SPAR Group, Inc. ("SGRP" or the "Corporation"), and its subsidiaries (and SGRP together with its subsidiaries may be referred to as "SPAR Group", the "Company", "SPAR", "We", or "Our") is a global merchandising and brand marketing services company, providing a broad range of services to retailers, consumer goods manufacturers and distributors around the world. 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial statements. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filled with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2023.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the included disclosures are adequate, and the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2023, consolidated results of operations and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, and consolidated cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023.

North Mill Capital Credit Facility

The Company, through SPAR Marketing Force, Inc. ("SMF") and SPAR Canada Company ULC ("SCC", and collectively with SMF, the “NM Borrowers”), has a secured revolving credit facility in the United States (the "US Revolving Credit Facility") and Canada (the "Canada Revolving Credit Facility", and collectively with the US Revolving Credit Facility, the "NM Credit Facility") with North Mill Capital, LLC, d/b/a SLR Business Credit ("NM").

In order to obtain, document and govern the NM Credit Facility, SMF, SCC, SGRP and certain of SGRP's direct and indirect subsidiaries in the United States and Canada (including SMF and SCC as borrowers and SGRP as a guarantor, collectively, the "NM Loan Parties") entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with NM dated as of April 10, 2019, which, as amended from time to time (as amended, the "NM Loan Agreement"), governs the NM Credit Facility. Pursuant to the NM Loan Agreement, the NM Borrowers agreed to reimburse NM for legal and documentation fees incurred in connection with the NM Loan Agreement and such amendments.

On July 1, 2022, the NM Loan Parties and NM executed and delivered a Fourth Modification Agreement, effective as of June 30, 2022 (the "Fourth Modification Agreement"), pursuant to which the NM Loan Parties and NM agreed to extend the NM Credit Facility from October 10, 2023, to October 10, 2024, and increased the amount of the US Revolving Credit Facility to $17.5 million while the Canada Revolving Credit Facility remained at CDN$1.5 million. In addition, the Fourth Modification Agreement permanently increased SMF's borrowing base availability for billed receivables to up to 90% from 85%, and unbilled receivables to up to 80% from 70%, and increased the cap on unbilled accounts for SMF to $6.5 million from $5.5 million.

On August 9, 2022, the NM Loan Parties and NM executed and delivered a Fifth Modification Agreement, effective immediately (the "Fifth Modification Agreement"), pursuant to which the NM Loan Parties and NM agreed to temporarily increase the borrowing base availability under the NM Credit Facility, and the NM Borrowers agreed to pay certain additional fees.

On February 1, 2023, the NM Loan Parties and NM executed and delivered a Sixth Modification Agreement, effective immediately (the "Sixth Modification Agreement"), pursuant to which the NM Loan Parties and NM agreed to increase the amount of the US Revolving Credit Facility to $28.0 million and increase the Canada Revolving Credit Facility to CDN$2.0 million. In addition, the Sixth Modification Agreement increased the cap on unbilled accounts in the borrowing base for SMF to $7.0 million from $6.5 million.

The Restated US Note and Restated Canadian Note (together, the "NM Notes") and the NM Loan Agreement together require the NM Borrowers to pay interest on the loans thereunder equal to: (i) the Prime Rate designated from time to time by Wells Fargo Bank; plus (ii) one and nine-tenths percentage points (1.90%) or an aggregate minimum of 6.75% per annum. In addition, the NM Borrowers are paying a facility fee to NM in an amount equal to: (i) for the year commencing on October 10, 2022, approximately $0.1 million plus 0.80% of the amount of any advances other than under the US Revolving Credit Facility plus an additional facility fee of $15,000 for every incremental $1.0 million of loan balance in excess of $21.0 million, and (ii) for the year commencing on October 10, 2023, approximately $0.2 million plus 0.80% of the amount of any advances other than under the US Revolving Credit Facility plus an additional facility fee of $15,000 for every incremental $1.0 million of loan balance in excess of $21.0 million. For the Sixth Modification Agreement, the NM Borrowers paid NM a fee of approximately $28,000.

As of March 31, 2023, the aggregate interest rate was 9.9% per annum and the aggregate outstanding loan balance was approximately $14.8 million, which is included within lines of credit and short-term loans in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate outstanding loan balance is divided between the US Revolving Credit Facility and the Canada Revolving Credit Facility as follows: (i) the outstanding loan balance under the US Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $14.1 million; and (ii) the outstanding loan balance under the Canada Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $0.7 million.

