SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2024

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of presentation

Basis of presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Our revenues are derived primarily from two sales channels, franchised restaurants and company-owned locations, which we operate as one reportable segment.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2024.

Nature of operations

Nature of operations – The Company operates on a 52-week calendar and its fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. Consistent with industry practice, the Company measures its stores’ performance based upon 7-day work weeks. Using the 52-week cycle ensures consistent weekly reporting for operations and ensures that each week has the same days since certain days are more profitable than others. The use of this fiscal year means a 53rd week is added to the fiscal year every 5 or 6 years. In a 52-week year, all four quarters are comprised of 13 weeks. In a 53-week year, one extra week is added to the fourth quarter. Fiscal year 2023 was a 53-week year and 2024 is a 52-week year.

Employee Retention Tax Credits

Employee Retention Tax Credits - On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Security Act (the "CARES Act") to provide certain relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act provides tax relief, along with other stimulus measures, including a provision for an Employee Retention Credit ("ERC"). As there is no authoritative guidance under U.S. GAAP on accounting for government assistance to for-profit business entities, the Company accounts for the ERC by analogy to International Accounting Standard, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance ("IAS 20"). During the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024 and September 24, 2023, the Company received and recognized $1.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of ERCs recorded within general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024 and September 24, 2023, the Company received and recognized $3.4 million and $13.7 million, respectively, of ERCs recorded within general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Use of estimates in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements

Use of estimates in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements – The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management 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 consolidated financial statements. Significant estimates include the determination of fair values of goodwill and other intangible assets, allowances for uncollectible notes receivable and accounts receivable, and the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets. Estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition. The other segment items category is the difference between segment revenue less the segment expenses disclosed under the significant expense principle and each reported measure of segment profit or loss. The amendments improve financial reporting by requiring disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis for all public entities. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. A public entity should apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Upon transition, the segment expense categories and amounts disclosed in the prior periods should be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments require that public business entities on an annual basis disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. The amendments also require that all entities disclose on an annual basis the income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. The amendments eliminate the requirement for all entities to disclose the nature and estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change in the unrecognized tax benefits balance in the next 12 months or make a statement that an estimate of the range cannot be made. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. Retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.