Edgar Filing: MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE INC

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Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 27, 2014

¨	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: 0-19357

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


New York		16-0838627
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification #)

200 Holleder Parkway, Rochester, New York		14615
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

585-647-6400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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. x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes ¨ No

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. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes x No

As of January 23, 2015, 31,660,756 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $ .01 per share, were outstanding.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

INDEX


	Page No.

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 27, 2014 and March 29, 2014		3

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the quarters and nine months ended December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013		4

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended December 27, 2014		5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013		6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		7

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		13

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		16

Item 4. Controls and Procedures		16

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings		17

Item 6. Exhibits		17

Signatures		18

Exhibit Index		19

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)


	December 27, 2014			March 29, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$	4,622		$	1,205
Trade receivables		3,218			2,728
Federal and state income taxes receivable		—			2,171
Inventories		136,436			124,920
Deferred income tax assets		14,131			13,710
Other current assets		26,187			23,382

Total current assets		184,594			168,116

Property, plant and equipment		580,541			531,505
Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(263,709	)		(249,622	)

Net property, plant and equipment		316,832			281,883
Goodwill		345,743			270,039
Intangible assets		35,342			29,371
Other non-current assets		12,608			10,547
Long-term deferred income tax assets		14,172			—

Total assets	$	909,291		$	759,956

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt, capital leases and financing obligations	$	8,596		$	7,552
Trade payables		67,581			53,321
Federal and state income taxes payable		4,875			—
Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and other payroll benefits		15,678			20,206
Accrued insurance		33,966			32,353
Warranty reserves		10,438			9,557
Other current liabilities		14,238			13,752

Total current liabilities		155,372			136,741
Long-term capital leases and financing obligations		127,748			81,199
Long-term debt		146,549			105,841
Accrued rent expense		5,360			5,700
Other long-term liabilities		12,626			11,558
Deferred income tax liabilities		—			140
Long-term income taxes payable		3,256			2,793

Total liabilities		450,911			343,972

Commitments
Shareholders’ equity:
Class C Convertible Preferred Stock, $1.50 par value, $.064 conversion value, 150,000 shares authorized; 32,500 shares issued and outstanding		49			49
Common Stock, $.01 par value, 65,000,000 shares authorized; 37,794,539 and 37,567,902 shares issued at December 27, 2014 and March 29, 2014, respectively		378			376
Treasury Stock, 6,169,453 and 6,076,951 shares at December 27, 2014 and March 29, 2014, respectively, at cost		(95,009	)		(90,241	)
Additional paid-in capital		152,074			141,365
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(3,320	)		(3,135	)
Retained earnings		404,208			367,570

Total shareholders’ equity		458,380			415,984

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	909,291		$	759,956

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)


	Quarter Ended Fiscal December						Nine Months Ended Fiscal December
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Sales	$	236,553		$	216,695		$	675,358		$	628,188
Cost of sales, including distribution and occupancy costs		146,357			134,371			405,667			385,238

Gross profit		90,196			82,324			269,691			242,950
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		62,237			55,398			183,395			169,005

Operating income		27,959			26,926			86,296			73,945
Interest expense, net of interest income		2,929			3,216			7,837			7,074
Other income, net		(506	)		(352	)		(811	)		(583	)

Income before provision for income taxes		25,536			24,062			79,270			67,454
Provision for income taxes		9,550			8,733			30,022			24,904

Net income		15,986			15,329			49,248			42,550
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Changes in pension, net of tax benefit		(62	)		(89	)		(185	)		(266	)

Comprehensive income	$	15,924		$	15,240		$	49,063		$	42,284

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	.50		$	.49		$	1.55		$	1.35

Diluted	$	.49		$	.47		$	1.50		$	1.31

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)


	Preferred Stock		Common Stock		Treasury Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss⁽²⁾			Retained Earnings			Total

Balance at March 29, 2014	$	49	$	376	$	(90,241	)	$	141,365		$	(3,135	)	$	367,570		$	415,984

