
exclusive of the impact of swaps, was approximately 3.90%, 3.65% and 3.00% per annum at the end of fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012,
respectively. The average interest rate on our debt, including the impact of swaps, was approximately 4.93%, 4.08% and 3.50% per annum at the
end of fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin or a base rate plus
an applicable margin. LIBOR under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 0.75% and the base rate under the
Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 1.75%. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, in the event we receive a
corporate rating of BB- (or lower) from S&P and a corporate rating of Ba3 (or lower) from Moody’s, the applicable margin relating to both of
the Term Facilities would increase by 25 basis points. On February 21, 2014, both S&P and Moody’s issued revised corporate ratings of the
Company of B+ and B1, respectively. As a result, effective February 21, 2014, the applicable margin on borrowings under the Tranche B-1
Term Facility went from 2.75% to 3.00% and on borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility went from 3.00% to 3.25%. The applicable
margin relating to the Revolving Facility will fluctuate depending upon our Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement).
At January 3, 2015, borrowings under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.00% and borrowings
under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.25%. Based on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio as
of January 3, 2015, had there been any borrowings under the Revolving Facility, it would have borne interest at LIBOR plus an applicable
margin of 2.50% or base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.50%.
On a quarterly basis, we will pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolving Facility in respect of unutilized commitments
thereunder, which commitment fee will fluctuate, but in no event exceed 0.50% per annum, depending upon our Consolidated Leverage Ratio.
At our Consolidated Leverage Ratio of 5.53:1.00 as of January 3, 2015, the commitment fee was 0.50% per annum. We also will pay customary
letter of credit fees and fronting fees under the Revolving Facility.
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants including covenants that, in certain circumstances, restrict our ability to incur
additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other payments, including investments, sell our assets and enter into
consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or
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substantially all of our assets. The WWI Credit Facility does not require us to meet any financial maintenance covenants and is guaranteed by
certain of our existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all of our assets secure the WWI Credit Facility.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the composition of our Prior WWI Credit Facility changed as a result of our amending and restating
our Prior WWI Credit Facility to, among other things, extend the maturity of certain of our term loan facilities and our revolving credit facility
and to obtain new commitments for the borrowing of an additional $1,449.4 million of term loans to finance the purchases of shares of our
common stock in the Tender Offer and from Artal Holdings pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
Immediately prior to the amendment of our Prior WWI Credit Facility, the term loan facilities consisted of a tranche A-1 loan, or Term A-1
Loan, a tranche B loan, or Term B Loan, a tranche C loan, or Term C Loan, and a tranche D loan, or Term D Loan, and a revolving credit
facility, or Revolver A-1. The aggregate principal amount then outstanding under (i) the Term A-1 Loan was $128.6 million, (ii) the Term B
Loan was $237.5 million, (iii) the Term C Loan was $420.4 million and (iv) the Term D Loan was $238.2 million. Immediately prior to the
amendment of our Prior WWI Credit Facility, the Revolver A-1 had no loans outstanding under it, $1.0 million of issued but undrawn letters of
credit and $331.6 million in available unused commitments thereunder.
Following the amendment of our Prior WWI Credit Facility on March 15, 2012, (i) $33.1 million in aggregate principal amount of the
Term A-1 Loan and $301.8 million in aggregate principal amount of the Term C Loan were converted into, and $849.4 million in aggregate
principal amount of commitments to borrow new term loans were provided under, a new tranche E loan, or Term E Loan, (ii) $107.0 million in
aggregate principal amount of the Term B Loan and $119.1 million in aggregate principal amount of the Term D Loan were converted into, and
$600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of commitments to borrow new term loans were provided under, a new tranche F loan, or Term F
Loan, and (iii) $262.0 million in aggregate principal amount of commitments under the Revolver A-1 were converted into a new revolving credit
facility, or Revolver A-2. The loans outstanding under each term loan facility existing prior to the amendment of our Prior WWI Credit Facility
and the loans and commitments outstanding under the Revolver A-1, in each case that were not converted into the Term E Loan, the Term F
Loan or the Revolver A-2, as applicable, continued to remain outstanding under our Prior WWI Credit Facility as the Term A-1 Loan, the Term
B Loan, the Term C Loan, the Term D Loan or the Revolver A-1, as applicable. In connection with this amendment, we incurred fees of
approximately $26.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. On March 27, 2012, we borrowed an aggregate of $726.0 million under the Term
E Loan and the Term F Loan to finance the purchase of shares in the Tender Offer and to pay a portion of the related fees and expenses. On
April 9, 2012, we borrowed an aggregate of approximately $723.4 million under the Term E Loan to finance the purchase of shares from Artal
Holdings.
Dividends
On October 30, 2013, we announced that we suspended our quarterly cash dividend. As a result, no dividend was issued for the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2013. We historically had issued a quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share of our common stock every quarter for the past
several fiscal years. We currently intend to use the annual cash savings from such dividend suspension to preserve financial flexibility while
funding our strategic growth initiatives and building cash for future debt repayments. Any future determination to declare and pay dividends will
be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors, after taking into account our financial results, capital requirements and other factors it may
deem relevant. The WWI Credit Facility also contains restrictions on our ability to pay dividends on our common stock.
The WWI Credit Facility provides that we are permitted to pay dividends and extraordinary dividends, as well as repurchase shares of our
common stock, so long as we are not in default under the WWI Credit Facility agreement. However, payment of extraordinary dividends and
stock repurchases shall not exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate in any fiscal year if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than 3.25:1.
As of January 3, 2015, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was greater than 3.25:1 and we expect that it will remain above 3.25:1 for the
foreseeable future.
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Contractual Obligations
We are obligated under non-cancelable agreements primarily for office and rent facilities operating leases. Consolidated rent expense
charged to operations under all our leases for fiscal 2014 was approximately $44.2 million.
The following table summarizes our future contractual obligations as of the end of fiscal 2014:
(1)
Long-Term Debt
Principal
Interest
Operating leases and non-cancelable agreements
Other long-term obligations
(2)
Total
Less than
More than
Payment Due by Period
Total
1 Year
$ 2,358.0
462.5
238.0
11.0
$ 3,069.5
$ 24.0
94.5
41.6
0.7
$ 160.8
1-3 Years
(in millions)
$ 328.5
167.9
60.7
0.8
$ 557.9
3-5 Years
5 Years
$ 42.0
161.2
33.0
0.6
$ 236.8
$ 1,963.5
38.9
102.7
8.9
$ 2,114.0
(1) Due to the fact that all of our debt is variable rate based, we have assumed for purposes of this table that the interest rate on all of our debt as of the end of fiscal 2014 remains constant for
(2)
all periods presented.
“Other long-term obligations” primarily consist of deferred rent costs. The provision for income tax contingencies included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet
is not included in the table above due to the fact that the Company is unable to estimate the timing of payment for this liability.
We currently plan to meet our long-term debt obligations by using cash flows provided by operating activities and opportunistically using
other means to repay or refinance our obligations as we determine appropriate. We believe that cash flows from operating activities, together
with borrowings available under our Revolver, will provide sufficient liquidity for the next 12 months to fund currently anticipated capital
expenditure and working capital requirements, as well as debt service requirements, including meeting our April 2016 debt maturity obligation.
Franchise Acquisitions
Although we did not acquire any franchises in fiscal 2014, in fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013, we made the following franchise acquisitions:
In September 2012, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our Southeastern Ontario and Ottawa, Canada franchisee, Slengora
Limited, for a net purchase price of $16.8 million.
In November 2012, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our Adirondacks franchisee, Weight Watchers of the Adirondacks, Inc.,
for a purchase price of $3.4 million.
In December 2012, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our Memphis, Tennessee franchisee, Weight Watchers of the Mid-South,
Inc., for a purchase price of $10.0 million.
In March 2013, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada franchisees, Weight Watchers of
Alberta Ltd. and Weight Watchers of Saskatchewan Ltd., for an aggregate purchase price of $35.0 million.
In July 2013, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our West Virginia franchisee, Weight Watchers of West Virginia, Inc., for a net
purchase price of $16.0 million, our Columbus, Ohio franchisee, Weight Watchers of Columbus, Inc., for a net purchase price of $23.3 million
and our Reno, Nevada franchisee, Weight Watchers of Northern Nevada, Inc., for a net purchase price of $4.0 million.
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In October 2013, we acquired substantially all of the assets of our Manitoba, Canada franchisee, Weight Watchers of Manitoba Ltd., for a
net purchase price of $5.2 million and our Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, New York franchisee, Weight Watchers of Franklin and St.
Lawrence Counties Inc., for a net purchase price of $0.3 million.
Acquisition of Additional Equity Interest in Brazil
Prior to March 12, 2014, we had owned 35% of VPM, a Brazilian limited liability partnership. On March 12, 2014, we acquired an
additional 45% equity interest in VPM for a net purchase price of $14.2 million.
Acquisition of Wello
On April 16, 2014, we acquired Knowplicity, Inc., d/b/a Wello, an online fitness and personal training company for a net purchase price of
$9.0 million. Payment was in the form of stock issued of $4.2 million and cash of $4.8 million.
Stock Transactions
On October 9, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized and we announced a program to repurchase up to $250.0 million of our outstanding
common stock. On each of June 13, 2005, May 25, 2006 and October 21, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized and we announced adding
$250.0 million to this program. The repurchase program allows for shares to be purchased from time to time in the open market or through
privately negotiated transactions. No shares will be purchased from Artal Holdings and its parents and subsidiaries under this program. The
repurchase program currently has no expiration date. During the twelve months ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29,
2012, the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock in the open market under this program. The repurchase of shares of common
stock under the Tender Offer and from Artal Holdings pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, as discussed further below, was not made pursuant
to the repurchase program.
On February 23, 2012, we commenced a “modified Dutch auction” tender offer for up to $720.0 million in value of our common stock at a
purchase price not less than $72.00 and not greater than $83.00 per share, or the Tender Offer. Prior to the Tender Offer, on February 14, 2012,
we entered into an agreement, or the Purchase Agreement, with Artal Holdings whereby Artal Holdings agreed to sell to us, at the same price as
was determined in the Tender Offer, such number of its shares of our common stock that, upon the closing of this purchase after the completion
of the Tender Offer, Artal Holdings’ percentage ownership in the outstanding shares of our common stock would be substantially equal to its
level prior to the Tender Offer. Artal Holdings also agreed not to participate in the Tender Offer so that it would not affect the determination of
the purchase price of the shares in the Tender Offer.
The Tender Offer expired at midnight, New York time, on March 22, 2012, and on March 28, 2012 we repurchased approximately
8.8 million shares at a purchase price of $82.00 per share. On April 9, 2012, we repurchased approximately 9.5 million of Artal Holdings’ shares
at a purchase price of $82.00 per share pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In March 2012, we amended and extended our then-existing credit
facilities to finance these repurchases. See “—Long-Term Debt”.
For information regarding restrictions on our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock, see “— Dividends”.
Factors Affecting Future Liquidity
Any future acquisitions, joint ventures or other similar transactions could require additional capital and we cannot be certain that any
additional capital will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Our ability to fund our capital expenditure requirements, interest, principal and
dividend payment obligations and working capital requirements depends on our future operations, performance and cash flow. These are subject
to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.
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Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial
partnerships established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes, such as
entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
Related Parties
For a discussion of related party transactions affecting us, see “Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence” in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Seasonality
Our business is seasonal due to the importance of the winter diet season to our overall recruitment environment. Our advertising schedule
generally supports the three key recruitment-generating seasons of the year: winter, spring and fall, with winter having the highest concentration
of advertising spending.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks relating to interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations. All of our market risk sensitive
instruments were entered into for purposes other than trading. The Company’s exposure to market risk as of the end of fiscal 2014 is described
below.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates to interest expense of variable rate debt, in particular changes in LIBOR or
the base rates which are used to determine the applicable interest rates for borrowings under the WWI Credit Facility. As of the end of fiscal
2014, borrowings under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.00% and borrowings under the
Tranche B-2 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.25%, and we had no borrowings under the Revolving Facility.
As of the end of fiscal 2014, we had in effect an interest rate swap with a notional amount totaling $1.5 billion to hedge a portion of our variable
rate debt. As of such date, we had $2,358.0 million of variable rate debt, of which $0.858 million remained unhedged.
In January 2009, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap which had an effective date of January 4, 2010 and a
termination date of January 27, 2014. From December 29, 2012 through April 1, 2013, this swap had qualified for hedge accounting, and
therefore changes in the fair value of this derivative were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Effective April 2, 2013,
due to the Company’s debt refinancing, the Company ceased the application of hedge accounting for this swap. Accordingly, changes in the fair
value of this swap were recorded in earnings subsequent to April 2, 2013 and were immaterial for fiscal 2014.
On July 26, 2013, in order to hedge an additional portion of its variable rate debt, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate
swap with an effective date of March 31, 2014 and a termination date of April 2, 2020. The initial notional amount of this swap was $1.5 billion.
During the term of this swap, the notional amount will decrease from $1.5 billion effective March 31, 2014 to $1.25 billion on April 3, 2017 with
a further reduction to $1.0 billion on April 1, 2019. This interest rate swap effectively fixes the variable interest rate on the notional amount of
this swap at 2.38%. This swap qualifies for hedge accounting and, therefore, changes in the fair value of this swap have been recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
At the end of fiscal 2014, borrowings under (a) the Tranche B-1 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.00%
and (b) the Tranche B-2 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.25%. For the Tranche B-2 Term Facility, the
minimum interest rate for LIBOR applicable to such facility pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement is set at 0.75%, referred to herein as
the B-2 LIBOR Floor.
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In addition, at the end of fiscal 2014, our interest rate swap in effect had a notional amount of $1.5 billion. Accordingly, as of the end of fiscal
2014, based on the amount of variable rate debt including the impact of the interest rate swap and the B-2 LIBOR Floor, a hypothetical 50 basis
point increase in interest rates would increase annual interest expense by approximately $1.53 million and a hypothetical 50 basis point decrease
in interest rates would decrease annual interest expense by approximately $0.47 million. This increase or decrease is primarily driven by our
Tranche B-1 Term Facility which had no interest rate swap associated with it and was not subject to the B-2 LIBOR Floor. At the end of fiscal
2013, the then-existing interest rate swap had a notional value of $466.3 million. Given the higher notional amount of $1.5 billion of the interest
rate swap in existence at the end of fiscal 2014 as compared to the end of fiscal 2013, the market risk exposure from the end of fiscal 2013
decreased accordingly.
Foreign Currency Risk
Other than inter-company transactions between our domestic and foreign entities, we generally do not have significant transactions that are
denominated in a currency other than the functional currency applicable to each entity. As a result, substantially all of our revenues and expenses
in each jurisdiction in which we operate are in the same functional currency. In general, we are a net receiver of currencies other than the US
dollar. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates may negatively affect our revenues and gross margins as expressed in US dollars. In the future,
we may enter into forward and swap contracts to hedge transactions denominated in foreign currencies to reduce the currency risk associated
with fluctuating exchange rates. Realized and unrealized gains and losses from any of these transactions may be included in net income for the
period.
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates, particularly with respect to the euro and pound sterling, may impact our shareholders’ equity. The
assets and liabilities of our non-US subsidiaries are translated into US dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues
and expenses are translated into US dollars at the average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in
shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). In addition, exchange rate fluctuations will cause the
US dollar translated amounts to change in comparison to prior periods.
