Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques under the accounting guidance related to fair value measurements are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These inputs are classified into the following hierarchy:

•Level 1 Inputs - Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

•Level 2 Inputs - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

•Level 3 Inputs - Pricing inputs are unobservable for the assets or liabilities and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the assets or liabilities. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:


	Year End
	December 31, 2023				January 1, 2023
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents	$	365,901	$	365,901	$	560,682	$	560,682	Level 1
Other investments in equity securities (a)	1,718		1,718		12,107		12,107		Level 2

Financial liabilities (b)
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes	98,500		92,289		99,500		89,401		Level 2
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes	390,134		370,577		398,000		349,444		Level 2
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes	423,269		362,572		443,250		357,304		Level 2
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes	633,530		530,581		640,250		499,011		Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes	357,673		341,606		364,000		334,334		Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes	403,123		374,058		409,500		361,875		Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes	441,099		412,754		451,250		405,809		Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025	48,237		49,431		86,369		92,367		Level 2

_______________

(a)The fair value of our other investments in equity securities is based on our review of information provided by the investment manager, which is based on observable price changes in orderly transactions for a similar investment of the same issuer.

(b)The fair values were based on quoted market prices in markets that are not considered active markets.

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of those items. The carrying amounts of accounts and notes receivable, net (both current and non-current) approximate fair value due to the effect of the related allowance for doubtful accounts. Our cash equivalents are the only financial assets measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities remeasured to fair value on a non-recurring basis resulted in impairment that we have recorded to “Impairment of long-lived assets” in our consolidated statements of operations.

Total impairment losses may reflect the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held and used (including land, buildings, leasehold improvements, favorable lease assets and ROU assets) to fair value as a result of (1) the deterioration in operating performance of certain Company-operated restaurants and (2) the Company’s decision to lease and/or sublease the land and/or buildings to franchisees in connection with the sale or anticipated sale of restaurants, including any subsequent lease modifications. The fair values of long-lived assets held and used presented in the tables below represent the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on either discounted cash flows of future anticipated lease and sublease income or discounted cash flows of future anticipated Company-operated restaurant performance. Total impairment losses may also include the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held for sale. The fair values of long-lived assets held for sale presented in the tables below represent the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on current market values. See Note 17 for further information on impairment of our long-lived assets.


			Fair Value Measurements						2023 Total Losses
	December 31, 2023		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Held and used	$	1,212	$	—	$	—	$	1,212	$	1,316
Held for sale	1,044		—		—		1,044		85
Total	$	2,256	$	—	$	—	$	2,256	$	1,401


			Fair Value Measurements						2022 Total Losses
	January 1, 2023		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Held and used	$	4,590	$	—	$	—	$	4,590	$	5,727
Held for sale	1,314		—		—		1,314		693
Total	$	5,904	$	—	$	—	$	5,904	$	6,420

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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