Net income															49,248			49,248

Other comprehensive loss:
Pension liability adjustment (($297) pre-tax)												(185	)					(185	)

Cash dividends ⁽¹⁾: Preferred															(296	)		(296	)
Common															(12,314	)		(12,314	)

Stock issuance costs									(14	)								(14	)

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options									948									948

Exercise of stock options⁽³⁾				2		(4,768	)		6,890									2,124

Stock-based compensation									2,885									2,885

Balance at December 27, 2014	$	49	$	378	$	(95,009	)	$	152,074		$	(3,320	)	$	404,208		$	458,380

(1)	Represents first, second and third quarter fiscal year 2015 dividend payment of $.13 per common share or common share equivalent paid each quarter on June 12, 2014, August 28, 2014 and December 26, 2014, respectively.

(2)	The balance relates to the pension liability.

(3)	Includes the receipt of treasury stock in connection with the exercise of stock options and to partially satisfy tax withholding obligations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)


	Nine Months Ended Fiscal December
	2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Increase (Decrease) in Cash
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	49,248		$	42,550

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities –
Depreciation and amortization		26,172			23,755
Gain on bargain purchase		(386	)		(261	)
Loss on disposal of assets		638			79
Stock-based compensation expense		2,885			2,928
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		(81	)		(133	)
Net change in deferred income taxes		1,252			1,513
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables		(481	)		(323	)
Inventories		(6,429	)		(4,300	)
Other current assets		(2,245	)		2,604
Other non-current assets		(1,083	)		2,034
Trade payables		14,260			(862	)
Accrued expenses		(2,603	)		1,948
Federal and state income taxes payable		7,994			4,275
Other long-term liabilities		(988	)		(11	)
Long-term income taxes payable		463			(763	)

Total adjustments		39,368			32,483

Net cash provided by operating activities		88,616			75,033

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(26,517	)		(21,686	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(82,658	)		(26,334	)
Proceeds from the disposal of assets		365			3,898

Net cash used for investing activities		(108,810	)		(44,122	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings		275,623			234,980
Principal payments on long-term debt, capital leases and financing obligations		(241,607	)		(255,440	)
Exercise of stock options		2,124			3,466
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		81			133
Dividends to shareholders		(12,610	)		(10,608	)

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities		23,611			(27,469	)

Increase in cash		3,417			3,442
Cash at beginning of period		1,205			1,463

Cash at end of period	$	4,622		$	4,905

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The consolidated balance sheets as of December 27, 2014 and March 29, 2014, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the quarters and nine months ended December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended December 27, 2014, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, include financial information for Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Monro Service Corporation (collectively, “Monro”, “we”, “us”, “our”). These unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Monro. We believe all known adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals or adjustments) have been made to fairly state the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the unaudited periods presented.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 29, 2014.

We report our results on a 52/53 week fiscal year with the fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in March of each year. The following are the dates represented by each fiscal period reported in these condensed financial statements:


“Quarter Ended Fiscal December 2014”		September 28, 2014 – December 27, 2014 (13 weeks)
“Quarter Ended Fiscal December 2013”		September 29, 2013 – December 28, 2013 (13 weeks)
“Nine Months Ended Fiscal December 2014”		March 30, 2014 – December 27, 2014 (39 weeks)
“Nine Months Ended Fiscal December 2013”		March 31, 2013 – December 28, 2013 (39 weeks)

Fiscal year 2015, ending March 28, 2015, is a 52 week year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance for the reporting of discontinued operations. This guidance eliminates certain exceptions from reporting discontinued operations that exist under current guidance, and also requires several new disclosures about disposals that qualify as discontinued operations. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material effect on Monro’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the reporting of revenue from contracts with customers. This guidance provides guidelines a company will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. This guidance is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential effect of the adoption of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other recent authoritative guidance issued by the FASB (including technical corrections to the Accounting Standards Codification) and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not, or are not expected to have a material effect on Monro’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 2 – Acquisitions

Acquisitions are strategic moves in our plan designed to fill in and expand our presence in existing and contiguous markets, and leverage fixed operating costs such as distribution and advertising.