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
This information is incorporated by reference to our consolidated financial statements on pages F-1 through F-36 and our financial
statement schedule on page S-1, including the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on page F-2.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under
the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and
procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our
management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design
and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation and subject
to the foregoing, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls
and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over
financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision and with the
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participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2015, the end of fiscal 2014. In
making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, our management, under the supervision and with the
participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that, as of January 3, 2015, our internal control over
financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2015 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears on page F-2 to our consolidated financial statements.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter (the fourth fiscal
quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
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I tems 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.
PART III
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance; Executive Compensation; Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters;
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence; Principal Accountant
Fees and Services
Information called for by Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from our
definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Regulation 14A, except that
(i) the information regarding our directors and executive officers called for by Items 401(a), (b) and (e) of Regulation S-K has been included in
Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K; (ii) the information regarding certain Company equity compensation plans called for by Item 201(d)
of Regulation S-K is set forth below and (iii) the information regarding our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics called for by Item 406 of
Regulation S-K is set forth below.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table summarizes our equity compensation plan information as of January 3, 2015:
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan category
Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders
Equity compensation plans not approved
by security holders
Total
Number of securities
to be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
(1)
warrants and rights
(a)
4,088,151
—
4,088,151
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
(2)
warrants and rights
(b)
$
$
24.42
—
24.42
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(3)
(c)
2,451,603
—
2,451,603
(1) Consists of 3,249,901shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options awarded under our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, or 2014 Plan, our 2008 Stock Incentive
Plan, or 2008 Plan, our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, or 2004 Plan, and our 1999 Stock Purchase and Option Plan, or 1999 Plan, and 838,250 shares of our common stock issuable upon the
vesting of restricted stock units awarded under our 2014 Plan, 2008 Plan and 2004 Plan.
Includes weighted average exercise price of outstanding stock options of $30.72 and restricted stock units of $0.
(2)
(3) Consists of shares of our common stock issuable under our 2014 Plan pursuant to various awards the Compensation and Benefits Committee may make, including non-qualified stock
options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted stock and other equity-based awards. Our 1999 Plan terminated on December 16, 2009 pursuant
to its terms and in connection with such termination no additional securities can be issued under the plan. In connection with the approval of our 2014 Plan on May 6, 2014, the 2014 Plan
replaced the 2004 Plan and the 2008 Plan with respect to prospective equity grants.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for our officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and our employees and directors. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our
website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com.
In addition to any disclosures required under the Exchange Act, the date and nature of any substantive amendment of our Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics or waiver thereof applicable to any of our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer
or controller or persons performing similar functions, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b)
of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act, will be disclosed on our website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com within four business days of
the date of such amendment or waiver. In the case of a waiver, the name of the person to whom the waiver was granted will also be disclosed on
our website within four business days of the date of such waiver.
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Table of Contents
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
1.
Financial Statements
PART IV
The financial statements listed in the Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule on page F-1 are filed as part of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2.
Financial Statement Schedule
The financial statement schedule listed in the Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule on page F-1 is filed as part
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3.
Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE COVERED BY
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Items 15(a) (1) & (2)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29,
2012
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Total Deficit for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and
December 29, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and
December 29, 2012
Pages
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
S-1
All other schedules are omitted for the reason that they are either not required, not applicable, not material or the information is included in
the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
F-1
Table of Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Weight Watchers International, Inc.:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index appearing on page F-1 present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at January 3, 2015 and December 28,
2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2015 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in
the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related
consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of January 3, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) 2013. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and
financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under
Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated 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 audits to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting
was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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,
and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design
and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance
that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and
directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of
any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
March 4, 2015
F-2
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT
(IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables (net of allowances: January 3, 2015—$3,287 and December 28, 2013—$3,477)
Inventories
Deferred income taxes
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
Property and equipment, net
Franchise rights acquired
Goodwill
Trademarks and other intangible assets, net
Deferred financing costs, net
Other noncurrent assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Portion of long-term debt due within one year
Accounts payable
Salaries and wages payable
Accrued marketing and advertising
Accrued interest
Other accrued liabilities
Derivative payable
Deferred revenue
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
Long-term debt
Deferred income taxes
Other
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
TOTAL DEFICIT
Common stock, $0 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 112,195 shares issued at January 3, 2015
and 111,988 shares issued at December 28, 2013
Treasury stock, at cost, 55,485 shares at January 3, 2015 and 55,562 shares at December 28, 2013
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
TOTAL DEFICIT
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT
January 3,
2015
December 28,
2013
$ 301,212
31,960
32,382
23,744
38,430
427,728
74,650
799,795
106,820
68,115
32,742
5,337
$ 1,515,187
$
24,000
54,474
64,785
20,540
22,965
81,653
42,423
66,190
377,030
2,334,000
171,529
16,883
2,899,442
$ 174,557
36,248
40,939
24,457
39,524
315,725
87,052
836,835
79,294
45,297
42,046
2,682
$ 1,408,931
$
30,000
45,496
65,810
15,509
22,776
82,321
7,578
76,330
345,820
2,358,000
164,064
15,669
2,883,553
5,553
0
0
(3,253,597 )
1,883,349
(19,560 )
(1,389,808 )
$ 1,515,187
0
(3,256,406 )
1,773,267
8,517
(1,474,622 )
$ 1,408,931
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Service Revenues, net
Product sales and other, net
Revenues, net
Cost of services
Cost of product sales and other
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Marketing expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Indefinite-lived intangible impairments
Operating income
Interest expense
Other expense, net
Gain on Brazil acquisition
Early extinguishment of debt
Income before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Earnings Per Share attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic
Diluted
Dividends declared per common share
January 3,
2015
(53 weeks)
$ 1,181,945
297,971
1,479,916
535,320
142,045
677,365
802,551
262,258
240,979
26,057
273,257
122,984
3,206
(10,540 )
0
157,607
59,014
98,593
54
98,647
$
$
$
$
1.74
1.74
56,607
56,705
0.00
December 28,
December 29,
2013
(52 weeks)
$ 1,360,761
363,362
1,724,123
558,451
164,560
723,011
1,001,112
295,628
243,561
1,166
460,757
103,108
599
0
21,685
335,365
130,640
204,725
0
$ 204,725
2012
(52 weeks)
$ 1,425,065
414,367
1,839,432
559,325
186,289
745,614
1,093,818
353,673
229,340
0
510,805
90,537
1,979
0
1,328
416,961
159,535
257,426
0
$ 257,426
$
$
$
3.65
3.63
$
$
4.27
4.23
56,144
56,394
0.53
60,294
60,923
0.70
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
Net income
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Income tax effect on foreign currency translation adjustments
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes
Changes in (loss) gain on derivatives
Income tax effect on changes in gain (loss) on derivatives
Changes in (loss) gain on derivatives, net of taxes
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
Comprehensive income
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
Less: Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes attributable to the
noncontrolling interest
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
Comprehensive income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
January 3,
December 28,
December 29,
2015
(53 weeks)
$ 98,593
2013
(52 weeks)
$ 204,725
2012
(52 weeks)
$ 257,426
(18,528 )
7,226
(11,302 )
(28,283 )
11,030
(17,253 )
(28,555 )
70,038
54
478
532
$ 70,570
(10,363 )
4,022
(6,341 )
3,277
(1,278 )
1,999
(4,342 )
200,383
0
763
(225 )
538
11,016
(4,296 )
6,720
7,258
264,684
0
0
0
$ 200,383
0
0
$ 264,684
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TOTAL DEFICIT
(IN THOUSANDS)
exercised
exercised
Balance at December 31, 2011
Comprehensive Income
Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans
Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options
Cash dividends declared
Purchase of treasury stock
Tender Offer fees
Compensation expense on share-based awards
Balance at December 29, 2012
Comprehensive Income
Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans
Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options
Cash dividends declared
Compensation expense on share-based awards
Balance at December 28, 2013
Comprehensive Income
Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans
Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options
exercised
Cash dividends
Compensation expense on share-based awards
Acquisition of Wello
Acquisition of Additional Equity Interest in Brazil
Distribution to noncontrolling interest
Other
Balance at January 3, 2015
Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Interest
Shares Amount Shares Amount
Income (Loss )
Retained
Earnings
Total
$
$
$
$
0
0
0
0
0
(532 )
6,157
(75 )
3
5,553
111,988 $
0
38,390 $ (1,793,983 ) $
(435 )
16,341
18,279
(1,498,902 )
(5,287 )
111,988 $
0
56,234 $ (3,281,831 ) $
(672 )
25,425
111,988 $
0
55,562 $ (3,256,406 ) $
(77 )
2,809
207
5,601 $ 1,378,616 $ (409,766 )
264,684
7,258
10,663
257,426
(5,678 )
3,408
(39,104 )
3,408
(39,104 )
(1,498,902 )
(5,287 )
8,845
8,845
12,859 $ 1,603,513 $ (1,665,459 )
200,383
(4,342 )
15,121
204,725
(10,304 )
537
537
(29,459 )
(29,459 )
4,255
4,255
8,517 $ 1,773,267 $ (1,474,622 )
70,570
98,647
250
(2,559 )
(28,077 )
(788 )
42
10,533
4,207
(788 )
42
10,533
4,207
112,195 $
0
55,485 $ (3,253,597 ) $
(19,560 ) $ 1,883,349 $ (1,389,808 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED
(IN THOUSANDS)
Operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Amortization of deferred financing costs
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets
Share-based compensation expense
Deferred tax provision
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Reserve for inventory obsolescence
Foreign currency exchange rate loss / (gain)
Gain on Brazil acquisition
Loss on disposal of assets
Loss on investment
Early extinguishment of debt
Other items, net
Changes in cash due to:
Receivables
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Accounts payable
UK self-employment liability
Accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue
Income taxes
Cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures
Capitalized software expenditures
Cash paid for acquisitions
Other items, net
Cash used for investing activities
Financing activities:
Proceeds from new term loans
Net borrowings/(payments) on revolver
Payments on long-term debt
Payment of dividends
Payments to acquire treasury stock
Deferred financing costs
Proceeds from stock options exercised
Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised
Cash used for financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and other
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year
January 3,
2015
(53 Weeks)
December 28,
2013
(52 Weeks)
December 29,
2012
(52 Weeks)
$ 98,593
$ 204,725
$ 257,426
49,234
9,305
26,709
10,533
22,182
99
11,822
2,984
(10,540 )
171
0
0
(184 )
3,777
(3,218 )
(722 )
9,870
0
10,361
(7,915 )
(1,442 )
231,619
(9,097 )
(42,589 )
(16,678 )
(628 )
(68,992 )
0
0
(30,000 )
(80 )
0
0
658
1
(29,421 )
(6,551 )
126,655
174,557
$ 301,212
44,904
7,672
5,426
4,255
35,380
596
9,580
659
0
1,417
0
21,685
0
345
(2,226 )
1,037
(3,607 )
(7,272 )
4,988
(10,521 )
4,473
323,516
(40,657 )
(21,277 )
(83,825 )
411
(145,348 )
36,640
7,070
0
8,845
26,765
(1,067 )
10,491
(722 )
0
590
2,697
1,328
0
5,870
(1,341 )
(639 )
(11,794 )
(37,441 )
28,042
1,539
2,408
336,707
(48,807 )
(29,926 )
(30,400 )
(323 )
(109,456 )
2,400,000
70,000
(2,488,364 )
(29,571 )
0
(44,817 )
16,187
2,132
(74,433 )
607
104,342
70,215
$ 174,557
1,449,397
30,000
(124,833 )
(51,961 )
(1,504,189 )
(26,248 )
12,688
4,026
(211,120 )
885
17,016
53,199
70,215
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-7
Table of Contents
1. Basis of Presentation
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.
The terms “Company” and “WWI” as used throughout these notes is used to indicate Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its
operations consolidated for purposes of its financial statements. The Company’s “meetings” business refers to providing access to meetings to
the Company’s monthly commitment plan subscribers, “pay-as-you-go” members, Total Access subscribers and other meeting members.
“Online” refers to Weight Watchers Online, Weight Watchers Online Plus , Personal Coaching and other digital subscription products.
As further discussed in Note 3, (1) as a result of the acquisition of an additional equity interest in Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda.
(“VPM”) in March 2014, the Company gained a direct controlling financial interest in VPM and has therefore begun consolidating this entity as
of the date of acquisition; and (2) as a result of the acquisition of Knowplicity, Inc., d/b/a Wello, in April 2014, Wello became a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company and the Company began to consolidate the entity as of the date of acquisition.
Liquidity:
The Company has a $291,000 debt maturity obligation due April 2016. Based upon the Company’s cash on hand of $301,212 as of
January 3, 2015 and its 2015 forecasted cash flow, the Company believes that it will maintain sufficient liquidity to meet this obligation. In
addition, the Company has access to the unused portion of its revolving credit facility of $48,181 and has the ability, if necessary, to delay
investments or reduce marketing spend. Notwithstanding the foregoing, depending on future developments, there can be no assurance that the
Company will meet this obligation.
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Fiscal Year:
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31 and consists of either 52 or 53-week periods. Fiscal year 2014
st
contained 53 weeks and fiscal years 2013 and 2012 each contained 52 weeks. In 2014, when the Company realigned its organizational structure
and changed the determination of its reportable segments, the Company’s Online business accordingly changed its fiscal year end to be the same
as the Company’s fiscal year end, which did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 14 for further
information on the Company’s reportable segments. In fiscal years 2013 and 2012, the Company’s Online business’ fiscal year ended on
December 31st of each year. This difference in fiscal years did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
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, the 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. On an
ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to inventories, the impairment analysis for goodwill
and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, share-based compensation, income taxes, tax
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Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors and assumptions that it
believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets
and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
Translation of Foreign Currencies:
For all foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into US
dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the end of each reporting period. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of
exchange prevailing during each reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period
are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Foreign currency gains and losses arising from the translation of intercompany receivables with the Company’s international subsidiaries
are recorded as a component of other expense (income), net, unless the receivable is considered long-term in nature, in which case the foreign
currency gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Cash Equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash balances may, at
times, exceed insurable amounts. The Company believes it mitigates this risk by investing in or through major financial institutions. Cash
includes balances due from third-party credit card companies.
Inventories:
Inventories, which consist of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis, net of reserves for
obsolescence and shrinkage.
Property and Equipment:
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. For financial reporting purposes, equipment is depreciated on the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the assets (3 to 10 years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the
term of the lease or the useful life of the related assets. Expenditures for new facilities and improvements that substantially extend the useful life
of an asset are capitalized. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost
and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and any related gains or losses are included in income.
Impairment of Long Lived Assets:
The Company reviews long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable.
In fiscal 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $652 related to property, plant and equipment that was expected to be
disposed of before the end of its estimated useful life.
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
In fiscal 2013, the Company commenced the shutdown of its China operations and, as a result, recorded an impairment charge of $1,607
related to property, plant and equipment ($372) and amortizable intangible assets ($1,235). The Company also recorded an impairment charge of
$2,653 in fiscal 2013 related to internal-use computer software that was not expected to provide substantive service potential.
Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years. The Company
reviews goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including franchise rights acquired, for potential impairment on at least an annual
basis or more often if events so require. The Company performed fair value impairment testing as of the end of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 on its
goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
In performing the impairment analysis for goodwill, the fair value for the Company’s reporting units is estimated using a discounted cash
flow approach. This approach involves projecting future cash flows attributable to the reporting unit and discounting those estimated cash flows
using an appropriate discount rate. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company has
determined the appropriate reporting unit for purposes of assessing annual impairment to be the country for all reporting units. The values of
goodwill in the United States, Brazil, Canada and other countries at January 3, 2015 were $65,608, $23,023, $7,543, and $10,646, respectively,
totaling $106,820.
In performing the impairment analysis for franchise rights acquired, the fair value for the Company’s franchise rights acquired is estimated
using a discounted cash flow approach referred to as the hypothetical start-up approach for its franchise rights related to its meetings business
and a relief from royalty methodology for its franchise rights related to its Online business. The estimated fair value is then compared to the
carrying value of the unit of accounting for those franchise rights. The Company has determined the appropriate unit of account for purposes of
assessing annual impairment to be the combination of the rights in the meetings and Online businesses in the country in which the acquisitions
have occurred. The values of these franchise rights in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other countries at
January 3, 2015 were $697,334, $74,672, $13,138, $7,272, $5,449 and $1,930, respectively, totaling $799,795.
When determining fair value, the Company utilizes various assumptions, including projections of future cash flows, growth rates and
discount rates. A change in these underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be
less than the carrying amounts. In the event such a decrease occurred, the Company would be required to record a corresponding charge, which
would impact earnings. The Company would also be required to reduce the carrying amounts of the related assets on its balance sheet. The
Company continues to evaluate these estimates and assumptions and believes that these assumptions are appropriate.
In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, the Company determined that, based on the fair values
calculated, the carrying amount of the franchise rights acquired related to its Canada operations exceeded its fair value as of the end of fiscal
2014 and recorded an impairment charge of $26,057 for such rights. In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended
December 28, 2013, the Company determined that, based on the fair values calculated, the carrying amounts of the franchise rights acquired
related to its Mexico and Hong Kong operations exceeded their respective fair values as of the end of fiscal 2013 and recorded impairment
charges of $935 and $231, respectively, for such rights. The Company determined that the carrying amounts of the remainder of these assets did
not exceed their respective fair values, and therefore, no other impairment existed.
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
The Company expenses all software costs (including website development costs) incurred during the preliminary project stage and
capitalizes all internal and external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing software (including website development
costs), once the development has reached the application development stage. Application development stage costs generally include software
configuration, coding, installation to hardware and testing. These costs are amortized over their estimated useful life of 3 years for website
development costs and from 3 to 5 years for all other software costs. All costs incurred for upgrades, maintenance and enhancements, including
the cost of website content, which do not result in additional functionality, are expensed as incurred.
Revenue Recognition:
WWI earns revenue by conducting meetings, for which it charges a fee, predominantly through monthly commitment plans, prepayment
plans or the “pay-as-you-go” arrangement. WWI also earns revenue from monthly subscriptions for its Online products, selling products in its
meetings, on the Internet and to its franchisees, collecting commissions from franchisees, collecting royalties related to licensing agreements,
selling magazine subscriptions, selling advertising space on its website and in copies of its magazines, and By Mail product sales.
Monthly commitment plans, prepaid meeting fees and magazine subscription revenue is recorded to deferred revenue and amortized into
revenue over the period earned. Online Subscription Revenues are recognized over the period that products are provided. One-time sign-up fees
are deferred and recognized over the expected customer relationship period. Online Subscription Revenues that are paid in advance are deferred
and recognized on a straight-line basis over the subscription period. Revenue from “pay-as-you-go” meeting fees, product sales, By Mail,
commissions and royalties is recognized when services are rendered, products are shipped to customers and title and risk of loss pass to the
customers, and commissions and royalties are earned, respectively. Revenue from advertising in magazines is recognized when advertisements
are published. Revenue from magazine sales is recognized when the magazine is sent to the customer. WWI charges non-refundable registration
fees in exchange for an introductory information session and materials it provides to new members in its meetings business. Revenue from these
registration fees is recognized when the service and products are provided, which is generally at the same time payment is received from the
customer. Discounts to customers, including free registration offers, are recorded as a deduction from gross revenue in the period such revenue
was recognized. Revenue from advertising on its website is recognized when the advertisement is viewed by the user.
The Company grants refunds in aggregate amounts that historically have not been material. Because the period of payment of the refund
generally approximates the period revenue was originally recognized, refunds are recorded as a reduction of revenue when paid.
Advertising Costs:
Advertising costs consist primarily of television and digital media. All costs related to advertising are expensed in the period incurred,
except for media production related costs, which are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. Total advertising expenses for the fiscal
years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 were $251,954, $285,298 and $344,582, respectively. Note the fiscal
2013 and fiscal 2012 amounts have been revised to exclude certain brand marketing funds received from licensees, which results in an increase
in advertising expense of $11,138 and $10,160 for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.
Income Taxes:
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result primarily from temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of
assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which differences are expected to reverse. If it is more-likely-than-not that
some portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized,
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
a valuation allowance is recognized. The Company considers historic levels of income, estimates of future taxable income and feasible tax
planning strategies in assessing the need for a tax valuation allowance.
The Company recognizes a benefit for uncertain tax positions when a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is more-
likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that
is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with
uncertain tax positions as part of the provision for income taxes on its consolidated statements of income.
In addition, assets and liabilities acquired in purchase business combinations are assigned their fair values and deferred taxes are provided
for lower or higher tax bases.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging:
The Company is exposed to certain risks related to its ongoing business operations, primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency risk.
The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are entered into to hedge a portion of the cash
flow exposure associated with the Company’s variable-rate borrowings. The Company does not use any derivative instruments for trading or
speculative purposes.
The Company recognizes the fair value of all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company has
designated and accounted for interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of its variable-rate borrowings. For derivative instruments that are
designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. Gains and
losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are
recognized in current earnings.
The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is reported in derivative payable and prepaid expenses and other current assets on its
balance sheet. See Note 15 for a further discussion regarding the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps. The net effect of the interest
payable and receivable under the Company’s interest rate swaps is included in interest expense on the statement of income.
Deferred Financing Costs:
Deferred financing costs consist of fees paid by the Company as part of the establishment, exchange and/or modification of the Company’s
long-term debt. During the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, the Company wrote-off deferred financing fees of approximately $1,583 in
connection with amending its Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 6). During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, the Company incurred
fees of $44,817 associated with the refinancing of the WWI Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6). The Company wrote-off fees in connection
with this refinancing which resulted in the Company recording a charge of $21,685 in early extinguishment of debt. During the fiscal year ended
December 29, 2012, the Company incurred deferred financing costs of $26,248 associated with the Tender Offer (as defined in Note 7). The
Company wrote-off fees in connection with the Tender Offer which resulted in the Company recording a charge of $1,328 in early
extinguishment of debt. Amortization expense for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was
$9,305, $7,672 and $7,070, respectively.
F-12
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income includes net income, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments
and the effects of foreign currency translations. At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the cumulative balance of changes in fair value of
derivative instruments, net of taxes, was $(21,856) and $(4,603), respectively. At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the cumulative
balance of the effects of foreign currency translations, net of taxes, was $2,296 and $13,120, respectively.
Restructuring Expense:
The Company records estimated expense for restructuring initiatives when such costs are deemed probable and estimable, when approved
by the appropriate corporate authority and by accumulating detailed estimates of costs for such plans. These expenses include the estimated costs
of employee severance and related benefits, impairment or accelerated depreciation of property, plant and equipment and capitalized software,
and any other qualifying exit costs. Such costs represent the Company’s best estimate, but require assumptions about the programs that may
change over time, including attrition rates. Estimates are evaluated periodically to determine whether an adjustment is required.
Reclassification:
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
3. Acquisitions of Franchisees, Additional Equity Interest in Brazil and Wello and Shutdown of China Operations
Acquisitions of Franchisees
The acquisitions of franchisees have been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, earnings of acquired
franchisees have been included in the consolidated operating results of the Company since the applicable date of acquisition. During fiscal 2013
and fiscal 2012, the Company acquired certain assets of its franchisees as outlined below.
On September 10, 2012, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Southeastern Ontario and Ottawa, Canada franchisee,
Slengora Limited, for a net purchase price of $16,755 plus assumed liabilities of $245. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise
rights acquired ($9,871), goodwill ($6,779), customer relationship value ($180), fixed assets ($81), inventory ($66) and prepaid expenses ($23).
On November 2, 2012, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Adirondacks franchisee, Weight Watchers of the
Adirondacks, Inc., for a purchase price of $3,400. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($2,216), goodwill
($1,156), customer relationship value ($37), inventory ($29) and prepaid expenses ($10) offset by deferred revenue of $48.
On December 20, 2012, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Memphis, Tennessee franchisee, Weight Watchers of
the Mid-South, Inc., for a purchase price of $10,000. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($8,396), goodwill
($1,461), customer relationship value ($209), inventory ($35), receivables ($9) and fixed assets ($4) offset by deferred revenue of $114.
On March 4, 2013, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada franchisees, Weight
Watchers of Alberta Ltd. and Weight Watchers of Saskatchewan Ltd., for an
F-13
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
aggregate purchase price of $35,000. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($30,633), goodwill ($4,626),
customer relationship value ($473), inventory ($218), fixed assets ($182) and prepaid expenses ($3) offset by deferred revenue of $1,135.
On July 15, 2013, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its West Virginia franchisee, Weight Watchers of West Virginia,
Inc., for a net purchase price of $16,028 less assumed assets, plus assumed liabilities, net of $28. The total purchase price has been allocated to
franchise rights acquired ($10,131), goodwill ($5,212), customer relationship value ($448) and fixed assets ($209).
On July 22, 2013, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Columbus, Ohio franchisee, Weight Watchers of Columbus,
Inc., for a net purchase price of $23,357 plus assumed liabilities of $143 and its Reno, Nevada franchisee, Weight Watchers of Northern Nevada,
Inc., for a net purchase price of $3,969 plus assumed liabilities of $31. The aggregate total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights
acquired ($19,643), goodwill ($7,220), customer relationship value ($494), fixed assets ($116) and inventory ($27).
On October 28, 2013, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Manitoba, Canada franchisee, Weight Watchers of
Manitoba Ltd., for a net purchase price of $5,197 plus assumed liabilities of $28 and its Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, New York
franchisee, Weight Watchers of Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties Inc., for a net purchase price of $274 plus assumed liabilities of $1. The
total purchase price of the Manitoba, Canada franchisee has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($4,525), goodwill ($449), customer
relationship value ($249), inventory ($1) and prepaid expenses ($1). The total purchase price of the Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, New
York franchisee has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($238), goodwill ($23), customer relationship value ($13) and prepaid expenses
($1).
The weighted-average amortization period of the customer relationships acquired in the above acquisitions was approximately 15 weeks.
Due to the short-term nature of this asset, its estimated fair value has been recorded as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets.
The acquisitions resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, expected synergies in operations. The goodwill recorded in connection with
these acquisitions represents the intangible assets that did not qualify for separate recognition in the financial statements. The Company expects
that $16,953 of the total $17,530 of goodwill recorded in connection with the above acquisitions will be deductible for tax purposes. The effect
of these franchise acquisitions was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or operating cash flows
in the periods presented.
Acquisition of Additional Equity Interest in Brazil
Prior to March 12, 2014, the Company had owned 35% of VPM, a Brazilian limited liability partnership. On March 12, 2014, the
Company acquired an additional 45% equity interest in VPM for a net purchase price of $14,181 less cash acquired of $2,262. VPM was
converted into a joint-stock corporation prior to closing and subsequently operates as a subsidiary of the Company with rights to conduct typical
business lines. As a result of the acquisition, the Company gained a direct controlling financial interest in VPM and has therefore begun
consolidating this entity as of the date of acquisition.
The equity interest held immediately before the acquisition was $12. An implied fair value technique was used to measure acquisition date
fair value of the equity interest to be $11,029. As a result of this transaction, the Company adjusted its previously held equity interest to fair
value of $11,017 and recorded a charge of $477 associated with the settlement of the royalty-free arrangement of the Brazilian partnership. The
net effect of these items resulted in the Company recognizing a gain of $10,540 ($6,429 after tax or $0.11 per fully diluted share) in the first
quarter of fiscal 2014.
F-14
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
The fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest has been valued at $6,157. In connection with the acquisition, a call option and a
put option were granted related to the 20% interest in VPM not owned by the Company.
The net purchase price of the Brazil acquisition has been allocated as follows:
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Net purchase price
Less cash acquired
Total
Gain on acquisition
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Franchise rights acquired
Receivables
Fixed assets
Prepaid expenses
Inventory
Customer relationship value
Other assets
Accrued liabilities
Deferred tax on acquired intangibles
Deferred revenue
Income taxes payable
Accounts payable
Total identifiable net assets
Goodwill
$ 14,181
2,262
11,919
10,540
6,157
28,616
2,000
1,139
575
421
287
275
199
(1,063 )
(680 )
(445 )
(258 )
(91 )
2,359
$ 26,257
The acquisition resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, expected synergies in operations and the ability of the Company to
provide VPM with various intellectual property and technology innovations which will afford additional future opportunities in the meetings and
Online businesses within the market where VPM operates. The Company does not expect goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.
Acquisition of Wello
On April 16, 2014, the Company acquired Knowplicity, Inc., d/b/a Wello, an online fitness and personal training company for a net
purchase price of $8,977 less cash acquired of $11. Payment was in the form of stock issued $4,207 and cash $4,770. The total purchase price of
Wello has been allocated to goodwill ($6,204), website development ($4,516), prepaid expenses ($4) and fixed assets ($1) offset by deferred tax
liabilities ($1,759). As a result of the acquisition, Wello became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the Company began to
consolidate the entity as of the date of acquisition. The acquisition resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, expected synergies in
operations. The Company does not expect goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.
F-15
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Shutdown of China Operations
On December 12, 2013, the Company made a strategic decision to shut down its China operations. As a result of this decision, the
Company incurred a charge of $2,500 related to severance and the impairment of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible
assets.
4.
Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The Company performed its annual impairment review of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as of January 3, 2015 and
December 28, 2013. As a result of this review, the Company recorded a franchise rights acquired impairment charge of $26,057 related to its
Canada operations in fiscal 2014 and a $1,166 franchise rights acquired impairment charge related to its Mexico and Hong Kong operations in
fiscal 2013.
Franchise rights acquired are due to acquisitions of the Company’s franchised territories as well as the acquisition of franchise promotion
agreements and other factors associated with the acquired franchise territories. For the year ended January 3, 2015, the change in the carrying
value of franchise rights acquired is due to the VPM acquisition, as described in Note 3, the impairment charge noted above and the effect of
exchange rate changes as follows:
Balance as of December 28, 2013
Franchise rights acquired during the period
Amortization of Brazil franchise rights acquired
Indefinite-lived intangible impairment
Effect of exchange rate changes
Balance as of January 3, 2015
$ 836,835
2,000
(773 )
(26,057 )
(12,210 )
$ 799,795
The franchise rights acquired related to the VPM acquisition are being amortized ratably over a 2 year period.
