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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jul. 03, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three months ended July 3, 2016 and June 28, 2015 was 29.0% and 38.1%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate varies from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to the effect of (1) non-deductible goodwill disposed of in connection with our system optimization initiative described in Note 3, including a correction to a prior year identified and recorded in the second quarter of 2016, which resulted in a benefit of $4,235, (2) state income taxes net of federal benefits, including non-recurring changes to state deferred taxes, (3) adjustments related to prior tax matters and (4) changes to valuation allowances on state net operating loss carryforwards due to the expected sale of restaurants under our system optimization initiative.

During the three months ended March 29, 2015, we concluded two state income tax examinations which resulted in the recognition of a net tax benefit of $1,872. Additionally, during the three months ended June 28, 2015, unfavorable state court decisions and audit experience led us to abandon certain refund claims, which resulted in a reduction of our unrecognized tax benefits by $1,274.

The Company’s effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the six months ended July 3, 2016 and June 28, 2015 was 29.2% and 34.4%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate varies from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to the effect of (1) changes to valuation allowances on state net operating loss carryforwards due to the expected sale of restaurants under our system optimization initiative, including a correction to a prior year identified and recorded in the first quarter of 2016, which resulted in a benefit of $2,878, (2) state income taxes net of federal benefits, including non-recurring changes to state deferred taxes, (3) foreign rate differential, (4) employment credits and (5) non-deductible goodwill disposed of in connection with our system optimization initiative described in Note 3, including a correction to a prior year identified and recorded in the second quarter of 2016, which resulted in a benefit of $4,235. The Company evaluated the corrections of the prior year errors in relation to the estimated income for the full fiscal year and to the trend on earnings. The Company concluded that correcting the errors did not materially affect the estimated 2016 full year income.

There were no significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits or related interest and penalties for the Company for the six months ended July 3, 2016. During the next twelve months, we believe that it is reasonably possible the Company will reduce its unrecognized tax benefits by up to $393, primarily due to expected settlements with taxing authorities.

The Company includes refundable income taxes in “Accounts and notes receivable” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Refundable income taxes were $32,638 and $23,508 as of July 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016, respectively.