Subsequent Event

We signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to complete the acquisition of eight retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Florida from Martino Tire Stores on January 28, 2015. This transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. These stores will operate under The Tire Choice brand. The acquisition is expected to be financed through our existing credit facility.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fiscal 2015

On December 7, 2014, we acquired nine retail tire and automotive repair stores in Florida from Gold Coast Tire & Auto Centers. These stores operate under The Tire Choice name. The acquisition was financed through our existing credit facility.

During July and December 2014, we acquired four retail tire and automotive repair stores located in New York and Georgia through four separate transactions. These stores operate under the Mr. Tire name. The acquisitions were financed through our existing credit facility.

On September 28, 2014, we acquired nine retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Georgia from Wood & Fullerton Stores, LLC. These stores operate under the Mr. Tire name. The acquisition was financed through our existing credit facility.

On August 8, 2014, we acquired 35 retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Florida from Hennelly Tire & Auto, Inc. These stores operate under The Tire Choice name. The acquisition was financed through our existing credit facility.

On June 15, 2014, we acquired ten and nine retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Michigan from Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers, Inc. and Kan Rock Tire Company, Inc., respectively. These stores operate under the Monro Brake & Tire name.

On April 13, 2014, we acquired two retail tire and automotive repair stores located in New Hampshire from Bald Tire & Auto, Inc. These stores were previously Tire Warehouse franchise locations and continue to operate under the Tire Warehouse name.

The acquisitions resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, growth opportunities and unidentifiable intangible assets. All of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. We have recorded finite-lived intangible assets at their estimated fair value related to trade names, customer relationships and favorable leases.

In accordance with accounting guidance on business combinations, we expensed all costs related to the acquisitions in the nine months ended December 27, 2014. The total costs related to the acquisitions were $.3 million and $.9 million for the three and nine months ended December 27, 2014, respectively. These costs are included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income primarily under operating, selling, general and administrative expenses.

The purchase price of the acquisitions has been preliminarily allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, with the remainder recorded as goodwill on the basis of estimated fair values, as follows:

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


	As of December 27, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Inventories	$	5,123
Other current assets		561
Property, plant and equipment		30,174
Intangible assets		8,759
Long-term deferred income tax assets		15,235
Other non-current assets		73

Total assets acquired		59,925
Warranty reserves		730
Other current liabilities		2,673
Long-term capital leases and financing obligations		48,064
Other long-term liabilities		1,251

Total liabilities assumed		52,718

Total net identifiable assets acquired	$	7,207

Total consideration transferred	$	82,694
Plus: gain on bargain purchase		386
Less: total net identifiable assets acquired		7,207

Goodwill	$	75,873

The following are the intangible assets acquired and their respective estimated fair values and weighted average useful lives:


	Dollars in thousands		As of Acquisition Date Weighted Average Useful Life
Trade names	$	3,548		14 years
Customer relationships		3,616		7 years
Favorable leases		1,595		17 years

Total	$	8,759		12 years

Sales for the fiscal 2015 acquired entities for the three and nine months ended December 27, 2014 totaled $18.8 million and $29.5 million, respectively, for the period from acquisition date through December 27, 2014.

Supplemental pro forma information for the current or prior reporting periods has not been presented due to the impracticability of obtaining detailed, accurate or reliable data for the periods the acquired entities were not owned by Monro.

Fiscal 2014

As part of the acquisition process, we finalized the purchase accounting for the following fiscal 2014 acquisitions during fiscal 2015:

Carl King Tire Co., Inc., involving six retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Maryland and Delaware, which were acquired on November 17, 2013.

S&S Firestone, Inc., involving four retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Kentucky, which were acquired on November 17, 2013.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

XL Tire, Inc., involving two retail tire and automotive repair stores located in North Carolina, which were acquired on October 20, 2013.