Goodwill primarily relates to the acquisition of the Company by H.J. Heinz Company in 1978, the acquisition of WeightWatchers.com,
Inc. in 2005, the acquisitions of the Company’s franchised territories, the acquisition of the majority interest in VPM in the first quarter of fiscal
2014 and the acquisition of Wello in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. See Note 3 for further information on certain acquisitions. For the year
ended January 3, 2015, the change in the carrying amount of goodwill is due to the VPM and Wello acquisitions and the effect of exchange rate
changes as follows:
Balance as of December 28, 2013
Goodwill acquired during the period
Effect of exchange rate changes
Balance as of January 3, 2015
North America
67,699
$
6,204
(751 )
73,152
$
UK
$ 1,530
0
(109 )
$ 1,421
CE
$ 8,345
0
(684 )
$ 7,661
Other
$ 1,720
26,257
(3,391 )
$ 24,586
Total
$ 79,294
32,461
(4,935 )
$ 106,820
Aggregate amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was recorded in the amounts of $28,599, $24,562, and $17,796 for the
fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
The carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was as follows:
Capitalized software costs
Trademarks
Website development costs
Other
January 3, 2015
December 28, 2013
Gross
Carrying
Amount
$ 107,581
10,836
95,717
7,014
$ 221,148
Accumulated
Amortization
$ 72,590
10,213
63,405
6,825
$ 153,033
Gross
Carrying
Amount
$ 85,095
10,691
69,660
7,021
$ 172,467
Accumulated
Amortization
$ 62,418
9,955
48,060
6,737
$ 127,170
As described in Note 2, in fiscal 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,235 for amortizable intangible assets related to
the shutdown of its China operations and an impairment charge of $2,653 related to internal-use computer software that was not expected to
provide substantive service potential.
Estimated amortization expense of existing finite-lived intangible assets for the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019 and thereafter
5.
Property and Equipment
The components of property and equipment were:
Equipment
Leasehold improvements
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
$ 29,833
$ 21,770
$ 14,378
$ 2,051
83
$
January 3,
2015
$ 124,788
79,496
204,284
(129,634 )
$ 74,650
December 28,
2013
$ 123,210
77,771
200,981
(113,929 )
$ 87,052
As described in Note 2, in fiscal 2013, the Company commenced the shutdown of its China operations and, as a result, recorded an
impairment charge of $372 related to property, plant and equipment.
Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and
December 29, 2012 was $20,635, $20,342 and $18,844, respectively.
F-17
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
6. Long-Term Debt
The components of the Company’s long-term debt were as follows:
Revolving Facility due April 2, 2018
Tranche B-1 Term Facility due April 2, 2016
Tranche B-2 Term Facility due April 2, 2020
Total Debt
Less Current Portion
Total Long-Term Debt
January 3, 2015
December 28, 2013
Balance
$
0
294,750
2,063,250
2,358,000
24,000
$ 2,334,000
Effective
Rate
0.00 %
3.12 %
3.96 %
3.86 %
Effective
Rate
0.00 %
2.97 %
3.75 %
3.49 %
Balance
$
0
298,500
2,089,500
2,388,000
30,000
$ 2,358,000
The Company’s credit facilities at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2013 consisted of the following term loan facilities and revolving
credit facilities: a tranche B loan (“Term B Loan”), a tranche C loan (“Term C Loan”), a tranche D loan (“Term D Loan”), a tranche E loan
(“Term E Loan”), a tranche F loan (“Term F Loan”), revolving credit facility A-1 (“Revolver A-1” ) and revolving credit facility A-2 (“Revolver
A-2”).
On April 2, 2013, the Company refinanced its credit facilities pursuant to a new Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent and an issuing bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as revolving agent, swingline lender and an issuing bank, and the other parties thereto. The
Credit Agreement provides for (a) a revolving credit facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) in an initial aggregate principal
amount of $250,000 that will mature on April 2, 2018 (the “Revolving Facility”), (b) an initial term B-1 loan credit facility in an aggregate
principal amount of $300,000 that will mature on April 2, 2016 (the “Tranche B-1 Term Facility”) and (c) an initial term B-2 loan credit facility
in an aggregate principal amount of $2,100,000 that will mature on April 2, 2020 (the “Tranche B-2 Term Facility”, and together with the
Tranche B-1 Term Facility, the “Term Facilities”; the Term Facilities and Revolving Facility collectively, the “WWI Credit Facility”). In
connection with this refinancing, the Company used the proceeds from borrowings under the Term Facilities to pay off a total of $2,399,904 of
outstanding loans, consisting of $128,759 of Term B Loans, $110,602 of Term C Loans, $117,612 of Term D Loans, $1,125,044 of Term E
Loans, $817,887 of Term F Loans, $21,247 of loans under the Revolver A-1 and $78,753 of loans under the Revolver A-2. Following the
refinancing of a total of $2,399,904 of loans, at April 2, 2013, the Company had $2,400,000 debt outstanding under the Term Facilities and
$248,848 of availability under the Revolving Facility. The Company incurred fees of $44,817 during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 in
connection with this refinancing. In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company wrote-off fees associated with this refinancing which
resulted in the Company recording a charge of $21,685 in early extinguishment of debt.
On September 26, 2014, the Company and certain lenders entered into an agreement amending the Credit Agreement that, among other
things, eliminated the Financial Covenant (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with respect to the Revolving Facility. In connection with this
amendment, the Company wrote-off deferred financing fees of approximately $1,583 in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Concurrently with and in
order to effect this amendment, the Company reduced the amount of the Revolving Facility from $250,000 to $50,000.
At January 3, 2015, the Company had $2,358,000 outstanding under the WWI Credit Facility, consisting entirely of term loans and there
were no loans outstanding under the Revolving Facility. In addition, at January 3, 2015, the Revolving Facility had $1,819 in issued but undrawn
letters of credit outstanding thereunder and
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
$48,181 in available unused commitments thereunder. The proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving Facility (including swing line loans
and letters of credit) are available to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin or a
base rate plus an applicable margin. LIBOR under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 0.75% and the base
rate under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 1.75%. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, in the event
the Company receives a corporate rating of BB- (or lower) from S&P and a corporate rating of Ba3 (or lower) from Moody’s, the applicable
margin relating to both of the Term Facilities would increase by 25 basis points. On February 21, 2014, both S&P and Moody’s issued revised
corporate ratings of the Company of B+ and B1, respectively. As a result, effective February 21, 2014, the applicable margin on borrowings
under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility went from 2.75% to 3.00% and on borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility went from 3.00% to
3.25%. The applicable margin relating to the Revolving Facility will fluctuate depending upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as
defined in the Credit Agreement). At January 3, 2015, borrowings under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an
applicable margin of 3.00% and borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.25%.
Based on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of January 3, 2015, had there been any borrowings under the Revolving Facility, it
would have borne interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.50% or base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.50%. On a quarterly basis,
the Company will pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolving Facility in respect of unutilized commitments thereunder, which
commitment fee will fluctuate depending upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Based on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage
Ratio as of January 3, 2015, the commitment fee was 0.50% per annum. The Company also will pay customary letter of credit fees and fronting
fees under the Revolving Facility.
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants including covenants that, in certain circumstances, restrict the Company’s ability to
incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other payments, including investments, sell its assets and enter
into consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of its assets. The WWI Credit Facility does not require the Company to meet
any financial maintenance covenants and is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all of the
Company’s assets secure the WWI Credit Facility.
At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the Company’s debt consisted entirely of variable-rate instruments. Interest rate swaps were
entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with the Company’s variable-rate borrowings. The average interest rate on
the Company’s debt, exclusive of the impact of swaps, was approximately 3.90% and 3.65% per annum at January 3, 2015 and December 28,
2013, respectively. The average interest rate on the Company’s debt, including the impact of swaps, was approximately 4.93% and 4.08% per
annum at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively.
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Table of Contents
Maturities
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
At January 3, 2015, the aggregate amounts of the Company’s existing long-term debt maturing in each of the next five fiscal years and
thereafter were as follows:
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Thereafter
7. Treasury Stock
$
24,000
307,500
21,000
21,000
21,000
1,963,500
$ 2,358,000
On February 23, 2012, the Company commenced a “modified Dutch auction” tender offer for up to $720,000 in value of its common stock
at a purchase price not less than $72.00 and not greater than $83.00 per share (the “Tender Offer”). Prior to the Tender Offer, on February 14,
2012, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Artal Holdings Sp. z o.o., Succursale de Luxembourg (“Artal
Holdings”) (the then-current record holder of all of the Company’s shares owned by Artal Group, S.A. and its affiliates) whereby Artal Holdings
agreed to sell to the Company, at the same price as was determined in the Tender Offer, such number of its shares of the Company’s common
stock that, upon the closing of this purchase after the completion of the Tender Offer, Artal Holdings’ percentage ownership in the outstanding
shares of the Company’s common stock would be substantially equal to its level prior to the Tender Offer. Artal Holdings also agreed not to
participate in the Tender Offer so that it would not affect the determination of the purchase price of the shares in the Tender Offer.
The Tender Offer expired at midnight, New York time, on March 22, 2012, and on March 28, 2012 the Company repurchased 8,780 shares
at a purchase price of $82.00 per share. On April 9, 2012, the Company repurchased 9,499 of Artal Holdings’ shares at a purchase price of
$82.00 per share pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In March 2012, the Company amended and extended the Company’s then-existing credit
facility to finance these repurchases. See Note 6.
On October 9, 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized and the Company announced a program to repurchase up to $250,000
of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On each of June 13, 2005, May 25, 2006 and October 21, 2010, the Company’s Board of
Directors authorized and the Company announced adding $250,000 to the program. The repurchase program allows for shares to be purchased
from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. No shares will be purchased from Artal Holdings and its
parents and subsidiaries under the program. The repurchase program currently has no expiration date.
During the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the Company purchased no shares of its
common stock in the open market under the repurchase program. The repurchase of shares of common stock under the Tender Offer and from
Artal Holdings pursuant to the Purchase Agreement was not made pursuant to the Company’s existing repurchase program. As of the end of
fiscal 2014, $208,933 remained available to purchase shares of our common stock under the repurchase program.
F-20
Table of Contents
8. Earnings Per Share
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) are calculated utilizing the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods
presented. Diluted EPS is calculated utilizing the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented adjusted
for the effect of dilutive common stock equivalents.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the fiscal years ended:
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Denominator:
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
EPS attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Basic
Diluted
January 3,
December 28,
December 29,
2015
2013
2012
$ 98,647
$ 204,725
$ 257,426
56,607
98
56,705
56,144
250
56,394
60,294
629
60,923
$ 1.74
$ 1.74
$
$
3.65
3.63
$
$
4.27
4.23
The number of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of the weighted average number of common shares
for diluted EPS was 3,073, 1,285 and 536 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.
9.
Stock Plans
Incentive Compensation Plans:
On May 6, 2008 and May 12, 2004, respectively, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”)
and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). On May 6, 2014, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the
“2014 Plan” and together with the 2004 Plan and the 2008 Plan, the “Stock Plans”), which replaced the 2008 Plan and 2004 Plan for all equity-
based awards granted on or after May 6, 2014. The 2014 Plan is designed to promote the long-term financial interests and growth of the
Company by attracting, motivating and retaining employees with the ability to contribute to the success of the business and to align
compensation for the Company’s employees over a multi-year period directly with the interests of the shareholders of the Company. The
Company’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof administers the 2014 Plan.
Under the 2014 Plan, grants may take the following forms at the Compensation and Benefit Committee’s discretion: non-qualified stock
options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), restricted stock and other share-based awards. As of
its effective date, the maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2014 Plan was 3,500, subject to increase and
adjustment as set forth in the 2014 Plan.
Under the 2008 Plan, grants could take the following forms at the Compensation and Benefit Committee’s discretion: non-qualified stock
options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs, restricted stock and other share-based awards. As of its effective date, the
maximum number of shares of common stock
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Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
available for grant under the 2008 Plan was 3,000, subject to increase and adjustment as set forth in the 2008 Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the
2008 Plan, the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2008 Plan was increased by 550, the remaining number of
shares of our common stock with respect to which awards could be granted under the Company’s 1999 Stock Purchase and Option Plan upon its
termination.
Under the 2004 Plan, grants could take the following forms at the Company’s Board of Directors or its committee’s sole discretion: non-
qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs, restricted stock and other share-based awards. As of its
effective date, the maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2004 Plan was 2,500.
Under the 2014 Plan, the Company also grants fully-vested shares of its common stock to certain members of its Board of Directors. While
these shares are fully vested, beginning with stock grants made in the fourth quarter of 2006, the directors are restricted from selling these shares
while they are still serving on the Company’s Board of Directors. During the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and
December 29, 2012, the Company granted 20, 14, and 13 fully-vested shares, respectively, and recognized compensation expense of $497, $524
and $707, respectively.
The Company issues common stock for share-based compensation awards from treasury stock. The total compensation cost that has been
charged against income for these plans was $10,533, $4,255 and $8,845 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and
December 29, 2012, respectively. Such amounts have been included as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The total
income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for all share-based compensation arrangements was $3,285, $1,174 and $2,742 for the
years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. The tax benefits realized from options exercised and
RSUs vested totaled $301, $4,217 and $5,847 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. No
compensation costs were capitalized. As of January 3, 2015, there was $34,191 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options
and RSUs granted under the Stock Plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.2 years.
While the Stock Plans permit various types of awards, other than the aforementioned shares issued to directors, grants under the plans have
historically been either non-qualified stock options or RSUs. In fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, the Company also granted special performance-
based stock option awards. The following describes some further details of these awards.
Stock Option Awards
Option Awards with Time Vesting Criteria
Pursuant to the option components of the Stock Plans, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to enter into agreements
under which certain employees received stock options with time vesting criteria (“Time Vesting Options”). The options are exercisable based on
the terms outlined in the agreements. Time Vesting Options outstanding at January 3, 2015 vest over a period of three to five years and the
expiration term is ten years. Time Vesting Options outstanding at January 3, 2015 have an exercise price between $19.74 and $63.59 per share.
The fair value of each of these option awards is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
weighted average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. Since
the Company’s option exercise history is limited, it has estimated the expected term of these option grants to be the midpoint between the vesting
period and the
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Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
contractual term of each award. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant which most
closely corresponds to the expected term of the Time Vesting Options. The dividend yield is based on our historic average dividend yield. For
Time Vesting Options granted in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the dividend yield is zero because there is no longer a dividend. The Company
did not grant any Time Vesting Options in fiscal 2014.
Dividend yield
Volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected term (years)
December 28,
2013
0.8%
36.5%
1.3% - 2.2%
6.5
December 29,
2012
1.6%
35.5%
1.0% - 1.4%
6.5
Option Awards with Time and Performance Vesting Criteria
Pursuant to the option components of the Stock Plans, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to enter into agreements
under which certain employees received stock options with both time and performance vesting criteria (“T&P Vesting Options”). The options
are exercisable based on the terms outlined in the agreements. During fiscal 2014 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company granted
1,600,583 and 686,549 T&P Vesting Options, respectively, to certain employees that will vest based on the achievement of both time and
performance vesting criteria. The time-vesting criteria will be 100% satisfied on the third anniversary of the date of the grant and the
performance criteria is contingent upon meeting or exceeding certain stock price hurdles. With respect to the performance-vesting criteria, the
stock options will fully vest in 20% increments upon the first date that the average closing stock price for the 20 consecutive preceding trading
days is equal to or greater than specified stock price hurdles. The fair value of the T&P Vesting Options was estimated on the date of grant and
was based on the likelihood of the Company achieving the performance conditions. The Company estimated the fair value using a Monte Carlo
simulation that used various assumptions that included expected volatility, a risk free rate and an expected term.
Expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury
yield curve in effect on the date of grant which most closely corresponds to the performance measurement period. The expected term represents
the period from the grant date to the end of the five year performance period. Compensation expense on T&P Vesting Options is recognized
ratably over the three year required service period as this period is longer than the derived service period calculated by the Monte Carlo
simulation.
Dividend yield
Volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected term (years)
F-23
January 3,
2015
0.0%
37.8%
1.4% - 1.8%
5.0
December 28,
2013
0.0%
36.5%
1.6%
5.0
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
A summary of all option activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
Outstanding at December 28, 2013
Granted
Exercised
Canceled
Outstanding at January 3, 2015
Exercisable at January 3, 2015
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
$ 39.09
$ 21.73
$ 23.76
$ 38.78
$ 30.72
$ 38.05
Shares
2,213
1,601
(28 )
(536 )
3,250
415
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Yrs.)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
5.3
5.1
$
$
522
113
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of all options granted was $6.51, $11.37 and $16.60 for the years ended January 3,
2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. The total intrinsic value of Time Vesting Options exercised was $62, $9,858
and $12,734 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.
Cash received from Time Vesting Options exercised during the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012
was $658, $16,187 and $12,688, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
Pursuant to the restricted stock components of the Stock Plans, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to enter into
agreements under which certain employees received RSUs. The RSUs are exercisable based on the terms outlined in the agreements. The RSUs
vest over a period of three to five years. The fair value of RSUs is determined using the closing market price of the Company’s common stock
on the date of grant. A summary of RSU activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
Outstanding at December 28, 2013
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at January 3, 2015
Shares
253
725
(49 )
(91 )
838
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
$
$
$
$
$
47.11
24.37
61.82
36.55
27.71
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted was $24.37, $38.40 and $55.54 for the years ended January 3,
2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the years ended January 3,
2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $3,042, $1,705 and $5,536, respectively.
F-24
Table of Contents
10.
Income Taxes
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
The following tables summarize the Company’s consolidated provision for US federal, state and foreign taxes on income:
Current:
US federal
State
Foreign
Deferred:
US federal
State
Foreign
Total tax provision
January 3,
2015
December 28,
2013
December 29,
2012
$ 13,558
(131 )
23,405
$ 36,832
$ 19,595
2,239
348
$ 22,182
$ 59,014
$ 60,556
9,583
25,121
$ 95,260
$ 31,801
3,634
(55 )
$ 35,380
$ 130,640
$ 99,437
12,719
20,614
$ 132,770
$ 23,002
2,629
1,134
$ 26,765
$ 159,535
The components of the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes consist of the following:
Domestic
Foreign
January 3,
2015
$ 68,319
89,288
$ 157,607
December 28,
2013
$ 255,183
80,182
$ 335,365
December 29,
2012
$ 337,321
79,640
$ 416,961
The difference between the US federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate is as follows:
US federal statutory rate
Federal and state tax reserve provision
States income taxes (net of federal benefit)
Foreign taxes
Increase in valuation allowance
Loss on closure of China
Canada intangible asset impairment
Other
Effective tax rate
January 3,
2015
December 28,
2013
December 29,
2012
35.0 %
0.4
1.6
(0.7 )
2.0
(2.5 )
1.4
0.2
37.4 %
35.0 %
(0.1 )
2.7
0.3
0.9
0.0
0.0
0.2
39.0 %
35.0 %
0.2
2.6
(0.3 )
0.7
0.0
0.0
0.1
38.3 %
F-25
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
The deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
Provision for estimated expenses
Operating loss carryforwards
Salaries and wages
Share-based compensation
Other
Other comprehensive income
Less: valuation allowance
Total deferred tax assets
Depreciation
Other comprehensive income
Other
Amortization
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liabilities
January 3,
2015
$
7,863
37,746
9,567
6,653
6,922
12,811
(34,640 )
$ 46,922
(6,482 )
$
0
(3,123 )
(182,716 )
$ (192,321 )
$ (145,399 )
December 28,
2013
$
8,593
40,587
6,238
4,705
6,562
0
(36,372 )
$ 30,313
(6,381 )
$
(5,446 )
(1,046 )
(157,047 )
$ (169,920 )
$ (139,607 )
Certain foreign operations of the Company have generated net operating loss carryforwards. If it has been determined that it is more-likely-
than-not that the deferred tax assets associated with these net operating loss carryforwards will not be utilized, a valuation allowance has been
recorded. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, various foreign subsidiaries had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately
$142,433 and $148,107, respectively, most of which can be carried forward indefinitely.
The Company’s undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are not considered to be reinvested permanently. Accordingly, the Company
has recorded all taxes, after taking into account foreign tax credits, on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
Balance at beginning of year
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
Settlements
Balance at end of year
January 3,
2015
$ 5,784
1,304
(820 )
0
$ 6,268
December 28,
2013
December 29,
2012
$
$
5,319
1,428
(963 )
0
5,784
$
$
5,040
1,647
(1,219 )
(149 )
5,319
At January 3, 2015, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate is $5,439. As of
January 3, 2015, given the nature of the Company’s uncertain tax positions, it is reasonably possible that there will not be a significant change in
the Company’s uncertain tax benefits within the next twelve months.
F-26
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had $2,300 and
$2,217 of accrued interest and penalties at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The Company recognized $83, $(1,188) and
$823 in interest and penalties during the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the US federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions.
At January 3, 2015, with few exceptions, the Company was no longer subject to US federal, state or local income tax examinations by tax
authorities for years prior to 2011, or non-US income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2009.
11. Employee Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors the Third Amended and Restated Weight Watchers Savings Plan (the “Savings Plan”) for salaried and certain
hourly US employees of the Company. The Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan that provides for employer matching contributions of
100% of the employee’s tax deferred contributions up to 3% of an employee’s eligible compensation. Expense related to these contributions for
the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $2,525, $2,888 and $2,730, respectively.
During fiscal 2014, the Company received a favorable determination letter from the IRS that qualifies the Savings Plan under Section 401
(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Pursuant to the Savings Plan, the Company also makes profit sharing contributions for all full-time salaried US employees who are eligible
to participate in the Savings Plan (except for certain management personnel). The profit sharing contribution is a guaranteed monthly employer
contribution on behalf of each participant based on the participant’s age and a percentage of the participant’s eligible compensation. The Savings
Plan also has a discretionary supplemental profit sharing employer contribution component that is determined annually by the Compensation and
Benefits Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Expense related to these contributions for the fiscal years ended January 3,
2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $266, $1,658 and $2,779, respectively.
For certain US management personnel, the Company sponsors the Second Amended and Restated Weight Watchers Executive Profit
Sharing Plan (“EPSP”). Under the IRS definition, the EPSP is considered a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. There is a promise of
payment by the Company made on the employees’ behalf instead of an individual account with a cash balance. The EPSP provides for a
guaranteed employer contribution on behalf of each participant based on the participant’s age and a percentage of the participant’s eligible
compensation. The EPSP has a discretionary supplemental employer contribution component that is determined annually by the Compensation
and Benefits Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The account is valued at the end of each fiscal month, based on an annualized
interest rate of prime plus 2%, with an annualized cap of 15%. Expense related to this commitment for the fiscal years ended January 3,
2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $1,090, $2,651 and $2,954, respectively.
F-27
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
12. Cash Flow Information
Net cash paid during the year for:
Interest expense
Income taxes
January 3,
2015
December 28,
2013
December 29,
2012
$ 107,296
$ 35,232
$ 88,860
$ 87,071
$ 68,808
$ 133,131
Noncash investing and financing activities were as follows:
Fair value of net assets/(liabilities) acquired in connection with acquisitions
Dividends declared but not yet paid at year-end
$
$
359
0
$
$
(175 )
177
$
$
0
289
13. Commitments and Contingencies
Jeri Connolly et al. v. Weight Watchers North America, Inc.
In August 2013, the Company was contacted by plaintiffs’ counsel in the previously filed and settled Sabatino v. Weight Watchers North
America, Inc. case (“ Sabatino ”), threatening to file a new class action on behalf of the Company’s current and former service providers in
California asserting various wage and hour claims, including but not limited to claims for unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations, which
allegedly accrued after the effective date of the Sabatino settlement. On March 17, 2014, the parties came to an agreement in principle to settle
the matter on a class-wide basis for $1,688. On April 29, 2014, the parties executed a Memorandum of Understanding to document the terms and
conditions of settlement and, the following day, plaintiffs filed a complaint regarding the claims at issue in the Northern District of
California. On June 11, 2014, the parties filed a formal settlement agreement and other required documents for the Court’s preliminary
approval. On July 21, 2014, the parties received the Court’s preliminary approval of the settlement agreement. On August 11, 2014, notices of
settlement were sent out to the class members advising them of the settlement and their right to object or opt-out of the settlement; no class
members did so by the deadline of September 22, 2014. At a December 2014 hearing the Court provided final approval of the settlement and the
Company made the corresponding settlement payment in January 2015.
In re Weight Watchers International, Inc. Securities Litigation
In March 2014, two substantially identical putative class action complaints alleging violation of the federal securities laws were filed by
individual shareholders against the Company, certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors, and the Company’s controlling
shareholder, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaints were purportedly filed on behalf of all
purchasers of the Company’s common stock, no par value per share, between February 14, 2012 and October 30, 2013, inclusive (the “Class
Period”). The complaints allege that, during the Class Period, the defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and/or
concealed material adverse facts. The complaints allege claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and Rule 10b-5. The plaintiffs seek to recover unspecified damages on behalf of the class members. In June 2014, the Court
consolidated the cases and appointed lead plaintiffs and lead counsel. On August 12, 2014, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint that, among
other things, reduced the Class Period to between February 14, 2012 and February 13, 2013 and dropped all current officers and certain directors
previously named as defendants. On October 14, 2014, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs filed an opposition to the
defendants’ motion to dismiss
F-28
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
on November 24, 2014 and the defendants filed a reply in support of their motion to dismiss on December 23, 2014. The Company continues to
believe that the suits are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously.
On May 29, 2014 and June 23, 2014, the Company received shareholder litigation demand letters alleging breaches of fiduciary duties and
unjust enrichment by Company officers and directors and Artal Group, S.A., to the alleged injury of the Company. The allegations in the letters
relate to those contained in the ongoing securities class action litigation. In response to the letters, pursuant to Virginia law, the Board of
Directors has created a special committee to review and evaluate the facts and circumstances surrounding the claims made in the demand letters.
Other Litigation Matters
Due to the nature of the Company’s activities, it is also, at times, subject to pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, the disposition of any such matters is not
expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Commitments
Minimum commitments under non-cancelable obligations, primarily for office and rental facilities operating leases at January 3, 2015,
consist of the following:
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020 and thereafter
Total
$ 41,584
34,810
25,867
19,890
13,082
102,653
$ 237,886
Total rent expense charged to operations under these operating leases for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and
December 29, 2012 was $44,228, $46,300 and $40,485, respectively.
F-29
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
14. Segment and Geographic Data
Effective December 29, 2013, the Company realigned its organizational structure to improve the leverage of its significant assets and the
alignment of its innovation efforts by integrating its Online business with its meetings business and assigning responsibility for those integrated
businesses on a geographical basis. This resulted in the Company changing the determination of its reportable segments such that the Company
now has four reportable segments: North America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Other. Other consists of Asia Pacific and emerging
markets operations and franchise revenues and related costs, all of which have been grouped together as if they were a single reportable segment
because they do not meet any of the quantitative thresholds and are immaterial for separate disclosure. To be consistent with the information that
is presented to the chief operating decision maker, the Company does not include intercompany activity in the segment results. Segment
information for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 presented below have been revised to reflect the new
reportable segment structure.
North America
United Kingdom
Continental Europe
Other
Total revenue
Segment operating income:
North America
United Kingdom
Continental Europe
Other
Total segment operating income
General corporate expenses
Interest expense
Other expense, net
Gain on Brazil acquisition
Early extinguishment of debt
Provision for taxes
Net income
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
F-30
Total Revenue for the Year Ended
December 28,
December 29,
January 3,
2015
$ 947,716
156,843
298,878
76,479
$ 1,479,916
2013
$ 1,163,002
172,783
299,403
88,935
$ 1,724,123
2012
$ 1,258,461
204,506
270,701
105,764
$ 1,839,432
January 3,
2015
Net Income for the Year Ended
December 28,
2013
December 29,
2012
$ 224,225
29,187
79,282
13,676
346,370
(73,113 )
122,984
3,206
(10,540 )
0
59,014
98,593
54
$ 98,647
$ 406,109
34,429
66,273
13,774
520,585
(59,828 )
103,108
599
0
21,685
130,640
204,725
0
$ 204,725
$ 437,379
63,320
38,714
22,690
562,103
(51,298 )
90,537
1,979
0
1,328
159,535
257,426
0
$ 257,426
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
North America
United Kingdom
Continental Europe
Other
Total segment depreciation and amortization
General corporate depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization for the Year Ended
December 28,
2013
January 3,
2015
$ 34,654
1,158
2,356
2,144
40,312
18,227
$ 58,539
$ 32,923
1,269
2,222
1,965
38,379
14,197
$ 52,576
December 29,
2012
$ 26,808
1,159
2,182
2,068
32,217
11,493
$ 43,710
The following table presents information about the Company’s sources of revenue and other information by geographic area. There were
no material amounts of sales or transfers among geographic areas and no material amounts of US export sales.
Meeting Fees
Online Subscription Revenues
In-meeting product sales
Licensing, franchise royalties and other
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Continental Europe
Other
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Continental Europe
Other
January 3,
2015
$ 744,560
437,385
169,101
128,870
$ 1,479,916
Revenues for the Year Ended
December 28,
2013
$ 851,626
509,135
211,963
151,399
$ 1,724,123
December 29,
2012
$ 934,933
490,132
253,237
161,130
$ 1,839,432
January 3,
2015
$ 869,541
78,175
156,843
298,878
76,479
$ 1,479,916
Revenues for the Year Ended
December 28,
2013
$ 1,067,200
95,802
172,783
299,403
88,935
$ 1,724,123
December 29,
2012
$ 1,169,234
89,227
204,506
270,701
105,764
$ 1,839,432
January 3,
2015
$ 67,903
3,149
724
1,454
1,420
$ 74,650
Long-Lived Assets
December 28,
2013
$ 79,448
3,070
1,192
2,083
1,259
$ 87,052
December 29,
2012
$ 63,147
2,561
1,645
2,431
1,984
$ 71,768
F-31
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
15. Fair Value Measurements
Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair
value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
•
•
•
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets
that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term
of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets
or liabilities.
When measuring fair value, the Company is required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable
inputs.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s significant financial instruments include long-term debt and interest rate swap agreements.