The NM Credit Facility contains certain financial and other restrictive covenants and also limits certain expenditures by the NM Loan Parties, including maintaining a positive trailing EBITDA for each the NM Borrowers (i.e., SMF and SCC) and imposes limits on all of the NM Loan Parties (including SGRP) on non-ordinary course payments and transactions, incurring or guaranteeing indebtedness, increases in executive, officer or director compensation, capital expenditures and certain other investments. The NM Loan Parties were in compliance with such covenants as of March 31, 2023.

The obligations of the NM Borrowers are secured by the receivables and other assets of the NM Borrowers and substantially all of the assets of the other NM Loan Parties, however, the obligations are not secured by any equity in, financial asset respecting or asset of any Excluded Subsidiary (as such term is defined in the NM Loan Agreement). Pursuant to the NM Loan Agreement, Excluded Subsidiary means each of the following direct or indirect subsidiaries of SGRP: (i) Resource Plus of North Florida, Inc. (“Resource Plus”), Mobex of North Florida, Inc., and Leasex, LLC, and their respective subsidiaries; (ii) NMS Retail Services ULC, which is an inactive Nova Scotia ULC; (iii) SPAR Group International, Inc.; (iv) SPAR FM Japan, Inc.; (v) SPAR International, Ltd.; (vi) each other subsidiary formed outside of the United States or Canada; and (vii) any other entity in which any such subsidiary is a partner, joint venture or other equity investor.

Resource Plus Seller Notes

Effective with the closing of the Company's acquisition of Resource Plus in 2018, the Company issued into promissory notes with the sellers of $2.3 million. The promissory notes are payable at annual installments in various amounts on December 31 of each year, starting with December 31, 2018 and continuing through December 31, 2023.

As of March 31, 2023, the annual interest rate was 1.85% and the balance outstanding under the promissory notes was approximately $0.7 million, which is included in lines of credit and short-term loans in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

International Credit Facilities

In October 2017, SPARFACTS Australia Pty. Ltd. a secured line of credit facility with National Australia Bank for AUD$0.8 million. The facility provides for borrowing based upon a formula, as defined in the applicable loan agreement (principally 80% of eligible accounts receivable less certain deductions). The annual interest rate was 1% as of March 31, 2023.  As of March 31, 2023, the outstanding balance was approximately $0.1 million, and was due on demand.

In December 2020, SPAR China secured a loan with Industrial Bank for 3.0 million Chinese Yuan. The loan will expire in July 2023. The annual interest rate was 4.0% as of March 31, 2023.  As of March 31, 2023, the outstanding balance was approximately $0.4 million, and was due on demand.

In December 2021, SPAR China secured a loan with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China for 2.0 million Chinese Yuan. The loan will expire in December 2023. The annual interest rate was 4.2% as of March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the outstanding balance was approximately $0.3 million, and was due on demand.

In March 2022, SGRP Meridian (Pty), Ltd. secured loans with Investec Bank Ltd, for 60.0 million South African Rand; of which 30.0 million South African Rand is due July 2023. The annual interest rate was 11.3% as of March 31, 2023.   As of  March 31, 2023, the outstanding balance was approximately $3.4 million USD.

Summary of the Company’s lines of credit and short-term loans (in thousands):

Summary of the Company’s Long- term debt (dollars in thousands):

Summary of Unused Company Credit and Other Debt Facilities (in thousands):

Legal Matters

The Company is a party to various legal actions and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of Company's management, resolution of these matters is not anticipated to have a material adverse effect on the Company or its estimated or desired affiliates, assets, business, clients, capital, cash flow, credit, expenses, financial condition, income, legal costs, liabilities, liquidity, locations, marketing, operations, prospects, sales, strategies, taxation or other achievement, results or condition.

All prior litigations associated with the Company through SPAR Business Services, Inc. ("SBS") and its independent contractors have been settled as per CIC Agreement (note 8).  

As of March 31, 2023, the Company’s certificate of incorporation authorized the Company to issue 47,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Company’s common stock are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers and preferences of the holders of the Company’s Series B convertible preferred stock. Each share of the Company’s common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared by the Company’s board of directors (the "Board"), if any, subject to the preferential dividend rights of the Company’s Series B convertible preferred stock. No cash dividends had been declared or paid during the periods presented.

In May 2022, the Board authorized the Company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the 2022 Stock Repurchase Program (the "2022 Stock Repurchase Program"), which ends May 2023.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, there were no shares of common stock repurchased under the 2022 Stock Repurchase Program.

The Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes it to issue 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share, which may have such preferences and priorities over the Company’s common stock and other rights, powers and privileges as the Board of may establish in its discretion.

In January 2022, the Company filed a Certificate of Elimination for its “Certificate of Designation of Series “A” Preferred Stock of SPAR Group, Inc.” (the “Certificate of Elimination”). Pursuant to the Certificate of Elimination, the previous Series A convertible preferred stock designation was cancelled and withdrawn. As a result, all 3,000,000 shares the previously authorized Series A convertible preferred stock were returned to the Company’s authorized “blank check” preferred stock. There were no shares of Series A convertible preferred stock outstanding at the time of the cancellation.

Subsequent to filing the Certificate of Elimination, in January 2022, the Company filed a “Certificate of Designation of Series “B” Preferred Stock of SPAR Group, Inc.” (the “Preferred Designation”) with the Secretary of State of Delaware, which designation had been approved by the Board in January 2022. The Preferred Designation created a series of 2,000,000 shares of convertible preferred stock designated as “Series B” convertible preferred stock, par value of $0.01 per share.

The Series B convertible preferred stock do not carry any voting or dividend rights and upon vesting, automatically convert into the Company’s common stock at a ratio of 1-to-1.5.  See Note 8. The holders of the Series B convertible preferred stock have a liquidation preference over the Company’s common stock and vote together for matters pertaining only to the Series B convertible preferred stock where only the holders of the Series B convertible preferred stock are entitled to vote. The holders of outstanding Series B Preferred Stock do not have the right to vote for directors or other matters submitted to the holders of the Company’s common stock.

In January 2022, 2,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock were issued to the majority stockholders and related parties pursuant to the Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement. See Note 8.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, 1,145,247 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock converted to 1,717,870 shares of the Company’s common stock.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, 204,753  shares of Series B convertible preferred stockconverted to 307,130  shares of the Company’s common stock.

As of March 31, 2023, 650,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock were outstanding, which upon vesting, will convert to 975,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. 

Following the remaining Series B convertible preferred stock shares converting to common stock and when there are no more shares of Series B convertible preferred stock outstanding, the Company may change or cancel the authorized Series B convertible preferred stock, and to the extent it reduces such authorization without issuance, the Company can create other series of preferred stock with potentially different dividends, preferences and other terms.

Stock Options

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to stock options of approximately $47,000 and $110,000, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the tax benefit available from share-based compensation expense related to stock options was approximately $5,100 and $27,000, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units of approximately $126,000 and $40,000, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the tax benefit available to the Company from share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units was approximately $7,700 and $10,000, respectively. 

Domestic Related Party Transactions

Mr. Robert G. Brown and Mr. William H. Bartels are directors and significant stockholders of SGRP, and thus each is a related party and affiliate of SGRP.  Mr. Robert G. Brown was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SGRP (the "Board"), but ceased to be eligible to hold that position when the 2022 By-Laws became effective on January 25, 2022. SPAR Business Services, Inc. ("SBS"), SPAR InfoTech, Inc. ("Infotech"), and SPAR Administrative Services, Inc. ("SAS"), are related parties and affiliates of SGRP, but are not under the control or part of the Company. SBS is a related party and affiliate of SGRP because it is owned by SBS LLC, which in turn is beneficially owned by Mr. Robert G. Brown. Infotech is a related party and affiliate because it is owned principally by Mr. Robert G. Brown. SAS is a related party and affiliate of SGRP because it is owned principally by Mr. William H. Bartels and entities owned by affiliates of Mr. Robert G. Brown.

Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement

The Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement (the "CIC Agreement") became effective on January 28, 2022, when signed by the Company and Robert G. Brown, ("Mr. Brown"), William H. Bartels, ("Mr. Bartels"), SPAR Administrative Services, Inc., a corporation ("SAS"), and collectively with Mr. Brown, Mr. Bartels and SAS, the ("Majority Stockholders"). Mr. Bartels and Mr. Brown are Directors of the Corporation. Mr. Brown was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SGRP (the "Board"), but ceased holding that position when the 2022 By-Laws (as defined below) became effective on January 25, 2022.

The Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement (the "CIC Agreement") became effective on January 28, 2022, when signed by the Company and Robert G. Brown, ("Mr. Brown"), William H. Bartels, ("Mr. Bartels"), SPAR Administrative Services, Inc., a corporation ("SAS"), and collectively with Mr. Brown, Mr. Bartels and SAS, the ("Majority Stockholders"). Mr. Bartels and Mr. Brown are Directors of the Corporation. Mr. Brown was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SGRP (the "Board"), but ceased holding that position when the 2022 By-Laws (as defined below) became effective on January 25, 2022.

