Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies

Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the guidance on the reporting ofdiscontinued operations. The amendment changed the criteria for the reporting of discontinued operations such that only disposals resulting in a strategic shift that will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results will be reported as discontinued operations. The amendment also removed the requirement that an entity not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after disposal to qualify for reporting of the disposal as a discontinued operation. The Company adopted the amendment as of January 1, 2015 and adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on revenue recognition, which provides for a single, five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. The new standard also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. Companies have an option to use either a retrospective approach or cumulative effect adjustment approach to implement the standard. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the new guidance by one year such that the Company will be required to adopt the guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2018.

This new guidance supersedes nearly all of the existing general revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP as well as most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance, including guidance with respect to revenue recognition by franchisors. The Company believes the recognition of the majority of its revenues, including franchise royalty revenues, sales of IHOP pancake and waffle dry mix and retail sales at company-operated restaurants will not be affected by the new guidance. Additionally, lease rental revenues are not within the scope of the new guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures and which method of adoption will be used.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an amendment that modifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendment requires debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction of the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The amendment is effective commencing with the Company's first fiscal quarter of 2016 and is required to be applied on a retrospective basis. As the amendment does not change the underlying accounting for debt issuance costs, adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The Company reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they either are not applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.