Red Lobster 2012 Annual Report Download - page 48

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Darden
44 Darden Restaurants, Inc. 2012 Annual Report
well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the various
hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives designated as
cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance
sheet or to specific forecasted transactions. We also formally assess, both at
the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives used in
hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of
hedged items.
To the extent our derivatives are effective in offsetting the variability of the
hedged cash flows, and otherwise meet the cash flow hedge accounting criteria
required by Topic 815 of the FASB ASC, changes in the derivatives’ fair value are
not included in current earnings but are included in accumulated other compre-
hensive income (loss), net of tax. These changes in fair value will be reclassified
into earnings at the time of the forecasted transaction. Ineffectiveness measured
in the hedging relationship is recorded currently in earnings in the period in which
it occurs. To the extent our derivatives are effective in mitigating changes in fair
value, and otherwise meet the fair value hedge accounting criteria required by
Topic 815 of the FASB ASC, gains and losses in the derivatives’ fair value are
included in current earnings, as are the gains and losses of the related hedged
item. To the extent the hedge accounting criteria are not met, the derivative
contracts are utilized as economic hedges and changes in the fair value of such
contracts are recorded currently in earnings in the period in which they occur.
Cash flows related to derivatives are included in operating activities. See Note 10
–฀Derivative฀Instruments฀and฀Hedging฀Activities฀for฀additional฀information.
LEASES
For operating leases, we recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis over the
expected lease term, including cancelable option periods where failure to exercise
the options would result in an economic penalty to the Company.
Differences between amounts paid and amounts expensed are recorded
as deferred rent. Capital leases are recorded as an asset and an obligation at an
amount equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments during the
lease term. Within the provisions of certain of our leases, there are rent holidays
and escalations in payments over the base lease term, as well as renewal periods.
The effects of the holidays and escalations have been reflected in rent expense
on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, which includes cancelable
option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic
penalty to the Company. The lease term commences on the date when we have
the right to control the use of the leased property, which is typically before rent
payments are due under the terms of the lease. Many of our leases have renewal
periods totaling 5 to 20 years, exercisable at our option and require payment of
property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs in addition to the rent payments.
The consolidated financial statements reflect the same lease term for amortizing
leasehold improvements as we use to determine capital versus operating lease
classifications and in calculating straight-line rent expense for each restaurant.
Percentage rent expense is generally based on sales levels and is accrued at the
point in time we determine that it is probable that such sales levels will be achieved.
Amortization expense related to capital leases is included in depreciation and
amortization expense on our consolidated statements of earnings.
PRE-OPENING EXPENSES
Non-capital expenditures associated with opening new restaurants are expensed
as incurred.
ADVERTISING
Production costs of commercials are charged to operations in the fiscal period
the advertising is first aired. The costs of programming and other advertising,
promotion and marketing programs are charged to operations in the fiscal period
incurred. Advertising expense related to continuing operations, included in selling,
general and administrative expenses was as follows:
Fiscal Year
(in millions) 2012 2011 2010
Advertising expense $357.2 $340.2 $311.9
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
We recognize the cost of employee service received in exchange for awards of
equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of those awards. We utilize
the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option
awards. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the
employee service period for awards granted. The dividend yield has been estimated
based upon our historical results and expectations for changes in dividend rates.
The expected volatility was determined using historical stock prices. The risk-free
interest rate was the rate available on zero coupon U.S. government obligations
with a term approximating the expected life of each grant. The expected life was
estimated based on the exercise history of previous grants, taking into consideration
the remaining contractual period for outstanding awards. The weighted-average
fair value of non-qualified stock options and the related assumptions used in the
Black-Scholes model to record stock-based compensation are as follows:
Stock Options
Granted in Fiscal Year
2012 2011 2010
Weighted-average fair value $14.31 $12.88 $10.74
Dividend yield 3.5% 3.0% 2.8%
Expected volatility of stock 39.4% 39.1% 40.6%
Risk-free interest rate 2.1% 2.2% 3.0%
Expected option life (in years) 6.5 6.7 6.6
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic net earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period.
Diluted net earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if
securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted
into common stock. Outstanding stock options, restricted stock, benefits granted
under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan and performance stock units granted
by us represent the only dilutive effect reflected in diluted weighted-average
shares outstanding. These stock-based compensation instruments do not impact
the numerator of the diluted net earnings per share computation.