Nature of business - We, Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (“Famous Dave's” or the “Company”), were incorporated in Minnesota on March 14, 1994. We develop, own, operate and franchise restaurants under the name "Famous Dave's". As of January 1, 2012, there were 187 Famous Dave's restaurants operating in 37 states, including 54 company-owned restaurants and 133 franchise-operated restaurants. An additional 63 franchise restaurants were committed to be developed through signed area development agreements as of January 1, 2012.

Seasonality – Our restaurants typically generate higher revenue in the second and third quarters of our fiscal year as a result of seasonal traffic increases and high catering sales experienced during the summer months, and lower revenue in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year, due to possible adverse weather which can disrupt customer and team member transportation to our restaurants.

Principles of consolidation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. Any inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Management's use of estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Financial instruments – Due to their short-term nature, the carrying value of our current financial assets and liabilities approximates their fair value. The fair value of long-term debt approximates the carrying amount based upon our expected borrowing rate for debt with similar remaining maturities and comparable risk.

Segment reporting – We have company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants in the United States, and operate within the single industry segment of foodservice. We make operating decisions on behalf of the Famous Dave's brand which includes both company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants. In addition, all operating expenses are reported in total and are not allocated to franchising operations for either external or internal reporting.

Fiscal year – Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest December 31st of each year. Our fiscal year is generally 52 weeks; however it periodically consists of 53 weeks. The fiscal years ended January 1, 2012 (fiscal 2011) and January 2, 2011 (fiscal 2010) consisted of 52 weeks, and the fiscal year ended January 3, 2010 (fiscal 2009) consisted of 53 weeks.

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents – Cash equivalents include all investments with original maturities of three months or less or which are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and are not legally restricted. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000, while the remaining balances are uninsured at January 1, 2012. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable, net – We provide an allowance for uncollectible accounts on accounts receivable based on historical losses and existing economic conditions, when relevant. We provide for a general bad debt reserve for franchise receivables due to increases in days' sales outstanding and deterioration in general economic market conditions. This general reserve is based on the aging of receivables meeting specified criteria and is adjusted each quarter based on past due receivable balances. Additionally, we have periodically established a specific reserve on certain receivables as necessary. Any changes to the reserve are recorded in general and administrative expenses. The allowance for uncollectible accounts was approximately $18,000 and $80,000, at January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, respectively. Accounts receivable are written off when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable balances written off have not exceeded allowances provided. We believe all accounts receivable in excess of the allowance are fully collectible. If accounts receivable in excess of provided allowances are determined uncollectible, they are charged to expense in the period that determination is made. Outstanding past due accounts receivable are subject to a monthly interest charge on unpaid balances which is recorded as interest income in our consolidated statements of operations. In assessing recoverability of these receivables, we make judgments regarding the financial condition of the franchisees based primarily on past and current payment trends, as well as other variables, including annual financial information, which the franchisees are required to submit to us.

Inventories – Inventories consist principally of small wares and supplies, food and beverages, and retail goods, and are recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.

Notes receivable - Notes receivable consist of receivables primarily related to our on-going business agreements with franchisees, we consider such receivables to have similar risk characteristics and evaluate them as one collective portfolio segment and class for determining the allowance for doubtful accounts. We monitor the financial condition of our franchisees and record provisions for estimated losses on receivables when we believe it is probable that our franchisees or licensees will be unable to make their required payments. Balances of notes receivable due within one year are included in the current portion of notes receivable while amounts due beyond one year are included in notes receivable less current portion. Notes receivable that are ultimately deemed to be uncollectible, and for which collection efforts have been exhausted, are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Interest income recorded on financing receivables has traditionally been immaterial. The fair value of notes receivable currently approximates their carrying value.

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net – Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are capitalized at a level of $250 or greater and are recorded at cost. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations when incurred. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from 3-7 years, while buildings are depreciated over 30 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term, including reasonably assured renewal options, or the estimated useful life of the assets. Décor that has been installed in the restaurants is recorded at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over seven years.

Liquor licenses - As part of the New York/New Jersey acquisition completed in March of 2010 (see note 18), the Company acquired transferable liquor licenses in jurisdictions with a limited number of authorized liquor licenses. These licenses were capitalized as indefinite-lived intangible assets and are included in intangible assets, net in our consolidated Balance Sheets (see note 5) at January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011. In accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Intangibles, we annually review the liquor licenses for impairment. In fiscal 2011 and 2010, no impairment charges were recorded. Additionally, the costs of obtaining non-transferable liquor licenses that are directly issued by local government agencies for nominal fees are expensed as incurred. Annual liquor license renewal fees are expensed over the renewal term.

Debt issuance costs – Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related financing on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest method. In the event of early debt re-payment, the capitalized debt issuance costs are written-off as a loss on early extinguishment of debt. The carrying value of our deferred debt issuance costs, classified in other long-term assets, is approximately $180,000, and $143,000 respectively, net of accumulated amortization of $647,000 and $588,000, respectively, as of January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, respectively.

