Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
 
On May 6, 2019, Better Choice Company, Inc. completed the acquisition, for TruPet LLC (“TruPet”) and Bona Vida Inc. (“Bona Vida”) in a pair of all stock transactions (the “Acquisitions”) through the issuance of 32,332,314 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 of the Company (the “Common Stock”).  Following the completion of the Acquisitions, the business conducted by the Company became primarily the businesses conducted by TruPet and Bona Vida.
 
The Company is the legal acquirer of TruPet and Bona Vida. However, the Acquisitions were treated as a reverse acquisition whereby TruPet acquired the Company and Bona Vida for accounting and financial reporting purposes. As a result, the financial statements for the nine months ending September 30, 2019 are comprised of 1) the results of TruPet for the period between January 1, 2019 and September 30, 2019 and 2) the results of the Company and Bona Vida, after giving effect to the Acquisitions on May 6, 2019 through September 30, 2019. All periods presented prior to the effective date of the Acquisitions are comprised solely of the operations and financial position of TruPet, and therefore, are not directly comparable. TruPet’s equity has been re-cast to reflect the equity structure of Better Choice Company and the shares of Common Stock received in the Acquisitions.
 
References to the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” in this Report, refer to TruPet and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to May 6, 2019 and to Better Choice Company, TruPet and Bona Vida and their consolidated subsidiaries post May 6, 2019.
 
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for quarterly reports and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP).  The financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis subsequent to the Acquisitions and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and operating results have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any subsequent quarters or for the year ending December 31, 2019. The significant accounting policies applied by the Company are described below. We present our tables in U.S. dollars (thousands), numbers in the text in dollars (millions), shares in thousands, and % as rounded up or down.
Going Concern Considerations
Going Concern Considerations
 
The Company is subject to risks common in the pet wellness consumer market including, but not limited to, dependence on key personnel, competitive forces, successful marketing and sale of its products, the successful protection of its proprietary technologies, ability to grow into new markets, compliance with government regulations, and the ability to obtain additional financing when needed. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and payments of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount of and classification of liabilities that may result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. See “Note 22- Going Concern” for more information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits held with banks and highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less at acquisition date. For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company considers all cash accounts that are not subject to withdrawal restrictions or penalties to be cash and cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
Restricted Cash

As part of the line of credit agreement secured with a financial institution, the Company is required to maintain a restricted cash balance of $6.2 million in its account.  Any withdrawals from the account require an equal reduction to the funds available under the line of credit agreement. See “Note 10 – Line of Credit and Due to Related Parties” for more details on the revolving credit agreement.

The Company is also required to maintain a restricted cash balance of less than $0.1 million associated with a business credit card.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable primarily consist of credit card payments receivable from third-party credit card processing companies and unpaid buyer invoices from the Company’s wholesale customers. Accounts receivable is stated at the amount billed to customers, net of point of sale discounts. The Company assesses the collectability of all receivables on an ongoing basis by considering its historical credit loss experience, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors.  Based on this analysis, an allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded. The provision for doubtful accounts is included in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company considers accounts receivable to be fully collectible and, accordingly, no allowance for doubtful accounts was recorded.
Inventories
Inventories

Inventories, primarily consisting of products available for sale and supplies, are valued using the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method and are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on a standard cost basis and includes the purchase price, as well as inbound freight costs and packaging costs.

The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand.  Excess or obsolete reserves are established when inventory is estimated to not be sellable before expiration dates based on forecasted usage, product demand and product life cycle.  Additionally, inventory valuation reflects adjustments for anticipated physical inventory losses, such as shrink, that have occurred since the last physical inventory.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciable lives are as follows:

Furniture and Fixtures
5 to 7 years
Equipment
7 years

Expenditures for normal repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. The cost of property or equipment retired or otherwise disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the property and equipment accounts in the year of disposal with the resulting gain or loss reflected in general and administrative expenses.

The Company assesses potential impairments of its property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment charge would be recognized when the carrying amount of property and equipment is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of property and equipment is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the property and equipment.  No impairment charges have been incurred for property and equipment for any period presented.
License Intangibles
License Intangibles

Intangible assets acquired are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. The Company reviews finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and any not expected to be recovered through undiscounted future net cash flows and assets are written down to current fair value.
 
The Company acquired a licensing agreement for Houndog brand.  The estimated life was six years and was amortized on a straight line basis.   On January 16, 2020, the Company terminated the licensing agreement with Associated Brands Group and Elvis Presley Enterprises, refer to Note 23 Subsequent Events. The Company agreed to (i) pay a termination fee of $0.1 milion in cash on the date of termination, (ii) pay $0.1 million in cash in four equal installment payments between July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2020, (iii) issued 72,720 shares of common stock, and (iv) issued a promissory note of $0.6 million.
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
 
In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (ASC 480), preferred stock issued with redemption provisions that are outside of the control of the Company or that contain certain redemption rights in a deemed liquidation event is required to be presented outside of stockholders’ deficit on the face of the consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s Redeemable Series E Convertible Preferred Stock contain redemption provisions that require it to be presented outside of stockholders’ deficit. Changes in the redemption value of the redeemable convertible preferred stock, if any, are recorded immediately in the period occurred as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheet.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the consolidated financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for loss and credit carryforwards using enacted tax rates anticipated to be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided, if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
 
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that some or all the benefit will more likely than not be realized. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position, as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. As of September 30, 2019, and 2018, the Company does not have any significant uncertain tax positions. If incurred, the Company would classify interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.
Revenue
Revenue

The Company recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods.

