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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 12, 2003
MEDIFAST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 000-23016 13-3714405
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization) Ident. No.)
11445 Cronhill Drive, Owing Mills, Maryland 21117
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (410)-581-8042
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
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Item 5. Other Events
OWINGS MILLS, Md., Dec 12 /PRNewswire -- Medifast, Inc. (Amex: MED) announced
that it has increased 2004 estimates for both revenues and earnings. The Company
reported last night at an Investor Presentation two scenarios, one reflecting
the anticipated revenue increases as a result of the impact of its National
Television Ad Campaign and the other excluding any increased result from
television advertising.
Based upon results from a National Television Test Program, the company expects
to generate revenues for fiscal 2004 of approximately $48 million and pre-tax
Income from Operations of approximately $9 million, resulting in pre-tax
earnings per share of $0.72. Excluding any incremental benefit from the
advertising campaign, the Company expects revenues of approximately $38 million
and pre-tax Income from Operations of approximately $6.9 million, resulting in
pre-tax earnings per share of $0.55. The company will not know until its
year-end audit is completed what its effective tax rate will be for GAAP
calculation purposes.
"We are eagerly anticipating the launch of our national television campaign,"
said Bradley T. MacDonald, Medifast's Chief Executive Officer. "The entire
company has been focused on delivering to what we expect to be a much larger
customer base the same quality meal replacement programs that we have become
recognized for. The work that we have been doing with Brennan Response has been
important, as we now have the infrastructure in place, from an expanded in-bound
call center to increase production capability, to handle the anticipated
increase in business. We expect to spend the balance of the year positioning the
company to be ready for significantly higher revenues."
In September, Medifast completed a test of a national television commercial. The
results indicated that for every dollar Medifast spent on television
advertising, it generated $3 in new revenues. This compares favorably with the
$1.50 in revenues that are currently generated for each dollar in spending on
print advertising. The company has assumed for purposes of its $48 million
revenue estimates that each dollar of television advertising will generate $2 in
new business. Medifast will launch its television campaign in January.
The company plans to initially run its commercials on leading national cable
networks and DirectTV, in combination with print advertising it has run
throughout the year. Medifast believes that the testing it completed in
September will allow it to employ the most effective combination of print and
television advertising to maximize returns on its advertising investment. In
preparation for the launch, the Company has aggressively built inventory
throughout the fourth quarter. In addition, it interrupted production in
November for four days in order to reconfigure its facilities for the expected
increase in production. As a result of the plant shutdown, November revenues
were $1.7 million, a 23.5% increase from the same period last year. The company
has completed the modifications, and production has returned to customary levels
in December.
Medifast also expects to generate significant 2004 growth from its HI-Energy and
Medslim Weight Control Centers. As a result of a recent acquisition, the company
is now the sixth largest clinic operator in the United States. It also expects
strong growth from its Take Shape for Life and Women's Health divisions.
The webcast of the Investor Presentation can be accessed until January 11, 2004
at www.medifastdiet.com/investorinfo or by dialing 1-800-695-0507and using
access code 27127#.
This release contains forward-looking statements, which may involve known, and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Medifast's actual
results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any
future results or performance suggested by these statements. Medifast cautions
investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak
only to management's expectation on this date.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
MEDIFAST, INC.
Dated: December 12, 2003
/s/ Bradley T. MacDonald
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Bradley T. MacDonald
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer