NROM Noble Romans Inc - 10-K

Risk Factors

Unresolved Staff Comments

Cybersecurity

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures

PART II

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

[ Reserved ]

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

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

PART III

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART IV

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Form 10-K Summary

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PART 1

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General Information

Noble Roman’s, Inc., an Indiana corporation incorporated in 1972, sells and services franchises and licenses and operates Company-owned stand-alone restaurants and non-traditional foodservice operations under the trade names “Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub,” “Noble Roman’s Pizza,” “Noble Roman’s Take-N-Bake,” and “Tuscano’s Italian Style Subs.” References in this report to the “Company” are to Noble Roman’s, Inc. and its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, RH Roanoke, Inc. and Pizzaco, Inc., unless the context requires otherwise. RH Roanoke, Inc. operates a Company-owned non-traditional location. Pizzaco, Inc. currently is dormant.

The Company has been operating, franchising and licensing Noble Roman’s Pizza operations in a variety of stand-alone and non-traditional locations across the country since 1972. The Company is currently experiencing significant growth in the number of non-traditional franchised locations. See “Noble Roman’s Pizza for Non-Traditional Locations” below for additional information.

The Company’s first Craft Pizza & Pub location opened in 2017 as a Company-operated restaurant in a northern suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana. Since then, the Company opened eight more Company-operated locations between 2017 and 2021. The Company may open additional locations in the future but it has no plans to open any more Company-operated locations at this time. The Company-operated locations serve as the base for what it sees as a significant potential future growth driver, including franchising its full-service restaurant format to experienced, multi-unit restaurant operators with a track record of success.

As discussed below under “Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic” the COVID-19 pandemic materially affected the Company’s franchising operations, beginning when the pandemic emerged during the first quarter of 2020.

Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub

The Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub format incorporates many of the basic elements first introduced in 1972 but in a modern atmosphere with up-to-date baking technology and equipment to maximize speed, enhance quality and continue the taste customers love and expect from a Noble Roman’s.

The Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub provides for a selection of approximately 40 different toppings, cheeses and sauces from which to choose. Beer and wine also are featured, with 16 different beers on tap including both national and local craft selections. Wines include 16 affordably priced options by the bottle or glass in a range of varietals. Beer and wine service is provided at the bar and throughout the dining room.

The Company designed the system to enable fast cook times, with oven speeds set at approximately 3 minutes for traditional pizzas and 5.75 minutes for Sicilian pizzas. Popular pizza favorites such as pepperoni are options on the menu and these locations also offer a selection of Craft Pizza & Pub original pizza creations. The menu also features a selection of contemporary and fresh, made-to-order salads and fresh-cooked pasta. The menu also incorporates baked sub sandwiches, hand-sauced boneless wings and a selection of desserts, as well as Noble Roman’s famous Breadsticks with Delicious Cheese Sauce, most of which has been offered in its locations since 1972. In 2022, new salad bars were rolled out over time across all Company-operated restaurants.

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Additional enhancements include a glass enclosed “Dough Room” where Noble Roman’s Dough Masters hand make all pizza and breadstick dough from scratch in customer view. Kids and adults enjoy Noble Roman’s self-serve root beer tap, which is also part of a special menu for customers 12 and younger. Throughout the dining room and the bar area there are many giant screen television monitors for sports and the nostalgic black and white shorts featured in Noble Roman’s since 1972.

The Company designed its curbside service for carry-out customers, called “Pizza Valet Service,” to create added value and convenience. With Pizza Valet Service, customers place orders ahead, drive into the restaurant’s reserved valet parking spaces and have their pizza run to their vehicle by specially uniformed pizza valets. Customers who pay when they place their orders are able to drive up and leave with their order very quickly without stepping out of their vehicle. With the fast baking times, the entire experience, from order to pick-up can take as little as 12 minutes.

Noble Roman’s Pizza For Non-Traditional Locations

In 1997, the Company started franchising non-traditional locations (a Noble Roman’s pizza operation within some other host business or activity with existing traffic) such as entertainment facilities, hospitals, convenience stores and other types of facilities. These locations utilize the two pizza styles the Company started with in 1972, along with its great tasting, high quality ingredients and menu extensions.

The Company refocused its development plans toward selling more non-traditional franchises to convenience store operators as a result of the Covid pandemic coming to an end and the owners of such locations becoming more willing to look at expansion options and to invest in their growth and profitability.  The focus on selling more non-traditional franchise locations, including several locations with higher-than-average potential volumes, is proceeding, and the Company has a significant backlog of prospects to expand the franchise locations.

For example, in October 2023, the Company entered into a development agreement with Majors Management LLC (“Majors Management”), a convenience store owner with a significant number of convenience stores predominantly located in the southern part of the United States, for 100 franchise locations to be developed prior to September 30, 2026.  Majors Management owns many more locations than the initial locations covered by this development agreement and has indicated that it may expand the Company’s development of new locations with many other locations.  The Company is also expanding with various mid-size chains of convenience stores.

The hallmark of Noble Roman’s Pizza for non-traditional locations is “Superior quality that our customers can taste.”  Every ingredient and process has been designed with a view to produce superior results.

A fully-prepared pizza crust that captures the made-from-scratch pizzeria flavor which gets delivered to non-traditional locations in a shelf-stable condition so that dough handling is no longer an impediment to a consistent product, which otherwise is a challenge in non-traditional locations.

Fresh packed, uncondensed and never cooked sauce made with secret spices and vine-ripened tomatoes in all venues.

100% real cheese blended from mozzarella, Muenster, and oregano, with no additives or extenders.

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100% real meat toppings, with no soy additives or extenders, a distinction compared to many pizza concepts.

Vegetables (like onions and green peppers) and mushrooms for pizzas are sliced and delivered fresh, never canned.

An extended product line that includes breadsticks and cheesy stix with dip, pasta, baked sandwiches, salads, wings and a line of breakfast products.

The fully-prepared crust also forms the basis for the Company’s Take-N-Bake pizza for use as an add-on component for its non-traditional franchise base.

Business Strategy

The Company refocused its development plans toward selling more non-traditional franchises after identify growth opportunities created by the Covid pandemic coming to an end and the owners of potential non-traditional locations becoming more willing to look at expansion options and to invest in their growth. In doing so the Company is maintaining its focus on expansion of revenue while carefully managing corporate-level overhead expenses.

The initial fees for a Noble Roman’s Pizza non-traditional location or a Craft Pizza & Pub location are as follows:

Non-Traditional

Except Hospitals

Non-Traditional

Hospitals

Traditional

Stand-Alone

Either a Noble Roman’s Pizza or Craft Pizza & Pub

(1) With the sale of multiple traditional stand-alone franchises to a single franchisee, the franchise fee for the first unit is $30,000, the franchise fee for the second unit is $25,000 and the franchise fee for the third unit and any additional unit is $20,000 each.

The fees are paid upon signing the franchise agreement and, when paid, are non-refundable in consideration of the administration and other expenses incurred by the Company in granting the franchises.

The Company’s proprietary ingredients used by both Craft Pizza & Pub locations and non-traditional locations are manufactured pursuant to the Company’s recipes and formulas by third-party manufacturers under contracts between the Company and its various manufacturers. These contracts require the manufacturers to produce ingredients meeting the Company’s specifications and to sell them to Company-approved distributors at prices negotiated between the Company and the manufacturer.

The Company utilizes distributors it has strategically identified in areas across the United States where Company-owned and franchise operations are located. The distributor agreements require the distributors to maintain adequate inventories of all ingredients necessary to meet the needs of the Company’s franchisees in their distribution areas for weekly deliveries.

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Competition

The restaurant industry and the retail food industry in general are very competitive with respect to convenience, price, product quality and service. In addition, the Company competes for franchise and license sales on the basis of product engineering and quality, investment cost, cost of sales, distribution, simplicity of operation and labor requirements. Actions by one or more of the Company’s competitors could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to sell additional franchises, maintain and renew existing franchises, or sell its products. Many of the Company’s competitors are very large, internationally established companies.

Within the environment in which the Company competes, management has identified what it believes to be certain competitive advantages for the Company. Many of the Company’s competitors in the non-traditional venue were established with little or no organizational history operating traditional foodservice locations. This lack of operating experience may limit their ability to attract and maintain non-traditional franchisees who, by the nature of the venue, often have little exposure to foodservice operations themselves. The Company’s background in traditional restaurant operations has provided it experience in structuring, planning, marketing, and controlling costs of franchise unit operations which may be of material benefit to franchisees.

The Company’s Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub format competes with similar restaurants in its service area. Some of the competitors are company-owned, some are franchised locations of large chains and others are independently owned. Some of the competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than the Company.

Seasonality of Sales

Inclement or unusually cold winter weather conditions tend to adversely affect sales, especially those of the Craft Pizza & Pubs which are primarily designed for in-store dining and carry-out, which in turn affects Company revenue. Spring weather may also adversely affect sales in Craft Pizza & Pub locations as people first start to spend time outside. Sales of non-traditional franchises may be affected by weather and holiday periods. Non-traditional venue sales may be slower around major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, and during the first quarter of the year. Product sales by the non-traditional franchises are generally slower during the first quarter of the year.

