Bab Stock Price, News & Analysis
Company Description
BAB, Inc. (OTCQB: BABB) is a company in the accommodation and food services sector, classified within the food service contractors industry. According to its public disclosures, BAB, Inc. focuses on franchising and licensing branded food and beverage concepts. The company’s stock trades on the OTCQB market under the symbol BABB.
BAB, Inc. states that it franchises and licenses several branded concepts: Big Apple Bagels®, My Favorite Muffin®, SweetDuet® frozen yogurt, and Brewster’s® Coffee. These brands are referenced consistently across the company’s earnings releases and distribution announcements. Through these activities, the company earns revenue from royalty fees from franchised stores, franchise and area development fees, licensing fees and other income, and marketing fund revenue, as described in its financial results.
In its fiscal year-ended November 30, 2024, BAB, Inc. reported revenue categories that included royalty fees from franchised stores, franchise and area development fee revenue, licensing fees and other income, and marketing fund revenue. The company also reports selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, and marketing fund expenses as part of its operating costs. These categories reflect a business model centered on supporting and managing franchise and license relationships under its branded concepts.
The company’s news releases explain that marketing fund revenue is recognized when related marketing fund expenses are incurred under U.S. GAAP, and that marketing fund revenue and expenses directly offset each other in any given period. This treatment means changes in marketing fund revenue can affect reported total revenue without changing net income. BAB, Inc. also reports periodic cash distributions per share, which its Board of Directors may declare as quarterly or special distributions. The company notes that, for tax purposes, portions of these distributions may be treated as a return of capital or as dividends, depending on earnings for the relevant fiscal year.
According to its SEC filings, BAB, Inc. is based in Deerfield, Illinois. The company files periodic reports and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Form 8-K filings for material events. One such filing describes changes in its Board of Directors and corporate officer roles, including the retirement and resignation of a director and officer, the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary, and the appointment of its Chief Financial Officer to the Board. Another Form 8-K filing describes an amendment to the company’s Preferred Shares Rights Agreement, revising the definition of the agreement’s final expiration date.
Across its public communications, BAB, Inc. emphasizes its role as a franchisor and licensor of its branded food and beverage concepts and provides detailed breakdowns of its revenue sources and operating expenses. Investors and analysts following BABB can review the company’s earnings releases for information about royalty revenue trends, franchise and licensing income, marketing fund activity, and operating expense changes over time.
Business model and revenue sources
BAB, Inc.’s business model, as reflected in its financial disclosures, is based on:
- Royalty fees from franchised stores associated with its brands.
- Franchise and area development fee revenue related to franchise arrangements.
- Licensing fees and other income tied to its branded concepts.
- Marketing fund revenue, recognized when related marketing fund expenses are incurred.
Operating costs and expenses include selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, and marketing fund expenses. The company’s results discussions frequently highlight how changes in marketing fund expenses affect reported total revenue and operating expenses.
Capital returns and distributions
BAB, Inc. has announced recurring quarterly cash distributions of one cent per share and, at times, a special distribution in addition to the quarterly amount. In multiple announcements, the company explains that, for tax purposes, a portion of these distributions and any future distributions in the relevant year may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders to the extent of each shareholder’s basis, while the remaining portion may be treated as a dividend. The final tax characterization is determined after the end of the fiscal year and reported to recipients on a tax information return.
Corporate governance and material events
In a Form 8-K filed with the SEC, BAB, Inc. reported the retirement and resignation of a Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and director, citing personal health reasons and stating that the retirement and resignation were not the result of any disagreement with the company on matters relating to operations, policies, or practices. The same filing describes the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary, the interim appointment of the Chief Financial Officer as Corporate Secretary, and the Chief Financial Officer’s appointment to the Board of Directors. The filing also notes that certain newly appointed officers must file a Form 3 and, for any reportable equity transactions, a Form 4.
Another Form 8-K describes an amendment to BAB, Inc.’s Preferred Shares Rights Agreement, originally dated May 6, 2013. The amendment revises the definition of the agreement’s “Final Expiration Date” to mean the sixteenth anniversary of the date of the Preferred Shares Rights Agreement.