Curry’s Automotive Group, involving ten retail tire and automotive repair stores located in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, which were acquired on August 18, 2013, and

Mitchell Tire Service, involving one retail tire and automotive repair store located in New Jersey, which was acquired on August 11, 2013.

The resulting adjustments were not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The aggregated fiscal 2014 acquisitions are not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, supplemental pro forma information for the current or prior reporting periods has not been presented due to the impracticability of obtaining detailed, accurate or reliable data for the periods the acquired entity was not owned by Monro.

We continue to refine the valuation data and estimates primarily related to road hazard warranty, intangible assets, real estate and real property leases for all other fiscal 2014 acquisitions and all fiscal 2015 acquisitions, and expect to complete the valuations no later than the first anniversary date of the respective acquisition. We anticipate that adjustments will continue to be made to the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and those adjustments may or may not be material.

Note 3 – Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) amounts are computed by dividing income available to common shareholders, after deducting preferred stock dividends, by the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS amounts assume the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive equivalent securities outstanding.

The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS for the respective periods:


	Quarter Ended Fiscal December						Nine Months Ended Fiscal December
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator for earnings per common share calculation:
Net Income	$	15,986		$	15,329		$	49,248		$	42,550
Preferred stock dividends		(98	)		(83	)		(296	)		(250	)

Income available to common stockholders	$	15,888		$	15,246		$	48,952		$	42,300

Denominator for earnings per common share calculation:
Weighted average common shares, basic		31,596			31,417			31,558			31,369
Effect of dilutive securities:
Preferred stock		760			760			760			760
Stock options		481			456			514			438

Weighted average common shares, diluted		32,837			32,633			32,832			32,567

Basic Earnings per common share:	$	.50		$	.49		$	1.55		$	1.35

Diluted Earnings per common share:	$	.49		$	.47		$	1.50		$	1.31

The computation of diluted EPS excludes the effect of the assumed exercise of approximately 153,000 and 154,000 stock options for the three and nine months ended fiscal December 27, 2014, respectively, and 86,000 and 98,000 for the three and nine months ended December 28, 2013, respectively. Such amounts were excluded as the exercise prices of these stock options were greater than the average market value of our Common Stock for those periods, resulting in an anti-dilutive effect on diluted EPS.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 – Income Taxes

In the normal course of business, we provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties, and adjust our unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest and penalties accordingly. The total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits were $6.2 million and $5.9 million at December 27, 2014 and March 29, 2014, respectively, the majority of which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. As of December 27, 2014, we had approximately $.4 million of interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits.

We file U.S. federal income tax returns and income tax returns in various state jurisdictions. Our fiscal 2012 through fiscal 2014 U.S. federal tax years and various state tax years remain subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities.

Note 5 – Fair Value

Long-term debt, including current portion, had a carrying amount and a fair value of $146.5 million as of December 27, 2014, as compared to a carrying amount and a fair value of $106.5 million as of March 29, 2014. The fair value of long-term debt was estimated based on discounted cash flow analyses using either quoted market prices for the same or similar issues, or the current interest rates offered to Monro for debt with similar maturities.

Note 6 – Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

The following represents non-cash investing and financing activities during the periods indicated:

Nine Months Ended December 27, 2014:

In connection with the fiscal 2015 acquisitions, liabilities were assumed as follows:


	(Dollars in thousands)
Fair value of assets acquired	$	59,925
Goodwill acquired		75,873
Gain on bargain purchase		(386	)
Cash paid, net of cash acquired		(82,694	)

Liabilities assumed	$	52,718

Nine Months Ended December 28, 2013:

In connection with the fiscal 2014 acquisitions, liabilities were assumed as follows:


	(Dollars in thousands)
Fair value of assets acquired	$	13,364
Goodwill acquired		17,430
Gain on bargain purchase		(217	)
Cash paid, net of cash acquired		(26,314	)

Liabilities assumed	$	4,263

These amounts reflect final purchase accounting adjustments for the fiscal 2014 acquisitions. (See Note 2).