The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is determined by utilizing average bid prices on or near the end of each fiscal quarter
(Level 2 input). As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was approximately $1,888,051
and $2,169,908, respectively. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the book value of the Company’s long-term debt was
approximately $2,334,000 and $2,358,000, respectively.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The fair values for the Company’s derivative financial instruments are determined using observable current market information such as the
prevailing LIBOR interest rate and LIBOR yield curve rates and include consideration of counterparty credit risk. See Note 16 for disclosures
related to derivative financial instruments.
The following table presents the aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments:
Interest rate swap liability at January 3, 2015
Interest rate swap liability at December 28, 2013
Fair Value Measurements Using:
Total
Fair
Value
$ 42,423
$ 7,578
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
$
$
0
0
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
$
$
42,423
7,578
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
$
$
0
0
The Company did not have any transfers into or out of Levels 1 and 2, and did not maintain any assets or liabilities classified as Level 3,
during the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013.
16. Derivative Instruments and Hedging
As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the Company had in effect interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $1,500,000
and $466,250, respectively. In January 2009, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap which had an effective date of
January 4, 2010 and a termination date of January 27,
F-32
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
2014. From December 29, 2012 through April 1, 2013, this swap had qualified for hedge accounting, and therefore changes in the fair value of
this derivative were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Effective April 2, 2013, due to the Company’s debt
refinancing, the Company ceased the application of hedge accounting for this swap. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this swap were
recorded in earnings subsequent to April 2, 2013 and were immaterial for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015.
On July 26, 2013, in order to hedge an additional portion of its variable rate debt, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate
swap with an effective date of March 31, 2014 and a termination date of April 2, 2020. The initial notional amount of this swap was $1,500,000.
During the term of this swap, the notional amount will decrease from $1,500,000 effective March 31, 2014 to $1,250,000 on April 3, 2017 with a
further reduction to $1,000,000 on April 1, 2019. This interest rate swap effectively fixes the variable interest rate on the notional amount of this
swap at 2.38%. This swap qualifies for hedge accounting and, therefore, changes in the fair value of this swap have been recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, cumulative unrealized losses for qualifying hedges were reported as a component of
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the amounts of $21,856 ($35,830 before taxes) and $4,603 ($7,546 before taxes),
respectively.
The Company is hedging forecasted transactions for periods not exceeding the next seven years. The Company expects approximately
$11,256 ($18,452 before taxes) of derivative losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at January 3, 2015, based on
current market rates, will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.
17. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component
(a)
Beginning Balance at December 28, 2013
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income,
net of tax
(b)
Net current period other comprehensive loss including noncontrolling interest
Less: net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
Ending Balance at January 3, 2015
(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
(b) See separate table below for details about these reclassifications
F-33
Loss on
Qualifying
Fiscal Year Ended January 3, 2015
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
$ 13,120
(11,302 )
Hedges
$ (4,603 )
(21,775 )
Total
$ 8,517
(33,077 )
4,522
(17,253 )
0
$ (21,856 )
0
(11,302 )
478
2,296
$
4,522
(28,555 )
478
$ (19,560 )
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Beginning Balance at December 29, 2012
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income,
net of tax
(b)
Net current period other comprehensive loss
Ending Balance at December 28, 2013
(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
(b) See separate table below for details about these reclassifications
Loss on
Qualifying
Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2013
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
$ 19,461
(6,341 )
Hedges
$ (6,602 )
(4,124 )
Total
$ 12,859
(10,465 )
6,123
1,999
$ (4,603 )
0
(6,341 )
$ 13,120
6,123
(4,342 )
$ 8,517
Details about Other
Comprehensive Income
Components
Loss on Qualifying Hedges
Interest rate contracts
Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
(a)
Fiscal Year Ended
December 28,
2013
January 3,
2015
Amounts Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
Affected Line Item in the
Statement Where Net Income is Presented
$ (7,413 )
(7,413 )
2,891
$ (4,522 )
$ (10,037 )
(10,037 )
3,914
(6,123 ) Net income
Interest expense
Income before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
$
(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to profit / loss
18. Restructuring Charges
As previously disclosed, the Company has reviewed its organization and undertook a restructuring which resulted in the elimination of
certain positions and the termination of employment of certain employees in the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015. In connection with this plan,
the Company recorded restructuring charges in connection with employee termination benefit costs of $11,840 ($7,222 after tax) during the
fiscal year ended January 3, 2015. For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, these charges impacted cost of revenues by $4,642 and selling,
general and administrative expense by $7,198. For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, all restructuring charges were recorded to general
corporate expense and therefore there was no impact to the segments.
For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, the reconciliation of the liability balance for these restructuring charges was as follows:
Balance as of December 28, 2013
Provision
Payments
Balance as of January 3, 2015
$
0
11,840
(9,270 )
$ 2,570
The Company expects the $2,570 liability as of January 3, 2015 to be paid in fiscal 2015.
F-34
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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
19. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly consolidated results of operations for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015 and
December 28, 2013.
Fiscal year ended January 3, 2015
Revenues, net
Gross profit
Operating income
Net income attributable to the Company
Basic EPS
Diluted EPS
Fiscal year ended December 28, 2013
Revenues, net
Gross profit
Operating income
Net income
Basic EPS
Diluted EPS
March 29,
2014
For the Fiscal Quarters Ended
September 27,
June 28,
2014
2014
January 3,
2015
$ 409,358
222,900
51,053
21,531
0.38
$
0.38
$
$ 397,547
225,814
114,564
54,002
0.95
$
0.95
$
$ 345,184
187,567
91,394
37,892
0.67
0.67
$
$
$ 327,827
166,270
16,246
(14,778 )
(0.26 )
$
(0.26 )
$
March 30,
2013
For the Fiscal Quarters Ended
September 28,
June 29,
2013
2013
December 28,
2013
$ 490,790
283,637
103,119
48,753
0.87
$
0.87
$
$ 470,888
283,715
153,976
64,916
1.16
$
1.15
$
$ 396,334
231,980
124,520
60,258
1.07
1.07
$
$
$ 366,111
201,780
79,142
30,798
0.55
0.54
$
$
Basic and diluted EPS are computed independently for each of the periods presented. Accordingly, the sum of the quarterly EPS amounts
may not agree to the total for the year.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, operating income, net income and EPS were impacted by a $26,057, or $0.34 per fully diluted share,
franchise rights acquired impairment charge related to the Company’s Canada operations. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, operating income,
net income and EPS were impacted by a $1,166, or $0.01 per fully diluted share, franchise rights acquired impairment charge related to the
Company’s Mexico and Hong Kong operations. See Note 2 for further information on these impairment charges.
As discussed in further detail in Note 18, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $3,656 ($2,235 after tax), $6,498 ($3,964 after
tax), $713 ($430 after tax) and $973 ($593 after tax) during the first, second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2014, respectively, in connection
with employee termination benefit costs associated with its previously disclosed plan to restructure its organization, reducing gross profit,
operating income, net income attributable to the Company and EPS all four quarters of fiscal 2014.
As discussed in further detail in Note 3, in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, net income and EPS were impacted by a $10,540 gain ($6,396
after tax), or $0.11 per fully diluted share, recognized in connection with the Brazil acquisition due to an adjustment of our previously held
equity interest to fair value offset by a charge associated with the settlement of the royalty-free arrangement of the Brazilian partnership.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, net income and EPS were impacted by a $2,350, or $0.04 per fully diluted share, net tax benefit
related to an intercompany loan write-off in connection with the closure of our
F-35
Table of Contents
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
China business partially offset by the recognition of a valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are not expected to be
realized.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, net income and EPS were impacted by a $21,685 ($13,336 after tax), or $0.24 per fully diluted share,
early extinguishment of debt charge resulting from the write-off of fees associated with the Company’s April 2013 debt refinancing.
20. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued updated guidance on accounting for derivatives and
hedging. The guidance clarifies how current accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) should be interpreted in
evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. This
guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2016 with early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material
effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
In August 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on the disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going
concern. The update provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability
to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In doing so, the amendments should reduce diversity in the timing and
content of footnote disclosures. This guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and
interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will
have on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. The objective of this guidance
is to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model, to remove existing industry specific guidance and to expand qualitative and
quantitative disclosures. The core principle of the new standard is for revenue recognition to depict transfer of control to the customer in an
amount that reflects consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the
impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
In April 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an
entity. This guidance raises the threshold for disposal transactions to qualify as discontinued operations and focuses on disposal transactions that
represent strategic shifts having a major effect on operations and financial results, requiring additional disclosures and revising balance sheet
presentation. This guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those fiscal years and is
not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
F-36
Table of Contents
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
(IN THOUSANDS)
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Inventory and other reserves
Tax valuation allowance
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Inventory and other reserves
Tax valuation allowance
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Inventory and other reserves
Tax valuation allowance
Balance at
Beginning
of Period
Additions
Charged to
Charged
Costs and
Expenses
to Other
Accounts
Deductions
(1)
Balance at
End
of Period
$ 3,477
$ 5,859
$ 36,372
$
99
$ 11,822
$ 3,183
$
$
$
0
0
0
$ 3,447
$ 6,942
$ 31,015
596
$
$ 9,580
$ 3,821
0
$
$
0
$ 2,429
$ 5,315
$ 7,397
$ 25,781
$ (1,067 )
$ 10,491
$ 3,387
26
$
$
0
$ 2,322
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(289 )
(10,574 )
(4,915 )
$ 3,287
$ 7,107
$ 34,640
(566 )
(10,663 )
(893 )
$ 3,477
$ 5,859
$ 36,372
(827 )
(10,946 )
(475 )
$ 3,447
$ 6,942
$ 31,015
(1) Primarily represents the utilization of established reserves, net of recoveries, where applicable.
S-1
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
**3.1
**3.2
**3.3
**4.1
**10.1
**10.2
**10.3
†**10.4
†**10.5
†**10.6
†**10.7
**10.8
Description
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Weight Watchers International, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No.
1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed on January 6, 2012 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated
herein by reference).
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as Amended and Restated, of Weight Watchers International, Inc. to
Create a New Series of Preferred Stock Designated as Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, adopted as of November 14,
2001 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed on January 6,
2012 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Weight Watchers International, Inc., as of November 14, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on November 18, 2013 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by
reference).
Specimen of stock certificate representing Weight Watchers International, Inc.’s common stock, no par value (filed as
Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed on January 6, 2012 (File No.
001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
License Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1999, between WW Foods, LLC and Weight Watchers International, Inc. (filed as
Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, as filed on December 2, 1999 (File No. 333-92005), and
incorporated herein by reference).
LLC Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1999, between H.J. Heinz Company and Weight Watchers International, Inc. (filed
as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, as filed on December 2, 1999 (File No. 333-92005), and
incorporated herein by reference).
Operating Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1999, between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and H.J. Heinz Company
(filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, as filed on December 2, 1999 (File No. 333-
92005), and incorporated herein by reference).
1999 Stock Purchase and Option Plan of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and Subsidiaries (filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2000, as filed on July 28, 2000 (File No. 000-
03389), and incorporated herein by reference).
Weight Watchers International, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy
Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 8, 2004 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Amendment to Weight Watchers International, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005, as filed on August 11, 2005 (File No. 001-16769), and
incorporated herein by reference).
Weight Watchers International, Inc. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy
Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 31, 2008 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Corporate Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2001, between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and Artal Luxembourg S.A.
(filed as Exhibit 10.36 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as filed on November 9,
2001 (File No. 333-69362), and incorporated herein by reference).
Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
**10.9
**10.10
†**10.11
†**10.12
**10.13
†**10.14
†**10.15
†**10.16
†**10.17
Description
Amendment, dated as of July 1, 2005, to the Corporate Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2001, by and between Weight
Watchers International, Inc. and Artal Luxembourg S.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-
Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005, as filed on August 11, 2005 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by
reference).
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1999, among Weight Watchers International, Inc., H.J. Heinz
Company and Artal Luxembourg S.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.38 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as filed on October 29, 2001 (File No. 333-69362), and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Amended and Restated Continuity Agreement, between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and certain key
executives (Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel) (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2011, as filed on August 11, 2011 (File No. 001-16769),
and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Amended and Restated Continuity Agreement, between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and certain key
executives (certain executive officers) (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended July 2, 2011, as filed on August 11, 2011 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Principal Stockholders Agreement among Weight Watchers International, Inc., WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and Artal
Luxembourg S.A. dated as of June 13, 2005 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2005, as filed on August 11, 2005 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Term Sheet for Employee Stock Awards and Form of Terms and Conditions for Employee Stock Awards (filed as
Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, as filed on
February 27, 2006 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Term Sheet for Employee Restricted Stock Unit Awards and Form of Terms and Conditions for Employee Restricted
Stock Unit Awards (filed as Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, as filed on February 27, 2006 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Amended and Restated Directors Restricted Stock Agreement for Weight Watchers International, Inc. non-employee
director restricted stock (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
June 28, 2014, as filed on August 7, 2014 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Term Sheet for Employee Performance Stock Option Awards and Form of Terms and Conditions for Employee
Performance Stock Option Awards (for certain executive officers party to continuity agreements) (filed as Exhibit 10.35 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, as filed on February 26, 2014 (File No.
001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
†**10.18
Form of Term Sheet for Employee Performance Stock Option Awards and Form of Terms and Conditions for Employee
Performance Stock Option Awards (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 28, 2013, as filed on February 26, 2014 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
†**10.19
Weight Watchers International, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K, as filed on May 12, 2014 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
†**10.20
†**10.21
†**10.22
**10.23
**10.24
**10.25
†**10.26
†**10.27
†**10.28
**10.29
**10.30
Description
Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as
filed on July 18, 2006 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Statement of Amendments to the 1999 Stock Purchase and Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K, as filed on December 15, 2006 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Statement of Amendments to the Weight Watchers International, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.4 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on December 15, 2006 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by
reference).
Amendment to Agreements, dated as of October 1, 2002, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc., WW Foods,
LLC and H.J. Heinz Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended October 3, 2009, as filed on November 12, 2009 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Amendment to Operating Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and H.J.
Heinz Company (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 3,
2009, as filed on November 12, 2009 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2012, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and Artal
Holdings Sp. z o.o., Succursale de Luxembourg (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed
on February 16, 2012 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Second Amended and Restated Weight Watchers Executive Profit Sharing Plan, August 1, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2012, as filed on November 8, 2012
(File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Offer Letter, dated as of July 2, 2012, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and Nicholas P. Hotchkin (filed as
Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, as filed on
February 27, 2013 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Offer Letter, dated as of December 6, 2012, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and James Chambers (filed as
Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, as filed on
February 27, 2013 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Credit Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2013, among Weight Watchers International, Inc., as the borrower, the lenders party
thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent and an issuing bank, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the
revolving agent, a swingline lender and an issuing bank (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-
Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2013, as filed on May 9, 2013 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by
reference).
Amendment Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2014, relating to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2013, among
Weight Watchers International, Inc., as the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the
Administrative Agent and an Issuing Bank, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the Revolving Agent, a Swingline Lender and an
Issuing Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
September 27, 2014, as filed on November 5, 2014 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
†**10.31
Description
Severance Amendment, dated as of July 30, 2013, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and James
Chambers (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on August 1, 2013 (File No.
001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
†**10.32
†**10.33
†**10.34
Letter Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2013, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and Nicholas Hotchkin
(filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2013, as
filed on August 8, 2013 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Letter Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2013, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and James Chambers
(filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2013, as
filed on August 8, 2013 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
Offer Letter, dated as of September 30, 2013, by and between Weight Watchers International, Inc. and Lesya Lysyj
(filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2014, as
filed on May 8, 2014 (File No. 001-16769), and incorporated herein by reference).