Construction overhead and capitalized interest – We capitalize construction overhead costs until the time a building is turned over to operations, which is approximately two weeks prior to opening. In fiscal 2011 and 2010, we capitalized construction overhead costs of approximately $196,000 and $126,000, respectively. In 2009, we did not have any new restaurant construction and, therefore, did not have any capitalized construction overhead. There was no capitalized interest in fiscal years 2011, 2010, or 2009. We depreciate and amortize construction overhead and capitalized interest over the same useful life as leasehold improvements.

Advertising costs – Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $4.7 million, $4.2 million, and $4.0 million for fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, and are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Software implementation costs – We capitalize labor costs associated with the implementation of significant information technology infrastructure projects. This is based on actual labor rates per person including benefits, for all the time spent in the implementation of software in accordance with the FASB Accounting Standard Codification for Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. In fiscal 2011, we capitalized approximately $48,000 of software implementation costs. In 2010, we did not capitalize any software implementation costs. In fiscal 2009, we capitalized approximately $4,000 of software implementation costs.

Research and development costs – Research and development costs represent salaries and expenses of personnel engaged in the creation of new menu and Limited-Time Offering (“LTO”) items, recipe enhancements and documentation activities. Research and development costs were approximately $342,000, $346,000, and $369,000, for fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, and are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Pre-opening expenses – All start-up and pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred. We had pre-opening expenses of approximately $412,000 in fiscal 2011 related to two Company-owned restaurants and $300,000 in fiscal 2010 related to one Company-owned restaurant which opened in 2010. In fiscal 2009, we did not open any new Company-owned restaurants. Also, included in pre-opening expenses is pre-opening rent during the build-out period.

Lease accounting – In accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for Leases, we recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis for our operating leases over the entire lease term including lease renewal options and build-out periods where the renewal is reasonably assured and the build-out period takes place prior to the restaurant opening or lease commencement date. Rent expense recorded during the build-out period is reported as pre-opening expense. We account for construction allowances by recording a receivable when its collectability is considered probable, and relieve the receivable once the cash is obtained from the landlord for the construction allowance. Construction allowances are amortized as a credit to rent expense over the full term of the lease, including reasonably assured renewal options and build-out periods.

Recoverability of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, impairment charges, and exit and disposal costs – In accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for Property, Plant and Equipment, we evaluate restaurant sites and long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of restaurant sites to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the restaurant site to the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis. If a restaurant is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the restaurant exceeds its fair value. Fair value, as determined by the discounted future net cash flows, is estimated based on the best information available including estimated future cash flows, expected growth rates in comparable restaurant sales, remaining lease terms and other factors. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to take additional impairment charges for the related assets. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from the estimates.

We account for exit or disposal activities, including restaurant closures, in accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations. Such costs include the cost of disposing of the assets as well as other facility-related expenses from previously closed restaurants. These costs are generally expensed as incurred. Additionally, at the date we cease using a property under an operating lease, we record a liability for the net present value of any remaining lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income. Any subsequent adjustments to that liability as a result of lease termination or changes in estimates of sublease income are recorded in the period incurred. Upon disposal of the assets associated with a closed restaurant, any gain or loss is recorded in the same caption as the original impairment within our consolidated statements of operations.

Asset retirement obligation – We account for asset retirement obligations under the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, which requires recognition of a liability for the fair value of a required asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) when such obligation is incurred. The Company's AROs are primarily associated with leasehold improvements which, at the end of a lease, the Company is contractually obligated to remove in order to comply with the lease agreement. The net ARO liability included in other long term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets was $102,000 at January 1, 2012 and $96,000 at January 2, 2011.

Marketing fund and restricted cash – In fiscal 2004, we established a system-wide Marketing fund. Company-owned restaurants in addition to franchise-operated restaurants, that entered into franchise agreements with the Company after December 17, 2003, are required to contribute a percentage of net sales to the fund that is used for public relations and marketing development efforts throughout the system. These restaurants were required to contribute 0.75% and 0.5% of net sales to this fund during fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. In fiscal 2012, the contribution will be 1.0% of net sales. The assets held by this fund are considered restricted and are in an interest bearing account. Accordingly, we reflected the cash related to this fund in restricted cash and the liability is included in accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheets as of January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011. As of January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, we had approximately $275,000 and $94,000 in this fund, respectively.

Gift cards – We record a liability in the period in which a gift card is issued and proceeds are received. As gift cards are redeemed, this liability is reduced and revenue is recognized. We recognize gift card breakage income as an offset to operating expense based on a stratified breakage rate per year. This breakage rate is based on a percentage of sales when the likelihood of the redemption of the gift card becomes remote.

Net income per common share – Basic net income per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted EPS equals net income divided by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus all additional common stock equivalents relating to stock options when dilutive.