Purchase accounting adjustments related to the fiscal 2014 acquisitions decreased goodwill by $.2 million in fiscal 2015.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 7 – Cash Dividend

In May 2014, our Board of Directors declared its intention to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend during fiscal 2015 of $.13 per common share or common share equivalent to be paid beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2015. However, the declaration of and any determination as to the payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, compliance with charter and credit facility restrictions, and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Note 8 – Subsequent Events

See Note 2 for a discussion of an acquisition we completed subsequent to December 27, 2014.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts, including (without limitation) statements made in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, may contain statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the words “anticipates”, “believes”, “contemplates”, “see”, “could”, “estimate”, “appear”, “intend”, “plans” and variations thereof and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, product demand, dependence on and competition within the primary markets in which Monro’s stores are located, the need for and costs associated with store renovations and other capital expenditures, the effect of economic conditions, the impact of competitive services and pricing, parts supply restraints or difficulties, industry regulation, risks relating to leverage and debt service (including sensitivity to fluctuations in interest rates), continued availability of capital resources and financing, disruption or unauthorized access to our computer systems, risks relating to protection of customer and employee personal data, risks relating to litigation, risks relating to integration of acquired businesses, including goodwill impairment and the risks set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2014. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth income statement data of Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. expressed as a percentage of sales for the fiscal periods indicated:


	Quarter Ended Fiscal December						Nine Months Ended Fiscal December
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Sales		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

Cost of sales, including distribution and occupancy costs		61.9			62.0			60.1			61.3

Gross profit		38.1			38.0			39.9			38.7

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		26.3			25.6			27.2			26.9


Operating income		11.8			12.4			12.8			11.8

Interest expense - net		1.2			1.5			1.2			1.1

Other income - net		(0.2	)		(0.2	)		(0.1	)		(0.1	)

Income before provision for income taxes		10.8			11.1			11.7			10.7

Provision for income taxes		4.0			4.0			4.4			4.0

Net income		6.8	%		7.1	%		7.3	%		6.8	%

Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended December 27, 2014 Compared to Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended December 28, 2013

Sales were $236.6 million for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 as compared with $216.7 million for the quarter ended December 28, 2013. The sales increase of $19.9 million or 9.2%, was due primarily to an increase of $24.1 million related to new stores, of which $21.2 million came from the fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 acquisitions. Partially offsetting this was a decrease in comparable store sales of 1.8%. Additionally, there was a decrease in sales from closed stores amounting to $2.5 million. There were 89 selling days in both the quarters ended December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013.

During the quarter ended December 27, 2014, we completed the bulk sale of approximately $2.1 million of slower moving and non-stocking inventory to a barter company in exchange for barter credits. There was no similar transaction in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Sales were $675.4 million for the nine months ended December 27, 2014 as compared with $628.2 million for the nine months ended December 28, 2013. The sales increase of $47.2 million or 7.5%, was due to an increase of $54.2 million related to new stores. This was partially offset by a decrease in comparable store sales of 1.0% and a decrease in sales from closed stores amounting to $5.8 million. There were 270 selling days in the first nine months of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014.

During the nine months ended December 27, 2014, we completed bulk sales of $5.0 million of inventory to a barter company. There were no similar transactions in the nine months ended December 28, 2013.

At December 27, 2014, we had 1,017 company-operated stores and one franchise location as compared with 951 company-operated stores and three franchise locations at December 28, 2013. During the quarter ended December 27, 2014, we added 21 stores and closed seven stores. Year-to-date, we have added 82 stores and closed 18 stores.

We believe that the decline in comparable store sales resulted mainly from the continued weak economic conditions as consumers continued to defer repairs to their vehicles. Comparable store tire, shocks, and exhaust sales, as well as oil changes declined in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. However, other service categories, including brakes and alignments increased on a comparable store basis as compared to the prior year, demonstrating that needed repairs cannot be deferred indefinitely.

