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Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Earnings

Posted on: Thursday, 5 October 2006, 09:00 CDT

DURANGO, Colo., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (the "Company"), which franchises gourmet chocolate and confection stores and manufactures an extensive line of premium chocolates and other confectionery products, today reported its operating results for the second quarter and first half of FY2007.

For the three months ended August 31, 2006, revenues increased 3.0 percent to approximately $6.8 million, compared with revenues of approximately $6.6 million in the second quarter of FY2006. Same-store sales at franchised retail outlets decreased 1.1 percent during the most recent quarter, while same-store pounds of products purchased from the Company's factory by franchisees decreased 7.3 percent, when compared with the prior-year period.

Net earnings for the second quarter of FY2007 declined 7.5 percent to $1,040,000, compared with $1,124,000 in the three months ended August 31, 2005. The Company's operating results for the most recent quarter were negatively impacted by the shifting of a large non-retail product shipment from the second quarter last year into the third quarter in FY2007. Also, the Company incurred higher non-cash stock compensation, legal and accounting, and store closing expenses than in the prior-year quarter. Basic and diluted earnings per share totaled $0.17 and $0.17, respectively, in the three months ended August 31, 2006, compared with $0.18 and $0.17, respectively, in the second quarter of FY2006.

For the six months ended August 31, 2006, revenues increased 13.4 percent to approximately $13.5 million, compared with revenues of approximately $11.9 million in the first half of FY2006. Same-store sales at franchised retail outlets decreased 0.1 percent during the first half of FY2007, while same-store pounds of products purchased from the Company's factory by franchisees decreased 3.6 percent, when compared with the prior-year period.

Net earnings rose 5.0 percent to $1,970,000 in the six months ended August 31, 2006, compared with $1,876,000 in the first half of the previous fiscal year. The Company's operating results for the first half of FY2007 were negatively impacted by the shifting of a large non-retail product shipment from the second quarter last year into the third quarter this year, along with higher legal and accounting, non-cash stock compensation and store closing expenses. Basic earnings per share increased 6.7 percent to a record $0.32 in the first half of FY2007, compared with $0.30 in the corresponding period of FY2006. Diluted earnings per share increased 10.7 percent to a record $0.31 in the six months ended August 31, 2006, versus $0.28 in the first half of FY2006.

Total retail sales for the Company's network of stores increased 9.5 percent to approximately $50.8 million in the six months ended August 31, 2006, compared with system-wide sales of approximately $46.4 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.

"The hottest summer in 70 years negatively impacted sales at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in many parts of the U.S., including such key markets as California, Washington and Oregon, and this caused our royalty and marketing revenues and confection sales to franchisees to trail expectations during the second quarter," stated Bryan Merryman, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. "Other items that negatively impacted our earnings comparison during the most recent quarter included costs associated with the closure of two company-operated stores and the shifting of sales to a large specialty market customer from the second into the third quarter this year. Despite lower second quarter earnings, however, net income increased 5.0 percent to record levels on record revenues during the first half of Fiscal 2007."

"With the return of more normal weather patterns, retail store sales have strengthened since mid-August, and this has also been apparent in orders from franchisees for factory-produced chocolates and other confection products," continued Merryman. "Franchised store openings should increase substantially during the second half of Fiscal 2007, and we continue to expect 40 to 45 new store openings for the full year. Based upon information currently available to the Company, we expect strong revenue and earnings comparisons during the third and fourth quarters and remain comfortable with our previous guidance that earnings for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2007 should rise between 17 to 22 percent from the record levels reported in Fiscal 2006."

During the second quarter of FY2007, franchisees opened new stores in Barrie, Ontario; Baton Rouge (Towne Center at Cedar Lodges), Louisiana; Brea, California; Las Vegas (Desert Passage), Nevada; Milford, Connecticut; National City, California; Niagara on the Lake, Ontario; Round Rock, Texas and Seattle (Pioneer Square), Washington. Subsequent to August 31, 2006, franchisees have opened new stores in Eugene, Oregon and Tucson, (Tucson Mall), Arizona.

On May 25, 2006, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors had approved the repurchase of up to an additional $2.0 million of the Company's common stock in the open market, or in private transactions, whenever deemed appropriate by management. The timing of any such transactions will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. To date, the Company has repurchased approximately 34,600 shares of common stock under this authorization.

On September 15, 2006, the Company paid its 13th consecutive quarterly cash dividend, in the amount of $0.08 per share, to shareholders of record September 1, 2006.