Human Capital

As of March 1, 2025, the Company employed approximately 38 persons full-time and 128 persons on a part-time, hourly basis, of which 12 of the full-time employees are employed in sales and service of the franchise units and 26 in restaurant locations. No employees are covered under a collective bargaining agreement. The Company believes that relations with its employees are good.

Trademarks and Service Marks

The Company owns and protects several trademarks and service marks. Many of these, including NOBLE ROMAN’S®, Noble Roman’s Pizza®, THE BETTER PIZZA PEOPLE®, “Noble Roman’s Take-N-Bake Pizza,” “Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub®,” “Pizza Valet” and “Tuscano’s Italian Style Subs®,” are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as well as with the corresponding agencies of certain other foreign governments. The Company believes that its trademarks and service marks have significant value and are important to its sales and marketing efforts.

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Government Regulation

The Company and its franchisees are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting the operation of the respective businesses. Each location, including the Company’s Craft Pizza & Pub locations, are subject to licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities, which include health, safety, sanitation, building, employment, alcohol and other agencies and ordinances in the state or municipality in which the facility is located. The process of obtaining and maintaining required licenses or approvals can delay or prevent the opening of a location. Vendors, such as third parties that produce and distribute products the Company and its franchisees sell are also licensed and subject to regulation by state and local health and fire codes, and the U. S. Department of Transportation. The Company, its franchisees and vendors are also subject to federal and state environmental regulations, as well as laws and regulations relating to minimum wage and other employment-related matters. The Company is subject to various local, state and/or federal laws requiring disclosure of nutritional and/or ingredient information concerning the Company’s products, its packaging, menu boards and/or other literature. Changes in the laws and rules applicable to the Company or its franchisees, or their interpretation, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The Company is subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and various state agencies pursuant to federal and state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. Several states also regulate aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. The FTC requires the Company to furnish to prospective franchisees a disclosure document containing specified information. Several states also regulate the sale of franchises and require registration of a franchise disclosure document with state authorities. Substantive state laws that regulate the franchisor-franchisee relationship presently exist in a substantial number of states. State laws often limit, among other things, the duration and scope of non-competition provisions and the ability of a franchisor to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise. Some foreign countries also have disclosure requirements and other laws regulating franchising and the franchisor-franchisee relationship, and the Company is subject to applicable laws in each jurisdiction where it seeks to market additional franchised units.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and the Government Response

In the first quarter of 2020, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged and spread throughout the United States. The World Health Organization recognized COVID-19 as a pandemic in March 2020. In response to the pandemic, the U.S. federal government and various state and local governments did, among other things, impose travel and business restrictions, including stay-at-home orders and other guidelines that required restaurants and bars to close or restrict inside dining. The pandemic resulted in significant economic volatility, uncertainty and disruption, reduced commercial activity and weakened economic conditions in the regions in which the Company and its franchisees operate.

Host facilities for the Company’s non-traditional franchises were affected by labor shortages which adversely impacted those developments and in turn slowed the sales of franchises. The largest impact on the Company’s non-traditional franchising segment was that essentially all facilities located inside entertainment centers, including bowling centers, were ordered to close as they were deemed to be high risk of spread of the disease. Though varied by state, generally speaking those locations were required to be closed for up to two years by government order. Often being small businesses and not highly capitalized, most could not withstand that period of being closed and were not able to reopen. However, with the current strategy of focusing the Company’s efforts on well capitalized non-traditional locations, especially in convenience stores, it has successfully replaced those locations with other non-traditional franchise locations and continues to add more.

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The employee retention credit (“ERC”) is a refundable tax credit that businesses may claim on qualified wages paid to employees. The program was introduced in March 2020 in the CARES Act to incentivize employees to keep their employees on their payroll during the pandemic and economic shutdown. The credit applies to all qualified wages, including certain health plan expenses, paid during the period in which the operations were fully or partially suspended due to a government shutdown order or where there was significant cost increases or decline in gross receipts.

When first established under the CARES Act, the tax credit was equal to 50% of the qualified wages an eligible employer paid to employees after March 12, 2020 and before January 1, 2021. The credit was also limited to a maximum annual per employee credit of $5,000. The credit was then extended through June 30, 2021 by the Tax Payer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act (“Relief Act”) (Division EE of the Consolidated Appropriations Act). The Relief Act modified the credit to be 70% of up to $10,000 of qualified wages per quarter in 2021 through June 30, 2021. The program was further extended through December 31, 2021 by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) but was retroactively cut short by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, ending effective September 30, 2021.

During the first quarter of 2023 the Company determined that it was entitled to an ERC of $1.718 million and submitted amended federal Form 941 returns claiming that refund. The ERC refund is treated as a government grant and reduced appropriate expenses for the $1.718 million less expenses for applying for the refund of $258,000 or a net of $1.460 million. This refund applied both to Noble Roman’s, Inc. and its subsidiary, RH Roanoke, Inc. To date, the Company has received all five quarterly refunds for RH Roanoke, Inc. and three refunds for 2020 and one of the two quarterly refunds for 2021 for Noble Roman’s, Inc. In recent communications with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), that was initiated by the Company, the IRS indicated the final refund claim had been received and was still in process but that all ERC refund payments had been delayed due to administrative backlog in processing refunds generally.

Available Information

The Company makes available, free of charge through its Investor Relations website (http://www.nrom.info), access to the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing these reports with, or furnishing them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information on the Company’s investor website is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are outside of its control, and any one or a combination of which could materially affect its results of operations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations are discussed below. Prospective investors should carefully consider these factors before investing in the Company’s securities as well as the information set forth under “Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 7 of this report. These risks and uncertainties include:

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Risks Related to Economic Conditions and Events

Competition from larger companies.

The Company competes with large national companies and numerous regional and local companies for sales and with respect to its Company-owned locations. Many of its competitors have greater financial and other resources than the Company. The restaurant industry in general is intensely competitive with respect to convenience, price, product quality and service. With respect to its non-traditional franchising, the Company believes it has advantages in competing for franchise sales on the basis of several factors, including product engineering and quality, investment cost, cost of sales, distribution, simplicity of operation and labor requirements. Activities of the Company’s competitors though could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to sell additional franchises or licenses or maintain and renew existing franchises or the operating results of the Company’s system.

Dependence on growth strategy.

The Company’s growth strategy includes continuing to sell new franchises and continuing to open the backlog of sold but unopened non-traditional locations. The opening and success of new locations will depend upon various factors, which include: (1) the traffic generated by and viability of the underlying activity or business in non-traditional locations; (2) the continued viability of the Craft Pizza & Pub locations; (3) the ability of the franchisees of either venue to operate their locations effectively; (4) the franchisee's ability to comply with applicable regulatory requirements; and (5) the effect of competition and general economic and business conditions including food and labor costs. Many of the foregoing factors are not within the Company’s control. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve its plans with respect to the opening and/or operation of new franchises of non-traditional locations and/or Craft Pizza & Pub locations.

Risks Related to the Company’s Indebtedness

Ability to service outstanding indebtedness and the dilutive effect of the Company’s outstanding warrants.

As of May 30, 2025, the Company had approximately $7.1 million in principal amount debt obligations. Of that debt, $6.5 million is in the form of a senior secured promissory note (as amended, the “Senior Note”) and $575,000 is in the form of convertible, subordinated, unsecured promissory notes (the “Notes”), each as described below.

In February 2020, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Promissory Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (as amended, the “Agreement”) with Corbel Capital Partners SBIC, L.P. (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company issued to the Purchaser the Senior Note in the initial principal amount of $8.0 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the Agreement as follows: (i) $4.2 million to repay the Company’s then-existing bank debt which was in the original amount of $6.1 million; (ii) $1.275 million to repay the portion of the Company’s outstanding subordinated convertible debt the maturity date of which most had not previously been extended; (iii) payment of debt issuance costs; and (iv) for working capital or other general corporate purposes, including development of new Company-owned Craft Pizza & Pub locations.

The Senior Note, as amended, bears cash interest of SOFR, as defined in the Agreement, plus 9.0% with no PIK interest. Interest is payable in arrears on the last calendar day of each month. The Senior Note, as amended, matures on June 30, 2026. Beginning February 28, 2023, the Senior Note required fixed principal payments in the amount of $33,333 per month during February 2023 and $83,333 per month thereafter until maturity but was amended to $91,667 per month effective May 31, 2025.

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In conjunction with the Senior Note, the Company issued to the Purchaser a warrant (as amended, the “Corbel Warrant”) to purchase up to 2,250,000 shares of Common Stock. The Corbel Warrant, as amended in September 2023 and further amended on April 14, 2025, entitles the Purchaser to purchase from the Company, at any time or from time to time: (i) 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share (“Tranche 1”), (ii) 900,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share (“Tranche 2”), and (iii) 150,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share (“Tranche 3”). Tranche 3 for 150,000 shares of common stock is the only Tranche permitted to be exercised with a cashless exercise. The Purchaser has the right, within six months after the issuance of any shares under the Corbel Warrant, to require the Company to repurchase such shares for cash or for put notes, at the Company's discretion. The Corbel Warrant expires on the tenth anniversary of the date of its issuance.

In conjunction with the Fourth Amendment to the Senior Note the Company issued to the Purchaser an additional Warrant to purchase up to 750,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $.10 per share with a maturity date of five years from date of issuance.

Additionally, the Company previously issued certain units (the “Units”) consisting of a Note in an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 and warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 50,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price of $1.00 per share. Following the refinancing described above, $575,000 in principal amount of Notes and the associated Warrants remain outstanding, however, per the terms of the agreement, the Warrants are re-priced to $0.10 per share. Notes with an outstanding principal balance of $200,000 matured and accompanying Warrants expired January 31, 2023, however a $50,000 of those matured note was repaid to Margaret Huffman with the approval of Corbel and the principal amount of $150,000 cannot be repaid until Corbel’s loan is paid because the Notes are subordinate to such loan. The maturity of the Notes with an outstanding principal balance of $425,000, and accompanying Warrants, have been extended to May 31, 2025 or the repayment of the Senior Secured Loan, whichever comes first.

Risks Related to the Company’s Operations

Dependence on success of franchisees and licensees.

While a portion of its revenues are being generated by Company-owned operations, a growing portion of the Company’s revenues comes from royalties and other fees generated by its franchisees which are independent operators. Their employees are not the Company’s employees. The Company is dependent on the franchisees to accurately report their weekly sales and, consequently, the calculation of royalties. The Company provides training and support to franchisees but the quality of the store operations and collectability of the receivables may be diminished by a number of factors beyond the Company’s control. For example, franchisees may not operate locations in a manner consistent with the Company’s standards and requirements, or may not hire and train qualified managers and other store personnel. If they do not, the Company’s image and reputation may suffer and its revenues could decline. While the Company attempts to ensure that its franchisees maintain the quality of its brand and branded products, franchisees and licensees may take actions that adversely affect the value of the Company’s intellectual property or reputation. Overall inflation, general economic conditions, initiatives to increase the Federal minimum wage and a shortage of available labor could have an adverse financial effect on the franchisees or the Company by increasing labor and other costs.

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Dependence on distributors.

The success of the Company’s license and franchise offerings depends upon the Company’s ability to engage and retain unrelated, third-party distributors. The Company’s distributors collect and remit certain of the Company’s royalties and must reliably stock and deliver products to the Company’s franchisees as well as the Company-owned operations. The Company’s inability to engage and retain quality distributors, or a failure by distributors to perform in accordance with the Company’s standards, could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The COVID-19 pandemic had a materially adverse impact on many of the Company’s then current distributors as well as other potential distributors, especially those located in or servicing states that had or have significant and/or prolonged restrictions. Potential disruptions in distribution could result in distribution service under less favorable terms to the Company and its franchisees. This risk is largely mitigated by the number of distributors in the market from which to choose.

Dependence on consumer preferences and perceptions.

The restaurant industry and the retail food industry are often affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional and local economic conditions, demographic trends, traffic patterns and the type, number and location of competing restaurants. The Company could be substantially adversely affected by publicity resulting from food quality, illness, an infection pandemic, injury, other health concerns or operating issues stemming from one restaurant or retail outlet or a limited number of restaurants and retail outlets.

Interruptions in supply or delivery of food products.

Dependence on frequent deliveries of product from unrelated third-party manufacturers through unrelated third-party distributors also subjects the Company to the risk that shortages or interruptions in supply caused by contractual interruptions, market conditions, inclement weather or other conditions could adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of ingredients. The COVID-19 pandemic created supply chain shortages that adversely impacted the Company’s operations. In addition, factors such as inflation, which has intensified significantly since the beginning of 2021, market conditions for cheese, wheat, meats, paper, labor and other items may also adversely affect the franchisees and, as a result, can adversely affect the Company’s ability to add new franchised locations.

Federal, state and local laws with regard to the operation of the businesses.

The Company is subject to regulation by the FTC and various state agencies pursuant to federal and state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. Several states also regulate aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. The FTC requires the Company to furnish to prospective franchisees a disclosure document containing specified information. Several states also regulate the sale of franchises and require registration of a franchise disclosure document with state authorities. Substantive state laws that regulate the franchisor-franchisee relationship presently exist in a substantial number of states, and bills have been introduced in Congress from time to time that would provide for federal regulation of the franchisor-franchisee relationship in certain respects. The state laws often limit, among other things, the duration and scope of non-competition provisions and the ability of a franchisor to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise. Some foreign countries also have disclosure requirements and other laws regulating franchising and the franchisor-franchisee relationship, and the Company would be subject to applicable laws in each jurisdiction where it seeks to market additional franchise units.

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Each franchise and Company-owned location is subject to licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities, which include health, safety, sanitation, building, alcohol, employment and other agencies and ordinances in the state or municipality in which the facility is located. The process of obtaining and maintaining required licenses or approvals can delay or prevent the opening of a franchise location. Vendors, such as the Company’s third-party production and distribution services, are also licensed and subject to regulation by state and local health and fire codes, and U. S. Department of Transportation regulations. The Company, its franchisees and its vendors are also subject to federal and state environmental regulations. Failure of the Company or its franchisees to comply with these laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on the Company, its operations, financial results or reputation. Additionally, expenses related to compliance with these laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial results.

Risks Related to Human Capital

Dependence on key executives.

The Company’s business has been and will continue to be dependent upon the efforts and abilities of its executive staff generally, and particularly Paul W. Mobley, its Executive Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, and A. Scott Mobley, its President and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of either of their services could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Risks Related to the Company’s Common Stock

Indiana law with regard to purchases of the Company’s stock.

Certain provisions of Indiana law applicable to the Company could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company. Such provisions could also limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of its Common Stock. These provisions include prohibitions against certain business combinations with persons or groups of persons that become “interested shareholders” (persons or groups of persons who are beneficial owners of shares with voting power equal to 10% or more) unless the board of directors approves either the business combination or the acquisition of stock before the person becomes an “interested shareholder.”

Inapplicability of corporate governance standards that apply to companies listed on a national exchange.

The Company’s stock is quoted on the OTCQB, a Nasdaq-sponsored and operated inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities not included on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Company is not subject to the same corporate governance requirements that apply to exchange-listed companies. These requirements include: (1) a majority of independent directors, although the company does have a majority of independent directors; (2) an audit committee of independent directors, instead the Board as a whole acts as the audit committee; and (3) shareholder approval of certain equity compensation plans or equity issuances. As a result, stockholders do not have the same governance protection as they would for a stock traded on a national exchange.

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Thinly traded stock.

The market for the Common Stock is limited, meaning that an investment in the Company’s stock is less liquid than in a stock listed on a national exchange with a higher average trading volume. Because of this, attempts by one or more stockholders of the Company to sell significant amounts of stock may result in an imbalance in the market that materially decreases the trading price of the stock which could continue for an indefinite period of time. Accordingly, the traded price of the stock may not reflect the Company’s equity value. Additionally, there is no assurance that the Company’s stock will continue to be authorized for quotation by the OTCQB or any other market in the future.

Activities of activist group of investors .

In 2023, BTB Brands, Inc. (“BT Brands”) and its CEO and principal shareholder, Gary Copperud (“Copperud”), launched a proxy contest to elect Copperud to the Company’s board of directors at its annual meeting that year. BT Brands, Copperud and Kenneth Brimmer, BT Brands CFO, last reported beneficial ownership as a group of 2.0 million Company shares.

BT Brands, (NASDAQ; BTBD), purports to operate 18 restaurants of various formats. For the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024, BT Brands reported a net loss of $2.3 million (or $.37 per share) on sales of $14.8 million following a year-ended December 31, 2023 net loss of $900,000 after tax benefit of $145,000. BTBD stock price has declined by over 52% over the past 52 weeks and its market capitalization currently is approximately $6.7 million.

Upon review, the Company determined that BT Brands had not complied with the express requirements for a shareholder nomination and had misrepresented its record ownership of the Company’s shares in their submission to the Company for the nomination required under the Company’s By-laws. Accordingly, Copperud was disqualified as a nominee. The Company’s Board determined that Mr. Copperud was not a suitable Board candidate given his background of unsuccessful business ventures and misconduct in pursuing the election contest. BT Brands and Mr. Copperud filed a lawsuit in Federal court and also filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction seeking to require the Company to permit Copperud to stand for election despite admitting that he had not met the requirements to do so. The court denied their request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in part because the court determined they did not have a meaningful likelihood of success on the merits of their underlying claims. The Company has to date incurred more than $200,000 of direct expenses in successfully defending against BT Brands and Copperud. The Company may incur additional expenses if BT Brands or Copperud again takes action the Board determines is not in the best interest of all shareholders.