†*10.35
Statement of Principal Terms and Conditions of Employment, dated June 5, 2013, by and between Weight Watchers
(UK) Limited and Jeanine Lemmens.
†*10.36
Offer Letter, dated as of July 4, 2013, by and between Weight Watchers (UK) Ltd and Jeanine Lemmens.
*21.1
Subsidiaries of Weight Watchers International, Inc.
*23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
*31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by James Chambers, Chief Executive Officer.
*31.2
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Nicholas P. Hotchkin, Chief Financial Officer.
*32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*Exhibit 101
*EX-101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
*EX-101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
*EX-101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
*EX-101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
*EX-101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
*EX-101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
Filed herewith.
*
** Previously filed.
†
Represents a management arrangement or compensatory plan.
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 4, 2015
By:
/ S / J AMES C HAMBERS
James Chambers
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf
of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: March 4, 2015
Date: March 4, 2015
Date: March 4, 2015
Date: March 4, 2015
Date: March 4, 2015
Date: March 4, 2015
Date: March 4, 2015
Date: March 4, 2015
Date: March 4, 2015
Date: March 4, 2015
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
/ S / J AMES C HAMBERS
James Chambers
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/ S / N ICHOLAS P. H OTCHKIN
Nicholas P. Hotchkin
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/ S / R AYMOND D EBBANE
Raymond Debbane
Director
/ S / S TEVEN M. A LTSCHULER
Steven M. Altschuler
Director
/ S / P HILIPPE J. A MOUYAL
Philippe J. Amouyal
Director
/ S / C YNTHIA E LKINS
Cynthia Elkins
Director
/ S / M ARSHA J OHNSON E VANS
Marsha Johnson Evans
Director
/ S / J ONAS M. F AJGENBAUM
Jonas M. Fajgenbaum
Director
/ S / S ACHA L AINOVIC
Sacha Lainovic
Director
/ S / C HRISTOPHER J. S OBECKI
Christopher J. Sobecki
Director
STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 1 EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT 1996
This Statement is confidential and may not be copied or shown and the contents may not be communicated to persons other than the Employee’s
professional advisers or Trade Union.
Exhibit 10.35
Employee
(“you”)
Employee Address
Employer
(“the company”)
Job title
Start date
Date of continuous
employment
Gross salary
Bonus
JEANINE LEMMENS
Weight Watchers (UK) Limited a company incorporated in England and Wales whose registered office is at
Millennium House, Ludlow Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 2SL
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT UK
3 RD JUNE 2013
17 th July 2006
£206,000 PER ANNUM
45% of base salary
Car band/Allowance
£12,600 per annum
The Company offers employment on the terms and conditions set out in this Statement and in the associated Statement of Principal terms and
conditions (“Terms and Conditions”).
The Employee understands the Terms and Conditions and accepts the offer.
Signed for Company: /s/ Sara Harper-Holton
Date: 5/6/13
Signed Employee: /s/ Jeanine Lemmens
Date: 5/6/2013
1
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
1. COMMENCEMENT AND CONTINUITY OF EMPLOYMENT
1.1 Your employment under this agreement and your continuous service will begin on the date(s) shown on the front page of these Terms and
Conditions. Your previous employment with Weight Watchers counts as part of your period of continuous employment with the Company
which began on 17 th July 2006.
2.
JOB TITLE
2.1 You are employed in the capacity mentioned on the front page of these Terms and Conditions. Your normal duties are as set out in your
job description and the Company reserves the right to vary the job description from time to time in its reasonable discretion. You may also
be required to perform such additional duties as the Company may from time to time reasonably require. The Company also reserves the
right in its reasonable discretion to change the area of your activities and responsibility and otherwise to change your working practices.
3. HOURS OF WORK
3.1 You are required to work the hours necessary to perform the duties of your role.
3.2 You agree this may involve you working more than 48 hours per week, and that the maximum weekly working time as set out in the
Working Time regulations shall not apply in relation to your employment. This arrangement shall apply indefinitely, subject to you
withdrawing your agreement on providing the Company with 3 months’ written notice.
3.3 You are entitled to an unpaid lunch break of forty-five minutes each day which will be taken at such time as the Company may require.
4. LOCATION
4.1 Your normal place of work is shown on the front page of these Terms and Conditions and may include such other places of business of the
Company as the Company may from time to time reasonably direct.
4.2 The Company reserves the right to change your place of work, in line with the needs of the business.
4.3 You may also be required to travel within the UK and abroad in the performance of your duties.
5. REMUNERATION
5.1 Your gross annual salary is as shown on the front page of these Terms and Conditions and shall be deemed to accrue from day to day. Your
salary will be paid monthly by BACS to your nominated account on the 24th day of every month. If the 24th day shall fall on a Saturday or
Sunday payment will be made on the preceding Friday.
2
5.2 Your basic salary will be reviewed annually. There is no contractual entitlement to any increase in your basic salary but you will be
notified in writing of any change to your salary.
5.3 The Company operates a bonus scheme and you are eligible to receive a bonus as a percentage of your basic salary as shown on the front
page of these Terms and Conditions to be paid in one payment during the year.
5.4 Any bonus is awarded at the sole discretion of the Company which reserves the right to end or amend the scheme, in line with the needs of
the business at any time and is only payable to employees who join the business before 1 st October in any year to which the bonus scheme
may apply.
5.5 Only staff who are employed by the Company on the date at which the bonus is payable and in respect of whom notice of termination has
not been served will be eligible to receive the bonus payment subject also to clause 5.4. above.
5.6 You authorise the Company to deduct from any remuneration due to you, any overpayment of salary, expenses or other payments made to
you by mistake or through any misrepresentation or any outstanding advances, loans, debts or other sums which you owe to the Company
or any recoupment of training costs or any cost of repairing any damage to or loss of property of, any fines or charges imposed upon or any
other loss sustained by the Company or any third party, caused by your breach of contract or breach of the Company’s rules or as a result
of your negligence or dishonesty. You also agree to make payment to the Company of any sums due from you to the Company upon
demand by the Company at any time.
6.
SMOKING
No smoking will be allowed at any of the Company’s premises unless a specifically designated area has been made available for this
purpose. Failure to comply with this condition may be regarded as gross misconduct and the Company reserves the right to terminate your
employment in such case without notice or payment in lieu.
7. HOLIDAYS
7.1 Your annual paid holiday entitlement is 30 days per annum due to the completion by you of 5 consecutive and continuous years’
employment with the Company.
7.2 Holidays will be taken in each holiday year as your line manager shall agree having regard to the needs of the Company Business.
7.3 The holiday year runs between 1 January and 31 December.
7.4 Not more than two consecutive weeks’ holiday may be taken at any one time or in any one period of three months unless previously
authorised by your line manager.
3
7.5 Entitlement for people entering and leaving the Company’s service are calculated at the rate of 2.08 days per full month worked or 2.33
days per month for those with 5 or more years continuous and consecutive employment.
7.6 All holiday entitlement must be taken during the holiday year as no holiday can be taken forward to the next year.
7.7 On leaving the employment of the Company any necessary payments for unused holiday or the claw back of excess holidays will be
deducted in the final payment due to you. For the purposes of calculating such payment in lieu, or such payment, a day’s paid holiday shall
be taken to be your annual basic gross salary divided by 260.
7.8 The following Statutory and Bank Holidays will be paid in addition to your contractual holiday entitlement:
New Years Day—Good Friday—Easter Monday—May Day—Spring Bank Holiday—Summer Bank Holiday—
Christmas Day—Boxing Day.
8.
SICKNESS
8.1
8.2
8.3
In the event of absence on account of sickness or injury, you (or someone on your behalf) must inform your immediate Manager of the
reason for your absence as soon as possible on the day on which the sickness or injury first occurs and keep in contact with the Company
on a regular basis until you return to work. Entitlement to sick pay may be affected by late notification.
In respect of an absence on account of sickness or injury lasting seven or fewer calendar days you are not required to produce a certificate
from your doctor (a Statement of Fitness For Work) unless requested by the Company, but must complete the Company’s self certification
form on return to work from such absence.
In respect of an absence lasting more than seven calendar days you must on the eighth calendar day of absence provide the Company with
a Statement of Fitness For Work signed by a doctor stating the reason for the absence and thereafter provide further Statements each week
to cover any subsequent period of absence. The Company reserves the right to ask you at any stage of absence to produce a Medical
Certificate and/or to undergo a medical examination.
8.4 You will be paid your normal basic remuneration (less the amount of any statutory sick pay or social security benefits to which you may be
entitled) for up to 10 days certificated or uncertificated absence at the discretion of your Manager in total in any rolling period of 12
months. Entitlement to payment is subject to notification of absence and production of Statements of Fitness For Work in accordance with
paragraphs 8.1 to 8.3 and compliance with all the terms of the Sickness Absence Policy.
8.5 The Company operates a Statutory Sick Pay Scheme and you are required to co-operate in the maintenance of necessary records. For the
purposes of calculating your entitlement to statutory sick pay “qualifying days” are those on which you are normally required to work. Any
payments made to you by the Company under the Company sick pay scheme include any payments which may be due under the Statutory
Sick Pay Scheme.
4
9. HEAD OFFICE SECURITY
Head Office is a secure area which requires use of a swipe-card. Any person making their swipe-card available to third parties or in any
other way breaching or compromising the security of the building will be regarded as having committed gross misconduct and the
Company reserves the right to terminate their employment without notice or payment in lieu. Should you lose or mislay your swipe-card its
loss must be reported to Reception immediately.
10. PENSION SCHEME AND PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME
10.1 The Company operates a contracted in contributory pension scheme (the “Pension Scheme”), which is open to all employees and which
you are eligible to join.
10.2 The Company operates a Private Medical Cover Scheme (Private Medical Insurance Scheme”) for all employees, which you are eligible to
join.
10.3 The terms and conditions of the Pension Scheme and Medical Insurance Scheme are available from the HR Department. Both schemes are
non contractual and the Company reserves the right to terminate its participation in any of the schemes or substitute another scheme, or
alter the benefits available under any scheme. If a scheme provider (e.g. an insurance company) refuses for any reason (whether under its
own interpretation of the terms of the relevant insurance policy or otherwise) to provide the relevant benefit(s) under the applicable
scheme, the Company shall not be liable to provide, or compensate for the loss of, such benefit(s).
10.4 Any actual or prospective loss of entitlement to private medical insurance benefit shall not limit or prevent the Company from exercising
its right to terminate your employment under these Terms and Conditions in accordance with paragraph 12 (“Notice Period”) below.
11. CAR BENEFIT OR ALLOWANCE
11.1 You will be entitled to receive a company car or allowance subject to the provisions of the Company Car Scheme as published from time
to time. If you are eligible for a company car, you may be allocated with an appropriate vehicle which is already on lease to the business
and is currently available.
11.2 Your current Car Benefit Allowance is shown on the front page of these Terms and Conditions.
11.3 The Company reserves the right to amend the terms and entitlements under the Company Car Scheme, from time to time as required by the
needs of the business or legislation, including but not limited to, car lease and car allowance amounts, mileage amounts and general terms
and conditions of the Scheme.
5
12. NOTICE PERIOD
12.1 You are entitled to terminate your employment by giving 6 months written notice.
12.2 You are entitled to receive 6 months written notice from the Company
12.3 The Company may at any time terminate your employment with immediate effect, without notice or a payment in lieu of notice, if you are
guilty of gross misconduct. Examples of conduct which the Company may consider gross misconduct can be found in the Company’s
disciplinary procedure, which does not form part of your contract of employment.
12.4 Upon termination of your employment, you must immediately return to the Company any documents, keys, computer, or any other item in
your possession belonging to or relating to the business of the Company.
12.5 The Company reserves the right (in its absolute discretion) to make you a Compensation Payment (as defined below) in lieu of all or any
part of any notice of termination of employment which it or you are required to give. “Compensation Payment” shall mean an amount
equal to your daily basic salary, car cash allowance, pension and private healthcare only (less any required deductions for tax and NI
contributions) multiplied by the number of days not worked of your notice entitlement.
12.6 The Compensation Payment shall not take account of the value of any other benefits, bonus, or annual leave entitlement, which would have
accrued, had you remained employed during the notice period. You will have no entitlement to receive the Compensation Payment unless
and until the Company notifies you in writing of its decision to make the payment.
12.7 The Company reserves the right to require you not to attend at work and/or not to undertake all or any of your duties of employment during
any period of notice (whether given by you or the Company), provided always that the Company shall continue to pay your salary and
contractual benefits whilst you remain employed by the Company. If the Company exercises this right your duties of confidentiality and
loyalty to the Company and all of the terms of your employment shall remain in force during such period, save that you will not be
required to work.
13. DISCIPLINARY & GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
13.1 Details of the Company’s disciplinary and grievance rules and procedures from time to time in force are detailed as part of the Company’s
Employment Policies. These procedures do not form part of your contract of employment but will generally be applied to you. If you wish
to appeal against a disciplinary decision you may apply in accordance with the disciplinary procedure. If you wish to raise a grievance,
please do so in accordance with the grievance procedure.
13.2 The Company may suspend you from work pending any investigation into your conduct as the Company thinks fit. The Company shall
continue to pay your salary and benefits during any period of such a suspension.
6
14. WHOLE TIME AND ATTENTION
14.1 You must devote the whole of your time, attention and abilities during your hours of work to your duties for the Company. You may not,
under any circumstance, whether directly or indirectly, undertake any other duties during your hours of work under this employment.
14.2 You may not, without prior written consent of the Company (which will not be unreasonably withheld) outside your hours of work with
the Company, work for, advise or in any other way assist whether directly or indirectly any business or employment which is similar to or
in any way connected with the business of the Company or which could or might reasonably be considered to impair your ability to act at
all times in the best interests of the Company.
15. CONFIDENTIALITY
15.1 During the course of your employment you may have access to, gain knowledge of or be entrusted with information of a confidential
nature. This may include but is not limited to financial information, commercial information, technical information, sales and marketing
information, trade secrets and policy research, programme materials and development of new programmes, future plans, staffing of the
Company, information relating to customers, clients, members, suppliers, manufacturers and the terms and conditions upon which they do
business.
15.2 You will not at any time during or after the end of your employment with the Company or any Associate Company unless expressly
authorised by the Company in writing or as a necessary part of the performance of your duties disclose to any person firm or Company any
confidential information relating to the Company or its business or its activities or activities of any of its clients, customers, members,
agents or suppliers.
15.3 If any such disclosure or misuse of information occurs during the course of your employment the Company will treat such conduct as gross
misconduct and reserves the right to terminate your employment without notice or payment in lieu.
15.4 For the purposes of this clause 15, “Associate Company” means any company which for the time being is a parent undertaking (as defined
by the Companies Act 2006) of the Company or any subsidiary undertaking (as defined by the Companies Act 2006) of any such parent
undertaking or of the Company.
16. COMPANY & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
16.1 You acknowledge that all documents and other property provided to you by the Company and all Company programme materials and
manuals and the copyright and other intellectual property rights therein, shall be and remain at all times the property of the Company.
16.2 You acknowledge and agree that all documents created by you for the purposes of or in connection with your employment with the
Company constitute the property of the Company.