Gross profit for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 was $90.2 million or 38.1% of sales as compared with $82.3 million or 38.0% of sales for the quarter ended December 28, 2013. The increase in gross profit for the quarter ended December 27, 2014, as a percentage of sales, is due to a decrease in material costs. Total material costs, including outside purchases, decreased as a percentage of sales as compared to the prior year. This was largely due to lower tire costs and a shift in mix of tires sold to lower cost direct import tires, which carry a higher margin.

Labor costs were relatively flat as a percentage of sales as compared to the prior year through continued focus on payroll control.

Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in distribution and occupancy costs as compared to the comparable period in the prior year. This is due primarily to opening balance sheet lease accounting adjustments recorded in the quarter ended December 28, 2013, which lowered cost of sales by approximately 100 basis points last year. Additionally, we completed the bulk sale of approximately $2.1 million of inventory to a barter company during the quarter ended December 27, 2014, and the margin recognized in these transactions is typically less than our normal profit margin. The barter transaction for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 decreased gross profit as a percentage of sales by .2%.

In addition, excluding the new stores opened in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, gross profit actually improved by approximately 90 basis points as compared to the third quarter of last year.

Gross profit for the nine months ended December 27, 2014 was $269.7 million or 39.9% of sales as compared with $242.9 million or 38.7% of sales for the nine months ended December 28, 2013. The year-to-date increase in gross profit as a percent of sales is largely due to decreased material costs as described above.

Operating expenses for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 were $62.2 million or 26.3% of sales as compared with $55.4 million or 25.6% of sales for the quarter ended December 28, 2013. The increase as a percentage of sales was primarily due to the decline in comparable store sales in the quarter.

For the nine months ended December 27, 2014, operating expenses increased by $14.4 million to $183.4 million from the comparable period of the prior year and increased by .3% of sales. Accounting for the increase were $13.1 million of operating expenses related to new stores opened in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, as well as an increase of $.7 million of due diligence costs compared to the first nine months of the prior year.

Operating income for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 of approximately $28.0 million increased by 3.8% as compared to operating income of approximately $26.9 million for the quarter ended December 28, 2013, and decreased as a percentage of sales from 12.4% to 11.8% for the reasons described above.

Operating income for the nine months ended December 27, 2014 of approximately $86.3 million increased by 16.7% as compared to operating income of approximately $73.9 million for the nine months ended December 28, 2013, and increased as a percentage of sales from 11.8% to 12.8% for the reasons described above.

Net interest expense for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 decreased by approximately $.3 million as compared to the same period in the prior year, and decreased from 1.5% to 1.2% as a percentage of sales for the same periods. The weighted average debt outstanding for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 increased by approximately $83 million as compared to the quarter ended

December 28, 2013. This increase is primarily related to an increase in debt outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility agreement for the purchase of our fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 acquisitions, as well as an increase in capital lease debt recorded in connection with these acquisitions. There was a decrease in the weighted average interest rate of approximately 220 basis points from the prior year primarily due to purchase accounting adjustments for acquisitions recorded in the prior year third quarter, which increased interest expense for the prior year quarter. Without these adjustments, the weighted average interest rate decreased by approximately 30 basis points as compared to the third quarter of last year.

Net interest expense for the nine months ended December 27, 2014 increased by approximately $.8 million as compared to the same period in the prior year, and increased from 1.1% to 1.2% as a percentage of sales for the same periods. Weighted average debt increased by approximately $31 million and the weighted average interest rate decreased by approximately 20 basis points as compared to the same period of the prior year.

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 was 37.4% and 36.3%, respectively, of pre-tax income. The increase in the rate was due to a variety of factors, none of which was individually significant.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 was 37.9% and 36.9%, respectively, of pre-tax income.

Net income for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 of $16.0 million increased 4.3% from net income for the quarter ended December 28, 2013. Earnings per share on a diluted basis for the quarter ended December 27, 2014 of $.49 increased 4.3%.

For the nine months ended December 27, 2014, net income of $49.2 million increased 15.7% and diluted earnings per share of $1.50 increased 14.5%.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Capital Resources

Our primary capital requirements in fiscal 2015 are the upgrading of facilities and systems and the funding of our store expansion program, including potential acquisitions of existing store chains. For the nine months ended December 27, 2014, we spent approximately $109.2 million on these items. Capital requirements were met primarily by cash flow from operations and from our revolving credit facility.