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

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

PART III

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART IV

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Form 10-K Summary

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PART 1

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General Information

Noble Roman’s, Inc., an Indiana corporation incorporated in 1972, sells and services franchises and licenses and operates Company-owned stand-alone restaurants and non-traditional foodservice operations under the trade names “Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub,” “Noble Roman’s Pizza,” “Noble Roman’s Take-N-Bake,” and “Tuscano’s Italian Style Subs.” References in this report to the “Company” are to Noble Roman’s, Inc. and its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, RH Roanoke, Inc. and Pizzaco, Inc., unless the context requires otherwise. RH Roanoke, Inc. operates a Company-owned non-traditional location. Pizzaco, Inc. currently is dormant.

The Company has been operating, franchising and licensing Noble Roman’s Pizza operations in a variety of stand-alone and non-traditional locations across the country since 1972. The Company is currently experiencing significant growth in the number of non-traditional franchised locations. See “Noble Roman’s Pizza for Non-Traditional Locations” below for additional information.

The Company’s first Craft Pizza & Pub location opened in 2017 as a Company-operated restaurant in a northern suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana. Since then, the Company opened eight more Company-operated locations between 2017 and 2021. The Company may open additional locations in the future but it has no plans to open any more Company-operated locations at this time. The Company-operated locations serve as the base for what it sees as a significant potential future growth driver, including franchising its full-service restaurant format to experienced, multi-unit restaurant operators with a track record of success.

As discussed below under “Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic” the COVID-19 pandemic materially affected the Company’s franchising operations, beginning when the pandemic emerged during the first quarter of 2020.

Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub

The Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub format incorporates many of the basic elements first introduced in 1972 but in a modern atmosphere with up-to-date baking technology and equipment to maximize speed, enhance quality and continue the taste customers love and expect from a Noble Roman’s.

The Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub provides for a selection of approximately 40 different toppings, cheeses and sauces from which to choose. Beer and wine also are featured, with 16 different beers on tap including both national and local craft selections. Wines include 16 affordably priced options by the bottle or glass in a range of varietals. Beer and wine service is provided at the bar and throughout the dining room.

The Company designed the system to enable fast cook times, with oven speeds set at approximately 3 minutes for traditional pizzas and 5.75 minutes for Sicilian pizzas. Popular pizza favorites such as pepperoni are options on the menu and these locations also offer a selection of Craft Pizza & Pub original pizza creations. The menu also features a selection of contemporary and fresh, made-to-order salads and fresh-cooked pasta. The menu also incorporates baked sub sandwiches, hand-sauced boneless wings and a selection of desserts, as well as Noble Roman’s famous Breadsticks with Delicious Cheese Sauce, most of which has been offered in its locations since 1972. In 2022, new salad bars were rolled out over time across all Company-operated restaurants.

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Additional enhancements include a glass enclosed “Dough Room” where Noble Roman’s Dough Masters hand make all pizza and breadstick dough from scratch in customer view. Kids and adults enjoy Noble Roman’s self-serve root beer tap, which is also part of a special menu for customers 12 and younger. Throughout the dining room and the bar area there are many giant screen television monitors for sports and the nostalgic black and white shorts featured in Noble Roman’s since 1972.

The Company designed its curbside service for carry-out customers, called “Pizza Valet Service,” to create added value and convenience. With Pizza Valet Service, customers place orders ahead, drive into the restaurant’s reserved valet parking spaces and have their pizza run to their vehicle by specially uniformed pizza valets. Customers who pay when they place their orders are able to drive up and leave with their order very quickly without stepping out of their vehicle. With the fast baking times, the entire experience, from order to pick-up can take as little as 12 minutes.

Noble Roman’s Pizza For Non-Traditional Locations

In 1997, the Company started franchising non-traditional locations (a Noble Roman’s pizza operation within some other host business or activity with existing traffic) such as entertainment facilities, hospitals, convenience stores and other types of facilities. These locations utilize the two pizza styles the Company started with in 1972, along with its great tasting, high quality ingredients and menu extensions.

The Company refocused its development plans toward selling more non-traditional franchises to convenience store operators as a result of the Covid pandemic coming to an end and the owners of such locations becoming more willing to look at expansion options and to invest in their growth and profitability.  The focus on selling more non-traditional franchise locations, including several locations with higher-than-average potential volumes, is proceeding, and the Company has a significant backlog of prospects to expand the franchise locations.

For example, in October 2023, the Company entered into a development agreement with Majors Management LLC (“Majors Management”), a convenience store owner with a significant number of convenience stores predominantly located in the southern part of the United States, for 100 franchise locations to be developed prior to September 30, 2026.  Majors Management owns many more locations than the initial locations covered by this development agreement and has indicated that it may expand the Company’s development of new locations with many other locations.  The Company is also expanding with various mid-size chains of convenience stores.

The hallmark of Noble Roman’s Pizza for non-traditional locations is “Superior quality that our customers can taste.”  Every ingredient and process has been designed with a view to produce superior results.

A fully-prepared pizza crust that captures the made-from-scratch pizzeria flavor which gets delivered to non-traditional locations in a shelf-stable condition so that dough handling is no longer an impediment to a consistent product, which otherwise is a challenge in non-traditional locations.

Fresh packed, uncondensed and never cooked sauce made with secret spices and vine-ripened tomatoes in all venues.

100% real cheese blended from mozzarella, Muenster, and oregano, with no additives or extenders.

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100% real meat toppings, with no soy additives or extenders, a distinction compared to many pizza concepts.

Vegetables (like onions and green peppers) and mushrooms for pizzas are sliced and delivered fresh, never canned.

An extended product line that includes breadsticks and cheesy stix with dip, pasta, baked sandwiches, salads, wings and a line of breakfast products.

The fully-prepared crust also forms the basis for the Company’s Take-N-Bake pizza for use as an add-on component for its non-traditional franchise base.

Business Strategy

The Company refocused its development plans toward selling more non-traditional franchises after identify growth opportunities created by the Covid pandemic coming to an end and the owners of potential non-traditional locations becoming more willing to look at expansion options and to invest in their growth. In doing so the Company is maintaining its focus on expansion of revenue while carefully managing corporate-level overhead expenses.

The initial fees for a Noble Roman’s Pizza non-traditional location or a Craft Pizza & Pub location are as follows:

Non-Traditional

Except Hospitals

Non-Traditional

Hospitals

Traditional

Stand-Alone

Either a Noble Roman’s Pizza or Craft Pizza & Pub

(1) With the sale of multiple traditional stand-alone franchises to a single franchisee, the franchise fee for the first unit is $30,000, the franchise fee for the second unit is $25,000 and the franchise fee for the third unit and any additional unit is $20,000 each.

The fees are paid upon signing the franchise agreement and, when paid, are non-refundable in consideration of the administration and other expenses incurred by the Company in granting the franchises.

The Company’s proprietary ingredients used by both Craft Pizza & Pub locations and non-traditional locations are manufactured pursuant to the Company’s recipes and formulas by third-party manufacturers under contracts between the Company and its various manufacturers. These contracts require the manufacturers to produce ingredients meeting the Company’s specifications and to sell them to Company-approved distributors at prices negotiated between the Company and the manufacturer.

The Company utilizes distributors it has strategically identified in areas across the United States where Company-owned and franchise operations are located. The distributor agreements require the distributors to maintain adequate inventories of all ingredients necessary to meet the needs of the Company’s franchisees in their distribution areas for weekly deliveries.

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Competition

The restaurant industry and the retail food industry in general are very competitive with respect to convenience, price, product quality and service. In addition, the Company competes for franchise and license sales on the basis of product engineering and quality, investment cost, cost of sales, distribution, simplicity of operation and labor requirements. Actions by one or more of the Company’s competitors could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to sell additional franchises, maintain and renew existing franchises, or sell its products. Many of the Company’s competitors are very large, internationally established companies.

Within the environment in which the Company competes, management has identified what it believes to be certain competitive advantages for the Company. Many of the Company’s competitors in the non-traditional venue were established with little or no organizational history operating traditional foodservice locations. This lack of operating experience may limit their ability to attract and maintain non-traditional franchisees who, by the nature of the venue, often have little exposure to foodservice operations themselves. The Company’s background in traditional restaurant operations has provided it experience in structuring, planning, marketing, and controlling costs of franchise unit operations which may be of material benefit to franchisees.

The Company’s Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub format competes with similar restaurants in its service area. Some of the competitors are company-owned, some are franchised locations of large chains and others are independently owned. Some of the competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than the Company.