7
16.3 You will immediately return or deliver to the Company, all Company documents (whether or not created by you) upon termination of your
employment or at any other time upon request by the Company, together with all copies thereof which may be in your possession.
16.4 Upon termination of your employment, you will return promptly all other Company property provided to you for the purposes of
performing your duties, including without limitation, scales, credit card machines, stock, products and publications. The Company reserves
the right to delay or withhold all or part of your final remuneration payment until such time as all Company property has been returned to it
in reasonable condition.
17.
IT, EMAIL AND INTERNET USAGE
17.1 The Company policy on IT, email and internet use are detailed in the Company’s IT Acceptable Usage Policy. You agree to comply with
this policy.
18. POST TERMINATION RESTRICTIONS
18.1 In order to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, you hereby covenant that you will not for a period of twelve weeks
immediately following the termination of your employment either on your own account or in conjunction with or on behalf of any other
person, company, business entity or other organisation whatsoever directly or indirectly:
(a)
(b)
induce, solicit, deal with, entice or procure, any person who is an employee of the Company with whom you had personal contact or
dealings or who reported to you or who had material contact with the Company’s customers or suppliers to leave such employment
for the purpose of any business that competes with Weight Watchers Business; or
induce, solicit, deal with or endeavour to entice away from the Company the business or custom of any customer who was a
customer in the 2 months prior to such termination and with whom you had contact or about whom you became aware or informed in
the course of your employment (a “Restricted Customer”) with a view to providing goods or services to that Restricted Customer in
competition with Weight Watchers Business ; or
(c) be involved or engaged in any activity with any Restricted Customer in the course of any business concern or any business concern
which competes (or intends to compete ) with Weight Watchers Business; or
(d)
at any time after the termination of your employment, represent yourself as connected with the Company in any capacity.
18.2 “Weight Watchers’ Business” means the business of the Company operating within the UK in the weight loss and weight management
industry in or with which you have been involved or concerned at any time during the period of twelve months prior to the termination of
your employment.
8
18.3 Where no duties are assigned to you during any period of notice the period of twelve weeks for the purpose of the restrictions contained in
this clause runs from the last date on which you carried out any duties assigned to you by the Company.
18.4 You acknowledge that the provisions of this clause 17 are fair, reasonable and necessary to protect the goodwill and interests of the
Company and that in the event that you breach these provisions the Company would be entitled to seek damages and/or injunctive relief.
18.5 If the any of the restrictions contained in this clause 18 exceeds what is reasonable for the protection of the goodwill and interests of the
Company but would be valid if part of the wording were deleted then such restriction shall apply with such deletions as may be necessary
to make it enforceable.
19. DATA PROTECTION
19.1 In order to keep and maintain accurate records relating to your employment, it will be necessary for the Company to record, keep and
process personal data including sensitive personal data relating to you. By accepting these terms and conditions of employment, you
undertake and agree to the recording, processing, use, disclosure, storage and transfer overseas (including to countries outside the
European Economic Area) by the Company of personal data relating to you. For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998, the
Company has nominated the Director of IS as its representative.
20. COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
There is no collective agreement that directly affects your employment.
21 EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
21.1 These Terms and Conditions of employment must be read in conjunction with the Company Employment Policies which are available to
you on the Company intranet, Link Online. If any of the Terms and Conditions in this agreement conflict with the Employment Policies, or
any offer letter, the terms and conditions of this agreement will prevail.
21.2 Any references to policies or other documents in this agreement include the current version of such policy or document and any updated or
amended or successor version (whether such successor version has the same or different title).
22. GENERAL
22.1 The Company reserves the right to vary these Terms and Conditions of employment. Any such changes will be notified to you in writing
giving one month’s notice of such variation. These Terms and Conditions replace all your previous terms and conditions.
22.2 The Company has a number of policies and procedures and company rules that are set out in the Employee Handbook. These policies and
procedures set out the Company’s standards and expectations of its employees and you are required to familiarise yourself with them and
follow them at all times. Such policies and procedures are non-contractual and may be amended, replaced or withdrawn at any time,
without compensation.
9
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Jeanine Lemmens
BY EMAIL
Dear Jeanine,
Exhibit 10.36
Thursday 4 th July 2013
Following your recent discussions, I am pleased to confirm our offer to you of the position of Senior Vice President UK reporting to Jim
Chambers.
This letter, along with the enclosed contract, confirms the terms of your offer of employment with Weight Watchers (UK) Ltd which replaces
any existing contract with Weight Watchers. These are summarised below:
Job title
Start date
Date of continuous employment
Gross Base Salary
Bonus
Long Term Incentives (LTIs)
Car band/Allowance
UK Pension Scheme
Private Healthcare
Life Cover
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT UK
3 RD JUNE 2013
TBC
£206,000 PER ANNUM
45% of base salary
Company element: guaranteed at 100% for 2013
Benelux performance
65% of base salary
£12,600 per annum
9% Employer contribution; minimum 2% Employee contribution
Family cover
3 x Gross Base Salary
Location: As this role is based in the Maidenhead office, you will need to relocate to within a reasonable commutable distance from
Maidenhead.
To assist you with your relocation to the UK, you are entitled to the following relocation support:
One off relocation benefits:
•
Home and School search: Weight Watchers will pay for you to have the support of a Relocation company to help you to review
schooling and accommodation options.
•
Removal of your household goods: Weight Watchers will pay for the reasonable costs for the removal of your household goods from
The Netherlands to the UK in one 20 cubic feet container subject to the review of two quotations from two relocation providers.
•
Compensation for loss of value on the sale of your cars: Weight Watchers will pay you up to £2500 per car in respect of any loss
that you incur when selling your cars in the Netherlands before you move to the UK.
•
Home in NL —If you decide to rent out your home in the Netherlands and are unable to find a tenant, Weightwatchers will you
€ 1300 per month for the first three months following your permanent relocation to the UK (September, October and November) to
cover this expense
•
Travel to the UK: Weight Watchers will pay or reimburse you in respect of airfares for yourself and your family from The
Netherlands to the UK. If you choose to drive, Weightwatchers will reimburse you the costs of the ferry or Eurostar and reasonable
toll and mileage expenses in line with our expenses policy.
•
Temporary Accommodation: Weight Watchers will provide you and your family with accommodation on your arrival in the UK for
a period of up to 4 weeks whilst you source permanent accommodation. Further details will be discussed with you separately.
Ongoing Relocation Benefits
•
Housing Allowance: To enable you and your family to find suitable accommodation within the local area, you will be eligible to
receive a housing allowance of £66,000 net per annum. This will be paid monthly with your salary.
•
Tax Advice: It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with the UK and Netherlands tax requirements and ensure that your
tax returns are properly submitted within the relevant deadlines.
You are eligible to receive tax advice and preparation services at Weight Watchers’ expense, from tax advisers nominated by Weight
Watchers from time to time, (and subject to such financial and/or other conditions as Weight Watchers may from time to time
impose) in respect of any UK or Netherlands tax returns relating to remuneration from your employment only. For the avoidance of
doubt, Weight Watchers will not pay for additional tax planning advice, for example in relation to personal investments, sale of
property or inheritance.
Any penalties or interest charges incurred because you fail to provide information or documentation requested by the nominated tax
adviser promptly will be your responsibility. Weight Watchers will not reimburse you in respect of any such costs and Weight
Watchers reserves the right to recover all or part of any such amounts from you.
•
Education: Weight Watchers will pay or reimburse you, against receipt or invoice, in respect of schooling fees your daughters for
the length of your assignment.
The exact value of this benefit will be agreed with you once you have specific details of your preferred school.
Weight Watchers will also cover the costs of language tuition for your daughters in both Dutch and English to ensure that their level
of fluency is maintained throughout your assignment. This will be paid up to £2000 per child.
Weight Watchers will not cover the cost of any other extra curricular activities or uniforms.
•
Home Leave Travel: Weight Watchers will provide for the cost of four trips per year for you and your family between UK and
Netherlands in accordance with the UK Travel & Expenses policy at that time. Weightwatchers will reimburse you the costs of
economy return flights or the ferry or Eurostar and reasonable toll and mileage expenses in line with our expenses policy.
Weight Watchers reserves the right at its absolute discretion to impose limits on the amounts that may be reimbursed to you in
respect of home leave travel. You will be given at least one month’s written notice of any such limit, or any change to such limit
imposed. The costs are not exchangeable for cash.
Weight Watchers will cover such income tax and National Insurance or equivalent as may arise on the items included in the relocation support
section above. This is conditional on you taking such reasonable steps as may be possible to minimise the charges that may arise.
Should your employment end while you are based in the UK the following terms would apply:
•
Reimbursement on Voluntary Termination: If your employment ends by reason of Voluntary Termination within 24 months of your
start date you must reimburse Weight Watchers in respect of a proportion of your Relocation Costs. The amount to be reimbursed
will be reduced by any tax or social security contributions paid or due in respect of such Relocation Costs that you are unable to
recover. For the avoidance of doubt, Weight Watchers may recover all or part of any such sum paid to you in respect of the
relocation terms set out above.
•
Repatriation expenses: Weight Watchers will reimburse you in respect of repatriation expenses, provided always that your
employment has not ended by reason of voluntary termination. Repatriation expenses will include one-way travel expenses between
the UK and The Netherlands for you and your family and the removal of your household goods.
Please find enclosed 2 copies of this letter and your contract. Please sign, date and return one copy of each. On your first day, you will need to
provide your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) or passport and your driving licence. These will be copied and returned to you.
Should you have any queries at all with any aspect of this offer, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
/s/ Sara Harper-Holton
Sara Harper-Holton
HR Director
Signed: /s/ JJC Lemmens-Westerink Dated: 5-7-2013
EXHIBIT 21.1
List of Subsidiaries of Weight Watchers International, Inc.
BLTC Pty Limited, incorporated in Australia
Fortuity Pty Ltd, incorporated in Australia
Gutbusters Pty Ltd., incorporated in Australia
LLTC Pty Limited, incorporated in Australia
Millhill Enterprises Pty Ltd, incorporated in Australia
Weight Watchers Asia Pacific Finance Limited Partnership II, incorporated in Australia
Weight Watchers Australia Holdings Pty Ltd., incorporated in Australia
Weight Watchers International Pty. Ltd, incorporated in Australia
Weight Watchers Services Pty Ltd, incorporated in Australia
Weight Watchers Belgium N.V., incorporated in Belgium
Weight Watchers Botswana Pty Ltd, incorporated in Botswana
Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda, incorporated in Brazil
Weight Watchers do Brasil Programas Alimentares Ltda, incorporated in Brazil
Weight Watchers Canada, Ltd., incorporated in Canada
Weight Watchers Asia Holdings Ltd., incorporated in Cayman Islands
Weight Watchers (China) Weight Loss Consultation Co., Ltd., incorporated in the People’s
Republic of China
Weight Watchers de Colombia Ltda., incorporated in Columbia
QHC, LLC, incorporated in Delaware
Waist Watchers, Inc., incorporated in Delaware
Weight Watchers Direct, Inc., incorporated in Delaware
Weight Watchers North America, Inc., incorporated in Delaware
W. W. Camps and Spas, Inc., incorporated in Delaware
WW Fitness, Inc., incorporated in Delaware
WW Foods, LLC, incorporated in Delaware
WW Funding Corp., incorporated in Delaware
W. W. Inventory Service Corp., incorporated in Delaware
W. W. I. Subsidiary, Inc., incorporated in Delaware
WeightWatchers.ca Limited, incorporated in Delaware
WeightWatchers.com, Inc., incorporated in Delaware
Weight Watchers Denmark APS, incorporated in Denmark
Weight Watchers Operations Denmark APS, incorporated in Denmark
WeightWatchers.fr S.A.R.L., incorporated in France
Weight Watchers France S.A.R.L., incorporated in France
Weight Watchers Operations France EURL, incorporated in France
Weight Watchers At Work GmbH, incorporated in Germany
Weight Watchers (Deutschland) GmbH, incorporated in Germany
Great Day Holdings Limited, incorporated in Hong Kong
Weight Watchers China Limited, incorporated in Hong Kong
Il Salvalinea, S.R.L., incorporated in Italy
Centro de Cuidado Del Peso, S. de R.L. de C.V., incorporated in Mexico
Servicios Operativos CP, S. de R.L. de C.V., incorporated in Mexico
Weight Watchers Vigilantes de Peso de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., incorporated in Mexico
Stichting Gezond Gewicht, Gezond Leven, incorporated in Netherlands
Weight Watchers Netherlands, B.V., incorporated in Netherlands
WeightWatchers.nl B.V., incorporated in Netherlands
58 WW Food Corp., incorporated in New York
Weight Watchers Camps, Inc., incorporated in New York
Weight Watchers Foundation, Inc., incorporated in New York
W.W.I. European Services, Ltd., incorporated in New York
W.W. Weight Reduction Services, Inc., incorporated in New York
W/W TwentyFirst Corporation, incorporated in New York
Weight Watchers Limited, incorporated in New Zealand
Weight Watchers New Zealand Limited, incorporated in New Zealand
Weight Watchers New Zealand Unit Trust, incorporated in New Zealand
Weight Watchers Polska Spz.o.o., incorporated in Poland
Weight Watchers (Lesotho) Pty, incorporated in South Africa
Weight Watchers Operations Spain S.L., incorporated in Spain
Weight Watchers Spain S.L., incorporated in Spain
Weight Watchers European Holding AB, incorporated in Sweden
Weight Watchers Sweden ViktVaktarna Akiebolag, incorporated in Sweden
Weight Watchers (Switzerland) SA, incorporated in Switzerland
Weight Watchers (Accessories & Publications) Ltd., incorporated in United Kingdom
Weight Watchers (Exercise) Ltd., incorporated in United Kingdom
Weight Watchers Supply Company Limited, incorporated in United Kingdom
Weight Watchers International Holdings Ltd., incorporated in United Kingdom
Weight Watchers UK Holdings Ltd., incorporated in United Kingdom
Weight Watchers (U.K.) Limited, incorporated in United Kingdom
WeightWatchers.co.uk Limited, incorporated in United Kingdom
WeightWatchers.de Limited, incorporated in United Kingdom
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-123642, 333-74066, 333-
156185, 333-165637 and 333-195800) of Weight Watchers International, Inc. of our report dated March 4, 2015 relating to the financial
statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.
EXHIBIT 23.1
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
March 4, 2015
EXHIBIT 31.1
I, James Chambers, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Weight Watchers International, Inc.;
CERTIFICATION
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15
(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed
under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such
evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s
most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which
are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 4, 2015
Signature:
/ S / J AMES C HAMBERS
James Chambers
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
EXHIBIT 31.2
I, Nicholas P. Hotchkin, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Weight Watchers International, Inc.;
CERTIFICATION
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15
(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed
under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such
evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s
most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which
are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 4, 2015
Signature:
/ S / N ICHOLAS P. H OTCHKIN
Nicholas P. Hotchkin
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Weight Watchers International, Inc. (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended
January 3, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, the undersigned officers of the
Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
the Company.
EXHIBIT 32.1
Date: March 4, 2015
Signature:
Signature:
/ S / J AMES C HAMBERS
James Chambers
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/ S / N ICHOLAS P. H OTCHKIN
Nicholas P. Hotchkin
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)