In May 2014, our Board of Directors declared its intention to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.13 per common share or common share equivalent beginning with the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. We paid dividends of $12.6 million during the nine months ended December 27, 2014. However, the declaration of and any determination as to the payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on Monro’s financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, compliance with charter and credit facility restrictions, and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Additionally, we have signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire eight retail tire and automotive repair stores from Martino Tire Stores. This transaction is expected to close prior to the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The acquisition is expected to be financed through our existing bank facility.

We plan to continue to seek suitable acquisition candidates. We believe we have sufficient resources available (including cash flow from operations and bank financing) to expand our business as currently planned for the next twelve months.

Liquidity

In June 2011, we entered into a five-year, $175 million Revolving Credit Facility agreement with seven banks (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility amended and restated, in its entirety, the Credit Facility previously entered into by Monro as of July 2005 and amended from time to time. The Credit Facility also provided an accordion feature permitting us to request an increase in availability of up to an additional $75 million.

In December 2012, the Credit Facility was amended to include the following: the committed sum was increased by $75 million to $250 million; the term was extended for another one and a half years, such that the Facility now expires in December 2017; and the $75 million accordion feature was maintained. There were no other changes in terms including those related to covenants or interest rates. There are now six banks participating in the syndication. There was $146.5 million outstanding under the Credit Facility at December 27, 2014.

Within the Credit Facility, we have a sub-facility of $40 million available for the purpose of issuing standby letters of credit. There was an outstanding letter of credit for $23.7 million at December 27, 2014.

The net availability under the Credit Facility at December 27, 2014 was $79.8 million.

Specific terms of the Credit Facility permit the payment of cash dividends not to exceed 50% of the prior year’s net income, and permit mortgages and specific lease financing arrangements with other parties with certain limitations. Additionally, the Credit Facility is not secured by our real property, although we have agreed not to encumber our real property, with certain permissible exceptions. The agreement also requires the maintenance of specified interest and rent coverage ratios. We were in compliance with all debt covenants at December 27, 2014.

We have financed certain store properties and equipment with capital leases/financing obligations, which amounted to $136.3 million at December 27, 2014 and are due in installments through 2042.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from potential changes in interest rates. At December 27, 2014 and March 29, 2014, approximately 0% and .6%, respectively, of our debt financing, excluding capital leases and financing obligations, was at fixed interest rates and therefore, the fair value is affected by changes in market interest rates. Our cash flow exposure on floating rate debt would result in annual interest expense fluctuations of approximately $1.5 million based upon our debt position at December 27, 2014 and $1.1 million for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2014, given a 1% change in LIBOR.

Debt financing, including current portion, had a carrying amount and a fair value of $146.5 million as of December 27, 2014, as compared to a carrying amount and a fair value of $106.5 million as of March 29, 2014.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Conclusion regarding the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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 Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In conjunction with the close of each fiscal quarter and under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conduct an update, a review and an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. It is the conclusion of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, based upon an evaluation completed as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter reported on herein, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in internal controls over financial reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 27, 2014 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are not a party or subject to any legal proceedings other than certain claims and lawsuits that arise in the normal course of our business. We do not believe that such claims or lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

31.1 – Certification of John W. Van Heel pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002

31.2 – Certification of Catherine D’Amico pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002

32.1 – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002

101.CAL – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.INS – XBRL Instance Document

101.LAB – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

101.SCH – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase

101.DEF – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.


	MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

DATE: February 5, 2015	By:	/s/ John W. Van Heel
		John W. Van Heel
		Chief Executive Officer and President

DATE: February 5, 2015	By:	/s/ Catherine D’Amico
		Catherine D’Amico
		Executive Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.	Description	Page No.

31.1	Certification of John W. Van Heel pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002		20

31.2	Certification of Catherine D’Amico pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002		21

32.1	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002		22

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

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Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

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