Seasonality of Sales

Inclement or unusually cold winter weather conditions tend to adversely affect sales, especially those of the Craft Pizza & Pubs which are primarily designed for in-store dining and carry-out, which in turn affects Company revenue. Spring weather may also adversely affect sales in Craft Pizza & Pub locations as people first start to spend time outside. Sales of non-traditional franchises may be affected by weather and holiday periods. Non-traditional venue sales may be slower around major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, and during the first quarter of the year. Product sales by the non-traditional franchises are generally slower during the first quarter of the year.

Human Capital

As of March 1, 2025, the Company employed approximately 38 persons full-time and 128 persons on a part-time, hourly basis, of which 12 of the full-time employees are employed in sales and service of the franchise units and 26 in restaurant locations. No employees are covered under a collective bargaining agreement. The Company believes that relations with its employees are good.

Trademarks and Service Marks

The Company owns and protects several trademarks and service marks. Many of these, including NOBLE ROMAN’S®, Noble Roman’s Pizza®, THE BETTER PIZZA PEOPLE®, “Noble Roman’s Take-N-Bake Pizza,” “Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub®,” “Pizza Valet” and “Tuscano’s Italian Style Subs®,” are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as well as with the corresponding agencies of certain other foreign governments. The Company believes that its trademarks and service marks have significant value and are important to its sales and marketing efforts.

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Government Regulation

The Company and its franchisees are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting the operation of the respective businesses. Each location, including the Company’s Craft Pizza & Pub locations, are subject to licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities, which include health, safety, sanitation, building, employment, alcohol and other agencies and ordinances in the state or municipality in which the facility is located. The process of obtaining and maintaining required licenses or approvals can delay or prevent the opening of a location. Vendors, such as third parties that produce and distribute products the Company and its franchisees sell are also licensed and subject to regulation by state and local health and fire codes, and the U. S. Department of Transportation. The Company, its franchisees and vendors are also subject to federal and state environmental regulations, as well as laws and regulations relating to minimum wage and other employment-related matters. The Company is subject to various local, state and/or federal laws requiring disclosure of nutritional and/or ingredient information concerning the Company’s products, its packaging, menu boards and/or other literature. Changes in the laws and rules applicable to the Company or its franchisees, or their interpretation, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The Company is subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and various state agencies pursuant to federal and state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. Several states also regulate aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. The FTC requires the Company to furnish to prospective franchisees a disclosure document containing specified information. Several states also regulate the sale of franchises and require registration of a franchise disclosure document with state authorities. Substantive state laws that regulate the franchisor-franchisee relationship presently exist in a substantial number of states. State laws often limit, among other things, the duration and scope of non-competition provisions and the ability of a franchisor to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise. Some foreign countries also have disclosure requirements and other laws regulating franchising and the franchisor-franchisee relationship, and the Company is subject to applicable laws in each jurisdiction where it seeks to market additional franchised units.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and the Government Response

In the first quarter of 2020, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged and spread throughout the United States. The World Health Organization recognized COVID-19 as a pandemic in March 2020. In response to the pandemic, the U.S. federal government and various state and local governments did, among other things, impose travel and business restrictions, including stay-at-home orders and other guidelines that required restaurants and bars to close or restrict inside dining. The pandemic resulted in significant economic volatility, uncertainty and disruption, reduced commercial activity and weakened economic conditions in the regions in which the Company and its franchisees operate.

Host facilities for the Company’s non-traditional franchises were affected by labor shortages which adversely impacted those developments and in turn slowed the sales of franchises. The largest impact on the Company’s non-traditional franchising segment was that essentially all facilities located inside entertainment centers, including bowling centers, were ordered to close as they were deemed to be high risk of spread of the disease. Though varied by state, generally speaking those locations were required to be closed for up to two years by government order. Often being small businesses and not highly capitalized, most could not withstand that period of being closed and were not able to reopen. However, with the current strategy of focusing the Company’s efforts on well capitalized non-traditional locations, especially in convenience stores, it has successfully replaced those locations with other non-traditional franchise locations and continues to add more.

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The employee retention credit (“ERC”) is a refundable tax credit that businesses may claim on qualified wages paid to employees. The program was introduced in March 2020 in the CARES Act to incentivize employees to keep their employees on their payroll during the pandemic and economic shutdown. The credit applies to all qualified wages, including certain health plan expenses, paid during the period in which the operations were fully or partially suspended due to a government shutdown order or where there was significant cost increases or decline in gross receipts.

When first established under the CARES Act, the tax credit was equal to 50% of the qualified wages an eligible employer paid to employees after March 12, 2020 and before January 1, 2021. The credit was also limited to a maximum annual per employee credit of $5,000. The credit was then extended through June 30, 2021 by the Tax Payer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act (“Relief Act”) (Division EE of the Consolidated Appropriations Act). The Relief Act modified the credit to be 70% of up to $10,000 of qualified wages per quarter in 2021 through June 30, 2021. The program was further extended through December 31, 2021 by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) but was retroactively cut short by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, ending effective September 30, 2021.

During the first quarter of 2023 the Company determined that it was entitled to an ERC of $1.718 million and submitted amended federal Form 941 returns claiming that refund. The ERC refund is treated as a government grant and reduced appropriate expenses for the $1.718 million less expenses for applying for the refund of $258,000 or a net of $1.460 million. This refund applied both to Noble Roman’s, Inc. and its subsidiary, RH Roanoke, Inc. To date, the Company has received all five quarterly refunds for RH Roanoke, Inc. and three refunds for 2020 and one of the two quarterly refunds for 2021 for Noble Roman’s, Inc. In recent communications with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), that was initiated by the Company, the IRS indicated the final refund claim had been received and was still in process but that all ERC refund payments had been delayed due to administrative backlog in processing refunds generally.

Available Information

The Company makes available, free of charge through its Investor Relations website (http://www.nrom.info), access to the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing these reports with, or furnishing them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information on the Company’s investor website is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are outside of its control, and any one or a combination of which could materially affect its results of operations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations are discussed below. Prospective investors should carefully consider these factors before investing in the Company’s securities as well as the information set forth under “Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 7 of this report. These risks and uncertainties include:

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Risks Related to Economic Conditions and Events

Competition from larger companies.

The Company competes with large national companies and numerous regional and local companies for sales and with respect to its Company-owned locations. Many of its competitors have greater financial and other resources than the Company. The restaurant industry in general is intensely competitive with respect to convenience, price, product quality and service. With respect to its non-traditional franchising, the Company believes it has advantages in competing for franchise sales on the basis of several factors, including product engineering and quality, investment cost, cost of sales, distribution, simplicity of operation and labor requirements. Activities of the Company’s competitors though could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to sell additional franchises or licenses or maintain and renew existing franchises or the operating results of the Company’s system.

Dependence on growth strategy.

The Company’s growth strategy includes continuing to sell new franchises and continuing to open the backlog of sold but unopened non-traditional locations. The opening and success of new locations will depend upon various factors, which include: (1) the traffic generated by and viability of the underlying activity or business in non-traditional locations; (2) the continued viability of the Craft Pizza & Pub locations; (3) the ability of the franchisees of either venue to operate their locations effectively; (4) the franchisee's ability to comply with applicable regulatory requirements; and (5) the effect of competition and general economic and business conditions including food and labor costs. Many of the foregoing factors are not within the Company’s control. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve its plans with respect to the opening and/or operation of new franchises of non-traditional locations and/or Craft Pizza & Pub locations.

Risks Related to the Company’s Indebtedness

Ability to service outstanding indebtedness and the dilutive effect of the Company’s outstanding warrants.

As of May 30, 2025, the Company had approximately $7.1 million in principal amount debt obligations. Of that debt, $6.5 million is in the form of a senior secured promissory note (as amended, the “Senior Note”) and $575,000 is in the form of convertible, subordinated, unsecured promissory notes (the “Notes”), each as described below.

In February 2020, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Promissory Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (as amended, the “Agreement”) with Corbel Capital Partners SBIC, L.P. (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company issued to the Purchaser the Senior Note in the initial principal amount of $8.0 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the Agreement as follows: (i) $4.2 million to repay the Company’s then-existing bank debt which was in the original amount of $6.1 million; (ii) $1.275 million to repay the portion of the Company’s outstanding subordinated convertible debt the maturity date of which most had not previously been extended; (iii) payment of debt issuance costs; and (iv) for working capital or other general corporate purposes, including development of new Company-owned Craft Pizza & Pub locations.

The Senior Note, as amended, bears cash interest of SOFR, as defined in the Agreement, plus 9.0% with no PIK interest. Interest is payable in arrears on the last calendar day of each month. The Senior Note, as amended, matures on June 30, 2026. Beginning February 28, 2023, the Senior Note required fixed principal payments in the amount of $33,333 per month during February 2023 and $83,333 per month thereafter until maturity but was amended to $91,667 per month effective May 31, 2025.