In order to recognize revenue, the Company applies the following five (5) steps:


Identify a customer along with a corresponding contract;

Identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract to transfer goods to a customer;

Determine the transaction price the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring promised goods to a customer;

Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation(s) in the contract; and

Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies the performance obligation(s).

TruPet adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, on January 1, 2017. Accordingly all periods presented reflect the recognition of revenue and related disclosures required by ASC 606.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold consists primarily of the cost of product obtained from third-party contract manufacturing plants, packaging materials, CBD oils directly sourced by the Company, and inventory freight for shipping product from third-party contract manufacturing plants to the Company’s warehouse.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses include management and office personnel compensation and bonuses, corporate level information technology related costs, rent, travel, professional service fees, insurance, product development costs, general corporate expenses and outbound shipping.  Shipping costs primarily consist of costs associated with moving finished products to customers through third-party carriers. Shipping costs were $0.6 million and $1.8 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 and $0.6 million and $1.9 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

For direct to consumer customers, the Company may recover shipping costs by charging the customer a shipping fee. In these instances, the Company includes the shipping charges billed to customers in net sales. The amount included in net sales related to such recoveries was $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 and $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, respectively.
Advertising
Advertising

The Company charges advertising costs to expense as incurred and such charges are included in sales and marketing expenses.

Advertising costs, consisting primarily of online advertising, search costs, email advertising, and radio advertising were $1.8 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively and $5.8 million and $3.0 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Research and Development
Research and Development

Research is a planned search or a critical investigation aimed at discovering new knowledge and information with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service (referred to as a “product”) or a new process or technique (referred to as a “process”) or bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process.  Development is the translation of research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or use. It includes the conceptual formulation, design and testing of product alternatives, construction of prototypes and operation of pilot plants.  Research and development costs incurred during both the three and nine month periods months ended September 30, 2019 were less than $0.1 million.  No research and development costs were incurred during the three or nine month periods ended September 30, 2018.
Customer Service and Warehousing
Customer Service and Warehousing

Customer Service and Warehousing include costs associated with storing inventory, customer service and fulfilling customer orders.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

A financial instrument is defined as cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity, or a contract that both:


Imposes on one entity a contractual obligation either:

o
To deliver cash or another financial instrument to a second entity; or

o
To exchange other financial instruments on potentially unfavorable terms with the second entity.

Conveys to that second entity a contractual right either:

o
To receive cash or another financial instrument from the first entity; or

o
To exchange other financial instruments on potentially favorable terms with the first entity.

The Company’s financial instruments recognized on the balance sheets consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, deposits, accounts payable, line of credit, due to related party, accrued and other liabilities, and warrant derivative liability. The warrant derivative liability is measured, due to their short term nature, at fair value each reporting period. The fair values of the remaining financial instruments approximate their carrying values.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company has applied the framework for measuring fair value which requires a fair value hierarchy to be applied to all fair value measurements.  The fair value of the warrant derivative liability is considered a Level 3 financial instrument.

The Company uses applicable guidance for defining fair value, the initial recording and periodic remeasurement of certain assets and liabilities measured at fair value, and related disclosures for instruments measured at fair value. Fair value accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. An instrument’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the instrument’s fair value measurement. The Company measures assets and liabilities using inputs from the following three levels of fair value hierarchy:
 
Level 1 - Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability for which there is little, if any, market activity at the measurement date. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about what market participants would use to price the asset or liability. The inputs are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which may include the Company’s own financial data, such as internally developed pricing models, DCF methodologies, as well as instruments for which the fair value determination requires significant management judgment.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

   
September 30, 2019
 
Dollars in thousands
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
                         
Liabilities
                       
Warrant derivative liability
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,244
   
$
1,244
 
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted loss per share has been determined by dividing the net loss available to common stockholders for the applicable period by the basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding, respectively. Common Stock equivalents and incentive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share when their effect is anti-dilutive.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes a compensation expense for all equity–based payments in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. The Company follows the fair value method of accounting for stock awards granted to employees, directors, officers and consultants. Share-based awards to employees are measured at the fair value of the related share-based awards on grant date. The Company recognizes share-based payment expenses over the vesting period based on the number of awards expected to vest over that period on a straight-line basis. The Company’s share-based compensation awards are subject only to service based vesting conditions. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur.

The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option valuation model. The Black–Scholes option valuation model requires the development of assumptions that are inputs into the model. These assumptions are the expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option and the dividend yield on the underlying stock. Expected volatility is calculated based on the analysis of other public companies within the pet wellness, Internet commerce, and hemp derived CBD sectors. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on continuously compounded risk–free rates for the appropriate term. The expected life is calculated as the mid-point between the vested date and the contractual expiration of the option as it factors in early exercise typically seen with employee options.  The graded vesting period was incorporated into the calculation of the adjusted term.
 
Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards requires the input of the subjective assumptions described above. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods.

The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis. The Company bases its estimates on various assumptions that are believed 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 under different assumptions or conditions.

The Company’s results can also be affected by economic, political, legislative, regulatory and legal actions. Economic conditions, such as recessionary trends, inflation, interest and monetary exchange rates, and government fiscal policies, can have a significant effect on operations. While the Company maintains reserves for anticipated liabilities and carries various levels of insurance, the Company could be affected by civil, criminal, regulatory or administrative actions, claims or proceedings.
 
Significant changes to the key assumptions used in the valuations could result in different fair values of equity instruments at each valuation date.
Segment Information
Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. To date, the Company has viewed its operations and manages its business as one segment operating in the United States of America. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker reviews operating results on an aggregated basis. All the assets and operations of the Company are in the United States.
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies

We may be involved in legal proceedings, claims, and regulatory, tax, or government inquiries and investigations that arise in the ordinary course of business resulting in loss contingencies. We accrue for loss contingencies when losses become probable and are reasonably estimable. If the reasonable estimate of the loss is a range and no amount within the range is a better estimate, the minimum amount of the range is recorded as a liability. Legal costs such as outside counsel fees and expenses are charged to expense in the period incurred and are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

We do not accrue for contingent losses that are considered to be reasonably possible, but not probable; however, we disclose the range of such reasonably possible losses. Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed.

We have entered into lease, royalty and line of credit agreements for which we are committed to pay certain amounts over a period of time.  See Notes 8, 9, and 10.

In connection with the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company identified an error as of  December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, related to an understatement of sales taxes due and payable of $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The error was corrected during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019. The Company believes that the correction of this error is not material to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019.
Reclassification of Prior Period Presentation
Reclassification of Prior Period Presentation

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform the prior period data to the current presentations. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company has reviewed the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), accounting pronouncements and interpretations thereof issued by the FASB that have effective dates during the reporting period and in future periods.

Recently adopted:

Adoption of FASB ASC Topic 842 “Leases”

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (’ FASB’) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842) ” (“ASU 2016-02”), which amends leasing guidance by requiring companies to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating and financing leases with lease terms greater than twelve months. The lease liability is equal to the present value of lease payments. The right-of-use lease asset is based on the lease liability, subject to adjustment for prepaid and deferred rent and tenant incentives. For income statement purposes, leases will continue to be classified as operating or financing with lease expense in both cases calculated substantially the same as under the prior leasing guidance.

The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in recognition of right-of-use assets of $0.4 million and operating lease liabilities of $0.4 million as of January 1, 2019.  The Company adopted the optional transition method that gives companies the option to use the adoption date as the initial application on transition.  Accordingly, results for reporting periods beginning prior to January 1, 2019 continue to be reported in accordance with our historical treatment.  The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows (See “Note 8 – Operating Leases” ).

Adoption of FASB ASU No. 2018-07 “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting”

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07 “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” The amendments in this update expanded the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from non-employees. The requirements of ASC 718 are applied to nonemployee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost. The amendments specify that ASC 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The amendments also clarify that ASC 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.”

The Company is treating the inclusion of share-based payments to non-employees as a change in accounting principle prospectively beginning in the period ending January 1, 2019.  As the Company did not make any share-based payments to non-employees in prior periods, there was no impact on the results of operations in prior periods.

Adoption of ASU 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement”

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Changes to the Disclosure Requirement for Fair Value Measurement” which amends ASC 820 to expand the disclosures required for items subject to Level 3, fair value remeasurement, including the underlying assumptions.  ASU 2018-13 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company has early adopted the disclosures as of January 1, 2019 as permitted under the ASU.   As this standard only requires additional disclosures, there is no financial statement impact of its adoption.

Issued but not Yet Adopted:

ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)”

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326),” a new standard to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2021, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2018-15 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40)”
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40)” to amend ASU 2015-05 in an effort to provide additional guidance on the accounting for costs implementation activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract.  The amendments in this update align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license).  The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the amendments in this update.  The amendments in this update also require the entity to present the expense related to the capitalized implementation costs in the same line item in the statement of income as the fees associated with the hosting element (service) of the arrangement and classify payments for capitalizing implementation costs in the statement of cash flows in the same manner as payments made for fees associated with the hosting element.  The entity is also required to present the capitalized implementation costs in the statement of financial position in the same line item that a prepayment for the fees of the associated hosting arrangement would be presented. The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2021, and early adoption is permitted.  The Company believes that current practices of capitalization vs expensing IT costs are in line with this guidance, however, the amendment will require the Company to change presentation within the statement of cash flows. The Company currently has no internal use software and expects this accounting standard will have no impact on its consolidated financial statements.

The Company has carefully considered other new pronouncements that alter previous generally accepted accounting principles and does not believe that any new or modified principles will have a material impact on the Company’s reported balance sheet or operations in 2019.