Follow up on the NexCen Pretzel Acquisition

From a NexCen Press Release:

The combined purchase price for the transaction is $29.4 million, and consists of $22.1 million of cash, and NexCen common stock valued at approximately $7.3 million. These transactions double the number of brands in NexCen’s quick service restaurant (QSR) portfolio, which also includes the premium, hand-mixed ice cream chains MaggieMoo’s(R) and Marble Slab Creamery(R).As of June 30, 2007, Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker had a combined 376 franchised or licensed units worldwide. Of those, 327 are in the United States, with the remaining 49 international locations located in six countries.

For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2007, aggregate unaudited revenues for the Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker brands were approximately $6.4 million. NexCen estimates that aggregate revenues for the two businesses for the full year 2007 will be approximately $6.7 million. Based upon the partial year of ownership, NexCen expects to recognize approximately $2.7 million of revenue from the businesses for the remainder of 2007. NexCen expects these transactions to be accretive in 2007 and, after integration into NexCen’s operations, to generate combined operating margins of approximately 60%, consistent with NexCen’s expectations for its QSR franchising operations.

First, paying 5x revenue is absurdly high for an established traditional business with low barriers to entry and similar competitors. Most companies would pay 5 times EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), and I imagine an organization like Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker have expenses and obligations or close to the revenue figure. The stock market noticed the same overpriced acquisition along with other trouble at NexCen as the stock price dropped by almost 50% in the past few months:

Not good. NexCen also owns brands The Athlete’s Foot, Bill Blass, MaggieMoo’s, and Marble Slab.