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In conjunction with the Senior Note, the Company issued to the Purchaser a warrant (as amended, the “Corbel Warrant”) to purchase up to 2,250,000 shares of Common Stock. The Corbel Warrant, as amended in September 2023 and further amended on April 14, 2025, entitles the Purchaser to purchase from the Company, at any time or from time to time: (i) 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share (“Tranche 1”), (ii) 900,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share (“Tranche 2”), and (iii) 150,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share (“Tranche 3”). Tranche 3 for 150,000 shares of common stock is the only Tranche permitted to be exercised with a cashless exercise. The Purchaser has the right, within six months after the issuance of any shares under the Corbel Warrant, to require the Company to repurchase such shares for cash or for put notes, at the Company's discretion. The Corbel Warrant expires on the tenth anniversary of the date of its issuance.

In conjunction with the Fourth Amendment to the Senior Note the Company issued to the Purchaser an additional Warrant to purchase up to 750,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $.10 per share with a maturity date of five years from date of issuance.

Additionally, the Company previously issued certain units (the “Units”) consisting of a Note in an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 and warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 50,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price of $1.00 per share. Following the refinancing described above, $575,000 in principal amount of Notes and the associated Warrants remain outstanding, however, per the terms of the agreement, the Warrants are re-priced to $0.10 per share. Notes with an outstanding principal balance of $200,000 matured and accompanying Warrants expired January 31, 2023, however a $50,000 of those matured note was repaid to Margaret Huffman with the approval of Corbel and the principal amount of $150,000 cannot be repaid until Corbel’s loan is paid because the Notes are subordinate to such loan. The maturity of the Notes with an outstanding principal balance of $425,000, and accompanying Warrants, have been extended to May 31, 2025 or the repayment of the Senior Secured Loan, whichever comes first.

Risks Related to the Company’s Operations

Dependence on success of franchisees and licensees.

While a portion of its revenues are being generated by Company-owned operations, a growing portion of the Company’s revenues comes from royalties and other fees generated by its franchisees which are independent operators. Their employees are not the Company’s employees. The Company is dependent on the franchisees to accurately report their weekly sales and, consequently, the calculation of royalties. The Company provides training and support to franchisees but the quality of the store operations and collectability of the receivables may be diminished by a number of factors beyond the Company’s control. For example, franchisees may not operate locations in a manner consistent with the Company’s standards and requirements, or may not hire and train qualified managers and other store personnel. If they do not, the Company’s image and reputation may suffer and its revenues could decline. While the Company attempts to ensure that its franchisees maintain the quality of its brand and branded products, franchisees and licensees may take actions that adversely affect the value of the Company’s intellectual property or reputation. Overall inflation, general economic conditions, initiatives to increase the Federal minimum wage and a shortage of available labor could have an adverse financial effect on the franchisees or the Company by increasing labor and other costs.

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Dependence on distributors.

The success of the Company’s license and franchise offerings depends upon the Company’s ability to engage and retain unrelated, third-party distributors. The Company’s distributors collect and remit certain of the Company’s royalties and must reliably stock and deliver products to the Company’s franchisees as well as the Company-owned operations. The Company’s inability to engage and retain quality distributors, or a failure by distributors to perform in accordance with the Company’s standards, could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The COVID-19 pandemic had a materially adverse impact on many of the Company’s then current distributors as well as other potential distributors, especially those located in or servicing states that had or have significant and/or prolonged restrictions. Potential disruptions in distribution could result in distribution service under less favorable terms to the Company and its franchisees. This risk is largely mitigated by the number of distributors in the market from which to choose.

Dependence on consumer preferences and perceptions.

The restaurant industry and the retail food industry are often affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional and local economic conditions, demographic trends, traffic patterns and the type, number and location of competing restaurants. The Company could be substantially adversely affected by publicity resulting from food quality, illness, an infection pandemic, injury, other health concerns or operating issues stemming from one restaurant or retail outlet or a limited number of restaurants and retail outlets.

Interruptions in supply or delivery of food products.

Dependence on frequent deliveries of product from unrelated third-party manufacturers through unrelated third-party distributors also subjects the Company to the risk that shortages or interruptions in supply caused by contractual interruptions, market conditions, inclement weather or other conditions could adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of ingredients. The COVID-19 pandemic created supply chain shortages that adversely impacted the Company’s operations. In addition, factors such as inflation, which has intensified significantly since the beginning of 2021, market conditions for cheese, wheat, meats, paper, labor and other items may also adversely affect the franchisees and, as a result, can adversely affect the Company’s ability to add new franchised locations.

Federal, state and local laws with regard to the operation of the businesses.

The Company is subject to regulation by the FTC and various state agencies pursuant to federal and state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. Several states also regulate aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. The FTC requires the Company to furnish to prospective franchisees a disclosure document containing specified information. Several states also regulate the sale of franchises and require registration of a franchise disclosure document with state authorities. Substantive state laws that regulate the franchisor-franchisee relationship presently exist in a substantial number of states, and bills have been introduced in Congress from time to time that would provide for federal regulation of the franchisor-franchisee relationship in certain respects. The state laws often limit, among other things, the duration and scope of non-competition provisions and the ability of a franchisor to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise. Some foreign countries also have disclosure requirements and other laws regulating franchising and the franchisor-franchisee relationship, and the Company would be subject to applicable laws in each jurisdiction where it seeks to market additional franchise units.

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Each franchise and Company-owned location is subject to licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities, which include health, safety, sanitation, building, alcohol, employment and other agencies and ordinances in the state or municipality in which the facility is located. The process of obtaining and maintaining required licenses or approvals can delay or prevent the opening of a franchise location. Vendors, such as the Company’s third-party production and distribution services, are also licensed and subject to regulation by state and local health and fire codes, and U. S. Department of Transportation regulations. The Company, its franchisees and its vendors are also subject to federal and state environmental regulations. Failure of the Company or its franchisees to comply with these laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on the Company, its operations, financial results or reputation. Additionally, expenses related to compliance with these laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial results.

Risks Related to Human Capital

Dependence on key executives.

The Company’s business has been and will continue to be dependent upon the efforts and abilities of its executive staff generally, and particularly Paul W. Mobley, its Executive Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, and A. Scott Mobley, its President and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of either of their services could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Risks Related to the Company’s Common Stock

Indiana law with regard to purchases of the Company’s stock.

Certain provisions of Indiana law applicable to the Company could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company. Such provisions could also limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of its Common Stock. These provisions include prohibitions against certain business combinations with persons or groups of persons that become “interested shareholders” (persons or groups of persons who are beneficial owners of shares with voting power equal to 10% or more) unless the board of directors approves either the business combination or the acquisition of stock before the person becomes an “interested shareholder.”

Inapplicability of corporate governance standards that apply to companies listed on a national exchange.

The Company’s stock is quoted on the OTCQB, a Nasdaq-sponsored and operated inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities not included on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Company is not subject to the same corporate governance requirements that apply to exchange-listed companies. These requirements include: (1) a majority of independent directors, although the company does have a majority of independent directors; (2) an audit committee of independent directors, instead the Board as a whole acts as the audit committee; and (3) shareholder approval of certain equity compensation plans or equity issuances. As a result, stockholders do not have the same governance protection as they would for a stock traded on a national exchange.

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Thinly traded stock.

The market for the Common Stock is limited, meaning that an investment in the Company’s stock is less liquid than in a stock listed on a national exchange with a higher average trading volume. Because of this, attempts by one or more stockholders of the Company to sell significant amounts of stock may result in an imbalance in the market that materially decreases the trading price of the stock which could continue for an indefinite period of time. Accordingly, the traded price of the stock may not reflect the Company’s equity value. Additionally, there is no assurance that the Company’s stock will continue to be authorized for quotation by the OTCQB or any other market in the future.

Activities of activist group of investors .

In 2023, BTB Brands, Inc. (“BT Brands”) and its CEO and principal shareholder, Gary Copperud (“Copperud”), launched a proxy contest to elect Copperud to the Company’s board of directors at its annual meeting that year. BT Brands, Copperud and Kenneth Brimmer, BT Brands CFO, last reported beneficial ownership as a group of 2.0 million Company shares.

BT Brands, (NASDAQ; BTBD), purports to operate 18 restaurants of various formats. For the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024, BT Brands reported a net loss of $2.3 million (or $.37 per share) on sales of $14.8 million following a year-ended December 31, 2023 net loss of $900,000 after tax benefit of $145,000. BTBD stock price has declined by over 52% over the past 52 weeks and its market capitalization currently is approximately $6.7 million.

