Market Sentiment - The CNN Money Fear and Greed index has sharply declined, moving into the "Fear" zone with a current reading of 29.5, down from 46.6 [5] - U.S. stocks experienced significant losses, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.4% and the Dow declining 2.7% last week [1][4] Economic Data - The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index decreased to 55 in October from 55.1 in September, slightly above market estimates of 54.2 [3] Sector Performance - Most sectors in the S&P 500 closed negatively, with information technology, consumer discretionary, and energy stocks facing the largest losses [3] - Consumer staples stocks were an exception, closing higher despite the overall market trend [3] Company-Specific Movements - Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) led the tech sector decline, falling 7.8% after a strong previous week [2] - Investors are anticipating earnings results from Fastenal Co. (NASDAQ:FAST) and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. (NASDAQ:RMCF) [4]

Group 1 - Fastenal Co. is expected to report quarterly earnings of 30 cents per share with revenue projected at $2.13 billion [2] - Safe Pro Group Inc. filed for a mixed shelf offering of up to $100 million, resulting in a 0.7% decline in its shares to $6.75 [2] - enCore Energy Corp. filed for a mixed shelf offering of up to $350 million, with shares falling 2.1% to $3.30 [2] - Vince Holding Corp. announced its transfer from NYSE to Nasdaq, with shares slipping 0.4% to $2.85 [2] - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. is set to release its third-quarter earnings after the market closes, with shares down 0.6% to $1.61 [2]

Core Points - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. will host a conference call on October 14, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its fiscal second quarter 2026 results [1] - The management team will lead the call, which will include a question-and-answer session [2] - The conference call will be available for live broadcast and replay on the Company's investor relations website [3] Company Overview - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. is a leading franchiser of premium chocolate and confectionery retail stores, known as America's Chocolatier™ [4] - The Company has been producing a wide range of premium chocolates and confectionery products since 1981 and is headquartered in Durango, Colorado [4] - The Company operates nearly 250 stores across the United States and has several international locations, ranking in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for 2025 and Franchise Times' Franchise 400 for 2024 [4]

Core Insights - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. is expanding its retail presence with two new locations in California and New Jersey, aligning with its strategic growth objectives [1][5]. Company Expansion - The new store at Palladio Mall in Folsom, California will feature the full assortment of RMCF's premium chocolates and handcrafted selections, showcasing an updated store design [3]. - The Jersey Shore Premium Outlets in Tinton Falls, New Jersey will introduce RMCF's elevated retail experience, targeting both year-round residents and seasonal visitors [4]. Franchisee Partnerships - The expansion includes partnerships with current franchisees, Jessica Feurerbach and David Seemer, who will own the new locations, reinforcing RMCF's commitment to supporting excellent operators [5]. Brand Mission - RMCF aims to make its premium chocolate accessible to a growing audience of chocolate lovers across the United States through these new openings [5]. Company Background - Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Durango, Colorado, RMCF is a leading franchiser of premium chocolate and confectionery products, operating over 250 stores in the U.S. and several international locations [6].

Group 1 - PrimePay and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (RMCF) have partnered to enhance franchise operations through technology, specifically PrimePay Payroll and ProfitKeeper, which will help franchisees streamline operations and gain insights [3] - The partnership will involve co-marketing activities such as email campaigns, conferences, events, and marketing materials to promote the program's advantages [2] - RMCF is a leading franchiser in the premium chocolate and confectionery retail sector, operating over 250 stores in the U.S. and several international locations, and is recognized in various franchise rankings [5] Group 2 - PrimePay has 38 years of experience in payroll and HR services, offering an all-in-one HCM platform designed to simplify operations and compliance for its customers [3] - RMCF has been producing premium chocolates and confectionery products since 1981 and is known as America's Chocolatier™ [5] - The common stock of RMCF is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RMCF" [5]

Core Viewpoint - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. has acquired its Camarillo, California store from a franchisee, enhancing its presence in Southern California and aligning with its growth strategy [1][3]. Company Acquisition - The Camarillo store, operational since October 1995 and managed by Kim LaMonica since 1996, has a loyal customer base and is a community staple [2]. - This acquisition allows RMCF to integrate the store into its portfolio of Company-owned locations, aiming to enhance the customer experience with a redesigned store [2][3]. Strategic Importance - The Camarillo store is considered a cornerstone of RMCF's brand presence in Southern California, reflecting the appeal of its products in affluent communities [3]. - The acquisition supports RMCF's strategy to operate select stores for innovation, retail best practices, and profitability enhancement [3][4]. Growth Strategy - RMCF plans to leverage its Company-owned stores to launch new products, improve customer experiences, and achieve operational excellence, benefiting the broader franchise system [4]. - The company is focused on selectively expanding its retail footprint in Southern California and other attractive markets [4]. Company Overview - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. is a leading franchiser of premium chocolate and confectionery retail stores, producing a wide range of products since 1981 [5]. - The company operates over 250 stores across the United States and has been recognized in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for 2025 and Franchise Times' Franchise 400 for 2024 [5].

Pricing Strategy - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory 正在通过动态定价来应对可可价格的剧烈波动 [1] - 公司每季度调整松露和巧克力椒盐脆饼的价格 [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a significant focus on transforming its operations and enhancing its market presence, although specific financial metrics were not disclosed during the meeting [16][23]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average unit volume sales currently stand at just over $600,000, indicating a target for growth through new store openings and franchisee support [17]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is strategically expanding its store base in key markets to increase consumer awareness and access to its premium confectionery products [16][22]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance its store design, packaging, and online presence to attract both existing and new franchisees, with a vision to be the premier choice for franchisees in the premium confectionery retail sector [23]. - A comprehensive plan is in place to leverage refreshed assets and expand strategically, with a focus on improving profitability and building long-term value for shareholders [23]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategic initiatives and the potential for growth, emphasizing the importance of franchisee support and market expansion [23]. - The company is committed to continuous improvement and delivering a memorable in-store experience, which is expected to stabilize and grow the business in the coming years [23]. Other Important Information - The company has revamped its e-commerce platform, which is set to go live later this month, aiming to enhance the user experience and drive store traffic through a two-step customer engagement process [21][22]. Q&A Session Summary Question: Were there any relevant stockholder questions? - No relevant stockholder questions were received during the meeting [13].