The execution of the CIC Agreement was conditional upon making the changes to and restatement of the Corporation's 2022 By-Laws, which were approved by the Board and became effective on January 25, 2022 (the "2022 By-Laws").

The financial terms of the CIC Agreement to the Majority Stockholders, totaled $4,477,585, consisting of the following:

Pursuant to the CIC Agreement, all actions, claims and demands between the Majority Stockholders and the Company were resolved; and the Majority Stockholders and their affiliates during the five-year term of the CIC Agreement have agreed to give up their rights to do any of the following; (i) act or attempt to act by written consent; (ii) submit or attempt to submit any stockholder proposals in advance of any annual or special stockholders meeting of the Corporation; (iii) call or attempt to call any special meetings of the Corporation's stockholders; (iv) continue or commence or attempt to continue or commence any legal claims against the Company; (v) change or attempt to change the size of the Board; (vi) appoint or remove or attempt to appoint or remove any director or officer of the Corporation, except as expressly permitted with in the CIC Agreement; (vii) amend or attempt to amend the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation or 2022 By-Laws; and (viii) enter or attempt to enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any other person in an effort to take any of those actions.

The Corporation's amended and restated 2022 By-Laws were adopted to increase the independence of the Board by making the following changes (among others): (i) the Board size was fixed at 7 and must consist of at least three (3) Super Independent Directors (as defined below) plus the CEO at all times; (ii) the Chairman, Vice Chairman and all Committee Chairpersons must qualify as Super Independent Directors ; and (iii) to establish a quorum, any Board meeting must have 70% of the Directors including the majority of Super Independent Directors.  If there are less than three (3) Super Independent Directors, than the least tenured non-Super Independent Director, other than the CEO, may not vote on Board matters, which helps to ensure that the Board remains under independent governance.  As defined in the 2022 By-Laws "Super Independent Director" means a member of the Board who: (1) qualifies as an independent director under applicable laws and regulations; (2) is affirmatively determined to be an independent director by the Governance Committee of the Board; (3) excludes the Majority Stockholders, Spar Administrative Services, Inc. and Spar Business Services, Inc. and any of their respective Relatives, Family Members, or Affiliates; and (4) excludes any Person that is or was a present or past employee or advisor of any company with which any of the Majority Stockholders has been involved and any Person that is, or was in the past, related or affiliated in any way to any of the Majority Stockholders, including, without limitation, any Affiliates of Innovative Global Technologies, LLC or SP/R, Inc. Defined Benefit Pension Trust.

In January 2022, for the CIC Agreement and 2022 By-Law to go into effect, two (2) of the Board members at the time, James R. Brown, Sr. and Panagiotis Lazaretos, who are affiliated with the Majority Stockholders, retired from the Board and assumed other advisory roles with the Company under separate agreements (see below). 

Panagiotis Lazaretos Consulting Agreement

On January 27, 2022, the Corporation entered into a consulting agreement with Thenablers, Ltd. effective February 1, 2022 (the " Lazaretos Consulting Agreement"). Thenablers, Ltd. is wholly owned by Mr.Panagiotis Lazaretos, a retired director of the corporation. Following Mr. Lazaretos' retirement as a director on January 25, 2022, Thenablers, Ltd. agreed to provide the consulting services of Mr. Lazaretos to the Corporation regarding global sales and new markets' expansion. The Lazaretos Consulting Agreement cannot be terminated by the consent of either party for the first twelve (12) months, and automatically expires on January 31, 2024. As compensation for its services, Thenablers, Ltd. is entitled to receive: (i) base compensation at a rate of $10,000 per month for the term of the Consulting Agreement; (ii) incentive based compensation as calculated in Exhibit A of the Lazaretos Consulting Agreement; and (iii) the outstanding options granted to Mr. Panagiotis ("Panos") N. Lazaretos on February 4, 2022 will continue to be outstanding and vest according to their terms under the agreement. As permitted by that agreement, on February 2, 2023, the Corporation gave notice that it was terminating that agreement effective July 31, 2023.