Upon review, the Company determined that BT Brands had not complied with the express requirements for a shareholder nomination and had misrepresented its record ownership of the Company’s shares in their submission to the Company for the nomination required under the Company’s By-laws. Accordingly, Copperud was disqualified as a nominee. The Company’s Board determined that Mr. Copperud was not a suitable Board candidate given his background of unsuccessful business ventures and misconduct in pursuing the election contest. BT Brands and Mr. Copperud filed a lawsuit in Federal court and also filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction seeking to require the Company to permit Copperud to stand for election despite admitting that he had not met the requirements to do so. The court denied their request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in part because the court determined they did not have a meaningful likelihood of success on the merits of their underlying claims. The Company has to date incurred more than $200,000 of direct expenses in successfully defending against BT Brands and Copperud. The Company may incur additional expenses if BT Brands or Copperud again takes action the Board determines is not in the best interest of all shareholders.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM IC. CYBERSECURITY

In many areas, the Company is dependent upon computer systems, devices and communications networks to efficiently collect, process and store data necessary to conduct many aspects of its business. For example, the Company:

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collects and processes transactions in its Craft Pizza & Pub locations using point-of-purchase equipment

transmits credit card information from customers through credit/debit card processing terminals in its Craft Pizza & Pub locations

collects, transmits and stores personnel data relating to employment and payroll

collects and transmits data related to employee health insurance enrollments

collects, stores and uses customer data in a voluntary email program for marketing purposes – this data is limited to names, email addresses and other very limited information such as restaurant location preference

the collection and processing of sales and royalty information from franchisees, and the frequent execution of ACH transactions to collect those royalties

This list is not exhaustive and is only meant to provide examples of the types of information the Company collects, stores and processes directly. Additionally, the Company uses third parties to assist in some services, such as health insurance, third-party home delivery services and third-party web ordering services. These third parties are also subject to cybersecurity risks , and the Company can have no assurance that their cybersecurity measures would prevent security threats from being successful.

The Company recognizes the importance of protecting both its information and operations from threats that could disrupt its business or compromise the Company’s customer, franchisee and employee data. the Company’s cybersecurity is implemented and maintained using security procedures, hardware, software and services that are reviewed and updated as needed on a periodic basis. The Company retains the professional services of a long-established and local information technology (“IT”) company on retainer to assist it with IT issues of various kinds, including the maintenance or upgrade of corporate-level IT hardware, security, data back-up and recovery, etc.

As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company is not aware of any previous cybersecurity breaches that have materially affected the Company. However, the Company acknowledges that cybersecurity threats are continually proliferating and evolving, and the possibility of future cybersecurity incidents remains. Security measures cannot guarantee that a significant cybersecurity attack will not occur. While the Company intends to devote increasing resources to its cybersecurity measures beyond those currently in place and designed to protect systems and information, no security measure is infallible. As discussed, the Company relies on many third parties for various aspects of its data collection, processing and storage, and thus also relies on those third parties to provide continuing cybersecurity but does not control their ability to do so.

The Company’s management, with the input of the Company employees as well as external experts, who may be consulted from time to time, will report on the Company’s cybersecurity efforts to the entire Board of Directors on a periodic basis.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company owns no real property. Its headquarters are located in 8,088 square feet of leased office space in Indianapolis, Indiana. The lease for this property expires in April 2029.

The Company also leases space for its Company-owned restaurants in Westfield, Indiana which expires in January 2027, in Whitestown, Indiana which expires in November 2027, in Fishers, Indiana which expires in January 2028, in Carmel, Indiana which expires in June 2028, in Brownsburg, Indiana which expires October 2030, in Greenwood, Indiana which expires in October 2030, in McCordsville, Indiana which expires in February 2031, in Indianapolis, Indiana which expires in October 2031, and in Franklin, Indiana which expires in February 2032. The Company’s lender holds a security interest in the leasehold interest.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company, from time to time, is or may become involved in litigation or regulatory proceedings arising out of its normal business operations.

Currently, there are no such pending proceedings which the Company considers to be material.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

The Company’s Common Stock is included on the Nasdaq OTCQB and trades under the symbol “NROM”. The over-the-counter market quotations on the Nasdaq OTCQB reflect inter-dealer prices without retail markup, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

Holders of Record

As of March 7, 2025, there were approximately 200 holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock. This excludes persons whose shares are held of record by a bank, brokerage house or clearing agency.

Dividends

The Company has never declared or paid dividends on its Common Stock. The Company’s current loan agreement, as described in Note 6 of the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report, prohibits the payment of dividends on Common Stock.

Sale of Unregistered Securities

None.

Repurchases of Equity Securities

None.

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2024 with respect to the shares of the Company’s Common Stock that may be issued under its existing equity compensation plan.

Plan Category

Number of Securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

Total

(1) The Company may grant additional options under the employee stock option plan. There is no maximum number of shares available for issuance under the employee stock option plan.

The Company maintains an employee stock option plan for its employees, officers and directors. Any employee, officer and director of the Company is eligible to be awarded options under the plan. The employee stock option plan provides that any options issued pursuant to the plan will generally have a three-year vesting period and will expire ten years after the date of grant. Awards under the plan are periodically made at the recommendation of the Executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer and authorized by the Board of Directors. The employee stock option plan does not limit the number of shares that may be issued under the plan.

ITEM 6. RESERVED

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Introduction

The Company currently owns and operates nine Craft Pizza & Pub locations and one non-traditional location in a hospital. Craft Pizza & Pub is designed to have a fun, pleasant atmosphere serving pizza and other related menu items, all made fresh using fresh ingredients in the view of the customers for inside dining and offers Pizza Valet service for a quick, easy and fun way to provide carry-out for those customers who want to dine elsewhere. These units operate under the trade name “Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub”.

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The Company also sells and services franchises and licenses for non-traditional foodservice operations under the trade names “Noble Roman’s Pizza” and “Noble Roman’s Take-N-Bake.”  The non-traditional concepts’ hallmarks include high quality pizza along with other related menu items, simple operating systems, fast service times, labor-minimizing operations, attractive food costs and overall affordability.

During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2024 there were no company-operated or franchised Craft Pizza & Pub restaurants opened or closed.  During the same 12-month period there were 68 new non-traditional outlets opened and 10 non-traditional outlets closed.

The Company, at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024, reported deferred tax assets on its balance sheet totaling $3.5 million.  Based on the Company’s review of its available tax credits the Company believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be utilized prior to their expiration.

Financial Summary

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.  The Company evaluates the carrying values of its assets, including property, equipment and related costs, accounts receivable and deferred tax assets, periodically to assess whether any impairment indications are present due to (among other factors) recurring operating losses, significant adverse legal developments, competition, changes in demand for the Company’s products or changes in the business climate that affect the recovery of recorded values.  If any impairment of an individual asset is evident, a charge will be recorded to reduce the carrying value to its estimated fair value.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Data

Noble Roman’s, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Years Ended December 31,

Revenue:

Restaurant revenue – company-owned restaurants

Restaurant revenue –company-owned non-traditional

Franchising revenue

Administrative fees and other

Total revenue

Operating expenses:

Restaurant expenses – company-owned restaurants

Restaurant expenses – company-owned non-traditional

Franchising expenses

Total operating expenses

Depreciation and amortization

General and administrative expenses

Defense against activist shareholder

Total expenses

Operating income

Interest expense

Change in fair value of warrants

Income (loss) before income taxes

Income tax (benefit)

Net income (loss) (1)

The net income from 2023 includes a refund of certain expenses under the ERC program in the amount of $1.460 million. See further explanation in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

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The following table sets forth the revenue, expense and margin contribution of the Company's Craft Pizza & Pub locations and the percent relationship to its revenue:

Description

Year Ended December 31,

Revenue

Cost of sales

Salaries and wages

Facility cost including rent, common area and utilities

Packaging

All other operating expenses

Total expenses

Margin contribution

The following table sets forth the revenue, expense and margin contribution of the Company's franchising venue and the percent relationship to its revenue:

Description

Year Ended December 31,

Royalties and fees franchising

Salaries and wages

Franchisee promotion expense

Travel and auto

All other operating expenses (benefit) (1)

Total expenses

Margin contribution

(1) All other expenses in franchising for 2023 are shown as a large negative resulting from the ERC refund for various expenses were not separated between other categories except some of the refund were allocated to general and administrative expenses.

The following table sets forth the revenue, expense and margin contribution of the Company-owned non-traditional venue and the percent relationship to its revenue:

Description

Year Ended December 31,

Revenue

Total expenses (1)

Margin contribution (2)

Total expenses in 2023 were reduced by the ERC credit of $84,935.

Total revenue in 2024 was reduced by having to move the retail operation in the hospital to a temporary location offering limited menu and operating limited hours for approximately 60 days while the regular location was being remodeled.

Results of Operations

Company-Owned Craft Pizza & Pub

The Company-owned Craft Pizza & Pub locations generate revenue from retail sales to  customers primarily from inside dining and carry-out, in addition to a lesser percentage from third-party delivery fulfillment.  The revenue is recognized when the product is provided to the customer or to the third-party delivery companies.

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The revenue from this venue decreased from $8.7 million in 2023 to $8.6 million in 2024.  The primary reason for the decrease was same store sales reduction as a result of the general economy, high gas prices, high consumer credit card balances and a decrease in disposable income on the part of local consumers.  This decrease was primarily during the first half of the year.

The cost of sales as a percentage of revenue increased from 20.5% in 2023 to 21.2% in 2024.  The increase was the result of more aggressive promotional efforts to offset the economic environment, and because of inflationary pressures on many ingredients (especially higher than normal cheese prices, the main ingredient cost in a pizza) partially offset by stricter controls and efficiency built into the production areas.