Core Viewpoint - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (RMCF) has shown mixed financial performance, with a notable shift in revenue sources and improved profitability metrics, indicating a strategic transformation within the company [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, RMCF reported total revenues of $6.37 million, nearly unchanged from $6.41 million a year ago [2] - Product sales decreased by 10.6% to $4.7 million from $5.3 million, while franchise and royalty fees increased by 46.7% to $1.7 million from $1.1 million [2] - Gross profit from product and retail operations improved to $0.3 million from a loss of $0.3 million, driven by better pricing and production efficiencies [2] - Total costs and expenses fell by 18.9% to $6.5 million from $8 million, mainly due to reduced general and administrative costs [2] - The net loss narrowed to $0.3 million or $(0.04) per share from a loss of $1.7 million or $(0.26) per share last year [3] - EBITDA turned positive at $0.2 million from a loss of $1.4 million, marking the first positive EBITDA quarter in several years [3] Operational Initiatives and Strategic Execution - Management introduced a flat monthly freight fee for franchisees to encourage frequent ordering, replacing a previous structure that deterred regular restocking [4] - Pricing adjustments made in March and June have improved gross margins [4] - A new Point-of-Sale (POS) system has been adopted in over 100 stores, enhancing pricing transparency and enabling dynamic pricing strategies [4] - Enterprise Resource Planning and POS systems provide visibility into store-level operations, allowing for better assessment of manufacturing efficiency and franchisee ordering patterns [5] Management Commentary - Interim CEO Jeff Geygan noted a transition from restructuring to focused execution, highlighting alignment across teams and franchisees [6] - CFO Carrie Cass emphasized ongoing discipline in selling, general, and administrative costs as key to driving further EBITDA expansion [7] Outlook and Guidance - RMCF did not provide formal forward-looking financial guidance but expressed confidence in sustaining operational momentum through fiscal 2026 [8] - Management cited improvements in cost structure, data analytics, and franchisee performance as foundational to achieving profitability [8] Funding and Financial Position - The company has $0.9 million in cash and approximately $6 million in outstanding debt [9] - Discussions regarding capital raising are ongoing, but there are no immediate plans for dilutive financing [9] Other Developments - A new store opened in Charleston, SC, showcasing updated branding and layout, with construction planned for a flagship location in downtown Chicago [10] - A broad brand refresh is underway, including updated packaging and a redesigned e-commerce platform aimed at enhancing online conversions [11] - RMCF is pursuing store expansion with existing multi-unit franchisees and new entrants, aiming to increase the average number of stores per franchisee from 1.34 [12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 2026 was $6.4 million, essentially flat compared to the prior period [21] - Product sales decreased to $4.7 million from $5.3 million last year, while franchise and royalty fees increased to $1.7 million from $1.1 million [21] - Total product and retail gross profit improved to $300,000 from a negative $300,000, driven by pricing adjustments and operational efficiencies [22] - Costs and expenses decreased to $6.5 million from $8 million last year, primarily due to lower G&A costs [22] - Net loss was $300,000 or negative $0.04 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.7 million or negative $0.26 per share [22] - EBITDA for the quarter was $2 million, compared to a negative $1.4 million last year [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company waived all freight charges for franchisees to drive volume and improve product freshness [7] - A flat monthly fee program for freight delivery was implemented to encourage more frequent store orders [7] - The adoption of the new POS system accelerated, enhancing visibility into operations and decision-making [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened a new store in Charleston, South Carolina, featuring a refreshed brand identity [11] - Construction is expected to begin shortly on a new location in Downtown Chicago, targeting an opening ahead of the holiday season [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on stabilizing the business and transitioning from a rebuilding mode to an execution mode [5] - A new consumer packaging and e-commerce platform are set to launch, aimed at enhancing brand presentation and online conversions [17] - The company is actively building a development pipeline for new units while seeking capable franchise operators [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the progress made in operational improvements and the potential for continued margin improvement [20] - The company believes it is in a better position to execute its strategy than in many years, with a focus on generating profit and returning to growth [20] Other Important Information - The company hired a new VP of operations with significant experience in manufacturing and logistics [10] - The refreshed website will include a section for new franchisees, making it more intuitive for potential operators [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: What early indicators are being watched to evaluate the impact of waived freight charges? - Management noted that order frequency has improved, encouraging franchisees to order more frequently [25] Question: What processes or decisions are expected to change with stabilized ERP data? - Management highlighted that the ERP data provides insights into manufacturing efficiencies and profitability, which will inform decision-making across departments [26] Question: How does the online strategy differ with the upcoming e-commerce relaunch? - Management emphasized the improved user interface and contemporary design of the new website, expecting positive results from the refresh [27][28] Question: What operational levers are expected to drive continued EBITDA expansion? - Management attributed positive EBITDA to improved pricing, SG&A discipline, and factory efficiencies, expecting these to continue [29] Question: What are the capital needs for expansion and improvements? - Management indicated that discussions regarding capital needs are ongoing, with no immediate plans to raise capital [35][36] Question: How is the growth strategy for new franchisees being developed? - Management stated that existing franchisees are prioritized for expansion, and new franchisees are being sourced through a network of referrals [43]