		Fiscal Year
(in thousands, except per share data)		2011		2010		2009

Net income per common share – basic:
	Net income	$	5,562	$	7,218	$	5,701
	Weighted average shares outstanding		7,972		8,620		9,114
Net income per common share – basic		$	0.70	$	0.84	$	0.63

Net income per common share – diluted:
	Net income	$	5,562	$	7,218	$	5,701
	Weighted average shares outstanding		7,972		8,620		9,114
	Dilutive impact of common stock equivalents outstanding		177		164		97
	Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding		8,149		8,784		9,211
Net income per common share – diluted		$	0.68	$	0.82	$	0.62

There were 25,500 and 158,640 options outstanding as of January 1, 2012 and January 3, 2010, respectively, that were not available to be included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive. All options outstanding as of January 2, 2011 were used in the computation of diluted EPS for fiscal 2010.

Stock-based compensation – We follow the provisions of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for Compensation-Stock Compensation, which requires us to recognize compensation cost for share-based awards granted to team members based on their fair values at the time of grant over the requisite service period. Our pre-tax compensation cost for stock options and other incentive awards is included in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations (see Note 10).

The FASB Accounting Standards Codification for Compensation-Stock Compensation requires that cash flows from the exercise of stock options resulting from tax benefits in excess of recognized cumulative compensation cost (excess tax benefits) be classified as cash flows from financing activities. There were no stock options granted during fiscal years 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Income Taxes – We provide for income taxes based on our estimate of federal and state income tax liabilities. These estimates include, among other items, effective rates for state and local income taxes, allowable tax credits for items such as taxes paid on reported tip income, estimates related to depreciation and amortization expense allowable for tax purposes, and the tax deductibility of certain other items. Our estimates are based on the information available to us at the time that we prepare the income tax provision. We generally file our annual income tax returns several months after our fiscal year-end. Income tax returns are subject to audit by federal, state, and local governments, generally years after the tax returns are filed. These returns could be subject to material adjustments or differing interpretations of the tax laws.

Revenue recognition – We record restaurant sales at the time food and beverages are served. We record sales of merchandise items at the time items are delivered to the guest. All sales taxes are presented on a net basis and are excluded from revenue. We have detailed below our revenue recognition policies for franchise and licensing agreements.

Franchise arrangements – Our franchise-related revenue consists of area development fees, initial franchise fees and continuing royalty payments. Our area development fee consists of a one-time, non-refundable payment equal to $10,000 per restaurant in consideration for the services we perform in preparation of executing each area development agreement. Substantially all of these services, which include, but are not limited to a meeting with Famous Dave's Executive Team and performing potential franchise background investigation, are completed prior to our execution of the area development agreement and receipt of the corresponding area development fee. As a result, we recognize this fee in full upon receipt. Our initial, non-refundable, franchise fee is typically $30,000 to $40,000 per restaurant, of which $5,000 is recognized immediately when a franchise agreement is signed, reflecting the commission earned and expenses incurred related to the sale. The remaining non-refundable fee of $25,000 to $35,000 is included in deferred franchise fees and is recognized as revenue when we have performed substantially all of our obligations, which generally occurs upon the franchise entering into a lease agreement for the restaurant(s). During fiscal 2012, to incentivize growth, any partner who signs a franchise agreement and opens a “Shack” style counter service restaurant in fiscal 2012 will have their initial franchise fee's reduced by 50% for that restaurant. The franchise agreement represents a separate and distinct earnings process from the area development agreements. Franchisees are also required to pay us a monthly royalty equal to a percentage of their net sales, which has historically varied from 4% to 5%. In general, new franchises pay us a monthly royalty of 5% of their net sales.

Because of the continuing difficult economic environment and scarcity of capital for development, we offered a reduced royalty rate for twelve months from date of opening for franchisees that opened restaurants during 2010 and 2009. In fiscal 2011, we modified and extended this growth incentive program. The modification offered new and existing franchisees reduced levels of franchise royalties, based on a sliding scale, for new restaurants opened during 2011. All franchise restaurants opened in the first, second, and third quarters paid a reduced royalty of 2.5%, 3%, and 4%, respectively, from the date of opening through the remainder of 2011. Any openings in the fourth quarter and beyond were at the 5% royalty rate. In 2012, there are no reduced royalty rate programs.

Licensing and other revenue – We have a licensing agreement for our retail products, the initial term of which expires in April 2015 with renewal options of five years, subject to the licensee's attainment of identified minimum product sales levels. Licensing revenue is recorded based on royalties earned by the Company in accordance with our agreement. Licensing revenue for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $702,000, $595,000, and $523,000, respectively.

Periodically, we provide additional services, beyond the general franchise agreement, to our franchise operations, such as new restaurant training, information technology setup and décor installation services. The cost of these services is recognized upon completion and is billed to the respective franchisee and is generally payable on net 30-day terms. Other revenue related to these services for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $282,000, $272,000, and $449,000, respectively.