The Company will host a conference call today, October 5, 2006 at 4:15 p.m. EDT to discuss second quarter operating results in greater detail and the outlook for the balance of Fiscal 2007. The dial-in number for the conference call is 888-694-4739 (international/local participants dial 973-582-2749), and the access code is 7930152. Parties interested in participating in the conference call should dial in approximately five minutes prior to 4:15 p.m. EDT. The call will also be broadcast live on the Internet at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=35881. A replay of the call will be available through October 12, 2006 by dialing 877-519-4471 (international callers dial 973-341-3080), and the replay Access Code is 7930152. The call will also be archived on the Internet through January 3, 2007 at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=35881.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., headquartered in Durango, Colorado, is an international franchiser of gourmet chocolate and confection stores and a manufacturer of an extensive line of premium chocolates and other confectionery products. As of October 4, 2006, the Company and its franchisees currently operate 308 stores in 39 states, Canada, Guam and the United Arab Emirates. The Company's common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RMCF".

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include, without limitation, seasonality, consumer interest in the Company's products, general economic conditions, consumer trends, costs and availability of raw materials, competition, the effect of government regulations, and other risks. Readers are referred to the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The information contained in this press release is a statement of the Company's present intentions, beliefs or expectations and is based upon, among other things, the existing business environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and the Company's assumptions. The Company may change its intentions, beliefs or expectations at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in its assumptions or otherwise. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this press release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that the Company or persons acting on its behalf may issue.

For Further Information, Contact Bryan J. Merryman COO/CFO (970) 259-0554 STORE INFORMATION New stores opened during the six months ended Stores open as of August 31, 2006 August 31, 2006 United States: Franchised Stores 10 263 Company-owned Stores -- 7 International Licensed Stores 3 36 Total 13 306 INTERIM UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2006 2005 2006 2005 Revenues Factory sales $4,508 $4,294 66.5% 65.2% Royalty and marketing fees 1,362 1,274 20.1% 19.4% Franchise fees 180 200 2.6% 3.0% Retail sales 730 815 10.8% 12.4% Total revenues 6,780 6,583 100.0% 100.0% Costs and Expenses Cost of sales 3,167 3,018 46.7% 45.8% Franchise costs 384 307 5.7% 4.7% Sales and marketing 354 285 5.2% 4.3% General and administrative 586 507 8.6% 7.7% Retail operating 403 473 5.9% 7.2% Depreciation and amortization 226 204 3.4% 3.1% Total costs and expenses 5,120 4,794 75.5% 72.8% Income from Operations 1,660 1,789 24.5% 27.2% Other Income (Expense) Interest expense -- -- -- -- Interest income 12 17 0.2% 0.3% Other, net 12 17 0.2% 0.3% Income Before Income Taxes 1,672 1,806 24.7% 27.5% Provision for Income Taxes 632 683 9.4% 10.4% Net Income $1,040 $1,123 15.3% 17.1% Basic Earnings per Common Share $0.17 $0.18 Diluted Earnings per Common Share $0.17 $0.17 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding 6,079,077 6,270,974 Dilutive Effect of Stock Options 217,699 469,741 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Assuming Dilution 6,296,776 6,740,715 Interim Unaudited STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands, except per share data) Six Months Ended Six Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2006 2005 2006 2005 Revenues Factory sales $9,213 $7,684 68.0% 64.3% Royalty and marketing fees 2,654 2,447 19.6% 20.5% Franchise fees 307 362 2.3% 3.0% Retail sales 1,374 1,457 10.1% 12.2% Total revenues 13,548 11,950 100.0% 100.0% Costs and Expenses Cost of sales 6,503 5,416 48.0% 45.3% Franchise costs 717 645 5.3% 5.4% Sales and marketing 705 591 5.2% 4.9% General and administrative 1,219 1,036 9.0% 8.7% Retail operating 812 862 6.0% 7.2% Depreciation and amortization 461 414 3.4% 3.5% Total costs and expenses 10,417 8,964 76.9% 75.0% Income from Operations 3,131 2,986 23.1% 25.0% Other Income (Expense) Interest expense -- (20) -- (0.2%) Interest income 37 50 0.3% 0.4% Other, net 37 30 0.3% 0.2% Income Before Income Taxes 3,168 3,016 23.4% 25.2% Provision for Income Taxes 1,198 1,140 8.9% 9.5% Net Income 1,970 1,876 14.5% 15.7% Basic Earnings per Common Share $0.32 $0.30 Diluted Earnings per Common Share $0.31 $0.28 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding 6,153,611 6,218,478 Dilutive Effect of Stock Options 236,030 490,423 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Assuming Dilution 6,389,641 6,708,901 SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA (in thousands) August 31, 2006 February 28, 2006 (audited) Current Assets $8,800 $10,440 Total assets $16,985 $19,057 Current Liabilities $3,053 $2,907 Stockholders' Equity $13,269 $15,485

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.

CONTACT: Bryan J. Merryman, COO/CFO of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory,Inc., +1-970-259-0554

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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