Salaries and wages as a percentage of revenue decreased from 29.1% in 2023 to 28.9% in 2024.  The decrease was the result of scheduling efficiencies and relatively stable restaurant management, despite the significant increase over time in local wage and salary rates.

Facility costs, including rent, common area maintenance and utilities, as a percentage of revenue increased from 18.1% to 18.6% of revenue in 2023 compared to 2024.  The primary reasons for the increase was a slight decline in sales volumes and increases in other operating rent costs as well as utility costs due to energy price increases.

All other operating costs including packaging increased as a percentage of revenue from 21.6% in 2023 to 22.1% in 2024.  The increase was the result of general inflationary pressure on substantially all costs of operations.

Gross margin contribution decreased from 10.6% in 2023 to 9.1% in 2024.  The decrease in margin largely occurred in the first quarter.  Economic pressures on consumer spending, particularly high gas prices, general inflation, and high credit card balances, at that time negatively impacted customer counts, which was partially offset by the slight increase in operating efficiency and labor cost.

Same store sales for the Company-owned Craft Pizza & Pub restaurants were up 2.9% in the 4 th quarter of 2024 versus the 4 th quarter of 2023.

Franchising Revenue and Expense

Franchise revenue consists of initial franchise fee, royalties generated by the 7% of sales by franchisees, which are mostly collected by ACH on the franchisee’s accounts on a weekly basis from sales reports received from the franchisees, commissions on equipment sales, where the company assists the franchisees in arranging the purchase of equipment, and manufacturing allowances based on the volume of product used.  Total revenue from this venue increased from $4.7 million in 2023 to $5.6 million in 2024.  The increase in revenue from this venue resulted from the opening of approximately 68 more non-traditional locations as a result of changing market conditions and management of convenience stores and travel plazas having the confidence to invest in order to increase their margins and profitability.  In late 2023 the Company also entered into a 100-unit development agreement, to be developed over the next three years, with an existing chain with a significant presence in the southern third of the United States.  In addition, the Company is attracting franchise locations with other mid-size chains of convenience stores and travel plazas.

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It is difficult to compare the results of operations of this venue between 2023 and 2024 because in 2023 the Company recorded a net adjustment from the ERC refund by reducing various operating expenses of this venue by $1,460,444 as well as reducing general and administrative expenses by $205,156. Even though it is not comparable to 2023, as stated above, the Company increased revenue from $4.7 million to $5.6 million and maintained expenses of this venue to 30.6% of revenue generated for a margin of 69.4% of revenue. The infrastructure and overhead required to accommodate new growth in this venue should be minimal in relation to the revenue generated from such growth, so the margin is expected to increase.

Company-Owned Non-Traditional Locations

Gross revenue from this venue increased from $935,000 in 2023 to $954,000 in 2024. This venue consists of one location in a hospital. The operation was removed from its normal location to a temporary location with very limited menu and limited hours during the remodel phase of that section of the hospital for a lengthy time during 2024. At the same time the remodel was going on, the hospital was adding a new wing which expands its occupancy capabilities significantly. After that work was completed and the location was moved back to its previous location and the new wing of the hospital was opened, the run rate of sales has increased by approximately 33%. The Company does not intend to operate any more Company-owned non-traditional locations in addition to the one location that is currently being operated.

Corporate Expenses

Depreciation and amortization was approximately $380,000 in 2023 and $499,648 in 2024. The Company has not opened any new Craft Pizza & Pub locations since 2021, therefore the depreciation has remained generally consistent year over year from current operations, however it was detected that $113,365 of equipment was transferred to various company-owned CPP locations which did not get appropriately transferred and therefore did not get depreciated but the depreciation is now recorded in 2024.

General and administrative expenses increased from $1.5 million in 2023 to $2.6 million in 2024. As explained above in the discussion of franchise revenue and expense, these amounts are not comparable because a substantial portion of the general and administrative expenses were reduced by recording the ERC refund in 2023.

Interest expense decreased in 2023 compared to 2024 from $1.7 million to $1.6 million. The Company reduced principal on the Senior Note by $83,333 per month, however the Senior Note required 3% PIK interest on the loan balance outstanding each month which adds to the principal balance of the Senior -Note. As a result of a recent amendment to the Senior Note, cash interest will now be SOFR plus 9.0% and there will be no PIK interest adding to the loan balance outstanding.

Direct expenses to defend against an activist shareholder were $35,000 in 2024 compared to $168,000 in 2023. Shortly before the 2023 annual meeting, BT Brands filed a lawsuit against the Company and its Directors. Additionally, BT Brands filed motions for a temporary restraining and for a preliminary injunction. The court denied both of BT Brands’ motions, in part because the Judge believed the Plaintiff’s claims in the underlying lawsuit likely not be successful on the merits. As a result, BT Brands voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit in September 2023.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s current ratio was .91-to-1 as of December 31, 2024 compared to 1.1-to-1 as of December 31, 2023. As a result of the amendment, including the extension of the maturity of the Senior Note to June 30, 2026, both the Senior Note and the subordinated convertible notes were carried as long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2024, except for the required principal payments due in the next 12 months.

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In January 2017, the Company completed the offering of $2.4 million principal amount of convertible common stock at $0.50 per share and warrants to purchase up to 2.4 million shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share, subject to adjustment which brings the exercise price to $.10 per share as a result of the Senior Note extension. In 2018, $400,000 principal amount of Notes was converted into 800,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, in January 2019 another Note in the principal amount of $50,000 was converted into 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, and in August 2019 another Note in the principal amount of $50,000 was converted into 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, leaving principal amounts of Notes of $1.9 million outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Holders of Notes in the principal amount of $775,000 extended their maturity date to January 31, 2023. In February 2020, $1,275,000 principal amount of the Notes were repaid in conjunction with a new financing leaving a principal balance of $625,000 of subordinated convertible notes outstanding due January 31, 2023. In April 2023, the holder of $50,000 principal amount of the subordinated convertible notes were repaid by the Company leaving $575,000 outstanding. These Notes bear interest at 10% per annum, including the Notes which have not been extended, paid quarterly and are convertible to Common Stock any time prior to maturity at the option of the holder at the current exercise price of $0.50 per share.

In February 2020, the Company entered into the Agreement with Corbel, pursuant to which the Company issued to Corbel the Senior Note in the initial principal amount of $8.0 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the Senior Note as follows: (i) $4.2 million to repay the Company’s then-existing bank debt which were in the original amount of $6.1 million; (ii) $1,275,000 to repay the portion of the Company’s existing subordinated convertible debt the maturity date of which most had not previously been extended; (iii) debt issuance costs; and (iv) for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including development of new Company-owned Craft Pizza & Pub locations.

The Senior Note, as amended, bears cash interest of SOFR, as defined in the Agreement, plus 9.0% with no PIK interest, which was previously added to the principal amount of the Senior Note. Interest is payable in arrears on the last calendar day of each month. The original maturity date of the Senior Note was February 7, 2025, however the maturity has now been extended by mutual agreement to June 30, 2026. The Senior Note requires principal payments of $91,667 per month starting in May 2025.

See Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for discussion of funds received from the ERC.

In view of the extension of the Senior Note as well as the Company’s cash flow projections, the Company believes it will have sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations and to carry out its current business plan for the foreseeable future. The Company’s cash flow projections for the next two years are primarily based on the Company’s strategy of growing the non-traditional franchising venue, operating its existing Craft Pizza & Pub locations and pursuing a franchising program for Craft Pizza & Pub restaurants as market conditions allow.

The Company does not anticipate that any of the recently issued pronouncements relating to the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards will have a material impact on its Consolidated Statement of Operations or its Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth the future contractual obligations of the Company as of December 31, 2024:

Less than

More than

Total

1 Year

1-3 Years

3-5 Years

5 Years

Long-term debt

Operating leases

Total

(1) The amounts do not include interest.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained above in Management’s Discussion and Analysis concerning the Company’s future revenues, profitability, financial resources, financing efforts, market demand and product development are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) relating to the Company that are based on the beliefs of the management of the Company, as well as assumptions and estimates made by and information currently available to the Company’s management.  The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment, including, but not limited to competitive factors and pricing and cost pressures, the Company’s ability to service its loan and refinance the Senior Note before its maturity in 2026, the emergence or spread of human or animal pandemics (such as COVID-19 or the Avian Bird Flu), non-renewal of franchise agreements or the openings contemplated by the Development Agreement not occurring,  shifts in market demand, the success of franchise programs, general economic conditions, changes in demand for the Company’s products or franchises, the impact of franchise regulation, the success or failure of individual franchisees and inflation, other changes in prices or supplies of food ingredients and labor and as well as the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended.   If activist stockholder activities ensue, or if certain parties (acting individually or as a group) seek to continue or initiate interference in the Company’s business relationships, the Company business could be adversely impacted.