Other Domestic Related Party Transactions 

National Merchandising Services, LLC ("NMS"), is a consolidated domestic subsidiary of the Company and is owned jointly by SGRP through its indirect ownership of 51% of the NMS membership interests and by National Merchandising of America, Inc. ("NMA"), through its ownership of the other 49% of the NMS membership interests. Mr. Edward Burdekin is the Chief Executive Officer and President and a director of NMS and also is an executive officer and director of NMA. Ms. Andrea Burdekin, Mr. Burdekin's wife, is the sole stockholder and also a director of both NMA and NMS. NMA is an affiliate of the Company but is not under the control of or consolidated with the Company. Mr. Burdekin also owns 100% of National Store Retail Services ("NSRS"). Beginning in September 2018 and through June 2021, NSRS provided substantially all of the domestic merchandising specialist field force used by NMS. For those services, NMS agrees to reimburse NSRS certain costs for providing those services plus a premium ranging from 4.0% to 10.0% of certain costs. Starting in July 2021, the domestic merchandising specialist field force services provided by NSRS was transitioned to National Remodel & Setup Services, LLC ("NRSS") with the same financial arrangement. Mrs. Andrea Burdekin is the owner of NRSS. NMS also leases office space from Mr. Burdekin. The costs associated with these activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were approximately $1.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Resource Plus is owned jointly by SGRP through its direct ownership of 51% of the Resource Plus membership interests and by Mr. Richard Justus through his ownership of the other 49% of the Resource Plus membership interests. Mr. Justus has a 50% ownership interest in RJ Holdings which owns the buildings where Resource Plus is headquartered and operates and are subleased to Resource Plus. The costs associated with these activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

On  December 1, 2021, the Corporation entered into the Agreement for Marketing and Advertising Services (the "WB Agreement") with WB Marketing, Inc. (the "Agent", and together with the Company, the "Parties"). The Agent is an entity owned and controlled by Mrs. Jean Matacunas who is the wife of President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael R. Matacunas

International Related Party Services

SGRP Meridian (Pty), Ltd. ("Meridian") is a consolidated international subsidiary of the Company and is owned 51% by the company, Mr. Adrian Wingfield, who is a Director of Meridian, is one of the owners of Merhold Holding Trust ("MHT"). MHT owns the building where Meridian is headquartered.

The Corporation's principal Brazilian subsidiary, SPAR BSMT, is owned 51% by the Company. Mr. Jonathan Dagues Martins, ("JDM") is the Chief Executive Officer and President of each SPAR Brazil subsidiary pursuant to a Management Agreement between JDM and SPAR BSMT dated September 13, 2016. JDM also is a director of SPAR BSMT. Accordingly, JKC and JDM are each a related party respecting the Company. EILLC is owned by Mr. Peter W. Brown, a director of SPAR BSMT and the Corporation.

SPARFACTS is a consolidated international subsidiary of the Company and is owned 51% by SGRP. Ms. Lydna Chapman is a director of SPARFACTS. Her various companies provide office lease, accounting and consultant services to SPARFACTS.

Summary of Certain Related Party Transactions

Due to related parties consists of the following as of the periods presented (in thousands):

Bartels' Retirement and Director Compensation

Mr. William H. Bartels retired as an employee of the Company as of January 1, 2020 but continues to serve as a member of SPAR's Board. Mr. Bartels is also one of the founders and a significant stockholder of SGRP. Effective January 18, 2020, SPAR's Governance Committee proposed and unanimously approved retirement benefits for the five-year period commencing January 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2024 (the "Five-Year Period"), for Mr. Bartels. The aggregate value of benefits payable to Mr. Bartels is approximately $0.2 million per year and a total of $1.1 million for the Five-Year Period.

As of March 31, 2023, there are approximately $ 0.3 million of benefits payable, which are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Select statement of operations activity of the Company’s reportable segments for the periods presented were (in thousands):

Net income, depreciation and amortization expense, and capital expenditures of the Company’s reportable segments for the periods presented were (in thousands):

There were no intercompany sales for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

Total assets of the Company’s reportable segments as of the periods presented were (in thousands):

Long-lived assets of the Company’s reportable segments as of the periods presented were (in thousands):

Geographic Data (in thousands)

The Company is a lessee under certain operating leases for office space and equipment. 

The components of lease expenses consisted of the following for the periods presented (in thousands):

⁽¹⁾ Variable lease expense consists primarily of property taxes, property insurance, and common area or other maintenance costs for the Company’s leases of office space.

The following includes supplemental information for the periods presented (in thousands):

Balance sheet information related to leases consisted of the following as of the periods presented (in thousands):